An annual variation analysis of the ionospheric spatial gradient over a regional area for GNSS applications

An ionospheric spatial gradient represents the ionosphere delay difference between different locations, and its variation over a specific area is important for implementing differential GNSS systems. An estimation method for the ionospheric spatial gradient over a small regional area is proposed. A plate map model is implemented for the direct estimation of the gradients. Nine years of GPS data were processed to figure out the annual variation of the mean gradient at the mid-geomagnetic latitude of 30° N. Gradients along the north–south direction have a mean of 0.65 mm/km and follow solar-cycle variations.     

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     

Web-Enabled Remote Machine Monitoring and Prognostics

1 INTRODUCTION Today's machine tool industries are facing unprecedented challenges brought about by development of outsourcing and low cost manufac-turing in Asia. Manufacturing outsourcing provided many opportu-nities but also added challenges to produce and deliver products with improved productivity, quality, service and costs. Lead times must be cut short to their extreme extend to meet need the changing demands of customers in different regions of the world. Products are required to be make-to-order, which requires a tight control and near-zero downtime of the plant floor, equipment and devices.     

不同矢量偏角下二元喷管内流特性的数值研究

应用多重网格MacCormack显式格式对不同矢量角下二元喷管的内部流动进行了模拟分析。计算时, 在细网格上采用了雷诺平均N-S方程与k-ε湍流模型方程;在粗网格上则采用Euler方程。数值计算给出了较清晰的流谱, 壁面压力分布的计算也与实验结果相吻合。通过计算结果分析了矢量喷管几何参数对流场的影响, 并对矢量喷管的推力特性进行了数值研究。      

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.     

材料表面改性的一种新技术

 本文提出了一种高功率脉冲等离子体束使材料表面改性的新技术。脉冲等离子体束的功率密度约为(1～40)×10~4W/cm~2,运动能为1～5KeV,沉积能为1～25J/cm~2,脉冲时间为60μs。碳钢经脉冲等离子体束处理后,表面有新的氮化物和碳化物相(Fe_3N,(Cr,Fe)_7C_3,Cr_(23)C_6)产生;SEM金相照片表明,在钢表面区域有一层白亮层,它是碳钢高速淬火后所具有的特征;注入元素浓度沿深度的公布近似为高斯分布。表面显微硬度有了显著的提高。     

Observations of low-energy electrons from AE-C in the south polar cusp during the geomagnetic storm of September 21, 1977

The AE-C spacecraft skimmed through the southern polar cusp at a 400 km altitude during a large geomagnetic storm on September 21, 1977. This period has been designated as a special IMS period, and the AE-C data were acquired close to the times that data were acquired by the DMSP satellite at nearly the same location over the southern polar cap, and by the GEOS satellite located near the noon-meridian in the northern hemisphere. Low energy electrons (1-500 eV) were measured with the photoelectron spectrometer experiment experiment onboard AE-C. This instrument was operated in the mode which measured precipitating electron fluxes and backscattered electron fluxes in alternating 4s intervals with two sensors. A region of intense precipitating electron fluxes was observed near 0924 UT on September 21, 1977 extending from 69 degree invariant latitude at 1100 MLT to 72 degree invariant latitude at 1152 MLT. From the spectra of the precipitating electrons, this region is identified as the southern polar cusp. Since the K _p equals 7- during this time, the displacement of the cusp down to these low latitudes is not unreasonable. Particle data obtained from the DMSP satellite on orbits close to AE-C, confirm that the position of the cusp was rapidly changing during this period, and was displaced to latitudes equatorward of the quiet time position. A second region of intense fluxes of precipitating electron was observed by AE-C at approximately 0933 UT from 69 degree invariant latitude near 1700 MLT to 66 degree invariant latitude near 1730 MLT. This region of low energy electron fluxes is characterized by slightly harder energy spectra and is interpreted as being the afternoon auroral zone. The remarkable and fortunate location of the AE-C, DMSP, and GEOS spacecraft during this special IMS period will allow future correlative studies aimed at the determination of the shape of the magnetosphere during very disturbed conditions.     

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.