Distributed Internet-enabled Simulation/Testbed Architecture

Simulations that connect to testbeds are frequently used in space operations testing. Many of these testbeds have characteristics that are desirable to others in the field, but they are geographically distributed across the nation. The ability to connect multiple, remote testbeds to a single core simulation offers a significant enhancement of capabilities for multi-spacecraft programs such as F6 and Phoenix. Such remote access is not currently possible. We propose to develop an enabling architecture which transmits information about reference frame, kinematics, and dynamics from multiple testbed resources to a core simulation via the internet, while managing synchronization and latency. In Phase I, we focus on trade studies and surveys to resolve core data transmission and protocol requirements as well as lower program risk. The development effort culminates in an open-source standard architecture for remote simulation/testbed interfacing through an internet connection as well as software operating within this framework that can be deployed to connect a general simulation to testbeds across the country.