Distributed Interactive Simulations on ATM Networks for Space Systems Validation

Abstract

The recent breakthrough of ATM based networking solutions throughout Europe, will, in the near future, make it possible to validate space systems on geographically distributed functional simulation facilities. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of distributed simulations with hardware in the loop, between two simulation facilities, one located at AEROSPATIALE (France) and other at DLR (Germany), the ATV-DSD project (Esprit 24448)has been set up. ATV-DSD (Automated Transfer Vehicle - Distributed Simulation Demonstration) will demonstrate the technical feasibility, and highlight the economic gains achieved by using distributed simulation facilities to validate the final approach of the ATV spacecraft docking with the ISS. Unlike traditional validation tasks run in a unique facility, a distributed approach undoubtedly introduces communication delays required to exchange information between the different hardware components. The technical challenge in designing systems with hardware in the loop requiring minimum network latency, is to hide the distributed nature of such simulations from the functional simuluation facilities. This paper will highlight the major results obtained within ATV-DSD and focus on the network issues in distributed simulations for space systems validation.