The race to commercialize space travel is in the news lately and it’s no surprise that industry standardization is in the mix! Now there’s a new EN 16603-50 standard and a series of sub parts all focused on space communication systems. In particular, these new publications cover two of the three components for space communication: The space link and the space network. The third aspect — the ground network — is only included when necessary for the provision of end-to-end communication services.
The EN 16603 series in full covers space engineering. Let’s take a look at the EN 16603-50 and the sub-parts that will complete this part of the picture:
EN 16603-50, Space engineering. Communications
This overview document specifies the requirements for the development of the end-to-end data communications system for spacecraft. Terminology for space communication systems engineering is covered. You’ll learn what needs to be done during the space communication system engineering process. And specific requirements on space communication systems in respect of functionality and performance are included. It’s for space-to-ground and space-to-space links used during spacecraft operations, and communications links to the spacecraft used during the assembly, integration and test, and operational phases.
EN 16603-50-01, Space engineering – Space data links – Telemetry synchronization and channel coding
This Standard establishes a common implementation of space telemetry channel coding systems. And several space telemetry channel coding schemes are specified as well.
EN 16603-50-02, Space engineering. Ranging and Doppler tracking
This Standard is applicable to spacecraft that are supported for ranging or Doppler tracking by direct links to Earth stations and to all related Earth stations. It is not applicable for spacecraft supported by data relay satellites or for Meteorological Satellite service. It defines the requirements concerning spacecraft transponder and Earth station equipment. And it has the criteria for determining how the accuracy of the measurements is influenced by equipment effects.
EN 16603-50-03, Space engineering – Space data links – Telemetry transfer frame protocol
This Standard contains the definition for Telemetry Transfer Frames which are fixed-length data structures, suitable for transmission at a constant frame rate on a space data channel. Even thought the source of the data is usually located in space and the receiver is located on the ground, the standard can also be used the other way round.
EN 16603-50-04, Space engineering – Space data links – Telecommand protocols, synchronization and channel coding
This Standard specifies the data structures and protocols for a telecommand space data link and the procedure for physical layer operation. Again, the standard can be used for space to ground communications, or vice versa.
EN 16603-50-05, Space engineering. Radio frequency and modulation
This Standard defines the radio communication techniques used for the transfer of information between spacecraft and Earth stations in both directions, and for the tracking systems used for orbit determination. It covers:
- frequency allocation, assignment and use
- requirements on transmitted signals concerning, for example, spectral occupation, RF power levels, protection of other radio services
- definition of the permissible modulation methods and parameters
- specification of the major technical requirements relevant for the interface between spacecraft and Earth stations
- operational aspects, such as acquisition and
- cross-support.
EN 16603-50-13, Space engineering. Interface and communication protocol for MIL-STD-1553B data bus onboard spacecraft
The aim of this Standard is to define the interface services and to specify their corresponding bus protocol elements for spacecraft using the MIL-STD-1553 B data bus. It also aims at defining requirements for harmonization of physical interface and usage of the MIL-STD-1553 B data link layer features. It provides a comprehensive set of requirements for all communication devices and components on board a spacecraft, which are connected to a single (redundant) data bus according to MIL-STD-1553 B.
EN 16603-50-14, Space engineering. Spacecraft discrete interfaces
This Standard specifies a common set of spacecraft on board electrical interfaces for sensor acquisition and actuator control. The interfaces specified in this standard are the traditional point-to-point interfaces that are commonly used on modern spacecraft. The interfaces specified in this standard include analogue and discrete digital interfaces used for status measurement and control, as well as point-to-point serial digital interfaces used for digital data acquisition and commanding of devices.
EN 16603-50-51, Space engineering. SpaceWire protocol identification
There are a number of communication protocols that can be used in conjunction with the SpaceWire Standard to provide a comprehensive set of services for on board user applications. To distinguish between the various protocols a protocol identifier is used. This Standard specifies this protocol identifier.
EN 16603-50-52, Space engineering – SpaceWire – Remote memory access protocol
This Standard specifies the Remote Memory Access protocol (RMAP), which is one of these protocols that works over SpaceWire.
As you can see, this is a major undertaking for CEN’s Technical Committee CLC/TC 5. If you’d like to see more standards on this topic, please go to our Document Center List of Standards on Space Systems and Operations.
And if you need a copy of any of these standards, please order at our webstore, www.document-center.com. Or contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’ve been supporting the aerospace industry since 1982. Make us your Standards Experts!
