Search NASASearch

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Shadow Model”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

Extended Empirical Roadside Shadowing model from ACTS mobile measurements

Employing multiple data bases derived from land-mobile satellite measurements using the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) at 20 GHz, MARECS B-2 at 1.5 GHz, and helicopter measurements at 870 MHz and 1.5 GHz, the Empirical Road Side Shadowing Model (ERS) has been extended. The new model (Extended Empirical Roadside Shadowing Model, EERS) may now be employed at frequencies from UHF to 20 GHz, at elevation angles from 7 to 60 deg and at percentages from 1 to 80 percent (0 dB fade). The EERS distributions are validated against measured ones and fade deviations associated with the model are assessed. A model is also presented for estimating the effects of foliage (or non-foliage) on 20 GHz distributions, given distributions from deciduous trees devoid of leaves (or in full foliage).

Goldhirsh, Julius

Shadow molecular dynamics for flexible multipole models

Shadow molecular dynamics provide an efficient and stable atomistic simulation framework for flexible charge models with long-range electrostatic interactions. Shadow molecular dynamics simulations are driven by approximate “shadow” Born–Oppenheimer potentials for which the exact charges and forces are directly accessible without relying on costly (and approximate) iterative solvers. While previous implementations have been limited to atomic monopole charge distributions, we extend this approach to flexible multipole models. We derive detailed expressions for the shadow energy functions, potentials, and force terms, explicitly incorporating monopole–monopole, dipole–monopole, and dipole–dipole interactions. In our formulation, both atomic monopoles and atomic dipoles are treated as extended dynamical variables alongside the propagation of the nuclear degrees of freedom. We demonstrate that introducing the additional dipole degrees of freedom preserves the stability and accuracy previously seen in monopole-only shadow molecular dynamics simulations. In addition, we present a shadow molecular dynamics scheme where the monopole charges are held fixed while the dipoles remain flexible. Our extended shadow dynamics provide a framework for stable, computationally efficient, and versatile molecular dynamics simulations involving long-range interactions between flexible multipoles. This is of particular current interest in combination with machine-learned interatomic potentials, including long-range electrostatic interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

Interpreting asteroid photometry and polarimetry using a model of shadowing and coherent backscattering

The shadow-hiding models for the opposition effect and negative polarization of atmosphereless solar system bodies do not explain some experimental findings, such as the enhancing opposition effect and negative polarization with decreasing particle size down to wavelength scales. The enhancement for laboratory photometric and polarimetric data on artificial glass samples with different particle size is shown. These results are in agreement with the so-called coherent backscattering or interference mechanism proposed for the interpretation of the opposition effect and negative polarization. Two different approaches for describing the opposition effect and negative polarization produced by the shadow-interference mechanism were developed. One is based on exact electromagnetic solutions for simple scattering systems that include dipole-dipole and dipole-surface coupling; The other is based on a point-scatterer approximation characterized by model photometric and polarimetric phase functions, and the mutual shadowing effect is derived using virtual volumes associated with the point-scatterers. Both approaches yield qualitatively similar results, although neither is entirely satisfactory. We regard them as prototypes for a future unified model of shadowing and coherent backscattering. The sharp opposition effect of 44 Nysa and the asteroid albedo-polarization rule are here explained using the point-scatterer approach.

Shkuratov, Y. G.

Wind tunnel measurements of the tower shadow on models of the ERDA/NASA 100 KW wind turbine tower

Detailed wind speed profile measurements were made in the wake of 1/25 scale and 1/48 scale tower models to determine the magnitude of the speed reduction (the tower shadow). The 1/25 scale tower modeled closely the actual wind turbine including the service stairway and the equipment elevator rails on one face. The 1/48 scale model was made of all tubular members. Measurements were made on the 1/25 scale model with and without the stairway and elevator rails, and on the 1/48 all tube model without stairs and rails. The test results show that the stairs and rails were a major source of wind flow blockage. The all tubular 1/48 scale tower was found to offer less resistance to the wind than the 1/25 scale model that contained a large number of square sections. Shadow photos are included to show the extent of the blockage offered to the wind from various directions.

