The U.S.S.R. has a VLF navigation system similar to OMEGA. Beukers has reported some information on the signal format, frequencies used, and the probable radiated power levels. From this data it appears possible to derive receiver operation modes and some implied reasons for the unique choice of the time-multiplexed frequency time base used. Of interest are receiver methods requiring processor gate complexity similar to a digital wristwatch including the use of mass-produced low frequency...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), NAVIGATION AIDS, RADIO RECEIVERS, U.S.S.R., VERY LOW...
The details are presented of methods for providing OMEGA navigational information including the receiver problem at the antenna and informational display and housekeeping systems based on some 4 bit data processing concepts. Topics discussed include the problem of limiters, zero crossing detectors, signal envelopes, internal timing circuits, phase counters, lane position displays, signal integrators, and software mapping problems.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), OMEGA NAVIGATION SYSTEM, RADIO RECEIVERS, VERY LOW...
The limitations of different E-field antenna coupler or preamplifier circuits are presented. All circuits were evaluated using actual Loran or Omega signals. Electric field whip or wire antennas are the simplest types which can be used for reception of VLF signals in the 10 to 100 kHz range. JFET or MOSFET transistors provide impedance transformation and some voltage gain in simple circuits where the power for operating the preamplifier uses the same coaxial cable that feeds the signal back to...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), ANTENNA COUPLERS, COUPLING CIRCUITS, LORAN C, PREAMPLIFIERS,...
A simple and low cost method of fabricating an active antenna preamplifier system covering the range of 10 KHz to 10 MHz for use with tunable communications receivers is described. The same type of system can be used with airborne VLF navigation receivers. By operating a high impedance preamplifier as a wide band device directly at the base of a short vertical antenna, the signal can be driven back to the receiver on a length of coaxial cable. The antenna can be as short as I meter and still...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), PREAMPLIFIERS, RADIO ANTENNAS, RADIO RECEIVERS, VERY LOW...
Very high Q digital filtering circuits for audio frequencies in the range of 1Hz to 15 KHz are implemented in simple CMOS hardware using a binary local reference clock frequency. The circuits have application to VLF navigation receivers and other narrow band audio range tracking problems.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), CIRCUITS, DIGITAL FILTERS, DIGITAL SYSTEMS, PHASE LOCKED...
Noise specifications for junction field-effect transistors are presented in different ways depending on the particular semiconductor manufacturer. Arithmetic involved in converting these specifications to equivalent RMS noise in microvolts developed at the preamplifier input terminal is reviewed. These methods were useful for estimating the noise performance of high input impedance preamplifiers used with E-field antennas operating in the range of 1 KHz to 10 MHz. Both the JFET MPF-102...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), NOISE (SOUND), PREAMPLIFIERS, RADIO RECEIVERS, VERY LOW...
A pair of prototype low frequency mechanical filters were obtained for use as the RF front-end components of an OMEGA-VLF navigation receiver. The filter units are of interest because of very narrow bandwidths and high skirt selectivity to minimize noise and off-channel carriers in the reception of OMEGA signals. In addition, the filters have a characteristic low impedance of 75 to 5,000 ohms which results in less critical PC board circuitry compared to some previous resonators with termination...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), OMEGA NAVIGATION SYSTEM, RADIO FILTERS, RADIO RECEIVERS,...
A modified high impedance preamplifier circuit which provides outputs to drive an Omega-VLF receiver and an ADF-LF receiver from a common antenna on general aviation aircraft is reported. The preamplifier was evaluated with fixed ground station receivers and results show the burn out problem of the first stage MOSFET during very close lightning discharges was eliminated.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT, LOW FREQUENCIES, PREAMPLIFIERS,...
A problem with the Omega system is a lack of suitable low cost hardware for the small user community. A collection of do it yourself circuit modules are under development intended for use by educational institutions, small boat owners, aviation enthusiasts, and others who have some skills in fabricating their own electronic equipment. Applications of the hardware to time frequency standards measurements, signal propagation monitoring, and navigation experiments are presented. A family of Mini-O...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), ELECTRONIC MODULES, HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING, OMEGA...
