Pulsar-UTRX

Pulsar-UTRX DATASHEET Product enquiry PULSAR-UTRX cad model

UHF/UHF CubeSat Transceiver

The PULSAR-UTRX is a compact telemetry and command radio designed for nanosatellite missions, compatible with the CubeSat standard with a CubeSat kit PC/104 form factor.

The transceivers are ideal for space missions where reliable uplink and downlink is required and can be used as a robust lower data-rate back-up radio for a higher data-rate radio. The PULSAR-UTRX operate UHF uplink and downlink serving both commercial (UTRXC) and amateur (UTRX) frequencies. Featuring a beacon and DTMF backdoor, the PULSAR-UTRX offers unparalleled reliability in flight.

The AX.25 protocol implemented is popular among amateur radio enthusiasts. A transparent downlink mode is available with a CCSDS compatible ½ rate convolutional encoder.

The PULSAR-UTRX implements 9600 bps GMSK and 1200 bps AFSK and operates in a half-duplex mode. A combination of AFSK and GMSK is configurable to transmit and receive. These modes are selected as an I2C command and the default mode will be selected if a reset occurs. The default mode can be requested at time of production.

Frequencies

With UHF uplink & downlink the PULSAR-UTRXC and PULSAR-UTRX serve both commercial and amateur frequencies respectively.

Performance

With 9600 bps GMSK and 1200 bps AFSK data rates. Transmit output power adjustable from 27 to 33 dBm. Implements AX.25 protocol encoding/decoding with transparent mode with optional convolutional encoder. With DTMF backdoor and low-power receiver, <240 mW, Flash-based FPGA.

Reliability

Featuring a single event upset (SEU) immune Flash based FPGA for superior reliability and a beacon and DTMF backdoor, the PULSAR-UTRX/C offers unparalleled reliability in flight.

Why the PULSAR-UTRX?

  • UHF uplink, UHF downlink
  • Transmit output power adjustable from 27 to 33 dBm
  • Adjustable in 3 dB steps
  • 9600 bps GMSK, and 1200 bps AFSK data rates
  • Compatible with the CubeSat standard with a CubeSat kit PC/104 formfactor
  • Robust lower data-rate back-up radio for a higher data-rate radio
  • Implements AX.25 protocol encoding/decoding with transparent mode with optional convolutional encoder
  • With DTMF backdoor
  • Inactivity beacon
  • low-power Flash-based FPGA
  • Transparent mode with optional convolutional encoder
  • Serving both commercial and amateur frequencies
  • Half-duplex
  • Simple digital interface
  • I2C interface for Command, Telemetry and user Data”

Technical Specifications

General
Operating Temperature -25°C to +61°C
Mass < 100 g
Voltage 3.3 V 5 V
Frequency
UHF 400 – 420 MHz (UTRXC) 430 – 440 MHz (UTRX)
Transmit
DC Power 3– 5.1 W (27–33 dBm)
RF Power 27– 33 dBm (3 dB steps)
Channel Spacing 25 kHz
Spurious Responses < -65 dBc
Frequency Deviation 3 kHz (FM)
Frequency Stability ± 2.5 ppm
Receive
DC Power <240 mW
Sensitivity -115 dB dBm for 12 dB SINAD
Channel Spacing 12.5 kHz
Noise Figure <2.5 dB
Dynamic Range -115 to -70 dBm
Frequency Stability ± 2.5 ppm
Performance
Processing Low-power Flash based FPGA
CRC-16-CCITT (AX.25)
Scrambling (GMSK)
Transparent downlink mode
½ Rate CCSDS convolutional encoding
(k=7) available in transparent mode
Interfaces I2C Bus – 400 kHz telemetry command and user data
Receive Ready output line
Transmit Ready output line
Modulation & Protocol GMSK (9600 baud)
AFSK (1200 baud)
AX.25 Protocol
Transparent mode
Dimensions
Length 96 mm
Width 90 mm
Height* 16.51 mm

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