Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Signature”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,189 records · Page 66
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Comment

An examination of ion concentration data from the AE-E, AE-C, and DE-2 spacecraft did not detect the small-comet influx into the upper atmosphere predicted by Frank et al. (1986). It is suggested that either the proposed cometary flux is overestimated by over an order of magnitude, or that the ionospheric signature used is not presently defined properly. In a reply, Frank et al. describe a more direct method for identifying the mechanisms participating in the interaction of the cometary water cloud with the ionosphere: examining DE-1 spacecraft images of the earth's UV afterglow for a crossing of a transient decrease, or atmospheric hole, with the DE-2 spacecraft, and verifying if the ionospheric signature identified with this crossing is noted at other times in the quiet atmosphere. A possible signature of the passage of the cometary water cloud through the ionosphere is identified, and a mode for this interaction is indicated.

Hanson, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Geomagnetic equatorial anomaly in zonal plasma flow

The observation of a geomagnetic signature in the zonal eastward plasma flow, which is a striking feature of the equatorial ionosphere in the evening quadrant is reported. These observations were derived fronm (E x B)/B-squared measurements made with the cylindrical double-floating-probe experiment carried on the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite. The signature consists of a crest-trough-crest effect in the latitude dependence of the eastward plasma flow with the crests at + or - 8 dip latitude and the trough nearly centered at the dip equator at all geographic longitudes. This phenomenon can be readily interpreted in terms of the altitude dependence of the F region dynamo electric field, and it is related to dip equator signatures in the plasma density and the magnetic declination which have been reported earlier.

Aggson, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Improved canopy reflectance modeling and scene inference through improved understanding of scene pattern

The Li-Strahler reflectance model, driven by LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) data, provided regional estimates of tree size and density within 20 percent of sampled values in two bioclimatic zones in West Africa. This model exploits tree geometry in an inversion technique to predict average tree size and density from reflectance data using a few simple parameters measured in the field (spatial pattern, shape, and size distribution of trees) and in the imagery (spectral signatures of scene components). Trees are treated as simply shaped objects, and multispectral reflectance of a pixel is assumed to be related only to the proportions of tree crown, shadow, and understory in the pixel. These, in turn, are a direct function of the number and size of trees, the solar illumination angle, and the spectral signatures of crown, shadow and understory. Given the variance in reflectance from pixel to pixel within a homogeneous area of woodland, caused by the variation in the number and size of trees, the model can be inverted to give estimates of average tree size and density. Because the inversion is sensitive to correct determination of component signatures, predictions are not accurate for small areas.

Franklin, Janet↗
NASA NTRS1988

Climatology of the stratospheric polar vortex and planetary wave breaking

The distribution of Ertel's potential vorticity (PV) on the 850 K isentropic surface is used to establish a climatology for the transient evolution of the planetary scale circulation in the Northern Hemisphere winter midstratosphere. PV distributions are computed from gridded NMC daily temperature and height maps for the 10 and 30 mb levels, and show that a very good approximation for 850 K PV can be derived from 10 mb heights and temperatures alone. It is assumed that reversals of the latitudinal gradient of PV, localized in longitude and latitude may be regarded as signatures of planetary wave breaking. Wave breaking identified by such signatures tends to occur mainly in the vicinity of the Aleutian anticyclone, with a secondary maximum over Europe. The area of the polar vortex, defined as the area enclosed by PV contours greater than a certain critical value, is strongly influenced by wave breaking. Erosion of the polar vortex due to transport and mixing of PV leads to a preconditioned state, when defined in terms of vortex area, that always occurs prior to major stratospheric warmings. During winters with little PV transport or mixing, the vortex area evolves rather uniformly in response to radiative forcing. During winters with major sudden warmings, the wave breaking signature as defined here first appears at low values of PV, then rapidly moves toward higher values as the vortex area is reduced and the 'surf-zone' structure becomes well defined.

