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At least 235 records · Page 13

H-beta photometry of V1010 Ophiuchi

An analysis is presented of previously unpublished intermediate and narrow band H-beta light curves of the short period eclipsing binary V1010 Oph. The temperature of the primary is determined directly by comparing the UV continuum with Kurucz model atmospheres and solve the broadband lightcurve using the Wilson-Devinney program. The present solution has the primary filling its Roche lobe while the secondary is detached from its lobe. An asymmetry in the light curve in which first quadrature (0.25 P) is brighter than the second quadrature (0.75 P) may be the result of local heating of the inner surface of the secondary by mass transfer from the primary. The present semidetached solution indicates that the system is probably evolved.

Corcoran, M. F.↗

Acquisition Performances Of QPSK Carrier-Tracking Loops

Report presents comparative study of acquisition performances of several types of carrier-signal-tracking loops for reception of quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signals. Loops classified into three types: maximum a-posteriori, (MAP) estimation loop, Costas cross-over loop, and generalized Costas loop. Mathematical models developed. In-phase and quadrature signals generated numerically and processed according to loop algorithms. Results show though MAP loop produces smallest squaring loss at all signal-to-noise ratios, others sometimes exhibit shorter acquisition time and greater probability of acquisition.

Hinedi, Sami M.↗

Multi-rate demodulator architecture

A unique digital multi-rate demodulator (MRD) architecture is presented for onboard satellite communications processing. The multi-rate feature enables the same demodulator hardware to process either one wideband channel (WBC), or process up to thirty-two independent narrowband channels (NBC) that are time division multiplexed (TDM). The MRD can process many quadrature modulation format such as offset quadrature phase shift keying (OQPSK). Possible applications include voice and data transmission for commercial or military users.

Sherry, Michael A.↗

Baseband pulse shaping techniques for nonlinearly amplified pi/4-QPSK and QAM systems

A new generation of multi-stage pi/4-shifted QPSK and of superposed quadrature-amplitude-modulated (SQAM) modulators-coherent demodulators (modems) and of continuous phase modulated (CPM)-gaussian premodulation filtered minimum-shift-keying (MGMSK) systems is proposed and studied. These modems will lead to bandwidth and power efficient satellite communications systems designs. As an illustrative application, a baseband processing technique pi/4-controlled transition PSK (pi/4-CTPSK) is described. To develop a cost and power efficient design strategy, we assume that nonlinear, fully saturated high power amplifiers (HPA) are utilized in the satellite earth station transmitter and in the satellite transponder. Modem structures which could lead to application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) satellite on-board processing universal modem applications are also considered. Multistate GMSK (i.e., MGMSK) signal generation methods by means of two or more RF combined nonlinearly amplified SQAM modems and by one multistate (in-phase and quadrature-baseband premodulation filtered-superposed) SQAM architecture and one RF nonlinear amplifier are studied. During the SQAM modem development phase we investigate the potential system advantages of the pi/4-shifted logic. The bandwidth efficiency of the proposed multistate GMSK and baseband filtered PAM-FM modulator (a new class in the CPM family) will be significantly higher than that of conventional G-MSK systems. To optimize the practical P(sub e) = f((E sub b)/(N sub o)) performance we consider improved coherent demodulation MGMSK structures such as deviated-frequency locking coherent demodulators. For relative low bit rate SATCOM applications, e.g., bit rates less than 300 kb/s, phase noise tracking cancellation (for fixed site earth station) and phase noise cancellation as well as Doppler compensation (for satellite to mobile earth station) applications may be required. We study digital channel sounding methods which could cancel the phase noise-caused degradations of CPM and GMSK modems.

