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At least 289 records · Page 16

Potential benefits of new satellite sensors to wetland mapping

Simulated Thematic Mapper (TMS) data are compared with data from a simulated multispectral scanner to determine whether digital data from the Thematic Mapper on board Landsat will be adequate for wetland mapping. Also considered is the question whether the Thematic Mapper will in fact improve discrimination among wetland cover types. It is found that for the six cover types examined the Thematic Mapper has the greatest discriminatory power in the infrared wavelength range from 1.0 to 1.3 microns. A distinct separation was found between low marsh and high marsh species in the middle infrared band (TM5), and this is expected to assist in the inventory of wetland habitats in the future.

Dottavio, C. L.↗

Landsat thematic mapper (TM) soil variability analysis over Webster County, Iowa

Thematic mapper simulator (TMS) data acquired June 7, June 23, and July 31, 1982, and Landsat thematic mapper (TM) data acquired August 2, September 3, and October 21, 1982, over Webster County, Iowa, were examined for within-field soil effects on corn and soybean spectral signatures. It was found that patterns displayed on various computer-generated map products were in close agreement with the detailed soil survey of the area. The difference in spectral values appears to be due to a combination of subtle soil properties and crop growth patterns resulting from the different soil properties. Bands 4 (0.76-.90 micron), 5 (1.55-1.75 micron), and 7 (2.08-2.35 micron) were found to be responding to the within-field soil variability even with increasing ground cover. While these results are preliminary, they do indicate that the soil influence on the vegetation is being detected by TM and should provide improved information relating to crop and soil properties.

Thompson, D. R.↗

Growth of InSb and InAs(1-x)Sb(x) by OM-CVD

Organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OM-CVD) growth of InSb and InAs(1-x)Sb(x) has been obtained using triethylindium (TEI), trimethylantimony (TMS), and arsine (AsH3) on (100) GaAs, (100) InSb, and (111)-B InSb substrates. InSb with excellent morphology was achieved on both (100) InSb and (111)-B InSb substrates. The measured electron mobility at 300 K of undoped InSb grown on (100) GaAs semi-insulating substrates was 40,000 sq cm/V-s at a carrier concentration of ND-NA = 2.0 x 10 to the 16th per cu cm. Carrier concentration of ND-NA = 1.2 x 10 to the 15th per cu cm has been measured at 77 K. InAs(1-x)Sb(x) (x = 0.07-0.75) with mirror-like surfaces have been grown on (100) InSb and InAs substrates. This composition range of x between 0.55 and 0.75 (Eg = 0.1 eV) has been successfully achieved for the first time. Solid composition variations as a function of growth temperature and InSb substrate orientations are also discussed.

Chiang, P. K.↗

Preliminary airborne imaging spectrometer vegetation data

An airborne, pushbroom-style multispectral (1.2-2.4 micron) imaging sensor system known as Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) has been flown over the Pico Anticline region of the Santa Susana Mountains, California (U.S.A.). Initial interpretation of preliminary data sets suggest that the high spectral resolution data from AIS provide superior vegetation discrimination and mapping capabilities when compared with other imaging systems (MSS, TMS). AIS spectral data may also contain information concerning the state of health of both native and cultivated vegetation. Such capabilities (discrimination, mapping, and assessment of state of health) will be most useful in geobotanical assessment of this and other areas.

Rock, B. N.↗

Thermal storage analysis for large manned space platforms

High electrical power and waste heat rejection is projected for future manned low earth orbit space platforms, such as Space Station. The high heat rejection, optical coating degradation, long operating life with minimum maintenance requirements pose a challenging thermal management design problem. System optimization, with respect to radiator area and weight, indicate the requirement for thermal storage. This paper examines the thermal storage benefits, determines the characteristics as applied to different TMS concepts (e.g., centralized, decentralized), and examines the similarities and differences of thermal storage integration with single-phase and two-phase systems for a study baseline 75 kWe low earth orbit platform.

Lehtinen, A. M.↗

Early evaluation of Thematic Mapper data for coastal process studies

Two sets of TM data taken over the ocean off the coast of the Southeastern U.S. Bight were studied for the applicability of TM data to marine environments. First, the results of applying TM and TMS data to determine chlorophyll concentration in the ocean are presented. Chlorophyll quantification in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 mg/cu m was achieved by taking the ratio of TM band-1/band-2. Second, the results of applying TM band-6 data to monitor sea surface temperature are described. A comparison of TM data with AVHRR data shows TM readings coincide with AVHRR data within a scatter of 0.5 deg C in most of the areas studied. Lastly, the results of a technique to map the water depths of coral reefs in the Great Bahama Bank are demonstrated. Depths from 0 to 20 meters were delineated using TM band-1. The classification accuracy and origins of anomalous depth points are discussed.

