Compact Millimeter-Wave Terminal for LEO Satellite Communications. On the basis of the cutting-edge and concept-proofed beam-steerable antenna invented by the team, this project aims at tackling the system-level challenges and developing a commercial-ready millimeter-wave satellite terminal to deal with the digital inequality facing rural and remote Australia. The proposed terminal can lead to a household-affordable price system that is compact and can be installed on a fixed/mobile platform for ....Compact Millimeter-Wave Terminal for LEO Satellite Communications. On the basis of the cutting-edge and concept-proofed beam-steerable antenna invented by the team, this project aims at tackling the system-level challenges and developing a commercial-ready millimeter-wave satellite terminal to deal with the digital inequality facing rural and remote Australia. The proposed terminal can lead to a household-affordable price system that is compact and can be installed on a fixed/mobile platform for broadband connectivity. The project will have an immediate socio-economic impact for families and small businesses located in rural areas in Australia that have poor digital access, meanwhile, it has great potential to transform the local industry partner' business into a highly profitable emerging market.Read moreRead less
Accurate Location Service for 3G Cellular Networks. The project aims to improve the accuracy of automatic location identification of GPS enabled handsets in third-generation cellular networks via a modified Differential GPS method. The proposed sub-metre location ability will be a value-added service of the network providers and will appeal to a wide sector of users. The challenge is to develop a cost effective solution by utilising existing network infrastructure. We propose to use the GPS timi ....Accurate Location Service for 3G Cellular Networks. The project aims to improve the accuracy of automatic location identification of GPS enabled handsets in third-generation cellular networks via a modified Differential GPS method. The proposed sub-metre location ability will be a value-added service of the network providers and will appeal to a wide sector of users. The challenge is to develop a cost effective solution by utilising existing network infrastructure. We propose to use the GPS timing units in 3G networks for deriving local GPS position corrections; and to transfer these corrections to the users via the 3G data bursts of the beacons or other user data broadcasts.Read moreRead less
A Space-Based Quantum Communications Platform using Continuous Variables. This work proposes to investigate a new space-borne platform capable of quantum communications with a terrestrial ground station. Different from existing space-borne quantum communication platforms, our new platform will be based on CV (Continuous Variable) technology and will integrate the ability to seamlessly switch to classical Free-Space Optical communications when channel conditions deem quantum communications are .... A Space-Based Quantum Communications Platform using Continuous Variables. This work proposes to investigate a new space-borne platform capable of quantum communications with a terrestrial ground station. Different from existing space-borne quantum communication platforms, our new platform will be based on CV (Continuous Variable) technology and will integrate the ability to seamlessly switch to classical Free-Space Optical communications when channel conditions deem quantum communications are too difficult. Currently no quantum satellite built on CV technology exists. Our research will produce a significant advance in an emerging technology space, and will allow Australia to take scientific leadership in an important aspect of ultra-secure communications from satellites.
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Development of large scale expansion tubes. The aim of this proposal is to develop a high Mach number scramjet simulation capability by modifying the X3 superorbital expansion tube at UQ for high suborbital operation at very high total pressures. This will enable Australia to do true Mach number simulation at higher speeds than is possible anywhere else, and mantain an international advantage in the development of scramjet flight propulsion. It will also put Australian researchers in a strong p ....Development of large scale expansion tubes. The aim of this proposal is to develop a high Mach number scramjet simulation capability by modifying the X3 superorbital expansion tube at UQ for high suborbital operation at very high total pressures. This will enable Australia to do true Mach number simulation at higher speeds than is possible anywhere else, and mantain an international advantage in the development of scramjet flight propulsion. It will also put Australian researchers in a strong position to participate in the next generation of US ground testing facilities, foreshadowed by the recent NASA purchase of a large shock tunnel driver. It will enable Australia to maintain a position of leadership in the development of new space travel concepts.Read moreRead less
Minimizing hypersonic skin-friction by boundary-layer combustion. The high drag associated with hypersonic flight has been a major obstacle to development of hypersonic aircraft. It is generally accepted that half the drag of hypersonic vehicles will be caused by air friction on the aircraft's skin, due mainly to the turbulent boundary layer which forms on the skin. However, a new method of reducing skin friction, by injecting and burning fuel in the boundary layer, has been discovered. This ....Minimizing hypersonic skin-friction by boundary-layer combustion. The high drag associated with hypersonic flight has been a major obstacle to development of hypersonic aircraft. It is generally accepted that half the drag of hypersonic vehicles will be caused by air friction on the aircraft's skin, due mainly to the turbulent boundary layer which forms on the skin. However, a new method of reducing skin friction, by injecting and burning fuel in the boundary layer, has been discovered. This project is aimed at investigating the range of conditions under which this method will be effective. By this boundary-layer "lubrication" much more efficient hypersonic flight will be possible.Read moreRead less
