Video telemetry system for a satellite

• US 6,384,860 B1
• Filed: 02/22/1999
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Murphy, John R., Tullock, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US09/255,418
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.718, 348/144, 348/211
• US Class Current: 348/144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

A video telemetry system for monitoring the deployment of an apparatus coupled to a satellite body includes a camera that produces a video signal. A video compressor is coupled to the camera and digitally compresses the video signal into a digitally compressed video signal. A modulator is coupled to the compressor for modulating the compressed video signal. An antenna is coupled to the modulator for converting the compressed video signal into an RF video signal and transmitting the RF video signal to a ground station or other means for monitoring the signal, particularly during a deployment.

Claims

1. A satellite comprising:

a satellite body;

an deployable apparatus coupled to the satellite body;

a camera coupled to said satellite body in view of said deployable apparatus, said camera generating a video signal of said deployable apparatus;

a video compressor coupled to said camera for compressing said video signal of said deployable apparatus into a compressed video signal;

a modulator coupled to said compressor for modulating the compressed video signal; and

a transmitting antenna coupled to the modulator for converting said compressed video signal into an RF video signal and transmitting said RF video signal.

2. A satellite as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitting antenna comprises a telemetry antenna.

3. A method for observing an apparatus deployment for a deployable apparatus on a satellite comprising the steps of:

directing a camera to the apparatus;

initiating the deployment of the deployable apparatus;

generating a video signal during deployment of the deployable apparatus;

compressing the video signal into a compressed video signal;

modulating the compressed video signal; and

converting the compressed video signal into an RF video signal; and

transmitting the RF video signal.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the steps of receiving the RF video signal and converting the RF video signal into an electrical signal.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of demodulating the electrical signal into a demodulated electrical signal.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 further comprising the step of expanding the demodulated electrical signal into a video signal.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 further comprising the step of coupling the video signal to a video monitor.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising the step of recording the video signal.