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At least 19 records

A General Event Location Algorithm with Applications to Eclispe and Station Line-of-Sight

A general-purpose algorithm for the detection and location of orbital events is developed. The proposed algorithm reduces the problem to a global root-finding problem by mapping events of interest (such as eclipses, station access events, etc.) to continuous, differentiable event functions. A stepping algorithm and a bracketing algorithm are used to detect and locate the roots. Examples of event functions and the stepping/bracketing algorithms are discussed, along with results indicating performance and accuracy in comparison to commercial tools across a variety of trajectories.

Parker, Joel J. K.↗

A General Event Location Algorithm with Applications to Eclipse and Station Line-of-Sight

A general-purpose algorithm for the detection and location of orbital events is developed. The proposed algorithm reduces the problem to a global root-finding problem by mapping events of interest (such as eclipses, station access events, etc.) to continuous, differentiable event functions. A stepping algorithm and a bracketing algorithm are used to detect and locate the roots. Examples of event functions and the stepping/bracketing algorithms are discussed, along with results indicating performance and accuracy in comparison to commercial tools across a variety of trajectories.

Parker, Joel J. K.↗

Combining Passive Thermography and Acoustic Emission for Large Area Fatigue Damage Growth Assessment of a Composite Structure

Passive thermography and acoustic emission data were obtained for improved real time damage detection during fatigue loading. A strong positive correlation was demonstrated between acoustic energy event location and thermal heating, especially if the structure under load was nearing ultimate failure. An image processing routine was developed to map the acoustic emission data onto the thermal imagery. This required removing optical barrel distortion and angular rotation from the thermal data. The acoustic emission data were then mapped onto thermal data, revealing the cluster of acoustic emission event locations around the thermal signatures of interest. By combining both techniques, progression of damage growth is confirmed and areas of failure are identified. This technology provides improved real time inspections of advanced composite structures during fatigue testing.Keywords: Thermal nondestructive evaluation, fatigue damage detection, aerospace composite inspection, acoustic emission, passive thermography

Zalameda, Joseph N.↗

A high resolution delay line readout for microchannel plates

Investigations are reported of delay line configurations used to encode photon event locations in microchannel plate (MCP) detectors. Several delay line schemes of planar and multilayer structure are discussed. The importance of the delay line substrate material is examined, and it is shown that the raw signals from delay lines are narrow (about 3-4 ns FWHM). The factors determining the delay line resolution are evaluated, and it is demonstrated that these are in agreement with measurements. Resolutions of about 18-micron FWHM have been achieved. Measurements of the linearity of the delay line readout show that event centroid locations deviate from perfect linearity by less than 50 microns, even with the very simple anode fabrication methods employed. The image stability has also been evaluated and it is shown that image shifts are less than one resolution element over a period of two months.

Siegmund, O. S. W.↗

Prediction of Solar Energetic Particle Event Peak Proton Intensity Using a Simple Algorithm Based on CME Speed and Direction and Observations of Associated Solar Phenomena

We assess whether a formula obtained by Richardson et al. (2014,https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-014-0524-8) relating the peak intensity of 14- to 24-MeV protons in a solar energetic particle (SEP) event at 1 AU to the solar event location and the speed of the associated coronal mass ejection (CME) may be used in a scheme to predict the intensity of an SEP event at any location at this heliocentric distance. Starting with all 334 CMEs in the CCMC/SWRC DONKI database in October 2011 to July 2012, we use the CME speed and direction to predict the proton intensity at Earth and the two Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft using this formula. Since most (85%)of these CMEs were not in fact associated with SEP events, many SEP events are predicted that are not actually observed. Such cases may be reduced by considering whether type II or type III radio emissions accompany the CMEs, or by selecting faster, wider CMEs. This method is also applied to predict the SEP intensities associated with 1,100 CMEs observed by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph during 1997-2006 in solar cycle 23. Various skill scores are calculated, which assess different aspects of the skill of the SEP predictions. We conclude that the Richardson et al. (2014) formula has potential as a simple empirical SEP intensity prediction tool.

coronal mass ejections↗

Predicting Pilot Performance in Off-Nominal Conditions: A Meta-Analysis and Model Validation

Pilot response to off-nominal (very rare) events represents a critical component to understanding the safety of next generation airspace technology and procedures. We describe a meta-analysis designed to integrate the existing data regarding pilot accuracy of detecting rare, unexpected events such as runway incursions in realistic flight simulations. Thirty-five studies were identified and pilot responses were categorized by expectancy, event location, and whether the pilot was flying with a highway-in-the-sky display. All three dichotomies produced large, significant effects on event miss rate. A model of human attention and noticing, N-SEEV, was then used to predict event noticing performance as a function of event salience and expectancy, and retinal eccentricity. Eccentricity is predicted from steady state scanning by the SEEV model of attention allocation. The model was used to predict miss rates for the expectancy, location and highway-in-the-sky (HITS) effects identified in the meta-analysis. The correlation between model-predicted results and data from the meta-analysis was 0.72.

