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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Signal processing applied to photothermal techniques for materials characterization

There is a need to make noncontact measurements of material characteristics in the microgravity environment. Photothermal and photoacoustics techniques offer one approach for attaining this capability since lasers can be used to generate the required thermal or acoustic signals. The perturbations in the materials that can be used for characterization can be detected by optical reflectance, infrared detection or laser detection of photoacoustics. However, some of these laser techniques have disadvantages of either high energy pulsed excitation or low signal-to-noise ratio. Alternative signal processing techniques that have been developed can be applied to photothermal or photoacoustic instrumentation. One fully coherent spread spectrum signal processing technique is called time delay spectrometry (TDS). With TDS the system is excited using a combined frequency-time domain by employing a linear frequency sweep excitation function. The processed received signal can provide either frequency, phase or improved time resolution. This signal processing technique was shown to outperform other time selective techniques with respect to noise rejection and was recently applied to photothermal instrumentation. The technique yields the mathematical equivalent of pulses yet the input irradiances are orders of magnitude less than pulses with the concomitant reduction in perturbation of the sample and can increase the capability of photothermal methods for materials characterization.

Rooney, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Fabrication of optical reflecting diffraction gratings by light-interference phenomenon

Features of technique: major reduction in cost of fabrication; gratings exhibit low stray or scattered radiation, improve signal noise ratio, and eliminate false spectral-lines; gratings can be fabricated free of optical aberrations, with high groove frequencies, and on practically any surface geometry; and fabrication time has been reduced.

Caruso, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

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.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Optimum design and performance of Costas receivers containing soft bandpass limiters

This paper investigates several key questions concerning the mechanization and design of a Costas receiver for reconstruction of a carrier from a suppressed carrier signal. For baseband NRZ encoded data symbols and a soft bandpass limiter preceding the loop, several design issues which are considered herein and which affect acquisition and tracking performance are: (1) The choice of an IF bandwidth. (2) The optimum choice of the Costas arm filter bandwidths as well as the spectral roll-off characteristics. (3) The optimum choice of loop bandwidth to data rate ratio for a given signal-to-noise ratio. (4) The signal suppression factor and the combined limiter-squaring loss. (5) The variations in loop bandwidth and damping with signal level. (6) The choice of the limiter transfer characteristic. (7) Performance degradation due to the presence of a limiter. Various new results in system design are presented and typical numerical results are given and graphically demonstrated in SNR regions of practical interest. The theory is applicable to the design of carrier reconstruction loops required in the implementation of spread spectrum communication receivers.

Lindsey, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Microprocessor-controlled receiver

Microprocessor and radio receiver are combined in low-cost, high performance, data communications receiver. Hybrid receiver automatically acquires and tracks UHF channels despite low signal-to-noise ratios, fading signal strengths, and high Doppler offset. It also performs digital bit synchronization, which has traditionally required separate unit.

Grant, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effect of weighting on time sidelobe suppression

Weighting simulations in the time domain were considered to shape the time-compressed pulse waveform. The digital input radar data were 32 bit I,Q, and simulated data from a point target, imaged by a Seasat-A type system. Weighting functions tested include stepped-amplitude distributions, (with 1 through 5 steps), and the cosine-squared plus pedestal distribution. Effects treated include mainlobe ratio, signal to noise ratio, and nearest sidelobe suppression.

Dicenzo, A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Modeling of terrain gradient for stochastically spaced rows of a measurement matrix

Terrain gradients are employed to evaluate passable regions for unmanned martian roving vehicle. Range data matrix is displaced randomly row wise at the shallow elevation angles near the skyline. The magnitude of the measurement noise in the elevation angles can approach that of the spacing of the same angle. By using a variable incremental data spacing scanning scheme, one can estimate this signal noise ratio. It is found that the error in slope estimate at far distance becomes large for a given elevation angle error. Evaluation of the in-path slopes can be expressed in terms of the inverse of the range slopes. This is because of the fact that the elevation angle is considered as a random variable while the range data are relatively less noisy. An error analysis is performed and it is found that the change of slope is a nonlinear function of the error in elevation angle.

