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Built for Mission | Bradford Avionics System

Quasar transponder subsystem

Overview

The Quasar transponder is a complete solution for communication with and navigation of your spacecraft, wherever in the solar system it is. It is suited for both TMTC and high-speed data downlink from spacecraft anywhere in the solar system, be they in LEO, cislunar space or in orbit around other planets. It implements standard ground-based ranging and bearing systems for position and velocity determination.

Selected
Why Use quasar transponder
  • Optimised for use with smaller commercial ground stations, even for deep-space missions, avoiding expensive DSN/ESTRACK antenna time
  • Dual simultaneous reception and full-duplex operation modes available, simplifying both RF frontend design and communication operations
  • Short lead times: as short as 3 months from configuration to delivery
  • Volume scalable: up to 50 units per year
  • ITAR free
Key Features
  • A fully-featured communications subsystem for intelligent uplink and downlink of spacecraft and payload data.
  • Built-in PN ranging and D-DOR, allowing the determination of position and velocity via without dependency on GPS/GNSS
  • Internal dual cold redundancy, with toughened hardware FDIR that conducts automatic and seamless switch-over in the case of fault
  • Direct 28V operation capability – no external regulators or bus protection required
  • Standard CCSDS protocol implementation and S-band operation to allow quick and easy use with virtually any ground station
  • Optional Ka-band operation to yield stronger link margins than S- or X-band, particularly for small spacecraft that are power- and aperture-constrained
  • Category A and B band compliance to allow communication with missions in cislunar space or beyond
  • Optional Ka-band SSPAs and LNAs available with the base SDR
  • Single critical failure point tolerant architecture, that can be configured to be fully dual-redundant
  • Low quiescent power consumption: down to 5W when listening for carrier
  • TID qualified to 30 kRad plus design and component mitigations against SEEs
Spec Sheet

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