RadioAstron Testing in Green Bank

Summary Report

The setup in the lab with Alexander, Boris, and Yury.
The VIRK.

Alexander and Boris setting up the VIRK.

VIRK test equipment.

Boris, Dan Pedtke, Yury and Alexander with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT).
Yury tries out a 1969 Checker Taxi.

Inside the VIRK-M modules.

Closeup of the module.

Test setup from inside the Jansky Operations Room.

Alexander setting up for a test.

Boris gives the 'thumbs up' to proceed with the test.
Yury, Alexander, and Boris in front of the Green Bank Earth Station.

Boris and Yury playing ping-pong with Dan and his daughter.
Getting ready for an interview with Terrell McSweeny of WVMR radio.
After the interview.

At the Pedtke's cookout.

Field tests using NRAO watertower from the Jansky Lab balcony.

Modulation input vs. Analog output from Russian demodulator. Note 7ns jitter.

Modulation input vs. Digital output from Russian demodulator.

Signal received at Earth Station from NRAO satellite simulator, 64MHz data rate.
+7.2 dBm into horn antenna, no errors.
Signal received at Earth Station from NRAO satellite simulator, 64MHz data rate.

-1.8dBm into antenna, produced some sync errors, no invalid frames.

Signal received at Earth Station from NRAO satellite simulator, 64MHz data rate.
-1.8dBm into antenna, Earth Station antenna peaked for best signal. No errors.
Signal received at Earth Station from VIRK, -1dBm into antenna.
After 64K frames, 21K sync errors, 2 invalid frames.

Signal received at Earth Station from VIRK, 18MHz RadioAstron mode (frame data parity checked), +3.5dBm into antenna.
All frames are invalid.

VIRK signal with no modulation. Note 500 Hz 4dB amplitude modulation.
The VIRK and all the equipment boxed up and ready for shipment - 1 crate and 5 boxes.

The setup in the lab with Alexander, Boris, and Yury.	The VIRK.	Alexander and Boris setting up the VIRK.
VIRK test equipment.	Boris, Dan Pedtke, Yury and Alexander with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT).	Yury tries out a 1969 Checker Taxi.
Inside the VIRK-M modules.	Closeup of the module.	Test setup from inside the Jansky Operations Room.
Alexander setting up for a test.	Boris gives the 'thumbs up' to proceed with the test.	Yury, Alexander, and Boris in front of the Green Bank Earth Station.
Boris and Yury playing ping-pong with Dan and his daughter.	Getting ready for an interview with Terrell McSweeny of WVMR radio.	After the interview.
At the Pedtke's cookout.	Field tests using NRAO watertower from the Jansky Lab balcony.	Modulation input vs. Analog output from Russian demodulator. Note 7ns jitter.
Modulation input vs. Digital output from Russian demodulator.	Signal received at Earth Station from NRAO satellite simulator, 64MHz data rate. +7.2 dBm into horn antenna, no errors.	Signal received at Earth Station from NRAO satellite simulator, 64MHz data rate. -1.8dBm into antenna, produced some sync errors, no invalid frames.
Signal received at Earth Station from NRAO satellite simulator, 64MHz data rate. -1.8dBm into antenna, Earth Station antenna peaked for best signal. No errors.	Signal received at Earth Station from VIRK, -1dBm into antenna. After 64K frames, 21K sync errors, 2 invalid frames.	Signal received at Earth Station from VIRK, 18MHz RadioAstron mode (frame data parity checked), +3.5dBm into antenna. All frames are invalid.
VIRK signal with no modulation. Note 500 Hz 4dB amplitude modulation.	The VIRK and all the equipment boxed up and ready for shipment - 1 crate and 5 boxes.