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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.

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At least 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Time and space integrating acousto-optic folded spectrum processing for SETI

Time and space integrating folded spectrum techniques utilizing acousto-optic devices (AOD) as 1-D input transducers are investigated for a potential application as wideband, high resolution, large processing gain spectrum analyzers in the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence (SETI) program. The space integrating Fourier transform performed by a lens channels the coarse spectral components diffracted from an AOD onto an array of time integrating narrowband fine resolution spectrum analyzers. The pulsing action of a laser diode samples the interferometrically detected output, aliasing the fine resolution components to baseband, as required for the subsequent charge coupled devices (CCD) processing. The raster scan mechanism incorporated into the readout of the CCD detector array is used to unfold the 2-D transform, reproducing the desired high resolution Fourier transform of the input signal.

Wagner, K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Display system software for the integration of an ADAGE 3000 programmable display generator into the solid modeling package C.A.D. software

A software system that integrates an ADAGE 3000 Programmable Display Generator into a C.A.D. software package known as the Solid Modeling Program is described. The Solid Modeling Program (SMP) is an interactive program that is used to model complex solid object through the composition of primitive geomeentities. In addition, SMP provides extensive facilities for model editing and display. The ADAGE 3000 Programmable Display Generator (PDG) is a color, raster scan, programmable display generator with a 32-bit bit-slice, bipolar microprocessor (BPS). The modularity of the system architecture and the width and speed of the system bus allow for additional co-processors in the system. These co-processors combine to provide efficient operations on and rendering of graphics entities. The resulting software system takes advantage of the graphics capabilities of the PDG in the operation of SMP by distributing its processing modules between the host and the PDG. Initially, the target host computer was a PRIME 850, which was later substituted with a VAX-11/785. Two versions of the software system were developed, a phase 1 and a phase 2. In phase 1, the ADAGE 3000 is used as a frame buffer. In phase II, SMP was functionally partitioned and some of its functions were implemented in the ADAGE 3000 by means of ADAGE's SOLID 3000 software package.

Montoya, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Polar-cap and coronal-hole-associated brightenings of the Sun at millimeter wavelengths

Mapping observations of the Sun at millimeter wavelengths were made on 16 to 22 July 1984 with the 45-m telescope of the Nobeyama Radio Observatory. Seven 36-GHz (8.3-mm) maps and five 98-GHz (3.1-mm) maps were taken with half-power beam widths of 46 arc sec and 17 arc sec, respectively. Instead of the conventional rastering technique, a radial-scan method was adopted in which every scan passes through the disk center. Accordingly, the variation of the atmosphere attenuation due to changes in the weather conditions can be easily estimated and removed by using the brightness values at the disk center as calibration data. Also, the pointing errors of the telescope due to the high-speed scans can be corrected by using the solar limbs as position references. The rms residual errors in relative brightness and position after the corrections were estimated to be approx. 2% and approx. 5 arc sec respectively. To further reduce these errors, enabled us to make high-quality maps with with or approx. 1% uncertainty in brightness. Here and in the following, brightness is expressed in terms of the average brightness of the solar disk as a unit. Note that the brightness temperature of the quiet Sun is approx. 8000 K and approx. 6000 K at 36 GHz and 98 GHz, respectively.

Kosugi, T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Energy release topology in a multiple-loop solar flare

The temporal and spatial structures of the UV and X-ray emissions and the magnetic field configuration in the November 12, 1980 flare observed from SMM have been studied. The UV observations were done in the O V and Fe XXI lines with a spatial resolution of 10 arcsec. The observations show that the impulsive UV bursts, and also the hard X-ray bursts by their temporal correlation with the impulsive O V emission, occurred in small localized kernels. By comparing the O V, Fe XXI, and X-ray raster images of the flare with the magnetogram, these emission kernels were identified as footpoints of interacting magnetic flux loops. The temporal evolution of the O V/Fe XXI emission shows that there was considerable preheating in the flare plasma some 8-9 minutes prior to the onset of the main hard X-ray bursts. The results are interpreted as indicating that the primary flare energy release occurred in a highly sheared multiloop structure, which lies along a magnetic neutral line. By either beam particle propagation or convective motion, flare energy is transported via a common footpoint to another loop which brightened later. The preheating of the flare plasma is shown to create a more favorable environment for energetic particle acceleration which resulted in the main impulsive hard X-ray bursts.

Cheng, C.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Microcomputer-based, statewide, digital land-surface information

The Center for Remote Sensing at Michigan State University is developing a statewide data base of land-surface information on an ERDAS 400 microcomputer system. The raster file structure uses 1 square-kilometer grid cells and contains 633 columns and 733 rows. The initial elements of this data base include (1) augmented Level I land cover; (2) average available soil water capacity; (3) topographic information; and (4) multiple-vector, windward distance to the Great Lakes. Other elements will be added to the data base in the future in order to serve the multidisciplinary needs of the research community at Michigan State University.

