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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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At least 73 records · Page 4

Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifier Model to Predict High-Order Modulation Intersymbol Interference

Demands for increased data rates in satellite communications necessitate higher order modulation schemes, larger system bandwidth, and minimum distortion of the modulated signal as it is passed through the traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA). One type of distortion that the TWTA contributes to is intersymbol interference (ISI), and this becomes particularly disruptive with wide-band, complex modulation schemes. It is suspected that in addition to the dispersion of the TWT, frequency dependent reflections due to mismatches within the TWT are a significant contributor to ISI. To experimentally investigate the effect of these mismatches within the physical TWT on ISI would be prohibitively expensive, as it would require manufacturing numerous amplifiers in addition to the acquisition of the required digital hardware. In an attempt to develop a more accurate model to correlate IS1 with the TWTA and the operational signal, a fully three-dimensional (3D), time-dependent, TWT interaction model has been developed using the electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) code MAFIA (solution of Maxwell's equations by the Finite-Integration-Algorithm). The model includes a user defined slow-wave circuit with a spatially tapered region of loss to implement a sever, and spatially varied geometry (such as helical pitch) to implement a phase velocity taper. The model also includes user defined input/output coupling and an electron beam contained by solenoidal, electrostatic, or periodic permanent magnet (PPM) focusing allowing standard or novel TWTs to be investigated. This model comprehensively takes into account the effects of frequency dependent nonlinear distortions (MAM and AMPM); gain ripple due to frequency dependent reflections at the input/output coupling, severs, and mismatches from dynamic pitch variations; drive induced oscillations; harmonic generation; intermodulation products; and backward waves.

Kory, Carol L.↗

A narrowband, crystal controlled biomedical telemetry system.

A miniature, single-channel, crystal-controlled transmitter has been developed for biomedical applications. A narrow-band frequency modulation (plus or minus 7 kHz) of the RF is used to achieve maximum operating range with minimum transmitting power. The radiated power is limited to stay within the 50 microvolts/m at 15 m FCC requirement for low-power transmitters in the 88- to 108-MHz band. This technique offers a number of advantages. First only manufacturer's type approval is required for the device and the user does not need a license. Second maximum operating range can be achieved within the FCC power limitations by using a narrow-band that is consistent with the required medical information bandwidth. A third advantage in using the 88- to 108-MHz band is that the commercial FM stations are relatively widely spaced and carefully regulated so that by selecting the transmitter's frequency in the guard band between stations, minimum interference from other transmitter sources is encountered.

Westbrook, R. M.↗

Measurement of Oxygen A Band Line Parameters by Using Modulation Spectroscopy with Higher Harmonic Detection

Wavelength modulation spectroscopy is used to demonstrate that extremely weak absorption lines can be measured even when these lines suffer from interference from the wings of adjacent stronger lines. It is shown that the use of detection at several harmonics allows such interference to be examined clearly and conveniently. The results of experimental measurements on a weak magnetic dipole driven, spin-forbidden line in the oxygen A band, which experiences interference from the wings of a pair of adjacent lines towards the blue and red regions of line center, are presented. A comparison of the experimental results to theory is given.

Dharamsi, Amin↗

Design and analysis of a low-loss linear analog phase modulator for deep space spacecraft X-band transponder applications

This article summarizes the design concepts, analyses, and development of an X-band (8145 MHz) transponder low-loss linear phase modulator for deep space spacecraft applications. A single-section breadboard circulator-coupled reflection phase modulator has been analyzed, fabricated, and evaluated. A linear phase deviation of 92 deg with a linearity tolerance of +/- 8 percent was measured for this modulator from 8257 MHz to 8634 MHz over the temperature range -20 to 75 C. The measured insertion loss and the static delay variation with temperature were 2 +/- 0.3 dB and 0.16 psec/ C, respectively. Based on this design, cascaded sections have been modeled, and simulations were performed to provide an X-band deep space transponder (DST) phase modulator with +/- 2.5 radians (+/- 143 deg) of peak phase deviation to accommodate downlink signal modulation with composite telemetry data and ranging, with a deviation linearity tolerance of +/- 8 percent and insertion loss of less than 10 +/- 0.5 dB. A two-section phase modulator using constant gamma hyperabrupt varactors and an efficient modulator driver circuit was breadboarded. The measured results satisfy the DST phase-modulator requirements and show excellent agreement with the predicted results.

Mysoor, N. R.↗

A Gigabit-per-Second Ka-Band Demonstration Using a Reconfigurable FPGA Modulator

Gigabit-per-second communications have been a desired target for future NASA Earth science missions, and for potential manned lunar missions. Frequency bandwidth at S-band and X-band is typically insufficient to support missions at these high data rates. In this paper, we present the results of a 1 Gbps 32-QAM end-to-end experiment at Ka-band using a reconfigurable Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) baseband modulator board. Bit error rate measurements of the received signal using a software receiver demonstrate the feasibility of using ultra-high data rates at Ka-band, although results indicate that error correcting coding and/or modulator predistortion must be implemented in addition. Also, results of the demonstration validate the low-cost, MOS-based reconfigurable modulator approach taken to development of a high rate modulator, as opposed to more expensive ASIC or pure analog approaches.

reconfigurable↗

Program on application of communications satellites to educational development: Design of a 12 channel FM microwave receiver

The design, fabrication, and performance of elements of a low cost FM microwave satellite ground station receiver is described. It is capable of accepting 12 contiguous color television equivalent bandwidth channels in the 11.72 to 12.2 GHz band. Each channel is 40 MHz wide and incorporates a 4 MHz guard band. The modulation format is wideband FM and the channels are frequency division multiplexed. Twelve independent CATV compatible baseband outputs are provided. The overall system specifications are first discussed, then consideration is given to the receiver subsystems and the signal branching network.

Risch, C. O.↗

Design of a 12 channel fm microwave receiver

The design, fabrication, and performance of elements of a low cost FM microwave satellite ground station receiver is described. It is capable of accepting 12 contiguous color television equivalent bandwidth channels in the 11.72 to 12.2 GHz band. Each channel is 40 MHz wide and incorporates a 4 MHz guard band. The modulation format is wideband FM and the channels are frequency division multiplexed. Twelve independent CATV compatible baseband outputs are provided. The overall system specifications are first discussed, then consideration is given to the receiver subsystems and the signal branching network.

Risch, C. O.↗

Orbiter S-band FM system console test procedure

The S-band frequency modulated system console is described and step by step test procedure for verifying proper construction of the console prior to installation of flight equipment was given.

Doland, G. D.↗

Wireless microphone communication system telephonics P/N 484D000-1

The wireless microphone is a lightweight, portable, wireless voice communications device for use by the crew of the space shuttle orbiter. The wireless microphone allows the crew to have normal hands-free voice communication while they are performing various mission activities. The unit is designed to transmit at 455 or 500 kilohertz and employs narrow band FM modulation. Two orthogonally placed antennas are used to insure good reception at the receiver.

Source record↗

Maximizing throughput over an average-power-limited and band-limited optical pulse position modulation channel

Given an optical pulse position modulation (PPM) channel, with an average power constraint and a bandwidth constraint, the word length needed to maximize the information throughput achievable by the channel is determined. It is shown that, to achieve the maximal capacity, the channel must be operated with a high erasure probability. This implies that coding schemes capable of compensating for a high percentage of erasures are needed for the PPM channel.

Zwillinger, D.↗

Experimental results on tracking performance of the MTDD Costas loop with UQPSK signal

The carrier tracking performance of the breadboard Costas Loop of the Multimegabit Telemetry Demodulator Detector System was tested with unbalanced quadriphase shift keying (UQPSK) signals. An S-band UQPSK modulator was built for the tests. The experimental results are very close to the theoretical rms phase error calculations. The test and analysis show that the rms phase error for UQPSK signals is less than 5 deg at the design point if the I-to-Q channel power ratio is larger than 6 dB.

Park, Y. H.↗

Project Echo: FM Demodulators with Negative Feedback

The primary experimental objective of Project Echo was the transmission of radio communications between points on the earth by reflection from the balloon satellite. Owing to the large path losses from transmitter to receiver via the satellite, a wide-band frequency modulation technique was used in which bandwidth was traded for signal-to-noise ratio. This paper describes the FM receiving demodulators employed. Negative feedback applied to the local oscillator reduces the FM modulation index in the receiver IF amplifiers, resulting in threshold performance superior to that of conventional FM receivers.

Ruthroff, Clyde L.↗

Second Harmonic Hectometric Radio Emission at Jupiter

Galileo has been in orbit around Jupiter since December 1995. The plasma wave instrument on board the spacecraft has occasionally detected a rotationally modulated attenuation band in the hectometric (HOM) emission that most likely is due to scattering of the radiation from density fluctuations along the Io L-shell, as reported earlier. The occurrence of the attenuation band is likely to be dependent on Io activity and the presence of density scattering centers along the Io L-shell as well as the location of the source region. Some of the attenuation bands show clear indications of second harmonic emission. Without polarization measurements, it is difficult to place constraints on the local generation conditions based on the cyclotron maser instability, but the results imply that second harmonic emission could be present in the decametric (DAM) radiation as well. A survey of the data has revealed about 30 examples of second harmonic HOM.

Menietti, J. D.↗

The Influence of The Galilean Satellites on Radio Emissions From The Jovian System

The Galilean satellites influence radio emissions from the Jovian system in a variety of ways. The best and most familiar example of these is the Io control of decametric radiation discovered in 1964 by Bigg. Voyager observations of broadband kilometric radiation revealed a low-latitude shadow zone cast by the Io torus at frequencies between a few tens of kHz and about 1 MHz. Voyager also discovered narrowband kilometric radio emissions emanating from the outer edge of the torus. In this paper we will discuss expansions in the suite of satellite influences based on new observations by Galileo. These include the discovery of Ganymede's magnetosphere and evidence of radio emissions generated via mode conversion from upper hybrid waves in the frequency range of about 20 - 100 kHz. There is evidence that Ganymede may control some of the hectometric or low-frequency decametric radio emissions based on occultation measurements and statistical studies of radio emission occurrence as a function of Ganymede phase. Direction-finding measurements in the vicinity of Io suggest that a portion of the hectometric emissions may be generated near the lo L-shell. A rotationally modulated attenuation band in the hectometric emission appears to be the result of scattering at or near the Io L-shell where the waves propagate nearly parallel to the magnetic field. There is even a tantalizing hint of a Europa connection to the source of narrowband kilometric radiation.

Kurth, W. S.↗

Second Harmonic Hectometric Radio Emission at Jupiter

Galileo has been in orbit around Jupiter since December 1995. The plasma wave instrument on board the spacecraft has occasionally detected a rotationally modulated attenuation band in the hectometric (HOM) emission that most likely is due to scattering of the radiation from density fluctuations along the Io L-shell, as reported earlier. The occurrence of the attenuation band is likely to be dependent on Io activity and the presence of density scattering centers along the Io-L-shell as well as the location of the source region. Some of the attenuation bands show clear indications of second harmonic emission. Without polarization measurements, it is difficult to place constraints on the local generation conditions based on the cyclotron maser instability, but the results imply that second harmonic emission could be present in the decametric (DAM) radiation as well. A survey of the data has revealed about 30 examples of second harmonic HOM.

Menietti, J. D.↗

Strain Sensitivity in Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Multifunctional Materials

Single walled carbon nanotubes represent the future of structural aerospace vehicle systems due to their unparalleled strength characteristics and demonstrated multifunctionality. This multifunctionality rises from the CNT's unique capabilities for both metallic and semiconducting electron transport, electron spin polarizability, and band gap modulation under strain. By incorporating the use of electric field alignment and various lithography techniques, a single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) test bed for measurement of conductivity/strain relationships has been developed. Nanotubes are deposited at specified locations through dielectrophoresis. The circuit is designed such that the central, current carrying section of the nanotube is exposed to enable atomic force microscopy and manipulation in situ while the transport properties of the junction are monitored. By applying this methodology to sensor development a flexible single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) based strain sensitive device has been developed. Studies of tensile testing of the flexible SWNT device vs conductivity are also presented, demonstrating the feasibility of using single walled HiPCO (high-pressure carbon monoxide) carbon nanotubes as strain sensing agents in a multi-functional materials system.

Heath, D. M.↗