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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 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Considerations in the placement of phase calibration tones

In the use of tones to calibrate unwanted instrumental phases for very long baseline interferometry experiments, certain problems exist which are related to the placement of these phase calibrator tones. (1) A bias exists in an analytically generated stopping function used during correlation if its frequency satisfies the following condition; f = (f sub s)x(m)/n, where f sub s = sampling frequency, m = any integer, and n = any odd integer. (2) Due to the quantized representation of sine waves in the stopping function, odd harmonics of the fundamental frequencies are generated. Several mechanisms are available through which these harmonics can cause errors in the residual phase extracted from the recorded tones. (3) When multiple tones are injected into a pass band, intermodulation products can occur. The magnitude of these effects is discussed along with strategies designed to avoid them.

Young, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The sensitivity of a very long baseline interferometer

The theoretical sensitivity of various methods of acquiring and processing interferometer data are compared. It is shown that for a fixed digital recording capacity one bit quantization of single sideband data filtered with a rectangular bandpass and sampled at the Nyquist rate yields the optimum signal to noise ratio. The losses which result from imperfect bandpass, poor image rejection, approximate methods of fringe rotation, fractional bit correction, and loss of quadrature are discussed. Also discussed is the use of the complex delay function as a maximum likelihood fringe estimator.

Rogers, A. E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Interpretation of laser/multi-sensor data for short range terrain modeling and hazard detection

A terrain modeling algorithm that would reconstruct the sensed ground images formed by the triangulation scheme, and classify as unsafe any terrain feature that would pose a hazard to a roving vehicle is described. This modeler greatly reduces quantization errors inherent in a laser/sensing system through the use of a thinning algorithm. Dual filters are employed to separate terrain steps from the general landscape, simplifying the analysis of terrain features. A crosspath analysis is utilized to detect and avoid obstacles that would adversely affect the roll of the vehicle. Computer simulations of the rover on various terrains examine the performance of the modeler.

Messing, B. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On extracting brightness temperature maps from scanning radiometer data

The extraction of brightness temperature maps from scanning radiometer data is described as a typical linear inverse problem. Spatial quantization and parameter estimation is described and is suggested as an advantageous approach to a solution. Since this approach takes into explicit account the multivariate nature of the problem, it permits an accurate determination of the most detailed resolution extractable from the data as well as explicitly defining the possible compromises between accuracy and resolution. To illustrate the usefulness of the method described for algorithm design and accuracy prediction, it was applied to the problem of providing brightness temperature maps during the NOSS flight segment. The most detained possible resolution was determined and a curve which displays the possible compromises between accuracy and resolution was provided.

Argentiero, P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Nebular condensation of Ga, Ge and Sb and the chemical classification of iron meteorites

The quantization of the Ga and Ge contents in iron meteorites, which is used as a key parameter in the chemical classification of iron meteorites, is discussed in terms of nebular condensation. The calculation of nebular equilibrium condensation is examined, taking into account the dependence of the activity coefficient on temperature and composition, and recent calculations of the condensation temperatures of Ga, Ge, Sb, Au, As and Cu are presented, noting that Ge is the most volatile siderophile, followed by Ga and Sb. The narrow intragroup ranges of Ga and Ge are interpreted in terms of minimal fractionation during core crystallization, while the larger ranges of Sb are attributed to its significantly smaller solid/liquid distribution coefficient in IIIAB meteorites.

Wai, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On-board radiometric preprocessing for multispectral linear arrays /MLA/

A program that was undertaken to design, fabricate, and test a real-time hardwired data preprocessor is described, which applies a calibration normalization to each detector in a 576-element linear photodiode array. Various calibration problems were uncovered, such as those (1) due to system noise in recording the calibration tables, or (2) due to thermal drift and (3) due to the original quantization process. It was determined that in this experiment, noise and thermal drift led to fixed errors in the normalization of responses on the order of + or - 10 counts, out of 255 counts for many of the detectors.

Thompson, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Spatial quantification of maps or images - Cell size or pixel size implications

The paper discusses spatial quantification of maps or images. Spatial accuracies evaluated by mapping and inventory measures were observed with a range of cell sizes for a 10.36 sq km soil survey segment. The distribution of interboundary distances in a map was evaluated as unique, characterizing information; experimentally observed relationships between accuracy and cell size and interboundary distance distribution parameters and cell size led to a model of the process of spatial quantization. Grid positioning effects were evaluated and were significant only at the level of individual mapping units; two generations of 'universal' process models were derived, implemented, and evaluated.

