Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “channel calibration”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2008

Breadboard Signal Processor for Arraying DSN Antennas

A recently developed breadboard version of an advanced signal processor for arraying many antennas in NASA s Deep Space Network (DSN) can accept inputs in a 500-MHz-wide frequency band from six antennas. The next breadboard version is expected to accept inputs from 16 antennas, and a following developed version is expected to be designed according to an architecture that will be scalable to accept inputs from as many as 400 antennas. These and similar signal processors could also be used for combining multiple wide-band signals in non-DSN applications, including very-long-baseline interferometry and telecommunications. This signal processor performs functions of a wide-band FX correlator and a beam-forming signal combiner. [The term "FX" signifies that the digital samples of two given signals are fast Fourier transformed (F), then the fast Fourier transforms of the two signals are multiplied (X) prior to accumulation.] In this processor, the signals from the various antennas are broken up into channels in the frequency domain (see figure). In each frequency channel, the data from each antenna are correlated against the data from each other antenna; this is done for all antenna baselines (that is, for all antenna pairs). The results of the correlations are used to obtain calibration data to align the antenna signals in both phase and delay. Data from the various antenna frequency channels are also combined and calibration corrections are applied. The frequency-domain data thus combined are then synthesized back to the time domain for passing on to a telemetry receiver

Jongeling, Andre↗
NASA NTRS2008

Retrievals of Thick Cloud Optical Depth from the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) by Calibration of Solar Background Signal

Laser beams emitted from the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), as well as other space-borne laser instruments, can only penetrate clouds to a limit of a few optical depths. As a result, only optical depths of thinner clouds (< about 3 for GLAS) are retrieved from the reflected lidar signal. This paper presents a comprehensive study of possible retrievals of optical depth of thick clouds using solar background light and treating GLAS as a solar radiometer. To do so we first calibrate the reflected solar radiation received by the photon-counting detectors of GLAS' 532 nm channel, which is the primary channel for atmospheric products. The solar background radiation is regarded as a noise to be subtracted in the retrieval process of the lidar products. However, once calibrated, it becomes a signal that can be used in studying the properties of optically thick clouds. In this paper, three calibration methods are presented: (I) calibration with coincident airborne and GLAS observations; (2) calibration with coincident Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and GLAS observations of deep convective clouds; (3) calibration from the first principles using optical depth of thin water clouds over ocean retrieved by GLAS active remote sensing. Results from the three methods agree well with each other. Cloud optical depth (COD) is retrieved from the calibrated solar background signal using a one-channel retrieval. Comparison with COD retrieved from GOES during GLAS overpasses shows that the average difference between the two retrievals is 24%. As an example, the COD values retrieved from GLAS solar background are illustrated for a marine stratocumulus cloud field that is too thick to be penetrated by the GLAS laser. Based on this study, optical depths for thick clouds will be provided as a supplementary product to the existing operational GLAS cloud products in future GLAS data releases.

