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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

1D-Convolutional Neural Network Architecture for Generalized Time-series Segmentation

Time segmentation of experimental data is a common and often difficult task. Consequently, it is of interest to automate this type of segmentation to reduce manual inputs, which are labor intensive and less consistent. However, simple thresholding algorithms are often insufficiently robust due either to noise or inconsistent data. This paper proposes a simple 1D convolutional neural net (CNN) architecture as a generalized solution for typical time segmentation tasks. The layer architecture, training methods, and methods for simple customization will be described as well as the results of application to three separate data streams: facility condition segmentation, video highlight segmentation, and calorimeter time-series segmentation. In all three test cases the 1D-CNN performs better than tailored integral/derivative/thresholding algorithms across a range of signal-to-noise levels.

CNN↗
NASA NTRS1992

Tracking performance and cycle slipping in the all-digital symbol synchronizer loop of the block 5 receiver

Computer simulated noise performance of the symbol synchronizer loop (SSL) in the Block 5 receiver is compared with the theoretical noise performance. Good agreement is seen at the higher loop SNR's (SNR(sub L)'s), with gradual degradation as the SNR(sub L) is decreased. For the different cases simulated, cycle slipping is observed (within the simulation time of 10(exp 4) seconds) at SNR(sub L)'s below different thresholds, ranging from 6 to 8.5 dB, comparable to that of a classical phase-locked loop. An important point, however, is that to achieve the desired loop SNR above the seemingly low threshold to avoid cycle slipping, a large data-to-loop-noise power ratio, P(sub D)/(N(sub 0)B(sub L)), is necessary (at least 13 dB larger than the desired SNR(sub L) in the optimum case and larger otherwise). This is due to the large squaring loss (greater than or equal to 13 dB) inherent in the SSL. For the special case of symbol rates approximately equaling the loop update rate, a more accurate equivalent model accounting for an extra loop update period delay (characteristic of the SSL phase detector design) is derived. This model results in a more accurate estimation of the noise-equivalent bandwidth of the loop.

Aung, M.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Parafoveal Target Detectability Reversal Predicted by Local Luminance and Contrast Gain Control

This project is part of a program to develop image discrimination models for the prediction of the detectability of objects in a range of backgrounds. We wanted to see if the models could predict parafoveal object detection as well as they predict detection in foveal vision. We also wanted to make our simplified models more general by local computation of luminance and contrast gain control. A signal image (0.78 x 0.17 deg) was made by subtracting a simulated airport runway scene background image (2.7 deg square) from the same scene containing an obstructing aircraft. Signal visibility contrast thresholds were measured in a fully crossed factorial design with three factors: eccentricity (0 deg or 4 deg), background (uniform or runway scene background), and fixed-pattern white noise contrast (0%, 5%, or 10%). Three experienced observers responded to three repetitions of 60 2IFC trials in each condition and thresholds were estimated by maximum likelihood probit analysis. In the fovea the average detection contrast threshold was 4 dB lower for the runway background than for the uniform background, but in the parafovea, the average threshold was 6 dB higher for the runway background than for the uniform background. This interaction was similar across the different noise levels and for all three observers. A likely reason for the runway background giving a lower threshold in the fovea is the low luminance near the signal in that scene. In our model, the local luminance computation is controlled by a spatial spread parameter. When this parameter and a corresponding parameter for the spatial spread of contrast gain were increased for the parafoveal predictions, the model predicts the interaction of background with eccentricity.

Ahumada, Albert J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1993

On the Effects of a Spacecraft Subcarrier Unbalanced Modulator

This paper presents mathematical models with associated analysis of the deleterious effects which a spacecraft's subcarrier unbalanced modulator has on the performance of a phase-modulated residual carrier communications link. The undesired spectral components produced by the phase and amplitude imbalances in the subcarrier modulator can cause (1) potential interference to the carrier tracking and (2) degradation in the telemetry bit signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A suitable model for the unbalanced modulator is developed and the threshold levels of undesired components that fall into the carrier tracking loop are determined. The distribution of the carrier phase error caused by the additive White Gaussian noise (AWGN) and undesired component at the residual RF carrier is derived for the limiting cases. Further, this paper analyses the telemetry bit signal-to-noise ratio degradations due to undesirable spectral components as well as the carrier tracking phase error induced by phase and amplitude imbalances. Numerical results which indicate the sensitivity of the carrier tracking loop and the telemetry symbol-error rate (SER) to various parameters of the models are also provided as a tool in the design of the subcarrier balanced modulator.

