SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “ALGORITHMS”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 451 records · Page 25

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1993

Feature extraction and classification algorithms for high dimensional data

Feature extraction and classification algorithms for high dimensional data are investigated. Developments with regard to sensors for Earth observation are moving in the direction of providing much higher dimensional multispectral imagery than is now possible. In analyzing such high dimensional data, processing time becomes an important factor. With large increases in dimensionality and the number of classes, processing time will increase significantly. To address this problem, a multistage classification scheme is proposed which reduces the processing time substantially by eliminating unlikely classes from further consideration at each stage. Several truncation criteria are developed and the relationship between thresholds and the error caused by the truncation is investigated. Next an approach to feature extraction for classification is proposed based directly on the decision boundaries. It is shown that all the features needed for classification can be extracted from decision boundaries. A characteristic of the proposed method arises by noting that only a portion of the decision boundary is effective in discriminating between classes, and the concept of the effective decision boundary is introduced. The proposed feature extraction algorithm has several desirable properties: it predicts the minimum number of features necessary to achieve the same classification accuracy as in the original space for a given pattern recognition problem; and it finds the necessary feature vectors. The proposed algorithm does not deteriorate under the circumstances of equal means or equal covariances as some previous algorithms do. In addition, the decision boundary feature extraction algorithm can be used both for parametric and non-parametric classifiers. Finally, some problems encountered in analyzing high dimensional data are studied and possible solutions are proposed. First, the increased importance of the second order statistics in analyzing high dimensional data is recognized. By investigating the characteristics of high dimensional data, the reason why the second order statistics must be taken into account in high dimensional data is suggested. Recognizing the importance of the second order statistics, there is a need to represent the second order statistics. A method to visualize statistics using a color code is proposed. By representing statistics using color coding, one can easily extract and compare the first and the second statistics.

Lee, Chulhee↗

NASA NTRS1991

Control algorithm implementation for a redundant degree of freedom manipulator

This project's purpose is to develop and implement control algorithms for a kinematically redundant robotic manipulator. The manipulator is being developed concurrently by Odetics Inc., under internal research and development funding. This SBIR contract supports algorithm conception, development, and simulation, as well as software implementation and integration with the manipulator hardware. The Odetics Dexterous Manipulator is a lightweight, high strength, modular manipulator being developed for space and commercial applications. It has seven fully active degrees of freedom, is electrically powered, and is fully operational in 1 G. The manipulator consists of five self-contained modules. These modules join via simple quick-disconnect couplings and self-mating connectors which allow rapid assembly/disassembly for reconfiguration, transport, or servicing. Each joint incorporates a unique drive train design which provides zero backlash operation, is insensitive to wear, and is single fault tolerant to motor or servo amplifier failure. The sensing system is also designed to be single fault tolerant. Although the initial prototype is not space qualified, the design is well-suited to meeting space qualification requirements. The control algorithm design approach is to develop a hierarchical system with well defined access and interfaces at each level. The high level endpoint/configuration control algorithm transforms manipulator endpoint position/orientation commands to joint angle commands, providing task space motion. At the same time, the kinematic redundancy is resolved by controlling the configuration (pose) of the manipulator, using several different optimizing criteria. The center level of the hierarchy servos the joints to their commanded trajectories using both linear feedback and model-based nonlinear control techniques. The lowest control level uses sensed joint torque to close torque servo loops, with the goal of improving the manipulator dynamic behavior. The control algorithms are subjected to a dynamic simulation before implementation.

Cohan, Steve↗

NASA NTRS1992

Formally biorthogonal polynomials and a look-ahead Levinson algorithm for general Toeplitz systems

Systems of linear equations with Toeplitz coefficient matrices arise in many important applications. The classical Levinson algorithm computes solutions of Toeplitz systems with only O(n(sub 2)) arithmetic operations, as compared to O(n(sub 3)) operations that are needed for solving general linear systems. However, the Levinson algorithm in its original form requires that all leading principal submatrices are nonsingular. An extension of the Levinson algorithm to general Toeplitz systems is presented. The algorithm uses look-ahead to skip over exactly singular, as well as ill-conditioned leading submatrices, and, at the same time, it still fully exploits the Toeplitz structure. In our derivation of this algorithm, we make use of the intimate connection of Toeplitz matrices with formally biorthogonal polynomials.

