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Full complex spatial filtering with a phase mostly DMD

A new technique for implementing fully complex spatial filters with a phase mostly deformable mirror device (DMD) light modulator is described. The technique combines two or more phase-modulating flexure-beam mirror elements into a single macro-pixel. By manipulating the relative phases of the individual sub-pixels within the macro-pixel, the amplitude and the phase can be independently set for this filtering element. The combination of DMD sub-pixels into a macro-pixel is accomplished by adjusting the optical system resolution, thereby trading off system space bandwidth product for increased filtering flexibility. Volume in the larger dimensioned space, space bandwidth-complex axes count, is conserved. Experimental results are presented mapping out the coupled amplitude and phase characteristics of the individual flexure-beam DMD elements and demonstrating the independent control of amplitude and phase in a combined macro-pixel. This technique is generally applicable for implementation with any type of phase modulating light modulator.

Florence, James M.↗

Planetary lander guidance using binary phase-only filters

We demonstrate the use of binary phase-only filters (BPOFs) in a closed loop guidance system for a laboratory lander mockup. Images of a 3-D terrain board taken by the lander's video camera are preprocessed to produce 128 x 128 binary intensity contour maps of the simulated planetary surface. A BPOF is made from a section of the current preprocessed image centered on the exact desired landing site. After the lander has descended to a lower altitude, the BPOF is correlated with a new image. The position of the correlation peak is used in making the next filter and to guide the lander so as to recenter the landing site in the camera's view. We present results of the accuracy with which a site may be tracked from orbit to landing, and the maximum scale, translation, and rotation which can be tolerated between subsequent images. The tolerable scale distortion is quite critical, as it determines the maximum filter update time available at a given descent rate. Application of the results to NASA's proposed Mars Rover Sample Return (MRSR) and Mars Environmental Survey (MESUR) missions is discussed. In both cases, electronic implementations of the algorithm may be sufficient to provide the required guidance system performance.

Reid, Max B.↗

A comparison of three SAR interference filters

Three interference filters are discussed and their ability to remove the interference while leaving target signal data is quantified. The filters are adaptive frequency-domain spike filtering; adaptive frequency-domain interference determination and masking; and interference-target correlation masking. Using Jet Propulsion Laboratory Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (JPL AIRSAR) data, the algorithms are applied to three data sets. The resultant compressed Stokes matrix data are compared with the normally processed interference-free image in a quantitative sense. The algorithms are evaluated by measuring the polarization signature, SNR, equivalent number of looks, and impulse response of the processed images.

Chapman, B.↗

Estimation of Kalman filter gain from output residuals

This paper presents a procedure to estimate the Kalman filter gain from input-output measurement data with a given system model. The system model can be a finite element model or an experimental model from any identification method. The procedure consists of three basic steps. First, the stochastic portion related to the residuals of the response is computed. Second, the coefficients of a linear difference model for the stochastic portion are estimated by a least-squares solution that minimizes the filter residual. Third, the Kalman filter gain is computed from these model coefficients. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the usefulness of the developed procedure.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Adjustable Fiber Optic Microwave Transversal Filters

Microwave transversal filters implemented as adjustable tapped fiber optic delay lines developed. Main advantages of these filters (in comparison with conventional microwave transversal filters) are small size, light weight, no need for matching of radio-frequency impedances, no need for shielding against electromagnetic radiation at suboptical frequencies, no need for mechanical tuning, high stability of amplitude and phase, and active control of transfer functions. Weights of taps in fiber optic delay lines adjusted.

Shadaram, Mehdi↗

High frequency integrated MOS filters

Several techniques exist for implementing integrated MOS filters. These techniques fit into the general categories of sampled and tuned continuous-time filters. Advantages and limitations of each approach are discussed. This paper focuses primarily on the high frequency capabilities of MOS integrated filters.

Peterson, C.↗

Use of switched capacitor filters to implement the discrete wavelet transform

This paper analyzes the use of IIR switched capacitor filters to implement the discrete wavelet transform and the inverse transform, using quadrature mirror filters (QMF) which have the necessary symmetry for reconstruction of the data. This is done by examining the sensitivity of the QMF transforms to the manufacturing variance in the desired capacitances. The performance is evaluated at the outputs of the separate filter stages and the error in the reconstruction of the inverse transform is compared with the desired results.

