Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “decisions”

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 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Identifying environmental features for land management decisions

The benefits of changes in management organization and facilities for the Center for Remote Sensing and Cartography in Utah are reported as well as interactions with and outreach to state and local agencies. Completed projects are described which studied (1) Unita Basin wetland/land use; (2) Davis County foothill development; (3) Farmington Bay shoreline fluctuation; (4) irrigation detection; and (5) satellite investigation of snow cover/mule deer relationships. Techniques developed for composite computer mapping, contrast enhancement, U-2 CIR/LANDSAT digital interface; factor analysis, and multivariate statistical analysis are described.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

LANDSAT landcover information applied to regional planning decisions

Land cover information derived from LANDSAT is being utilized by Piedmont Planning District Commission located in the State of Virginia. Progress to date is reported on a level one land cover classification map being produced with nine categories. The nine categories of classification are defined. The computer compatible tape selection is presented. Two unsupervised classifications were done, with 50 and 70 classes respectively. Twenty-eight spectral classes were developed using the supervised technique, employing actual ground truth training sites. The accuracy of the unsupervised classifications are estimated through comparison with local county statistics and with an actual pixel count of LANDSAT information compared to ground truth.

Dixon, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Identifying environmental features for land management decisions

The major accomplishments of the Center for Remote Sensing and Cartography are outlined. The analysis and inventory of the Parker Mountain rangeland and the use of multitemporal data to study aspen succession stages are discussed. New and continuing projects are also described including a Salt Lake County land use study, Wasatch-Cache riparian study, and Humboldt River riparian habitat study. Finally, progress in digital processing techniques is reported.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

Identifying environmental features for land management decisions

Pairs of HCMM day-night thermal infrared (IR) data were selected to examine patterns of surface temperature and thermal inertia (TI) of peninsular Florida. GOES and NOAA-6 thermal IR, as well as National Climatic Center temperatures and rainfall, were also used. The HCMM apparent thermal inertia (ATI) images closely correspond to the General Soil Map of Florida, based on soil drainage classes. Areas with low ATI overlay well-drained soils, such as deep sands and drained organic soils. Areas with high ATI overlay areas with wetlands and bodies of water. The HCMM ATI images also correspond well with GOES-detected winter nocturnal cold-prone areas. Use of HCMM data with Carlson's energy balance model shows both high moisture availability (MA) and high thermal inertia (TI) of wetland-type surfaces and low MA and low TI of upland, well-drained soils. Since soil areas with low TI develop higher temperatures during the day, then antecedent patterns of highest maximum daytime surface temperature can also be used to predict nocturnal cold-prone areas in Florida.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Identifying environmental features for land management decisions

Multivariate statistical analysis and imaging processing techniques are being applied to the study of arid/semiarid environments, with emphasis on desertification. Field level indicators of land-soil biota degradation are being sifted out with staging up to the low aircraft reconnaissance level, to LANDSAT TM & MSS, and even to the AVHRR level. Three completed projects are reviewed: riparian habitat on the Humboldt River floodplain, Salt Lake County Urban expansion detection, and salinization/desertification detection in the delta area. Beginning projects summarized include: comparative condition of rangeland in Rush Valley; modeling a GIS/remote sensing data base for Cache County; universal soil loss equation applied to Pinyon-Juniper; relating MSS to ground radiometry near Battle Mountain; and riparian habitat mapping on Mary's River, Nevada.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

Pilot interaction with automated airborne decision making systems

The use of advanced software engineering methods (e.g., from artificial intelligence) to aid aircraft crews in procedure selection and execution is investigated. Human problem solving in dynamic environments as effected by the human's level of knowledge of system operations is examined. Progress on the development of full scale simulation facilities is also discussed.

