SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “input files”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 613 records · Page 34

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2012

The Influence of Pickup Protons, from Interstellar Neutral Hydrogen, on the Propagation of Interplanetary Shocks from the Halloween 2003 Solar Events to ACE and Ulysses: A 3-D MHD Modeling Study

We describe our 3-D, time ]dependent, MHD solar wind model that we recently modified to include the physics of pickup protons from interstellar neutral hydrogen. The model has a time-dependent lower boundary condition, at 0.1 AU, that is driven by source surface map files through an empirical interface module. We describe the empirical interface and its parameter tuning to maximize model agreement with background (quiet) solar wind observations at ACE. We then give results of a simulation study of the famous Halloween 2003 series of solar events. We began with shock inputs from the Fearless Forecast real ]time shock arrival prediction study, and then we iteratively adjusted input shock speeds to obtain agreement between observed and simulated shock arrival times at ACE. We then extended the model grid to 5.5 AU and compared those simulation results with Ulysses observations at 5.2 AU. Next we undertook the more difficult tuning of shock speeds and locations to get matching shock arrival times at both ACE and Ulysses. Then we ran this last case again with neutral hydrogen density set to zero, to identify the effect of pickup ions. We show that the speed of interplanetary shocks propagating from the Sun to Ulysses is reduced by the effects of pickup protons. We plan to make further improvements to the model as we continue our benchmarking process to 10 AU, comparing our results with Cassini observations, and eventually on to 100 AU, comparing our results with Voyager 1 and 2 observations.

Detman, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Interdisciplinary Research Scenario Testing of EOSDIS

During the reporting period, the Principle Investigator (PI) has continued to serve on numerous review panels, task forces and committees with the goal of providing input and guidance for the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) program at NASA Headquarters and NASA GSFC. In addition, the PI has worked together with personnel at the University of Virginia and the subcontractor (Simpson Weather Associates (SWA)) to continue to evaluate the latest releases of various versions of the user interfaces to the EOSDIS. Finally, as part of the subcontract, SWA has created an on-line Hierarchial Data Format (HDF) tutorial for non-HDF experts, particularly those that will be using EOSDIS and future EOS data products. A summary of these three activities is provided. The topics include: 1) Participation on EODIS Panels and Committees; 2) Evaluation and Tire Kicking of EODIS User Interfaces; and 3) An On-line HDF Tutorial. The report also includes attachments A, B, and C. Attachment A: Report From the May 1999 Science Data Panel. The topics include: 1) Summary of Data Panel Meeting; and 2) Panel's Comments/Recommendations. Attachment B: Survey Requesting Integrated Design Systems (IDS) Teams Input on the Descoping and Rescoping of the EODIS; and Attachment C: An HDF Tutorial for Beginners: EODIS Users and Small Data Providers (HTML Version). The topics include: 1) Tutorial Overview; 2) An introduction to HDF; 3) The HDF Library: Software and Hardware; 4) Methods of Working with HDF Files; 5) Scientific Data API; 6) Attributes and Metadata; 7) Writing a SDS to an HDF file; 8) Obtaining Information on Existing HDF Files; 9) Reading a Scientific Data Set from an HDF file: 10) Example Programs; 11) Browsing and Visualizing HDF Data; and 12) Laboratory (Question and Answer).

Emmitt, G. D.↗

NASA NTRS2000

BOREAS TGB-12 Soil Carbon Data over the NSA

The BOREAS TGB-12 team made measurements of soil carbon inventories, carbon concentration in soil gases, and rates of soil respiration at several sites to estimate the rates of carbon accumulation and turnover in each of the major vegetation types. TGB-12 data sets include soil properties at tower and selected auxiliary sites in the BOREAS NSA and data on the seasonal variations in the radiocarbon content of CO2 in the soil atmosphere at NSA tower sites. The sampling strategies for soils were designed to take advantage of local fire chronosequences, so that the accumulation of C in areas of moss regrowth could be determined. These data are used to calculate the inventory of C and N in moss and mineral soil layers at NSA sites and to determine the rates of input and turnover (using both accumulation since the last stand-killing fire and radiocarbon data). This data set includes physical parameters needed to determine carbon and nitrogen inventory in soils. The data were collected discontinuously from August 1993 to July 1996. The data are stored in tabular ASCII files.

