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At least 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Differential absorption lidar technique for measurement of the atmospheric pressure profile

A new two-wavelength lidar technique for remotely measuring the pressure profile using the trough absorption region between two strong lines in the oxygen A band is described. The theory of integrated vertical path, differential ranging, and horizontal-path pressure measurements is given, with methods to desensitize and correct for temperature effects. The properties of absorption troughs are described and shown to reduce errors due to laser frequency jitter by up to two orders of magnitude. A general analysis, including laser bandwidth effects, demonstrates that pressure measurements with an integrated-vertical-path technique are typically fifty times more accurate than with a differential ranging technique. Simulations show 0.1-0.3 percent accuracy for ground and Shuttle-based pressure-profile and surface-pressure experiments.

Korb, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Quasi-complementary codes - A new technique for MST radar sounding

The binary phase complementary code set has been used in stratospheric radar sounding. The quasi-complementary code technique presented here has nearly complementary properties and offers significant reduction of side lobes caused by imperfections in the radar transmitter. The new technique and its application are described; a simulation of the performance of the two techniques when certain imperfections are present in the transmitter is presented. The results are compared with the actual performance of the Arecibo 430-MHz radar transmitter.

Sulzer, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Directional solidification of silicon in carbon crucibles by an oscillating crucible technique

The quality of silicon cast by present techniques is limited by the presence of dislocations and grain boundaries in unseeded growth and by cellular structures with dislocation networks in the case of the seeded growth. To address these concerns, a new method of directional solidification called the oscillating crucible technique (OCT) is developed. During growth, a carbon crucible is oscillated to provide for effective stirring of the melt. This growth technique (seeded growth only), along with material characterization and solar-cell fabrication and testing, is described. Solar-cell efficiencies of up to 13 percent at 100 mW/sq cm area obtained in the single crystalline areas. Minority-carrier diffusion lengths exceeding 100 microns are measured even in the polycrystalline areas of the wafers. Limitations of the present setup and possible future improvements are discussed.

Daud, T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Surface fluctuation spectroscopy - A novel technique for characterizing liquid interfaces

Surface fluctuation spectroscopy is a dynamic light scattering technique which involves the detection of thermal fluctuations (capillary waves) that cover every liquid interface. The advantages of this technique over conventional mechanical methods are discussed. The signal resolution and precision are improved by using a grating heterodyne technique coupled with a digital correlator. Detailed calculations showed that, for the measured power spectrum (the Fourier transform of the correlation function) to take the Lorentzian shape, it is necessary that certain optical conditions be met. These conditions are demonstrated with experimental data collected for ethanol at the ambient temperature as a function of the wave number. Once the optical parameters are adjusted correctly, the experimental results show excellent agreement with the literature values. It is also demonstrated that, using microcomputer technology, the entire system can be automated.

Shih, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A SINDA modeling technique for pumped two-phase spacecraft cooling systems

The purpose of this paper is to present a modeling technique that has proven successful in simulating pumped, two-phase cooling systems. The technique uses the standard SINDA thermal-analysis program and thereby extends the capabilities of SINDA to complex, active spacecraft thermal-control systems. This paper provides sufficient detail that a current SINDA user will be able to apply the technique by reference to this paper alone.

Ollendorf, S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Feasibility of determining cloud-top heights using the backscattered ultraviolet satellite observation technique

A technique for determining cloud-top height by means of backscattered ultraviolet (BUV) solar radiation is presented. Cloud-top heights can be inferred using this technique of both the BUV radiance and its degree of polarization are measured by a spacecraft and compared with theoretical values. The cases of satellites with high-inclination orbits and geosynchronous satellites are discussed here. Based on calculations of radiance and polarization, the resolutions of cloud-top height determinations are roughly estimated in both cases. The estimates show that inference is possible as long as the angle between the direction of the sun and the satellite from the point of interest in the atmosphere is larger than about 10 deg. The estimates also indicate that the cloud-top-height resolution depends on solar zenith angle theta(0) in the case of nadir observation by satellites in nonequatorial orbits: The resolution is about 0.5 km for theta(0) = 30 and about 0.3 km for larger theta(0). On the other hand, when observations are made by geosynchronous satellites, the resolution depends strongly on the latitude of the point of interest, alpha(1); a resolution within 0.4 km can be achieved for alpha(1) less than or equal to 65 deg (0.2 km resolution can be obtained for middle latitudes). Resolution becomes rapidly worse with increasing latitude, and alpha(1) = about 70 deg seems to be the limit of observations with this technique.

