Deutsch Intern
Chair of Computer Science VII - Robotics and Telematics

Groundstation

UWE-Groundstation


The ground station serves as communication link to satellites, by sending and receiving radio signals. Therefore the quickly moving satellites need to be tracked by certain algorithms. Additionally the data received from the satellites needs to be stored and processed.

Introduction


Würzburg’s ground station was built within the UWE I project. Since then the ground station was constantly adapted and improved, as well in terms of software solutions as in terms of hardware. Although the ground station’s main task is commanding and receiving the UWE satellites. Satellite projects from other universities are also assisted.

Hardware


The ground station is mainly composed of COTS-hardware. Hardware that is utilized is basically:

Radio – ICOM IC 910

The radio transmits and receives signals to/from the satellite.

TNC

The Terminal Node Controller (TNC) translates the digital packet data into signals that can be sent by the radio and vice versa.

CT17

The CT17 connects the control computer with the radio. It permits to send control commands from the computer to the radio as well as reading information from the radio. Thereby the CT17 permits the tele-operation of the radio system. Adjusting the frequencies etc. remotely or reading s-meter values from the radio-system are its typical tasks.
 

Rotorcontroller Interface

The Rotorcontroller Interface, connects the control computer with the rotorcontroller. After receiving commands, specifying the azimuth and elevation angle, the interface connects to the rotor controller and places the antenna in the correct position. Also the current rotor position can be determined at any given time.

Rotorcontroller

The rotorcontroller steers the rotors according to the information provided either through the rotorcontroller interface, or according to the switches at its front.
 

Rotors Yaesu G550

The rotors are mounted on top of the antenna slide, holding the antennas. In order to perform the tracking of satellites two rotors are needed one for the azimuth and another for the elevation rotation.

Antennas

Two Yagi-Uda antennas are used to transmit the signals into Orbit
144/166 MHz 2x 11 Element Cross-Yagi
430/440 MHz 2x19 Elements Cross-Yagi

Computer

Ordinary PC with a Linux operating system

Contacts


For detailed information about the groundstation, please approach:

Dr. Klaus Schilling
schi@informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de