Trumbore, Susan↗

NASA NTRS2003

Implementing an Automated Antenna Measurement System

We developed an automated measurement system using a PC running a LabView application, a Velmex BiSlide X-Y positioner, and a HP85l0C network analyzer. The system provides high positioning accuracy and requires no user supervision. After the user inputs the necessary parameters into the LabView application, LabView controls the motor positioning and performs the data acquisition. Current parameters and measured data are shown on the PC display in two 3-D graphs and updated after every data point is collected. The final output is a formatted data file for later processing.

Valerio, Matthew D.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Considerations and techniques for incorporating remotely sensed imagery into the land resource management process.

Development of a scheme for utilizing remote sensing technology in an operational program for regional land use planning and land resource management program applications. The scheme utilizes remote sensing imagery as one of several potential inputs to derive desired and necessary data, and considers several alternative approaches to the expansion and/or reduction and analysis of data, using automated data handling techniques. Within this scheme is a five-stage program development which includes: (1) preliminary coordination, (2) interpretation and encoding, (3) creation of data base files, (4) data analysis and generation of desired products, and (5) applications.

Brooner, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Spectral feature classification and spatial pattern recognition

This paper introduces a spatial pattern recognition processing concept involving the use of spectral feature classification technology and coherent optical correlation. The concept defines a hybrid image processing system incorporating both digital and optical technology. The hybrid instrument provides simplified pseudopattern images as functions of pixel classification from information embedded within a real-scene image. These pseudoimages become simplified inputs to an optical correlator for use in a subsequent pattern identification decision useful in executing landmark pointing, tracking, or navigating functions. Real-time classification is proposed as a research tool for exploring ways to enhance input signal-to-noise ratio as an aid in improving optical correlation. The approach can be explored with developing technology, including a current NASA Langley Research Center technology plan that involves a series of related Shuttle-borne experiments. A first-planned experiment, Feature Identification and Location Experiment (FILE), is undergoing final ground testing, and is scheduled for flight on the NASA Shuttle (STS2/flight OSTA-1) in 1980. FILE will evaluate a technique for autonomously classifying earth features into the four categories: bare land; water; vegetation; and clouds, snow, or ice.

Sivertson, W. E., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2010

High-Fidelity Roadway Modeling and Simulation

Roads are an essential feature in our daily lives. With the advances in computing technologies, 2D and 3D road models are employed in many applications, such as computer games and virtual environments. Traditional road models were generated by professional artists manually using modeling software tools such as Maya and 3ds Max. This approach requires both highly specialized and sophisticated skills and massive manual labor. Automatic road generation based on procedural modeling can create road models using specially designed computer algorithms or procedures, reducing the tedious manual editing needed for road modeling dramatically. But most existing procedural modeling methods for road generation put emphasis on the visual effects of the generated roads, not the geometrical and architectural fidelity. This limitation seriously restricts the applicability of the generated road models. To address this problem, this paper proposes a high-fidelity roadway generation method that takes into account road design principles practiced by civil engineering professionals, and as a result, the generated roads can support not only general applications such as games and simulations in which roads are used as 3D assets, but also demanding civil engineering applications, which requires accurate geometrical models of roads. The inputs to the proposed method include road specifications, civil engineering road design rules, terrain information, and surrounding environment. Then the proposed method generates in real time 3D roads that have both high visual and geometrical fidelities. This paper discusses in details the procedures that convert 2D roads specified in shape files into 3D roads and civil engineering road design principles. The proposed method can be used in many applications that have stringent requirements on high precision 3D models, such as driving simulations and road design prototyping. Preliminary results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Wang, Jie↗

