SpaceFibre based on-board networks for real-time video data streams: SpaceFibre, long paper

Abstract

High-speed onboard networks for the space industry with a lot of tasks that could be solved only by transmitting large data streams in a short time, with minimum overheads and accepted latencies. Particular tasks for data transmission require various types of traffic and onboard network topologies. Video data in many applications generate high throughput real-time data streams, from most demanding onboard traffic. The SpaceFibre protocol, which gives an ability to transmit data with high speeds and different quality of services (QoS), could be prospective technology for the spacecraft tasks and missions. Implementation of SpaceFibre and considering its application for Russian space missions is going on. The paper presents use cases for SpaceFibre based onboard networks for real-time video data streams in prospective missions. We consider features and characteristics of raw, non-compressed video data streams for processing and real-time control (e.g. to support docking), data streams of compressed motion imagery to record video, science experiment high quality video, robotics, high definition television frames to monitors, etc. The paper considers requirements and restrictions for building SpaceFibre onboard networks for real-time video data streams. Streaming Data Transport Protocol is mapped on a SpaceFibre network for transmission of streaming data from onboard cameras (video stream), to onboard monitors and to a high rate downlink.