Modeling and Simulation Study of Space Data Link Protocol

Abstract

This research paper describes the design and implementation of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standards REF _Ref401069962 \r \h \* MERGEFORMAT [1] for Space Data Link Layer Protocol (SDLP). The primer focus is the telecommand (TC) part of the standard. The implementation of the standard was in the form of DLL functions using C++ programming language. The second objective of this paper was to use the DLL functions with OMNeT++ simulating environment to create a simulator in order to analyze the mean end-to-end Packet Delay, maximum achievable application layer throughput for a given fixed link capacity and normalized protocol overhead, defined as the total number of bytes transmitted on the link in a given period of time (e.g. per second) divided by the number of bytes of application data received at the application layer model data sink. In addition, the DLL was also integrated with Ground Support Equipment Operating System (GSEOS), a software system for space instruments and small spacecrafts especially suited for low budget missions. The SDLP is designed for rapid test system design and high flexibility for changing telemetry and command requirements. GSEOS can be seamlessly moved from EM/FM development (bench testing) to flight operations. It features the Python programming language as a configuration/scripting tool and can easily be extended to accommodate custom hardware interfaces. This paper also shows the results of the simulations and its analysis.