Nguyen, Tien Manh↗
NASA NTRS1978

Human Response to Aircraft-Noise-Induced Building Vibration

The effects of noise induced building structure vibration and the rattle of objects on human response to aircraft flyover noise were investigated in a series of studies conducted in both the field and the laboratory. The subjective detection thresholds for vibration and rattle were determined as well as the effect of vibration and rattle upon aircraft noise annoyance.

Cawthorn, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Establishment of noise acceptance criteria for wind turbines

A program is being conducted to develop noise criteria for wind turbines which minimize annoyance and which can be used in design specifications for future machines. The approach consists of presenting wind turbine noise stimuli to test subjects in a laboratory listening chamber. The responses of the subjects are recorded for a range of stimuli which encompass the designs, operating conditions, and ambient noise levels of current and future installations. Results to date have established the threshold of detectability for a range of impulsive stimuli of the type associated with blade/tower-wake interactions. The status of the ongoing psychoacoustic tests, the subjective data, and the approach to the development of noise acceptance criteria are described.

Stephens, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Robust detection, isolation and accommodation for sensor failures

The objective is to extend the recent advances in robust control system design of multivariable systems to sensor failure detection, isolation, and accommodation (DIA), and estimator design. This effort provides analysis tools to quantify the trade-off between performance robustness and DIA sensitivity, which are to be used to achieve higher levels of performance robustness for given levels of DIA sensitivity. An innovations-based DIA scheme is used. Estimators, which depend upon a model of the process and process inputs and outputs, are used to generate these innovations. Thresholds used to determine failure detection are computed based on bounds on modeling errors, noise properties, and the class of failures. The applicability of the newly developed tools are demonstrated on a multivariable aircraft turbojet engine example. A new concept call the threshold selector was developed. It represents a significant and innovative tool for the analysis and synthesis of DiA algorithms. The estimators were made robust by introduction of an internal model and by frequency shaping. The internal mode provides asymptotically unbiased filter estimates.The incorporation of frequency shaping of the Linear Quadratic Gaussian cost functional modifies the estimator design to make it suitable for sensor failure DIA. The results are compared with previous studies which used thresholds that were selcted empirically. Comparison of these two techniques on a nonlinear dynamic engine simulation shows improved performance of the new method compared to previous techniques

Emami-Naeini, A.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Linking international technical specifications for acoustic characterization of marine energy converter sounds with environmental compliance criteria

As new ocean energy technologies emerge and are deployed for testing and operations, sound emissions are a potential concern for environmental effects to marine life. Consistent acoustic measurement and data analysis methods can help promote comparisons of technologies and transferability between project sites. In 2022, acoustic emissions from a prototype scale wave energy converter (WEC) were characterized for a range of environmental conditions and power generation states in the coastal waters off southern California using a set of international technical specifications. Results from the international technical specification analyses were applied to United States regulatory threshold criteria for acoustic impacts to marine mammals and examined in the context of European underwater noise monitoring guidelines. Weighted 24 hour cumulative sound exposure levels SEL24h calculated from the highest power generation state WEC sound pressure levels were often more than 20 dB below threshold criteria for temporary threshold shifts in five relevant marine mammal hearing groups. Following European Union recommendations for analyses and reporting, WEC sound characterization in third octave bands centered at 63 Hz and 125 Hz show clear spatial decay of WEC-generated noise, with more pronounced attenuation at 63 Hz, and a less marked but still detectable gradient at 125 Hz, collectively suggesting a relatively confined acoustic footprint under the observed conditions. The value of the international technical specification approach is highlighted by the isolation of WEC sounds from the surrounding soundscape. This allows for a robust characterization of acoustic emissions through a range of device power generation and sea states. Furthermore, in threshold-based regulatory contexts like the U.S., this facilitates direct evaluation of source contributions, while in broader monitoring frameworks used in the E.U. it provides a reproducible foundation for assessing the contribution of emerging ocean energy technologies to the underwater acoustic environment.

