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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2

An Approach to Integrated Spectrum Efficient Network Enhanced Telemetry (iSENET))

As the integrated Network Enhanced Telemetry (iNET) program moves forward in resolving systems engineering design and architecture definition, critical technology "gaps" and a migration path to realizing the integration of this technology are needed to insure a smooth transition from the current legacy point to point telemetry links to a network oriented telemetry system. Specifically, identified by the DoD aeronautical telemetry community is the need for a migration to a network solution for command, control, and transfer of test data by optimizing the physical, data link, and network layers. In this paper, we present a network-centric telemetry approach based on variants of 802.11 that leverages the open standards as well as the previous Advanced Range Telemetry (ARTM) work on the physical layer waveform. Specifically, we present a burst modem approach based on the recent AOFDM 802.11a work, a TDMA-like MAC layer approach based on 802.11e, and then add additional MAC layer features to allow for the multi-hop aeronautical environment using a variant of the current working standards of 802.11s. The combined benefits of the variants obtained from 802.11a, 802.11e, and 802.11s address the needs for both spectrum efficiency in the aeronautical environment and the iNET program.

TDMA↗

Message transfer service for space applications

Spacecraft applications that interact with on-board sensors, effectors, and major components have traditionally used private interfaces which are tightly bound to the interface details of the data links connecting these sub-systems. The latest spacecraft, which often include several powerful processors running real time operating systems, high-speed on-board networks, and intelligent peripherals, can support a more layered networked environment. Use of standard interfaces and networked elements is expected to yield reusable software and hardware components. Within CCSDS Panel 1K we have been developing such on-board interface standards. This paper will present a Message Transfer Service that defines a common API for use within a single spacecraft or among spacecraft flying in a constellation.

CCSDS SOIF message service space communication↗

Operations Concept for a Solar System Internetwork

Space communications to date has been largely managed at the link layer, with simple point-to-point links between a spacecraft at Earth. However, future space exploration scenarios involve much richer communications scenarios, with complex network scenarios involving space assets communicating back to Earth via multiple intermediate relay service providers. To support these more complex network scenarios, the Space Internetworking Strategy Group has developed an operations concept for a Solar System Internetwork (SSI). The operations concept draws on the successes of the terrestrial Internet while addressing unique aspects of space communications. Key elements of the operations concept include a standardized network layer across the end-to-end SSI and the underlying processes for development of a contact plan that captures the link layer connectivity among SSI network nodes.

Edwards, Charles D., Jr.↗

A three-layer distributed RC network with two transmission zeros

This report describes the properties of a three-layer distributed RC network consisting of two resistive layers separated by a dielectric which may be used to realize two zeros of transmission on the j-omega axis of the complex frequency plane. The relative location of the two zeros is controlled by the location of a contact placed on one of the resistive layers.

Huelsman, L. P.↗

A review and analysis of neural networks for classification of remotely sensed multispectral imagery

A literature survey and analysis of the use of neural networks for the classification of remotely sensed multispectral imagery is presented. As part of a brief mathematical review, the backpropagation algorithm, which is the most common method of training multi-layer networks, is discussed with an emphasis on its application to pattern recognition. The analysis is divided into five aspects of neural network classification: (1) input data preprocessing, structure, and encoding; (2) output encoding and extraction of classes; (3) network architecture, (4) training algorithms; and (5) comparisons to conventional classifiers. The advantages of the neural network method over traditional classifiers are its non-parametric nature, arbitrary decision boundary capabilities, easy adaptation to different types of data and input structures, fuzzy output values that can enhance classification, and good generalization for use with multiple images. The disadvantages of the method are slow training time, inconsistent results due to random initial weights, and the requirement of obscure initialization values (e.g., learning rate and hidden layer size). Possible techniques for ameliorating these problems are discussed. It is concluded that, although the neural network method has several unique capabilities, it will become a useful tool in remote sensing only if it is made faster, more predictable, and easier to use.

Paola, Justin D.↗

Adapting End Host Congestion Control for Mobility

Network layer mobility allows transport protocols to maintain connection state, despite changes in a node's physical location and point of network connectivity. However, some congestion-controlled transport protocols are not designed to deal with these rapid and potentially significant path changes. In this paper we demonstrate several distinct problems that mobility-induced path changes can create for TCP performance. Our premise is that mobility events indicate path changes that require re-initialization of congestion control state at both connection end points. We present the application of this idea to TCP in the form of a simple solution (the Lightweight Mobility Detection and Response algorithm, that has been proposed in the IETF), and examine its effectiveness. In general, we find that the deficiencies presented are both relatively easily and painlessly fixed using this solution. We also find that this solution has the counter-intuitive property of being both more friendly to competing traffic, and simultaneously more aggressive in utilizing newly available capacity than unmodified TCP.

