ABOUT THE COLLECTION

The International Telemetering Conference/USA (ITC/USA) is dedicated to the promotion and stimulation of technical growth in telemetering and its allied arts and sciences. It is the premier annual forum and technical exhibition providing telemetry specific short courses, technical papers from professionals and students, and exhibits of the industry’s leading companies. ITC/USA is sponsored by the International Foundation for Telemetering (IFT), a non-profit corporation dedicated to serving the technical and professional interests of the telemetering community.

This collection contains the proceedings of the twenty-fourth International Telemetering Conference, October 17-20, 1988. The conference, sponsored by the International Foundation for Telemetering, was held at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.


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Recent Submissions

  • International Telemetering Conference Proceedings, Volume 24 (1988)

    International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10
  • Problems and Methodology of High Data Rate Telemetry

    Baghdady, Elie J.; EJB Research Associates (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    The ultimate limitations on data rate are set by factors categorized in this paper into transmission medium problems, equipment problems and signal characteristics in the generalized spectral dimensions of time, frequency and open space. The limiting factors and corresponding relieving approaches are briefly brought out in this essentially topical summary paper. This paper is primarily a topical guide for a much more detailed multiple-hour tutorial lecture.
  • Trends in Telemetry Systems

    Strock, O. J. (Jud); Fairchild Weston Systems, Inc. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    This tutorial is an examination of trends in telemetry systems as we approach the 1990s. . . a look at where we are, and where we appear to be headed in the near future. Historically, the typical change in our technology is brought about by one of three conditions. First, users demand performance improvements in order to facilitate their analysis of test programs. Second, manufacturers make performance improvements because continuing advances in component technology enable them to offer improved products for telemetry applications. Third, developments in non-telemetry applications, both hardware and software, are adapted to our needs by system designers. We will see the results of all three conditions as we look at trends in telemetry systems.
  • A Four-State Trellis-Coded 8-PSK Modulation Computer Simulation

    Kopp, Brian; New Mexico State University (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    The continuing growth of the telecommunications industry has created a steadily increasing need for higher performance communications systems - systems that can transfer data at faster rates while meeting stringent bit error rate requirements. In the case of satellite and mobile communications these same systems must also maintain minimum size and power consumption requirements. To help implement this industry demand computer simulations of communications systems can be a viable tool. Simulators can be used to demonstrate feasibility while maintaining minimum research and development costs during the design phase of these new and more complex communications systems. One type of system where simulation has proved helpful has been trellis-codedmodulation (TCM). This paper documents a simulation of a four-state trellis-coded eight- PSK modulation scheme currently being researched at New Mexico State University (NMSU). In the past simulations of convolutionally coded schemes have used binary symbols in the decoding process. In TCM the Euclidean space components of the modulation scheme are used in place of the binary symbols. The simulator under development incorporates these Euclidean signal components which are taken from an eight-PSK signal constellation. Soft-decision maximum likelihood decoding using trellis trace-back techniques are then applied to the Euclidean signal components to recover the simulated transmitted data. The simulator supplies the user with the number of undetected errors generated during a simulation as well as the bit error rate for a given signal to noise ratio. This simulator is intended to provide an environment for investigating improved communication system designs and it is hoped that the results that are obtained from such telecommunication simulators will help satisfy the ever increasing demands of the telecommunications industry. It should be noted that the research being conducted at NMSU on TCM is being directed by Dr. Frank Carden. The development of the simulator was conducted by the author to assist Dr. Carden in the continuing investigation of TCM.
  • Performance of Contention Bus Networks with Baseband Captures

    Ward, Dale; Northwestern University (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    Power capture is the characteristic of one signal overpowering the others in contention for a receiver. In a multiple access network which employs contention protocol, occurrence of capture helps a receiver distinguish correctly one signal given that multiple transmissions overlap over the common channel. It has been reported in the literature that performance of radio networks could substantially be higher in the presence of captures than it is without captures. The captures involved in radio networks are primarily FM captures. In this paper, we examine the effect of baseband captures on performance of contention bus networks. In particular, we show that signal attenuations on a cable channel could produce a significant chance of captures and hence greatly lift the throughput.
  • Space Flight Operations Center Local Area Network: Hardware Design

