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At least 55 records · Page 3

System for a displaying at a remote station data generated at a central station and for powering the remote station from the central station

A system for displaying at a remote station data generated at a central station and for powering the remote station from the central station is presented. A power signal is generated at the central station and time multiplexed with the data and then transmitted to the remote station. An energy storage device at the remote station is responsive to the transmitted power signal to provide energizing power for the circuits at the remote station during the time interval data is being transmitted to the remote station. Energizing power for the circuits at the remote station is provided by the power signal itself during the time this signal is transmitted. Preferably the energy storage device is a capacitor which is charged by the power signal during the time the power is transmitted and is slightly discharged during the time the data is transmitted to energize the circuits at the remote station.

Perry, J. C.↗

Vision inspection system and method

An optical vision inspection system (4) and method for multiplexed illuminating, viewing, analyzing and recording a range of characteristically different kinds of defects, depressions, and ridges in a selected material surface (7) with first and second alternating optical subsystems (20, 21) illuminating and sensing successive frames of the same material surface patch. To detect the different kinds of surface features including abrupt as well as gradual surface variations, correspondingly different kinds of lighting are applied in time-multiplexed fashion to the common surface area patches under observation.

Huber, Edward D.↗

Multimission spacecraft Dataplexer

The data multiplexing unit described is a low-power small-size building-block-type central data system designed for use on such spacecraft as the International Ultraviolet Explorer or the International Sun-Earth Explorer. Preprogrammed read-only memories are used to generate the telemetry format tailored to particular mission requirements. Low weight and low power dissipation are achieved with the aid of PMOS technology. The use of subcommutators in groups to meet particular spacecraft requirements allows low data rate experiments to be time-multiplexed into a single main input channel, to improve data collection and processing operations. The block diagram of the Dataplexer is discussed.

Cosme, R.↗

Multiple Uplinks Per Antenna (MUPA) Signal Acquisition Schemes

The Deep Space Network (DSN) currently makes use of the technique of Multiple Spacecraft per Antenna (MSPA) where a single antenna is used to track multiple spacecraft downlinks within its beam, such as in the case of multiple spacecraft orbiting Mars at 8.4 GHz (X-band). It is desired to extend this technique to the uplink where a single station is used to send a signal to multiple spacecraft in order to make more efficient use of ground resources. This would be applicable to numerous smallsat constellations being considered for future missions or to future spacecraft at Venus, Mars, or more distant destinations that are all within the half-power beamwidth of a single 34-m diameter antenna. In one scheme, each spacecraft’s command sequences would be time multiplexed onto a single uplink frequency. Each spacecraft would lock onto the uplink signal and would accept only commands intended for it via special identifier codes. Each spacecraft would also emit a downlink signal to the ground that is coherent with the uplink signal but would have its own allocated frequency channel and identifier information. A couple of key challenges associated with using this technique need to be addressed. Because of the single uplink frequency, coherent turnaround for two-way Doppler and ranging would not conform to established ratios, thus the radios employed by the spacecraft would need to be capable of variable turnaround ratios. In addition, because of the different orbits or spacecraft trajectories, the relative Doppler shifts and rates can be large with respect to the common uplink signal whose frequency would lie at the centroid of the frequencies of the expected received signals of the constellation. This would be problematic with standard analog spacecraft radios whose acquisition bandwidths are relatively small (~1.7 kHz) relative to the large frequency offsets (~100 kHz) expected using the single frequency uplink technique. With the advent of software defined radios (SDRs), signal frequency search algorithms can be utilized within the flight software and/or programmable hardware (e.g., FPGAs) that can easily acquire and track signals with large frequency offsets and varying dynamics. Such techniques could include FFT search algorithms, step-and-sweep search algorithms, or onboard frequency steering making use of trajectory vectors uplinked to each member spacecraft. Other challenges include mitigation of potential interference between received signals. We have identified several software defined radios that are in different stages of development and whose key parameters have been tabulated. We have examined each radio’s capabilities with respect to acquiring and tracking signals with large frequency offsets. Such analyses made use of previous studies supplemented with specially designed tests using both simulation tools and/or existing testbeds. We have compared signal acquisition times computed from provided algorithms along with measured values derived from tests using existing hardware and simulation tools for the purpose of conducting tradeoff studies between the various radio designs and software/firmware programming approaches.

Abraham, Douglas S.↗

Security warning system monitors up to fifteen remote areas simultaneously

Security warning system consisting of 15 television cameras is capable of monitoring several remote or unoccupied areas simultaneously. The system uses a commutator and decommutator, allowing time-multiplexed video transmission. This security system could be used in industrial and retail establishments.

Fusco, R. C.↗

Job-mix modeling and system analysis of an aerospace multiprocessor.

An aerospace guidance computer organization, consisting of multiple processors and memory units attached to a central time-multiplexed data bus, is described. A job mix for this type of computer is obtained by analysis of Apollo mission programs. Multiprocessor performance is then analyzed using: 1) queuing theory, under certain 'limiting case' assumptions; 2) Markov process methods; and 3) system simulation. Results of the analyses indicate: 1) Markov process analysis is a useful and efficient predictor of simulation results; 2) efficient job execution is not seriously impaired even when the system is so overloaded that new jobs are inordinately delayed in starting; 3) job scheduling is significant in determining system performance; and 4) a system having many slow processors may or may not perform better than a system of equal power having few fast processors, but will not perform significantly worse.

