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At least 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

A comparison of geodetic Doppler satellite receivers

A great number of geodetic Doppler satellite receivers of various types have been employed since early 1970s. In October and November 1979, a comparison was conducted of three more recent types of receivers, including the CMA-751, the JMR-1A, and the MX-1502. A description of the studies involved in conducting the comparison is presented, taking into account the preliminary results obtained on the basis of the processing of the collected data. Attention is given to tracking statistics, chord difference results, range rate measurement errors, residual tests, station position repeatability, and absolute differences to ground control. Recommendations for future comparisons are also provided.

Archinal, B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The S201 far-ultraviolet imaging survey. II - A field in Cygnus

Far-ultraviolet imagery of a region in Cygnus, a 20 deg diameter field centered near (1950) R. A. 21 h 31.2 m decl. +37 deg 25 arcmin, was obtained by the S201 far-ultraviolet camera during the Apollo 16 mission. In a 10 minute exposure covering the 1250-1600 A wavelength range (effective wavelength 1400 A), 730 star images can be detected, corresponding to a limiting ultraviolet magnitude of about m (1400) = 10. Assuming nominal interstellar extinction values in this region near the galactic plane, this result corresponds to the detection of A0 V stars to a distance of 300 pc and of B0 V stars to 1500 pc. Uncertainties in spectral classification and interstellar extinction for individual objects are probably more significant than calibration or measurement errors. Most of the objects detected are identified with stars in the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog (1966), or the Catalog of Stellar Identifications (1979) or both, but 87 objects remain unidentified (or are identified with late-type stars).

Carruthers, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Performance of a dedicated VLBI system for TDRSS navigation

Results of a covariance study to evaluate the performance of a proposed Very Long Baseline Interferometric (VLBI) system for TDRSS orbit determination (OD) are presented. This dedicated VLBI system consists of 4 one meter antennas for each TDRS positioned on orthogonal 6000 km baselines and uses a GPS signal for clock synchronization and calibration of measurement error sources. The performance of the VLBI system is compared with the current BRT system for support of TDRSS navigation. The criteria for evaluating the system performance is the TDRSS OD accuracy and the resulting navigation accuracy for two typical TDRSS users represented by a TOPEX type orbit and a Space Shuttle orbit. Based on the anticipated characteristics of a 1990 era VLBI system a factor of 20 improvement can be expected in the TDRSS OD accuracy. This translates into accuracy improvements ranging from factors of 3 to 10 for typical TDRSS users.

Ellis, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An analysis of Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper geometric properties

Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper data of Washington, DC, Harrisburg, PA, and Salton Sea, CA were analyzed to determine geometric integrity and conformity of the data to known earth surface geometry. Several tests were performed. Intraband correlation and interband registration were investigated. No problems were observed in the intraband analysis, and aside from indications of slight misregistration between bands of the primary versus bands of the secondary focal planes, interband registration was well within the specified tolerances. A substantial number of ground control points were found and used to check the images' conformity to the Space Oblique Mercator (SOM) projection of their respective areas. The means of the residual offsets, which included nonprocessing related measurement errors, were close to the one pixel level in the two scenes examined. The Harrisburg scene residual mean was 28.38 m (0.95 pixels) with a standard deviation of 19.82 m (0.66 pixels), while the mean and standard deviation for the Salton Sea scene were 40.46 (1.35 pixels) and 30.57 m (1.02 pixels), respectively. Overall, the data were judged to be a high geometric quality with errors close to those targeted by the TM sensor design specifications.

Walker, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

On the implementation of modal filters for control of structures

The most common technique for the control of structures is modal control. In modal control, the differential equations in terms of actual coordinates are replaced by a set of ordinary differential equations in terms of the modal coordinates known as modal equations. In designing feedback controls in conjunction with the modal equations, one must know the modal states for the modes targeted for control. The sensors measure actual states, however. The modal states can be estimated by means of a Luenberger observer or modal filters. The modal filters produce estimates of the modal states from distributed measurements of the states. If distributed measurements are not available, then they can be reconstructed from measurements at discrete points via interpolation. This paper examines various questions associated with the implementation of modal filters, such as the effect of choice of interpolation functions and sensors locations, as well as of measurement errors, on the state estimation process. The method is demonstrated by means of two numerical examples.

