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At least 865 records · Page 48

Precision Attitude Determination System (PADS) system design and analysis: Single-axis gimbal star tracker

The feasibility is evaluated of an evolutionary development for use of a single-axis gimbal star tracker from prior two-axis gimbal star tracker based system applications. Detailed evaluation of the star tracker gimbal encoder is considered. A brief system description is given including the aspects of tracker evolution and encoder evaluation. System analysis includes evaluation of star availability and mounting constraints for the geosynchronous orbit application, and a covariance simulation analysis to evaluate performance potential. Star availability and covariance analysis digital computer programs are included.

Source record↗

A study of sound generation in subsonic rotors, volume 2

Computer programs were developed for use in the analysis of sound generation by subsonic rotors. Program AIRFOIL computes the spectrum of radiated sound from a single airfoil immersed in a laminar flow field. Program ROTOR extends this to a rotating frame, and provides a model for sound generation in subsonic rotors. The program also computes tone sound generation due to steady state forces on the blades. Program TONE uses a moving source analysis to generate a time series for an array of forces moving in a circular path. The resultant time series are than Fourier transformed to render the results in spectral form. Program SDATA is a standard time series analysis package. It reads in two discrete time series and forms auto and cross covariances and normalizes these to form correlations. The program then transforms the covariances to yield auto and cross power spectra by means of a Fourier transformation.

Chalupnik, J. D.↗

Analysis and application of minimum variance discrete time system identification

An on-line minimum variance parameter identifier was developed which embodies both accuracy and computational efficiency. The new formulation resulted in a linear estimation problem with both additive and multiplicative noise. The resulting filter is shown to utilize both the covariance of the parameter vector itself and the covariance of the error in identification. It is proven that the identification filter is mean square covergent and mean square consistent. The MV parameter identification scheme is then used to construct a stable state and parameter estimation algorithm.

Kotob, S.↗

Stochastic simulation of vertically nonhomogeneous gusts

The small-scale horizontal gust structure of detailed wind profiles along the vertical in the first 20 km of the atmosphere is a vertically nonhomogeneous process. A linear stochastic model was developed based on the process covariance function. This model was formulated through the use of a scaling hypothesis which transforms the nonhomogeneous gust process into a nondimensional gust process which is homogeneous in a nondimensional gust height coordinate. The velocity scaling parameter for the gust process is the gust standard deviation, and the length scale used to nondimensionalize the altitude is the vertical space lag associated with the first zero of the gust covariance function. State space theory was used to derive a digital filter from the model, which can be readily used to simulate gusts for space vehicle design applications.

Fichtl, G. H.↗

Analysis and application of minimum variance discrete time system identification

An on-line minimum variance parameter identifier is developed which embodies both accuracy and computational efficiency. The formulation results in a linear estimation problem with both additive and multiplicative noise. The resulting filter which utilizes both the covariance of the parameter vector itself and the covariance of the error in identification is proven to be mean square convergent and mean square consistent. The MV parameter identification scheme is then used to construct a stable state and parameter estimation algorithm.

Kaufman, H.↗

Dispersion analysis techniques within the space vehicle dynamics simulation program

The Space Vehicle Dynamics Simulation (SVDS) program was evaluated as a dispersion analysis tool. The Linear Error Analysis (LEA) post processor was examined in detail and simulation techniques relative to conducting a dispersion analysis using the SVDS were considered. The LEA processor is a tool for correlating trajectory dispersion data developed by simulating 3 sigma uncertainties as single error source cases. The processor combines trajectory and performance deviations by a root-sum-square (RSS process) and develops a covariance matrix for the deviations. Results are used in dispersion analyses for the baseline reference and orbiter flight test missions. As a part of this study, LEA results were verified as follows: (A) Hand calculating the RSS data and the elements of the covariance matrix for comparison with the LEA processor computed data. (B) Comparing results with previous error analyses. The LEA comparisons and verification are made at main engine cutoff (MECO).

Snow, L. S.↗

Stochastic simulation of vertically nonhomogeneous gusts

The small-scale horizontal gust structure of detailed wind profiles along the vertical in the first 20 km of the atmosphere is a vertically nonhomogeneous process. A linear stochastic model is developed for the process based on the process covariance function. This model is formulated through the use of a scaling hypothesis that transforms the nonhomogeneous gust process into a nondimensional gust process which is homogeneous in a nondimensional height coordinate. The velocity scaling parameter for the gust process is the gust standard deviation, and the length scale used to nondimensionalize the altitude is the vertical space lag associated with the first zero of the gust covariance function. State space theory is used to derive a digital filter from the model, which can be readily used to simulate gusts for space vehicle design applications.

Fichtl, G. H.↗

Models and error analyses in urban air quality estimation

Estimation theory has been applied to a wide range of aerospace problems. Application of this expertise outside the aerospace field has been extremely limited, however. This paper describes the use of covariance error analysis techniques in evaluating the accuracy of pollution estimates obtained from a variety of concentration measuring devices. It is shown how existing software developed for aerospace applications can be applied to the estimation of pollution through the processing of measurement types involving a range of spatial and temporal responses. The modeling of pollutant concentration by meandering Gaussian plumes is described in some detail. Time averaged measurements are associated with a model of the average plume, using some of the same state parameters and thus avoiding the problem of state memory. The covariance analysis has been implemented using existing batch estimation software. This usually involves problems in handling dynamic noise; however, the white dynamic noise has been replaced by a band-limited process which can be easily accommodated by the software.

Englar, T., Jr.↗

Minimum variance system identification with application to digital adaptive flight control

A new on-line minimum variance filter for the identification of systems with additive and multiplicative noise is described which embodies both accuracy and computational efficiency. The resulting filter is shown to use both the covariance of the parameter vector itself and the covariance of the error in identification. A bias reduction scheme can be used to yield asymptotically unbiased estimates. Experimental results for simulated linearized lateral aircraft motion in a digital closed loop mode are presented, showing the utility of the identification schemes.

Kotob, S.↗

Statistics of the residual refraction errors in laser ranging data

A theoretical model for the range error covariance was derived by assuming that the residual refraction errors are due entirely to errors in the meteorological data which are used to calculate the atmospheric correction. The properties of the covariance function are illustrated by evaluating the theoretical model for the special case of a dense network of weather stations uniformly distributed within a circle.

Gardner, C. S.↗

Estimating normal mixture parameters from the distribution of a reduced feature vector

A FORTRAN computer program was written and tested. The measurements consisted of 1000 randomly chosen vectors representing 1, 2, 3, 7, and 10 subclasses in equal portions. In the first experiment, the vectors are computed from the input means and covariances. In the second experiment, the vectors are 16 channel measurements. The starting covariances were constructed as if there were no correlation between separate passes. The biases obtained from each run are listed.

Guseman, L. F.↗

Analysis and application of minimum variance discrete time system identification

An on-line minimum variance parameter identifier is developed which embodies both accuracy and computational efficiency. The formulation results in a linear estimation problem with both additive and multiplicative noise. The resulting filter which utilizes both the covariance of the parameter vector itself and the covariance of the error in identification is proven to be mean square convergent and mean square consistent. The MV parameter identification scheme is then used to construct a stable state and parameter estimation algorithm.

Kotob, S.↗

Information processing requirements for on-board monitoring of automatic landing

A systematic procedure is presented for determining the information processing requirements for on-board monitoring of automatic landing systems. The monitoring system detects landing anomalies through use of appropriate statistical tests. The time-to-correct aircraft perturbations is determined from covariance analyses using a sequence of suitable aircraft/autoland/pilot models. The covariance results are used to establish landing safety and a fault recovery operating envelope via an event outcome tree. This procedure is demonstrated with examples using the NASA Terminal Configured Vehicle (B-737 aircraft). The procedure can also be used to define decision height, assess monitoring implementation requirements, and evaluate alternate autoland configurations.

Sorensen, J. A.↗

Analysis and application of minimum variance discrete linear system identification

An on-line minimum variance (MV) parameter identifier is developed which embodies both accuracy and computational efficiency. The formulation results in a linear estimation problem with both additive and multiplicative noise (AMN). The resulting filter which utilizes both the covariance of the parameter vector itself and the covariance of the error in identification is proven to be mean-square convergent and mean-square consistent. The MV parameter identification scheme is then used to construct a stable state and parameter estimation algorithm.

Kotob, S.↗

Sakata-Taketani spin-0 theory with external field interactions - Lagrangian formalism and causal properties

To illustrate that a relativistic field theory need not be manifestly covariant, Lorentz-invariant Lagrangian densities are constructed that yield the equation satisfied by an interacting (two-component) Sakata-Taketani spin-0 field. Six types of external field couplings are considered, two scalars, two vectors, an antisymmetric second-rank tensor, and a symmetric second-rank tensor, with the results specialized to electromagnetic interactions. For either of the two second-rank couplings, the equation is found to describe noncausal wave propagation, a property that is apparent from the dependence of the coefficients of the space derivatives on the external field; in contrast, the noncausality of the corresponding manifestly covariant Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau spin-0 equation is not so obvious. The possibilities for generalizing the results to higher spin theories involving only the essential 2(2J + 1) components for a particle with a definite spin J and mass m are discussed in considerable detail.

Guertin, R. F.↗

Performance evaluation of integrated guidance and navigation systems

The method of linear covariance analysis is applied to the study of an aerospace vehicle integrated guidance-and-navigation system. This requires that the rms trajectory deviations of the vehicle be computed along with the rms errors of the navigation system. The technique is used to examine the performance of the shuttle orbiter vehicle's guidance-and-navigation system during the terminal phase of the landing. Essentially the same rms trajectory deviations were obtained from a single covariance run as from a 30-sample Monte-Carlo run set. Of particular interest in the study was the result that rms trajectory deviations for the integrated-system were generally significantly larger than the rms navigation errors.

Tao, Y. C.↗

Orbit/attitude estimation with LANDSAT Landmark data

The use of LANDSAT landmark data for orbit/attitude and camera bias estimation was studied. The preliminary results of these investigations are presented. The Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS) error analysis capability was used to perform error analysis studies. A number of questions were addressed including parameter observability and sensitivity, effects on the solve-for parameter errors of data span, density, and distribution an a priori covariance weighting. The use of the GTDS differential correction capability with acutal landmark data was examined. The rms line and element observation residuals were studied as a function of the solve-for parameter set, a priori covariance weighting, force model, attitude model and data characteristics. Sample results are presented. Finally, verfication and preliminary system evaluation of the LANDSAT NAVPAK system for sequential (extended Kalman Filter) estimation of orbit, and camera bias parameters is given.

Hall, D. L.↗

Maximum likelihood estimation for life distributions with competing failure modes

The general model for the competing failure modes assuming that location parameters for each mode are expressible as linear functions of the stress variables and the failure modes act independently is presented. The general form of the likelihood function and the likelihood equations are derived for the extreme value distributions, and solving these equations using nonlinear least squares techniques provides an estimate of the asymptotic covariance matrix of the estimators. Monte-Carlo results indicate that, under appropriate conditions, the location parameters are nearly unbiased, the scale parameter is slightly biased, and the asymptotic covariances are rapidly approached.

Sidik, S. M.↗