Pulsar-VUTRX - VHF/UHF Transceiver

The PULSAR-VUTRX is a compact telemetry and command radio designed for nanosatellite missions, compatible with the CubeSat standard with a CubeSat kit PC/104 form factor.

It operates VHF uplink and UHF downlink serving both commercial and amateur frequencies. Featuring a beacon and DTMF backdoor, the PULSAR-VUTRX offers unparalleled reliability in flight.

The transceiver is ideal for space missions where reliable uplink and downlink is required and can be used as a robust lower data-rate back-up radio for a higher data-rate radio. The AX.25 protocol implemented is popular among amateur radio enthusiasts. A transparent downlink mode is available with a CCSDS compatible ½ rate convolutional encoder.

PULSAR-VUTRX/C implements 9600 bps GMSK and 1200 bps AFSK and operates in full-duplex mode. A combination of AFSK and GMSK is configurable for transmit and receive; AFSK does not operate in full-duplex mode exclusively.
These modes are selected as an I2C command and the default mode will be selected if a reset occurs. The default mode can be requested at time of production.

Frequencies

The PULSAR-VUTRXC and PULSAR-VUTRX serve both commercial and amateur frequencies respectively.

Performance

The Pulsar-VUTRX comes with 9600 bps GMSK and 1200 bps AFSK data rates. The transmit output power is adjustable from 27 to 33 dBm. The solution implements AX.25 protocol encoding/decoding with transparent mode with optional convolutional encoder. The solution also has a DTMF backdoor, low-power receiver, < 162 mW, and Flash-based FPGA.

Reliability

Featuring a single event upset (SEU) immune Flash based FPGA for superior reliability as well as a beacon and DTMF backdoor, the PULSAR-VUTRX offers unparalleled reliability in flight.

Why the PULSAR-VUTRX?

• • VHF uplink, UHF downlink
  • Transmit output power adjustable from 27 to 33 dBm
  • Adjustable in 3 dB steps
  • 9600 bps GMSK, and 1200 bps AFSK data rates
  • Compatible with the CubeSat standard with a CubeSat kit PC/104 formfactor
  • Robust lower data-rate back-up radio for a higher data-rate radio
  • Implements AX.25 protocol encoding/decoding with transparent mode with optional convolutional encoder
  • With DTMF backdoor
  • Inactivity beacon
  • low-power Flash-based FPGA
  • Transparent mode with optional convolutional encoder
  • Serving both commercial and amateur frequencies
  • Full-duplex
  • Simple digital interface
  • I2C interface for Command, Telemetry and user Data”