The polar-orbiting spacecraft collects and disseminates data on Earth's weather and atmosphere, oceans, land and space environment. The system also provides NOAA and the DOD early access to data from the next generation of operational sensors to reduce the risks incurred during the NPOESS transition.

RT Logic delivered both a Wideband Data Capture System and an S-Band RF Test Console to Ball Aerospace in May and September of 2004 respectively. The two systems are being used by Ball Aerospace to support ongoing assembly, integration and testing of the NPP spacecraft.

The Wideband Data Capture System (WDCS) is used to test the NPP spacecraft's 300 Mbps Stored Mission Data (SMD) and 15 Mbps High Rate Data (HRD) downlink signals. The WDCS solution is based on RT Logic's High-Rate Telemetrix 505 (T505) Front-End Processor (FEP) product.

It performs digital data acquisition, frame synchronization, CCSDS packet processing (including CADU, CVDU and CCSDS Packet sorting), and data archival to an integrated RAID storage device.

Bit Error Rate Testing (BERT) and CCSDS statistics are provided by the system for additional diagnostic capabilities. The T505 also provides the ability to perform full rate playback of the archived data for post test data analysis.

The NPP RF Test Console is used to test the NPP satellite's S-Band command and control communications links as well as its S-Band cross links used by NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). The primary signal processor within the NPP RF Test Console is RT Logic's Telemetrix 70/70 (T70/70) product.

The T70/70 performs demodulation, bit synchronization, and frame synchronization of the spacecraft's state of health (SOH) telemetry and the TDRSS Return link. The T70/70 also formats and modulates the satellite commands and TDRSS Forward links.

RT Logic incorporated a command encryptor, multiple frequency converters, and a Test Access Panel (TAP) Chassis into a 19" wide standard equipment rack for the delivery. The TAP Chassis provides custom signal switching, routing, conditioning and attenuation as required by Ball.

"We are excited to support the entire signal set required by the NPP satellite, which is the first satellite slated to be flown by the new NPOESS Command, Control, and Communications Segment.

This capability allows spacecraft and transceiver manufacturers to verify both NPOESS Ground and TDRSS signal interfaces during satellite integration activities," said Mike Rice, Manager of RT Logic's Satellite Test Group.

RT Logic is a provider of products for ground-based space applications, primarily for satellite and launch range operations. Known for exceptional innovation, performance and support, RT Logic has delivered over 1200 systems since its inception in 1997.

RT Logic offers a complete line of Telemetrix products used in systems for widely varied control center, ground antenna, and range applications. Since October 2002, RT Logic has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Integral Systems Inc.

Integral Systems is a provider of satellite ground systems and has supported over 190 different satellite missions for communications, science, meteorological, and earth resource applications.

The Company was the first to offer an integrated suite of COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) software products for satellite command and control, the EPOCH IPS product line. EPOCH has become a market leader in commercial applications with successful installations on 5 continents.

Related Links
Integral Systems
RT Logic
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News