How does DS1's communications system work? There are three
brand-new features on DS1. One is that DS1 will be testing a
higher frequency for radio transmissions, known as Ka-band, for
some communications. This technology experiment consists of a
very compact, rugged device that amplifies the Ka-band signal
before it is transmitted through the antenna. These
transmissions will be used to help evaluate whether Ka-band
should be used in future missions. Another new feature is what
is called Beacon Monitor Operations. An autonomous onboard
system diagnoses the spacecraft's condition. Then the Beacon
Monitor Operations system selects one of four signals to
transmit back to Earth. These signals are simple and can be
picked up by small receivers. The signals are: Figure from
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Deep Space One Web Site:
http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/ds1/ With this system, the huge DSN
receivers will only need to be used when the Beacon Monitor
Operations says there is a problem or something else in
particular