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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

Intelligibility improvement of analog communication systems using an amplitude control technique.

An amplitude control technique has been employed for use with analog voice communication systems, which improves low-level phoneme reception and eliminates the received noise between words and syllables. Tests were conducted on a narrow-band frequency-modulation simplex voice communication channel employing the amplitude control technique. Presented for both the modified rhyme word tests and the phonetically balanced word tests are a series of graphical plots of the tests' score distribution, mean, and standard deviation as a function of received carrier-to-noise power density ratio. At low received carrier-to-noise power density ratios, a significant improvement in the intelligibility was obtained. A voice intelligibility improvement of more than 2 dB was obtained for the modified rhyme test words, and a voice intelligibility improvement in excess of 4 dB was obtained for the phonetically balanced word tests.

Wishna, S.↗

A digital communications system for manned spaceflight applications.

A highly efficient, all-digital communications signal design employing convolutional coding and PN spectrum spreading is described for two-way transmission of voice and data between a manned spacecraft and ground. Variable-slope delta modulation is selected for analog/digital conversion of the voice signal, and a convolutional decoder utilizing the Viterbi decoding algorithm is selected for use at each receiving terminal. A PN spread spectrum technique is implemented to protect against multipath effects and to reduce the energy density (per unit bandwidth) impinging on the earth's surface to a value within the guidelines adopted by international agreement. Performance predictions are presented for transmission via a TDRS (tracking and data relay satellite) system and for direct transmission between the spacecraft and earth. Hardware estimates are provided for a flight-qualified communications system employing the coded digital signal design.

Batson, B. H.↗

Low data rate digital space communications

The low available transmitter power and the large frequency uncertainty constrain the data rate to be low. An all-digital communication receiver is proposed, and its feasibility is established. Although coherent systems should be used whenever practical, the noncoherent MFSK system is more suitable for very low data rates. The effect of Rician fading on the performance of MFSK receiver is studied. Fading characteristics of the Venus channel are examined based on the exponential model and available experimental data on the Venus atmosphere. Because of the requirement of high communication efficiency, three codes are evaluated and compared. The rapidly varying phase error at low data rate has great effects on the tracking loop behaviors which are examined by extensive computer study of the phase plane trajectories.

Chen, C. H.↗

Skylab communications carrier 16536G and filter bypass adapter assembly 12535G

Communications equipment for use with the Skylab project is examined to show compliance with contract requirements. The items of equipment considered are: (1) communications carrier assemblies, (2) filter bypass adapter assemblies, and (3) sub-assemblies, parts, and repairs. Additional information is provided concerning contract requirements, test requirements, and failure investigation actions.

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Study of optimum methods of optical communication

Abstracts are reported relating to the techniques used in the research concerning optical transmission of information. Communication through the turbulent atmosphere, quantum mechanics, and quantum communication theory are discussed along with the results.

Harger, R. O.↗

System design of the Pioneer Venus spacecraft. Volume 7: Communication subsystem studies

Communications subsystem tradeoffs were undertaken to establish a low cost and low weight design consistent with the mission requirements. Because of the weight constraint of the Thor/Delta launched configuration, minimum weight was emphasized in determining the Thor/Delta design. In contrast, because of the greatly relaxed weight constraint of the Atlas/Centaur launched configuration, minimum cost and off the shelf hardware were emphasized and the attendant weight penalities accepted. Communication subsystem hardware elements identified for study included probe and bus antennas (CM-6, CM-17), power amplifiers (CM-10), and the large probe transponder and small probe stable oscillator required for doppler tracking (CM-11, CM-16). In addition, particular hardware problems associated with the probe high temperature and high-g environment were investigated (CM-7).

Newlands, D. M.↗

Crew/computer communications study. Volume 2: Appendixes

The software routines developed during the crew/computer communications study are described to provide the user with an understanding of each routine, any restrictions in use, the required input data, and expected results after executing the routines. The combination of routines to generate a crew/computer communications application is also explained. The programmable keyboard and display used by the program is described, and an experiment scenario is provided to illustrate the relationship between the program frames when they are grouped into activity phases. Program descriptions and a user's guide are also presented. For Vol. 1, see N74-18843.

Johannes, J. D.↗

Channel coding and data compression system considerations for efficient communication of planetary imaging data

End-to-end system considerations involving channel coding and data compression are reported which could drastically improve the efficiency in communicating pictorial information from future planetary spacecraft. In addition to presenting new and potentially significant system considerations, this report attempts to fill a need for a comprehensive tutorial which makes much of this very subject accessible to readers whose disciplines lie outside of communication theory.

