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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 523 records · Page 29

Solid state electro-optic color filter and iris

A pair of solid state electro-optic filters (SSEF) in a binocular holder were designed and fabricated for evaluation of field sequential stereo TV applications. The electronic circuitry for use with the stereo goggles was designed and fabricated, requiring only an external video input. A polarizing screen suitable for attachment to various size TV monitors for use in conjunction with the stereo goggles was designed and fabricated. An improved engineering model 2 filter was fabricated using the bonded holder technique developed previously and integrated to a GCTA color TV camera. An engineering model color filter was fabricated and assembled using PLZT control elements. In addition, a ruggedized holder assembly was designed, fabricated and tested. This assembly provides electrical contacts, high voltage protection, and support for the fragile PLZT disk, and also permits mounting and optical alignment of the associated polarizers.

Source record↗

Reduced-dynamic technique for precise orbit determination of low earth satellites

A reduced-dynamic technique for precise orbit determination of low earth satellites is described. This technique optimally combines the conventional dynamic technique with the nondynamic technique which uses differential GPS continuous carrier phase to define the state transition. A Kalman filter formulation for this reduced-dynamic technique is given. A covariance analysis shows that when neither the dynamic nor the nondynamic technique is clearly superior, the reduced-dynamic technique appreciably improves the orbit accuracy. Guidelines for selecting a near-optimum weighting for the combination are given. Sensitivity to suboptimal weighting is assessed.

Wu, Sien-Chong↗

Kalman Filtering with Inequality Constraints for Turbofan Engine Health Estimation

Kalman filters are often used to estimate the state variables of a dynamic system. However, in the application of Kalman filters some known signal information is often either ignored or dealt with heuristically. For instance, state variable constraints (which may be based on physical considerations) are often neglected because they do not fit easily into the structure of the Kalman filter. This paper develops two analytic methods of incorporating state variable inequality constraints in the Kalman filter. The first method is a general technique of using hard constraints to enforce inequalities on the state variable estimates. The resultant filter is a combination of a standard Kalman filter and a quadratic programming problem. The second method uses soft constraints to estimate state variables that are known to vary slowly with time. (Soft constraints are constraints that are required to be approximately satisfied rather than exactly satisfied.) The incorporation of state variable constraints increases the computational effort of the filter but significantly improves its estimation accuracy. The improvement is proven theoretically and shown via simulation results. The use of the algorithm is demonstrated on a linearized simulation of a turbofan engine to estimate health parameters. The turbofan engine model contains 16 state variables, 12 measurements, and 8 component health parameters. It is shown that the new algorithms provide improved performance in this example over unconstrained Kalman filtering.

Simon, Dan↗

An adaptive technique for estimating the atmospheric density profile during the AE mission

A technique is presented for processing accelerometer data obtained during the AE missions in order to estimate the atmospheric density profile. A minimum variance, adaptive filter is utilized. The trajectory of the probe and probe parameters are in a consider mode where their estimates are unimproved but their associated uncertainties are permitted an impact on filter behavior. Simulations indicate that the technique is effective in estimating a density profile to within a few percentage points.

Argentiero, P.↗

Effect of DC Offset on the T-Wave Residuum Parameter

The T-wave residuum (TWR) is a relatively new 12-lead ECG parameter that may reflect cardiac repolarization heterogeneity. TWR shows clinical promise and may become an important diagnostic tool if accurate, consistent, and convenient methods for its calculation can be developed. However, there are discrepancies between the methods that various investigators have used to calculate TWR, as well as some questions about basic methodology and assumptions that require resolution. The presence of a DC offset or very low frequency AC component to the ECG is often observed. Many researchers have attempted to compensate for these by high pass filters and by median beat techniques. These techniques may help minimize the contribution of a low frequency AC component to the TWR, but they will not eliminate a DC offset inherent within the instrumentation. The present study examined the presence of DC offsets in the ECG record, and their effect on TWR. Specifically, in healthy individuals, a DC offset was added to all 8 channels collectively or to each channel selectively. Even with offsets that were relatively small compared to T-wave amplitude, the addition of either collectively or individually applied offsets was observed to produce very significant changes in the TWR, affecting its value by as much as an order of magnitude. These DC offsets may arise from at least two possible sources: a transient artifact from EMG or electrode movement resulting in a transient baseline offset in one or more channels. Since highpass filters have a settling time of several seconds, these artifacts will contribute to a transitory baseline offset lasting 1020 cycles. The machine hardware may also introduce an offset. Regardless of the cause or source of a DC offset, this study demonstrates that offsets have a very significant impact on TWR, and that future studies must not ignore their presence, but rather more appropriately compensate for them.

