Local Oscillator Distribution Using A Geostationary Satellite

A satellite communication system suitable for distribution of local oscillator reference signals for a widely spaced microwave array has been developed and tested experimentally. The system uses a round-trip correction method to remove effects of atmospheric fluctuations and radial motion of the satellite. This experiment was carried out using Telstar-5, a commercial Ku-band geostationary satellite. A typical Ku-band satellite has uplink and downlink capacity at 14–14.5 GHz and 11.7–12.2 GHz, respectively. For this initial experiment, both earth stations were located at the same site to facilitate direct comparison of the received signals. The local oscillator reference frequency was chosen to be 300 MHz and was sent as the difference between two Ku-band tones. The residual error after applying the round trip correction has been measured to be better than 3 ps for integration times ranging from 1 to 2000 s. For integration times greater than 500 s, the system outperforms a pair of hydrogen masers with the limitation believed to be ground-based equipment phase stability. The idea of distributing local oscillators using a geostationary satellite is not new; several researchers experimented with this technique in the eighties, but the achieved accuracy was 3 to 100 times worse than the present results. Since then, the cost of both leased satellite bandwidth and the Ku-band ground equipment has dropped substantially and the performance of various components has improved. An important factor is the availability of narrow bands which can be leased on a communications satellite. We lease three 100 kHz bands at approximately one hundredth the cost of a full 36 MHz-wide transponder. Further tests of the system using terminals separated by large distances and comparison tests with two hydrogen masers and radio interferometry of astronomical objects are needed.     

Ground-based photometric observations of Jupiter's inner satellites Thebe, Amalthea, and Metis at small phase angles

We present the results of photometric measurements of the inner jovian satellites Thebe, Amalthea and Metis based on extensive optical observations taken from October 1999 to January 2002. The observations were made in the phase angle range from 8.1° to 0.3°. The Two-Channel Focal Reducer of the Max-Planck Institute for Aeronomy attached to the 2-m RCC telescope at Terskol Observatory (Pik Terskol, Northern Caucasus) was used in coronagraph mode. The observations were performed at a wavelength of 0.887 μm. Mean observational uncertainties corresponding to 1σ rms errors were 3% for the leading and trailing sides of Amalthea, 7 and 9% for the leading and trailing sides of Thebe and 9% for the leading side of Metis after taking into account the longitude brightness variations. Photometric data calibrated on an absolute scale were used to evaluate the near-opposition behavior of satellite brightness. All three satellites exhibit significant opposition brightening, but the strength of this effect, measured as the ratios of intensities at α₁=1.6° and α₂=6.7° does not vary significantly among these satellites. In order to measure the opposition surge parameters the empirical law proposed by Karkoschka and Hapke's model were used. The parameters of the satellite opposition effects are presented and discussed. The values of geometric albedos calculated with best-fit Hapke parameters are 0.096, 0.157, and 0.24 for Thebe, Amalthea, and Metis respectively. We found that the average leading/trailing ratios of surface reflectance at the measured phase angles are 1.53±0.05, 1.25±0.04, 1.04±0.08 for Amalthea, Thebe, and Metis.     

First-order accurate theory of perturbed circular motion

This paper presents a basic frame applicable to any perturbed circular motion in any orbital inclination, and a method of resolution leading to a formal solution given here to the first order. The main advantage of the solution, expanded in Fourier series and non-singular variables, is the presence of iterative formation laws for its coefficients. The theory is then particularly accurate and suitable for various periodic perturbations. The comparison of the results with a numerical integration is convincing.     

Geopotential from space techniques

The monitoring of the perturbed motion of artificial satellites since the 1960's has provided a valuable resource for improved activities in geodesy. These observations and the improved geodetic techniques they fostered have provided an unparalleled means for studying both the gravity field and the Earth's shape. In this paper, we will review the various determinations of the Earth's gravity field produced at many research centers over the years from space techniques. The specific methods which have been used to measure our planet, such as satellite altimetry and satellite orbital perturbation analyses (over short and long periods of time), will be compared.     