    Goodman, Ross V.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    The existing Mission Control and Computer Center at JPL will be replaced by the Space Flight Operations Center (SFOC). One part of the SFOC is the Local Area Network-Based Distribution System. The purpose of the Local Area Network (LAN) is to distribute the processed data among the various elements of the SFOC. The SFOC LAN will provide a robust subsystem that will support the Magellan launch configuration and future project adaptations with the following capabilities: * A proven cable medium (Ethernet) as the backbone for the entire network, with capability for migration to a fiber optics backbone in the future. * Choice of hardware components that are reliable, varied, and supported by companies that are following the growth path of the ISO model (OSI Standards). * Insure a reliable and maintainable network for SFOC-supported projects. * Accurate and detailed documentation of the LAN, valuable for fault isolation and future expansion of the network. * Proven network monitoring and maintenance tools.
  • Data Transport Subsystem: The SFOC Glue

    Parr, Stephen J.; California Institute of Technology (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    The Data Transport Subsystem (DTS) is a core subsystem of SFOC which holds together the GIFs, TISes, DMDs, DTVs and other SFOC application subsystems allowing them to operate in a distributed LAN based workstation environment. DTS does this by providing two primary features. The first feature is transparent local and remote interprocess communication. The communications interface is identical between two application subsystem processes whether they're running in the same machine or different machines. The second feature is the Logical Name Server, which makes connections on a name basis without regard to location or network topology. With these two features SFOC becomes a distributed system. Processes within a subsystem can even be distributed to perform load leveling and enhance system performance. Distribution fosters the use of redundancy and hot backups by allowing nodes to serve multiple purposes. Distribution allows isolation of mission telemetry while providing shared use of a common database. It supports the SFOC goal of off-the-shelf hardware expansion and upgrade. DTS provides an open-close-send-receive model of interprocess communication. It offers three types of service: virtual circuit, datagram and broadcast. The virtual circuit service supplies a full duplex path between communication endpoints and guarantees data integrity. The datagram service allows many communications endpoints to send to one endpoint. This is useful for sending status to a central process. The broadcast service allows a process to send to many receiver endpoints. This can be used for continuous monitoring of telemetry streams by multiple processes.
  • Generic Decommutation Capabilities in the Space Flight Operations Center

    O'Brien, Robin A.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    A generic decommutation capability has been created as part of the Space Flight Operation Center's goal of developing a multi-mission telemetry system. Generic decommutation involves separating the algorithmic description for extracting data from the actual implementation of decommutation. This was done by creating a Decommutation Map Language, which allows mission designers to describe decommutation algorithms without the restrictions imposed by a standard programming language. A Decommutation Map Compiler converts this description into C code, which is then linked with a decommutation library to provide an executable decommutation program. So far, this approach has been used successfully to decommutate several different types of data.
  • Generic Telemetry Processing: Theory vs. Application

    Pettit, Richard L., Jr.; Telos, Inc.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    The Space Flight Operations Center (SFOC) is a generic suite of ground data systems software. One main subsystem of SFOC is the Telemetry Input Subsystem (TIS). Utilizing techniques for the abstract representation of data, the TIS has provided a flexible software base that can be used as a baseline for multiple spacecraft missions.
  • A New S-Band FM Telemetry Transmitter

    Fengden, Lou; Beijing Research Institute of Telemetry (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    This paper describes the design, test and the analysis of the test results of a new type S-band FM telemetry transmitter. Compared with the modulator adopting conventional fundamental crystal direct modulation, the transmitter which adopts UHF fundamental crystal direct modulation has a comparatively better modulation characteristics and a higher center frequency stability. The test results show that the deviation sensitivity of the transmitter is up to 400KHz/Vrms, frequency response is DC~200 KHz, total harmonic distortion is 3% and the center frequency stability is ten to the minus fifth power within the range of - 30~+70°c. Because of the high operating frequency of the modulator, the complicacy of the frequency multiplier has been requced, design of circuitry simplified and harmonic and spurious outputs has been improved to a great extent.
  • A PCM Telemetry System Using Programmable Logic Devices

