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At least 109 records · Page 6

Advances in automatic extraction of earth resources information from multispectral scanner data

The basis of spectral discrimination was briefly examined indicating sources of variability which tend to obscure the spectral attributes of the classes of interest. Spatial and temporal discrimination bases are also discussed. Automatic processing functions, techniques and methods, and equipment are discussed with emphasis on techniques and equipment required for operational large area surveys with satellite data. Techniques for carrying out major functions of preprocessing for signature extension, feature extraction, discrimination, display, and applications modeling were examined. A multiplicative and additive signature correction technique and a proportion estimation technique are discussed. The development of the multivariate interactive digital analysis system multispectral processor system which represents a breakthrough in cost effective high throughput processing for large area surveys from satellites and aircraft is reviewed. Applications and results are discussed briefly for agricultural crop inventories, environmental monitoring, and resources surveys from ERIM LANDSAT and EREP investigations to indicate the substantial progress achieved to date.

Erickson, J. D.

Ballistic Signature Identification System Study

The first phase of a research project directed toward development of a high speed automatic process to be used to match gun barrel signatures imparted to fired bullets was documented. An optical projection technique has been devised to produce and photograph a planar image of the entire signature, and the phototransparency produced is subjected to analysis using digital Fourier transform techniques. The success of this approach appears to be limited primarily by the accuracy of the photographic step since no significant processing limitations have been encountered.

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Documentation of procedures for textural/spatial pattern recognition techniques

A C-130 aircraft was flown over the Sam Houston National Forest on March 21, 1973 at 10,000 feet altitude to collect multispectral scanner (MSS) data. Existing textural and spatial automatic processing techniques were used to classify the MSS imagery into specified timber categories. Several classification experiments were performed on this data using features selected from the spectral bands and a textural transform band. The results indicate that (1) spatial post-processing a classified image can cut the classification error to 1/2 or 1/3 of its initial value, (2) spatial post-processing the classified image using combined spectral and textural features produces a resulting image with less error than post-processing a classified image using only spectral features and (3) classification without spatial post processing using the combined spectral textural features tends to produce about the same error rate as a classification without spatial post processing using only spectral features.

Haralick, R. M.

Advances in automatic extraction of information from multispectral scanner data

The state-of-the-art of automatic multispectral scanner data analysis and interpretation is reviewed. Sources of system variability which tend to obscure the spectral characteristics of the classes under consideration are discussed, and examples of the application of spatial and temporal discrimination bases are given. Automatic processing functions, techniques and methods, and equipment are described with particular attention to those that are applicable to large land surveys using satellite data. The development and characteristics of the Multivariate Interactive Digital Analysis System (MIDAS) for processing aircraft or satellite multispectral scanning data are discussed in detail. The MIDAS system combines the parallel digital implementation capabilities of a low-cost processor with a general purpose PDP-11/45 minicomputer to provide near-real-time data processing. The preprocessing functions are user-selectable. The input subsystem accepts data stored on high density digital tape, computer compatible tape, and analog tape.

Erickson, J. D.

Chemical vapor deposition growth

A laboratory type CVD reactor system with a vertical deposition chamber and sample pedestal heated by an external RF coil has been extensively modified by installation of mass flow controllers, automatic process sequence timers, and special bellows-sealed air-operated valves for overall improved performance. Various film characterization procedures, including classical metallography, SEM analyses, X ray diffraction analyses, surface profilometry, and electrical measurements (resistivity, carrier concentration, mobility, spreading resistance profiles, and minority-carrier lifetime by the C-V-t method) area used to correlate Si sheet properties with CVD parameters and substrate properties. Evaluation procedures and measurements are given. Experimental solar cell structures were made both in epitaxial Si sheet (on sapphire substrates) and in polycrystalline material on alumina substrates, the former to provide an indication of what might be an upper limit on performance of the latter. Preliminary results are given, as obtained in cell structures not specially designed to allow for the unique properties of the sheet material, and fabricated in material known to be far from optimum for photovoltaic performance. Low power conversion efficiencies have been obtained in the epitaxial as well as the polycrystalline Si sheet.

Ruth, R. P.

