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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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Giovanni: The Bridge between Data and Science

NASA Giovanni (Goddard Interactive Online Visualization ANd aNalysis Infrastructure) is a web-based remote sensing and model data visualization and analysis system developed by the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). This web-based tool facilitates data discovery, exploration and analysis of large amount of global and regional data sets, covering atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, hydrology, oceanographic, and land surface. Data analysis functions include Lat-Lon map, time series, scatter plot, correlation map, difference, cross-section, vertical profile, and animation etc. Visualization options enable comparisons of multiple variables and easier refinement. Recently, new features have been developed, such as interactive scatter plots and maps. The performance is also being improved, in some cases by an order of magnitude for certain analysis functions with optimized software. We are working toward merging current Giovanni portals into a single omnibus portal with all variables in one (virtual) location to help users find a variable easily and enhance the intercomparison capability

Shen, Suhung↗
NASA NTRS2015

Tactile Data Entry System

The patent-pending Glove-Enabled Computer Operations (GECO) design leverages extravehicular activity (EVA) glove design features as platforms for instrumentation and tactile feedback, enabling the gloves to function as human-computer interface devices. Flexible sensors in each finger enable control inputs that can be mapped to any number of functions (e.g., a mouse click, a keyboard strike, or a button press). Tracking of hand motion is interpreted alternatively as movement of a mouse (change in cursor position on a graphical user interface) or a change in hand position on a virtual keyboard. Programmable vibro-tactile actuators aligned with each finger enrich the interface by creating the haptic sensations associated with control inputs, such as recoil of a button press.

Adams, Richard J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Closed loop analysis of manual flare and landing

This paper describes an approach to analyzing the manual flare and landing of an airplane. The basis of this approach is a mathematical model of the flare maneuver which is derived from manual landings of both real and simulated aircraft. This flare model in turn lends itself to a linear closed loop system description of the combined pilot/vehicle. Furthermore, simple Laplace transform methods can be used to map flare performance as functions of the flare maneuver. Having this link between flare maneuver and landing performance, we can estimate the pilot's ease in achieving desired levels of landing performance. Examples of this approach will be given using the results of a STOL airplane approach and landing simulation.

Heffley, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

O1, P1, N2 models of the global ocean tide on an elastic earth plus surface potential and spherical harmonic decompositions for M2, S2, and K1

The models of M2, S2, and K1 presented in Parke and Hendershott (1980) are supplemented with models of O1, P1, and N2. The models satisfy specified elevation boundary conditions and are generated by fighting a small number of test functions to island data. Maps are presented of the geocentric tide, the induced free space potential, the induced vertical component of the solid earth tide, and the induced vertical component of the gravitational field for each new component. Maps of the tidal potential seen by an observer fixed to the surface of the solid earth are also presented for all six constituents. Spherical harmonic coefficients up to order four and the rms magnitude of the coefficients to order fifteen are presented for each constituent. The rms magnitudes of the P1 and K1 coefficients normalized by their respective equilibrium amplitudes are compared to determine the effect of the diurnal core resonance.

Parke, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Three-Dimensional Tracer Model Study of Atmospheric CO2 - Response to Seasonal Exchanges with the Terrestrial Biosphere

A three-dimensional tracer transport model is used to investigate the annual cycle of atmospheric CO2 concentration produced by seasonal exchanges with the terrestrial biosphere. The tracer model uses winds generated by a global general circulation model to advect and convect CO2; no explicit diffusion coefficients are employed. A biospheric exchange function constructed from a map of net primary productivity, and Azevedo's (1982) seasonality of CO2 uptake and release closely simulates the annual cycles at coastal stations. The results show that zonal homogeneity in surface CO2 concentrations can never be achieved at mid-latitudes where the time scale for zonal mixing is longer than the time scale for biospheric exchange. Analysis of the zonal mean balance in the lower troposphere reveals that atmospheric transport processes may alter the CO2 response to local biospheric exchanges by 50% or more. Hence year-to-year variation of the annual CO2 cycle may result from the natural variability of the atmospheric circulation as well as from changes in the sources and sinks.

