Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “FREQUENCY MODULATION”

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 1,477 records · Page 82
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Orbital Noise in the Earth System and Climate Fluctuations

Frequency noise in the variations of the Earth's obliquity (tilt) can modulate the insolation signal for climate change. Including this frequency noise effect on the incoming solar radiation, we have applied an energy balance climate model to calculate the climate fluctuations for the past one million years. Model simulation results are in good agreement with the geologically observed paleoclimate data. We conclude that orbital noise in the Earth system may be the major cause of the climate fluctuation cycles.

Liu, Han-Shou↗
NASA NTRS2009

T/R Multi-Chip MMIC Modules for 150 GHz

Modules containing multiple monolithic microwave integrated-circuit (MMIC) chips have been built as prototypes of transmitting/receiving (T/R) modules for millimeter-wavelength radar systems, including phased-array radar systems to be used for diverse purposes that could include guidance and avoidance of hazards for landing spacecraft, imaging systems for detecting hidden weapons, and hazard-avoidance systems for automobiles. Whereas prior landing radar systems have operated at frequencies around 35 GHz, the integrated circuits in this module operate in a frequency band centered at about 150 GHz. The higher frequency (and, hence, shorter wavelength), is expected to make it possible to obtain finer spatial resolution while also using smaller antennas and thereby reducing the sizes and masses of the affected systems.

Samoska, Lorene A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Silicon Micromachined Modulated Metasurface Antennas in the Terahertz Range

This paper explores the capabilities of a class of metasurface (MTS), which consists of metalized cylinders on a ground plane, for the realization of modulated MTS antennas at terahertz (THz) frequencies. The proposed structure is particularly appropriate for being micromachined out of a silicon wafer by means of deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). The constraints that DRIE imposes in the design of the MTS unit cell are discussed, along with the advantages of silicon micromachined modulated MTSs with respect to other fabrication approaches in the THz range.

deep-reactive ion etching↗
NASA NTRS1981

An analysis of short pulse and dual frequency radar techniques for measuring ocean wave spectra from satellites

A four frequency moment characterization of backscatter from the near-vertical is applied to an analysis of the short pulse and dual frequency microwave techniques. The range reflectivity modulation spectrum closely approximates the directional wave slope spectrum, while harmonic distortion is small and is a minimum near 10 deg incidence. The short pulse measurement signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is typically greater than the narrowband dual frequency SNR, with the difference being the ratio of the range beam extent to pulse length, minus the ratio of beam-limited to pulse-limited Doppler spreads. It is concluded that dual frequency measurements are basically impractical, although short pulse measurements are useful and can employ existing space-qualified microwave hardware.

Jackson, F. C.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Parametric Survey of a Natural Gas-Air Rotating Detonation Engine at Elevated Pressure

Detonation dynamics in a rotating detonation engine were studied to characterize the operability and performance of rotating detonation based pressure gain combustion systems at application-relevant conditions. The combustor was developed to operate with natural gas and air as the primary propellants at elevated chamber pressures and high air pre-heat temperatures representative of land based power generation systems. Measurements of chamber wave dynamics were performed using high-frequency pressure transducers and high speed imaging of broadband combustion luminescence. The rotating detonation engine was tested across a broad range of flow conditions to determine how operating parameters affect the propagation of detonation waves in the combustor. Enriching the air with additional oxygen was shown to broaden the range of conditions that allowed detonation fronts to stably propagate within the chamber, though all tested conditions exhibited counter-rotating waves. This range was shifted to lower oxygen content by increasing the oxidizer preheat temperature, which suggests a dependence on the chemical kinetics of the reactant mixture. Some conditions exhibited modulations in pressure fluctuation amplitude and frequency measured by chamber pressure probes. Analysis of high speed images identified the source of the modulation as the intersection point of the counter-propagating detonation waves rotating to align with different pressure measurement ports throughout the test duration.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the power spectral density of quadrature modulated signals

The conventional (no-offset) quadriphase modulation technique suffers from the fact that hardlimiting will restore the frequency sidelobes removed by proper filtering. Thus, offset keyed quadriphase modulation techniques are often proposed for satellite communication with bandpass hardlimiting. A unified theory is developed which is capable of describing the power spectral density before and after the hardlimiting process. Using the in-phase and the quadrature phase channel with arbitrary pulse shaping, analytical results are established for generalized quadriphase modulation. In particular MSK, OPSK or the recently introduced overlapped raised cosine keying all fall into this general category. It is shown that for a linear communication channel, the power spectral density of the modulated signal remains unchanged regardless of the offset delay. Furthermore, if the in phase and the quadrature phase channel have identical pulse shapes without offset, the spectrum after bandpass hardlimiting will be identical to that of the conventional QPSK modulation. Numerical examples are given for various modulation techniques. A case of different pulse shapes in the in phase and the quadrature phase channel is also considered.