Lusch, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A comparison of photospheric electric current and ultraviolet and X-ray emission in a solar active region

This paper presents an extensive set of coordinated observations of a solar active region, taking into account spectroheliograms obtained with the aid of the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) Ultraviolet Spectrometer Polarimeter (UVSP) instrument, SMM soft X-ray polychromator (XRP) raster maps, and high spatial resolution ultraviolet images of the sun in Lyman-alpha and in the 1600 A continuum. These data span together the upper solar atmosphere from the temperature minimum to the corona. The data are compared to maps of the inferred photospheric electric current derived from the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) vector magnetograph observations. Some empirical correlation is found between regions of inferred electric current density and the brightest features in the ultraviolet continuum and to a lesser extent those seen in Lyman-alpha within an active region.

Haisch, B. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Infrared studies of the bipolar nebula OHO739

Infrared studies have been made of the M9 giant OHO739, which is embedded in a bipolar nebula, in order to study the structure and density distribution of the circumstellar disk, and preliminary results are reported. The degree of polarization across the 3.1 micron ice band in an 8 arcsec beam centered at the 2.2 micron peak is found to increase with extinction in the ice band, as expected for a bipolar scattering nebula. A distance of 2 kpc is inferred from the tilt angle of the bipolar axis and phase lag measurements of the OH maser. Maps made in the K band and in narrow bands at 2.85, 3.1, and 3.5 microns by raster-scanning OHO739 are presented. In all maps, the object is clearly elongated along the bipolar axis. Patterns of increases and decreases in extinction in the object are inferred to indicate that ice particles are widespread through the nebula and not just concentrated in the disk.

Tielens, A. G. G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Orthographic terrain views using data derived from digital elevation models

A fast algorithm for producing three-dimensional orthographic terrain views uses digital elevation data and co-registered imagery. These views are created using projective geometry and are designed for display on high-resolution raster graphics devices. The algorithm's effectiveness is achieved by (1) the implementation of two efficient gray-level interpolation routines that offer the user a choice between speed and smoothness, and (2) a unique visible surface determination procedure based on horizon angles derived from the elevation data set.

Dubayah, R. O.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Techniques for increasing the update rate of real-time dynamic computer graphic displays

This paper describes several techniques which may be used to increase the animation update rate of real-time computer raster graphic displays. The techniques were developed on the ADAGE RDS 3000 graphic system in support of the Advanced Concepts Simulator at the NASA Langley Research Center. The first technique involves pre-processing of the next animation frame while the previous one is being erased from the screen memory. The second technique involves the use of a parallel processor, the AGG4, for high speed character generation. The description of the AGG4 includes the Barrel Shifter which is a part of the hardware and is the key to the high speed character rendition. The final result of this total effort was a four fold increase in the update rate of an existing primary flight display from 4 to 16 frames per second.

Kahlbaum, W. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Generation of attenuation corrected images from lidar data

The interpretation of data generated by aerosol backscatter lidars is often facilitated by presentation of RHI and PPI images. These pictures are especially useful in studies of atmospheric boundary layer structure where convective elements, stratifications and aerosol laden plumes can be easily delineated. Procedures used at the University of Wisconsin to generate lidar images on a color enhanced raster scan display are described.

Eloranta, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Color postprocessing for 3-dimensional finite element mesh quality evaluation and evolving graphical workstation

Three general tasks on general-purpose, interactive color graphics postprocessing for three-dimensional computational mechanics were accomplished. First, the existing program (POSTPRO3D) is ported to a high-resolution device. In the course of this transfer, numerous enhancements are implemented in the program. The performance of the hardware was evaluated from the point of view of engineering postprocessing, and the characteristics of future hardware were discussed. Second, interactive graphical tools implemented to facilitate qualitative mesh evaluation from a single analysis. The literature was surveyed and a bibliography compiled. Qualitative mesh sensors were examined, and the use of two-dimensional plots of unaveraged responses on the surface of three-dimensional continua was emphasized in an interactive color raster graphics environment. Finally, a postprocessing environment was designed for state-of-the-art workstation technology. Modularity, personalization of the environment, integration of the engineering design processes, and the development and use of high-level graphics tools are some of the features of the intended environment.

Panthaki, Malcolm J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Magnetic location of C IV events in the quiet network

Ultraviolet Spectrograph and Polarimeter (UVSP) observations of C IV intensity in the quiet sun were examined and compared to magnetograms and He I 10830 A spectroheliograms from Kitt Peak National Laboratory. The observations were made between 3 and 9 April, 1985. Spatially rastered UVSP intensity measurements were obtained at 11 wavelength positions in the 1548 A line of C IV. It was concluded that the stochastic process whereby convective shuffling of loop footprints leads to many topically dissipative events in active regions and the larger bipoles treated here continues to operate in regions of fewer, weaker flux loops, but the resulting events above threshold are less frequent.

