Overview
ISO 23104:2020 - "Space link extension - Cross support transfer service - Monitored data service" (MD‑CSTS) is an ISO Recommended Standard, originally prepared by CCSDS, that specifies the Monitored Data service as an extension of the Cross Support Transfer Services (CSTS) framework. The standard defines the set of CSTS procedures, behavioral refinements, operation-level extensions, and relationships required to provide monitored-data transfer between a Cross Support Complex (Earth Space Link Terminal) and mission users. It standardizes service behavior (not specific products or measurement technologies) to enable interoperable monitoring, reporting and notification across ground-segment components.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Service definition and scope: formal definition of the Monitored Data CSTS, its purpose and limits (what it does and deliberately does not specify).
- Procedures: procedural building blocks such as the On‑Change‑Option Cyclic Report, Information Query, and Notification procedures, including state machines and required operations.
- Behavioral refinements: extensions and refinements to standard CSTS operations (START, STOP, GET, NOTIFY, TRANSFER‑DATA) to support monitored-data semantics.
- Service management parameters: configuration and management parameters inherited from the CSTS framework and MD‑specific parameters (for example, mdSvcProductionStatus and mdSvcProductionStatusChange).
- Operational models: diagrams and operational scenarios illustrating production, provisioning, and management of monitored data service instances.
- Conformance and supporting material: Annexes include an Implementation Conformance Statement (ICS) proforma, Service Object Identifiers, example PDUs, security/SANA and patent considerations, and informative references.
Note: ISO 23104:2020 does not mandate specific measurement, communication technologies, management workflows, or the exact list of monitored parameters/events - it focuses on the interoperable service interface and behavior.
Practical applications
ISO 23104:2020 is used to:
- Enable interoperable monitoring and reporting between mission control centers and cross‑support ground complexes.
- Standardize how cyclic parameter reports, on‑demand queries, and event notifications are exchanged across ground-segment interfaces.
- Support multi-agency or commercial cross‑support scenarios where different organizations operate ground stations, telemetry processors, or network services.
- Provide a procurement and integration reference for ground-segment vendors, systems integrators, and satellite operators to ensure CSTS-compliant monitored-data exchanges.
Who should use this standard
- Space agencies and mission operations teams
- Ground-segment designers and integrators (ESLT/ground station providers)
- Software and hardware vendors for telemetry, tracking & command (TT&C)
- Systems engineers defining cross‑support interfaces and service-level agreements
Related standards
- Cross Support Transfer Services Specification Framework (CSTS framework)
- CCSDS documents and the Space Communications Cross Support Architecture reference material
Keywords: ISO 23104:2020, Monitored Data service, MD‑CSTS, Cross Support Transfer Service, space link extension, CSTS, ground segment interoperability, monitored data reporting.