Fung, I.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Floating-point function generation routines for 16-bit microcomputers

Several computer subroutines have been developed that interpolate three types of nonanalytic functions: univariate, bivariate, and map. The routines use data in floating-point form. However, because they are written for use on a 16-bit Intel 8086 system with an 8087 mathematical coprocessor, they execute as fast as routines using data in scaled integer form. Although all of the routines are written in assembly language, they have been implemented in a modular fashion so as to facilitate their use with high-level languages.

Mackin, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The X-ray halo of Cygnus X-1

Four Einstein HRI images of Cygnus X-1 were examined for the presence of a halo due to scattering of X-rays by interstellar grains. The analysis technique exploits the intrinsic aperiodic variability of the source to map the point response function of the optics. A residual, nonvariable component to the surface brightness distribution (comprising approximately more than 12 percent of the source flux) is interpreted as a scattered halo. The halo flux does not reflect the short term time variability of the central source as it is smoothed by differential time delays of order days. The Cygnus X-1 halo is consistent with those of other sources derived in previous studies using different techniques. Comparison is made with a scattering model, and the sensitivity of the halo flux to maximal grain size is demonstrated.

Bode, M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

LANDSAT-4 Thematic Mapper Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) evaluation

The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) for thematic mapping (TM) bands 3, 4, 5 and 7 is reliably estimated with the San Mateo Bridge target in the 12/31/82 scene. These results are to be compared with those from the 8/12/83 scene. Bands 1, 2 and 6 are to be analyzed with a different target possessing greater contrast. This may be possible with the underflight data comparison currently underway. The registration of this data to the TM image of 8/12/83 for a region arround the Stockton sewage pond east of San Francisco has begun. This particular approach has the advantage that the full two-dimensional MFT will be measured instead of the MFT in only one azimuth as reported.

Schowengerdt, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Search for scattered X-ray halos around variable sources - The X-ray halo of Cygnus X-1

The results of a program to search for the presence of halos due to X-ray scattering by interstellar grains in the line-of-sight to variable X-ray sources are reported. As part of this program, four Einstein HRI images of Cyg X-1 were examined. The analysis technique exploits the intrinsic aperiodic variability of this source to map the point response function of the optics. Any scattered halo present will not reflect short-term central source time variability, since such variability is smoothed by differential time delays of order days. Thus, a residual, nonvariable component to the surface brightness distribution (comprising about 12 percent or more of the source flux) is interpreted as a scattered halo. The Cyg X-1 halo is consistent with those of other sources found in previous studies using different techniques. Comparison is also made with a scattering model and, despite uncertainties in source spectrum and distance, reasonable agreement with the observatons is found using a standard interstellar grain model. The potential of X-ray scattering as a probe of the properties of interstellar grains is demonstrated.

Bode, M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A microlensing model for QSO 2237 + 0305

Models of microlensing are presented for the four images of QSO 2237 + 0305, with the surface mass density and shear for each image based on the macrolensing model developed by Schneider et al. (1988). The computations were done with a new code that makes use of the hierarchical tree method. The high efficiency of this approach makes it possible to include up to 60,000 lensing stars with different masses. Examples are given of amplification maps, light curves, correlation functions, and amplification probabilities. All these are very strongly affected by the shear due to macrolensing. The observed changes in the luminosity of the four images of QSO 2237 + 0305 are most likely induced by microlensing.

Wambsganss, J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Fuzzy expert systems vs. neural networks - Truck backer-upper control revisited

It is pointed out that by merging the advantages of fuzzy expert systems and neural networks one can arrive at a more powerful yet more flexible system for inferencing and learning. The advantages of fuzzy expert systems are their ability to provide nonlinear mapping through the membership functions and fuzzy rules, and the ability to deal with fuzzy information and incomplete and/or imprecise data. The merger of these two concepts is explained using the truck backer-upper control problem. Novel network architectures obtained by merging these two concepts and simulation results for the truck backer-upper problem using the architecture are shown.

