ISO 18424-2013 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 18424:2013 — Space data and information transfer systems — XML Telemetric and Command Exchange (XTCE). This International Standard specifies an XML-based information model (XTCE) for exchanging telemetry and telecommand (TM/TC) metadata between spacecraft operators, manufacturers and ground systems to improve interoperability of mission databases and tools.

Abstract

ISO 18424:2013 defines the metadata constructs required to describe satellite telemetry and telecommand information so that TM/TC definitions can be exchanged without custom converters or re‑implementation of mission databases. It covers structure and sequencing of CCSDS packets and TDM frames, data manipulation for packaging/unpacking, command identification and arguments, encoding of parameters and commands, and data properties such as default values and validity criteria. It is a metadata specification (not a protocol or live-data transfer specification).

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: June 2013
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 49.140 (Space systems and operations)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2013)
• Number of pages: 86

General information above from the ISO record for ISO 18424:2013.

Scope

ISO 18424:2013 is limited to the satellite telemetry and commanding metadata needed for satellite and payload data processing. It includes metadata to define CCSDS packets and TDM frames, describe data packaging/unpacking and encoding, specify commands (identifiers, arguments and validation), and declare parameter properties (defaults, limits, dependencies). It explicitly excludes distribution mechanisms/protocols, RF/analog stream characterisation, visualization/display properties, scheduling/orbital properties, and flight software specifications.

Key topics and requirements

• XML schema-based information model for telemetry and telecommand (XTCE).
• Definition of packet and frame structures (CCSDS packet and TDM framing constructs).
• Rules for data packaging, unpacking and data manipulation (bit/byte ordering, containerization).
• Command description: identification, argument specification, validation criteria and constraints.
• Parameter and command encoding, data types, enumerations, arrays and structured types.
• Metadata for data properties: default values, validity ranges/limits, alarm/limit levels and inter-parameter dependencies.
• Focus on exchangeability and tool interoperability (not a runtime data transport protocol).

Typical use and users

Primary users include spacecraft manufacturers, satellite operators, ground-segment integrators, mission-operations engineers, ground system software vendors and tool developers who need a standardized exchange format for mission TM/TC databases. It is used during development, integration, handover and operations phases to reduce costly custom conversions and revalidation.

Related standards

XTCE is closely associated with the OMG XTCE specification and has been used and recommended within the CCSDS ecosystem to improve interoperability between agencies and vendors. Users implementing ISO 18424 commonly reference the OMG XTCE specification and relevant CCSDS packet/TDM recommendations when mapping metadata to mission protocols and onboard/ground standards.

Keywords

ISO 18424, XTCE, XML, telemetry, telecommand, TM/TC, CCSDS, mission database, metadata, satellite, ground segment, interoperability

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18424:2013 is an International Standard that formalizes the XML Telemetric and Command Exchange (XTCE) information model for describing telemetry and telecommand metadata to enable database exchange and interoperability.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the metadata needed to describe packet/frame structures, data packaging/unpacking rules, parameter and command encodings, command arguments and validation criteria, and data properties such as defaults and validity ranges. It does not specify transport protocols, RF characteristics, visualization, scheduling or flight software.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Spacecraft manufacturers, satellite operators, ground segment integrators, mission-operations teams and software/tool vendors who exchange or ingest TM/TC database content use this standard.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO lists the publication as Edition 1 (June 2013). The ISO record indicates the publication was reviewed and confirmed in 2018 and that the version remained current at that review. Users should check with ISO or national bodies for the very latest status before procurement or formal citation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 18424 is published under ISO/TC 20/SC 13 (space systems and operations) and is related to other space-data standards and CCSDS/OMG XTCE specifications; it is typically used alongside CCSDS packet/TDM recommendations and the OMG XTCE family.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: XTCE, XML, telemetry, telecommand, metadata, CCSDS, mission database, interoperability.