FlowAgility Draft System Architecture

MTI Systems will build upon its FlowAgility distributed intelligent network control technology base to address Phase I use cases (widescale network disturbance, unexpected network flows, flow resilience) and mature FlowAgility from Phase I feasibility demonstration through hardware on the loop demonstration on a breadboard processor within an emulated subset of the PWSA network to establish readiness for entry into development for flight demonstration. FlowAgility will work with the SDA central network control, leveraging the power of both solutions to provide the end-user with the most robust, resilient network experience possible. During normal network operations, where satellites and communication links are performing as expected, central network control can depend on utilizing a globally optimized network solution. When unplanned network disturbances or events occur, the FlowAgility network controller can be ready to act, detecting a delta from the planned schedule, developing a modified network solution, and enacting network control procedures to heal the network, potentially before the remote, cloud-based solution is even aware of the issue. When the centralized network controller responds with the globally optimized network solution to the local disturbance, FlowAgility will then return to a monitoring state, continuously scanning the local network and communicating status for issues which need to be resolved. In this way, the optimization of the global network controller can be realized, while in parallel the FlowAgility controller can provide the needed resilience and robustness. This Phase II effort will require customization, integration, and new modules within the overall FlowAgility software architecture. MTI Systems will develop each of the modules with needed features. Each feature will be tested and demonstrated in a live emulation testbed to ensure that the identified use cases are properly handled. MTI Systems will in parallel, derive requirements and then implement a hardware in the loop demonstration relevant to flight demonstration on a representative subset of Tranche 1 or Tranche 2 transport layer spacecraft and a subset of the associated ground systems. The hardware in the loop demonstration will help mature the FlowAgility controller by testing on a processor representative of the BML processor performance and interfaces to demonstrate, functionality, and performance in realistic conditions. At the conclusion of this Phase II effort, the FlowAgility Minimum Viable Product (MVP) SDA distributed network controller will be ground breadboard demonstrated and ready for flight demonstration development. The intent after flight demonstration is to pursue commercial development and integration into the future SDA network architecture.