“定制”与“广义”概念下的指尖密封结构优化

 为了获得高性能的指尖密封结构型式，根据指尖密封的结构组成特点，提出了“定制”型线和“广义”型线概念下的指尖密封结构优化策略，以及反映指尖密封基本组成特征和具有“单元叠加”功能的最小优化单元。通过采用统一优化法和分步优化法对两类指尖密封结构的多目标优化问题进行了优化分析，研究结果表明，“定制”型线指尖密封结构优化和 “广义”型线指尖密封结构优化的策略和方法，可以达到同步降低指尖密封迟滞率和综合刚度的多目标优化目标，是获得具有良好综合性能的指尖密封结构的有效途径。从工程意义上讲，“广义”型线指尖密封结构优化技术更具选择指尖密封性能优化取向和程度的优势。     

Issues in microwave power systems engineering

The key issues in microwave power system engineering are beam safety, frequency allocation, and affordability. These major issues are presented, discussed, and suggestions for resolving them are offered. The issue of beam safety can be captured in the phrase “Fear of Frying.” Can a properly engineered beamed power safety system allay the public perception of microwave radiation dangers? Openness, visibility, and education may be keys to resolving this issue satisfactorily. “Not in my Spectrum” is a phrase that is frequently encountered in connection with the issue of where can the microwave power beam frequency be located. International cooperation may provide a part of the solution to this issue. “Wow, that much!” is a phrase encountered when dealing with the issue of economic affordability of large beamed power systems. A phased engineering approach for multiple uses even during construction is presented to aid in garnering revenue during the system build phase. Also, dual mode DC-RF converters are encouraged for bi-directional power flow utility and economies of scale in production     

Now we can explore the Universe

It is suggested that the old scientific myth: “Nothing can go faster than light!” should be changed to: “Nothing electromagnetic can go faster than light!” Now that it is known that infinite velocity of propagation (VOP) is possible, there is another communications media whose VOP may be infinite. An experiment is under construction to compare electric field and electromagnetic transmission VOP. Since magnetic fields in electric field transmission will be parallel to the direction of transmission rather than at right angles, there is reason to expect that electric field transmissions will have infinite VOP     

Circular array STAP

Traditionally, space-time adaptive processing (STAP) for airborne early warning (AEW) radar has been applied to uniform linear arrays (ULAs). However, when considering the overall radar system, electronically scanned circular arrays have advantages: a better combination of even and continual angular and temporal coverage, and mechanical simplicity because it does not need to rotate. This paper answers the question “How well does STAP perform when applied to a circular array?” This paper shows that for the AEW mission, circular arrays are indeed STAP compatible. However, when conventional STAP algorithms are used there may be a small loss in performance when compared with a ULA. With some care in the choice and implementation of the STAP algorithm, the majority of the degradation is at close ranges, where the target returns are relatively strong. At long ranges performance is barely affected. A STAP algorithm which compensates for the circular array environment and provides better performance than existing algorithms is presented     

Censoring sensors: a low-communication-rate scheme for distributeddetection

We consider a new scheme for distributed detection based on a “censoring” or “send/no-send” idea. The sensors are assumed to “censor” their observations so that each sensor sends to the fusion center only “informative” observations, and leaves those deemed “uninformative” untransmitted. The main result of this work is that with conditionally independent sensor data and under a communication rate constraint, in order to minimize the probability of error, transmission should occur if and only if the local likelihood ratio value observed by the sensor does not fall in a certain single interval. Similar results are derived from Neymarr-Pearson and distance-measure viewpoints. We also discuss simplifications for the most interesting case that the fusion center threshold is high and the communication constraint is severe. We compare censoring with the more common binary-transmission framework and observe its considerable decrease in communication needs. Finally, we explore the use of feedback to achieve optimal performance with very little communication     

Data fusion of multiradar system by using genetic algorithm

Detection system with distributed sensors and data fusion. are increasingly being used by surveillance systems. There has been a great deal of theoretical study on decentralized detection networks composed of identical or non-identical sensors. To solve the resulting nonlinear system, exhaustive search and some crude approximations are adopted. However, those methods often cause either the system to be insensitive to some parameters or the suboptimal results. In this paper, a novel flexible genetic algorithm is investigated to obtain the optimal results on constant false alarm rate data fusion. Using this approach, all system parameters are directly coded in decimal chromosomes and they can be optimized simultaneously. The simulation results show that adopting the proposed approach, one can achieve better performances than the reported methods and results     

Fence vibrations [intruder detection]

Many Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) use microphonic sensors mounted on fences to detect intruder attacks. Vibrations in the fence are detected and analysed to determine whether they represent an intrusion attempt. The signals from the fence are processed to filter out as many false alarms as possible. It is important that the output from the sensors is linear along the fence, to ensure that there is no point on the perimeter less sensitive to intruder attack. The investigation reported in this paper aims to discover whether the performance of acoustic detection systems could be improved through research into fence acoustics. Using models of fence vibrations, sensors could be positioned to obtain a more linear response. In addition, through knowledge of the fence vibrations produced by both real attacks and the typical causes of false alarms, a system could be designed which could better distinguish between them, giving a lower false alarm rate and increased detection performance. Characteristic profiles were found for the different forms of attack to the fence. Although the investigation is still in its early stages, these attack profiles suggest that a new type of detection system could be designed based on profile recognition     

