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At least 1,531 records · Page 85
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NASA NTRS1984

A comparison between active and passive sensing of soil moisture from vegetated terrains

A comparison between active and passive sensing of soil moisture over vegetated areas is studied via scattering models. In active sensing three contributing terms to radar backscattering can be identified: (1) the ground surface scatter term; (2) the volume scatter term representing scattering from the vegetation layer; and (3) the surface volume scatter term accounting for scattering from both surface and volume. In emission three sources of contribution can also be identified: (1) surface emission; (2) upward volume emission from the vegetation layer; and (3) downward volume emission scattered upward by the ground surface. As ground moisture increases, terms (1) and (3) increase due to increase in permittivity in the active case. However, in passive sensing, term (1) decreases but term (3) increases for the same reason. This self conpensating effect produces a loss in sensitivity to change in ground moisture. Furthermore, emission from vegetation may be larger than that from the ground. Hence, the presence of vegetation layer causes a much greater loss of sensitivity to passive than active sensing of soil moisture.

Fung, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Workshop on Comparison of Data and Derived Dynamical Quantities During Northern Hemisphere (PMP-1) Winters

Atmospheric temperature and geopotential height were compared along with the quantities derived from them for application to stratospheric dynamics. The data for comparison were those gathered from radiosondes and rockets. Data from the Northern Hemisphere winters 1978/79 through 1981/82 were discussed, but most attention was devoted to days during the winter of 1978/79.

Gille, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A comparison of metropolitan and non-metropolitan employment characteristics: Indications of the size of non-metropolitan mobile communication services user classes

The similarities and differences between areas inside and outside U.S. metropolitan areas were evaluated in terms of their commercial/industrial and government employment characteristics. The comparison focuses on the levels, shares, and composition of employment in the commercial/industrial and government sectors that represent potential classes of land mobile communications users. The major findings of the analysis are as follows: (1) non-metropolitan commercial/industrial user classes of land mobile communication services exist in significant numbers; (2) the compositions of non-metropolitan and metropolitan commercial/industrial user classes of land mobile communication services closely resemble each other; (3) non-metropolitan areas have significant levels of the government user classes that represent potential markets for land mobile communication services; and (4) non-metropolitan local governments have a significantly larger proportion of their employment in the primary user classes of private land mobile radio service than do metropolitan local governments.

Wilcox, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Statistical comparison of pooled nitrogen washout data of various altitude decompression response groups

This analysis was done to determine whether various decompression response groups could be characterized by the pooled nitrogen (N2) washout profiles of the group members, pooling individual washout profiles provided a smooth time dependent function of means representative of the decompression response group. No statistically significant differences were detected. The statistical comparisons of the profiles were performed by means of univariate weighted t-test at each 5 minute profile point, and with levels of significance of 5 and 10 percent. The estimated powers of the tests (i.e., probabilities) to detect the observed differences in the pooled profiles were of the order of 8 to 30 percent.

Edwards, B. F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparison of wind velocity in thunderstorms determined from measurements by a ground-based Doppler radar and an F-106B airplane

As a part of the NASA Storm Hazards Program, the wind velocity in several thunderstorms was measured by an F-106B instrumented airplane and a ground-based Doppler radar. The results of five airplane penetrations of two storms in 1980 and six penetrations of one storm in 1981 are given. Comparisons were made between the radial wind velocity components measured by the radar and the airplane. The correlation coefficients for the 1980 data and part of the 1981 data were 0.88 and 0.78, respectively. It is suggested that larger values for these coefficients may be obtained by improving the experimental technique and in particular by slaving the radar to track the airplane during such tests.

Usry, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A Comparison of Three Curve Intersection Algorithms

An empirical comparison is made between three algorithms for computing the points of intersection of two planar Bezier curves. The algorithms compared are: the well known Bezier subdivision algorithm, which is discussed in Lane 80; a subdivision algorithm based on interval analysis due to Koparkar and Mudur; and an algorithm due to Sederberg, Anderson and Goldman which reduces the problem to one of finding the roots of a univariate polynomial. The details of these three algorithms are presented in their respective references.

Sederberg, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparisons of simultaneous vector magnetograms

Simultaneous vector magnetograms were obtained with the different magnetographs of the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory and the Sayan Mountain Observatory in October 1983. The data obtained show a good correspondence in general. The comparison makes clear something on the measuring accuracy of each magnetograph. Good correspondence is shown in circular and linear polarizations, and, in and near sunspots, of the velocity field. The azimuth of the magnetic fields show good agreement.

