Design of the DSCS III Software for Multiple Beam Antenna Control and Pattern Analysis

Abstract

This report describes the software capabilities developed by the General Electric Company Space Division for the real-time command, control and analysis of the multiple beam antennas (MBA) for the Defense Satellite Communication System Phase III (DSCS III). A broad description is provided which traces the generation of MBA commands by the Communications Configuration Program (CCP) through the transmission of the command data to the spacecraft and its subsequent command verification by means of telemetry data using portions of the real-time Telemetry and Command Program (TCP). A detailed description is provided of the related portions of the TCP and the CCP which are utilized to analyze requirements and generate control information for the two nineteen beam transmit MBA's and the sixty-one beam receive MBA. CCP is the key element which provides the operator the capability to merge the requirements of the user community and the MBA characteristics to provide an optimal user gain distribution. Block diagrams are employed to depict the data flow through the DSCS system and the interaction of the operator with the software. Samples of the graphic display capability of the CCP software are included to demonstrate the flexibility afforded the operator as an analysis tool for operations planning. Comparison of actual range measured antenna patterns with CCP generated patterns demonstrates the overall accuracy of simulating the receive and transmit MBA's. The CCP software is a multifaceted computer program which forms an integral part of the planning, analysis and command determination function when interfaced with the operator and analyst at the operational DSCS III ground stations.