Savino, J. M.

Camera Simulation for the Perseverance Rover’s Lander Vision System

On February 18, 2021, the Perseverance Rover safely landed on Mars at Jezero Crater. Part of the successful landing was due to the Lander Vision System (LVS), which takes descent images from the LVS Camera (LCAM) and IMU measurements and estimates the lander position relative to a map of the Jezero landing site. The LVS Simulation LCAM (LVSS LCAM) model is an image rendering program developed to test the LVS in a variety of scenarios to ensure performance amid uncertainty. The LVSS LCAM model includes a pointing misalignment model, an exposure timing model, shadowing, a terrain reflectance model, atmospheric attenuation from dust, and sensor effects. This model was used for performance analysis, verification, and validation of the LVS algorithms in a Mars-like simulation prior to landing. This paper describes the LVSS LCAM rendering algorithm and compares flight images from LVS operation during the Perseverance landing with their rendered counterparts.

Zheng, Jason

An analytical and experimental evaluation of shadow shields and their support members

Experimental tests were performed on a model shadow shield thermal protection system to examine the effect of certain configuration variables. The experimental results were used to verify the ability of an analytical program to predict the shadow shield performance including the shield-support interaction. In general, the analysis (assuming diffuse surfaces) agreed well with the experimental support temperature profiles. The agreement for the shield profiles was not as good. The results demonstrated: (1) shadow shields can be effective in reducing the heat transfer into cryogenic propellant tanks, and (2) the conductive heat transfer through supports can be reduced by selective surface coatings.

Stochl, R. J.

Assessing Membership Inference Attacks under Distribution Shifts

Membership inference attacks (MIAs) exploit machine learning models to infer whether a data point was in the training set, posing significant privacy risks even with limited black-box access. These attacks rely on the attacker approximating the target model’s training distribution, yet the impact of distribution shifts between target and shadow models on MIA success remains underexplored. We systematically evaluate five types of distribution shifts —-cutout, jitter, Gaussian noise, label shift, and attribute shift —- at varying intensities. Our results reveal that these shifts affect MIA effectiveness in nuanced ways, with some reducing attack success while others exacerbate vulnerabilities, and the same shift can have opposite effects depending on the type of MIA. This highlights the complex interplay between distributional differences and attack performance, offering critical insights for improving model defenses against MIAs.

Shi, Yichuan [Massachusetts Institute of Technolog

Computer simulation of plasma electron collection by PIX-II

A wake model was defined for the NASCAP/LEO finite element model for the plasma interaction experiment (PIX-II) launched to study the interaction between high-voltage large solar arrays with the space plasma environment. The cell surface model considers the individual cells, distances between interconnects, and the fraction of surface covered by interconnects. Account is taken of the electrostatic potential around the spacecraft, which travels at 7500 mps, over five times the speed of thermal ions. Ram ions are produced ahead of the array and the wake ion density is described with a geometric shadowing model. The model correctly predicted the currents in high and low bias voltages when compared to orbital data. The panel snapover, however, was projected to occur at 100 V and instead occurred at 300 V, which indicates that the snapover state is bistable. Finally, a low potential was both predicted and measured in the wake.

Mandell, M. J.

An Overview of the Revised Mobile Satellite Handbook. 'Propagation Effects for Land Mobile Satellite Systems: Overview of Experimental and Modeling Results'

A review of the planned revised mobile satellite propagation handbook is presented. The revised manual will have a broadened scope such that it contains propagation information related to personal-mobile, airmobile, and marine-mobile scenarios; subject areas; previously not covered in the former document. It will also review new experiments, revised and new empirical and theoretical models developed since the previous publication. It is expected that many of the chapters will have been made accessible on the World Wide Web (http://propagation jpl.nasa.gov) by the time of the presentation of this paper. A formal document is expected to be published during the fall of 1997. As a sample of the contents of the revised handbook, the Extended Empirical Roadside Shadowing Model is described in detail.

