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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

Error Reduction Methods for Integrated-path Differential-absorption Lidar Measurements

We report new modeling and error reduction methods for differential-absorption optical-depth (DAOD) measurements of atmospheric constituents using direct-detection integrated-path differential-absorption lidars. Errors from laser frequency noise are quantified in terms of the line center fluctuation and spectral line shape of the laser pulses, revealing relationships verified experimentally. A significant DAOD bias is removed by introducing a correction factor. Errors from surface height and reflectance variations can be reduced to tolerable levels by incorporating altimetry knowledge and "log after averaging", or by pointing the laser and receiver to a fixed surface spot during each wavelength cycle to shorten the time of "averaging before log".

averging before log↗

Error reduction program: A progress report

Five finite differences schemes were evaluated for minimum numerical diffusion in an effort to identify and incorporate the best error reduction scheme into a 3D combustor performance code. Based on this evaluated, two finite volume method schemes were selected for further study. Both the quadratic upstream differencing scheme (QUDS) and the bounded skew upstream differencing scheme two (BSUDS2) were coded into a two dimensional computer code and their accuracy and stability determined by running several test cases. It was found that BSUDS2 was more stable than QUDS. It was also found that the accuracy of both schemes is dependent on the angle that the streamline make with the mesh with QUDS being more accurate at smaller angles and BSUDS2 more accurate at larger angles. The BSUDS2 scheme was selected for extension into three dimensions.

Syed, S. A.↗

Stitching-error reduction in gratings by shot-shifted electron-beam lithography

Calculations of the grating spatial-frequency spectrum and the filtering properties of multiple-pass electron-beam writing demonstrate a tradeoff between stitching-error suppression and minimum pitch separation. High-resolution measurements of optical-diffraction patterns show a 25-dB reduction in stitching-error side modes.

Integrated optics semiconductor lasersgratings↗

Error Reduction Program

The details of a study to select, incorporate and evaluate the best available finite difference scheme to reduce numerical error in combustor performance evaluation codes are described. The combustor performance computer programs chosen were the two dimensional and three dimensional versions of Pratt & Whitney's TEACH code. The criteria used to select schemes required that the difference equations mirror the properties of the governing differential equation, be more accurate than the current hybrid difference scheme, be stable and economical, be compatible with TEACH codes, use only modest amounts of additional storage, and be relatively simple. The methods of assessment used in the selection process consisted of examination of the difference equation, evaluation of the properties of the coefficient matrix, Taylor series analysis, and performance on model problems. Five schemes from the literature and three schemes developed during the course of the study were evaluated. This effort resulted in the incorporation of a scheme in 3D-TEACH which is usuallly more accurate than the hybrid differencing method and never less accurate.

Syed, S. A.↗

Radial orbit error reduction and sea surface topography determination using satellite altimetry

A method is presented in satellite altimetry that attempts to simultaneously determine the geoid and sea surface topography with minimum wavelengths of about 500 km and to reduce the radial orbit error caused by geopotential errors. The modeling of the radial orbit error is made using the linearized Lagrangian perturbation theory. Secular and second order effects are also included. After a rather extensive validation of the linearized equations, alternative expressions of the radial orbit error are derived. Numerical estimates for the radial orbit error and geoid undulation error are computed using the differences of two geopotential models as potential coefficient errors, for a SEASAT orbit. To provide statistical estimates of the radial distances and the geoid, a covariance propagation is made based on the full geopotential covariance. Accuracy estimates for the SEASAT orbits are given which agree quite well with already published results. Observation equations are develped using sea surface heights and crossover discrepancies as observables. A minimum variance solution with prior information provides estimates of parameters representing the sea surface topography and corrections to the gravity field that is used for the orbit generation. The simulation results show that the method can be used to effectively reduce the radial orbit error and recover the sea surface topography.

