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At least 235 records · Page 13

Development of a Closed-Loop Strap Down Attitude System for an Ultrahigh Altitude Flight Experiment

A low-cost attitude system has been developed for an ultrahigh altitude flight experiment. The experiment uses a remotely piloted sailplane, with the wings modified for flight at altitudes greater than 100,000 ft. Mission requirements deem it necessary to measure the aircraft pitch and bank angles with accuracy better than 1.0 deg and heading with accuracy better than 5.0 deg. Vehicle cost restrictions and gross weight limits make installing a commercial inertial navigation system unfeasible. Instead, a low-cost attitude system was developed using strap down components. Monte Carlo analyses verified that two vector measurements, magnetic field and velocity, are required to completely stabilize the error equations. In the estimating algorithm, body-axis observations of the airspeed vector and the magnetic field are compared against the inertial velocity vector and a magnetic-field reference model. Residuals are fed back to stabilize integration of rate gyros. The effectiveness of the estimating algorithm was demonstrated using data from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) flight tests. The algorithm was applied with good results to a maximum 10' pitch and bank angles. Effects of wind shears were evaluated and, for most cases, can be safely ignored.

Whitmore, Stephen A.↗

Evaluation of a frequency-dependent phase shift in chirped Raman lasers for atom gravimeters

Light-pulse atom gravimetry has emerged as a powerful technique for precisely measuring absolute gravitational acceleration. Raman lasers are commonly used in this technique to coherently manipulate the atomic wave packet, of which the effective frequency is chirped continuously to compensate for the Doppler shift. In this study we investigate an additional phase shift in the Raman lasers that arises due to the frequency chirp. Here, we directly measure this phase shift by recording the beat signal of the Raman lasers with a high-speed oscilloscope, providing an independent evaluation of the resultant error in atom gravimeters caused by this phase shift. Concurrently, we detect the influence of the additional phase shift on gravity measurements using our atom gravimeter, and the results are in good agreement with the independent evaluation. Notably, there may still be a residual error at the microgal level when performing differential measurements by reversing the direction of the effective wave vector of the Raman lasers. We propose that this residual error can in principle be eliminated by selecting the same chirp frequency range for both directions in the differential measurement.

Xu, Yaoyao [Huazhong Univ. of Science and Technolo↗

New-Sum: A Novel Online ABFT Scheme For General Iterative Methods

Emerging high-performance computing platforms, with large component counts and lower power margins, are anticipated to be more susceptible to soft errors in both logic circuits and memory subsystems. We present an online algorithm-based fault tolerance (ABFT) approach to efficiently detect and recover soft errors for general iterative methods. We design a novel checksum-based encoding scheme for matrix-vector multiplication that is resilient to both arithmetic and memory errors. Our design decouples the checksum updating process from the actual computation, and allows adaptive checksum overhead control. Building on this new encoding mechanism, we propose two online ABFT designs that can effectively recover from errors when combined with a checkpoint/rollback scheme.

