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At least 73 records · Page 4

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NASA NTRS2000

Information Theoretic Extraction of EEG Features for Monitoring Subject Attention

The goal of this project was to test the applicability of information theoretic learning (feasibility study) to develop new brain computer interfaces (BCI). The difficulty to BCI comes from several aspects: (1) the effective data collection of signals related to cognition; (2) the preprocessing of these signals to extract the relevant information; (3) the pattern recognition methodology to detect reliably the signals related to cognitive states. We only addressed the two last aspects in this research. We started by evaluating an information theoretic measure of distance (Bhattacharyya distance) for BCI performance with good predictive results. We also compared several features to detect the presence of event related desynchronization (ERD) and synchronization (ERS), and concluded that at least for now the bandpass filtering is the best compromise between simplicity and performance. Finally, we implemented several classifiers for temporal - pattern recognition. We found out that the performance of temporal classifiers is superior to static classifiers but not by much. We conclude by stating that the future of BCI should be found in alternate approaches to sense, collect and process the signals created by populations of neurons. Towards this goal, cross-disciplinary teams of neuroscientists and engineers should be funded to approach BCIs from a much more principled view point.

Principe, Jose C.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Prognostics and Health Monitoring: Application to Electric Vehicles

As more and more electric vehicles emerge in our daily operation progressively, a very critical challenge lies in the prediction of remaining driving-time distance (for cars) or flying time-distance (for aircraft). This information is important, particularly in the case of unmanned vehicles, because such vehicles can become self-aware, autonomously compute its own capabilities, and identify how to best plan and successfully complete vehicular missions safely. In case of electric aircrafts, computing remaining flying time is also safety-critical, since an aircraft that runs out of power (battery charge) while in the air will eventually lose control leading to catastrophe. In order to tackle and solve the prediction problem, it is essential to have awareness of the current state and health of the system, especially since it is necessary to perform condition-based predictions. To be able to predict the future state of the system, it is also required to possess knowledge of the current and future operations of the vehicle.

Electric Vehicles↗

NASA NTRS2019

Scenario Complexity for Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic

UTM↗

NASA NTRS2019

Scenario Complexity for Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic

This work introduces an approach to estimate the complexity of a low-altitude air traffic scenario involving multiple UASs using mathematical programming. Given a set of multi-point UAS flight trajectories, vehicle dynamics, and a conflict resolution algorithm, an abstract model is developed such that it can be solved quickly using a mathematical programming optimization software without running high-fidelity simulations that can be computationally expensive and may not suit real-time apA quick and accurate assessment of complexity for a given traffic scenario can help plan and schedule flights to alleviate traffic bottleneck and mitigate operation risks, especially for unmanned aerial system traffic management where high traffic density or complexity is expected. This work introduces a traffic scenario complexity metric that was constructed based on the number of potential conflicts weighted by the conflict resolution cost associated. The cost associated with a conflict is calculated based on the corresponding conflict resolution maneuvers. To obtain the conflict resolution maneuvers, a MILP-based optimization was formulated with the vehicle model and conflict management parameters incorporated. To evaluate the complexity metrics, an approach of using measurements from high-fidelity simulations was proposed. The scenario complexity measurements for 920 random-generated scenarios were obtained through high-fidelity simulations and treated as the ground truth. Two statistics methods: Pearson and Alternative Conditional Expectations were applied for analysis. The results showed that the number of flights has low correlation with the scenario complexity according to the correlation coefficients calculated by both methods. The Alternative Conditional Expectations method shows that the proposed scenario complexity metric has better correlation with the ground truth than the number of potential conflicts.plications. In the abstract model, each vehicle is represented by a time-varied vector associated with position, speed, and heading information. The total extra distance that aircraft need to divert from their original routes to avoid collisions is computed and used to setup a quadratic programming formula. The metrics including the number of conflicts and extra distances travelled by all vehicles are then utilized to estimate the complexity of a given UAS flight scenario. Results and verification against high-fidelity simulations will be provided in the final draft.

