IFM EFFECTS ON PCM/FM TELEMETRY SYSTEMS

Abstract

Incidental Frequency Modulation (IFM) products in telemetry transmitters can be a significant cause of bit errors in received Pulse Code Modulation/Frequency Modulation (PCM/FM) telemetry data. Range Commanders Council (RCC) and other documents give little or no guidance as to acceptable levels of IFM for telemetry applications. The expected higher vibration levels of future high velocity missile systems means that IFM levels are likely to be higher than previously encountered. This paper presents measured data on Bit Error Rate (BER) versus IFM levels at given Signal to Noise Ratios (SNR’s) for PCM/FM telemetry systems. The information presented can be utilized with BER versus SNR plots in the Telemetry Applications Handbook, RCC Document 119, to determine the additional link margin required to minimize IFM effects on telemetry data quality.