Instantaneous Footprint↗

An externally and internally deformable, programmable lung motion phantom

Purpose: Most clinically deployed strategies for respiratory motion management in lung radiotherapy (e.g., gating and tracking) use external markers that serve as surrogates for tumor motion. However, typical lung phantoms used to validate these strategies are based on a rigid exterior and a rigid or a deformable-interior. Such designs do not adequately represent respiration because the thoracic anatomy deforms internally as well as externally. In order to create a closer approximation of respiratory motion, the authors describe the construction and experimental testing of an externally as well as internally deformable, programmable lung phantom. Methods: The outer shell of a commercially available lung phantom (RS-1500, RSD, Inc.) was used. The shell consists of a chest cavity with a flexible anterior surface, and embedded vertebrae, rib-cage and sternum. A custom-made insert was designed using a piece of natural latex foam block. A motion platform was programmed with sinusoidal and ten patient-recorded lung tumor trajectories. The platform was used to drive a rigid foam “diaphragm” that compressed/decompressed the phantom interior. Experimental characterization comprised of determining the reproducibility and the external–internal correlation of external and internal marker trajectories extracted from kV x-ray fluoroscopy. Experiments were conducted to illustrate three example applications of the phantom—(i) validating the geometric accuracy of the VisionRT surface photogrammetry system; (ii) validating an image registration tool, NiftyReg; and (iii) quantifying the geometric error due to irregular motion in four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT). Results: The phantom correctly reproduced sinusoidal and patient-derived motion, as well as realistic respiratory motion-related effects such as hysteresis. The reproducibility of marker trajectories over multiple runs for sinusoidal as well as patient traces, as characterized by fluoroscopy, was within 0.25 mm RMS error. The motion trajectories of internal and external radio-opaque markers as measured by fluoroscopy were found to be highly correlated (R > 0.95). Using the phantom, it was demonstrated that the motion trajectories of regions-of-interest on the surface as measured by VisionRT are highly consistent with corresponding fluoroscopically acquired surface marker trajectories, with RMS errors within 0.26 mm. Furthermore, it was shown that the trajectories of external and internal marker trajectories derived from NiftyReg deformation vector fields were within 1 mm root mean square errors comparing to trajectories obtained by segmenting markers from individual fluoro frames. Finally, it was shown that while 4DCT can be used to localize internal markers for sinusoidal motion with reasonable accuracy, the localization error increases significantly (by a factor of ∼2) in the presence of cycle-to-cycle variations that are observed in patient-derived respiratory motion. Conclusions: The authors have developed a realistic externally and internally deformable, programmable lung phantom that will serve as a valuable tool for clinical and investigational motion management studies in thoracic and abdominal radiation therapies.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Performance and Evaluation of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office Observing System Simulation Experiment

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (NASA/GMAO) has spent more than a decade developing and implementing a global Observing System Simulation Experiment framework for use in evaluting both new observation types as well as the behavior of data assimilation systems. The NASA/GMAO OSSE has constantly evolved to relect changes in the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation data assimiation system, the Global Earth Observing System model, version 5 (GEOS-5), and the real world observational network. Software and observational datasets for the GMAO OSSE are publicly available, along with a technical report. Substantial modifications have recently been made to the NASA/GMAO OSSE framework, including the character of synthetic observation errors, new instrument types, and more sophisticated atmospheric wind vectors. These improvements will be described, along with the overall performance of the current OSSE. Lessons learned from investigations into correlated errors and model error will be discussed.

OSS↗

Accelerating molecular property calculations with nonorthonormal Krylov space methods

Here, we formulate Krylov space methods for large eigenvalue problems and linear equation systems that take advantage of decreasing residual norms to reduce the cost of matrix-vector multiplication. The residuals are used as subspace basis without prior orthonormalization, which leads to generalized eigenvalue problems or linear equation systems on the Krylov space. These nonorthonormal Krylov space (nKs) algorithms are favorable for large matrices with irregular sparsity patterns whose elements are computed on the fly, because fewer operations are necessary as the residual norm decreases as compared to the conventional method, while errors in the desired eigenpairs and solution vectors remain small. We consider real symmetric and symplectic eigenvalue problems as well as linear equation systems and Sylvester equations as they appear in configuration interaction and response theory. The nKs method can be implemented in existing electronic structure codes with minor modifications and yields speed-ups of 1.2-1.8 in typical time-dependent Hartree-Fock and density functional applications without accuracy loss. The algorithm can compute entire linear subspaces simultaneously which benefits electronic spectra and force constant calculations requiring many eigenpairs or solution vectors. The nKs approach is related to difference density methods in electronic ground state calculations, and particularly efficient for integral direct computations of exchange-type contractions. By combination with resolution-of-the-identity methods for Coulomb contractions, three- to fivefold speed-ups of hybrid time-dependent density functional excited state and response calculations are achieved.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

