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At least 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

High dynamic global positioning system receiver

A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver having a number of channels, receives an aggregate of pseudorange code time division modulated signals. The aggregate is converted to baseband and then to digital form for separate processing in the separate channels. A fast fourier transform processor computes the signal energy as a function of Doppler frequency for each correlation lag, and a range and frequency estimator computes estimates of pseudorange, and frequency. Raw estimates from all channels are used to estimate receiver position, velocity, clock offset and clock rate offset in a conventional navigation and control unit, and based on the unit that computes smoothed estimates for the next measurement interval.

Hurd, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Holographic interferometry applied to symmetric aerodynamic models in a wind tunnel

The technique of holographic interferometry provides a means for noninvasive measurement of the air density distribution in the flow field in the vicinity of an aerodynamic model. A test of the applicability of this technique was the objective of this investigation. A holographic interferometer was installed in the 2- by 2-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center. Several tests were conducted with this system on two axisymmetric models, one at subsonic and the other at supersonic speeds. Holograms were made of the flow field around the model for several test conditions. These holograms were reconstructed into interferograms in the laboratory. The fringe distribution (a measure of local densities) from a number of interferograms was digitized for subsequent data reduction. A computer program based on the Fourier transform technique was developed to convert the fringe distribution into a three-dimensional distribution of air density around the model. These results will be presented in this paper.

Perry, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A wideband, high-resolution spectrum analyzer

A two-million-channel, 40 MHz bandwidth, digital spectrum analyzer under development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is described. The analyzer system will serve as a prototype processor for the sky survey portion of NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence program and for other applications in the Deep Space Network. The analyzer digitizes an analog input, performs a 2 (sup 21) point Discrete Fourier Transform, accumulates the output power, normalizes the output to remove frequency-dependent gain, and automates simple signal detection algorithms. Due to its built-in frequency-domain processing functions and configuration flexibility, the analyzer is a very powerful tool for real-time signal analysis.

Quirk, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A wide-band high-resolution spectrum analyzer

A two-million-channel, 40 MHz bandwidth, digital spectrum analyzer under development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is described. The analyzer system will serve as a prototype processor for the sky survey portion of NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence program and for other applications in the Deep Space Network. The analyzer digitizes an analog input, performs a 2 (sup 21) point Discrete Fourier Transform, accumulates the output power, normalizes the output to remove frequency-dependent gain, and automates simple detection algorithms. Due to its built-in frequency-domain processing functions and configuration flexibility, the analyzer is a very powerful tool for real-time signal analysis.

Quirk, Maureen P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Fractal image compression: A resolution independent representation for imagery

A deterministic fractal is an image which has low information content and no inherent scale. Because of their low information content, deterministic fractals can be described with small data sets. They can be displayed at high resolution since they are not bound by an inherent scale. A remarkable consequence follows. Fractal images can be encoded at very high compression ratios. This fern, for example is encoded in less than 50 bytes and yet can be displayed at resolutions with increasing levels of detail appearing. The Fractal Transform was discovered in 1988 by Michael F. Barnsley. It is the basis for a new image compression scheme which was initially developed by myself and Michael Barnsley at Iterated Systems. The Fractal Transform effectively solves the problem of finding a fractal which approximates a digital 'real world image'.

Sloan, Alan D.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Subsurface Sampling and Sensing Using Burrowing Moles

