Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “MIXER”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3

Bulk submillimeter-wave mixers: Strain and superlattices

Strained germanium crystals, doped with gallium, were used as heterodyne mixers at THz frequencies, with infrared bandwidths approaching a GHz. The mixer performance (conversion loss and mixer noise) was analyzed in terms of nonlinearities associated with acceptor levels and with relaxation rates of free holes. Comparison was made with similar mixers employing low lying donor levels in high purity GaAs and with hot electron InSb mixers.

Litvak, M. M.↗

A general numerical analysis of the superconducting quasiparticle mixer

For very low noise millimeter-wave receivers, the superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) quasiparticle mixer is now competitive with conventional Schottky mixers. Tucker (1979, 1980) has developed a quantum theory of mixing which has provided a basis for the rapid improvement in SIS mixer performance. The present paper is concerned with a general method of numerical analysis for SIS mixers which allows arbitrary terminating impedances for all the harmonic frequencies. This analysis provides an approach for an examination of the range of validity of the three-frequency results of the quantum mixer theory. The new method has been implemented with the aid of a Fortran computer program.

Hicks, R. G.↗

Mixer Analysis of Nacelle/Nozzle Flow

Flow over idealized nozzle computed. Analysis and computer program calculate flow over idealized mixer nozzle. Nozzle idealized by unwrapping it so planform lies in z=O plane. Linearized compresible flow used to calculate flow and mixer shape given loading on mixer. End goal to achieve maximum amount of mixing downstream of mixer while retaining reasonable shape for mixer. Because analysis assumes linearized flow, calculation of effects of deep lobe penetration cannot be made using this program.

Barber, T. J.↗

Comparison of measured and predicted performance of a SIS waveguide mixer at 345 GHz

The measured gain and noise of a SIS waveguide mixer at 345 GHz have been compared with theoretical values, calculated from the quantum mixer theory using a three port model. As a mixing element, we use a series array of two Nb-Al2O3-Nb SIS junctions. The area of each junction is 0.8 sq microns and the normal state resistance is 52 omega. The embedding impedance of the mixer has been determined from the pumped DC-IV curves of the junction and is compared to results from scale model measurements (105 x). Good agreement was obtained. The measured mixer gain, however, is a factor of 0.45 plus or minus 0.5 lower than the theoretical predicted gain. The measured mixer noise temperature is a factor of 4-5 higher than the calculated one. These discrepancies are independent on pump power and are valid for a broad range of tuning conditions.

Honingh, C. E.↗

A 100 GHz Josephson mixer using resistively-shunted Nb tunnel junctions

The authors describe preliminary mixer results using resistively shunted Nb/AlO(x)/Nb tunnel junctions in a 100-GHz waveguide mixer mount. The mixer utilizes robust, lithographically defined devices which have nonhysteretic I-V curves. A receiver temperature of 390 K (DSB) has been obtained with a conversion loss of -6.5 dB. The receiver's behavior agrees qualitatively with the behavior predicted by the resistively shunted junction model. Substantial improvements in performance are expected with the use of better-optimized shunted junctions, and numerical simulations suggest that, if devices with higher ICRN (critical current-normal state resistance) products can be obtained, Josephson effect mixers could be competitive with SIS mixers at high frequencies.

Schoelkopf, R. J.↗

Noise and Bandwidth Measurements of Diffusion-Cooled Nb Hot-Electron Bolometer Mixers at Frequencies Above the Superconductive Energy Gap

Diffusion-cooled Nb hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers have the potential to simultaneously achieve high intermediate frequency (IF) bandwidths and low mixer noise temperatures for operation at THz frequencies (above the superconductive gap energy). We have measured the IF signal bandwidth at 630 GHz of Nb devices with lengths L = 0.3, 0.2, and 0.1 micrometer in a quasioptical mixer configuration employing twin-slot antennas. The 3-dB EF bandwidth increased from 1.2 GHz for the 0.3 gm long device to 9.2 GHz for the 0.1 gm long device. These results demonstrate the expected 1/L squared dependence of the IF bandwidth at submillimeter wave frequencies for the first time, as well as the largest EF bandwidth obtained to date. For the 0.1 gm device, which had the largest bandwidth, the double sideband (DSB) noise temperature of the receiver was 320-470 K at 630 GHz with an absorbed LO power of 35 nW, estimated using the isothermal method. A version of this mixer with the antenna length scaled for operation at 2.5 THz has also been tested. A DSB receiver noise temperature of 1800 plus or minus 100 K was achieved, which is about 1,000 K lower than our previously reported results. These results demonstrate that large EF bandwidth and low-noise operation of a diffusion-cooled HEB mixer is possible at THz frequencies with the same device geometry.

