SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Phased Arrays”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 1,207 records · Page 67

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2014

Micro-Spec: an Integrated, Direct-Detection Spectrometer for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Astronomy

The far-infrared and submillimeter portions of the electromagnetic spectrum provide a unique view of the astrophysical processes present in the early universe. Our ability to fully explore this rich spectral region has been limited, however, by the size and cost of the cryogenic spectrometers required to carry out such measurements. Micro-Spec (u-Spec) is a high-sensitivity, direct-detection spectrometer concept working in the 450-1000 micromillimeter wavelength range which will enable a wide range of flight missions that would otherwise be challenging due to the large size of current instruments with the required spectral resolution and sensitivity. The spectrometer design utilizes two internal antenna arrays, one for transmitting and one for receiving, superconducting microstrip transmission lines for power division and phase delay, and an array of microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) to achieve these goals. The instrument will be integrated on a approximately 10 square cm silicon chip and can therefore become an important capability under the low background conditions accessible via space and high-altitude borne platforms. In this paper, an optical design methodology for Micro-Spec is presented, with particular attention given to its twodimensional diffractive region, where the light of different wavelengths is focused on the different detectors. The method is based on the maximization of the instrument resolving power and minimization of the RMS phase error on the instrument focal plane. This two-step optimization can generate geometrical configurations given specific requirements on spectrometer size, operating spectral range and performance. A point design with resolving power of 257, an RMS phase error less than 0.1 radians and four stigmatic points was developed for initial demonstration and will be the basis of future instruments with resolving power up to about 1200.

microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs)↗

NASA NTRS2014

Micro-spec: an Integrated Direct-detection Spectrometer for Far-infrared Space Telescopes

The far-infrared and submillimeter portions of the electromagnetic spectrum provide a unique view of the astrophysical processes present in the early universe. Our ability to fully explore this rich spectral region has been limited, however, by the size and cost of the cryogenic spectrometers required to carry out such measurements.Micro-Spec (μ-Spec) is a high-sensitivity, direct-detection spectrometer concept working in the 450-1000 (micrometers) wavelength range which will enable a wide range of flight missions that would otherwise be challenging due tothe large size of current instruments with the required spectral resolution and sensitivity. The spectrometer design utilizes two internal antenna arrays, one for transmitting and one for receiving, superconducting microstrip transmission lines for power division and phase delay, and an array of microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) to achieve these goals. The instrument will be integrated on a approximately 10 sq cm silicon chip and can therefore become an important capability under the low background conditions accessible via space and high-altitude borne platforms. In this paper, an optical design methodology for micro-Spec is presented, with particular attention given to its two-dimensional diffractive region, where the light of different wavelengths is focused on the different detectors. The method is based on the maximization of the instrument resolving power and minimization of the RMS phase error on the instrument focal plane. This two-step optimization can generate geometrical configurations given specific requirements on spectrometer size, operating spectral range and performance.Two point designs with resolving power of 260 and 520 and an RMS phase error less than approximately 0.004 radians were developed for initial demonstration and will be the basis of future instruments with resolving power up to about 1200.

Far-infrared↗

NASA NTRS2008

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2008

Topics covered include: WRATS Integrated Data Acquisition System; Breadboard Signal Processor for Arraying DSN Antennas; Digital Receiver Phase Meter; Split-Block Waveguide Polarization Twist for 220 to 325 GHz; Nano-Multiplication-Region Avalanche Photodiodes and Arrays; Tailored Asymmetry for Enhanced Coupling to WGM Resonators; Disabling CNT Electronic Devices by Use of Electron Beams; Conical Bearingless Motor/Generators; Integrated Force Method for Indeterminate Structures; Carbon-Nanotube-Based Electrodes for Biomedical Applications; Compact Directional Microwave Antenna for Localized Heating; Using Hyperspectral Imagery to Identify Turfgrass Stresses; Shaping Diffraction-Grating Grooves to Optimize Efficiency; Low-Light-Shift Cesium Fountain without Mechanical Shutters; Magnetic Compensation for Second-Order Doppler Shift in LITS; Nanostructures Exploit Hybrid-Polariton Resonances; Microfluidics, Chromatography, and Atomic-Force Microscopy; Model of Image Artifacts from Dust Particles; Pattern-Recognition System for Approaching a Known Target; Orchestrator Telemetry Processing Pipeline; Scheme for Quantum Computing Immune to Decoherence; Spin-Stabilized Microsatellites with Solar Concentrators; Phase Calibration of Antenna Arrays Aimed at Spacecraft; Ring Bus Architecture for a Solid-State Recorder; and Image Compression Algorithm Altered to Improve Stereo Ranging.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

Phase control and beam steering of semiconductor laser arrays

The operational principles and a possible device configuration of one dimensional monolithically integrated semiconductor laser arrays are described. The output beam of the array can be electronically steered. Devices of the type can find applications in optical communication systems where the power levels needed are above the capability of a single laser device.