Baldwin, Mark P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Multisensor classification of sedimentary rocks

A comparison is made between linear discriminant analysis and supervised classification results based on signatures from the Landsat TM, the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS), and airborne SAR, alone and combined into extended spectral signatures for seven sedimentary rock units exposed on the margin of the Wind River Basin, Wyoming. Results from a linear discriminant analysis showed that training-area classification accuracies based on the multisensor data were improved an average of 15 percent over TM alone, 24 percent over TIMS alone, and 46 percent over SAR alone, with similar improvement resulting when supervised multisensor classification maps were compared to supervised, individual sensor classification maps. When training area signatures were used to map spectrally similar materials in an adjacent area, the average classification accuracy improved 19 percent using the multisensor data over TM alone, 2 percent over TIMS alone, and 11 percent over SAR alone. It is concluded that certain sedimentary lithologies may be accurately mapped using a single sensor, but classification of a variety of rock types can be improved using multisensor data sets that are sensitive to different characteristics such as mineralogy and surface roughness.

Evans, Diane↗
NASA NTRS1988

Radar investigation of asteroids and planetary satellites

The aim is to make radar reconnaissance of near-Earth asteroids, mainbelt ateroids, the Galilean satellites, the Martian satellites, and the largest Saturnian satellites, using the Arecibo 13-cm and the Goldstone 3.5-cm systems. Measurements of echo strength, polarization, and delay/Doppler distribution of echo power provide information about dimensions, spin vector, large-scale topography, cm-to-m-scale morphology, and surface bulk density. The observations also yield refined estimates of target orbital elements. Radar signatures were measured for 31 mainbelt asteroids and 16 near-Earth asteroids since this task began eight years ago. The dispersion in asteroid radar albedoes and circular polarization ratios is extreme, revealing huge differences in surface morphologies, bulk densities, and metal concentration. For the most part, correction between radar signature and VIS/IR class is not high. Many near-Earth asteroids have extremely irregular, nonconvex shapes, but some have polar silhouettes that appear only slightly noncircular. The signatures of 1627 Ivar, 1986 DA, and the approximately 180-km mainbelt asteroid 216 Kleopatra suggest bifurcated shapes. Observational milestones during 1987 and 1988 are noted.

Ostro, Steven J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Viking and Mars Rover exobiology

Other than Earth, Mars is the planet generating the greatest interest among those researching and contemplating the origin and distribution of life throughout the universe. The similarity of the early environments of Earth and Mars, and the biological evolution on early Earth provides the motivation to seriously consider the possibility of a primordial Martian biosphere. In 1975 the Viking project launched two unmanned spacecraft to Mars with the intent of finding evidence of the existence of present or past life on this planet. Three Viking Biology experiments were employed: the Labeled Release experiment, the Gas Exchange Experiment, and the Pyrolytic Release experiment. Each of these three experiments tested for microbial existence and utilization of a substrate by examining the gases evolved from specific chemical reactions. Although the results of these experiments were inconclusive, they inferred that there are no traces of extant life on Mars. However, the experiments did not specifically look for indication of extinct life. Therefore, most of the exobiologic strategies and experiments suggested for the Mars Rover Sample Return Mission involve searching for signature of extinct life. The most significant biological signatures and chemical traces to detect include: isotopic and chemical signatures of metabolic activity, anomalous concentrations of certain metals, trace and microfossils, organically preserved materials, carbonates, nitrates, and evaporites.

Schwartz, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Summary of Sonic Boom Rise Times Observed During FAA Community Response Studies over a 6-Month Period in the Oklahoma City Area

The sonic boom signature data acquired from about 1225 supersonic flights, over a 6-month period in 1964 in the Oklahoma City area, was enhanced with the addition of data relating to rise times and total signature duration. These later parameters, not available at the time of publication of the original report on the Oklahoma City sonic boom exposures, are listed in tabular form along with overpressure, positive impulse, positive duration, and waveform category. Airplane operating information along with the surface weather observations are also included. Sonic boom rise times include readings to the 1/2, 3/4, and maximum overpressure values. Rise time relative probabilities for various lateral locations from the ground track of 0, 5, and 10 miles are presented along with the variation of rise times with flight altitude. The tabulated signature data, along with corresponding airplane operating conditions and surface and upper level atmospheric information, are also available on electronic files to provide it in the format for more efficient and effective utilization.