Mediavilla, R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Gain-Compensating Circuit For NDE and Ultrasonics

High-frequency gain-compensating circuit designed for general use in nondestructive evaluation and ultrasonic measurements. Controls gain of ultrasonic receiver as function of time to aid in measuring attenuation of samples with high losses; for example, human skin and graphite/epoxy composites. Features high signal-to-noise ratio, large signal bandwidth and large dynamic range. Control bandwidth of 5 MHz ensures accuracy of control signal. Currently being used for retrieval of more information from ultrasonic signals sent through composite materials that have high losses, and to measure skin-burn depth in humans.

Kushnick, Peter W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Loran-C approach guidance project current status

There are four areas of work in the Loran-C flight test project. Current results provide performance data on the effects of Signal Noise Ratio (SNR) on the dynamic performance of the receiver filters for Loran-C data, and data on Loran-C grid deformation at a microscale of 100 meters. The Loran-C receiver provides a line of position (LOP) Master and Slave transmitter at an angle 0 to magnetic north. No transformation to latitude-longitude reference frame is required since this is the major source of Loran-C navigation errors. A local coordinate frame is established centered at touchdown point on the runway with directions along and across the runway. A Loran-C data collection system was set up. The Loran-C data are sent directly to an Apple II computer with a 12 inch monitor. The effect of SNR on Loran-C precision is shown for two receiver filters of different frequency response. A set of ground level static readings of touchdown was taken around Hanscom Field and transferred to an accurate detailed layout drawing; this showed local distortions of the average touchdown values.

Elias, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Phasor algorithms of the SIM fringe estimation

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) will provide unprecedented micro-arcsecond (pas) precision to search for extra-solar planets and possible life in the universe. SIM will also revolutionize our understanding of the dynamics and evolutions of the local universe through hundred-fold improvements of inertial astrometry measurements. SIM has two so-called guide interferometers to provide stable inertial orientation knowledge of the baseline, and a science interferometer to measure target fringes. The guide and science measurements are based on the fringe phase measurements using a CCD detector. One of the key issues with SIM is to develop a new algorithm for calculation of fringe parameters. Not only astrometric results need that new algorithm, but also real-time fringe tracking requires a new method to calculate phase and visibility fast and accurately. The formulas for the phasor algorithms for fringe estimation are presented. The signal-noise ratio performances of the fringe quadratures are demonstrated. The advantages of phasor algorithms for application of fast fringe tracking and on-board data compression are discussed.

interferometry↗
DOE OSTI2025

PhotonIDs: ML-Powered Photon Identification System for Dark Count Elimination

Reliable single photon detection is the foundation for practical quantum communication and networking. However, today's superconducting nanowire single photon detector(SNSPD) inherently fails to distinguish between genuine photon events and dark counts, leading to degraded fidelity in long-distance quantum communication. In this work, we introduce PhotonIDs, a machine learning-powered photon identification system that is the first end-to-end solution for real-time discrimination between photons and dark count based on full SNSPD readout signal waveform analysis. PhotonIDs ~demonstrates: 1) an FPGA-based high-speed data acquisition platform that selectively captures the full waveform of signal only while filtering out the background data in real time; 2) an efficient signal preprocessing pipeline, and a novel pseudo-position metric that is derived from the physical temporal-spatial features of each detected event; 3) a hybrid machine learning model with near 98% accuracy achieved on photon/dark count classification. Additionally, proposed PhotonIDs ~ is evaluated on the dark count elimination performance with two real-world case studies: (1) 20 km quantum link, and (2) Erbium ion-based photon emission system. Our result demonstrates that PhotonIDs ~could improve more than 31.2 times of signal-noise-ratio~(SNR) on dark count elimination. PhotonIDs ~ marks a step forward in noise-resilient quantum communication infrastructure.

Linne, Karl C. [Chicago U.] (ORCID:000900091870358↗
NASA NTRS1976

A CCD integrated circuit for transient recorders

A 50 MHz CCD integrated circuit is described that was developed for use in transient analog signal recorders to sample and time expand transient signals. The integrated circuit achieves an effective 200 MHz sample rate by using four 32 stage peristaltic CCDs to sample the transient signal four times each clock period. Dual frequency, 4 phi clocking is used to sample and time expand the sampled data. The output signals of the four CCDs are multiplexed on chip into a single low frequency output data line. When operated with 50 MHz/165 KHz 4 phi clocks, this circuit has a 200 MHz sample rate, a record length of 640 nanoseconds, a time expansion factor of 303, and overall signal to noise ratio of 40:1. The signal to noise ratio is limited by fixed pattern noise of the four CCDs.

