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At least 55 records · Page 3

Suppressed Carrier Synchronizers for ISI Channels

We demonstrate a class of suppressed carrier synchronization loops that are motivated by MAP estimation theory and in the presence of ISI outperform the conventional I-Q loop which is designed on the basis of zero ISI (wideband assumption). The measure of comparison used is the so-called.

synchronization loops↗

ISIS Topside-Sounder Plasma-Wave Investigations as Guides to Desired Virtual Wave Observatory (VWO) Data Search Capabilities

Many plasma-wave phenomena, observed by space-borne radio sounders, cannot be properly explained in terms of wave propagation in a cold plasma consisting of mobile electrons and infinitely massive positive ions. These phenomena include signals known as plasma resonances. The principal resonances at the harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency, the plasma frequency, and the upper-hybrid frequency are well explained by the warm-plasma propagation of sounder-generated electrostatic waves, Other resonances have been attributed to sounder-stimulated plasma instability and non-linear effects, eigenmodes of cylindrical electromagnetic plasma oscillations, and plasma memory processes. Data from the topside sounders of the International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS) program played a major role in these interpretations. A data transformation and preservation effort at the Goddard Space Flight Center has produced digital ISIS topside ionograms and a metadata search program that has enabled some recent discoveries pertaining to the physics of these plasma resonances. For example, data records were obtained that enabled the long-standing question (several decades) of the origin of the plasma resonance at the fundamental electron cyclotron frequency to be explained [Muldrew, Radio Sci., 2006]. These data-search capabilities, and the science enabled by them, will be presented as a guide to desired data search capabilities to be included in the Virtual Wave Observatory (VWO).

Benson, Robert F.↗

ISIS-B - Press kit

Objectives of ISIS-B including measurement of fluctuations in upper atmosphere electron density, radio and cosmic emission studies, and measurements of ionospheric energetic particles

Source record↗

ISIS-B spacecraft magnetic tests

Magnetic tests of the ISIS B spacecraft were conducted to determine the various magnetic moments of the spacecraft, evalute its spin and attitude control systems, and calibrate the six onboard magnetometer probes. Test procedures and equipment are described. Techniques for evaluting the data are discussed, and test results are presented. The spacecraft's magnetic characteristics were found to be satisfactory. Proper threshold values for gating the torquing coils were obtained. The onboard magnetometers were satisfactorily calibrated.

Boyle, J. C.↗

The behavior of the plasmapause at mid-latitudes: ISIS-1 Langmuir probe measurements

Observations of the electron concentration, N sub e, and temperature, T sub e, from the electrostatic probes on the ISIS-1 satellite were used to examine the location and behavior of the plasmapause at about 3000 kilometers altitude in the vicinity of L = 4. At these altitudes, the N sub e measurements are equivalent to measurements of H(+) since the satellite is well into the protonosphere. The plasmapause as is evident as a sharp drop in N sub e by a factor of 10 to 100 as the satellite passes into the polar cap, and a corresponding increase is observed as it enters the plasmasphere on the opposite side of the Earth. An enhancement of T sub e is also observed at the plasmapause, an effect that is most visible at night when the temperatures at latitudes above and below the plasmapause are usually very low. The position of the plasmapause decreases with magnetic activity but is found to be somewhat less sensitive to K sub p than is the equatorial plasmapause. Also unlike its equatorial behavior, the mid-latitude plasmapause exhibits no detectable late afternoon bulge. These differences imply rather complex coupling of the thermal plasma along the field lines that link these two regions of the plasmasphere. An additional factor may be the recently observed axial asymmetry in the geomagnetic field at high altitudes.

Brace, L. H.↗

Isis 1 observations of the high-latitude ionosphere during a geomagnetic storm.

The Isis 1 satellite has made measurements of several ionospheric and related parameters, and the results of the various measurements have been compared in detail for two north transpolar passes during the geomagnetic storm of February 3, 1969. Simultaneous measurements were made of local electron and ion densities and temperatures, electron density between the satellite and the peak of the F layer, radio noise, and particle fluxes over a wide energy range extending down to 10 eV. Several features of the ionosphere (in particular, enhancements of radio noise, scale height, and plasma temperatures) appear to be due to soft-particle (100 eV to 1 keV) precipitation, which is related to magnetospheric structure as delineated by the observation of more energetic particles. The magnetosheath particles precipitating on the dayside of the polar cap are particularly effective.

Whitteker, J. H.↗

Predawn enhancement of 6300-A emission observed near the plasmapause from the Isis-2 spacecraft.

Data from several Isis-2 spacecraft passes are described in which the 6300-A atomic oxygen red line photometer mapped intensity steps resembling the predawn enhancement. Comparison with the electron density measured at the spacecraft indicates a plasmapause influence on the 6300-A emission rate, in that the intensity varies roughly inversely with the electron density at 1400 km. A simple calculation demonstrates the idea that field line opacity differences for photoelectrons are significant across the plasmapause. The measured electron temperatures are inadequate to account for the 6300-A excitation, thus confirming that it must arise from another mechanism.

Shepherd, G. G.↗

Equatorward shift of the cleft during magnetospheric substorms as observed by Isis 1

Isis 1 satellite observations of the cleft position during magnetospheric substorms show that the cleft shifts equatorward as the interplanetary B sub z component turns southward and substorm activity increases and that it shifts back toward higher latitudes as substorm activity subsides and B sub z returns northward. Also, unusually low latitudes for the cleft (less than 70 deg invariant latitude) were found during geomagnetic storms with significant Dst values and large negative B sub z values. Significant shifts occur in the cleft location with no accompanying effect seen in the AE index; however, B sub z is observed to be southward during these periods.

Yasuhara, F.↗

Polar cap auroral electron fluxes observed with Isis 1

Three types of auroral particle precipitation have been observed over the polar caps, well inside the auroral oval, by means of the soft particle spectrometer on the Isis 1 satellite. The first type is a uniform, very soft (about 100 eV) electron 'polar rain' over the entire polar cap; this may well be present with very weak intensity at all times, but it is markedly enhanced during worldwide geomagnetic storms. A second type of precipitation is a structured flux of electrons with energies near 1 keV, suggestive of localized 'polar showers'; it seems likely that these are the cause of the sun-aligned auroral arcs that have been observed during moderately quiet conditions. During periods of intense magnetic disturbance this precipitation can become very intense and exhibit a characteristic pattern that we have come to call a 'polar squall'.

Winningham, J. D.↗

The behavior of the plasmapause at mid-latitudes - Isis 1 Langmuir probe measurements

Observations of the electron concentration and the temperature from the electrostatic probes on the Isis 1 satellite were used to examine the location and behavior of the plasmapause at about 3000-km altitude in the vicinity of L = 4. At these altitudes the electron concentration measurements are equivalent to measurements of H(+), since the satellite is well into the protonosphere. The plasmapause is evident as a sharp drop in electron concentration by a factor of 100 as the satellite passes into the polar cap, and a corresponding increase is observed as it enters the plasmasphere on the opposite side of the earth. An enhancement of temperature is also observed at the plasmapause, an effect that is most visible at night, when the temperatures at latitudes above and below the plasmapause are usually very low. The position of the plasmapause decreases with magnetic activity but is found to be somewhat less sensitive to Kp than is the equatorial plasmapause.

Brace, L. H.↗

Composition measurements of the topside ionosphere using a magnetic mass spectrometer, ion mass spectrometer on ISIS-2 spacecraft

The ion mass spectrometer (IMS) on the ISIS-II satellite is described; it measures the composition and distribution of positive ions in the earth's ionosphere in the mass range of 1 to 64 atomic mass units. Significant data were received which show a wide variation in ion composition at night near the equator and in the daytime poleward of the plasmapause. It was found that these data enable further study of the polar wind and that the experiment produced timely data during the August, 1972 magnetic storm to show the development of a unique ionosphere above the plasmapause during the period of the storm. The scientific objectives and results of the experiment, the technical description of the instrument, a bibliography with sample papers attached, and a summary of recommendations for further study are presented.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

Initial ion composition results from the Isis 2 satellite

Isis 2 satellite carried, among other ionospheric instruments an ion mass spectrometer designed to measure the composition of the ionosphere in the mass range from 1 to 64 amu. The satellite, in a nearly constant 1400-km orbit, was launched on April 1, 1971. Examples of data show a wide variation in ion composition from 99% H(+) at night near the equator to greater than 95% O(+) and N(+) in the daytime poleward of the plasmapause. Both H(+) and He(+) are observed to be streaming outward from the high-latitude regions with velocities of several kilometers per second (the polar wind), determined from phase shifts in roll modulation maximums between light and heavy ion species. During the August 1972 magnetic storm a unique ionosphere developed, consisting of N(+) as the dominant species between 55 and 80 deg invariant latitude (above the plasmapause) and N2(+), NO(+), and O2(+) at the 1000 per cu cm concentration level, whereas these molecular species are usually below the detection limit of 1 ion per cu cm in quiet times at this altitude.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

Variations in ion composition at middle and low latitudes from Isis 2 satellite

The paper describes absolute ion concentration measurements with an ion mass spectrometer on the Isis 2 satellite and discusses features of the ion composition near a fixed altitude of 1400 km as they relate to longitudinal and latitudinal variations at low and middle latitudes. Two distinct classes of daytime ionospheric behavior are observed. The data obtained confirm the strong solar-geomagnetic seasonal control over the topside ion distribution. The new phenomena associated with the observed longitudinal dependence of the ion composition at 1400 km demonstrate the existence of complex physical processes which take place in this region of the ionosphere.

Breig, E. L.↗