902 research outputs found
Mass and power modeling of communication satellites
Analytic estimating relationships for the mass and power requirements for major satellite subsystems are described. The model for each subsystem is keyed to the performance drivers and system requirements that influence their selection and use. Guidelines are also given for choosing among alternative technologies which accounts for other significant variables such as cost, risk, schedule, operations, heritage, and life requirements. These models are intended for application to first order systems analyses, where resources do not warrant detailed development of a communications system scenario. Given this ground rule, the models are simplified to 'smoothed' representation of reality. Therefore, the user is cautioned that cost, schedule, and risk may be significantly impacted where interpolations are sufficiently different from existing hardware as to warrant development of new devices
Data distribution satellite
A description is given of a data distribution satellite (DDS) system. The DDS would operate in conjunction with the tracking and data relay satellite system to give ground-based users real time, two-way access to instruments in space and space-gathered data. The scope of work includes the following: (1) user requirements are derived; (2) communication scenarios are synthesized; (3) system design constraints and projected technology availability are identified; (4) DDS communications payload configuration is derived, and the satellite is designed; (5) requirements for earth terminals and network control are given; (6) system costs are estimated, both life cycle costs and user fees; and (7) technology developments are recommended, and a technology development plan is given. The most important results obtained are as follows: (1) a satellite designed for launch in 2007 is feasible and has 10 Gb/s capacity, 5.5 kW power, and 2000 kg mass; (2) DDS features include on-board baseband switching, use of Ku- and Ka-bands, multiple optical intersatellite links; and (3) system user costs are competitive with projected terrestrial communication costs
Future benefits and applications of intelligent on-board processing to VSAT services
The trends and roles of VSAT services in the year 2010 time frame are examined based on an overall network and service model for that period. An estimate of the VSAT traffic is then made and the service and general network requirements are identified. In order to accommodate these traffic needs, four satellite VSAT architectures based on the use of fixed or scanning multibeam antennas in conjunction with IF switching or onboard regeneration and baseband processing are suggested. The performance of each of these architectures is assessed and the key enabling technologies are identified
Unattended network operations technology assessment study. Technical support for defining advanced satellite systems concepts
The results are summarized of an unattended network operations technology assessment study for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). The scope of the work included: (1) identified possible enhancements due to the proposed Mars communications network; (2) identified network operations on Mars; (3) performed a technology assessment of possible supporting technologies based on current and future approaches to network operations; and (4) developed a plan for the testing and development of these technologies. The most important results obtained are as follows: (1) addition of a third Mars Relay Satellite (MRS) and MRS cross link capabilities will enhance the network's fault tolerance capabilities through improved connectivity; (2) network functions can be divided into the six basic ISO network functional groups; (3) distributed artificial intelligence technologies will augment more traditional network management technologies to form the technological infrastructure of a virtually unattended network; and (4) a great effort is required to bring the current network technology levels for manned space communications up to the level needed for an automated fault tolerance Mars communications network
Pre- and Post-selection paradoxes and contextuality in quantum mechanics
Many seemingly paradoxical effects are known in the predictions for outcomes
of intermediate measurements made on pre- and post-selected quantum systems.
Despite appearances, these effects do not demonstrate the impossibility of a
noncontextual hidden variable theory, since an explanation in terms of
measurement-disturbance is possible. Nonetheless, we show that for every
paradoxical effect wherein all the pre- and post- selected probabilities are 0
or 1 and the pre- and post-selected states are nonorthogonal, there is an
associated proof of contextuality. This proof is obtained by considering all
the measurements involved in the paradoxical effect -- the pre-selection, the
post-selection, and the alternative possible intermediate measurements -- as
alternative possible measurements at a single time.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. v2.0 revised in the
light of referee comments, results unchange
Applications of satellite technology to broadband ISDN networks
Two satellite architectures for delivering broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN) service are evaluated. The first is assumed integral to an existing terrestrial network, and provides complementary services such as interconnects to remote nodes as well as high-rate multicast and broadcast service. The interconnects are at a 155 Mbs rate and are shown as being met with a nonregenerative multibeam satellite having 10-1.5 degree spots. The second satellite architecture focuses on providing private B-ISDN networks as well as acting as a gateway to the public network. This is conceived as being provided by a regenerative multibeam satellite with on-board ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) processing payload. With up to 800 Mbs offered, higher satellite EIRP is required. This is accomplished with 12-0.4 degree hopping beams, covering a total of 110 dwell positions. It is estimated the space segment capital cost for architecture one would be about 250M. The net user cost is given for a variety of scenarios, but the cost for 155 Mbs services is shown to be about $15-22/minute for 25 percent system utilization
Causality in Time-Neutral Cosmologies
Gell-Mann and Hartle (GMH) have recently considered time-neutral cosmological
models in which the initial and final conditions are independently specified,
and several authors have investigated experimental tests of such models.
