The Benefits of Packet Service in Evolving Space Communications Provider Networks
Jay L. Gao, L. Clare, David Israël · SpaceOps 2014 Conference · 2014
We advocate a general packet interface for space missions. This service interface is essential to support the delivery of bursty and variable-size data units across the ProviderUser boundary for all missions using CCSDS Space Packet, Internet Protocol (IP), Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN), CFDP, or user-defined packets. This service bridges the ground and space domains, allowing optimization within either domain without impacting the other. The proposed Packet Service enables the service provider systems to directly engage in the execution of space link optimization and enhancement by applying methods including adaptive coding, modulation, and data rate as well as automatic retransmission. Packet Service reduces the user ground system complexity and provides a more natural interface to user applications. In addition, Packet Service offers a crucial step in the transition toward the future Solar System Internetwork.