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Phase errors cancelled for high frequency stability. Radio-frequency oscillator achieves high stability of frequency through parallel, two-amplifier configuration in which effects cause phase noise tend to cancel each other. Circuit includes two amplifiers with resonating elements, each constitutes part of feedback loop of other. Generate same frequency because each circuit provides other with conditions necessary for oscillation.
A stability analyzer for testing NASA Deep Space Network installations during flight radio science experiments is described. The stability analyzer provides realtime measurements of signal properties of general experimental interest: power, phase, and amplitude spectra; Allan deviation; and time series of amplitude, phase shift, and differential phase shift. Input ports are provided for up to four 100 MHz frequency standards and eight baseband analog (greater than 100 kHz bandwidth) signals. Test results indicate the following upper bounds to noise floors when operating on 100 MHz signals: -145 dBc/Hz for phase noise spectrum further than 200 Hz from carrier, 2.5 x 10(exp -15) (tau =1 second) and 1.5 x 10(exp -17) (tau =1000 seconds) for Allan deviation, and 1 x 10(exp -4) degrees for 1-second averages of phase deviation. Four copies of the stability analyzer have been produced, plus one transportable unit for use at non-NASA observatories.
Stability of idealized laminar boundary flow, determining phase velocity, amplification rate and wave number of all disturbances
Phase variable transformations are used to construct the mathematical model of an aeroelastic aircraft in a form that is amenable to partial or piecemeal acceptance of parameters estimated from flight data. The problem is one of parameter identification of large scale dynamic systems involving a system matrix characterized by about 200 elements. A mathematical model of the USAF Total In-Flight Simulator was computed using the FLEXSTAB program. As data became available during the progress of the flight test program, it was processed and substituted in the mathematical model for parameters obtained from the FLEXSTAB program. Results tend to show a progressive and orderly transition from an analytically defined mathematical model to one obtained from the flight tests of the actual aircraft.
Optimal-control-theoretic modeling and frequency-domain analysis is the methodology proposed to evaluate analytically the handling qualities of higher-order manually controlled dynamic systems. Fundamental to the methodology is evaluating the interplay between pilot workload and closed-loop pilot/vehicle performance and stability robustness. The model-based metric for pilot workload is the required pilot phase compensation. Pilot/vehicle performance and loop stability is then evaluated using frequency-domain techniques. When these techniques were applied to the flight-test data for thirty-two highly-augmented fighter configurations, strong correlation was obtained between the analytical and experimental results.
Superconducting-nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) in which Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N (where x<1) films serve as the superconducting materials have shown promise as superior alternatives to previously developed SNSPDs in which NbN films serve as the superconducting materials. SNSPDs have potential utility in optical communications and quantum cryptography. Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N is a solid solution of NbN and TiN, and has many properties similar to those of NbN. It has been found to be generally easier to stabilize Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N in the high-superconducting-transition temperature phase than it is to so stabilize NbN. In addition, the resistivity and penetration depth of polycrystalline films of Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N have been found to be much smaller than those of films of NbN. These differences have been hypothesized to be attributable to better coupling at grain boundaries within Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N films.
Directionally solidified (DS) intermetallic and ceramic-based eutectic alloys with an in-situ composite microstructure containing finely distributed, long aspect ratio, fiber, or plate reinforcements are being seriously examined for several advanced aero-propulsion applications. In designing these alloys, additional solutes need to be added to the base eutectic composition in order to improve heir high-temperature strength, and provide for adequate toughness and resistance to environmental degradation. Solute addition, however, promotes instability at the planar liquid-solid interface resulting in the formation of two-phase eutectic "colonies." Because morphology of eutectic colonies is very similar to the single-phase cells and dendrites, the stability analysis of Mullins and Sekerka has been extended to describe their formation. Onset of their formation shows a good agreement with this approach; however, unlike the single-phase cells and dendrites, there is limited examination of their growth speed dependence of spacing, morphology, and spatial distribution. The purpose of this study is to compare the growth speed dependence of the morphology, spacing, and spatial distribution of eutectic cells and dendrites with that for the single-phase cells and dendrites.
