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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 NTRS1991

SAR data compression: Application, requirements, and designs

The feasibility of reducing data volume and data rate is evaluated for the Earth Observing System (EOS) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). All elements of data stream from the sensor downlink data stream to electronic delivery of browse data products are explored. The factors influencing design of a data compression system are analyzed, including the signal data characteristics, the image quality requirements, and the throughput requirements. The conclusion is that little or no reduction can be achieved in the raw signal data using traditional data compression techniques (e.g., vector quantization, adaptive discrete cosine transform) due to the induced phase errors in the output image. However, after image formation, a number of techniques are effective for data compression.

Curlander, John C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Target Tracking with Distributed Sensing and Optimal Data Migration

The paper presents an Extended Kalman Filter based framework for airborne target tracking using adaptive information fusion from multi-modal multi-rate distributed sensors network. First, the tracking algorithm execution location is determined using an optimal data migration strategy, which also computes the associated delays for each sensor data to arrive at the computing location. Next, the fast (zero-delay) sensors information is dynamically fused in the filter correction procedure at the arrival instance of each valid sensor reading. Finally, the target estimation is updated based on the valid slow (delayed) data, which are grouped according to the delay-time steps before application of the Larsen's method. This approach is applied to the synthetic sensor data generated by means of the ground based radar and camera models for the simulated target flight in Reflection simulation environment.

Distributed sensing↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Target Tracking with Distributed Sensing and Optimal Data Migration

The paper presents an Extended Kalman Filter based framework for airborne target tracking using adaptive information fusion from multi-modal multi-rate distributed sensors network. First, the tracking algorithm execution location is determined using an optimal data migration strategy, which also computes the associated delays for each sensor data to arrive at the computing location. Next, the fast (zero-delay) sensors information is dynamically fused in the filter correction procedure at the arrival instance of each valid sensor reading. Finally, the target estimation is updated based on the valid slow (delayed) data, which are grouped according to the delay-time steps before application of the Larsen's method. This approach is applied to the synthetic sensor data generated by means of the ground based radar and camera models for the simulated target flight in Reflection simulation environment.

Distributed sensing↗
NASA NTRS1981

Use of imaging radar for geology and archeology

Imaging radar is shown to be a useful sensor for geological analysis as a standal one sensor in clouded regions or as a complementary data source with visible NIR systems. Radar image tone is a function of the radar system parameters (imaging geometry, frequency, polarization) and a function of the target (local slope, electrical properties, and surface roughness). Substantial topographic texture enhancement can be achieved for large scale features by using specular returns associated with steep-incidence radars or shadows associated with grazing-incidence systems. Texture enhancement also allows radar to image lineaments and archeological features, such as canals and causeways. Future multispectral radars may achieve better discrimination of subresolution structures. Seasat radar images of several geographic locations are provided.

Daily, M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Estimates of surface roughness derived from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data

Radar remote sensing data provide a unique perspective of the earth's crust and the processes that have influenced its evolution. Physically based models are required, however, to relate the geophysical quantities being measured by the radar sensor to useful geologic information. In this study, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data over the Cima volcanic field in the Mojave Desert of California are quantitatively connected with microtopography through inversion of a radar backscatter model. Changes in surface roughness inferred from the derived microtopography are modeled and found to be consistent with aeolian mantling as surfaces age. Estimated rates of aeolian deposition for the Cima area are compared to the Lunar Crater volcanic field in Nevada. Rates of deposition appear to be higher at Cima volcanic field, most likely because of its proximity to Soda Lake, the main source of the aeolian material.

Evans, Diane L.↗
NASA NTRS2025

Demonstration of Data Processing and Fusion from Distributed Radars for AAM Surveillance

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is an active area of development which foresees the integration of autonomous uncrewed aircraft into the civil airspace for air transportation of people and cargo. Safe integration requires significant technological developments and extensive testing phases of sensing and surveillance strategies in dense airspace. Compared to well-assessed manned aviation systems scenarios, surveillance strategies in the AAM and small Uncrewed Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) context need to detect smaller platforms flying at lower altitude against cluttered backgrounds in dense airspace. Fusion of data provided by a network of distributed sensing nodes is a powerful tool to enable detection and tracking in such complex conditions. This paper contributes to this research direction by proposing a surveillance strategy for the AAM environment based on sensor fusion of data acquired by distributed ground-based radars. Specifically, experimental data collected with three independent radars, observing the flight of two small UAVs, are used. Data fusion at tracking level is based on a leader-helper strategy where the leader radar uses the helper’s measurements to increase the lifespan of its generated tracks. This solution shows promising results with a 10% increase in track coverage with respect to the standalone leader radar tracking solution. The paper also proposes an interference removal processing method which is applied on the data collected by two of the radars.

