Square-Wave Correlation Phase Detector with VLF Atmospheric Noise

Correlation phase detectors often include hard limiting of both received and reference signals. The characteristics of such " square-wave" correlation detectors for both Gaussian and impluse noise are derived as functions of both phase and carrier-to-noise ratio. Decoding algorithms and accuracy are discussed.     

Minimax detection for signals with unknown parameters

Minimax detectors are often used for the detection of signals with unknown parameters in additive white Gaussian noise. Several minimax strategies are discussed for both real and complex signals, including one based on the least favorable distribution of the unknown parameters and a second, distribution-free method based on the worst case parameter values. Also discussed are the relationships between these minimax detectors and equal correlation filters for real signals and equal deflection quadratic detectors for complex signals. Conditions are given under which the two different minimax strategies produce identical detectors     

Helium, Oxygen, Proton, and Electron (HOPE) Mass Spectrometer for the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission

The HOPE mass spectrometer of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission (renamed the Van Allen Probes) is designed to measure the in situ plasma ion and electron fluxes over 4π sr at each RBSP spacecraft within the terrestrial radiation belts. The scientific goal is to understand the underlying physical processes that govern the radiation belt structure and dynamics. Spectral measurements for both ions and electrons are acquired over 1 eV to 50 keV in 36 log-spaced steps at an energy resolution ΔE _FWHM/E≈15 %. The dominant ion species (H⁺, He⁺, and O⁺) of the magnetosphere are identified using foil-based time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry with channel electron multiplier (CEM) detectors. Angular measurements are derived using five polar pixels coplanar with the spacecraft spin axis, and up to 16 azimuthal bins are acquired for each polar pixel over time as the spacecraft spins. Ion and electron measurements are acquired on alternate spacecraft spins. HOPE incorporates several new methods to minimize and monitor the background induced by penetrating particles in the harsh environment of the radiation belts. The absolute efficiencies of detection are continuously monitored, enabling precise, quantitative measurements of electron and ion fluxes and ion species abundances throughout the mission. We describe the engineering approaches for plasma measurements in the radiation belts and present summaries of HOPE measurement strategy and performance.     

Detection of random signals via spectrum matching

Using a priori knowledge of the signal power spectral density (PSD), a spectrum matching approach which effectively utilizes the available signal spectral shape is developed for random signal detection. Two spectrum matching detector (SMD) structures, which are implemented by correlogram and periodogram, respectively, are examined. Theoretical calculation of their false alarm rates is derived and confirmed by simulations. It is also demonstrated that the proposed detectors outperform the standard periodogram, Bartlett method, and energy detector under constant false alarm rate (CFAR) condition for two different random signals.     

Angle measurement in the presence of mainbeam interference

The problem of reducing interference impinging on an antenna array when the sources lie in the main beam is addressed. Adaptive antenna arrays are incorporated to form adapted sum and difference beams in which the interference signals are suppressed. Monopulse error curves are then obtained, providing the necessary distortion correction curves across the entire mainbeam tracking angle region. New Cramer-Rao (C-R) bounds on the angle estimation error are derived with generalized assumptions on the signal amplitude and phase. The bounds previously derived by others are valid under different conditions. With these generalized assumptions on the signal characteristics, a Monte Carlo simulation is performed, based on the estimation procedure presented, to determine the angle estimation error. These errors are compared with the C-R bounds. Good performance is shown for sufficient S/N₀ and angular separation between the target and the interference sources     

The Nonparametric Detection of Signals Embedded in Log-Normal Noise

The nonparametric detection of signals embedded in log-normal noise is discussed. The generalized sign (GS), Mann-Whitney (MW), modified Savage (MS), and modified rank squared (MRS) non-parametic detectors are considered and are compared with the mean and trimmed mean (TM) detectors when envelope detection is used. The detection of both nonfluctuating and Rayleigh fluctuating signals is considered.     

Noise effects on centroid tracker aim point estimation

An investigation of errors due to noise in centroid tracker aim-point estimation is presented. The centroid tracker discussed is similar to the tracker described by A.L. Gilbert et al. (1980). Simplifications to this algorithm were made so that the derived models would be consistent with the actual tracker algorithm. Two statistical models are derived which relate image noise effects to computation of the target centroid. The first model, the simplified aim-point error model, is derived by assuming that the probabilities of incorrectly classifying target and background pixels are equal. The second model, the extended aim-point error model, is derived by assuming that the probability of incorrectly classifying a target pixel can differ from the probability of incorrectly classifying a background pixel. These models are described and their mathematical implication is discussed. Simulation results which verify the models are presented     

