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At least 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Map accuracy requirements: The cartographic potential of satellite image data

Cartographic products fall into a variety of classes: topographic maps that are concerned with planimetric information and elevations or heights; thematic maps, which might be used for geology, vegetation, water, or to display these subjects; digital elevation maps that would be produced from digital terrain data; and finally image maps. In terms of satellite applications, thematic maps and image maps are emphasized. The objectives are to consider, first, if resolution will be adequate for the identification of control and for the compilation of map products. Then, second, to define map accuracy standards and to determine the potential for meeting these standards with image data from the film camera, scanner and linear array systems of the 1980s.

Welch, R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A case for inherent geometric and geodetic accuracy in remotely sensed VNIR and SWIR imaging products

Significant aberrations can occur in acquired images which, unless compensated on board the spacecraft, can seriously impair throughput and timeliness for typical Earth observation missions. Conceptual compensations options are advanced to enable acquisition of images with inherent geometric and geodetic accuracy. Research needs are identified which, when implemented, can provide inherently accurate images. Agressive pursuit of these research needs is recommended.

Driver, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

High-accuracy linear and circular polarization measurements at 21 cm

New high-accuracy linear and circular polarization measurements have been obtained for 27 small-diameter radio sources, using the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope at 21 cm (1415 MHz). From these and other observed properties of the sources, estimates of the average internal magnetic field strengths in the sources are made by applying the uniform synchrotron emission model to the measured circular polarization and by using equipartition arguments. These two values are compared and found to be in agreement to within an order of magnitude, as was previously found by Weiler and de Pater (1980). Also, the magnetic fields estimated from circular polarization measurements at two different wavelengths (49 and 21 cm) are compared and found to be in rough agreement, but with indications of differences between variable and nonvariable sources. A comparison of the magnitudes of linear and circular polarization in sources shows no correlations.

De Pater, I.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Using known map category marginal frequencies to improve estimates of thematic map accuracy

By means of two simple sampling plans suggested in the accuracy-assessment literature, it is shown how one can use knowledge of map-category relative sizes to improve estimates of various probabilities. The fact that maximum likelihood estimates of cell probabilities for the simple random sampling and map category-stratified sampling were identical has permitted a unified treatment of the contingency-table analysis. A rigorous analysis of the effect of sampling independently within map categories is made possible by results for the stratified case. It is noted that such matters as optimal sample size selection for the achievement of a desired level of precision in various estimators are irrelevant, since the estimators derived are valid irrespective of how sample sizes are chosen.

Card, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Land cover classification accuracy as a function of sensor spatial resolution

The benefits obtained from sensor systems for monitoring earth resources will depend on the application and interpretation methods used. A frequently used analysis method is supervised per-pixel multispectral classification with a typical application being land cover classification. An investigation is conducted to evaluate the effect of spatial resolution on the ability to classify land cover types with per-pixel digital image classification techniques. Attention is also given to the documentation of changes in scene noise and the percentage of boundary pixels as a function of spatial resolution, in order to improve the understanding of the interrelationship between classification accuracy and spatial resolution. It is found that scene noise varies considerably between land cover categories. Changes in scene noise with coarsening resolution occur at different rates for different categories.

Markham, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Accuracy potentials for large space antenna reflectors with passive structure

Analytical results indicate that a careful selection of materials and truss design, combined with accurate manufacturing techniques, can result in very accurate surfaces for large space antennas. The purpose of this paper is to examine these relationships for various types of structural configurations. Comparisons are made of the accuracy achievable by truss- and dome-type structures for a wide range of diameter and focal length of the antenna and wavelength of the radiated signal.

Hedgepeth, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Computer-based classification accuracy due to the spatial resolution using per-point versus per-field classification techniques

Data sets simulating three different spatial resolutions (SR's) are computed from data with a 15-m nominal SR that were obtained with NASA's Thermatic Mapper Simulator from an altitude of about 6 km. The classification accuracies (CA's) achieved with the data of each of the four different SR's using a per-point Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier (GMLC) are intercompared. The CA's obtained using simulated 30-m SR data with the per-point GMLC are compared with the CA's achieved with a per-field classifier. It is found that: (1) the use of successively higher SR data resulted in lower overall CA's for classifications with the per-point GMLC, especially in cover classes associated with relatively higher spectral variability across adjacent pixels; (2) higher CA's were achieved using the per-field classifier with 30-m SR data than were achieved with the per-point GMLC; and (3) the largest increases in CA's were achieved with the per-field classifier in cover classes associated with relatively high levels of spectral variability across adjacent pixels.