Remote sensing for control of tsetse flies

Remotely sensed information is discussed which has potential for aiding in the control or eradication of tsetse flies. Data are available from earth resources meteorological, and manned satellites, from airborne sensors, and possibly from data collection platforms. A new zone discrimination technique, based on data from meteorological satellites may also allow the identification of zones hospitable to one or another species of tsetse. For background, a review is presented of the vegetation of Tanzania and Zanzibar, and illustrations presented of automatic processing of data from these areas. In addition, a review is presented of the applicability of temperature data to tsetse areas.

Giddings, L. E.

Procedure for detection and measurement of interfaces in remotely acquired data using a digital computer

A technique for the detection and measurement of surface feature interfaces in remotely acquired data was developed and evaluated. A computer implementation of this technique was effected to automatically process classified data derived from various sources such as the LANDSAT multispectral scanner and other scanning sensors. The basic elements of the operational theory of the technique are described, followed by the details of the procedure. An example of an application of the technique to the analysis of tidal shoreline length is given with a breakdown of manpower requirements.

Faller, K. H.

A procedure for detection and measurement of interfaces in remotely acquired data using a digital computer

A technique developed and evaluated for the detection and measurement of surface feature interfaces in remotely acquired data is described. A computer implementation of this technique has been effected to automatically process categorized data derived from various sources such as the LANDSAT multispectral scanner and other scanner type sensors. The basic elements of the operational theory of the technique are described together with details of the procedure. An example application of the technique to the analysis of tidal shoreline length is given with a breakdown of manpower requirements.

Faller, K. H.

Integral Glass Encapsulation for Solar Arrays

Progress in the development of permanent, integral glass encapsulation of terrestrial solar photovoltaic arrays by electrostatic bonding is reported. Two basic types of electrostatically bonded modules were demonstrated and their reliability proven in accelerated environmental testing. Economic analyses indicate that electrostatic bonding can be a cost effective, practical, and automatable process for large-scale production of arrays with lifetimes of more than 20 years.

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An automated oxide and diffusion facility for IC's

Report discusses totally-automated oxidation and diffusion facility for fabricating IC's. Several innovations are demonstrated: process controller specifically designed for semiconductor processing; automatic loading system to accept wafers from air track, insert them in quartz carrier, and place carrier on paddle for insertion into furnace; automatic unloading of wafers back onto air track; and boron diffusion using diborane.

Kennedy, B. W.

Application of remote sensing to the photogeologic mapping of the region of the Itatiaia alkaline complex

Remote sensing methods applied to geologically complex areas, through interaction of ground truth and information obtained from multispectral LANDSAT images and radar mosaics were evaluated. The test area covers parts of Minos Gerais, Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo states and contains the alkaline complex of Itatiaia and surrounding Precambrian terrains. Geological and structural mapping was satisfactory; however, lithological varieties which form the massif's could not be identified. Photogeological lineaments were mapped, some of which represent the boundaries of stratigraphic units. Automatic processing was used to classify sedimentary areas, which includes the talus deposits of the alkaline massifs.

Dejesusparada, N.

Transonic flow visualization using holographic interferometry

An account is made of some of the applications of holographic interferometry to the visualization of transonic flows. In the case of the compressor shock visualization, the method is used regularly and has moved from being a research department invention to a design test tool. With the implementation of automatic processing and simple digitization systems, holographic vibrational analysis has also moved into routine nondestructive testing. The code verification interferograms were instructive, but the main turbomachinery interest is now in 3 dimensional flows. A major data interpretation effort will be required to compute tomographically the 3 dimensional flow around the leading or the trailing edges of a rotating blade row. The bolt on approach shows the potential application to current unsteady flows of interest. In particular that of the rotor passing and vortex interaction effects is experienced by the new generation of unducted fans. The turbocharger tests presents a new area for the application of holography.

Bryanston-Cross, Peter J.

