Integrated Data Compression and Security Algorithms

In Phase I of this SBIR, Asier conducted research to determine if telemetry data could be compressed and encrypted. Asier determined that two different types of MDA telemetry data could be compressed and encrypted in real-time (no added latency) and without damaging either the integrity or synchronicity of the data stream. Telemetry files from the payload launch vehicle (PLV) and orbital/sub-orbital project (OSP) target launch vehicle were reduced between 15% and 50% respectively while maintaining data/time synchronization. Phase II will continue the testing schedule and characterize the compressibility of data from all telemetry-sending devices involved in a THAAD test flight. Since telemetry data must be synchronous to maintain the time coding, and since the effectiveness of loss-less compression varies with the details of the input, a characteristic ceiling must be established for a particular data stream. Variable quality lossy compressed data (perhaps video feeds) will be used to fill all packets up to the characteristic ceiling. Phase II will produce working prototypes of a compression/encryption device to be demonstrated in a relevant operational environment, but not fully flight qualified. These prototypes may well become the final design for other non-flight applications.