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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

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DOE OSTI2026

Automated tape-target centering based on template matching for construction measurement tasks using robotic total station

Robotic total stations have transformed surveying and construction mapping through precise, efficient, and automated measurements. These instruments integrate a theodolite, which measures horizontal and vertical angles, with an electronic distance measurement (EDM) unit to determine distances, allowing accurate 3D measurement of observable points. Traditionally, users manually aimed the total station at a target. Recent advancements in robotic motor control and integration of cameras now enable automatic rotation and aiming, typically requiring only a single operator to position the target. Automated aiming is commonly performed using retroreflector prisms, which reflect light back to the source with minimal scattering, enabling high-precision measurements over long distances. However, retroreflectors, especially those designed for 360 degree, can be expensive and impractical for certain applications. This paper presents an algorithm for automating the center detection of low-cost disposable tape targets using the total station's onboard camera and a template matching algorithm. The algorithm identifies the target's center pixel in the image, and the instrument is commanded to aim at that location. We evaluated the performance of this template-matching-based centering method under various distances, angles, lighting conditions, and field environments, comparing its results to both manual aiming and conventional automated aiming of tape targets. Manual aiming was used as the baseline operational reference in the absence of an independent ground-truth measurement. The proposed approach achieves target centering results comparable to the manual baseline. This method provides a cost-effective alternative for high-precision applications where retroreflector targets are constrained by budget or logistics.

Harrington, Joshua [ORNL]↗

DOE OSTI2024

Perfectly Matched Layers and Characteristic Boundaries in Lattice Boltzmann: Accuracy vs Cost

Artificial boundary conditions (BCs) play a ubiquitous role in numerical simulations of transport phenomena in several diverse fields, such as fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, acoustics, geophysics, and many more. They are essential for accurately capturing the behavior of physical systems whenever the simulation domain is truncated for computational efficiency purposes. Ideally, an artificial BC would allow relevant information to enter or leave the computational domain without introducing artifacts or unphysical effects. Boundary conditions designed to control spurious wave reflections are referred to as nonreflective boundary conditions (NRBCs). Another approach is given by the perfectly matched layers (PMLs), in which the computational domain is extended with multiple dampening layers, where outgoing waves are absorbed exponentially in time. Here, in this work, the definition of PML is revised in the context of the lattice Boltzmann method. The impact of adopting different types of BCs at the edge of the dampening zone is evaluated and compared, in terms of both accuracy and computational costs. It is shown that for sufficiently large buffer zones, PMLs allow stable and accurate simulations even when using a simple zeroth-order extrapolation BC. Moreover, employing PMLs in combination with NRBCs potentially offers significant gains in accuracy at a modest computational overhead, provided the parameters of the BC are properly tuned to match the properties of the underlying fluid flow.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS1968

Power Matching of an Ion Thruster to Solar Cell Power Output

A 20-cm-diam thruster was operated over a 2:1 range of output power, allowing for continuous matching of thruster power to a varying solar cell output level. The technique of matching power by varying either the ion beam current or the net accelerating voltage is described. Ion beam current control, implemented in thruster control loops, utilized existing laboratory hardware. Stable thruster operation was achieved over a range of 1000 to 2000 W. Bistable values of mercury propellant flow at the same discharge chamber and ion beam conditions were also observed.

Pawlik, Eugene V.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Matched pair conical spiral antennas

A matched pair of VHF (220-260 MHz) conical spiral antennas for use in a rocket-tracking interferometer array was designed and tested. While gain, bandwidth, impedance, and pattern measurements met specifications, the phase match between antennas at low elevations was not equal to the design goal.

Metzler, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Digital redesign of continuous systems by matching of states at multiple sampling periods

This paper presents a method of digital approximation of a continuous-data system by the matching of states at multiple sampling periods. Two alternate methods are presented; one method samples the states every sampling period, and alters the forward and feedback gains, so as to match the states of the two systems at the end of N sampling periods. The second method requires the sampling of the states every N sampling periods, with the change of gains at each sampling period. An illustrative example using the one-axis dynamics of the Skylab Satellite is presented.