Kim, H. H.↗

Position Paper: Workshop on Geologic Applications of Remote Sensing to the Study of Sedimentary Basins

The utility of LANDSAT Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) data for providing regional coverage has been demonstrated. Information derived from LANDSAT spectral data is varied, but has primarily been used for distinguishing materials in a scene. Because of the limited number and width of the MSS and TM bands, LANDSAT data has only limited utility for actual identification of materials. The new advanced sensors (currently airborne, but eventually shuttle-based) have more limited areal extent than LANDSAT, but greater spatial and spectral resolution. The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) has spectral resolution of about .01 microns and, typically, has 10m/pixel spatial resolution. This improved spectral resolution means that diagnostic spectral features may now be identified, which in turn means that actual identification of mineral phases present can be addressed (of either monominerallic or composite materials). Another new sensor, the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanners (TMS), obtains data in the 8 to 12 micron range. The information from the various sensors (e.g., LANDSAT, AIS, and TIMS) is complementary, covering different wavelength regions and consequently sensitive to different materials or physical properties of materials. In addition, the new sensors also produce a higher volume of data, which must be cleverly and efficiently handled.

Blake, P. L.↗

A survey of the state-of-the-art and focused research in range systems, task 1

This final report presents the latest research activity in voice compression. We have designed a non-real time simulation system that is implemented around the IBM-PC where the IBM-PC is used as a speech work station for data acquisition and analysis of voice samples. A real-time implementation is also proposed. This real-time Voice Compression Board (VCB) is built around the Texas Instruments TMS-3220. The voice compression algorithm investigated here was described in an earlier report titled, Low Cost Voice Compression for Mobile Digital Radios, by the author. We will assume the reader is familiar with the voice compression algorithm discussed in this report. The VCB compresses speech waveforms at data rates ranging from 4.8 K bps to 16 K bps. This board interfaces to the IBM-PC 8-bit bus, and plugs into a single expansion slot on the mother board.

Omura, J. K.↗

Remote sensing of stressed vegetation in the Carolina slate belt

Remote sensing techniques have been used to detect stress in vegetation, but they have not been very successful for identifying which environmental factors cause the vegetation to appear stressed. Controlled comparisons of spectral characteristics of plant communities experiencing known combinations of stresses were designed to examine this problem. Landsat TM, NS-001 TMS, CIR, and AIS imagery was acquired for six stressed areas in the Carolina slate belt. Preliminary results indicated that the areas of stressed vegetation were identifiable, and that the stressed communities appeared to be undergoing early fall leaf senescence. The AIS data seemed to have the greatest potential for identifying differences among plant community spectra, but calibration will be necessary before these differences can be evaluated.

Wickland, D. E.↗

Ohio River main stem study - The role of geographic information systems and remote sensing in flood damage assessments

The Pittsburgh District, Corps of Engineers, has conducted feasibility analyses of various procedures for performing flood damage assessments along the main stem of the Ohio River. Procedures using traditional, although highly automated, techniques and those based on geographic information systems have been evaluated at a test site, the City of New Martinsville, Wetzel County, WV. The flood damage assessments of the test site developed from an automated, conventional structure-by-structure appraisal served as the ground truth data set. A geographic information system was developed for the test site which includes data on hydraulic reach, ground and reference flood elevations, and land use/cover. Damage assessments were made using land use mapping developed from an exhaustive field inspection of each tax parcel. This ground truth condition was considered to provide the best comparison of flood damages to the conventional approach. Also, four land use/cover data sets were developed from Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) and Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper (TM) data. One of these was also used to develop a damage assessment of the test site. This paper presents the comparative absolute and relative accuracies of land use/cover mapping and flood damage assessments, and the recommended role of geographic information systems aided by remote sensing for conducting flood damage assessments and updates along the main stem of the Ohio River.

Edwardo, H. A.↗

Analysis of forest structure using thematic mapper simulator data

The potential of Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) data for sensing forest structure information has been explored by principal components and feature selection techniques. In a survey of forest structural properties conducted for 123 field sites of the Sequoia National Park, the canopy closure could be well estimated (r = 0.62 to 0.69) by a variety of channel bands and band ratios, without reference to the forest type. Estimation of the basal area was less successful (r = 0.51 or less) on the average, but could be improved for certain forest types when data were stratified by floristic composition. To achieve such a stratification, individual sites were ordinated by a detrended correspondence analysis based on the canopy of dominant species. The analysis of forest structure in the Sequoia data suggests that total basal area can be best predicted in stands of lower density, and in younger even-aged managed stands.

Peterson, D. L.↗

Use of remotely sensed data for assessing forest stand conditions in the Eastern United States

Techniques for the detection, classification, and measurement of forest disturbances, using digital Landsat data for three study areas (Pennsynvania, North Carolina, and Maine) are reported. Results with respect to (1) the delineation and assessment of forest damage due to the use of two forest insect defoliators, and (2) qualitative assessment of the Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and the Thematic Mapper data for delineating forest stand characteristics are presented. Key results include a development of a statewide MSS digital data base and associated image-processing techniques for accurately delineating insect-damaged and healthy forest areas. For classification of broad land-cover classes which are spectrally homogeneous, the accuracy yielded by the use of either MSS data or TM Simulator data is similar. However, the TMS data provided 20 percent accuracy improvement over the MSS results when detailed (Level III) forest classes were mapped.

