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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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Transmission Line Based Sensor Design for FMCW Radar Processing of Collision Damage

This report presents a framework for transmission line ( T-L ) sensor design in Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar applications, with particular emphasis on modeling collision damage effects. Classical electromagnetic (EM) propagation theory is combined with impact mechanics to develop a model for analyzing transmission line behavior as a sensor under high-velocity impact conditions. The framework includes detailed mathematical derivations, spatial and temporal damage evolution models, and practical implementation considerations.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1994

Packet radio data link applications in the NASA Langley Research Center Transport Systems Research Vehicle

An amateur packet radio system operating in the very high frequency (VHF) range has been implemented in the Transport Systems Research Vehicle at the NASA Langley Research Center to provide an economical, bidirectional, real-time, ground-to-air data link. The packet system has been used to support flight research involving air traffic control (ATC), differential global positioning systems (DGPS), and windshear terminal doppler weather radar (TDWR). A data maximum rate of 2400 baud was used. Operational reliability of the packet system has been very good. Also, its versatility permits numerous specific configurations. These features, plus its low cost, have rendered it very satisfactory for support of data link flight experiments that do not require high data transfer rates.

Easley, Wesley C.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Surface Clutter Removal in Airborne Radar Sounding Data from the Dry Valleys, Antarctica

We have collected roughly 1,000 line-km of airborne radar sounding data over glaciers, rock/ice glaciers, permafrost, subsurface ice bodies, ice-covered saline lakes, and glacial deposits in Taylor and Beacon Valley. These data are being analyzed in order to develop techniques for discriminating between subsurface and off-nadir echoes and for detecting and characterizing subsurface interfaces. The identification of features on Mars exhibiting morphologies consistent with ice/rock mixtures, near-surface ice bodies and near-surface liquid water, and the importance of such features to the search for water on Mars, highlights the need for appropriate terrestrial analogs and analysis techniques in order to prepare for radar sounder missions to Mars. Climatic, hydrological, and geological conditions in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica are analogous in many ways to those on Mars. A crucial first step in the data analysis process is the discrimination of echo sources in the radar data. The goal is to identify all returns from the surface of off-nadir topography in order to positively identify subsurface echoes. This process will also be critical for radar data that will be collected in areas of Mars exhibiting significant topography, so that subsurface echoes are identified unambiguously. The positive detection and characterization of subsurface (including sub-ice) water is a primary goal of NASA's Mars exploration program. Our data over the Dry Valleys provides an opportunity to implement techniques we are developing to accomplish these goals.

Holt, J. W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Expanding the Time Dimension of Hyperspectral Infrared Sounding Observations: Designing the NUCAPS-Forecast System

Low Earth orbit (LEO) hyper-spectral infrared (IR) sounders have significant yet untapped potential for characterizing thermodynamic environments of convective initiation and ongoing convection. While LEO soundings are of enormous value to weather forecasters, they cannot provide the temporal resolution needed to resolve the rapidly evolving thermodynamics of the convective environment. A novel methodology was developed to extend snapshots of LEO soundings forward in time up to six hours into the future and has been made available within the NOAA National Weather Service Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) for testing in a quasi-operational setting. This methodology is based on parcel forward-trajectory calculations from the satellite observing time to recreate future soundings of temperature and moisture at regularly gridded intervals in space and time. The soundings are based on NOAA-Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) retrievals from the Suomi NPP and NOAA-20 satellite platforms to allow for rapid near-real time product processing. Science code was transitioned to operational production in 2019 and the product, NUCAPS-Forecast, was tested at the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Experiment in 2019 and 2021. Forecaster feedback has led to improving the product and processing system to address product limitations and improve its applicability for pre-convective forecasting. This presentation highlights the design of the NUCAPS-Forecast system. Solutions were tested and implemented to remove excess moisture and conjoin forward-trajected parcels into vertical profiles for calculating grids of stability indices. Additionally, use cases that explore the tendencies of derived convective available potential energy (CAPE) and convective inhibition (CIN) were investigated. When evaluated against gridded, hourly accumulated rainfall obtained from the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) observational data set areas with elevated CAPE (reduced CIN) are shown to be associated with areas of precipitation and increase confidence the LEO soundings advected forward in time physically represent atmospheric processes. These results suggest that adiabatic parcel advection of LEO satellite sounding snapshots forward in time exhibits skill in discriminating locations and times that are more likely to lead to convective initiation. Leveraging trajectory modeling to increase the spatial and temporal resolution of LEO IR sounding observations today demonstrates the value of these observations from the future constellation of JPSS satellites and GeoXO mission.