traffic complexity↗

NASA NTRS2001

Use of abnormal preprophase bands to decipher division plane determination

Many premitotic plant cells possess a cortical preprophase band of microtubules and actin filaments that encircles the nucleus. In vacuolated cells, the preprophase band is visibly connected to the nucleus by a cytoplasmic raft of actin filaments and microtubules termed the phragmosome. Typically, the location of the preprophase band and phragmosome corresponds to, and thus is thought to influence, the location of the cell division plane. To better understand the function of the preprophase band and phragmosome in orienting division, we used a green fluorescent protein-based microtubule reporter protein to observe mitosis in living tobacco bright yellow 2 cells possessing unusual preprophase bands. Observations of mitosis in these unusual cells support the involvement of the preprophase band/phragmosome in properly positioning the preprophase nucleus, influencing spindle orientation such that the cytokinetic phragmoplast initially grows in an appropriate direction, and delineating a region in the cell cortex that attracts microtubules and directs later stages of phragmoplast growth. Thus, the preprophase band/phragmosome appears to perform several interrelated functions to orient the division plane. However, functional information associated with the preprophase band is not always used or needed and there appears to be an age or distance-dependent character to the information. Cells treated with the anti-actin drug, latrunculin B, are still able to position the preprophase nucleus suggesting that microtubules may play a dominant role in premitotic positioning. Furthermore, in treated cells, spindle location and phragmoplast insertion are frequently abnormal suggesting that actin plays a significant role in nuclear anchoring and phragmoplast guidance. Thus, the microtubule and actin components of the preprophase band/phragmosome execute complementary activities to ensure proper orientation of the division plane.

NASA Discipline Plant Biology↗

NASA NTRS1966

Generalized minimum distance decoding.

Generalized minimum distance decoding that permits likelihood information to be used, yielding same probability of error as maximum likelihood decoding

DISTANCE MEASURING EQUIPMENT↗

NASA NTRS1981

In-trail following during profile descents with a cockpit display of traffic information

Four line pilots performed simulator flights of 747s on different air routes in conditions of following other aircraft while maintaining a specified temporal flight interval separation. The flights were made in the heading-select mode of the autopilot, and the pitch wheel or altitude select/hold mode with the throttle on manual. A cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) on a CRT was presented in front of the throttles. A VOR radial with dotted centerlines and sidebands representing 3 km intervals was displayed, along with scales of distance depending on altitude. Traffic information was updated every four seconds. Simulated flights began at cruise and followed a standard profile descent, and traffic following intervals of 60, 80, 120, and 140 seconds were presented in different trials. Results indicated that a CDTI was sufficient instrumentation for trailing other aircraft, with low error rates up to the point of landing preparations.

Chappell, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Quantum-Classical Hybrid for Information Processing

Based upon quantum-inspired entanglement in quantum-classical hybrids, a simple algorithm for instantaneous transmissions of non-intentional messages (chosen at random) to remote distances is proposed. The idea is to implement instantaneous transmission of conditional information on remote distances via a quantum-classical hybrid that preserves superposition of random solutions, while allowing one to measure its state variables using classical methods. Such a hybrid system reinforces the advantages, and minimizes the limitations, of both quantum and classical characteristics. Consider n observers, and assume that each of them gets a copy of the system and runs it separately. Although they run identical systems, the outcomes of even synchronized runs may be different because the solutions of these systems are random. However, the global constrain must be satisfied. Therefore, if the observer #1 (the sender) made a measurement of the acceleration v(sub 1) at t =T, then the receiver, by measuring the corresponding acceleration v(sub 1) at t =T, may get a wrong value because the accelerations are random, and only their ratios are deterministic. Obviously, the transmission of this knowledge is instantaneous as soon as the measurements have been performed. In addition to that, the distance between the observers is irrelevant because the x-coordinate does not enter the governing equations. However, the Shannon information transmitted is zero. None of the senders can control the outcomes of their measurements because they are random. The senders cannot transmit intentional messages. Nevertheless, based on the transmitted knowledge, they can coordinate their actions based on conditional information. If the observer #1 knows his own measurements, the measurements of the others can be fully determined. It is important to emphasize that the origin of entanglement of all the observers is the joint probability density that couples their actions. There is no centralized source, or a sender of the signal, because each receiver can become a sender as well. An observer receives a signal by performing certain measurements synchronized with the measurements of the others. This means that the signal is uniformly and simultaneously distributed over the observers in a decentralized way. The signals transmit no intentional information that would favor one agent over another. All the sequence of signals received by different observers are not only statistically equivalent, but are also point-by-point identical. It is important to assume that each agent knows that the other agent simultaneously receives the identical signals. The sequences of the signals are true random, so that no agent could predict the next step with the probability different from those described by the density. Under these quite general assumptions, the entangled observers-agents can perform non-trivial tasks that include transmission of conditional information from one agent to another, simple paradigm of cooperation, etc. The problem of behavior of intelligent agents correlated by identical random messages in a decentralized way has its own significance: it simulates evolutionary behavior of biological and social systems correlated only via simultaneous sensoring sequences of unexpected events.

