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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2024

Ion Diffusive Transport Across the Separatrix Between the Low-Latitude Mantle and the Plasma Sheet By Kinetic Alfvén Waves: MMS Observation

To understand the entry of the cool low‐latitude mantle ions into the tail plasma sheet near the flanks under persistent interplanetary magnetic field B y , we evaluate the role of the cross‐field diffusive transport by kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) by investigating two events observed by multiscale (MMS) spacecraft. Around the separatrix between the open and closed field‐line regions, a two‐component mixing of hot plasma sheet ions of a few keV with cool mantle ions of a few hundred eV was observed, indicating transport across the separatrix. The waves observed between 0.01 and 10 Hz around the separatrix had characteristics consistent with those of KAWs. The consistency allowed us to estimate the wave vectors as a function of frequency by fitting KAW dispersion to the observations. Using the observed wave powers, plasma moments, and the estimated wave vectors, we computed the cross‐field diffusion rates associated with KAWs. The diffusion rates were found to be comparable to or larger than the Bohm diffusion rates during the intervals when the two‐component mixing was observed, indicating that the KAW diffusive transport can play a role in the entry of low‐latitude mantle ions into the plasma sheet.

Kinetic Alfvén waves↗
NASA NTRS1984

Input-output characterization of an ultrasonic testing system by digital signal analysis

The input/output characteristics of an ultrasonic testing system used for stress wave factor measurements were studied. The fundamentals of digital signal processing are summarized. The inputs and outputs are digitized and processed in a microcomputer using digital signal processing techniques. The entire ultrasonic test system, including transducers and all electronic components, is modeled as a discrete-time linear shift-invariant system. Then the impulse response and frequency response of the continuous time ultrasonic test system are estimated by interpolating the defining points in the unit sample response and frequency response of the discrete time system. It is found that the ultrasonic test system behaves as a linear phase bandpass filter. Good results were obtained for rectangular pulse inputs of various amplitudes and durations and for tone burst inputs whose center frequencies are within the passband of the test system and for single cycle inputs of various amplitudes. The input/output limits on the linearity of the system are determined.

Karaguelle, H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A multi-frequency radiometric measurement of soil moisture content over bare and vegetated fields

A USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center site was used for an experiment in which soil moisture remote sensing over bare, grass, and alfalfa fields was conducted over a three-month period using 0.6 GHz, 1.4 GHz, and 10.6 GHz Dicke-type microwave radiometers mounted on mobile towers. Ground truth soil moisture content and ambient air and sil temperatures were obtained concurrently with the radiometric measurements. Biomass of the vegetation cover was sampled about once a week. Soil density for each of the three fields was measured several times during the course of the experiment. Results of the radiometric masurements confirm the frequency dependence of moisture sensing sensitivity reduction reported earlier. Observations over the bare, wet field show that the measured brightness temperature is lowest at 5.0 GHz and highest of 0.6 GHz frequency, a result contrary to expectation based on the estimated dielectric permittivity of soil water mixtures and current radiative transfer model in that frequency range.

Wang, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Altimetry for non-Gaussian oceans - Height biases and estimation of parameters

The effects of a non-Gaussian ocean on satellite altimetry parameter estimation are discussed. The first part of this paper shows how non-Gaussian ocean parameters affect height estimation for satellites of the Seasat/Geosat/TOPEX type. In the second part, the estimation of the altimeter tracker bias and the non-Gaussian ocean parameters from the altimeter return signal is studied. A new convolution model that facilitates the deconvolution of the ocean surface specular point probability density function is introduced. Next, it is argued that it is not feasible in practice to estimate the electromagnetic bias from noisy altimeter returns. It is then shown that the least squares estimation of the surface parameters in the log-frequency domain has several advantages overestimating parameters in the time domain. The maximum likelihood estimation equations for the estimation of the waveform parameters are derived, and their solution is discussed.

