Wireless Avionics Testbed for Payload Delivery Launch Systems

The objective of the proposed activity is to evaluate several wireless protocol and hardware combinations in flight using a test network on an appropriate flight testbed, and select a combination of one or more technologies to develop for both government and commercial use in space, and other applications. The test network will be configurable to mimic a variety of different potential types of network traffic. The output of Phase I will be a collection of potential customer requirements, test system design, test plan, candidate hardware/protocol list, and an initial validation bench test of at least one commercial wireless protocol/hardware combination. The test will determine throughput, error rates, and interference and hardware-performance data. This test series will move the first selected protocol/hardware combination to TRL 5. Phase 2 will test each of the candidate hardware and protocol combinations in flight, and produce a database of test results. Based on this, a preferred combination of hardware and software components will be designated. Phase 3 will select the preferred hardware/protocol combination, and implement a complete operational wireless system bus, packageable into a commercial service to NASA, DOD and the commercial space industry.