THE INFLUENCE OF M ICROPROCESSORS ON SPACE (AIR/GROUND) SYSTEMS

Abstract

This paper discusses current and future trends in technology for on-board processing and the impact of these trends upon the architecture and processing capabilities of the ground receiving stations. Both the advantages and disadvantages of increased digital processing and software controlled multiplexing are addressed from the ground station processing viewpoint. Increased on-board processing should lead to a decrease in telemetry data rates as well as a diminished role for the ground support stations. This is shown by the paper to be a false assumption. Indeed, the reverse of this supposition is explored in detail and shown to be correct.