All-Digital S-Band Telemetry Transmitter

The standard transmitter generates the two waveforms most flight-test ranges receive: PCM/FM, the IRIG-106 Tier 0 standard that every legacy ground station understands, and SOQPSK-TG, the Tier I waveform that fits the same data rate into roughly two-thirds of the bandwidth. With 100 MHz of occupied bandwidth available, a program can run high bit rates in SOQPSK-TG and still stay inside its frequency assignment. Data rates run from 500 kbps to 20 Mbps on the -20M model, up to 40 Mbps on other variants, and below 500 kbps on request.

Programs that need other waveforms can order them: ARTM CPM (multi-h CPM, the Tier II waveform for the most crowded spectrum), PCM/PM, OQPSK, space-time coding (STC) for two-antenna vehicles, analog FM for legacy video links, and an H.264 / H.265 digital-video option that carries compressed video over the telemetry link.

All six IRIG-106 LDPC codes are encoded in the transmitter: information block sizes of 1024 and 4096 bits at code rates 1/2, 2/3 and 4/5, so a program can trade bandwidth for margin per mission, from the most robust rate-1/2 code to the most efficient rate-4/5 code. The IRIG randomizer and pre-modulation filtering are built in, and convolutional encoding is available for ground stations that still decode it.

The coding gain shows up at the receiver as link margin, and the program decides how to spend it: more range, a smaller ground antenna, a lower power setting with less heat on the airframe, or a link that stays up through fades that would otherwise drop it. The Modulinx All-Digital Telemetry Receiver decodes the same codes and demodulates the same waveforms, for an end-to-end IRIG-106 link from one supplier.

The transmitter runs from an isolated 18–36 VDC supply, so it tolerates the noisy, sagging bus of a test vehicle and does not couple ground loops into the instrumentation. Reverse-polarity protection covers the wiring mistake that ends a test day. Versions for 12 V and 48 V buses and a low-power standby mode for long-endurance vehicles are available on request.

It is qualified for base-plate temperatures from –40 °C to +80 °C and for the high vibration and acoustic loads of airborne and missile installations, and it meets the key MIL-STD-461F electromagnetic compatibility requirements, which means fewer surprises when the transmitter shares a bay with sensitive instrumentation. Programs that need formal MIL-STD-810 qualification, altitude, humidity, salt fog and the rest, a sealed or hermetic version, or base-plate temperatures beyond +80 °C can order a qualification program against their specification.

A compact outline with standard SMA RF and MDM control connectors keeps mechanical integration simple; TNC or N-type RF connectors, other MDM sizes, custom pinouts, custom mounting and a miniature version are available on request. Modulinx also builds the RF, power and control cable assemblies that connect the transmitter to the vehicle, to your drawings.

The model designation encodes the configuration. MLXT-2250-100BW-20M, for example, is the S-band transmitter with 100 MHz of occupied bandwidth and a 20 Mbps maximum data rate. Band, output power, data rate, waveforms, FEC options, data inputs, control bus, encryption, connectors and environmental qualification are all specified at order.

Tell us the frequency assignment, data rate, required range, platform and the options you need, and we will propose a configuration and return a quotation with lead time.

Every transmitter is built to the ordered configuration. Typical lead time is about twelve months; the exact figure is stated in the quotation together with the configuration. The transmitter needs no periodic calibration, and the warranty runs two to three years depending on the contract.

Modulinx engineers come to the vehicle. Acceptance testing, integration into the airframe and participation in flight and field trials are available as paid services, in Israel and abroad, and we take part in any field test that involves our equipment.

Modulinx products are designed and manufactured in Israel and exported under Israeli Ministry of Defense export licensing. We supply customers in Israel, the United States and every other country approved by the Israeli authorities.