YOU can become part of the AMSAT ECHO Satellite Team!!!
Contact Mr. Richard Raitt - N. Texas Coordinator for AMSAT...
We also
hope that such reusable software resources can be used on the upcoming OSCAR-EAGLE
satellite program (and followup Phase V amateur satellite missions to Mars).
AMSAT
is the non-profit all-volunteer organization
dedicated to building, orbiting, and operating amateur radio satellites.
Read more about the OSCAR Echo satellite project in Richard M. Hambly's (W2GPS)
AMSAT OSCAR-E Project Status Update
A New LEO Satellite from AMSAT-NA article. Visit these pages to learn more about the
Echo Satellite Project (powerpoint slides) and
New LEO Satellite - OSCAR ECHO (pdf) and the 20th
Annual AMSAT conference held in Ft. Worth in early November 2002.
Although this satellite software project has started at Southern Methodist University and
SMU's amateur radio club (W5YF), we are
actively soliciting help and resources from anyone in the North Texas area!
We are especially interested in working with other amateur radio clubs in this region.
We are seeking both North Texas University based clubs and other amateur radio clubs (such as corporate based clubs)
which share our interest and enthusiasm for amateur satellite programs! But we would also be
happy to welcome individual contributors to our SMU team too!
Now is your chance to work on a project that will develop some great experience and skills.
Participation in this AMSAT project will provide you with lots to talk about at that next job interview or QSO (contact).
You will also get a chance to make a contribution to amateur radio and the utilization of space!
Each of these programs need to be written or
re-written by AMSAT volunteers! This task
has not yet been assigned.
If you are
interested in learning more about this program and participating in it,
please contact
Mr. Richard Raitt,
North Texas Coordinator for AMSAT, the Amateur Satellite
corporation!
To contact the Southern Methodist University Amateur Radio Club's team,
simply Email us to become part of our team...
Why is a new satellite telemetry and monitoring program needed? Many different groups and country organizations
have orbited amateur radio satellites. Each satellite has its own telemetry program(s). Unfortunately, some of these
programs for older satellites are written for now obsolete computer hardware (e.g., Commodore 64) or operating systems (e.g., Amiga-DOS).
Some software runs on computers not widely available (e.g., ACORN computers), or are written for languages such
as German, Russian, or Arabic. Updating or converting these programs to more modern computer hardware and operating
systems is a difficult task, as many older programs are poorly documented and source code in not available.
Our project proposal aims to overcome some of these problems. We plan on using the popular and free LINUX operating system
with KDE (K desktop environment) and the QT/C++ programming environment. The software source code would be published,
making it easy for others to extend and convert the software to other languages and computer systems. The QT/C++ code
could easily be compiled for LINUX users on the popular IBM PC and Macintosh hardware platforms, or compiled for other
current computer systems.
We would like to explore a design which would permit extension to multiple satellites, including not just the new planned
OSCAR ECHO and EAGLE satellites, but current and future satellites. Live telemetry received from satellites could be
saved with date/time codes and archived. Such archival data could provide long-term trend data for use in monitoring
satellite "health", especially of the critical power systems.
One unique aspect of our proposed satellite telemetry system is a telecommand module. Telecommands are sent from an
authorized ground station to control satellite operations. One command series might change a satellite from operating
in one mode (e.g., 146 Mhz uplink, 450 Mhz downlink) to a different mode (e.g., 450 Mhz uplink, 146 Mhz downlink).
Naturally, such capabilities need to be restricted to just authorized ground stations, so random users or hackers can
not interfere with proper satellite operations.
Selected satellite control stations in remote areas could use these telecommand modules to control
operations of each satellite. One application might be over-riding programmed satellite modes to enable optimal use
of satellite resources during an emergency. Since satellite communications play a key role in many remote emergency
communications situations on virtually a weekly basis, an ability for regional control of such satellite facilities
would be useful and essential. Currently, satellite control ground station coverage is very incomplete, with each
satellite having its own command station. This organization makes it difficult to respond rapidly to changing
needs such as communication emergencies. Moreover, sudden changes in satellite status may be missed until it is
too late to respond or correct problems.
We would also like to explore an automated telemetry monitoring capability, possibly using hamlib software
to control an external radio receiver (e.g., to compensate for doppler shift). The ultimate goal would be a world-wide
series of satellite monitoring stations providing continuous coverage of satellite telemetry data. Many oceanic areas
are very sparsely covered, with infrequent satellite telemetry observations being reported on an ad hoc basis.
