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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1996

Diffractive Optical Elements for Lidar Beam Scanning

Wind measurement from space can provide critical data for understanding weather patterns and large-scale storm phenomena. An instrument for providing such measurements is currently under development at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The instrument utilizes a pulsed coherent lidar system operating at a wavelength of 2.06 micrometers in order to achieve decreased weight, size, and cost compared to systems operating at longer wavelengths, and it is being developed to be compatible with the capabilities of small satellites. A key aspect of such an orbital lidar system is that the beam must be conically scanned after it exits the final beam expansion telescope. Previous work indicates that the aperture of the beam expansion telescope should be 50 cm with a scanner half-angle of 300 and a rotation rate of 10 RPM. The critical requirements for the beam scanning element include a 50 cm aperture, an induced wavefront error of less than lambda/10, and high efficiency deflection (i.e., 95+ % of the incident light is deflected). This report is intended to provide a brief overview and discussion of potential technologies for space-borne laser radar (lidar) beam scanning.

Nordin, Gregory P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Evaluating the design of an Earth Radiation Budget Instrument with systen simulations. Part 1: Instantaneous estimates

A set of system simulations has been performed to evaluate candidate scanner designs for an Earth Radiation Budget Instrument (ERBI) for the Earth Observing System (EOS) of the late 1990s. Five different instruments are considered: (1) the Active Cavity Array (ACA), (2) the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System-Instrument (CERES-I), (3) the Conically Scanning Radiometer (CSR), (4) the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment Cross-Track Scanner (ERBE), and (5) the Nimbus-7 Biaxial Scanner (N7). Errors in instantaneous, top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) satellite flux estimates are assumed to arise from two measurement problems: the sampling of space over a given geographic domain, and sampling in angle about a given spatial location. When angular sampling errors vanish due to the application of correct angular dependence models (ADMs) during inversion, the accuracy of each scanner design is determined by the instrument's ability to map the TOA radiance field in a uniform manner. In this regard, the instruments containing a cross-track scanning component (CERES-I and ERBE) do best. As errors in ADMs are encountered, cross-track instruments incur angular sampling errors more rapidly than biaxial instruments (N7, ACA, and CSR) and eventually overtake the biaxial designs in their total error amounts. A latitude bias (north-south error gradient) in the ADM error of cross-track instruments also exists. This would be objectionable when ADM errors are systematic over large areas of the globe. For instantaneous errors, however, cross-track scanners outperform biaxial or conical scanners for 2.5 deg latitude x 2.5 deg longitude target areas, providing that the ADM error is less than or equal to 30%. A key issue is the amount of systematic ADM error (departures from the mean models) that is present at the 2.5 deg resolution of the ERBE target areas. If this error is less than 30%, then the CERES-I, ERBE, and CSR, in order of increasing error, provide the most accurate instantaneous flux estimates, within 2-3 W/sq m of each other in reflected shortwave flux. The magnitude of this error is near the 10 W/sq m accuracy requirement of the user community. Longwave flux errors have been found to have the same space and time characteristics as errors in shortwave radiation, but only about 25% as large.

Stowe, Larry↗
NASA NTRS1991

Evaluating the design of satellite scanning radiometers for earth radiation budget measurements with system simulations. Part 1: Instantaneous estimates

A set of system simulations was performed to evaluate candidate scanner configurations to fly as a part of the Earth Radiation Budget Instrument (ERBI) on the polar platforms during the 1990's. The simulation is considered of instantaneous sampling (without diurnal averaging) of the longwave and shortwave fluxes at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). After measurement and subsequent inversion to the TOA, the measured fluxes were compared to the reference fluxes for 2.5 deg lat/long resolution targets. The reference fluxes at this resolution are obtained by integrating over the 25 x 25 = 625 grid elements in each target. The differences between each of these two resultant spatially averaged sets of target measurements (errors) are taken and then statistically summarized. Five instruments are considered: (1) the Conically Scanning Radiometer (CSR); (2) the ERBE Cross Track Scanner; (3) the Nimbus-7 Biaxial Scanner; (4) the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System Instrument (CERES-1); and (5) the Active Cavity Array (ACA). Identical studies of instantaneous error were completed for many days, two seasons, and several satellite equator crossing longitudes. The longwave flux errors were found to have the same space and time characteristics as for the shortwave fluxes, but the errors are only about 25 pct. of the shortwave errors.