Finding evidence for life on Mars will likely require accessing the subsurface since the Martian surface is both hostile to life and to preservation of biosignatures due to the cold dry conditions, the strong W environment, and the presence of strong oxidants. Systems are needed to probe beneath the sun and oxidant baked surface of Mars and return samples to the surface for analysis or to bring the instrument sensing underground. Recognizing this need, the European Space Agency incorporated a small subsurface penetrometer or Mole onto the Beagle 2 Mars lander. Had the 2003 landing been successful, the Mole would have collected samples from 1-1.5 m depth and delivered them to an organic analysis instrument on the surface. The de- vice called the Planetary Underground Tool (PLUTO), also measured soil mechanical and thermophysical properties. Constrained by the small mass and volume allowance of the Beagle lander, the PLUTO mole was a slender cylinder only 2 cm diameter and 28 cm long equipped with a small sampling device designed to collect samples and bring them to the surface for analysis by other instrument. The mass of the entire system including deployment mechanism and tether was 1/2 kg. sensor package underground to make in situ measurements. The Mars Underground Mole (MUM) is a larger Mole based on the PLUTO design but incorporating light collection optics that interface to a fiber optic cable in the tether that transmits light to a combined stimulated emission Raman Spectrometer and Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) reflectance Spectrometer with sensitivity from 0.7 to 2.5 micrometers. This instrument is called the Dual Spectral Sensor and uses a Digital Array Scanning Interferometer as the sensor technology, a type of fourier transform interferometer that uses fixed element prisms and thus is highly rugged compared to a Michaelson interferometer. Due to the size limitations of an on-Mole instrument compartment, and the availability of a tether, the sensor head, light sources, and control electronics for the instrument are on the surface. The DSS sensor is capable of sensing a wide range of minerals relevant to Mars Astrobiology objectives including hydrated minerals, clays, carbonates, sulfates, and ice. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy is effective for detecting organics. The MUM is designed to achieve a maximum depth of penetration of 5 m in Mars regolith and can be repeatedly deployed and retrieved. The ability to perform repeated sampling, combined with the low mass and power requirements, means that Moles could be incorporated into a rover mission as well as used on a stationary platform. The Mole mechanism is a pointed slender cylinder that advances into soil by way of an internal sliding hammer mechanism. Part of the energy released by the spring-loaded hammer with each shock is transferred to the Mole casing and from there to the soil, resulting in penetration by displacing and compressing the surrounding soil. A backwards-directed impulse as a re- action to each forward shock is transferred via a suppressor mass against a second weaker spring allowing forward motion without requiring reactive forces provided by the lander. The Mole tip can be opened to collect soil samples. The Mole casing is tethered to a supporting mechanism that supplies power. Components supporting the Mole on the surface include a launch tube, tether reel and winch for pulling in tether, in addition to the tether itself.

Stoker, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS2008

ISIS Topside-Sounder Plasma-Wave Investigations as Guides to Desired Virtual Wave Observatory (VWO) Data Search Capabilities

Many plasma-wave phenomena, observed by space-borne radio sounders, cannot be properly explained in terms of wave propagation in a cold plasma consisting of mobile electrons and infinitely massive positive ions. These phenomena include signals known as plasma resonances. The principal resonances at the harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency, the plasma frequency, and the upper-hybrid frequency are well explained by the warm-plasma propagation of sounder-generated electrostatic waves, Other resonances have been attributed to sounder-stimulated plasma instability and non-linear effects, eigenmodes of cylindrical electromagnetic plasma oscillations, and plasma memory processes. Data from the topside sounders of the International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS) program played a major role in these interpretations. A data transformation and preservation effort at the Goddard Space Flight Center has produced digital ISIS topside ionograms and a metadata search program that has enabled some recent discoveries pertaining to the physics of these plasma resonances. For example, data records were obtained that enabled the long-standing question (several decades) of the origin of the plasma resonance at the fundamental electron cyclotron frequency to be explained [Muldrew, Radio Sci., 2006]. These data-search capabilities, and the science enabled by them, will be presented as a guide to desired data search capabilities to be included in the Virtual Wave Observatory (VWO).

Benson, Robert F.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Symmetric Phase Only Filtering for Improved DPIV Data Processing

The standard approach in Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV) data processing is to use Fast Fourier Transforms to obtain the cross-correlation of two single exposure subregions, where the location of the cross-correlation peak is representative of the most probable particle displacement across the subregion. This standard DPIV processing technique is analogous to Matched Spatial Filtering, a technique commonly used in optical correlators to perform the crosscorrelation operation. Phase only filtering is a well known variation of Matched Spatial Filtering, which when used to process DPIV image data yields correlation peaks which are narrower and up to an order of magnitude larger than those obtained using traditional DPIV processing. In addition to possessing desirable correlation plane features, phase only filters also provide superior performance in the presence of DC noise in the correlation subregion. When DPIV image subregions contaminated with surface flare light or high background noise levels are processed using phase only filters, the correlation peak pertaining only to the particle displacement is readily detected above any signal stemming from the DC objects. Tedious image masking or background image subtraction are not required. Both theoretical and experimental analyses of the signal-to-noise ratio performance of the filter functions are presented. In addition, a new Symmetric Phase Only Filtering (SPOF) technique, which is a variation on the traditional phase only filtering technique, is described and demonstrated. The SPOF technique exceeds the performance of the traditionally accepted phase only filtering techniques and is easily implemented in standard DPIV FFT based correlation processing with no significant computational performance penalty. An "Automatic" SPOF algorithm is presented which determines when the SPOF is able to provide better signal to noise results than traditional PIV processing. The SPOF based optical correlation processing approach is presented as a new paradigm for more robust cross-correlation processing of low signal-to-noise ratio DPIV image data."

