IHCS: Small Satellite Communications and Sensor Networking System: Design, Analysis, and Proof of Concept

这项研究的目标是为小卫星设计一个移动自组织网络，将这些新设备无缝集成到现有的空间通信基础设施中，并提高小卫星的变革性能力，如空间分布式传感和监测。该方法是设计具有高数据速率（大于每秒1千兆比特）通信能力的低功率、低质量小卫星；设计一种基于AD hoc和传感器网络概念的网络架构，使有限功率、质量和体积的小卫星的能力最大化；并对实际空间网络进行仿真和实验分析，对网络设计进行验证和验证。在知识价值方面，该项目有可能提高小卫星的能力，这是一种变革性技术，可以导致反应迅速和成本效益高的空间工业。新的模型、架构和协议有可能为研究人员提供更精确的空间网络模拟和规划技术，这将扩大空间飞行器的效用，并促进对空间和地面应用的新研究。该项目利用一系列独特的资源，包括多学科研究团队、行业伙伴关系和国家支持，来设计、建造和部署空间网络。就更广泛的影响而言，该项目有可能推动重要应用，如地球观测、灾害监测和多点遥感。潜在的经济效益包括降低设计成本、缩短部署时间和扩展空间飞行器的功能。该研究与研究人员作为各种学生组织的指导教师正在进行的教育工作相结合，这些学生组织将鼓励美国和来自代表性不足群体的学生通过参与这个多学科项目来寻求科学和工程方面的高级学位。

The objective of this research is to design a mobile ad hoc network for small satellites that seamlessly integrates these new devices into the existing space communications infrastructure and, also, advances the transformative capabilities of small satellites, such as spatially distributed sensing and monitoring. The approach is to design low power, low mass small satellites with high data rate (greater than 1 gigabit per second) communications capabilities; design a network architecture, based on ad hoc and sensor networking concepts, that maximizes the capabilities of the limited power, mass and volume small satellites; and conduct simulations and experimental analysis of an actual space network to verify and validate the network design.With respect to intellectual merit, the project has the potential to advance the capabilities of small satellites, which are a transformative technology that can lead to a responsive and cost-effective space industry. The new models, architectures, and protocols have the potential to provide researchers with more accurate techniques for space network simulation and planning, which will expand the utility of space vehicles and foster new research on space and terrestrial applications. The project leverages a unique set of resources, including a multidisciplinary team of investigators, industry partnerships, and state support, to design, build and deploy a space network.With respect to broader impact, this project has the potential to advance important applications, such as earth observation, disaster monitoring, and multi-point remote sensing. Potential economic benefits include lowering design cost, shortening deployment time, and extending functionality for space vehicles. The research is integrated with the investigators' ongoing educational efforts as faculty advisors of various student organizations that will encourage U.S. and students from underrepresented groups to seek advanced degrees in science and engineering through their participation in this multidisciplinary project.