volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

Fluctuations of the reentry plasma sheath can affect the propagation of Electromagnetic waves. The relations between fluctuations and the propagation of electromagnetic waves are analyzed. The effects on polarization propertiesin L-band, S-band and Ka-band during a typical reentry process are studied using methods derived by synthesizing the compressible turbulent flow theory, plasma theory, and electromagnetic wave theory together. Results show that in L-band and S-band, the effects increase with the altitude, while in Ka-band, the effects decrease with altitude. The effects at high altitude above 60 km are prominent in L-band and S-band, while the effects at middle and low altitude below 60 km in Ka-band are obvious. The effects in L-band and S-band are much bigger than that in Ka-band and can affect the signal properties of TT&C systems significantly, while the effects in Ka-band are much milder. The waves with large oblique incident angle can encounter much more severe conditions than that with small angle.

1. Rybak, J. P. and R. J. Churchill, "Progress in reentry communications," IEEE Transactions on Aerospace & Electronic Systems, Vol. 7, 879-894, 1970. Google Scholar

2. Luebbers, R. J., F. Hunsberger, and K. S. Kunz, "A frequency-dependent finite-difference time-domain formulation for transient propagation inplasma," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 9, No. 1, 29-34, 1991.
doi:10.1109/8.64431 Google Scholar

3. Gregolre, D. J., J. Santoru, and R. W. Schumacher, "Electromagnetic wave propagation in unmagnetized plasmas," Hydrological Research Letters, 1992. Google Scholar

4. Manningm, R. M., "Analysis of electromagnetic wave propagationin a magnetized re-entry plasma sheath via the kinetic equation," TM-2009-216096, NASA Glenn Research Center: Cleveland, 2009. Google Scholar

5. Liu, J. F., X. L. Xi, G. B. Wan, et al. "Simulation of electromagnetic wave propagtion through plasma sheath using the moving-window finite-difference time-domain method," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 39, No. 3, 852-855, 2011.
doi:10.1109/TPS.2010.2098890 Google Scholar

6. Shi, L., B. Guo, Y. Liu, and J. Li, "Characteristic of plasma sheath channel and its effect on communication," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 123, 321-336, 2012.
doi:10.2528/PIER11110201 Google Scholar

7. Schroeder, L. C., "Gemini reentry communications experiment," NASA paper presented at Third Symposium on the Plasma Sheath (Boston, Mass.), 1965. Google Scholar

8. Scharfman, W. E., "The use of Langmuir probes to determine the electron density surrounding re-entry vehicles final report," NASA-CR-6608, 1965. Google Scholar

9. National Aeronautics and Space Administration "The entry plasma sheath and its effects on space vehicle electromagnetic systems Volume I," ASA-SP-252, Virginia, Hampton, 1970. Google Scholar

10. Akey, N. D. and A. E. Cross, "Radio blackout alleviation and plasma diagnostic results from a 25000 foot per second blunt-body reentry," TN D-5615, 1-44, NASA, Washington, 1970. Google Scholar

11. Weaver, W. L. and J. T. Bowen, "Entry trajectory, entry environment, and analysis of spacecraft motion for the RAM C-3 flight experiment," NASA-TMX-2562, 1972. Google Scholar

12. Vidmar, R., "On the use of atmospheric pressure plasmas as electromagnetic reflectors and absorbers," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 18, No. 4, 733-741, 1990.
doi:10.1109/27.57528 Google Scholar

13. Laroussi, M. and J. R. Roth, "Numerical calculation of the reflection,absorption and transmission of microwaves by a nonuniform plasmaslab," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 21, No. 4, 366-372, 1993.
doi:10.1109/27.234562 Google Scholar

14. Petrin, A. B., "On the transmission of microwaces through plasma layer," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 28, No. 3, 1000-1008, 2000.
doi:10.1109/27.887768 Google Scholar

15. Petrin, A. B., "Transmission of microwaves through magnetoactive plasma," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 29, No. 3, 471-478, 2001.
doi:10.1109/27.928945 Google Scholar

16. Kim, M. and I. D. Boyd, "Modeling of electromagnetic manipulation of plasmas for communication during reentry flight," Journal of Spacecraft Rockets, Vol. 47, No. 1, 29-35, 2010.
doi:10.2514/1.45525 Google Scholar

