Effects of atmospheric variations on acoustic system performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nation, Robert; Lang, Stephen; Olsen, Robert; Chintawongvanich, Prasan

1993-01-01

Acoustic propagation over medium to long ranges in the atmosphere is subject to many complex, interacting effects. Of particular interest at this point is modeling low frequency (less than 500 Hz) propagation for the purpose of predicting ranges and bearing accuracies at which acoustic sources can be detected. A simple means of estimating how much of the received signal power propagated directly from the source to the receiver and how much was received by turbulent scattering was developed. The correlations between the propagation mechanism and detection thresholds, beamformer bearing estimation accuracies, and beamformer processing gain of passive acoustic signal detection systems were explored.

An active UHF RFID localization system for fawn saving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eberhardt, M.; Lehner, M.; Ascher, A.; Allwang, M.; Biebl, E. M.

2015-11-01

We present a localization concept for active UHF RFID transponders which enables mowing machine drivers to detect and localize marked fawns. The whole system design and experimental results with transponders located near the ground in random orientations in a meadow area are shown. The communication flow between reader and transponders is realized as a dynamic master-slave concept. Multiple marked fawns will be localized by processing detected transponders sequentially. With an eight-channel-receiver with integrated calibration method one can estimate the direction-of-arrival by measuring the phases of the transponder signals up to a range of 50 m in all directions. For further troubleshooting array manifolds have been measured. An additional hand-held receiver with a two-channel receiver allows a guided approaching search without endangering the fawn by the mowing machine.

Comparison of direct and heterodyne detection optical intersatellite communication links

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C. C.; Gardner, C. S.

1987-01-01

The performance of direct and heterodyne detection optical intersatellite communication links are evaluated and compared. It is shown that the performance of optical links is very sensitive to the pointing and tracking errors at the transmitter and receiver. In the presence of random pointing and tracking errors, optimal antenna gains exist that will minimize the required transmitter power. In addition to limiting the antenna gains, random pointing and tracking errors also impose a power penalty in the link budget. This power penalty is between 1.6 to 3 dB for a direct detection QPPM link, and 3 to 5 dB for a heterodyne QFSK system. For the heterodyne systems, the carrier phase noise presents another major factor of performance degradation that must be considered. In contrast, the loss due to synchronization error is small. The link budgets for direct and heterodyne detection systems are evaluated. It is shown that, for systems with large pointing and tracking errors, the link budget is dominated by the spatial tracking error, and the direct detection system shows a superior performance because it is less sensitive to the spatial tracking error. On the other hand, for systems with small pointing and tracking jitters, the antenna gains are in general limited by the launch cost, and suboptimal antenna gains are often used in practice. In which case, the heterodyne system has a slightly higher power margin because of higher receiver sensitivity.

Direct detection optical intersatellite link at 220 Mbps using AlGaAs laser diode and silicon APD with 4-ary PPM signaling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, Xiaoli; Davidson, Frederic M.

1990-01-01

A newly developed 220 Mbps free-space 4-ary pulse position modulation (PPM) direct detection optical communication system is described. High speed GaAs integrated circuits were used to construct the PPM encoder and receiver electronic circuits. Both PPM slot and word timing recovery were provided in the PPM receiver. The optical transmitter consisted of an AlGaAs laser diode (Mitsubishi ML5702A, lambda=821nm) and a high speed driver unit. The photodetector consisted of a silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) (RCA30902S) preceded by an optical interference filter (delta lambda=10nm). Preliminary tests showed that the self-synchronized PPM receiver could achieve a receiver bit error rate of less than 10(exp -6) at 25 nW average received optical signal power or 360 photons per transmitted information bit. The relatively poor receiver sensitivity was believed to be caused by the insufficient electronic bandwidth of the APD preamplifier and the poor linearity of the preamplifier high frequency response.

6.4 Tb/s (32 × 200 Gb/s) WDM direct-detection transmission with twin-SSB modulation and Kramers-Kronig receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yixiao; Jiang, Mingxuan; Ruan, Xiaoke; Chen, Zeyu; Li, Chenjia; Zhang, Fan

2018-05-01

We experimentally demonstrate 6.4 Tb/s wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) direct-detection transmission based on Nyquist twin-SSB modulation over 25 km SSMF with bit error rates (BERs) below the 20% hard-decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold of 1.5 × 10-2. The two sidebands of each channel are separately detected using Kramers-Kronig receiver without MIMO equalization. We also carry out numerical simulations to evaluate the system robustness against I/Q amplitude imbalance, I/Q phase deviation and the extinction ratio of modulator, respectively. Furthermore, we show in simulation that the requirement of steep edge optical filter can be relaxed if multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) equalization between the two sidebands is used.

Performances of a HGCDTE APD based direct detection lidar at 2 μm. Application to dial measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibert, Fabien; Dumas, Arnaud; Rothman, Johan; Edouart, Dimitri; Cénac, Claire; Pellegrino, Jessica

2018-04-01

A lidar receiver with a direct detection chain adapted to a HgCdTe APD based detector with electric cooling is associated to a 2.05 μm Ho :YLF pulsed dual wavelength single mode transmitter to provide the first atmospheric lidar measurements using this technology. Experiments confirm the outstanding sensitivity of the detector and hightligth its huge potential for DIAL measurements of trace gas (CO2 and H2O) in this spectral domain. Performances of coherent vs direct detection at 2.05 μm is assessed.

An inter-lighting interference cancellation scheme for MISO-VLC systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kyuntak; Lee, Kyujin; Lee, Kyesan

2017-08-01

In this paper, we propose an inter-lighting interference cancellation (ILIC) scheme to reduce the interference between adjacent light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and enhance the transmission capacity of multiple-input-single-output (MISO)-visible light communication (VLC) systems. In indoor environments, multiple LEDs have normally been used as lighting sources, allowing the design of MISO-VLC systems. To enhance the transmission capacity, different data should be simultaneously transmitted from each LED; however, that can lead to interference between adjacent LEDs. In that case, relatively low-received power signals are subjected to large interference because wireless optical systems generally use intensity modulation and direct detection. Thus, only the signal with the highest received power can be detected, while the other received signals cannot be detected. To solve this problem, we propose the ILIC scheme for MISO-VLC systems. The proposed scheme preferentially detects the highest received power signal, and this signal is referred as interference signal by an interference component generator. Then, relatively low-received power signal can be detected by cancelling the interference signal from the total received signals. Therefore, the performance of the proposed scheme can improve the total average bit error rate and throughput of a MISO-VLC system.

Method and apparatus for detecting external cracks from within a metal tube

DOEpatents

Caffey, Thurlow W. H.

2001-08-07

A method and tool using a continuous electromagnetic wave from a transverse magnetic-dipole source with a coaxial electric-dipole receiver is described for the detection of external sidewall cracks and other anomalies in boiler tubes and other enclosures. The invention utilizes the concept of radar backscatter rather than eddy-currents or ultrasound, which are sometimes used in prior art crack-detection methods. A numerical study of the distribution of the fields shows that the direct transmission from the source to the receiver is reduced from that in free space. Further, if the diameter of the receiver dipole is made sufficiently small, it should be possible to detect cracks with a scattering loss of up to -40 dB in thin-walled boiler tubes.

Depth- and range-dependent variation in the performance of aquatic telemetry systems: understanding and predicting the susceptibility of acoustic tag-receiver pairs to close proximity detection interference.

PubMed

Scherrer, Stephen R; Rideout, Brendan P; Giorli, Giacomo; Nosal, Eva-Marie; Weng, Kevin C

2018-01-01

Passive acoustic telemetry using coded transmitter tags and stationary receivers is a popular method for tracking movements of aquatic animals. Understanding the performance of these systems is important in array design and in analysis. Close proximity detection interference (CPDI) is a condition where receivers fail to reliably detect tag transmissions. CPDI generally occurs when the tag and receiver are near one another in acoustically reverberant settings. Here we confirm transmission multipaths reflected off the environment arriving at a receiver with sufficient delay relative to the direct signal cause CPDI. We propose a ray-propagation based model to estimate the arrival of energy via multipaths to predict CPDI occurrence, and we show how deeper deployments are particularly susceptible. A series of experiments were designed to develop and validate our model. Deep (300 m) and shallow (25 m) ranging experiments were conducted using Vemco V13 acoustic tags and VR2-W receivers. Probabilistic modeling of hourly detections was used to estimate the average distance a tag could be detected. A mechanistic model for predicting the arrival time of multipaths was developed using parameters from these experiments to calculate the direct and multipath path lengths. This model was retroactively applied to the previous ranging experiments to validate CPDI observations. Two additional experiments were designed to validate predictions of CPDI with respect to combinations of deployment depth and distance. Playback of recorded tags in a tank environment was used to confirm multipaths arriving after the receiver's blanking interval cause CPDI effects. Analysis of empirical data estimated the average maximum detection radius (AMDR), the farthest distance at which 95% of tag transmissions went undetected by receivers, was between 840 and 846 m for the deep ranging experiment across all factor permutations. From these results, CPDI was estimated within a 276.5 m radius of the receiver. These empirical estimations were consistent with mechanistic model predictions. CPDI affected detection at distances closer than 259-326 m from receivers. AMDR determined from the shallow ranging experiment was between 278 and 290 m with CPDI neither predicted nor observed. Results of validation experiments were consistent with mechanistic model predictions. Finally, we were able to predict detection/nondetection with 95.7% accuracy using the mechanistic model's criterion when simulating transmissions with and without multipaths. Close proximity detection interference results from combinations of depth and distance that produce reflected signals arriving after a receiver's blanking interval has ended. Deployment scenarios resulting in CPDI can be predicted with the proposed mechanistic model. For deeper deployments, sea-surface reflections can produce CPDI conditions, resulting in transmission rejection, regardless of the reflective properties of the seafloor.

Biobriefcase aerosol collector heater

DOEpatents

Bell, Perry M [Tracy, CA; Christian, Allen T [Madison, WI; Bailey, Christopher G [Pleasanton, CA; Willis, Ladona [Manteca, CA; Masquelier, Donald A [Tracy, CA; Nasarabadi, Shanavaz L [Livermore, CA

2009-03-17

A system for sampling air and collecting particles potentially including bioagents entrained in the air for detection. The system comprises collecting a sample of the air with the particles entrained in the air, directing the sample to a receiving surface, directing a liquid to the receiving surface thereby producing a liquid surface, wherein the particles potentially including bioagents become captured in the liquid, and heating the liquid wherein the particles potentially including bioagents become heated to lysis the bioagents.

Coherent detection of position errors in inter-satellite laser communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Nan; Liu, Liren; Liu, De'an; Sun, Jianfeng; Luan, Zhu

2007-09-01

Due to the improved receiver sensitivity and wavelength selectivity, coherent detection became an attractive alternative to direct detection in inter-satellite laser communications. A novel method to coherent detection of position errors information is proposed. Coherent communication system generally consists of receive telescope, local oscillator, optical hybrid, photoelectric detector and optical phase lock loop (OPLL). Based on the system composing, this method adds CCD and computer as position error detector. CCD captures interference pattern while detection of transmission data from the transmitter laser. After processed and analyzed by computer, target position information is obtained from characteristic parameter of the interference pattern. The position errors as the control signal of PAT subsystem drive the receiver telescope to keep tracking to the target. Theoretical deviation and analysis is presented. The application extends to coherent laser rang finder, in which object distance and position information can be obtained simultaneously.

High speed QPPM direct detection optical communication receivers for FSDD intersatellite links

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, Frederic M.; Sun, Xiaoli

1993-01-01

This final report consists of four separate reports, one for each project involved in this contract. The first report is entitled '325 Mbps QPPM (quaternary pulse position modulation) Direct Detection Free Space Optical Communication Encoder and Receiver,' which was our primary work. The second report is entitled 'Test Results of the 325 Mbps QPPM High Speed Data Transmission GaAs ASICs,' which describes our work in connection with Galaxy Microsystems, Inc. who produced these ASICs for NASA. The third report, 'Receiver Performance Analysis of BPPM Optical Communication Systems Using 1.3 micron Wavelength Transmitter and InGaAs PIN Photodiodes,' was prepared at the request of the NASA/Photonics Branch for their efforts in upgrading the 1773 optical fiber data bus. The fourth report, 'Photomultiplier Tubes for Use at 1.064 micron Wavelength,' was also prepared at the request of the NASA/Photonics Branch as a research project.

High resolution biomedical imaging system with direct detection of x-rays via a charge coupled device

DOEpatents

Atac, M.; McKay, T.A.

1998-04-21

An imaging system is provided for direct detection of x-rays from an irradiated biological tissue. The imaging system includes an energy source for emitting x-rays toward the biological tissue and a charge coupled device (CCD) located immediately adjacent the biological tissue and arranged transverse to the direction of irradiation along which the x-rays travel. The CCD directly receives and detects the x-rays after passing through the biological tissue. The CCD is divided into a matrix of cells, each of which individually stores a count of x-rays directly detected by the cell. The imaging system further includes a pattern generator electrically coupled to the CCD for reading a count from each cell. A display device is provided for displaying an image representative of the count read by the pattern generator from the cells of the CCD. 13 figs.

High resolution biomedical imaging system with direct detection of x-rays via a charge coupled device

DOEpatents

Atac, Muzaffer; McKay, Timothy A.

1998-01-01

An imaging system is provided for direct detection of x-rays from an irradiated biological tissue. The imaging system includes an energy source for emitting x-rays toward the biological tissue and a charge coupled device (CCD) located immediately adjacent the biological tissue and arranged transverse to the direction of irradiation along which the x-rays travel. The CCD directly receives and detects the x-rays after passing through the biological tissue. The CCD is divided into a matrix of cells, each of which individually stores a count of x-rays directly detected by the cell. The imaging system further includes a pattern generator electrically coupled to the CCD for reading a count from each cell. A display device is provided for displaying an image representative of the count read by the pattern generator from the cells of the CCD.

Can you hear me now? Range-testing a submerged passive acoustic receiver array in a Caribbean coral reef habitat

USGS Publications Warehouse

Selby, Thomas H.; Hart, Kristen M.; Fujisaki, Ikuko; Smith, Brian J.; Pollock, Clayton J; Hillis-Star, Zandy M; Lundgren, Ian; Oli, Madan K.

2016-01-01

Submerged passive acoustic technology allows researchers to investigate spatial and temporal movement patterns of many marine and freshwater species. The technology uses receivers to detect and record acoustic transmissions emitted from tags attached to an individual. Acoustic signal strength naturally attenuates over distance, but numerous environmental variables also affect the probability a tag is detected. Knowledge of receiver range is crucial for designing acoustic arrays and analyzing telemetry data. Here, we present a method for testing a relatively large-scale receiver array in a dynamic Caribbean coastal environment intended for long-term monitoring of multiple species. The U.S. Geological Survey and several academic institutions in collaboration with resource management at Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), off the coast of St. Croix, recently deployed a 52 passive acoustic receiver array. We targeted 19 array-representative receivers for range-testing by submersing fixed delay interval range-testing tags at various distance intervals in each cardinal direction from a receiver for a minimum of an hour. Using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), we estimated the probability of detection across the array and assessed the effect of water depth, habitat, wind, temperature, and time of day on the probability of detection. The predicted probability of detection across the entire array at 100 m distance from a receiver was 58.2% (95% CI: 44.0–73.0%) and dropped to 26.0% (95% CI: 11.4–39.3%) 200 m from a receiver indicating a somewhat constrained effective detection range. Detection probability varied across habitat classes with the greatest effective detection range occurring in homogenous sand substrate and the smallest in high rugosity reef. Predicted probability of detection across BIRNM highlights potential gaps in coverage using the current array as well as limitations of passive acoustic technology within a complex coral reef environment.

Single- and multiple-pulse noncoherent detection statistics associated with partially developed speckle.

PubMed

Osche, G R

2000-08-20

Single- and multiple-pulse detection statistics are presented for aperture-averaged direct detection optical receivers operating against partially developed speckle fields. A partially developed speckle field arises when the probability density function of the received intensity does not follow negative exponential statistics. The case of interest here is the target surface that exhibits diffuse as well as specular components in the scattered radiation. An approximate expression is derived for the integrated intensity at the aperture, which leads to single- and multiple-pulse discrete probability density functions for the case of a Poisson signal in Poisson noise with an additive coherent component. In the absence of noise, the single-pulse discrete density function is shown to reduce to a generalized negative binomial distribution. The radar concept of integration loss is discussed in the context of direct detection optical systems where it is shown that, given an appropriate set of system parameters, multiple-pulse processing can be more efficient than single-pulse processing over a finite range of the integration parameter n.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ramaswamy, B.; Algarin, J. M.; Waks, E., E-mail: edowaks@umd.edu

We demonstrate that spin transfer torque nano-oscillators (STNO) can act as wireless sensors for local current. The STNO acts as a transducer that converts weak direct currents into microwave field oscillations that we detect using an inductive coil. We detect direct currents in the range of 300–700 μA and report them wirelessly to a receiving induction coil at distances exceeding 6.5 mm. This current sensor could find application in chemical and biological sensing and industrial inspection.

Optical communications and a comparison of optical technologies for a high data rate return link from Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spence, Rodney L.

1993-01-01

The important principles of direct- and heterodyne-detection optical free-space communications are reviewed. Signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) and bit-error-rate (BER) expressions are derived for both the direct-detection and heterodyne-detection optical receivers. For the heterodyne system, performance degradation resulting from received-signal and local oscillator-beam misalignment and laser phase noise is analyzed. Determination of interfering background power from local and extended background sources is discussed. The BER performance of direct- and heterodyne-detection optical links in the presence of Rayleigh-distributed random pointing and tracking errors is described. Finally, several optical systems employing Nd:YAG, GaAs, and CO2 laser sources are evaluated and compared to assess their feasibility in providing high-data-rate (10- to 1000-Mbps) Mars-to-Earth communications. It is shown that the root mean square (rms) pointing and tracking accuracy is a critical factor in defining the system transmitting laser-power requirements and telescope size and that, for a given rms error, there is an optimum telescope aperture size that minimizes the required power. The results of the analysis conducted indicate that, barring the achievement of extremely small rms pointing and tracking errors (less than 0.2 microrad), the two most promising types of optical systems are those that use an Nd:YAG laser (lambda = 1.064 microns) and high-order pulse position modulator (PPM) and direct detection, and those that use a CO2 laser (lambda = 10.6 microns) and phase shifting keying homodyne modulation and coherent detection. For example, for a PPM order of M = 64 and an rms pointing accuracy of 0.4 microrad, an Nd:YAG system can be used to implement a 100-Mbps Mars link with a 40-cm transmitting telescope, a 20-W laser, and a 10-m receiving photon bucket. Under the same conditions, a CO2 system would require 3-m transmitting and receiving telescopes and a 32-W laser to implement such a link. Other types of optical systems, such as a semiconductor laser systems, are impractical in the presence of large rms pointing errors because of the high power requirements of the 100-Mbps Mars link, even when optimal-size telescopes are used.

Method and apparatus of spectro-acoustically enhanced ultrasonic detection for diagnostics

DOEpatents

Vo-Dinh, Tuan; Norton, Stephen J.

2001-01-01

An apparatus for detecting a discontinuity in a material includes a source of electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength and an intensity sufficient to induce an enhancement in contrast between a manifestation of an acoustic property in the material and of the acoustic property in the discontinuity, as compared to when the material is not irradiated by the electromagnetic radiation. An acoustic emitter directs acoustic waves to the discontinuity in the material. The acoustic waves have a sensitivity to the acoustic property. An acoustic receiver receives the acoustic waves generated by the acoustic emitter after the acoustic waves have interacted with the material and the discontinuity. The acoustic receiver also generates a signal representative of the acoustic waves received by the acoustic receiver. A processor, in communication with the acoustic receiver and responsive to the signal generated by the acoustic receiver, is programmed to generate informational output about the discontinuity based on the signal generated by the acoustic receiver.

Decoding algorithm for vortex communications receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kupferman, Judy; Arnon, Shlomi

2018-01-01

Vortex light beams can provide a tremendous alphabet for encoding information. We derive a symbol decoding algorithm for a direct detection matrix detector vortex beam receiver using Laguerre Gauss (LG) modes, and develop a mathematical model of symbol error rate (SER) for this receiver. We compare SER as a function of signal to noise ratio (SNR) for our algorithm and for the Pearson correlation algorithm. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive treatment of a decoding algorithm of a matrix detector for an LG receiver.

A directed search for extraterrestrial laser signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Betz, A.

1991-01-01

The focus of NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Program is on microwave frequencies, where receivers have the best sensitivities for the detection of narrowband signals. Such receivers, when coupled to existing radio telescopes, form an optimal system for broad area searches over the sky. For a directed search, however, such as toward specific stars, calculations show that infrared wavelengths can be equally as effective as radio wavelengths for establishing an interstellar communication link. This is true because infrared telescopes have higher directivities (gains) that effectively compensate for the lower sensitivities of infrared receivers. The result is that, for a given level of transmitted power, the signal to noise ratio for communications is equally as good at infrared and radio wavelengths. It should also be noted that the overall sensitivities of both receiver systems are quite close to their respective fundamental limits: background thermal noise for the radio frequency system and quantum noise for the infrared receiver. Consequently, the choice of an optimum communication frequency may well be determined more by the achievable power levels of transmitters rather than the ultimate sensitivities of receivers at any specific frequency. In the infrared, CO2 laser transmitters with power levels greater than 1 MW can already be built on Earth. For a slightly more advanced civilization, a similar but enormously more powerful laser may be possible using a planetary atmosphere rich in CO2. Because of these possibilities and our own ignorance of what is really the optimum search frequency, a search for narrowband signals at infrared frequencies should be a part of a balanced SETI Program. Detection of narrowband infrared signals is best done with a heterodyne receiver functionally identical to a microwave spectral line receiver. We have built such a receiver for the detection of CO2 laser radiation at wavelengths near 10 microns. The spectrometer uses a high-speed HgCdTe diode as the photomixer and a small CO2 laser as the local oscillator. Output signals in the intermediate frequency range 0.1-2.6 GHz are processed by a 1000-channel acousto-optic signal processor. The receiver is being used on a 1.5-m telescope on Mt. Wilson to survey a selected sample of 150 nearby stars. The current status of the work is discussed along with future project plans.

Methods and Devices for Space Optical Communications Using Laser Beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goorjian, Peter M. (Inventor)

2018-01-01

Light is used to communicate between objects separated by a large distance. Light beams are received in a telescopic lens assembly positioned in front of a cat's-eye lens. The light can thereby be received at various angles to be output by the cat's-eye lens to a focal plane of the cat's-eye lens, the position of the light beams upon the focal plane corresponding to the angle of the beam received. Lasers and photodetectors are distributed along this focal plane. A processor receives signals from the photodetectors, and selectively signal lasers positioned proximate the photodetectors detecting light, in order to transmit light encoding data through the cat's-eye lens and also through a telescopic lens back in the direction of the received light beams, which direction corresponds to a location upon the focal plane of the transmitting lasers.

Subcarrier multiplexing with dispersion reduction and direct detection

DOEpatents

Sargis, Paul D.; Haigh, Ronald E.; McCammon, Kent G.

1997-01-01

An SCM system for simultaneously reducing the concomitant problems of receiver complexity and dispersion penalty and without requiring the use of an expensive, high-bandwidth optical detector. The system provides both a dispersion reduction and a direct detection to the receiver, with microwave mixers and lithium niobate external modulators that produce sidebands that are only separated by a few gigahertz from a principal laser optical carrier. Digital data streams are independently impressed upon these sidebands for transmission over an ordinary single-mode fiber. Independent high-speed data streams are upconverted to microwave frequencies. These subcarriers are then combined with a microwave power combiner and amplified with a microwave amplifier. A solid-state 1550-nm laser carrier is modulated by the microwave subcarriers. An erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is used just prior to long-distance transmission over ordinary single-mode fiber. The transmitted optical signal may then traverse multiple EDFAs to compensate for long-haul optical fiber losses prior to detection. At a receiving end, the optical signal is split into multiple paths. The subcarrier channels are optically pre-selected using a narrowband optical filter, such as a fiber Fabry-Perot (FFP) filter. An optical detector converts the selected optical signal into a baseband electrical data stream.

Parametric optimization of optical signal detectors employing the direct photodetection scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirakosiants, V. E.; Loginov, V. A.

1984-08-01

The problem of optimization of the optical signal detection scheme parameters is addressed using the concept of a receiver with direct photodetection. An expression is derived which accurately approximates the field of view (FOV) values obtained by a direct computer minimization of the probability of missing a signal; optimum values of the receiver FOV were found for different atmospheric conditions characterized by the number of coherence spots and the intensity fluctuations of a plane wave. It is further pointed out that the criterion presented can be possibly used for parametric optimization of detectors operating in accordance with the Neumann-Pearson criterion.

47 CFR 15.717 - TVBDs that rely on spectrum sensing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... over a 100 kHz bandwidth; (C) Low power auxiliary, including wireless microphone, signals: -107 dBm, averaged over a 200 kHz bandwidth. (ii) The detection thresholds are referenced to an omnidirectional receive antenna with a gain of 0 dBi. If a receive antenna with a minimum directional gain of less than 0...

47 CFR 15.717 - TVBDs that rely on spectrum sensing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... over a 100 kHz bandwidth; (C) Low power auxiliary, including wireless microphone, signals: -107 dBm, averaged over a 200 kHz bandwidth. (ii) The detection thresholds are referenced to an omnidirectional receive antenna with a gain of 0 dBi. If a receive antenna with a minimum directional gain of less than 0...

47 CFR 15.717 - TVBDs that rely on spectrum sensing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... over a 100 kHz bandwidth; (C) Low power auxiliary, including wireless microphone, signals: -107 dBm, averaged over a 200 kHz bandwidth. (ii) The detection thresholds are referenced to an omnidirectional receive antenna with a gain of 0 dBi. If a receive antenna with a minimum directional gain of less than 0...

47 CFR 15.717 - TVBDs that rely on spectrum sensing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... over a 100 kHz bandwidth; (C) Low power auxiliary, including wireless microphone, signals: -107 dBm, averaged over a 200 kHz bandwidth. (ii) The detection thresholds are referenced to an omnidirectional receive antenna with a gain of 0 dBi. If a receive antenna with a minimum directional gain of less than 0...

Comparison of LIDAR system performance for alternative single-mode receiver architectures: modeling and experimental validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toliver, Paul; Ozdur, Ibrahim; Agarwal, Anjali; Woodward, T. K.

2013-05-01

In this paper, we describe a detailed performance comparison of alternative single-pixel, single-mode LIDAR architectures including (i) linear-mode APD-based direct-detection, (ii) optically-preamplified PIN receiver, (iii) PINbased coherent-detection, and (iv) Geiger-mode single-photon-APD counting. Such a comparison is useful when considering next-generation LIDAR on a chip, which would allow one to leverage extensive waveguide-based structures and processing elements developed for telecom and apply them to small form-factor sensing applications. Models of four LIDAR transmit and receive systems are described in detail, which include not only the dominant sources of receiver noise commonly assumed in each of the four detection limits, but also additional noise terms present in realistic implementations. These receiver models are validated through the analysis of detection statistics collected from an experimental LIDAR testbed. The receiver is reconfigurable into four modes of operation, while transmit waveforms and channel characteristics are held constant. The use of a diffuse hard target highlights the importance of including speckle noise terms in the overall system analysis. All measurements are done at 1550 nm, which offers multiple system advantages including less stringent eye safety requirements and compatibility with available telecom components, optical amplification, and photonic integration. Ultimately, the experimentally-validated detection statistics can be used as part of an end-to-end system model for projecting rate, range, and resolution performance limits and tradeoffs of alternative integrated LIDAR architectures.

UWB radar technique for arc detection in coaxial cables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salvador, Sara; Maggiora, Riccardo

2010-11-01

UWB signals constituted by a sequence of chips (properly chosen to reduce side lobes and to improve detection accuracy) are transmitted along the transmission lines at a specified Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) and their echoes are received by means of directional couplers. The core of the receiver is an ultra high-speed correlator implemented in a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). When a target (arc) is detected, its position and its ``radar cross section'' are calculated to be able to provide the arc position along the transmission line and to be able to classify the type of detected arc. The ``background scattering'' is routinely extracted from the received signal at any pulse. This permits to be resilient to the background structure of transmission lines (bends, junctions, windows, etc.). Thanks to the localization feature, segmentation is also possible for creating sensed and non- sensed zones (for example, to be insensitive to antenna load variations). A complete test bed has been installed using standard coaxial cables (RG58) to demonstrate the system capabilities.

Subcarrier multiplexing with dispersion reduction and direct detection

DOEpatents

Sargis, P.D.; Haigh, R.E.; McCammon, K.G.

1997-01-21

An SCM system is disclosed for simultaneously reducing the concomitant problems of receiver complexity and dispersion penalty and without requiring the use of an expensive, high-bandwidth optical detector. The system provides both a dispersion reduction and a direct detection to the receiver, with microwave mixers and lithium niobate external modulators that produce sidebands that are only separated by a few gigahertz from a principal laser optical carrier. Digital data streams are independently impressed upon these sidebands for transmission over an ordinary single-mode fiber. Independent high-speed data streams are upconverted to microwave frequencies. These subcarriers are then combined with a microwave power combiner and amplified with a microwave amplifier. A solid-state 1550-nm laser carrier is modulated by the microwave subcarriers. An erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is used just prior to long-distance transmission over ordinary single-mode fiber. The transmitted optical signal may then traverse multiple EDFAs to compensate for long-haul optical fiber losses prior to detection. At a receiving end, the optical signal is split into multiple paths. The subcarrier channels are optically pre-selected using a narrowband optical filter, such as a fiber Fabry-Perot (FFP) filter. An optical detector converts the selected optical signal into a baseband electrical data stream. 2 figs.

Design of coherent receiver optical front end for unamplified applications.

PubMed

Zhang, Bo; Malouin, Christian; Schmidt, Theodore J

2012-01-30

Advanced modulation schemes together with coherent detection and digital signal processing has enabled the next generation high-bandwidth optical communication systems. One of the key advantages of coherent detection is its superior receiver sensitivity compared to direct detection receivers due to the gain provided by the local oscillator (LO). In unamplified applications, such as metro and edge networks, the ultimate receiver sensitivity is dictated by the amount of shot noise, thermal noise, and the residual beating of the local oscillator with relative intensity noise (LO-RIN). We show that the best sensitivity is achieved when the thermal noise is balanced with the residual LO-RIN beat noise, which results in an optimum LO power. The impact of thermal noise from the transimpedance amplifier (TIA), the RIN from the LO, and the common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) from a balanced photodiode are individually analyzed via analytical models and compared to numerical simulations. The analytical model results match well with those of the numerical simulations, providing a simplified method to quantify the impact of receiver design tradeoffs. For a practical 100 Gb/s integrated coherent receiver with 7% FEC overhead, we show that an optimum receiver sensitivity of -33 dBm can be achieved at GFEC cliff of 8.55E-5 if the LO power is optimized at 11 dBm. We also discuss a potential method to monitor the imperfections of a balanced and integrated coherent receiver.

77 FR 26663 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER Series Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-07

... removing corrosion from fail-safe straps. We have received Boeing Service Bulletin 767-53A0100, Revision 3.... That AD currently requires inspections to detect cracking or corrosion of the fail-safe straps between... cracks in 51 fail-safe straps on 41 airplanes; we have also received a report of a crack found in the ``T...

Optical communication with semiconductor laser diodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, F.

1988-01-01

Slot timing recovery in a direct detection optical PPM communication system can be achieved by processing the photodetector waveform with a nonlinear device whose output forms the input to a phase lock group. The choice of a simple transition detector as the nonlinearity is shown to give satisfactory synchronization performance. The rms phase error of the recovered slot clock and the effect of slot timing jitter on the bit error probability were directly measured. The experimental system consisted of an AlGaAs laser diode (lambda = 834 nm) and a silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) photodetector and used Q=4 PPM signaling operated at a source data rate of 25 megabits/second. The mathematical model developed to characterize system performance is shown to be in good agreement with actual performance measurements. The use of the recovered slot clock in the receiver resulted in no degradation in receiver sensitivity compared to a system with perfect slot timing. The system achieved a bit error probability of 10 to the minus 6 power at received signal energies corresponding to an average of less than 60 detected photons per information bit.

Transmit-receive eddy current probes for defect detection and sizing in steam generator tubes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Obrutsky, L.S.; Cecco, V.S.; Sullivan, S.P.

1997-02-01

Inspection of steam generator tubes in aging Nuclear Generating Stations is increasingly important. Defect detection and sizing, especially in defect prone areas such as the tubesheet, support plates and U-bend regions, are required to assess the fitness-for-service of the steam generators. Information about defect morphology is required to address operational integrity issues, i.e., risk of tube rupture, number of tubes at risk, consequential leakage. A major challenge continues to be the detection and sizing of circumferential cracks. Utilities around the world have experienced this type of tube failure. Conventional in-service inspection, performed with eddy current bobbin probes, is ineffectual inmore » detecting circumferential cracks in tubing. It has been demonstrated in CANDU steam generators, with deformation, magnetite and copper deposits that multi-channel probes with transmit-receive eddy current coils are superior to those using surface impedance coils. Transmit-receive probes have strong directional properties, permitting probe optimization according to crack orientation. They are less sensitive to lift-off noise and magnetite deposits and possess good discrimination to internal defects. A single pass C3 array transmit-receive probe developed by AECL can detect and size circumferential stress corrosion cracks as shallow as 40% through-wall. Since its first trial in 1992, it has been used routinely for steam generator in-service inspection of four CANDU plants, preventing unscheduled shutdowns due to leaking steam generator tubes. More recently, a need has surfaced for simultaneous detection of both circumferential and axial cracks. The C5 probe was designed to address this concern. It combines transmit-receive array probe technology for equal sensitivity to axial and circumferential cracks with a bobbin probe for historical reference. This paper will discuss the operating principles of transmit-receive probes, along with inspection results.« less

76 FR 1996 - Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Fairchild Aircraft...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-12

... manufacturer of inner glass ply fracture. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the cockpit...: Discussion We received reports from the windshield manufacturer of inner glass ply fractures found on 19... reports from the windshield manufacturer of inner glass ply fracture. We are issuing this AD to detect and...

Simultaneously frequency down-conversion, independent multichannel phase shifting and zero-IF receiving using a phase modulator in a sagnac loop and balanced detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Zihang; Zhao, Shanghong; Li, Xuan; Lin, Tao; Hu, Dapeng

2018-03-01

Photonic microwave frequency down-conversion with independent multichannel phase shifting and zero-intermediate frequency (IF) receiving is proposed and demonstrated by simulation. By combined use of a phase modulator (PM) in a sagnac loop and an optical bandpass filter (OBPF), orthogonal polarized carrier suppression single sideband (CS-SSB) signals are obtained. By adjusting the polarization controllers (PCs) to introduce the phase difference in the optical domain and using balanced detection to eliminate the direct current components, the phase of the generated IF signal can be arbitrarily tuned. Besides, the radio frequency (RF) vector signal can be also frequency down-converted to baseband directly by choosing two quadrature channels. In the simulation, high gain and continuously tunable phase shifts over the 360 degree range are verified. Furthermore, 2.5 Gbit/s RF vector signals centered at 10 GHz with different modulation formats are successfully demodulated.

Active polarization imaging system based on optical heterodyne balanced receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Qian; Sun, Jianfeng; Lu, Zhiyong; Zhou, Yu; Luan, Zhu; Hou, Peipei; Liu, liren

2017-08-01

Active polarization imaging technology has recently become the hot research field all over the world, which has great potential application value in the military and civil area. By introducing active light source, the Mueller matrix of the target can be calculated according to the incident light and the emitted or reflected light. Compared with conventional direct detection technology, optical heterodyne detection technology have higher receiving sensitivities, which can obtain the whole amplitude, frequency and phase information of the signal light. In this paper, an active polarization imaging system will be designed. Based on optical heterodyne balanced receiver, the system can acquire the horizontal and vertical polarization of reflected optical field simultaneously, which contain the polarization characteristic of the target. Besides, signal to noise ratio and imaging distance can be greatly improved.

UWB radar technique for arc detection in coaxial cables and waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maggiora, R.; Salvador, S.

2009-11-01

As spread spectrum technology has revolutionized the communications industry, Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology is dramatically improving radar performances. These advanced signal processing techniques have been adapted to coaxial cables and waveguides to provide new features and enhanced performance on arc detection. UWB signals constituted by a sequence of chips (properly chosen to reduce side lobes and to improve detection accuracy) are transmitted along the transmission lines at a specified Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) and their echoes are received by means of directional couplers. The core of the receiver is an ultra high-speed correlator implemented in a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). When a target (arc) is detected, its position and its "radar cross section" are calculated to be able to provide the arc position along the transmission line and to be able to classify the type of detected arc. The "background scattering" is routinely extracted from the received signal at any pulse. This permits to be resilient to the background structure of transmission lines (bends, junctions, windows, etc.). Thanks to the localization feature, segmentation is also possible for creating sensed and non-sensed zones (for example, to be insensitive to antenna load variations).

Hierarchical scheme for detecting the rotating MIMO transmission of the in-door RGB-LED visible light wireless communications using mobile-phone camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shih-Hao; Chow, Chi-Wai

2015-01-01

Multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) scheme can extend the transmission capacity for the light-emitting-diode (LED) based visible light communication (VLC) systems. The MIMO VLC system that uses the mobile-phone camera as the optical receiver (Rx) to receive MIMO signal from the n×n Red-Green-Blue (RGB) LED array is desirable. The key step of decoding this signal is to detect the signal direction. If the LED transmitter (Tx) is rotated, the Rx may not realize the rotation and transmission error can occur. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a novel hierarchical transmission scheme which can reduce the computation complexity of rotation detection in LED array VLC system. We use the n×n RGB LED array as the MIMO Tx. In our study, a novel two dimensional Hadamard coding scheme is proposed. Using the different LED color layers to indicate the rotation, a low complexity rotation detection method can be used for improving the quality of received signal. The detection correction rate is above 95% in the indoor usage distance. Experimental results confirm the feasibility of the proposed scheme.

High-speed optical transmission system using 1.55-μm directly modulated lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hoon

2018-01-01

We present the small-signal frequency responses of single-mode fiber used in directly modulated laser/direct detection (DML/DD) and externally modulated transmitter/direct detection (EXT/DD) systems, and compare the dispersion tolerance of these two systems. We find out that DML/DD system could be more tolerant to fiber chromatic dispersion than EXT/DD system when an electrical equalizer is employed at the receiver. We also present the transmission of 56- Gb/s 4-level pulse amplitude modulation signals generated from a 1.55-μm DML over 20-km standard single-mode fiber with the aid of a linear electrical equalizer. The performance behavior of this system with respect to the transmission distance is explained by using the frequency response.

Submerged Object Detection and Classification System

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-16

example of this type of system is a conventional sonar device wherein a highly directional beam of sonic energy periodically radiates from a...scanning transducer which in turn operates as a receiver to detect echoes reflected from any object within the path of 15 propagation. Sonar devices...classification, which requires relatively high frequency signals. Sonar devices also have the shortcoming of sensing background noise generated by

Development of a 2-micron Pulsed Direct Detection IPDA Lidar for CO2 Measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, J.; Petros, M.; Singh, U. N.

2013-12-01

NASA Langley is developing a 2-micron pulsed Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar for atmospheric CO2 measurements. The high pulse energy, direct detection lidar operating at CO2 2-micron absorption band provides an alternate approach to measure CO2 concentrations with significant advantages. The objective of this development is to integrate an existing high energy double-pulsed 2-micron laser transmitter with a direct detection receiver and telescope to enable a first proof of principle demonstration of airborne direct detection CO2 measurements at 2-micron wavelength. It is expected to provide high-precision measurement capability by unambiguously eliminating contamination from aerosols and clouds that can bias the IPDA measurement. The system is scheduled to fly on NASA UC12 or B200 research aircrafts before the end of 2013. This paper will describe the design of the airborne 2-micron pulsed IPDA lidar system; the lidar operation parameters; the wavelength pair selection; laser transmitter energy, pulse rate, beam divergence, double pulse generation and accurate frequency control; detector characterization; telescope design; lidar structure design; and lidar signal to noise ratio estimation.

Quantum teleportation of four-dimensional qudits

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Al-Amri, M.; Max-Planck-Institut fuer Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg; Evers, Joerg

2010-08-15

A protocol for the teleportation of arbitrary quantum states of four-dimensional qudits is presented. The qudit to be teleported is encoded in the combined state of two ensembles of atoms placed in a cavity at the sender's side. The receiver uses a similar setup, with his atoms prepared in a particular initial state. The teleportation protocol then consists of adiabatic mapping of the ensemble states onto photonic degrees of freedom, which are then directed onto a specific beam splitter and detection setup. For part of the measurement outcome, the qudit state is fully transferred to the receiver. Other detection eventsmore » lead to partial teleportation or failed teleportation attempts. The interpretation of the different detection outcomes and possible ways of improving the full teleportation probability are discussed.« less

Quantum memory receiver for superadditive communication using binary coherent states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimek, Aleksandra; Jachura, Michał; Wasilewski, Wojciech; Banaszek, Konrad

2016-11-01

We propose a simple architecture based on multimode quantum memories for collective readout of classical information keyed using a pair coherent states, exemplified by the well-known binary phase shift keying format. Such a configuration enables demonstration of the superadditivity effect in classical communication over quantum channels, where the transmission rate becomes enhanced through joint detection applied to multiple channel uses. The proposed scheme relies on the recently introduced idea to prepare Hadamard sequences of input symbols that are mapped by a linear optical transformation onto the pulse position modulation format [Guha, S. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2011, 106, 240502]. We analyze two versions of readout based on direct detection and an optional Dolinar receiver which implements the minimum-error measurement for individual detection of a binary coherent state alphabet.

Quantum memory receiver for superadditive communication using binary coherent states.

PubMed

Klimek, Aleksandra; Jachura, Michał; Wasilewski, Wojciech; Banaszek, Konrad

2016-11-12

We propose a simple architecture based on multimode quantum memories for collective readout of classical information keyed using a pair coherent states, exemplified by the well-known binary phase shift keying format. Such a configuration enables demonstration of the superadditivity effect in classical communication over quantum channels, where the transmission rate becomes enhanced through joint detection applied to multiple channel uses. The proposed scheme relies on the recently introduced idea to prepare Hadamard sequences of input symbols that are mapped by a linear optical transformation onto the pulse position modulation format [Guha, S. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2011 , 106 , 240502]. We analyze two versions of readout based on direct detection and an optional Dolinar receiver which implements the minimum-error measurement for individual detection of a binary coherent state alphabet.

Remote detection of methane with a 1.66-microm diode laser.

PubMed

Uehara, K; Tai, H

1992-02-20

High-sensitivity real-time remote detection of methane in air with a 1.66-microm distributed-feedback diode laser operating at room temperature is demonstrated by laboratory simulations. The laser current was modulated at a high frequency of ~5 MHz, and the laser-center frequency was locked onto a methane-absorption line. The laser light directed toward the probed region was received after one-way transmission or further reflection from a topographic target. The methane absorption was detected by the second-harmonic component in the optical-power variation. The minimum-detectable concentration-path-length product in the transmission scheme was 0.3 part in 10(6) m for a signal averaging time of 1.3 s. In the reflection scheme, the amount of methane could be measured from the ratio of the fundamental and second-harmonic signal intensities independently of the received power.

Comparison of digital signal-signal beat interference compensation techniques in direct-detection subcarrier modulation systems.

PubMed

Li, Zhe; Erkilinc, M Sezer; Galdino, Lidia; Shi, Kai; Thomsen, Benn C; Bayvel, Polina; Killey, Robert I

2016-12-12

Single-polarization direct-detection transceivers may offer advantages compared to digital coherent technology for some metro, back-haul, access and inter-data center applications since they offer low-cost and complexity solutions. However, a direct-detection receiver introduces nonlinearity upon photo detection, since it is a square-law device, which results in signal distortion due to signal-signal beat interference (SSBI). Consequently, it is desirable to develop effective and low-cost SSBI compensation techniques to improve the performance of such transceivers. In this paper, we compare the performance of a number of recently proposed digital signal processing-based SSBI compensation schemes, including the use of single- and two-stage linearization filters, an iterative linearization filter and a SSBI estimation and cancellation technique. Their performance is assessed experimentally using a 7 × 25 Gb/s wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) single-sideband 16-QAM Nyquist-subcarrier modulation system operating at a net information spectral density of 2.3 (b/s)/Hz.

Dual liquid and gas chromatograph system

DOEpatents

Gay, D.D.

A chromatographic system is described that utilizes one detection system for gas chromatographic and micro-liquid chromatographic determinations. The detection system is a direct-current, atmospheric-pressure, helium plasma emission spectrometer. The detector utilizes a nontransparent plasma source unit which contains the plasma region and two side-arms which receive effluents from the micro-liquid chromatograph and the gas chromatograph. The dual nature of this chromatographic system offers: (1) extreme flexibility in the samples to be examined; (2) extreme low sensitivity; (3) element selectivity; (4) long-term stability; (5) direct correlation of data from the liquid and gas samples; (6) simpler operation than with individual liquid and gas chromatographs, each with different detection systems; and (7) cheaper than a commercial liquid chromatograph and a gas chromatograph.

Dual liquid and gas chromatograph system

DOEpatents

Gay, Don D.

1985-01-01

A chromatographic system that utilizes one detection system for gas chromatographic and micro-liquid chromatographic determinations. The detection system is a direct-current, atmospheric-pressure, helium plasma emission spectrometer. The detector utilizes a non-transparent plasma source unit which contains the plasma region and two side-arms which receive effluents from the micro-liquid chromatograph and the gas chromatograph. The dual nature of this chromatographic system offers: (1) extreme flexibility in the samples to be examined; (2) extremely low sensitivity; (3) element selectivity; (4) long-term stability; (5) direct correlation of data from the liquid and gas samples; (6) simpler operation than with individual liquid and gas chromatographs, each with different detection systems; and (7) cheaper than a commercial liquid chromatograph and a gas chromatograph.

An FPGA-based data acquisition system for directional dark matter detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chen; Nicoloff, Catherine; Sanaullah, Ahmed; Sridhar, Arvind; Herbordt, Martin; Battat, James; Battat Lab at Wellesley College Team; CAAD Lab at Boston University Team

2017-01-01

Directional dark matter detection is a powerful tool in the search for dark matter. Low-pressure gas TPCs are commonly used for directional detection, and dark-matter-induced recoils are mm long. These tracks can be reconstructed by micropatterned readouts. Because large detector volumes are needed, a cost-effective data acquisition system capable of scaling to large channel counts (105 or 106) is required. The Directional Recoil Identification From Tracks (DRIFT) collaboration has pioneered the use of TPCs for directional detection. We employ a negative ion gas with drift speed comparable to the electron drift speed in liquid argon (LAr). We aim to use electronics developed for million-channel readouts in large LAr neutrino detectors. We have built a prototype Micromegas-based directional detector with 103 channels. A FPGA-based back-end system (BE) receives a 12 Gbps data stream from eight ASIC-based front-end boards (FE), each with 128 detector channels. The BE buffers 3 μs of pretrigger data for all channels in DRAM, and streams triggered data to a host PC. We will describe the system architecture and present preliminary measurements from the DAQ. We acknowledge the support of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, the NSF and the Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium.

Interference Cancellation Technique Based on Discovery of Spreading Codes of Interference Signals and Maximum Correlation Detection for DS-CDMA System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hettiarachchi, Ranga; Yokoyama, Mitsuo; Uehara, Hideyuki

This paper presents a novel interference cancellation (IC) scheme for both synchronous and asynchronous direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) wireless channels. In the DS-CDMA system, the multiple access interference (MAI) and the near-far problem (NFP) are the two factors which reduce the capacity of the system. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm that is able to detect all interference signals as an individual MAI signal by maximum correlation detection. It is based on the discovery of all the unknowing spreading codes of the interference signals. Then, all possible MAI patterns so called replicas are generated as a summation of interference signals. And the true MAI pattern is found by taking correlation between the received signal and the replicas. Moreover, the receiver executes MAI cancellation in a successive manner, removing all interference signals by single-stage. Numerical results will show that the proposed IC strategy, which alleviates the detrimental effect of the MAI and the near-far problem, can significantly improve the system performance. Especially, we can obtain almost the same receiving characteristics as in the absense of interference for asynchrnous system when received powers are equal. Also, the same performances can be seen under any received power state for synchronous system.

A Space-Time Signal Decomposition Algorithm for Downlink MIMO DS-CDMA Receivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yung-Yi; Fang, Wen-Hsien; Chen, Jiunn-Tsair

We propose a dimension reduction algorithm for the receiver of the downlink of direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) systems in which both the transmitters and the receivers employ antenna arrays of multiple elements. To estimate the high order channel parameters, we develop a layered architecture using dimension-reduced parameter estimation algorithms to estimate the frequency-selective multipath channels. In the proposed architecture, to exploit the space-time geometric characteristics of multipath channels, spatial beamformers and constrained (or unconstrained) temporal filters are adopted for clustered-multipath grouping and path isolation. In conjunction with the multiple access interference (MAI) suppression techniques, the proposed architecture jointly estimates the direction of arrivals, propagation delays, and fading amplitudes of the downlink fading multipaths. With the outputs of the proposed architecture, the signals of interest can then be naturally detected by using path-wise maximum ratio combining. Compared to the traditional techniques, such as the Joint-Angle-and-Delay-Estimation (JADE) algorithm for DOA-delay joint estimation and the space-time minimum mean square error (ST-MMSE) algorithm for signal detection, computer simulations show that the proposed algorithm substantially mitigate the computational complexity at the expense of only slight performance degradation.

