AIR FORCE GEOPHYSICS LABORATORY PORTABLE PCM GROUND STATION

Abstract

In early 1981, the Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) was tasked by the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL) to develop a portable Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM) telemetry station that would acquire and support the higher PCM data rates from Ariestype rocket payloads. The station would have to provide real-time and near real-time calibration, prelaunch and launch test support to AFGL researchers involved in space vehicle probe analysis. The station would also have to utilize a flexible software system, transportable hardware, and be easily expanded to meet the continually growing and varied needs of the researchers.