Introduction. X-ray inspection plays a unique role among all nondestructive testing methods for products and materials due to sufficiently high resolution and high penetrability. The present study is designed to consider the key features of microfocus X-ray sources, their areas of application, and main technical characteristics.

Aim. The paper aims to systematize information and review modern X-ray radiation sources for the implementation of microfocus radiography.

Materials and methods. The main designs of microfocus X-ray tubes (soldered and demountable) were considered relying on the experience of the St Petersburg State Electrotechnical University in developing and operating such equipment, as well as the experience and open-access publications of foreign researchers and developers. Data collected by leading research teams over the last ten years were analyzed.

Results. The paper presents design features for each main type of microfocus X-ray tubes – soldered and demountable. All key structural elements are considered: an anode assembly, a cathode assembly, and a focusing system. The influence of anode target material on the X-ray tube radiation spectrum is shown. An original design of a liquid-anode microfocus X-ray tube is described to demonstrate its key features and advantages. In addition, the paper gives an overview of cathodes used in microfocus X-ray tubes (tungsten cathode and lanthanum hexaboride cathode), as well as providing a detailed description of calculations performed for focusing systems. Finally, the designs of modern X-ray tubes are presented.

Conclusion. Modern X-ray tubes are high-tech products that allow for high-resolution research of various objects. The main advantage of testing performed with the use of X-ray tubes consists in high resolution (micron and submicron). The X-ray images of test objects used to determine their spatial resolution are given, which clearly illustrate the vast possibilities of this technology. In addition, ways to improve microfocus X-ray tubes are briefly discussed. The considered materials can be useful in selecting a nondestructive testing tool, as well as in developing and creating X-ray systems on the basis of microfocus X-ray tubes.

Introduction. Spectrally efficient frequency division multiplexing (SEFDM) is a promising technology for improving spectral efficiency. Since SEFDM signals transmitted on subcarriers are not orthogonal, interchannel interference occurs due to the mutual influence of signals transmitted on adjacent subcarriers. Algorithms for receiving SEFDM signals can be distinguished into element-by-element coherent detection and maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE). The former method, although being simpler, is characterized by a low bit error rate performance. The latter method, although providing for a higher energy efficiency, is more complicated and does not allow high absolute message rates.

Aim. To consider a trade-off solution to the problem of coherent detection of SEFDM signals under the condition of significant interchannel interference, namely, the use of an iterative algorithm of element-by-element processing with decision feedback at each subcarrier frequency.

Materials and methods. Analytical expressions for the operation of a demodulator solver were derived. A simulation model for transmission of SEFDM signals was built in the MatLab environment, including element-by-element detection with decision feedback.

Results. The simulation results confirmed the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. For error probabilities p =102…103, the energy gains reach values from 0.2 to 7.5 dB for different values of the non-orthogonal subcarrier spacing. At the same time, the efficiency of the detection algorithm with decision feedback turns out to be significantly lower than that when using the detection algorithm MLSE.

Conclusion. The proposed detection algorithm can be used in future generations of mobile communications, which require high transmission rates. By reducing the computational complexity of the algorithm, it is possible to provide for a lower power consumption of mobile devices.

Introduction. Introduction. Low-profile effective antenna systems (AS) with maintained directional characteristics in a wide sector of scanning angles are required for satellite communication at mobile objects. This article investigates the directional characteristics of a subarray based on a Fabry–Perot cavity and an antenna array with mechanoelectrical beam steering.

Aim. To investigate a Fabry–Perot based antenna array with mechanoelectrical beam steering and to estimate its gain and directivity at different scanning angles.

Materials and methods. Computer simulations were carried out using the finite element method (FEM), finite difference time domain (FDTD) method and template based post-processing.

Results. A subarray based on a Fabry–Perot cavity for an antenna array with mechanoelectrical beam steering was simulated. The efficiency of the subarray comprised at least 65 % in the 11.9…12.5 GHz frequency band. An antenna array based on a Fabry–Perot cavity with mechanoelectrical beam steering was developed and investigated. The calculated characteristics of the developed antenna array agreed well with those obtained experimentally. The gain degradation did not exceed 2.5 dB in the 0…70° scanning angle range. The advantages of using antenna elements based on a Fabry–Perot cavity and developing on their basis mobile satellite antenna systems with wide-angle scanning are noted.

Conclusion. The use of a radiator based on a Fabry–Perot cavity and the development on it basis an antenna array with mechanoelectrical beam steering provides an antenna efficiency of no less than 0.5 with a gain degradation of no more than 2.5 dB in the scanning angle range 0…70° from 11.9 to 12.5 GHz.

Introduction. Conical scanning is applied for optimizing hardware resources in new devices, as well as when upgrading existing systems. All this explains the relevance of studying this type of direction finding systems.

Aim. To adjust and complement the known calculation relations for the variance of direction finding results – an indicator of the quality (accuracy) of direction finding, as well as to determine the possibilities of optimizing direction finding and automatic object tracking processes.

Materials and methods. Factors limiting the accuracy of direction finding via conical scanning were analyzed using spectral analysis. Mathematical modeling followed by statistical processing of quantitative results makes it possible to determine the conditions under which the influence of certain factors is predominant, as well as the conditions under which adjustment (completion) of the known calculation relations is required. The specified conditions are the errors at which the objects of direction finding are tracked. New calculation relations for the mentioned adjustment were determined by the methods of statistical radio engineering.

Results. The validity of the calculation relations found is confirmed by mathematical modeling. Calculations and modeling lead to the need to optimize parameters for automatic object tracking systems.

