Software modem for the Munin nano satellite

At the Swedish Institute for Space Physics a very small satellite, a nano satellite, is being constructed (1997-1998). The satellite, called Munin, is built with standard components, but also carries state of the art scientific instruments. A part of the project is to obtain a public outreach and to use it as a educational tool, for these reason students are taking part in each step of the construction and implementation process. This thesis work describes the implementation of the ground stations communication equipment. The reception mechanism consists of a modem, and a PC controlling the modem. The modem’s main equipment is a digital signal processor. All the logic for the modem is made in software. The modem controller is made as an device driver under the Linux operating system on a standard PC. The modem and the controller communicates over a standard RS232 interface. The modem achieves acceptable bit error rates at realistic low field strength levels for the signal to be able to receive the necessary amount of data from the satellite.Validerat; 20101217 (root