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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2009

Determining Aliasing in Isolated Signal Conditioning Modules

The basic concept of aliasing is this: Converting analog data into digital data requires sampling the signal at a specific rate, known as the sampling frequency. The result of this conversion process is a new function, which is a sequence of digital samples. This new function has a frequency spectrum, which contains all the frequency components of the original signal. The Fourier transform mathematics of this process show that the frequency spectrum of the sequence of digital samples consists of the original signal s frequency spectrum plus the spectrum shifted by all the harmonics of the sampling frequency. If the original analog signal is sampled in the conversion process at a minimum of twice the highest frequency component contained in the analog signal, and if the reconstruction process is limited to the highest frequency of the original signal, then the reconstructed signal accurately duplicates the original analog signal. It is this process that can give birth to aliasing.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1992

The role of laser coherence in long-range vibration measurements

In this paper, the temporal coherence effect of a laser oscillator will be critically examined using existing laser frequency stability data in the time domain by first converting them to the frequency domain. We limit our discussion to CO2 lasers. To be more specific, our presentation will include the following items: (1) a review of the definitions and representations of laser oscillator frequency stability; (2) a methodology will be developed for determining the dynamic range of vibration measurements; (3) the methodology will show that the conversion of the laser frequency stability from the time domain to the frequency domain can be performed effectively in the optical region; and (4) because of a finite time delay, the phase noise is reduced for offset frequencies close to the carrier frequency.

Eng, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

VLBI System (BLK I) If-video down Conversion Design

The prototype intermediate frequency video down converter of the Deep Space Network (BLK 1) Very Long Base Interferometry system, a hybrid of analog and digital circuits, was completed and tested. The initial results met all design specifications, establishing a milestone in new design technology for such devices. This device has uses in other similar applications and can form the basis for expanded design and applications.

Ham, N. C.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Integrated telemetry-computer system

Feasibility analysis for integration of digital computer with pulse frequency modulation signal reduction and conversion system

DIGITAL COMPUTER↗
NASA NTRS1977

New options for satellite power systems /SPS/

The operation of a satellite power system (SPS) involves the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy with the aid of facilities carried by a geosynchronous satellite, the transmission of the obtained energy to earth in the form of microwave radio frequency energy, and the conversion of the energy received on earth into dc current for distribution into the network. Attention is given to questions concerning suitable microwave radiation density, details of space transportation for the construction of the SPS, and suitable approaches for the transformation of the solar energy into electric energy. It appears that a Rankine cycle using cesium as the main working fluid and a steam bottoming cycle might have advantages over a Brayton cycle concept considered earlier. In the area of solar photovoltaic concepts GaAlAs cells have advantages over silicon cells related to lighter weight, efficiency, and resistance to space radiation. The required amount of gallium seems to become available.

Hanley, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Moire patterns and two-dimensional aliasing in line scanner data acquisition systems

The basic mechanism underlying the generation of Moire patterns in line scanner data acquisition systems is examined. A general expression is developed in terms of typical system parameters for the reproduced image of such systems and the interaction of the image spectrum; the raster frequency and digital sampling frequency of the A/D conversion process are discussed and examples given. Systems design requirements for avoiding Moire pattern generation and two-dimensional aliasing are discussed.

Mcgillem, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Moire patterns and two-dimensional aliasing in line scanner data acquisition systems

The basic mechanism underlying the generation of Moire patterns in line scanner data acquisition systems is examined. A general expression is developed in terms of typical system parameters for the reproduced image of such systems and the interaction of the image spectrum; the raster frequency and digital sampling frequency of the A/D conversion process are discussed and examples given. System design requirements for avoiding Moire pattern generation and two-dimensional aliasing are discussed.

Mcgillem, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Integrated solar power satellites: An approach to low-mass space power

Previous concepts for solar power satellites have used conventional-technology photovoltaic arrays, feeding a power collection and transmission system connected to microwave tubes for direct current to radio frequency DC to RF conversion, which in turn are coupled to a phased array antenna. This paper proposes using thin-film photovoltaics with an integrated solid-state phased-array to design an ultra-lightweight solar power satellite. The status of the enabling technologies, conceptual designs, possible applications, and development steps are discussed. It is found that as these technologies evolve, their use in this design results in a potential reduction in weight by a factor of ten to a hundred over conventional concepts for solar power satellites, and increases the utility by allowing service to smaller receivers at multiple receiving sites.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Exploring Divisibility and Summability of 'Photon' Wave Packets in Nonlinear Optical Phenomena

