Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “ISI”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

VLF emissions and whistlers observed during geomagnetic storms

Whistler-triggered emissions and a narrowband hiss are described which were observed over Japan by ISIS 2 during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm of August 9, 1972. The characteristics of the narrowband hiss and increases in the whistler rate during the storm are discussed, and the ISIS-2 data are compared with data on whistler cutoffs and VLF noise breakups obtained by OGO 4 and Alouette I. Since the whistlers and narrowband hiss are usually observed inside and outside the plasmapause, it is thought that the plasmapause may have been located near the low-latitude end of the narrowband hiss during the main phase of the storm. It is suggested that the increases in the whistler rate may have been caused by the formation of whistler ducts in the disturbed plasmapause.

Ondoh, T.↗

Test and space experience with protoflight spacecraft

Data are presented on environmental testing of protoflight spacecraft, which are defined as spacecraft designed in advance to serve as both a prototype and a flight model. Protoflight spacecraft discussed include DME-A, IMP-F, RAE-A, ISIS-A, TIROS-M, SAS-A, IMP-I, ISIS-B, SSS, ERTS-A, IMP-H, SAS-B, RAE-B, IMP-J, AE-C, and SMS-A. Comparative data on conventional and protoflight test programs are given together with results of the in-test performance of the 16 protoflight craft and a comparison of the space performance of 53 conventional flight spacecraft and the 16 protoflight ones. It is concluded that: (1) based on system-level test results, some additional risk of space failures appears to exist when a protoflight spacecraft is launched instead of a flight craft; (2) the space performance of all protoflight craft to date has been satisfactory, with failure rates slightly less than those for conventional flight craft; and (3) the results of the present study support the continued use of the protoflight concept.

Timmins, A. R.↗

A snapshot of the polar ionosphere

This paper presents a picture of the north polar F layer and topside ionosphere obtained primarily from three satellites (Alouette 2, ISIS 1, ISIS 2) that passed over the region within a time interval of about 50 min on a magnetically quiet day. The horizontal distribution of electron densities at the peak of the F layer is found to be similar to synoptic results from the IGY. Energetic-particle and ionospheric-plasma data are also presented, and the F-layer data are discussed in terms of these measurements as well as in terms of electric-field and neutral N2 density measurements made by other satellites on other occasions. The major feature observed is a tongue of F-region ionization extending from the dayside across the polar cap, which is accounted for by antisunward drift due to magnetospheric convection. In the F layer and topside ionosphere, the main effect of auroral precipitation appears to be heating and expansion of the topside. A region of low F-layer density appears on the morning side of the polar cap, which may be due to convection and possibly also to enhanced N2 densities.

Whitteker, J. H.↗

A minimax technique for time-domain design of preset digital equalizers using linear programming

A linear programming technique is presented for the design of a preset finite-impulse response (FIR) digital filter to equalize the intersymbol interference (ISI) present in a baseband channel with known impulse response. A minimax technique is used which minimizes the maximum absolute error between the actual received waveform and a specified raised-cosine waveform. Transversal and frequency-sampling FIR digital filters are compared as to the accuracy of the approximation, the resultant ISI and the transmitted energy required. The transversal designs typically have slightly better waveform accuracy for a given distortion; however, the frequency-sampling equalizer uses fewer multipliers and requires less transmitted energy. A restricted transversal design is shown to use the least number of multipliers at the cost of a significant increase in energy and loss of waveform accuracy at the receiver.

Vaughn, G. L.↗

Electron content of the ionosphere and the plasma sphere on the basis of ATS-6-Data, NNSS-data, and ionograms

The reported investigation takes into account data obtained with the aid of the geostationary satellite ATS-6, the satellites of the U.S. navy navigation system (NNSS) at an altitude between 900 and 1200 km, and the satellites ISIS 1 and ISIS 2. The altitude range between ground and ATS-6 is divided into two regions, including the 'ionosphere', involving the region with an upper limit of 2000 km, and the 'plasma sphere', involving the region above an altitude of 2000 km. Data concerning the electron content obtained from different sources are compared, taking into account discrepancies between ionogram-derived values and values computed on the basis of satellite measurements. Attention is also given to the vertical electron content of the ionosphere on the basis of a combination of data obtained with the aid of the ATS-6 and the NNSS.