Wickens, C.D.↗

A study of various methods for calculating locations of lightning events

This article reports on the results of numerical experiments on finding the location of lightning events using different numerical methods. The methods include linear least squares, nonlinear least squares, statistical estimations, cluster analysis and angular filters and combinations of such techniques. The experiments involved investigations of methods for excluding fake solutions which are solutions that appear to be reasonable but are in fact several kilometers distant from the actual location. Some of the conclusions derived from the study are that bad data produces fakes, that no fool-proof method of excluding fakes was found, that a short base-line interferometer under development at Kennedy Space Center to measure the direction cosines of an event shows promise as a filter for excluding fakes. The experiments generated a number of open questions, some of which are discussed at the end of the report.

Cannon, John R.↗

An Amplitude-Based Estimation Method for International Space Station (ISS) Leak Detection and Localization Using Acoustic Sensor Networks

The development of a robust and efficient leak detection and localization system within a space station environment presents a unique challenge. A plausible approach includes the implementation of an acoustic sensor network system that can successfully detect the presence of a leak and determine the location of the leak source. Traditional acoustic detection and localization schemes rely on the phase and amplitude information collected by the sensor array system. Furthermore, the acoustic source signals are assumed to be airborne and far-field. Likewise, there are similar applications in sonar. In solids, there are specialized methods for locating events that are used in geology and in acoustic emission testing that involve sensor arrays and depend on a discernable phase front to the received signal. These methods are ineffective if applied to a sensor detection system within the space station environment. In the case of acoustic signal location, there are significant baffling and structural impediments to the sound path and the source could be in the near-field of a sensor in this particular setting.

Tian, Jialin↗

Large Area Nondestructive Evaluation of a Fatigue Loaded Composite Structure

Large area nondestructive evaluation (NDE) inspections are required for fatigue testing of composite structures to track damage initiation and growth. Of particular interest is the progression of damage leading to ultimate failure to validate damage progression models. In this work, passive thermography and acoustic emission NDE were used to track damage growth up to failure of a composite three-stringer panel. Fourteen acoustic emission sensors were placed on the composite panel. The signals from the array were acquired simultaneously and allowed for acoustic emission location. In addition, real time thermal data of the composite structure were acquired during loading. Details are presented on the mapping of the acoustic emission locations directly onto the thermal imagery to confirm areas of damage growth leading to ultimate failure. This required synchronizing the acoustic emission and thermal data with the applied loading. In addition, processing of the thermal imagery which included contrast enhancement, removal of optical barrel distortion and correction of angular rotation before mapping the acoustic event locations are discussed.

Joseph N Zalameda↗

Measurement of heavy cosmic rays above 20 GeV/n in passive detectors - Preliminary results from JACEE-3

It is pointed out that the JACEE-3 experiment combined electronic counters and an emulsion chamber to study nucleus-nucleus interactions between 20 and 100 GeV/n. In the present paper, a description is given of the use of the passive detector stack. The electronic position detectors facilitate the event location, taking into account a determination of the incident angles. CR-39 plastic plates were placed just below the proportional counters to enhance tracking accuracy. The JACEE-3 emulsion chamber consists of three parts, including the charge module, the target module, and the calorimeter module. The charge module is mainly used in track identification. The obtained results are also discussed, giving attention to event number and tracking efficiency, interaction measurements, and the inelasticity distribution.

Burnett, T. H.↗

Toward the modeling of land use change: A spatial analysis using remote sensing and historical data

It was hypothesized that the chronological observation of land use change could be shown to follow a predictable pattern and these patterns could be correlated with other statistical data to develop transition probabilities suitable for modeling purposes. A literature review and preliminary research, however, indicated a totally stochastic approach was not practical for simulating land use change and thus a more deterministic approach was adopted. The approach used assumes the determinants of the land use conversion process are found in the market place, where land transactions among buyers and sellers occur. Only one side of the market transaction process is studied, however, namely, the purchaser's desires in securing an ideal or suitable site. The problem was to identify the ideal qualities, quantities or attributes desired in an industrial site (or housing development), and to formulate a general algorithmic statement capable of identifying potential development sites. Research procedures involved developing a list of variables previously noted in the literature to be related to site selection and streamlining the list to a set suitable for statistical testing. A sample of 157 industries which have located (or relocated) in the 16-county Knoxville metropolitan region since 1950 was selected for industrial location analysis. Using NASA color infrared photography and Tennessee Valley Authority historical aerial photography, data were collected on the spatial characteristics of each industrial location event. These data were then subjected to factor analysis to determine the interrelations of variables.

