4. Multipoint operations via satellite can be established with up to four non-nodal terminals to form a
communications network. The nodal terminal AN/TSC-85B receives four pulse code modulation (PCM) data
streams for transmission to four individual non-nodal terminals (AN/TSC-93B). The tactical satellite signal
processor (TSSP) TD-1337 in the nodal terminal combines these data streams into a signal supergroup on a
single carrier frequency. Each non-nodal terminal receives the entire supergroup data stream, demultiplexes it,
and processes the data group intended for that particular terminal. Each non-nodal terminal in the network
transmits its respective data on independent carrier frequencies which are received and separated. The four
individual data streams are processed by the TSSP and sent to the individual multiplexers (TD-1389) in the
nodal terminal.
5. The AN/TSC-85B TACSAT terminal is housed in a modified S-280 shelter. It operates with an organic AS-
3036/TSC (8-foot diameter) antenna which is moved in an antenna pallet transit frame (APTF). It may also
operate with either the non-organic AS-3299/TSC (20-foot diameter) antenna or the OE-361(V)/G quick
reaction satellite antenna (QRSA). All three antennas operate with DSCS satellites.
a. The four curbside racks inside the shelter contain the baseband (multiplexing or demultiplexing)
equipment. The four racks on the roadside of the shelter contain the modems and IF or RF assemblies. The
electronic equipment can operate in a nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) environment.
b. Each part of the satellite terminal equipment (shelter and APTF) is transportable by road, air (C-130, C-
141, C-5A, or helicopter), rail (flatbed), and sea (ship). For the shelter to be mobile by rail or air, the M-720
mobilizer (non-organic) must be used.
c. Terminal setup time for a team using the organic AS-3036/TSC is 30 minutes.
6. The AN/TSC-85B TACSAT terminal (nodal) provides the following:
a. Transmission of a single SHF uplink carrier with up to 48 channels of voice and/or digital data internally
multiplexed by the MD-1389 low rate multiplexers (LRM). An additional four digital transmission groups of
voice and/or data from a remote (externally) multiplexed source may also be transmitted at rates up to a
maximum of 1152 kb/s conditioned diphase (CDI) data. A total of eight data input ports are available in the
TSSP. This does not include the dedicated user port (16 or 32 kb/s of data), or the digital voice orderwire
(DVOV) circuit.
b. On the downlink side, four carriers can be received, demodulated, and switched to user interfaces.
c. Fully independent operation from a 15-kilowatt, three-phase, five-wire diesel generator or compatible
commercial power.
5-3
SS0031
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