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Wi-Fi Signal Survey of the International Space Station by Autonomous Free-Flying RobotThis paper analyzes Wi-Fi signal propagation inside pressurized modules of the International Space Station (ISS). Various flight datasets were collected by the Astrobee fleet of autonomous free-flying robots developed by the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). The enclosed module spaces of the ISS pose unique challenges for Wi-Fi signal propagation, and understanding these challenges is crucial for optimizing connectivity in such environments. The survey data presented are valuable for optimizing wireless access point (WAP) locations and conditions. A computational method is developed to analyze the wireless communication system, RF coverage, and module compositions. The method is both rigorous and practical for assessing the ISS wireless system performance. The computational tools in this paper serve as a complementary approach to direct, on-orbit measurements, which is a complicated and expensive task. In some operational scenarios, ground measurements may be intractable due to the size of the spacecraft. Results from this research will aid future space missions and commercial spacecraft, providing insights into optimal WAP placements and robust wireless communication systems.
Document ID
20240014199
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Everest Yang
(Johnson Space Center Houston, United States)
Shian U Hwu
(Barrios Technology Houston, Texas, United States)
Chatwin Lansdowne
(Johnson Space Center Houston, United States)
John P Boster
(Jacobs (United States) Dallas, Texas, United States)
Kanishka deSilva
(Jacobs (United States) Dallas, Texas, United States)
Date Acquired
November 8, 2024
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking
Spacecraft Instrumentation and Astrionics
Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
Meeting Information
Meeting: 12ᵗʰ Annual IEEE International Conference on Wireless for Space and Extreme Environments (WISEE 2024)
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Country: US
Start Date: December 16, 2024
End Date: December 18, 2024
Sponsors: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80JSC022DA035
WBS: 769347.06.01.02.11
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Technical Review
External Peer Committee
Keywords
International Space Station
Avionics
Communications
Propagation
Wireless LAN
Space Vehicles
Wi-Fi
Astrobee
autonomous robot
Space exploration
Space communications
astronaut
multipath
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