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Dengler, Robert

Publications and source records attributed to Dengler, Robert.

13 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2019

An upgraded G-band differential absorption radar system for future airborne studies

A proof-of-concept, 170 GHz frequency-modulated, continuous-wave (FMCW) radar has been developed for measuring water vapor profiles within the cloudy boundary layer from an airborne platform. The measurement concept exploits the differential absorption accrued by two or more transmitted frequencies in the vicinity of the 183 GHz water absorption line to retrieve range-resolved humidity profiles, so-called differential absorption radar (DAR). The upgraded system design includes important considerations for monostatic radar operation with an open fuselage viewport (i.e. no radome). The radar features an all-solid-state tansmitter with > 0:4 W continuous transmit power, a 60 cm primary aperture and corresponding 58 dB antenna gain, and more than 80 dB transmit/receive isolation, enabling near thermal-noise-limited sensitivity with a 8 dB noise figure receiver. Ice-cloud radar returns are detected beyond 8 km in height from the ground, demonstrating the high sensitivity of the system. In addition to in-cloud humidity profiling capabilities, deployment of a water vapor DAR from an airborne platform enables measurements of total column water vapor (TCWV) for all weather and surface scenarios. Precision estimates and potential biases for future TCWV measurements are discussed.

Monje, Raquel↗
NASA NTRS2010

Improved Speed and Functionality of a 580-GHz Imaging Radar

With this high-resolution imaging radar system, coherent illumination in the 576-to-589-GHz range and phase-sensitive detection are implemented in an all-solid-state design based on Schottky diode sensors and sources. By employing the frequency-modulated, continuous-wave (FMCW) radar technique, centimeter-scale range resolution has been achieved while using fractional bandwidths of less than 3 percent. The high operating frequencies also permit centimeter-scale cross-range resolution at several-meter standoff distances without large apertures. Scanning of a single-pixel transceiver enables targets to be rapidly mapped in three dimensions, so that the technology can be applied to the detection of concealed objects on persons.

Dengler, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2010

Sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne detector system

The present invention relates to sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne imaging systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne detector system for imaging the magnitude and phase of transmitted power through or reflected power off of mechanically scanned samples at sub-millimeter wave frequencies.

Siegel, Peter H.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Biasable, Balanced, Fundamental Submillimeter Monolithic Membrane Mixer

This device is a biasable, submillimeter-wave, balanced mixer fabricated using JPL s monolithic membrane process a simplified version of planar membrane technology. The primary target application is instrumentation used for analysis of atmospheric constituents, pressure, temperature, winds, and other physical and chemical properties of the atmospheres of planets and comets. Other applications include high-sensitivity gas detection and analysis. This innovation uses a balanced configuration of two diodes allowing the radio frequency (RF) signal and local oscillator (LO) inputs to be separated. This removes the need for external diplexers that are inherently narrowband, bulky, and require mechanical tuning to change frequency. Additionally, this mixer uses DC bias-ability to improve its performance and versatility. In order to solve problems relating to circuit size, the GaAs membrane process was created. As much of the circuitry as possible is fabricated on-chip, making the circuit monolithic. The remainder of the circuitry is precision-machined into a waveguide block that holds the GaAs circuit. The most critical alignments are performed using micron-scale semiconductor technology, enabling wide bandwidth and high operating frequencies. The balanced mixer gets superior performance with less than 2 mW of LO power. This can be provided by a simple two-stage multiplier chain following an amplifier at around 90 GHz. Further, the diodes are arranged so that they can be biased. Biasing pushes the diodes closer to their switching voltage, so that less LO power is required to switch the diodes on and off. In the photo, the diodes are at the right end of the circuit. The LO comes from the waveguide at the right into a reduced-height section containing the diodes. Because the diodes are in series to the LO signal, they are both turned on and off simultaneously once per LO cycle. Conversely, the RF signal is picked up from the RF waveguide by the probe at the left, and flows rightward to the diodes. Because the RF is in a quasi- TEM (suspended, microstrip-like) mode, it impinges on the diodes in an anti-parallel mode that does not couple to the waveguide mode. This isolates the LO and RF signals. This operation is similar to a cross-bar mixer used at low frequencies, except the RF signal enters through the back-short end of the waveguide rather than through the side. The RF probe also conveys the down-converted intermediate frequency (IF) signal out to an off-chip circuit board through a simple LC low-pass filter to the left as indicated. The bias is brought to the diodes through a bypass capacitor at the top.

