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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 469 records · Page 26

Formal proof of the AVM-1 microprocessor using the concept of generic interpreters

A microprocessor designated AVM-1 was designed to demonstrate the use of generic interpreters in verifying hierarchically decomposed microprocessor specifications. This report is intended to document the high-order language (HOL) code verifying AVM-1. The organization of the proof is discussed and some technical details concerning the execution of the proof scripts in HOL are presented. The proof scripts used to verify AVM-1 are also presented.

Windley, P.↗

Theoretical and experimental studies relevant to interpretation of auroral emissions

The accomplishments achieved over the past year are detailed with emphasis on the interpretation or auroral emissions and studies of potential spacecraft-induced contamination effects. Accordingly, the research was divided into two tasks. The first task is designed to add to the understanding of space vehicle induced external contamination. An experimental facility for simulation of the external environment for a spacecraft in low earth orbit was developed. The facility was used to make laboratory measurements of important phenomena required for improving the understanding of the space vehicle induced external environment and its effect on measurement of auroral emissions from space-based platforms. A workshop was sponsored to provide a forum for presentation of the latest research by nationally recognized experts on space vehicle contamination and to discuss the impact of this research on future missions involving space-based platforms. The second task is to add an ab initio auroral calculation to the extant ionospheric/thermospheric global modeling capabilities. Once the addition of the code was complete, the combined model was to be used to compare the relative intensities and behavior of various emission sources (dayglow, aurora, etc.). Such studies are essential to an understanding of the types of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) auroral images which are expected to be available within two years with the successful deployment of the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) on the ISTP POLAR spacecraft. In anticipation of this, the second task includes support for meetings of the science working group for the UVI to discuss operational and data analysis needs. Taken together, the proposed tasks outline a course of study designed to make significant contributions to the field of space-based auroral imaging.

Keffer, Charles E.↗

Interpretation of plasma diagnostics package results in terms of large space structure plasma interactions

The Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) is a spacecraft which was designed and built at The University of Iowa and which contained several scientific instruments. These instruments were used for measuring Space Shuttle Orbiter environmental parameters and plasma parameters. The PDP flew on two Space Shuttle flights. The first flight of the PDP was on Space Shuttle Mission STS-3 and was a part of the NASA/Office of Space Science payload (OSS-1). The second flight of the PDP was on Space Shuttle Mission STS/51F and was a part of Spacelab 2. The interpretation of both the OSS-1 and Spacelab 2 PDP results in terms of large space structure plasma interactions is emphasized.

Kurth, William S.↗

The saturation of the electron-cyclotron maser instability and the interpretation of solar millisecond spikes

A self-consistent numeric two-dimensional code of the kinetic wave-particle equations developed to investigate the maser dynamics in the solar context is applied to solar millisecond-spike observations in order to improve the diagnostic capabilities of the theory of the electron-cyclotron maser instablitity. Attention is given to the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field selecting magneto-ionic modes with relatively short saturation lengths and suppressing mechanisms such as collisional deflection, free-free absorption, and gyroresonance absorption. The time scales of maser saturation in respect to time scales of global particle changes in a magnetic loop are covered, relevant observations of solar millisecond spikes are described, and the interpretation in terms of physical parameters deduced from the quasi-linear maser simulations are presented. It is demonstrated that the quasi-linear simulations make it possible to constrain the physical parameters from the observed time scale and frequency.

Aschwanden, M. J.↗

The SPICE concept - An approach to providing geometric and other ancillary information needed for interpretation of data returned from space science instruments

The Navigation Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF), acting under the direction of NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications, and with substantial participation of the planetary science community, is designing and implementing an ancillary data system - called SPICE - to assist scientists in planning and interpreting scientific observations taken from spaceborne instruments. The principal objective of the implemented SPICE system is that it will hold the essential geometric and related ancillary information needed to recover the full value of science instrument data, and that it will facilitate correlations of individual instrument datasets with data obtained from other instruments on the same or other spacecraft.

Acton, Charles H., Jr.↗

Neural network classification - A Bayesian interpretation

The relationship between minimizing a mean squared error and finding the optimal Bayesian classifier is reviewed. This provides a theoretical interpretation for the process by which neural networks are used in classification. A number of confidence measures are proposed to evaluate the performance of the neural network classifier within a statistical framework.