Aruga, T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Technique for Measuring Gas Conversion Factors

Technique for measuring calibration conversion factors for hydrocarbon mass flowmeters applied to widely used type of commercial thermal mass flowmeter for hydrocarbon gases. Values of conversion factors for two common hydrocarbons measured using this technique in good agreement with empirical values cited by manufacturer. Similar agreement expected for all other hydrocarbons. Technique based on Nernst theorem for matching partial pressure of oxygen in combustion product gases with that in normal air. Simple, quick, and relatively safe, particularly for toxic/poisonous hydrocarbons.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A Very Efficient Transfer Function Bounding Technique on Bit Error Rate for Viterbi Decoded, Rate 1/N Convolutional Codes

For rate 1/N convolutional codes, a recursive algorithm for finding the transfer function bound on bit error rate (BER) at the output of a Viterbi decoder is described. This technique is very fast and requires very little storage since all the unnecessary operations are eliminated. Using this technique, we find and plot bounds on the BER performance of known codes of rate 1/2 with K 18, rate 1/3 with K 14. When more than one reported code with the same parameter is known, we select the code that minimizes the required signal to noise ratio for a desired bit error rate of 0.000001. This criterion of determining goodness of a code had previously been found to be more useful than the maximum free distance criterion and was used in the code search procedures of very short constraint length codes. This very efficient technique can also be used for searches of longer constraint length codes.

Lee, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The MST Radar Technique

The coherent radar technique is reviewed with special emphasis to mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radars operating in the VHF band. Some basic introduction to Doppler radar measurements and the radar equation is followed by an outline of the characteristics of atmospheric turbulence, viewed from the scattering and reflection processes of radar signals. Radar signal acquisition and preprocessing, namely coherent detection, digital sampling, pre-integration and coding, is briefly discussed. The data analysis is represented in terms of the correlation and spectrum analysis, yielding the essential parameters: power, signal-to-noise ratio, average and fluctuating velocity and persistency. The techniques to measure wind velocities, viz. the different modes of the Doppler method as well as the space antenna method are surveyed and the feasibilities of the MST radar interferometer technique are elucidated. A general view on the criteria to design phased array antennas is given. An outline of the hardware of a typical MST radar system is presented.

Roettger, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spray characterization with a nonintrusive technique using absolute scattered light

A technique to measure the size and velocity of particles is discussed, and results are presented. In this technique two small laser beams of one color identify the center of a laser beam of a different color. This defines a region of almost uniform intensity where the light scattered by the individual particles can be related to their sizes. A variation of this technique that uses two polarizations of the same color of laser beam is also presented. Results are presented for monodisperse, bimodal, trimodal, and polydisperse sprays produced by the Berglund-Liu droplet generator and a pressure nozzle. Size distributions obtained at three different ranges for the same spray show excellent self-consistency in the overlapping regions. Measurements of a spray of known characteristics exhibit errors in the order of 10 percent.

Hess, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Tethered propellant resupply technique for space stations

One of the primary functions of the space station is related to the propellant resupply of orbital transfer vehicles, orbital maneuvering vehicles, and satellites. Difficulties arise in the case of an acquisition of cryogenic propellants by means of a use of zero-gravity techniques. The use of the 'tethered propellant resupply technique' is, therefore, considered. A study is being conducted to determine the feasibility, design requirements, and operational limitations of this technique. Attention is given to aspects of gravity feed, transfer method selection, requirements related to the orbital transfer vehicle, hazard clearance, attitude control, depot operations, end mass velocity, the microgravity laboratory, and concept evaluation activities.

Kroll, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Candidate techniques for non-intrusive measurement of flight boundary-layer properties

Techniques to measure gas composition and chemical activity in the hypersonic boundary layer associated with entry research vehicles and with a tethered satellite deployed at 100-125 km altitude are currently being investigated at the NASA-Langley Research Center. These measurements are appropriate for the study of the aerothermodynamic properties of these vehicles when operating with controlled trajectories in the thermosphere between 125 and 55 km. A number of the required quantitative physical measurements have been identified, and candidate techniques to obtain the measurements without perturbing the flow are being considered. Two candidate techniques are discussed in this paper: a mass spectrometer to analyze the gas composition at the vehicle surface, and Rayleigh scattering to obtain density, velocity, and temperature gradients from the surface to the edge of the boundary layer.

