NASA

US-E­

vol

N A S A TECHNICAL N O T E

UNIFIED S-BAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

TECHNIQUES FOR APOLLO

VOLUME 1 - FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

by John H, Painter and George Hondros

Manned Spacecraft Center
Houston, Texas

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS A N D SPACE ADMINISTRATION 0 WASHINGTON, D. C. M A R C H 1965

 TECH LIBRARY KAFB, NM

UNIFIED S-BAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNIQUES F O R A P O L L O

VOLUME I

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

By J o h n H. P a i n t e r a n d G e o r g e H o n d r o s

Manned S p a c e c r a f t C e n t e r
Houston, T e x a s

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

. .-

F o r sale by t h e O f f i c e of T e c h n i c a l S e r v i c e s , D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e r c e ,
Washington, D.C. 20230 -- Price $3.00
 FOREWORD

The Review Copy of t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n w a s e n t i t l e d , "The Apollo

Unified S-Band Telecommunications System -Volume l", and
i d e n t i f i e d as F i l e Number S-58 by NASA Manned Spacecraft Center.
The p r e s e n t p u b l i c a t i o n , under a new t i t l e , i s n e a r l y i d e n t i c a l t o
t h e R e v i e w Copy with o n l y a f e w minor changes.

The a u t h o r s wish t o acknowledge t h e a i d and cooperation received

i n t h e p r e p a r a t i o n and review of t h i s document.

W. Victor

M. Easterling

B. Martin
J e t PropuLsi o n Labo r a t o r y
L. Randolph Pasadena, C a l i f o r n i a
P. Goodwin
M. Brockxnan

D. Holcomb Motorola, Inc.

S c o t t s d a l e , Arizona
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................ 2

1.1 Objectives of t h e Report ............... 2

1.1.1 Volume I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1 . 1 . 2 Volume I1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.1.3 Volume I11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.2 History of t h e System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2.0 THE BASIC SYSTEM ...................... 6

2 . 1 System Concept .................... 6

2.1.1 The Basic Spacecraft System .......... 6

2.1.2 The Basic Ground System ............ 7

2.2 Extension of t h e Basic System Required t o

Support t h e Command Service Module and Lunar

....................
Excursion Module 8

2 . 3 The Ground Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3.0 DETAILED SYSTEM DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3.1 The Communications S i g n a l s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3.1.1 Up-link (Ground t o S p a c e c r a f t ) . . . . . . . . . 10

3.1.2 Dmn-link (Spacecraft t o Ground) . . . . . . . . 10

3.2 S i g n a l Transmission Modulation Techniques ....... 12

3.2.1 Up-link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3.2.2 Down-link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3.2.3 S i g n a l Design ................. 14

3.3 Spacecraft Subsystem Configuration .......... 16

3.3.1 Premodulation Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3.3.2 Transponder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.4 Ground Subsystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3 . 4 . 1 General Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3 . 4 . 2 Antennas ................... 23

3.4.3 Microwave C i r c u i t r y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3 . 4 . 4 Reference Channel Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . 24

.
Section Page

3.4.5 Angle Channel Receiver ............. 25

3.4.6 ...................
Transmitter 25

3.4.7 ...............
Ranging C i r c u i t r y 26

3.4.8 .............
Demodulation C i r c u i t r y 28

3.4.9 Premodulation C i r c u i t r y............ 31

3.4.10 ......
A c q u i s i t i o n and Programing C i r c u i t r y 31

3.4.11 .......
Ground System P e r i p h e r a l Equipment 31

4.0 SYSTEM OPEEATIONAL TECHNIQUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

4 . 1 Ranging and Spacecraft A c q u i s i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . 34

4 . 1 . 1 A P h y s i c a l Explanation of t h e Ranging Process . 34

4.1.2 An Explanation of A c q u i s i t i o n . . . . . . . . . 36

4.2 Lunar Mission Cormnunications Requirements ....... 37

4.2.1 Pre-Launch . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . 37

4.2.2 Launch ......... . .

. . .....
. . . 38

4.2.3 ......
E a r t h Orbit . .
. . . .
. . . . . . 38

4.2.4 . .
Translunar I n j e c t i o n . .
. . .....
. . . 38

4.2.5 S p a c e c r a f t Transposition and LEN Checkout ... 38

4.2.6 ....
Earth-Lunar Coast ..... .
. . . . . . 38

4.2.7 Lunar Orbit ...... ..... ..... . . 38

4.2.8 Lunar Landing ..... . .

. . . . . . 39

. . ..... . .
. . e .

4.2.9 Moon-Earth I n j e c t i o n and Coast 39

4.2.10 Reentry ......... . . . .. ..... . . 39

4 . 3 System Operation f o r a N m i n a l Lunar Mission

. . . . . 39
4.3.1
Pre-launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.3.2
Launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.3.3
Earth-Orbit I n s e r t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.3.4
Earth-Orbit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.3.5
Trans-Lunar T r a j e c t o r y I n j e c t i o n . . . . . . . . 40
4.3.6
T r a n s p o s i t i o n and LEM Check-out . . . . . . . . 40
4.3.7
Translunar Orbit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
4.3.8
Lunar Orbit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
4.3.9 Lunar Landing, Surface Operations and

Rendezvous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 41
4.3.10 E a r t h T r a j e c t o r y I n j e c t i o n and Coast .
. . . . . 42
4.3.11Atmospheric Reentry . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 42
5.0 FEFERl3NCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

6.0 TABWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

7.0 FIGUKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

ii
 UNIFIXD S-BAND TELECOMMTJNICATIONS TECHNIQUES FOR APOLLO

VOLUME I

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

By John H. Painter and George Hondros

Manned Spacecraft Center

SUMMARY

This document is a functional description of the intended configuration

and operation of the Apollo Unified S-band Telecommunications and Tracking

System. In particular, this description applies to the link between the

command-servicemodule and the ground tracking station. The lunar excursion

module-to-ground link is similar, and an equivalent description applies.

The document begins with a short resume of the system's developmental

history. Then the basic spacecraft and ground system concept are simply

explained. Following are detailed descriptions of the communications signals,

modulation techniques, and subsystem configurations. The document concludes

with explanations of system operational techniques.

 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objectives of the Report

The Unified S-Eand Telecommunications and Tracking System under develop­

ment for the Apollo lunar missions is not now well documented. Although some

documentation on the individual subsystems exists, there is no complete system

documentation which provides a reader with the basic system design, capabilities,

operation, and limitations. This report is intended to provide such system

documentation for the system in its current state of development and is divided

into three volumes because of the system complexity.

Detailed description of other elements that may feed into the present

system but are not directly developed by MSC is planned to appear in later

volumes of this report or in appropriate reference materials as they are

developed.

1.1.1 Volume I

Volume I provides a simplified functional description of the configuration

and operation of the communication and tracking system to be used in the lunar
Apollo missions. The spacecraft S-band subsystems for the comnd-service
module (CSM) and lunar excursion module (LEM) are very similar in a system
sense. Both vehicles will, in fact, be supported by the same type of ground
station communication equipment. Therefore, the basic spacecraft description,
given here, is for the CSM, with the minor differences of the LEM subsystem
pointed out. The basic system modulation techniques and operational concepts
are described.

At the time Volume I was prepared, the CSM spacecraft S-band subsystem

was being redesigned to accommodate additional communication requirements,

insure equipment reliability, and insure compatibility with the ground sub­

system. The spacecraft subsystem configuration chosen to be described in this

volume is one which resulted from detailed technical discussions between Planned

Spacecraft Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Headquarters, Goddard Space

Flight Center, and associated contractors. Although the authors feel that this

configuration best meets the presently defined communication requirements and

provides more flexibility than other presently proposed configurations, it is

possible that the final spacecraft S-band equipment may differ slightly (at

the module level) from the one described. It is not expected that the basic

design philosophy or operation of the spacecraft S-band subsystem will depart

appreciably from that described.

At the time of preparation of Volume I, the ground subsystem demodulators

were functionally specified, but not designed. The authors have treated the

set of demodulators which, in their judgment, best satisfy the requirements.

1.1.; volume 11

Volume I1 is a detailed mathematical analysis of the communication and

tracking channels of the system. Equations In generalized parameters are

derived which may be used either to design the comnication channels or to

2
analyze existing designs. The equations are sufficiently general that changes

of the type referred to in section 1.1.1may be easily treated. Basic assump­

tions made in the derivations are plainly stated so that the validity of the

channel models may be easily inferred.

1 . 1 . 3 Volume I11
Volume III is a tabulation of performance data or circuit margins for

each channel of the system. The calculation of these circuit margins is based

on the theoretical analysis presented in Volume 11. The circuit margins in

Volume I11 allow inference of the quality of the various system channels during

nominal as well as non-nominal modes of transmission of the spacecraft and

ground systems.

1.2 History of the System

The present configuration of the Unified S-Band has evolved from earlier
equipment. It is therefore important to acquaint the reader with the history
of the system. The Mercury spacecraft was provided with many electro-mgnetic
transmitting and receiving systems. These systems operated at seven discrete
frequencies within five widely separated frequency bands. The systems used
on the Mercury spacecraft were:

1. HF voice transmitter and receiver

2. UHF voice transmitter and receiver

3. VHF telemetry transmitter no. 1

4. VHF telemetry transmitter no. 2

5. C-band transponder

6. UHF command receiver

7. S-band transponder (pulse)

To complement the spacecraft systems, a number of ground stations, strate­

gically located about the globe, were provided with systems compatible to those

in the spacecraft to fulfill the communications and tracking requirements for

the Mercury missions. The spacecraft and ground systems used in the Mercury

Project performed satisfactorily. As a result, it was planned that the great

majority of these systems should be used in the Gemini Project, with, perhaps,

some systems modifications made to provide better performance or power and

weight savings in the Gemini spacecraft.

When the Apollo F’roject was initiated, if; was stipulated that as much as
possible of the existing Mercury ground network and spacecraft systems be used.
In addition to these systems, it was conceived that a transponder should be
included in the spacecraft to perform the ranging operation at lunar distances.
The transponder was a l s o to be used for transmission of voice and telemetry at
lunar distances. Since the transponder design chosen was compatible with the

3
 Deep Space Instrumentation Facility ( D S I F ) , established by the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL), the JPL technique (pseudo-random code ranging) was chosen by
NASA to perfom ranging. Thus, for the deep space phase of communications for
the lunar mission, the JPL transponder was to perform the communication and
tracking functions using three deep space stations, closely resembling the JPL
design. For the near-earth phase, however, the VHF', UHF, and C-band Gemini-
type equipments were to be used to perform the comnications and tracking
functions. A study' conducted by JPL, however, indicated that "under worst
conditions" the deep space stations might not acquire the spacecraft at alti­
tudes lower than 10,000 nautical miles
2
.
In addition, computations made by
the contractor and MSC indicated that the VHF and UHF systems range capability
would be less than 10,000 nautical miles.

During the early phases of spacecraft subsystems design, performed by the

contractor, it was realized that a problem with the spacecraft weight would

arise, since the near-earth phases of the mission required a nuniber of different

spacecraft transmitters and receivers, as well as their back-ups. Because of

this realization, the contractor suggested to NASA that additional considera­

tion should be given to the spacecraft weight problem, and that perhaps some

other communications and tracking system could be used during the various near-

earth phases of the Apollo lunar missions.

As a result of the foregoing considerations, a meeting was held at the

Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition Systems (OTDA) in Washington, D.C. in

December 1962. At this meeting OTDA presented plans for a ground network using

a unified S-band carrier system to representatives of various NASA centers,

including JPL and MSC.

The ground portion of the system was to consist of

three stations having 85-foot Cassegrain feed antennas f.ordeep space c o m n i ­

cations and tracking (separate from those of JPL), and a number of stations

with 30-foot Cassegrain feed antennas to perform communications and tracking

during the near-earth phases of the Apollo lunar missions.

This proposed

ground network not only would increase the range capabilities for near-earth

communications and tracking, but would also allow transmission from the space­
craft during both near-earth and deepspace phases to be performed by one
transmitter, thus eliminating all the VHF, C-band and UHF systems and their
back-ups, and consequently reducing the spacecraft weight.

The philosophy of using the unified S-band system for communications and

tracking at near-earth and in deep space has been accepted. As a result,

the ground network required for the support of lunar missions is presently

being implemented under a contract from the Goddard Space Flight Center.

'EPD-29 - Estimated 1963-1970, Capability of the Deep Space Instrumentation

Facility for Apollo Project, JPL, Pasadena, California, 2-1-62.

2The altitude of 10,000 nautical miles was calculated on the basis of the

three JPL DSIF stations located at Goldstone, California, Johannesburg, Union

of South Africa, and Woomera, Australia.

 The Apollo u n i f i e d S-band system has not y e t been evaluated i n t h e

l a b o r a t o r y , s i n c e t h e hardware design and f a b r i c a t i o n has not been completed.
Plans have been prepared, however, by t h e Manned Spacecraft Center f o r e a r l y
and continuing l a b o r a t o r y t e s t i n g as w e l l as f l i g h t q u a l i f i c a t i o n of t h e
system.

 2.0 THE BASIC SYSTEN

2.1 System Concept

The primary concept underlying t h e Apollo S-band telecommunications system

was o r i g i n a l l y t h a t a l l communications and d a t a t r a n s f e r between s p a c e c r a f t and
ground should be made using one common s e t of equipment and one r a d i o frequency
c a r r i e r f o r transmission. Because of v a r i o u s h i s t o r i c a l and mechanical reasons,
t h i s concept has not been f u l l y implemented i n t h e Apollo system. The h i s t o r i c a l
reasons have been mentioned i n t h e previous s e c t i o n .
Because of t h e ground
requirement t h a t t h e s p a c e c r a f t t r a n s m i t a stable c a r r i e r s p e c t r a l l i n e ,

phase-coherent w i t h t h e up-link c a r r i e r , t o enable two-way Doppler t r a c k i n g ,

ranging, and ground antenna pointing, narrow d e v i a t i o n phase modulation has
been implemented f o r most of t h e s p a c e c r a f t transmission. Those information
f u n c t i o n s r e q u i r i n g a l a r g e modulated bandwidth are modulated d i r e c t l y on t h e
c a r r i e r while other, less wide, f u n c t i o n s are f i r s t modulated onto s u b c a r r i e r s .
Since t h e range code and t e l e v i s i o n s i g n a l s t r a n s m i t t e d by t h e Apollo s p a c e c r a f t
both r e q u i r e l a r g e modulated bandwidths, and, i n some i n s t a n c e s , w i l l be
t r a n s m i t t e d simultaneously, it w a s necessary t o place them on separate c a r r i e r s ,
using phase modulation f o r t h e f i r s t and frequency modulation f o r t h e second.
Aside f r o m t h i s exception, however, t h e b a s i c concept of one c a r r i e r and one
s e t of equipment has been c l o s e l y approached i n t h e Apollo system. F a i l u r e and
redundancy c o n s i d e r a t i o n s have, of course, r e q u i r e d d u p l i c a t e standby equip­
ments, both i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t and on t h e ground. The system described i n t h i s
r e p o r t w i l l be used i n t h e t r a n s l u n a r and l u n a r phases of t h e Apollo mission
and during t h e i n j e c t i o n phase from e a r t h o r b i t t o lunar t r a n s f e r t r a j e c t o r y .
It i s planned t h a t t h e system w i l l be used i n t h e e a r t h o r b i t a l mission phases
also.

The h e a r t of t h e u n i f i e d Apollo system i s t h e pseudo-random code ranging

subsystem developed by J e t Propulsion Laboratory. This system uses a ground-
based t r a n s m i t t i n g and r e c e i v i n g s t a t i o n working i n conjunction with a space­
c r a f t transponder. A pseudo-random code i s phase modulated on a n S-band
c a r r i e r a t t h e ground and t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t . The code modulation
i s recovered i n t h e transponder and r e t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e ground s t a t i o n on a
d i f f e r e n t S-band c a r r i e r which i s phase c o h e r e n t l y generated from t h e up
c a r r i e r . A t t h e ground s t a t i o n t h e time d i f f e r e n c e between t h e t r a n s m i t t e d and
received code g i v e s a measure of t h e s p a c e c r a f t range.

2.1.1 The Basic Spacecraft System

Neglecting redundancy, t h e b a s i c s p a c e c r a f t system i s shown, h i g h l y
s i m p l i f i e d , i n f i g u r e 1. The system i s composed of a premodulation processor,
transponder, f i n a l a m p l i f i e r and a s s o c i a t e d microwave c i r c u i t r y , high-gain
antenna and omnidirectional antenna. This system diagram i s l a t e r expanded
( s e c t i o n 3.3) t o show t h e means for o b t a i n i n g switchable redundancy and
simultaneous PM-FM operation.

The premodulation processor a c c e p t s voice, PCM telemetry, biomedical d a t a ,

t e l e v i s i o n , and emergency key s i g n a l s from t h e s p a c e c r a f t f o r transmission t o
t h e ground. It a l s o recovers t h e voice and up-data s i g n a l s received from t h e
ground.
6
 The CSM transponder i s b a s i c a l l y a narrow band PM r e c e i v e r , narrow band
PM t r a n s m i t t e r e x c i t e r , and wide band.FM t r a n s m i t t e r e x c i t e r . The LEM t r a n s ­
ponder, however, does n o t c o n t a i n an FM e x c i t e r s i n c e it i s not r e q u i r e d f o r
t h e LEM t o t r a n s m i t FM and PM information, simultaneously. The transponder
f e e d s and i s f e d by a package c o n t a i n i n g f i n a l a m p l i f i e r s and microwave
switching and d i p l e x i n g c i r c u i t r y . The microwave c i r c u i t r y f e e d s t h e two
s p a c e c r a f t antennas which are manually s e l e c t a b l e . The PM r e c e i v e r has a l o c a l
o s c i l l a t o r , phase locked t o t h e received c a r r i e r , which provides t h e frequency
and phase r e f e r e n c e f o r t h e PM t r a n s m i t t e r e x c i t e r . Tne FM t r a n s m i t t e r e x c i t e r
has i t s own s e p a r a t e o s c i l l a t o r . The PM r e c e i v e r i s used a t a l l times t o
r e c e i v e from t h e ground. The PM e x c i t e r i s used a t a l l times t o t r a n s m i t t o
t h e ground. The FM e x c i t e r i s used o n l y when t r a n s m i s s i o n of FM d a t a i s
required.

2.1.2 The Basic Ground System

Again n e g l e c t i n g redundancy, t h e b a s i c ground system i s shown, h i g h l y
s i m p l i f i e d , i n f i g u r e 2. The system i s composed of a high-gain main antenna,
wide-beam a c q u i s i t i o n antenna, microwave c i r c u i t r y , a main r e f e r e n c e channel
r e c e i v e r , a c q u i s i t i o n r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r , two main angle channel
r e c e i v e r s , two a c q u i s i t i o n angle channel r e c e i v e r s , a t r a n s m i t t e r , d a t a demodu­
l a t i o n c i r c u i t r y , ranging c i r c u i t r y , premodulation c i r c u i t r y , a c q u i s i t i o n and
programing c i r c u i t r y , data handling equipment, and p e r i p h e r a l equipment.

The a c q u i s i t i o n channels, t r a n s m i t t e r , and a c q u i s i t i o n antenna a r e used

i n i t i a l l y t o a c q u i r e t h e s p a c e c r a f t s i g n a l . This o p e r a t i o n c o n s i s t s of a
s e a r c h i n angle w i t h t h e a c q u i s i t i o n antenna and a s e a r c h i n frequency w i t h
t h e a c q u i s i t i o n r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r for t h e c e n t r a l PM c a r r i e r component
of t h e s p a c e c r a f t s i g n a l . The ground r e c e i v e r l o c a l o s c i l l a t o r phase locks
t o t h e received c a r r i e r , t h u s a c t i v a t i n g t h e angle channels. When t h e acqui­
s i t i o n antenna i s s u f f i c i e n t l y w e l l a l i g n e d , t h e main antenna, which i s
p h y s i c a l l y t i e d t o t h e a c q u i s i t i o n antenna, a c q u i r e s t h e s p a c e c r a f t c a r r i e r .
The main r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r i s t h e n phase-locked and t h e main angle
channels become e f f e c t i v e . The d r i v e f o r t h e antenna servos i s then switched
from t h e a c q u i s i t i o n t o t h e main angle channels.

The ranging c i r c u i t r y c o n t a i n s d i g i t a l equipment f o r g e n e r a t i n g t h e

v a r i o u s range codes and range measurements, Doppler measuring c i r c u i t r y , and
a range code r e c e i v e r which i s f e d by t h e r e f e r e n c e channel 10-megacycle
I F o u t p u t s . The ranging c i r c u i t r y f e e d s t h e range code t o t h e t r a n s m i t t e r
phase modulator, where it i s e f f e c t i v e l y summed w i t h o t h e r up-going d a t a from
t h e premodulation c i r c u i t r y .

The d a t a demodulator, as shown i n f i g u r e 2, a c c e p t s PM d a t a from t h e main

r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r and FM d a t a from t h e a c q u i s i t i o n r e f e r e n c e channel.
Since t h e two r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r s are i d e n t i c a l , t h e a c q u i s i t i o n
r e f e r e n c e channel i s a v a i l a b l e , a f t e r completion of a c q u i s i t i o n , f o r t h e
r e c e p t i o n of o t h e r d a t a , namely FM. The data demodulation and ranging equip­
ment both f e e d t h e d a t a handling equipment. The d a t a handling equipnent a l s o
f e e d s t h e premodulation equipment.

 The a c q u i s i t i o n and programing c i r c u i t r y p l a y s an e s s e n t i a l r o l e w i t h t h e

r e s t of t h e equipment. The ranging processes a r e automated, and a r e d i g i t a l l y
programed i n response t o analog measurements on v a r i o u s p a r t s of t h e equipment.
The programing c i r c u i t r y c o n t a i n s s p e c i a l purpose d i g i t a l computing equipment
and a n a l o g - t o - d i g i t a l converters. Additional p e r i p h e r a l equipment, not shown
i n f i g u r e 2, forms another part of t h e b a s i c ground system. This equipment i s
t r e a t e d i n s e c t i o n 3.4.

