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At least 775 records · Page 43

The Lyman-alpha image of comet Tago-Sato-Kosaka /1969g/.

An f/2 objective-grating spectrograph aboard an Aerobee rocket recorded a faint image of Comet Tago-Sato-Kosaka (1969g) in L-alpha emission. Some sharpening of the image and reduction of film grain noise was accomplished by multiplying the picture's Fourier transform by an optimum filter function. After this processing, which was carried out digitally, the L-alpha comet image appeared as a nearly circularly symmetric diffuse glow approximately 800,000 km in diameter. There was also the suggestion of a faintly visible core of emission whose dimensions are less than 100,000 km. The sublimation of ice in the nucleus of the comet and the subsequent dissociation of the free water molecules by sunlight could produce a large cloud of hydrogen atoms around the comet. Resonant reradiation of solar L-alpha emission by this cloud is probably responsible for the most of the observed emission.

Jenkins, E. B.↗

Source encoding of images for efficient transmission

A set of recursive rules which generate unitary transforms with a fast algorithm are presented. For each rule, simple relations give the number of elementary operations required by the fast algorithm. The common Fourier, Walsh-Hadamard, Slant, and Haar transforms are expressed with these rules. The framework developed allows the introduction of generalized transforms which include all common transforms in a large class of identical computation transforms. A systematic and unified view is provided for unitary transforms which have appeared in the literature and for a number of new transforms of potential interest. Generalization to complex and multidimensional unitary transforms is considered.

Algazi, V. R.↗

A user's guide for the signal processing software for image and speech compression developed in the Communications and Signal Processing Laboratory (CSPL), version 1

A complete documentation of the software developed in the Communication and Signal Processing Laboratory (CSPL) during the period of July 1985 to March 1986 is provided. Utility programs and subroutines that were developed for a user-friendly image and speech processing environment are described. Additional programs for data compression of image and speech type signals are included. Also, programs for the zero-memory and block transform quantization in the presence of channel noise are described. Finally, several routines for simulating the perfromance of image compression algorithms are included.

Kumar, P.↗

Dual use of image based tracking techniques: Laser eye surgery and low vision prosthesis

With a concentration on Fourier optics pattern recognition, we have developed several methods of tracking objects in dynamic imagery to automate certain space applications such as orbital rendezvous and spacecraft capture, or planetary landing. We are developing two of these techniques for Earth applications in real-time medical image processing. The first is warping of a video image, developed to evoke shift invariance to scale and rotation in correlation pattern recognition. The technology is being applied to compensation for certain field defects in low vision humans. The second is using the optical joint Fourier transform to track the translation of unmodeled scenes. Developed as an image fixation tool to assist in calculating shape from motion, it is being applied to tracking motions of the eyeball quickly enough to keep a laser photocoagulation spot fixed on the retina, thus avoiding collateral damage.

Juday, Richard D.↗

Dual Use of Image Based Tracking Techniques: Laser Eye Surgery and Low Vision Prosthesis

With a concentration on Fourier optics pattern recognition, we have developed several methods of tracking objects in dynamic imagery to automate certain space applications such as orbital rendezvous and spacecraft capture, or planetary landing. We are developing two of these techniques for Earth applications in real-time medical image processing. The first is warping of a video image, developed to evoke shift invariance to scale and rotation in correlation pattern recognition. The technology is being applied to compensation for certain field defects in low vision humans. The second is using the optical joint Fourier transform to track the translation of unmodeled scenes. Developed as an image fixation tool to assist in calculating shape from motion, it is being applied to tracking motions of the eyeball quickly enough to keep a laser photocoagulation spot fixed on the retina, thus avoiding collateral damage.

