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At least 37 records · Page 2

Comparison of reflectivity and wind profiles measured on 46.8 MHz and 430 MHz at the Arecibo Observatory

Comparisons of troposphere and stratosphere radar experiments at ultrahigh frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) were done at the Arecibo Observatory in April 1980 with the 430 MHz and 46.8 MHz radar. The velocity profiles measured on both frequencies with the Doppler beam swinging mode were compared. In general, the velocity profiles were equivalent. The VHF profile, however, shows more fluctuations with height than the UHF profile, although the latter was recorded with 150 m resolution instead of 300 m resolution on VHF.

Rottger, J.↗

High-Efficiency Klystron For Television Transmitters

Improved klystron designed for use as final amplifier in ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) television transmitter. New device incorporates multistage depressed collector (MSDC) of advanced design to increase efficiency by recovering, from spent electron beam, some of residual kinetic energy otherwise dissipated as heat. Concept applied to increase efficiencies of microwave communication, equipment, radar systems, and particle-beam accelerators.

Ramins, Peter↗

Winds and turbulence above San Nicolas Island during FIRE

Winds and turbulence above San Nicolas Island (SNI) were continuously monitored during the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) with a Doppler sodar (1600 Hz) and an ultrahigh frequencies (UHF) (400 MHz) wind profiler. Individual profiles were logged from 1 through 19 July 1987 at 30 sec to 2 min intervals; preliminary processing of hourly averaged winds from 100 to 2300 m is complete. These wind profiles have been combined with intermittent radiosonde profiles to construct time-height sections of parameters such as the Richardson Number. Analysis now in progress includes interpretation of the sodar (C 2/T) and profiler (C 2/N, C 2/q) reflectivity profiles. These profiles are being combined with radiometric and ceilometer data for investigations of vertical transport and cloud base/top entrainment processes. Finally, by using the SNI data in conjunction with soundings made from the research vessel Pt. Sur, the relationship between changes in the SNI winds and mesoscale and synoptic-scale weather features is being investigated.

White, Allen B.↗

Space Station UCS antenna pattern computation and measurement

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interference to the Space Station Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) Communication Subsystem (UCS) antenna radiation pattern due to its environment - Space Station. A hybrid Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) technique was applied in this study. The antenna was modeled using the Method of Moments (MOM) and the radiation patterns were computed using the Uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) in which the effects of the reflected and diffracted fields from surfaces, edges, and vertices of the Space Station structures were included. In order to validate the CEM techniques, and to provide confidence in the computer-generated results, a comparison with experimental measurements was made for a 1/15 scale Space Station mockup. Based on the results accomplished, good agreement on experimental and computed results was obtained. The computed results using the CEM techniques for the Space Station UCS antenna pattern predictions have been validated.

Hwu, Shian U.↗

Temperature-Compensated Sapphire Microwave Resonator

Sapphire-dielectric-ring microwave resonator operating in "whispering-gallery" electromagnetic mode features differential-thermal-expansion design providing temperature compensation for ultrahigh frequency stability. Designed to minimize frequency fluctuations caused by temperature fluctuations at normal temperature equal to or even somewhat greater than temperature of liquid nitrogen. Ancillary equipment needed for operation smaller and less expensive, and liquid nitrogen used as coolant.

Dick, G. John↗

Operational Performance of Sensor Systems Used to Determine Atmospheric Boundary Layer Properties as Part of the NASA Aircraft Vortex Spacing System Project

There has been a renewed interest in the application of remote sensor technology to operational aviation and airport-related activities such as Aircraft Vortex Spacing System (AVOSS). Radio Acoustic Sounding Systems (RASS), Doppler-acoustic sodars, Ultrahigh Frequencies (UHF) profilers and lidars have many advantages in measuring wind and temperature profiles in the lower atmospheric boundary layer since they can operate more or less continuously and unattended; however, there are limitations in their operational use at airports. For example, profilers deteriorate (limited altitude coverage or missing) in moderate or greater rain and can be affected by airplane targets in their field of view. Sodars can handle precipitation better but are affected by the high noise environments of airports and strong winds. Morning temperature inversions typically limit performance of RASS, sodars and profilers. Fog affects sonic anemometers. Lidars can have difficulties in clouds, fog or heavy precipitation. Despite their limitations these sensors have proven useful to provide wind and temperature profiles for AVOSS. Capabilities and limitations of these and other sensors used in the AVOSS program are discussed, parameter settings for the sensor systems are documented, and recommendations are made for the most cost-effective group of sensors for the future. The potential use of specially tuned dynamic forecast models and measurements from landing and departing aircraft are addressed.