Most satellite data lacks sophisticated error correction features, so having multiple reports of the same telemetry
data may be necessary to ensure an accurate database.
Such archived satellite telemetry data can also be useful in predicting and observing changes in satellite "health"
status, such as aging of battery subsystems. Such satellite "health" data can be useful in extending the useful life
of these valuable and limited satellite resources, as well as responding rapidly and correctly to sudden emergencies.
The current APRS archival database system could be greatly expanded by more automated telemetry monitoring stations.
Ideally, such a monitoring program might work in the background of popular computer operating systems, enabling them
to be used for regular uses while still recording and archiving satellite telemetry data. Those remote stations lacking
direct communications access could even send in their satellite telemetry data via packet data through some of these
same satellites!
In short, the currently available satellite telemetry software represents an ad hoc series of programs for
each separate satellite, often designed for now-obsolete hardware and operating systems. Our SATMON program
project would seek to create an extensible satellite telemetry monitoring program. This program could be used to
monitor the telemetry and satellite "health", archive incoming telemetry data, and do so for multiple satellites
on current and future computer hardware and operating systems.
RS-20 Beacon: 145.828, 435.319 MHz Launched: November 28, 2002 aboard a Kosmos 3-M rocket from Plesetsk. Status: Telemetry heard on the 70 cm beacon. Table for decoding telemetry is as follows: Name Limits Decoding Assignment RS 20 The callsign UBS N=100:170 U=N / 10 Volts On board voltage IBS N=10:250 I=N / 100 Ampers On board current USUN N=0:180 U=N / 10 Volts Charge voltage from solar battery ISUN N=0:180 I=N / 100 Ampers Charge current from solar battery ITXA N=0:170 I=N / 100 Ampers D.C. current of the 435 MHz Tx PTXA N=0:70 P=N / 10 Watts UHF power of the 435 MHz Tx TTXA N=50:190 T=N - 100 deg C Temperature of the 435 MHz Tx ITXB N=0:150 I=N / 100 Ampers D.C. current of the 145MHz Tx PTXB N=0:70 P=N / 10 Watts VHF power of the 145MHz Tx TTXB N=50:190 T=N - 100 deg C Temperature of the 145MHz Tx TEXT N=30:250 T=N - 100 deg C Temperature of the outer case TINT N=30:190 T=N - 100 deg C Temperature of the inner case TOR N=10:250 T=N - 100 deg C Temperature of the Earth sensor UOR N=0:100 U=N / 10 Volts Temperature of the Sun sensor MTX N=0:255 Table of operational modes. The housekeeping info. MRX N=0:255 Table of operational modes. The housekeeping info. RS 20 The callsignPlease send reception reports to:
And another new amateur radio satellite is just announced:
SAUDISAT-1C Uplink: 145.850 MHz (67.0 Hz PL tone) Downlink: 436.775 MHz Launched: December 20, 2002 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Operational.
And another new amateur satellite is up:
SAFIR-M
Uplink 435.275 1200-baud AX.25
Downlink 145.825 9600-baud AX.25
(optional voice message)
Broadcast callsign: DP0AIS
Launched: December 20, 2002 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic
missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Operational.
Telecommand Control Operator Requirements Expanding:
From ARLS001 New Saudi satellite gets OSCAR designation (on new SO-50):
AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, said SaudiSat-1C will
require activation on each pass by a designated control operator. ''A
worldwide network of designated control operators is now being
developed so that radio amateurs may begin using the satellite
immediately''
The Cary M. Maguire Center sponsors the Maguire and Irby Family Public Service Internships program
which makes up to $2,000 in support available to support individual students working on community service
projects "addressing a significant need at the local, state, national or international level". The work
needs to be done during June thru August, figured at up to 200 hours at $10/hr (for graduate students)
or $8/hr (for undergraduates).
A copy of the application materials (yellow form) can be found in the SMU radio club (top drawer, at front,
of right-most file cabinet in station). You can also download materials directly by going to
Center and selecting "student programs". You will also
find sample student proposals and supervisor letters there, along with the application materials.
This AMSAT software development project has the potential to impact many hundreds and thousands of users around
the world, fostering International goodwill through satellite communications not only in the developed
world, but also in more remote and less developed areas. I would highly encourage any team members who are
interested in getting such funding to make an effort to put in a proposal!
We would also welcome email on other similar funding resources which might be tapped in support of this software development project!