We point out here that GMH time-neutral models can allow superluminal
signalling, in the sense that it can be possible for observers in those
cosmologies, by detecting and exploiting regularities in the final state, to
construct devices which send and receive signals between space-like separated
points. In suitable cosmologies, any single superluminal message can be
transmitted with probability arbitrarily close to one by the use of redundant
signals. However, the outcome probabilities of quantum measurements generally
depend on precisely which past {\it and future} measurements take place. As the
transmission of any signal relies on quantum measurements, its transmission
probability is similarly context-dependent. As a result, the standard
superluminal signalling paradoxes do not apply. Despite their unusual features,
the models are internally consistent.
These results illustrate an interesting conceptual point. The standard view
of Minkowski causality is not an absolutely indispensable part of the
mathematical formalism of relativistic quantum theory. It is contingent on the
empirical observation that naturally occurring ensembles can be naturally
pre-selected but not post-selected.Comment: 5 pages, RevTeX. Published version -- minor typos correcte
Space-Based Information Infrastructure Architecture for Broadband Services
This study addressed four tasks: (1) identify satellite-addressable information infrastructure markets; (2) perform network analysis for space-based information infrastructure; (3) develop conceptual architectures; and (4) economic assessment of architectures. The report concludes that satellites will have a major role in the national and global information infrastructure, requiring seamless integration between terrestrial and satellite networks. The proposed LEO, MEO, and GEO satellite systems have satellite characteristics that vary widely. They include delay, delay variations, poorer link quality and beam/satellite handover. The barriers against seamless interoperability between satellite and terrestrial networks are discussed. These barriers are the lack of compatible parameters, standards and protocols, which are presently being evaluated and reduced
Old stellar Galactic disc in near-plane regions according to 2MASS: scales, cut-off, flare and warp
We have pursued two different methods to analyze the old stellar population
near the Galactic plane, using data from the 2MASS survey. The first method is
based on the isolation of the red clump giant population in the color-magnitude
diagrams and the inversion of its star counts to obtain directly the density
distribution along the line of sight. The second method fits the parameters of
a disc model to the star counts in 820 regions. Results from both independent
methods are consistent with each other. The qualitative conclusions are that
the disc is well fitted by an exponential distribution in both the
galactocentric distance and height. There is not an abrupt cut-off in the
stellar disc (at least within R<15 kpc). There is a strong flare (i.e. an
increase of scale-height towards the outer Galaxy) which begins well inside the
solar circle, and hence there is a decrease of the scale-height towards the
inner Galaxy. Another notable feature is the existence of a warp in the old
stellar population whose amplitude is coincident with the amplitude of the gas
warp.
It is shown for low latitude stars (mean height: |z|~300 pc) in the outer
disc (galactocentric radius R>6 kpc) that: the scale-height in the solar circle
is h_z(R_sun)=3.6e-2 R_sun, the scale-length of the surface density is h_R=0.42
R_sun and the scale-length of the space density in the plane (i.e. including
the effect of the flare) is H=0.25 R_sun. The variation of the scale-height due
to the flare follows roughly a law h_z(R) =~ h_z(R_sun) exp
[(R-R_\odot)/([12-0.6R(kpc)] kpc)] (for R<~15 kpc; R_sun=7.9 kpc). The warp
moves the mean position of the disc to a height z_w=1.2e-3 R(kpc)^5.25
sin(phi+(5 deg.)) pc (for R<~13 kpc; R_sun=7.9 kpc).Comment: LaTEX, 20 pages, 23 figures, accepted to be published in A&
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