High-rate Delay Tolerant Networking (HDTN) Network Operations Release(LEW-19897-2)

The High-rate Delay Tolerant Networking (HDTN) Network Operations Release is the culmination of multiple years of software development, end-to-end network testing, flight experiment operations, and formal verification and validation per NASA Procedural Requirements 7150.2D to mature early HDTN prototypes into a complete software package ready for space network operations. Delay Tolerant Networking is an architecture and set of protocols meant to support communication links which are characterized by disruption and delay or where a robust end-to-end path is not available. HDTN was specifically developed to meet the requirements of high-rate optical communication links, enterprise ground networks supporting multiple inputs and outputs, and low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) space platforms, including small satellites. The HDTN implementation focuses on efficient message processing, storage, and data transfer while maintaining a modular architecture with modern software dependencies. The HDTN Network Operations Release provides state-of-the-art protocols and full feature DTN support including Bundle Protocol version 7, Bundle Protocol version 6 with custody transfer, Aggregate Custody Signals (ACS), streaming over Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), Bundle Protocol Security, and a full suite of convergence layers including Licklider Transmission Protocol (LTP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) convergence layer version 3 and 4, Simple TCP, and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). This new version of HDTN supports Contact Graph Routing, Contact Multigraph Routing, dynamic contact plan updates, and link state detection via a custom DTN ping capability. A variety of applications have been added including bundle generation, real-time streaming, file transfer, general packet conversion to bundle, ping, and an application programming interface supporting many basic commands. A web-based user interface has been added to display metrics in tabular and plot format, as well as a visual system-level overview. Troubleshooting features including logging metrics to file, logging error and status messages to console and file, and a command line interface have also been included. In addition to providing a wide range of features, the HDTN Network Operations Release has completed successful flight experiments and operations onboard the International Space Station and a CubeSat demonstration, and has completed rigorous testing through static analysis, requirements verification and validation, and has a full set of software documentation available to support space flight and ground operations missions. HDTN Network Operations Release has been used to successfully demonstrate gigabit per second (Gbps) data transfer in a relevant space flight environment, and up to 30 Gbps in a laboratory environment.