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At least 379 records · Page 21

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NASA NTRS1981

Hydrogen maser development at Laval University

The physical construction of two hydrogen masers is described and results of measurements made on one of the masers are given. These include: cavity Q, thermal time constant, line Q, signal power output, magnetic shielding factor. Preliminary results indicate that the frequency stability will be mainly affected by the thermal of the cavity. The magnetic field and the barometric fluctuations should not affect the maser at the stability level above a few parts in 10 to the 15th power, which is the goal for averaging times of several hours.

Vanier, J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Development of optical fiber frequency and time distribution systems

The development of ultra stable optical fiber distribution systems for the dissemination of frequency and timing references is reported. The ultimate design goals for these systems are a frequency stability of 10 to the -17 power for tau or = 100 sec and time stability of + or - 0.1 ns for 1 year and operation over distances or = 30 km. A prototype system is reviewed and progress is discussed.

Lutes, G.↗

NASA NTRS1982

CO2 lidar for measurements of trace gases and wind velocities

CO2 lidar systems technology and signal processing requirements relevant to measurement needs and sensitivity are discussed. Doppler processing is similar to microwave radar, with signal reception controlled by a computer capable of both direct and heterodyne operations. Trace gas concentrations have been obtained with the NASA DIAL system, and trace gas transport has been determined with Doppler lidar measurements for wind velocity and turbulence. High vertical resolution measurement of trace gases, wind velocity, and turbulence are most important in the planetary boundary layer and in regions between the PBL and the lower stratosphere. Shear measurements are critical for airport operational safety. A sensitivity analysis for heterodyne detection with the DIAL system and for short pulses using a Doppler lidar system is presented. The development of transient injection locking techniques, as well as frequency stability by reducing chirp and catalytic control of closed cycle CO2 laser chemistry, is described.

Hess, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Mission definition study for a VLBI station utilizing the Space Shuttle

The uses of the Space Shuttle transportation system for orbiting VeryLong-Baseline Interferometry (OVLBI) were examined, both with respect to technical feasibility and its scientific possibilities. The study consisted of a critical look at the adaptability of current technology to an orbiting environment, the suitability of current data reduction facilities for the new technique, and a review of the new science that is made possible by using the Space Shuttle as a moving platform for a VLBI terminal in space. The conclusions are positive in all respects: no technological deficiencies exist that would need remedy, the data processing problem can be handled easily by straightforward adaptations of existing systems, and there is a significant new research frontier to be explored, with the Space Shuttle providing the first step. The VLBI technique utilizes the great frequency stability of modern atomic time standards, the power of integrated circuitry to perform real-time signal conditioning, and the ability of magnetic tape recorders to provide essentially error-free data recording, all of which combine to permit the realization of radio interferometry at arbitrarily large baselines.

Burke, B. F.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Potential for coherent Doppler wind velocity lidar using neodymium lasers

Existing techniques for the frequency stabilization of Nd:YAG lasers operating at 1.06 micron, and the high-gain amplification of radiation at that wavelength, make possible the construction of a coherent Doppler wind velocity lidar using Nd:YAG. Velocity accuracy and range resolution are better at 1.06 micron than at 10.6 microns at the same level of the SNR. Backscatter from the atmosphere at 1.06 micron is greater than that at 10.6 microns by about 2 orders of magnitude, but the quantum-limited noise is higher by 100 also. Near-field attenuation and turbulent effects are more severe at 1.06 micron. In some configurations and environments, the 1.06-micron wavelength may be the better choice, and there may be technological advantages favoring the use of solid-state lasers in satellite systems.

Kane, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Does Mckuer's Law Hold for Heart Rate Control via Biofeedback Display?

Some persons can control their pulse rate with the aid of a biofeedback display. If the biofeedback display is modified to show the error between a command pulse-rate and the measured rate, a compensatory (error correcting) heart rate tracking control loop can be created. The dynamic response characteristics of this control loop when subjected to step and quasi-random disturbances were measured. The control loop includes a beat-to-beat cardiotachmeter differenced with a forcing function from a quasi-random input generator; the resulting error pulse-rate is displayed as feedback. The subject acts to null the displayed pulse-rate error, thereby closing a compensatory control loop. McRuer's Law should hold for this case. A few subjects already skilled in voluntary pulse-rate control were tested for heart-rate control response. Control-law properties are derived, such as: crossover frequency, stability margins, and closed-loop bandwidth. These are evaluated for a range of forcing functions and for step as well as random disturbances.