Leitinger, R.↗

Transversely accelerated ions - An ionospheric source of hot magnetospheric ions

The paper considers observational data on transversely accelerated ion (TAI) events observed from the Isis 1 and 2 satellites. A source of hot magnetospheric ions was discovered in the auroral topside ionosphere, and a part of the cold ionospheric ion distribution is transversely accelerated within a source region as low as 1000 km. Subsequent to transverse acceleration, the ions are driven upward into the magnetosphere by the gradient B mirror force; they are observed by the soft particle spectrometers on the Isis 1 and 2 satellites, with sharply defined pitch angle distributions centered between 90 and 120 deg, and with energy distributions up to several hundred electron volts. Observations at 1400 km indicate that the transversely accelerated ion (TAI) events are predominantly a winter nightside auroral zone phenomenon, but in the summertime TAI events were observed at altitudes above 2750 km on the day-side within the cleft. Typical intensities exceeding 10 to the 8th power ions/sq cm s sr during TAI events suggest that they may be a significant source of hot ions for the magnetosphere.

Klumpar, D. M.↗

Project Orion: A Design Study of a System for Detecting Extrasolar Planets

A design concept for a ground based astrometric telescope that could significantly increase the potential accuracy of astrometric observations is considered. The state of current techniques and instrumentation is examined in the context of detecting extrasolar planets. Emphasis is placed on the direct detection of extrasolar planets at either visual or infrared wavelengths. The design concept of the imaging stellar interferometer (ISI), developed under Project Orion, is described. The Orion ISI employs the state-of-the-art technology and is theoretically capable of attaining 0.00010 arc sec/yr accuracy in relative astrometric observations.

Black, D. C.↗

Large storms: Airglow and related measurements. VLF observations, volume 4

The data presented show the typical values and range of ionospheric and magnetospheric characteristics, as viewed from 1400 km with the ISIS 2 instruments. The definition of each data set depends partly on geophysical parameters and partly on satellite operating mode. Preceding the data set is a description of the organizational parameters and a review of the objectives and general characteristics of the data set. The data are shown as a selection from 12 different data formats. Each data set has a different selection of formats, but uniformity of a given format selection is preserved throughout each data set. Each data set consists of a selected number of passes, each comprising a format combination that is most appropriae for the particular data set. Description of ISIS 2 instruments are provided.

Source record↗

Auroral kilometric radiation/aurora correlation

Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) observations from the ISIS 1 topside sounder receiver were compared with visual auroral observations from the network of Alaskan all-sky camera stations. The goal was to relate AKR source region encounters to specific auroral forms on the same magnetic field line. Thirty-eight simultaneous data sets were identified and analyzed. In general, intense AKR was associated with bright auroral arcs and conditions of weak or no AKR corresponded to times when either no aurora or only a faint arc or weak diffuse aurora were observed. Five cases, when both intense AKR and bright visual aurora were present, were analyzed in detail. Complete electron density N sub e contours, from the satellite altitude down to the F region ionization peak, were obtained along N-S traversals of the AKR source region. In addition, the ISIS 1 orbital tracks were projected down the magnetic field lines to the auroral altitude and compared to auroral features on a map derived from the all sky camera images. Density cavities (regions where N sub e 100/cu cm) were encountered on each of these passes.

Benson, R. F.↗

Development of a prototype multi-processing interactive software invocation system

The Interactive Software Invocation System (NASA-ISIS) was first transported to the M68000 microcomputer, and then rewritten in the programming language Path Pascal. Path Pascal is a significantly enhanced derivative of Pascal, allowing concurrent algorithms to be expressed using the simple and elegant concept of Path Expressions. The primary results of this contract was to verify the viability of Path Pascal as a system's development language. The NASA-ISIS implementation using Path Pascal is a prototype of a large, interactive system in Path Pascal. As such, it is an excellent demonstration of the feasibility of using Path Pascal to write even more extensive systems. It is hoped that future efforts will build upon this research and, ultimately, that a full Path Pascal/ISIS Operating System (PPIOS) might be developed.

Berman, W. J.↗

Auroral kilometric radiation/aurora correlation

Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) observations from the ISIS 1 topside sounder receiver were compared with visual auroral observations from the network of Alaskan all-sky camera stations. The goal was to relate AKR source region encounters to specific auroral forms on the same magnetic field line. Thirty-eight simultaneous data sets were identified and analyzed. In general, intense AKR was associated with bright auroral arcs and conditions of weak or no AKR corresponded to times when either no aurora or only a faint arc or weak diffuse aurora were observed. Five cases, when both intense AKR and bright visual aurora were present, were analyzed in detail. Complete electron density N sub e contours, from the satellite altitude down to the F region ionization peak, were obtained along N-S traversals of the AKR source region. In addition, the ISIS 1 orbital tracks were projected down the magnetic field lines to the auroral altitude and compared to auroral features on a map derived from the all sky camera images. Density cavities (regions where N sub e 100/cu cm) were encountered on each of these passes. Previously announced in STAR as N83-27516

