A hierarchical architecture for resource allocation, plan execution, and revision for operation of a network of communications antennas

This paper describes a hierarchical scheduling, planning, control, and execution monitoring architecture for automating operations of the Deep Space Network, a worldwide network of communications antennas. We describe the network automation problem and current mode of operations. We then describe a three layer hierarchical architecture for automating network operations. In particular we describe the notion of plan/schedule generation, execution, and revision at each level. Finally, we describe the current state of deployment for each segment of the automation architecture.