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At least 361 records · Page 20

Finding the lost river gas field - Lineament density analysis in hydrocarbon exploration

A comparative trial analysis of lineament density in 1:500,000 Landsat and 1:48,000 aerial Landsat-simulator images of a gas-field region in West Virginia is presented. The high-contrast, band 4, 5, 7 color composite Landsat image was interpreted independently by two analysts. The slightly different lineament maps were evaluated in terms of lineament-density variation in 10 x 10-km areas, and the resulting areal-variation maps are found to be statistically equivalent. High lineament density is shown to be associated with productive gas wells. Comparison of ground-based substructural contour maps and lineament-density analyses of the Landsat-simulator images reveals good correlation between density maxima or isopleths and substructural features associated with hydrocarbon formations. A hydrocarbon-exploration strategy using both Landsat and aerial images is proposed.

Lang, H. R.↗

Infrared thermal imaging of atmospheric turbulence

A technique for analyzing infrared atmospheric images to obtain cross-wind measurement is presented. The technique is based on Taylor's frozen turbulence hypothesis and uses cross-correlation of successive images to obtain a measure of the cross-wind velocity in a localized focal region. The technique is appealing because it can possibly be combined with other IR forward look capabilities and may provide information about turbulence intensity. The current research effort, its theoretical basis, and its applicability to windshear detection are described.

Watt, David↗

Spectral transformation in the SOFI complex for processing photographic images on the ES computer, part 1

A description is given of three programs catalogued in the form of object modules in the library of a system for processing photographic images computer. PFT is the subprogram of the multi-dimensional BPF of real-valued information, in the operative computer memory. INRECO is a subprogram-interface between the real and complex formats for representing two-dimensional spectra and images. FFT2 is a subprogram for calculating the correlation functions of the image using the previous subprograms.

Debabov, A. S.↗

Integrated-Circuit Active Digital Filter

Pipeline architecture with parallel multipliers and adders speeds calculation of weighted sums. Picture-element values and partial sums flow through delay-adder modules. After each cycle or time unit of calculation, each value in filter moves one position right. Digital integrated-circuit chips with pipeline architecture rapidly move 35 X 35 two-dimensional convolutions. Need for such circuits in image enhancement, data filtering, correlation, pattern extraction, and synthetic-aperture-radar image processing: all require repeated calculations of weighted sums of values from images or two-dimensional arrays of data.

Nathan, R.↗

Surface velocity fields of Ice Streams D and E derived from repeat satellite imagery

Sequential Landsat TM images were used to map in detail the surface velocity of Ice Streams D and E by tracking small ice features in coregistered images. The majority of both ice streams have now been mapped for velocity, and in most areas, approximate strain-rates are also determined. Tracking was accomplished semiautomatically using an image-to-image cross-correlation technique. Measurement density is roughly four per sq km in regions with distinct surface features (crevasses, snow dunes, etc.), and with cloud-free image coverage.

Scambos, Ted A.↗

Applications of digital image processing techniques to problems of data registration and correlation

An overview is presented of the evolution of the computer configuration at JPL's Image Processing Laboratory (IPL). The development of techniques for the geometric transformation of digital imagery is discussed and consideration is given to automated and semiautomated image registration, and the registration of imaging and nonimaging data. The increasing complexity of image processing tasks at IPL is illustrated with examples of various applications from the planetary program and earth resources activities. It is noted that the registration of existing geocoded data bases with Landsat imagery will continue to be important if the Landsat data is to be of genuine use to the user community.

Green, W. B.↗

Correlation of the deply technique with ultrasonic imaging of impact damage in graphite-epoxy composites

The ultrasonic quantitative NDE of graphite-epoxy composites is difficult because of the inherent inhomogeneity of the material. An examination technique must discriminate between inherent scattering centers in an undamaged region and the scattering centers due to defects or damage. Two NDE techniques that can make this distinction were used to image and quantify the extent of damage resulting from a low-energy impact. These results were then compared with those from a destructive technique. The first NDE technique, polar backscatter, employed a nonzero polar angle insonifying method to reduce specular reflection from the surface of the sample; the second NDE technique used a normal-incidence ultrasonic beam. Results from both NDE methods were subsequently correlated with those from a destructive technique, the deply method. Both the qualitative and quantitative agreement of the methods was excellent.

