Internship title: System Data Circulation modelling using File Based Operations (FBO)

Traditionally Earth Observation missions have been operated using data packetisation standards as the transport means for telemetry and telecommand data between user applications on-ground and applications on-board the satellite, in accordance with the ECSS Packet Utilization Standard (ECSS E-70-41). More recently, however, there has been a move towards off-line operations concepts, as file transfer has become an ever more common function. In addition, a reliable Space to Ground interface is becoming an increasingly critical issue for Earth observation missions, which are facing the need to cope with an increasing demand in terms of data rate acquisition. The need to adopt downlink frequencies, which allows higher data rates, comes at the price of a reduced reliability of the Downlink with the potential risk of data loss, associated (for example) to bad weather conditions.

The use of the FBO (File Based Operations) is made possible by the availability of standardized file transfer protocols, such as the CCSDS File Delivery Protocol (CFDP).

The file based approach shall also be integrated in a wider context at mission level, making sure the space segment and the ground segment implement the new approach consistently, tailoring the standard CFDP to the specific mission objectives.

The internship activities will be focused on the development of a simulator, to model the end-to-end system data circulation using file based operations. The case study will be the Copernicus CO2M Mission. The objective is to model the main building blocks of the data circulation, from the Space Segment to the Ground Segment, allowing the analysis of the data volume profile over time, to evaluate the behaviour of the system with various operational scenarios and assumptions. The simulator shall be able to tune a set of key parameters, to perform selected trade-off studies, sensitivity analysis, contingency scenario analysis and data availability assessment.

The intern will join the Copernicus Mission Development (CMD) Division.

Duties

As an intern you will:

• Study of an end-to-end file-based data delivery approach, implemented via the CFDP protocol for the Future Copernicus missions;
• Trade-off of different operational scenarios taking in account the CO2M Mission as study case, focusing on the end-to-end data flow using a file based approach;
• Build an end-to-end file-based data circulation simulator as support for the analysis and trade-off assessment;

• Expand and develop the capability of an already existing CFDP software environment for the automatic testing of some sub-systems identified during the activities listed above.
• In addition, the intern will support relevant day-to-day activities within the team.

Skills and Experience

• Have the ability to work effectively in English;
• Be computer literate;
• Be intrinsically motivated and curious about the internship subject;
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively;
• Have the ability to take the initiative in researching ideas;
• Have the ability to collect, collate, conceptualize and present information clearly.

Additional specific requirements:

• Some knowledge of the most common Telecommunication Protocols and some knowledge of the LEO earth observation systems would be an advantage.
• Some knowledge of the Linux, Matlab or/and Python would be an advantage.