Honea, R. B.↗

A high resolution gas scintillation proportional counter for studying low energy cosmic X-ray sources

In recent years much effort has been devoted to the development of large area gas scintillation proportional counters (GSPCs) suitable for use in X-ray astronomy. The paper deals with a low-energy GSPC for use in detecting sub-keV X-rays from cosmic sources. This instrument has a measured energy resolution of 85 eV (FWHM) at 149 eV over a sensitive area of 5 sq cm. The development of imaging capability for this instrument is discussed. Tests are performed on the feasibility of using an arrangement of several phototubes placed adjacent to one another to determine event locations in a large flat counter. A simple prototype has been constructed and successfully operated.

Hamilton, T. T.↗

A photon-counting photodiode array detector for far ultraviolet (FUV) astronomy

A compact, stable, single-stage intensified photodiode array detector designed for photon-counting, far ultraviolet astronomy applications employs a saturable, 'C'-type MCP (Galileo S. MCP 25-25) to produce high gain pulses with a narrowly peaked pulse height distribution. The P-20 output phosphor exhibits a very short decay time, due to the high current density of the electron pulses. This intensifier is being coupled to a self-scanning linear photodiode array which has a fiber optic input window which allows direct, rigid mechanical coupling with minimal light loss. The array was scanned at a 250 KHz pixel rate. The detector exhibits more than adequate signal-to-noise ratio for pulse counting and event location.

Hartig, G. F.↗

Photon counting photodiode array detector for far ultraviolet (FUV) astronomy

A compact, stable, single-stage intensified photodiode array detector designed for photon-counting, far ultraviolet astronomy applications employs a saturable, 'C'-type MCP (Galileo S. MCP 25-25) to produce high gain pulses with a narrowly peaked pulse height distribution. The P-20 output phosphor exhibits a very short decay time, due to the high current density of the electron pulses. This intensifier is being coupled to a self-scanning linear photodiode array which has a fiber optic input window which allows direct, rigid mechanical coupling with minimal light loss. The array was scanned at a 250 KHz pixel rate. The detector exhibits more than adequate signal-to-noise ratio for pulse counting and event location. Previously announced in STAR as N82-19118

Hartig, G. F.↗

Electric fields and convection velocities associated with flux transfer events

A survey of the electric field and (E x B)/B-squared convection velocities associated with 23 flux transfer events (FTEs) in the magnetosheath and magnetosphere is presented. Twelve-second averaged electric field data show perturbations in the component of the electric field perpendicular to the magnetopause, with an average magnitude of 3.5 mV/m associated with the FTEs. Direct flux transfer events have a northward, and reverse flux transfer events a southward, E x B velocity component, in agreement with the current FTE model. The flux tubes moved across the magnetopause plane at an average E x B speed of 125 km/s with respect to the ambient E x B flow, with events located on the dawn (dusk) side tending to move downward (duskward). No large spiky electric fields of the type observed elsewhere in the magnetosphere were detected.

Dailey, R.↗

Application of wedge and strip image readout systems to detectors for astronomy

Microchannel plate (MCP) detector systems that use wedge and strip anodes for imaging radiation in the range 50 A to 8000 A are described. Test data, obtained from the calibration of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite detectors and the ARIA EUV aeronomy sensor is presented. The long-term performance characteristics of Z-stack microchannel plates are investigated and it is shown that stable operation is achieved after an initial settling period. Conventional and new anode designs and their potential for increasing the position resolution are discussed. Position resolution of better than 80 microns FWHM has been attained for 50 mm devices, and this is shown to be essentially independent of event location. Image nonlinearity of less than 0.3 percent has been achieved with stability to better than 0.1 percent. Differential nonlinearity of less than 1 percent and stability to better than 1 percent have been obtained. Measurements of the quantum efficiency of a CsI photocathode on an MCP are presented, demonstrating efficiencies as high as 47 percent.

Siegmund, O. H. W.↗

An Overview of the Relevant Results from the ATMOS Missions of 1985 and 1992

The Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment employs a Fourier transform spectrometer to record infrared solar spectra at orbital sunrises and sunsets from on board the Space Shuttle. The data returned from 19 occultations covered by the instrument's first flight as part of the Spacelab 3 payload in April, 1985, have been analyzed for the profiles of some thirty atmospheric constituents. These results included a number of species not previously detected or measured, an investigation of the NO(y) and Cl(x) budgets, and, as a whole, have been used as the input for critically evaluating stratospheric photochemical models. The instrument was flown again on the ATLAS-1 shuttle mission in March, 1992, where it obtained data through nearly 100 solar occultation events located between latitudes of 30 deg N and 55 deg S. Results from the 1985 mission as well as preliminary results from the more recent 1992 flight are summarized here.

Gunson, Michael R.↗