Engineering PapersSearch

Engineering topics

Martin, C. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Martin, C. F..

52 records · Page 3

GEOS 3 altimeter performance

GEOS 3 (Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite) is the first satellite launched in the NASA Earth and Ocean Physics Applications Program and is designed to perform both geodetic and oceanographic missions. Aboard GEOS 3 is a radar altimeter for measuring the ocean surface characteristics and the spacecraft to ocean surface distance. Frequency of operation is 13.9 GHz, with two modes of operation - global or long pulse (200 nsec) mode, and intensive or short pulse (12 nsec) pulse mode. The discussion covers spacecraft and instrumentation, mission objectives, spacecraft performance, and altimeter data characteristics. Although the altimeter operation is planned only over water, the checkout of the altimeter system demonstrated that the global mode is capable of operating over land for which the terrain is not too mountainous. Sample altimeter sea surface and waveform measurements are presented.

Martin, C. F.

A new application of algebraic geometry to systems theory

Following an introduction to algebraic geometry, the dominant morphism theorem is stated, and the application of this theorem to systems-theoretic problems, such as the feedback problem, is discussed. The Gaussian elimination method used for solving linear equations is shown to be an example of a dominant morphism.

Martin, C. F.

The correlation structure of several popular pseudorandom number generators

One of the desirable properties of a pseudorandom number generator is that the sequence of numbers it generates should have very low autocorrelation for all shifts except for zero shift and those that are multiples of its cycle length. Due to the simple methods of constructing random numbers, the ideal is often not quite fulfilled. A simple method of examining any random generator for previously unsuspected regularities is discussed. Once they are discovered it is often easy to derive the mathematical relationships, which describe the mathematical relationships, which describe the regular behavior. As examples, it is shown that high correlation exists in mixed and multiplicative congruential random number generators and prime moduli Lehmer generators for shifts a fraction of their cycle lengths.

Neuman, F.

Optimum usage of ground stations for GEOS-C orbit determination

Effective utilization of data from the GEOS-C satellite for geoidal mapping was explored. Particular attention was given to the accuracy of orbits calculated from one revolution. Results show one revolution solutions are less affected by geopotential coefficient error than multi-revolution solutions. Data were taken from two global network tracking stations.

Martin, C. F.

Satellite-satellite tracking for estimating geopotential coefficients.

Results of simulation studies of tracking of low-altitude satellites by a high-altitude satellite using range measurements between satellites. The high-altitude satellite is tracked by ground-based range trackers. The low-altitude satellites are tracked only by the high-altitude satellites. Orbital elements for one tracking satellite and four tracked low-altitude satellites are estimated, along with a set of low degree and order geopotential coefficients. Estimation of geopotential coefficients of low degree and order is shown to be considerably more accurate using satellite-to-satellite tracking than using ground-based tracking. The use of data from one high-altitude satellite tracking four low-altitude satellites in a range of inclinations is shown to produce geopotential coefficient estimates with smaller errors than presently exist in individual coefficients or would be obtained using ground-based tracking of the same satellites.

Martin, C. F.

Error model for the SAO 1969 standard earth.

A method is developed for estimating an error model for geopotential coefficients using satellite tracking data. A single station's apparent timing error for each pass is attributed to geopotential errors. The root sum of the residuals for each station also depends on the geopotential errors, and these are used to select an error model. The model chosen is 1/4 of the difference between the SAO M1 and the APL 3.5 geopotential.

Martin, C. F.

Rapid global geoid mapping with satellite altimetry.

Theoretical demonstration of the feasibility to build, fly, calibrate, and evaluate an orbiting altimeter system that is to offer the basis for accurate geoidal mapping on a global scale. The problems involved in instrumentation and orbit determination are discussed. Following a description of the Skylab altimeter characteristics, a more advanced design is postulated. This new design is shown to be capable of an accuracy of better than 50 cm and noise levels of 20 cm. With proper premission analysis and careful scheduling, a global geoidal map of 1- to 2-meter resolution can be obtained within an 18- to 20-day period by using a high-inclination orbit.

Stanley, H. R.

An error analysis of the recovery capability of the relative sea-surface profile over the Puerto Rican trench from multi-station and ship tracking of GEOS-2

Error analyses were performed to examine the height error in a relative sea-surface profile as determined by a combination of land-based multistation C-band radars and optical lasers and one ship-based radar tracking the GEOS 2 satellite. It was shown that two relative profiles can be obtained: one using available south-to-north passes of the satellite and one using available north-to-south type passes. An analysis of multi-station tracking capability determined that only Antigua and Grand Turk radars are required to provide satisfactory orbits for south-to-north type satellite passes, while a combination of Merritt Island, Bermuda, and Wallops radars provide secondary orbits for north-to-south passes. Analysis of ship tracking capabilities shows that high elevation single pass range-only solutions are necessary to give only moderate sensitivity to systematic error effects.

Stanley, H. R.

NONAME system description, volume 1

Description of NONAME program and system for determining and analyzing satellite orbits and estimating geodetic parameters

Williamson, R. G.

Single arc tracking errors associated with altimeter measurements

This study investigated the accuracies of orbit determinations in the radial coordinate utilizing currently available tracking systems. The results pinpoint certain areas which are critical for the efficient utilization of altimeter measurements.

Mcgoogan, J. T.