Yackel, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A multiprocessor computer simulation model employing a feedback scheduler/allocator for memory space and bandwidth matching and TMR processing

A computer simulation model for a multiprocessor computer is developed that is useful for studying the problem of matching multiprocessor's memory space, memory bandwidth and numbers and speeds of processors with aggregate job set characteristics. The model assumes an input work load of a set of recurrent jobs. The model includes a feedback scheduler/allocator which attempts to improve system performance through higher memory bandwidth utilization by matching individual job requirements for space and bandwidth with space availability and estimates of bandwidth availability at the times of memory allocation. The simulation model includes provisions for specifying precedence relations among the jobs in a job set, and provisions for specifying precedence execution of TMR (Triple Modular Redundant and SIMPLEX (non redundant) jobs.

Bradley, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Solution of the exact equations for three-dimensional atmospheric entry using directly matched asymptotic expansions

The problem of determining the trajectories, partially or wholly contained in the atmosphere of a spherical, nonrotating planet, is considered. The exact equations of motion for three-dimensional, aerodynamically affected flight are derived. Modified Chapman variables are introduced and the equations are transformed into a set suitable for analytic integration using asymptotic expansions. The trajectory is solved in two regions: the outer region, where the force may be considered a gravitational field with aerodynamic perturbations, and the inner region, where the force is predominantly aerodynamic, with gravity as a perturbation. The two solutions are matched directly. A composite solution, valid everywhere, is constructed by additive composition. This approach of directly matched asymptotic expansions applied to the exact equations of motion couched in terms of modified Chapman variables yields an analytical solution which should prove to be a powerful tool for aerodynamic orbit calculations.

Busemann, A.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Signature extension through the application of cluster matching algorithms to determine appropriate signature transformations

Signature extension is intended to increase the space-time range over which a set of training statistics can be used to classify data without significant loss of recognition accuracy. A first cluster matching algorithm MASC (Multiplicative and Additive Signature Correction) was developed at the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan to test the concept of using associations between training and recognition area cluster statistics to define an average signature transformation. A more recent signature extension module CROP-A (Cluster Regression Ordered on Principal Axis) has shown evidence of making significant associations between training and recognition area cluster statistics, with the clusters to be matched being selected automatically by the algorithm.

Lambeck, P. F.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Efficiency of electrically small antennas combined with matching networks

In applications where electrically small antennas are necessary and transmitter power is limited, the system efficiency may be a critical parameter in determining the feasibility of the system. The principle of conservation of energy is used to determine the efficiency of an antenna combined with a matching network composed of elements with finite quality factors. It is shown that conditions for maximum efficiency can be met by using a simple L section as the matching network. Illustrative examples concern a cryogenic loop antenna and a ferrite loaded loop antenna.

Smith, G. S.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The matching of biological and technical elements and systems

The conditions necessary for matching the input-output relationships of nonlinear dynamic systems without memory and with image memory are discussed. A structural representation is provided for the input-output relationships of matched elements and systems with distributed kernels.

Zozulya, Y. I.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Theoretical modelling and experimental data matching for active and passive microwave remote sensing of Earth terrain

Two theoretical models were developed to characterize terrain media: a random medium with a variance, a horizontal correlation length; and a homogeneous dielectric containing discrete scatterers. The earth terrain is modelled as layers of such scattering media bounded by air above and half-space below. Matching the theoretical results with experimental data collected from vegetation and snow-ice fields shows that: (1) for observation angles near nadir, rough surface effects are important; (2) for snow-ice field the horizontal correlation length is greater than the vertical correlation length whereas for vegetation field their relative sizes depend on the types of vegetation; (3) the vertically polarized backscattering cross-section is always larger than the horizontally polarized backscattering cross-section for half-space scattering media; (4) for snow field displaying diurnal change, a three-layer model including a thin top layer caused by sunlight illumination must be used; and (5) for a random medium with equal horizontal and vertical correlation lengths, the measured data can also be matched with a corresponding discrete scatterer model.

