Instantaneous rainfall estimation using neural network from multispectral observations of SEVIRI radiometer and its application in estimation of daily and monthly rainfall

In the present paper, an artificial neural network (ANN) based technique has been developed to estimate instantaneous rainfall by using brightness temperature from the IR sensors of SEVIRI radiometer, onboard Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite. The study is carried out over north of Algeria. For estimation of rainfall, weight matrices of two ANNs namely MLP1 and MLP2 are developed. MLP1 is to identify raining or non-raining pixels. When rainy pixels are identified, then for those pixels, instantaneous rainfall is estimated by using MLP2. For identification of raining and non raining pixels, 7 input parameters from the IR sensors are utilized. Corresponding data of raining/non-raining pixels are taken from radar. For instantaneous rainfall estimation, 14 input parameters are utilized, where 7 parameters are information about raining pixels and 7 parameters are related with cloud features. The results obtained show the neural network performs reasonably well.     

Effects of in-track maneuver on Sun illumination conditions of near-circular low Earth orbits

By developing approximate analytical models considering the J₂ perturbation, the effects of an in-track maneuver on the orbital Sun illumination conditions of near-circular low Earth orbits are analyzed. First, two approximate models for the variations in orbital sunshine angles are developed, one for variations at a given time and the other for variations at a given argument of latitude. Next, two approximate models for variations in orbital arc in Earth shadow are developed, one considers the small eccentricity and the other uses the zero eccentricity. Finally, the developed approximate models are applied to analyzing the Sun illumination conditions of a typical in-track maneuver mission on a near-circular low Earth orbit. From the results obtained, three major conclusions can be drawn. First, the variations in orbital sunshine angles at a given time may reach tens of degrees when the drifting time reaches hundreds of orbital periods, and the approximate model for that situation cannot effectively approach the numerical results. Second, the variations in orbital sunshine angles for any given argument of latitude are only a couple of degrees even when the drifting time reaches 500 orbital periods, and the approximation model developed can effectively approach the numerical results. Third, for variations in orbital arc in Earth shadow, the approximate model considering the small eccentricity has simple expressions and can effectively approach the numerical results; in contrast, the approximate model using the zero eccentricity has relatively worse precision.     

Dynamics and control of spacecraft hovering using the geomagnetic Lorentz force

To achieve hovering, a spacecraft thrusts continuously to induce an equilibrium state at a desired position. Due to the constraints on the quantity of propellant onboard, long-time hovering around low-Earth orbits (LEO) is hardly achievable using traditional chemical propulsion. The Lorentz force, acting on an electrostatically charged spacecraft as it moves through a planetary magnetic field, provides a new propellantless method for orbital maneuvers. This paper investigates the feasibility of using the induced Lorentz force as an auxiliary means of propulsion for spacecraft hovering. Assuming that the Earth’s magnetic field is a dipole that rotates with the Earth, a dynamical model that characterizes the relative motion of Lorentz spacecraft is derived to analyze the required open-loop control acceleration for hovering. Based on this dynamical model, we first present the hovering configurations that could achieve propellantless hovering and the corresponding required specific charge of a Lorentz spacecraft. For other configurations, optimal open-loop control laws that minimize the control energy consumption are designed. Likewise, the optimal trajectories of required specific charge and control acceleration are both presented. The effect of orbital inclination on the expenditure of control energy is also analyzed. Further, we also develop a closed-loop control approach for propellantless hovering. Numerical results prove the validity of proposed control methods for hovering and show that hovering around low-Earth orbits would be achievable if the required specific charge of a Lorentz spacecraft becomes feasible in the future. Typically, hovering radially several kilometers above a target in LEO requires specific charges on the order of 0.1 C/kg.     

