Advanced detectors and instruments for small satellites

This paper presents some approaches to the development of advanced detectors and to miniaturized instrument design which are pursued in the Institute of Space Sensor Technology of DLR (the German Aerospace Research Establishment). The instrument design approach is demonstrated for a low-weight (3 kg) dual camera system with narrow-angle in-track stereo and wide-angle multispectral features. Each camera has its own signal processor and 0,5 G Bit mass memory. The activities for advanced detector development are concentrated on two different kinds of detectors and instrumentations: infrared detector arrays and instruments at wavelengths out to about 240 μm, and superheterodyne receivers in the submillimeter and far-infrared spectral ranges.     

雷达对抗侦察中基于广义似然比检测的子带频谱检测算法

根据雷达对抗侦察接收信号的特点,提出了基于动态非均匀信道化滤波的接收结构.重点研究了其中的频谱感知环节,提出了基于广义似然比检测的子带频谱检测算法.该算法首先假设至少含有K个子带不存在信号,再根据K个子带输出估计噪声方差,从而给出了基于广义似然比检测的子带频谱检测算法的检验统计量.对于具有频率先验信息的重点目标,论文给出了基于广义似然比检测快速频谱检测算法.理论分析和仿真表明了算法的有效性.     

IRSUTE, a small satellite for water budget estimate with high resolution infrared imagery

The estimation of land surface fluxes has been recognized in the last ten years as a major scientific issue for the improvement of our knowledge on heat and water budgets and therefore of models in meteorology, hydrology, agriculture and environment. Remote sensing is an adequate mean for filling the gap which exists between small scale instruments or modeling (10m) and the regional or global scales where they have to be determined with a typical grid element of the order of 1 to 10 km. IRSUTE (for Infra Red miniSatellite Unit for Terrestrial Environment) is a scientific small satellite mission providing thermal imagery for the determination and analysis of soil/vegetation/atmosphere processes at the field scale and therefore for providing the necessary data for a scaling-up of these processes from local to regional scales. The main specifications, will allow this instrument to optimize the correction of the sensed radiance and to retrieve the fluxes with an accuracy of the order of 50w/m² (or 0.8mm/day). IRSUTE is designed to have high spatial resolution (50m), across and along track viewing capabilities, 5 channels : visible/NIR, 3.7 μ, and 3 TIR in the 8–11 μm band with a good radiometric sensitivity (NEΔT = 0.1 K). The instrument is to be implemented onboard a small satellite (typically a PROTEUS platform) placed on a sun-synchronous orbit allowing high repetitivity (1 to 3 days). It is based on the push-broom technique which uses IR-CCD linear array detectors positioned in the cryocooled focal plane of a large bandwidth collecting optics.     

中分辨率成像光谱仪焦平面设计方案设想

文中就中分辨率成像光谱仪的焦平面设计进行了分析,根据中分辨率成像光谱仪的谱段配置、微型组合滤光片研制难度、辐照分辨率、空间分辨率等具体情况,提出了详细的焦平面设想:在可见光波段焦平面(VIS FPA)采用镶嵌蓝光增强PIN二极管列阵,近红外焦平面(NIR FPA)采用红外增强PIN二极管列阵,读出采用CMOS多路读出及源跟随器输出结构,以相关双取样电路消除背景噪声、复位噪声和热噪声,每列探测器对应一路前置放大器;短波红外焦平面(SWIR FPA),探测器采用光伏HgCdTe器件,采用直接注入多路读出电路;长波红外焦平面(LWIR FPA),探测器采用光导HgCdTe器件,读出电路为与光敏元一一对应的前置放大器,主放大器,然后以模拟开关变为串行输出,文中还就各FPA的信噪比、量子效率、串音等进行了分析,提出了各焦平面的最佳工作温度、响应率和一致性等要求。     

Design of a 40/50 GHz satellite ground station for fade mitigation experiments

Due to the increasing demand in satellite capacity, driven by applications such as high-definition television (HDTV), 3D-TV and interactive broadband services, higher frequency bands will have to be exploited. The capacity on Ku-band is already becoming scarce and Ka-band systems are more commonly used. It can be expected that 40 and 50 GHz (Q and V band) will have to be used in the future. At these frequencies the wave propagation effects have a significant impact on the performance. The traditional approach of implementing large fade margins in the system design is not suitable as it leads to expensive ground terminals. Fade mitigation by adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) is a cost-efficient method. To investigate the Q/V-band for future commercial exploitation, ESA's ALPHASAT satellite will provide experimental payloads for communications and wave propagation experiments. In Graz a Q/V-band ground station is currently under development. It will be equipped with a 3 m tracking antenna, a 50 W Klystron amplifier and a 290 K LNA. Fade mitigation experiments will be conducted, initially using DVB-S2 modems which allow to vary the modulation scheme, the Forward Error Correction code and the symbol rate under control of the ACM computer. In addition, uplink power control can be combined with the ACM methods. A specially developed signal analyser provides precise measurement of the signal/noise ratio. In addition, propagation data will be available from a beacon receiver, also developed by Joanneum Research. Important goals of the experiment are to investigate the reliability of links under realistic operating conditions using ACM and to develop efficient ACM and signal/noise ratio measurement algorithms which can be later implemented in optimised modems for Q/V-band.The paper describes the ground station design and addresses the planned fade mitigation experiments.     

