DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2010.34
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/265
Date of Award
3-2010
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering
Department/Program
Electrical Engineering
Advisor
Dennis Derickson
Abstract
Following the successful launch of CP3 and CP4, the PolySat team noticed an unreliable uplink to both satellites. A significant problem with the PolySat COMM system is poor receive sensitivity of the communications system. Efforts have been made to improve the uplink margin, but without proper characterization of the receiver sensitivity, the problem cannot be fully addressed. By developing an accurate method of measuring receive sensitivity, a methodical approach can be used to properly diagnose the communication system and link budget. Two revisions of the PolySat COMM system will be measured and compared. An in-depth study of the PolySat COMM system will be performed, providing an interesting look at possible causes of the inconsistent uplink and methods of improving the COMM system. For future bus development, this test setup can be used to accurately measure the receive sensitivity.