Yang, Yuekui↗
NASA NTRS2013

Compact Radar Transceiver with Included Calibration

The Digital Beamforming Synthetic Aperture Radar (DBSAR) is an eight-channel phased array radar system that employs solid-state radar transceivers, a microstrip patch antenna, and a reconfigurable waveform generator and processor unit. The original DBSAR transceiver design utilizes connectorized electronic components that tend to be physically large and heavy. To achieve increased functionality in a smaller volume, PCB (printed circuit board) transceivers were designed to replace the large connectorized transceivers. One of the most challenging problems designing the transceivers in a PCB format was achieving proper performance in the calibration path. For a radar loop-back calibration path, a portion of the transmit signal is coupled out of the antenna feed and fed back into the receiver. This is achieved using passive components for stability and repeatability. Some signal also leaks through the receive path. As these two signal paths are correlated via an unpredictable phase, the leakage through the receive path during transmit must be 30 dB below the calibration path. For DBSAR s design, this requirement called for a 100-dB isolation in the receiver path during transmit. A total of 16 solid-state L-band transceivers on a PCB format were designed. The transceivers include frequency conversion stages, T/R switching, and a calibration path capable of measuring the transmit power-receiver gain product during transmit for pulse-by-pulse calibration or matched filtering. In particular, this calibration path achieves 100-dB isolation between the transmitted signal and the low-noise amplifier through the use of a switching network and a section of physical walls achieving attenuation of radiated leakage. The transceivers were designed in microstrip PCBs with lumped elements and individually packaged components for compactness. Each transceiver was designed on a single PCB with a custom enclosure providing interior walls and compartments to isolate transceiver subsystems from radiated interference. The enclosure also acts as a heat sink for the voltage regulators and power amplifiers inside the system. The PCB transceiver design produces transmit pulses of 2 W with an arbitrary duty cycle. Each transceiver is fed by an external 120-MHz signal transmit and two 1,140-MHz local oscillator signals. The received signal is amplified and down-converted to 120 MHz and is fed to the data processor. The transceiver dimensions are approximately 3.5 11.5 0.6 in. (9 29 1.5 cm). The PCB transceiver design reduces the volume and weight of the DBSAR instrument while maintaining the functionality found in the original design. Both volume and weight are critical for airborne and flight remote sensing instrumentation.

McLinden, Matthew↗
NASA NTRS1999

Calibration of the Geosar Dual Frequency Interferometric SAR

GeoSAR is an airborne, interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (INSAR) system for terrain mapping, currently under development by a consortium including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Calgis, Inc., and the California Department of Conservation (CalDOC) with funding provided by the Topographic Engineering Center (TEC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The radar simultaneously maps swaths on both sides of the aircraft at two frequencies, X-Band and P-Band. For the P-Band system, data is collected for two across track interferometric baselines and at the crossed polarization. The aircraft position and attitude are measured using two Honeywell Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Units (EGI) and an Ashtech Z12 GPS receiver. The mechanical orientation and position of the antennas are actively measured using a Laser Baseline Metrology System (LBMS). In the GeoSAR motion measurement software, these data are optimally combined with data from a nearby ground station using Ashtech PNAV software to produce the position, orientation, and baseline information are used to process the dual frequency radar data. Proper calibration of the GeoSAR system is essential to obtaining digital elevation models (DEMS) with the required sub-meter level planimetric and vertical accuracies. Calibration begins with the determination of the yaw and pitch biases for the two EGI units. Common range delays are determined for each mode, along with differential time and phase delays between channels. Because the antennas are measured by the LBMS, baseline calibration consists primarily of measuring a constant offset between mechanical center and the electrical phase center of the antennas. A phase screen, an offset to the interferometric phase difference which is a function of absolute phase, is applied to the interferometric data to compensate for multipath and leakage. Calibration parameters are calculated for each of the ten processing modes, each of the operational bandwidths (80 and 160 MHZ), and each aircraft altitude. In this talk we will discuss the layout calibration sites, the synthesis of data from multiple flights to improve the calibration, methods for determining time and phase delays, and techniques for determining radiometric and polarimetric quantities. We will describe how calibration quantities are incorporated into the processor and pre-processor. We will demonstrate our techniques applied to GeoSar data and assess the stability and accuracy of the calibration. This will be compared to the modeled performance determined from calibrating the output of a point target simulator. The details of baseline determination and phase screen calculation are covered in related talks.

