Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “compaction banding”

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 127 records · Page 7

Fixed-frequency and Frequency-agile (au, HTS) Microstrip Bandstop Filters for L-band Applications

In this work, we report on the performance of a highly selective, compact 1.83 x 2.08 cm(exp 2) (approx. 0.72 x 0.82 in(exp 2) microstrip line bandstop filter of YBa2CU3O(7-delta) (YBCO) on LaAlO3 (LAO) substrate. The filter is designed for a center frequency of 1.623 GHz for a bandwidth at 3 dB from reference baseline of less than 5.15 MHz, and a bandstop rejection of 30 dB or better. The design and optimization of the filter was performed using Zeland's IE3D circuit simulator. The optimized design was used to fabricate gold (Au) and High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) versions of the filter. We have also studied an electronically tunable version of the same filter. Tunability of the bandstop characteristics is achieved by the integration of a thin film conductor (Au or HTS) and the nonlinear dielectric ferroelectric SrTiO3 in a conductor/ferroelectric/dielectric modified microstrip configuration. The performance of these filters and comparison with the simulated data will be presented.

Saenz, Eileen M.↗

DMSK Receiver For Mobile/Satellite Service

Receiver for 2.4-kbit/s differential minimum-shift keying (DMSK) and Gaussian minimum-shift keying(GMSK) suitable for communication between land-mobile stations via geostationary satellites. Operating on phase-shifted signal in 800-MHz band, in presence of fading and Doppler frequency shifts, receiver compact, makes efficient use of frequency spectrum, and wastes little power. Receiver design implemented in very-large-scale-integrated circuits. Basic DMSK receiver design relies on baseband rather than intermediate-frequency processing of in-phase and quadrature signal components because phase errors due to differential delays smaller at baseband.

Davarian, Faramaz↗

Hubble Space Telescope imaging of super-star clusters in NGC 1569 and NGC 1705

We examine the structural properties of three super-star clusters in the nearby, H I-rich galaxies NGC 1569 and NGC 1705. The clusters, which have total absolute V magnitudes between -13.3 and -14.1, appear to be point sources on ground-based images but are partially resolved in new images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Planetary Camera. From deconvolved V- and I-band images we find that the three clusters have very compact cores with extended halos that are partially resolved into individual stars. Using new distances to the galaxies derived from color-magnitude diagrams for field stars, we find that the half-light radii are 2.2-3.4 pc. The cluster in NGC 1705 is barely resolved in the HST images. The clusters in NGC 1569, on the other hand, show significant substructure in their cores and ellipticities that are comparable to the flattenings seen in young clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The clusters show internal (V-I) color gradients. The properties of these clusters are similar to R136, the core of the luminous star-forming complex 30 Doradus in the LMC, except that R136 has a lower luminosity and central surface brightness. The half-light surface brightness of the brightest cluster (NGC 1569 A) is 1.3 x 10(exp 6) L(sub v) solar/ sq cm, which is over 65 times higher than R136 and 1200 times higher than the mean rich LMC star cluster other than R136 after allowing for aging effects. The next brightest clusters in each of these galaxies are greater than or = 2 mag fainter. Thus, the super-star clusters represent an extreme but uncommon mode of star formation. In terms of luminosity and size, they appear to be good analogs of young globular clusters.

O'Connell, Robert W.↗

Explorer Program: X-ray Timing Explorer

This booklet describes the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE), one in a series of Explorer missions administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Office of Space Science and managed by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The X-ray astronomy observatory is scheduled for launch into low-Earth orbit by Delta 2 expendable launch vehicle in late summer of 1995. The mission is expected to operate for at least 2 years and will carry out in-depth timing and spectral studies of the X-ray sources in the 2 to 200 kilo-electron Volt (keV) range. XTE is intended to study the temporal and broad-band spectral phenomena associated with stellar and galactic systems containing compact objects, including neutron stars, white dwarfs, and black holes.

