Notetaker: Communication Subsystems

Question 1

What subsystem enables the satellite to send (telemetry) and receive (command) data?

Answer 1

Telemetry, Tracking, & Command (TTC)

Question 2

What subsystem enables the ground antenna to track the satellite?

Answer 2

Telemetry, Tracking, & Command (TTC)

Question 3

What are the components of Telemetry, Tracking, & Command (TTC)?

Answer 3

• Transmitters
• Receivers
• Antennas

Question 4

Identify

Collection, processing of health and status data of all spacecraft subsystems

Answer 4

Telemetry

Question 5

Identify

Transmission of data to the control segment on the ground

Answer 5

Telemetry

Question 6

Identify

Determination of the satellite’s exact location by the control subsystem

Answer 6

Tracking

Question 7

Identify

Where it is going via the reception, processing, and transmitting of ranging signals

Answer 7

Tracking

Question 8

Identify

Reception and processing of commands for operation of the satellite

Answer 8

Command

Question 9

Identify

Advanced spacecraft designs have evolved toward “autonomous operations” - many functions can be automated onboard

Answer 9

Command

Question 10

“The brains of the satellite”

Answer 10

Command & Data Handling (C&DH) Subsystem

Question 11

What are the components of the Command & Data Handling (C&DH) Subsystem?

Answer 11

• CPU
• Memory
• Links
• Software

Question 12

Identify

Receive, validate, decode, and distribute commands to other spacecraft systems

Answer 12

Command Decoder

Question 13

Identify

Gather, process, and format spacecraft housekeeping and mission data for downlink or use by an onboard computer

Answer 13

Data Handling Unit