Chapine, Elaine↗
NASA NTRS2002

Calibration Design and Assessment of the Airborne Conical Scanning Millimeterwave Imaging Radiometer (CoSMIR)

The airborne Conical Scanning Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (CoSMIR) will provide measurements useful for atmospheric studies and satellite calibration and validation (cal/val). Designed to match the tropospheric sounding channels of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program QMSP) Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS), the CoSMIR consists of four radiometers operating at 50-54 (3 channels - 50.3, 52.8, and 53.6), 91.655 (dual polarization), 150.0, and 193.31 (3 channels 11, 13, and 16.6) GHz. The design of CoSMIR was primarily driven by its intended initial use as an SSMIS cal/val sensor. In particular, three design features were directly affected by this requirement: frequency planning, calibration target design, and the mechanical gimbals. An initial calibration assessment of CoSMIR was performed to determine any needed improvements. We used a combination of laboratory and field measurements to do this. Laboratory measurements included comparisons to a liquid nitrogen standard, IF amplifier and diode linearity tests, LO leakage and reflection testing, and antenna to calibration target coupling tests. Results of these tests will be reported. We also performed a satellite underflight under DM SP F-15 and have compared CoSMIR imagery to SSM/T-2 and SSM/I imagery. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Piepmeier, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2018

An Accurate Method for Correcting Spectral Convolution Errors in Intercalibration of Broadband and Hyperspectral Sensors

The intercalibration between a broadband and a hyperspectral satellite Earth observation system requires the convolution of the hyperspectral data with the spectral response functions (SRFs) of the corresponding broadband channels. There are two potential issues associated with the convolution procedure. First, the finite resolution of a hyperspectral spectrum, that is, the deviation from the highly accurate line-by-line monochromatic radiances, will contribute to convolution errors. The magnitude of the errors depends on the spectral resolution and the SRF shape of the hyperspectral instrument. This type of the convolution error has not been well recognized, and there is a lack of corresponding discussion in most published papers. Although it is small as compared with the instrument accuracy of existing hyperspectral sounders, the error is deemed to be signicant when it is compared with the stringent calibration requirement imposed by future climate missions like the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO). Second, some broadband channels are insufficiently covered by the hyperspectral data, causing spectral gaps that lead to convolution errors. Although several methods have been developed to fill the spectral gaps and hence compensate for the second type of convolution error, the correction accuracy may still need improvement especially when a large spectral gap needs to be lled. This paper presents a methodology to accurately quantify and compensate for both types of convolution errors. This methodology utilizes the available hyperspectral information to correct the scene-dependent convolution errors due to either the limited spectral resolution or spectral gaps. We use simulations to characterize the intercalibration errors between the Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and current operational infrared sounders. We demonstrate that convolution errors can be effectively removed to meet the highly accurate intersatellite calibration requirement proposed by the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory. Our methodology is also validated using real satellite data for the intercalibration between Aqua MODIS and Aqua Atmospheric Infrared Sounders (AIRS). Our study demonstrates that the accurate characterization and correction for the convolution errors greatly reduces the scene-dependent and spectrally dependent errors, being critical to the consistency check between Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) and AIRS using the double-difference method. The convolution correction also facilitates the evaluation for other intercalibration errors (e.g., the drift of MODIS SRFs). Our derived SRF shift values from MODIS-AIRS (after convolution error corrections) and from MODIS-IASI intercalibration are consistent with each other. We further extend the methodology to study the calibration of a broadband channel which is either completely or largely uncovered bya hyperspectral measurement.The large spectral gap-filling methodology is validated by demonstrating the accurate prediction of the MODIS radiance of band 29 using the Cross-track Infrared Sounder spectra, with the real IASI spectral data being used as the reference.

Correction Method↗
NASA NTRS2024

Modeling Dynamic Crush Behavior of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Structures Using MAT213

Modeling crushing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is challenging, and current simulation methodologies involve tuning of non-physical parameters. MAT213, a next-generation material model, has advanced functionality to better simulate dynamic impact loading. The objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the potential for using MAT213 to simulate dynamic crushing of CFRPs. Two sets of simulations were performed: one for calibration based on a set of coupon-level experiments and another for prediction of the response of structural elements. Simulations involving dynamic crushing of flat specimens were iteratively run to calibrate model parameters. The calibration demonstrated that MAT213 could produce a simulated force-displacement response within experimental scatter. The simulated failure morphology was also comparable to the experiments. After successful calibration, predictive simulations of dynamic crushing of C-channel shaped specimens were completed using a simulated crash sled test rig and two pairs of impactor mass/velocity conditions. The simulated force-displacement curve in the crash sled simulations for the lower-velocity condition fell within the experimental scatter, but the stable crush force was underpredicted by 27% in the higher-velocity simulations. Better correlation in the lower-velocity test condition likely results from the calibration condition being a similar velocity to the lower-velocity crash sled condition.

