HIGH RATE DATA BROADCAST SYSTEM FOR NPP IN-SITU APPLICATIONS

Abstract

A vital part of all satellite development is the ground system that will be used to process the satellite downlink. To support the High-Rate Data (HRD) Downlink satellites planned for launch by the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), GSFC has developed a Single Chassis System (SCS) solution, which provides data processing from RF to data product using leading-edge hardware components. The SCS is a hardware solution that meets and exceeds this rate requirement. In realtime, the SCS autonomously processes and delivers Direct Broadcast data from NPP satellites. An objective of the HRD System development was that it be an integrated processing element housed in a single commercial off-the-shelf PC capable of exceeding the near-term requirements of NPP and moving towards the mid and far term needs of NASA.