Abstract: The present invention relates to satellite systems and more particularly, to the provision of novel systems and methods for verifying the in-orbit performance and operation of satellite communications subsystems. In contrast to traditional Payload IOT (in-orbit test), the invention operates without an uplink signal, by generating hardware-specific signatures using isolated, internally generated, thermal noise. It has been found that this noise provides a very stable, repeatable signal for testing. Prior to launch, a repeater command sequence is executed to generate a hardware-specific signature based on the internally-generated noise. The same repealer command sequence is then executed in-orbit to determine whether the hardware-specific signature has changed. The two signatures may be recorded and compared using a simple tool such as a spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to satellite systems and more particularly, to the provision of novel systems and methods for verifying the in-orbit performance and operation of satellite communications subsystems. In contrast to traditional Payload IOT (in-orbit test), the invention operates without an uplink signal, by generating hardware-specific signatures using isolated, internally generated, thermal noise. It has been found that this noise provides a very stable, repeatable signal for testing. Prior to launch, a repeater command sequence is executed to generate a hardware-specific signature based on the internally-generated noise. The same repealer command sequence is then executed in-orbit to determine whether the hardware-specific signature has changed. The two signatures may be recorded and compared using a simple tool such as a spectrum analyzer.