Maglieri, Domenic J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A study of the limitations of linear theory methods as applied to sonic boom calculations

Current sonic boom minimization theories have been reviewed to emphasize the capabilities and flexibilities of the methods. Flexibility is important because it is necessary for the designer to meet optimized area constraints while reducing the impact on vehicle aerodynamic performance. Preliminary comparisons of sonic booms predicted for two Mach 3 concepts illustrate the benefits of shaping. Finally, for very simple bodies of revolution, sonic boom predictions were made using two methods - a modified linear theory method and a nonlinear method - for signature shapes which were both farfield N-waves and midfield waves. Preliminary analysis on these simple bodies verified that current modified linear theory prediction methods become inadequate for predicting midfield signatures for Mach numbers above 3. The importance of impulse is sonic boom disturbance and the importance of three-dimensional effects which could not be simulated with the bodies of revolution will determine the validity of current modified linear theory methods in predicting midfield signatures at lower Mach numbers.

Darden, Christine M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

An abrupt change in ridge axis gravity with spreading rate

A total of 44 Geosat profiles over ridges with spreading rates ranging from 14 to 155 mm/yr were analyzed. In agreement with previous studies, it is found that slow spreading ridges usually have high amplitude gravity troughs, while fast spreading ridges are characterized by low-amplitude ridge axis highs. Unexpectedly, it is found that the transition from axial trough to axial high occurs abruptly at a spreading rate of 60-70 mm/yr. Ridge axis gravity signatures are highly variable for rates less than 65 mm/yr and very uniform at higher rates. The transition of the gravity signature appears to get more abrupt than the transition of the topographic signature, suggesting an abrupt change in the style of isostatic compensation with spreading rate. Published models of ridge axis dynamics do not explain this sharp transition.

Small, Christopher↗
NASA NTRS1990

A model for the transient magnetospheric response to sudden solar wind dynamic pressure variations

The evidence for transient variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure, their effect on magnetopause boundary motion, and the signatures they produce within the magnetosphere and at high-latitude auroral ground stations, are examined. A qualitative model for the magnetospheric response to such variations explaining a wide variety of transient magnetopause, magnetospheric and ground signatures is proposed, and its applicability is shown. The model is presented as an alternative explanation for many of the signatures previously interpreted as direct on site evidence of patchy, sporadic, magnetic field merging, namely the flux transfer events (FTEs).

Sibeck, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Autonomous proximity operations using machine vision for trajectory control and pose estimation

A machine vision algorithm was developed which permits guidance control to be maintained during autonomous proximity operations. At present this algorithm exists as a simulation, running upon an 80386 based personal computer, using a ModelMATE CAD package to render the target vehicle. However, the algorithm is sufficiently simple, so that following off-line training on a known target vehicle, it should run in real time with existing vision hardware. The basis of the algorithm is a sequence of single camera images of the target vehicle, upon which radial transforms were performed. Selected points of the resulting radial signatures are fed through a decision tree, to determine whether the signature matches that of the known reference signatures for a particular view of the target. Based upon recognized scenes, the position of the maneuvering vehicle with respect to the target vehicles can be calculated, and adjustments made in the former's trajectory. In addition, the pose and spin rates of the target satellite can be estimated using this method.

Cleghorn, Timothy F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A comparison of Stokes parameters for sky and a soybean canopy

An evaluation of the polarization signatures obtained from the four Stokes parameters is reported for the atmosphere and a soybean canopy. The polarimeter design and operation are set forth, and the Stokes parameters' relationships are discussed. The canopy polarization was different from the sky at azimuths of 90 and 270 degrees, demonstrating a response that reflecting the sky polarization signatures across a plane parallel to the polarization axis and passing through a phase angle of about 90 degrees would produce. Classical behavior in terms of electromagnetic theory was found in the fourth Stokes parameter of the canopy which was obtained in the principal plane. Only the third Stokes parameter is demonstrated to be unambiguously affected in a comparison of sky polarization signatures and aerosol optical densities. The similarity between the sky at azimuth 180 degrees and the soybean canopy data at the principal plane is interesting considering the disparity of the subjects.

