Radioscience Observing

by Carr, Joseph J.

• ISBN13: 9780790611723
• ISBN10: 0790611724
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-08-01
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Joe Carr expands on Volume 1, covering techniques and methods, hardware design and construction, more RadioScience theory, and related geoscience and planetary science activities. A CD-ROM with all new material is included.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Radio Frequencies	p. 4
Units and Physical Constants	p. 7
Wavelength and Frequency	p. 7
Skin Effect	p. 9
RadioScience Receiver Basics	p. 18
Receiver Noise Floor	p. 19
Receiving System Example	p. 19
Noise Equations	p. 23
Thermal Noise	p. 23
Thermal Noise as a function of bandwidth	p. 23
Noise Factor	p. 23
Noise Figure	p. 23
Noise Temperature	p. 24
Some Useful Reciever Circuits	p. 26
RF Receiver Mixers	p. 28
Linear vs. Nonlinear Mixers	p. 28
The Receiver Mixer	p. 32
Simple Diode Mixer	p. 34
The Question of "Balance"	p. 35
Spurious Responses	p. 35
Mixer Distortion Products	p. 40
Intermodulation Products (IP)	p. 40
Third-Order Intercept Point	p. 43
Calculating Intercept Points	p. 46
Mixer Losses	p. 47
Noise Figure	p. 48
Noise Balance	p. 49
Single-Ended Active Mixer Circuits	p. 50
Balanced Active Mixers	p. 52
Gilbert Cell Mixers	p. 61
Passive Double-Balanced Mixers	p. 63
Diplexers	p. 66
Bandpass Diplexers	p. 68
Double DBM	p. 70
Image Reject Mixers	p. 71
VHF/UHF Microwave Mixer Circuits	p. 72
Special Circuits	p. 74
Universal IF Amplifier	p. 74
Logarithmic RF/IF Amplifier	p. 81
References	p. 82
Lightning Observed	p. 86
Types of Lightning	p. 86
Lightning Facts	p. 86
Some Lightning Detection History	p. 89
Storm Scope	p. 91
Results to Expect	p. 96
Electric Field Measurement	p. 96
ULF/ELF/VLF Electronic Circuits	p. 102
Operational Amplifier Gain Block	p. 102
DC Power Distribution	p. 108
Differential Amplifiers	p. 110
60 Hz Notch Filter	p. 112
Magnetometer Sensors	p. 114
Flux-Gate Sensors	p. 114
Toroidal Core Flux Gate Sensor	p. 117
A Practical Flux-Gate Sensor	p. 118
Powering the Sensors	p. 121
Calibration of the Sensors	p. 123
Analog Interface to FGM-3	p. 126
Digital "Heterodyning"	p. 128
A Magnetometer Project and Kit	p. 129
Sensor Head Mechanical Construction	p. 132
Gradiometers	p. 134
Interfacing FGM-x Series Devices via Microcontrollers	p. 137
Acknowledgments	p. 139
References	p. 139
Sniffing Out Local Signal and Noise Sources	p. 142
Bag of Tricks	p. 144
RF Sleuthing Tools	p. 144
RF Detectors	p. 149
Conclusion	p. 150
Monitoring the Ultraviolet Radiation From the Sun	p. 154
Ultraviolet Radiation	p. 154
Global, Diffuse and Direct UV	p. 157
UV-B Radiometer Basics	p. 159
A UV-B Radiometer	p. 160
Using the Radiometer	p. 166
Some Results	p. 168
A Commercial Global UV-B Radiometer	p. 170
Small RF Components Used in RadioScience Observing Systems	p. 174
Resistive Attenuators	p. 174
BALUN and Impedance Matching Transformers	p. 180
Coaxial Switches	p. 182
RF Power Combiners and Splitters	p. 182
Resistive Combiner/Splitter	p. 182
Transformer Combiner/Splitter	p. 184
Modified VSWR Bridge Combiner/Splitter	p. 186
90[degree] Splitter/Combiner	p. 189
Transmission Line Splitter/Combiners	p. 190
90[degree] Transmission Line Splitter/Combiner	p. 192
Hybrid Ring "Rat-Race" Network	p. 192
The RF Hybrid Coupler	p. 194
Applications of Hybrids	p. 195
Phase-Shifted Hybrids	p. 199
Diplexers	p. 201
Using a Diplexer with a Mixer	p. 202
Bandpass Diplexers	p. 204
Directional Couplers	p. 206
HF/VHF/UHF Low-Noise Preamplifiers	p. 212
Noise and Preselectors/Preamplifiers	p. 214