2.2 Extension of t h e Basic System Required t o Support t h e

Command/Service Module and Lunar Excursion Module

The Apollo l u n a r mission uses two s p a c e c r a f t , t h e command/service module

(CSM) and l u n a r excursion module (LEM). The CSM communications system i s
a c t i v e throughout t h e mission, from prelaunch through r e e n t r y and landing.
The LEM communications system i s a c t i v e mainly i n t h e r e g i o n of t h e moon. The
mission communication requirements f o r t h e two s p a c e c r a f t are t r e a t e d i n d e t a i l
i n s e c t i o n 4.2.

The f a c t t h a t t h e r e a r e two s p a c e c r a f t , each having i t s own S-band system,

complicates t h e ground s t a t i o n . F i g w e 3 shows a c o n f i g u r a t i o n f o r a ground
s t a t i o n having a f u l l d u p l i c a t e a b i l i t y t o range simultaneously and communicate
simultaneously w i t h both s p a c e c r a f t . This c o n f i g u r a t i o n implies t h a t both
s p a c e c r a f t remain w i t h i n t h e beamwidth of t h e high-gain ground antenna and t h a t
antenna p o i n t i n g i s performed on only one of t h e s p a c e c r a f t . It i s seen t h a t
t o t h e b a s i c ground s t a t i o n have been added two r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r s ,
one d a t a demodulator, one s e t of rang5ng c i r c u i t r y , one t r a n s m i t t e r and one s e t
of premodulation c i r c u i t r y . It should be understood t h a t t h e c a p a b i l i t y of t h e
d a t a handling and a c q u i s i t i o n and programing c i r c u i t r y i s a l s o expanded over
t h e b a s i c system. Figure 3 s t i l l ignores redundancy, although t h e a b i l i t y t o
switch d a t a demodulators and ranging c i r c u i t r y from one r e f e r e n c e channel t o
another implies redundancy of a s o r t .

Functionally, t h e two s p a c e c r a f t S-band systems a r e a l i k e , although t h e r e

may be d i f f e r e n c e s i n p h y s i c a l packaghg and a v a i l a b l e output power l e v e l s .
These d i f f e r e n c e s a r e discussed f u r t h e r i n t h e d e t a i l e d system d e s c r i p t i o n ,
s e c t i o n 3.3.

2.3 The Ground Network

There a r e t h r e e t y p e s of S-band ground s t a t i o n s ; t h e deep-space s t a t i o n s ,

i n j e c t i o n and t r a n s p o s i t i o n g a p - f i l l e r s t a t i o n s , and e a r t h - o r b i t a l s t a t i o n s .
The types of s t a t i o n s d i f f e r i n t h e s l z e s of t h e i r antennas and whether t h e y
have s i n g l e or d u a l t r a c k i n g c a p a b i l i t y .

The t h r e e deep-space s t a t i o n s have 85-foot diameter antennas and f u l l dual

t r a c k i n g and communication c a p a b i l i t y . These s t a t i o n s w i l l be l o c a t e d a t
Goldstone, C a l i f o r n i a ; Madrid, Spain; and Canberra, A u s t r a l i a . Following t h e
i n j e c t i o n i n t o l u n a r t r a n s f e r t r a j e c t o r y and during t h e LEN t r a n s p o s i t i o n
phases of t h e Apollo l u n a r mission, it i s p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e s p a c e c r a f t w i l l not
have been acquired by a deep-space s t a t i o n . This p o s s i b i l i t y e x i s t s because t h e
s p a c e c r a f t , a t t h e beginning of i n j e c t i o n , i s a t a r e l a t i v e l y low a l t i t u d e

a
(100 n a u t i c a l m i l e s ) . Depending on t h e geographical r e l a t i o n of t h e i n j e c t i o n
p o i n t t o t h e n e a r e s t deep-space s t a t i o n , t h e s p a c e c r a f t may have t o climb
s e v e r a l thousand m i l e s i n a l t i t u d e before becoming v i s i b l e .

Because of t h i s p o s s i b l e gap i n coverage, s e v e r a l i n j e c t i o n g a p - f i l l e r

s t a t i o n s , number and l o c a t i o n now unknown, w i l l be used t o supplement t h e
deep-space s t a t i o n s f o r those missions where deep-space s t a t i o n a c q u i s i t i o n i s
delayed. These s t a t i o n s w i l l have 30-foot antennas and d u a l data communication
c a p a b i l i t i e s . The S-band ground s t a t i o n s t o be used i n t h e e a r t h - o r b i t a l
mission phases w i l l have 30-foot antennas and s i n g l e ranging and communications
c a p a b i l i t i e s . The l o c a t i o n s of t h e s t a t i o n s w i l l be such as t o provide good
coverage of Apollo e a r t h o r b i t s , i n conjunction w i t h t h e g a p - f i l l e r s t a t i o n s .

 3.0 DETAILED SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

3.1 The Communications S i g n a l s

The following s e c t i o n d e s c r i b e s t h e v a r i o u s communication, data, and
ranging s i g n a l s which serve as i n p u t s t o t h e system, e i t h e r on t h e ground o r
i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t . The s i g n a l s a r e described as t h e y e x i s t i n t h e i r unmodulated
o r baseband form. The modulated s i g n a l s are t r e a t e d i n s e c t i o n 3.2.

3.1.1 Up-link (Ground t o Spacecraft)

3.1.1.1 Range code.- One of t h e most important s i g n a l s generated by t h e
ground s t a t i o n i s t h e range code, used t o determine t h e r a d i a l range between
ground s t a t i o n and s p a c e c r a f t . This code i s a continuous running b i n a r y wave­
form which progresses a t a nominal rate of a m i l l i o n b i t s p e r second, being
generated from 2 496-kilocycle clock s i g n a l . Being one of a c l a s s of codes
k n m as pseudo-random, t h i s code has a b a s i c period of about 5.4 seconds.
This period i n s u r e s t h a t t h e code does not r e p e a t f o r 5.4 m i l l i o n b i t periods.
A period of t h i s l e n g t h i s required so t h a t t h e code w i l l not r e c y c l e during
t h e time of propagation from e a r t h t o moon and back.

The t r a n s m i t t e d code, which i s generated by d i g i t a l l o g i c c i r c u i t r y , i s a

Boolean combination of f o u r s h o r t e r codes and t h e d i g i t a l clock s i g n a l (a

Code = x{
\
. c .>
496-kc square wave). For g e n e r a l information t h e combining f u n c t i o n i s :

v ( 2 . [(a. b v b.c v a . c ) @ c ]
l
1
Where t h e d o t i n d i c a t e s t h e Boolean "and", t h e v i n d i c a t e s t h e Boolean "or",
t h e + i n d i c a t e s t h e Boolean "exclusive or", and t h e b a r i n d i c a t e s t h e Boolean
"not' The l e n g t h s of t h e code components i n b i t p e r i o d s a r e given i n t a b l e I.
For d e t a i l e d information on t h e g e n e r a t i o n of t h i s code, see r e f e r e n c e 1.

3 . 1 . 1 . 2 Up-Data.- It i s required that a d i g i t a l up-data l i n k be a v a i l ­

a b l e to t r a n s m i t t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t (both CSM and LXM) e i t h e r up-dating i n f o r ­
mation f o r t h e on-board computer o r r e a l - t i m e o r stored-program commands. The
s i g n a l brought i n t o t h e S-band equipment i s derived from a Gemini-type D i g i t a l
Command System (DCS). This s i g n a l i s a composite waveform c o n s i s t i n g of a
1-kilocycle s i n u s o i d summed with a 2-kilocycle s i n u s o i d which has been phase-
s h i f t keyed by a 1 - k i l o b i t d i g i t a l s i g n a l . The d i g i t a l s i g n a l i s a b a s i c
200-bit information s i g n a l , sub-bit encoded, 5 b i t s f o r 1.

-
3.1.1.3 Voice. Voice transmission i s a l s o r e q u i r e d t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t .
The baseband voice s i g n a l i s simply an analog waveform w i t h most of i t s energy
l y i n g between 300 and 2,300 cycles per second. This s i g n a l o r i g i n a t e s from
t h e v a r i o u s channels i n t h e ground s t a t i o n .

3.1.2 Down-link (Spacecraft t o Ground)

-
3.1.2.1 Range code. The range code s i g n a l , recovered i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t
f o r r e t r a n s m i s s i o n t o t h e ground, i s approximately t h e same as t h a t generated

10

on t h e ground, except that it i s contaminated with noise and two up-link

s u b c a r r i e r s ( s e c t i o n 3 . 2 ) . The code i s running a t a s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t rate
due t o Doppler e f f e c t s .

-
3 . 1 . 2 . 2 Pulse-code-modulated telemetry. The primary s p a c e c r a f t t e l e m e t r y
s i g n a l i s binaryPCM (non-return t o zero) having e i t h e r a 5 1 . 2 - k i l o b i t or
1 . 6 - k i l o b i t information t r a n s m i s s i o n r a t e . The b a s i c onboard generated t e l e ­
metry clock frequency i s 312 k i l o c y c l e s .

3 . 1 . 2 . 3 Voice.- The baseband voice s i g n a l i s much l i k e t h e ground s t a t i o n

voice s i g n a l . Clipping and f i l t e r i n g i s employed t o keep t h e average voice
l e v e l high and most of t h e p w e r between 300 and 2,300 cycles. The voice
s i g n a l o r i g i n a t e s from t h e a s t r o n a u t ' s microphone o r t h e AM r e l a y r e c e i v e r used
during e x t r a u e h i c u l a r a s t r o n a u t a c t i v i t i e s .

-
3 . 1 . 2 . 4 Biomedical telemetry. Biomedical d a t a from t h e a s t r o n a u t s i s
routed through-the PC%I t e l e m e t r y when t h e a s t r o n a u t s are i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t .
When a n a s t r o n a u t i s o u t s i d e t h e s p a c e c r a f t , e i t h e r i n space o r on t h e s u r f a c e
of t h e moon, a s p e c i a l s e t of biomedical t e l e m e t r y channels i s provided.
Seven low frequency s u b c a r r i e r s i n t h e a s t r o n a u t ' s suit communications package
a r e frequency modulated with t h e biomedical measurements. The modulated sub-
c a r r i e r s a r e summed and amplitude modulated on a VHF c a r r i e r f o r r e l a y back t o
t h e parent s p a c e c r a f t . A t t h e s p a c e c r a f t t h e AM s i g n a l i s demodulated and t h e
s m e d f r e quency-modulat ed subcarr i e r s a r e r e covered . Thi s r e cover e d s i g n a l
forms t h e baseband input t o t h e S-band system. The c e n t e r f r e q u e n c i e s and
channel information of t h e v a r i o u s biomedical s u b c a r r i e r channels are given i n
t a b l e 11.

-
3 . 1 . 2 . 5 Television. During c e r t a i n mission phases t h e s p a c e c r a f t w i l l
t r a n s m i t t e l e v i s i o n t o t h e ground. Because of s p a c e c r a f t power l i m i t a t i o n s
t h e t e l e v i s i o n p i c t u r e w i l l not be of t h e usual broadcast q u a l i t y . The t e l e ­
v i s i o n s i g n a l i s analog, having a b a s i c p i c t u r e format of 10 frames per second,
320 l i n e s per frame, w i t h a n a s p e c t r a t i o of 4:3. The r e s o l u t i o n i s f u r t h e r
l i m i t e d by 500-kilocycle baseband low pass f i l t e r i n g . Amplitude synchronization
w i l l be used with t h e synchronizing l e v e l 30 percent above t h e black l e v e l .

-
3 . 1 . 2 . 6 g e r g e n c y voice. A c a p a b i l i t y i s r e q u i r e d f o r s u c c e s s f u l voice
communication w i t h t h e ground i n t h e event of f a i l u r e of t h e s p a c e c r a f t high-
g a i n antenna or f i n a l a m p l i f i e r , b u t not both. The emergency voice baseband
s i g n a l i s t h e normal voice, routed through a d i f f e r e n t channel.

-
3 . 1 . 2 . 7 Emergency key. For a l a s t - r e s o r t communication c a p a b i l i t y t h e
a s t r o n a u t s may use hand-keyed Morse code. The baseband key s i g n a l i s an on-off
d-c voltage obtained by keying t h e s p a c e c r a f t 28-volt b a t t e r y .

3.1.2.8 Recorded PCM t e l e m e t r 2 . - PCM t e l e m e t r y a t e i t h e r a 1 . 6 kbs rate

or 31.2 kbs r a t e m y be recorded when necessary. When t h e recorded telemetry
i s played back i n t o t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n channel t h e playback s i g n a l has a nominal
31.2 kbs rate with, perhaps, some "WOW" and " f l u t t e r " due t o t h e t a p e r e c o r d e r .
The playback s i g n a l i s r o u t e d through a d i f f e r e n t channel t h a n t h e real-time
telemetry.

11

 -
3 . 1 . 2 . 9 Recorded vo-ice. The normal c l i p p e d voice may be recorded a t any
time. The recorded voice i s played back a t a h i g h e r rate t h a n t h e recording
rate ( g r e a t e r t h a n 4 : l ) . The playback s i g n a l occupys a g r e a t e r base bandwidth
t h a n t h e normal voice s i g n a l ( g r e a t e r t h a n 9 k c ) due t o t h e high playback rate.
The playback s i g n a l i s routed through a d i f f e r e n t channel t h a n t h e real-time
voice.

3.2 S i g n a l Transmission Modulation Techniques

3.2.1 Up-link
The up-link modulation techniques are simpler, conceptually, t h a n t h e
down-link and s o a r e t r e a t e d f i r s t . The f i n a l modulation process on t h e
outgoing c a r r i e r i s phase modulation using r e l a t i v e l y narrow d e v i a t i o n . Narrow
phase modulation i s r e q u i r e d t o i n s u r e t h a t a phase s t a b l e c a r r i e r component
a r r i v e s a t t h e s p a c e c r a f t . Since t h e s p a c e c r a f t transmission c a r r i e r i s
derived phase coherently from t h e r e c e i v e d c a r r i e r , it i s important t h a t t h e
c a r r i e r received a t t h e s p a c e c r a f t not be allowed t o r e v e r s e phase f o r any
appreciable l e n g t h of time due t o modulation, s i n c e t h i s r e v e r s a l would cause
an e r r o r i n two-way Doppler t r a c k i n g between t h e ground t r a n s m i t t e d and received
c a r r i e r s . Narrow phase d e v i a t i o n a l s o assures that t h e modulation i s concentra­
t e d i n t h e f i r s t order s i d e products of t h e modulated s i g n a l . This concentra­
t i o n optimizes t h e p a r t i c u l a r r e c e p t i o n technique employed i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t .

The t o t a l rms phase d e v i a t i o n on t h e up-link c a r r i e r i s kept a t about

1
one radian. For a c l a s s i c a l treatment of s i g n a l design, see r e f e r e n c e 2.

3 . 2 . 1 . 1 Range code.- The range code, which i s a b i n a r y analog waveform,

i s e f f e c t i v e l y summed with t h e o t h e r up-going information and phase modulated
onto t h e c a r r i e r .

3 . 2 . 1 . 2 Up-data.- The baseband up-data s i g n a l i s f i r s t frequency modulated

on a 70-kc s u b c a r r i e r , then summed w i t h t h e o t h e r up-going information and
phase modulated on t h e c a r r i e r .

-~
3.2.1.3 Voice.- The baseband voice s i g n a l i s f i r s t frequency modulated on
a 30-kc s u b c a r r i e r , t h e n summed with t h e o t h e r up-going information and phase
modulated on t h e c a r r i e r .

3.2.2 Down-link
The down-link modulation techniques for CSM and LEM a r e p r a c t i c a l l y
i d e n t i c a l . The CSM may transmit on two S-band c a r r i e r s simultaneously. The
m, however, may time share one c a r r i e r f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n of FM or PM modula­
t i o n . Considering both s p a c e c r a f t , t h r e e s e p a r a t e c a r r i e r f r e q u e n c i e s may be
received a t t h e ground, simultaneously. The v a r i o u s modulation parameters w i l l
be t r e a t e d i n t h e s e c t i o n on s i g n a l design.

~. - .

NOTE: 1. The o n l y d i f f e r e n c e between t h e up-links f o r CSM and LEM i s t h e

c a r r i e r frequency. The modulation techniques are i d e n t i c a l . The various
modulation parameters are t r e a t e d i n s e c t i o n 3 . 2 . 3 , S i g n a l Design.

12
 There a r e two f i n a l modulation processes i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t . These
processes a r e phase modulation and frequency modulation. Similar t o t h e up-link,
a phase-stable c a r r i e r component must a r r i v e a t t h e ground s t a t i o n f o r use i n
Doppler t r a c k i n g and f o r use by t h e narrow angle channels which p o i n t t h e
ground antenna. This c a r r i e r requirement implies narrow phase modulation f o r
some of t h e information l i n k s . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e c a r r i e r requirement implies
t h a t t h e L8M can not t r a n s m i t FM modulation when t r a c k i n g and ranging i s
r e q u i r e d by t h e ground. A s explained i n s e c t i o n 2.1, a s e p a r a t e frequency-
modulated c a r r i e r was chosen f o r t h e transmission of t e l e v i s i o n and c e r t a i n
o t h e r d a t a . C e r t a i n of t h e information s i g n a l s can be t r a n s m i t t e d only i n t h e
PM channel, and c e r t a i n o t h e r s i g n a l s can be t r a n s m i t t e d only i n t h e FM channel.
Some of t h e information s i g n a l s can be t r a n s m i t t e d i n e i t h e r channel. The
combination modes are s p e l l e d out e x p l i c i t l y i n t h e s i g n a l design s e c t i o n 3.2.3.

3 . 2 . 2 . 1 Range code.- The range code, having been recovered i n t h e space­

c r a f t , i s e f f e c t i v e l y summed with t h e o t h e r PM channel information and phase
modulated onto t h e down c a r r i e r . The range code i s r e s t r i c t e d t o t h e PM channel
only.

-
3 . 2 . 2 . 2 Pulse code modu1ate.d. telemetry. The PCM t e l e m e t r y s i g n a l , b i n a r y
coded, i s f i r s t phase modulated on a 1.024-mc s u b c a r r i e r . The modulated sub-
c a r r i e r may t h e n be e i t h e r summed with PM channel information and phase modu­
l a t e d on t h e down PM c a r r i e r or summed with FM channel information and
frequency modulated on t h e down FM c a r r i e r .

-
3 . 2 . 2 . 3 Voice. The baseband voice s i g n a l i s f i r s t frequency modulated on
a 1.25-mc s u b c a r r i e r . A s w i t h t h e PCM t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r , t h e voice sub-
c a r r i e r may be summed w i t h o t h e r information and be t r a n s m i t t e d through e i t h e r
t h e PM o r FM channel.

3 . 2 . 2 . 4 Biomedical t e l e m e t r y . - When employed, t h e biomedical t e l e m e t r y

baseband s i g n a l w i l l f i r s t be summed with t h e baseband voice s i g n a l . Then both
s i g n a l s w i l l be frequency modulated on a 1.25-mc s u b c a r r i e r ( t h e voice sub-
c a r r i e r ) . This modulated s u b c a r r i e r may then be t r a n s m i t t e d through e i t h e r t h e
PM o r FM channel.

3 . 2 . 2 . 5 T e l e v i s i o n . - The baseband t e l e v i s i o n s i g n a l i s summed with o t h e r

FM channel information and frequency modulated on t h e down c a r r i e r . T e l e v i s i o n
i s r e s t r i c t e d t o t h e FM channel only.

3 . 2 . 2 . 6 Emergency v o i c e . - The baseband voice s i g n a l i s phase modulated

d i r e c t l y on t h e c a r r i e r using a s u f f i c i e n t l y narrow d e v i a t i o n t o insure t h e
r e t e n t i o n of a phase-stable c a r r i e r - s p e c t r a l component f o r ground Doppler t r a c k .

3 . 2 . 2 . 7 Emergency key.- The keyed d-c s i g n a l i s a p p l i e d t o a d i g i t a l

"and" c i r c u i t , t o which i s a l s o a p p l i e d t h e 5112-kc square wave from t h e space­
c r a f t c e n t r a l timing equipment. The output of t h e "and" c i r c u i t , a keyed
5 l 2 - k ~square wave, i s t h e n band-pass f i l t e r e d t o give a keyed 5 l 2 - k ~ s u b c a r r i e r .
The keyed s u b c a r r i e r i s phase modulated on t h e c a r r i e r using a narrow enough
phase d e v i a t i o n t o maximize t h e f i r s t order s i d e product and t o i n s u r e r e t e n t i o n
of a phase-stable c a r r i e r - s p e c t r a l component f o r ground Doppler t r a c k .
 3.2.2.8 -
Recorded P.P-fte1kmet-r~. The recorded PCM t e l e m e t r y s i g n a l i s
bi-phase modulated on a 1 . 0 2 6 ~s u b c a r r i e r . This i s not t h e same s u b c a r r i e r
used f o r real-time telemetry. The modulated s u b c a r r i e r may t h e n be summed w i t h
o t h e r information and t r a n s m i t t e d through e i t h e r t h e F'M or PM channel. The
s u b c a r r i e r f o r recorded t e l e m e t r y cannot be t r a n s m i t t e d through t h e sane
c a r r i e r channel as t h a t c a r r y i n g t h e r e a l - t i m e t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r .

3.2.2.9 -
Recorded voice. The recorded voice s i g n a l i s frequency modulated
on a 1 . 2 5 mc s u b c a r r i e r . This i s not t h e same s u b c a r r i e r used f o r real-time
voice. Because of base-bandwidth considerations, t h e r e l a y e d EVA biomedical
d a t a cannot be summed w i t h recorded voice. The modulated s u b c a r r i e r may be
summed with o t h e r information and t r a n s m i t t e d through e i t h e r t h e PM or FM
channel. A s wkth recorded telemetry, recorded voice and real-time voice cannot
be t r a n s m i t t e d through t h e same c a r r i e r channel.