Rouse, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Guidelines for contingency planning NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) ADP security risk reduction decision studies

Guidance is presented to NASA Computer Security Officials for determining the acceptability or unacceptability of ADP security risks based on the technical, operational and economic feasibility of potential safeguards. The risk management process is reviewed as a specialized application of the systems approach to problem solving and information systems analysis and design. Reporting the results of the risk reduction analysis to management is considered. Report formats for the risk reduction study are provided.

Tompkins, F. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Decision tree rating scales for workload estimation: Theme and variations

The Modified Cooper-Harper (MCH) scale which is a sensitive indicator of workload in several different types of aircrew tasks was examined. The study determined if variations of the scale might provide greater sensitivity and the reasons for the sensitivity of the scale. The MCH scale and five newly devised scales were examined in two different aircraft simulator experiments in which pilot loading was treated as an independent variable. It is indicated that while one of the new scales may be more sensitive in a given experiment, task dependency is a problem. The MCH scale exhibits consistent senstivity and remains the scale recommended for general use. The MCH scale results are consistent with earlier experiments. The rating scale experiments are reported and the questionnaire results which were directed to obtain a better understanding of the reasons for the relative sensitivity of the MCH scale and its variations are described.

Wierwille, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Decision Tree Rating Scales for Workload Estimation: Theme and Variations

The modified Cooper-Harper (MCH) scale has been shown to be a sensitive indicator of workload in several different types of aircrew tasks. The MCH scale was examined to determine if certain variations of the scale might provide even greater sensitivity and to determine the reasons for the sensitivity of the scale. The MCH scale and five newly devised scales were studied in two different aircraft simulator experiments in which pilot loading was treated as an independent variable. Results indicate that while one of the new scales may be more sensitive in a given experiment, task dependency is a problem. The MCH scale exhibits consistent sensitivity and remains the scale recommended for general use. The results of the rating scale experiments are presented and the questionnaire results which were directed at obtaining a better understanding of the reasons for the relative sensitivity of the MCH scale and its variations are described.

Wietwille, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Combining destination diversion decisions and critical in-flight event diagnosis in computer aided testing of pilots

Rockwell and Giffin (1982) and Giffin and Rockwell (1983) have discussed the use of computer aided testing (CAT) in the study of pilot response to critical in-flight events. The present investigation represents an extension of these earlier studies. In testing pilot responses to critical in-flight events, use is made of a Plato-touch CRT system operating on a menu based format. In connection with the typical diagnostic problem, the pilot was presented with symptoms within a flight scenario. In one problem, the pilot has four minutes for obtaining the information which is needed to make a diagnosis of the problem. In the reported research, the attempt has been made to combine both diagnosis and diversion scenario into a single computer aided test. Tests with nine subjects were conducted. The obtained results and their significance are discussed.

Rockwell, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Evaluation of automated decision making methodologies and development of an integrated robotic system simulation: Study results

The implementation of a generic computer simulation for manipulator systems (ROBSIM) is described. The program is written in FORTRAN, and allows the user to: (1) Interactively define a manipulator system consisting of multiple arms, load objects, targets, and an environment; (2) Request graphic display or replay of manipulator motion; (3) Investigate and simulate various control methods including manual force/torque and active compliance control; and (4) Perform kinematic analysis, requirements analysis, and response simulation of manipulamotion. Previous reports have described the algorithms and procedures for using ROBSIM. These reports are superseded and additional features which were added are described. They are: (1) The ability to define motion profiles and compute loads on a common base to which manipulator arms are attached; (2) Capability to accept data describing manipulator geometry from a Computer Aided Design data base using the Initial Graphics exchange Specification format; (3) A manipulator control algorithm derived from processing the TV image of known reference points on a target; and (4) A vocabulary of simple high level task commands which can be used to define task scenarios.

Haley, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Pilot interaction with automated airborne decision making systems

Two project areas were pursued: the intelligent cockpit and human problem solving. The first area involves an investigation of the use of advanced software engineering methods to aid aircraft crews in procedure selection and execution. The second area is focused on human problem solving in dynamic environments, particulary in terms of identification of rule-based models land alternative approaches to training and aiding. Progress in each area is discussed.