Wernet, Mark P.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Uniaxial, Pure Bending, and Column Buckling Experiments on Superelastic NiTi Rods and Tubes

Many existing shape memory alloy (SMA) devices consist of slender beams and frames. To better understand SMA beam behavior, we experimentally examined the isothermal, room temperature response of superelastic NiTi rods and tubes, of similar outer diameters, subjected to four different modes of loading. Pure tension, pure compression, and pure bending experiments were first performed to establish and compare the baseline uniaxial and bending behaviors of rods and tubes. Column buckling experiments were then performed on rod and tube columns of several slenderness ratios to investigate their mechanical responses, phase transformation kinetics under combined uniaxial and bending deformation, and the interaction between material and structural instabilities. In all experiments, stereo digital image correlation measured local displacement fields in order to capture phenomena such as strain localization and propagating phase boundaries. Superelastic mechanical behavior and the nature of stress-induced phase transformation were found to be strongly affected by specimen geometry and the deformation mode. Under uniaxial tension, both the rod and tube had well-defined loading and unloading plateaus in their superelastic responses, during which stress-induced phase transformation propagated along the length of the specimen in the form of a high/low strain front. Due to the dependence of strain localization on kinematic compatibility, the high/low strain front morphologies differed between the rod and tube: for the rod, the high/low strain front consisted of a diffuse “neck”, while the high/low strain front in the tube consisted of distinct, criss-crossing “fingers.” During uniaxial compression, both cross-sectional forms exhibited higher transformation stresses and smaller transformation strains than uniaxial tension, highlighting the now well-known tension-compression asymmetry of SMAs. Additionally, phase transformation localization and propagation were absent under compressive loading. During pure bending, the moment-curvature response of both forms exhibited plateaus and strain localization during forward and reverse transformations. Rod specimens developed localized, high-curvature regions that propagated along the specimen axis and caused shear strain near the high/low curvature interface; whereas, the tube specimens exhibited finger/wedge-like high strain regions over the tensile side of the tube which caused nonlinear strain profiles through the thickness of the specimen that did not propagate. Here, it was therefore found that classical beam theory assumptions did not hold in the presence of phase transformation localization (although, the assumptions did hold on average for the tube). During column buckling, the structures were loaded into the post-buckling regime yet recovered nearly-straight forms upon unloading. Strain localization was observed only for high aspect ratio (slender) tubes, but the mechanical responses were similar to that of rods of the same slenderness ratio. Also, an interesting “unbuckling” phenomenon was discovered in certain low aspect ratio (stout) columns, where late post-buckling straightening was observed despite continuous monotonic loading. Thus, these behaviors are some of the challenging phenomena which must be captured when developing SMA constitutive models and executing structural simulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effects of digital fringe projection operational parameters on detecting powder bed defects in additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is a technology transforming traditional production timelines. Specifically, metal additive manufacturing (MAM) has been increasingly adopted by a variety of industries, not only to prototype, but also to fulfill full production scale applications with much lower lead times. Like any maturing manufacturing technology, developments in verifying and validating processes are necessary to support continuous growth. Due to the complex nature of MAM, part quality and repeatability remain integral challenges that inhibit further adoption of MAM for critical component production. In this study, we present data taken from a developing in-process monitoring system designed to measure and detect powder bed defects (PBDs) in powder bed fusion MAM systems using surface height maps created with structured light illumination. We showcase the feasibility of the monitoring technique for in-process implementation by detecting streak PBDs with varying severities (height, width) created in a lab environment. We present results of powder bed measurements for varying experimental parameters of the structured light system such as illumination angle, illumination pattern, and number of illuminations. We also present an expression used to determine experimental height noise based on input parameters for PBD detection based on the instrument transfer function of the structured light monitoring system for arbitrary pixel intensity noise contributions. In conclusion, with the results of PBD detection across multiple experimental measurement parameters, we provide a best practices approach to in-process implementation of the monitoring system in powder bed fusion manufacturing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1975