Ramamoorthy, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Testbed for an autonomous system

In previous works we have defined a general architectural model for autonomous systems, which can easily be mapped to describe the functions of any automated system (SDAG-86-01), and we illustrated that model by applying it to the thermal management system of a space station (SDAG-87-01). In this note, we will further develop that application and design the detail of the implementation of such a model. First we present the environment of our application by describing the thermal management problem and an abstraction, which was called TESTBED, that includes a specific function for each module in the architecture, and the nature of the interfaces between each pair of blocks.

Dikshit, Piyush↗
NASA NTRS1994

The MITy micro-rover: Sensing, control, and operation

The sensory, control, and operation systems of the 'MITy' Mars micro-rover are discussed. It is shown that the customized sun tracker and laser rangefinder provide internal, autonomous dead reckoning and hazard detection in unstructured environments. The micro-rover consists of three articulated platforms with sensing, processing and payload subsystems connected by a dual spring suspension system. A reactive obstacle avoidance routine makes intelligent use of robot-centered laser information to maneuver through cluttered environments. The hazard sensors include a rangefinder, inclinometers, proximity sensors and collision sensors. A 486/66 laptop computer runs the graphical user interface and programming environment. A graphical window displays robot telemetry in real time and a small TV/VCR is used for real time supervisory control. Guidance, navigation, and control routines work in conjunction with the mapping and obstacle avoidance functions to provide heading and speed commands that maneuver the robot around obstacles and towards the target.

Malafeew, Eric↗
NASA NTRS1995

Electron distributions in quasi-perpendicular shocks: Simulations

One of the outstanding problems of collisionless shock physics is the microphysical description of electron thermalization and associated wave processes. Observations at the Earth's bow shock have shown various features in the electron velocity distribution such as a loss-cone, temperature anisotropies, and beams before a thermalized, flat-topped distribution is reached downstream. It is generally believed that in addition to the macroscopic fields, which determine the overall mapping of the distribution function, electromagnetic whistler waves and lower hybrid waves are responsible for the pitch-angle scattering and thermalization of the electrons. However, a genuine physical explanation requires analysis of the evolution of the electron distribution in the self-consistent wave fields. Particle simulations are ideally suited to do this, and include processes in which both electrons and ions are involved, such as cross-field streaming instabilities. We show results from l-D and 2-D simulations using an implicit code, which allows time steps large compared to the inverse electron plasma frequency. It is shown that in order to capture the correct propagation characteristics of the waves, a large mass ratio between the protons and electrons is generally necessary. Detailed diagnostics of the waves as well as the evolution of the electron velocity distribution will be presented and will be discussed in the frame work of satellite observations.

Pantellini, F.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Emulating the Visual Receptive Field Properties of MST Neurons with a Template Model of Heading Estimation

We have previously proposed a computational neural-network model by which the complex patterns of retinal image motion generated during locomotion (optic flow) can be processed by specialized detectors acting as templates for specific instances of self-motion. The detectors in this template model respond to global optic flow by sampling image motion over a large portion of the visual field through networks of local motion sensors with properties similar to neurons found in the middle temporal (MT) area of primate extrastriate visual cortex. The model detectors were designed to extract self-translation (heading), self-rotation, as well as the scene layout (relative distances) ahead of a moving observer, and are arranged in cortical-like heading maps to perform this function. Heading estimation from optic flow has been postulated by some to be implemented within the medial superior temporal (MST) area. Others have questioned whether MST neurons can fulfill this role because some of their receptive-field properties appear inconsistent with a role in heading estimation. To resolve this issue, we systematically compared MST single-unit responses with the outputs of model detectors under matched stimulus conditions. We found that the basic physiological properties of MST neurons can be explained by the template model. We conclude that MST neurons are well suited to support heading estimation and that the template model provides an explicit set of testable hypotheses which can guide future exploration of MST and adjacent areas within the primate superior temporal sulcus.