Porter, Jason G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Mars digital terrain model

The Mars Digital Terrain Model (DTM) is the result of a new project to: (1) digitize the series of 1:2,000,000-scale topographic maps of Mars, which are being derived photogrammetically under a separate project, and (2) reformat the digital contour information into rasters of elevation that can be readily registered with the Digital Image Model (DIM) of Mars. Derivation of DTM's involves interpolation of elevation values into 1/64-degree resolution and transformation of them to a sinusoidal equal-area projection. Digital data are produced in blocks corresponding with the coordinates of the original 1:2,000,000-scale maps, i.e., the dimensions of each block in the equatorial belt are 22.5 deg of longitude and 15 deg of latitude. This DTM is not only compatible with the DIM, but it can also be registered with other data such as geologic units or gravity. It will be the most comprehensive record of topographic information yet compiled for the Martian surface. Once the DTM's are established, any enhancement of Mars topographic information made with updated data, such as data from the planned Mars Observer Mission, will be by mathematical transformation of the DTM's, eliminating the need for recompilation.

Wu, Sherman S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

ICL: The Image Composition Language

The Image Composition Language (ICL) provides a convenient way for programmers of interactive graphics application programs to define how the video look-up table of a raster display system is to be loaded. The ICL allows one or several images stored in the frame buffer to be combined in a variety of ways. The ICL treats these images as variables, and provides arithematic, relational, and conditional operators to combine the images, scalar variables, and constants in image composition expressions. The objective of ICL is to provide programmers with a simple way to compose images, to relieve the tedium usually associated with loading the video look-up table to obtain desired results.

Foley, James D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Experiments in encoding multilevel images as quadtrees

Image storage requirements for several encoding methods are investigated and the use of quadtrees with multigray level or multicolor images are explored. The results of encoding a variety of images having up to 256 gray levels using three schemes (full raster, runlength and quadtree) are presented. Although there is considerable literature on the use of quadtrees to store and manipulate binary images, their application to multilevel images is relatively undeveloped. The potential advantage of quadtree encoding is that an entire area with a uniform gray level may be encoded as a unit. A pointerless quadtree encoding scheme is described. Data are presented on the size of the quadtree required to encode selected images and on the relative storage requirements of the three encoding schemes. A segmentation scheme based on the statistical variation of gray levels within a quadtree quadrant is described. This parametric scheme may be used to control the storage required by an encoded image and to preprocess a scene for feature identification. Several sets of black and white and pseudocolor images obtained by varying the segmentation parameter are shown.

Lansing, Donald L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Engineering graphics and image processing at Langley Research Center

The objective of making raster graphics and image processing techniques readily available for the analysis and display of engineering and scientific data is stated. The approach is to develop and acquire tools and skills which are applied to support research activities in such disciplines as aeronautics and structures. A listing of grants and key personnel are given.

Voigt, Susan J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Analysis of a crossed Bragg-cell acousto optical spectrometer for SETI

The search for radio signals from extraterrestrial intelligent (SETI) beings requires the use of large instantaneous bandwidth (500 MHz) and high resolution (20 Hz) spectrometers. Digital systems with a high degree of modularity can be used to provide this capability, and this method has been widely discussed. Another technique for meeting the SETI requirement is to use a crossed Bragg-cell spectrometer as described by Psaltis and Casasent (1979). This technique makes use of the Folded Spectrum concept, introduced by Thomas (1966). The Folded Spectrum is a two-dimensional Fourier Transform of a raster scanned one-dimensional signal. It is directly related to the long one-dimensional spectrum of the original signal and is ideally suited for optical signal processing.

Gulkis, S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Remote sensing of submerged aquatic vegetation in lower Chesapeake Bay - A comparison of Landsat MSS to TM imagery

Landsat MSS and TM imagery, obtained simultaneously over Guinea Marsh, VA, as analyzed and compares for its ability to detect submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). An unsupervised clustering algorithm was applied to each image, where the input classification parameters are defined as functions of apparent sensor noise. Class confidence and accuracy were computed for all water areas by comparing the classified images, pixel-by-pixel, to rasterized SAV distributions derived from color aerial photography. To illustrate the effect of water depth on classification error, areas of depth greater than 1.9 m were masked, and class confidence and accuracy recalculated. A single-scattering radiative-transfer model is used to illustrate how percent canopy cover and water depth affect the volume reflectance from a water column containing SAV. For a submerged canopy that is morphologically and optically similar to Zostera marina inhabiting Lower Chesapeake Bay, dense canopies may be isolated by masking optically deep water. For less dense canopies, the effect of increasing water depth is to increase the apparent percent crown cover, which may result in classification error.

Ackleson, S. G.↗