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At least 667 records · Page 37

Detection of Non-Symmetrical Damage in Smart Plate-Like Structures

A two-dimensional model for in-plane vibrations of a cantilever plate with a non-symmetrical damage is used in the context of defect identification in materials with piezoelectric ceramic patches bonded to their surface. These patches can act both as actuators and sensors in a self-analyzing fashion, which is a characteristic of smart materials. A Galerkin method is used to approximate the dynamic response of these structures. The natural frequency shifts due to the damage are estimated numerically and compared to experimental data obtained from tests on cantilever aluminum plate-like structures damaged at different locations with defects of different depths. The damage location and extent are determined by an enhanced least square identification method. Efficacy of the frequency shift based algorithms is demonstrated using experimental data.

Blanks, H. T.↗

Frequency-selective reflection and transmission by a periodic dielectric layer

The feasibility of using a periodic dielectric layer, composed of alternating bars having dielectric constants epsilon sub 1 and epsilon sub 2, as a frequency selective subreflector in order to permit feed separation in large aperture reflecting antenna systems was examined. For oblique incidence, it is found that total transmission and total reflection can be obtained at different frequencies for proper choices of epsilon sub 1, epsilon sub 2, and the geometric parameters. The frequencies of total reflection and transmission can be estimated from wave phenomena occurring in a layer of uniform dielectric constant equal to the average value for the periodic layers. About some of the frequencies of total transmission, the bandwidth for 90 percent transmission is found to be 40 percent. However, the bandwidth for 90 percent reflection is always found to be much narrower; the greatest value found being 2.5 percent.

Bertoni, Henry L.↗

Determination of tidal h Love number parameters in the diurnal band using an extensive VLBI data set

We use over a decade of geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data to estimate parameters in a resonance expansion of the frequency dependence of the tidal h(sub 2) Love number within the diurnal band. The resonance is associated with the retrograde free core nutation (RFCN). We obtain a value for the real part of the resonance strength of (-0.27 +/- 0.03) x 10(exp -3); a value of -0.19 x 10(exp -3) is predicted theoretically. Uncertainties in the VLBI estimates of the body tide radial displacement amplitudes are approximately 0.5 mm (1.1 mm for the K1 frequency), but they do not yield sufficiently small Love number uncertainties for placing useful constraints on the frequency of the RFCN, given the much smaller uncertainties obtained from independent analyses using nutation or gravimetric data. We also consider the imaginary part of the tidal h(sub 2) Love number. The estimated imaginary part of the resonance strength is (0.00 +/- 0.02) x 10(exp -3). The estimated imaginary part of the nonresonant component of the Love number implies a phase angle in the diurnal tidal response of the Earth of 0.7 deg +/- 0.5 deg (lag).

Mitrovica, J. X.↗

Model optimization using statistical estimation

Program revises initial or prior estimate of stiffness and mass parameters to parameters yielding frequency and mode characteristics in agreement with test data. Variances are also calculated and consequently define uncertainties of final estimates.

Collins, J. D.↗

Apparent motion occurs only between similar spatial frequencies

Whether apparent motion occurs only between targets of similar spatial frequency was examined. A 'crossed phi' method was used, in which two potentially different targets exchange position. If the targets differ in a feature that controls apparent motion then they will appear to move so as to exchange positions; if they differ in an irrelevant feature, no apparent exchange will occur. It was found that apparent motion occurs only between similar spatial frequencies. This result is interpreted in the light of recent models of human visual motion sensing, in which motion estimates are computed separately within a number of spatial frequency bands.

Watson, Andrew B.↗

Single-tone parameter estimation from discrete-time observations

Estimation of the parameters of a single-frequency complex tone from a finite number of noisy discrete-time observations is discussed. The appropriate Cramer-Rao bounds and maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation algorithms are derived. Some properties of the ML estimators are proved. The relationship of ML estimation to the discrete Fourier transform is exploited to obtain practial algorithms. The threshold effect of one algorithm is analyzed and compared to simulation results. Other simulation results verify other aspects of the analysis.

