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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Compatibility of the Radio Frequency Mass Gauge with Graphite-Epoxy Composite Tanks

The radio frequency mass gauge (RFMG) is a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge being developed at NASA for possible use in long-duration space missions utilizing cryogenic propellants. As part of the RFMG technology development process, we evaluated the compatibility of the RFMG with a graphite-epoxy composite material used to construct propellant tanks. The key material property that can affect compatibility with the RFMG is the electrical conductivity. Using samples of 8552/IM7 graphite-epoxy composite, we characterized the resistivity and reflectivity over a range of frequencies. An RF impedance analyzer was used to characterize the out-of-plane electrical properties (along the sample thickness) in the frequency range 10 to 1800 MHZ. The resistivity value at 500 MHz was 4.8 ohm-cm. Microwave waveguide measurements of samples in the range 1.7 - 2.6 GHz, performed by inserting the samples into a WR-430 waveguide, showed reflectivity values above 98%. Together, these results suggested that a tank constructed from graphite/epoxy composite would produce good quality electromagnetic tank modes, which is needed for the RFMG. This was verified by room-temperature measurements of the electromagnetic modes of a 2.4 m diameter tank constructed by Boeing from similar graphite-epoxy composite material. The quality factor Q of the tank electromagnetic modes, measured via RF reflection measurements from an antenna mounted in the tank, was typically in the range 400 less than Q less than 3000. The good quality modes observed in the tank indicate that the RFMG is compatible with graphite-epoxy tanks, and thus the RFMG could be used as a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge in such tanks filled with cryogenic propellants.

Propellant tanks↗
NASA NTRS2015

Compatibility of the Radio Frequency Mass Gauge with Composite Tanks

The radio frequency mass gauge (RFMG) is a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge being developed at NASA for possible use in long-duration space missions utilizing cryogenic propellants. As part of the RFMG technology development process, we evaluated the compatibility of the RFMG with a graphite-epoxy composite material used to construct propellant tanks. The key material property that can affect compatibility with the RFMG is the electrical conductivity. Using samples of 8552IM7 graphite-epoxy composite, we characterized the resistivity and reflectivity over a range of frequencies. An RF impedance analyzer was used to characterize the out-of-plane electrical properties (along the sample thickness) in the frequency range 10 to 1800 MHZ. The resistivity value at 500 MHz was 4.8 ohm-cm. Microwave waveguide measurements of samples in the range 1.7 2.6 GHz, performed by inserting the samples into a WR-430 waveguide, showed reflectivity values above 98. Together, these results suggested that a tank constructed from graphite-epoxy composite would produce good quality electromagnetic tank modes, which is needed for the RFMG. This was verified by room-temperature measurements of the electromagnetic modes of a 2.4 m diameter tank constructed by Boeing from similar graphite-epoxy composite material. The quality factor Q of the tank electromagnetic modes, measured via RF reflection measurements from an antenna mounted in the tank, was typically in the range 400 Q 3000. The good quality modes observed in the tank indicate that the RFMG is compatible with graphite-epoxy tanks, and thus the RFMG could be used as a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge in such tanks filled with cryogenic propellants.

Radio frequencies↗
NASA NTRS1973

Furlable spacecraft antenna development

Recent activities at JPL directed toward the development of large furlable spacecraft antennas using conical main reflectors are described. Development of two basic antenna configurations conceived at JPL and utilizing conical main reflectors was pursued. A 4.3-m (14-ft)-diameter model based on the two-reflection conical-Gregorian concept and a 1.8-m (6-ft)-diameter model based on the four-reflection Quadreflex concept have been made and RF-tested. RF gain measurements for the 4.3-m (14-ft)-diameter conical-Gregorian model were 48.83 db at X-band (8.448 GHz) and 37.82 db at S-band (2.297 GHz). These gains correspond to efficiencies of 53.6 and 57.5%, respectively. RF gain measurements for the 1.8-m (6-ft)-diameter Quadreflex model were 47.59 db at Ku-band (16.33 GHz) and 41.30 db at X-band (8.448 GHz), corresponding to efficiencies of 58.6 and 51.5%, respectively.

Oliver, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Correlated measurements of UHF radar signatures, RF radiation, and electric field changes from lightning

During Storm Hazards - 82, simultaneous measurements were made of radar echoes, fast and slow field changes and RF radiation from lightning near the Wallops Flight Facility. RF radiation and radar echoes were also obtained during periods when the NASA F106 research aircraft was struck by lightning. These data are presently being used to better understand the electrical processes which occur during strikes to the aircraft. Preliminary conclusions based on data obtained in 1982 verify that the events recorded aboard the aircraft occurred during lightning but also indicate that they occur with surprising frequency very early in the flash.

