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At least 181 records · Page 10

Modifying high-order aeroelastic math model of a jet transport using maximum likelihood estimation

The design of control laws to damp flexible structural modes requires accurate math models. Unlike the design of control laws for rigid body motion (e.g., where robust control is used to compensate for modeling inaccuracies), structural mode damping usually employs narrow band notch filters. In order to obtain the required accuracy in the math model, maximum likelihood estimation technique is employed to improve the accuracy of the math model using flight data. Presented here are all phases of this methodology: (1) pre-flight analysis (i.e., optimal input signal design for flight test, sensor location determination, model reduction technique, etc.), (2) data collection and preprocessing, and (3) post-flight analysis (i.e., estimation technique and model verification). In addition, a discussion is presented of the software tools used and the need for future study in this field.

Anissipour, Amir A.↗

Maximum likelihood techniques in QELS

A framework for the analysis of Quasi Elastic Light Scattering (QELS) experiments designed to be used in microgravity environment is derived. Example calculations of the type to be used to design the QELS system are given. The framework for the analysis is based on the concepts of parameter estimation typified by Maximum Likelihood Estimation methods. These methods not only serve as the template for parameter estimation algorithms, but can also be used for optimal design of the experiments. Optimal design of experiments is facilitated by the fact that these methods not only give procedures for parameter estimation, but also estimates of the errors associated with the parameter estimation.

Edwards, Robert V.↗

A real-time signal combining system for Ka-band feed arrays using maximum-likelihood weight estimates

A real-time digital signal combining system for use with Ka-band feed arrays is proposed. The combining system attempts to compensate for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss resulting from antenna deformations induced by gravitational and atmospheric effects. The combining weights are obtained directly from the observed samples by using a sliding-window implementation of a vector maximum-likelihood parameter estimator. It is shown that with averaging times of about 0.1 second, combining loss for a seven-element array can be limited to about 0.1 dB in a realistic operational environment. This result suggests that the real-time combining system proposed here is capable of recovering virtually all of the signal power captured by the feed array, even in the presence of severe wind gusts and similar disturbances.

Vilnrotter, V. A.↗

Maximum likelihood estimation for distributed parameter models of flexible spacecraft

A distributed-parameter model of the NASA Solar Array Flight Experiment spacecraft structure is constructed on the basis of measurement data and analyzed to generate a priori estimates of modal frequencies and mode shapes. A Newton-Raphson maximum-likelihood algorithm is applied to determine the unknown parameters, using a truncated model for the estimation and the full model for the computation of the higher modes. Numerical results are presented in a series of graphs and briefly discussed, and the significant improvement in computation speed obtained by parallel implementation of the method on a supercomputer is noted.

Taylor, L. W., Jr.↗

User's guide: Nimbus-7 Earth radiation budget narrow-field-of-view products. Scene radiance tape products, sorting into angular bins products, and maximum likelihood cloud estimation products

The archived Earth radiation budget (ERB) products produced from the Nimbus-7 ERB narrow field-of-view scanner are described. The principal products are broadband outgoing longwave radiation (4.5 to 50 microns), reflected solar radiation (0.2 to 4.8 microns), and the net radiation. Daily and monthly averages are presented on a fixed global equal area (500 sq km), grid for the period May 1979 to May 1980. Two independent algorithms are used to estimate the outgoing fluxes from the observed radiances. The algorithms are described and the results compared. The products are divided into three subsets: the Scene Radiance Tapes (SRT) contain the calibrated radiances; the Sorting into Angular Bins (SAB) tape contains the SAB produced shortwave, longwave, and net radiation products; and the Maximum Likelihood Cloud Estimation (MLCE) tapes contain the MLCE products. The tape formats are described in detail.

Kyle, H. Lee↗

Likelihood estimation for distributed parameter models for NASA Mini-MAST truss

A maximum likelihood estimation for distributed parameter models of large flexible structures was formulated. Distributed parameter models involve far fewer unknown parameters than independent modal characteristics or finite element models. The closed form solutions for the partial differential equations with corresponding boundary conditions were derived. The closed-form expressions of sensitivity functions led to highly efficient algorithms for analyzing ground or on-orbit test results. For an illustration of this approach, experimental data of the NASA Mini-MAST truss was used. The estimations of modal properties involve lateral bending modes and torsional modes. The results show that distributed parameter models are promising in the parameter estimation of large flexible structures.

