A document describes the Inter - planetary Overlay Networking Protocol Accelerator (IONAC) — an electronic apparatus, now under development, for relaying data at high rates in spacecraft and interplanetary radio-communication systems utilizing a delay-tolerant networking protocol. The protocol includes provisions for transmission and reception of data in bundles (essentially, messages), transfer of custody of a bundle to a recipient relay station at each step of a relay, and return receipts.
Because of limitations on energy resources available for such relays, data rates attainable in a conventional software implementation of the protocol are lower than those needed, at any given reasonable energy-consumption rate. Therefore, a main goal in developing the IONAC is to reduce the energy consumption by an order of magnitude and the data-throughput capability by two orders of magnitude.
The IONAC prototype is a field-programmable gate array that serves as a reconfigurable hybrid (hardware/ firmware) system for implementation of the protocol. The prototype can decode 108,000 bundles per second and encode 100,000 bundles per second. It includes a bundle-cache static random-access memory that enables maintenance of a throughput of 2.7Gb/s, and an Ethernet convergence layer that supports a duplex throughput of 1Gb/s.
This work was done by Jackson Pang, Jordan L. Torgerson and Loren P. Clare of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-45584
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
The Interplanetary Overlay Networking Protocol Accelerator
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) detailing the Interplanetary Overlay Networking Protocol Accelerator (IONAC), which focuses on the development and implementation of advanced communication protocols for interplanetary missions. The primary objective is to prototype next-generation end-to-end communication protocols using the Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocol suite, which is essential for effective communication in deep space environments where traditional networking methods may fail due to long delays and intermittent connectivity.
The document outlines the significance of the results achieved through this initiative, emphasizing the operational benefits of DTN technology in deep space missions. The prototype software and hardware developed are expected to enhance JPL's capabilities in managing robotic missions and future manned exploration missions to the Moon, near-Earth asteroids, and Mars. The FPGA-based protocol accelerator is particularly noted for its applicability to high-rate Lunar Exploration missions, where data rates may exceed 25 Mbit/s.
The document also discusses the relevance of this work to JPL's strategic focus on Networked Space Mission Concepts and Operations. It highlights the importance of investigating the costs, performance benefits, and operational aspects of DTN in a realistic deep-space network environment. The development of "off-the-shelf" DTN flight software and firmware that have been tested for performance and interoperability with JPL's Deep Space Network (DSN) ground systems is crucial for cost-effective implementation.
The approach taken includes the integration and testing of various DTN communication protocol stacks, such as the DTN Bundle Protocol and the CCSDS Asynchronous Message Service. The document details the features of the FPGA-based DTN hardware accelerator, which supports custody transfer for relay functionalities, provides Ethernet MAC convergence layer support, and includes persistent bundle storage for managing data during link outages.
Overall, the document serves as a comprehensive overview of the advancements in interplanetary networking protocols, showcasing JPL's commitment to enhancing communication capabilities for future space exploration missions. It also provides contact information for further inquiries related to research and technology in this area, emphasizing the collaborative nature of NASA's innovative partnerships.
