µSTDN-100 S-Band Transponder

Space Micro’s expanding RF product line includes SGLS/STDN Transponders/Transceivers, X/Ku/KaBand Transmitters and various other custom RF and power amplifier products. These units feature software defined architecture with parts program levels available up to NASA level 1/Military Class S. The μSTDN-100 (STDN Transponder) successfully launched on both the NASA IRIS and LADEE missions (with very positive feedback) and has been recently selected for another deep space mission. Our leading high data rate μKaTX-300 (Ka-Band Transmitter), is also in production on two different programs.

The high performance µSTDN-100Transponder provides telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) between STDN and DSN ground systems, and NASA satellites. The receiver/detector section detects and locks to the S-Band uplink signals, demodulates the BPSK (PCM/PSK optional) telecommand signal, outputs command data and bit timing. The transmitter section receives data from the Command & Data Handling (C&DH) unit, encodes and modulates it on an internal subcarrier and/or directly on the S-Band downlink. The Ranging feature (optional) demodulates range tones from the receiver and remodulates on the downlink carrier to provide range information for the ground equipment. The system can be operated in either coherent or noncoherent mode. The transmitter data rates go up to 5 Mbps.