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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 109 records · Page 6

Advanced study of video signal processing in low signal to noise environments

Conventional analytical techniques used to determine and optimize phase-lock loop (PLL) characteristics are most often based on a model which is valid only if the intermediate frequency (IF) filter bandwidth is large compared to the PLL bandwidth and the phase error is small. An improved model (called the quasi-linear model) is developed which takes into account small IF filter bandwidths and nonlinear effects associated with large phase errors. By comparison of theoretical and experimental results it is demonstrated that the quasi-linear model accurately predicts PLL characteristics. This is true even for small IF filter bandwidths and large phase errors where the conventional model is invalid. The theoretical and experimental results are used to draw conclusions concerning threshold, multiplier output variance, phase error variance, output signal-to-noise ratio, and signal distortion. The relationship between these characteristics and IF filter bandwidth, modulating signal spectrum, and rms deviation is also determined.

Carden, F.↗

Skylab S192 data evaluation: Comparisons with ERTS-1 results

The author has identified the following significant results. The Skylab S192 data was evaluated by: (1) comparing the classification results using S192 and ERTS-1 data over the Holt County, Nebraska agricultural study area, and (2) investigating the impact of signal-to-noise ratio on classification accuracies using registered S192 and ERTS-1 data. Results indicate: (1) The classification accuracy obtained on S192 data using its best subset of four bands can be expected to be as high as that on ERTS-1 data. (2) When a subset of four S192 bands that are spectrally similar to the ERTS-1 bands was used for classification, an obvious deterioration in the classification accuracy was observed with respect to the ERTS-1 results. (3) The thermal bands 13 and 14 as well as the near IR bands were found to be relatively important in the classification of agricultural data. Although bands 11 and 12 were highly correlated, both were invariably included in the best subsets of the band sizes, four and beyond, according to the divergence criterion. (4) The differentiation of corn from popcorn was difficult on both S192 and ERTS-1 data acquired at an early summer date. (5) The results on both sets of data indicate that it was relatively easy to differentiate grass from any other class.

Chang, C. Y.↗

Handbook for the calculation of approximate data for spaceborne sensors

In allocating the RF spectrum for the transmission of sensed data from space to earth, the characteristics of the data produced by each sensor are discussed. For example, data may be in the form of a continually varying voltage (analog) or may be a series of discrete pulses (digital). For the analog signal, its important characteristics to the spectrum allocator are its highest frequency component (bandwidth) and its range from minimum values (dynamic range or signal-to-noise ratio). For the digital signal, the characteristic of interest is the bit rate.

Source record↗

SEC vidicon testing

Results obtained from several basic measurements of the performance of an SEC vidicon camera head are presented. The measurements or tests are patterned around the sensor requirements which exist for a rapid response coronagraph. Following a brief description of the SEC vidicon camera head, test set-up, and operating procedures, results are presented for five basic tests. These tests include: (1) Input-output, or transfer, characteristics; (2) modulation transfer function; (3) signal-to-noise ratio; (4) photocathode sensitivity; and (5) target gain. The input-output characteristics and photocathode sensitivity measurements were obtained for three bandpasses centered about 4000, 5250, and 6200 A. Results are also given for the variation of photocathode sensitivity with position on the cathode surface.

Johnson, D. S., Jr.↗

The use of correlation receiving systems for detection of noise sources at short distances

The use of a directional receiving system to detect noise sources masked by isotropic noise field interference at distances comparable with the distance between the two receivers, was discussed. Wide band noise was also examined. Results indicate the following limitations must be considered when using the method: (1) the system is directional only in the plane of the base, (2) directional power of the system is impaired with a decrease in the bandwidth of the noise source spectrum, (3) the system does not permit unambiguous determination of the direction to noise sources, located on both sides of the base line, and (4) the system has a comparatively low output signal-to-noise ratio.

Tarabarin, V. V.↗

Stereo study as an aid to visual analysis of ERTS and Skylab images

The author has identified the following significant results. The parallax on ERTS and Skylab images is sufficiently large for exploitation by human photointerpreters. The ability to view the imagery stereoscopically reduces the signal-to-noise ratio. Stereoscopic examination of orbital data can contribute to studies of spatial, spectral, and temporal variations on the imagery. The combination of true stereo parallax, plus shadow parallax offer many possibilities to human interpreters for making meaningful analyses of orbital imagery.

Vangenderen, J. L.↗

Engineering studies related to geodetic and oceanographic remote sensing using short pulse techniques

For the Skylab S-193 radar altimeter, data processing flow charts and identification of calibration requirements and problem areas for defined S-193 altimeter experiments are presented. An analysis and simulation of the relationship between one particular S-193 measurement and the parameter of interest for determining the sea surface scattering cross-section are considered. For the GEOS-C radar altimeter, results are presented for system analyses pertaining to signal-to-noise ratio, pulse compression threshold behavior, altimeter measurement variance characteristics, desirability of onboard averaging, tracker bandwidth considerations, and statistical character of the altimeter data in relation to harmonic analysis properties of the geodetic signal.

