ULS-DeCoNet Protocol Interface Control Document

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

ULSDC-PBICD011125 · version 1.0.5 · issued November 13, 2025
The numbered PDF is the controlled copy: download it from the portal.

Introduction

Purpose

The ULS-DeCoNet (ULS Devices Connection Network) protocol is a comprehensive communication protocol designed for Ultra-precise Location Systems (ULS). It provides a robust, hierarchical network architecture for connecting ULS devices across multiple transport mediums including UART and CAN bus.

Scope

This protocol defines:

Device discovery and network management
Object-oriented data exchange
System control and configuration
Firmware update mechanisms
Multi-hop routing capabilities
Blitz sensor data transmission

Key Features

Multi-transport Support: UART (with various framing modes) and CAN bus
Automatic Device Discovery: Dynamic network topology with automatic ID allocation
Hierarchical Addressing: Support for up to 63 local devices per interface
Multi-hop Routing: Packet forwarding through intermediate nodes
Object-based Data Model: Structured access to device parameters and data
Permission System: Read/write/protected access control for objects
Firmware Update: Secure bootloader mode with signature verification
Low Overhead: Optimized for embedded systems with limited resources

Terminology

Term	Description
DID	Device ID - Logical identifier for devices on a network segment (0-63)
LID	Local ID - Synonym for DID
CID	Connection ID - Identifies which connection interface (0-3)
HB	Heartbeat - Periodic keep-alive message
NM	Network Management - Protocol layer for device discovery
CN	Connection - Higher-level protocol for data exchange
Blitz	Fast sensor data messaging subsystem
MRX	Multi-Receiver eXtension - Secondary receiver support
GIMU	Ground IMU - Inertial Measurement Unit on transmitter
TXC	Transmitter Control - Ground unit control interface

Protocol Architecture

Protocol Stack

block-beta
 columns 1
 A["Application Layer\n(Device Objects, Blitz Messages, Config)"]
 B["Connection Layer (CN)\n(Object Access, System Commands, Routing)"]
 C["Interface Layer (IF)\n(Network Management, Device Discovery)"]
 D["Framing Layer\n(UART: ESC/COBS, CAN: Multi-frame)"]
 E["Physical Layer\n(UART, CAN/FDCAN)"]

Design Principles

Layered Architecture: Clear separation of concerns between protocol layers
Transport Agnostic: Core protocol independent of physical medium
Efficient Framing: Multiple framing modes optimized for different scenarios
Scalable Addressing: Support for hierarchical and flat addressing schemes
Robust Error Handling: CRC protection and timeout-based error recovery
Plug-and-Play: Automatic device discovery and ID allocation

OSI Layer Model Mapping

The ULS-DeCoNet protocol maps to the OSI reference model as follows:

ULS-DeCoNet Quick Reference Guide

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

ULSDC-PBDS041125 · version 1.0.0 · issued November 13, 2025
The numbered PDF is the controlled copy: download it from the portal.

Protocol Stack

Application Layer │ Objects, Blitz Messages, Device Data
Connection Layer │ Routing, Object Access, System Commands
Interface Layer │ Network Management, Device Discovery
Framing Layer │ UART: ESC/COBS | CAN: Multi-frame
Physical Layer │ UART 115200+ | CAN 1Mbps

Addressing

Component	Size	Range	Description
Device ID (DID)	6 bits	0-63	Local device address
Connection ID (CID)	2 bits	0-3	Interface identifier
CNRID	8 bits	0-255	Combined routing ID: `(CID<<6)\|DID`

Special Addresses:

ULS-DeCoNet on UAVLAS Docs

ULS-DeCoNet Protocol Interface Control Document

Introduction

Purpose

Scope

Key Features

Terminology

Protocol Architecture

Protocol Stack

Design Principles

OSI Layer Model Mapping

ULS-DeCoNet Quick Reference Guide

Protocol Stack

Addressing