Levine, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Correlated measurements of UHF radar signatures, RF radiation and electric field changes from lightning

During Storm Hazards - 82, simultaneous measurements are made of radar echoes, fast and slow field changes and RF radiation from lightning. Radio frequency radiation and radar echoes are also obtained during periods when the research aircraft is struck by lightning. These data are presently used to better understand the electrical processes which occur during strikes to the aircraft. Preliminary conclusions verify that the events recorded aboard the aircraft occurred during lightning but also indicate that they occur with surprising frequency very early in the flash.

Levine, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The need to measure man-made radiation from orbit for spectrum management

Measurements of RF radiation from orbiting spacecraft are discussed as an approach to improving man-made radio-wave spectrum management for avoidance and prediction of harmful RF interferences. It is pointed out that a measurement program is required for acquisition of data on electromagnetic fields to be expected in orbits, and that several types of satellites could provide platforms for such missions. Papers by Reich et al. (1972) and Kelleher et al. (1972) are referred to for descriptions as to how such platforms could be used. An electromagnetic field spectrum measurement program is outlined for orbital missions.

Eckerman, J.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Small Aircraft RF Interference Path Loss Measurements

Interference to aircraft radio receivers is an increasing concern as more portable electronic devices are allowed onboard. Interference signals are attenuated as they propagate from inside the cabin to aircraft radio antennas mounted on the outside of the aircraft. The attenuation level is referred to as the interference path loss (IPL) value. Significant published IPL data exists for transport and regional category airplanes. This report fills a void by providing data for small business/corporate and general aviation aircraft. In this effort, IPL measurements are performed on ten small aircraft of different designs and manufacturers. Multiple radio systems are addressed. Along with the typical worst-case coupling values, statistical distributions are also reported that could lead to more meaningful interference risk assessment.

Nguyen, Truong X.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Description of the dedicated gravitational satellite mission /Gravsat/

A description of the dedicated gravitational satellite (Gravsat) mission is presented. Scientific objectives are to substantially improve knowledge of solid earth geophysics and oceanography by determining a more accurate geopotential. The most stringent requirement is determination of mean gravity anomalies over regions 100-km square to an accuracy of 2.5 mgal (1 gal = 1 cm/s squared). Fundamental geodetic data will be satellite-to-satellite measurement of relative range rate. Orbital characteristics are discussed. An error budget is presented which indicates that the requisite measurement precision can be achieved by closed-loop RF doppler measurements. Implicit in the discussion of the error budget is a description of the spacecraft and systems components.

Pisacane, V. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Airborne East Coast/Midwest urban survey at 121.5/243 MHz

Results of an airborne RF interference measurement survey of the emergency-distress, Search and Rescue frequency bands at 121.5 and 243 MHz at an altitude of 25,000 ft over the U.S. East Coast and Midwest urban areas are presented. Included are a series of minutely median profile plots of antenna-noise temperature computed from RF interference power measurements at the output terminal of a quarter-wavelength monopole antenna, for both daytime and nighttime observations. The greatest value, 450,000 K, of minutely median temperature was recorded over New York City at 121.5 MHz during the day. East Coast urban areas exhibited a day-night effect at 121.5 MHz, where nighttime observations had a median value of 8.6-dB below daytime values; Midwest counterparts did not exhibit a significant day-night effect at 121.5 MHz.

Taylor, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Canopy reflectance as influenced by solar illumination angle

The interaction of the solar illumination angle and row azimuth angle of the measured reflectance factor (RF) of soybean canopies was investigated. Diurnal changes of nearly 140% were observed in the red wavelength region when canopies covered 64% of the soil. The amount of shadow observed was a function of the plant geometry and row width. As soil cover approached 100%, the diurnal changes diminished. A function tht describes the solar illumination angle with respect to the row azimuth explained most of the diurnal variation in the measured RF. Variation in near infrared response was much less and did not appear to be as strongly related to Sun-row angle interactions. The near infrared/red ratio was highly sensitive to Sun angle-row direction interactions, whereas the greenness function, utilizing all four spectral bands, was not.

Bauer, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Passenger Transmitters as A Possible Cause of Aircraft Fuel Ignition

An investigation was performed to study the potential for radio frequency (RF) power radiated from transmitting Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) to create an arcing/sparking event within the fuel tank of a large transport aircraft. A survey of RF emissions from typical intentional transmitting PEDs was first performed. Aircraft measurements of RF coupling to the fuel tank and its wiring were also performed to determine the PEDs induced power on the wiring, and the re-radiated power within the fuel tank. Laboratory simulations were conducted to determine the required RF power level for an arcing/sparking event. Data analysis shows large positive safety margins, even with simulated faults on the wiring.