Federica Vitiello↗
NASA NTRS1996

Second International Airborne Remote Sensing Conference and Exhibition

The conference provided four days of displays and scientific presentations on applications, technology, a science of sub-orbital data gathering and analysis. The twelve displayed aircraft equipped with sophisticated instrumentation represented a wide range of environmental and reconnaissance missions,including marine pollution control, fire detection, Open Skies Treaty verification, thermal mapping, hydrographical measurements, military research, ecological and agricultural observations, geophysical research, atmospheric and meterological observations, and aerial photography. The U.S. Air Force and the On-Site Inspection Agency displayed the new Open Skies Treaty verification Boeing OC 135B that promotes international monitoring of military forces and activities. SRl's Jetstream uses foliage and ground penetrating SAR for forest inventories, toxic waste delineation, and concealed target and buried unexploded ordnance detection. Earth Search Sciences's Gulfstream 1 with prototype miniaturized airborne hyperspectral imaging equipment specializes in accurate mineral differentiation, low-cost hydrocarbon exploration, and nonproliferation applications. John E. Chance and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers displayed the Bell 2 helicopter with SHOALS that performs hydrographic surveying of navigation projects, coastal environment assessment, and nautical charting surveys. Bechtel Nevada and U.S. DOE displayed both the Beech King AIR B-200 platform equipped to provide first response to nuclear accidents and routine environmental surveillance, and the MBB BO-105 helicopter used in spectral analysis for environmental assessment and military appraisal. NASA Ames Research Center's high-altitude Lockheed ER-2 assists in earth resources monitoring research in atmospheric chemistry, oceanography, and electronic sensors; ozone and greenhouse studies and satellite calibration and data validation. Ames also showcased the Learjet 24 Airborne Observatory that completed missions in Venus cloud cover analysis, Quadantid meteor shower studies, extra-solar far infrared ionic structure lines measurement, Cape Kennedy launch support, and studies in air pollution, The Products and Services Exhibit showcased new sensor and image processing technologies, aircraft data collection services, unmanned vehicle technology, platform equipment, turn-key services, software a workstations, GPS services, publications, and processing and integration systems by 58 exhibitors. The participation of aircraft users and crews provided unique dialogue between those who plan data collection a operate the remote sensing technology, and those who supply the data processing and integration equipment. Research results using hyperspectral imagery, radar and optical sensors, lidar, digital aerial photography, a integrated systems were presented. Major research and development programs and campaigns we reviewed, including CNR's LARA Project and European Space Agency's 1991-1995 Airborne Campaign. The pre-conference short courses addressed airborne video, photogrammetry, hyperspectral data analysis, digital orthophotography, imagery and GIS integration, IFSAR, GPS, and spectrometer calibration.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2018

Detecting outliers in streaming time series data from ARM distributed sensors

The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Data Center at ORNL collects data from a number of permanent and mobile facilities around the globe. The data is then ingested to create high level scientific products. High frequency streaming measurements from sensors and radar instruments at ARM sites require high degree of accuracy to enable rigorous study of atmospheric processes. Outliers in collected data are common due to instrument failure or extreme weather events. Thus, it is critical to identify and flag them. We employed multiple univariate, multivariate and time series techniques for outlier detection methods and studied their effectiveness. First, we examined Pearson correlation coefficient which is used to measure the pairwise correlations between variables. Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) was applied to detect outliers by removing the anticipated annual and seasonal cycles from the signal to accentuate anomalies. K-means was applied for multivariate examination of data from collection of sensors to identify any deviation from expected and known patterns and identify abnormal observation. The Pearson correlation coefficient, SSA and K-means methods were later combined together in a framework to detect outliers through a range of checks. We applied the developed method to data from meteorological sensors at ARM Southern Great Plains site and validated against existing database of known data quality issues.

