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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) From Space - Laser Altimeters

Light detection and ranging, or lidar, is like radar but atoptical wavelengths. The principle of operation and theirapplications in remote sensing are similar. Lidars havemany advantages over radars in instrument designs andapplications because of the much shorter laser wavelengthsand narrower beams. The lidar transmitters and receiveroptics are much smaller than radar antenna dishes. Thespatial resolution of lidar measurement is much finer thanthat of radar because of the much smaller footprint size onground. Lidar measurements usually give a better temporalresolution because the laser pulses can be much narrowerthan radio frequency (RF) signals. The major limitation oflidar is the ability to penetrate clouds and ground surfaces.

Sun, Xiaoli↗
NASA NTRS1979

New space initiatives through large generic structures

New possibilities in satellite communications, surveillance, and orbital experimentation provided by the capability to construct and deploy Large Space Structures (LSS) are presented. The advent of the Shuttle will allow deployment of larger antennas with much larger gain sizes, noting new applications in communications, radiometry, and radar in frequencies from 0.24 to 14 GHz. Applications in multi-beam communication which can hold spot sizes on the ground down to 30 miles in diameter, new applications of the large aperture radar antenna, and estimates of soil moisture by the microwave radiometer are discussed. The Solar Power Satellite consisting of a large solar collector orbiting the earth at geosynchronous altitude over the equator which requires ability to construct LSS in space is described, noting the design of solar cells and materials of construction, including graphite composites and aluminum alloys. Space construction procedures and equipment are considered, noting that the most likely procedure would deliver the subsystems to orbit separately, and then construct the spacecraft on-orbit and assemble the satellite.

Johnson, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) and Helium Aerostats to Perform Far-Field Radiation Pattern Measurements of High-Frequency Antennas

A new methodology is described for performing near-free space far-field radiation pattern measurements of high frequency (HF) antennas utilizing small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) and helium-filled aerostat balloons for the radar antennas onboard NASA’s planned Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa. Adapted from land-based measurements, this test methodology involves hoisting the antenna to be tested above the earth to minimize ground interactions while flying a sUAS with onboard measurement package to map the far field radiation pattern. Initial results producing radiation pattern maps are promising with work remaining to fully adapt fixed VHF measurements to the dynamic HF antenna test setup.

Decrossas, Emmanuel↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data Product: Ka ARM Zenith Radar (KAZR), in CfRadial format: precipitation mode, corrected

The KAZRCFRCOR Value Added Product (VAP) performs several corrections to the ingested KAZR data and also creates a significant detection mask for each radar mode. The VAP computes gaseous attenuation as a function of time and radial distance from the radar antenna, based on ambient relative humidity, and corrects observed reflectivities for that effect. KAZR reflectivities are also corrected in the antenna ‘nearfield’ range to compensate for the near-field antenna pattern and gain. KAZRCFRCOR also dealiases mean Doppler velocities, to correct velocities whose magnitudes exceed the radar’s Nyquist velocity. This dataset contains the 'kazrpr' (precipitation) mode output from this VAP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data Product: Ka ARM Zenith Radar (KAZR), in CfRadial format: general mode, corrected

The KAZRCFRCOR Value Added Product (VAP) performs several corrections to the ingested KAZR data and also creates a significant detection mask for each radar mode. The VAP computes gaseous attenuation as a function of time and radial distance from the radar antenna, based on ambient relative humidity, and corrects observed reflectivities for that effect. KAZR reflectivities are also corrected in the antenna ‘nearfield’ range to compensate for the near-field antenna pattern and gain. KAZRCFRCOR also dealiases mean Doppler velocities, to correct velocities whose magnitudes exceed the radar’s Nyquist velocity. This dataset contains the 'kazrge' (general) mode output from this VAP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data Product: Ka ARM Zenith Radar (KAZR), in CfRadial format: moderate sensitivity mode, corrected