Scott, N.↗

Constrained optimization of image restoration filters

A linear shift-invariant preprocessing technique is described which requires no specific knowledge of the image parameters and which is sufficiently general to allow the effective radius of the composite imaging system to be minimized while constraining other system parameters to remain within specified limits.

Riemer, T. E.↗

Study of one- and two-dimensional filtering and deconvolution algorithms for a streaming array computer

The development of vector processing computers of the streaming array architectures has made possible a dramatic decrease in the time required for the solution of problems, i.e., for those algorithms which readily lend themselves to sequential operations on long vectors. There has concurrently been rapid growth in the applications of the techniques generally known as mathematical digital filtering, also called signal analysis, digital signal processing, time series analysis, and digital image processing. The best known applications of these techniques is to seismic data and two-dimensional images, data types consisting of very large collections of numbers. A major limitation for these cases is the size and speed of the computer available. Therefore, a move to the streaming array architecture can result in marked improvement in the data analysis techniques which may be employed.

Ioup, G. E.↗

Accelerometer Data Analysis and Presentation Techniques

The NASA Lewis Research Center's Principal Investigator Microgravity Services project analyzes Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment and Space Acceleration Measurement System data for principal investigators of microgravity experiments. Principal investigators need a thorough understanding of data analysis techniques so that they can request appropriate analyses to best interpret accelerometer data. Accelerometer data sampling and filtering is introduced along with the related topics of resolution and aliasing. Specific information about the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment and Space Acceleration Measurement System data sampling and filtering is given. Time domain data analysis techniques are discussed and example environment interpretations are made using plots of acceleration versus time, interval average acceleration versus time, interval root-mean-square acceleration versus time, trimmean acceleration versus time, quasi-steady three dimensional histograms, and prediction of quasi-steady levels at different locations. An introduction to Fourier transform theory and windowing is provided along with specific analysis techniques and data interpretations. The frequency domain analyses discussed are power spectral density versus frequency, cumulative root-mean-square acceleration versus frequency, root-mean-square acceleration versus frequency, one-third octave band root-mean-square acceleration versus frequency, and power spectral density versus frequency versus time (spectrogram). Instructions for accessing NASA Lewis Research Center accelerometer data and related information using the internet are provided.

Rogers, Melissa J. B.↗

Bolide Light-curve Analysis and Discrimination Explorer (BLADE)

SAND2025-09601O Bolide Light-curve Analysis and Discrimination Explorer (BLADE) is a robust, high-fidelity framework designed to analyze the light curves of bolides—objects detected from space. It automates the identification of fragmentation events and energy release modes, using advanced techniques like Savitzky-Golay filtering, prominence-based peak detection, and gradient analysis. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Silber, Elizabeth [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), ↗

IPC-Fusion (Infrastructure Perception and Control (IPC): Multisensor Data Fusion Software) [SWR-25-153]

As part of the National Laboratory of the Rockies' (NLR’s) Infrastructure Perception and Control Laboratory, the IPC-Fusion toolkit provides a probabilistic, scalable, multi-sensor fusion framework that integrates (late-stage fusion) heterogeneous object detection data from traffic sensors to enable robust, real-time tracking of roadway occupants. The algorithmic design of the toolkit is motivated by the need for creating a digital twin of traffic at the edge in a scalable and affordable manner. The software operates by combining object-level measurements (such as position and velocity) from a suite of sensors (such as radar, lidar, camera) using Kalman filtering and probabilistic data association techniques to overcome individual sensor limitations and achieve superior tracking performance in complex traffic zones. The framework addresses key challenges including heterogeneous measurement uncertainties, asynchronous data streams, varying spatiotemporal data resolutions, robust data association, and adaptive object lifecycle management. Validated on real-world traffic intersection data including vehicles and pedestrians, IPC-Fusion demonstrates enhanced tracking reliability across scenarios involving occlusions, sensor failures, and varying traffic densities, supporting the broader IPC initiative's goal of transforming transportation infrastructure through advanced perception capabilities for intelligent transportation systems, traffic safety applications, and autonomous vehicle support.

Sandhu, Rimple [National Laboratory of the Rockies↗

Experimental applications of multispectral data to natural resource inventory and survey

The feasibility of using multispectral, color, color infrared, thermal infrared imagery and related ground data to recognize, identify, determine and monitor the status of mineral ore and metals stockpiles is studied. An attempt was made to identify valid, unique spectral signatures of such materials for possible use under a wide variety of environmental circumstances. Research emphasis was upon the analysis of the multiband imagery from the various film-filter combinations, using density analysis techniques.

