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Course Outline1. RF Signal Transmission. Propagation of radio

waves, antenna properties and types, one-way radarrange equation. Peculiarities of the space channel.Special communications orbits. Modulation of RFcarriers.

2. Noise and Link Budgets. Sources of noise,effects of noise on communications, system noisetemperature. Signal-to-noise ratio, bit error rate, linkmargin. Communications link design example.

3. Special Topics. Optical communications, errorcorrecting codes, encryption and authentication. Low-probability-of-intercept communications. Spread-spectrum and anti-jam techniques.

4. Command Systems. Command receivers,decoders, and processors. Synchronization words,error detection and correction. Command types,command validation and authentication, delayedcommands. Uploading software.

5. Telemetry Systems. Sensors and signalconditioning, signal selection and data sampling,analog-to-digital conversion. Frame formatting,commutation, data storage, data compression.Packetizing. Implementing spacecraft autonomy.

6. Data Processor Systems. Central processingunits, memory types, mass storage, input/outputtechniques. Fault tolerance and redundancy, radiationhardness, single event upsets, CMOS latch-up.Memory error detection and correction. Reliability andcross-strapping. Very large scale integration.Choosing between RISC and CISC.

7. Reliable Software Design. Specifying therequirements. Levels of criticality. Design reviews andcode walkthroughs. Fault protection and autonomy.Testing and IV&V. When is testing finished?Configuration management, documentation. Rules ofthumb for schedule and manpower.

8. Spacecraft Tracking. Orbital elements.Tracking by ranging, laser tracking. Tracking by rangerate, tracking by line-of-site observation. Autonomoussatellite navigation.

9. Typical Ground Network Operations. Centraland remote tracking sites, equipment complements,command data flow, telemetry data flow. NASA DeepSpace Network, NASA Tracking and Data RelaySatellite System (TDRSS), and commercialoperations.

10. Constellations of Satellites. Optical and RFcrosslinks. Command and control issues. Timing andtracking. Iridium and other system examples.

InstructorsEric J. Hoffman has degrees in electrical engineering and

over 40 years of spacecraft experience. Hehas designed spaceborne communicationsand navigation equipment and performedsystems engineering on many APL satellitesand communications systems. He hasauthored over 60 papers and holds 8 patentsin these fields and served as APL’s SpaceDept Chief Engineer.

Robert C. Moore worked in the Electronic Systems Group ofthe APL Space Department for 42 years(1965-2007). He designed embeddedmicroprocessor systems for spaceapplications (SEASAT-A, Galileo, TOPEX,NEAR, FUSE, MESSENGER) andautonomous fault protection for theMESSENGER mission to Mercury and the

New Horizons mission to Pluto. Mr. Moore holds four U.S.patents. He teaches the command-telemetry-processingsegment of "Space Systems" at the Johns Hopkins UniversityWhiting School of Engineering.This course will give you a thorough understanding of theimportant principles and modern technologies behindtoday’s satellite communications and onboard computingsystems.

What You Will Learn• The important systems engineering principles and latest

technologies for spacecraft communications and onboardcomputing.

• The design drivers for today’s command, telemetry,communications, and processor systems.

• How to design an RF link.• How to deal with noise, radiation, bit errors, and spoofing.• Keys to developing hi-rel, realtime, embedded software.• How spacecraft are tracked.• Working with government and commercial ground stations.• Command and control for satellite constellations.

April 14-16, 2009Beltsville, Maryland

$1490 (8:30am - 4:00pm)

"Register 3 or More & Receive $10000 eachOff The Course Tuition."

SummarySuccessful systems engineering requires a broad

understanding of the important principles of modernsatellite communications and onboard data processing.This course covers both theory and practice, withemphasis on the important system engineering principles,tradeoffs, and rules of thumb. The latest technologies arecovered, including those needed for constellations ofsatellites.

This course is recommended for engineers andscientists interested in acquiring an understanding ofsatellite communications, command and telemetry,onboard computing, and tracking. Each participant willreceive a complete set of notes.

Satellite RF Communications and Onboard ProcessingEffective Design for Today’s Spacecraft Systems

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Boost Your Skills with On-Site Courses Tailored to Your Needs The Applied Technology Institute specializes in training programs for technical professionals. Our courses keep you current in the state-of-the-art technology that is essential to keep your company on the cutting edge in today’s highly competitive marketplace. Since 1984, ATI has earned the trust of training departments nationwide, and has presented on-site training at the major Navy, Air Force and NASA centers, and for a large number of contractors. Our training increases effectiveness and productivity. Learn from the proven best. For a Free On-Site Quote Visit Us At: http://www.ATIcourses.com/free_onsite_quote.asp For Our Current Public Course Schedule Go To: http://www.ATIcourses.com/schedule.htm

