Advanced communications satellite technology

Technology drivers for commercial communications satellites are examined based on the efficient use of spacecraft mass which is to be accomplished by increasing the efficiency of the microwave power amplifiers and antenna feed systems used for communications satellites, such as the INTELSAT series. The history of the INTELSAT series of satellites, the late 1980s market and available technology, and future directions of development are considered. Emphasis is on multibeam solid-state antennas, microwave switch matrices, solid-state power amplifiers, and the use of several filter modes in one physical cavity. By using quasimonolithic solid state techniques in a class B amplification mode they have achieved 40-60% efficiencies, compared with 20% for the conventional travelling wavetube amplifiers. It is concluded that technology directed towards improving the economics of satellite communications will continue to be a major driver of future communications satellite payloads. Through their use and their extension, the authors foresee more than doubling the telephone channels per satellite from the current 80000 to perhaps 200000 by the turn of the century     

High-Sensitivity Fast-Response Laser Detection Systems

Electrooptical systems exist which can make use of the available bandwidth and directivity at optical frequencies without utilizing the coherence aspects of lasers. Development of a sensitive, very highspeed (microwave response) photoelectric detector which can function as a high-gain microwave amplifier and mixer is described. Sysyems are described for radar, communications, and reconnaissance purposes. Basic noise considerations are shown. CW and FM-CW optical range and range rate tracking systems are described in which the required detection bandwidth is not a direct function of the range resolution, allowing highly accurate range and range rate determination at low signal levels. Communication systems utilizing noncoherent carriers, microwave subcarriers, and the dynamic crossed field electron multiplier as the detector-amplifier-mixer are described.     

Instantaneous Frequency Estimation Using Adaptive Linear Predictor Weights

A computationally efficient scheme for estimating the digital instantaneous frequencies of narrowband inputs is introduced. The frequency estimates are obtained by searching for minima of the inverse input power spectrum. This spectrum is estimated at each input sample from the weights of an adaptive linear predictor which uses the LMS (least mean square) algorithm to update its weights. The related minima are sought via an iterative search algorithm, referred to as the iterative frequency estimator. This algorithm is computationally more efficient than available methods, and also provides a higher resolution. Simulation results are included; these include tracking of random message sequences in FM signals, and the formant frequency estimation of speech.     

微波在薄层等离子体中传输效应研究

为了准确预测再入飞行过程中等离子体对微波传输特性的影响,采用WKB方法、FDTD方法、平面波理论和薄层等离子体理论4种方法,结合粉末激波管上开展的试验研究了X波段和Ka波段微波在薄层等离子体中的传输效应。对于X波段,试验时激波马赫数为9.6、10.7和10.5;对于Ka波段,试验时激波马赫数为10.5。通过对比与分析获得的主要结论有：当等离子体厚度和入射波波长相近时,薄层等离子体理论计算结果比其它三种方法的计算结果更接近于试验结果;在碰撞频率接近并且电子密度小于临界电子密度的条件下,Ka波段微波信号穿过相同厚度的等离子体比X波段微波信号衰减小得多,具有更强的穿透性;如果等离子体碰撞频率和微波入射频率相同,随着电子密度的增加,微波信号穿过相同厚度的等离子体时衰减变大;当碰撞频率和入射波频率差不多时,共振吸收导致衰减达到最大值。     

Power Electronics in Space: A Review and Projection

Power electronics has emerged as a distinct field of electrical engineering in recent years. This emergence is closely linked with the development of power control and conversion equipment for space application over the last 20 years. Development of switched-mode power conversion techniques has been the dominant activity in this field, spurred by both the improvements in solid-state power devices and the needs of space systems for light weight, highly efficient techniques for dc power regulation. This history is reviewed and projections are made in the four key areas of circuit fundamentals, components, circuit practice, and applications.     

蓄热式太阳能热光伏-热推进双模系统设计与性能分析

为有效解决在日蚀区太阳能热推进器推力失效、电力中断的问题,提出了蓄热式太阳能热光伏-热推进双模系统结构,并对系统各部件建立相关物理数学模型,分析了工质种类、工质流量等因素对推进性能的影响。结果表明,为保证推进器在日蚀区30min内持续提供推力和电力供应,砷化镓热光伏电池在无工质工况下能提供10W左右的低功率电力供应,在设计工况下能提供50W～110W的电力供应;液氢作为工质时,最大比冲将达到806s,随着工质流量的持续增加,比冲损失速率呈现先加快后减慢的变化趋势;液氨作为替代工质具有更快的加热速率,其比冲为240s～300s远低于氢工质比冲,其推力系数1.77要略高于氢工质推力系数1.7。通过本文研究,蓄热式太阳能双模推进系统具有较好的可行性,且推力及比冲适中,有望弥补低比冲化学推进和小推力电推进技术的不足。     