Rice, R. F.↗

Quantum issues in optical communication

Various approaches to the problem of controlling quantum noise, the dominant noise in an optical communications system, are discussed. It is shown that, no matter which way the problem is approached, there always remain uncertainties. These uncertainties exist because, to date, only very few communication problems have been solved in their full quantum form.

Kennedy, R. S.↗

Laser data links for communication satellites

Laser data relays potentially offer continuous 1 Gb/sec bandwidths, drastically increasing low-altitude satellite data collection capacity over present store-and-dump techniques. Availability of the laser link as a reliable alternative, operating within conventional low-altitude communication subsystem weight and power allocations, will create customer pressure for adoption. Major communication relay system impacts are discussed including reliability, mechanical design, attitude control, on-board data handling, contamination control, and traffic-net management. Interface parameters which drive the fundamental relay satellite design concepts are discussed, and conditions requiring early quantitative analysis are identified.

Ohern, W. L.↗

The use of a multi-processor minicomputer for communication system simulation

An experimental facility is described which allows new computer communications techniques to be tested under conditions closely approximating those of real systems. A three-processor minicomputer configuration is used to achieve real-time operation at channel transmission rates of up to 50 Kbits per second. One processor runs a channel controller-concentrator program, a second is dedicated to simulation of the communication channel characteristics, and the third to the simulation of up to 1000 user terminals. The latter are divided into classes consisting of interactive time-sharing users of differing characteristics and file nodes, mixed in different proportions. Real user nodes are connected to the channel simulator processor, providing experience with actual operating characteristics under different channel loadings.

Binder, R.↗

Noise studies of communication systems using the SYSTID computer aided analysis program

SYSTID computer aided design is a simple program for simulating data systems and communication links. A trial of the efficiency of the method was carried out by simulating a linear analog communication system to determine its noise performance and by comparing the SYSTID result with the result arrived at by theoretical calculation. It is shown that the SYSTID program is readily applicable to the analysis of these types of systems.

Tranter, W. H.↗

Communications and tracking

Many phases of communications theory and practice could not be touched upon in this presentation. It is hoped that these objectives have been obtained: to show how, in a general way, it is possible to get back enough information to Justify a space vehicle; to show how the path of this vehicle may be followed from the ground, and to state some of the obstacles to communications over very long distances.

P A Gainer↗

Integrated source and channel encoded digital communication system design study

This study investigated the configuration and integration of a wideband communication system with a Ku-band rendezvous radar system. The goal of the study was to provide as much commonality between the two systems as possible. The antenna design was described with the only change being the requirement for dual polarization (linear for the radar system and circular for the communication system).

Huth, G. K.↗

Utilization of FSK communications for time

The method of time control at a radio station for time signal transmission using frequency shift keying, is discussed. Methods for extracting a recovered clock at the receiver are described. Results of a test involving the methods of processing time signals are presented. The requirements for adapting Precise Time and Time Interval control to a communications system are analyzed. A method for reducing the time required for synchronization or identification of messages and the fallout from the communication system to passive timekeeping users are reported.

Stone, R. R., Jr.↗

A time reference distribution concept for a time division communication network

Starting with an assumed ideal network having perfect clocks at every node and known fixed transmission delays between nodes, the effects of adding tolerances to both transmission delays and nodal clocks is described. The advantages of controlling tolerances on time rather than frequency are discussed. Then a concept is presented for maintaining these tolerances on time throughout the network. This concept, called time reference distribution, is a systematic technique for distributing time reference to all nodes of the network. It is reliable, survivable and possesses many other desirable characteristics. Some of its features such as an excellent self monitoring capability will be pointed out. Some preliminary estimates of the accuracy that might be expected are developed and there is a brief discussion of the impact upon communication system costs. Time reference distribution is a concept that appears very attractive. It has not had experimental evaluation and has not yet been endorsed for use in any communication network.

Stover, H. A.↗

Airborne Visible Laser Optical Communications (AVLOC) experiment

A series of optical communication experiments between a high altitude aircraft at 18.3 km (60,000 ft) and a ground station were conducted by NASA from summer 1972 through winter 1973. The basic system was an optical tracker and transmitter located in each terminal. The aircraft transceiver consisted of a 5-mW HeNe laser transmitter with a 30-megabit modulator. The ground station beacon was an argon laser operating at 488 nm. A separate pulsed laser radar was used for initial acquisition. The objective of the experiment was to obtain engineering data on the precision tracking and communication system performance at both terminals. Atmospheric effects on the system performance was also an experiment objective. The system description, engineering analysis, testing, and flight results are discussed.

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