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Our task was to completely reconstruct two legacy systems housed in the custom enclosures shown above. The FSK modulated signals are sent via an upconverter and down-converter; after receiving the satellite signal we downconvert it, send it for processing within another system, then up-convert.
For this we use a multi-stage frequency down-converter and a multi-stage frequency up-converter. (See block diagrams)
The systems also allows for frequency hopping, (jumping frequencies for security reasons).
For the uplink (Exciter), we take a 70MHz signal and up-convert to 6.9 GHz FSK
Along with creating a variety of custom circuit boards for this application, we also utilized Xilinx Spartan 3-E FPGA's; in three different areas: For one of the blocks we used an FPGA to implement a Custom DDS (direct digital synthesizer), replacing misc. discreet logic used on the older system.
The Control BITE portion was using an 8085 Intel 8-bit microprocessor which is now obsolete. We replaced the obsolete unit with a soft processor in an FPGA, running Xilinx MircoBlaze. We also used another FPGA on the Frequency Controller board, replacing misc. discreet logic.
U.S. Air Force In-House RF Project
Under a contract with the United States Air Force, Colmek is in the process of taking 1970's satellite converter technology and completing an extensive technology refresh.Our task was to completely reconstruct two legacy systems housed in the custom enclosures shown above. The FSK modulated signals are sent via an upconverter and down-converter; after receiving the satellite signal we downconvert it, send it for processing within another system, then up-convert.
For this we use a multi-stage frequency down-converter and a multi-stage frequency up-converter. (See block diagrams)
Frequency Converter Block Diagram
The systems also allows for frequency hopping, (jumping frequencies for security reasons).
Operating Frequencies:
For the downlink, we receive a 7.4 GHz FSK signal which is then sent through an LNA Diplexer (low noise amplifier), then converted and sent onto the AMCT Modem as a 70MHz base band signal.For the uplink (Exciter), we take a 70MHz signal and up-convert to 6.9 GHz FSK
Along with creating a variety of custom circuit boards for this application, we also utilized Xilinx Spartan 3-E FPGA's; in three different areas: For one of the blocks we used an FPGA to implement a Custom DDS (direct digital synthesizer), replacing misc. discreet logic used on the older system.The Control BITE portion was using an 8085 Intel 8-bit microprocessor which is now obsolete. We replaced the obsolete unit with a soft processor in an FPGA, running Xilinx MircoBlaze. We also used another FPGA on the Frequency Controller board, replacing misc. discreet logic.