Location
Salt Lake Community College
Start Date
5-5-2003 3:45 PM
Description
The fundamental parameter for the Earth's ionosphere, a space plasma, is its density. This density can be determined in-situ from its resonant frequency properties, which can be stimulated by an antenna operating at RF frequencies immersed in the plasma. The resonant conditions are observed through the antenna's impedance characteristics. Innovations in the Utah State University plasma impedance probe, an instrument used for making these measurements are discussed. An improved control theory model of the instrument is derived and analyzed for a variety of ionospheric conditions. Calibration measurements are compared with theoretical results.
Next Generation Plasma Frequency Probe Instrumentation Technique
Salt Lake Community College
The fundamental parameter for the Earth's ionosphere, a space plasma, is its density. This density can be determined in-situ from its resonant frequency properties, which can be stimulated by an antenna operating at RF frequencies immersed in the plasma. The resonant conditions are observed through the antenna's impedance characteristics. Innovations in the Utah State University plasma impedance probe, an instrument used for making these measurements are discussed. An improved control theory model of the instrument is derived and analyzed for a variety of ionospheric conditions. Calibration measurements are compared with theoretical results.