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At least 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Molecular effect on equilibrium charge-state distributions

The paper describes an experiment consisting of the acceleration of N(+) and N2(+) ions to energies between 0.25 and 1.75 MeV and their injection through a thin carbon foil, whereupon they were charge-state analyzed with an electrostatic analyzer. A foil-covered electrically suppressed Faraday cup, connected to a stepping motor, moved in the plane of the dispersed beams. The Faraday cup current, which was proportional to the number of incident ions, was sent to a current digitizer and computer programmed as a multiscaler. The energy-dependent charge-state fractions, the mean charge and the distribution width were calculated. It was shown that for incident atoms, the charge state distribution appeared to be spread over more charge states, while for the incident molecules, there was a greater fraction of charge states near the mean charge.

Wickholm, D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Advances in automatic extraction of information from multispectral scanner data

The state-of-the-art of automatic multispectral scanner data analysis and interpretation is reviewed. Sources of system variability which tend to obscure the spectral characteristics of the classes under consideration are discussed, and examples of the application of spatial and temporal discrimination bases are given. Automatic processing functions, techniques and methods, and equipment are described with particular attention to those that are applicable to large land surveys using satellite data. The development and characteristics of the Multivariate Interactive Digital Analysis System (MIDAS) for processing aircraft or satellite multispectral scanning data are discussed in detail. The MIDAS system combines the parallel digital implementation capabilities of a low-cost processor with a general purpose PDP-11/45 minicomputer to provide near-real-time data processing. The preprocessing functions are user-selectable. The input subsystem accepts data stored on high density digital tape, computer compatible tape, and analog tape.

Erickson, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Thermocouples measure very-hot gas temperatures

Thermocouple probe incorporates small jet of inert gas to cool thermocouple. To measure gas temperatures, cooling jet is turned off momentarily, allowing thermocouple to heat up to near its melting point, then cooling is reapplied. Heating curve is recorded by high speed digital system. Computing system extrapolates final temperature thermocouple would have attained.

Glawe, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Digital filter structures having low errors and simple hardware implementation

Sensitivity and roundoff errors can seriously limit the application of recursive digital filters in practice, particularly when the filters have poles near z = + 1. A filter structure, based on digital incremental computers is proposed, which has low sensitivity, good error characteristics, and simple hardware implementation for pole locations close to z = + 1. Expressions for the roundoff errors are derived and compared to those for conventional structures. A design procedure is suggested to implement the new filter structure given the transfer function. Simulation results are presented.

Abu-El-haija, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A Study of Linear Approximation Techniques for SAR Azimuth Processing

The application of the step transform subarray processing techniques to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) was studied. The subarray technique permits the application of efficient digital transform computational techniques such as the fast Fourier transform to be applied while offering an effective tool for range migration compensation. Range migration compensation is applied at the subarray level, and with the subarray size based on worst case range migration conditions, a minimum control system is achieved. A baseline processor was designed for a four-look SAR system covering approximately 4096 by 4096 SAR sample field every 2.5 seconds. Implementation of the baseline system was projected using advanced low power technologies. A 20 swath is implemented with approximately 1000 circuits having a power dissipation of from 70 to 195 watts. The baseline batch step transform processor is compared to a continuous strip processor, and variations of the baseline are developed for a wide range of SAR parameters.

Martinson, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A structure suitable for implementing digital filters with poles near z = +1

Errors limiting the application of recursive digital filters which have poles near z = +1 are considered, and a filter structure for pole locations close to z = +1 is proposed. The filter structure, based on digital incremental computers, has low sensitivity and good error characteristics for pole locations near z = +1. Expressions for the roundoff error are derived, and errors associated with the proposed structure and a conventional structure are compared. A design procedure is suggested for implementing the new filter structure when the transfer function is given. Simulation results are presented.

Abu-El-haija, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Scientific and technical applications of a tethered satellite system

A Shuttle-borne tether system capable of deploying a tether to radial distances as great as 100 km was described by Rupp and Laue (1978). The system as discussed by Rupp and Laue would have a total mass of 700 kg and would be mounted on one Shuttle pallet. It would consist of a tether reel mechanism complete with a servo drive motor and control sensors, a boom with docking probe used for initial deployment and subsequent retrieval, some type of satellite weighing 175 kg, up to 100 km of synthetic or metallic tether approximately 1 mm in diameter, a digital control computer, and a control and display panel on the Orbiter aft flight deck for crew operation. The primary use of a tether system for geological applications would be in the measurement of those magnetic and gravitational fields associated with geological structures. The major appeal in connection with atmospheric applications is the system's ability to extend instrumentation down into the lower thermosphere and possibly the mesosphere.

Snoddy, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A structure for digital notch filters

Narrow-band digital notch filters have their poles near the unit circle. As the sampling rate is increased, the poles move towards Z = +1. Implementing such filters requires long registers to overcome the sensitivity and roundoff errors. A filter structure based on digital incremental computers is proposed which has low sensitivity and round-off errors, and simple hardware implementation. The filter structure can be directly used on differentially pulse-code modulated signals. Hardware multipliers are not required as the poles approach z = +1, and excellent results can be obtained using multipliers with very short word lengths, or with small size read-only memories.

Abu-El-haija, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Simple JFET oscillator

Device used in mixers, modulators, and function generators provides stable sine-wave signal compatible with both integrated circuits and discrete-component assemblies. Oscillator's frequency is tunable over narrow band about design value. Frequency range, stability, linearity, and low power drain of device are suited to communications receivers and transmitters and digital microprocessors, computers, and displays. Circuit simplicity allows for easy monolithic construction.