Yan, T. Y.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of collisional heat transfer in ICRF power modulation experiment on ASDEX Upgrade

ICRF (ion cyclotron range of frequencies) heating experiments were performed in D-H plasmas at various H concentrations on ASDEX Upgrade. The rf power was modulated to measure the electron power deposition profile from electron temperature modulation. To minimize the contribution from indirect collisional heating and the effect of radial transport, the rf power was modulated at 50 Hz. However, peaking of electron temperature modulation was still observed around the hydrogen cyclotron resonance indicating collisional heating contribution. Time dependent simulation of the hydrogen distribution function was performed for the discharges, using the full-wave code AORSA (E.F. Jaeger, et al., Phys. Plasmas, Vol. 8, page 1573 (2001)) coupled to the Fokker-Planck code CQL3D (R.W. Harvey, et al., Proc. IAEA (1992)). In the present experimental conditions, it was found that modulation of the collisional heating was comparable to that of direct wave damping. Impact of radial transport was also analyzed and found to appreciably smear out the modulation profile and reduce the phase delay.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE DISCOVERY OF PERIODIC MODULATIONS IN THE OPTICAL SPECTRA OF GALAXIES, POSSIBLY DUE TO ULTRARAPID LIGHT BURSTS FROM THEIR MASSIVE CENTRAL BLACK HOLES

A Fourier transform analysis of 2.5 million spectra in the SDSS survey was carried out to detect periodic modulations contained in the intensity versus frequency spectrum. A statistically significant signal was found for 223 galaxies, while the spectra of 0.9 million galaxies were observed. A plot of the periods as a function of redshift clearly shows that the effect is real without any doubt, because the modulations are quantized at two base periods that increase with redshift in two very tight parallel linear relations. We suggest that this result could be caused by light bursts separated by times on the order of 10{sup -13} s, but other causes may be possible. We investigate the hypothesis that the modulation is generated by the Fourier transform of spectral lines, but conclude that this hypothesis is not valid. Although the light burst suggestion implies absurdly high temperatures, it is supported by the fact that the Crab pulsar also has extremely short unresolved pulses (<0.5 ns) that imply similarly high temperatures. Furthermore, the radio spectrum of the Crab pulsar also has spectral bands similar to those that have been detected. Finally, decreasing the signal-to-noise threshold of detection gives results consistent with beamed signals having a small beam divergence, as expected from non-thermal sources that send a jet, like those seen in pulsars. Considering that galaxy centers contain massive black holes, exotic black hole physics may be responsible for the spectral modulation. However, at this stage, this idea is only a hypothesis to be confirmed with further work.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Photothermoelastic contrast in nanoscale infrared spectroscopy

The contrast formation mechanism in nanoscale Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy is analyzed. The temperature distribution and elastic displacement across the illuminated T-shape boundary between two materials with different IR-radiation absorption coefficients and thermo-physical and elastic properties located on a rigid substrate are calculated self-consistently for different frequencies f ~ (1 kHz–1 MHz) of IR-radiation modulation (fully coupled problem). Analytical expressions for the temperature and displacement profiles across the “thermo-elastic step” are derived in the decoupling approximation for f = 0 (“static limit”), and conditions for approximation validity at low frequencies of IR-modulation are established. The step height was found to be thickness-independent for thick layers and proportional to the square of the thickness for very thin films. The theoretical results will be of potential interest for applications in the scanning thermo-ionic and thermal infrared microscopies for relatively long sample thermalization times and possibly for photothermal induced resonance microscopy using optomechanical probes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1972

A superconducting time-variant filtering system.

