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At least 361 records · Page 20

PPM demodulation for Reed-Solomon decoding for the optical space channel

The use of Reed-Solomon (RS) block codes over the pulse position modulated (PPM) frames to obtain the largest degree of error correction is considered. Since RS codes can correct both symbol errors and symbol erasures, a question arises as to the best way to demodulate the PPM laser fields in order to generate the input symbols for the RS decoder. The method selected for demodulating (converting the received laser field to digital symbols) defines the erasure and transmitted symbols of the laser link, and therefore determines the work error probabilities of the system. Several demodulating schemes are considered, and the effect of each on RS decoding performance computed. This computation was carried out for various optical receiver models. It is shown that simple threshold decisioning of pulse slots produces performance that degrades as the background noise increases. This is caused by the generation of too many erasures for the RS decoder to handle. A decision scheme, delta-max demodulation which offers improvement over threshold decisioning by redefining the generation of an erasure is proposed.

Divsalar, D.↗

Upstream energetic ions and electrons - Bow shock-associated or magnetospheric origin

An analysis is made of 35 proton bursts observed with the Max-Planck-Institut/University of Maryland sensor system on ISEE 3 far upstream of the earth's bow shock. These upstream bursts are found to fall into two distinctive groups. The first is accompanied by energetic electrons (more than about 75 keV), and the proton spectrum extends up to energies greater than about 300 keV and higher and bends over toward lower energies (less than about 30 keV). The second group, which is unaccompanied by energetic electron bursts, exhibits spectra which can be represented extremely well by exponentials in energy with a mean e-folding energy of approximately 15 keV. The first group is thought to be of a magnetospheric origin, and the second to be bow-shock associated.

Scholer, M.↗

The isotopic composition of Fe and fragmentation nuclei with Z equals 17-25

Using the combined data from 1976 and 1977 balloon flights the isotopic composition of cosmic ray Fe and fragmentation nuclei with Z equals 17-25 have been determined. The telescope used in these studies contains two Cerenkov counters and four total energy counters with an overall mass resolution sigma equals 0.35-0.40 amu. For Fe, approximately 320 nuclei with C/C(max) less than 0.5 are mass analyzed with the result extrapolated to the cosmic ray source, Fe-56 equals 0.952, Fe-54 equals 0.048 plus or minus 0.030 and Fe-58 less than 0.030 of all Fe. Two other isotopes are found to have a significant source abundance, A-36 with an abundance of 0.048 plus or minus 0.013 x Fe and Ca-40 equals 0.088 plus or minus 0.016 x Fe at the source. The source abundance of all other isotopes is less than 0.015 x Fe at the 1 sigma level. Of these fragmentation isotopes there is evidence that most of the Cl-36 has decayed as well as possibly some Mn-54.

Webber, W. R.↗

Measurement of cardiopulmonary performance during acute exposure to a 2440-m equivalent atmosphere

Each of 20 subjects (ranging in age from 18 to 38 years, 15 being male, five female) was given two Bruce Protocol symptom-limited maximum treadmill stress tests, breathing sea-level compressed air (20.9% O2) for one test and a 2440-m equivalent (15.5% O2) for the other. A significant difference was found to exist between measured VO2 max (p less than 0.0002) and exercise time (p less than 0.0004) for the two conditions. No significant differences were observed in heart rate or the recovery time to a respiratory quotient of less than 1. Hemoglobin saturation, as measured by an ear oximeter, averaged 95% for sea-level and 91% for the 2440-m equivalent gases. These results support a 2440-m equivalent contingency atmosphere in the Space Shuttle prior to donning a low-pressure suit for the purpose reducing nitrogen washout times.

Levitan, B. M.↗

Wind tunnel force and pressure tests

Force and surface pressure distributions were measured for a 13% medium speed (NASA MS(1)-0313) airfoil fitted with 20% aileron, 25% slotted flap and 10% slot lip spoiler. All tests were conducted in the Walter Beech Memorial Wind Tunnel at a Reynolds number of 2.2 million and a Mach number of 0.13. Results include lift, drag, pitching moments, control surface normal force and hinge moments, and surface pressure distributions. The basic airfoil exhibits low speed characteristics similar to the GA(W)-2 airfoil. Incremental aileron and spoiler performance are quite comparable to that obtained on the GA(W)-2 airfoil. Slotted flap performance on this section is reduced compared to the GA(W)-2, resulting in a highest c sub l max of 3.00 compared to 3.35 for the GA(W)-2.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗

Solar plages and the interpretation of stellar Ca 2 H and K line variations in late type dwarfs

Approximately a dozen late type dwarf stars have been observed by Wilson (1978) to undergo cyclic variability in Ca II H and K line emission which seems analogous to the solar activity cycle. What might be learned about these stars from solar analogies? The Ca II K index is estimated variation of the Sun viewed as a star, and compared with the observed range of Wilson's stellar observations. Results indicate trends of increasing relative variation H-K(max)/H-K(min) with later spectral type, due to decreasing dilutional contribution of residual photospheric flux to a 1 A band at line center, and of increasing relative variation with decreasing relative time of rise to maximum tau rise/tau reminiscent of the observed solar correlation of a quick rise to sunspot maximum with a strong cycle.