Formulations for second and higher harmonic frequency up and down conversions, as well as multi photon processes directly assume summability and divisibility of photons. Quantum mechanical (QM) interpretations are completely congruent with these assumptions. However, for linear optical phenomena (interference, diffraction, refraction, material dispersion, spectral dispersion, etc.), we have a profound dichotomy. Most optical engineers innovate and analyze all optical instruments by propagating pure classical electromagnetic (EM) fields using Maxwell s equations and gives only lip-service to the concept "indivisible light quanta". Further, irrespective of linearity or nonlinearity of the phenomena, the final results are always registered through some photo-electric or photo-chemical effects. This is mathematically well modeled by a quadratic action (energy absorption) relation. Since QM does not preclude divisibility or summability of photons in nonlinear & multi-photon effects, it cannot have any foundational reason against these same possibilities in linear optical phenomena. It implies that we must carefully revisit the fundamental roots behind all light-matter interaction processes and understand the common origin of "graininess" and "discreteness" of light energy.

Prasad, Narasimha↗
NASA NTRS1993

Water Surface Currents, Short Gravity-Capillary Waves and Radar Backscatter

Despite their importance for air-sea interaction and microwave remote sensing of the ocean surface, intrinsic properties of short gravity-capillary waves are not well established. This is largely due to water surface currents and their effects on the direct measurements of wave parameters conducted at a fixed point. Frequencies of small scale waves propagating on a surface which itself is in motion, are subject to Doppler shifts. Hence, the high frequency tail of the wave spectra obtained from such temporal observations is smeared. Conversion of this smeared measured-frequency spectra to intrinsic-frequency (or wavenumber) spectra requires corrections for the Doppler shifts. Such attempts in the past have not been very successful in particular when field data were used. This becomes evident if the amplitude modulation of short waves by underlying long waves is considered. Microwave radar studies show that the amplitude of a short wave component attains its maximum value near the crests and its minimum in the troughs of the long waves. Doppler-shifted wave data yield similar results but much larger in modulation magnitude, as expected. In general, Doppler shift corrections reduce the modulation magnitude. Overcorrection may result in a negligible modulation or even in a strong modulation with the maximum amplitude in the wave troughs. The latter situation is clearly contradictory to our visual observations as well as the radar results and imply that the advection by currents is overestimated. In this study, a differential-advection approach is used in which small scale waves are advected by the currents evaluated not at the free surface, but at a depth proportional to their wavelengths. Applicability of this approach is verified by the excellent agreement in phase and magnitude of short-wave modulation between results based on radar and on wave-gauge measurements conducted on a lake.

Atakturk, Serhad S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Study of the generator/motor operation of induction machines in a high frequency link space power system

Static power conversion systems have traditionally utilized dc current or voltage source links for converting power from one ac or dc form to another since it readily achieves the temporary energy storage required to decouple the input from the output. Such links, however, result in bulky dc capacitors and/or inductors and lead to relatively high losses in the converters due to stresses on the semiconductor switches. The feasibility of utilizing a high frequency sinusoidal voltage link to accomplish the energy storage and decoupling function is examined. In particular, a type of resonant six pulse bridge interface converter is proposed which utilizes zero voltage switching principles to minimize switching losses and uses an easy to implement technique for pulse density modulation to control the amplitude, frequency, and the waveshape of the synthesized low frequency voltage or current. Adaptation of the proposed topology for power conversion to single-phase ac and dc voltage or current outputs is shown to be straight forward. The feasibility of the proposed power circuit and control technique for both active and passive loads are verified by means of simulation and experiment.

Lipo, Thomas A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Measurement of precision oscillator phase noise using the two-oscillator coherent down-conversion technique

The characterization of precision frequency standard phase noise and spurious outputs is addressed, using the two-oscillator coherent downconversion technique. Focus is on techniques for making accurate measurements of phase noise and spurious outputs within 100 KHz of a carrier. Significant sources of measurement error related to hardware design problems and inadequate measurement procedures are discussed: measurement errors resulting from system noise sources, phase-locked loop effects, and system bandwidth limitations. In addition, methods and design considerations for minimizing the effects of such errors are presented. Analytic discussions and results are supplemented with actual test data and measurements made using measurement hardware developed at the Ball Corporation, Efratom Division.