weather↗
NASA NTRS1982

The application of digital signal processing techniques to a teleoperator radar system

A digital signal processing system was studied for the determination of the spectral frequency distribution of echo signals from a teleoperator radar system. The system consisted of a sample and hold circuit, an analog to digital converter, a digital filter, and a Fast Fourier Transform. The system is interfaced to a 16 bit microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to control the complete digital signal processing. The digital filtering and Fast Fourier Transform functions are implemented by a S2815 digital filter/utility peripheral chip and a S2814A Fast Fourier Transform chip. The S2815 initially simulates a low-pass Butterworth filter with later expansion to complete filter circuit (bandpass and highpass) synthesizing.

Pujol, A.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Re-Engineering the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Satellite Utilizing Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Mission Services Center (GMSEC) Middleware Based Technology to Enable Lights Out Operations and Autonomous Re-Dump of Lost Telemetry Data

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft was launched in November of 1996 in order to obtain unique three dimensional radar cross sectional observations of cloud structures with particular interest in hurricanes. The TRMM mission life was recently extended with current estimates that operations will continue through the 2012-2013 timeframe. Faced with this extended mission profile, the project has embarked on a technology refresh and re-engineering effort. TRMM has recently implemented a re-engineering effort to expand a middleware based messaging architecture to enable fully redundant lights-out of flight operations activities. The middleware approach is based on the Goddard Mission Services Evolution Center (GMSEC) architecture, tools and associated open-source Applications Programming Interface (API). Middleware based messaging systems are useful in spacecraft operations and automation systems because private node based knowledge (such as that within a telemetry and command system) can be broadcast on the middleware messaging bus and hence enable collaborative decisions to be made by multiple subsystems. In this fashion, private data is made public and distributed within the local area network and multiple nodes can remain synchronized with other nodes. This concept is useful in a fully redundant architecture whereby one node is monitoring the processing of the 'prime' node so that in the event of a failure the backup node can assume operations of the prime, without loss of state knowledge. This paper will review and present the experiences, architecture, approach and lessons learned of the TRMM re-engineering effort centered on the GMSEC middleware architecture and tool suite. Relevant information will be presented that relates to the dual redundant parallel nature of the Telemetry and Command (T and C) and Front-End systems and how these systems can interact over a middleware bus to achieve autonomous operations including autonomous commanding to recover missing science data during the same spacecraft contact.

Marius, Julio L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Low level remote sensing: The Doppler Radar wind profiler

Mesoscale phenomena such as thunderstorm and sea breeze frontal circulations are being investigated using a 50 MHz Doppler wind profiler at the Kennedy Space Center. The profiler installation will begin October 1, 1988 and will be completed by February 17, 1989. The focus of current research and plans for next year include: examination of vertical velocities associated with local thunderstorm activity and sea breeze frontal circulations and compare the vertical velocities to conceptual mesoscale models; implementation of space-time conversion analysis techniques to blend profiler data with National Meteorological Center's model output and other wind data such as jimsphere, windsonde and rawinsonde for mesoscale analysis; development of suggestions for use of wind profiler data in mesoscale analysis and forecasting at Kennedy Space Center; and problems detection in the quality of the profiler data during this research project. Researchers will work closely with MSFC to identify and solve the data quality problems.

