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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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A study is conducted of feedback design for systems with multiple time-scale structure uncovering an intrinsic time-scale structure for a state feedback system with full state output. From this a multiple time-scale asymptotic observer and a system with state feedback via a two time-scale asymptotic observer is considered. Finally more general results for a restricted class of systems are obtained.
A systematic study of meson multiplicity as a function of energy at energies up to 100 GeV/u in nucleus-nucleus collisions has been made, using cosmic-ray data in nuclear emulsion. The data are consistent with simple nucleon-nucleon superposition models. Multiplicity per interacting nucleon in AA collisions does not appear to differ significantly from pp collisions.
A semianalytic Monte Carlo radiative transfer model (SALMON) is employed to probe the effects of multiple-scattering events on the time- and depth-resolved lidar signals from homogeneous aqueous media. The effective total attenuation coefficients in the single-scattering approximation are determined as functions of dimensionless parameters characterizing the lidar system and the medium. Results show that single-scattering events dominate when these parameters are close to their lower bounds and that when their values exceed unity multiple-scattering events dominate.
Multiple arc data from repeated ground track are combined to reduce the error due to gravity field uncertainty in the determination of TOPEX orbit. The TOPEX dynamics is modeled with relatively few gravity parameters to account for the effect of the local gravity field. The gravity parameters are common to all arcs. The estimation algorithm uses the Householder transformation to combine multiple arc data and solve for the gravity parameters. The earth gravity field can be recovered with very modest amount of calculation.
Original radar images may be geometrically and radio metrically distorted. This may be a particular problem when multiple angle imagery is analyzed and there is topographic relief in the area of interest. This paper describes a set of techniques designed to combine a multiple angle radar data set with a digital terrain elevation model, to generate a set of new images called secondary image products. These new images are geometrically rectified radar ortho-images radiometrically rectified images, and stereo ortho-images. These secondary images can then reliably be used for thematic interpretation.
Multiple incidence angle SIR-B data of the Cordon la Grasa region of the Chubut Province of Argentina are used to discriminate various forest types by their relative brightness versus incidence angle signatures. The region consists of several species of Nothofagas which change in canopy structure with elevation, slope, and exposure. In general, the factors that appear to impact the radar response most are canopy structure, density, and ground cover (presence or absence of dead trunks and branches in particular). The results of this work indicate that (1) different forest species, and structures of a single species, may be discriminated using multiple incidence angle radar imagery and (2) it is essential to consider the variation in backscatter due to incidence angle when analyzing the comparing data collected at varying frequencies and polarizations.
The standard method of multiple shooting for a system of n first-order differential equations with k unknown initial conditions requires the integration of k sets of variational equations on the first shot and n sets of variational equations on every shot thereafter. This paper describes a variant of multiple shooting that requires the solution of k sets of variational equations on every shot. The technique applies to both linear and nonlinear boundary-value problems. Techniques to deal with difficulties unique to the solution of nonlinear problems are suggested.
Turbulence in complex, recirculating flows not in spectral equilibrium. Report discusses mathematical fluid-flow model that includes multiple turbulence scales. Model developed for numerical prediction of confined, recirculating flows. Based on multiple-timescale concepts introduced in previous study, model takes into account turbulence in recirculating flow not in spectral equilibrium and different energy-transfer rates for eddies of different spatial scales treated separately.
The depolarization of ruby lidar backscattering caused by multiple scattering in marine stratus clouds was examined systematically from a field site on the southern California coast. Investigated were the effects on the linear depolarization (delta) of lidar receiver field of view (FOV), elevation angle and laser beam pointing errors. An approximately linear increase in maximum delta values was observed with increasing receiver FOV, and the importance of accurate transmitter/receiver beam alignment was demonstrated during experiments in which the laser axis was deliberately misaligned. An elevation angle dependence to the delta values was observed as a consequence of the natural vertical inhomogeneity of water cloud content above the cloud base. Time histories of the depolarization characteristics of dissipating stratus clouds revealed significant spatial and temporal variability in delta values attributed to cloud composition variations. Employing a 1 mrad transmitter FOV, maximum delta values of 0.21 nd 0.33 were observed with 1 and 3 mrad receiver FOVs, respectively, from the low stratus clouds. The fundamental causes and effects on the lidar equation of multiple scattering are also discussed.
For the structural dynamic analysis of large space structures, the technology in structural synthesis and the development of structural analysis software have increased the capability to predict the dynamic characteristics of the structural system. The various subsystems which comprise the system are represented by various displacement functions; the displacement functions are then combined to represent the total structure. Experience has indicated that even when subsystem mathematical models are verified by test, the mathematical representations of the total system are often in error because the mathematical model of the structural elements which are significant when loads are applied at the interconnection points are not adequately verified by test. A multiple test concept, based upon the Multiple Boundary Condition Test (MBCT), is presented which will increase the accuracy of the system mathematical model by improving the subsystem test and test/analysis correlation procedure.
