Intelligent Free Space Optical Communications Node

The Intelligent Free Space Optical Communications Node (IntelNode) is an autonomous, free space optical, inter-satellite communications node that can intelligently locate, establish a link, and communicate with other satellites in the network using adaptive protocol and gateway technologies. Innovations include Intelligent Adaptive Protocol Engines to accommodate multiple link and network protocols, Intelligent Adaptive Gateway Engines to translate between the inter-satellite and intra-satellite network protocols, Hit-less Switch technology to eliminate data loss during link handoff, and Autonomous Link Acquisition, Tracking and Anti-Jamming capabilities. The candidate protocols evaluated for Phase II prototype development and demonstration include IP over Optical, IP over Sonet, and IEEE 1393 for inter-platform applications; and, IP over IEEE 1394 and IEEE 1393 for intra-platform applications. All protocol, gateway and autonomous control functions are uplink programmable to accommodate future changes, additions and improvements. Leveraging our Principle Investigator's experience as one of the Nation's leading aerospace network inventors and developers (MIL-STD-1553, AS 1773, IEEE 1393), SPI is in a unique position to successfully develop the Intelligent Free Space Optical Communications Node. Previous development efforts will also be leveraged including the first Rad-Tolerant Gigabit IEEE 1393 intra-platform network developed in 1999 at SPI.