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.

    Back to Home
    Back to Top Skip Navigation: Avoid going through Home page links and jump straight to content