Plasma Wave Investigation (PWS)
The PWS, like the PRA, is essentially a radio receiver and amplifier. It listens for signals at frequencies that the human ear can hear (audio frequencies), as well as at frequencies slightly above audible. The PWS shares the 10-m pair of rabbit ears with the PRA, but uses them as a single antenna. With an effective length of only 7 m (23 ft), the PWS normally operates in a scanning mode.
The PWS has a second mode of operation. It can simultaneously listen to all the stations on its audio band. This mode is used most frequently when the spacecraft is near a planet, and can operate simultaneously with the scanning mode.
PWS Science Objectives
» Determine the role of wave-particle interactions at the bow shock, in neutral sheet merging regions of the outer magnetosphere, in the internal shock at the corotation boundary, and on field lines threading the satellites.
» Determine information about the mechanisms that control the interactions of the satellites with the rotating magnetospheres.
» Determine the plasma wave E vector component amplitudes and frequency characteristics to obtain pitch-angle diffusion behavior and stable trapping limits.
» Determine the plasma density profiles.
» Determine atmospheric discharges for lightning whistler signals that escape into the magnetosphere.
» Determine the characteristics of plasma signals associated with any planetary rings.
Block diagram of the PWS