171 Telemetry Systems
For Whom Intended This course is intended for personnel involved in engineering applications of telemetry, in either commercial or defense/space organizations. Applications include telemetry as applied to control and monitoring of space vehicles as well as to telecommunications, automotive testing, in-plant industrial system control and electrical power transmission systems.
Brief Course Description The course starts with an introduction to telemetry systems, carrier signal modulation and telemetry standards.
The presentation continues with background information on topics encountered in telemetry systems such as: dB, sensors, filtering, signal waveforms and Fourier analysis.
Telemetry modulation techniques, frequency modulation (FM) and Pulse-Amplitude modulation (PAM) are covered next. After a discussion of digital signals, binary arithmetic and data formats, Analog/ Digital and Digital/Analog conversion is covered. Building on this knowledge, the instructor then presents Pulse-Code modulation (PCM), including commutation techniques.
Next comes a discussion of Data Bus standards such as ARINC-429, MIL-STD-1553 and IRIG-106, followed by a section on bit encoding, including Viterbi, Reed-Solomon and convolution.
Special PCM formatting such as embedded asynchronous and embedded video techniques are discussed before covering time codes. The instructor then discusses Range Telecommunications issues such as multi-sourced data and architecture.
Next comes an overview of available computer systems, interfaces, networking options and parameter databases. System processing, testing, and specifying are considered next, followed by data compression and storage, including analog and digital tape recording and multiplexers. The course concludes with discussions of RF transmission theory, mission planning and data mining, an overview of telemetry vendors and a brief discussion of future trends, including iNet.
Diploma Programs This course is required for TTi’s Data Acquisition & Analysis Specialist (DAAS) and Electronic Telecommunications Specialist Diploma Program and may be used as an optional course for any other TTi Diploma Program.
Prerequisites There are no definite prerequisites, but TTi’s courses Instrumentation for Electrical Test and Measurement and Digital Signal Processing would be helpful.
Text Each student will receive 180 days access to the on-line electronic course workbook. Renewals and printed textbooks are available for an additional fee.
Course Hours, Certificate and CEUs Class hours/days for on-site courses can vary from 14-35 hours over 2-5 days as requested by our clients. Upon successful course completion, each participant receives a certificate of completion and one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for every ten class hours.
Internet Complete Course 171 features fourteen hours of video as well as more in-depth reading material. All chapters of course 171 are also available as OnDemand Internet Short Topics. See the course outline below for details.
Click for a printable course outline (pdf).
Course Outline
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Telemetry Systems
- Telemetry is Measurement from a Distance
- Why Telemetry? Some Application Examples
- Delta 2
- Race Cars
- Fleet Ballistic Missile
- High Stress Environments
- Commercial Aviation
- Non DoD Applications
- Types of Telemetry Systems
- Basic Telemetry System
- Transmitting Antenna
- Receiving Antenna
- Tracking Antenna
- System Configuration, Near-Earth Telemetry
- RF Techniques for Deep Space Applications
- System Configuration, Spacecraft Telemetry
- Telemetry Standards
- IRIG-106 Telemetry Standards
- What’s happening to IRIG Documents Today
- CCSDS Telemetry Standards
- MIL-STD-1553
- ARINC
Chapter 2 - Basic Concepts: Decibels (dB), Sensors, Filtering
- Decibels
- Power and Voltage dB
- Reference Levels for deciBel Notation
- Transducer Mechanisms
- Linear Variable Differential Transducer (LVDT)
- Thermocouples
- System Operating Range
- Linearity and Non-Linearity
- Hysteresis
- Environmental Effects
- Chapter 2 Exercise: Instrument a Toaster
- Filtering...What is It?
- Acoustic Weighting
- Square Wave Frequency Domain
- Filtering a Square Wave
- Bandwidth
- Undamped (high Q) vs. Damped (low Q) Filters
- Filter Characteristics
- Butterworth Filters
- Chebyshev Filters
- Bessel Filters
Chapter 3 - Signal Waveforms and Fourier Analysis
- Square Wave/Pulse Shape of Square Wave
- Complex Waveform
- Harmonics
- Addition of Sine Waves
- Time and Frequency Domain
Chapter 4 - Signal Sampling
- Shannon/Nyquist Theorem
- Aliasing Examples
- Correctly Sampled Set
- Undersampled Set
- Aliasing.. Viewed as Folding
- Demonstration
- Phase vs. Frequency
- Sample Points
- Aliasing/Critical Points
- Sampling Guidelines
Chapter 5 - Telemetry Techniques: Frequency Modulation (FM) and Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)
- Carrier Modulation
- Amplitude Modulation (AM)
- Frequency Modulation (FM)
- FM Ground Station
- FM Frequencies
- FM Techniques
- Modulation Index Spectra
- Guard Bands
- FM Channel Mixing
- Signal Sampling
- The First Attempt at Sampling …
- Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)
- Miscellaneous Encoding
Chapter 6 - Digital Signals, Binary Arithmetic and Analog/Digital Conversion
- Numbering Systems
- Signed Magnitude
- 2s Compliment
- Comparison
- Summing Numbers
- Chapter 8 Exercise A: Binary Arithmetic
- Data Formats
- Floating-Point
- Fixed-Point vs. Floating Point
- Parity Math
- Gray Code
- Binary Coded Decimal (BCD)
- Endians
- Analog vs. Digital
- Analog and Digital Waveforms
- Digital-to-Analog Conversion
- Output Waveform of DAC
- Analog/Digital
- End to End … Sensor to A/D
- Chapter 8 Exercise B: Sensor Scaling
Chapter 7 - Telemetry Techniques: Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
- PCM Encoder
- Bar Chart
- Airborne Instrumentation
- CAIS
- CAIS Control Bus
- CAIS Sources
- PCM Ground Station
- Bit Sync.