JFET Preselector	p. 215
VHF Receiver Preselector	p. 219
MOSFET Preselector	p. 219
Voltage Tuned Receiver Preselector	p. 222
Broadband RF Preamplifier for VLF, LF and AM BCB	p. 222
Push-Pull RF Amplifiers	p. 225
The Push-Pull RF Amplifier	p. 226
Actual Circuit Details	p. 228
Variations on the Theme	p. 232
Broadband RF Amplifier (50-Ohm Input and Output)	p. 235
Broadband or Tuned RF/IF Amplifier Using the MC-1350P	p. 237
VLF Preamplifier	p. 239
Radio Telemetry on a Budget	p. 242
Antennas	p. 245
VHF/UHF Yagi	p. 245
VHF/UHF Ground Plane Antenna	p. 249
Vertical Collinear J-Pole Antenna	p. 252
418 MHz Stick Antenna	p. 253
Omnidirectional Normal Mode Helix	p. 254
Axial Mode Helical Antenna	p. 254
Coffee Can Microwave Antenna	p. 256
Finding Bearings on Earth--The Great Circle	p. 260
Latitude and Longitude	p. 260
The Great Circle	p. 263
Acknowledgment	p. 266
Reference	p. 266
Vibration Detectors and Seismographs	p. 268
Linear Differential Voltage Transformers (LDVT)	p. 271
Differential Capacitor Sensors	p. 272
Lehman-type Seismometer Project	p. 276
Searching for ET From Your Own Backyard	p. 284
What We're Looking For	p. 284
What You'll Need: The Antenna	p. 285
What You'll Need: The Low-Noise Preamp	p. 286
What You'll Need: The Receiver	p. 286
What You'll Need: The Computer	p. 288
Putting It All Together	p. 289
What We've Heard So Far	p. 289
Finding Out More	p. 291
Electromagnetic Interference	p. 294
Tools for Finding EMI Sources	p. 298
RF Detectors	p. 301
Dealing With AM and LW Broadcast Band EMI	p. 303
The Problem	p. 304
The Attenuator Solution	p. 309
The Antenna Solution	p. 309
The Filter Solution	p. 309
Stubs	p. 316
Shielding	p. 316
Expected Results	p. 317
Dealing With 60 Hz Interference	p. 318
Notch Filters	p. 319
Twin-T Notch Filter Networks	p. 321
Active Twin-Tee Notch Filters	p. 323
Noise Canceling Bridge	p. 327
Some Instrument Design Rules	p. 330
A Design Procedure	p. 330
Solving the (Right) Problem	p. 332
Determine Critical Attributes	p. 333
Determine Critical Parameters and Requirements	p. 334
Attempt a Block Diagram Solution	p. 334
Apportion Requirements To The Blocks	p. 334
Analyze and Simulate	p. 334
Design Specific Circuits For Each Block	p. 335
Built and Test The Circuits	p. 335
Combine the Circuits in a Formal Breadboard	p. 335
Test the Breadboard	p. 335
Build and Test a Brassboard Version	p. 336
Design, Build and Test Final Version	p. 336
Deliver, install and use the instrument!	p. 336
Sensor and Antenna Resolution Improvement	p. 338
Sensor Resolution Improvement (SRI)	p. 340
Initial Trials	p. 343
Actual Circuit Trial	p. 343
Single-Sensor Method	p. 344
Conclusion	p. 346
References	p. 347
Long Period Velocity Type Seismometers	p. 350
Technical Description of the Prototype Seismometer	p. 350
Technical Description of The Period Lengthening Device	p. 351
Mechanical	p. 351
Electronic Circuit	p. 353
Pendulum Responses of The Prototype Seismometer	p. 353
Electronic Period Adjustment	p. 356
Comments	p. 357
Improving VLF Performance of Your Shortwave Receiver	p. 360
Reducing AM BCB Interference on VLF	p. 361
Preselector/Preamplifier Project	p. 363
Variations on the Theme	p. 369
Conclusion	p. 371
Antenna Transmission Lines and VSWR Loss	p. 374
The Problem	p. 374
Standing Waves	p. 376
Scenario	p. 377
Radio Luxembourg Effect	p. 384
Science and Junk Science	p. 388
Is Scientific Knowledge Superior to Other Forms?	p. 388
Is Salt Water Taffy Being Distributed?	p. 390
Scientific Studies	p. 394
Some General Advice	p. 395
So Why Bother?	p. 397
Pseudoscience	p. 398
Bibliography	p. 405
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