Dynamic Crush↗
DOE OSTI2025

A robust search for lepton flavour violating axions at Mu3e

We propose a search at Mu3e for lepton flavor violating axion(-like) particles in μ → 3e + a decays. By requiring an additional e+e− pair from internal conversion, one can circumvent the calibration challenges which plague the μ → e + a channel for axions lighter than 20 MeV. Crucially, the corresponding reduction in signal rate is to a large extent compensated for by Mu3e’s ability to resolve highly collimated tracks. For phase I of Mu3e, we project a sensitivity to decay constants as high as 6 × 109 GeV which probes uncharted parameter space in scenarios of axion dark matter. The sensitivity to axions which couple primarily to right-handed leptons can be further improved by leveraging the polarisation of the muon beam.

Knapen, Simon↗
NASA NTRS1981

Design and performance of the solar maximum mission Hard X-ray Burst Spectrometer

The Hard X-ray Burst Spectrometer acquires data on the temporal and energy distribution of solar X-rays in the energy region from 25 to 385 keV. The detector system is a CsI(Na) central detector, and an anti-coincidence shield with photomultiplier tubes optically coupled to the central and shield crystals. Additional detectors are included for calibration and South Atlantic Anomaly monitoring. A 15 channel pulse height analysis is performed over the energy range every 128 milliseconds. This instrument is capable of handling event rates up to 500 kHz and provides high rate data up to 100 kHz with low spectral distortion. Nine accumulated rates are telemetered every 8.192 seconds. A unique feature of the instrument is the ability to sample rates from the central detector or shield with a one millisecond minimum time resolution. Such samples are stored in a 32768 sample memory with a 40 percent pretrigger event history and a 60 percent posttrigger history.

Workman, L. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Measurement of the dispersive and refractive indices of germanium using diode lasers

Germanium Fabry-Perot etalons are commonly used in diode laser spectroscopy to establish relative frequency calibration scales for molecular absorption spectra. Typically the channel spectrum of the etalon is recorded simultaneously with the molecular spectrum as the laser injection current is tuned linearly, and the etalon free spectral range (fringe spacing) is used to measure the frequency separations among lines in the molecular spectrum. For this purpose, the etalon free spectral range must be known for the measurement wavelength, and this in turn relies on knowledge of the etalon length and the dispersive index at this wavelength. It is pointed out that the most satisfactory approach is to measure directly the free spectral range or dispersive index of the etalon at the wavelength of interest. A description is presented of measurements of this type, performed near 7.9 and 10.1 micrometers for a 7.7-cm long germanium etalon.

Jennings, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Laboratory measurements and a theoretical analysis of the TCT fading channel radio system

This paper documents the laboratory and theoretical performance of a pilot-aided digital radio system. The technique considered transmits a midband pilot tone to improve the receiver data detection performance in a multipath fading channel and is referred to as the tone calibrated technique (TCT). The performance of a 860 MHz prototype system carrying 2.4 kbit/s data under Rician fading conditions is reported. Both experimental and analytical results show that the error floor experienced with nonpilot-aided transmission methods is effectively removed by the TCT scheme, resulting in significant performance gains at high signal-to-noise ratio values. The paper also examines the TCT system performance under typical operating conditions and presents a new analysis of the TCT theoretical error probability.

