📡 DSNSim: Deep Space Network (DSN) Transceiver Simulator

✨ Project Summary

DSNSim utilizes an Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 to simulate a single Deep Space Station (DSS) acting as a transceiver. It models the core functions of the DSN by using a 433MHz RF module to physically send (Uplink) and receive (Downlink) a stream of simulated deep space communication data types (Telemetry, Command, Tracking).

The use of a common transceiver setup emphasizes the shared hardware component used for both sending and receiving signals, simulating a crucial aspect of modern deep space communication systems.

💻 Code and Hardware Details

Target Hardware

• Microcontroller: Arduino MKR WiFi 1010

• RF Module: 433MHz RF Transmitter and Receiver Pair

• Role: Simulated Deep Space Station (DSS) Transceiver.

Wireless Communication

• Frequency: 433MHz (A common, unlicensed frequency band for short-range radio communication).

• Modulation: Typically Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), where the carrier wave's amplitude is switched ON (HIGH) or OFF (LOW) to transmit binary data. This is a simplified, yet functional, model of the complex RF communication used by the DSN.

• Library: The project relies on RadioHead library to handle the encoding and decoding of the serial data for reliable wireless transmission.

🛠️ Setup and Running the Simulator

Prerequisites

• Arduino IDE: Latest version installed.

• Arduino SAMD Boards: Board package installed for the MKR family.

• Library: Install the required RadioHead library via the Arduino IDE's Library Manager (Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries...).

Execution Steps

• Wiring: Connect the 433MHz transmitter and receiver modules to your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 based on the pin definitions in the main.ino sketch.

• Antenna: Attach a 17.3 cm wire to the antenna pin of both the transmitter and receiver for optimal 433MHz range (this is approximately a quarter-wavelength antenna).

• Upload the Code: Compile and upload the main.ino sketch to your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010.

• Monitor the Simulation: Open the Serial Monitor to observe the flow of simulated DSN data being encoded (for Uplink) and decoded (for Downlink) by the 433MHz RF modules by virtue of the commands uplink and downlink respectively.

🔬 Next Steps for Development

• Signal Strength: Use the RadioHead library features (if available) or simply add noise modeling to simulate the signal strength and distance challenges inherent in DSN communication.

• Error Correction: Implement a simple checksum or cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to simulate how DSN data ensures integrity over long, noisy links.

📜 Credits

The project was developed by 최형찬 and Prithwis Das.