Latty, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Limitations imposed by ionospheric turbulence on satellite-to-satellite Doppler measurement accuracy

For some time the possibility has been considered to perform an accurate survey from orbit of the earth gravity field by making use of low-low, satellite-to-satellite Doppler tracking with a radio link which operates in the frequency band in the range from 50 to 100 GHz. It is, therefore, of interest to discuss the upper bound in Doppler measurement accuracy imposed by the effects of ionospheric turbulence. The present investigation is concerned with the measurement error induced by ionospheric turbulence. The assumptin is made that the so-called ionospheric refractive 'bias' can be removed with one of the multifrequency methods of the current practice.

Grossi, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Improved accuracy of the remote sensing of sea surface temperature

A method is described for determining the water vapor content to within + or - 0.4 g/sq cm from remotely sensed radiances in three infrared channels, 11, 13, 18 microns. Using this method, it is possible to significantly improve the accuracy of sea surface temperature (SST) over what is obtainable with the two channel technique. A radiative computational scheme for the radiative transfer equation is used to study the manner in which the equivalent radiative temperature of the atmosphere changes as a function of wave number for different atmospheric conditions. Average climatological conditions are used to simulate the radiative response of the atmosphere. This radiative transfer simulation is used to compute brightness temperatures for radiosonde profiles obtained from oceanographic ships, which temperatures are in turn used to estimate the SST. Nimbus 4 IRIS spectral measurements corresponding to the profiles were used in the same way for purposes of comparison.

Dalu, G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

STRAP V - Higher accuracy, lower drift attitude control system

The STRAP V system was developed to provide higher accuracy and lower limit cycle fine pointing (+ or - 7 arcseconds) in all three axes at targets which cannot be tracked by startrackers or solar trackers. The system provides an increase in pointing performance over that obtainable with the STRAP IV (1) Attitude Control System (ACS). The STRAP IV concept of third axis updates is utilized to reduce pointing errors, using the flight-proven STRAP III (2) system as a first stage. Flight aspect photographs and telemetry records show that the STRAP V objectives have been met. The STRAP IV major error contributors have been significantly reduced and the tracking flexibility has been increased with only minor error contributions. Attention is given to the basic STRAP III control modes, major STRAP IV system error sources, tuned restrained inertial gyros (TRIGs), the programmable sequence timer, the STRAP V control box, third axis update, system gyro alignments, and STRAP V operational capabilities.

Budney, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Pyrheliometer With Improved Accuracy

Instrument maintains components at constant temperature and allows tenfold improvement in instrumental accuracy. Two units make up improved pyreheliometer. Radiometer absorbs radiant energy and generates electrical signal. Control unit, which incorporates improvements, provides amplifiers, controls, and calibration circuits. Instrument 10 times more accurate than previous sion.

Estey, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Accuracy Criterion for Structural Calculations

Simple method of establishing an accuracy criterion based on comparing allowable errors and modeling errors. On basis of comparison, amounts of change required to improve modeling error used in convergence criterion.

Chen, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Use of collateral information to improve LANDSAT classification accuracies

Methods to improve LANDSAT classification accuracies were investigated including: (1) the use of prior probabilities in maximum likelihood classification as a methodology to integrate discrete collateral data with continuously measured image density variables; (2) the use of the logit classifier as an alternative to multivariate normal classification that permits mixing both continuous and categorical variables in a single model and fits empirical distributions of observations more closely than the multivariate normal density function; and (3) the use of collateral data in a geographic information system as exercised to model a desired output information layer as a function of input layers of raster format collateral and image data base layers.