Katz, J.↗

DOE OSTI2024

SBIR Phase I Final Technical Report MODULAR NEUTRON DETECTOR ARRAY FOR PROTEIN CRYSTALLOGRAPHY BEAM LINES Award Number DE-SC0024828 Prepared for U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, SC-1 For the Period July 22, 2024 – April 21, 2025 Report Date November 22, 2024 Submitted by Vivek V. Nagarkar, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Report Contributors Mr. Nicholas Anastasi, Dr. Charles Sosa, Dr. Jun Wang, Dr. Lakshmi Soundara Pandian and Dr. Vivek V. Nagarkar

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Nagarkar, Vivek V.↗

NASA NTRS1973

PLZT block data composers operated in differential phase mode

The use of PLZT ceramics with the 7/65/35 composition in block data composer (BDC) input devices for holographic memory systems has previously been described for operation in the strain biased, scattering, and edge effect modes. A new and promising mode of BDC operation is the differential phase mode in which each element of a matrix array BDC acts as a phase modulator. The phase modulation results from a phase difference in the optical path length between the electrically poled and depoled states of the PLZT. It is shown that a PLZT BDC can be used as a matrix-type phase modulator to record and process digital data by the differential phase mode in a holographic recording/processing system with readout contrast ratios of between 10:1 and 15:1. The differential phase mode has the advantages that strain bias is not required and that the thickness and strain variations in the PLZT are cancelled out.

Drake, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Carrier arraying: Revisited

Depending on the basis used for comparison, it is possible to predict different gains when applying carrier arraying to a conventional coherent receiver. In the past, the specific performance comparisons were made between the arrayed and nonarrayed cases assuming a fixed carrier-tracking closed-loop bandwidth. While the notion of loop bandwidth for the nonarrayed loop with a single input is well defined and meaningful, the comparable notion for an arrayed loop with multiple inputs is not uniquely defined since it depends on the knowledge of the statistical relation, e.g., degree of correlation, among the various antenna inputs. To circumvent the need for such knowledge, which is often not completely available, we suggest in this article an alternate criterion for comparing arrayed and nonarrayed loops, namely, fixed steady-state phase error, which, in the arrayed case, is independent of the statistical relation among the antenna inputs. We show that, in this case, the gain derived from carrier arraying is quite different from that obtained under the assumption of fixed-loop bandwidth, which suggests that one should exercise care when comparing arrayed and unarrayed loops in that the criterion used for comparison should be directly applicable to the situation at hand.

Simon, M. K.↗

DOE OSTI2024

X-ray Irradiance Distribution for an Interferometer with a Curved Biprism Array

The development of interferometry-based X-ray phase contrast imaging systems that provide highly resolved X-rays with spatially-modulated intensity is enabling the full potential of X-ray optics to image phase, attenuation, and small angle scatter properties of soft tissue. In this work we present analytical formulations of a new hardware concept for X-ray phase contrast imaging wherein the phase grating is replaced with an array of Fresnel biprisms. We derive expressions for the irradiance distribution pattern of a biprism interferometer composed of a curved biprism array with multiple biprisms and multiple point sources. These expressions are used to plot fringe patterns for X-ray design parameters, including 1) size, number, and period of X-ray point sources; 2) biprism parameters of material composition, angle, number, and period; and 3) biprism array to X-ray source and detector distances. Analytical results show that the biprism interferometer provides a longitudinally-nonperiodic pattern of spatially modulated intensity different from the Talbot longitudinally-periodic pattern common in grating interferometry. The curvature of the biprism array brings a sharper longitudinal fringe pattern. Experiments are being performed to verify the analytical calculations for a biprism plastic material of SU-8 using a synchrotron source. X-ray biprism material has widely varied indexes of refraction relative to wavelength and thus the separation of the virtual sources and resulting interference fringe period also varies with X-ray wavelength. Our aim is to develop biprism interferometry imaging systems with excellent polychromatic performance that produce high-contrast fringes with spatially incoherent X-ray illumination. Biprism interferometry will potentially provide higher fringe visibility with better image quality to that of diffraction grating interferometry.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

NASA NTRS1992

Developing an Inflatable Solar Array

Viewgraphs describing the development of an inflatable solar array as part of the Inflatable Torus Solar Array Technology (ITSAT) program are presented. Program phases, overall and subsystem designs, and array deployment are addressed.