Schutt, John B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

CFD prediction of the near-field sonic boom environment for two low boom HSCT configurations

Current efforts to reduce the sonic boom of a future High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) by careful shaping have led to the need for more accurate predictions of the near-field flow conditions of the configuration. A fully three-dimensional Euler finite volume code is used to predict sonic boom pressure signatures for two low boom concepts - one designed to cruise at Mach 2 and the other at Mach 3. Calculations were carried out using a grid topology that has been modified to reduce the inaccuracies caused by grid spreading often suffered with CFD methods when calculations several body lengths downstream become necessary. Comparisons of CFD results and experimental wind tunnel signatures are shown. Ground signatures are predicted by extrapolating the pressures predicted by the Euler code with an extrapolation method based on the Whitham theory.

Siclari, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Investigation of rotor wake interactions with a body in low speed forward flight

Wind tunnel tests are reported in which the unsteady aerodynamic interactions between rotor wake and a body are examined for the case of low-speed flight. A wide-field shadowgraph is employed to visualize the rotor-tip vortices during the interactions, and the pressure signatures are measured and correlated with wake trajectories. Consideration is given to unsteady potential-flow theory to estimate the pressure loads from measured wake trajectories. The pressure signatures are very different upstream of, downstream of, and at the wake-impingement point, at which point large transient loads are transferred to the body. Rotor wake is characterized, and the wake filaments impinge on the advancing side of the body first. The pressure signatures present a complex and varying range of patterns, but it is determined that vortex surface interactions can be modeled using potential-flow analysis.

Bi, Nai-Pei↗
NASA NTRS1991

Sonic boom predictions for three generic models using a solution-adaptive full-potential code

The TranAir full-potential code, which utilizes a solution-adaptive, unstructured Cartesian grid, was used to compute near-field pressure signatures of three generic supersonic configurations: a cone-cylinder, a low aspect ratio rectangular wing, and a delta-wing/body. TranAir pressure signatures are extrapolated to near- and mid-field distances using a quasi-linear extrapolation technique. Results are compared with existing wind tunnel data and, where possible, with extrapolated experimental data and quasi-linear Whitham-method results. In general, the extrapolated TranAir data is in good agreement with experimental and Whitham-method pressure signatures, but peak pressures are slightly under-predicted. It is thought that computed data obtained too near to the model was the main reason for the discrepancies. Flow-field grid structure was also found to be important in obtaining accurate offbody data.

Madson, Michael D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Evidence for flux ropes in the earth's magnetotail

Magnetic field reconnection is a fundamental process that occurs in the magnetotail during geomagnetic substorms. Some 2D reconnection models predict the formation of a plasmoid, or closed loop of magnetic field lines, in the noon-midnight meridional plane at those times. When the 3D magnetotail magnetic field is considered, it becomes clear that reconnection produces a flux rope with an axis transverse to the earth-sun line. Three signatures mark both 2D plasmoids and 3D flux ropes: (1) a bipolar magnetic field signature, (2) tailward flow of a hot plasma, and (3) convecting isotropic energetic particle distributions. Plasmoids and flux ropes may be distinguished by (4) the axial magnetic field that only flux ropes possess. All four signatures have been identified in near-earth, middle, and distant magnetotail observations, but their interpretation is disputed. Thus, the existence of magnetotail flux ropes remains a controversial subject.

Sibeck, David G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Characterization and classification of sea ice in polarimetric SAR data

A more detailed characterization of the apparent thin ice types in the multifrequency, multipolarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) dataset acquired during a campaign for validation of the DMSP SSM/I radiometer ice products is given. The emphasis is on providing a more detailed characterization of the signatures of apparent thin ice types observed in this data and the utility of these signatures for ice type classification purposes. The statistical characteristics of these signatures and their dependence on system calibration are summarized. Implications of these observations for sea ice scattering models are briefly discussed.

Kwok, R.↗