Rodriguez, Ernesto↗
NASA NTRS1991

Estimating radiated power from a conducting tethered satellite system

In anticipation of the upcoming TSS-1 experiment, theoretical calculations are made of radiated power from a conducting tethered satellite system. The radiation results from the steady motion of the system through the ionospheric plasma and it is stimulated by collection and emission of charge by the noninsulated surfaces of the tethered end connectors. A model of the current system is developed which incorporates the tether wire, satellite surfaces, and sheath currents. The radiation impedance of the current model is calculated using the previously developed theory of Barnett and Olbert (1986). The results confirm the low-frequency Alfven wave description with a predicted radiation impedance of a few tenths of an ohm in the Alven wave limit. Calculations are also made in the lower hybrid and whistler wave band. A larger impedance of about 13 ohm is found for the frequency range 5-50 kHz. By estimating the passive ion current drawn by the system a prediction of the total radiated power is also made. The result of 0.38 mW raises the question of whether or not wave emissions from a passive current collecting system may be detectable by either ground- or space-based platforms.

Donohue, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Russian national time scale long-term stability

The Institute of Metrology for Time and Space NPO 'VNIIFTRI' generates the National Time Scale (NTS) of Russia -- one of the most stable time scales in the world. Its striking feature is that it is based on a free ensemble of H-masers only. During last two years the estimations of NTS longterm stability based only on H-maser intercomparison data gives a flicker floor of about (2 to 3) x 10(exp -15) for averaging times from 1 day to 1 month. Perhaps the most significant feature for a time laboratory is an extremely low possible frequency drift -- it is too difficult to estimate it reliably. The other estimations, free from possible inside the ensemble correlation phenomena, are available based on the time comparison of NTS relative to the stable enough time scale of outer laboratories. The data on NTS comparison relative to the time scale of secondary time and frequency standards at Golitzino and Irkutsk in Russia and relative to NIST, PTB and USNO using GLONASS and GPS time transfer links gives stability estimations which are close to that based on H-maser intercomparisons.

Alshina, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

First Results of GPS Time Transfer to Australia

A global positioning system (GPS) time transfer unit was installed at Tidbinbilla Deep Space Communications Complex of the DSN in June 1983. It was used to estimate the relationship to UTC(USNO MC) of the Tidbinbilla frequency and time system TID(FTS) based on a hydrogen maser, and to estimate the performance of the Australian free-running time scale UTC(AUS). Data from the first 3 months were analyzed three ways: by two-hop common view using JPL as intermediary; by long-arc interpolation of measurements against space vehicle clocks; and by long arc interpolation of GPS-Time results. Residuals from a single quadratic fit through 3 months of UTC(USNO MC) -TID(FTS) results were white noise with standard error 15 ns, and a flying clock measurement gave 70 ns agreement. A straight line fit through results UTC(USNO MC) - UTC(AUS) gave 90 ns standard error and 120 ns agreement. It is proposed to use the GPS measurements to steer UTC(AUS) to UTC(BIH), and to rename the existing time scale TA(AUS).

Mck.luck, J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Electrically Small Microstrip Quarter-Wave Monopole Antennas

Microstrip-patch-style antennas that generate monopole radiation patterns similar to those of quarter-wave whip antennas can be designed to have dimensions smaller than those needed heretofore for this purpose, by taking advantage of a feed configuration different from the conventional one. The large sizes necessitated by the conventional feed configuration have, until now, made such antennas impractical for frequencies below about 800 MHz: for example, at 200 MHz, the conventional feed configuration necessitates a patch diameter of about 8 ft (.2.4 m) . too large, for example, for mounting on the roof of an automobile or on a small or medium-size aircraft. By making it possible to reduce diameters to between a tenth and a third of that necessitated by the conventional feed configuration, the modified configuration makes it possible to install such antennas in places where they could not previously be installed and thereby helps to realize the potential advantages (concealment and/or reduction of aerodynamic drag) of microstrip versus whip antennas. In both the conventional approach and the innovative approach, a microstrip-patch (or microstrip-patch-style) antenna for generating a monopole radiation pattern includes an electrically conductive patch or plate separated from an electrically conductive ground plane by a layer of electrically insulating material. In the conventional approach, the electrically insulating layer is typically a printed-circuit board about 1/16 in. (.1.6 mm) thick. Ordinarily, a coaxial cable from a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver is attached at the center on the ground-plane side, the shield of the cable being electrically connected to the ground plane. In the conventional approach, the coaxial cable is mated with a connector mounted on the ground plane. The center pin of this connector connects to the center of the coaxial cable and passes through a hole in the ground plane and a small hole in the insulating layer and then connects with the patch above one-third of the radial distance from the center. The modified feed configuration of the innovative approach is an inductive-short-circuit configuration that provides impedance matching and that has been used for many years on other antennas but not on microstrip-style monopole antennas. In this configuration, the pin is connected to both the conductive patch and the ground plane. As before, the shield of the coaxial cable is connected to the ground plane, but now the central conductor is connected to a point on the pin between the ground plane and the conductive plate (see figure). The location of the connection point on the pin is chosen so that together, the inductive short circuit and the conductive plate or patch act as components of a lumped-element resonant circuit that radiates efficiently at the resonance frequency and, at the resonance frequency, has an impedance that matches that of the coaxial cable. It should be noted that the innovative design entails two significant disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the frequency bandwidth for efficient operation is only about 1/20 to 1/15 that of a whip antenna designed for the same nominal frequency. The other disadvantage is that the estimated gain is between 3-1/2 and 4-1/2 dB below that of the whip antenna. However, if an affected radio-communication system used only a few adjacent frequency channels and the design of the components of the system other than the antenna provided adequate power or gain margin, then these disadvantages could be overcome.