Kong, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Report of subpanel on inter-image matching

Research needs in the area inter-image matching for remote Earth observation systems are defined. Correlation considerations include types of correlation algorithms, preprocessing techniques, limits on subpixed accuracy, relief and atmospheric refraction effects, evaluation of success rate, and evaluation of accuracy. Also recommended are investigations of the interaction of inter-image matching procedures and selection of ground control points for a given sensor; global multisensor control point library feasibility; multiple control point considerations; centralized processing systems; and user systems.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1983

Pressures, forces, moments and shock shapes for a geometrically matched sphere-cone and hyperboloid at Mach 20.3 in helium

An investigation was conducted to compare measured and predicted pressure distributions, forces and moments, and shock shapes on a geometrically matched sphere-cone and hyperboloid. A hyperboloid with a nose radius of 0.5276 in. and an asymptotic angle of 39.9871 deg was matched to a sphere-cone with a nose radius of 0.750 in. and a cone half-angle of 45 deg. Experimental results in helium at a free-stream Mach number of 20.3 and a free-stream unit Reynolds number of 6.83 x 10 to the 6th power per foot were combined with predicted results from a theoretical method to compare the two shapes. Comparisons of experimental results showed small differences in the two shapes, but the prediction method provided better results for the hyperboloid than for the sphere-cone.

Calloway, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A two-stage cross correlation approach to template matching

Two-stage template matching with sum of absolute differences as the similarity measure has been developed by Vanderburg and Rosenfeld (1977). This correspondence shows the development of two-stage template matching with cross correlation as the similarity measure. The threshold value of the first-stage is derived analytically and its validity is verified experimentally. Considerable speed-up over the one-stage process can be obtained by introducing only a small false dismissal probability.

Goshtasby, A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Phase-matching measurements for 10-microns upconversion in AgGaS2

Laboratory data from the upconversion of CO2 laser radiation using an AgGaS2 crystal pumped with a tunable dye laser are reported. Data were taken on the pump wavelength and bandwidth and the crystal acceptance angle for phase-matching. The results were compared with predictions made in terms of the upconversion conservation of energy and momentum and a model of the AgGaS2 refractive index. The trials were run with an annealed crystal apparently free of cracks, twins and optical scattering centers. The measurements indicated that more accurate refractrive-index data are required to be able to predict accurately the laser pump wavelength for phase-matching.

Itabe, T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Asymptotic matching by the symbolic manipulator MACSYMA

The delegation of the labor of calculating higher-order terms in singular perturbation (SP) expansions to a computer by the use of MACSYMA is considered. The method of matched asymptotic expansions is studied in detail for two model SP problems: a model resembling the boundary layer equation with a small parameter multiplying the highest derivatives; and a turning-point problem. It is shown that MACSYMA has successfully performed the higher-order matching in both problems.

Lo, L. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A pattern-matching algorithm for two-dimensional coordinate lists

A pattern-matching algorithm for two-dimensional coordinate lists is described. The algorithm matches pairs of coordinates in two lists based on the triangles that can be formed from triplets of points in each list. The algorithm is insensitive to coordinate translation, rotation, magnification, or inversion and can tolerate random errors or distortions.

Groth, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Maximum dynamic responses using matched filter theory and random process theory

This paper describes and illustrates two ways of performing time-correlated gust-load calculations. The first is based on Matched Filter Theory; the second on Random Process Theory. The two yield theoretically identical results and both employ novel applications of the theories and unconventional interpretations of the intermediate and final results. Both approaches are computationally fast and are general enough to be applied to dynamic-response problems other than gust loads. A brief mathematical development and example calculations using both Matched Filter Theory and Random Process Theory are presented.

Pototzky, Anthony S.↗