SPACE SHUTTLE PAYLOAD INTERROGATOR
dc.contributor.author | Zelon, Michael | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2016-06-16T18:42:45Z | |
dc.date.available | 2016-06-16T18:42:45Z | |
dc.date.issued | 1982-09 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0884-5123 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0074-9079 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10150/613426 | |
dc.description | International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / September 28-30, 1982 / Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California | en_US |
dc.description.abstract | The payload interrogator (PI) for communication between the orbiter and detached DOD/NASA payloads is described. Salient features of the PI are discussed, including its capabilities and limitations. For compatible operation in the orbiter’s electromagnetic environment, the PI is equipped with a dual triplexer assembly. A limiter diode circuitry allows the PI to be safely exposed to high effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) payloads at close range. A dual conversion PM short-loop receiver has a sufficient dynamic range for undistorted reception of near and distant payload signals. The PI acquires signals from compatible transponders within ±112 kHz of its center frequency. The center frequency can be set at 125-kHz steps for the spaceflight tracking and data network (STDN), 370 kHz for the deep space network (DSN), and 5 MHz for the space satellite control facility (SCF). The PI has falselock- on protection capability to accommodate reliable acquisition of standard NASA and DOD payload transponders. The wideband phase detector demodulates baseband information, and by the use of AGC, provides three independent constant-level data outputs. Each of the 861 frequency channels is generated instantaneously by the receiver and transmitter synthesizers. The PM-modulated RF carrier transfers command information to the detached payloads. The RF output power is adjustable to assure reliable communication with payloads of various sensitivities (G/T). A wide and narrow carrier sweep capability is provided to accommodate any frequency uncertainty of payloads. The transmitter has an ON-OFF modulation control to avoid false-lock-on problems. The PSP command input modulation index is fixed, while the modulation index for the PS is a function of the input voltage. The PI receiver’s complementary transmit channels are spaced 115 kHz for STDN, 341 kHz for DSN, and 4 MHz for SCF. The PI is compatible with the orbiter’s configuration control equipment—GCIL, the PSP and PS for I/O data transfer, the Ku-band subsystem for “bent pipe” baseband telemetry transmission to ground, the MDM for the PI’s telemetry transfer, and the RHCP/LHCP antenna subsystem. Overall PI capabilities and limitations for communication with unique payloads are also presented. | |
dc.description.sponsorship | International Foundation for Telemetering | en |
dc.language.iso | en_US | en |
dc.publisher | International Foundation for Telemetering | en |
dc.relation.url | http://www.telemetry.org/ | en |
dc.rights | Copyright © International Foundation for Telemetering | en |
dc.title | SPACE SHUTTLE PAYLOAD INTERROGATOR | en_US |
dc.type | text | en |
dc.type | Proceedings | en |
dc.contributor.department | Space Transportation & Systems Group Rockwell International | en |
dc.identifier.journal | International Telemetering Conference Proceedings | en |
dc.description.collectioninformation | Proceedings from the International Telemetering Conference are made available by the International Foundation for Telemetering and the University of Arizona Libraries. Visit http://www.telemetry.org/index.php/contact-us if you have questions about items in this collection. | en |
refterms.dateFOA | 2018-06-14T20:57:52Z | |
html.description.abstract | The payload interrogator (PI) for communication between the orbiter and detached DOD/NASA payloads is described. Salient features of the PI are discussed, including its capabilities and limitations. For compatible operation in the orbiter’s electromagnetic environment, the PI is equipped with a dual triplexer assembly. A limiter diode circuitry allows the PI to be safely exposed to high effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) payloads at close range. A dual conversion PM short-loop receiver has a sufficient dynamic range for undistorted reception of near and distant payload signals. The PI acquires signals from compatible transponders within ±112 kHz of its center frequency. The center frequency can be set at 125-kHz steps for the spaceflight tracking and data network (STDN), 370 kHz for the deep space network (DSN), and 5 MHz for the space satellite control facility (SCF). The PI has falselock- on protection capability to accommodate reliable acquisition of standard NASA and DOD payload transponders. The wideband phase detector demodulates baseband information, and by the use of AGC, provides three independent constant-level data outputs. Each of the 861 frequency channels is generated instantaneously by the receiver and transmitter synthesizers. The PM-modulated RF carrier transfers command information to the detached payloads. The RF output power is adjustable to assure reliable communication with payloads of various sensitivities (G/T). A wide and narrow carrier sweep capability is provided to accommodate any frequency uncertainty of payloads. The transmitter has an ON-OFF modulation control to avoid false-lock-on problems. The PSP command input modulation index is fixed, while the modulation index for the PS is a function of the input voltage. The PI receiver’s complementary transmit channels are spaced 115 kHz for STDN, 341 kHz for DSN, and 4 MHz for SCF. The PI is compatible with the orbiter’s configuration control equipment—GCIL, the PSP and PS for I/O data transfer, the Ku-band subsystem for “bent pipe” baseband telemetry transmission to ground, the MDM for the PI’s telemetry transfer, and the RHCP/LHCP antenna subsystem. Overall PI capabilities and limitations for communication with unique payloads are also presented. |