Effects of random member length errors on the accuracy and internal loads of truss antennas
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Greene, W. H.↗
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Results for “accuracy”
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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On the accuracy of modelling the dynamics of large space structures
Proposed space missions will require large scale, light weight, space based structural systems. Large space structure technology (LSST) systems will have to accommodate (among others): ocean data systems; electronic mail systems; large multibeam antenna systems; and, space based solar power systems. The structures are to be delivered into orbit by the Space Shuttle. Because of their inherent size, modelling techniques and scaling algorithms must be developed so that system performance can be predicted accurately prior to launch and assembly. When the size and weight-to-area ratio of proposed LSST systems dictate that the entire system be considered flexible, there are two basic modelling methods which can be used. The first is a continuum approach, a mathematical formulation for predicting the motion of a general orbiting flexible body, in which elastic deformations are considered small compared with characteristic body dimensions. This approach is based on an a priori knowledge of the frequencies and shape functions of all modes included within the system model. Alternatively, finite element techniques can be used to model the entire structure as a system of lumped masses connected by a series of (restoring) springs and possibly dampers. In addition, a computational algorithm was developed to evaluate the coefficients of the various coupling terms in the equations of motion as applied to the finite element model of the Hoop/Column.
Diarra, C. M.↗
Simulation of electronic registration of multispectral remote sensing images to 0.1 pixel accuracy
Band-to-band coregistration of multispectral remote sensing images can be achieved by electronic signal processing techniques rather than by costly and difficult mechanical alignment. This paper describes the results of a study of the end-to-end performance of electronic registration. The software simulation includes steps which model the performance of the geometric calibration process, the instrument image quality, detector performance and the effects of achieving coregistration through image resampling. The image resampling step emulates the Pipelined Resampling Processor, a real-time image resampler. The study demonstrates that the electronic alignment technique produces multispectral images which are superior to those produced by an imager whose pixel geometry is accurate to 0.1 pixel rms. The implications of this approach for future earth observation programs are discussed.
Reitsema, H. J.↗
Ultraviolet extinction toward five open clusters, and the accuracy of IUE extinction measurements
The UV extinction curves of 33 main-sequence B stars in five open clusters are presented and analyzed. An analytic fitting function is introduced which represents the observed curves and codifies the structure of the 2175 A extinction bump. A set of extinction parameters are also defined which describe the shape of the far-UV extinction. These data are first used to determine whether the extinction toward any of the clusters is uniform, i.e., whether it can be represented by a single curve for the cluster. This is accomplished by comparing the observed scatter of the far-UV extinction measurements toward a given cluster with that predicted by an error model. The extinction toward four of the five clusters is found to be uniform. The extinction data for those clusters with uniform extinction are then used to determine the observational uncertainties in other extinction parameters for which a priori error estimates cannot be made. With one exception, all of the parameters which describe the shapes of UV extinction curves differ significantly from cluster to cluster. The exception is the central position of the UV extinction bump, which has the same value for all of the cluster extinction curves. Applications and interpretation of the results are given elsewhere.
Massa, D.↗
Accuracy and directional sensitivity of the single-wire technique
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Jackson, T. W.↗
Accuracy of the energy-corrected sudden (ECS) scaling procedure for rotational excitation of CO by collisions with Ar
The utility of the energy-corrected sudden (ECS) scaling method is evaluated on the basis of how accurately it predicts the entire matrix of state-to-state rate constants, when the fundamental rate constants are independently known. It is shown for the case of Ar-CO collisions at 500 K that when a critical impact parameter is about 1.75-2.0 A, the ECS method yields excellent excited state rates on the average and has an rms error of less than 20 percent.
Green, S.↗
Radar backscatter measurement accuracies using digital Doppler processors in spaceborne scatterometers
The normalized standard deviation, Kp, of radar backscatter measurements using digital Doppler processors in spaceborne scatterometers is derived. The Kp expression for analog Doppler filter processors, such as that used in the Seasat scatterometer is shown to be a special case of the derived Kp expression. A connection to Welch's (1967) power spectrum estimation rsults is also made. Tradeoff studies in digital filter design such as hardware complexity, computational speed, and system performance can be performed based on this Kp expression. A current application in the design of the NASA scatterometer to be flown in 1990 is discussed. This derivation should be useful for system design and analysis of other radar remote-sensing instruments.
Chi, C.-Y.↗
The effect of microwave backscatter uncertainty on satellite radar altimeter accuracy
The effect of variations in ocean surface roughness characteristics with upwind/downwind direction, reported by other investigators, is used to compute radar cross section (RCS) and to assess the errors which may arise in present and planned altimeter sensors. Based on an analysis of the rough surface impulse response, the uncertainty between attitude angle and RCS asymmetry is found to cause height errors as large as 12 cm, depending on off-nadir angles and sea state. Additionally, the previously reported data in conjunction with computed facet backscatter are found to produce RCS characteristics at large off-nadir angles which are in better agreement with experimental results than those predicted by physical optics Gaussian theory.