NASA NTRS1994

Measurements of striae in CR+ doped YAG laser crystals

Striations in Czochralski (CZ) grown crystals have been observed in materials such as GaAs, silicon, photorefractive crystals used for data storage, potassium titanyl phosphate crystals and LiNbO3. Several techniques have been used for investigating these defects including electron microscopy, laser scanning tomography, selective photoetching, X-ray diffuse scattering, interference orthoscopy, laser interferometry and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy mapping. A 2mm thick sample of the material to be investigated is illuminated with light that is absorbed and non-absorbed by the ion concentration to be observed. The back surface of the sample is focused onto a solid-state image detector and images of the input beam and absorbed (and diffracted) beams are captured at two wavelengths. The variation of the coefficient of absorption asa function of distance on the sample can be derived from these measurements. A Big Sky Software Beamcode system is used to capture and display images. Software has been written to convert the Beamcode data files to a format that can be imported into a spreadsheet program such as Quatro Pro. The spreadsheet is then used to manipulate and display data. A model of the intensity map of the striae collected by the imaging system has been proposed and a data analysis procedure derived. From this, the variability of the attenuation coefficient alpha can be generated. Preliminary results show that alpha may vary by a factor of four or five over distances of 100 mu m. Potential errors and problems have been discovered and additional experiments and improvements to the experimental setup are in progress and we must now show that the measurement techniques and data analysis procedures provide 'real' information. Striae are clearly visible at all wavelengths including white light. Their basic spatial frequency does not change radically, at least when changing from blue to green to white light. Further experimental and theoretical work can be done to improve the data collection techniques and to verify the data analysis procedures.

Cady, Fredrick M.↗

NASA NTRS2005

The GPM Common Calibrated Brightness Temperature Product

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) project will provide a core satellite carrying the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) and will use microwave observations from a constellation of other satellites. Each partner with a satellite in the constellation will have a calibration that meets their own requirements and will decide on the format to archive their brightness temperature (Tb) record in GPM. However, GPM multi-sensor precipitation algorithms need to input intercalibrated Tb's in order to avoid differences among sensors introducing artifacts into the longer term climate record of precipitation. The GPM Common Calibrated Brightness Temperature Product is intended to address this problem by providing intercalibrated Tb data, called "Tc" data, where the "c" stands for common. The precipitation algorithms require a Tc file format that is both generic and flexible enough to accommodate the different passive microwave instruments. The format will provide detailed information on the processing history in order to allow future researchers to have a record of what was done. The format will be simple, including the main items of scan time, latitude, longitude, and Tc. It will also provide spacecraft orientation, spacecraft location, orbit, and instrument scan type (cross-track or conical). Another simplification is to store data in real numbers, avoiding the ambiguity of scaled data. Finally, units and descriptions will be provided in the product. The format is built on the concept of a swath, which is a series of scans that have common geolocation and common scan geometry. Scan geometry includes pixels per scan, sensor orientation, scan type, and incidence angles. The Tc algorithm and data format are being tested using the pre-GPM Precipitation Processing System (PPS) software to generate formats and 1/0 routines. In the test, data from SSM/I, TMI, AMSR-E, and WindSat are being processed and written as Tc products.

Stout, John↗

NASA NTRS1993

RENEW v3.2 user's manual, maintenance estimation simulation for Space Station Freedom Program

RENEW is a maintenance event estimation simulation program developed in support of the Space Station Freedom Program (SSFP). This simulation uses reliability and maintainability (R&M) and logistics data to estimate both average and time dependent maintenance demands. The simulation uses Monte Carlo techniques to generate failure and repair times as a function of the R&M and logistics parameters. The estimates are generated for a single type of orbital replacement unit (ORU). The simulation has been in use by the SSFP Work Package 4 prime contractor, Rocketdyne, since January 1991. The RENEW simulation gives closer estimates of performance since it uses a time dependent approach and depicts more factors affecting ORU failure and repair than steady state average calculations. RENEW gives both average and time dependent demand values. Graphs of failures over the mission period and yearly failure occurrences are generated. The averages demand rate for the ORU over the mission period is also calculated. While RENEW displays the results in graphs, the results are also available in a data file for further use by spreadsheets or other programs. The process of using RENEW starts with keyboard entry of the R&M and operational data. Once entered, the data may be saved in a data file for later retrieval. The parameters may be viewed and changed after entry using RENEW. The simulation program runs the number of Monte Carlo simulations requested by the operator. Plots and tables of the results can be viewed on the screen or sent to a printer. The results of the simulation are saved along with the input data. Help screens are provided with each menu and data entry screen.