基于参数可调随机共振的微弱单方波脉冲检测方法

利用langevin方程构成的双稳态随机共振系统，本文提出了一种非线性检测器。利用Fokker-Planck方程的稳态概率密度函数，推导了该非线性检测器的检测概率、虚警概率和偏移系数，分析单方波脉冲在该检测器下的性能。实验结果表明，在低信噪比（-10dB）的情况下，随机共振检测器优于匹配滤波检测方法。     

基于五光谱TDICCD的模拟信号发生器设计

首先介绍了延迟积分电荷耦合器件（TDICCD）的基本原理,并根据某高分辨率多光谱航天相机定制的一款五光谱TDICCD的输出特性,设计了一种基于五光谱TDICCD的模拟信号发生器,给出了该模拟信号发生器的系统组成,包括图像处理电路、数模转换电路和模拟信号滤波电路。最后通过测试验证了该系统的信号波形、信号噪声和输出图像都满足设计要求,其输出的16通道模拟五光谱TDICCD信号频率可以达到20MHz,噪声控制在10mV以内,具有高精度、多通道和低噪声等特点。目前该模拟信号发生器已成功应用到新一代高分辨率多光谱TDICCD相机成像电路系统的研制中。     

The modular optelectronic multispectral scanner system for spaceborne remote sensing

A multispectral scanner system for spaceborne remote sensing of land and coastal/ocean features is under development for the German Ministry for Research and Technology. The system is based on the use of multilinear detector arrays for visible and infrared spectral bands.The electronically scanning image system MOMS (Modular Optoelectronical Multispectral Scanner) consists of individual spectral channel modules which can be grouped to dedicated mission tasks. Those dedicated tasks are land surface thematic mapping, sea or vegetation monitoring and in a stereo mode conventional photo interpretation and mapping.The basic performance data would allow up to 10,000 pixels per scan line, corresponding to about 20 m resolution at 200 km swath width out of observation satellite altitudes with narrower spectral bands than used on the current systems. High spectral resolution (up to 20 nm) is feasible at medium spatial resolution (～ 60 m).An experimental airborne scanner has been successfully flown in spring 1978. High-resolution modules development in the visible/NIR is under way and will be flight tested in early 1981.     

Effect of liquid bridge form on oscillatory thermocapillary convection under 1 g and μg conditions

This study analyses the effect of temperature difference between hot and cool disk (ΔT), and non-dimensional liquid bridge volume (V/V_o) on the transition process from steady thermocapillary convection to periodic or chaotic thermocapillary convection in a liquid bridge modeled after the floating zone method under normal gravity and microgravity conditions. From normal gravity and drop shaft experiments, the difference of the regime of the steady state and the oscillatory state was clarified on the ΔT−V/V_o plane under 1 g and μg conditions. A gap or stability region was observed in the specific V/V_o range under 1 g conditions. In the gap or stable region, after the gravity changed from 1 g to μg conditions, the temperature signals showed oscillation. From these results, the critical temperature difference under the μg conditions appeared to be smaller than that under the 1 g conditions. Temperature signals were defined as 6 different types of states. The various temperature oscillatory state regimes were obtained on a ΔT−V/V_o plane under 1 g and μg conditions. Under μg conditions, in these experimental conditions, all temperature oscillatory states exhibited only the Periodic state.     

Future earth observation missions for oceanographic applications: Indian perspectives

Significant progress has been achieved in India in demonstrating the utility of remote sensing data for various oceanographic applications during the last one decade. Among these, techniques have been developed for retrieval of ocean surface waves, winds, wave forecast model, internal waves, sea surface temperature and chlorophyll pigments. Encouraged from these results as well as for meeting the specific and increasing data requirements on an assured basis by oceanographers, India is making concerted efforts for developing and launching state-of-the-art indigenous satellites for ocean applications in the coming years.

