Photoelectron Counting Statistics and Error Performance of m-Distributed Optical Signal

By the term "m-distributed optical signal" we mean a noise-like optical signal whose envelope (or intensity) fluctuation probability is modeled by Nakagami's "m-distribution." Using the m-distribution which has been widely used as an analytical model of the fading envelope in radio communications, it is shown that one can generally analyze the statistical properties such as the photoelectron count probabilities and error probabilities for the wider class of noise-like optical signals; some numerical results are also given.     

Error Analysis of Space-Stable Inertial Navigation Systems

The error equations for a space-stable inertial navigation system are derived. This is done by directly perturbing the mechanization equations in the inertial frame and then transforming in open-loop fashion to the local-level frame. A rotating inertial platform and velocity and altitude damping are considered. The relations between errors in space-stable and local-level systems are noted. Numerical results are presented for certain random error sources.     

Geomagnetic micropulsations and diagnostics of the magnetosphere

Plasma oscillations in a wide range of spectrum exist in the magnetosphere. Part of them penetrate the ionosphere and are recorded on the earth's surface. In the range of frequencies from millihertz to several hertz, the so-called micropulsations (ULF) are observed. In the range from hundred of hertz to several kilohertz the low-frequency emissions (VLF) are registered. Both types of emissions contain interesting and important information on the physical parameters of the magnetosphere and on the processes developing in it. The following paper describes the main problems of the diagnostics of the magnetosphere, which are based on the surface observations of micropulsations.In the first part of the paper, a short summary of theoretical conceptions on micropulsations is given. The main part of the paper describes the methods of diagnostics of the location of the boundary of the magnetosphere, of cold-plasma concentration in the outer regions of the magnetosphere, as well as of the energies and fluxes of fast charged particles in the geomagnetic trap. Some experimental results of the diagnostics of the parameters of the magnetosphere are given. Advantages and deficiencies of the existing methods of surface diagnostics are discussed, and the directions of further investigations are traced.     

Evaluating a multiple-hypothesis multitarget tracking algorithm

The performance evaluation of multiple-hypothesis, multitarget tracking algorithm is presented. We are primarily interested in target-detection/track-initiation capabilities as measures of performance. Through Monte Carlo simulations, a multiple-hypothesis tracking algorithm was evaluated in terms of 1) probability of establishing a track from target returns and 2) false track density. A radar was chosen as the sensor, and a general multiple-hypothesis, multitarget tracking algorithm was used in the Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation results predict the probability of establishing a track from returns of a target as well as the false track density per scan volume per unit time. The effects of the target radar cross section and the radar power, measured through the mean signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were studied, as were the effects of detection threshold and track quality threshold. Computational requirements were also investigated     

AC/DC converter topologies for the Space Station

A new class of AC/DC converter topologies (Type-1 converters) is described, suitable for use in an advanced single-phase sine-wave voltage, high-frequency power distribution system, of the type that was proposed for a 20 kHz Space Station primary electrical power distribution system. The converter comprises a transformer, a resonant network, a current controller, a diode rectifier, and an output filter. The input AC voltage source is converted into a sinusoidal current source using the resonant network. The output of this current source is rectified by the diode rectifier and is controlled by the current controller. The controlled rectified current is then filtered by the output filter to obtain a constant voltage across the load. Three distinct converter topologies, Type-1A, Type-1B, and Type 1-C, are described, and their performance characteristics are presented. All three types have a close-to-unity rated power factor (greater than 0.98), low total harmonic distortion in input current (less than 5%), and high conversion efficiency (greater than 96%)     

Interacting multiple model tracking with target amplitude feature

A recursive tracking algorithm is presented which uses the strength of target returns to improve track formation performance and track maintenance through target maneuvers in a cluttered environment. This technique combines the interacting multiple model (IMM) approach with a generalized probabilistic data association (PDA), which uses the measured return amplitude in conjunction with probabilistic models for the target and clutter returns. Key tracking decisions can be made automatically by assessing the probabilities of target models to provide rapid and accurate decisions for both true track acceptance and false track dismissal in track formation. It also provides the ability to accurately continue tracking through coordinated turn target maneuvers     

The Galileo Dust Detector

The Galileo Dust Detector is intended to provide direct observations of dust grains with masses between 10^-19 and 10^-9 kg in interplanetary space and in the Jovian system, to investigate their physical and dynamical properties as functions of the distances to the Sun, to Jupiter and to its satellites, to study its interaction with the Galilean satellites and the Jovian magnetosphere. Surface phenomena of the satellites (like albedo variations), which might be effects of meteoroid impacts will be compared with the dust environment. Electric charges of particulate matter in the magnetosphere and its consequences will be studied; e.g., the effects of the magnetic field on the trajectories of dust particles and fragmentation of particles due to electrostatic disruption. The investigation is performed with an instrument that measures the mass, speed, flight direction and electric charge of individual dust particles. It is a multicoincidence detector with a mass sensitivity 10⁶ times higher than that of previous in-situ experiments which measured dust in the outer solar system. The instrument weighs 4.2 kg, consumes 2.4 W, and has a normal data transmission rate of 24 bits s^-1 in nominal spacecraft tracking mode. On December 29, 1989 the instrument was switched-on. After the instrument had been configured to flight conditions cruise science data collection started immediately. In the period to May 18, 1990 at least 168 dust impacts have been recorded. For 81 of these dust grains masses and impact speeds have been determined. First flux values are given.     

An optimum filter for direct A/D conversion

The author describes a design procedure to find the optimum finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter coefficients when the characteristics of the bandpass filter preceding the analog-to-digital (A/D) converter are known. A simulation of direct A/D conversion performance shows the improvement over the filter coefficients designed to minimize the maximum error over a specified band of frequencies. DC cancellation may be added to the process with very little change in the coefficients of the optimum FIR filter or its performance.<>     

Venus lightning

Although it is not unanimously accepted, many independent observations lead to the conclusion that lightning is prevalent on Venus. The electromagnetic signals detected by all 4 Venera landers are most readily explained as generation by lightning. The Venera 9 spectrometer appears to have observed a lightning storm on one occasion. The Pioneer Venus plasma wave instrument detects waves both below the electron gyrofrequency that may be due to lightning and signals above the electron gyrofrequency but at very low altitudes that may be due to the near field of the lightning. The VLF observations suggest that Venus lightning must be an intra-cloud phenomenon which is most frequent in the afternoon and evening sector. The occurrence rate is likely to be greater than on Earth.     

Variable Speed Wind Energy Conversion Using Synchronous Machine

A power generation scheme using a synchronous generator with an excitation control system driven by a variable-speed wind turbine is described. The proposed scheme has been analyzed over a wide speed range and under wind gusting conditions. Performance characteristics show that it is feasible to use variable-speed fixed-pitch wind turbines to generate electric power.