Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Process noise”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 541 records · Page 30

In situ Detection of Plasma Induced Surface Interaction based on Deep Learning based Visual Diagnostics (Technical Report)

It is characteristic for many plasma devices to undergo plasma-material interaction leading to surface erosion. These processes, often not easily detectable, lead to changes in device performance and lifespan. State-of-the-art lifetime tests and wear experiments require over 1000s hours. A self-consistent model for accurately predicting the erosion's effects is not available. In situ detection of these processes is not a trivial task since the surface variations at the early stages have a micron scale. Such limitations not only restrict testing and prediction capabilities but also slow the development of new thrusters and limit mission duration. To address these challenges, an in-situ diagnostic for real-time erosion assessment has been developed, aiming to expedite lifetime testing and broaden experimental campaigns. Several works were dedicated to real-time and in situ monitoring of material erosion during plasma exposure using laser holography, microscopy, and with telemicroscopes. However, the applicability of these approaches is limited due to complexity, cost and less flexibility as they often require placing diagnostic equipment inside the vacuum chamber. In collaboration with Princeton Collaborative Research Facility (PCRF), Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), a new diagnostic approach is developed, where geometry modifications to the ceramic channel walls were introduced that would result in accelerated channel erosion. We employed Long-distance microscope (LDM) imagery, combined with Deep-Learning based Shape from focus or depth from focus (DFF or SFF) approach, that provides an accessible and cost-effective solution. LDM employs focus variation techniques to continuously capture multiple images of the target object at distinct focal planes. DFF, an optical focus variation method, generates a 3D topographical surface depth map from a sequence of variably focused images. Combined with the developed diagnostic, this approach offers a controllable means to study erosion under accelerated conditions. In this work, we develop Neural Network-based DFF algorithm applicable for LDM data to quantitatively evaluate plasma induced surface modification from LDM data. Next, we develop Deep Learning-based super-resolution depth map image reconstruction technique to increase the resolution of depth maps obtained from DFF algorithm to improve the accuracy of erosion measurements. Thirdly, we develop several image processing techniques to remove noise and improve the quality of depth map image. Here we report the results of initial tests for this approach. An experimental setup designed and built in PPPL was employed that consists of a 3-cm gridded ion source that produces a neutralized argon beam with energies up to 600 eV. A hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) ceramic target, designed based on computational predictions, was used. Tests were conducted to reconstruct the complex geometry of the target under the lighting conditions of the operated ion source.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Physical Properties of Advanced GaAs/AlGaAs Junctions

Extensive studies have been performed on MQW junctions and structures because of their potential applications as avalanche photodetectors in optical communications and imaging systems. The role of the avalanche photodiode is to provide for the conversion of an optical signal into charge. Knowledge of junction physics, and the various carrier generation/recombination mechanisms, is crucial for effectively optimizing the conversion process and increasing the structure's quantum efficiency. In addition, the recent interest in the use of APDs in imaging systems has necessitated the development of semiconductor junctions with low dark currents and high gains for low light applications. Because of the high frame rate and high pixel density requirements in new imaging applications, it is necessary to provide some front-end gain in the imager to allow operation under reasonable light conditions. Understanding the electron/hole impact ionization process, as well as diffusion and surface leakage effects, is needed to help maintain low dark currents and high gains for such applications. In addition, the APD must be capable of operating with low power, and low noise. Knowledge of the effects of various doping configurations and electric field profiles, as well as the excess noise resulting from the avalanche process, are needed to help maintain low operating bias and minimize the noise output.

Menkara, Hicham M.↗

On the Characterization and Mitigation of Noise in Space-borne Microwave Sounding Instruments

Space-borne microwave sounding instruments have become vital data sources for weather prediction and climate change studies. Among the various radiometer configurations, the total power microwave radiometer is particularly appealing for current and future operational satellites due to its superior sensitivity and simple design. However, its performance is vulnerable to degradation caused by receiver gain fluctuations, electronic 1/f noise, and other time varying receiver characteristics. For Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) users, 1/f noise introduces inter-channel correlations, complicating the assimilation of affected observations and reducing their accuracy. Addressing this noise issue in ground data processing system is essential to enhance the utility of microwave sounding data. This paper focuses on the characterization and mitigation of noise in current and future microwave sounding instruments, with particular emphasis on the impact of 1/f noise. Various methods are applied to quantitatively characterize noise features in both frequency and time domains. Additionally, the influence of calibration parameters on 1/f noise are analyzed. Based on these findings, we propose a mitigation algorithm for reducing noise during the on-orbit calibration of microwave sounding instruments, aiming to improve the quality of retrieved data for operational use.

calibration↗

The effect of velocity profiles on supersonic jet noise

This paper presents stability calculations made for a shock-free coannular jet, with both the inner and outer flows supersonic, using the instability wave model. The Mach wave emission process is modeled as the noise generated by the large scale turbulent structures or the instability waves in the mixing region. Both the vortex-sheet and the realistic finite thickness shear layer models are considered. The stability calculations have been performed for both inverted and normal velocity profiles. Comparisons are made with the results for an equivalent single jet, based on equal thrust, mass flow rate and exit area to that of the coannular jet. The advantages and disadvantages of these velocity profiles as far as noise radiation is concerned are discussed.

Bhat, T. R. S.↗

Application of an optimal filter for inflatable sphere data processing

The improvement in the sphere data processing, concerning the signal to noise ratio, is discussed. Frequency analysis of the radar data is effectuated. It reveals a specific frequency component in the radar angle error, which may originate from the tracking radar mechanism itself. An optimal (Wiener) filter is applied to the radar data in order to suppress the systematic angular error components selectively. Using this technique, a significant improvement in the signal to noise ratio is achieved. The resolution of sphere measurements, previously limited by the length of the polynomial filter in the sphere data processing algorithm, is improved.