Zak, J. Allen↗

STS-100 Crew Activity Report: Flight Day 4 Highlights

On this fourth day of the STS-100 mission, Mission Specialists Chris Hadfield and Scott Parazynski are seen performing their spacewalks, where they work on the electrical connections between the Destiny Laboratory and the Canadian Robotic Arm, remove the ultrahigh frequency antenna from the pallet and install it onto Destiny, and raise the Robotic Arm to prepare it for deployment. The fully deployed Robotic Arm is seen against a backdrop of Earth.

Source record↗

Television Transmission Technology

The VKP-7990 Multistage Depressed Collector (MDC) Klystron is a result of cooperative development by Varian Associates, Inc., the National Association of Broadcasters, Lewis Research Center, the Public Broadcasting System and TV transmitter manufacturers. The effort was initiated to make power amplifying devices with efficiencies comparable to VHF available to UHF operators. The klystron is a vacuum tube used to generate and amplify ultrahigh frequencies but at low efficiencies because most of the energy is dissipated as waste heat. Lewis had earlier developed the MDC to enhance the efficiency of communications satellite transmissions. Varian Microwave Power Tube Products, which has since become Communications and Power Industries, and Lewis combined the MDC and the klystron, resulting in a product which increases efficiency by recovering some of the residual energy that normally would be lost as heat. The MDC klystron cuts the electric power consumption of UHF-TV transmitters in half; there are 90 units in operation in 36 UHF-TV stations.

Source record↗

Technology for Television

A project being conducted by Varian Associates, Inc. and Lewis Research Center would allow a Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) TV station to save 50% of its electricity cost. Because UHF stations need substantially more transmitter power, an amplifying device was needed. In the early 1970's Dr. Henry Kosmahl of Lewis had developed a radiowave amplifier to improve satellite transmission. He later worked with modifying klystron transmitters, electronic vacuum tubes used to generate and amplify UHF frequencies. If Dr. Kosmahl's multistage depressed collector or MDC can be incorporated into the klystron, the magnetic field shapes of electron beams can be changed to aid the energy recovery function of the MDC.

Source record↗

Relay Sequence Generation Software

Due to thermal and electromagnetic interactivity between the UHF (ultrahigh frequency) radio onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which performs relay sessions with the Martian landers, and the remainder of the MRO payloads, it is required to integrate and de-conflict relay sessions with the MRO science plan. The MRO relay SASF/PTF (spacecraft activity sequence file/ payload target file) generation software facilitates this process by generating a PTF that is needed to integrate the periods of time during which MRO supports relay activities with the rest of the MRO science plans. The software also generates the needed command products that initiate the relay sessions, some features of which are provided by the lander team, some are managed by MRO internally, and some being derived.

Gladden, Roy E.↗

Special Semaphore Scheme for UHF Spacecraft Communications

A semaphore scheme has been devised to satisfy a requirement to enable ultrahigh- frequency (UHF) radio communication between a spacecraft descending from orbit to a landing on Mars and a spacecraft, in orbit about Mars, that relays communications between Earth and the lander spacecraft. There are also two subsidiary requirements: (1) to use UHF transceivers, built and qualified for operation aboard the spacecraft that operate with residual-carrier binary phase-shift-keying (BPSK) modulation at a selectable data rate of 8, 32, 128, or 256 kb/s; and (2) to enable low-rate signaling even when received signals become so weak as to prevent communication at the minimum BPSK rate of 8 kHz. The scheme involves exploitation of Manchester encoding, which is used in conjunction with residual-carrier modulation to aid the carrier-tracking loop. By choosing various sequences of 1s, 0s, or 1s alternating with 0s to be fed to the residual-carrier modulator, one would cause the modulator to generate sidebands at a fundamental frequency of 4 or 8 kHz and harmonics thereof. These sidebands would constitute the desired semaphores. In reception, the semaphores would be detected by a software demodulator.

