Charters : 6.07 Mars 2015 Interoperability Working Group

 

This activity seeks to simplify the selection process by promoting the most applicable CCSDS recommendations and options in the form of protocol architectures for use in  interoperating Mars missions in the near-term ( ~2015) timeframe and shall specify, where possible, options and MIB for the selected protocols. Such missions involve fairly basic international configurations of landers, rovers and orbiters and are likely to be conducted in a forum of international cross-support requiring and benefiting from common standards and the mission-enhancing possibilities that they bring.

The implementers of space mission communications infrastructure and subsystems must chose from an increasing base of communications protocols defined both within and without CCSDS. However, there is little guidance to mission deciders as to the selection and arrangement of these protocols to achieve an interoperable implementation. Furthermore, once a protocol has been adopted, interoperability cannot be achieved until an agreed selection of options and of Management Information Base parameters can be established.

Longer-term Mars interoperability will be the subject of future work.

1. To establish reference communications scenarios for Mars robotics missions arriving at Mars in the 2011 to 2015 timescale.

2. To select CCSDS protocols and protocol configurations to satisfy these scenarios and foster optimum international cross support opportunities.  Protocols external to CCSDS will not be considered here.

3. To profile the selected protocols with regard to down-selection and specification of options and Management Information Bases.

4. To produce a CCSDS Recommended Practice encapsulating the above tasks and detailing profile 1 (target at missions arriving at Mars circa 2015).

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Agreement needs to be reached as to protocols, protocol configurations and protocol options and MIBs. If agency practices do not converge and infrastructure cannot be modified in the 2011 timescale then the effectiveness of the output will be reduced. Early contact with client projects is essential.

The quality of the end product relies heavily on the commitment of Agencies to provide support for the work. Representation of all Agencies requiring Mars interoperability is essential.