Analyzing Radio-Frequency Coverage for the ISS

Bolen, Steven M.; Sham, Catherine C.

The Interactive Coverage Analysis Tool (iCAT) is an interactive desktop computer program serving to (1) support planning of coverage, and management of usage of frequencies, of current and proposed radio communication systems on and near the International Space Station (ISS) and (2) enable definition of requirements for development of future such systems. The iCAT can also be used in design trade studies for other (both outer-space and terrestrial) communication systems. A user can enter the parameters of a communication-system link budget in a table in a worksheet. The nominal (onaxis) link values for the bit-to-noise-energy ratio, received isotropic power (RIP), carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N), power flux density (PFD), and link margin of the system are calculated and displayed in the table. Plots of field gradients for the RIP, C/N, PFD, and link margin are constructed in an ISS coordinate system, at a specified link range, for both the forward and return link parameters, and are displayed in worksheets. The forward and reverse link antenna gain patterns are also constructed and displayed. Line-of-sight (LOS) obstructions can be both incorporated into the gradient plots and displayed on separate plots.

Document ID

20100010912

Acquisition Source

Johnson Space Center

Document Type

Other - NASA Tech Brief

External Source(s)

http://www.embeddedtechmag.com/component/content/article/2345

Authors

Date Acquired

August 24, 2013

Publication Date

September 1, 2007

Publication Information

Publication: NASA Tech Briefs, September 2007

Subject Category

Report/Patent Number

Distribution Limits

Public

Public Use Permitted.

Available Downloads

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Type

20100010912.pdf

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No Preview Available

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

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