Geometric analysis and restitution of digital multispectral scanner data arrays

An investigation was conducted to define causes of geometric defects within digital multispectral scanner (MSS) data arrays, to analyze the resulting geometric errors, and to investigate restitution methods to correct or reduce these errors. Geometric transformation relationships for scanned data, from which collinearity equations may be derived, served as the basis of parametric methods of analysis and restitution of MSS digital data arrays. The linearization of these collinearity equations is presented. Algorithms considered for use in analysis and restitution included the MSS collinearity equations, piecewise polynomials based on linearized collinearity equations, and nonparametric algorithms. A proposed system for geometric analysis and restitution of MSS digital data arrays was used to evaluate these algorithms, utilizing actual MSS data arrays. It was shown that collinearity equations and nonparametric algorithms both yield acceptable results, but nonparametric algorithms possess definite advantages in computational efficiency. Piecewise polynomials were found to yield inferior results.

Baker, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A parallel-pipeline architecture of the fast polynomial transform for computing a two-dimensional cyclic convolution

It is pointed out that the two-dimensional cyclic convolution is a useful tool for many two-dimensional digital signal processing applications. Two important applications are related to spaceborne high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing and image processing. Nussbaumer and Quandalle (1978) showed that a radix-2 polynomial transform analogous to the conventional radix-2 FFT algorithm can be used to compute a two-dimensional cyclic convolution. On the basis of results reported by Arambepola and Rayner (1979), a radix-2 polynomial transform can be defined to compute a multidimensional cyclic convolution. Truong et al. (1981) used the considered ideas together with the Chinese Theorem to further reduce the complexity of the radix-2 fast polynomial transform (FPT). Reed et al. (1981) demonstrated that such a new FPT algorithm is significantly faster than the FFT algorithm for computing a two-dimensional convolution. In the present investigation, a parallel-pipeline architecture is considered for implementing the FPT developed by Truong et al.

Truong, T. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mapping of the wildland fuel characteristics of the Santa Monica mountains of Southern California

LANDSAT digital data was successfully used to map and evaluate the wildland fuels of the Santa Monica Mountains in Southern California. A mixed classification scheme was used where training areas of known vegetation types were entered and the maximum likelihood classifier run, followed by an evaluation of the results and an unsupervised retraining of the classifier using an image of the probability of misclassification. Estimation of maturity class and crown closure percents of the major cover types were assigned to each computer class by associating the photointerpretation of 159 large scale photo samples with the resultant computer classes using analysis of variance and analysis of categorized data. The result of the computer classification and statistical analysis were then transformed from the LANDSAT Coordinate California State Plane Coordinate system for use in a digital format in the FIRESCOPE data retrieval and fire modeling system.

Nichols, J. D.↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Digital Twin Framework Utilizing Machine Learning for Robust Predictive Maintenance: Enhancing Tire Health Monitoring

We introduce a novel digital twin (DT) framework for the predictive maintenance of long-term physical systems. Using monitoring tire health as an application, we show how the DT framework can be used to enhance automotive safety and efficiency, and how the technical challenges can be overcome using a three-step approach. First, to manage the data complexity over a long operation span, we employ data reduction techniques to concisely represent physical tires using historical performance and usage data. Relying on these data, for fast real-time prediction, we train a transformer-based model offline on our concise dataset to predict future tire health over time, represented as remaining casing potential (RCP). Based on our architecture, our model quantifies both epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties, providing reliable confidence intervals around predicted RCP. Second, to incorporate real-time data, we update the predictive model in the DT framework, ensuring its accuracy throughout its lifespan with the aid of hybrid modeling and the use of the discrepancy function. Third, to assist decision-making in predictive maintenance, we implement a tire state decision algorithm, which strategically determines the optimal timing for tire replacement based on RCP forecasted by our transformer model. This approach ensures that our DT accurately predicts system health, continually refines its digital representation, and supports predictive maintenance decisions. Furthermore, our framework effectively embodies a physical system, leveraging big data and machine learning (ML) for predictive maintenance, model updates, and decision-making.

advanced computing infrastructure↗
DOE OSTI2022

To image, or not to image: class-specific diffractive cameras with all-optical erasure of undesired objects