EARLY INFORMATION PARAMETER-SET ANALYSIS FOR SATELLITE CLOSE APPROACHES USING MACHINE LEARNING

In spaceflight navigation applications, understanding and accurately applying orbital mechanics by leveraging force models for trajectory predictions will always remain an important aspect in space mission design and operations. In the process of capturing the dynamics and perturbations in the space environment, the force models are not all encompassing in that these models are subject to errors, commonly referred to as process noise. Therefore, in predicting state vectors of space objects such as spacecraft or debris over long periods of time, these errors in the process noise tend to grow over time.

machine learning↗

Comparing quantum annealing and spiking neuromorphic computing for sampling binary sparse coding QUBO problems

We consider the problem of computing a sparse binary representation of an image. Given an image and an overcomplete, non-orthonormal basis, we aim to find a sparse binary vector indicating the minimal set of basis vectors that when added together best reconstruct the given input. We formulate this problem with an L 2 loss on the reconstruction error, and an L 0 loss on the binary vector enforcing sparsity. First, we solve the sparse representation QUBOs by solving them both on a D-Wave quantum annealer with Pegasus chip connectivity, as well as on the Intel Loihi 2 spiking neuromorphic processor using a stochastic Non-equilibrium Boltzmann Machine (NEBM). Second, using Quantum Evolution Monte Carlo with Reverse Annealing and iterated warm starting on Loihi 2 to evolve the solution quality from the respective machines. We demonstrate that both quantum annealing and neuromorphic computing are suitable for solving binary sparse coding QUBOs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DFW microburst model based on AA-539 data

Analysis of the August 2, 1985 crash for an L-1011 jumbo jet (DL-191) on approach to the Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) in a thunderstorm indicates that the severe windshear microburst that caused the crash was composed not only of a strong downflow and outflow but also included several large-scale vortex rings entrained in the flowfield. This paper presents a detailed two-dimensional model of the DFW microburst based on data from the MD-80 (AA-539) that followed behind DL-191 and flew through the microburst about two minutes after the crash of DL-191. The model was developed using wind-vector and flight-path data reconstructed by NASA Ames Research Center and a combination of interactive graphics and least-squares error best fit between the modeled and measured wind vectors along the AA-539 flight path. The model indicates that the flowfield contains some significant elements and vortices not previously reported. The alternating direction of rotation of the vortices in the model suggests a microburst structure based on a von Karman vortex street rather than on a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The model also indicates that the reconstructed wind-vector data contain a time lag of at least one second in the horizontal winds.

Grantham, Walter J.↗

Orbit-determination performance of Doppler data for interplanetary cruise trajectories. Part 2: 8.4-GHz performance and data-weighting strategies

A consider error covariance analysis was performed in order to investigate the orbit-determination performance attainable using two-way (coherent) 8.4-GHz (X-band) Doppler data for two segments of the planned Mars Observer trajectory. The analysis includes the effects of the current level of calibration errors in tropospheric delay, ionospheric delay, and station locations, with particular emphasis placed on assessing the performance of several candidate elevation-dependent data-weighting functions. One weighting function was found that yields good performance for a variety of tracking geometries. This weighting function is simple and robust; it reduces the danger of error that might exist if an analyst had to select one of several different weighting functions that are highly sensitive to the exact choice of parameters and to the tracking geometry. Orbit-determination accuracy improvements that may be obtained through the use of calibration data derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites also were investigated, and can be as much as a factor of three in some components of the spacecraft state vector. Assuming that both station-location errors and troposphere calibration errors are reduced simultaneously, the recommended data-weighting function need not be changed when GPS calibrations are incorporated in the orbit-determination process.

