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At least 451 records · Page 25

Spectral decontamination of a real-time helicopter simulation

Nonlinear mathematical models of a rotor system, referred to as rotating blade-element models, produce steady-state, high-frequency harmonics of significant magnitude. In a discrete simulation model, certain of these harmonics may be incompatible with realistic real-time computational constraints because of their aliasing into the operational low-pass region. However, the energy is an aliased harmonic may be suppressed by increasing the computation rate of an isolated, causal nonlinearity and using an appropriate filter. This decontamination technique is applied to Sikorsky's real-time model of the Black Hawk helicopter, as supplied to NASA for handling-qualities investigations.

Mcfarland, R. E.↗

Development of a spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer preliminary observational results

In order to observe extended astronomical objects at high spatial and spectral resolution, a spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer was constructed. Among the properties chosen for the instrument are an air-spaced, piezoelectrically scanned design allowing an accurately settable free spectral range and employing a single etalon of high finesse. Careful design of the etalon mountings and optical train preserves high ligh throughput. Spectra of single spatial elements with a photomultiplier were obtained, and an SEC vidicon detector was used to record a series of images through the interferometer while scanning the wavelength in discrete steps. The latter procedure yields sufficient information to reconstruct spectral features over the entire object, and for the conditions assumed, either series of observations requires only a small fraction of a rotational period for Jupiter or Saturn. An electronic control system was also constructed which permits rapid and flexible variation of the operational mode of the Fabry-Perot and its ancilliary devices so as to minimize loss of observational time.

Smith, W. H.↗

Onboard Processor for Compressing HSI Data

With EO-1 Hyperion and MightySat in orbit NASA and the DoD are showing their continued commitment to hyperspectral imaging (HSI). As HSI sensor technology continues to mature, the ever-increasing amounts of sensor data generated will result in a need for more cost effective communication and data handling systems. Lockheed Martin, with considerable experience in spacecraft design and developing special purpose onboard processors, has teamed with Applied Signal & Image Technology (ASIT), who has an extensive heritage in HSI, to develop a real-time and intelligent onboard processing (OBP) system to reduce HSI sensor downlink requirements. Our goal is to reduce the downlink requirement by a factor greater than 100, while retaining the necessary spectral fidelity of the sensor data needed to satisfy the many science, military, and intelligence goals of these systems. Our initial spectral compression experiments leverage commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) spectral exploitation algorithms for segmentation, material identification and spectral compression that ASIT has developed. ASIT will also support the modification and integration of this COTS software into the OBP. Other commercially available COTS software for spatial compression will also be employed as part of the overall compression processing sequence. Over the next year elements of a high-performance reconfigurable OBP will be developed to implement proven preprocessing steps that distill the HSI data stream in both spectral and spatial dimensions. The system will intelligently reduce the volume of data that must be stored, transmitted to the ground, and processed while minimizing the loss of information.

Cook, Sid↗

Preliminary Results of the Analysis

The preliminary results of the photometry of CaII K spectroheliograms taken at the NationalSolar Observatory at Sacramento peak are presented in this paper. We have digitizedspectroheliograms for 1980 (maximum of SC21), 1985 (minimum of SC21), 1987 (beginning of theascending phase of SC22), 1988 and 1989 (ascending phase and maximum of SC22), and 1992(declining phase of SC22). We have analyzed images for 1992 and separated the plages, the magneticnetwork, internetwork elements and the chromospheric background using histogram method. Wehave derived the intensity and area of these features as well as the full disk intensity (Spatial KIndex). The Spatial K Index has been compared to the spectral Ca K index derived from the lineprofiles and total solar and UV irradiance measured by the UARS and NOAA9 satellites. Thecontribution of plages, the magnetic network and internetwork element to the changes observed intotal solar and UV irradiances are also estimated.

CaII K Spectroheliograms↗

Spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer - Its development and preliminary observational results

In order to observe extended astronomical objects at high spatial and spectral resolution, we have constructed a spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer (SPIFI). Among the properties chosen for the instrument are an air-spaced, piezoelectrically scanned design allowing an accurately settable free spectral range and employing a single etalon of high finesse. Careful design of the etalon mountings and optical train preserves high light throughput. We either obtain spectra of single spatial elements with a photomultiplier or use an SEC vidicon detector to record a series of images through the interferometer while scanning the wavelength in discrete steps. The latter procedure yields sufficient information to reconstruct spectral features over the entire object. For the conditions assumed, either series of observations requires only a small fraction of a rotational period for Jupiter or Saturn, for example.

