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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 55 records · Page 3

Forest canopy characterization and vegetation penetration assessment with space-borne radar

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Shuttle Imaging Radar-B mission were used to analyze the effects of radar incidence angle on information content and vegetation penetration. Three SAR data sets using incidence angles of 26, 46, and 58 deg were acquired over the mangrove jungles of Southern Bangladesh. The data sets were digitally processed using 3 x 3, 7 x 7, and 11 x 11 spatial filters and geometrically registered to a multisource-multilevel-corraborative data base consisting of Landsat data, forest map data, and in situ acquired forest enumeration and topographic information. Analyses revealed that significant vegetation 'penetration' was found at all angles, and that tree and canopy structural morphology may exert an influence on this phenomenon.

Imhoff, M.↗

Assistant for Analyzing Tropical-Rain-Mapping Radar Data

A document is defined that describes an approach for a Tropical Rain Mapping Radar Data System (TDS). TDS is composed of software and hardware elements incorporating a two-frequency spaceborne radar system for measuring tropical precipitation. The TDS would be used primarily in generating data products for scientific investigations. The most novel part of the TDS would be expert-system software to aid in the selection of algorithms for converting raw radar-return data into such primary observables as rain rate, path-integrated rain rate, and surface backscatter. The expert-system approach would address the issue that selection of algorithms for processing the data requires a significant amount of preprocessing, non-intuitive reasoning, and heuristic application, making it infeasible, in many cases, to select the proper algorithm in real time. In the TDS, tentative selections would be made to enable conversions in real time. The expert system would remove straightforwardly convertible data from further consideration, and would examine ambiguous data, performing analysis in depth to determine which algorithms to select. Conversions performed by these algorithms, presumed to be correct, would be compared with the corresponding real-time conversions. Incorrect real-time conversions would be updated using the correct conversions.

James, Mark↗

Machine Learning Automated Analysis of Enormous Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Datasets

X-ray diffraction (XRD) data analysis can be a time-consuming and laborious task. Deep neural network (DNN) based models trained with synthetic XRD patterns have been proven to be a highly efficient, accurate, and automated method for analyzing common XRD data collected from solid samples in ambient environments. However, it remains unclear whether synthetic XRD-based models can be effective in solving micro(μ)-XRD mapping data for in situ experiments involving liquid phases, which always have lower quality and significant artifacts. In this study, we collected μ-XRD mapping data from a LaCl 3 -calcite hydrothermal fluid system and trained two categories of models to analyze the experimental XRD patterns. Here, the models trained solely with synthetic XRD patterns showed low accuracy (as low as 64%) when solving experimental μ-XRD mapping data. However, the accuracy of the DNN models significantly improved (90% or above) when we trained them with a data set containing both synthetic and a small number of labeled experimental μ-XRD patterns. This study highlights the importance of labeled experimental patterns in training DNN models to solve μ-XRD mapping data from in situ experiments involving liquid phases.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sea Ice Identification Using Dual-Polarized Ku-Band Scatterometer Data

Maps of sea ice have been based on a combination of observations from aircraft and ships, and infrared and passive microwave data from various spaceborne sensors. Described here is the potential of using dual-polarized scatterometer returns from the polar oceans to identify the edge of the ice cover. This ice edge could be used to compute the ice extent, which may be a useful indicator of climatic changes.

Ocean↗

Use of ERTS data for mapping Arctic sea ice

This investigation is to evaluate the application of ERTS data for detecting and mapping Arctic sea ice. The specific objectives are to determine the spectral bands most suitable for detecting ice, to measure the scale and types of ice features that can be detected, and to develop interpretive techniques for differentiating ice from clouds and for mapping ice concentrations. The ERTS data are being analyzed primarily for three Arctic areas, the eastern Beaufort Sea, Baffin Bay, and the Greenland Sea.

Barnes, J. C.↗

Timber Volume and Biomass Estimates in Central Siberia from Satellite Data

Mapping of boreal forest's type, structure parameters and biomass are critical for understanding the boreal forest's significance in the carbon cycle, its response to and impact on global climate change. The biggest deficiency of the existing ground based forest inventories is the uncertainty in the inventory data, particularly in remote areas of Siberia where sampling is sparse, lacking, and often decades old. Remote sensing methods can help overcome these problems. In this joint US and Russian study, we used the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) and unique waveform data of the geoscience laser altimeter system (GLAS) and produced a map of timber volume for a 10degx12deg area in Central Siberia. Using these methods, the mean timber volume for the forested area in the total study area was 203 m3/ ha. The new remote sensing methods used in this study provide a truly independent estimate of forest structure, which is not dependent on traditional ground forest inventory methods.

Ranson, K. Jon↗

Canopy Cover Predictions using Ground Observations and Remotely Sensed Data

Maps of vegetation status are needed at many scales, from the field level to monitor ecosystem condition to the global level to understand the carbon cycle. Status is quantified by such variables as leaf area index, biomass, and fraction of canopy cover. Current methods of predicting vegetation variables use remote sensing data to provide a spatially exhaustive data source. In a study in western Montana, several hundred ground observations made by the US Forest Service on tenth-acre conifer plots were used to develop aspatial regression and geostatistical prediction models. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values from Landsat Thematic Mapper images were used as ancillary data. These models were then used to predict canopy cover at unsampled locations in a 97 square kilometer region on the boundary of the Flathead National Forest and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Independent data from two dates six years apart were used for validation. Given the assumption that actual canopy cover remained relatively unchanged within this time period, partial validation can be achieved by measuring the correspondence of the two maps. This criterion results in ranking the aspatial regression maps as less accurate than the geostatistically generated maps. The geostatistical approach emphasizes ground measurements more heavily than does aspatid regression. Geostatistical simulations of canopy cover also provide a means of describing uncertainty about the patterns of canopy cover.

