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At least 523 records · Page 29

Multiple-Symbol, Partially Coherent Detection of MPSK

Proposed method of reception of multiple-phase-shift-keyed (MPSK) radio signals involves multiple-symbol, partially coherent detection. Instead of attempting to determine phase of transmitted signal during each symbol period as in coherent detection, receiver acquires signal data during multiple-symbol observation interval, then produces maximum-likelihood-sequence estimate of phases transmitted during interval. Combination of coherent-reception and incoherent-reception decision rules are used.

Simon, Marvin K.↗

Recovery of 29 Second Oscillations in Hubble Space Telescope Eclipse Observations of the Cataclysmic Variable UX Ursae Majoris

Low-amplitude (approximately 0.5%) 29 s oscillations have been detected in Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph eclipse observations of the nova-like cataclysmic variable UX UMa. These are the same dwarf nova-type oscillations that were originally discovered in this system in 1972. The 29 s oscillations are seen in one pair of eclipse sequences obtained with the FOS/PRISM in 1994 November but not in a similar pair obtained with the FOS/GI60L grating in August of the same year. The oscillations in the PRISM data are sinusoidal to within the small observational errors and undergo an approximately - 360' phase shift during eclipses (i.e., one cycle is lost). The amplitudes are highest at pre-eclipse orbital phases and exhibit a rather gradual eclipse whose shape is roughly similar to, although perhaps slightly narrower than, LTX UMa's overall light curve in the PRISM bandpass (2000-8000 A). Spectra of the oscillations have been constructed from pre-, mid, and post-eclipse data segments of the November observations. The spectra obtained from the out-of-eclipse segments are extremely blue, and only lower limits can be placed on the temperature of the source that dominates the modulated flux at these orbital phases. Lower limits derived from blackbody (stellar atmosphere) model fits to these data are >or equal to 95,000 K (> or equal to 85,000 K); the corresponding upper limits on the projected area of this source are all less than 2% of the white dwarf (WD) surface area. By contrast, oscillation spectra derived from mid- eclipse data segments are much redder. Fits to these spectra yield temperature estimates in the range 20,000 K approximately greater T and T approximately less than 30,000 K for both blackbody and stellar atmosphere models and corresponding projected areas of a few percent of the WD surface area. These estimates are subject to revision if the modulated emission is optically thin. We suggest that the ultimate source of the oscillations is a hot, compact region near disk center, but that a significant fraction of the observed, modulated flux is due to reprocessing of the light emitted by this source in the accretion disk atmosphere. The compact source is occulted at orbital phases near mid-eclipse, leaving only part of the more extended reprocessing region(s) to produce the weak oscillations that persist even at conjunction. The highly sinusoidal oscillation pulse shape does not permit the identification of the compact comonent in this model with emission produced by a rotating disturbance in the inner disk or in a classical, equatorial boundary layer. Instead, this component could arise in a bright spot on the surface of the WD, possibly associated with a magnetic pole. However, a standard intermediate polar model can also be ruled out since UX UMa's oscillation period has been seen to change on timescales much shorter than the minimum timescale required to spin up the WD by accretion torques. A model invoking magnetically controlled accretion onto differentially rotating WD surface layers may be viable, but needs more theoretical work.

Knigge, Christian↗

Ka-Band Beam Steering Reflectarray Study

A one-meter diameter, 32 GHz active microstrip reflectarray capable of electronic beam steering has been studied. The 15_500 element array consists of rnicrostrip patch antennas, microstrip phase shifters, and dc bias lines. Specifically, the study focused on the solid-state devices and dc bias layouts for scanning the beam linearly 45 from boresight using 2-bit phase shifters. Three configurations are recommended for the reflectarray with integrated 2-bit phase shifters where the total substrate and cladding mass varies from 8 kg to 14 kg. Additionally, dc power requirements for p-i-n diodes in 1-bit, 2-bit and 3-bit phase shifting circuits are approximately 19 W, 19 W, and 39 W, respectively. The dc power requirement for phase shifters using passive MESFETs is much less than 1 W.