Freund, Roland W.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Accuracy metrics for judging time scale algorithms

Time scales have been constructed in different ways to meet the many demands placed upon them for time accuracy, frequency accuracy, long-term stability, and robustness. Usually, no single time scale is optimum for all purposes. In the context of the impending availability of high-accuracy intermittently-operated cesium fountains, we reconsider the question of evaluating the accuracy of time scales which use an algorithm to span interruptions of the primary standard. We consider a broad class of calibration algorithms that can be evaluated and compared quantitatively for their accuracy in the presence of frequency drift and a full noise model (a mixture of white PM, flicker PM, white FM, flicker FM, and random walk FM noise). We present the analytic techniques for computing the standard uncertainty for the full noise model and this class of calibration algorithms. The simplest algorithm is evaluated to find the average-frequency uncertainty arising from the noise of the cesium fountain's local oscillator and from the noise of a hydrogen maser transfer-standard. This algorithm and known noise sources are shown to permit interlaboratory frequency transfer with a standard uncertainty of less than 10(exp -15) for periods of 30-100 days.

Douglas, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

MODIS. Volume 2: MODIS level 1 geolocation, characterization and calibration algorithm theoretical basis document, version 1

The EOS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) is being developed by NASA for flight on the Earth Observing System (EOS) series of satellites, the first of which (EOS-AM-1) is scheduled for launch in 1998. This document describes the algorithms and their theoretical basis for the MODIS Level 1B characterization, calibration, and geolocation algorithms which must produce radiometrically, spectrally, and spatially calibrated data with sufficient accuracy so that Global change research programs can detect minute changes in biogeophysical parameters. The document first describes the geolocation algorithm which determines geodetic latitude, longitude, and elevation of each MODIS pixel and the determination of geometric parameters for each observation (satellite zenith angle, satellite azimuth, range to the satellite, solar zenith angle, and solar azimuth). Next, the utilization of the MODIS onboard calibration sources, which consist of the Spectroradiometric Calibration Assembly (SRCA), Solar Diffuser (SD), Solar Diffuser Stability Monitor (SDSM), and the Blackbody (BB), is treated. Characterization of these sources and integration of measurements into the calibration process is described. Finally, the use of external sources, including the Moon, instrumented sites on the Earth (called vicarious calibration), and unsupervised normalization sites having invariant reflectance and emissive properties is treated. Finally, algorithms for generating utility masks needed for scene-based calibration are discussed. Eight appendices are provided, covering instrument design and additional algorithm details.

Barker, John L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A new algorithm for attitude-independent magnetometer calibration

A new algorithm is developed for inflight magnetometer bias determination without knowledge of the attitude. This algorithm combines the fast convergence of a heuristic algorithm currently in use with the correct treatment of the statistics and without discarding data. The algorithm performance is examined using simulated data and compared with previous algorithms.

Alonso, Roberto↗

NASA NTRS1993

The gust-front detection and wind-shift algorithms for the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar system

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) system was primarily designed to address the operational needs of pilots in the avoidance of low-altitude wind shears upon takeoff and landing at airports. One of the primary methods of wind-shear detection for the TDWR system is the gust-front detection algorithm. The algorithm is designed to detect gust fronts that produce a wind-shear hazard and/or sustained wind shifts. It serves the hazard warning function by providing an estimate of the wind-speed gain for aircraft penetrating the gust front. The gust-front detection and wind-shift algorithms together serve a planning function by providing forecasted gust-front locations and estimates of the horizontal wind vector behind the front, respectively. This information is used by air traffic managers to determine arrival and departure runway configurations and aircraft movements to minimize the impact of wind shifts on airport capacity. This paper describes the gust-front detection and wind-shift algorithms to be fielded in the initial TDWR systems. Results of a quantitative performance evaluation using Doppler radar data collected during TDWR operational demonstrations at the Denver, Kansas City, and Orlando airports are presented. The algorithms were found to be operationally useful by the FAA airport controllers and supervisors.

Hermes, Laurie G.↗

NASA NTRS1994

On the utility of the multi-level algorithm for the solution of nearly completely decomposable Markov chains

Recently the Multi-Level algorithm was introduced as a general purpose solver for the solution of steady state Markov chains. In this paper, we consider the performance of the Multi-Level algorithm for solving Nearly Completely Decomposable (NCD) Markov chains, for which special-purpose iteractive aggregation/disaggregation algorithms such as the Koury-McAllister-Stewart (KMS) method have been developed that can exploit the decomposability of the the Markov chain. We present experimental results indicating that the general-purpose Multi-Level algorithm is competitive, and can be significantly faster than the special-purpose KMS algorithm when Gauss-Seidel and Gaussian Elimination are used for solving the individual blocks.

