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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 109 records · Page 6

Single photon detection and timing in the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment.

The goals of the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment lead to the need for the measurement of a 2.5 sec time interval to an accuracy of a nanosecond or better. The systems analysis which included practical retroreflector arrays, available laser systems, and large telescopes led to the necessity of single photon detection. Operation under all background illumination conditions required auxiliary range gates and extremely narrow spectral and spatial filters in addition to the effective gate provided by the time resolution. Nanosecond timing precision at relatively high detection efficiency was obtained using the RCA C31000F photomultiplier and Ortec 270 constant fraction of pulse-height timing discriminator. The timing accuracy over the 2.5 sec interval was obtained using a digital interval with analog vernier ends. Both precision and accuracy are currently checked internally using a triggerable, nanosecond light pulser. Future measurements using sub-nanosecond laser pulses will be limited by the time resolution of single photon detectors.

Poultney, S. K.↗

Design, processing, and testing of lsi arrays for space station

The design of a MOS 256-bit Random Access Memory (RAM) is discussed. Technological achievements comprise computer simulations that accurately predict performance; aluminum-gate COS/MOS devices including a 256-bit RAM with current sensing; and a silicon-gate process that is being used in the construction of a 256-bit RAM with voltage sensing. The Si-gate process increases speed by reducing the overlap capacitance between gate and source-drain, thus reducing the crossover capacitance and allowing shorter interconnections. The design of a Si-gate RAM, which is pin-for-pin compatible with an RCA bulk silicon COS/MOS memory (type TA 5974), is discussed in full. The Integrated Circuit Tester (ICT) is limited to dc evaluation, but the diagnostics and data collecting are under computer control. The Silicon-on-Sapphire Memory Evaluator (SOS-ME, previously called SOS Memory Exerciser) measures power supply drain and performs a minimum number of tests to establish operation of the memory devices. The Macrodata MD-100 is a microprogrammable tester which has capabilities of extensive testing at speeds up to 5 MHz. Beam-lead technology was successfully integrated with SOS technology to make a simple device with beam leads. This device and the scribing are discussed.

Lile, W. R.↗

The Uhuru star aspect sensor.

Description of the star sensor used in the spin-stabilized Uhuru satellite for the purpose of detecting and locating stellar X-ray sources. The star sensor had the capability of detecting fourth-magnitude stars to within 1 arc minute of azimuth and 2 arc minutes of elevation. This was achieved with the aid of a slightly modified 76-mm, f/0.87 Super Farron lens, an 'n' shaped reticle located in the focal plane, and an RCA CF70114F photomultiplier serving as the detection element. The star sensor is composed of three major components - a high-voltage power supply, the photomultiplier, and an amplifier.

Jagoda, N.↗

LSI computer design - SUMC/DV.

Advanced Technology Laboratories has designed, built, and tested the first CMOS general-purpose computer. The computer executes 32 instructions that are operation-code compatible with the IBM 360 and RCA Spectra 70 series of computers. The computer is supported by 2k words of main-memory LSI storage and a TTY peripheral for input and output operations. Additionally, a simulator, an assembler, and a loader have been constructed to provide software support to the hardware. This paper provides an overall picture of this computer project.

Clapp, W. A.↗

Solid state television camera

The design, fabrication, and tests of a solid state television camera using a new charge-coupled imaging device are reported. An RCA charge-coupled device arranged in a 512 by 320 format and directly compatible with EIA format standards was the sensor selected. This is a three-phase, sealed surface-channel array that has 163,840 sensor elements, which employs a vertical frame transfer system for image readout. Included are test results of the complete camera system, circuit description and changes to such circuits as a result of integration and test, maintenance and operation section, recommendations to improve the camera system, and a complete set of electrical and mechanical drawing sketches.

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ASTP video tape recorder ground support equipment (audio/CTE splitter/interleaver). Operations manual

A descriptive handbook for the audio/CTE splitter/interleaver (RCA part No. 8673734-502) was presented. This unit is designed to perform two major functions: extract audio and time data from an interleaved video/audio signal (splitter section), and provide a test interleaved video/audio/CTE signal for the system (interleaver section). It is a rack mounting unit 7 inches high, 19 inches wide, 20 inches deep, mounted on slides for retracting from the rack, and weighs approximately 40 pounds. The following information is provided: installation, operation, principles of operation, maintenance, schematics and parts lists.

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ASTP video tape recorder ground support equipment, addendum 1 (CTE splitter/buffer). Operations manual

A descriptive handbook for the CTE splitter (RCA part No. 8673734-503) was presented. This unit is designed to extract time data from an interleaved video audio signal. It is a rack mounting unit 7 inches high, 19 inches wide, 20 inches deep, mounted on slides for retracting from the rack, and weighs approximately 40 pounds. The following information is provided: installation, operation, principles of operation, maintenance, schematics and parts lists.

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ASTP video tape recorder ground support equipment, addendum 2 (CTE splitter/buffer). Operations manual

A descriptive handbook for the CTE splitter (RCA part No. 8673734-50A) was presented. This unit is designed to extract time data from an interleaved video/audio signal. It is a rack mounting unit 7 inches high, 19 inches wide, 20 inches deep, mounted on slides for retracting from the rack, and weighs approximately 40 pounds. The following information is provided: installation, operation, principles of operation, maintenance, schematics and parts lists.

