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At least 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1996

Ladderlike Switched-Path Optical Delay Lines

Switched-path adjustable optical delay lines with ladderlike configurations proposed for use in photonically controlling phases of radio signals in radiating elements of phased-array antennas and in adaptive filtering of signals. Lines relatively simple, compact, easy to fabricate, and inexpensive. Switchable delay blocks stacked like building blocks to form incrementally adjustable delay lines. Delay lines also stacked to form high-density multiple-channel delay systems. To reduce number of blocks, heights of blocks increased successively by factor of 2, similar to crystal arrangement described in article "Switched-Polarization Birefringent Optical Delay Lines" (NPO-19412).

Yao, Xiaotian Steve↗
NASA NTRS1994

A feasibility study for long-path multiple detection using a neural network

Least-squares inverse filters have found widespread use in the deconvolution of seismograms and the removal of multiples. The use of least-squares prediction filters with prediction distances greater than unity leads to the method of predictive deconvolution which can be used for the removal of long path multiples. The predictive technique allows one to control the length of the desired output wavelet by control of the predictive distance, and hence to specify the desired degree of resolution. Events which are periodic within given repetition ranges can be attenuated selectively. The method is thus effective in the suppression of rather complex reverberation patterns. A back propagation(BP) neural network is constructed to perform the detection of first arrivals of the multiples and therefore aid in the more accurate determination of the predictive distance of the multiples. The neural detector is applied to synthetic reflection coefficients and synthetic seismic traces. The processing results show that the neural detector is accurate and should lead to an automated fast method for determining predictive distances across vast amounts of data such as seismic field records. The neural network system used in this study was the NASA Software Technology Branch's NETS system.

Feuerbacher, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Validation of satellite retrievals of cloud microsphysics and liquid water path using observations from FIRE

Cloud effective radii (r(sub e)) and cloud liquid water path (LWP) are derived from ISCCP spatially sampled satellite data and validated with ground-based pyranometer and microwave radiometer measurements taken on San Nicolas Island during the 1987 FIRE IFO. Values of r(sub e) derived from the ISCCP data are also compared to values retrieved by a hybrid method that uses the combination of LWP derived from microwave measurement and optical thickness derived from GOES data. The results show that there is significant variability in cloud properties over a 100 km x 80 km area and that the values at San Nicolas Island are not necessarily representative of the surrounding cloud field. On the other hand, even though there were large spatial variations in optical depth, the r(sub e) values remained relatively constant (with sigma less than or equal to 2-3 microns in most cases) in the marine stratocumulus. Furthermore, values of r(sub e) derived from the upper portion of the cloud generally are representative of the entire stratiform cloud. When LWP values are less than 100 g m(exp -2), then LWP values derived from ISCCP data agree well with those values estimated from ground-based microwave measurements. In most cases LWP differences were less than 20 g m(exp -2). However, when LWP values become large (e.g., greater than or equal to 200 g m(exp -2)), then relative differences may be as large as 50%- 100%. There are two reasons for this discrepancy in the large LWP clouds: (1) larger vertical inhomogeneities in precipitating clouds and (2) sampling errors on days of high spatial variability of cloud optical thicknesses. Variations of r(sub e) in stratiform clouds may indicate drizzle: clouds with droplet sizes larger than 15 microns appear to be associated with drizzling, while those less than 10 microns are indicative of nonprecipitating clouds. Differences in r(sub e) values between the GOES and ISCCP datasets are found to be 0.16 +/- 0.98 micron.

Rossow, W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Characterization of the Minimum Energy Paths and Energetics for the Reaction of Vinylidene with Acetylene

The reaction of vinylidene (CH2C) with acetylene may be an initiating reaction in soot formation. We report minimum energy paths and accurate energetics for a pathway leading to vinyl-acetylene and for a number of isomers of C4H4. The calculations use complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) derivative methods to characterize the stationary points and internally contacted configuration interaction (ICCI) and/or coupled cluster singles and doubles with a perturbational estimate of triple excitations (CCSD(T)) to determine the energetics. We find an entrance channel barrier of about 5 kcal/mol for the addition of vinylidene to acetylene, but no barriers above reactants for the reaction pathway leading to vinyl-acetylene.

Walch, Stephen P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Characterization of the Minimum Energy Paths and Energetics for the reaction of Vinylidene with Acetylene

The reaction of vinylidene (CH2C) with acetylene may be an initiating reaction in soot formation. We report minimum energy paths and accurate energetics for a pathway leading to vinylacetylene and for a number of isomers Of C4H4. The calculations use complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) derivative methods to characterize the stationary points and internally contacted configuration interaction (ICCI) and/or coupled cluster singles and doubles with a perturbational estimate of triple excitations (CCSD(T)) to determine the energetics. We find an entrance channel barrier of about 5 kcal/mol for the addition of vinylidene to acetylene, but no barriers above reactants for the reaction pathway leading to vinylacetylene.

