HDTN Implementation Features

HDTN is a performance optimized implementation of the DTN standard, which targets applications involving high-rate RF and optical links. HDTN features the following attributes:

• BPv7 protocol, bundle generation and termination, storage, scheduling, link status, routing and a web interface

• Rates exceeding Gbps may be achieved on supported platforms

• Singular and distributed implementations have been tested on Intel, AMD & ARM architectures

• Supported platforms include Linux and Windows

• Interoperability tested with DTNME, ION, BPlib and microDTN

• Technology readiness level (TRL) 6/7, assessed through system testing in relevant environments (ground and space) during 2023

Currently HDTN is targeting several mission infusion opportunities, such as:

• ISS upgrades to support enhanced operations and laser communications payloads such as Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T).

• Cloud-based implementations to support optical ground terminals for the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) mission

• Multiprocessor architecture implementations to support small satellite hyperspectral imaging applications

• Pursuing NASA Procedural Requirement NPR 7150.2 (NASA Software Engineering Requirements) compliance to support Artemis missions.

Product Support Resources for HDTN:

• Government developed open source code available on GitHub

• HDTN on GitHub: provides the latest release of HDTN (open source)

• User guide, FAQ, community engagement

• YouTube configuration video

  • Video Tutorial: HDTN Community Day - Running and Configuring the Product

• Latest publications and development news

• Full stack development and maintenance team on task for continuity

Performance

• Saturates Gbps optical links (LCRD/ILLUMA-T) with 4 second delays

• Saturates 400 Mbps ISS RF links on constrained laptops

• 2.4 Gbps (LTP) & 8.4Gbps (STCP) on LCRD testbed

• >500 Mbps on small Cortex-A72 processors (Raspberry Pi)

• 100 B up to 4 MB bundle sizes

  • 1 Gbps @ 10 KB size bundle

Completed Work

• Convergence layers: TCPCL v3 and v4, UDP, LTP v1, STCP

• Gracefully handle unexpected Loss of Signal (LOS)

• BPv6

• BPv7

• Custody transfer (ACS and RFC 5050 style)

• Applications: BPing, BPSendFile/BPReceiveFile, BPGen/BPSink

• Routing: CGR, CMR, multi-destination

• Web interface

• Logging and statistics

• Regularly scheduled static quality analysis (Coverity) with CI/CD pipeline for automated build, testing and static analysis scanning

• Tested on Intel, AMD & ARM processors

• Implemented as singular and distributed architectures

• Supports Linux and Windows platforms

• Interoperability with DTNME, ION, BPLib and microDTN

• Access on demand, dynamic contact plan updates

• LTP variable rate control

• LTP storage to disk

• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS EC2

• Software defined radio integration

• HDTN Simulator

• Software Defined Networking (SDN) 7150.2D Class-E release

• BPv6/7 conversion through SDN

• Tested with large contact plans based on Starlink satellite orbit data

• Complies to RFC 4838, 5050, 9171, 9173, 8174, UDPCL, and 7122 standards

In Progress Features

• NASA 7150.2D class-B software compliance

  • Cybersecurity compliance

• API

  • Command line interface

• F Prime (F’)

• BPSec

• Streaming with RTP

• BPtables/Bundle filter

• Auto-generate config files

• Cognitive Communications crossover work

  • Routing based on SNN, GNN, reinforcement learning
  • Routing based on channel state information
  • Multi-objective routing: power, cost, quality of service
  • Automatically reroute based on failure detection
  • Variable data rates within a given contact

• Edit/view config files and contact plan via web interface

Planned Work

• Discovery

• Network management

  • Contact plan distribution

• NORM, multicast/anycast

• Storage policy manager

• Third-party library package management