On the convergence of iterative methods for bearings-only tracking

This paper deals with the analysis of the convergence of iterative methods for bearings only tracking (BOT). A geometric and unified framework is developed. Explicit sufficient conditions ensuring convergence of iterative methods for maximization of the likelihood functional are then derived     

FAST FEATURE RANKING AND ITS APPLICATION TO FACE RECOGNITION

A fast feature ranking algorithm for classification in the presence of high dimensionahty and small sample size is proposed. The basic idea is that the important features force the data points of the same class to maintain their intrinsic neighbor relations, whereas neighboring points of different classes are no longer to stick to one an- other. Applying this assumption, an optimization problem weighting each feature is derived. The algorithm does not involve the dense matrix eigen-decomposition which can be computationally expensive in time. Extensive exper- iments are conducted to validate the significance of selected features using the Yale, Extended YaleB and PIE data- sets. The thorough evaluation shows that, using one-nearest neighbor classifier, the recognition rates using 100-- 500 leading features selected by the algorithm distinctively outperform those with features selected by the baseline feature selection algorithms, while using support vector machine features selected by the algorithm show less prominent improvement. Moreover, the experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is particularly effi- cient for multi-class face recognition problem.     

Accuracy of Star Occultation Measurements for Satellite Navigation

To determine the orbital parameters of a satellite using star occultations, it is necessary to measure the intensity of stars as they occult. The accuracy of the intensity measurements is reduced by interfering sources of light and internal noise, and is expressed in terms of the magnitude of various sources of interference. Subsequently, a specific system is analyzed in detail. Moonlit cloud tops introduce the largest systematic error. Photon noise from the star radiation, airglow, and moonlit cloud tops are the largest sources of random errors.     

The Near-Earth Plasma Environment

An overview of the plasma environment near the earth is provided. We describe how the near-earth plasma is formed, including photo-ionization from solar photons and impact ionization at high latitudes from energetic particles. We review the fundamental characteristics of the earth’s plasma environment, with emphasis on the ionosphere and its interactions with the extended neutral atmosphere. Important processes that control ionospheric physics at low, middle, and high latitudes are discussed. The general dynamics and morphology of the ionized gas at mid- and low-latitudes are described including electrodynamic contributions from wind-driven dynamos, tides, and planetary-scale waves. The unique properties of the near-earth plasma and its associated currents at high latitudes are shown to depend on precipitating auroral charged particles and strong electric fields which map earthward from the magnetosphere. The upper atmosphere is shown to have profound effects on the transfer of energy and momentum between the high-latitude plasma and the neutral constituents. The article concludes with a discussion of how the near-earth plasma responds to magnetic storms associated with solar disturbances.     

Emesis and space motion sickness in amphibians.

Amphibians possess the ability to vomit in response to a variety of stimuli that provoke emesis in mammals. Pharmacological studies have establish that the ejection of gastric contents and the basic mechanism for vomiting have been phylogenetically conserved among these tetrapods. As part of on-going comparative studies on emesis in vertebrates, we previously documented that some postmetamorphic anurans and salamander larvae experience motion-induced emesis when exposed to the provocative stimulus of parabolic aircraft flight. However, more recent experiments suggest that there are strict conditions for inducing emesis in amphibians exposed to parabolic flight and that amphibians are not as sensitive to this stimulus as mammals. Further studies on emesis in lower vertebrates may help us understand the processes that cause emesis in abnormal gravitational regimes.     

Additional Measurements on Pit Shielding for Communications Satellite Earth Stations

This correspondence reports measurements taken in both the 4- and 6-GHz frequency bands of the protection afforded a pit-shielded Earth-station antenna. The measurement program described is an expansion of a previous one and was designed to determine the effects of artificial site shielding for a range of satellite locations rather than a single position.     

A Test of the Effect of Satellite Spin on Two-Way Doppler Range-Rate Measurements

Analysis indicates that the rotation of a satellite can cause an error in the range-rate measurements of a two-way Doppler tracking system. The error is proportional to the rotation rate, and the constant of proportionality depends on the polarization of the satellite transponder antennas. Measurements made by ground-based simulation confirmed the analytical prediction.     

Report on the Geneva Space Telecommunications Conference? Broadcasting Aspects

The growth of the Intelsat Global Commercial Communications Satellite System, which provides the facilities used to exchange television programs among many countries of the world, is described. Service was initiated between North America and Western Europe in 1965. Currently, some 48 separate geographic areas throughout the world are interconnected by the Intelsat System. The unique air-transportable Earth terminal, developed by the General Electric Company, at the request of the television networks, to meet the special requirements for providing live television coverage in color of the Apollo recoveries at sea, will also be described.