A celestial reference frame at X/Ka-band (8.4/32 GHz) has been constructed using fifty-one 24-hour sessions with the Deep Space Network. We report on observations which have detected 436 sources covering the full 24 hours of right ascension and declinations down to -45 deg. Comparison of this X/Ka-band frame to the S/X-band (2.3/8.4 GHz) ICRF2 shows wRMS agreement of 200 micro-arcsec in a cos delta and 290 micro-arcsec in delta. There is evidence for zonal errors at the 100 micro-arcsec level. Known errors include limited SNR, lack of phase calibration, troposphere mismodelling, and limited southern geometry. The motivations for extending the ICRF to frequencies above 8 GHz are to access more compact source morphology for improved frame stability, to provide calibrators for phase referencing, and to support spacecraft navigation at Ka-band.
A celestial reference frame at X/Kaband (8.4/32 GHz) has been constructed using fiftyone 24-hour sessions with the Deep Space Network. We report on observations which have detected 436 sources covering the full 24 hours of right ascension and declinations down to -45 deg. Comparison of this X/Ka-band frame to the S/X-band (2.3/8.4 GHz) ICRF2 shows wRMS agreement of 200 micro-arcsec ( mu as) in alpha cos delta and 290 mu as in delta. There is evidence for zonal errors at the 100 mu as level. Known errors include limited SNR, lack of phase calibration, troposphere mismodelling, and limited southern geometry. The motivations for extending the ICRF to frequencies above 8 GHz are to access more compact source morphology for improved frame stability, to provide calibrators for phase referencing, and to support spacecraft navigation at Ka-band.
Phase relations in the liquidus temperature region of the system 'FeO'-Al2O3-TiO2 in contact with metallic iron, at a total pressure below 1 atm, have been determined by the quenching technique. Four invariant points have been located, with phase assemblages and temperatures as follows; wuestite, ulvoespinel, nercynite and liquid, 1306 C; ulvoespinel, ilmenite, ferropseudobrookite and liquid, 1340 C; ulvoespinel, hercynite, ferropseudobrookite and liquid, 1367 C; hercynite, ferropseudobrookite, corundum and liquid, 1465 C. The data obtained confirm the presence of a miscibility gap between titanate and aluminate spinels, and provide quantitative data for the effect of Al2O3 on mutual stability relations among spinel, ilmenite, and ferropseudobrookite phases in the presence of liquid at high temperatures and strongly reducing conditions. It is shown that Al2O3 has a strong stabilizing effect on the phase assemblage ferropseudobrookite and spinel relative to ilmenite.
A literature survey of helium 2 liquid vapor phase separation is presented. Currently, two types of He 2 phase separators are being investigated: porous, sintered metal plugs and the active phase separator. The permeability K(P) shows consistency in porous plug geometric characterization. Both the heat and mass fluxes increase with K(P). Downstream pressure regulation to adjust for varying heat loads and both temperatures is possible. For large dynamic heat loads, the active phase separator shows a maximum heat rejection rate of up to 2 W and bath temperature stability of 0.1 mK. Porous plug phase separation performance should be investigated for application to SIRTF and, in particular, that plugs of from 10 to the minus ninth square centimeters to 10 to the minus eighth square centimeters in conjunction with downstream pressure regulation be studied.
An accumulator particularly adapted for use in controlling the pressure of a stream of fluid in its liquid phase utilizing the fluid in its gaseous phase was designed. The accumulator is characterized by a shell defining a pressure chamber having an entry throat for a liquid and adapted to be connected in contiguous relation with a selected conduit having a stream of fluid flowing through the conduit in its liquid phase. A pressure and volume stabilization tube, including an array of pressure relief perforations is projected into the chamber with the perforations disposed adjacent to the entry throat for accommodating a discharge of the fluid in either gaseous or liquid phases, while a gas inlet and liquid to gas conversion system is provided, the chamber is connected with a source of the fluid for continuously pressuring the chamber for controlling the pressure of the stream of liquid.
