Computer simulation of the digital K-band shuttle/TDRSS return link

NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) will provide near continuous communications between earth orbiting satellites and a single ground station at White Sands Test Facility. One of the major users will be the space shuttle orbiter. The orbiter is capable of communicating with the TDRS system at both S-band and K-band. This paper examines the digital orbiter/TDRSS K-band return link. A computer model of the link is developed including major distortion parameters within the system. This model is then used to determine overall system performance and performance sensitivity to variations in the distortion parameters.