Ulvestad, J. S.↗

Machine Learning-Based Model Predictive Control of Two-Time-Scale Systems

In this study, we present a general form of nonlinear two-time-scale systems, where singular perturbation analysis is used to separate the dynamics of the slow and fast subsystems. Machine learning techniques are utilized to approximate the dynamics of both subsystems. Specifically, a recurrent neural network (RNN) and a feedforward neural network (FNN) are used to predict the slow and fast state vectors, respectively. Moreover, we investigate the generalization error bounds for these machine learning models approximating the dynamics of two-time-scale systems. Next, under the assumption that the fast states are asymptotically stable, our focus shifts toward designing a Lyapunov-based model predictive control (LMPC) scheme that exclusively employs the RNN to predict the dynamics of the slow states. Additionally, we derive sufficient conditions to guarantee the closed-loop stability of the system under the sample-and-hold implementation of the controller. A nonlinear chemical process example is used to demonstrate the theory. In particular, two RNN models are constructed: one to model the full two-time-scale system and the other to predict solely the slow state vector. Both models are integrated within the LMPC scheme, and we compare their closed-loop performance while assessing the computational time required to execute the LMPC optimization problem.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Backus Effect on a Perpendicular Errors in Harmonic Models of Real vs. Synthetic Data

Measurements of geomagnetic scalar intensity on a thin spherical shell alone are not enough to separate internal from external source fields; moreover, such scalar data are not enough for accurate modeling of the vector field from internal sources because of unmodeled fields and small data errors. Spherical harmonic models of the geomagnetic potential fitted to scalar data alone therefore suffer from well-understood Backus effect and perpendicular errors. Curiously, errors in some models of simulated 'data' are very much less than those in models of real data. We analyze select Magsat vector and scalar measurements separately to illustrate Backus effect and perpendicular errors in models of real scalar data. By using a model to synthesize 'data' at the observation points, and by adding various types of 'noise', we illustrate such errors in models of synthetic 'data'. Perpendicular errors prove quite sensitive to the maximum degree in the spherical harmonic expansion of the potential field model fitted to the scalar data. Small errors in models of synthetic 'data' are found to be an artifact of matched truncation levels. For example, consider scalar synthetic 'data' computed from a degree 14 model. A degree 14 model fitted to such synthetic 'data' yields negligible error, but amplifies 4 nT (rmss) added noise into a 60 nT error (rmss); however, a degree 12 model fitted to the noisy 'data' suffers a 492 nT error (rmms through degree 12). Geomagnetic measurements remain unaware of model truncation, so the small errors indicated by some simulations cannot be realized in practice. Errors in models fitted to scalar data alone approach 1000 nT (rmss) and several thousand nT (maximum).

Voorhies, C. V.↗

A Generic Two-Vector Model Predictive Control for Hybrid Multilevel Converters

In this article, a generic two-vector model predictive control (TV-MPC) strategy is proposed for the hybrid multilevel converters (HMCs). The proposed method selects two optimal voltage vectors among all the vector candidates using a geometric positioning approach to reduce the computational burden, which is a common issue in the existing MPC methods for HMC. Then duty cycles of the two selected vectors are optimized to minimize the current tracking error, such that the current tracking performance can be enhanced compared with the conventional MPC. In addition, the voltages of the floating dc capacitors can be balanced by evaluating all switching sequences that belong to the optimal voltage vectors with optimal duty cycles. Here, the concept of the proposed TV-MPC is generic and applicable for any HMCs. A typical HMC based on active neutral-point-clamped topology is adopted as a case study in this work. Comprehensive simulation and experimental studies are performed on an all silicon-carbide HMC prototype to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Assessment of Near-Angle Scatter on Exo-Earth Coronagraphy

A first order single surface analysis indicates that, to enable coronagraphic detection and characterization of exo-Earth planets, near angle scatter must be considered when specifying optical surfaces for a potential Habitable World Observatory. Based on arbitrary error budget allocations and using Rayleigh-Rice Vector Scatter Theory, Generalized Harvey-Shack Scalar Scatter Theory, and Greynolds Approximation, ‘placeholder’ specifications for the primary mirror are derived: Static Surface Roughness < 1 nm rms, and Dynamic Surface Roughness < 1 pm PV. These specifications will change once error budget allocations are defined. Analysis does not include scatter from more than just the primary mirror, coating structure, edges, contamination, micrometeoroid impacts, etc.