Rafferty, William↗
NASA NTRS1993

Multifrequency observations

Analyses of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data were performed at DLR to classify various kinds of vegetation and different terrain types. The data were collected both with the DLR experimental synthetic aperture radar (E-SAR) in X-band, C-band, and L-band and with the NASA/JPL DC-8 SAR in C-band, L-band, and P-band. E-SAR is a single frequency and single polarization system (both parameters can be selected) but several flights were used to collect multifrequency/multipolarization data which were geometrically matched after processing. Classification of different crop types was based on comparison of the backscatter coefficients of calibrated SAR data in different frequency bands and polarizations. The DC-8 STAR collects polarimetric data in different bands simultaneously. Data acquired with the NASA/JPL DC-8 STAR are qualified for scientific investigations by reducing the cross-talk and channel imbalance to a tolerable extent. The data are absolutely calibrated by using reference targets with known backscattering cross-sections. The signatures and polarimetric features of terrain types, such as grassland, concrete, sea, forest (coniferous; deciduous) and urban areas, are extracted and discussed with respect to frequency and incidence angle dependence. A multifrequency polarimetric feature vector was applied for classification. The results of this new approach for separating and classifying different object classes are presented.

Glitz, R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Development of a near-wall Reynolds-stress closure based on the SSG model for the pressure strain

In this research, a near-wall second-order closure based on the Speziable et al.(1991) or SSG model for the pressure-strain term is proposed. Unlike the LRR model, the SSG model is quasi-nonlinear and yields better results when applied to calculate rotating homogeneous turbulent flows. An asymptotic analysis near the wall is applied to both the exact and modeled, equations so that appropriate near-wall corrections to the SSG model and the modeled dissipation-rate equation can be derived to satisfy the physical wall boundary conditions as well as the asymptotic near-wall behavior of the exact equations. Two additional model constants are introduced and they are determined by calibrating against one set of near-wall channel flow data. Once determined, their values are found to remain constant irrespective of the type of flow examined. The resultant model is used to calculate simple turbulent flows, near separating turbulent flows, complex turbulent flows and compressible turbulent flows with a freestream Mach number as high as 10. In all the flow cases investigated, the calculated results are in good agreement with data. This new near-wall model is less ad hoc, physically and mathematically more sound and eliminates the empiricism introduced by Zhang. Therefore, it is quite general, as demonstrated by the good agreement achieved with measurements covering a wide range of Reynolds numbers and Mach numbers.

So, R. M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1996

BATSE Observations of Gamma-Ray Burst Spectra: Low-Energy Behavior of Time-Averaged Spectra - Part 3

We analyze time-averaged spectra from 86 bright gamma-ray bursts from the first 5 years of the Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory to determine whether the lowest energy data are consistent with a standard spectra form fit to the data at all energies. The BATSE Spectroscopy Detectors have the capability to observe photons as low as 5 keV. Using the gamma-ray burst locations obtained with the BATSE Large Area Detectors, the Spectroscopy Detectors' low-energy response can be modeled accurately. This, together with a postlaunch calibration of the lowest energy Spectroscopy Detector discriminator channel, which can lie in the range 5-20 keV, allows spectral deconvolution over a broad energy range, approx. 5 keV to 2 MeV. The additional coverage allows us to search for evidence of excess emission, or for a deficit, below 20 keV. While no burst has a significant (greater than or equal to 3 sigma) deficit relative to a standard spectra model, we find that 12 bursts have excess low-energy emission, ranging between 1.2 and 5.8 times the model flux, that exceeds 5 sigma in significance. This is evidence for an additional low-energy spectral component in at least some bursts, or for deviations from the power-law spectral form typically used to model gamma-ray bursts at energies below 100 keV.

