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Completed TRL 9 (started at 3, targeting 9)
Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) defines an open architecture for NASA space and ground software-defined radios (SDRs) providing a common, consistent framework to abstract the application software from the radio platform hardware to reduce the cost and risk of using complex reconfigurable and reprogrammable radio systems across NASA missions.
The Standard achieves this objective through the reuse of applications (waveforms and services implemented on the SDR) across heterogeneous SDR platforms and reduced dependence on a single provider. The architecture supports existing communications needs and capabilities, while providing a path to more capable, advanced waveform development and mission concepts.The STRS Standard allows SDR waveform developers to reuse software, firmware and documentation, providing any needed capability, in order to save costs, reduce risk, and shorten development time by reducing the duplication of effort. The Standard encourages the development of applications that are modular, portable, reconfigurable, and reusable.
STRS has been proven for flight on multiple unique SDRs provided by government and industry partners that are compliant with the STRS Standard. The radios are capable of supporting a variety of communications, networking, and navigation waveforms and applications including cognitive communications, on-board routing, disruption tolerant networking, and navigations using GPSand Galileo constellations.
Benefits of the STRS Technology
•Reduce time and cost of SDR developments by leveraging existing implementations, resources, and experience.
•Allow parallel and independent software and platform development.
•Reduce dependence on SDR providers by separating application development from the hardware platform development.
•Leverage software and firmware design and tools from the STRS Application Repository.
•Enable waveform portability between compliant SDR platforms.
•Accommodate advances in SDR technologies and hardware obsolescence with minimal rework.
•Modify software late in development or after deployment for new requirements or opportunities.
•Provide standardized interfaces for cognitive engine deployments across different platforms.
•Encapsulating application functionality allows reuse of STRS components and waveforms across different platforms.
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This is a mature technology (TRL 9) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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