Tutorial J


Agenda	Tutorials

Tutorial J	CCSDS Course – Review of the international standards for space communications
Fees	$250 USD each
Date	Monday – February 25, 2025
Time	1:00 PM – 4:30 PM PT
Overview	The CCSDS tutorial provides an overview of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standards for communications. It includes an organizational and technical background to the standards that have been adopted by most of the world’s space agencies. It presents descriptions of the publications and adopting agencies, and example protocol implementations for ground-ground, ground-space, and space-space communication links. It provides a graphical depiction of the CCSDS protocol stacks with references to the more common OSI stack. It includes descriptions of practical applications for high-latency and error-prone links, reasons to include different forms of modulation schemes, forward error correction and compression, practical reasons for using packets in space, considerations for making everything IP-based, concerns over security, new applications of short and medium distance wi-fi techniques, and interoperability interests between civil and defense systems. Questions related to new standards proposed for user interfaces are also explored. Optical communications and the new Unified Space Link Protocol will also be introduced as the path forward for CCSDS. I use the following outline as a basis for the course: About CCSDS Members Publications Missions Why Standardize DoD and Civil Space cooperation and differences Optimizations for Space and Ground General ground and space architectures OSI and CCSDS Stack SLE COP-1 CFDP IP Encapsulation PROX-1 Delay Tolerant Networking Security and Encryption SOA and CCSDS Modulation techniques Error Detection and Correction PCM Formatting Frame Formats Packets Commanding and Verification Telemetry Asynchronous Messaging Service Global initiatives in broadening interface standards Introduction to the new Unified Space Link Protocol stack
Instructors	Robert Ritter, Kratos, Inc
Biographies	Mr. Robert Ritter is a ground systems architect for multi-agency space programs, the Chief Engineer and President of IMI-Technology, and formerly Director of Communication Systems Engineering for Kratos Corporation. He has over 38 years of experience in designing ground system architectures for satellite missions, and data communication networks. Robert has been involved in many worldwide programs implementing CCSDS Standards, and he has worked closely with DoD, NASA, ESA, JAXA and other agency personnel to find practical means for standards adaptation and co-utilization of assets. He has designed boards for communications and signal processing, has written signal processing and simulation software, and has taught numerous courses in the past, including many CCSDS courses around the world. Mr. Ritter has a BSEE from the University of Virginia, an MSEE from Virginia Tech, and an MBA from George Mason University
Description of Intended Audience and Recommended Prerequisites	The CCSDS tutorial is an introductory satellite communications course for engineers and managers who are designing or specifying spacecraft ground or space communication systems. It is applicable for spacecraft designers who are contemplating adaptation of standards for buses and payloads. It is also useful for mission architects and space agency personnel who are involved in specifying or approving communication and control systems. Students should have a general technical competency and understanding of communications theory, protocols, and systems.
What can Attendees Expect to Learn