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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 253 records · Page 14

Charge transfer efficiency measurements at low signal levels on STIS/SOHO TK1024 CCD's

Charge transfer efficiency (CTE) test methods are reviewed, and the results and conclusions of the tests are given. The test methods have been utilized to describe the CTE characteristics of the Tektronix 1024 by 1024 CCD to optimize low dark current, low readout noise, and high CTE at low signal levels. CTE modelling is described, and three test methods are set forth and compared. The Fe-55 X-ray response method utilizes the response of a CCD to X-ray photons from the radioactive source Fe-55. The extended pixel edge response method employs the measurement of the charge lost to successive pixels by a known initial signal as it is shifted through the array. The charge injection method consists of charge injection through the output amplifier reset transistor. These measurements were performed on several devices with known CTEs. The CTEs are found to be in agreement for the three methods, making application and test requirements the principal criteria for their use.

Orbock, J. D.↗

Pulsed response of a traveling-wave tube

The consequence of frequency-domain multiple access (FDMA) channelization in a satellite communications system is that the ground- and space-based components are often required to operate at reduced output power to prevent the generation of distortions. However, the components of a time-division multiple access (TDMA) satellite system, such as a traveling-wave tube (TWT), can operate at the highest output power because the channelization technique is relatively insensitive to the distortions resulting from saturated operation. A Hughes 30-GHz TWT was tested to determine the suitability of such a device in a TDMA system. Testing was focused on the ability of the TWT to rise up to full power at the leading edge of TDMA bursts, which were simulated by a pulse train. A Wavetek model 8502A peak power meter was used to display and measure the pulsed signal waveform. Measurements of the TWT output signal rise time indicate that the TWT lengthened the rise time by 10 to 20 nsec. Imposing a modulator turn-on time that precedes the data burst by the TWT rise time is a logical approach to coordinating the traveling-wave tube amplifier and modulator specifications.

May, Brian D.↗

Absolute Doppler shift calibration of laser induced fluorescence signals using optogalvanic measurements in a hollow cathode lamp

The paper investigates the use of optogalvanic (OG) measurements on the neutral 3P1 and 3P2 levels of argon in a hollow cathode lamp for the purpose of calibrating Doppler shifts of laser-induced fluorescence signals from an arcjet plume. It is shown that, even with non-Doppler-free OG detection, accuracy to better than 10 MHz is possible but that, depending on the experiment geometry, corrections of 10-35 MHz may be necessary to offset small axial drift velocities of neutral atoms in the hollow cathode lamp.

Ruyten, Wilhelmus M.↗

Comparison of Continuous Wave CO2 Doppler Lidar Calibration using Earth Surface Targets in Laboratory and Airborne Measurements

Earth's surface signal was measured using a continuous wave 9.1 micron lidar over varying Californian terrain during a 1995 NASA airborne mission. These measurements were compared with laboratory backscatter measurements of various Earth surfaces giving good agreement, suggesting that the lidar efficiency can be estimated fairly well using Earth's surface signal.

Jarzembski, Maurice A.↗

Satellite and terrestrial narrow-band propagation measurements at 2.05 GHz

A series of satellite and terrestrial propagation measurements were conducted on 15 and 16 Dec. 1994 in the vicinity of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, California, in support of the VOA/JPL DBS-Radio Program. The reason for including terrestrial measurements was the possible use of terrestrial boosters to improve reception in some satellite digital audio broadcasting system service areas. The signal sources used were the NASA TDRS satellite located at 171 degrees West and a terrestrial transmitter located on a high point on JPL property. Both signals were unmodulated carriers near 2.05 GHz, spaced a few kHz apart so that both could be received simultaneously by a single receiver. An unmodulated signal was used in order to maximize the dynamic range of the signal strength measurement. A range of greater than 35 dB was achieved with the satellite signal, and over 50 dB was achieved with the terrestrial signal measurements. Three test courses were used to conduct the measurements: (1) a 33 km round trip drive from JPL through Pasadena was used to remeasure the propagation of the satellite signal over the path previously used in DBS-Radio experiments in mid 1994. A shortened portion of this test course, approximately 20 km, was used to measure the satellite and terrestrial signals simultaneously; (2) a 9 km round trip drive through JPL property, going behind buildings and other obstacles, was used to measure the satellite and terrestrial signals simultaneously; and (3) a path through one of the buildings at JPL, hand carrying the receiver, was also used to measure the satellite and terrestrial signals simultaneously.

Vaisnys, Arv↗

The Analysis of Turbulent Flow by Hot Wire Signals

When measuring velocities in turbulent gas flow, approximation signal analysis with hot wire anemometers having one and two wire probes are used. A numeric test of standard analyses shows the resulting systemmatic error increases quickly with increasing turbulent intensity. Since it also depends on the turbulence structure, it cannot be corrected. The use of such probes is thus restricted to low turbulence. By means of three wire probes (in two dimensional flows with X wire probes) in principle, instantaneous values of velocity can be determined, and an asymmetric arrangement of wires has a theoretical advantage.