Shen, Ji-Yao↗

Process for detecting the likelihood of ice formation, ice warning system for carrying out the process, and utilization thereof

An ice warning system comprising a diaphragm set into vibration at one of its frequencies of resonance by a piezoelectric cell. The diaphragm is coupled thermally to a metallic plate alternately cooled and heated respectively below and above the ambient temperature by Peltier elements connected to a reversible DC current generator. A microprocessor measures any variation of the resonance frequency caused by a deposit of ice on the diaphragm during the cooling or heating periods and delivers an alarm signal if this variation of frequency reaches and/ or exceeds a predetermined value. The microprocessor controls the period, intensity and direction of the current delivered by the DC current generator as a function of the ambient temperature and the temperature of the diaphragm. The ice warning system is preferably utilized in the aeronautical field for indicating the likelihood of natural ice formation on the engines and the wings of aircraft.

Martin Lustenberger↗

Orthogonal series generalized likelihood ratio test for failure detection and isolation

A new failure detection and isolation algorithm for linear dynamic systems is presented. This algorithm, the Orthogonal Series Generalized Likelihood Ratio (OSGLR) test, is based on the assumption that the failure modes of interest can be represented by truncated series expansions. This assumption leads to a failure detection algorithm with several desirable properties. Computer simulation results are presented for the detection of the failures of actuators and sensors of a C-130 aircraft. The results show that the OSGLR test generally performs as well as the GLR test in terms of time to detect a failure and is more robust to failure mode uncertainty. However, the OSGLR test is also somewhat more sensitive to modeling errors than the GLR test.

Hall, Steven R.↗

A PC-based hardware implementation of the maximum-likelihood classifier for the Shuttle Ice Detection System

A PC-based near-real time implementation of a two-channel maximum-likelihood classifier is described. The statistical distribution of the reflectance characteristics of ice, frost, and water formation on spray-on-foam-insulation, which covers the External Tank surface of the Space Shuttle, is acquired. The classification technique is based on these statistics. The computer, set in either a training or a classifying mode, learns the statistics of the various classes, or produces a color-coded image denoting the respective categories of classification. The classified results are memory-mapped for efficiency. The speed of the classification process is only limited by the speed of the digital frame grabber and the software that interfaces the frame grabber to the monitor. The process took 4 seconds for a 512 x 480 pixel image.

Jaggi, S.↗

Modelling default and likelihood reasoning as probabilistic reasoning

A probabilistic analysis of plausible reasoning about defaults and about likelihood is presented. Likely and by default are in fact treated as duals in the same sense as possibility and necessity. To model these four forms probabilistically, a qualitative default probabilistic (QDP) logic and its quantitative counterpart DP are derived that allow qualitative and corresponding quantitative reasoning. Consistency and consequent results for subsets of the logics are given that require at most a quadratic number of satisfiability tests in the underlying propositional logic. The quantitative logic shows how to track the propagation error inherent in these reasoning forms. The methodology and sound framework of the system highlights their approximate nature, the dualities, and the need for complementary reasoning about relevance.

Buntine, Wray↗

Modelling default and likelihood reasoning as probabilistic

A probabilistic analysis of plausible reasoning about defaults and about likelihood is presented. 'Likely' and 'by default' are in fact treated as duals in the same sense as 'possibility' and 'necessity'. To model these four forms probabilistically, a logic QDP and its quantitative counterpart DP are derived that allow qualitative and corresponding quantitative reasoning. Consistency and consequence results for subsets of the logics are given that require at most a quadratic number of satisfiability tests in the underlying propositional logic. The quantitative logic shows how to track the propagation error inherent in these reasoning forms. The methodology and sound framework of the system highlights their approximate nature, the dualities, and the need for complementary reasoning about relevance.

Buntine, Wray↗

Maximum likelihood estimates of polar motion parameters

Two estimators developed by Jeffreys (1940, 1968) are described and used in conjunction with polar-motion data to determine the frequency (Fc) and quality factor (Qc) of the Chandler wobble. Data are taken from a monthly polar-motion series, satellite laser-ranging results, and optical astrometry and intercompared for use via interpolation techniques. Maximum likelihood arguments were employed to develop the estimators, and the assumption that polar motion relates to a Gaussian random process is assessed in terms of the accuracies of the estimators. The present results agree with those from Jeffreys' earlier study but are inconsistent with the later estimator; a Monte Carlo evaluation of the estimators confirms that the 1968 method is more accurate. The later estimator method shows good performance because the Fourier coefficients derived from the data have signal/noise levels that are superior to those for an individual datum. The method is shown to be valuable for general spectral-analysis problems in which isolated peaks must be analyzed from noisy data.

