PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION OF PCM/SCO TELEMETRY SYSTEMS

Abstract

These hybrid TM system design procedures indicate how PCM channel performance comparable with that obtainable from an optimally designed PCM/FM transmission system may be obtained even though numerous subcarrier channels are included in the system. Optimal design goals are those that permit satisfactory telemetry system operation with a minimum of transmitted power. By careful control of the transmitter modulation levels and the use of predetection filtering during playback, a lowering of the PCM channel’s threshold, equivalent to at least quadrupling the transmitter power over conventional practices, is obtained. This report briefly discusses the design objectives of FM/FM and PCM/FM systems followed by a more detailed discussion of hybrid systems using FM subcarriers above the PCM signal on the baseband. A simplified, but comprehensive, discussion of FM sidebands is presented in the appendices to aid in understanding the limits and restrictions in this hybrid TM system design procedure.