Perrone, John A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Nadir Measurements of Carbon Monoxide Distributions by the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer Instrument Onboard the Aura Spacecraft: Overview of Analysis Approach and Examples of Initial Results

We provide an overview of the nadir measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) obtained thus far by the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES). The instrument is a high resolution array Fourier transform spectrometer designed to measure infrared spectral radiances from low Earth orbit. It is one of four instruments successfully launched onboard the Aura platform into a sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of 705 km on July 15, 2004 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Nadir spectra are recorded at 0.06/cm spectral resolution with a nadir footprint of 5 x 8 km. We describe the TES retrieval approach for the analysis of the nadir measurements, report averaging kernels for typical tropical and polar ocean locations, characterize random and systematic errors for those locations, and describe instrument performance changes in the CO spectral region as a function of time. Sample maps of retrieved CO for the middle and upper troposphere from global surveys during December 2005 and April 2006 highlight the potential of the results for measurement and tracking of global pollution and determining air quality from space.

carbon monoxide↗
NASA NTRS2010

Warm Season Subseasonal Variability and Climate Extremes in the Northern Hemisphere: The Role of Stationary Rossby Waves

This study examines the nature of boreal summer subseasonal atmospheric variability based on the new NASA Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) for the period 1979-2010. An analysis of the June, July and August subseasonal 250hPa v-wind anomalies shows distinct Rossby wave-like structures that appear to be guided by the mean jets. On monthly subseasonal time scales, the leading waves (the first 10 rotated empirical orthogonal functions or REOFs of the 250hPa v-wind) explain about 50% of the Northern Hemisphere vwind variability, and account for more than 30% (60%) of the precipitation (surface temperature) variability over a number of regions of the northern middle and high latitudes, including the U.S. northern Great Plains, parts of Canada, Europe, and Russia. The first REOF in particular, consists of a Rossby wave that extends across northern Eurasia where it is a dominant contributor to monthly surface temperature and precipitation variability, and played an important role in the 2003 European and 2010 Russian heat waves. While primarily subseasonal in nature, the Rossby waves can at times have a substantial seasonal mean component. This is exemplified by REOF 4 which played a major role in the development of the most intense anomalies of the U.S. 1988 drought (during June) and the 1993 flooding (during July), though differed in the latter event by also making an important contribution to the seasonal mean anomalies. A stationary wave model (SWM) is used to reproduce some of the basic features of the observed waves and provide insight into the nature of the forcing. In particular, the responses to a set of idealized forcing functions are used to map the optimal forcing patterns of the leading waves. Also, experiments to reproduce the observed waves with the SWM using MERRA-based estimates of the forcing indicate that the wave forcing is dominated by sub-monthly vorticity transients.

Schubert, Siegfried↗
NASA NTRS2004

On the Positive Bias of Peak Horizontal Velocity from an Idealized Doppler Profiler

In the presence of 3-D turbulence, peak horizontal velocity estimates from an idealized Doppler profiler are found to be positively biased due to an incomplete specification of the vertical velocity field. The magnitude of the bias was estimated by assuming that the vertical and horizontal velocities can be separated into average and perturbation values and that the vertical and horizontal velocity perturbations are normally distributed. Under these assumptions, properties of the Type-I Extreme Value Distribution for maxima, known as the Gumbel distribution, can be used to obtain an analytical solution of the bias. The bias depends on geometric properties of the profiler configuration, the variance in the horizontal velocity, and the unresolved variance in the vertical velocity. When these variances are normalized by the average horizontal velocity, the bias can be mapped as a simple function of the normalized variances.

Short, David A.↗