    Stewart, Michael T.; Sandia National Laboratories (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    This paper discusses a PCM telemetry system consisting of programmable logic devices (PLDs) and off-the-shelf analog ICs. A finite state machine (FSM) serves as the system controller. All digital logic, including the FSM, is implemented using PLDs. This approach has two important features. First, the use of an FSM offers a significant speed advantage over microprocessor-controlled systems. Second, the use of PLDs offers a high degree of design flexibility while obtaining a low-power, low-volume system.
  • Characterization of Self-Focusing and Self-Defocusing of Light in Sodium Vapor

    Largent, C.; Northwestern University (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    Self-focusing of light in sodium vapor was first observed on a cw basis in 1974. Recently at Northwestern University, efforts to develop a quantum optical communications network employing squeezed states of light have required quantitative characterization of the self-action effects. It has been determined that self-focusing and self-defocusing change the spatial structure of the output beams of the forward four-wave mixer used in the experiments, thus worsening the homodyne-detection efficiency by creating a mismatch between the squeezed output beam and the local-oscillator beam. Consequently, the need to characterize the self-action effects in sodium vapor has arisen. By characterizing the self-action effects as a function of the sodium cell temperature, input beam intensity, and the dye laser frequency, it will be possible to modify the localoscillator wavefront to compensate for the spatial mismatch, and thus improve the homodyne-detection efficiency. This paper reports the results of an experiment carried out in the Fall and Winter Quarters of the 1987/1988 school year as an Honors Project in Electrical Engineering. The theories of self-focusing of optical beams and Gaussian beam propagation are developed early in the paper in order to lay the groundwork for the presentation and interpretation of the experimental results. A general description of the laboratory setup is given, and the experimental procedure is described in detail. Finally, the paper concludes with a presentation and interpretation of the experimental findings.
  • Data System Overview

    Karhr, Joseph R.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    The design of the SFOC data system is based on a "design for change" philosophy. It emphasizes standards throughout the implementation, allowing for reuse of software, for periodic changeout of hardware, and for an evolving network configuration. Commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software components are incorporated in a way that avoids dependencies on any single vendor. Multiple flight projects are supported by building upon the baseline system with a minimum of special purpose adaptations. In addition to the multi-mission aspect of SFOC, it must also satisfy multiple users representing multiple disciplines. Data system operators monitor and control SFOC itself. Spacecraft team members keep a vigil to protect the health of the spacecraft. Mission planners and sequence designers control the spacecraft. Science investigators remotely calibrate and control their onboard instruments. SFOC provides near-realtime and nonrealtime support to end-users for downlink (telemetry) and uplink (command) functions. This paper provides an overview to the design of the overall SFOC system and describes the implementation of the current baseline SFOC. It summarizes the important design decisions that have been made, and explains the approach taken to meeting these challenging requirements.
  • A New Multi-Mission Data System for Space Flight Support Through the 1990's

    Gainsborough, A. J.; California Institute of Technology (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    Individual data systems for flight projects at JPL are in the process of being replaced by the single new Space Flight Operations Center (SFOC) that is designed to support multiple missions. The design provides a baseline system that supplies a common set of functions needed by every mission. Low cost adaptations of the baseline with any needed missionspecific additions are made for each mission. The SFOC is being developed in phases. The current phase provides baseline functions for downlink spacecraft telemetry processing with the necessary adaptations and additions for the downlink launch support in April 1989 of the Magellan mission to Venus. The SFOC will be completed in 1991, at which time the planned support includes both downlink and uplink processing for a projected six mission set.
  • The IPTN's Airborne Data Relay System (ADReS): A System Concept and the Phase One System Configuration