Young, W. Robert↗
NASA NTRS1982

Seismic Q of the lunar upper mantle

Shallow moonquake data are used to determine the frequency dependence of Q values for both compressional and shear waves in the upper mantle of the moon at frequencies between 3 and 8 Hz. The seismic P wave Q is estimated to be at least 4000 and is nearly independent of frequency or decreases slightly with increasing frequency, while the S wave Q increases from at least 4000 at 3 Hz to at least 7000 at 8 Hz. The rate of increase of Q(S) is approximately proportional to the 0.7 + or - 0.1 power of the frequency above 5 Hz. With the absence of other dissipation mechanisms, compressional heat loss may be a dominant factor in the lunar interior. Uncertainty remains, however, in the absolute values of Q's owing to the largely unknown detailed structure of the lunar upper mantle.

Nakamura, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Robust detection, isolation and accommodation for sensor failures

The objective is to extend the recent advances in robust control system design of multivariable systems to sensor failure detection, isolation, and accommodation (DIA), and estimator design. This effort provides analysis tools to quantify the trade-off between performance robustness and DIA sensitivity, which are to be used to achieve higher levels of performance robustness for given levels of DIA sensitivity. An innovations-based DIA scheme is used. Estimators, which depend upon a model of the process and process inputs and outputs, are used to generate these innovations. Thresholds used to determine failure detection are computed based on bounds on modeling errors, noise properties, and the class of failures. The applicability of the newly developed tools are demonstrated on a multivariable aircraft turbojet engine example. A new concept call the threshold selector was developed. It represents a significant and innovative tool for the analysis and synthesis of DiA algorithms. The estimators were made robust by introduction of an internal model and by frequency shaping. The internal mode provides asymptotically unbiased filter estimates.The incorporation of frequency shaping of the Linear Quadratic Gaussian cost functional modifies the estimator design to make it suitable for sensor failure DIA. The results are compared with previous studies which used thresholds that were selcted empirically. Comparison of these two techniques on a nonlinear dynamic engine simulation shows improved performance of the new method compared to previous techniques

Emami-Naeini, A.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Stability of the Dual-Frequency Radar Equations and a New Method Applied to the GPM’s Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) Data

A new algorithm is proposed that estimates two parameters of the particle size distribution (PSD) at each range bin from the Global Precipitation Measurement’s (GPM’s) Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar data. The equation that expresses the relationship of the PSD parameters between adjacent range bins is derived. By including the attenuation effect within the bin in the discretized equation, the new algorithm alleviates the double-solution problem when attenuation within the bin is sufficiently large. The stability of the solutions to the equation depends on the value of the mean diameter D(sub m) and its gradient with respect to range in the case of liquid precipitation. If the critical diameter above which the dual-frequency ratio (DFR) of radar reflectivity factors becomes a monotonically increasing function of D(sub m), the backward processing of the equation provides a stable or moderately diverging solution, unlike the forward processing that often gives unstable solutions. To provide a set of initial conditions without using the surface reference technique (SRT) in the backward processing, an initialization method using the Hitschfeld-Bordan attenuation correction method is proposed and tested. The proposed algorithm may provide a tool for investigating the assumptions used in various algorithms.