3.2.3 S i g n a l Design
It has been s t a t e d p r e v i o u s l y ( s e e . 3 . 2 . 2 ) t h a t f o r t h e down l i n k c e r t a i n
information f u n c t i o n s are r e s t r i c t e d t o PM only o r FM only, while some f u n c t i o n s
can be t r a n s m i t t e d e i t h e r way. There a r e many p o s s i b l e combinations of t r a n s ­
missions. The choice of t h e various modulation parameters f o r t h e s e combina­
t i o n s i s r e f e r r e d t o , here, as s i g n a l design. A t t h i s time, f i r s t c u t s i g n a l
design and o p t i m i z a t i o n f o r both t h e up and t h e down l i n k s have been performed
by t h e prime c o n t r a c t o r s f o r CSM and LEM, r e s p e c t i v e l y .

-
3.2.3.1 Combination m>-des. It i s necessary t o d e s i g n a t e a l l t h e p o s s i b l e
transmission modes, both f o r t h e up- and t h e down-links. This i s done i n
table I11 for t h e up-link. Table I V does not l i s t a l l t h e p o s s i b l e combinations
f o r t h e down-link, but l i s t s most of those o f L i n t e r e s t . Table IV, a l s o i n d i c a t e s
which modes use t h e s p a c e c r a f t high power f i n a l a m p l i f i e r s (PA) and which modes
r e s u l t f o r use of t h e PM e x c i t e r only.

--
3 . 2 . 3 . 2 Modulation parameters.- For t h e purposes of Volume I, t h e
modulation parameters t o be t r e a t e d a r e s u b c a r r i e r f r e q u e n c i e s and v a r i o u s
modulation i n d i c e s . There a r e s e v e r a l s e p a r a t e sets of modulation i n d i c e s f o r
t h i s system; those of t h e information on t h e subca,rriers,and t h o s e of t h e sub-
c a r r i e r s on t h e c a r r i e r s . A t t h i s time c o n t r a c t o r s have derived s e t s of modu­
l a t i o n i n d i c e s . It i s intended t h a t Volume 111 w i l l p r e s e n t a t h i r d set of
i n d i c e s , derived and optimized by NASA-MSC. Table V p r e s e n t s only t h e sub-
c a r r i e r frequencies, l e a v i n g t h e i n d i c e s f o r Volume 111.

3.2.3.3 Modulated
----. -
spectra. The modulation modes described i n
s e c t i o n 3 . 2 . 3 a r e best i l l u s t x t e d through p l o t s of energy d e n s i t y a g a i n s t
frequency. The s p e c t r a of i n t e r e s t a r e those f o r t h e i n d i v i d u a l up-links,
i n d i v i d u a l d a m - l i n k s , and t h e dual up-links and down-links where a l l channels
are a c t i v e . The d u a l l i n k p l o t s show haw t h e s p e c t r a f o r both s p a c e c r a f t f i t
together .
It should be noted that t h e s e s p e c t r a l p l o t s have not been mathematically
computed. The p l o t s are approximations and a r e used here as i l l u s t r a t i o n .
Figure 4 d e p i c t s t h e energy spectrum of a n i n d i v i d u a l up-link; t h a t is, a
c a r r i e r of frequency f o phase-modulated by a pseudo-random ranging code p l u s

14

a voice and a n up-data s u b c a r r i e r . It can be seen t h a t t h e f i r s t order products

f o r t h e voice and up-data s u b c a r r i e r s appear 30 and 70 k i l o c y c l e s away from t h e
c e n t r a l c a r r i e r spike, r e s p e c t i v e l y . The range code s p e c t r a l envelope has t h e
s i n squared of X over X squared shape with n u l l s every megacycle. The envelope
i s a c t u a l l y f i l l e d w i t h f i n e s t r u c t u r e defined by t h e l e n g t h s of t h e v a r i o u s
sub-codes making up t h e range code. This f i n e s t r u c t u r e i s neglected f o r
c l a r i t y . Figure 5 r e p r e s e n t s a d u a l up-link, w i t h two of t h e i n d i v i d u a l up­
l i n k s p e c t r a separated i n frequency. The frequency s e p a r a t i o n i s determined
by t h e s e p a r a t i o n of t h e two s p a c e c r a f t phase-modulated c a r r i e r s and t h e
240/221 frequency turnaround r a t i o of t h e s p a c e c r a f t transponder. The s p e c t r a
a r e of i d e n t i c a l form, although t h e information content of each may be d i f f e r e n t .

Figure 6 shows t h e CSM down-link having a phase-modulated c a r r i e r a t

frequency f o and a frequency-modulated c a r r i e r a t frequency f o The .
1 2
frequency s e p a r a t i o n between t h e two c a r r i e r s i s kept t o 15 megacycles, minimum,
due t o s p a c e c r a f t c i r c u l a t o r design. The t e l e v i s i o n envelope i s always asso­
c i a t e d with t h e FM c a r r i e r . The range code envelope i s always a s s o c i a t e d with
t h e PM c a r r i e r . The two s u b c a r r i e r s bearing r e a l - t i m e voice and t e l e m e t r y
information may be a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e PM c a r r i e r and t h e t w o s u b c a r r i e r s
bearing recorded voice and t e l e m e t r y information may be a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e
FM c a r r i e r , o r v i c e v e r s a .

Figure 6 shows t h e LEM down-link s p e c t r a . Since no requirement d i c t a t e s

t h a t t h e LEM t r a n s m i t simultaneous FM and PM modulation, time sharing of t h e
c a r r i e r by t h e ranging code and t e l e v i s i o n i s used. It should be noted,
however, t h a t t e l e v i s i o n i s t r a n s m i t t e d only when convenient and never a t t h e
expense of ranging.

Since t h e LEM c a r r i e s no tape recorder only one s e t of s u b c a r r i e r s f o r

voice and t e l e m e t r y i s used. A s f i g u r e 6 shows, t h e s u b c a r r i e r s may be
t r a n s m i t t e d simultaneously w i t h e i t h e r t h e ranging code o r t h e t e l e v i s i o n .

Figure 7 shows t h e d u a l down-link s p e c t r a . The upper spectrum i n t h e

f i g u r e shows t h e LEN t r a n s m i t t i n g a coherent c a r r i e r with PM modulation, and
t h e CSM t r a n s m i t t i n g both t h e coherent and non-coherent c a r r i e r s with PM and
FM modulation, r e s p e c t i v e l y . The lower spectrum of f i g u r e 7 shows t h e LE34
t r a n s m i t t i n g a non-coherent c a r r i e r with frequency modulation, and t h e CSM
t r a n s m i t t i n g both c a r r i e r s as i n t h e upper spectrum. The CSM s p e c t r a of
f i g u r e 7 i n d i c a t e simultaneous transmission of f o u r s u b c a r r i e r s . When t h i s
mode of transmission i s used, two of t h e s u b c a r r i e r s are modulated by real-time
voice and t e l e m e t r y information and t h e remaining two a r e modulated by recorded
voice and t e l e m e t r y information. However, when recorded information i s not
t r a n s m i t t e d , t h e real-time voice and t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r s may be a s s o c i a t e d
w i t h e i t h e r t h e coherent or non-coherent c a r r i e r of t h e CSM s p e c t r a .

A m e r i t of t h e f o u r s u b c a r r i e r c o n f i g u r a t i o n i s t h a t f o r t h e m a j o r i t y of
time when recorded d a t a i s not t r a n s m i t t e d , t h e two s u b c a r r i e r s a s s o c i a t e d
with recorded d a t a a r e a v a i l a b l e t o s a t i s f y any f u t u r e a d d i t i o n a l d a t a comuni­
c a t i o n requirements.
 Figure 8 shows a n i n d i v i d u a l dawn-emergency voice l i n k , w i t h base band
voice narrow-phase modulated onto t h e c a r r i e r .

Figure 9 shows an i n d i v i d u a l dawn.emergency key l i n k , w i t h t h e keyed

s u b c a r r i e r narrow-phase modulated onto t h e c a r r i e r .

3.3 Spacecraft Subsystem Configuration

The previous s e c t i o n s of t h i s r e p o r t o u t l i n e d t h e b a s i c ground and
s p a c e c r a f t systems c o n f i g u r a t i o n s as w e l l as t h e type of s i g n a l s and information
t o be t r a n s m i t t e d t o and from t h e s p a c e c r a f t . This s e c t i o n w i l l be concerned
with t h e d e t a i l e d d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e s p a c e c r a f t equipment used f o r t h e p e r f o r ­
mance of the’telecommunication and t r a c k i n g f u n c t i o n s .

The LFM S-band subsystem i s very similar t o t h a t of t h e CSM i n a systems

sense. However, as p r e v i o u s l y pointed out, t h e LEM does not transmit recorded
voice o r recorded telemetry. A l s o , the LEM uses one c a r r i e r frequency f o r
transmission t o t h e ground, time s h a r i n g F’M and PM modulation. The CSM,
however, uses two independent c a r r i e r s , one f o r FM and t h e o t h e r f o r PM modu­
l a t i o n . Since t h e s e c a r r i e r s may be t r a n s m i t t e d simultaneously, recorded
voice and t e l e m e t r y may be t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e ground along with real-time voice
and telemetry, and t h e o t h e r f u n c t i o n s described i n s e c t i o n 3.2.2. The
following d e s c r i p t i o n i s f o r t h e CSM; however, a similar d e s c r i p t i o n holds f o r
t h e LFM.

The s p a c e c r a f t subsystems used f o r S-band telecommunications and t r a c k i n g

a r e divided f u n c t i o n a l l y as follows:

1. Premodulat i o n proce s s o r

2. Transponder

3. Power a m p l i f i e r

4. Antennas

These subsystems are discussed i n d i v i d u a l l y i n some d e t a i l . I n a d d i t i o n , block

diagrams are given t o a i d t h e r e a d e r i n understanding t h e operation of t h e s e
subsystem elements. Figure 10 shows t h e complete s p a c e c r a f t S-band subsystem.

3.3.1 Premodulation Processor

The premodulation processor i s a s i g n a l processor which f u n c t i o n s t o
accomplish t h e following: (1) s i g n a l modulation and s i g n a l mixing of t h e
information t o be t r a n s m i t t e d from t h e spacecraft-to-ground, with t h e exception
of t h e ranging code, and ( 2 ) demodulation of t h e up-link voice and up-data.
This subsystem element c o n s i s t s of a number of f i l t e r s , s u b c a r r i e r o s c i l l a t o r s ,
mixing networks, and a number of switches used f o r s e l e c t i o n of t h e proper
modulation technique f o r any given mode. The block diagram shown i n f i g u r e 11
o u t l i n e s t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h i s subsystem. A s shown, t h e premodulation processor
has two outputs. These outputs a r e f o r frequency and phase modulation, respec­
t i v e l y , and are r o u t e d t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t transponder. The PM output can be

16

I
broken down i n t o f o u r d i f f e r e n t s i g n a l s . These s i g n a l s which can only be t r a n s ­
m i t t e d i n d i v i d u a l l y , are 51.2 k i l o b i t s . p e r second (kbs) or 1.6 kbs real-time
t e l e m e t r y plus normal voice and biomedical data; or recorded PCM t e l e m e t r y
( a t 31.2 or 1 . 6 k b s ) p l u s recorded voice; or emergency voice, or emergency key.
The FM output can be broken dawn i n t o two d i f f e r e n t s i g n a l s which can only be
t r a n s m i t t e d i n d i v i d u a l l y , and are t e l e v i s i o n p l u s r e a l - t i m e t e l e m e t r y (31.2 or
1.6 kbs) plus normal voice and biomedical data; or t e l e v i s i o n p l u s recorded
t e l e m e t r y (51.2 or 1 . 6 k b s ) p l u s recorded voice.

The v a r i o u s types of information which are combined i n t h e mixing networks

t o produce t h e v a r i o u s premodulation processor outputs are derived from various
sources which a r e i n d i c a t e d on t h e l e f t hand s i d e of f i g u r e 11. The processing
of each of t h e s e d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of information i s discussed i n d i v i d u a l l y .

-
Pulse code modulation (non-return t o zero) data,
kbs r a t e , i s derived from t h e s p a c e c r a f t PCM
equipment and may e i t h e r be recorded or t r a n s m i t t e d i n real time. Whether
played back from t h e r e c o r d e r or t r a n s m i t t e d i n real time, t h e t e l e m e t r y
information i s processed by one of t h e following methods.

3.3.1.1.1 PM. The PCM d a t a i s routed t o t h e bi-phase modulator where t h e

bi-phase modulation i s accomplished. That i s , t h e ones and zeros of t h e PCM
d a t a are d i g i t a l l y combined w i t h a 1.024-mc square wave s u b c a r r i e r . The output
of t h e bi-phase modulator goes through a bandpass f i l t e r and i s routed t o t h e
PM mixing network where it may be summed with o t h e r d a t a f o r modulation on t h e
main c a r r i e r and t r a n s m i s s i o n t o e a r t h . I n t h i s case t h e sLrmmation of t h e PCM
s u b c a r r i e r and t h e o t h e r d a t a i s t r a n s m i t t e d t o e a r t h v i a a PM modulated
carrier.

3 . 3 . 1 . 1 . 2 F!M. The PCM d a t a i s a g a i n routed t o t h e bi-phase modulator

where modulation i s accomplished. Then, t h e 1.024-mc s u b c a r r i e r i s routed t o
t h e F'M mixing network where it may be summed w i t h one or with a combination of
o t h e r s i g n a l s (such as voice, TV, e t c e t e r a ) . The composite waveform i s then
routed t o t h e S-band transponder and subsequently t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e ground on
a n F'M c a r r i e r .

3.3.1.1.3 Recorded t e l e m e t r y . During t h e time period t h a t r e a l time

t e l e m e t r y t r a n s m i s s i o n i s not p o s s i b l e (while t h e s p a c e c r a f t i s behind t h e moon,
f o r example)-the premodulation processor provides switching of t h e PCM d a t a t o
t h e d a t a s t o r a g e equipment where t h e d a t a can be recorded. When transmission
becomes p o s s i b l e , t h a t d a t a can be played back through t h e d a t a storage equip­
ment i n p u t shown i n f i g u r e 11, and processed through t h e recorded t e l e m e t r y
channel using e i t h e r PM o r PM, as discussed previously. A s t h e f i g u r e shows,
t h e r e a l time and recorded PCM d a t a can not be t r a n s m i t t e d through t h e same
channel. The d a t a can, however, be t r a n s m i t t e d simultaneously ,one s e t on
F'M and t h e o t h e r s e t on PM.

The r e a l time and recorded t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r s have t h e same frequency;

both are derived f r o m t h e 512 kc PCM clock equipment by doubling t h e clock
frequency. This i s a convenient and less complicated way (from a n equipment
s t a n d p o i n t ) t o produce a r e l i a b l e s u b c a r r i e r .
 3.3.1.2 Voice.- A s s h m i n f i g u r e 11, t h e r e are two d i f f e r e n t channels
i n t h e premodulation processor which are used f o r t h e processing of voice
signals. One channel a c c e p t s voice s i g n a l s from e i t h e r t h e s p a c e c r a f t audio
c e n t e r o r t h e VHF/AM r e c e i v e r (which r e c e i v e s voice s i g n a l s from t h e a s t r o n a u t ' s
s p a c e s u i t t r a n s c e i v e r ) . The o t h e r channel a c c e p t s voice s i g n a l s from t h e data-
s t o r a g e equipment where voice i s recorded during such p e r i o d s when real-time
voice transmission i s not p o s s i b l e . The channel which i s used f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n
of real-time voice o p e r a t e s i n a p a r t y l i n e f a s h i o n whenever one a s t r o n a u t i s
o u t s i d e t h e s p a c e c r a f t , t h e o t h e r i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t and both wish t o communicate
w i t h t h e ground s t a t i o n s . This p a r t y l i n e channel employs a voice operated
transmission (VOX) push-to-talk (PTT) mechanism which i s operated by t h e
a s t r o n a u t i n t$e s p a c e c r a f t . Thus, t h e a s t r o n a u t who i s i n s i d e t h e s p a c e c r a f t
may override t h e voice of t h e a s t r o n a u t who i s o u t s i d e , although both may be
l i s t e n i n g t o voice s i g n a l s from t h e ground s t a t i o n . Upon s e l e c t i o n of t h e
source, t h e voice information i s r o u t e d t o t h e VOX-NO-VOX c o n t r o l , t h e n t o a
c l i p p e r and mixing network, and f i n a l l y modulated on t h e 1 . 2 5 mc voice sub-
c a r r i e r . The s u b c a r r i e r with t h e voice information (and, a t times, biomedical
data), i s then routed t o e i t h e r t h e FM o r PM mixing network and f i n a l l y t o t h e
transponder f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n t o e a r t h .

The recorded voice information, when t r a n s m i t t e d , i s obtained from t h e

tape recorder, r o u t e d t o a f i l t e r , and modulated on a 1 . 2 5 mc voltage c o n t r o l l e d
o s c i l l a t o r . This modulated s u b c a r r i e r i s t h e n r o u t e d t o e i t h e r t h e FM or PM
mixing network and f i n a l l y , t o t h e transponder f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n t o e a r t h . It
should be noted that t h e real-time voice and recorded-voice s u b c a r r i e r s a r e
not t r a n s m i t t e d simultaneously through t h e FM o r t h e PM channel. A s t h e f i g u r e
shows, t h e switch p r i o r t o t h e mixing networks allows transmission of real-
time voice v i a t h e PM channel and recorded voice v i a t h e F'M channel, o r v i c e
versa.

-
3.3.1.3 B i o m e d i c a l d a t a . During e x t r a - v e h i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s of t h e
a s t r o n a u t s (such as walking on t h e s u r r a c e of t h e moon) some biomedical i n f o r ­
mation w i l l be r e q u i r e d by t h e ground s t a t i o n . This information w i l l be
t r a n s m i t t e d from t h e a s t r o n a u t ' s s p a c e s u i t , v i a t h e s u i t VHF-AM t r a n s c e i v e r ,
and received on t h e s p a c e c r a f t t r a n s c e i v e r . I n t u r n , t h e output of t h e space­
c r a f t t r a n s c e i v e r , c o n s i s t i n g of t h e composite of seven s u b c a r r i e r s with t h e i r
biomedical information, i s routed t o a f i l t e r (high-pass) and t h e n t o a mixing
network where it i s summed with voice information d e r i v e d from one of t h e sources
discussed previously. The composite output modulates t h e 1.25-mc s u b c a r r i e r
which i s then routed t o t h e FM or PM mtxing networks of t h e processor.

-
3.3.1.4 Television. The t e l e v i s i o n information i s derived from t h e
onboard t e l e v i s i o n equipment and i s routed t o t h e FM mixing network. There,
t h e t e l e v i s i o n information i s summed with voice o r telemetry, or both, and t h e
composite s i g n a l i s routed t o t h e transponder for transmission.

3.3.1.5 Ehergency_.voice.- I n case of a f a i l u r e i n t h e s p a c e c r a f t power

a m p l i f i e r or high-gain antenna, t h e e f f e c t i v e R F power output decreases
s i g n i f i c a n t l y . This a c t i o n r e s u l t s i n a n emergency s i t u a t i o n s o f a r as
communications are concerned. Under t h i s c o n d i t i o n a n emergency voice mode i s
used. I n t h i s mode, voice from one of t h e t h r e e sources described previously,

18
i s chosen, and t h e information i s routed t o t h e VOX-NO-VOX mechanism, t h e
c l i p p e r , and t h e n d i r e c t l y t o t h e transponder phase modulator, completely
by-passing t h e mixing network i n t h e premodulation processor.

3.3.1.6 Emergency key.- I n t h e event of failure of t h e voice-transmission

channel, an emergency key mode w i l l be used. The key mode employs a hand-keyed
Morse code s i g n a l from t h e audio c e n t e r and 5 l 2 - k ~ square wave from t h e c e n t r a l
timing equipment (CTE). The code and t h e 5 l 2 - k ~ s i g n a l a r e routed t o a n "and"
c i r c u i t through a band-pass f i l t e r , and t h e n d i r e c t l y t o t h e transponder-phase
modulator, bypassing t h e r e s t of t h e premodulation processor c i r c u i t r y . The
emergency key w i l l appear as a keyed 5 l 2 - k ~s u b c a r r i e r on t h e down-link
spectrum.

-
3.3.1.7 Data s t o r a g e equipment. Although t h e d a t a s t o r a g e equipment (DSE)
i s not a p a r t of t h e premodulation processor, t h i s equipment i s described very
b r i e f l y i n t h i s s e c t i o n , s i n c e DSE outputs a r e d i r e c t l y routed t o t h e premodu­
l a t i o n processor under some circumstances.

The d a t a storage equipment i s used f o r recording of voice and PCM telemetry.

Storage of one or both t a k e s place when normal t r a n s m i s s i o n i s not possible;,
f o r example, when t h e s p a c e c r a f t i s behind t h e moon o r when t h e s p a c e c r a f t i s
employing a transmission mode which can not be immediately i n t e r r u p t e d f o r
transmission of o t h e r information.

The onboard DSE has t h e c a p a b i l i t y t o record 51.2 or 1 . 6 kbs t e l e m e t r y

I
and about 4-
2
hours of voice information. When playback occurs, a patch panel
allows t h e analog voice t o be played i n t o t h e normal voice transmission channel;
that i s , t h e frequency modulated s u b c a r r i e r o s c i l l a t o r ( f = 1 . 2 5 mc). When t h e
PCM information i s played back, t h e d a t a stream from t h e DSE i s introduced t o
t h e bi-phase modulator where it i s processed i d e n t i c a l l y as i n t h e normal
transmission of PCM telemetry.

3.3.1.8 Up-data and v o i c e . - I n a d d i t i o n t o processing t h e information t o

be t r a n s m i t t e d from t h e s p a c e c r a f t t o ground, t h e premodulation processor
~

performs t h e demodulation of t h e up-data and- up-voice s u b c a r r i e r s . As shown

i n f i g u r e 11, t h e r e are two demodulators which accept i n p u t s from t h e t r a n s ­
ponder and recover t h e up-link channels.

