International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 18-21, 2004 / Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California / Modern spectrally efficient telemetry transmitters are beginning to find their way on a variety of airborne test platforms. Many of these platforms also include Global Positioning System (GPS)-based Time-Space-Position-Information (TSPI) instrumentation systems. Due to space and other limitations, many of these platforms have demanding antenna placement limitations requiring closely spaced antennas. This paper describes steps taken to identify and mitigate potential interference to GPS-based TSPI instrumentation systems by these new technology transmitters. Equipment characterization was accomplished to determine interference potential of the proposed new transmitters and susceptibility of several GPS TSPI receivers. Several filtering techniques were identified as possible solutions to the anticipated interference problems. Telemetry (TM)/GPS system mockups and laboratory tests of the same were accomplished. Open-air testing was then accomplished to validate laboratory results. Finally, on aircraft tests were accomplished prior to performing any aircraft system modifications. Results of these test efforts are presented for others to consider when planning similar modifications to other platforms.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 18-21, 2004 / Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California / M/A-COM, Inc. has developed a miniature Tactical Telemetry Module (TTM) for medium power (500 mW and 1 W) telemetry applications. The TTM demonstrates system integration of a multi-channel PCM encoder, lower S-band transmitter, and power regulation onto a single printed wiring board (PWB). The module is smaller than a standard business card and utilizes both COTS and M/A-COM proprietary technologies. The PCM encoder is designed for eight (8) analog inputs, eight (8) discrete inputs, and one (1) synchronous RS-422 serial interface. Data rates of 300 kbps to 6 Mbps are supported. The module incorporates a frequency programmable, phase-locked FM S-band transmitter. The transmitter utilizes M/A-COM’s new dual port VCO and high efficiency 500 mW and 1 W power amplifier MMIC’s. Additionally, switching power regulation circuits were implemented within the module to provide maximum operating efficiency. This paper reviews the design and manufacturing of the Tactical Telemetry Module (TTM) and its major components, and presents system performance data.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / In the past, typical telemetry systems for munitions and small missiles have often comprised adaptations of monolithic components originally conceived for aircraft or large missile applications. Programs have developed expensive monolithic systems to meet the needs of specific programs, but they often require extensive redesign for use by other potential users. The tri-service HSTSS Integrated Product Team (IPT) determined that a monolithic “one size fits all” approach has technical and fiscal risks. Thus, a modular approach to system development has been adopted. The HSTSS IPT is flight qualifying commercial microelectronic products designed for environments similar to that of munition interiors, and is developing microelectronic components required to complete a subminiature system. HSTSS components can then be integrated to support the form factor and measurement needs of any given user. In addition to offering a flexible system to the user, the HSTSS lends itself to upgradability (modernization through spares).

