An Open-Source Framework to Emulate Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networks for International Space Station Communication

Key Speaker

Abstract

Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTN) are critical for reliable communications in challenged network environments, particularly for space systems where end-to-end connectivity cannot be guaranteed. We present an open-source, full-stack implementation of the Bundle protocol for communicating with the International Space Station (ISS), with complete security features including Bundle Authentication Block (BAB), Payload Integrity Block (PIB), and Payload Confidentiality Block (PCB) using HMAC-SHA256 and AES-256-CBC encryption. The system includes bundle fragmentation and reassembly, priority-based queuing, custody transfer with ACK/NAK mechanisms, and automatic retransmission. Our system also includes a state-of-the-art frontend facilitated by a sleek and modern responsive web interface. More importantly, we consider this work highly relevant in the context of computer networking in two-folds: i) it demonstrates a full stack, open-source, freely available implementation of this critical and reliable protocol; and ii) it offers an amazing and engaging educational and learning tool in the field of computer networks and communications.

Authors

1. Krit Grover kritgrover@gmail.com (University of Toronto)
2. Marcelo Ponce m.ponce@utoronto.ca (University of Toronto)

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