Payload data transmitter evolution for scientific missions: New capabilities for L2 and beyond

Abstract

The work presented in this paper aims at illustrating the improvements foreseen for the Payload Data Transmitter of Near Earth and Deep Space scientific missions. Taking advantage of technology evolution combined with innovative architectures and advanced digital signal processing, the paper shows how to increase dramatically the data return in severely power-constrained scenarios, typical of Deep Space and L2 scientific space missions.