TRUDI
TRUDI - Track Receive Unit Display Interface
TRUDI - Track Receive User Display Interface
Introduction
TRUDI (Track Receive Unit Display Interface) was developed to augment and advance the Capabilities of the Vertex 133 ACU. While the ACU has many great capabilities, it's GUI isn't easy to Navigate. During an Acquisiton of a Spacecraft during its Launch and Early Operations Phase, speed of operation is critcal.
TRUDI helps us to achieve the aim of establishing a Telemetry and Command Link to the spacecraft as quickly as possible so the MCC (Mission Control Centre) can begin Orbit Raising.
When the Spacecraft has been ejected from a fast moving Launch Vehicle and it Appears over the Horizon, we needed to Find it, Peak on it, perform Phasing of the Antenna and then transition to Monopulse Tracking.
See Video of Trudi being used during the EchostarXV Mission
For more information Contact Me.
Features
NORAD File management
This Screen manages the NORAD TLE (Two Line Element) file that is sent to our Station prior to the Acquisition.
The file is loaded into TRUDI and the Integrity of the file is checked. Once confirmed we load the file into the ACU and Command the ACU to start running with it. The Antenna drives to the Acquisition Co-ordinates (at the Horizon) and waits
TRUDI also processes the NORAD File locally and displays information such as Current Az and El. Prior to Horizon Crossing the Elevation is Negative.
Locate Spacecraft
The 133 ACU has an ability to change Offsets to the Fundamental Mode using an XY Display. It's keyboard driven and we needed to watch Signal Levels on a Spectrum Analyser to determine when we've peaked on the Spacecraft
TRUDI improves on that by using a Mouse Driven Offset display which also displays the Signal Level at those Offsets as a Colour. We can quickly see the Offsets that achieved peaks in Signal Level.
Here's an example. We clicked the mouse on a Location on the Plot and those Offsets are applied to the Fundamental Mode. The Signal Level is plotted as a Colour. In this case the Peak was found at the Top Centre. It's shown as Bright Red.
Plot of Tracking Errors
Once the Spacecraft has been found , further peaking is required. This next stage uses the Antennas Tracking Offsets to assist us in finding BoreSite.
Once that is achieved an Autophase is initiated.
Here's an example of an Autophase being performed
Once the Autophase has been completed we command the System to Monopulse Track.
Pass Management Display
The Pass Management Display offers a number of functions that are required during a Pass.
- Recording Offsets
- Transitioning between NORAD drive files
- Adjusting Tracking Frequency to account for Doppler shift
Pass Details Display
The Pass Details Screen uses the NORAD File that has been loaded to TRUDI to show upcoming Passes.
Selecting a Pass will generate a Table showing Date/Time/Az/El and Doppler Shift
Pass Plot Display
This Display will show a Plot of the Azumith and Elevation for a selected Pass
