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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

Optical atmospheric scattering and absorption limitations on offset pointing from Earth Observatory Satellite /EOS/ sensors

The Braslau-Dave atmospheric model which calculates the upward monochromatic light fluxes leaving the top of the atmosphere as a function of viewing angle, sun angle, and ground reflectance was employed to study the effect of atmospheric scattering and attenuation on universal apparent contrast for two EOS remote sensors operated at very large offset or pointing angles: the Thematic Mapper (TM) and the High Resolution Pointable Imager (HRPI). The TM offset off nadir could be plus or minus 20 degrees with an 11 degree scan angle and the HRPI pointing angle off nadir could be plus or minus 45 degrees with a 3 degree scan angle. The reduction of universal apparent contrast of EOS imagery is studied as a function of sun elevation angle, atmospheric aerosol loading, radiation wavelength and sensor look angles.

Egan, W. G.↗

A comparison between N2/+/ 4278-A emission and electron flux in the auroral zone

Visual airglow and low-energy electron experiment data from the Atmosphere Explorer D satellite are used to measure variations in N2(+) density and mixing in the nighttime auroral zone. The intensity of the 4278-A N2(+) emission, proportional to energy flux deposited in N2 by energetic electrons, is determined by a method which corrects for ground reflection affecting the satellite data. Calculations related to electron energy flux are found to show a slight variance from the theoretical predictions of Rees and Luckey (1974). Evidence for high-energy proton precipitation on the southern edge of the aurora and for the presence of parallel electric fields in the altitude range 150 to 800 km is also discussed.

Kasting, J. F.↗

Reduction of polarizing radiometer data

High-precision polarizing radiometers have been constructed for the measurement of the angular dependence of the intensity and polarization for atmospheric and ground-reflected radiation. When the data are fit with a form containing constant, first harmonic, second harmonic, and slope terms, excellent agreement with data taken with a polarizing radiometer may be obtained. A technique has been derived for rapid data reduction by using a single matrix which, when multiplied by the data values, produces the reduced values in the sense of a least-squares fit.

Walraven, R. L.↗

Experimental investigation of outdoor propagation of finite-amplitude noise

The outdoor propagation of finite amplitude acoustic waves was investigated using a conventional electroacoustic transmitter which was mounted on the ground and pointed upward in order to avoid ground reflection effects. The propagation path was parallel to a radio tower 85 m tall, whose elevator carried the receiving microphone. The observations and conclusions are as follows: (1) At the higher source levels nonlinear propagation distortion caused a strong generation of high frequency noise over the propagation path. For example, at 70 m for a frequency 2-3 octaves above the source noise band, the measured noise was up to 30 dB higher than the linear theory prediction. (2) The generation occurred in both the nearfield and the farfield of the transmitter. (3) At no measurement point was small-signal behavior established for the high requency noise. Calculations support the contention that the nonlinearity generated high frequency noise never becomes small-signal in its behavior, regardless of distance. (4) When measured spectra are scaled in frequency and level to make them comparable with spectra of actual jet noise, they are found to be well within the jet noise range. It is therefore entirely possible that nonlinear distortion affects jet noise.

Webster, D. A.↗

Temperature and moisture analysis in composites

Advanced fiber-reinforced polymeric matric composites have emerged as strong candidate materials for airframe applications. Favorable aspects include high strength, stiffness, and low density. Temperature and Moisture Analysis in Composites (TMAC) program was developed to study effect of variations in diffusion coefficients, surface properties, panel tilt, ground reflection, and geographical location on moisture-concentration profiles and average moisture contents of composite laminates.

Tenney, D. R.↗

Measurements of acoustic sources in motion

Results of the far-field pressures measured from three different types of moving sources are presented. These acoustic sources consist of a point monopole, a small model jet, and an aircraft. Results for the pressure time history produced by the point source show good agreement with those predicted analytically. Both actual and simulated forward motion of the model jet show reductions in noise levels with forward speed at all angles between the source and observer. Measurement with the aircraft over both an anechoic floor and over the ground yields a method for evaluating the transfer function for ground reflections at various angles between the moving aircraft and measurement position.

