A VERSATILE AEROSPACE TELEMETRY SYSTEM

G. James Blaine and G. E. Brechling

Systems Engineers
Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc.
Sarasota, Florida
ABSTRACT

In general, the trend toward telemetry systems

of increased flexibility and versatility for aerospace vehicles has yielded unacceptable power
and processing efficiencies and questionable
reliabilities.
This paper describes the concepts, organization,
and areas of application of a core-memory-programmed telemetry system which has been
specifically developed, in its entirety, to provide
the versatility required for aerospace vehicular
applications and environments. It is felt that
this versatility has been achieved, since the
telemeter can reasonably be applied to dataprocessing requirements in such diverse areas
as deep-space probes, orbiting spacecraft, or
avionic data systems. Although format generation is its primary mode of operation, modular
expansion of the basic system permits the expanded telemeter to perform as an integral datacompression system.

The paper also describes the development of a

laboratory model of this versatile telemetry
system, which has been constructed to physically implement the various system functions
described herein.
INTRODUC TION
In recent years there has been a marked trend
toward systems of increased flexibility for aerospace data processing and telemetry. In aerospace vehicular data systems, this tendency
toward flexibility is demonstrated by the replacement of hard-wired programmed telemeters,
capable of generating only fixed telemetry formats, with magnetic-core-memory-programmed
telemeters in which many formats can be stored,
selected as required, and modified in place if
desired.
This has resulted in an extremely versatile telemeter which does much more than simply acquire and transmit data. The presence of a
core-memory store and limited arithmetic capability permits it to perform in a variety of
applications completely beyond the scope of
standard telemetry systems.

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It is important to bear in mind, however, that

for the great majority of aerospace applications
it is not sufficient to merely adopt the systemand component-design practices of ground dataprocessing and computer systems. Almost certainly, unacceptable power and processing efficiencies and questionable reliabilities will result
if this is done.
Any expansion of telemetry capabilities must be
accomplished within the normal constraints of
the aerospace environment. This means that the
versatile telemeter must provide increased flexibility and yet remain competitive in terms of
size, weight, power consumption, and system
reliability.

This paper describes the concepts, organization,

and design of a core-memory-programmed telemetry system designed specifically for aerospace
vehicular applications. Its makeup is very similar to that of a special-purpose digital computer,
in that an existing configuration can be adapted
to perform a variety of functions.

The versatility of the telemetry system is demonstrated by the fact that it can be used efficiently
in many diverse applications, such as in deepspace probes, satellites, orbiting spacecraft,
and avionics data systems. The area of application will be a strong factor in determining the
telemeter's role in the overall vehicular system.
For example, in a deep-space-probe application,
a strong case can be made for employing a single
central control unit to accomplish a variety of
functions previously performed by a multiplicity
of special-purpose system elements. Experiments programming and control; engineering and
scientific telemetering; data compression;
guidance, attitude, and power control; command
decoding; navigation computations--all are tasks
that can be performed by a single system possessing a memory store, arithmetic, and sufficient
input-output capability. Since the format-generation rates are relatively slow and the telemetry
system normally has access to the various data
sources required to accomplish the above tasks,
it is a logical choice to function as the heart of
the deep-space data system.
An entirely different situation exists in an orbiting-spacecraft data system. Normally, a rela-

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tively large and powerful central-control digital

computer exists for performing the tasks previously mentioned. However, the high-speed dataacquisition rates required would place an unreasonable burden on the central computer if it had
to generate the data format. Using the versatile
telemeter for format generation frees the central
computer from this routine task and thereby
greatly simplifies the design of the spacecraft
data system.

In a large-data-system application the telemetry

system, in addition to performing essentially as
an input-output device for the central computer,
can perform additional tasks by a modular expansion upon the basic configuration. Data compression and monitor-and-alarm are routine
functions that can be accomplished by an expanded telemetry system.
In all of these expanded telemetry applications,
the common denominator is the routine nature of
the task. A small expansion in the telemeter
hardware permits a proportionately greater simplification in compute r s oftwa re.