Nguyen, Truong X.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Solid State Technology Branch of NASA Lewis Research Center Second Annual Digest, June 1989 - June 1990

A collection of papers and presentations authored by the branch between June 1989 and June 1990 is presented. The papers are organized into four sections. Section 1 deals with research in microwave circuits and includes full integrated circuits, the demonstration of optical/RF interfaces, and the evaluation of some hybrid circuitry. Section 2 indicates developments in coplanar waveguides and their use in breadboard circuits. Section 3 addresses high temperature superconductivity and includes: thin film deposition, transport measurement of film characteristics, RF surface resistant measurements, substrate permittivity measurements, measurements of microstrip line characteristics at cryogenic temperatures, patterning of superconducting films, and evaluation of simple passive microstrip circuitry based on YBaCuO films. Section 4 deals with carbon films, silicon carbide, GaAs/AlGaAs, HgCdTe, and other materials.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2022

Development of a direct-sampling RF receiver for precision beam charge measurements in the MOLLER experiment

Here, we have developed and tested a direct-sampling RF receiver capable of measuring the amplitude of a 1497 MHz sinusoidal beam signal in 0.5 ms integration windows with a relative uncertainty of better than 10 parts per million. The receiver is intended for measuring signals from beam current monitoring cavities on the beamline of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab. The beam signal strength, frequency, and integration window fulfill the thus far unmet requirements of the upcoming MOLLER experiment to measure the beam charge for different helicity states.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Prevention of Dual-Mode Excitation in 9-Cell Cavities for LCLSII-HE

Dual-Mode Excitation, also referred to as mode-mixing, is a superposition of two fundamental pi modes in an SRF cavity. In 9-cell TESLA cavities used for the LCLSII-HE project, the two modes that are commonly excited are the pi mode (1300.2 MHz), and the 7/9 pi mode (1297.8 MHz). During vertical cavity qualification testing, only the pi mode is driven by the RF system. However, at high gradients, emitted power at the frequency of the 7/9 pi mode grows despite the RF system only powering the pi mode. When this happens, the RF power measurement system is unable to differentiate between the superimposed modes, and any data taken is invalid. The previous method of dealing with mode-mixing was to turn off power to the cavity, let both modes decay fully, then restore power. Because of the time-sensitive nature of this testing, this leads to underestimates of Q0 or any radiant field emission present in the cavity. The novel RF control solution prevents the 7/9 pi mode from being excited while not interfering with measurements of the fundamental pi mode. A second RF control system is connected to the cavity which drives the 7/9 pi mode. The loop phase for driving the 7/9 pi mode in self excited loop mode is determined then shifted by 180 degrees, thus providing a negative feedback to the undesired mode. Because this off-resonance power can be very small, on the order of milliwatts, it does not interfere with the high-power measurements of the fundamental pi mode. At Jefferson Lab, we are now able to test a cavity for the LCLSII-HE project with no problems from mode-mixing, which allows for CW processing of high-gradient multipacting and field emission.

Owen, Peter↗
NASA NTRS1989

Laboratory measurements of the 7.5-9.38-mm absorption of gaseous ammonia (NH3) under simulated Jovian conditions

An attempt is made to infer the abundance and distribution of ammonia from RF emission measurements more accurately than heretofore, on the basis of the results of laboratory measurements for the mm-wave opacity of gaseous ammonia under simulated Jovian atmosphere conditions. The measurements were conducted at various frequencies in the 32-40 GHz range at 2 atm and 203 K; the atmospheric mixture was 88.34 percent H2, 9.81 percent He, and 1.85 percent NH3. Experimental results are found to be readily modeled by the Gross (1955) line-shape factor, rather than that of Van Vleck and Weisskopf (1945).

Joiner, Joanna↗
DOE OSTI2025

Calculation of rf-induced temporal jitter in ultrafast electron diffraction

A significant contribution to the temporal resolution of an ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) instrument is arrival time jitter caused by amplitude and phase variation of radio-frequency (rf) cavities. In this paper, we present a semianalytical approach for calculating rf-induced temporal jitter from klystron and rf cavity parameters. Our approach allows fast estimation of temporal jitter for MeV-UED beamlines and can serve as a virtual timing tool when shot-to-shot measurements of rf amplitude and phase jitters are available. A simulation study for the SLAC MeV-UED instrument is presented, and the temporal resolution of several beamline configurations is compared.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