Smith, W. H.↗

An Integral Field Spectrograph Utilizing Mirrorlet Arrays

An integral field spectrograph (IFS) has been developed that utilizes a new and novel optical design to observe two spatial dimensions simultaneously with one spectral dimension. This design employs an optical 2-D array of reflecting and focusing mirrorlets. This mirrorlet array is placed at the imaging plane of the front-end telescope to generate a 2-D array of tiny spots replacing what would be the slit in a traditional slit spectrometer design. After the mirrorlet in the optical path, a grating on a concave mirror surface will image the spot array and provide high-resolution spectrum for each spatial element at the same time; therefore, the IFS simultaneously obtains the 3-D data cube of two spatial and one spectral dimensions. The new mirrorlet technology is currently in-house and undergoing laboratory testing at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Section 1 describes traditional classes of instruments that are used in Heliophysics missions and a quick introduction to the new IFS design. Section 2 discusses the details of the most generic mirrorlet IFS, while section 3 presents test results of a lab-based instrument. An example application to a Heliophysics mission to study solar eruptive events in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths is presented in section 4 that has high spatial resolution (0.5 arc sec pixels) in the two spatial dimensions and high spectral resolution (66 m) across a 15 spectral window. Section 4 also concludes with some other optical variations that could be employed on the more basic IFS for further capabilities of this type of instrument.

Chamberlin, Phillip C.↗

Early season spring small grains direct proportion estimation - Development and evaluation of a Landsat based methodology

The Inventory Technology Development (ITD) project of the Agriculture and Resources Inventory Surveys Through Aerospace Remote Sensing (AgRISTARS) program has developed an accurate, automated technology for early season estimation of spring small grains areal proportion from Landsat MSS data. The design criteria for an early season procedure included estimates available within the first 30 days of the growing season, low data processing/preprocessing requirements and no need for scene-to-scene registration. The prototype estimator which meets the design goals is based on a constrained linear model in which the observed spectral response of an entire scene is modeled as a linear combination of the major constituent elements in the scene. The procedure was evaluated over 100 sample segments collected for crop years 1976 through 1979 in the U.S. Northern Great Plains. Analysis of the test results indicated accuracy that compare favorably with both the automated at-harvest technologies tested during the FY81-82 AgRISTARS Spring Small Grains Pilot experiments and earlier analyst-intensive at-harvest technologies.

Phinney, D. E.↗

Investigation of CCD-digicon detector system characteristics

The reported investigation was undertaken with the aim to develop state-of-the-art detector technology for use in astronomical observations. Basic properties of the Digicon concept are to be extended to the two-dimensional capabilities of CCDs. The basic CCD-Digicon tube configuration utilizes a thinned, backside-illuminated CCD in place of the linear, discrete diode array at the back end of a windowed space telescope (ST) design Digicon tube. It is pointed out that the detector system built around the considered device promises to exhibit high photometric accuracy in combination with large numbers of uniform independent resolution elements. Potential applications include space astronomy missions with capability for observations extending into the extreme ultraviolet spectral region. Attention is given to continuing investigations into the characteristics of CCD response to backside photoelectron bombardment, taking into account the development of charge pulse centroiding readout techniques in combination with magnetic deflection substepping.

Hier, R. G.↗

The phase reversal phenomenon at flow separation and reattachment

Tests were conducted on two different airfoils, one of them in a low-turbulence tunnel, to detect laminar separation and turbulent reattachment locations. A 'nonintrusive' multielement sensor consisting of a large number of closely spaced individual nickel films was vacuum deposited on a thin substrate and bonded to the airfoil model surface. Each sensor element was a part of an independent constant temperature anemometer system. Time history as well as spectral analysis of signals from surface film gauges were used to determine the surface shear flow characteristics. A major breakthrough was achieved with the discovery of phase reversal in low-frequency dynamic shear stress signals across regions of flow separation and reattachment.

