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At least 145 records · Page 8

Error coding simulations in C

When data is transmitted through a noisy channel, errors are produced within the data rendering it indecipherable. Through the use of error control coding techniques, the bit error rate can be reduced to any desired level without sacrificing the transmission data rate. The Astrionics Laboratory at Marshall Space Flight Center has decided to use a modular, end-to-end telemetry data simulator to simulate the transmission of data from flight to ground and various methods of error control. The simulator includes modules for random data generation, data compression, Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) transfer frame formation, error correction/detection, error generation and error statistics. The simulator utilizes a concatenated coding scheme which includes CCSDS standard (255,223) Reed-Solomon (RS) code over GF(2(exp 8)) with interleave depth of 5 as the outermost code, (7, 1/2) convolutional code as an inner code and CCSDS recommended (n, n-16) cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code as the innermost code, where n is the number of information bits plus 16 parity bits. The received signal-to-noise for a desired bit error rate is greatly reduced through the use of forward error correction techniques. Even greater coding gain is provided through the use of a concatenated coding scheme. Interleaving/deinterleaving is necessary to randomize burst errors which may appear at the input of the RS decoder. The burst correction capability length is increased in proportion to the interleave depth. The modular nature of the simulator allows for inclusion or exclusion of modules as needed. This paper describes the development and operation of the simulator, the verification of a C-language Reed-Solomon code, and the possibility of using Comdisco SPW(tm) as a tool for determining optimal error control schemes.

Noble, Viveca K.↗

A navigation algorithm for single channel low-cost GPS receiver

A sequential navigation algorithm for a navigator using the Global Positioning System satellites is developed and tested for both noise-free and noisy system models. Data from a six-hour flight from California to Hawaii (C5A aircraft) simulates a true user to test the accuracy of the user's position for a sequential navigation system. For error reduction in the user's position in the sequential navigation system (considering 100 m as a maximum average error tolerated by any low-cost GPS user) an analysis of error sources in the sequential system has led to the use of range-ephemeris rate to translate ranges to a common point in time and to use velocity aiding at the time of a satellite disappearance. To reduce the user's position and velocity errors in a noisy navigation system an 'alpha-beta' two-pole filter is implemented whose optimum alpha is obtained experimentally. A user's position error of 73 m at noise range error of 30.48 (1sigma) is achieved.

Parsiani, H.↗

A model of the human in a cognitive prediction task.

The human decision maker's behavior when predicting future states of discrete linear dynamic systems driven by zero-mean Gaussian processes is modeled. The task is on a slow enough time scale that physiological constraints are insignificant compared with cognitive limitations. The model is basically a linear regression system identifier with a limited memory and noisy observations. Experimental data are presented and compared to the model.

Rouse, W. B.↗

On the time variability of Circinus X-1 - A comparison with Cygnus X-1

The time variability and spectral characteristics obtained from Uhuru observations of Cir X-1 (4U 1515-56) are compared with observations of Cyg X-1 (4U 1956+35). It is found that Cir X-1 has a more variable spectrum (with perhaps a state over the 4 days spanned by the data), is less 'noisy', and has correlated fluctuations (as evidenced by the nonzero cross-correlation function between two energy bands) of shorter duration than those present in the shot noise of Cyg X-1.

Weisskopf, M. C.↗

Radar detection of Vesta

Asteroid 4 Vesta was detected on November 6, 1979 with the Arecibo Observatory's S-band (12.6-cm-wavelength) radar. The echo power spectrum, received in the circular polarization opposite to that transmitted, yields a radar cross section of (0.2 + or - 0.1)pi a-squared, for a = 272 km. The data are too noisy to permit derivation of Vesta's rotation period.

Ostro, S. J.↗

The Jovian stratosphere in the ultraviolet

Models of the spectral reflectivity at the center of the disk of Jupiter from 1450 to 3150 angstroms are presented. The reflectivity was computed from 30 low-dispersion IUE spectra taken during the 1978-1980 solar maximum. A vertically inhomogeneous radiative transfer program was used to compute model reflectivities of various stratospheric compositions for comparison. Ammonia and acetylene are well determined because they show narrow absorption bands in the ultraviolet. Possible compositions to improve the fit to the data below 1800 angstroms are suggested. The data are too noisy to detect possible CO Cameron band absorption near 2000 angstroms.

Wagener, R.↗

Comparison of the 1984 and 1985 AIS data over the Singatse Range (Yerington), Nevada

The Singatse Range is composed of a series of 53 types of volcanic, plutonic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. In addition the Jurassic plutonic rocks are also of economic interest for their copper mineralization which is contained in a porphyry dike swarm. The 1984 and 1985 flight results from the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) instrument flown in the NASA/JPL C-130 aircraft are contrasted and compared. The 1984 data are less noisy than the 1985, in which many sets of vertical stripings from bad detectors can be seen. Significantly however, enough of the hydrothermal alteration patterns can be seen in each line at the mutual crossing points that one can say that the specific targets were detected in both year's flights. The spectra of both years are corrupted by the second-order effect from the grating, but 0-H bond absorption at essentially correct wavelengths for sericite and/or kaolinite can be seen.