    Soelaiman, Adi Dharma; Roesma, Fauzi Effendy; Indonesian Aircraft Industry Ltd. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    By making use of NC212-200 commuter aircraft as an airborne container, the ADReS, a short for airborne data relay system, had been configured and tested in an experimental status during the year of 1987. A kind of test on EMC, EMI, RFI and telemetry data link were applied to the system. Prior to the IPTN's flight test program in the year of 1988 - 1992, the ADReS is designed not only to receive and to relay the data, but also planed to be able to process the data for quick data analysis purposes on board. This paper describes the ADReS system concept and its experimental status system - the Phase One system configuration.
  • Parallel Bus Implementations in Satellite Communications Systems

    Yun, Paul M.; E-Systems (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    As the volume of linkages in the satellite communications systems increases, the parallel bus between the various processors of the satellite becomes a bottle neck to transfer the commands and data. The remedies to this problem are trivial in the ground stations; however, this problem imposes severe restrictions in parallel bus implementation of the satellite communications systems. The most severe restriction is the minimization of wire connections in the physical layer to minimize the weight, size and power consumption, and also to maximize the reliability. Another restriction is the flexibility in the link layer to adapt the different characteristics of the command and data messages. In this paper, the implementation to overcome the imposed restrictions in both physical and link layer of the parallel bus will be discussed.
  • Several Problems in Chinese Development of Telemetry Technology

    Chang-jie, Shi; Shang-ren, Li; Ministry of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Beijing Research Institute of Telemetry (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    1. What is the reason for the telemetry ground station using computer technology widely and deeply? 2. How to solve the problem of measuring fast varing signal? 3. Bit rate of telemetry ground station.
  • Utilization of Real Time Digital Strip Chart Emulation (RTDSCE) Concepts

    Halsey, Tim; Brimbal, Michel; Grottenthaler, Gary; Gould Incorporated (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    "Real Time Digital Strip Chart Emulation", a paper presented in the 1987 ITC Proceedings is reviewed for continuity and the digital techniques applicable to range data display are expanded upon. The paper seeks to present the process of recording telemetered signals in the RTDSCE data management scheme. Direct hardware interfacing is discussed with emphasis on automation and manpower reduction. Time code display and various mass storage possibilities are explored. The merits of video monitoring and the workstation concept during playback are evaluated.
  • High Speed Data Acquisition Systems

    Talmadge, Richard D.; Radmand, Mansour; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; Aydin Vector Division (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    Air Force systems testing today requires that more and more data be acquired to a higher degree of accuracy and in fewer flights. This necessitates a new approach to dynamic data acquisition system design. In the past data acquisition organizations used either direct or FM recording techniques of one sort or another to acquire data for post test processing. This paper will outline the direction that this organization is taking to reduce the size of the installed system as well as the time and money required to maintain the system during the testing process. The system discussed provides a capability to acquire both static (DC) data and dynamic data up to 10,000 Hertz and has a dynamic range in excess of 120 dB.
  • Telemetry Chart Recording Via Direct Digital Link

    Smith, Grant M.; Alexander, James H.; Astro-Med, Inc. (International Foundation for Telemetering, 1988-10)
    Mission safety and cost-efficiency concerns have resulted in a resurgence of interest in real-time strip chart recorders. But conventional recorder technologies require inordinate maintenance and daily calibration. Attempts at strip chart emulation involving costly dedicated microcomputers and CRT's have failed, because the chart itself is not real-time, a basic requirement. The concept of an inexpensive, direct digital link to a telemetry processing computer (VAX, e.g.) is discussed. A thorough examination of real-time monitoring of critical, non-repeatable data is presented. Objectives: An automated, turn-key telemetry data system. Reduce the routine maintenance required by conventional recording systems; eliminate the need for digital-to-analog converters (DAC's); and improve the efficiency of range personnel and the integrity of recorded data.

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