A New Principle for Measuring Electrical Length and Deviation from Linear Phase
This paper presents a unique way to measure the equivalent electrical length of a network as well as its deviation from linear phase. The measurement technique used is based upon a variable length transmission line simulator, built into the IF-structure of a 1.3 GHz Network Analyzer, but can be applied to higher frequencies. The new method allows to insert much more electrical length than the mechanical line stretchers do, without disturbing the measurement with additional mismatch errors. In addition to a calibrated readout of the equivalent electrical length in meters, the deviations from linear phase of a network can be presented very accurately in a real time swept display.
The Interpretation of Amplitude and Phase Distortion in Terms of Paired Echoes
In picture-transmission systems, such as television and facsimile, the signal transients are noticeably distorted by small amounts of amplitude and phase distortion. There has been developed a simple method of estimating the effects of such distortion from inspection of the amplitude and phase curves. The distortion is regarded as made up of a pattern of echoes, each echo corresponding to a small amount of distortion of both kinds. The separate interpretation of amplitude and phase distortion requires pairs of echoes, those of each pair being equally displaced in time before and after the signal output. This is called the "method of paired echoes." Amplitude distortion corresponds to symmetrical "positive" pairs whereas phase distortion corresponds to skew-symmetrical "negative" pairs. A complete and exact theory is presented on the basis of a small amount of distortion. The method of paired echoes is most useful in the interpretation of phase curves and the determination of the tolerance of phase distortion.
Energy skin effect of propellant particles in Electrothermal-Chemical Launcher
A numerical model of the radiation has been employed by a Monte Carlo method and statistical physics to simulate the process of a capillary plasma source for Electrothermal-Chemical (ETC) Launcher. The effect on propellants with different physical parameters is discussed. The plasma-propellant interaction is also discussed when combined with a thermal model. Results show that radiant energy only causes a small field around the plasma injector in the propellant bed. The responses of energy flux and propellant particles on radiation are both in the order of picosecond. The strong instantaneous radiation is responsible for the transmission of energy to the propellant particles leading to ignition. Compared with conventional ignition, the energy absorbed by propellant particles is used to increase quickly the temperature in the surface layer of propellant particles. This energy skin effect in the propellant particle surface appears to be the main cause of plasma ignition.