Performance improvement for constellation SAR using signal processing techniques

A new concept of spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) implementation has recently been proposed - the constellation of small spaceborne SAR systems. In this implementation, several formation-flying small satellites cooperate to perform multiple space missions. We investigate the possibility to produce high-resolution wide-area SAR images and fine ground moving-target indicator (GMTI) performance with constellation of small spaceborne SAR systems. In particular, we focus on the problems introduced by this particular SAR system, such as Doppler ambiguities, high sparseness of the satellite array, and array element errors. A space-time adaptive processing (STAP) approach combined with conventional SAR imaging algorithms is proposed which can solve these problems to some extent. The main idea of the approach is to use a STAP-based method to properly overcome the aliasing effect caused by the lower pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) and thereby retrieve the unambiguous azimuth wide (full) spectrum signals from the received echoes. Following this operation, conventional SAR data processing tools can be applied to focus the SAR images fully. The proposed approach can simultaneously achieve both high-resolution SAR mapping of wide ground scenes and GMTI with high efficiency. To obtain array element errors, an array auto-calibration technique is proposed to estimate them based on the angular and Doppler ambiguity analysis of the clutter echo. The optimizing of satellite formations is also analyzed, and a platform velocity/PRF criterion for array configurations is presented. An approach is given to make it possible that almost any given sparse array configuration can satisfy the criterion by slightly adjusting the PRF. Simulated results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.     

Orientation of Measurement Sensors for Optimum End-of-Life Performance

Relative orientations of on-board measurement sensors are found that ensure the best possible measurement accuracy in the end-of-life situation when all but three sensors have failed. For five and six sensors, the optimum orientations are, respectively, the single cone and dodecahedron configurations. For seven and eight sensors, new configurations are found that are, respectively, 25 and 20 percent more accutate than previously proposed configurations. In general, there is a tradeoff between performance at end-of-life and performance earlier in a configuration's lifetime.     

系统识别与飞机颤振

本文在简要综述了系统识别技术在飞机颤振研究中的应用后,介绍了三种系统识别方法。重点讨论了其算法要点及理论基础。对有关数据处理问题也作了适当说明。基于复模态分析和优化技术的传递函数法可以精确识别出全部模态参数,并在带外挂机翼颤振模型试验中获得成功,该法可推广到仅有响应数据的风洞与飞行试验情况。脉冲响应和自回归滑动平均模型法采用了相关和最小二乘技术,可以在较强干扰情况下得到精确结果,后者还可求出估计值与真值的协方差。两种时域方法皆可无需专用信号分析设备而直接利用测量采样数据进行系统识别。     

绝对重力仪的发展现状及重力计量体系介绍

重力测量在国防军事、地质研究、资源勘探、地球物理、地震预报及计量科学等领域有着广泛的应用.在惯性导航系统中对惯性加速度和重力加速度进行分离,可以提高惯性导航的精度.重力加速度测量的准确性需要通过量值溯源来保证,而用于直接测量重力加速度值的绝对重力仪是重力测量量值溯源和传递的主要工具和载体.以此为背景,介绍了绝对重力仪的主要技术和发展现状,从而引出绝对重力测量和重力计量体系是整个重力测量溯源到SI国际单位制,确保其测量量值准确可靠的唯一途径.最后,简单介绍了重力计量体系以及中国计量科学研究院的相关工作.     

