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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Task-dependent color discrimination

When color video displays are used in time-critical applications (e.g., head-up displays, video control panels), the observer must discriminate among briefly presented targets seen within a complex spatial scene. Color-discrimination threshold are compared by using two tasks. In one task the observer makes color matches between two halves of a continuously displayed bipartite field. In a second task the observer detects a color target in a set of briefly presented objects. The data from both tasks are well summarized by ellipsoidal isosensitivity contours. The fitted ellipsoids differ both in their size, which indicates an absolute sensitivity difference, and orientation, which indicates a relative sensitivity difference.

Poirson, Allen B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Discrimination of active and inactive sand from remote sensing - Kelso dunes, Mojave Desert, California

Landsat TM images, field data, and laboratoray reflectance spectra were examined for the Kelso dunes, Mojave Desert, California to assess the use of visible and near-infrared (VNIR) remote sensing data to discriminate aeolian sand populations on the basis of spectral brightness. Results show that areas of inactive sand have a larger percentage of dark, fine-grained materials compared to those composed of active sand, which contain less dark fines and a higher percentage of quartz sand-size grains. Both areas are spectrally distinct in the VNIR, suggesting that VNIR spectral data can be used to discriminate active and inactive sand populations in the Mojave Desert. Analysis of laboratory spectra was complicated by the presence of magnetite in the active sands, which decreases their laboratory reflectance values to those of inactive sands. For this application, comparison of TM and laboratory spectra suggests that less than 35 percent vegetation cover does not influence the TM spectra.

Paisley, Elizabeth C. I.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Fiber-Optic Discriminator Stabilizes Microwave Oscillator

New fiber-optic delay line discriminator enables stabilization of oscillators directly at microwave output frequency, eliminating need for frequency multiplication. Discriminator is wide-band device, capable of stabilizing outputs of frequency-agile microwave sources over multigigahertz tuning ranges. Use of advanced fiber-optic delay line with wider bandwidth and low noise predicted to yield corresponding improvements in phase-noise performance.

Logan, Ronald T., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Microwave Frequency Discriminator With Sapphire Resonator

Cooled sapphire resonator provides ultralow phase noise. Apparatus comprises microwave oscillator operating at nominal frequency of about 8.1 GHz, plus frequency-discriminator circuit measuring phase fluctuations of oscillator output. One outstanding feature of frequency discriminator is sapphire resonator serving as phase reference. Sapphire resonator is dielectric ring resonator operating in "whispering-gallery" mode. Functions at room temperature, but for better performance, typically cooled to operating temperature of about 80 K. Similar resonator described in "Sapphire Ring Resonator for Microwave Oscillator" (NPO-18082).

Santiago, David G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Status of local oscillators for operating ultra-high resolution frequency discriminators as frequency standards

The operation of new improved frequency standards based on new ultra-high-resolution frequency discriminators requires high stability local, or 'flywheel' oscillators. We review the spectral density of phase fluctuations of existing flywheel oscillators and the related time domain frequency stability of new and proposed cryogenically cooled oscillators suitable for this application. Presently used devices include the quartz crystal oscillator, the room-temperature actively oscillating atomic hydrogen (H) maser, and the superconducting maser oscillator. Future devices include the cryogenic H-maser and other cryogenic devices using resonators of superconducting metal or solid crystalline sapphire. The relation of the phase spectral density of these devices to the characteristics of present and proposed frequency discriminators based on trapped cooled ions and cold atoms is discussed in terms of their operation as frequency standards.

