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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2025

Content-aware foveated camera for multi-target tracking

Modern image sensors deliver substantial space-time bandwidth, yet indiscriminate acquisition often overwhelms memory, computation, and downstream perception. We present a content-aware, multi-foveated camera that dynamically reallocates sensing and magnification to multiple regions of interest (ROIs). A phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) serves as a solid-state, inertia-free beam-steering and lens element, enabling per-frame field-of-view (FOV) reconfiguration and content-aware target tracking. By interleaving frames across foveae, our system preserves a wide-FOV situational context while refreshing each ROI at high rates, thereby reducing data volume without degrading task performance. We constructed a prototype employing a single-SLM, single-sensor architecture and demonstrated its application in real-time multi-object tracking with dynamic ROI maintenance across multiple viewpoints. The approach offers a general pathway to integrate detection, tracking, and segmentation algorithms in the acquisition loop, shifting workload from post hoc processing to intelligent capture.

Zang, Zihan [Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA ↗

DOE OSTI2020

Temporal Gating of Synaptic Competition in the Amygdala by Cannabinoid Receptor Activation

Abstract The acquisition of fear memories involves plasticity of the thalamic and cortical pathways to the lateral amygdala (LA). In turn, the maintenance of synaptic plasticity requires the interplay between input-specific synaptic tags and the allocation of plasticity-related proteins. Based on this interplay, weakly activated synapses can express long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity by cooperating with strongly activated synapses. Increasing the number of activated synapses can shift cooperation to competition. Synaptic cooperation and competition can determine whether two events, separated in time, are associated or whether a particular event is selected for storage. The rules that determine whether synapses cooperate or compete are unknown. We found that synaptic cooperation and competition, in the LA, are determined by the temporal sequence of cortical and thalamic stimulation and that the strength of the synaptic tag is modulated by the endocannabinoid signaling. This modulation is particularly effective in thalamic synapses, supporting a critical role of endocannabinoids in restricting thalamic plasticity. Also, we found that the availability of synaptic proteins is activity-dependent, shifting competition to cooperation. Our data present the first evidence that presynaptic modulation of synaptic activation, by the cannabinoid signaling, functions as a temporal gating mechanism limiting synaptic cooperation and competition.

Madeira, Natália↗

NASA NTRS2014

Data Acquisition for Modular Biometric Monitoring System

A modular system for acquiring biometric data includes a plurality of data acquisition modules configured to sample biometric data from at least one respective input channel at a data acquisition rate. A representation of the sampled biometric data is stored in memory of each of the plurality of data acquisition modules. A central control system is in communication with each of the plurality of data acquisition modules through a bus. The central control system is configured to collect data asynchronously, via the bus, from the memory of the plurality of data acquisition modules according to a relative fullness of the memory of the plurality of data acquisition modules.

Chmiel, Alan J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Autonomous image data reduction by analysis and interpretation

Image data is a critical component of the scientific information acquired by space missions. Compression of image data is required due to the limited bandwidth of the data transmission channel and limited memory space on the acquisition vehicle. This need becomes more pressing when dealing with multispectral data where each pixel may comprise 300 or more bytes. An autonomous, real time, on-board image analysis system for an exploratory vehicle such as a Mars Rover is developed. The completed system will be capable of interpreting image data to produce reduced representations of the image, and of making decisions regarding the importance of data based on current scientific goals. Data from multiple sources, including stereo images, color images, and multispectral data, are fused into single image representations. Analysis techniques emphasize artificial neural networks. Clusters are described by their outlines and class values. These analysis and compression techniques are coupled with decision making capacity for determining importance of each image region. Areas determined to be noise or uninteresting can be discarded in favor of more important areas. Thus limited resources for data storage and transmission are allocated to the most significant images.

Eberlein, Susan↗

NASA NTRS1988

Autonomous image data reduction by analysis and interpretation

Image data is a critical component of the scientific information acquired by space missions. Compression of image data is required due to the limited bandwidth of the data transmission channel and limited memory space on the acquisition vehicle. This need becomes more pressing when dealing with multispectral data where each pixel may comprise 300 or more bytes. An autonomous, real time, on-board image analysis system for an exploratory vehicle such as a Mars Rover is developed. The completed system will be capable of interpreting image data to produce reduced representations of the image, and of making decisions regarding the importance of data based on current scientific goals. Data from multiple sources, including stereo images, color images, and multispectral data, are fused into single image representations. Analysis techniques emphasize artificial neural networks. Clusters are described by their outlines and class values. These analysis and compression techniques are coupled with decision-making capacity for determining importance of each image region. Areas determined to be noise or uninteresting can be discarded in favor of more important areas. Thus limited resources for data storage and transmission are allocated to the most significant images.