McSpadden, James O.↗

Alignment Method for Synchronized Phase Angle Measurement With Presence of Practical Time Shift

Synchronized Phase Angle Measurements (SPAMs) are widely used in power systems in the applications of situational awareness. However, the practical time shifts can lead to unexpected angle differences among Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) manufactured from various vendors. Moreover, since most of PMUs calculate phase angle via Discrete Fourier Transform based approaches, this issue becomes even worse under the off-nominal frequency condition. To mitigate the impact of practical timing shift, this letter presents a fast method to rectify the SPAM for appropriate alignment. To verify the performance of the proposed method, laboratory and field tests have been conducted by implementing the method in PMUs and phasor data concentrators, respectively. The results demonstrate that the standard deviations of the phase angle differences have significantly decreased to 0.1$^{\circ }$ order with the adoption of the proposed method.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Ethylene-associated phase change from juvenile to mature phenotype of daylily (Hemerocallis) in vitro

Hemerocallis plantlets maintained in vitro for extended periods of time in tightly closed culture vessels frequently show a phenotype, albeit on a miniaturized scale, typical of more mature, field-grown plants. The positive relationship of elevated ethylene in the headspace of such vessels to the phase shift from juvenile to mature form is established. Rigorous restriction in air exchange with the external environment by means of silicone grease seals hastens the phase change and improves uniformity of response. Although some plantlets may take longer to accumulate enough ethylene in sealed jars to undergo change, added ethylene and ethylene-releasing agents promote it. Ethylene adsorbants (e.g. mercuric perchlorate) block the shift of juvenile to mature form. Critical ambient ethylene level for the shift is ca 1 microliter l-1. Levels up to 1000 microliters l-1 do not hasten the response but are not toxic. The phase change is fully reversible when air exchange permits ethylene to drop below 1 microliter l-1. At least 1 microliter l-1 ethylene is required to sustain the mature phenotype. The ethylene synthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) prevents the phase change, while the ethylene biosynthesis intermediate 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACC) improves it. KOH, as a CO2 absorbent, does not prevent the phase change. Histology sections demonstrate subtle changes in the form of shoot tips of plantlets undergoing phase change.

NASA Discipline Plant Biology↗

Quantum-enhanced phase imaging without coincidence counting

Quantitative phase imaging provides a way to image transparent objects, such as biological cells, and measure their thickness. We report on a phase-imaging method that achieves twice the phase shift and approximately 1.7 times the spatial resolution of an equivalent spatially and temporally coherent classical quantitative phase-imaging system by using quantum interference between successive spontaneous parametric downconversion events in a nonlinear crystal. Furthermore, our method is approximately 1000 times faster than imaging the parametric downconversion photons in coincidence, which requires measurement times on the order of tens of hours. Our method may be useful for imaging sensitive transparent objects that require low illumination intensities at near-infrared and longer illumination wavelengths, such as photosensitive biological samples.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Hyperfine resonance of gaseous atomic hydrogen at 4.2 K

The hyperfine frequency and wall shift of hydrogen atoms at 4.2 K stored in a bulb coated with solid H2 were measured. The phase shift per wall collision is -0.29(1) rad. The adsorption energy of H on H2 is 9(2) K, and the adsorption time at 4.2 K is approximately 30 nsec. Transverse and longitudinal relaxation times have been measured, and atomic densities greater than 10 to the 14th/cu cm have been observed.

Crampton, S. B.↗

Silicon-Based Optical Modulator with Ferroelectric Layer

According to a proposal, a silicon dioxide layer in a high-speed, low-power, silicon- based electro-optical modulator would be replaced by a layer of lead zirconate titanate or other ferroelectric oxide material. The purpose of this modification is to enhance the power performance and functionality of the modulator. In its unmodified form, the particular silicon- based electro-optical modulator is of an advanced design that overcomes the speed limitation of prior silicon-based electro- optical modulators. Whereas modulation frequencies of such devices had been limited to about 20 MHz, this modulator can operate at modulation frequencies as high as 1 GHz. This modulator can be characterized as a silicon-waveguide-based metal oxide/semiconductor (MOS) capacitor phase shifter in which modulation of the index of refraction in silicon is obtained by exploiting the free-charge-carrier-plasma dispersion effect. As shown in the figure, the modulator includes an n-doped crystalline silicon slab (the silicon layer of a silicon- on-insulator wafer) and a p-doped polycrystalline silicon rib with a gate oxide layer (the aforementioned silicon dioxide layer) sandwiched between them. Under accumulation conditions, the majority charge carriers in the silicon waveguide modify the index of refraction so that a phase shift is induced in the optical mode propagating in the waveguide. The advantage of using an MOS capacitor phase shifter is that it is possible to achieve high modulation speed because there are no slow carrier-generation or -recombination processes involved in the accumulation operation. The main advantage of the proposed substitution of a ferroelectric oxide layer for the silicon dioxide layer would arise from the spontaneous polarization effect of the ferroelectric layer: This spontaneous polarization would maintain accumulation conditions in the absence of applied voltage. Consequently, once the device had been switched to a given optical state, it would remain in that state, even in the absence of applied voltage (in other words, even with power turned off). A secondary advantage is that because the ferroelectric layer would have an index of refraction larger than that of silicon dioxide, there could be some reduction of optical losses attributable to fabrication of the modulator

