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The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Technical Issues for the United States (2012) / Chapter Skim
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APPENDIX H Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions
Pages 185-186

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From page 185...
... These advances are summarized in Table H-1 in the format of major technical challenges identified a decade ago and the technology solutions subsequently accomplished. They primarily result from investments by DOE/NNSA made at the national laboratories, responding to potentially new nuclear threats from transnational terrorists or nascent Nuclear Weapon States.
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From page 186...
... bandwidth Sophisticated on-board triggering algorithms Algorithms for ground processing Improved methods of processing/identifying non-nuclear events Program Element: Advanced Event Characterization Increase the absolute sensitivity of sensors for Focal-plane-array active-pixel technology detecting & locating atmospheric nuclear (thousands of individual optical sensors detonations implemented in a space not appreciably larger than that required for today's single optical sensor) New sensor technologies as integrated circuit technology improves Provide multi-phenomenology sensing Autonomous EMP sensors and associated capabilities to increase confidence of techniques to distinguish RF generated by identification and improve existing capabilities nuclear explosions from natural phenomena for characterizing nuclear detonations from Neutron and gamma-ray sensors on new space satellite platforms Program Element: Next-Generation Monitoring Systems Reduce detection thresholds for satellite Array-based optical sensors systems while maintaining low false-event Wide-band RF systems alarms Sophisticated real-time triggering algorithms Reduce size, weight, and power required for Advanced electronics and field-programmable monitoring systems gate arrays Multi-function sensors Advanced packaging technologies to allow more electronics integration SOURCE: U.S.
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Key Terms

  • nuclear explosions
  • optical sensors
  • satellite platforms
  • incorporate vastly
  • assets incorporate

  • actual employment
  • nuclear detonations
  • reduce detection
  • solutions program
  • nascent nuclear

  • algorithms reduce
  • vastly increased
  • primarily result
  • sensors detonations
  • autonomous emp

  • event characterization
  • monitoring technologies
  • events program
  • future satellite
  • triggering algorithms

  • decade ago
  • challenges identified
  • downlink capacity
  • major technical
  • ground sites

  • data flows
  • transnational terrorists
  • increase confidence
  • emp sensors
  • uncertainties regarding


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