Communications and Network System Engineering
Communication systems are used in several
places in the ground segment, in order to allow the different
components of the ground segment to communicate in efficient ways.
Communication systems like gateways, protocol converters, and
routing systems are always needed, as are the systems, which allow
the space segment to communicate with mission control centre and
data processing centre. Gateways are used to connect disparate
systems, using established or emerging standards.
For over 10 years, VEGA has supported ESA,
providing the support service for the Maintenance, Operations &
Evolution of the ESA Operational Computer and Communications
Infrastructure. We have also provided the Data Communication
Engineering team within ESOC. More recently VEGA has been
awarded the contract to continue the Informations and
Communications Technology (ICT) support to ESOC through an ITIL
based support service.
Over the past 10 years, since the first
network engineering contract was awarded to VEGA, there have been
many successes including the complete migration from the legacy
X.25 communications protocol to TCP/IP, upgrading of the networking
infrastructure at all of the ESA Ground Stations, network design
for numerous space missions, the development of the network
monitoring platform and the private IP address space, always
working side-by-side with the Agency.
In more recent years, VEGA has been deeply
involved in the introduction of Solaris 10 and Linux/Intel-based
computer platforms for the Mission Control systems, the deployment
of the in-band management and monitoring systems, and the complete
redesign of the backup and data recovery system.
Contact VEGA for further information about
communications and network system engineering