Atmospheric pressure variations at extratropical latitudes associated with Forbush decreases of galactic cosmic rays

Changes of troposphere pressure associated with short-time variations of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) taking place in the Northern hemisphere’s cold months (October–March) were analyzed for the period 1980–2006, NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data being used. Noticeable pressure variations during Forbush decreases of GCRs were revealed at extratropical latitudes of both hemispheres. The maxima of pressure increase were observed on the 3rd–4th days after the event onsets over Northern Europe and the European part of Russia in the Northern hemisphere, as well as on the 4th–5th days over the eastern part of the South Atlantic opposite Queen Maud Land and over the d’Urville Sea in the Southern Ocean. According to the weather chart analysis, the observed pressure growth, as a rule, results from the weakening of cyclones and intensification of anticyclone development in these areas. The presented results suggest that cosmic ray variations may influence the evolution of extratropical baric systems and play an important role in solar-terrestrial relationships.     

Lagrangian analysis of satellite-derived currents: Application to the North Western Mediterranean coastal dynamics

Optimal interpolation methods for improving the reconstruction of coastal dynamics from along-track satellite altimetry measurements have been recently developed over the North Western Mediterranean Sea. Maps of satellite-derived geostrophic current anomalies are generated using these methods, and added to different mean circulation fields in order to obtained absolute geostrophic currents. The resulting fields are then compared to standard AVISO products, and their accuracies are assessed with Lagrangian diagnostics. The trajectories of virtual particle clusters are simulated with a Lagrangian code either with new current fields or with the AVISO ones. The simulated trajectories are then compared to 16 in situ drifter trajectories to evaluate the performance of the different velocity fields. The comparisons show that the new current fields lead to better results than the AVISO one, especially over the shallow continental shelf of the Gulf of Lion. However, despite the use of innovative strategies, some altimetry limitations still persist in the coastal domain, where small scale processes remain sub-sampled by conventional altimetry coverage but will benefit from technological development in the near future. Some of the limitations of the Lagrangian diagnostics presently used are also analyzed, but dedicated studies will be required for future further investigations.     

一种闭环冗余系统可重构控制方法

提出一种闭环冗余系统在线可重构控制方法,包括控制器、控制分配和故障诊断.在故障诊断算法中,首先采用有向图方法快速确定可能的故障源.对于难以隔离的故障,提出了一种在线故障定位方法.故障定位后,通过控制分配,重新分配控制律.以航天器冗余动量轮系统的故障重构为例,说明了如何在系统级角度在线定位故障,重构系统.最后,给出了冗余动量轮卫星姿态调节过程中故障重构的仿真算例.     

载波相位辅助的GPS动态单点定位算法综述

对载波相位辅助条件下应用于全球定位系统（Global Positioning System,GPS）动态单点定位的各种算法进行了综合分析与比较。首先简要介绍定位算法中的基本公式与观测模型;然后分别对周跳修复与滤波解算两部分所应用的各种算法进行详细介绍并比较其性能与适用范围;最后对尚待解决的问题及可能的发展方向进行了总结。     

一致性检验方法在导弹多惯组测量中的应用

传感器测量的准确与可靠是减小融合系统不确定性的前提,通过对多传感器一致性的检验,可以确定多传感器之间的测量误差,判断检测系统可靠性的程度。提出了应用概率距离测量对多传感器信息进行一致性检验的方法,并将此方法引入到基于多惯性测量组合的总线式导弹制导控制系统中。实例证明,该方法对于确保和提高测量导弹飞行信息的精度具有良好的效果。     

复杂测量系统中时间的系统误差测量方法

长距离的复杂测量系统中,由于传输通道不同,引入的传输延迟时间变化不同,导致原有时间关系的误差引入。介绍了几种可行的系统误差测量方法,以消除系统误差对信号间时间关系的影响,同时达到检验测试系统安排是否存在问题的目的。     

约瑟夫森电压标准的低温系统

主要介绍了采用G-M制冷机作为冷源,可以随时启停的用于约瑟夫森电压标准的低温系统,介绍了系统组成工作原理及技术难点的解决方法并给出了测量结果。结果表明该低温连系统的研制成功并启用,有效的降低了约瑟夫森阵列电压标准的运行费用,提高了经济效益。由于采用了自动化控制技术,实现了运行系统的全自动化运行模式,简化了操作步骤,提高了工作效率。