Siegel, Peter↗
NASA NTRS2009

Sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne detector system

The present invention relates to sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne imaging systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne detector system for imaging the magnitude and phase of transmitted power through or reflected power off of mechanically scanned samples at sub-millimeter wave frequencies.

Siegel, Peter H.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Biasable Subharmonic Membrane Mixer for 520 to 600 GHz

The figure shows a biasable subharmonic mixer designed to operate in the frequency range from 520 to 600 GHz. This mixer is a prototype of low-power mixers needed for development of wideband, high-resolution spectrometers for measuring spectra of molecules in the atmospheres of Earth, other planets, and comets in the frequency range of 400 to 700 GHz. Three considerations dictated the main features of the design: It is highly desirable to operate the spectrometers at or slightly below room temperature. This consideration is addressed by choosing Schottky diodes as the frequency-mixing circuit elements because of all mixer diodes, Schottky diodes are the best candidates for affording sufficient sensitivity at or slightly below room-temperature range. The short wavelengths in the intended operating-frequency range translate to stringent requirements for precision of fabrication and assembly of the circuits; these requirements are even more stringent for wide-bandwidth circuits. This consideration is addressed in two ways: (1) As much as possible of the mixer circuitry is fabricated in the form of a monolithic integrated circuit on a GaAs membrane, employing a modified version of a process used previously to fabricate a non-subharmonic mixer for a frequency of 2.5 THz and frequency multipliers for frequencies up to 2 THz. (2) The remainder of the circuitry is precision machined into a waveguide block that holds the GaAs integrated circuit.

Schlecht, Erich↗
NASA NTRS2007

A Unique 520-590 GHz Biased Subharmonically-pumped Schottky Mixer

We report on the design and performance of a novel broadband, biased, subharmonic 520-590 GHz fix-tuned frequency mixer that utilizes planar Schottky diodes. The suspended stripline circuit is fabricated on a GaAs membrane mounted in a split waveguide block. The chip is supported by thick beam leads that are also used to provide precise radio frequency (RF) grounding, RF coupling and dc/intermediate frequency connections. At room temperature, the mixer has a measured double sideband noise temperature of 3000 to 4000 K across the design band.

Schottky diode mixers↗
NASA NTRS2007

600-GHz Electronically Tunable Vector Measurement System

A compact, high-dynamic-range, electronically tunable vector measurement system that operates in the frequency range from approximately 560 to approximately 635 GHz has been developed as a prototype of vector measurement systems that would be suitable for use in nearly-real-time active submillimeter-wave imaging. As used here, 'vector measurement system" signifies an instrumentation system that applies a radio-frequency (RF) excitation to an object of interest and measures the resulting amplitude and phase response, relative to either the applied excitatory signal or another reference signal related in a known way to applied excitatory signal.

Dengler, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2007

Scanning Terahertz Heterodyne Imaging Systems

Scanning terahertz heterodyne imaging systems are now at an early stage of development. In a basic scanning terahertz heterodyne imaging system, (see Figure 1) two far-infrared lasers generate beams denoted the local-oscillator (LO) and signal that differ in frequency by an amount, denoted the intermediate frequency (IF), chosen to suit the application. The LO beam is sent directly to a mixer as one of two inputs. The signal beam is focused to a spot on or in the specimen. After transmission through or reflection from the specimen, the beams are focused to a spot on a terahertz mixer, which extracts the IF outputs. The specimen is mounted on a translation stage, by means of which the focal spot is scanned across the specimen to build up an image.

Siegel, Peter↗
NASA NTRS2006

A Compact 600 GHz Electronically Tunable Vector Measurement System for Submillimeter Wave Imaging

The design of a complete vector measurement system being tested over 560-635 GHz is presented. The topics include: 1) Current State-of-the-Art in Vector Measurements; 2) Submillimeter Active Imaging Requirements; 3) 600 GHz Vector Measurement System; 4) 450 MHz IF Signal; 5) 450 MHz IF signal @ 1 kHz Res. BW; 6) 450 MHz IF Signal Mixed with Shifted 450 MHz Reference Signal; 7) Reference Signal Offset Generator; 8) Cavity Bandpass Filter; 9) Miniature Multistage Helical Filter; 10) X36 450 MHz Multiplier; 11) 600 GHz Test Setup; 12) 600 GHz Transmit Module; 13) 600 GHz Receive Module; 14) Performance Tests: Amplitude Stability & Dynamic Range; 15) Performance Tests: Phase Stability; 16) Stability at Imaging Bandwidths; 17) Phase Measurement Verification; and 18) The Next Step: Imaging.

phase measurements↗