Novel E-Field Sensor for Projectile Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-22

aircrafts. They used an array of three plate induction sensors and a simple algorithm to deter mine the direction of the planes [9]. In more recent...publications [10, 11, 12] researchers present increasingly more advanced algorithms and sensors. The techniques developed thus far have not received...the electric field pulse is being detected by a group of sensors in array with known distances between the sensors, so triangulation algorithms could

42.8 Gb/s ASK homodyne receiver using standard DFB lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, D.; Mohr, D.; Datta, S.; Wree, C.; Bhandare, S.; Joshi, A.

2009-05-01

Optical synchronous coherent detection is attracting greater attention within the defense and security community because it allows linear recovery both of the amplitude and phase of optical signals. Fiber-based transmission impairments such as chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion can be compensated in the electrical domain. Additionally, synchronous detection offers the potential of improved receiver sensitivity and extended reach versus direct or interferometric detection schemes. 28 Gbaud/112 Gb/s and 42.8 Gbaud transmissions are now being considered in fiber networks worldwide. Due to the lack of broadband high frequency components centered at IF values of 56 GHz and 86 GHz, respectively, the coherent heterodyne approach is not viable for these baud rates. The homodyne approach remains one of the choices available to fully exploit the advantages of synchronous coherent detection at these transmission data rates. In order to implement the homodyne receiver, optical phase locking between the signal and local oscillator laser (LO) is required. Digital approaches for this task rely upon very complex, fast, and high power-consumption chips. A homodyne receiver using an analog approach for phase locking would allow for increased system simplicity at a lower cost. Use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) DFB lasers embedded within the receiver would also increase system feasibility for defense applications. We demonstrate synchronous demodulation of a 42.8 Gbaud signal using an analog optical phase-locked loop. The homodyne system was optimized to use COTS DFB lasers having an aggregate linewidth of ~2 MHz. We also analyze the impact of uncompensated phase noise on receiver performance.

Polarization-interleave-multiplexed discrete multi-tone modulation with direct detection utilizing MIMO equalization.

PubMed

Zhou, Xian; Zhong, Kangping; Gao, Yuliang; Sui, Qi; Dong, Zhenghua; Yuan, Jinhui; Wang, Liang; Long, Keping; Lau, Alan Pak Tao; Lu, Chao

2015-04-06

Discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation is an attractive modulation format for short-reach applications to achieve the best use of available channel bandwidth and signal noise ratio (SNR). In order to realize polarization-multiplexed DMT modulation with direct detection, we derive an analytical transmission model for dual polarizations with intensity modulation and direct diction (IM-DD) in this paper. Based on the model, we propose a novel polarization-interleave-multiplexed DMT modulation with direct diction (PIM-DMT-DD) transmission system, where the polarization de-multiplexing can be achieved by using a simple multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) equalizer and the transmission performance is optimized over two distinct received polarization states to eliminate the singularity issue of MIMO demultiplexing algorithms. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed PIM-DMT-DD system are investigated via theoretical analyses and simulation studies.

Method for locating underground anomalies by diffraction of electromagnetic waves passing between spaced boreholes

DOEpatents

Lytle, R. Jeffrey; Lager, Darrel L.; Laine, Edwin F.; Davis, Donald T.

1979-01-01

Underground anomalies or discontinuities, such as holes, tunnels, and caverns, are located by lowering an electromagnetic signal transmitting antenna down one borehole and a receiving antenna down another, the ground to be surveyed for anomalies being situated between the boreholes. Electronic transmitting and receiving equipment associated with the antennas is activated and the antennas are lowered in unison at the same rate down their respective boreholes a plurality of times, each time with the receiving antenna at a different level with respect to the transmitting antenna. The transmitted electromagnetic waves diffract at each edge of an anomaly. This causes minimal signal reception at the receiving antenna. Triangulation of the straight lines between the antennas for the depths at which the signal minimums are detected precisely locates the anomaly. Alternatively, phase shifts of the transmitted waves may be detected to locate an anomaly, the phase shift being distinctive for the waves directed at the anomaly.

Integrated fiber optical receiver reducing the gap to the quantum limit.

PubMed

Zimmermann, Horst; Steindl, Bernhard; Hofbauer, Michael; Enne, Reinhard

2017-06-01

Experimental results of a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based optical fiber receiver integrated in 0.35 µm PIN-photodiode CMOS technology are presented. To cope with the parasitic effects of SPADs an array of four receivers is implemented. The SPADs consist of a multiplication zone and a separate thick absorption zone to achieve a high photon detection probability (PDP). In addition cascoded quenchers allow to use a quenching voltage of twice the usual supply voltage, i.e. 6.6 V instead of 3.3 V, in order to increase the PDP further. Measurements result in sensitivities of -55.7 dBm at a data rate of 50 Mbit/s and -51.6 dBm at 100 Mbit/s for a wavelength of 635 nm and a bit-error ratio of 2 × 10 -3 , which is sufficient to perform error correction. These sensitivities are better than those of linear-mode APD receivers integrated in the same CMOS technology. These results are a major advance towards direct detection optical receivers working close to the quantum limit.

40 CFR 60.691 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... collection point for stormwater runoff received directly from refinery surfaces and for refinery wastewater... chamber in a stationary manner and which does not move with fluctuations in wastewater levels. Floating... separator. Junction box means a manhole or access point to a wastewater sewer system line. No detectable...

A laser communication experiment utilizing the ACT satellite and an airborne laser transceiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Provencher, Charles E., Jr.; Spence, Rodney L.

1988-01-01

The launch of a laser communication transmitter package into geosynchronous Earth orbit onboard the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) will present an excellent opportunity for the experimental reception of laser communication signals transmitted from a space orbit. The ACTS laser package includes both a heterodyne transmitter (Lincoln Labs design) and a direct detection transmitter (Goddard Space Flight Center design) with both sharing some common optical components. NASA Lewis Research Center's Space Electronics Division is planning to perform a space communication experiment utilizing the GSFC direct detection laser transceiver. The laser receiver will be installed within an aircraft provided with a glass port for the reception of the signal. This paper describes the experiment and the approach to performing such an experiment. Described are the constraints placed on the NASA Lewis experiment by the performance parameters of the laser transmitter and by the ACTS spacecraft operations. The conceptual design of the receiving terminal is given; also included is the anticipated capability of the detector.

Automatic vehicle location system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, G. R., Jr. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

An automatic vehicle detection system is disclosed, in which each vehicle whose location is to be detected carries active means which interact with passive elements at each location to be identified. The passive elements comprise a plurality of passive loops arranged in a sequence along the travel direction. Each of the loops is tuned to a chosen frequency so that the sequence of the frequencies defines the location code. As the vehicle traverses the sequence of the loops as it passes over each loop, signals only at the frequency of the loop being passed over are coupled from a vehicle transmitter to a vehicle receiver. The frequencies of the received signals in the receiver produce outputs which together represent a code of the traversed location. The code location is defined by a painted pattern which reflects light to a vehicle carried detector whose output is used to derive the code defined by the pattern.

The relationship of storm severity to directionally resolved radio emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, R. O.; Bushman, M. L.; Sherrill, W. M.

1980-01-01

Directionally resolved atmospheric radio frequency emission data were acquired from thunderstorms occurring in the central and southwestern United States. In addition, RF sferic tracking data were obtained from hurricanes and tropical depressions occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. The data were acquired using a crossed baseline phase interferometer operating at a frequency of 2.001 MHz. The received atmospherics were tested for phase linearity across the array, and azimuth/elevation angles of arrival were computed in real time. A histogram analysis of sferic burst count versus azimuth provided lines of bearing to centers of intense electrical activity. Analysis indicates a consistent capability of the phase linear direction finder to detect severe meteorological activity to distances of 2000 km from the receiving site. The technique evidences the ability to discriminate severe storms from nonsevere storms coexistent in large regional scale thunderstorm activity.

Error-proneness as a handicap signal.

PubMed

De Jaegher, Kris

2003-09-21

This paper describes two discrete signalling models in which the error-proneness of signals can serve as a handicap signal. In the first model, the direct handicap of sending a high-quality signal is not large enough to assure that a low-quality signaller will not send it. However, if the receiver sometimes mistakes a high-quality signal for a low-quality one, then there is an indirect handicap to sending a high-quality signal. The total handicap of sending such a signal may then still be such that a low-quality signaller would not want to send it. In the second model, there is no direct handicap of sending signals, so that nothing would seem to stop a signaller from always sending a high-quality signal. However, the receiver sometimes fails to detect signals, and this causes an indirect handicap of sending a high-quality signal that still stops the low-quality signaller of sending such a signal. The conditions for honesty are that the probability of an error of detection is higher for a high-quality than for a low-quality signal, and that the signaller who does not detect a signal adopts a response that is bad to the signaller. In both our models, we thus obtain the result that signal accuracy should not lie above a certain level in order for honest signalling to be possible. Moreover, we show that the maximal accuracy that can be achieved is higher the lower the degree of conflict between signaller and receiver. As well, we show that it is the conditions for honest signalling that may be constraining signal accuracy, rather than the signaller trying to make honest signals as effective as possible given receiver psychology, or the signaller adapting the accuracy of honest signals depending on his interests.

Spatial Trends of Pharmaceuticals in an Urbanized Estuary: Influence of Wastewater Effluents in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA

EPA Science Inventory

For years, pharmaceuticals have been routinely detected in wastewater treatment plant effluents and freshwater systems. Wastewater effluent serves as a primary source of pharmaceutical compounds to natural waters. Many marine and estuarine systems receive inputs either directly...

Effect of Detector Dead Time on the Performance of Optical Direct-Detection Communication Links

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C.-C.

1988-01-01

Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) operating in the Geiger mode can provide a significantly improved single-photon detect ion sensitivity over conventional photodiodes. However, the quenching circuit required to remove the excess charge carriers after each photon event can introduce an undesirable dead time into the detection process. The effect of this detector dead time on the performance of a binary pulse-position-modulted (PPM) channel is studied by analyzing the error probability. It is shown that, when back- ground noise is negligible, the performance of the detector with dead time is similar to that o f a quantum-limited receiver. For systems with increasing background intensities, the error rate of the receiver starts to degrade rapidly with increasing dead time. The power penalty due to detector dead time is also evaluated and shown to depend critically on background intensity as well as dead time. Given the expected background strength in an optical channel, therefore, a constraint must be placed on the bandwidth of the receiver to limit the amount of power penalty due to detector dead time.

Remote sensing of atmospheric winds using a coherent, CW lidar and speckle-turbulence interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, J. F.; Amzajerdian, F.; Gudimetla, V. S. R.; Hunt, J. M.

1986-01-01

Speckle turbulence interaction has the potential for allowing single ended remote sensing of the path averaged vector crosswind in a plane perpendicular to the line of sight to a target. If a laser transmitter is used to illuminate a target, the resultant speckle field generated by the target is randomly perturbed by the atmospheric turbulence as it propagates back to the location of the transmitter-receiver. When a cross wind is present, this scintillation pattern will move with time across the receiver. A continuous wave (cw) laser transmitter of modest power level in conjunction with optical heterodyne detection was used to exploit the speckel turbulence interaction and measure the crosswind. The use of a cw transmitter at 10.6 microns and optical heterodyne detection has many advantages over direct detection and a double pulsed source in the visible or near infrared. These advantages include the availability of compact, reliable and inexpensive transmitters, better penetration of smoke, dust and fog; stable output power; low beam pointing jitter; and considerably reduced complexity in the receiver electronics.

Effect of detector dead time on the performance of optical direct-detection communication links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, C.-C.

1988-05-01

Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) operating in the Geiger mode can provide a significantly improved single-photon detection sensitivity over conventional photodiodes. However, the quenching circuit required to remove the excess charge carriers after each photon event can introduce an undesirable dead time into the detection process. The effect of this detector dead time on the performance of a binary pulse-position-modulated (PPM) channel is studied by analyzing the error probability. It is shown that, when background noise is negligible, the performance of the detector with dead time is similar to that of a quantum-limited receiver. For systems with increasing background intensities, the error rate of the receiver starts to degrade rapidly with increasing dead time. The power penalty due to detector dead time is also evaluated and shown to depend critically on badkground intensity as well as dead time. Given the expected background strength in an optical channel, therefore, a constraint must be placed on the bandwidth of the receiver to limit the amount of power penalty due to detector dead time.

Interference Rejection and Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-01

performance of a DS CDMA receiver. And it was shown in [34] that in order to successfully have a CDMA system overlay narrowband users, i.e., to deploy... CDMA transmitters and the CDMA receivers. 9.2.1.2 Multicarrier Direct Sequence In a multicarrier DS system, multiple narrowband DS waveforms, each at...1)] mmax(i−1) m=mmin(i−1) Detection of the (i−1)th path Pi,Di Pi−1,Di−1 channel estimator \\ data detector Fig. 9.1 Low-pass equivalent of the DS / CDMA

Nonlinear impairment compensation for DFT-S OFDM signal transmission with directly modulated laser and direct detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gou, Pengqi; Wang, Kaihui; Qin, Chaoyi; Yu, Jianjun

2017-03-01

We experimentally demonstrate a 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) DFT-spread optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission system utilizing a cost-effective directly modulated laser (DML) and direct detection. For 20-Gbaud 16QAM-OFDM signal, with the aid of nonlinear equalization (NLE) algorithm, we respectively provide 6.2-dB and 5.2-dB receiver sensitivity improvement under the hard-decision forward-error-correction (HD-FEC) threshold of 3.8×10-3 for the back-to-back (BTB) case and after transmission over 10-km standard single mode fiber (SSMF) case, related to only adopt post-equalization scheme. To our knowledge, this is the first time to use dynamic nonlinear equalizer (NLE) based on the summation of the square of the difference between samples in one IM/DD OFDM system with DML to mitigate nonlinear distortion.

Improved interior wall detection using designated dictionaries in compressive urban sensing problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lagunas, Eva; Amin, Moeness G.; Ahmad, Fauzia; Nájar, Montse

2013-05-01

In this paper, we address sparsity-based imaging of building interior structures for through-the-wall radar imaging and urban sensing applications. The proposed approach utilizes information about common building construction practices to form an appropriate sparse representation of the building layout. With a ground based SAR system, and considering that interior walls are either parallel or perpendicular to the exterior walls, the antenna at each position would receive reflections from the walls parallel to the radar's scan direction as well as from the corners between two meeting walls. We propose a two-step approach for wall detection and localization. In the first step, a dictionary of possible wall locations is used to recover the positions of both interior and exterior walls that are parallel to the scan direction. A follow-on step uses a dictionary of possible corner reflectors to locate wall-wall junctions along the detected wall segments, thereby determining the true wall extents and detecting walls perpendicular to the scan direction. The utility of the proposed approach is demonstrated using simulated data.

76 FR 72863 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-28

... discrepancies if necessary. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of stress corrosion cracking in the chord... segments made from 7075 aluminum. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct stress corrosion and/or... proposed AD. Discussion We have received numerous reports of stress corrosion cracking in the chord...

Microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector

DOEpatents

Haddad, Waleed S.; Trebes, James E.

2002-01-01

The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector includes a low power pulsed microwave transmitter with a broad-band antenna for producing a directional beam of microwaves, an index of refraction matching cap placed over the patients head, and an array of broad-band microwave receivers with collection antennae. The system of microwave transmitter and receivers are scanned around, and can also be positioned up and down the axis of the patients head. The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector is a completely non-invasive device designed to detect and localize blood pooling and clots or to measure blood flow within the head or body. The device is based on low power pulsed microwave technology combined with specialized antennas and tomographic methods. The system can be used for rapid, non-invasive detection of blood pooling such as occurs with hemorrhagic stroke in human or animal patients as well as for the detection of hemorrhage within a patient's body.

Microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Haddad, Waleed S; Trebes, James E

The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector includes a low power pulsed microwave transmitter with a broad-band antenna for producing a directional beam of microwaves, an index of refraction matching cap placed over the patients head, and an array of broad-band microwave receivers with collection antennae. The system of microwave transmitter and receivers are scanned around, and can also be positioned up and down the axis of the patients head. The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector is a completely non-invasive device designed to detect and localize blood pooling and clots or to measure blood flow within the head or body. The device ismore » based on low power pulsed microwave technology combined with specialized antennas and tomographic methods. The system can be used for rapid, non-invasive detection of blood pooling such as occurs with hemorrhagic stoke in human or animal patients as well as for the detection of hemorrhage within a patient's body.« less

The BEFWM system for detection and phase conjugation of a weak laser beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khizhnyak, Anatoliy; Markov, Vladimir

2007-09-01

Real environmental conditions, such as atmospheric turbulence and aero-optics effects, make practical implementation of the object-in-the-loop (TIL) algorithm a very difficult task, especially when the system is set to operate with a signal from the diffuse surface image-resolved object. The problem becomes even more complex since for the remote object the intensity of the returned signal is extremely low. This presentation discusses the results of an analysis and experimental verification of a thresholdless coherent signal receiving system, capable not only in high-sensitivity detection of an ultra weak object-scattered light, but also in its high-gain amplification and phase conjugation. The process of coherent detection by using the Brillouin Enhanced Four Wave Mixing (BEFWM) enables retrieval of complete information on the received signal, including accurate measurement of its wavefront. This information can be used for direct real-time control of the adaptive mirror.

Tube-wave seismic imaging

DOEpatents

Korneev, Valeri A [Lafayette, CA; Bakulin, Andrey [Houston, TX

2009-10-13

The detailed analysis of cross well seismic data for a gas reservoir in Texas revealed two newly detected seismic wave effects, recorded approximately 2000 feet above the reservoir. A tube-wave (150) is initiated in a source well (110) by a source (111), travels in the source well (110), is coupled to a geological feature (140), propagates (151) through the geological feature (140), is coupled back to a tube-wave (152) at a receiver well (120), and is and received by receiver(s) (121) in either the same (110) or a different receiving well (120). The tube-wave has been shown to be extremely sensitive to changes in reservoir characteristics. Tube-waves appear to couple most effectively to reservoirs where the well casing is perforated, allowing direct fluid contact from the interior of a well case to the reservoir.

Tube-wave seismic imaging

DOEpatents

Korneev, Valeri A [LaFayette, CA

2009-05-05

The detailed analysis of cross well seismic data for a gas reservoir in Texas revealed two newly detected seismic wave effects, recorded approximately 2000 feet above the reservoir. A tube-wave (150) is initiated in a source well (110) by a source (111), travels in the source well (110), is coupled to a geological feature (140), propagates (151) through the geological feature (140), is coupled back to a tube-wave (152) at a receiver well (120), and is and received by receiver(s) (121) in either the same (110) or a different receiving well (120). The tube-wave has been shown to be extremely sensitive to changes in reservoir characteristics. Tube-waves appear to couple most effectively to reservoirs where the well casing is perforated, allowing direct fluid contact from the interior of a well case to the reservoir.

SWT voting-based color reduction for text detection in natural scene images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikica, Andrej; Peer, Peter

2013-12-01

In this article, we propose a novel stroke width transform (SWT) voting-based color reduction method for detecting text in natural scene images. Unlike other text detection approaches that mostly rely on either text structure or color, the proposed method combines both by supervising text-oriented color reduction process with additional SWT information. SWT pixels mapped to color space vote in favor of the color they correspond to. Colors receiving high SWT vote most likely belong to text areas and are blocked from being mean-shifted away. Literature does not explicitly address SWT search direction issue; thus, we propose an adaptive sub-block method for determining correct SWT direction. Both SWT voting-based color reduction and SWT direction determination methods are evaluated on binary (text/non-text) images obtained from a challenging Computer Vision Lab optical character recognition database. SWT voting-based color reduction method outperforms the state-of-the-art text-oriented color reduction approach.

Effect of directional speech warnings on road hazard detection.

PubMed

Serrano, Jesús; Di Stasi, Leandro L; Megías, Alberto; Catena, Andrés

2011-12-01

In the last 2 decades, cognitive science and the transportation psychology field have dedicated a lot of effort to designing advanced driver support systems. Verbal warning systems are increasingly being implemented in modern automobiles in an effort to increase road safety. The study presented here investigated the impact of directional speech alert messages on the participants' speed to judge whether or not naturalistic road scenes depicted a situation of impending danger. Thirty-eight volunteers performed a computer-based key-press reaction time task. Findings indicated that semantic content of verbal warning signals can be used for increasing driving safety and improving hazard detection. Furthermore, the classical result regarding signal accuracy is confirmed: directional informative speech messages lead to faster hazard detection compared to drivers who received a high rate of false alarms. Notwithstanding some study limitations (lack of driver experience and low ecological validity), this evidence could provide important information for the specification of future Human-Machine-interaction (HMI) design guidelines.

Technology and the Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Forest Service officials consulted NASA and found a solution in the application of laser technology originally developed for satellites. NASA/Goddard built a system called a "laser range pole," a portable battery operated back-packed device that allows direct sightings no matter how rough the intervening terrain or how thick the forest. The equipment consists of a laser transmitter and a receiver. From a given property marker, the transmitter pulses a laser beam vertically, several thousand feet in some cases. At a second surveying point about a mile away, the receiver detects the laser pulse high above the trees, and locks in on the exact direction. Thus provided a bearing between the two points, a ground crew can extend the border line back to the sending point by conventional surveying techniques.

Computer-aided mathematical analysis of probability of intercept for ground-based communication intercept system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Sang Chul

1989-09-01

We develop a mathematical analysis model to calculate the probability of intercept (POI) for the ground-based communication intercept (COMINT) system. The POI is a measure of the effectiveness of the intercept system. We define the POI as the product of the probability of detection and the probability of coincidence. The probability of detection is a measure of the receiver's capability to detect a signal in the presence of noise. The probability of coincidence is the probability that an intercept system is available, actively listening in the proper frequency band, in the right direction and at the same time that the signal is received. We investigate the behavior of the POI with respect to the observation time, the separation distance, antenna elevations, the frequency of the signal, and the receiver bandwidths. We observe that the coincidence characteristic between the receiver scanning parameters and the signal parameters is the key factor to determine the time to obtain a given POI. This model can be used to find the optimal parameter combination to maximize the POI in a given scenario. We expand this model to a multiple system. This analysis is conducted on a personal computer to provide the portability. The model is also flexible and can be easily implemented under different situations.

Blind information-theoretic multiuser detection algorithms for DS-CDMA and WCDMA downlink systems.

PubMed

Waheed, Khuram; Salem, Fathi M

2005-07-01

Code division multiple access (CDMA) is based on the spread-spectrum technology and is a dominant air interface for 2.5G, 3G, and future wireless networks. For the CDMA downlink, the transmitted CDMA signals from the base station (BS) propagate through a noisy multipath fading communication channel before arriving at the receiver of the user equipment/mobile station (UE/MS). Classical CDMA single-user detection (SUD) algorithms implemented in the UE/MS receiver do not provide the required performance for modern high data-rate applications. In contrast, multi-user detection (MUD) approaches require a lot of a priori information not available to the UE/MS. In this paper, three promising adaptive Riemannian contra-variant (or natural) gradient based user detection approaches, capable of handling the highly dynamic wireless environments, are proposed. The first approach, blind multiuser detection (BMUD), is the process of simultaneously estimating multiple symbol sequences associated with all the users in the downlink of a CDMA communication system using only the received wireless data and without any knowledge of the user spreading codes. This approach is applicable to CDMA systems with relatively short spreading codes but becomes impractical for systems using long spreading codes. We also propose two other adaptive approaches, namely, RAKE -blind source recovery (RAKE-BSR) and RAKE-principal component analysis (RAKE-PCA) that fuse an adaptive stage into a standard RAKE receiver. This adaptation results in robust user detection algorithms with performance exceeding the linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) detectors for both Direct Sequence CDMA (DS-CDMA) and wide-band CDMA (WCDMA) systems under conditions of congestion, imprecise channel estimation and unmodeled multiple access interference (MAI).

Learning Oriented Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks for Building Detection in Satellite Remote Sensing Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, C.; Gong, W.; Hu, Y.; Chen, Y.; Ding, Y.

2017-05-01

The automated building detection in aerial images is a fundamental problem encountered in aerial and satellite images analysis. Recently, thanks to the advances in feature descriptions, Region-based CNN model (R-CNN) for object detection is receiving an increasing attention. Despite the excellent performance in object detection, it is problematic to directly leverage the features of R-CNN model for building detection in single aerial image. As we know, the single aerial image is in vertical view and the buildings possess significant directional feature. However, in R-CNN model, direction of the building is ignored and the detection results are represented by horizontal rectangles. For this reason, the detection results with horizontal rectangle cannot describe the building precisely. To address this problem, in this paper, we proposed a novel model with a key feature related to orientation, namely, Oriented R-CNN (OR-CNN). Our contributions are mainly in the following two aspects: 1) Introducing a new oriented layer network for detecting the rotation angle of building on the basis of the successful VGG-net R-CNN model; 2) the oriented rectangle is proposed to leverage the powerful R-CNN for remote-sensing building detection. In experiments, we establish a complete and bran-new data set for training our oriented R-CNN model and comprehensively evaluate the proposed method on a publicly available building detection data set. We demonstrate State-of-the-art results compared with the previous baseline methods.

Affinity of Indocyanine Green in the Detection of Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

PubMed

Filippello, Alexandre; Porcheron, Jack; Klein, Jean Philippe; Cottier, Michèle; Barabino, Gabriele

2017-04-01

Indocyanine green (ICG) is increasingly being used in digestive oncology. In colorectal cancer, ICG can be used to detect lymph node metastasis and hepatic metastasis on the surface of the liver. In peritoneal carcinomatosis, it was previously suspected that the diffusion of ICG in the tumor mass was due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect; however, this phenomenon has not been clearly demonstrated. Using bevacizumab, an antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor that consequently inhibits neoangiogenesis, we sought to confirm the mode of ICG diffusion. We compared the fluorescence of peritoneal carcinomatosis nodules from patients who had previously received bevacizumab during their oncologic treatment with those who did not receive this therapy. The sensitivity of the carcinomatosis nodule fluorescence was higher in the patients who did not receive bevacizumab compared with those who received the drug (76.3% and 65.0%, respectively). The rate of false-negative results was higher in the bevacizumab group than in the group that did not receive the drug (53.8% and 42.9%, respectively). Using bevacizumab, we demonstrate that the enhanced permeability and retention effect causes ICG accumulation in peritoneal carcinomatosis resulting from colorectal cancer.

Long range guided wave defect monitoring in rail track

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loveday, Philip W.; Long, Craig S.

2014-02-01

A guided wave ultrasound system was previously developed for monitoring rail track used on heavy duty freight lines. This system operates by transmitting guided waves between permanently installed transmit and receive transducers spaced approximately 1km apart. The system has been proven to reliably detect rail breaks without false alarms. While cracks are sometimes detected there is a trade - off between detecting cracks and the possibility of false alarms. Adding a pulse-echo mode of operation to the system could provide increased functionality by detecting, locating and possibly monitoring cracks. This would require an array of transducers to control the direction and mode of propagation and it would be necessary to detect cracks up to a range of approximately 500 m in either direction along the rail. A four transducer array was designed and full matrix capture was used for field measurements. Post processing of the signals showed that a thermite weld could be detected at a range of 790m from the transducer array. It was concluded that the required range can be achieved in new rail while it would be extremely difficult in very old rail.

PCR Testing of IVC Filter Tops as a Method for Detecting Murine Pinworms and Fur Mites.

PubMed

Gerwin, Philip M; Ricart Arbona, Rodolfo J; Riedel, Elyn R; Henderson, Kenneth S; Lipman, Neil S

2017-11-01

We evaluated PCR testing of filter tops from cages maintained on an IVC system through which exhaust air is filtered at the cage level as a method for detecting parasite-infected and -infested cages. Cages containing 4 naïve Swiss Webster mice received 360 mL of uncontaminated aspen chip or α-cellulose bedding (n = 18 cages each) and 60 mL of the same type of bedding weekly from each of the following 4 groups of cages housing mice infected or infested with Syphacia obvelata (SO), Aspiculuris tetraptera (AT), Myocoptes musculinus (MC), or Myobia musculi (MB) and Radfordia affinis (RA; 240 mL bedding total). Detection rates were compared at 30, 60, and 90 d after initiating bedding exposure, by using PCR analysis of filter tops (media extract and swabs) and testing of mouse samples (fur swab [direct] PCR testing, fecal flotation, anal tape test, direct examination of intestinal contents, and skin scrape). PCR testing of filter media extract detected 100% of all parasites at 30 d (both bedding types) except for AT (α-cellulose bedding, 67% detection rate); identified more cages with fur mites (MB and MC) than direct PCR when cellulose bedding was used; and was better at detecting parasites than all nonmolecular methods evaluated. PCR analysis of filter media extract was superior to swab and direct PCR for all parasites cumulatively for each bedding type. Direct PCR more effectively detected MC and all parasites combined for aspen chip compared with cellulose bedding. PCR analysis of filter media extract for IVC systems in which exhaust air is filtered at the cage level was shown to be a highly effective environmental testing method.

PCR Testing of IVC Filter Tops as a Method for Detecting Murine Pinworms and Fur Mites

PubMed Central

Gerwin, Philip M; Arbona, Rodolfo J Ricart; Riedel, Elyn R; Henderson, Kenneth S; Lipman, Neil S

2017-01-01

We evaluated PCR testing of filter tops from cages maintained on an IVC system through which exhaust air is filtered at the cage level as a method for detecting parasite- infected and -infested cages. Cages containing 4 naïve Swiss Webster mice received 360 mL of uncontaminated aspen chip or α-cellulose bedding (n = 18 cages each) and 60 mL of the same type of bedding weekly from each of the following 4 groups of cages housing mice infected or infested with Syphacia obvelata (SO), Aspiculuris tetraptera (AT), Myocoptes musculinus (MC), or Myobia musculi (MB) and Radfordia affinis (RA; 240 mL bedding total). Detection rates were compared at 30, 60, and 90 d after initiating bedding exposure, by using PCR analysis of filter tops (media extract and swabs) and testing of mouse samples (fur swab [direct] PCR testing, fecal flotation, anal tape test, direct examination of intestinal contents, and skin scrape). PCR testing of filter media extract detected 100% of all parasites at 30 d (both bedding types) except for AT (α-cellulose bedding, 67% detection rate); identified more cages with fur mites (MB and MC) than direct PCR when cellulose bedding was used; and was better at detecting parasites than all nonmolecular methods evaluated. PCR analysis of filter media extract was superior to swab and direct PCR for all parasites cumulatively for each bedding type. Direct PCR more effectively detected MC and all parasites combined for aspen chip compared with cellulose bedding. PCR analysis of filter media extract for IVC systems in which exhaust air is filtered at the cage level was shown to be a highly effective environmental testing method. PMID:29256370

Real-time distributed fiber microphone based on phase-OTDR.

PubMed

Franciscangelis, Carolina; Margulis, Walter; Kjellberg, Leif; Soderquist, Ingemar; Fruett, Fabiano

2016-12-26

The use of an optical fiber as a real-time distributed microphone is demonstrated employing a phase-OTDR with direct detection. The method comprises a sample-and-hold circuit capable of both tuning the receiver to an arbitrary section of the fiber considered of interest and to recover in real-time the detected acoustic wave. The system allows listening to the sound of a sinusoidal disturbance with variable frequency, music and human voice with ~60 cm of spatial resolution through a 300 m long optical fiber.

78 FR 51123 - Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-20

... (TIS) or 10 years, whichever comes first. The proposed actions are intended to detect pitting or... delay. We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive. Discussion On November 24, 2010... extends the overhaul interval of the servo actuator to 10,000 hours TIS or 10 years, whichever comes first...

77 FR 40307 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-09

..., -400D, and -400F series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require repetitive operational tests of the... operational tests and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and... received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments. We will post all...

Border and Transportation Security: Possible New Directions and Policy Options

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-03-29

Security: Overview of Issues. See also “ JFK Airport to Receive Walk-Through Explosives Detection Portal,” Homeland Security Monitor, Oct. 26, 2004. In...of integrated security design can be seen at Terminal six at the JFK airport in New York City. Since many airports were originally designed in the

Integration and test of high-speed transmitter electronics for free-space laser communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soni, Nitin J.; Lizanich, Paul J.

1994-01-01

The NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, has developed the electronics for a free-space, direct-detection laser communications system demonstration. Under the High-Speed Laser Integrated Terminal Electronics (Hi-LITE) Project, NASA Lewis has built a prototype full-duplex, dual-channel electronics transmitter and receiver operating at 325 megabit S per second (Mbps) per channel and using quaternary pulse-position modulation (QPPM). This paper describes the integration and testing of the transmitter portion for future application in free-space, direct-detection laser communications. A companion paper reviews the receiver portion of the prototype electronics. Minor modifications to the transmitter were made since the initial report on the entire system, and this paper addresses them. The digital electronics are implemented in gallium arsenide integrated circuits mounted on prototype boards. The fabrication and implementation issues related to these high-speed devices are discussed. The transmitter's test results are documented, and its functionality is verified by exercising all modes of operation. Various testing issues pertaining to high-speed circuits are addressed. A description of the transmitter electronics packaging concludes the paper.

QPPM receiver for free-space laser communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Budinger, J. M.; Mohamed, J. H.; Nagy, L. A.; Lizanich, P. J.; Mortensen, D. J.

1994-01-01

A prototype receiver developed at NASA Lewis Research Center for direct detection and demodulation of quaternary pulse position modulated (QPPM) optical carriers is described. The receiver enables dual-channel communications at 325-Megabits per second (Mbps) per channel. The optical components of the prototype receiver are briefly described. The electronic components, comprising the analog signal conditioning, slot clock recovery, matched filter and maximum likelihood data recovery circuits are described in more detail. A novel digital symbol clock recovery technique is presented as an alternative to conventional analog methods. Simulated link degradations including noise and pointing-error induced amplitude variations are applied. The bit-error-rate performance of the electronic portion of the prototype receiver under varying optical signal-to-noise power ratios is found to be within 1.5-dB of theory. Implementation of the receiver as a hybrid of analog and digital application specific integrated circuits is planned.

Erratum to "10 Gbit/s mode-multiplexed QPSK transmission using MDM-to-MFDM based single coherent receiver for intra- and inter data center networking" [Opt. Commun. 391 (2017) 106-110

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asif, Rameez; Haithem, Mustafa

2018-03-01

We revisited our previous work "10 Gbit/s mode-multiplexed QPSK transmission using MDM-to-MFDM based single coherent receiver for intraand inter data center networking" [Opt. Commun. 391 (2017) 106-110] and discover a mistake in the Appendix 'A', i.e. mode-selective coherent detection technique. In this section, the direct referencing of the previous work at appropriate points is not adequate (page no. 109).

Coherent Detection of High-Rate Optical PPM Signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vilnrotter, Victor; Fernandez, Michela Munoz

2006-01-01

A method of coherent detection of high-rate pulse-position modulation (PPM) on a received laser beam has been conceived as a means of reducing the deleterious effects of noise and atmospheric turbulence in free-space optical communication using focal-plane detector array technologies. In comparison with a receiver based on direct detection of the intensity modulation of a PPM signal, a receiver based on the present method of coherent detection performs well at much higher background levels. In principle, the coherent-detection receiver can exhibit quantum-limited performance despite atmospheric turbulence. The key components of such a receiver include standard receiver optics, a laser that serves as a local oscillator, a focal-plane array of photodetectors, and a signal-processing and data-acquisition assembly needed to sample the focal-plane fields and reconstruct the pulsed signal prior to detection. The received PPM-modulated laser beam and the local-oscillator beam are focused onto the photodetector array, where they are mixed in the detection process. The two lasers are of the same or nearly the same frequency. If the two lasers are of different frequencies, then the coherent detection process is characterized as heterodyne and, using traditional heterodyne-detection terminology, the difference between the two laser frequencies is denoted the intermediate frequency (IF). If the two laser beams are of the same frequency and remain aligned in phase, then the coherent detection process is characterized as homodyne (essentially, heterodyne detection at zero IF). As a result of the inherent squaring operation of each photodetector, the output current includes an IF component that contains the signal modulation. The amplitude of the IF component is proportional to the product of the local-oscillator signal amplitude and the PPM signal amplitude. Hence, by using a sufficiently strong local-oscillator signal, one can make the PPM-modulated IF signal strong enough to overcome thermal noise in the receiver circuits: this is what makes it possible to achieve near-quantum-limited detection in the presence of strong background. Following quantum-limited coherent detection, the outputs of the individual photodetectors are automatically aligned in phase by use of one or more adaptive array compensation algorithms [e.g., the least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm]. Then the outputs are combined and the resulting signal is processed to extract the high-rate information, as though the PPM signal were received by a single photodetector. In a continuing series of experiments to test this method (see Fig. 1), the local oscillator has a wavelength of 1,064 nm, and another laser is used as a signal transmitter at a slightly different wavelength to establish an IF of about 6 MHz. There are 16 photodetectors in a 4 4 focal-plane array; the detector outputs are digitized at a sampling rate of 25 MHz, and the signals in digital form are combined by use of the LMS algorithm. Convergence of the adaptive combining algorithm in the presence of simulated atmospheric turbulence for optical PPM signals has already been demonstrated in the laboratory; the combined output is shown in Fig. 2(a), and Fig. 2(b) shows the behavior of the phase of the combining weights as a function of time (or samples). We observe that the phase of the weights has a sawtooth shape due to the continuously changing phase in the down-converted output, which is not exactly at zero frequency. Detailed performance analysis of this coherent free-space optical communication system in the presence of simulated atmospheric turbulence is currently under way.

Method and apparatus for communicating computer data from one point to another over a communications medium

DOEpatents

Arneson, Michael R [Chippewa Falls, WI; Bowman, Terrance L [Sumner, WA; Cornett, Frank N [Chippewa Falls, WI; DeRyckere, John F [Eau Claire, WI; Hillert, Brian T [Chippewa Falls, WI; Jenkins, Philip N [Eau Claire, WI; Ma, Nan [Chippewa Falls, WI; Placek, Joseph M [Chippewa Falls, WI; Ruesch, Rodney [Eau Claire, WI; Thorson, Gregory M [Altoona, WI

2007-07-24

The present invention is directed toward a communications channel comprising a link level protocol, a driver, a receiver, and a canceller/equalizer. The link level protocol provides logic for DC-free signal encoding and recovery as well as supporting many features including CRC error detection and message resend to accommodate infrequent bit errors across the medium. The canceller/equalizer provides equalization for destabilized data signals and also provides simultaneous bi-directional data transfer. The receiver provides bit deskewing by removing synchronization error, or skewing, between data signals. The driver provides impedance controlling by monitoring the characteristics of the communications medium, like voltage or temperature, and providing a matching output impedance in the signal driver so that fewer distortions occur while the data travels across the communications medium.

Nondestructive testing and characterization of residual stress field using an ultrasonic method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Wentao; Xu, Chunguang; Pan, Qinxue; Song, Jianfeng

2016-03-01

To address the difficulty in testing and calibrating the stress gradient in the depth direction of mechanical components, a new technology of nondestructive testing and characterization of the residual stress gradient field by ultrasonic method is proposed based on acoustoelasticity theory. By carrying out theoretical analysis, the sensitivity coefficients of different types of ultrasonic are obtained by taking the low carbon steel(12%C) as a research object. By fixing the interval distance between sending and receiving transducers, the mathematical expressions of the change of stress and the variation of time are established. To design one sending-one receiving and oblique incidence ultrasonic detection probes, according to Snell law, the critically refracted longitudinal wave (LCR wave) is excited at a certain depth of the fixed distance of the tested components. Then, the relationship between the depth of LCR wave detection and the center frequency of the probe in Q235 steel is obtained through experimental study. To detect the stress gradient in the depth direction, a stress gradient LCR wave detection model is established, through which the stress gradient formula is derived by the relationship between center frequency and detecting depth. A C-shaped stress specimen of Q235 steel is designed to conduct stress loading tests, and the stress is measured with the five group probes at different center frequencies. The accuracy of ultrasonic testing is verified by X-ray stress analyzer. The stress value of each specific depth is calculated using the stress gradient formula. Accordingly, the ultrasonic characterization of residual stress field is realized. Characterization results show that the stress gradient distribution is consistent with the simulation in ANSYS. The new technology can be widely applied in the detection of the residual stress gradient field caused by mechanical processing, such as welding and shot peening.

Generation and transmission of DPSK signals using a directly modulated passive feedback laser.

PubMed

Karar, Abdullah S; Gao, Ying; Zhong, Kang Ping; Ke, Jian Hong; Cartledge, John C

2012-12-10

The generation of differential-phase-shift keying (DPSK) signals is demonstrated using a directly modulated passive feedback laser at 10.709-Gb/s, 14-Gb/s and 16-Gb/s. The quality of the DPSK signals is assessed using both noncoherent detection for a bit rate of 10.709-Gb/s and coherent detection with digital signal processing involving a look-up table pattern-dependent distortion compensator. Transmission over a passive link consisting of 100 km of single mode fiber at a bit rate of 10.709-Gb/s is achieved with a received optical power of -45 dBm at a bit-error-ratio of 3.8 × 10(-3) and a 49 dB loss margin.

Auditory integration training for children with autism: no behavioral benefits detected.

PubMed

Mudford, O C; Cross, B A; Breen, S; Cullen, C; Reeves, D; Gould, J; Douglas, J

2000-03-01

Auditory integration training and a control treatment were provided for 16 children with autism in a crossover experimental design. Measures, blind to treatment order, included parent and teacher ratings of behavior, direct observational recordings, IQ, language, and social/adaptive tests. Significant differences tended to show that the control condition was superior on parent-rated measures of hyperactivity and on direct observational measures of ear-occlusion. No differences were detected on teacher-rated measures. Children's IQs and language comprehension did not increase, but adaptive/social behavior scores and expressive language quotients decreased. The majority of parents (56%) were unable to report in retrospect when their child had received auditory integration training. No individual child was identified as benefiting clinically or educationally from the treatment.

Possible detection of an emission feature near 584 A in the direction of G191-B2B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, James; Bowyer, Stuart; Jelinsky, Patrick

1990-01-01

A possible spectral emission feature is reported in the direction of the nearby hot white dwarf G191-B2B at 581.5 + or - 6 A with a significance of 3.8 sigma. This emission has been identified as He I 584.3 A. The emission cannot be due to local geocoronal emission or interplanetary backscatter of solar He I 584 A emission because the feature is not detected in a nearby sky exposure. Possible sources for this emission are examined, including the photosphere of G191-B2B, the comparison star G191-B2A, and a possible nebulosity near or around G191-B2B. The parameters required to explain the emission are derived for each case. All of these explanations require unexpected physical conditions; hence we believe this result must receive confirming verification despite the statistical likelihood of the detection.

Direct detection of x-rays for protein crystallography employing a thick, large area CCD

DOEpatents

Atac, Muzaffer; McKay, Timothy

1999-01-01

An apparatus and method for directly determining the crystalline structure of a protein crystal. The crystal is irradiated by a finely collimated x-ray beam. The interaction of the x-ray beam with the crystal produces scattered x-rays. These scattered x-rays are detected by means of a large area, thick CCD which is capable of measuring a significant number of scattered x-rays which impact its surface. The CCD is capable of detecting the position of impact of the scattered x-ray on the surface of the CCD and the quantity of scattered x-rays which impact the same cell or pixel. This data is then processed in real-time and the processed data is outputted to produce a image of the structure of the crystal. If this crystal is a protein the molecular structure of the protein can be determined from the data received.

Multibeam monopulse radar for airborne sense and avoid system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorwara, Ashok; Molchanov, Pavlo

2016-10-01

The multibeam monopulse radar for Airborne Based Sense and Avoid (ABSAA) system concept is the next step in the development of passive monopulse direction finder proposed by Stephen E. Lipsky in the 80s. In the proposed system the multibeam monopulse radar with an array of directional antennas is positioned on a small aircaraft or Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Radar signals are simultaneously transmitted and received by multiple angle shifted directional antennas with overlapping antenna patterns and the entire sky, 360° for both horizontal and vertical coverage. Digitizing of amplitude and phase of signals in separate directional antennas relative to reference signals provides high-accuracy high-resolution range and azimuth measurement and allows to record real time amplitude and phase of reflected from non-cooperative aircraft signals. High resolution range and azimuth measurement provides minimal tracking errors in both position and velocity of non-cooperative aircraft and determined by sampling frequency of the digitizer. High speed sampling with high-accuracy processor clock provides high resolution phase/time domain measurement even for directional antennas with wide Field of View (FOV). Fourier transform (frequency domain processing) of received radar signals provides signatures and dramatically increases probability of detection for non-cooperative aircraft. Steering of transmitting power and integration, correlation period of received reflected signals for separate antennas (directions) allows dramatically decreased ground clutter for low altitude flights. An open architecture, modular construction allows the combination of a radar sensor with Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), electro-optic, acoustic sensors.

Center for Space Telemetering and Telecommunications Systems, New Mexico State University

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horan, Stephen; DeLeon, Phillip; Borah, Deva; Lyman, Ray

2002-01-01

This viewgraph presentation gives an overview of the Center for Space Telemetering and Telecommunications Systems activities at New Mexico State University. Presentations cover the following topics: (1) small satellite communications, including nanosatellite radio and virtual satellite development; (2) modulation and detection studies, including details on smooth phase interpolated keying (SPIK) spectra and highlights of an adaptive turbo multiuser detector; (3) decoupled approaches to nonlinear ISI compensation; (4) space internet testing; (4) optical communication; (5) Linux-based receiver for lightweight optical communications without a laser in space, including software design, performance analysis, and the receiver algorithm; (6) carrier tracking hardware; and (7) subband transforms for adaptive direct sequence spread spectrum receivers.

Dispersion compensation of fiber optic communication system with direct detection using artificial neural networks (ANNs)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maghrabi, Mahmoud M. T.; Kumar, Shiva; Bakr, Mohamed H.

2018-02-01

This work introduces a powerful digital nonlinear feed-forward equalizer (NFFE), exploiting multilayer artificial neural network (ANN). It mitigates impairments of optical communication systems arising due to the nonlinearity introduced by direct photo-detection. In a direct detection system, the detection process is nonlinear due to the fact that the photo-current is proportional to the absolute square of the electric field intensity. The proposed equalizer provides the most efficient computational cost with high equalization performance. Its performance is comparable to the benchmark compensation performance achieved by maximum-likelihood sequence estimator. The equalizer trains an ANN to act as a nonlinear filter whose impulse response removes the intersymbol interference (ISI) distortions of the optical channel. Owing to the proposed extensive training of the equalizer, it achieves the ultimate performance limit of any feed-forward equalizer (FFE). The performance and efficiency of the equalizer is investigated by applying it to various practical short-reach fiber optic communication system scenarios. These scenarios are extracted from practical metro/media access networks and data center applications. The obtained results show that the ANN-NFFE compensates for the received BER degradation and significantly increases the tolerance to the chromatic dispersion distortion.

Multipath interference test method using synthesized chirped signal from directly modulated DFB-LD with digital-signal-processing technique.

PubMed

Aida, Kazuo; Sugie, Toshihiko

2011-12-12

We propose a method of testing transmission fiber lines and distributed amplifiers. Multipath interference (MPI) is detected as a beat spectrum between a multipath signal and a direct signal using a synthesized chirped test signal with lightwave frequencies of f(1) and f(2) periodically emitted from a distributed feedback laser diode (DFB-LD). This chirped test pulse is generated using a directly modulated DFB-LD with a drive signal calculated using a digital signal processing technique (DSP). A receiver consisting of a photodiode and an electrical spectrum analyzer (ESA) detects a baseband power spectrum peak appearing at the frequency of the test signal frequency deviation (f(1)-f(2)) as a beat spectrum of self-heterodyne detection. Multipath interference is converted from the spectrum peak power. This method improved the minimum detectable MPI to as low as -78 dB. We discuss the detailed design and performance of the proposed test method, including a DFB-LD drive signal calculation algorithm with DSP for synthesis of the chirped test signal and experiments on single-mode fibers with discrete reflections. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Apparatus for the concurrent ultrasonic inspection of partially completed welds

DOEpatents

Johnson, John A.

2000-01-01

An apparatus for the concurrent nondestructive evaluation of partially completed welds is described and which is used in combination with an automated welder and which includes an ultrasonic signal generator mounted on the welder and which generates an ultrasonic signal which is directed toward one side of the partially completed welds; an ultrasonic signal receiver mounted on the automated welder for detecting ultrasonic signals which are transmitted by the ultrasonic signal generator and which are reflected or diffracted from one side of the partially completed weld or which passes through a given region of the partially completed weld; and an analysis assembly coupled with the ultrasonic signal receiver and which processes the ultrasonic signals received by the ultrasonic signal receiver to identify welding flaws in the partially completed weld.

