InnoCube - Preparing the Fully Wireless Satellite Data Bus for Launch

The Innovative CubeSat for Education (InnoCube) mission is a technology demonstrator cubesat mission relying on a fully wireless data-bus, set to launch in November 2024. This paper will discuss the mission objectives, design and implementation of the InnoCube mission with an emphasis on the wireless data bus. The mission is a collaborative project between the University of Wuerzburg and the Technische Universität Berlin in Germany. The mission objectives are to showcase the viability of a fully wireless data-bus for intra-satellite communication onboard cubesats and satellites in general, to provide a platform for testing and validating these new technologies, and to provide an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in the design and operation of a cubesat mission. The design of the InnoCube mission includes a 3U cubesat bus including the avionics, the wireless data-bus, and a suite of payloads provided by the TU Berlin. The wireless data bus is based on a time-division multiple access protocol and will enable the cubesat’s subsystems to communicate within the satellite, relying only on wireless means of communication. InnoCube will provide valuable insights and data concerning the feasibility of a wireless data bus for space applications, which can be especially beneficial to larger satellites and their associated large data harness. The mission will be operated from the Technische Universität Berlin and will be launched in 2024. Firstly, the paper will give an overview of the design of the satellite’s subsystems including the additional payloads. Then, the technology used in the wireless bus will be described. Special emphasis will be given to the integration and testing of the wireless bus before launch. This paper will also discuss the challenges associated with the InnoCube mission, such as the need for robust communication protocols, the need for reliable power sources, and the need for reliable redundancy control schemes. Additionally, the paper will discuss the potential applications of the technology demonstrated by the InnoCube mission along with their advantages and disadvantages compared to a traditional data harness. Finally, the paper will discuss the potential benefits and open topics for future missions using wireless technology for intra-satellite communication as demonstrated by the InnoCube mission

A survey on short-range WBAN communication; technical overview of several standard wireless technologies

In a healthy environment, a WBAN system is the key component or aspect of the patient monitoring system. WBAN systems allow for easy networking with other devices and networks so that healthcare professionals can easily access critical and non-critical patient data. One of the main advantages of WBAN is the remote monitoring of patients using an Intranet or the Internet. There are two main components to the type of communication technology used in WBAN. This page shows an insight of a variety of short-range standardized wireless devices, as well as a taxonomy of short-range technologies. These are proposed as intra-BAN communication candidates for communication within and between body area network (BAN) entities. This paper also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the WBAN perspective. Finally, a side-by-side comparison of the basic principles of using MICS frequency bands and preparatory technologies

Architectures and synchronization techniques for distributed satellite systems: a survey

Cohesive Distributed Satellite Systems (CDSSs) is a key enabling technology for the future of remote sensing and communication missions. However, they have to meet strict synchronization requirements before their use is generalized. When clock or local oscillator signals are generated locally at each of the distributed nodes, achieving exact synchronization in absolute phase, frequency, and time is a complex problem. In addition, satellite systems have significant resource constraints, especially for small satellites, which are envisioned to be part of the future CDSSs. Thus, the development of precise, robust, and resource-efficient synchronization techniques is essential for the advancement of future CDSSs. In this context, this survey aims to summarize and categorize the most relevant results on synchronization techniques for Distributed Satellite Systems (DSSs). First, some important architecture and system concepts are defined. Then, the synchronization methods reported in the literature are reviewed and categorized. This article also provides an extensive list of applications and examples of synchronization techniques for DSSs in addition to the most significant advances in other operations closely related to synchronization, such as inter-satellite ranging and relative position. The survey also provides a discussion on emerging data-driven synchronization techniques based on Machine Learning (ML). Finally, a compilation of current research activities and potential research topics is proposed, identifying problems and open challenges that can be useful for researchers in the field.This work was supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), through the CORE Project COHEsive SATellite (COHESAT): Cognitive Cohesive Networks of Distributed Units for Active and Passive Space Applications, under Grant FNR11689919.Award-winningPostprint (published version

New Approach of Indoor and Outdoor Localization Systems

Accurate determination of the mobile position constitutes the basis of many new applications. This book provides a detailed account of wireless systems for positioning, signal processing, radio localization techniques (Time Difference Of Arrival), performances evaluation, and localization applications. The first section is dedicated to Satellite systems for positioning like GPS, GNSS. The second section addresses the localization applications using the wireless sensor networks. Some techniques are introduced for localization systems, especially for indoor positioning, such as Ultra Wide Band (UWB), WIFI. The last section is dedicated to Coupled GPS and other sensors. Some results of simulations, implementation and tests are given to help readers grasp the presented techniques. This is an ideal book for students, PhD students, academics and engineers in the field of Communication, localization & Signal Processing, especially in indoor and outdoor localization domains