Eddy, Wesley M.↗

High-Performance CCSDS Encapsulation Service Implementation in FPGA

The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Encapsulation Service is a convergence layer between lower-layer space data link framing protocols, such as CCSDS Advanced Orbiting System (AOS), and higher-layer networking protocols, such as CFDP (CCSDS File Delivery Protocol) and Internet Protocol Extension (IPE). CCSDS Encapsulation Service is considered part of the data link layer. The CCSDS AOS implementation is described in the preceding article. Recent advancement in RF modem technology has allowed multi-megabit transmission over space links. With this increase in data rate, the CCSDS Encapsulation Service needs to be optimized to both reduce energy consumption and operate at a high rate. CCSDS Encapsulation Service has been implemented as an intellectual property core so that the aforementioned problems are solved by way of operating the CCSDS Encapsulation Service inside an FPGA. The CCSDS En capsula tion Service in FPGA implementation consists of both packetizing and de-packetizing features

Clare, Loren P.↗

Applying the Cognitive Space Gateway to Swarm Topologies

NASA's future vision for interplanetary networking includes a lunar network, Cube Satellite (CubeSat) constellations, and deep space robotic missions, comprising what could be viewed as a network of networks. Delay-tolerant networking (DTN) architecture and protocols provide a standard network layer among these varying scenarios and mitigate many challenges of the space environment, such as long delays, unplanned service interruptions, and asymmetric links. The Cognitive Space Gateway (CSG) is a routing method in a DTN architecture that uses spiking neural networks as the learning element to optimize routing decisions in a complex environment. This work aims to further develop cognitive networking technologies in several critical areas, including DTN, the CSG algorithm, CubeSat swarm topologies, and cloud services. To test the algorithm in a realistic scenario, the emulated network topology is based on a CubeSat swarm. The swarm may function as a mesh of nodes or as a hub-and-spoke network. An emulation environment will be built upon a commercial cloud service, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elastic Compute Cloud. The cloud environment may enable a flexible, lower maintenance approach versus a multi-hop network based in a physical laboratory. The cloud platform will provide a secure environment allowing for collaboration among government and academic entities.

Ricardo Lent↗

Applying the Cognitive Space Gateway to Swarm Topologies

NASA’s future vision for interplanetary networking includes a lunar network, Cube Satellite (CubeSat) constellations, and deep space robotic missions, comprising what could be viewed as a network of networks. Delay-tolerant networking (DTN) architecture and protocols provide a standard network layer among these varying scenarios and mitigate many challenges of the space environment, such as long delays, unplanned service interruptions, and asymmetric links. The Cognitive Space Gateway (CSG) is a routing method in a DTN architecture that uses spiking neural networks as the learning element to optimize outing decisions in a complex environment. This work aims to further develop cognitive networking technologies in several critical areas, including DTN, the CSG algorithm, SmallSat swarm topologies, and cloud services. The CSG algorithm is tested in a realistic scenario in which the emulated network topology is based on a SmallSat swarm. The emulation environment will be built upon a commercial cloud service, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elastic Compute Cloud. This work investigates the ability of such a platform to enable a flexible, lower maintenance approach to creating a multihop network outside of a physical laboratory. The cloud platform will provide a secure environment allowing for collaboration among government and academic entities.

Ricardo Lent↗

Considerations on command and response language features for a network of heterogeneous autonomous computers

The design of a uniform command language to be used in a local area network of heterogeneous, autonomous nodes is considered. After examining the major characteristics of such a network, and after considering the profile of a scientist using the computers on the net as an investigative aid, a set of reasonable requirements for the command language are derived. Taking into account the possible inefficiencies in implementing a guest-layered network operating system and command language on a heterogeneous net, the authors examine command language naming, process/procedure invocation, parameter acquisition, help and response facilities, and other features found in single-node command languages, and conclude that some features may extend simply to the network case, others extend after some restrictions are imposed, and still others require modifications. In addition, it is noted that some requirements considered reasonable (user accounting reports, for example) demand further study before they can be efficiently implemented on a network of the sort described.

Engelberg, N.↗

CCSDS Time-Critical Onboard Networking Service

The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) is developing recommendations for communication services onboard spacecraft. Today many different communication buses are used on spacecraft requiring software with the same basic functionality to be rewritten for each type of bus. This impacts on the application software resulting in custom software for almost every new mission. The Spacecraft Onboard Interface Services (SOIS) working group aims to provide a consistent interface to various onboard buses and sub-networks, enabling a common interface to the application software. The eventual goal is reusable software that can be easily ported to new missions and run on a range of onboard buses without substantial modification. The system engineer will then be able to select a bus based on its performance, power, etc and be confident that a particular choice of bus will not place excessive demands on software development. This paper describes the SOIS Intra-Networking Service which is designed to enable data transfer and multiplexing of a variety of internetworking protocols with a range of quality of service support, over underlying heterogeneous data links. The Intra-network service interface provides users with a common Quality of Service interface when transporting data across a variety of underlying data links. Supported Quality of Service (QoS) elements include: Priority, Resource Reservation and Retry/Redundancy. These three QoS elements combine and map into four TCONS services for onboard data communications: Best Effort, Assured, Reserved, and Guaranteed. Data to be transported is passed to the Intra-network service with a requested QoS. The requested QoS includes the type of service, priority and where appropriate, a channel identifier. The data is de-multiplexed, prioritized, and the required resources for transport are allocated. The data is then passed to the appropriate data link for transfer across the bus. The SOIS supported data links may inherently provide the quality of service support requested by the intra-network layer. In the case where the data link does not have the required level of support, the missing functionality is added by SOIS. As a result of this architecture, re-usable software applications can be designed and used across missions thereby promoting common mission operations. In addition, the protocol multiplexing function enables the blending of multiple onboard networks. This paper starts by giving an overview of the SOIS architecture in section 11, illustrating where the TCONS services fit into the overall architecture. It then describes the quality of service approach adopted, in section III. The prototyping efforts that have been going on are introduced in section JY. Finally, in section V the current status of the CCSDS recommendations is summarized.