Robustness properties are investigated for two types of controllers for large flexible space structures, which use collocated sensors and actuators. The first type is an attitude controller which uses negative definite feedback of measured attitude and rate, while the second type is a damping enhancement controller which uses only velocity (rate) feedback. It is proved that collocated attitude controllers preserve closed loop global asymptotic stability when linear actuator/sensor dynamics satisfying certain phase conditions are present, or monotonic increasing nonlinearities are present. For velocity feedback controllers, the global asymptotic stability is proved under much weaker conditions. In particular, they have 90 phase margin and can tolerate nonlinearities belonging to the (0,infinity) sector in the actuator/sensor characteristics. The results significantly enhance the viability of both types of collocated controllers, especially when the available information about the large space structure (LSS) parameters is inadequate or inaccurate.
Robustness properties are investigated for two types of controllers for large flexible space structures, which use collocated sensors and actuators. The first type is an attitude controller which uses negative definite feedback of measured attitude and rate, while the second type is a damping enhancement controller which uses only velocity (rate) feedback. It is proved that collocated attitude controllers preserve closed loop global asymptotic stability when linear actuator/sensor dynamics satisfying certain phase conditions are present, or monotonic increasing nonlinearities are present. For velocity feedback controllers, the global asymptotic stability is proved under much weaker conditions. In particular, they have 90 phase margin and can tolerate nonlinearities belonging to the (0, infinity) sector in the actuator/sensor characteristics. The results significantly enhance the viability of both types of collocated controllers, especially when the available information about the large space structure (LSS) parameters is inadequate or inaccurate.
The need for passive microwave radiometry using aperture synthesis and phased arrays for large apertures requiring more stability has generated several studies. The in-flight calibration and, therefore, the stability of such systems is an important design consideration. A 4.3 GHz laboratory radiometry operating in a balanced Dicke mode has been developed for making precise brightness (noise) temperature measurements. The stability of the noise diode source used in the noise-injection loop is of interest. A statistical Allan variance method to characterize the stability of the radiometer and the noise diode is presented in this paper. Noise measurements which demonstrate this approach are also included.
A low-speed investigation has been made to determine the static and oscillatory longitudinal and lateral stability derivatives of a proposed reentry vehicle having an extensible heat shield for reentry at high angles of attack. The heat shield is extended forward to give the desired aerodynamic-center position for high-angle-of-attack reentry and, after completion of the reentry phase, is retracted to give stability and trim for gliding flight at low angles of attack. Near an angle of attack of 900 the reentry configuration was statically stable both longitudinally and directionally, had positive dihedral effect, and had positive damping in roll but zero damping in yaw. The landing configuration had positive damping in pitch, roll, and yaw over the test angle-of-attack range but was directionally unstable and had negative dihedral effect between an angle of attack of about 10 and 20 deg.
NASA's effort for the thermal environmental control of the Space Station Freedom is directed towards the design, analysis, and development of an Active Thermal Control System (ATCS). A two phase, flow through condenser/radiator concept was baselined, as a part of the ATCS, for the radiation of space station thermal load into space. The proposed condenser rejects heat through direct condensation of ATCS working fluid (ammonia) in the small diameter radiator tubes. Analysis of the condensation process and design of condenser tubes are based on the available two phase flow models for the prediction of flow regimes, heat transfer, and pressure drops. The prediction formulas use the existing empirical relationships of friction factor at gas-liquid interface. An attempt is made to study the stability of interfacial waves in two phase annular flow. The formulation is presented of a stability problem in cylindrical coordinates. The contribution of fluid viscosity, surface tension, and transverse radius of curvature to the interfacial surface is included. A solution is obtained for Kelvin-Helmholtz instability problem which can be used to determine the critical and most dangerous wavelengths for interfacial waves.
This paper reports the first switching network compatible with multimode fibers. A one-to-many cascaded reconfigurable interconnection was built. A thin glass substrate was used as the guiding medium which provides not only higher coupling efficiency from multimode fiber to waveguide but also better tolerance of phase-matching conditions. Involvement of a total-internal-reflection hologram and multimode waveguide eliminates interface problems between fibers and waveguides. The DCG polymer graft has proven to be reliable from -180 C to +200 C. Survivability of such an electrooptic system in harsh environments is further ensured. LiNbO3 was chosen as the E-O material because of its stability at high temperatures (phase-transition temperature of more than 1000 C) and maturity of E-O device technology. Further theoretical calculation was conducted to provide the optimal interaction length and device capacitance.