This paper discusses the data system requirements for large space vehicles and describes a flexible telemetry system design which is used on all stages of the Saturn IB and Saturn V vehicles. The basic vehicle telemetry design provides standard assembly building blocks forming a versatile catalogue of parts from which a stage telemetry subsystem may be assembled to meet almost any conceivable monitoring requirement. In addition to its inflight monitoring function, the telemetry subsystem also provides real time data acquisition for automatic vehicle checkout.
The telemetry system used on the Saturn S-I stage for the transmission of vehicle test data is described. Multiplex and modulationtechniques such as PAM/FM/FM, SS/FM and PGM are used in the system. The diverse data requirements for developing the eight-engineliquid-fueled stage necessitated the use of a combination of severalmodulation techniques to efficiently handle the data. A cursory comparisonis made of the merits of each technique. Physical and electricalrequirements and characteristics of the system are outlined.