3.3.2 Transponder
The Apollo s p a c e c r a f t transponder c o n s i s t s of t h r e e b a s i c p a r t s , namely
t h e r e c e i v e r and two t r a n s m i t t e r e x c i t e r s . This subsystem a c c e p t s a l l o u t p u t s
from t h e premodulation processor, performs t h e f i n a l modulation process, and
t r a n s m i t s t h e information t o t h e ground. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e transponder r e c e i v e s
a l l of t h e i n f o m a t i o n from t h e ground systems, recovers and t u r n s around t h e
range code, and r o u t e s t h e voice and up-data s u b c a r r i e r s t o t h e premodrilation
processor. Thus, as far as t h e u n i f i e d S-band system i s concerned, t h e t r a n s ­
ponder performs t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n and r e c e p t i o n f u n c t i o n s onboard t h e command
and s e r v i c e module and t h e l u n a r excursion module. The u n i f i e d S-band t r a n s ­
ponder i s shown i n f i g u r e 12. It i s necessary a t t h i s p o i n t t o d i s c u s s t h e
o p e r a t i o n of t h e transponder w i t h r e s p e c t t o t r a n s m i s s i o n and r e c e p t i o n of
information i n t h e v a r i o u s modes discussed elsewhere i n t h i s r e p o r t .
 3.3.2.1 Reception.- The ground t o s p a c e c r a f t s i g n a l c o n t a i n s i t s f u l l
baseband information, having range code, up-data s u b c a r r i e r , and voice sub-
c a r r i e r phase modulated onto t h e c a r r i e r . The RF s i g n a l e n t e r s t h e transponder
a t t h e p r e s e l e c t o r and i s routed t o a balanced mixer. There it i s mixed w i t h
t h e output of t h e c a r r i e r loop VCO which has been f i l t e r e d and frequency
m u l t i p l i e d by 34. The output of t h e balanced mixer i s t h e n routed t o t h e f i r s t
I F a m p l i f i e r . I n t h e I F channel t h e amplitude of t h e s i g n a l i s c o n t r o l l e d by
t h e automatic g a i n c o n t r o l (AGC) s i g n a l which i s derived from t h e AGC d e t e c t o r
as shown i n f i g u r e 12. The output of t h e f i r s t I F i s routed t o t h e second
d e t e c t o r where it i s mixed w i t h t h e output of t h e c a r r i e r loop VCO which has
been frequency-multiplied by two. A s shown, t h e second d e t e c t o r has two
outputs. One of t h e s e o u t p u t s i s routed t o an a m p l i f i e r and f i l t e r (second I F ) .
The o t h e r f e e d s two channels. The f i r s t channel c o n s i s t s of a n AGC d e t e c t o r
which f e e d s a n AGC a m p l i f i e r f i l t e r which, i n t u r n , c o n t r o l s t h e g a i n of t h e
f i r s t I F a m p l i f i e r . The second channel c o n s i s t s of a hard l i m i t e r which d r i v e s
t h e c a r r i e r t r a c k i n g phase d e t e c t o r . The output of t h e c a r r i e r t r a c k i n g phase
d e t e c t o r i s bandwidth l i m i t e d by t h e I F f i l t e r . This output i s f e d through a
f i l t e r t o the c o n t r o l p o i n t on t h e VCO, t h u s causing t h e o s c i l l a t o r t o maintain
phase coherence w i t h t h e incoming s i g n a l .

As f i g u r e 12 shows,there i s a second output obtained from t h e second

d e t e c t o r , i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e one described above, which i s routed t o a second
I F l i m i t i n g a m p l i f i e r and t h e n a wideband d e t e c t o r . The o t h e r i n p u t t o t h e
d e t e c t o r i s obtained by d i v i d i n g t h e c a r r i e r loop VCO frequency by two. The
wideband d e t e c t o r provides two o u t p u t s which a r e i d e n t i c a l . One of t h e o u t p u t s
i s routed t o a l o w pass f i l t e r , l a b l e d " f i l t e r and a m p l i f i e r , " where t h e voice
and up-data s u b c a r r i e r s a r e separated from t h e range code. The output of t h i s
f i l t e r i s t h e n routed t o t h e premodulation p r o c e s s o r f o r demodulation of t h e
two s u b c a r r i e r s . The o t h e r output of t h e wideband d e t e c t o r i s routed t o t h e
PM t r a n s m i t t e r e x c i t e r where it i s modulated on t h e down l i n k c a r r i e r and
t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e ground.

3.3.2.2 Transmission.- A s shown i n f i g u r e 12, t h e transponder t r a n s m i t t e r

has been broken down i n t o t h e PM e x c i t e r and t h e FM e x c i t e r . A s t h e names
i n d i c a t e , t h e PM e x c i t e r i s used f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n in t h e phase-modulation modes
and t h e FM e x c i t e r i s used f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n i n t h e frequency-modulation modes.
The PM e x c i t e r d e r i v e s i t s down-link c a r r i e r from t h e transponder c a r r i e r
t r a c k i n g VCO. This i s done so t h a t t h e ground t r a n s m i t t e d and received c a r r i e r s
a r e phase coherent. This phase coherence i s necessary f o r maintaining two-way
Doppler t r a c k a t t h e ground s t a t i o n . The VCO output, mentioned previously,
i s denoted i n t h e f i g u r e as and i s r o u t e d t o t h e f i r s t - p h a s e modulator
fo
of t h e FM ' e x c i t e r , through an RF g a t e and an X4 m u l t i p l i e r . A s shown, t h e
o t h e r input t o t h e phase modulator i s t h e output of t h e wideband d e t e c t o r ,
described i n t h e previous s e c t i o n . The range code and t h e up-data and voice
s u b c a r r i e r s e n t e r t h e phase modulator through a video g a t e , and a r e phase
modulated onto t h e c a r r i e r (X4f0). The output of t h e f i r s t - p h a s e modulator i s
then routed t o a second-phase modulator where t h e c a r r i e r ( X 4 f ) i s f u r t h e r
0
modulated by t h e information derived from t h e PM mixing network of t h e premod­
u l a t i o n processor. Under normal t r a n s m i s s i o n c o n d i t i o n s t h i s information
c o n s i s t s of voice or PCM telemetry, o r both. For non-nominal t r a n s m i s s i o n

20

c o n d i t i o n s t h e i n p u t t o t h e second phase modulator c o n s i s t s of e i t h e r voice

information or t h e emergency key s i g n a l , which have been d i s c u s s e d previously.
I n any case, t h e output of t h e second phase modulator i s r o u t e d t o a n a m p l i f i e r ,
a m u l t i p l i e r chain, an i s o l a t o r , and a n output f i l t e r . The output of t h i s
f i l t e r , as explained i n s e c t i o n 3.3.2.3 provides one of t h e i n p u t s t o t h e
S-band power a m p l i f i e r subsystem f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n t o t h e ground. Unlike t h e
PM e x c i t e r , t h e FM e x c i t e r d e r i v e s i t s c a r r i e r from a s e l f - c o n t a i n e d L-C
o s c i l l a t o r . The o s c i l l a t o r s i g n a l i s frequency modulated by t h e output i n f o r ­
mation of t h e FM mixing network of t h e premodulation processor. This informa­
t i o n has been d e s c r i b e d i n s e c t i o n 3.3. l. A f t e r modulation, t h e output of
t h e L-C o s c i l l a t o r i s r o u t e d t o a b u f f e r a m p l i f i e r and a mixer. Also routed
t o t h e mixer i s t h e output of a c r y s t a l o s c i l l a t o r which i s t h e b a s i c frequency
reference of t h e FM t r a n s m i t t e r e x c i t e r . The output of t h e mixer i s routed t o
an a m p l i f i e r , a power a m p l i f i e r , a c h a i n of v a r a c t o r m u l t i p l i e r s , a l o a d
i s o l a t o r , and a n output f i l t e r . The output of t h i s f i l t e r provides t h e second
i n p u t t o t h e S-band power a m p l i f i e r c i r c u l a t o r arrangement, which w i l l be
explained i n t h e next s e c t i o n . The r e a d e r should pay s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n t o t h e
f a c t t h a t t h e FM and PM c a r r i e r f r e q u e n c i e s f o r t h e command and s e r v i c e module
are d i f f e r e n t from t h o s e of t h e l u n a r excursion module. This has been explained
i n t h e s i g n a l d e s i g n s e c t i o n of t h i s r e p o r t . For t h i s reason t h e c a r r i e r loop
VCO frequency and t h e L-C o s c i l l a t o r frequency of t h e command and s e r v i c e module
w i l l be d i f f e r e n t from t h o s e of t h e l u n a r excursion module. Othcr t h a n t h e s e
d i f f e r e n c e s , t h e o p e r a t i o n and d e s i g n philosophy of t h e two transponders are
t h e same.

3.3.2.3 _-- S-band power a m p l i f i e r . - A s d i s c u s s e d i n t h e previous s e c t i o n ,

t h e transponder performs t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n and r e c e p t i o n f u n c t i o n s f o r t h e space­
c r a f t . Therefore, f a i l u r e of t h i s subsystem element r e s u l t s i n loss of commu­
i c a t i o n s and, consequently, l a c k of ground knowledge of t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e
s p a c e c r a f t and p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n of the a s t r o n a u t s . For t h i s reason redundancy
i n t h e transponder i s mandatory. A d d i t i o n a l l y , s i n c e simultaneous PM and FM
t r a n s m i s s i o n from t h e s p a c e c r a f t i s used, as discussed elsewhere i n t h i s r e p o r t ,
a power a m p l i f i e r c i r c u l a t o r arrangement has been devised which w i l l enable
t h e s p a c e c r a f t t o t r a n s m i t b o t h FM and PM s i g n a l s a t t h e s a m e time. The power
a m p l i f i e r c i r c u l a t o r u n i t , a l o n g w i t h a transponder and i t s redundant u n i t , i s
shown i n f i g u r e 13. The r e a d e r w i l l note from t h i s f i g u r e t h a t t h e power
a m p l i f i e r c o n t a i n s a redundant u n i t . The redundant u n i t can be a c t i v a t e d by a
switch i n case of f a i l u r e i n t h e primary u n i t o r when h i g h power FM and PM
s i g n a l s are t r a n s m i t t e d simultaneously.

A s shown, t h e PM o u t p u t of t h e transponder may be r o u t e d d i r e c t l y t o t h e

c i r c u l a t o r without e n t e r i n g t h e power a m p l i f i e r . T h i s r o u t i n g i s p o s s i b l e only
when low power modes are t r a n s m i t t e d via t h e PM channel. If high power PM modes
are r e q u i r e d , t h e n t h e PM s i g n a l can be routed t o t h e power a m p l i f i e r ; i n a l l
c a s e s , t h e FM output of t h e transponder must go through t h e power a m p l i f i e r ,
s i n c e a l l FM modes r e q u i r e h i g h power. It should be noted t h a t t h e power
a m p l i f i e r s used are n o t l i n e a r . For t h i s reason it may n o t be p r a c t i c a l t o sum
t h e FN and PM o u t p u t s of t h e transponder p r i o r t o , and t r a n s m i t t h e composite
s i g n a l through, t h e same power a m p l i f i e r . Because of t h e importance of t h e
information t r a n s m i t t e d v i a t h e PM channel of t h e system, t h i s channel has
p r i o r i t y over t h e FM channel. Therefore, i n case of a f a i l u r e i n one of t h e

21

 power a m p l i f i e r s it i s l i k e l y t h a t t h e high p m e r PPI modes w i l l be implemented

acd t r a n s m i s s i o n of FN information w i l l be terminated. The power a m p l i f i e r s
a r e t r a v e l i n g wave tubes ( W )which may be d r i v e n t o provide two power l e v e l
outputs. One output i s 5 w a t t s and t h c o t h e r 20 w a t t s . The low-power output
w i l l be used during mission periods when t h e communication d a t a load i s low.
The high-power output w i l l be used f o r f u l l bandwidth t r a n s m i s s i o n from deep
space and l u n a r d i s t a n c e s .

3.3.2.4 Antennas.- A t t h i s time t h e r e i s v e r y l i t t l e information a v a i l a b l e

on t h e s p a c e c r a f t antennas. Therefore, t h i s s e c t i o n w i l l d e s c r i b e t h e space­
c r a f t antennas as t h e y are s p e c i f i e d .

There a r e two d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of antennas on board t h e s p a c e c r a f t which

w i l l be used f o r communications a t S-band f r e q u e n c i e s . These a r e a high-gain
d i r e c t i o n a l antenna and a n omnidirectional antenna. The high-gain antenna w i l l
be used f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n from deep space and l u n a r d i s t a n c e s , while t h e omni­
d i r e c t i o n a l antenna w i l l be used f o r communications a t n e a r - e a r t h d i s t a n c e s as
w e l l as a back-up t o t h e high-gain antenna i n case of f a i l u r e . The high-gain
d i r e c t i o n a l antenna w i l l have t h e c a p a b i l i t y of t r a n s m i t t i n g and r e c e i v i n g
s i g n a l s of bandwidths up t o 200 me a t f r e q u e n c i e s between 2 . 0 gigacycles ( g c )
and 2.4 gc. This antenna w i l l be right-hand c i r c u l a r l y p o l a r i z e d and w i l l have
a power handling c a p a b i l i t y of 20 w a t t s . The high-gain d i r e c t i o n a l antenna w i l l
be capable of o p e r a t i n g a t t h r e e beamwidths. The half-power beamwidths and
corresponding g a i n s a r e as follows:

40" - 12 db
16" - 20 db
6.5" - 28 db

The omnidircc-Lionalantennas w i l l have a power handling c a p a b i l i t y of 20 watts

and a. nominal g a i n of zero d e c i b e l s .

3.Lt Ground Subsystems

3.4.1 General Configuration

Figure 2 w a s a highJy s i m p l i f i e d block diagram of t h e b a s i c , non-redundant,
ground system capable of supporting one spacecraft.. The f i g w e provided a
u s e f u l conceptual i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e system. However, t h e r e a l , p h y s i c a l
system i s not s o e a s i l y separable i n t o d i s t i n c t blocks, s i n c e t h e t r a n s m i t t e r ,
r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r , and ranging c i r c u i t r y a r e r a t h e r i n t r i c a t e l y t i e d
t o g e t h e r . Figure 1 4 breaks down, more e x a c t l y , i n t o one r e f e r e n c e channel
receiver,, one angle channel r e c e i v e r , t h e t r a n s m i t t e r , ranging c i r c u i t r y , d a t a
demodulation and premodulation c i r c u i t r y , and a c q u i s i t i o n and programing
c i r c u i t r y i n o r d e r t o show e x p l i c i t l y t h e i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n s of t h e -7arious p a r t s .
Since t h e r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r s a r e i d e n t i c a l , and t h e angle channel
r e c e i v e r s a r e i d e n t i c a l , f i g u r e l b shows t h e minimum blocks necessary f o r a n
understanding of t h e system o p e r a t i o n . It should be recognized t h a t t h e r e i s
much p e r i p h e r a l equipment i n t h e ground s t a t i o n which has not been shown i n
f i g u r e ILL. The following treatment of t h e v a r i o u s ground subsystems w i l l be
keyed t o f i g u r e s lh and l>. Although f i g u r e l:, i s a n espansion of f i g u r e l b ,
22
it i s s t i l l v e r y much s i m p l i f i e d . Most switching, a m p l i f i c a t i o n , a t t e n u a t i o n ,
and l i k e c i r c u i t r y have been d e l e t e d . Only t h a t c i r c u i t r y which c o n t r i b u t e s
t o t h e understanding of t h e system f u n c t i o n has been r e t a i n e d .

3.4.2 Antennas
There a r e , i n t h e Apollo ground s t a t i o n s , two t y p e s of S-band ground
antennas.
One type, used f o r deep-space communication i s a n 85-foot p a r a b o l i c
antenna. The o t h e r , f o r near-space communication i s a 30-foot p a r a b o l i c

antenna. Since, a t t h i s time, t h e 85-foot antennas f o r Apollo have not been

s p e c i f i e d , t h i s r e p o r t w i l l consider only t h e 30-foot antenria,::.

3 . 4 . 2 . 1 Main near-space antenna.- The main antenna i s a 30-foot diameter

p a r a b o l i c r e f l e c t o r w i t h 12-foot f o c a l l e n g t h , having a Cassegrain feed,
supported on a n X-Y mount. The antenna i s capable of t r a c k i n g a t a maximum
r a t e of 4 degrees per second w i t h maximm a c c e l e r a t i o n of 5 dee;/sec 2
down t o 2 degrees above t h e horizon, excepting a lower l i m i t of 10 degrees i n
t h e n o r t h and south keyholes, w i t h a p o i n t i n g accuracy of *9O seconds of a r c .
The antenna feed produces monopulse two-dimensional sum and d i f f e r e n c e informa­
t i o n from which t h e a n g l e - e r r o r d r i v e s i g n a l s for t h e antenna mount servo-
system a r e derived. The t r a n s m i t t i n g and r e c e i v i n g f e e d s a r e c i r c u l a r l y
p o l a r i z e d , of opposite sense, manually changeable, w i t h a maximum a x i a l r a t i o
of 1 . 0 db. The r e c e i v i n g g a i n f o r properly p o l a r i z e d waves i s 4 4 . 0 db above
i s o t r o p i c . The f i r s t s i d e l o b e s a r e s p e c i f i e d t o be down more than 30 db from
t h e maximum of t h e main lobe. The main beam-width i s approximately 1 . 0 degree.

The antenna and a s s o c i a t e d d r i v e system a r e capable of o p e r a t i n g i n e i g h t

d i f f e r e n t modes. These a r e manual, slow (manual v e l o c i t y ) , programed, slaved
( t o azimuth-elevation s o u r c e ) , s p i r a l scan, a c q u i s i t i o n t r a c k , automatic t r a c k ,
( i n c l u d e s memory t r a c k ) , and t e s t .

3 . 4 . 2 . 2 Near-space . . a c q u i s i t i o n antenna.- It i s r e q u i r e d t h a t an a u x i l i a r y
antenna be a v a i l a b l e t o a i d t h e main antenna i n i n i t i a l a c q u i s i t i o n and lock-on
of t h e received s i g n a l . This a c q u i s i t i o n antenna w i l l be r i g i d l y mounted on t h e
periphery of t h e main antenna. Having a n approximate diameter of 3 f e e t , t h e
a c q u i s i t i o n antenna has a maximum g a i n of 22 db, a beam-width of roughly
10 degrees, and a t r a c k i n g accuracy of 0 . 5 degrees, t o t a l . The a c q u i s i t i o n
f e e d i s of t h e simultaneous l o b i n g type whose output i s c i r c u l a r l y p o l a r i z e d
w i t h p o l a r i z a t i o n sense t h a t can be s e t manually.

3.4.3 Microwave C i r c u i t r y
A s t h e r e a r e two kinds of antennas a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e deep-space and
near-earth s t a t i o n s , so, a l s o , t h e r e a r e two kinds of microwave c i r c u i t r y .
Figures 16 and 17 show t h e c i r c u i t r y f o r t h e deep-space s t a t i o n s and near-earth
stations, respectively.

Figure 16 shows t h e s e p a r a t e s e t s of antenna f e e d s f o r t h e main antenna

and a c q u i s i t i o n antenna, f e e d i n g p o l a r i z a t i o n s e l e c t o r switches. The switches
a r e a r b i t r a r i l y shown i n t h e r i g h t hand c i r c u l a r p o l a r i z a t i o n (RHCP) p o s i t i o n .
The main angle s i g n a l s from t h e p o l a r i z a t i o n switches a r e always r o u t e d t o t h e
main angle channel r e c e i v e r s . Likewise, t h e a c q u i s i t i o n angle s i g n a l s a r e

23
always r o u t e d t o t h e a c q u i s i t i o n channel r e c e i v e r s . The sum channel s i g n a l s
a r e routed from t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e p o l a r i z a t i o n switches t o s e p a r a t e d i p l e x e r s .
The r e c e i v e r o u t p u t s of t h e two d i p l e x e r s a r e r o u t e d t o a switching network
which enables t h e main sum channel t o f e e d low n o i s e a m p l i f i e r number one and
t h e a c q u i s i t i o n sum channel t o feed low-noise a m p l i f i e r number two, or v i c e
versa. This switching network a l s o provides t h e c a p a b i l i t y f o r d r i v i n g e i t h e r
low-noise a m p l i f i e r w i t h a n RF c a l i b r a t e d noise source.

The o u t p u t s of t h e two low-noise a m p l i f i e r s a r e r o u t e d t o a r e f e r e n c e

channel s e l e c t o r network, which enables t h e main r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r t o
be f e d by t h e main- sum channel s i g n a l and t h e a c q u i s i t i o n r e f e r e n c e channel
r e c e i v e r t o be f e d by t h e a c q u i s i t i o n - s u m channel, or v i c e v e r s a .

The output of t h e ground s t a t i o n t r a n s m i t t e r i s routed t o a switching

network t h a t e n a b l e s it t o feed e i t h e r d i p l e x e r or a dummy W load. Thus t h e
t r a n s m i t t e d s i g n a l may propagate through e i t h e r t h e main o r a c q u i s i t i o n
antennas.

Figure 16 d e s c r i b e s a s t a t i o n capable of supporting only one s p a c e c r a f t a t

a time. Figure 17 shows t h e microwave c i r c u i t r y f o r a n e a r - e a r t h s t a t i o n ,
capable of supporting one s p a c e c r a f t . The antenna f e e d p o l a r i z a t i o n f o r t h i s
type s t a t i o n does n o t switch automatically, b u t must be changed manually. The
main angle s i g n a l s a r e routed d i r e c t l y from t h e main f e e d s t o t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e
main angle channel r e c e i v e r s . The main sum channel f e e d i s connected t o a
d i p l e x e r , whose r e c e i v e r output i s r o u t e d through a low-noise a m p l i f i e r and
d i r e c t i o n a l coupler t o t h e main r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r . It i s seen t h a t
t h e s t a t i o n t r a n s m i t t e r s i g n a l i s routed through t h e d i p l e x e r i n t o t h e main
sum channel f e e d s . The t r a n s m i t t e r does not d r i v e t h e a c q u i s i t i o n - s u m channel
feeds.