Architectures and Synchronization Techniques for Distributed Satellite Systems: A Survey

Cohesive Distributed Satellite Systems (CDSSs) is a key enabling technology for the future of remote sensing and communication missions. However, they have to meet strict synchronization requirements before their use is generalized. When clock or local oscillator signals are generated locally at each of the distributed nodes, achieving exact synchronization in absolute phase, frequency, and time is a complex problem. In addition, satellite systems have significant resource constraints, especially for small satellites, which are envisioned to be part of the future CDSSs. Thus, the development of precise, robust, and resource-efficient synchronization techniques is essential for the advancement of future CDSSs. In this context, this survey aims to summarize and categorize the most relevant results on synchronization techniques for Distributed Satellite Systems (DSSs). First, some important architecture and system concepts are defined. Then, the synchronization methods reported in the literature are reviewed and categorized. This article also provides an extensive list of applications and examples of synchronization techniques for DSSs in addition to the most significant advances in other operations closely related to synchronization, such as inter-satellite ranging and relative position. The survey also provides a discussion on emerging data-driven synchronization techniques based on Machine Learning (ML). Finally, a compilation of current research activities and potential research topics is proposed, identifying problems and open challenges that can be useful for researchers in the field

Wireless Network Communications Overview for Space Mission Operations

The mission of the On-Board Wireless Working Group (WWG) is to serve as a general CCSDS focus group for intra-vehicle wireless technologies. The WWG investigates and makes recommendations pursuant to standardization of applicable wireless network protocols, ensuring the interoperability of independently developed wireless communication assets. This document presents technical background information concerning uses and applicability of wireless networking technologies for space missions. Agency-relevant driving scenarios, for which wireless network communications will provide a significant return-on-investment benefiting the participating international agencies, are used to focus the scope of the enclosed technical information

Remote Sensing

This dual conception of remote sensing brought us to the idea of preparing two different books; in addition to the first book which displays recent advances in remote sensing applications, this book is devoted to new techniques for data processing, sensors and platforms. We do not intend this book to cover all aspects of remote sensing techniques and platforms, since it would be an impossible task for a single volume. Instead, we have collected a number of high-quality, original and representative contributions in those areas

Antenna Designs for 5G/IoT and Space Applications

This book is intended to shed some light on recent advances in antenna design for these new emerging applications and identify further research areas in this exciting field of communications technologies. Considering the specificity of the operational environment, e.g., huge distance, moving support (satellite), huge temperature drift, small dimension with respect to the distance, etc, antennas, are the fundamental device allowing to maintain a constant interoperability between ground station and satellite, or different satellites. High gain, stable (in temperature, and time) performances, long lifecycle are some of the requirements that necessitates special attention with respect to standard designs. The chapters of this book discuss various aspects of the above-mentioned list presenting the view of the authors. Some of the contributors are working strictly in the field (space), so they have a very targeted view on the subjects, while others with a more academic background, proposes futuristic solutions. We hope that interested reader, will find a fertile source of information, that combined with their interest/background will allow efficiently exploiting the combination of these two perspectives

Range Information Systems Management (RISM) Phase 1 Report

RISM investigated alternative approaches, technologies, and communication network architectures to facilitate building the Spaceports and Ranges of the future. RISM started by document most existing US ranges and their capabilities. In parallel, RISM obtained inputs from the following: 1) NASA and NASA-contractor engineers and managers, and; 2) Aerospace leaders from Government, Academia, and Industry, participating through the Space Based Range Distributed System Working Group (SBRDSWG), many of whom are also; 3) Members of the Advanced Range Technology Working Group (ARTWG) subgroups, and; 4) Members of the Advanced Spaceport Technology Working Group (ASTWG). These diverse inputs helped to envision advanced technologies for implementing future Ranges and Range systems that builds on today s cabled and wireless legacy infrastructures while seamlessly integrating both today s emerging and tomorrow s building-block communication techniques. The fundamental key is to envision a transition to a Space Based Range Distributed Subsystem. The enabling concept is to identify the specific needs of Range users that can be solved through applying emerging communication tec