• International Telemetering Conference Proceedings, Volume 01 (1965)

      International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05
    • New Techniques in Telemetry Data Processing for the Apollo/Saturn S-II Program

      Moore, Paul D.; Frederickson, Water G.; North American Aviation, Inc.; Radiation Incorporated (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      The Apollo/Saturn S-II telemetry data processing systems are described from concept through development and fabrication. The systems are large-scale, dual computer-controlled systems that accept PCM, PAM, PDM, FM/FM, and FM data and are capable of processing raw data for display as time-history digital plots, tabulations, or oscillograph recordings. Stored-program decommutators which eliminate distribution patchboards for each data word are integrated into the system, thus, providing a flexible means of routing data with a minimum of human error. High-speed digital plotter/printers produce final annotated plots of selected channels for engineering reports, Small general-purpose computers are integrated in the system to establish data flow discipline. The computers function as an entry for operation control and for preparation and loading information to all programmable equipment, interconnecting digital equipment, process monitoring, and diagnostic testing of subsystem operation. Versatility of computer or manual systems control provides an optimum telemetry data processing environment. Advanced techniques are briefly discussed as related to these and other telemetry data processing systems.
    • Rocket Trajectory Analysis from Telemetered Acceleration and Attitude Data

      Cooper, Oscar L.; Research Foundation, Oklahoma State University (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      Double integration of the longitudinal acceleration of a sounding rocket is useful as a simple means of determining its trajectory. Reasonably accurate altitude calculations can be made by this method except when surface winds alter the launch angle of the rocket. Surface wind velocity corrections can be introduced to correct velocity and position information in the horizontal direction, but accurate wind correction data is difficult to obtain for all rockets. A special solar aspect sensor was designed to be used with a commercially available magnetic aspect sensor for rocket attitude determination. This attitude data allows the longitudinal acceleration to be broken more accurately into three vector components. A feasibility study of the aspect system was made using three Aerobee-150 rockets. A digital computer trajectory program was written to utilize aspect and acceleration data for trajectory analysis. It is evident that rocket attitude data is a useful supplement to the longitudinal acceleration data for trajectory determination. More accurate magnetic aspect data is necessary, however, to refine the longitudinal acceleration technique.
    • Application of a Digital Computer to Real-Time Telemetry Systems

      Reinen, Gerald; Cox, Fred B.; Beckman Instruments (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
    • Conditioning and Recovery of Aircraft Position Signals Through an Existing Data Link

      Kashar, A.; Kearfott Division, General Precision Aerospace Group (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      A Signal Data Converter system records aircraft present po t on and altitude data on film and also displays this data in a ground shelter, allowing for real time surveillance by a ground observer. This is accomplished by adapting a unique digital data transmission system to an existing infrared video data link.
    • An Adaptable Spacecraft Telemetry System

      Maxwell, Marvin S.; Silverman, Joseph R.; Czarcinski, Eugene A.; Goddard Space Flight Center (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      Because of the limitations of hardwired telemetry systems, existing spacecraft are denied the capability of revising their sampling structure, their sampling rates, or the experiments and/or test points to be sampled. A centralized system to provide these capabilities is described in this paper. This system is called the Flexible Automatic Computer Telemetry System (FACTS). As initially conceived, the FACTS, through the use of a stored program, will be able to sample a large number of channels with great flexibility in sampling rates, sampling structure and the selection of experiments and/or test points. This paper outlines the basic spacecraft and ground station system and illustrates the flexibility which can be achieved with it. Selected diagrams are given along with a description of the operation of the various units in the system.
    • Design Considerations in Pre-D Receiving and Recording Equipment

      Swanson, E. E.; Defense Electronics, Inc. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      Design factors to be considered in wide band Pre-D recording and playback equipment for usage in a versatile Pre-D system are presented. These design factors are introduced in a discussion of both the down-translator and up-translator. The mechanisms which produce spurious outputs from the up-translator and the effects caused by these spurious outputs are treated in detail. The extension of Pre-D techniques to FM Electronics equipment is covered.
    • Recent Developments Pertaining to Solid-State S-Band Transmitters

      Slone, Sam; Fjeldsteld, Norman B.; Monitor Systems (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      This paper discusses the performance of some recent R. F. power transistors as frequency multipliers and relates this information to their use in solid state V. H. F. and U. H. F. Telemetry Transmitters. The step-recovery diode is - similarly discussed. Both devices are shown to have great promise for ultimately lowering the complexity, size, and price of Solid State S Band and L Band Telemetry Transmitters.
    • An Advanced Integral Missile Evaluation System

      Mayo-Wells, Wilfrid J. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
    • Telemetry for 250,000-G Gun Environment