Eberlein, Susan↗

NASA NTRS2005

Case Study of the Space Shuttle Cockpit Avionics Upgrade Software

The purpose of the Space Shuttle Cockpit Avionics Upgrade project was to reduce crew workload and improve situational awareness. The upgrade was to augment the Shuttle avionics system with new hardware and software. An early version of this system was used to gather human factor statistics in the Space Shuttle Motion Simulator of the Johnson Space Center for one month by multiple teams of astronauts. The results were compiled by NASA Ames Research Center and it was was determined that the system provided a better than expected increase in situational awareness and reduction in crew workload. Even with all of the benefits nf the system, NASA cancelled the project towards the end of the development cycle. A major success of this project was the validation of the hardware architecture and software design. This was significant because the project incorporated new technology and approaches for the development of human rated space software. This paper serves as a case study to document knowledge gained and techniques that can be applied for future space avionics development efforts. The major technological advances were the use of reflective memory concepts for data acquisition and the incorporation of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) products in a human rated space avionics system. The infused COTS products included a real time operating system, a resident linker and loader, a display generation tool set, and a network data manager. Some of the successful design concepts were the engineering of identical outputs in multiple avionics boxes using an event driven approach and inter-computer communication, a reconfigurable data acquisition engine, the use of a dynamic bus bandwidth allocation algorithm. Other significant experiences captured were the use of prototyping to reduce risk, and the correct balance between Object Oriented and Functional based programming.

Ferguson, Roscoe C.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Omniview motionless camera orientation system

A device for omnidirectional image viewing providing pan-and-tilt orientation, rotation, and magnification within a hemispherical field-of-view that utilizes no moving parts. The imaging device is based on the effect that the image from a fisheye lens, which produces a circular image of at entire hemispherical field-of-view, which can be mathematically corrected using high speed electronic circuitry. More specifically, an incoming fisheye image from any image acquisition source is captured in memory of the device, a transformation is performed for the viewing region of interest and viewing direction, and a corrected image is output as a video image signal for viewing, recording, or analysis. As a result, this device can accomplish the functions of pan, tilt, rotation, and zoom throughout a hemispherical field-of-view without the need for any mechanical mechanisms. The preferred embodiment of the image transformation device can provide corrected images at real-time rates, compatible with standard video equipment. The device can be used for any application where a conventional pan-and-tilt or orientation mechanism might be considered including inspection, monitoring, surveillance, and target acquisition.

Zimmermann, Steven D.↗

NASA NTRS2017

Modular Biometric Monitoring System

A modular system for acquiring biometric data includes a plurality of data acquisition modules configured to sample biometric data from at least one respective input channel at a data acquisition rate. A representation of the sampled biometric data is stored in memory of each of the plurality of data acquisition modules. A central control system is in communication with each of the plurality of data acquisition modules through a bus. The central control system is configured to control communication of data, via the bus, with each of the plurality of data acquisition modules.

Chmiel, Alan J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The UOSAT magnetometer experiment

The magnetometer aboard the University of Surrey satellite (UOSAT) and its associated electronics are described. The basic fluxgate magnetometer employed has a dynamic range of plus or minus 8000 nT with outputs digitized by a 12-bit successive approximation A-D converter having a resolution of plus or minus 2 nT. Noise in the 3-13 Hz bandwidth is less than 1 nT. A bias field generator extends the dynamic range to plus or minus 64,000 nT with quantization steps of 8000 nT. The magnetometer experiment is expected to provide information on the secular variation of the geomagnetic field, and the decay rate of the dipole term. Special emphasis will be placed on the acquisition of real time and memory data over the poles which can be correlated with that from Magsat.

Acuna, M. H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Measurements of vector fields with diode array

A polarimeter was designed for high spatial and spectral resolution. It consists of a quarter-wave plate alternately operating in two positions for Stoke-V measurements and an additional quarter-wave plate for Stokes-U and -Q measurements. The spatial range covers 75 arcsec, the spectral window of about 1.8 a allows the simultaneous observations of neighboring lines. The block diagram of the data processing and acquisition system consists of five memories each one having a capacity of 10 to the 4th power 16-bit words. The total time to acquire profiles of Stokes parameters can be chosen by selecting the number of successive measurements added in the memories, each individual measurement corresponding to an integration time of 0.5 sec. Typical values range between 2 and 60 sec depending on the brightness of the structure, the amount of polarization and a compromise between desired signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution.