Goldhirsh, Julius

The optical structure of the Crab Nebula's 'jet'

A deep, high-resolution forbidden O III image of the Crab Nebula's northern 'jet' is presented which reveals considerably finer details than visible on previous photographs. The jet's small-scale structure appears composed of numerous emission-line filaments and knots which collectively exhibit a strong alignment having well-defined east-west boundaries. Comparison with an earlier published image suggests a proper motion northward for one of the jet's emission knots of 0.22 + or - 0.05 arcsec/yr. The jet's optical morphology is discussed and its properties compared to predictions of several proposed models. The 'shadowed flow' model suggested by Morrison and Roberts (1985) appears to explain best the jet's known properties.

Fesen, R. A.

Surficial textures of the Galilean satellites

The observations of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter obtained with the IUE have been analyzed as a function of solar phase angle. By fitting the measurements to a shadowing model, comparative descriptions of the microtextures of the optically active portion of the surfaces of the satellites are derived. Important differences among the satellites and between leading and trailing hemispheres of individual satellites result from the different processes of meteoritic bombardment, magnetospheric interaction, and geological resurfacing that operate in the Jovian system. Io and Callisto have the most tenuous upper regoliths, whereas the surface of the leading side of Europa is the most compact.

Buratti, Bonnie J.

On the nature of the polarization opposition effect exhibited by Saturn's rings

The nature of the unusually narrow photometric and polarization opposition effects exhibited by Saturn's A and B rings is examined using a theory and results of laboratory measurements. It is pointed out that the small angular width of both phenomena makes it difficult to explain them on the basis of the commonly used shadowing models. On the other hand, it is known from laboratory experiments and theoretical studies, that a strong and very narrow opposition peak in the reflected intensity can be produced by coherent backscattering of light from powderlike layers of small regolithic grains. Using Ozrin's (1992) rigorous vector theory of coherent backscattering, it is shown that, for subwavelength-sized regolithic particles, the photometric opposition effect is accompanied by a polarization opposition effect of the same angular width. This suggests that the polarization opposition effect of the Saturn's ring has the same origin as the photometric opposition effect and is due to coherent backscattering of light from the regolithic layer composed of the submicrometer-sized ice grains.

Mishchenko, Michael I.

Channel fading for mobile satellite communications using spread spectrum signaling and TDRSS

This paper will present some preliminary results from a propagation experiment which employed NASA's TDRSS and an 8 MHz chip rate spread spectrum signal. Channel fade statistics were measured and analyzed in 21 representative geographical locations covering urban/suburban, open plain, and forested areas. Cumulative distribution Functions (CDF's) of 12 individual locations are presented and classified based on location. Representative CDF's from each of these three types of terrain are summarized. These results are discussed, and the fade depths exceeded 10 percent of the time in three types of environments are tabulated. The spread spectrum fade statistics for tree-lined roads are compared with the Empirical Roadside Shadowing Model.

Jenkins, Jeffrey D.

Quantum computing approach for building surface sunlit in urban-scale energy modeling

Solar shadow calculations are needed in building energy modeling and performance simulation of PV systems installed on roofs or facades of buildings. We present a quantum computing approach for calculation of building surface sunlit fractions by recasting solar visibility as a binary optimization problem solved by quantum annealing. Each triangulated surface centroid is encoded as a binary qubit indicating sunlit or shaded status. Geometric visibility constraints are derived from the Möller-Trumbore intersection algorithm and converted into a constrained quadratic binary model compatible with contemporary quantum annealers. The coefficients were embedded to D-Wave quantum computer. To demonstrate feasibility, we conducted a case study in San Francisco for a target building with 52 triangles and roughly 2700 nearby triangles within 50 m evaluated at representative winter and summer solar positions. The results demonstrated that quantum annealing can reliably calculate and distinguish sunlit from shaded surfaces. Quantum samples achieved average accuracy exceeding 92.4 %, with the aggregate surface-level agreement approaching 99.9 %. The outputs of quantum computers agreed closely with classical algorithms, indicating practical feasibility and promising scalability. Finally, the hourly sunlit fractions of building surfaces can be obtained for urban energy modelling. This is the first study to apply quantum computing to the solar shadow and building surface sunlit calculation. It introduces a new paradigm that differs fundamentally from traditional approaches.