TELEMETRY-SYSTEM APPLICATIONS
Format Generation

The core -memory -programmed telemeter differs

significantly from the hard-wired system in the
method used for data acquisition. In the usual
hard-wired system, a variety of binary counters
are advanced by clock pulses at their respective
frame or subframe rates, and the contents of
the counters are decoded by logic gates which,
in turn, actuate the data-source switches. However, in the versatile telemeter, the counters
are replaced by a core memory in which is
stored the address code of the individual data
switches. If 2n data sources constitute the system, a code of n binary bits provides a unique
address for actuating each data-source multiplexer switch. The address code is independent
of (1) the character of the data, be it digital or
high- or low-level analog; (2) the location of the
data source in the format, and (3) the sampling
rate. A format is generated by obtaining sequentially from the memory the addresses of
the multiplexer gates for the data sources to be
included in the data frame.
In a typical application this telemetry system
would utilize one of several preplanned data
formats stored in the core memory. The appropriate format is called up via a command link,
a manual selector switch, or by means of an
adaptive process and is initiated by locating in

memory the starting address of the first format

word. As the memory is sequenced from this
point, address words appear sequentially in the
output register and are presented to the system
multiplexers to effect data-switch selection.
The telemeter operates in a manner similar to
a single-address digital computer. Each word
stored in memory is an ordered set of digits
which are processed as a unit. A fixed number
of bits constitute the operation-code portion of
the word, and other bits are used for indirect
addressing and indexing. The remaining bits
(normally designated the operand) are the dataswitch or memory data addresses.

In its most basic configuration, the core-memory-programmed telemeter has an instruction

repertoire limited to those commands required
for format generation. Memory-referenced
instructions for this application include:
Data Out- -Provides in the operand portion
of the word the address code of the data channels which are sampled at the basic frame rate.

Memory Out--Provides in the operand

portion of the word the memory address of data,
such as frame synchronization codes, to be
interlaced with the output PCM bit stream.

Subcommutate--Used to obtain address

codes of data channels which are sampled at
less than the frame rate.
Jump--Used to transfer program control
to a randomly selected core-memory location.
Load Program Counter-..Provides the
starting address of a given format.
Load Index Counters--Re-enters into
counters, at the completion of a subframe,
data indicating the size of the respective subframes.

Instructions which do not reference memory

are designated "augmented" since the operation
codes are augmented, or extended, by causing
various operations to occur as a function of the
bits normally reserved for channel address
data. The operation is a micro-program in
that multiple operations can be specified and
performed simultaneously according to the
operand data bits. Typical uses for the augmented instructions are: bit-rate selection;
word-length selection; format-number compare, search, and verify; operating-mode
select; register transfer, and input and output
transfer.

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363

SERIAL PCM

I
POWER
SUPPLY

Fig. 1.

Basic Configuration For Format Generation

The data formats are normally loaded into memory off-line via assembled paper tape or magnetic tape, although manual entry or modification
of data is also provided. However, to provide
additional flexibility, the system is capable of
entering format data while the telemeter is online, either from an associated on-board computer or directly through a command link. The
entry of data is random access; therefore, the
individual data words which establish the system
conditions can be modified to effect changes in
bit rate, word length, etc. As a precaution
against entering incorrect format data into memory, each data word that is written undergoes a
verification cycle before the next word write
cycle is initiated.
The block diagram of Figure 1 illustrates the
basic elements of the versatile telemeter in the

364

format-generation mode. Additional capabilities

of the telemeter will be illustrated in subsequent
sections.
Monitor -and -Alarm

The versatile telemeter is well suited to perform

the basic monitor-and-alarm functions required
in aircraft and manned spacecraft. A standard
monitor-and-alarm (M-and-A) system acquires
data representing the physical status of the airborne or spaceborne environment and equipment,
then compares these data against preplanned
stored signals of a given value and tolerance.
The value represents the expected situation; the
tolerance represents its normal variation from
the mean condition. Any out-of-tolerance data
signal is assumed to represent a fault condition
requiring an alarm indication to the crew, a

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display of the fault, and possibly a diagnostic

response to assist in correcting the situation.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a typical monitorand-alarm system. Since a large portion of the
M-and-A system is devoted to acquiring data,
the basic configuration of the versatile telemeter
can be directly adapted to this task, and the Mand-A multiplexers are sequenced in accordance
with the format-generation program stored in
the core memory.

is programmed to repeat the acquisition-and-test

procedure in order to avoid raising unnecessary
false alarms due to simple bit errors. If the
fault indication persists, the fault detector causes
the normal format-generation program to be
interrupted, and a special memory fault routine
is initiated. At this time, data which serve to

convert the channel address of the data-source

fault to a physical identification are obtained
from memory. This parameter identification is
then applied to the display unit, which may range