Optical fiber wavelength division multiplexing

During flight, aircraft avionics transmit and receive RF signals to/from antennas over coaxial cables. As the density and complexity of onboard avionics increases, the electromagnetic interference (EMI) environment degrades proportionately, leading to decreasing signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and potential safety concerns. The coaxial cables are inherently lossy, limiting the RF signal bandwidth while adding considerable weight. To overcome these limitations, we have investigated a fiber optic communications link for aircraft that utilizes wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to support the simultaneous transmission of multiple signals (including RF) over a single optical fiber. Optical fiber has many advantages over coaxial cable, particularly lower loss, greater bandwidth, and immunity to EMI. In this paper, we demonstrate that WDM can be successfully used to transmit multiple RF signals over a single optical fiber with no appreciable signal degradation. We investigate the transmission of FM and AM analog modulated signals, as well as FSK digital modulated signals, over a fiber optic link (FOL) employing WDM. We present measurements of power loss, delay, SNR, carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), total harmonic distortion (THD), and bit error rate (BER). Our experimental results indicate that WDM is a fiber optic technology suitable for avionics applications.     

导航卫星星间链路信号质量参数评估算法

传统的微波调制信号质量评估需要将微波信号变频到中频后进行处理,变频处理会引起非线性失真问题,而且星间链路信号许多关键质量参数如相位一致性、相关损失、I/Q(Inphase/Quadrature,同相/正交)支路功率比等无法用传统评估方法完成,针对这些问题,提出了采用软件无线电技术的导航卫星星间链路信号质量评估算法,利用高速采样器对导航卫星的星间链路信号进行直接射频采样,在数字域对星间链路信号进行相关接收和解调,实现所有关键质量参数的评估.该方法避免了使用变频器带来的附加失真,采用该方法完成实际星载设备的信号质量评估的结果表明,该评估算法精度高,能满足导航卫星星间链路设备信号质量参数评估要求.     

The Use of Computers in Editing and Composition

The modern digital computer is rapidly permeating all areas of our highly industrialized society-from agriculture to education-from process control to zoology. Printing and publishing and allied fields involved in graphic communications have been changing rapidly in this decade as the digital computer and associated peripheral devices have made rapid inroads in the graphic communications process. This paper describes the nature of the impact which the digital computer has had, and is making, upon today's graphic communications, particularly upon the editing and composition functions. A prediction of future impact is also presented.     

一种宽带阵列幅相与互耦误差联合校正算法

宽带数字阵列雷达接收通道中存在随频率变化的幅相误差和互耦误差,会严重影响雷达性能。针对这一问题,提出了一种宽带数字阵列幅相与互耦误差联合校正算法。首先选取通带内多个离散频点,对于每个频点,将幅相误差和互耦误差作为一个整体,采用基于子空间原理的窄带校正算法估计其阵列失真参数,并计算校正矩阵;然后将其组合起来,构成频域离散校正矩阵;最后基于最小二乘准则,设计了宽带有限长脉冲响应(FIR)校正滤波器矩阵。利用该矩阵,可实现通带范围内任意带宽入射信号的校正。计算机仿真实验验证了该算法的有效性。对实测数据的处理结果表明该算法在宽带数字阵列雷达系统中具有实用价值。     

Trunking vs. conventional radio systems

Correctional Service Canada (CSC) has recently replaced the aging, out-of-date radio communications systems in all major CSC facilities with new conventional digital radio systems. Based on very specific and restrictive operational requirements coupled with developments in digital radio technology and the Associated Public Communications Officers (APCO) Project 25 digital radio standards, it was determined that digital radio communications would best meet CSC's needs. The CSC national radio replacement program was completed in March 2000. Switching to a digital radio communications system gave CSC an opportunity to consider changing the existing radio system from a number of conventional, single-site systems to a trunking system. Areas to be considered when determining the architecture for a radio communication network, whether radio trunking systems or conventional radio systems should be used, are presented, In addition, the paper will also outline the requirements and measures taken to keep the radio communication network active and operational while the equipment was converted from an analog technology to a digital one     

Generating Nonstationary Random Sequences

A general procedure is given for generating infinite-length random sequences defined by a short-term power spectral density that is slowly time varying. Any shape of a power spectral density can be accommodated, including those that cover a wide dynamic range, and any smooth type of nonstationarity can be accommodated. The procedure is based on digital processing techniques. However, it can be extended to the generation of analog signals. Several examples are given, both for digital and analog signals.     

基于CPLD的多路脉冲序列信号检测器设计

用VHDL语言在CPLD器件上实现了一种多路脉冲序列信号检测器,能够用七段数码管实时显示各路已检测出序列信号数目,电路各摸块用VHDL语言来描述。文章介绍了仿真信号的形成原理和电路设计方法,并给出了部分电路和仿真波形。整个多路脉冲序列信号检测器设计在一块CPLD芯片上,与其他方法设计的序列信号检测器相比,具有体积小、可靠性高、功牦低的特点。由于采用模块化的设计,对功能的修改和增加只要修改VHDL源程序,而不必更改硬件电路,从而实现数字系统硬件的软件化。     

The IMPACT Solar Wind Electron Analyzer (SWEA)

SWEA, the solar wind electron analyzers that are part of the IMPACT in situ investigation for the STEREO mission, are described. They are identical on each of the two spacecraft. Both are designed to provide detailed measurements of interplanetary electron distribution functions in the energy range 1～3000 eV and in a 120°×360° solid angle sector. This energy range covers the core or thermal solar wind plasma electrons, and the suprathermal halo electrons including the field-aligned heat flux or strahl used to diagnose the interplanetary magnetic field topology. The potential of each analyzer will be varied in order to maintain their energy resolution for spacecraft potentials comparable to the solar wind thermal electron energies. Calibrations have been performed that show the performance of the devices are in good agreement with calculations and will allow precise diagnostics of all of the interplanetary electron populations at the two STEREO spacecraft locations.     

