The SERENDIP SETI project: new instrumentation for SETI and results of recent observations

Over the past 30 years research into the existence of extraterrestrial life has focused on attempts to detect stable narrowband radio signals emitted in the microwave portion of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The SERENDIP SETI group is currently conducting search operations on the world’s largest radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.The third generation SERENDIP system, SERENDIP III, is a 4 million channel FFT-based spectrum analyzer with 0.6 Hz frequency resolution. In this paper, we will discuss the results of our recent 3.5 year sky survey. SERENDIP looked at 95% of the sky visible from Arecibo in the 424–436 MHz range, analyzed 10¹⁴ spectral bins, and logged information on over 2.5×10⁸ signals.The fourth generation SERENDIP system expands on the SERENDIP III design. SERENDIP IV computes 2×10¹¹ operations each second, providing spectral analysis on 160 million channels in 1.7 s. We will discuss the design and use of the SERENDIP IV system and future observing plans.     

A search for narrow band signals with SERENDIP II: a progress report

Commensal programs for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), carried out concurrently with conventional radio astronomical observing programs, can be an attractive and cost-effective means of exploring the large multidimensional search space intrinsic to this effort. Our automated commensal system, SERENDIP II, is a high resolution 131,072 channel spectrometer. It searches for 0.49 Hz signals in sequential 64,700 Hz bands of the IF signal from a radio telescope being used for an astronomical observation. Upon detection of a narrow band signal with power above a preset threshold, the frequency, power, time, and telescope direction are recorded for later study. The system has been tested at the Hat Creek Radio Astronomy Observatory 85 ft telescope and the NASA-JPL Deep Space Station (DSS 14) 64 m telescope. It is currently collecting data at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory 300 ft telescope.     

Frequency management and SETI: threats to SETI observations in the 1–3 GHz band

The nature of a SETI search makes observations uniquely vulnerable to radio frequency interference because the frequency of a possible ETI signal is unknown. Sensitive radio telescopes, sophisticated software and enhanced signal detection equipment are employed to detect faint signals in the 1–3 GHz frequency range. Frequency management at SETI occurs within a policy environment of the ITU spectrum allocation process. Increased demand by commercial satellite services for access to spectrum adjacent to bandwidth allocated to radio astronomy creates severe international and domestic pressures on SETI observations. Strategies for addressing the RFI problem at the international level will be discussed that include a contingency ITU allocation plan for exclusive use of a particular frequency range by SETI in the event a signal is detected. The lunar farside is, by international agreement, a radio quiet zone for use by radio astronomers. Protected from most human-generated emissions, a SETI radio telescope array on the lunar farside would provide reliable data with minimum interference.     

Space for celestial symphonies? Towards the establishment of international radio quiet zones

The growth of low- and medium-Earth orbit mobile satellite communications poses a threat to radio astronomers which could be mitigated by the establishment of international radio quiet zones (IRQZs), where communications traffic is managed (not eliminated) to allow radio astronomy to continue. Using the prototype of national such zones in the USA, this article explains how the system would work and discusses the international legal parameters that would bound it, drawing on current aerospace, outer space and high seas legislation. Precedents for an IRQZ—Exclusive Economic Zones, denuclearised zones and the Antarctic regime—are also examined.     

Vertical structure of the magnetic field in active regions of the sun at coronal heights

High-altitude measurements and magnetic field distribution in active regions are always an important problem to verify existing models at heights from units to hundreds of Mm. Optical methods of analysis of the magnetic structure work well only at the photosphere level. At the same time, the progress of radio astronomy methods of analyzing the solar radio emission [1] and of the theory of solar plasma radiation [2] facilitates introduction of new methods for measuring the magnetic field strength at various altitudes in the solar atmosphere. In this paper we use multi-wave observations of polarization of the radio emission of active regions in the microwave range together with precise magnetosphere data in order to develop a method of projection for measuring the height distribution of the magnetic field.     

