Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: General concept and case study of a cost-effective, multi-institutional Earth observation platform

Faber, Nicolas; Nakamura, Yu; Alena, Richard; Mauro, D.; Frost, Chad; Bhat, Gokul; McNair, Janise

doi:10.1109/aero.2014.6836297

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…In order to minimize the effect of this big latency, the number of packets must be reduced by applying bigger packet size. On the other hand, too large packets will decrease packet success rate as shown in equation (6). Here in our simulations, we used 2000 bytes/packet (16 kbits/packet) for the packet size at the application layer, which is 2064 bytes/packet (16512 bits/packet) at the MAC layer.…”

Section: Ip Layermentioning

confidence: 98%

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Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: Performance analysis for low-cost Earth Observation missions

Nakamura

Faber

Mauro

et al. 2014

2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference

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Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks (HSNs) are network environments in which spacecraft from different missions and institutions can communicate with each other at low cost and with low impact on overall system resources. The Mission Design Center (MDC) at NASA Ames Research Center has been studying solutions for low cost multi spacecraft systems for a number of years. One may now build on the idea to interconnect clusters of spacecraft with each other to have them act as mobile nodes belonging to the same collaborative mission. Recent progress in small satellite technology is significant, and one of the advantages of small satellites lies precisely in the large quantity of spacecraft that can be produced at accessible costs. It follows naturally that small satellites are an interesting candidate platform for development and demonstration of the HSN concept. This paper is the second in a series of three companion papers. The general concept of operations for HSNs in LEO and a number of future applications are proposed in the first paper [6], while enabling technology such as devices and lower layer protocols are discussed in paper three [7]. In this paper, we pick up the scenario of a low-cost and multi-institutional network of Earth Observation (EO) missions in LEO and conduct network performance analysis using the AGI System Tool Kit (STK) and the open-source Network Simulator (NS-3). A multi spacecraft network consolidates the individual capabilities of each spacecraft from different institutions by combining benefits of both frequent revisit and concentrated observation. Complementary and correlated data could be collected simultaneously from a large set of distributed spacecraft utilizing HSN capability. In this specific configuration, communication distance between spacecraft, related delays and error rate are the major factors in network performance.Also, average duration of communication opportunities between spacecraft is usually very limited. Thus, it is important to simulate orbital dynamics, link margins, and protocols simultaneously to analyze network performances. In this paper, we compare some existing protocols to obtain a measure for the practical performance of the candidate network. We focus on best-effort data delivery, an approach necessitated by the severe constraints on communications resulting from low-cost and low system resource small spacecraft. In the application layer, we show that packet size and data rate of a source node also affect overall performance of the network. We present the resulting figures of merit from our simulations. The paper concludes with a summary of the simulation results.

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Section: Ip Layermentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This paper is the second in a series of three companion papers in which we show the basic concept of operations and network management (paper 1 [6]), network performance (this paper), and enabling hardware and software technologies (paper 3 [7]) of HSNs. The paper is organized as fo llows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: Performance analysis for low-cost Earth Observation missions

Nakamura

Faber

Mauro

et al. 2014

2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference

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“…Most of the satellite systems that have been in-orbit experiments are networks of multiple homogeneous satellites [5,6], such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Edison Demonstration of Smallsat Networks (EDSN) Project [7,8], the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission Project [9], the European Space Agency (ESA) Project for On-board Autonomy (PROBA-3) [10], and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Space Ultra-Low Frequency Radio Observatory (SUL-FRO) Project [11]. In order to extend the capabilities of individual systems and further reduce development costs, the concept of heterogeneous networks was proposed and applied to satellite networks, including federated satellite systems (FSS) proposed by Selva et al [12], the heterogeneous spacecraft network (HSN) [13] proposed by Faber et al, and the Internet of Satellites (IoS) proposed by Ruiz et al [14]. These systems have different mission objectives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design, analysis and optimization of random access inter-satellite ranging system

Wang

Jin

2020

J. of Syst. Eng. Electron.

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In this paper, a random access inter-satellite ranging (RAISR) system is designed. The ranging accuracy is optimized by an algorithm to greatly improve the ranging accuracy. This paper verifies the feasibility of the RAISR system through a series of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, hardware system design and testing. The research work brings the solution to the design and accuracy optimization problem of the RAISR system, which eliminates the main error caused by the satellite dynamic characteristics and frequency source drift of the RAISR system. The accuracy of the measurement system has been significantly improved.

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“…The first paper covers the Operations Concepts proposed for HSN. 3 The other paper covers performance simulations for hybrid networks. 4 This paper covers three standards for terrestrial communication applied to space communication at the Physical and Media Access Control Layers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: Wireless network technology assessment

Alena¹,

Nakamura²,

Faber³

et al. 2014

2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference

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Constellations of small satellites are useful for a number of earth observation and space exploration missions. The Heterogeneous Spacecraft Network project is defining operations concepts and promising technology that can provide greater capability at lower cost. Typically, such spacecraft can communicate with each other in orbit and with ground stations for spacecraft operation and downlink of science data. However, small spacecraft often cannot utilize the capability delivered by networks such as the Universal Space Network, even if the mission could afford the cost. Small spacecraft have significant constraints in terms of power availability, attitude stability and overall mass and volume, requiring innovative technology for implementing highly functional satellites. A major challenge for such missions is selecting communications technology able to function in the space environment, able to meet the requirements for both inter-satellite and space-toground data links and fit within the resources available on small satellites. Moreover, the cost of the technology needs to be as low as possible to facilitate participation by a broad range of organizations. Finally, the communications networks should conform to standards allowing broad adoption and the use of common infrastructure for multiple missions. Communications technology based on the IEEE 802 family of local area and metropolitan area network standards can be adapted to meet the needs of such missions. This paper will identify possible development paths for improved communication between small satellites and to the ground by reviewing and evaluating standards-based technology for use by small satellite missions. Methods for greatly extending both range and data rate will be proposed and analyzed. It will review and evaluate the IEEE 802.11 wireless network standards, the ITU WCDMA 3G cell phone standard and the IEEE 802.15.4 Personal Area Network standard. A simple set of communication requirements will define the trade offs between standards and identify the technical capability needed for such missions. Specifically, the improvements needed to the Physical Layer to extend range to 1200 Km and the ability to comply with spectrum management constraints will be investigated. Authentication and encryption will be addressed along 1 with adjustments to the Media Access Control layer that can optimize data transfer rates over a broad range of distances and conditions. The paper concludes with recommendations for standards-based communication technology development for small satellites supported by the results of this trade study. The primary objective is to greatly reduce the cost of data communication for small satellites by establishing a common infrastructure able to meet the needs of most missions.

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Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: General concept and case study of a cost-effective, multi-institutional Earth observation platform

Cited by 9 publications

References 1 publication

Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: Performance analysis for low-cost Earth Observation missions

Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: Performance analysis for low-cost Earth Observation missions

Design, analysis and optimization of random access inter-satellite ranging system

Heterogeneous Spacecraft Networks: Wireless network technology assessment

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