Iris (transponder)

The Iris transponder for deep space communication

The Iris transponder is a small, low power deep-space transponder designed by JPL for use in cubesats.[1][2] It unifies a number of communication functions - receiver, command detector, telemetry modulator, exciters, and control functions - into one 1.2-kg package that occupies about 0.5 U. Iris is designed to handle X band uplink, UHF receive, and both X band and optional Ka band downlink. It is only one third the mass, and lower power, compared to the smallest previous solution, the Small Deep Space Transponder.

## Functions

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The capabilities of Iris include:[1]

* X-band receiver/downconverter capable of carrier tracking.
* Command detector unit function.
* Telemetry modulation function.
* X-band exciter.
* A matching X-band power amplifier and low-noise amplifier.
* X-band ranging.
* UHF (390-450 MHz) receiver for communication with landers/rovers.
* Differential one-way ranging (DOR) at X-band.
* Uplink: TC Space Data Link Protocol - CCSDS 232.0-B-3
* Downlink: AOS Space Data Link Protocol = CCSDS 732.0-B-3
* Supports codes Convolutional 7-1/2, Manchester, Bi-Phase, and bypass (NRZ), Reed Solomon (255,223), Turbo codes with rates 1/2, 1/3, and 1/6 (block size 8920 bits)
* Interface to rest of CubeSat electronics is through Serial Peripheral Interface Bus, with a special hardwired output to reset the CubeSat.

## Missions

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* Mars Cube One
* Lunar Flashlight
* BioSentinel
* NEA Scout

## See also

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* Electra (radio)

## References

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1. ^ a b "Iris V2.1 CubeSat Deep Space Transponder" (PDF). JPL. 2016.
2. ^ "Iris Deep Space Transponder for SLS EM-1 CubeSat Missions".