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At least 253 records · Page 14

The Celestial Reference Frame at X/Ka-band (8.4/32 GHz)

A celestial reference frame at X/Kaband (8.4/32 GHz) has been constructed using fiftyone 24-hour sessions with the Deep Space Network. We report on observations which have detected 436 sources covering the full 24 hours of right ascension and declinations down to -45 deg. Comparison of this X/Ka-band frame to the S/X-band (2.3/8.4 GHz) ICRF2 shows wRMS agreement of 200 micro-arcsec ( mu as) in alpha cos delta and 290 mu as in delta. There is evidence for zonal errors at the 100 mu as level. Known errors include limited SNR, lack of phase calibration, troposphere mismodelling, and limited southern geometry. The motivations for extending the ICRF to frequencies above 8 GHz are to access more compact source morphology for improved frame stability, to provide calibrators for phase referencing, and to support spacecraft navigation at Ka-band.

interferometry↗

IceCube: CubeSat 883-GHz Radiometry for Future Ice Cloud Remote Sensing

Ice clouds play a key role in the Earth's radiation budget, mostly through their strong regulation of infrared radiation exchange. Accurate observations of global cloud ice and its distribution have been a challenge from space, and require good instrument sensitivities to both cloud mass and microphysical properties. Despite great advances from recent spaceborne radar and passive sensors, uncertainty of current ice water path (IWP) measurements is still not better than a factor of 2. Submillimeter (submm) wave remote sensing offers great potential for improving cloud ice measurements, with simultaneous retrievals of cloud ice and its microphysical properties. The IceCube project is to enable this cloud ice remote sensing capability in future missions, by raising 874-GHz receiver technology TRL from 5 to 7 in a spaceflight demonstration on 3-U CubeSat in a low Earth orbit (LEO) environment. The NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is partnering with Virginia Diodes Inc (VDI) on the 874-GHz receiver through its Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) extender module product line, to develop an instrument with precision of 0.2 K over 1-second integration and accuracy of 2.0 K or better. IceCube is scheduled to launch to and subsequent release from the International Space Station (ISS) in mid-2016 for nominal operation of 28 plus days. We will present the updated design of the payload and spacecraft systems, as well as the operation concept. We will also show the simulated 874-GHz radiances from the ISS orbits and cloud scattering signals as expected for the IceCube cloud radiometer.

cloud ice remote sensing↗

Design of a Combined Beacon Receiver and Digital Radiometer for 40 GHz Propagation Measurements at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have jointly developed an atmospheric propagation terminal to measure and characterize propagation phenomena at 40 GHz at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) in Robledo de Chavela, Spain. The hybrid Q-band system combines a 40 GHz beacon receiver and digital radiometer into the same RF front-end and observes the 39.402 GHz beacon of the European Space Agencys Alphasat Aldo Paraboni TDP5 experiment. The goals of these measurements are to assist MDSCC mission operations as well as to contribute to the development and improvement of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) models for prediction of communications systems performance within the Q-band. Herein, we provide an overview of the system design, characterization, and plan of operations to commence at the MDSCC beginning in March 2017.

Radio Attenuation↗

Design of a Combined Beacon Receiver and Digital Radiometer for 40 GHz Propagation Measurements at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have jointly developed an atmospheric propagation terminal to measure and characterize propagation phenomena at 40 GHz at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) in Robledo de Chavela, Spain. The hybrid Q-band system utilizes a novel design which combines a 40 GHz beacon receiver and digital radiometer into the same RF front-end and observes the 39.402 GHz beacon of the European Space Agencys Alphasat Aldo Paraboni TDP5 experiment. Atmospheric measurements include gaseous absorption, rain fade, and scintillation. The radiometric measurement is calibrated by means of an included noise diode as well as tipping calibration. The goals of these measurements are to assist MDSCC mission operations as the facility increasingly supports Ka-band missions, as well as to contribute to the development and improvement of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) models for prediction of communications systems performance within the Q-band through the Aldo Paraboni Experiment. Herein, we provide an overview of the system design, characterization, and plan of operations which commenced at the MDSCC beginning in March 2017.

Radiowave Propagation↗

Evaluation of Ultem 1000, 1010, and 9085 for Radome Applications at 24.5 GHz

The UAS in the NAS project Flight Test 6 (FT6) campaign scheduled for FY19Q3 will evaluate the proficiency of a Honeywell DAPA-Lite Radar installed on a Tiger Shark unmanned vehicle to detect the presence of air traffic operating in its vicinity. A 3D printed radome will be manufactured for the front of the Tiger Shark to enclose the radar during FT6 operations. The DAPA-Lite radar operates in the 24.5 GHz frequency band. Material properties of 3D printer filaments are widely available for the mechanical and thermal properties, but limited knowledge exists on the electrical properties for radome applications and no data was found to correspond at the 24.5 Ghz frequency band. To minimize project risk associated with the radome performance, transmissivity and reflectivity measurements were conducted on two candidate 3D printed dielectric material filaments (Ultem 1010 Natural and Ultem 9085 Black) and two thicknesses of a solid laminate (Ultem 1000) material. The 3D printed Ultem coupons were tested shortly after being printed and again 8 months later to examine ageing effects of the open cell structure. This paper presents the transmissivity and reflectivity measurement results collected on the Ultem coupons and concludes the 3D printed 1010 Natural coupon is a suitable candidate filament for radome applications at 24.5 GHz. The design of the structure’s open cell matrix has a significant impact on the material’s surface reflectivity.

