A global survey of COSMIC ionospheric peak electron density and its height: A comparison with ground-based ionosonde measurements

With a network of ground-based ionosondes distributed around the world, the ionospheric peak electron density and its height measured by FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellites in terms of GPS radio occultation technique are extensively examined in this article. It is found that, in spite of the latitude, the mean values of the peak electron density measured by COSMIC satellites are systematically smaller than those observed by ground-based ionosondes. The discrepancy between them is dependent on the latitude, namely, it is small in low and mid-latitudes and large in high-latitude region. Moreover, statistical analysis shows that the slopes of the regression line that is best fitted to the scatter diagram of occultation-retrieved peak electron density (ordinate axis) versus ionosonde-observed peak density (abscissa axis) are universally less than one. This feature is believed to be the result of path average effect of non-uniform distribution of the electron density along the GSP ray during the occultation. A comparison between COSMIC-measured peak height and ionosonde-derived peak height hmF2 indicates that the former is systematically higher than the latter. The difference in the two can be as large as 20% or more in equatorial and low-latitude regions. This result implies that the peak height hmF2 derived from the virtual height through true height analysis based on Titheridge method seems to underestimate the true peak height. The correlation between COSMIC and ionosonde peak electron densities is analyzed and the result reveals that correlation coefficient seems to be dependent on the fluctuation of the occultation-retrieved electron density profile. The correlation will be higher (lower) for the electron density profiles with smaller (larger) fluctuations. This feature suggests that the inhomogeneous distribution of the electron density along the GPS ray path during the occultation plays an important role affecting the correlation between COSMIC and ionosonde measurements.     

Two-dimensional adaptive array for spatially separating andtracking uncorrelated sources

A new structure for the separation and tracking of uncorrelated sources through the use of a 2-dimensional adaptive array is proposed and investigated. The structure consists of a matrix preprocessing beamformer designed to result in outputs which are due to individual sources in the steady state. The preprocessing weights of the beamformer are calculated using the estimated locations of the sources and are updated periodically. Continuous estimation of the source locations is accomplished by using the beamformer outputs to adaptively eliminate correlated components in a reference element of the array while the structure proposed may have rather erratic initial convergence behavior, it has the advantages of being simple to be implemented, fast in tracking, and well suited for applications in mobile communication systems for increasing system capacity     

Self-similar solutions to stellar winds with cosmic rays

A two-fluid model is used to study the time evolution of stellar winds including the dynamical effect of cosmic rays. Neglecting the diffusion of cosmic rays, we seek self-similar solutions to spherically symmetric winds with a termination shock. The velocity upstream of the shock is taken to be zero. Physical solutions are those that can connect the shock to the star with the velocity approaching zero at the star. Two parameters govern the behaviour of the solutions, namely, the ratio of the upstream sound speed to the shock speed (in an inertial frame) and the gravitation potential of the central star. In some parameter regimes, no physical solution is possible.     

A program to measure new energetic particle nuclear interaction cross sections.

The Transport Collaboration, consisting of researchers from institutions in France, Germany, Italy and the USA, has established a program to make new measurements of nuclear interaction cross sections for heavy projectiles (Z > or = 2) in targets of liquid H2, He and heavier materials. Such cross sections directly affect calculations of galactic and solar cosmic ray transport through matter and are needed for accurate radiation hazard assessment. To date, the collaboration has obtained data using the LBL Bevalac HISS facility with 20 projectiles from 4He to 58Ni in the energy range 393-910 MeV/nucleon. Preliminary results from the analysis of these data are presented here and compared to other measurements and to cross section prediction formulae.     

Robust algorithm for combating look direction error problems

A simple and fast zero tracking algorithm for adaptive arrays with large look direction errors is presented and investigated. Basically, the algorithm is based on adjusting the complex zeroes of a power inversion array in a time-multiplexed manner to track all the sources in the environment. To preserve the desired signal which is supposed to be closest to the look direction of 0°, the algorithm removes the zero with the shortest distance to e^j0 so that the directional response consists of only nulls steered at the jammers. When compared with the least mean square (LMS) algorithm employing zeroth and first-order look direction constraints, the new algorithm has about the same implementation complexity, is considerably faster, and possesses a much better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance when the look direction is erroneous     

Thermal drill sampling system onboard high-velocity impactors for exploring the subsurface of Europa

The planned Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) will provide a unique opportunity to place scientific instruments onto the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa in the late 2020s. After the Galileo mission, this will be a long awaited chance to have a close glimpse into some of the mysteries of this moon. Care must be taken in the choice of in-situ science that will be undertaken on the surface.     