Abstract Privacy protection is a growing concern in the digital era, with machine vision techniques widely used throughout public and private settings. Existing methods address this growing problem by, e.g., encrypting camera images or obscuring/blurring the imaged information through digital algorithms. Here, we demonstrate a camera design that performs class-specific imaging of target objects with instantaneous all-optical erasure of other classes of objects. This diffractive camera consists of transmissive surfaces structured using deep learning to perform selective imaging of target classes of objects positioned at its input field-of-view. After their fabrication, the thin diffractive layers collectively perform optical mode filtering to accurately form images of the objects that belong to a target data class or group of classes, while instantaneously erasing objects of the other data classes at the output field-of-view. Using the same framework, we also demonstrate the design of class-specific permutation and class-specific linear transformation cameras, where the objects of a target data class are pixel-wise permuted or linearly transformed following an arbitrarily selected transformation matrix for all-optical class-specific encryption, while the other classes of objects are irreversibly erased from the output image. The success of class-specific diffractive cameras was experimentally demonstrated using terahertz (THz) waves and 3D-printed diffractive layers that selectively imaged only one class of the MNIST handwritten digit dataset, all-optically erasing the other handwritten digits. This diffractive camera design can be scaled to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, including, e.g., the visible and infrared wavelengths, to provide transformative opportunities for privacy-preserving digital cameras and task-specific data-efficient imaging.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1985

Solar physics applications of computer graphics and image processing

Computer graphics devices coupled with computers and carefully developed software provide new opportunities to achieve insight into the geometry and time evolution of scalar, vector, and tensor fields and to extract more information quickly and cheaply from the same image data. Two or more different fields which overlay in space can be calculated from the data (and the physics), then displayed from any perspective, and compared visually. The maximum regions of one field can be compared with the gradients of another. Time changing fields can also be compared. Images can be added, subtracted, transformed, noise filtered, frequency filtered, contrast enhanced, color coded, enlarged, compressed, parameterized, and histogrammed, in whole or section by section. Today it is possible to process multiple digital images to reveal spatial and temporal correlations and cross correlations. Data from different observatories taken at different times can be processed, interpolated, and transformed to a common coordinate system.

Altschuler, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Three-axis electron-beam test facility

An electron beam test facility, which consists of a precision multidimensional manipulator built into an ultra-high-vacuum bell jar, was designed, fabricated, and operated at Lewis Research Center. The position within the bell jar of a Faraday cup which samples current in the electron beam under test, is controlled by the manipulator. Three orthogonal axes of motion are controlled by stepping motors driven by digital indexers, and the positions are displayed on electronic totalizers. In the transverse directions, the limits of travel are approximately + or - 2.5 cm from the center with a precision of 2.54 micron (0.0001 in.); in the axial direction, approximately 15.0 cm of travel are permitted with an accuracy of 12.7 micron (0.0005 in.). In addition, two manually operated motions are provided, the pitch and yaw of the Faraday cup with respect to the electron beam can be adjusted to within a few degrees. The current is sensed by pulse transformers and the data are processed by a dual channel box car averager with a digital output. The beam tester can be operated manually or it can be programmed for automated operation. In the automated mode, the beam tester is controlled by a microcomputer (installed at the test site) which communicates with a minicomputer at the central computing facility. The data are recorded and later processed by computer to obtain the desired graphical presentations.

Dayton, J. A., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fabrication of anti-adhesion surfaces on aluminium substrates of rubber plastic moulds using electrolysis plasma treatment

An anti-adhesion surface with a water contact angle of 167° was fabricated on aluminium samples of rubber plastic moulds by electrolysis plasma treatment using mixed electrolytes of C{sub 6}H{sub 5}O{sub 7}(NH{sub 4}){sub 3} and Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4}, followed by fluorination. To optimise the fabrication conditions, several important processing parameters such as the discharge voltage, discharge time, concentrations of supporting electrolyte and stearic acid ethanol solution were examined systematically. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyse surfaces morphology, micrometer scale pits, and protrusions were found on the surface, with numerous nanometer mastoids contained in the protrusions. These binary micro/nano-scale structures, which are similar to the micro-structures of soil-burrowing animals, play a critical role in achieving low adhesion properties. Otherwise, the anti-adhesion behaviours of the resulting samples were analysed by the atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), electrons probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), optical contact angle meter, digital Vickers microhardness (Hv) tester, and electronic universal testing. The results show that the electrolysis plasma treatment does not require complex processing parameters, using a simple device, and is an environment-friendly and effective method. Under the optimised conditions, the contact angle (CA) for the modified anti-adhesion surface is up to 167°, the sliding angle (SA) is less than 2°, roughness of the sample surface is only 0.409μm. Moreover, the adhesion force and H{sub v} are 0. 9KN and 385, respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