Strahler, A. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Geometric accuracy of LANDSAT-4 MSS image data

Analyses of the LANDSAT-4 MSS image data of North Georgia provided by the EDC in CCT-p formats reveal that errors of approximately + or - 30 m in the raw data can be reduced to about + or - 55 m based on rectification procedures involving the use of 20 to 30 well-distributed GCPs and 2nd or 3rd degree polynomial equations. Higher order polynomials do not appear to improve the rectification accuracy. A subscene area of 256 x 256 pixels was rectified with a 1st degree polynomial to yield an RMSE sub xy value of + or - 40 m, indicating that USGS 1:24,000 scale quadrangle-sized areas of LANDSAT-4 data can be fitted to a map base with relatively few control points and simple equations. The errors in the rectification process are caused by the spatial resolution of the MSS data, by errors in the maps and GCP digitizing process, and by displacements caused by terrain relief. Overall, due to the improved pointing and attitude control of the spacecraft, the geometric quality of the LANDSAT-4 MSS data appears much improved over that of LANDSATS -1, -2 and -3.

Welch, R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

An evaluation of LANDSAT-4 thematic mapper data for their geometric and radiometric accuracies and their relevance to geologic mapping

Thematic mapper scenes for Washington, D.C. and Macon, Georgia were examined to determine their radiometry and geometric accuracy. Specific band ratios were used to determine their effectiveness in defining vegetation and rock mineralogy. the TM 3/4 band ratio was used to define vegetation and the 5/2 band ratio was used to define limonitic rocks. The 5/7 band ratio was evaluated to test the effectiveness of the 1.6 and 2.2 mm bands in detecting clay and carbonate bearing rocks. Preliminary results show that clay minerals containing absorption bands at 2.2 mm, which are centered in the TM band 7, can be readily detected when the band ratio images are suitably contrast stretched. Bright rocks, such as marbles, which contain absorption bands in the 2.33 mm region, near the wavelength of TM band 7, are only evident upon harsher contrast stretching of the 5/7 band ratio. Geobotanical studies of Washington, D.C. show that monospecific forest canopies can be differentiated.

Bender, L. U.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The NASA High Accuracy Fuel Flowmeter (HAFF) Development Program

The high accuracy fuel flowmeter development program is described. A flightworthy meter that measures mass flowrate of aircraft fuels to within + or - 0.25% of reading over a 50:1 range of flow is developed. A study of measurement techniques to achieve this goal yielded three candidates: (1) a dual turbine flowmeter with density and viscosity compensation; (2) an angular momentum flowmeter with a motor-driven, spring-restrained turbine and viscosity shroud; and (3) a vortex precission flowmeter with density and viscosity compensation. An experimental study of each technique was completed and the first two candidates were selected for prototype development.

Hobart, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1983

An investigation of the accuracy of finite difference methods in the solution of linear elasticity problems

The accuracy of the finite difference method in the solution of linear elasticity problems that involve either a stress discontinuity or a stress singularity is considered. Solutions to three elasticity problems are discussed in detail: a semi-infinite plane subjected to a uniform load over a portion of its boundary; a bimetallic plate under uniform tensile stress; and a long, midplane symmetric, fiber reinforced laminate subjected to uniform axial strain. Finite difference solutions to the three problems are compared with finite element solutions to corresponding problems. For the first problem a comparison with the exact solution is also made. The finite difference formulations for the three problems are based on second order finite difference formulas that provide for variable spacings in two perpendicular directions. Forward and backward difference formulas are used near boundaries where their use eliminates the need for fictitious grid points.

Bauld, N. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The use of LANDSAT-4 MSS digital data in temporal data sets and the evaluation of scene-to-scene registration accuracy

The MSS sensor on LANDSAT 4 is, in certain performance aspects, different from those on LANDSATS 1 through 3. These differences created some concern in the NASA research community as to whether individual data sets can be registered accurately enough to produce acceptable data sets for multitemporal data analysis. The use of LANDSAT 4 MSS digital data in temporal data sets is examined and a method is presented for estimating temporal registration accuracy based on the use of an X-Y digitizer and grey tone electrostatic plots. Results indicate that the RMS temporal registration errors are not significantly different from the temporal data sets generated using LANDSAT 4 and LANDSAT 2 data (33.35 meters) and the temporal data set constructed from two LANDSAT 2 data sets (33.61 meters). A derivation of the model used to evaluate the temporal registration is included.

Anderson, J. E.↗