CARDC 激波风洞 TSP 技术研究进展

从基本原理、关键技术和验证应用三个方面总结了近两年在中国空气动力研究与发展中心激波风洞中开展的温敏涂层(TSP)技术相关研究工作。通过解决快速响应温敏发光材料研制、模型研制、数据处理等一系列关键技术,完成图像采集系统、光学系统及标定系统的配套和系统集成,建立了一套适于激波风洞试验的高速 TSP 测量及标定系统。该技术可在激波风洞试验中获取模型被测面温敏涂层的发光图像,基于该图像可以直接观察模型表面热流分布和捕捉峰值热流的准确位置。结合温敏发光材料的物性参数标定数据,能够实现对模型表面热流的定量测量。不同于传统的传感器点热流测量技术只能得到模型表面有限数量的离散点的热流值,TSP 技术能够以高空间分辨率得到较大面积区域的详细热流分布信息,可更加全面的测量模型外表面的热环境,并且可以据此进一步分析和辨别边界层流态以及确定边界层转捩位置。试验对比表明,TSP 技术的测量结果与点热流传感器的测量结果具有良好的一致性。目前该技术已趋于成熟,在Φ2 m 和Φ0.6 m 激波风洞上成功应用于边界层转捩研究、局部干扰区热环境研究和复杂外形飞行器热环境研究等领域,已成为激波风洞除点测热技术之外又一重要测热技术。     

Basic investigations on an angle measurement system using a laser

A novel, precise angle gauge is proposed. Incoming laser light is fed to the system through two separate condensing lenses. The phase difference between two rays is compensated by a phase modulator to hold a constant interference condition. The angle of the incoming light is measured by the modulation voltage. In comparison with conventional angle gauges, its advantages are high measurement accuracy, simple structure, and compatibility to feedback control systems. Because of these advantages, the angle gauge is suitable for navigation using angular information. Some examples of possible applications are provided. The experimental system was formed to be compatible with practical conditions and performance were verified experimentally. It is shown that an angle resolution less than 1×10^-7 rd can be expected     

固体火箭发动机装药的计算机辅助设计

本文提出了面向微型计算机的计算机辅助设计方法和程序,包括装药几何计算、内弹道性能计算及强度校核图形显示等一体化设计的计算机程序.目前已开发了三维翼柱型装药的模块化结构程序分支,可在微机PC-286/386上进行.本程序通用性广,精度高,可以很方便地扩充到其他药型.     

High accuracy navigation and landing system using GPS/IMU systemintegration

In this paper, the accuracy, integrity and continuity of function requirements for automatic landing systems using satellite navigation systems are discussed. Such a landing system is the integrated navigation and landing system (INLS) developed by Deutsche Aerospace (DASA/Ulm, Germany). The system concepts of the INLS are presented. It is shown how an INLS, based on system integration of a satellite navigation system (e.g., GPS) in realtime differential mode with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in the accuracy class of an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), can meet the requirements: the results given are mainly devoted to the accuracy issues. Using Kalman filter techniques, an in-flight calibration of the IMU is performed. The advantage of system integration, especially in dynamic flight conditions and during phases of flight with satellite masking, is explained. The accuracy, integrity and continuity of function of the INLS were proven by means of flight tests in a commuter aircraft using a laser tracker as a reference. These flight tests have shown that the short-term accuracy (<60 seconds) of the AHRS used within the INLS has been improved from low cost sensor quality to the accuracy of a high quality laser inertial navigation system (LNIS). With the presented INLS, a landing at any airfield, not equipped with conventional Instrument Landing System (ILS) or Microwave Landing System (MLS), is possible by using a very cost effective system. The INLS is a high accuracy navigation and landing system designed to be used instead of conventional landing systems at small airfields and to fill operational gaps of conventional navigation and landing systems in cruise and approach on large airports     

一种基于火箭橇轨道的动基座重力 测量系统评价方法

传统的重力仪精度评价方法为重力仪测量值与静态定点值或飞行状态下的重力线网格参考值进行比较,根据差值或相对异常值来评价重力仪的精度指标,但其缺点是飞行轨迹重复性差.火箭橇轨道是进行火箭橇测试的重要组成部分,它严格按照设计建设,长达数公里,拥有完整已知的地理数据信息,且沿着火箭橇轨道布有众多的绝对重力基准点.提出一种基于火箭橇轨道的重力测量系统评价方法,通过火箭橇轨道上的众多绝对重力基准点和重力仪测量得到的重力值比较,评价重力仪的精度指标性能.其优点是该方法能够连续、快速、可重复评价重力测量系统的精度指标,为重力仪研制提供精确的评价手段和鉴定方法.     

