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Results of simulation of several short-constraint-length convolutional codes using a noisy symbol stream obtained via the turnaround ranging channels of the MVM'73 spacecraft are presented. First operational use of this coding technique is on the Voyager mission. The relative performance of these codes in this environment is as previously predicted from computer-based simulations.
A two-dimensional multiple shock nozzle code (SEAGULL) was extended to include the effects of finite rate chemistry. The basic code that treats multiple shocks and contact surfaces was fully coupled with a generalized finite rate chemistry and vibrational energy exchange package. The modified code retains all of the original SEAGULL features plus the capability to treat chemical and vibrational nonequilibrium reactions. Any chemical and/or vibrational energy exchange mechanism can be handled as long as thermodynamic data and rate constants are available for all participating species.
Some codes for arbitration of priorities among subsystem computers or peripheral device controllers connected to a parallel data bus are described. At arbitration time, several subsystems present wire-OR, parallel code words to the bus, and the central computer can identify the subsystem of highest priority and determine which of two or more transmission services the subsystem requires. A mathematical discussion of the optimality of the codes with regard to the number of subsystems that may participate in the scheme for a given number of wires is presented along with the number of services that each subsystem may request.
A code, CATHY3/M, was prepared and demonstrated by application to a sample case. The preparation is reviewed, a summary of the capabilities and main features of the code is given, and the sample case results are discussed. Recommendations for future use and development of the code are provided.
A simple but effective decoding procedure, applicable to any (n,k) linear block code with symbols from GF(q), is described. The technique involves a transformation of the parity check equations which focuses the code's correction power on the soft symbol set while still retaining the capability to correct one symbol error from outside this set. The soft symbol set is defined to be the n-k least reliably detected code symbol positions whose parity check row-spaces are linearly independent. The process generates a number of error vector screening candidates, each a solution to the parity check equations, and the maximum-likelihood candidate is accepted.
Two interleaving schemes are presented for R-S Viterbi concatenated coding channels and several R-S code array synchronization configurations are investigated. A procedure for obtaining synchronization sequences for the R-S code array under specified conditions is developed and used to identify sequences with desirable properties. The two interleaving schemes are found to be comparable in terms of array synchronization.
Delay-locked loop tracks pseudonoise codes without introducing dc timing errors, because it is not sensitive to gain imbalance between signal processing arms. "Early" and "late" reference codes pass in combined form through both arms, and each arm acts on both codes. Circuit accomodates 1 dB weaker input signals with tracking ability equal to that of tau-dither loops.
The use of a computer code for the calculation of steady, supersonic, three dimensional, inviscid flow over blunt bodies is illustrated. Input and output are given and explained for two cases: a pointed code of 20 deg half angle at 15 deg angle of attack in a free stream with M sub infinite = 7, and a cone-ogive-cylinder at 10 deg angle of attack with M sub infinite = 2.86. A source listing of the computer code is provided.
A vectorized code, EQUIL, was developed for calculating the equilibrium chemistry of a reacting gas mixture on the Control Data STAR-100 computer. The code provides species mole fractions, mass fractions, and thermodynamic and transport properties of the mixture for given temperature, pressure, and elemental mass fractions. The code is set up for the electrons H, He, C, O, N system of elements. In all, 24 chemical species are included.
Packet radios are often expected to operate in a radio communication network environment where there tends to be man made interference signals. To combat such interference, spread spectrum waveforms are being considered for some applications. The use of convolutional coding with Viterbi decoding to further improve the performance of spread spectrum packet radios is examined. At 0.00001 bit error rates, improvements in performance of 4 db to 5 db can easily be achieved with such coding without any change in data rate nor spread spectrum bandwidth. This coding gain is more dramatic in an interference environment.
The power spectral density of the output symbol sequence of a convolutional encoder is computed for two different input symbol stream source models, namely, an NRZ signaling format and a first-order Markov source. The effects of alternate symbol inversion on this spectrum are also considered. The mathematical results are illustrated with many examples corresponding to optimal performance codes. It is demonstrated that only for the case of a purely random input source (e.g., NRZ data with equiprobable symbols) and a particular class of codes is the output spectrum identical to the input spectrum except for a frequency scaling (expansion) by the reciprocal of the code rate.
A computer code is described which simulates the interaction of the space environment with a satellite at geosynchronous altitude. Employing finite elements, a three-dimensional satellite model has been constructed with more than 1000 surface cells and 15 different surface materials. Free space around the satellite is modeled by nesting grids within grids. Applications of this NASA Spacecraft Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP) code to the study of a satellite photosheath and the differential charging of the SCATHA (satellite charging at high altitudes) satellite in eclipse and in sunlight are discussed. In order to understand detector response when the satellite is charged, the code is used to trace the trajectories of particles reaching the SCATHA detectors. Particle trajectories from positive and negative emitters on SCATHA also are traced to determine the location of returning particles, to estimate the escaping flux, and to simulate active control of satellite potentials.
Flow fields in supersonic inlet configurations were computed using the eliptic GIM code on the STAR computer. Spillage flow under the lower cowl was calculated to be 33% of the incoming stream. The shock/boundary layer interaction on the upper propulsive surface was computed including separation. All shocks produced by the flow system were captured. Linearized block implicit (LBI) schemes were examined to determine their application to the GIM code. Pure explicit methods have stability limitations and fully implicit schemes are inherently inefficient; however, LBI schemes show promise as an effective compromise. A quasiparabolic version of the GIM code was developed using elastical parabolized Navier-Stokes methods combined with quasitime relaxation. This scheme is referred to as quasiparabolic although it applies equally well to hyperbolic supersonic inviscid flows. Second order windward differences are used in the marching coordinate and either explicit or linear block implicit time relaxation can be incorporated.
The propagation of the charge-exchange plasma from an electrostatic ion thruster is crucial in determining the interaction of that plasma with the associated spacecraft. A model that describes this plasma and its propagation is described, together with a computer code based on this model. The structure and calling sequence of the code, named PLASIM, is described. An explanation of the program's input and output is included, together with samples of both. The code is written in ASNI Standard FORTRAN.
Development of the wind turbine sound prediction code began as part of an effort understand and reduce the noise generated by Mod-1. Tone sound levels predicted with this code are in good agreement with measured data taken in the vicinity Mod-1 wind turbine (less than 2 rotor diameters). Comparison in the far field indicates that propagation effects due to terrain and atmospheric conditions may amplify the actual sound levels by 6 dB. Parametric analysis using the code shows that the predominant contributors to Mod-1 rotor noise are (1) the velocity deficit in the wake of the support tower, (2) the high rotor speed, and (3) off-optimum operation.
The physical model and computational procedure of the code is described in detail. The code is validated in tests against a variety of known analytical solutions from the literature and is also compared against actual mountain wave observations. The code will receive as initial input either mathematically idealized or discrete observational data. The form of the obstacle or mountain is arbitrary.
A procedure is presented for calculating the power spectrum of the class of digital continuous-phase signals known as multi-h phase codes. These signals have been shown to have attractive power advantages over other uncoded digital schemes such as QPSK, and represent a bandwidth-efficient alternative to other coding techniques. The method is general, handling M-ary signaling, various frequency pulse shapes, and arbitrary sets of modulation indices. Numerical results are shown for several specific codes. In addition, the issue of spectral lines is resolved, and simple spectral approximations are developed.
The code was designed to analyze performance at valves-wide-open design flow. The code can model conventional steam cycles as well as cycles that include such special features as process steam extraction and induction and feedwater heating by external heat sources. Convenience features and extensions to the special features were incorporated into the PRESTO code. The features are described, and detailed examples illustrating the use of both the original and the special features are given.