Enhancing scramjet performance by boundary layer combustion. Australia has developed a strong international reputation over the past 20 years for excellence in research into hypersonic flight technologies. This helps to reinforce the fact that this is a country in which advanced technologies can be conceived and developed. Australian companies and agencies are already collaborating with and are being supported by international organizations to develop further hypersonic flight technologies. Achi ....Enhancing scramjet performance by boundary layer combustion. Australia has developed a strong international reputation over the past 20 years for excellence in research into hypersonic flight technologies. This helps to reinforce the fact that this is a country in which advanced technologies can be conceived and developed. Australian companies and agencies are already collaborating with and are being supported by international organizations to develop further hypersonic flight technologies. Achieving another significant advance in this area by demonstrating significant reductions in frictional drag on hypersonic vehicles will keep us at the forefront of this field and lead to continued international support and collaboration.Read moreRead less
Reconfigurable antennas for satellite on-the-move communications. Reconfigurable antennas for satellite on-the-move communications. This project aims to design and develop low-cost reconfigurable end-user antennas that could be integrated with low-earth-orbit satellites so regional and remote Australians can access broadband. While broadband is taking its place alongside water and electricity as essential infrastructure, people in regional Australia lack genuine broadband services. These antenna ....Reconfigurable antennas for satellite on-the-move communications. Reconfigurable antennas for satellite on-the-move communications. This project aims to design and develop low-cost reconfigurable end-user antennas that could be integrated with low-earth-orbit satellites so regional and remote Australians can access broadband. While broadband is taking its place alongside water and electricity as essential infrastructure, people in regional Australia lack genuine broadband services. These antennas are expected to give these communities reliable access to e-health services and distance education, and make their businesses more productive with access to new markets. The proposed antennas should also make broadband services available in the air, at sea, or on the move.Read moreRead less
Radiation and Ablation in Rapidly Expanding Flows. The aim of the project is to record the spectra of radiation from a region of rapidly expanding flow representative of the passage of the shock layer on a re-entry capsule from the windward to the leeward surfaces. The significance of this work is that it addresses a critical area of spacecraft where the uncertainties of our design techniques are of the order of 300 per cent in terms of surface heat transfer, and current vehicles have to use lar ....Radiation and Ablation in Rapidly Expanding Flows. The aim of the project is to record the spectra of radiation from a region of rapidly expanding flow representative of the passage of the shock layer on a re-entry capsule from the windward to the leeward surfaces. The significance of this work is that it addresses a critical area of spacecraft where the uncertainties of our design techniques are of the order of 300 per cent in terms of surface heat transfer, and current vehicles have to use large safety factors to ensure survivability. The outputs from the project will be a data base of radiative parameters which should enable accurate models of the flow to be developed, which is expected to facilitate the design of advanced spacecraft with greater safety and reliability, and with lower structural mass.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100263
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking to land heavy payloads on Mars. This project aims to decelerate space vehicles by applying a magnetic field to the hot ionised gases that form around the vehicle. In the thin atmosphere of Mars, aerodynamic drag alone is not enough to land a spacecraft larger than 1 tonne. A human mission to Mars requires landing of payloads up to 80 tonnes. Interaction of the magnetic field with the ionised flow dissipates kinetic energy and can reduce surface heating. This proje ....Magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking to land heavy payloads on Mars. This project aims to decelerate space vehicles by applying a magnetic field to the hot ionised gases that form around the vehicle. In the thin atmosphere of Mars, aerodynamic drag alone is not enough to land a spacecraft larger than 1 tonne. A human mission to Mars requires landing of payloads up to 80 tonnes. Interaction of the magnetic field with the ionised flow dissipates kinetic energy and can reduce surface heating. This project could make Mars-return missions feasible by enabling greatly increased payloads. It also aims to evaluate magnetohydrodynamic braking and heat mitigation at true flight conditions.Read moreRead less