Multi-function digital receive system for remote sensing satellites

A multiple function system called the Model 294 Multi-Function Digital Receive System (MFDRS) is described. This equipment is used in the new JPL Alaska earth station to receive ERS-1 data, RADARSAT data, and JERS-1 data and was installed in multiple earth stations around the world. The purpose of the Model 294 receive subsystem is to receive and demodulate high data rate QPSK, UQPSK or BPSK (binary phase shift keying) signals and state estimate the data transmitted from the satellite. The receive subsystem also extracts the tracking information from the antenna feed and delivers it to the antenna control unit to provide autotracking. The main emphasis in the present work is on the signal processing hardware of the MFDRS system. The demodulation and bit synchronization signal conditioning portion of the system is discussed. The MFDRS signal processing hardware consists of the Model 294-1 QPSK/UQPSK Demodulator and the Model 924-2 Multiple Bit Synchronizer Signal Conditioner Unit