Probability Density of the Click Duration in an Ideal FM Discriminator

The expression of the probability density function PClick(T) of the duration r of the clicks is determined as a function of 1) the expected number of clicks per second, Felick 2) the expected number of times per second that the noise component x(t) in phase with the carrier has instantaneous amplitude larger than that of the carrier itself 3) the probability density function peross(T) of the duration of the time intervals in which x(t) < -A 4) the probability that the values of the noise component in quadrature with the carrier will be of opposite sign at the extremes of time intervals of duration v. Using for Pcross(T) an approximate formula that holds fairly well in the range of the values of the signal-to-noise power ratio ? usually encountered, PIick(T) has been calculated for several values of a and for two shapes of the noise spectrum, Gaussian and rectangular. Finally, an expression is given for the mean value of T.     

An Extension of Viterbi's Analysis of the Cycle Slipping in a First-Order Phase-Locked Loop

The phenomenon of cycle slipping in a first-order phase-locked loop is reconsidered and a simple expression for the expected number ? of cycles slipped per second is given in the form of a rapidly converging series. In this way the computation of ? becomes much easier than with previously known formulas. A formula allowing the computation of the expected number of cycles gained or lost per second is also given. These results are obtained by extending a technique used by Viterbi. The outcome of experimental verifications of the theory is also reported.     

Pull-In Behavior of Third-Order Generalized Phase-Locked Loops

This paper analyzes third-order phase-locked loops with an arbitrary phase-detector characteristic and imperfect integration by the quasi-stationary approach with a suitable linearization of the non-linear differential equation deseribing the loop behavior; ideal integration is also considered. The main feature of this technique is the use of an easy mathematical approach which allows a direct physical insight into acquisition behavior and the development of simple expressions for the time and pull-in range.     

Remote infrared observations of parent volatiles in comets: A window on the early solar system

Organic volatiles and water in Oort Cloud comets were investigated at infrared wavelengths. The detected species include H₂O, CO, CH₃OH, CH₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₆, OCS, HCN, NH₃, and H₂CO. Several daughter fragments (CN, OH, NH₂, etc.) are also measured, and OH prompt emission provides a proxy for water. Long-slit spectra are taken at high spectral dispersion and high spatial resolution, eliminating several sources of systematic error. The resulting parent volatile production rates are highly robust, permitting a sensitive search for compositional diversity among comets. Here, seven OC comets are compared. Six (including Halley) exhibit similar compositions (excepting CO and CH₄). Their low formation temperatures (30 K) suggest this group probably formed beyond 30 AU from the young sun. However, C/1999 S4 is severely depleted in hypervolatiles and also in methanol, and it likely formed near 5–10 AU. C/2001 A2 is discussed briefly to illustrate future prospects.     

Graphical Analysis of a Digital Phase-Locked Loop

Under the assumption of negligible quantization error effect and no noise, a nonuniform sampling first-order digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) is analyzed by a graphical method which displays limit cycles and the cycle slipping phenomenon. The analysis suggests an upper bound to the model gain and, consequently, to the pull-in range. Moreover, this method enables one to obtain a closed-form expression of the acquisition time, accurate enough for the cases of practical interest.     

Energy Minimization of M-Ary Orthogonal Signals in Communication Systems with Feedback

A communication system with a feedback channel which makes use of orthogonal M-ary signals is considered. The problem of its optimization, by setting a maximum time Tm to decide, is analyzed particularly so that the average energy per bit required to obtain a pre-fixed probability of error results as a minimum. The results, shown on graphs, allow one to evaluate the maximum decision time Tm and, afterwards, the maximum transmission rate.     

Calculation of Output Noise Variances for Discrete Time-Invariant Filters

Certain calculations to minimize output noise variance are introduced. Many applied problems in sampled data systems require that data be smoothed in the presence of noise for the prediction of future positions, velocities, or accelerations. Smoothing coefficients in discrete time-invariant filters are computed to minimize the output noise variance, but under the constraints that the function and derivatives be predicted ahead. The output noise variance is seen to be a function of the input noise, the number of input signals (N+1) that the filter has to smooth, and the prediction time ?T. Four examples are given in the derivation of smoothing coefficients for step and ramp inputs subjected to either almost white noise or Gaussian-Markoff noise. The examples illustrate the number of constraint relations that the filter smoothing coefficients must satisfy for function and/or derivative convergence under noise-free conditions. The smoothing coefficients are also a function of the type of noise input into the system or the discrete filter. From the examples, it can be observed that as N becomes larger, the output noise variance becomes smaller, but the computation time is increased.     

Calibration in portable testers

Design requirements and tradeoffs related to the calibration of a portable test system are discussed. Current and future approaches to the problem are examined, and their applicability to portable systems is discussed. Solutions developed at the author's company are detailed. The approach has been to provide the test system with an internal calibration standard so that the system operator can easily verify the station's calibration by just loading and executing a calibration program     

Experimental evaluation of the radiative heat flux from rocket plumes on satellite structures

An experimental method capable of directly measuring the net radiant heat flux on complex geometry surfaces by non invasive methods has been devised, designed, realized and tested. The method is based on a computerized thermographic system capable of directly outputting the radiative heat fluxes absorbed by the surface to be examined. The calibration tests have shown the feasibility and the accuracy of the proposed method. Preliminary tests are presented which simulate the radiation flux from a jet exhaust.