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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 19 records

A cost-effective 100 Gbps SAC-OCDMA–PDM based inter-satellite communication link

Satellite communication is one of the pioneer technologies to provide seamless communication across the globe. With large number of satellites deployed in the space, inter-satellite communication has become an important phenomenon for researchers to establish communication link between satellites. In this work, a cost-effective inter-satellite communication system is proposed by using spectral amplitude coding based on optical code division multiplex access technique and polarization division multiplexing scheme. Ten channels, each carrying 10 Gbps non-return to zero encoded data, are transmitted over 25,000 km inter-satellite optical wireless communication (Is-OWC) link. Furthermore, Is-OWC is subjected to space turbulences such as transmitting and pointing errors. The reported results show the successful transmission of 100 Gbps data over Is-OWC link.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Vulnerabilities in Satellite Communications Underscore Threat to Critical Infrastructure

INL analysts assess critical infrastructure sectors leveraging satellite communications (SATCOM) are likely inadvertently increasing the attack surface caused by inherent vulnerabilities in equipment and communications pathways. A lack of ownership regarding security in SATCOM ecosystems creates pervasive information security risk, and the obfuscation of patching responsibility means the mitigation of publicly and privately disclosed vulnerabilities is difficult to track. With these factors in consideration, INL analysts assess the number of attacks against SATCOM is likely to increase in the next decade as threat actors exploit these vulnerabilities.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Deployable sensor system using mesh networking and satellite communication

A sensor system may be configured for continuous operation in a low resource environment and/or in extreme environmental conditions. The sensor system may have sufficient processing capabilities to provide scientific computing for pre-processing, quality control, statistical analysis, event classification, data compression and corrections (e.g., spikes in the data), autonomous decisions and actions, triggering other nodes, and information assurance functions that provide data confidentiality, data integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. The hardware may have both mesh networking and satellite and cellular communication capability, and may be available for relatively low cost. Such a network provides the flexibility to have potentially any number of nodes be completely independent from one another. Thus, the network may scale across a diverse terrain.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Deployable sensor system using mesh networking and satellite communication

A sensor system may be configured for continuous operation in a low resource environment and/or in extreme environmental conditions. The sensor system may have sufficient processing capabilities to provide scientific computing for pre-processing, quality control, statistical analysis, event classification, data compression and corrections (e.g., spikes in the data), autonomous decisions and actions, triggering other nodes, and information assurance functions that provide data confidentiality, data integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. The hardware may have both mesh networking and satellite and cellular communication capability, and may be available for relatively low cost. Such a network provides the flexibility to have potentially any number of nodes be completely independent from one another. Thus, the network may scale across a diverse terrain.

Frigo, Janette↗

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces Empowered THz Communication in LEO Satellite Networks

Massive swarms of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are poising to serve for high-speed and low-latency ubiquitous connectivity with almost global coverage. Broadband inter-satellite communication is one of the key elements of satellite communication systems that orchestrate massive satellite swarms in cooperation. Thanks to technological advancements in microelectronics and micro-systems, the terahertz (THz) band has emerged as a strong candidate for inter-satellite links (ISLs) due to its promise of wideband communication. Especially, multi-antenna systems can improve the system performance along with the wideband supported by the THz band. However, multi-antenna systems should be reconsidered due to their size, weight, and price/power (SWaP) constraints. On the other hand, as a state-of-art multi-antenna technology, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is able to relax SWaP constraints because of its passive component-based structures. However, as similar reflection characteristic throughout wideband is difficult to meet, it is possible to observe beam misalignment. In this work, we first provide an assessment of the use of the THz band for ISLs and quantify the impact of misalignment fading on error performance. Then, in order to compensate for the high path loss associated with high carrier frequencies, and to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we propose the use of RISs mounted on neighboring satellites to enable signal propagation. Based on a mathematical analysis of the problem, we present the error rate expressions for RIS-assisted ISLs with misalignment fading. Also, numerical results show that RIS can leverage the error rate performance and achievable capacity of THz ISLs.

reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs)↗

Paving the Way for Satellite Quantum Communications

Here we describe how a series of demonstrations by Micius—a low-orbit satellite with quantum capabilities—lays the groundwork for a satellite-based quantum communication network.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Satellite based Substation Communications

Experiments were conducted at an electrical substation to ascertain if a low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellite communications network could be used for measurement and control in such a setting. Results are presented.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Optical noise in a free-space quantum communications link from natural and nuclear disturbed environments*

