Vulcan Software Defined DSN compatible radio (Vulcan)

This collaboration between Vulcan Wireless, Inc and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is to conduct radio frequency and software compatibility testing of a miniature software defined S-Band transceiver. Vulcan Wireless provided both qualification and engineering model radios for compatibility and environmental testing. GSFC provided high performance test facilities and subject matter expertise to perform the tests which include electronic compatibility testing for space network validation.

This radio will support direct communications with NASA’s Near Space Network (NSN) ground terminals. High speed data can be transmitted during a 10-minute pass over a tracking ground aperture. Data rates offered by this radio are as high as 4Mbps for uncoded OQPSK and maintain the spectral mask required by the International Telecommunication Union. A wide range of data rates are available from 1Kbps to 4Mbps. The second mode of operation is the NSN’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite’s multiple access data link (TDRS-MA). For those missions that require it, the TDRS-MA capability allows real time access to the ground system through the geosynchronous data network. Having both waveforms integrated into a single radio provides a major advantage in terms of accommodating size, weight and power constraints inherent in small satellite applications. Testing performed included the following: compatibility, radiation effects, and environmental testing inclusive of thermal vacuum, shock, and random vibration. Compatibility testing included NSN ground terminal waveform compatibility testing and NSN TDRS-MA return waveform compatibility testing. The partners also performed a coverage and loading analysis, studying the link budgets for a variety of mission profiles.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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