Lu, Yuping↗
NASA NTRS2002

Vexcel Spells Excellence for Earth and Space

With assistance from Stennis Space Center, Vexcel was able to strengthen the properties of its Apex Ground Station(TM), an affordable, end-to-end system that comes complete with a tracking antenna that permits coverage within an approximate 2,000-kilometer radius of its location, a high speed direct-to-disk data acquisition system that can download information from virtually any satellite, and data processing software for virtually all synthetic aperture radar and optical satellite sensors. Vexcel is using an Apex system linked to the Terra satellite to help scientists and NASA personnel measure land and ocean surface temperatures, detect fires, monitor ocean color and currents, produce global vegetation maps and data, and assess cloud characteristics and aerosol concentrations. In addition, Vexcel is providing NASA with close-range photogrammetry software for the International Space Station. The technology, commercially available as FotoG(TM), was developed with SBIR funding and support from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Commercially, FotoG is used for demanding projects taken on by engineering firms, nuclear power plants, oil refineries, and process facilities. A version of Vexcel's close-range photo measurement system was also used to create virtual 3-D backdrops for a high-tech science fiction film.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2012

GPR Imaging for Deeply Buried Objects: A Comparative Study Based on FDTD Models and Field Experiments

Conventional use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is hampered by variations in background environmental conditions, such as water content in soil, resulting in poor repeatability of results over long periods of time when the radar pulse characteristics are kept the same. Target objects types might include voids, tunnels, unexploded ordinance, etc. The long-term objective of this work is to develop methods that would extend the use of GPR under various environmental and soil conditions provided an optimal set of radar parameters (such as frequency, bandwidth, and sensor configuration) are adaptively employed based on the ground conditions. Towards that objective, developing Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) GPR models, verified by experimental results, would allow us to develop analytical and experimental techniques to control radar parameters to obtain consistent GPR images with changing ground conditions. Reported here is an attempt at developing 20 and 3D FDTD models of buried targets verified by two different radar systems capable of operating over different soil conditions. Experimental radar data employed were from a custom designed high-frequency (200 MHz) multi-static sensor platform capable of producing 3-D images, and longer wavelength (25 MHz) COTS radar (Pulse EKKO 100) capable of producing 2-D images. Our results indicate different types of radar can produce consistent images.

Tilley, roger↗
DOE OSTI2023

Investigation of Surface and Marine-Cloud Coupling and its Impact on Cloud Droplet Number Concentrations and Cloud Cover Over the Southern Ocean

The proposed work involves characterizing and quantifying both the thermodynamic and dynamical coupling of marine low clouds (MLC) with the sea surface using Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) observations during MARCUS field campaign and an LES model. ARM data from multiple sensors will be used (e.g., Doppler cloud radar, ceilometer, and microwave radiometer) to characterize the MLC-surface coupling by virtue of the vertical structure and integrated quantities of boundary-layer clouds, aerosols, as well as atmospheric profiles and surface meteorology. We have used a combination of case studies and statistics-based composite analyses to find any linkages between large-scale dynamics, MLC-surface coupling, and cloud and boundary layer properties, the sequence of which reflects the chain of causality. An LES model with explicit aerosol physics, which includes the cycle of aerosols by being consumed as CCN and be regenerated following cloud droplet evaporation, has been run to determine the sources and sinks of Nd and their dependence on the degree of MLC-surface coupling. We have examined the systematic differences in both Nd and cloud occurrence between the two clusters under different meteorological conditions and further examine their respective roles, as well as causal relationships by means of LES modeling. This study helped improve our understanding of the ACI by differentiating the dynamic role of the coupling and cloud physics denoted by Nd, bridging the linkage in the chain toward understanding mechanisms governing the persistence of MLC over the Southern Ocean, solving the long-lasting problem of the cloud cover underestimation over the SO by GCMs. Ample ARM data and LES model have been employed to achieve the objectives of the study.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Geophysical methods reveal the soil architecture and subsurface stratigraphic heterogeneities across land-lake interfaces along Lake Erie

