SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Microwave antennas”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 163 records · Page 9

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1981

Principal normal curvature of surfaces

Certain principal normal curvatures of differential geometry were developed for use in curvature matrices associated with the asymptotic solution of electromagnetic diffraction problems. The effort is directed toward microwave antenna simulations and high speed digital computer analysis of radiometric instruments used to obtain soil moisture, sea state, salinity and temperature data. It is shown that the methods used to develop the principal normal curvatures for paraboloid, hyperboloid, ellipsoid, sphere, and cone can be applied to other radiometer geometries such as the parabolic torus, even though the surface parameterizations are different. It is concluded that deployable offset geometries, distorted by rotational forces and solar loads may be analyzed by similar means given a suitable surface description.

Schmidt, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Large-angular-scale anisotropy in the cosmic background radiation

Results of an extended series of airborne measurements of large-angular-scale anisotropy in the 3-K cosmic background radiation are reported. A dual-antenna microwave radiometer operating at 33 GHz flown aboard a U-2 aircraft to 20-km altitude on 11 flights between December 1976 and May 1978 measured differential intensity between pairs of directions distributed over most of the Northern Hemisphere. Measurements show clear evidence of anisotropy that is readily interpreted as due to the solar motion relative to the sources of the radiation. The anisotropy is well fitted by a first order spherical harmonic of amplitude 3.6 + or - 0.5 mK, corresponding to a velocity of 360 + or - 50 km/s toward the direction 11.2 + or - 0.5 hours of right ascension and 19 deg + or - 8 deg declination.

Gorenstein, M. V.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A modern control approach to the design of the SPS control system

The structural dynamics of the solar power satellite were considered. The requirements on the vibration of the microwave antenna and the possibility of thermal induced vibration and severe structural-thermal interactions were considered. The possibility of using an active control system and modern control methods to mitigate structural problems is discussed.

Gran, R.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Satellite Power System total proof of concept program

Requirements for a solar power satellite (SPS) orbital demonstration for providing a system proof of concept within the decade of the 1980s are outlined. Maximum use of the anticipated results of the ground based exploratory development program (GBED) results and Earth launching via the space shuttle are assumed. System demonstration requirements are listed. It was determined that total proof of concept can be demonstrated with a satellite at low Earth orbit, and that orbital construction of a full scale microwave antenna structure is feasible, as is demonstration of power collection by a transportable rectanna farm with an area of approximately one half acre.

Mcrae, W. V., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Anomalous wind estimates from the Seasat scatterometer

The Seasat-A Satellite Scatterometer (SASS) measured the radar backscatter intensity from the sea surface using a four-beam microwave antenna. Estimates of wind speed and direction derived from these data agree well with surface measurements made during the Joint Air-Sea Interaction experiment, but there are occasions (3 out of 23 satellite passes) when the results are anomalous. One such occasion when the satellite measurements differed substantially from those at the surface of the sea has been studied, and it has been concluded that the interpretation of the SASS measurements may have been vitiated by a mid-level convective system deep enough to produce thunderstorms and lightning.

Guymer, T. H.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Decoupling a Reflecting Layer From Its Support Structure

Mounting decouples thermal distortions of reflective surface so not transmitted to support structure. Reflecting layer consists of aluminum reflecting tiles attached to support structure by flexural mounting bend and twist to accommodate thermal expansion of tiles. Technique useful in microwave-antenna reflectors.

Bamford, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Evidence for inhomogeneous thermal sources of two similar solar spike event of 1978, May 5 and December 4

Two short duration single spike events of 1978 May 5 and December 4 exhibit similar time profiles in the microwave and hard X-ray ranges, indicating emission from compact sources. Microwave spectral observations exhibit inhomogeneities present in the source parameters. The existence of fine time structures in the microwave time profiles at 10.4 GHz from Berne are interpreted as a signature of the dynamics of a disturbance travelling through the souce at the ion-sound speed. Stereoscopic observations with the hard X-ray detector on the solar orbiter, Helios-2, and the Berne microwave antennae do not indicate any time lag or differences in the time profiles during the impulsive phase. This is taken as evidence for the absence of directionality of emission making beam models unlikely for short duration single spike events.