Malone, Patrick K.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Small-angle scattering interferometry with neutron orbital angular momentum states

Methods to prepare and characterize neutron helical waves carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) were recently demonstrated at small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) facilities. These methods enable access to the neutron orbital degree of freedom which provides new avenues of exploration in fundamental science experiments as well as in material characterization applications. However, it remains a challenge to recover phase profiles from SANS measurements. We introduce and demonstrate a novel neutron interferometry technique for extracting phase information that is typically lost in SANS measurements. An array of reference beams, with complementary structured phase profiles, are put into a coherent superposition with the array of object beams, thereby manifesting the phase information in the far-field intensity profile. We demonstrate this by resolving petal-structure signatures of helical wave interference for the first time: an implementation of the long-sought recovery of phase information from small-angle scattering measurements.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

NASA NTRS1974

Space Shuttle S-band antenna system

The NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter presents some very challenging antenna design problems for the S-band Orbiter to ground and Orbiter to relay satellite communications links. The line of sight to the ground and/or relay satellite during the various mission phases dictates an almost omni-directional coverage requirement, but the circuit margins require at least a 3 dB gain over this same coverage region. In addition, the environmental conditions imposed by the Orbiter mission dictate a flush mounted rugged antenna design. A number of potential antenna designs have been evaluated and found not to meet the Orbiter requirements. A small passive array of cavity backed spirals was found to offer the most potential to meet the design requirements. New circuit margin requirements presently under study have forced the consideration of the use of an active transmit/receive phased array design that considerably complicates the antenna design, but provides more than 10 dB of additional gain for circuit margin improvement.

Walton, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS2009

An Amplitude-Based Estimation Method for International Space Station (ISS) Leak Detection and Localization Using Acoustic Sensor Networks

The development of a robust and efficient leak detection and localization system within a space station environment presents a unique challenge. A plausible approach includes the implementation of an acoustic sensor network system that can successfully detect the presence of a leak and determine the location of the leak source. Traditional acoustic detection and localization schemes rely on the phase and amplitude information collected by the sensor array system. Furthermore, the acoustic source signals are assumed to be airborne and far-field. Likewise, there are similar applications in sonar. In solids, there are specialized methods for locating events that are used in geology and in acoustic emission testing that involve sensor arrays and depend on a discernable phase front to the received signal. These methods are ineffective if applied to a sensor detection system within the space station environment. In the case of acoustic signal location, there are significant baffling and structural impediments to the sound path and the source could be in the near-field of a sensor in this particular setting.

Tian, Jialin↗

NASA NTRS2022

Orbiting Laser Configuration and Sky Coverage: Coherent Reference for Breakthrough Starshot Ground-based Laser Array

We present the concept of using an orbiting laser as a coherent optical reference to phase a several kilometer diameter array of ground-based lasers designed to accelerate interstellar nano-spacecraft to 20% light-speed using laser propulsion. We investigate the geometrical and temporal constraints for the initial case of the target star Proxima b in the Alpha Centauri system using a laser ground site in the southern hemisphere. Based on these constraints, we detail requirements for the mission architecture for an orbiting laser to be used as an optical reference. We then present two orbits that can meet all given requirements and represent a range of engagement times and days between engagements. We also present a range of orbits with periods from 3 to 4 days and engagement times from 660 to 800 s. If desired, the orbit can be matched to the sidereal day, so each orbit period, the beacon can align with the ground station and the same target star without maneuvers. A discussion of the tradeoff between the Earth-based site latitude, time on engagement, and days between engagements is presented.

