A Distributed Cluster Based Architecture for Constellations

WW Technology Group

Ellicott City, MD

Software based infrastructure that facilitates dependable formation and operation of distributed real-time control systems. Several innovations advance the state of the art in distributed systems technology, including: (1) cold start algorithms for autonomous, dependable system organization and formation, (2) distributed on-line configuration control, monitoring and health assessment processes operating in concert across the entire system for coordinated system operation, (3) a multi-level scheduling approach, so distributed control elements will be responsive to local events and participate in system wide coordinated operations and (4) a robust fault/error model accounting for arbitrary fault/error cases and anomalies, thereby providing superior fault tolerance, particularly for Single Event Upsets.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Establishment of a System Organization Framework, initially populated with a Distributed Fault Tolerant Element Discovery Protocol and a local start-up sequencer
  
• Production of a Baseline Health Monitoring service that provides coverage for the fault/error model
  
• Production of an interface library through which hosted applications may obtain dependability services
  
• Implementation of a 4-node prototype

• Distribution of dependability middleware provided to the Formation Flying Test Bed group for evaluation
• Key dependability technology on the winning Honeywell ST-8 program for Environmentally Adaptive Fault Tolerant Computing
  
• Flexible and extendable with multiple applications
  
• Critical roadmap step for distributed space systems, including Spacecraft Constellations and Sensor Webs, serving as a basis for Dependable Virtual Platforms
  

• Critical Enabling Technology for Distributed Spacecraft and key for dynamic formulation of Sensor Webs:
• Infrastructure is key to discovering available nodes and initializing a group of distributed spacecraft or forming a sensor web
• Enables sensor webs to discover elements and form web autonomously
• Fits GMSEC architecture and middleware-oriented paradigms

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