Accurate RF field monitoring in shielded enclosure
Use of two separate sensing antennas averts error due to reading of null caused by resonance.
Schmidt, A. P.↗
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Density measurements of trace gases
Nondispersive infrared absorption analyzer measures radiation absorption of specific gases. Apparatus uses feedback nulling to measure weak signals.
Dimeff, J.↗
Systematic study of error sources in supersonic skin-friction balance measurements
An experimental study was performed to investigate potential error sources in data obtained with a self-nulling, moment-measuring, skin-friction balance. The balance was installed in the sidewall of a supersonic wind tunnel, and independent measurements of the three forces contributing to the balance output (skin friction, lip force, and off-center normal force) were made for a range of gap size and element protrusion. The relatively good agreement between the balance data and the sum of these three independently measured forces validated the three-term model used. No advantage to a small gap size was found; in fact, the larger gaps were preferable. Perfect element alignment with the surrounding test surface resulted in very small balance errors. However, if small protrusion errors are unavoidable, no advantage was found in having the element slightly below the surrounding test surface rather than above it.
Allen, J. M.↗
Evaluation of algorithms for estimating wheat acreage from multispectral scanner data
The author has identified the following significant results. Fourteen different classification algorithms were tested for their ability to estimate the proportion of wheat in an area. For some algorithms, accuracy of classification in field centers was observed. The data base consisted of ground truth and LANDSAT data from 55 sections (1 x 1 mile) from five LACIE intensive test sites in Kansas and Texas. Signatures obtained from training fields selected at random from the ground truth were generally representative of the data distribution patterns. LIMMIX, an algorithm that chooses a pure signature when the data point is close enough to a signature mean and otherwise chooses the best mixture of a pair of signatures, reduced the average absolute error to 6.1% and the bias to 1.0%. QRULE run with a null test achieved a similar reduction.
Nalepka, R. F.↗
An avionics sensitivity study. Volume 2: Evaluation of airborne navigation system performance during RNAV/MLS transition
A computer simulation was modified to generate a suitable data base for performance of an avionics sensitivity study during RNAV/MLS transition. The avionics sensitivity data provides information necessary to establish requirements for additional guidance law design during transition and to establish airspace requirements for maneuvering to null out any residual RNAV errors upon MLS transition. The data base is also beneficial as planning information for subsequent flight testing.
Heine, W.↗
Control and stability problems of remote orbital capture
The dynamics and control aspects of orbital capture of space objects were studied. Differential angular rates and orientation between the object and the grappler were used to investigate the effects of misalignment as well as stability and control. The control responses after capture are discussed. The feasibility of nulling combined spin and nutation of a typical satellite is demonstrated by a Lagrangian formulation to establish a baseline situation. A free-flying teleoperator (FFTO) with a dynamically unbalanced grappler is shown to be desirable because extremely adverse cyclic torques may be generated. A combined teleoperator-satellite system assuming misalignments during capture was dynamically analyzed. Related responses and stability evaluations are included.
Kaplan, M. H.↗
The ultraviolet variations of iota Cas
The Ap variable star iota Cas was observed with the photometers on OAO-2 covering the spectral range 1430-4250 A. The ultraviolet light curves show a double wave with primary minimum and maximum at phase ? 0.00 and 0.35, respectively. Secondary minimum light is at phase ? 0.65 with secondary maximum at phase ? 0.85. The light curves longward of 3150 A vary in opposition to those shortward of this 'null region'. Ground-based coude spectra show that the Fe II and Cr II line strengths have a double-wave variation such that maximum strength occurs at minimum ultraviolet light. We suggest that the strong ultraviolet opacities due to photoionization and line blanketing by these metals may cause the observed photometric variations. We have also constructed an oblique-rotator model which shows iron and chromium lying in a great circle band rather than in circular spots.
Molnar, M. R.↗
A pseudo root-locus method for the design of a class of two-input-two-output systems
This paper presents the design of digital rebalance loops for a tuned-rotor gyro which is intended to be an attitude sensor in a strapdown inertial measurement unit. A tuned-rotor gyro is a two-degree-of-freedom gyro which has two input axes, with cross-coupling between them. The rebalance loop of the gyro serves for two purposes. First, it restores the position of the rotor to its null position after experiencing an attitude input. Second, the rebalancing signal, which is proportional to the attitude change, is calibrated to give the desired attitude information. Since the gyro has more than one input and one output, a multivariable control technique is needed for designing the rebalance loop. The analytic model for the gyro is described and the available design methods are examined. A new root-locus design technique specially developed for the present problem is outlined. The design of the rebalance loop using the new technique is given. The computer simulation result of the designed system is presented and discussed.
Kao, M. K.↗
An optical sensor for the drag-free satellite
An optical sensor for drag-free satellites is described. It is based on using fluorescent re-emission from the proof mass excited by a pulsed ultraviolet source, a technique that separates the frequencies of the excited and excitant light fluxes. A theoretical analysis of the performance and linearity of the sensor was verified by the results on a laboratory prototype. The sensor provided a measure of the position of a 4 cm radius proof mass in a 10 cm cavity to an accuracy of 1 mm. Null drift and thermal gradients caused errors less than 0.05 mm.
