Telemetry Subsystem

The Telemetry subsystem consist of 12 single channel MICRODYNE 700 MR receivers and 6 1620 PC diversity combiners. "What does all that mean?", you ask. It means RF is the "Heart " of the ARIA.

RF's job is to receive and demodulate the telemetry data coming from the test vehicle. It could be S-Band (2200-2400 Mhz), L-Band (1435-1545Mhz), or P-Band (215-320Mhz). The 700 MR has one Post-D video out put, while the 1620 PC generates a PRE-D, a PRE-D combined, Post-D combined, and a DEMOD video output. All 18 units are controlled by a Pentium-based PC, and Lab View software. The software was written and developed in house by our very own SRA Steve Brooks.

Why do you have so many receivers and combiners?

Redundancy, Redundancy, Redundancy. That is why we have so many units dedicated to the task. Should a piece of equipment fail, any or all units can be retuned, reconfigured, or repatched in only a few seconds.

What do you do with the data after it is demodulated?

The demodulated data is then patched to the Electronic Data Seperation console, or the Record section for further data reduction. Meanwhile it is the Telemetry operators job to monitor the data for quality, and evaluate signal strengths. They are also responsible for calling AOS and LOS. Our back-shop is responsible for checking out, and maintaining the various pieces of equipment associated with the telemetry system. Such as the multicouplers, IF/RF switching units as well as the receiver and combiner units. They are also responsible for maintaining the L-Band retransmission pallets, and the various patch panels.

The RF shop also performs acceptance testing and modification to all the associated equipment. This requires technicians with nearly a year of electronics and instrumentation training.

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