A space communications study Status report, 15 Dec. 1968 - 15 Mar. 1969
Harmonic distortion in frequency demodulator using feedback, delta modulation, recursive signal processing techniques, and multipath fading
Clarke, K. K.↗
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Fourier analysis computer-aided design of CCD signal processing analog multiplier arrays
The design of MOS multipliers with CAD was studied. In particular the Fourier analysis capability of the CAD program was used to analyze the harmonic distortion rejection, DR, of the multiplier.
Lin, H. C.↗
Three-function signal generator
Variable-frequency circuit develops sine square and triangular waveforms. Three-function generator used variable-rate integrator to generate triangular wave and zero-crossing detector to develop square wave. Sine wave generator uses diode matrix to operate on triangular wave, thus with design harmonic distortion in output is less then one percent. By changing values of outboard resistors and capacitors, same design can be used at higher frequencies.
Kopp, G. F.↗
Effect of steady-state pressure distortion on flow characteristics entering a turbofan engine
Flow angle, static-pressure, and total-pressure distributions were measured in the passage ahead of a turbofan engine operating with inlet pressure distortion. Distortions were generated with five screen configurations and one solid plate configuration. The screens and solid plate were circumferential and mounted on a rotatable assembly. Reynolds Number Index upstream of the distortion device was maintained at 0.5, 0.35, or 0.2, and engine corrected low-rotor speeds were held at 6000 rpm and 8600 rpm. Near the engine inlet, flow angle was largest at the hub and increased as flow approached the engine. The magnitude of static-pressure distortion measured along the inlet-duct and extended bullet nose walls increased exponentially as the flow approached the engine. Wall static-pressure distortion was also a function of distortion harmonic.
Soeder, R. H.↗
Analysis of combustion instability in liquid fuel rocket motors
The development of an analytical technique used in the solution of nonlinear velocity-sensitive combustion instability problems is presented. The Galerkin method was used and proved successful. The pressure wave forms exhibit a strong second harmonic distortion and a variety of behaviors are possible depending on the nature of the combustion process and the parametric values involved. A one dimensional model provides insight into the problem by allowing a comparison of Galerkin solutions with more exact finite difference computations.
Wong, K. W.↗
Analysis of Combustion Instability in Liquid Fuel Rocket Motors
The development of a technique to be used in the solution of nonlinear velocity-sensitive combustion instability problems is described. The orthogonal collocation method was investigated. It found that the results are heavily dependent on the location of the collocation points and characteristics of the equations, so the method was rejected as unreliabile. The Galerkin method, which has proved to be very successful in analysis of the pressure sensitive combustion instability was found to work very well. It was found that the pressure wave forms exhibit a strong second harmonic distortion and a variety of behaviors are possible depending on the nature of the combustion process and the parametric values involved. A one-dimensional model provides further insight into the problem by allowing a comparison of Galerkin solutions with more exact finite-difference computations.
Wong, K. W.↗
An analysis of short pulse and dual frequency radar techniques for measuring ocean wave spectra from satellites
Scanning beam microwave radars were used to measure ocean wave directional spectra from satellites. In principle, surface wave spectral resolution in wave number can be obtained using either short pulse (SP) or dual frequency (DF) techniques; in either case, directional resolution obtains naturally as a consequence of a Bragg-like wave front matching. A four frequency moment characterization of backscatter from the near vertical using physical optics in the high frequency limit was applied to an analysis of the SP and DF measurement techniques. The intrinsic electromagnetic modulation spectrum was to the first order in wave steepness proportional to the large wave directional slope spectrum. Harmonic distortion was small and was a minimum near 10 deg incidence. NonGaussian wave statistics can have an effect comparable to that in the second order of scattering from a normally distributed sea surface. The SP technique is superior to the DF technique in terms of measurement signal to noise ratio and contrast ratio.
