A flight-qualified implementation of a Software Defined Radio (SDR) Operating Environment for the JPL-SDR built for the CoNNeCT Project has been developed. It is compliant with the NASA Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Architecture Standard, and provides the software infrastructure for STRS compliant waveform applications. This software provides a standards-compliant abstracted view of the JPLSDR hardware platform. It uses industry standard POSIX interfaces for most functions, as well as exposing the STRS API (Application Programming Interface) required by the standard.
This software includes a standardized interface for IP components instantiated within a Xilinx FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).
The software provides a standardized abstracted interface to platform resources such as data converters, file system, etc., which can be used by STRS standards conformant waveform applications. It provides a generic SDR operating environment with a much smaller resource footprint than similar products such as SCA (Software Communications Architecture) compliant implementations, or the DoD Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS).
This work was done by James P. Lux, Minh Lang, Kenneth J. Peters, Gregory H. Taylor, Courtney B. Duncan, David S. Orozco, Ryan A. Stern, Earl R. Ahten, and Mike Girard of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
JPL Space Telecommunications Radio System Operating Environment
(reference NPO-47766) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document outlines NASA's Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) and its associated Operating Environment, focusing on the adoption of Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology. STRS represents a lightweight architecture standard developed by NASA to meet the specific needs of space telecommunications, particularly for platforms with limited capabilities. The standard aims to provide a flexible and consistent framework for the development, qualification, operation, and maintenance of complex, reconfigurable, and reprogrammable radio systems.
Key components of STRS include an evolvable open standard architecture specification, a standard library of hardware and software components (such as the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) modem), design reference implementations, development tools, and testbeds. Notable testbeds mentioned are the JPL SDR and NASA/Glenn Research Center's SDR3000, which have been utilized for flight tests and demonstrations, including the CoNNeCT project.
The document also provides an overview of the JPL-SDR hardware, detailing its components such as the baseband processor, power converters, and various RF interfaces. The baseband processor is equipped with a SPARC architecture, 4 GB of flash memory, and a 3M gate FPGA, facilitating communication with host spacecraft and supporting various data rates and bandwidths.
The architecture is designed to support a range of applications, from electromagnetic wave modulation to IP routing, and includes a robust operating environment based on POSIX standards. The hardware platform encompasses essential elements like device drivers, communication hardware, and a physical hardware abstraction layer (HAL), ensuring seamless integration and operation.
The document emphasizes the importance of ongoing development and testing, highlighting future plans for experiments under the CoNNeCT initiative. It also provides contact information for further inquiries related to research and technology in this area, underscoring NASA's commitment to advancing aerospace communications through innovative partnerships.
In summary, this document serves as a comprehensive technical support package that encapsulates NASA's efforts in developing a standardized, efficient, and adaptable radio communication system for space applications, paving the way for future advancements in space telecommunications.