The a c q u i s i t i o n angle s i g n a l s a r e routed from t h e a c q u i s i t i o n f e e d s through

low-noise a m p l i f i e r s , d i r e c t l y t o t h e r e s p e c t i v e a c q u i s i t i o n angle channel
r e c e i v e r s . The acquisition-sum-channel s i g n a l i s routed from t h e a c q u i s i t i o n
f e e d through a low-noise a m p l i f i e r t o a switch. The o t h e r input t o t h e switch
i s t h e main-sum channel s i g n a l , from t h e d i r e c t i o n a l coupler. This switch
allows t h e acquisition-reference-channel r e c e i v e r t o be f e d by e i t h e r t h e
acquisition-sum-channel s i g n a l o r t h e main-sum-channel s i g n a l .

3.4.4 Reference Channel Receiver

The following d e s c r i p t i o n i s f o r PM, or phase-locked, modes of o p e r a t i o n .
When t h e r e f e r e n c e channel i s used f o r wideband F M r e c e p t i o n , t h e r e c e i v e r
phase-locked loop i s i n a c t i v e , and t h e r e f e r e n c e channel i s simply a manually
t m ed double - convcr s i o n super -he t e rodyne re ce i v e r .

The r e f e r e n c e channel p o r t i o n of f i g u r e 15 i s l a b e l e d Receiver RF and

Automatic Gain Contr.01 C i r c u i t r y . This p o r t i o n i s shown s e p a r a t e l y i n f i g u r e 18
for c l a r i t y .

The r e f e r e n c e channel has t h r e e b a s i c f u n c t i o n s . One i s t o t r a n s l a t e t h e

incoming composite s i g n a l t o a n intermediate frequency, and p o s i t i o n it i n t h e
c e n t e r of t h e I F passband, using a phase-locked channel, t r a c k i n g t h e c e n t r a l

24

c a r r i e r component of t h e s i g n a l . The second f u n c t i o n i s t o provide an automatic

g a i n c o n t r o l v o l t a g e and c a r r i e r a c q u i s i t i o n s i g n a l , a c t i v a t e d only by t h e
c a r r i e r component, not by n o i s e . The t h i r d f u n c t i o n i s t o provide a s i n u s o i d a l
s i g n a l , phase coherent w i t h t h e received c a r r i e r component, from which e i t h e r
one-way o r two-way Doppler frequency s h i f t may be determined. There a r e o t h e r
o p e r a t i o n a l f u n c t i o n s , b u t t h e s e t h r e e a r e t h e b a s i c conceptual f u n c t i o n s .

The p r i n c i p a l o s c i l l a t o r for t h e r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r i s t h e s t a b l e

v o l t a g e c o n t r o l l e d o s c i l l a t o r (VCO). The twenty megacycle fixed-frequency
r e f e r e n c e s i g n a l i s frequency d i v i d e d by 2 t o provide a 10 megacycle r e f e r e n c e
and a l s o m u l t i p l i e d by 3 t o provide a 60 megacycle r e f e r e n c e . The 60 and
10 megacycle r e f e r e n c e s a r e used t o e s t a b l i s h I F f r e q u e n c i e s , f i x e d a t 50 and
10 megacycles. Additionally, t h e 10 megacycle r e f e r e n c e i s used i n t h e RF'
Doppler d e t e c t i o n process i n such a way t h a t t h e frequency s t a b i l i t y of t h e
20 megacycle f i x e d frequency r e f e r e n c e does n o t a f f e c t Doppler accuracy.

The incoming composite s i g n a l i s f e d through t h e S-band a m p l i f i e r s and

p r e s e l e c t o r t o t h e f i r s t mixer. The o t h e r input t o t h e mixer i s a. s u i t a b l y
frequency-multiplied v e r s i o n of t h e 23.4-me VCO s i g n a l . The loop l o c k s i n
such a way t h a t t h e output of t h e f i r s t mixer has a c a r r i e r component a t 50 me.
This 50-me component, when heterodyned i n t h e second mixer by t h e 60-mc
r e f e r e n c e s i g n a l , i s f u r t h e r frequency t r a n s l a t e d t o 10 me, t h e n introduced
t o t h e main c a r r i e r phase d e t e c t o r , which i s a l s o f e d t h e 10-me r e f e r e n c e
s i g n a l . It i s t h e e r r o r s i g n a l produced by t h i s phase d e t e c t o r which caxses
t h e main loop t o l o c k up i n t h e above described manner. It i s seen t h a t t h e
o u t p u t s of t h e two mixers a r e intermediate frequency s i g n a l s a t 50 and 10 mc.
These two I F sources f e e d t h e r e s t of t h e r e c e p t i o n equipment; t h e 10-me s i g n a l
being used f o r t h e PM modes and t h e 30-mc s i g n a l f o r t h e F M modes.

3.4.3 Angle Channel Receiver

The d i s c u s s i o n of t h e a n g l e channel receix ._ i s keyed t o r i g u r e l>.
Figure 19 i s included f o r c l a r i t y . The angle channel s t r o n g l y resembles the
r e f e r e n c e channel down through t h e phase s e n s i t i v e d e t e c t o r but here it becomes
t h e angle e r r o r d e t e c t o r . The angle e r r o r d e t e c t o r i s b a s i c a l l y a phase
d e t e c t o r . When t h e r e f e r e n c e channel c a r r i e r - t r a c k i n g loop i s locked, t h e
phase of t h e r e c e i v e r VCO s i g n a l i s locked t o t h e phase of t h e c a r r i e r component
provided by t h e sum channel of t h e antenna monopulse feed. The VCO provid.es
t h e s i g n a l which i s heterodyned i n t h e f i r s t mixer w i t h t h e c a r r i e r component
provided by t h e d i f f e r e n c e ( o r " e r r o r " ) channel of t h e monopulse feed.

If t h e RF' a x i s of t h e monopulse antenna f e e d d i f f e r s i n d i r e c t i o n from t h e

Poynting v e c t o r (propagation d i r e c t i o n ) of t h e r e c e i v e d s i g n a l , t h e amplitude
and phase of t h e c a r r i e r component i n t h e angle channel i s a d i r e c t measure of
t h i s d i r e c t i o n a l d i f f e r e n c e , o r e r r o r . The angle e r r o r d e t e c t o r provides a
d-c e r r o r s i g n a l w i t h t h e proper magnitude and p o l a r i t y t o cause t h e antenna
servo system t o a l i g n t h e RF' a x i s of t h e f e e d w i t h t h e a r r i v i n g s i g n a l wave.

3.4.6 Transmitter
The t r a n s m i t t e r i n f i g u r e s 15 and 20 i s t h a t c i r c u i t r y l a b e l e d "Transmitter
and Frequency Generating C i r c u i t r y . " This subsystem i n c l u d e s a b a s i c Rubidium
frequency standard, a frequency s y n t h e s i z e r phase-locked t o t h e standard, and a

25
 master v o l t a g e c o n t r o l l e d o s c i l l a t o r . The VCO i s phase-locked t o t h e frequency
s y n t h e s i z e r and provides t h e R F d r i v i n g s i g n a l f o r t h e t r a n s m i t t e r . The syn­
t h e s i z e r provides t h e tuning, or frequency changing, c a p a b i l i t y f o r t h e t r a n s ­
m i t t e r . The frequency of t h e s y n t h e s i z e r i s changed manually by t h e o p e r a t o r
i n d i s c r e t e frequency s t e p s . Because t h e frequency changes i n s t e p s , t h e
phase-locked VCO i s used as t h e master t r a n s m i t t e r o s c i l l a t o r ; s i n c e t h e
response of t h e loop t o a n i n p u t frequency s t e p i s a continuous smooth t r a n s i ­
t i o n of t h e VCO t o a new frequency. This smoothness of frequency and phase
change of t h e t r a n s m i t t e r i s necessary t o i n s u r e that c a r r i e r phase-lock i n
t h e s p a c e c r a f t r e c e i v e r i s not broken during ground t r a n s m i t t e r tuning. The
VCO f e e d s a m u l t i p l i e r chain which feeds t h e phase modulator. The o t h e r
i n p u t s t o t h e modulator a r e t h e range code, up-data s u b c a r r i e r , and up-voice
s u b c a r r i e r . From t h e modulator, t h e composite s i g n a l i s routed through
s u i t a b l e m u l t i p l i e r s and t h e power a m p l i f i e r t o t h e microwave c i r c u i t r y .

1
3.4.7 Ranging C i r c u i t r y
The ranging c i r c u i t r y i s made up of those p a r t s of f i g u r e 15 l a b e l e d
"Receiver I F Clock Demodulation, Code C o r r e l a t i o n C i r c u i t r y " , "Receiver Coder
Clock Transfer Loop and Clock Doppler Detector", "Receiver FP Doppler Detector
and Transmitter Clock Generator", and " D i g i t a l Ranging Equipment". Figure 21,
22, 23, and 24 show t h e s e u n i t s s e p a r a t e l y .

The 10-megacycle I F s i g n a l from t h e r e f e r e n c e channel r e c e i v e r contains,

i n i t s phase, t h e transponded five-element ranging code which has a square-
wave clock s i g n a l as one of t h e components. This 10-megacycle s i g n a l i s
introduced t o a balanced heterodyne d e t e c t o r . The o t h e r i n p u t t o t h e d e t e c t o r
i s t h e 10-megacycle r e f e r e n c e which has been phase modulated by t h e s i g n a l from
t h e r e c e i v e r code g e n e r a t o r ( r e c e i v e r coder). The code produced by t h e r e c e i v e r
coder can assume any one of seven programable s t a t e s . A s far as t h e two codes
a r e concerned, t h e balanced d e t e c t o r d i g i t a l l y combines them using t h e Boolean
"Module Two Addition'' (exclusive o r ) combining f u n c t i o n . The output of t h e
balanced d e t e c t o r depends upon t h e program st a t e of t h e r e c e i v e r coder and upon
t h e phase of i t s output w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e transponded code. Table V I l i s t s
t h e program states of t h e r e c e i v e r coder. It i s n s t i c e a b l e t h a t t h e clock
component, e l , does not appear i n t h e r e c e i v e r coder output. This f a c t i s t h e
key t o t h e o p e r a t i o n of t h e c i r c u i t r y .

Volume I1 shows t h a t t h e output of t h e balanced d e t e c t o r , f o r program

state P7, with a l l code components i n phase ( a c q u i r e d ) , c o n t a i n s a s i n u s o i d a l
component a t t h e clock frequency a t a l l times. Also, f o r states P1 or P2,
where no code components have been acquired, t h e r e i s a clock s p e c t r a l component
present i n t h e output of t h e balanced d e t e c t o r h a l f t h e time, on t h e average.
During t h e intermediate program s t a t e s , while t h e transponded code components
are being acquired or matched i n phase, one component a t a time, t h e output of
t h e balanced d e t e c t o r c o n t a i n s a clock s i n u s o i d a l component between 25 percent
and 100 percent of t h e time, on t h e average.

'It i s suggested t h a t s e c t i o n 4.1.1 be read b e f o r e reading t h i s s e c t i o n .

Section 4.1.1 d e t a i l s
t h e b a s i c operation of t h e pseudo-random-code ranging
system.
26
 The output of t h e balanced d e t e c t o r i s f e d through a bandpass l i m i t e r ,
of 2 kc bandwidth, centered a t t h e nominal clock frequency, t o a phase-locked
loop, w i t h a closed-loop n o i s e bandwidth of t h e o r d e r of a f& cps. The purpose
of t h i s loop i s t o r e g e n e r a t e o r clean-up t h e received clock s i g n a l . The
regenerated pure clock, w i t h phase p r o p e r l y a d j u s t e d , i s f e d t o a quadrature
phase s e n s i t i v e d e t e c t o r which i s a l s o f e d t h e output of t h e balanced d e t e c t o r .
The purpose of t h i s d e t e c t o r i s t o produce a n i n d i c a t i o n of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n
between transponded code and r e c e i v e r generated code. The c o r r e l a t i o n i n d i ­
c a t i o n used i s t h e d-c output of t h e quadrature phase d e t e c t o r . For s t a t e P7,
w i t h a l l r e c e i v e r generated code components matched i n phase t o t h e transponded
code components, t h e d-c output of t h e quadrature d e t e c t o r w i l l be some maximum
value. This value i s taken t o i n d i c a t e LOO percent c o r r e l a t i o n of t h e r e c e i v e r
generated and transponded codes. For o t h e r program s t a t e s , where t h e r e c e i v e r
generated code components a r e being s h i f t e d i n phase t o match o r a c q u i r e t h e
transponded components, t h e received clock s i n u s o i d a l component w i l l be p r e s e n t
l e s s of t h e time, on t h e average, and t h e e f f e c t i v e d-c output of t h e quadrature
d e t e c t o r w i l l be l e s s . It i s t h e varying e f f e c t i v e d-c output of t h e d e t e c t o r
which i s used t o i n d i c a t e varying degrees of c o r r e l a t i o n between t h e transponded
and r e c e i v e r generated codes, and which i n d i c a t e s t h e a c q u i s i t i o n of a code
componen t .

The pure regenerated clock s i g n a l i s a l s o f e d t o t h e r e c e i v e r coder clock

t r a n s f e r loop whose f u n c t i o n i s t o supply a frequency doubled v e r s i o n of t h e
clock t o t h e r e c e i v e r code g e n e r a t o r and a normal clock s i g n a l t o t h e clock
Doppler d e t e c t o r . 'A phase-locked loop i s r e q u i r e d , following t h e switch shown,
s o t h a t when t h e switch i s thrown, changing t h e r e c e i v e r coder d r i v i n g signal
from t h e t r a n s m i t t e r clock r e f e r e n c e t o t h e r e c e i v e d clock, t h e frequency and
phase of t h e coder d r i v i n g s i g n a l w i l l change smoothly and continuously, r a t h e r
than i n an a b r u p t s t e p . The clock output of t h e r e c e i v e r coder clock t r a n s f e r
loop i s f e d t o t h e clock Doppler d e t e c t o r where it i s heterodyned w i t h t h e
t r a n s m i t t e r clock r e f e r e n c e . The r e s u l t i n g clock Doppler s i g n a l i s routed t o
t h e range t a l l y . The t r a n s m i t t e r clock r e f e r e n c e and a doubled v e r s i o n of it
a r e routed t o , and d r i v e , t h e t r a n s m i t t e r code g e n e r a t o r .

The remaining p a r t of t h e ranging c i r c u i t r y t o be described i s t h e r e c e i v e r

R F Doppler d e t e c t o r and t r a n s m i t t e r clock g e n e r a t o r , shown i n f i g u r e s 15 and 23.
It i s r e q u i r e d t h a t t h e t r a n s m i t t e r clock s i g n a l be phase coherent w i t h t h e
t r a n s m i t t e r c a r r i e r . Then t h e r e c e i v e r transponded clock w i l l be phase coherent
w i t h t h e received c a r r i e r and t h e clock Doppler s i g n a l w i l l be phase coherent
w i t h t h e RF Doppler s i g n a l . This enables a n i n c r e a s e i n range r e s o l u t i o n t o
be obtained by switching from counting t h e clock Doppler frequency t o counting
t h e R F Doppler frequency. The t r a n s m i t t e r clock i s obtained by c o h e r e n t l y
frequency s h i f t i n g t h e 22-mc master t r a n s m i t t e r VCO s i g n a l .

The b a s i c p r i n c i p l e of t h e RF Doppler d e t e c t i o n mechanism i s t o d e r i v e

from t h e t r a n s m i t t e d and r e c e i v e d c a r r i e r components a s i n e wave s i g n a l having
a frequency which has a known r e l a t i o n s h i p t o t h e r e l a t i v e v e l o c i t y of t h e
s p a c e c r a f t w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e ground s t a t i o n . Figure 25 i s keyed t o t h e
following explanation. The n o t a t i o n s on t h e f i g u r e a r e t h e v a r i o u s normalized
s i g n a l s . I n t h i s d e s c r i p t i o n it i s important t o remember t h a t a frequency
m u l t i p l i e r m u l t i p l i e s phase as w e l l as frequency,and a mixer s u b t r a c t s phase
as w e l l as frequency.

27

 There a r e t h r e e b a s i c RF g e n e r a t o r s i n t h e ground equipment. These a r e

t h e master t r a n s m i t t e r V C q r e c e i v e r VCO, and t h e s t a b l e r e f e r e n c e o s c i l l a t o r .
For t h i s discussion, we w i l l r e p r e s e n t t h e r a d i a n f r e q u e n c i e s of t h e s e genera­
t o r s as w
t’ wr’ and w0’ r e s p e c t i v e l y . The e x p l a n a t i o n i s b e s t made by following
t h e RF s i g n a l from t h e t r a n s m i t t e r VCO and n o t i n g i t s frequency a t each s t e p .
The t r a n s m i t t e r VCO c a r r i e r component, cos w t, i s frequency m u l t i p l i e d by 96
t
and t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t . The s p a c e c r a f t r e c e i v e s and t r a n s m i t s t h i s
s i g n a l (with one-way Doppler), c o h e r e n t l y frequency s h i f t i n g it by a f a c t o r ,
240/221. The s i g n a l i s received a t t h e ground w i t h i t s frequency m u l t i p l i e d
2V
by t h e two-way Doppler c o e f f i c i e n t , K, = 1 - -- where
C C i s t h e v e l o c i t y of
l i g h t and V i s t h e s p a c e c r a f t r a d i a l v e l o c i t y which i s of p o s i t i v e sense
when d i r e c t e d away from t h e ground s t a t i o n . The ground received s i g n a l i s
mixed f i r s t w i t h a s i g n a l from t h e r e c e i v e r VCO which has been frequency
m u l t i p l i e d by 96. The output of t h e f i r s t mixer i s t h e n mixed w i t h a s i g n a l
from t h e s t a b l e r e f e r e n c e o s c i l l a t o r which has been frequency m u l t i p l i e d by 3.
An a r b i t r a r y phase of 9o i s taken w i t h t h e r e f e r e n c e s i g n a l . The output of
t h e second mixer i s t h e n a p p l i e d t o a phase d e t e c t o r whose o t h e r i n p u t i s t h e
r e f e r e n c e s i g n a l , frequency divided by 2. Doppler measurements can only be
made when t h e ground r e c e i v e r c a r r i e r t r a c k i n g loop i s locked. For t h e locked
condition t h e s i g n i f i c a n t output of t h e phase d e t e c t o r i s zero. This allows
t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of w t h e r e c e i v e r VCO frequency, i n terms of w and u, .
r’ t
Returning now t o t h e master t r a n s m i t t e r VCO, t.h? c a r r i e r component i s
frequency m u l t i p l i e d by 3 and f e d t o a mixer. The o t h e r i n p u t t o t h e mixer i s
a frequency m u l t i p l e of 3 times t h e r e c e i v e r VCO s i g n a l . The output of t h e
f i r s t mixer i s f e d t o a second mixer which i s a l s o f e d by a s i g n a l from t h e
t r a n s m i t t e r VCO which has been frequency m u l t i p l i e d by a f a c t o r 571221. The
output of t h e second mixer i s frequency m u l t i p l i e d by 8 and f e d t o t h e f i n a l
Doppler d e t e c t o r . The o t h e r input t o t h i s d e t e c t o r i s t h e r e f e r e n c e s i g n a l
which has been e f f e c t i v e l y frequency m u l t i p l i e d by a f a c t o r 518,

There a r e s e v e r a l f i n c p o i n t s t o be noted i n t h e preceding process. F i r s t ,

any p o s s i b l e i n s t a b i l i t y or d r i f t i n g i n t h e frec/ii.ency, w or phzse
0
G f the , Po,
r e f e r e n c e o s c i l l a t o r has a b s o l u t e l y no e f f e c t on t h e Doppler measurement, s i n c e
t h e s e e f f e c t s a r e canceled out i n t h e f i n a l Doppler d e t e c t o r . Secondly, t h e
frequency of t h e f i n a l Doppler s i g n a l c o n t a i n s t h e Doppler information i n t h e
form of a frequency f a c t o r , V/c. It may be shown t h a t f o r s p a c e c r a f t r a d i a l
v e l o c i t i e s i n t h e o r d e r of 10,000 meters p e r second, t h e Doppler d e t e c t o r
s i g n a l has a frequency of t h e o r d e r of 38 kc.

3.4.8 Demodulation C i r c u i t r y
The d i s c u s s i o n of t h e d a t a demodulation equipment i s keyed t o f i g u r e s 15
and 26. The two i n p u t s a r e t h e ‘,O-mc and 10-mc I F outputs of t h e r e f e r e n c e
channel r e c e i v e r s . The ‘jO-mc channel i s used d u r i n g r e c e p t i o n of t h e F’M modes
while t h e 10-mc channel i s reserved for. t h e Wl modes.

28

 Except f o r t e l e v i s i o n and emergency voice, t h e r e are two s t e p s i n t h e d a t a

demodulation. The f i r s t s t e p i s t h e recovery of t h e i n d i v i d u a l s u b c a r r i e r s .
The second s t e p i s t h e demodulation of t h e i n d i v i d u a l s u b c a r r i e r s . The
f u n c t i o n a l e x p l a n a t i o n of t h i s c i r c u i t r y can best be made by t r e a t i n g t h e FM and
PM modes s e p a r a t e l y .

3.4.8.1 PM modes.­

3.4.8.1.1 Voice. The normal (or recorded) voice, which i s frequency

modulated on a 1.25-me s u b c a r r i e r and t h e n phase modulated or1 t h e c a r r i e r ,
e n t e r s t h e d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y via t h e 10-megacycle 7P channsl and i s
introduced t o t h e main PM demodulator. The 10-megacycle i n p u t s i g n a l i s
synchronously d-emodulated by a stable 10-megacycle VCO s i g n a l , phase-locked t o
t h e incoming c a r r i e r component. The voice s u b c a r r i e r i s recovered by t h e loop
and appears a t 1.25-me i n t h e video output of t h e demodulator.

The recovered voice s u b c a r r i e r i s routed t o t h e p a r a l l e l e d i n p u t s of t h e

v o i c e s u b c a r r i e r demodulator and PCM t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r demodulator. A
bandpass f i l t e r passes t h e voice s u b c a r r i e r i n t o t h e normal voice demodulator
which i s a modulation t r a c k i n g phase-locked loop. The output of t h e loop,
which i s t h e baseband voice s i g n a l i s law-pass f i l t e r e d t o pass e i t h e r t h e
real-time or recorded voice s i g n a l t o t h e voice output.

3 . 4 . 8 . 1 . 2 Extra-vehicular a s t r o n a u t (EVA) voice and biomedical telemetry.