Kaiser, Kraig E.↗

Spatial region filtering in IRAF/PROS

In order to analyze x ray data, it is nearly always necessary to extract source and background events from a data set. Typically, this is done by defining geometric spatial regions of the data set to describe the source and background. For example, one might wish to extract source events from a circular or elliptical region centered at a particular pixel, and background events from a circular or elliptical annulus whose inner radius matches the source region. At the same time, it might be necessary to exclude one or more nearby sources from the source or background region in question. Thus, it might be necessary to define a pie-shaped region or even an entirely irregularly-shaped region to exclude. A spatial filtering scheme called REGIONS was implemented in IRAF/PROS to support these and other types of spatial region extraction. It allows users to create a spatial mask by specifying one or more ASCII geometric shape descriptors (box, circle, ellipse, pie, point, annulus, and polygon) as regions to be included or excluded in the mask. In addition, two or more shapes can be combined using Boolean algebra to create an infinite variety of sophisticated regions. Each geometric shape has a specific set of parameters that describe that shape. For example, a circle is described by a center and a radius, while a box is described by a center, length, width, and rotation angle. These quantities can be specified in units of pixels or, in cases where the target image contains world coordinate system information, they can be described in units such as RA and Dec. Users can create region mask files by feeding an ASCII region descriptor to the IRAF/PROS plcreate task. Temporary masks can also be created from ASCII region descriptors by individual applications that call the routines in the region creation library. This library implements a yacc-based region parser that compiles the ASCII descriptors into 'software CPU' instructions which are then executed to create the mask. The mask created from these region descriptors is a standard IRAF PLIO mask. It can be combined with other PLIO masks (e.g., exposure masks) to provide complete spatial filtering capabilities. The capabilities of the region filtering scheme are described. It also discusses the design philosophy guiding our work, as well as our plans for the future.

Mandel, Eric↗

A Novel Approach to Noise-Filtering Based on a Gain-Scheduling Neural Network Architecture

A gain-scheduling neural network architecture is proposed to enhance the noise-filtering efficiency of feedforward neural networks, in terms of both nominal performance and robustness. The synergistic benefits of the proposed architecture are demonstrated and discussed in the context of the noise-filtering of signals that are typically encountered in aerospace control systems. The synthesis of such a gain-scheduled neurofiltering provides the robustness of linear filtering, while preserving the nominal performance advantage of conventional nonlinear neurofiltering. Quantitative performance and robustness evaluations are provided for the signal processing of pitch rate responses to typical pilot command inputs for a modern fighter aircraft model.

Troudet, T.↗

Measured optical performance of three Fabry-Perot interferometers for use in a tunable ultraviolet filter

A narrowband ultraviolet (UV) filter would allow the first monochromatic two-dimensional images of astrophysical plasmas to be obtained in UV emission lines. The high etendue and spectral resolving power of the Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer make it an excellent candidate for use in a tunable UV filter, provided that adequate optical performance can be obtained. Laboratory measurements of three UV FP interferometers with progressively greater dielectric mirror reflectances are described. The measurements demonstrate the adequate reflectivity, absorption, and small-scale smoothness of currently available coatings and substrates for UV interferometry. The measurements are conducted at 228.8 nm utilizing a cadmium hollow cathode light source. The best performing interferometer has a finesse of 41 and maximum transmittance of 0.38 over a coating-performance-dominated 3-mm-diam subaperture and a finesse of 26 and maximum transmittance of 0.32 over a parabolic-defect-dominated 30-mm-diam aperture. This interferometer is well suited for use in a UV filter system.

Korendyke, Clarence M.↗

Maximum-likelihood spectral estimation and adaptive filtering techniques with application to airborne Doppler weather radar

This dissertation focuses on the signal processing problems associated with the detection of hazardous windshears using airborne Doppler radar when weak weather returns are in the presence of strong clutter returns. In light of the frequent inadequacy of spectral-processing oriented clutter suppression methods, we model a clutter signal as multiple sinusoids plus Gaussian noise, and propose adaptive filtering approaches that better capture the temporal characteristics of the signal process. This idea leads to two research topics in signal processing: (1) signal modeling and parameter estimation, and (2) adaptive filtering in this particular signal environment. A high-resolution, low SNR threshold maximum likelihood (ML) frequency estimation and signal modeling algorithm is devised and proves capable of delineating both the spectral and temporal nature of the clutter return. Furthermore, the Least Mean Square (LMS) -based adaptive filter's performance for the proposed signal model is investigated, and promising simulation results have testified to its potential for clutter rejection leading to more accurate estimation of windspeed thus obtaining a better assessment of the windshear hazard.