Feher, Kamilo↗

Coded 16-CPFSK for downlink applications

A bandwidth-efficient constant-envelope Proof-of-Concept (POC) modem is described. The modem was developed on an Advanced Modulation Techniques Development contract for the NASA/Lewis Research Center. The POC modem employs 16-ary Continuous Phase Frequency Shift Keying (16-CPFSK) modulation. The 16 frequencies are spaced every 1/16th baud rate which produces a compact spectrum allowing 2 bits/sec/Hz operation. The modem is designed for 200 mb/s Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) application with 100 MHz adjacent channel spacing. Overall rate 3.4 convolutional coding is incorporated. The demodulator differs significantly from typical quadrature phase detector approaches in that phase is coherently measured by processing the baseband output of a frequency discriminator. Baud rate phase samples for the baseband processor are subsequently decoded to yield the original data stream. The method of encoding onto the 16-ary symbol-ending phase nodes, together with convolutional coding gain, results in near Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) theoretical performance. The modulated signal is of constant envelope; thus the power amplifier can be saturated for peak performance. The spectrum is inherently bandlimited and requires no RF filter for sidelobe containment. Two novel theoretical techniques are used in this 16-CPFSK modem: (1) coherent phase measurements are obtained by processing an FM discriminator baseband output; and (2) modulation is accomplished via a closed-loop-linearized voltage controlled oscillator (VCO).

Davis, Robert↗

Photon number squeezed states in semiconductor lasers

Electromagnetic fields, with the noise on one quadrature component reduced to below the quantum mechanical zero-point fluctuation level and the noise on the other quadrature component enhanced to above it, are currently of great interest in quantum optics because of their potential applications to various precision measurements. Such squeezed states of light are usually produced by imposing nonlinear unitary evolution on coherent (or vacuum) states. On the other hand, squeezed states with reduced photon number noise and enhanced phase noise are generated directly by a constant current-driven semiconductor laser. This is the simplest scheme for the generation of nonclassical light, and so far it has yielded the largest quantum noise reduction. The mutual coupling between a lasing junction and an external electrical circuit provides opportunities for exploring the macroscopic and microscopic quantum effects in open systems.

Yamamoto, Yoshihisa↗

Modified fast frequency acquisition via adaptive least squares algorithm

A method and the associated apparatus for estimating the amplitude, frequency, and phase of a signal of interest are presented. The method comprises the following steps: (1) inputting the signal of interest; (2) generating a reference signal with adjustable amplitude, frequency and phase at an output thereof; (3) mixing the signal of interest with the reference signal and a signal 90 deg out of phase with the reference signal to provide a pair of quadrature sample signals comprising respectively a difference between the signal of interest and the reference signal and a difference between the signal of interest and the signal 90 deg out of phase with the reference signal; (4) using the pair of quadrature sample signals to compute estimates of the amplitude, frequency, and phase of an error signal comprising the difference between the signal of interest and the reference signal employing a least squares estimation; (5) adjusting the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the reference signal from the numerically controlled oscillator in a manner which drives the error signal towards zero; and (6) outputting the estimates of the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the error signal in combination with the reference signal to produce a best estimate of the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the signal of interest. The preferred method includes the step of providing the error signal as a real time confidence measure as to the accuracy of the estimates wherein the closer the error signal is to zero, the higher the probability that the estimates are accurate. A matrix in the estimation algorithm provides an estimate of the variance of the estimation error.

Kumar, Rajendra↗

Analysis of digital matched filtering schemes for digital receiver applications using simulation methods

The next generation of digital receivers for NASA's Deep Space Network is composed of in-phase and quadrature-phase channels. The authors have modeled and simulated a quadrature-phase baseband channel that includes a low-pass filter and a digital matched filter. The simulation is used to study the performance of the three schemes of digital matched filtering that use digital weighted integrate-and-dump filters. Using three methods for calculating the near-optimum matched filter weight coefficients, the simulation results are analyzed for the NRZ and Manchester data formats. The performances of the digital matched filters are studied in the presence of a timing error between the demodulated symbols and the integrate-and-dump filters.

Gevargiz, J. M.↗

Two-integral distribution functions for axisymmetric galaxies

The new method presented for finding distribution functions, which depend only on the classical integrals of energy and angular momentum for stellar systems with known axisymmetric densities, is the analog for the axisymmetric case of Eddington's classical solution for the isotropic distribution function, depending only on energy, of a known spherical density. It is required that density be expressed as a function of the potential and of a radial coordinate. Our solution is also an integral which is derived directly from the density, and hence can be used with complicated densities. A numerical quadrature is generally required to evaluate this solution, but contour integrals can be computed accurately by numerical quadrature; this is preferable to an explicit evaluation if the latter is an infinite series, such as is obtained using Fricke's method. We give several examples, including some for which our distribution functions are new. Our method can be extended simply to the related problems of finding anisotropic distribution functions for spherical or disk systems.