Walch, Stephen P.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Developments in Impeller/Seal Secondary Flow Path Modeling for Dynamic Force Coefficients and Leakage

This paper highlights bulk flow and CFD-based models prepared to calculate force and leakage properties for seals and shrouded impeller leakage paths. The bulk flow approach uses a Hir's based friction model and the CFD approach solves the Navier Stoke's (NS) equation with a finite whirl orbit or via analytical perturbation. The results show good agreement in most instances with available benchmarks.

Palazzolo, Alan↗
NASA NTRS1995

Impulse Response Measurements Over Space-Earth Paths Using the GPS Coarse/Acquisition Codes

The impulse responses of radio transmission channels over space-earth paths were measured using the course/acquisition code signals from the Global Positioning System of satellites. The data acquisition system and signal processing techniques used to develop the impulse responses are described. Examples of impulse response measurements are presented. The results indicate that this measurement approach enables detection of multipath signals that are 20 dB or more below the power of the direct arrival. Channel characteristics that could be investigated with additional measurements and analyses are discussed.

SIGNAL PROCESSING↗
NASA NTRS1997

Cloud Liquid Water Path Comparisons from Passive Microwave and Solar Reflectance Satellite Measurements: Assessment of Sub-Field-of-View Cloud Effects in Microwave Retrievals

Satellite observations of the cloud liquid water path (LWP) are compared from special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) measurements and GOES 8 imager solar reflectance (SR) measurements to ascertain the impact of sub-field-of-view (FOV) cloud effects on SSM/I 37 GHz retrievals. The SR retrievals also incorporate estimates of the cloud droplet effective radius derived from the GOES 8 3.9-micron channel. The comparisons consist of simultaneous collocated and full-resolution measurements and are limited to nonprecipitating marine stratocumulus in the eastern Pacific for two days in October 1995. The retrievals from these independent methods are consistent for overcast SSM/I FOVS, with RMS differences as low as 0.030 kg/sq m, although biases exist for clouds with more open spatial structure, where the RMS differences increase to 0.039 kg/sq m. For broken cloudiness within the SSM/I FOV the average beam-filling error (BFE) in the microwave retrievals is found to be about 22% (average cloud amount of 73%). This systematic error is comparable with the average random errors in the microwave retrievals. However, even larger BFEs can be expected for individual FOVs and for regions with less cloudiness. By scaling the microwave retrievals by the cloud amount within the FOV, the systematic BFE can be significantly reduced but with increased RMS differences of O.046-0.058 kg/sq m when compared to the SR retrievals. The beam-filling effects reported here are significant and are expected to impact directly upon studies that use instantaneous SSM/I measurements of cloud LWP, such as cloud classification studies and validation studies involving surface-based or in situ data.

Greenwald, Thomas J.↗
NASA NTRS1961

A Study of the Effect of Errors in Measurement of Velocity and Flight-Path Angle on the Guidance of a Space Vehicle Approaching the Earth

An analysis was made of the guidance of a space vehicle approaching the earth at supercircular velocity through an entrance corridor containing a desired perigee altitude. Random errors were assumed in the measurement of velocity and flight-path angle and in obtaining the desired thrust impulse. The method described in NASA Technical Note D-191 of scheduling corrections at different values of the angle between perigee and the vehicle's position vector and a slight modification of this method were investigated as a means of correcting perigee altitude when the vehicle's predicted position was at programmed correction points not within a specified deadband about the desired perigee altitude. The study showed that modifying the angular method of NASA Technical Note D-191 by adding another correction near the initial point did not improve the efficiency and accuracy of the angular method. It was found that in some cases the use of a correction procedure which included a deadband could be more costly in total corrective velocity than a procedure which neglected the deadband. This was especially true if a large degree of confidence was required in the total corrective velocity. It was apparent from the results that a correction with a deadband limit in the guidance scheme was more sensitive to the initial conditions, the corrective procedure, the deadband, and the degree of confidence required than a correction without a deadband limit.