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / At present, there is no means of instrument direct measurement to frequency deviation when it is up 500kHz. But the frequency deviation of high bit rate telemetry transmitter is 700kHz or more. In this paper, an indirect measurement method using spectrum analyzer and counter is put forward. It effectively solves the measurement problem of frequency deviation and frequency response of high bit rate telemetry transmitters. Measuring theory, summary of experiences and difficulties in measuring work, have been deeply studied with the viewpoint of how to avoid the limitation of different methods of measurement. Focused on the establishment of an automatic measuring system, expert system, skilled data and software of the system are studied in detail. The data for comparison is also supplied. Finally, the analysis to the measuring error and general uncertainty is given.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 13-16, 1986 / Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada / In Aerospace missions it is often required to have a flexible telemetry system for carrying out flight test on aircraft, in which the bit rate, sampling rate and the number of channels can be programmed. This enables the pilot of the aircraft to reconfigure the telemetry system to suit any particular test missions. An L-Band PCM/FM Telemetry System containing a Stored Programme Multiplexer, 12 bit ADC and other digital interfaces for carrying out the measurements on Speed, Events, etc has been developed as a flight instrumentation telemetry for HAL, India. This paper not only presents complete details of the system, which was qualified to meet MIL-5422 levels but also the performance of the system during actual aircraft missions.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 23-26, 2000 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / When designing transmitters for quadrature modulation schemes, the designer always tries to achieve good balance and symmetry of the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) branches of the modulator in terms of amplitude, phase, and offsets. Perfect balance between modulators is ideal but rarely if ever achieved. The Advance Range Telemetry (ARTM) program has placed indirect specifications on the remnant carrier and sideband levels which are controlled by modulator imbalance. These specifications will govern the ARTM programs first generation of Feher’s patented quadrature phase shift keying, version B (FQPSK-B) [9] airborne telemetry transmitters. The ARTM Program has also adopted test procedures for quantifying these modulation imbalances. This paper looks at the effects of modulator imbalances on spectral occupancy and bit error probability of the airborne telemetry link. It also outlines how these imbalances influence the levels in one of the ARTM specifications. Recommendations are presented based on the measured data for higher bit rate telemetry systems.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 23-26, 2000 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama will launch the Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS) space experiment in late 2000. ProSEDS will demonstrate the use of an electrodynamic tether propulsion system and will utilize a conducting wire tether to generate limited spacecraft power. This paper will provide an overview of the ProSEDS mission and will discuss the design, and test of the spacecraft telemetry system. The ProSEDS telemetry subsystem employs a combination of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware and launch vehicle telemetry system components to minimize costs as well as power consumption. Several measures were used to aid the conservation of spacecraft power resources. First, the transmitter was modified to limit input power consumption to less that 20 watts while providing approximately two watts Radio Frequency (RF) output power. Secondly, the ProSEDS on board Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver is being used to control input power to the transmitter in order to limit the telemetry operations to occasions when the spacecraft is in proximity to preprogrammed ground station locations.

ITC/USA 2005 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-First Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2005 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / A miniature 1 Watt Tactical Telemetry Module (TTM) has been developed for the Excalibur projectile program. The TTM incorporates a multi-channel PCM encoder, lower S-band transmitter, and power regulation onto a single printed wiring board (PWB). The PCM encoder is designed for eight (8) analog inputs, four (4) discrete inputs, and one (1) synchronous RS-422 serial interface, with a total data rate of 1 Mbps. The module incorporates a digitally programmable, phase-locked FM S-band transmitter. The transmitter utilizes M/A-COM’s new dual port VCO and a high efficiency 2 W power amplifier MMIC. Additionally, switching power regulation circuits were implemented within the module to provide maximum operating efficiency. This paper reviews the environmental requirements of Excalibur, the design of the Excalibur TTM, and presents electrical and air-gun test data.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 21, 2002 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / M/A-COM, Inc. has previously developed a highly integrated transmitter chip set for wireless telemetry applications for the military L and S band frequencies and the commercial 2.4GHz ISM band. The original chip set is comprised of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a silicon phase locked loop (PLL), and a family of power amplifiers (PA's). Using these components, M/A-COM has produced a miniature IRIG-compliant transmitter module, which has been flight-tested by the U.S. Army’s Hardened Subminiature Telemetry and Sensor System (HSTSS) program. Since the initial offering, several product enhancements have been added. The module performance has been improved by tailoring the VCO specifically for direct frequency modulation applications. In addition to improving noise performance, these enhancements have produced improved modulation linearity, decreased lock time and increased carrier stability. Modulation rates in excess of 10Mbps have been demonstrated. High efficiency power amplifiers operating at 3V have also been added to the family of amplifiers (PAE > 50%). This greatly enhanced efficiency allows higher RF power output while maintaining the same miniature form factor for the transmitter. Further, M/A-COM has added a silicon-on-sapphire PLL to the chip set, which operates at frequencies up to 3.0GHz. This paper details the enhancements to the components within the chip set, and the improvement in performance of the transmitter module. Test data is presented for the transmitter modules and individual components.

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy