A Digital Polarimeter for Measuring the Faraday Rotation Using a Beacon from a Geostationary Satellite.

Abstract

The digital polarimeter described was designed to measure continuously and record automatically the rotation angle of a linearly polarized wave. The polarization rotation is caused by a phenomena known as the Faraday effect. The digital polarimeter uses a dual phase-lock-loop receiver which directly measures the phase difference between the right- and left-hand circular components of the received linearly polarized signal. This approach provides the optimum in sensitivity and dynamic range. A digital multicycle phase meter measures the phase difference between amplified and down converted circular components. The measured phase is then formatted and recorded on a digital magnetic tape recorder for automatic computer analysis.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA012168

Entities

People

  • F. J. Gorman Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army Communications-Electronics Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computers
  • Dynamic Range
  • Faraday Effect
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Magnetic Tape
  • Phase Meters
  • Polarimeters
  • Recording Systems
  • Rotation
  • Tape Recorders

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Computer Programming and Software Development.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers