Resilient Satellite Communications with Autonomous Multi-Modem Adapter

Resilient satellite communications can be achieved by increasing diversity and redundancy in satellite transport links, provided by multiple service providers, as described in the Flexible Modem Interface (FMI) concept [1]. FMI can be enhanced by introducing autonomy, accommodation of legacy modems/waveforms that lack management interfaces, and increased Cyber protection. A novel Multi-Modem Adapter (MMA) can select a specific modem, service, waveform, gateway, satellite, or service provider by using rule-based processing of policies provided by a management system. MMA does not introduce any changes for the existing SATCOM infrastructure where modems can continue to use their (often) proprietary waveforms and be managed by their respective service providers. The autonomous selection of a modem is driven by use cases, mission priority, satellite availability, service differentiation, cost considerations, and threat landscape, all coded in management policies executed by an MMA rule-engine leveraging artificial intelligence techniques. Low-cost High Throughput Satellite (HTS) services on the one hand and AJ frequency hopping waveform on the other provide a wide spectrum of affordability and resiliency advantages. We also present MMA design based on off-the-shelf hardware and software components which leverage various interface standards, and summarize proof-of-concept MMA prototyping and demonstration efforts.