RF Transmitters and Receivers for Home Controls

RF wireless systems work by modulating data onto a carrier frequency, transmitting it through the air, and demodulating it at the receiver. Lumistar's Software-Defined Radio (SDR) platforms support carrier frequencies from 200 MHz to 6 GHz and modulation formats including SOQPSK, BPSK, QPSK, Multi-H CPM, and PCM/FM. The receiver uses automatic gain control (AGC) over a 120 dB range and diversity combining to maintain signal integrity, even in dynamic flight test environments with multipath fading.

Connecting an RF transmitter and receiver requires matching the carrier frequency, modulation format, and data rate on both ends. Lumistar's transmitters and receivers are configurable via Ethernet, USB, or RS-232 interfaces. The receiver auto-adjusts AGC over a 120 dB range, while the transmitter and receiver must share compatible IF bandwidths, demodulation formats, and FEC settings (e.g., Viterbi or LDPC) for a reliable link.

Lumistar's LS-28-DRSM series receivers support five RF bands from 200 MHz to 6 GHz, including P-band (215–320 MHz), Lower L-Band (1435–1540 MHz), Upper L-Band (1710–1850 MHz), S-band (2200–2400 MHz), NATO E-Band (2185–2485 MHz), and C-band (4400–4950 MHz and 5091–5250 MHz). The 70 MHz IF input is also supported for lab and bench testing configurations.

Lumistar's LS-28-DRSM series and Test Transmitters support data rates from 1 kbps up to 60 Mbps depending on the modulation format selected. The LS-35-R IF Receiver/Combiner supports data rates up to 40 Mbps, while the LS-27-M TM Receiver supports up to 30 Mbps. Higher data rates beyond standard specifications are available as factory options upon request.

Lumistar RF systems are available in multiple form factors to suit different deployment scenarios, including rack-mount enclosures, modular brick units, portable IP-67 rated housings for field use, and PCI card formats for integration into existing systems. Some configurations, such as the LS-28-DRSM, function as a complete ground station in a single enclosure, combining a dual-channel TM receiver, diversity combiner, 64 GB per channel data recorder, and TMoIP Ethernet streaming.

Yes. Lumistar systems use a firmware licensing model that allows customers to purchase a base configuration and add new demodulation formats, higher data rates, FEC decoding (Viterbi, Reed-Solomon, LDPC), and DSP algorithm improvements via electronic firmware or software upgrades. This eliminates the need for hardware replacement and significantly reduces long-term total cost of ownership.

Lumistar RF telemetry systems are engineered for aerospace and flight test, defense and military, satellite and UAV operations, and federal test ranges. Specific applications include real-time PCM telemetry acquisition at flight test ranges, missile range instrumentation, UAV ground station reception with TMoIP Ethernet streaming, and IRIG-218 and CCSDS-compliant range instrumentation for post-mission data analysis.