Benson, R. F.↗

A study of large, medium and small scale structures in the topside ionosphere

Alouette and ISIS data were studied for large, medium, and small scale structures in the ionosphere. Correlation was also sought with measurements by other satellites, such as the Atmosphere Explorer C and E and the Dynamic Explorer 2 satellites, of both neutrals and ionization, and with measurements by ground facilities, such as the incoherent scatter radars. Large scale coherent wavelike structures were found from ISIS 2 electron density contours from above the F peak to nearly the satellite altitude. Such structures were also found to correlate with the observation by AE-C below the F peak during a conjunction of the two satellites. Vertical wavefronts found in the upper F region suggest the dominance of diffusion along field lines as well. Also discovered were multiple, evenly spaced field-aligned ducts in the F region that, at low latitudes, extended to the other hemisphere and were in the form of field-aligned sheets in the east-west direction. Low latitude heating events were discovered that could serve as sources for waves in the ionosphere.

Gross, Stanley H.↗

VLF noises triggered by whistlers as observed in the topside ionosphere

ISIS-1, ISIS-2, and DE-1 VLF electric field data from Kashima station, Japan are used to investigate characteristics of whistler triggered emissions in the topside ionosphere. The occurrence rate for nonducted whistler triggered emission is shown to be distributed randomly between L = 2.0 and 4.2, while the occurrence rate of ducted whistler triggered emissions increases with latitudes between L = 1.5 and 2.9, attains a maximum at L = 2.7, and abruptly drops off at L = 3.0. The findings indicate that some whistler triggered emissions may be generated by the interaction of whistlers with magnetospheric electrons.

Nakamura, Yoshikatsu↗

DE/ISIS conjunction comparisons of high-latitude electron density features

This paper presents a comparison between the ISIS-1 and -2 topside sounder measurements of electron number density, N(e), with the in situ ion and N(e) measurements by the Langmuir probe aboard the Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) during four high-latitude ISIS/DE magnetic field-aligned conjunctions. The ISIS-derived N(e) values, even at the greatest distance from the sounder, were found to agree with the Langmuir probe measurements to within about 30 percent over a density range of more than two decades on three of the four comparisons; the fourth comparison which included data with strong N(e) irregularities, showed a difference of 60 percent.

Hoegy, Walter R.↗

Doppler-corrected differential detection of MPSK

An open-loop technique is presented for estimating and correcting Doppler frequency shift in an M-ary differential phase-shift-keyed (MDPSK) receiver. The novelty of the scheme is based on the observation that whereas the change in phase of the received signal over a full symbol contains the sum of the data (phase) and the Doppler-induced phase shift, the same change in phase over half a symbol (within a given symbol interval) contains only the Doppler-induced phase shift. Thus, by proper processing, the latter can be estimated and removed from the former. Analytical and simulation results are given for the variance of the above estimator, and the error probability performance of the MDPSK receiver is evaluated in the presence of the Doppler correction. Next, the practical considerations associated with the application of this technique on bandlimited Nyquist channels are discussed and incorporated into the final design. It is shown that the receiver can, in the absence of timing jitter, be designed to allow combined Doppler correction and data detection with no penalty due to intersymbol interference (ISI). The effects of ISI due to timing jitter are assessed by computer simulation.

Simon, Marvin K.↗

Results from Alouette 1, Explorer 20, Alouette 2, and Explorer 31

This is a continuation of the Alouette-Isis Program Summary of 1986. Not only included is a description of the objectives, spacecraft, experiments, and flight performance, but also a complete experiment related bibliography along with a comprehensive assessment of the technological and scientific accomplishments. The scientific results are presented from the first four of the six spacecraft of the Alouette-Isis program.

Jackson, John E.↗

The role of education in the celebration of International Space Year

NASA's role in International Space Year (ISY) educational activities is described. The Agency is a coleader of the space agency forum panel of experts on education and applications, a developer of educational activities within the agency, and a facilitator of ISY-related activities in the public and private sectors in the USA.

Owens, Frank C.↗

Recent astronomical results from the infrared spatial interferometer and their implications for LOUISA

A new heterodyne interferometer for the atmospheric window from 9 to 12 microns was developed during the past five years. This instrument, called the Infrared Spatial Interferometer (ISI), was designed to use earth rotation aperture synthesis techniques developed in radio interferometry. It was moved to Mt. Wilson, California, in January 1988 and first fringes were obtained in June of that year. Systematic observations of some of the brighter late-type stars began shortly after the first fringes were obtained. We describe the basic principles and design of the ISI and give an overview of some of the initial results obtained from these observations. The implications of our work to the proposed Lunar Optical/UV/IR Synthesis Array (LOUISA) are discussed. We also analyze the conditions for the maximum signal-to-noise ratio of such an interferometer as a function of wavelength. The optimum wavelength is found to depend on the assumed scaling relation between telescope area and wavelength.

Danchi, William C.↗