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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 199 records · Page 11

Synchronization for Optical PPM Signals

Method based on statistical properties of weak pulse-positionmodulated (PPM) signal enables synchronization of receiver clock with received-signal time base. Method applies to weak optical M-ary PPM signals, for which there is only one pulse of length Tp transmitted during one of timeslots of length T in each successive interval of M timeslots. Method requires small dead time, Td, at beginning and end of each timeslot, during which pulse amplitude is zero.

Vilnrotter, V. A.↗

Research in extreme ultraviolet and far ultraviolet astronomy

The Far Ultraviolet imager (FUVI) was flown on the Aries class sounding rocket 24.015, producing outstanding results. The diffuse extreme ultraviolet (EUV) background spectrometer which is under construction is described. It will be launched on the Black Brant sounding rocket flight number 27.086. Ongoing design studies of a high resolution spectrometer are discussed. This instrument incorporates a one meter normal incidence mirror and will be suitable for an advanced Spartan mission.

Bowyer, C. S.↗

FH/MFSK performance in multitone jamming

The performance of frequency-hopped (FH) M-ary frequency-shift keyed (MFSK) signals in partial-band noise was analyzed in the open literature. The previous research is extended to the usually more effective class of multitone jamming. Some objectives researched are: (1) To categorize several different multitone jamming strategies; (2) To analyze the performance of FH/MSFK signaling, both uncoded with diversity, assuming a noncoherent energy detection metric with linear combining and perfect jamming state side information, in the presence of worst case interference for each of these multitone categories; and (3) To compare the effectiveness of the various multitone jamming techniques, and contrast the results with the partial band noise jamming case.

Levitt, B. K.↗

Research in extreme ultraviolet and far ultraviolet astronomy

Instruments designed to explore different aspects of far and extreme ultraviolet cosmic radiation were studied. The far ultraviolet imager (FUVI) was flown on the Aries sounding rocket. Its unique large format 75mm detector mapped out the far ultraviolet background radiation with a resolution of only a few arc minutes. Analysis of this data indicates to what extent the FUVI background is extra galactic in origin. A power spectrum of the spatial fluctuations will have direct consequences for galactic evolution.

Labov, S. E.↗

Rocket observations of the diffuse ultraviolet background

The objective of the experiment reported here was to obtain additional information on the absolute intensity level and spatial variation of the diffuse ultraviolet background and thereby gain insight into the origin of this radiation. The experiment used three ultraviolet sensitive photometers placed in the focal plane of a 95-cm, f/2.8 normal incidence telescope flown on board an Aries sounding rocket. The measured intensities clearly refute the hypothesis of an isotropic background, the intensities of the high galactic latitude being definitely lower than the intensities seen at intermediate latitudes. Moreover, the count rates in all three channels along the slow scan exhibit local enhancements as well as an overall trend. In general, the spatial variations exhibited by the data correlate with the line of sight of neutral hydrogen column density as determined from 21-cm radio observations. This fact demonstrates that there is a galactic component to the diffuse ultraviolet radiation field.

Jakobsen, P.↗

Convolutional coding combined with continuous phase modulation

Background theory and specific coding designs for combined coding/modulation schemes utilizing convolutional codes and continuous-phase modulation (CPM) are presented. In this paper the case of r = 1/2 coding onto a 4-ary CPM is emphasized, with short-constraint length codes presented for continuous-phase FSK, double-raised-cosine, and triple-raised-cosine modulation. Coding buys several decibels of coding gain over the Gaussian channel, with an attendant increase of bandwidth. Performance comparisons in the power-bandwidth tradeoff with other approaches are made.

Pizzi, S. V.↗

Automated ultrareliability models - A review

Analytic models are required to assess the reliability of systems designed to ultrareliability requirements. This paper reviews the capabilities and limitations of five currently available automated reliability models which are applicable to fault-tolerant flight control systems. 'System' includes sensors, computers, and actuators. A set of review criteria including validation, configuration adaptability, and resource requirements for model evaluation are described. Five models, ARIES, CARE II, CARE III, CARSRA, and CAST, are assessed against the criteria, thereby characterizing their capabilities and limitations. This review should be helpful to potential users of the models.

Bridgman, M. S.↗

Strategies for FH/MFSK signaling with diversity in worst-case partial-band noise

Optimum diversity and worst-case partial-band noise jamming conditions have been derived for noncoherent energy detection of frequency-hopped (FH) M-ary frequency-shift keyed (MFSK) signals using a soft-chip decision suboptimum linear combining metric with perfect jamming-state side information. However, the assumption implicit in previous publications is that the error is first maximized over the jammer's partial-band duty factor for arbitrary diversity, and the result is then minimized over the amount of diversity. This paper shows that if the order of optimization is reversed, different conditions and performance are produced; that is, the previous solution is not a saddlepoint. This introduces some game-theoretic considerations for the communicator and the jammer, the risks and advantages of which are explored.

Levitt, B. K.↗

FH/MFSK performance in multitone jamming

The performance of frequency-hopped (FH) M-ary frequency-shift keyed (MFSK) signals in partial-band noise as analyzed in the open literature. The previous research is extended to the usually more effective class of multitone jamming. Some objectives researched are: (1) To categorize several different multitone jamming strategies; (2) To analyze the performance of FH/MSFK signaling, both uncoded with diversity, assuming a noncoherent energy detection metric with linear combining and perfect jamming state side information, in the presence of worst case interference for each of these multitone categories; and (3) To compare the effectiveness of the various multitone jamming techniques, and contrast the results with the partial band noise jamming case.