Stowe, Larry↗
DOE OSTI2025

WHYMSIE-SGP Field Campaign Report

Through a partnership between the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this field campaign demonstrated first-of-its-kind hyperspectral microwave airborne measurements (Conical Scanning Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer [CoSMIR-H]). It was complemented by other passive (infrared, visible) and active (lidar) sensors onboard the NASA ER-2 aircraft. Serving as a future NASA planetary boundary-layer (PBL) mission prototype, the Westcoast and Heartland Hyperspectral Microwave Intensive Experiment (WH 2 yMSIE, formerly WHyMSIE) aimed to capture a wide variety of thermodynamic, moisture, and PBL regimes across a variety of surface types. The intensive operating period of the campaign spanned from October 22, 2024, through November 15, 2024, and included a large network of collaborators.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

AWAKEN CLAMPS1 Doppler Lidar VAD Data

These files contain 24 hour periods of data collected from the CLAMPS1 Halo Streamline XR+ Doppler lidar. The Doppler lidar conducts regular conical scans at a set elevation angle. These data are then passed through a typical VAD algorithm to retrieve horizontal wind speed and direction profiles. These data were collected during the AWAKEN project.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

AWAKEN CLAMPS2 Doppler Lidar VAD Data

These files contain 24 hour periods of data collected from the CLAMPS2 Halo Streamline XR+ Doppler lidar. The Doppler lidar conducts regular conical scans at a set elevation angle. These data are then passed through a typical VAD algorithm to retrieve horizontal wind speed and direction profiles. These data were collected during the AWAKEN project.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1976

Wind measurement system

A system for remotely measuring vertical and horizontal winds present in discrete volumes of air at selected locations above the ground is described. A laser beam is optically focused in range by a telescope, and the output beam is conically scanned at an angle about a vertical axis. The backscatter, or reflected light, from the ambient particulates in a volume of air, the focal volume, is detected for shifts in wavelength, and from these, horizontal and vertical wind components are computed.

Cliff, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Aircraft measurements of the microwave scattering signature of the ocean

Microwave scattering signatures of the ocean have been measured over a range of surface wind speeds from 3 m/s to 23.6 m/s using the AAFE RADSCAT scatterometer in an aircraft. Normalized scattering coefficients are presented for vertical and horizontal polarizations as a function of incidence angle (nadir to 55 deg) and radar azimuth angle (0 to 360 deg) relative to surface wind direction. For a given radar polarization, incidence angle, and azimuth angle relative to the wind direction, these scattering data exhibit a power law dependence on surface wind speed. The relation of the scattering coefficient to azimuth angle obtained during aircraft circles (antenna conical scans) is anisotropic and suggests that microwave scatterometers can be used to infer both wind speed and direction. These results have been used for the design of the Seasat-A Satellite Scatterometer (SASS) to be flown in 1978 on this first NASA oceanographic satellite.

Jones, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Feasibility of inertialess conscan utilizing modified DSN feedsystems

The closed-loop conical-scan (conscan) technique has proven to be a useful method for pointing the DSN antennas more accurately than is possible by open-loop methods. As presently implemented, the antenna beam is scanned about the received signal direction by physical movement of the antenna. While straightforward, this approach has at least two disadvantages. Firstly, because of structural distortions, finite angle encoder resolution, and drive servo response, the actual antenna beam direction only approximates the commanded beam direction. Secondly, because of the large mass moved during scan, the rate of scan is severely restricted. If there are significant gain or signal level variations during a scan period, the conscan system interprets these variations as antenna pointing error. Both of these disadvantages would be alleviated in an inertialess conscan system in which the beam scanning was performed electronically. Recently, standard JPL antenna feedhorn software was upgraded to calculate, among other things, asymmetric corrugated horn radiation patterns of the type that would be needed for electronic beam scan. The required horn excitation is discussed and the results were described.

Potter, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Absolute tracer dye concentration using airborne laser-induced water Raman backscatter

The use of simultaneous airborne-laser-induced dye fluorescence and water Raman backscatter to measure the absolute concentration of an ocean-dispersed tracer dye is discussed. Theoretical considerations of the calculation of dye concentration by the numerical comparison of airborne laser-induced fluorescence spectra with laboratory spectra for known dye concentrations using the 3400/cm OH-stretch water Raman scatter as a calibration signal are presented which show that minimum errors are obtained and no data concerning water mass transmission properties are required when the laser wavelength is chosen to yield a Raman signal near the dye emission band. Results of field experiments conducted with an airborne conical scan lidar over a site in New York Bight into which rhodamine dye had been injected in a study of oil spill dispersion are then indicated which resulted in a contour map of dye concentrations, with a minimum detectable dye concentration of approximately 2 ppb by weight.

Hoge, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

NASA/MSFC ground-based Doppler lidar nocturnal boundary layer experiment (Noblex)

During the summer of 1982, NASA/MSFC's ground-based CO2 Doppler Lidar Velocimeter (DLV) was deployed at the Denver Stapleton Airport as part of NASA's participation in the JAWS (Joint Airport Weather Studies) program. Configured to measure the radial wind component within a 10 km radius, the conically scanning lidar was used to examine the evolution of a nocturnal boundary layer under the conditions of cloud free skies and rolling terrain. A valley drainage flow was detected and a two dimension flow visualization constructed. The depth of the gravity current was -700 meters while the depth of the creek valley was -150 meters. This deep drainage flow was detectable for distances of 30 to 40 km from the exit region of the valley. Although the sample period (2000 to 2300 CST) was short and only one nocturnal boundary layer case examined, the usefulness of the DLV was demonstrated as well as the care that must be exercised in interpreting lidar data taken in a stable boundary layer in the vicinity of subtle terrain features.

