The Communications and Data Engineering Laboratories - Advanced Network Development, Fiber Optics, Network Systems and Security, and Data Networking - have led the research, analysis, design, development, and deployment of all next-generation telecommunications systems for KSC. Testbeds consisting of past, current, and next-generation systems combined with technical expertise allow these laboratories to apply research, analysis, and development to obtain maximum efficiency from current communications investments while providing optimal technology infusion. Supporting research and analysis in virtually any communications environment, the Communications and Data Engineering Laboratories possess the skills and resources necessary to identify technology and to investigate and manage the resulting deployment of large complex communications systems. These laboratories are uniquely suited for testing and evaluating industry products in simulated operating environments to eliminate the costs associated with late identification of incompatibilities. The Communications and Data Engineering Laboratories have a long and successful history of meeting defined schedule milestones and budgets while responding to the dynamics and uncertainties of new technologies.
Competency & Skills
Telecommunications system specification, design, analysis, testing, and acquisition
System integration
Network systems and security development (firewall, network intrusion/detection, secure authentication systems)
Network management and monitoring systems
Digital video technology and transmission systems
Software development (real-time, embedded, and general-purpose computing)
Network architectures and protocols (e.g., VoIP, IP, GMPLS)
Project management of the development and deployment of all systems fielded
Laboratories Services and Equipment:
Data acquisition systems design
Digital signal processing algorithm and methodology development
Lightning and electromagnetic measurement, data acquisition, analysis, and research
Mathematical modeling and computer simulation
Design of analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronic circuitry
Electronics assembly (thru-hole and surface-mount)
Printed circuit board design, assembly, and test
Schematic capture
Surface-mount and thru-hole circuit board assembly
Special instrumentation development
Laboratory Assets & Specialized Equipment
Printed circuit board milling machine
Schematic capture and printed circuit board design workstations
Surface-mount assembly stations
Transient recorders for measuring lightning effects
Fast-digitizing data acquisition recorders
Recent Notable Achievements:
Designed, developed, and deployed numerous network security systems that protect the perimeter of KSC from computer attacks. These include secure authentication methods, firewalls, and network system monitoring tools.
Designed and developed the human-computer interface for the command and control system of the new Operational Television (OTV) System modernization. Also designed and produced key hardware elements, including power supplies and camera station microcontrollers.
Responsible for all the design, specification, equipment identification, and acceptance certification for the KSC SONET and ATM transmission systems, which support all the voice, video, and data traffic at KSC.
Performed a quick redesign and implementation at the KSC gateway network boundary, which allowed KSC to meet its data performance requirements during the launch of STS-95, John Glenn's return to space aboard Discovery. The volume of data traffic experienced in this launch was unprecedented, and the laboratory's redesign efforts provided Internet viewers of the event a positive experience.
Performed troubleshooting and eventually discovered a serious fiber-optic cable failure mode in a key link providing communications between the Launch Control Center and the Space Shuttle launch pads. Resolution of this failure mode involved significantly modifying all future specifications used for fiber-optic cabling systems at KSC.
ASRC Aerospace Corporation
P.O. Box 21087
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Communications and Data Engineering Laboratories
Competency & Skills