A Complete Dual-Channel Telemetry Receiver and Processing Platform
The LS-28-DRSM-R2D is a Dual-Channel Telemetry Receiver with Touchscreen. Firstly, it converts each RF input to a fixed 70 MHz intermediate frequency. A two-channel digital IF engine then processes the signals.
Depending on the selected configuration, the system can provide:
- Independent two-channel RF telemetry reception
- Digital Pre-D diversity combining
- Multi-mode demodulation
- Bit synchronisation
- Frame synchronisation and decommutation
- PCM code conversion
- Time-stamped Ethernet data streaming
- Telemetry data recording
- Receiver parameter logging
- Signal simulation and loopback testing
- Spectrum, eye-pattern and constellation displays
Consequently, this integrated architecture can reduce the number of separate devices required within a telemetry ground station.
Front-Panel Touchscreen Control
The LS-28-DRSM-R2D introduces a front-panel touchscreen that gives operators local access to basic receiver controls and status information.
Operators can review receiver parameters and access essential functions directly from the display, without connecting a separate monitor or control computer. In addition, Ethernet, USB and serial interfaces provide comprehensive remote control, configuration, monitoring and system integration.
Therefore, the touchscreen particularly benefits rack installations where operators need immediate access to system status at the equipment.
Independent Reception or Diversity Combining
Engineers can configure the two receiver channels for independent operation. Or combine them to improve reception during fading and multipath conditions.
The digital Pre-D combiner supports:
- Optimal-ratio combining based on measured signal-to-noise performance
- Equal-gain combining for fast-fade conditions
- Best-channel selection
- Polarisation diversity
- Frequency diversity
- Spatial diversity
Furthermore, Lumistar specifies a combiner break frequency of at least 50 kHz for fades of up to 30 dB. Under equal-input conditions near the receiver threshold, the company also specifies a typical signal-to-noise improvement greater than 2.6 dB.
Multi-Band RF Telemetry Reception
Lumistar can configure the LS-28-DRSM-R2D with up to five RF bands to suit the application.
Available bands include:
- P-band
- Lower L-band
- Upper L-band
- S-band
- NATO E-band
- C-band
- C-band IF ranges
- 70 MHz IF input
Lumistar can also provide customer-defined frequency bands within the 200 MHz to 6 GHz operating range. Therefore, customers must specify the required bands when configuring the receiver.
Multi-Mode Telemetry Demodulation
Available demodulation formats include:
- Digital multi-symbol PCM/FM
- Analogue single-symbol PCM/FM
- PCM/PM
- BPSK
- QPSK
- OQPSK
- SQPSK
- SOQPSK-TG and SOQPSK-MIL
- AQPSK
- AUQPSK
- Multi-H CPM
- GMSK
- Analogue video FM
- Subcarrier demodulation
However, the selected licensing and ordering configuration determines which formats the receiver supports.
Telemetry over IP and Data Streaming
The Ethernet interface carries telemetry data, receiver control, system status and display information across the network.
The receiver streams telemetry data using UDP and offers output conversion options that include:
- IRIG Chapter 4
- IRIG Chapter 10 throughput mode
- IRIG-218-10
- IRIG-218-20
- Raw data formats
In addition, Ethernet telemetry data can include timestamps. Lumistar may also offer other output formats on request.
Telemetry Data Recording
With the optional recording capability, the LS-28-DRSM-R2D can record data from Channel 1, Channel 2 and the combined channel.
The system provides 64 GB of solid-state NAND flash memory for each of the three channels. At a recording rate of 10 Mbps, Lumistar states an approximate capacity of 16 hours per channel.
The recording system supports:
- Independent Chapter 10 real-time recording
- Lumistar LS28REC recording format
- Conversion from LS28REC to Chapter 10 or binary files using a Lumistar utility
- Receiver parameter logging for reviewing system and signal performance
However, the selected data rate and configuration will affect the available recording time.
Built-In Displays and Test Functions
The LS-28-DRSM-R2D includes tools that help engineers configure, monitor and test the telemetry link.
Standard functions include:
- 70 MHz IF spectrum displays
- Oscilloscope-style eye-pattern displays
- Constellation displays for PSK formats
- Bit-error-rate receivers
- PRN clock and data generators
- Dual-channel PCM data simulation
- Screenshot capture in JPG format
Additionally, a built-in 70 MHz digital IF modulator supports receiver loopback testing and external test applications. The modulator can generate supported modulation formats, calibrated noise, Doppler effects, selectable PCM codes and pseudo-random patterns.