White, Jack A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Effects of Inboard Horizontal Field of View Display Limitations on Pilot Path Control During Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) Flight Test

A flight test was conducted aboard Calspan's Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) aircraft by researchers within the External Visibility System (XVS) element of the High-Speed Research program. The purpose was to investigate the effects of inboard horizontal field of view (FOV) display limitations on pilot path control and to learn about the TIFS capabilities and limitations for possible use in future XVS flight tests. The TIFS cockpit windows were masked to represent the front XVS display area and the High-Speed Civil Transport side windows, as viewed by the pilot. Masking limited the forward FOV to 40 deg. horizontal and 50 deg. vertical for the basic flight condition, With an increase of 10 deg. horizontal in the inboard direction for the increased FOV flight condition. Two right-hand approach tasks (base-downwind-final) with a left crosswind on final were performed by three pilots using visual flight rules at Niagara Falls Airport. Each of the two tasks had three replicates for both horizontal FOV conditions, resulting in twelve approaches per test subject. Limited objective data showed that an increase of inboard FOV had no effect (deficiences in objective data measurement capabilities were noted). However, subjective results showed that a 50 deg. FOV was preferred over the 40 deg. FOV.

Kramer, Lynda J.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Long Range Navigation for Mars Rovers Using Sensor-Based Path Planning and Visual Localisation

The Mars Pathfinder mission illustrated the benefits of including a mobile robotic explorer on a planetary mission. However, for future Mars rover missions, significantly increased autonomy in navigation is required in order to meet demanding mission criteria. To address these requirements, we have developed new path planning and localisation capabilities that allow a rover to navigate robustly to a distant landmark. These algorithms have been implemented on the JPL Rocky 7 prototype microrover and have been tested extensively in the JPL MarsYard, as well as in natural terrain.

Laubach, Sharon L.↗
NASA NTRS2000

45 Km Horizontal Path Optical Link Experiment

Mountain-top to mountain-top optical link experiments have been initiated at JPL, in order to perform a systems level evaluation of optical communications. Progress made so far is reported. ne NASA, JPL developed optical communications demonstrator (OCD) is used to transmit a laser signal from Strawberry Peak (SP), located in the San Bernadino mountains of California. This laser beam is received by a 0.6 m aperture telescope at JPL's Table Mountain Facility (TMF), located in Wrightwood, California. The optical link is bi-directional with the TMF telescope transmitting a continuous 4-wave (cw) 780 run beacon and the OCD sending back a 840 nm, 100 - 500 Mbps pseudo noise (PN) modulated, laser beam. The optical link path is at an average altitude of 2 km above sea level, covers a range of 46.8 km and provides an atmospheric channel equivalent to approx. 4 air masses. Average received power measured at either end fall well within the uncertainties predicted by link analysis. The reduction in normalized intensity variance (sigma(sup 2, sub I)) for the 4-beam beacon, compared to each individual beam, at SP, was from approx. 0.68 to 0.22. With some allowance for intra-beam mis-alignment, this is consistent with incoherent averaging. The sigma(sup2, sub I) measured at TMF approx. 0.43 +/- 0.22 exceeded the expected aperture averaged value of less than 0.1, probably because of beam wander. The focused spot sizes of approx. 162 +/- 6 microns at the TMF Coude and approx. 64 +/- 3 microns on the OCD compare to the predicted size range of 52 - 172 microns and 57 - 93 microns, respectively. This is consistent with 4 - 5 arcsec of atmospheric "seeing". The preliminary evaluation of OCD's fine tracking indicates that the uncompensated tracking error is approx. 3.3 micro rad compared to approx. 1.7 micro rad observed in the laboratory. Fine tracking performance was intermittent, primarily due to beacon fades on the OCD tracking sensor. The best bit error rates observed while tracking worked were 1E-5 to 1E-6.

Biswas, A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

A Safety Risk Assessment Methodology for Decision Support Systems with an Application to the Expedite Departure Path Tool

In support of the NASA Advanced Air Transportation Technologies Project, the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center has developed a methodology to perform safety risk assessments for air traffic control/air traffic management decision Support systems and concepts. Changes in controller, pilot, and/or airline dispatcher tasks that are affected by the decision support system are related to associated hazards. These hazards are then assessed either qualitatively or quantitatively in terms of likelihood of occurring and the impact if they do occur. Those items that show a potential safety hazard level increase can then have research plans developed to address those safety risks areas. An application of this methodology will he demonstrated using the AATT decision support tool Expedite Departure Path.

Snyder, Phillip T.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Common-Path Heterodyne Laser-Induced Thermal Acoustics for Seedless Laser Velocimetry

We demonstrate the use of a novel technique for the detection of heterodyne laser-induced thermal acoustics signals, which allows the construction of a highly stable seedless laser velocimeter. A common-path configuration is combined with quadrature detection to provide flow direction, greatly improve robustness to misalignment and vibration, and give reliable velocity measurement at low flow velocities. Comparison with Pitot tube measurements in the freestream of a wind tunnel shows root-mean-square errors of 0.67 m/s over the velocity range 0.55 m/s.