An IUE survey of activity in red giants and supergiants

Chromospheric and transition region line activity is examined in apparently single red giants and supergiants using the IUE archives. Low-resolution, large-aperture spectra (mostly short-wavelength) were used to search for variations of emission-line fluxes in time. A series of automatic processing procedures were implemented in order to uniformly calibrate a large number of spectra, fit continua to each of them, determine the fluxes of as many as 18 emission lines, and compare them at different epochs. A method is offered to compute the overall error in the integrated flux, a critical measure of activity, independent of the observing and processing details. This processing was applied to above 120 images of 26 stars taken over a period of 7 yr (1978-1984). Four stars showed UV emission-line flux variations. Alpha Aqr, Beta Peg, and Sigma Oph showed a single enhanced-emission event in all detectable emission lines. Gamma Aql exhibited an increase in the flux level of the O I (1641 A) line in mid-1981 with no comparable change in any other lines. These four stars lie in a region of the H-R diagram in which time-dependent circumstellar absorption lines appear.

Oznovich, I.

A candidate concept for display of forward-looking wind shear information

A concept is proposed which integrates forward-look wind shear information with airplane performance capabilities to predict future airplane energy state as a function of range. The information could be displayed to a crew either in terms of energy height or airspeed deviations. The anticipated benefits of the proposed display information concept are: (1) a wind shear hazard product that scales directly to the performance impact on the airplane and that has intuitive meaning to flight crews; (2) a reduction in flight crew workload by automatic processing of relevant hazard parameters; and (3) a continuous display of predicted airplane energy state if the approach is continued. Such a display may be used to improve pilot situational awareness or improve pilot confidence in wind shear alerts generated by other systems. The display is described and the algorithms necessary for implementation in a simulation system are provided.

Hinton, David A.

Thermal management of advanced fuel cell power systems

It is shown that fuel cell devices are particularly attractive for the high-efficiency, high-reliability space hardware necessary to support upcoming space missions. These low-temperature hydrogen-oxygen systems necessarily operate with two-phase water. In either PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells) or AFCs (alkaline fuel cells), engineering design must be critically focused on both stack temperature control and on the relative humidity control necessary to sustain appropriate conductivity within the ionic conductor. Water must also be removed promptly from the hardware. Present designs for AFC space hardware accomplish thermal management through two coupled cooling loops, both driven by a heat transfer fluid, and involve a recirculation fan to remove water and heat from the stack. There appears to be a certain advantage in using product water for these purposes within PEM hardware, because in that case a single fluid can serve both to control stack temperature, operating simultaneously as a heat transfer medium and through evaporation, and to provide the gas-phase moisture levels necessary to set the ionic conductor at appropriate performance levels. Moreover, the humidification cooling process automatically follows current loads. This design may remove the necessity for recirculation gas fans, thus demonstrating the long-term reliability essential for future space power hardware.

Vanderborgh, N. E.

The Critical Point Facility (CPF)

The Critical Point Facility (CPF) is an ESA multiuser facility designed for microgravity research onboard Spacelab. It has been conceived and built to offer investigators opportunities to conduct research on critical point phenomena in microgravity. This facility provides the high precision and stability temperature standards required in this field of research. It has been primarily designed for the purpose of optical investigations of transparent fluids. During a Spacelab mission, the CPF automatically processes several thermostats sequentially, each thermostat corresponding to an experiment. The CPF is now integrated in Spacelab at Kennedy Space Center, in preparation for the International Microgravity Lab. mission. The CPF was designed to submit transparent fluids to an adequate, user defined thermal scenario, and to monitor their behavior by using thermal and optical means. Because they are strongly affected by gravity, a good understanding of critical phenomena in fluids can only be gained in low gravity conditions. Fluids at the critical point become compressed under their own weight. The role played by gravity in the formation of interfaces between distinct phases is not clearly understood.

Source record

OPAD data analysis

Data obtained in the framework of an Optical Plume Anomaly Detection (OPAD) program intended to create a rocket engine health monitor based on spectrometric detections of anomalous atomic and molecular species in the exhaust plume are analyzed. The major results include techniques for handling data noise, methods for registration of spectra to wavelength, and a simple automatic process for estimating the metallic component of a spectrum.

Buntine, Wray L.

Modis, SeaWIFS, and Pathfinder funded activities

MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer), SeaWIFS (Sea-viewing Wide Field Sensor), Pathfinder, and DSP (Digital Signal Processor) objectives are summarized. An overview of current progress is given for the automatic processing database, client/server status, matchup database, and DSP support.

Evans, Robert H.