Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Stanley, W. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Stanley, W. D..

14 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Design and development of a multibeam 1.4 GHz pushbroom microwave radiometer

The design and operation of a multiple beam, digital signal processing radiometer are discussed. The discussion includes a brief description of each major subsystem and an overall explanation of the hardware requirements and operation. A series of flight tests was conducted in which sea-truth sites, as well as an existing radiometer were used to verify the Pushbroom Radiometer performance. The results of these tests indicate that the Pushbroom Radiometer did meet the sensitivity design goal of 1.0 kelvin, and exceeded the accuracy requirement of 2.0 kelvin. Additional performance characteristics and test results are also presented.

Lawrence, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Theoretical and experimental studies of error in square-law detector circuits

Square law detector circuits to determine errors from the ideal input/output characteristic function were investigated. The nonlinear circuit response is analyzed by a power series expansion containing terms through the fourth degree, from which the significant deviation from square law can be predicted. Both fixed bias current and flexible bias current configurations are considered. The latter case corresponds with the situation where the mean current can change with the application of a signal. Experimental investigations of the circuit arrangements are described. Agreement between the analytical models and the experimental results are established. Factors which contribute to differences under certain conditions are outlined.

Stanley, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Radiometer Noise-Injection Control

New technique for controlling noise injection in Dicke feedback noise-injection microwave radiometer utilizes digital counter in which noise injection is kept on during countdown interval. Digital portion of loop replaces analog filters used in previous systems.

Stanley, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Preliminary development of digital signal processing in microwave radiometers

Topics covered involve a number of closely related tasks including: the development of several control loop and dynamic noise model computer programs for simulating microwave radiometer measurements; computer modeling of an existing stepped frequency radiometer in an effort to determine its optimum operational characteristics; investigation of the classical second order analog control loop to determine its ability to reduce the estimation error in a microwave radiometer; investigation of several digital signal processing unit designs; initiation of efforts to develop required hardware and software for implementation of the digital signal processing unit; and investigation of the general characteristics and peculiarities of digital processing noiselike microwave radiometer signals.

Stanley, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Digital simulation of dynamic processes in radiometer systems

The development and application of several computer programs for simulating different classes of microwave radiometers are described. The programs are dynamic in nature, and they may be used to determine the instantaneous behavior of system variables as a function of time. Some of the programs employ random variable models in the simulations so that the statistical nature of the results may be investigated. The programs have been developed to utilize either the Continuous System Modeling Program or the Advanced Continuous System Language. The validity of most of the programs was investigated using statistical tests, and the results show excellent correlation with theoretical predictions. The programs are currently being used in the investigation of new design techniques for microwave radiometers.

Stanley, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Digital signal processing in microwave radiometers

A microprocessor based digital signal processing unit has been proposed to replace analog sections of a microwave radiometer. A brief introduction to the radiometer system involved and a description of problems encountered in the use of digital techniques in radiometer design are discussed. An analysis of the digital signal processor as part of the radiometer is then presented.

Lawrence, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Equivalent statistical bandwidths of conventional low-pass filters

Values of the equivalent statistical bandwidths of Butterworth up to ten poles and Chebyshev up to eight poles low-pass filters for six different passband ripple levels have been computed and tabulated along with the corresponding noise bandwidths. The results obtained can be used for estimating the mean-square error resulting from power spectrum measurements employed in the sensitivity analysis of microwave radiometer systems.

Stanley, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Measure of Arctic Sea ice characteristics using microwave scatterometry

Results from a radar scatterometer used in the NASA microwave remote sensing experiment off the Alaska north shore are presented. The experiment was performed to determine whether various radars could be used from aircraft to provide definitive measurement of ice parameters such as pressure ridge height and direction, ice age, and ice type. With the aircraft at 300 m altitude, the 13.9 GHz scatterometer measured the normalized radar cross section of the ice using a pencil beam horizontally polarized antenna which pointed at either nadir or 50 deg incidence angle. Simultaneous laser altimeter and stereo photography measurements are presented as the 'surface truth' for comparison with the radar measurements. The results demonstrate that the scatterometer backscattered power is modulated by ice features and that a correlation exists between the radar cross section and the 'surface truth' derived from these ancillary instruments.

Jackson, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Digital filter design

Numerical algorithms for converting digital computer into low pass or band pass digital filter

LOW PASS FILTER↗