Source record↗

Conceptual Design Report -- eSPS

The design of a primary electron beam facility at CERN is described. It re-enables the SPS as an electron accelerator, and leverages the development invested in CLIC technology for its injector and as accelerator R&D infrastructure. The facility would be relevant for several of the key priorities in the 2020 update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics, such as an electron-positron(e-p) Higgs factory, accelerator R&D, dark sector physics, and neutrino physics. In addition, it could serve experiments in nuclear physics. The electron beam delivered by this facility would provide access to light dark matter production significantly beyond the targets predicted by a thermal dark matter origin, and for natures of dark matter particles that are not accessible by direct detection experiments. It would also enable electro-nuclear measurements crucial for precise modelling the energy dependence of neutrino-nucleus interactions, which is needed to precisely measure neutrino oscillations as a function of energy. The implementation of the facility is the natural next step in the development of X-band high-gradient acceleration technology, a key technology for compact and cost-effective electron/positron linacs. It would also become the only facility with multi-GeV drive bunches and truly independent electron witness bunches for plasma wakefield acceleration. The facility would be used for the development and studies of a large number of components and phenomena for a future e-p Higgs and electroweak factory as the first stage of a next circular collider at CERN, and its cavities in the SPS would be the same type as foreseen for such a future collider. The operation of the SPS with electrons would train a new generation of scientists. The facility could be made operational in about five years and would operate in parallel and without interference with Run 4 at the LHC.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

The Potential for a Ka-band (32 GHz) Worldwide VLBI Network

Ka-band (32 GHz, 9mm) Very Long Baseline Interferometric (VLBI) networking has now begun and has tremendous potential for expansion over the next few years. Ka-band VLBI astrometry from NASA's Deep Space Network has already developed a catalog of 470 observable sources with highly accurate positions. Now, several antennas worldwide are planning or are considering adding Ka-band VLBI capability. Thus, there is now an opportunity to create a worldwide Ka-band network with potential for high resolution imaging and astrometry. With baselines approaching a Giga-lambda, a Ka-band network would be able to probe source structure at the nano-radian (200 as) level ( 100X better than Hubble) and thus gain insight into the astrophysics of the most compact regions of emission in active galactic nuclei. We discuss the advantages of Ka-band, show the known sources and candidates, simulate projected baseline (uv) coverage, and discuss potential radio frequency feeds. The combination of these elements demonstrates the feasibility of a worldwide Ka network within the next few years!

quasar↗

Development of far infrared detection techniques

This grant supports the development of a variety of advanced far infrared detection techniques that will be used in future NASA missions such as the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). These studies span the wavelength region of 30-200 microns and include development of focal planes and electronics that would utilize them. Efforts reported here represent collaborations among the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory; Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories (LBL); and the University of California at Berkeley. The overall goal of this program is to demonstrate extremely high performance detectors for low background applications between 30-200 microns. For the 40-120 micron region, the program is developing a 32x32 filled detector array. Previous work has demonstrated the required performance with a Z-Plane array architecture; we are now upgrading construction facilities and techniques to increase yields and reliability. We have completed the initial tradeoff analysis for the interconnects between the detectors and and readouts. We found satisfactory performance for both Flex-Cable and Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) devices, but analysis showed that an all-sapphire device would not meet our requirements. In addition, the effort continued to develop readouts that can operate close to the detector element temperature; success would substantially improve the manufacturability of the arrays. For the 100-200 micron range, previous work has demonstrated good performance with individual detector elements of stressed Ge:Ga; current efforts are to increase the quantum efficiency of these devices. Work continues to discover how to construct an alternate type of long wave detector, Ge:B Blocked Impurity Band devices. Following descoping of SIRTF, we are closing out the bolometer and refrigerator development. We documented the optical designs and approaches developed previously to meet the specific requirements of these detector types in terms of modulation of the signals for good photometric behavior within the constraints of a compact and self-contained cryogenic instrument. Further study was initiated for the Band 3 optical train, where we have concerns about complexity and the manufacturability of one component.

