Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) Measurement to Characterize Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Channel Impairment

Digital signal transmits via a carrier wave, demodulates at a receiver and locates an ideal constellation position. However, a noise distortion, carrier leakage and phase noise divert an actual constellation position of a signal and locate to a new position. In order to assess a source of noise and carrier leakage, Bit Error Rate (BER) measurement technique is also used to evaluate the number of erroneous bit per bit transmitted signal. In addition, we present, Error Vector Magnitude (EVM), which measures an ideal and a new position, assesses a source of signal distortion, and evaluates a wireless communication system's performance with a single metric. Applying EVM technique, we also measure the performance of a User Services Subsystem Component Replacement (USSCR) modem. Furthermore, we propose EVM measurement technique in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system (TDRS) to measure and evaluate a channel impairment between a ground (transmitter) and the terminal (receiver) at White Sands Complex.