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Flexible Modem Interface (FMI) in Space - Extending Standardized Commercial Satellite Communications Services to Space UsersRecent innovations are producing a multitude of advanced commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) systems that could deliver massive amounts of SATCOM capacity at a fraction of current cost while also offering reliability and availability that is critical to achieving mission success for orbiting assets. Recognizing the alignment of commercial capabilities with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) diverse mission requirements, the agency is proactively engaging industry to formulate strategies leading towards a NASA communications architecture that includes advanced commercial capabilities. To fully leverage the expanded space resources, NASA must also address the integration of commercial waveforms into its space terminals. In pursuit of similar goals, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is leading the standardization of the flexible modem interface (FMI) to address service integration for their tactical terminals in pursuit of a DoD Wideband SATCOM Enterprise.This paper describes how NASA is adapting this FMI standard to work with the Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) software-defined radio (SDR) framework to address the challenging size, weight, and power resource requirements for terminals in space. A full adaptation would include waveform compatibility with modular baseband processing, frequency compatibility with a wideband front end, and radiated beam control with an electronically steerable antenna to enable multi-provider commercial service capability in a feasible package for space terminals. Security is also a key aspect to be addressed for this integration since data will flow through commercial networks, commercial service providers have their own security mechanisms, and space terminals must be able to securely load proprietary software and firmware needed to access the commercial networks on demand. Success of this effort means commercial partners will be able to allow network-compliant implementations to be hosted on STRS-compliant SDRs in space for reliable and capable network access.
Document ID
20190031946
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Zeleznikar, Daniel
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
October 2, 2019
Publication Date
September 30, 2019
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN72483
Meeting Information
Meeting: Ka and Broadband Communications Conference
Location: Sorrento
Country: Italy
Start Date: September 30, 2019
End Date: October 2, 2019
Sponsors: European Space Agency (ESA), NASA Headquarters
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 277985.04.05.03.05
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Technical Review
Single Expert
Keywords
COMSATCOM
FMI
STRS
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