Survey of Inter-satellite Communication for Small Satellite Systems: Physical Layer to Network Layer View

Small satellite systems enable whole new class of missions for navigation, communications, remote sensing and scientific research for both civilian and military purposes. As individual spacecraft are limited by the size, mass and power constraints, mass-produced small satellites in large constellations or clusters could be useful in many science missions such as gravity mapping, tracking of forest fires, finding water resources, etc. Constellation of satellites provide improved spatial and temporal resolution of the target. Small satellite constellations contribute innovative applications by replacing a single asset with several very capable spacecraft which opens the door to new applications. With increasing levels of autonomy, there will be a need for remote communication networks to enable communication between spacecraft. These space based networks will need to configure and maintain dynamic routes, manage intermediate nodes, and reconfigure themselves to achieve mission objectives. Hence, inter-satellite communication is a key aspect when satellites fly in formation. In this paper, we present the various researches being conducted in the small satellite community for implementing inter-satellite communications based on the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. This paper also reviews the various design parameters applicable to the first three layers of the OSI model, i.e., physical, data link and network layer. Based on the survey, we also present a comprehensive list of design parameters useful for achieving inter-satellite communications for multiple small satellite missions. Specific topics include proposed solutions for some of the challenges faced by small satellite systems, enabling operations using a network of small satellites, and some examples of small satellite missions involving formation flying aspects.Comment: 51 pages, 21 Figures, 11 Tables, accepted in IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorial

Prediction-enhanced Routing in Disruption-tolerant Satellite Networks

This thesis introduces a framework for enhancing DTN (Delay-/Disruption-Tolerant Networking) routing in dynamic LEO satellite constellations based on the prediction of contacts. The solution is developed with a clear focus on the requirements imposed by the 'Ring Road' use case, mandating a concept for dynamic contact prediction and its integration into a state-of-the-art routing approach. The resulting system does not restrict possible applications to the 'Ring Road,' but allows for flexible adaptation to further use cases. A thorough evaluation shows that employing proactive routing in concert with a prediction mechanism offers significantly improved performance when compared to alternative opportunistic routing techniques

Routing in the Space Internet: A contact graph routing tutorial

A Space Internet is possible, as long as the delay and disruption challenges imposed by the space environment are properly tackled. Because these conditions are not well addressed by terrestrial Internet, more capable Delay-Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols and algorithms are being developed. In particular, the principles and techniques for routing among ground elements and spacecraft in near-Earth orbit and deep-space are enacted in the Contact Graph Routing (CGR) framework. CGR blends a set of non-trivial algorithm adaptations, space operations concepts, time-dynamic scheduling, and specific graph models. The complexity of that framework suggests a need for a focused discussion to facilitate its direct and correct apprehension. To this end, we present an in-depth tutorial that collects and organizes first-hand experience on researching, developing, implementing, and standardizing CGR. Content is laid out in a structure that considers the planning, route search and management, and forwarding phases bridging ground and space domains. We rely on intuitive graphical examples, supporting code material, and references to flight-grade CGR implementations details where pertinent. We hope this tutorial will serve as a valuable resource for engineers and that researchers can also apply the insights presented here to topics in DTN research.Fil: Fraire, Juan Andres. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina. Universitat Saarland; AlemaniaFil: De Jonckère, Olivier. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Burleigh, Scott C.. California Institute of Technology; Estados Unido

Nanosatellite-5G Integration in the Millimeter Wave Domain: A Full Top-Down Approach

This paper presents a novel network architecture for an integrated nanosatellite (nSAT)-5G system operating in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) domain. The architecture is realized adopting a delay/disruption tolerant networking (DTN) approach allowing end users to adopt standard devices. A buffer aware contact graph routing algorithm is designed to account for the buffer occupancy of the nSATs and for the connection planning derived from their visibility periods. At the terrestrial uplink, a coded random access is employed to realize a high-capacity interface for the typically irregular traffic of 5G users, while, at the space uplink, the DTN architecture is combined with the contention resolution diversity slotted Aloha protocol to match the recent update of the DVB-RCS2 standard. To achieve a reliable testing of the introduced functionalities, an accurate analysis of the statistic of the signal to interference-plus-noise ratio and of the capture probability at each mmWave link is developed by including interference, shadowing, fading, and noise. The application of the designed architecture to data transfer services in conjunction with possible delay reduction strategies, and an extension to inter-satellite communication, are finally presented by estimating the resulting loss/delay performance through a discrete-time discrete-event platform based on the integration of Matlab with Network Simulator 3

Review on free-space optical communications for delay and disruption tolerant networks