A Digital Map Set for the Night Attack Aircraft

There has been much interest recently in applying cartographic digital data bases to advanced avionics systems as a solution to specific problems associated with night attack aircraft missions. The tremendous computer horsepower required to accomplish this task in real-time in an airborne environment is well documented. Hardware implementation of complex algorithms traditionally has produced custom devices which accomplish a specific function on a specific data structure. Historically, this has resulted in powerful but inflexible systems incapable of adapting to the changing requirements of military missions. In an age of evolving technology, these pitfalls must be avoided by incorporating expected changes into the design of digital map systems. If they are made to accommodate a variety of cartographic data bases and allow for programmable manipulation of those bases, this new class of digital map sets can be reconfigured at the software level to meet the changing requirements of aircraft missions. This paper addresses current design concepts for such a map system on a Night Attack aircraft. The focus is on issues concerning the development and handling of existing map data products to meet current system requirements. This system, called the Digital Map Set (DMS), is being designed to accomplish the classical manipulations of Defense Mapping Agency Digital Land Mass System data. Additionally, aeronautical charts, aerial reconnaissance photos, flight plan data, and other two-dimensional bit mapped graphics also are accommodated. Mission requirements relating to the cartographic data bases shall be discussed along with ground support station and airborne system design issues.     

Energy Control for Microwave Amplifier Arrays

In large systems using microwave amplifier arrays, the size, weight, and cost of individual energy sources require consideration of the use of a common power supply and energy storage bank. Complex energy control techniques may be necessary to protect the RF amplifier and to provide isolation of the faulted amplifier from the common energy source. Four approaches are discussed. Three of these are dependent on either the development of reliable arc-free microwave amplifiers or special isolator tubes, gas or vacuum types. A practical circuit using available components is suggested. Its advantages and limitations are discussed. Calculations are presented showing this approach can result in increased system efficiency, improved regulation, and large decreases in the size of the secondary capacitance bank for each microwave amplifier.     

飞机配电系统中交流模拟固态功率控制器设计

主要介绍了一种交流模拟固态功率控制器（SSPC）的设计和实现。它主要使用了在嵌入式系统中广泛应用的单片机，来实现SSPC的基本功能。从核心器件到对负载电流通断控制以及对采入信号的调理都进行了详细的介绍与说明。     

An introduction to Loran

The history of the Loran hyperbolic navigation program as an example of the efficient mass production of research and development under the National Defense Research Committee is described. The fundamental concepts of hyperbolic navigation are addressed, and some details regarding the kinds of equipment employed for transmission, reception, and interpretation of pulse signals for this service are given. The potential usefulness of hyperbolic navigation is discussed, and some devices that will simplify the navigation of the future and enhance its reliability are suggested. The immediate organizational problems facing the program are indicated     

Characterizing wood by microwaves

Common properties of raw wood can be determined by measuring the microwave propagation in the media. Unlike early designs from the 1970s and 1980s, simple constructions with phase and attenuation recording are now possible, if optimal frequencies are selected. At K-band, most quality impairments can be detected from basic group delay measurements, e.g., knots or insect holes smaller than 5 mm are observable. Impairments can be detected from a non-parallel viewing direction     

Experimental study on effect of inclination angles to ammonia pulsating heat pipe

In this paper, a novel study on performance of closed loop pulsating heat pipe（CLPHP）using ammonia as working fluid is experimented. The tested CLPHP, consisting of six turns, is fully made of quartz glass tubes with 6 mm outer diameter and 2 mm inner diameter. The filling ratio is50%. The visualization investigation is conducted to observe the oscillation and circulation flow in the CLPHP. In order to investigate the effects of inclination angles to thermal performance in the ammonia CLPHP, four case tests are studied. The trends of temperature fluctuation and thermal resistance as the input power increases at different inclination angles are highlighted. The results show that it is very easy to start up and circulate for the ammonia CLPHP at an inclining angle.The thermal resistance is low to 0.02 K/W, presenting that heat fluxes can be transferred from heating section to cooling section very quickly. It is found that the thermal resistance decreases as the inclination angle increases. At the horizontal operation, the ammonia CLPHP can be easy to start up at low input power, but hard to circulate. In this case, once the input power is high,the capillary tube in heating section will be burnt out, leading to worse thermal performance with high thermal resistance.