基于X射线脉冲星导航的模拟调制仿真源研究

An analog modulated simulation source for X-ray pulsar-based navigation

为实现X射线脉冲星导航系统在地面的演示验证,提出并设计了一种高精度X射线脉冲星仿真源.该仿真源由模拟调制信号发生器和栅控X射线球管组成.模拟调制信号发生器根据脉冲星标准脉冲轮廓数据和栅控球管特性曲线,利用直接数字频率合成技术产生模拟调制信号,加载在X射线球管控制栅极,从而控制轰击阳极靶的高速电子数目来实现X射线的调制,产生与脉冲星标准脉冲轮廓高吻合度的X射线光子统计分布.在X射线脉冲星地面仿真系统中对Crab脉冲星仿真源的性能进行测试,测试结果为:采集脉冲轮廓与标准脉冲轮廓时域相关度和频率相关度分别达到0.9774和0.9853,辐射流量为1.90ph·cm-2·s-1,脉冲辐射流量与总辐射流量之比为76.15%,脉冲半宽度为1.879ms.结果表明:该仿真源具有符合度高,成本低,操作简单灵活,对X射线脉冲星导航关键技术的攻关具有重要的意义.

In this paper a high resolution X-ray simulation source is proposed and designed to verify the navigation based on X-ray pulsar in the simulation experience system. The simulation source consists of an arbitrary signal generator and a grid controlled X-ray tube. According to the grid tube＇s characteristic curve, the data of the pulsar standard pulse template are converted. Then using the method of direct digital frequency synthesis, the converted data are synthesized to waveforms, called the analog modulated grid voltage. In the grid controlled X-ray tube, the grid voltage changes the number of electrons hitting on the target and controls the X-ray intensity. With an analog modulated pulse profile applied on the tube grid electrode, the tube will emit X-rays which will match photons＇ statistical distribution and simulate the X-ray pulsar profile extremely well. The properties of Crab pulsar simulation source are tested in X-ray pulsar navigation simulation experience system. The results of the test are as follows： Comparing the tested pulse profile with the standard pulsar profile, we have time correlation coefficient is 0.9774, and frequency correlation coefficient is 0.9853. The X-ray photon flux is 1.90 ph.cm-2.s-1, the pulsed fraction is 76.15%, and the half-width half maximum is 1.879 ms. These results show that the X-ray simulation source has several merits, such as： strong ability to simulate the X-ray, low cost and simple operation. So it is an important means for the improvement of X-ray pulsar navigation.