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At least 415 records · Page 23

Design and performance evaluation of a wideband FM spread-spectrum multiple-access system

The system described performs the tracking and communications functions of a tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRS). The spread-spectrum signal format is achieved through wide deviation FM by a sinusoidal subcarrier unique to each multiple-access user. A compound phase-locked loop tracks carrier and subcarrier and demodulates data and ranging signals. Design parameters of user and ground terminals for TDRS are given. Acquisition procedures are described. Performance analyses are presented including the effects of noise, RFI, multipath and other users.

Wachsman, R. H.↗

Bias and spread in extreme value theory measurements of probability of error

Extreme value theory is examined to explain the cause of the bias and spread in performance of communications systems characterized by low bit rates and high data reliability requirements, for cases in which underlying noise is Gaussian or perturbed Gaussian. Experimental verification is presented and procedures that minimize these effects are suggested. Even under these conditions, however, extreme value theory test results are not particularly more significant than bit error rate tests.

Smith, J. G.↗

Relationship between Fe /+/ ions and equatorial spread F.

Evaluation of observations from the retarding potential analyzer on Ogo 6 near the magnetic equator, demonstrating an intimate relationship between the presence of Fe(+) ions and irregularities in the total ion concentration. The ionospheric irregularities (or structure) are probably another manifestation of equatorial spread F, although this has not yet been verified. Nearly half the nighttime equatorial crossings below 700 km exhibit both Fe(+) and structure, but only 10% of the passes without Fe(+) have structure. Approximately one-third of the passes with Fe(+) are not structured, which indicates that Fe(+) may be a necessary but not sufficient condition for structure formation. The Atlantic region shows an extremely high and detailed correlation between Fe(+) ions and the irregularities.

Hanson, W. B.↗

Bias and spread in EVT performance tests.

Performance tests (error probability measurements) of communications systems characterized by low bit rates and high reliability requirements frequently utilize classical extreme value theory (EVT) to avoid the excessive test times encountered with bit error rate (BER) tests. If the underlying noise is Gaussian or perturbed Gaussian, the EVT error estimates have either excessive bias or excessive variance if an insufficient number of test samples is used. EVT is examined to explain the cause of this bias and spread. Experimental verification is made by testing a known Gaussian source, and procedures that minimize these effects are described. It seems apparent that even under the best of conditions the EVT test results are not particularly better than those of BER tests.

Smith, J. G.↗

A surface wave spread spectrum communication link.

This development has resulted in a fast lock-up, 8-MHz bandwidth, 8-KHz data rate, spread spectrum communication link breadboard that is implemented using surface wave devices as the primary signal generators and signal processing elements. It uses surface wave tapped delay lines (SWTDL's) in the transmitter to generate the signals and in the receiver to match filter detect them. The system also incorporates a re-entry delay line (circulating integrator) which increases the effective code length per data bit by eight-fold.

Fugit, B. R.↗

Coded spread spectrum digital transmission system design study

Results are presented of a comprehensive study of the performance of Viterbi-decoded convolutional codes in the presence of nonideal carrier tracking and bit synchronization. A constraint length 7, rate 1/3 convolutional code and parameters suitable for the space shuttle coded communications links are used. Mathematical models are developed and theoretical and simulation results are obtained to determine the tracking and acquisition performance of the system. Pseudorandom sequence spread spectrum techniques are also considered to minimize potential degradation caused by multipath.

Heller, J. A.↗

Atmospheric spreading of protons in auroral arcs

A model is developed to calculate the effect of atmospheric spreading on the flux and angular distribution of protons in homogeneous auroral arcs. An expression is derived that indicates the angular distribution in the atmosphere as a function of distance from arc center, neutral scale height, arc width, and initial angular distribution. The results of the model agree favorably with those based on Monte-Carlo calculations. From these results the enhancement factors needed to compute the original proton current above the atmosphere are obtained. A technique is indicated for determining the incident angular distribution from rocket-based measurements of the arc width and angular distribution.