Ultimate IR Horizon Sensor

The accuracy of presently available IR horizon sensors is not sufficient to meet the stringent attitude sensing and control requirements for future remote sensing and meteorological satellites. The different sources of error in a horizon sensor are analyzed. The accuracy of the sensor is presently limited by the detector noise. Use of HgCdTe in place of an immersed bolometer detector, which is used in conventional horizon sensors eliminates many of the errors. Hence, it is possible to design an ultimate IR horizon sensor whose accuracy is limited only by the uncertainty of the Earth horizon. Comparison of performances of the two types of detectors for horizon sensing is given and possible configurations of sensor using this detector are discussed.     

Design of a practical tracking algorithm with radar measurements

The extended Kalman filter (EKF) has been widely used as a nonlinear filtering method for radar tracking problems. However, it has been found that if cross-range measurement errors of the target position are large, the performance of the conventional EKF degrades considerably due to nonnegligible nonlinear effects. A new filtering algorithm for improving the tracking performance with radar measurements is developed based on the fact that correct evaluation of the measurement error covariance is possible in the Cartesian coordinate system. The proposed algorithm may be viewed as a modification of the EKF in which the variance of the range measurement errors is evaluated in an adaptive manner. The filter structure facilitates the incorporation of the sequential measurement processing scheme, and this makes the resulting algorithm favorable to both estimation accuracy and computational efficiency. Computer simulation results show that the proposed method offers superior performance in comparison to previous methods. Moreover, our developed algorithm provides some useful insight into the radar tracking problem     

空间大型星载抛物面天线研究进展

抛物面天线作为星载天线的重要组成部分,在深空探测、移动通信、国防事业、气象监测等方面均具有广泛应用,近年来随着上述学科的快速发展,抛物面天线的研究也越来越受到人们的重视。针对空间大型星载抛物面天线的发展与需求,首先系统地概括了国外星载抛物球面天线的发展现状,综述了刚性、网状以及充气式星载抛物球面天线,对各类星载抛物球面天线的结构、性能进行了较为详细的描述和分析,对国内在该领域的部分研究成果进行了简述。然后梳理了星载抛物柱面天线的发展,对国内外具有代表性的抛物柱面天线进行了介绍,对抛物球面天线和抛物柱面天线进行了参数对比与分析。接下来对近年来针对星载抛物面天线的相关技术进行了介绍。最后对星载抛物面天线的发展趋势做了简要分析与预测。     

FADS/INS组合法迎角、侧滑角测量方法研究

嵌入式大气数据传感(FADS)系统比传统迎角、侧滑角传感器在测量精度、可靠性、隐身性能上都具有较大的优势,因此该系统可被应用于各型飞行器上。但由于该系统在获得大气参数方面存在延时,所以,它在飞行器机动飞行状态下,迎角和侧滑角的测量精度会下降。针对这一问题,本文提出了以FADS测量结果为基础,采用惯性导航系统(INS)测量的迎角、侧滑角变化量进行修正的FADS/INS组合法迎角、侧滑角测量方法。理论分析和仿真结果表明,该组合系统在飞行器处于平稳和机动飞行时,对迎角、侧滑角的测量均能获得较高精度。     

Evaluation of Geometric Performance of Global Positioning System

The global positioning system (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system to provide extremely accurate three-dimensional position fixes and system time to users anywhere on the Earth at any time regardless of weather conditions. The most significant performance parameter of the GPS is the degree of navigation accuracy which is strongly coupled to the choice of orbit configuration. The 3 X 8 orbit configuration has been considered as an operational GPS which consists of 24 satellites deployed in circular 63° inclined, subsynchronous 12-h orbits. In this paper, the geometric performance of several orbit configuration, including a 3 X 8 orbit configuration, is analyzed numerically by altering orbit period and elevation mask, respectively. It will be shown that 1) there are a few orbit configurations which are comparable to or better than the baseline 3 X 8 orbit configuration, and 2) for higher elevation mask, the geometric performance can be improved effectively by increasing orbit period to some extent.     

