ATLAS Ushers Smart Space Comms Into Future With SBIR

By: ATLAS Space Operations via Business Wire

November 17, 2021 at 03:55 AM EST

ATLAS Space Operations has advanced its machine-to-machine learning capability through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. The ATLAS SBIR involves the use of over one billion data points from all aspects of the ATLAS communications platform to improve reliability and performance. Antenna tasking, equipment monitoring, and communications optimization are all being improved through continuous machine-to-machine learning protocols.

The mission for ATLAS is to go beyond hardware modernization by using software to optimize their services. Using the Freedom™ software platform, the team at ATLAS has developed its software to automatically analyze trends in its communications network. This means that standalone metrics such as site reliability, ground station infrastructure performance, and antenna scheduling can be viewed as a whole.

The resulting improvement is that information from one data stream can inform and shape another. For example, hardware data can be analyzed alongside communications metrics in order to explore possible opportunities and predict challenges ahead of time. This effort stems from a common goal: automatic communications analysis, modification, and improvement for future-friendly space communications.

“This initiative demonstrates the Freedom™ software platform’s ability to use machine learning to improve our performance, and it is a testament to our long-standing commitment to leading with software,” said Ed McCarty, VP of Global Sales at ATLAS. McCarty explained, “Think about the smart phone in your pocket. We expect regular software updates to happen automatically and seamlessly to improve our user experience.”

McCarty goes on to provide more details, “This project accomplishes a similar capability for our clients in the space communications arena. By taking information from across many sources and integrating it to improve offerings for our clients, we are able to predict challenges ahead of time. Hence, we are optimizing our equipment, and avoiding unnecessary down-time—the best part is, it’s happening through machine-to-machine interfaces, and it is baked into our offerings.”

About ATLAS Space Operations:

ATLAS Space Operations is the fastest-growing teleport operator in the world according to the World Teleport Association’s Fast 10, and was recognized as the 15th fastest-growing software company in the Inc. 5000, placing 102 overall. The company conducts secure and efficient space communications that drive critical decisions on Earth, all supported by Freedom™, ATLAS’ cloud-based platform. Employing a revolutionary approach that is fluid and quick to adapt to industry changes, ATLAS brings data down from space faster and more affordably than ever before. For more information visit atlasground.com.