Szatkowski, George N.↗

InP MMIC chip set for power sources covering 86-170 GHz

We will present a Monolithic Millimeter-wave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) chip set which provides high output-power sources for driving diode frequency multipliers into the terahertz range. The chip set was fabricated at HRL Laboratories using a 0.l-μm gatelength InAI/InGaAs/InP high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) process, and features transistors with an fmax above 600 GHz. The HRL InP HEMT process has already demonstrated amplifiers in the 60-200 GHz range. In this paper, these high frequency HEMTs form the basis for power sources up to 170 GHz.

Ngo, Catherine↗

Sub-20-K Noise Temperature LNA for 67-90 GHz Frequency Band

Indium Phosphide MMIC LNAs are enabling new capabilities in instrument development. The development of arrays of hundreds of cryogenically-cooled millimeter wave receivers has previously been challenging, but is now achievable with highly repeatable MMIC processes and advances in cryogenic on-wafer testing of LNAs. We have developed InP HEMT LNA MMICs for the 67-90 GHz frequency band that is the last missing receiver system from the ALMA. These MMICs provided average performance of less than 22.5 K noise temperature over the frequency band and minimum noise temperature of 17.5 K at 72 GHz. These LNAs achieve NT=220K (NF=2.4dB) at 90 GHz for Earth remote sensing instrument on Sentinel-6. Our HRMR (High Resolution Microwave Radiometer) achieves NEDT < 0.05K enabling Sentinel-6 to measure coastal ocean topography at 3 km resolution with better than 1 cm accuracy.

Vorenen, Mikko↗

The Canadian Galactic Emission Mapper: A New 8-10 GHz Telescope To Map the Polarization of the Northern Sky

The Canadian Galactic Emission Mapper (CGEM) radio telescope is mapping polarized Galactic foregrounds from 8-10 GHz to aid in the search for B-modes in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Here we describe the design and early on-sky characterization of the CGEM optics. CGEM employs an on-axis, hat feed optical design that is a body of revolution (BOR) and exhibits excellent intrinsic polarization purity. We describe how we have optimized the optics with a novel framework that can directly minimize simulated intensity to polarized intensity (T → P) leakage in angular power spectrum space. The optimized optics exhibit simulated T → P leakage that is orders of magnitude below anticipated CℓBB for r = 10 −3 when scaled from 8-10 GHz to the CMB observing window near 95 GHz. We go on to describe the mechanical design of the optics, including a novel secondary mirror support made from Astroquartz composite that has low loss, low dielectric constant, and preserves the BOR symmetry of the optics. We then showcase the early on-sky performance of the optics with observations of the Sun and satellites, which probe the beam to 40dB down from the peak. A beam model for the deployed CGEM optics based on electromagnetic simulations is in excellent agreement with the on-sky data.

cosmic microwave background↗

Attenuation studies at 35 GHz

Instrumentation and preliminary results of studies of attenuation of 35 GHz radio signals transmitted through the atmosphere are reported. The purpose of this work is to provide information to supplement the ATS-5 downlink tests. Data on atmospheric losses at 35 GHz are being obtained by sun tracker techniques, sky temperature observations, and point-to-point transmissions.

Lo, L.↗

Earth-satellite propagation above GHz: Papers from the 1972 spring URSI session on experiments utilizing the ATS-5 satellite

Papers are reported from the Special Session on Earth-Satellite Propagation Above 10 GHz, presented at The 1972 Spring Meeting of the United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, April 1972, Washington, D. C. This session was devoted to propagation measurements associated with the Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-5), which provided the first operational earth-space links at frequencies above 15 GHz. A comprehensive summary is presented of the major results of the ATS-5 experiment measurements and related radiometric, radar and meteorological studies. The papers are organized around seven selected areas of interest, with the results of the various investigators combined into a single paper presented by a principal author for that area. A comprehensive report is provided on the results of the ATS-5 satellite to earth transmissions. A complete list of published reports and presentations related to the ATS-5 Millimeter Wave Experiment is included.

Ippolito, L. J.↗

Dispersion studies of the 22 GHz water vapor line shape. II - Instrumental correction.

