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Results for “phase correction”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Radiometric correction of atmospheric path length fluctuations in interferometric experiments

To support very long baseline interferometric experiments, a system has been developed for estimating atmospheric water vapor path delay. The system consists of dual microwave radiometers, one operating at 20.7 GHz and the other at 31.4 GHz. The measured atmospheric brightness temperatures at these two frequencies yield the estimate of the precipitable water present in both vapor and droplets. To determine the accuracy of the system, a series of observations were undertaken, comparing the outputs of two water vapor radiometers with the phase variation observed with two connected elements of the very large array (VLA). The results show that: (1) water vapor fluctuations dominate the residual VLA phase and (2) the microwave radiometers can measure and correct these effects. The rms phase error after correction is typically 15 deg at a wavelength of 6 cm, corresponding to an uncertainty in the path delay of 0.25 cm. The residual uncertainty is consistent with the stability of the microwave radiometer but is still considerably larger than the stability of the VLA. The technique is less successful under conditions of heavy cloud.

Resch, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Determination of the charge of relativistic heavy nuclei from emulsion tracks

The number of delta rays with energies between 50 and 150 keV that are produced by heavy nuclei in emulsions is calculated. The Z(2) dependence predicted by the first Born approximation is corrected by a direct calculation of the Mott exact phase-shift scattering cross section. Comparisons are made with corrections predicted by the second Born approximation. When the phase-shift results are applied to the problem of charge identification, corrections of up to 4 units of charge for 1.457-GeV/nucleon nuclei with charge Z = 75 are found.

Morgan, S. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An interaction algorithm for prediction of mean and fluctuating velocities in two-dimensional aerodynamic wake flows

A theoretical analysis is presented yielding sets of partial differential equations for determination of turbulent aerodynamic flowfields in the vicinity of an airfoil trailing edge. A four phase interaction algorithm is derived to complete the analysis. Following input, the first computational phase is an elementary viscous corrected two dimensional potential flow solution yielding an estimate of the inviscid-flow induced pressure distribution. Phase C involves solution of the turbulent two dimensional boundary layer equations over the trailing edge, with transition to a two dimensional parabolic Navier-Stokes equation system describing the near-wake merging of the upper and lower surface boundary layers. An iteration provides refinement of the potential flow induced pressure coupling to the viscous flow solutions. The final phase is a complete two dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis of the wake flow in the vicinity of a blunt-bases airfoil. A finite element numerical algorithm is presented which is applicable to solution of all partial differential equation sets of inviscid-viscous aerodynamic interaction algorithm. Numerical results are discussed.

Baker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

OMEGA timing receiver, design and system test

The design of a two frequency OMEGA Timing Receiver is discussed. The receiver tracks the arrival time of the signals by precise phase matching at the receiving antenna. Provision is made for inserting a propagation delay correction for each signal path. Time is measured as the difference between the zero crossing coincidence of the corrected signals and the local time. This number is displayed on the front panel in microseconds. The receiver can also function as a precise phase tracking receiver for collection of propagation data essential to augmenting the propagation corrections. All phase and time information is made available in a BCD format for flexibility in interfacing with other equipment. Results of preliminary tests using experimental transmissions are given. Preliminary results indicate time may be transferred by this technique to an accuracy of a few microseconds.

Wilson, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Ground testing of the Li-ion batteries in support of JPL's 2003 Mars Exploration Rover Mission

In early 2004, JPL successfully landed two Rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity, on the surface of Mars after traveling > 300 million miles over a 6-7 month period. In order to operate for extended duration on the surface of Mars, both Rovers are equipped with rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, which were designed to aid in the launch, correct anomalies during cruise, and support surface operations in conjunction with a triple-junction deployable solar arrays. The requirements of the Lithium-ion battery include the ability to provide power at least 90 sols on the surface of Mars, operate over a wide temperature range (-20(deg)C to +4O(deg)C), withstand long storage periods (e.g., cruise period), operate in an inverted position, and support high currents (e.g., firing pyro events). In order to determine the viability of meeting these requirements, ground testing was performed on a Rover Battery Assembly Unit (RBAU), consisting of two 8-cell 8 Ah lithium-ion batteries connected in parallel. The RBAU upon which the performance testing was performed is nearly identical to the batteries incorporated into the two Rovers currently on Mars. The testing performed includes, (a) performing initial characterization tests (discharge capacity at different temperatures), (b) simulating the launch conditions, (c) simulating the cruise phase conditions (including trajectory corrections), (d) simulating the entry, decent, and landing pulse load profile (if required to support the pyros) (e) simulating the Mars surface operation mission simulation conditions, as well as, (f) assessing performance capacity loss and impedance characteristics as a function of temperature and life. As will be discussed, the lithium-ion batteries (fabricated by LithiodYardney, Inc.) were demonstrated to far exceed the requirements defined by the mission, and are projected to support an extended mission (> 2 years) with margin to spare.