Meirovitch, L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Geosynchronous orbiter tracking by VLBI - Demonstration design

A demonstration has been designed to determine the three dimensional position of a satellite in geosynchronous earth orbit, with 5 meter accuracy, using tracking techniques based on very-long-base-line interferometry (VLBI). Two experiments are analyzed: the first uses tracking stations in California, Australia, and Guam, and the second uses stations in California, Australia, and Japan. Satellite VLBI observables are defined and measurement errors are predicted. Both experiments employ alternate observations between the satellite and extra-galactic radio sources to determine the satellite plane-of-sky position. Positional accuracy resulting from various combinations of data acquired over the satellite's orbital period is discussed. A strategy is devised for resolving integer cycle phase ambiguities, inherent in VLBI, without relying on an externally provided reference trajectory.

Border, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The v = 0 - 0 spectrum of H2

Ground-state rotational parameters for molecular hydrogen are evaluated using a combination of laboratory and observational data. High-accuracy v = 0 - 0 S(0)-S(5) frequencies from infrared laboratory measurements are analyzed simultaneously with available observed frequencies for the S(8), S(9), S(12), S(13), S(14), and S(15) Orion emission lines. The laboratory and Orion measurements are consistent with each other within their measurement errors. The combined data set yields a determination of five v = 0 rotational parameters and an improvement in the high-J calculated line positions. The analysis produces the parameters (in per cm): B(0) = 59.334627(30), D(0) = 0.0456912(30), H(0) = 4.8974(90) x 10 to the -5th, L(0) = -6.320(110) x 10 to the -8th, M(0) = 7.19(30) x 10 to the -11th, where a correction is made for the estimated contribution of sixth and higher orders.

Jennings, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Weighted least squares formulas for multiple Doppler radar analysis

An algorithm is developed for the analysis of multiple Doppler radar data in meteorological applications. The algorithm is based on the least squares linear solutions for the variable parameters of a local particle velocity field. The computational sequence for the algorithm is described, and some factors influencing the covariance of Doppler measurement errors are discussed.

Wilson, F. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A two-layer diagnostic model of the long-term physical evolution of warm-core ring 82B

The present shipboard data in the 1982 time series on a single Gulf Stream warm core ring are composited on a cylindrical coordinate system following ring motion; 10 C-isotherm depth measurements are used in a two-layer model of the ring's structure to compute gradient current, kinetic energy, available potential energy (APE), and potential vorticity. The ring's evolution can be divided into two periods: April-late June, while the ring is isolated from strong Gulf Stream interaction, during which the ring loses APE at a low rate, and from July onward, following ring interactions with the Gulf Stream and topography with much higher energy loss. Within measurement errors, the potential vorticity at the center of the ring is conserved from April through August, implying nearly inviscid dynamics.

Olson, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Clip-On Extensometer

Flexural clamp eliminates problems of operator variability. Extensometer opens and closes like clothespin and placed easily on specimen. Dimensions of block specimen are 1 by 1 by 2.2 inches (2.54 by 2.54 by 5.59 centimeters). By constructing central flexure units of various widths, one adapts extensometer to handle specimens ranging from thin strips to those many inches thick. New design reduces measurement errors caused by variability among test operators.

Holmes, A. M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Crop area estimation based on remotely-sensed data with an accurate but costly subsample

Research activities conducted under the auspices of National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cooperative Agreement NCC 9-9 are discussed. During this contract period research efforts are concentrated in two primary areas. The first are is an investigation of the use of measurement error models as alternatives to least squares regression estimators of crop production or timber biomass. The secondary primary area of investigation is on the estimation of the mixing proportion of two-component mixture models. This report lists publications, technical reports, submitted manuscripts, and oral presentation generated by these research efforts. Possible areas of future research are mentioned.

Gunst, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The structure of separated flow regions occurring near the leading edge of airfoils including transition

A semi-empirical method for predicting separation bubble characteristics was evaluated using low Reynolds number test data. On the basis of this data, several observations were made. First, a sizable growth in the momentum thickness can occur in the laminar portion of a separation bubble. This is in direct contrast to the theory and is apparently due to low Reynolds number effects. Secondly, the transition Reynolds number (R sub l sub 1) which governs the extent of a bubble's laminar region, was found to be much lower than that used in the method. At present, there does not seem to be any evidence supporting a single value for R sub l sub 1. Apparently, R sub l sub 1 is affected by the freestream disturbance environment, and airfoil's pressure distribution, and possibly the chord Reynolds number as well. Thirdly, the growth in momentum thickness over a bubble's turbulent region was predicted reasonably well by the method, provided that Roberts' suggested value for the mean dissipation coefficient was used. Finally, the present data does not substantiate the universality of the velocity profile at reattachment. However, measurement error may be responsible for this result.