Anomalies in the resonance dispersion of the pressure-broadened water vapor line at a frequency of 22.235 GHz are resolved. The pressure-scanning differential-refraction spectrometer gives rise to a signal enhancement as the line center moves within the width of the dispersion discriminator. Resonance absorption prevents the frequency of peak transmitted power from coinciding with the resonance condition of zero phase. The results reported for the 23.6 GHz rotational line of ethylene oxide show a Lorentzian molecular line shape.

Dillon, T. A.↗

A high-power communications technology satellite for the 12 and 14 GHz bands.

Description of the mission, subsystems and communication capabilities of a joint Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) scheduled for launch in 1975 by the Canadian Department of Communications in cooperation with NASA. The principal objectives of the mission are TV transmission at 12 GHz to low-cost ground terminals, up-link TV transmission at 14 GHz transportable terminals, and flight tests of spacecraft subsystems and components for future communications satellites. The major advanced spacecraft subsystems are a novel superefficiency TWT design, a 0.4 mlb Mercury Bombardment ion engine for north-south station keeping, a 3-axis stabilization system to maintain a high antenna boresight pointing accuracy, a liquid metal slip ring experiment, and a lightweight extendible solar array with an initial power output greater than 1 kW.

Franklin, C. A.↗

Spectral observations of Venus in the frequency interval 18.5-24.0 GHz - 1964 and 1967-68.

During July 1964, Venus was observed with a tunable radiometer at eight frequencies in the interval 20.6-24.0 GHz and again at six frequencies in the interval 18.5-24.0 GHz during an eight-month period beginning approximately one month after the inferior conjunction of 1967. Microwave spectra for these frequency intervals were computed using the results from Mariner 5 and Veneras 4-7 and compared to these data. One block of data suggests a lower percentage of H2O than that reported by the Venera probes, while other blocks may be consistent with the probe data. These data therefore suggest that the distribution of water vapor down to atmospheric levels probed at these frequencies may vary with time or else the Venera probes may have detected localized enhancements in water vapor.

Jones, D. E.↗

The 20 and 30 GHz communications system for the ATS-F millimeter wave experiment.

The first space communications system operating at millimeter wavelengths is planned for the sixth Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-F), scheduled for launch in May of 1973. The ATS-F experiment is designed to provide engineering data on wideband space-to-earth transmissions at 20 and 30 GHz as a function of meteorological conditions and modulation techniques. The system design for both the spacecraft and ground station portions of the experiment is presented, and the unique design characteristics of these relatively new and unexplored frequency bands are emphasized. The experiment is designed to provide wideband 1440-MHz propagation links and 40-Megabit communications links with simultaneous operation at 20, 30, and 4 GHz for link comparisons.

Ippolito, L. J.↗

Pulsar detections at frequencies of 8.4 and 15.1 GHz.

Eleven pulsars were observed and five were detected at 15.1 GHz. Several exhibit strong scintillations at 8.4 GHz. Estimates are made of the spectral indices of five pulsars. Average pulse shapes are presented for the stronger signals.

Downs, G. S.↗

The 4-8 GHz Microwave Active and Passive Spectrometer (MAPS). Volume 1: Radar section

The performance characteristics of the radar section of the prototype 4-8 GHz Microwave Active and Passive Spectrometer system are reported. Active and passive spectral responses were measured of natural, cultivated, and human-made surfaces over the 4-18 GHz region of frequencies for look angles between zero and 70 degrees and for all possible linear polarization combinations. Soil and plant samples were collected to measure their dielectric properties and moisture content. The FORTRAN program for area calculation is provided.

Ulaby, F. T.↗

Twenty and thirty GHz millimeter wave experiments with the ATS-6 satellite

The ATS-6 millimeter wave experiment, provided the first direct measurements of 20 and 30 GHz earth-space links from an orbiting satellite. Studies at eleven locations in the continental United States were directed at an evaluation of rain attenuation effects, scintillations, depolarization, site diversity, coherence bandwidth, and analog and digital communications techniques. In addition to direct measurements on the 20 and 30 GHz links, methods of attenuation prediction with radars, rain gages, and radiometers were developed and compared with the directly measured attenuation. Initial data results of the ATS-6 millimeter wave experiment from the major participating organizations are presented.

Ippolito, L. J.↗

Vegetation and soil backscatter over the 4-18 GHz region

Using an FM-CW radar mounted atop a truck-mounted boom, 4-8 GHz backscatter spectral data was gathered during the 1972 growing season at incidence angles of 0-70 deg in 10 deg steps for each of the four linear polarization combinations. The data covers four mature crop types (corn, milo, soybeans and alfalfa) and bare ground taken under a wide range of soil and plant moisture contents. To insure statistical representation of the results, measurements were conducted over 147 fields corresponding to a total of about 50,000 data points. During 1973, a higher frequency version of the above system was used to collect additional data over the 8-18 GHz frequency region. This paper presents a summary of the results and suggests design criteria for future radar remote sensing missions.

Ulaby, F. T.↗