Juday, Richard D.↗

Use of Multi-Resolution Wavelet Feature Pyramids for Automatic Registration of Multi-Sensor Imagery

The problem of image registration, or alignment of two or more images representing the same scene or object, has to be addressed in various disciplines that employ digital imaging. In the area of remote sensing, just like in medical imaging or computer vision, it is necessary to design robust, fast and widely applicable algorithms that would allow automatic registration of images generated by various imaging platforms at the same or different times, and that would provide sub-pixel accuracy. One of the main issues that needs to be addressed when developing a registration algorithm is what type of information should be extracted from the images being registered, to be used in the search for the geometric transformation that best aligns them. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate several wavelet pyramids that may be used both for invariant feature extraction and for representing images at multiple spatial resolutions to accelerate registration. We find that the band-pass wavelets obtained from the Steerable Pyramid due to Simoncelli perform better than two types of low-pass pyramids when the images being registered have relatively small amount of nonlinear radiometric variations between them. Based on these findings, we propose a modification of a gradient-based registration algorithm that has recently been developed for medical data. We test the modified algorithm on several sets of real and synthetic satellite imagery.

Zavorin, Ilya↗

Use of multiresolution wavelet feature pyramids for automatic registration of multisensor imagery

The problem of image registration, or the alignment of two or more images representing the same scene or object, has to be addressed in various disciplines that employ digital imaging. In the area of remote sensing, just like in medical imaging or computer vision, it is necessary to design robust, fast, and widely applicable algorithms that would allow automatic registration of images generated by various imaging platforms at the same or different times and that would provide subpixel accuracy. One of the main issues that needs to be addressed when developing a registration algorithm is what type of information should be extracted from the images being registered, to be used in the search for the geometric transformation that best aligns them. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate several wavelet pyramids that may be used both for invariant feature extraction and for representing images at multiple spatial resolutions to accelerate registration. We find that the bandpass wavelets obtained from the steerable pyramid due to Simoncelli performs best in terms of accuracy and consistency, while the low-pass wavelets obtained from the same pyramid give the best results in terms of the radius of convergence. Based on these findings, we propose a modification of a gradient-based registration algorithm that has recently been developed for medical data. We test the modified algorithm on several sets of real and synthetic satellite imagery.

Evaluation Studies↗

Reconstructing porous media using generative flow networks

One area of intense scientific interest for the study of sandstones, carbonates, and shale at the pore scale is the use of limited image and petrophysical data to generate multiple realizations of a rock’s pore structure. Such images aid efforts to quantify uncertainty in petrophysical properties, including porosity–permeability transforms. We develop and evaluate a deep learning-based method to synthesize porous media volumes using a so-called generative flow model trained on x-ray microscope images of rock texture and pore structure. These models are optimized on a log-likelihood objective and they synthesize large and realistic three-dimensional images. Further, we demonstrate the rapid generation of sandstone image volumes that display realism as gauged by quantitative comparison of topological features using Minkowski functionals of porosity, specific surface area, and the Euler–Poincaré characteristic (i.e., pore connectivity). We also evaluate the single-phase permeability using Navier–Stokes and lattice Boltzmann methods and show that transport properties of the generated samples match measured trends.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Reconfigurable unitary transformations of optical beam arrays

Spatial transformations of light are ubiquitous in optics, with examples ranging from simple imaging with a lens to quantum and classical information processing in waveguide meshes. Multi-plane light converter (MPLC) systems have emerged as a platform that promises completely general spatial transformations, i.e., a universal unitary. However, until now, MPLC systems have demonstrated transformations that are far from general, e.g., converting from a Gaussian to Laguerre-Gauss mode. Here, we demonstrate the promise of an MLPC, the ability to impose an arbitrary unitary transformation that can be reconfigured dynamically. Specifically, we consider transformations on superpositions of parallel free-space beams arranged in an array, which is a common information encoding in photonics. We experimentally test the full gamut of unitary transformations for a system of two parallel beams and make a map of their fidelity. We obtain an average transformation fidelity of 0.85 ± 0.03. This high-fidelity suggests that MPLCs are a useful tool for implementing the unitary transformations that comprise quantum and classical information processing.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

The effects of video compression on acceptability of images for monitoring life sciences experiments