Forbes, Gregory S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Performance of the SIR-B digital image processing subsystem

A ground-based system to generate digital SAR image products has been developed and implemented in support of the SIR-B mission. This system is designed to achieve the maximum throughput while meeting strict image fidelity criteria. Its capabilities include: automated radiometric and geometric correction of the output imagery; high-precision absolute location without tiepoint registration; filtering of the raw data to remove spurious signals from alien radars; and automated catologing to maintain a full set of radar and image production facility in support of the SIR-B science investigators routinely produces over 80 image frames per week.

Curlander, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Calibration and Change Detection of [Alaska Satellite Facility] ASF/ERS-1 SAR Image Data

The results of a calibration analysis performed on ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images produced by the Alaska SAR facility (ASF) are presented, together with some preliminary results on change detection on the Alaskan north slope derived from the same images. Image quality, geometric and radiometric fidelity, and repeat pass radiometric stability have all been determined to be satisfactory. A calibration workstation has been designed and implemented for use in operational data quality analysis of ASF data products. Higher-level data analysis programs have been developed for interferometry, texture analysis, and change detection.

Fatland, Rob↗
NASA NTRS2001

SRTM Mast Damping Subsystem Design and Failure Investigation

A mast vibration damping system was developed for the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The damping system development is considered from both a system perspective, and a detailed mechanism design viewpoint. The requirements derivation approach is presented, starting from the general instrument requirements, and proceeds to the determination of specific mechanism design requirements. Key component failure modes and effects, as well as the design mitigations implemented, are discussed. The diagnosis of the damping system on-orbit failure is given. The root cause of the damping system failure is provided. Conclusions are drawn to provide guidance for future damping system implementations.

Umland, Jeffrey W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Making Mosaics Of SAR Imagery

Spaceborne synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) images useful for mapping of planets and investigations in Earth sciences. Produces multiframe mosaic by combining images along ground track, in adjacent cross-track swaths, or in ascending and descending passes. Images registered with geocoded maps such as ones produced by MAPJTC (NPO-17718), required as input. Minimal intervention by operator required. MOSK implemented on DEC VAX 11/785 computer running VMS 4.5. Most subroutines in FORTRAN, but three in MAXL and one in APAL.

Curlander, John C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Real-time SAR image processing onboard a Venus orbiting spacecraft

The potential use of real-time SAR processing to produce 200-meter resolution imagery onboard a 1983 Venus Orbiter Imaging Radar (VOIR) spacecraft is discussed. The current NASA SAR processor development program and its relationship to the VOIR application are described. VOIR SAR processing requirements are defined in terms of a nominal baseline design evolving from a 1977 VOIR mission study by JPL. A candidate onboard SAR processor architecture compatible with the VOIR requirements is described. Detailed implementation characteristics, based on currently available integrated circuits, are estimated in terms of chip count, weight, and power.

Arens, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Meteorology impact on ATC system design

The impact of meteorology on air traffic control (ATC) system design for designs, and for cost benefit evaluations is discussed. The myriad of choices for implementation is a problem of great magnitude, given the economic climate of today. Cost versus benefit requires greater emphasis. Expanding and improving weather data acquisition, increasing the speed of weather data transmission and automating those actions that lend themselves to standardization for automated data processing are outlined. Three programs are mentioned: (1) automated weather observations, (2) weather radar and improvements to the national airspace system as related to the handling of weather data; and (3) products.

Vandemark, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Effects of pulse width and coding on radar returns from clear air

In atmospheric radar studies it is desired to obtain maximum information about the atmosphere and to use efficiently the radar transmitter and processing hardware. Large pulse widths are used to increase the signal to noise ratio since clear air returns are generally weak and maximum height coverage is desired. Yet since good height resolution is equally important, pulse compression techniques such as phase coding are employed to optimize the average power of the transmitter. Considerations in implementing a coding scheme and subsequent effects of an impinging pulse on the atmosphere are investigated.

