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Results for “Relative accuracy”

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 451 records · Page 25

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NASA NTRS1971

An analysis of approach navigation accuracy and guidance requirements for the grand tour mission to the outer planets

The navigation and guidance process for the Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus planetary encounter phases of the 1977 Grand Tour interior mission was simulated. Reference approach navigation accuracies were defined and the relative information content of the various observation types were evaluated. Reference encounter guidance requirements were defined, sensitivities to assumed simulation model parameters were determined and the adequacy of the linear estimation theory was assessed. A linear sequential estimator was used to provide an estimate of the augmented state vector, consisting of the six state variables of position and velocity plus the three components of a planet position bias. The guidance process was simulated using a nonspherical model of the execution errors. Computation algorithms which simulate the navigation and guidance process were derived from theory and implemented into two research-oriented computer programs, written in FORTRAN.

Jones, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Computation and sensitivity considerations of the Ricatti equation in spacecraft CMG steering laws

The steady-state matrix Ricatti equation is studied with respect to sensitivity and computational burden for a linear regulator controller in spacecraft. The class of systems studied use control moment gyros (CMGs) as the torque driver, assuming that the CMGs are free of gimbal stops. Different solution techniques are evaluated relative to computation time and accuracy to determine which solution method is most acceptable with respect to the prescribed requirements. It is shown that it is not feasible to eliminate off-diagonal Ricatti equation terms in the relevent updata equation due to their high sensitivity, that Potter's algebraic technique requires the least computation time of the methods studied, and that the simple Euler method yields the best results when accuracy and computation time are equally weighted. If an optimal linear regulator formulation is employed, a full Ricatti equation solution of n(n + 1)2 elements of the symmetric positive definite gain matrix which is the solution to the matrix Ricatti equation must be computed at each update cycle.

Colburn, B. K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The use of radar imagery for surface water investigations

The paper is concerned with the interpretation of hydrologic features using L-band (HH) imagery collected by aircraft and Seasat systems. Areas of research needed to more precisely define the accuracy and repeatability of measurements related to the conditions of surfaces and boundaries of fresh water bodies are identified. These include: the definition of shoreline, the nature of variations in surface roughness across a water body and along streams and lake shores, and the separation of ambiguous conditions which appear similar to lakes.

Bryan, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Analysis of thematic mapper simulator data collected over eastern North Dakota

The results of the analysis of aircraft-acquired thematic mapper simulator (TMS) data, collected to investigate the utility of thematic mapper data in crop area and land cover estimates, are discussed. Results of the analysis indicate that the seven-channel TMS data are capable of delineating the 13 crop types included in the study to an overall pixel classification accuracy of 80.97% correct, with relative efficiencies for four crop types examined between 1.62 and 26.61. Both supervised and unsupervised spectral signature development techniques were evaluated. The unsupervised methods proved to be inferior (based on analysis of variance) for the majority of crop types considered. Given the ground truth data set used for spectral signature development as well as evaluation of performance, it is possible to demonstrate which signature development technique would produce the highest percent correct classification for each crop type.

Anderson, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Astrometric observations with the Space Telescope

Astrometry with the Space Telescope (ST) is performed using one of the fine guidance sensors (FGS). The FGS, which is based on a pair of Koester's prism interferometers, one for each axis, is capable of measuring the position of one object relative to another with an accuracy of 0.002 arcseconds. Astrometric Data Reduction Software (ADRS) available to the astrometric user of ST is described. The kinds of problems the space telescope astrometry team plans to investigate using ST are discussed.

Duncombe, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

2.3-GHz accurate positions and optical identifications for selected Parkes radio sources

Accurate radio positions of 74 extragalactic radio sources contained in the Parkes 2.7-GHz survey were measured at 2.3 GHz with the Tidbinbilla interferometer, located near Canberra, Australia. The radio sources, most of which lie between declinations -30 deg and -35 deg, were measured to an rms positional accuracy of about 3 arcsec relative to a grid of previously identified radio sources. Optical identifications have been made on the basis of positional coincidence alone, without regard to color or morphology, using the UK Schmidt telescope deep IIIa-J sky survey plates. Identifications are suggested and accurate optical positions have been measured for 62 objects brighter than magnitude 22.5 on the IIIa-J plates.

