Multimodule parallel series-loaded resonant converters

The design and implementation of a multimodule parallel series-loaded resonant (SLR) converter system is presented. The SLR converter to be paralleled is operated in the n=2 discontinuous mode (DCM). Its dc analysis and dynamic modeling are made. In parallel operation, an average control technique is proposed to compensate the mismatch in current control characteristics of each parallel converter. Good dynamic and static current sharing characteristics are obtained. In addition, to obtain good output voltage regulating control performance, a design procedure is presented to find the parameters of feedback voltage controller according to the prescribed specifications     

Quasi-parallel collisionless shocks

The magnetic field and plasma data from the ISEE 1, 2, and 3 spacecraft have greatly increased our knowledge of the quasi-parallel collisionless shock in space. Hybrid-code simulations have provided us with valuable insights into the physics of the quasi-parallel shock. Unfortunately, theoretical understanding of the nonlinear physics of the quasi-parallel shock is still in a qualitative stage of development. Generation of large-amplitude whistler waves and hydromagnetic waves observed in the quasi-parallel shock has been discussed either in terms of linear instabilities or qualitative nonlinear arguments. It appears that the ion reflection, ion heating, and leakage of the shock-heated downstream ions at the quasi-parallel shock can all be explained in terms of nonadiabatic scatterings of ions by the large-amplitude whistler-magnetosonic waves with frequencies near the ion gyrofrequency and wavelength near the ion inertial length. The nonadiabatic scattering is defined by the non-conservation of the magnetic moment. Future study of the quasi-parallel shock should focus on developing quantitative theoretical models for the nonlinear physical processes fundamental to the quasi-parallel shock.     

Element and Isotopic Fractionation in Closed Magnetic Structures

Recent papers have suggested that the slow solar wind is a super-position of material which is released by reconnection from large coronal loops. This reconnection process is driven by large-scale motions of solar magnetic flux driven by the non-radial expansion of the solar wind from the differentially rotating photosphere into more rigidly rotating coronal holes. The elemental composition of the slow solar wind material is observed to be fractionated and more variable than the fast solar wind from coronal holes. Recently, it has also been reported that fractionation also occurs in 3He/4He. This may be interpreted in the frame-work of an existing model for fractionation on large coronal loops in which wave-particle interactions preferentially heat ions thereby modifying their scale-heights. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Exospheres and Energetic Neutral Atoms of Mars, Venus and Titan

Our understanding of the upper atmosphere of unmagnetized bodies such as Mars, Venus and Titan has improved significantly in this decade. Recent observations by in situ and remote sensing instruments on board Mars Express, Venus Express and Cassini have revealed characteristics of the neutral upper atmospheres (exospheres) and of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs). The ENA environment in the vicinity of the bodies is by itself a significant study field, but ENAs are also used as a diagnostic tool for the exosphere and the interaction with the upstream plasmas. Synergy between theoretical and modeling work has also improved considerably. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of our understanding of the neutral environment in the vicinity of unmagnetized planets.     

Output Signal-to-Noise Ratios for Amplitude-Modulated Noise-Like Lasers

A general expression of the output SNR of a photodetector is derived for a noise-like laser amplitude-modulated by a stationary Gaussian random modulating signal in the presence of a background light. The electric field Vx(t) of the noise-like laser is assumed to be a stationary narrowband Gaussian random process with zero mean. Two types of modulating signal are considered, the baseband and bandpass modulating signals. More specifically, the effects of the center frequency of the modulating signal, the modulating degree, the bandwidth ration of the noise-like laser to the modulating signal, the effective average quantum rate, and input CNR on output SNR are studied. The detection characteristics of the noise-like laser are also made clear by comparison with the case of a coherent laser.     

THE DIGITAL WAVE-PROCESSING EXPERIMENT ON CLUSTER

The wide variety of geophysical plasmas that will be investigated by the Cluster mission contain waves with a frequency range from DC to over 100 kHz with both magnetic and electric components. The characteristic duration of these waves extends from a few milliseconds to minutes and a dynamic range of over 90 dB is desired. All of these factors make it essential that the on-board control system for the Wave-Experiment Consortium (WEC) instruments be flexible so as to make effective use of the limited spacecraft resources of power and telemetry-information bandwidth. The Digital Wave Processing Experiment, (DWP), will be flown on Cluster satellites as a component of the WEC. DWP will coordinate WEC measurements as well as perform particle correlations in order to permit the direct study of wave/particle interactions. The DWP instrument employs a novel architecture based on the use of transputers with parallel processing and re-allocatable tasks to provide a high-reliability system. Members of the DWP team are also providing sophisticated electrical ground support equipment, for use during development and testing by the WEC. This is described further in Pedersen et al. (this issue).     

High-acceleration mass drivers

After testing an early, simplified mass-driver (35 gravity acceleration) a second, designated MD2, was designed and is now operating. MD2 is of axial geometry, with individually powered drive coils of 13.1 cm diameter. Timing is derived through the interruption of light beams by the moving armature (bucket). Electric power is provided by the resonant discharge of sector capacitor banks through silicon-controlled rectifiers in a two-phase, quadrature circuit. The bucket flies in vacuum, guided by passive dynamic eddy-current magnetic forces, those currents flowing in strip conductors lining the inside of a nonconducting vacuum pipe. The initial length of MD2 is 2.5 m, divided equally into acceleration and deceleration. Nominal acceleration is 5000 m/sec². For routine testing an ohmic bucket is used. Quantitative measurements are obtained with a solid bucket carrying two superconducting coils with a current density of 25 kA/cm². A cryogenic station for cooling the bucket to liquid helium temperature is connected to the vacuum pipe. The test program, now begun, will concentrate on guidance and acceleration forces, measurement of drive shielding losses, and possible couplings of drive forces into modes of oscillation.     

Current views and future programs in cardiovascular physiology in space.

The volume shift of 2000 cm3 from the lower to the upper part of the human body during weightlessness gave rise to theoretical and practical questions which are addressed in this communication. The analysis revealed that the mobilized fluid reduced the interstitial fluid of the lower extremities by 40%. Applying the current ideas in the field of interstitial tissue physiology to these problems, one must conclude that the fluid displacement can only be brought about by a change of the interstitial tissue compliance. Based on the observations made by the astronauts and on our working hypothesis, a method was proposed to follow the fluid migration and to measure the tissue compliance in man. Results are reported from experiments under terrestrial conditions. They show that the tissue compliance indeed can be modulated. Applying the method in space can eventually help to clarify several concepts in terrestrial physiology.     

STADAR: Servo Tester with Automatic Data Acquisition and Reduction

STADAR is a Servo Tester with Automatic Data Acquisition and Reduction developed for the Apollo program. This paper describes the operational capability of STADAR and discusses certain aspects of the design. STADAR evaluates system performance by supplying an input stimuli and two data acquisition and analysis channels. Stimuli (0.02-30 c/s 0-10 V peak) are automatically programmed to a frequency accuracy of ±0.01 percent and an amplitude accuracy of ± 0.1 percent. Data acquisition accuracy is 0.1 percent or 50 microvolts. System design utilizes programmable data filters to improve system S/N ratio. Active filter mechanization methods and results are presented as well as techniques for instantaneous precise generation of stimuli which are automatically programmed.     

Solution numérique du problème de Képler

A numerical solution of the Kepler problem. Requiring a six-decimal accuracy, the Kepler problem can be solved with four iterations at most, even for an eccentricity close to 1, provided that a new initial approximation be introduced in this last case.