A t t h e s p a c e c r a f t t h e EVA voice and s e x n frequency modulated biomedical sub-
c a r r i e r s w e r e summed w i t h t h e normal s p a c e c r a f t voice s i g n a l , frequency
modulated on t h e 1.25-me s u b c a r r i e r and t h e n phase modulated on t h e c a r r i e r .
This composite s i g n a l e n t e r s t h e d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y v i a t h e 10-megacycle
I F channel. The modulated s u b c a r r i e r s are recovered aloQg w i t h t h e voice
baseband, as i n 3.4.8.1.1. The s u b c a r r i e r s are t h e n bandpass f i l t e r e d t o
i n d i v i d u a l s u b c a r r i e r demodulators. The seven information channels are r o u t e d
t o t h e d a t a handling equipment. The EVA voice i s low-pass f i l t e r e d t o t h e
voice output.

3.4.8.1.3 PCM t e l e m e t r y . The PCM t e l e m e t r y (real-time or recorded), which

w a s p h a s e - s h i f t keyed on a 1.024-me s u b c a r r i e r and t h e n phase modulated on t h e
c a r r i e r , e n t e r s t h e d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y via t h e 10-megacycle I F channel
and i s introduced t o t h e main PM demodulator. The s u b c a r r i e r i s recovered
through synchronous d e t e c t i o n and appears i n t h e video output a t 1.024 me. The
recovered t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r i s r o u t e d t o t h e p a r a l l e l e d i n p u t s t o t h e normal
voice demodulator and PCM t e l e m e t r y demodulator. A bandpass f i l t e r passes t h e
telemetry s u b c a r r i e r i n t o t h e telemetry d e t e c t o r . The bi-phase modulated
s u b c a r r i e r e n t e r s two p a r a l l e l channels. The f i r s t c o n t a i n s a times 2 frequency
m u l t i p l i e r . The output of t h e m u l t i p l i e r i s a s t a b l e s p e c t r a l l i n e or s i n u s o i d
a t twice t h e s u b c a r r i e r frequency, or 2.048 me. I n m u l t i p l y i n g by 2, t h e b i ­
phase modulation i s e f f e c t i v e l y removed. A phase-locked loop i s n e x t used t o
c l e a n up t h e 2.048-me s i g n a l . The VCO s i g n a l , a t 2.048 mc, i s t h e n frequency
d i v i d e d by two t o o b t a i n a s t a b l e r e f e r e n c e s i g n a l a t t h e s u b c a r r i e r frequency,
1.024 mc. The r e f e r e n c e s i g n a l i s t h e n r o u t e d t o t h e same mixer i n t o which t h e
modulated s u b c a r r i e r w a s introduced. The output of t h e mixer i s t h e PCM b i t
s t r e a m and noise, which i s routed t o t h e b i t synchronizer and t h e n t o t h e data
handling equipment.

29
 3.4.8.1.4 Ehergency voice. The emergency voice s i g n a l , which w a s phase
modulated d i r e c t l y on t h e c a r r i e r , e n t e r s t h e d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y
through t h e 10-megacycle I F channel and i s introduced t o t h e main PM demodulator.
The voice information i s recovered through synchronous d e t e c t i o n and appears
a t t h e output of t h e main PN demodulator where it i s l o w - p a s s f i l t e r e d and
passed t o t h e d a t a handling equipment.

3.4.8.1.5 Ehergency key. The emergency key s i g n a l i s a manually keyed

512-kc s i n e wave, phase modulated on t h e c a r r i e r . This s i g n a l , which appears
as a s u b c a r r i e r , e n t e r s t h e d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y via t h e 10-megacycle
I F channel and i s introduced t o t h e main PM demodulator. The recovered modu­
l a t i o n i s routed t o t h e emergency key d e t e c t o r which c o n t a i n s both a 5 l 2 - k ~
synchronous d e t e c t o r and a n envelope d e t e c t o r . The o u t p u t s of t h e s e d e t e c t o r s
a r e t h e emergency key outputs.

3.4.8.2 FM modes. ­
3 . 4 . 8 . 2 . 1 Voice. The normal (or recorded) voice, which i s frequency
modulated on a 1.25-mc s u b c a r r i e r and t h e n frequency modulated on t h e c a r r i e r ,
e n t e r s t h e d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y v i a t h e 50-megacycle I F channel and i s
introduced t o t h e main FM demodulator, a modulation t r a c k i n g loop. This loop
has a closed-loop noise bandwidth which i s a d j u s t a b l e t o optimize r e c e p t i o n of
each p a r t i c u l a r mode. The voice s u b c a r r i e r i s recovered and appears a t t h e
output of t h e modulation t r a c k i n g loop. The recovered 1.25-me s u b c a r r i e r i s
then routed t o t h e i n p u t of a voice demodulator where it i s t r e a t e d i n t h e same
manner as i n t h e PM mode.

3 . 4 . 8 . 2 . 2 Extra-vehicular a s t r o n a u t (EVA) voice and biomedical telemetry.

The biomedical t e l e m e t r y , summed w i t h normal and EVA voice, e n t e r s t h e d a t a
demodulation c i r c u i t r y v i a t h e 50-me I F as a frequency modulated 1.25-me sub-
c a r r i e r , frequency modulated on t h e c a r r i e r . The composite s i g n a l i s routed
t o t h e main FM demodulator, which recovers t h e s u b c a r r i e r . The modulated
1.25-me s u b c a r r i e r i s t h e n routed t o a voice demodulator. The recovered sub-
c a r r i e r s a r e then t r e a t e d as i n t h e preceding PM mode.

3 . 4 . 8 . 2 . 3 PCM telemetry. The PCM t e l e m e t r y , which w a s p h a s e - s h i f t keyed

on a 1.024-me s u b c a r r i e r and t h e n FM modulated onto t h e c a r r i e r , e n t e r s t h e
d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y v i a t h e 50-me I F channel and i s introduced t o t h e
main FM demodulator. The t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r , which i s recovered by t h e main
FM demodulator, i s r o u t e d t o a PCM t e l e m e t r y demodulator where it i s t r e a t e d i n
t h e same manner as i n t h e PM mode.

3 . 4 . 8 . 2 . 4 T e l e v i s i o n ; The t e l e v i s i o n s i g n a l , which w a s frequency modulated

d i r e c t l y on t h e c a r r i e r e n t e r s t h e d a t a demodulation c i r c u i t r y v i a t h e 50-me
IF channel and i s introduced t o t h e main FM demodulator. The t e l e v i s i o n s i g n a l
i s completely demodulated i n t h i s f i r s t modulation t r a c k i n g loop. 'The baseband
t e l e v i s i o n s i g n a l i s routed through a law-pass f i l t e r t o t h e output.
3.4.9 Premodulation C i r c u i t r y
The premodulation c i r c u i t r y , shown i n f i g u r e s 15 and 20, i s f e d t h e base­
band voice and up-data s i g n a l s . The voice s i g n a l i s frequency modulated on a
30-kilocycle s u b c a r r i e r , t h e up-data on a 70-kilocycle s u b c a r r i e r . The outputs
of t h e two s u b c a r r i e r o s c i l l a t o r s are t h e n summed and routed t o one modulation
i n p u t of t h e t r a n s m i t t e r phase modulator. I n t o t h e o t h e r phase modulator input
i s f e d t h e t r a n s m i t t e r ranging code. I n t h e phase modulator, t h e t h r e e up-going
information s i g n a l s a r e e f f e c t i v e l y summed.

3.4.10 Acquisition and Programing C i r c u i t r y

The s e q u e n t i a l s t e p s i n a c q u i s i t i o n and ranging are explained i n
s e c t i o n 4.1.2. The c i r c u i t r y a s s o c i a t e d with t h e s e s t e p s i s i n d i c a t e d i n a
very simple manner i n f i g u r e s 15 and 24. Although a complete explanation of
t h e f u n c t i o n i n g of t h i s c i r c u i t r y i s beyond t h e scope of t h i s r e p o r t , t h e
p h y s i c a l o p e r a t i o n w i l l be described i n simple terms.

The a c q u i s i t i o n and prograTing c i r c u i t r y monitors p o r t i o n s of t h e ground

system and senses t h e r e s u l t s of v a r i o u s operations. I n p a r t i c u l a r , t h e d-c
o u t p u t s of t h e c a r r i e r loop quadrature phase d e t e c t o r and t h e c o r r e l a t i o n
d e t e c t o r i n t h e range clock r e c e i v e r i n d i c a t e t o t h e a c q u i s i t i o n and programing
c i r c u i t r y t h e state of c a r r i e r a c q u i s i t i o n and range code a c q u i s i t i o n , respec­
t i v e l y . This c i r c u i t r y a c t u a l l y c o n t r o l s t h e s h i f t i n g of t h e r e c e i v e r code
and up-dates t h e range t a l l y while s h i f t i n g t h e code. It should be noted t h a t
antenna d r i v e programing p r i o r t o s i g n a l a c q u i s i t i o n i s not performed by t h i s
c i r c u i t r y , but by a s e p a r a t e subsystem, described i n s e c t i o n 3.4.11.

3 . 4 . 1 1 Ground System P e r i p h e r a l Equipment

The previous material has described those ground subsystems which a r e a
d i r e c t p a r t of t h e S-band system. However, t h e r e i s much p e r i p h e r a l equipment
r e q u i r e d i n t h e o p e r a t i o n a l ground system. This s e c t i o n d e s c r i b e s b r i e f l y
some of t h e p e r i p h e r a l equipment used o p e r a t i o n a l l y . It d i s r e g a r d s items such
as s i g n a l t e s t u n i t s , c o n t r o l consoles, equipment racks, and s o f o r t h , which
are a l s o regarded as p e r i p h e r a l equipment. The equipment t o be described i n
t h i s s e c t i o n i s as follows:

1. Antenna p o s i t i o n programer

2. Tracking data processor

3. Up-Data v e r i f i c a t i o n r e c e i v e r

4. PCM s i g n a l conditioner

The equipment l i s t e d above has r e c e n t l y been s p e c i f i e d by Goddard Space F l i g h t

Center.

3.4.11.1 &tgma ... p o s i t i o n programer.- The antenna p o s i t i o n programer i s

a s p e c i a l subsystem i n t h e ground s t a t i o n . I t s f u n c t i o n i s t o accept space­
c r a f t p r e d i c t i o n a l d a t a and define s p a c e c r a f t p o s i t i o n i n t h e v i s i b l e sky
r e g i o n of t h e ground s t a t i o n i n question. The p r e d i c t i o n a l d a t a a r e t r a n s m i t t e d
t o t h e remote kite from t h e main c o n t r o l c e n t e r of t h e S-band ground network.
The processor uses a g e n e r a l purpose computer which a c c e p t s t h e p r e d i c t i o n a l
d a t a and c o r r e c t s t h e s e d a t a f o r e r r o r s caused by transmission from t h e c o n t r o l
c e n t e r t o t h e remote s i t e . Then t h e c o r r e c t e d d a t a a r e used t o generate
antenna d r i v e t a p e s w i t h words containing time and X, Y, command angles. These
parameters. a r e generated e v e r y second o r e v e r y t e n seconds. Additionally, t h e
programer reads t h e real X and Y angles from t h e antenna p o s i t i o n encoding
subsystem a t a r a t e of 10 per second. The programer compares t h e r e a l para­
meters w i t h t h e p r e d i c t i o n a l parameters, and, i f a d i f f e r e n c e e x i s t s , g e n e r a t e s
analog v o l t a g e s a t t h e rate of 10 per second t o c o r r e c t t h e antenna c o n t r o l and
d r i v e system. Thus, t h e antenna i s provided w i t h a backup mode (program mode)
should t h e primary o r a u t o - t r a c k mode become inoperable.

3.4.11.2 Tracking d a t a p r o c e s s o r . - The t r a c k i n g d a t a processor i s a

subsystem which c o n s i s t s of a computer, d a t a s t o r a g e u n i t s , t e l e t y p e equipment,
Doppler counters, t a p e r e c o r d e r s , and a number of g a t i n g networks and c o n t r o l s .
This subsystem provides time, X and Y angle information, and range and Doppler
information i n s e r i a l form, which i s compatible with two types of ground
c m u n i c a t i o n l i n k s ; t h e high speed (2,000 b i t s per second), and t h e low speed
(60 words p e r minute) t e l e t y p e l i n k . The processor arranges t h e above d a t a i n
a proper format and, a t t h e same time, provides s t a t i o n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n and
o t h e r f u n c t i o n a l information, as r e q u i r e d by t h e network c o n t r o l c e n t e r . The
i n p u t s t o t h e processor a r e derived from t h e ranging subsystem, t h e antenna
s h a f t angle encoding subsystem, t h e timing subsystem, and t h e t r a c k i n g r e c e i v e r .
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e high and low speed d a t a , t h e processor provides recording
of a l l d a t a on a magnetic tape recorder. Then, i n case of a c o m u n i c a t i o n s
failure between remote s i t e and t h e c o n t r o l c e n t e r , t h e recorded d a t a can be
processed and analyzed a t a l a t e r time. P r o v i s i o n s a r e a l s o made f o r t h e
conversion of t h e slow speed d a t a from b i n a r y t o decimal form and f o r p r i n t i n g
of t h e s e d a t a i n c l e a r t e x t , paged form.

-
3.4.11.3 Up-data v e r i f i c a t i o n r e c e i v e r . The up-data v e r i f i c a t i o n r e c e i v e r
i s a subsystem Ghich i s used tode-ne whether up-data and voice have been
t r a n s m i t t e d c o r r e c t l y from t h e ground s t a t i o n t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t . This sub­
system c o n s i s t s of a phase locked device f o r c a r r i e r demodulation and 30- and
70-kc d i s c r i m i n a t o r s f o r s u b c a r r i e r demodulation. The i n p u t t o t h e r e c e i v e r
i s derived from t h e o u t p u t , o f t h e power a m p l i f i e r . Upon demodulation t h e voice
s i g n a l s a r e monitored for q u a l i t y . The demodulated up-data s i g n a l s are
compared with t h o s e a t t h e output of t h e d i g i t a l command system. If an e r r o r
i s d e t e c t e d , c o r r e c t i o n procedures a r e immediately i n i t i a t e d . I n addition
t o t h e preceding comparispn, t h e t r a n s m i t t e d voice and up-data information i s
recorded. Thus, a record of t h e up-link t r a n s m i t t e d information e x i s t s a t a l l
times.

-
3.4.11.4 PCM s i g n a l c o n d i t i o n e r . The PCM s i g n a l c o n d i t i o n e r subsystem
i s used t o t e s t and analyze t h e performance of t h e spacecraft-to-ground t e l e m e t r y
channel. This subsystem generates a d i g i t a l pulse t r a i n a t t h e "PCM s i g n a l
simulator'' with b i t r a t e s of 1 0 t o 200 kbs. This s i g n a l i s mixed with s p e c i f i c
q u a n t i t i e s of noise and i s capable of d r i v i n g t h e up-data s u b c a r r i e r modulator
of t h e ground system. Additionally, t h i s subsystem i s capable of providing
pure s i g n a l s (without n o i s e ) t o t h e PCM b i t comparator, o r a mixed s i g n a l and

32
 noise t o t h e b i t synchronizer and s i g n a l c o n d i t i o n e r , a.1~3a c l e a n s i g n a l (no
n o i s e ) t o t h e b i t comparator. The b i t synchronizer a n d s i g n a l c n n d i t i m e r
a c c e p t s i g n a l s from e i t h e r t h e PCM simulator, d e s c r i b e d above, or t h e output
of t h e ground t e l e m e t r y demodulator. The s i g n a l c o n d i t i o n e r a c c e p t s PCM s i g n a l s
under adverse signal-to-noise c o n d i t i o n s and r e c o n s t r u c t s t h e s e s i g n a l s t o
t h e i r optimum shape w i t h t h e l e a s t noise p o s s i b l e . F i n a l l y , t h e b i t comparator
may r e c e i v e s i g n a l s from t h e s i g n a l s i m u l a t o r and t h e s i g n a l c o n d i t i o n e r . These
two s i g n a l s w i l l be made c o i n c i d e n t i n time. F u r t h e r , t h e b i t comparator can
compare t h e two s i g n a l s and r o u t e an e r r o r s i g n a l t o t h e frequency counter when
t h e i n p u t s i n q u e s t i o n a r e not of t h e same time, phase, o r j-~ol-arity.

33
I
 4.0 SYSTEM OPERATIONAL “ I Q U E S

4 . 1 Ranging and S p a c e c r a f t A c q u i s i t i o n
4.1.1 A P h y s i c a l Explanation of t h e Ranging Process

Most of t h e modulation and information processing techniques employed i n

t h e u n i f i e d system are r e l a t i v e l y standard and w e l l documented. These techniques
i n c l u d e t h e use of PCM telemetry and analog v o i c e on s u b c a r r i e r s . However,
s i n c e t h e JPL pseudo-random code ranging technique employs a system mechaniza­
t i o n t h a t i s complex, a g e n e r a l p h y s i c a l e x p l a n a t i o n of t h i s process i s r e q u i r e d .
A s w i t h most ranging schemes, t h i s one depends on measuring t h e r o u n d - t r i p
propagation time f o r some event which i s g e n e r a t e d by t h e ranging s t a t i o n . The
uniqueness of t h i s technique l i e s i n t h e nature of t h e e v e n t and t h e measure­
ment mechanization. F i g u r e s 27 and 28 provide i n s i g h t i n t o t h e f o l l o w i n g
e x p l a n a tion.

T h e event generated by t h e ground s t a t i o n i s a p e r i o d i c b i n a r y waveform.

This waveform i s composed of a r e p e a t i n g b i n a r y seqixnce, having a b i t l e n g t h
of one microsecond and a n unambiguous l e n g t h of several m i l l i o n b i t periods.
This l e n g t h i n s u r e s t h a t t h e p e r i o d i c waveform, or code, does n o t r e p e a t d u r i n g
t h e round t r i p electromagnetic wave propagation t i m e from ground t o s p a c e c r a f t .

The h e a r t of t h e b a s i c system c o n s i s t s o f two code g e n e r a t o r s which prodixe

t h e two range codes d e s c r i b e d i n previous s e c t i o n s of t h i s r e p o r t , and a range
t a l l y , which i s a d i g i t a l machine whose f u n c t i o n i s t o g e n e r a t e range measure­
ment d a t a i n response t o c e r t a i n d i g i t a l i n p u t s . One code g e n e r a t o r i s d r i v e n
by a s t a b l e clock generator. This g e n e r a t o r i s ‘ t h e T r a n s m i t t e r Range Code
Generator. The o t h e r g e n e r a t o r , t h e Receiver Range Code Generator, i s d r i v e n
by a s e p a r a t e c l o c k g e n e r a t o r which i s n o t f i x e d i n r a t e b u t , r a t h e r , may be
phase-locked t o a clock s i g n a l a t i t s i n p u t . A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e r e c e i v e r gener­
a t o r has t h e c a p a b i l i t y t o change t h e phase, o r time-delay, of i t s code i n
i n t e g r a l b i t l e n g t h s t e p s , i n response t o d i g i t a l i n s t r u c t i o n s . Supplementary
parts of t h e b a s i c system a r e a c r o s s - c o r r e l a t o r and i n d i c a t o r t o provide a
means of knowing when a r e c e i v e r - g e n e r a t e d code i s i n phase or c o r r e l a t e d w i t h
t h e incoming transponded code; and a Doppler frequency d e t e c t o r and counter
which i n d i c a t e s t o t h e range t a l l y t h e cumulative phase d i f f e r e n c e s between t h e
t r a n s m i t t e r and r e c e i v e r c l o c k generators.

The range measurement i s made as follows: i n i t i a l l y t h e r e c e i v e r code

g e n e r a t o r i s synchronized i n phase t o t h e t r a n s m i t t e r code g e n e r a t o r and t h e
r e c e i v e r c l o c k g e n e r a t o r i s locked t o t h e t r a n s m i t t e r c l o c k generator. A t t h i s
time, t h e range t a l l y i s s e t t o i n d i c a t e z e r o range, Meanwhile, t h e t r a n s m i t t e d
code i s allowed t o propagate t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t and back t o t h e ground. Because
of t h e range and v e l o c i t y of t h e s p a c e c r a f t w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e ground s t a t i o n ,
t h e code, upon r e t u r n t o t h e ground, w i l l have a t i m e d e l a y and d i f f e r e n t clock
rate, compared t o t h e t r a n s m i t t e d code. Next, t h e r e c e i v e d code g e n e r a t o r i s
freed from synchronization w i t h t h e t r a n s m i t t e r code g e n e r a t o r and t h e r e c e i v e r
clock g e n e r a t o r i s switched from t h e t r a n s m i t t e r clock g e n e r a t o r s o t h a t it

34
may a c q u i r e and l o c k t o t h e clock component of t h e incoming transponded code.
A t t h i s p o i n t , it i s h e l p f u l t o v i s u a l i z e t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p between t h e t r a n s ­
m i t t e d code and t h e transponded code as it i s r e c e i v e d a t t h e ground ( f i g . 28).

P a r t 1 of f i g u r e 28 shows t h e range code as i t i s t r a n s m i t t e d from t h e

ground s t a t i o n . A c e r t a i n a r b i t r a r y element of t h e code i s i d e n t i f i e d a t time,
to .P a r t 2 shows t h e transponded range code as it i s received a t t h e ground
station. At time t t h e same code element i d e n t i f i e d a t t h e ground t r a n s m i t t e r
1
i s r e c e i v e d on t h e ground. The t i m e delay, T = tl - t i s a measure of t h e
I 0
CT
spacecraf'b range a t a time tR-
- tl - s i n c e range, R, i s given as R = -2
( n e g l e c t i n g E a r t h r o t a t i o n ) where C i s t h e v e l o c i t y of l i g h t and T i s the
two-way propagation time t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t . I n general, because of the r e l a t i v e
movement between ground s t a t i o n and s p a c e c r a f t , t h e d e l a y time, I- of t h e
2 ,
code r e c e i v e d a t time t2 w i l l not be t h e same as T 1 ' It should be noticed
t h a t t h e received code does n o t run a t t h e same r a t e as t h e t r a n s m i t t e d code
( a Doppler e f f e c t ) and i s e i t h e r s t r e t c h e d o r compressed i n time.