Cook, J. W.↗

Trends of Reynolds number effects on two-dimensional airfoil characteristics for helicopter rotor analyses

The primary effects of Reynolds number on two dimensional airfoil characteristics are discussed. Results from an extensive literature search reveal the manner in which the minimum drag and maximum lift are affected by the Reynolds number. C sub d sub min and C sub l sub max are plotted versus Reynolds number for airfoils of various thickness and camber. From the trends observed in the airfoil data, universal scaling laws and easily implemented methods are developed to account for Reynolds number effects in helicopter rotor analyses.

Yamauchi, G. K.↗

Simulating soybean canopy temperature as affected by weather variables and soil water potential

Hourly weather data for several clear sky days during summer at Phoenix and Baltimore which covered a wide range of variables were used with a plant atmosphere model to simulate soybean (Glycine max L.) leaf water potential, stomatal resistance and canopy temperature at various soil water potentials. The air and dew point temperatures were found to be the significant weather variables affecting the canopy temperatures. Under identical weather conditions, the model gives a lower canopy temperature for a soybean crop with a higher rooting density. A knowledge of crop rooting density, in addition to air and dew point temperatures is needed in interpreting infrared radiometric observations for soil water status. The observed dependence of stomatal resistance on the vapor pressure deficit and soil water potential is fairly well represented. Analysis of the simulated leaf water potentials indicates overestimation, possibly due to differences in the cultivars.

Choudhury, B. J.↗

Multi-fuel rotary engine for general aviation aircraft

Design studies of advanced multifuel general aviation and commuter aircraft rotary stratified charge engines are summarized. Conceptual design studies were performed at two levels of technology, on advanced general aviation engines sized to provide 186/250 shaft kW/hp under cruise conditions at 7620 (25000 m/ft) altitude. A follow on study extended the results to larger (2500 hp max.) engine sizes suitable for applications such as commuter transports and helicopters. The study engine designs were derived from relevant engine development background including both prior and recent engine test results using direct injected unthrottled rotary engine technology. Aircraft studies, using these resultant growth engines, define anticipated system effects of the performance and power density improvements for both single engine and twin engine airplanes. The calculated results indicate superior system performance and 27 to 33 percent fuel economy improvement for the rotary engine airplanes as compared to equivalent airframe concept designs with current baseline engines. The research and technology activities required to attain the projected engine performance levels are also discussed.

Jones, C.↗

N-person differential games. Part 2: The penalty method

The equilibrium strategy for N-person differential games can be found by studying a min-max problem subject to differential systems constraints. The differential constraints are penalized and finite elements are used to compute numerical solutions. Convergence proof and error estimates are given. Numerical results are also included and compared with those obtained by the dual method.

Chen, G.↗

Flow fields and aerodynamic characteristics for hypersonic missiles with mid-fuselage inlets

A study was made to quantify forebody flow fields and to evaluate aerodynamic performance trends on a matrix of fuselage shapes for the mid-inlet/bolt-on-engine class of hypersonic airbreathing missiles for the Navy's vertical box launcher. The study indicated that inlet mass flow and pressure recovery can be increased by cambering the nose and increasing the width of the fuselage at both Mach 4 acceleration and Mach 6 cruise conditions. Aerodynamic trim predictions show that the drag at zero lift at Mach 4 decreases while the L/D max at Mach 6 increases with the nose camber, although these tendencies reverse with increasing width of maximum fuselage cross section.

Hunt, J. L.↗

Handgrip and general muscular strength and endurance during prolonged bedrest with isometric and isotonic leg exercise training

Measurements of maximal grip strength and endurance at 40 percent max strength were obtained for 7 men 19-21 years of age, 1-2 days before and on the first recovery day during three 2-week bedrest (BR) periods, each separated by a 3-week ambulatory recovery period. The subjects performed isometric exercise (IME) for 1 hr/day, isotonic exercise (ITE) for 1 hr/day, and no exercise (NOE) in the three BR periods. It was found that the mean maximal grip strength was unchanged after all three BR periods. Mean grip endurance was found to be unchanged after IME and ITE training, but was significantly reduced after NOE. These results indicate that IME and ITE training during BR do not increase or decrease maximal grip strength, alghough they prevent loss of grip endurance, while the maximal strength of all other major muscle groups decreases in proportion to the length of BR to 70 days. The maximal strength reduction of the large muscle groups was found to be about twice that of the small muscle groups during BR. In addition, it is shown that changes in maximal strength after spaceflight, BR, or water immersion deconditioning cannot be predicted from changes in submaximal or maximal oxygen uptake values.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Iron charge states observed in the solar wind