Wiehl, H. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Grating lobe characteristics and associated impacts upon the solar power satellite microwave system

The object of this investigation is to determine the grating lobe characteristics for the SPS (solar power satellite) microwave power beam. Using techniques of Fourier array decomposition, equations, and numerical results are given for the complete SPS microwave antenna pattern (main beam plus grating lobes). In order to ensure the grating lobe peaks are below the environmental guideline of 0.01 mW/sq cm, constraints are defined for the mechanical alignment (tilt) of the SPS antenna and the satellite attitude control system. Two conditions, phase control to the subarray level and to the power module (tube) level, are analyzed as to their effects upon grating lobes.

Kerwin, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Evidence for inhomogeneous thermal sources of two similar solar spike events of 1978 May 5 and December 4

Two short duration single spike solar events of 1978 May 5 and December 4 exhibit similar time profiles in the microwave and hard X-ray ranges, indicating emission from compact sources. Microwave spectral observations exhibit inhomogeneities present in the source parameters. The existence of fine time structures in the microwave time profiles at 10.4 GHz from Berne are interpreted as a signature of the dynamics of a disturbance traveling through the source at the ion-sound speed. Stereoscopic observations with the hard X-ray detector on the solar orbiter, Helios-2, and the Berne microwave antenna do not indicate any time lag or differences in the time profiles during the impulsive phase. This is taken as evidence for the absence of directionality of emission making beam models unlikely for short duration single spike events. Previously announced in STAR as N83-13047

Desai, U.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The microwave noise environment at a geostationary satellite caused by the brightness of the earth

The microwave antenna temperature due to the earth in the satellite antenna beam has been computed for a series of longitudes for a satellite in geostationary orbit and for frequencies of 1 to 50 GHz. An earth-coverage beam is assumed for simplicity, but the technique is applicable to arbitrary beam shapes. Detailed calculations have been performed to account for varying land-ocean fractions within the field of view. Emission characteristics of the earth's atmosphere and surface are used with an accurate radiation transfer program to compute observed brightness temperatures. The value of 290 K commonly used for antenna temperature in satellite communication noise calculations is overly conservative, with more realistic values lying in the 60 to 240 K range.

Smith, E. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

X-band uplink feedcone capabilities, components, and layout

Two new X-(7.2 GHz up, 8.4 GHz down) and S-band (2.1 to 2.3 Ghz) common aperture (XSC) feedcones are being added to the DSS 45 and DSS 65 34-Meter Efficiency Antennas. These new feedcones are modifications of the existing SXC feedcone design incorporating a new high power (20-kW) X-band transmitter. The modified Antenna Microwave Subsystem design also incorporates two additional X-band low noise amplifiers and greater phase stability performance to meet both the increased stability requirements for Galileo gravity wave experiments and requirements for spacecraft navigation near the Sun. A third XSC will be constructed for DSS 15 later.

Marlin, H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The 8.4-GHz low-noise maser pump source assembly

Improved pump source assemblies and new 8.4-GHz low noise traveling-wave masers (TWMs) were installed at the same time at Deep Space Stations 14 and 43 as part of the Mark IVA DSCC Antenna Microwave Subsystems upgrade. The pump source assemblies are part of the new 8.4-GHz TWMs, which are identified as Block IIA Low-Noise TWMs. Improved reliability of the pump source assemblies was required to meet stress analysis criteria.

