DAVINCI Descent Sphere Data Flow Design Overview and Initial Performance Estimates

This paper provides a design overview and initial performance estimates related to the data flow from the Descent Sphere (DS) instruments to the relay spacecraft for the Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gasses, Chemistry, and Imaging (DAVINCI) mission, targeting a launch in the early 2030s To maximize high value science data return during descent over the range of possible scenarios, the descent sphere to spacecraft relay link will utilize an autonomous adaptive data rate scheme and data flow will be managed via a data prioritization algorithm. The data prioritization algorithm is implemented in autonomous flight software on the descent sphere, assisted by firmware to offload low latency frame processing supporting the radio interface. Driving concepts that justify the initial design are covered along with initial results from implementing bounding data rate scenarios in a flight software prototype and supporting simulation environment to support design validation and analysis. Data generation, queuing, transmission, and storage estimates by type and priority are included to illustrate the approach to ensuring mission success over a variety of scenarios.