Nondestructive Characterization of RBSOA of High-Power Bipolar Transistors

Reverse-bias safe operating area (RBSOA) of high-power Darlington transistors is characterized using a 120 A/1000 V nondestructive reverse-bias second breakdown tester designed and fabricated at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Elaborate RBSOA characteristics are generated with different forward/reverse base drives and collector current levels. The effects of elevated case temperature and second-base drive on RBSOA of four-terminal Darlington devices are also discussed.     

Pulsations of the R Coronae Borealis stars

The radial pulsations of very luminous, low-mass models (L/M 10⁴, solar units), which are possible representatives of the R CrB stars, have been examined. These pulsations are extremely nonadiabatic. We find that there are in some cases at least one extra (strange) mode which makes interpretation difficult. The blue instability edges are also peculiar, in that there is an abrupt excursion of the blue edge to the blue for L/M sufficiently large. The range of periods of the model encompasses observed periods of the Cepheid-like pulsations of actual R CrB stars.     

Radar Target Detection and Map-Matching Algorithm Studies

Results of a study of adaptive threshold target detection and map-matching algorithms are presented. Log threshold processing is shown to be preferred over linear threshold processing when the clutter data surrounding the target cell is contaminated by other targets, decoy corner reflectors, or bright clutter cells. Whereas previous studies have resorted to extensive Monte-Carlo simulations of log threshold algorithms, the results were obtained using a novel analytical approach based upon Parseval's theorem.     

Theories of tail structures

The present theories of tail structures are reviewed. It is shown that any satisfactory model for the quiet tail has to include at least two space dimensions. Several approaches to two-dimensional structures and some recent results of a study that includes the third dimension are reviewed. It is demonstrated that the observed gross structural properties of the quiet magnetotail can be reasonably well understood from these theories. A brief discussion of selected aspects of tail dynamics is added.Proceedings of the Symposium on Solar Terrestrial Physics held in Innsbruck, May–June 1978.     

Automated Tracking for Aircraft Surveillance Radar Systems

An improved moving target detector (MTD) (a digital signal processor) has been designed, constructed, and tested which successfully rejects all forms of radar clutter while providing reliable detection of all aircraft within the coverage of the radar. The MTD is being tested on both terminal and enroute surveillance radars for the FAA. This processor has been integrated with automatic tracking algorithms to give complete rejection of ground clutter, heavy precipitation, and angels (birds).     

Magnetic Position and Orientation Tracking System

Three-axis generation and sensing of quasi-static magneticdipole fields provide information sufficient to determine both the position and orientation of the sensor relative to the source. Linear rotation transformations based upon the previous measurements are applied to both the source excitation and sensor output vectors, yielding quantities that are linearly propotional to small changes in the position and orientation. Changes are separated using linear combinations of sensor output vectors, transformed to the desired coordinate frame, and used to update the previous measurements. Practical considerations for a head-tracking application are discussed.     

Track-While-Scan Algorithm in a Clutter Environment

A track-while scan (TWS) algorithm is developed for targets in a clutter environment. The problem has been studied using only the position measurements [1, 5-8], but the simulation results have not been satisfactory. Modern processing techniques (FFT processor) ) in air traffic control and surveillance radar receivers provide both position and radial velocity. The radial velocity measurement may be conveniently used in the target-track correlation process, which will reduce the association ambiguity in the clutter environment. t. In the clear environment the algorithm using the position and radial velocity measurements has been treated in [3, 4]. A TWS algorithm, using both position and radial velocity measurements for targets in a clutter environment, is presented here. The algorithm obtained is nonlinear and adaptive. In order to evaluate the improvement due to radial velocity measurement a simulation has been performed on a digital computer. The algorithm was run with and without radial velocity measurements to compare its performances. An improvement was noted especially when the target path included an accelerated portion.     

An Approach to Built-In Testing

The archiitecture and justification for an approach to built-in testing (BIT) in electronic circuits and systems is presented. The proposed system is capable of on-line fault detection and prediction up to the shop replaceable assembly (SRA) level and is designed to interface with external automatic test equipment (ATE) for off-line fault diagnosis within the SRA. The constituent parts of the BIT system have been extensively simulated and the approach appears to be suitable for hardware implementation both with respect to computational and economic considerations.     

Atomic and molecular hydrogen in interstellar space

This paper reviews the present state of knowledge of the abundances and physical state of interstellar atomic and molecular hydrogen. Much new data in this area have been obtained in recent rocket observations. There have also been new developments as a result of ground-based infrared and 21-cm observations, and theoretical research.Rocket observations of the Lyman- interstellar absorption line of atomic hydrogen indicate that, in many directions in the sky, atomic hydrogen is up to a factor of 10 less abundant than previously indicated by 21-cm emission measurements. In the direction of the Orion Nebula, most of the absorbing gas appears to be concentrated in the near vicinity of the nebula and to have a temperature considerably lower than the average of 100 K obtained from 21-cm emission measurements. Molecular hydrogen appears essentially absent from the general interstellar medium, as confirmed by theoretical studies of photodissociation processes. However, ground-based infrared and 21-cm studies indicate that the hydrogen in dark dust clouds is mostly molecular.