Cross Layer Spectrum Aware Cognitive Control Plane and Intelligent Routing Engine (CLAIRE)

AiRANACULUS, along with its partners, propose an innovative Cross Layer Spectrum Aware Cognitive Control Plane and Intelligent Routing Engine (CLAIRE)to increase mission science data return, improve resource efficiencies for NASA missions and communication networks and ensure resilience in the unpredictable space environment. CLAIREprovides spectrum and network situational awareness to enable link-layer selection and optimization to maximize the data flow based on the desired Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for NASA s Scientific (SCI), Networking (NET), Detection (DET) and Position Navigation Timing (PNT) services. CLAIRE APP rides on the NASA s CCSDS Bundle Protocoland creates a Cognitive Control Plane to enable spectrum situational awareness, cross-layer sensing and differential buffer backlog information exchange mechanism. CLAIRE APP, based on Node and Network situational awareness, enables spectrum aware routing, service-oriented packet forwarding and Dynamic Spectrum Access during cases of severe man-made or environmental interference. The Packet Forwarding maps each service packet to an appropriate band and Channel (e. g. UHF, X-Band, Ka-Band etc.). CLAIRE Cognitive Control Plane is enabled by multi-band RF Sensing that is driven by advances in Direct Digital Transceiver (DDTRX) technology. The RF Sensing algorithms consists of cyclostationary signal processing techniques combined with machine learning to detect and characterize various interference types. CLAIRE adds autonomy, optimization and self-configuration to a deep space network that may suffer from large delays, interference and service disruptions. CLAIRE ensures that important packets are delivered to the destination, hence avoiding congestion due to un-necessary traffic. CLAIRE also enables future network function virtualization and network slicing which will take NASA from link optimization to network optimization and create compartmentalization of requests and services. Our team proposes an innovative Cross Layer Spectrum Aware Cognitive Control Plane and Intelligent Routine Engine (CLAIRE) to increase mission science data return, improve resource efficiencies for NASA missions and communication networks and ensure resilience in unpredictable space environment. CLAIRE provides spectrum and network situational awareness to enable link-layer optimization to maximize the data flow based on the desired Quality of Service requirements for NASA’ s SCI, NET, DET and PNT services. CLAIRE APP rides on the NASA’ s CCSDS Bundle Protocol and creates a Cognitive Control Plane to enable spectrum situational awareness, cross-layer sensing and buffer backlog information exchange mechanism. CLAIRE APP, based on Node and Network situational awareness, enables spectrum aware routing, service-oriented packet forwarding and Dynamic Spectrum Access during cases of severe interference. CLAIRE is enabled by multi-band feature-based RF sensing which is driven by advances in Direct Digital Transceiver technology that provides low-SWAP on-board coverage from UHF to Ka Band. Primary objective of this work is to develop CLAIRE Application Layer (APP) Cognitive Control Plane that rides on any existing protocol stack including the CCSDS Bundle Protocol. CLAIRE APP enables passing of RF Spectrum Situational Awareness, Cross-Layer Sensing, Buffer Backlog and other Network Rendez-vouz information. Cross-Layer Sensing and CLAIRE Decision Engine that are present on all the Nodes enable spectrum aware routing, service-oriented packet forwarding and Dynamic Spectrum Access during cases of severe interference. CLAIRE is enabled by multi-band feature-based RF sensing which is driven by advances in Direct Digital Transceiver technology that provides complete low-SWAP on-board coverage from UHF to Ka Band. CLAIRE Deliverables consists of:  Kick-off Meeting. Briefing in Power-point (PPT) Monthly Status Reports, Monthly Financial Reports (Word DOC, PPT) Systems Architecture – Systems Requirements Review (SRR) (PPT)  Preliminary Design Review (PDR) (PPT) Critical Design Review (CDR) (PPT) Technical Interchange Meeting (s) (PPT) Capability Demonstration – (1) CLAIRE Cognitive Control Plane and (2) Multi-Band RF Sensing Final TIM (PPT) Source code developed on the Program with limited Documentation (Matlab, C, Python, Object Code) Phase II Report (DOC)  

1. CLAIRE creates Cognitive Control Plane while making no changes to NASA' s communications protocol stack. 2. CLAIRE enables spectrum situational awareness, cross-layer sensing and differential buffer backlog information exchange mechanism. 3. CLAIRE APP enables spectrum aware routing, service-oriented packet forwarding and Dynamic Spectrum Access during cases of interference. 4. CLAIRE adds autonomy, optimization and self-configuration to a deep space network. 5. APP-based architecture allows future upgrades as technology evolves. 1. CLAIRE Architecture and capabilities are applicable to ALL commercial Terrestrial (3G/ 4G/ 5G / Wi-Fi), Space (LEO/ MEO / GEO/ Relays / Gateways), Backhaul (Optical Fiber / Coax) Networks where a cognitive control plane is required.  2. Combination of DDTRX with NVIDIA Chipset can create a powerful UHF to Ka Band 5G virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) Solution which may be used commercially. 

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