Abstract: A software-controlled select and test system for use with a spacecraft. The system reduces the assembly, integration, test time and improves performance of the payload and spacecraft by optimizing the performance using standardized algorithms. The system also reduces the DC power required by the spacecraft, and the thermal dissipation, battery size, solar array size and mass of the spacecraft. This is achieved by optimizing traveling wave tube amplifiers for each channel instead of meeting minimum power requirement over the entire range, wherein most channels have excess power. A serial interface adapter performs the optimization functions via software.

Abstract: RF signal nulling and loss of RF lock (i.e., loss of a communications or command link) is resolved by changing the phase of signals derived from first and second (+Z and -Z) antennas so that they add in phase instead of canceling. This is accomplished automatically by using a computer or processor to measure the RF signal level output by a receiver and change the phase of the incoming signal using a phase shifter to achieve the highest level. A squelch circuit in the receiver is used to determine the maximum obtainable RF signal level. The squelch level is compared in a computer to a threshold when the system looks for a higher squelch level. The phase of the phase shifter is changed using a computer to maximize the received signal level. A feedback loop from the receiver through the computer to the phase shifter provides a path to shift the phase of the incoming RF signal in one of the paths so the respective signals add instead of cancel, which eliminates the signal nulling problem.

Abstract: A software-controlled select and test system for use with a spacecraft. The system reduces the assembly, integration, test time and improves performance of the payload and spacecraft by optimizing the performance using standardized algorithms. The system also reduces the DC power required by the spacecraft, and the thermal dissipation, battery size, solar array size and mass of the spacecraft. This is achieved by optimizing traveling wave tube amplifiers for each channel instead of meeting minimum power requirement over the entire range, wherein most channels have excess power. A serial interface adapter performs the optimization functions via software.