      Finger, Daniel W.; Harry Diamond Laboratories (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      Techniques for packaging telemetry components and systems to withstand gun launch accelerations up to 250,000-g are discussed, and the necessary and sufficient conditions for survival are established. The principal requirements are that all voids be eliminated from the package and that encapsulating resins be adequately contained. The ultra-high-g projectiles used in hypervelocity research for which these telemeters were designed are briefly described. In addition, a brief description is given of high-g telemetry systems used in the gun-fired rockets and projectiles of project HARP.
    • A Wideband UHF Transmitter for Space Applications

      Digiovanni, J. J.; Murphy, R. T.; Lockheed Missiles and Space Division (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      This paper describes the design and performance of a frequency-modulated 10watt S-band transmitter. Analogue frequency response is in excess of 7 Mc and digital signals at rates up to 10 megabits per second are transmitted satisfactorily. This extra wideband transmitter, ruggedized for space applications, utilizes a solid state exciter for signal generation, a traveling wave tube amplifier for power amplification, and a solid state traveling wave tube power supply that will withstand critical atmospheric pressures. A detailed analysis of rf bandwidth requirements and the state of the semiconductor art at the time of transmitter design resulted in the exciter taking the form of a 70 Mc voltage controlled oscillator whose output is amplified and converted to the S-band output frequency by means of broadband varactor harmonic generators. Production versions of this transmitter have consistently demonstrated satisfactory orbital operation. Laboratory data has indicated a minimum rf power output of 10 watts at base-plate temperatures ranging from -35° to +75° Centigrade. Baseband response is from 10 cycles to more than 7 Mc at ±6 Mc frequency deviation.
    • A Low Level Commutator with Field Effect Transistor Signal Gates

      Ely, William B.; General Devices, Inc. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      A low level differential input commutator is described which uses field effect transistors for the signal gates. The commutator was built for airborne applications so that size, weight, and reliability were major considerations as well as electrical performance. Results are compared with commutators using other types of signal gates.
    • High Data Capacity/High Environment Recorder

      Thompson, R. S.; Head, L. E.; Consolidated Electro-Dynamics Corporation (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      This paper describes an airborne digital magnetic tape recorder developed for use in high performance military aircraft. The main design efforts required to obtain a high data capacity under extreme environmental conditions while using a minimum of space are discussed, along with the results of the major environmental qualification tests.
    • Standards Re-evaluation for Wideband Magnetic Tape Recording

      Ratner, Vic A.; Defense Electronics, Inc. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
    • Envelope Delay in a Tape Recorder System

      Starr, Jack; Ampex Corporation (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
    • Flutter and Time Errors in Magnetic Data Recorders

      Chao, S. C.; Ampex Corporation (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      Flutter and time errors are critical factors in all instrumentation recording. They become even more so in many current and future applications, especially in the data recovery and reduction processes of various telemetering systems. This paper presents analytically the relationship between flutter, time base error, and time base error difference (sometimes called jitter), plus the effects of these errors on direct and FM recording. Methods of measuring these quantities are discussed and experimental examples are given. Spectral and probability density analyses and measurements have indicated that these variables are basically random in nature, and as such, they should be specified in terms of a levels, rather than in conventional peak-to-peak figures. Finally, a measurement method for the typical values of interchannel time error is presented, and some trends of correlation among all channels are discussed.
    • A Novel PMCM System for Geophysical Research

      Toney, P. A.; Walter, J. M.; Dynatronics, Inc. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      The concepts leading to development of an inexpensive digital data acquisition system employing novel Pulse-Morse Code Modulation and providing accuracy comparable to that of PCM are discussed. The several system-level and circuit-level considerations permitting the complete elimination of separate signal conditioning equipment and receiving-site synchronization, recording and processing equipment are presented. Finally, there is a brief commentary on future applications of the device and suggestions for related work.
    • Meteorological Rocket Telemetry in the 1680 Megacycle Band

      Drews, William A.; Walton, W. T.; Atlantic Research Corporation (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      A summary of the present state of design and a review of hardware currently in use and under development for meteorological rocket payloads is given. Important design parameters are discussed and the constraints imposed by existing ground support equipment are described.
    • Telemetry from Meteorological Satellites

      Stampfl, R. A.; A & M Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
    • High "G" UHF Telemetry for Gun-Launched Sounding Probes

      Cruickshank, William J.; Ballistic Research Laboratories (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1965-05)
      The development of a UHF telemetry system that will withstand the high shock (50,000 g) of gun launched vertical sounding probes is described. The associated development of a ground based automatic angle and range tracking and receiving system using a modified AN/GMD-1A Rawin set is also presented.