Lee, H. S.↗

Automatic Assessment and Reduction of Noise using Edge Pattern Analysis in Non-Linear Image Enhancement

Noise is the primary visibility limit in the process of non-linear image enhancement, and is no longer a statistically stable additive noise in the post-enhancement image. Therefore novel approaches are needed to both assess and reduce spatially variable noise at this stage in overall image processing. Here we will examine the use of edge pattern analysis both for automatic assessment of spatially variable noise and as a foundation for new noise reduction methods.

Jobson, Daniel J.↗

The Automatic Assessment and Reduction of Noise Using Edge Pattern Analysis in Nonlinear Image Enhancement

Noise is the primary visibility limit in the process of non-linear image enhancement, and is no longer a statistically stable additive noise in the post-enhancement image. Therefore novel approaches are needed to both assess and reduce spatially variable noise at this stage in overall image processing. Here we will examine the use of edge pattern analysis both for automatic assessment of spatially variable noise and as a foundation for new noise reduction methods.

Jobson, Daniel J.↗

A telescope for the Infrared Astronomical Satellite /IRAS/

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) will be used to survey the 8 to 120 micron spectrum of the entire sky to the faintest flux levels possible by using state-of-the-art detectors and preamplifiers. As a result of a recently completed study of the telescope and focal plane, a concept has been devised that demonstrates the feasibility of using stored cryogen to cool the telescope for one year of operation in a polar twilight orbit at an altitude of 900 km. Predictions regarding noise equivalent flux density, cryogenic lifetime, and the number of noise spikes caused by Van Allen belt radiation are presented. The telescope is cooled both by supercritical and by superfluid helium. The on-board signal processing includes provisions for suppressing noise spikes.

Hedden, R. L.↗

On the correction for quantization effects in signal-to-noise ratio estimation

In sampled data digital telemetry systems the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is typically derived as a function of the moments of the digitized input stream (e.g., the receiver output). This analog to digital conversion process is itself an additional noise source known as the quantization noise. Thus a digitally measured SNR will only approximately represent the SNR of the analog input signal. A procedure (Sheppard's corrections) for correcting moments of any order for this quantization effect is presented.

Howard, L.↗

Apparatuses and methods for anomalous gas concentration detection

Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses and methods for anomalous gas concentration detection. A spectroscopic system, such as a wavelength modulated spectroscopy (WMS) system may measure gas concentrations in a target area. However, noise, such as speckle noise, may interfere with measuring relatively low concentrations of gas, and may lead to false positives. A noise model, which includes a contribution from a speckle noise model, may be used to process data from the spectroscopic system. An adaptive threshold may be applied based on an expected amount of noise. A speckle filter may remove measurements which are outliers based on a measurement of their noise. Plume detection may be used to determine a presence of gas plumes. Each of these processing steps may be associated with a confidence, which may be used to determine an overall confidence in the processed measurements/gas plumes.

Kreitinger, Aaron Thomas↗

Quantum subspace expansion in the presence of hardware noise

Finding ground state energies on current quantum processing units (QPUs) using algorithms such as the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) continues to pose challenges. Hardware noise severely affects both the expressivity and trainability of parameterized quantum circuits, limiting them to shallow depths in practice. Here, we demonstrate that both issues can be addressed by synergistically integrating VQE with a quantum subspace expansion, allowing for an optimal balance between quantum and classical computing capabilities and costs. We perform a systematic benchmark analysis of the iterative quantum-assisted eigensolver in the presence of hardware noise. We determine ground state energies of 1D and 2D mixed-field Ising spin models on noisy simulators and the IBM QPUs ibmq_quito (5 qubits) and ibmq_guadalupe (16 qubits). To maximize accuracy, we propose a suitable criterion to select the subspace basis vectors according to the trace of the noisy overlap matrix. Finally, we show how to systematically approach the exact solution by performing controlled quantum error mitigation based on probabilistic error reduction on the noisy backend fake_guadalupe.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A chaotic attractor in timing noise from the Vela pulsar?

Fourteen years of timing residual data from the Vela pulsar have been analyzed in order to determine if a chaotic dynamical process is the origin of timing noise. Using the correlation sum technique, a dimension of about 1.5 is obtained. This low dimension indicates underlying structure in the phase residuals which may be evidence for a chaotic attractor. It is therefore possible that nonlinear dynamics intrinsic to the spin-down may be the cause of the timing noise in the Vela pulsar. However, it has been found that the stimulated random walks in frequency and frequency derivative often used to model pulsar timing noise also have low fractal dimension, using the same analysis technique. Recent work suggesting that random processes with steep power spectra can mimic strange attractors seems to be confirmed in the case of these random walks. It appears that the correlation sum estimator for dimension is unable to distinguish between chaotic and random processes.

Harding, Alice K.↗

The effects of profiles on supersonic jet noise

The effect of velocity profiles on supersonic jet noise are studied by using stability calculations made for a shock-free coannular jet, with both the inner and outer flows supersonic. The Mach wave emission process is modeled as the noise generated by the large scale turbulent structures or the instability waves in the mixing region. Both the vortex-sheet and the realistic finite thickness shear layer models are considered. The stability calculations were performed for both inverted and normal velocity profiles. Comparisons are made with the results for an equivalent single jet, based on equal thrust, mass flow rate and exit area to that of the coannular jet. The advantages and disadvantages of these velocity profiles as far as noise radiation is concerned are discussed. It is shown that the Rayleigh's model prediction of the merits and demerits of different velocity profiles are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Tiwari, S. N.↗