Cardenas, R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Communications technology

The objective of the Communications Technology Program is to enable data transmission to and from low Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and solar and deep space missions. This can be achieved by maintaining an effective, balances effort in basic, applied, and demonstration prototype communications technology through work in theory, experimentation, and components. The program consists of three major research and development discipline areas which are: microwave and millimeter wave tube components; solid state monolithic integrated circuit; and free space laser communications components and devices. The research ranges from basic research in surface physics (to study the mechanisms of surface degradation from under high temperature and voltage operating conditions which impacts cathode tube reliability and lifetime) to generic research on the dynamics of electron beams and circuits (for exploitation in various micro- and millimeter wave tube devices). Work is also performed on advanced III-V semiconductor materials and devices for use in monolithic integrated analog circuits (used in adaptive, programmable phased arrays for microwave antenna feeds and receivers) - on the use of electromagnetic theory in antennas and on technology necessary for eventual employment of lasers for free space communications for future low earth, geostationary, and deep space missions requiring high data rates with corresponding directivity and reliability.

Sokoloski, Martin M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

Deep Space Network advanced systems, very large scale integration architecture for decoders, radar interface and control units, microwave time delays, microwave antenna holography, and a radio frequency interference survey are among the topics discussed.

Posner, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Rotary Ball Locking Mechanism

Ball locking mechanism links input drive shaft to output shaft and disengages two shafts from each other when it locks output shaft at either of two fixed angular positions. Part of drive system turning microwave antenna 143.5 degrees between stowage and employment orientations and holds it at either orientation without back-loading drive motor and gears. Angular interval and dimensions modified for use in robotic or other actuators in which desirable to "rest" drive trains while locking actuators at fixed positions.

Holman, Earl V.↗

NASA NTRS1993

UARS in-flight jitter study for EOS

Response data collected from gyroscopes on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) provided a unique opportunity to analyze actual flight pointing jitter data. Flight modal frequencies and damping values are derived from the measured data using an Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA). Flight frequencies at various solar array positions are compared to analytical predictions obtained with a Finite Element Model. The solar array modal frequencies change with position due to the modes acting about different spacecraft inertial axes. Higher order modes were difficult to identify due to the limited instrumentation. Future flight jitter studies on other spacecraft would be significantly aided by additional instrumentation. Spacecraft jitter due to continuous disturbance sources such as the 1.6 meter scanning microwave antenna, the solar array drive, and reaction wheels is presented. The solar array drive disturbance dominates the spacecraft response during normal operation.

Molnar, John↗

NASA NTRS1994

Triband Circular-Loop Frequency-Selective Microwave Reflector

Dichroic microwave reflector has desired frequency-selective reflection/transmission characteristics over range of angles of incidence, and fabricated relatively easy. Designed for use in multiplexing signals at several frequencies in microwave antenna system.

Wu, Te-Kao↗

NASA NTRS1990

Platform evolution studies

The polar orbiting platform (POP), being developed by the Work Package 3 (WP3) Project at the Goddard Space Flight Center, will play a key role in the NASA Leadership Initiative, Mission to Planet Earth (MPE). It becomes, with the addition of payloads, an Earth observation satellite observatory. Mission to Planet Earth also has geostationary platforms (GEOP) as part of its global observational system. A study was begun in March 1988 to assess the applicability of the POP orbital replacement units (ORUs) for a geostationary Earth observing mission. Two test cases, representative of MPE payloads, were studied. Case A was used to emphasize the GEOP configuration and design; it used a Titan/Centaur to achieve orbit. Case B, considered to be much further in the future, included some assembly at the Space Station Freedom manned base and use of an orbital transfer vehicle to achieve orbit; requirements on the manned base to support such a mission were emphasized. The study found the POP systems more than adequate to meet GEOP requirements. Two types of changes were required for the POP ORUs: (1) modification to use only one surface for heat rejection; for the battery ORU, this meant 'opening up' the ORU to retain the radiator area with a corresponding decrease in depth; and (2) deletion of equipment not needed. The Case A configuration was shown to be within the planned capability of the Titan IV/Centaur. Assembly requirements were included for the Case B configuration, which is driven by the large microwave antennas of two of the payloads. The final review was April 19, 1989.

Walton, Barbara A.↗