Transient Response of an Asymmetric Cylindrical Antenna

The time-domain transient response of a thin dipole antenna is discussed in terms of element lengths and the surge impedances of the transmission line and element terminals. Theory and measurements show that, unlike symmetric configurations, asymmetry in the element lengths, together with appropriate mismatch of the transmission line, produces radiation proportional to the first time derivative of the signal voltage, and replica reception proportional to the incoming field.     

Random tropospheric effects in command guidance by multilaterationand interferometry

Statistical models are developed for the random spatial variations in refractivity in the troposphere, and are used to derive spatial correlation functions for the errors in range measurement and interferometer angle measurement. These are then used to analyze the relative errors between two tracked targets, for application to command-guided intercept problems. It is shown that multilateration, using range measurements, yields much smaller relative errors than does the interferometer approach     

An annunciator architecture for the year 2000

Exciting new safeguards and security technologies are on the horizon, and some are even on the shelves today. Self-testing sensors, smart sensors, and intelligent alarm analyzers are all designed to provide useful information to the operator. However, today's current annunciator systems were not designed to accommodate these new technologies. New display technologies are also changing the look and feel of the annunciator of the future. Annunciator technology needs to “catch up” to these other security technologies. This paper presents the concept for a new, object-oriented approach to annunciator architecture design. The new architecture could accommodate simple, switch-closure devices as well as information-rich sensors and intelligent analyzers. In addition the architecture could allow other leading-edge interfaces to be easily integrated into the annunciator system. These technologies will reduce operator workload and aid the operator in making informed security decisions     

Simple Tracking Filters: Position and Velocity Measurements

Parametric data is presented showing the effects of combining velocity measurements with the usual position measurements in a simple form of target tracking filter. Effects on steady-state performance and filter gains are shown, as well as data on time required for convergence to steady state.     

Track Biases and Coalescence with Probabilistic Data Association

It is shown that probabilistic data association yields biased tracks in a multitarget environment, and the magnitude of the bias is investigated. A critical target separation distance exists, within which the tracks tend to coalesce completely. The problem of track initiation on new targets is also discussed.     

X-38 integrated aero- and aerothermodynamic activities

The characterisation of the aeroshape selected for the X-38 [Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) demonstrator] is presently being performed as a co-operative endeavour between NASA, DLR (through its TETRA Program), and the European Space Agency (ESA) with Dassault Aviation integrating the aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic activities. The methodologies selected for characterizing the aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic environment of the X-38 are presented.     

Meteoroids and space debris hypervelocity impact penetrations in LDEF MAP foils compared with hydrocode simulations

The continued analyses of penetrating impacts on MAP foils of Aluminium and Brass have produced data for several LDEF faces, i.e., Space, West, and East. These data have immediate bearing on the interpretation and design of devices to detect the penetration of a thin metallic film by a dust grain which have been tested both in the laboratory and in space. A crucial component of the analysis has been the theoretical calculation utilizing CTH, a Sandia National Laboratory Hydrodynamic computer code /1/ to assess the parameters of the hypervelocity penetration event. In particular theoretical hydrodynamic calculations have been conducted to simulate the hypervelocity impact event where various cosmic dust grain candidates, e.g., density = 0.998, 2.700, 7.870 (gm/cm³), and velocities, i.e., 7 - 16 km/s, have been utilized to reproduce the events. Theoretical analyses of hypervelocity impact events will be reported which span an extensive matrix of values for velocity, density and size. Through a comparison between LDEF MAP foil measurements and CTH hydrocode calculations these analyses will provide an interpretation of the most critical parameters measured for space returned materials, i.e., for thin films, the diameter of the penetration hole, D_h, and for semi-infinite targets, the depth-to-diameter ratio of craters, . An immediate consequence of a comparison of CTH calculations with space exposed materials will be an enhancement of the coherent model developed by UKC-USS researchers to describe penetration dynamics associated with LDEF MAP foils.     

Simple Tracking Filters: Closed-Form Solutions

A closed-form steady-state solution is presented for a three-state tracking filter with continuous position measurements and exponentially correlated target acceleration. Some other related closed-form solutions are discussed, and some comparative performance data is presented for the discrete measurement case.     

Simple Tracking Filters: Steady-State Filtering and Smoothing Performance

Computed data is presented, in normalized form, showing steady-state filtering and smoothing performance for optimum three-state estimators which assume exponentially correlated acceleration of the tracked object. The data are useful for preliminary design, gain selection, and performance prediction.