Wan, Eric A.↗

Thermospheric gravity waves - Observations and interpretation using the transfer function model (TFM)

This paper presents some numerical experiments performed with the TFM to study the various wave components excited in the auroral regions that propagate through the thermosphere and lower atmosphere, and to demonstrate the properties of realistic source geometries. The model is applied to the interpretation of satellite measurements, and gravity waves seen in the thermosphere of Venus are discussed. Gravity waves are prominent in the terrestrial thermosphere polar region and can be excited by perturbations in Joule heating and Lorentz force due to magnetospheric processes. Observations from the Dynamics Explorer-2 satellite are used to illustrate the complexity of the phenomenon and to review the TFM that is utilized.

Mayr, H. G.↗

A guide to the use of theoretical models of the solar nebula for the interpretation of the meteoritic record

Attempts to derive a theoretical framework for the interpretation of the meteoritic record have been frustrated by our incomplete understanding of the fundamental processes that controlled the evolution of the primitive solar nebula. Nevertheless, it is possible to develop qualitative models of the nebula that illuminate its dynamic character, as well as the roles of some key parameters. These models draw on the growing body of observational data on the properties of disks around young, solar-type stars, and are constructed by applying the results of known solutions of protostellar collapse problems; making simple assumptions about the radial variations of nebular variables; and imposing the integral constraints demanded by conservation of mass, angular momentum, and energy. The models so constructed are heuristic, rather than predictive; they are intended to help us think about the nebula in realistic ways, but they cannot provide a definitive description of conditions in the nebula.

Cassen, Pat↗

Application of machine learning and expert systems to Statistical Process Control (SPC) chart interpretation

Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts are one of several tools used in quality control. Other tools include flow charts, histograms, cause and effect diagrams, check sheets, Pareto diagrams, graphs, and scatter diagrams. A control chart is simply a graph which indicates process variation over time. The purpose of drawing a control chart is to detect any changes in the process signalled by abnormal points or patterns on the graph. The Artificial Intelligence Support Center (AISC) of the Acquisition Logistics Division has developed a hybrid machine learning expert system prototype which automates the process of constructing and interpreting control charts.

Shewhart, Mark↗

AIRSAR observations of the Gulf Stream with interpretation from sea truth and modeling

On 20 Jul., JPL/DC-8 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) participated in the 17-21 Jul. 1990 NRL Gulf Stream (GS) experiment in preparation for SIR-C missions in 1993, 1994, and 1996 for calibration purposes and to check modes and techniques for operation at our experimental site off the east coast of the US. During this experiment, coordinated and near simultaneous measurements were performed from ship (R/V Cape Henlopen) and other aircraft (NADC/P-3 and NRL/P-3) to address scientific questions relating to the origin of 'slick-like' features observed by Scully-Power, the refraction and modulation of waves by variable currents, the effect of current and thermal fronts on radar imagery signatures and the modification of Kelvin ship wakes by fronts. The JPL/DC-8 and NADC/P-3 SAR's are fully polarimetric systems. Their composite frequency range varies between P- and X-band. We describe in detail the Airborne SAR (AIRSAR) participation in the Jul. 1990 GS experiment and present preliminary results of the ongoing analysis and interpretation of the radar imagery in the context of ground truth, other remote measurements, and modeling efforts.

Valenzuela, G. R.↗

Theoretical and experimental studies relevant to interpretation of auroral emissions

The results obtained in the second year of a three year collaborative effort with MSFC are summarized. A succession of experimental studies was completed to determine the effects of the natural and induced space vehicle environment on the measurement of auroral images from space-based platforms. In addition, a global model which incorporates both auroral and dayglow emission sources is being developed to allow interpretation of measured auroral emissions. A description of work completed on these two tasks is presented.

Keffer, Charles E.↗

An interpretation of the field alignment in AM Herculis type systems

The magnetic white dwarfs in AM Herculis-type systems are known to have field structures which differ significantly from that of a centered dipole. The implied quadrupole asymmetry is used to explain the observed orientations of the accretion regions relative to the red star. In particular, an interpretation is presented of the result that in four systems where two accretion shocks are observed, the region with the weaker magnetic pole is the stronger accretor.

Wickramasinghe, D. T.↗

Transient periodicities in X-ray-active red dwarfs - First results from Mount Cuba and interpretation with an oscillating loop model

Results from a program at the Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory to optically monitor transient periodicities in flare stars are reported. The data are analyzed for periodicities by means of a modified autocorrelation approach. A randomization technique is used to assess the statistical significance of periods. In AD Leonis, variability with amplitude 0.4 percent and a period of 4.1 min was detected during one run on March 6, 1991: the probability that this periodicity is due to chance is 10 exp -5. Further observations obtained on AD Leo within 1-2 hr on the same night showed no significant variability (0.01). It is shown that optical periodicities of the sort detected may be interpreted as arising from oscillations in coronal loops.