Rieke, George↗

NuSTAR and XMM-Newton Observations of 1E1743.1-2843: Indications of a Neutron Star LMXB Nature of the Compact Object

We report on the results of NuSTAR and XMM-Newton observations of the persistent X-ray source 1E1743.1-2843, located in the Galactic Center region. The source was observed between 2012 September and October by NuSTAR and XMM-Newton, providing almost simultaneous observations in the hard and soft X-ray bands. The high X-ray luminosity points to the presence of an accreting compact object. We analyze the possibilities of this accreting compact object being either a neutron star (NS) or a black hole, and conclude that the joint XMM-Newton and NuSTAR spectrum from 0.3 to 40 keV fits a blackbody spectrum with kT approximately 1.8 keV emitted from a hot spot or an equatorial strip on an NS surface. This spectrum is thermally Comptonized by electrons with kTe approximately 4.6 keV. Accepting this NS hypothesis, we probe the low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) or high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) nature of the source. While the lack of Type-I bursts can be explained in the LMXB scenario, the absence of pulsations in the 2 MHz-49 Hz frequency range, the lack of eclipses and of an IR companion, and the lack of a Kaline from neutral or moderately ionized iron strongly disfavor interpreting this source as a HMXB. We therefore conclude that 1E1743.1-2843 is most likely an NS-LMXB located beyond the Galactic Center. There is weak statistical evidence for a soft X-ray excess which may indicate thermal emission from an accretion disk. However, the disk normalization remains unconstrained due to the high hydrogen column density (N(sub H) approximately 1.6 x 10(exp 23) cm(exp -2)).

accretion↗

On the origin of X-ray variability of SS 433

The X-ray flares observed from the central source in SS 433 by the Einstein telescope are attributed to surges in the mass transfer rate due to changes in the critical Roche volume of the companion. Analysis of the Roche potential for a primary with spin misaligned with the orbital axis, as required by the slaved disk model, predicts that the critical Roche volume will contract twice per orbit if the orbit is circular. A critical Roche volume fractional change of 1-2 percent is found by applying this potential to SS 433. The nutation of the companion should not affect the steady precession of its spin. Aspects of this work strengthen the evidence that the compact object might be a black hole.

Band, D. L.↗

Wideband Array for C, X, and Ku-Band Applications with 5.3:1 Bandwidth

Planar arrays that exploit strong intentional coupling between elements have allowed for very wide bandwidths in low-profile configurations. However, such designs also require complex impedance matching networks that must also be very compact. For many space applications, typically occurring at C-, X-, Ku-, and most recently at Ka-band, such designs require specialized and expensive fabrication techniques. To address this issue, a novel ultra-wideband array is presented, using a simplified feed network to reduce fabrication cost. The array operates from 3.5-18.5 GHz with VSWR less than 2.4 at broadside, and is of very low profile, having a total height of lambda/10 at the lowest frequency of operation. Validation is provided using a 64-element prototype array, fabricated using common Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology. The low size, weight, and cost of this array make it attractive for space-borne applications.

X-↗

Continuum radiation from active galactic nuclei: A statistical study

The physics of the continuum spectrum of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) was examined using a large data set and rigorous statistical methods. A data base was constructed for 469 objects which include radio selected quasars, optically selected quasars, X-ray selected AGNs, BL Lac objects, and optically unidentified compact radio sources. Each object has measurements of its radio, optical, X-ray core continuum luminosity, though many of them are upper limits. Since many radio sources have extended components, the core component were carefully selected out from the total radio luminosity. With survival analysis statistical methods, which can treat upper limits correctly, these data can yield better statistical results than those previously obtained. A variety of statistical tests are performed, such as the comparison of the luminosity functions in different subsamples, and linear regressions of luminosities in different bands. Interpretation of the results leads to the following tentative conclusions: the main emission mechanism of optically selected quasars and X-ray selected AGNs is thermal, while that of BL Lac objects is synchrotron; radio selected quasars may have two different emission mechanisms in the X-ray band; BL Lac objects appear to be special cases of the radio selected quasars; some compact radio sources show the possibility of synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) in the optical band; and the spectral index between the optical and the X-ray bands depends on the optical luminosity.

Isobe, T.↗

Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report 5: System design and specifications. Volume 7: Specification for EOS low cost readout station

The functional, performance, and design requirements for the Low Cost Readout Station (LCRS) which supports the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) data system are described. The basic LCRS consists of all hardware and software needed to acquire and track the EOS-A or EOS-B satellite and receive, record, process, and annotate the instrument data from the satellites. The LCRS also provides appropriate interfaces with the unique local user provided display and extractive processing equipment. The LCRS has the capability of acquiring image data from the EOS-A and the EOS-B satellites over a ground area defines by a 500 kilometer radius from the coordinates of the station. The LCRS is also capable of receiving and processing both, but not simultaneously, full five band Multispectral Scanner (MSS) image data and various modes of the Compacted Thematic (CTM) data.