Jackson, F. C.↗
Studies of single-mode injection lasers and of quaternary materials. Volume 1: Single-mode constricted double-heterojunction AlGaAs diode lasers
Constricted double-heterojunction (CDH) lasers are presented as the class of single-mode nonplanar-substrate devices for which the lasing cavity is on the least resistive electrical path between the contact and the substrate. Various types of CDH structures are considered under three general topics: liquid-phase epitaxy over channeled substrates, lateral mode control, and current control in nonplanar-substrate devices. Ridge-guide CDH lasers have positive-index lateral-mode confinement and provide: single-mode CW operation to 7 mW/facet at room temperature and to 3 mW/facet at 150 C; light-current characteristics with second-harmonic distortion as low as -57 dB below the fundamental level; threshold-current temperature coefficients, as high as 375 C (pulsed) and 310 C (CW); constant external differential quantum efficiency to 100 C; and lasing operation to 170 C CW and 280 C pulsed. Semileakyguide CDH lasers have an asymmetric leaky cavity for lateral-mode confinement and provide single-mode operation to 15 to 20 mW/facet CW and to 50 mW/facet at 50% duty cycle. Modulation characteristics and preliminary reliability data are discussed.
Botez, D.↗
An analysis of short pulse and dual frequency radar techniques for measuring ocean wave spectra from satellites
A four frequency moment characterization of backscatter from the near-vertical is applied to an analysis of the short pulse and dual frequency microwave techniques. The range reflectivity modulation spectrum closely approximates the directional wave slope spectrum, while harmonic distortion is small and is a minimum near 10 deg incidence. The short pulse measurement signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is typically greater than the narrowband dual frequency SNR, with the difference being the ratio of the range beam extent to pulse length, minus the ratio of beam-limited to pulse-limited Doppler spreads. It is concluded that dual frequency measurements are basically impractical, although short pulse measurements are useful and can employ existing space-qualified microwave hardware.
Jackson, F. C.↗
Constricted double-heterojunction AlGaAs diode lasers - Structures and electrooptical characteristics
Constricted double-heterojunction (CDH) diode lasers are presented as a class of nonplanar-substrate devices for which the lasing cavity is on the least resistive electrical path between the contact and the substrate. Various CDH structures are discussed while treating such topics as liquid-phase epitaxy over channeled substrates, lateral mode control, and current control in nonplanar-substrate devices. Ridge-guide CDH lasers with positive-index lateral mode confinement provides single-mode CW operation to 7 mW/facet at room temperature and to 3 mW/facet at 150 C, while exhibiting light-current characteristics with second-harmonic distortions as low as -57 dB below the fundamental level. Semileaky guide CDH lasers with an asymmetric leaky cavity provide single-mode operation to 15-20 mW/facet CW, and to 50 mW/facet at 50% duty cycle.
Botez, D.↗
Photovoltaic power conditioning subsystem: State of the art and development opportunities
Photovoltaic systems, the state of the art of power conditioning subsystem components, and the design and operational interaction between photovoltaic systems and host utilities are detailed in this document. Major technical issues relating to the design and development of power conditioning systems for photovoltaic application are considered; these include: (1) standards, guidelines, and specifications; (2) cost effective hardware design; (3) impact of advanced components on power conditioning development; (4) protection and safety; (5) quality of power; (6) system efficiency; and (7) system integration with the host utility. Theories of harmonic distortion and reactive power flow are discussed, and information about power conditioner hardware and manufacturers is provided.
Krauthamer, S.↗
Steady-state and dynamic characteristics of a 20-kHz spacecraft power system - Control of harmonic resonance
A detailed computer simulation was used to illustrate the steady-state and dynamic operating characteristics of a 20-kHz resonant spacecraft power system. The simulated system consists of a parallel-connected set of DC-inductor resonant inverters (drivers), a 440-V cable, a node transformer, a 220-V cable, and a transformer-rectifier-filter (TRF) AC-to-DC receiver load. Also included in the system are a 1-kW 0.8-pf RL load and a double-LC filter connected at the receiving end of the 20-kHz AC system. The detailed computer simulation was used to illustrate the normal steady-state operating characteristics and the dynamic system performance following, for example, TRF startup. It is shown that without any filtering the given system exhibits harmonic resonances due to an interaction between the switching of the source and/or load converters and the AC system. However, the double-LC filter at the receiving-end of the AC system and harmonic traps connected in series with each of the drivers significantly reduce the harmonic distortion of the 20-kHz bus voltage. Significant additional improvement in the waveform quality can be achieved by including a double-LC filter with each driver.
Wasynczuk, O.↗
Development of a single-phase harmonic power flow program to study the 20 kHz AC power system for large spacecraft
The development of software is described to aid in design and analysis of AC power systems for large spacecraft. The algorithm is an important version of harmonic power flow program, HARMFLO, used for the study of AC power quality. The new program is applicable to three-phase systems typified by terrestrial power systems, and single-phase systems characteristic of space power systems. The modified HARMFLO accommodates system operating frequencies ranging from terrestrial 60 Hz to and beyond aerospace 20 kHz, and can handle both source and load-end harmonic distortions. Comparison of simulation and test results of a representative spacecraft power system shows a satisfactory correlation. Recommendations are made for the direction of future improvements to the software, to enhance its usefulness to power system designer and analysts.