17. Lontano, M. and N. Lunin, "Propagation of electromagnetic waves in a density-modulated plasma," Journal of Plasma Physics, Vol. 45, No. 2, 173-190, 1991.
doi:10.1017/S0022377800015622 Google Scholar

18. Lontano, M. and N. Lunin, "Density-modulation effects on the propagation of an electromagnetic wave in a plasma," Journal of Plasma Physics, Vol. 48, No. 2, 209-214, 1992.
doi:10.1017/S0022377800016494 Google Scholar

19. Busatti, E., A. Ciucci, M. D. Rosa, et al. "Propagation of electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous plasmas," Journal of Plasma Physics, Vol. 52, No. 3, 443-456, 1994.
doi:10.1017/S0022377800027240 Google Scholar

20. Cerri, G., F. Moglie, R. Montesi, et al. "FDTD solution of the Maxwell-Boltzman system for electromagnetic wave propagation in a plasma," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 56, No. 8, 2584-2588, 2008.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2008.927505 Google Scholar

21. Bai, B., X. Li, Y. Liu, J. Xu, L. Shi, and K. Xie, "Effects of reentry plasma sheath on the polarization properties of obliquely incident EM waves," IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., Vol. 42, No. 10, 3365-3372, Oct. 2014.
doi:10.1109/TPS.2014.2349009 Google Scholar

22. Kovasznay, S. G., "Turbulence in supersonic flow," Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, Vol. 20, No. 10, 657-682, 1953.
doi:10.2514/8.2793 Google Scholar

23. Smits, A. J. and J. P. Dussauge, Turbulent Shear Layers in Supersonic Flow, Springer, 2005.

24. Duan, L. and M. Choudhari, "Numerical study of pressure fluctuations due to a mach 6 turbulent boundary," AIAA 51st Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA Paper No. 2013–0532, 2013. Google Scholar

25. Lin, T. C. and L. K. Sproul, "Influence of reentry turbulent plasma fluctuation on EM wave propagation," Computers & Fluids, Vol. 35, No. 7, 703-711, 2006.
doi:10.1016/j.compfluid.2006.01.009 Google Scholar

26. Demetriades, A., "Final technical report," Advanced Penetration Program III, SAMSO-TR-72-161, 1972. Google Scholar

27. Ginzburg, V. L., The Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves in Plasma, 2nd Ed., Pergamon, 1970.

28. Potter, D. L., "Introduction of the PIRATE program for parametric reentry vehicle plasma effects studies," 37th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, AIAA Paper No. 2006–3239, California, San Francisco, 2006. Google Scholar

29. Russo, A. J., "Interaction of plane electromagnetic waves with a fully ionized plasma,", SC-TM-64-64A, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, 1964. Google Scholar

30. Murray, A. L., "Further enhancements of the BLIMP computer code and user’s guide,", AFWAL AFWALTR-88-3010, Aerotherm Corporation, Mountain View, 1988. Google Scholar

31. Abbett, M. J., "RAM C-III S-band diagnostic experiment about a supersonic axisymmetric blunt body at zero incidence-analysis and user’s manual,", UM-71-34, Aerotherm Corporation, 1971. Google Scholar

32. Kong, J. A., Electromagnetic Wave Theory, Wiley, 1986.

33. Grantham, W. L., "Reentry plasma measurements using a four-frequency reflect meter," The Entry Plasma Sheath and Its Effects on Space Vehicle Electromagnetic Systems, 65-107, Virginia, 1970. Google Scholar

34. Rybak, J. P. and R. J. Churchill, "Progress in reentry communications," IEEE Transactions on Aerospace & Electronic Systems, Vol. 7, 879-894, 1970. Google Scholar

35. Bachynski, M. P., T. W. Johnston, and I. P. Shkarofsky, "Electromagnetic properties of high-temperature air," Proceedings of the IRE, Vol. 7, No. 5, 337-339, 1960. Google Scholar

36. Dix, M., "Typical values of plasma parameters around a conical re-entry vehicle,", U.S. Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, 1962. Google Scholar

37. Meng, H., W. B. Dou, T. T. Chen, and K. Yin, "Analysis of radome using aperture integration-surface integration method with modified transmission coefficient," J. Infrared. Millim. Te., Vol. 30, No. 2, 2009.
doi:10.1007/s10762-008-9438-6 Google Scholar

Dr. Xinglai Wang

Dr. Zhiwei Liu

Dr. Guojiang Xia