Lyon, R. J. P.↗

Calibration and evaluation of AVIRIS data: Cripple Creek in October 1987

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data were obtained over Cripple Creek and Canon City Colorado on October 19, 1987 at local noon. Multiple ground calibration sites were measured within both areas with a field spectrometer and samples were returned to the laboratory for more detailed spectral characterization. The data were used to calibrate the AVIRIS data to ground reflectance. Once calibrated, selected spectra in the image were extracted and examined, and the signal to noise performance was computed. Images of band depth selected to be diagnostic of the presence of certain minerals and vegetation were computed. The AVIRIS data were extremely noisy, but images showing the presence of goethite, kaolinite and lodgepole pine trees agree with ground checks of the area.

Clark, Roger N.↗

Comet Brorsen-Metcalf in the 3.5 micron region

Comet Brorsen-Metcalf was observed on UT 21 to 24 Aug. 1989 using the CRSP spectrometer and the 1.3 meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. The cometary continuum was detected on all nights. The data are very noisy, due to the short observation window and the untried nature of the instrument. Low resolution (0.0227 micron) spectra show the 3.4 micron C-H stretch feature having a contrast of at most a factor of two to the neighboring continuum. High resolution (0.0031 micron) spectra between 3.4 and 3.6 microns show 1 sigma features that might be attributed to the nu 5 band of formaldehyde (H2CO). Similar spectra of the region between 3.2 and 3.4 microns show one 3 sigma line at 3.34 microns, which is as yet unidentified. Although the cometary spectra were more spatially extended than the spectra of standard stars, no extension of the line emission beyond the continuum was observed.

Storrs, A. D.↗

Attachment-Line Transition Due to Roughness on a 76 Degree Swept Cylinder at Mach 1.6

Experiments were conducted on a 76 deg. swept cylinder to establish the conditions for the attachment-line transition process with, and without, surface roughness in a low-disturbance ("quiet"), Mach number 1.6 flow. Local flow parameters were estimated from pressure measurements. These were in good agreement with predictions from an Euler code (CFL3D) and a boundary layer code (BL3D). Hot-wires and Schlieren photography were used to determine the state of the boundary layer. It was found that, for a near-adiabatic wall condition and a smooth surface, the attachment-line, boundary-layer remained laminar up to the highest attainable Reynolds number (R-bar of 790). Transition under the influence of trip wires was found to depend on wind-tunnel disturbance levels and the onset conditions have been established. Results suggest that current design practice, which is based upon data from conventional ("noisy") tunnels, may be highly conservative.

Coleman, Colin P.↗

Mach 3.5 boundary-layer transition on a cone at angle of attack

Boundary-layer transition on a sharp 5-deg half-angle cone at incidence was investigated at Mach 3.5 in NASA's Supersonic Low-Disturbance Pilot Tunnel. The tests were conducted with low and high levels of freestream acoustic disturbance, and four angles of attack (alpha/theta-c = 0, 0.12, 0.4, and 0.8). Transition data, obtained with and without significantly reduced freestream acoustic disturbance levels, are compared with conventional ('noisy') wind-tunnel data. It was found that, under quiet flow conditions, there was no significant unit Reynolds number effect, whereas with noisy flow conditions, a significant unit Reynolds number effect was measured on and near the windward ray for alpha/theta-c values 0.4 and 0.8.

King, Rudolph A.↗

Synchronization Technique For Reception Of Coded Data

Shortest sequence of bits likely to be filled with error bursts examined. Algorithm improves synchronization of frames of noisy binary-coded data signals after Viterbi decoding (recovery from "inner" convolutional code used in transmission channel) and before Reed-Solomon or other decoding (recovery from "outer" error-correcting block code). Based on comparisons of sequences of correct and erroneous Viterbi-decoded received bits with known marker sequence denoting beginning of frame of data. Does not require count of number of bits in received sequence disagreeing with corresponding bits in marker sequence.

Shahshahani, Mehrdad M.↗

End-to-end quality measure for transmission of compressed imagery over a noisy coded channel

For the transmission of imagery at high data rates over large distances with limited power and system gain, it is usually necessary to compress the data before transmitting it over a noisy channel that uses channel coding to reduce the effect of noise introduced errors. Both compression and channel noise introduce distortion into the imagery. In order to design a communication link that provides adequate quality of received images, it is necessary first to define some suitable distortion measure that accounts for both these kinds of distortion and then to perform various tradeoffs to arrive at system parameter values that will provide a sufficiently low level of received image distortion. The overall mean square error is used as the distortion measure and a description of how to perform these tradeoffs are included.

