An extremely sensitive digital receiver for deep space satellite communications

A new ground based receiver for deep space applications is being designed. By utilizing high speed gallium arsenide applications specific integrated circuits, advanced single board computers, and a real-time embedded operating system, the Block V Receiver will dramatically reduce the volume of equipment at a tracking complex, yet will provide new capabilities with higher reliability. A digital demodulator is the core of the receiver. The system architecture is described. The complexity of the design requires extensive use of both computer aided engineering (CAE) tools and computer aided software engineering (CASE) tools to ensure success. CAE and CASE tools are being used to perform system simulation, hardware design and simulation, and software design, frame generation, and configuration control.<>