Design and implementation of low complexity wake-up receiver for underwater acoustic sensor networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yue, Ming

This thesis designs a low-complexity dual Pseudorandom Noise (PN) scheme for identity (ID) detection and coarse frame synchronization. The two PN sequences for a node are identical and are separated by a specified length of gap which serves as the ID of different sensor nodes. The dual PN sequences are short in length but are capable of combating severe underwater acoustic (UWA) multipath fading channels that exhibit time varying impulse responses up to 100 taps. The receiver ID detection is implemented on a microcontroller MSP430F5529 by calculating the correlation between the two segments of the PN sequence with the specified separation gap. When the gap length is matched, the correlator outputs a peak which triggers the wake-up enable. The time index of the correlator peak is used as the coarse synchronization of the data frame. The correlator is implemented by an iterative algorithm that uses only one multiplication and two additions for each sample input regardless of the length of the PN sequence, thus achieving low computational complexity. The real-time processing requirement is also met via direct memory access (DMA) and two circular buffers to accelerate data transfer between the peripherals and the memory. The proposed dual PN detection scheme has been successfully tested by simulated fading channels and real-world measured channels. The results show that, in long multipath channels with more than 60 taps, the proposed scheme achieves high detection rate and low false alarm rate using maximal-length sequences as short as 31 bits to 127 bits, therefore it is suitable as a low-power wake-up receiver. The future research will integrate the wake-up receiver with Digital Signal Processors (DSP) for payload detection.

Selective vs. nonselective media and direct plating vs. enrichment technique in isolation of Vibrio cholerae: recommendations for clinical laboratories.

PubMed

Rennels, M B; Levine, M M; Daya, V; Angle, P; Young, C

1980-09-01

The occurrence of human cholera along the Gulf of Mexico and the isolation of Vibrio cholerae O1 from the Gulf and Chesapeake Bay make it imperative that microbiology laboratories along estuaries develop the capabilities to culture for these pathogens. In attempts to devise a simplified but efficient culture procedure, a selective medium, thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar, was compared with a nonselective medium, gelatin agar (GA), and the utility of enrichment was examined. TCBS agar detected 99% of the stools found to be positive by all techniques combined, whereas GA identified only 80%. Of acute diarrheal stools, 96% were positive on direct plating, whereas only 66% of formed stools containing V. cholerae were detected by direct plating. Stools from patients with acute diarrhea can be plated directly into TCBS agar alone; stools from persons shedding low numbers of organisms (such as contacts, carriers, or patients receiving antibiotics) should be incubated first in an enrichment broth and then on TCBS agar.

Increasing Electrochemiluminescence Intensity of a Wireless Electrode Array Chip by Thousands of Times Using a Diode for Sensitive Visual Detection by a Digital Camera.

PubMed

Qi, Liming; Xia, Yong; Qi, Wenjing; Gao, Wenyue; Wu, Fengxia; Xu, Guobao

2016-01-19

Both a wireless electrochemiluminescence (ECL) electrode microarray chip and the dramatic increase in ECL by embedding a diode in an electromagnetic receiver coil have been first reported. The newly designed device consists of a chip and a transmitter. The chip has an electromagnetic receiver coil, a mini-diode, and a gold electrode array. The mini-diode can rectify alternating current into direct current and thus enhance ECL intensities by 18 thousand times, enabling a sensitive visual detection using common cameras or smart phones as low cost detectors. The detection limit of hydrogen peroxide using a digital camera is comparable to that using photomultiplier tube (PMT)-based detectors. Coupled with a PMT-based detector, the device can detect luminol with higher sensitivity with linear ranges from 10 nM to 1 mM. Because of the advantages including high sensitivity, high throughput, low cost, high portability, and simplicity, it is promising in point of care testing, drug screening, and high throughput analysis.

Comparison of Three Non-Imaging Angle-Diversity Receivers as Input Sensors of Nodes for Indoor Infrared Wireless Sensor Networks: Theory and Simulation

PubMed Central

Mendoza, Beatriz R.; Rodríguez, Silvestre; Pérez-Jiménez, Rafael; Ayala, Alejandro; González, Oswaldo

2016-01-01

In general, the use of angle-diversity receivers makes it possible to reduce the impact of ambient light noise, path loss and multipath distortion, in part by exploiting the fact that they often receive the desired signal from different directions. Angle-diversity detection can be performed using a composite receiver with multiple detector elements looking in different directions. These are called non-imaging angle-diversity receivers. In this paper, a comparison of three non-imaging angle-diversity receivers as input sensors of nodes for an indoor infrared (IR) wireless sensor network is presented. The receivers considered are the conventional angle-diversity receiver (CDR), the sectored angle-diversity receiver (SDR), and the self-orienting receiver (SOR), which have been proposed or studied by research groups in Spain. To this end, the effective signal-collection area of the three receivers is modelled and a Monte-Carlo-based ray-tracing algorithm is implemented which allows us to investigate the effect on the signal to noise ratio and main IR channel parameters, such as path loss and rms delay spread, of using the three receivers in conjunction with different combination techniques in IR links operating at low bit rates. Based on the results of the simulations, we show that the use of a conventional angle-diversity receiver in conjunction with the equal-gain combining technique provides the solution with the best signal to noise ratio, the lowest computational capacity and the lowest transmitted power requirements, which comprise the main limitations for sensor nodes in an indoor infrared wireless sensor network. PMID:27428966

Rejuvenating direct modulation and direct detection for modern optical communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Che, Di; Li, An; Chen, Xi; Hu, Qian; Shieh, William

2018-02-01

High-speed transoceanic optical fiber transmission using direct modulation (DM) and direct detection (DD) was one of the most stirring breakthroughs for telecommunication in 1990s, which drove the internet as a global phenomenon. However, the later evolution of optical coherent communications in 2000s gradually took over the long-haul applications, due to its superior optical spectral efficiency. Nowadays, DM-DD systems are dominant mainly in cost- and power-sensitive short-reach applications, because of its natural characteristics-the simplicity. This paper reviews the recent advances of DM-DD transceivers from both hardware and signal processing perspectives. It introduces a variety of modified DM and/or DD systems for 3 application scenarios: very-short-reach interconnect with little fiber channel impact; single or a few spans of fiber transmission up to several hundred km; and distance beyond the 2nd scenario. Besides the DM-DD and multi-dimension DM-DD with polarization diversity, this paper focuses on how to rejuvenate traditional DM and DD technologies in order to bridge the transmission application gap between DM-DD and coherent transceivers, using technologies such as dispersion compensation, signal field recovery from the intensity-only DD receiver, and complex direct modulation with coherent detection. More than 30 years since the birth, DM and DD still hold indispensable roles in modern optical communications.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polese, Luigi Gentile; Brackney, Larry

An image-based occupancy sensor includes a motion detection module that receives and processes an image signal to generate a motion detection signal, a people detection module that receives the image signal and processes the image signal to generate a people detection signal, a face detection module that receives the image signal and processes the image signal to generate a face detection signal, and a sensor integration module that receives the motion detection signal from the motion detection module, receives the people detection signal from the people detection module, receives the face detection signal from the face detection module, and generatesmore » an occupancy signal using the motion detection signal, the people detection signal, and the face detection signal, with the occupancy signal indicating vacancy or occupancy, with an occupancy indication specifying that one or more people are detected within the monitored volume.« less

Future Directions for EHDI Programs: Recommendations from a Strategic Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bradham, Tamala S.; Houston, K. Todd

2011-01-01

Over the past 20 years, tremendous strides have been made in establishing and strengthening early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Although EHDI programs have become more robust, considerable work remains to ensure that all children who do not pass a hearing screening receive the…

LIDAR pulse coding for high resolution range imaging at improved refresh rate.

PubMed

Kim, Gunzung; Park, Yongwan

2016-10-17

In this study, a light detection and ranging system (LIDAR) was designed that codes pixel location information in its laser pulses using the direct- sequence optical code division multiple access (DS-OCDMA) method in conjunction with a scanning-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror. This LIDAR can constantly measure the distance without idle listening time for the return of reflected waves because its laser pulses include pixel location information encoded by applying the DS-OCDMA. Therefore, this emits in each bearing direction without waiting for the reflected wave to return. The MEMS mirror is used to deflect and steer the coded laser pulses in the desired bearing direction. The receiver digitizes the received reflected pulses using a low-temperature-grown (LTG) indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) based photoconductive antenna (PCA) and the time-to-digital converter (TDC) and demodulates them using the DS-OCDMA. When all of the reflected waves corresponding to the pixels forming a range image are received, the proposed LIDAR generates a point cloud based on the time-of-flight (ToF) of each reflected wave. The results of simulations performed on the proposed LIDAR are compared with simulations of existing LIDARs.

Dual-process theory and signal-detection theory of recognition memory.

PubMed

Wixted, John T

2007-01-01

Two influential models of recognition memory, the unequal-variance signal-detection model and a dual-process threshold/detection model, accurately describe the receiver operating characteristic, but only the latter model can provide estimates of recollection and familiarity. Such estimates often accord with those provided by the remember-know procedure, and both methods are now widely used in the neuroscience literature to identify the brain correlates of recollection and familiarity. However, in recent years, a substantial literature has accumulated directly contrasting the signal-detection model against the threshold/detection model, and that literature is almost unanimous in its endorsement of signal-detection theory. A dual-process version of signal-detection theory implies that individual recognition decisions are not process pure, and it suggests new ways to investigate the brain correlates of recognition memory. ((c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved).

MUSIC algorithm DoA estimation for cooperative node location in mobile ad hoc networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warty, Chirag; Yu, Richard Wai; ElMahgoub, Khaled; Spinsante, Susanna

In recent years the technological development has encouraged several applications based on distributed communications network without any fixed infrastructure. The problem of providing a collaborative early warning system for multiple mobile nodes against a fast moving object. The solution is provided subject to system level constraints: motion of nodes, antenna sensitivity and Doppler effect at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. This approach consists of three stages. The first phase consists of detecting the incoming object using a highly directive two element antenna at 5.0 GHz band. The second phase consists of broadcasting the warning message using a low directivity broad antenna beam using 2× 2 antenna array which then in third phase will be detected by receiving nodes by using direction of arrival (DOA) estimation technique. The DOA estimation technique is used to estimate the range and bearing of the incoming nodes. The position of fast arriving object can be estimated using the MUSIC algorithm for warning beam DOA estimation. This paper is mainly intended to demonstrate the feasibility of early detection and warning system using a collaborative node to node communication links. The simulation is performed to show the behavior of detecting and broadcasting antennas as well as performance of the detection algorithm. The idea can be further expanded to implement commercial grade detection and warning system

Real-Time Distributed Embedded Oscillator Operating Frequency Monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pollock, Julie; Oliver, Brett; Brickner, Christopher

2012-01-01

A document discusses the utilization of embedded clocks inside of operating network data links as an auxiliary clock source to satisfy local oscillator monitoring requirements. Modem network interfaces, typically serial network links, often contain embedded clocking information of very tight precision to recover data from the link. This embedded clocking data can be utilized by the receiving device to monitor the local oscillator for tolerance to required specifications, often important in high-integrity fault-tolerant applications. A device can utilize a received embedded clock to determine if the local or the remote device is out of tolerance by using a single link. The local device can determine if it is failing, assuming a single fault model, with two or more active links. Network fabric components, containing many operational links, can potentially determine faulty remote or local devices in the presence of multiple faults. Two methods of implementation are described. In one method, a recovered clock can be directly used to monitor the local clock as a direct replacement of an external local oscillator. This scheme is consistent with a general clock monitoring function whereby clock sources are clocking two counters and compared over a fixed interval of time. In another method, overflow/underflow conditions can be used to detect clock relationships for monitoring. These network interfaces often provide clock compensation circuitry to allow data to be transferred from the received (network) clock domain to the internal clock domain. This circuit could be modified to detect overflow/underflow conditions of the buffering required and report a fast or slow receive clock, respectively.

Measuring Time-of-Flight in an Ultrasonic LPS System Using Generalized Cross-Correlation

PubMed Central

Villladangos, José Manuel; Ureña, Jesús; García, Juan Jesús; Mazo, Manuel; Hernández, Álvaro; Jiménez, Ana; Ruíz, Daniel; De Marziani, Carlos

2011-01-01

In this article, a time-of-flight detection technique in the frequency domain is described for an ultrasonic Local Positioning System (LPS) based on encoded beacons. Beacon transmissions have been synchronized and become simultaneous by means of the DS-CDMA (Direct-Sequence Code Division Multiple Access) technique. Every beacon has been associated to a 255-bit Kasami code. The detection of signal arrival instant at the receiver, from which the distance to each beacon can be obtained, is based on the application of the Generalized Cross-Correlation (GCC), by using the cross-spectral density between the received signal and the sequence to be detected. Prior filtering to enhance the frequency components around the carrier frequency (40 kHz) has improved estimations when obtaining the correlation function maximum, which implies an improvement in distance measurement precision. Positioning has been achieved by using hyperbolic trilateration, based on the Time Differences of Arrival (TDOA) between a reference beacon and the others. PMID:22346645

Measuring time-of-flight in an ultrasonic LPS system using generalized cross-correlation.

PubMed

Villladangos, José Manuel; Ureña, Jesús; García, Juan Jesús; Mazo, Manuel; Hernández, Alvaro; Jiménez, Ana; Ruíz, Daniel; De Marziani, Carlos

2011-01-01

In this article, a time-of-flight detection technique in the frequency domain is described for an ultrasonic local positioning system (LPS) based on encoded beacons. Beacon transmissions have been synchronized and become simultaneous by means of the DS-CDMA (direct-sequence code Division multiple access) technique. Every beacon has been associated to a 255-bit Kasami code. The detection of signal arrival instant at the receiver, from which the distance to each beacon can be obtained, is based on the application of the generalized cross-correlation (GCC), by using the cross-spectral density between the received signal and the sequence to be detected. Prior filtering to enhance the frequency components around the carrier frequency (40 kHz) has improved estimations when obtaining the correlation function maximum, which implies an improvement in distance measurement precision. Positioning has been achieved by using hyperbolic trilateration, based on the time differences of arrival (TDOA) between a reference beacon and the others.

Coherent Optical Communications: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, Kazuro

Coherent optical fiber communications were studied extensively in the 1980s mainly because high sensitivity of coherent receivers could elongate the unrepeated transmission distance; however, their research and development have been interrupted for nearly 20 years behind the rapid progress in high-capacity wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) systems using erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). In 2005, the demonstration of digital carrier phase estimation in coherent receivers has stimulated a widespread interest in coherent optical communications again. This is due to the fact that the digital coherent receiver enables us to employ a variety of spectrally efficient modulation formats such as M-ary phase-shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) without relying upon a rather complicated optical phase-locked loop. In addition, since the phase information is preserved after detection, we can realize electrical post-processing functions such as compensation for chromatic dispersion and polarization-mode dispersion in the digital domain. These advantages of the born-again coherent receiver have enormous potential for innovating existing optical communication systems. In this chapter, after reviewing the 20-year history of coherent optical communication systems, we describe the principle of operation of coherent detection, the concept of the digital coherent receiver, and its performance evaluation. Finally, challenges for the future are summarized.

Detection of buried targets using a new enhanced very early time electromagnetic (VETEM) prototype system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cui, T.J.; Chew, W.C.; Aydiner, A.A.; Wright, D.L.; Smith, D.V.

2001-01-01

In this paper, numerical simulations of a new enhanced very early time electromagnetic (VETEM) prototype system are presented, where a horizontal transmitting loop and two horizontal receiving loops are used to detect buried targets, in which three loops share the same axis and the transmitter is located at the center of receivers. In the new VETEM system, the difference of signals from two receivers is taken to eliminate strong direct-signals from the transmitter and background clutter and furthermore to obtain a better SNR for buried targets. Because strong coupling exists between the transmitter and receivers, accurate analysis of the three-loop antenna system is required, for which a loop-tree basis function method has been utilized to overcome the low-frequency breakdown problem. In the analysis of scattering problem from buried targets, a conjugate gradient (CG) method with fast Fourier transform (FFT) is applied to solve the electric field integral equation. However, the convergence of such CG-FFT algorithm is extremely slow at very low frequencies. In order to increase the convergence rate, a frequency-hopping approach has been used. Finally, the primary, coupling, reflected, and scattered magnetic fields are evaluated at receiving loops to calculate the output electric current. Numerous simulation results are given to interpret the new VETEM system. Comparing with other single-transmitter-receiver systems, the new VETEM has better SNR and ability to reduce the clutter.

Detection of vesicoureteral reflux using microwave radiometry-system characterization with tissue phantoms.

PubMed

Arunachalam, Kavitha; Maccarini, Paolo; De Luca, Valeria; Tognolatti, Piero; Bardati, Fernando; Snow, Brent; Stauffer, Paul

2011-06-01

Microwave (MW) radiometry is proposed for passive monitoring of kidney temperature to detect vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) of urine that is externally heated by a MW hyperthermia device and thereafter reflows from the bladder to kidneys during reflux. Here, we characterize in tissue-mimicking phantoms the performance of a 1.375 GHz radiometry system connected to an electromagnetically (EM) shielded microstrip log spiral antenna optimized for VUR detection. Phantom EM properties are characterized using a coaxial dielectric probe and network analyzer (NA). Power reflection and receive patterns of the antenna are measured in layered tissue phantom. Receiver spectral measurements are used to assess EM shielding provided by a metal cup surrounding the antenna. Radiometer and fiberoptic temperature data are recorded for varying volumes (10-30 mL) and temperaturesg (40-46°C) of the urine phantom at 35 mm depth surrounded by 36.5°C muscle phantom. Directional receive pattern with about 5% power spectral density at 35 mm target depth and better than -10 dB return loss from tissue load are measured for the antenna. Antenna measurements demonstrate no deterioration in power reception and effective EM shielding in the presence of the metal cup. Radiometry power measurements are in excellent agreement with the temperature of the kidney phantom. Laboratory testing of the radiometry system in temperature-controlled phantoms supports the feasibility of passive kidney thermometry for VUR detection.

Design and performance investigation of LDPC-coded upstream transmission systems in IM/DD OFDM-PONs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Xiaoxue; Guo, Lei; Wu, Jingjing; Ning, Zhaolong

2016-12-01

In Intensity-Modulation Direct-Detection (IM/DD) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Networks (OFDM-PONs), aside from Subcarrier-to-Subcarrier Intermixing Interferences (SSII) induced by square-law detection, the same laser frequency for data sending from Optical Network Units (ONUs) results in ONU-to-ONU Beating Interferences (OOBI) at the receiver. To mitigate those interferences, we design a Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC)-coded and spectrum-efficient upstream transmission system. A theoretical channel model is also derived, in order to analyze the detrimental factors influencing system performances. Simulation results demonstrate that the receiver sensitivity is improved 3.4 dB and 2.5 dB under QPSK and 8QAM, respectively, after 100 km Standard Single-Mode Fiber (SSMF) transmission. Furthermore, the spectrum efficiency can be improved by about 50%.

Broad-Range Detection of Microorganisms Directly from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Specimens by PCR/Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Ullberg, Måns; Lüthje, Petra; Mölling, Paula; Strålin, Kristoffer

2017-01-01

The clinical demand on rapid microbiological diagnostic is constantly increasing. PCR coupled to electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, PCR/ESI-MS, offers detection and identification of over 750 bacteria and Candida species directly from clinical specimens within 6 hours. In this study, we investigated the clinical performance of the IRIDICA BAC LRT Assay for detection of bacterial pathogens in 121 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples that were received consecutively at our bacterial laboratory for BAL culture. Commensal or pathogenic microorganisms were detected in 118/121 (98%) BAL samples by PCR/ESI-MS, while in 104/121 (86%) samples by routine culture (P<0.01). Detection of potentially pathogenic microorganisms by PCR/ESI-MS was evaluated in comparison with conventional culture-based or molecular methods. The agreement between positive findings was overall good. Most Staphylococcus aureus-positive PCR/ESI-MS results were confirmed by culture or species-specific PCR (27/33, 82%). The identity of Streptococcus pneumoniae could however be confirmed for only 6/17 (35%) PCR/ESI-MS-positive samples. Non-cultivable and fastidious pathogens, which were not covered by standard culture procedures were readily detected by PCR/ESI-MS, including Legionella pneumophila, Bordetella pertussis, Norcadia species and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In conclusion, PCR/ESI-MS detected a broad range of potential pathogens with equal or superior sensitivity compared to conventional methods within few hours directly from BAL samples. This novel method might thus provide a relevant tool for diagnostics in critically ill patients. PMID:28085931

A digitally implemented phase-locked loop detection scheme for analysis of the phase and power stability of a calibration tone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Densmore, A. C.

1988-01-01

A digital phase-locked loop (PLL) scheme is described which detects the phase and power of a high SNR calibration tone. The digital PLL is implemented in software directly from the given description. It was used to evaluate the stability of the Goldstone Deep Space Station open loop receivers for Radio Science. Included is a derivative of the Allan variance sensitivity of the PLL imposed by additive white Gaussian noise; a lower limit is placed on the carrier frequency.

Development of a high-speed wavelength-agile CO2 local oscillator for heterodyne DIAL measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senft, Daniel C.; Pierrottet, Diego F.

2002-06-01

A high repetition rate, wavelength agile CO2 laser has been developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory for use as a local oscillator in a heterodyne detection receiver. Fats wavelength selection is required for measurements of airborne chemical vapors using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique. Acousto-optic modulator are used to tune between different wavelengths at high speeds without the need for moving mechanical parts. Other advantages obtained by the use of acousto-optic modulators are laser output power control per wavelength and rugged packaging for field applications. The local oscillator design is described, and the results from laboratory DIAL measurements are presented. The coherent remote optical sensor system is an internal research project being conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate, Active Remote Sensing Branch. The objective of the project is to develop a new long-range standoff spectral sensor that takes advantage of the enhanced performance capabilities coherent detection can provide. Emphasis of the development is on a low cost, compact, and rugged active sensor exclusively designed for heterodyne detection using the differential absorption lidar technique. State of the art technologies in waveguide laser construction and acousto- optics make feasible the next generation of lasers capable of supporting coherent lidar system requirements. Issues addressed as part of the development include optoelectronic engineering of a low cost rugged system, and fast data throughput for real time chemical concentration measurements. All hardware used in this sensor are off-the- shelf items, so only minor hardware modifications were required for the system as it stands. This paper describes a high-speed heterodyne detection CO2 DIAL system that employs a wavelength agile, acousto-optically tuned local oscillator in the receiver. Sample experimental data collected in a controlled environment are presented as well. Chemical detection using 12 wavelengths at 200 pulses per second has been demonstrated. Initial progress on experiments to make a direct, simultaneous comparison of heterodyne and direct detection DIAL systems will also be described.

Study on nondestructive detection system based on x-ray for wire ropes conveyer belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Changyun; Shi, Boya; Wan, Peng; Li, Jie

2008-03-01

A nondestructive detection system based on X-ray for wire ropes conveyer belt is designed by X-ray detection technology. In this paper X-ray detection principle is analyzed, a design scheme of the system is presented; image processing of conveyer belt is researched and image processing algorithms are given; X-ray acquisition receiving board is designed with the use of FPGA and DSP; the software of the system is programmed by C#.NET on WINXP/WIN2000 platform. The experiment indicates the system can implement remote real-time detection of wire ropes conveyer belt images, find faults and give an alarm in time. The system is direct perceived, strong real-time and high accurate. It can be used for fault detection of wire ropes conveyer belts in mines, ports, terminals and other fields.

The Lower Ionospheric VLF/LF Response to the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse Observed Across the Continent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, M. B.; Gross, N. C.; Higginson-Rollins, M. A.; Marshall, R. A.; Gołkowski, M.; Liles, W.; Rodriguez, D.; Rockway, J.

2018-04-01

We present observations from 11 very low frequency (VLF)/low-frequency (LF) receivers across the continental United States during the 21 August 2017 "Great American Solar Eclipse." All receivers detected transmissions from VLF/LF beacons below 50 kHz, while seven also recorded LF beacons above 50 kHz, yielding dozens of individual transmitter-receiver radio links. Our observations show two separable superimposed signatures: (1) a gradual rise and fall in signal levels visible on almost all paths as the eclipse advances and then declines, as VLF attenuation is reduced by the changing ionosphere under an eclipsed Sun, and (2) direct reflective scattering off the narrow 100-km-wide totality spot, observed more uniquely when the transmitter or receiver, if not both, are relatively close to the totality spot.

76 FR 10288 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER Series Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-24

... and corrosion to an area within five inches of the fail-safe strap. Revision 2 of this service.... The existing AD currently requires inspections to detect cracking or corrosion of the fail-safe straps... corrective actions. Since we issued that AD, we have received additional reports of cracks in 51 fail-safe...

Comparison of Aperture Averaging and Receiver Diversity Techniques for Free Space Optical Links in Presence of Turbulence and Various Weather Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Prabhmandeep; Jain, Virander Kumar; Kar, Subrat

2014-12-01

In this paper, we investigate the performance of a Free Space Optic (FSO) link considering the impairments caused by the presence of various weather conditions such as very clear air, drizzle, haze, fog, etc., and turbulence in the atmosphere. Analytic expression for the outage probability is derived using the gamma-gamma distribution for turbulence and accounting the effect of weather conditions using the Beer-Lambert's law. The effect of receiver diversity schemes using aperture averaging and array receivers on the outage probability is studied and compared. As the aperture diameter is increased, the outage probability decreases irrespective of the turbulence strength (weak, moderate and strong) and weather conditions. Similar effects are observed when the number of direct detection receivers in the array are increased. However, it is seen that as the desired level of performance in terms of the outage probability decreases, array receiver becomes the preferred choice as compared to the receiver with aperture averaging.

Performance Evaluation of MIMO-UWB Systems Using Measured Propagation Data and Proposal of Timing Control Scheme in LOS Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takanashi, Masaki; Nishimura, Toshihiko; Ogawa, Yasutaka; Ohgane, Takeo

Ultrawide-band impulse radio (UWB-IR) technology and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems have attracted interest regarding their use in next-generation high-speed radio communication. We have studied the use of MIMO ultrawide-band (MIMO-UWB) systems to enable higher-speed radio communication. We used frequency-domain equalization based on the minimum mean square error criterion (MMSE-FDE) to reduce intersymbol interference (ISI) and co-channel interference (CCI) in MIMO-UWB systems. Because UWB systems are expected to be used for short-range wireless communication, MIMO-UWB systems will usually operate in line-of-sight (LOS) environments and direct waves will be received at the receiver side. Direct waves have high power and cause high correlations between antennas in such environments. Thus, it is thought that direct waves will adversely affect the performance of spatial filtering and equalization techniques used to enhance signal detection. To examine the feasibility of MIMO-UWB systems, we conducted MIMO-UWB system propagation measurements in LOS environments. From the measurements, we found that the arrival time of direct waves from different transmitting antennas depends on the MIMO configuration. Because we can obtain high power from the direct waves, direct wave reception is critical for maximizing transmission performance. In this paper, we present our measurement results, and propose a way to improve performance using a method of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) timing control. We evaluate the bit error rate (BER) performance for this form of timing control using measured channel data.

Integrated optical biosensor system (IOBS)

DOEpatents

Grace, Karen M.; Sweet, Martin R.; Goeller, Roy M.; Morrison, Leland Jean; Grace, Wynne Kevin; Kolar, Jerome D.

2007-10-30

An optical biosensor has a first enclosure with a pathogen recognition surface, including a planar optical waveguide and grating located in the first enclosure. An aperture is in the first enclosure for insertion of sample to be investigated to a position in close proximity to the pathogen recognition surface. A laser in the first enclosure includes means for aligning and means for modulating the laser, the laser having its light output directed toward said grating. Detection means are located in the first enclosure and in optical communication with the pathogen recognition surface for detecting pathogens after interrogation by the laser light and outputting the detection. Electronic means is located in the first enclosure and receives the detection for processing the detection and outputting information on the detection, and an electrical power supply is located in the first enclosure for supplying power to the laser, the detection means and the electronic means.

Retinal Origin of Direction Selectivity in the Superior Colliculus

PubMed Central

Shi, Xuefeng; Barchini, Jad; Ledesma, Hector Acaron; Koren, David; Jin, Yanjiao; Liu, Xiaorong; Wei, Wei; Cang, Jianhua

2017-01-01

Detecting visual features in the environment such as motion direction is crucial for survival. The circuit mechanisms that give rise to direction selectivity in a major visual center, the superior colliculus (SC), are entirely unknown. Here, we optogenetically isolate the retinal inputs that individual direction-selective SC neurons receive and find that they are already selective as a result of precisely converging inputs from similarly-tuned retinal ganglion cells. The direction selective retinal input is linearly amplified by the intracollicular circuits without changing its preferred direction or level of selectivity. Finally, using 2-photon calcium imaging, we show that SC direction selectivity is dramatically reduced in transgenic mice that have decreased retinal selectivity. Together, our studies demonstrate a retinal origin of direction selectivity in the SC, and reveal a central visual deficit as a consequence of altered feature selectivity in the retina. PMID:28192394

High throughput optical scanner

DOEpatents

Basiji, David A.; van den Engh, Gerrit J.

2001-01-01

A scanning apparatus is provided to obtain automated, rapid and sensitive scanning of substrate fluorescence, optical density or phosphorescence. The scanner uses a constant path length optical train, which enables the combination of a moving beam for high speed scanning with phase-sensitive detection for noise reduction, comprising a light source, a scanning mirror to receive light from the light source and sweep it across a steering mirror, a steering mirror to receive light from the scanning mirror and reflect it to the substrate, whereby it is swept across the substrate along a scan arc, and a photodetector to receive emitted or scattered light from the substrate, wherein the optical path length from the light source to the photodetector is substantially constant throughout the sweep across the substrate. The optical train can further include a waveguide or mirror to collect emitted or scattered light from the substrate and direct it to the photodetector. For phase-sensitive detection the light source is intensity modulated and the detector is connected to phase-sensitive detection electronics. A scanner using a substrate translator is also provided. For two dimensional imaging the substrate is translated in one dimension while the scanning mirror scans the beam in a second dimension. For a high throughput scanner, stacks of substrates are loaded onto a conveyor belt from a tray feeder.

Radiation sensitive area detection device and method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carter, Daniel C. (Inventor); Hecht, Diana L. (Inventor); Witherow, William K. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A radiation sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X ray, ultraviolet or other radiation source is provided which comprises a phosphor containing film which releases a stored diffraction pattern image in response to incoming light or other electromagnetic wave. A light source such as a helium-neon laser, an optical fiber capable of directing light from the laser source onto the phosphor film and also capable of channelling the fluoresced light from the phosphor film to an integrating sphere which directs the light to a signal processing means including a light receiving means such as a photomultiplier tube. The signal processing means allows translation of the fluoresced light in order to detect the original pattern caused by the diffraction of the radiation by the original sample. The optical fiber is retained directly in front of the phosphor screen by a thin metal holder which moves up and down across the phosphor screen and which features a replaceable pinhole which allows easy adjustment of the resolution of the light projected onto the phosphor film. The device produces near real time images with high spatial resolution and without the distortion that accompanies prior art devices employing photomultiplier tubes. A method is also provided for carrying out radiation area detection using the device of the invention.

Significance of MPEG-7 textural features for improved mass detection in mammography.

PubMed

Eltonsy, Nevine H; Tourassi, Georgia D; Fadeev, Aleksey; Elmaghraby, Adel S

2006-01-01

The purpose of the study is to investigate the significance of MPEG-7 textural features for improving the detection of masses in screening mammograms. The detection scheme was originally based on morphological directional neighborhood features extracted from mammographic regions of interest (ROIs). Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) was performed to evaluate the performance of each set of features independently and merged into a back-propagation artificial neural network (BPANN) using the leave-one-out sampling scheme (LOOSS). The study was based on a database of 668 mammographic ROIs (340 depicting cancer regions and 328 depicting normal parenchyma). Overall, the ROC area index of the BPANN using the directional morphological features was Az=0.85+/-0.01. The MPEG-7 edge histogram descriptor-based BPNN showed an ROC area index of Az=0.71+/-0.01 while homogeneous textural descriptors using 30 and 120 channels helped the BPNN achieve similar ROC area indexes of Az=0.882+/-0.02 and Az=0.877+/-0.01 respectively. After merging the MPEG-7 homogeneous textural features with the directional neighborhood features the performance of the BPANN increased providing an ROC area index of Az=0.91+/-0.01. MPEG-7 homogeneous textural descriptor significantly improved the morphology-based detection scheme.

Design of 2*6 optical hybrid in inter-satellite coherent laser communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Nan; Liu, Liren; Liu, De'an; Wan, Lingyu; Zhou, Yu

2008-08-01

Compared with direct detection, homodyne binary phase shift keying receivers can achieve the best sensitivity theoretically, and became the trend of the research and application in inter-satellite coherent laser communications. In coherent optical communication systems an optical hybrid is an essential component of the receiver. It demodulates the incoming signal by mixing it with the local oscillator. We present a design of a 2*6 optical hybrid. 4 output ports of the hybrid give the narrow mixed beams of the incoming signal and the local oscillator shifted by 90°for communication, and the others give the wide mixed beams with a shifted degree of 180°for position errors detection. CCD captures the interference pattern from the wide beams, and then the pattern is processed and analyzed by the computer. Target position information is obtained from characteristic parameter of the interference pattern. The position errors as the control signals of PAT (pointing, acquisition and tracking) subsystem drive the receiver telescope to keep tracking to the target. The application extends to coherent laser rang finder.

Ultra-high capacity WDM-SDM optical access network with self-homodyne detection downstream and 32QAM-FBMC upstream.

PubMed

Feng, Zhenhua; Xu, Liang; Wu, Qiong; Tang, Ming; Fu, Songnian; Tong, Weijun; Shum, Perry Ping; Liu, Deming

2017-03-20

Towards 100G beyond large-capacity optical access networks, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) techniques incorporating with space division multiplexing (SDM) and affordable spectrally efficient advanced modulation formats are indispensable. In this paper, we proposed and experimentally demonstrated a cost-efficient multicore fiber (MCF) based hybrid WDM-SDM optical access network with self-homodyne coherent detection (SHCD) based downstream (DS) and direct detection optical filter bank multi carrier (DDO-FBMC) based upstream (US). In the DS experiments, the inner core of the 7-core fiber is used as a dedicated channel to deliver the local oscillator (LO) lights while the other 6 outer cores are used to transmit 4 channels of wavelength multiplexed 200-Gb/s PDM-16QAM-OFDM signals. For US transmission, 4 wavelengths with channel spacing of 100 GHz are intensity modulated with 30 Gb/s 32-QAM-FBMC and directly detected by a ~7 GHz bandwidth receiver after transmission along one of the outer core. The results show that a 4 × 6 × 200-Gb/s DS transmission can be realized over 37 km 7-core fiber without carrier frequency offset (CFO) and phase noise (PN) compensation even using 10 MHz linewidth DFB lasers. The SHCD based on MCF provides a compromise and cost efficient scheme between conventional intradyne coherent detection and intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) schemes. Both US and DS have acceptable BER performance and high spectral efficiency.

An Evaluation of Psychophysical Models of Auditory Change Perception

PubMed Central

Micheyl, Christophe; Kaernbach, Christian; Demany, Laurent

2009-01-01

In many psychophysical experiments, the participant's task is to detect small changes along a given stimulus dimension, or to identify the direction (e.g., upward vs. downward) of such changes. The results of these experiments are traditionally analyzed using a constant-variance Gaussian (CVG) model or a high-threshold (HT) model. Here, the authors demonstrate that for changes along three basic sound dimensions (frequency, intensity, and amplitude-modulation rate), such models cannot account for the observed relationship between detection thresholds and direction-identification thresholds. It is shown that two alternative models can account for this relationship. One of them is based on the idea of sensory “quanta”; the other assumes that small changes are detected on the basis of Poisson processes with low means. The predictions of these two models are then compared against receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) for the detection of changes in sound intensity. It is concluded that human listeners' perception of small and unidimensional acoustic changes is better described by a discrete-state Poisson model than by the more commonly used CVG model or by the less favored HT and quantum models. PMID:18954215

Survey of computer vision-based natural disaster warning systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ko, ByoungChul; Kwak, Sooyeong

2012-07-01

With the rapid development of information technology, natural disaster prevention is growing as a new research field dealing with surveillance systems. To forecast and prevent the damage caused by natural disasters, the development of systems to analyze natural disasters using remote sensing geographic information systems (GIS), and vision sensors has been receiving widespread interest over the last decade. This paper provides an up-to-date review of five different types of natural disasters and their corresponding warning systems using computer vision and pattern recognition techniques such as wildfire smoke and flame detection, water level detection for flood prevention, coastal zone monitoring, and landslide detection. Finally, we conclude with some thoughts about future research directions.

At what wavelengths should we search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence? (SETI/infrared communication/interstellar communication/extraterrestrial intelligence)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townes, C. H.

1979-01-01

Searches for extraterrestrial intelligence concentrate on attempts to receive signals in the microwave region, the argument being given that communication occurs there at minimum broadcasted power. Such a conclusion is shown to result only under a restricted set of assumptions. If generalized types of detection are considered, in particular photon detection rather than linear detection alone, and if advantage is taken of the directivity of telescopes at short wavelengths, then somewhat less power is required for communication at infrared wavelengths than in the microwave region. Furthermore, a variety of parameters other than power alone can be chosen for optimization by an extraterrestrial civilization.

Laser altimetry simulator. Version 3.0: User's guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abshire, James B.; Mcgarry, Jan F.; Pacini, Linda K.; Blair, J. Bryan; Elman, Gregory C.

1994-01-01

A numerical simulator of a pulsed, direct detection laser altimeter has been developed to investigate the performance of space-based laser altimeters operating over surfaces with various height profiles. The simulator calculates the laser's optical intensity waveform as it propagates to and is reflected from the terrain surface and is collected by the receiver telescope. It also calculates the signal and noise waveforms output from the receiver's optical detector and waveform digitizer. Both avalanche photodiode and photomultiplier detectors may be selected. Parameters of the detected signal, including energy, the 50 percent rise-time point, the mean timing point, and the centroid, can be collected into histograms and statistics calculated after a number of laser firings. The laser altimeter can be selected to be fixed over the terrain at any altitude. Alternatively, it can move between laser shots to simulate the terrain profile measured with the laser altimeter.

Polarization-analyzing circuit on InP for integrated Stokes vector receiver.

PubMed

Ghosh, Samir; Kawabata, Yuto; Tanemura, Takuo; Nakano, Yoshiaki

2017-05-29

Stokes vector modulation and direct detection (SVM/DD) has immense potentiality to reduce the cost burden for the next-generation short-reach optical communication networks. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an InGaAsP/InP waveguide-based polarization-analyzing circuit for an integrated Stokes vector (SV) receiver. By transforming the input state-of-polarization (SOP) and projecting its SV onto three different vectors on the Poincare sphere, we show that the actual SOP can be retrieved by simple calculation. We also reveal that this projection matrix has a flexibility and its deviation due to device imperfectness can be calibrated to a certain degree, so that the proposed device would be fundamentally robust against fabrication errors. A proof-of-concept photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is fabricated on InP by using half-ridge waveguides to successfully demonstrate detection of different SOPs scattered on the Poincare sphere.

Interference Canceller Based on Cycle-and-Add Property for Single User Detection in DS-CDMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hettiarachchi, Ranga; Yokoyama, Mitsuo; Uehara, Hideyuki; Ohira, Takashi

In this paper, performance of a novel interference cancellation technique for the single user detection in a direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system has been investigated. This new algorithm is based on the Cycle-and-Add property of PN (Pseudorandom Noise) sequences and can be applied for both synchronous and asynchronous systems. The proposed strategy provides a simple method that can delete interference signals one by one in spite of the power levels of interferences. Therefore, it is possible to overcome the near-far problem (NFP) in a successive manner without using transmit power control (TPC) techniques. The validity of the proposed procedure is corroborated by computer simulations in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and frequency-nonselective fading channels. Performance results indicate that the proposed receiver outperforms the conventional receiver and, in many cases, it does so with a considerable gain.

Terahertz technology for imaging and spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crowe, T. W.; Porterfield, D. W.; Hesler, J. L.; Bishop, W. L.; Kurtz, D. S.; Hui, K.

2006-05-01

The terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum has unique properties that make it especially useful for imaging and spectroscopic detection of concealed weapons, explosives and chemical and biological materials. However, terahertz energy is difficult to generate and detect, and this has led to a technology gap in this frequency band. Nonlinear diodes can be used to bridge this gap by translating the functionality achieved at microwave frequencies to the terahertz band. Basic building blocks include low-noise mixers, frequency multipliers, sideband generators and direct detectors. These terahertz components rely on planar Schottky diodes and recently developed integrated diode circuits make them easier to assemble and more robust. The new generation of terahertz sources and receivers requires no mechanical tuning, yet achieves high efficiency and broad bandwidth. This paper reviews the basic design of terahertz transmitters and receivers, with special emphasis on the recent development of systems that are compact, easy to use and have excellent performance.

Highly sensitive lidar with a thumb-sized sensor-head built using an optical fiber preamplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, Daisuke; Ichikawa, Tadashi; Matsubara, Hiroyuki; Mao, Xueon; Maeda, Mitsutoshi; Nagashima, Chie; Kagami, Manabu

2011-06-01

We developed a LIDAR system with a sensor head as small as 22 cc, in spite of the inclusion of a scanning mechanism. This LIDAR system not only has a small body, but is also highly sensitive. Our LIDAR system is based on time-of-flight measurements, and it incorporates an optical fiber. The main feature of our system is the utilization of optical amplifiers for both the transmitter and the receiver, and the optical amplifiers enabled us to exceed the detection limit of thermal noise. In conventional LIDAR systems the detection limit is determined by thermal noise, because the avalanche photo-diodes (APD) and trans-impedance amplifiers (TIA) that they use detect the received signals directly. In the case of our LIDAR system, received signal is amplified by an optical fiber amplifier in front of the photo diode and the TIA. Therefore, our LIDAR system can boost the signal level before the weak incoming signal is depleted by thermal noise. There are conditions under which the noise figure for the combination of an optical fiber amplifier and a photo diode is superior to the noise figure for an avalanche photo diode. We optimized the gain of the optical fiber amplifier and TIA in our LIDAR system such that it is capable of detecting a single photon. As a result, the detection limit of our LIDAR system is determined by shot noise. This small and highly sensitive measurement technology shows great potential for use in LIDAR with an optical preamplifier.

In vitro evaluation of an alternative method to bond molar tubes

PubMed Central

PINZAN-VERCELINO, Célia Regina Maio; PINZAN, Arnaldo; GURGEL, Júlio de Araújo; BRAMANTE, Fausto Silva; PINZAN, Luciana Maio

2011-01-01

Despite the advances in bonding materials, many clinicians today still prefer to place bands on molar teeth. Molar bonding procedures need improvement to be widely accepted clinically. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength when an additional adhesive layer was applied on the occlusal tooth/tube interface to provide reinforcement to molar tubes. Material and methods Sixty third molars were selected and allocated to the 3 groups: group 1 received a conventional direct bond followed by the application of an additional layer of adhesive on the occlusal tooth/tube interface, group 2 received a conventional direct bond, and group 3 received a conventional direct bond and an additional cure time of 10 s. The specimens were debonded in a universal testing machine. The results were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α=0.05). Results Group 1 had a significantly higher (p<0.05) shear bond strength compared to groups 2 and 3. No difference was detected between groups 2 and 3 (p>0.05). Conclusions The present in vitro findings indicate that the application of an additional layer of adhesive on the tooth/tube interface increased the shear bond strength of the bonded molar tubes. PMID:21437468

TESAT laser communication terminal performance results on 5.6Gbit coherent inter satellite and satellite to ground links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gregory, M.; Heine, F.; Kämpfner, H.; Meyer, R.; Fields, R.; Lunde, C.

2017-11-01

The increasing demand on high speed communication networks has stimulated the development of optical free space data transmission during the last years. TESAT has developed a laser communication terminal (LCT) that fulfills the need of a power efficient system whose capability has been successfully demonstrated at bidirectional space-to-space links and bidirectional space-to-ground links (SGLs) at a data rate of 5.625 GBit/s with a homodyne detection scheme and a BPSK modulation format. In comparison to a direct detection system, the homodyne detection scheme works as a bandpass filter. The transmission is immune to false light and even data transmission with the sun in the receiver field of view (FOV) is possible. Compared to common RF transmission which is implemented on spacecrafts for data transmission, optical transmission provides not only higher transmission rates (factor 10) but also shows excellent security features since the laser beams directivity making it immune to interception.

Directing driver attention with augmented reality cues

PubMed Central

Rusch, Michelle L.; Schall, Mark C.; Gavin, Patrick; Lee, John D.; Dawson, Jeffrey D.; Vecera, Shaun; Rizzo, Matthew

2013-01-01

This simulator study evaluated the effects of augmented reality (AR) cues designed to direct the attention of experienced drivers to roadside hazards. Twenty-seven healthy middle-aged licensed drivers with a range of attention capacity participated in a 54 mile (1.5 hour) drive in an interactive fixed-base driving simulator. Each participant received AR cues to potential roadside hazards in six simulated straight (9 mile long) rural roadway segments. Drivers were evaluated on response time for detecting a potentially hazardous event, detection accuracy for target (hazard) and non-target objects, and headway with respect to the hazards. Results showed no negative outcomes associated with interference. AR cues did not impair perception of non-target objects, including for drivers with lower attentional capacity. Results showed near significant response time benefits for AR cued hazards. AR cueing increased response rate for detecting pedestrians and warning signs but not vehicles. AR system false alarms and misses did not impair driver responses to potential hazards. PMID:24436635

Directly Detecting MeV-Scale Dark Matter Via Solar Reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, Haipeng; Pospelov, Maxim; Pradler, Josef; Ritz, Adam

2018-04-01

If dark matter (DM) particles are lighter than a few MeV /c2 and can scatter off electrons, their interaction within the solar interior results in a considerable hardening of the spectrum of galactic dark matter received on Earth. For a large range of the mass versus cross section parameter space, {me,σe}, the "reflected" component of the DM flux is far more energetic than the end point of the ambient galactic DM energy distribution, making it detectable with existing DM detectors sensitive to an energy deposition of 10 -103 eV . After numerically simulating the small reflected component of the DM flux, we calculate its subsequent signal due to scattering on detector electrons, deriving new constraints on σe in the MeV and sub-MeV range using existing data from the XENON10/100, LUX, PandaX-II, and XENON1T experiments, as well as making projections for future low threshold direct detection experiments.

Directly Detecting MeV-Scale Dark Matter Via Solar Reflection.

PubMed

An, Haipeng; Pospelov, Maxim; Pradler, Josef; Ritz, Adam

2018-04-06

If dark matter (DM) particles are lighter than a few   MeV/c^{2} and can scatter off electrons, their interaction within the solar interior results in a considerable hardening of the spectrum of galactic dark matter received on Earth. For a large range of the mass versus cross section parameter space, {m_{e},σ_{e}}, the "reflected" component of the DM flux is far more energetic than the end point of the ambient galactic DM energy distribution, making it detectable with existing DM detectors sensitive to an energy deposition of 10-10^{3}  eV. After numerically simulating the small reflected component of the DM flux, we calculate its subsequent signal due to scattering on detector electrons, deriving new constraints on σ_{e} in the MeV and sub-MeV range using existing data from the XENON10/100, LUX, PandaX-II, and XENON1T experiments, as well as making projections for future low threshold direct detection experiments.

Distributing entanglement and single photons through an intra-city, free-space quantum channel.

PubMed

Resch, K; Lindenthal, M; Blauensteiner, B; Böhm, H; Fedrizzi, A; Kurtsiefer, C; Poppe, A; Schmitt-Manderbach, T; Taraba, M; Ursin, R; Walther, P; Weier, H; Weinfurter, H; Zeilinger, A

2005-01-10

We have distributed entangled photons directly through the atmosphere to a receiver station 7.8 km away over the city of Vienna, Austria at night. Detection of one photon from our entangled pairs constitutes a triggered single photon source from the sender. With no direct time-stable connection, the two stations found coincidence counts in the detection events by calculating the cross-correlation of locally-recorded time stamps shared over a public internet channel. For this experiment, our quantum channel was maintained for a total of 40 minutes during which time a coincidence lock found approximately 60000 coincident detection events. The polarization correlations in those events yielded a Bell parameter, S=2.27+/-0.019, which violates the CHSH-Bell inequality by 14 standard deviations. This result is promising for entanglement-based freespace quantum communication in high-density urban areas. It is also encouraging for optical quantum communication between ground stations and satellites since the length of our free-space link exceeds the atmospheric equivalent.

Proof of concept demonstration for coherent beam pattern measurements of KID detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Kristina K.; Baryshev, Andrey M.; Jellema, Willem; Yates, Stephen J. C.; Ferrari, Lorenza; Baselmans, Jochem J. A.