Conclusion. The study shows that, when choosing parameters for auto-tracking systems with conical scanning, it is important to implement object tracking not with minimal, but rather with optimized tracking errors in angular coordinates, which are to be estimated during direction finding. Moreover, the optimized errors (the values of static errors and the most probable values of the dynamic tracking errors) will require adjustment of the known analytical estimates for the variance of the direction finding results – the qualitative indicator of the direction finder (accuracy indicator). The determined analytical relationships allow such an adjustment to be performed, leading to an increased variance estimate by 10 dB.

Introduction. Computer-aided design systems for microwave devices are an effective tool for assessing the backscattering characteristics of complex-shaped objects. However, these calculations are often associated with significant computational costs, especially at large values of the ratio of the characteristic dimensions of the object to the wavelength. The use of asymptotic methods in combination with the mesh coarsening of object partition can significantly reduce these costs. However, in each practical case, this leads to a deterioration in the accuracy of the estimates obtained, which is hard to predict.

Aim. Comparative assessment of the results of modeling the scattering field in the CAD of microwave devices using various methods for calculating and detailing the object model in the decimeter and centimeter wavelength ranges.

Materials and methods. The research object was an anti-tank guided missile FGM-148 Javelin. The scattering field of Altair FEKO microwave devices was modeled in CAD using the methods of moments and physical optics in the frequency range from 1 to 10 GHz and angles from 0 to 180°. A comparison of one-dimensional backscatter diagrams and radar images obtained using these methods was carried out.

Results. For the class of objects under consideration, the method of physical optics provides acceptable accuracy at frequencies of 5 GHz and higher with a step of partitioning the model surface of the order of one centimeter and a total calculation duration of the order of several minutes (Intel Core i5-4460 PC / 3.2 GHz / 8 MB RAM). At lower frequencies, acceptable accuracy and a similar calculation duration are achieved when calculating by the method of moments and a partitioning step of about 20 cm. The possibility of using the Altair FEKO CAD system for modeling radar images of objects with a resolution of at least 20 cm is demonstrated.

Conclusion. The results obtained complement the well-known studies in the field of comparative assessment of the time and accuracy characteristics of various methods for calculating the scattering field of objects in the CAD of microwave devices.

Introduction. The development of new amplifiers and generators of the Ku- and K-bands (12…27 GHz) for use in onboard equipment is increasingly attracting research interest. Low-voltage multi-beam klystrons (LMBK) can be a promising element base for such devices. Serious problems are associated with the need to suppress parasitic modes of oscillations in NMLK operating in the centimeter and millimeter range. A possible solution is to use double-gap photonic-crystal resonators (DPCR) in LMBK. Another promising direction for improving the characteristics of such resonators is to use resonant segments of strip lines with fractal elements. In this case, the strip lines are placed on a dielectric substrate in the interaction space. Such resonators exhibit new properties that are useful for klystrons (an increase in characteristic impedance, suppression of the spectrum of unwanted frequencies, a reduction in mass and dimensions).

Aim. Determination of an optimal set of electrodynamic and electronic parameters of double-gap photonic-crystal resonance systems with fractal elements "Minkowski Island" when operated as part of the LMBK resonator system, excited on π- and 2π-modes of oscillation.

Materials and methods. To calculate the electrodynamic parameters of resonators, the method of finite differences in the time domain was used. The well-known Wessel-Berg method was used to calculate electronic parameters, such as the G_e / G₀ electronic conductivity and the coupling coefficient M.

Results. The main electrodynamic parameters of the resonator – Q-factor, resonant frequency and characteristic impedance – were investigated. The electronic parameters of the resonator, the coefficient of coupling with the electron beam, and the relative electronic conductivity for π- and 2π-modes of oscillations were calculated. In this case, three variants of the resonator with zero, first and second iterations of the fractal element were investigated. The amplitude-frequency characteristics of the resonator were investigated with a change in the pitch of the photonic crystal lattice. An estimation of the inhomogeneity of the high-frequency field in the interaction spaces of the resonator was carried out. Operational conditions were determined simultaneously for two types of oscillations without self-excitation.

Conclusion. The results can find application in the development of resonator systems for klystron-type devices in the centimeter and millimeter ranges.

Introduction. Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disease that can lead to retinal vascular damage caused by the spread of macular edema and the development of diabetic retinopathy. Currently, diabetic retinopathy is treated using retinal laser coagulation. However, since even modern systems do not demonstrate sufficient treatment efficacy, methods for providing laser coagulation support on the basis of patient data analysis are required.

Aim. This paper aims to develop and study a method for estimating a safe distance between coagulates via the mathematical modeling of coagulation in order to provide laser coagulation support.

Materials and methods. The problem of thermal conductivity is numerically modeled for laser action in a multilayer medium.

Results. A method for estimating a safe distance between coagulates has been developed via the mathematical modeling of the thermal conductivity problem. An algorithm was established for reconstructing a three-dimensional fundus structure from OCT images. It was demonstrated that the convergence rate of the integro-interpolation method is higher than that of the finite difference method. The study revealed that the retina heats up to 45 ºС due to heat redistribution from the epithelial layer, as well as laser exposure. According to the study results, the developed method yields a safe distance of 180 µm. By increasing the delay between laser pulses by more than 10 ms, this distance can be reduced to 160 μm.

Conclusion. The developed method can calculate distance corresponding to that used in medical practice. Besides safe distance, the use of this method will allow other laser coagulation parameters to be determined non-invasively: laser power and pulse duration recommended to achieve a therapeutic effect. These estimates can be used to automatically produce a preliminary laser coagulation plan to support diabetic retinopathy treatment.