SBIR-STTR Award

Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a communication routing protocol designed specifically for high-latency applications wherein relay nodes on a multi-hop network may appear and reappear at irregular intervals. Unlike more ubiquitous TCP/IP network communications protocols that depend on known and “always on” routing paths, DTN is well suited to space-to-space applications where individual nodes in the network may be blocked or damaged. DARPA and NASA have invested significant research and even flight test demonstrations to further develop this technology. As described in this proposal, Blink Astro, LLC proposes to develop a small, affordable two-way radio transceiver that has built-in (native) hardware and software support for DTN communications protocols. Once developed and demonstrated, this new CubeSat-scale transceiver will be compatible with small satellites applications ranging from deep space swarms to commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. Potential NASA Applications NASA Deep-Space Swarm missions – a small but important market given the SBIR source of funds used help fund development. Estimate periodic buys of perhaps 50 radios per mission in 2020 and beyond, averaging to 10 per year. Potential Non-NASA Applications DoD Geocentric Missions – DoD missions seeking ad hoc networking for massive redundancy and communications resiliency in case of disruption. For example, DARPA’s newly announced Blackjack spacecraft architecture. Commercial LEO Missions – New emerging commercial space industry applications that require delay/disruption tolerant communications protocols and may have high latency. Blink’s own BlinkSat™ constellation for satellite IoT is one such example.

Blink Astro, LLC proposes a Phase II SBIR development effort that includes prototyping the ION-DTN protocol on our Phase I downselected microcontroller, integrated radio design, and a final demo of 3 ION-DTN nodes simulating a real-world scenario. Creation of a market strategy and supporting marketing collateral materials will also be developed for the end product as it is being advanced from TRL 3 to TRL 4 at the conclusion of effort. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) This solution has immediate applicability in enabling deep space communication or swarm constellation science missions. As NASA begins to more broadly adopt small satellites, the need for a small form factor, lower power, delay and disruption tolerant radio becomes paramount, especially as more novel mission concepts outside of Low Earth Orbit emerge. Blink’s ION-DTN Radio offers a cost-effective, turnkey solution to meeting DTN demands for future NASA missions and enables small satellite missions of greater scale and scientific return. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Non-NASA commercial applications for the Blink® ION-DTN Radio range from real-time aircraft tracking to commercial LEO satellite constellations. Of particular interest to Blink®, is the near-term applicability of the ION-DTN Radio with its LEO satellite constellation for IoT connectivity.