Vessot, R. F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Grayscale/resolution trade-off for text: Model predictions and psychophysical results for letter confusion and letter discrimination

In a series of papers presented in 1994, we examined the grayscale/resolution trade-off for natural images displayed on devices with discrete pixellation, such as AMLCD's. In the present paper we extend this study by examining the grayscale/resolution trade-off for text images on discrete-pixel displays. Halftoning in printing is an example of the grayscale/resolution trade-off. In printing, spatial resolution is sacrificed to produce grayscale. Another example of this trade-off is the inherent low-pass spatial filter of a CRT, caused by the point-spread function of the electron beam in the phosphor layer. On a CRT, sharp image edges are blurred by this inherent low-pass filtering, and the block noise created by spatial quantization is greatly reduced. A third example of this trade-off is text anti-aliasing, where grayscale is used to improve letter shape, size and location when rendered at a low spatial resolution. There are additional implications for display system design from the grayscale/resolution trade-off. For example, reduced grayscale can reduce system costs by requiring less complexity in the framestore, allowing the use of lower cost drivers, potentially increasing data transfer rates in the image subsystem, and simplifying the manufacturing processes that are used to construct the active matrix for AMLCD (active-matrix liquid-crystal display) or AMTFEL (active-matrix thin-film electroluminescent) devices. Therefore, the study of these trade-offs is important for display designers and manufacturing and systems engineers who wish to create the highest performance, lowest cost device possible. Our strategy for investigating this trade-off is to generate a set of simple test images, manipulate grayscale and resolution, predict discrimination performance using the ViDEOS(Sarnoff) Human Vision Model, conduct an empirical study of discrimination using psychophysical procedures, and verify the computational results using the psychophysical results.

Gille, Jennifer↗
NASA NTRS1998

Decision Processes in Discrimination: Fundamental Misrepresentations of Signal Detection Theory

In the first part of this article, I describe a new approach to studying decision making in discrimination tasks that does not depend on the technical assumptions of signal detection theory (e.g., normality of the encoding distributions). Applying these new distribution-free tests to data from three experiments, I show that base rate and payoff manipulations had substantial effects on the participants' encoding distributions but no effect on their decision rules, which were uniformly unbiased in equal and unequal base rate conditions and in symmetric and asymmetric payoff conditions. In the second part of the article, I show that this seemingly paradoxical result is readily explained by the sequential sampling models of discrimination. I then propose a new, "model-free" test for response bias that seems to more properly identify both the nature and direction of the biases induced by the classical bias manipulations.

Balakrishnan, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Image Discrimination Models for Object Detection in Natural Backgrounds

This paper reviews work accomplished and in progress at NASA Ames relating to visual target detection. The focus is on image discrimination models, starting with Watson's pioneering development of a simple spatial model and progressing through this model's descendents and extensions. The application of image discrimination models to target detection will be described and results reviewed for Rohaly's vehicle target data and the Search 2 data. The paper concludes with a description of work we have done to model the process by which observers learn target templates and methods for elucidating those templates.

Ahumada, A. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Image Discrimination Predictions of a Single Channel Model with Contrast Gain Control

Image discrimination models predict the number of just-noticeable-differences between two images. We report the predictions of a single channel model with contrast masking for a range of standard discrimination experiments. Despite its computational simplicity, this model has performed as well as a multiple channel model in an object detection task.

Ahumada, Albert J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Speed Discrimination: Multiple Stimuli Appear Better Than One

We reported that for a 21FC task with multiple moving grating patches (Gabors) in each interval, thresholds for speed discrimination decreased with the number of patches, while increasing the area of a single grating produced no such effect. Furthermore, this decrease occurred regardless of the spacing of the patches about a circle of eccentricity 4 degrees, i.e., whether they were maximally separated or almost touching. These results suggest that it is the multiple, discrete grating patches that cause thresholds to decrease, rather than the spatial arrangement. To test this hypothesis, we measured the effect of dividing a large grating into four quadrants, by superimposing a mean-luminance cross on it. The mean speed discrimination thresholds (Weber Fractions) for four observers were 19, 15, and 11 plus or minus 2%, for the single large grating, the grating with cross, and the 4 maximally-separated, small gratings, respectively. Thus, breaking up a single large grating into multiple parts caused thresholds to improve, despite the fact that less of the original patch was visible. To investigate the possible contribution of total bounding contour length, we measured the effect of coalescing three small grating patches into a single banana-shaped patch, while keeping the total contour length constant. These two conditions were compared to a single, circular Gabor patch of equivalent area that had (necessarily) a smaller contour length. Preliminary data from 3 of 4 observers were similar for the small-grating and banana configurations, but increased for the single, large grating, suggesting that contour length might play a role. We are also investigating the role of low-level factors pertinent to the large grating, such as the pooling of signals from motion units at different eccentricities, and the stimulation of extended inhibitory motion surrounds, as well as the possible contribution of topdown influences that segment the stimulus into distinct objects.

