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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.

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At least 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

The relationship of rain-induced cross-polarization discrimination to attenuation for 10 to 30 GHz earth-space radio links

Rain depolarization is quantified through the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) versus attenuation relationship. Such a relationship is derived by curve fitting to a rigorous theoretical model (the multiple scattering model) to determine the variation of the parameters involved. This simple isolation model (SIM) is compared to data from several earth-space link experiments and to three other models.

Stutzman, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Atmospheric attenuation for correlated satellite communication ground sites

Link margin estimates are calculated for 30/20 GHz satellite communication systems employing closely-spaced (4 to 100 km) 'dual diversity' switched ground sites. The link margin estimates are based on a new analysis in which the bivariate rain attenuation density function for two correlated ground sites is modelled by an exponential density function. The results of the exponential density function analysis enable derivation of a direct relation between rain margin estimates and probability of exceedance (link availability). Margins typically in the range 2 to 12 dB are calculated for various ground site separations and summarized for seven city locations and five satellite orbit positions over the U.S. The results can be easily extended to other EHF satellite frequencies and other locations.

Christopher, P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

System performance of dual polarization satellite communication links affected by attenuation and depolarization

New models have been developed to analyze the performance of dual polarization frequency re-use links when affected simultaneously by attenuation and depolarization. The models have been used to determine the baseband signal to noise ratio for analog modulation links using FM and bit error rate for links using digital modulation (PSK). The methods are applicable to links using slant paths to satellites and also to terrestrial links.

Pratt, T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Strong fluctuation theory for scattering, attenuation, and transmission of microwaves through snowfall

The strong fluctuation theory is applied to the study of the atmospheric snowfall which is modeled as a layer of random discrete-scatterers medium. As functions of size distribution, fractional volume, and radius of scatterers, the relationship is illustrated between the reflectivity factor and precipitation rate, the attenuation of the centimeter and millimeter waves, and the line-of-sight transmission of coherent and incoherent wave components. The theoretical results are shown to match favorably with experimental data.

Jin, Y.-Q.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Models of weather effects on noise temperature and attenuation for Ka- and X-band telemetry performance analysis

Models that show the effects of weather on noise temperature and attenuation of deep space telemetry signals received by the Deep Space Network (DSN) at Ka- and X-band (32 and 8.5 GHz) are developed. These models were used to compare the performance of telemetry links at these two frequencies. The models build on an earlier 1982 model that used three months of water vapor radiometer measurements (31.4 GHz) at Goldstone, augmented with one year of radiosonde measurements made at Edwards Air Force Base. This 1986 model accounts for annual variations of rainfall and extends to a model for Canberra, Australia, and Madrid, Spain. The results show, for example, that at Ka-band, 30 degrees elevation angle, Goldstone weather adds less than 23 + or - 2 K to the system temperature 80% of the time, while Canberra or Madrid weather adds less than 32 + or - 5 K 80% of the time. At X-band, the comparable numbers are 5.1 + or - 0.2 K and 5.7 + or - 0.4 K. A simple analysis shows a substantial telemetry system signal-to-noise ratio advantage when operating at Ka-band compared to X-band.

Slobin, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Infrared Attenuation Of Thallium Bromoiodide Fibers

Report presents measurements of attenuation of infrared signals in unclad 381-micrometer-diameter optical fibers of thallium bromoiodide. Measurements of attentuation in TI(Br,I) fibers in wavelength ranges of 1.2 to 3.4 micrometer and 3 to 11 micrometer compare with those of two other groups of researchers.

Goebel, John↗
NASA NTRS1989

Calculation of solar attenuation coefficient using ACCOS V along a critical scattering path

An appraisal of the optical properties of the AVHRR is made for a proposed orbital trajectory which results in an unexpected solar stray-light path; i.e., bypassing the external scan mirror and Cassegrain telescope and proceeding directly to the inner conical baffle. This stray-light path is directed onto an internal beamsplitter which, in turn, is directly observed by the detectors. Stray-light analysis, as a goal, seeks to remove or minimize the influence of such critical scattering paths. The AVHRR path is evaluated using a standard optical ray-tracing program, ACCOS V. To determine the expected sensor degradation, a calculation of the expected attenuation coefficient of scattered sunlight in the AVHRR sensor is estimated based on this important critical scattering path.

Ames, Alan J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Active sound attenuation across a double wall structure

The possibility of achieving significant local and global sound attenuation across a flat double wall is demonstrated. It is also shown that sound can be prevented from entering the interior of a cabinlike environment. The approach used is unlike established active noise control techniques.

Grosveld, Ferdinand W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

X ray attenuation measurements for high-temperature materials characterization and in-situ monitoring of damage accumulation

The scope of this dissertation is to develop and apply x ray attenuation measurement systems that are capable of: (1) characterizing density variations in high-temperature materials, e.g., monolithic ceramics, ceramic and intermetallic matrix composites, and (2) noninvasively monitoring damage accumulation and failure sequences in ceramic matrix composites under room temperature tensile testing. This dissertation results in the development of: (1) a point scan digital radiography system, and (2) an in-situ x ray material testing system. Radiographic evaluation before, during, and after loading shows the effect of preexisting volume flaws on the fracture behavior of composites. Results show that x ray film radiography can monitor damage accumulation during tensile loading. Matrix cracking, fiber matrix debonding, fiber bridging, and fiber pullout are imaged throughout the tensile loading of the specimens. Further in-situ radiography is found to be a practical technique for estimating interfacial shear strength between the silicon carbide fibers and the reaction bonded silicon nitride matrix. It is concluded that pretest, in-situ, and post test x ray imaging can provide for greater understanding of ceramic matrix composite mechanical behavior.