Bartenwerfer, M.↗

Improved Coal-Thickness Measurement

Summed signals and dielectric-filled antenna improve measurement. Improved FM radar for measuring thickness of coal seam eliminates spectrum splitting and reduces magnitude of echo from front coal surface.

Barr, T. A.↗

Measurements of small signal absorption at high temperature for the 001-100 band of CO2

In the experiments an absorption cell was irradiated by a polarized CW CO2-N2-He laser. By changing the length of the laser cavity, it was possible to obtain stable oscillations on the five lines P12 through P20 in the 10.4-micron band. The power output was slightly under 10 W. Intensity measurements of the incident and the transmitted beam were conducted when the cell was filled with a nonabsorbing calibrating gas (nitrogen) and with the test gas (carbon dioxide). Data for the absorption coefficient in the temperature range from 300 K to about 600 K are presented in graphs.

Leonard, R. L.↗

Measurement And Simulation of Signal Fluctuations Caused By Propagation Through Trees

We present measured fluctuations of UHF, L-band, and C-band signals that were transmitted from the ground through a forest canopy to an airborne radar. By use of a transmitter in the open, we are able to derive both magnitude and phase fluctuations. We then propose a simple Monte Carlo simulation for amplitude and phase fluctuations cased by propagation of a signal through a forest canopy. The measured RMS magnitude and phase fluctuations are similar to those predicted by the Monte Carlo simulation.

Signal↗

Analysis of DE-1 PWI electric field data

The measurement of low frequency electric field oscillations may be accomplished with the Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) on DE 1. Oscillations at a frequency around 1 Hz are below the range of the conventional plasma wave receivers, but they can be detected by using a special processing of the quasi-static electric field data. With this processing it is also possible to determine if the electric field oscillations are predominately parallel or perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The quasi-static electric field in the DE 1 spin/orbit plane is measured with a long-wire 'double probe'. This antenna is perpendicular to the satellite spin axis, which in turn is approximately perpendicular to the geomagnetic field in the polar magnetosphere. The electric field data are digitally sampled at a frequency of 16 Hz. The measured electric field signal, which has had phase reversals introduced by the rotating antenna, is multiplied by the sine of the rotation angle between the antenna and the magnetic field. This is called the 'perpendicular' signal. The measured time series is also multiplied with the cosine of the angle to produce a separate 'parallel' signal. These two separate time series are then processed to determine the frequency power spectrum.

Weimer, Daniel↗

Mechanics aspects of NDE by sound and ultrasound

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is considered as a means to detect the energy release mechanism of defects and the interaction of microstructures within materials with sound waves and/or ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic inspection involves the frequency range 20 kHz-1 GHz with amplitudes depending on the sensitivity of the test instrumentation. Pulse echo systems are most frequently used in NDE. Information is extracted from the signals through measurements of the signal velocity, attenuation, the acoustic emission when stress is applied, and calculation of the acoustoelastic coefficients. Fracture properties, tensile and shear strengths, the interlaminar shear strength, the cohesive strength, yield and impact strengths, the hardness, and the residual stress can be assayed by ultrasonic methods. Finally, attention is given to analytical treatment of the derived data, with mention given to transition matrix, integral equation, and eigenstrain approaches.

Fu, L. S.↗

Loss-compensation of intensity-modulating fiber-optic sensors

This report describes a new type of intensity-modulating fiber-optic sensor which has high immunity to the effects of variations in the losses of the fiber-link. A variable-splitting-ratio transducer is used to differentially modulate the intensities of the light which it transmits and reflects. Using a four-fiber optical link, light is impinged onto the transducer from either direction, and, in each case, the transmitted and reflected signals are measured. These four signals are then processed to remove the effects of the fiber and connector losses. Loss-compensated sensors of angular position and displacement are described, and their outputs are shown to be highly stable despite considerable variations in the transmissivities of the fiber-link components.

Beheim, G.↗

Loss-compensation of intensity-modulating fiber-optic sensors

This report describes a new type of intensity-modulating fiber-optic sensor which as high immunity to the effects of variations in the losses of the fiber-link. A variable-splitting-ratio transducer is used to differentially modulate the intensities of the light which it transmits and reflects. Using a four-fiber optical link, light is impinged onto the transducer from either direction, and, in each case, the transmitted and reflected signals are measured. These four signals are then processed to remove the effects of the fiber and connector losses. Loss-compensated sensors of angular position and displacement are described, and their outputs are shown to be highly stable despite considerable variations in the transmissivities of the fiber-link components.

Beheim, Glenn↗

Frequency domain laser velocimeter signal processor

A laser velocimeter signal processor for measuring the signal frequency within a signal burst. The input signal is converted to digital by an ADC 16 and then shifted into shift registers 30 and 31. An automatic gain circuit 15 controls the gain of the input signal. A signal integration circuit 32 determines when a signal burst has been captured by the shift registers and then transfers the contents of the registers to data latches 33 and 34. The data in data latches 33 and 34 is processed by digital bandpass filters 57-63, square law detectors 64-70, burst counters 71-77 and signal processor 78 to determine the frequency of the signal within the captured signal burst.

James F Meyers↗