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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 19 records

A note on signal enhancement for dual magnetometer systems.

Demonstration of the value of cross-correlation signal enhancement achieved by means of a dual magnetometer system. A unique feature of a dual magnetometer system is, as pointed out by Ness et al. (1971), the opportunity it allows for signal enhancement by using cross-correlation techniques developed in statistical communication theory. Their use is shown to make it possible to overcome the limitations that the intrinsic sensor ambient noise and the measurement-contaminating spacecraft field fluctuations impose upon the signal detection performance of a single magnetometer.

Ness, N. F.↗

A Comparison of Signal Enhancement Methods for Extracting Tonal Acoustic Signals

The measurement of pure tone acoustic pressure signals in the presence of masking noise, often generated by mean flow, is a continual problem in the field of passive liner duct acoustics research. In support of the Advanced Subsonic Technology Noise Reduction Program, methods were investigated for conducting measurements of advanced duct liner concepts in harsh, aeroacoustic environments. This report presents the results of a comparison study of three signal extraction methods for acquiring quality acoustic pressure measurements in the presence of broadband noise (used to simulate the effects of mean flow). The performance of each method was compared to a baseline measurement of a pure tone acoustic pressure 3 dB above a uniform, broadband noise background.

Jones, Michael G.↗

Radar range data signal enhancement tracker

The design, fabrication, and performance characteristics are described of two digital data signal enhancement filters which are capable of being inserted between the Space Shuttle Navigation Sensor outputs and the guidance computer. Commonality of interfaces has been stressed so that the filters may be evaluated through operation with simulated sensors or with actual prototype sensor hardware. The filters will provide both a smoothed range and range rate output. Different conceptual approaches are utilized for each filter. The first filter is based on a combination low pass nonrecursive filter and a cascaded simple average smoother for range and range rate, respectively. Filter number two is a tracking filter which is capable of following transient data of the type encountered during burn periods. A test simulator was also designed which generates typical shuttle navigation sensor data.

Source record↗

Spatial covert attention increases contrast sensitivity across the CSF: support for signal enhancement

This study is the first to report the benefits of spatial covert attention on contrast sensitivity in a wide range of spatial frequencies when a target alone was presented in the absence of a local post-mask. We used a peripheral precue (a small circle indicating the target location) to explore the effects of covert spatial attention on contrast sensitivity as assessed by orientation discrimination (Experiments 1-4), detection (Experiments 2 and 3) and localization (Experiment 3) tasks. In all four experiments the target (a Gabor patch ranging in spatial frequency from 0.5 to 10 cpd) was presented alone in one of eight possible locations equidistant from fixation. Contrast sensitivity was consistently higher for peripherally- than for neutrally-cued trials, even though we eliminated variables (distracters, global masks, local masks, and location uncertainty) that are known to contribute to an external noise reduction explanation of attention. When observers were presented with vertical and horizontal Gabor patches an external noise reduction signal detection model accounted for the cueing benefit in a discrimination task (Experiment 1). However, such a model could not account for this benefit when location uncertainty was reduced, either by: (a) Increasing overall performance level (Experiment 2); (b) increasing stimulus contrast to enable fine discriminations of slightly tilted suprathreshold stimuli (Experiment 3); and (c) presenting a local post-mask (Experiment 4). Given that attentional benefits occurred under conditions that exclude all variables predicted by the external noise reduction model, these results support the signal enhancement model of attention.

Non-NASA Center↗

Comparison of cross-spectral and signal enhancement methods for mapping steady-state acoustic fields in turbomachinery ducts

The conceptual differences between the following two approaches used to measure spatial variations in steady-state acoustic pressure amplitude were examined: taking the cross spectrum between two signals from probes in the same field or taking the difference in complex Fourier transform of enhanced probe signals. Each approach is used to analyze pressure data from the inlets of two different turbomachines. A complete mapping of this steady-state field may then be used to determine its modal content. A problem with long term nonstationarity was found with both methods. Conditions for equivalence of the two methods are discussed.