Sheldon, Douglas↗

Fatigue Management in Spaceflight Operations

Sleep loss and fatigue remain an issue for crewmembers working on the International Space Station, and the ground crews who support them. Schedule shifts on the ISS are required for conducting mission operations. These shifts lead to tasks being performed during the biological night, and sleep scheduled during the biological day, for flight crews and the ground teams who support them. Other stressors have been recognized as hindering sleep in space; these include workload, thinking about upcoming tasks, environmental factors, and inadequate day/night cues. It is unknown if and how other factors such as microgravity, carbon dioxide levels, or increased radiation, may also play a part. Efforts are underway to standardize and provide care for crewmembers, ground controllers and other support personnel. Through collaborations between research and operations, evidenced-based clinical practice guidelines are being developed to equip flight surgeons with the tools and processes needed for treating circadian desynchrony (and subsequent sleep loss) caused by jet lag and shift work. The proper implementation of countermeasures such as schedules, lighting protocols, and cognitive behavioral education can hasten phase shifting, enhance sleep and optimize performance. This panel will focus on Fatigue Management in Spaceflight Operations. Speakers will present on research-based recommendations and technologies aimed at mitigating sleep loss, circadian desynchronization and fatigue on-orbit. Gaps in current mitigations and future recommendations will also be discussed.

Whitmire, Alexandra↗

Offset quadrature communications with decision-feedback carrier synchronization

In order to accommodate a quadrature amplitude-shift-keyed (QASK) signal, Simon and Smith (1974) have modified the decision-feedback loop which tracks a quadrature phase-shift-keyed (QPSK). In the investigation reported approaches are considered to modify the loops in such a way that offset QASK signals can be tracked, giving attention to the special case of an offset QPSK. The development of the stochastic integro-differential equation of operation for a decision-feedback offset QASK loop is discussed along with the probability density function of the phase error process.

Simon, M. K.↗

Dynamic Phasor Modeling of Various Multipulse Rectifiers and a VSI Fed by 18-Pulse Asymmetrical Autotransformer Rectifier Unit for Fast Transient Analysis

To study the fast modelling of dynamic characteristics caused by power electronic switching, the dynamic phasor (DP) theory based on the time-varying Fourier decomposition and frequency shifting is firstly applied to the modelling of various multipulse rectifiers. The DP model for symmetrical 12-pulse phase-shifting reactor rectifier unit (PSR-RU) is derived with model order reduction, relations between ac and dc terminals, and Taylor series expansion. The DP model of asymmetrical 18-pulse autotransformer rectifier unit (AT-RU) is proposed based on the switching functions expressed in the DP domain. Meanwhile, the DP model of voltage source inverter (VSI) fed by asymmetrical 18-pulse AT-RU is built with the harmonic state-space (HSS) equations. Under both balanced and unbalanced conditions, the good calculation accuracy and rapid simulation speed of the developed DP models are validated by the detailed time-domain (TD) simulation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Aging human circadian rhythms: conventional wisdom may not always be right

This review discusses the ways in which the circadian rhythms of older people are different from those of younger adults. After a brief discussion of clinical issues, the review describes the conventional wisdom regarding age-related changes in circadian rhythms. These can be summarized as four assertions regarding what happens to people as they get older: 1) the amplitude of their circadian rhythms reduces, 2) the phase of their circadian rhythms becomes earlier, 3) their natural free-running period (tau) shortens, and 4) their ability to tolerate abrupt phase shifts (e.g., from jet travel or night work) worsens. The review then discusses the empirical evidence for and against these assertions and discusses some alternative explanations. The conclusions are that although older people undoubtedly have earlier circadian phases than younger adults, and have more trouble coping with shift work and jet lag, evidence for the assertions about rhythm amplitude and tau are, at best, mixed.