Mueller, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Verification of static rotor-load measurement capabilities of the RSRA helicopter active-isolator system

The Rotor Systems Research Aircraft helicopter technology demonstration test bed incorporates an active isolator system which reduces the rotor vibrations that are transmitted to the airframe and allows the simultaneous measurement of all six forces and moments generated by the rotor. The first full system calibration was performed in 1983 to verify the system's static load measurement capabilities; the analysis of the data encompassed multiple linear regressions to determine calibration matrices for different data sets, and a hysteresis removal algorithm for the estimation of in-flight measurement errors. The results obtained indicate that the active isolator system meets most performance predictions.

Acree, C. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Accuracy of wind measurements using an airborne Doppler lidar

Simulated wind fields and lidar data are used to evaluate two sources of airborne wind measurement error. The system is sensitive to ground speed and track angle errors, with accuracy required of the angle to within 0.2 degrees and of the speed to within 1 knot, if the recovered wind field is to be within five percent of the correct direction and 10 percent of the correct speed. It is found that errors in recovered wind speed and direction are dependent on wind direction relative to the flight path. Recovery of accurate wind fields from nonsimultaneous sampling errors requires that the lidar data be displaced to account for advection so that the intersections are defined by air parcels rather than fixed points in space.

Carroll, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Tracking Landsat-5 by a differential GPS technique

As part of an international campaign to develop precise geodetic applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is conducting a demonstration of differential GPS tracking using Landsat-5. Two strategies have been investigated: one in which only the Landsat-5 orbit is estimated, and one in which both the Landsat-5 and GPS orbits are estimated together. Error studies show that under the limited conditions of the experiment, three-dimensional Landsat-5 position accuracies of about 5 m with the first strategy and 2 m with the second strategy can be achieved over a 20-min period of good observing geometry. Orbit determination results using a version of the first strategy appear to achieve the 5 m goal. This is supported by various formal error measures and independent comparisons. The more powerful strategy has yet to be carried out.

Yunck, T. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Method of high-precision microsampled blood and plasma mass densitometry

The reliability of the mechanical oscillator technique for blood and plasma density measurements on samples of volumes less than 0.1 ml is examined, and a precision of 0.001 g/l is found if plasma-isodensic heparin solution and siliconized densitometers are employed. Sources of measurement errors in the density determinations include storage of plasma samples, inhomogeneity of blood samples, and density reading before adequate temperature equilibration. In tests of plasma sample storage, the best reproducibility was obtained with samples kept at 4 C. Linear correlations were found between plasma density and plasma protein concentration, blood density and blood hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte density and MCHC.

Hinghofer-Szalkay, H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Influence of Rayleigh-Doppler broadening on the selection of H2O dial system parameters

Computer simulations have enabled the performance of a H2O Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system to be studied by spectrally analyzing the forward propagating and backscattered laser energy. The simulations were done for a high altitude (21 km) DIAL system operating in a nadir-viewing mode. The influence of Rayleigh Doppler broadening on DIAL measurement accuracies were evaluated and show that the Rayleigh broadening influence, which can be corrected to first order in regions free of large aerosol gradients, reduces the sensitivity of DIAL H2O measurement errors in the upper tropospheric region. The ability to correct the Rayleigh broadening and the selection of H2O DIAL parameters when all the systematic effects are combined, were discussed.

Ismail, S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

DYCAST: A finite element program for the crash analysis of structures

DYCAST is a nonlinear structural dynamic finite element computer code developed for crash simulation. The element library contains stringers, beams, membrane skin triangles, plate bending triangles and spring elements. Changing stiffnesses in the structure are accounted for by plasticity and very large deflections. Material nonlinearities are accommodated by one of three options: elastic-perfectly plastic, elastic-linear hardening plastic, or elastic-nonlinear hardening plastic of the Ramberg-Osgood type. Geometric nonlinearities are handled in an updated Lagrangian formulation by reforming the structure into its deformed shape after small time increments while accumulating deformations, strains, and forces. The nonlinearities due to combined loadings are maintained, and stiffness variation due to structural failures are computed. Numerical time integrators available are fixed-step central difference, modified Adams, Newmark-beta, and Wilson-theta. The last three have a variable time step capability, which is controlled internally by a solution convergence error measure. Other features include: multiple time-load history tables to subject the structure to time dependent loading; gravity loading; initial pitch, roll, yaw, and translation of the structural model with respect to the global system; a bandwidth optimizer as a pre-processor; and deformed plots and graphics as post-processors.

Pifko, A. B.↗