Courter, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Diode laser 87Rb optical pumping in an evacuated wall-coated cell

The evacuated wall coated sealed cell coupled with diode laser optical pumping offers a number of attractive potential advantages for use in Rb or Cs atomic frequency standards. An investigation of systematic effects is required to explore possible limitations of the technique. The use of diode laser optical pumping of 87 Rb in an evacuated wall coated sealed cell is presented. Experimental results/discussion to be presented include the signal strength and line broadening of the 0 - 0 hyperfine resonance as a function of light intensity for the D1 optical transitions (F - F prime) - (2 1 prime) and (2 - 2 prime), shift of the 0 - 0 hyperfine frequency as a function of laser intensity and de-tuning from optical resonance, and diode laser frequency stabilization techniques.

Lee, W. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

NASA Lidar system support and MOPA technology demonstration

A series of lidar design and technology demonstration tasks in support of a CO2 lidar program is discussed. The first of these tasks is discussed in Section VI of this report under the heading of NASA Optical Lidar Design and it consists of detailed recommendations for the layout of a CO2 Doppler lidar incorporating then existing NASA optical components and mounts. The second phase of this work consisted of the design, development, and delivery to NASA of a novel acousto-optic laser frequency stabilization system for use with the existing NASA ring laser transmitter. The second major task in this program encompasses the design and experimental demonstration of a master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) laser transmitter utilizing a commercially available laser as the amplifier. The MOPA design including the low chirp master oscillator is discussed in detail. Experimental results are given for one, two and three pass amplification. The report includes operating procedures for the MOPA system.

Laughman, L. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Experiments on annular liquid jet instability and on the formation of liquid shells

An annular jet flow of liquid surrounding a flow of gas at its core is extremely unstable. Experiments are described in which such a flow is generated by an annular nozzle operated at fairly specific conditions. It is shown that periodic, axisymmetric oscillations arise spontaneously within the cylindrical sheet emerging from the nozzle and grow with such rapidity along the axial dimension that a sealing-off and encapsulation of the core gas occurs within a few jet diameters. This is closely followed by a pinchoff of the liquid between adjacent bubbles. The liquid shells set free thereby assume spherically symmetric form under capillary forces, and each contains a precisely uniform measure of gas and of liquid on account of the extremely high frequency-stability of the process. Description is given of the fluid dynamic processes by which the shells are formed, and mention is made of exploiting the instability for the production of rigid shells for technological applications.

Kendall, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Advanced infrared astronomy

The CO2 laser heterodyne spectrometer was used at the 3-m IRTF on Mauna Kea to make measurements of Mars during the 1984 opposition. Analysis of the observations of the mesospheric non-thermal emission demonstrated the existence of a warming of the Mars polar mesosphere, similar to the seasonal effects which are well known to occur at the Earth's mesopause. A search for CO2 and NH3 on Comet Halley was done with the new Kitt Peak system as well as with the IRTF heterodyne system. A Lamb-dip absorption cell was designed and constructed. Its use will allow extreme frequency stabilization of the laser local oscillator, which will greatly facilitate measurements of winds and dynamical phenomena. The Lamb-dip cell was used at Kitt Peak to study zonal and meridional winds in the atmosphere of Venus. Water vapor was detected in Comet Halley using Fourier transform spectrometer. The 2.65 micrometer upsilon sub 3 band was seen in emission, confirming non-thermal-equilibrium excitation models for comets. A study was made of the variability of Jovian ethane emission. The average volume mixing ratio of ethane in the Jovian stratosphere was found to be 3x10 to the -6 power, with the greatest variability seen in the auroral regions.

Mumma, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Wind velocity measurement accuracy with highly stable 12 mJ/pulse high repetition rate CO2 laser master oscillator power amplifier

A coherent CO2 lidar operating in a master oscillator power amplifier configuration (MOPA) is described for both ground-based and airborne operation. Representative data taken from measurements against stationary targets in both the ground-based and airborne configurations are shown for the evaluation of the frequency stability of the system. Examples of data are also given which show the results of anomalous system operation. Overall results demonstrate that velocity measurements can be performed consistently to an accuracy of + or - 0.5 m/s and in some cases + or - 0.1 m/s.

