How the Mars Microrover Radios Work
(Text only version)
Let's take a look at how the Microrover Radio Modems work
Maximum Data Rate: 9600 BPS (Bits Per Second)
The radio modem that is inside the Surface Lander. . . .
Specifications
Mass: x.x grams
Dimensions: x.x mm length by y.y mm width by z.z mm height
RF Connector Type: Coaxial SMA
DC Connector Types: 9 pin uD (signal) 15 pin uD (power)
DC Bus Voltage: +28 Volts, Regulated
DC Bus Current: 28 mA Standby; 35 mA Receive; 170 mA Transmit
DC Power:
RF Center Frequency: 459.7 MHz
Computer Interface: RS232, TTL levels
Maximum Data Rate: 9600 BPS (Bits Per Second)
The radio antenna that is on the Microrover. . . .
Specifications
Length: x.x mm
Materials: Fiberglass tube, Aluminum Tube, Teflon supports
RF Connector Type: Coaxial SMA
RF Center Frequency: 459.7 MHz
RF Bandwidth: 100 MHz
RF Gain: 1.4 dBic
Free Space Match: 1.x:1 VSWR
Rover Antenna Patterns
These patterns were taken on the JPL MESA antenna range using a static model rover. A flight-like rover antenna was mounted to the rover mast and placed a height of 83 cm from the ground. A radio modem operating in CW mode was used to transmit a 459.7 MHz, 100 mW signal from the rover to a spectrum analyzer receiver. The receive antenna was a flight-like LMRE antenna mounted to the receiver at a height of 80 cm.
Antenna Pattern at 2 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 3 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 5 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 7 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 10 Meters
Antenna Patterns from 2-10 Meters
The radio antenna that is on the Surface Lander. . . .
Specifications
Length: x.x mm
Materials: Fiberglass tube, Aluminum Tube, Teflon supports
RF Connector Type: Coaxial SMA
RF Center Frequency: 459.7 MHz
RF Bandwidth: 100 MHz
RF Gain: 1.4 dBic
Free Space Match: 1.x:1 VSWR
Under Construction
Do you have any Questions or Comments?
Send them to:
rover-telecom@jpl.nasa.gov :-{)
All information on this site, including text and images describing the Rover is copyright ⌐ 1997, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
This page was last updated Thursday, May 1, 1997.
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