In the realm of space communication, where delays and disruptions are inherent challenges, the efficacy of systems hinges on their ability to withstand such adversities. The adoption of Delay-/Distruption-Tolerant Networking (DTN) with the Bundle Protocol (v7) strives to facilitate communication and traffic flow in space despite intermittent disruptions. However, ensuring the resilience and efficiency of such systems requires more than just robust protocols; it demands access to realistic data and information for their design, implementation, and evaluation.
Researchers and developers working in this domain face a crucial problem: the scarcity of realistic data for simulations and testing. While real-world data exists, it often comes shrouded in non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), limiting its accessibility and adaptability. Furthermore, such data might lack the variability necessary to explore diverse and new scenarios, or adapt to different setups and hardware configurations.
The synthetic generation of information, data, and packets based on real-world counterparts helps to overcome such issues. By replicating the behavior of various sensor modules and their interactions by sophisticated models, researchers can generate synthetic data that closely mirrors real-world scenarios. But crucially, this modeling approach must embrace modularity and adaptivity. Different sensor modules can be modeled individually, allowing for their modular combination to simulate diverse setups and traffic patterns. Furthermore, module behavior should be adaptable, allowing testing new hardware configurations or exploring alternative communication protocols. At its best, this approach enables researchers to simulate and evaluate a plethora of scenarios with realistic communication patterns and minimal resource requirements.
Within the scope of this thesis you will
- Delve into interesting topics like synthetic data generation and space communication using protocols such as PUS A/B/C, CFDP and other Space Packets
- Model traffic patterns based on a real-world space communication data analysis
- Implement a modular and adaptable generator tool for space communication patterns based on your analysis (preferrable in Rust or Python)
- Test your model in a DTN simulator or an actual BP implementation and its applicability in combination with the Bundle Protocol v7
- Scientifically evaluate your models and generators by an in-depth comparison to real-world data in the simulated environment
- Provide an elaborate, scientific report (written in LaTeX)
Your profile:
- Motivated, independent working style
- Interest in, e.g., satellite communication, network protocols, simulations, ad-hoc and disruption-tolerant communication
- Experience in programming, e.g., Python, Rust, or other OOPLs, is beneficial
This thesis is conducted in collaboration with associates of ESA/ESOC in Darmstadt. A separate NDA regarding usage of space communication data may be required.