Verghese, Preeti↗
NASA NTRS2002

Kernel Partial Least Squares for Nonlinear Regression and Discrimination

This paper summarizes recent results on applying the method of partial least squares (PLS) in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS). A previously proposed kernel PLS regression model was proven to be competitive with other regularized regression methods in RKHS. The family of nonlinear kernel-based PLS models is extended by considering the kernel PLS method for discrimination. Theoretical and experimental results on a two-class discrimination problem indicate usefulness of the method.

Rosipal, Roman↗
NASA NTRS2001

Application of multivariate statistics to vestibular testing: discriminating between Meniere's disease and migraine associated dizziness

Meniere's disease (MD) and migraine associated dizziness (MAD) are two disorders that can have similar symptomatologies, but differ vastly in treatment. Vestibular testing is sometimes used to help differentiate between these disorders, but the inefficiency of a human interpreter analyzing a multitude of variables independently decreases its utility. Our hypothesis was that we could objectively discriminate between patients with MD and those with MAD using select variables from the vestibular test battery. Sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test variables were reduced to three vestibulo-ocular reflex physiologic parameters: gain, time constant, and asymmetry. A combination of these parameters plus a measurement of reduced vestibular response from caloric testing allowed us to achieve a joint classification rate of 91%, independent quadratic classification algorithm. Data from posturography were not useful for this type of differentiation. Overall, our classification function can be used as an unbiased assistant to discriminate between MD and MAD and gave us insight into the pathophysiologic differences between the two disorders.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
NASA NTRS2003

Kernel PLS-SVC for Linear and Nonlinear Discrimination

A new methodology for discrimination is proposed. This is based on kernel orthonormalized partial least squares (PLS) dimensionality reduction of the original data space followed by support vector machines for classification. Close connection of orthonormalized PLS and Fisher's approach to linear discrimination or equivalently with canonical correlation analysis is described. This gives preference to use orthonormalized PLS over principal component analysis. Good behavior of the proposed method is demonstrated on 13 different benchmark data sets and on the real world problem of the classification finger movement periods versus non-movement periods based on electroencephalogram.

Rosipal, Roman↗
NASA NTRS2010

Flash-Type Discrimination

This viewgraph presentation describes the significant progress made in the flash-type discrimination algorithm development. The contents include: 1) Highlights of Progress for GLM-R3 Flash-Type discrimination Algorithm Development; 2) Maximum Group Area (MGA) Data; 3) Retrieval Errors from Simulations; and 4) Preliminary Global-scale Retrieval.

Koshak, William J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Blur Clarified: A review and Synthesis of Blur Discrimination

Blur is an important attribute of human spatial vision, and sensitivity to blur has been the subject of considerable experimental research and theoretical modeling. Often these models have invoked specialized concepts or mechanisms, such as intrinsic blur, multiple channels, or blur estimation units. In this paper we review the several experimental studies of blur discrimination and find they are in broad empirical agreement. But contrary to previous modeling efforts, we find that the essential features of blur discrimination are fully accounted for by a visible contrast energy model (ViCE), in which two spatial patterns are distinguished when the integrated difference between their masked local contrast energy responses reaches a threshold value.