2016-07-01

Here we summarize the initial results from a complex field radiation pattern measurement of a kinetic inductance detector instrument. These detectors are phase insensitive and have thus been limited to scalar, or amplitude-only, beam measurements. Vector beam scans, of both amplitude and phase, double the information received in comparison to scalar beam scans. Scalar beam measurements require multiple scans at varying distances along the optical path of the receiver to fully constrain the divergence angle of the optical system and locate the primary focus. Vector scans provide this information with a single scan, reducing the total measurement time required for new systems and also limiting the influence of system instabilities. The vector scan can be taken at any point along the optical axis of the system including the near-field, which makes beam measurements possible for large systems at high frequencies where these measurements may be inconceivable to be tested in-situ. Therefore, the methodology presented here should enable common heterodyne analysis for direct detector instruments. In principle, this coherent measurement strategy allows phase dependent analysis to be performed on any direct-detect receiver instrument.

Radio Frequency Tomography for Tunnel Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

F. Soldovieri is with the Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell’Ambiente, Italian National Research Council (CNR), 80124 Naples, Italy ...both directions. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors would like to thank J. Parker and Dr. M. Ferrara , Air Force Research Laboratory, Prof. R. Ansari...Monte, D. Erricolo, and M. C. Wicks, “Propagation model, optimal geometry and receiver design for RF geotomography,” in Proc. IEEE RadarCon, Rome, Italy

New Directions in the Digital Signal Processing of Image Data.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-05-01

and identify by block number) FIELD GROUP SUB-GROUP Object detection and idLntification 12 01 restoration of photon noise limited imagery 15 04 image...from incomplete information, restoration of blurred images in additive and multiplicative noise , motion analysis with fast hierarchical algorithms...different resolutions. As is well known, the solution to the matched filter problem under additive white noise conditions is the correlation receiver

Using GPS Reflections for Satellite Remote Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mickler, David

2000-01-01

GPS signals that have reflected off of the ocean's surface have shown potential for use in oceanographic and atmospheric studies. The research described here investigates the possible deployment of a GPS reflection receiver onboard a remote sensing satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO). The coverage and resolution characteristics of this receiver are calculated and estimated. This mission analysis examines using reflected GPS signals for several remote sensing missions. These include measurement of the total electron content in the ionosphere, sea surface height, and ocean wind speed and direction. Also discussed is the potential test deployment of such a GPS receiver on the space shuttle. Constellations of satellites are proposed to provide adequate spatial and temporal resolution for the aforementioned remote sensing missions. These results provide a starting point for research into the feasibility of augmenting or replacing existing remote sensing satellites with spaceborne GPS reflection-detecting receivers.

Client cognitive responses to counselor paradoxical and nonparadoxical directives.

PubMed

Lee, D Y; Rossiter, B; Martin, J; Uhlemann, M R

1990-09-01

Client cognitive responses to counselor paradoxical and nonparadoxical directives were examined. It was predicted (a) that clients who received paradoxical symptom prescriptions would display a greater negativity toward the counselor and counseling than those who received nonparadoxical directives; and (b) that clients who received no rationale for the paradoxical directives would display a greater negativity than those who received a rationale. Thirty clients who had reported performance anxiety received one 45-minute counseling interview. Ten clients received paradoxical directives with a rationale, 10 received paradoxical directives with no rationale, and 10 received nonparadoxical directives. Results showed no significant differences in either client in-session negativity or out-of-session implementation of directives between the paradoxical and nonparadoxical conditions and between the rationale and no rationale paradoxical conditions. Possible implications of the findings are discussed.

Spatial-time-state fusion algorithm for defect detection through eddy current pulsed thermography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Xiang; Gao, Bin; Woo, Wai Lok; Tian, Gui Yun; Xiao, Xiao Ting

2018-05-01

Eddy Current Pulsed Thermography (ECPT) has received extensive attention due to its high sensitive of detectability on surface and subsurface cracks. However, it remains as a difficult challenge in unsupervised detection as to identify defects without knowing any prior knowledge. This paper presents a spatial-time-state features fusion algorithm to obtain fully profile of the defects by directional scanning. The proposed method is intended to conduct features extraction by using independent component analysis (ICA) and automatic features selection embedding genetic algorithm. Finally, the optimal feature of each step is fused to obtain defects reconstruction by applying common orthogonal basis extraction (COBE) method. Experiments have been conducted to validate the study and verify the efficacy of the proposed method on blind defect detection.

Multiuser signal detection using sequential decoding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Zhenhua; Rushforth, Craig K.; Short, Robert T.

1990-05-01

The application of sequential decoding to the detection of data transmitted over the additive white Gaussian noise channel by K asynchronous transmitters using direct-sequence spread-spectrum multiple access is considered. A modification of Fano's (1963) sequential-decoding metric, allowing the messages from a given user to be safely decoded if its Eb/N0 exceeds -1.6 dB, is presented. Computer simulation is used to evaluate the performance of a sequential decoder that uses this metric in conjunction with the stack algorithm. In many circumstances, the sequential decoder achieves results comparable to those obtained using the much more complicated optimal receiver.

Generation of a CW local oscillator signal using a stabilized injection locked semiconductor laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pezeshki, Jonah Massih

In high speed-communications, it is desirable to be able to detect small signals while maintaining a low bit-error rate. Conventional receivers for high-speed fiber optic networks are Amplified Direct Detectors (ADDs) that use erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) before the detector to achieve a suitable sensitivity. In principle, a better method for obtaining the maximum possible signal to noise ratio is through the use of homodyne detection. The major difficulty in implementing a homodyne detection system is the generation of a suitable local oscillator signal. This local oscillator signal must be at the same frequency as the received data signal, as well as be phase coherent with it. To accomplish this, a variety of synchronization techniques have been explored, including Optical Phase-Lock Loops (OPLL), Optical Injection Locking (OIL) with both Fabry-Perot and DFB lasers, and an Optical Injection Phase-Lock Loop (OIPLL). For this project I have implemented a method for regenerating a local oscillator from a portion of the received optical signal. This regenerated local oscillator is at the same frequency, and is phase coherent with, the received optical signal. In addition, we show that the injection locking process can be electronically stabilized by using the modulation transfer ratio of the slave laser as a monitor, given either a DFB or Fabry-Perot slave laser. We show that this stabilization technique maintains injection lock (given a locking range of ˜1GHz) for laser drift much greater than what is expected in a typical transmission system. In addition, we explore the quality of the output of the slave laser, and analyze its suitability as a local oscillator signal for a homodyne receiver.

Phase error statistics of a phase-locked loop synchronized direct detection optical PPM communication system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Natarajan, Suresh; Gardner, C. S.

1987-01-01

Receiver timing synchronization of an optical Pulse-Position Modulation (PPM) communication system can be achieved using a phased-locked loop (PLL), provided the photodetector output is suitably processed. The magnitude of the PLL phase error is a good indicator of the timing error at the receiver decoder. The statistics of the phase error are investigated while varying several key system parameters such as PPM order, signal and background strengths, and PPL bandwidth. A practical optical communication system utilizing a laser diode transmitter and an avalanche photodiode in the receiver is described, and the sampled phase error data are presented. A linear regression analysis is applied to the data to obtain estimates of the relational constants involving the phase error variance and incident signal power.

Mathematical modeling and measurement of electric fields of electrode-based through-the-earth (TTE) communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Lincan; Zhou, Chenming; Reyes, Miguel; Whisner, Bruce; Damiano, Nicholas

2017-06-01

There are two types of through-the-earth (TTE) wireless communication in the mining industry: magnetic loop TTE and electrode-based (or linear) TTE. While the magnetic loop systems send signal through magnetic fields, the transmitter of an electrode-based TTE system sends signal directly through the mine overburden by driving an extremely low frequency (ELF) or ultralow frequency (ULF) AC current into the earth. The receiver at the other end (underground or surface) detects the resultant current and receives it as a voltage. A wireless communication link between surface and underground is then established. For electrode-based TTE communications, the signal is transmitted through the established electric field and is received as a voltage detected at the receiver. It is important to understand the electric field distribution within the mine overburden for the purpose of designing and improving the performance of the electrode-based TTE systems. In this paper, a complete explicit solution for all three electric field components for the electrode-based TTE communication was developed. An experiment was conducted using a prototype electrode-based TTE system developed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The mathematical model was then compared and validated with test data. A reasonable agreement was found between them.

Mathematical modeling and measurement of electric fields of electrode-based through-the-earth (TTE) communication.

PubMed

Yan, Lincan; Zhou, Chenming; Reyes, Miguel; Whisner, Bruce; Damiano, Nicholas

2017-07-12

There are two types of through-the-earth (TTE) wireless communication in the mining industry: magnetic loop TTE and electrode-based (or linear) TTE. While the magnetic loop systems send signal through magnetic fields, the transmitter of an electrode-based TTE system sends signal directly through the mine overburden by driving an extremely low frequency (ELF) or ultralow frequency (ULF) AC current into the earth. The receiver at the other end (underground or surface) detects the resultant current and receives it as a voltage. A wireless communication link between surface and underground is then established. For electrode-based TTE communications, the signal is transmitted through the established electric field and is received as a voltage detected at the receiver. It is important to understand the electric field distribution within the mine overburden for the purpose of designing and improving the performance of the electrode-based TTE systems. In this paper, a complete explicit solution for all three electric field components for the electrode-based TTE communication was developed. An experiment was conducted using a prototype electrode-based TTE system developed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The mathematical model was then compared and validated with test data. A reasonable agreement was found between them.

Mathematical modeling and measurement of electric fields of electrode-based through-the-earth (TTE) communication

PubMed Central

Yan, Lincan; Zhou, Chenming; Reyes, Miguel; Whisner, Bruce; Damiano, Nicholas

2017-01-01

There are two types of through-the-earth (TTE) wireless communication in the mining industry: magnetic loop TTE and electrode-based (or linear) TTE. While the magnetic loop systems send signal through magnetic fields, the transmitter of an electrode-based TTE system sends signal directly through the mine overburden by driving an extremely low frequency (ELF) or ultralow frequency (ULF) AC current into the earth. The receiver at the other end (underground or surface) detects the resultant current and receives it as a voltage. A wireless communication link between surface and underground is then established. For electrode-based TTE communications, the signal is transmitted through the established electric field and is received as a voltage detected at the receiver. It is important to understand the electric field distribution within the mine overburden for the purpose of designing and improving the performance of the electrode-based TTE systems. In this paper, a complete explicit solution for all three electric field components for the electrode-based TTE communication was developed. An experiment was conducted using a prototype electrode-based TTE system developed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The mathematical model was then compared and validated with test data. A reasonable agreement was found between them. PMID:28845062

Highly sensitive LIDAR with a thumb-sized sensor-head built using an optical fiber preamplifier (3)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, Daisuke; Ichikawa, Tadashi; Matsubara, Hiroyuki; Kagami, Manabu

2013-05-01

We have developed a LIDAR system with a sensor head which, although it includes a scanning mechanism, is less than 20 cc in size. The system is not only small, but is also highly sensitive. Our LIDAR system is based on time-of-flight measurements, and incorporates an optical fiber. The main feature of our system is the utilization of optical amplifiers for both the transmitter and the receiver, and the optical amplifiers enable us to exceed the detection limit set by thermal noise. In conventional LIDAR systems the detection limit is determined by the thermal noise, because the avalanche photo-diodes (APD) and trans-impedance amplifiers (TIA) that they use detect the received signals directly. In the case of our LIDAR system, the received signal is amplified by an optical fiber amplifier before reaching the photo diode and the TIA. Therefore, our LIDAR system boosts the signal level before the weak incoming signal is depleted by thermal noise. There are conditions under which the noise figure for the combination of an optical fiber amplifier and a photo diode is superior to the noise figure for an avalanche photo diode. We optimized the gains of the optical fiber amplifier and the TIA in our LIDAR system such that it would be capable of detecting a single photon. As a result, the detection limit of our system is determined by shot noise. We have previously demonstrated scanning up to a range of 80 m with this LIDAR system with a 2 mm diameter of receiving lens. We improved the optical amplifier and the peak output power of LIDAR was over 10KW. We redesigned the sensor-head and improved coupling efficiency. As a result, we succeeded in scanning over a range of 100 m. This small and highly sensitive measurement technology shows great potential for use in LIDAR.

Soft Decision Analyzer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steele, Glen; Lansdowne, Chatwin; Zucha, Joan; Schlensinger, Adam

2013-01-01

The Soft Decision Analyzer (SDA) is an instrument that combines hardware, firmware, and software to perform realtime closed-loop end-to-end statistical analysis of single- or dual- channel serial digital RF communications systems operating in very low signal-to-noise conditions. As an innovation, the unique SDA capabilities allow it to perform analysis of situations where the receiving communication system slips bits due to low signal-to-noise conditions or experiences constellation rotations resulting in channel polarity in versions or channel assignment swaps. SDA s closed-loop detection allows it to instrument a live system and correlate observations with frame, codeword, and packet losses, as well as Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) events. The SDA s abilities are not confined to performing analysis in low signal-to-noise conditions. Its analysis provides in-depth insight of a communication system s receiver performance in a variety of operating conditions. The SDA incorporates two techniques for identifying slips. The first is an examination of content of the received data stream s relation to the transmitted data content and the second is a direct examination of the receiver s recovered clock signals relative to a reference. Both techniques provide benefits in different ways and allow the communication engineer evaluating test results increased confidence and understanding of receiver performance. Direct examination of data contents is performed by two different data techniques, power correlation or a modified Massey correlation, and can be applied to soft decision data widths 1 to 12 bits wide over a correlation depth ranging from 16 to 512 samples. The SDA detects receiver bit slips within a 4 bits window and can handle systems with up to four quadrants (QPSK, SQPSK, and BPSK systems). The SDA continuously monitors correlation results to characterize slips and quadrant change and is capable of performing analysis even when the receiver under test is subjected to conditions where its performance degrades to high error rates (30 percent or beyond). The design incorporates a number of features, such as watchdog triggers that permit the SDA system to recover from large receiver upsets automatically and continue accumulating performance analysis unaided by operator intervention. This accommodates tests that can last in the order of days in order to gain statistical confidence in results and is also useful for capturing snapshots of rare events.

Probability of acoustic transmitter detections by receiver lines in Lake Huron: results of multi-year field tests and simulations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hayden, Todd A.; Holbrook, Christopher M.; Binder, Thomas; Dettmers, John M.; Cooke, Steven J.; Vandergoot, Christopher S.; Krueger, Charles C.

2016-01-01

BackgroundAdvances in acoustic telemetry technology have led to an improved understanding of the spatial ecology of many freshwater and marine fish species. Understanding the performance of acoustic receivers is necessary to distinguish between tagged fish that may have been present but not detected and from those fish that were absent from the area. In this study, two stationary acoustic transmitters were deployed 250 m apart within each of four acoustic receiver lines each containing at least 10 receivers (i.e., eight acoustic transmitters) located in Saginaw Bay and central Lake Huron for nearly 2 years to determine whether the probability of detecting an acoustic transmission varied as a function of time (i.e., season), location, and distance between acoustic transmitter and receiver. Distances between acoustic transmitters and receivers ranged from 200 m to >10 km in each line. The daily observed probability of detecting an acoustic transmission was used in simulation models to estimate the probability of detecting a moving acoustic transmitter on a line of receivers.ResultsThe probability of detecting an acoustic transmitter on a receiver 1000 m away differed by month for different receiver lines in Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay but was similar for paired acoustic transmitters deployed 250 m apart within the same line. Mean probability of detecting an acoustic transmitter at 1000 m calculated over the study period varied among acoustic transmitters 250 m apart within a line and differed among receiver lines in Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. The simulated probability of detecting a moving acoustic transmitter on a receiver line was characterized by short periods of time with decreased detection. Although increased receiver spacing and higher fish movement rates decreased simulated detection probability, the location of the simulated receiver line in Lake Huron had the strongest effect on simulated detection probability.ConclusionsPerformance of receiver lines in Lake Huron varied across a range of spatiotemporal scales and was inconsistent among receiver lines. Our simulations indicated that if 69 kHz acoustic transmitters operating at 158 dB in 10–30 m of freshwater were being used, then receivers should be placed 1000 m apart to ensure that all fish moving at 1 m s−1 or less will be detected 90% of days over a 2-year period. Whereas these results can be used as general guidelines for designing new studies, the irregular variation in acoustic transmitter detection probabilities we observed among receiver line locations in Lake Huron makes designing receiver lines in similar systems challenging and emphasizes the need to conduct post hoc analyses of acoustic transmitter detection probabilities.

Targeted Iron Chelation Will Improve Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

Pasta test and Cylinder test were utilized since they directly assess forepaw function. Briefly, the Pasta test looks at the ability of the animal to...manipulate a piece of uncooked elbow pasta and this test is able to detect Normal, Abnormal, and Transitional forepaw movement. The transitional...animals that received deferiprone exhibited a greater percentage of transitional movements while eating the piece of pasta (Figure 15B), indicating

Mine Sweeping System for Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Mines.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-12-29

be detected. One example of the latter type of system is a conventional sonar device wherein a directional beam of acoustic energy periodically...Although satisfactory for many uses, sonar devices have several inherent limitations. Nearby objects can cause echoes and these may obscure the echo of...electromagnetic signal and sends it to the preamplifier 601. The preamplifier 601 increases the strength of the received electrical signal before sending it

Signal detection by means of orthogonal decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hajdu, C. F.; Dabóczi, T.; Péceli, G.; Zamantzas, C.

2018-03-01

Matched filtering is a well-known method frequently used in digital signal processing to detect the presence of a pattern in a signal. In this paper, we suggest a time variant matched filter, which, unlike a regular matched filter, maintains a given alignment between the input signal and the template carrying the pattern, and can be realized recursively. We introduce a method to synchronize the two signals for presence detection, usable in case direct synchronization between the signal generator and the receiver is not possible or not practical. We then propose a way of realizing and extending the same filter by modifying a recursive spectral observer, which gives rise to orthogonal filter channels and also leads to another way to synchronize the two signals.

Optical single side-band Nyquist PAM-4 transmission using dual-drive MZM modulation and direct detection.

PubMed

Zhu, Mingyue; Zhang, Jing; Yi, Xingwen; Ying, Hao; Li, Xiang; Luo, Ming; Song, Yingxiong; Huang, Xiatao; Qiu, Kun

2018-03-19

We present the design and optimization of the optical single side-band (SSB) Nyquist four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) transmission using dual-drive Mach-Zehnder modulator (DDMZM)modulation and direct detection (DD), aiming at the C-band cost-effective, high-speed and long-distance transmission. At the transmitter, the laser line width should be small to avoid the phase noise to amplitude noise conversion and equalization-enhanced phase noise due to the large chromatic dispersion (CD). The optical SSB signal is generated after optimizing the optical modulation index (OMI) and hence the minimum phase condition which is required by the Kramers-Kronig (KK) receiver can also be satisfied. At the receiver, a simple AC-coupled photodiode (PD) is used and a virtual carrier is added for the KK operation to alleviate the signal-to-signal beating interference (SSBI).A Volterra filter (VF) is cascaded for remaining nonlinearities mitigation. When the fiber nonlinearity becomes significant, we elect to use an optical band-pass filter with offset filtering. It can suppress the simulated Brillouin scattering and the conjugated distortion by filtering out the imaging frequency components. With our design and optimization, we achieve single-channel, single polarization 102.4-Gb/s Nyquist PAM-4 over 800-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF).

Optical multi-species gas monitoring sensor and system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Korman, Valentin (Inventor); Polzin, Kurt A. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

The system includes at least one light source generating light energy having a corresponding wavelength. The system's sensor is based on an optical interferometer that receives light energy from each light source. The interferometer includes a free-space optical path disposed in an environment of interest. The system's sensor includes an optical device disposed in the optical path that causes light energy of a first selected wavelength to continue traversing the optical path whereas light energy of at least one second selected wavelength is directed away from the optical path. The interferometer generates an interference between the light energy of the first selected wavelength so-traversing the optical path with the light energy at the corresponding wavelength incident on the optical interferometer. A first optical detector detects the interference. At least one second detector detects the light energy at the at least one second selected wavelength directed away from the optical path.

Directed Design of Experiments for Validating Probability of Detection Capability of a Testing System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Generazio, Edward R. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A method of validating a probability of detection (POD) testing system using directed design of experiments (DOE) includes recording an input data set of observed hit and miss or analog data for sample components as a function of size of a flaw in the components. The method also includes processing the input data set to generate an output data set having an optimal class width, assigning a case number to the output data set, and generating validation instructions based on the assigned case number. An apparatus includes a host machine for receiving the input data set from the testing system and an algorithm for executing DOE to validate the test system. The algorithm applies DOE to the input data set to determine a data set having an optimal class width, assigns a case number to that data set, and generates validation instructions based on the case number.

78 FR 79333 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-30

...We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-12- 12, for certain Airbus Model A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes. AD 2000-12-12 currently requires inspecting to detect cracks in the lower spar axis of the nacelle pylon between ribs 9 and 10, and repair if necessary. AD 2000-12-12 also provides for optional modification of the pylon, which terminates the inspections for Model A300 series airplanes. Since we issued AD 2000-12-12, we have received reports of cracking of the lower pylon spar after accomplishing the existing modification and have determined that shorter initial and repetitive inspection compliance times are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would reduce the initial and repetitive inspection compliance times. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the lower spar of the nacelle pylon.

Modeling convection-diffusion-reaction systems for microfluidic molecular communications with surface-based receivers in Internet of Bio-Nano Things

PubMed Central

Akan, Ozgur B.

2018-01-01

We consider a microfluidic molecular communication (MC) system, where the concentration-encoded molecular messages are transported via fluid flow-induced convection and diffusion, and detected by a surface-based MC receiver with ligand receptors placed at the bottom of the microfluidic channel. The overall system is a convection-diffusion-reaction system that can only be solved by numerical methods, e.g., finite element analysis (FEA). However, analytical models are key for the information and communication technology (ICT), as they enable an optimisation framework to develop advanced communication techniques, such as optimum detection methods and reliable transmission schemes. In this direction, we develop an analytical model to approximate the expected time course of bound receptor concentration, i.e., the received signal used to decode the transmitted messages. The model obviates the need for computationally expensive numerical methods by capturing the nonlinearities caused by laminar flow resulting in parabolic velocity profile, and finite number of ligand receptors leading to receiver saturation. The model also captures the effects of reactive surface depletion layer resulting from the mass transport limitations and moving reaction boundary originated from the passage of finite-duration molecular concentration pulse over the receiver surface. Based on the proposed model, we derive closed form analytical expressions that approximate the received pulse width, pulse delay and pulse amplitude, which can be used to optimize the system from an ICT perspective. We evaluate the accuracy of the proposed model by comparing model-based analytical results to the numerical results obtained by solving the exact system model with COMSOL Multiphysics. PMID:29415019

Modeling convection-diffusion-reaction systems for microfluidic molecular communications with surface-based receivers in Internet of Bio-Nano Things.

PubMed

Kuscu, Murat; Akan, Ozgur B

2018-01-01

We consider a microfluidic molecular communication (MC) system, where the concentration-encoded molecular messages are transported via fluid flow-induced convection and diffusion, and detected by a surface-based MC receiver with ligand receptors placed at the bottom of the microfluidic channel. The overall system is a convection-diffusion-reaction system that can only be solved by numerical methods, e.g., finite element analysis (FEA). However, analytical models are key for the information and communication technology (ICT), as they enable an optimisation framework to develop advanced communication techniques, such as optimum detection methods and reliable transmission schemes. In this direction, we develop an analytical model to approximate the expected time course of bound receptor concentration, i.e., the received signal used to decode the transmitted messages. The model obviates the need for computationally expensive numerical methods by capturing the nonlinearities caused by laminar flow resulting in parabolic velocity profile, and finite number of ligand receptors leading to receiver saturation. The model also captures the effects of reactive surface depletion layer resulting from the mass transport limitations and moving reaction boundary originated from the passage of finite-duration molecular concentration pulse over the receiver surface. Based on the proposed model, we derive closed form analytical expressions that approximate the received pulse width, pulse delay and pulse amplitude, which can be used to optimize the system from an ICT perspective. We evaluate the accuracy of the proposed model by comparing model-based analytical results to the numerical results obtained by solving the exact system model with COMSOL Multiphysics.

Direct current power delivery system and method

DOEpatents

Zhang, Di; Garces, Luis Jose; Dai, Jian; Lai, Rixin

2016-09-06

A power transmission system includes a first unit for carrying out the steps of receiving high voltage direct current (HVDC) power from an HVDC power line, generating an alternating current (AC) component indicative of a status of the first unit, and adding the AC component to the HVDC power line. Further, the power transmission system includes a second unit for carrying out the steps of generating a direct current (DC) voltage to transfer the HVDC power on the HVDC power line, wherein the HVDC power line is coupled between the first unit and the second unit, detecting a presence or an absence of the added AC component in the HVDC power line, and determining the status of the first unit based on the added AC component.

Analysis of compound parabolic concentrators and aperture averaging to mitigate fading on free-space optical links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasiczko, Linda M.; Smolyaninov, Igor I.; Davis, Christopher C.

2004-01-01

Free space optics (FSO) is one solution to the bandwidth bottleneck resulting from increased demand for broadband access. It is well known that atmospheric turbulence distorts the wavefront of a laser beam propagating through the atmosphere. This research investigates methods of reducing the effects of intensity scintillation and beam wander on the performance of free space optical communication systems, by characterizing system enhancement using either aperture averaging techniques or nonimaging optics. Compound Parabolic Concentrators, nonimaging optics made famous by Winston and Welford, are inexpensive elements that may be easily integrated into intensity modulation-direct detection receivers to reduce fading caused by beam wander and spot breakup in the focal plane. Aperture averaging provides a methodology to show the improvement of a given receiver aperture diameter in averaging out the optical scintillations over the received wavefront.

Hydraulic impulse generator and frequency sweep mechanism for borehole applications

DOEpatents

Kolle, Jack J.; Marvin, Mark H.; Theimer, Kenneth J.

2006-11-21

This invention discloses a valve that generates a hydraulic negative pressure pulse and a frequency modulator for the creation of a powerful, broadband swept impulse seismic signal at the drill bit during drilling operations. The signal can be received at monitoring points on the surface or underground locations using geophones. The time required for the seismic signal to travel from the source to the receiver directly and via reflections is used to calculate seismic velocity and other formation properties near the source and between the source and receiver. This information can be used for vertical seismic profiling of formations drilled, to check the location of the bit, or to detect the presence of abnormal pore pressure ahead of the bit. The hydraulic negative pressure pulse can also be used to enhance drilling and production of wells.

Micro-pulse upconversion Doppler lidar for wind and visibility detection in the atmospheric boundary layer.

PubMed

Xia, Haiyun; Shangguan, Mingjia; Wang, Chong; Shentu, Guoliang; Qiu, Jiawei; Zhang, Qiang; Dou, Xiankang; Pan, Jianwei

2016-11-15

For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a compact, eye-safe, and versatile direct detection Doppler lidar is developed using an upconversion single-photon detection method at 1.5 μm. An all-fiber and polarization maintaining architecture is realized to guarantee the high optical coupling efficiency and the robust stability. Using integrated-optic components, the conservation of etendue of the optical receiver is achieved by manufacturing a fiber-coupled periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide and an all-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI). The double-edge technique is implemented by using a convert single-channel FPI and a single upconversion detector, incorporating a time-division multiplexing method. The backscatter photons at 1548.1 nm are converted into 863 nm via mixing with a pump laser at 1950 nm. The relative error of the system is less than 0.1% over nine weeks. In experiments, atmospheric wind and visibility over 48 h are detected in the boundary layer. The lidar shows good agreement with the ultrasonic wind sensor, with a standard deviation of 1.04 m/s in speed and 12.3° in direction.

Safety and biodistribution of a double-deleted oncolytic vaccinia virus encoding CD40 ligand in laboratory Beagles

PubMed Central

Autio, Karoliina; Knuuttila, Anna; Kipar, Anja; Pesonen, Sari; Guse, Kilian; Parviainen, Suvi; Rajamäki, Minna; Laitinen-Vapaavuori, Outi; Vähä-Koskela, Markus; Kanerva, Anna; Hemminki, Akseli

2014-01-01

We evaluated adverse events, biodistribution and shedding of oncolytic vaccinia virus encoding CD40 ligand in two Beagles, in preparation for a phase 1 trial in canine cancer patients. Dog 1 received one dose of vaccinia virus and was euthanized 24 hours afterwards, while dog 2 received virus four times once weekly and was euthanized 7 days after that. Dogs were monitored for adverse events and underwent a detailed postmortem examination. Blood, saliva, urine, feces, and organs were collected for virus detection. Dog 1 had mild fever and lethargy while dog 2 experienced a possible seizure 5.5 hours after first virus administration. Viral DNA declined quickly in the blood after virus administration in both dogs but was still detectable 1 week later by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Only samples taken directly after virus infusion contained infectious virus. Small amounts of viral DNA, but no infectious virus, were detected in a few saliva and urine samples. Necropsies did not reveal any relevant pathological changes and virus DNA was detected mainly in the spleen. The dogs in the study did not have cancer, and thus adverse events could be more common and viral load higher in dogs with tumors which allow viral amplification. PMID:27119092

A multisensor system for detection and characterization of UXO(MM-0437) - Demonstration Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gasperikova, Erika; Smith, J.T.; Morrison, H.F.

2006-06-01

The Berkeley UXO discriminator (BUD) (Figure 1) is a portable Active Electromagnetic (AEM) system for UXO detection and characterization that quickly determines the location, size, and symmetry properties of a suspected UXO. The BUD comprises of three orthogonal transmitters that 'illuminate' a target with fields in three independent directions in order to stimulate the three polarization modes that, in general, characterize the target EM response. In addition, the BUD uses eight pairs of differenced receivers for response recording. Eight receiver coils are placed horizontally along the two diagonals of the upper and lower planes of the two horizontal transmitter loops.more » These receiver coil pairs are located on symmetry lines through the center of the system and each pair sees identical fields during the on-time of the pulse in all of the transmitter coils. They are wired in opposition to produce zero output during the on-time of the pulses in three orthogonal transmitters. Moreover, this configuration dramatically reduces noise in the measurements by canceling the background electromagnetic fields (these fields are uniform over the scale of the receiver array and are consequently nulled by the differencing operation), and by canceling the noise contributed by the tilt of the receivers in the Earth's magnetic field, and greatly enhances receivers sensitivity to the gradients of the target response. The BUD performs target characterization from a single position of the sensor platform above a target. BUD was designed to detect and characterize UXO in the 20 mm to 155 mm size range for depths between 0 and 1 m. The relationship between the object size and the depth at which it can be detected is illustrated in Figure 2. This curve was calculated for BUD assuming that the receiver plane is 20 cm above the ground. Figure 2 shows that, for example, BUD can detect and characterize an object with 10 cm diameter down to the depth of 90 cm with depth uncertainty of 10%. Any objects buried at the depth more than 1 m have a low probability of detection. With existing algorithms in the system computer it is not possible to recover the principal polarizabilities of large objects close to the system. Detection of large shallow objects is assured, but at present real time discrimination for shallow objects is not. Post processing of the field data is required for shape discrimination of large shallow targets. Next generation of BUD software will not have this limitation. Successful application of the inversion algorithm that solves for the target parameters is contingent upon resolution of this limitation. At the moment, interpretation software is developed for a single object only. In case of multiple objects the software indicates the presence of a cluster of objects but is unable to provide characteristics of each individual object.« less

2-micron Pulsed Direct Detection IPDA Lidar for Atmospheric CO2 Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, J.; Singh, U.; Petros, M.

2012-12-01

A 2-micron high energy, pulsed Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar is being developed for atmospheric CO2 measurements. Development of this lidar heavily leverages the 2-micron laser technologies developed in LaRC over the last decade. The high pulse energy, direct detection lidar operating at CO2 2-micron absorption band provides an alternate approach to measure CO2 concentrations with significant advantages. It is expected to provide high-precision measurement capability by unambiguously eliminating contamination from aerosols and clouds that can bias the IPDA measurement. Our objective is to integrate an existing high energy double-pulsed 2-micron laser transmitter with a direct detection receiver and telescope to enable an airborne capability to perform a first proof of principle demonstration of airborne direct detection CO2 measurements. The 2-micron transmitter provides 100mJ at 10Hz with double pulse format specifically designed for DIAL/IPDA instrument. The compact, rugged, highly reliable transceiver is based on unique Ho:Tm:YLF high-energy 2-micron pulsed laser technology. All the optical mounts are custom designed and have space heritage. A 16-inch diameter telescope has been designed and being manufactured for the direct detection lidar. The detector is an InGaAs Positive-Intrinsic-Negative (PIN) photodiode manufactured by Hamamatsu Corporation. The performance of the detector is characterized at various operating temperatures and bias voltages for spectral response, NEP, response time, dynamic range, and linearity. A collinear lidar structure is designed to be integrated to NASA UC12 or B200 research aircrafts. This paper will describe the design of the airborne 2-micron pulsed IPDA lidar system; the lidar operation parameters; the wavelength pair selection; laser transmitter energy, pulse rate, beam divergence, double pulse generation and accurate frequency control; detector characterization; telescope design; lidar structure design; and lidar signal to noise ratio estimation. The first engineering flight is scheduled at the end of next year.

Hybrid catadioptric system for advanced optical cavity velocimetry

DOEpatents

Frayer, Daniel K.

2018-02-06

A probe including reflector is disclosed to measure the velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the surface by the probe and then reflected back from the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface, collected into probe, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to one or more lens groups and a reflector, such as a parabolic reflector having a mirrored interior surface.

Laser pulse detection method and apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goss, W.; Janesick, J. R. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

A sensor is described for detecting the difference in phase of a pair of returned light pulse components, such as two components of a light pulse of an optical gyro. In an optic gyro, the two light components have passed in opposite directions through a coil of optical fiber, with the difference in phase of the returned light components determining the intensity of light shining on the sensor. The sensor includes a CCD (charge coupled device) that receives the pair of returned light components to generate a charge proportional to the number of photons in the received light. The amount of the charge represents the phase difference between the two light components. At a time after the transmission of the light pulse and before the expected time of arrival of the interfering light components, charge accumulating in the CCD as a result of reflections from components in the system, are repeatedly removed from the CCD, by transferring out charges in the CCD and dumping these charges.

Direct-detection Free-space Laser Transceiver Test-bed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krainak, Michael A.; Chen, Jeffrey R.; Dabney, Philip W.; Ferrara, Jeffrey F.; Fong, Wai H.; Martino, Anthony J.; McGarry Jan. F.; Merkowitz, Stephen M.; Principe, Caleb M.; Sun, Siaoli;

Parkinsonian rest tremor can be detected accurately based on neuronal oscillations recorded from the subthalamic nucleus.

PubMed

Hirschmann, J; Schoffelen, J M; Schnitzler, A; van Gerven, M A J

2017-10-01

To investigate the possibility of tremor detection based on deep brain activity. We re-analyzed recordings of local field potentials (LFPs) from the subthalamic nucleus in 10 PD patients (12 body sides) with spontaneously fluctuating rest tremor. Power in several frequency bands was estimated and used as input to Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) which classified short data segments as either tremor-free rest or rest tremor. HMMs were compared to direct threshold application to individual power features. Applying a threshold directly to band-limited power was insufficient for tremor detection (mean area under the curve [AUC] of receiver operating characteristic: 0.64, STD: 0.19). Multi-feature HMMs, in contrast, allowed for accurate detection (mean AUC: 0.82, STD: 0.15), using four power features obtained from a single contact pair. Within-patient training yielded better accuracy than across-patient training (0.84vs. 0.78, p=0.03), yet tremor could often be detected accurately with either approach. High frequency oscillations (>200Hz) were the best performing individual feature. LFP-based markers of tremor are robust enough to allow for accurate tremor detection in short data segments, provided that appropriate statistical models are used. LFP-based markers of tremor could be useful control signals for closed-loop deep brain stimulation. Copyright © 2017 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Signal existence verification (SEV) for GPS low received power signal detection using the time-frequency approach.

PubMed

Jan, Shau-Shiun; Sun, Chih-Cheng

2010-01-01

The detection of low received power of global positioning system (GPS) signals in the signal acquisition process is an important issue for GPS applications. Improving the miss-detection problem of low received power signal is crucial, especially for urban or indoor environments. This paper proposes a signal existence verification (SEV) process to detect and subsequently verify low received power GPS signals. The SEV process is based on the time-frequency representation of GPS signal, and it can capture the characteristic of GPS signal in the time-frequency plane to enhance the GPS signal acquisition performance. Several simulations and experiments are conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed method for low received power signal detection. The contribution of this work is that the SEV process is an additional scheme to assist the GPS signal acquisition process in low received power signal detection, without changing the original signal acquisition or tracking algorithms.

Theoretical analysis of the performance of code division multiple access communications over multimode optical fiber channels. Part 1: Transmission and detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Ernest L.

1994-05-01

This paper presents results of a theoretical investigation to evaluate the performance of code division multiple access communications over multimode optical fiber channels in an asynchronous, multiuser communication network environment. The system is evaluated using Gold sequences for spectral spreading of the baseband signal from each user employing direct-sequence biphase shift keying and intensity modulation techniques. The transmission channel model employed is a lossless linear system approximation of the field transfer function for the alpha -profile multimode optical fiber. Due to channel model complexity, a correlation receiver model employing a suboptimal receive filter was used in calculating the peak output signal at the ith receiver. In Part 1, the performance measures for the system, i.e., signal-to-noise ratio and bit error probability for the ith receiver, are derived as functions of channel characteristics, spectral spreading, number of active users, and the bit energy to noise (white) spectral density ratio. In Part 2, the overall system performance is evaluated.

Receiver sensitivity improvement in spectrally-efficient guard-band twin-SSB-OFDM using an optical IQ modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ming; Peng, Miao; Zhou, Hui; Zheng, Zhiwei; Tang, Xionggui; Maivan, Lap

2017-12-01

To further improve receiver sensitivity of spectrally-efficient guard-band direct-detection optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) with twin single-side-band (SSB) modulation technique, an optical IQ modulator (IQM) is employed to optimize optical carrier-to-signal power ratio (CSPR). The CSPRs for the guard-band twin-SSB-OFDM signal generated by using dual-drive Mach-Zehnder modulator (DD-MZM) and optical IQM are theoretically analyzed and supported by simulations. The optimal CSPR for the two types of guard-band twin-SSB-OFDM are identified. The simulations exhibit that the error vector magnitude (EVM) performance of the IQM-enabled guard-band twin-SSB-OFDM is improved by more than 4-dB compared to that of the twin-SSB-OFDM enabled by DD-MZM after 80-km single-mode fiber (SMF) transmission. In addition, more than 3-dB and 10 dB receiver sensitivity improvements in terms of received optical power (ROP) and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) are also achieved, respectively.

Impact of random pointing and tracking errors on the design of coherent and incoherent optical intersatellite communication links

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Chien-Chung; Gardner, Chester S.

1989-01-01

Given the rms transmitter pointing error and the desired probability of bit error (PBE), it can be shown that an optimal transmitter antenna gain exists which minimizes the required transmitter power. Given the rms local oscillator tracking error, an optimum receiver antenna gain can be found which optimizes the receiver performance. The impact of pointing and tracking errors on the design of direct-detection pulse-position modulation (PPM) and heterodyne noncoherent frequency-shift keying (NCFSK) systems are then analyzed in terms of constraints on the antenna size and the power penalty incurred. It is shown that in the limit of large spatial tracking errors, the advantage in receiver sensitivity for the heterodyne system is quickly offset by the smaller antenna gain and the higher power penalty due to tracking errors. In contrast, for systems with small spatial tracking errors, the heterodyne system is superior because of the higher receiver sensitivity.

Interference-Detection Module in a Digital Radar Receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischman, Mark; Berkun, Andrew; Chu, Anhua; Freedman, Adam; Jourdan, Michael; McWatters, Dalia; Paller, Mimi

2009-01-01

A digital receiver in a 1.26-GHz spaceborne radar scatterometer now undergoing development includes a module for detecting radio-frequency interference (RFI) that could contaminate scientific data intended to be acquired by the scatterometer. The role of the RFI-detection module is to identify time intervals during which the received signal is likely to be contaminated by RFI and thereby to enable exclusion, from further scientific data processing, of signal data acquired during those intervals. The underlying concepts of detection of RFI and rejection of RFI-contaminated signal data are also potentially applicable in advanced terrestrial radio receivers, including software-defined radio receivers in general, receivers in cellular telephones and other wireless consumer electronic devices, and receivers in automotive collision-avoidance radar systems.

Cardiac Gene Expression Knockdown Using Small Inhibitory RNA-Loaded Microbubbles and Ultrasound.

PubMed

Kopechek, Jonathan A; Carson, Andrew R; McTiernan, Charles F; Chen, Xucai; Klein, Edwin C; Villanueva, Flordeliza S

2016-01-01

RNA interference has potential therapeutic value for cardiac disease, but targeted delivery of interfering RNA is a challenge. Custom designed microbubbles, in conjunction with ultrasound, can deliver small inhibitory RNA to target tissues in vivo. The efficacy of cardiac RNA interference using a microbubble-ultrasound theranostic platform has not been demonstrated in vivo. Therefore, our objective was to test the hypothesis that custom designed microbubbles and ultrasound can mediate effective delivery of small inhibitory RNA to the heart. Microbubble and ultrasound mediated cardiac RNA interference was tested in transgenic mice displaying cardiac-restricted luciferase expression. Luciferase expression was assayed in select tissues of untreated mice (n = 14). Mice received intravenous infusion of cationic microbubbles bearing small inhibitory RNA directed against luciferase (n = 9) or control RNA (n = 8) during intermittent cardiac-directed ultrasound at mechanical index of 1.6. Simultaneous echocardiography in a separate group of mice (n = 3) confirmed microbubble destruction and replenishment during treatment. Three days post treatment, cardiac luciferase messenger RNA and protein levels were significantly lower in ultrasound-treated mice receiving microbubbles loaded with small inhibitory RNA directed against luciferase compared to mice receiving microbubbles bearing control RNA (23±7% and 33±7% of control mice, p<0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). Passive cavitation detection focused on the heart confirmed that insonification resulted in inertial cavitation. In conclusion, small inhibitory RNA-loaded microbubbles and ultrasound directed at the heart significantly reduced the expression of a reporter gene. Ultrasound-targeted destruction of RNA-loaded microbubbles may be an effective image-guided strategy for therapeutic RNA interference in cardiac disease.

X ray sensitive area detection device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carter, Daniel C. (Inventor); Witherow, William K. (Inventor); Pusey, Marc L. (Inventor); Yost, Vaughn H. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A radiation sensitive area detection device is disclosed which comprises a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by a pattern of incoming x rays, UV, or other radiation falling on the film. The device is capable of fluorescing in response to stimulation by a light source in a manner directly proportional to the stored radiation pattern. The device includes: (1) a light source capable of projecting light or other appropriate electromagnetic wave on the film so as to cause it to fluoresce; (2) a means to focus the fluoresced light coming from the phosphor-containing film after light stimulation; and (3) at least one charged coupled detector or other detecting element capable of receiving and digitizing the pattern of fluoresced light coming from the phosphor-containing film. The device will be able to generate superior x ray images of high resolution from a crystal or other sample and will be particularly advantageous in that instantaneous near-real-time images of rapidly deteriorating samples can be obtained. Furthermore, the device can be made compact and sturdy, thus capable of carrying out x ray or other radiation imaging under a variety of conditions, including those experienced in space.

A Direct Brain-to-Brain Interface in Humans

PubMed Central

Rao, Rajesh P. N.; Stocco, Andrea; Bryan, Matthew; Sarma, Devapratim; Youngquist, Tiffany M.; Wu, Joseph; Prat, Chantel S.

2014-01-01

We describe the first direct brain-to-brain interface in humans and present results from experiments involving six different subjects. Our non-invasive interface, demonstrated originally in August 2013, combines electroencephalography (EEG) for recording brain signals with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for delivering information to the brain. We illustrate our method using a visuomotor task in which two humans must cooperate through direct brain-to-brain communication to achieve a desired goal in a computer game. The brain-to-brain interface detects motor imagery in EEG signals recorded from one subject (the “sender”) and transmits this information over the internet to the motor cortex region of a second subject (the “receiver”). This allows the sender to cause a desired motor response in the receiver (a press on a touchpad) via TMS. We quantify the performance of the brain-to-brain interface in terms of the amount of information transmitted as well as the accuracies attained in (1) decoding the sender’s signals, (2) generating a motor response from the receiver upon stimulation, and (3) achieving the overall goal in the cooperative visuomotor task. Our results provide evidence for a rudimentary form of direct information transmission from one human brain to another using non-invasive means. PMID:25372285

Multiband phase-modulated radio over IsOWC link with balanced coherent homodyne detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zong, Kang; Zhu, Jiang

2017-11-01

In this paper, we present a multiband phase-modulated radio over intersatellite optical wireless communication (IsOWC) link with balanced coherent homodyne detection. The proposed system can provide high linearity for transparent transport of multiband radio frequency (RF) signals and better receiver sensitivity than intensity modulated with direct detection (IM/DD) system. The exact analytical expression of signal to noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) is derived considering the third-order intermodulation product and amplifier spontaneous emission (ASE) noise. Numerical results of SNDR with various number of subchannels and modulation index are given. Results indicate that the optimal modulation index exists to maximize the SNDR. With the same system parameters, the value of the optimal modulation index will decrease with the increase of number of subchannels.

Space-borne remote sensing of CO2 by IPDA lidar with heterodyne detection: random error estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matvienko, G. G.; Sukhanov, A. Y.

2015-11-01

Possibilities of measuring the CO2 column concentration by spaceborne integrated path differential lidar (IPDA) signals in the near IR absorption bands are investigated. It is shown that coherent detection principles applied in the nearinfrared spectral region promise a high sensitivity for the measurement of the integrated dry air column mixing ratio of the CO2. The simulations indicate that for CO2 the target observational requirements (0.2%) for the relative random error can be met with telescope aperture 0.5 m, detector bandwidth 10 MHz, laser energy per impulse 0.3 mJ and averaging 7500 impulses. It should also be noted that heterodyne technique allows to significantly reduce laser power and receiver overall dimensions compared to direct detection.

Potential of OFDM for next generation optical access

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fritzsche, Daniel; Weis, Erik; Breuer, Dirk

2011-01-01

This paper shows the requirements for next generation optical access (NGOA) networks and analyzes the potential of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) for the use in such network scenarios. First, we show the motivation for NGOA systems based on the future requirements on FTTH access systems and list the advantages of OFDM in such scenarios. In the next part, the basics of OFDM and different methods to generate and detect optical OFDM signals are explained and analyzed. At the transmitter side the options include intensity modulation and the more advanced field modulation of the optical OFDM signal. At the receiver there is the choice between direct detection and coherent detection. As the result of this discussion we show our vision of the future use of OFDM in optical access networks.

Orbital-angular-momentum mode-group multiplexed transmission over a graded-index ring-core fiber based on receive diversity and maximal ratio combining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Junwei; Zhu, Guoxuan; Liu, Jie; Wu, Xiong; Zhu, Jiangbo; Du, Cheng; Luo, Wenyong; Chen, Yujie; Yu, Siyuan

2018-02-01

An orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) mode-group multiplexing (MGM) scheme based on a graded-index ring-core fiber (GIRCF) is proposed, in which a single-input two-output (or receive diversity) architecture is designed for each MG channel and simple digital signal processing (DSP) is utilized to adaptively resist the mode partition noise resulting from random intra-group mode crosstalk. There is no need of complex multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) equalization in this scheme. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signals can be improved if a simple maximal ratio combining (MRC) technique is employed on the receiver side to efficiently take advantage of the diversity gain of receiver. Intensity-modulated direct-detection (IM-DD) systems transmitting three OAM mode groups with total 100-Gb/s discrete multi-tone (DMT) signals over a 1-km GIRCF and two OAM mode groups with total 40-Gb/s DMT signals over an 18-km GIRCF are experimentally demonstrated, respectively, to confirm the feasibility of our proposed OAM-MGM scheme.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

opics include: High-Rate Digital Receiver Board; Signal Design for Improved Ranging Among Multiple Transceivers; Automated Analysis, Classification, and Display of Waveforms; Fast-Acquisition/Weak-Signal-Tracking GPS Receiver for HEO; Format for Interchange and Display of 3D Terrain Data; Program Analyzes Radar Altimeter Data; Indoor Navigation using Direction Sensor and Beacons; Software Assists in Responding to Anomalous Conditions; Software for Autonomous Spacecraft Maneuvers; WinPlot; Software for Automated Testing of Mission-Control Displays; Nanocarpets for Trapping Microscopic Particles; Precious-Metal Salt Coatings for Detecting Hydrazines; Amplifying Electrochemical Indicators; Better End-Cap Processing for Oxidation-Resistant Polyimides; Carbon-Fiber Brush Heat Exchangers; Solar-Powered Airplane with Cameras and WLAN; A Resonator for Low-Threshold Frequency Conversion; Masked Proportional Routing; Algorithm Determines Wind Speed and Direction from Venturi-Sensor Data; Feature-Identification and Data-Compression Software; Alternative Attitude Commanding and Control for Precise Spacecraft Landing; Inspecting Friction Stir Welding using Electromagnetic Probes; and Helicity in Supercritical O2/H2 and C7H16/N2 Mixing Layers.

A dual-process account of auditory change detection.