Miller, L. S.↗
Electronic Caliper Has 1-mil Accuracy
New electronic caliper accurate within plus or minus 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) and provides both printout and digital display of thickness. Measurements take less than one-tenth time of mechanical-micrometer measurement. Operator slides probe along rib while measuring thickness between probe tips. Measured value appears on small display in operator's hand as well as on main display unit. Operator orders printout of measurements by pushing switch near thumb.
Harrington, Douglas B.↗
Methods for verifying the accuracy of wind profiles
Comparisons of radar-measured winds have been made with several types of measurements not only to verify radar data but also to seek a satisfactory comparison method. Three of the comparisons that have been made with Colorado Profiler radars are summarized. Radar measurements were compared with radiosonde measurements. Infrared lidar and 915 MHz radar were compared with radiosondes. A brief radar/radar comparison was made using the 50-MHz radar and a 3-cm wavelength meteorological Doppler radar during precipitation.
Strauch, R. C.↗
Modification of a variational objective analysis model for new equations for pressure gradient and vertical velocity in the lower troposphere and for spatial resolution and accuracy of satellite data
Since late 1982 NASA has supported research to develop a numerical variational model for the diagnostic assimilation of conventional and space-based meteorological data. In order to analyze the model components, four variational models are defined dividing the problem naturally according to increasing complexity. The first of these variational models (MODEL I), the subject of this report, contains the two nonlinear horizontal momentum equations, the integrated continuity equation, and the hydrostatic equation. This report summarizes the results of research (1) to improve the way the large nonmeteorological parts of the pressure gradient force are partitioned between the two terms of the pressure gradient force terms of the horizontal momentum equations, (2) to generalize the integrated continuity equation to account for variable pressure thickness over elevated terrain, and (3) to introduce horizontal variation in the precision modulus weights for the observations.
Achtemeier, G. L.↗
Development of high accuracy and resolution geoid and gravity maps
Precision satellite to satellite tracking can be used to obtain high precision and resolution maps of the geoid. A method is demonstrated to use data in a limited region to map the geopotential at the satellite altitude. An inverse method is used to downward continue the potential to the Earth surface. The method is designed for both satellites in the same low orbit.
Gaposchkin, E. M.↗
Accuracy and long-term stability of amorphous-silicon measurements
The measurement system requirements to obtain accurate electrical performance measurements of amorphous silicon cells and modules were described. The progress achieved in modifying the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) system toward that objective were reviewed.
Mueller, R.↗
High accuracy thrust measurement of aeronautical propulsion systems with particular consideration to a hydraulic force measuring device, part 1
Thrust measurement of aircraft and rocket propulsion systems is discussed. The costs as well as the characteristics of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems are compared.
Fruboese, Joachim↗
Accuracy of derivatives of control performance using a reduced structural model
The sensitivity of control system performance to structural changes is calculated for a multi-span beam with direct-rate feedback vibration control. Reduced models based on the natural modes of the structure are formed and derivatives of the damping ratios of the closed-loop eigenvalues are calculated. The convergence of the derivatives of the damping ratios with increasing number of modes is shown to be slower than the convergence of the damping ratios themselves. In particular, in some cases the convergence of finite-element approximations to the derivatives is much faster than the convergence of the modal approximations. The results indicate that the use of reduced models based on natural vibration modes may be ill-advised for calculating the sensitivity of control system performance to changes in the controlled structure.
Sandridge, Chris A.↗
Aerodynamic design modification of a hypersonic wind tunnel nozzle by CSCM with high order accuracy
An improved version of the CSCM implicit Navier-Stokes solver with a flexible data structure has been applied, in conjunction with a sophisticated patched grid system, to the aerodynamic analysis of hypersonic axisymmetric contoured nozzles of the NASA-Ames 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tunnel. The results obtained are found to be in good agreement with experiment. Based on the analysis, a newly designed throat contour for the Mach 14 nozzle has been recommended.
Yang, J. Y.↗
An analysis of mirror accuracy requirements for solar power plants
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Silvern, D. H.↗
High accuracy earth rotation and atmospheric angular momentum
Recent advances in the measurement and interpretation of earth rotation and polar motion are discussed with attention focusing on short period fluctuations and their relationship to changes in the global atmospheric angular momentum (AAM). Data acquired during the MERIT campaign are used. Fluctuations in the earth's rotation over a time scale of a year or less are dominated by atmospheric effects; agreement is found between changes in length of day and AAM estimates.
Dickey, J. O.↗