Satellite communications at radio frequencies can experience a ‘blackout’ period following the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear weapon. The wavelengths used for free-space quantum communications will not incur the same ‘blackout’ effects from a nuclear detonation, but the optical systems will suffer from a phenomenon called redout. Redout occurs in an optical detector when ambient light scatters into the optical receiver, causing elevated background photon counts in the detector such that background noise overwhelms the signal. In this work, the duration of the redout effect is quantified from a nuclear disturbed environment on a ground-to-space quantum optical link. In addition, we comment on various techniques for reducing ambient and nuclear disturbed background counts in a quantum free-space optical link. For low-altitude nuclear detonations (i.e., under 50 km), the maximum interference time will be less than 1 min. Implementing a telescope, timing gate, and wavelength filter to the detector can reduce the background counts in the detector significantly. Aerosol levels and ground albedo are major contributors to background noise in a ground-to-satellite quantum channel, and ground station location should factor in both variables.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A section 110 evaluation of the huron king test chamber, area 3, nevada national security site, nye county, nevada

The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office tasked Desert Research Institute (DRI) with the identification and evaluation of the Huron King Test Chamber as part of their cultural resources program obligations under Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Huron King nuclear test was a vertical line-of-sight weapons effects test that took place in Area 3 on June 24, 1980. Unique to this event was a specially designed aboveground test chamber that held a model defense communications satellite in a vacuum tank meant to replicate the space environment. Sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency, the purpose of the experiment was to understand the response of the satellite and its materials and equipment to an electromagnetic pulse and attendant radiation. Between July and August 2022, DRI conducted an archival review on the Huron King experiment and its associated test chamber. Subsequently, pedestrian fieldwork was undertaken at the Huron King Test Chamber by DRI on September 29, 2022. During fieldwork, the outside of the test chamber was documented using a Nevada State Historic Preservation Office Architectural Resource Assessment form. This effort included verifying the substructures that compose the test chamber as determined by the archival review, as well as obtaining a detailed photographic recordation of the exterior and assessing its current condition. Notably, the site where the Huron King test took place has been abandoned and almost entirely naturalized. All of the portable instrumentation trailers, communications and data cabling, and winch systems used to retract the test chamber following the detonation were removed after completion of the experiment in 1980. Only the subsidence crater and the test chamber remain as physical evidence of this experiment. Based on these findings, DRI recommends that the Huron King Test Chamber is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) at the local level under Significance Criteria A and C and that it meets Criteria Consideration G for properties less than 50 years old.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

100 Gbps multiplexed inter-satellite optical wireless communication system

In this paper, the performance analysis of the inter-satellite optical wireless communication system (IsOWC) is carried out in presence of optical space channel. Here the proposed model is a 16×100 Gbps dense multiplexed IsOWC. The dual polarized quadrature phase shift keying (DP-QPSK) modulation is used for improving the optical signal to noise ratio tolerance of the system. Further, the spectral efficiency and the receiver sensitivity is improved by incorporating the coherent orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) technique in the proposed IsOWC system. The performance of the system is evaluated by bit error rate (BER), error vector magnitude percentage, received signal power, constellation diagram. A comparative study has been carried out between different modulation techniques such as quadrature phase shift keying and DP-QPSK used in IsOWC system. It is observed that, an inter-satellite distance of 15,600 km is obtained with the proposed model at 100 Gbps for a targeted forward error correction log of BER value of − 2.42 or BER of 3.8×10{sup −3}. The maximum possible data rate for different inter and intra orbit satellite has been calculated. Also, the maximum possible transceiver distance has been calculated for different data rates. The integration of two advanced technologies such as DP-QPSK modulation with CO-OFDM technique in the proposed model may impel the market demands for high bandwidth intensive and high data rate applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Multimodal Communication System

Current communications modules operate as a point-to-point radio. This system operates in a point-to-multipoint utilizing multiple radio frequencies for both high bandwidth data to satellite communication. This communication module further allows for multiple users to interact with the communication system in a true cloud type application so that the modules can be handled in a fleet situation.