Source record↗

Optical system for multispectral scanner

Optical system designed for scanning eight spectra bands simultaneously from aircraft at variety of speeds and altitudes is compact, easy to align, and reliable. System efficiently and effectively circumvents many problems associated with previous systems.

Stokes, R. C.↗

Bistatic image processing for a 32 x 19 inch model aircraft using scattered fields obtained in the OSU-ESL compact range

Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) images for a 32 in long and 19 in wide model aircraft are documented. Both backscattered and bistatic scattered fields of this model aircraft were measured in the OSU-ESL compact range to obtain these images. The scattered fields of the target were measured for frequencies from 2 to 18 GHz with a 10 MHz increment and for full 360 deg azimuth rotation angles with a 0.2 deg step. For the bistatic scattering measurement, the compact range was used as the transmitting antenna; while, a broad band AEL double ridge horn was used as the receiving antenna. Bistatic angles of 90 deg and 135 deg were measured. Due to the size of the chamber and target, the receiving antenna was in the near field of the target; nevertheless, the image processing algorithm was valid for this case.

Lee, T-H.↗

Bandwidth Efficient Wireless Digital Modem Developed

NASA Lewis Research Center has developed a digital approach for broadcasting highfidelity audio (nearly compact disk (CD) quality sound) in the commercial frequencymodulated (FM) broadcast band. This digital approach provides a means of achieving high data transmission rates with low hardware complexity--including low mass, size, and power consumption. Lewis has completed the design and prototype development of a bandwidth-efficient digital modem (modulator and demodulator) that uses a spectrally efficient modulation scheme: 16-ary rectangular quadrature amplitude modulation, or 16- ary QAM. The digital implementation is based strictly on inexpensive, commercial off-theshelf digital signal processing (DSP) hardware to perform up and down conversions and pulse shaping. The digital modem transmits data at rates up to 76 kilobits per second (kbps), which is almost 3 times faster than standard 28.8-kbps telephone modems. In addition, the modem offers improved power and spectral performance, flexible operation, and low-cost implementation.

Kifle, Muli↗

Schottky Heterodyne Receivers With Full Waveguide Bandwidth

Compact THz receivers with broad bandwidth and low noise have been developed for the frequency range from 100 GHz to 1 THz. These receivers meet the requirements for high-resolution spectroscopic studies of planetary atmospheres (including the Earth s) from spacecraft, as well as airborne and balloon platforms. The ongoing research is significant not only for the development of Schottky mixers, but also for the creation of a receiver system, including the LO chain. The new receivers meet the goals of high sensitivity, compact size, low total power requirement, and operation across complete waveguide bands. The exceptional performance makes these receivers ideal for the broader range of scientific and commercial applications. These include the extension of sophisticated test and measurement equipment to 1 THz and the development of low-cost imaging systems for security applications and industrial process monitoring. As a particular example, a WR-1.9SHM (400-600 GHz) has been developed (see Figure 1), with state-of-the-art noise temperature ranging from 1,000-1,800 K (DSB) over the full waveguide band. Also, a Vector Network Analyzer extender has been developed (see Figure 2) for the WR1.5 waveguide band (500 750 GHz) with 100-dB dynamic range.

Hesler, Jeffrey↗

UAVSAR Program: Initial Results from New Instrument Capabilities

UAVSAR is an imaging radar instrument suite that serves as NASA's airborne facility instrument to acquire scientific data for Principal Investigators as well as a radar test-bed for new radar observation techniques and radar technology demonstration. Since commencing operational science observations in January 2009, the compact, reconfigurable, pod-based radar has been acquiring L-band fully polarimetric SAR (POLSAR) data with repeat-pass interferometric (RPI) observations underneath NASA Dryden's Gulfstream-III jet to provide measurements for science investigations in solid earth and cryospheric studies, vegetation mapping and land use classification, archaeological research, soil moisture mapping, geology and cold land processes. In the past year, we have made significant upgrades to add new instrument capabilities and new platform options to accommodate the increasing demand for UAVSAR to support scientific campaigns to measure subsurface soil moisture, acquire data in the polar regions, and for algorithm development, verification, and cross-calibration with other airborne/spaceborne instruments.

P-band polarimetry↗