Technical data

JSC 36381 MARCH 30, 2000

Baseline

1.3.7 RF Access Point

After Mission 5A, two RF access points will be attached to the coax backbone in the

U.S. Lab. An access point is a MAC layer bridge that relays data packets between

devices on the coax backbone and RF nodes, which are primarily SSC Clients

equipped with RF network adapters. One access point utilizes a directional antenna

aimed down the central corridor of the ISS. The other access point, communicating

omnidirectionally with a dipole antenna, will be placed at the opposite side of the

U.S. Lab.

1.3.8 Other Network Devices

Other devices may be added to the OPS LAN to facilitate special projects, such as

medical experiments, inventory management, and payload operations. The SSC

Management Plan (See Appendix 0) provides potential users with guidelines for

petitioning the S-POCCB to modify the OPS LAN configuration. The following project

devices have been approved for OPS LAN connectivity.

1.3.8.1 Medical Equipment Computer (MEC)

Medical Equipment Computers are laptops configured for supporting the Crew

Health Care System (CHeCS). Periodically, a MEC will attach to OPS LAN as a

client device to transfer CHeCS data.

1.3.8.2 Bar Code Reader

The Inventory Management System (IMS) utilizes a number of handheld bar

code readers to scan and store information about most items aboard ISS. Bar

code readers are assigned unique IP addresses and communicate with FServer

applications via RF. If OPS LAN connectivity is unavailable, the bar code

readers may store inventory information for later upload to FServer.

1.3.8.3 Video Teleconferencing Machine (SSCVT)

When the OCA Router replaces the ECS/OCA machine, Video Teleconferencing

will be lost. Hence, a new Video Teleconferencing Machine will be manifested at

5A.1 to assume this capability, with Early KU activation scheduled to occur

sometime between 5A.1 and 7A. For improved real-time operations relative to

video quality, the VT will be connected to the coax backbone in the U.S. Lab.

1.4 RF CONNECTIVITY

RF communication links, which operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency band (2.4 – 2.484

GHz), behave in the same manner as standard LAN cable bus topology. Advertised

throughput via RF PC cards is 12MB/min; actual data throughput is predicted to be

between 3.5 and 5.5 MB/Min.