Smith, B. T.↗

Calibrating the WFPC2 astrometry for MDS

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Medium Deep Survey has optimized an automated procedure to associate and stack WFPC2 data. The coordinates listed in HST WFPC2 image and/or jitter file headers are often found to be insufficient to stack images for cosmic ray removal. We discuss results from software developed for the HST Medium Deep Survey (MDS) pipeline to evaluate these shifts by cross-correlation of the images. We will also discuss the distortion of the pre-cool-down WFPC2 field and attempts to derive absolute coordinates for MDS WFPC2 observations using the USNO-Al.0 half billion object catalog.

Ratnatunga, Kavan U.↗

Geologic analyses of LANDSAT-1 multispectral imagery of a possible power plant site employing digital and analog image processing

A site in the Great Valley subsection of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province in eastern Pennsylvania was studied to evaluate the use of digital and analog image processing for geologic investigations. Ground truth at the site was obtained by a field mapping program, a subsurface exploration investigation and a review of available published and unpublished literature. Remote sensing data were analyzed using standard manual techniques. LANDSAT-1 imagery was analyzed using digital image processing employing the multispectral Image 100 system and using analog color processing employing the VP-8 image analyzer. This study deals primarily with linears identified employing image processing and correlation of these linears with known structural features and with linears identified manual interpretation; and the identification of rock outcrops in areas of extensive vegetative cover employing image processing. The results of this study indicate that image processing can be a cost-effective tool for evaluating geologic and linear features for regional studies encompassing large areas such as for power plant siting. Digital image processing can be an effective tool for identifying rock outcrops in areas of heavy vegetative cover.

Lovegreen, J. R.↗

Soot Volume Fraction Imaging

A new technique is described for the full-field determination of soot volume fractions via laser extinction measurements. This technique differs from previously reported point-wise methods in that a two-dimensional array (i.e., image) of data is acquired simultaneously. In this fashion, the net data rate is increased, allowing the study of time-dependent phenomena and the investigation of spatial and temporal correlations. A telecentric imaging configuration is employed to provide depth-invariant magnification and to permit the specification of the collection angle for scattered light. To improve the threshold measurement sensitivity, a method is employed to suppress undesirable coherent imaging effects. A discussion of the tomographic inversion process is provided, including the results obtained from numerical simulation. Results obtained with this method from an ethylene diffusion flame are shown to be in close agreement with those previously obtained by sequential point-wise interrogation.

Greenberg, Paul S.↗

Perceptual Classification Images from Vernier Acuity Masked by Noise

Letting external noise rather than internal noise limit discrimination performance allows information to be extracted about the observer's stimulus classification rule. A perceptual classification image is the correlation over trials between the noise amplitude at a spatial location and the observer's responses. If, for example, the observer followed the rule of the ideal observer, the perceptual classification image would be an estimate of the ideal observer filter, the difference between the two unmasked images being discriminated. Perceptual classification images were estimated for a vernier discrimination task. The display screen had 48 pixels per degree horizontally and vertically. The no-offset image had a dark horizontal line of 4 pixels, a 1 pixel space, and 4 more dark pixels. Classification images were based on 1600 discrimination trials with the line contrast adjusted to keep the error rate near 25 percent. In the offset image, the second line was one pixel higher. Unlike the ideal observer filter (a horizontal dipole), the observer perceptual classification images are strongly oriented. Fourier transforms of the classification images had a peak amplitude near one cycle per degree and an orientation near 25 degrees. The spatial spread is much more than image blur predicts, and probably indicates the spatial position uncertainty in the task.

Ahumada, A. J.↗

Application of MCM image construction to IRAS comet observations

There is a wealth of IRAS comet data, obtained in both the survey and pointed observations modes. However, these measurements have remained largely untouched due to difficulties in removing instrumental effects from the data. We have developed a version of the Maximum Correlation Method for Image Construction algorithm (MCM) which operates in the moving coordinate system of the comet and properly treats both real cometary motion and apparent motion due to spacecraft parallax. This algorithm has been implemented on a 486/33 PC in FORTRAN and IDL codes. Preprocessing of the IRAS CRDD includes baseline removal, deglitching, and removal of long tails due to dielectric time constants of the detectors. The resulting images are virtually free from instrumental effects and have the highest possible spatial resolution consistent with the data sampling. We present examples of high resolution IRAS images constructed from survey observations of Comets P/Tempel 1 and P/Tempel 2, and pointed observations of IRAS-Araki-Alcock.