Makita, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A comparison of two contemporary creep-fatigue life prediction methods

A comparison of two contemporary approaches to creep fatigue life prediction, the Continuous Damage Mechanics as developed at ONERA, and Strain Range Partitioning, is presented. The general framework of each of these approaches, both being crack initiation life prediction tools, are examined. The basis for, and implications of each predictive method are discussed, relative to the material class(es) for which each was developed, as well as to their general applicability. Evident is a need for critical experiments capable of discriminating among the models; to this end, the question of choice of experiment and material is addressed.

Mcgaw, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparison of wind and turbulence measurements from Doppler lidar and instrumented aircraft

Wind fields were measured with the ground based lidar, NOAA Wave Propagation Laboratory and with the NASA B-57B instrumented aircraft. The remotely sensed winds are compared with the in situ aircraft measurements. Three flight plans were carried out during the two different field programs. At NASA/MSFC the aircraft circled while the lidar scanned conically and the aircraft flew 6 deg approach path along the fixed lidar beam. The aircraft flew an approach along the lidar beam directed south-north (parallel to the mountain range) and a climbout along the lidar beam which alternately shifted east-west (perpendicular to the mountain range). Turbulence intensities and spectra were calculated from the temporal fluctuations in the lidar-measured radial wind speed component. These field tests provided unique sets of data to examine the mean wind and turbulence measurements made by remote sensing instruments. The comparison of aircraft measured turbulence intensities and spectra with lidar time histories of radial wind speed were in good agreement.

Huang, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparisons of the North Polar Cap of Mars and the Earth's Northern Hemisphere snow cover

The boundaries of the polar caps of Mars have been measured on more than 3000 photographs since 1905 from the plate collection at the Lowell Observatory. For the Earth the polar caps have been accurately mapped only since the mid 1960's when satellites were first available to synoptically view the polar regions. The polar caps of both planets wax and wane in response to changes in the seasons, and interannual differences in polar cap behavior on Mars as well as Earth are intimately linked to global energy balance. In this study data on the year to year variations in the extent of the polar caps of Mars and Earth were assembled and analyzed together with data on annual variations in solar activity to determine if associations exist between these data. It was found that virtually no correlation exists between measurements of Mars north polar cap and solar variability. An inverse relationship was found between variations in the size of the north polar caps of Mars and Earth, although only 6 years of concurrent data were available for comparison.

Foster, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparisons of monthly mean cosmic ray counting rates observes from worldwide network of neutron monitors

In order to examine the stability of neutron monitor observation, each of the monthly average counting rates of a neutron monitors is correlated to those of Kiel neutron monitor. The regression coefficients thus obtained are compared with the coupling coefficients of isotropic intensity radiation. The results of the comparisons for five year periods during 1963 to 1982, and for whole period are given. The variation spectrum with a single power law with an exponent of -0.75 up to 50 GV is not so unsatisfactory one. More than one half of the stations show correlations with the coefficient greater than 0.9. Some stations have shifted the level of mean counting rates by changing the instrumental characteristics which can be adjusted.

Ryu, J. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comparison of simulation results with sea-level experimental data on 10(14) - 10(16) air shower cores

Simulation predictions for the Leeds 35 sq m horizontal discharge chamber array for proton primaries with a approx. E sup 2.7 spectrum extrapolated from balloon data to 10 to the 16th power eV give power law rho (r)-spectra with constant slope approx. -2 consistent with the experimental data up to the point at which they steepen but overshooting them at higher densities, and at high shower sizes predicted cores which are significantly steeper than those observed. Further comparisons with results for heavy nuclei primaries (up to A = 56) point to the inadequacy of changes in primary composition to account for the observed density spectra and core flattening, and the shower size spectrum together, and point, therefore, to the failure of the scaling interaction model at approx. 10 to the 15th power eV primary energy.

