Successful systems engineering requires a broad understanding of the important principles of modern satellite communications and onboard data processing. This course covers both theory and practice, with emphasis on the important system engineering principles, tradeoffs, and rules of thumb. The latest technologies are covered, including those needed for constellations of satellites. This course is recommended for engineers and scientists interested in acquiring an understanding of satellite communications, command and telemetry, onboard computing, and tracking.

1. Professional Development Short Course On:
Satellite RF Communications and Onboard Processing
Instructor:
Robert C. Moore
Eric Hoffman
http://www.ATIcourses.com/schedule.htm
ATI Course Schedule:
http://www.aticourses.com/satellite_rf_communications.htm
ATI's Satellite RF Communications:
349 Berkshire Drive • Riva, Maryland 21140
888-501-2100 • 410-956-8805
Website: www.ATIcourses.com • Email: ATI@ATIcourses.com

2. Satellite RF Communications and Onboard Processing
Effective Design for Today’s Spacecraft Systems
April 14-16, 2009
Beltsville, Maryland
$1490 (8:30am - 4:00pm)
quot;Register 3 or More & Receive $10000 each
Off The Course Tuition.quot;
Summary
Course Outline
Successful systems engineering requires a broad
1. RF Signal Transmission. Propagation of radio
understanding of the important principles of modern
waves, antenna properties and types, one-way radar
satellite communications and onboard data processing.
range equation. Peculiarities of the space channel.
This course covers both theory and practice, with
Special communications orbits. Modulation of RF
emphasis on the important system engineering principles,
carriers.
tradeoffs, and rules of thumb. The latest technologies are
covered, including those needed for constellations of 2. Noise and Link Budgets. Sources of noise,
satellites. effects of noise on communications, system noise
temperature. Signal-to-noise ratio, bit error rate, link
This course is recommended for engineers and
margin. Communications link design example.
scientists interested in acquiring an understanding of
satellite communications, command and telemetry, 3. Special Topics. Optical communications, error
onboard computing, and tracking. Each participant will correcting codes, encryption and authentication. Low-
receive a complete set of notes. probability-of-intercept communications. Spread-
spectrum and anti-jam techniques.
Instructors 4. Command Systems. Command receivers,
decoders, and processors. Synchronization words,
Eric J. Hoffman has degrees in electrical engineering and
error detection and correction. Command types,
over 40 years of spacecraft experience. He
command validation and authentication, delayed
has designed spaceborne communications
commands. Uploading software.
and navigation equipment and performed
5. Telemetry Systems. Sensors and signal
systems engineering on many APL satellites
conditioning, signal selection and data sampling,
and communications systems. He has
analog-to-digital conversion. Frame formatting,
authored over 60 papers and holds 8 patents
in these fields and served as APL’s Space commutation, data storage, data compression.
Dept Chief Engineer. Packetizing. Implementing spacecraft autonomy.
Robert C. Moore worked in the Electronic Systems Group of 6. Data Processor Systems. Central processing
the APL Space Department for 42 years units, memory types, mass storage, input/output
(1965-2007). He designed embedded techniques. Fault tolerance and redundancy, radiation
microprocessor systems for space
hardness, single event upsets, CMOS latch-up.
applications (SEASAT-A, Galileo, TOPEX,
Memory error detection and correction. Reliability and
NEAR, FUSE, MESSENGER) and
cross-strapping. Very large scale integration.
autonomous fault protection for the
Choosing between RISC and CISC.
MESSENGER mission to Mercury and the
7. Reliable Software Design. Specifying the
New Horizons mission to Pluto. Mr. Moore holds four U.S.
requirements. Levels of criticality. Design reviews and
patents. He teaches the command-telemetry-processing
code walkthroughs. Fault protection and autonomy.
segment of quot;Space Systemsquot; at the Johns Hopkins University
Whiting School of Engineering. Testing and IV&V. When is testing finished?
Configuration management, documentation. Rules of
This course will give you a thorough understanding of the
thumb for schedule and manpower.
important principles and modern technologies behind
today’s satellite communications and onboard computing 8. Spacecraft Tracking. Orbital elements.
systems. Tracking by ranging, laser tracking. Tracking by range
rate, tracking by line-of-site observation. Autonomous
What You Will Learn satellite navigation.
• The important systems engineering principles and latest 9. Typical Ground Network Operations. Central
technologies for spacecraft communications and onboard
and remote tracking sites, equipment complements,
computing.
command data flow, telemetry data flow. NASA Deep
• The design drivers for today’s command, telemetry,
Space Network, NASA Tracking and Data Relay
communications, and processor systems.
Satellite System (TDRSS), and commercial
• How to design an RF link.
operations.
• How to deal with noise, radiation, bit errors, and spoofing.
10. Constellations of Satellites. Optical and RF
• Keys to developing hi-rel, realtime, embedded software.
crosslinks. Command and control issues. Timing and
• How spacecraft are tracked.
tracking. Iridium and other system examples.
• Working with government and commercial ground stations.
• Command and control for satellite constellations.
Register online at www.ATIcourses.com or call ATI at 888.501.2100 or 410.956.8805 Vol. 97 – 55

3. www.ATIcourses.com
Boost Your Skills 349 Berkshire Drive
Riva, Maryland 21140
with On-Site Courses Telephone 1-888-501-2100 / (410) 965-8805
Tailored to Your Needs
Fax (410) 956-5785
Email: ATI@ATIcourses.com
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

4. Spacecraft Command System
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 2

5. Encryption / Decryption Model
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 3

6. End-to-End Command Flow
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 4

7. Spacecraft Telemetry System
ACQUISITION PROCESSING TRANSMISSION
SENSORS COMPRESSORS ENCODER
CONDITIONERS FORMATTERS MODULATOR
SELECTORS STORAGE TRANSMITTER
CONVERTERS ANTENNA
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 5

8. Allan Deviation of
Precision Frequency Standards
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 6

9. 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) 7

10. Sub-Commutation and
Super-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) 8

11. Structure of a Typical
Packetized Telemetry Frame
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 9

12. Structure of a Typical Real-Time
Communications Bus Schedule
125 real-time slots, each 8 ms in duration
Instrument short data: 256-byte packets, 13 Hz maximum
Instrument long data: 1024-byte packets, 15 Hz maximum
Instrument command: 250-byte packets, 15 Hz maximum
RT reset (slot 58) occurs at 1/8 Hz (i.e., every 8 seconds)
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 10

13. Spacecraft Data Processing
and Storage (Sampler)
Robert C. Moore
443-778-8485
robert.moore@jhuapl.edu
Copyright © 2004 Robert C. Moore

14. Spacecraft Data Processing
System
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 12

15. Spacecraft Block Diagram
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 13

16. Block Diagram of
Error-Correcting Logic
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 14

17. Earth-Orbit
Radiation 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) 15

18. 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) 16

19. Hot Tips for Flight Software
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 17

20. Hybrid
Image Compression Algorithm
March 2004 Command / Telemetry / Data Processing (Sampler) 18

21. 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. 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 a
large number of contractors. Our training increases effectiveness and productivity. Learn
from 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 can
freely 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, they
provide information that is practical and ready to use immediately.
• Our on-site programs can save your facility 30% to 50%, plus additional savings by
eliminating 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 all
of 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, Jim
Jenkins, at (410) 531-6034, and I’ll explain what we can do for you, what it will cost, and what
you can expect in results and future capabilities.
Our training helps you and your organization
remain competitive in this changing world.
Register online at www.aticourses.com or call ATI at 888.501.2100 or 410.531.6034