Predetection fusion: resolution cell grid effects

If members of a suite of sensors from which fusion is to be carried out are not colocated, it is unreasonable to assume that they share a common resolution cell grid; this is generally ignored in the data fusion community. We explore the effects of such “noncoincidence”, and we find that what at first seems to be a problem can in fact be exploited. The idea is that a target is known to be confined to an intersection of overlapping resolution cells, and this overlap is generally small. We examine noncoincidence from two viewpoints: tracking and detection. With respect to tracking our analysis is first static, by which is meant that we establish the decrease in measurement error; and then dynamic, meaning that the overall effect in the tracking problem is quantified. The detection viewpoint considers noncoincidence as it has impact on a predetection fusion system. Specifically, the role of the fusion rule is examined, and the use of noncoincidence to improve detection performance (rather than that of tracking) is explored     

Detection and diagnosis of sensor and actuator failures using IMMestimator

An approach to detection and diagnosis of multiple failures in a dynamic system is proposed. It is based on the interacting multiple-model (IMM) estimation algorithm, which is one of the most cost-effective adaptive estimation techniques for systems involving structural as well as parametric changes. The proposed approach provides an integrated framework for fault detection, diagnosis, and state estimation. It is able to detect and isolate multiple faults substantially more quickly and more reliably than many existing approaches. Its superiority is illustrated in two aircraft examples for single and double faults of both sensors and actuators, in the forms of “total”, “partial”, and simultaneous failures. Both deterministic and random fault scenarios are designed and used for testing and comparing the performance fairly. Some new performance indices are presented. The robustness of the proposed approach to the design of model transition probabilities, fault modeling errors, and the uncertainties of noise statistics are also evaluated     

Likelihood-ratio detection of frequency-hopped signals

The optimum system for intercepting frequency-hopped signals uses a channelized receiver and a likelihood-ratio test (LRT). Previous results on the performance of the optimum system have been based on Gaussian assumptions, which are generally valid for transmissions having large time-bandwidth areas. Results, obtained by Monte Carlo simulation, for relatively small time-bandwidth transmissions are given here. The signal model is a simple one known as “pure frequency hopping.” Comparisons with the LRT show that energy detection loss increases when the time-bandwidth product of the transmission is increased by increasing the number of frequencies, even when the number of pulses is also increased. The loss decreases when only the number of pulses is increased. Over the parameter range observed, binary detection loss tends to increase with the number of pulses and decrease with the number of frequencies. Results are included for a moving-window version of the LRT. A parameter of the LRT is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The effect of using a design value not equal to the true SNR is shown     

A megawatt power millimeter-wave phased-array radar

This article describes the design and development of a multi-megawatt radar “Ruza,” having a large mechanically steered, millimeter-wave, phased-array antenna     

A sky high education

Getting an engineering education doesn't have to be restricted to a desk or terra firma. University students, and even some high school students, can participate in the NASA Reduced Gravity Student Program conducting experiments in zero gravity aboard the infamous “Vomit Comet.” This airplane was an unseen player in the Apollo 13 movie that provided weightlessness for star Tom Hanks in this outstanding film     

Rate-aided multisignal time delay detection and tracking

Time delay detection and tracking problems have been investigated in previous papers. The approach used is applicable to many problems. In those papers, a first-order Markov process was assumed for the signal parameter (time delay) dynamic model and a constant signal parameter value was assumed within a “block”, or processing unit of time. A performance degradation is incurred when the signal parameter value is “nearly constant-rate”. Also, “crossing” signal parameter values from different signals cannot be tracked. The detector-trackers will “switch” signals. To combat these difficulties, the signal parameter dynamic model is assumed to be a second-order Markov process, and signal parameter rate of change information is computed within a block. A rate-aided multisignal detection and tracking system is developed with these assumptions     

On measurement of operational security

Ideally, a measure of the security of a system should capture quantitatively the intuitive notion of “the ability of the system to resist attack.” That is, it should be operational, reflecting the degree to which the system can be expected to remain free of security breaches under particular conditions of operation (including attack). Instead, current security levels at best merely reflect the extensiveness of safeguards introduced during the design and development of a system. Whilst we might expect a system developed to a higher level than another to exhibit “more secure behavior” in operation, this cannot be guaranteed; more particularly, we cannot infer what the actual security behavior will be from knowledge of such a level. In the paper we discuss similarities between reliability and security with the intention of working toward measures of “operational security” similar to those that we have for reliability of systems. Very informally, these measures could involve expressions such as the rate of occurrence of security breaches, or the probability that a specified “mission” can be accomplished without a security breach. This new approach is based on the analogy between system failure and security breach, but it raises several issues which invite empirical investigation. We briefly describe a pilot experiment that we have conducted to judge the feasibility of collecting data to examine these issues     