Butman, Stanley↗

The Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna (LISA-T) Big Power for Small Spacecraft

NASA is developing a space power system using lightweight, flexible photovoltaic devices originally developed for use here on Earth to provide low cost power for spacecraft. The Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna (LISA-T) is a launch stowed, orbit deployed array on which thin-film photovoltaic and antenna elements are embedded. The LISA-T system is deployable, building upon NASA's expertise in developing thin-film deployable solar sails such the one being developed for the Near Earth Asteroid Scout project which will fly in 2018. One of the biggest challenges for the NEA Scout, and most other spacecraft, is power. There simply isn't enough of it available, thus limiting the range of operation of the spacecraft from the Sun (due to the small surface area available for using solar cells), the range of operation from the Earth (low available power with inherently small antenna sizes tightly constrain the bandwidth for communication), and the science (you can only power so many instruments with limited power). The LISA-T has the potential to mitigate each of these limitations, especially for small spacecraft. Inherently, small satellites are limited in surface area, volume, and mass allocation; driving competition between their need for power and robust communications with the requirements of the science or engineering payload they are developed to fly. LISA-T is addressing this issue, deploying large-area arrays from a reduced volume and mass envelope - greatly enhancing power generation and communications capabilities of small spacecraft and CubeSats. The problem is that these CubeSats can usually only generate between 7W and 50W of power. The power that can be generated by the LISA-T ranges from tens of watts to several hundred watts, at a much higher mass and stowage efficiency. A matrix of options are in development, including planar (pointed) and omnidirectional (non-pointed) arrays. The former is seeking the highest performance possible while the latter is seeking GN&C simplicity. Options for leveraging both high performance, 'typical cost' triple junction thin-film solar cells as well as moderate performance, low cost cells are being developed. Alongside, UHF (ultrahigh frequency), S-band, and X-band antennas are being integrated into the array to move their space claim away from the spacecraft and open the door for more capable multi-element antenna designs such as those needed for spherical coverage and electronically steered phase arrays.

Space Exploration↗

Experiment Do14: Ultrahigh and very high frequency polarization

The measurement of inhomogeneities in the electron content along the orbital paths of Gemini 8 and Gemini 9 missions was not accomplished because the tracking information was not available. The use of ultrahigh frequency radio transmission was the primary factor in the successful removal of a very high frequency Faraday rotation ambiguity; but, as was expected, this was not very useful for fine-scale polarization studies. Ionosonde data were useful in the computation of the slab thickness at the closest point of approach of the spacecraft.

Ellis, R. E.↗

Ultra-High-Frequency Capacitive Displacement Sensor

Improved class of compact, high-resolution capacitive displacement sensors operates at excitation frequency of 915 MHz and measures about 7.5 by 4 by 2 centimeters. Contains commercially available 915-MHz oscillator and transmission-line resonator. Resonator contains stripline inductor in addition to variable capacitor. Ultrahigh excitation frequency offers advantages of resolution and frequency response. Not deleteriously affected by mechanical overdriving, or contact between electrodes.

Vanzandt, Thomas R.↗

Tunable diode laser heterodyne spectrometer for remote observations near 8 microns

Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy is a passive technique employing coherent optical detection for the study of spectral features in remote sources. It employs optical components such as mirrors and lenses normally associated with incoherent optics, but because of it's coherent nature, it offers the advantages of ultrahigh spectral resolving power, high frequency precision, and diffraction limited field-of-view. Attention is given to the development of an ultrahigh resolution diode laser heterodyne spectrometer for observational and laboratory use. The instrument is designed for operation in the spectral range from 7.5 to 8.5 microns. A PbSe tuneable diode laser (TDL) is employed as local oscillator. A closed-cycle cooler is employed to keep the oscillator at operating temperatures in the range from 12 to 60 K. Attention is given to factors determining the TDL heterodyne sensitivity, the spectrometer design, and a survey of 8 micron observations, SiO could be detected in the sunspot spectrum.

Glenar, D. A.↗

Vacuum thermal-mechanical fatigue behavior of two iron-base alloys

The present study extends the concept of in-phase grain boundary ratcheting to two iron-base alloys (Type 304 stainless steel and A286 alloy) and provides a clearer interpretation of out-of-phase grain boundary ratcheting effects observed in the A286 alloy which does not exhibit geometric instability. Elevated-temperature low-cycle thermal-mechanical fatigue tests in an ion-pumped ultrahigh vacuum chamber revealed significant effects of frequency and combined temperature-strain cycling on fatigue life. In-phase thermal cycling (tension at high temperature and compression at low temperature) caused large life reductions in both materials due to grain boundary cavitation caused by unreversed grain boundary sliding (grain boundary ratcheting). Out-of-phase thermal cycling (tension at low temperature and compression at high temperature) also caused large cyclic life reductions in both materials. In the A286 alloy, out-of-phase life reductions are attributed to compressive ratcheting.

Sheffler, K. D.↗