Bream, Bruce L.↗

NASA NTRS2000

BOREAS RSS-8 BIOME-BGC SSA Simulation of Annual Water and Carbon Fluxes

The BOREAS RSS-8 team performed research to evaluate the effect of seasonal weather and landcover heterogeneity on boreal forest regional water and carbon fluxes using a process-level ecosystem model, BIOME-BGC, coupled with remote sensing-derived parameter maps of key state variables. This data set contains derived maps of landcover type and crown and stem biomass as model inputs to determine annual evapotranspiration, gross primary production, autotrophic respiration, and net primary productivity within the BOREAS SSA-MSA, at a 30-m spatial resolution. Model runs were conducted over a 3-year period from 1994-1996; images are provided for each of those years. The data are stored in binary image format. The data files are available on a CD-ROM (see document number 20010000884), or from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC).

Hall, Forrest G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

An interactive editor for definition of touch-sensitive zones for a graphic display

In the continuing effort to develop more efficient man-machine communications methods, touch displays have shown potential as straightforward input systems. The development of software necessary to handle such systems, however, can become tedious. In order to reduce the need for redundant programming, a touch editor has been developed which allows a programmer to interactively define touch-sensitive areas for a graphic display. The information produced during the editing process is written to a data file, which can be accessed easily when needed by an application program. This paper outlines the structure, logic, and use of the editor, as well as the hardware with which it is presently compatible.

Monroe, Burt L., III↗

NASA NTRS1992

A system for verifying models and classification maps by extraction of information from a variety of data sources

Recent updates to a geographical information system (GIS) called VICAR (Video Image Communication and Retrieval)/IBIS are described. The system is designed to handle data from many different formats (vector, raster, tabular) and many different sources (models, radar images, ground truth surveys, optical images). All the data are referenced to a single georeference plane, and average or typical values for parameters defined within a polygonal region are stored in a tabular file, called an info file. The info file format allows tracking of data in time, maintenance of links between component data sets and the georeference image, conversion of pixel values to `actual' values (e.g., radar cross-section, luminance, temperature), graph plotting, data manipulation, generation of training vectors for classification algorithms, and comparison between actual measurements and model predictions (with ground truth data as input).

Norikane, L.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission: Precipitation Processing System (PPS) GPM Mission Gridded Text Products Provide Surface Precipitation Retrievals

In February 2015, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission core satellite will complete its first year in space. The core satellite carries a conically scanning microwave imager called the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI), which also has 166 GHz and 183 GHz frequency channels. The GPM core satellite also carries a dual frequency radar (DPR) which operates at Ku frequency, similar to the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar, and a new Ka frequency. The precipitation processing system (PPS) is producing swath-based instantaneous precipitation retrievals from GMI, both radars including a dual-frequency product, and a combined GMIDPR precipitation retrieval. These level 2 products are written in the HDF5 format and have many additional parameters beyond surface precipitation that are organized into appropriate groups. While these retrieval algorithms were developed prior to launch and are not optimal, these algorithms are producing very creditable retrievals. It is appropriate for a wide group of users to have access to the GPM retrievals. However, for researchers requiring only surface precipitation, these L2 swath products can appear to be very intimidating and they certainly do contain many more variables than the average researcher needs. Some researchers desire only surface retrievals stored in a simple easily accessible format. In response, PPS has begun to produce gridded text based products that contain just the most widely used variables for each instrument (surface rainfall rate, fraction liquid, fraction convective) in a single line for each grid box that contains one or more observations.This paper will describe the gridded data products that are being produced and provide an overview of their content. Currently two types of gridded products are being produced: (1) surface precipitation retrievals from the core satellite instruments GMI, DPR, and combined GMIDPR (2) surface precipitation retrievals for the partner constellation satellites. Both of these gridded products are generated for a.25 degree x.25 degree hourly grid, which are packaged into daily ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) files that can downloaded from the PPS FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site. To reduce the download size, the files are compressed using the gzip utility.This paper will focus on presenting high-level details about the gridded text product being generated from the instruments on the GPM core satellite. But summary information will also be presented about the partner radiometer gridded product. All retrievals for the partner radiometer are done using the GPROF2014 algorithmusing as input the PPS generated inter-calibrated 1C product for the radiometer.

precipitation↗

NASA NTRS1990

MOM: A meteorological data checking expert system in CLIPS

Meteorologists have long faced the problem of verifying the data they use. Experience shows that there is a sizable number of errors in the data reported by meteorological observers. This is unacceptable for computer forecast models, which depend on accurate data for accurate results. Most errors that occur in meteorological data are obvious to the meteorologist, but time constraints prevent hand-checking. For this reason, it is necessary to have a 'front end' to the computer model to ensure the accuracy of input. Various approaches to automatic data quality control have been developed by several groups. MOM is a rule-based system implemented in CLIPS and utilizing 'consistency checks' and 'range checks'. The system is generic in the sense that it knows some meteorological principles, regardless of specific station characteristics. Specific constraints kept as CLIPS facts in a separate file provide for system flexibility. Preliminary results show that the expert system has detected some inconsistencies not noticed by a local expert.

