Development of a Versatile Groundstation Utilizing Software Defined Radio
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Authors
Roehrig, Jan Malte
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2016-08
Date
August 2016
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
As software defined systems establish modern technology, the Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG) of the Naval Postgraduate
School (NPS) is compelled to replace legacy hardware systems with inexpensive and flexible software defined
solutions. One key aspect in ensuring stable communication with the multiple small satellites and CubeSats launched
by the SSAG, is to develop and maintain a versatile satellite groundstation utilizing inexpensive off-the-shelf Software
Defined Radio (SDR). This thesis presents the demodulation and decoding of a 1200 baud AFSK signal from a BigRed-
Bee, as well as a 9600 baud GFSK signal from a PropCube CubeSat. The demodulating signal processing steps are designed
in GNU Radio Companion. The thesis also deals with parts of the AX.25 data link layer protocol decoding. Bit-per-bit
comparison of the outputs in performed tests show that the SDR can replace the currently used software. A bit error
rate (BER) calculation proves the excellent performance of the GFSK demodulation scheme. The performed BER test
results in a BER < 1 × 10⁻⁴ for a SNR of E(b)/N(0) = 6dB, whereas the estimated BER for a coherent MSK signal is
BER(MSK) ≈ 2×10⁻⁴ for the same SNR. Additionally, this thesis presents one option of a real-time implementation of
the PropCube Receiver. This thesis also provides test results of performed function tests, subsystem tests and integrated
system tests, accompanied by in depth explanations on the settings and preferences of each used GNU Radio block.
Type
Technical Report
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
NPS-SP-16-003 CR
Sponsors
Funder
Format
127 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner