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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 757 records · Page 42

A 2x2 W-Band Reference Time-Shifted Phase-Locked Transmitter Array in 65nm CMOS Technology

This paper presents a complete 2x2 phased array transmitter system operating at W-band (90-95 GHz) which employs a PLL reference time-shifting approach instead of using traditional mm-wave phase shifters. PLL reference shifting enables a phased array to be distributed over multiple chips without the need for coherent mm-wave signal distribution between chips. The proposed phased array transmitter system consumes 248 mW per array element when implemented in a 65 nm CMOS technology.

PLL Reference↗

Feedhorn-Coupled Transition-Edge Superconducting Bolometer Arrays for Cosmic Microwave Background Polarimetry

NIST produces large-format, dual-polarization-sensitive detector arrays for a broad range of frequencies (30-1400 GHz). Such arrays enable a host of astrophysical measurements. Detectors optimized for cosmic microwave background observations are monolithic, polarization-sensitive arrays based on feedhorn and planar Nb antenna-coupled transition-edge superconducting (TES) bolometers. Recent designs achieve multiband, polarimetric sensing within each spatial pixel. In this proceeding, we describe our multichroic, feedhorn-coupled design; demonstrate performance at 70-380 GHz; and comment on current developments for implementation of these detector arrays in the advanced Atacama Cosmology Telescope receiver

multichroic↗

Ultra-Wideband Array in PCB for Millimeter-Wave 5G and ISM

Next generation 5G mobile architectures will take advantage of the millimeter-wave spectrum to deliver unprecedented bandwidth. Concurrently, there is a need to consolidate numerous disparate allocations into a single, multi-functional array. Existing arrays are either narrow-band, prohibitively expensive or cannot be scaled to these frequencies. In this paper, we present the first ultra-wideband millimeter-wave array to operate across the six 5G and ISM bands spanning 24-71 GHz. Critically, the array is realized using low-cost PCB. The design concept and optimized layout are presented, and fabrication and measurement considerations are discussed.

Ultra-Wideband Array↗

24-71 GHz PCB Array for 5G ISM

Millimeter-wave 5G mobile architectures need to consolidate disparate frequency bands into a single, multifunctional array. Existing arrays are either narrow-band, prohibitively expensive or cannot be scaled to these frequencies. In this paper, we present the first ultra-wideband millimeter wave array to operate across six 5G and ISM bands spanning 24-71 GHz. Importantly, the array is realized using low-cost PCB. The paper presents the design and optimized layout, and discusses fabrication and measurements.

5G and ISM↗

Design and Development of CubeSat Solar Array Deployment Mechanisms Using Shape Memory Alloys

The Advanced eLectrical Bus (ALBus) project is a technology demonstration mission of a 3-U CubeSat with an advanced, digitally controlled electrical power system capability and the novel use of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology for reliable solar array deployable mechanisms. The ALBus cubesat has a need to deploy four solar arrays in addition to the body-mounted arrays on each side of the cubesat. A goal of the mission is to utilize the SMAs being developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center to deploy these solar arrays. The use of SMAs allows for the ability to test and reset the flight deployment mechanism prior to flight which reduces the risk of on orbit deployment failures common on cubesats. As a result, an SMA driven Retention and Release mechanism and an SMA driven hinge was designed, developed, and being prepared for flight. This paper summarized the development of these mechanisms, types and functionalities of SMAs used, and lessons learned throughout the process.

solar array deployment↗

Phased Array Antenna for the Mitigation of UAS Interference

The growing demand for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operating beyond the line of sight (BLOS) has resulted in an increased interest in using existing commercial satellite communication capabilities for UAS command and control (C2) communications. The World Radiocommunication Conference in 2015 designated portions of Ku-Band and Ka-Band fixed satellite service (FSS) spectrum to support UAS C2 communications, provided that potential interference with existing co-allocated users in these bands is addressed. As the user base in this new spectrum allocation expands, there is an increased potential for interference with existing terrestrial communication systems operating under fixed service (FS) allocations. The portion of Ka-Band spectrum allocated for UAS C2 avoids significant interference issues, but the Ku-Band allocation contains a co-primary FS allocation, creating potential interference problems. Therefore, UAS must identify solutions to avoid interfering with these existing FS ground sites while maintaining good links with satellite constellations. UAS operating with conventional fixed feed parabolic antennas will have difficulty in meeting interference thresholds, especially at high latitudes where the antennas will operate with low elevation angles. As a means of addressing this limitation, NASA is investigating the use of a phased array antenna to enable mitigation of interference into ground-based FS receivers. In this paper, a novel lightweight conformal phased array antenna will be presented that can use null-steering and/or beam shaping to avoid ground interference while simultaneously providing strong satellite microwave links for communications. The reduced weight of this design and ability to integrate into the fuselage of smaller UAS platforms will also be discussed as a potential solution to provide BLOS operation via spectrum sharing for an expanding user base. This paper will review design aspects of the conformal phased array antenna, describe the intended benefits in reducing interference with FS ground stations, and describe phased array development and test plans.

Phased Array↗

Phased Array Antenna for the Mitigation of UAS Interference

The growing demand for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operating beyond the line of sight (BLOS) has resulted in an increased interest in using existing commercial satellite communication capabilities for UAS command and control (C2) communications. The World Radiocommunication Conference in 2015 designated portions of Ku-Band and Ka-Band fixed satellite service (FSS) spectrum to support UAS C2 communications, provided that potential interference with existing co-allocated users in these bands is addressed. As the user base in this new spectrum allocation expands, there is an increased potential for interference with existing terrestrial communication systems operating under fixed service (FS) allocations. The portion of Ka-Band spectrum allocated for UAS C2 avoids significant interference issues, but the Ku-Band allocation contains a co-primary FS allocation, creating potential interference problems. Therefore, UAS must identify solutions to avoid interfering with these existing FS ground sites while maintaining good links with satellite constellations. UAS operating with conventional fixed feed parabolic antennas will have difficulty in meeting interference thresholds, especially at high latitudes where the antennas will operate with low elevation angles. As a means of addressing this limitation, NASA is investigating the use of a phased array antenna to enable mitigation of interference into ground-based FS receivers. In this paper, a novel lightweight conformal phased array antenna will be presented that can use null-steering and/or beam shaping to avoid ground interference while simultaneously providing strong satellite microwave links for communications. The reduced weight of this design and ability to integrate into the fuselage of smaller UAS platforms will also be discussed as a potential solution to provide BLOS operation via spectrum sharing for an expanding user base. This paper will review design aspects of the conformal phased array antenna, describe the intended benefits in reducing interference with FS ground stations, and describe phased array development and test plans.

Beam Forming↗

Phased Array Antenna for the Mitigation of UAS Interference

The growing demand for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operating beyond the line of sight (BLOS) has resulted in an increased interest in using existing commercial satellite communication capabilities for UAS command and control (C2) communications. The World Radiocommunication Conference in 2015 designated portions of Ku-Band and Ka-Band fixed satellite service (FSS) spectrum to support UAS C2 communications, provided that potential interference with existing co-allocated users in these bands is addressed. As the user base in this new spectrum allocation expands, there is an increased potential for interference with existing terrestrial communication systems operating under fixed service (FS) allocations. The portion of Ka-Band spectrum allocated for UAS C2 avoids significant interference issues, but the Ku-Band allocation contains a co-primary FS allocation, creating potential interference problems. Therefore, UAS must identify solutions to avoid interfering with these existing FS ground sites while maintaining good links with satellite constellations. UAS operating with conventional fixed feed parabolic antennas will have difficulty in meeting interference thresholds, especially at high latitudes where the antennas will operate with low elevation angles. As a means of addressing this limitation, NASA is investigating the use of a phased array antenna to enable mitigation of interference into ground-based FS receivers. In this paper, a novel lightweight conformal phased array antenna will be presented that can use null-steering and/or beam shaping to avoid ground interference while simultaneously providing strong satellite microwave links for communications. The reduced weight of this design and ability to integrate into the fuselage of smaller UAS platforms will also be discussed as a potential solution to provide BLOS operation via spectrum sharing for an expanding user base. This presentation will review design aspects of the conformal phased array antenna, describe the intended benefits in reducing interference with FS ground stations, and describe phased array development and test plans.

Conformal Phased Array↗

Toward Relating Open- and Closed-Test Section Microphone Phased Array Aeroacoustic Measurements

Aeroacoustic measurements utilizing microphone phased arrays are becoming more commonplace in large-scale wind tunnels. However, for such costly tests it is difficult to assess the influence of a given facility's configuration on the acquired data. One such opportunity has recently arisen in the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel, where the High-Lift configuration of the Common Research Model was tested in both open-jet and closed wall configurations. Acoustic data were acquired on the same model with the same specific hardware at the same Mach number; and for similar model angles of attack, array apertures, and array angles relative to the model location. Initial deconvolution comparisons using DAMAS appear poor. The closed test section results show contamination likely due to background noise and reflections. The open-jet results show severe blurring due to the decorrelation of acoustic waves passing through a turbulent free shear layer. However, accounting for image sources in the DAMAS grid reduces visual artifacts in the closed test section results, and a preliminary coherence correction technique mitigates the blurring in the open-jet results. Qualitatively, both tests identify similar source behavior. Quantitatively, summed spectra of the slat noise agree in some frequency bands but differ in others. Proposals that may mitigate the difference are given for each configuration, such as correcting for the array protective cover and applying background subtraction in the closed wall configuration, and further developing the coherence loss correction for deconvolution methods in the open-jet setup.

microphone array↗

A Wideband Dual Linear/Circular Polarized 64-Element Phased Array Antenna for SATCOM Applications

In this paper, a flat panel 8x8 phased array with a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) based beamforming network (BFN), is proposed. The array works in dual linear in addition to dual circular polarizations over a bandwidth of 22-28 GHz, with a realized gain of 22-23 dBi/dBic in the broadside direction. The array achieves better than 3dB scan loss to ±50° and offers axial ratio (AR) below 3dB over the entire bandwidth within the proposed scan range. The array is comprised of innovatively engineered radiating elements, arranged distinctively in a 2x2 subarray level, thereby improving cross-polarized fields and axial ratio.

phased array antenna↗

Acoustic Characterization of the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel using a Phased Array

A characterization test was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel to assess recent acoustic modifications in the facility. Test section reflectivity, background noise and shear layer effects were evaluated by taking measurements of known noise sources. Both conventional speakers and a high-pressure air source were employed as noise generation mechanisms. These were mounted to a pole or fairing at a consistent location in the test section. The source waveforms were used to represent the expected frequency content of scaled Urban Air Mobility vehicles. Acoustic measurements were taken using two unique microphone arrays placed outside the core flow, one of which was a 54-element streamwise-traversing phased array. The other was an 11-element linear tower array. The applicability of phased array acoustic beamforming techniques to mitigate shear layer effects and reject background noise is presented. Additionally, beamforming results are compared to results from single-microphone processing techniques. Flow speeds investigated ranged from Mach 0.00 (static) to Mach 0.12. The tunnel has been partially acoustically treated but still exhibits flow noise, reducing the signal-to-noise ratio of the source under investigation. Conventional beamforming was able to capture high frequency content passing through the shear layer better than single microphone measurements. CLEAN deconvolution improves source mapping at low frequencies.

phased array↗

P-band Antenna Array for NASA's Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar (SESAR) Instrument

A dual-polarized, wideband, lightweight P-band (435 MHz) antenna element and array for spaceborne radar applications has been developed for NASA’s SESAR (Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar) instrument for planetary synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. The antenna array is based on lightweight, low-profile antenna elements that form the building blocks of configurable “array panels” that can in turn be used to build larger arrays consisting of multiple panels. The element design combines a novel, mostly planar conductor antenna element geometry with a robust lightweight composite material construction.

Synthetic Aperture Radar↗

Active membrane phased array radar

We have developed the first membrane-based active phased array in L-band (1.26GHz). The array uses membrane compatible Transmit/Receive (T/R) modules (membrane T/R) for each antenna element. We use phase shifters within each T/R module for electronic beam steering. We will discuss the T/R module design and integration with the membrane, We will also present transmit and receive beam-steering results for the array.

membrane arrays↗

Large-Scale Plasmonic Hybrid Framework with Built-In Nanohole Array as Multifunctional Optical Sensing Platforms

Light coupling with patterned subwavelength hole arrays induces enhanced transmission supported by the strong surface plasmon mode. In this work, a nanostructured plasmonic framework with vertically built-in nanohole arrays at deep-subwavelength scale (6 nm) is demonstrated using a two-step fabrication method. The nanohole arrays are formed first by the growth of a high-quality two-phase (i.e., Au–TiN) vertically aligned nanocomposite template, followed by selective wet-etching of the metal (Au). Such a plasmonic nanohole film owns high epitaxial quality with large surface coverage and the structure can be tailored as either fully etched or half-way etched nanoholes via careful control of the etching process. The chemically inert and plasmonic TiN plays a role in maintaining sharp hole boundary and preventing lattice distortion. Optical properties such as enhanced transmittance and anisotropic dielectric function in the visible regime are demonstrated. Numerical simulation suggests an extended surface plasmon mode and strong field enhancement at the hole edges. Furthermore, two demonstrations, including the enhanced and modulated photoluminescence by surface coupling with 2D perovskite nanoplates and the refractive index sensing by infiltrating immersion liquids, suggest the great potential of such plasmonic nanohole array for reusable surface plasmon-enhanced sensing applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Characterization of the Mid-Frequency Arrays for Advanced ACTPol

The Advanced ACTPol upgrade on the Atacama Cosmology Telescope aims to improve the measurement of the cosmic microwave background anisotropies and polarization, using four new dichroic detector arrays fabricated on 150-mm silicon wafers. These bolometric cameras use AlMn transition-edge sensors, coupled to feedhorns with orthomode transducers for polarization sensitivity. The first deployed camera is sensitive to both 150 and 230 GHz. Here, we present the laboratory characterization of the thermal parameters and optical efficiencies for the two newest fielded arrays, each sensitive to both 90 and 150 GHz. We provide assessments of the parameter uniformity across each array with evaluation of systematic uncertainties. Lastly, we show the arrays’ initial performance in the field.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Development of Transition-Edge Sensor X-ray Microcalorimeter Linear Array for Compton Scattering and Energy Dispersive Diffraction Imaging

In this paper we present a strip transition-edge sensor microcalorimeter linear array detector developed for energy dispersive X-ray diffraction imaging and Compton scattering applications. The prototype detector is an array of 20 transition-edge sensors with absorbers in strip geometry arranged in a linear array. We discuss the fabrication steps needed to develop this array including Mo/Cu bilayer, Au electroplating, and proofof-principle fabrication of long strips of SiNx membranes. We demonstrate minimal unwanted effect of strip geometry on X-ray pulse response and showlinear relationship of 1/pulse height and pulse decay times with absorber length. For the absorber lengths studied, our preliminary measurements show energy resolutions of 40-180eV near 17 keV. Furthermore, we show that the heat flow to the cold bath is nearly independent of the absorber area and depends on the SiNx membrane geometry.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Signatures of Thermal and Electrical Crosstalk in a Microwave Multiplexed Hard X-ray Transition Edge Sensor Array

We investigate the crosstalk between Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) pixels in a 24-pixel hard X-ray spectrometer array fabricated at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. Analysis shows thermal cross talk, possibly associated with insufficient thermalization, and rare but larger in magnitude electrical crosstalk between specific perpetrator-victim pixel combinations, potentially due to defects in the bias wiring or microwave multiplexing circuit. We use a method based on group-triggering and averaging to isolate the crosstalk response despite only having access to X-ray photon illumination uniform across the entire array. This allows us to identify thermal and electrical crosstalk between pixel pairs in repeated measurements to the level of 1 part in 1000 or better. In the array under study, the magnitude of observed crosstalk is small but comparable to the resolving power of this pixel design (E/Delta E similar to\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$E/\Delta {}E \sim$$\end{document} 1000 at 20 keV) and so potentially responsible for a degradation in energy resolution of the array at high incident photon rates. Having proven the methods to identify and quantify crosstalk in our setup, we can now consider mitigations.

Triamkitsawat, Panthita↗

Graphene-based tunable dual-band absorbers by ribbon/disk array

This article presents two dual-band absorbers based on graphene one-dimensional (1D)/two-dimensional (2D) patterned arrays in the THz frequencies. In comparison to the previous work, the structure of the proposed device is very simple. Most of the dual-band absorbers are made by the combined resonances of the resonators with various sizes within the structure. In this paper, the proposed absorber is based on the arrays of one element. The graphene patterned arrays have dual capacitive-inductive nature. The circuit model of graphene patterned appears as the infinite number of parallel R–L–C circuits, each representing a single resonant mode. In this paper, the fundamental resonant mode of graphene patterned array is excited at both resonant bands. The impedance matching and resonance conditions are used to achieve two resonance bands with perfect absorption.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