Development of a Radio-Frequency Compatibility Test (RFCT) to demonstrate the compatibility of the ground to satellite interface for a specific mission

The aim of this thesis is the implementation of a RFCT (Radio-Frequency Compatibility Test) used to test the RF compatibility between the Ground Reference Station (GRS) and a specified satellite, that in this case is represented by a model of the TCR (Telemetry, Commanding & Ranging) on-board transponder built ad hoc for the analyzed mission, concerning the RF parameters (power level and frequency), modulation/demodulation schemes and coding/decoding functions. Moreover also the TCP/IP interface used to connect the several ground entities (ground segment) used in the mission will be tested. RFCT is a test activity to demonstrate the correct operability of the satellite’s communication systems and of the ground segment before the lift off to support the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).