Miller, L. S.↗

Stereo study as an aid to visual analysis of ERTS and Skylab images

The author has identified the following significant results. The parallax on ERTS and Skylab images is sufficiently large for exploitation by human photointerpreters. The ability to view the imagery stereoscopically reduces the signal-to-noise ratio. Stereoscopic examination of orbital data can contribute to studies of spatial, spectral, and temporal variations on the imagery. The combination of true stereo parallax, plus shadow parallax offer many possibilities to human interpreters for making meaningful analyses of orbital imagery.

Vangenderen, J. L.↗

Seeing - Its cause and cure

Following Fried, the statistics of images formed by an annular telescope aperture looking through the turbulent atmosphere are calculated; the deleterious effect of a central obscuration is much larger in the presence of seeing that for the telescope alone. A method of optimizing resolution through the atmosphere is explained in detail, with particular attention to the requirements for image-motion compensation; under ideal conditions, about a factor-of-four increase in effective resolution over conventional photography can be obtained. The effective resolution can be large or smaller than the 'seeing disk', depending on the recorded signal-to-noise ratio. Some common misconceptions about image structure and motion, and various unsound proposals for beating the seeing, are criticized.

Young, A. T.↗

A cooled telescope for infrared balloon astronomy

The characteristics of a 16 inch liquid helium cooled Cassegrain telescope with vibrating secondary mirror are discussed. The telescope is used in making far infrared astronomical observations. The system houses several different detectors for multicolor photometry. The cooled telescope has a ten to one increase in signal-to-noise ratio over a similar warm version and is installed in a high altitude balloon gondola to obtain data on the H2 region of the galaxy.

Frederick, C.↗

Performance results of a digital test signal generator

Performance results of a digital test signal-generator hardware-demonstration unit are reported. Capabilities available include baseband and intermediate frequency (IF) spectrum generation, for which test results are provided. Repeatability in the setting of a given signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when a baseband or an IF spectrum is being generated ranges from 0.01 dB at high SNR's or high data rates to 0.3 dB at low data rates or low SNR's. Baseband symbol SNR and carrier SNR (Pc/No) accuracies of 0.1 dB were verified with the built-in statistics circuitry. At low SNR's that accuracy remains to be fully verified. These results were confirmed with measurements from a demodulator synchronizer assembly for the baseband spectrum generation, and with a digital receiver (Pioneer 10 receiver) for the IF spectrum generation.

Gutierrez-Luaces, B. O.↗

Calibration of the receiver channel for the GOPEX precursor experiments

Calibration measurements for the cooled (253 K) photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector, used on the receiver channel of the transmit/receive (T/R) switch for GOPEX, were conducted in the laboratory. A pulsed frequency-doubled neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was used to direct 532-mn light on the PMT. By monitoring the energy per pulse of the light incident on the PMT, the minimum number of photons detected could be determined. These results agreed with the photon flux back-calculated from the PMT output waveform. Approximately 700 incident photons arriving during a temporal pulse width of approximately 65 nsec were detected with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of approximately 1. Other receiver channel characteristics, such as PMT dark currents, optical transmission, and interference filter sensitivity to angle of light incidence, were also measured.

Biswas, A.↗

Project Echo: System Calculations

The primary experimental objective of Project Echo was the transmission of radio communications between points on the earth by reflection from the balloon satellite. This paper describes system calculations made in preparation for the experiment and their adaptation to the problem of interpreting the results. The calculations include path loss computations, expected audio signal-to-noise ratios, and received signal strength based on orbital parameters.

Ruthroff, Clyde L.↗

Project Echo: FM Demodulators with Negative Feedback

The primary experimental objective of Project Echo was the transmission of radio communications between points on the earth by reflection from the balloon satellite. Owing to the large path losses from transmitter to receiver via the satellite, a wide-band frequency modulation technique was used in which bandwidth was traded for signal-to-noise ratio. This paper describes the FM receiving demodulators employed. Negative feedback applied to the local oscillator reduces the FM modulation index in the receiver IF amplifiers, resulting in threshold performance superior to that of conventional FM receivers.