Rouse, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Pilot interaction with automated airborne decision making systems

Progress was made in the three following areas. In the rule-based modeling area, two papers related to identification and significane testing of rule-based models were presented. In the area of operator aiding, research focused on aiding operators in novel failure situations; a discrete control modeling approach to aiding PLANT operators was developed; and a set of guidelines were developed for implementing automation. In the area of flight simulator hardware and software, the hardware will be completed within two months and initial simulation software will then be integrated and tested.

Rouse, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Rule-based analysis of pilot decisions

The application of the rule identification technique to the analysis of human performance data is proposed. The relation between the language and identifiable consistencies is discussed. The advantages of production system models for the description of complex human behavior are studied. The use of a Monte Carlo significance testing procedure to assure the validity of the rule identification is examined. An example of the rule-based analysis of Palmer's (1983) data is presented.

Lewis, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Follow-on proposal identifying environmental features for land management decisions

Urban morphology (an examination of spatial fabric and structure), natural ecosystem (investigations emphasizing biophysical processes and patterns), and human ecosystem (emphasizing socio-economic and engineering parameters) were studied. The most critical variable, transpiration, in the ASPCON model, created by Jaynes (1978), describing the hydrology of aspen to conifer succession was studied to improve the accuracy. Transpiration is determined by a canopy transpiration model which estimates consumptive water use (CWU) for specific species and a plant activity index. Also studied was Pinyon-Juniper woodland erosion.

Wright, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Radar scene generation for tactical decision aids

The Mueller matrix and polarization covariance matrix for polarimetric radar systems was studied. The clutter was modeled by a layer of random permittivity, described by a three-dimensional correlation function, with variance, and horizontal and vertical correlation lengths. This model was applied, using the wave theory with Born approximations carried to the second order, to find the backscattering elements of the polarimetric matrices. Theoretical predictions are matched with experimental data for vegetation fields. The strong fluctuation theory was used to derive the backscattering cross sections. A two-layer anisotropic random medium model was developed for the active and passive microwave remote sensing of ice fields. A three-layer random medium model was adopted to study the volume scattering effects for the active and passive microwave remote sensing of snow-covered ice fields.

Kong, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Radar scene generation for tactical decision aids

The Mueller matrix and polarization covariance matrix for polarimetric radar systems was studied. The clutter is modeled by a layer of random permittivity, described by a three-dimensional correlation function, with variance, and horizontal and vertical correlation lengths. A general mixing formula was derived for discrete scatters immersed in a host medium. The results are applicable to general multiphase mixtures. The strong fluctuation theory was used to derive the backscattering cross sections, and was further extended to include higher order co-polarized and cross-polarized moments. A two-layer anisotropic random medium model was developed for the active and passive remote sensing of ice fields. A three-layer random medium model was adopted to study the volume scattering effects for the active and passive microwave remote sensing of snow-covered ice fields. The snow layer was simulated by an isotropic random medium and the ice layer by an anisotropic random medium. The vegetation canopy and snow-covered ice field were studied with a three-layer model, an isotropic random medium layer overlying an anisotropic random medium. The dyadic Green's function of the three-layer medium and the scattered electromagnetic intensities with Born approximation were calculated.

Kong, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A human performance modelling approach to intelligent decision support systems

Manned space operations require that the many automated subsystems of a space platform be controllable by a limited number of personnel. To minimize the interaction required of these operators, artificial intelligence techniques may be applied to embed a human performance model within the automated, or semi-automated, systems, thereby allowing the derivation of operator intent. A similar application has previously been proposed in the domain of fighter piloting, where the demand for pilot intent derivation is primarily a function of limited time and high workload rather than limited operators. The derivation and propagation of pilot intent is presented as it might be applied to some programs.

Mccoy, Michael S.↗