Preece, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Aerosol Retrievals over the Ocean using Channel 1 and 2 AVHRR Data: A Sensitivity Analysis and Preliminary Results

This paper outlines the methodology of interpreting channel 1 and 2 AVHRR radiance data over the oceans and describes a detailed analysis of the sensitivity of monthly averages of retrieved aerosol parameters to the assumptions made in different retrieval algorithms. The analysis is based on using real AVHRR data and exploiting accurate numerical techniques for computing single and multiple scattering and spectral absorption of light in the vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere-ocean system. We show that two-channel algorithms can be expected to provide significantly more accurate and less biased retrievals of the aerosol optical thickness than one-channel algorithms and that imperfect cloud screening and calibration uncertainties are by far the largest sources of errors in the retrieved aerosol parameters. Both underestimating and overestimating aerosol absorption as well as the potentially strong variability of the real part of the aerosol refractive index may lead to regional and/or seasonal biases in optical thickness retrievals. The Angstrom exponent appears to be the most invariant aerosol size characteristic and should be retrieved along with optical thickness as the second aerosol parameter.

Mishchenko, Michael I.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Global Aerosol Climatology Project: An Update

This paper outlines the methodology of interpreting channe1 1 and 2 AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) radiance data over the oceans and describes a detailed analysis of the sensitivity of monthly averages of retrieved aerosol parameters to the assumptions made in different retrieval algorithms. The analysis is based on using real AVHRR data and exploiting accurate numerical techniques for computing single and multiple scattering and spectral absorption of light in the vertically inhomogeneous atmospheric-ocean system. We show that two-channel algorithms can be expected tp provide significantly more biased retrievals of the aerosol optical thickness than one-channel algorithms and that imperfect cloud screening and calibration uncertainties are by far the largest sources of errors in the retrieved aerosol parameters. Both underestimating and overestimating aerosol absorption as well as the potentially strong variability of the real part of the aerosol refractive index may lead to regional and/or seasonal biases in optical thickness retrievals. The Angstrom exponent appears to be the most invariant aerosol size characteristic and should be retrieved along with optical thickness as the second aerosol parameter.

Mishchenko, Michael I.↗
NASA NTRS2004

NASA Tech Briefs, November 2004

Topics include: Multifunction Imaging and Spectroscopic Instrument; Position-Finding Instrument Built Around a Magnetometer; Improved Measurement of Dispersion in an Optical Fiber; Probe for Sampling of Interstitial Fluid From Bone; Neuropsychological Testing of Astronauts; Method of Calibration for a Large Cathetometer System; Four-Channel PC/104 MIL-STD-1553 Circuit Board; Improved Method of Locating Defects in Wiring Insulation; Strobe Traffic Lights Warn of Approaching Emergency Vehicles; Improved Timing Scheme for Spaceborne Precipitation Radar; Concept for Multiple-Access Free-Space Laser Communications; Variable Shadow Screens for Imaging Optical Devices; Verifying Diagnostic Software; Initial Processing of Infrared Spectral Data; Activity-Centric Approach to Distributed Programming; Controlling Distributed Planning; New Material for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy; Treated Carbon Nanofibers for Storing Energy in Aqueous KOH; Advanced Infant Car Seat Would Increase Highway Safety; Development of Biomorphic Flyers; Second-Generation Six-Limbed Experimental Robot; Miniature Linear Actuator for Small Spacecraft; Process for Making Single-Domain Magnetite Crystals; A New Process for Fabricating Random Silicon Nanotips; Resin-Transfer-Molding of a Tool Face; Improved Phase-Mask Fabrication of Fiber Bragg Gratings; Tool for Insertion of a Fiber-Optic Terminus in a Connector; Nanofluidic Size-Exclusion Chromatograph; Lightweight, Low-CTE Tubes Made From Biaxially Oriented LCPs; Using Redundancy To Reduce Errors in Magnetometer Readings; Compact Instrument for Measuring Profile of a Light Beam; Multilayer Dielectric Transmissive Optical Phase Modulator; Second-Generation Multi-Angle Imaging Spectroradiometer; Real-Time Adaptive Color Segmentation by Neural Networks; Research and Development in Optical Communications; Tests of Multibeam Scintillation Mitigation on Laser Uplinks; and Spaceborne Infrared Atmospheric Sounder.

Source record↗