Solar wind measurements from the ULECA sensor of the Max-Planck-Institut/University of Maryland experiment on ISEE-3 are reported. The low energy section of approx the ULECA sensor selects particles by their energy per charge (over the range 3.6 keV/Q to 30 keV/Q) and simultaneously measures their total energy with two low-noise solid state detectors. Solar wind Fe charge state measurements from three time periods of high speed solar wind occurring during a post-shock flow and a coronal hole-associated high speed stream are presented. Analysis of the post-shock flow solar wind indicates the charge state distributions for Fe were peaked at approx +16, indicative of an unusually high coronal temperature (3,000,000 K). In contrast, the Fe charge state distribution observed in a coronal hole-associated high speed stream peaks at approx -9, indicating a much lower coronal temperature (1,400,000 K). This constitutes the first reported measurements of iron charge states in a coronal hole-associated high speed stream.

Ipavich, F. M.↗

USAF shale oil program status

The test and evaluation program on shale derived fuel being conducted by the Air Force is intended to accomplish the minimum amount of testing necessary to assure both the safe use of shale oil derived turbine fuels in operational USAF aircraft and its compatibility with USAF handling systems. This program, which was designed to take advantage of existing R&D testing programs, began in 1981. However, due to a problem in acquiring the necessary fuel, the testing program was suspended until July 1983 when an additional sample of shale derived fuel was received. Tentatively, the Air Force is planning to make three relatively minor revisions to the procurement specifications requirements for the production shale derived fuel. These are: (1) Aromatic Contest (min) - 9% (by volume); (2) Nitrogen (max - 20 ppm by weight); and (3) Antioxidants - 9.1 g/100 gal (U.S.)

Delaney, C. L.↗

Nonequilibrium Crystal Growth During Laser Annealing of Silicon

The Systematic studies of dopant (Group III, IV, or V) incorporation into silicon as a result of pulsed-laser annealing are reviewed. At low concentrations, dopant profiles measured after laser annealing can be compared to model calculations for redistribution by liquid-phase diffusion in order to determine the interfacial distribution coefficient K('). At high concentrations there is a limit (C sub s) to dopant incorporation into substitutional lattice sites. The mechanisms which limit dopant incorporation are discussed as well as the dependence of K(') and (max) on crystal orientation. Finally, measurements of interface temperatures, temperature profiles, and thermal gradients during rapid solidification are summarized.

White, C. W.↗

Distortion measurement of antennas under space simulation conditions with high accuracy and high resolution by means of holography

The use of laser holography for measuring the distortion of antennas under space simulation conditions is described. The subject is the so-called double exposure procedure which allows to measure the distortion in the order of 1 to 30/micrometers + or - 0.5 per hologramme of an area of 4 m diameter max. The method of holography takes into account the constraints of the space simulation facility. The test method, the test set up and the constraints by the space simulation facility are described. The results of the performed tests are presented and compared with the theoretical predictions. The test on the K-Band Antenna e.g., showed a distortion of approximately 140/micrometers + or - 5/micrometers measured during the cool down from -10 C to -120 C.

Frey, H. U.↗

A fundamental comparison of canard and conventional configurations

This paper examines the relative efficiency of canard, tandem, and aft-tailed aircraft configurations through analysis of an elementary lifting system. Stability and trim requirements are imposed upon the system and its C sub L(max), drag, and structural weight are studied as its geometry varies over a wide range of possible configurations. During the course of the analysis, two general solutions emerge for minimum induced drag as a function of the geometry and the division of lift between the surfaces of such a system - one for fixed span and the other for fixed weight. The conclusion is that the pre-eminence of the conventional aft-tailed configuration has a sound fundamental basis, but that there may be some room for improvement.

Mcgeer, T.↗

Comparison of measured and calculated low latitude ionospheric properties

Measurements of ionospheric parameters above Arecibo, Puerto Rico, have been compared with a computer simulation for a variety of conditions. Agreement was found between the measured and calculated electron concentration during geomagnetically quiet conditions. Comparisons for more active conditions indicate a significant upward flow of ionization during the mid-afternoon. Calculated electron temperatures were found to be consistently lower than measured temperatures during the daytime. Calculated values of NmF2 and h(max) agreed with measured results except during the post-midnight period. Calculated values of the ion flux indicate a 24-hour net flow of ionization from the northern to the Southern Hemisphere amounting to 12 percent and 6 percent of the equilibrium flux tube content above 1000 km for the winter solstice and equinox cases, respectively.

Chandler, M. O.↗