# ARGOS O/C 37, CLS

Prepared by CLS

Date : May, 13th 2003

Agenda item F-2.2: ARGOS NEXT Ground Segment

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ADEOS-II satellite was successfully launched by NASDA at 10:31 a.m. (
Japanese Standard Time) on Dec. 14, 2002. ADEOS-II is the first
satellite that carries on a ARGOS two-way instrument ( named ARGOS-NEXT)
allowing users to send messages to their platforms equipped of an Argos
receiver ( called PMT- Platform Messaging Transceiver) via a specific
Argos downlink.

The ARGOS/ADEOS-II DCS ( ARGOS-NEXT) equipment was switched on January
29^th^, 2003 at 00:40 UTC and on-orbit check out tests started from that
date.

The ARGOS instrument on board ADEOS-II is fully tested. These tests
covered :

-   DRUs activation and HK verification,

-   Uplink functioning and performance check out,

-   Downlink functioning and performance check out,

-   On board software validation.

All these tests were successfully completed. We shall notice not any
on-board software incident since the ARGOS-NEXT equipment switch on.

Currently overall ARGOS/ADEOS-II DCS ( ARGOS-NEXT) system tests are
still in progress and are running without significant issues. System
tests will be completed by the end of June, 2003.

The ARGOS/ADEOS-II DCS (uplink) was declared operational early May,
2003.

## Argos Processing Center (APC)

The main impacts of ADEOS-II satellite and ARGOS-NEXT equipment on APC
software and operation were :

-   file exchanges with the ADEOS II ground segment;

-   ADEOS II/Argos DCS Level-0 data and HK telemetry processing;

-   processing of Argos messages related to the downlink messaging
    service;

-   28-bit ID numbers introduction;

-   ADEOS-II spacecraft maneuvers.

All these modifications were successfully tested during on-orbit check
out test phase and, in particular, end to end tests between NASDA and
CLS corresponding to the uplink function.

Here after, the first test performance results about the level-0 data
disposal time.

Stored data disposal time : 94% of the data within 3 hours

Real time data disposal time : 87% of the data within 40 minutes

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Since May 5^th^, 2003 all the Argos processing centers are processing
and delivering, on an operational basis, the ARGOS/ADEOS-II DCS data to
the Argos users.

## Downlink Message Management Center (DMMC)

The DMMC\'s role is to centralize, validate, and schedule downlink
message requests from users before transmitting downlink messages to the
satellite (via a Master Beacon).

The DMMC is located at CLS premises in Toulouse, France. A symmetrical
DMMC will be installed at SAI Largo - USA (mid -- 2004 \[TBC\]).

DMMC development was completed by the end of the second quarter of 2000.
DMMC Acceptance tests took place during the third quarter of 2000.The
DMMC was installed onto the Argos operational configuration (Toulouse
computer center only) third quarter of 2002.

During on-orbit check out test phase, nearly most of the downlink
capabilities have been validated without notable issues. Tests remaining
to perform concern predefined messages and downlink messaging services
loading evaluation.

**The downlink capabilities should be opened to Beta-testers during the
third quarter of 2003 and, opened to the whole ARGOS community by the
end of 2003.**

## Master beacons network

### Located at strategic points around the globe, acting as the link between satellites and the DMMC.

Today, Toulouse, Hatoyama and Fairbanks master beacons are installed (No
more installation is foreseen , for the moment).

Currently, Fairbanks master beacon has broken down. A mission to Alaska
is scheduled end of June to repair it.

## User PMT (Platform Message Tranceiver)

Cnes started, mid 1999, with Martec / Serpe Iesm (French company located
in Brittany) the development of an ADEOS II/ Argos 3 compatible
receiver. This work is about to be competed with the delivery of 200
units ordered by CLS. The difficulties on that development were to make
a product with difficult and contradictory specifications (small size,
very high sensitivity, very low consumption, as well as low unit cost).

In July 2002, CLS decided to implement these receivers in PMTs (Platform
Message Tranceivers). A US company, Bathy Systems was selected for its
long experience on floats, which is one of the applications targeted by
CLS and Service Argos Inc.. This development is about to be finished
with various tests now running between the Web User Interface, the DMMC,
the satellite and the PMT. We should finish this work by June 2003.
During this development a specific bi-frequency (401 and 466 MHz) whip
antenna has been developed to propose a unique antenna for the PMT. 50
PMTs are presently ordered from Bathy Systems. They will be delivered
early September 2003.

CLS/Service Argos made several presentations of the PMT functions to
users during the past months. Thus, from September 2003, we should be
ready to deliver units to users for implementation in platforms.
Synthesis of these tests will be done late 2003 and a meeting with
manufacturers and users will be organised early 2004.

By the end of 2003, we will also see other manufactures involved in PMT
developments. Right now, Toyocom is working on a development of a
complete PMT including their own receiver. CLS is doing a technical
support on that work.

In Europe, Martec / Serpe Iesm will certainly start such a work with the
receiver that they develop under CNES contract. They will also integrate
the present receiver in their own floats.

In the US / Canada, SEIMAC wants also to invest in that field but
focuses mainly on the new specifications of Argos 3 and mainly a PMT
equipped with the high speed data rate. They also have the target to
develop their own receiver.

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*Photos : Serpe Iesm receiver and Bathy System PMT:*