Future manned space operations for Space Station Freedom will call for a variety of carefully planned multimedia digital communications, including full-frame-rate color video, to support remote operations of scientific experiments. This paper presents the results of an investigation to determine if video compression is a viable solution to transmission bandwidth constraints. It reports on the impact of different levels of compression and associated calculational parameters on image acceptability to investigators in life-sciences research at ARC. Three nonhuman life-sciences disciplines (plant, rodent, and primate biology) were selected for this study. A total of 33 subjects viewed experimental scenes in their own scientific disciplines. Ten plant scientists viewed still images of wheat stalks at various stages of growth. Each image was compressed to four different compression levels using the Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) standard algorithm, and the images were presented in random order. Twelve and eleven staffmembers viewed 30-sec videotaped segments showing small rodents and a small primate, respectively. Each segment was repeated at four different compression levels in random order using an inverse cosine transform (ICT) algorithm. Each viewer made a series of subjective image-quality ratings. There was a significant difference in image ratings according to the type of scene viewed within disciplines; thus, ratings were scene dependent. Image (still and motion) acceptability does, in fact, vary according to compression level. The JPEG still-image-compression levels, even with the large range of 5:1 to 120:1 in this study, yielded equally high levels of acceptability. In contrast, the ICT algorithm for motion compression yielded a sharp decline in acceptability below 768 kb/sec. Therefore, if video compression is to be used as a solution for overcoming transmission bandwidth constraints, the effective management of the ratio and compression parameters according to scientific discipline and experiment type is critical to the success of remote experiments.

Haines, Richard F.↗

Multimodal single-Cell/ Particle imaging and engineering for energy conversion in bacteria (Final Technical Report)

Hybrid inorganic-microbial systems have emerged as a potentially transformative approach to combine the light-harvesting capability of inorganic semiconductors and the ability of microbes to orchestrate complex chemical transformations. The objective of this collaborative research is to combine quantum materials synthesis, bacterial synthetic biology, and multimodal single-entity imaging to quantitatively study how hybrid QD-bacteria systems convert light to value chemicals at the single-to-sub cell level, with the ultimate goal of gaining insights to guide the engineering of QDs and bacterial genetics for more efficient bioenergy conversion. The final technical report summarizes our achievements toward this objective.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Fourier domain target transformation analysis in the thermal infrared

Remote sensing uses of principal component analysis (PCA) of multispectral images include band selection and optimal color selection for display of information content. PCA has also been used for quantitative determination of mineral types and abundances given end member spectra. The preliminary results of the investigation of target transformation PCA (TTPCA) in the fourier domain to both identify end member spectra in an unknown spectrum, and to then calculate the relative concentrations of these selected end members are presented. Identification of endmember spectra in an unknown sample has previously been performed through bandmatching, expert systems, and binary classifiers. Both bandmatching and expert system techniques require the analyst to select bands or combinations of bands unique to each endmember. Thermal infrared mineral spectra have broad spectral features which vary subtly with composition. This makes identification of unique features difficult. Alternatively, whole spectra can be used in the classification process, in which case there is not need for an expert to identify unique spectra. Use of binary classifiers on whole spectra to identify endmember components has met with some success. These techniques can be used, along with a least squares fit approach on the endmembers identified, to derive compositional information. An alternative to the approach outlined above usese target transformation in conjunction with PCA to both identify and quantify the composition of unknown spectra. Preprocessing of the library and unknown spectra into the fourier domain, and using only a specific number of the components, allows for significant data volume reduction while maintaining a linear relationship in a Beer's Law sense. The approach taken here is to iteratively calculate concentrations, reducing the number of endmember components until only non-negative concentrations remain.

Anderson, D. L.↗

Servomechanism for Doppler shift compensation in optical correlator for synthetic aperture radar

A method and apparatus for correcting Doppler shifts in synthetic aperture radar data is described. An optical correlator for synthetic aperture radar data has a means for directing a laser beam at a signal film having radar return pulse intensity information recorded on it. A resultant laser beam passes through a range telescope, an azimuth telescope, and a Fourier transform filter located between the range and azimuth telescopes, and forms an image for recording on an image film. A compensation means for Doppler shift in the radar return pulse intensity information includes a beam splitter for reflecting the modulated laser beam, after having passed through the Fourier transform filter, to a detection screen having two photodiodes mounted on it.