PubMed

McAnally, Ken I; Martin, Russell L; Eramudugolla, Ranmalee; Stuart, Geoffrey W; Irvine, Dexter R F; Mattingley, Jason B

2010-08-01

Listeners can be "deaf" to a substantial change in a scene comprising multiple auditory objects unless their attention has been directed to the changed object. It is unclear whether auditory change detection relies on identification of the objects in pre- and post-change scenes. We compared the rates at which listeners correctly identify changed objects with those predicted by change-detection models based on signal detection theory (SDT) and high-threshold theory (HTT). Detected changes were not identified as accurately as predicted by models based on either theory, suggesting that some changes are detected by a process that does not support change identification. Undetected changes were identified as accurately as predicted by the HTT model but much less accurately than predicted by the SDT models. The process underlying change detection was investigated further by determining receiver-operating characteristics (ROCs). ROCs did not conform to those predicted by either a SDT or a HTT model but were well modeled by a dual-process that incorporated HTT and SDT components. The dual-process model also accurately predicted the rates at which detected and undetected changes were correctly identified.

The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull and 2011 Grimsvötn ash plumes as seen by GPS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grapenthin, R.; Hreinsdottir, S.; Gudmundsson, M. T.

2015-12-01

The injection of a volcanic plume introduces a dynamic, localized, short-term heterogeneity in the atmosphere. Satellite-imagery based remote sensing techniques provide good spatial coverage for the detection of such plumes, but slow satellite repeat times (>30 minutes) and cloud cover can delay, if not entirely prevent, the detection. GPS, in turn, provides excellent temporal coverage, but requires favorable satellite-station-geometry such that the signal propagates through the plume if it is to be used for plume detection and analysis. Two methods exist to detect / analyze ash plumes with GPS: (a) Ash-heavy plumes result in signal dispersion and hence a lowered signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A lowered SNR, recorded by some receivers, can provide useful information about the plume, such as location and velocity of ascent. These data can be evaluated directly as they are recorded by the receiver; without the need of solving for a receiver's position. (b) Wet plumes refract the GPS signals piercing the plume and hence induce a propagation delay. When solving for a receiver position GPS analysis tools do not model this localized phase delay effect and solutions for plume-piercing satellites do not fit the data well. This can be exploited for plume analysis such as the estimation of changes to the atmospheric refractivity index. We analyze GPS data of the ~2 month 2010 Eyafjallajökull erption and the week-long 2011 Grímsvötn eruption to infer a first order estimate of plume geometry and its progression. Using SNR and phase delay information, we evaluate the evolution of the partitioning of wet versus dry parts of the plume. During the GPS processing we iteratively solve for phase-delay and position and fix other parameters, hence reducing the mapping of least-squares misfit into position estimates and other parameters. Nearly continuous webcam imagery provides independent observations of first-order plume characteristics for the Eyafjallajökull event.

HF Surface Wave Radar Tests at the Eastern China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xiong Bin; Cheng, Feng; Wu, Shi Cai; Yang, Zi Jie; Wen, Biyang; Shi, Zhen Hua; Tian, Jiansheng; Ke, Hengyu; Gao, Huotao

2005-01-01

The HF surface wave radar system OSMAR2000 adopts Frequency Modulated Interrupted Continuous Waveform (FMICW) and its 120m-antenna array is transmitting/receiving co-used. MUSIC and MVM are applied to obtain sea echo's direction of arrival (DOA) when extracting currents information. Verification tests of OSMAR2000 ocean surface dynamics detection against in-situ measurements had been accomplished on Oct. 23~29, 2000. Ship detection test was carried out on Dec.24, 2001. It shows that OSMAR2000 is capable of detecting 1000 tons ships with a wide beam out to 70 km. This paper introduces the radar system and the applied DOA estimation methods in the first, and then presents ship detection results and some sea state measurement results of surface currents and waves. The results indicate the validity of the developed radar system and the effectiveness of the applied signal processing methods.

Vestibular-somatosensory interactions: effects of passive whole-body rotation on somatosensory detection.

PubMed

Ferrè, Elisa Raffaella; Kaliuzhna, Mariia; Herbelin, Bruno; Haggard, Patrick; Blanke, Olaf

2014-01-01

Vestibular signals are strongly integrated with information from several other sensory modalities. For example, vestibular stimulation was reported to improve tactile detection. However, this improvement could reflect either a multimodal interaction or an indirect interaction driven by vestibular effects on spatial attention and orienting. Here we investigate whether natural vestibular activation induced by passive whole-body rotation influences tactile detection. In particular, we assessed the ability to detect faint tactile stimuli to the fingertips of the left and right hand during spatially congruent or incongruent rotations. We found that passive whole-body rotations significantly enhanced sensitivity to faint shocks, without affecting response bias. Critically, this enhancement of somatosensory sensitivity did not depend on the spatial congruency between the direction of rotation and the hand stimulated. Thus, our results support a multimodal interaction, likely in brain areas receiving both vestibular and somatosensory signals.

Characteristics of recent dust storms over the Indian region using real time multi-satellite observations from the direct broadcast receiving system at IMD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitra, A. K.; Sharma, A. K.; Soni, V. K.; Kundu, P. K.

2013-04-01

In this study, observations from microwave satellites, visible and infrared instruments have been analyzed to detect dust storm over north and north-west part of India during 18-23 March 2012. This study investigated the approach to utilize the multi satellite data of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on-board the Terra and Aqua satellite and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) on-board NOAA satellite to study the characteristics of dust storms from real time direct broadcast (DB) receiving system installed at three places of India Meteorological Department (IMD). The dust storm detection is based on the infrared brightness temperature (BT) difference between channels at 11 and 12 μm and polarized BT difference between two channels of 89 and 23.8 GHz. It is found that the significant differences between the BT of channel 89 and 23.8 can be used as a discriminator of identifying dust storm. The Total Ozone Mapping Spectroradiometer (TOMS) Aerosol Index (AI) and AMSU-A 23 GHz channel BT from NOAA satellite over the north and north-west part of India have also been analyzed. The result indicated the characteristic behavior between BT and AI during the different phases of the dust storm. Finally, the occurrence of dust outbreaks has also been validated with sky radiometer of IMD, which confirms the presence of a dust storm over the Indian region. Further, the findings of the study and its approaches apply to the other dust storm cases which occurred during the months of April and June 2012. The integrated approach suggested the potential to use high resolution data of microwave as well as thermal-infrared using multi-satellite observations from real time direct broadcast system for the detection of severe, moderate or weak dust storms very well. The approach is found to be promising for operational application.

Wireless system for explosion detection in underground structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chikhradze, M.; Bochorishvili, N.; Akhvlediani, I.; Kukhalashvili, D.; Kalichava, I.; Mataradze, E.

2009-06-01

Considering the growing threat of terrorist or accidental explosions in underground stations, underground highway and railway sections improvement of system for protecting people from explosions appears urgent. Current automatic protective devices with blast identification module and blast damping absorbers of various designs as their basic elements cannot be considered effective. Analysis revealed that low reliability of blast detection and delayed generation of start signal for the activation of an absorber are the major disadvantages of protective devices. Besides the transmission of trigger signal to an energy absorber through cable communication reduces the reliability of the operation of protective device due to a possible damage of electric wiring under blast or mechanical attack. This paper presents the outcomes of the studies conducted to select accurate criteria for blast identification and to design wireless system of activation of defensive device. The results of testing of blast detection methods (seismic, EMP, optical, on overpressure) showed that the proposed method, which implies constant monitoring of overpressure in terms of its reliability and response speed, best meets the requirements. Proposed wireless system for explosions identification and activation of protective device consists of transmitter and receiver modules. Transmitter module contains sensor and microprocessor equipped with blast identification software. Receiver module produces activation signal for operation of absorber. Tests were performed in the underground experimental base of Mining Institute. The time between the moment of receiving signal by the sensor and activation of absorber - 640 microsecond; distance between transmitter and receiver in direct tunnel - at least 150m; in tunnel with 900 bending - 50m. This research is sponsored by NATO's Public Diplomacy Division in the framework of "Science for Peace".

Uniform Laser Excitation And Detection In Capillary Array Electrophoresis System And Method.

DOEpatents

Li, Qingbo; Zhou, Songsan; Liu, Changsheng

2003-10-07

A capillary electrophoresis system comprises capillaries positioned in parallel to each other forming a plane. The capillaries are configured to allow samples to migrate. A light source is configured to illuminate the capillaries and the samples therein. This causes the samples to emit light. A lens is configured to receive the light emitted by the samples and positioned directly over a first group of the capillaries and obliquely over a second group of the capillaries. The light source is further configured to illuminate the second group of capillaries more than the first group of the capillaries such that amount of light received by the lens from the first group of capillaries is substantially identical to amount of light received from the second group of capillaries when an identical amount of the samples is migrating through the first and second group capillaries.

Experimental demonstration of a real-time high-throughput digital DC blocker for compensating ADC imperfections in optical fast-OFDM receivers.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu; Ouyang, Xing; Shao, Xiaopeng; Zhao, Jian

2016-06-27

Performance degradation induced by the DC components at the output of real-time analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) is experimentally investigated for optical fast-OFDM receiver. To compensate this degradation, register transfer level (RTL) circuits for real-time digital DC blocker with 20GS/s throughput are proposed and implemented in field programmable gate array (FPGA). The performance of the proposed real-time digital DC blocker is experimentally investigated in a 15Gb/s optical fast-OFDM system with intensity modulation and direct detection over 40 km standard single-mode fibre. The results show that the fixed-point DC blocker has negligible performance penalty compared to the offline floating point one, and can overcome the error floor of the fast OFDM receiver caused by the DC components from the real-time ADC output.

UWB based low-cost and non-invasive practical breast cancer early detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vijayasarveswari, V.; Khatun, S.; Fakir, M. M.; Jusoh, M.; Ali, S.

2017-03-01

Breast cancer is one of the main causes of women death worldwide. Breast tumor is an early stage of cancer that locates in cells of a human breast. As there is no remedy, early detection is crucial. Towards this, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is a prominent candidate. It is a wireless communication technology which can achieve high bandwidth with low power utilization. UWB is suitable to be used for short range communication systems including breast cancer detection since it is secure, non-invasive and human health friendly. This paper presents the low-cost and non-invasive early breast cancer detection strategy using UWB sensor (or antenna). Emphasis is given here to detect breast tumor in 2D and 3D environments. The developed system consisted of hardware and software. Hardware included UWB transceiver and a pair of home-made directional sensor/antenna. The software included feed-forward back propagation Neural Network (NN) module to detect the tumor existence, size and location along with soft interface between software and hardware. Forward scattering technique was used by placing two sensors diagonally opposite sides of a breast phantom. UWB pulses were transmitted from one side of phantom and received from other side, controlled by the software interface in PC environment. Collected received signals were then fed into the NN module for training, testing and validation. The system exhibited detection efficiency on tumor existence, location (x, y, z), and size were approximately 100%, (78.17%, 70.66%, 92.46%), 85.86% respectively. The proposed UWB based early breast cancer detection system could be more practical with low-cost, user friendly and non-harmful features. This project may help users to monitor their breast health regularly at their home.

Probability of Detecting Marine Predator-Prey and Species Interactions Using Novel Hybrid Acoustic Transmitter-Receiver Tags

PubMed Central

Baker, Laurie L.; Jonsen, Ian D.; Mills Flemming, Joanna E.; Lidgard, Damian C.; Bowen, William D.; Iverson, Sara J.; Webber, Dale M.

2014-01-01

Understanding the nature of inter-specific and conspecific interactions in the ocean is challenging because direct observation is usually impossible. The development of dual transmitter/receivers, Vemco Mobile Transceivers (VMT), and satellite-linked (e.g. GPS) tags provides a unique opportunity to better understand between and within species interactions in space and time. Quantifying the uncertainty associated with detecting a tagged animal, particularly under varying field conditions, is vital for making accurate biological inferences when using VMTs. We evaluated the detection efficiency of VMTs deployed on grey seals, Halichoerus grypus, off Sable Island (NS, Canada) in relation to environmental characteristics and seal behaviour using generalized linear models (GLM) to explore both post-processed detection data and summarized raw VMT data. When considering only post-processed detection data, only about half of expected detections were recorded at best even when two VMT-tagged seals were estimated to be within 50–200 m of one another. At a separation of 400 m, only about 15% of expected detections were recorded. In contrast, when incomplete transmissions from the summarized raw data were also considered, the ratio of complete transmission to complete and incomplete transmissions was about 70% for distances ranging from 50–1000 m, with a minimum of around 40% at 600 m and a maximum of about 85% at 50 m. Distance between seals, wind stress, and depth were the most important predictors of detection efficiency. Access to the raw VMT data allowed us to focus on the physical and environmental factors that limit a transceiver’s ability to resolve a transmitter’s identity. PMID:24892286

Link Performance Analysis of a Ship-to-Ship Laser Communication System

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

the optical output by a modulating signal. Direct detection requires only the intensity, and not the phase information, of the input signal to...links have a higher signal-to-noise ratio ( ) as compared to RF link. However, at approximately 108 km, the SNR for the optical links is much... optical signal received is mixed with a light signal generated from a local oscillator laser (LO-laser). The combined signals are then impinged onto the

Improvement of highly sensitive lidar with a thumb-sized sensor-head built using an optical fiber preamplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, Daisuke; Ichikawa, Tadashi; Matsubara, Hiroyuki; Mao, Xueon; Maeda, Mitsutoshi; Nagashima, Chie; Kagami, Manabu

2012-06-01

We have developed a LIDAR system with a sensor head which, although it includes a scanning mechanism, is less than 20 cc in size. The system is not only small, but is also highly sensitive. Our LIDAR system is based on time-of-flight measurements, and incorporates an optical fiber. The main feature of our system is the utilization of optical amplifiers for both the transmitter and the receiver, and the optical amplifiers enable us to exceed the detection limit set by thermal noise. In conventional LIDAR systems the detection limit is determined by the thermal noise, because the avalanche photo-diodes (APD) and trans-impedance amplifiers (TIA) that they use detect the received signals directly. In the case of our LIDAR system, the received signal is amplified by an optical fiber amplifier before reaching the photo diode and the TIA. Therefore, our LIDAR system boosts the signal level before the weak incoming signal is depleted by thermal noise. There are conditions under which the noise figure for the combination of an optical fiber amplifier and a photo diode is superior to the noise figure for an avalanche photo diode. We optimized the gains of the optical fiber amplifier and the TIA in our LIDAR system such that it would be capable of detecting a single photon. As a result, the detection limit of our system is determined by shot noise. We have previously demonstrated optical pre-amplified LIDAR with a perfect co-axial optical system[1]. For this we used a variable optical attenuator to remove internal reflection from the transmission and receiving lenses. However, the optical attenuator had an insertion loss of 6dB which reduced the sensitivity of the LIDAR. We re-designed the optical system such that it was semi-co-axial and removed the variable optical attenuator. As a result, we succeeded in scanning up to a range of 80 m. This small and highly sensitive measurement technology shows great potential for use in LIDAR.

Effects of gut-directed hypnotherapy on IBS in different clinical settings-results from two randomized, controlled trials.

PubMed

Lindfors, Perjohan; Unge, Peter; Arvidsson, Patrik; Nyhlin, Henry; Björnsson, Einar; Abrahamsson, Hasse; Simrén, Magnus

2012-02-01

Gut-directed hypnotherapy has been found to be effective in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, randomized, controlled studies are rare and few have been performed outside highly specialized research centers. The objective of this study was to study the effect of gut-directed hypnotherapy in IBS in different clinical settings outside the traditional research units. The study population included IBS patients refractory to standard management. In study 1, patients were randomized to receive gut-directed hypnotherapy (12 sessions, 1 h/week) in psychology private practices or supportive therapy, whereas patients were randomized to receive gut-directed hypnotherapy in a small county hospital or to serve as waiting list controls in study 2. Gastrointestinal symptom severity and quality of life were evaluated at baseline, at 3 months follow-up and after 1 year. We randomized 138 IBS patients refractory to standard management, 90 in study 1 and 48 in study 2. In both the studies, IBS-related symptoms were improved at 3 months in the gut-directed hypnotherapy groups (P<0.05), but not in the control groups (ns). In study 1, a significantly greater improvement of IBS-related symptom severity could be detected in the gut-directed hypnotherapy group than in the control group (P<0.05), and a trend in the same direction was seen in study 2 (P=0.17). The results seen at 3 months were sustained up to 1 year. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is an effective treatment alternative for patients with refractory IBS, but the effectiveness is lower when the therapy is given outside the highly specialized research centers.

The application and research of the multi-receiving telescopes technology in laser ranging to space targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhibo; Zhang, Haifeng; Zhang, Zhongping; Deng, Huarong; Li, Pu; Meng, Wendong; Cheng, Zhien; Shen, Lurun; Tang, Zhenhong

2014-11-01

Laser ranging technology can directly measure the distance between space targets and ground stations with the highest measurement precision and will play an irreplaceable role in orbit check and calibrating microwave measurement system. The precise orbit determination and accurate catalogue of space targets can also be realized by laser ranging with multi-stations. Among space targets, most of ones are inactive targets and space debris, which should be paid the great attentions for the safety of active spacecrafts. Because of laser diffuse reflection from the surface of targets, laser ranging to space debris has the characteristics of wide coverage and weak strength of laser echoes, even though the powerful laser system is applied. In order to increase the receiving ability of laser echoes, the large aperture telescope should be adopted. As well known, some disadvantages for one set of large aperture telescope, technical development difficulty and system running and maintenance complexity, will limit its flexible applications. The multi-receiving telescopes technology in laser ranging to space targets is put forward to realize the equivalent receiving ability produced by one larger aperture telescope by way of using multi-receiving telescopes, with the advantages of flexibility and maintenance. The theoretical analysis of the feasibility and key technologies of multi-receiving telescopes technology in laser ranging to space targets are presented in this paper. The experimental measurement system based on the 60cm SLR system and 1.56m astronomical telescopes with a distance of about 50m is established to provide the platform for researching on the multi-receiving telescopes technology. The laser ranging experiments to satellites equipped with retro-reflectors are successfully performed by using the above experimental system and verify the technical feasibility to increase the ability of echo detection. And the multi-receiving telescopes technology will become a novel effective way to improve the detection ability of laser ranging to space debris.

Generation and coherent detection of QPSK signal using a novel method of digital signal processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yuan; Hu, Bingliang; He, Zhen-An; Xie, Wenjia; Gao, Xiaohui

2018-02-01

We demonstrate an optical quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal transmitter and an optical receiver for demodulating optical QPSK signal with homodyne detection and digital signal processing (DSP). DSP on the homodyne detection scheme is employed without locking the phase of the local oscillator (LO). In this paper, we present an extracting one-dimensional array of down-sampling method for reducing unwanted samples of constellation diagram measurement. Such a novel scheme embodies the following major advantages over the other conventional optical QPSK signal detection methods. First, this homodyne detection scheme does not need strict requirement on LO in comparison with linear optical sampling, such as having a flat spectral density and phase over the spectral support of the source under test. Second, the LabVIEW software is directly used for recovering the QPSK signal constellation without employing complex DSP circuit. Third, this scheme is applicable to multilevel modulation formats such as M-ary PSK and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) or higher speed signals by making minor changes.

Detection of layup errors in prepreg laminates using shear ultrasonic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, David K.; Fischer, Brent A.

1996-11-01

The highly anisotropic elastic properties of the plies in a composite laminate manufactured from unidirectional prepregs interact strongly with the polarization direction of shear ultrasonic waves propagating through its thickness. The received signals in a 'crossed polarizer' transmission configuration are particularly sensitive to ply orientation and layup sequence in a laminate. Such measurements can therefore serve as an NDE tool for detecting layup errors. For example, it was shown experimentally recently that the sensitivity for detecting the presence of misoriented plies is better than one ply out of a 48-ply laminate of graphite epoxy. A physical model based on the decomposition and recombination of the shear polarization vector has been constructed and used in the interpretation and prediction of test results. Since errors should be detected early in the manufacturing process, this work also addresses the inspection of 'green' composite laminates using electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMAT). Preliminary results for ply error detection obtained with EMAT probes are described.

Methods and systems for remote detection of gases

DOEpatents

Johnson, Timothy J.

2007-11-27

Novel systems and methods for remotely detecting at least one constituent of a gas via infrared detection are provided. A system includes at least one extended source of broadband infrared radiation and a spectrally sensitive receiver positioned remotely from the source. The source and the receiver are oriented such that a surface of the source is in the field of view of the receiver. The source includes a heating component thermally coupled to the surface, and the heating component is configured to heat the surface to a temperature above ambient temperature. The receiver is operable to collect spectral infrared absorption data representative of a gas present between the source and the receiver. The invention advantageously overcomes significant difficulties associated with active infrared detection techniques known in the art, and provides an infrared detection technique with a much greater sensitivity than passive infrared detection techniques known in the art.

Methods and systems for remote detection of gases

DOEpatents

Johnson, Timothy J

2012-09-18

Novel systems and methods for remotely detecting at least one constituent of a gas via infrared detection are provided. A system includes at least one extended source of broadband infrared radiation and a spectrally sensitive receiver positioned remotely from the source. The source and the receiver are oriented such that a surface of the source is in the field of view of the receiver. The source includes a heating component thermally coupled to the surface, and the heating component is configured to heat the surface to a temperature above ambient temperature. The receiver is operable to collect spectral infrared absorption data representative of a gas present between the source and the receiver. The invention advantageously overcomes significant difficulties associated with active infrared detection techniques known in the art, and provides an infrared detection technique with a much greater sensitivity than passive infrared detection techniques known in the art.

Tropospheric Wind Profile Measurements with a Direct Detection Doppler Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gentry, Bruce M.; Li, Steven X.; Korb, C. Laurence; Chen, Huailin; Mathur, Savyasachee

1998-01-01

Research has established the importance of global tropospheric wind measurements for large scale improvements in numerical weather prediction. In addition, global wind measurements provide data that are fundamental to the understanding and prediction of global climate change. These tasks are closely linked with the goals of the NASA Earth Science Enterprise and Global Climate Change programs. NASA Goddard has been actively involved in the development of direct detection Doppler lidar methods and technologies to meet the wind observing needs of the atmospheric science community. In this paper we describe a recently developed prototype wind lidar system using a direct detection Doppler technique for measuring wind profiles from the surface through the troposphere. This system uses a pulsed ND:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm as the transmitter. The laser pulse is directed to the atmosphere using a 40 cm diameter scan mirror. The portion of the laser energy backscattered from aerosols and molecules is collected by a 40 cm diameter telescope and coupled via fiber optics into the Doppler receiver. Single photon counting APD's are used to detect the atmospheric backscattered signal. The principle element of the receiver is a dual bandpass tunable Fabry Perot etalon which analyzes the Doppler shift of the incoming laser signal using the double edge technique. The double edge technique uses two high resolution optical filters having bandpasses offset relative to one another such that the 'edge' of the first filter's transmission function crosses that of the second at the half power point. The outgoing laser frequency is located approximately at the crossover point. Due to the opposite going slopes of the edges, a Doppler shift in the atmospheric backscattered laser frequency produces a positive change in signal for one filter and a negative change in the second filter. Taking the ratio of the two edge channel signals yields a result which is directly proportional to the component of the wind along the line-of-sight of the laser. Measuring the radial wind in several directions provides sufficient information to determine the true wind speed and direction. The lidar has operated from our laboratory at Goddard since June, 1997. Wind profiles have been obtained to altitudes of 12 km with a vertical resolution of 330 in. Vector wind data are obtained by rotating the scan mirror to measure line-of-sight wind profiles for at least two azimuth angles at an elevation angle of 45 degrees. The precision of the data as determined from the standard deviation of multiple independent lidar profiles is in the range of 1 to 3 m/sec up to 10 km. Good agreement is obtained when the lidar data are compared with the upper air rawinsonde soundings taken at Dulles airport. Examples of the wind lidar data will be presented along with a description of the instrument and future developments.

Digital Detection and Processing of Multiple Quadrature Harmonics for EPR Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Ahmad, R.; Som, S.; Kesselring, E.; Kuppusamy, P.; Zweier, J.L.; Potter, L.C.

2010-01-01

A quadrature digital receiver and associated signal estimation procedure are reported for L-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The approach provides simultaneous acquisition and joint processing of multiple harmonics in both in-phase and out-of-phase channels. The digital receiver, based on a high-speed dual-channel analog-to-digital converter, allows direct digital down-conversion with heterodyne processing using digital capture of the microwave reference signal. Thus, the receiver avoids noise and nonlinearity associated with analog mixers. Also, the architecture allows for low-Q anti-alias filtering and does not require the sampling frequency to be time-locked to the microwave reference. A noise model applicable for arbitrary contributions of oscillator phase noise is presented, and a corresponding maximum-likelihood estimator of unknown parameters is also reported. The signal processing is applicable for Lorentzian lineshape under nonsaturating conditions. The estimation is carried out using a convergent iterative algorithm capable of jointly processing the in-phase and out-of-phase data in the presence of phase noise and unknown microwave phase. Cramér-Rao bound analysis and simulation results demonstrate a significant reduction in linewidth estimation error using quadrature detection, for both low and high values of phase noise. EPR spectroscopic data are also reported for illustration. PMID:20971667

Remote detection and recognition of bio-aerosols by laser-induced fluorescense lidar: practical implementation and field tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boreysho, Anatoly; Savin, Andrey; Morozov, Alexey; Konyaev, Maxim; Konovalov, Konstantin

2007-06-01

Recognition of aerosol clouds material at some significant distance is now a key requirement for the wide range of applications. The elastic backscatter lidar have demonstrated high capabilities in aerosol remote detection, cloud real-time mapping at very long distances for low-concentration natural aerosols as well as artificial ones [1]. However, recognition ability is required to make them more relevant. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) looks very promising with respect to the recognition problem. New approach based on mobile lidar complex [2] equipped by spectrally-and range-resolved LIF-sensor is described as well as some results of field tests. The LIF-sensor consists of four-harmonics Nd:YAG laser equipped by an output expander to provide final beam divergence <1 mrad, 500-mm aspheric Cassegrain-type multi-wavelength receiving telescope, set of single-element receivers for measurement of the elastic backscatter radiation, and multi-element receiver with monochromator for spectrally-resolved LIF measurements. The system is equipped by 2-axis scanning mirror and variable-FOV video-camera collimated with the lidar scanning direction. The LIF-lidar is mounted on a truck-based platform (20-feet container) as a part of multi-purpose mobile lidar complex and adjusted for field conditions.

Digital detection and processing of multiple quadrature harmonics for EPR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Ahmad, R; Som, S; Kesselring, E; Kuppusamy, P; Zweier, J L; Potter, L C

2010-12-01

A quadrature digital receiver and associated signal estimation procedure are reported for L-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The approach provides simultaneous acquisition and joint processing of multiple harmonics in both in-phase and out-of-phase channels. The digital receiver, based on a high-speed dual-channel analog-to-digital converter, allows direct digital down-conversion with heterodyne processing using digital capture of the microwave reference signal. Thus, the receiver avoids noise and nonlinearity associated with analog mixers. Also, the architecture allows for low-Q anti-alias filtering and does not require the sampling frequency to be time-locked to the microwave reference. A noise model applicable for arbitrary contributions of oscillator phase noise is presented, and a corresponding maximum-likelihood estimator of unknown parameters is also reported. The signal processing is applicable for Lorentzian lineshape under nonsaturating conditions. The estimation is carried out using a convergent iterative algorithm capable of jointly processing the in-phase and out-of-phase data in the presence of phase noise and unknown microwave phase. Cramér-Rao bound analysis and simulation results demonstrate a significant reduction in linewidth estimation error using quadrature detection, for both low and high values of phase noise. EPR spectroscopic data are also reported for illustration. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of 16-Channel Laser Photoreceivers for Topographic Mapping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krainak, Michael A.; Yang, Guangning; Sun, XiaoIi; Lu, Wei; Bai, Xiaogang; Yuan, Ping; McDonald, Paul; Boisvert, Joseph; Woo, Robyn; Wan, Kam;

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2009

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2009-01-01

Topics covered include: Direct-Solve Image-Based Wavefront Sensing; Use of UV Sources for Detection and Identification of Explosives; Using Fluorescent Viruses for Detecting Bacteria in Water; Gradiometer Using Middle Loops as Sensing Elements in a Low-Field SQUID MRI System; Volcano Monitor: Autonomous Triggering of In-Situ Sensors; Wireless Fluid-Level Sensors for Harsh Environments; Interference-Detection Module in a Digital Radar Receiver; Modal Vibration Analysis of Large Castings; Structural/Radiation-Shielding Epoxies; Integrated Multilayer Insulation; Apparatus for Screening Multiple Oxygen-Reduction Catalysts; Determining Aliasing in Isolated Signal Conditioning Modules; Composite Bipolar Plate for Unitized Fuel Cell/Electrolyzer Systems; Spectrum Analyzers Incorporating Tunable WGM Resonators; Quantum-Well Thermophotovoltaic Cells; Bounded-Angle Iterative Decoding of LDPC Codes; Conversion from Tree to Graph Representation of Requirements; Parallel Hybrid Vehicle Optimal Storage System; and Anaerobic Digestion in a Flooded Densified Leachbed.

At what wavelengths should we search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence?

PubMed Central

Townes, C. H.

1983-01-01

It has often been concluded that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) should concentrate on attempts to receive signals in the microwave region, the argument being given that communication can occur there at minimum broadcasted power. Such a conclusion is shown to result only under a restricted set of assumptions. If generalized types of detection are considered—in particular, photon detection rather than linear detection alone—and if advantage is taken of the directivity of telescopes at short wavelengths, then somewhat less power is required for communication at infrared wavelengths than in the microwave region. Furthermore, a variety of parameters other than power alone may be chosen for optimization by an extraterrestrial civilization. Hence, while partially satisfying arguments may be given about optimal wavelengths for a search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence, considerable uncertainty must remain. PMID:16593279

At what wavelengths should we search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence?

PubMed

Townes, C H

1983-02-01

It has often been concluded that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) should concentrate on attempts to receive signals in the microwave region, the argument being given that communication can occur there at minimum broadcasted power. Such a conclusion is shown to result only under a restricted set of assumptions. If generalized types of detection are considered-in particular, photon detection rather than linear detection alone-and if advantage is taken of the directivity of telescopes at short wavelengths, then somewhat less power is required for communication at infrared wavelengths than in the microwave region. Furthermore, a variety of parameters other than power alone may be chosen for optimization by an extraterrestrial civilization. Hence, while partially satisfying arguments may be given about optimal wavelengths for a search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence, considerable uncertainty must remain.

Intensity information extraction in Geiger mode detector array based three-dimensional imaging applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fei

2013-09-01

Geiger-mode detectors have single photon sensitivity and picoseconds timing resolution, which make it a good candidate for low light level ranging applications, especially in the case of flash three dimensional imaging applications where the received laser power is extremely limited. Another advantage of Geiger-mode APD is their capability of large output current which can drive CMOS timing circuit directly, which means that larger format focal plane arrays can be easily fabricated using the mature CMOS technology. However Geiger-mode detector based FPAs can only measure the range information of a scene but not the reflectivity. Reflectivity is a major characteristic which can help target classification and identification. According to Poisson statistic nature, detection probability is tightly connected to the incident number of photon. Employing this relation, a signal intensity estimation method based on probability inversion is proposed. Instead of measuring intensity directly, several detections are conducted, then the detection probability is obtained and the intensity is estimated using this method. The relation between the estimator's accuracy, measuring range and number of detections are discussed based on statistical theory. Finally Monte-Carlo simulation is conducted to verify the correctness of this theory. Using 100 times of detection, signal intensity equal to 4.6 photons per detection can be measured using this method. With slight modification of measuring strategy, intensity information can be obtained using current Geiger-mode detector based FPAs, which can enrich the information acquired and broaden the application field of current technology.

Global detection approach for clustered microcalcifications in mammograms using a deep learning network.

PubMed

Wang, Juan; Nishikawa, Robert M; Yang, Yongyi

2017-04-01

In computerized detection of clustered microcalcifications (MCs) from mammograms, the traditional approach is to apply a pattern detector to locate the presence of individual MCs, which are subsequently grouped into clusters. Such an approach is often susceptible to the occurrence of false positives (FPs) caused by local image patterns that resemble MCs. We investigate the feasibility of a direct detection approach to determining whether an image region contains clustered MCs or not. Toward this goal, we develop a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) as the classifier model to which the input consists of a large image window ([Formula: see text] in size). The multiple layers in the CNN classifier are trained to automatically extract image features relevant to MCs at different spatial scales. In the experiments, we demonstrated this approach on a dataset consisting of both screen-film mammograms and full-field digital mammograms. We evaluated the detection performance both on classifying image regions of clustered MCs using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and on detecting clustered MCs from full mammograms by a free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis. For comparison, we also considered a recently developed MC detector with FP suppression. In classifying image regions of clustered MCs, the CNN classifier achieved 0.971 in the area under the ROC curve, compared to 0.944 for the MC detector. In detecting clustered MCs from full mammograms, at 90% sensitivity, the CNN classifier obtained an FP rate of 0.69 clusters/image, compared to 1.17 clusters/image by the MC detector. These results indicate that using global image features can be more effective in discriminating clustered MCs from FPs caused by various sources, such as linear structures, thereby providing a more accurate detection of clustered MCs on mammograms.

Fundamental understanding of wave generation and reception using d(36) type piezoelectric transducers.

PubMed

Zhou, Wensong; Li, Hui; Yuan, Fuh-Gwo

2015-03-01

A new piezoelectric wafer made from a PMN-PT single crystal with dominant piezoelectric coefficient d36 is proposed to generate and detect guided waves on isotropic plates. The in-plane shear coupled with electric field arising from the piezoelectric coefficient is not usually present for conventional piezoelectric wafers, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT). The direct piezoelectric effect of coefficient d36 indicates that under external in-plane shear stress the charge is induced on a face perpendicular to the poled z-direction. On thin plates, this type of piezoelectric wafer will generate shear horizontal (SH) waves in two orthogonal wave propagation directions as well as two Lamb wave modes in other wave propagation directions. Finite element analyses are employed to explore the wave disturbance in terms of time-varying displacements excited by the d36 wafer in different directions of wave propagation to understand all the guided wave modes accurately. Experiments are conducted to examine the voltage responses received by this type of wafer, and also investigate results of tuning frequency and effects of d31 piezoelectric coefficient, which is intentionally ignored in the finite element analysis. All results demonstrate the main features and utility of proposed d36 piezoelectric wafer for guided wave generation and detection in structural health monitoring. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Axial Electric Field Measurements with Grounded-Wire TEM Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Nan-nan; Xue, Guo-qiang; Li, Hai; Hou, Dong-yang

2018-01-01

The grounded-wire transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveying is often performed along the equatorial direction with its observation lines paralleling to the transmitting wire with a certain transmitter-receiver distance. However, such method takes into account only the equatorial component of the electromagnetic field, and a little effort has been made on incorporating the other major component along the transmitting wire, here denoted as axial field. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of its fundamental characteristics and guide the designing of the corresponding observation system for reliable anomaly detection, this study for the first time investigates the axial electric field from three crucial aspects, including its decay curve, plane distribution, and anomaly sensitivity, through both synthetic modeling and real application to one major coal field in China. The results demonstrate a higher sensitivity to both high- and low-resistivity anomalies by the electric field in axial direction and confirm its great potentials for robust anomaly detection in the subsurface.

Radar sensors for intersection collision avoidance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jocoy, Edward H.; Phoel, Wayne G.

1997-02-01

On-vehicle sensors for collision avoidance and intelligent cruise control are receiving considerably attention as part of Intelligent Transportation Systems. Most of these sensors are radars and `look' in the direction of the vehicle's headway, that is, in the direction ahead of the vehicle. Calspan SRL Corporation is investigating the use of on- vehicle radar for Intersection Collision Avoidance (ICA). Four crash scenarios are considered and the goal is to design, develop and install a collision warning system in a test vehicle, and conduct both test track and in-traffic experiments. Current efforts include simulations to examine ICA geometry-dependent design parameters and the design of an on-vehicle radar and tracker for threat detection. This paper discusses some of the simulation and radar design efforts. In addition, an available headway radar was modified to scan the wide angles (+/- 90 degree(s)) associated with ICA scenarios. Preliminary proof-of-principal tests are underway as a risk reduction effort. Some initial target detection results are presented.

Rate adaptive multilevel coded modulation with high coding gain in intensity modulation direct detection optical communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Fei; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Lijia; Xin, Xiangjun; Zhang, Qi; Tian, Qinghua; Tian, Feng; Wang, Yongjun; Rao, Lan; Ullah, Rahat; Zhao, Feng; Li, Deng'ao

2018-02-01

A rate-adaptive multilevel coded modulation (RA-MLC) scheme based on fixed code length and a corresponding decoding scheme is proposed. RA-MLC scheme combines the multilevel coded and modulation technology with the binary linear block code at the transmitter. Bits division, coding, optional interleaving, and modulation are carried out by the preset rule, then transmitted through standard single mode fiber span equal to 100 km. The receiver improves the accuracy of decoding by means of soft information passing through different layers, which enhances the performance. Simulations are carried out in an intensity modulation-direct detection optical communication system using MATLAB®. Results show that the RA-MLC scheme can achieve bit error rate of 1E-5 when optical signal-to-noise ratio is 20.7 dB. It also reduced the number of decoders by 72% and realized 22 rate adaptation without significantly increasing the computing time. The coding gain is increased by 7.3 dB at BER=1E-3.

Cardiac Gene Expression Knockdown Using Small Inhibitory RNA-Loaded Microbubbles and Ultrasound

PubMed Central

McTiernan, Charles F.; Chen, Xucai; Klein, Edwin C.; Villanueva, Flordeliza S.

2016-01-01

RNA interference has potential therapeutic value for cardiac disease, but targeted delivery of interfering RNA is a challenge. Custom designed microbubbles, in conjunction with ultrasound, can deliver small inhibitory RNA to target tissues in vivo. The efficacy of cardiac RNA interference using a microbubble-ultrasound theranostic platform has not been demonstrated in vivo. Therefore, our objective was to test the hypothesis that custom designed microbubbles and ultrasound can mediate effective delivery of small inhibitory RNA to the heart. Microbubble and ultrasound mediated cardiac RNA interference was tested in transgenic mice displaying cardiac-restricted luciferase expression. Luciferase expression was assayed in select tissues of untreated mice (n = 14). Mice received intravenous infusion of cationic microbubbles bearing small inhibitory RNA directed against luciferase (n = 9) or control RNA (n = 8) during intermittent cardiac-directed ultrasound at mechanical index of 1.6. Simultaneous echocardiography in a separate group of mice (n = 3) confirmed microbubble destruction and replenishment during treatment. Three days post treatment, cardiac luciferase messenger RNA and protein levels were significantly lower in ultrasound-treated mice receiving microbubbles loaded with small inhibitory RNA directed against luciferase compared to mice receiving microbubbles bearing control RNA (23±7% and 33±7% of control mice, p<0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). Passive cavitation detection focused on the heart confirmed that insonification resulted in inertial cavitation. In conclusion, small inhibitory RNA-loaded microbubbles and ultrasound directed at the heart significantly reduced the expression of a reporter gene. Ultrasound-targeted destruction of RNA-loaded microbubbles may be an effective image-guided strategy for therapeutic RNA interference in cardiac disease. PMID:27471848

PAM-4 signal delivery in one radio-over-fiber system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hada; Zhou, Wen; Yu, Jianjun

2017-10-01

We propose and experimentally demonstrate four-level pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM-4) signal delivery in a radio-over-fiber system for the first time. Over 8-Gbit/s PAM-4 signals have been transmitted over 20-km single-mode fiber-28 and 1-m wireless distance. The signal after transmission is detected directly by an envelope detector at the receiver side. The maximal bit rate could be increased if the bandpass amplifier and envelope detector have more bandwidth.

Reflective echo tomographic imaging using acoustic beams

DOEpatents

Kisner, Roger; Santos-Villalobos, Hector J

2014-11-25

An inspection system includes a plurality of acoustic beamformers, where each of the plurality of acoustic beamformers including a plurality of acoustic transmitter elements. The system also includes at least one controller configured for causing each of the plurality of acoustic beamformers to generate an acoustic beam directed to a point in a volume of interest during a first time. Based on a reflected wave intensity detected at a plurality of acoustic receiver elements, an image of the volume of interest can be generated.

Atmospheric propagation issues relevant to optical communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Churnside, James H.; Shaik, Kamran

1989-01-01

Atmospheric propagation issues relevant to space-to-ground optical communications for near-earth applications are studied. Propagation effects, current optical communication activities, potential applications, and communication techniques are surveyed. It is concluded that a direct-detection space-to-ground link using redundant receiver sites and temporal encoding is likely to be employed to transmit earth-sensing satellite data to the ground some time in the future. Low-level, long-term studies of link availability, fading statistics, and turbulence climatology are recommended to support this type of application.

Analysis of selected antibiotics in surface freshwater and seawater using direct injection in liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Bayen, Stéphane; Yi, Xinzhu; Segovia, Elvagris; Zhou, Zhi; Kelly, Barry C

2014-04-18

Emerging contaminants such as antibiotics have received recent attention as they have been detected in natural waters and health concerns over potential antibiotic resistance. With the purpose to investigate fast and high-throughput analysis, and eventually the continuous on-line analysis of emerging contaminants, this study presents results on the analysis of seven selected antibiotics (sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, lincomycin, tylosin) in surface freshwater and seawater using direct injection of a small sample volume (20μL) in liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Notably, direct injection of seawater in the LC-ESI-MS/MS was made possible on account of the post-column switch on the system, which allows diversion of salt-containing solutions flushed out of the column to the waste. Mean recoveries based on the isotope dilution method average 95±14% and 96±28% amongst the compounds for spiked freshwater and seawater, respectively. Linearity across six spiking levels was assessed and the response was linear (r(2)>0.99) for all compounds. Direct injection concentrations were compared for real samples to those obtained with the conventional SPE-based analysis and both techniques concurs on the presence/absence and levels of the compounds in real samples. These results suggest direct injection is a reliable method to detect antibiotics in both freshwater and seawater. Method detection limits for the direct injection technique (37pg/L to 226ng/L in freshwater, and from 16pg/to 26ng/L in seawater) are sufficient for a number of environmental applications, for example the fast screening of water samples for ecological risk assessments. In the present study of real samples, this new method allowed for example the positive detection of some compounds (e.g. lincomycin) down to the sub ng/L range. The direct injection method appears to be relatively cheaper and faster, requires a smaller sample size, and is more robust to equipment cross-contamination as compared to the conventional SPE-based method. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

RESEARCH PAPERS : Ionospheric signature of surface mine blasts from Global Positioning System measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calais, Eric; Bernard Minster, J.; Hofton, Michelle; Hedlin, Michael

1998-01-01

Sources such as atmospheric or buried explosions and shallow earthquakes are known to produce infrasonic pressure waves in the atmosphere Because of the coupling between neutral particles and electrons at ionospheric altitudes, these acoustic and gravity waves induce variations of the ionospheric electron density. The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides a way of directly measuring the total electron content in the ionosphere and, therefore, of detecting such perturbations in the upper atmosphere. In July and August 1996, three large surface mine blasts (1.5 Kt each) were detonated at the Black Thunder coal mine in eastern Wyoming. As part of a seismic and acoustic monitoring experiment, we deployed five dual-frequency GPS receivers at distances ranging from 50 to 200 km from the mine and were able to detect the ionospheric perturbation caused by the blasts. The perturbation starts 10 to 15 min after the blast, lasts for about 30 min, and propagates with an apparent horizontal velocity of 1200 m s- 1. Its amplitude reaches 3 × 1014 el m- 2 in the 7-3 min period band, a value close to the ionospheric perturbation caused by the M=6.7 Northridge earthquake (Calais & Minster 1995). The small signal-to-noise ratio of the perturbation can be improved by slant-stacking the electron content time-series recorded by the different GPS receivers taking into account the horizontal propagation of the perturbation. The energy of the perturbation is concentrated in the 200 to 300 s period band, a result consistent with previous observations and numerical model predictions. The 300 s band probably corresponds to gravity modes and shorter periods to acoustic modes, respectively. Using a 1-D stratified velocity model of the atmosphere we show that linear acoustic ray tracing fits arrival times at all GPS receivers. We interpret the perturbation as a direct acoustic wave caused by the explosion itself. This study shows that even relatively small subsurface events can produce ionospheric perturbations that are above the detection threshold of the GPS technique. By sensing derivative signals, which can be detected over a relatively broad region, it appears that GPS might be particularly useful for source characterization within the first acoustic quiet zone where infrasound would probably be ineffective. This suggests that dual-frequency GPS monitoring could contribute to Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty verification.

Ionospheric Signature of Surface Mine Blasts from Global Positioning System Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calais, Eric; Minster, J. Bernard; Hofton, Michelle A.; Hedlin, Michael A. H.

1998-01-01

Sources such as atmospheric or buried explosions and shallow earthquakes are known to produce infrasonic pressure waves in the atmosphere. Because of the coupling between neutral particles and electrons at ionospheric altitudes, these acoustic and gravity waves induce variations of the ionospheric electron density. The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides a way of directly measuring the total electron content in the ionosphere and, therefore, of detecting such perturbations in the upper atmosphere. In July and August 1996, three large surface mine blasts (1.5 Kt each) were detonated at the Black Thunder coal mine in eastern Wyoming. As part of a seismic and acoustic monitoring- experiment, we deployed five dual-frequency GPS receivers at distances ranging from 50 to 200 km from the mine and were able to detect the ionospheric perturbation caused by the blasts. The perturbation starts 10 to 15 min after the blast, lasts for about 30 min, and propagates with an apparent horizontal velocity of 1200 meters per second. Its amplitude reaches 3 x 10 (exp 14) el per square meters in the 7-3 min period band, a value close to the ionospheric perturbation caused by the M = 6.7 Northridge earthquake. The small signal-to-noise ratio of the perturbation can be improved by slant-stacking the electron content time-series recorded by the different GPS receivers taking into account the horizontal propagation of the perturbation. The energy of the perturbation is concentrated in the 200 to 300 second period band, a result consistent with previous observations and numerical model predictions. The 300 second band probably corresponds to gravity modes and shorter periods to acoustic modes, respectively. Using a 1-D stratified velocity model of the atmosphere we show that linear acoustic ray tracing fits arrival times at all GPS receivers. We interpret the perturbation as a direct acoustic wave caused by the explosion itself. This study shows that even relatively small subsurface events can produce ionospheric perturbations that are above the detection threshold of the GPS technique. By sensing derivative signals, which can be detected over a relatively broad region, it appears that GPS might be particularly useful for source characterization within the first acoustic quiet zone where infrasound would probably be ineffective. This suggests that dual-frequency GPS monitoring could contribute to Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty verification.

Directional Radio-Frequency Identification Tag Reader

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Medelius, Pedro J.; Taylor, John D.; Henderson, John J.

2004-01-01

A directional radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag reader has been designed to facilitate finding a specific object among many objects in a crowded room. The device could be an adjunct to an electronic inventory system that tracks RFID-tagged objects as they move through reader-equipped doorways. Whereas commercial RFID-tag readers do not measure directions to tagged objects, the device is equipped with a phased-array antenna and a received signal-strength indicator (RSSI) circuit for measuring direction. At the beginning of operation, it is set to address only the RFID tag of interest. It then continuously transmits a signal to interrogate that tag while varying the radiation pattern of the antenna. It identifies the direction to the tag as the radiation pattern direction of peak strength of the signal returned by the tag. An approximate distance to the tag is calculated from the peak signal strength. The direction and distance can be displayed on a screen. A prototype containing a Yagi antenna was found to be capable of detecting a 915.5-MHz tag at a distance of approximately equal to 15 ft (approximately equal to 4.6 m).

Direct Acting Antiviral Agents in Korean Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Hemophilia Who Are Treatment-Naïve or Treatment-Experienced.

PubMed

Lee, Hyun Woong; Yoo, Ki Young; Won, Joung Won; Kim, Hyung Joon

2017-09-15

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major comorbidity in patients with hemophilia. Patients (n=30) were enrolled between September 2015 and April 2016. Twenty-six patients were genotype 1 (1b, n=21; 1a, n=5) and four patients were genotype 2a/2b. Among 21 patients with genotype 1b, Y93H resistance-associated variants (RAVs) were detected in three patients (14.3%). We evaluated sustained virologic response (SVRs) at 12 weeks, as well as relapse and safety. Five patients with genotype 1a and three patients with genotype 1b (RAV positive) received ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. SVR12 rate was 100% (8/8). Eleven patients with genotype 1b were treatment-naïve and received daclatasvir plus asunaprevir for 24 weeks. SVR12 rate was 91% (10/11). One patient experienced viral breakthrough without RAV at 12 weeks. Seven treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1b received daclatasvir plus asunaprevir for 24 weeks. SVR12 rate was 85.7% (6/7). One patient experienced viral breakthrough with RAV (L31M, Y93H) at 12 weeks. Four patients with genotype 2a/2b received sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks. SVR12 rate was 100% (4/4). No serious adverse event-related discontinuations were noted. New direct acting antiviral treatment achieved high SVRs rates at 12 weeks in CHC patients with hemophilia without serious adverse events.