Kleinberg, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Flight test evaluation of a digital controller used in a VTOL automatic approach and landing system

As part of the NASA Langley Research Center's effort to develop technology for VTOL operation in the air transportation system in the late 1980's and beyond, research has been conducted aimed at developing digital controller design procedures. This paper describes the verification of one design procedure by the flight evaluation of an advanced digital control algorithm. The control algorithm, operating at 10 iterations per second, follows step guidance commands with zero steady state error and thus provides an autotrim capability for the nonlinear vehicle. Changes in vehicle dynamics are accounted for using a gain scheduling technique. This control algorithm is combined with sensor filters, a trajectory generator, and a closed loop guidance algorithm to form a VTOL autoland system. A CH-47 tandem rotor helicopter which contains a set of sensors, onboard digital flight computers and electro-hydraulic actuators is used in the evaluation. All software, except input-output routines, is coded in FORTRAN using floating point arithmetic and executed in the flight computer. This autoland system is exercised by automatically flying straight-in descending decelerating trajectories typical of VFR manual approaches to a predetermined landing pad.

Downing, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

NASA/BLM Applications Pilot Test (APT), phase 2. Volume 1: Executive summary

Data from LANDSAT, low altitude color aerial photography, and ground visits were combined and used to produce vegetation cover maps and to estimate productivity of range, woodland, and forest resources in northwestern Arizona. A planning session, two workshops, and four status reviews were held to assist technology transfer from NASA. Computer aided digital classification of LANDSAT data was selected as a major source of input data. An overview is presented of the data processing, data collection, productivity estimation, and map verification techniques used. Cost analysis and digital LANDSAT digital products are also considered.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1982

Lunar seismic data analysis

The scientific data transmitted continuously from all ALSEP (Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package) stations on the Moon and recorded on instrumentation tapes at receiving stations distributed around the Earth were processed. The processing produced sets of computer-compatible digital tapes, from which various other data sets convenient for analysis were generated. The seismograms were read, various types of seismic events were classified; the detected events were cataloged.

Nakamura, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Laboratory modeling and analysis of aircraft-lightning interactions

Modeling studies of the interaction of a delta wing aircraft with direct lightning strikes were carried out using an approximate scale model of an F-106B. The model, which is three feet in length, is subjected to direct injection of fast current pulses supplied by wires, which simulate the lightning channel and are attached at various locations on the model. Measurements are made of the resulting transient electromagnetic fields using time derivative sensors. The sensor outputs are sampled and digitized by computer. The noise level is reduced by averaging the sensor output from ten input pulses at each sample time. Computer analysis of the measured fields includes Fourier transformation and the computation of transfer functions for the model. Prony analysis is also used to determine the natural frequencies of the model. Comparisons of model natural frequencies extracted by Prony analysis with those for in flight direct strike data usually show lower damping in the in flight case. This is indicative of either a lightning channel with a higher impedance than the wires on the model, only one attachment point, or short streamers instead of a long channel.

Turner, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Energy Efficient Engine (E3) controls and accessories detail design report

An Energy Efficient Engine program has been established by NASA to develop technology for improving the energy efficiency of future commercial transport aircraft engines. As part of this program, a new turbofan engine was designed. This report describes the fuel and control system for this engine. The system design is based on many of the proven concepts and component designs used on the General Electric CF6 family of engines. One significant difference is the incorporation of digital electronic computation in place of the hydromechanical computation currently used.

Beitler, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Diagnostic imaging applications; Proceedings of the Meeting, Amsterdam, Netherlands, October 8, 9, 1984

It is more important than ever that engineers have an understanding of the future needs of clinical and research medicine, and that physicians know somthing about probable future developments in instrumentation capabilities. Only by maintaining such a dialog can the most effective application of technological advances to medicine be achieved. This workshop attempted to provide this kind of information transfer in the limited field of diagnostic imaging. Biomedical research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is discussed, taking into account imaging results from space exploration missions, as well as biomedical research tasks based in these technologies. Attention is also given to current and future indications for magnetic resonance in medicine, high speed quantitative digital microscopy, computer processing of radiographic images, computed tomography and its modern applications, position emission tomography, and developments related to medical ultrasound.

Beckenbach, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Polarized views of the earth from orbital altitude

By means of a pair of boresighted and synchronized cameras fitted with orthogonally oriented polarizing filters and carried aboard the Space Shuttle, a large number of polarized images of the earth's surface have been obtained from orbital altitude. Selected pairs of images, both in color and in black and white, have been digitized and computer processed to yield analogous images in each of the three Stokes parameters necessary for characterizing the state of linear polarization of the emergent light. Many of the images show surface properties more distinctly in degree and plane of polarization than in simple intensity alone. However, the maximum information content as well as noise suppression and minimization of atmospheric interference, is achieved by proper combinations of the Stokes parameters. It is believed that these are the first, and certainly the most extensive, set of polarized images of the earth ever obtained from space.

Coulson, Kinsell L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Flight test of a digital controller used in a helicopter autoland system

This paper describes the flight test evaluation of an advanced digital helicopter flight control system. The controller was designed using an optimal control design procedure for a fully coupled lateral and longitudinal vehicle model. Explicit integrals of the guidance error were included to produce a type 1 characteristic. Gain scheduling was used to account for changes in the vehicle dynamics. The digital controller was exercised by combining it with state estimators, a trajectory generator, and a closed-loop guidance algorithm to form a helicopter autoland system. A CH-47 tandem rotor helicopter was equipped with sensors, on-board digital flight computers, and electrohydraulic actuators. The system was exercised by automatically flying straight-in descending decelerating trajectories typcial of VFR manual landing approaches. A description of the test-ground facilities, the flight hardware and software, and the velocity and position tracking performance is included.

Downing, David R.↗