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At least 145 records · Page 8

Effect of Forest Canopy on Remote Sensing Soil Moisture at L-band

Global maps of soil moisture are needed to improve understanding and prediction of the global water and energy cycles. Accuracy requirements imply the use of lower frequencies (L-band) to achieve adequate penetration into the soil and to minimize attenuation by the vegetation canopy and effects of surface roughness. Success has been demonstrated over agricultural areas, but canopies with high biomass (e.g. forests) still present a challenge. Examples from recent measurements over forests with the L-band radiometer, 2D-STAR, and its predecessor, ESTAR, will be presented to illustrate the problem. ESTAR and 2D-STAR are aircraft-based synthetic aperture radiometers developed to help resolve both the engineering and algorithm issues associated with future remote sensing of soil moisture. ESTAR, which does imaging across track, was developed to demonstrate the viability of aperture synthesis for remote sensing. The instrument has participated several soil moisture experiments (e.g. at the Little Washita Watershed in 1992 and the Southern Great Plains experiments in 1997 and 1999). In addition, measurements have been made at a forest site near Waverly, VA which contains conifer forests with a variety of biomass. These data have demonstrated the success of retrieving soil moisture at L-band over agricultural areas and the response of passive observations at L-band to biomass over forests. 2D-STAR is a second generation instrument that does aperture synthesis in two dimensions (along track and cross track) and is dual polarized. This instrument has the potential to provide measurements at L-band that simulate the measurements that will be made by the two L-band sensors currently being developed for future remote sensing of soil moisture from space: Hydros (conical scan and real aperture) and SMOS (multiple incidence angle and synthetic aperture). 2D-STAR participated in the SMEX-03 soil moisture experiment, providing images from the NASA P-3 aircraft. Preliminary results include images of the experiment site area near Huntsville, AL that included a mixture of forest and agriculture. Changes during a rain event further illustrate the issues presented by forests. Work is continuing to reduce the 2D-STAR data and to support the two future remote sensing missions. Among the goals is to process the 2D-STAR data to create multiple looks (at the same pixel) with different incidence angles. Data in this format can be used to test algorithms for retrieving soil moisture and biomass such as are planned for SMOS. Also, the data are being processed to provide images at constant incidence angles such as will be obtained by Hydros. Although Hydros will have only one incidence angle, it will also carry an L-band radar, The goal is to use the radar to improve spatial resolution, an issue for remote sensing from space at the long wavelengths. Simultaneous observations with active and passive sensors also offers interesting prospects for treating areas of high biomass (forests) and irregular terrain and may be the challenge for the future.

LeVine, D. M.↗

Leveraging Structures in Fault Diagnosis for Lithium-Ion Battery Packs

Lithium-ion battery systems consist of a varying number of single cells, designed to meet specific application requirements for output voltage and capacity. Effective fault diagnosis in these battery systems is an essential prerequisite for ensuring their safe and reliable operation. To address this need, we introduce a novel model-based fault diagnosis approach that distinguishes itself by leveraging informative structures inherent in battery systems such as architecture, uniformity among the constituent cells, and sparsity of fault occurrences to enhance its fault diagnosis capabilities. The proposed approach formulates a moving horizon estimation (MHE) problem, incorporating such structural information to estimate different fault signals—specifically, internal short circuits, external short circuits, and voltage and current sensors faults. We conduct various simulations to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach under different fault types and magnitudes. The obtained results validate the proposed approach and promise effective fault diagnosis for battery systems.