Advanced Detector and Waveform Digitizer for Water Vapor DIAL Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Refaat, Tamer F.; Luck, William S., Jr.; DeYoung, Russell J.

1998-01-01

Measurement of atmospheric water vapor has become a major requirement for understanding moist-air processes. Differential absorption lidar (DIAL) is a technique best suited for the measurement of atmospheric water vapor. NASA Langley Research Center is continually developing improved DIAL systems. One aspect of current development is focused on the enhancement of a DIAL receiver by applying state-of-the-art technology in building a new compact detection system that will be placed directly on the DIAL receiver telescope. The newly developed detection system has the capability of being digitally interfaced with a simple personal computer, using a discrete input/output interface. This has the potential of transmitting digital data over relatively long distances instead of analog signals, which greatly reduces measurement noise. In this paper, we discuss some results from the new compact water vapor DIAL detection system which includes a silicon based avalanche photodiode (APD) detector, a 14-bit, 10-MHz waveform digitizer, a microcontroller and other auxiliary electronics. All of which are contained on a small printed-circuit-board. This will significantly reduce the weight and volume over the current CAMAC system and eventually will be used in a water vapor DIAL system on an unpiloted atmospheric vehicle (UAV) aircraft, or alternatively on an orbiting spacecraft.

Optical Communication with Semiconductor Laser Diode. Interim Progress Report. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, Frederic; Sun, Xiaoli

1989-01-01

Theoretical and experimental performance limits of a free-space direct detection optical communication system were studied using a semiconductor laser diode as the optical transmitter and a silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) as the receiver photodetector. Optical systems using these components are under consideration as replacements for microwave satellite communication links. Optical pulse position modulation (PPM) was chosen as the signal format. An experimental system was constructed that used an aluminum gallium arsenide semiconductor laser diode as the transmitter and a silicon avalanche photodiode photodetector. The system used Q=4 PPM signaling at a source data rate of 25 megabits per second. The PPM signal format requires regeneration of PPM slot clock and word clock waveforms in the receiver. A nearly exact computational procedure was developed to compute receiver bit error rate without using the Gaussion approximation. A transition detector slot clock recovery system using a phase lock loop was developed and implemented. A novel word clock recovery system was also developed. It was found that the results of the nearly exact computational procedure agreed well with actual measurements of receiver performance. The receiver sensitivity achieved was the closest to the quantum limit yet reported for an optical communication system of this type.

High sensitivity broadband 360GHz passive receiver for TeraSCREEN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hui; Oldfield, Matthew; Maestrojuán, Itziar; Platt, Duncan; Brewster, Nick; Viegas, Colin; Alderman, Byron; Ellison, Brian N.

2016-05-01

TeraSCREEN is an EU FP7 Security project aimed at developing a combined active, with frequency channel centered at 360 GHz, and passive, with frequency channels centered at 94, 220 and 360 GHz, imaging system for border controls in airport and commercial ferry ports. The system will include automatic threat detection and classification and has been designed with a strong focus on the ethical, legal and practical aspects of operating in these environments and with the potential threats in mind. Furthermore, both the passive and active systems are based on array receivers with the active system consisting of a 16 element MIMO FMCW radar centered at 360 GHz with a bandwidth of 30 GHz utilizing a custom made direct digital synthesizer. The 16 element passive receiver system at 360 GHz uses commercial Gunn diode oscillators at 90 GHz followed by custom made 90 to 180 GHz frequency doublers supplying the local oscillator for 360 GHz sub-harmonic mixers. This paper describes the development of the passive antenna module, local oscillator chain, frequency mixers and detectors used in the passive receiver array of this system. The complete passive receiver chain is characterized in this paper.

Fiber optic probe having fibers with endfaces formed for improved coupling efficiency and method using same

DOEpatents

O`Rourke, P.E.; Livingston, R.R.

1995-03-28

A fiber optic probe is disclosed for detecting scattered light, with transmitting and receiving fibers having slanted ends and bundled together to form a bevel within the tip of the probe. The probe comprises a housing with a transparent window across its tip for protecting the transmitting and receiving fibers held therein. The endfaces of the fibers are slanted, by cutting, polishing and the like, so that they lie in a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective fiber. The fibers are held in the tip of the probe using an epoxy and oriented so that lines normal to the slanted endfaces are divergent with respect to one another. The epoxy, which is positioned substantially between the transmitting and receiving fibers, is tapered so that the transmitting fiber, the epoxy and the receiving fiber form a bevel of not more than 20 degrees. The angled fiber endfaces cause directing of the light cones toward each other, resulting in improved light coupling efficiency. A light absorber, such as carbon black, is contained in the epoxy to reduce crosstalk between the transmitting and receiving fibers. 3 figures.

Fiber optic probe having fibers with endfaces formed for improved coupling efficiency and method using same

DOEpatents

O'Rourke, Patrick E.; Livingston, Ronald R.

1995-01-01

A fiber optic probe for detecting scattered light, with transmitting and receiving fibers having slanted ends and bundled together to form a bevel within the tip of the probe. The probe comprises a housing with a transparent window across its tip for protecting the transmitting and receiving fibers held therein. The endfaces of the fibers are slanted, by cutting, polishing and the like, so that they lie in a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective fiber. The fibers are held in the tip of the probe using an epoxy and oriented so that lines normal to the slanted endfaces are divergent with respect to one another. The epoxy, which is positioned substantially between the transmitting and receiving fibers, is tapered so that the transmitting fiber, the epoxy and the receiving fiber form a bevel of not more than 20 degrees. The angled fiber endfaces cause directing of the light cones toward each other, resulting in improved light coupling efficiency. A light absorber, such as carbon black, is contained in the epoxy to reduce crosstalk between the transmitting and receiving fibers.

Non-parallel coevolution of sender and receiver in the acoustic communication system of treefrogs.

PubMed

Schul, Johannes; Bush, Sarah L

2002-09-07

Advertisement calls of closely related species often differ in quantitative features such as the repetition rate of signal units. These differences are important in species recognition. Current models of signal-receiver coevolution predict two possible patterns in the evolution of the mechanism used by receivers to recognize the call: (i) classical sexual selection models (Fisher process, good genes/indirect benefits, direct benefits models) predict that close relatives use qualitatively similar signal recognition mechanisms tuned to different values of a call parameter; and (ii) receiver bias models (hidden preference, pre-existing bias models) predict that if different signal recognition mechanisms are used by sibling species, evidence of an ancestral mechanism will persist in the derived species, and evidence of a pre-existing bias will be detectable in the ancestral species. We describe qualitatively different call recognition mechanisms in sibling species of treefrogs. Whereas Hyla chrysoscelis uses pulse rate to recognize male calls, Hyla versicolor uses absolute measurements of pulse duration and interval duration. We found no evidence of either hidden preferences or pre-existing biases. The results are compared with similar data from katydids (Tettigonia sp.). In both taxa, the data are not adequately explained by current models of signal-receiver coevolution.

Novel Maximum-based Timing Acquisition for Spread-Spectrum Communications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sibbetty, Taylor; Moradiz, Hussein; Farhang-Boroujeny, Behrouz

This paper proposes and analyzes a new packet detection and timing acquisition method for spread spectrum systems. The proposed method provides an enhancement over the typical thresholding techniques that have been proposed for direct sequence spread spectrum (DS-SS). The effective implementation of thresholding methods typically require accurate knowledge of the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which is particularly difficult to estimate in spread spectrum systems. Instead, we propose a method which utilizes a consistency metric of the location of maximum samples at the output of a filter matched to the spread spectrum waveform to achieve acquisition, and does not require knowledgemore » of the received SNR. Through theoretical study, we show that the proposed method offers a low probability of missed detection over a large range of SNR with a corresponding probability of false alarm far lower than other methods. Computer simulations that corroborate our theoretical results are also presented. Although our work here has been motivated by our previous study of a filter bank multicarrier spread-spectrum (FB-MC-SS) system, the proposed method is applicable to DS-SS systems as well.« less

The Galileo plasma wave investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gurnett, D. A.; Kurth, W. S.; Shaw, R. R.; Roux, A.; Gendrin, R.; Kennel, C. F.; Scarf, F. L.; Shawhan, S. D.

1992-01-01

The purpose of the Galileo plasma wave investigation is to study plasma waves and radio emissions in the magnetosphere of Jupiter. The plasma wave instrument uses an electric dipole antenna to detect electric fields, and two search coil magnetic antennas to detect magnetic fields. The frequency range covered is 5 Hz to 5.6 MHz for electric fields and 5 Hz to 160 kHz for magnetic fields. Low time-resolution survey spectrums are provided by three on-board spectrum analyzers. In the normal mode of operation the frequency resolution is about 10 percent, and the time resolution for a complete set of electric and magnetic field measurements is 37.33 s. High time-resolution spectrums are provided by a wideband receiver. The wideband receiver provides waveform measurements over bandwidths of 1, 10, and 80 kHz. Compared to previous measurements at Jupiter this instrument has several new capabilities. These new capabilities include (1) both electric and magnetic field measurements to distinguish electrostatic and electromagnetic waves, (2) direction finding measurements to determine source locations, and (3) increased bandwidth for the wideband measurements.

Development of Multi-Field of view-Multiple-Scattering-Polarization Lidar ： analysis of angular resolved backscattered signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makino, T.; Okamoto, H.; Sato, K.; Tanaka, K.; Nishizawa, T.; Sugimoto, N.; Matsui, I.; Jin, Y.; Uchiyama, A.; Kudo, R.

2014-12-01

We have developed a new type of ground-based lidar, Multi-Field of view-Multiple-Scattering-Polarization Lidar (MFMSPL), to analyze multiple scattering contribution due to low-level clouds. One issue of the ground based lidar is the limitation of optical thickness of about 3 due to the strong attenuation in the lidar signals so that only the cloud bottom part can be observed. In order to overcome the problem, we have proposed the MFMSPL that has been designed to observe similar degree of multiple scattering contribution expected from space-borne lidar CALIOP on CALIPSO satellite. The system consists of eight detectors; four telescopes for parallel channels and four for perpendicular channels. The four pairs of telescope have been mounted with four different off-beam angles, ranging from -5 to 35mrad, where the angle is defined as the one between the direction of laser beam and the direction of telescope. Consequently, similar large foot print (100m) as CALIOP can be achieved in the MFMSPL observations when the altitude of clouds is located at about 1km. The use of multi-field of views enables to measure depolarization ratio from optically thick clouds. The outer receivers attached with larger angles generally detect backscattered signals from clouds located at upper altitudes due to the enhanced multiple scattering compared with the inner receiver that detects signals only from cloud bottom portions. Therefore the information of cloud microphysics from optically thicker regions is expected by the MFMSPL observations compared with the conventional lidar with small FOV. The MFMSPL have been continuously operated in Tsukuba, Japan since June 2014.Initial analyses have indicated expected performances from the theoretical estimation by backward Monte-Carlo simulations. The depolarization ratio from deeper part of the clouds detected by the receiver with large off-beam angle showed much larger values than those from the one with small angle. The calibration procedures and summary of initial observations will be presented. The observed data obtained by the MFMSPL will be used to develop and evaluate the retrieval algorithms for cloud microphysics applied to the CALIOP data.

A continuous-wave ultrasound system for displacement amplitude and phase measurement.

PubMed

Finneran, James J; Hastings, Mardi C

2004-06-01

A noninvasive, continuous-wave ultrasonic technique was developed to measure the displacement amplitude and phase of mechanical structures. The measurement system was based on a method developed by Rogers and Hastings ["Noninvasive vibration measurement system and method for measuring amplitude of vibration of tissue in an object being investigated," U.S. Patent No. 4,819,643 (1989)] and expanded to include phase measurement. A low-frequency sound source was used to generate harmonic vibrations in a target of interest. The target was simultaneously insonified by a low-power, continuous-wave ultrasonic source. Reflected ultrasound was phase modulated by the target motion and detected with a separate ultrasonic transducer. The target displacement amplitude was obtained directly from the received ultrasound frequency spectrum by comparing the carrier and sideband amplitudes. Phase information was obtained by demodulating the received signal using a double-balanced mixer and low-pass filter. A theoretical model for the ultrasonic receiver field is also presented. This model coupled existing models for focused piston radiators and for pulse-echo ultrasonic fields. Experimental measurements of the resulting receiver fields compared favorably with theoretical predictions.

Low-cost 20-22 GHz MIC active receiver/radiometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mollenkopf, Steven; Katehi, Linda P. B.; Rebeiz, Gabriel M.

1995-01-01

A microwave integrated circuit active receiver is built and tested at 19-25 GHz. The receiver consists of a planar CPW-fed double folded-slot antenna coupled to a six-stage MESFET (metal semiconductor field effect transistors) amplifier and followed by a planar Schottky-diode detector. The folded-slot antenna on a GaAs half-space results in a wide frequency bandwidth suitable for MMIC amplifiers. The measured system performance show a video responsivity close to 1 GV/W at 20 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 1500 MHz. A novel method which uses the planar video detector after the amplifier stages as an RF (radio frequency) mixer is used to measure the noise-figure of the direct detection radiometer. The system noise figure is 4.8 dB at 22 GHz. The radiometer sensitivity to a hot/cold load is 3.8 mu V/K. The measured antenna patterns show a 90% Gaussicity at 20-22 GHz. The active MIC receiver can be integrated monolithically for low-cost applications and is well suited for millimeter-wave linear imaging arrays.

Effects of Airgun Sounds on Bowhead Whale Calling Rates: Evidence for Two Behavioral Thresholds

PubMed Central

Blackwell, Susanna B.; Nations, Christopher S.; McDonald, Trent L.; Thode, Aaron M.; Mathias, Delphine; Kim, Katherine H.; Greene, Charles R.; Macrander, A. Michael

2015-01-01

In proximity to seismic operations, bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) decrease their calling rates. Here, we investigate the transition from normal calling behavior to decreased calling and identify two threshold levels of received sound from airgun pulses at which calling behavior changes. Data were collected in August–October 2007–2010, during the westward autumn migration in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Up to 40 directional acoustic recorders (DASARs) were deployed at five sites offshore of the Alaskan North Slope. Using triangulation, whale calls localized within 2 km of each DASAR were identified and tallied every 10 minutes each season, so that the detected call rate could be interpreted as the actual call production rate. Moreover, airgun pulses were identified on each DASAR, analyzed, and a cumulative sound exposure level was computed for each 10-min period each season (CSEL10-min). A Poisson regression model was used to examine the relationship between the received CSEL10-min from airguns and the number of detected bowhead calls. Calling rates increased as soon as airgun pulses were detectable, compared to calling rates in the absence of airgun pulses. After the initial increase, calling rates leveled off at a received CSEL10-min of ~94 dB re 1 μPa2-s (the lower threshold). In contrast, once CSEL10-min exceeded ~127 dB re 1 μPa2-s (the upper threshold), whale calling rates began decreasing, and when CSEL10-min values were above ~160 dB re 1 μPa2-s, the whales were virtually silent. PMID:26039218

Effects of airgun sounds on bowhead whale calling rates: evidence for two behavioral thresholds.

PubMed

Blackwell, Susanna B; Nations, Christopher S; McDonald, Trent L; Thode, Aaron M; Mathias, Delphine; Kim, Katherine H; Greene, Charles R; Macrander, A Michael

2015-01-01

In proximity to seismic operations, bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) decrease their calling rates. Here, we investigate the transition from normal calling behavior to decreased calling and identify two threshold levels of received sound from airgun pulses at which calling behavior changes. Data were collected in August-October 2007-2010, during the westward autumn migration in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Up to 40 directional acoustic recorders (DASARs) were deployed at five sites offshore of the Alaskan North Slope. Using triangulation, whale calls localized within 2 km of each DASAR were identified and tallied every 10 minutes each season, so that the detected call rate could be interpreted as the actual call production rate. Moreover, airgun pulses were identified on each DASAR, analyzed, and a cumulative sound exposure level was computed for each 10-min period each season (CSEL10-min). A Poisson regression model was used to examine the relationship between the received CSEL10-min from airguns and the number of detected bowhead calls. Calling rates increased as soon as airgun pulses were detectable, compared to calling rates in the absence of airgun pulses. After the initial increase, calling rates leveled off at a received CSEL10-min of ~94 dB re 1 μPa2-s (the lower threshold). In contrast, once CSEL10-min exceeded ~127 dB re 1 μPa2-s (the upper threshold), whale calling rates began decreasing, and when CSEL10-min values were above ~160 dB re 1 μPa2-s, the whales were virtually silent.

[Value of the direct cystoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux in patients with prenatal hydronephrosis].

PubMed

Margarit Mallol, J; Vallejo Aparicio, S; García Henares, A; Grande Moreillo, C; Glasmeyer, P; Magro Benito, N; Buxeda Figuerola, M

2011-08-01

As the radiation received in conventional cystography is about 20 times higher than radionuclide cystography and the sensitivity of the last is higher in order to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux, we consider the use of radionuclide cystography in early detection of reflux in patients with prenatally detected hydronephrosis. Between 2003 and 2009, a study of neonates with prenatal history of hydronephrosis was performed in order to rule out reflux. Our protocol was as follows: The diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal ultrasound at 1 week (in this case patient initiate antibiotic prophylaxis). A new ultrasound was repeated at 6 weeks, if the dilatation was larger than 8 mm at this time, direct radionuclide scintigraphy was performed. The patients were placed on prophylactic antibiotics until the screenining results were known. Conventional cystography was performed if a male infant showed severe dilatation, or in general in cases with parenchymatous atrophy or if a duplex system was suspected. In 13 (20%) of the 65 cases (18 kidneys) reflux was detected (3 minor, 8 moderate and 7 severe). In most cases, follow up was performed with radionuclide cystography. None of the patients with reflux placed on prophylactic antibiotics developed a febrile urinary tract infection during the first year of life. Direct radionuclide cystography is a useful diagnostic method in early detection of vesicoureteral reflux in patients with prenatal hydronephrosis with higher sensitivity than conventional cystography, and with an important advantage concerning radiation of the patient. Patients screened and placed on prophylactic antibiotics are probably going to present less episodes of pielonephrytis.

25 CFR 170.917 - Can tribes receive direct payment of tribal employment taxes or fees?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Preference § 170.917 Can tribes receive direct payment of tribal employment taxes or fees? This section... payment schedule. Tribes may consider requesting direct payment of tribal employment taxes or fees from... 25 Indians 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Can tribes receive direct payment of tribal employment...

Distributed micro-radar system for detection and tracking of low-profile, low-altitude targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorwara, Ashok; Molchanov, Pavlo

2016-05-01

Proposed airborne surveillance radar system can detect, locate, track, and classify low-profile, low-altitude targets: from traditional fixed and rotary wing aircraft to non-traditional targets like unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and even small projectiles. Distributed micro-radar system is the next step in the development of passive monopulse direction finder proposed by Stephen E. Lipsky in the 80s. To extend high frequency limit and provide high sensitivity over the broadband of frequencies, multiple angularly spaced directional antennas are coupled with front end circuits and separately connected to a direction finder processor by a digital interface. Integration of antennas with front end circuits allows to exclude waveguide lines which limits system bandwidth and creates frequency dependent phase errors. Digitizing of received signals proximate to antennas allows loose distribution of antennas and dramatically decrease phase errors connected with waveguides. Accuracy of direction finding in proposed micro-radar in this case will be determined by time accuracy of digital processor and sampling frequency. Multi-band, multi-functional antennas can be distributed around the perimeter of a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and connected to the processor by digital interface or can be distributed between swarm/formation of mini/micro UAS and connected wirelessly. Expendable micro-radars can be distributed by perimeter of defense object and create multi-static radar network. Low-profile, lowaltitude, high speed targets, like small projectiles, create a Doppler shift in a narrow frequency band. This signal can be effectively filtrated and detected with high probability. Proposed micro-radar can work in passive, monostatic or bistatic regime.

Evaluation of acoustic telemetry grids for determining aquatic animal movement and survival

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kraus, Richard T.; Holbrook, Christopher; Vandergoot, Christopher; Stewart, Taylor R.; Faust, Matthew D.; Watkinson, Douglas A.; Charles, Colin; Pegg, Mark; Enders, Eva C.; Krueger, Charles C.

2018-01-01

Acoustic telemetry studies have frequently prioritized linear configurations of hydrophone receivers, such as perpendicular from shorelines or across rivers, to detect the presence of tagged aquatic animals. This approach introduces unknown bias when receivers are stationed for convenience at geographic bottlenecks (e.g., at the mouth of an embayment or between islands) as opposed to deployments following a statistical sampling design.We evaluated two-dimensional acoustic receiver arrays (grids: receivers spread uniformly across space) as an alternative approach to provide estimates of survival, movement, and habitat use. Performance of variably-spaced receiver grids (5–25 km spacing) was evaluated by simulating (1) animal tracks as correlated random walks (speed: 0.1–0.9 m/s; turning angle standard deviation: 5–30 degrees); (2) variable tag transmission intervals along each track (nominal delay: 15–300 seconds); and (3) probability of detection of each transmission based on logistic detection range curves (midpoint: 200–1500 m). From simulations, we quantified i) time between successive detections on any receiver (detection time), ii) time between successive detections on different receivers (transit time), and iii) distance between successive detections on different receivers (transit distance).In the most restrictive detection range scenario (200 m), the 95th percentile of transit time was 3.2 days at 5 km grid spacing, 5.7 days at 7 km, and 15.2 days at 25 km; for the 1500 m detection range scenario, it was 0.1 days at 5 km, 0.5 days at 7 km, and 10.8 days at 25 km. These values represented upper bounds on the expected maximum time that an animal could go undetected. Comparison of the simulations with pilot studies on three fishes (walleye Sander vitreus, common carp Cyprinus carpio, and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus) from two independent large lake ecosystems (lakes Erie and Winnipeg) revealed shorter detection and transit times than what simulations predicted.By spreading effort uniformly across space, grids can improve understanding of fish migration over the commonly employed receiver line approach, but at increased time cost for maintaining grids.

Bootstrap-based procedures for inference in nonparametric receiver-operating characteristic curve regression analysis.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Álvarez, María Xosé; Roca-Pardiñas, Javier; Cadarso-Suárez, Carmen; Tahoces, Pablo G

2018-03-01

Prior to using a diagnostic test in a routine clinical setting, the rigorous evaluation of its diagnostic accuracy is essential. The receiver-operating characteristic curve is the measure of accuracy most widely used for continuous diagnostic tests. However, the possible impact of extra information about the patient (or even the environment) on diagnostic accuracy also needs to be assessed. In this paper, we focus on an estimator for the covariate-specific receiver-operating characteristic curve based on direct regression modelling and nonparametric smoothing techniques. This approach defines the class of generalised additive models for the receiver-operating characteristic curve. The main aim of the paper is to offer new inferential procedures for testing the effect of covariates on the conditional receiver-operating characteristic curve within the above-mentioned class. Specifically, two different bootstrap-based tests are suggested to check (a) the possible effect of continuous covariates on the receiver-operating characteristic curve and (b) the presence of factor-by-curve interaction terms. The validity of the proposed bootstrap-based procedures is supported by simulations. To facilitate the application of these new procedures in practice, an R-package, known as npROCRegression, is provided and briefly described. Finally, data derived from a computer-aided diagnostic system for the automatic detection of tumour masses in breast cancer is analysed.

Motivation in vigilance - A test of the goal-setting hypothesis of the effectiveness of knowledge of results.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Warm, J. S.; Riechmann, S. W.; Grasha, A. F.; Seibel, B.

1973-01-01

This study tested the prediction, derived from the goal-setting hypothesis, that the facilitating effects of knowledge of results (KR) in a simple vigilance task should be related directly to the level of the performance standard used to regulate KR. Two groups of Ss received dichotomous KR in terms of whether Ss response times (RTs) to signal detections exceeded a high or low standard of performance. The aperiodic offset of a visual signal was the critical event for detection. The vigil was divided into a training phase followed by testing, during which KR was withdrawn. Knowledge of results enhanced performance in both phases. However, the two standards used to regulate feedback contributed little to these effects.

Initial alignment method for free space optics laser beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, Yuta; Tashiro, Yuki; Izumi, Kiyotaka; Yoshida, Koichi; Tsujimura, Takeshi

2016-08-01

The authors have newly proposed and constructed an active free space optics transmission system. It is equipped with a motor driven laser emitting mechanism and positioning photodiodes, and it transmits a collimated thin laser beam and accurately steers the laser beam direction. It is necessary to introduce the laser beam within sensible range of the receiver in advance of laser beam tracking control. This paper studies an estimation method of laser reaching point for initial laser beam alignment. Distributed photodiodes detect laser luminescence at respective position, and the optical axis of laser beam is analytically presumed based on the Gaussian beam optics. Computer simulation evaluates the accuracy of the proposed estimation methods, and results disclose that the methods help us to guide the laser beam to a distant receiver.

Experimental demonstration of the transmission performance for LDPC-coded multiband OFDM ultra-wideband over fiber system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Jing; Wen, Xuejie; Chen, Ming; Chen, Lin; Su, Jinshu

2015-01-01

To improve the transmission performance of multiband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) ultra-wideband (UWB) over optical fiber, a pre-coding scheme based on low-density parity-check (LDPC) is adopted and experimentally demonstrated in the intensity-modulation and direct-detection MB-OFDM UWB over fiber system. Meanwhile, a symbol synchronization and pilot-aided channel estimation scheme is implemented on the receiver of the MB-OFDM UWB over fiber system. The experimental results show that the LDPC pre-coding scheme can work effectively in the MB-OFDM UWB over fiber system. After 70 km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) transmission, at the bit error rate of 1 × 10-3, the receiver sensitivities are improved about 4 dB when the LDPC code rate is 75%.

Iterative MMSE Detection for MIMO/BLAST DS-CDMA Systems in Frequency Selective Fading Channels - Achieving High Performance in Fully Loaded Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, João Carlos; Souto, Nuno; Cercas, Francisco; Dinis, Rui

A MMSE (Minimum Mean Square Error) DS-CDMA (Direct Sequence-Code Division Multiple Access) receiver coupled with a low-complexity iterative interference suppression algorithm was devised for a MIMO/BLAST (Multiple Input, Multiple Output / Bell Laboratories Layered Space Time) system in order to improve system performance, considering frequency selective fading channels. The scheme is compared against the simple MMSE receiver, for both QPSK and 16QAM modulations, under SISO (Single Input, Single Output) and MIMO systems, the latter with 2Tx by 2Rx and 4Tx by 4Rx (MIMO order 2 and 4 respectively) antennas. To assess its performance in an existing system, the uncoded UMTS HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) standard was considered.

Vehicle to wireless power transfer coupling coil alignment sensor

DOEpatents

Miller, John M.; Chambon, Paul H.; Jones, Perry T.; White, Clifford P.

2016-02-16

A non-contacting position sensing apparatus includes at least one vehicle-mounted receiver coil that is configured to detect a net flux null when the vehicle is optimally aligned relative to the primary coil in the charging device. Each of the at least one vehicle-mounted receiver coil includes a clockwise winding loop and a counterclockwise winding loop that are substantially symmetrically configured and serially connected to each other. When the non-contacting position sensing apparatus is located directly above the primary coil of the charging device, the electromotive forces from the clockwise winding loop and the counterclockwise region cancel out to provide a zero electromotive force, i.e., a zero voltage reading across the coil that includes the clockwise winding loop and the counterclockwise winding loop.

Phase ambiguity resolution for offset QPSK modulation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Tien M. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A demodulator for Offset Quaternary Phase Shift Keyed (OQPSK) signals modulated with two words resolves eight possible combinations of phase ambiguity which may produce data error by first processing received I(sub R) and Q(sub R) data in an integrated carrier loop/symbol synchronizer using a digital Costas loop with matched filters for correcting four of eight possible phase lock errors, and then the remaining four using a phase ambiguity resolver which detects the words to not only reverse the received I(sub R) and Q(sub R) data channels, but to also invert (complement) the I(sub R) and/or Q(sub R) data, or to at least complement the I(sub R) and Q(sub R) data for systems using nontransparent codes that do not have rotation direction ambiguity.

Validation of microscopic observation drug susceptibility testing for rapid, direct rifampicin and isoniazid drug susceptibility testing in patients receiving tuberculosis treatment

PubMed Central

Coronel, J; Roper, M H; Herrera, C; Bonilla, C; Jave, O; Gianella, C; Sabogal, I; Huancaré, V; Leo, E; Tyas, A; Mendoza-Ticona, A; Caviedes, L; Moore, D A J; Drancourt, M

2014-01-01

Drug susceptibility testing (DST) is often needed in patients clinically failing tuberculosis (TB) therapy. Most studies of phenotypic direct drug susceptibility tests, such as microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) tests, have been performed in patients not receiving TB treatment. The effect of ongoing TB treatment on the performance of MODS direct DST has not been previously explored, but patients failing such therapy constitute an important target group. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of MODS direct rifampicin and isoniazid DST in patients clinically failing first-line TB treatment, and to compare MODS direct DST with indirect proportion method DST. Sputa from 264 TB patients were cultured in parallel in Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ) and MODS assays; strains were tested for rifampicin and isoniazid susceptibility by the proportion method at the national reference laboratory. Ninety-three samples were culture-positive by LJ and MODS (concordance of 96%; kappa 0.92). With conventional MODS plate DST reading (performed on the same day as the sample is classified as culture-positive), the isoniazid DST concordance was 96.8% (kappa 0.89), and the concordance for rifampicin susceptibility testing was 92.6% (kappa 0.80). Reading of MODS DST plates 1 week after cultures had been determined to be culture-positive improved overall performance marginally—the isoniazid DST concordance was 95.7% (kappa 0.85); and the rifampicin DST concordance was 96.8% (kappa 0.91). Sensitivity for detection of multidrug-resistant TB was 95.8%. MODS testing provided reliable rifampicin and isoniazid DST results for samples obtained from patients receiving TB therapy. A modified DST reading schedule for such samples, with a final reading 1 week after a MODS culture turns positive, marginally improves the concordance with reference DST. PMID:24107197

A simple sandwich ELISA (WELYSSA) for the detection of lyssavirus nucleocapsid in rabies suspected specimens using mouse monoclonal antibodies.

PubMed

Xu, Gelin; Weber, Patrick; Hu, Qiaoling; Xue, Honggang; Audry, Laurent; Li, Chengping; Wu, Jie; Bourhy, Herve

2007-10-01

Monoclonal antibody (MAb)-based capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were developed for the diagnosis of rabies-suspect specimens. A combination of four mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against the rabies virus nucleocapsid was selected and used for the detection. The test was optimized and standardized so that maximum concordance could be maintained with the standard procedures of rabies diagnosis recommended by the WHO expert committee. Using prototype viruses from the different genotypes of lyssavirus and from various geographic origins and phylogenetic lineages, this paper presents a reliable, rapid and transferable diagnostic method, named WELYSSA that readily permits the detection of lyssaviruses belonging to the 7 genotypes of lyssavirus circulating in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The threshold of detection of lyssavirus nucleocapsids is low (0.8 ng/ml). With a panel of 1030 specimens received for rabies diagnostic testing, this test was found to be highly specific (0.999) and sensitive (0.970) when compared to other recommended rabies diagnostic methods.

The application of microwave photonic detection in quantum communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diao, Wenting; Zhuang, Yongyong; Song, Xuerui; Wang, Liujun; Duan, Chongdi

2018-03-01

Quantum communication has attracted much attention in recent years, provides an ultimate level of security, and uniquely it is one of the most likely practical quantum technologies at present. In order to realize global coverage of quantum communication networks, not only need the help of satellite to realize wide area quantum communication, need implementation of optical fiber system to realize city to city quantum communication, but also, it is necessary to implement end-to-end quantum communications intercity and wireless quantum communications that can be received by handheld devices. Because of the limitation of application of light in buildings, it needs quantum communication with microwave band to achieve quantum reception of wireless handheld devices. The single microwave photon energy is very low, it is difficult to directly detect, which become a difficulty in microwave quantum detection. This paper summarizes the mode of single microwave photon detection methods and the possibility of application in microwave quantum communication, and promotes the development of quantum communication in microwave band and quantum radar.

Positron emission imaging device and method of using the same

DOEpatents

Bingham, Philip R.; Mullens, James Allen

2013-01-15

An imaging system and method of imaging are disclosed. The imaging system can include an external radiation source producing pairs of substantially simultaneous radiation emissions of a picturization emission and a verification emissions at an emission angle. The imaging system can also include a plurality of picturization sensors and at least one verification sensor for detecting the picturization and verification emissions, respectively. The imaging system also includes an object stage is arranged such that a picturization emission can pass through an object supported on said object stage before being detected by one of said plurality of picturization sensors. A coincidence system and a reconstruction system can also be included. The coincidence can receive information from the picturization and verification sensors and determine whether a detected picturization emission is direct radiation or scattered radiation. The reconstruction system can produce a multi-dimensional representation of an object imaged with the imaging system.

Performance evaluation and optimization of multiband phase-modulated radio over IsOWC link with balanced coherent homodyne detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zong, Kang; Zhu, Jiang

2018-04-01

In this paper, we present a multiband phase-modulated (PM) radio over intersatellite optical wireless communication (IsOWC) link with balanced coherent homodyne detection. The proposed system can provide the transparent transport of multiband radio frequency (RF) signals with higher linearity and better receiver sensitivity than intensity modulated with direct detection (IM/DD) system. The expressions of RF gain, noise figure (NF) and third-order spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) are derived considering the third-order intermodulation product and amplifier spontaneous emission (ASE) noise. The optimal power of local oscillator (LO) optical signal is also derived theoretically. Numerical results for RF gain, NF and third-order SFDR are given for demonstration. Results indicate that the gain of the optical preamplifier and the power of LO optical signal should be optimized to obtain the satisfactory performance.

Multiband DSB-SC modulated radio over IsOWC link with coherent homodyne detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Zong; Zhu, Jiang

2018-02-01

In this paper, we present a multiband double sideband-suppressed carrier (DSB-SC) modulated radio over intersatellite optical wireless communication (IsOWC) link with coherent homodyne detection. The proposed system can provide the transparent transport of multiband radio frequency (RF) signals with higher linearity and better receiver sensitivity than the intensity modulated with direct detection (IM/DD) scheme. The full system model and the exactly analytical expression of signal to noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) are derived considering the third-order intermodulation product and amplifier spontaneous emission (ASE) noise. The finite extinction ratio (ER) of Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM) and the saturation property of erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) are also considered. Numerical results of SNDR with various numbers of subchannels and ERs are given. Results indicate that the optimal modulation index exists to maximize the SNDR and the power of local oscillator (LO) carrier should be within an appropriate range.

Quantitative assessment of Cerenkov luminescence for radioguided brain tumor resection surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Justin S.; Mitchell, Gregory S.; Cherry, Simon R.

2017-05-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is a developing imaging modality that detects radiolabeled molecules via visible light emitted during the radioactive decay process. We used a Monte Carlo based computer simulation to quantitatively investigate CLI compared to direct detection of the ionizing radiation itself as an intraoperative imaging tool for assessment of brain tumor margins. Our brain tumor model consisted of a 1 mm spherical tumor remnant embedded up to 5 mm in depth below the surface of normal brain tissue. Tumor to background contrast ranging from 2:1 to 10:1 were considered. We quantified all decay signals (e±, gamma photon, Cerenkov photons) reaching the brain volume surface. CLI proved to be the most sensitive method for detecting the tumor volume in both imaging and non-imaging strategies as assessed by contrast-to-noise ratio and by receiver operating characteristic output of a channelized Hotelling observer.

Unconventional signal detection techniques with Gaussian probability mixtures adaptation in non-AWGN channels: full resolution receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chabdarov, Shamil M.; Nadeev, Adel F.; Chickrin, Dmitry E.; Faizullin, Rashid R.

2011-04-01

In this paper we discuss unconventional detection technique also known as «full resolution receiver». This receiver uses Gaussian probability mixtures for interference structure adaptation. Full resolution receiver is alternative to conventional matched filter receivers in the case of non-Gaussian interferences. For the DS-CDMA forward channel with presence of complex interferences sufficient performance increasing was shown.

Multistatic GNSS Receiver Array for Passive Air Surveillance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wachtl, Stefan; Koch, Volker; Westphal, Robert; Schmidt, Lorenz-Peter

2016-03-01

The performance of a passive air surveillance sensor based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is mainly limited by the receiver noise efficiency, the achievable signal processing gain and the radar cross section (RCS) of an airplane. For surveillance applications large detection ranges as well as a high probability of detection are crucial parameters. Due to the very low GNSS signal powers received on the earth's surface, high radar cross sections are mandatory to achieve detection ranges for airplanes at some kilometers distance. This paper will discuss a multistatic transmitter and receiver arrangement, which is indispensable to get a reasonable detection rate with respect to a hemispheric field of view. The strong performance dependency of such a sensor on the number of transmitters and receivers will be shown by means of some exemplary simulation results.

Method and apparatus for a high-resolution three dimensional confocal scanning transmission electron microscope

DOEpatents

de Jonge, Niels [Oak Ridge, TN

2010-08-17

A confocal scanning transmission electron microscope which includes an electron illumination device providing an incident electron beam propagating in a direction defining a propagation axis, and a precision specimen scanning stage positioned along the propagation axis and movable in at least one direction transverse to the propagation axis. The precision specimen scanning stage is configured for positioning a specimen relative to the incident electron beam. A projector lens receives a transmitted electron beam transmitted through at least part of the specimen and focuses this transmitted beam onto an image plane, where the transmitted beam results from the specimen being illuminated by the incident electron beam. A detection system is placed approximately in the image plane.

Detecting event-based prospective memory cues occurring within and outside the focus of attention.

PubMed

Hicks, Jason L; Cook, Gabriel I; Marsh, Richard L

2005-01-01

Event-based prospective memory cues are environmental stimuli that are associated with a previously established intention to perform an activity. Such cues traditionally have been placed in materials that receive focal attention during an ongoing activity. This article reports a direct comparison of event-based cues that occurred either within the focus of attention or at the periphery of such attention. When the cue occurred outside focal attention, manipulating that cue changed event-based prospective memory. The identical manipulation had no effect on event-based responding if the cue occurred within focal attention. These results suggest that cue characteristics can compensate for attention being directed away from an aspect of an ongoing task that contains event-based prospective memory.

Ionospheric modifications detected by a dense network of single frequency GNSS receivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mrak, S.; Semeter, J. L.

2017-12-01

It has been predicted that the region of totality during a total solar eclipse can launch atmospheric gravity waves with large enough amplitude to cause traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). We report initial results from a remote sensing campaign involving a dense hybrid network of single- and dual-frequency GNSS receivers deployed underneath the 21 August 2017 solar eclipse. The campaign took place in central Missouri, involving 84 Trimble dual-frequency receivers, complemented by 2 additional 50 Hz dual-frequency receivers and 15 single-frequency receivers, together constructing 100 receivers with average mutual separation of less than 25 km and with a time resolution of 1 second or better. The initial results show a crescent shaped enhancement bulge in front of region of totality, extending all the way from Canada to Gulf of Mexico. In addition, in the path of totality is noticed a great depletion region, followed by a pair of transverse waves propagating in west-east direction. In the following months, we will explore the transition region carried by the totality by a virtue of hyper dense network of GNSS receivers with 1 second resolution. In addition to TEC data decomposition we will explore effects of the totality on the raw measurements (phase, code and signal intensity), and to the navigation solution which is likely to be effected by a different propagation conditions with respect to other days.

Effect of Pointing Error on the BER Performance of an Optical CDMA FSO Link with SIK Receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazrul Islam, A. K. M.; Majumder, S. P.

2017-12-01

An analytical approach is presented for an optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) system over free space optical (FSO) channel considering the effect of pointing error between the transmitter and the receiver. Analysis is carried out with an optical sequence inverse keying (SIK) correlator receiver with intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) to find the bit error rate (BER) with pointing error. The results are evaluated numerically in terms of signal-to-noise plus multi-access interference (MAI) ratio, BER and power penalty due to pointing error. It is noticed that the OCDMA FSO system is highly affected by pointing error with significant power penalty at a BER of 10-6 and 10-9. For example, penalty at BER 10-9 is found to be 9 dB corresponding to normalized pointing error of 1.4 for 16 users with processing gain of 256 and is reduced to 6.9 dB when the processing gain is increased to 1,024.

Angular displacement measuring device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seegmiller, H. Lee B. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A system for measuring the angular displacement of a point of interest on a structure, such as aircraft model within a wind tunnel, includes a source of polarized light located at the point of interest. A remote detector arrangement detects the orientation of the plane of the polarized light received from the source and compares this orientation with the initial orientation to determine the amount or rate of angular displacement of the point of interest. The detector arrangement comprises a rotating polarizing filter and a dual filter and light detector unit. The latter unit comprises an inner aligned filter and photodetector assembly which is disposed relative to the periphery of the polarizer so as to receive polarized light passing the polarizing filter and an outer aligned filter and photodetector assembly which receives the polarized light directly, i.e., without passing through the polarizing filter. The purpose of the unit is to compensate for the effects of dust, fog and the like. A polarization preserving optical fiber conducts polarized light from a remote laser source to the point of interest.

Effect of Wind Flow on Convective Heat Losses from Scheffler Solar Concentrator Receivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nene, Anita Arvind; Ramachandran, S.; Suyambazhahan, S.

2018-05-01

Receiver is an important element of solar concentrator system. In a Scheffler concentrator, solar rays get concentrated at focus of parabolic dish. While radiation losses are more predictable and calculable since strongly related to receiver temperature, convective looses are difficult to estimate in view of additional factors such as wind flow direction, speed, receiver geometry, prior to current work. Experimental investigation was carried out on two geometries of receiver namely cylindrical and conical with 2.7 m2 Scheffler to find optimum condition of tilt to provide best efficiency. Experimental results showed that as compared to cylindrical receiver, conical receiver gave maximum efficiency at 45° tilt angle. However effect of additional factors like wind speed, wind direction on especially convective losses could not be separately seen. The current work was undertaken to investigate further the same two geometries using computation fluid dynamics using FLUENT to compute convective losses considering all variables such at tilt angle of receiver, wind velocity and wind direction. For cylindrical receiver, directional heat transfer coefficient (HTC) is remarkably high to tilt condition meaning this geometry is critical to tilt leading to higher convective heat losses. For conical receiver, directional average HTC is remarkably less to tilt condition leading to lower convective heat loss.

Performance analysis of EM-based blind detection for ON-OFF keying modulation over atmospheric optical channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dabiri, Mohammad Taghi; Sadough, Seyed Mohammad Sajad

2018-04-01

In the free-space optical (FSO) links, atmospheric turbulence lead to scintillation in the received signal. Due to its ease of implementation, intensity modulation with direct detection (IM/DD) based on ON-OFF keying (OOK) is a popular signaling scheme in these systems. Over turbulence channel, to detect OOK symbols in a blind way, i.e., without sending pilot symbols, an expectation-maximization (EM)-based detection method was recently proposed in the literature related to free-space optical (FSO) communication. However, the performance of EM-based detection methods severely depends on the length of the observation interval (Ls). To choose the optimum values of Ls at target bit error rates (BER)s of FSO communications which are commonly lower than 10-9, Monte-Carlo simulations would be very cumbersome and require a very long processing time. To facilitate performance evaluation, in this letter we derive the analytic expressions for BER and outage probability. Numerical results validate the accuracy of our derived analytic expressions. Our results may serve to evaluate the optimum value for Ls without resorting to time-consuming Monte-Carlo simulations.

Synchronized SETI-The Case for "Opposition"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corbet, Robin H. D.

2003-06-01

If the signals being sought in search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) programs exist but are brief (for example, they are produced intermittently to conserve energy), then it is essential to know when these signals will arrive at the Earth. Different types of transmitter/receiver synchronization schemes are possible, which vary in the relative amount of effort required by the transmitter and the receiver. The case is made for a scheme that is extremely simple for the receiver: Make observations of a target when it is at maximum angular distance from the Sun (i.e., "opposition"). This strategy requires that the transmitter has accurate knowledge of the distance and proper motion of the Sun and the orbit of the Earth. It is anticipated that within the next 10-20 years it will be possible to detect directly nearby extrasolar planets of approximately terrestrial mass. Since extraterrestrial transmitters are expected to have significantly more advanced technology, it is not unreasonable to expect that they would be able to detect the presence of the Earth and measure its orbit at even greater distances. This strategy is simple to implement, and opposition is also typically the time when observations are easiest to make. Limited opposition surveys contained in a number of all-sky surveys have already been performed. However, full-sky opposition surveys are best suited to detectors with very large fields of view.

Synchronized SETI-the case for "opposition".

PubMed

Corbet, Robin H D

2003-01-01

If the signals being sought in search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) programs exist but are brief (for example, they are produced intermittently to conserve energy), then it is essential to know when these signals will arrive at the Earth. Different types of transmitter/receiver synchronization schemes are possible, which vary in the relative amount of effort required by the transmitter and the receiver. The case is made for a scheme that is extremely simple for the receiver: Make observations of a target when it is at maximum angular distance from the Sun (i.e., "opposition"). This strategy requires that the transmitter has accurate knowledge of the distance and proper motion of the Sun and the orbit of the Earth. It is anticipated that within the next 10-20 years it will be possible to detect directly nearby extrasolar planets of approximately terrestrial mass. Since extraterrestrial transmitters are expected to have significantly more advanced technology, it is not unreasonable to expect that they would be able to detect the presence of the Earth and measure its orbit at even greater distances. This strategy is simple to implement, and opposition is also typically the time when observations are easiest to make. Limited opposition surveys contained in a number of all-sky surveys have already been performed. However, full-sky opposition surveys are best suited to detectors with very large fields of view.

Imaging spectrometer/camera having convex grating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reininger, Francis M. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

An imaging spectrometer has fore-optics coupled to a spectral resolving system with an entrance slit extending in a first direction at an imaging location of the fore-optics for receiving the image, a convex diffraction grating for separating the image into a plurality of spectra of predetermined wavelength ranges; a spectrometer array for detecting the spectra; and at least one concave sperical mirror concentric with the diffraction grating for relaying the image from the entrance slit to the diffraction grating and from the diffraction grating to the spectrometer array. In one embodiment, the spectrometer is configured in a lateral mode in which the entrance slit and the spectrometer array are displaced laterally on opposite sides of the diffraction grating in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In another embodiment, the spectrometer is combined with a polychromatic imaging camera array disposed adjacent said entrance slit for recording said image.

Passive coherent location direct signal suppression using hardware mixing techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaiser, Sean A.; Christianson, Andrew J.; Narayanan, Ram M.

2017-05-01

Passive coherent location (PCL) is a radar technique, in which the system uses reflections from opportunistic illumination sources in the environment for detection and tracking. Typically, PCL uses civilian communication transmitters not ideally suited for radar. The physical geometry of PCL is developed on the basis of bistatic radar without control of the transmitter antenna or waveform design. This poses the problem that often the receiver is designed with two antennas and channels, one for reference and one for surveillance. The surveillance channel is also contaminated with the direct signal and thus direct signal suppression (DSS) techniques must be used. This paper proposes an analytical solution based around hardware for DSS which is compared to other methods available in the literature. The methods are tested in varying bistatic geometries and with varying target radar cross section (RCS) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

A Burst-Mode Photon-Counting Receiver with Automatic Channel Estimation and Bit Rate Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-24

communication at data rates up to 10.416 Mb/s over a 30-foot water channel. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of burst-mode...obstructions. The receiver is capable of on-the-fly data rate detection and adapts to changing levels of signal and background light. The receiver...receiver. We demonstrate on-the-fly rate detection, channel BER within 0.2 dB of theory across all data rates, and error-free performance within 1.82 dB

Detection of influenza-like illness aberrations by directly monitoring Pearson residuals of fitted negative binomial regression models.

PubMed

Chan, Ta-Chien; Teng, Yung-Chu; Hwang, Jing-Shiang

2015-02-21

Emerging novel influenza outbreaks have increasingly been a threat to the public and a major concern of public health departments. Real-time data in seamless surveillance systems such as health insurance claims data for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) are ready for analysis, making it highly desirable to develop practical techniques to analyze such readymade data for outbreak detection so that the public can receive timely influenza epidemic warnings. This study proposes a simple and effective approach to analyze area-based health insurance claims data including outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits for early detection of any aberrations of ILI. The health insurance claims data during 2004-2009 from a national health insurance research database were used for developing early detection methods. The proposed approach fitted the daily new ILI visits and monitored the Pearson residuals directly for aberration detection. First, negative binomial regression was used for both outpatient and ED visits to adjust for potentially influential factors such as holidays, weekends, seasons, temporal dependence and temperature. Second, if the Pearson residuals exceeded 1.96, aberration signals were issued. The empirical validation of the model was done in 2008 and 2009. In addition, we designed a simulation study to compare the time of outbreak detection, non-detection probability and false alarm rate between the proposed method and modified CUSUM. The model successfully detected the aberrations of 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza virus in northern, central and southern Taiwan. The proposed approach was more sensitive in identifying aberrations in ED visits than those in outpatient visits. Simulation studies demonstrated that the proposed approach could detect the aberrations earlier, and with lower non-detection probability and mean false alarm rate in detecting aberrations compared to modified CUSUM methods. The proposed simple approach was able to filter out temporal trends, adjust for temperature, and issue warning signals for the first wave of the influenza epidemic in a timely and accurate manner.