First spaceborne demonstration of BeiDou-3 signals for GNSS reflectometry from CYGNSS constellation

The full constellation of Chinese Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) BeiDou-3 has been deployed completely and started fully operational service. In addition to providing global Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, the BeiDou-3 satellites transmissions can also be used as the sources of illumination for Earth Observation (EO) with a bistatic radar configuration. This innovative EO concept, known as GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R), allows to measure the Earth surface characteristics at high resolution via the reflected L-band radar signals collected by a constellation of small, low cost and low Earth orbiting satellites. For the first time in orbit, earth reflected BeiDou-3 signal has been detected from the limited sets of raw data collected by the NASA’s Cyclone GNSS (CYGNSS) constellation. The feasibility of spaceborne BeiDou-3 reflections on two typical applications, including sea surface wind and flooding inundation detection, has been demonstrated. The methodology and results give new strength to the prospect of new spaceborne GNSS-R instruments and missions, which can make multi-GNSS reflectometry observations available to better capture rapidly changing weather systems at better spatio-temporal scales.     

大口径碳纤维复合材料天线反射器模具在位测量技术

针对碳纤维复合材料模具修形过程中的型面精度测量,研究一种基于机器人和激光跟踪三维测量系统的在位测量技术。通过测量轨迹规划、坐标系变换,关联在位测量系统中的各个单元,实现两个系统的运动-跟随-采样的连续动作,完成模具型面点云的自动高效采样。在此基础上,研究抛物面型面精度评价算法,实现实测点云和理论模型的最佳拟合,从而获得模具型面精度。结果表明:利用在位测量技术,测量效率大幅提高,型面精度的数值和图形结果能够辅助模具的高效修形。     

五分量激光测量装置的试验研究

所讨论的激光测量装置,可以同时测量~个移动轴的5个移动误差分量,即两个直线度分量和3个角位移分量。该装置测量线性误差和角位移误差的精度可分别达到1.5μm和0.5”以内。     

风洞试验中模型迎角视觉测量技术研究

 发展了一种基于双相机的风洞试验模型迎角视觉测量技术。即在风洞模型表面绘制或喷涂一些高对比度的标记点,采用两台400万像素的工业相机采集模型的运动图像,然后求解图像的共线方程获得模型表面标记点的三维空间坐标,利用表面标记点坐标最小二乘拟合出一条空间直线,通过不同时刻空间直线单位方向矢量的变化计算出模型的迎角变化。利用精密电子倾斜仪对迎角视觉测量系统进行静态标定,结果表明:迎角视觉测量系统的准确度在0.01°以内。迎角视觉测量系统在2 m超声速风洞中对一尾支撑无主测力天平铰链力矩测量模型的实时迎角进行了测量,结果表明:系统具有很好的响应特性,可以作为风洞试验中迎角测量的一种有效方法,尤其是用于无主测力天平时模型真实迎角和支杆弹性角的测量。     

Improving slant-range resolution with multiple SAR surveys

Across-track resolution of a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is limited by power and data rate constraints. The authors derive and discuss a new technique for increasing the across-track resolution of objects that do not change with time, using multiple surveys of the same area from different off-nadir angles. Precise information on the spaceborne trajectories are not requested since they can be derived from SAR interferometry. Simulated data show that theoretical derivations are in good agreement with practice     

海洋重力计量体系及方法

重力加速度精确测量在国防军事、地质研究、资源勘探、地球物理、地震预报及计量科学等领域中均有着广泛的应用。重力加速度测量和量值传递均需以绝对重力仪为载体进行,而重力加速度测量的准确性需要通过量值溯源来保证。目前,我国在海洋绝对重力计量领域还处于空白阶段,而在建设海洋强国的进程中,海洋重力计量体系的构建显得尤为重要。以此为背景,基于当前已有的重力量值溯源及传递体系,结合我国当前海洋重力计量的需求,就海洋重力体系的建设及规划给出了若干设想和展望。