Wilson, Clark R.↗

Likelihood estimation for distributed parameter models of large beam-like structures

A maximum likelihood estimation for distributed parameter models of large flexible structures was formulated. Distributed parameter models involve far fewer unknown parameters than independent modal characteristics or finite element models. The closed form solutions for the partial differential equations with corresponding boundary conditions were derived. The closed-form expressions of sensitivity functions led to highly efficient algorithms for analyzing ground or on-orbit test results. For an illustration of this approach, experimental data of the NASA Mini-Mast truss was used. The estimations of modal properties involve lateral bending modes and torsional modes. The results show that distributed parameter models are promising in the parameter estimation of large flexible structures.

Shen, J.-Y.↗

Determination of the stability and control derivatives of the F/A-18 HARV from flight data using the maximum likelihood method

The research being conducted pertains to the determination of the stability and control derivatives of the F/A-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) from flight data using the Maximum Likelihood Method. The document outlines the approach used in the parameter estimation (PID) process and briefly describes the mathematical modeling of the F/A-18 HARV and the maneuvers designed to generate a sufficient data base for the PID research.

Napolitano, Marcello R.↗

Incorporation of spatial information in Bayesian image reconstruction - The maximum residual likelihood criterion

We have developed a new figure of merit, a 'maximum-residual-likelihood' (MRL) statistic, for the goodness of fit for Bayesian image restoration which explicitly incorporates spatial information. The MRL constraint provides a natural means of incorporating the prior knowledge that the residuals contain no spatial structure through the autocorrelation function of the residuals. We demonstrate that this statistic follows a Chi-square distribution and that forcing this statistic to have its most probable value leads to a restored image whose residuals are consistent with the noise model. Our numerical experiments suggest that image restoration using the MRL statistic alone is numerically robust and produces results which are independent of the initial guess for the restored image. However, we caution that using the MRL statistic without an image prior can result in overresolution in low SNR portions of the image.

Pina, R. K.↗

An extended-source spatial acquisition process based on maximum likelihood criterion for planetary optical communications

This paper describes an extended-source spatial acquisition process based on the maximum likelihood criterion for interplanetary optical communications. The objective is to use the sun-lit Earth image as a receiver beacon and point the transmitter laser to the Earth-based receiver to establish a communication path. The process assumes the existence of a reference image. The uncertainties between the reference image and the received image are modeled as additive white Gaussian disturbances. It has been shown that the optimal spatial acquisition requires solving two nonlinear equations to estimate the coordinates of the transceiver from the received camera image in the transformed domain. The optimal solution can be obtained iteratively by solving two linear equations. Numerical results using a sample sun-lit Earth as a reference image demonstrate that sub-pixel resolutions can be achieved in a high disturbance environment. Spatial resolution is quantified by Cramer-Rao lower bounds.

Yan, Tsun-Yee↗

Maximum likelihood identification for large space structures

This paper examines the use of on-orbit identification based on Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) to provide these high-order, high-accuracy control design models for large space structures (LSS's). First, it outlines a general MLE identification algorithm, together with a covariance-analysis procedure to assess algorithm performance in terms of systematic and stochastic errors. Next, it examines various simplifications appropriate for the LSS identification application. Simplified analytical performance results are presented, as are numerical results to support these analyses. Finally, a graphical interpretation of these results is given.

Barrett, Michael F.↗

Maximum likelihood techniques applied to quasi-elastic light scattering

There is a necessity of having an automatic procedure for reliable estimation of the quality of the measurement of particle size from QELS (Quasi-Elastic Light Scattering). Getting the measurement itself, before any error estimates can be made, is a problem because it is obtained by a very indirect measurement of a signal derived from the motion of particles in the system and requires the solution of an inverse problem. The eigenvalue structure of the transform that generates the signal is such that an arbitrarily small amount of noise can obliterate parts of any practical inversion spectrum. This project uses the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) as a framework to generate a theory and a functioning set of software to oversee the measurement process and extract the particle size information, while at the same time providing error estimates for those measurements. The theory involved verifying a correct form of the covariance matrix for the noise on the measurement and then estimating particle size parameters using a modified histogram approach.

Edwards, Robert V.↗