Schlapfer, Martin F.↗

Optical correlator use at Johnson Space Center

For automation and robotics in the Space Station era, NASA's Johnson Space Center is pursuing several means of synthetic vision. The optical correlator is one such means. The deformable mirror device will form the basis of the first correlator in this project. In-house and contracted effort is being used. Initial in-house activities will concentrate on an impulse deconvolution technique and on a programmable retina for spatial remappings of an image prior to correlation. The retina will permit a form of edge extraction and other primitive operations. Additionally, it will be used as a research tool for assisting persons with low vision.

Juday, Richard D.↗

Sea ice tracking by nested correlations

Spatial differences in sea ice displacement affect ice stress, ice production, and the mass balance of the ice cover. Concepts about the spatial structure of this field have been undernourished because of a paucity of data with high spatial detail and because of the tedium of extracting such measurements from images manually. A method is described that measures displacements from synthetic aperture radar digital imagery with fine spatial resolution, and does so fully automatically. Many small areas of ice common to two images are identified by correlating the two images. The strategy is to acquire a crude displacement field first from highly averaged images, and to refine this field with images of successively higher resolution. The median discrepancy between automatically and manually measured displacements is three pixels (0.075 km). The algorithm operates successfully on compact ice with large floes and modest rotation rates; it is believed it will prove applicable to most of the arctic ice cover throughout the year.

Fily, Michael↗

Case study of binary and ternary synthetic discriminant function filters with similar in-class and out-of-class images

A simulation study is reported of the performance of two designs of ternary synthetic discriminant function (SDF) filters. The filters are compared to binary SDFs in terms of the probability of correct identification P(ID) between in-class and out-of-class image sets. Compared to binary synthetic discriminant function (BSDF) filters, both ternary SDF filters designs offer improved performance in P(ID) and thus allow extension of the maximum filter direction range when evaluated in the presence of white image noise. Larger distortion range filters translate to fewer correlations required to perform image identification, and thus higher system speed. The TSDF(SNR) filters had the highest of system performance, while TSDF(d) filters were able to improve discrimination to a degree, but their optimal designs had essentially the same SNR performance as the BSDF filters.

Downie, John D.↗

Remotely sensed image compression based on wavelet transform

In this paper, we present an image compression algorithm that is capable of significantly reducing the vast amount of information contained in multispectral images. The developed algorithm exploits the spectral and spatial correlations found in multispectral images. The scheme encodes the difference between images after contrast/brightness equalization to remove the spectral redundancy, and utilizes a two-dimensional wavelet transform to remove the spatial redundancy. the transformed images are then encoded by Hilbert-curve scanning and run-length-encoding, followed by Huffman coding. We also present the performance of the proposed algorithm with the LANDSAT MultiSpectral Scanner data. The loss of information is evaluated by PSNR (peak signal to noise ratio) and classification capability.

Kim, Seong W.↗

Application of ERTS-A imagery to fracture related mine safety hazards in the coal mining industry

The author has identified the following significant results. The most important result to date is the demonstration of the special value of repetitive ERTS-1 multiband coverage for detecting previously unknown fracture lineaments despite the presence of a deep glacial overburden. The Illinois Basin is largely covered with glacial drift and few rock outcrops are present. A contribution to the geological understanding of Illinois and Indiana has been made. Analysis of ERTS-1 imagery has provided useful information to the State of Indiana concerning the surface mined lands. The contrast between healthy vegetation and bare ground as imaged by Band 7 is sharp and substantial detail can be obtained concerning the extent of disturbed lands, associated water bodies, large haul roads, and extent of mined lands revegetation. Preliminary results of analysis suggest a reasonable correlation between image-detected fractures and mine roof fall accidents for a few areas investigated. ERTS-1 applications to surface mining operations appear probable, but further investigations are required. The likelihood of applying ERTS-1 derived fracture data to improve coal mine safety in the entire Illinois Basin is suggested from studies conducted in Indiana.

Wier, C. E.↗

Surface roughness measuring system

Significant height information of ocean waves, or peaks of rough terrain is obtained by compressing the radar signal over different widths of the available chirp or Doppler bandwidths, and cross-correlating one of these images with each of the others. Upon plotting a fixed (e.g., zero) component of the cross-correlation values as the spacing is increased over some empirically determined range, the system is calibrated. To measure height with the system, a spacing value is selected and a cross-correlation value is determined between two intensity images at a selected frequency spacing. The measured height is the slope of the cross-correlation value used. Both electronic and optical radar signal data compressors and cross-correlations are disclosed for implementation of the system.

Jain, A.↗