Haxel, Joseph H. (ORCID:0000000273864761)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Forced RF generation of CW magnetrons for superconducting accelerators

CW magnetrons, designed and optimized for industrial RF heaters, were suggested to power Superconducting RF cavities due to their higher efficiency and lower cost than traditional klystrons, IOT’s, or solid-state amplifiers. RF amplifiers driven by a master-oscillator serve as coherent RF sources. CW magnetrons are regenerative RF generators with a huge regenerative gain. Very large regenerative gain causes instability with intense noise when a magnetron operates with the anode voltage higher than the threshold of self-excitation. Traditionally for stabilization of magnetrons is used injection-locking by a quite small signal. In this case the CW magnetrons do not provide correlation of the magnetron startup with the injection-locking signal. Thus, the magnetron except the injection locked oscillations may generate large noise. This may increase emittance of the beam in SRF accelerators. Recently we have developed mode for forced RF generation of CW magnetrons when the magnetron startup is provided by the injected forcing signal and the regenerative noise is suppressed. The mode is most suitable for SRF accelerators. The mode is briefly described below.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1974

An objective method and measuring equipment for noise control and acoustic diagnostics of motorcars

An objective method and apparatus for noise control and acoustic diagnostics of motorcar engines are reported. The method and apparatus let us know whether the noisiness of the vehicle under test exceeds the admissible threshold levels given by appropriate standards and if so what is the main source of the excessive noise. The method consists in measuring both the overall noise level and the sound pressure levels in definite frequency bands while the engine speed is controlled as well and may be fixed at prescribed values. Whenever the individually adjusted threshold level has been exceeded in any frequency band, a self-sustaining control signal is sent.

Kacprowski, J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Advanced study of video signal processing in low signal to noise environments

Conventional analytical techniques used to determine and optimize phase-lock loop (PLL) characteristics are most often based on a model which is valid only if the intermediate frequency (IF) filter bandwidth is large compared to the PLL bandwidth and the phase error is small. An improved model (called the quasi-linear model) is developed which takes into account small IF filter bandwidths and nonlinear effects associated with large phase errors. By comparison of theoretical and experimental results it is demonstrated that the quasi-linear model accurately predicts PLL characteristics. This is true even for small IF filter bandwidths and large phase errors where the conventional model is invalid. The theoretical and experimental results are used to draw conclusions concerning threshold, multiplier output variance, phase error variance, output signal-to-noise ratio, and signal distortion. The relationship between these characteristics and IF filter bandwidth, modulating signal spectrum, and rms deviation is also determined.

Carden, F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A study of FM threshold extension techniques

The characteristics of three postdetection threshold extension techniques are evaluated with respect to the ability of such techniques to improve the performance of a phase lock loop demodulator. These techniques include impulse-noise elimination, signal correlation for the detection of impulse noise, and delta modulation signal processing. Experimental results from signal to noise ratio data and bit error rate data indicate that a 2- to 3-decibel threshold extension is readily achievable by using the various techniques. This threshold improvement is in addition to the threshold extension that is usually achieved through the use of a phase lock loop demodulator.

Arndt, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Preliminary results of a Monte Carlo simulation of burst directions by BATSE

The effect of varying BATSE trigger parameters on the modeled BATSE detection rate is investigated numerically. Quantitative estimates are obtained of the systematic effects generated by the complex interplay of trigger times, variations in the signal-to-noise ratio for burst detection as well as the time scale over which backgrounds are determined, and the number of required detections above threshold. It is found, in particular that employing a third detection, at a reduced signal-to-noise ratio, to resolve a burst does not increase the detection rate. It is also shown that the BATSE detection rate is insensitive to variations in the time scale over which the background is determined.

Higdon, J. C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Effects of Long Duration Space Flight on Low Frequency Hearing

Pure tone hearing threshold data has been collected on astronauts since the early days of spaceflight. Between 1981 and 2001 (STS-1 thru 108) it was found that of the 608 shuttle astronauts, 17% returned home with a significant hearing threshold shift, and of that 6% had permanent changes in the high frequencies. Believed to be due to prolonged noise exposure on the space crafts. (Hart, 2006) As NASA aimed for longer duration missions the uncertainty about the effects of month-long noise exposure needed to be addressed. To avoid constraining crewmembers to constant earplug usage, and satisfying budget demands, a focused effort on overcoming the issues began. Noise monitoring systems were introduced onto the International Space Station (ISS) and astronauts were given education on the noise environment aboard the ISS, the hazards of noise induced hearing loss, hearing conservation principles, and countermeasure strategies (earplugs, noise cancellation headsets). As well as being trained on a new countermeasure effort that had been in trial testing on prior shuttle missions (STS-6 thru 8), On-Orbit Hearing Assessment (OOHA). (Hart, 2006) OOHA was implemented to routinely monitor the hearing thresholds of crewmembers who are on orbit for longer than 30 days. Flight Surgeons on ground monitor these test for significant hearing changes while aboard. Between 2000 and 2021 the ISS OOHA system (EarQ) recorded changes in the low frequency hearing thresholds. Low frequency hearing changes are not typically caused by noise exposure, and it was initially believed that these changes were due to environmental noise interference. In 2021 an ISS software upgrade (KUDUwave) allowed for a more comprehensive hearing assessment. The new testing system allowed for additional tests that helped describe the type of hearing loss being experienced and determine the influence of ambient noise or other environmental factors. OOHA Data indicates a low frequency hearing shift in 40% of all tests and 60% of all crewmembers. Since 2021, OOHA results (using the KUDUwave) suggest that these shifts are sensorineural and are not the result of ambient noise. While hearing shifts are seen at both 250 and 500 Hz, metrics tracking these shifts have only used 500 Hz data. The lack of 250 Hz has prevented accurate reporting of low frequency hearing shift recovery. The aim of this study is to capture 250 Hz data and accurately present low frequency hearing loss recovery.