Baaklini, George Y.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Attenuation of empennage buffet response through active control of damping using piezoelectric material

Dynamic response and damping data obtained from buffet studies conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel by using a simple, rigid model attached to spring supports are presented. The two parallel leaf spring supports provided a means for the model to respond in a vertical translation mode, thus simulating response in an elastic first bending mode. Wake-induced buffeting flow was created by placing an airfoil upstream of the model of that the wake of the airfoil impinged on the model. Model response was sensed by a strain gage mounted on one of the springs. The output signal from the strain gage was fed back through a control law implemented on a desktop computer. The processed signals were used to 'actuate' a piezoelectric bending actuator bonded to the other spring in such a way as to add damping as the model responded. The results of this 'proof-of-concept' study show that the piezoelectric actuator was effective in attenuating the wake-induced buffet response over the range of parameters investigated.

Heeg, Jennifer↗
NASA NTRS1992

Characterizations of the mirror attenuator mosaic - Solar diffuser plate

The mirror attenuator mosaic (MAM), a solar diffuser plate, was used for the flight calibration of the broadband shortwave (0.2-5-microns) and total (0.2 to greater than 200-microns) Earth Radiation Budget Experiment scanning thermistor bolometer radiometers. The MAM solar-reflecting surface consisted of a tightly packed array of vacuum-deposited aluminum, concave spherical mirrors, while its solar-absorbing surface consisted of black chrome. The effective reflectance of the MAM was constant to within +/- 2 percent after almost 2 years in orbit, a marked improvement over earlier solar diffusers.

Lee, Robert B., III↗
NASA NTRS1992

Wave attenuation in thick graphite/epoxy composites

The mechanics of wave attenuation in thick graphite/epoxy composites is examined in order to facilitate interpretation of the wave amplitudes recorded in ultrasonic experiments. The values of a small number of parameters are determined through comparison between calculated and measured waveforms for four specimens. The agreement between the measured and calculated waveforms are shown to be excellent in all four cases.

Mal, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Atmospheric attenuation length for relativistic solar protons

We compute the mean attenuation length lambda(f) in earth's atmosphere for the protons produced in the solar flare of 29 September, 1989. We use data obtained with three pairs of neutron monitors. The detectors in the pair have very similar values of the geomagnetic vertical cutoff rigidity R(0) and overlapping asymptotic cones of acceptance but they differ in terms of the altitudes of the observing sites. We apply the Wilson et al. (1967) method to compute the values of lambda(f) for the three representative pairs which cover a range of solar proton rigidities. The computed mean values of lambda(f) are significantly larger than the consensus value of (100 +/- 5) g/sq cm reported in the literature. Also, they exhibit a linear correlation with R(0).

Ahluwalia, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Underwing compression vortex attenuation device

A vortex attenuation device is presented which dissipates a lift-induced vortex generated by a lifting aircraft wing. The device consists of a positive pressure gradient producing means in the form of a compression panel attached to the lower surface of the wing and facing perpendicular to the airflow across the wing. The panel is located between the midpoint of the local wing cord and the trailing edge in the chord-wise direction and at a point which is approximately 55 percent of the wing span as measured from the fuselage center line in the spanwise direction. When deployed in flight, this panel produces a positive pressure gradient aligned with the final roll-up of the total vortex system which interrupts the axial flow in the vortex core and causes the vortex to collapse.

Patterson, James C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Optical attenuation mechanism upgrades, MOBLAS, and TLRS systems

This poster presentation describes the Optical Attenuation Mechanism (OAM) Upgrades to the MOBLAS and TLRS Crustal Dynamics Satellite Laser Ranging (CDSLR) systems. The upgrades were for the purposes of preparing these systems to laser range to the TOPEX/POSEIDON spacecraft when it will be launched in the summer of 1992. The OAM permits the laser receiver to operate over the expected large signal dynamic range from TOPEX/POSEIDON and it reduces the number of pre- and post-calibrations for each satellite during multi-satellite tracking operations. It further simplifies the calibration bias corrections that had been made due to the pass-to-pass variation of the photomultiplier supply voltage and the transmit filter glass thickness. The upgrade incorporated improvements to the optical alignment capability of each CDSLR system through the addition of a CCD camera into the MOBLAS receive telescope and an alignment telescope onto the TLRS optical table. The OAM is stepper motor and microprocessor based; and the system can be controlled either manually by a control switch panel or computer controlled via an EIA RS-232C serial interface. The OAM has a neutral density (ND) range of 0.0 to 4.0 and the positioning is absolute referenced in steps of 0.1 ND. Both the fixed transmit filter and the daylight filter are solenoid actuated with digital inputs and outputs to and from the OAM microprocessor. During automated operation, the operator has the option to overide the remote control and control the OAM system via a local control switch panel.

Eichinger, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1991

Brightness temperature and attenuation statistics at 20.6 and 31.65 GHz

Attenuation and brightness temperature statistics at 20.6 and 31.65 GHz are analyzed for a year's worth of data. The data were collected in 1988 at Denver and Platteville, Colorado. The locations are separated by 49 km. Single-station statistics are derived for the entire year. Quality control procedures are discussed and examples of their application are given.

Westwater, Edgeworth R.↗