Ground observations of power line radiation coupled to the ionosphere and magnetosphere

Ground-based VLF observations show evidence that strong whistler-mode waves in the magneto-sphere are often stimulated by harmonic radiation from electrical power transmission lines. These stimulated emissions sometimes dominate the wave activity in the kHz range. A VLF transmitter at Siple, Antarctica has been used to simulate these power line effects with ～ 0.5 W radiated power at a given frequency. Occurrence statistics of power line effects are also summarized.     

Power-line harmonic radiation and the electron slot

World maps of the occurrence of VLF emissions obtained by the satellites Ariel 3 and 4 reveal maxima above industrial regions of high power consumption in North America and Euro-Asia. A study of the generation and radiation of power line harmonics indicates that these may be a major source of the observed signals. The latter propagate in the whistler mode into the geomagnetically conjugate regions in the southern hemisphere. A particularly prominent zone of emission is obtained at VLF (3.2 kHz) over North America where frequent magnetospheric wave amplification/stimulated emission, up to 50 dB and typically 10 to 20 dB above a baseline level that we ascribe to power harmonic radiation (PLHR), is obtained at invariant latitudes 45 to 55° (2 < L < 3) centred on the electron slot. It appears that PLHR may be responsible for pitch angle diffusion of energetic electrons (E 100 keV) at large pitch angles by first-order resonance and thereby contribute to the formation of the electron slot. There is a strong seasonal variation in wave-amplification/stimulated emission which we suggest may be due to a variation in the ability of the waves to become entrapped in ducts where wave-amplification occurs through a phase-bunching process. There is a strong correlation between D _ST and signal intensity, the latter lagging by 1–5 hr in the morning and 10 hr in the evening; here again wave-amplification appears to depend on duct formation and wave trapping therein. One or two (or multi) hop emissions occur with about equal probability at 3.2 kHz; at 9.6 kHz one hop are predominant.Paper presented at the Fifth International Wrocaw Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Wroclaw (Poland), 17–19 September, 1980. Sci. Rpt. 1978 (1), Sheffield Univ. Space Physics Grp.     

Satellite observations of type III solar radio bursts at low frequencies

Type III solar radio bursts have been observed from 10 MHz to 10 kHz by satellite experiments above the terrestrial plasmasphere. Solar radio emission in this frequency range results from excitation of the interplanetary plasma by energetic particles propagating outward along open field lines over distances from 5 R to at least 1 AU from the Sun. This review summarizes the morphology, characteristics and analysis of individual as well as storms of bursts. Substantial evidence is available to show that the radio emission is observed at the second harmonic instead of the fundamental of the plasma frequency. This brings the density scale derived by radio observations into better agreement with direct solar wind density measurements at 1 AU and relaxes the requirement for type III propagation along large density-enhanced regions. This density scale with the measured direction of arrival of the radio burst allows the trajectory of the exciter path to be determined from 10 R to 1 AU. Thus, for example, the dynamics and gross structure of the interplanetary magnetic field can be investigated by this method. Burst rise times are interpreted in terms of exciter length and dispersion while decay times refer to the radiation damping process. The combination of radio observations at the lower frequencies and in-situ measurements on non-relativistic electrons at 1 AU provide data on the energy range and efficiency of the wave-particle interactions responsible for the radio emission.     

Auroral plasmas in the evening sector: Satellite observations and theoretical interpretations

Space Science Reviews - Observations and theoretical interpretations of auroral plasma distributions have led to a spectacular advance, in the latter part of the 1970's, in understanding the...     

Novel AC line conditioner for power factor correction

A new ac line conditioner is presented for high input power factor and clean ac output voltages for isolating the linear or nonlinear loads. A three-phase two-leg switching mode rectifier with neutral-point-clamped topology is proposed to draw the sinusoidal line currents from the ac mains. The carrier-based current controller is used in the inner control loop to track the line current commands with unity power factor. The dc bus voltage controller is adopted in the outer control loop to regulate the dc-link voltage. A voltage compensator is used to balance the neutral point voltage on the dc tank. A three-phase two-leg inverter with neutral-point-clamped topology is adopted in the system to provide the clean ac output voltages to the critical or sensitive loads. The carrier-based current control scheme is adopted to improve the instantaneous output voltages. Experimental results show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.     