On Relativistic Equations of Motion of an Earth Satellite

For numerical integration of the geocentric equations of motion of Earth satellites in the general relativity framework one may choose now between rather simple equations involving in their relativistic dynamical part only the Earth-induced terms and very complicated equations taking into account the relativistic third-body action. However, it is possible quite easily to take into account the relativistic indirect third-body perturbations and to neglect much lesser direct third-body perturbations. Such approach is based on the use of the Newtonian third-body perturbations in geocentric variables with expressing them in the relativistic manner in terms of the barycentric arguments. Together with it, to extend the known results for the spheroid model of the Earth, the Earth-induced terms are treated in great detail by including the non-spin part of the Earth vector-potential and the Earth triaxial non-sphericity.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

震害现场紧急卫星通讯系统的研究和建设

本文研究了应用VSAT技术建立大震现场紧急通讯系统的设计和实施方案,规定了该系统应实现的功能。在此基础上,提出了建立我国未来陆地地震救灾移动卫星通讯计划,并对一些关键技术和为移动用户可能提供的通讯业务进行了讨论。     

卫星测高推求的中国近海与全球海平面变化的趋势及小波相关分析

基于多种卫星测高资料融合海面高数据对黄海、东海、南海和全球海平面异常在1993年至2005年期间的变化趋势进行分析,结果表明:黄海、东海、南海线性趋势分别为5.05mm/a,4.8mm/a,4.27mm/a,均大于全球平均趋势项2.66mm/a,各海域的周期振幅和相位变化也存在较大差异。近海各海域与全球的海平面异常的小波交叉谱和相关谱分析表明,近海各海域与全球海平面异常变化在年际周期上具有较高的谱能,但相位差异较大,短周期相关性不明显。     

导航卫星天线相位中心误差标定方法研究现状及发展趋势

卫星天线相位中心误差是影响GNSS高精度定位定轨的重要误差源,实用中需要对其精确标定。随着北斗卫星导航系统的建设发展,如何对卫星天线相位中心误差进行更为精确的标定应引起人们的重视。为此,本文首先简要介绍了各卫星导航系统的卫星天线情况,而后系统总结了导航卫星天线相位中心误差标定方法的发展历程和研究现状,指出了未来卫星天线相位中心误差标定方法的发展趋势,相关研究成果对我国北斗卫星天线相位中心误差的标定方法研究具有参考意义。     

顾及大气延迟效应的YG-13A斜距标定

针对大气延迟时变误差影响遥感卫星十三号(YG-13A)斜距标定精度的问题,提出利用顾及大气延迟时变误差的斜距标定方法提高其斜距标定精度的策略。首先,利用基于NCEP气象资料和全球TEC数据的大气延迟改正方法来计算各标定景的大气延迟改正量。其次,将各标定景的大气延迟改正量代入斜距标定模型中。最后,在地面布设高精度角反射器控制点的情况下通过顾及大气延迟时变误差的斜距标定模型求解斜距测量系统误差,从而提高和验证斜距测量精度,角反射器控制点的平面和高程精度均优于0.1 m。利用嵩山遥感定标场地区的4组不同拍摄模式下获得的YG-13A卫星影像数据对比试验表明,相较于传统的斜距定标方法,在顾及大气延迟时变误差的情况下,4组数据的斜距改正值离散度均有所下降。利用太原、天津两个区域3景影像验证斜距改正后的精度,最小值为0.55 m,最大值为0.91 m,均值为0.70 m。试验结果证明了顾及大气延迟时变误差的斜距标定方法的有效性和可行性。     

激光测高数据辅助卫星成像几何模型精化处理

资源三号02星(ZY-3 02)作为资源三号系列的第2颗卫星,于2016年5月30号成功发射,其主要服务于中国空间基础建设等重大工程,星上搭载了中国首个对地观测试验性激光测高载荷。高程精度作为立体测图的重要指标,达到其精度要求的困难程度远大于平面。在借鉴目前较成熟的卫星影像区域网平差理论的基础上,结合近年来激光测高数据精度的大幅提升以及ZY-3 02星激光测高数据的特点,首次提出了激光测高数据辅助卫星立体影像进行成像几何模型精化处理的通用理论。首先,利用传统的区域网平差算法对所处理影像进行高精度连接点匹配处理,并对其进行无约束的自由网平差处理,获得高精度相对精度及不亚于原始成像几何模型的绝对精度;其次,根据激光测高数据3维坐标和精化后参考影像成像几何模型获取激光数据参考影像坐标;然后,将参考影像坐标通过几何模型映射获取目标影像上待匹配影像坐标,通过连接点匹配算法,对待匹配目标影像坐标进行精化获取高精度像方同名点;最后,以同名点作为高程控制进行区域网平差计算,对影像成像几何模型进一步处理,获取高精度补偿参数。通过湖北、青海两测区的试验,以激光测高数据辅助卫星影像几何模型精化精度可分别达到1.97 m、3.23 m,结果表明本文提出的方法可有效提高卫星立体数据测图精度。