Search radar detection and track with the Hough transform. II.detection statistics

For pt.I see ibid., vol.30, no.1, (Jan.1994). This paper describes the calculation of P_F and P_D for the Hough transform technique when the primary threshold crossings are weighted by their power before transforming (i.e., noncoherent integration). After expressions for P_F and P_D are derived, we examine the question of optimal granularity of the Hough accumulator space. We also investigate the relationship between primary and secondary thresholds and its effect on detectability     

Steady-state analysis of the constant-frequency clamped seriesresonant converter

A constant-frequency diode-clamped series resonant converter (CFCSRC) is proposed as a solution to problems associated with frequency-controlled resonant converters. This converter has two resonant frequencies, and control is achieved by varying the relative time spent at each switching frequency. Two zero-current-switching (ZCS) modes are examined and plotted in the output plane. An equation is given for the boundary between the two ZCS modes, as well as an expression for the boundary between ZCS and non-ZCS operation; both are plotted in the output plane. The output equation for the main mode is shown to be hyperbolic. Converter peak voltages limited to the input voltages, and peak currents are less than those of the frequency-controlled clamped series resonant converter over a large operating range. Data from a prototype converter are compared with theoretical data and are shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical model     

Investigation of corona initiation voltage at reduced pressures

The results of an experimental study of the 60 Hz ac corona inception voltage at reduced pressures for a cylindrical conductor and a parallel ground plane are presented. Several spacings and bare and insulated conductors of several diameters are considered. Empirical expressions from which a reasonably accurate prediction of the corona inception voltage (CIV) may be made have been inferred from experimental data     

Multiple target tracking using products of position measurements

The continued development of the symmetric measurement equation (SME) filter for track maintenance in multiple target tracking (MTT) is considered, focusing on the case in which the SMEs are generated by forming sums of products of the original position measurements. The SME filter is developed for the case of N targets whose motions consist of random perturbations about constant-velocity trajectories. It is assumed that measurements of x-coordinate positions are available, and that the number of measurements is equal to the number of targets. Various analytical properties of the SME filter are studied. It is shown that under a very weak condition, the estimation error equation is locally exponentially stable. The performance of the SME filter is investigated by comparing it with an optimal (minimum-variance) estimator and by generating a computer simulation in the six-target case     

Light scattering in planetary atmospheres

This paper reviews scattering theory required for analysis of light reflected by planetary atmospheres. Section 1 defines the radiative quantities which are observed. Section 2 demonstrates the dependence of single-scattered radiation on the physical properties of the scatterers. Section 3 describes several methods to compute the effects of multiple scattering on the reflected light.     

Speech Data Rate Reduction Part II: Applicability of Sensitivity and Error Analysis

This paper deals with the application of modern estimation techniques to the problem of speech data rate reduction. It is desirable to adaptively identify and quantitize the parameters of the speech model. These paramaters cannot be identified and quantized exactly; the performance of the predictor is thereby degraded and this could prevent data reduction. In many cases it is desirable to emply a suboptimal predictor in order to simplify the algorithms, and predictor performance is again degraded. This paper develops sensitivity and error analysis as a potential method for determining quantitatively how speech data reduction system performance is degraded by imprecise parameter knowledge or suboptimal filtering. An intended use of the sensitivity and error analysis algorithms is to determine parameter identification and model structure requirements of configuration concepts for adaptive speech digitizers. First, sensitivity and error analysis algorithms are presented that form the basis for the remainder of the work. The algorithms are then used to determine how imprecise knowledge of vocal tract parameters degrades predictor performance in speech. Transversal filters have previously been proposed for this application. The sensitivity analysis algorithms are then used to determine when and by how much the transverse filter is suboptimal to the Kalman filter. In particular, the question of how effectively a higher order of all-pole model approximates a system with zeros is answered, as this question is of considerable importance in speech. Finally, the physical significance of the innovations process in speech data rate reduction is studied.     

Modulation of Cosmic Rays in the Heliosphere From Solar Minimum to Maximum: a Theoretical Perspective

The modulation of galactic cosmic rays in the heliosphere seems to be dominated by four major mechanisms: convection, diffusion, drifts (gradient, curvature and current sheet), and adiabatic energy losses. In this regard the global structure of the solar wind, the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF), the current sheet (HCS), and that of the heliosphere itself play major roles. Individually, the four mechanisms are well understood, but in combination, the complexity increases significantly especially their evolvement with time - as a function of solar activity. The Ulysses observations contributed significantly during the past solar minimum modulation period to establish the relative importance of these major mechanisms, leading to renewed interest in developing more sophisticated numerical models, and in the underlying physics, e.g., what determines the diffusion tensor. With increased solar activity, the relative contributions of the mentioned mechanisms change, but how they change and what causes these changes over an 11-year solar cycle is not well understood. It can therefore be expected that present and forthcoming observations during solar maximum activity will again produce very important insights into the causes of long-term modulation. In this paper the basic theory of solar modulation is reviewed for galactic cosmic rays. The influence of the Ulysses observations on the development of the basic theory and numerical models are discussed, especially those that have challenged the theory and models. Model-based predictions are shown for what might be encountered during the next solar minimum. Lastly, modulation theory and modelling are discussed for periods of maximum solar activity when a global reorganization of the HMF, and the HCS, occurs. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Robust adaptive beamforming for HF surface wave over-the-horizon radar

Adaptive beamforming is used to enhance the detection of target echoes received by high frequency (HF) surface wave (HFSW) over-the-horizon (OTH) radars in the presence of spatially structured interference. External interference from natural and man-made sources typically masks the entire range-Doppler search space and is characterized by a spatial covariance matrix that is time-varying or nonstationary over the coherent processing interval (CPI). Adaptive beamformers that update the spatial filtering weight vector within the CPI are likely to suppress such interference most effectively, but the intra-CPI antenna pattern fluctuations result in temporal decorrelation of the clutter which severely degrades subclutter visibility after Doppler processing. A robust adaptive beamformer that effectively suppresses spatially nonstationary interference without degrading subclutter visibility is proposed here. The proposed algorithm is computationally efficient and suitable for practical implementation. Its operational performance is evaluated using experimental data recorded by the Iluka HFSW OTH radar, located near Darwin in far north Australia.     

Langmuir Turbulence and Solar Radio Bursts

Langmuir waves and turbulence resulting from an electron beam-plasma instability play a fundamental role in the generation of solar radio bursts. We report recent theoretical advances in nonlinear dynamics of Langmuir waves. First, starting from the generalized Zakharov equations, we study the parametric excitation of solar radio bursts at the fundamental plasma frequency driven by a pair of oppositely propagating Langmuir waves with different wave amplitudes. Next, we briefly discuss the emergence of chaos in the Zakharov equations. We point out that chaos can lead to turbulence in the source regions of solar radio emissions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.