Impacts of solar and auroral storms on power line systems

A sensitive search for pulsars inside a sample of gamma-ray source error boxes has been carried out using the Arecibo and Parkes radiotelescopes. The paper describes the motivation of this search and the characteristics of the experiments used. As a preliminary result, new pulsars have been discovered and some of them are possibly candidates to be the counterparts of the gamma-ray sources.     

Model of influence of power line elements on power efficiency of mechatronic modules for advanced mobile objects

The paper describes the influence of power line elements on the power supply output for mechatronic modules. The weight-size parameters for advanced actuators of control systems of aircraft mechatronic modules can be determined by the amount of power consumed by each element of the actuator.     

激波管高温空气绝对辐射功率实验测量

利用激波管加热技术,得到1000K～3000K温度范围内的高温空气,利用宽波段能量计、光电探测器以及滤波片等设备,测量出高温空气在0.3μm～9μm宽波段范围内绝对辐射功率,以及中心波长在4.26μm、5.23μm、8.32μm处、单位波长的绝对辐射功率;实验结果表明,在1000K～2000K温度范围内,高温空气宽波段的辐射功率约为60 W/cm~3·MP,且辐射主要集中在21μm～8μm波段范围内;当温度高于2000K以上,辐射功率随着温度的升高增大较快,且辐射向紫外、可见方向移动;在3000K时,高温空气在0.3μm～9μm宽波段范围内的辐射功率约为150W/(cm~3·MP).     

Radio noise level due to electric power lines and its relation to line design parameters

The main results of radio noise measurements taken in Poland for 220 and 400 kV power lines are presented. The influence of various line parameters, such as conductor diameter and number, phase spacing, and height of conductor above ground on the radio noise level for power lines is discussed. The basic philosophy of choosing the line parameters and route at the design stage in Poland is described taking into account radio noise levels, electrical field gradients, and corona losses.     

卫星轨道误差的相关性

卫星的轨道误差是卫星测控中需加以约定的重要指标之一,其常用的表示方法主要有Kepler轨道根数形式和RTN投影形式。本文推导了RTN形式的卫星位置、速度误差与Kepler根数误差间的关系,给出了近圆轨道中RTN形式位置、速度误差间的定量关系,分析了RTN形式位置误差约束下Kepler根数误差的相关性,并分别给出了验证算例。该结果可用于分析确定卫星轨道误差指标,使其彼此匹配。     

Earth Footprints of Satellite Antennas

This paper develops the expressions for computing the footprint on Earth (i.e., power density contours) of a satellite antenna. The expression for determining the antenna pattern coordinate as a function of the Earth coordinates is derived. The antenna pattern operator which converts the pattern function into the available power density is obtained. In this case it is assumed that the Earth-based antenna is directed towards the satellite. The radar operator is also derived; this operator yields the power density intercepted by the Earth.     

Overview of Commercial Satellite Communications

The period from Arthur Clarke's 1945 prediction of geosynchronous satellite communications covering the entire planet until satellites were stationed over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans was less than 25 years. In the following 15 year period, satellite communications has affected all of us. Most international calls are carried by satellite. Much of the television that we watch has been relayed, processed, or distributed by satellite. In fact, many of us who live in cabled cities can choose among 50 channels or more for viewing on a particular night, largely brought to us by satellite. Some morning papers, radio programs, and basic weather data appear coast to coast rapidly because of the satellite. Even while we sleep, computers in an increasing number of business offices are talking to each other by satellite. Virtually the whole world, from the busiest urban center to the most remote island, can be interconnected by satellite communications networks capable of providing economical and reliable transmission of communications signals, including voice, data, electronic mail, and video. The satellite's advantages of distance insensitivity, point-to-multipoint capability, and improved quality over long distances are unique. These facts have led Clarke to speculate on the future impact of satellite communications in The View from Serendip (1977): I submit . . . that the eventual impact of the communications satellite upon the whole human race will be at least as great as that of the telephone upon the so-called developed societies.     

卫星自动对接技术研究

随着卫星总装工艺技术的复杂性越来越高,其对功能和性能指标的要求不断提高,先进制造技术在复杂航天器装配中的作用越来越重要.卫星装配是制造过程中的最后一个环节,也是一个重要环节.卫星的装配,通常先分舱段装配,再进行姿态调整和对接.在此装配过程中,传统的对接装配方法需要采用专用的装配工装,用于定位、支撑各个部件,然后通过人工辅助进行对接装配,这种方法对不同产品的适应性差,降低了装配的质量、柔性和效率.     