The increase of data-rates that are provided by free-space optical (FSO) communications is essential in our data-driven society. When used in satellite and interplanetary networks, these optical links can ensure fast connections, yet they are susceptible to atmospheric disruptions and long orbital delays. The Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) architecture ensures a reliable connection between two end nodes, without the need for a direct connection. This can be an asset when used with FSO links, providing protocols that can handle the intermittent nature of the connection. This paper provides a review on the theoretical and state-of-the-art studies on FSO and DTN. The aim of this review is to provide motivation for the research of an optical wireless satellite network, with focus on the use of the Licklider Transmission Protocol. The assessment presented establishes the viability of these networks, providing many examples to rely on, and summarizing the most recent stage of the development of the technologies addressed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Small satellites and CubeSats: survey of structures, architectures, and protocols

The space environment is still challenging but is becoming more and more attractive for an increasing number of entities. In the second half of the 20th century, a huge amount of funds was required to build satellites and gain access to space. Nowadays, it is no longer so. The advancement of technologies allows producing very small hardware components able to survive the strict conditions of the outer space. Consequently, small satellites can be designed for a wide set of missions keeping low design times, production costs, and deployment costs. One widely used type of small satellite is the CubeSat, whose different aspects are surveyed in the following: mission goals, hardware subsystems and components, possible network topologies, channel models, and suitable communication protocols. We also show some future challenges related to the employment of CubeSat networks

Methodologies for the analysis of value from delay-tolerant inter-satellite networking

In a world that is becoming increasingly connected, both in the sense of people and devices, it is of no surprise that users of the data enabled by satellites are exploring the potential brought about from a more connected Earth orbit environment. Lower data latency, higher revisit rates and higher volumes of information are the order of the day, and inter-connectivity is one of the ways in which this could be achieved. Within this dissertation, three main topics are investigated and built upon. First, the process of routing data through intermittently connected delay-tolerant networks is examined and a new routing protocol introduced, called Spae. The consideration of downstream resource limitations forms the heart of this novel approach which is shown to provide improvements in data routing that closely match that of a theoretically optimal scheme. Next, the value of inter-satellite networking is derived in such a way that removes the difficult task of costing the enabling inter-satellite link technology. Instead, value is defined as the price one should be willing to pay for the technology while retaining a mission value greater than its non-networking counterpart. This is achieved through the use of multi-attribute utility theory, trade-space analysis and system modelling, and demonstrated in two case studies. Finally, the effects of uncertainty in the form of sub-system failure are considered. Inter-satellite networking is shown to increase a system's resilience to failure through introduction of additional, partially failed states, made possible by data relay. The lifetime value of a system is then captured using a semi-analytical approach exploiting Markov chains, validated with a numerical Monte Carlo simulation approach. It is evident that while inter-satellite networking may offer more value in general, it does not necessarily result in a decrease in the loss of utility over the lifetime.In a world that is becoming increasingly connected, both in the sense of people and devices, it is of no surprise that users of the data enabled by satellites are exploring the potential brought about from a more connected Earth orbit environment. Lower data latency, higher revisit rates and higher volumes of information are the order of the day, and inter-connectivity is one of the ways in which this could be achieved. Within this dissertation, three main topics are investigated and built upon. First, the process of routing data through intermittently connected delay-tolerant networks is examined and a new routing protocol introduced, called Spae. The consideration of downstream resource limitations forms the heart of this novel approach which is shown to provide improvements in data routing that closely match that of a theoretically optimal scheme. Next, the value of inter-satellite networking is derived in such a way that removes the difficult task of costing the enabling inter-satellite link technology. Instead, value is defined as the price one should be willing to pay for the technology while retaining a mission value greater than its non-networking counterpart. This is achieved through the use of multi-attribute utility theory, trade-space analysis and system modelling, and demonstrated in two case studies. Finally, the effects of uncertainty in the form of sub-system failure are considered. Inter-satellite networking is shown to increase a system's resilience to failure through introduction of additional, partially failed states, made possible by data relay. The lifetime value of a system is then captured using a semi-analytical approach exploiting Markov chains, validated with a numerical Monte Carlo simulation approach. It is evident that while inter-satellite networking may offer more value in general, it does not necessarily result in a decrease in the loss of utility over the lifetime