Posey, J. W.↗

Searching for an Enhanced Signal of the Onset of Color Transparency in Baryons with D(e,e′p)n Scattering

Observation of the onset of color transparency in baryons would provide a new means of studying the nuclear strong force and would be the first clear evidence of baryons transforming into a color-neutral point-like size in the nucleus as predicted by quantum chromodynamics. Recent C(e,e′p) results from electron-scattering did not observe the onset of color transparency (CT) in protons up to spacelike four-momentum transfers squared, Q2=14.2 GeV2. The traditional methods of searching for CT in (e,e′p) scattering use heavy targets favoring kinematics with already initially reduced final state interactions (FSIs) such that any CT effect that further reduces FSIs will be small. The reasoning behind this choice is the difficulty in accounting for all FSIs. D(e,e′p)n, on the other hand, has well-understood FSI contributions from double scattering with a known dependence on the kinematics and can show an increased sensitivity to hadrons in point-like configurations. Double scattering is the square of the re-scattering amplitude in which the knocked-out nucleon interacts with the spectator nucleon, a process that is suppressed in the presence of point-like configurations and is particularly well-studied for the deuteron. This suppression yields a quadratic sensitivity to CT effects and is strongly dependent on the choice of kinematics. Here, we describe a possible Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) electron-scattering experiment that utilizes these kinematics and explores the potential signal for the onset of CT with enhanced sensitivity as compared to recent experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Ultrasonic signal enhancement by resonator techniques

Ultrasonic resonators increase experimental sensitivity to acoustic dispersion and changes in attenuation. Experimental sensitivity enhancement line shapes are presented which were obtained by modulating the acoustic properties of a CdS resonator with a light beam. Small changes in light level are made to produce almost pure absorptive or dispersive changes in the resonator signal. This effect is due to the coupling of the ultrasonic wave to the CdS conductivity which is proportional to incident light intensity. The resonator conductivity is adjusted in this manner to obtain both dispersive and absorptive sensitivity enhancement line shapes. The data presented verify previous thoretical calculations based on a propagating wave model.

Heyman, J. S.↗

Ambient ion focusing from a field-free region to a detector: enhanced signal for explosives and drug detection with mass spectrometry

This study demonstrates ion focusing at ambient pressure and increased ion signal by creating a voltage gradient from a field-free region to a detector, thereby improving the detection of chemicals, such as explosives and drugs. At ambient pressure, ion loss and resulting signal reduction pose challenges that limit detection sensitivity in analytical instruments. Techniques to increase sensitivity, such as atmospheric flow tube-mass spectrometry (AFT-MS), extend ion-molecule reaction times but result in significant overall ion loss due to diffusion. Ion manipulation techniques, though challenging at ambient pressure, can mitigate these losses by concentrating ions toward the detector inlet. Using SIMION, ion trajectories were modeled with a voltage gradient applied between a flow tube and a detector, revealing ion focusing at ambient pressure. Experimental verification with an atmospheric flow tube employed both mass spectrometry and Faraday plate detectors to measure ion beam profiles across varying flow rates, tube diameters, and voltage gradients. Application of a voltage gradient effectively directed ions to the axial center of the flow tube, narrowed ion beam width, and increased signal intensity by 5 to 10 times compared to conditions without a voltage gradient. This ion focusing approach shows promise for improving sensitivity in ambient-pressure instruments. This technique has the potential to enhance detection levels in security and forensic applications, with particular benefits for field-portable devices used at checkpoints to identify explosives and drugs.

ambient pressure↗

Enhanced signal of momentum broadening in hard splittings for $γ$-tagged jets in a multistage approach

We investigate medium-induced modifications to jet substructure observables that characterize hard splitting patterns in central Pb-Pb collisions at the top energy of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Using a multistage Monte Carlo simulation of in-medium jet shower evolution, we explore flavor-dependent medium effects through simulations of inclusive and $γ$-tagged jets. The results show that quark jets undergo a non-monotonic modification compared to gluon jets in observables such as the Pb-Pb to $p$-$p$ ratio of the Soft Drop prong angle $r_g$, the relative prong transverse momentum $k_{T,g}$ and the groomed mass $m_g$ distributions. Due to this non-monotonic modification, $γ$-tagged jets, enriched in quark jets, provide surprisingly clear signals of medium-induced structural modifications, distinct from effects dominated by selection bias. This work highlights the potential of hard substructures in $γ$-tagged jets as powerful tools for probing the jet-medium interactions in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. All simulations for $γ$-tagged jet analyses carried out in this paper used triggered events containing at least one hard photon, which highlights the utility of these observables for future Bayesian analysis.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

Hologram-reconstruction signal enhancement

Principle of heterodyne detection is used to combine object beam and reconstructed virtual image beam. All light valves in page composer are opened, and virtual-image beam is allowed to interfere with light from valves.