Key Features
- Dual-channel telemetry receiver, diversity combiner and processor
- Front-panel touchscreen for basic local control and status
- Compact 19-inch, 2U rackmount enclosure
- Up to five configured RF bands from 200 MHz to 6 GHz
- Independent dual-channel or diversity-combining operation
- Digital Pre-D combining with multiple combining modes
- Multi-mode telemetry demodulation
- Data rates up to 60 Mbps for selected modulation formats
- Three independent clock and data outputs for Channel 1, Channel 2 and combined data
- Simultaneous TTL and high-speed RS-422 outputs
- Ethernet telemetry data streaming and TMoIP options
- Optional three-channel solid-state data recording
- IRIG A, B or G time input and output
- IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol support
- Built-in spectrum, eye-pattern and constellation displays
- Integrated 70 MHz signal modulator
- Remote control through Ethernet, USB or serial interfaces
- Software and firmware upgrade capability
- Worldwide 110–240 VAC power input
Typical Applications
The LS-28-DRSM-R2D suits applications such as:
- Aeronautical telemetry ground stations
- Flight-test telemetry
- Missile and weapons testing
- UAV and autonomous-platform testing
- Antenna tracking systems
- Mobile telemetry receiving stations
- Remote telemetry sites
- Ground and airborne telemetry installations
- Telemetry link testing and validation
- Research and development laboratories
Technical Specifications
| Specification | LS-28-DRSM-R2D |
|---|---|
| Product type | Dual-channel telemetry receiver, diversity combiner and processor |
| Mounting format | 19-inch rackmount, 2U |
| RF configuration | Up to five configured RF bands |
| Overall configurable frequency range | 200 MHz to 6 GHz |
| Standard band options | P, Lower L, Upper L, S, NATO E, C, CIF, CIFe and 70 MHz IF |
| Receiver operation | Two independent channels or diversity combining |
| RF input level | +17 dBm to receiver threshold |
| Maximum RF input level | +29 dBm with startup self-protection |
| RF input AGC range | At least 120 dB |
| Tuner resolution | 50 kHz or less; tighter resolution available on request |
| Frequency accuracy | 0.001% typical; 0.002% maximum |
| IF conversion frequency | 70 MHz |
| Hardware IF filters | Eight selectable SAW filters |
| Digital IF filtering | Approximately 40,000 FIR filter settings |
| Combining modes | Optimal ratio, equal gain and best-channel selection |
| Diversity modes | Polarisation, frequency and spatial diversity |
| Combiner break frequency | At least 50 kHz for fades up to 30 dB |
Typical S/N improvement | Greater than 2.6 dB for optimal-ratio combining under specified conditions |
| Maximum selected demodulation rate | Up to 60 Mbps, depending on modulation format |
| Data and clock outputs | Three independent outputs for Channel 1, Channel 2 and combined data |
| Electrical output formats | TTL and high-speed RS-422 simultaneously |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Network protocols | IPv4, UDP, TCP, ARP, ICMP, IGMP, PTP and HTTP |
| Other control interfaces | USB 2.0 and RS-232 |
| Time interfaces | IRIG A, B or G input/output and IEEE 1588 PTP |
| Optional internal storage | 64 GB per channel across Channel 1, Channel 2 and combined data |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to +50°C; extended ranges available |
| Storage temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Operating humidity | 0–90%, non-condensing |
| Dimensions | 19-inch rackmount, 2U, approximately 22 inches deep |
| Maximum weight | 24 lb, approximately 10.9 kg |
| Chassis material | T-6061 aluminium |
| Power input | 110–240 VAC, 50–60 Hz |
| Typical power consumption | Approximately 100–120 W |
| Transient protection | Surge protection up to 50 kV at 100 A |
| Equipment monitoring | Continuous temperature, voltage and current monitoring with operator warnings |
Data Rates by Demodulation Format
| Demodulation format | Supported data-rate range |
|---|---|
| Digital multi-symbol PCM/FM | 50 kbps to 30 Mbps |
| Analogue single-symbol PCM/FM | 50 kbps to 20 Mbps |
| BPSK and PCM/PM | 50 kbps to 30 Mbps |
| QPSK, OQPSK, SQPSK, AQPSK and AUQPSK | 50 kbps to 60 Mbps |
| SOQPSK-TG | 100 kbps to 60 Mbps |
| Multi-H CPM | 200 kbps to 60 Mbps |
Configurable and Optional Capabilities
Lumistar configures each LS-28-DRSM-R2D with the RF bands, demodulation formats and processing functions required for the application.
Available options include:
- Alternative demodulation-format packages
- Time-stamped telemetry decommutation
- Time-stamped UDP data broadcast
- IRIG Chapter 4 and Chapter 10 throughput formats
- IRIG-218-10 and IRIG-218-20 output
- Viterbi decoding
- Reed-Solomon decoding
- LDPC decoding in accordance with IRIG 106
- Soft-bit decision outputs
- Space-time coding
- Subcarrier demodulation
- AQPSK and AUQPSK
- IRIG Pre-D recording and playback
- Data archiving
- Extended operating-temperature ranges
Before quotation, Metromatics can help you define the required RF bands, modulation package, decoding, recording, networking and timing options.
LS-28-DRSM-R2D Compared with the LS-28-DRSM-R1
| Feature | LS-28-DRSM-R2D | LS-28-DRSM-R1 |
|---|---|---|
| Rack height | 2U | 1U |
| Front-panel touchscreen | Integrated touchscreen for basic receiver control and status | Earlier rackmount configuration; touchscreen availability depends on the version and configuration |
| Core receiver architecture | Dual-channel receiver, combiner and telemetry processor | Dual-channel receiver, combiner and telemetry processor |
| Primary advantage | Provides easier local operation and status monitoring from the equipment rack | Requires less rack space |
| Remote control | Ethernet, USB or serial interface | Ethernet, USB or serial interface |
| Best suited to | Installations requiring convenient local touchscreen access | Installations where minimum rack height is the priority |
Ultimately, the required local controls, available rack space, RF bands, telemetry formats and processing options will determine the most suitable model.
Configure the LS-28-DRSM-R2D for Your Application
The LS-28-DRSM-R2D offers numerous RF-band, demodulation, decoding, recording and data-output combinations. Therefore, Metromatics can help you define a suitable configuration for your telemetry ground station or flight-test application.
To begin, provide Metromatics with your required RF bands, modulation formats, data rates, timing source, recording capacity and output interfaces.
Contact Metromatics for technical assistance, availability or a quotation for the Lumistar LS-28-DRSM-R2D.
Explore the Lumistar Telemetry Receiver Range
Need a different channel configuration, mounting format or level of portability? Explore the complete Lumistar telemetry receiver and combiner range, including dual-channel, quad-channel, rackmount, modular and portable systems for telemetry ground-station applications.