The KAZRCFRCOR Value Added Product (VAP) performs several corrections to the ingested KAZR data and also creates a significant detection mask for each radar mode. The VAP computes gaseous attenuation as a function of time and radial distance from the radar antenna, based on ambient relative humidity, and corrects observed reflectivities for that effect. KAZR reflectivities are also corrected in the antenna ‘nearfield’ range to compensate for the near-field antenna pattern and gain. KAZRCFRCOR also dealiases mean Doppler velocities, to correct velocities whose magnitudes exceed the radar’s Nyquist velocity. This dataset contains the 'kazrmd' (moderate sensitivity) mode output from this VAP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1995

Microwave Imaging and Holographic Diagnostic to Antennas in Cylindrical Near-Field Measurement

In this paper, the issues pertaining to microwave imaging and holographic diagnostic to antennas in cylindrical near-field measurements are addressed. The theoretical approach is based on expanding the work in [1] and [2] where a cylindrical wave expansion of the field on a cylindrical near-field surface is given. The sampling probe is modeled by its equivalent aperture current (idealized circular aperture) and incorporated into the near-field to far-field transformation. The method of steepest decent is applied to obtain the far-field. In its implementation, however, one could specify directly the angular spectrum at which the far-field is desired to be calculated without resorting to interpolation. The microwave imaging and holographic diagnostic is based on back projection where a plane wave expansion of the far-field is obtained. This approach necessitates the knowledge of the far-field at exact angular spectrum resulting from application of 2-D FFT. Hence, we were able to construct simply the near-field on a plane not necessarily on the aperture plane of the test antenna but also on planes perpendicular to the aperture plane [3]. And a 3-D high resolution and high precision antenna imaging of the test antenna is obtained from cylindrical near-field simulated measurements. In addition microwave holographic diagnostic of large NASA scatterometer radar antenna obtained from measured near-field on a cylindrical surface will be given if time permits.

Microwave Imaging Holographic↗
NASA NTRS1974

Distribution and size of elements of Saturn's rings as inferred from 12-cm radar observations

A 64m radar antenna was used to observe Saturn's rings at 12.6 cm wavelength, with reduced Doppler spread. The results show a positive radar return corresponding to about a 60 percent return from an isotropic scatterer with the projected area of the rings, allowing for the Cassini division. A radar spectrogram of the rings is shown with power density plotted against Doppler frequency shift.

Morris, G. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A demonstration of stereophotogrammetry with combined SIR-B and Landsat TM images

Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B) and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images can be viewed stereoscopically if the illumination geometries are compatible. To create the stereoscopic effect points must be coregistered. Simplified stereophotogrammetric equations permit the height of an object above a reference plane to be crudely calculated from the target offset toward the SIR-B radar antenna with reference to its position on a TM image. Precision is limited by pixel resolution and target correlation. Future spaceborne imaging radar missions will offer the potential for topographic mapping in many areas where TM coverage is available.

Bloom, Arthur L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ka-Band ARM Zenith Radar Corrections (KAZRCOR, KAZRCFRCOR) Value-Added Products

The Ka-Band Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Zenith Radar Corrections (KAZRCOR) and KA-Band ARM Zenith Radar CF-Radial, Corrected (KAZRCFRCOR) value-added products (VAPs) perform several corrections to the ingested KAZR moments and also create a significant detection mask for each radar mode. The VAPs compute gaseous attenuation as a function of time and radial distance from the radar antenna, based on ambient meteorological observations, and correct observed reflectivities for that effect. Mean Doppler velocities are dealiased to correct velocities whose magnitudes exceed the radar’s Nyquist velocity. Input KAZR data fields are passed through to the KAZRCOR or KAZRCFRCOR output files, in their native time and range coordinates. Complementary corrected reflectivity and velocity fields are provided, along with a mask of significant detections and a number of data quality flags. This report covers the KAZRCOR VAP as applied to the original KAZR radars and the upgraded KAZR2 radars. Originally, prior to late 2019, there were two separate code bases for the different radar versions. Following the harmonization of KAZR and KAZR2 data formats in 2019, only a single code base is required. The new combined KAZR and KAZR2 code base is called the KAZRCFRCOR VAP. The ‘cfr portion of the VAP name refers to the Radial Climate and Forecasting data format standards that are used in these data sets. Throughout this report, references to ‘KAZRCOR’ should be taken to apply to the ‘KAZRCFRCOR’ VAP as well unless there is an explicit statement to the contrary.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ka-Band ARM Zenith Radar Corrections (KAZRCOR, KAZRCFRCOR) Value-Added Products

