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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

Polarization Considerations for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)

A polarization ray trace model of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna's (LISA) optical path is being created. The model will be able to assess the effects of various polarizing elements and the optical coatings on the required picometer level interferometry. All of the computational steps are described in detail. This should eliminate any ambiguities associated with polarization ray trace modeling of interferometers and provide a basis for determining its limitations and serve as a clearly defined starting point for future improvements.

Waluschka, Eugene↗

Moment method analysis of linearly tapered slot antennas

A method of moments (MOM) model for the analysis of the Linearly Tapered Slot Antenna (LTSA) is developed and implemented. The model employs an unequal size rectangular sectioning for conducting parts of the antenna. Piecewise sinusoidal basis functions are used for the expansion of conductor current. The effect of the dielectric is incorporated in the model by using equivalent volume polarization current density and solving the equivalent problem in free-space. The feed section of the antenna including the microstripline is handled rigorously in the MOM model by including slotline short circuit and microstripline currents among the unknowns. Comparison with measurements is made to demonstrate the validity of the model for both the air case and the dielectric case. Validity of the model is also verified by extending the model to handle the analysis of the skew-plate antenna and comparing the results to those of a skew-segmentation modeling results of the same structure and to available data in the literature. Variation of the radiation pattern for the air LTSA with length, height, and taper angle is investigated, and the results are tabulated. Numerical results for the effect of the dielectric thickness and permittivity are presented.

Koeksal, Adnan↗

A hardware demonstration of distributed control for a flexible offset-feed antenna

A fully instrumented hardware model of a flexible offset-feed antenna has been constructed for laboratory tests. Three rate gyros, four angular position laser sensors, and a set of ten distributed accelerometers are used to rconstruct the antenna state. Three control moment gyros are used to simultaneously orient the antenna, and to maintain a stable line of sight. A description is presented of the distributed antenna control system and experimental results.

Schaechter, D. B.↗

Waveform modelling for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

LISA, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, will usher in a new era in gravitational-wave astronomy. As the first anticipated space-based gravitational-wave detector, it will expand our view to the millihertz gravitational-wave sky, where a spectacular variety of interesting new sources abound: from millions of ultra-compact binaries in our Galaxy, to mergers of massive black holes at cosmological distances; from the early inspirals of stellar-mass black holes that will ultimately venture into the ground-based detectors’ view to the death spiral of compact objects into massive black holes, and many sources in between. Central to realising LISA’s discovery potential are waveform models, the theoretical and phenomenological predictions of the pattern of gravitational waves that these sources emit. This White Paper is presented on behalf of the Waveform Working Group for the LISA Consortium. It provides a review of the current state of waveform models for LISA sources, and describes the significant challenges that must yet be overcome.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Mathematical modeling and simulation of the space shuttle imaging radar antennas

Simulations of space shuttle synthetic aperture radar antennas under the influence of space environmental conditions were carried out at L, C, and X-band. Mathematical difficulties in modeling large, non-planar array antennas are discussed, and an approximate modeling technique is presented. Results for several antenna error conditions are illustrated in far-field profile patterns, earth surface footprint contours, and summary graphs.

Campbell, R. W.↗

Control of large antennas based on electromagnetic performance criteria

The electromagnetic (EM) performance of large flexible antennas is traditionally achieved by imposing stringent geometric restrictions on the structural distortions from a nominal optimum configuration. An approach to alleviate the stringency of the geometrical criteria of satisfactory performance is presented. The approach consists of generating a linear optimal control problem with quadratic cost functional where the cost functional is obtained from the EM characteristics of the antenna and the dynamic system constraint is given by the structural model of the antenna. It is established that the EM based optimal controller is considerably more efficient than the traditional geometrical based controllers. The same EM performance can be achieved with a much reduced control effort.

Lin, Y. H.↗

Theoretical models of single-element LTSA antenna elements

The spectral domain computations for slotline guide wavelength and characteristic impedance provide the basic parameters that are need to calculate the radiation pattern of an Linearly Tapered Slot Antenna (LTSA) by using the half-plane Green's function and a stepped approximation to the LTSA structure. However, the spectral domain computations are somewhat time consuming and not suitable for computer aided design application. Therefore, the results of several computation were fitted by formulas that are readily evaluated on a calculator or computer. Antenna measurements were continued, and an attempt was made to predict the truncation effect by three different methods.