卫星导航系统发展动态

卫星导航系统是20世纪60年代中期发展起来的一种新型导航系统,90年代,卫星导航时入全运行和盛行时期,除了用于陆上,海上和空中的航行引导外,几乎扩展到军事和经济的各个方面,目前,除了已经运行的美国的GPS（全球定位系统）和俄罗斯的GLONASS（全球导航卫星系统）外,欧盟也正在积极开发伽利略系统。本文分别介绍GPS、GLONASS和伽利略系统的发展状况。     

Chemical Composition of Icy Satellite Surfaces

Much of our knowledge of planetary surface composition is derived from remote sensing over the ultraviolet through infrared wavelength ranges. Telescopic observations and, in the past few decades, spacecraft mission observations have led to the discovery of many surface materials, from rock-forming minerals to water ice to exotic volatiles and organic compounds. Identifying surface materials and mapping their distributions allows us to constrain interior processes such as cryovolcanism and aqueous geochemistry. The recent progress in understanding of icy satellite surface composition has been aided by the evolving capabilities of spacecraft missions, advances in detector technology, and laboratory studies of candidate surface compounds. Pioneers 10 and 11, Voyagers I and II, Galileo, Cassini and the New Horizons mission have all made significant contributions. Dalton (Space Sci. Rev., 2010, this issue) summarizes the major constituents found or inferred to exist on the surfaces of the icy satellites (cf. Table 1 from Dalton, Space Sci. Rev., 2010, this issue), and the spectral coverage and resolution of many of the spacecraft instruments that have revolutionized our understanding (cf. Table 2 from Dalton, Space Sci. Rev., 2010, this issue). While much has been gained from these missions, telescopic observations also continue to provide important constraints on surface compositions, especially for those bodies that have not yet been visited by spacecraft, such as Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), Centaurs, the classical planet Pluto and its moon, Charon. In this chapter, we will discuss the major satellites of the outer solar system, the materials believed to make up their surfaces, and the history of some of these discoveries. Formation scenarios and subsequent evolution will be described, with particular attention to the processes that drive surface chemistry and exchange with interiors. Major similarities and differences between the satellites are discussed, with an eye toward elucidating processes operating throughout the outer solar system. Finally we discuss the outermost satellites and other bodies, and summarize knowledge of their composition. Much of this review is likely to change in the near future with ongoing and planned outer planet missions, adding to the sense of excitement and discovery associated with our exploration of our planetary neighborhood.     

Optical Calibration of Geostationary Satellite Tracking Systems

A precise calibration method for range and angle observation has been developed for eliminating the systematic error of tracking systems, thus improving the accuracy of orbit determination for geostationary satellites. The principle of calibration is based on an orbit determination employing a point of optical angle observation in addition to radio tracking observation, in which we estimate observation bias parameters simultaneously with orbital elements, including the effects of geodetic mismodelings. As shown by an actual calibration experiment in our ground station, orbit determinations is sufficiently accurate that the error of predicting satellite range falls within a few meters at four days after the day of orbit determination.     

Cassini-Huygens Investigations of Satellite Surfaces and Interiors

The Saturnian system contains 18 known satellites ranging from 10 km to 2575 km in radius. In bulk properties and surface appearance these objects show less regularity than the sparser Jupiter system. The Galilean-sized moon Titan sports a dense atmosphere of nitrogen and methane which renders surface observations difficult, but also makes this moon intriguing from the standpoints of climate change and exobiology. The Cassini-Huygens mission will make extensive observations of the satellites over a range of wavelengths, as well as using in-situ sampling of satellite environments (and in the case of Titan, sampling of atmosphere and surface). The goals of these extensive investigations are to understand the bulk properties of the satellites, their surface compositions and evolution through time, as well as interactions with the magnetosphere and rings of Saturn. This knowledge in turn should provide a deeper understanding of the origin of the Saturnian system as a whole and underlying causes for the distinctive differences from the Jovian satellite system. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the Optimum Stabilization of a Satellite

The problem of stabilizing a tumbling satellite prior to attitude control is discussed. The method of Hamilton-Jacobi theory is used to derive an explicit closed-loop control law for the problem.