Spacecraft telemetry overview
Spacecraft telemetry is used to transport telemetry data on the downlink from a spacecraft to the ground system. Typical space missions use the TM Space Data Link Protocol on the downlink. Space missions with high volumes of telemetry data can choose the AOS Space Data Link Protocol for higher speed downlinks.
We have software products for both protocols.
TM Space Data Link Protocol
The TM Encoder is part of the on-board spacecraft system.
It takes telemetry data, typically contained in packets, and formats them into a data stream
for downlink to the ground.
When the data stream reaches the ground it is processed by the
TM Decoder to extract the packets and other data.
The TM Space Data Link Protocol forms a central part of the telemetry data transfer. The protocol formats the packets and other data structures into TM Transfer Frames. For details of the services, data structures and interfaces, see the TM features.
The protocol was earlier known as Packet Telemetry.
AOS Space Data Link Protocol
The AOS Space Data Link Protocol has many similarities with the TM protocol. An AOS Encoder formats the packets and other data structures into AOS Transfer Frames. For details of the services, data structures and interfaces, see the AOS features.
The AOS protocol can also be used for the uplink.