GPM↗
NASA NTRS2000

Low Order Equivalent System Identification for the Tu-144LL Supersonic Transport Aircraft

Low order equivalent system models were identified from flight test data for the Tu-144LL supersonic transport aircraft. Flight test maneuvers were executed by Russian and American test Pilots flying the aircraft from Zhukovsky airfield outside Moscow, Russia. Flight tests included longitudinal and lateral / directional maneuvers at supersonic cruise flight conditions. Piloted frequency sweeps and multi-step maneuvers were used to generate data for closed loop low order equivalent system modeling. Model parameters were estimated using a flexible. high accuracy Fourier transform and an equation error / output error (EE/OE) formulation in the frequency domain. Results were compared to parameter estimates obtained using spectral estimation and subsequent least squares fit to frequency response data in Bode plots. Modeling results from the two methods agreed well for both a frequency sweep and multiple concatenated multi-step maneuvers. For a single multi-step maneuvers the EE/OE method gave a better model fit with improved prediction capability. A summary of closed loop low order equivalent system identification results for the Tu-144LL, including estimated parameters, standard errors, and flying qualities level predictions, were computed and tabulated.

Morelli, Eugene A.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Auditory alert systems with enhanced detectability

Methods and systems for distinguishing an auditory alert signal from a background of one or more non-alert signals. In a first embodiment, a prefix signal, associated with an existing alert signal, is provided that has a signal component in each of three or more selected frequency ranges, with each signal component in each of three or more selected level at least 3-10 dB above an estimated background (non-alert) level in that frequency range. The alert signal may be chirped within one or more frequency bands. In another embodiment, an alert signal moves, continuously or discontinuously, from one location to another over a short time interval, introducing a perceived spatial modulation or jitter. In another embodiment, a weighted sum of background signals adjacent to each ear is formed, and the weighted sum is delivered to each ear as a uniform background; a distinguishable alert signal is presented on top of this weighted sum signal at one ear, or distinguishable first and second alert signals are presented at two ears of a subject.

Begault, Durand R.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Bayesian Estimation of Earth’s Undiscovered Mineralogical Diversity Using Noninformative Priors

Recently, statistical distributions have been explored to provide estimates of the mineralogical diversity of Earth, and Earth-like planets. In this paper, a Bayesian approach is introduced to estimate Earth’s undiscovered mineralogical diversity. Samples are generated from a posterior distribution of the model parameters using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations such that estimates and inference are directly obtained. It was previously shown that the mineral species frequency distribution conforms to a generalized inverse Gauss–Poisson (GIGP) large number of rare events model. Even though the model fit was good, the population size estimate obtained by using this model was found to be unreasonably low by mineralogists. In this paper, several zero-truncated, mixed Poisson distributions are fitted and compared, where the Poisson-lognormal distribution is found to provide the best fit. Subsequently, the population size estimates obtained by Bayesian methods are compared to the empirical Bayes estimates. Species accumulation curves are constructed and employed to estimate the population size as a function of sampling size. Finally, the relative abundances, and hence the occurrence probabilities of species in a random sample, are calculated numerically for all mineral species in Earth’s crust using the Poisson-lognormal distribution. These calculations are connected and compared to the calculations obtained in a previous paper using the GIGP model for which mineralogical criteria of an Earth-like planet were given.

Bayesian statistics↗
NASA NTRS1990

Simulation of on-orbit modal tests of large space structures

This paper describes a procedure to analytically simulate a modal test of an on-orbit large space structure (LSS), extract the modal properties, and evaluate the success of the modal test. This procedure addresses some of the major challenges to performing an on-orbit modal test of an LSS including high modal density, low frequency modes, and limitations in excitation capabilities. A finite element model of the orbiting structure is used to predict acceleration responses due to thruster excitations, time-domain modal extraction methods are used to estimate the modal properties, and comparison of frequencies and cross-orthogonality values is used to evaluate the success of the modal test. Several alternative excitation patterns and sensor arrangements were evaluated using a space station model as an example. Results of the simulations indicate that the choice of excitation functions is critical to the success of the test.