The KAZRCOR Value -added Product (VAP) performs several corrections to the ingested KAZR moments and also creates a significant detection mask for each radar mode. The VAP computes gaseous attenuation as a function of time and radial distance from the radar antenna, based on ambient meteorological observations, and corrects observed reflectivities for that effect. KAZRCOR also dealiases mean Doppler velocities to correct velocities whose magnitudes exceed the radar’s Nyquist velocity. Input KAZR data fields are passed through into the KAZRCOR output files, in their native time and range coordinates. Complementary corrected reflectivity and velocity fields are provided, along with a mask of significant detections and a number of data quality flags. This report covers the KAZRCOR VAP as applied to the original KAZR radars and the upgraded KAZR2 radars. Currently there are two separate code bases for the different radar versions, but once KAZR and KAZR2 data formats are harmonized, only a single code base will be required.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1986

Beam steering system

A simple technique for steering the beam of a multimodule phased array MST (mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere) radar antenna is described. It is desirable to be able to point the antenna in multiple directions, so as to derive all components of the horizontal velocity. This was done on an experimental basis by adding parallel wire line to the feed and achieving a southward tilt of the antenna. It is proved possible to steer the beam through most of the available range without adversely affecting the VSWR seen from the transmitter. Calibrating the antenna direction can be accomplished by observing radio sources, though there are an inadequate number to cover all directions. For various assumed values of the aspect sensitivity in dB/deg, and the calculated antenna pattern, it is possible to calculate the effective pointing angle of the antenna, defined as that angle which would give an identical location for the centroid of the power spectrum if aspect sensitivity were absent. Using averaged apparent steering directions, eastward and northward winds were calculated for special radar runs simultaneous with 14 balloon launches at Peoria and results are presented.

Bowhill, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Radar scatterometry of sand dunes and lava flows

Four frequency like polarized scatterometer data over a sand dune field and a volcanic field were analyzed to understand the scattering characteristics of these two terrain types as a function of frequency and incidence angle. For the frequency range studied (400 MHz to 13.3 GHz) unvegetated sand dunes are specular reflectors that return an echo to the radar antenna particularly when the geometry is such that the dune slope is nearly perpendicular to the antenna. Vegetation on the dunes can cause significant backscatter. Lava flows are strong diffuse scatterers which have backscatter values similar to coniferous forest at certain frequencies. Different observation frequencies are required for different situations. The scatterometer data correlate well with radar images.

Blom, R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Signal processing for airborne doppler radar detection of hazardous wind shear as applied to NASA 1991 radar flight experiment data

Radar data collected during the 1991 NASA flight tests have been selectively analyzed to support research directed at developing both improved as well as new algorithms for detecting hazardous low-altitude windshear. Analysis of aircraft attitude data from several flights indicated that platform stability bandwidths were small compared to the data rate bandwidths which should support an assumption that radar returns can be treated as short time stationary. Various approaches at detection of weather returns in the presence of ground clutter are being investigated. Non-coventional clutter rejection through spectrum mode tracking and classification algorithms is a subject of continuing research. Based upon autoregressive modeling of the radar return time sequence, this approach may offer an alternative to overcome errors in conventional pulse-pair estimates. Adaptive filtering is being evaluated as a means of rejecting clutter with emphasis on low signal-to-clutter ratio situations, particularly in the presence of discrete clutter interference. An analysis of out-of-range clutter returns is included to illustrate effects of ground clutter interference due to range aliasing for aircraft on final approach. Data are presented to indicate how aircraft groundspeed might be corrected from the radar data as well as point to an observed problem of groundspeed estimate bias variation with radar antenna scan angle. A description of how recorded clutter return data are mixed with simulated weather returns is included. This enables the researcher to run controlled experiments to test signal processing algorithms. In the summary research efforts involving improved modelling of radar ground clutter returns and a Bayesian approach at hazard factor estimation are mentioned.

Baxa, Ernest G., Jr.↗