Modeling the Augmentation System of a Radar Target

The objective of the high-altitude supersonic target (HAST) radar augmentation system is to simulate the radar cross section (RCS) of a real target. The system is, therefore, of the active transponder type with various radiating antennas simulating the dominant scattering centers on the real target. We develop a system model, which when combined with the measured RCS of the HAST vehicle, simulates the RCS of the real target. Comparisons with measurements illustrating the success of the simulation program are given.     

Characteristics and accuracies of the GRACE inter-satellite pointing

For almost 10 years, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) has provided information about the Earth gravity field with unprecedented accuracy. Efforts are ongoing to approach the GRACE baseline accuracy as there still remains an order of magnitude between the present error level of the gravity field solutions and the GRACE baseline. At the current level of accuracy, thorough investigation of sensor related effects is necessary as they are one of the potential contributors to the error budget. In the science mode operations, the twin satellites are kept precisely pointed with their KBR antennas towards each other. It is the task of the onboard attitude and orbit control system (AOCS) to keep the satellites in the required formation. We analyzed long time series of the inter-satellite pointing variations as they reflect the AOCS performance and characteristics. We present significant systematic effects in the inter-satellite pointing and discuss their possible sources. Prominent features are especially related to the magnetic torquer characteristics, star cameras’ performance and KBR antenna calibration parameters. The relation between the magnetic torquer attitude control and the Earth magnetic field, impact of the different performance of the two star camera heads on the attitude control and the features due to uncertainties in the calibration parameters relating the star camera frame to K-frame are discussed in detail. Proper understanding of these effects will help to reduce their impact on the science data and subsequently increase the accuracy of the gravity field solutions. Moreover, understanding the complexity of the onboard system is essential not only for increasing the accuracy of the GRACE data but also for the development of the future gravity field satellite missions.     

Slow Solar Wind: Observations and Modeling

While it is certain that the fast solar wind originates from coronal holes, where and how the slow solar wind (SSW) is formed remains an outstanding question in solar physics even in the post-SOHO era. The quest for the SSW origin forms a major objective for the planned future missions such as the Solar Orbiter and Solar Probe Plus. Nonetheless, results from spacecraft data, combined with theoretical modeling, have helped to investigate many aspects of the SSW. Fundamental physical properties of the coronal plasma have been derived from spectroscopic and imaging remote-sensing data and in situ data, and these results have provided crucial insights for a deeper understanding of the origin and acceleration of the SSW. Advanced models of the SSW in coronal streamers and other structures have been developed using 3D MHD and multi-fluid equations.However, the following questions remain open: What are the source regions and their contributions to the SSW? What is the role of the magnetic topology in the corona for the origin, acceleration and energy deposition of the SSW? What are the possible acceleration and heating mechanisms for the SSW? The aim of this review is to present insights on the SSW origin and formation gathered from the discussions at the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) by the Team entitled “Slow solar wind sources and acceleration mechanisms in the corona” held in Bern (Switzerland) in March 2014 and 2015.     

DOA estimation under unknown mutual coupling and multipath

We propose a new method for direction of arrival (DOA) estimation in the presence of multipath propagation and mutual coupling for a frequency hopping (FH) system. With the use of pilot symbols and assuming perfect time-frequency synchronization for a linear array, we take mutual coupling and multipath propagation into account, and derive a maximum likelihood (ML) estimator for both the mutual coupling matrix and DOA estimation. We then formulate an iterative alternating minimization (AM) algorithm for finding the mutual coupling and DOA parameters in an alternate manner. Simulation results illustrating the performance of the algorithm and comparison with the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) are also presented.