| Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS)/Data Relay Test Satellite
(DRTS) ground station interface test |
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An interface test between the Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS), which
will be flown on board Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" in the
International Space Station (ISS), and a Japanese Data Relay Test Satellite
(DRTS) ground station was performed from June 3, 2002 to June 20, 2002 in
Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC).
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What is the ICS/DRTS ground station interface test? |
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Test scene
( Space Station Test Building )
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DRTS ground station equipment
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| ICS-Pressurized Module subsystem |
ICS-Exposed Facility subsystem |
To communicate with the ICS on board Kibo from TKSC, we must use the DRTS,
which is a geostationary satellite.
The ICS-DRTS ground station interface test verifies the ICS and the DRTS
ground station in TKSC can communicate properly via DRTS.
This interface test uses the ICS flight model, DRTS simulator, and the DRTS
ground station, which will be used in the actual operation of DRTS.
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Contents of the interface test |
In preparation for the interface test, the ICS in the Space Station Test
Building was connected via optical fiber cables to the DRTS ground station
in the Space Network Transmission and Reception Facility using an optical
transmission device. Test conditions, adjustments of transmitter and receiver
signal gains, etc. were checked to ensure that the test was set up as stipulated.
In the test, signals were exchanged between the ICS, DRTS simulator, and
the DRTS ground station to simulate the actual operations data flow.
Specifically, a transmitting (uplink) test from the DRTS ground station
to the ICS, a transmitting (down link) test from the ICS to the DRTS ground
station, communication quality (Bit Error Rate) measurement, etc. were performed
for data, files and voice, confirming that the expected performance could
be obtained.
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Future plans |
The next ICS test will be an integrated system test, which combines experiment
payloads, the Pressurized Module (PM), ICS, the DRTS ground station, and
the Kibo's operations control system.
Last Updated : Jul. 23, 2002
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