Constaninides, N. J.↗

Analytical Tools for Cloudscope Ice Measurement

The cloudscope is a ground or aircraft instrument for viewing ice crystals impacted on a sapphire window. It is essentially a simple optical microscope with an attached compact CCD video camera whose output is recorded on a Hi-8 mm video cassette recorder equipped with digital time and date recording capability. In aircraft operation the window is at a stagnation point of the flow so adiabatic compression heats the window to sublimate the ice crystals so that later impacting crystals can be imaged as well. A film heater is used for ground based operation to provide sublimation, and it can also be used to provide extra heat for aircraft operation. The compact video camera can be focused manually by the operator, and a beam splitter - miniature bulb combination provide illumination for night operation. Several shutter speeds are available to accommodate daytime illumination conditions by direct sunlight. The video images can be directly used to qualitatively assess the crystal content of cirrus clouds and contrails. Quantitative size spectra are obtained with the tools described in this report. Selected portions of the video images are digitized using a PCI bus frame grabber to form a short movie segment or stack using NIH (National Institute of Health) Image software with custom macros developed at DRI. The stack can be Fourier transform filtered with custom, easy to design filters to reduce most objectionable video artifacts. Particle quantification of each slice of the stack is performed using digital image analysis. Data recorded for each particle include particle number and centroid, frame number in the stack, particle area, perimeter, equivalent ellipse maximum and minimum radii, ellipse angle, and pixel number. Each valid particle in the stack is stamped with a unique number. This output can be used to obtain a semiquantitative appreciation of the crystal content. The particle information becomes the raw input for a subsequent program (FORTRAN) that synthesizes each slice and separates the new from the sublimating particles. The new particle information is used to generate quantitative particle concentration, area, and mass size spectra along with total concentration, solar extinction coefficient, and ice water content. This program directly creates output in html format for viewing with a web browser.

Arnott, W. Patrick↗

Wavefront Sensing and Control Architecture for the Spherical Primary Optical Telescope (SPOT)

Testbed results are presented demonstrating high-speed image-based wavefront sensing and control for a spherical primary optical telescope (SPOT). The testbed incorporates a phase retrieval camera coupled to a 3-Mirror Vertex testbed (3MV) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Actuator calibration based on the Hough transform is discussed as well as several supercomputing archtectures for image-based wavefront sensing. Timing results are also presented based on various algorithm implementations using a cluster of 64 TigerShare TSlOl DSP's (digital-signal processors).

Dean, Bruce H.↗

Context Modeler for Wavelet Compression of Spectral Hyperspectral Images

A context-modeling sub-algorithm has been developed as part of an algorithm that effects three-dimensional (3D) wavelet-based compression of hyperspectral image data. The context-modeling subalgorithm, hereafter denoted the context modeler, provides estimates of probability distributions of wavelet-transformed data being encoded. These estimates are utilized by an entropy coding subalgorithm that is another major component of the compression algorithm. The estimates make it possible to compress the image data more effectively than would otherwise be possible. The following background discussion is prerequisite to a meaningful summary of the context modeler. This discussion is presented relative to ICER-3D, which is the name attached to a particular compression algorithm and the software that implements it. The ICER-3D software is summarized briefly in the preceding article, ICER-3D Hyperspectral Image Compression Software (NPO-43238). Some aspects of this algorithm were previously described, in a slightly more general context than the ICER-3D software, in "Improving 3D Wavelet-Based Compression of Hyperspectral Images" (NPO-41381), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 33, No. 3 (March 2009), page 7a. In turn, ICER-3D is a product of generalization of ICER, another previously reported algorithm and computer program that can perform both lossless and lossy wavelet-based compression and decompression of gray-scale-image data. In ICER-3D, hyperspectral image data are decomposed using a 3D discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Following wavelet decomposition, mean values are subtracted from spatial planes of spatially low-pass subbands prior to encoding. The resulting data are converted to sign-magnitude form and compressed. In ICER-3D, compression is progressive, in that compressed information is ordered so that as more of the compressed data stream is received, successive reconstructions of the hyperspectral image data are of successively higher overall fidelity.

Kiely, Aaron↗