Nonuniform array processing via the polynomial approach

A polynomial approach for maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation of superimposed signals in time-series problems and array processing was recently proposed. This technique was applied successfully to linear uniform arrays and to uniformly sampled complex exponential signals. However, uniformly spaced arrays are not optimal for minimum variance estimation of bearing, range or position, and uniform sampling of signals is not always possible in practice. The authors make use of the expectation-maximization algorithm to apply the polynomial approach to sublattice arrays and to missing samples in time-series problems     

Sunspot Structure and Dynamics

Sunspots are the most prominent magnetic features on the Sun but it is only within the last few years that the intricate structure of their magnetic fields has been resolved. In the penumbra the fields in bright and dark filaments differ in inclination by 30°. The field in the bright filaments is less inclined to the vertical, while the field in dark filaments becomes almost horizontal at the edge of the spot. Recent models suggest that this interlocking-comb structure is maintained through downward pumping of magnetic flux by small-scale granular convection, and that filamentation originates as a convective instability. Within the bright filaments convection patterns travel radially owing to the inclination of the field. A proper understanding of these processes requires new observations, from space and from the ground, coupled with large-scale numerical modelling.     

Loss in Single-Channel MTI with Post-Detection Integration

The detection performance of a single-channel MTI receiver with post-detection integration, for a Swerling I target, has been evaluated by a Monte Carlo simulation. It is shown that a fairly good approximation is obtained by applying the ?effective number of independent integrated samples? to the standard detection curves. The ?I-only? loss is about 2 dB for integration of more than 20 pulses; thus this receiver is acceptable if implementation constraints dictate it.     

Performance of diversely polarized antenna arrays for correlatedsignals

The performance of direction finding systems in a correlated signal environment utilizing diversely polarized antenna arrays is investigated. The Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) is used to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated directions of arrival (DOAs). Compact closed form formulas are presented for the CRB corresponding to the joint estimation of the DOAs, signal covariance matrix, signal polarization parameters, and noise variance. The CRB is evaluated numerically for selected examples, to provide insights into the potential improvement in direction-finding accuracy due to polarization diversity     

Analysis of Some Modified Cell-Averaging CFAR Processors in Multiple-Target Situations

A serious degradation of detection probability (Pd) in a cellaverging constant false alarm rate (CA-CFAR) detector is known to be caused by the presence of an interfering target in the set of reference cells. A technique which is often used to prevent excessive false alarms at clutter ?edges? is a ?greatest of? (GO) selection between the leading and lagging sets of cells (GO-CFAR). However, it is demonstrated for a Rayleigh target that the abovementioned suppression effect is more acute in the GO-CFAR. Practically, detection of closely separated targets is almost inhibited. Selection of the ?smallest of? (SO) the means for the adaptive threshold has been proposed to alleviate this problem. An analytic expression for Pd of this detector is also derived, and it is shown that though it does prevent the suppression effect, a large sensitivity loss is introduced unless the number of reference cells is sufficiently large. A modified CO-CFAR detector, combining a ?censoring? circuit, is proposed for automatic detection in a complex nonhomogeneous environment.     

Bounds on Time-Delay Estimation for Monochromatic Signals

Time-delay estimation (TDE) of monochromatic signals,observed by spatially separated sensors, is widely used for sourcelocalization in radar/sonar applications. We use lower bounds tostudy the accuracy of TDE as a function of signal to noise ratio(SNR), frequency, and sensor separation. We show that the Cramer-Rao bound, which is frequently used as a standard ofreference, yields optimistic predictions in many cases.     

DOA estimation using one-bit quantized measurements

The effects 1-bit quantization of the input samples has on the direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation accuracy are considered. The signal model assumes a single stochastic Gaussian point source that is embedded in white Gaussian noise (WGN). The inherent limitations governed by the extreme clipping of the input data are analyzed using the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) that is derived for a two-sensor array. In addition, several estimators for the I-bit estimation are discussed. Numerical and analytical analyses of the estimation error reveal weak dependency on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with singular behavior of the estimation error in certain DOA angles.     

Interpersonal relationships in isolation and confinement: long-term bed rest in head-down tilt position

The long-term bed-rest was organized by ESA and CNES, in order to simulate the physiological effects of weightlessness: eight volunteers had to stay 42 days in bed, in a head down tilt position (-6 degrees). There were two subjects in a room, they could not be alone and it was difficult for them to have their own personal space and intimacy. In these circumstances, as in outer space, interpersonal relationships were of prime importance. This situation enabled us, through systematic observation, to analyze the evolution of the relational behavior in dyads, and to quote some social indicators of adaptation. Results show significant withdrawal, and the time spent alone was marked by the emergence, during the experiment, of specific preferential activities. Behavioral contagion was observed in each dyad (people engaged in the same activities at the same time), except in the one case of abandon. Moreover, the highest rates of inactivity and withdrawal were noted in this case. Verbal indicators were useful to comment these results and showed that, for all the dyads, one of the two subjects always played a regulating role by expressing a very positive perception of the situation. These results emphasize the importance of psycho-sociological factors in isolation and confinement. Thus, it appears that different modalities of interpersonal relationships, and not only verbal interactions, play a significant role in adaptation to stress situations.     

Efficient dynamic programming in presence of nuisance parameters

The dynamic programming approach for maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation of Markov sequences is frequently proposed for problems in control theory, communications, and signal processing. It is usually assumed that the observation sequence is a perfectly known function of the Markov sequence of interest, except for some additive noise with known statistics. However, often the observation is not only a function of the Markov sequence but also of a vector of unknown nuisance parameters. It is shown how the dynamic programming methodology can be extended to estimate both the nuisance parameters and the Markov sequence, using a combined maximum-likelihood and MAP framework. The technique is efficient relative to other possible solutions. The problem of detecting and tracking moving targets observed by imaging sensors is used to demonstrate the efficiency of the procedure     

Social and cultural issues during Shuttle/Mir space missions.

A number of interpersonal issues relevant to manned space missions have been identified from the literature. These include crew tension, cohesion, leadership, language and cultural factors, and displacement. Ground-based studies by others and us have clarified some of the parameters of these issues and have indicated ways in which they could be studied during actual space missions. In this paper, we summarize some of our findings related to social and cultural issues from a NASA-funded study conducted during several Shuttle/Mir space missions. We used standardized mood and group climate measures that were completed on a weekly basis by American and Russian crew and mission control subjects who participated in these missions. Our results indicated that American subjects reported more dissatisfaction with their interpersonal environment than their Russian counterparts, especially American astronauts. Mission control personnel were more dysphoric than crewmembers, but both groups were significantly less dysphoric than other work groups on Earth. Countermeasures based on our findings are discussed which can be applied to future multicultural space missions.