P a r t 3 of f i g u r e 28 shows t h e receiver-generated code a t t h e s t a r t of code

a c q u i s i t i o n , slaved i n r a t e and phase of t h e t r a n s m i t t e d code. P a r t s 3 , 4,
and 5 a r e conceptually c o r r e c t , b u t not q u i t e p h y s i c a l l y c o r r e c t , s i n c e t h e re­
ceiver-generated code a c t u a l l y l a c k s t h e clock elemegt which i s :z part of t h e
t r a n s n i t t e d code. In p a r t 4, a t time, tS, t h e r e c e i v e r clock g e n e r a t o r i s
switched away from t h e t r a n s m i t t e r clock g e n e r a t o r , t o t h e range clock r e c e i v e r ,
and i s allowed t o a c q u i r e t h e received clock s i g n a l . A t # some l a t e r time,
tc ,
clock a c q u i s i t i o n i s complete and t h e r e c e i v e r generated code i s running a t t h e
same r a t e as, and synchronized on a b i t t o b i t basis with, t h e received code.
The r e c e i v e r generated code i s not y e t matched i n phase, o r t i m e delay, t o t h e
received code.

S t a r t i n g a t time, t h e t i m e a t which t h e r e c e i v e r generated code

ts ,
s t a r t s s e p a r a t i n g from t h e t r a n s m i t t e d code i n phase, it i s r e q u i r e d t o accu­
mulate, o r keep t r a c k o f , t h e amount of phase change between t h e r e c e i v e r
generated and t r a n s m i t t e d codes. This i s done by d e t e c t i n g t h e clock Doppler,
o r d i f f e r e n c e frequency,between t h e two clock g e n e r a t o r s and counting or i n t e ­
g r a t i n g t h i s frequency. Every t i m e t h e clock d i f f e r e n c e frequency makes a
zero-crossing, t h e r e c e i v e r generated and t r a n s m i t t e d codes have s l i p p e d p a s t
each o t h e r by one b i t period. A count of clock Doppler zero c r o s s i n g s , t o g e t h e r
w i t h a n i n c r e a s i n g or decreasing sense i n d i c a t i o n , e f f e c t i v e l y keeps t r a c k of
t h e cumulative phase d i f f e r e n c e between t h e t r a n s m i t t e d and received generated
codes, caused by t h e i r running a t d i f f e r e n t r a t e s . This i n t e g r a t e d clock
Doppler s i g n a l i s routed t o t h e range t a l l y t o keep t h e continuous range measure­
ment a c c u r a t e .

P a r t 5 of t h e figure shows t h e r e s u l t of t h e f i n a l s t e p i n a c q u i s i t i o n of
t h e coae, t k t of' s t e p p i n g t h e r e c e i v e r code g e n e r a t o r i n d i s c r e t e b i t s t e p s
u n t i l it e x a c t l y matches i n phase, or c o r r e l a t e s , w i t h t h e r e c e i v e d code.

35
This correlation is actually obtained by stepping each of the four receiver
code components separately, with the range tally being advised of the equiv ­
alent movement of the entire receiver code. After obtaining correlation of the
entire code, the continuously up-dated range measurement being displayed by the
range tally is correct and has a resolution of about half a bit period or
l5O meters. After the acquisition of the transponded code, a step is taken to
refine the resolution of the continuous measurement. This is to switch from
counting Doppler on the two clock generators to counting Doppler on two RF
signals derived phase coherently from the two carriers. Since the clock signals
are, themselves, coherelit with their respective carriers, the clock Doppler is
phase coherent with the RF Doppler. Immediately after tallying a zero crossing
of the clock Doppler, the RF Doppler counter is allowed to commence up-dating
the range tally. This increases the resolution of the continuous range measure­

ment to about 1.05 meters.

4.1.2 An Explanation of Acquisition

Many signals must be acquired during operation of this system. The fol­

lowing lists the signals and the order in which they must be acquired and gives

a brief description of the functioning of the various circuits during acquisition.

Many of the acquisition processes are automated, being run by the acquisition

and programming circuitry. This explanation does not depend on a knowledge of

the exact method employed to automate the functions. Acquisition begins with

the spacecraft transmitting a carrier which is phase modulated by the voice and

PCM telemetry subcarriers.

At the ground station the acquisition antenna is programmed, using previ­

ously determined information, to search for the spacecraft signal. This search

may consist of a spiral scan motion combined with programmed tracking of a pre­

diction of the spacecraft trajectory.

Combined with the antenna search in angle, the acquisition reference re­
ceiver searches in frequency for the central carrier component of the spacecraft
signal. This search is made by sweeping the receiver VCO in frequency. When
the VCO frequency is at the proper position relative to the spacecraft carrier
component, the acquisition carrier tracking loap will lock. The lock is signi­
fied by the appearance of a d-c carrier acquisition signal from the RF channel
quadrature phase detector.

Once the carrier tracking loap is locked, the antenna angle drive channels

become operative. The antenna drive is thea saJitched from the programmed search

to the acquisition-angle channels. When the acquisition antenna is sufPiciertly

alined, the main antenw, which is physically tied to Lhe acquisition aitenna,

acquires the spacecr-aftsignal. The main reference channel VCO is then swept

into lock with the carrier component. This lock activates the m i n angle

channels. The antenna drive is then switched fron the acquisition angle channels

to the main angle channels.

Next, the carrier tracking l o o p in the dzta demodulator is lozked up. Then,
both the voice and PCM telemetry demodulatois are activzted. Now, the gro9x-d
transnitter VCO is swept in frequency m t i l the spncecraft carrier trxking
l o o p a c q u i r e s . A c q u i s i t i o n i s s i g n a l l e d a t t h e s p a c e c r a f t by a 3-c a c q u i s i t i o n
s i g n a l ( t h e s p a c e c r a f t coherent au'tonatic g a i n con.trol v o l t a g e ) .
The space-
c r a f t i n - l o c k s i g n a l and VC3 s t a t i c phase e r r o r a r e telemetered t o t h e groand

station.

The ground t r a n s n i t t e r frequency i s t h e n slowly s h i f t e d t o a d j u s t t h e

t e l e m e t e r e d s t a t i c pyase e r r o r i n d i c a t i o n . This adjustment i n s u r e s t h a t t h e
s i g n a l received a t t h e spacecraft i s properly positioned i n the spacecraft
r e c e i v e r 2assband. The v o i c e and up-data s u b c a r r i e r s a r e ric'xt a c q u i r e d i n t h e
s p a c e c r a f t . When a s p a c e c r a f t FM inode i s b e i n g employed, t h e a u x i l i a r y FM
ground r e c e i v e i s tuned t o a c q u i r e t h e FM s i g n a l . Then, t h e main modulation
t r a c k i n g loop i n t h e d a t a demodulator i s locked. Because or' t h e
antenna a u t o - t r a c k mechanization, t h e PM c a r r i e r must be a c q u i r e d p r i o r t o FM
a c q u i s i t i o n . A t t h i s p a i n t a l l t h e comnunication channels have been acquired.
The f i n a l s t e p i s t o perform t h e ranging. The five-element ranging code,
generated by t h e t r a n s m i t t e r range code g e n e r a t o r , i s allowed t o phase modulate
t h e ground t r a n s m i t t e r and i s s e n t t o the s p a c e c r a f t . A t t h e s p a c e c r a f t t h e
code i s demodulated and then remodulated on t h e down c a r r i e r . The code i s
r e c e i v e d on t h e ground and p s s e s through the main r e f e r e n c e channel t o t h e
r e c e i v e r IF' clock demodulation and code c o r r e l a t i o n c i r c u i t r y . Here t h e c l o c k
VCO i s swept i n frequency and t h e ranging c l o c k component acquired. Meanwhile,
t h e r e c e i v e r coder clock t r a n s f e r l o o p has been switched and locked t o the t r a n s ­
m i t t e r c l o c k s i g n a l . The r e c e i v e r code g e n e r a t o r has been matched i n p5ase t o
t h e t r a n s m i t t e r code g e n e r a t o r , and t h e range t a l l y s e t t o zero. The t r a n s f e r
l o o p i s now switched and allowed t o a c q u i r e t h e r e c e i v e d clock s i g n a l , sweeping
t h e coder clock t r a n s f e r l o o p VCO, i f necesssry.

Counting and t a l l y i n g of clock Doppler begins a-t tliis p o i n t . The r e c e i v e r

code g e n e r a t o r i s now stepped i n phase u n t i l a l l f'oilr of t h e code elemen-ts a r e
acquired, a s s i g n a l l e d by t h e code c o r r e l a t i o n i n d i c a t i o n . A f t e r a c q u i s i t i o n
of t h e c o n p l e t e code, the range t a l l y i s switched t o count 'RF Doppler. The
t r a n s m i t t e r code modulation i s t h e n removed. The range t a l l y continires t o be
up-dated by t h e R F Doppler, alone. This a c t i o n completes t h e a c q u i s i t i o n and
ranging procedure.

4.2 L m a r l'4issioi Comnunication Requirements

Detailed c h r o n o l o g i c a l c o r m m i c a t i o n requirements f o r a l l t h e Apollo

missions have n o t been formixlated a t t h i s time, b u t it i s p o s s i b l e t o o u t l i n e ,
i n g e n e r a l , t h e maximm c a p a b i l i t i e s r e q u i r e d f o r t h e S-band telecommmication
system d u r i n g t h e l u n a r l a n d i n g mission. This d e s c r i p t i o n includes t h e t a c j . t
a s s u n p t i o n that t h e 3-band system i s t h e o n l y t r a c k i n g and communication system
i n use during t h e mission. This assunytion w i l l n o t h o l d d u r i n g the launch
phase, and may n o t h 3 l d d u r i n g the e a r t h o r b i t a l , r e e n t r y , and recovery phases.
The requirements w i l l be t r e a t e d according t o ;nission phase.

4.2.1 Prelaunch

Before launch, from t h e t i m e t h e CSM systems a r e a c t i v a t e d and a f t e r t h e

a s t r o n a u t s hsve cone aboard, t h e S-band system w i l l be required t o t r a n s m i t
v o i c e s n 3 t e l e m e t r y and perhaps t e l e v i s i o n t o t h e Mission Control C e n t e r a t

37
 Cape Kennedy. It w i l l a l s o be r e q u i r e d t o check t h e o p e r a t i o n of t h e system,
i t s e l f , before launch.

4.2.2 Launch

During t h e p e r i o d from t h e beginning of main b o o s t e r s t a g e burn, through

engine c u t - o f f a t i n s e r t i o n i n t o e a r t h o r b i t , it w i l l be necessary t o have
S-band t r a c k i n g , two-way voice, PCM t e l e m e t r y , up-data, and t e l e v i s i o n . It
should be noted that i n t h i s and t h e o t h e r phases, t h e t e l e v i s i o n requirement
has t h e lowest p r i o r i t y . However, given t h e c a p a b i l i t y , transmission of
t e l e v i s i o n a t t h e i n d i c a t e d times i s h i g h l y d e s i r a b l e .

4.2.3 Earth Orbit

During t h e one t o f o u r e a r t h o r b i t s b e f o r e t r a n s l u n a r i n j e c t i o n , it i s
r e q u i r e d t o have t r a c k i n g from a t l e a s t two s t a t i o n s on t h e f i r s t o r b i t and a t
l e a s t one p e r following o r b i t . Also r e q u i r e d i s voice, PCM telemetry, up-data,
and t e l e v i s i o n .

4.2.4 Translunar I n j e c t i o n

During t h e burning of t h e S-IV-B s t a g e f o r i n j e c t i o n i n t o a t r a n s l u n a r

t r a j e c t o r y , and depending upon t h e r a d i o v i s T b i l i t y of an S-band g r o h d s t a t i o n ,
it i s d e s i r a b l e t o have t r a c k i n g , voice, and PCMtelemetry. During t h i s , as
w e l l as t h e o t h e r c r i t i c a l mission phases, i f communication i s not maintained,
v o i c e and PCM t e l e m e t r y w i l l be recorded on board f o r l a t e r playback. However,
it i s r e q u i r e d t h a t ranging, telemetry, voice, ,up-data, and recorded d a t a be
a v a i l a b l e b e f o r e 20 mi.nutes a f t e r i n j e c t i o n .

4.2.5 S p a c e c r a f t Transposition and LEM Checkout

A f t e r i n j e c t i o n , during t h e p e r i o d when t h e CSM s e p a r a t e s from t h e r e ­

maining p o r t i o n of t h e v e h i c l e and removes t h e LEM, ranging, voice, and t e l e ­
metry are r e q u i r e d and t e l e v i s i o n i s d e s i r a b l e . Biomedical t e l e m e t r y m y a l s o
be r e q u i r e d a t t h i s t i m e .

During t h e p e r i o d when t h e U M systems a r e being checked out, it w i l l be

r e q u i r e d t o have, simultaneously with both v e h i c l e s , voice and telemetry. Re­
q u i r e d a t l e a s t s e q u e n t i a l l y with both v e h i c l e s w i l l be up-data, biomedical d a t a ,
t e l e v i s i o n and t r a c k i n g .

4.2.6 Earth-Lunar Coast

A f t e r t h e L E M checkout p e r i o d and f o r t h e d u r a t i o n of t h e c o a s t phase,

u n t i l i n s e r t i o n i n t o l u n a r o r b i t , a l l f u n c t i o n s w i l l be r e q u i r e d , from one
s p a c e c r a f t only.

4.2.7 Lunar O r b i t

During l u n a r o r b i t of both v e h i c l e s , before s e p a r a t i o n of t h e L E M for de­

s c e n t , t h e LEN systems must a g a i n be checked o u t . It w i l l be required t o have
t r a c k i n g , voice, PCM t e l e m e t r y and up-data from b o t h v e h i c l e s , simultaneously,
and perhaps EVA biomedical d a t a from one v e h i c l e . Additionally, playback of
any PCM t e l e m e t r y and/or voice recorded by the CSM on t h e back side of t h e
moon m a y be r e q u i r e d .

4.2.8 Lunar Landing, Surface Operations, and Rendezvous

Immediately upon s e p a r a t i o n of t h e LEM f o r t h e lunar descent, t r a c k i n g ,

voice, FCMtelemetry, and up-data w i l l be r e q u i r e d f o r both s p a c e c r a f t s i m u l ­
taneously. The CSM w i l l continue t o r e q u i r e t e l e m e t r y and voice dump as it
o r b i t s t h e moon. A f t e r l u n a r landing, t r a c k i n g of t h e LEM w i l l n o t be required.
However, voice, PCM telemetry, up-data, biomedical data, and t e l e v i s i o n w i l l be
r e q u i r e d f o r t h e I X M d u r i n g i t s l u n a r s t a y . Simultaneously, t h e CSM w i l l re­
q u i r e a l l f u n c t i o n s except t e l e v i s i o n and biomedical d a t a . For l u n a r take-off
and through rendezvous w i t h t h e CSM, t r a c k i n g , voice, and PCM t e l e m e t r y w i l l be
r e q u i r e d f o r both s p a c e c r a f t simultaneously.

4.2.9 Moon-Earth I n j e c t i o n and Coast

Requirements f o r t h i s phase a r e e s s e n t i a l l y t h e same as f o r t h e analogous

earth-moon phases, with t h e a d d i t i o n of r e q u i r e d t r a c k i n g of the LEM a f t e r
s e p a r a t i o n , t o e s t a b l i s h i t s l u n a r o r b i t ephemeris.

4.2.10 Reentry

Tracking, voice, PCM t e l e m e t r y , up-data, recorded d a t a playback, and pos­

s i b l y t e l e v i s i o n w i l l be r e q u i r e d f o r a l l non-blackout times. This a g a i n de­
pends on t h e r a d i o v i s i b i l i t y of ground s t a t i o n s .

4.3 System Operation f o r a Nominal Lunar Mission

The following i s a d e s c r i p t i o n of communications o c c u r r i n g during a hypo­

t h e t i c a l l u n a r mission. It i s intended t o i l l u s t r a t e t h e probable sequence of
communication e v e n t s f o r a nominal mission. The n a r r a t i v e i s broken i n t o t h e
l o g i c a l mission phases.

4.3.1 Prelaunch

Before launch, t h e s p a c e c r a f t systems a r e a c t i v a t e d . The launch s i t e

S-band t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n antenna i s p o i n t e d a t t h e s p a c e c r a f t and a c q u i r e s t h e
two command module c a r r i e r s u s i n g t h e s p a c e c r a f t omniantenna. The s p a c e c r a f t
t h e n a c q u i r e s t h e t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n c a r r i e r . A prelaunch S-band systems check­
out o p e r a t i o n i s t h e n performed. A f t e r t h e p r e l i m i n a r y system checkout, t h e
u p - l i n k v o i c e and command s u b c a r r i e r s a r e a c q u i r e d f o r o p e r a t i o n a l use. The
down-link voice and t e l e m e t r y s u b c a r r i e r s and t e l e v i s i o n z i g n a l are acquired i n
t h e FM mode. The range code i s t r a n s m i t t e d and a c q u i r e d and range t a l l y of PM
c a r r i e r Doppler i n i t i a t e d using t h e h i g h power PM mode.

4.3.2 hunch

During b o o s t e r burn t h e laimch s i t e t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n continues t o Doppler

t r a c k t h e s p a c e c r a f t i n t h e h i g h power PM mode and r e c e i v e t e l ~ n e t r y ,voicc
39
and television in the FM mode. As the spacecraft gains altitude it becomes

visible to the go-no-go tracking station down-range. This station acquires the

spacecraft PM carrier first, then its FM carrier with telemetry, voice and

television. At the hand-over time, the launch site station ceases transmitting.

The go-no-go station observes this event by monitoring the spacecraft tele­

metered transponder in-lock signal. Rapidly the go-no-go station commences

transmitting and causes the spacecraft to acquire the new qarrier, voice, and

command channels. The go-no-go station then transmits the ranging code, ac­

quires it, and commences tallying spacecraft PM carrier Doppler.

4.3.3 Earth-Orbit Insertion

For the remainder of powered flight and during insertion, the go-no-go

station continues to Doppler track the spacecraft in the high-power PM mode

and receive voice, telemetry, and television in the FM mode. When powered

flight terminates and after the spacecraft has stabilized, sufficient Doppler

track data is accumulated by the go-no-go station to permit the go-no-go

decision. After contact with the go-no-go station is lost, spacecraft trans­

mission in the FM mode is terminated. The voice and telemetry channels are

switched to the PM mode.

4.3.4 Earth Orbit

For the remainder of time spent in earth orbit, most communication and

tracking is performed with the spacecraft in the high-power PM mode, using the

mniantenna. The only exceptions are if data laas been recorded or if tele­

vision is required. Then the spacecraft FM mode may be initiated.

4.3.5 Translunar Trajectory Injection

Just before the S-IV-B engine is ignited at the beginning of injection,

if contact is not being maintained with a ground station, voice and PCMtele­

metry will be routed to the onboard data storage equipment. The spacecraft

will commence transmitting in the PM mode for ground station acquisition.

Depending on the geographical location of the injection point, a ground station

m y not be acquired until after injection burn is complete. In any event, the

two-way acquisition of PM mode carriers, voice, telemetry, up-data, and ranging

code will be made in the same manner as before. After acquisition, sufficient

tracking data is accumulated to give the injection go-no-go decision.

4.3.6 Transposition and LEM Checkout

After the injection go-no-go decision, tracking and communications continue

in the PM mode, using the omniantenna, as the command service module (CSM)

separates from the remainder of the vehicle to begin transposition and docking

.
with the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) Care must be taken to maintain space­
craft attitude during this maneuver so that the PM links will not be broken.
Television and/or data playback may be required at this time. If so, the FM
mode will be activated. However, to avoid interruption, real-time PCM telemetry
and voice will remin in the PM mode. After docking and trznsposition is com­
plete, an astronaut enters the LEM and activates the LEM systems. From this

40

 point of the mission until lunar operations commence, the ground-tracking

stations must have dual capabilities in all communication functions except

angle tracking and ranging. While operational tracking and communications con­

tinue using the CSM PM mode, the LEM PM mode is activated and two-way LEM ground

acquisition performed. All LEM communications functions are then checked. out.

During this period the CSM high-gain antenna is deployed and activated.

4.3.7 Translunar Coast

After the completion of LEM checkout, LEM transmission ceases. For the

reminder of the flight to the moon, primary communications with the spacecraft

continue, using the CSM PM mode with possible intermittent FM transmission. If

an astronaut leaves the spacecraft, his voice and special biomedical data are

relayed through the CSM voice channel.

4.3.8 Lunar Orbit

Voice and PCM telemetry will be transmitted in the PM mode during retro­

fire to insert into lunar orbit. Tracking and ranging will also be performed

on the spacecraft, using the PM mode, during retrol'ire. Arter insertion into

lunar orbit, communication will be accomplished with the CSM in the PM mode.

Sufficient tracking data will be accumulated to insure a good orbit around the

moon. While the spacecraft is behind the moon, voice and telemetry will be

recorded in the data storage equipment. When the spacecraft reappears from

behind the moon, two-way signal acquisition is made with the CSM in the PM mode.

Ranging and tracking is immediately tnitiated. Real-time voice and telemetry

are transmitted through the PM channel. Recorded telemetry and/or voice are

transmitted through the FM channel. For the remaincier oflthe time that the CSM

remains in moon orbit, communications and tracking will continue as before.

4.3.9 Lunar Landing, Surface Operations and Rendezvous

At some time during lunar orbit, two astronauts will transfer.fromthe CSM
to the U M . The L E M systems will be activated and a checkout procedure initiated.
The CSM will be communicating with the earth station in the PM mode. Two-way
PM carrier acquisition will be made between LEM and ground. The LEM telemetry,
voice, and up-data channels will be activated, and tracking on LEM and CSM,
simultaneously, will be initiated. At this point of the mission full dual
capability for all comunication functions will be required of the earth tracking
stations. After LEM systems checkout has been satisfactorily completed and the
landing decision made, the LEM will separate from the CSM and retrofire f o r
descent to the lunar surface. Continuous communication and tracking will be
maintained with both spacecraft simultaneously, in their PM modes, visibility
permitting. After a satisfactory LEM descent and landing, tracking of the LEM
is not necessary, and voice, telemetry, and television from the LEM m y be had
in the FM mode. During the stay on the moon's surface one astronaut will depart
the spacecraft. His voice and biomedical data will be relayed to earth via the
LEM voice channel. Meanwhile, the CSM ground link will be maintained in the
PM mode, except for -pfossible recorded data playback in the FM mode. After com­
pletion of lunar surface operations the LEM will return to the PM mode for two
way acquisition of carriers, range code, and information channels. The LEM will

41

then boost free of the surface and establish a rendezvous trajectory toward the

CSM. Simultaneous tracking and communication with both spacecraft will again

be performed in the PM modes.