Zak, Michail↗

NASA NTRS2005

Self-dissimilarity as a High Dimensional Complexity Measure

For many systems characterized as "complex" the patterns exhibited on different scales differ markedly from one another. For example the biomass distribution in a human body "looks very different" depending on the scale at which one examines it. Conversely, the patterns at different scales in "simple" systems (e.g., gases, mountains, crystals) vary little from one scale to another. Accordingly, the degrees of self-dissimilarity between the patterns of a system at various scales constitute a complexity "signature" of that system. Here we present a novel quantification of self-dissimilarity. This signature can, if desired, incorporate a novel information-theoretic measure of the distance between probability distributions that we derive here. Whatever distance measure is chosen, our quantification of self-dissimilarity can be measured for many kinds of real-world data. This allows comparisons of the complexity signatures of wholly different kinds of systems (e.g., systems involving information density in a digital computer vs. species densities in a rain-forest vs. capital density in an economy, etc.). Moreover, in contrast to many other suggested complexity measures, evaluating the self-dissimilarity of a system does not require one to already have a model of the system. These facts may allow self-dissimilarity signatures to be used a s the underlying observational variables of an eventual overarching theory relating all complex systems. To illustrate self-dissimilarity we present several numerical experiments. In particular, we show that underlying structure of the logistic map is picked out by the self-dissimilarity signature of time series produced by that map

Wolpert, David H.↗

NASA NTRS1971

New results and techniques in space radio astronomy.

The methods and results of early space radioastronomy experiments are reviewed, with emphasis on the RAE 1 spacecraft which was designed specifically and exclusively for radio astronomical studies. The RAE 1 carries two gravity-gradient-stabilized 229-m traveling-wave V-antennas, a 37-m dipole antenna, and a number of radiometer systems to provide measurements over the 0.2 to 9.2 MHz frequency range with a time resolution of 0.5 sec and an absolute accuracy of plus or minus 25%. Observations of solar bursts at frequencies down to 0.2 MHz provide new information on the density, plasma velocity, and dynamics of coronal streamers out to distances greater than 50 solar radii. New information on the distribution of the ionized component of the interstellar medium is being obtained from galactic continuum background maps at frequencies around 4 MHz. Cosmic noise background spectra measured down to 0.5 MHz produce new estimates on the interstellar flux of cosmic rays, on magnetic fields in the galactic halo, and on distant extragalactic radio sources.

Alexander, J. K.↗

NASA NTRS2005

A Compact Instrument for Remote Raman and Fluorescence Measurements to a Radial Distance of 100 m

Compact remote spectroscopic instruments that could provide detailed information about mineralogy, organic and biomaterials on a planetary surface over a relatively large area are desirable for NASA s planetary exploration program. Ability to explore a large area on the planetary surfaces as well as in impact craters from a fixed location of a rover or lander will enhance the probability of selecting target rocks of high scientific contents as well as desirable sites in search of organic compounds and biomarkers on Mars and other planetary bodies. We have developed a combined remote inelastic scattering (Raman) and laser-induced fluorescence emission (LIFE) compact instrument capable of providing accurate information about minerals, organic and biogenic materials to a radial distance of 100 m. Here we present the Raman and LIFE (R-LIFE) data set.

Sharma, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Effective Utilization of Commercial Wireless Networking Technology in Planetary Environments

The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of commercial, off-the-shelf wireless networking technology in planetary exploration applications involving rovers and sensor webs. The three objectives of this research project are to: 1) simulate the radio frequency environment of proposed landing sites on Mars using actual topographic data, 2) analyze the performance of current wireless networking standards in the simulated radio frequency environment, and 3) propose modifications to the standards for more efficient utilization. In this annual report, we present our results for the second year of research. During this year, the effort has focussed on the second objective of analyzing the performance of the IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.1lb wireless networking standards in the simulated radio frequency environment of Mars. The approach builds upon our previous results which deterministically modelled the RF environment at selected sites on Mars using high-resolution topographical data. These results provide critical information regarding antenna coverage patterns, maximum link distances, effects of surface clutter, and multipath effects. Using these previous results, the physical layer of these wireless networking standards has now been simulated and analyzed in the Martian environment. We are looking to extending these results to the and medium access layer next. Our results give us critical information regarding the performance (data rates, packet error rates, link distances, etc.) of IEEE 802.1 la/b wireless networks. This information enables a critical examination of how these wireless networks may be utilized in future Mars missions and how they may be possibly modified for more optimal usage.

Caulev, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1988

Distributed proximity sensor system

The invention relates to sensors embedded on the surface of a robot hand, or other moving member. By distributing proximity sensors capable of detecting distances and angles to points on the surface of an object, information is obtained for achieving noncontacting shape and distance perception, i.e., for automatic determination of the object's shape, direction, and distance, as well as the orientation of the object relative to the robot hand or other moving member.