Wiehr, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

An electronic pan/tilt/zoom camera system

A camera system for omnidirectional image viewing applications that provides pan, tilt, zoom, and rotational orientation within a hemispherical field of view (FOV) using no moving parts was developed. The imaging device is based on the effect that from a fisheye lens, which produces a circular image of an entire hemispherical FOV, can be mathematically corrected using high speed electronic circuitry. An incoming fisheye image from any image acquisition source is captured in memory of the device, a transformation is performed for the viewing region of interest and viewing direction, and a corrected image is output as a video image signal for viewing, recording, or analysis. As a result, this device can accomplish the functions of pan, tilt, rotation, and zoom throughout a hemispherical FOV without the need for any mechanical mechanisms. A programmable transformation processor provides flexible control over viewing situations. Multiple images, each with different image magnifications and pan tilt rotation parameters, can be obtained from a single camera. The image transformation device can provide corrected images at frame rates compatible with RS-170 standard video equipment.

Zimmermann, Steve↗

NASA NTRS2011

FPGA Sequencer for Radar Altimeter Applications

A sequencer for a radar altimeter provides accurate attitude information for a reliable soft landing of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). This is a field-programmable- gate-array (FPGA)-only implementation. A table loaded externally into the FPGA controls timing, processing, and decision structures. Radar is memory-less and does not use previous acquisitions to assist in the current acquisition. All cycles complete in exactly 50 milliseconds, regardless of range or whether a target was found. A RAM (random access memory) within the FPGA holds instructions for up to 15 sets. For each set, timing is run, echoes are processed, and a comparison is made. If a target is seen, more detailed processing is run on that set. If no target is seen, the next set is tried. When all sets have been run, the FPGA terminates and waits for the next 50-millisecond event. This setup simplifies testing and improves reliability. A single vertex chip does the work of an entire assembly. Output products require minor processing to become range and velocity. This technology is the heart of the Terminal Descent Sensor, which is an integral part of the Entry Decent and Landing system for MSL. In addition, it is a strong candidate for manned landings on Mars or the Moon.

Berkun, Andrew C.↗

NASA NTRS1996

A Digital Control Algorithm for Magnetic Suspension Systems

An ongoing program exists to investigate and develop magnetic suspension technologies and modelling techniques at NASA Langley Research Center. Presently, there is a laboratory-scale large air-gap suspension system capable of five degree-of-freedom (DOF) control that is operational and a six DOF system that is under development. Those systems levitate a cylindrical element containing a permanent magnet core above a planar array of electromagnets, which are used for levitation and control purposes. In order to evaluate various control approaches with those systems, the Generic Real-Time State-Space Controller (GRTSSC) software package was developed. That control software package allows the user to implement multiple control methods and allows for varied input/output commands. The development of the control algorithm is presented. The desired functionality of the software is discussed, including the ability to inject noise on sensor inputs and/or actuator outputs. Various limitations, common issues, and trade-offs are discussed including data format precision; the drawbacks of using either Direct Memory Access (DMA), interrupts, or program control techniques for data acquisition; and platform dependent concerns related to the portability of the software, such as memory addressing formats. Efforts to minimize overall controller loop-rate and a comparison of achievable controller sample rates are discussed. The implementation of a modular code structure is presented. The format for the controller input data file and the noise information file is presented. Controller input vector information is available for post-processing by mathematical analysis software such as MATLAB1.

Britton, Thomas C.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Effects of stress upon psychophysiological responses and performance following sleep deprivation

The usefulness of psychological and physiological variables in predicting performance under stress of 48 hours of sleep deprivation was investigated. Performance tests, with subjects of different ego strength personalities, in concept acquisition, reading comprehension, word association, word memory, and anagrams were conducted, and physiological measurements of (1) the phasic and tonic electrodermal, (2) galvanic skin response, (3) thermal skin resistance, (4) heart rate, (5) respiration, and (6) plethysmographic finger pulse volumn were recorded. It was found that the changes in the pattern of performance were the result of testing subjects at times when they would normally be sleeping, and that sleep deprivation longer than 48 hours must be maintained to produce changes in simple or well learned tasks.

