FEC

The FEC-NT (Front-End Controller) is a complex software system that automatically performs the control functions for the front-end equipment, according to a set of data that defines a specific target (a satellite, a spacecraft or other orbital object). These functions are as follows:

• Monitoring and control in real-time of all front-end equipment, informing on any event and maintaining the operations historical file.

• Analysis under request of target's orbital data so that a forecast of the target's visibility from the station is provided, positioning of the target, and expected shift by using Doppler effect of signal frequency.

• Station configuration for target tracking, including equipment synchronization and antenna pointing.

• Target tracking and searching procedures for target acquisition.

• Intelligent master-slave system that allows auto-tracking mode in those stations that lack of an own tracking system.

• Innovative antenna pointing system and satellite tracking with a minimum pointing error for those stations and missions that require a higher accuracy.

The FEC-NT runs on a PC over Windows NT or 2000. In year 2004, ESA declared FEN-NT as its official FEC system for its ground segment station network (ESTRACK). Therefore, FEC-NT is installed in all ESTRACK sites.