Abstract Purpose The land-lake interface is a unique zone where terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems meet, forming part of the Earth’s most geochemically and biologically active zones. The unique characteristics of this interface are yet to be properly understood due to the inherently high spatiotemporal variability of subsurface properties, which are difficult to capture with the traditional soil sampling methods. Geophysical methods offer non-invasive techniques to capture variabilities in soil properties at a high resolution across various spatiotemporal scales. Methods We combined electromagnetic induction (EMI), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) with data from soil cores and in situ sensors to investigate hydrostratigraphic heterogeneities across land-lake interfaces along the western basin of Lake Erie. Results EMI revealed high spatial heterogeneities in ECa distribution across the land-lake interfaces, with higher values in the wetland and transition zones compared to the upland zone. Soil ECa maps matched soil maps from a public database with the hydric soil units delineated as high conductivity zones (ECa > 40 mS/m). ERT and GPR showed vertical variation in soil properties with clear stratigraphic boundaries, and correlation of ERT profiles with lithologs from piezometers revealed the stratigraphic units of silt–clay and till sequence down to 3.5 m depth which are consistent with the surficial geology of the study area. Conclusions These results validate the use of multiple geophysical methods for extrapolating soil properties and mapping stratigraphic structures at land-lake interfaces, thereby providing the missing information required to improve the earth system model (ESM) of coastal interfaces.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1980

Radar image preprocessing

Standard image processing techniques are not applicable to radar images because of the coherent nature of the sensor. Therefore there is a need to develop preprocessing techniques for radar images which will then allow these standard methods to be applied. A random field model for radar image data is developed. This model describes the image data as the result of a multiplicative-convolved process. Standard techniques, those based on additive noise and homomorphic processing are not directly applicable to this class of sensor data. Therefore, a minimum mean square error (MMSE) filter was designed to treat this class of sensor data. The resulting filter was implemented in an adaptive format to account for changes in local statistics and edges. A radar image processing technique which provides the MMSE estimate inside homogeneous areas and tends to preserve edge structure was the result of this study. Digitally correlated Seasat-A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery was used to test the technique.

Frost, V. S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Generation of Merged Radar-Lidar Data Products during the IMPACTS 2020 Field Campaign

A novel, composite lidar and radar data products was created using lidar and radar data products generated from the NASA ER-2 aircraft during the NASA IMPACTS 2020 field campaign. This product is intended to supplement the raw data sources, tease out additional aspects of the mechanisms underpinning wintertime cyclones, and enhance our understanding of microphysical properties in sensor overlap regions. Initial combined products focused on generating normalized fields of ER-2 based radar and lidar data to provide a more comprehensive visualization of storm structure (precipitation bands, cloud tops, melting levels, etc.) Ongoing work has focused on developing a combined radar-lidar reflectivity product and deriving hydrometeor particle properties (type, orientation, etc.) using ER-2-based depolarization data. To validate these hydrometeor properties, we leverage coincident overpasses of the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft with the suite of cloud particle probes on the in-situ P-3 aircraft during coincident flight overpasses. This work aims to provide vital information to help IMPACTS achieve its mission goal of improving microphysical properties retrievals from airborne and spaceborne platforms for these high-impact winter storm events.

Stephen D Nicholls↗
NASA NTRS1976

Total attenuation measurements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone by satellite altimeter

The 13.9-GHz radar altimeter operating aboard Skylab detected incidences of intense attenuation during a passage over the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The signal returned to the instrument from the surface was reduced by 4.5 and 6 dB over two distinct meteorological disturbances near 8 deg N, 27.5 deg W. Although it is impossible to deduce the vertical composition of the ITCZ cloud band from these data, the usefulness of the radar altimeter as a meteorological sensor of total atmospheric attenuation is demonstrated.

Parsons, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Small scale wind perturbation analysis for vertically rising launch vehicles

This paper discusses the determination of small-scale vertical wind spectra used with space flight and ballistic technology. In particular, Jimsphere, a precision balloon wind sensor with high radar reflectivity is considered. Gross wind velocity data is analyzed to subtract the steady-state wind and wind change-shear effects. A residue of small wind perturbations is left in the horizontal (scalar) along the vertical direction. An analysis leading to formulation of the covariance function with altitude is presented. The function is decoupled to yield an almost periodic representation of the vertical wind perturbations. Forcing functions are determined when the representation is coupled with the vehicle velocity characteristics.

Chenoweth, H. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Auxiliary Sensors For "Pushbroom" Imaging

Proposed subsystem of small auxiliary imaging sensors yields additional data on motion of linear imaging sensor scanned across scene perpendicular to its length. Sensors yield data on components of motion to which inertial, radar, and air-speed detectors insensitive. Additional data on motion enhances geometric fidelity.

Jones, Kenneth L.↗