Coherent spatial filtering for SAR detection of stationary targets

Analysis of UHF synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images has revealed a spatially correlated phase structure over a resolved target such as a long wire or a large truck. This phase variation, approximated by a simple, range-dependent factor 4πr/λ, results in a line-shaped image spatial spectrum. Such image phase and spectral features can be exploited by coherent spatial filtering to improve target-to-clutter ratios of large targets and stationary target detectability in a strong clutter environment     

Fast automatic leveling subject to abrupt deterministic input

This investigation applies a modified Kalman filter with a recursive generalized M estimator (GME) of input to a class of leveling problems, that are subject to abrupt environmental disturbances and high noise levels. A least-squares estimator (LSE) based hypothetical testing scheme is also devised to detect the onset and presence of the input. Simulation results demonstrate that the leveling speed of convergence and accuracy is markedly higher than the original unmodified one     

Design Optimization for a Half-Bridge DC-DC Converter

A nonlinear programming technique using the penalty function method is employed for the minimum weight design of a halfbridge dc-dc buck power converter. The cost-effective computeraided approach provides a minimum weight design down to the details of the component level which concurrently meets all power circuit performance requirements. Important design insights and guidelines are obtained to readily assess 1) the tradeoffs between weight and loss as the switching frequency is increased, 2) the optimum operating frequency range over which the total weight/loss is minimized, 3) the impact of device characteristics on the total weight and loss profile.     

A New Mechanism of Coronal Heating

The interaction between network magnetic fields and emerging intranetwork fields may lead to magnetic reconnection and microflares, which generate fast shocks with an Alfvén Mach number M _A<2. Protons and less abundant ions in the solar corona are then heated and accelerated by fast shocks. Our study of shock heating shows that (a) the nearly nondeflection of ion motion across the shock ramp leads to a large perpendicular thermal velocity (v _th), which is an increasing function of the mass/charge ratio; (b) the heating by subcritical shocks with 1.1 M_A 1.5 leads to a large temperature anisotropy with T/T 50 for O⁵⁺ ions and a mild anisotropy with T_/T 1.2 for protons; (c) the large perpendicular thermal velocity of He⁺⁺ and O⁵⁺ ions can be converted to the radial outflow velocity (u) in the divergent coronal field lines; and (d) the heating and acceleration by shocks with 1.1 M_A 1.5 can lead to u(O⁵⁺) v _th(O⁵⁺) 460 km s^–1 for O⁵⁺ ions, u(He⁺⁺) v _th(He⁺⁺) 360 km s^–1 for He⁺⁺ ions, and u(H⁺) v _th(H⁺) 240 km s^–1 for protons at r=3–4 R . Our results can explain recent SOHO observations of the heating and acceleration of protons and heavier ions in the solar corona.     

Nonlinear autopilot for high maneuverability of bank-to-turnmissiles

This paper presents a novel approach to autopilot design for highly maneuvering bank-to-turn (BTT) missiles. In the design and performance analysis of the proposed nonlinear autopilot, all nonlinearities of missile dynamics including the coupling between roll, yaw, and pitch channels as well as the asymmetric structure of missile body are taken into full account. It is shown that through a kind of feedback linearization technique along with a singular perturbation-like technique, the input/output (I/O) dynamic characteristics of pitch, yaw, and roll channels are made linear, decoupled, and independent of flight conditions such as air density and missile velocity. In particular, the proposed autopilot controllers can provide excellent set-point tracking performance for roll and pitch channels while keeping the side-slip angle negligible. The generality and practicality of our approach are demonstrated through mathematical analysis and various simulation results using an ILAAT missile     

Current-mode control for multiple-output converters

A small-signal model for multiple-output forward converter with current-mode control is derived. The model can accurately predict the small-signal characteristics for current-mode control. It is observed that the power stage pole-zero relative positions, which are critical to the compensator design, are not affected by introducing current-mode control     

Effects of output filter on cross regulation in SRC

Cross regulation performance of multioutput series resonant converter (SRC) topologies using capacitive or inductive filters is analyzed. The steady state cross regulation characteristics are derived using the state-plane techniques and are illustrated by the examples of two-output SRCs with capacitive and inductive filters. The characteristic curves show that over some range of output currents, the cross regulation performance of an SRC with an inductive filter is much improved over the SRC with capacitance filter and less dependent on the tolerances in leakage inductances and the loading on unregulated outputs. It is shown that the converter control characteristics of an SRC with an inductive filter are relatively unaffected by the addition of the second output. The theoretical results are verified by simulation     

Tetrahedral Robotics for Space Exploration

A reconfigurable space filling robotic architecture has a wide range of possible applications. One of the more intriguing possibilities is mobility in very irregular and otherwise impassable terrain. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is developing the third generation of its addressable reconfigurable technology (ART) tetrahedral robotics architecture. An ART-based variable geometry truss consisting of 12 tetrahedral elements made from 26 smart struts on a wireless network has been developed. The primary goal of this development is the demonstration of a new kind of robotic mobility that can provide access and articulation that complement existing capabilities. An initial set of gaits and other behaviors are being tested, and accommodations for payloads such as sensor and telemetry packages are being studied. Herein, we describe our experience with the ART tetrahedral robotics architecture and the improvements implemented in the third generation of this technology. Applications of these robots to space exploration and the tradeoffs involved with this architecture will be discussed.     

发动机大修市场

航空发动机大修业务开始企稳,而且预计未来还将有所增加。据MRO Prospector统计,目前在役的窄体飞机机队数量约是宽体飞机的3倍,2011年窄体飞机的发动机返厂维修量将会有大幅增加。2010年1月至9月,窄体飞机发动机的MRO市值增长了2.914亿美元,达到101亿美元,增幅约为3%;在此期间,