Description of a laboratory test facility for studying the tracking capabilities of a superconducting time-varying filter system. An RF signal from an antenna is amplified and fed to a mixer; the IF signal modulates an optical diode, and the emitted light is directed through an optical system onto a high-purity high-resistance semiconductor terminating a quarter-wavelength stub in a lead-plated superconducting cavity. The resulting perturbation in the cavity resonant frequency is proportional to the signal modulation present in the light beam. The narrow-band superconducting cavity is thereby acting as a time-variant filter that tracks the instantaneous signal modulation. SNR improvement on the order of 25 dB can be obtained due to the noise rejection characteristics of such a modulation tracking filter.

Arndt, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Submillimeter Confocal Imaging Active Module

The term submillimeter confocal imaging active module (SCIAM) denotes a proposed airborne coherent imaging radar system that would be suitable for use in reconnaissance, surveillance, and navigation. The development of the SCIAM would include utilization and extension of recent achievements in monolithic microwave integrated circuits capable of operating at frequencies up to and beyond a nominal radio frequency of 340 GHz. Because the SCIAM would be primarily down-looking (in contradistinction to primarily side-looking), it could be useful for imaging shorter objects located between taller ones (for example, objects on streets between buildings). The SCIAM would utilize a confocal geometry to obtain high cross-track resolution, and would be amenable to synthetic-aperture processing of its output to obtain high along-track resolution. The SCIAM (see figure) would include multiple (two in the initial version) antenna apertures, separated from each other by a cross-track baseline of suitable length (e.g., 1.6 m). These apertures would both transmit the illuminating radar pulses and receive the returns. A common reference oscillator would generate a signal at a controllable frequency of (340 GHz + (Delta)f)/N, where (Delta)f is an instantaneous swept frequency difference and N is an integer. The output of this oscillator would be fed to a frequency- multiplier-and-power-amplifier module to obtain a signal, at 340 GHz + (Delta)f, that would serve as both the carrier signal for generating the transmitted pulses and a local-oscillator (LO) signal for a receiver associated with each antenna aperture. Because duplexers in the form of circulators or transmit/receive (T/R) switches would be lossy and extremely difficult to implement, the antenna apertures would be designed according to a spatial-diplexing scheme, in which signals would be coupled in and out via separate, adjacent transmitting and receiving feed horns. This scheme would cause the transmitted and received beams to be aimed in slightly different directions, and, hence, to not overlap fully on the targets on the ground. However, a preliminary analysis has shown that the loss of overlap would be small enough that the resulting loss in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) would be much less than the SNR loss associated with the use of a 340-GHz T/R switch.

Hong, John↗
DOE OSTI2014

A wide bandgap silicon carbide (SiC) gate driver for high-temperature and high-voltage applications

Limitations of silicon (Si) based power electronic devices can be overcome with Silicon Carbide (SiC) because of its remarkable material properties. SiC is a wide bandgap semiconductor material with larger bandgap, lower leakage currents, higher breakdown electric field, and higher thermal conductivity, which promotes higher switching frequencies for high power applications, higher temperature operation, and results in higher power density devices relative to Si [1]. The proposed work is focused on design of a SiC gate driver to drive a SiC power MOSFET, on a Cree SiC process, with rise/fall times (less than 100 ns) suitable for 500 kHz to 1 MHz switching frequency applications. A process optimized gate driver topology design which is significantly different from generic Si circuit design is proposed. The ultimate goal of the project is to integrate this gate driver into a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) charger module. The application of this high frequency charger will result in lighter, smaller, cheaper, and a more efficient power electronics system.

Lamichhane, Ranjan↗
NASA NTRS1995

Aerodynamic parameter estimation via Fourier modulating function techniques

Parameter estimation algorithms are developed in the frequency domain for systems modeled by input/output ordinary differential equations. The approach is based on Shinbrot's method of moment functionals utilizing Fourier based modulating functions. Assuming white measurement noises for linear multivariable system models, an adaptive weighted least squares algorithm is developed which approximates a maximum likelihood estimate and cannot be biased by unknown initial or boundary conditions in the data owing to a special property attending Shinbrot-type modulating functions. Application is made to perturbation equation modeling of the longitudinal and lateral dynamics of a high performance aircraft using flight-test data. Comparative studies are included which demonstrate potential advantages of the algorithm relative to some well established techniques for parameter identification. Deterministic least squares extensions of the approach are made to the frequency transfer function identification problem for linear systems and to the parameter identification problem for a class of nonlinear-time-varying differential system models.