Jauncey, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Two methods for determining volumes for explosion and impact craters

The development and testing of two techniques for determination of apparent and rim crest volumes of impact and explosion craters are described. The accuracy of the techniques, their relative costs, and the time required to complete the volume calculations are compared.

Verdes, A. N.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The role of satellite laser ranging through the 1990's

Contributions of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) in the fields of geodesy, oceanography, geodynamics, and geopotential are reviewed. With the best current systems SLR has successfully defined an absolute vertical datum to 3 cm and a relative horizontal datum with comparable accuracy. In the areas of Earth and space physics SLR has demonstrated its ability to provide information regarding the vertical and horizontal movements of the lithosphere, the rheology of the Earth, improved understanding of the evolution of the Earth-Moon system, the Earth's albedo and upper atmosphere, the polar wander, the frequency structure of the polar motion and in the definition of fundamental constants. Future options are discussed. It is indicated that SLR will continue to provide a unique and powerful tool for the study of space and geosciences.

Christodoulidis, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Orbit determination of highly elliptical Earth orbiters using VLBI and delta VLBI measurements

The feasibility of using very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) data acquired by the deep space network to navigate highly elliptical Earth orbiting satellites was shown. The navigation accuracy improvements achievable with VLBI and delta VLBI data types are determined for comparison with the Doppler capability. The sensitivity of the VLBI navigation accuracy to the baseline orientation relative to the orbit plane and the effects of major error sources such as gravitational harmonics and atmospheric are examined. It is found that VLBI measurements perform as well as strategies using conventional Doppler, while substantially reducing the required antenna support.

Frauenholz, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Application of a polynomial spline in higher-order accurate viscous-flow computations

A quartic spline, S(4,2), is proposed which overcomes some of the difficulties associated with the use of splines S(5,3) and S(3,1) and provides fourth-order accurate results with relatively few grid points. The accuracy of spline S(4,2) is comparable to or better than that of the fourth-order box scheme and the compact differencing scheme. The use of spline S(4,2) is suggested as a possible way of obtaining fourth-order accurate solutions to Navier-Stokes equations.

Turner, M. G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Calibration stability of some hot-cathode ion gauges

Data are presented on the stability of calibration of some hot-cathode ion gauges: a conventional triode used in the range of 0.0002-0.2 Pa, and Bayard-Alpert-type gauges used in the range of 0.0002-0.02 Pa. Numerical magnitudes are given of the systematic corrections that must be applied to the gauge indication in order to achieve the highest accuracy of pressure indication. The relative sensitivities of these gauges to Ar, N2, Ne, and He are also given.

Warshawsky, I.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Prospects for astrometry with the Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST), a large optical telescope having an aperture of 2.4 meters and a length of 8.8 meters, is being developed by NASA. This telescope will be placed into earth orbit by the Space Shuttle. Astrometric observations with the HST are made using a Fine Guidance Sensor which is capable of measuring the position of one object relative to another with an accuracy of + or - 0.002 arcseconds. The astrometric user of HST will be provided with an Astrometric Data Reduction Software package. The variety of astrometric problems to be investigated with HST is discussed.

Jefferys, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

VLBI positions of eight stellar systems

Radio positions of eight stellar systems have been derived with accuracies of 3 to 300 milliarcseconds from MkIII VLBI observations conducted with multistation arrays. The best accuracy was obtained during a relatively strong outburst of the RS CVn system HR 5110. The epoch J2000.0 positions are obtained in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory VLBI reference frame of extragalactic radio sources.

Neill, A. E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Exact computation of the unwrapped phase of a finite-length time series

McGowan and Kuc (1982) showed that a direct relationship between a time series and its unwrapped phase exists. They proposed an algorithm for computing the unwrapped phase by counting the number of sign changes in a Sturm sequence generated from the real and imaginary parts of the discrete Fourier transform. Their algorithm is limited to relatively short sequences by numerical accuracy. An extension of their algorithm is proposed which, by using all-integer arithmetic, permits exact computation of the number of multiples of pi required to determine the unwrapped phase for rational-valued time sequences of arbitrary length. Since the computation is exact, the extended numerical algorithm should be of interest when accurate phase unwrapping is required.

