Two new multi-phase reliability growth models from the perspective of time between failures and their applications

Aviation products would go through a multi-phase improvement in reliability performance during the research and development process. In the literature, most of the existing reliability growth models assume a constant failure intensity in each test phase, which inevitably limits the scope of the application. To address this problem, we propose two new models considering time-varying failure intensity in each stage. The proposed models borrow the idea from the accelerated failure-time models. It is assumed that time between failures follow the log-location-scale distribution and the scale parameters in each phase do not change, which forms the basis for integrating the data from all test stages. For the test-find-test scenario, an improvement factor is introduced to construct the relationship between two successive location parameters. Whereas for the test-fix-test scenario, the instantaneous cumulative time between failures is assumed to be consistent with Duane model and derive the formulation of location parameter. Likelihood ratio test is further utilized to test whether the assumption of constant failure intensity in each phase is suitable. Several applications with real reliability growth data show that the assumptions are reasonable and the proposed models outperform the existing models.     

Initial accuracy and reliability of current BDS-3 precise positioning,velocity estimation,and time transfer (PVT)

The primary system of Chinese global BeiDou satellite system (BDS-3) was completed to provide global services on December 27, 2018; this was a key milestone in the development process for BDS in terms of its provision of global services. Therefore, this study analyzed the current performance of BDS-3, including its precise positioning, velocity estimation, and time transfer (PVT). The datasets were derived from international GNSS monitoring and assessment system (iGMAS) tracking networks and the two international time laboratories in collaboration with the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). With respect to the positioning, the focus is on the real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and precise point positioning (PPP) modes with static and kinematic scenarios. The results show that the mean available satellite number is 4.8 for current BDS-3 system at short baseline XIA1–XIA3. The RTK accuracy for three components is generally within cm level; the 3D mean accuracy is 8.9 mm for BDS-3 solutions. For the PPP scenarios, the convergence time is about 4 h for TP01 and BRCH stations in two scenarios. After the convergence, the horizontal positioning accuracy is better than cm level and the vertical accuracy nearly reaches the 1 dm level. With respect to kinematic scenarios, the accuracy stays at the cm level for horizontal components and dm level for the vertical component at two stations. In terms of velocity estimation, the horizontal accuracy stays at a sub-mm level, and the vertical accuracy is better than 2 mm/s in the BDS-3 scenario, even in the Arctic. In terms of time and frequency transfer, the noise level of BDS-3 time links can reach 0.096 ns for long-distances link NT01–TP02 and 0.016 ns for short-distance links TP01–TP02. Frequency stability reaches 5E–14 accuracy when the averaging time is within 10,000 s for NT01–TP02 and 1E–15 for TP01–TP02.     

DORIS-based point mascons for the long term stability of precise orbit solutions

In recent years non-tidal Time Varying Gravity (TVG) has emerged as the most important contributor in the error budget of Precision Orbit Determination (POD) solutions for altimeter satellites’ orbits. The Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission has provided POD analysts with static and time-varying gravity models that are very accurate over the 2002–2012 time interval, but whose linear rates cannot be safely extrapolated before and after the GRACE lifespan. One such model based on a combination of data from GRACE and Lageos from 2002–2010, is used in the dynamic POD solutions developed for the Geophysical Data Records (GDRs) of the Jason series of altimeter missions and the equivalent products from lower altitude missions such as Envisat, Cryosat-2, and HY-2A. In order to accommodate long-term time-variable gravity variations not included in the background geopotential model, we assess the feasibility of using DORIS data to observe local mass variations using point mascons. In particular, we show that the point-mascon approach can stabilize the geographically correlated orbit errors which are of fundamental interest for the analysis of regional Mean Sea Level trends based on altimeter data, and can therefore provide an interim solution in the event of GRACE data loss. The time series of point-mass solutions for Greenland and Antarctica show good agreement with independent series derived from GRACE data, indicating a mass loss at rate of 210 Gt/year and 110 Gt/year respectively.     

