High Dynamic GPS Receiver Using Maximum Likelihood Estimationand Frequency Tracking

A new high dynamic global positioning system (GPS) receiver ispresented and its performance characterized by analysis,simulation, and demonstration. The demonstration receiver is abreadboard model capable of tracking a single simulated satellitesignal in pseudorange and range rate. Pseudorange and range rateestimates are made once every 20 ms, using a maximum likelihoodestimator, and are tracked by means of a third-order fadingmemory filter in a feedback configuration. The receiver trackspseudorange with rms errors of under 1 m when subjected tosimulated 50 g, 40 g/s circular trajectories. The tracking thresholdis approximately 28 dB·Hz, which provides 12 dB margin relativethe the minimum specified signal strength, assuming 3.5 dB systemnoise figure and 0 dB antenna gain.     

Ionospheric response of equatorial and low latitude F-region during the intense geomagnetic storm on 24–25 August 2005

In this investigation, we present and discuss the response of the ionospheric F-region in the South American and East Asian sectors during an intense geomagnetic storm in August 2005. The geomagnetic storm studied reached a minimum Dst of −216 nT at 12:00 UT on 24 August. In this work ionospheric sounding data obtained of 24, 25, and 26 August 2005 at Palmas (PAL; 10.2° S, 48.2° W; dip latitude 6.6° S), São José dos Campos (SJC, 23.2° S, 45.9° W; dip latitude 17.6° S), Brazil, Ho Chi Minh City, (HCM; 10.5° N, 106.3° E; dip latitude 2.9° N), Vietnam, Okinawa (OKI; 26.3° N, 127.8° E; dip latitude 21.2° N), Japan, are presented. Also, the GPS observations obtained at different stations in the equatorial and low-latitude regions in the Brazilian sector are presented. On the night of 24–25 August 2005, the h′F variations show traveling ionospheric disturbances associated with Joule heating in the auroral zone from SJC to PAL. The foF2 variations show a positive storm phase on the night of 24–25 August at PAL and SJC during the recovery phase. Also, the GPS-VTEC observations at several stations in the Brazilian sector show a fairly similar positive storm phase on 24 August. During the fast decrease of Dst (between 10:00 and 11:00 UT) on 24 August, there is a prompt penetration of electric field of magnetospheric origin that result in abrupt increase (∼12:00 UT) in foF2 at PAL, SJC (Brazil) and OKI (Japan) and in VTEC at IMPZ, BOMJ, PARA and SMAR (Brazil). OKI showed strong oscillations of the F-region on the night 24 August resulted to the propagation of traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) by Joule heating in the auroral region. These effects result a strong positive observed at OKI station. During the daytime on 25 August, in the recovery phase, the foF2 observations showed positive ionospheric storm at HCM station. Some differences in the latitudinal response of the F-region is also observed in the South American and East Asian sectors.     

Postmission plasma volume and red-cell mass changes in the crews of the first two Skylab missions

Red-cell mass determinations were performed before and after the first two Skylab missions. The data showed a 14% mean decrease in red-cell mass after the 28-day mission and a 12% mean decrease after the 59-day mission. The red-cell mass returned to premission levels more slowly after the shorter (28-day) than after the longer mission. Plasma volume decreases were found after each mission. with the crew from the longer mission showing the greater change (13% vs. 8.4%). Postmission decreases in red-cell mass and plasma volume have been a general finding in crewmen who return from short or long spaceflight.     

Approximate analytical solutions of stability problems for skew plates under combined loading

The known analytical solutions of the linearized stability problems for rectangular hinged plates under the combined loading are generalized to the similar problems for skew plates, the deformation mechanics of which is described by the equations of the classical theory formed in the oblique Cartesian coordinates.     

Experimental study of radial temperature gradient-reducing devices in GTE rotor disks

In this paper, we examine experimentally some devices the principle of action of which is based on using the dynamic pressure of air extracted to engine cooling and which are meant for reducing the radial temperature gradient in GTE rotor disks. We established that the devices equipped with the ejector channels make it possible to accelerate the process of the disk hub heating by hot air suction from the cavity periphery towards the rotor axis of rotation. Using the data of visualization studies, we show the possibility for efficient operation of ejector devices in the conditions of real GTE rotor circumferential velocities.     

Optimization of electrode system for the aircraft time-of-flight ion-marking airspeed and angle of attack sensor

A technique of optimizing the electrode system of the differential recorder for the aircraft time-of-flight ion-marking airspeed and aircraft angle of attack sensor by the criterion of ion-marking recording error variance minimum is considered. The technique is based on analyzing the function of spatial distribution for the ion-marking and recorder electrode interaction field potential and determining a point for which this function reaches the maximum slope. The relations making it possible to synthesize the sensor electrode system by the complex criterion as a ratio of error variance to transformation channel response are obtained.     

A lower bound estimate of the critical load for helicopter main rotor composite blade according to the limit equilibrium theory. The basic steps of an algorithm

The basic steps of an algorithm are given for calculating the parameters of the limiting state of a helicopter main rotor blade. To estimate the static strength, a technique of elastic constants variation is used; it is based on the limit equilibrium theory and enables us to obtain the upper and lower bounds for the critical load simultaneously. An iterative technique is proposed to determine the lower bound of the allowable load on the root section of the composite blade depending on the azimuthal angle of its turn in the helicopter hovering mode.     

Analysis of flow past oscillating cascades by the implicit method to evaluate the cascade aeroelastic stability in viscous flow

A technique of analyzing the flutter initiation in flat plate compressor cascades was developed. The viscous and inviscid flow study was carried out using the COBRA solver based on the modified implicit Godunov method and unsteady implicit method updated for using. The flutter conditions were revealed and the effect of taking into account viscosity, angles of attack and time steps was investigated.     

Determination of the influence of a clearance between the case and blade ends of the semi-open impeller on the centrifugal compressor stage characteristics

The influence of the clearance between the case and blade ends of the semi-open impeller on the centrifugal stage characteristics is considered using the experimental data and numerical calculation results.     

Influence of geometry and operating conditions of a centrifugal compressor stage on the radial gas force

The influence of geometry and operating conditions of the centrifugal compressor stage on the radial gas force is determined on the basis of the theoretical method and calculation program using experimental boundary conditions.