De Hoff, R. L.↗
Variations in chemical composition of Apollo 15 mare basalts
Chemical analyses of 30 different Apollo 15 mare basalts were examined to evaluate the effects of closure on the pearson moment correlation coefficient. It is shown possible to describe the Apollo 15 mare basalts in terms of an opaque, an olivine/pyroxene, an anorthite, and a KREEP component, if significant correlations are identified using the expected correlations as null values. Using Q-mode cluster analysis and nonlinear mapping, it is possible to recognize three groups of the mare basalts, groups 1 and 2 belonging to the olivine normative basalt cluster and group 3 to the quartz normative cluster.
Butler, J. C.↗
Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility
The Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) will combine high sensitivity with the flexibility offered by the Space Transportation System. A recently completed study has generated a preliminary design which demonstrates the feasibility of SIRTF. The 1.0 to 1.5 meter aperture, f/8 Gregorian telescope will be cooled to 20 K by a stored supercritical helium system. The telescope will be pointed and stabilized at two levels: the European-developed Instrument Pointing System provides primary pointing and stabilization; and an internal star tracker senses residual errors and drives a folding mirror inside the telescope to null the errors. The folding mirror can also be driven by square or triangular waves to provide space chopping or small-area scanning.
Mccarthy, S. G.↗
Nonlinear optical response of metal-barrier-metal junctions
The optical response of metal-barrier-metal (MBM) junctions is discussed, with emphasis on the nonlinearity of response associated with reversal of polarity as optical intensity is increased. This nonlinear behavior can be used to measure correlation functions of optical pulses or to generate ultrashort electrical pulses. Expressions for the current flowing through the insulating barrier (junction), and for the rectification current, are given. Pulse signal and polarity of the electrical pulse evolves as the junction bias is varied about the null-signal bias. The apparatus used to obtain rectification pulse signals is described; the calculated evolution of the rectified pulse shape is found to correspond to that of pulse signals obtained experimentally. The generation of pulses six orders of magnitude smaller than a previously-obtained instrument-limited 1.6 nanosecond pulse has been observed.
Fan, B.↗
Application of symbolic/numeric matrix solution techniques to the NASTRAN program
The matrix solving algorithm of any finite element algorithm is extremely important since solution of the matrix equations requires a large amount of elapse time due to null calculations and excessive input/output operations. An alternate method of solving the matrix equations is presented. A symbolic processing step followed by numeric solution yields the solution very rapidly and is especially useful for nonlinear problems.
Buturla, E. M.↗
Bioprocessing feasibility analysis
The biology and pathophysiology of the thymus gland is discussed and a clinical procedure for thymic hormone assay is described. The separation of null lymphocytes from mice spleens and the functional characteristics of the cells after storage and transportation were investigated to develop a clinical procedure for thymic hormone assay, and to determine whether a ground-based approach will provide the desired end-product in sufficient quantities, or whether the microgravity of space should be exploited for more economical preparation of the hormone.
Source record↗
Separation of lymphocytes by electrophoresis under terrestrial conditions and at zero gravity, phase 3
Electrophoretic mobilities (EPM) of peripheral lymphocytes were studied from normal subjects, chronic hemodialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. A technique to separate B lymphocytes and null cells from non-T lymphocyte preparation was developed. The experiments were designed to determine which subpopulation of the non-T lymphocytes is primarily affected and shows a decreased EPM in chronic hemodialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients.
Rubin, A. L.↗
Interplanetary magnetic holes: Theory
Magnetic holes in the interplanetary medium are explained as stationary, non-propagating, equilibrium structures in which there are field-aligned enhancements of the plasma density and/or temperature. Magnetic anti-holes are considered to be associated with depressions in the plasma pressure. In this model, the observed changes in the magnetic field intensity and direction are due to diamagnetic currents that are carried by ions which drift in a sheath as the result of gradients in the magnetic field and in the plasma pressure within the sheath. The thickness of the sheaths considered is approximately a few ion Larmor radii. An electric field is normal to the magnetic field in the sheath. Solutions of Vlasov's equation and Maxwell's equations are presented which account for several types of magnetic holes, including null-sheets, that were observed.
Burlaga, L. F.↗
Profile design for an advanced-technology airfoil for general aviation aircraft
A profile from the NASA General Aviation Whitcomb series and NACA profiles are used as a starting point in designing an advanced airfoil for general aviation aircraft. Potential theory pressure distribution calculations, together with boundary layer calculations, permit a decrease in the null moment and an optimization of the lift characteristics of the wing. Trailing edge flap design is also improved. Wind tunnel tests are used to compare the conventional profiles, the NASA profile, and the improved design.
Welte, D.↗
ATS-6 ascending - Near horizon measurements over water at 30 GHz
The return of the ATS-6 satellite to a western longitude during the fall of 1976 presented a unique opportunity to perform low-angle-of-elevation measurements at 30 GHz. For this purpose a receiver using a 1.5 m antenna was set up at Port Aransas, Texas, resulting in a propagation path entirely over water. The 30 GHz beacon was monitored daily for at least one hour from 8 September to 21 September 1976. During the time the elevation angle changed from 1.5 to 17.3 deg, the mean attenuation decreased from 20 to 2 dB and the standard deviation from over 6 dB to less than .2 dB. The deep fades at angles below 4 deg show significantly sharper nulls than peaks on a log scale. Spectra of the log amplitude fluctuations vary as the (-8/3) power of the spectral frequency in the limit. A flattening is noticeable at the low frequencies. A precipitation even at 8.5 deg elevation produced a 16 dB fade and significantly increased the variance.
Vogel, W. J.↗