System of maintaining the thermal regime of a space radio telescope

We present the results of developing a system of thermal regime maintenance for the onboard complex of scientific instruments of the space radio telescope installed on the Spektr-R spacecraft. The structure of the system of thermal regime maintenance is presented that includes a set of autonomous systems of constructive elements of the radio telescope. Basic schemes and composition of aggregates are presented, and main principles of operation of the autonomous systems supporting the thermal regime of the radio telescope are considered.     

基于IVI驱动的真空热试验数据采集系统软件开发

目前国内大型空间环境模拟器配备了多种型号的数据采集系统,主要负责完成对多种数据信号的综合测试。文章以Keithley 3706数据采集系统为设计对象,在VB6.0的开发环境中设计了基于IVI驱动的数据采集软件,给出了IVI驱动的设计过程及软件代码。实践表明,IVI驱动的引入提高了数据采集系统的开发效率,降低了研制成本,实现了数据采集系统的硬件无关性。     

利用分层测试实现无线电高度表故障诊断

针对早期无线电高度表可测性不强的问题 ,提出了分层测试的思想 ,以两种常见体制的无线电高度表为例 ,通过测试需求分析 .设计了切实可行的分层测试方案 ,从测试方法、内容、原理和结果分析等方面进行了描述。软件模拟运行表明 ,分层测试可明显提高测试深度和故障诊断率 ,有效解决高度表可测性差的问题 ,满足系统设计指标 ;相对于人工测试 ,可提高式作效率 ,缩短检测周期。     

Space traffic control: a view of the future

This paper provides an overview of a system for providing reliable, ongoing, timely situational awareness services to satellite operators. Such services would include close approach warnings, warnings of potential radio frequency interference, and other offerings designed to help make operators aware of possible threats to the safe operation of their spacecraft and measures they can take to lessen these threats. The paper discusses current trends, proposes operational requirements, and speculates on the type of organization that may emerge to provide space traffic control services. It highlights how the detailed information required for such services may affect the evolution of the use of space.     

Using the Very Large Array (VLA) and other radio telescopes to perform a parasitic Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

This paper describes several attempts to utilize various radio telescopes in a manner that we term "parasitic," that is in a manner that does not interrupt or seriously impact the standard astronomical observing programs in progress at the radio observatories. In the extreme case, only recorded astronomical data are accessed off-line, after the fact, without any burden on the observatory at all.     

The Allen telescope array: Commensal and efficient SETI

The Allen telescope array (ATA) currently under construction affords the possibility of a dedicated and highly efficient SETI program that may be done commensally with other radio astronomy programs. This symbiosis is important in order to maintain and sustain the long-term effort that may be required in order to achieve success as a positive or null result. The technology that is being exploited is the construction of many small elements that allow large fields-of-view at high sensitivity, the use of ultra-wideband front-ends, and the use of flexible digital “intermediate frequency (IF)” systems. The project is under construction in phases, with the first 32 antennas expected to be functional in the fall of 2004, the next 173 dishes operational early 2006, with plans for 350 antennas total within this decade.     

Provocative radio transients and base rate bias: A Bayesian argument for conservatism

Most searches for alien radio transmissions have focused on finding omni-directional or purposefully earth-directed beams of enduring duration. However, most of the interesting signals so far detected have been transient and non-repeatable in nature. These signals could very well be the first data points in an ever-growing data base of such signals used to construct a probabilistic argument for the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. This paper looks at the effect base rate bias could have on deciding which signals to include in such an archive based upon the likely assumption that our ability to discern natural from artificial signals will be less than perfect.     

Radio interferometry for international study of the earthquake mechanism

The radio astronomy technique of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) offers significant promise for high accuracy, long distance, three-dimensional surveying of continental plate tectonics and its resultant earth crustal deformations that are intimately related to earthquakes. The methods of VLBI lend themselves to crustal deformation monitoring with possible applications to earthquake prediction on local and global scales. It is proposed to establish a network of independently operated radio receiving stations at arbitrary separations using extragalactic radio sources as a frame of time invariant reference. Systems analysis and initial feasibility demonstrations indicate that calibrations can be developed to make possible a transportable radio interferometry system. Using a 9 m diameter dish antenna operated in combination with a 64 m antenna receiving at X-band wavelengths (4 cm) it will be possible to measure the three-dimensional separation between antennas with a few cm accuracy for baselines up to 1000 km. With simultaneous band reception for charged-particle effect calibration, the transportable antenna can be operated at intercontinental distances with 10 cm accuracy. Earth platform parameters of universal time and polar motion can be calibrated to 0.25 msec and 10 cm, respectively, and radio source positions established to 0.005 arc sec accuracy by reception using large antennas at intercontinental distances.     

