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Pre-Flight Testing and Performance of a Ka-Band Software Defined RadioNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has developed a space-qualified, reprogrammable, Ka-band Software Defined Radio (SDR) to be utilized as part of an on-orbit, reconfigurable testbed. The testbed will operate on the truss of the International Space Station beginning in late 2012. Three unique SDRs comprise the testbed, and each radio is compliant to the Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Architecture Standard. The testbed provides NASA, industry, other Government agencies, and academic partners the opportunity to develop communications, navigation, and networking applications in the laboratory and space environment, while at the same time advancing SDR technology, reducing risk, and enabling future mission capability. Designed and built by Harris Corporation, the Ka-band SDR is NASA's first space-qualified Ka-band SDR transceiver. The Harris SDR will also mark the first NASA user of the Ka-band capabilities of the Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) for on-orbit operations. This paper describes the testbed's Ka-band System, including the SDR, travelling wave tube amplifier (TWTA), and antenna system. The reconfigurable aspects of the system enabled by SDR technology are discussed and the Ka-band system performance is presented as measured during extensive pre-flight testing.
Document ID
20120016047
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Downey, Joseph A. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Reinhart, Richard C. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Kacpura, Thomas (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
September 24, 2012
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN6070
GRC-E-DAA-TN5550
E-18438
Meeting Information
Meeting: 30th AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Country: Canada
Start Date: September 24, 2012
End Date: September 27, 2012
Sponsors: Italian Space Agency
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 553323.04.01.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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