NASA Discipline Space Human Factors↗

Three phase spectral interferometry for recording high dynamic range optical waveforms with <1 ps resolution over >2 ns records applied to closed-loop pulse shaping

Herein we demonstrate, to our knowledge, a novel spectral interferometry technique that simultaneously captures three spectral interferograms of a signal waveform with a reference pulse. The measured performance is robust to nonidealities and ambient drifts by implementing a precisely calibrated 3 × 3 polarization maintaining (PM) splitter that provides three phase shift differences nominally spaced 120° apart. The system can achieve long record length by implementing three, high resolution, virtually imaged phase array (VIPA) spectrometers. Here, we experimentally implement this technique and demonstrate the measurement of waveforms with >2ns of record while maintaining <1ps resolution.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Some features of unsteady separating turbulent boundary layers

The physical features of steady and unsteady separating turbulent boundary layers are discussed with reference to wind-tunnel data obtained at a Reynolds number of 5.1 x 10 to the 6th and a reduced frequency of 0.55. It is shown that a moderate-amplitude (R less than 0.3) oscillating turbulent boundary layer has a mean flow structure that is close to that of a steady free-stream turbulent boundary layer. Well upstream of the separation, unexpected phase shifts of the velocity and turbulence oscillations occur near the wall between the viscous sublayer and the semilogarithmic region. Significant phase variations between the velocity and turbulence also exist in the detached and back flows downstream. Large amplitude oscillations are shown to have a substantial effect on the flow structure.

Simpson, R. L.↗

QPSK loop lock detection in the advanced receiver

The Advanced Receiver (ARX 2) currently being developed uses a Costas crossover loop to acquire and track the phase of an incoming quadrature phase-shift-keyed (QPSK) signal. The performance is described for the QPSK lock detector to be implemented, taking into account the phase jitter in the tracking loop. Simulations are used to verify the results of the analysis.

Mileant, A.↗

Passive Tracking System and Method

Systems and methods are disclosed for passively determining the location of a moveable transmitter utilizing a pair of phase shifts at a receiver for extracting a direction vector from a receiver to the transmitter. In a preferred embodiment, a phase difference between the transmitter and receiver is extracted utilizing a noncoherent demodulator in the receiver. The receiver includes an antenna array with three antenna elements, which preferably are patch antenna elements spaced apart by one-half wavelength. Three receiver channels are preferably utilized for simultaneously processing the received signal from each of the three antenna elements. Multipath transmission paths for each of the three receiver channels are indexed so that comparisons of the same multipath component are made for each of the three receiver channels. The phase difference for each received signal is determined by comparing only the magnitudes of received and stored modulation signals to determine a winning modulation symbol.

Arndt, G. Dickey↗

Passive Tracking System and Method

System and methods are disclosed for passively determining the location of a moveable transmitter utilizing a pair of phase shifts at a receiver for extracting a direction vector from a receiver to the transmitter. In a preferred embodiment, a phase difference between the transmitter and receiver is extracted utilizing a noncoherent demodulator in the receiver. The receiver includes antenna array with three antenna elements, which preferably are patch antenna elements placed apart by one-half wavelength. Three receiver channels are preferably utilized for simultaneously processing the received signal from each of the three antenna elements. Multipath transmission paths for each of the three receiver channels are indexed so that comparisons of the same multipath component are made for each of the three receiver channels. The phase difference for each received signal is determined by comparing only the magnitudes of received and stored modulation signals to determine a winning modulation symbol.

Arndt, G. Dickey↗

Small Scale Response and Modeling of Periodically Forced Turbulence

The response of the small scales of isotropic turbulence to periodic large scale forcing is studied using two-point closures. The frequency response of the turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate, and the phase shifts between production, energy and dissipation are determined as functions of Reynolds number. It is observed that the amplitude and phase of the dissipation exhibit nontrivial frequency and Reynolds number dependence that reveals a filtering effect of the energy cascade. Perturbation analysis is applied to understand this behavior which is shown to depend on distant interactions between widely separated scales of motion. Finally, the extent to which finite dimensional models (standard two-equation models and various generalizations) can reproduce the observed behavior is discussed.

Bos, Wouter↗