Williams, D. L.↗

Remote detection of soil geochemical anomalies from an aircraft platform - Examples from the Virginia Piedmont

The use of remote-sensing data on forest leaf flush to identify areas with anomalously high soil heavy-metal concentrations is demonstrated using airborne Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) leaf-area-index data obtained over two sites in Virginia in spring 1983 and 1984. Mean-reflectance differences, especially in the 760-900-nm and 630-690-nm bands, corresponding to delayed leaf flush are found to be good indicators of higher heavy-metal concentration. Airborne and ground-based canopy-temperature measurements are also shown to be significantly higher in high-heavy-metal areas than in control areas.

Bell, R.↗

Use of TMS/TM data for mapping of forest decline damage in the northeastern United States

Remote sensing systems were used to monitor forest decline damage suspected of being due to air pollution. Field activities and aircraft overflights were centered on montane spruce/fir forest sites. Using aircraft data acquired with the Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) and LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) during the growing season, extensive areas of forest decline damage were accurately mapped. Seven levels of decline damage are discrininated and mapped and the levels of discriminated damage agree well (rsq-0.94) with visual assessment conducted on the ground. New areas of high damage were discovered. A band ratio (TM5/TM4) is most useful in discriminating and quantifying the various levels of forest decline damage.

Rock, B. N.↗

The effect of Thematic Mapper spectral properties on land cover mapping for hydrologic modeling

The accuracy of unsupervised land-cover classification from all seven Landsat TM bands and from six combinations of three or four bands is evaluated using images of the Clinton River Basin, a suburban watershed near Detroit. Data from aerial TMS photography, USGS topographic maps, and ground surveys are employed to determine the classification accuracy. The mapping accuracy of all seven bands is found to be significantly better (6 percent overall, 12 percent for residential areas, and 13 percent for commercial districts) than that with bands 2, 3, and 4; but almost the same accuracy is obtained by including at least one band from each major spectral region (visible, NIR, and mid-IR).

Gervin, J. C.↗

Land cover/use classification of Cairns, Queensland, Australia: A remote sensing study involving the conjunctive use of the airborne imaging spectrometer, the large format camera and the thematic mapper simulator

In an attempt to improve the land cover/use classification accuracy obtainable from remotely sensed multispectral imagery, Airborne Imaging Spectrometer-1 (AIS-1) images were analyzed in conjunction with Thematic Mapper Simulator (NS001) Large Format Camera color infrared photography and black and white aerial photography. Specific portions of the combined data set were registered and used for classification. Following this procedure, the resulting derived data was tested using an overall accuracy assessment method. Precise photogrammetric 2D-3D-2D geometric modeling techniques is not the basis for this study. Instead, the discussion exposes resultant spectral findings from the image-to-image registrations. Problems associated with the AIS-1 TMS integration are considered, and useful applications of the imagery combination are presented. More advanced methodologies for imagery integration are needed if multisystem data sets are to be utilized fully. Nevertheless, research, described herein, provides a formulation for future Earth Observation Station related multisensor studies.

Heric, Matthew↗

MTK: An AI tool for model-based reasoning

A 1988 goal for the Systems Autonomy Demonstration Project Office of the NASA Ames Research Center is to apply model-based representation and reasoning techniques in a knowledge-based system that will provide monitoring, fault diagnosis, control and trend analysis of the space station Thermal Management System (TMS). A number of issues raised during the development of the first prototype system inspired the design and construction of a model-based reasoning tool called MTK, which was used in the building of the second prototype. These issues are outlined, along with examples from the thermal system to highlight the motivating factors behind them. An overview of the capabilities of MTK is given.

Erickson, William K.↗

An endorsement-based approach to student modeling for planner-controlled intelligent tutoring systems

An approach is described to student modeling for intelligent tutoring systems based on an explicit representation of the tutor's beliefs about the student and the arguments for and against those beliefs (called endorsements). A lexicographic comparison of arguments, sorted according to evidence reliability, provides a principled means of determining those beliefs that are considered true, false, or uncertain. Each of these beliefs is ultimately justified by underlying assessment data. The endorsement-based approach to student modeling is particularly appropriate for tutors controlled by instructional planners. These tutors place greater demands on a student model than opportunistic tutors. Numerical calculi approaches are less well-suited because it is difficult to correctly assign numbers for evidence reliability and rule plausibility. It may also be difficult to interpret final results and provide suitable combining functions. When numeric measures of uncertainty are used, arbitrary numeric thresholds are often required for planning decisions. Such an approach is inappropriate when robust context-sensitive planning decisions must be made. A TMS-based implementation of the endorsement-based approach to student modeling is presented, this approach is compared to alternatives, and a project history is provided describing the evolution of this approach.

Murray, William R.↗