hearing↗
NASA NTRS1976

Selective attention and the auditory vertex potential. I - Effects of stimulus delivery rate. II - Effects of signal intensity and masking noise

The effects of varying the rate of delivery of dichotic tone pip stimuli on selective attention measured by evoked-potential amplitudes and signal detectability scores were studied. The subjects attended to one channel (ear) of tones, ignored the other, and pressed a button whenever occasional targets - tones of a slightly higher pitch were detected in the attended ear. Under separate conditions, randomized interstimulus intervals were short, medium, and long. Another study compared the effects of attention on the N1 component of the auditory evoked potential for tone pips presented alone and when white noise was added to make the tones barely above detectability threshold in a three-channel listening task. Major conclusions are that (1) N1 is enlarged to stimuli in an attended channel only in the short interstimulus interval condition (averaging 350 msec), (2) N1 and P3 are related to different modes of selective attention, and (3) attention selectivity in multichannel listening task is greater when tones are faint and/or difficult to detect.

Schwent, V. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Influence of auditory fatigue on masked pure-tone thresholds

A description is presented of four related experiments involving conditions of 3-kHz low-intensity masking, a replication of experiment I with slight variations, 3-kHz high-intensity masking, and 6-kHz low-intensity masking. The frequencies of the tones which the observers detected were 3 and 6 kHz. The observed change in masked-tone threshold as a function of fatigue is discussed. It is found that masked-tone-detection thresholds remain essentially unchanged following fatigue if the masking-noise intensity is sufficiently great.

Parker, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Research and Development of Automated Eddy Current Testing for Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels

Eddy current testing (ET) was used to scan bare metallic liners used in the fabrication of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for flaws which could result in premature failure of the vessel. The main goal of the project was to make improvements in the areas of scan signal to noise ratio, sensitivity of flaw detection, and estimation of flaw dimensions. Scan settings were optimized resulting in an increased signal to noise ratio. Previously undiscovered flaw indications were observed and investigated. Threshold criteria were determined for the system software's flaw report and estimation of flaw dimensions were brought to an acceptable level of accuracy. Computer algorithms were written to import data for filtering and a numerical derivative filtering algorithm was evaluated.

Carver, Kyle L.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Considerations for Qualifying Reliable Eddy Current Array Technique for Detection of Backwall Cracks

A reliable nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique provides minimum 90% probability of detection(POD) with 95% confidence for detection of cracklike flaws of a qualified size. In this case, the flaws are on backside of material. Eddy current array (ECA) probe or a single sensor eddy current probe in c-scanning mode is used for the flaw detection. Here, two geometries are considered for the test specimens. The two geometries are, a flat plate, and tube or pipe. The probe is assumed to be on outer diameter (OD)surface and the flaw is assumed to be at the inner diameter (ID) surface for tube inspection. The flaw and probe are on opposite side of wall thickness for inspection of plate material. The application may be used for acreage inspection or just for inspection of butt weld and heat affected zone (HAZ) in a tube, cylinder, or plate. The proposed approach is based on developing an instrument standardization or calibration procedure. Decision threshold of inspection procedure is determined using empirical qualification and noise data. The work explores essential parameters that are required to meet certain conditions to ensure reliable flaw detection. Physics-based simulation of eddy current array flaw detection is used to understand effect of essential parameters on signal response (amplitude and phase),and therefore flaw detectability. Simulation data is used to justify choice of calibration reference standard requirements and the qualification approach. An ECA technique qualification model is provided. The paper gives brief description of tasks to be completed for qualifying ECA technique for reliable detection of cracklike flaws.

Eddy current array inspection, nondestructive eval↗