Engineering topics

Michel, W.

Publications and source records attributed to Michel, W..

6 records

NASA NTRS1997

Vertical ozone profile comparisons between ozonesondes and remote instrumentation

The ozone profiles measured with the halogen occultation experiment (HALOE) instrument and the microwave limb sounder (MLS) instrument, on NASA's upper atmosphere research satellite (UARS), are compared to those obtained with the electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) ozone sonde. The process used to assure the quality of the ozone sonde measurements, the comparisons between the ozone sonde and other measuring instruments, and the reliability of measurements in space are discussed.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Vertical Ozone Profile Comparisons Between Ozonesondes and Remote Instrumentation

Ozonesonde measurement quality is a critical factor for insuring measurement accuracy and is fundamentally indispensable for validating remotely measured ozone. Reasonable results from such ozone profile comparisons are best obtained by maintaining the smallest possible spatial and time differences between ozonesonde and remote measurement observations. Ozone profiles measured with the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) instrument and the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) are compared with ECC profiles. Comparisons with the GSFC ozone lidar also demonstrate good agreement. In this paper we show: (1) the process used by NASA to secure quality ozonesonde measurements, (2) comparisons of ozonesondes with various remote sensing instruments and, (3) the reliability obtained when both measurement types are obtained close in time and, when possible, in space.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The inflatable sphere - A technique for the accurate measurement of middle atmosphere temperatures

The present study illustrates the inflatable sphere's capability to produce accurate temperatures up to 85 km and higher, given that the necessary reduction initialization conditions are met. At heights below 60 km, comparison of sphere temperatures with in situ thermistor measurements obtained close in space and time shows good agreement. Comparison with OH-radical rotational temperatures also confirms excellent agreement at 86 km. It is concluded that the sphere technique is an independent and highly accurate source of temperature measurement, is unique in being the only low-cost source of in situ measurement of temperature throughout the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, and qualifies as an intrinsic method to establish the accuracy of other atmosphere measurement systems.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Evidence for accurate temperatures from the inflatable falling sphere

The experiments performed with the inflatable falling sphere technique, for middle atmosphere studies, are reported. It is shown to be a potentially high accurate and independent source of temperature measurement and an intrinsic method for establishing accuracy of other atmospheric measurement techniques. Theoretical derivation, simulations, and actual measurements show that the sphere's temperature data are accurate. It is demonstrated that retrieved temperatures from falling spheres are not significantly affected by linear bias in density caused by uncertainties in sphere mass, volume, or cross sectional area. Case studies illustrate the sphere's capability to produce accurate temperatures. Comparisons with Datasonde temperature measurements obtained close in time and space are in agreement below 60 km.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Application of an optimal filter for inflatable sphere data processing

The improvement in the sphere data processing, concerning the signal to noise ratio, is discussed. Frequency analysis of the radar data is effectuated. It reveals a specific frequency component in the radar angle error, which may originate from the tracking radar mechanism itself. An optimal (Wiener) filter is applied to the radar data in order to suppress the systematic angular error components selectively. Using this technique, a significant improvement in the signal to noise ratio is achieved. The resolution of sphere measurements, previously limited by the length of the polynomial filter in the sphere data processing algorithm, is improved.

Lee, H. S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Improved resolution atmospheric density measurements based on simulations

Simulated C band radar data of very structured atmospheric density profiles were analyzed using the standard HIROBIN program used with falling sphere data. Results show that HIROBIN can only resolve 2 km vertical waves up to 50 to 55 km, and 5 km waves up to 65 km. Above 65 km, only waves longer than 5 km can be resolved. Shorter filters can be used to improve vertical resolution, but it is concluded that HIROBIN can no longer be considered operational unless experienced personnel who fully understand the program are available for consultation.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