Mezrich, R. S.↗

Signal enhancement filters

Designed to smooth digital output of radar tracking system, two filters prevent noise-induced inaccuracies and result in input/output noise-variance reduction on order of 10:1. One filter is special purpose device with limited arithmetic-logic unit, and other is true programmable microprocessor.

Killen, H. B.↗

Signal Whisperers: Enhancing Wireless Reception Using DRL-Guided Reflector Arrays

This paper presents a multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) approach for controlling adjustable metallic reflector arrays to enhance wireless signal reception in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. Unlike conventional reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) that require complex channel estimation, our system employs a centralized training with decentralized execution (CTDE) paradigm where individual agents corresponding to reflector segments autonomously optimize reflector element orientation in three-dimensional space using spatial intelligence based on user location information. Through extensive ray-tracing simulations with dynamic user mobility, the proposed multi-agent beam-focusing framework demonstrates substantial performance improvements over single-agent reinforcement learning baselines, while maintaining rapid adaptation to user movement within one simulation step. Comprehensive evaluation across varying user densities and reflector configurations validates system scalability and robustness. The results demonstrate the potential of learning-based approaches for adaptive wireless propagation control.

deep reinforcement learning↗

Enhanced Lighting Signals for Safety and Efficiency - Experiments With Addressable LEDs

For enhanced roadway safety, clear and immediate visual cues are essential for preventing accidents between drivers and pedestrians. At intersections, however, the line of sight to other roadway users may be obstructed by vehicles and infrastructure. Additionally, adverse conditions, including low visibility, poor weather, or inadequate lighting can increase the potential for collisions. Distracted drivers and pedestrians can further exacerbate the risk of accidents, particularly when using a smartphone, rather than focusing on roadway surroundings. These issues demonstrate the need for infrastructure upgrades that enhance visibility and awareness at crosswalks. A potential solution is through enhanced lighting signals integrated into the roadway infrastructure. One such example is the use of addressable LEDs, individually controllable lights that can change color and brightness instantaneously through programmable microcontrollers. They can be installed and integrated into crosswalks to maintain visibility in conditions where pedestrians may be difficult to see, while also offering peripheral cues to pedestrians who may be distracted by their phones or other objects rather than the road. Such a system (as one example) that is integrated into a traffic intersection digital twin that tracks all roadway users accurately, has the potential to enhance visibility of vulnerable road users, and thus enhance safety. This paper examines the potential implementation and feasibility of this technology, as well as the safety benefits it could provide. Laboratory experiments with addressable LEDs reveal the capabilities and challenges of this technology for roadway infrastructure safety. These findings could pave the way for more integrated lighting in infrastructure for vehicles and pedestrians at intersections, merge and diverge locations, and other areas where complex interactions present safety hazards. Such lighting solutions, enabled by modern computation and communications, could enhance safety and efficiency in our transportation system and improve overall mobility.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Enhanced Lighting Signals for Safety and Efficiency - Experiments with Addressable LEDs

For enhanced roadway safety, clear and immediate visual cues are essential for preventing accidents between drivers and pedestrians. At intersections, however, the line of sight to other roadway users may be obstructed by vehicles and infrastructure. Additionally, adverse conditions, including low visibility, poor weather, or inadequate lighting can increase the potential for collisions. Distracted drivers and pedestrians can further exacerbate the risk of accidents, particularly when using a smartphone, rather than focusing on roadway surroundings. These issues demonstrate the need for infrastructure upgrades that enhance visibility and awareness at crosswalks. A potential solution is through enhanced lighting signals integrated into the roadway infrastructure. One such example is the use of addressable LEDs, individually controllable lights that can change color and brightness instantaneously through programmable microcontrollers. They can be installed and integrated into crosswalks to maintain visibility in conditions where pedestrians may be difficult to see, while also offering peripheral cues to pedestrians who may be distracted by their phones or other objects rather than the road. Such a system (as one example) that is integrated into a traffic intersection digital twin that tracks all roadway users accurately, has the potential to enhance visibility of vulnerable road users, and thus enhance safety. This paper examines the potential implementation and feasibility of this technology, as well as the safety benefits it could provide. Laboratory experiments with addressable LEDs reveal the capabilities and challenges of this technology for roadway infrastructure safety. These findings could pave the way for more integrated lighting in infrastructure for vehicles and pedestrians at intersections, merge and diverge locations, and other areas where complex interactions present safety hazards. Such lighting solutions, enabled by modern computation and communications, could enhance safety and efficiency in our transportation system and improve overall mobility.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