Odonnell, Richard↗

NASA NTRS1994

A software architecture for automating operations processes

The Operations Engineering Lab (OEL) at JPL has developed a software architecture based on an integrated toolkit approach for simplifying and automating mission operations tasks. The toolkit approach is based on building adaptable, reusable graphical tools that are integrated through a combination of libraries, scripts, and system-level user interface shells. The graphical interface shells are designed to integrate and visually guide a user through the complex steps in an operations process. They provide a user with an integrated system-level picture of an overall process, defining the required inputs and possible output through interactive on-screen graphics. The OEL has developed the software for building these process-oriented graphical user interface (GUI) shells. The OEL Shell development system (OEL Shell) is an extension of JPL's Widget Creation Library (WCL). The OEL Shell system can be used to easily build user interfaces for running complex processes, applications with extensive command-line interfaces, and tool-integration tasks. The interface shells display a logical process flow using arrows and box graphics. They also allow a user to select which output products are desired and which input sources are needed, eliminating the need to know which program and its associated command-line parameters must be executed in each case. The shells have also proved valuable for use as operations training tools because of the OEL Shell hypertext help environment. The OEL toolkit approach is guided by several principles, including the use of ASCII text file interfaces with a multimission format, Perl scripts for mission-specific adaptation code, and programs that include a simple command-line interface for batch mode processing. Projects can adapt the interface shells by simple changes to the resources configuration file. This approach has allowed the development of sophisticated, automated software systems that are easy, cheap, and fast to build. This paper will discuss our toolkit approach and the OEL Shell interface builder in the context of a real operations process example. The paper will discuss the design and implementation of a Ulysses toolkit for generating the mission sequence of events. The Sequence of Events Generation (SEG) system provides an adaptable multimission toolkit for producing a time-ordered listing and timeline display of spacecraft commands, state changes, and required ground activities.

Miller, Kevin J.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Software for Checking Statecharts

HiVy is a software tool set that enables verification through model checking of designs represented as finite-state machines or statecharts. HiVy provides automated translation of (1) statecharts created by use of the MathWorks Stateflow program to (2) Promela, the input language of the Spin model checker, which can then be used to verify, or trace logical errors in, distributed software systems. HiVy can operate directly on Stateflow models, or its abstract syntax of hierarchical sequential automata (HSA) can be used independently as an intermediate format for translation to Promela. In a typical design application, HiVy parses and reformats Stateflow model file data using the programs SfParse and sf2hsa, respectively. If the parsing effort is successful, an abstract syntax tree is delivered into a file named with the extension .hsa. If the design comprises several model files, they may be merged into one .hsa file before translation into Promela. Stateflow scope is preserved, and name clashes are avoided in the merge process. The HiVy program hsa2pr translates the model from the intermediate HSA format into Promela. Additionally, HiVy provides through translation a list of all statechart model propositions that are the means for formalizing linear temporal logic (LTL) properties about the model for Spin verification.

Pingree, Paula↗

NASA NTRS1978

Generalized environmental control and life support system computer program (G1894), phase 3

The work performed during Phase 3 of the Generalized Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS) Computer Program is reported. Phase 3 of this program covered the period from December 1977 to September 1978. The computerized simulation of the Shuttle Orbiter ECLSS was upgraded in the following areas: (1) the payload loop of the Shuttle simulation was completely recoded and checked out; (2) the Shuttle simulation water and freon loop initialization logic was simplified to permit easier program input for the user; (3) the computerized simulation was modified to accept the WASP subroutine, which is a subroutine to evaluate thermal properties of water and freon; (4) the 1108 operating system was upgraded by LEC; (5) the Shuttle simulation was modified to permit failure cases which simulate zero component flow values; and (6) the Shuttle SEPS version was modified and secure files were setup on the 1108 and 1110 systems to permit simulation runs to be made from remote terminals.

Mcenulty, R. E.↗