scope:

This International Standard provides a Recommendation for Space Data System Standards in the area of transparent and regenerative Pseudo-Noise (PN) ranging systems. The PN ranging system is used to measure the round-trip light time between a ground station and a spacecraft. Regenerative ranging is primarily relevant for low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) cases like those seen in deep space missions; transparent ranging is more suitable for high SNR cases or when high accuracy ranging is not required.

This International Standard defines both transparent and regenerative PN ranging systems for non-data relay satellite users. The specification for PN code components and generation, on-board spacecraft regenerative/transparent processing, ground station processing, and uplink and downlink signal modulation are defined. This International Standard does not specify a) individual implementations or products, b) implementation of service interfaces within real systems, or c) the management activities required to configure and control the protocol.