Watson, Andrew B.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Pseudorandom Noise Code-Based Technique for Cloud and Aerosol Discrimination Applications

NASA Langley Research Center is working on a continuous wave (CW) laser based remote sensing scheme for the detection of CO2 and O2 from space based platforms suitable for ACTIVE SENSING OF CO2 EMISSIONS OVER NIGHTS, DAYS, AND SEASONS (ASCENDS) mission. ASCENDS is a future space-based mission to determine the global distribution of sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). A unique, multi-frequency, intensity modulated CW (IMCW) laser absorption spectrometer (LAS) operating at 1.57 micron for CO2 sensing has been developed. Effective aerosol and cloud discrimination techniques are being investigated in order to determine concentration values with accuracies less than 0.3%. In this paper, we discuss the demonstration of a PN code based technique for cloud and aerosol discrimination applications. The possibility of using maximum length (ML)-sequences for range and absorption measurements is investigated. A simple model for accomplishing this objective is formulated, Proof-of-concept experiments carried out using SONAR based LIDAR simulator that was built using simple audio hardware provided promising results for extension into optical wavelengths. Keywords: ASCENDS, CO2 sensing, O2 sensing, PN codes, CW lidar

Campbell, Joel F.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Pseudorandom Noise Code-Based Technique for Thin Cloud Discrimination with CO2 and O2 Absorption Measurements

NASA Langley Research Center is working on a continuous wave (CW) laser based remote sensing scheme for the detection of CO2 and O2 from space based platforms suitable for ACTIVE SENSING OF CO2 EMISSIONS OVER NIGHTS, DAYS, AND SEASONS (ASCENDS) mission. ASCENDS is a future space-based mission to determine the global distribution of sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). A unique, multi-frequency, intensity modulated CW (IMCW) laser absorption spectrometer (LAS) operating at 1.57 micron for CO2 sensing has been developed. Effective aerosol and cloud discrimination techniques are being investigated in order to determine concentration values with accuracies less than 0.3%. In this paper, we discuss the demonstration of a pseudo noise (PN) code based technique for cloud and aerosol discrimination applications. The possibility of using maximum length (ML)-sequences for range and absorption measurements is investigated. A simple model for accomplishing this objective is formulated, Proof-of-concept experiments carried out using SONAR based LIDAR simulator that was built using simple audio hardware provided promising results for extension into optical wavelengths.

Campbell, Joel F.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Selection of Hyperspectral Narrowbands (HNBs) and Composition of Hyperspectral Twoband Vegetation Indices (HVIs) for Biophysical Characterization and Discrimination of Crop Types Using Field Reflectance and Hyperion-EO-1 Data

The overarching goal of this study was to establish optimal hyperspectral vegetation indices (HVIs) and hyperspectral narrowbands (HNBs) that best characterize, classify, model, and map the world's main agricultural crops. The primary objectives were: (1) crop biophysical modeling through HNBs and HVIs, (2) accuracy assessment of crop type discrimination using Wilks' Lambda through a discriminant model, and (3) meta-analysis to select optimal HNBs and HVIs for applications related to agriculture. The study was conducted using two Earth Observing One (EO-1) Hyperion scenes and other surface hyperspectral data for the eight leading worldwide crops (wheat, corn, rice, barley, soybeans, pulses, cotton, and alfalfa) that occupy approx. 70% of all cropland areas globally. This study integrated data collected from multiple study areas in various agroecosystems of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and India. Data were collected for the eight crop types in six distinct growth stages. These included (a) field spectroradiometer measurements (350-2500 nm) sampled at 1-nm discrete bandwidths, and (b) field biophysical variables (e.g., biomass, leaf area index) acquired to correspond with spectroradiometer measurements. The eight crops were described and classified using approx. 20 HNBs. The accuracy of classifying these 8 crops using HNBs was around 95%, which was approx. 25% better than the multi-spectral results possible from Landsat-7's Enhanced Thematic Mapper+ or EO-1's Advanced Land Imager. Further, based on this research and meta-analysis involving over 100 papers, the study established 33 optimal HNBs and an equal number of specific two-band normalized difference HVIs to best model and study specific biophysical and biochemical quantities of major agricultural crops of the world. Redundant bands identified in this study will help overcome the Hughes Phenomenon (or "the curse of high dimensionality") in hyperspectral data for a particular application (e.g., biophysical characterization of crops). The findings of this study will make a significant contribution to future hyperspectral missions such as NASA's HyspIRI. Index Terms-Hyperion, field reflectance, imaging spectroscopy, HyspIRI, biophysical parameters, hyperspectral vegetation indices, hyperspectral narrowbands, broadbands.

Vegetation↗