Hart, Roger C.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Path-Integrated Attenuation from Airborne X-Band Radar and Passive Radiometer Measurements: Implication for Rainfall Measurements

This study compares path-integrated attenuation (PIA), in precipitation over the ocean, derived from a single-frequency X-band radar, using the surface reference technique (SRT), with that deduced from a radiometer also operating at X band. The data were collected during TRMM field campaigns. The PIA derived from radar using the SRT does not involve any assumptions regarding the precipitation but it assumes that the cross-section of the surface is stable, that is, it is not significantly altered by factors such as surface roughness. The PIA deduced from the radiometer, however, involves assumptions regarding the temperature and emissivity of the surface and absorption and scattering by the intervening precipitation, which in turn depend upon the size, concentration and composition of the precipitation particles. The comparison of the PIA from the two instruments serves not only as a check between the radar and the radiometer but also may yield insights into the structure of the intervening precipitation. Such study can provide valuable information for TRMM in which both radar and radiometers are used for rain measurements. The radiometer PIA was first deduced from the brightness temperature using a simple one-layer radiative transfer model assuming no scattering, an isothermal atmosphere. The initial results show a general agreement between the PIAs deduced from the two instruments. Largo disagreement was found at high values of PIAs that may have been caused saturation of the X-band brightness temperature or by uncertainties in wind roughening of the sea surface that affects the SRT. Further results including the effects of scattering and a non-isothermal atmosphere will be shown at the conference.

Tian, Lin↗
NASA NTRS2002

Effects of Uncertainty in TRMM Precipitation Radar Path Integrated Attenuation on Interannual Variations of Tropical Oceanic Rainfall

Considerable uncertainty surrounds the issue of whether precipitation over the tropical oceans (30 deg N/S) systematically changes with interannual sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies that accompany El Nino (warm) and La Nina (cold) events. Time series of rainfall estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) over the tropical oceans show marked differences with estimates from two TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) passive microwave algorithms. We show that path-integrated attenuation derived from the effects of precipitation on the radar return from the ocean surface exhibits interannual variability that agrees closely with the TMI time series. Further analysis of the frequency distribution of PR (2A25 product) rain rates suggests that the algorithm incorporates the attenuation measurement in a very conservative fashion so as to optimize the instantaneous rain rates. Such an optimization appears to come at the expense of monitoring interannual climate variability.

Robertson, Franklin R.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Calculation of Turbine Axial Thrust by Coupled CFD Simulations of the Main Flow Path and Secondary Cavity Flow in an SLI LOX Turbine

Each single reusable Space Launch Initiative (SLI) booster rocket is an engine operating at a record vacuum thrust level of over 730,000 Ibf using LOX and LH2. This thrust is more than 10% greater than that of the Delta IV rocket, resulting in relatively large LOX and LH2 turbopumps. Since the SLI rocket employs a staged combustion cycle the level of pressure is very high (thousands of psia). This high pressure creates many engineering challenges, including the balancing of axial-forces on the turbopumps. One of the main parameters in the calculation of the axial force is the cavity pressure upstream of the turbine disk. The flow in this cavity is very complex. The lack of understanding of this flow environment hinders the accurate prediction of axial thrust. In order to narrow down the uncertainty band around the actual turbine axial force, a coupled, unsteady computational methodology has been developed to simulate the interaction between the turbine main flow path and the cavity flow. The CORSAIR solver, an unsteady three- dimensional Navier-Stokes code for turbomachinery applications, was used to solve for both the main and the secondary flow fields. Turbine axial thrust values are presented in conjunction with the CFD simulation, together with several considerations regarding the turbine instrumentation for axial thrust estimations during test.

Dorney, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Beam-Switch Transient Effects in the RF Path of the ICAPA Receive Phased Array Antenna

When the beam of a Phased Array Antenna (PAA) is switched from one pointing direction to another, transient effects in the RF path of the antenna are observed. Testing described in the report has revealed implementation-specific transient effects in the RF channel that are associated with digital clocking pulses that occur with transfer of data from the Beam Steering Controller (BSC) to the digital electronics of the PAA under test. The testing described here provides an initial assessment of the beam-switch phenomena by digitally acquiring time series of the RF communications channel, under CW excitation, during the period of time that the beam switch transient occurs. Effects are analyzed using time-frequency distributions and instantaneous frequency estimation techniques. The results of tests conducted with CW excitation supports further Bit-Error-Rate (BER) testing of the PAA communication channel.

Sands, O. Scott↗