Bilbro, James W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Low phase noise oscillator using two parallel connected amplifiers

A high frequency oscillator is provided by connecting two amplifier circuits in parallel where each amplifier circuit provides the other amplifier circuit with the conditions necessary for oscillation. The inherent noise present in both amplifier circuits causes the quiescent current, and in turn, the generated frequency, to change. The changes in quiescent current cause the transconductance and the load impedance of each amplifier circuit to vary, and this in turn results in opposing changes in the input susceptance of each amplifier circuit. Because the changes in input susceptance oppose each other, the changes in quiescent current also oppose each other. The net result is that frequency stability is enhanced.

Kleinberg, Leonard L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Deep space network enhancement for the Galileo mission to Jupiter

The Galileo mission to Jupiter has unique scientific objectives never attempted before by a planetary mission. These objectives have presented technical challenges to the NASA Deep Space Network. New technologies and system concepts have been developed to meet these challenges. Major implementations are underway to equip the ground stations in the Network. Significant improvement in performance is expected. The ground-based navigation is expected to achieve an angular precision of 50 nanoradians using very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI). The frequency stability of the ground instrument will be 5 x 10 to the -15th for the detection of gravitational waves. The precision of the Faraday rotation angle measurement of the spacecraft signal will be better than 2 degrees.

Peng, T. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Design of a digital flexible mobile transceiver

A flexible, modular transceiver design for digital voice and data transmissions in the proposed Mobile Satellite Experimental (MSAT-X) System is presented. Major system design issues are addressed, including frequency stability control, modulation method, linear predictive coding vocoder algorithm, and error control technique. Detailed design aspects of the modular and flexible transceiver, including the core, RF/IF, modem, vocoder, forward error correction codec, and I/O modules, as well as the flexible interface, are also discussed.

Fang, R. J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Stable 1.25 watts CW far infrared laser radiation at the 119 micron methanol line

Far-infrared CW radiation of 1.25 watts has been obtained at the 119 micron methanol line with a CO2 pump power of 125 watts, and the maximum frequency fluctuation of the free running laser is measured to be less than + or - 100 kHz per hour. Reflecting optics have been used, when possible, to minimize CO2 degradation, and the frequency stability is ensured by cooling the input and output couplers. The input and output assemblies within the lasing medium are enclosed to minimize the external effects on the cavity length and to eliminate the mechanical instabilities associated with the use of bellows. The vibrational bottle-neck is broken by cooling the resonator wall to 5 deg and adding He as the buffer gas.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1987

High energy efficient solid state laser sources

Investigations continue of diode-laser-pumped solid-state laser oscillators and nonlinear processes using them as sources. Diode laser array pumped Nd:YAG and Nd:glass lasers have been demonstrated. Theoretical studies of non-planar oscillators have been advanced, producing new designs which should be more resistant to feedback and offer better frequency stability. A monolithic, singly resonant Optical Parametric Oscillator in MgO:LiNbO3 has been operated.

Byer, Robert L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Design of an MSAT-X mobile transceiver and related base and gateway stations

This paper summarizes the results of a design study of the mobile transceiver, base station, and gateway station for NASA's proposed Mobile Satellite Experiment (MSAT-X). Major ground segment system design issues such as frequency stability control, modulation method, linear predictive coding vocoder algorithm, and error control technique are addressed. The modular and flexible transceiver design is described in detail, including the core, RF/IF, modem, vocoder, forward error correction codec, amplitude-companded single sideband, and input/output modules, as well as the flexible interface. Designs for a three-carrier base station and a 10-carrier gateway station are also discussed, including the interface with the controllers and with the public-switched telephone networks at the gateway station. Functional specifications are given for the transceiver, the base station, and the gateway station.

Fang, Russell J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1988

DSN 70-meter antenna X-band gain, phase, and pointing performance, with particular application for Voyager 2 Neptune encounter

The gain, phase, and pointing performance of the Deep Space Network (DSN) 70 m antennas are investigated using theoretical antenna analysis computer programs that consider the gravity induced deformation of the antenna surface and quadripod structure. The microwave effects are calculated for normal subreflector focusing motion and for special fixed-subreflector conditions that may be used during the Voyager 2 Neptune encounter. The frequency stability effects of stepwise lateral and axial subreflector motions are also described. Comparisons with recently measured antenna efficiency and subreflector motion tests are presented. A modification to the existing 70 m antenna pointing squint correction constant is proposed.

Slobin, S. D.↗