Publications

Walker, Michael J.; Bacon, Larry D.

Abstract not provided.

Proceedings of the 2017 19th International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications, ICEAA 2017

Williams, Jeffery T.; Zutavern, Fred J.; Bacon, Larry D.

The analysis of electromagnetic coupling in nonlinear circuits requires a bidirectional, fully consistent approach. Nonlinear responses of semiconductor devices in electronic circuit components can change the impedances seen at circuit nodes, changing the boundary conditions encountered by impressed electromagnetic fields, and thus changing the characteristics of the energy coupled from these external fields into that circuit. It is important to include the coupling in the circuit simulation self-consistently because this allows us to accurately predict the responses to various EMI/EMC problems of interest. It is also important to predict circuit responses efficiently because that opens the door to statistical applications for the technique being used. In this paper, we review a technique that we have developed called ATHENA (A THevenin Equivalent Network Approach). This approach is shown to be quite robust in that it is computationally efficient, it can be implemented in a variety of commonly available circuit solving codes, it already includes a few additional techniques required to enhance its implementation in those codes, and it is quite accurate.

Williams, Jeffery T.; Bacon, Larry D.; Walker, Michael J.; Vigliano, David J.; Gutierrez, Roy K.; Denison, Gary J.; Wallace, Zachariah R.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Williams, Jeffery T.; Walker, Michael J.; Vigliano, David J.; Gutierrez, Roy K.; Denison, Gary J.

Abstract not provided.

Special Issue of IEEE Transactions on EMC

Williams, Jeffery T.; Bacon, Larry D.; Walker, Michael J.; Zeek, Erik C.

Abstract not provided.

Williams, Jeffery T.; Bacon, Larry D.; Walker, Michael J.; Zeek, Erik C.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Walker, Michael J.; Zeek, Erik C.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Williams, Jeffery T.; Turner, C.D.; Walker, Michael J.; Zeek, Erik C.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Mar, Alan M.; Vigliano, David J.; Zeek, Erik C.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Walker, Michael J.; Zeek, Erik C.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.

Hybrid Band{trademark} (H-band) is a Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (LMMFC) designation for a specific RF modulation that causes disruption of select electronic components and circuits. H-Band enables conventional high-power microwave (HPM) effects (with a center frequency of 1 to 2 GHz, for example) using a higher frequency carrier signal. The primary technical objective of this project was to understand the fundamental physics of Hybrid Band{trademark} Radio Frequency effects on electronic systems. The follow-on objective was to develop and validate a Hybrid Band{trademark} effects analysis process.

Bacon, Larry D.; Williams, Jeffery T.; Walker, Michael J.; Mar, Alan M.

Abstract not provided.

Williams, Jeffery T.; Bacon, Larry D.; Borchardt, John J.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Borchardt, John J.; Sanchez, Lawrence C.

Abstract not provided.

Brocato, Robert W.; Loubriel, Guillermo M.; Pickens, Wesley S.; Bacon, Larry D.; Wouters, Gregg A.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.

As military operations in urban environments become more numerous, the ability of combat units to communicate, jam enemy communications, or employ RF weapons within this environment must be evaluated. To perform this evaluation in a mission level model requires a capability to evaluate the contributions of both terrain and man-made structures (interior and exterior) to RF propagation. The present study is an analysis of the adequacy of a mission level model (EADSIM) to perform these RF propagation calculations in an urban environment. Three basic environments must be assessed. The first environment consists entirely of terrain, with no man-made features impacting propagation values. The second environment includes terrain, but also includes the contribution of solid structures with abrupt edges, which may obstruct/influence LOS paths. The third environment includes not only terrain and structures, but also contains structures with interior features which must be evaluated to determine the propagation levels within and around these structures. EADSIM was used as the model for evaluation in view of its suite of propagation tools which can be used for analysis of RF propagation between transmitters and receivers including terrain. To assess EADSIM's capability to perform in these environments, flat terrain maps with an obstruction were created to permit comparison of EADSIM's propagation models with analytical calculations and with measurements. Calculations from the Terrain Integrated Rough Earth Model (TIREM) and the Spherical Earth Knife Edge (SEKE) propagation models included within EADSIM showed that the ability of the models to calculate knife-edge diffraction agreed favorably with analytical values. The representation of multipath effects was less encouraging. SEKE only models multipath when Fresnel clearance exists. TIREM models multipath, but the cyclical characteristics of multipath are not represented, and only subtractive path loss is considered. Multipath is only evaluated along a 2-D path in the vertical orientation. This precludes modeling propagation in the urban canyons of metropolitan areas, where horizontal paths are dominant. It also precludes modeling exterior to interior propagation. In view of the apparent inadequacy of urban propagation within mission level models, as evidenced by EADSIM, the study also attempts to address possible solutions to the problem. Correction of the sparsing techniques in both TIREM and SEKE models is recommended. Both SEKE and TIREM are optimized for DTED level 1 data, sparsed at 3 arc seconds resolution. This led to significant errors when map data was sparsed at higher or lower resolution. TIREM's errors would be significantly reduced if the 999 point array limit was eliminated. This would permit using interval sizes equal to the map resolution for larger areas. This same problem could be fixed in SEKE by changing the interval spacing from a fixed 3 arc second resolution ({approx}93 meters) to an interval which is set at the map resolution. Additionally, the cell elevation interpolation method which TIREM uses is inappropriate for the man-made structures encountered in urban environments. Turning this method of determining height off, or providing a selectable switch is desired. In the near term, it appears that further research into ray-tracing models is appropriate. Codes such as RF-ProTEC, which can be dynamically linked to mission level models such as EADSIM, can provide the higher fidelity propagation calculations required, and still permit the dynamic interactions required of the mission level model. Additional research should also be conducted on the best methods of representing man-made structures to determine whether codes other than ray-trace can be used.