Parkes, Steve↗

Network design consideration of a satellite-based mobile communications system

Technical considerations for the Mobile Satellite Experiment (MSAT-X), the ground segment testbed for the low-cost spectral efficient satellite-based mobile communications technologies being developed for the 1990's, are discussed. The Network Management Center contains a flexible resource sharing algorithm, the Demand Assigned Multiple Access scheme, which partitions the satellite transponder bandwidth among voice, data, and request channels. Satellite use of multiple UHF beams permits frequency reuse. The backhaul communications and the Telemetry, Tracking and Control traffic are provided through a single full-coverage SHF beam. Mobile Terminals communicate with the satellite using UHF. All communications including SHF-SHF between Base Stations and/or Gateways, are routed through the satellite. Because MSAT-X is an experimental network, higher level network protocols (which are service-specific) will be developed only to test the operation of the lowest three levels, the physical, data link, and network layers.

Yan, T.-Y.↗

MTP: An atomic multicast transport protocol

Multicast transport protocol (MTP); a reliable transport protocol that utilizes the multicast strategy of applicable lower layer network architectures is described. In addition to transporting data reliably and efficiently, MTP provides the client synchronization necessary for agreement on the receipt of data and the joining of the group of communicants.

Freier, Alan O.↗

The Integration of Fieldbus Devices to an Existing DCS

Existing analog strain gauge transducers and signal conditioners were replaced with new Foundation Fieldbus Transmitters in the Distributed Control System, DCS, at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The reasons for implementing this upgrade and an evaluation of the results of the project are the subjects of this paper. Problems and advantages with the original transducers and the newly installed transmitters are described and compared. Detail of the physical network layer between the Foundation Fieldbus Transmitters, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Multipurpose Micro-Processor (MMPs) and the operator workstations are illustrated. The complex nature of the facility and methods of future control of the associated processes are also discussed.

Sadhukhan, Debashis↗

Update on NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Project

This paper provides an update on NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Project (LCRD), a joint project between NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (JPL), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL). LCRD will provide a minimum of two years of high data rate optical communications services to demonstrate a concept of operations for future mission critical Earth relay satellites. LCRD is expected to launch in June 2019 and demonstrate how optical communications can meet NASA's growing need for higher data rates, or for the same data rate provided by a comparable RF system, how it enables lower power, lower mass communications systems on user spacecraft. In addition, LCRD's architecture will allow it to serve as a testbed in space for the development of additional symbol coding, link and network layer protocols, etc. LCRD's mission and architecture has slowly evolved since the project first started and this paper will provide an update of LCRD and planned capabilities and experiments.

Optical Communications↗

A Case for Bundle Protocol in Space

NASA, through the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) project, is investing in the development and infusion of delay tolerant networking (DTN) protocols for use on future space flight missions. The cornerstone of the DTN suite is the Bundle Protocol which provides network layer addressing and routing of data blocks. In 2017, the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission was selected as the first in-house robotic science mission to implement the Bundle Protocol for downlink of housekeeping telemetry. One year into the design and incorporation of the Bundle Protocol on PACE, this presentation makes a case for using the Bundle Protocol for communication with future space assets. Specifically, the use of the Bundle Protocol (1) simplifies relaying data through store and forward routing and custody transfer; (2) simplifies downlink management through delivery guarantees; and (3) simplifies storage services through block level interactions with memory devices.

Swinski, J. P.↗

Automated End-to-End Spacecraft Connectivity Across Diverse Links

An increasing variety of communications services are available to space missions. Yet varying standards between providers hinder adoption due to the complexity of managing many configurations. We present a software framework to automatically establish end-to-end communications during contacts with a provider by configuring spacecraft protocols at the physical, link, and network layers. Underlying protocols and routes are abstracted, allowing the user to simply send data to a destination with the framework ensuring its delivery. We evaluate a full implementation of the framework in laboratory experiments conducted on an emulated communications testbed. These tests demonstrate data delivery across three different services with rapid (<20s) reconfiguration as the spacecraft transitions between providers.

satellite communication↗

A proposed architecture for a satellite-based mobile communications network - The lowest three layers

Architecture for a commercial mobile satellite network is proposed. The mobile satellite system (MSS) is composed of a network management center, mobile terminals, base stations, and gateways; the functions of each component are described. The satellite is a 'bent pipe' that performs frequency translations, and it has multiple UHF beams. The development of the MSS design based on the seven-layer open system interconnection model is examined. Consideration is given to the functions of the physical, data link, and network layers and the integrated adaptive mobile access protocol.

Yan, T. Y.↗