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At least 253 records · Page 14

Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller via a network

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted by the network device interface into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one advantageous embodiment, the network device interface is a state machine, such as an ASIC, that operates independent of a processor in communicating with the bus controller and data channels.

Ellerbrock, Philip J.↗

Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller via a network

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted by the network device interface into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one advantageous embodiment, the network device interface uses a specialized protocol for communicating across the network bus that uses a low-level instruction set and has low overhead for data communication.

Ellerbrock, Philip J.↗

Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller via a network

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted by the network device interface into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one advantageous embodiment, the network device interface uses a specialized protocol for communicating across the network bus that uses a low-level instruction set and has low overhead for data communication.

Ellerbrock, Philip J.↗

Scene correction (precision techniques) of ERTS sensor data using digital image processing techniques

Techniques have been developed, implemented, and evaluated to process ERTS Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) and Multispectral Scanner (MSS) sensor data using digital image processing techniques. The RBV radiometry has been corrected to remove shading effects, and the MSS geometry and radiometry have been corrected to remove internal and external radiometric and geometric errors. The results achieved show that geometric mapping accuracy of about one picture element RMS and two picture elements (maximum) can be achieved by the use of nine ground control points. Radiometric correction of MSS and RBV sensor data has been performed to eliminate striping and shading effects to about one count accuracy. Image processing times on general purpose computers of the IBM 370/145 to 168 class are in the range of 29 to 3.2 minutes per MSS scene (4 bands). Photographic images of the fully corrected and annotated scenes have been generated from the processed data and have demonstrated excellent quality and information extraction potential.

Bernstein, R.↗

Digital processing of ionospheric electron content data

Ionospheric electron content data contain periodicities that are produced by a diversity of sources including hydromagnetic waves, gravity waves, and lunar tides. Often these periodicities are masked by the strong daily variation in the data. Digital filtering can be used to isolate the weaker components. The filtered data can then be further processed to provide estimates of the source properties. In addition, homomorphic filtering may be used to identify nonlinear interactions in the ionosphere.

Bernhardt, P. A.↗

Goldstone R/D High Speed Data Acquisition System

A digital data acquisition system that meets the requirements of several users (initially the planetary radar program) is planned for general use at Deep Space Station 14 (DSS 14). The system, now partially complete, is controlled by VAX 11/780 computer that is programmed in high level languages. A DEC Data Controller is included for moderate-speed data acquisition, low speed data display, and for a digital interface to special user-provided devices. The high-speed data acquisition is performed in devices that are being designed and built at JPL. Analog IF signals are converted to a digitized 50 MHz real signal. This signal is filtered and mixed digitally to baseband after which its phase code (a PN sequence in the case of planetary radar) is removed. It may then be accumulated (or averaged) and fed into the VAX through an FPS 5210 array processor. Further data processing before entering the VAX is thus possible (computation and accumulation of the power spectra, for example). The system is to be located in the research and development pedestal at DSS 14 for easy access by researchers in radio astronomy as well as telemetry processing and antenna arraying.

Deutsch, L. J.↗

Digital video-data handling.

Satellite digital video data analyzed by two dimensional filter computer technique, discussing biomedical applications

Nathan, R.↗

Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller a via network

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. In one embodiment, the bus controller transmits messages to the network device interface containing a plurality of bits having a value defined by a transition between first and second states in the bits. The network device interface determines timing of the data sequence of the message and uses the determined timing to communicate with the bus controller.

Ellerbrock, Philip J.↗

Demodulator for carrier transducers

A carrier type transducer is supplied with a carrier wave via an audio amplifier, a filter, a frequency divider, and an oscillator. The carrier is modulated in accordance with the parameter being measured by the transducer and is fed to the input of a digital data system which may include a voltmeter. The output of the oscillator and the output of each stage of the divider are fed to an AND or a NAND gate and suitable variable and fixed delay circuits to the command input of the digital data system. With this arrangement, the digital data system is commanded to sample at the proper time so that the average voltage of the modulated carrier is measured. It may be utilized with ancillary circuitry for control of the parameter

Roller, R. F.↗

Coniferous forest classification and inventory using Landsat and digital terrain data

Machine-processing techniques were used in a Forest Classification and Inventory System (FOCIS) procedure to extract and process tonal, textural, and terrain information from registered Landsat multispectral and digital terrain data. Using FOCIS as a basis for stratified sampling, the softwood timber volumes of the Klamath National Forest and Eldorado National Forest were estimated within standard errors of 4.8 and 4.0 percent, respectively. The accuracy of these large-area inventories is comparable to the accuracy yielded by use of conventional timber inventory methods, but, because of automation, the FOCIS inventories are more rapid (9-12 months compared to 2-3 years for conventional manual photointerpretation, map compilation and drafting, field sampling, and data processing) and are less costly.