Li-ion batteries↗
NASA NTRS1976

Quantum principles and free particles

The quantum principles that establish the energy levels and degeneracies needed to evaluate the partition functions are explored. The uncertainty principle is associated with the dual wave-particle nature of the model used to describe quantized gas particles. The Schroedinger wave equation is presented as a generalization of Maxwell's wave equation; the former applies to all particles while the Maxwell equation applies to the special case of photon particles. The size of the quantum cell in phase space and the representation of momentum as a space derivative operator follow from the uncertainty principle. A consequence of this is that steady-state problems that are space-time dependent for the classical model become only space dependent for the quantum model and are often easier to solve. The partition function is derived for quantized free particles and, at normal conditions, the result is the same as that given by the classical phase integral. The quantum corrections that occur at very low temperatures or high densities are derived. These corrections for the Einstein-Bose gas qualitatively describe the condensation effects that occur in liquid helium, but are unimportant for most practical purposes otherwise. However, the corrections for the Fermi-Dirac gas are important because they quantitatively describe the behavior of high-density conduction electron gases in metals and explain the zero point energy and low specific heat exhibited in this case.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1978

Sharpening stellar images

A prototype telescope system with six movable elements has been used with sharpness detection procedures to observe objects as dim as fifth magnitude. The real-time image sharpening technique does not rely on the use of a reference star. By correcting for atmospherically induced phase perturbations, the sharpening system has permitted restoration of stellar images to the diffraction limit (in one dimension) for a 30-cm telescope. Application of the system to the separation of double stars is reported.

Buffington, A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ionospheric effects in active retrodirective array and mitigating system design

The operation of an active retrodirective array (ARA) in an ionospheric environment (that is either stationary or slowly-varying) was examined. The restrictions imposed on the pilot signal structure as a result of such operation were analyzed. A 3 tone pilot beam system was defined which first estimates the total electron content along paths of interest and then utilizes this information to aid the phase conjugator so that correct beam pointing can be achieved.

Nandi, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ionospheric effects in active retrodirective array and mitigating system design

The operation of an active retrodirective array (ARA) in an ionospheric environment (that is either stationary or slowly-varying) was examined. The restrictions imposed on the pilot-signal structure as a result of such operation are analyzed. A 3-tone pilot beam system is defined which first estimates the total electron content along paths of interest and then utilizes this information to aid the phase conjugator so that correct beam pointing can be achieved.

Nandi, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Starprobe - Coronal plasma turbulence effects on tracking and telemetry

The telemetry and tracking problems expected for Starprobe, a solar flyby with a perihelion of 4 solar radii, are discussed. The Starprobe is intended to obtain measurements of the solar quadrupole moment within an accuracy of 1/100,000,000, allowing more accurate modelling of the solar interior. Obstacles are perceived for Doppler velocity measurements due to RF signal amplitude and phase scintillations created by the solar corona. Model calculations are presented for the propagation effects in the maximum disturbance area, and an open loop two-way Doppler system is described. The system comprises X-band and S-band uplinks and downlinks to eliminate the plasma-induced phase scintillations, means of correcting unfolding errors caused by S-band amplitude scintillations, and a new method of estimating the Doppler frequency.

Armstrong, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Testing and optimizing MST coaxial collinear arrays, part 6.4A

Many clear-air VHF wind profiles use coaxial collinear (COCO) arrays for their antenna. A COCO array is composed of long lines of half-wave dipoles spaced one-half wavelength apart. An inexpensive method of checking a COCO array is described and its performance is optimized by measuring and then correcting the relative rf phase among its lines at their feed point. This method also gives an estimate of the rf current amplitude among the lines. The strength and location of the sidelobes in the H-plane of the array can be estimated.

Warnock, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Variability analysis in low count rate sources

A method, based on the chi-square statistics, is described for detecting pulselike time variability in low count rate sources observed with photon-counting instruments. This method can be used even in the presence of observational gaps, takes full advantage of the filtering effect due to binning with different bin sizes, and takes into account the arbitrariness introduced by the binning phase. The procedure developed to limit the dependence of the results on the binning phase and ensure statistically correct results is described along with the application of the proposed procedure to a model of a variable source. Monte Carlo simulations are used to show how the method can be used to derive the characteristic variability time scales and that the method is more sensitive than the nonparametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov test in detecting variability to a given confidence level.