Rife, D. C.↗

On the appropriateness of applying chi-square distribution based confidence intervals to spectral estimates of helicopter flyover data

The validity of applying chi-square based confidence intervals to far-field acoustic flyover spectral estimates was investigated. Simulated data, using a Kendall series and experimental acoustic data from the NASA/McDonnell Douglas 500E acoustics test, were analyzed. Statistical significance tests to determine the equality of distributions of the simulated and experimental data relative to theoretical chi-square distributions were performed. Bias and uncertainty errors associated with the spectral estimates were easily identified from the data sets. A model relating the uncertainty and bias errors to the estimates resulted, which aided in determining the appropriateness of the chi-square distribution based confidence intervals. Such confidence intervals were appropriate for nontonally associated frequencies of the experimental data but were inappropriate for tonally associated estimate distributions. The appropriateness at the tonally associated frequencies was indicated by the presence of bias error and noncomformity of the distributions to the theoretical chi-square distribution. A technique for determining appropriate confidence intervals at the tonally associated frequencies was suggested.

Rutledge, Charles K.↗

Comparison of Instantaneous Frequency Scaling from Rain Attenuation and Optical Disdrometer Measurements at K/Q bands

Rain attenuation is strongly dependent on the rain rate, but also on the rain drop size distribution (DSD). Typically, models utilize an average drop size distribution, such as those developed by Laws and Parsons, or Marshall and Palmer. However, individual rain events may possess drop size distributions which could be significantly different from the average and will impact, for example, fade mitigation techniques which utilize channel performance estimates from a signal at a different frequency. Therefore, a good understanding of the characteristics and variability of the raindrop size distribution is extremely important in predicting rain attenuation and instantaneous frequency scaling parameters on an event-toevent basis. Since June 2014, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) have measured the attenuation due to rain in Milan, Italy, on the 20/40 GHz beacon signal broadcast from the Alphasat TDP#5 Aldo Paraboni Q/V-band Payload. Concomitant with these measurements are the measurements of drop size distribution and rain rate utilizing a Thies Clima laser precipitation monitor (disdrometer). In this paper, we discuss the comparison of the predicted rain attenuation at 20 and 40 GHz derived from the drop size distribution data with the measured rain attenuation. The results are compared on statistical and real-time bases. We will investigate the performance of the rain attenuation model, instantaneous frequency scaling, and the distribution of the scaling factor. Further, seasonal rain characteristics will be analysed.

millimeter wave↗

Nonlinear Dynamic Control Derivative Analysis for Aircraft with Application to Transonic Truss-Braced Wing

This paper presents the development of a nonlinear dynamic control derivative estimation method. A nonlinear aerodynamic model is developed to account for the effects of large control surface deflections on aircraft aerodynamic forces and moments. A series of unsteady RANS CFD simulations is performed to simulate the control surface oscillations at various reduced frequencies. The time-domain data are transformed into the frequency-domain data by a Fourier series analysis. Transfer functions of the dynamic control derivatives are then estimated by a frequency-domain regression. The method is applied to the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) to estimate the dynamic control derivatives for the elevator, aileron, and rudder.

Aircraft Control Derivatives↗

Loop current eddy shedding estimated using Geosat altimeter data

A method for extracting periodic signals from altimeter data is applied in the Gulf of Mexico using data from the first two years of the Geosat Exact Repeat Mission. The least squares fitting of selected frequencies of sine and cosine functions to the time series of sea surface height at each point of the Geosat ground track is used to estimate the dominant frequency in the gulf for this time period. Optimal interpolation of the sine and cosine coefficients at the dominant frequency to a uniformly spaced grid allows reconstruction of the time series in the gulf and shows eddies shedding from the Loop Current with a period of approximately 10.5 months, consistent with shedding periods determined from numerical models and analysis of satellite infrared data. This technique is a novel method for investigation of periodic signals in Geosat altimetry and is not severely affected by the data outages present in the time series.

