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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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NASA NTRS1987

The spaceborne imaging radar experiments

The Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR), a multifrequency multipolarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with variable image geometry, is being developed, as part of the Space Station's Earth Observing System (Eos), for the launching of the SIR-C and SIR-D planned for the early 1990's. This SAR will operate in L-band, C-band and X-band, with quadpolarization available for the L-band and C-band. Multiincidence data will be acquired using electronic beam steering and other imaging geometries by mechanically pitching, yawing, and rolling the antenna. The present SIR-C design includes a bandwidth of 20 MHz, to provide better resolution than that available on SIR-B with four looks, and a 10-MHz bandwidth for a low resolution mode which will increase the swath for a given available data rate.

Cimino, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Modeling the interactions between the ocean and the environment for microwave radar sensing

An extensive set of X-band microwave backscatter measurements has been analyzed to determine its dependence on winds near the surface, atmospheric stability, and long-wave slopes. These radar measurements, made from a tower in the Gulf of Mexico, were performed in conjunction with an extensive set of simultaneous environmental measurements. The CW microwave system operated at an incidence angle of 45 deg, with antennas directed into winds and waves. Model functions for the radar cross section (RCS) and the modulation transfer function (MTF) are developed that depend on the geophysical variables, including wind stress. Statistical analysis shows that these models functions yield a significant smaller error when fit to the RCS data than a simple wind-speed function displays. A Taylor-series expansion of the returned power from a small area provides a unified function that demonstrates the complementary roles of wave slope and atmospheric fluctuations on both the RCS, the MTF, and the coherence. The issue of linearity of the MTF is addressed with this data set, yielding evidence that this is a valid assumption. These results have direct application to the remote sensing of the mean and fluctuating winds, and the wave spectrum with coherent and incoherent active radars.

Weissman, David E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The Earth Observing System (EOS) synthetic aperture radar (SAR)

The evolution of the Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR) has led to a multipolarization, multifrequency SAR with variable imaging geometry which will be ready for flight on the Space Station Earth Observing System (EOS). Nominally, this SAR will be a three-frequency (L-, C-, and X-band) system with quad polarization available for the L and C bands. It will be capable of acquiring multiincidence-angle data using electronic beam steering, and other imaging geometries by mechanically pitching, yawing, and rolling the antenna. The capabilities of the EOS SAR, particularly acquisition of cross-polarized and high-incidence-angle data, depend on the altitude of the platform on which the SAR flies and improve significantly at lower altitudes. The EOS SAR will provide a unique new data set and will play a key role in understanding the earth's global processes, alone and synergistically with other EOS instruments.

Cimino, Jobea↗
NASA NTRS1987

Evaluation and comparison of dominant backscattering sources at 10 GHz in two treatments of tall-grass prairie

A very-fine-range resolution Frequency Modulated-Continuous Wave radar, operating at X-band, was used to evaluate the primary backscattering contributors to the radar signal from a tall-grass prairie. Defoliation was used to help measure relative backscatter from various components of the canopy with both linear polarizations and at 30 deg and 50 deg incidence angles. Variation of the average returned power with incidence angle was greatest for the natural prairie at horizontal polarization and was the least for vertical polarization. Vertical polarization seemed to be more sensitive to the upper portions of the plants, whereas horizontal polarization was to the lower portions. Attenuation for horizontal polarization was only half that for vertical polarization. Dielectric measurements of the grass and some of the canopy components were conducted as well.

Zoughi, Reza↗
NASA NTRS1987

Measurement and analysis of cryogenic sapphire dielectric resonators and DROs

Presented are the experimental and computational results of a study on a new kind of dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO). It consists of a cooled, cylindrically symmetric sapphire resonator surrounded by a metallic shield and is capable of higher Q's than any other dielectric resonator. Isolation of fields to the sapphire by the special nature of the electromagnetic mode allows the very low loss of the sapphire itself to be expressed. Calculations show that the plethora of modes in such resonators can be effectively reduced through the use of a ring resonator with appropriate dimensions. Experimental results show Q's ranging from 3 x 10 to the 8th at 77 K to 10 to the 9th at 4.2 K. Performance is estimated for several types of DROs incorporating these resonators. Phase noise reductions in X-band sources are indicated at values substantially lower than those previously available.