The first in the series of ocean satellites planned for launch is Oceansat-1 (IRS-P4) by early 1999. Oceansat-1 carries on-board an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and a Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR). OCM will have 8 narrow spectral bands operating in visible and near- infrared bands (402–885 nm) with a spatial resolution of 360 m and swath of 1420 km. The MSMR with its all weather capability is configured to have measurements at 4 frequencies viz., 6.6, 10.65, 18 & 21 GHz in dual polarisation mode with a spatial resolution of 120, 80, 40 & 40 km, respectively with an overall swath of 1360 km. The Oceansat-1 with repetitivity of once in two days will provide global data for retrieval of various oceanographic and meteorological parameters such as chlorophyll (primary productivity), sea surface temperature and wind speed, besides a host of other parameters of relevance to meteorology.

A full fledged satellite for ocean applications known as Oceansat-2 (IRS-P7) is also planned for launch during 2002. This satellite with payload mix of microwave (Scatterometer, Altimeter & Passive Microwave Radiometer), Thermal (TIR) and Optical (OCM) sensors, will provide greater in-sight into the global understanding of ocean dynamics/resources. This mission is expected to provide a complete set of oceanographic measurements, which are useful for providing operational oceanographic services.

Efforts are also on towards development of missions having multi-frequency, multipolarisation and multi-look angle microwave payloads including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and advanced millimeter wave sounders, besides development of imaging spectrometers by 2005.

A well-knit plan has been initiated in India for utilisation of planned Oceansat data. Important efforts initiated in this direction include SATellite Coastal and Oceanographic Research and Ocean Information Services, which are being carried out on an integrated basis aiming at providing services to the down stream users. The paper highlights these efforts in India towards providing an operational ocean information services in the coming years.     

窄带实高斯噪声对外差式零拍装置的干扰机理

以外差式CW多普勒引信为例分析了外差式零拍装置提取差频信号的基本原理,把外差式零拍装置在数学层面上抽象为对线性叠加信号求平方后提取低频分量的模型。根据该模型,从理论上证明了：窄带实高斯噪声单独通过外差式零拍装置后输出的低频噪声的带宽将得到加倍,噪声与本振信号相互作用后产生新的噪声分量将使低频噪声功率比无本振信号时得到增加;回波信号加窄带平稳实高斯噪声通过零拍装置后干信比将得到增强,且增强的程度将随本振信号功率的增加而降低。计算机仿真分析的结果验证了上述结论,也正好解释了早期CW引信极易受到频率对准噪声干扰而早炸的实际情况。     

Bistatic radar as a tool for earth investigation using small satellites

Bistatic radar is a facility for the Earth remote sensing, which uses large spatial diversity between its transmitter and receiver. Nomogram method is proposed to determine the radar's parameters. Analysis of the nomograms has shown that modern onboard radio facilities allow to obtain spatial resolution of about 100 m at the wavelength λ = 3 cm for LEO satellite (H = 350 km). Experiments of bistatic radiolocation of the Earth near the radioshadow zone were provided using telecommunication link “MIR” orbital station — GEO satellite at wavelength λ = 32 cm. For the first time in practice of bistatic radiolocation of the Earth from space reflected signal in radioshadow zone was observed.The analysis of experimental results verified the developed radiophysical model with the value of sea water conductivity σ = 7.0 mo/m and absorption coefficient due to atmospheric oxygen χ = 0.0096±0.0024 dB/km.     

SIGMA: Projet d'Observatoire spatial a haute resolution angulaire pour les sources de rayons gamma

(SIGMA: Project of a high resolution space observatory for gamma rays sources)—The SIGMA space observatory is designed to obtain images of the sky in the hard X-ray/low energy gamma-ray domain (30–2000 keV range), with an angular accuracy of a few are min, within a field of ～7° × 7°, and a sensitivity for point sources down to a level of a few 10^?6 photons cm^?2s^?1keV^?1 (exposure 24 hr). The instrument is designed using the principle of the coded aperture mask telescope with a position sensitive detector derived from the Anger gamma-camera which is used in nuclear medicine. The pseudo-images of the sky are accumulated on board and transmitted to the ground stations for decoding processing. The gross weight of the instrument is 750 kg and its overall dimensions are 3 m long and 1.2 m in diameter.     

Dosimetric measurements in manned missions

Detector packages consisting of thermoluminescence detectors (TLDs), nuclear emulsions and plastic nuclear track detectors were exposed in different sections of the MIR space station, inside the Spacelab during the IML1 mission, and inside Spacelab module and tunnel during the D2 mission. This report concentrates on total dose measurements with TLDs during these mission. The results are discussed and compared to results of former missions and to calculations. Finally, dose equivalents and mean quality factors for each mission are presented which are derived from the TLD results and results obtained from the other detector systems. Dose equivalents range between 200 μSvd⁻¹ and 700 μSvd⁻¹.     