Fig. 2. Configuration For Monitor-And-Alarm

Each channel-address instruction is accompanied by the retrieval from memory of the expected data value and tolerances associated
with the given data source. The acquired data
are processed through the data-conversion
equipment and applied to a fault detector which
has as its reference input the data-value band
representing the expected condition. The fault
detector performs arithmetic operations to test
that the acquired data signal falls within the
expected range; if an out-of-tolerance condition
odcurs, the format-generation program is permitted to advance normally,. If an out-of-tolerance condition is encountered, the test sequence

in complexity from a simple projection display

to a printout, microfilm, or cathode-ray display.
At the same time, the conversion factors associated with the data-source fault are obtained
from memory and applied, together with the
data-source amplitude, to an arithmetic unit.
Scaling and conversion of the data-source electrical amplitude to a physical quantity is accomplished in the arithmetic unit, and the resultant
signal is applied to the display unit. The latter
provides visual identification of the fault condition and an indication of the magnitude of the

physical parameters involved.

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365

Depending upon the size and complexity of the

data system and the degree of safety required,
several program options are now possible. If
the system is simple and the fault is of a minor
nature, it may be sufficient to raise a visual or
audible alarm to alert the crew to the situation.
If the system is complex and the fault is considered serious, several additional procedures may
be programmed into the fault subroutine.

Frequently, applications for which the versatile

telemeter is well suited can utilize some form of
data compression efficiently. Data systems for
deep-space probes are typical of such applications. Several forms of data compression are
readily accomplished with an expanded version
of the versatile telemeter.

Once the nature and magnitude of the fault have

been established, the memory is available to
initiate an associated data-acquisition subroutine.
A major data fault may have a format-generation
program which interrogates associated data
sources in order to provide additional data pertinent to the condition. In a simple system, it
may be sufficient to make these data available
in the form of a printout to help the crew troubleshoot. In a more complex system, a request
for diagnostic service may be made of the central-control computer, and the associated data
can be entered into a diagnostic program. Using
these related data, the computer can resolve
any possible ambiguities in the fault condition
and/or establish and display corrective and
maintenance routines to be followed. Location
and identification of spares or backup equipment
may also be displayed.

The zero-order predictor, which exemplifies the

floating-aperture compression technique, is the
most well known and probably the most widely
employed compression device. Generally, this
technique is employed after the analog data are
converted to digital words. The zero-order
predictor is a form of run-length coding in which
a tolerance band is placed about the data samples.
Briefly, the predictor takes the first sample in
the data frame, sorts it, addresses it, and compares successive samples of the same channel.
No information is transmitted until the sample
being examined is outside the error band, at
which time the original sample magnitude, its
address in the frame, and the frame number are
transmitted to the buffer store. The sample
which exceeded the error band then becomes the
new basis for comparison, is addressed, and
the procedure is repeated.

As an alternative approach, the analysis and

diagnosis of a fault condition can be made by the
controlling ground complex. In this mode of
operation, a major fault condition would cause
a telemetry-format-change request to be initiated.
The telemeter would sequence and transmit several frames of fault-related data and then revert
to its original format. Since the telemeter has
limited format storage, the fault-condition for mat should be general purpose; hence, an identification tag must be added to each fault-format
data word.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the expanded

versatile telemeter used to perform as a zeroorder predictor. It can be seen that a great
similarity exists between this system and the
monitor-and-alarm system previously described.
Either task can be performed by essentially the
same hardware with different programming.

After completion of the subroutines for a detected

fault, the M-and-A system returns to its original
search-and-check mode. Since the normal rate
of scanning of physical parameters may be relatively low, modest fault subroutines can be
completed with little or no interruption of the
monitoring process.

A laboratory model of a representative versatile

telemetry system has been developed at EMR
through a company-funded program. Figure 4
is a photograph of this model.

The on-line write capability of the M-and-A

system's memory is an important factor in overall system performance. During a flight it is
usually necessary or desirable to modify values
and tolerances of the fault-comparison data
based on in-flight computations or on data received via a command link. Such modification
is readily accomplished through random access
to any memory location.

366

Data Compression

SYSTEM DESIGN
Laboratory-Model Development

The program consisted of a study phase followed

by an implementation phase. As a result of the
study phase, major emphasis was placed on
memory design. The system requirements dictated a memory design to achieve high reliability,
low power consumption, high-speed readout,
and relatively high-speed selective writing. A
word-organized linear-select memory concept
was chosen and implemented with basic readout
(NDRO) and nonvolatile storage.