4.3.10 Earth Trajectory Injection and Coast

After a successful rendezvous, the two L;EM astronauts will transfer back
to the CSM. The LEM systems will be left on. The CSM will separate from the
L E M and boost into an earth transfer trajectory. Communication and tracking
with the CSM will be performed in the PM mode with possible FM television.

As long as the LEM remains in the ground antenna beam-width of the CSM

tracking station, or if a second tracking station is visible, the LEM will be

tracked in the PM mode to determine its lunar orbit. After injection into the

transfer trajectory, the CSM will coast back toward earth with communications

the same as during the outward trip.

4.3.11 Atmospheric Reentry

As the CSM nears the earth, communication will be in the PM mode using the

omniantenna with possible FM television. Maintenance of communications will

depend on the geographical location of the reentry path and the reentry ioni­

zation density. Given a visible tracking station, communication in the PM mode

will be maintained through landing of the CSM.

42

 5.0 REFWNCES

1. Baumert, L., Easterling, M. Golomb, S. W., and Viterbi, A.: Coding

Theory and its Applications to Communications Systems. Technical Report

No. 32-67, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, March 31, 1961.

2. Martin, Benn D.: The Pioneer IV Lunar Probe. A Minimum Power FM/PM System
Design. Technical Report No. 32-215, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, California, March 15, 1962.

43

 5.0 TAE!L;ES

TABLE I.- COCE C@MI'O?ENT LENGTHS

Code Component Length (bits)

X 11

TABLE 11.- BIOMEDICAL TELEMETRY CHANNEL DATA

- = - - ~. ~ ~

Channel Center Frequency

Channel Information

1 4.0 kc Spare

2 5.4 kc SSA Battery

3 6.8 kc Suit Pressure

4 8.2 kc Oxygen Pressure

5 9.6 kc Suit Temperature

6 11.0 kc Body Temperature

7 12.4 kc Impedance Pneumograph

44

TABLE 111.- UP-LINK MODULATION MODES (PM)

Mode Information Transmitted

. . ~
-___ -

1-A
Range Corle Only

1-B Voice Only

1-c Up-Data Only

1-D Range Code + Voice

1-E Range Code + Up-Data

1-F
Range Code + Voice + Up-Data

1-G
Voice + Up-Data

45
 TABLE lY.-DOWNLINK MODULATION MODES

._. . .-

TRANSMITTED INFORMATION

MODE

PM Channel
FM Channel

_-- -

A-1
Carrier only
By-pass PM Final Amp.

A-2
Carrier only

~~

A-3
Carrier only
Television 8~ Real-time
By-pass PM Final Amp.

PCM T/M, Voice, EVA,

Biomed.

B-1
Range Code
By-pass PM Final Amp.
.-

B-2
Range Code
Television 8~ Real-time
By-pass PM Final Amp.
PCM T/M, Voice, EVA,

Biomed.
.- ~ ... .-

B-3
Range Code a Real-
time PCM T/M,
Voice, EVA, Biomed.

B-4
Range Code &Real-
Television & Recorded
time PCM T/M,
PCM T/M, Recorded

Voice, EVA, Biomed.

Voice
.- .

C-1
Real-time PCM T/M,

Voice, EVA, Biomed.

~~ __.

c-2
Real-time PCM T/M,
Recorded PCM T/M,

Voice, EVA, Biomed.

Recorded Voice

~~

c-3
Recorded PCM T/M,
Real-time PCM T/M,

Recorded Voice
Voice, EVA, Biomed.

D-1
Emergency Voice
By-pass PM Final Amp.

. - . . .

D-2
Emergency Voice

E-1
Emergency Key
By-pass PM Final Amp.

-_ -. ­

46

- ...- . . . ... .. - ..
._ . . - -... . - '
 TABU V.- SUBCARRIER FREQUENCIES

r -
..

Information Channel Channel Number Frequency

Up-link Voice 30 KC

Up- D a t a 70 KC
.

Down-link Voice 1 . 2 5 MC
-- ._

PCM Telemetry 1.024 MC

Recorded PCM Teleme 1.024 MC

Recorded Voice 1.25 MC

. ..

Biomedical D a t a 4.0 KC

5.4 KC
6.8 KC
8 . 2 KC

9.6 KC
11.0 KC

12.4 KC

Emergency Key 512 KC

47

 TABU VI.- RECEIVER CODER PROGRAM STATES

- . .

output
. .

48

 VOICE PCM
E LE METRY

4 U P - L I N K VOICE
-
4 P DATA
CSM VOICE
b
P M RECEIVER
4 ' FINAL AMPLIFIERS,
HI- GAIN
ANTENNA

LEM RELAY VOICE b PREMODULATION SW ITCH ING,

EVA VOICE & B W , PM EXCITER
PROCESSOR AND
TELEVISION
PCM TELEMETRY b
EMERGENCY KEY b
b
FM EXCITER
D I R EXING CIRCUIlRY

I
v
"0MNI I'
I ANTENNA

Figure 1.- The basic spacecraft system

MAIN ANTENNA ~

FM DATA
REFERENCE L
* DEMODULATION
- I
1 4 CIRCUITRY

-
I
I
CIRCUITRY HANDLING
t EQUIPMENT

ACQUISITION
EROWAVE
I
ANTENNA
CIRCUITRY
[ lNCU"G
DIPLEXER)
I RECEIVER I I

1 ACOUISITloN
ANGLE
RECEIVERS(2)
{ TO ANTENNA
SERVO SYSTEM
RANGE
CODE
ACQUlSTION

PROGRAMMING

'OICE a
IP DATA

Figure 2.- The Apollo u n i f i e d S-band ground system

 REFERENCE
DEMODULATION
RECEIVER
CIRCUITRY #I
MAIN
ANTENNA

CIRCUITRY *I EQUIPMENT
RECEIVERS (2)

b
b ACQUISITION -bTO
MICROWAVE ANGLE CHANNEL SERVOS

CIRCUITRY
~

e
-b RECENERS ( 2)
d
+ PROGRAMMING

ANTENNA 1 FM
REFERENCE DATA
I CHANNEL IOMC. DEMODULATlON

-m
e RECEIVER

A
R~~~~~~~ I=' 1 I 1 I
RANGING
l I I

-­I I
RECEIVER CIRCUITRY "2

RANGE CODE
I
PREMOWLATON
CIRCUITRY *I

Figure 3.- The Apollo dual u n i f i e d S-band ground s t a t i o n

 PM CARRIER

VOICE SUBCARRIER

UP-DPTA SUBCARRIER
I
II
L

RANGE CODE ENVELOPE

f
LoLfo+ 30 KC

Figure 4.- The individual up-link

RlER I PM CARRIER 2

VOICE SUBCARRIER VOICE SUBCARRIER

F UP-DATA SUBCARRIER UP-DATA SUBCARRIER

1.

Figure 5 . - The dual up-link

---, r R A N G E CODE
ENVELOPE

f0z +2 MC
 PM FM
.
COHERENT CARRIER

RANGE O D E ENVELOPE
NON-COHERENT CARRIER

T/M SUBCARRIER

/ / VOICE SUBCARRIER I / / ,-VOICE SUBCARRIER

Lfo,+ 1.024 MC fo,+ I . 024 M C

(a) CSM dawn-link

Figure 6.- The dawn-link

 PM

C O H E R E N T CARRIER

RANGE CODE

i ENVELOPE

I L
VOICE SUBCARRIER

FL -FL+ 1.25MC

1 FL+ 1.024MC

I
I
I
1
I
I
I \

Figure 6.- Concluded

55

-,.
 f

CSM PM
COHERENT CARRIER
LEM PM 1 CSM F M
G O H E R E M CARRIER N$N COHERENT CARRIER
RANGE CODE ENVELOPE 1;! I

I ‘r
RANGE CODE E N V E L O P E T V ENVELOPE
I I
fT/M SUBCARRIER

VOICE SUBCARRIER
I r T’B
d SUBCARRIER
5
i ’ /
I
r T / M SUBCARRIER

t
7
FGSY/ P Y

[ LFLEY/PY+ l . 2 5 M C
FLEM/pY + I. 0 2 4 M C

CSM P M LEM F M
COHERENT CARRIEF? NON COHERENT CARRIER
RANGE CODE ENVELOPE I
T V ENVELOPE

T/ M SUBCARRIER T/ M SUBCARRIER

VOICE SUBCARR I ER VOICE SUBCARRIER

FMM/pM +
+
FGsy/pm I. 25 MC
I . 024 M C IF FLEu/FM

FLEU/Fu + 1 . 024 M C
-
+ I . 25 MC
Figure 7.- The dawn-link p o s i t e s p e c t r a for LF51 and CSM

57

I .
-. ...... -. .._ ...
PM COHERENT CARRIER

VOICE ENVELOPE
//

f o
L o + 3 0 0 CPS f0+2.3 KC

Figure 8.- The emergency voice

 PM COHERENT CARRIER

+ 512 KC
..

0
fo

Figure 9.- The emergency key

60

1
AGC TO PCM TELEMETRY 1
I !-

F ILTER

1 0
+TO REDUNDANT I
TRANSPONDER RECEIVER

FILTER

I *,
N FROM RED

- - -
F M MODULATION FROM RED
TRANSPONDER

BUFFER
-iR AMPLIFIER
MIXER AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER
VARACTER 4 VARACTER
MULTIPLIER MULTIPLIER

61

FROM PCM

KEY
BAND PASS
FILTER
512 KC FROM C T E

512 KC FROM PCM CLOCK

FROM AUDIO CENTER VOX P T T

FROM AUDIO CENTER 1

LOW-PASS

t
FILTER
FcX 3 K C NO VOX I
VOICE a BIOME0 FROM
V H F / A M RCVR

FILTER
Fc = 3 K C FILTER NETWORK
t I
LO DSE RECORDER I I
v I 1- I
- EMERGENC-Y VOICE
f I
512 KC FROM PCM CLOCK

PCM DATA FROM DSERECO_RDER

x2

4 PCMMTA
LI
81-PHASE
MODULATOR
1

4os
~

A M LIMITER
L
I

CLIPPED VOICE FROM DSE RECORDER OEMODULATO

FILTER - CRYSTAL
OSCILLAl

TELEVISION
rI
I
I
I

I
I
I
-
RF INFUT

I
I

FILTER
AGC .TO

PCM
TELEMETRY
I

RFWTFUT I

MXER

I t
FM EXCITER 1

Figure 12. - The u n i f i e d S-band transponder

KEY BAND PASS
FILTER
512 KC FROM CTE 'Fc = 512 KC
Bw = 30 KC

@AN0 PASS
512 KC F W PCM CLOCK 81 - PHASE FILTER . REAL T / M
x 2 e= 1.024 MC
4MOOULATCR __*
Bw = 150 KC (, PM TO XPNDR ,

--b
H I - PASS
FILTER
FCz 3KC
I
CLIPPER a
FILTER
MIXING
KTWORK

4
fl Fc = 1.024 MC
B s I50 KC
RECORDED T/M I 1 1

*TO RECORDER

4 UP-VOICE
DEMOWLAKN?
[ VOICE ,
I ­
rt
CLIPPED VOICE FROM TAPE RECORDER FILTER -
TELEVISION
 I
I

I
I
p4- I
I
I

- FILTER -
I

65

 CARRIER ACQUISITION AWUISITDN

a 'OTHER ACQUISITION
CODE CORRELATION
' PROGRAMMING
CIRCUITRY
FUNCTIONS

I
REcElviR RF 10 M C IF
REE~VERwo
- CLOCK
'DEMODULATOR
a CODE
RECD. CLOCK +
DE
DATA
HANDLING
'AGC CIRCUITRY K)MC-REF + CORRELATOR EQUIPMENT

RCVR CODE
f T T STTTTT
MICROWPVE
I
1 411 TRMMITTER
RCVR V
RF DOPPLER
I -
__ a FREQUENCY IO M
~'
:$FER
b
CIRCUITRY
GENERATW
CIRCUITRY
a
-
TRANSMITTER VCO
I MC REF GENERATOR
-BIASED RF
DOPPLER

PM MODULATION
TRANSMITTER CODE
VOICE
5 0 M C REF
-BAND L.O. , I I I 1 7
I UP-DATA
-

ANGLE ERROR
TO SERVOSYSTEM

Figure 14.- The basic ground system

 r-- 1 I

I i-

MAIN A N T E N N A I

I
I
I
I
RECEIVER: R.F: CARRIER

I WSE- LOCK 8 AUTOMATIC

C O N T R O L CIRCUITRY.
23.8 MC

-3
t
R E F OSC
I

I I

I I

II
I I -
MICROWAVE

I
I
I C IRCU ITRY mEa SYN FREP REF RUBID
I
a DIPLEXER
I

I
I 1

ACP ANTENNA
I I ,
\I/ I

.
a 1
I

d I 3R os

- I

r I
I
3

IHS 0383

I I I I

--- r------I--
 ,

-------- CARRIER ACQUlSLTlON ~

--- 1
fl PROGRAMMED
\' FUNCTIONS I
I
~ RECEIVER CLOCK ~
RANGE DATA
I
I
RANGE
RATE
DATA

:DER CLOCK TRANSFER LOOP

IPPLER DETECTOR
ING, AND I
--------- -1 --
ACQ UIS I TlON
ClRCUlTRYI

---------- - - - - - -1, [-&-I I

0 so LOOP FlLT
I
L25MC
I t
T H ' I II

I I I
- - I
' I
ANBADG, 8loMEDl
' I
I
-
140 MC
f 1d- BP LIM
-
BIOMED
FILTS
a
.
I
I
W . ; E R F os0
2.048MC
H I , I
I
'
,
I
I
DULATOR
-1
U TV FlLT
I
.
I
I
_I
'GE-J
Figure 15. - The Apollo unified S-band telecommunications
and tracking ground system

67
r -- - - ---1
I MAIN ANTENNA FEED I
I I LO- NOISE
b AMPLIFIER +
TO MAIN # I
,X- ANGLE
CHANNEL +TO MAIN REF.
I RECEIVER CHANNEL

TO MAIN
,Y- ANGLE
I .
CHANNEL
~~ NOISE REFERENCE
I RECEIVER SOURCE CHANNEL
I SELECTOR
I I
I
I
DIPLEXER J _*TO ACQ. REF:
LHCP SUM
I I 1 AMPLIFER
CHANNEL
L-
I I
I
I
I
I
I
DIPLEXER - "r' I
I
I
I
I
TO ACQ.
Y-ANGLE
'CHANNEL
RECEIVER
I .
Il_jI 1" FROM X MTR

3
I

I TO ACQ. RF LOAD

X-ANGLE

I CHANNEL
I LHCP X I RECEIVER
I

Figure 16.- The deep space station micruwave circuitry

d

MAIN
X-ANGLE
CHANNEL
RECEIVER
I MAIN

E
MAIN
ANTENNA
FEEDS
MAIN
DIPLEXER ' LOW NOISE
AMPLIFIER '
DIRECTIONAL
COUPLER
REFERENCE
CHANNEL
RECEIVER

LOW NOISE
AMPLIFIER CHANNEL
RECEIVER
ACQUISITION I I ACQUISITION
LOW NOISE
AMPLIFIER ' X-ANGLE
CHANNEL
RECEIVER
FEEDS ACQUISITION
LOW NOISE
AMPLIFIER ' Y-ANGLE
CHANNEL
RECEIVER
I L

Figure 17.- The near-earth S-band ground s t a t i o n microwave c i r c u i t r y

 GAfi :A
ACQUI rlON

-t,,
I

Ib PREAMPLIFIER + MIX 4
50 M:

MIX DETECTOR LOOP FILTER

I

I 10 HC
-----I

hFH-1-

I TO A N G L E

I CHANNELS
FREQUENCY
I MULTIPLIER MULTIPLIER
I

I
I
I

I
3.4 MC

LL
I 7
I

I
I I

I
I

I I

I I

.-J

RE( E R
DO1 .E R
REFERENCE

Figure 18.- The r e c e i v e r RF c a r r i e r phase lock

and automatic g a i n c o n t r o l c i r c u i t r y
 FROM REFERENCE CHANNEL

r-------- ‘I - - - - - - I - - - - - - - - - - - - - I\
I I RECEIVER ANGLE CHANNEL
I
I
160 MC I
F + F

I b PREAMPLIFIER I
50M: BANDPASS IOMC ANGLE ERROR ITOANTENNA
4 MIX MIX
CARRIER IN I FILTER, 2 KC ISERVO %TI%

Figure 19.- The r e c e i v e r angle channel

 I
I
FREQUENCY FREQUENCY RUBIDIUM
I
I I
REFERENCE FREQ UE NCY
SYNTHESIZER I
I
I
I
I I
I
+r I'

I
I
L) $ SENSITIVE
I DETECTOR, 22MC * LOOP FILTER --b
MASTER VCO
22 MC
+b I

I
1
I
I
r
I
MODULATED I

I
I I

I
PREMOWLATlON

I
CIRCUITRY

L­ --

UP- DATA

Figure 20. - The t r a n s m i t t e r , frequency generating

and pre-modulation c i r c u i t r y
 I

I
$ SENSITIVE I CODE
DETECTOR I
ICORRELATION
r

t I

+ , I
I
DETEGTOR * BANDPASS
LIMITER,2 KC
' (t
SENS'TIVE
DETECTOR LOOP FILTER -+ v GO . I RECEIVED
I CLOCK'
I W
I

b IO MC REF.

Figure 21.- The r e c e i v e r I F clock demodulation

and code c o r r e l a t i o n c i r c u i t r y
 RECEIVER CLOCK __” ’

@ SENSITIVE
DETECTOR
I
I
CLOCK

DOPPLER
’

? I

I I I

RECEIVED
CLOCK

TRANSMITTER
,I
‘I
I

.
@ SENSITIVE
DETECTOR + LOOP FILTER + vco 4DOUBLER X 2
I

I
I
RECEIVER
CLOCK X2’
1 I

CLOCK I I

I I
1 I TRANSMlTTEq

1 CLOCK
I I

y b2- 1
DOUBLER X

Figure 22.- The r e c e i v e r coder clock t r a n s f e r loop

and clock Doppler d e t e c t o r
d RCVR DOPPLER REF:

BIASED R.F. DOPPLER

I MC REF

- ------ - -- - -- - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ -1
I I

BIASED

I DOPPLER 4 MIX I

I DETECTOR I

I , I I I

I I

I - I

FREQUENCY I

I MULTIPLIER MULTIPLIER
X 32
MULTIPLIER
x5
eC, SHIFTER

I x 5/4

I
XMTR I

- c +

DOPPLER
REF I
-
' MULTIPLIER
x3 b MIX b MIX - MULTIPLIER
X8
DOPPLER
DETECTOR
IRFDOPPLER,

I L L . I

I a
I

I I

I I

I FREQUENCY I

SHIFTER

I "
X 57/ 221 I

I I

I I

I I

I FREQUENCY
I
I SHIFTER IXMTR

CLOCK,

I X 5/ 221 I

Figure 23.- The r e c e i v e r RF Doppler d e t e c t o r

and t r a n s m i t t e r clock generator
 I
I I r+
iPRoGRAMMED

’
CODE b ACQ. ASSY. 4-b PROG. UNIT I
CORREL.1
I
I FkkTIONS
I t

-l
I
I
I

HANDLING

CLOCK I

EQU I P MENT
I

DOPPL. I
I

1
I

RANGE
I

RATE
I

DATA

RCVR.
I

CODE

I
I

TRACKING I
I 1 DATA

xz I
-1- - - - - - - - --,
J

Figure 24.- The d i g i t a l ranging, programing,

and a c q u i s i t i o n c i r c u i t r y
 + r ­

- x96 4 .
cos
I b
wtt
x3 * MIX MIX __* X8 - DOPPLER
OETECTOR -

Figure 25.- The Doppler d e t e c t i o n mechanization

,IO MC I F ,BAND PASS 0 DETEGTOR
SENSITIVE

10 MC
4
y-
4
BAND PASS
LIMITER - VOICE

ANALOG
.
JO MC REF. BIOMED.
BIOMEDICAL
LlMilER
- FILERS
aDEMOD.

FREQ. MULT $ SENSITIVE FREQ. MULT.

GI
2.048 MC

I
FREQ.MULT.

EMERGENCY
I .I.--
vnwc
I YCY *

BAL. MIX. BANDPASS

LIMITER
$
+
SENYTIM
DETECTOR
140 MC
+LOOP FILTER .
'
BAND PASS
LIMITER
' LOW ppss
FILTER,WICE
VOICE *

A 4

1 ~

BAND PASS
AMPLIFIER
140MC
-c,
vco
140 M C '
t AGC

$ SENSITIVE

1
43
AMPUFIER FREQ. MULT. @ALDET.
4 C�TECX)R 4 x 2 1.024ffi
2.048 M C
I 4
.50 MC I

T"

Figure 26.- The receiver data demodulator

 CODE SHIFT INFO
r -RANGE TALLY

INTEGRATED CLOCK
L RECEIVED CLOCK PHASE DIFFERENCE
e­

RECEIV ER
-
CORRELATOR +-- GO DE 4 =
GENERATOR

DOPPLER
DETECTOR 8

w I
TRANSMITTER
1
v CODE CLOCK
G E NER ATOR

Figure 27.- The basic ranging mechanization

 CODE

I
1. XMTD
0

I
2. RCVD
0
I I +I '
2

RCVR ,
3. GEN
INlT 0

I
4. INTER
0

I
5. FINAL
0

Figure 28.- The range code a c q u i s i t i o n

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