Scalable Schedule-Aware Bundle Routing

This thesis introduces approaches providing scalable delay-/disruption-tolerant routing capabilities in scheduled space topologies. The solution is developed for the requirements derived from use cases built according to predictions for future space topology, like the future Mars communications architecture report from the interagency operations advisory group. A novel routing algorithm is depicted to provide optimized networking performance that discards the scalability issues inherent to state-of-the-art approaches. This thesis also proposes a new recommendation to render volume management concerns generic and easily exchangeable, including a new simple management technique increasing volume awareness accuracy while being adaptable to more particular use cases. Additionally, this thesis introduces a more robust and scalable approach for internetworking between subnetworks to increase the throughput, reduce delays, and ease configuration thanks to its high flexibility.:1 Introduction 1.1 Motivation 1.2 Problem statement 1.3 Objectives 1.4 Outline 2 Requirements 2.1 Use cases 2.2 Requirements 2.2.1 Requirement analysis 2.2.2 Requirements relative to the routing algorithm 2.2.3 Requirements relative to the volume management 2.2.4 Requirements relative to interregional routing 3 Fundamentals 3.1 Delay-/disruption-tolerant networking 3.1.1 Architecture 3.1.2 Opportunistic and deterministic DTNs 3.1.3 DTN routing 3.1.4 Contact plans 3.1.5 Volume management 3.1.6 Regions 3.2 Contact graph routing 3.2.1 A non-replication routing scheme 3.2.2 Route construction 3.2.3 Route selection 3.2.4 Enhancements and main features 3.3 Graph theory and DTN routing 3.3.1 Mapping with DTN objects 3.3.2 Shortest path algorithm 3.3.3 Edge and vertex contraction 3.4 Algorithmic determinism and predictability 4 Preliminary analysis 4.1 Node and contact graphs 4.2 Scenario 4.3 Route construction in ION-CGR 4.4 Alternative route search 4.4.1 Yen’s algorithm scalability 4.4.2 Blocking issues with Yen 4.4.3 Limiting contact approaches 4.5 CGR-multicast and shortest-path tree search 4.6 Volume management 4.6.1 Volume obstruction 4.6.2 Contact sink 4.6.3 Ghost queue 4.6.4 Data rate variations 4.7 Hierarchical interregional routing 4.8 Other potential issues 5 State-of-the-art and related work 5.1 Taxonomy 5.2 Opportunistic and probabilistic approaches 5.2.1 Flooding approaches 5.2.2 PROPHET 5.2.3 MaxProp 5.2.4 Issues 5.3 Deterministic approaches 5.3.1 Movement-aware routing over interplanetary networks 5.3.2 Delay-tolerant link state routing 5.3.3 DTN routing for quasi-deterministic networks 5.3.4 Issues 5.4 CGR variants and enhancements 5.4.1 CGR alternative routing table computation 5.4.2 CGR-multicast 5.4.3 CGR extensions 5.4.4 RUCoP and CGR-hop 5.4.5 Issues 5.5 Interregional routing 5.5.1 Border gateway protocol 5.5.2 Hierarchical interregional routing 5.5.3 Issues 5.6 Further approaches 5.6.1 Machine learning approaches 5.6.2 Tropical geometry 6 Scalable schedule-aware bundle routing 6.1 Overview 6.2 Shortest-path tree routing for space networks 6.2.1 Structure 6.2.2 Tree construction 6.2.3 Tree management 6.2.4 Tree caching 6.3 Contact segmentation 6.3.1 Volume management interface 6.3.2 Simple volume manager 6.3.3 Enhanced volume manager 6.4 Contact passageways 6.4.1 Regional border definition 6.4.2 Virtual nodes 6.4.3 Pathfinding and administration 7 Evaluation 7.1 Methodology 7.1.1 Simulation tools 7.1.2 Simulator extensions 7.1.3 Algorithms and scenarios 7.2 Offline analysis 7.3 Eliminatory processing pressures 7.4 Networking performance 7.4.1 Intraregional unicast routing tests 7.4.2 Intraregional multicast tests 7.4.3 Interregional routing tests 7.4.4 Behavior with congestion 7.5 Requirement fulfillment 8 Summary and Outlook 8.1 Conclusion 8.2 Future works 8.2.1 Next development steps 8.2.2 Contact graph routin

NGSO Constellation Design for Global Connectivity

Non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite constellations represent a cornerstone in the NewSpace paradigm and thus have become one of the hottest topics for the industry, academia, but also for national space agencies and regulators. For instance, numerous companies worldwide, including Starlink, OneWeb, Kepler, SPUTNIX, and Amazon have started or will soon start to deploy their own NGSO constellations, which aim to provide either broadband or IoT services. One of the major drivers for such a high interest on NGSO constellations is that, with an appropriate design, they are capable of providing global coverage and connectivity.Comment: Book chapter submitted to IET Non-Geostationary Satellite Communications System