A class of programmable satellite receivers

The primary purpose of programmable satellite receivers is to provide flexibility in application through digital control of the important functions of the receiver. This permits the acquisition and demodulation of medium to very low data rates in widely varying communications environments and over a wide range of modulation schemes. The first application of the programmable concept is in the high-reliability, low-power NASA Standard Command Detector Unit. A second programmable receiver has been designed and breadboarded for the Jupiter Orbiter Probe or Galileo mission.