Vacaliuc, Bogdan↗

MODAQ-BB (Modular Offshore Data Acquisition System - Blackbox) [SWR-24-72]

MODAQ-BB is a compact, rapid deployment data acquisition system that can withstand water depths up to 400m. Codenamed "BlackBox" (or simply BB), since its initial purpose was to track marine assets and record vital data streams that could later be recovered in the event of a mishap - much like a traditional black box used in aviation and shipping, the name has stuck. MODAQ BlackBox is a battery-operable microcontroller platform with internal inertial sensing, GPS, satellite communications, and additional I/O (input/output) support in a depth-rated pressure enclosure. Since BB is self-contained and relatively compact, it can be quickly deployed with minimal effort. The enclosure can be clamped to a tube (such as part of a railing) or mast in a location with unobstructed view of the sky using the available clamp accessory or a common hose clamp. While BB is designed to operate unattended, users can configure what data are uploaded and the frequency of satellite transmissions. Once data are uploaded, they can be relayed to an email distribution list, the MODAQ:Web operational dashboard, or a custom destination. BB has found utility in the National Laboratory of the Rockies' (NLR's) Waterpower projects beyond its original vision and has been configured and successfully deployed in more traditional data-gathering applications where a simple, battery-operated solution was indicated. As part of the MODAQ family, BB fills a space in the spectrum of missions that can be supported that were previously impractical using the traditional MODAQ hardware architecture due to factors such as weight, size, and cost.

Raye, Robert↗

Synchrophasor spoofing detection and remediation for wide-area damping control

Evolving cyber-attack threats put at risk automatic closed-loop systems to be incorporated in the smart grid. Wide-area control systems are particularly vulnerable to signal spoofing attacks due to sensor remoteness and dependence on satellite communication for time synchronization. A successful cyber-attack on a wide-area controller has the potential to reduce relative stability of the power system or worse, destabilize it. As such, detection algorithms must be deployed as defense against such attacks with the ability to autonomously correct for detected tampering or misoperation. The Spoof Catch and Restore Routine (SCR 2 ), a combination of three real-time spoof detectors, each requiring limited information about the plant, is reported here. Nonlinear simulations of a compromised wide-area control system deployed in the Western Interconnection show the effectiveness of SCR 2 in detecting both delay-type and counterfeit-type spoofing attacks on wide-area sensors.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Work function and surface stability of tungsten-based thermionic electron emission cathodes

Materials that exhibit a low work function and therefore easily emit electrons into vacuum form the basis of electronic devices used in applications ranging from satellite communications to thermionic energy conversion. W–Ba–O is the canonical materials system that functions as the thermionic electron emitter commercially used in a range of high-power electron devices. However, the work functions, surface stability, and kinetic characteristics of a polycrystalline W emitter surface are still not well understood or characterized. In this study, we examined the work function and surface stability of the eight lowest index surfaces of the W–Ba–O system using density functional theory methods. We found that under the typical thermionic cathode operating conditions of high temperature and low oxygen partial pressure, the most stable surface adsorbates are Ba–O species with compositions in the range of Ba 0.125 O–Ba 0.25 O per surface W atom, with O passivating all dangling W bonds and Ba creating work function-lowering surface dipoles. Wulff construction analysis reveals that the presence of O and Ba significantly alters the surface energetics and changes the proportions of surface facets present under equilibrium conditions. In conclusion, analysis of previously published data on W sintering kinetics suggests that fine W particles in the size range of 100-500 nm may be at or near equilibrium during cathode synthesis and thus may exhibit surface orientation fractions well described by the calculated Wulff construction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Multiple Hypothesis Tracking for Opportunistic Transmitter Identification

The exploitation of radio frequency (RF) signals from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication satellites for the purposes of navigation is an active field of research. In this alternative navigation system, navigation observables are passively extracted from existing RF signals. Because these signals are not designed for navigation purposes and often have proprietary signal structures that are unknown to the receiver, they lack much of the information required for navigation systems or such information is unavailable to the receiver.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Autonomous Ion Mass Spectrometer Sentry (AIMSS)

Satellite measurements of plasma density and temperature help predict the intensity of geomagnetic storms, which can impact satellites, communications, and power systems. Accurate forecasting requires knowledge of plasma composition. However, typical orbital mass spectrometers have difficulty distinguishing between nitrogen (N+) and oxygen (O+) ions due to their similar masses. This limitation makes it difficult to validate modern space weather models, which depend on accurate knowledge of ion composition in near-Earth space. N+ and O+ ions behave differently in space due to differences in their origin, transport, and loss mechanisms. Improving our ability to distinguish between these ions is critical for understanding and predicting space weather.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