Cornish, C. R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

A high-resolution pseudo-polygon discrete element model for regional sea ice

Here, this work presents a pseudo-polygon discrete element model for high-resolution sea ice simulations. A scale-invariant bonded particle contact model is proposed to model joints between sea ice floes based on the smeared fracture model and a lattice spring beam model, and the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion is implemented to represent the shearing failure mechanism of sea ice packings under complex loadings. All mechanical parameters of the bond model can be directly determined from laboratory tests. Validations of the proposed model are made by investigations of mechanical response and failure criteria of field sea ice sheets. Compared with the field observations of sea ice from satellite radar and in situ stress sensors, the proposed model is capable of reproducing the typical constitutive behavior and the Coulomb friction envelope of field sea ice. Finally, the proposed discrete element sea ice model is used to study the effect of loading rates on mechanical behavior including failure strength of regional sea ice.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1986

A wide bandwidth electrostatic field sensor for lightning research

Data obtained from UHF Radar observation of direct-lightning strikes to the NASA F-106B airplane have indicated that most of the 690 strikes acquired during direct-strike lightning tests were triggered by the aircraft. As an aid in understanding the triggered lightning process, a wide bandwidth electric field measuring system was designed for the F-106B by implementing a clamped-detection signal processing concept originated at the Air Force Cambridge Research Lab in 1953. The detection scheme combines the signals from complementary stator pairs clamped to zero volts at the exact moment when each stator pair is maximally shielded by the rotor, a process that restores the dc level lost by the charge amplifier. The new system was implemented with four shutter-type field mills located at strategic points on the airplane. The bandwidth of the new system was determined in the laboratory to be from dc to over 100 Hz, whereas past designs had upper limits of 10 Hz to 100 Hz. To obtain the undisturbed electric field vector and total aircraft charge, the airborne field mill system is calibrated by using techniques involving results from ground and flight calibrations of the F-106B, laboratory tests of a metallized model, and a finite-difference time-domain electromagnetic computer code.

Zaepfel, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A wide bandwidth electrostatic field sensor for lightning research

Data obtained from UHF radar observation of direct-lightning strikes to the NASA F-106B aircraft have indicated that most of the 690 strikes acquired during direct-strike lightning tests were triggered by the aircraft. As an aid in understanding the triggered lightning process, a wide bandwidth electric field measuring system was designed for the F-106B by implementing a clamped-detection signal processing concept originated at the Air Force Cambridge Research Lab in 1953. The detection scheme combines the signals from complementary stator pairs clamped to zero bolts at the exact moment when each stator pair is maximally shielded by the rotor, a process that restores the dc level lost by the charge amplifier. The system was implemented with four shutter-type field mills located at strategic points on the aircraft. The bandwidth of the system was determined in the laboratory to be from dc to over 100 Hz, whereas past designs had upper limits of 10 to 100 Hz. To obtain the undisturbed electric field vector and total aircraft charge, the airborne field mill system is calibrated by using techniques involving results from ground and flight calibrations of the F-106B, laboratory tests of a metallized model, and a finite difference time-domain electromagnetic computer code.

Zaepfel, Klaus P.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Incorporation of EGPWS in the NASA Ames Research Center 747-400 Flight Simulator

The NASA Ames Research Center CAE Boeing 747300 flight simulator is used primarily for the study of human factors in aviation safety. The simulator is constantly upgraded to maintain a configuration match to a specific United Airlines aircraft and maintains the highest level of FAA certification to ensure credibility to the results of research programs. United's 747-400 fleet and hence the simulator are transitioning from the older Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) to the state-of-the-art Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). GPWS was an early attempt to reduce or eliminate Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). Basic GPWS alerting modes include: excessive descent rate, excessive terrain closure rate, altitude loss after takeoff, unsafe terrain clearance, excessive deviation below glideslope, advisory callouts and windshear alerting. However, since GPWS uses the radar altimeter which looks straight down, ample warning is not always provided. EGPWS retains all of the basic functions of GPWS but adds the ability to look ahead by comparing the aircraft position to an internal database and provide additional alerting and display capabilities. This paper evaluates three methods of incorporating EGPWS in the simulator and describes the implementation and architecture of the preferred option.

Sallant, Ghislain↗