Ash, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Some interhemispheric comparisons of medium-scale waves in the lower stratosphere

Remarkable domination of the summer Southern Hemisphere (SH) circulation by medium-scale features (zonal waves 4-7) has been reported. More recently, it has been shown that these features derive their energy from baroclinic instabilities of the mean state. As one aspect of attempting to further explain the unusual spectral peak and phase-time continuity of the SH waves, the same microwave satellite instrument is used to compare characteristics of medium-scale lower stratospheric temperature waves in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and SH summertimes. Data from the Tiros-N Microwave Sounding Unit from August 1979 are analyzed here and compared with previous analyses for January 1979 reported by Yu et al. (1983) and others. The interhemispheric comparison reveals that summertime medium-scale waves in the NH do not exhibit the striking phase-time continuity of their SH summer counterparts. In addition, winter NH medium-scale waves are also found to have less phase-time continuity than those in the SH winter. The reason for the interhemispheric difference in maintenance of the medium-scale waves, especially in summertime, remains to be explained.

Yu, W.-B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Comparison of experimental and analytical predictions of rotor blade-vortex interactions using model scale acoustic data

Helicopter blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise is studied using a model scale rotor acoustic data base and an analytical rotor wake prediction method. The variation of BVI acoustic levels with vehicle flight conditions (forward speed and disk attitude) is presented. Calculations of probable BVI locations on the rotor disk are made for a range of operating conditions using the measured acoustic signals and an acoustic ray tracing technique. Analytical predictions of possible BVI locations on the rotor disk are made using a generalized distorted wake analysis program. Comparisons of the interaction locations are made with the results of both the analytic approach and the acoustic ray tracing technique.

Martin, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Comparison of secondary flows predicted by a viscous code and an inviscid code with experimental data for a turning duct

A comparison of the secondary flows computed by the viscous Kreskovsky-Briley-McDonald code and the inviscid Denton code with benchmark experimental data for turning duct is presented. The viscous code is a fully parabolized space-marching Navier-Stokes solver while the inviscid code is a time-marching Euler solver. The experimental data were collected by Taylor, Whitelaw, and Yianneskis with a laser Doppler velocimeter system in a 90 deg turning duct of square cross-section. The agreement between the viscous and inviscid computations was generally very good for the streamwise primary velocity and the radial secondary velocity, except at the walls, where slip conditions were specified for the inviscid code. The agreement between both the computations and the experimental data was not as close, especially at the 60.0 deg and 77.5 deg angular positions within the duct. This disagreement was attributed to incomplete modeling of the vortex development near the suction surface.

Schwab, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Comparison of scaled model data to full size energy efficient engine test results

Acoustic tests of a subscale fan and a subscale mixer nozzle were conducted in anechoic chambers over a variety of operating conditions. The subscale fan test was an investigation into the effects of vane/blade ratio and spacing on fan generated noise. A turbulence control structure (TCS) was used to simulate the 'turbulence-free' condition in flight. The subscale mixer nozzle test investigated the acoustic properties of several different forced mixer designs. A tertiary flow was utilized on the mixer model to simulate the forward velocity effects on the jet. The results were scaled up to full size conditions and compared with measured engine data. The comparisons showed good agreement between the component scaled model results and the full scale engine data.

Lavin, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Comparison of icing cloud instruments for 1982-1983 icing season flight program

A number of modern and old style liquid water content (LWC) and droplet sizing instruments were mounted on a DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and operated in natural icing clouds in order to determine their comparative operating characteristics and their limitations over a broad range of conditions. The evaluation period occurred during the 1982-1983 icing season from January to March 1983. Time histories of all instrument outputs were plotted and analyzed to assess instrument repeatability and reliability. Scatter plots were also generated for comparison of instruments. The measured LWC from four instruments differed by as much as 20 percent. The measured droplet size from two instruments differed by an average of three microns. The overall effort demonstrated the need for additional data, and for some means of calibrating these instruments to known standards.

Ide, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Comparison of winds, waves, and turbulence as observed by airborne lidar, ground-based radars, and instrumented tower

On June 29, 1981, two ground-based Doppler radars, an airborne Doppler optical radar (lidar), an instrumented tower, and a rawinsonde were employed to collect wind data in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in central Oklahoma. The main objectives of this experiment were related to a comparison of wind estimates and the visualization of the three-dimensional eddy structure in the convective atmospheric boundary layer. Discrepancies in the mean wind and wind profile detected by the different sensing systems were explained as being caused by a Schuler resonance of the aircraft's inertial navigation system, which caused an erroneous component of the aircraft's ground-relative velocity vector to be subtracted from the lidar-measured radial velocities. It is concluded that NASA's airborne Doppler optical radar system is capable of measuring wind fields in clear air on a smaller scale than was previously available with fixed remote sensors.

Eilts, M. D.↗