Wehde, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Gravitational radiation detection with spacecraft Doppler tracking - Limiting sensitivities and prospective missions

The prospects of using spacecraft Doppler tracking, in NASA missions, for the detection of gravitational waves are examined. The sensitivity limits of such detection are characterized in terms of plasma scintillation, troposphere scintillation, receiver noise, MDA and ODA quantization error, and clock jitter. Current and possible future NASA missions that will involve gravitational wave experiments are briefly reviewed, including the Galileo, solar polar, Halley/Tempel-2, and solar probe missions.

Estabrook, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Saturn's E ring revisited

Images of the E ring of Saturn obtained by the image processing of photographs of the 1966 edge-on presentation of the planet's ring plane are presented. Two methods of image enhancement were used: scanning with an image quantizer operated in the derivative mode to enhance contrast and computerized subtraction of a circularly symmetric image of the overexposed Saturn disk. Further photographic and CCD observation confirming the existence of the ring extending to twice the diameter of the A ring, which was not detected by the Pioneer 11 imaging photopolarimeter, is indicated.

Feibelman, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Application of digital terrain data to quantify and reduce the topographic effect on LANDSAT data

Integration of LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) data with 30 m U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) digital terrain data was undertaken to quantify and reduce the topographic effect on imagery of a forested mountain ridge test site in central Pennsylvania. High Sun angle imagery revealed variation of as much as 21 pixel values in data for slopes of different angles and aspects with uniform surface cover. Large topographic effects were apparent in MSS 4 and 5 was due to a combination of high absorption by the forest cover and the MSS quantization. Four methods for reducing the topographic effect were compared. Band ratioing of MSS 6/5 and MSS 7/5 did not eliminate the topographic effect because of the lack of variation in MSS 4 and 5 radiances. The three radiance models examined to reduce the topographic effect required integration of the digital terrain data. Two Lambertian models increased the variation in the LANDSAT radiances. The nonLambertian model considerably reduced (86 per cent) the topographic effect in the LANDSAT data. The study demonstrates that high quality digital terrain data, as provided by the USGS digital elevation model data, can be used to enhance the utility of multispectral satellite data.

Justice, C. O.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Electromagnetic cascades in pulsars

The development of pair photon cascades initiated by high energy electrons above a pulsar polar cap is simulated numerically. The calculation uses the energy of the primary electron, the magnetic field strength, and the period of rotation as parameters and follows the curvature radiation emitted by the primary, the conversion of this radiation e(+) - e(-) pairs in the intense fields, and the quantized synchrotron radiation by the secondary pairs. A recursive technique allows the tracing of an indefinite number of generations using a Monte Carlo method. Gamma ray and pair spectra are calculated for cascades in different parts of the polar cap and with different acceleration models. It is found that synchrotron radiation from secondary pairs makes an important contribution to the gamma ray spectrum above 25 MeV, and that the final gamma ray and pair spectra are insensitive to the height of the accelerating region, as long as the acceleration of the primary electrons is not limited by radiation reaction.

Daugherty, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

High resolution angular sensor

Specifications for the pointing stabilization system of the large space telescope were used in an investigation of the feasibility of reducing ring laser gyro output quantization to the sub-arc-second level by the use of phase locked loops and associated electronics. Systems analysis procedures are discussed and a multioscillator laser gyro model is presented along with data on the oscillator noise. It is shown that a second order closed loop can meet the measurement noise requirements when the loop gain and time constant of the loop filter are appropriately chosen. The preliminary electrical design is discussed from the standpoint of circuit tradeoff considerations. Analog, digital, and hybrid designs are given and their applicability to the high resolution sensor is examined. the electrical design choice of a system configuration is detailed. The design and operation of the various modules is considered and system block diagrams are included. Phase 1 and 2 test results using the multioscillator laser gyro are included.