Dungan, Jennifer L.↗

Classification of simple vegetation types using POLSAR image data

Mapping basic vegetation or land cover types is a fairly common problem in remote sensing. Knowledge of the land cover type is a key input to algorithms which estimate geophysical parameters, such as soil moisture, surface roughness, leaf area index or biomass from remotely sensed data. In an earlier paper, an algorithm for fitting a simple three-component scattering model to POLSAR data was presented. The algorithm yielded estimates for surface scatter, double-bounce scatter and volume scatter for each pixel in a POLSAR image data set. In this paper, we show how the relative levels of each of the three components can be used as inputs to simple classifier for vegetation type. Vegetation classes include no vegetation cover (e.g. bare soil or desert), low vegetation cover (e.g. grassland), moderate vegetation cover (e.g. fully developed crops), forest and urban areas. Implementation of the approach requires estimates for the three components from all three frequencies available using the NASA/JPL AIRSAR, i.e. C-, L- and P-bands. The research described in this paper was carried out by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Freeman, A.↗

Classification of Simple Vegetation Types Using POLSAR Image Data

Mapping basic vegetation or land cover types is a fairly common problem in remote sensing. Knowledge of the land cover type is a key input to algorithms which estimate geophysical parameters, such as soil moisture, surface roughness, leaf area index or biomass from remotely sensed data. In an earlier paper, an algorithm for fitting a simple three-component scattering model to POLSAR data was presented. The algorithm yielded estimates for surface scatter, double-bounce scatter and volume scatter for each pixel in a POLSAR image data set. In this paper, we show how the relative levels of each of the three components can be used as inputs to a simple classifier for vegetation type.

Freeman, A.↗

Utilization of spaceborne SAR data for mapping

Recent developments in automated processing of digital SEASAT SAR imagery have made feasible the generation of large-scale high-resolution maps. Standard preprocessing of raw data into digital images results in geometrically distorted imagery. Computer algorithms have been developed for unsupervised pixel location, geometric rectification, and mosaicking of multiple-image frames without ground control points. These algorithms utilize knowledge of the spacecraft trajectory data, the imaging geometry, and the coherent properties of the sensor to generate the required processing parameters. This paper discusses the advantages as well as the inherent limitations of this technique, analyzes the associated errors, and presents results using SEASAT SAR imagery. Also discussed are the results of the recent shuttle imaging radar (SIR-A) experiment as well as a follow-on experiment (SIR-B) planned for 1984.

Curlander, J. C.↗

Use of ERTS data for mapping snow cover in the western United States

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the application of ERTS data for mapping snow cover, primarily in the mountainous areas of the western United States. The specific objectives are to determine the spectral interval most suitable for snow detection, to determine the accuracy with which snow lines can be mapped in comparison with the accuracies attainable from other types of measurements, and to develop techniques to differentiate reliably between snow and clouds and to understand the effects of terrain and forest cover on snow detection.

Barnes, J. C.↗

Low-Altitude AVIRIS Data for Mapping Land Cover in Yellowstone National Park: Use of Isodata Clustering Techniques

Northeast Yellowstone National Park (YNP) has a diversity of forest, range, and wetland cover types. Several remote sensing studies have recently been done in this area, including the NASA Earth Observations Commercial Applications Program (EOCAP) hyperspectral project conducted by Yellowstone Ecosystems Studies (YES) on the use of hyperspectral imaging for assessing riparian and in-stream habitats. In 1999, YES and NASA's Commercial Remote Sensing Program Office began collaborative study of this area, assessing the potential of synergistic use of hyperspectral, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and multiband thermal data for mapping forest, range, and wetland land cover. Since the beginning, a quality 'reference' land cover map has been desired as a tool for developing and validating other land cover maps produced during the project. This paper recounts an effort to produce such a reference land cover map using low-altitude Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data and unsupervised classification techniques. The main objective of this study is to assess ISODATA classification for mapping land cover in Northeast YNP using select bands of low-altitude AVIRIS data. A secondary, more long-term objective is to assess the potential for improving ISODATA-based classification of land cover through use of principal components analysis and minimum noise fraction (MNF) techniques. This paper will primarily report on work regarding the primary research objective. This study focuses on an AVIRIS cube acquired on July 23, 1999, by the confluence of Soda Butte Creek with the Lamar River. Range and wetland habitats dominate the image with forested habitats being a comparatively minor component of the scene. The scene generally tracks from southwest to northeast. Most of the scene is valley bottom with some lower side slopes occurring on the western portion. Elevations within the AVIRIS scene range from approximately 1998 to 2165 m above sea level, based on US Geological Survey (USGS) 30-m digital elevation model (DEM) data. Despain and the National Park Service (NPS) provide additional description of the study area.

Spruce, Joseph P.↗

Caldera-structure relationships in Kenya - Observations from satellite data

Maps were constructed showing lineaments displayed on four Landsat MSS images, to study volcanic-tectonic relationships in the Kenya segment of the Gregory or eastern sector of the East African rift system. Many of the mapped lineaments correlated well with fractures shown on geological maps. Selected lineaments, transverse to the rift trend, could be extrapolated to intersect rift faults at locations correlative with the locations of Kenya's seven volcanic calderas. The volcano-genetic difference between these intersections vs. similar intersections having no obvious relationship to any type of volcanic vent is not yet understood.

Blodget, Herbert W.↗