Wyss, R. A.↗

A Low-Noise NbTiN Hot Electron Bolometer Mixer

Hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer elements, based on niobium titanium nitride (NbTiN) thin film technology, have been fabricated on crystalline quartz substrates over a 20 nm thick AlN buffer layer. The film was patterned by optical lithography, yielding bolometer elements that measure about 1 micrometer long and between 2 and 12 micrometers wide. These mixer chips were mounted in a fixed-tuned waveguide mixer block, and tested in the 600 and 800 GHz frequency range. The 3-dB output bandwidth of these mixers was determined to be about 2.5 GHz and we measured a receiver noise temperature of 270 K at 630 GHz using an intermediate frequency of 1.5 GHz. The receiver has excellent amplitude stability and the noise temperature measurements are highly repeatable. An 800 GHz receiver incorporating one of these mixer chips has recently been installed at the Sub-Millimeter Telescope in Arizona for field test and for astronomical observations.

Tong, C. Edward↗

Lobed Mixer Design for Noise Suppression Acoustic and Aerodynamic Test Data Analysis

A comprehensive database for the acoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of several model-scale lobe mixers of bypass ratio 5 to 6 has been created for mixed jet speeds up to 1080 ft/s at typical take-off (TO) conditions of small-to-medium turbofan engines. The flight effect was simulated for Mach numbers up to 0.3. The static thrust performance and plume data were also obtained at typical TO and cruise conditions. The tests were done at NASA Lewis anechoic dome and ASK's FluiDyne Laboratories. The effect of several lobe mixer and nozzle parameters, such as, lobe scalloping, lobe count, lobe penetration and nozzle length was examined in terms of flyover noise at constant altitude. Sound in the nozzle reference frame was analyzed to understand the source characteristics. Several new concepts, mechanisms and methods are reported for such lobed mixers, such as, "boomerang" scallops, "tongue" mixer, detection of "excess" internal noise sources, and extrapolation of flyover noise data from one flight speed to different flight speeds. Noise reduction of as much as 3 EPNdB was found with a deeply scalloped mixer compared to annular nozzle at net thrust levels of 9500 lb for a 29 in. diameter nozzle after optimizing the nozzle length.

Mengle, Vinod G.↗

Acoustic and Laser Doppler Anemometer Results for Confluent, 22-Lobed, and Unique-Lobed Mixer Exhaust Systems for Subsonic Jet Noise Reduction

The objective of this task was to develop a design methodology and noise reduction concepts for high bypass exhaust systems which could be applied to both existing production and new advanced engine designs. Special emphasis was given to engine cycles with bypass ratios in the range of 4:1 to 7:1, where jet mixing noise was a primary noise source at full power takeoff conditions. The goal of this effort was to develop the design methodology for mixed-flow exhaust systems and other novel noise reduction concepts that would yield 3 EPNdB noise reduction relative to 1992 baseline technology. Two multi-lobed mixers, a 22-lobed axisymmetric and a 21-lobed with a unique lobe, were designed. These mixers along with a confluent mixer were tested with several fan nozzles of different lengths with and without acoustic treatment in GEAE's Cell 41 under the current subtask (Subtask C). In addition to the acoustic and LDA tests for the model mixer exhaust systems, a semi-empirical noise prediction method for mixer exhaust system is developed. Effort was also made to implement flowfield data for noise prediction by utilizing MGB code. In general, this study established an aero and acoustic diagnostic database to calibrate and refine current aero and acoustic prediction tools.

Salikuddin, M.↗

Phased-Array Study of Dual-Flow Jet Noise: Effect of Nozzles and Mixers

A 16-microphone linear phased-array installed parallel to the jet axis and a 32-microphone azimuthal phased-array installed in the nozzle exit plane have been applied to identify the noise source distributions of nozzle exhaust systems with various internal mixers (lobed and axisymmetric) and nozzles (three different lengths). Measurements of velocity were also obtained using cross-stream stereo particle image velocimetry (PIV). Among the three nozzle lengths tested, the medium length nozzle was the quietest for all mixers at high frequency on the highest speed flow condition. Large differences in source strength distributions between nozzles and mixers occurred at or near the nozzle exit for this flow condition. The beamforming analyses from the azimuthal array for the 12-lobed mixer on the highest flow condition showed that the core flow and the lobe area were strong noise sources for the long and short nozzles. The 12 noisy spots associated with the lobe locations of the 12-lobed mixer with the long nozzle were very well detected for the frequencies 5 KHz and higher. Meanwhile, maps of the source strength of the axisymmetric splitter show that the outer shear layer was the most important noise source at most flow conditions. In general, there was a good correlation between the high turbulence regions from the PIV tests and the high noise source regions from the phased-array measurements.

Soo Lee, Sang↗

An Integrated 520-600 GHz Sub-Harmonic Mixer and Tripler Combination Based on GaAs MMIC Membrane Planar Schottky Diodes

We present here the design, development and test of an integrated sub-millimeter front-end featuring a 520-600 GHz sub-harmonic mixer and a 260-300 GHz frequency tripler in a single cavity. Both devices used GaAs MMIC membrane planar Schottky diode technology. The sub-harmonic mixer/tripler circuit has been tested using conventional machined as well as silicon micro-machined blocks. Measurement results on the metal block give best DSB mixer noise temperature of 2360 K and conversion losses of 7.7 dB at 520 GHz. Preliminary results on the silicon micro-machined blocks give a DSB mixer noise temperature of 4860 K and conversion losses of 12.16 dB at 540 GHz. The LO input power required to pump the integrated tripler/sub-harmonic mixer for both packages is between 30 and 50 mW.

Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit, (MMIC)↗

Noise tests of a mixer nozzle-externally blown flap system

Noise tests were conducted on a large scale model of an externally blown flap lift augmentation system, employing a mixer nozzle. The mixer nozzle consisted of seven flow passages with a total equivalent diameter of 40 centimeters. With the flaps in the 30 - 60 deg setting, the noise level below the wing was less with the mixer nozzle than when a standard circular nozzle was used. At the 10 - 20 deg flap setting, the noise levels were about the same when either nozzle was used. With retracted flaps, the noise level was higher when the mixer nozzle was used.

Goodykoontz, J. H.↗

Conversion loss and noise of microwave and millimeter-wave mixers. I - Theory. II - Experiment

The conversion loss and noise of microwave and millimeter-wave mixers are analyzed. Nonlinear capacitance, arbitrary embedding impedances, as well as shot, thermal and scattering noise arising in the diode, figure in the analysis. The anomalous mixer noise noted in millimeter-wave mixers by Kerr (1975) is shown to be explainable in terms of the correlation of down-converted components of the time-varying shot noise. A digital computer analysis of the conversion loss, noise, and output impedance of an 80-120-GHz mixer is also conducted.

Held, D. N.↗

Scale model performance test investigation of exhaust system mixers for an Energy Efficient Engine /E3/ propulsion system

A scale model performance test was conducted as part of the NASA Energy Efficient Engine (E3) Program, to investigate the geometric variables that influence the aerodynamic design of exhaust system mixers for high-bypass, mixed-flow engines. Mixer configuration variables included lobe number, penetration and perimeter, as well as several cutback mixer geometries. Mixing effectiveness and mixer pressure loss were determined using measured thrust and nozzle exit total pressure and temperature surveys. Results provide a data base to aid the analysis and design development of the E3 mixed-flow exhaust system.

Kuchar, A. P.↗

Experimental evaluation of exhaust mixers for an Energy Efficient Engine

Static scale model tests were conducted to evaluate exhaust system mixers for a high bypass ratio engine as part of the NASA sponsored Energy Efficient program. Gross thrust coefficients were measured for a series of mixer configurations which included variations in the number of mixer lobes, tailpipe length, mixer penetration, and length. All of these parameters have a significant impact on exhaust system performance. In addition, flow visualization pictures and pressure/temperature traverses were obtained for selected configurations. Parametric performance trends are discussed and the results considered relative to the Energy Efficient Engine program goals.

Kozlowski, H.↗

Mixing effectiveness test of an exhaust gas mixer in a high bypass turbofan at altitude

Thermal mixing effectiveness characteristics of an eighteen lobe, scalloped and unscalloped, partial, forced mixer were measured in a high-bypass turbofan engine. Data were also obtained without the mixer installed, i.e., free mixing. Tests were conducted at four combinations of simulated flight conditions from 0.3 to 0.8 Mach number and from 6,096 meters (20,000 ft) to 13,715 m (45,000 ft) altitude, mixing chamber lengths of L/D=0.52 and 0.65 were tested. For this range of test conditions and mixer configurations, the forced mixing effectiveness varied from 59 to 68 percent. Values of mixing effectiveness and total pressure loss were calculated from temperature and pressure data obtained at the mixer inlet and exhaust nozzle exit.

Cullom, R. R.↗

Mixing effectiveness test of an exhaust gas mixer in a high bypass turbofan at altitude

Thermal mixing effectiveness characteristics of an eighteen lobe, scalloped and unscalloped, partial, forced mixer were measured in a high-bypass turbofan engine. Data were also obtained without the mixer installed, i.e. free mixing. Tests were conducted at four combinations of simulated flight conditions from 0.3 to 0.8 Mach number and from 6,096 meters (20,000 ft) to 13,715 m (45,000 ft) altitude. Mixing chamber lengths of L/D = 0.52 and 0.65 were tested. For this range of test conditions and mixer configurations the forced mixing effectiveness varied from 59 to 68 percent. Values of mixing effectiveness and total pressure loss were calculated from temperature and pressure data obtained at the mixer inlet and exhaust nozzle exit.

Cullom, R. R.↗

Mixer nozzle aeroacoustic characteristics for the energy efficient engine

Aeroacoustic tests are conducted on scale model mixer nozzle configurations, a separate flow nozzle, and a baseline conical nozzle in an anechoic chamber free-jet facility to investigate exhaust system designs. Far-field acoustic data and exhaust jet plume aerodynamic data are obtained for various combinations of exhaust jet velocity and simulated flight speed, with corrected microphone data at a constant 12.2 m arc distance, and scaled acoustic data at a sideline distance of 457 m. It is found that jet plume aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics of lobed mixer exhaust systems are similar to those of a conical nozzle operating at the same specific thrust, although differences occur at high frequencies, where the sound pressure level of the mixer nozzle is 1-5 dB higher than that of a conical nozzle. In addition, no direct correlation is found between exit plane turbulence levels and plume development or acoustic characteristics for mixer exhaust configurations.

Gliebe, P. R.↗