Portable battery operated LORAN-C receivers were fabricated to evaluate simple envelope detector methods with hybrid analog to digital phase locked loop sensor processors. The receivers are used to evaluate LORAN-C in general aviation applications. Complete circuit details are given for the experimental sensor and readout system.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT, LORAN C, PHASE LOCKED SYSTEMS,...
The KIM-1 circuit designed for use with a full duplex isolated 4 terminal system is described. Operation of the circuit with a 3 wire system in conjunction with a single +5v supply interface is discussed.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), INTERFACES, MICROPROCESSORS, TELETYPEWRITER SYSTEMS,...
A quartz tuning fork filter circuit and some unique CMOS clock logic methods provide a very simple OMEGA-VLF receiver with true hyperbolic station pair phase difference outputs. An experimental system was implemented on a single battery-operated circuit board requiring only an external antenna preamplifier, and LOP output recorder. A bench evaluation and preliminary navigation tests indicate the technique is viable and can provide very low-cost OMEGA measurement systems. The method is promising...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), OMEGA NAVIGATION SYSTEM, SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVERS,...
Diurnal signals from eight omega channels have been monitored at 10.2 KHz for selected station pairs. All eight Omega stations have been received at least 50 percent of the time over a 24 hour period during the month of October 1976. The data presented confirm the expected performance of the CMOS omega sensor processor in being able to digsignals out of a noisy environment. Of particular interest are possibilities for use of antipodal reception phenomena and a need for some ways of correcting...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, OMEGA NAVIGATION SYSTEM, SIGNAL...
A blanker system that may be used with audio noise limiters or automatic noise limiters was described. The system employs a pair of silicon diodes and two RC filters connected across the feedback impedance of an operational amplifier so as to counteract impulse noise interference caused by local spherics activity or 60 Hz harmonics radiated from ac motor control systems. The following information is given: circuit diagram and description, operating details, evaluation, discussion of other noise...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), AUTOMATIC CONTROL, ELECTROMAGNETIC NOISE, LIMITER CIRCUITS,...
A brief description of the Loran-C system is presented with a suggested receiver based on a standard AM-FM integrated circuit chip. Construction details of the Mini-L Loran-C prototype front-end are considered. The Mini-L system was bench tested for approximately 500 hours under a variety of reception conditions. The Mini-L concept combined with a microprocessor system is a promising approach to the development of truly low-cost Loran-C receivers for the marine and airborne user.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TESTS, LORAN C, MINIATURE ELECTRONIC...
A ganged potentiometer with the interesting property of a constant 10k ohm or greater series impedance for all rotations of the shaft was rediscovered. The device provided a versatile passive mixer circuit when used with most signal sources and can be used as a variable series input summing resistor in operational amplifier networks. The potentiometer gave simple solutions to missing problems with a single control knob.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), NETWORK SYNTHESIS, POTENTIOMETERS (RESISTORS), ACOUSTIC...
The design and design data for broadband loop antenna systems are presented. An investigation of some simple systems for possible Loran C receivers which require a bandwidth of greater than 20 KHz is discussed. Designs are presented for a 60 KHz WWVB antenna, several Loran C variations, and some 1750 meter band antennas. Signals received on all these, including one airborne experiment where a Loran C receiver gave the correct time difference reading within 1 microsecond while flying on a...
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), ANTENNA DESIGN, LOOP ANTENNAS, LORAN C, ANTENNA COUPLERS,...
A sampled binary phase lock loop is proposed for periodically correcting OMEGA receiver internal clocks. The circuit is particularly simple to implement and provides a means of generating long range 3.4 KHz difference frequency lanes from simultaneous pair measurements.
Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), CLOCKS, OMEGA NAVIGATION SYSTEM, PHASE LOCKED SYSTEMS,...
