Session
Session VII: Communications
Abstract
LinkStar is a full duplex radio system (concurrent uplink and downlink) for satellites in LEO providing communications coverage to over 50% of the Earth. LinkStar treats the satellite as a secure node on the internet while it is in orbit and on the ground for testing. LinkStar utilizes the Globalstar satellite radio network, a constellation of 32 satellites in LEO providing global data and voice services for a range of uses including oil rigs, shipping containers, gas pipelines and supporting remote communications. Our research focused on adapting the Globalstar GSP-1720 modem and creating the LinkStar radio architecture for use in space. Work included marrying the modem with a modified, space rated BeagleBone Black ARM based computer which utilizes an embedded Linux based operating system to control the satellite and manage the radio architecture. As part of the radio architecture work also included the development of an open source flight management system QuickSAT/Vehicle Management System (VMS) along with the Communicator set of APIs. QuickSAT/VMS is a flexible open source flight management system tailored for cubesats and other types of small satellites. The architecture provides for basic satellite command and control, data management, scheduling, event handling and complete software based radio tool set. The framework allows for users to define custom classes of components (such as radios, magnetometers and other sensors) without modifying the core architecture. The architecture provides a robust data management architecture, not only managing the vehicle configuration and schedule, but also logging system messages, errors and events, and storing data as needed into separate recording sessions. Communicator is a set of APIs, allowing for the integration of several radios on one satellite including the LinkStar duplex radio and LinkStar-STX3 simplex radio, Sband radios and many others. Communicator allows the user to add custom modules to the core architecture, and allows the user to set parameters to define how the radios will work together. Models show LinkStar will provide up to 50% continuous coverage - both data download AND upload through a secure internet link. LinkStar radio data is further encrypted to insure the information transmitted to and from a satellite is secure. In this presentation we will discuss and demonstrate QuickSAT/VMS and Communicator, and how they work with the LinkStar radio, and the operation and integration of the LinkStar radio. We will present test results from the lab, UAV based testing, near space testing, and from the RADSat cubesat mission. In 2016 sci_Zone in partnership the Boeing will be flight testing and certifying the QuickSAT/Vehicle Management System (VMS) and the LinkStar global communications radio on the Boeing RADSat satellite. The RADSat Satellite is a 2U CubeSAT that will be deployed from the International Space Station via the NanoRacks Program. A key piece of this mission is to test and demonstrate full duplex communications between the satellite and ground via the Globalstar satellite network utilizing the LinkStar radio architecture. If the satellite is still in orbit, we will present live test data from the satellite.
Linkstar, a Globalstar Based Duplex Radio for Satellites In LEO - Architecture and Test Results
LinkStar is a full duplex radio system (concurrent uplink and downlink) for satellites in LEO providing communications coverage to over 50% of the Earth. LinkStar treats the satellite as a secure node on the internet while it is in orbit and on the ground for testing. LinkStar utilizes the Globalstar satellite radio network, a constellation of 32 satellites in LEO providing global data and voice services for a range of uses including oil rigs, shipping containers, gas pipelines and supporting remote communications. Our research focused on adapting the Globalstar GSP-1720 modem and creating the LinkStar radio architecture for use in space. Work included marrying the modem with a modified, space rated BeagleBone Black ARM based computer which utilizes an embedded Linux based operating system to control the satellite and manage the radio architecture. As part of the radio architecture work also included the development of an open source flight management system QuickSAT/Vehicle Management System (VMS) along with the Communicator set of APIs. QuickSAT/VMS is a flexible open source flight management system tailored for cubesats and other types of small satellites. The architecture provides for basic satellite command and control, data management, scheduling, event handling and complete software based radio tool set. The framework allows for users to define custom classes of components (such as radios, magnetometers and other sensors) without modifying the core architecture. The architecture provides a robust data management architecture, not only managing the vehicle configuration and schedule, but also logging system messages, errors and events, and storing data as needed into separate recording sessions. Communicator is a set of APIs, allowing for the integration of several radios on one satellite including the LinkStar duplex radio and LinkStar-STX3 simplex radio, Sband radios and many others. Communicator allows the user to add custom modules to the core architecture, and allows the user to set parameters to define how the radios will work together. Models show LinkStar will provide up to 50% continuous coverage - both data download AND upload through a secure internet link. LinkStar radio data is further encrypted to insure the information transmitted to and from a satellite is secure. In this presentation we will discuss and demonstrate QuickSAT/VMS and Communicator, and how they work with the LinkStar radio, and the operation and integration of the LinkStar radio. We will present test results from the lab, UAV based testing, near space testing, and from the RADSat cubesat mission. In 2016 sci_Zone in partnership the Boeing will be flight testing and certifying the QuickSAT/Vehicle Management System (VMS) and the LinkStar global communications radio on the Boeing RADSat satellite. The RADSat Satellite is a 2U CubeSAT that will be deployed from the International Space Station via the NanoRacks Program. A key piece of this mission is to test and demonstrate full duplex communications between the satellite and ground via the Globalstar satellite network utilizing the LinkStar radio architecture. If the satellite is still in orbit, we will present live test data from the satellite.