Method and apparatus for coherent burst ranging

DOEpatents

Wachter, Eric A.; Fisher, Walter G.

1998-01-01

A high resolution ranging method is described utilizing a novel modulated waveform, hereafter referred to as coherent burst modulation. In the coherent burst method, high frequency modulation of an acoustic or electromagnetic transmitter, such as a laser, is performed at a modulation frequency. This modulation frequency is transmitted quasi-continuously in the form of interrupted bursts of radiation. Energy from the transmitter is directed onto a target, interacts with the target, and the returning energy is collected. The encoded burst pattern contained in the collected return signal is detected coherently by a receiver that is tuned so as to be principally sensitive to the modulation frequency. The receiver signal is processed to determine target range using both time-of-flight of the burst envelope and phase shift of the high frequency modulation. This approach effectively decouples the maximum unambiguous range and range resolution relationship of earlier methods, thereby allowing high precision ranging to be conducted at arbitrarily long distances using at least one burst of encoded energy. The use of a receiver tuned to the high frequency modulation contained within the coherent burst vastly improves both sensitivity in the detection of the target return signal and rejection of background interferences, such as ambient acoustic or electromagnetic noise. Simultaneous transmission at several energies (or wavelengths) is possible by encoding each energy with a separate modulation frequency or pattern; electronic demodulation at the receiver allows the return pattern for each energy to be monitored independently. Radial velocity of a target can also be determined by monitoring change in phase shift of the return signal as a function of time.

Method and apparatus for coherent burst ranging

DOEpatents

Wachter, E.A.; Fisher, W.G.

1998-04-28

A high resolution ranging method is described utilizing a novel modulated waveform, hereafter referred to as coherent burst modulation. In the coherent burst method, high frequency modulation of an acoustic or electromagnetic transmitter, such as a laser, is performed at a modulation frequency. This modulation frequency is transmitted quasi-continuously in the form of interrupted bursts of radiation. Energy from the transmitter is directed onto a target, interacts with the target, and the returning energy is collected. The encoded burst pattern contained in the collected return signal is detected coherently by a receiver that is tuned so as to be principally sensitive to the modulation frequency. The receiver signal is processed to determine target range using both time-of-flight of the burst envelope and phase shift of the high frequency modulation. This approach effectively decouples the maximum unambiguous range and range resolution relationship of earlier methods, thereby allowing high precision ranging to be conducted at arbitrarily long distances using at least one burst of encoded energy. The use of a receiver tuned to the high frequency modulation contained within the coherent burst vastly improves both sensitivity in the detection of the target return signal and rejection of background interferences, such as ambient acoustic or electromagnetic noise. Simultaneous transmission at several energies (or wavelengths) is possible by encoding each energy with a separate modulation frequency or pattern; electronic demodulation at the receiver allows the return pattern for each energy to be monitored independently. Radial velocity of a target can also be determined by monitoring change in phase shift of the return signal as a function of time. 12 figs.

High Bandwidth, Multi-Purpose Passive Radar Receiver Design For Aerospace and Geoscience Targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vertatschitsch, Laura

Passive radar permits inexpensive and stealthy detection and tracking of aerospace and geoscience targets. Transmitters of opportunity such as commercial FM broadcast, DTV broadcast, and cell phone towers are already illuminating many populated areas with continuous power. Passive radar receivers can be located at a distance from the transmitter, and can sense this direct transmission as well as any reflections from ground clutter, aircraft, ionospheric turbulence and meteor trails. The 100% duty cycle allows for long coherent integration, increasing the sensitivity of these instruments greatly. Traditional radar receivers employ analog front end downconverters to translate the radio frequency spectrum to an intermediate frequency (IF) for sampling and signal processing. Such downconverters limit the spectrum available for study, and can introduce nonlinearities which limit the detectability of weak signals in the presence of strong signals. With suitably fast digitizers one can bypass the downconversion stage completely. Very fast digitizers may have relatively few bits, but precision is recovered in subsequent signal processing. We present a new passive radar receiver designed to utilize a broad spectrum of commercial transmitters without the use of a front end analog downconverter. The receiver centers around a Reconfigurable Open Architecture Computing Hardware (ROACH) board developed by the Collaboration for Astronomy Signal Processing and Electronics Research (CASPER) group. Fast sampling rates (8-bit samples as fast as 3 GSps) combined with 640 multiply/addition operations on the Virtex-5 FPGA centered on the ROACH allows for coherent processing of broad spectrum and dynamic decision-making on one device all while sharing a single front end, putting this device on the cutting edge of wideband receiver technology. The radar is also designed to support mobile operation. It fits within a 19'' rack, it is equipped with solid state hard drives, and can run off an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for up to 1 hour of continuous operation. In this document we provide technical details of the hardware, firmware, and software of the system and design strategies and decisions. We cover the topic of coherent processing for passive radar, specifically an overview of the cross-ambiguity function as a detection mechanism. While the applications of a system like this are incredibly broad, the initial validation and performance analysis was applied specifically to detection of aircraft using Digital Television (DTV) broadcast as an illuminator. We present results of both stationary and mobile operation. In stationary operation, the same helicopter has been detected using two different DTV transmissions. Early mobile operation results show the Doppler-spread ground clutter and possible detection of aircraft. In addition to the fully-functional aircraft detection signal chain, alternative FPGA designs are presented with modes for fast sampling on two antennas or four antennas, with access to an aggregate 240 MHz of spectrum, with 8-bit samples. At these extremely high data rates, moderate data loss occurs while saving this data to disk, but as detailed within this document, it can be accounted for and the effects minimalized, still allowing for detection of aircraft. With these modes, FM transmission and DTV transmission can be captured synchronously from a single antenna and digitizer feed, an exciting result that offers promise for both aerospace and geoscience applications.

Optical communication for space missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Firtmaurice, M.

1991-01-01

Activities performed at NASA/GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) related to direct detection optical communications for space applications are discussed. The following subject areas are covered: (1) requirements for optical communication systems (data rates and channel quality; spatial acquisition; fine tracking and pointing; and transmit point-ahead correction); (2) component testing and development (laser diodes performance characterization and life testing; and laser diode power combining); (3) system development and simulations (The GSFC pointing, acquisition and tracking system; hardware description; preliminary performance analysis; and high data rate transmitter/receiver systems); and (4) proposed flight demonstration of optical communications.

Airborne Measurements of Atmospheric Methane Column Abundance Made Using a Pulsed IPDA Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riris, Haris; Numata, Kenji; Li, Steve; Wu, Stewart; Ramanathan, Anamd; Dawsey, Martha; Mao, Jianping; Kawa, Randolph; Abshire, James B.

2012-01-01

We report airborne measurements of the column abundance of atmospheric methane made over an altitude range of 3-11 km using a direct detection IPDA lidar with a pulsed laser emitting at 1651 nm. The laser transmitter was a tunable, seeded optical parametric amplifier (OPA) pumped by a Nd:YAG laser and the receiver used a photomultiplier detector and photon counting electronics. The results follow the expected changes with aircraft altitude and the measured line shapes and optical depths show good agreement with theoretical calculations.

Liquid-phase chromatography detector

DOEpatents

Voigtman, E.G.; Winefordner, J.D.; Jurgensen, A.R.

1983-11-08

A liquid-phase chromatography detector comprises a flow cell having an inlet tubular conduit for receiving a liquid chromatographic effluent and discharging it as a flowing columnar stream onto a vertically adjustable receiving surface spaced apart from and located vertically below and in close proximity to the discharge end of the tubular conduit; a receiver adapted to receive liquid overflowing from the receiving surface; an exit conduit for continuously removing liquid from the receiver; a light source for focusing fluorescence-producing light pulses on the flowing columnar stream as it passes from the outlet of the conduit to the receiving surface and a fluorescence detector to detect the produced fluorescence; a source of light pulse for producing acoustic waves in the columnar stream as it passes from the conduit outlet to the receiving surface; and a piezoelectric transducer adapted to detect those waves; and a source of bias voltage applied to the inlet tubular conduit and adapted to produce ionization of the liquid flowing through the flow cell so as to produce photocurrents therein and an electrical system to detect and record the photocurrents. This system is useful in separating and detecting individual chemical compounds from mixtures thereof. 5 figs.

Liquid-phase chromatography detector

DOEpatents

Voigtman, Edward G.; Winefordner, James D.; Jurgensen, Arthur R.

1983-01-01

A liquid-phase chromatography detector comprising a flow cell having an inlet tubular conduit for receiving a liquid chromatographic effluent and discharging it as a flowing columnar stream onto a vertically adjustable receiving surface spaced apart from and located vertically below and in close proximity to the discharge end of the tubular conduit; a receiver adapted to receive liquid overflowing from the receiving surface; an exit conduit for continuously removing liquid from the receiver; a light source for focussing fluorescence-producing light pulses on the flowing columnar stream as it passes from the outlet of the conduit to the receiving surface and a fluorescence detector to detect the produced fluorescence; a source of light pulse for producing acoustic waves in the columnar stream as it passes from the conduit outlet to the receiving surface; and a piezoelectric transducer adapted to detect those waves; and a source of bias voltage applied to the inlet tubular conduit and adapted to produce ionization of the liquid flowing through the flow cell so as to produce photocurrents therein and an electrical system to detect and record the photocurrents. This system is useful in separating and detecting individual chemical compounds from mixtures thereof.

Coherent receiver design based on digital signal processing in optical high-speed intersatellite links with M-phase-shift keying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaefer, Semjon; Gregory, Mark; Rosenkranz, Werner

2016-11-01

We present simulative and experimental investigations of different coherent receiver designs for high-speed optical intersatellite links. We focus on frequency offset (FO) compensation in homodyne and intradyne detection systems. The considered laser communication terminal uses an optical phase-locked loop (OPLL), which ensures stable homodyne detection. However, the hardware complexity increases with the modulation order. Therefore, we show that software-based intradyne detection is an attractive alternative for OPLL-based homodyne systems. Our approach is based on digital FO and phase noise compensation, in order to achieve a more flexible coherent detection scheme. Analytic results will further show the theoretical impact of the different detection schemes on the receiver sensitivity. Finally, we compare the schemes in terms of bit error ratio measurements and optimal receiver design.

A navigation system for the visually impaired an intelligent white cane.

PubMed

Fukasawa, A Jin; Magatani, Kazusihge

2012-01-01

In this paper, we describe about a developed navigation system that supports the independent walking of the visually impaired in the indoor space. Our developed instrument consists of a navigation system and a map information system. These systems are installed on a white cane. Our navigation system can follow a colored navigation line that is set on the floor. In this system, a color sensor installed on the tip of a white cane, this sensor senses a color of navigation line and the system informs the visually impaired that he/she is walking along the navigation line by vibration. This color recognition system is controlled by a one-chip microprocessor. RFID tags and a receiver for these tags are used in the map information system. RFID tags are set on the colored navigation line. An antenna for RFID tags and a tag receiver are also installed on a white cane. The receiver receives the area information as a tag-number and notifies map information to the user by mp3 formatted pre-recorded voice. And now, we developed the direction identification technique. Using this technique, we can detect a user's walking direction. A triaxiality acceleration sensor is used in this system. Three normal subjects who were blindfolded with an eye mask were tested with our developed navigation system. All of them were able to walk along the navigation line perfectly. We think that the performance of the system is good. Therefore, our system will be extremely valuable in supporting the activities of the visually impaired.

Direct Acting Antiviral Agents in Korean Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Hemophilia Who Are Treatment-Naïve or Treatment-Experienced

PubMed Central

Lee, Hyun Woong; Yoo, Ki Young; Won, Joung Won; Kim, Hyung Joon

2017-01-01

Background/Aims Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major comorbidity in patients with hemophilia. Methods Patients (n=30) were enrolled between September 2015 and April 2016. Twenty-six patients were genotype 1 (1b, n=21; 1a, n=5) and four patients were genotype 2a/2b. Among 21 patients with genotype 1b, Y93H resistance-associated variants (RAVs) were detected in three patients (14.3%). We evaluated sustained virologic response (SVRs) at 12 weeks, as well as relapse and safety. Results Five patients with genotype 1a and three patients with genotype 1b (RAV positive) received ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. SVR12 rate was 100% (8/8). Eleven patients with genotype 1b were treatment-naïve and received daclatasvir plus asunaprevir for 24 weeks. SVR12 rate was 91% (10/11). One patient experienced viral breakthrough without RAV at 12 weeks. Seven treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1b received daclatasvir plus asunaprevir for 24 weeks. SVR12 rate was 85.7% (6/7). One patient experienced viral breakthrough with RAV (L31M, Y93H) at 12 weeks. Four patients with genotype 2a/2b received sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks. SVR12 rate was 100% (4/4). No serious adverse event-related discontinuations were noted. Conclusions New direct acting antiviral treatment achieved high SVRs rates at 12 weeks in CHC patients with hemophilia without serious adverse events. PMID:28874040

Design and Development of a Scanning Airborne Direct Detection Doppler Lidar System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gentry, Bruce; McGill, Matthew; Schwemmer, Geary; Hardesty, Michael; Brewer, Alan; Wilkerson, Thomas; Atlas, Robert; Sirota, Marcos; Lindemann, Scott

2006-01-01

In the fall of 2005 we began developing an airborne scanning direct detection molecular Doppler lidar. The instrument is being built as part of the Tropospheric Wind Lidar Technology Experiment (TWiLiTE), a three year project selected by the NASA Earth Sun Technology Office under the Instrument Incubator Program. The TWiLiTE project is a collaboration involving scientists and engineers from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NOAA ESRL, Utah State University Space Dynamics Lab, Michigan Aerospace Corporation and Sigma Space Corporation. The TWiLiTE instrument will leverage significant research and development investments made by NASA Goddard and it's partners in the past several years in key lidar technologies and sub-systems (lasers, telescopes, scanning systems, detectors and receivers) required to enable spaceborne global wind lidar measurement. These sub-systems will be integrated into a complete molecular direct detection Doppler wind lidar system designed for autonomous operation on a high altitude aircraft, such as the NASA WB57. The WB57 flies at an altitude of 18 km and from this vantage point the nadir viewing Doppler lidar will be able to profile winds through the full troposphere. The TWiLiTE integrated airborne Doppler lidar instrument will be the first demonstration of a airborne scanning direct detection Doppler lidar and will serve as a critical milestone on the path to a future spaceborne tropospheric wind system. In addition to being a technology testbed for space based tropospheric wind lidar, when completed the TWiLiTE high altitude airborne lidar will be used for studying mesoscale dynamics and storm research (e.g. winter storms, hurricanes) and could be used for calibration and validation of satellite based wind systems such as ESA's Aeolus Atmospheric Dynamics Mission. The TWiLiTE Doppler lidar will have the capability to profile winds in clear air from the aircraft altitude of 18 km to the surface with 250 m vertical resolution and < 2mls velocity accuracy.

Amaro-autonomous real-time detection of moving maritime objects: introducing a flight experiment for an on-board ship detection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwenk, Kurt; Willburger, Katharina; Pless, Sebastian

2017-10-01

Motivated by politics and economy, the monitoring of the world wide ship traffic is a field of high topicality. To detect illegal activities like piracy, illegal fishery, ocean dumping and refugee transportation is of great value. The analysis of satellite images on the ground delivers a great contribution to situation awareness. However, for many applications the up-to-dateness of the data is crucial. With ground based processing, the time between image acquisition and delivery of the data to the end user is in the range of several hours. The highest influence to the duration of ground based processing is the delay caused by the transmission of the large amount of image data from the satellite to the processing centre on the ground. One expensive solution to this issue is the usage of data relay satellites systems like EDRS. Another approach is to analyse the image data directly on-board of the satellite. Since the product data (e.g. ship position, heading, velocity, characteristics) is very small compared to the input image data, real-time connections provided by satellite telecommunication services like Iridium or Orbcomm can be used to send small packets of information directly to the end user without significant delay. The AMARO (Autonomous real-time detection of moving maritime objects) project at DLR is a feasibility study of an on-board ship detection system involving a real-time low bandwidth communication. The operation of a prototype on-board ship detection system will be demonstrated on an airborne platform. In this article, the scope, aim and design of a flight experiment for an on-board ship detection system scheduled for mid of 2018 is presented. First, the scope and the constraints of the experiment are explained in detail. The main goal is to demonstrate the operability of an automatic ship detection system on board of an airplane. For data acquisition the optical high resolution DLR MACS-MARE camera (VIS/NIR) is used. The system will be able to send product data, like position, size and a small image of the ship directly to the user's smart-phone by email. The time between the acquisition of the image data and the delivery of the product data to the end-user is aimed to be less than three minutes. For communication, the SMS-like Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) Service was chosen, providing a message size of around 300 Bytes. Under optimal sending/receiving conditions, messages can be transmitted bidirectional every 20 seconds. Due to the very small data bandwidth, not all product data may be transmittable at once, for instance, when flying over busy ships traffic zones. Therefore the system offers two services: a query and a push service. With the query service the end user can explicitly request data of a defined location and fixed time period by posting queries in an SQL-like language. With the push service, events can be predefined and messages are received automatically, if and when the event occurs. Finally, the hardware set-up, details of the ship detection algorithms and the current status of the experiment is presented.

Optical communication with two-photon coherent states. II - Photoemissive detection and structured receiver performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, J. H.; Yuen, H. P.; Machado Mata, J. A.

1979-01-01

In a previous paper (1978), the authors developed a method of analyzing the performance of two-photon coherent state (TCS) systems for free-space optical communications. General theorems permitting application of classical point process results to detection and estimation of signals in arbitrary quantum states were derived. The present paper examines the general problem of photoemissive detection statistics. On the basis of the photocounting theory of Kelley and Kleiner (1964) it is shown that for arbitrary pure state illumination, the resulting photocurrent is in general a self-exciting point process. The photocount statistics for first-order coherent fields reduce to those of a special class of Markov birth processes, which the authors term single-mode birth processes. These general results are applied to the structure of TCS radiation, and it is shown that the use of TCS radiation with direct or heterodyne detection results in minimal performance increments over comparable coherent-state systems. However, significant performance advantages are offered by use of TCS radiation with homodyne detection. The abstract quantum descriptions of homodyne and heterodyne detection are derived and a synthesis procedure for obtaining quantum measurements described by arbitrary TCS is given.

A model-based analysis of extinction ratio effects on phase-OTDR distributed acoustic sensing system performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aktas, Metin; Maral, Hakan; Akgun, Toygar

2018-02-01

Extinction ratio is an inherent limiting factor that has a direct effect on the detection performance of phase-OTDR based distributed acoustics sensing systems. In this work we present a model based analysis of Rayleigh scattering to simulate the effects of extinction ratio on the received signal under varying signal acquisition scenarios and system parameters. These signal acquisition scenarios are constructed to represent typically observed cases such as multiple vibration sources cluttered around the target vibration source to be detected, continuous wave light sources with center frequency drift, varying fiber optic cable lengths and varying ADC bit resolutions. Results show that an insufficient ER can result in high optical noise floor and effectively hide the effects of elaborate system improvement efforts.

A novel embeddable spherical smart aggregate for structural health monitoring: part I. Fabrication and electrical characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Qingzhao; Fan, Shuli; Bai, Xiaolong; Mo, Y. L.; Song, Gangbing

2017-09-01

Recently developed piezoceramic-based transducers, known as smart aggregates (SAs), have shown their applicability and versatility in various applications of structural health monitoring (SHM). The lead zirconate titanate (PZT) patches embedded inside SAs have different modes that are more suitable for generating or receiving different types of stress waves (e.g. P and S waves, each of which has a unique role in SHM). However, due to the geometry of the 2D PZT patch, the embedded SA can only generate or receive the stress wave in a single direction and thus greatly limits its applications. This paper is the first of a series of two companion papers that introduces the authors’ latest work in developing a novel, embeddable spherical smart aggregate (SSA) for the health monitoring of concrete structures. In addition to the 1D guided wave produced by SA, the SSA embedded in concrete structures can generate or receive omni-directional stress waves that can significantly improve the detection aperture and provide additional functionalities in SHM. In the first paper (Part I), the detailed fabrication procedures with the help of 3D printing technology and electrical characterization of the proposed SSA is presented. The natural frequencies of the SSA were experimentally obtained and further compared with the numerical results. In addition, the influence of the components’ thickness (spherical piezoceramic shell and epoxy) and outer radius (spherical piezoceramic shell and protection concrete) on the natural frequencies of the SSA were analytically studied. The results will help elucidate the key parameters that determine the natural frequencies of the SSA. The natural frequencies of the SSA can thus be designed for suitability in the damage detection of concrete structures. In the second paper (Part II), further numerical and experimental verifications on the performance of the proposed SSA in concrete structures will be discussed.

Trans-skull ultrasonic Doppler system aided by fuzzy logic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hata, Yutaka; Nakamura, Masato; Yagi, Naomi; Ishikawa, Tomomoto

2012-06-01

This paper describes a trans-skull ultrasonic Doppler system for measuring the blood flow direction in brain under skull. In this system, we use an ultrasonic array probe with the center frequency of 1.0 MHz. The system determines the fuzzy degree of blood flow by Doppler Effect, thereby it locates blood vessel. This Doppler Effect is examined by the center of gravity shift of the frequency magnitudes. In in-vitro experiment, a cow bone was employed as the skull, and three silicon tubes were done as blood vessels, and bubble in water as blood. We received the ultrasonic waves through a protein, the skull and silicon tubes in order. In the system, fuzzy degrees are determined with respect to the Doppler shift, amplitude of the waves and attenuation of the tissues. The fuzzy degrees of bone and blood direction are calculated by them. The experimental results showed that the system successfully visualized the skull and flow direction, compared with the location and flow direction of the phantom. Thus, it detected the flow direction by Doppler Effect under skull, and automatically extracted the region of skull and blood vessel.

A survey on object detection in optical remote sensing images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Gong; Han, Junwei

2016-07-01

Object detection in optical remote sensing images, being a fundamental but challenging problem in the field of aerial and satellite image analysis, plays an important role for a wide range of applications and is receiving significant attention in recent years. While enormous methods exist, a deep review of the literature concerning generic object detection is still lacking. This paper aims to provide a review of the recent progress in this field. Different from several previously published surveys that focus on a specific object class such as building and road, we concentrate on more generic object categories including, but are not limited to, road, building, tree, vehicle, ship, airport, urban-area. Covering about 270 publications we survey (1) template matching-based object detection methods, (2) knowledge-based object detection methods, (3) object-based image analysis (OBIA)-based object detection methods, (4) machine learning-based object detection methods, and (5) five publicly available datasets and three standard evaluation metrics. We also discuss the challenges of current studies and propose two promising research directions, namely deep learning-based feature representation and weakly supervised learning-based geospatial object detection. It is our hope that this survey will be beneficial for the researchers to have better understanding of this research field.

DEPFET detectors for direct detection of MeV Dark Matter particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bähr, A.; Kluck, H.; Ninkovic, J.; Schieck, J.; Treis, J.

2017-12-01

The existence of dark matter is undisputed, while the nature of it is still unknown. Explaining dark matter with the existence of a new unobserved particle is among the most promising possible solutions. Recently dark matter candidates in the MeV mass region received more and more interest. In comparison to the mass region between a few GeV to several TeV, this region is experimentally largely unexplored. We discuss the application of a RNDR DEPFET semiconductor detector for direct searches for dark matter in the MeV mass region. We present the working principle of the RNDR DEPFET devices and review the performance obtained by previously performed prototype measurements. The future potential of the technology as dark matter detector is discussed and the sensitivity for MeV dark matter detection with RNDR DEPFET sensors is presented. Under the assumption of six background events in the region of interest and an exposure of 1 kg year a sensitivity of about \\overline{σ }e = 10^{-41} {cm}^2 for dark matter particles with a mass of 10 MeV can be reached.

Experimental demonstration of 608Gbit/s short reach transmission employing half-cycle 16QAM Nyquist-SCM signal and direct detection with 25Gbps EML.

PubMed

Zhong, Kangping; Zhou, Xian; Wang, Yiguang; Wang, Liang; Yuan, Jinhui; Yu, Changyuan; Lau, Alan Pak Tao; Lu, Chao

2016-10-31

In this paper, we experimentally demonstrated an IM/DD short reach transmission system with a total capacity of 608Gbit/s (net capacity of 565.4Gbit/s exclude 7% FEC overhead) employing half-cycle 16QAM Nyquist-SCM signal and 25Gbps EML at O band. Direct detection-faster than Nyquist (DD-FTN) technique was employed to compensate channel impairments. Number of taps of DD-LMS and tap coefficient of post filter in DD-FTN were experimentally studied for different baud rates. Single-lane 152Gbit/s transmission over 10km of SSMF was experimentally demonstrated. Employing a 4-lanes LAN-WDM architecture, a total capacity of 608Gbit/s transmission over 2km was successfully achieved with a receiver sensitivity lower than -4dBm. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the highest reported baud rate of half-cycle 16QAM Nyquist-SCM signal and the highest bit rate employing IM/DD and 25Gbps EML in a four lanes LAN-WDM architecture for short reach systems in the O band.

Generation of optical OFDM signals using 21.4 GS/s real time digital signal processing.

PubMed

Benlachtar, Yannis; Watts, Philip M; Bouziane, Rachid; Milder, Peter; Rangaraj, Deepak; Cartolano, Anthony; Koutsoyannis, Robert; Hoe, James C; Püschel, Markus; Glick, Madeleine; Killey, Robert I

2009-09-28

We demonstrate a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmitter implementing real time digital signal processing at a sample rate of 21.4 GS/s. The QPSK-OFDM signal is generated using an 8 bit, 128 point inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) core, performing one transform per clock cycle at a clock speed of 167.2 MHz and can be deployed with either a direct-detection or a coherent receiver. The hardware design and the main digital signal processing functions are described, and we show that the main performance limitation is due to the low (4-bit) resolution of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and the 8-bit resolution of the IFFT core used. We analyze the back-to-back performance of the transmitter generating an 8.36 Gb/s optical single sideband (SSB) OFDM signal using digital up-conversion, suitable for direct-detection. Additionally, we use the device to transmit 8.36 Gb/s SSB OFDM signals over 200 km of uncompensated standard single mode fiber achieving an overall BER<10(-3).

Multipath interference test method for distributed amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okada, Takahiro; Aida, Kazuo

2005-12-01

A method for testing distributed amplifiers is presented; the multipath interference (MPI) is detected as a beat spectrum between the multipath signal and the direct signal using a binary frequency shifted keying (FSK) test signal. The lightwave source is composed of a DFB-LD that is directly modulated by a pulse stream passing through an equalizer, and emits the FSK signal of the frequency deviation of about 430MHz at repetition rate of 80-100 kHz. The receiver consists of a photo-diode and an electrical spectrum analyzer (ESA). The base-band power spectrum peak appeared at the frequency of the FSK frequency deviation can be converted to amount of MPI using a calibration chart. The test method has improved the minimum detectable MPI as low as -70 dB, compared to that of -50 dB of the conventional test method. The detailed design and performance of the proposed method are discussed, including the MPI simulator for calibration procedure, computer simulations for evaluating the error caused by the FSK repetition rate and the fiber length under test and experiments on singlemode fibers and distributed Raman amplifier.

Anodal tDCS to V1 blocks visual perceptual learning consolidation.

PubMed

Peters, Megan A K; Thompson, Benjamin; Merabet, Lotfi B; Wu, Allan D; Shams, Ladan

2013-06-01

This study examined the effects of visual cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on visual processing and learning. Participants performed a contrast detection task on two consecutive days. Each session consisted of a baseline measurement followed by measurements made during active or sham stimulation. On the first day, one group received anodal stimulation to primary visual cortex (V1), while another received cathodal stimulation. Stimulation polarity was reversed for these groups on the second day. The third (control) group of subjects received sham stimulation on both days. No improvements or decrements in contrast sensitivity relative to the same-day baseline were observed during real tDCS, nor was any within-session learning trend observed. However, task performance improved significantly from Day 1 to Day 2 for the participants who received cathodal tDCS on Day 1 and for the sham group. No such improvement was found for the participants who received anodal stimulation on Day 1, indicating that anodal tDCS blocked overnight consolidation of visual learning, perhaps through engagement of inhibitory homeostatic plasticity mechanisms or alteration of the signal-to-noise ratio within stimulated cortex. These results show that applying tDCS to the visual cortex can modify consolidation of visual learning. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kramers-Kronig receiver operable without digital upsampling.

PubMed

Bo, Tianwai; Kim, Hoon

2018-05-28

The Kramers-Kronig (KK) receiver is capable of retrieving the phase information of optical single-sideband (SSB) signal from the optical intensity when the optical signal satisfies the minimum phase condition. Thus, it is possible to direct-detect the optical SSB signal without suffering from the signal-signal beat interference and linear transmission impairments. However, due to the spectral broadening induced by nonlinear operations in the conventional KK algorithm, it is necessary to employ the digital upsampling at the beginning of the digital signal processing (DSP). The increased number of samples at the DSP would hinder the real-time implementation of this attractive receiver. Hence, we propose a new DSP algorithm for KK receiver operable at 2 samples per symbol. We adopt a couple of mathematical approximations to avoid the use of nonlinear operations such as logarithm and exponential functions. By using the proposed algorithm, we demonstrate the transmission of 112-Gb/s SSB orthogonal frequency-division-multiplexed signal over an 80-km fiber link. The results show that the proposed algorithm operating at 2 samples per symbol exhibits similar performance to the conventional KK one operating at 6 samples per symbol. We also present the error analysis of the proposed algorithm for KK receiver in comparison with the conventional one.

Chip-to-chip optical link by using optical wiring method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, In-Kui; Ahn, Seoung Ho; Jeong, Myung-Yung; Rho, Byung Sup; Park, Hyo Hoon

2008-01-01

A practical optical link system was prepared with a transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx). The optical TRx module consisted of a metal optical bench, a module printed circuit board (PCB), a driver/receiver IC, a VCSEL/PD array, and an optical link block composed of plastic optical fiber (POF). For the optical interconnection between the light-sources and detectors, an optical wiring method has been proposed to enable easy assembly. This paper provides a method for optical interconnection between an optical Tx and an optical Rx, comprising the following steps: (a) forming a light source device, an optical detection device, and an optical transmission unit on a substrate (metal optical bench (MOB)); (b) preparing a flexible optical transmission-connection medium (optical wiring link) to optically connect the light source device formed on the substrate with the optical detection device; and (c) directly connecting one end of the surface-finished optical transmission connection medium with the light source device and the other end with the optical detection device. A chip-to-chip optical link system constructed with TRx modules was fabricated and the optical characteristics were measured. The results clearly demonstrate that the use of an optical wiring method can provide robust and cost-effective assembly for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and photodiodes (PDs). We successfully achieved a 5 Gb/s data transmission rate with this optical link.

Fiber optic sensor employing successively destroyed coupled points or reflectors for detecting shock wave speed and damage location

DOEpatents

Weiss, Jonathan D.

1995-01-01

A shock velocity and damage location sensor providing a means of measuring shock speed and damage location. The sensor consists of a long series of time-of-arrival "points" constructed with fiber optics. The fiber optic sensor apparatus measures shock velocity as the fiber sensor is progressively crushed as a shock wave proceeds in a direction along the fiber. The light received by a receiving means changes as time-of-arrival points are destroyed as the sensor is disturbed by the shock. The sensor may comprise a transmitting fiber bent into a series of loops and fused to a receiving fiber at various places, time-of-arrival points, along the receiving fibers length. At the "points" of contact, where a portion of the light leaves the transmitting fiber and enters the receiving fiber, the loops would be required to allow the light to travel backwards through the receiving fiber toward a receiving means. The sensor may also comprise a single optical fiber wherein the time-of-arrival points are comprised of reflection planes distributed along the fibers length. In this configuration, as the shock front proceeds along the fiber it destroys one reflector after another. The output received by a receiving means from this sensor may be a series of downward steps produced as the shock wave destroys one time-of-arrival point after another, or a nonsequential pattern of steps in the event time-of-arrival points are destroyed at any point along the sensor.

Fiber optic sensor employing successively destroyed coupled points or reflectors for detecting shock wave speed and damage location

DOEpatents

Weiss, J.D.

1995-08-29

A shock velocity and damage location sensor providing a means of measuring shock speed and damage location is disclosed. The sensor consists of a long series of time-of-arrival ``points`` constructed with fiber optics. The fiber optic sensor apparatus measures shock velocity as the fiber sensor is progressively crushed as a shock wave proceeds in a direction along the fiber. The light received by a receiving means changes as time-of-arrival points are destroyed as the sensor is disturbed by the shock. The sensor may comprise a transmitting fiber bent into a series of loops and fused to a receiving fiber at various places, time-of-arrival points, along the receiving fibers length. At the ``points`` of contact, where a portion of the light leaves the transmitting fiber and enters the receiving fiber, the loops would be required to allow the light to travel backwards through the receiving fiber toward a receiving means. The sensor may also comprise a single optical fiber wherein the time-of-arrival points are comprised of reflection planes distributed along the fibers length. In this configuration, as the shock front proceeds along the fiber it destroys one reflector after another. The output received by a receiving means from this sensor may be a series of downward steps produced as the shock wave destroys one time-of-arrival point after another, or a nonsequential pattern of steps in the event time-of-arrival points are destroyed at any point along the sensor. 6 figs.

Design of temperature detection device for drum of belt conveyor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Li; He, Rongjun

2018-03-01

For difficult wiring and big measuring error existed in the traditional temperature detection method for drum of belt conveyor, a temperature detection device for drum of belt conveyor based on Radio Frequency(RF) communication is designed. In the device, detection terminal can collect temperature data through tire pressure sensor chip SP370 which integrates temperature detection and RF emission. The receiving terminal which is composed of RF receiver chip and microcontroller receives the temperature data and sends it to Controller Area Network(CAN) bus. The test results show that the device meets requirements of field application with measuring error ±3.73 ° and single button battery can provide continuous current for the detection terminal over 1.5 years.

Advance Directives and End-of-Life Care among Nursing Home Residents Receiving Maintenance Dialysis

PubMed Central

Montez-Rath, Maria E.; Hall, Yoshio N.; Katz, Ronit; O’Hare, Ann M.

2017-01-01

Background and objectives Little is known about the relation between the content of advance directives and downstream treatment decisions among patients receiving maintenance dialysis. In this study, we determined the prevalence of advance directives specifying treatment limitations and/or surrogate decision-makers in the last year of life and their association with end-of-life care among nursing home residents. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Using national data from 2006 to 2007, we compared the content of advance directives among 30,716 nursing home residents receiving dialysis to 30,825 nursing home residents with other serious illnesses during the year before death. Among patients receiving dialysis, we linked the content of advance directives to Medicare claims to ascertain site of death and treatment intensity in the last month of life. Results In the last year of life, 36% of nursing home residents receiving dialysis had a treatment-limiting directive, 22% had a surrogate decision-maker, and 13% had both in adjusted analyses. These estimates were 13%–27%, 5%–11%, and 6%–13% lower, respectively, than for decedents with other serious illnesses. For patients receiving dialysis who had both a treatment-limiting directive and surrogate decision-maker, the adjusted frequency of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, intensive procedures, and inpatient death were lower by 13%, 17%, 13%, and 14%, respectively, and hospice use and dialysis discontinuation were 5% and 7% higher compared with patients receiving dialysis lacking both components. Conclusions Among nursing home residents receiving dialysis, treatment-limiting directives and surrogates were associated with fewer intensive interventions and inpatient deaths, but were in place much less often than for nursing home residents with other serious illnesses. PMID:28057703

[System design of open-path natural gas leakage detection based on Fresnel lens].

PubMed

Xia, Hui; Liu, Wen-Qing; Zhang, Yu-Jun; Kan, Rui-Feng; Cui, Yi-Ben; Wang, Min; He, Ying; Cui, Xiao-Juan; Ruan, Jun; Geng, Hui

2009-03-01

Based on the technology of tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) in conjunction with second harmonic wave detection, a long open-path TDLAS system using a 1.65 microm InGaAsP distributed feedback laser was developed, which is used for detecting pipeline leakage. In this system, a high cost performance Fresnel lens is used as the receiving optical system, which receives the laser-beam reflected by a solid corner cube reflector, and focuses the receiving laser-beam to the InGaAs detector. At the same time, the influences of the concentration to the fluctuation of light intensity were taken into account in the process of measurement, and were eliminated by the method of normalized light intensity. As a result, the measurement error caused by the fluctuation of light intensity was made less than 1%. The experiment of natural gas leakage detection was simulated, and the detection sensitivity is 0.1 x 10(-6) (ratio by volume) with a total path of 320 m. According to the receiving light efficiency of the optical system and the detectable minimum light intensity of the detector, the detectable maximal optical path of the system was counted to be 2 000 m. The results of experiment show that it is a feasible design to use the Fresnel lens as the receiving optical system and can satisfy the demand of the leakage detection of natural gas.

Implementation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and advanced signal processing for elastic optical networking in accordance with networking and transmission constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Stanley

An increasing adoption of digital signal processing (DSP) in optical fiber telecommunication has brought to the fore several interesting DSP enabled modulation formats. One such format is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), which has seen great success in wireless and wired RF applications, and is being actively investigated by several research groups for use in optical fiber telecom. In this dissertation, I present three implementations of OFDM for elastic optical networking and distributed network control. The first is a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based real-time implementation of a version of OFDM conventionally known as intensity modulation and direct detection (IMDD) OFDM. I experimentally demonstrate the ability of this transmission system to dynamically adjust bandwidth and modulation format to meet networking constraints in an automated manner. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first real-time software defined networking (SDN) based control of an OFDM system. In the second OFDM implementation, I experimentally demonstrate a novel OFDM transmission scheme that supports both direct detection and coherent detection receivers simultaneously using the same OFDM transmitter. This interchangeable receiver solution enables a trade-off between bit rate and equipment cost in network deployment and upgrades. I show that the proposed transmission scheme can provide a receiver sensitivity improvement of up to 1.73 dB as compared to IMDD OFDM. I also present two novel polarization analyzer based detection schemes, and study their performance using experiment and simulation. In the third implementation, I present an OFDM pilot-tone based scheme for distributed network control. The first instance of an SDN-based OFDM elastic optical network with pilot-tone assisted distributed control is demonstrated. An improvement in spectral efficiency and a fast reconfiguration time of 30 ms have been achieved in this experiment. Finally, I experimentally demonstrate optical re-timing of a 10.7 Gb/s data stream utilizing the property of bound soliton pairs (or "soliton molecules") to relax to an equilibrium temporal separation after propagation through a nonlinear dispersion alternating fiber span. Pulses offset up to 16 ps from bit center are successfully re-timed. The optical re-timing scheme studied here is a good example of signal processing in the optical domain and such a technique can overcome the bandwidth bottleneck present in DSP. An enhanced version of this re-timing scheme is analyzed using numerical simulations.

Receiver Architecture for 12.5 Gb/s 16-ary Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) Signaling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mendez, A J; Gagliardi, R M; Hernandez, V J

2008-07-11

PPM is a signaling scheme that enables the transmission of multiple bits per symbol [1]. It has found favor in the regime of free space optical communications ('FSO' or 'Lasercom'); however, PPM has yet to be widely applied to fiber optic-based communications. Its limitation in fiber results from the exceedingly high bandwidth requirements needed to electronically process a directly detected pulse, especially as the symbol rate increases and the pulse width correspondingly decreases. As a solution, we introduced the concept of a virtual quadrant receiver for receiving 1.25 Gb/s 4-ary PPM, where photonic processing reduced the number of required electronicmore » components [2]. In this paper, we extend these photonic process techniques to a 16-ary, 12.5 Gb/s (10 Gb/s plus 8B/10B line coding) PPM communications system for fiber optic avionics, wherein much of the receiver processing is enabled by techniques based on planar lightwave circuits (PLCs). The architecture is applicable to higher input data rates and M-ary PPM. In the following, we present the PPM encoding and decoding architectures and numerically simulated results.« less

Receiver performance of laser ranging measurements between the Lunar Observer and a subsatellite for lunar gravity studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, Frederic M.; Sun, Xiaoli

1992-01-01

The optimal receiver for a direct detection laser ranging system for slow Doppler frequency shift measurement is shown to consist of a phase tracking loop which can be implemented approximately as a phase lock loop with a 2nd or 3rd order loop filter. The laser transmitter consists of an AlGaAs laser diode at a wavelength of about 800 nm and is intensity modulated by a sinewave. The receiver performance is shown to be limited mainly by the preamplifier thermal noise when a silicon avalanche photodiode is used. A high speed microchannel plate photomultiplier tube is shown to outperform a silicon APD despite its relatively low quantum efficiency at wavelengths near 800 nm. The maximum range between the Lunar Observer and the subsatellite for lunar gravity studies is shown to be about 620 km when using a state-of-the-art silicon APD and about 1000 km when using a microchannel plate photomultiplier tube in order to achieve a relative velocity measurement accuracy of 1 millimeter per second. Other parameters such as the receiver time base jitter and drift also limit performance and have to be considered in the design of an actual system.

Transmission of 2 × 56 Gb/s PAM-4 signal over 100 km SSMF using 18 GHz DMLs.

PubMed

Zhou, Shiwei; Li, Xiang; Yi, Lilin; Yang, Qi; Fu, Songnian

2016-04-15

We experimentally demonstrate C-band 2 × 56 Gb/s pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM)-4 signal transmission over 100 km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) using 18 GHz direct-modulated lasers (DMLs) and direct detection, without inline optical amplifier. A delay interferometer (DI) at the transmitter side is used to extend the transmission reach from 40 to 100 km. A digital Volterra filter at the receiver side is used to mitigate the nonlinear distortions. We obtain an average bit error ratio (BER) of 1.5 × 10(-3) for 2 × 56 Gb/s PAM-4 signal after 100 km SSMF transmission at the optimal input power, which is below the 7% forward error correction (FEC) threshold (3.8 × 10(-3)).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krupar, V.; Eastwood, J. P.; Kruparova, O.

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large-scale eruptions of magnetized plasma that may cause severe geomagnetic storms if Earth directed. Here, we report a rare instance with comprehensive in situ and remote sensing observations of a CME combining white-light, radio, and plasma measurements from four different vantage points. For the first time, we have successfully applied a radio direction-finding technique to an interplanetary type II burst detected by two identical widely separated radio receivers. The derived locations of the type II and type III bursts are in general agreement with the white-light CME reconstruction. We find that the radio emission arisesmore » from the flanks of the CME and are most likely associated with the CME-driven shock. Our work demonstrates the complementarity between radio triangulation and 3D reconstruction techniques for space weather applications.« less

Needle Decompression of Tension Pneumothorax with Colorimetric Capnography.

PubMed

Naik, Nimesh D; Hernandez, Matthew C; Anderson, Jeff R; Ross, Erika K; Zielinski, Martin D; Aho, Johnathon M

2017-11-01

The success of needle decompression for tension pneumothorax is variable, and there are no objective measures assessing effective decompression. Colorimetric capnography, which detects carbon dioxide present within the pleural space, may serve as a simple test to assess effective needle decompression. Three swine underwent traumatically induced tension pneumothorax (standard of care, n = 15; standard of care with needle capnography, n = 15). Needle thoracostomy was performed with an 8-cm angiocatheter. Similarly, decompression was performed with the addition of colorimetric capnography. Subjective operator assessment of decompression was recorded and compared with true decompression, using thoracoscopic visualization for both techniques. Areas under receiver operating curves were calculated and pairwise comparison was performed to assess statistical significance (P < .05). The detection of decompression by needle colorimetric capnography was found to be 100% accurate (15 of 15 attempts), when compared with thoracoscopic assessment (true decompression). Furthermore, it accurately detected the lack of tension pneumothorax, that is, the absence of any pathologic/space-occupying lesion, in 100% of cases (10 of 10 attempts). Standard of care needle decompression was detected by operators in 9 of 15 attempts (60%) and was detected in 3 of 10 attempts when tension pneumothorax was not present (30%). True decompression, under direct visualization with thoracoscopy, occurred 15 of 15 times (100%) with capnography, and 12 of 15 times (80%) without capnography. Areas under receiver operating curves were 0.65 for standard of care and 1.0 for needle capnography (P = .002). Needle decompression with colorimetric capnography provides a rapid, effective, and highly accurate method for eliminating operator bias for tension pneumothorax decompression. This may be useful for the treatment of this life-threatening condition. Copyright © 2017 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A New Reassigned Spectrogram Method in Interference Detection for GNSS Receivers.

PubMed

Sun, Kewen; Jin, Tian; Yang, Dongkai

2015-09-02

Interference detection is very important for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. Current work on interference detection in GNSS receivers has mainly focused on time-frequency (TF) analysis techniques, such as spectrogram and Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD), where the spectrogram approach presents the TF resolution trade-off problem, since the analysis window is used, and the WVD method suffers from the very serious cross-term problem, due to its quadratic TF distribution nature. In order to solve the cross-term problem and to preserve good TF resolution in the TF plane at the same time, in this paper, a new TF distribution by using a reassigned spectrogram has been proposed in interference detection for GNSS receivers. This proposed reassigned spectrogram method efficiently combines the elimination of the cross-term provided by the spectrogram itself according to its inherent nature and the improvement of the TF aggregation property achieved by the reassignment method. Moreover, a notch filter has been adopted in interference mitigation for GNSS receivers, where receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) are used as metrics for the characterization of interference mitigation performance. The proposed interference detection method by using a reassigned spectrogram is evaluated by experiments on GPS L1 signals in the disturbing scenarios in comparison to the state-of-the-art TF analysis approaches. The analysis results show that the proposed interference detection technique effectively overcomes the cross-term problem and also keeps good TF localization properties, which has been proven to be valid and effective to enhance the interference Sensors 2015, 15 22168 detection performance; in addition, the adoption of the notch filter in interference mitigation has shown a significant acquisition performance improvement in terms of ROC curves for GNSS receivers in jamming environments.

A New Reassigned Spectrogram Method in Interference Detection for GNSS Receivers

PubMed Central

Sun, Kewen; Jin, Tian; Yang, Dongkai

2015-01-01

Interference detection is very important for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. Current work on interference detection in GNSS receivers has mainly focused on time-frequency (TF) analysis techniques, such as spectrogram and Wigner–Ville distribution (WVD), where the spectrogram approach presents the TF resolution trade-off problem, since the analysis window is used, and the WVD method suffers from the very serious cross-term problem, due to its quadratic TF distribution nature. In order to solve the cross-term problem and to preserve good TF resolution in the TF plane at the same time, in this paper, a new TF distribution by using a reassigned spectrogram has been proposed in interference detection for GNSS receivers. This proposed reassigned spectrogram method efficiently combines the elimination of the cross-term provided by the spectrogram itself according to its inherent nature and the improvement of the TF aggregation property achieved by the reassignment method. Moreover, a notch filter has been adopted in interference mitigation for GNSS receivers, where receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) are used as metrics for the characterization of interference mitigation performance. The proposed interference detection method by using a reassigned spectrogram is evaluated by experiments on GPS L1 signals in the disturbing scenarios in comparison to the state-of-the-art TF analysis approaches. The analysis results show that the proposed interference detection technique effectively overcomes the cross-term problem and also keeps good TF localization properties, which has been proven to be valid and effective to enhance the interference detection performance; in addition, the adoption of the notch filter in interference mitigation has shown a significant acquisition performance improvement in terms of ROC curves for GNSS receivers in jamming environments. PMID:26364637

[Sensitivity of three inmunocromathographic tests in faeces samples for Campylobacter and Salmonella detection in comparison to culture].

PubMed

Liébana-Martos, Ma del Carmen; Gutierrez, José; Riazzo, Cristina; Navarro, José Ma

2014-06-01

Introduction: Campylobacter sp. and Salmonella enterica are two of the main organisms causing gastroenteritis in our environment. Immunochromatographic tests for antigen detection performed directly on stool samples for its simplicity and rapid results may make them useful diagnostic elements in the context of primary care. During October 2012 we selected all feces in which enteropathogenic bacteria are isolated from those received for stool culture in the laboratory of Microbiology of the University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves of Granada. After standard management of faeces samples and isolation of any enteropathogen, the commercial kits: Campy Leti, Ridaquick Campylobacterscreen and Salmonella Leti were tested for simultaneous research of Campylobacter and Salmonella antigens. Sensitivity and specificity were determined. Two hundred and thirty five stool samples were received in which 8 Salmonella enterica (7 B serogroup and 1 D serogroup), 7 Campylobacter jejuni, 4 Aeromonas hydrophila and 1 Yersinia enterocolitica were isolated. Campy Leti, Ridaquick Campylobacterscreen and Salmonella Leti presented a sensitivity of 100%, 100% and 75%, respectively. Specificities corresponded to 46%, 69% and 100%, respectively. Immunocromatographic tests can be useful for a first screening of enteropathogen in primary care.

Detection of Buried Objects by Means of a SAP Technique: Comparing MUSIC- and SVR-Based Approaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meschino, S.; Pajewski, L.; Pastorino, M.; Randazzo, A.; Schettini, G.

