75493 - Protocols And Architectures For Space Networks M

Academic Year 2020/2021

  • Docente: Carlo Caini
  • Credits: 3
  • SSD: 0
  • Language: English
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Telecommunications Engineering (cod. 9205)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Computer Engineering (cod. 0937)

Learning outcomes

The student will learn how to solve through the use of DTN architectures (Delay-Tolerant Networking, RFC 4838) and the Bundle Protocol (RFC 5050) problems set by “challenged networks”.

Course contents

Challenged networks
Definition of “challenged networks”. Challenges: long delays, significant losses, intermittent connectivity, network partitioning. Examples: Interplanetary Internet, satelllite networks (GEO and LEO), emergency networks, underwater networks, communications in areas not covered by ordinary TLC networks (extreme environemnts), tactical networks, etc.
The DTN architecture
Description of the DTN architecture (RFC 4838).
The Bundle Protocol
Description of the Bundle Protocol (RFC5050). Lab activities: use of DTN2 and ION (NASA JPL) bundle protocol implementations.
Application of the DTN architecture to the satellite networks
Characteristics of satellite networks based on Geostationary (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constallations. Lab activities: example of application of the DTN architecture to GEO and LEO systems.
Application of the DTN architecture to Interplanetary Internet
Characteristics of Interplanetary networks. The LTP protocol. Lab activities: examples of application of the DTN architecture to IPN systems.

Readings/Bibliography

IETF RFC4838 e RFC5050. A few technical papers selected by the Professor. A few presentations by the Professor or by other DTN experts.

Teaching methods

Lessons (50%) and lab activities (50%, mainly on the students'PCs).

Assessment methods

Written test with possible lab integration, with binary result (success/failure). Answers in Italian or French are allowed under students' request. The wriiten test consist in the distribution of a sheet with  questions on both the theory and the lab activities. The lenght of the written test is of about one hour. The use of notes, smartphones, pocket calculators, etc. is not allowed.

Exams in January, February, June-July (3) and September.

Teaching tools

Virtualbricks package (virtual testbeds manager). Preconfigured Virtual testbeds and disk images.
http://cnrl.deis.unibo.it/software.php

Alternatively open source packages (in C) downloadable from Sourceforge:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dtn/files/DTN2/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ion-dtn/

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Caini