星载面阵SAR多维波形编码技术研究

为解决传统高分辨和宽测绘带以及高信噪比和宽测绘带之间的矛盾,采用面阵合成孔径雷达（SAR）多维波形编码（Multi-Dimensional Waveform Coding, MDWC）技术,提出了将面阵分为多行多列的子孔径,将距离维测绘带分成多个子测绘带进行脉内扫描照射,同时对子测绘带内子脉冲信号进行频分编码,并采用低PRF发射,接收端则利用方位向多个相位中心解多普勒模糊,获得宽测绘带、高分辨与高信噪比等多项性能,仿真试验表明了方法的有效性。     

固有模态函数(IMF)积检测器——以低信噪比情况下超宽带雷达信号检测为例

首次提出了一种固有模态函数积检测器.首先通过经验模式分解(EMD)把带噪信号分解成有限个固有模态函数(IMF).检测的基本思路是,对各个IMF分量的绝对值作逐点乘积,用于抑制噪声并凸现信号,最后进行滤波和判决.本文以UWB信号为例,数据源于UWB雷达实验系统.在低信噪比(SNR),UWB脉冲与噪声波形相似,且噪声概率密度函数(PDF)未知情况下,进行实验.结果表明,当峰峰信噪比低于5 dB时,该检测器性能优于Teager能量算子(TEO).     

低温真空环境的红外背景模拟器的研制

红外背景模拟器是光学遥感器性能检测试验和辐射定标试验中的重要设备。针对某低温光学遥感器的光学定标试验,将仿真优化与实践经验相结合,研制了一套能够在120 K的低温真空环境中稳定工作的红外背景模拟器。该模拟器主要由真空低温面源黑体、冷光阑和电移台3部分组成。其中冷光阑的温度在90～300 K范围内连续可调,且温度均匀性在±3 K以内;电移台的三维运动控制精度≤10 mm。该模拟器能够适用于多种光学遥感器的红外性能检测试验和定标试验。     

热控涂层红外发射率对GEO卫星蓄电池温度波动的影响

在东方红一3卫星平台的基础上,将合理简化后的南蓄电池舱作为热分析模型。根据影响蓄电池温度波动的机理,提出服务舱舱板内表面常用热控涂层（白漆、镀铝膜、碳蒙皮）的5种组合方案,并量化分析了热控涂层红外发射率对蓄电池温度波动的影响。分析结果表明：降低蓄电池舱舱板内表面热控涂层红外发射率,尤其是降低蓄电池安装舱板表面的热控涂层红外发射率,可有效减小蓄电池温度波动幅度。与基准方案相比,最优组合方案能使蓄电池温度波动幅度降低50％。     

BBM/EM design of the thermal hyperspectral imager: An instrument for remote sensing of earth's surface,atmosphere and ocean,from a microsatellite platform

The Thermal Hyperspectral Imager (THI) is a low cost, low mass, power efficient instrument designed to acquire hyperspectral remote sensing data in the long-wave infrared. The instrument has been designed to satisfy mass, volume, and power constraints necessary to allow for its accommodation in a 95 kg micro-satellite bus, designed by staff and students at the University of Hawai'i. THI acquires approximately 30 separate spectral bands in the 8–14 μm wavelength region, at 16 wavenumber resolution. Rather than using filtering or dispersion to generate the spectral information, THI uses an interferometric technique. Light from the scene is focused onto an uncooled microbolometer detector array through a stationary interferometer, causing the light incident at each detector at any instant in time to be phase shifted by an optical path difference which varies linearly across the array in the along-track dimension. As platform motion translates the detector array in the along-track direction at a rate of approximately one pixel per frame (the camera acquires data at 30 Hz) the radiance from each scene element can be sampled at each OPD, thus generating an interferogram. Spectral radiance as a function of wavelength is subsequently obtained for each scene element using standard Fourier transform techniques. Housed in a pressure vessel to shield COTS parts from the space environment, the total instrument has a mass of 15 kg. Peak power consumption, largely associated with the calibration procedure, is <90 W. From a nominal altitude of 550 km the resulting data would have a spatial resolution of approximately 300 m. Although an individual imaging event yields approximately 1 Gbit of raw uncompressed data, onboard processing (to convert the interferograms into a conventional spectral hypercube) can reduce this to tens of Mega bits per scene. In this presentation we will describe (a) the rationale for the project, (b) the instrument design, and (c) how the data are processed. Finally we will present data acquired by THI on a laboratory microscope stage to demonstrate the spectro-radiometric quality of the data that the instrument can provide.