Balch, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Method to Measure Total Noise Temperature of a Wireless Receiver During Operation

An electromagnetic signal receiver and methods for determining the noise level and signal power in a signal of interest while the receiver is operating. In some embodiments, the signal of interest is a GPS signal. The receiver includes a noise source that provides a noise signal of known power during intervals while the signal of interest is observed. By measuring a signal-to-noise ratio for the signal of interest and the noise power in the signal of interest, the noise level and signal power of the signal of interest can be computed. Various methods of making the measurements and computing the power of the signal of interest are described. Applications of the system and method are described.

Young, Lawrence E.↗
NASA NTRS2005

III-V Compound Detectors for CO2 DIAL Measurements

Profiling of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is important for understanding the natural carbon cycle on Earth and its influence on global warming and climate change. Differential absorption lidar is a powerful remote sensing technique used for profiling and monitoring atmospheric constituents. Recently there has been an interest to apply this technique, at the 2 m wavelength, for investigating atmospheric CO2. This drives the need for high quality detectors at this wavelength. Although 2 m detectors are commercially available, the quest for a better detector is still on. The detector performance, regarding quantum efficiency, gain and associated noise, affects the DIAL signal-to-noise ratio and background signal, thereby influencing the instrument sensitivity and dynamic range. Detectors based on the III-V based compound materials shows a strong potential for such application. In this paper the detector requirements for a long range CO2 DIAL profiles will be discussed. These requirements were compared to newly developed III-V compound infrared detectors. The performance of ternary InGaSb pn junction devices will be presented using different substrates, as well as quaternary InGaAsSb npn structure. The performance study was based on experimental characterization of the devices dark current, spectral response, gain and noise. The final results are compared to the current state-of-the-art InGaAs technology. Npn phototransistor structure showed the best performance, regarding the internal gain and therefore the device signal-to-noise ratio. 2-micrometers detectivity as high as 3.9 x 10(exp 11) cmHz(sup 1/2)/W was obtained at a temperature of -20 C and 4 V bias voltage. This corresponds to a responsivity of 2650 A/W with about 60% quantum efficiency.

Refaat, Tamer F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The electron density in the galactic center as derived from the S III 18.71/33.47 micron line ratio

High signal-to-noise ratio measurements of the S III lines 18.71 and 33.47 microns from the galactic center, Sgr A West, are reported. The average electron density is calculated for the S III-emitting region and is found to be 1800 + or - 500 per cu cm. This value is much less than the rms electron density of the clumps as derived from radio observations. The implications for various models are discussed. The S III result is consistent with the electron density previously derived from low signal-to-noise ratio measurements of the O III lines at 88 and 52 microns, if newer values are used for the O III atomic constants.

Herter, T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Microwave oscillator with reduced phase noise by negative feedback incorporating microwave signals with suppressed carrier

Oscillator configurations which reduce the effect of 1/f noise sources for both direct feedback and stabilized local oscillator (STALO) circuits are developed and analyzed. By appropriate use of carrier suppression, a small signal is generated which suffers no loss of loop phase information or signal-to-noise ratio. This small signal can be amplified without degradation by multiplicative amplifier noise, and can be detected without saturation of the detector. Together with recent advances in microwave resonator Qs, these circuit improvements will make possible lower phase noise than can be presently achieved without the use of cryogenic devices.

Dick, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Laser radar studies: A study of the feasibility of remote measurement of atmospheric density and turbidity by means of rotational Raman scattering of laser light

A remote sensing technique is described which utilizes elastic scattering and rotational Raman scattering of laser light in the atmosphere to obtain soundings of turbidity, transmissivity and density. A scheme is devised whereby, through selective weighting of the rotational Raman lines, the effect of atmospheric temperature structure may be eliminated. The close spectral proximity of the elastic and Raman-scattered signals, combined with the fact that the Raman scattering is quite weak, produces special requirements for the spectroscopic and light-gathering components of a rotational Raman laser radar system. These requirements are investigated. A computation of typical signal-to-noise ratios is made. It is shown that daytime signal-to-noise ratios greater than 10 db are to be expected for observation heights of 5 km and below. For nighttime work, 10 db signal-to-noise ratios are achievable to altitudes as high as 15 km.

Reiss, N.↗