Mallach, E. G.↗

Smoke Plume Analysis Using Fan-beam and Single-beam Radiometers

Smoke plume data were taken using the stacks of the Mills Road Steam Plant on Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. The fan-beam unit was placed approximately 235 meters east of the Mills Road Steam Plant, and the single-beam unit was placed approximately 80 meters north of the fan-beam unit. Results of the smoke plume measurements indicate that the smoke plume is a periodic process near the mouth of the smokestack. The usefulness of the system is limited because of inaccurate and cumbersome positioning methods and base line constraints due to cable length. It is recommended that the radiometers be mounted on pedestals which have both azimuth and elevation positions determined by digitally controlled stepper drive motors. It is also recommended that a time multiplex system be used to transmit data from the radiometers to the electronics van.

Dodd, J. L.↗

Propeller modulation effects on a scanning-beam microwave landing system

The results of a systems study and ground test of the effects of propeller modulation on a time-multiplexed, scanning-beam microwave landing system (MLS) are presented. Propeller modulation effects are analyzed in terms of spacing between receiving antenna and propeller, propeller blade width, and propeller speed. Principal study conclusions: (1) scanning beam MLS is susceptible to errors due to synchronous propeller modulation; (2) the number of synchronous interference multiples increases as the number of propeller blades increases and as the data rate decreases; (3) the probability of synchronous interference decreases at higher data rates; and (4) MLS receiver susceptibility to propeller modulation depends upon the dynamic response of the receiver automatic gain control and the respective tracking loops.

Pope, J. M.↗

The geostationary operational environmental satellite /GOES/ imaging communication system

The SMS/GOES Satellite obtains day and night weather information from synchronous geostationary orbit by means of (1) earth imaging, (2) collection of environmental data from ground based sensors, platforms, and (3) monitoring of the space environment. SMS-1 and SMS-2 have been in orbit for 17 months and 8 months, respectively, and are presently taking full earth disk images in the visible and infrared every 30 minutes. SMS-1 is positioned to cover the eastern portion of the U.S. while SMS-2 is positioned to cover the western portion. This paper provides a general overview of the imaging communication portions of the SMS/GOES, related to the image data encoding and transmission as well as the method of the data time multiplexing and the manner in which the scan line to line synchronization is achieved.

Baker, W. L.↗

Study to investigate and evaluate means of optimizing the Ku-band combined radar/communication functions for the space shuttle

The performance of the space shuttle orbiter's Ku-Band integrated radar and communications equipment is analyzed for the radar mode of operation. The block diagram of the rendezvous radar subsystem is described. Power budgets for passive target detection are calculated, based on the estimated values of system losses. Requirements for processing of radar signals in the search and track modes are examined. Time multiplexed, single-channel, angle tracking of passive scintillating targets is analyzed. Radar performance in the presence of main lobe ground clutter is considered and candidate techniques for clutter suppression are discussed. Principal system parameter drivers are examined for the case of stationkeeping at ranges comparable to target dimension. Candidate ranging waveforms for short range operation are analyzed and compared. The logarithmic error discriminant utilized for range, range rate and angle tracking is formulated and applied to the quantitative analysis of radar subsystem tracking loops.

Weber, C. L.↗

Bubble-domain detector

Bubble domain detector employs transformer coupling for data retrieval. Method makes multidetection practical by time multiplexing. Multiplexer matrices can be scaled in 4 by 4, 4 by 8, 4 by 16, or larger combinations without diode steering.

Stermer, R. L.↗

The 30/20 Gigahertz transponder study

Design features and performance parameters are described for three types of wideband multiple channel satellite transponders for use in a 30/20 GHz communications satellite, which provides high data rate trunking service to ten ground station terminals. The three types of transponder are frequency division multiplex (FDM), time division multiplex (TDM), and a hybrid transponder using a combination of FDM and TDM techniques. The wideband multiple beam trunking concept, the traffic distribution between the trunking terminals, and system design constraints are discussed. The receiver front end design, the frequency conversion scheme, and the local oscillator design are described including the thermal interface between the transponders and the satellite. The three designs are compared with regard to performance, weight, power, cost and initial technology. Simplified block diagrams of the baseline transponder designs are included.

Source record↗

Real-time multiple-look synthetic aperture radar processor for spacecraft applications

A spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) having pipeline multiple-look data processing is described which makes use of excessive azimuth bandwidth in radar echo signals to produce multiple-looking images. Time multiplexed single-look image lines from an azimuth correlator go through an energy analyzer which analyzes the mean energy in each separate look to determine the radar antenna electric boresight for use in generating the correct reference functions for the production of high quality SAR images. The multiplexed single look image lines also go through a registration delay to produce multi-look images.

Wu, C.↗

Triangular system solutions on an optical systolic processor

It is noted that the simplified system of equations presented by Casasent and Ghosh (1983) can also be solved optically. One realization of this is described, with attention given to data flow and speed for the case of a lower triangular system of equations. The solution of an upper triangular system of equations can be handled in analogous fashion. The problem requires a matrix-vector processor. Only one carrier frequency input to the acoustooptic cell and only one output detector are used. To multiply a matrix by a vector in this system, the time-multiplexed vector elements are fed into the acoustooptic cell.

Ghosh, A.↗

Low-frequency radio navigation system

A method of continuous wave navigation using four transmitters operating at sufficiently low frequencies to assure essentially pure groundwave operation is described. The transmitters are keyed to transmit constant bursts (1/4 sec) in a time-multiplexed pattern with phase modulation of at least one transmitter for identification of the transmitters and with the ability to identify the absolute phase of the modulated transmitter and the ability to modulate low rate data for transmission. The transmitters are optimally positioned to provide groundwave coverage over a service region of about 50 by 50 km for the frequencies selected in the range of 200 to 500 kHz, but their locations are not critical because of the beneficial effect of overdetermination of position of a receiver made possible by the fourth transmitter. Four frequencies are used, at least two of which are selected to provide optimal resolution. All transmitters are synchronized to an average phase as received by a monitor receiver.

Wallis, D. E.↗