Ground Sphere CubeSat Ground Station

h1. Test 1.1.2 Instructions

{{toc}}

h2. Test Hardware

* Transmitter for lab and field tests - http://www.ti.com/ww/en/RF-BoosterPack/index.shtml

h2. Test 1: Lab Test

Lab test using low power transmitter at 915 MHz to confirm signal reception and system gain (not an AX.25 signal, but close enough).  These instructions assume that the receiver and most recent software are already assembled and installed.  If not, accomplish the next 2 steps.

# Follow the instruction for "GroundSphere Kit assembly"

# Follow the instructions for Operations Manual - "Getting Started and Set up"

Test Date: _________________________________   Test Location: ___________________________________________

Record Test Conditions: _________________________________________________________________________

*Tools Needed:*

Ground Sphere test rig

915 MHz transmitter, see link above

Computer (min system reqs:_______________)

Tape Measure

*Safety concerns:*

*Outcome*

* Partial verification of technical requirement 1.1.2, 

* Confirmation of Ground Sphere performance in best case laboratory conditions

* Confirmation of Ground Sphere performance in simulated orbital conditions

*Instructions:*

# [ ] Turn on computer

# [ ] Tuen on the transmitter

# [ ] Plug the GroundSphere USB data connector into an open USB port

# [ ] Plug the GroundShpere power cord into a standard 120v power outlet

# [ ] Record the distance between transmitter and receiver: _______________ (in meters?)

# [ ] Launch the _____ software

# [ ] tune the transmitter to 915 MHz

# [ ] Set transmitter power to ____________ _NOTE: (This is a reasonably strong terrestrial signal, and is an unrealistically high power to expect from SkyCube)_

# [ ] Tune the ________ software to receive 915 MHz

# [ ] Observe the transmitted signal received by GroundSphere

# [ ] Move the transmitter ___________ (4 meters?) from the GroundSphere antenna

# [ ] set the transmitter power level to _______________.  _NOTE: (at this power level, we are simulating the signal that we expect to receive form SkyCube as it flys directly overhead of the antenna, given its orbital parameters <link to TLE file used in calculations> )_

# [ ] Observe the transmitted signal received by GroundSphere

<insert screenshot image of computer screen showing high power 915 MHz signal> <insert screenshot image of computer screen showing low power 915 MHz signal>

*TEST PROCEDURE COMPLETE*

h2. Test 2: Field Test

Long range field test using low power transmitter at 915 MHz to simulate predicted link budget (which comes from <insert link to spreadsheet> analysis) and confirm signal reception.  These instructions assume that the receiver and most recent software are already assembled and installed.  If not, accomplish the next 2 steps.

# Follow the instruction for "GroundSphere Kit assembly"

# Follow the instructions for Operations Manual - "Getting Started and Set up"

Test Date: _________________________________   Test Location: ___________________________________________

Record Test Conditions: _________________________________________________________________________

*Tools Needed:*

Ground Sphere test rig

915 MHz transmitter, see link above

Computer (min system reqs:_______________)

Tape Measure or distance find equipment (GPS?)

*Safety concerns:*

Weather caution

Traffic caution

*Outcome*

* Partial verification of technical requirement 1.1.2, 

* Confirmation of Ground Sphere performance in best case laboratory conditions

* Confirmation of Ground Sphere performance in simulated orbital conditions

*Instructions:*

<insert screenshot image of computer screen showing high power 915 MHz signal> <insert screenshot image of computer screen showing low power 915 MHz signal>

*TEST PROCEDURE COMPLETE*

h2. Test 3: From Orbit Test

acquire signal from orbiting cubesat operating on 915 MHz (NPS just launched two cubesats which use the same radio and configuration as SkyCube).  These instructions assume that the receiver and most recent software are already assembled and installed.  If not, accomplish the next 2 steps.

# Follow the instruction for "GroundSphere Kit assembly"

# Follow the instructions for Operations Manual - "Getting Started and Set up"

Test Date: _________________________________   Test Location: ___________________________________________

Record Test Conditions: _________________________________________________________________________

*Tools Needed:*

Ground Sphere test rig

915 MHz transmitter, see link above

Computer (min system reqs:_______________)

Tape Measure or distance find equipment (GPS?)

*Safety concerns:*

Weather caution

Traffic caution

* 

*Outcome*

*Instructions:*

<insert screenshot image of computer screen showing signal received from satellite>

*TEST PROCEDURE COMPLETE*