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Request-Driven Schedule Automation for the Deep Space NetworkThe DSN Scheduling Engine (DSE) has been developed to increase the level of automated scheduling support available to users of NASA s Deep Space Network (DSN). We have adopted a request-driven approach to DSN scheduling, in contrast to the activity-oriented approach used up to now. Scheduling requests allow users to declaratively specify patterns and conditions on their DSN service allocations, including timing, resource requirements, gaps, overlaps, time linkages among services, repetition, priorities, and a wide range of additional factors and preferences. The DSE incorporates a model of the key constraints and preferences of the DSN scheduling domain, along with algorithms to expand scheduling requests into valid resource allocations, to resolve schedule conflicts, and to repair unsatisfied requests. We use time-bounded systematic search with constraint relaxation to return nearby solutions if exact ones cannot be found, where the relaxation options and order are under user control. To explore the usability aspects of our approach we have developed a graphical user interface incorporating some crucial features to make it easier to work with complex scheduling requests. Among these are: progressive revelation of relevant detail, immediate propagation and visual feedback from a user s decisions, and a meeting calendar metaphor for repeated patterns of requests. Even as a prototype, the DSE has been deployed and adopted as the initial step in building the operational DSN schedule, thus representing an important initial validation of our overall approach. The DSE is a core element of the DSN Service Scheduling Software (S(sup 3)), a web-based collaborative scheduling system now under development for deployment to all DSN users.
Document ID
20150008835
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Johnston, Mark D.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Tran, Daniel
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Arroyo, Belinda
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Call, Jared
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Mercado, Marisol
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 26, 2015
Publication Date
April 25, 2010
Subject Category
Computer Programming And Software
Meeting Information
Meeting: SpaceOps Conference 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Country: United States
Start Date: April 25, 2010
End Date: April 30, 2010
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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