Blelloch, Paul↗
NASA NTRS1985

First results of GPS time transfer to Australia

A Global Positioning System time transfer unit built by NBS under contract to JPL was installed at Tidbinbilla Deep Space Communications Complex of the NASA Deep Space Network in June 1983. It has been used to estimate the relationship to UTC(USNO MC) of the Tidbinbilla frequency and time system TID(FTS) based on a hydrogen maser, and thence to estimate the performance of the Australian free-running time scale UTC(AUS). Data from the first three months has been analyzed three ways: by two-hop common view using JPL as intermediary; by long-arc interpolation of measurements against space vehicle clocks; and by long-arc interpolation of GPS-Time results. Residuals from a single quadratic fit through three months of UTC(USNO MC) - TID (FTS) results were white noise with standard error 15 ns, and a flying clock measurement gave 70 ns agreement. A straight line fit through results UTC(USNO MC) - UTC (AUS) gave 90 ns standard error and 120 bns agreement. It is proposed to use the GPS measurements to steer UTS(AUS) to UTC(BIH), and to rename the existing time scale TA(AUS).

Luck, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Low Order Equivalent System for the Tu-144LL Supersonic Transport Aircraft

Low order equivalent system models were identified from flight test data for the Tu- 144LL supersonic transport aircraft. Flight test maneuvers were executed by Russian and American test pilots flying the aircraft from Zhukovsky airfield outside Moscow, Russia. Flight tests included longitudinal and lateral/directional maneuvers at supersonic cruise flight conditions. Piloted frequency sweeps and multi-step maneuvers were used to Generate data for p closed loop low order equivalent system modeling Model parameters were estimated using a flexible, high accuracy Fourier transform and an equation error output error (EE/OE) formulation in the frequency domain. Results were compared to parameter estimates obtained using spectral estimation and subsequent least squares fit to frequency response data in Bode plots. Modeling results from the two methods a-reed well for both a frequency sweep and multiple concatenated multi-step maneuvers. For a single multi-step maneuver, the EE/OE method gave a better model fit with improved prediction capability. A summary of closed loop low order equivalent system identification results for the Tu-144LL. including estimated parameters, standard errors, and flying qualities level predictions, were computed and tabulated.

Morelli, Eugene A.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Assessment of Retrieved GMI Emissivity Over Land, Snow and Sea Ice in the GEOS System

Measurements from microwave sounders and imagers provide a valuable source of information including atmospheric temperature and water vapor in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) systems that assimilate these observations directly over water surfaces (oceans and other large water bodies). In a recent decadal survey, targeted observables in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) were cited as a key need for future observations (NASEM, 2018). Microwave observations which sense in the PBL are currently available, however, utilizing surface-sensitive microwave observations for atmospheric data assimilation remains a challenge over land, snow and sea ice. This is in part due to the inability of surface emissivity models used by NWP data assimilation systems to simulate observations with sufficient accuracy. The GEOS-ADAS (Todling and el Akkraoui, 2018) which utilizes the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) (Han, 2006; Chen 2009) is no exception. The ECMWF system has retrieved instantaneous surface emissivity from surface-sensitive channels for SSMI/S and MHS radiance observations, and apply these estimates to the closest channels higher in frequency (Baordo and Geer 2016) in the calculation of simulated radiances. This approach currently is also being tested in the GEOS-ADAS for AMSU-A and ATMS radiances (Zhu et al. 2021). No or minimal emissivity spectral variability has been assumed in the above-mentioned studies. Recently, work by Munchak et al., 2020 (hereby referred to as M2020) provided a new database for emissivity over land, snow and sea ice retrieved from the NASA Global Precipitation Mission (GPM). Compared with Tool to Estimate Land Surface Emissivities at Microwave (TELSEM2; Wang et al., 2017), M2020 provides emissivities for more frequencies(i.e., 10.7 GHz V/H). Moreover, this database is unique in that it utilizes both active and passive data to retrieve surface emissivity and normalized radar cross section. While the emissivity values may be useful for other sensors, they are most applicable to the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI). In this work the GEOS-ADAS is modified to utilize emissivity values from Munchak et al, 2020 in place of values used by CRTM. Presently, only GMI radiances over ocean are used in the operational GEOS-ADAS. This study will focus on the GMI radiances over land, snow, and ice, as a first attempt to evaluate GMI radiances over these non-water surface types. Two cases are then presented, one with one week of observation minus background departures using the modified GEOS-ADAS, and one utilizing the original GEOS-ADAS. It should be noted that the surface emissivity models in CRTM are not state of the art and are scheduled to be replaced by the Community Surface Emissivity Module (CSEM; Chen and Weng, 2016). Simulations using default CRTM emissivity values are used merely as reference comparing against M2020, and is not a thorough comparison against other more state of the art modules such as CSEM.

GMI↗