Enabling fractionated spacecraft communications using F6WICS

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®) has designed a wireless transceiver to provide inter-satellite communications as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) System F6 program. System F6 (Future, Fast, Flexible, Fractionated, Free-Flying Spacecraft United by Information Exchange) seeks to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of a satellite architecture wherein the functionality of a traditional “monolithic” spacecraft is delivered by a cluster of wirelessly-interconnected modules capable of sharing their resources and utilizing resources found elsewhere in the cluster. SwRI´s System F6 Wireless Inter-module Communication System (F6WICS) provides the data link and physical layers of the network stack that are specifically designed to meet the needs of fractionated space missions. F6WICS provides deterministic, real-time media access mechanisms that make efficient use of limited communications bandwidth over a wide range of spacecraft separation distances and network populations. The data link protocol is highly robust to module failure. The physical layer waveform provides robust communication, precision time transfer throughout the network, and continuous estimation of distance between spacecraft for use in navigation. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. Distribution Statement “A”: Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited.