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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Profiling atmospheric water vapor by microwave radiometry

High-altitude microwave radiometric observations at frequencies near 92 and 183.3 GHz were used to study the potential of retrieving atmospheric water vapor profiles over both land and water. An algorithm based on an extended kalman-Bucy filter was implemented and applied for the water vapor retrieval. The results show great promise in atmospheric water vapor profiling by microwave radiometry heretofore not attainable at lower frequencies.

Wang, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Multifrequency observations of a solar microwave burst with two-dimensional spatial resolution

Frequency-agile interferometry observations using three baselines and the technique of frequency synthesis were used to obtain two-dimensional positions of multiple microwave sources at several frequency ranges in a solar flare. Source size and brightness temperature spectra were obtained near the peak of the burst. The size spectrum shows that the source size decreases rapidly with increasing frequency, but the brightness temperature spectrum can be well-fitted by gyrosynchrotron emission from a nonthermal distribution of electrons with power-law index of 4.8. The spatial structure of the burst showed several characteristics in common with primary/secondary bursts discussed by Nakajima et al. (1985). A source of coherent plasma emission at low frequencies is found near the secondary gyrosynchrotron source, associated with the leader spots of the active region.

Gary, Dale E.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Phase Locking of a THz QC-VECSEL to a Microwave Reference

We report high-resolution frequency study and phase locking have been performed on a terahertz (THz) quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (QC-VECSEL) operating around 2.5 THz. A subharmonic diode mixer is used to down convert the THz signal to a 100 MHz intermediate frequency that is phase locked to a stable 100 MHz microwave reference. Between 90% and 95% of the QC-VECSEL signal is locked within 2 Hz of the multiplied RF reference, and amplitude fluctuations on the order of 1%–10% are observed, depending on the bias point of the QC-VECSEL. The bandwidth of the locking loop is ~1 MHz. Many noise peaks in the IF signal are observed, likely corresponding to mechanical resonances in the 10 Hz–10 kHz. These peaks are generally -30 to -60 dB below the main tone and are below the phase noise level of the multiplied RF reference that ultimately limits the phase noise of the locked QC-VECSEL.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2018

Microwave Remote Sensing of Snow: Advances over Ice Sheet, Land, and Sea Ice

Satellite microwave radiometers have enabled us to observe the cryosphere and its changes. A variety of algorithms have been developed since the late 1970s. These convert observed microwave radiation into geophysical, glaciological properties relevant to study ice sheets’ snow accumulation and melt, terrestrial snow water equivalent and freeze/thaw state, and various sea ice cover characteristics like extent, concentration, and thickness. In spite of the continuous availability of satellite microwave radiometers for the past 40 years, potential for advancing our understanding of the relationship between microwave radiation and snow/ice properties still exists. Original empirical algorithms have matured and are becoming more physically based. This presentation offers insights into some advances made during the past 10 years in monitoring ice sheet, terrestrial snow, and sea ice. These advances made it possible to provide new, more reliable climate-related variables to the community for the satellite era using the typical 18-37 GHz frequency range (e.g., retrievals of grain size profiles in Antarctica, snow cover stratification, and therefore accumulation with applications to climate studies). Recent NASA instruments have recorded low microwave frequencies (at 1.4 GHz). These observations have a large penetration depth, they emanate from deep into the ice, where properties including temperature are very stable. Nonetheless, it has been found at both Dome C, Antarctica and Summit, Greenland that changes in surface snow properties significantly influence these observations. Compared to ice sheets, terrestrial snow and sea ice present higher spatial heterogeneities. Over land, presence of canopy and lakes, though with known locations, add ambiguities in the retrievals of snow properties. Over sea ice, ridges, leads, changes in salinity, and sea ice drift augment further the level of difficulty in obtaining robust geophysical properties. Assessing the quality of satellite retrievals, often requiring field activities, is a necessary step in designing the next generation of microwave algorithms to monitor changes in the cryosphere.

Brucker, Ludovic↗
NASA NTRS2000

Sensitivity of Spacebased Microwave Radiometer Observations to Ocean Surface Evaporation

Ocean surface evaporation and the latent heat it carries are the major components of the hydrologic and thermal forcing on the global oceans. However, there is practically no direct in situ measurements. Evaporation estimated from bulk parameterization methods depends on the quality and distribution of volunteer-ship reports which are far less than satisfactory. The only way to monitor evaporation with sufficient temporal and spatial resolutions to study global environment changes is by spaceborne sensors. The estimation of seasonal-to-interannual variation of ocean evaporation, using spacebased measurements of wind speed, sea surface temperature (SST), and integrated water vapor, through bulk parameterization method,s was achieved with reasonable success over most of the global ocean, in the past decade. Because all the three geophysical parameters can be retrieved from the radiance at the frequencies measured by the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) on Nimbus-7, the feasibility of retrieving evaporation directly from the measured radiance was suggested and demonstrated using coincident brightness temperatures observed by SMMR and latent heat flux computed from ship data, in the monthly time scale. However, the operational microwave radiometers that followed SMMR, the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I), lack the low frequency channels which are sensitive to SST. This low frequency channels are again included in the microwave imager (TMI) of the recently launched Tropical Rain Measuring Mission (TRMM). The radiance at the frequencies observed by both TMI and SSM/I were simulated through an atmospheric radiative transfer model using ocean surface parameters and atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles produced by the reanalysis of the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF). From the same ECMWF data set, coincident evaporation is computed using a surface layer turbulent transfer model. The sensitivity of the radiance to evaporation over various seasons and geographic locations are examined. The microwave frequencies with radiance that are significant correlated with evaporation are identify and capability of estimating evaporation directly from TMI will be discussed.

Liu, Timothy W.↗
NASA NTRS2016

RFI and Remote Sensing of the Earth from Space

Passive microwave remote sensing of the Earth from space provides information essential for understanding the Earth's environment and its evolution. Parameters such as soil moisture, sea surface temperature and salinity, and profiles of atmospheric temperature and humidity are measured at frequencies determined by the physics (e.g. sensitivity to changes in desired parameters) and by the availability of suitable spectrum free from interference. Interference from manmade sources (radio frequency interference) is an impediment that in many cases limits the potential for accurate measurements from space. A review is presented here of the frequencies employed in passive microwave remote sensing of the Earth from space and the associated experience with RFI.

RFI↗
NASA NTRS1986

The microwave and far-infrared spectra of the O-(18)H radical

Far-infrared laser magnetic resonance (LMR) spectroscopy was used to calculate the frequencies, wavelengths, and line strengths for transitions of O-(18)H molecules at microwave and far-infrared frequencies. In this experiment, a molecular transition frequency is tuned into coincidence with that of a fixed frequency laser by the application of a variable magnetic field. The O-(18)H radicals, detected in natural abundance (0.20 percent), were produced by the reaction of hydrogen atoms with nitrogen dioxide. These data together with microwave frequencies ascertained by Gottlieb, Redford, and Smith (1974) were used to determine the parameters of an effective Hamiltonian. Rotational levels up to J = 5.5 were involved. Results are indicated schematically and the low-lying energy levels of O-(18)H are shown. It is concluded that the frequencies of transitions between levels studied directly in the LMR experiment are reliable.

Comben, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Dual-Polarization, Multi-Frequency Antenna Array for use with Hurricane Imaging Radiometer

Advancements in common aperture antenna technology were employed to utilize its proprietary genetic algorithmbased modeling tools in an effort to develop, build, and test a dual-polarization array for Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRAD) applications. Final program results demonstrate the ability to achieve a lightweight, thin, higher-gain aperture that covers the desired spectral band. NASA employs various passive microwave and millimeter-wave instruments, such as spectral radiometers, for a range of remote sensing applications, from measurements of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, to cosmic background emission. These instruments such as the HIRAD, SFMR (Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer), and LRR (Lightweight Rainfall Radiometer), provide unique data accumulation capabilities for observing sea surface wind, temperature, and rainfall, and significantly enhance the understanding and predictability of hurricane intensity. These microwave instruments require extremely efficient wideband or multiband antennas in order to conserve space on the airborne platform. In addition, the thickness and weight of the antenna arrays is of paramount importance in reducing platform drag, permitting greater time on station. Current sensors are often heavy, single- polarization, or limited in frequency coverage. The ideal wideband antenna will have reduced size, weight, and profile (a conformal construct) without sacrificing optimum performance. The technology applied to this new HIRAD array will allow NASA, NOAA, and other users to gather information related to hurricanes and other tropical storms more cost effectively without sacrificing sensor performance or the aircraft time on station. The results of the initial analysis and numerical design indicated strong potential for an antenna array that would satisfy all of the design requirements for a replacement HIRAD array. Multiple common aperture antenna methodologies were employed to achieve exceptional gain over the entire spectral frequency band while exhibiting superb VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) values. Element size and spacing requirements were addressed for a direct replacement of the thicker, lower-performance, stack ed patch antenna array currently employed for the HIRAD application. Several variants to the multiband arrays were developed that exhibited four, equally spaced, high efficiency, "sweet spot" frequency bands, as well as the option for a high-performance wideband array. The 0.25-in. (≈6.4- mm) thickness of the antenna stack-up itself was achieved through the application of specialized antenna techniques and meta-materials to accomplish all design objectives.

Little, John↗
NASA NTRS1992

Transition frequencies and absolute strengths of H2 O-17 and H2 O-18 in the 6.2-micron region

High-resolution spectra of oxygen-enriched samples of water vapor were recorded with a Fourier-transform spectrometer covering transitions in the (010)-(000) bands. The measured line frequencies were used along with measurements taken from studies at microwave and far-infrared frequencies to obtain rotational energy levels in the (000) and (010) states of H2 O-17 and H2 O-18. Measurements of the line strengths were fitted to a model in which as many as 18 transition moment parameters were determined. The results produced computed line-strength values that are in excellent agreement with the 623 H2 O-17 experimental transition strengths and 696 H2 O-18 values. These results provide a more accurate representation of the line positions and strengths for the (010)-(000) bands of H2 O-17 and H2 O-18 than those previously available.

Toth, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

High-resolution measurements and analysis of (N-14)(O-16)2 in the (001)-(000) and (011)-(010) bands

High-resolution spectra of NO2 were recorded with a Fourier-transform spectrometer, covering transitions in the (001)-(000) and (011)-(010) bands from 1540 to 1662/cm. The measured line frequencies were used with additional data taken from studies at microwave and far-IR frequencies in an analysis to obtain spin-rotation constants and rotational energies of levels in the (001) and (011) states. Line strengths of these two bands were also measured and analyzed. The analyses included spin-rotation levels of the (001) state for Ka up to and including 13 and N to 73 and those of the (001) state for Ka up to and including 7 and N to 55. The study included observed and enhanced Ka = 5 - 6 transitions in the (020)-(000) band that interact, by means of a Coriolis-type interaction, with Ka = 5 transitions in the (011)-(000) band. Also observed and analyzed were the results of spin-rotation resonance interactions between two levels of the same state. These perturbations affected one or more levels of a given Ka and state and were observed for Ka = 0 with Ka = 2 and Ka = 1 with Ka = 3 for the (001) and (000) states and for Ka = 0 with Ka = 2 for the (011) and (001) states.

Toth, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Precipitation Estimation Using Combined Radar/Radiometer Measurements Within the GPM Framework

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission is an international satellite mission specifically designed to unify and advance precipitation measurements from a constellation of research and operational microwave sensors. The GPM mission centers upon the deployment of a Core Observatory in a 65o non-Sun-synchronous orbit to serve as a physics observatory and a transfer standard for intersatellite calibration of constellation radiometers. The GPM Core Observatory will carry a Ku/Ka-band Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and a conical-scanning multi-channel (10-183 GHz) GPM Microwave Radiometer (GMI). The DPR will be the first dual-frequency radar in space to provide not only measurements of 3-D precipitation structures but also quantitative information on microphysical properties of precipitating particles needed for improving precipitation retrievals from microwave sensors. The DPR and GMI measurements will together provide a database that relates vertical hydrometeor profiles to multi-frequency microwave radiances over a variety of environmental conditions across the globe. This combined database will be used as a common transfer standard for improving the accuracy and consistency of precipitation retrievals from all constellation radiometers. For global coverage, GPM relies on existing satellite programs and new mission opportunities from a consortium of partners through bilateral agreements with either NASA or JAXA. Each constellation member may have its unique scientific or operational objectives but contributes microwave observations to GPM for the generation and dissemination of unified global precipitation data products. In addition to the DPR and GMI on the Core Observatory, the baseline GPM constellation consists of the following sensors: (1) Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) instruments on the U.S. Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites, (2) the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR-2) on the GCOM-W1 satellite of JAXA, (3) the Multi-Frequency Microwave Scanning Radiometer (MADRAS) and the multi-channel microwave humidity sounder (SAPHIR) on the French-Indian Megha- Tropiques satellite, (4) the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-19, (5) MHS instruments on MetOp satellites launched by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), (6) the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) on the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP), and (7) ATMS instruments on the NOAA-NASA Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites. Data from Chinese and Russian microwave radiometers may also become available through international collaboration under the auspices of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and Group on Earth Observations (GEO). The current generation of global rainfall products combines observations from a network of uncoordinated satellite missions using a variety of merging techniques. GPM will provide next-generation precipitation products characterized by: (1) more accurate instantaneous precipitation estimate (especially for light rain and cold-season solid precipitation), (2) intercalibrated microwave brightness temperatures from constellation radiometers within a consistent framework, and (3) unified precipitation retrievals from constellation radiometers using a common a priori hydrometeor database constrained by combined radar/radiometer measurements provided by the GPM Core Observatory.

Hou, Arthur↗
NASA NTRS1996

Frequency Stability of 1X10(sup -13) in a compensated Saphirre Oscillator Operating Above 77K

We report on tests of a compensated saphirre oscillator (CS) which shows frequency-stable operation at temperatures above 77k.The frequency stability for this oscillator shows an apparent flicker floor of 7.5X10(sup -14) for measuring times between 3 and 10 seconds, and stability is better than 2X10(sup -13) for all measuring times between 10 and 100 seconds... Frequency sensitivities os the microwave sapphire resonator to temperature and temperature rate have been characterized, and a careful analysis of several aspects of the ac frequency-lock.

compensated saphirre oscillator frequency stabilit↗
NASA NTRS1972

Spectral observations of Venus in the frequency interval 18.5-24.0 GHz - 1964 and 1967-68.

During July 1964, Venus was observed with a tunable radiometer at eight frequencies in the interval 20.6-24.0 GHz and again at six frequencies in the interval 18.5-24.0 GHz during an eight-month period beginning approximately one month after the inferior conjunction of 1967. Microwave spectra for these frequency intervals were computed using the results from Mariner 5 and Veneras 4-7 and compared to these data. One block of data suggests a lower percentage of H2O than that reported by the Venera probes, while other blocks may be consistent with the probe data. These data therefore suggest that the distribution of water vapor down to atmospheric levels probed at these frequencies may vary with time or else the Venera probes may have detected localized enhancements in water vapor.

Jones, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2015

A Prototype Physical Database for Passive Microwave Retrievals of Precipitation over the US Southern Great Plains

An accurate understanding of the instantaneous, dynamic land surface emissivity is necessary for a physically based, multi-channel passive microwave precipitation retrieval scheme over land. In an effort to assess the feasibility of the physical approach for land surfaces, a semi-empirical emissivity model is applied for calculation of the surface component in a test area of the US Southern Great Plains. A physical emissivity model, using land surface model data as input, is used to calculate emissivity at the 10GHz frequency, combining contributions from the underlying soil and vegetation layers, including the dielectric and roughness effects of each medium. An empirical technique is then applied, based upon a robust set of observed channel covariances, extending the emissivity calculations to all channels. For calculation of the hydrometeor contribution, reflectivity profiles from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission Precipitation Radar (TRMM PR) are utilized along with coincident brightness temperatures (Tbs) from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI), and cloud-resolving model profiles. Ice profiles are modified to be consistent with the higher frequency microwave Tbs. Resulting modeled top of the atmosphere Tbs show correlations to observations of 0.9, biases of 1K or less, root-mean-square errors on the order of 5K, and improved agreement over the use of climatological emissivity values. The synthesis of these models and data sets leads to the creation of a simple prototype Tb database that includes both dynamic surface and atmospheric information physically consistent with the land surface model, emissivity model, and atmospheric information.

microwave↗
NASA NTRS1991

nu-2 band of H2 O-16 - Line strengths and transition frequencies

High-resolution spectra of H2 O-16 were recorded with a Fourier-transform spectrometer covering transitions in the (010)-(000) band from 1066 to 2582/cm. The measured line frequencies were used along with additional data taken from studies at microwave and far-infrared frequencies in an analysis to obtain rotational energies of levels in the (000) and (010) states. Measurements of the line strengths were fitted by least squares to a model in which the dipole moment matrix elements were represented by as many as 19 expansion coefficients. The results produced computed line strength values that are in excellent agreement, on the average, with the 874 experimental transitions included in the analysis. These results provide a more accurate representation of the line positions and strengths for the (010)-(000) band than are currently available on the HITRAN absorption line parameter compilation.

Toth, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

GPM Constellation Reconfiguration and Mission Status

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission is an international satellite mission that uses combined active and passive remote sensing techniques to improve global precipitation measurements derived from dedicated and operational passive microwave sensors. GPM is a science mission with integrated applications goals to (1) advance the knowledge of precipitation physics and the global water cycle variability, and (2) improve weather, climate, and hydrological prediction capabilities through more accurate and frequent measurements of global precipitation and innovative application methods. The GPM Mission is currently a partnership between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with opportunities for additional domestic and international partners in satellite constellation buildup and ground validation activities. The GPM concept is centered on employing a dualfrequency precipitation radar and a microwave radiometer with high-frequency capabilities on a core satellite to serve as a physics observatory and calibration standard to provide a consistent framework for unifying precipitation measurements from a heterogeneous constellation of passive microwave sensors. Building on the siccess of TRMM, GPM extends combined radadradiometer precipitation measurements into the mid and high latitudes, with new science foci on improved capabilities for light-rain and snowfall measurements, as well as more accurate precipitation retrievals over land. With recent studies indicating that AMSU-B rainfall estimates are comparable in quality to those derived from conically-scanning radiometers over land, it is envisioned that cross-track microwave sounders with high-frequency channels on operational satellites such as the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), NOAA-N', and MetOp satellites can play a significant role in augmenting conically-scanning microwave radiometers to achieve better sampling and coverage over land. Plans to reconfigure the baseline GPM constellation to include cross-track microwave sounders over land and the status of other GPM mission elements such as snowfall algorithm development and ground validation plans will be presented

Hou, Arthur Y.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Cassini Radio Science Experiments on Saturn and Titan Preserved Because of Lewis Analysis

The Cassini mission to Saturn is an international venture with participation from NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency. The Cassini spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral in October 1997 and is scheduled to arrive at Saturn in July 2004. After arrival, the spacecraft will orbit Saturn about 60 times over a period of 4 years. During this time, the Cassini Radio Science Subsystem will be used to investigate the atmosphere and rings of Saturn and the atmosphere of its largest moon, Titan--which is larger than Mercury and is the only moon in our solar system with a dense atmosphere. A critical component in Cassini s Radio Science Subsystem is a traveling-wave tube (TWT) that was designed at the NASA Lewis Research Center and built by Hughes Electronic Dynamics Division (ref. 1). This TWT will amplify downlink microwave signals at a frequency of 32 GHz for the Deep Space Network and will be involved in a number of experiments. These include occultation experiments in which the microwave signal will be beamed through rings and atmospheres toward Earth. Researchers will analyze the received signals to determine the sizes and distributions of the particles in the rings and the structure and composition of the atmospheres. The Radio Science Subsystem also will also be used to more accurately determine the mass and size of Saturn and its moons, to investigate the solar corona, and to search for gravity waves from outside the solar system.

Wilson, Jeffrey D.↗