Lee, Sukhan↗

NASA NTRS2005

Thruster Plume Plasma Diagnostics: A Ground Chamber Experiment for a 2-Kilowatt Arcjet

Although detailed near field (0 to 3 cm) information regarding the exhaust plume of a two kilowatt arc jet is available (refs. 1 to 6), there is virtually little or no information (outside of theoretical extrapolations) available concerning the far field (2.6 to 6.1 m). Furthermore real information about the plasma at distances between (3 to 6 m) is of critical importance to high technology satellite companies in understanding the effect of arc jet plume exhausts on space based power systems. It is therefore of utmost importance that one understands the exact nature of the interaction between the arc jet plume, the spacecraft power system and the surrounding electrical plasma environment. A good first step in understanding the nature of the interactions lies in making the needed plume parameter measurements in the far field. All diagnostic measurements are performed inside a large vacuum system (12 m diameter by 18 m high) with a full scale arc jet and solar array panel in the required flight configuration geometry. Thus, necessary information regarding the plume plasma parameters in the far field is obtained. Measurements of the floating potential, the plasma potential, the electron temperature, number density, density distribution, debye length, and plasma frequency are obtained at various locations about the array (at vertical distances from the arc jet nozzle: 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 3.2, 3.6, 4.0, 4.9, 5.0, 5.4, 5.75, and 6.14 m). Plasma diagnostic parameters are measured for both the floating and grounded configurations of the arc jet anode and array. Spectroscopic optical measurements are then acquired in close proximity to the nozzle, and contamination measurements are made in the vicinity of the array utilizing a mass spectrometer and two Quartz Crystal Microbalances (QCM's).

Galofaro, Joel T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Lunar dust transport and potential interactions with power system components

The lunar surface is covered by a thick blanket of fine dust. This dust may be readily suspended from the surface and transported by a variety of mechanisms. As a consequence, lunar dust can accumulate on sensitive power components, such as photovoltaic arrays and radiator surfaces, reducing their performance. In addition to natural mechanisms, human activities on the Moon will disturb significant amounts of lunar dust. Of all the mechanisms identified, the most serious is rocket launch and landing. The return of components from the Surveyor 3 provided a rare opportunity to observe the effects of the nearby landing of the Apollo 12 Lunar Module. The evidence proved that significant dust accumulation occurred on the Surveyor at a distance of 155 m. From available information on particle suspension and transport mechanisms, a series of models was developed to predict dust accumulation as a function of distance from the lunar module. The accumulation distribution was extrapolated to a future Lunar Lander scenario. These models indicate that accumulation is expected to be substantial even as far as 2 km from the landing site. Estimates of the performance penalties associated with lunar dust coverage and photovoltaic arrays are presented. Because of the lunar dust adhesive and cohesive properties, the most practical dust defensive strategy appears to be the protection of sensitive components from the arrival of lunar dust by location, orientation, or barriers.

Katzan, Cynthia M.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Interpretation of glory undulations in scattering cross sections Amplitudes

Information on the interaction potential contained in the undulations in the energy dependence of the total scattering cross section is deduced by measuring the undulation amplitude. The amplitude is interpreted with emphasis on features that are independent of any specific assumptions about the form of the interaction potential. It is shown that the previously measured spacings of the undulations describe the area of the potential well, whereas the amplitudes provide a measure of the force in the vicinity of the distance of closest approach. This information can be used to test proposed potential models and to suggest ways of improving inadequate models; if the predicted spacing is too large, then the area of the well of the model is too small, and if the predicted amplitude is too small, then the repulsive wall of the potential is too steep.

Greene, E. F.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Relative size perception at a distance is best at eye level

Relative size judgments were collected for two objects at 30.5 m and 23.8 from the observer in order to assess how performance depends on the relationship between the size of the objects and the eye level of the observer. In three experiments in an indoor hallway and in one experiment outdoors, accuracy was higher for objects in the neighborhood of eye level. We consider these results in the light of two hypotheses. One proposes that observers localize the horizon as a reference for judging relative size, and the other proposes that observers perceive the general neighborhood of the horizon and then employ a height-in-visual-field heuristic. The finding that relative size judgments are best around the horizon implies that information that is independent of distance perception is used in perceiving size.

NASA Center ARC↗

NASA NTRS1986

The minimum distance to the far field in a magnetized plasma

The conditions necessary to determine the minimum distance to the far-field zone are obtained for a finite source, emitting waves within an anisotropic medium. Although this distance is well known for free-space applications, little information is available pertaining to the far-field distance in an anisotropic medium such as a magnetized plasma. In this paper it is shown that the free-space criteria are not applicable to anisotropic media and, in some instances, they fail dramatically. It is shown that the principal curvatures of the wave number surface are important in determining the far-field distance. In an anisotropic medium, the principal curvatures depend upon the wave normal or propagation angle of the wave. Thus, the far-field distance depends not only upon the wavelength or magnitude of k, but also upon the direction of k as well. This implies that the far-field distance is not a constant at a given wave frequency, but varies with the direction of the observer from the source. Furthermore, one or both of the principal curvatures can be zero in an anisotropic medium and for wave propagation associated with these points on the wave number surface, there is no solution to the wave equation which represents a wave-amplitude dependence of 1/r.

Rasmussen, C. E.↗