AN INSTRUMENT TO OBSERVE THE PHASE AND AMPLITUDE FLUCTUATIONS OF VHF RADIATIONS FROM ARTIFICIAL EARTH SATELLITES

Abstract

A description is presented of an instrument for studying the irregular character of the ionosphere as shown by the fluctuations in phase and amplitude of received VHF radiation from artificial earth satellites. Specifically, the equipment provides simultaneous records of the relative phase of the signal received at spaced antennas and of the amplitude at a single antenna. Discussed are: (1) a theory in which the mean square value of phase fluctuation between antennas and the mean square fractional amplitude fluctuation are related to such parameters as wavelength, zenith angle, height, and the scale, ellipticity, and intensity of the responsible irregularities in ionization, (2) the details of the instrumentation, and (3) typical records taken on 54 mc radiated by Transit 4A. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 15, 1961
Accession Number
AD0263442

Entities

People

  • J.p. Debarber

Organizations

  • Pennsylvania State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmosphere (Earth)
  • Biological Phenomena
  • Ecological And Environmental Phenomena
  • Environment
  • Instrumentation
  • Intensity
  • Ionization
  • Ionosphere
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Personality
  • Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Space