This software demonstrates use of the JPL Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Operating Environment (OE), tests APIs (application programming interfaces) presented by JPL STRS OE, and allows for basic testing of the underlying hardware platform. This software uses the JPL STRS Operating Environment [“JPL Space Tele com munications Rad io System Operating Environment,” (NPO-4776) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 37, No. 1 (January 2013), p. 47] to in teract with the JPL-SDR Software Defined Radio developed for the CoNNeCT (COmmunications, Navi ga tion, and Networking rEcon figur able Testbed) Project as part of the SCaN Testbed installed on the Inter national Space Station (ISS). These are the first applications that are compliant with the new NASA STRS Archi tecture Standard.

Several example waveform applications are provided to demonstrate use of the JPL STRS OE for the JPL-SDR platform used for the CoNNeCT Project. The waveforms provide a simple digitizer and playback capability for the S-Band RF slice, and a simple digitizer for the GPS slice [“CoNNeCT Global Positioning System RF Module,” (NPO-47764) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 36, No. 3 (March 2012), p. 36]. These waveforms may be used for hardware test, as well as for on-orbit or laboratory checkout.

Additional example waveforms implement SpaceWire and timer modules, which can be used for time transfer and demonstration of communication between the two Xilinx FPGAs in the JPLSDR. The waveforms are also compatible with ground-based use of the JPL STRS OE on radio breadboards and Linux.

This work was done by James P. Lux, Kenneth J. Peters, Gregory H. Taylor, Minh Lang, Ryan A. Stern, and Courtney B. Duncan of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Dan Broderick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. NPO-48028

Topics:
Computer software and hardware Electronic equipment Global positioning systems (GPS) Hardware Navigation and guidance systems Parts Radio equipment Software Spacecraft Vehicles
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Test Waveform Applications for JPL STRS Operating Environment

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NASA Tech Briefs Magazine

This article first appeared in the May, 2013 issue of NASA Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 37 No. 5).

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Overview

The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) detailing sample waveforms for the JPL Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Operating Environment (OE). It serves as a resource for users to understand and utilize the capabilities of the STRS, which is designed for space communication applications.

The document outlines various sample waveforms that illustrate both simple and complex signal processing capabilities. These waveforms are compatible with the JPL-Software Defined Radio (SDR) developed for the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Testbed installed on the International Space Station (ISS). The applications adhere to the NASA STRS Architecture Standard, ensuring consistency and reliability in their implementation.

Each sample waveform includes source code in C and C++ for the General Purpose Processor (GPP), as well as device driver software that interacts with hardware components instantiated in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Some examples do not utilize the FPGA and contain only GPP source code. The structure typically features a top-level GPP module that references lower-level modules necessary for implementing the waveform.

Key examples of waveforms described in the document include:

  1. S-Band: This waveform provides raw Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) sample recording and Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) sample playback, along with GPP software for configuration and querying.

  2. GPS: This waveform records raw bits from the GPS hardware interface and saves them to a file, with similar GPP and FPGA components as the S-Band example.

  3. Digital Down Converter (DDC): This waveform implements a digital downconverter on raw ADC samples, filtering the output for playback through DACs.

  4. Combo: This example combines the functionalities of the GPS, S-Band, and DDC into a single executable, demonstrating the integration of multiple waveforms.

  5. FPGA Example: This includes components for time distribution and SpaceWire interfaces, with the SpaceWire core sourced from NASA/Goddard Spaceflight Center.

The document emphasizes the importance of using the Gnu Compiler Collection (gcc) toolchain for compiling the examples and provides a foundation for users to develop their own waveforms. It acknowledges the support of the U.S. government and highlights the proprietary nature of the information contained within. Overall, this Technical Support Package is a valuable resource for those involved in aerospace technology and communications.