Christopher J. Pagnanelli↗
NASA NTRS1993

Designing Magnetic Components for High Frequency DC-DC Converters

The conversion process in power electronics requires the use of tranformers and inductors, components which frequenly are the heaviest and bulkiest item in the conversion circuits. They also have a significant effect upon the overall performance and efficiency of the system.

Magnetic Core core geometry soft ferrites cores↗
NASA NTRS1980

Effects of conversation interference on annoyance due to aircraft noise

The annoyance and interference effects of aircraft flyover noise on face to face conversation were investigated. Twenty 5 minute sessions, each composed of three flyovers, were presented to each of 20 pairs of female subjects in a simulated living room. Flyovers varied in peak noise level (55-79 dB, A-weighted) and spectrum (low or high frequency components). Subjects engaged in conversation for 10 sessions and in reverie for the other 10 sessions, and completed subjective ratings following every session. Annoyance was affected by noise level, but was not significantly different for the two activities of reverie and conversation. A noise level of 77 db was found unacceptable for conversation by 50 percent of the subjects. Conversation interference was assessed by incidence of increased vocal effort and/or interruption of conversation during flyovers. Although conversation interference increased with noise level, the conversation interference measures did not improve prediction of individual annoyance judgments.

Key, K. F.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Microwave-to-Optical Conversion in WGM Resonators

Microwave-to-optical frequency converters based on whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators have been proposed as mixers for the input ends of microwave receivers in which, downstream of the input ends, signals would be processed photonically. A frequency converter as proposed (see figure) would exploit the nonlinearity of the electromagnetic response of a WGM resonator made of LiNbO3 or another suitable ferroelectric material. Up-conversion would take place by three-wave mixing in the resonator. The WGM resonator would be de - signed and fabricated to obtain (1) resonance at both the microwave and the optical operating frequencies and (2) phase matching among the input and output microwave and optical signals as described in the immediately preceding article. Because the resonator would be all dielectric there would be no metal electrodes signal losses would be very low and, consequently, the resonance quality factors (Q values) of the microwave and optical fields would be very large. The long lifetimes associated with the large Q values would enable attainment of high efficiency of nonlinear interaction with low saturation power. It is anticipated that efficiency would be especially well enhanced by the combination of optical and microwave resonances in operation at input signal frequencies between 90 and 300 GHz.

Savchenkov, Anatoliy↗
NASA NTRS2001

Intersymbol Interference Investigations Using a 3D Time-Dependent Traveling Wave Tube Model

For the first time, a physics based computational model has been used to provide a direct description of the effects of the TWT (Traveling Wave Tube) on modulated digital signals. The TWT model comprehensively takes into account the effects of frequency dependent AM/AM and AM/PM conversion; gain and phase ripple; drive-induced oscillations; harmonic generation; intermodulation products; and backward waves. Thus, signal integrity can be investigated in the presence of these sources of potential distortion as a function of the physical geometry of the high power amplifier and the operational digital signal. This method promises superior predictive fidelity compared to methods using TWT models based on swept amplitude and/or swept frequency data. The fully three-dimensional (3D), time-dependent, TWT interaction model using the electromagnetic code MAFIA is presented. This model is used to investigate assumptions made in TWT black box models used in communication system level simulations. In addition, digital signal performance, including intersymbol interference (ISI), is compared using direct data input into the MAFIA model and using the system level analysis tool, SPW (Signal Processing Worksystem).

Kory, Carol L.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Time-Dependent Traveling Wave Tube Model for Intersymbol Interference Investigations

For the first time, a computational model has been used to provide a direct description of the effects of the traveling wave tube (TWT) on modulated digital signals. The TWT model comprehensively takes into account the effects of frequency dependent AM/AM and AM/PM conversion, gain and phase ripple; drive-induced oscillations; harmonic generation; intermodulation products; and backward waves. Thus, signal integrity can be investigated in the presence of these sources of potential distortion as a function of the physical geometry of the high power amplifier and the operational digital signal. This method promises superior predictive fidelity compared to methods using TWT models based on swept-amplitude and/or swept-frequency data. The fully three-dimensional (3D), time-dependent, TWT interaction model using the electromagnetic code MAFIA is presented. This model is used to investigate assumptions made in TWT black-box models used in communication system level simulations. In addition, digital signal performance, including intersymbol interference (ISI), is compared using direct data input into the MAFIA model and using the system level analysis tool, SPW.

Kory, Carol L.↗