Standard Solar Composition

We review the current status of our knowledge of the chemical composition of the Sun, essentially derived from the analysis of the solar photospheric spectrum. The comparison of solar and meteoritic abundances confirms that there is a very good agreement between the two sets of abundances. They are used to construct a Standard Abundance Distribution. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Vector subspace detection in compound-Gaussian clutter. Part I: survey and new results

Deals with the problem of detecting subspace random signals against correlated non-Gaussian clutter exploiting different degrees of knowledge on target and clutter statistical characteristics. The clutter process is modeled by the compound-Gaussian distribution. In the first part of the paper, the optimum Neyman-Pearson (NP) detector, the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT), and a constant false-alarm rate (CFAR) detector are sequentially derived both for the Gaussian and the compound-Gaussian scenarios. Different interpretations of the various detectors are provided to highlight the relationships and the differences among them. In particular, we show how the GLRT detector may be recast into an estimator-correlator form and into another form, namely a generalized whitening-matched filter (GWMF), which is the GLRT detector against Gaussian disturbance, compared with a data-dependent threshold. In the second part of this paper, the proposed detectors are tested against both simulated data and measured high resolution sea clutter data to investigate the dependence of their performance on the various clutter and signal parameters.     

Performance of pulse-pair method of Doppler estimation

Because of its simplicity, the pulse-pair method is usually used in the estimation of Doppler from backscattered acoustic signals. In the literature, various improvements to the basic pulse-pair estimate have been proposed. The statistics of these improved methods have also been derived using simplified assumptions for the signal and noise. By developing a multiplicative noise model for the backscatter signal, in this work, the variance of the Doppler estimate is derived under all signal scenarios. The dependency of the variance on the amplitude correlation length of the data is also discussed. It is demonstrated that the use of parabolic window in the estimate is the proper method of Doppler evaluation under all conditions     

Oxygen and carbon abundances for the WO stars

We present relative carbon and oxygen abundances derived via an optically thin recombination line analysis for five WO stars, and compare the derived abundances to recent evolutionary models. New recombination coefficients for O⁴⁺, O⁵⁺ and O⁶⁺ ions have allowed total oxygen abundances to be derived. The final C/He values range between 0.4 and 0.8 by number, consistent with C/He ratios previously derived for WC stars. O/He values range between 0.1–0.4, with C/O ratios between 2.1–4.8.A comparison of the derived abundances with the evolutionary models of Maeder (1990) and Schaller et al. (1992) shows promising agreement. We find reasonably tight agreement between the abundances derived for the WO stars. The degree of enhancement for the oxygen abundances in regions of low metallicity predicted by Maeder (1990) is not corroborated by our results.Additionally we present a revised, quantified classification scheme for WO subtypes. We extend the class to lower excitation, WO5, and place MS 4 (=WR 30a) in this class. Equivalent widths of the strongest lines of MS 4 are also presented. Finally, we present new observations of DR 1, a WO3 star located in the dwarf irregular galaxy IC 1613.     

Modified Savage and Modified Rank Squared Nonparametric Detectors

A modified form of the basic Savage statistic is considered and the performance of a modified Savage (MS) nonparametric detector using this modified statistic is derived. Also, a detector using a modified rank squared statistic (MRS) is introduced. The asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) of the detectors is determined for chisquare, Rician, and log-normal signal fluctuations when the background noise is assumed Gaussian. The ARE performance of the generalized sign (GS) and Mann-Whitney (MW) detectors is also determined for these families of fluctuations. The ARE performance of the various detectors is then compared, and the results of a computer simulation are presented in which, for a finite number of samples, the performance of the modified detectors is compared with the performance of the GS and MW detectors. It is shown that when using a large number of reference noise samples, the ARE of the GS and MW detectors, the MRS and RS detectors, and the MS and Savage detectors are 0.75, 0.868, and 1, respectively. It is also shown that when using a finite number of reference noise samples the MS and MRS detectors can give a superior performance to that obtained with the MW detector, and that this is particularly true in the cases in which the degree of signal fluctuation is high.     

From interstellar matter to comets: Elemental abundances in interstellar dust and in comet Halley

Analogies between interstellar and cometary matter can be found in their chemical compositions, both in the gaseous and solid phases, but also in the physical processes involved like evidence for ion-molecules reactions at low temperature and for ice irradiation processes. Such analogies can be observed from 3 types of measurements: interstellar spectra, cometary observations, and analyses of interplanetary dust particles, with the help of laboratory simulation experiments. Taking into account all the present available information, a compilation of the elemental abundances in interstellar matter and in comet Halley is derived, without any assumption about the dust to gas ratio. It is found that there is a significant apparent depletion of nitrogen, presently unexplained, in both interstellar and cometary materials.     