Farakhor, Amir↗

Large anomalous Nernst effect and nodal plane in an iron-based kagome ferromagnet

Anomalous Nernst effect (ANE), converting a heat flow to transverse electric voltage, originates from the Berry phase of electronic wave function near the Fermi energy E F . Thus, the ANE provides a sensitive probe to detect a topological state that produces large Berry curvature. In addition, a magnet that exhibits a large ANE using low-cost and safe elements will be useful to develop a novel energy harvesting technology. Here, we report our observation of a high ANE exceeding 3 microvolts per kelvin above room temperature in the kagome ferromagnet Fe 3 Sn with the Curie temperature of 760 kelvin. Our theoretical analysis clarifies that a “nodal plane” produces a flat hexagonal frame with strongly enhanced Berry curvature, resulting in the large ANE. Our discovery of the large ANE in Fe 3 Sn opens the path for the previously unexplored functionality of flat degenerate electronic states and for developing flexible film thermopile and heat current sensors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electric Vehicle Charging Data Falsification Attacks Utilizing Behavioral Models

A charging station (CS) and its associated electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and charging electric vehicle (EV) interactions are potential targets for data falsification attacks since CSs are typically unmanned public facilities that are connected to the internet and EVs incorporate the vulnerable CAN bus network, which are both susceptible to remote attacks. The research question being addressed is how is the EV owner and CS negatively affected by CAN bus EV battery current sensor and battery temperature sensor data falsification attacks. Negative effects include economic losses from reduced life span of the battery, battery thermal runaway and fire (and potential loss of surrounding structure), and reduced utilization of the CS due to delayed departure time (longer charging times).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

An airborne laser fluorosensor for the detection of oil on water

The successful operation of an airborne laser fluorosensor system is reported that makes it possible to detect and map surface oil, either of natural-seepage or spill origin, on large bodies of water. Preliminary results indicate that the sensitivity of the instrument exceeds that of conventional passive remote sensors currently available for oil spill detection.

Kim, H. H.↗

In-service turbine wheel crack monitor

System can be utilized in flight or at flight line. It monitors disk rim for surface cracks emanating from blade root interface. System consists of eddy-current sensor, mounted approximately 1 1/2 mm (1/16 in) away from face of disk, and remotely located electrical capacitance-conductance bridge and signal analyzer.

Barranger, J. P.↗

Foam-machining tool with eddy-current transducer

Three-cutter machining system for foam-covered tanks incorporates eddy-current sensor. Sensor feeds signal to numerical controller which programs rotational and vertical axes of sensor travel, enabling cutterhead to profile around tank protrusions.

Copper, W. P.↗

Design of an optical fiber cable link for lightning instrumentation

A lightning instrumentation system was designed to record current magnitudes of lightning strikes that hit a launch pad service structure at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The instrumentation system consists of a lightning ground rod with a current sensor coil, an optical transmitter, an optical fiber cable link, a detector receiver, and a recording system. The transmitter is a wideband pulse transformer driving an IR LED emitter. The transmitter operates linearly as a transducer. A low loss fiber bundle provides isolation of the recorder system from the electromagnetic field of the lightning strike. The output of an optical detector receiver module is sampled and recorded in digital format. The significant factors considered in the design were dynamic range, linearity, mechanical configuration, electromagnetic isolation, and temperature compensation.

Grove, C. H.↗

Meteorological sensors and related technology for the eighties

The sensors currently projected for the new generation of meteorological satellites which will be in operation during the First Global Atmospheric Research Program GARP Global Experiment (FGGE) are described. The closely related subject of on-board data processing is treated briefly as well as efforts by the countries/agencies responsible for these satellites to make useful products available to developing countries at low cost.

Heacock, E. L.↗

Cable-fault locator

Inexpensive system automatically indicates location of short-circuited section of power cable. Monitor does not require that cable be disconnected from its power source or that test signals be applied. Instead, ground-current sensors are installed in manholes or at other selected locations along cable run. When fault occurs, sensors transmit information about fault location to control center. Repair crew can be sent to location and cable can be returned to service with minimum of downtime.

Cason, R. L.↗

Overload protection for switching regulators

Circuit protects all output lines of switching regulator against overloads without requiring current sensors on every line. If overload is sensed, device short circuits bias on switching transistor so that power is rapidly cut off from loads. Circuit also includes delay network to inhibit erroneous operation during startup.

Lachochi, E.↗

SMM parallel battery operation in orbit

A parallel battery system for the SMM spacecraft is described. The battery system performance as a function of lifetime over orbit was evaluated. The following equipment performance specifications were examined during a typical orbit: battery current and discharges, voltage limitations, battery temperature variations, and current sensor performance. Tabulated battery performance data is also included.