An elementary working knowledge is given of the advantages and limitations of the multiple Doppler radar analyses that have recently become available from the Joint Airport Weather Studies (JAWS) project. What Doppler radar is and what it does is addressed and the way Doppler radars were used in the JAWS project to gather wind shear data is described. The working definition of wind shear used is winds that affect aircraft flight over a span of 15 to 45 seconds and turbulence is defined as air motion that cause abrupt aircraft motions. The JAWS data current available contain no turbulence data. The concept of multiple Doppler analysis and the geometry of how it works are described, followed by an explanation of how data gathered in radar space are interpolated to a common Cartesian coordinate system and the limitations involved. A discussion is also presented of the analysis grid and how it was constructed. What the user actually gets is discussed, followed by a discussion of the expected errors in the three orthogonal wind components. Finally, a discussion is presented of why JAWS data are significant.
A multiple component load cell for measuring load is described, and its capability and reliability are evaluated by utilizing it to measure the reaction forces between the Centaur and Centaur Support Structure. The system employs 11 six-component balances in a single test rig to react a combination of loads. The vehicle and balance loads, procedures for fabricating each balance, and the assembly of the balances are discussed. The calibration and testing of the balances are examined. It is noted that the multiple component load cell system is a cost-effective method for obtaining an accurate measurement of friction effects and primary loads.
The polarizations of multiple mirror telescopes are calculated using Mueller calculus. It is found that the Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT) produces a constant depolarization that is a function of wavelength and independent of sky position. The efficiency and crosstalk are modeled and experimentally verified. The two- and four-mirror new generation telescopes are found to produce sinusoidal depolarization for which an accurate interpretation of the incident Stokes vector requires inverse matrix calculations. Finally, the depolarization of f/1 paraboloids is calculated and found to be less than 0.1 percent at 3000 A.
A high-efficiency spectrograph for research on faint astronomical objects has been successfully built and is in regular use on the Multiple-Mirror Telescope (MMT). It is equipped with a motorized multi-slit mechanism to allow simultaneous observations of several objects. The combination of high throughput, multiple object capability, and low-noise CCD detector has allowed routine work to be extended to objects of V magnitude 23 and fainter.
The Space Station Communications Control Zone is a disk shaped region 40 nautical miles in diameter and 10 nautical miles thick centered about the Space Station. It is estimated that 6 simultaneous Multiple Access (MA) channels will be required to satisfy the projected communications needs within this zone. These channels will be used to communicate with MA users located anywhere within the Control Zone. This paper details the tradeoffs and design implementation of a multiple beam integrated phased array to provide antenna coverage of the Control Zone. The array is a compact, modular assembly using Gallium Arsenide circuits, microstrip elements, and advanced packaging techniques. This results in a small, reliable antenna system capable of meeting the projected Space Station requirements and flexible enough to grow and evolve as the Space Station communications needs develop.
A new trellis coded modulation technique, referred to as multiple trellis coded modulation wherein more than one channel symbol per trellis branch is transmitted and demonstrated. Simple two state trellis codes for symmetric MPSK and AM modulations, which can achieve 3 dB gain over uncoded modulation at very high signal-to-noise ratios without bandwidth expansion and without reduction in information bit rate have been found. The gain of the new trellis codes with respect to previously reported two state trellis codes is between 1 to 2 dB at very high signal-to-noise ratios, depending on the number of bits per hertz transmitted. These gains are achieved with no additional cost in complexity; while indeed additional computations per branch are needed for the multiple trellis coding scheme. This concept can be extended to higher number of states and other type of modulations; i.e., quadrature amplitude modulation.
A method for designing a miniature laser-diode-pumped Nd-YAG laser amplifier based on total internal reflection and a multiple-pass slab geometry is described. This new design leads to a simple and practical configuration which allows multiple-pass amplification to be accomplished fairly easily by utilizing an optical arrangement with external mirrors. It is suggested that this type of miniature Nd-YAG amplifier combined with a laser diode-pumped Nd:YAG oscillator could result in an excellent laser-ranging source laser.
A multiple-time-scale turbulence model of a single point closure and a simplified split-spectrum method is presented. In the model, the effect of the ratio of the production rate to the dissipation rate on eddy viscosity is modeled by use of the multiple-time-scales and a variable partitioning of the turbulent kinetic energy spectrum. The concept of a variable partitioning of the turbulent kinetic energy spectrum and the rest of the model details are based on the previously reported algebraic stress turbulence model. Example problems considered include: a fully developed channel flow, a plane jet exhausting into a moving stream, a wall jet flow, and a weakly coupled wake-boundary layer interaction flow. The computational results compared favorably with those obtained by using the algebraic stress turbulence model as well as experimental data. The present turbulence model, as well as the algebraic stress turbulence model, yielded significantly improved computational results for the complex turbulent boundary layer flows, such as the wall jet flow and the wake boundary layer interaction flow, compared with available computational results obtained by using the standard kappa-epsilon turbulence model.