Title :
Macintosh based space telemetry data acquisition system
Author :
Kay, W. Kevin ; Dominy, Carol T. ; Collins, Aaron S.
Author_Institution :
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
Abstract :
The general architecture and functionality of the MacTAC (Macintosh II based telemetry and command) system, including the individual telemetry modules, the various input-output interfaces, and the flexible user interface are described. This system performs telemetry data processing functions including frame synchronization, Reed-Solomon decoding, and packet reassembly at moderate data rates of up to 5 Mb/s sustained (20 Mb/s burst). The MacTAC is an easy-to-use, low-cost, transportable system designed to meet requirements specified by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems, while remaining flexible enough to support a wide variety of other space data processing requirements (e.g., time-division multiplexed data). In addition, the MacTAC can generate forward (uplink) data such as spacecraft commands, calculate and append a CRC, and output the data to NASCOM (NASA´s ground communication network) to provide full telemetry and command capability. Semicustom VLSI gate arrays perform many of the return link (telemetry) functions of NASCOM deblocking, correlation, and frame synchronization. Reed-Solomon decoding and source packet reassembly are performed by modern microprocessor and semicustom VLSI components
Keywords :
Apple computers; aerospace computer control; application specific integrated circuits; command and control systems; data acquisition; microcomputer applications; satellite links; signal processing equipment; telecommunications computing; telemetering systems; user interfaces; 20 Mbits/s; 5 Mbits/s; CRC; Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems; MacTAC; Macintosh II based telemetry and command; NASA ground communication network; NASCOM deblocking; Reed-Solomon decoding; architecture; correlation; cyclic redundancy check; data rates; flexible user interface; frame synchronization; input-output interfaces; microprocessor; packet reassembly; return link; semicustom VLSI gate arrays; spacecraft commands; telemetry data processing functions; telemetry modules; time-division multiplexed data; transportable system; uplink; Cyclic redundancy check; Data acquisition; Data processing; Data systems; Decoding; Reed-Solomon codes; Space vehicles; Telemetry; User interfaces; Very large scale integration;
Conference_Titel :
Telesystems Conference, 1992. NTC-92., National
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-0554-X
DOI :
10.1109/NTC.1992.267874
