Embedded Recording in Flight Test Telemetry Receiver

Abstract

Telemetry hardware has continuously evolved over the decades pursuing the goal of evermore-integrated and easy-to-use systems. Digital signal processing techniques and FPGAs enabled manufacturers to develop Telemetry receivers with multiple channels in a single box. Yet, recording of ground station signals was left to separate units because of technical impossibilities. This paper presents an all-integrated Telemetry system embedding a best in class Telemetry Receiver and an IRIG-CH10 compliant Recorder. First, the system technical specifications are presented, with a focus on the type of signals to record and the required playback capabilities. Then, the technical approach that enables to run both the receiver and the recorder tasks on the same signal processing FPGA board is described. Finally, the performance of the system is assessed in terms of BER degradation of the playback signals.