Bacon, Larry D.; Loubriel, Guillermo M.

Abstract not provided.

Salazar, Robert S.; Molina, Luis L.; Bacon, Larry D.; Loubriel, Guillermo M.

For many decades, engineers and scientists have studied the effects of high power microwaves (HPM) on electronics. These studies usually focus on means of delivering energy to upset electronic equipment and ways to protect equipment from HPM. The motivation for these studies is to develop the knowledge necessary either to cause disruption or to protect electronics from disruption. Since electronic circuits must absorb sufficient energy to fail and the source used to deliver this energy is far away from the electronic circuit, the source must emit a large quantity of energy. In free space, for example, as the distance between the source and the target increases, the source energy must increase by the square of distance. The HPM community has dedicated substantial resources to the development of higher energy sources as a result. Recently, members of the HPM community suggested a new disruption mechanism that could potentially cause system disruptions at much lower energy levels. The new mechanism, based on nonlinear dynamics, requires an expanded theory of circuit operation. This report summarizes an investigation of electronic circuit nonlinear behavior as it applies to inductor-resistor-diode circuits (known as the Linsay circuit) and phased-locked-loops. With the improvement in computing power and the need to model circuit behavior with greater precision, the nonlinear effects of circuit has become very important. In addition, every integrated circuit has as part of its design a protective circuit. These protective circuits use some variation of semiconductor junctions that can interact with parasitic components, present in every real system. Hence, the protective circuit can behave as a Linsay circuit. Although the nonlinear behavior is understandable, it is difficult to model accurately. Many researchers have used classical diode models successfully to show nonlinear effects within predicted regions of operation. However, these models do not accurately predict measured results. This study shows that models based on SPICE, although they exhibit chaotic behavior, do not properly reproduce circuit behavior without modifying diode parameters. This report describes the models and considerations used to model circuit behavior in the nonlinear range of operation. Further, it describes how a modified SPICE diode model improves the simulation results. We also studied the nonlinear behavior of a phased-locked-loop. Phased-locked loops are fundamental building block to many major systems (aileron, seeker heads, etc). We showed that an injected RF signal could drive the phased-locked-loop into chaos. During these chaotic episodes, the frequency of the phased-locked-loop takes excursion outside its normal range of operation. In addition to these excursions, the phased-locked-loop and the system it is controlling requires some time to get back into normal operation. The phased-locked-loop only needs to be upset enough long enough to keep it off balance.

Bacon, Larry D.; Bacon, Larry D.

The present study is a numerical investigation of the propagation of electromagnetic transients in dispersive media. It considers propagation in water using Debye and composite Rocard-Powles-Lorentz models for the complex permittivity. The study addresses this question: For practical transmitted spectra, does precursor propagation provide any features that can be used to advantage over conventional signal propagation in models of dispersive media of interest? A companion experimental study is currently in progress that will attempt to measure the effects studied here.

Loubriel, Guillermo M.; Loubriel, Guillermo M.; Mar, Alan M.; Salazar, Robert S.; Bacon, Larry D.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Bacon, Larry D.; Lehr, J.M.; Molina, Luis L.; Salazar, Robert S.

The propagation of electromagnetic waves through dispersive media forms the basis for a wide variety of applications. Rapid advances in materials have produced new products with tailored responses across frequency bands. Many of these new materials, such as radar absorbing material and photonic crystals, are dispersive in nature. This, in turn, has opened up the possibility for the exploitation of these dispersive dielectric properties for a variety of applications. Thus, it is desirable to know the electromagnetic properties of both man-made and natural materials across a wide frequency range. With the advent of transient pulsers with sub-nanosecond risetimes and rates of voltage rise approaching 10**16 V/s, the frequencies of interest in the transient response extend to approximately the 2 GHz range. Although a network analyzer can provide either frequency- or time-domain data (by inverse transform), common TEM cells are only rated to 0.5 to 1.5 GHz--significantly below the maximum frequency of interest. To extend the frequency range to include 2 GHz, a TEM cell was characterized and a deembedding algorithm was applied to account, in part, for the limitations of the cell. The de-embedding technique is described along with such measurement issues such as clear time and sneak around. Measurements of complex permittivity of common drinking water are shown. This frequency extension will lead to more expansive testing of dielectric materials of interest.

Mar, Alan M.; Bacon, Larry D.; Loubriel, Guillermo M.; Bacon, Larry D.

This report summarizes an investigation of the use of high-gain Photo-Conductive Semiconductor Switch (PCSS) technology for a deployable impulse source. This includes a discussion of viability, packaging, and antennas. High gain GaAs PCSS-based designs offer potential advantages in terms of compactness, repetition rate, and cost.

Denison, Gary J.; Hudson, Howard G.; Stronach, Stephen L.; Loubriel, Guillermo M.; Bacon, Larry D.; Rinehart, Larry F.; Toth, Richard P.; Molina, Luis A.; Lundstrom, Joseph M.; Pate, Ronald C.

Abstract not provided.

Bacon, Larry D.; Rinehart, Larry F.

This report provides a brief summary of the characteristics of contemporary high-power microwave sources. The focus is on their physical and operational characteristics and regions of application rather than their theory of operation. Magnetrons, linear beam tubes, split-cavity oscillators, virtual cathode oscillators, gyrotrons, free-electron lasers, and orbitron microwave masers are described. Power supply requirements and engineering issues of the application of HPM devices are addressed.