Mullan, D. J.↗

Interpreting asteroid photometry and polarimetry using a model of shadowing and coherent backscattering

The shadow-hiding models for the opposition effect and negative polarization of atmosphereless solar system bodies do not explain some experimental findings, such as the enhancing opposition effect and negative polarization with decreasing particle size down to wavelength scales. The enhancement for laboratory photometric and polarimetric data on artificial glass samples with different particle size is shown. These results are in agreement with the so-called coherent backscattering or interference mechanism proposed for the interpretation of the opposition effect and negative polarization. Two different approaches for describing the opposition effect and negative polarization produced by the shadow-interference mechanism were developed. One is based on exact electromagnetic solutions for simple scattering systems that include dipole-dipole and dipole-surface coupling; The other is based on a point-scatterer approximation characterized by model photometric and polarimetric phase functions, and the mutual shadowing effect is derived using virtual volumes associated with the point-scatterers. Both approaches yield qualitatively similar results, although neither is entirely satisfactory. We regard them as prototypes for a future unified model of shadowing and coherent backscattering. The sharp opposition effect of 44 Nysa and the asteroid albedo-polarization rule are here explained using the point-scatterer approach.

Shkuratov, Y. G.↗

Interpretation of Voyager UVS observations of occultations by the atmosphere of Neptune

We propose to continue our investigation of the upper atmosphere of Neptune based primarily on the solar occultation measurements made by the Voyager Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS). The ultimate goal of this research is to understand the structure and composition of Neptune's upper atmosphere as encoded in the data base obtained by the UVS during the Voyager 2 encounter with Neptune. The UVS occultations provide information essential to studies of atmospheric composition and structure, energy balance, photochemistry, global transport, ionospheric structure, and airglow production mechanisms. In conjunction with other research in progress at the University of Arizona and by our colleagues at other institutions, we not only analyze and interpret individual measurements or observations by the UVS, but also construct models of the upper atmosphere which are consistent with all available data obtained by the UVS. We derive constraints from measurements of the atmospheric emissions and we combine these with constraints derived from the occultation measurements. Principal sources for the atmospheric emissions include dayglow, resonance scattering and, at long wavelengths, the reflected solar spectrum. On the dark side of the planet, a weak H Ly alpha emission is due to resonance scattering of the sky background and perhaps another source. Thus a wide range of physical processes are at work, and each provides its own constraints on the atmosphere.

Sandel, Bill R.↗

Application of fuzzy set and Dempster-Shafer theory to organic geochemistry interpretation

An application of fuzzy sets and Dempster Shafter Theory (DST) in modeling the interpretational process of organic geochemistry data for predicting the level of maturities of oil and source rock samples is presented. This was accomplished by (1) representing linguistic imprecision and imprecision associated with experience by a fuzzy set theory, (2) capturing the probabilistic nature of imperfect evidences by a DST, and (3) combining multiple evidences by utilizing John Yen's generalized Dempster-Shafter Theory (GDST), which allows DST to deal with fuzzy information. The current prototype provides collective beliefs on the predicted levels of maturity by combining multiple evidences through GDST's rule of combination.

Kim, C. S.↗

Scalar gain interpretation of large order filters

A technique is developed which demonstrates how to interpret a large fully-populated filter gain matrix as a set of scalar gains. The inverse problem is also solved, namely, how to develop a large-order filter gain matrix from a specified set of scalar gains. Examples are given to illustrate the method.

Mason, Paul A. C.↗

Enhancements to the Engine Data Interpretation System (EDIS)

The Engine Data Interpretation System (EDIS) expert system project assists the data review personnel at NASA/MSFC in performing post-test data analysis and engine diagnosis of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). EDIS uses knowledge of the engine, its components, and simple thermodynamic principles instead of, and in addition to, heuristic rules gathered from the engine experts. EDIS reasons in cooperation with human experts, following roughly the pattern of logic exhibited by human experts. EDIS concentrates on steady-state static faults, such as small leaks, and component degradations, such as pump efficiencies. The objective of this contract was to complete the set of engine component models, integrate heuristic rules into EDIS, integrate the Power Balance Model into EDIS, and investigate modification of the qualitative reasoning mechanisms to allow 'fuzzy' value classification. The results of this contract is an operational version of EDIS. EDIS will become a module of the Post-Test Diagnostic System (PTDS) and will, in this context, provide system-level diagnostic capabilities which integrate component-specific findings provided by other modules.

Hofmann, Martin O.↗