ONEST

Status

Ongoing
Status date

2025-06-26
Activity Code

6B.128

Objectives

The objective of the ONEST project is to design and implement a flexible, modular testbed for optical and quantum communication networks, enabling the integration and testing of real and simulated Optical Ground Stations (OGSs). ONEST supports automated pass handling, satellite link scheduling, and Delay-Tolerant Networking (DTN) for reliable end-to-end data delivery. The system allows external parties to register OGSs and roaming networks, manage interfaces, and conduct performance validation through realistic or emulated satellite scenarios. By combining link planning, satellite emulation, and network orchestration within a unified architecture, ONEST aims to advance European capabilities in secure, high-throughput space communications and provide a scalable environment for technology prototyping, validation, and inter-network cooperation.

Challenges

Key challenges of the ONEST project include the integration of existing and simulated Optical Ground Stations within a unified, delay-tolerant communication environment.

Managing handovers across heterogeneous OGS networks, ensuring interface interoperability, and automating satellite link scheduling under variable orbital and weather conditions add complexity.

The system must also support precise link budget calculations and robust external data interfacing for operational accuracy.

Benefits

ONEST offers a uniquely modular and extensible testbed for optical and quantum ground network experimentation, designed to accommodate both real and simulated OGSs across static and roaming configurations. Unlike existing testbeds, which are typically confined to static setups or specific network environments, ONEST supports automated scheduling, inter-network OGS roaming, and DTN-based data delivery in realistic operational scenarios. Its integrated simulation plane allows for comprehensive testing prior to deployment, minimising real-world operations risks and enabling rapid prototyping.

The system's ability to interface with heterogeneous infrastructures and provide real-time link planning based on weather, ephemeris, and availability data offers clear operational advantages. Furthermore, ONEST’s open and standardised architecture enables interoperability with proprietary networks, a key differentiator in a fragmented ecosystem.

By enabling automated, end-to-end satellite-ground coordination and flexible network registration, ONEST reduces integration complexity and time-to-validation for communication technologies, offering strong value to both institutional, research and commercial stakeholders seeking scalable, future-ready optical ground segment solutions.

Features

ONEST is a modular and extensible testbed designed to validate, demonstrate, and optimize optical ground station networks. It enables integration of both real and simulated OGSs and supports advanced capabilities such as automated pass management, link scheduling, DTN-based data delivery, and roaming OGS operation.

Core components include the OGS Resource Planner, OGS Scheduler, and DTN Network Manager, which coordinate resource allocation, satellite communication windows, and delay-tolerant routing. The system incorporates a Link Availability Calculator using real-time weather data, enabling dynamic link planning and resilience to atmospheric conditions. Interfaces support OGS registration, monitoring, and control, while simulators for both OGS and satellites enable full end-to-end simulation.

A user-friendly user interface provides control and observability across the network. These integrated components allow ONEST to reduce development and validation time for new technologies, enable integration of third-party systems, and provide a scalable platform for interoperability testing. By replicating realistic mission scenarios, ONEST offers strong value for both institutional, research and commercial stakeholders in need of secure, high-performance ground segment infrastructure.

System Architecture

The ONEST system architecture is designed as a layered framework supporting both operational and simulated Optical Ground Stations (OGSs) for optical communication. It is structured into three primary planes: the management plane, the data plane, and the simulation plane.

The management plane handles control logic, scheduling, configuration, and monitoring. Central components include the OGS Resource Planner, which coordinates availability and resource allocation; the OGS Scheduler, which manages satellite pass windows; and the Link Availability Calculator, which uses weather data to determine optimal communication conditions. The user interface component provides centralised user access for system configuration and status monitoring.

The data plane focuses on reliable data delivery. The DTN Network Manager ensures end-to-end communication across intermittent or delayed links using Delay-Tolerant Networking protocols. The User Data interface enables data exchange with external consumers.

The simulation plane includes the OGS Simulator and Satellite Simulator, which allow testing of network behaviour without real hardware. These components operate independently of the live network, enabling flexible scenario modelling.

All components are connected through well-defined interfaces and support both real-time operations and emulated workflows, ensuring the ONEST system is adaptable, scalable, and ready for future optical ground segment requirements.

Plan

The project was kicked off on 22 May 2025. The project plan comprises of the following milestones:

Technical Baseline Review (TBR)
Critical Design Review (CDR)
Test Readiness Review (TRR)
Final Review and Demonstration Kick-off with Testbed Workshop (FR)
End of Project Final Presentation (FP)

Current status

Currently the initial deliverables for the Technical Baseline Review (TBR) are in progress, including the State of the Art and Technical Specification documentation.