Franklin, J.↗

Recovering Nimbus Era Observations at the NASA GES DISC

Between 1964 and 1978, NASA launched a series of seven Nimbus meteorological satellites which provided Earth observations for 30 years. These satellites, carrying a total of 33 instruments to observe the Earth at visible, infrared, ultraviolet, and microwave wavelengths, revolutionized weather forecasting, provided early observations of ocean color and atmospheric ozone, and prototyped location-based search and rescue capabilities. The Nimbus series paved the way for a number of currently operational systems such as the EOS (Earth Observation System) Terra, Aqua, and Aura platforms. The original data archive includes both magnetic tapes and film media. These media are well past their expected end of life, placing at risk valuable data that are critical to extending the history of Earth observations back in time. GES DISC (Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center) has been incorporating these data into a modern online archive by recovering the digital data files from the tapes, and scanning images of the data from film strips. The digital data products were written on obsolete hardware systems in outdated file formats, and in the absence of metadata standards at that time, were often written in proprietary file structures. Through a tedious and laborious process, oft-corrupted data are recovered, and incomplete metadata and documentation are reconstructed.

data recovery↗

The equivalence of three techniques for estimating ground reflectance from LANDSAT digital count data

The equivalence of three separate investigations that related LANDSAT digital count (DC) to ground measured reflectance (R) was demonstrated. One investigator related DC data to the cosZ, where Z is the solar zenith angle, for surfaces of constant R. The second investigator corrected the DC data to the solar zenith angle of 39 degrees before relating to surface R. Both of these investigators used LANDSAT 1 and 2 data from overpass dates 1972 through 1977. A third investigator calculated the relation between DC and R based on atmospheric radiative transfer theory. The equation coefficients obtained from these three investigators for all four LANDSAT MSS bands were shown to be equivalent although differences in ground reflectance measurement procedures have created coefficient variations among the three investigations. These relations should be useful for testing atmospheric radiative transfer theory.

Richardson, A. J.↗

A search for sulfide-bearing areas using LANDSAT-1 data and digital image-processing techniques

Two experiments were conducted using LANDSAT-1 multispectral scanner data to identify ground features that are indicators of sulfide-bearing rock. A nearby known sulfide deposit was used as a control. In the first experiment, false-color composites were examined visually to locate possible favorable areas; in the second, favorable areas were classified by digital-computer processing. The results of the experiment show that outcrops of hydrothermally altered and mineralized rock can be identified from LANDSAT-1 data under favorable conditions. The empirical method of digital-computer classification of the multispectral scanner data was relatively unrefined and rapid. The five mineralized prospecting sites identified are in locations that the geologist would not have selected as favorable on the basis of geologic knowledge or photogeologic interpretation at the time of the investigation.

Schmidt, R. G.↗

FOCIS: A forest classification and inventory system using LANDSAT and digital terrain data

Accurate, cost-effective stratification of forest vegetation and timber inventory is the primary goal of a Forest Classification and Inventory System (FOCIS). Conventional timber stratification using photointerpretation can be time-consuming, costly, and inconsistent from analyst to analyst. FOCIS was designed to overcome these problems by using machine processing techniques to extract and process tonal, textural, and terrain information from registered LANDSAT multispectral and digital terrain data. Comparison of samples from timber strata identified by conventional procedures showed that both have about the same potential to reduce the variance of timber volume estimates over simple random sampling.

Strahler, A. H.↗

The 1973-1974 lidar observations of cirrus clouds at Kwajalein

A series of surface-based lidar measurements was made in support of reentry tests at Kwajalein. The measurement periods were conducted during May to June, Aug., Dec. 1973, and Mar. to Apr. 1974. The lidar used was the SRI Mark IX, a ruby lidar installed within a van complete with its own power supplies, azimuth and elevation scanning capabilities and real time digital data recording, processing, and display systems. The digital data system was used to estimate cirrus cloud equivalent ice water content as the cloud was being observed. Other supporting equipment included an instrumented WB-57 aircraft used for sampling cirrus cloud ice crystals. An altitude time intensity modulated video display of cirrus cloud structure observed on 17 Dec. 1973 is presented.

Uthe, Edward E.↗

Assessment of Required Accuracy of Digital Elevation Data for Hydrologic Modeling

The effect of vertical accuracy of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) on hydrologic models is evaluated by comparing three DEMs and resulting hydrologic model predictions applied to a 7.2 sq km USDA - ARS watershed at Mahantango Creek, PA. The high resolution (5 m) DEM was resempled to a 30 m resolution using method that constrained the spatial structure of the elevations to be comparable with the USGS and SIR-C DEMs. This resulting 30 m DEM was used as the reference product for subsequent comparisons. Spatial fields of directly derived quantities, such as elevation differences, slope, and contributing area, were compared to the reference product, as were hydrologic model output fields derived using each of the three DEMs at the common 30 m spatial resolution.

HYDROLOGIC MODELS↗