Feasibility of using a software‐defined baseband for multiple space per aperture (MSPA) ground operations

Summary This paper presents the feasibility of performing multiple spacecraft per aperture (MSPA) ground operations by using a low‐cost software‐defined baseband (SDB). The SDB is Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS)‐compliant that employs personal computer signal processing and commercial‐off‐the‐shelf RF front end sampling. customized to offer traditional telemetry, tracking, command (TT&C) services near‐Earth missions operating in S band. study starts reviewing MSPA methods already studied space agencies such as NASA ESA before going proposed latest CCSDS blue book on modulation systems. CCSDS‐proposed uplink carrier method assessed after evaluating in‐band interference out‐of‐band emissions from signals radiated employed SDB. Furthermore, we present case where used typical solid‐state amplifier (SSPA) typically missions.