H. Philip Stahl↗

Simplified Decoding of Convolutional Codes

Some complicated intermediate steps shortened or eliminated. Decoding of convolutional error-correcting digital codes simplified by new errortrellis syndrome technique. In new technique, syndrome vector not computed. Instead, advantage taken of newly-derived mathematical identities simplify decision tree, folding it back on itself into form called "error trellis." This trellis graph of all path solutions of syndrome equations. Each path through trellis corresponds to specific set of decisions as to received digits. Existing decoding algorithms combined with new mathematical identities reduce number of combinations of errors considered and enable computation of correction vector directly from data and check bits as received.

Truong, T. K.↗

A Voluntary Breath-Hold Treatment Technique for the Left Breast With Unfavorable Cardiac Anatomy Using Surface Imaging

Purpose: Breath-hold (BH) treatments can be used to reduce cardiac dose for patients with left-sided breast cancer and unfavorable cardiac anatomy. A surface imaging technique was developed for accurate patient setup and reproducible real-time BH positioning. Methods and Materials: Three-dimensional surface images were obtained for 20 patients. Surface imaging was used to correct the daily setup for each patient. Initial setup data were recorded for 443 fractions and were analyzed to assess random and systematic errors. Real time monitoring was used to verify surface placement during BH. The radiation beam was not turned on if the BH position difference was greater than 5 mm. Real-time surface data were analyzed for 2398 BHs and 363 treatment fractions. The mean and maximum differences were calculated. The percentage of BHs greater than tolerance was calculated. Results: The mean shifts for initial patient setup were 2.0 mm, 1.2 mm, and 0.3 mm in the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions, respectively. The mean 3-dimensional vector shift was 7.8 mm. Random and systematic errors were less than 4 mm. Real-time surface monitoring data indicated that 22% of the BHs were outside the 5-mm tolerance (range, 7%-41%), and there was a correlation with breast volume. The mean difference between the treated and reference BH positions was 2 mm in each direction. For out-of-tolerance BHs, the average difference in the BH position was 6.3 mm, and the average maximum difference was 8.8 mm. Conclusions: Daily real-time surface imaging ensures accurate and reproducible positioning for BH treatment of left-sided breast cancer patients with unfavorable cardiac anatomy.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Modeling the two-point correlation of the vector stream function

A new model for the two-point vector stream function correlation has been developed using tensor invariant arguments and evaluated by the comparison of model predictions with DNS data for incompressible homogeneous turbulent shear flow. This two-point vector stream function model correlation can then be used to calculate the two-point velocity correlation function and other quantities useful in turbulence modeling. The model assumes that the two-point vector stream function correlation can be written in terms of the separation vector and a new tensor function that depends only on the magnitude of the separation vector. The model has a single free model coefficient, which has been chosen by comparison with the DNS data. The relative error of the model predictions of the two-point vector stream function correlation is only a few percent for a broad range of the model coefficient. Predictions of the derivatives of this correlation, which are of interest in turbulence modeling, may not be this accurate.

Oberlack, M.↗

Functional Principal Component Analysis of Radio–Optical Reference Frame Tie

The Gaia optical reference frame is intrinsically undefined with respect to global orientation and spin, so it needs to be anchored in the radio-based International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) to provide a referenced and quasi-inertial celestial coordinate system. The link between the two fundamental frames is realized through two samples of distant extragalactic sources, mostly active galactic nuclei and quasars, but only the smaller sample of radio-loud ICRF sources with optical counterparts is available to determine the mutual orientation. The robustness of this link can be mathematically formulated in the framework of functional principal component analysis using a set of vector spherical harmonics to represent the differences in celestial positions of the common objects. The weakest eigenvectors are computed, which describe the greatest deficiency of the link. The deficient or poorly determined terms are specific vector fields on the sphere that carry the largest errors of absolute astrometry using Gaia in reference to the ICRF. This analysis provides guidelines for the future development of the ICRF maximizing the accuracy of the link over the entire celestial sphere. A measure of the robustness of a least-squares solution, which can be applied to any linear model fitting problem, is introduced to help discriminate between reference frame tie models of different degrees.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