Stack, J. Pete↗

An inverse problem approach for structural damage detection - Finite element model refinement

In this work, a methodology for incorporating measured modal data into an existing refined finite element model is examined with the objective of detecting and locating structural damage. This same algorithm is also useful in terms of finite element model refinement. The algorithm is based on the partial inverse problem, in that only partial spectral information is required. The technique utilizes a symmetric eigenstructure assignment algorithm to perform the partial spectral assignment. Algorithms to enhance mode shape assignability and to preserve sparsity in the updated model are developed. The sparsity preservation is of particular importance when considering damage detection in truss-like structures. Several examples are presented which highlight the key points made within the paper.

Zimmerman, D. C.↗

Spatially modulated interferometer and beam shearing device therefor

A spatially modulated interferometer incorporates a beam shearing system having a plurality of reflective surfaces defining separate light paths of equal optical path length for two separate output beams. The reflective surfaces are arranged such that when the two beams emerge from the beam shearing system they contain more than 50 percent of the photon flux within the selected spectral pass band. In one embodiment, the reflective surfaces are located on a number of prism elements combined to form a beam shearing prism structure. The interferometer utilizing the beam sharing system of the invention includes fore-optics for collecting light and focusing it into a beam to be sheared, and a detector located at an exit pupil of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the interferometer has no moving parts.

Reininger, Francis M.↗

Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Slitless Spectrometer: Design, Prototype, and Results

The slitless spectrometer plays an important role in the Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission for the survey of emission-line galaxies. This will be an unprecedented very wide field, HST quality 3D survey of emission line galaxies. The concept of the compound grism as a slitless spectrometer has been presented previously. The presentation briefly discusses the challenges and solutions of the optical design, and recent specification updates, as well as a brief comparison between the prototype and the latest design. However, the emphasis of this paper is the progress of the grism prototype: the fabrication and test of the complicated diffractive optical elements and powered prism, as well as grism assembly alignment and testing. Especially how to use different tools and methods, such as IR phase shift and wavelength shift interferometry, to complete the element and assembly tests. The paper also presents very encouraging results from recent element tests to assembly tests. Finally we briefly touch the path forward plan to test the spectral characteristic, such as spectral resolution and response.

Grism↗

Direct Numerical Simulation of Receptivity to Roughness in a Swept-Wing Boundary Layer at High Reynolds Numbers

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are performed to examine the receptivity to roughness in a spatially developing three-dimensional boundary layer over an in finite-swept natural-laminar-flow wing at a free stream Mach number of 0:75 and a chord Reynolds number of approximately 25 million based on the long, swept chord. Stationary cross ow disturbances are excited by applying either critically spaced discrete cylinders of micron size or naturally occurring distributed roughness in the leading-edge region. The DNS data show that the spanwise spectral content of the excited cross ow disturbances is highly dependent upon the shape of roughness elements, and the initial growth of the cross ow structures is a nonlinear function of the element height. The linear growth rate of the excited cross ow disturbances predicted by DNS shows good agreement with linear parabolized stability equations. The receptivity study lays the foundation for investigating the stabilization of the naturally most unstable steady cross ow mode by using spanwise periodic DREs.

Nicholson, Gary↗

Remote sensing technology - The 24-channel multispectral scanner.

The multispectral scanner system installed in the NASA C-130 aircraft for use in the Earth Observations Aircraft Program constitutes a 24-channel imaging spectrometer that senses electromagnetic energy in the spectral interval from .34 to 13 microns. Energy reflected or emitted from the terrain and system calibration sources is collected by a scan mirror, reflected into collecting optics, and brought to a focus in a plane containing a 0.09 inch square aperture. A dichroic optical element splits the energy which passes through the aperture into two wavelength bands (wavelengths above and below 2 microns). These wavelength bands are then dispersed spectrally into 24 distinct spectral bands by two grating spectrometers. The spectral intervals are transformed into electrical signals by separate detector-preamplifier combinations, and the signals are used as inputs to a video processor in an airborne electronics console. System operation and performance are described.

