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Engineering topics

Walsh, J. R., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Walsh, J. R., Jr..

Hybrid optical/digital detector

Device for automatic-diffraction pattern recognition is designed around concentric-ring fiber-optic array. Coherent light passes through film-image transparency and lens producing Fourier transform of image. Transform is converted to digital data, the basis of diffraction-pattern recognition program performed by computer.

Shackelford, R. G.

A study to analyze six band multispectral images and fabricate a Fourier transform detector

An automatic Fourier transform diffraction pattern sampling system, used to investigate techniques for forestry classification of six band multispectral aerial photography is presented. Photographs and diagrams of the design, development and fabrication of a hybrid optical-digital Fourier transform detector are shown. The detector was designed around a concentric ring fiber optic array. This array was formed from many optical fibers which were sorted into concentric rings about a single fiber. All the fibers in each ring were collected into a bundle and terminated into a single photodetector. An optical/digital interface unit consisting of a high level multiplexer, and an analog-to-digital amplifier was also constructed and is described.

Shackelford, R. G.

Design and fabrication of an experimental image forming light modulator

Image forming light modulator transforms electrical signal representation of two dimensional image into optical transparency. All major assemblies are easily demounted for convenience in adapting modulator to other operating modes with different modulation-media. High-speed vacuum pump is incorporated into modulator housing to help reach required operating pressure.

Shackelford, R. G.

Digital simulation of stiff linear dynamic systems.

A method is derived for digital computer simulation of linear time-invariant systems when the insignificant eigenvalues involved in such systems are eliminated by an ALSAP root removal technique. The method is applied to a thirteenth-order dynamic system representing a passive RLC network.

Holland, L. D.

Investigation of techniques for improving Saturn 5 RF tracking and ranging systems

Results of theoretical analyses of 12 problems are presented and comparisons of theoretical and experimental results are given. The investigations covered were: (1) techniques for improving the Saturn radar altimeter, (2) performance of the phase lock loop of the offset Doppler transponder, (3) signal processing equipment design for an orbital altitude radar return experiment, (4) spectral studies of signals present in the command and communication system (CCS) up-link transmitter, (5) intermodulation in the CCS down-link data demodulators, (6) error rate performance of the CCS transponder command demodulator, (7) flame attenuation effects on telemetry transmissions during Saturn launches, (8) design of a digital television system which converts a standard monochrome picture to a slow-scan picture, (9) methods of obtaining an additional CCS 72-kilobit/sec telemetry channel, (10) computation of the CCS S-band down-link spectra, (11) modeling of portions of the communications systems, and (12) modeling of a telemetry transmitter.

Walsh, J. R., Jr.

Communication system modeling

This report presents the results of work on communications systems modeling and covers three different areas of modeling. The first of these deals with the modeling of signals in communication systems in the frequency domain and the calculation of spectra for various modulations. These techniques are applied in determining the frequency spectra produced by a unified carrier system, the down-link portion of the Command and Communications System (CCS). The second modeling area covers the modeling of portions of a communication system on a block basis. A detailed analysis and modeling effort based on control theory is presented along with its application to modeling of the automatic frequency control system of an FM transmitter. A third topic discussed is a method for approximate modeling of stiff systems using state variable techniques.

Holland, L. D.