Mallon, H. J.↗

Radar satellite altimetry and ocean wave height estimation

The design of a radar satellite altimeter having a plus or minus 10 cm topographic resolution at 20 meter (peak-to-trough) ocean wave heights is described. In addition to altimetry, the resulting design also provides a measurement of significant wave height over the range of 1.0 to 20 meters to within plus or minus 10%. A full deramp pulse compression technique followed by an analog filter bank to separate individual range returns is used in the radar transmitter/receiver design to reduce the A/D converter bandwidth from a rather impractical 330 MHz to less than 1 MHz. The altimeter design utilizes an onboard maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) processor to achieve the plus or minus 10 cm topographic resolution. It is shown that an MLE processor provides simultaneous optimum (minimum variance) estimates of satellite altitude, ocean wave height and electromagnetic ocean surface reflectivity.

Dooley, R. P.↗

Technical guidance and analytic services in support of SEASAT-A

The design of a high resolution radar for altimetry and ocean wave height estimation was studied. From basic principles, it is shown that a short pulse wide beam radar is the most appropriate and recommended technique for measuring both altitude and ocean wave height. To achieve a topographic resolution of + or - 10 cm RMS at 5.0 meter RMS wave heights, as required for SEASAT-A, it is recommended that the altimeter design include an onboard adaptive processor. The resulting design, which assumes a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) processor, is shown to satisfy all performance requirements. A design summary is given for the recommended radar altimeter, which includes a full deramp STRETCH pulse compression technique followed by an analog filter bank to separate range returns as well as the assumed MLE processor. The feedback loop implementation of the MLE on a digital computer was examined in detail, and computer size, estimation accuracies, and bias due to range sidelobes are given for the MLE with typical SEASAT-A parameters. The standard deviation of the altitude estimate was developed and evaluated for several adaptive and nonadaptive split-gate trackers. Split-gate tracker biases due to range sidelobes and transmitter noise are examined. An approximate closed form solution for the altimeter power return is derived and evaluated. The feasibility of utilizing the basic radar altimeter design for the measurement of ocean wave spectra was examined.

Brooks, W. L.↗

Variational optimization analysis of temperature and moisture advection in a severe storm environment

Horizontal wind components, potential temperature, and mixing ratio fields associated with a severe storm environment in the south central U.S. were analyzed from synoptic upper air observations with a nonhomogeneous, anisotropic weighting function. Each data field was filtered with variational optimization analysis techniques. Variational optimization analysis was also performed on the vertical motion field and was used to produce advective forecasts of the potential temperature and mixing ratio fields. Results show that the dry intrusion is characterized by warm air, the advection of which produces a well-defined upward motion pattern. A corresponding downward motion pattern comprising a deep vertical circulation in the warm air sector of the low pressure system was detected. The axes alignment of maximum dry and warm advection with the axis of the tornado-producing squall line also resulted.

Mcfarland, M. J.↗

Processing corrections for Skylab photographic imagery

Camera filters were inadvertently omitted from the six-channel multispectral photographic camera (S190A) during the exposure of the first roll of film from each channel on the final manned Skylab mission. Each of the films was overexposed and degraded as a result of the filter omissions. Explained are the techniques used by the NASA/JSC Photographic Technology Division to evaluate and process those films. These or similar techniques can be used in other photographic multispectral remote sensing applications in which black-and-white infrared and panchromatic or color infrared film are degraded due to loss of filtration or to overexposure. Results prove that data may be salvaged after camera exposure errors are made thus saving the expense of reacquiring data.

Lockwood, H. E.↗

On the calculation of squaring loss in Costas loops with arbitrary arm filters

Specific numerical results for the squaring loss in Costas loop tracking are discussed for cases when the input data were biphase-L, and the Costas loop arm filters were of the n-pole Butterworth type. It is pointed out that a simple scientific calculator may be used for the computations, provided the transfer function of the arm filter has simple poles. The technique can also be used to compute the squaring loss in other modulation forms, such as unbalanced quadriphase-shift-keying (QPSK).

Simon, M. K.↗

Overview of the NASA tropospheric environmental quality remote sensing program

This paper will summarize the current NASA Tropospheric Environmental Quality Remote Sensing Program for studying the global and regional troposphere from space, airborne and ground-based platforms. As part of the program to develop remote sensors for utilization from space, NASA has developed a series of passive and active remote sensors which have undergone field test measurements from airborne and ground platforms. Recent measurements with active lidar and passive gas filter correlation and infrared heterodyne techniques will be summarized for measurements of atmospheric aerosols, CO, SO2, O3, and NH3. These measurements provide the data base required to assess the sensitivity of remote sensors for applications to urban and regional field measurement programs. Studies of Earth Observation Satellite Systems are currently being performed by the scientific community to assess the capability of satellite imagery to detect regions of elevated pollution in the troposphere. The status of NASA sponsored research efforts in interpreting satellite imagery for determining aerosol loadings over land and inland bodies of water will be presented, and comments on the potential of these measurements to supplement in situ and airborne remote sensors in detecting regional haze will be made.

Allario, F.↗