A global geographical survey of received signal strength in the VHF band

Sumbandila (SO-67) is an 81 kg LEO satellite launched on 17 September 2009. Its primary payload is a multi-spectral imager with a ground sampling distance of 6.25 m at an orbit altitude of 500 km. Its two command transceivers operate in the commercial and amateur radio VHF and UHF bands and one of them provides a VHF to UHF repeater service to radio amateurs. This paper presents initial results of a global three week monitoring period of two VHF frequency ranges. The data is obtained by executing on-board flight control procedures to select the frequencies to measure. The existing on-board telemetry gathering system is employed to record the data, most notably the received signal strength for the selected frequency. The data is downloaded using an adaptation of the imagery data download path. We determine regions of high signal levels by distributing individual measurements over cells in the satellite footprint before averaging over the cells. The data is then plotted on a geographical signal strength heatmap. We compare our results with that of a similar study of the late 1990s and point out changes since then. The data provides useful information for selecting future ground station locations for minimum interference. It further gives an indication of frequencies to use for command and telemetry communication at existing ground stations. We propose that including a receiver capable of measuring frequency interference across a desired frequency range is very useful to future missions for selecting communication frequencies from this range for ground station locations.     

无人直升机数据采集与处理系统的设计与实现

设计以FPGA处理器为核心的基于PC I总线的无人直升机数据采集与处理系统。在设计中提出了一种基于PC I总线的多路数据采集与处理系统的总体方案。该系统可对无人直升机实验室中模拟信号、脉冲信号、开关信号进行采集和对桨距的控制脉冲信号进行输出,能够对各类信号分别进行处理与分析,实验测试表明,系统能够完成无人直升机实验室数据采集与处理的任务。     

基于TDRSS的高速数传信号载波捕获及跟踪算法研究

以TDRSS数传系统为研究背景,针对TDRSS数传信号的特点,以实现高速8PSK调制信号的载波同步与跟踪为研究前提。提出了一种采用二叉树(BinarySearchTree)频率搜索方法实现捕获及采用平均"滑动窗"递推最小二乘(RLS)一步预测方法实现频率跟踪的算法,并针对此方法进行了理论推导和蒙特卡洛(MonteCarlo)仿真。结果表明:该方法适用于全数字高速数传8PSK调制信号接收系统,同时也可移植、推广至全数字雷达接收机中。     

Studies of radio frequency interference at Parkes Observatory

During 16 weeks of continuous SETI observing at the Parkes Observatory in New South Wales, Australia, a set of time-averaged data with 643 Hz resolution were recorded and returned to the SETI Institute for post-processing. These data are the 14 second (10 frame) average powers in each of 15,552 “subband” channels covering 10 MHz of the spectrum in both right and left circular polarizations that were used by the signal detection hardware to baseline and threshold the 1 Hz high resolution SETI spectra. The observations covered frequencies from 1.2 to 3 GHz, tracking 209 stellar targets across the sky. The data at each frequency were averaged over all directions and then interrogated to attempt to determine the prevalence of radio frequency interference (RFI). Estimates were made for the probability of encountering RFI at a particular frequency. Particular attention has been paid to those portions of the spectrum that are allocated as primary use status, or footnote protection for radioastronomy. This sixteen-week snapshot of the RFI situation at Parkes is by now out of date. Unfortunately, a year later, the situation has undoubtedly worsened.     

动力学环境试验数据采集系统结构及性能分析

文章在总线结构、硬件组成、数据管理模式、扫描正弦数据处理方法（频率辨识、幅值估计）方面研究了目前动力学环境试验各种数据采集系统的特点和差异,同时对未来超大型数据采集系统的发展趋势进行了分析。