International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1998 / Town & Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / This paper discusses the evolution of the ground satellite communication systems and the efforts made by the Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) Advanced Architectures and Automation (AAA) branch, Code 588 to bring satellite scientific data to the user’s desktop. Primarily, it describes the next generation desktop system, its architecture and processing capabilities, which provide autonomous high-performance telemetry acquisition at the lowest possible cost. It also discusses the planning processes and the applicability of new technologies for communication needs in the next century. The paper is presented in terms simple for those not very familiar with current space programs to understand.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 27-30, 1997 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Caterpillar Inc. has over 25 years of experience using instrument vans equipped with telemetry to support product testing. These vans provide the capability to instrument the product, to acquire telemetered data, and to analyze the data. They are being used in tests performed on construction and mining equipment at Caterpillar's proving grounds and at customer job sites throughout North America. This paper presents a design summary of the newest generation vans. It starts with an overview of the major subsystems and concentrates on the Caterpillar developed software that tightly integrates the various hardware and software components. This software greatly enhances the productivity of the system and makes it possible for the van to perform a large variety and quantity of tests required by our internal customers.