Small sensor probe for measuring plasma waves in space

Abstract

Background: Since conventional one-point observations of plasma phenomena in space cannot distinguish between time and spatial variations, the missions on the basis of multiple-point observations have become the trend. We propose a new system for multiple-point observation referred to as the monitor system for space electromagnetic environments (MSEE). Findings: The MSEE consists of small sensor probes that have a capability to measure electromagnetic waves and transfer received data to the central station through wireless communication. We developed the prototype model of the MSEE sensor probe. The sensor probe includes a plasma wave receiver, the microcontroller, the wireless communication module, and the battery in the 75-mm cubic housing. In addition, loop antennas, dipole antennas, and actuators that are used for expanding dipole antennas are attached on the housing. The whole mass of the sensor probe is 692 g, and the total power consumption is 462 mW. The sensor probe can work with both inner battery and external power supply. The maximum continuous operation time on battery power is more than 6 h. We verified the total performance for electric field measurements by inputting signal to preamplifier. In this test, we found that analog components had enough characteristics to measure electric fields, and the A/D conversion and the wireless transmission worked correctly. In the whole performance for electric fields, the sensor probe has equivalent noise level of −135 dBV=m= ffiffiffiffiffi Hz p .

Development of an ASIC preamplifier for electromagnetic sensor probes for monitoring space electromagnetic environments

“…The waveform data for 6 components of the electromagnetic fields are transmitted to a base unit through the wireless communication module at 115.2 kbps. The details of the MSEE sensor probe have been described by Zushi et al (2015).…”

Development of chopper-stabilized ASIC preamplifier for improving noise equivalent magnetic induction of search coil magnetometer probing space plasma waves

“…Demands for miniaturized scientific satellites are increasing, so miniaturization of scientific instruments is important for understanding spatial and temporal magnetospheric dynamics using cube-and small-satellites (e.g., Angelopoulos et al 2020;Johnson et al 2020;Walsh et al 2021). Plasma wave instruments have been miniaturized by application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology (e.g., direct current (DC) magnetic field measurements (Magnes et al 2008;Sordo-Ibáñez et al 2015), alternating current (AC) magnetic field measurements (Rhouni et al 2013;Ozaki et al 2014;Ozaki et al 2016), and plasma waveform receivers (Kojima et al 2010;Fukuhara et al 2012;Zushi et al 2015)). ASIC technology is suitable for miniaturizing mostly analog parts for plasma wave observations.…”

ASIC waveform receiver with improved environmental tolerance for probing space plasma waves in environments with high radiation and wide temperature variation

“…This study deals with a plasma waveform receiver [10][11][12] connected to electromagnetic sensors (e.g., searchcoil magnetometers [13] and wire-probe antennas [14]), and high-sensitivity preamplifi ers. Fukuhara et al [11] previously described an ASIC-based plasma waveform receiver.…”