Computer simulation of IGBT losses in PFC circuits

An analysis is presented that forms the basis for an algorithm for calculating the IGBT losses in a power factor correction (PFC) circuit. The method employs experimental data from an off-line test circuit that closely resembles the switching conditions in the actual PFC. This technique provides calculated values of both the conduction and switching losses of the main transistor in a boost-type PFC circuit. Results for a 6 kW PFC are included     

Neural controllers for systems with unknown dynamics

This study presents a methodology for specifying a neural controller for a system about which no a priori model information is available. The neural design presumes that a finite duration input/output (I/O) histogram on the system is available. The design procedure extracts from the histogram sufficient information to specify the neural feedback controller. The resultant controller will drive the system along a general output reference profile (unknown during the design). The resultant controller also exhibits the capability of disturbance rejection and the capacity to stabilize unstable plants     

Calibration of Precision Gimbaled Pointing Systems

Corrections of pointing data provided by gimbal readout transducers can be used to compensate for the errors that arise because of gimbal misalignments and inaccuracies in transducer readout. This paper reviews the sources of pointing error in precision gimbaled pointing systems and describes the techniques for determining them. In particular, a method of calibration that is suitable for systems in which constraints on gimbal travel preclude the use of conventional calibration procedures is presented, and the pointing readout accuracy that can be achieved by this method is evaluated.     

Nonlinear deforming of laminated composite shells of revolution under finite deflections and normal’s rotation angles

The discretization of the boundary value problem for laminated composite shells is based on the finite difference approach using the regular mesh with the constant grid step and the difference operators of the second order of accuracy. The dynamic relaxation method is proposed for the solution of the nonlinear problem. The evolutionary equations of the dynamic relaxation are constructed, and the optimum parameters of the converging linear iterative process are estimated.     

Analysis of the spacecraft vertical landing dynamics on the platform with crash legs

This paper proposes a novel landing gear for spacecraft that allows a weight reduction due to using deformable crash legs. Numerical simulation of the landing process was performed.     

Determination of Gas-Generator Fuel Capacity for Hybrid Aerial Underwater Vehicles with Airfoil Cavity-Forming System

We determine the behavior of onboard gas-generator flowrate for generating the cavitation flow around a hybrid aerial underwater vehicle by using an annular wing on the underwater trajectory section.     

Toward Accurate On-Ground Attitude Determination for the Gaia Spacecraft

The work presented in this paper concerns the accurate On-Ground Attitude (OGA) reconstruction for the astrometry spacecraft Gaia in the presence of disturbance and of control torques acting on the spacecraft. The reconstruction of the expected environmental torques which influence the spacecraft dynamics will be also investigated. The telemetry data from the spacecraft will include the on-board real-time attitude, which is of order of several arcsec. This raw attitude is the starting point for the further attitude reconstruction. The OGA will use the inputs from the field coordinates of known stars (attitude stars) and also the field coordinate differences of objects on the Sky Mapper (SM) and Astrometric Field (AF) payload instruments to improve this raw attitude. The on-board attitude determination uses a Kalman Filter (KF) to minimize the attitude errors and produce a more accurate attitude estimation than the pure star tracker measurement. Therefore the first approach for the OGA will be an adapted version of KF. Furthermore, we will design a batch least squares algorithm to investigate how to obtain a more accurate OGA estimation. Finally, a comparison between these different attitude determination techniques in terms of accuracy, robustness, speed and memory required will be evaluated in order to choose the best attitude algorithm for the OGA. The expected resulting accuracy for the OGA determination will be on the order of milli-arcsec.     

Robust model following control of parallel buck converters

A robust model-following (RMF) control technique for average current mode controlled (ACC) parallel buck dc-dc converters, RMFACC, is presented. RMFACC achieves that the loop gain of the voltage loop is little sensitive to the variation of power stage parameters: number of modules, input voltage, load, and component tolerances. The design of the voltage loop is 'decoupled' from the design of the disturbance rejection transfer functions in an important degree, so that the output impedance and audio susceptibility are greatly reduced without the need of high loop gain crossover frequencies. A comparative study between conventional ACC and RMFACC is shown.     

Atmospheric Electricity at Saturn

The Cassini mission provides a great opportunity to enlarge our knowledge of atmospheric electricity at the gas giant Saturn. Following Voyager studies, the RPWS (Radio and Plasma Wave Science) instrument has measured again the so-called SEDs (Saturn Electrostatic Discharges) which are the radio signature of lightning flashes. Observations by Cassini/ISS (Imaging Science Subsystem) have shown cloud features in Saturn’s atmosphere whose occurrence, longitudinal drift rate, and brightness were strongly related to the SEDs. In this paper we will review the main physical parameters of the SEDs. Lightning does not only give us clues about the dynamics of the atmosphere, but also serves as a natural tool to investigate properties of Saturn’s ionosphere. We will also discuss other lightning related phenomena and compare Saturn lightning with terrestrial and Jovian lightning.     

New Horizons: Anticipated Scientific Investigations at the Pluto System

The New Horizons spacecraft will achieve a wide range of measurement objectives at the Pluto system, including color and panchromatic maps, 1.25–2.50 micron spectral images for studying surface compositions, and measurements of Pluto’s atmosphere (temperatures, composition, hazes, and the escape rate). Additional measurement objectives include topography, surface temperatures, and the solar wind interaction. The fulfillment of these measurement objectives will broaden our understanding of the Pluto system, such as the origin of the Pluto system, the processes operating on the surface, the volatile transport cycle, and the energetics and chemistry of the atmosphere. The mission, payload, and strawman observing sequences have been designed to achieve the NASA-specified measurement objectives and maximize the science return. The planned observations at the Pluto system will extend our knowledge of other objects formed by giant impact (such as the Earth–moon), other objects formed in the outer solar system (such as comets and other icy dwarf planets), other bodies with surfaces in vapor-pressure equilibrium (such as Triton and Mars), and other bodies with N₂:CH₄ atmospheres (such as Titan, Triton, and the early Earth).