Analysis and experiments for delay compensation in attitude control of flexible spacecraft

Space vehicles are often characterized by highly flexible appendages, with low natural frequencies which can generate coupling phenomena during orbital maneuvering. The stability and delay margins of the controlled system are deeply affected by the presence of bodies with different elastic properties, assembled to form a complex multibody system. As a consequence, unstable behavior can arise. In this paper the problem is first faced from a numerical point of view, developing accurate multibody mathematical models, as well as relevant navigation and control algorithms. One of the main causes of instability is identified with the unavoidable presence of time delays in the GNC loop. A strategy to compensate for these delays is elaborated and tested using the simulation tool, and finally validated by means of a free floating platform, replicating the flexible spacecraft attitude dynamics (single axis rotation). The platform is equipped with thrusters commanded according to the on–off modulation of the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control law. The LQR is based on the estimate of the full state vector, i.e. including both rigid – attitude – and elastic variables, that is possible thanks to the on line measurement of the flexible displacements, realized by processing the images acquired by a dedicated camera. The accurate mathematical model of the system and the rigid and elastic measurements enable a prediction of the state, so that the control is evaluated taking the predicted state relevant to a delayed time into account. Both the simulations and the experimental campaign demonstrate that by compensating in this way the time delay, the instability is eliminated, and the maneuver is performed accurately.     

一种用于GPS时差比对数据处理的卡尔曼滤波器设计

介绍了一种用于GPS时差比对数据处理的自适应卡尔曼滤波器,在Matlab环境下编写了离散时间形式的卡尔曼滤波算法程序,利用该算法对GPS信号与铯原子频标的时差比对数据进行了分析处理,最后介绍了该算法的数字芯片FPGA实现。     

基于精细积分法的伸展悬臂结构动态特征的计算

本文针对时变结构，建立了一套高精度计算方法，其舍弃了传统的差分形式，具有计算精度高及数值稳定性好等特点，进而将上述方法应用于一种典型结构－伸展悬臂梁，给出了悬臂结构在不同伸展规律下体现出来的动态特征。计算结果表明，精细积分法能有效地解决时变结构问题，并具有很高的计算精度。本文工作为柔性多体动力学的深入研究提供了一条有效的计算途径。     

Testing relativity with orbiting clocks

We describe the background and status of a superconducting microwave clock suitable for relativity experiments in earth orbit. The project has the capability of performing improved tests of Lorentz invariance via a Michelson–Morley type experiment, and setting new limits on nine parameters in the Standard Model Extension. If flown with a high stability atomic clock, a Kennedy–Thorndike experiment along with additional tests in general relativity could be performed.     

Numerical simulation of time delay interferometry for a LISA-like mission with the simplification of having only one interferometer

In order to attain the requisite sensitivity for LISA, laser frequency noise must be suppressed below the secondary noises such as the optical path noise, acceleration noise etc. In a previous paper (Dhurandhar, S.V., Nayak, K.R., Vinet, J.-Y. Time delay interferometry for LISA with one arm dysfunctional. Class. Quantum Grav. 27, 135013, 2010), we have found a large family of second-generation analytic solutions of time delay interferometry with one arm dysfunctional, and we also estimated the laser noise due to residual time-delay semi-analytically from orbit perturbations due to Earth. Since other planets and solar-system bodies also perturb the orbits of LISA spacecraft and affect the time delay interferometry (TDI), we simulate the time delay numerically in this paper for all solutions with the generation number n ? 3. We have worked out a set of 3-year optimized mission orbits of LISA spacecraft starting at January 1, 2021 using the CGC2.7 ephemeris framework. We then use this numerical solution to calculate the residual optical path differences in the second-generation solutions of our previous paper, and compare with the semi-analytic error estimate. The accuracy of this calculation is better than 1 cm (or 30 ps). The maximum path length difference, for all configuration calculated, is below 1 m (3 ns). This is well below the limit under which the laser frequency noise is required to be suppressed. The numerical simulation in this paper can be applied to other space-borne interferometers for gravitational wave detection with the simplification of having only one interferometer.     

一种深空天文测角导航中的星历误差抑制方法

以火星探测器为例，提出一种以星光角距/时间差分星光角距作为量测量的星历误差抑制方法，分析了火卫一星历误差对导航精度的影响，建立了火卫一时间差分星光角距的量测模型。通过将火星星光角距和火卫一星光角距相结合，发挥了两种量测的优势，实现了对火卫一星历误差的抑制。仿真结果表明，基于星光角距/时间差分星光角距天文导航方法的位置误差是传统基于星光角距天文导航方法的64%，是基于时间差分星光角距导航方法的58%。此外，还分析了导航恒星个数、火星敏感器精度、火卫一敏感器精度、星历误差大小和滤波周期对导航性能的影响。     

动态系统时延参数估计的重构输入法

首先指出了过去在进行时延系统参数估计时所用的近似处理方法的弊端，然后就动态系统未知时延参数的估计问题提出了重构系统输入的估计方法，并以极大似然估计迭代算法为基础给出了一套估计动态系统时延参数的算法，最后，应用所提出的方法进行了仿真计算，仿真结果表明，参数估计的精度极高，这说明该方法是可靠且可行的。