Pearson, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Frequency analysis of 4- to 6-keV electrons associated with an auroral arc

The high time resolution (HTR) experiment considered consists of four sections, including electrostatic deflection plates, electron multiplier, preamplifier-integrator, and frequency analyzer. Electrons in the energy range from 4 to 6 keV electrons are selected by the deflection system, after which they are detected, multiplied, and passed to the charge sensitive preamplifier. The charge pulses are amplified and integrated, and the resulting voltage pulse series is fed to the frequency analyzer. The experiment is essentially a flux detector, so that estimates of the input flux can be made from the mean value of the output spectrum. The results obtained with the HTR in a rocket flight on March 14, 1974, are discussed. The lack of modulation noticed in the high-frequency range indicates that there is insufficient wave energy available in the vicinity of the rocket to produce a wave-particle interaction which the HTR is able to observe. This finding is consistent with the stabilization of the plasma by the low flux of energetic electrons.

Murphree, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Higher Order Parametric Excitation Modes for Spaceborne Quadrupole Mass Spectrometers

This paper describes a technique to significantly improve upon the mass peak shape and mass resolution of spaceborne quadrupole mass spectrometers (QMSs) through higher order auxiliary excitation of the quadrupole field. Using a novel multiresonant tank circuit, additional frequency components can be used to drive modulating voltages on the quadrupole rods in a practical manner, suitable for both improved commercial applications and spaceflight instruments. Auxiliary excitation at frequencies near twice that of the fundamental quadrupole RF frequency provides the advantages of previously studied parametric excitation techniques, but with the added benefit of increased sensed excitation amplitude dynamic range and the ability to operate voltage scan lines through the center of upper stability islands. Using a field programmable gate array, the amplitudes and frequencies of all QMS signals are digitally generated and managed, providing a robust and stable voltage control system. These techniques are experimentally verified through an interface with a commercial Pfeiffer QMG422 quadrupole rod system.When operating through the center of a stability island formed from higher order auxiliary excitation, approximately 50% and 400% improvements in 1% mass resolution and peak stability were measured, respectively, when compared with traditional QMS operation. Although tested with a circular rod system, the presented techniques have the potential to improve the performance of both circular and hyperbolic rod geometry QMS sensors.

Gershman, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The X-ray polarization of the Cygnus sources

Multiple observations of Cygnus X-1, Cygnus X-2, and Cygnus X-3 were carried out with the Bragg crystal polarimeters aboard OSO 8. Of these sources, an unambiguous detection of the time-averaged polarization was obtained only for Cygnus X-1, which has a polarization of 2.4% plus or minus 1.1% at 2.6 keV and 5.3% plus or minus 2.5% at 5.2 keV. While statistically significant evidence for polarization of Cygnus X-2 of 4.9% at 2.6 keV was obtained in a 1975 observation, this result was not confirmed in later observations. For Cygnus X-3, modulation of the observed flux at twice the rotation frequency of the satellite, the signature of polarization, was also detected, but spurious modulation due to the presence of additional sources in the field of view cannot be ruled out.

Long, K. S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-13946-DND

This work has sought to develop distributed feedback (DFB) diode-laser concepts and technologies necessary to facilitate NASA's upcoming Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission. A DFB laser transmitter module operating at 1571nm, incorporating a low-noise variable laser bias current supply and low-noise variable temperature control circuit, has been developed and extensively tested. These modules operate at >80mW and could be tuned continuously over the wavelength range of 1569-1574nm at a rate of 2pm/mV. Fine tuning was demonstrated by adjusting the laser drive at a rate of 0.7pm/mV. Heterodyne linewidth measurements have been performed showing linewidth ~200kHz and frequency jitter ~75MHz. DFB laser transmitter modules operating at the absorption line of 1262nm have also been built and tested. We have shown continuous tuning over a range of 1261.4-1262.6nm by changing chip operating temperature and 1261.0-1262.0nm by changing the laser diode drive level. In addition, a new laser package configuration has been developed. This new configuration has been shown to improve the TEC coefficient of performance by a factor of 5 and improved the overall efficiency of the laser transmitter module by a factor of 2.

Narasimha S Prasad↗