Deep Space Network information system architecture study

The purpose of this article is to describe an architecture for the Deep Space Network (DSN) information system in the years 2000-2010 and to provide guidelines for its evolution during the 1990s. The study scope is defined to be from the front-end areas at the antennas to the end users (spacecraft teams, principal investigators, archival storage systems, and non-NASA partners). The architectural vision provides guidance for major DSN implementation efforts during the next decade. A strong motivation for the study is an expected dramatic improvement in information-systems technologies, such as the following: computer processing, automation technology (including knowledge-based systems), networking and data transport, software and hardware engineering, and human-interface technology. The proposed Ground Information System has the following major features: unified architecture from the front-end area to the end user; open-systems standards to achieve interoperability; DSN production of level 0 data; delivery of level 0 data from the Deep Space Communications Complex, if desired; dedicated telemetry processors for each receiver; security against unauthorized access and errors; and highly automated monitor and control

Advanced ISDN satellite designs and experiments

The research performed by GTE Government Systems and the University of Colorado in support of the NASA Satellite Communications Applications Research (SCAR) Program is summarized. Two levels of research were undertaken. The first dealt with providing interim services Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) satellite (ISIS) capabilities that accented basic rate ISDN with a ground control similar to that of the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). The ISIS Network Model development represents satellite systems like the ACTS orbiting switch. The ultimate aim is to move these ACTS ground control functions on-board the next generation of ISDN communications satellite to provide full-service ISDN satellite (FSIS) capabilities. The technical and operational parameters for the advanced ISDN communications satellite design are obtainable from the simulation of ISIS and FSIS engineering software models of the major subsystems of the ISDN communications satellite architecture. Discrete event simulation experiments would generate data for analysis against NASA SCAR performance measure and the data obtained from the ISDN satellite terminal adapter hardware (ISTA) experiments, also developed in the program. The Basic and Option 1 phases of the program are also described and include the following: literature search, traffic mode, network model, scenario specifications, performance measures definitions, hardware experiment design, hardware experiment development, simulator design, and simulator development

A Formal Object Model for Layered Networks to Support Verification and Simulation

This work presents an abstract formal model of the interconnection structure of the Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model (OSI-RM) developed using Object-Oriented modeling principles permitting it to serve as a re-usable platform in supporting the development of simulations and formal methods applied to layered network protocols. A simulation of the object model using MODSIM III was developed and Prototype Verification System (PVS) was used to show the applicability of the object model to formal methods by formally specifying and verifying a Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM) protocol. This application has proved to be successful in two aspects. The first was showing the existence of discrepancies between informal standard protocol specifications, and the second was that communication over the layered GSM network was verified. Although formal methods is somewhat difficult and time consuming, this research shows the need for the formal specification of all communication protocols to support a clear understanding of these protocols and to provide consistency in their implementations. A domain for the application of this model is mobile cellular telecommunications systems. Mobile Communications is one of the most rapidly expanding sectors of telecommunications. Expectations of what a mobile cellular phone can do have vastly increased the complexity of cellular communication networks, which makes it imperative that protocol specifications be verified before implementation

Interim Service ISDN Satellite (ISIS) simulator development for advanced satellite designs and experiments

The simulation development associated with the network models of both the Interim Service Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Satellite (ISIS) and the Full Service ISDN Satellite (FSIS) architectures is documented. The ISIS Network Model design represents satellite systems like the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) orbiting switch. The FSIS architecture, the ultimate aim of this element of the Satellite Communications Applications Research (SCAR) Program, moves all control and switching functions on-board the next generation ISDN communications satellite. The technical and operational parameters for the advanced ISDN communications satellite design will be obtained from the simulation of ISIS and FSIS engineering software models for their major subsystems. Discrete event simulation experiments will be performed with these models using various traffic scenarios, design parameters, and operational procedures. The data from these simulations will be used to determine the engineering parameters for the advanced ISDN communications satellite

Investigation of the consumer electronics bus

The objectives of this dissertation are to investigate the performance of the Consumer Electronics Bus (CEBus) and to develop a theoretical formulation of the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Contention Detection and Contention Resolution (CSMA/CDCR) with three priority classes protocol utilized by the CEBus A new priority channel assigned multiple access with embedded priority resolution (PAMA/PR) theoretical model is formulated. It incorporates the main features of the CEBus with three priority classes. The analytical results for throughput and delay obtained by this formulation were compared to simulation experiments. A close agreement has been found thus validated both theory and simulation models Moreover, the performance of the CEBus implemented with two physical media, the power line (PL) and twisted pair (TP) communication lines, was investigated by measuring message and channel throughputs and mean packet and message delays. The router was modeled as a node which can handle three priority levels simultaneously. Satisfactory performance was obtained. Finally, a gateway joining the CEBus to ISDN was designed and its perfor-mance was evaluated. This gateway provides access to ISDN-based services to the CEBus. The ISDN and CEBus system network architecture, gateway wiring, and data and signaling interface between the CEBus and ISDN were designed, analyzed, and discussed. Again, satisfactory performance was found

Performance of a ATM Lan switching fabric

This thesis provides a focus on the architecture of a high-speed packet switching fabric and its performance. The switching fabric is suited for existing transparent protocols, based on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology and standards in an environment of Local Area Network (LAN). A high-speed switching fabric architecture which adopts Time Division mode and bases on a shared medium approach is proposed. This is an architecture for nonblocking performance, no congestion and high reliability. Its principle for performance is a method of sequentially scheduling the inputs and the transferring of bits in parallel. To study the performance of the switching fabric architecture one uses OPNET communication simulation software. Some parameters including the throughputs, the transfer (the switching fabric) delay, the switching overflow and the packet size in the buffer (the input buffer and the output buffer) are implemented through the simulation. And finally, an analysis for the results of the simulation for local ATM IDS fabric architecture is discussed. The results display an architecture that provides a rational design with some expected characteristics