Hunter, C.↗

State-constrained booster trajectory solutions via finite elements and shooting

This paper presents an extension of a FEM formulation based on variational principles. A general formulation for handling internal boundary conditions and discontinuities in the state equations is presented, and the general formulation is modified for optimal control problems subject to state-variable inequality constraints. Solutions which only touch the state constraint and solutions which have a boundary arc of finite length are considered. Suitable shape and test functions are chosen for a FEM discretization. All element quadrature (equivalent to one-point Gaussian quadrature over each element) may be done in closed form. The final form of the algebraic equations is then derived. A simple state-constrained problem is solved. Then, for a practical application of the use of the FEM formulation, a launch vehicle subject to a dynamic pressure constraint (a first-order state inequality constraint) is solved. The results presented for the launch-vehicle trajectory have some interesting features, including a touch-point solution.

Bless, Robert R.↗

Digital GPS-Signal Processor With P-Code/No-P-Code Option

Size, power, and cost reduced by exploiting commonality. Digital signal processor for Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver set to operate in "code" mode when P code known, or in "codeless" mode when P code not known. In codeless mode, processor performs full-quadrature processing, resulting in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) 6 dB greater than SNR's of processors not performing at full quadrature.

Thomas, J. Brooks↗

Approximate optimal guidance for the advanced launch system

A real-time guidance scheme for the problem of maximizing the payload into orbit subject to the equations of motion for a rocket over a spherical, non-rotating earth is presented. An approximate optimal launch guidance law is developed based upon an asymptotic expansion of the Hamilton - Jacobi - Bellman or dynamic programming equation. The expansion is performed in terms of a small parameter, which is used to separate the dynamics of the problem into primary and perturbation dynamics. For the zeroth-order problem the small parameter is set to zero and a closed-form solution to the zeroth-order expansion term of Hamilton - Jacobi - Bellman equation is obtained. Higher-order terms of the expansion include the effects of the neglected perturbation dynamics. These higher-order terms are determined from the solution of first-order linear partial differential equations requiring only the evaluation of quadratures. This technique is preferred as a real-time, on-line guidance scheme to alternative numerical iterative optimization schemes because of the unreliable convergence properties of these iterative guidance schemes and because the quadratures needed for the approximate optimal guidance law can be performed rapidly and by parallel processing. Even if the approximate solution is not nearly optimal, when using this technique the zeroth-order solution always provides a path which satisfies the terminal constraints. Results for two-degree-of-freedom simulations are presented for the simplified problem of flight in the equatorial plane and compared to the guidance scheme generated by the shooting method which is an iterative second-order technique.

Feeley, T. S.↗

Method for ambiguity resolution in range-Doppler measurements

A method for resolving range and Doppler target ambiguities when the target has substantial range or has a high relative velocity in which a first signal is generated and a second signal is also generated which is coherent with the first signal but at a slightly different frequency such that there exists a difference in frequency between these two signals of Delta f(sub t). The first and second signals are converted into a dual-frequency pulsed signal, amplified, and the dual-frequency pulsed signal is transmitted towards a target. A reflected dual-frequency signal is received from the target, amplified, and changed to an intermediate dual-frequency signal. The intermediate dual-frequency signal is amplified, with extracting of a shifted difference frequency Delta f(sub r) from the amplified intermediate dual-frequency signal done by a nonlinear detector. The final step is generating two quadrature signals from the difference frequency Delta f(sub t) and the shifted difference frequency Delta f(sub r) and processing the two quadrature signals to determine range and Doppler information of the target.

Heymsfield, Gerald M.↗

Solution of acoustic workshop problems by a spectral multidomain method

We use a new staggered grid Chebyshev spectral multidomain method to solve three of the Workshop benchmark problems. The method defines solution unknowns at the nodes of the Chebyshev Gauss quadrature, and the fluxes at the nodes of the Chebyshev Gauss-Lobatto quadrature. The Chebyshev spectral method gives exponentially convergent phase and dissipation errors. The multidomain approximation gives the method flexibility. Using the method, we solve problems in Categories 1 and 5 of the benchmark problems.

