Performance of Digital Implementations of an Adaptive Processor

The performance of a digital implementation of an Applebaum-Howells type adaptive processor is analyzed for both a limiter and nonlimiter configuration. The performance is evaluated in terms of steady-state residue power, using either a single-pole filter or a perfect integrator to smooth the output of the correlation mixer. The latter filter is the more commonly used for digital implementations. It is shown that when using the perfect integrator filter for both the limiter and linear digital implementations, the steady-state average weight vector equals the optimum weight vector. Thus, for this filter, the steady-state residue power is the minimum possible for either implementation. When using the single-pole filter, neither implementation achieves the minimum possible steady-state residue power. The relative performance of the two implementations depends upon the relative gain settings. When the gains are adjusted to give comparable servo stability for the design maximum jammer power, a reasonable criterion for digital implementations because of analog to digital saturation, the limiter configuration always has smaller steady-state residue power.     

Absolute IR-spectra from the measurement of Fourier-spectrometers aboard Meteor 25 and 28

It is well known that temperature- and watervapour-profiles, ozone concentration, other atmospheric constituents and the surface-radiation of the Earth can be determined by remote sensing in the IR radiation range with the aid of a satellite.

The narrow-band radiation measurements for remote sensing of the atmosphere and the Earth-surface can be realized either by various radiometers working in selected frequency channels or, continuously in a given frequency range, by spectrometers with fixed spectral resolution.

Fourier-spectrometers (FS) have been used in Earth-orbit only four times up to now: Nimbus 3, Nimbus 4, Meteor 25 and Meteor 28.

The most important technical parameters, the working regime and some aspects of date processing of the FSs working aboard of Meteor 25 and Meteor 28 are given. For the determination of calibrated absolute spectra a method is used that is based on the experience of the first experiment and on the long time stability of the spectrometers. The results obtained in laboratory calibration tests and in the orbit are described.     

Reliability of the Station-Keeping Activator Subsystem of a Geostationary Satellite

The reliability of the station-keeping activator subsystem of a geostationary satellite using electric thrusters is analyzed by modeling the probabilistic behavior of the system as a homogeneous Markov process. The method is applied to the particular case of a 400-kg satellite using 1.5-mN cesium contact electric thrusters. lt is shown that certain system configurations offer a mass improvement without loss of reliability.     

Planetary radio astronomy experiment for Voyager missions

The planetary radio astronomy experiment will measure radio spectra of planetary emissions in the range 1.2 kHz to 40.5 MHz. These emissions result from wave-particle-plasma interactions in the magnetospheres and ionospheres of the planets. At Jupiter, they are strongly modulated by the Galilean satellite Io.As the spacecraft leave the Earth's vicinity, we will observe terrestrial kilometric radiation, and for the first time, determine its polarization (RH and LH power separately). At the giant planets, the source of radio emission at low frequencies is not understood, but will be defined through comparison of the radio emission data with other particles and fields experiments aboard Voyager, as well as with optical data. Since, for Jupiter, as for the Earth, the radio data quite probably relate to particle precipitation, and to magnetic field strength and orientation in the polar ionosphere, we hope to be able to elucidate some characteristics of Jupiter auroras.Together with the plasma wave experiment, and possibly several optical experiments, our data can demonstrate the existence of lightning on the giant planets and on the satellite Titan, should it exist. Finally, the Voyager missions occur near maximum of the sunspot cycle. Solar outburst types can be identified through the radio measurements; when the spacecraft are on the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth we can identify solar flare-related events otherwise invisible on the Earth.     

Rocket measurements of mesospheric ionization irregularities

The Langmuir-probe technique for measurement of electron concentration in the mesosphere is capable of excellent altitude resolution, of order 1 m. Measurements from nine rocket flights frequently show small-scale ionization structures in the altitude region 60–90 km. These are believed to be identical with regions of strong coherent backscatter seem by VHF radars at Jicamarca, Peru and Urbana, Illinois. They are believed to represent intermittent turbulence attributable to nonlinear interaction of waves in the mesosphere. Parameters of the turbulent regions are estimated.     

Non-intrusive methods for temperature measurements in liquid zones in microgravity environments

Material Science and Life Science experiments in microgravity both have urgent needs of evaluating the temperature distribution within and on the surface of liquid zones. Non intrusive methods are available which measure the IR radiations emitted by the surface. The thermograph systems have a number of advantages since they supply a thermal picture of the surface with sufficient time, space and temperature accuracy. A computerized system has been designed for data acquisition and elaboration and used for ground experiments; the system can also be used for space experiments with some modifications. Non intrusive measurements of bulk temperature in two dimensional liquid flow fields can be made by means of optical methods which detect variations of the index of refraction. A method is proposed which is able to take with the same optical apparatus shadowgraph. Schlieren and differential interferometers pictures. A computerized system is proposed for data acquisition and elaboration.     

An Implementation of the Multidimensional Modified LMS Algorithm

An implementation of the multidimensional modified LMS algorithm is provided from its relationship to a recently developed class of lhyperstable adaptive filters.     

Environment and Radar Operation Simulator

The environment and radar operation simulator (EROS) is a hardware system whose function is to produce realistic synthetic radar backscatter, incorporating both target and clutter. The simulator is electrically connected to a subject radar and responds in real time to the radar's antenna scan angle by producing the correct composite video signal.     

The role of magnetic field shear in solar flares

We present observational results and their physical implications garnered from the deliberations of the FBS Magnetic Shear Study Group on magnetic field shear in relation to flares. The observed character of magnetic shear and its involvement in the buildup and release of flare energy are reviewed and illustrated with emphasis on recent results from the Marshall Space Flight Center vector magnetograph. It is pointed out that the magnetic field in active regions can become sheared by several processes, including shear flow in the photosphere, flux emergence, magnetic reconnection, and flux submergence. Modeling studies of the buildup of stored magnetic energy by shearing are reported which show ample energy storage for flares. Observational evidence is presented that flares are triggered when the field shear reaches a critical degree, in qualitative agreement with some theoretical analyses of sheared force-free fields. Finally, a scenario is outlined for the class of flares resulting from large-scale magnetic shear; the overall instability driving the energy release results from positive feedback between reconnection and eruption of the sheared field.     

Cell morphological, ontogenic, and genetic reactions to 0-g simulation and hyper-g

Organisms use gravity for spatial orientation, and differentiation into species during evolution follows geological processes which are caused by gravity. On the other hand, the task of most organismic functions which have or may have a relation to gravity is to compensate gravity. Furthermore, today it is very obvious that organisms do not disintegrate under the conditions of weightlessness, at least for the currently tested durations. These previous statements indicate a large field of still unknown regulation and adaptation mechanisms. Experiments to simulate weightlessness on the fast clinostat and with hyper-g show a highly developed ability of the genetic chain and of differentiating cells in being autonomous against mechanical stresses caused by outer accelerations. Nevertheless, different strong and slight changes of different tested end points were found. The question remains if the cells react actively or only passively.