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Fig. 3. Configuration For Data Compression

A significant reduction in power consumption is
realized with the NDRO, word-organized memory since data restoration does not require a
write cycle with each read cycle. This feature
allows high-speed operation in the "read-only"
mode, which is the normal mode of operation
for format generation. In addition, the NDRO
and nonvolatile properties of the memory enhance system reliability through integrity of the
stored data. Memory operation is either sequential or random access. Random access permits
the on-line modification of memory data without
disruption of system operation. Because primary emphasis was placed on system concepts
and organization, only moderate data-channel
capacity and sample rates were specified for
the laboratory model. It should be noted that
telemetry-system capacity is limited only by
the capacity of the memory unit.

Fig. 4.

The Laboratory Model

The laboratory model consists of the basic elements shown in Figure 1. These elements are a
256-word-by-12-bit core memory, a control
unit, analog and digital multiplexers, and an
analog-to-digital converter. The pertinent details of each of these elements are described in
the following sections.

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367

Core Memory
The basic storage element selected for the core
memory is a multiaperture, orthogonal-fluxpath ferrite core. It was selected to satisfy the
aforementioned constraints of low power, nonvolatile storage, nondestructive readout, and
high speed.
As is shown in Figure 5a, the ferrite element
contains an interrogate hole and a storage hole
which are mutually orthogonal and nonintersecting. Information is stored in the element by
setting the flux around the storage hole to saturation in one direction for a "zero" and the other
direction for a "one. " A "ratchet-write" (1)
current is applied through the interrogate hole,
time-coincident with a "one' or "zero" partial
write current through the storage hole. This
results in a flux in the common volume between
the holes which remains in a quiescent "one" or
'zero"' state after the currents are removed.

Interrogation of the element is accomplished by

the application of a current pulse through the
interrogate hole. The current pulse causes an
elastic magnetic-domain reorientation which
produces a voltage on the storage line. The
output is a bipolar pulse that corresponds to the
state of the core. Upon termination of the current pulse, the domain reverts to its original
orientation, thus effecting a true nondestructive
readout. (2)

STORAGE

HOLE

BASIC ELEMENT

STORED 1I "

STORED

BIPOLAR

"O"

OUTPUT

Fig. 5. Basic Core-Memory Element and Output

Waveforms

M WORDS

The output waveforms corresponding to a stored

"one" and a stored "zero" are shown in Figure
5b. Typical output levels of 8 mv are obtained
for interrogate currents of approximately 250 ma,
bit-write currents of +110 ma, and two-pair
"ratchet-write" currents of 400 ma.

BIT

The physical and electrical characteristics of

the ferrite element permit a simple array configuration for the memory unit.
An m-word-by-n-bit array, as shown in Figure
6, eliminates the need for "weaving" lines. Two
lines through the interrogate hole of each core
are used so that unipolar current drivers can
perform the "ratchet writing. "1 The particular
array utilized in the core, memory for the laboratory model consists of 256 twelve-bit words.
The array is organized in an 8 x 32 matrix configuration to permit optimal decoding of word
addresses. An overall block diagram of the
memory unit is shown in Figure 7.

(1)Baldwin, J.A., Jr., "Theory of Ratchet Writing in Thin-Wall Multipath Memory Cores, "
INTERMAG Conference Proceedings, pages 6. 4-1
to 6.4-8; April 1965.
368

LINE

STORAGE

BIT 2
N BITS

BIT N

Fig. 6.

Basic Array

Read and write commands to the memory are

synchronized to the system clock. A read com-

(2)Beveridge, R. W., "The Micro-biax Memory

Element, " WESCON Proceedings, pages 2.4-1

to 2.4-5; August 1965.

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SYSTrEMS

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- - -

- - - - - - - --

- - -

INTERROGATE

- -- - - - -

--

WRITE

WRITE
N TERROGA TE
SITS 6, 7, 8 mAR

DATA FRt

ASSEMBLY

REGISTER

AMPS

St"SE
12 TOTAL

IT

DATA OUTPUT

US

R)

0 STAGES
X

lSTAG OSCES

CLEAR

LOAD

INTERROGATE
PULSE

READ
WRITE
I-MHz
CLOCE

L-

- LOAD

Fig. 7.

Block Diagram

mand initiates an interrogate cycle. The data

address is decoded to select the proper current
driver and word gate, and the memory data register (MDR) is cleared. A gated current source
provides the required level of current to the interrogate line, resulting in an output on the
sense lines. An integrated-circuit comparator
amplifier is used as a detector on each sense
line. The amplifier output gate is strobed at
the proper time to load the data into the MDR.
The complete read cycle is accomplished in
less than one microsecond.
The write cycle is initiated by the write command. The desired location is again selected
by the memory address, and the desired data
The MDR controls
are loaded into the MDR.
the polarity of the bidirectional bit-current
sources and hence the polarity of stored infor-

of

Memory Unit

mation.
The "ratchet write" is accomplished by switching
the write-current source from the (-) to the (+)
interrogate lines through two cycles. The write
cycle is less than five microseconds.