Broderick, R.↗

Characterizing land processes in the biosphere

NASA long-term planning for the satellite remote sensing of land areas is discussed from the perspective of a holistic interdisciplinary approach to the study of the biosphere. The earth is characterized as a biogeochemical system; the impact of human activity on this system is considered; and the primary scientific goals for their study are defined. Remote-sensing programs are seen as essential in gaining an improved understanding of energy budgets, the hydrological cycle, other biogeological cycles, and the coupling between these cycles, with the construction of a global data base and eventually the development of predictive simulation models which can be used to assess the impact of planned human activities. Current sensor development at NASA includes a multilinear array for the visible and IR and the L-band Shuttle Imaging Radar B, both to be flown on Shuttle missions in the near future; for the 1990s, a large essentially permanent man-tended interdisciplinary multisensor platform connected to an advanced data network is being planned.

Erickson, J. D.↗

Eddy current jet engine disk-crack monitor

A disk-crack monitor is described that is suitable for use on the ground or in flight. The system consists of an engine-mounted eddy current sensor, a series capacitance in each leg of the sensor circuit, and a capacitance-conductance bridge followed by an oscilloscope capable of advanced signal processing. It was applied to the detection of service-induced cracks in the first-stage turbine wheel of a helicopter engine. A 3.5 mm long radial fatigue crack plus smaller cracks, all located in the blade root region of the wheel, were detected during engine test stand operation at ground idle speed and temperature. The calculation of the value of series capacitance is also presented.

Barranger, J. P.↗

Coastal Zone Color Scanner atmospheric correction algorithm - Multiple scattering effects

Errors due to multiple scattering which are expected to be encountered in application of the current Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) atmospheric correction algorithm are analyzed. The analysis is based on radiative transfer computations in model atmospheres, in which the aerosols and molecules are distributed vertically in an exponential manner, with most of the aerosol scattering located below the molecular scattering. A unique feature of the analysis is that it is carried out in scan coordinates rather than typical earth-sun coordinates, making it possible to determine the errors along typical CZCS scan lines. Information provided by the analysis makes it possible to judge the efficacy of the current algorithm with the current sensor and to estimate the impact of the algorithm-induced errors on a variety of applications.

Gordon, Howard R.↗

Artificial intelligence planning applications for space exploration and space robotics

Mission sequencing involves the plan for actuation of the experiments to be conducted aboard a spacecraft; automation is under study by NASA as a means to reduce time and manpower costs in mission planning and in robotic implementation. The development of a mission sequence is conditioned by the limited duration of advantageous spacecraft encounters with objects of study, more research requests than can be satisfied, and requested changes in objectives. Autonomous robot development is hampered by the absence of task-level programming languages, the existence of anomalies in real-world interactions, and a lack of required capabilities in current sensor technology.

Rokey, Mark↗

Linear quadratic stationkeeping on travelling ellipses

An automatic controller for Space Shuttle stationkeeping or formationkeeping is presented. The controller, which is a candidate for future on-orbit autopilot enhancement, uses a fuel 'optimized' limit cycle trajectory in a feedforward loop for precise control at nonequilibrium set points. Disturbance rejection is accomplished by a discrete time, linear quadratic regulator, which is employed for tracking of the feedforward model. Feedback gain selection is done to provide good limit cycling performance and low fuel consumption. Velocity correlations are carried out by use of a pseudo 6 degree-of-freedom jet selection scheme. Results indicate that 20 ft precision can be achieved using current sensors.

Adams, Neil J.↗

Eddy current sensing of intermetallic composite consolidation

A finite element method is used to explore the feasibility and optimization of a probe-type eddy current sensor for determining the thickness of plate specimens during a hot isostatic pressing cycle. The dependence of the sensor's impedance upon sample-sensor separation in the high frequency limit is calculated, and factors that maximize sensitivity to the final stages of densification are identified.

Dharmasena, Kumar P.↗