Source record↗

CoNNeCT Antenna Positioning System Dynamic Simulator Modal Model Correlation

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) developed an on-orbit, adaptable, Software Defined Radios (SDR)/Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS)-based testbed facility to conduct a suite of experiments to advance technologies, reduce risk, and enable future mission capabilities on the International Space Station (ISS). The Communications, Navigation, and Networking reConfigurable Testbed (CoNNeCT) Project will provide NASA, industry, other Government agencies, and academic partners the opportunity to develop and field communications, navigation, and networking technologies in both the laboratory and space environment based on reconfigurable, software-defined radio platforms and the STRS Architecture. The CoNNeCT Payload Operations Nomenclature is SCAN Testbed, and this nomenclature will be used in all ISS integration, safety, verification, and operations documentation. The SCAN Testbed (payload) is a Flight Releasable Attachment Mechanism (FRAM) based payload that will launch aboard the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Multipurpose Exposed Pallet (EP-MP) to the International Space Station (ISS), and will be transferred to the Express Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC3) via Extravehicular Robotics (EVR). The SCAN Testbed will operate on-orbit for a minimum of two years.

Jones, Trevor M.↗

CoNNeCT Antenna Positioning System Dynamic Simulator Modal Model Correlation

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) developed an on-orbit, adaptable, Software Defined Radios (SDR)/Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS)-based testbed facility to conduct a suite of experiments to advance technologies, reduce risk, and enable future mission capabilities on the International Space Station (ISS). The Communications, Navigation, and Networking reConfigurable Testbed (CoNNeCT) Project will provide NASA, industry, other Government agencies, and academic partners the opportunity to develop and field communications, navigation, and networking technologies in both the laboratory and space environment based on reconfigurable, software-defined radio platforms and the STRS Architecture. The CoNNeCT Payload Operations Nomenclature is "SCAN Testbed," and this nomenclature will be used in all ISS integration, safety, verification, and operations documentation. The SCAN Testbed (payload) is a Flight Releasable Attachment Mechanism (FRAM) based payload that will launch aboard the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Multipurpose Exposed Pallet (EP-MP) to the International Space Station (ISS), and will be transferred to the Express Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC3) via Extravehicular Robotics (EVR). The SCAN Testbed will operate on-orbit for a minimum of two years.

Jones, Tevor M.↗

Effects of model error on control of large flexible space antenna with comparisons of decoupled and linear quadratic regulator control procedures

An analysis was performed to determine the effects of model error on the control of a large flexible space antenna. Control was achieved by employing two three-axis control-moment gyros (CMG's) located on the antenna column. State variables were estimated by including an observer in the control loop that used attitude and attitude-rate sensors on the column. Errors were assumed to exist in the individual model parameters: modal frequency, modal damping, mode slope (control-influence coefficients), and moment of inertia. Their effects on control-system performance were analyzed either for (1) nulling initial disturbances in the rigid-body modes, or (2) nulling initial disturbances in the first three flexible modes. The study includes the effects on stability, time to null, and control requirements (defined as maximum torque and total momentum), as well as on the accuracy of obtaining initial estimates of the disturbances. The effects on the transients of the undisturbed modes are also included. The results, which are compared for decoupled and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control procedures, are shown in tabular form, parametric plots, and as sample time histories of modal-amplitude and control responses. Results of the analysis showed that the effects of model errors on the control-system performance were generally comparable for both control procedures. The effect of mode-slope error was the most serious of all model errors.

Hamer, H. A.↗

Environmental effects on the dynamics and control of an orbiting large flexible antenna system

Solar radiation pressure on the vibrating antenna structure, temperature gradients induced by solar heating, and stabilizing gravity-gradient torques were considered when the linear regulator theory was used to obtain orientation and shape control of a hoop/column antenna system being considered for the land mobile satellite system. A finite element model of the antenna system which includes all six rigid modes and seven flexible modes was used. Results show that the environmental disturbances affect only the rigid modes of the structure. The effect of solar radiation pressure interacting with the vibrating system is smaller than the solar radiation pressure acting on the thermally deformed structure. To reduce control effort in order to maintain shape and orientation, thermal deformations must be minimized in the preliminary design of the system.