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 2

Spacecraft Command System

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 3

Encryption / Decryption Model

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 4

End-to-End Command Flow

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 5

Spacecraft Telemetry System

ACQUISITION

SENSORS

CONDITIONERS

SELECTORS

CONVERTERS

PROCESSING

COMPRESSORS

FORMATTERS

STORAGE

TRANSMISSION

ENCODER

MODULATOR

TRANSMITTER

ANTENNA

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 6

Allan Deviation ofPrecision Frequency Standards

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 7

Telemetry Multiple Access• Frequency division multiple access (FDMA): different data on

different sub-carrier frequencies• Time division multiple access (TDMA): a cyclic data frame is

defined in which different bit fields in the frame are assigned to different users

• Code division multiple access (CDMA): coding techniques are used to avoid interference between different users. Each different coding algorithm is decoded using a separate decoder (e.g., ±90º, ±180º phase shift; orthogonal binary pseudo-random modulations; frequency-hopping)

• Polarization division multiple access (PDMA): two signal sources use orthogonal polarizations of single carrier

• Space division multiple access (SDMA): spot-beam antennas provide spatial separation of RF links

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 8

Sub-Commutation andSuper-Commutation

Data type 1 is super-commutated. It is sampled more than once in each minor frame. Data types 2a, 2b, and 2c are sampled less often. They are sub-commutated in three successive minor frames.

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 9

Structure of a TypicalPacketized Telemetry Frame

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 10

Structure of a Typical Real-Time Communications Bus Schedule

125 real-time slots, each 8 ms in durationInstrument short data: 256-byte packets, 13 Hz maximumInstrument long data: 1024-byte packets, 15 Hz maximumInstrument command: 250-byte packets, 15 Hz maximumRT reset (slot 58) occurs at 1/8 Hz (i.e., every 8 seconds)

Spacecraft Data Processingand Storage (Sampler)

Robert C. Moore443-778-8485

robert.moore@jhuapl.eduCopyright © 2004 Robert C. Moore

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 12

Spacecraft Data Processing System

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 13

Spacecraft Block Diagram

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 14

Block Diagram ofError-Correcting Logic

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 15

Earth-OrbitRadiation Environment

• Low altitude (200 – 500 km), low inclination (i ≤ 28°)– 100 – 1k rad(Si)/year. Design to 10k rad(Si)/year. Incident charged

particles, Van Allen Belts, make SEUs an important concern at low inclination.

• Low altitude (200 – 1000 km), high inclination (i > 28°)– 1k – 10k rad(Si)/year. Design to 100k rad(Si)/year. More protons from

Van Allen Belts, so use Adams ten percent worst case environment for SEU calculations.

• Medium altitude (1000 – 4000 km)– 100k – 1M rad(Si)/year. Design to 1M rad(Si)/year. Almost no

geomagnetic shielding. Must use the most radiation-tolerant parts available.

• High altitude (> 5000 km); e.g., geosynchronous (36,000 km)– 1k – 5k rad(Si)/year. Design to 50k rad(Si)/year. Spacecraft charging

occurs as Earth’s magnetic field interacts with Solar wind, so SEU effects are dominated by the Adams ten-percent worst-case environment.

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 16

Cross-Strapping Redundant Systems (Box-level)

No single-point failure should be able to drag down both sides!

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 17

Hot Tips for Flight Software

March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 18

HybridImage Compression Algorithm

Boost Your Skillswith On-Site CoursesTailored to Your NeedsThe Applied Technology Institute specializes in training programs for technical

professionals. Our courses keep you current in the state-of-the-art technology that isessential to keep your company on the cutting edge in today’s highly competitivemarketplace. For 20 years, we have earned the trust of training departments nationwide,and have presented on-site training at the major Navy, Air Force and NASA centers, and for alarge number of contractors. Our training increases effectiveness and productivity. Learnfrom the proven best.

ATI’s on-site courses offer these cost-effective advantages:

• You design, control, and schedule the course.

• Since the program involves only your personnel, confidentiality is maintained. You canfreely discuss company issues and programs. Classified programs can also be arranged.

• Your employees may attend all or only the most relevant part of the course.

• Our instructors are the best in the business, averaging 25 to 35 years of practical, real-world experience. Carefully selected for both technical expertise and teaching ability, theyprovide information that is practical and ready to use immediately.

• Our on-site programs can save your facility 30% to 50%, plus additional savings byeliminating employee travel time and expenses.

• The ATI Satisfaction Guarantee: You must be completely satisfied with our program.

We suggest you look at ATI course descriptions in this catalog and on the ATI website.Visit and bookmark ATI’s website at http://www.ATIcourses.com for descriptions of allof our courses in these areas:

• Communications & Computer Programming

• Radar/EW/Combat Systems

• Signal Processing & Information Technology

• Sonar & Acoustic Engineering

• Spacecraft & Satellite Engineering

I suggest that you read through these course descriptions and then call me personally, JimJenkins, at (410) 531-6034, and I’ll explain what we can do for you, what it will cost, and whatyou can expect in results and future capabilities.

Our training helps you and your organizationremain competitive in this changing world.

Register online at www.aticourses.com or call ATI at 888.501.2100 or 410.531.6034