Autonomic disaggregated multilayer networking

Focused on reducing capital expenditures by opening the data plane to multiple vendors without impacting performance, node disaggregation is attracting the interest of network operators. Although the software-defined networking (SDN) paradigm is key for the control of such networks, the increased complexity of multilayer networks strictly requires monitoring/telemetry and data analytics capabilities to assist in creating and operating self-managed (autonomic) networks. Such autonomicity greatly reduces operational expenditures, while improving network performance. In this context, a monitoring and data analytics (MDA) architecture consisting of centralized data storage with data analytics capabilities, together with a generic node agent for monitoring/telemetry supporting disaggregation, is presented. A YANG data model that allows one to clearly separate responsibilities for monitoring configuration from node configuration is also proposed. The MDA architecture and YANG data models are experimentally demonstrated through three different use cases: i) virtual link creation supported by an optical connection, where monitoring is automatically activated; ii) multilayer self-configuration after bit error rate (BER) degradation detection, where a modulation format adaptation is recommended for the SDN controller to minimize errors (this entails reducing the capacity of both the virtual link and supported multiprotocol label switching-transport profile (MPLS-TP) paths); and iii) optical layer selfhealing, including failure localization at the optical layer to find the cause of BER degradation. A combination of active and passive monitoring procedures allows one to localize the cause of the failure, leading to lightpath rerouting recommendations toward the SDN controller avoiding the failing element(s).Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Technology for the Future: In-Space Technology Experiments Program, part 2

The purpose of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) In-Space Technology Experiments Program In-STEP 1988 Workshop was to identify and prioritize technologies that are critical for future national space programs and require validation in the space environment, and review current NASA (In-Reach) and industry/ university (Out-Reach) experiments. A prioritized list of the critical technology needs was developed for the following eight disciplines: structures; environmental effects; power systems and thermal management; fluid management and propulsion systems; automation and robotics; sensors and information systems; in-space systems; and humans in space. This is part two of two parts and contains the critical technology presentations for the eight theme elements and a summary listing of critical space technology needs for each theme

Experimental Demonstration of Partially Disaggregated Optical Network Control Using the Physical Layer Digital Twin

Optical communications and networking are fast becoming the solution to support ever-increasing data traffic across all segments of the network, expanding from core/metro networks to 5G/6G front-hauling. Therefore, optical networks need to evolve towards an efficient exploitation of the infrastructure by overcoming the closed and aggregated paradigm, to enable apparatus sharing together with the slicing and separation of the optical data plane from the optical control. In addition to the advantages in terms of efficiency and cost reduction, this evolution will increase network reliability, also allowing for a fine trade-off between robustness and maximum capacity exploitation. In this work, an optical network architecture is presented based on the physical layer digital twin of the optical transport used within a multi-layer hierarchical control operated by an intent-based network operating system. An experimental proof of concept is performed on a three-node network including up to 1000 km optical transmission, open re-configurable optical add & drop multiplexers (ROADMs) and whitebox transponders hosting pluggable multirate transceivers. The proposed solution is based on GNPy as the optical physical layer digital twin and ONOS as intent-based network operating system. The reliability of the optical control decoupled by the data plane functioning is experimentally demonstrated exploiting GNPy as open lightpath computation engine and software optical amplifier models derived from the component characterization. Besides the lightpath deployment exploiting the modulation format evaluation given a generic traffic request, the architecture reliability is tested mimicking the use case of an automatic failure recovery from a fiber cut

Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 1982

A bibliography of articles concerning topics on the deep space network, data acquisition, telecommunication, and related aerospace studies is presented. A sample of the diverse subjects include, solar energy remote sensing, computer science, Earth resources, astronomy, and satellite communication

Development and Launch of the World\u27s First Orbital Propellant Tanker

This paper describes the development of Orbit Fab’s Tanker-001 Tenzing mission, the world’s first orbital propellant tanker. The development of a robust orbital propellant supply chain is critical to accelerating the growth of government and commercial space activities. The widespread availability of spacecraft refueling has the potential to provide a number of revolutionary benefits. High-value space assets could have their operational lives extended, as they would no longer be constrained by the amount of propellant stored onboard for maneuvering. On-orbit servicing missions would become more efficient, as servicing vehicles could be refueled and repeatedly used. A large orbital propellant supply would also enable new mission and business models based on operational flexibility and frequent maneuvering. These benefits would be particularly impactful on small satellites, where the ability to refuel could overcome the operational constraints of having smaller propellant tanks. This will greatly expand the market for small spacecraft as it increases their range of missions and capabilities. Launching no earlier than June 24, 2021, Tenzing is a 35 kg small satellite with an Astro Digital bus carrying a supply of storable propellant, high test peroxide (HTP). Tenzing’s propellant supply is being offered to customers for refueling and used to gather data on propellant storage. In addition to being the first propellant tanker, Tenzing is also an orbital laboratory including a variety of payloads intended to test key technologies for refueling. This includes the first flight of Orbit Fab’s Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI), a stereo camera system, and a Halcyon HTP propulsion system designed and built by Benchmark Space Systems for orbital maneuvers. The latter two elements can be used to test rendezvous and flyby maneuvers, providing data to support the development of full rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) systems for future Orbit Fab missions

Enabling P4 Network Telemetry in Edge Micro Data Centers With Kubernetes Orchestration

Integrating computation resources with networking technologies is an hot research topic targeting the optimization of containers deployment on a set of host machines interconnected by a network infrastructure. Particularly, next generation edge nodes will offer significant advantages leveraging on integrated computation resources and networking awareness, enabling configurable, granular and monitorable quality of service to different micro-services, applications and tenants, especially in terms of bounded end-to-end latency. In this regard, SDN is a key technology enabling network telemetry and traffic switching with the granularity of the single traffic flow. However, currently available solutions are based on legacy SDN techniques, not enabling the matching of tunneled traffic, and thus require a tricky integration inside the hosts where containers are deployed. This work considers Kubernetes clusters deployed on next generation edge micro data center platforms and proposes an innovative SDN solution exploiting the P4 technology to gain visibility inside tunnelled traffic exchanged among pods. This way, the integration is achieved at the control plane level through the communication between Kubernetes and the SDN controller. The proposed solution is experimentally validated including a comprehensive framework enabling effective traffic switching and in-band telemetry at pod level. The major paper contributions consist in the design and the development of: (i) the networking applications at SDN control plane level; (ii) the P4 switch pipeline at the data plane level; (iii) the monitoring system used to collect, aggregate and elaborate the telemetry data

System level design of a full-duplex wireless transceiver for brain-machine interfaces

We propose a new wireless communication architecture for implanted systems that simultaneously stimulates neurons and record neural responses. This architecture can support large numbers of electrodes (>500), providing 100 Mb/s for the downlink of stimulation signals, and gigabits per second for the uplink of neural recordings. We propose a full-duplex transceiver architecture that shares one antenna for both the ultrawideband (UWB) and the 2.45-GHz industrial, scientific, and medical band. A new pulse shaper is used for the gigabits per second uplink to simplify the transceiver design, while supporting several modulation formats with high data rates. To validate our system-level design for brain-machine interfaces, we present an ex-vivo experimental demonstration of the architecture. While the system design is for an integrated solution, the proof-of-concept demonstration uses discrete components. Good bit error rate performance over a biological channel at 0.5-, 1-, and 2-Gb/s data rates for uplink telemetry (UWB) and 100 Mb/s for downlink telemetry (2.45-GHz band) are achieved

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