Dual transponder ranging performance in the presence of oscillator phase noise

A dual transponder carrier ranging method can be used to measure inter-satellite distance with high precision by combining the reference and the to-and-fro measurements. Based on the differential techniques, the oscillator phase noise, which is the main error source for microwave ranging systems, can be significantly attenuated. Further, since the range measurements are derived on the same satellite, the dual transponder ranging system does not need a time tagging system to synchronize the two satellites. In view of the lack of oscillator noise analysis on the dual transponder ranging model, a comprehensive analysis of oscillator noise effects on ranging accuracy is provided. First, the dual transponder ranging system is described with emphasis on the detailed analysis of oscillator noise on measurement precision. Then, a high-fidelity numerical simulation approach based on the power spectrum density of an actual ultra-stable oscillator is carried out in both frequency domain and time domain to support the presented theoretical analysis. The simulation results under different conditions are consistent with the proposed concepts, which makes the results reliable. Besides, the results demonstrate that a high level of accuracy can be achieved by using this oscillator noise cancelation-oriented ranging method.

A Uniform Reference Line Based Differential Phase Shifter with Wide Phase Range and Wide Bandwidth

To implement the multi-way phase shifting maintaining the compact size and simplicity in structure,the uniform reference line concept was proposed for the differential phase shifter.However,the performance in bandwidth and phase range deteriorates with the additional requirements considered.To solve this problem,a quarter wavelength coupled line section loaded with open/short stubs is proposed as the basic element to implement the main line and also reference line.According to the theoretical analysis on this basic element,the loading stubs can be used to control the phase shift and also the phase slope of the basic element without affecting the amplitude property.With the predetermined parameters of the uniform reference line,only two parameters are required for the implementation of different differential phase shifts.This demonstrates the high simplicity of the proposed structure.For demonstration,an eight-way differential phase shifter operating at 3.5 GHz was implemented using the vertically installed planar structure.The prototype was further fabricated and measured.Good agreement between simulation and measurement can be observed.The implemented phase shifter can provide a wide range of phase shifting values from 45°to 315°with reference to the uniform reference line over a relative bandwidth of 62.3%.

Distance-Measuring Technology Using LD for Auto Anti-Collision

Auto anti-collision technology is one of the main research subjects of automobiles’ safety technology. Aiming at the key technology of Auto anti-collision, measuring the distance from obstacles, based on the theory of phase laser distance ranging, Laser Diode (LD) distance-measuring system for auto anti-collision has been developed to solve the problem of on-line measuring distance technology in middle to long distance utilizing the good characteristics of LD when modulating its optical intensity and adopting typical kinds of filter techniques in this paper. By theoretical analysis, adopting typical kinds of filter techniques can reduce the interference of strong light, so distance-measuring range can be 0.5–100 m in daytime or 1–200 m at night. And more, from theoretical analysis and experiment result, it can guarantee the high measuring resolution which can be less than 24.5 mm, utilizing the method of two Laser Diode optical intensity modulating wavelength and complimenting precise calibration and revision. The idea of LD distance-measuring technology is novel and feasible and this technology can be applied in Auto anti-collision. Key words laser diode - phase laser distance ranging - filter techniques - auto anti-collision CLC number TH 161 Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (59675080, 59805006) and Wuhan Chenguang Foundation (20025001001)Biography: Zhang Xin-bao (1965-), male, Associate professor, research direction: precise mechanism and instrument.