Ruthroff, Clyde L.↗

The Aeolus-Earth DWTS Heliophysics Mission

The Aeolus-Earth Mission (DWTS-Helio) is a recently selected NASA Heliophysics investigation that will apply the innovative Doppler Wind Temperature Sounder (DWTS) technique to the Space Atmosphere Interaction Region (SAIR) at ~105-180 km. The technique, invented by Gordley & Marshall (2011), applies the Doppler Scanning with Gas Filter (DSGF) technique using a cryo-cooled MWIR radiometer to view the limb of the atmosphere from LEO (orbital velocity creates the Doppler shifts required by the technique). For this implementation of DWTS, a Nitric Oxide (NO) low pressure gas cell is used. The limb of the atmosphere is observed from a spacecraft at orbital velocity, and as an observed air volume passes through the field of view, this velocity creates a set of Doppler-shifted images. These images are used to create Doppler Integrated Pass (DIP) signals, from which atmospheric temperature and wind profiles are extracted (it may be considered a converse of the successful in-flight calibration of gas cells used for the HALOE instrument). The technique is relative, removing the need for absolute radiances, and the signal-to-noise ratio for this technique is high, resulting in good measurement precision. Different gas cells can be used to create different altitude coverage and may be combined to measure a more continuous altitude range. For example, using a NO cell captures the lower atmosphere from 30-50km as well as the SAIR, while using the 13 isotopologue of CO2 would capture 50-120km. Due to the desired data volume as well as power and thermal considerations, this initial Aeolus-Earth flight will be more suited for a ‘hosted’ payload on an Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle platform instead of the ‘free-flyer’ option originally investigated. Lastly, the technique is sufficiently powerful that a two-channel system could produce full Mars atmosphere data not currently possible.

DWTS↗

Feasibility test of a solid state spin-scan photo-imaging system

The feasibility of using a solid-state photo-imaging system to obtain resolution imagery from a Pioneer-type spinning spacecraft in future exploratory missions to the outer planets is discussed. Evaluation of the photo-imaging system performance, based on electrical video signal analysis recorded on magnetic tape, shows that the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios obtained at low spatial frequencies exceed the anticipated performance and that measured modulation transfer functions exhibited some degradation in comparison with the estimated values, primarily owing to the difficulty in obtaining a precise focus of the optical system in the laboratory with the test patterns in close proximity to the objective lens. A preliminary flight model design of the photo-imaging system is developed based on the use of currently available phototransistor arrays. Image quality estimates that will be obtained are presented in terms of S/N ratios and spatial resolution for the various planets and satellites. Parametric design tradeoffs are also defined.

Laverty, N. P.↗

CH3OH and HCN in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Mapped with the ALMA Atacama Compact Array: Distinct Outgassing Behaviors and a Remarkably High CH3OH/HCN Production Rate Ratio

We report the detection of methanol (CH3OH) toward interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS using the At-acama Compact Array of the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) on UT 2025 August 28, September 18 and 22, and October 1, and of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) on September 12 and 15. These observations spanned pre-perihelion heliocentric distances (r H ) of 2.6 – 1.7 au. The molecules showed outgassing patterns distinct from one another, with HCN production being depleted in the sunward hemisphere of the coma, whereas CH3OH was enhanced in that direction. Statistical analysis of molecular scale lengths in 3I/ATLAS indicated that CH3OH included production from coma sources at Lp > 258 km at 99% confidence. However low signal-to-noise on long baselines, which sample emission on small spatial scales closest to the nucleus, prevented definitively ruling out CH3OH as purely a parent species. In contrast, HCN production was indistinguishable from direct nucleus sublimation. The CH3OH production rate increased sharply from August through October, including an uptick near the inner edge of the H2O sublimation zone at rH = 2 au. Compared to comets measured to date at radio wavelengths, the derived CH3OH/HCN ratios in 3I/ATLAS of 124+30−34 and 79+11−14on September 12 and 15, respectively, are among the most enriched values measured in any comet, surpassed only by anomalous solar system comet C/2016 R2 (PanSTARRS)

Comae↗

High resolution multispectral camera system for ERTS A & B

A very high resolution multispectral television camera system has been developed for NASA for use on the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS) program. There are three cameras in the system, each viewing the same area but operating in the blue-green, red, and near-infrared spectral bands. In the laboratory the cameras' limiting resolution is 4500 TV lines over the 25 x 25-mm image format of the Return Beam Vidicon (RBV). Analysis of typical ERTS scenes shows that actual contrast ratios will be much lower than those of laboratory test targets. A model was developed to predict the resolving power performance of the RBV camera under realistic conditions. To verify the model, tests were conducted using the RBV camera, a laser-beam image reproducer and a series of AF tribar test patterns of known values of contrast. As a more graphic demonstration, simulated multispectral images were generated using color-IR photographs from Apollo 9. The measured signal-to-noise, resolution, and spectral characteristics of the ERTS Flight A and Flight B three-camera systems are presented in conclusion.

Miller, B. P.↗