Kraft, L. Alan↗
High-temperature fiber-optic lever microphone
The design and construction of a fiber-optic lever microphone, capable of operating continuously at temperatures up to 538 C (1000 F) are described. The design is based on the theoretical sensitivities of each of the microphone system components, namely, a cartridge containing a stretched membrane, an optical fiber probe, and an optoelectronic amplifier. Laboratory calibrations include the pistonphone sensitivity and harmonic distortion at ambient temperature, and frequency response, background noise, and optical power transmission at both ambient and elevated temperatures. A field test in the Thermal Acoustic Fatigue Apparatus at Langley Research Center, in which the microphone was subjected to overall sound-pressure levels in the range of 130-160 dB and at temperatures from ambient to 538 C, revealed good agreement with a standard probe microphone.
Zuckerwar, Allan J.↗
Transmission of RF Signals Over Optical Fiber for Avionics Applications
During flight, aircraft avionics transmit and receive RF signals to/from antennas over coaxial cables. As the density and complexity of onboard avionics increases, the electromagnetic interference (EM) environment degrades proportionately, leading to decreasing signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and potential safety concerns. The coaxial cables are inherently lossy, limiting the RF signal bandwidth while adding considerable weight. To overcome these limitations, we have investigated a fiber optic communications link for aircraft that utilizes wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to support the simultaneous transmission of multiple signals (including RF) over a single optical fiber. Optical fiber has many advantages over coaxial cable, particularly lower loss, greater bandwidth, and immunity to EM. In this paper, we demonstrate that WDM can be successfully used to transmit multiple RF signals over a single optical fiber with no appreciable signal degradation. We investigate the transmission of FM and AM analog modulated signals, as well as FSK digital modulated signals, over a fiber optic link (FOL) employing WDM. We present measurements of power loss, delay, SNR, carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), total harmonic distortion (THD), and bit error rate (BER). Our experimental results indicate that WDM is a fiber optic technology suitable for avionics applications.
Slaveski, Filip↗
Microdynamic issues in large deployable space telescopes
This paper discusses a framework for microdynamic analysis -- analyzing a structure for nonlinear dynamic behavior in the nanometric regime -- and illustrates how microdynamic behaviors such as microlurch, joint snaps, and harmonic distortion fit within the framework.
flowdown↗
A Portable Infrasonic Detection System
During last couple of years, NASA Langley has designed and developed a portable infrasonic detection system which can be used to make useful infrasound measurements at a location where it was not possible previously. The system comprises an electret condenser microphone, having a 3-inch membrane diameter, and a small, compact windscreen. Electret-based technology offers the lowest possible background noise, because Johnson noise generated in the supporting electronics (preamplifier) is minimized. The microphone features a high membrane compliance with a large backchamber volume, a prepolarized backplane and a high impedance preamplifier located inside the backchamber. The windscreen, based on the high transmission coefficient of infrasound through matter, is made of a material having a low acoustic impedance and sufficiently thick wall to insure structural stability. Close-cell polyurethane foam has been found to serve the purpose well. In the proposed test, test parameters will be sensitivity, background noise, signal fidelity (harmonic distortion), and temporal stability. The design and results of the compact system, based upon laboratory and field experiments, will be presented.
Shams, Qamar A.↗
Nonlinear Dynamic Behavior of Impact Damage in a Composite Skin-Stiffener Structure
One of the key issues in composite structures for aircraft applications is the early identification of damage. Often, service induced damage does not involve visible plastic deformation, but internal matrix related damage, like delaminations. A wide range of technologies, comprising global vibration and local wave propagation methods can be employed for health monitoring purposes. Traditional low frequency modal analysis based methods are linear methods. The effectiveness of these methods is often limited since they rely on a stationary and linear approximation of the system. The nonlinear interaction between a low frequency wave field and a local impact induced skin-stiffener failure is experimentally demonstrated in this paper. The different mechanisms that are responsible for the nonlinearities (opening, closing and contact) of the distorted harmonic waveforms are separated with the help of phase portraits. A basic analytical model is employed to support the observations.
Ooijevaar, T. H.↗