Maestrello, L.↗

Experimental measurements of moving noise sources

The far-field pressure was measured from three different types of moving sources: a point monopole, a small model jet, and an aircraft. Results for the pressure time history produced by the point source show good agreement with those predicted analytically. Both actual and simulated forward motion of the model jet show reductions in noise levels with forward speed at all angles between the source and observer. Measurement with the aircraft over both an anechoic floor and over the ground yields a method for evaluating the transfer function for ground reflections at various angles between the moving aircraft and measurement position.

Maestrello, L.↗

Matched tandem etalon camera - MATEC - and its application to auroral observations

The matched tandem etalon camera employs a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FP) in the photographic mode for the spatial resolution over all angles up to 7 deg from normal. An interference filter and an appropriate field lens isolate a single order of 0.1 A resolution, which is recorded simultaneously at all angles in the field of view by array detection. Thus the resolution and luminosity of the MATEC camera are those of the FP. The MATEC pilot model has a ratio of free spectral range to linewidth of 400 and utilizes intensified photographic detection. In a system applied to auroral measurements the MATEC views a semiconical sky mirror to provide a simulatenous dimension of spatial resolution in the N-S meridian combined with the dimension of spectral resolution. Stellar features and cloud and ground reflections are more easily identified than by any scanning photometer.

Young, E. R.↗

Consideration for high accuracy radiation efficiency measurements for the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) subarrays

The transmit beam and radiation efficiency for 10 metersquare subarray panels were quantified. Measurement performance potential of far field elevated and ground reflection ranges and near field technique were evaluated. The state-of-the-art of critical components and/or unique facilities required was identified. Relative cost, complexity and performance tradeoffs were performed for techniques capable of achieving accuracy objectives. It is considered that because of the large electrical size of the SPS subarray panels and the requirement for high accuracy measurements, specialized measurement facilities are required. Most critical measurement error sources have been identified for both conventional far field and near field techniques. Although the adopted error budget requires advances in state-of-the-art of microwave instrumentation, the requirements appear feasible based on extrapolation from today's technology. Additional performance and cost tradeoffs need to be completed before the choice of the preferred measurement technique is finalized.

Kozakoff, D. J.↗

Considerations for high accuracy radiation efficiency measurements for the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) subarrays

The relatively large apertures to be used in SPS, small half-power beamwidths, and the desire to accurately quantify antenna performance dictate the requirement for specialized measurements techniques. Objectives include the following: (1) For 10-meter square subarray panels, quantify considerations for measuring power in the transmit beam and radiation efficiency to + or - 1 percent (+ or - 0.04 dB) accuracy. (2) Evaluate measurement performance potential of far-field elevated and ground reflection ranges and near-field techniques. (3) Identify the state-of-the-art of critical components and/or unique facilities required. (4) Perform relative cost, complexity and performance tradeoffs for techniques capable of achieving accuracy objectives. the precision required by the techniques discussed below are not obtained by current methods which are capable of + or - 10 percent (+ or - dB) performance. In virtually every area associated with these planned measurements, advances in state-of-the-art are required.

Kozakoff, D. J.↗

Analysis of combustion spectra containing organ pipe tone by cepstral techniques

Signal reinforcements and cancellations due to standing waves may distort constant bandwidth combustion spectra. Cepstral techniques previously applied to the ground reflection echo problem are used to obtain smooth broadband data and information on combustion noise propagation. Internal fluctuating pressure measurements made using a J47 combustor attached to a 6.44 m long duct are analyzed. Measurements made with Jet A and hydrogen fuels are compared. The acoustic power levels inferred from the measurements are presented for a range of low heat release rate operating conditions near atmospheric pressure. For these cases, the variation with operating condition of the overall acoustic broadband power level for both hydrogen and Jet A fuels is consistent with previous results showing it was proportional to the square of the heat release rate. However, the overall acoustic broadband power level generally is greater for hydrogen than for Jet A.