Iglesias, G. E.↗

On the flame spreading over a polymer surface

The characteristics of flame propagation along the interface between a solid fuel and a gaseous oxidizer are considered. It is found that difficulties in a study of this problem are related to the eigenvalue character of the relative velocity of the flame with respect to the oxidizer flow. In the proposed model of flame spreading the difficulties are overcome by retaining the ellipticity of the governing equations and by taking the surface pyrolysis into account. The solution procedure makes use of a sink-source approach and the Fourier-transform method. Flame propagation velocity data computed on the basis of the described approach are compared with experimental results.

Ohki, Y.↗

Variational electric fields at low latitudes and their relation to spread F and plasma irregularities

Recordings from OGO 6 show that electric field irregularities are frequently present between + or - 35 deg geomagnetic latitude in the 2000 - 0600 local time sector. The signatures are very clear, and are easily distinguished from the normal AC background noise, and whistler and emission activity. The spectral appearance of the fields makes it meaningful to distinguish between 3 different types of irregularities: strong irregularities, weak irregularities, and weak irregularities with a rising spectrum. Strong irregularities seem most likely to occur in regions where gradients in ionization are present. Changes in plasma composition, resulting in an increase in the mean ion mass, are also often observed in the irregularity regions. Comparison with ground based ionosondes indicates a connection between strong irregularities and low latitude spread F. A good correlation is also present between strong fields and small scale fluctuations in ionization, delta N/N 1 percent. From the data it appears as if a gradient driven instability is the most likely source of the strong irregularities.

Holtet, J. A.↗

Gravity effects on flame spreading over solid surfaces

The effects of gravity on the spreading of a flame over a solid combustible surface were determined. Flame propagation rates were measured from specimens of thin cellulose acetate sheets burning in both normal gravity (1 g) and reduced gravity (0 g) environments; the specimens were burned in various quiescent mixtures of oxygen, helium, argon, and nitrogen. A correlation for normal gravity and reduced gravity burning was obtained based on theoretical models of previous investigators.

Andracchio, C. R.↗

Energy spreading and angular distribution of a beam of electrons in molecular hydrogen

A Monte Carlo approach is used to obtain the energy spreading and angular distribution of initially monoenergetic and monodirectional beams of electron incident on a gas of molecular hydrogen. Several beams of primary electrons and the resultant secondaries are degraded in a step-by-step procedure which utilizes a detailed set of cross sections, together with reasonable approximations for the creation of secondary electrons. Particular attention is paid to the initial angular distribution of secondary electrons. An analytic function which characterizes current experimental differential cross-section data is used to provide realistic inputs into our calculations. The results for energy distribution as a function of distance and angular distribution at selected energies and distances are illustrated.

Heaps, M. G.↗

Formation of ferrobasalt at east Pacific midocean spreading centers

A numerical modeling using a least squares petrologic mixing program demonstrates that ridge ferrobasalts from three east Pacific regions are generated from normal midocean ridge balsalt by crystal fractionation of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and minor olivine at shallow mantle depths. Clinopyroxene is an important fractionating phase in this model in contrast to most previously proposed fractionation models. Calculations demonstrate that the ferrobasalts represent a much smaller percentage of residual liquid than has previously been proposed. Implications of extensive shallow crystal fractionation for the determination of depths of magma generation are discussed. The different fields on an anorthite-olivine-hypersthene ternary diagram for basalts from east Pacific fast and moderate spreading ridges can be explained by variable degrees of shallow crystal fractionation rather than by different depths of magma generation as suggested by Bass (1971) and Scheidegger (1973).

Clague, D. A.↗

Evidence for a Rayleigh-Taylor type instability and upwelling of depleted density regions during equatorial spread F

Recent rocket probe, barium cloud and radar measurements conducted during equatorial spread F conditions are interpreted in terms of a Rayleigh-Taylor gravitational instability operating on the bottomside of the F peak. The persistent theoretical problems associated with strong radar echoes typically observed in patch-like structures at high altitudes are explained in terms of regions of depleted plasma density which buoyantly rise against the gravitational field.

Kelley, M. C.↗