Dick, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

DSS 14 antenna calibrations for GSSR/VLA Saturn radar experiments

The DSS 14 pointing and gain were calibrated to support X-band bistatic radar observations of Saturn's rings. The observations used the Goldstone Solar System Radar and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Very Large Array (VLA) in Socorro, New Mexico. The pointing calibrations were based on conscan offset data collected during Voyager 1 and 2 support passes. The conscan data show angle-of-arrival sensing with no bias and 0.3 mdeg 1-sigma error. Using the calibrations, demonstrated blind pointing performance on Saturn was less than 3 mdeg 1-sigma error. Meteorological observations at the site were used to reduce elevation errors caused by atmospheric refraction. The techniques used corrected about one-third of the error-poorer than expected performance.

Guiar, C. N.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The atmosphere of Uranus - Results of radio occultation measurements with Voyager 2

The Uranian atmosphere is investigated on the basis of S-band and X-band occultation observations (including measurements of Doppler frequency perturbations) obtained during the Voyager 2 encounter with Uranus in January 1986. The data are presented in extensive tables and graphs and characterized in detail. The atmosphere is assumed to have an H2/He abundance ratio of about 85/15, but also to contain small amounts of CH4 at above-cloud relative humidity 30 percent, cloud-base relative humidity 78 percent, and below-cloud mixing ratio 2.3 percent by number density. Other parameters estimated include magnetic-field rotation period 17.24 h, 1-bar equatorial radius 25,559 + or - 4 km, polar radius 24,973 + or - 20 km, equatorial acceleration of gravity 8.69 + or - 0.01 m/sec sq, and atmospheric temperature 76 + or - 2 K (assuming 85 + or - 3 percent H2).

Lindal, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A comparison of airborne GEMS/SAR with satellite-borne Seasat/SAR radar imagery - The value of archived multiple data sets

In a study concerning the value of using radar imagery from systems with diverse parameters, X-band images of the Northern Louisiana Salt dome area generated by the airborne Goodyear electronic mapping system (GEMS) are analyzed in conjunction with imagery generated by the satelliteborne Seasat/SAR. The GEMS operated with an incidence angle of 75 to 85 deg and a resolution of 12 m, whereas the Seasat/SAR operated with an incidence angle of 23 deg and a resolution of 25 m. It is found that otherwise unattainable data on land management activities, improved delineation of the drainage net, better definition of surface roughness in cleared areas, and swamp identification, became accessible when adjustments for the time lapse between the two missions were made and supporting ground data concerning the physical and vegetative characteristics of the terrain were acquired.

Hanson, Bradford C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Airborne Doppler radar detection of low altitude windshear

NASA and the FAA, as part of a joint research effort aimed at the development of airborne sensor technology for low altitude windshear detection during aircraft takeoffs and landings, are giving attention to the potential usefulness of a microwave Doppler radar operating at X-band or above. A preliminary feasibility study was conducted with a microburst/clutter/radar simulation program. It is found that, using bin-to-bin automatic gain control, clutter filtering, limited detection range, and suitable antenna tilt, the windshear generated from a high-moisture microburst can be detected with 10-65 sec of warning time.

Bracalente, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An 8.4-GHz cryogenically cooled HEMT amplifier for DSS 13

A prototype 8.4 GHz (X-band) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) amplifier/closed cycle refrigerator system was installed in the Deep Space Station 13 feedcone in August 1987. The amplifier is cryogenically cooled to a physical temperature of 12 K and provides 31 K antenna noise temperature (zenith) and 35 dB of gain at a frequency of 8.2 to 8.6 GHz. Antenna system noise temperature is less than 50 K from 7.2 to 9.4 MHz. The low noise HEMT amplifier system is intended for use as a radio astronomy or space communications receiver front end.

Tanida, L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effect of curvature on the backscattering from leaves

Using a model previously developed for the backscattering cross section of a planar leaf at X-band frequencies and above, the effect of leaf curvature is examined. For normal incidence on a rectangular section of a leaf curved in one and two dimensions, an integral expression for the backscattered field is evaluated numerically and by a stationary phase approximation, leading to a simple analytical expression for the cross section reduction produced by the curvature. Numerical results based on the two methods are virtually identical, and in excellent agreement with measured data for rectangular sections of coleus leaves applied to the surfaces of styrofoam cylinders and spheres of different radii.