Lai, Jonathan Y.↗

Wideband bandpass filters employing broadside-coupled microstrip lines for MIC and MMIC applications

Wideband bandpass filters employing half-wavelength broadside-coupled microstrip lines suitable for microwave and mm-wave integrated monolithic integrated circuits (MIC and MMIC) are presented. Several filters have been developed at X-band (8 to 12 GHz) with 1 dB insertion loss. Fair agreement between the measured and calculated results has been observed. The analysis of the broadside-coupled microstrip lines used in the filters, based on the quasi-static spectral domain technique, is also described.

Tran, M.↗

An approximate Kalman filter for ocean data assimilation: An example with an idealized Gulf Stream model

A practical method of data assimilation for use with large, nonlinear, ocean general circulation models is explored. A Kalman filter based on approximation of the state error covariance matrix is presented, employing a reduction of the effective model dimension, the error's asymptotic steady state limit, and a time-invariant linearization of the dynamic model for the error integration. The approximations lead to dramatic computational savings in applying estimation theory to large complex systems. We examine the utility of the approximate filter in assimilating different measurement types using a twin experiment of an idealized Gulf Stream. A nonlinear primitive equation model of an unstable east-west jet is studied with a state dimension exceeding 170,000 elements. Assimilation of various pseudomeasurements are examined, including velocity, density, and volume transport at localized arrays and realistic distributions of satellite altimetry and acoustic tomography observations. Results are compared in terms of their effects on the accuracies of the estimation. The approximate filter is shown to outperform an empirical nudging scheme used in a previous study. The examples demonstrate that useful approximate estimation errors can be computed in a practical manner for general circulation models.

Fukumori, Ichiro↗

Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filters

The effect of Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filters on infrared and blue transitions of some alkali atoms is calculated. A composite system is designed to further increase the background noise rejection. The measured results of the solar background rejection and image quality through the filter are presented. The results show that the filter may provide high transmission and high background noise rejection with excellent image quality.

Shay, T. M.↗

Theoretical model for a Stark anomalous dispersion optical filter

A theoretical model for the first atomic Stark anomalous dispersion optical filter is reported. The results show the filter may serve as a widely tunable narrow bandwidth and high throughput optical filter for freespace laser communications and remote sensing.

Yin, B.↗

Program Computes SLM Inputs To Implement Optimal Filters

Minimum Euclidean Distance Optimal Filter (MEDOF) program generates filters for use in optical correlators. Analytically optimizes filters on arbitrary spatial light modulators (SLMs) of such types as coupled, binary, fully complex, and fractional-2pi-phase. Written in C language.

Barton, R. Shane↗

The development of a tunable, single-frequency ultraviolet laser source for UV filtered Rayleigh scattering

We present the development of a flexible, high power, narrow line width, tunable ultraviolet source for diagnostic application. By frequency tripling the output of a pulsed titanium-sapphire laser, we achieve broadly tunable (227-360 nm) ultraviolet light with high quality spatial and spectral resolution. We also present the characterization of a mercury vapor cell which provides a narrow band, sharp edge absorption filter at 253.7 nm. These two components form the basis for the extension of the Filtered Rayleigh Scattering technique into the ultraviolet. The UV-FRS system is comprised of four pieces: a single frequency, cw tunable Ti:Sapphire seeding source; a high-powered pulsed Ti:Sapphire oscillator; a third harmonic generator system; and an atomic mercury vapor filter. In this paper we discuss the development and characterization of each of these elements.

Finkelstein, N.↗

Development of an in-line filter to prevent intrusion of NO2 toxic vapors into A/C systems

The hypergolic propellant nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4 or NTO) is routinely used in spacecraft launched at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS). In the case of a catastrophic failure of the spacecraft, there would be a release of the unspent propellant in the form of a toxic cloud. Inhalation of this material at downwind concentrations which may be as high as 20 parts per million (ppm) for 30 minutes in duration, may produce irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. Studies at both KSC and CCAS have shown that the indoor concentrations of N2O4 during a toxic release may range from 1 to 15 ppm and depend on the air change rate (ACR) for a particular building and whether or not the air conditioning (A/C) system has been shut down or left in an operating mode. This project was initiated in order to assess how current A/C systems could be easily modified to prevent personnel from being exposed to toxic vapors. A sample system has been constructed to test the ability of several types of filter material to capture the N2O4 vapors prior to their infiltration into the A/C system. Test results will be presented which compare the efficiencies of standard A/C filters, water wash systems, and chemically impregnated filter material in taking toxic vapors out of the incoming air stream.

Meneghelli, Barry↗