Miles, J. H.↗

Study to assess the importance of errors introduced by applying NOAA 6 and NOAA 7 AVHRR data as an estimator of vegetative vigor: Feasibility study of data normalization

The use of NOAA AVHRR data to map and monitor vegetation types and conditions in near real-time can be enhanced by using a portion of each GAC image that is larger than the central 25% now considered. Enlargement of the cloud free image data set can permit development of a series of algorithms for correcting imagery for ground reflectance and for atmospheric scattering anisotropy within certain accuracy limits. Empirical correction algorithms used to normalize digital radiance or VIN data must contain factors for growth stage and for instrument spectral response. While it is not possible to correct for random fluctuations in target radiance, it is possible to estimate the necessary radiance difference between targets in order to provide target discrimination and quantification within predetermined limits of accuracy. A major difficulty lies in the lack of documentation of preprocessing algorithms used on AVHRR digital data.

Duggin, M. J.↗

Spectroradiometric calibration of the thematic mapper and multispectral scanner system

The design of a spectroradiometer under construction for atmosheric and surface measurements at White Sands, New Mexico is described. The instrument's observation capability encompasses (1) measuring the solar radiance at a number of wavelengths as a function of air mass for Langley plot analysis in order to generate the optical depth; (2) measuring the ground radiance to determine the absolute ground reflectance; and (3) measuring the sky radiance as a method of checking the accuracy of the radiative transfer program.

Slater, P. N.↗

Spectroradiometric calibration of the thematic mapper and multispectral scanner system

The results of an analysis that relates thematic mapper (TM) saturation level to ground reflectance, calendar date, latitude, and atmospheric condition is provided. A revised version of the preprint included with the last quarterly report is also provided for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

Palmer, J. M.↗

Multidimensional Modeling of Atmospheric Effects and Surface Heterogeneities on Remote Sensing

A modeling capability that allows a quantitative determination of atmospheric effects on remote sensing including the effects of surface heterogeneities is established. The objectives include: (1) the adaptation of existing radiative transfer codes to remote sensing applications, (2) the implementation of a realistic atmospheric data base, (3) the definition and verification against field measurements of a coupled atmosphere/canopy model, and (4) the quantitative characterization of the effects of some biophysical canopy parameters and soil surface boundary conditions on satellite-sensed Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) data. Substantial progress was also made in quantifying the effects of varying atmospheric turbidity and different non-Lambertian and specular ground reflectances on MSS data and its transforms like greenness and brightness.

Gerstl, S. A.↗

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The newly built Caste spectropolarimeters gave satisfactory performance during tests in the solar radiometer and helicopter modes. A bandwidth normalization technique based on analysis of the moments of the spectral responsivity curves was used to analyze the spectral bands of the MSS and TM subsystems of LANDSAT 4 and 5 satellites. Results include the effective wavelength, the bandpass, the wavelength limits, and the normalized responsivity for each spectral channel. Temperature coefficients for TM PF channel 6 were also derived. The moments normalization method used yields sensor parameters whose derivation is independent of source characteristics (i.e., incident solar spectral irradiance, atmospheric transmittance, or ground reflectance). The errors expected using these parameters are lower than those expected using other normalization methods.

Palmer, J. M.↗

Effective bandwidths for Landsat-4 and Landsat-D' multispectral scanner and thematic mapper subsystems

The spectral bands of the Multispectral Scanner and Thematic Mapper subsystems of Landsat-4 and Landsat-D' have been analyzed using a bandwidth normalization technique based on analysis of the moments of the spectral responsitivity curves. The results include the effective wavelength, the bandpass, the wavelength limits, and the normalized responsivity for each spectral channel. In addition, temperature coefficients for TM PF Channel 6 have been derived. The moments normalization method employed yields sensor parameters whose derivation is independent of source characteristics (i.e., incident solar spectral irradiance, atmospoheric transmittance, or ground reflectance). The errors expected using these parameters are lower than those expected using other normalization methods.

Palmer, J. M.↗