Collura, A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Present status and future prospects for ionospheric propagation corrections for precise time transfer using GPS

The ionosphere can be the greatest variable source of error in precise time transfer using Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. For single frequency GPS users, the ionospheric correction algorithm can provide an approximate 50 percent r.m.s. correction to the time delay, but users who desire a more complete correction must make actual measurements of ionospheric time delay along the path to the GPS satellite. Fortunately, at least three commercial GPS receivers, specifically designed to measure and correct for ionospheric time delay, are now, or soon will be, available. Initial operation with two different types of GPS ionospheric receivers demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in measuring the ionospheric group delay. Results of these measurements are presented. For those who use a model to correct for ionospheric time delay, it is tempting to use daily values of solar 10.7 cm radio flux to correct a monthly average ionospheric time delay model for each day's operation. The results of correlation of daily maximum ionospheric time delay against solar radio flux values show a poor correlation will be obtained by this procedure. Prospects for improving ionospheric corrections during the declining phase of the present solar cycle are discussed.

Klobuchar, John A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Observational constraints on solar nebula nitrogen chemistry - N2/NH3

Observations of N2(+) and NH2 in Comet Halley and N2H(+) and NH3 in nine Galactic star-forming regions are used to determine the average N2/NH3 abundance ratio in these objects. For Comet Halley, N2/NH3 of about 0.1 is found, and for the quiescent gas in a sample of star-forming regions, N2/NH3 of about 170 +/- 100. The cometary N2/NH3 ratio corrected for gas-phase elemental nitrogen depletion in Comet Halley indicates that the gas component in the comet-forming region of the solar nebula was N2/NH3 of about 4. It is concluded that more realistic models which include condensation fractionation effects are required before the N2 and NH3 abundances in comet volatiles can be related to star-forming regions.

Womack, Maria↗
NASA NTRS1991

Heterogeneous reactions of chlorine nitrate and hydrogen chloride on type I polar stratospheric clouds

A fast-flow reactor coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to study the heterogeneous reactions ClONO2 + HCl yields Cl2 + HNO3 (1) and ClONO2 + H2O yields HOCl + HNO3 (2) on vapor-deposited HNO3-H2O ice substrates. It was found that the sticking coefficient of HCl on these substrates was a strong function of the substrate composition, ranging from about 2 x 10 exp -5 at nitric acid trihydrate composition to 6 x 10 exp -3 at 45 wt pct HNO3. The HNO3-H2O ice substrates were found to have large internal surface areas, and corrections for gas-phase diffusion within the porous ices were applied to observed loss rates.

Leu, Ming-Taun↗
NASA NTRS1995

DGPS ground station integrity monitoring

This paper summarizes the development of a unique Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) ground station integrity monitor which can offer improved availability over conventional code-differential monitoring systems. This monitoring technique, called code/carrier integrity monitoring (CCIM), uses the highly stable integrated Doppler measurement to smooth the relatively noisy code-phase measurements. The pseudorange correction is therefore comprised of the integrated Doppler measurement plus the CCIM offset. The design and operational results of a DGPS ground station integrity monitor are reported. A robust integrity monitor is realized which is optimized for applications such as the Special Category I (SCAT-I) defined in the RTCA Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards.

Skidmore, Trent A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

IMF Length Scales and Predictability: The Two Length Scale Medium

We present preliminary results from a systematic study using simultaneous data from three spacecraft, Wind, IMP 8 (Interplanetary Monitoring Platform) and Geotail to examine interplanetary length scales and their implications on predictability for magnetic field parcels in the typical solar wind. Time periods were selected when the plane formed by the three spacecraft included the GSE (Ground Support Equipment) x-direction so that if the parcel fronts were strictly planar, the two adjacent spacecraft pairs would determine the same phase front angles. After correcting for the motion of the Earth relative to the interplanetary medium and deviations in the solar wind flow from radial, we used differences in the measured front angle between the two spacecraft pairs to determine structure radius of curvature. Results indicate that the typical radius of curvature for these IMF parcels is of the order of 100 R (Sub E). This implies that there are two important IMF (Interplanetary Magnetic Field) scale lengths relevant to predictability: (1) the well-established scale length over which correlations observed by two spacecraft decay along a given IMF parcel, of the order of a few tens of Earth radii and (2) the scale length over which two spacecraft are unlikely to even observe the same parcel because of its curvature, of the order of a hundred Earth radii.

Collier, Michael R.↗