Roessler, R.↗

DOE OSTI2018

Behavioural phenotypes in mice after prenatal and early postnatal exposure to intermediate frequency magnetic fields

Highlights: • Human exposure to intermediate frequency magnetic fields (MF) is increasing. • We exposed prenatal and early postnatal male mice to 7.5 kHz MFs at 12 and 120 μT. • A behavioural teratology study focused on the developing nervous system. • No consistent adverse effects were observed. Electromagnetic fields are ubiquitous in the environment. Human exposure to intermediate frequency (IF) fields is increasing due to applications like electronic article surveillance systems, wireless power transfer, and induction heating cooking hobs. However, there are limited data on possible health effects of exposure to IF magnetic fields (MF). In the present study, we set out to assess cognitive and behavioural effects of IF MF in mice exposed during prenatal and early postnatal periods. Pregnant female mice were exposed continuously to 7.5 kHz MFs at 12 and 120 μT, from mating until weaning of pups. Sham exposed pregnant mice were used as a control group. A behavioural teratology study was conducted on the male offspring at two months of age to detect possible effects on the developing nervous system. Body weight development did not differ between the exposure groups. The exposure did not alter spontaneous motor activity when exploring a novel cage or anxiety in novelty-suppressed feeding or marble burying tests. Improved performance in the Rotarod task was observed in the 12 µT group, while the 120 μT exposure group swam more slowly than the sham exposed group in the Morris swim navigation task. However, indices of learning and memory (path length and escape latency during task acquisition and search bias during the probe test) did not differ between the exposure groups. Furthermore, the passive avoidance task did not indicate any impairment of long-term memory over a 48 h interval in the exposed groups. In a post-mortem histopathological analysis, there was no evidence for an effect of IF MF exposure on astroglial reactivity or hippocampal neurogenesis. The results suggest that the IF MF used did not have detrimental effects on spatial learning and memory or histological markers of tissue reaction. The two statistically significant findings that were observed (improved performance in the Rotarod task in the 12 µT group and decreased swimming speed in the 120 µT group) are likely to be chance findings, as they do not form an internally consistent, dose-dependent pattern indicative of specific developmental effects.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

Noise-Based Selection of Robust Inherited Model for Accurate Continual Learning

There is a growing demand for an intelligent system to continually learn knowledge from a data stream. Continual learning requires both the preservation of previous knowledge (i.e., avoiding catastrophic forgetting) and the acquisition of new knowledge. Different from previous works that focus only on model adaptation (e.g., regularization, network expansion, memory rehearsal, etc.), we propose a novel training scheme named acquisitive learning (AL), which emphasizes both the knowledge inheritance and knowledge acquisition. AL starts from an elaborately selected model with pre-trained knowledge (the inherited model) and then adapts it to new data using segmented training. The selection is achieved by injecting random noise to various inherited models for better model robustness, which promises higher accuracy in further knowledge acquisition. The approach is validated by the visualization of the loss landscape and quantitative roughness measurement. The combination of the selective inherited model and knowledge acquisition reduces catastrophic forgetting by 10X on the CIFAR-100 dataset.

Du, Xiaocong↗

NASA NTRS1996

Hardware/Software Issues for Video Guidance Systems: The Coreco Frame Grabber

The F64 frame grabber is a high performance video image acquisition and processing board utilizing the TMS320C40 and TMS34020 processors. The hardware is designed for the ISA 16 bit bus and supports multiple digital or analog cameras. It has an acquisition rate of 40 million pixels per second, with a variable sampling frequency of 510 kHz to MO MHz. The board has a 4MB frame buffer memory expandable to 32 MB, and has a simultaneous acquisition and processing capability. It supports both VGA and RGB displays, and accepts all analog and digital video input standards.

Bales, John W.↗

DOE OSTI2012

The CMS High Level Trigger System: Experience and future development

The CMS experiment at the LHC features a two-level trigger system. Events accepted by the first level trigger, at a maximum rate of 100 kHz, are read out by the Data Acquisition system (DAQ), and subsequently assembled in memory in a farm of computers running a software high-level trigger (HLT), which selects interesting events for offline storage and analysis at a rate of order few hundred Hz. The HLT algorithms consist of sequences of offline-style reconstruction and filtering modules, executed on a farm of 0(10000) CPU cores built from commodity hardware. Experience from the operation of the HLT system in the collider run 2010/2011 is reported. The current architecture of the CMS HLT, its integration with the CMS reconstruction framework and the CMS DAQ, are discussed in the light of future development. The possible short- and medium-term evolution of the HLT software infrastructure to support extensions of the HLT computing power, and to address remaining performance and maintenance issues, are discussed.

Bauer, G.↗