基于自联想网络的发动机传感器解析余度技术

本文提出了一种基于自联想神经网络的传感器解析余度技术。在这种网络中,冗余传感器的信息被压缩、重组进入网络的第一部分,网络的第二部分将压缩信息恢复出来。基于数据融合原理,若一个传感器发生故障,其它传感器仍可提供足够的信息代替发生故障的传感器。理论分析和用于涡轴发动机的仿真结果表明,这种特殊结构的自联想网络具有良好的过滤噪声和故障信号的作用,特别适合于用作不易建模的复杂对象的传感器信号重构     

Rapid development of tightly-coupled GPS/INS systems

This paper addresses the question: “Why aren't tightly-coupled OPS/INS systems everywhere, on aircraft, ships and land vehicles?” Two barriers to the widespread use are cited. One is the high cost of the INS, and the other is the cost and complexity of tightly-coupled OPS/INS integration. One of those two barriers has recently been diminished drastically with the development of a standardized software package for tightly-coupled integration. In the past, only the largest corporations have been able to pay the initial development cost for tightly-coupled OPS/INS integration, usually with funding from a large defense program. Using the new software package, integration and van test can be accomplished in a matter of days, and this has been demonstrated with field trials. The package is intended primarily for small companies that otherwise would not be able to build tightly-coupled OPS/INS systems at all. What would have been a prohibitive 3- or 4-man year development effort is reduced to a few man weeks. To accomplish an integration, the system integrator has to find a way, through serial interfaces or by some other means, to get the INS measurements of acceleration (accumulated velocity change ΔV) and attitude rate (accumulated angle change Δ&thetas;) into a processor, along with the raw data of a GPS receiver. He also has to find a way to time tag the INS ΔV, Δ&thetas; with GPS time. The rest of tightly-coupled OPS/INS integration is predominately accomplished in the standardized software package. That leaves the cost of the INS as the only remaining barrier to the very widespread use of OPS/INS, and invites new development of low cost inertial sensors. The focus of this paper is on the software package, and how it achieves standardization and ease of use while retaining the flexibility to produce optimal results with a variety of INS and GPS receiver types     

The J-MASS Marketplace: a new way for DoD to do business

It is current DoD policy to use commercial off-the-shelf software whenever it meets DoD requirements. The application of this policy to modeling and simulation has resulted in the concept of “The Joint Modeling and Simulation System (J-MASS) Marketplace.” J-MASS is designed as an Open Systems Architecture with the capability for the Simulation Support Environment (SSE) to be expanded by the addition of site specific software. In the “J-MASS Marketplace” industry will build commercial tools to work with J-MASS and individual organizations will license what they need for their particular site. The J-MASS SSE is a framework or backplane into which everything else plugs. A J-MASS product release would have the core capabilities, but the unique needs of various organizations would be satisfied by industry. This paper addresses how the J-MASS Marketplace could work and how compliance can be defined. It will outline opportunities for industry in both building software for the Marketplace and in defining the Marketplace concept     

一种基于相邻模块化加权D-S的融合诊断方法

常规D-S (Dempster-Shafter)决策融合方法由于其自身理论不足,不能很好直接处理决策结果偏差大、冲突大的传感器融合问题,因而对于信息高冲突情况下的转子微弱故障融合诊断存在着失效问题。针对该类问题与不足,借鉴复杂网络的舆论传播、社会学习理论及多智能体一致性决策的相关概念与思路,从避免决策结果冲突大的传感器直接进行融合的角度进行改进,提出相邻模块化加权D-S融合方法。该方法首先根据初步结果进行相邻节点与模块划分,只有决策距离在相邻界限值范围内的相邻模块节点才能进行决策融合;对于同一模块内相邻节点,根据各节点决策权重及初步决策结果采用加权D-S融合方法进行决策融合;针对融合结果再进行相邻节点模块划分与融合,依此步骤进行循环划分与融合,直到所有模块与节点均不相邻;最后采用专家权威决策方法确定权重和最大的模块融合结果作为最终的传感器网络一致性决策结果。通过多传感器网络的转子故障模拟实验对所提方法进行验证,应用结果表明:所提方法可以较好解决少数传感器诊断正确、而多数诊断错误的信息高冲突条件下的局部微弱故障融合诊断问题。     

Further results on adaptive filtering with embedded CFAR

Among the few known adaptive filtering algorithms which have an embedded (integrated) constant false alarm rate (CFAR) performance feature, the generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) test algorithm has been found to be robust in non-Gaussian clutter. This paper examines the detection performance of the GLR algorithm in nonhomogeneous/nonstationary clutter environments which lead to nonidentical distribution of secondary (training) data. For two common types of nonhomogeneity, i.e., the so-called “signal contamination” and “clutter edge”, the asymptotic detection performance is derived and compared with simulations. These asymptotic results are relatively simple to use and they predict the GLR performance in nonhomogeneous environments quite well. The GLR performance loss due to the nonhomogeneity is also evaluated. It is found that the “generalized angle” between the desired and contaminating signal plays an important role in the study of the effects of signal contamination. It is also found that the performance degradation due to the clutter edge depends largely on the width of the clutter spectrum and target-clutter Doppler separation