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At least 307 records · Page 17

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.↗

Test plan and preliminary report of airborne electromagentic environment survey over USA urban areas 0.4 to 18.0 GHz

An airborne electromagnetic environment survey is described of five urban areas where terrestrially-generated radio-frequency interference was measured over the frequency range from 0.4 to 18.0 GHz. A chartered Cessna 402 aircraft contained necessary measurement test equipment, including the receiving antennas mounted beneath the fuselage. Urban areas including Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Chicago, ILL; and Palestine, TX were surveyed. A flight test plan and preliminary test results for the 0.4 to 1.4 GHz frequency range, are included; a final test report describes more detailed results.

Taylor, R. E.↗

A 0.4 to 10 GHz airborne electromagnetic environment survey of USA urban areas

An airborne electromagnetic-environment survey of some U.S. metropolitan areas measured terrestrial emissions within the broad frequency spectrum from 0.4 to 10 GHz. A Cessna 402 commercial aircraft was fitted with both nadir-viewing and horizon-viewing antennas and instrumentation, including a spectrum analyzer, a 35 mm continuous film camera, and a magnetic tape recorder. Most of the flights were made at a nominal altitude of 10,000 feet, and Washington, D. C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago were surveyed. The 450 to 470 MHz land-mobile UHF band is especially crowded, and the 400 to 406 MHz space bands are less active. This paper discusses test measurements obtained up to 10 GHz. Sample spectrum analyzer photograhs were selected from a total of 5,750 frames representing 38 hours of data.

Taylor, R. E.↗

Forty and 80 GHz technology assessment and forecast including executive summary

The results of a survey to determine current demand and to forecast growth in demand for use of the 40 and 80 GHz bands during the 1980-2000 time period are given. The current state-of-the-art is presented, as well as the technology requirements of current and projected services. Potential developments were identified, and a forecast is made. The impacts of atmospheric attenuation in the 40 and 80 GHz bands were estimated for both with and without diversity. Three services for the 1980-2000 time period -- interactive television, high quality three stereo pair audio, and 30 MB data -- are given with system requirements and up and down-link calculations.

Mazur, D. G.↗

ATS-6 - Millimeter Wave Propagation and Communications Experiments at 20 and 30 GHz

The Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6) Millimeter Wave Experiment, developed and implemented by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, has 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 gauges, and radiometers were developed and compared with the directly measured attenuation. This paper presents a review of the major results of the first year of measurements with ATS-6, with emphasis on the impact of the measurements on millimeter wave space systems design.

Ippolito, L. J.↗

The GSFC 20 and 30 GHz millimeter wave propagation experiment

The preliminary results of the Goddard Space Flight Center Millimeter Wave Experiment, flown aboard ATS-6 to investigate the propagation characteristics of earth-space communications links at 20 and 30 GHz, are discussed. The spacecraft transmitters operate through spot beam (2 deg) or continental coverage (6 by 9 deg) antenna systems. The transmitted signals consist of a set of nine tones spaced out to 1440 MHz to allow measurement of wideband attenuation and coherence through precipitation. Initial data on precipitation depolarization and attenuation effects indicate that attenuation effects will exert the stronger influence on the design of frequency re-use communications systems in the 20 GHz region. The use of four ground terminals separated by 30 to 78 km to reduce the effects of rain attenuation has been successful, with improvement approaching the theoretical maximum demonstrated for five events. Preliminary results on the use of on-beam radar measurements for predicting rain attenuation are encouraging.

Ippolito, L. J.↗

Snow backscatter in the 1-8 GHz region

The 1-8 GHz microwave active spectrometer system was used to measure the backscatter response of snow covered ground. The scattering coefficient was measured for all linear polarization combinations at angles of incidence between nadir and 70 deg. Ground truth data consisted of soil moisture, soil temperature profile, snow depth, snow temperature profile, and snow water equivalent. The radar sensitivity to snow water equivalent increased in magnitude with increasing frequency and was almost angle independent for angles of incidence higher than 30 deg, particularly at the higher frequencies. In the 50 deg to 70 deg angular range and in the 6 to 8 GHz frequency range, the sensitivity was typically between -0.4 dB/.1 g/sq cm and -0.5 dB/,1 g/sq cm, and the associated linear correlation coefficient had a magnitude of about 0.8.

Ulaby, F. T.↗

A model of the 1.6 GHz scatterometer

The performance was studied of the 1.6 GHz airborne scatterometer system which is used as one of several Johnson Space Center (JSC) microwave remote sensors to detect moisture content of soil. The system is analyzed with respect to its antenna pattern and coupling, the signal flow in the receiver data channels, and the errors in the signal outputs. The operational principle and the sensitivity of the system, as well as data handling are also described. The finite cross-polarized gains of all four 1.6 GHz scatterometer antennae are found to have profound influence on the cross-polarized backscattered signal returns. If these signals are not analyzed properly, large errors could result in the estimate of the cross-polarized coefficient. It is also found necessary to make corrections to the variations of the aircraft parameters during data reduction in order to minimize the error in the coefficient estimate. Finally, a few recommendations are made to improve the overall performance of the scatterometer system.

Wang, J. R.↗

The solar radius at 35 GHz

The solar radius at 35 GHz has been determined from solar radio maps made with a pencil beam antenna of half-power beam width 2.8 arcmin at the La Posta Astrogeophysical Observatory during 1973 and 1974. The 35 GHz radius was found to be 2.57% plus or minus 0.88% larger than the photospheric radius. The sensitivity of the result to the method of determination is discussed.

Wefer, F. L.↗

Observation of a coronal hole at 85 GHz

A coronal hole was observed at 85 GHz (3.5 mm) on Nov. 24, 1970, when a spectacular coronal hole was observed in soft X-rays. The millimeter counterpart of the hole is much weaker and less widespread than in X-rays. The brightness temperature inside the hole was in most places about 100 to 200 K lower than the mean brightness temperature of the sun at 85 GHz.

Kundu, M. R.↗

Characterization of the CTS 12 and 14 GHz communications links - Preliminary measurements and evaluation

The Communications Link Characterization Experiment is designed to characterize the radio frequency links of the Communications Technology Satellite. The experiment is twofold: (1) it will study the natural characteristics in the CTS frequency bands (14 GHz uplink, and 12 GHz downlink) including attenuation and signal degradation due primarily to absorption and scattering induced by precipitation, and (2) it will perform environmental measurements for the characterization of man-made, earth-based signals which could interfere with the uplink frequency bands of the satellite.

Ippolito, L. J.↗

Parametric amplification and oscillation at 36 GHz using a point-contact Josephson junction

The paper reports observation of doubly degenerate parametric amplification and oscillation at 36 GHz from a single point-contact Josephson junction. The experimental results agree qualitatively with theoretical calculations based on the resistively shunted junction model. The estimated noise temperature of an amplifier with 11 dB net gain is consistent with zero, but has an upper limit of 50 K. Attempts to observe parametric amplification in the singly degenerate mode with a pump frequency of 72 GHz were not successful.

Taur, Y.↗