Leutenegger, Scott T.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A new algorithm for five-hole probe calibration, data reduction, and uncertainty analysis

A new algorithm for five-hole probe calibration and data reduction using a non-nulling method is developed. The significant features of the algorithm are: (1) two components of the unit vector in the flow direction replace pitch and yaw angles as flow direction variables; and (2) symmetry rules are developed that greatly simplify Taylor's series representations of the calibration data. In data reduction, four pressure coefficients allow total pressure, static pressure, and flow direction to be calculated directly. The new algorithm's simplicity permits an analytical treatment of the propagation of uncertainty in five-hole probe measurement. The objectives of the uncertainty analysis are to quantify uncertainty of five-hole results (e.g., total pressure, static pressure, and flow direction) and determine the dependence of the result uncertainty on the uncertainty of all underlying experimental and calibration measurands. This study outlines a general procedure that other researchers may use to determine five-hole probe result uncertainty and provides guidance to improve measurement technique. The new algorithm is applied to calibrate and reduce data from a rake of five-hole probes. Here, ten individual probes are mounted on a single probe shaft and used simultaneously. Use of this probe is made practical by the simplicity afforded by this algorithm.

Reichert, Bruce A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

An algorithm for extraction of periodic signals from sparse, irregularly sampled data

Temporal gaps in discrete sampling sequences produce spurious Fourier components at the intermodulation frequencies of an oscillatory signal and the temporal gaps, thus significantly complicating spectral analysis of such sparsely sampled data. A new fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based algorithm has been developed, suitable for spectral analysis of sparsely sampled data with a relatively small number of oscillatory components buried in background noise. The algorithm's principal idea has its origin in the so-called 'clean' algorithm used to sharpen images of scenes corrupted by atmospheric and sensor aperture effects. It identifies as the signal's 'true' frequency that oscillatory component which, when passed through the same sampling sequence as the original data, produces a Fourier image that is the best match to the original Fourier space. The algorithm has generally met with succession trials with simulated data with a low signal-to-noise ratio, including those of a type similar to hourly residuals for Earth orientation parameters extracted from VLBI data. For eight oscillatory components in the diurnal and semidiurnal bands, all components with an amplitude-noise ratio greater than 0.2 were successfully extracted for all sequences and duty cycles (greater than 0.1) tested; the amplitude-noise ratios of the extracted signals were as low as 0.05 for high duty cycles and long sampling sequences. When, in addition to these high frequencies, strong low-frequency components are present in the data, the low-frequency components are generally eliminated first, by employing a version of the algorithm that searches for non-integer multiples of the discrete FET minimum frequency.

Wilcox, J. Z.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Ocean observations with EOS/MODIS: Algorithm development and post launch studies

During CY 1994 there are five objectives under this task: (1) investigate the effects of stratospheric aerosol on the proposed correction algorithm, and investigate the use of the 1380 nm MODIS band to remove the stratospheric aerosol perturbation; (2) investigate the effect of vertical structure in aerosol concentration and type on the behavior of the proposed correction algorithm; (3) investigate the effects of polarization on the accuracy of the algorithm; (4) improve the accuracy and speed of the existing algorithm; and (5) investigate removal of the O2 'A' absorption band at 762 nm from the 765 nm SeaWiFS band so the latter can be used in atmospheric correction of SeaWiFS. The importance of this to MODIS is that SeaWiFS data will be used extensively to test and improve the MODIS algorithm. Thus it is essential that the O2 absorption be adequately dealt with for SeaWiFS.

Gordon, Howard R.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Passive microwave algorithm development and evaluation

The scientific objectives of this grant are: (1) thoroughly evaluate, both theoretically and empirically, all available Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) retrieval algorithms for column water vapor, column liquid water, and surface wind speed; (2) where both appropriate and feasible, develop, validate, and document satellite passive microwave retrieval algorithms that offer significantly improved performance compared with currently available algorithms; and (3) refine and validate a novel physical inversion scheme for retrieving rain rate over the ocean. This report summarizes work accomplished or in progress during the first year of a three year grant. The emphasis during the first year has been on the validation and refinement of the rain rate algorithm published by Petty and on the analysis of independent data sets that can be used to help evaluate the performance of rain rate algorithms over remote areas of the ocean. Two articles in the area of global oceanic precipitation are attached.

Petty, Grant W.↗

NASA NTRS1995

SeaWiFS technical report series. Volume 28: SeaWiFS algorithms, part 1

This document provides five brief reports that address several algorithm investigations sponsored by the Calibration and Validation Team (CVT) within the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) Project. This volume, therefore, has been designated as the first in a series of algorithm volumes. Chapter 1 describes the initial suite of masks, used to prevent further processing of contaminated radiometric data, and flags, which are employed to mark data whose quality (due to a variety of factors) may be suspect. In addition to providing the mask and flag algorithms, this chapter also describes the initial strategy for their implementation. Chapter 2 evaluates various strategies for the detection of clouds and ice in high latitude (polar and sub-polar regions) using Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) data. Chapter 3 presents an algorithm designed for detecting and masking coccolithosphore blooms in the open ocean. Chapter 4 outlines a proposed scheme for correcting the out-of-band response when SeaWiFS is in orbit. Chapter 5 gives a detailed description of the algorithm designed to apply sensor calibration data during the processing of level-1b data.

