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Version: 4.14

Data Handling

The Data Handling menu allows you to create and edit Blocks that model the creation, destruction, and internal/external flow of data throughout the satellite.

Data Types​

Data Types are used to tag and track a particular kind of data. On a given Data Storage block, each Data Type will be stored and flow separately. For example, a camera may produce the Data Type "Imaging Data", which is stored and later downlinked to a ground station.

Data Types are currently only distinguishable by their names.

Data Storage​

Data Storage elements store data on an associated Component. Data of one or more types that flows into the component via a Data Interface or produced in a Data Mode will be stored on the Data Storage block, where it can later travel out on a Data Interface.

The relationship between a component and a data storage device is one-to-one; a component can only have one data storage device and storage devices cannot be shared between components.

Specify the storage capacity and max read/write bitrates. The simulation will terminate if the stored data exceeds the storage capacity.

Data Handling Devices​

Data Handling devices are a subset of specialized components with special properties in the Data Handling module.

Modems​

Modems are used to configure external interfaces and to manage connections via directed energy devices.

There are currently no configuration options for modems, so you can can create one modem and use it for all of your external Data Interfaces. In the future, modems will have properties that drive modeling logic.

Directed Energy Devices (Antennas and Laser Comms Modules)​

Directed energy devices such as antennas and laser communications modules are used to communicate with other Agents. The device will only transmit/receive when the associated Link Target is in the designated Field of View.

Data Interfaces​

Data Interfaces model the flow of data, either internally, between Components in the Agent, or externally.

All Data Interfaces require a Data Type and bitrate. Data flows at the specified bitrate when the Data Interface is active, which is dependent on the active Routines.

Data can travel to/from Components that lack Data Storage as long as the data flow through that component is net neutral at all times. The Model Issues icon will indicate if this is impossible due to the lack of a source or sink.

Internal Data Interfaces​

A Data Interface may be created between two components in the Agent. Choose a source (sending) and sink (receiving). You may optionally associate internal Data Interfaces to a Data Bus, which will provide flow rate analytics.

External Data Interfaces​

External Data Interfaces transfer data between this Agent and a link Target. Support for linking to a Target Group is in development. There are three types of external Data Interface.

  • Passive transmit - Data is sent from the satellite if the link Target is in the Field Of View of the Directed Energy Device.
  • Cooperative transmit - In addition to the requirements of Passive Transmit, this requires the link Target to have an active receive Data Interface in order for data to flow.
  • Receive - The Agent receives data from a link Target with an active Cooperative transmit interface if the link target is in the Field of View of the Directed Energy Device.

Data Modes​

Data Modes are used to model the creation and consumption of data by Components. You can select any number of Components to associate to a Data Mode.

Select the Data Types associated to this data mode and specify the input and output rate (bit/s) for each Data Type. Input data is consumed/destroyed by the Component while output data is generated. Select the Routines during which this Data Mode is active, or indicate that it is always active using the checkbox. Only one data mode can be active on a component at a time.

As with Data Interfaces, Data Modes can be associated with Components without Data Storage. Use the Model Issues icon to assure that net flow is neutral for such Components.

Data Buses​

A Data Bus is a collection of internal Data Interfaces, currently only used for analytics purposes. Interfaces can be added when editing the interface or the Data Bus.