Korwar, V. N.↗

Always-Convergent Iterative Noise Removal and Deconvolution for Image Data

Linear filtering techniques currently used for the restoration of noisy, blurred or otherwise degraded image data are discussed and new techniques related to the iterative techniques of Morrison and van Cittert are developed and implemented. Programs written for the implementation are discussed in the appendices. It is shown that the new techniques are convergent for any system response function, and they are applied to the task of restoring a severely blurred image.

Ioup, G. E.↗

Reduction of Marine Magnetic Data for Modeling the Main Field of the Earth

The marine data set archived at the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) consists of shipborne surveys conducted by various institutes worldwide. This data set spans four decades (1953, 1958, 1960-1987), and contains almost 13 million total intensity observations. These are often less than 1 km apart. These typically measure seafloor spreading anomalies with amplitudes of several hundred nanotesla (nT) which, since they originate in the crust, interfere with main field modeling. The source for these short wavelength features are confined within the magnetic crust (i.e., sources above the Curie isotherm). The main field, on the other hand, is of much longer wavelengths and originates within the earth's core. It is desirable to extract the long wavelength information from the marine data set for use in modeling the main field. This can be accomplished by averaging the data along the track. In addition, those data which are measured during periods of magnetic disturbance can be identified and eliminated. Thus, it should be possible to create a data set which has worldwide data distribution, spans several decades, is not contaminated with short wavelengths of the crustal field or with magnetic storm noise, and which is limited enough in size to be manageable for the main field modeling. The along track filtering described above has proved to be an effective means of condensing large numbers of shipborne magnetic data into a manageable and meaningful data set for main field modeling. Its simplicity and ability to adequately handle varying spatial and sampling constraints has outweighed consideration of more sophisticated approaches. This filtering technique also provides the benefits of smoothing out short wavelength crustal anomalies, discarding data recorded during magnetically noisy periods, and assigning reasonable error estimates to be used in the least square modeling. A useful data set now exists which spans 1953-1987.

Baldwin, R. T.↗

Radar data smoothing filter study

The accuracy of the current Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) data smoothing techniques for a variety of radars and payloads is examined. Alternative data reduction techniques are given and recommendations are made for improving radar data processing at WFF. A data adaptive algorithm, based on Kalman filtering and smoothing techniques, is also developed for estimating payload trajectories above the atmosphere from noisy time varying radar data. This algorithm is tested and verified using radar tracking data from WFF.

White, J. V.↗

Simplified, high-speed binary data decoder

Simplified, high-speed decoder of encoded binary data received over a noisy channel is provided in a versatile apparatus that can accommodate more than one particular set of codes. The apparatus is applicable to satellite, lunar, and planetary data transmission.

Anderson, T. O.↗

Characterizing the Siple Coast Ice Stream System using Satellite Images, Improved Topography, and Integrated Aerogeophysical Measurements

A technique for improving elevation maps of the polar ice sheets has been developed using AVHRR images. The technique is based on 'photoclinometry' or 'shape from shading', a technique used in the past for mapping planetary surfaces where little elevation information was available. The fundamental idea behind photoclinometry is using the brightness of imaged areas to infer their surface slope in the sun-illuminated direction. Our version of the method relies on a calibration of the images based on an existing lower-resolution digital elevation model (DEM), and then using the images to improve the input DEM resolution to the scale of the image data. Most current DEMs covering the ice sheets are based on Radar altimetry data, and have an inherent resolution of 10 to 25 km at best - although the grid scale of the DEM is often finer. These DEMs are highly accurate (to less than 1 meter); but they report the mean elevation of a broad area, thus erasing smaller features of glaciological interest. AVHRR image data, when accurately geolocated and calibrated, provides surface slope measurements (based on the pixel brightness under known lighting conditions) every approximately 1.1 km. The limitations of the technique are noisiness in the image data, small variations in the albedo of the snow surface, and the integration technique used to create an elevation field from the image-derived slopes. Our study applied the technique to several ice sheet areas having some elevation data; Greenland, the Amery Ice Shelf, the Institute Ice Stream, and the Siple Coast. For the latter, the input data set was laser-altimetry data collected under NSF's SOAR Facility (Support Office for Aerogeophysical Research) over the onset area of the Siple Coast. Over the course of the grant, the technique was greatly improved and modified, significantly improving accuracy and reducing noise from the images. Several publications resulted from the work, and a follow-on proposal to NASA has been submitted to apply the same method to MODIS data using ICESat and other elevation input information. This follow-on grant will explore two applications that are facilitated by the improved surface morphology characterizations of the ice sheets: accumulation and temperature variations near small undulations in the ice.

Scambos, Ted↗