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Coney, T. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Coney, T. A..

Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Network Control Performance

This paper discusses the performance of the network control function for the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) very small aperture terminal (VSAT) full mesh network. This includes control of all operational activities such as acquisition, synchronization, timing and rain fade compensation as well as control of all communications activities such as on-demand integrated services (voice, video, and date) connects and disconnects Operations control is provided by an in-band orderwire carried in the baseboard processor (BBP) control burst, the orderwire burst, the reference burst, and the uplink traffic burst. Communication services are provided by demand assigned multiple access (DAMA) protocols. The ACTS implementation of DAMA protocols ensures both on-demand and integrated voice, video and data services. Communications services control is also provided by the in-band orderwire but uses only the reference burst and the uplink traffic burst. The performance of the ACTS network control functions have been successfully tested during on-orbit checkout and in various VSAT networks in day to day operations. This paper discusses the network operations and services control performance.

Coney, T. A.↗

Service offerings and interfaces for the ACTS network of earth stations

The NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) will use a network of about 20 earth stations to operate as a Mode 1 network. This network will support two ACTS program objectives: to verify the technical performance of ACTS Mode 1 operation in GEO and to demonstrate the types and quality of services that can be provided by an ACTS Mode 1 communications system. The terrestrial interface design is a critical element in assuring that these network earth stations will meet the objectives. In this paper, the applicable terrestrial interface design requirements, the resulting interface specifications, and the associated terrestrial input/output hardware are discussed. A functional block diagram of a network earth station is shown.

Coney, T. A.↗

Coordinated aircraft and ship surveys for determining impact of river inputs on great lakes waters. Remote sensing results

The remote sensing results of aircraft and ship surveys for determining the impact of river effluents on Great Lakes waters are presented. Aircraft multi-spectral scanner data were acquired throughout the spring and early summer of 1976 at five locations: the West Basin of Lake Erie, Genesee River - Lake Ontario, Menomonee River - Lake Michigan, Grand River - Lake Michigan, and Nemadji River - Lake Superior. Multispectral scanner data and ship surface sample data are correlated resulting in 40 contour plots showing large-scale distributions of parameters such as total suspended solids, turbidity, Secchi depth, nutrients, salts, and dissolved oxygen. The imagery and data analysis are used to determine the transport and dispersion of materials from the river discharges, especially during spring runoff events, and to evaluate the relative effects of river input, resuspension, and shore erosion. Twenty-five LANDSAT satellite images of the study sites are also included in the analysis. Examples of the use of remote sensing data in quantitatively estimating total particulate loading in determining water types, in assessing transport across international boundaries, and in supporting numerical current modeling are included. The importance of coordination of aircraft and ship lake surveys is discussed, including the use of telefacsimile for the transmission of imagery.

Raquet, C. A.↗

A comparison of measured and calculated upwelling radiance over water as a function of sensor altitude

The present paper compares remote sensing data measured over water at altitudes ranging from 30 m to 15.2 km to data calculated for corresponding altitudes using surface measurements and an atmospheric radiative transfer model. The data were acquired on June 22, 1978 in Lake Erie and it was found that suspended solids and chlorophyll concentrations were 0.59 + or - 0.02 mg/liter and 2.42 + or - 0.03 micro gram/liter respectively throughout the duration of the experiment. Calculated and measured nadir radiances for altitudes of 152 m and 12.5 km agree to within 16% and 14% respectively. It is noted that the model offered a poor simulation of the variation in measured radiance with look angle. Finally, it is concluded that an accurate assessment of the source of error will require the inclusion in the analysis of the contributions made by the sea state and specular sky reflectance

Coney, T. A.↗

A comparison of measured and calculated upwelling radiance over water as a function of sensor altitude

A comparison is made between remote sensing data measured over water at altitudes ranging from 30 m to 15.2 km and data calculated for corresponding altitudes using surface measurements and an atmospheric radiative transfer model. Data were acquired on June 22, 1978 in Lake Erie, a cloudless, calm, near haze free day. Suspended solids and chlorophyll concentrations were 0.59 + or - 0.02 mg/1 and 2.42 + or - 0.03 micrograms/1 respectively throughout the duration of the experiment. Remote sensor data were acquired by two multispectral scanners each having 10 bands between 410 nm and 1040 nm. Calculated and measured nadir radiances for altitudes of 152 m and 12.5 km agree to within 16% and 14% respectively. The variation in measured radiance with look angle was poorly simulated by the model. It was concluded that an accurate assessment of the source of error will require the inclusion in the analysis of the contributions made by the sea state and specular sky reflectance.