Jacobs, Gregg A.↗

Enhanced vasomotion of cerebral arterioles in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Intrinsic rhythmic changes in the diameter of pial cerebral arterioles (30-70 microns) in anesthetized normotensive and hypertensive rats were assessed in vivo to determine if any significant differences exist between the two strains. All diameter measurements were analyzed using a traditional graphic analysis technique and a new frequency spectrum analysis technique known as the Prony Spectral Line Estimator. Graphic analysis of the data revealed that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) possess a significantly greater fundamental frequency (5.57 +/- 0.28 cycles/min) of vasomotion compared to the control Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY) (1.95 +/- 0.37 cycles/min). Furthermore, the SHR cerebral arterioles exhibited a significantly greater amplitude of vasomotion (10.07 +/- 0.70 microns) when compared to the WKY cerebral arterioles of the same diameter (8.10 +/- 0.70 microns). Diameter measurements processed with the Prony technique revealed that the fundamental frequency of vasomotion in SHR cerebral arterioles (6.14 +/- 0.39 cycles/min) was also significantly greater than that of the WKY cerebral arterioles (2.99 +/- 0.42 cycles/min). The mean amplitudes of vasomotion in the SHR and WKY strains obtained by the Prony analysis were found not to be statistically significant in contrast to the graphic analysis of the vasomotion amplitude of the arterioles. In addition, the Prony system was able to consistently uncover a very low frequency of vasomotion in both strains of rats that was typically less than 1 cycle/min and was not significantly different between the two strains. The amplitude of this slow frequency was also not significantly different between the two strains. The amplitude of the slow frequency of vasomotion (less than 1 cycle/min) was not different from the amplitude of the higher frequency (2-6 cycles/min) vasomotion by Prony or graphic analysis. These data suggest that a fundamental intrinsic defect exists in the spontaneously hypertensive rat that may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension in these animals.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗

Lunar interaction with the solar wind - Effects on lunar electrical conductivity estimates

The lunar electromagnetic response, measured at very low frequencies with the moon in the solar wind, is used to evaluate interior electrical conductivity at great depth and to determine limits on the size of possible lunar core. A theory is developed wherein compression of the magnetic field in the lunar tail cavity caused by inflowing plasma at the lunar limbs and in the lunar wake, bends the magnetic field in the lunar interior and thereby alters the tangential component of magnetic field observed on the dayside surface. This theory strongly indicates that cavity fringing cannot explain the enhanced East-West fluctuations. It is proposed that the East-West fluctuations might be due to diamagnetic currents caused by lunar surface photoelectrons in the lunar terminator region.

Goldstein, B. E.↗

An investigation of the loads on the vertical tail of a jet-bomber airplane resulting from flight through rough air

Vertical-tail loads were measured in turbulent air on a four-engine jet bomber. Results showed large load oscillations which were lightly damped. Comparison of experimental results with discrete-load calculations indicated that discrete-gust calculations underestimated the loads by 30 to 40 percent and gave no indication of the low damping. Power spectral analysis, on the other hand, indicated the general frequency characteristics and gave a somewhat better estimate of the peak-load distributions. The present results strongly suggest that discrete-gust calculation for gust loads on vertical tails may seriously underestimate the gust loads for airplanes having lightly damped lateral oscillations.

GUSTS, FREQUENCY↗

Loss Factor Estimation Using the Impulse Response Decay Method on a Stiffened Structure

High-frequency vibroacoustic modeling is typically performed using energy-based techniques such as Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA). Energy models require an estimate of the internal damping loss factor. Unfortunately, the loss factor is difficult to estimate analytically, and experimental methods such as the power injection method can require extensive measurements over the structure of interest. This paper discusses the implications of estimating damping loss factors using the impulse response decay method (IRDM) from a limited set of response measurements. An automated procedure for implementing IRDM is described and then evaluated using data from a finite element model of a stiffened, curved panel. Estimated loss factors are compared with loss factors computed using a power injection method and a manual curve fit. The paper discusses the sensitivity of the IRDM loss factor estimates to damping of connected subsystems and the number and location of points in the measurement ensemble.