Emmitt, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Some case studies of ocean wave physical processes utilizing the GSFC airborne radar ocean wave spectrometer

The NASA K sub u band Radar Ocean Wave Spectrometer (ROWS) is an experimental prototype of a possible future satellite instrument for low data rate global waves measurements. The ROWS technique, which utilizes short pulse radar altimeters in a conical scan mode near vertical incidence to map the directional slope spectrum in wave number and azimuth, is briefly described. The potential of the technique is illustrated by some specific case studies of wave physical processes utilizing the aircraft ROWS data. These include: (1) an evaluation of numerical hindcast model performance in storm sea conditions, (2) a study of fetch limited wave growth, and (3) a study of the fully developed sea state. Results of these studies, which are briefly summarized, show how directional wave spectral observations from a mobile platform can contribute enormously to our understanding of wave physical processes.

Jackson, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparison of wind and turbulence measurements from Doppler lidar and instrumented aircraft

Wind fields were measured with the ground based lidar, NOAA Wave Propagation Laboratory and with the NASA B-57B instrumented aircraft. The remotely sensed winds are compared with the in situ aircraft measurements. Three flight plans were carried out during the two different field programs. At NASA/MSFC the aircraft circled while the lidar scanned conically and the aircraft flew 6 deg approach path along the fixed lidar beam. The aircraft flew an approach along the lidar beam directed south-north (parallel to the mountain range) and a climbout along the lidar beam which alternately shifted east-west (perpendicular to the mountain range). Turbulence intensities and spectra were calculated from the temporal fluctuations in the lidar-measured radial wind speed component. These field tests provided unique sets of data to examine the mean wind and turbulence measurements made by remote sensing instruments. The comparison of aircraft measured turbulence intensities and spectra with lidar time histories of radial wind speed were in good agreement.

Huang, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

New antenna feed revitalizes Space Shuttle tracker at NASA Edwards

An account is given of the upgrading of a 12-ft-diameter single-channel monopulse tracking system, which had been relegated to slaved backup status at NASA Edwards, to support research flights for Ames Dryden Research Center and for tracking orbital passes of the Space Shuttle and Shuttle landings both at Edwards and at White Sands. The improved system is now a stand-alone telemetry tracking system. A new conical scanning feed (known as Radscan) replaces the single channel monopulse feed in the upgraded system. Where previously the system would not autotrack at elevation angles below 5 degrees, it now automatically acquires the Space Shuttle when it appears on the horizon and autotracks from approximately 2 degrees in elevation to touchdown, and does so virtually unattended.

Wrin, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Spectrasat - A hybrid ROWS/SAR approach to monitor ocean waves from space

Evidence from both Seasat and the Shuttle Imaging Radar indicates that Doppler contamination in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) at the shorter azimuth (along-track) ocean wavelengths can seriously limit the instrument performance. Although the problem is alleviated at low orbital altitudes, it is never completely eliminated, particularly for higher wave slopes. By combining a SAR with a conically scanning altimeter (a radar ocean-wave spectrometer) on a common low-altitude platform, the disadvantages of each tend to be offset by the advantages of the other. Thus, a hybrid combination of the two may be the most practical approach to monitoring ocean waves from space.

Beal, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Pointing a ground antenna at a spinning spacecraft using Conscan-simulation results

The results are presented for an investigation of ground antenna pointing errors which are caused by fluctuations of the receiver AGC signal due to thermal noise and a spinning spacecraft. Transient responses and steady-state errors and losses are estimated using models of the digital Conscan (conical scan) loop, the FFT, and antenna characteristics. Simulation results are given for the on-going Voyager mission and for the upcoming Galileo mission, which includes a spinning spacecraft. The simulation predicts a 1 sigma pointing error of 0.5 to 2.0 mdeg for Voyager, assuming an AGC loop SNR of 35 to 30 dB with a scan period varying from 128 to 32 sec, respectively. This prediction is in agreement with the DSS 14 antenna Conscan performance of 1.7 mdeg for 32 sec scans as reported in earlier studies. The simulation of Galileo predicts 1 mdeg error with a 128 sec scan and 4 mdeg with a 32 sec scan under similar AGC conditions.

Mileant, A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Simulation of the Performances of WIND, an Airborne CO2 Lidar

An airborne Doppler coherent lidar is under development as a joint project between France and Germany. The instrument is designed around CO2 laser technology, heterodyne detection, and a conical scanning of the line-of-site. The 10 micron domain is suitable for long range measurements due to the maturity of the technology and because it corresponds to an atmospheric window. The objectives of WIND are twofold: (1) to conduct mesoscale scientific studies in particular over oceanic and inhomogeneous terrain areas; and (2) to support the Earth-orbiting wind lidar projects.

Oh, D.↗