Engelis, Theodossios↗

Filtering Methods for Error Reduction in Spacecraft Attitude Estimation Using Quaternion Star Trackers

Precision attitude determination for recent and planned space missions typically includes quaternion star trackers (ST) and a three-axis inertial reference unit (IRU). Sensor selection is based on estimates of knowledge accuracy attainable from a Kalman filter (KF), which provides the optimal solution for the case of linear dynamics with measurement and process errors characterized by random Gaussian noise with white spectrum. Non-Gaussian systematic errors in quaternion STs are often quite large and have an unpredictable time-varying nature, particularly when used in non-inertial pointing applications. Two filtering methods are proposed to reduce the attitude estimation error resulting from ST systematic errors, 1) extended Kalman filter (EKF) augmented with Markov states, 2) Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) with a periodic measurement model. Realistic assessments of the attitude estimation performance gains are demonstrated with both simulation and flight telemetry data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Calhoun, Philip C.↗

Error reduction in laser remote sensing - Combined effects of cross correlation and signal averaging

A systematic analysis is presented of the extent to which the accuracy of a differential-absorption lidar (DIAL) measurement may be improved by using the combined effects of signal averaging and temporal cross correlation. Previous studies which considered these effects separately are extended by incorporating both effects into a single analytical framework. In addition, experimental results involving lidar returns from a diffusely reflecting target using a dual-CO2 laser DIAL system with both heterodyne and direct detection are presented. These results are shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical analysis and help establish the limits of accuracy achievable under various experimental conditions.

Menyuk, N.↗

Intelligent Engine Systems Work Element 1.2: Malfunction and Operator Error Reduction

Jet engines, although highly reliable and safe, do experience malfunctions that cause flight delays, passenger stress, and in some cases, in conjunction with inappropriate crew response, contribute to airplane accidents. On rare occasions, the anomalous engine behavior is not recognized until it is too late for the pilots to do anything to prevent or mitigate the resulting engine malfunction causing in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs), aborted takeoffs (ATOs), or loss of thrust control (LOTC). In some cases, the crew response to a myriad of external stimuli and existing training procedures is the source of the problem mentioned above. The problem is the reduction of jet engine malfunctions (IFSDs, ATOs, and LOTC) and inappropriate crew response (PSM+ICR) through the use of evolving and advanced technologies. The solution is to develop the overall system health maintenance architecture, detection and accommodation technologies, processes, and enhanced crew interfaces that would enable a significant reduction in IFSDs, ATOs, and LOTC. This program defines requirements and proposes a preliminary design concept of an architecture that enables the realization of the solution.

Wiseman, Matthew↗

Errors in reduction methods

A mathematical basis is given for comparing the relative merits of various techniques used to reduce the order of large linear and nonlinear dynamics problems during their numerical integration. In such techniques as Guyan-Irons, path derivatives, selected eigenvectors, Ritz vectors, etc., the nth order initial value problem of /y(dot) = f(y) for t greater than 0, y(0) given/ is typically reduced to the mth order (m is much less than n) problem of /z(dot) = g(z) for t greater than 0, z(0) given/ by the transformation y = Pz where P changes from technique to technique. This paper gives an explicit approximate expression for the reduction error e-i in terms of P and the Jacobian of f. It is shown that: (a) reduction techniques are more accurate when the time rate of change of the response y is relatively small; (b) the change in response between two successive stations contributes to the errors at future stations after the change in response is transformed by a filtering matrix H, defined in terms of P; (c) the error committed at a station propagates to future stations by a mixing and scaling matrix G, defined in terms of P, Jacobian and of f, and time increment h. The paper discusses the conditions under which the reduction errors may be minimized and gives guidelines for selecting the reduction basis vector, i.e., the columns of P.

Utku, S.↗

Reduction of rms-error in shallow faceted large space antennas

This paper examines the potential for reducing root-mean-square surface error in shallow faceted reflectors by replacing flat facets with membrane facets. Exact solutions are obtained for the small lateral deflections of equilateral triangular and rectangular membranes subject to isotropic tension and parabolic edge deflections. These solutions are used to minimize the rms-error between a facet of a shallow paraboloidal surface and its approximating membrane facet. The resulting optimum placements and edge curvatures yield membrane facets which have significantly lower rms-errors than the corresponding best-fit flat facets. The rms-error reductions are about 55 percent for equilateral triangles and 25 percent to 93 percent for rectangles, depending on aspect ratio. The results suggest that the use of membrane facets conforming to curved structural members could yield reflectors with lower rms-error, or comparable error with larger facets and, hence, fewer structural members.

Fichter, W. B.↗