Integrated circuits are utilized for the registers

and the decoders. Discrete transistors are used
to switch the drive currents. The data and address input-output levels are compatible with the
logic utilized in the control unit. Low power
consumption has also been achieved. The standby, or quiescent, power is less than five watts;
the power required during a read mode is less
than eight watts, and the power required during
the write mode is less than 24 watts.

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369

System Electronics
Figure 8 illustrates the functional elements of the
laboratory model. All digital circuits utilize
DTL logic in the form of monolithic microcircuits
and are contained on double-sided printed-circuit
cards. The cards are organized functionally.
Two basic printed circuits, in conjunction with
rear-side jumper wires, provide the approximately 20 different logic functions required in
the system. Analog circuits in the analog-todigital converter and the various signal-conditioning amplifiers employ both analog microcircuits and discrete components.

is identical, regardless of data rates or the

subsystem in which the unit is used. This
equipment standardization results in savings in
design qualification and in the amount of onboard equipment, and enables the use of relatively few diagnostic tests in checking the performance of a large portion of the system
components.
The use of an address code to implement the
data-switch selection also permits the multiplexers to be located remotely from the system
electronics. Placing multiplexeis in proximity
to the associated transducers results in

DATA

* SOURCES

oATA

SOURCES

Fig. 8.

Block Diagram of Versatile Telemeter Laboratory Model

The analog multiplexers have been designed to

serve 64 data sources. Becastse of the randomaccess nature of the multiplexer switch-selection
process, the configuration of all multiplexers

370}

increased system accuracy due to reduced

noise pickup. It also provides significant
savings in weight due to reduced spacecraft
wiring. The address code is normally

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presented in parallel to all system multiplexers

simultaneously. If system cabling is to be kept
to an absolute minimum, the address codes may
be shifted sequentially into multiplexer registers;
however, design requirements are eased if the
address is presented broadside. The laboratorymodel multiplexers have been designed to operate such that in the nonaddressed, or quiescent,
signal condition all power, with the exception of
multiplexer code-recognition circuitry, is
switched off. In a large system this feature
results in significant power savings since only
the multiplexer addressed is activated by a power strobe, and then only for a time sufficient to
effect an analog -to -digital conversion. Additional bits can be provided in the channel-select
address code to designate a multiplexer amplifier voltage-gain setting, thereby performing
signal scaling, or full-scale range changing, in
the case of a programmed adaptive system.
The address code presented to each multiplexer
is entered into a register in each unit, which in
turn is presented to a logic network for switchselection decoding. In the event of memory
failure, it is possible to operate these multiplexer registers as binary counters, thereby
providing data--however inefficiently and ill
organized--on an emergency basis if desired.

CONC LUSIONS
The techniques described in this paper are a
direct natural development of airborne data
systems. In addition to the applications
described herein, other system functions such
as data storage, events programming, equipment fault detection and adaptive repair, and
preflight checkout are reasonable applications
of the versatile telemeter.

The laboratory-model system is presently

being used to format and process telemetry
data. In addition, it has been interfaced with
an in-house digital computer programmed to
perform the functions of the expanded telemeter
in the areas of monitor-and-alarm and zeroorder-prediction data compression. Development of the telemeter is continuing, and modular additions are being designed as standard
hardware.

The multiplexer configuration permits great

flexibility in the choice of a data switch. To
demonstrate this, the laboratory model has
been fabricated with an equal mix of transformer-driven chopper switches, N-channel junction
FET switches, and MOS FET switches.

The laboratory model operates in the formatgeneration mode at bit rates of up to 500 kilobits per second and is primarily limited at this
time by the analog-to-digital conversion period
of ten microseconds. An A/D conversion to ten
binary bits at an accuracy of 0. 1So is provided
as standard, but the output word is selectable
by program control in any length from seven to
ten bits. Bit-rate selection, in increments of
powers of 2, is selectable by a program-status
word.
A control panel displays the contents of the
major system registers and provides data entry
into these registers. A decommutation mode,
in which any single channel can be selected and
displayed on the control panel, is available.
The format can be selected either with a thumbwheel switch or by loading the program counter
directly. The control panel also provides direct
manual read or write of data into any memory
location on a random-access basis.

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