Nuclear processes and accelerated particles in solar flares

Nuclear processes and particle acceleration in solar flares are reviewed. The theory of gamma-ray and neutron production is discussed and results of calculations are compared to gamma-ray, neutron, and charged-particle observations from solar flares. The implications of these comparisons on particle energy spectra, total numbers, anisotropies, electron-to-proton ratios, as well as on acceleration mechanisms and the interaction site, are presented. The information on elemental and isotopic abundances derived from gamma-ray observations is compared to abundances obtained from escaping accelerated particles and other sources.NAS/NRC Resident Research Associate.     

Two-Stage CFAR Detectors for Multiple-Range-Bin Radars

Two-stage detectors using generalized sign and four-level conditional statistics for signal detection in multiple-range-bin radars are described. The resulting detectors are of constant false-alarm rate (CFAR). Performances are evaluated and compared with singlestage versions. If the a priori probability of either the no-target case or the target-presence case is large (close to 1), a two-stage test can be designed to have the advantage of reducing the average number of samples required without sacrificing detection probability. With the proper choices of parameters, significant improvement in the efficiency can be achieved. Asymptotic relative efficiency of two-stage detectors with respect to single-stage detectors is derived and some numerical results are evaluated.     

Iron: Whence it came,where it went

Determinations of the abundances of iron and related elements in the photosphere, chromosphere and corona of the Sun and in solar and galactic cosmic rays are reviewed and compared with abundances derived from meteoritic data. Observed Solar System abundances are found to be in accord with predictions of nucleosynthesis under either hydrostatic or explosive conditions but cannot yet be used to define these processes uniquely.Distribution of iron among planets and meteorites can probably be adequately modelled by condensation and fractionation under equilibrium conditions above about 700 K but below that temperature it is likely that inhibited solid state diffusion perturbed attainment of equilibrium. Pertinent factors which are presently unknown include the mechanism responsible for metal-silicate fractionation, the grain size achieved by metallic iron in the nebula and whether iron-bearing silicate formed prior to accretion.Dedicated to Professor Harold C. UreyPublication Number 1560-Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles.     

Isotopic Composition of H,HE and NE in the Protosolar Cloud

Observations and measurements in the solar wind, the Jovian atmosphere and the gases trapped in lunar surface material provide the main evidence from which the isotopic composition of H, He and Ne in the Protosolar Cloud (PSC) is derived. These measurements and observations are reviewed and the corrections are discussed that are needed for obtaining from them the PSC isotopic ratios. The D/H, ³He/⁴He (D+³He)/H, ²⁰Ne/²²Ne and ²¹Ne/²²Ne ratios adopted for the PSC are presented. Protosolar abundances provide the basis for the interpretation of isotopic ratios measured in the various solar system objects. In this article we discuss constraints derived from the PSC abundances on solar mixing, the origin of atmospheric neon, and the nature of the “SEP” component of neon trapped at the lunar surface. We also discuss constraints on the galactic evolution provided by the isotopic abundances of H and He in the PSC. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the Accuracy And Resolution of Radar Signals

Information matrices are derived for estimates of the range parameters of moving targets as obtained by combining a priori information (if available) with reflected radar signals observed in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise. The inverse of the information matrix provides a lower bound on the covariance matrix of any unbiased parameter estimates. This bound can be approached with a high signal-to-noise ratio and optimum data processing (matched filters). Arbitrary frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, and target motion as well as various assumptions on processing the RF phase are considered. The multiple-target case makes possible investigation of a signal's resolution ability, as well as its accuracy potentials. Results for a carrier frequency much greater than the effective signal bandwidth are obtained as a special case. A main purpose of the paper is the reduction of the original radar problem to a linear model which is equivalent in the sense of having the same information matrix. These models provide valuable insight into the relative effects of multiple targets, choice of modulation, a priori information, and assumptions regarding RF phase and bandwidth. The linear equivalent model also leads to a valuable computational algorithm for investigations using digital or hybrid computers. The various special cases of interest are obtained by simple modifications of the general case, and thus the algorithm can provide a very versatile tool for evaluating and designing radar signals.     

Difference beam aided target detection in monopulse radar

The classical detection step in a monopulse radar system is based on the sum beam only,the performance of which is not optimal when target is not at the beam center. Target detection aided by the difference beam can improve the performance at this case. However, the existing difference beam aided target detectors have the problem of performance deterioration at the beam center, which has limited their application in real systems. To solve this problem, two detectors are proposed in this paper. Assuming the monopulse ratio is known, a generalized likelihood ratio test(GLRT) detector is derived, which can be used when targeting information on target direction is available. A practical dual-stage detector is proposed for the case that the monopulse ratio is unknown. Simulation results show that performances of the proposed detectors are superior to that of the classical detector.