Krishna, R.↗

Environmental effects on the dynamics and control of an orbiting large flexible antenna system

Solar radiation pressure on the vibrating antenna structure, temperature gradients induced by solar heating, and stabilizing gravity-gradient torques were considered when the linear regulator theory was used to obtain orientation and shape control of a hoop/column antenna system being considered for the land mobile satellite system. A finite element model of the antenna system which includes all six rigid modes and seven flexible modes was used. Results show that the environmental disturbances affect only the rigid modes of the structure. The effect of solar radiation pressure interacting with the vibrating system is smaller than the solar radiation pressure acting on the thermally deformed structure. To reduce control effect in order to maintain shape and orientation, thermal deformations must be minimized in the preliminary design of the system.

Krishna, R.↗

Advanced electromagnetic methods for aerospace vehicles

The Advanced Helicopter Electromagnetics is centered on issues that advance technology related to helicopter electromagnetics. Progress was made on three major topics: composite materials; precipitation static corona discharge; and antenna technology. In composite materials, the research has focused on the measurements of their electrical properties, and the modeling of material discontinuities and their effect on the radiation pattern of antennas mounted on or near material surfaces. The electrical properties were used to model antenna performance when mounted on composite materials. Since helicopter platforms include several antenna systems at VHF and UHF bands, measuring techniques are being explored that can be used to measure the properties at these bands. The effort on corona discharge and precipitation static was directed toward the development of a new two dimensional Voltage Finite Difference Time Domain computer program. Results indicate the feasibility of using potentials for simulating electromagnetic problems in the cases where potentials become primary sources. In antenna technology the focus was on Polarization Diverse Conformal Microstrip Antennas, Cavity Backed Slot Antennas, and Varactor Tuned Circular Patch Antennas. Numerical codes were developed for the analysis of two probe fed rectangular and circular microstrip patch antennas fed by resistive and reactive power divider networks.

Balanis, Constantine A.↗

Simple gain probability functions for large reflector antennas of JPL/NASA

Simple models for the patterns as well as their cumulative gain probability and probability density functions of the Deep Space Network antennas are developed. These are needed for the study and evaluation of interference from unwanted sources such as the emerging terrestrial system, High Density Fixed Service, with the Ka-band receiving antenna systems in Goldstone Station of the Deep Space Network.

large reflector antenna probability density functi↗

Earth-Mars Telecommunications and Information Management System (TIMS): Antenna Visibility Determination, Network Simulation, and Management Models

This report presents the results of our research on Earth-Mars Telecommunications and Information Management System (TIMS) network modeling and unattended network operations. The primary focus of our research is to investigate the feasibility of the TIMS architecture, which links the Earth-based Mars Operations Control Center, Science Data Processing Facility, Mars Network Management Center, and the Deep Space Network of antennae to the relay satellites and other communication network elements based in the Mars region. The investigation was enhanced by developing Build 3 of the TIMS network modeling and simulation model. The results of several 'what-if' scenarios are reported along with reports on upgraded antenna visibility determination software and unattended network management prototype.

Odubiyi, Jide↗

Final Technical Report - Center for Simulation of Fusion Relevant RF Actuators

We have developed a suite of 3D electromagnetic field solvers, both FEM and FDTD based, that account for the RF antenna and vacuum vessel geometries with unprecedented accuracy. Workflows were developed that make it possible to translate CAD models for the antenna and vacuum vessel to physics meshes for RF wave simulation. Nonlinear RF sheath formation has been incorporated self-consistently as a boundary condition in these solvers. We have also carried out extensive studies of the impact of RF sheaths on the ion energy angle distribution at plasma-material interfaces, using high fidelity particle-in-cell codes. Comprehensive simulation models were developed to assess the impact of blob-like edge turbulence on RF wave propagation and the impact of the RF ponderomotive force on the plasma scrape-off layer (SOL). A fluid transport solver for the far-SOL was also developed which accounts for the high parallel to perpendicular heat anisotropy on an unstructured mesh, thus making it possible to precisely represent an antenna structure in the presence of edge transport. Finally we have developed a hierarchy of core wave propagation and absorption models that self-consistently combine continuum Fokker Planck and Monte Carlo treatments of fast ion evolution with ICRF full-wave field solvers and continuum Fokker Planck treatments of fast electron evolution with both full-wave and ray tracing models.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