Coney, T. A.↗

Atmospheric temperature measurements, using Raman lidar

The Raman-shifted return of a lidar system had been used to make atmospheric temperature measurements. The measurements were made along a horizontal path at temperatures ranging from -30 to 30 C and at ranges of about 100 meters. The temperature data were acquired by recording the intensity ratio of two portions of the rotational Raman spectrum, which were simultaneously sampled from a preset range. These tests verified that the theoretical predictions formulated in the design of the system were adequate. Measurements were made to an accuracy of + or - 4 C with 1-minute temporal resolution.

Salzman, J. A.↗

Remote measurement of atmospheric temperatures by Raman lidar

The Raman shifted return of a lidar system has been utilized to make atmospheric temperature measurements. The measurements were made along a horizontal path at temperatures ranging from -30 C to +30 C and at ranges of about 100 meters. The temperature data were acquired by recording the intensity ratio of two portions of the rotational Raman spectrum which were simultaneously sampled from a preset range. A temperature measurement accuracy of plus or minus 4 C and a temporal resolution of one minute were realized with this system. The combined results of the theoretical analysis and the experimentation indicate that system improvements will significantly increase both accuracy and range.

Coney, T. A.↗

Atmospheric temperature measurements by Raman laser scattering

System makes continuous synoptic measurement of air temperatures and temperature profiles from the ground in real time. Development is based on principle that intensity distribution of Raman scattered laser light is a function of temperature and it is theoretically possible to measure air temperature by analyzing its Raman spectrum.

Masica, W. J.↗

Remote measurement of atmospheric temperatures by Raman lidar.

The Raman shifted return of a lidar system has been utilized to make atmospheric temperature measurements. The measurements were made along a horizontal path at temperatures between -20 and +30 C and at ranges of about 100 meters. The temperature data were acquired by recording the intensity ratio of two portions of the rotational Raman spectrum which were simultaneously sampled from a preset range. Measurements were made to an accuracy of plus or minus 3 C with 1-minute temporal resolution.

Salzman, J. A.↗

Determination of the temperature of gas mixtures by using laser Raman scattering

A theoretical model for the Raman rotational spectrum of air was formulated, yielding the spectral temperature dependence; and an error analysis of temperature measurement accuracies was performed. The theoretical spectra and the predicted temperature measurement error of + or - 20 K (7 percent) compared well with experimental data. These experimental data consisted of Raman spectra of air obtained for temperatures ranging from 243 to 313 K at a pressure of 1 atmosphere. The use of selected lines resulted in an experimental accuracy of + or - 13 K (-5 percent).

Coney, T. A.↗

Remote measurement of atmospheric temperatures by Raman lidar

The Raman shifted return of a lidar system was utilized to make atmospheric temperature measurements. The measurements were made along a horizontal path at temperatures between -20 and +30 C and at ranges of about 100 meters. The temperature data were acquired by recording the intensity ratio of two portions of the rotational Raman spectrum which were simultaneously sampled from a preset range. Measurements were made to an accuracy of + or - 3 C with 1 minute temporal resolution.

Salzman, J. A.↗

Determining gas temperatures from laser scattering.

Lidar techniques may be applicable to inelastic, Raman scattering. When a light beam interacts with gas molecules, the energies of scattered photons may be increased or decreased relative to the incident photons. The Raman return signal can theoretically yield information on gas pressure, temperature, and molecular species concentration. The temperature can be calculated from the measurement of two scattered Raman rotational line intensities. Questions of measurement accuracy, line selection, and multiple line ratios are considered. The measurement apparatus is discussed together with the measurement techniques.

Salzman, J. A.↗