Levitt, B. K.↗

Multiple Trellis Coded Modulation (MTCM): An MSAT-X report

Conventional trellis coding outputs one channel symbol per trellis branch. The notion of multiple trellis coding is introduced wherein more than one channel symbol per trellis branch is transmitted. It is shown that the combination of multiple trellis coding with M-ary modulation yields a performance gain with symmetric signal set comparable to that previously achieved only with signal constellation asymmetry. The advantage of multiple trellis coding over the conventional trellis coded asymmetric modulation technique is that the potential for code catastrophe associated with the latter has been eliminated with no additional cost in complexity (as measured by the number of states in the trellis diagram).

Divsalar, D.↗

Where do flares occur in RS CVn systems? Analysis of the October 3, 1981 flare on V711 Tau = HR 1099 observed by IUE

A set of IUE observations of V711 Tau = HR 1099 (K1 IV and G2 V) in which high-resolution spectra with the SWP and LWR cameras were obtained during the luminous flare of October 3, 1981 is discussed. Multigaussian fits to the Mg II k and C IV 1548 A lines are consistent with the flare radial velocity being identical to that of the K star. Thus, the flare probably occurred on the K star. There is no evidence for flows as seen during a flare on UX Ari. The strongest emitters of UV radiation during the flare were the L alpha and Mg II lines, which emitted seven times as much energy as all the transition region lines combined. The peak luminosity of the flare in the UV emission lines is 1.5 times 10 to the 31st power ergs/sec, and the total emission in these lines during the flare was about 4 times 10 to the 35th power ergs.

Linsky, J. L.↗

Reconfigurable tree architectures using subtree oriented fault tolerance

An approach to the design of reconfigurable tree architecture is presented in which spare processors are allocated at the leaves. The approach is unique in that spares are associated with subtrees and sharing of spares between these subtrees can occur. The Subtree Oriented Fault Tolerance (SOFT) approach is more reliable than previous approaches capable of tolerating link and switch failures for both single chip and multichip tree implementations while reducing redundancy in terms of both spare processors and links. VLSI layout is 0(n) for binary trees and is directly extensible to N-ary trees and fault tolerance through performance degradation.

Lowrie, Matthew B.↗

An across-the-bay flight support structure designed specifically for the Spartan program

The preliminary design of an across-the-bay Flight Support Structure optimized to the specific requirements of the Spartan program has been completed. Although approximately 15 percent heavier than the initial goal, preliminary analysis indicate very low stress levels and significant reduction in weight should be possible in the final design. This structure is capable of supporting two Spartan 200-class spacecraft or attached payloads of equivalent total weight. The inherent structural efficiency of monocoque type construction is utilized. The minimization of fabrication and assembly costs and provision for simple and versatile payload interfacing where given significant considerations. Modularity of this structure allows it to be readily adapted for use as the primary structure of an Aries-class Spartan free-flyer utilizing the Orbit trunning latch mechanisms, thus eliminating the need for a flight support structure.

Rast, J. J.↗

Word and frame synchronization with verification for PPM optical communications

A method for obtaining word and frame synchronization in pulse position modulated optical communication systems is described. The method uses a short sync sequence inserted at the beginning of each data frame and a verification procedure to distinguish between inserted and randomly occurring sequences at the receiver. This results in an easy to implement sync system which provides reliable synchronization even at high symbol error rates. Results are given for the application of this approach to a highly energy efficient 256-ary PPM test system.

Marshall, William K.↗

Reconfigurable tree architectures using subtree oriented fault tolerance

An approach to the design of reconfigurable tree architectures is presented in which spare processors are allocated at the leaves. The approach is unique in that spares are associated with subtrees, and sharing of spares between these subtrees can occur. The subtree-oriented fault-tolerance approach is more reliable than previous approaches capable of tolerating link and switch failures for both single-chip and multichip tree implementations while reducing redundancy in terms of both spare processors and links. VLSI layout is O(n) for binary trees and is directly extensible to N-ary trees and fault tolerance through performance degradation.

Lowrie, Matthew B.↗

Calibration of a 1 meter diameter normal incidence extreme ultraviolet telescope/spectrometer

A 1-meter normal incidence telescope, with a normal incidence concave diffraction grating spectrometer at its focus, has been developed. The instrument's spectral coverage is 350 to 1150A with a spectral resolution of 5A and a peak effective area of 6 sq cm at 500A. The instrument was launched on an Aries sounding rocket on November 27, 1983 in an effort to determine the hydrogen and helium abundance in the local interstellar medium. A description of this instrument, with the primary emphasis on the methods used to calibrate it, is presented.

Jelinsky, Patrick↗

Spread-spectrum multiple access using wideband noncoherent MFSK

Two spread-spectrum multiple access systems which use wideband M-ary frequency shift keying (FSK) (MFSK) as the primary modulation are presented. A bit error rate performance analysis is presented and system throughput is calculated for sample C band and Ku band satellite systems. Sample link analyses are included to illustrate power and adjacent satellite interference considerations in practical multiple access systems.

Ha, Tri T.↗

Multiple trellis coded modulation (MTCM) performance on a fading mobile satellite channel

The author recently introduced the notion of multiple trellis coding, in which more than one channel symbol per trellis branch is transmitted. He showed that on the ideal additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, the combination of multiple trellis coding with M-ary modulation yields a performance gain with symmetric signal sets comparable to and in some cases better than that previously achieved only with signal constellation asymmetry. The combination of conventional trellis coding with multiple phase-shift-keyed (MPSK) signaling has recently been shown by the author to be a well-suited modulation/coding scheme for transmission over the fading mobile satellite channel. In particular, a rate 2/3 coded 8-PSK scheme operating at 4800 b/s is currently under development for use in NASA's Mobile Satellite Experiment (MSAT-X). The author applies the multiple trellis-coded modulation technique in the same fading mobile satellite environment, extending the analysis results previously found for its performance over the AWGN channel to the MSAT-X channel.

Simon, Marvin K.↗