Communications System How does DS1's communications system work?

How often is DS1 in communication with Earth?

DS1 actually has two different antennae to send signals to Earth. One of these is a "low-gain" antenna that sends a very simple signal that small receivers can pick them up on Earth. The "low-gain" antenna is constantly broadcasting one of four possible signals by a simple code.

• Everything is OK
• Track me when you can
• Track before a certain time
• Help! Red alert!

Other, more important and complicated data is sent with the high-gain antenna only when NASA can be relatively sure that DSN will pick up the signal. On scheduled times, the large DSN (Deep Space Network) receivers are used to receive this "high-gain" signal with its more complete information. This signal is used to send most of the scientific data DS1 will collect.

What makes DS1 send distress signals?
What are uplink and downlink?
What is the Deep Space Network?
How much time on the Deep Space Network is DS1 getting?

What are high and low gain?
How do the instruments and sensors coordinate sending signals?
What new communications features is DS1 using?
How much data is DS1 able to transfer?