RMS system reliability study
By: by Charles H. Rothauge, Milton L. Wilcox, Orestes M. Baycura, and Robert M. Burton
Contributors: Wilcox, Milton L.; Baycura, Orestes Methodius; Burton, Robert Ward; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School
Published: 1978
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif
Language: eng
Number of pages: 16
Subjects: Antennas (Electronics); Reliability; Radio wave propagation
Description: The RMS Research Group at NPS has investigated several antenna configurations for consideration as alternatives to those utilized in the existing RMS system.  Two circularly polarized antennas, one omnidirectional and one high gain, and a high gain vertically polarized antenna have been designed, prototypes constructed and initially field tested with performance superior to the present RMS antennas.  Two other prototype antennas are nearly ready for radiation pattern testing.  The initial portions of computer simulation programs for evaluating antenna radiation patterns, as on a tank, have been completed and checked out.  The second area of investigation was concerned with the radiation link between the A and B stations.  Both laboratory and field tests have shown conclusively that multipath effects contribute significantly to large range measurement errors and to distortion and reduction in magnitude of the telemetry signals.  Recommendations are included in this report for follow-on studies to further characterize the multipath problem and to determine operational methods to minimize these effects.  In the course of investigating multipath effects, severe thermal degradation of equipment performance was observed.  A careful alignment procedure was developed by the NPS Group which permitted acceptable field operation.  Additional investigation is required to determine the cause of the "thermal hysteresis" observed in the transceiver sensitivities.
Notes: Title from cover.

"Prepared for: U.S. Army Combat Developments Experimentation Command CDEC/DCS Instrumentation"--Cover.

"Project report for period ending 31 December 1977"--Cover.

"NPS-62-78-005PR"--Cover.

Author(s) key words: Antennas, propagation, multipath, polarization, sensitivity, thermal effects, RMS/DCS.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 15).

"Approved for public release; distribution unlimited"--Cover.

Technical report; 1977.