In order to truly understand data signals transmitted by satellite, one must understand scintillation theory in addition to well established theories of EM wave propagation and scattering. Scintillation is a nuisance in satellite EM communications, but it has stimulated numerous theoretical developments with science applications. This book not only presents a thorough theoretical explanation of scintillation, but it also offers a complete library of MATLAB codes that will reproduce the book examples. The library includes GPS coordinate manipulations, satellite orbit prediction, and earth mean magnetic field computations. The subect matter is for EM researchers; however, also theory is relevant to geophysics, acoustics, optics and astoronomy.

The fading characteristics of ionospheric scintillations can be precisely described by a cumulative amplitude probability distribution function (cdf). The cdf expresses the probability or percentage of time that the signal amplitude will equal or exceed a given amplitude. Utilizing ionospheric scintillations observed on beacon signals from synchronous satellites transmitting at 136 MHz, distributions of amplitude variations have been made. The resulting distributions have been divided into five groups corresponding to ranges of scintillation index, the predominant measure in scintillation studies. The five distribution models are then combined with the occurrence of scintillations in various index ranges to produce cumulative amplitude probability distributions. These have been done for long term observations made at Hamilton, Mass., Narssarssuaq, Greenland, and Huancayo, Peru. The resulting data allows engineers to determine margins necessary for communication and navigation systems. (Author).

NSA is a comprehensive collection of international nuclear science and technology literature for the period 1948 through 1976, pre-dating the prestigious INIS database, which began in 1970. NSA existed as a printed product (Volumes 1-33) initially, created by DOE's predecessor, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). NSA includes citations to scientific and technical reports from the AEC, the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration and its contractors, plus other agencies and international organizations, universities, and industrial and research organizations. References to books, conference proceedings, papers, patents, dissertations, engineering drawings, and journal articles from worldwide sources are also included. Abstracts and full text are provided if available.