Gneses, M. I.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of information theory to the design of line-scan imaging systems

Information theory is used to formulate a single figure of merit for assessing the performance of line scan imaging systems as a function of their spatial response (point spread function or modulation transfer function), sensitivity, sampling and quantization intervals, and the statistical properties of a random radiance field. Computational results for the information density and efficiency (i.e., the ratio of information density to data density) are intuitively satisfying and compare well with experimental and theoretical results obtained by earlier investigators concerned with the performance of TV systems.

Huck, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Accuracy and convergence of a finite element algorithm for laminar boundary layer flow

The Galerkin-weighted residuals formulation is employed to derive an implicit finite element solution algorithm for a generally non-linear initial-boundary value problem. Solution accuracy and convergence with discretization refinement are quantized in several error norms, for the non-linear parabolic partial differential equation system governing laminar boundary layer flow, using linear, quadratic and cubic functions. Richardson extrapolation is used to isolate integration truncation error in all norms, and Newton iteration is employed for all equation solutions performed in double-precision. The mathematical theory supporting accuracy and convergence concepts for linear elliptic equations appears extensible to the non-linear equations characteristic of laminar boundary layer flow.

Soliman, M. O.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Collisional excitation of electron Landau levels in strong magnetic fields

The cross sections for the excitation and deexcitation of the quantized transverse energy levels of an electron in a magnetic field are calculated for electron-proton and electron-electron collisions in light of the importance of the cross sections for studies of X-ray pulsar emission. First-order matrix elements are calculated using the Dirac theory of the electron, thus taking into account relativistic effects, which are believed to be important in accreting neutron stars. Results for the collisional excitation of ground state electrons by protons are presented which demonstrate the importance of proton recoil and relativistic effects, and it is shown that electron-electron excitations may contribute 10 to 20% of the excitation rate from electron-proton scattering in a Maxwellian plasma. Finally, calculations of the cross section for electron-proton small-angle scattering are presented which lead to relaxation rates for the electron velocity distribution which are modified by the magnetic field, and to a possible increase in the value of the Coulomb logarithm.

Langer, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Superfluid Helium Experiment for Spacelab 2

The Superfluid Helium Experiment is designed to study the properties of superfluid helium in zero gravity and demonstrate the operation of a versatile reusable superfluid helium experiment facility. The superfluid experiment will consist of three subexperiments. The quantized surface wave experiment is intended to contribute to an understanding of the quantum nature of He-2 and the interactions between the normal and superfluid components. The bulk fluid dynamics experiment will determine the response of the bulk helium to known accelerations. The thermal dynamics experiment will attempt to obtain a detailed understanding of the spatial distribution of temperatures and the thermal frequency spectrum in the bulk liquid. In addition, the superfluid helium cryostat will be instrumented to measure its performance in several critical areas.

Mason, P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Information efficiency of line-scan imaging mechanisms

Information theory is used to formulate a single figure of merit for assessing the performance of line-scan imaging systems as a function of their spatial response (PSF or MTF), sensitivity, and sampling and quantization intervals and of the statistical properties of a random radiance field. Information density and efficiency (i.e., the ratio of information density to data density) tend to be optimum when the MTF and sampling passband of the imaging system are matched to the Wiener spectrum of the radiance field. Computational results for the statistical properties of natural radiance fields and the responses of common line-scan imaging mechanisms indicate that information density and efficiency are not strongly sensitive to variations in typical statistical properties of the radiance field and that the best practically realizable performance is approached when the sampling intervals are approximately 0.5-0.7 times the equivalent diameter of the PSF.

Huck, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An examination of spectral band ratioing to reduce the topographic effect on remotely sensed data

Spectral-band ratioing of radiance data is examined as a means of reducing the topographic effect in multispectral data. A ground-based nadir-pointing two-channel radiometer filtered for the red and photographic IR portions of the spectrum was used to measure the topographic effect associated with a uniform surface inclined from horizontal to 60 deg at 16 compass points and for several solar elevations. It is found that ratioing reduced the topographic effect in the field-measured radiance data by an average of 83%, that the remaining topographic effect could be further reduced by subtracting the scattered-light component of the global irradiance before ratioing, and that ratioing was not effective in reducing the topographic effect on shaded surfaces illuminated solely by scattered light. It is concluded that additional variations in ratios can be expected for Landsat data owing to sensor calibration and quantization.

Holben, B.↗