Sarabandi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Intercomparison of synthetic- and real-aperture radar observations of Arctic sea ice during winter MIZEX '87

Active microwave measurements were made of various sea ice forms in March and April 1987 during the Marginal Ice Zone Experiment, at 1, 5, 10, 18, and 35 GHz using a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and helicopter and ship-based scatterometers. The X-band (9.8 GHz) SAR data were compared to the scatterometer data and it was determined that for 5 GHz and higher frequencies both the SAR and scatterometers can differentiate open water, new ice (5 to 30 cm), first-year ice with rubble (0.60 -1.5 m), and multiyear ice. The analysis further confirmed that the C-band (5 GHz) SAR's flying on ESA ERS-1 and Radarsat will differentiate the mentioned ice types.

Schuchmann, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Overview of the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-C)

The Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) experiment will provide increased capability over Seasat and the two previous Shuttle Imaging Radars by acquiring digital images simultaneously at two microwave frequencies (L- and C-band) with multiple signal polarizations (HH, VV, HV, VH). The SIR-C is a dual bandwidth system so that investigators can choose a high or low resolution mode (20 and 10 MHz, respectively). An X-band SAR with VV polarization will be flown with SIR-C, resulting in a three-frequency capability. The SIR-C prototype data will be acquired using an airborne imaging radar to test designs that will be implemented on SIR-C, to develop the overall calibration strategy for SIR-C, and to develop data analysis tools for SIR-C data.

Evans, D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transmitter data collection using Ada

A data collection system installed on the 400 kilowatt X-band transmitter of the Goldstone Solar System Radar is described. The data collection system is built around the off-the-shelf IEEE 488 instrumentation, linked with fiber optics, controlled by an inexpensive computer, and uses software written in the Ada language. The speed and accuracy of the system is discussed, along with programming techniques used for both data collection and reduction.

Conroy, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Hazard index calculation for 31 May 1984 microburst at Erie, Colorado

Two x-band Doppler radars, operated by NOAA, were used to collect high resolution data within a small, benign looking microburst during the PHOENIX II boundary layer experiment. The lowest 2.5 km of the microbursts was observed throughout its development and dissipation over a 15 minute period. These observations presented an excellent opportunity to compute a quantitative threat to a hypothetical aircraft whose flight track would carry it through the microburst. The hazard index is based on the kinetic energy loss to the aircraft that would be produced by the microburst; it is a function of the vertical air motion, horizontal spatial derivatives of the wind field, and the assumed aircraft air speed and direction. Indices were computed and plotted for all 8 volume scans and peak values were observed to be sufficiently high to present a significant hazard to an aircraft.

Kropfli, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effect of curvature on the backscattering from a leaf

Using a model previously developed for the backscattering cross section of a planar leaf at X-band frequencies and above, the effect of leaf curvature is examined. For normal incidence on a rectangular section of a leaf curved in one and two dimensions, an integral expression for the backscattered field is evaluated numerically and by a stationary phase approximation, leading to a simple analytical expression for the cross-section reduction produced by the curvature. Numerical results based on the two methods are virtually identical, and in excellent agreement with measured data for rectangular sections of coleus leaves applied to the surfaces of styrofoam cylinders and spheres of different radii.

Sarabandi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A digital calibration method for synthetic aperture radar systems

A basic method to calibrate imagery from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems is presented. SAR images are calibrated by monitoring all the terms of the radar equation. This procedure includes the use of both external (calibrated reference reflectors) and internal (system-generated calibration signals) sources to monitor the total SAR system transfer function. To illustrate the implementation of the procedure, two calibrated SAR images (X-band, 3.2-cm wavelength) are presented, along with the radar cross-section measurements of specific scenes within each image. The sources of error within the SAR image calibration procedure are identified.

Larson, Richard W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Compound-taper feed horn for NASA 70-m antennas

A novel X-band feedhorn was designed for the Deep Space Network (DSN) 70-meter antennas. The feedhorn is a compound-taper structure consisting of a corrugated flared section and a corrugated straight section. This feedhorn is designed to closely imitate the characteristics of the standard feedhorn, while providing the proper phase center location, without adding any significant loss to the system. The use of the existing feedhorn and the ease of manufacturing the corrugated straight section have resulted in major overall cost savings.

Manshadi, Farzin↗