Hooker, Stanford B.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A comparison of three-dimensional nonequilibrium solution algorithms applied to hypersonic flows with stiff chemical source terms

Three solution algorithms, explicit underrelaxation, point implicit, and lower upper symmetric Gauss-Seidel (LUSGS), are used to compute nonequilibrium flow around the Apollo 4 return capsule at 62 km altitude. By varying the Mach number, the efficiency and robustness of the solution algorithms were tested for different levels of chemical stiffness. The performance of the solution algorithms degraded as the Mach number and stiffness of the flow increased. At Mach 15, 23, and 30, the LUSGS method produces an eight order of magnitude drop in the L2 norm of the energy residual in 1/3 to 1/2 the Cray C-90 computer time as compared to the point implicit and explicit under-relaxation methods. The explicit under-relaxation algorithm experienced convergence difficulties at Mach 23 and above. At Mach 40 the performance of the LUSGS algorithm deteriorates to the point it is out-performed by the point implicit method. The effects of the viscous terms are investigated. Grid dependency questions are explored.

Palmer, Grant↗

NASA NTRS1994

A splitting algorithm for Vlasov simulation with filamentation filtration

A Fourier-Fourier transformed version of the splitting algorithm for simulating solutions of the Vlasov-Poisson system of equations is introduced. It is shown that with the inclusion of filamentation filtration in this transformed algorithm it is both faster and more stable than the standard splitting algorithm. It is further shown that in a scalar computer environment this new algorithm is approximately equal in speed and far less noisy than its particle-in-cell counterpart. It is conjectured that in a multiprocessor environment the filtered splitting algorithm would be faster while producing more precise results.

Klimas, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Passive microwave remote sensing of rainfall with SSM/I: Algorithm development and implementation

A physically based algorithm sensitive to emission and scattering is used to estimate rainfall using the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I). The algorithm is derived from radiative transfer calculations through an atmospheric cloud model specifying vertical distributions of ice and liquid hydrometeors as a function of rain rate. The algorithm is structured in two parts: SSM/I brightness temperatures are screened to detect rainfall and are then used in rain-rate calculation. The screening process distinguishes between nonraining background conditions and emission and scattering associated with hydrometeors. Thermometric temperature and polarization thresholds determined from the radiative transfer calculations are used to detect rain, whereas the rain-rate calculation is based on a linear function fit to a linear combination of channels. Separate calculations for ocean and land account for different background conditions. The rain-rate calculation is constructed to respond to both emission and scattering, reduce extraneous atmospheric and surface effects, and to correct for beam filling. The resulting SSM/I rain-rate estimates are compared to three precipitation radars as well as to a dynamically simulated rainfall event. Global estimates from the SSM/I algorithm are also compared to continental and shipboard measurements over a 4-month period. The algorithm is found to accurately describe both localized instantaneous rainfall events and global monthly patterns over both land and ovean. Over land the 4-month mean difference between SSM/I and the Global Precipitation Climatology Center continental rain gauge database is less than 10%. Over the ocean, the mean difference between SSM/I and the Legates and Willmott global shipboard rain gauge climatology is less than 20%.

Ferriday, James G.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A Coulomb collision algorithm for weighted particle simulations

A binary Coulomb collision algorithm is developed for weighted particle simulations employing Monte Carlo techniques. Charged particles within a given spatial grid cell are pair-wise scattered, explicitly conserving momentum and implicitly conserving energy. A similar algorithm developed by Takizuka and Abe (1977) conserves momentum and energy provided the particles are unweighted (each particle representing equal fractions of the total particle density). If applied as is to simulations incorporating weighted particles, the plasma temperatures equilibrate to an incorrect temperature, as compared to theory. Using the appropriate pairing statistics, a Coulomb collision algorithm is developed for weighted particles. The algorithm conserves energy and momentum and produces the appropriate relaxation time scales as compared to theoretical predictions. Such an algorithm is necessary for future work studying self-consistent multi-species kinetic transport.

Miller, Ronald H.↗

NASA NTRS1996

A Simplified Pattern Match Algorithm for Star Identification

A true pattern matching star algorithm similar in concept to the Van Bezooijen algorithm is implemented using an iterative approach. This approach allows for a more compact and simple implementation which can be easily adapted to be either an all-sky, no a priori algorithm or a follow on to a direct match algorithm to distinguish between ambiguous matches. Some simple analysis is shown to indicate the likelihood of mis-identifications. The performance of the algorithm for the all-sky, no a priori situation is detailed assuming he SKYMAP star catalog describes the true sky. The impact of errors and omissions in the SKYMAP catalog on performance are investigated. In addition, differing levels of noise in the star observations are assumed and results shown. The implications for possible implementation on-board spacecraft are discussed.

Lee, Michael H.↗