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Prediction and measurement results of radiation damage to CMOS devices on board spacecraft

All the currently available results of the flight experiment for all the individually instrumented 130 transistors, relating to both biased and unbiased n- and p-channel RCA and -channel AMI devices were presented. The predictions of dose levels based on a detailed analysis of the space radiation environment as encountered by Explorer-55 and calculated by one dimensional slab geometry, and three dimensional spherical geometry were cited.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗

Detection of rings around Uranus

A description is presented of partial occultations of SAO 158687 by a series of rings around the planet Uranus. A 61-cm telescope at Perth Observatory in Western Australia was used in the investigations. Measurements were made using a conventional single-channel photometer equipped with an RCA C31034B photomultiplier. Uranus was centered in a 28-arc sec diameter aperture during the observations. An occultation of SAO 158687 by Uranus itself did not occur at Perth. However, five brief partial occultations of SAO 158687 were detected with the chart recorder. The midtimes, durations, and depths of these events are listed in a table.

Millis, R. L.↗

A voltage to frequency converter for astronomical photometry

A voltage to frequency converter (VFC) for general use with photomultipliers is described. For high light levels, when the dead-time corrections for a photon counter would be excessive, the VFC maintains a linear response and allows the recording of data at high time resolution. Results of laboratory tests are given for the signal-to-noise characteristics, linearity, stability, and transient response of the VFC when used in conjunction with EMI 9658 and RCA C31034 photomultipliers.

Dunham, E.↗

Automated Array Assembly, Phase 2

The large scale production of silicon solar cell array panels is discussed. The cost and performance of three manufacturing sequences designed to convert silicon sheet and wafers into solar panels is analyzed. The production of ion implanted and furnace annealed solar cells made using solar grade n- and p-type wafers is examined. The performance of production size lots is examined with regard to the relationship between the ion implant and furnace anneal parameters and the ability to form consistently good thick film screen printed contacts. The spray on antireflection coating process is evaluated. The performance of several lots of cells before and after coating is measured. The structure and refractive index of the RCA I (TiO2) coating is compared with commercial solutions. Sensitivity of coated, screen printed cells to the post heat treatment required to cure the films is assessed.

Daiello, R. V.↗

A Fourier transform with speed improvements for microprocessor applications

A fast Fourier transform algorithm for the RCA 1802microprocessor was developed for spacecraft instrument applications. The computations were tailored for the restrictions an eight bit machine imposes. The algorithm incorporates some aspects of Walsh function sequency to improve operational speed. This method uses a register to add a value proportional to the period of the band being processed before each computation is to be considered. If the result overflows into the DF register, the data sample is used in computation; otherwise computation is skipped. This operation is repeated for each of the 64 data samples. This technique is used for both sine and cosine portions of the computation. The processing uses eight bit data, but because of the many computations that can increase the size of the coefficient, floating point form is used. A method to reduce the alias problem in the lower bands is also described.

Lokerson, D. C.↗

TIROS-N Cosmic Ray study

An experimental and analytical study was performed on the impact of galactic cosmic rays on the TIROS-N satellite memory in orbit. Comparisons were made of systems equipped with the Harris HMI-6508 1 x 1024 CMOS/bulk RAM and the RCA CDP-1821 1 x 1024 bit CMOS/SOS RAM. Based upon the experimental results, estimated bit error rates were determined. These were at least 8.0 bit errors/day for a 300 kilobit memory with the HMI-6508 and .014 bit errors/day with the CDF-1821. It was also estimated that the HMI-6508 latchup rate in orbit is at least two orders of magnitude less than the bit error rates; the CDP-1821 will not latchup.

Blandford, J. T., Jr.↗

Control of the Soft X-ray Polychromator on the Solar Maximum Mission Satellite

The Soft X-ray Polychromator on the Solar Maximum Mission Satellite consists of two largely independent instruments: the Flat Crystal Spectrometer, a highly collimated scanning spectrometer mounted on a raster platform, and the Bent Crystal Spectrometer, a broadly collimated spectrometer providing high time-resolution (128 ms) spectra for the study of rapidly evolving phenomena. Each instrument is controlled by a microcomputer system built around an RCA 1802 microprocessor. This paper presents a discussion of the motivation for using a microprocessor in this application, and the design concepts that were implemented. The effectiveness of the approach as seen after several months of operation will also be discussed.

Springer, L. A.↗

Modified reference SPS with solid state transmitting antenna

The motivations for considering solid state microwave power amplifiers for the solar power satellite transmitting antenna are the possibilities of greatly increased system reliability due to elimination of electron tube cathodes, a lower mass per unit power and transmitting array area due to the high power densities obtainable in semiconductors, and, probably, cost savings due to development of small hardware items that can be handled by individuals instead of organizations. In order to provide a fair assessment where we stand today with regard to solid state SPS technology, the design described here is close to that of the NASA/DOE reference and is implemented using today's solid state technology with only a small "push". The small push is raising the efficiency of DC-RF conversion from the .68 obtained by RCA in 1975 to somewhat over .8 of the solid state SPS. This is generally considered feasible by semiconductor industry representatives. Other solid state SPS configurations can yield somewhat better performance. However, these generally do not provide as fair a vehicle for comparison with the reference and usually also incorporate somewhat more advanced technologies.

Woodcock, G. R.↗

Activation energies of thermal annealing of radiation-induced damage in n- and p-channels of CMOS integrated circuits. II

The procedures described by Danchenko et al. (1980) are applied to devices of RCA's Z-process (100,000 rad-hard). A thermal annealing investigation of the Z-process reveals an annealing behavior of the p-channels that is anomalous when compared with the p-channels of the commercial and J-processes. It is noted that the thermal annealing-induced shift of the threshold potential extends far below the original value; this necessitated the development of a new mathematical treatment, the treatment presented in the paper.

Danchenko, V.↗