Wood, G. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Planar techniques for fabricating X-ray diffraction gratings and zone plates

The state of current planar techniques in the fabrication of Fresnel zone plates and diffraction gratings is reviewed. Among the fabrication techniques described are multilayer resist techniques; scanning electron beam lithography; and holographic lithography. Consideration is also given to: X-ray lithography; ion beam lithography; and electroplating. SEM photographs of the undercut profiles obtained in a type AZ 135OB photoresistor by holographic lithography are provided.

Smith, H. I.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Feedback control for fuel-optimal descents using singular perturbation techniques

In response to rising fuel costs and reduced profit margins for the airline companies, the optimization of the paths flown by transport aircraft has been considered. It was found that application of optimal control theory to the considered problem can result in savings in fuel, time, and direct operating costs. The best solution to the aircraft trajectory problem is an onboard real-time feedback control law. The present paper presents a technique which shows promise of becoming a part of a complete solution. The application of singular perturbation techniques to the problem is discussed, taking into account the benefits and some problems associated with them. A different technique for handling the descent part of a trajectory is also discussed.

Price, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A parameterization technique for nonlinear spectral models

An objective parameterization technique is developed for general nonlinear hydrodynamical systems. The typical structure of hydrodynamical systems, regardless of their complexity, is one in which the rates of change of the dependent variables depend on homogeneous quadratic and linear forms, as well as on inhomogeneous forcing terms. As a prototype of the generic problem containing this typical structure, the parameterization technique is applied to various three component subsets of a five component nonlinear spectral model of forced, dissipative quasi-geostrophic flow in a channel. The results obtained lead to specification of the necessary data coverage requirements for applying the technique in general.

Gelaro, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Development of the variational SEASAT data analysis technique

Surface winds are closely associated with the surface pressure gradient. The variational SEASAT data analysis technique was designed to improve the sea level pressure analysis in the data sparse areas. The SEASAT-derived surface wind data were compared with observations from the Joint Air Sea Interaction Experiment (JASIN) and it was found that the satellite-derived sea surface wind has an accuracy of up to + or - 2 m/s in speed and + or - 20 deg in direction. These numbers are considered characteristic of the retrieved SEASAT wind field. By combining the densely spaced SEASAT-derived wind data with the sparsely distributed sea-level pressure observation via a variational adjustment technique subject to some appropriate physical constraint(s), an improvement in the sea-level pressure analysis is expected. It is demonstrated that a simple marine boundary layer scheme in conjunction with a variational adjustment technique can be developed to help improve the sea-level pressure analysis by the SEASAT-derived wind of a limited-area domain in the ocean.

Sasaki, Y. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Development of a sensitivity analysis technique for multiloop flight control systems

This report presents the development and application of a sensitivity analysis technique for multiloop flight control systems. This analysis yields very useful information on the sensitivity of the relative-stability criteria of the control system, with variations or uncertainties in the system and controller elements. The sensitivity analysis technique developed is based on the computation of the singular values and singular-value gradients of a feedback-control system. The method is applicable to single-input/single-output as well as multiloop continuous-control systems. Application to sampled-data systems is also explored. The sensitivity analysis technique was applied to a continuous yaw/roll damper stability augmentation system of a typical business jet, and the results show that the analysis is very useful in determining the system elements which have the largest effect on the relative stability of the closed-loop system. As a secondary product of the research reported here, the relative stability criteria based on the concept of singular values were explored.

Vaillard, A. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Analytical techniques of pilot scanning behavior and their application

The state of the art of oculometric data analysis techniques and their applications in certain research areas such as pilot workload, information transfer provided by various display formats, crew role in automated systems, and pilot training are documented. These analytical techniques produce the following data: real-time viewing of the pilot's scanning behavior, average dwell times, dwell percentages, instrument transition paths, dwell histograms, and entropy rate measures. These types of data are discussed, and overviews of the experimental setup, data analysis techniques, and software are presented. A glossary of terms frequently used in pilot scanning behavior and a bibliography of reports on related research sponsored by NASA Langley Research Center are also presented.

Harris, R. L., Sr.↗