Synthesis of an Optimal Output Regulating System with a Reference Vector

The difficult problem of synthesizing an optimal regulation scheme for linear time-invariant systems, assuming an integral quadratic cost functional, when the desired output is a constant nonzero vector and when the upper time limit approaches infinity, is studied in this paper. The problem is solved by properly redefining the cost functional, so that consistence with the stability requirement is achieved. The problem of the optimal closed-loop regulation of a singleinput/single-output system has always been an interesting topic for control engineers. The most common assumption is that the cost functional to minimize be of quadratic type, with infinity as an upper limit. The classical frequency domain approach, assuming the absence of initial conditions, suggests an optimal compensator in forward loop. On the other hand, the modern time-domain approach, based on the direct application of the maximum principle, yields a closed-form solution for the case in which the desired output is zero. This paper presents results which allow one to consider from a unifying point of view the two above approaches and, in addition, suggests a stable optimal scheme which is valid for any initial state and for any desired constant output.     

Clutter Map CFAR Analysis

An analysis of the probability of target detection for a clutter map CFAR using digital exponential filtering has been performed. General performance equations are derived. The probability of detection versus signal-to-noise ratio is plotted for a false alarm probability of 1.E-06 for several weight values. The CFAR loss is plotted for a detection probability of 0.9 and false alarm probabilities of 1.E-06 and 1.E-08.     

The cosmic ray solar diurnal anisotropy

This paper reviews the present state of knowledge concerning the diurnal and semidiurnal variations in the galactic cosmic ray intensity. The analytical procedures that are required for extracting from the original data the desired information concerning the characteristics of the anisotropies outside the magnetosphere are described. These include corrections for atmospheric fluctuations, the determination of the amplitudes and phases of the daily variations, and their interpretation in terms of the free space anisotropies that give rise to them. The experimental results concerning the 24-h wave, including its long-term variations with periods of one and two solar cycles, and the characteristics of the total diurnal anisotropy are then discussed. The semidiurnal anisotropy is considered next. Transient anisotropies which manifest themselves as day-to-day variations, recurrence tendencies, cosmic ray storms, and diurnal variation trains, and which can introduce appreciable changes in the spectral parameters, are also of interest. The evolution of theoretical models developed to account for the diurnal and semidiurnal anisotropies, and fluctuations thereof, are then discussed in the light of the experimental results. Finally, the general features that are now well established, and the nature of the remaining problems, are summarized.     

Frame Synchronization in the Presence of Errors and Erasures

An approach to the problem of achieving frame synchronization in the presence of jamming or other large disturbances is presented. It is assumed that the disturbance can be detected at the receiver, which then erases the corresponding bits and passes this information to the synchronizer. A synchronization algorithm designed to operate in the presence of both erasures and background errors is described and evaluated for a representative set of system parameters. This algorithm is shown to have a significant advantage over an algorithm which does not use the location information inherent in the erasure model.     

Spectra of fresh photo-electrons in the Martian atmosphere

In this paper the latest neutral and ionospheric models of the upper Martian atmosphere, created on the Viking data are used. For the calculations of the photoelectron spectra the Hinteregger's measurements of the solar flux together with the theoretical photoelectron distribution are also used.     

Microorganisms and biomolecules in space environment experiment ES 029 on Spacelab-1.

Bacterial spores are proper test organisms for studying problems of space biology and exobiology. During the Spacelab 1 mission, studies on the limiting factors for survival of Bacillus subtilis spores in free space have been performed. An exposure tray on the pallet of Spacelab 1 accomodated 316 samples of dry spores for treatment with space vacuum and/or the following selected wavelengths of solar UV: > 170 nm, 220 nm, 240nm, 260nm and 280 nm. After recovery, inactivation, mutation induction, reparability, and photochemical damages in DNA and protein have been studied. The results contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of increased UV sensitivity of bacterial spores in vacuo and to a better assessment of the chance of survival of resistant forms in space and of interplanetary transfer of life.     

On the conditions of gas inclusions formation in melts under zero gravity state (after “Pirin” experiment)

Thermodynamics relations have been considered under which gas inclusions may form in melts (closed systems), due to both volatility of components and the presence of dissolved gases. It has been shown that in the melts with sufficient volatility of components, gas inclusions may form under equilibrium conditions if the ampoule is wetted well by the melt, whereas in case of low wettability they form under non-equilibrium state only. The foaming in the tellurium-selenium system has been analysed (“Pirin”, KP-4 experiment).In the melts containing dissolved gases, gas inclusions form under conditions of deviation from equilibrium and it is the main mechanism of outgassing. It has been demonstrated that the melt foaming method using hydrid compounds may be applied to the materials exhibiting a hysteresis of temperature dependence of diluted hydrogen concentration. Production of foam aluminium under zero gravity state has been considered as an example (“Pirin”, SP-3 experiment).     

Organisation of a unified system of energetic calibration of X-ray experiments

X-ray data obtained by the Prognoz 5,6,7 and 8 hard X-ray photometers are compared with the measurements carried out by similar instruments aboard the Solrad 11, ISEE 3, SMM and Hinotori satellites. Using the method of relative amplitude analysis, the apparent disagreement in the energy discrimination level calibration between the instruments is pointed out. The results of the comparison and the possible sources of disagreement are given. We suggest an international effort be made to develop a system of uniform pre-launch calibration of photometers based on a reference calibration source.     

The organic aerosols of Titan

A dark reddish organic solid, called tholin, is synthesized from simulated Titanian atmospheres by irradiation with high energy electrons in a plasma discharge. The visible reflection spectrum of this tholin is found to be similar to that of high altitude aerosols responsible for the albedo and reddish color of Titan. The real (n) and imaginary (k) parts of the complex refractive index of thin films of Titan tholin prepared by continuous D.C. discharge through a 0.9 N₂/0.1 CH₄ gas mixture at 0.2 mb is determined from x-ray to microwave frequencies. Values of n (1.65) and k (0.004 to 0.08) in the visible are consistent with deductions made by ground-based and spaceborne observations of Titan. Many infrared absorption features are present in k(λ), including the 4.6 μm nitrile band. Molecular analysis of the volatile component of this tholin was performed by sequential and non-sequential pyrolytic gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. More than one hundred organic compounds are released; tentative identifications include saturated and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted polycyclic aromatics, nitriles, amines, pyrroles, pyrazines, pyridines, pyrimidines, and the purine, adenine. In addition, acid hydrolysis produces a racemic mixture of biological and non-biological amino acids. Many of these molecules are implicated in the origin of life on Earth, suggesting Titan as a contemporary laboratory environment for prebiological organic chemistry on a planetary scale.