Kopriva, Davis A.↗

Method and Apparatus for Measuring Fluid Flow

The invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring the presence, concentration, and the movement of fluids. It is based on utilizing electromagnetic measurements of the complex permittivity of the fluids for detecting and monitoring the fluid. More particularly the apparatus uses one or more microwave probes which are placed at the locations where the measurements are to be made. A radio frequency signal is transmitted to the probe and the reflected signal is phase and amplitude detected at a rapid rate for the purpose of identifying the fluids, based on their dielectric constant at the probe. The apparatus can be used for multiple purposes including measures of flow rates, turbulence, dispersion, fluid identification, and changes in flow conditions of multiple fluids or multiple states of a single fluid in a flowline or a holding container. The apparatus includes a probe consisting of two electrical conductors separated by an insulator. A radio frequency signal is communicated to the probe and is reflected back from the portion of the probe exposed to the fluid. The radio frequency signal also provides a reference signal. An oscillator generates a second signal which combined with each of the reference signal and the reflected signal to produce signals of lower frequencies to facilitate filtering and amplifying those signals. The two signals are then mixed in a detector to produce an output signal that is representative of the phase and amplitude change caused by the reflection of the signal at the probe exposed to the fluid. The detector may be a dual phase detector that provides two such output signals that are in phase quadrature. A phase shifter may be provided for selectively changing the phase of the reference signal to improve the sensitivity of at least one of the output signals for more accurate readings and/or for calibration purposes. The two outputs that are in quadrature with respect to each other may be simultaneously monitored to account for drift errors. The output signals are digitized and provided to a computer at a sample rate which may be very high. The computer is operable to identify the fluid based on its complex permittivity as may be useful for identifying the flow rates, determining the fluid mixture ratio, detecting impurities in the fluid, and so forth. Novelty is believed to reside in the use of the real part of complex permittivity to measure small difference in permittivity of the fluid.

Arndt, G. Dickey↗

An Implementation of a Tracking Filter

For Goddard's new Matlab-based data analysis system, a Hilbert transform is used to generate a quadrature signal directly from the COLA signal. This differs from the usual practice of synthesizing the sine and cosine components after determining the sweep characteristics from the COLA signal. The original and quadrature signals are in turn mixed with the signal to be analyzed and then filtered to determine the frequency spectrum. This new technique appears to be more accurate in determining frequency and is insensitive to variations in COLA amplitude.

Worth, Daniel B.↗

Temporal Evolution of a Streamer Complex: Coronal and In-Situ Plasma Parameters

In this paper we report on observations acquired by the Ultra Violet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), from 10 to 17 June 2000, at the time of a SOHO-Sun-Ulysses quadrature. UVCS took data at 1.6 and 1.9 solar radii, with a slit normal to the solar radius and centered along the radial to Ulysses. A streamer complex was sampled by UVCS, throughout the quadrature campaign, giving us the opportunity to derive plasma parameters in different streamers, and to compare them with plasma properties measured in situ. Large Angle Spectroscopic Coronagraph (LASCO) images above 2 solar radii helped us understand the temporal evolution of the streamer complex. We derive densities, temperatures and elemental abundances in two streamers, which have different temperatures and element abundances. In spite of these differences, both structures have the same FIP bias. The Fe/O ratio, which may be considered a proxy for the FIP effect, was measured (\it in situ} by the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) aboard the Ulysses spacecraft. Values of Fe/O measured in the corona, at the sites where in situ plasma originated, agree with in situ Fe/O values.

Bemporad, A.↗

Detector Apparatus and Method

Transceiver and methods are included that are especially suitable for detecting metallic materials, such as metallic mines, within an environment. The transceiver includes a digital waveform generator used to transmit a signal into the environment and a receiver that produces a digital received signal. A tracking module preferably compares an in-phase and quadrature transmitted signal with an in-phase and quadrature received signal to produce a spectral transfer function of the magnetic transceiver over a selected range of frequencies. The transceiver initially preferably creates a reference transfer function which is then stored in a memory. Subsequently measured transfer functions will vary depending on the presence of metal in the environment which was not in the environment when the reference transfer function was determined. The system may be utilized in the presence of other antennas, metal, and electronics which may comprise a plastic mine detector for detecting plastic mines. Despite the additional antennas and other metallic materials that may be in the environment due to the plastic mine detector, the magnetic transceiver remains highly sensitive to metallic material which may be located in various portions of the environment and which may be detected by sweeping the detector over ground that may contain metals or mines.

Arndt, G. Dickey↗