The Magellan project

Magellan is one of the future space projects being studied by the European Space Agency. The aim is to provide high resolution (λ/Δλ ≥ 2.5 × 10⁴) spectra in the far and extreme UV (between 500 and 1550 Å) of faint galactic and extragalactic objects (V ≤ 16^m). The instrument consists of a mechanical collimator, a concave holographic grating and a bidimensional photon-counting detector. A low resolution mode (λ/Δλ ≥ 10³) will provide spectra of objects as faint as 18^m.5. Magellan is planned as an observatory, operated in real time, and allowing interaction with the observer.     

Maximum Power Transfer for Full-Wave Rectifier Circuits

An analysis is done to determine the maximum power transfer conditions for full-wave rectifier circuits. Potential applications noted are implanted medical instruments, inductive power transfer to weapons, power transfer using space reflectors, and power generation in space. Three types of series impedances are considered: resistive/inductive (RL), resistive/capacitive (RC), and resistive/inductive/capacitive (RLC). The optimum ratio of ac-to-dc voltage output is determined for each type. For the case that involves all three impedance types, the optimum turning condition is also determined. The differential equations describing the circuits are solved in nondimensional form. The solutions involve partial differential equations, closed-form relationships, and simultaneous equations that are solved by numerical methods. The optimum ratio of peak ac-to-dc voltage ranges from 2.0 to 2.8, depending upon the circuit. The optimum turning differs significantly from the usual resonant conditions, especially for low Q.     

Impact linear polarization observed in a UV chromospheric line during a solar flare

Linear polarization was observed in the S I 1437Å line in bright flaring points during the soft X-ray emission. The degree of polarization is about 25% and is detected at a signal to noise ratio of 2.9. The polarized electric vector is directed towards disk center to within 3°.This polarization could be due to collisional excitationm of S I by energetic electrons beamed in the vertical direction. We suggest that the heat flux in the region interconnecting the transition zone to the high chromosphere during the gradual phase of a flare could lead to an anisotropic excitation. Then the observed polarization would be due to vertical motions of the transition zone sweeping the preexisting chromosphere.     

Sequential Piecewise Recursive Filter for GPS Low-Dynamics Navigation

The design, implementation, and performance of a real-time estimation algorithm, referred to in this paper as the sequential piecewise recursive (SPWR) algorithm, for the global-positioning system (GPS) low-dynamics navigation system is described. The SPWR algorithm for this application was implemented in single precision arithmetic (32 bit, floating point). Numerical results are presented covariance and filter gains at a slower rate than the state measurement update, and it uses U-D factor formulation to perform covariance computations. The SPWR algorithm saves real-time processing requirements without appreciable degradation of filter performance. Another important feature of the SPWR algorithm is that it incorporates pseudorange and delta-range data from each GPS satellite sequentially for navigation solution. The SPWR algorithm, for this application, was implemented in single precision arithmetic (32 bit, floating point). Numerical results are presented.     

Computation of the circular error probability integral

The author describes a simplified derivation of the representation of the circular error probability (CEP) integral, which is the integral over a disk centered at the origin of a zero mean two-dimensional Gaussian random variable, as a one-dimensional integral. In addition, two series are presented which can be used to compute efficiently the CEP integral. The domain of applicability of the series and methods for acceleration of the convergence of these series are discussed. The integral occurs in the evaluation of communication and radar signals, and in other statistical applications.<>     

High performance magnetostrictive actuators

The application of magnetostriction in the design of a hybrid, electromechanical/hydraulic high-performance linear (large force and stroke) and/or rotational (large moment and angle) actuator is considered. The design concept combines the high power density of actuation possible with magnetostriction (approaching 0.1 HP/cm³ of the magnetostrictive material assuming 3 kHz excitation frequency) and the design flexibility of hydraulics. The objective of the research described was to validate the concept theoretically and to study alternatives and improvements. The system, as currently envisioned, offers very small packaging volume (approximately an order of magnitude smaller than conventional electromechanical systems), flexible packaging (relative location of the major system components is not critical), and easy control (precise control of actuation speed, quick reverse time, and inherent position lockup). The major technical problems associated with the design are outlined, and results of a computer simulation of a prototype actuator are presented     

Acousto-optic spectrum analyzer techniques for monitoring CW

The issues associated with processing the outputs of an integrating acoustooptical spectrum analyzer (AOSA) to detect and identify the frequency and power of continuous wave (CW) signals are considered. The performance of the optimum detection strategy is presented, along with the Cramer-Rao bound on the performance of estimators of the frequency, and the performance of a simple peak-based frequency estimator. The performance of the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator of the power level is also presented. The results provide the behavior of the system as a function of the product of the aperture time and photodetector spacing amongst other parameters     

Applications of aluminum-air batteries

Advances in aluminum-air batteries are described. These include alloys that show higher efficiencies and therefore lower hydrogen evolution, low-cost air cathodes that can be fabricated in production quantities, and methods for handling the aluminum hydroxide reaction product. Emphasis is placed on the advances in air cathodes. The application of this technology to new products and the implications for electric vehicles are discussed