Hayre, H. S.↗

Deconvolving Terrestrial Alteration Mineral Spectral Signatures from Meteorite Reflectance Measurements

When a meteorite enters into the earth's atmosphere, it is immediately subjected to various chemical reactions between its minerals and the elements in our thick atmosphere. These reactions alter the mineralogy of the meteorites. Some examples of the altered minerals in some meteorites are summarized. If meteorites can be linked to their corresponding parent body asteroid in space, we can improve our understanding of the solar system. Spectroscopy has been used in determining the links between asteroids and meteorites. However, meteorite weathering in the Earth s atmosphere also has an effect on meteorite spectra, and altered spectra can easily confuse asteroid connections. The goal of this project is to study the mineral and spectral changes due to Earth's environment and to design a computer simulation to correct meteorite spectra for the effects of terrestrial weathering.

Shah, Sweta↗

Spectral Line Parameters Including Temperature Dependences of Self- and Air-Broadening in the 2 (left arrow) 0 Band of CO at 2.3 micrometers

Temperature dependences of pressure-broadened half-width and pressure-induced shift coefficients along with accurate positions and intensities have been determined for transitions in the 2<--0 band of C-12 O-16 from analyzing high-resolution and high signal-to-noise spectra recorded with two different Fourier transform spectrometers. A total of 28 spectra, 16 self-broadened and 12 air-broadened, recorded using high- purity (greater than or equal to 99.5% C-12-enriched) CO samples and CO diluted with dry air(research grade) at different temperatures and pressures, were analyzed simultaneously to maximize the accuracy of the retrieved parameters. The sample temperatures ranged from 150 to 298K and the total pressures varied between 5 and 700 Torr. A multispectrum nonlinear least squares spectrum fitting technique was used to adjust the rovibrational constants (G, B, D, etc.) and intensity parameters (including Herman-Wallis coefficients), rather than determining individual line positions and intensities. Self-and air-broadened Lorentz half-width coefficients, their temperature dependence exponents, self- and air-pressure-induced shift coefficients, their temperature dependences, self- and air-line mixing coefficients, their temperature dependences and speed dependence have been retrieved from the analysis. Speed-dependent line shapes with line mixing employing off-diagonal relaxation matrix element formalism were needed to minimize the fit residuals. This study presents a precise and complete set of spectral line parameters that consistently reproduce the spectrum of carbon monoxide over terrestrial atmospheric conditions.

Devi, V. Malathy↗

Solar-Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment 1. I - Instrument design and operation

The main objective for the Solar-Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) is to accurately measure the full disk solar spectral irradiance in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral region over a long time period. To meet this objective, SOLSTICE has the unique capability of making routine observations of the UV radiation from a set of early-type stars, using the identical optical elements and detectors employed for the solar observations. The stars selected for this calibration are assumed, on the basis of stellar evolution theory, to be extremely stable in the UV spectral region. Moreover, it is the average flux from a number of stars, perhaps from as many as 25, that is assumed to be stable. The SOLSTICE 1 is on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), and the overall design and operation of the instrument are discussed. The quality of the solar and stellar data is extremely high and preliminary results indicate that the technique is working well.

Rottman, Gary J.↗

Spectral analysis for automated exploration and sample acquisition

Future space exploration missions will rely heavily on the use of complex instrument data for determining the geologic, chemical, and elemental character of planetary surfaces. One important instrument is the imaging spectrometer, which collects complete images in multiple discrete wavelengths in the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum. Extensive computational effort is required to extract information from such high-dimensional data. A hierarchical classification scheme allows multispectral data to be analyzed for purposes of mineral classification while limiting the overall computational requirements. The hierarchical classifier exploits the tunability of a new type of imaging spectrometer which is based on an acousto-optic tunable filter. This spectrometer collects a complete image in each wavelength passband without spatial scanning. It may be programmed to scan through a range of wavelengths or to collect only specific bands for data analysis. Spectral classification activities employ artificial neural networks, trained to recognize a number of mineral classes. Analysis of the trained networks has proven useful in determining which subsets of spectral bands should be employed at each step of the hierarchical classifier. The network classifiers are capable of recognizing all mineral types which were included in the training set. In addition, the major components of many mineral mixtures can also be recognized. This capability may prove useful for a system designed to evaluate data in a strange environment where details of the mineral composition are not known in advance.

Eberlein, Susan↗