Long, David G.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Astrometric Telescope Facility For The Space Station

Paper discusses proposed Astrometric Telescope Facility, installed on Space Station to study motions of stars other than Sun and possibly detect planets around them. Measurements expected to verify, modify, or refute current theories about accretion of interplanetary clouds into stars and planets. Also measures motions and distances between stars and star clusters in nearby galaxies and in our own galaxy. System consists of six subsystems (optics, structure, thermal control, command and data, pointing and control, and power and harness) in addition to focal-plane instrument composed of Ronchi ruling and drive assembly, folding and field optics, multichannel astrometric photometer, and visible imager. Elements measure relative motions of stars with accuracy of 10 microarcseconds.

Nishioka, K.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Cryogenic on-orbit liquid depot storage acquisition and transfer (COLD-SAT) experiment subsystem instrumentation and wire harness design report

Subcritical cryogens such as liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LO2) are required for space based transportation propellant, reactant, and life support systems. Future long-duration space missions will require on-orbit systems capable of long-term cryogen storage and efficient fluid transfer capabilities. COLD-SAT, which stands for cryogenic orbiting liquid depot-storage acquisition and transfer, is a free-flying liquid hydrogen management flight experiment. Experiments to determine optimum methods of fluid storage and transfer will be performed on the COLD-SAT mission. The success of the mission is directly related to the type and accuracy of measurements made. The instrumentation and measurement techniques used are therefore critical to the success of the mission. This paper presents the results of the COLD-SAT experiment subsystem instrumentation and wire harness design effort. Candidate transducers capable of fulfilling the COLD-SAT experiment measurement requirements are identified. Signal conditioning techniques, data acquisition requirements, and measurement uncertainty analysis are presented. Electrical harnessing materials and wiring techniques for the instrumentation designed to minimize heat conduction to the cryogenic tanks and provide optimum measurement accuracy are listed.

Edwards, Lawrence G.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Extensibility in local sensor based planning for hyper-redundant manipulators (robot snakes)

Partial Shape Modification (PSM) is a local sensor feedback method used for hyper-redundant robot manipulators, in which the redundancy is very large or infinite such as that of a robot snake. This aspect of redundancy enables local obstacle avoidance and end-effector placement in real time. Due to the large number of joints or actuators in a hyper-redundant manipulator, small displacement errors of such easily accumulate to large errors in the position of the tip relative to the base. The accuracy could be improved by a local sensor based planning method in which sensors are distributed along the length of the hyper-redundant robot. This paper extends the local sensor based planning strategy beyond the limitations of the fixed length of such a manipulator when its joint limits are met. This is achieved with an algorithm where the length of the deforming part of the robot is variable. Thus , the robot's local avoidance of obstacles is improved through the enhancement of its extensibility.

Choset, Howie↗

NASA NTRS2004

Kernel PLS Estimation of Single-trial Event-related Potentials

Nonlinear kernel partial least squaes (KPLS) regressior, is a novel smoothing approach to nonparametric regression curve fitting. We have developed a KPLS approach to the estimation of single-trial event related potentials (ERPs). For improved accuracy of estimation, we also developed a local KPLS method for situations in which there exists prior knowledge about the approximate latency of individual ERP components. To assess the utility of the KPLS approach, we compared non-local KPLS and local KPLS smoothing with other nonparametric signal processing and smoothing methods. In particular, we examined wavelet denoising, smoothing splines, and localized smoothing splines. We applied these methods to the estimation of simulated mixtures of human ERPs and ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) activity using a dipole simulator (BESA). In this scenario we considered ongoing EEG to represent spatially and temporally correlated noise added to the ERPs. This simulation provided a reasonable but simplified model of real-world ERP measurements. For estimation of the simulated single-trial ERPs, local KPLS provided a level of accuracy that was comparable with or better than the other methods. We also applied the local KPLS method to the estimation of human ERPs recorded in an experiment on co,onitive fatigue. For these data, the local KPLS method provided a clear improvement in visualization of single-trial ERPs as well as their averages. The local KPLS method may serve as a new alternative to the estimation of single-trial ERPs and improvement of ERP averages.

Rosipal, Roman↗