Windows at a Tracking Site

Abstract

Rapid setup and verification of 4 automatic tracking antennas, 2 radio frequency switch matrixes, 32 telemetry receivers with 16 diversity combiners, an intermediate frequency switch matrix and the signal distribution equipment interface to the analog and digital fiber optic relay systems was required. This paper provides sample displays of the station status window, telemetry receiver and test parameter dialog boxes, mission event log window and test result windows for bit error rate, noise power ratio, solar calibration and antenna servo tests. Use of the software is apparent from sample displays so the text concentrates on lessons learned from site surveys, verification of configuration against mission files, accommodation of change of plug-in modules (e.g., IF filters in the telemetry receiver), tolerance of equipment removed from the system for maintenance, built-in test of serial and parallel communications and modular software design for replacement of equipment.