M-ary CPSK Detection with Noisy Reference and Interferences

A general expression of the error probability on an M-ary coherent phase-shift-keyed (MCPSK) signal purturbed by a noisy reference carrier, multiple interferences, and additive Gaussian noise is presented taking into account the frequencey divider in the carrier recovery circuit. First, a new expression for the probability density function (pdf) of the phase of a composite wave of signal, multiple interferences, and additive Gaussian noise is derived. Then this result and a pdf of the phase error modified from the Tikhonov distribution are used to obtain the erro probability of an MCPSK detector. In addition, the comparison between the error probabilities with and without the frequency divider is given, and it is found that the estimation is more pessimistic when the frequency divider is included.     

Diamagnetic aspects of the coronal transient phenomenon

If a magnetic structure emerges into the solar atmosphere containing a preexisting magnetic field, the preexisting field must be moved aside to allow space for the emerging flux. Under these conditions, provided the ambient field strength decreases outward with radial distance, the ambient field may tend to pinch off the emerging field through magnetic reconnection and expell it outward. Here, a model is developed to demonstrate this effect and to evaluate its relevance to the coronal transient phenomenon. In particular, we argue that, if magnetic reconnection can be initiated in such a configuration, the upward force produced by the ambient field is enhanced and, depending upon the internal conditions of the configuration, a coronal transient could be initiated in this manner.     

Applications of stereoscopic height computations from dual geosynchronous satellite data/joint NASA-Japan stereo project

Stereoscopic heights of the top of an Oklahoma thunderstorm were computed, finding that high cloud tops are not always characterized by very cold IR temperature. The identical method was also applied to the computation of stereo heights based on GOES West and GMS stereo pairs obtained under the NASA-JAPAN cooperative program. It was found that stereo techniques are extremely useful in understanding the structure of thunderstorms in the United States, as well as that of hurricanes over the South Pacific.     

The Engineer as a Radical?

Outdated and rigorous curricula are not only producing engineers unsuited to the challenges of the 1970's, but they are scaring off many of the most creative and intelligent students. Engineering education has become an endurance test; the excitement has been lost. Most students strive only to get out. Engineering schools have not yet realized the importance of the involvement of engineers in current environmental problems. They continue to present only the dry technical courses and seem unconcerned about the student's sense of social perspective or his motivation. This paper proposes a freshman awareness seminar plus project oriented learning in the following years as a remedy for this sad situation.     

Maximum Likelihood Elevation Angle Estimates of Radar Targets Using Subapertures

The maximum likelihood estimates of the elevation angles of two closely spaced targets within the beamwidth is considered. For an array divided into three subapertures, a simple, closed form solution is found whose accuracy compares favorably to the maximum likelihood estimate which uses all the individual elements. Simulation results are presented for the case of a radar target located over a smooth reflecting surface.     

The Performance of Analog Correlators for Several Integrator Functions

A measure of analog correlator performance is considered and interpreted reted as an output signl-to-noise ratio. This quantity is shown to depend on the fourth-order expectation of the input signals and the characteristics of the integrating system. Based on the output signal-to-noise ratio, figures of merit are established for correlators utilizing an ideal low-pass filter, an RC filter, and a finite time integrator. These figures of merit indicate to what degree the correlators reject noise components. For jointly Gaussian inputs, the variation of the output signal-to-noise ratio with the input signal-to-noise ratio is shown to be independent of the integrating system. Finally, a graphical comparison indicates the characteristics of the three systems for several different parameters. This comparison shows that the finite time integrator is superior to the other two systems considered.     

Flow of material at the Chromosphere-Corona transition zone of the Sun

Early models of the Chromosphere-Corona transition zone of the Sun considered it to be a static plane-parallel region. From these it became clear that the layer was extremely thin and had an important role in the conduction of energy from the Corona. More recent observations show mass motions of order 10 km s^-1, which means that heating and cooling of the moving plasma has an important affect on the energy balance, while transient effects producing far higher velocities are also common. Studies of plasma motion through the zone are clearly relevant to the initial heating of material which enters the solar wind.Paper presented at the IX-th Lindau Workshop The Source Region of the Solar Wind.     

Space radiation dosimetry with active detections for the scientific program of the second Bulgarian cosmonaut on board the Mir space station.

A dosimetry-radiometry system has been developed at the Space Research Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science to measure the fluxes and dose rates on the flight of the second Bulgarian cosmonaut. The dosimetry system is designed for monitoring the different space radiations, such as solar cosmic rays, galactic cosmic rays and trapped particles in the earth radiation belts. The system consists of a battery operated small size detector unit and a "read-write" and telemetry microcomputer unit. The sensitivity of the instrument (3.67 x 10(-8) rad/pulse) permits high resolution measurements of the flux and dose rate along the track of the Mir space station. We report our initial results for the period of the flight between the 7th and 17th June 1988.     

Submicron lunar ejecta in the magnetosphere associated with meteor showers

Recent studies of the lunar ejecta from lunar impacts of interplanetary dust particles indicate that during favorable lunar phases, over 80% of the submicron ejecta enters the earth's magnetosphere. This “pulse” of lunar ejecta produced by the sporadic meteor background will follow the random variations of the sporadic flux. An additional enhancement of this flux can be related to major meteor showers. Since the annual periods of these showers occur during varying lunar phase angles, magnetosphere ejecta flux associated with major showers will vary depending on the coincidence of shower periods and favorable lunar phase angles. The results of an analysis of the “pulse” of ejecta flux in the magnetosphere during the Quadrantids, Geminids, Leonids, and Perseids meteor showers are presented. These results are compared to the satellite measurements of 1959 Eta and HEOS II.