Cabell, Randolph↗

A Fourier approach to cloud motion estimation

A Fourier phase-difference technique for cloud motion estimation from pairs of pictures is described, and results obtained using this technique are compared with the results of a Fourier-domain cross-correlation scheme. The phase-difference technique makes use of the phase of the cross-spectral density and allows motion estimates to be made for individual spatial frequencies, which are related to cloud pattern dimensions. When objects being tracked do not change their shape, size, and orientation to more than a limited degree, both techniques are effective. The phase difference technique is relatively sensitive to the presence of mixtures of motions, changes in cloud shape, and edge effects; in these circumstances, the cross-correlation scheme is preferable. It is suggested that the Fourier transform phase difference estimation methods can be applied in problems such as landmark matching.

Arking, A.↗

Multipath induced errors in meteorological Doppler/interferometer location systems

One application of an RF interferometer aboard a low-orbiting spacecraft to determine the location of ground-based transmitters is in tracking high-altitude balloons for meteorological studies. A source of error in this application is reflection of the signal from the sea surface. Through propagating and signal analysis, the magnitude of the reflection-induced error in both Doppler frequency measurements and interferometer phase measurements was estimated. The theory of diffuse scattering from random surfaces was applied to obtain the power spectral density of the reflected signal. The processing of the combined direct and reflected signals was then analyzed to find the statistics of the measurement error. It was found that the error varies greatly during the satellite overpass and attains its maximum value at closest approach. The maximum values of interferometer phase error and Doppler frequency error found for the system configuration considered were comparable to thermal noise-induced error.

Wallace, R. G.↗

Frequencies and Characteristics of Global Oceanic Precipitation from Shipboard Present-Weather Reports

Ship reports of present weather obtained from the Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set are analyzed for the period 1958-91 in order to elucidate regional and seasonal variations in the climatological frequency, phase, intensity, and character of oceanic precipitation. Specific findings of note include the following: 1) The frequency of thunderstorm reports, relative to all precipitation reports, is a strong function of location, with thunderstorm activity being favored within 1000-3000 km of major tropical and subtropical land masses, while being quite rare at other locations, even within the intertropical convergence zone. 2) The latitudinal frequency of precipitation over the southern oceans increases steadily toward the Antarctic continent and shows relatively little seasonal variation. The frequency of convective activity, however, shows considerable seasonal variability, with sharp winter maxima occurring near 38 deg. latitude in both hemispheres. 3) Drizzle is the preferred form of precipitation in a number of regions, most of which coincide with known regions of persistent marine stratus and stratocumulus in the subtropical highs. Less well documented is the high relative frequency of drizzle in the vicinity of the equatorial sea surface temperature front in the eastern Pacific. 4) Regional differences in the temporal scale of precipitation events (e.g., transient showers versus steady precipitation) are clearly depicted by way of the ratio of the frequency of precipitation at the observation time to the frequency of all precipitation reports, including precipitation during the previous hour. The results of this study suggest that many current satellite rainfall estimation techniques may substantially underestimate the fractional coverage or frequency of precipitation poleward of 50 deg. latitude and in the subtropical dry zones. They also draw attention to the need to carefully account for regional differences in the physical and spatial properties of rainfall when developing calibration relationships for satellite algorithms.

Petty, Grant W.↗

Multilayered models for electromagnetic reflection amplitudes

The remote sensing of snowpack characteristics with surface installations or with an airborne system could have important applications in water resource management and flood prediction. To derive some insight into such applications, the electromagnetic response of multilayer snow models is analyzed. Normally incident plane waves are assumed at frequencies ranging from 10 to the 6th power to 10 to the 10th power Hz, and amplitude reflection coefficients are calculated for models having various snow-layer combinations, including ice sheets. Layers are defined by a thickness, permittivity, and conductivity; the electrical parameters are constant or prescribed functions of frequency. To illustrate the effect of various layering combinations, results are given in the form of curves of amplitude reflection coefficients, versus frequency for a variety of models. Under simplifying assumptions, the snow thickness and effective dielectric constant can be estimated from the reflection coefficient variations as a function of frequency.

Linlor, W. I.↗