Breakthrough Starshot; interstellar spacecraft; co↗

NASA NTRS2017

Preliminary Aeroacoustic Measurements of In-Flow Reference Arrays and Sources at ARC

This presentation will review progress in recent testing of in-flow reference arrays and sources for aeroacoustic research testing at NASA aerodynamic centers. The sources were speakers and a multiple air jet source in an aerodynamic fairing, placed in the test section of the Army 7x10 untreated wind tunnel at ARC. The array used was an 8D, 24 element pattern in a similar aerodynamic fairing.

phased microphone arrays↗

DOE OSTI2021

Subdimensional criticality: Condensation of lineons and planons in the X-cube model

We study quantum phase transitions out of the fracton ordered phase of the Z N X-cube model. These phase transitions occur when various types of subdimensional excitations and their composites are condensed. The condensed phases are either trivial paramagnets, or are built from stacks of D = 2 or 3 deconfined gauge theories, where D is the spatial dimension. Here, the nature of the phase transitions depends on the excitations being condensed. Upon condensing dipolar bound states of fractons or lineons, for N ≥ 4 we find stable critical points described by decoupled stacks of D = 2 conformal field theories. Upon condensing lineon excitations, when N > 4 we find a gapless phase intermediate between the X-cube and condensed phases, described as an array of D = 1 conformal field theories. In all these cases, effective subsystem symmetries arise from the mobility constraints on the excitations of the X-cube phase and play an important role in the analysis of the phase transitions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

NASA NTRS2011

Large Ka-Band Slot Array for Digital Beam-Forming Applications

This work describes the development of a large Ka Band Slot Array for the Glacier and Land Ice Surface Topography Interferometer (GLISTIN), a proposed spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar for topographic mapping of ice sheets and glaciers. GLISTIN will collect ice topography measurement data over a wide swath with sub-seasonal repeat intervals using a Ka-band digitally beamformed antenna. For technology demonstration purpose a receive array of size 1x1 m, consisting of 160x160 radiating elements, was developed. The array is divided into 16 sticks, each stick consisting of 160x10 radiating elements, whose outputs are combined to produce 16 digital beams. A transmit array stick was also developed. The antenna arrays were designed using Elliott's design equations with the use of an infinite-array mutual-coupling model. A Floquet wave model was used to account for external coupling between radiating slots. Because of the use of uniform amplitude and phase distribution, the infinite array model yielded identical values for all radiating elements but for alternating offsets, and identical coupling elements but for alternating positive and negative tilts. Waveguide-fed slot arrays are finding many applications in radar, remote sensing, and communications applications because of their desirable properties such as low mass, low volume, and ease of design, manufacture, and deployability. Although waveguide-fed slot arrays have been designed, built, and tested in the past, this work represents several advances to the state of the art. The use of the infinite array model for the radiating slots yielded a simple design process for radiating and coupling slots. Method of moments solution to the integral equations for alternating offset radiating slots in an infinite array environment was developed and validated using the commercial finite element code HFSS. For the analysis purpose, a method of moments code was developed for an infinite array of subarrays. Overall the 1x1 m array was found to be successful in meeting the objectives of the GLISTIN demonstration antenna, especially with respect to the 0.042deg, 1/10th of the beamwidth of each stick, relative beam alignment between sticks.

Rengarajan, Sembiam↗

NASA NTRS1984

Chirped arrays of diode lasers for supermode control

Nonuniform structures of phase-locked diode lasers, which make it possible to discriminate efficiently against all the higher order array supermodes (lateral modes) are proposed. In these nonuniform arrays, the effective mode index in each channel varies across the array. Consequently, the envelopes of the various supermodes, including the highest order one, differ significantly from each other. Thus, by proper tailoring of the gain distribution across the array, one can conveniently select the fundamental supermode. Such fundamental supermode oscillation is essential in order to obtain single lobe, diffraction limited beams and minimal spectal spread from phase-locked laser arrays.

Kapon, E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

SPS fiber optic link assessment

Fiber optic technology was selected in the SPS baseline design to transmit a stable phase reference throughout the microwave array. Over a hundred thousand microwave modules are electronically steered by the phase reference signal to form the power beam at the ground receiving station. The initially selected IF distribution frequency of the phase reference signal was set at 980 MHz or a submultiple of it. Fiber optics offers some significant advantages in view of the SPS application. Optical transmission is highly immume to EMI/RFI, which is expected to be severe when considering the low distribution power. In addition, there will be savings in both mass, physical size, and potentially in cost.

Lindsay, T. O.↗