How the Mars Microrover Radios Work

(Text only version)

Let's take a look at how the Microrover Radio Modems work

The operation of the Rover Radio Modem
The operation of the Lander Radio Modem
The operation of the Rover's Antenna
Rover Antenna Patterns
The operation of the Lander's Antenna

The radio modem that is inside the Microrover. . . .
Specifications

Mass: x.x grams
Dimensions: x.x mm length by y.y mm width by z.z mm height
RF Connector Type: Coaxial SMA
DC Connector Types: 9 pin uD (signal and power)
DC Bus Voltage: +9 Volts, Regulated
DC Bus Current: 28 mA Standby; 35 mA Receive; 170 mA Transmit
DC Power:
RF Center Frequency: 459.7 MHz
RF Channel Bandwidth: 25 KHz
RF Signal Modulation: FSMSK
RF Transmit Power: 100 mW
Computer Interface: RS232, TTL levels
Maximum Data Rate: 9600 BPS (Bits Per Second)

The radio modem that is inside the Surface Lander. . . .
Specifications

Mass: x.x grams
Dimensions: x.x mm length by y.y mm width by z.z mm height
RF Connector Type: Coaxial SMA
DC Connector Types: 9 pin uD (signal) 15 pin uD (power)
DC Bus Voltage: +28 Volts, Regulated
DC Bus Current: 28 mA Standby; 35 mA Receive; 170 mA Transmit
DC Power:
RF Center Frequency: 459.7 MHz
Computer Interface: RS232, TTL levels
Maximum Data Rate: 9600 BPS (Bits Per Second)

The radio antenna that is on the Microrover. . . .
Specifications

Length: x.x mm
Materials: Fiberglass tube, Aluminum Tube, Teflon supports
RF Connector Type: Coaxial SMA
RF Center Frequency: 459.7 MHz
RF Bandwidth: 100 MHz
RF Gain: 1.4 dBic
Free Space Match: 1.x:1 VSWR

Rover Antenna Patterns
These patterns were taken on the JPL MESA antenna range using a static model rover. A flight-like rover antenna was mounted to the rover mast and placed a height of 83 cm from the ground. A radio modem operating in CW mode was used to transmit a 459.7 MHz, 100 mW signal from the rover to a spectrum analyzer receiver. The receive antenna was a flight-like LMRE antenna mounted to the receiver at a height of 80 cm.
Antenna Pattern at 2 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 3 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 5 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 7 Meters
Antenna Pattern at 10 Meters
Antenna Patterns from 2-10 Meters

The radio antenna that is on the Surface Lander. . . .
Specifications

Length: x.x mm
Materials: Fiberglass tube, Aluminum Tube, Teflon supports
RF Connector Type: Coaxial SMA
RF Center Frequency: 459.7 MHz
RF Bandwidth: 100 MHz
RF Gain: 1.4 dBic
Free Space Match: 1.x:1 VSWR

Under Construction

Do you have any Questions or Comments?
Send them to: rover-telecom@jpl.nasa.gov :-{)
All information on this site, including text and images describing the Rover is copyright � 1997, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
This page was last updated Thursday, May 1, 1997.
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