Deng, Zhipeng

Analysis of Snow Bidirectional Reflectance from ARCTAS Spring-2008 Campaign

The spring 2008 Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) experiment was one of major intensive field campaigns of the International Polar Year aimed at detailed characterization of atmospheric physical and chemical processes in the Arctic region. A part of this campaign was a unique snow bidirectional reflectance experiment on the NASA P-3B aircraft conducted on 7 and 15 April by the Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) jointly with airborne Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS) and ground-based Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sunphotometers. The CAR data were atmospherically corrected to derive snow bidirectional reflectance at high 1 degree angular resolution in view zenith and azimuthal angles along with surface albedo. The derived albedo was generally in good agreement with ground albedo measurements collected on 15 April. The CAR snow bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) was used to study the accuracy of analytical Ross-Thick Li-Sparse (RTLS), Modified Rahman-Pinty-Verstraete (MRPV) and Asymptotic Analytical Radiative Transfer (AART) BRF models. Except for the glint region (azimuthal angles phi less than 40 degrees), the best fit MRPV and RTLS models fit snow BRF to within 0.05. The plane-parallel radiative transfer (PPRT) solution was also analyzed with the models of spheres, spheroids, randomly oriented fractal crystals, and with a synthetic phase function. The latter merged the model of spheroids for the forward scattering angles with the fractal model in the backscattering direction. The PPRT solution with synthetic phase function provided the best fit to measured BRF in the full range of angles. Regardless of the snow grain shape, the PPRT model significantly over-/underestimated snow BRF in the glint/backscattering regions, respectively, which agrees with other studies. To improve agreement with experiment, we introduced a model of macroscopic snow surface roughness by averaging the PPRT solution over the slope distribution function and by adding a simple model of shadows. With macroscopic roughness described by two parameters, the AART model achieved an accuracy of about plus or minus 0.05 with a possible bias of plus or minus 0.03 in the spectral range 0.4-2.2 micrometers. This high accuracy holds at view zenith angles below 55-60 degrees covering the practically important range for remote sensing applications, and includes both glint and backscattering directions.

Lyapustin, A.

Microwave characteristics of the ocean surface in the 1-10 GHz band

The microwave characteristics of calm, rough, and foam-covered ocean surfaces were studied, and a technique was developed for deriving thermodynamic ocean surface temperatures from brightness temperatures measured by an earth-orbiting radiometer. This investigation encompassed frequencies in the range 1 to 10 GHz (wavelength range of 30 to 3 cm) and was based on the use of a one-dimensional geometrical optics roughness model, including shadowing and multiple scattering of radiant electromagnetic energy. Provision is made in the model for characterizing surface roughness through the rms slope versus wind velocity relations previously established. Suitable foam and atmospheric models were superimposed on the roughness model.

Strong, A. E.

Shade images of forested areas obtained from Landsat MSS data

The objective of this report is to generate a shade (shadow) image of forested areas from Landsat MSS data by implementing a linear mixing model, where shadow is considered as one of the primary components in a pixel. The shade images are related to the observed variation in forest structure; i.e., the proportion of inferred shadow in a pixel is related to different forest ages, forest types, and tree crown cover. The constrained least-squares method is used to generate shade images for forest of eucalyptus and vegetation of 'cerrado' over the Itapeva study area in Brazil. The resulted shade images may explain the difference on ages for forest of eucalyptus and the difference on tree crown cover for vegetation of cerrado.

Shimabukuro, Yosio Edemir