[Sls-slp] RE: Newest Version of USLP White Book on CWE as of Oct 22

Thu Oct 29 11:05:22 UTC 2015

Dear Greg,

I had a quick look at the document and reported some comments as follows:

·         Section 1.1. It is stated that "this specification describes the data flow the data link layer process that reside between physical and network layer". On the contrary, I think that this specification addresses only the data services sublayer, with no specification details about the C&S sublayer.

·         Section 1.3. In the rest of the document it is not clear how the mentioned three sublayers (data services, session operation management, and C&S) are interfaced and then positioned within the Data Link layer. In particular it is not clear to me whether SOM (also for how it is described in D) is actually a  dedicated sublayer or a service.

·         Section 1.6. For what concerns ordering of the annexes, if I'm not wrong, you should first have all normative annexes and then informative, whereas Annex F is normative.

·         Section 1.7.2. I've the impression that some of the definitions are the result of merging from definitions contained in the existing TM, Prox-1, and TC books. Hence, the wording can be improved. In particular, return and forward link definition is unclear. Furthermore, it is later stated (section 2.1.1) that this book addresses also space-to-space links. In this regard, I've some troubles in seeing the application of the provided definitions for forward and return links. Moreover, these definitions refer to caller and responders, which by definition are concerned only in proximity links.

·         Section 2.1.1. Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is referred here but not considered in the sections devoted to the terms defined in ISO/OSI (section 1.7.1.1). At the end, there is a reference to B4, which currently does not contain any indications about USLP and I'm not aware of any project defined to update that book. Figure 2.1 is quite controversial. As stated by Keith, OSI protocol stack should contain the network layer and probably it would be worth going up to the application layer (then also including the presentation layer to be coherent with OSI protocol stack). I've also some problems with the CCSDS protocols stack. In particular, the data services sublayer contains protocols and also functions (frame delimiting and validation): this should be harmonized. On the other hand, the C&S sublayer only contains channel coding techniques, with no mention of sync functions. Another point is the fact that presently LTP cannot work on top of TM, AOS, Proximity, or TC, but it needs to be transported by the CCSDS encapsulation service, which is also missing in this figure. Finally, other protocols potentially running above the CCSDS Data Link layer are not depicted at all, such as IP, Space Packet, etc.

·         Section 2.2.2. The last sentence contains "shall". Section 2 of CCSDS blue books is an informative section (as far as I know) and therefore no requirements can be stated in there.

·         Section 2.2.3.7. It is quite unclear what the TFDF tunneling service is. Also in the rest of the document, I can't see the difference with respect to the packet service. I was wondering whether this has to do with a kind of L2 switching, but still far from my understanding of tunneling concepts.

·         Section 2.3.1, bullet point at the end. If my understanding is correct, it is stated that retransmission function is available. I'm fine with COP-1 that is coming from the TC; the text however is not clear about the scope of its application. It is limited only to the uplink forward or also to the return downlink (this would be new with respect to the COP-1 specification)?

·         Section 3.2.2. Differently from what depicted in Figure 2.1., it is stated that service data units are PDU of the network layer protocol. Please harmonise.

·         Section 4.1.1. It is stated that the transfer frame header should be 7 or 14 octets, whereas figure 4-1 shows '7-14'. According to the description proposed in 4.1.2, I think 7-14 is correct, whereas '7 or 14' is not.

·         Section 4.1.2. Frame length is 2 octets, I'd better say 16 bits, as done for the SCID.

·         Section 4.1.5.1 What is data structuring rules (figure 4-4)? In section .4.1.5.1.1 segmentation rules is addressed instead. Harmonisation of the terminology is necessary.

·         Section 5.1. In Table 5.1, for the FEC code, I think it is better to explicitly state which codes and related bit pattern should be used.

·         Section 5.2, Table 5.2. It is not clear to me how I can put an integer value for the variable length. For example in the TC specification, one can indicate the maximum frame length acceptable. Similar comment for Tables 5.3 and 5.4.

·         Annex F: I would see this part directly in the core of the document. Section 6.3.3 introduces as parameter 'QoS', which is however not properly defined in the rest of the document. In TC for instance 'service type' was defined with clear explanation in the rest of that book. In section 6.4.2, GMAP is indicated as parameter, but actually the considered primitives use instead GVCID. In section 6.5.2, the primitives contain the parameter PID, which is however not included in the parameters discussion some paragraphs above. Furthermore the indication primitive contain the QoS parameter, which is not present in the request primitive: is it correct?

·         Annex G: I guess it should be DVB-S2 instead of DVB2.

Sorry for providing these inputs so late, but I think they should be taken into account during the discussion in Darmstadt. It can also be that some of these comments have been already recorded by other colleagues in the most recent version of the USLP white book.

Best Regards,

Tomaso

------------------------
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
German Aerospace Center
Institute of Communications and Navigation | Satellite Networks | Oberpfaffenhofen | 82234 Wessling | Germany
Tomaso de Cola, Ph.D.
Telefon +49 8153 28-2156 | Telefax  +49 8153 28-2844 | tomaso.decola at dlr.de<mailto:tomaso.decola at dlr.de>
http://www.dlr.de/kn/institut/abteilungen/san

From: sls-slp-bounces at mailman.ccsds.org [mailto:sls-slp-bounces at mailman.ccsds.org] On Behalf Of Kazz, Greg J (312B)
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2015 22:25
To: sls-slp at mailman.ccsds.org
Subject: [Sls-slp] Newest Version of USLP White Book on CWE as of Oct 22

Dear SLP members,

The lastest version which we plan to review at the SLP WG meeting in Darmstadt on Nov 9 and 10 is now in the CWE under the following URL:

http://tiny.cc/goc14x

Note that the filename contains the date of: 10-22-15gk_clean2

However, the latest changes using the Word tracking feature are there. Also note that Section 3 has been put back into this version. I cannot explain how it disappeared during the previous revision. Also we have tried to be more consistent with the outlines followed by TC, TM, and AOS where applicable.

Best regards,

Greg
Chairman SLP WG

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