The Planets and Titan Observed by ISO

Infrared spectroscopic observations of planets and Saturn's satellite Titan with the Infrared Space Observatory led to many significant discoveries that improved our understanding on the formation, physics and chemistry of these objects. The prime results achieved by ISO are: (1) a new and consistent determination of the D/H ratios on the giant planets and Titan; (2) the first precise measurement of the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio in Jupiter, a valuable indicator of the protosolar nitrogen isotopic ratio; (3) the first detection of an external oxygen flux for all giant planets and Titan; (4) the first detection of some stratospheric hydrocarbons (CH₃, C₂H₄, CH₃C₂H, C₄H₂, C₆H₆); (5) the first detection of tropospheric water in Saturn; (6) the tentative detection of carbonate minerals on Mars; (7) the first thermal lightcurve of Pluto. Based on observations with ISO, an ESA project with instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the PI countries: France, Germany, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom), and with the participation of ISAS and NASA.     

Ground penetrating radar VIY-2

VIY-2 ground penetrating radar (GPR) with unique sounding possibilities and use simplicity is presented at this paper. VIY-2 GPR combines all units (synchronizer, transmitting and receiving modules, powering, and antenna system) into single case. The VIY-2 GPR communicates with computer via standard interface RS232 or USB1.0. Technical solutions utilized by the VIY-2 GPR reduce deployment time and simplify surveying process. The VIY-2 GPR design features and its components interaction are considered at this paper. Some field results are also presented here. The VIY-2 GPR design concept allows reducing the data acquisition time,, optimizing the time-varying gain control function, applying depth-stacking dependence, controlling the surveying window position and interference reducing by pulse repetition frequency randomizing.     

PMHT: problems and some solutions

The probabilistic multihypothesis tracker (PMHT) is a target tracking algorithm of considerable theoretical elegance. In practice, its performance turns out to be at best similar to that of the probabilistic data association filter (PDAF); and since the implementation of the PDAF is less intense numerically the PMHT has been having a hard time finding acceptance. The PMHT's problems of nonadaptivity, narcissism, and over-hospitality to clutter are elicited in this work. The PMHT's main selling-point is its flexible and easily modifiable model, which we use to develop the "homothetic" PMHT; maneuver-based PMHTs, including those with separate and joint homothetic measurement models; a modified PMHT whose measurement/target association model is more similar to that of the PDAF; and PMHTs with eccentric and/or estimated measurement models. Ideally, "bottom line" would be a version of the PMHT with clear advantages over existing trackers. If the goal is of an accurate (in terms of mean square error (MSE)) track, then there are a number of versions for which this is available.     

Robust wavelet neuro control for linear brushless motors

Design, simulation and experimental implementation of a wavelet basis function network learning controller for linear brushless dc motors (LBDCM) are considered. Stability robustness with position tracking is the primary concern. The proposed controller deals mainly with external disturbances, e.g. nonlinear friction force and payload variation in motion control of linear motors. It consists of two parts, one is a state feedback component, and the other one is a learning feedback component. The state feedback controller is designed on the basis of a simple linear model, and the learning feedback component is a wavelet neural controller. The attenuation effect of wavelet neural networks on friction force is first verified by the numerical method. The learning effect of wavelet neural networks on friction force is also shown in the numerical results. Then, a wavelet neural network is applied on a real LBDCM to on-line suppress the friction force, which may be variable due to the different lubrication. The effectiveness of the proposed control schemes is demonstrated by simulated and experimental results.     

Medium PRF set selection using evolutionary algorithms

This paper presents a new and novel method of selecting multiple pulse repetition frequency (PRF) sets for use in medium PRF pulsed-Doppler radars. Evolutionary algorithms are used to minimise the blind areas in the range/Doppler space. The evolutionary algorithm allows optimal solutions to be generated quickly, far faster than with exhaustive searches, and is fully automatic, unlike existing techniques. The evolved solutions compare very favorably against the results of both an exhaustive search and existing published PRF set selection methods. This evolutionary approach to generation of PRF sets is a major advance in medium PRF radar design.     

Unmanned aircraft navigation for shipboard landing using infrared vision

This paper addresses the problem of determining the relative position and orientation of an unmanned air vehicle with respect to a ship using three visible points of known separation. The, images of the points are obtained from an onboard infrared camera. The paper develops a numerical solution to this problem. Both simulation and flight test results are presented.     

Type II Solar Radio Bursts: Theory and Space Weather Implications

Recent data and theory for type II solar radio bursts are reviewed, focusing on a recent analytic quantitative theory for interplanetary type II bursts. The theory addresses electron reflection and acceleration at the type II shock, formation of electron beams in the foreshock, and generation of Langmuir waves and the type II radiation there. The theory's predictions as functions of the shock and plasma parameters are summarized and discussed in terms of space weather events. The theory is consistent with available data, has explanations for radio-loud/quiet coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and why type IIs are bursty, and can account for empirical correlations between type IIs, CMEs, and interplanetary disturbances. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Elemental and Isotopic Abundances of Carbon and Nitrogen in Meteorites

We have taken an inventory of the elemental and isotopic abundances of major carbon- and nitrogen-bearing components in different groups of meteorites. Primary phases, inherited from the solar nebula, are frequently isotopically heterogeneous, and surprisingly resistant to modification through parent body processing. Even melted and recrystallised meteorites retain primordial carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Aiming at a 1-cm Orbit for Low Earth Orbiters: Reduced-Dynamic and Kinematic Precise Orbit Determination

The computation of high-accuracy orbits is a prerequisite for the success of Low Earth Orbiter (LEO) missions such as CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE. The mission objectives of these satellites cannot be reached without computing orbits with an accuracy at the few cm level. Such a level of accuracy might be achieved with the techniques of reduced-dynamic and kinematic precise orbit determination (POD) assuming continuous Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking (SST) by the Global Positioning System (GPS). Both techniques have reached a high level of maturity and have been successfully applied to missions in the past, for example to TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P), leading to (sub-)decimeter orbit accuracy. New LEO gravity missions are (to be) equipped with advanced GPS receivers promising to provide very high quality SST observations thereby opening the possibility for computing cm-level accuracy orbits. The computation of orbits at this accuracy level does not only require high-quality GPS receivers, but also advanced and demanding observation preprocessing and correction algorithms. Moreover, sophisticated parameter estimation schemes need to be adapted and extended to allow the computation of such orbits. Finally, reliable methods need to be employed for assessing the orbit quality and providing feedback to the different processing steps in the orbit computation process. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.