Endpoint-Flexible Interface Layer for Space Data Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data processing architectures for space applications are highly specialized and require separate physical networks for different functions, leading to increased complexity, size, weight, and power consumption, as well as vulnerability to obsolescence due to limited support for multiple protocols.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an endpoint-flexible-interface layer that maps multiple network protocol types to a common lower-level protocol layer, allowing for communicative coupling of network elements and enabling multiple protocol types to coexist on a single physical network fabric, thereby reducing the need for separate physical networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate physical networks are used for different functions (data traffic, control, management), then each function can be optimized independently, but system complexity, size, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal physical network fabric that can carry multiple protocol types (SpaceWire, RapidIO, Ethernet, InfiniBand) simultaneously. The endpoint-flexible-interface layer enables a single physical network to serve multiple functions including data traffic, control, and management, eliminating the need for separate dedicated networks for each function while maintaining functional optimization through protocol-specific handling at the software layer
2Adaptability or versatility
If each data processing architecture uses a separate system interconnect technology, then customer-specific performance requirements can be met, but the risk of obsolescence increases and technology scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic protocol translation and routing mechanism at the endpoint-flexible-interface layer that can adaptively map different upper-level protocols (SpaceWire, RapidIO, Ethernet, InfiniBand) to a common lower-level protocol. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to meet customer-specific performance requirements through protocol selection while avoiding obsolescence by maintaining a unified, evolving physical layer that can support future protocol developments
Solution Approach 2:
The endpoint-flexible-interface layer acts as an intermediary between diverse upper-level protocols and the physical layer. It provides protocol translation and mapping services, allowing multiple protocol types to coexist on a single physical network fabric. This intermediary layer protects the physical layer from protocol obsolescence while enabling customized performance optimization at the protocol level
3Ease of manufacture
If only one protocol type runs over each physical network fabric, then protocol support is simplified, but the ability to support multiple functions on a single network is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol stack into distinct layers: a common lower-level protocol layer at the physical layer and multiple upper-level protocol types handled by the endpoint-flexible-interface layer. This segmentation allows the physical layer to maintain simplicity while the upper layers provide protocol diversity. The flexible interface layer manages protocol translation and routing, enabling multiple functions to operate on a single network fabric without complicating the physical implementation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communicatively coupling network elements supporting multiple network protocol types comprises receiving input having multiple network protocol types from an upper-level of the protocol stack at an endpoint-flexible-interface layer in a network endpoint, mapping the input between the upper-level of a protocol stack and a common-lower-level in the protocol stack at the endpoint-flexible-interface layer, and implementing the common-lower-level protocol layer to interface the multiple network protocol types to the physical layer, so that at least two endpoints of a network are communicatively coupled.