- Phases of Clocks (all 1×)
- Half Rate and 2× Clocks
- Decommutator
- Optimal Frame Sync Pattern
- Chapter 7 Exercise A: Sample Rates vs. Bit Rates
- Sub-Commutation
- Frame Encoding
- Why?
- Formats
- Super-Commutation
- Super-Commutation, Sub Com Level
- Free Fire Setup Lesson 1
- Typical Barchart
- Super-Commutation Concerns
- Sub-Sub Commutation
- Discrete Inputs
- Parity Bits
- Sample Plans
- Chapter 7 Exercise B: Sample Plans
- Receiving System Setup Issues
- Receiver Settings
- Bit Sync Settings
- Decom Settings
- Auto-Polarity
- Free Fire Setup Lesson 2
- Module I/O
- Digital-Analog Output Module I/O
- State of the Art
- Chapter 7 Exercise C: PCM Ground Station
Chapter 8 - Data Buses
- ARINC-429
- Other Arinc Buses
- MIL-STD-1553
- IRIG-106, Chapter 8
- Recent Updates
- MIL-STD-1553 Future
- Other Buses
Chapter 9 - Bit Encoding
- Digital Data Formats
- Flywheeling
- Bit Syncs
- Noise in the Data Stream
- Viterbi and Reed-Solomon
- Convolution Encoding
- 1/3 Rate
- 1/2 Rate (Typical)
- Reed-Solomon
- Interleaving
Chapter 10 - Advanced PCM
- Embedded Asynchronous
- Embedded Video
- Variable Word Length
- Fragmented Words
- Format Changes
- Independent Subframes
- Tagged Data Format
- Burst Mode
- Data Class 1 & 2
- Sample/Hold
- Better Sample Plan
- Encryption
- PCM/FM
- PCM/FM/FM Sample Plan
- Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)
- Chapter 10 Exercise: Advanced PCM
Chapter 11 - Time Codes
- System Timing Information
- With Today’s Architecture
- Time Codes: (Internal vs. External Time)
- Typical Time Codes
- Resolution
- Time Codes (IRIG-B)
- Reading Serial Code
- Serial Time Codes
- Time Code Nomenclature
- Highlights
- Embedded Time ...
- Is Accuracy Important?
- Desktop Time
- State of the Art
Chapter 12 - Range Telecommunications
- Problem
- Multi-Sourced Data
- Architecture
- Carrier Strengths and Weaknesses
- IP data transfer
- Merging File [Data] Sets
- Best Source Selectors
Chapter 13 - The Computer and the Telemetry System
- Telemetry System Architectures
- Telemetry System Attributes
- Data Words
- Buffer Servicing … CVT vs. Data Driven
- PC-Computers..Software..
- Latency
- Data Buses
- The PCI Bus for Data Acquisition
- PCI Rates History and Future
- Universal Serial Bus (USB)
- FireWire (IEEE 1394) (Internal or External)
- SCSI (Internal)
- Fibre Channel (External or Internal)
- ATA and Serial ATA
- RAID and Network Storage
- Ethernet
- Ethernet Rates, Components
- Physical Medium (fiber)
- UDP vs. TCP
- Data Flow Down
- Display Devices
- Graphics Display Engines
- Tabular
- Strip Charts
- Alarm Pages
- Quick Look
- Gauges
- IADS
- ILIAD
- LabView
- MatLab
- Global Majic
- DataViews
- Parameter Database
- Telemetry Attribute Transfer Standards [TMATS]
- TMATS [groups]
- TMATS, cont. [flow chart]
- “Hard” programming (Patch panels)
- Stripcharts
- State of the art …
- Chapter 13 Exercise: Computers
Chapter 14 - System Processing, Testing, and Specifying
- Needs for a Processing Engine
- IRIG Time Testing for Processing Engine
- Free Fire Setup Lesson 3
- Data Driven vs CVT Testing
- System Specifications
- Chapter 14 Exercise: System Testing
Chapter 15 - Data Compression and Storage
- Data Compression
- Data Storage
- Analog Recorders
- Ground, airborne
- Pro and Con
- Digital Recorder Technologies
- Digital Tape Recorders
- Digital Disk Recorders
- Digital Solid-State Recorders
- Digital Solid-State Disk Drives
- Data Recorder Technology Comparisons
- Data Storage - Digital Recorders
- Data Rates
- Video
- Ethernet
- CVSD
- 2nd IF
- Frequency Shifting
- Nyquist Violation
- Double Density
- Multiplexers
- Chapter 10
- Recording Media and Duration
- Chapter 15 Exercise A: Digital Session Sizing
- Watch What You Record !!
- IRIG Time Testing for Recorders
Chapter 16 - RF Transmission
- UHF Bands
- Future Frequencies
- Digital Signal Transmission
- Transmission Issues
- Modulation techniques
- FM vs. PSK
- Comparing during dropouts
- Popular Modulation Types
- RF Transmission
- Antennas
- Bit Error Rate
- System BER Testing
- State of the Art…
- Future visions … (JTRS)
Chapter 17 - Vendors in Telemetry
- Vendors
- Recommended Books
Chapter 18 - The Future
- iNET
- Overview
- Details
- Dropouts
- Future
- Shows
Appendix A - Glossary of Terms
Appendix C - CCSDS
-
Hierarchy
-
CCSDS Overhead
-
State of the Art
Summary
Final Review
Award of Certificates for Successful Completion
Click for a printable course outline (pdf).