2012-04-01

This work is focused on the application of a Sub-Array Processing (SAP) technique to the detection of metallic cylindrical objects embedded in a dielectric half-space. The identification of buried cables, pipes, conduits, and other cylindrical utilities, is an important problem that has been extensively studied in the last years. Most commonly used approaches are based on the use of electromagnetic sensing: a set of antennas illuminates the ground and the collected echo is analyzed in order to extract information about the scenario and to localize the sought objects [1]. In a SAP approach, algorithms for the estimation of Directions of Arrival (DOAs) are employed [2]: they assume that the sources (in this paper, currents induced on buried targets) are in the far-field region of the receiving array, so that the received wavefront can be considered as planar, and the main angular direction of the field can be estimated. However, in electromagnetic sensing of buried objects, the scatterers are usually quite near to the antennas. Nevertheless, by dividing the whole receiving array in a suitable number of sub-arrays, and by finding a dominant DOA for each one, it is possible to localize objects that are in the far-field of the sub-array, although being in the near-field of the array. The DOAs found by the sub-arrays can be triangulated, obtaining a set of crossings with intersections condensed around object locations. In this work, the performances of two different DOA algorithms are compared. In particular, a MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC)-type method [3] and Support Vector Regression (SVR) based approach [4] are employed. The results of a Cylindrical-Wave Approach forward solver are used as input data of the detection procedure [5]. To process the crossing pattern, the region of interest is divided in small windows, and a Poisson model is adopted for the statistical distribution of intersections in the windows. Hypothesis testing procedures are used (imposing a suitable threshold from a desired false-alarm rate), to ascribe each window to the ground or to the sought objects. Numerical results are presented, for a test scenario with a circular-section cylinder in a dielectric half-space. Different values of the ground permittivity, target size, and its position with respect to the receiving array, are considered. Preliminary results on the application of MUSIC and SVR to multiple-object localization are reported. [1] H. Jol, Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and Applications, Elsevier, Amsterdam, NL, 2009. [2] Gross F.B., Smart Antennas for Wireless Communications, McGraw-Hill, New York 2005. [3] S. Meschino, L. Pajewski, G. Schettini, "Use of a Sub-Array Statistical Approach for the Detection of a Buried Object", Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 8(5), pp. 365-375, 2010. [4] M. Pastorino, A. Randazzo, "A Smart Antenna System for Direction of Arrival Estimation based on a Support Vector Regression," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat., vol. 53(7), pp. 2161-2168, 2005. [5] M. Di Vico, F. Frezza, L. Pajewski, G. Schettini, "Scattering by a Finite Set of Perfectly Conducting Cylinders Buried in a Dielectric Half-Space: a Spectral-Domain Solution," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat., vol. 53(2), pp. 719-727, 2005.

Spatial Distribution of Seismic Anisotropy in the Crust in the Northeast Front Zone of Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Y.; Wang, Q.; SHI, Y.

2017-12-01

There are orogenic belts and strong deformation in northeastern zone of Tibetan Plateau. The media in crust and in the upper mantle are seismic anisotropic there. This study uses seismic records by permanent seismic stations and portable seismic arrays, and adopts analysis techniques on body waves to obtain spatial anisotropic distribution in northeastern front zone of Tibetan Plateau. With seismic records of small local earthquakes, we study shear-wave splitting in the upper crust. The polarization of fast shear wave (PFS) can be obtained, and PFS is considered parallel to the strike of the cracks, as well as the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress. However, the result shows the strong influence from tectonics, such as faults. It suggests multiple-influence including stress and fault. Spatial distribution of seismic anisotropy in study zone presents the effect in short range. PFS at the station on the strike-slip fault is quite different to PFS at station just hundreds of meters away from the fault. With seismic records of teleseismic waveforms, we obtained seismic anisotropy in the whole crust by receiver functions. The PFS directions from Pms receiver functions show consistency, generally in WNW. The time-delay of slow S phases is significant. With seismic records of SKS, PKS and SKKS phases, we can detect seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle by splitting analysis. The fast directions of these phases also show consistency, generally in WNW, similar to those of receiver functions, but larger time-delays. It suggests significant seismic anisotropy in the crust and crustal deformation is coherent to that in the upper mantle.Seismic anisotropy in the upper crust, in the whole crust and in the upper mantle are discussed both in difference and tectonic implications [Grateful to the support by NSFC Project 41474032].

Detecting paraprotein interference on a direct bilirubin assay by reviewing the photometric reaction data.

PubMed

García-González, Elena; Aramendía, Maite; González-Tarancón, Ricardo; Romero-Sánchez, Naiara; Rello, Luis

2017-07-26

The direct bilirubin (D-Bil) assay on the AU Beckman Coulter instrumentation can be interfered by paraproteins, which may result in spurious D-Bil results. In a previous work, we took advantage of this fact to detect this interference, thus helping with the identification of patients with unsuspected monoclonal gammopathies. In this work, we investigate the possibility to detect interference based on the review of the photometric reactions, regardless of the D-Bil result. The D-Bil assay was carried out in a set of 2164 samples. It included a group of 164 samples with paraproteins (67 of which caused interference on the assay), as well as different groups of samples for which high absorbance background readings could also be expected (i.e. hemolyzed, lipemic, or icteric samples). Photometric reaction data were reviewed and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to establish a cut-off for absorbance that best discriminates interference. The best cut-off was 0.0100 for the absorbance at the first photometric point of the complementary wavelength in the blank cuvette. Once the optimal cut-off for probable interference was selected, all samples analyzed in our laboratory that provided absorbance values above this cut-off were further investigated to try to discover paraproteins. During a period of 6 months, we detected 44 samples containing paraproteins, five of which belonged to patients with non-diagnosed monoclonal gammopathies. Review of the photometric reaction data permits the systematic detection of paraprotein interference on the D-Bil AU assay, even for samples for which reasonable results are obtained.

Time-of-flight radio location system

DOEpatents

McEwan, T.E.

1997-08-26

A bi-static radar configuration measures the direct time-of-flight of a transmitted RF pulse and is capable of measuring this time-of-flight with a jitter on the order of about one pico-second, or about 0.01 inch of free space distance for an electromagnetic pulse over a range of about one to ten feet. A transmitter transmits a sequence of electromagnetic pulses in response to a transmit timing signal, and a receiver samples the sequence of electromagnetic pulses with controlled timing in response to a receive timing signal, and generates a sample signal in response to the samples. A timing circuit supplies the transmit timing signal to the transmitter and supplies the receive timing signal to the receiver. The receive timing signal causes the receiver to sample the sequence of electromagnetic pulses such that the time between transmission of pulses in the sequence and sampling by the receiver sweeps over a range of delays. The receive timing signal sweeps over the range of delays in a sweep cycle such that pulses in the sequence are sampled at the pulse repetition rate, and with different delays in the range of delays to produce a sample signal representing magnitude of a received pulse in equivalent time. Automatic gain control circuitry in the receiver controls the magnitude of the equivalent time sample signal. A signal processor analyzes the sample signal to indicate the time-of-flight of the electromagnetic pulses in the sequence. The sample signal in equivalent time is passed through an envelope detection circuit, formed of an absolute value circuit followed by a low pass filter, to convert the sample signal to a unipolar signal to eliminate effects of antenna misorientation. 8 figs.

Time-of-flight radio location system

DOEpatents

McEwan, Thomas E.

1997-01-01

A bi-static radar configuration measures the direct time-of-flight of a transmitted RF pulse and is capable of measuring this time-of-flight with a jitter on the order of about one pico-second, or about 0.01 inch of free space distance for an electromagnetic pulse over a range of about one to ten feet. A transmitter transmits a sequence of electromagnetic pulses in response to a transmit timing signal, and a receiver samples the sequence of electromagnetic pulses with controlled timing in response to a receive timing signal, and generates a sample signal in response to the samples. A timing circuit supplies the transmit timing signal to the transmitter and supplies the receive timing signal to the receiver. The receive timing signal causes the receiver to sample the sequence of electromagnetic pulses such that the time between transmission of pulses in the sequence and sampling by the receiver sweeps over a range of delays. The receive timing signal sweeps over the range of delays in a sweep cycle such that pulses in the sequence are sampled at the pulse repetition rate, and with different delays in the range of delays to produce a sample signal representing magnitude of a received pulse in equivalent time. Automatic gain control circuitry in the receiver controls the magnitude of the equivalent time sample signal. A signal processor analyzes the sample signal to indicate the time-of-flight of the electromagnetic pulses in the sequence. The sample signal in equivalent time is passed through an envelope detection circuit, formed of an absolute value circuit followed by a low pass filter, to convert the sample signal to a unipolar signal to eliminate effects of antenna misorientation.

Ghost image in enhanced self-heterodyne synthetic aperture imaging ladar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guo; Sun, Jianfeng; Zhou, Yu; Lu, Zhiyong; Li, Guangyuan; Xu, Mengmeng; Zhang, Bo; Lao, Chenzhe; He, Hongyu

2018-03-01

The enhanced self-heterodyne synthetic aperture imaging ladar (SAIL) self-heterodynes two polarization-orthogonal echo signals to eliminate the phase disturbance caused by atmospheric turbulence and mechanical trembling, uses heterodyne receiver instead of self-heterodyne receiver to improve signal-to-noise ratio. The principle and structure of the enhanced self-heterodyne SAIL are presented. The imaging process of enhanced self-heterodyne SAIL for distributed target is also analyzed. In enhanced self-heterodyne SAIL, the phases of two orthogonal-polarization beams are modulated by four cylindrical lenses in transmitter to improve resolutions in orthogonal direction and travel direction, which will generate ghost image. The generation process of ghost image in enhanced self-heterodyne SAIL is mathematically detailed, and a method of eliminating ghost image is also presented, which is significant for far-distance imaging. A number of experiments of enhanced self-heterodyne SAIL for distributed target are presented, these experimental results verify the theoretical analysis of enhanced self-heterodyne SAIL. The enhanced self-heterodyne SAIL has the capability to eliminate the influence from the atmospheric turbulence and mechanical trembling, has high advantage in detecting weak signals, and has promising application for far-distance ladar imaging.

The hottest planet.

PubMed

Harrington, Joseph; Luszcz, Statia; Seager, Sara; Deming, Drake; Richardson, L Jeremy

2007-06-07

Of the over 200 known extrasolar planets, just 14 pass in front of and behind their parent stars as seen from Earth. This fortuitous geometry allows direct determination of many planetary properties. Previous reports of planetary thermal emission give fluxes that are roughly consistent with predictions based on thermal equilibrium with the planets' received radiation, assuming a Bond albedo of approximately 0.3. Here we report direct detection of thermal emission from the smallest known transiting planet, HD 149026b, that indicates a brightness temperature (an expression of flux) of 2,300 +/- 200 K at 8 microm. The planet's predicted temperature for uniform, spherical, blackbody emission and zero albedo (unprecedented for planets) is 1,741 K. As models with non-zero albedo are cooler, this essentially eliminates uniform blackbody models, and may also require an albedo lower than any measured for a planet, very strong 8 microm emission, strong temporal variability, or a heat source other than stellar radiation. On the other hand, an instantaneous re-emission blackbody model, in which each patch of surface area instantly re-emits all received light, matches the data. This planet is known to be enriched in heavy elements, which may give rise to novel atmospheric properties yet to be investigated.

Monaural Sound Localization Based on Reflective Structure and Homomorphic Deconvolution

PubMed Central

Park, Yeonseok; Choi, Anthony

2017-01-01

The asymmetric structure around the receiver provides a particular time delay for the specific incoming propagation. This paper designs a monaural sound localization system based on the reflective structure around the microphone. The reflective plates are placed to present the direction-wise time delay, which is naturally processed by convolutional operation with a sound source. The received signal is separated for estimating the dominant time delay by using homomorphic deconvolution, which utilizes the real cepstrum and inverse cepstrum sequentially to derive the propagation response’s autocorrelation. Once the localization system accurately estimates the information, the time delay model computes the corresponding reflection for localization. Because of the structure limitation, two stages of the localization process perform the estimation procedure as range and angle. The software toolchain from propagation physics and algorithm simulation realizes the optimal 3D-printed structure. The acoustic experiments in the anechoic chamber denote that 79.0% of the study range data from the isotropic signal is properly detected by the response value, and 87.5% of the specific direction data from the study range signal is properly estimated by the response time. The product of both rates shows the overall hit rate to be 69.1%. PMID:28946625

Study on feasibility of laser reflective tomography with satellite-accompany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Yu; Hu, Yi-hua; Hao, Shi-qi; Gu, You-lin; Zhao, Nan-xiang; Wang, Yang-yang

2015-10-01

Laser reflective tomography is a long-range, high-resolution active detection technology, whose advantage is that the spatial resolution is unrelated with the imaging distance. Accompany satellite is a specific satellite around the target spacecraft with encircling movement. When using the accompany satellite to detect the target aircraft, multi-angle echo data can be obtained with the application of reflective tomography imaging. The feasibility of such detection working mode was studied in this article. Accompany orbit model was established with horizontal circular fleet and the parameters of accompany flight was defined. The simulation of satellite-to-satellite reflective tomography imaging with satellite-accompany was carried out. The operating mode of reflective tomographic data acquisition from monostatic laser radar was discussed and designed. The flight period, which equals to the all direction received data consuming time, is one of the important accompany flight parameters. The azimuth angle determines the plane of image formation while the elevation angle determines the projection direction. Both of the azimuth and elevation angles guide the satellite attitude stability controller in order to point the laser radar spot on the target. The influences of distance between accompany satellite and target satellite on tomographic imaging consuming time was analyzed. The influences of flight period, azimuth angle and elevation angle on tomographic imaging were analyzed as well. Simulation results showed that the satellite-accompany laser reflective tomography is a feasible and effective method to the satellite-to-satellite detection.

Detection of recombinant EPO in blood and urine samples with EPO WGA MAIIA, IEF and SAR-PAGE after microdose injections.

PubMed

Dehnes, Yvette; Shalina, Alexandra; Myrvold, Linda

2013-01-01

The misuse of microdoses of performance enhancing drugs like erythropoietin (EPO) constitutes a major challenge in doping analysis. When injected intravenously, the half-life of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) like epoetin alfa, beta, and zeta is only a few hours and hence, the window for direct detection of rhEPO in urine is small. In order to investigate the detection window for rhEPO directly in blood and urine with a combined affinity chromatography and lateral flow immunoassay (EPO WGA MAIIA), we recruited nine healthy people who each received six intravenously injected microdoses (7.5 IU/kg) of NeoRecormon (epoetin beta) over a period of three weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected in the days following the injections and analyzed with EPO WGA MAIIA as well as the current validated methods for rhEPO; isoelectric focusing (IEF) and sarcosyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SAR-PAGE). For samples collected 18 h after a microdose, the sensitivity of the EPO WGA MAIIA assay was 100% in plasma and 87.5% in urine samples at the respective 98% specificity threshold levels. In comparison, the sensitivity in plasma and urine was 75% and 100%, respectively, with IEF, and 87.5% in plasma and 100% in urine when analyzed with SAR-PAGE. We conclude that EPO WGA MAIIA is a sensitive assay for the detection of rhEPO, with the potential of being a fast, supplemental screening assay for use in doping analysis.

Imaging spectrometer wide field catadioptric design

DOEpatents

Chrisp,; Michael, P [Danville, CA

2008-08-19

A wide field catadioptric imaging spectrometer with an immersive diffraction grating that compensates optical distortions. The catadioptric design has zero Petzval field curvature. The imaging spectrometer comprises an entrance slit for transmitting light, a system with a catadioptric lens and a dioptric lens for receiving the light and directing the light, an immersion grating, and a detector array. The entrance slit, the system for receiving the light, the immersion grating, and the detector array are positioned wherein the entrance slit transmits light to the system for receiving the light and the system for receiving the light directs the light to the immersion grating and the immersion grating receives the light and directs the light through the system for receiving the light to the detector array.

The Impact of Training on the Accuracy of Teacher-Completed Direct Behavior Ratings (DBRs)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LeBel, Teresa J.; Kilgus, Stephen P.; Briesch, Amy M.; Chafouleas, Sandra

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three levels of training (direct, indirect, and none) on teachers' ability to accurately rate video of student behavior. Direct and indirect training groups received instructional sessions on direct behavior ratings (DBRs), with the direct training group receiving opportunities for…

Prevalence and Risk of Polypharmacy Among Elderly Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in Ambulatory Oncology Setting.

PubMed

Goh, Ivy; Lai, Olive; Chew, Lita

2018-03-26

This was a single center, retrospective cross-sectional study looking into the incidence and types of drug-related problems (DRPs) detected among elderly cancer patients receiving at least three long-term medications concurrent with IV chemotherapy, and the types of intervention taken to address these DRPs. This paper serves to elucidate the prevalence and risk of polypharmacy in our geriatric oncology population in an ambulatory care setting, to raise awareness on this growing issue and to encourage more resource allocation to address this healthcare phenomenon. DRP was detected in 77.6% of elderly cancer patients receiving at least three long-term medications concurrent with IV chemotherapy, with an average incidence of three DRPs per patient. Approximately half of DRPs were related to long-term medications. Forty percent of DRPs required interventions at the prescriber level. The use of five or more medications was shown to almost double the risk of DRP occurrence (OR 1.862, P = 0.039). Out of the eight predefined categories of DRPs, underprescribing was the most common (26.7%), followed by adverse drug reaction (25.0%) and drug non-adherence (16.2%). Polypharmacy leading to DRPs is a common occurrence in elderly cancer patients receiving outpatient IV chemotherapy. There should be systematic measures in place to identify patients who are at greater risk of inappropriate polypharmacy and DRPs, and hence more frequent drug therapy optimization and monitoring. The identification of DRPs is an important step to circumvent serious drug-related harm. Future healthcare interventions directed at reducing DRPs should aim to assess the clinical and economic impact of such interventions.

A comparative study of scintillator combining methods for flat-panel X-ray image sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, M. S.; Lim, K. T.; Kim, G.; Cho, G.

2018-02-01

An X-ray transmission imaging based on scintillation detection method is the most widely used radiation technique particularly in the medical and industrial areas. As the name suggests, scintillation detection uses a scintillator as an intermediate material to convert incoming radiation into visible-light particles. Among different types of scintillators, CsI(Tl) in a columnar configuration is the most popular type used for applications that require an energy less than 150 keV due to its capability in obtaining a high spatial resolution with a reduced light spreading effect. In this study, different methods in combining a scintillator with a light-receiving unit are investigated and their relationships are given in terms of the image quality. Three different methods of combining a scintillator with a light-receiving unit are selected to investigate their performance in X-ray imaging: upward or downward oriented needles structure of CsI(Tl), coating layer deposition around CsI(Tl), and insertion of FOP. A charge-coupled device was chosen to serve as the light-receiving unit for the proposed system. From the result, the difference of needle directions in CsI(Tl) had no significant effects in the X-ray image. In contrast, deposition of the coating material around CsI(Tl) showed 17.3% reduction in the DQE. Insertion of the FOP increased the spatial resolution by 38%, however, it decreased the light yield in the acquired image by 56%. In order to have the maximum scintillation performance in X-ray imaging, not only the reflection material but also the bonding method must be considered when combining the scintillator with the light-receiving unit. In addition, the use of FOP should be carefully decided based on the purpose of X-ray imaging, e.g., image sharpness or SNR.

What Drives Bird Vision? Bill Control and Predator Detection Overshadow Flight.

PubMed

Martin, Graham R

2017-01-01

Although flight is regarded as a key behavior of birds this review argues that the perceptual demands for its control are met within constraints set by the perceptual demands of two other key tasks: the control of bill (or feet) position, and the detection of food items/predators. Control of bill position, or of the feet when used in foraging, and timing of their arrival at a target, are based upon information derived from the optic flow-field in the binocular region that encompasses the bill. Flow-fields use information extracted from close to the bird using vision of relatively low spatial resolution. The detection of food items and predators is based upon information detected at a greater distance and depends upon regions in the retina with relatively high spatial resolution. The tasks of detecting predators and of placing the bill (or feet) accurately, make contradictory demands upon vision and these have resulted in trade-offs in the form of visual fields and in the topography of retinal regions in which spatial resolution is enhanced, indicated by foveas, areas, and high ganglion cell densities. The informational function of binocular vision in birds does not lie in binocularity per se (i.e., two eyes receiving slightly different information simultaneously about the same objects) but in the contralateral projection of the visual field of each eye. This ensures that each eye receives information from a symmetrically expanding optic flow-field centered close to the direction of the bill, and from this the crucial information of direction of travel and time-to-contact can be extracted, almost instantaneously. Interspecific comparisons of visual fields between closely related species have shown that small differences in foraging techniques can give rise to different perceptual challenges and these have resulted in differences in visual fields even within the same genus. This suggests that vision is subject to continuing and relatively rapid natural selection based upon individual differences in the structure of the optical system, retinal topography, and eye position in the skull. From a sensory ecology perspective a bird is best characterized as "a bill guided by an eye" and that control of flight is achieved within constraints on visual capacity dictated primarily by the demands of foraging and bill control.

What Drives Bird Vision? Bill Control and Predator Detection Overshadow Flight

PubMed Central

Martin, Graham R.

2017-01-01

Although flight is regarded as a key behavior of birds this review argues that the perceptual demands for its control are met within constraints set by the perceptual demands of two other key tasks: the control of bill (or feet) position, and the detection of food items/predators. Control of bill position, or of the feet when used in foraging, and timing of their arrival at a target, are based upon information derived from the optic flow-field in the binocular region that encompasses the bill. Flow-fields use information extracted from close to the bird using vision of relatively low spatial resolution. The detection of food items and predators is based upon information detected at a greater distance and depends upon regions in the retina with relatively high spatial resolution. The tasks of detecting predators and of placing the bill (or feet) accurately, make contradictory demands upon vision and these have resulted in trade-offs in the form of visual fields and in the topography of retinal regions in which spatial resolution is enhanced, indicated by foveas, areas, and high ganglion cell densities. The informational function of binocular vision in birds does not lie in binocularity per se (i.e., two eyes receiving slightly different information simultaneously about the same objects) but in the contralateral projection of the visual field of each eye. This ensures that each eye receives information from a symmetrically expanding optic flow-field centered close to the direction of the bill, and from this the crucial information of direction of travel and time-to-contact can be extracted, almost instantaneously. Interspecific comparisons of visual fields between closely related species have shown that small differences in foraging techniques can give rise to different perceptual challenges and these have resulted in differences in visual fields even within the same genus. This suggests that vision is subject to continuing and relatively rapid natural selection based upon individual differences in the structure of the optical system, retinal topography, and eye position in the skull. From a sensory ecology perspective a bird is best characterized as “a bill guided by an eye” and that control of flight is achieved within constraints on visual capacity dictated primarily by the demands of foraging and bill control. PMID:29163020

Directional antennas for electromagnetic mapping in a borehole

DOEpatents

Reagor, David Wesley; Nguyen, Doan Ngoc; Ashworth, Stephen Paul

2017-05-02

A bottom hole assembly used for a field operation is disclosed herein. The bottom hole assembly can include at least one directional antenna disposed on an outer surface of a first tubing pipe of a tubing string, where the at least one directional antenna receives a first electric current from at least one power source, where the first electric current generates a first magnetic field that radiates from the at least one directional antenna into a formation. The bottom hole assembly can also include at least one receiver disposed on a second tubing pipe of the tubing string, where the at least one receiver receives the first magnetic field returning from the formation.

Ring trial among National Reference Laboratories for parasites to detect Trichinella spiralis larvae in pork samples according to the EU directive 2075/2005.

PubMed

Marucci, Gianluca; Pezzotti, Patrizio; Pozio, Edoardo

2009-02-23

To control Trichinella spp. infection in the European Union, all slaughtered pigs should be tested by one of the approved digestion methods described in EU directive 2075/2005. The aim of the present work was to evaluate, by a ring trial, the sensitivity of the digestion method used at the National Reference Laboratories for Parasites (NRLP). These Laboratories are responsible for the quality of the detection method in their own country. Of the 27 EU countries, only three (Hungary, Luxembourg and Malta) did not participate in the ring trial. Each participating laboratory received 10 samples of 100g of minced pork containing 3-5 larvae (3 samples), 10-20 larvae (3 samples), 30-50 larvae (3 samples), and one negative control. In each positive sample, there were living Trichinella spiralis larvae without the collagen capsule, obtained by partial artificial digestion of muscle tissue from infected mice. No false positive sample was found in any laboratories, whereas nine laboratories (37.5%) failed to detect some positive samples with the percentage of false negatives ranging from 11 to 100%. The variation between expected and reported larval counts observed among the participating laboratories was statistically significant. There was a direct correlation between the consistency of the results and the use of a validated/accredited digestion method. Conversely, there was no correlation between the consistency of the results and the number of digestions performed yearly by the NRLP. These results support the importance of validating the test.

Multiuser receiver for DS-CDMA signals in multipath channels: an enhanced multisurface method.

PubMed

Mahendra, Chetan; Puthusserypady, Sadasivan

2006-11-01

This paper deals with the problem of multiuser detection in direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) systems in multipath environments. The existing multiuser detectors can be divided into two categories: (1) low-complexity poor-performance linear detectors and (2) high-complexity good-performance nonlinear detectors. In particular, in channels where the orthogonality of the code sequences is destroyed by multipath, detectors with linear complexity perform much worse than the nonlinear detectors. In this paper, we propose an enhanced multisurface method (EMSM) for multiuser detection in multipath channels. EMSM is an intermediate piecewise linear detection scheme with a run-time complexity linear in the number of users. Its bit error rate performance is compared with existing linear detectors, a nonlinear radial basis function detector trained by the new support vector learning algorithm, and Verdu's optimal detector. Simulations in multipath channels, for both synchronous and asynchronous cases, indicate that it always outperforms all other linear detectors, performing nearly as well as nonlinear detectors.

Lateral position detection and control for friction stir systems

DOEpatents

Fleming, Paul; Lammlein, David; Cook, George E.; Wilkes, Don Mitchell; Strauss, Alvin M.; Delapp, David; Hartman, Daniel A.

2010-12-14

A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path. In one embodiment, the friction stir system can be embodied as a closed loop tracking system, such as a robot-based tracked friction stir welding (FSW) or friction stir processing (FSP) system.

Economic Evaluation of a Patient-Directed Music Intervention for ICU Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilatory Support.

PubMed

Chlan, Linda L; Heiderscheit, Annette; Skaar, Debra J; Neidecker, Marjorie V

2018-05-04

Music intervention has been shown to reduce anxiety and sedative exposure among mechanically ventilated patients. Whether music intervention reduces ICU costs is not known. The aim of this study was to examine ICU costs for patients receiving a patient-directed music intervention compared with patients who received usual ICU care. A cost-effectiveness analysis from the hospital perspective was conducted to determine if patient-directed music intervention was cost-effective in improving patient-reported anxiety. Cost savings were also evaluated. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses determined the influence of input variation on the cost-effectiveness. Midwestern ICUs. Adult ICU patients from a parent clinical trial receiving mechanical ventilatory support. Patients receiving the experimental patient-directed music intervention received a MP3 player, noise-canceling headphones, and music tailored to individual preferences by a music therapist. The base case cost-effectiveness analysis estimated patient-directed music intervention reduced anxiety by 19 points on the Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety with a reduction in cost of $2,322/patient compared with usual ICU care, resulting in patient-directed music dominance. The probabilistic cost-effectiveness analysis found that average patient-directed music intervention costs were $2,155 less than usual ICU care and projected that cost saving is achieved in 70% of 1,000 iterations. Based on break-even analyses, cost saving is achieved if the per-patient cost of patient-directed music intervention remains below $2,651, a value eight times the base case of $329. Patient-directed music intervention is cost-effective for reducing anxiety in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.

Fly Eye radar: detection through high scattered media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molchanov, Pavlo; Gorwara, Ashok

2017-05-01

Longer radio frequency waves better penetrating through high scattered media than millimeter waves, but imaging resolution limited by diffraction at longer wavelength. Same time frequency and amplitudes of diffracted waves (frequency domain measurement) provides information of object. Phase shift of diffracted waves (phase front in time domain) consists information about shape of object and can be applied for reconstruction of object shape or even image by recording of multi-frequency digital hologram. Spectrum signature or refracted waves allows identify the object content. Application of monopulse method with overlap closely spaced antenna patterns provides high accuracy measurement of amplitude, phase, and direction to signal source. Digitizing of received signals separately in each antenna relative to processor time provides phase/frequency independence. Fly eye non-scanning multi-frequency radar system provides simultaneous continuous observation of multiple targets and wide possibilities for stepped frequency, simultaneous frequency, chaotic frequency sweeping waveform (CFS), polarization modulation for reliable object detection. Proposed c-band fly eye radar demonstrated human detection through 40 cm concrete brick wall with human and wall material spectrum signatures and can be applied for through wall human detection, landmines, improvised explosive devices detection, underground or camouflaged object imaging.

Main-Reflector Manufacturing Technology for the Deep Space Optical Communications Ground Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Britcliffe, M. J.; Hoppe, D. J.

2001-01-01

The Deep Space Network (DSN) has plans to develop a 10-m-diameter optical communications receiving station. The system uses the direct detection technique, which has much different requirements from a typical astronomical telescope. The receiver must operate in daylight and nighttime conditions. This imposes special requirements on the optical system to reject stray light from the Sun and other sources. One of the biggest challenges is designing a main-reflector surface that meets these requirements and can be produced at a reasonable cost. The requirements for the performance of the reflector are presented. To date, an aspherical primary reflector has been assumed. A reflector with a spherical reflector has a major cost advantage over an aspherical design, with no sacrifice in performance. A survey of current manufacturing techniques for optical mirrors of this type was performed. Techniques including solid glass, lightweight glass, diamond-turned aluminum, and composite mirrors were investigated.

Transmit-reference methods in software defined radio platforms for communication in harsh propagation environments and systems thereof

DOEpatents

Dowla, Farid U; Nekoogar, Faranak

2015-03-03

A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) jamming according to one embodiment includes dynamically monitoring a RF spectrum; detecting any undesired signals in real time from the RF spectrum; and sending a directional countermeasure signal to jam the undesired signals. A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) communications according to another embodiment includes transmitting a data pulse in a RF spectrum; and transmitting a reference pulse separated by a predetermined period of time from the data pulse; wherein the data pulse is modulated with data, wherein the reference pulse is unmodulated. A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) communications according to yet another embodiment includes receiving a data pulse in a RF spectrum; and receiving a reference pulse separated in time from the data pulse, wherein the data pulse is modulated with data, wherein the reference pulse is unmodulated; and demodulating the pulses.

Transmit-reference methods in software defined radio platforms for communication in harsh propagation environments and systems thereof

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dowla, Farid; Nekoogar, Faranak

A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) jamming according to one embodiment includes dynamically monitoring a RF spectrum; detecting any undesired signals in real time from the RF spectrum; and sending a directional countermeasure signal to jam the undesired signals. A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) communications according to another embodiment includes transmitting a data pulse in a RF spectrum; and transmitting a reference pulse separated by a predetermined period of time from the data pulse; wherein the data pulse is modulated with data, wherein the reference pulse is unmodulated. A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) communications accordingmore » to yet another embodiment includes receiving a data pulse in a RF spectrum; and receiving a reference pulse separated in time from the data pulse, wherein the data pulse is modulated with data, wherein the reference pulse is unmodulated; and demodulating the pulses.« less

A global network topology of stock markets: Transmitters and receivers of spillover effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahzad, Syed Jawad Hussain; Hernandez, Jose Areola; Rehman, Mobeen Ur; Al-Yahyaee, Khamis Hamed; Zakaria, Muhammad

2018-02-01

This paper applies a bivariate cross-quantilogram approach to examine the spillover network structure in the stock markets of 58 countries according to bearish, normal and bullish market scenarios. Our aim is to identify the strongest interdependencies, the directionality of the spillover risk effects, and to detect those equity markets with the potential to cause global systemic risk. The results highlight the role of the US and Canadian equity markets as major spillover transmitters, while the stock markets of Romania, Taiwan and Mexico act mainly as spillover receivers. Particularly strong spillovers are observed from the Canadian and US equity markets towards the Irish market, and from the Brazilian equity market towards the Kenyan equivalent. The equity market networks suggest that only the US equity market can trigger systemic risk on a global scale. Implications of the results are discussed.

Multi-LED parallel transmission for long distance underwater VLC system with one SPAD receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chao; Yu, Hong-Yi; Zhu, Yi-Jun; Wang, Tao; Ji, Ya-Wei

2018-03-01

In this paper, a multiple light emitting diode (LED) chips parallel transmission (Multi-LED-PT) scheme for underwater visible light communication system with one photon-counting single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) receiver is proposed. As the lamp always consists of multi-LED chips, the data rate could be improved when we drive these multi-LED chips parallel by using the interleaver-division-multiplexing technique. For each chip, the on-off-keying modulation is used to reduce the influence of clipping. Then a serial successive interference cancellation detection algorithm based on ideal Poisson photon-counting channel by the SPAD is proposed. Finally, compared to the SPAD-based direct current-biased optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system, the proposed Multi-LED-PT system could improve the error-rate performance and anti-nonlinearity performance significantly under the effects of absorption, scattering and weak turbulence-induced channel fading together.

Feasibility study of microwave modulation DIAL system for global CO II monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirano, Yoshihito; Kameyama, Shumpei; Ueno, Shinichi; Sugimoto, Nobuo; Kimura, Toshiyoshi

2006-12-01

A new concept of DIAL (DIfferential Absorption Lidar) system for global CO II monitoring using microwave modulation is introduced. This system uses quasi-CW lights which are intensity modulated in microwave region and receives a backscattered light from the ground. In this system, ON/OFF wavelength laser lights are modulated with microwave frequencies, and received lights of two wavelengths are able to be discriminated by modulation frequencies in electrical signal domain. Higher sensitivity optical detection can be realized compared with the conventional microwave modulation lidar by using direct down conversion of modulation frequency. The system also has the function of ranging by using pseudo-random coding in modulation. Fiber-based optical circuit using wavelength region of 1.6 micron is a candidate for the system configuration. After the explanation of this configuration, feasibility study of this system on the application to global CO II monitoring is introduced.

Evaluation of optical up- and downlinks from high altitude platforms using IM/DD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henniger, Hennes; Giggenbach, Dirk; Horwath, Joachim; Rapp, Christoph

2005-04-01

The advantages of optical links like small, light and power efficient terminals are practical for high data rate services over high altitude platforms (HAPs). However, atmospheric effects can disturb the optical links and must be considered in link design. In this paper we evaluate clear sky and non clear sky attenuation effects and their impact on the link-quality of up- and downlinks from HAPs. As vertical links could be restricted by very large cloud and fog attenuation, investigations of the scattering effects in cloud media has been done. The Mie-theory shows that cloud transmittance is not depending on the wavelength, whereas the attenuation of fog and dust is smaller for longer wavelengths. Satellite cloud data has been used to predict the link availability for a ground station in Germany. A ground station diversity concept is introduced to achieve higher link availability. As high receiver sensitivity helps to reduce terminal mass, power and size, evaluation of receiver sensitivity is shown. Also, a receiver model is developed which enables to calculate for the background light loss in direct detection systems.

An uncooked vegan diet shifts the profile of human fecal microflora: computerized analysis of direct stool sample gas-liquid chromatography profiles of bacterial cellular fatty acids.

PubMed Central

Peltonen, R; Ling, W H; Hänninen, O; Eerola, E

1992-01-01

The effect of an uncooked extreme vegan diet on fecal microflora was studied by direct stool sample gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of bacterial cellular fatty acids and by quantitative bacterial culture by using classical microbiological techniques of isolation, identification, and enumeration of different bacterial species. Eighteen volunteers were divided randomly into two groups. The test group received an uncooked vegan diet for 1 month and a conventional diet of mixed Western type for the other month of the study. The control group consumed a conventional diet throughout the study period. Stool samples were collected. Bacterial cellular fatty acids were extracted directly from the stool samples and measured by GLC. Computerized analysis of the resulting fatty acid profiles was performed. Such a profile represents all bacterial cellular fatty acids in a sample and thus reflects its microflora and can be used to detect changes, differences, or similarities of bacterial flora between individual samples or sample groups. GLC profiles changed significantly in the test group after the induction and discontinuation of the vegan diet but not in the control group at any time, whereas quantitative bacterial culture did not detect any significant change in fecal bacteriology in either of the groups. The results suggest that an uncooked extreme vegan diet alters the fecal bacterial flora significantly when it is measured by direct stool sample GLC of bacterial fatty acids. PMID:1482187

Target Detection of Quantum Illumination Receiver Based on Photon-subtracted Entanglement State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Jiao; Liu, HongJun; Huang, Nan; Wang, ZhaoLu

2017-12-01

We theoretically propose a quantum illumination receiver based on the ideal photon-subtracted two-mode squeezed state (PSTMSS) to efficiently detect the noise-hidden target. This receiver is generated by applying an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) to the cross correlation detection. With analyzing the output performance, it is found that OPA as a preposition technology of the receiver can contribute to the PSTMSS by significantly reducing the error probability than that of the general two-mode squeezed state (TMSS). Comparing with TMSS, the signal-to-noise ratio of quantum illumination based on ideal PSTMSS and OPA is improved more than 4 dB under an optimal gain of OPA. This work may provide a potential improvement in the application of accurate target detection when two kinds of resource have the identical real squeezing parameter.

Tobacco Direct Mail Marketing and Smoking Behaviors in a Cohort of Adolescents and Young Adults From the U.S. Upper Midwest: A Prospective Analysis

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Introduction: We assessed the characteristics of adolescents and young adults who received tobacco direct mail materials and the association of receiving these materials with subsequent smoking behaviors. Methods: Adolescents from the upper Midwest region of the United States were sampled through clustered random sampling in 2000 and surveyed every 6 months. Participants (n = 3546) were asked at baseline (October 2006–March 2007) whether they had received direct mail materials from tobacco companies during the previous 6 months. Smoking behaviors were assessed 6 months later (April–September 2007). We assessed associations between demographics and receiving tobacco direct mail materials at baseline and the association of receiving these materials with smoking behaviors at follow-up, stratified by baseline smoking status. Results: Overall, 5.2% of nonsmokers and 23.9% of current smokers in our sample received tobacco direct mail materials during the past 6 months (2.6% and 17.1% among nonsmokers and smokers <18 years old, respectively; p < .05). Participants who were older and living with smokers were more likely to receive these materials (p < .05). Baseline nonsmokers who received these materials smoked more cigarettes during the previous 30 days at follow-up (p < .05); baseline current smokers who received these materials were less likely than those who did not to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked during the past 30 days at follow up (p < .05). Conclusions: Those younger than 18 years old (particularly smokers) in addition to older individuals in our regional sample were exposed to tobacco direct mail marketing. Exposure to this market strategy is associated with faster escalation of cigarette consumption among nonsmokers and lower likelihood of smoking reduction among smokers in this adolescent and young adult sample. PMID:24532353

Tobacco direct mail marketing and smoking behaviors in a cohort of adolescents and young adults from the U.S. upper Midwest: a prospective analysis.

PubMed

Choi, Kelvin; Forster, Jean

2014-06-01

We assessed the characteristics of adolescents and young adults who received tobacco direct mail materials and the association of receiving these materials with subsequent smoking behaviors. Adolescents from the upper Midwest region of the United States were sampled through clustered random sampling in 2000 and surveyed every 6 months. Participants (n = 3546) were asked at baseline (October 2006-March 2007) whether they had received direct mail materials from tobacco companies during the previous 6 months. Smoking behaviors were assessed 6 months later (April-September 2007). We assessed associations between demographics and receiving tobacco direct mail materials at baseline and the association of receiving these materials with smoking behaviors at follow-up, stratified by baseline smoking status. Overall, 5.2% of nonsmokers and 23.9% of current smokers in our sample received tobacco direct mail materials during the past 6 months (2.6% and 17.1% among nonsmokers and smokers <18 years old, respectively; p < .05). Participants who were older and living with smokers were more likely to receive these materials (p < .05). Baseline nonsmokers who received these materials smoked more cigarettes during the previous 30 days at follow-up (p < .05); baseline current smokers who received these materials were less likely than those who did not to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked during the past 30 days at follow up (p < .05). Those younger than 18 years old (particularly smokers) in addition to older individuals in our regional sample were exposed to tobacco direct mail marketing. Exposure to this market strategy is associated with faster escalation of cigarette consumption among nonsmokers and lower likelihood of smoking reduction among smokers in this adolescent and young adult sample.

System performance enhancement with pre-distorted OOFDM signal waveforms in DM/DD systems.

PubMed

Sánchez, C; Ortega, B; Capmany, J

2014-03-24

In this work we propose a pre-distortion technique for the mitigation of the nonlinear distortion present in directly modulated/detected OOFDM systems and explore the system performance achieved under varying system parameters. Simulation results show that the proposed pre-distortion technique efficiently mitigates the nonlinear distortion, achieving transmission information rates around 40 Gbits/s and 18.5 Gbits/s over 40 km and 100 km of single mode fiber links, respectively, under optimum operating conditions. Moreover, the proposed pre-distortion technique can potentially provide higher system performance to that obtained with nonlinear equalization at the receiver.

New Assumptions to Guide SETI Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colombano, S. P.

2018-01-01

The recent Kepler discoveries of Earth-like planets offer the opportunity to focus our attention on detecting signs of life and technology in specific planetary systems, but I feel we need to become more flexible in our assumptions. The reason is that, while it is still reasonable and conservative to assume that life is most likely to have originated in conditions similar to ours, the vast time differences in potential evolutions render the likelihood of "matching" technologies very slim. In light of these challenges I propose a more "aggressive"� approach to future SETI exploration in directions that until now have received little consideration.

Microbend fiber-optic chemical sensor

DOEpatents

Weiss, Jonathan D.

2002-01-01

A microbend fiber-optic chemical sensor for detecting chemicals in a sample, and a method for its use, is disclosed. The sensor comprises at least one optical fiber having a microbend section (a section of small undulations in its axis), for transmitting and receiving light. In transmission, light guided through the microbend section scatters out of the fiber core and interacts, either directly or indirectly, with the chemical in the sample, inducing fluorescence radiation. Fluorescence radiation is scattered back into the microbend section and returned to an optical detector for determining characteristics of the fluorescence radiation quantifying the presence of a specific chemical.

Analytical Approach to Target Detection and Localization at High-Frequency Bands Using Multipath Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-25

unseen directly by the antennas (both transmitter TX and receiver RX), or out of the Light- Of-Sight ( LOS ) area, as being covered by the obstacles such as...or in other words, out of the Light-Of-Sight ( LOS ) area, as being covered by the obstacles such as walls or buildings. This analysis is verified...that, we put a 1.5m high metallic wall at the distance of 1.5m from the two antennas. It is obviously that the Light Of Sight ( LOS ) is at 2.25m far

Phase locked loop synchronization for direct detection optical PPM communication systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C. C.; Gardner, C. S.

1985-01-01

Receiver timing synchronization of an optical pulse position modulation (PPM) communication system can be achieved using a phase locked loop (PLL) if the photodetector output is properly processed. The synchronization performance is shown to improve with increasing signal power and decreasing loop bandwidth. Bit error rate (BER) of the PLL synchronized PPM system is analyzed and compared to that for the perfectly synchronized system. It is shown that the increase in signal power needed to compensate for the imperfect synchronization is small (less than 0.1 dB) for loop bandwidths less than 0.1% of the slot frequency.

Squeezed-state quantum key distribution with a Rindler observer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Jian; Shi, Ronghua; Guo, Ying

2018-03-01

Lengthening the maximum transmission distance of quantum key distribution plays a vital role in quantum information processing. In this paper, we propose a directional squeezed-state protocol with signals detected by a Rindler observer in the relativistic quantum field framework. We derive an analytical solution to the transmission problem of squeezed states from the inertial sender to the accelerated receiver. The variance of the involved signal mode is closer to optimality than that of the coherent-state-based protocol. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol has better performance than the coherent-state counterpart especially in terms of the maximal transmission distance.

Systems and Methods for Correcting Optical Reflectance Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Ye (Inventor); Shear, Michael A. (Inventor); Soller, Babs R. (Inventor); Soyemi, Olusola O. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

We disclose measurement systems and methods for measuring analytes in target regions of samples that also include features overlying the target regions. The systems include: (a) a light source; (b) a detection system; (c) a set of at least first, second, and third light ports which transmit light from the light source to a sample and receive and direct light reflected from the sample to the detection system, generating a first set of data including information corresponding to both an internal target within the sample and features overlying the internal target, and a second set of data including information corresponding to features overlying the internal target; and (d) a processor configured to remove information characteristic of the overlying features from the first set of data using the first and second sets of data to produce corrected information representing the internal target.

Combinatorial pulse position modulation for power-efficient free-space laser communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Budinger, James M.; Vanderaar, M.; Wagner, P.; Bibyk, Steven

1993-01-01

A new modulation technique called combinatorial pulse position modulation (CPPM) is presented as a power-efficient alternative to quaternary pulse position modulation (QPPM) for direct-detection, free-space laser communications. The special case of 16C4PPM is compared to QPPM in terms of data throughput and bit error rate (BER) performance for similar laser power and pulse duty cycle requirements. The increased throughput from CPPM enables the use of forward error corrective (FEC) encoding for a net decrease in the amount of laser power required for a given data throughput compared to uncoded QPPM. A specific, practical case of coded CPPM is shown to reduce the amount of power required to transmit and receive a given data sequence by at least 4.7 dB. Hardware techniques for maximum likelihood detection and symbol timing recovery are presented.

Systems and methods for correcting optical reflectance measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Ye (Inventor); Soller, Babs R. (Inventor); Soyemi, Olusola O. (Inventor); Shear, Michael A. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

We disclose measurement systems and methods for measuring analytes in target regions of samples that also include features overlying the target regions. The systems include: (a) a light source; (b) a detection system; (c) a set of at least first, second, and third light ports which transmit light from the light source to a sample and receive and direct light reflected from the sample to the detection system, generating a first set of data including information corresponding to both an internal target within the sample and features overlying the internal target, and a second set of data including information corresponding to features overlying the internal target; and (d) a processor configured to remove information characteristic of the overlying features from the first set of data using the first and second sets of data to produce corrected information representing the internal target.

Cumulative effective radiation dose received by blunt trauma patients arriving to a military level I trauma center from point of injury and interhospital transfers.

PubMed

Van Arnem, Kerri A; Supinski, David P; Tucker, Jonathan E; Varney, Shawn

2016-12-01

Trauma patients sustaining blunt injuries are exposed to multiple radiologic studies. Evidence indicates that the risk of cancer from exposure to ionizing radiation rises in direct proportion to the cumulative effective dose (CED) received. The purpose of this study is to quantify the amount of ionizing radiation accumulated when arriving directly from point of injury to San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), a level I trauma center, compared with those transferred from other facilities. A retrospective record review was conducted from 1st January 2010 through 31st December 2012. The SAMMC trauma registry, electronic medical records, and the digital radiology imaging system were searched for possible candidates. The medical records were then analyzed for sex, age, mechanism of injury, received directly from point of injury (direct group), transfer from another medical facility (transfer group), computed tomographic scans received, dose-length product, CED of radiation, and injury severity score. A diagnostic imaging physicist then calculated the estimated CED each subject received based on the dose-length product of each computed tomographic scan. A total of 300 patients were analyzed, with 150 patients in the direct group and 150 patients in the transfer group. Both groups were similar in age and sex. Patients in the transfer group received a significantly greater CED of radiation compared with the direct group (mean, 37.6 mSv vs 28 mSv; P=.001). The radiation received in the direct group correlates with a lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of 1 in 357 compared with the transfer group with an increase in LAR to 1 in 266. Patients transferred to our facility received a 34% increase in ionizing radiation compared with patients brought directly from the injury scene. This increased dose of ionizing radiation contributes to the LAR of cancer and needs to be considered before repeating imaging studies. III. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Maximum-Likelihood Detection Of Noncoherent CPM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divsalar, Dariush; Simon, Marvin K.

1993-01-01

Simplified detectors proposed for use in maximum-likelihood-sequence detection of symbols in alphabet of size M transmitted by uncoded, full-response continuous phase modulation over radio channel with additive white Gaussian noise. Structures of receivers derived from particular interpretation of maximum-likelihood metrics. Receivers include front ends, structures of which depends only on M, analogous to those in receivers of coherent CPM. Parts of receivers following front ends have structures, complexity of which would depend on N.

System and Method of Locating Lightning Strikes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Medelius, Pedro J. (Inventor); Starr, Stanley O. (Inventor)

2002-01-01

A system and method of determining locations of lightning strikes has been described. The system includes multiple receivers located around an area of interest, such as a space center or airport. Each receiver monitors both sound and electric fields. The detection of an electric field pulse and a sound wave are used to calculate an area around each receiver in which the lighting is detected. A processor is coupled to the receivers to accurately determine the location of the lighting strike. The processor can manipulate the receiver data to compensate for environmental variables such as wind, temperature, and humidity. Further, each receiver processor can discriminate between distant and local lightning strikes.

Low-cost coherent receiver for long-reach optical access network using single-ended detection.

PubMed

Zhang, Xuebing; Li, Zhaohui; Li, Jianping; Yu, Changyuan; Lau, Alan Pak Tao; Lu, Chao

2014-09-15

A low-cost coherent receiver using two 2×3 optical hybrids and single-ended detection is proposed for long-reach optical access network. This structure can detect the two polarization components of polarization division multiplexing (PDM) signals. Polarization de-multiplexing and signal-to-signal beat interference (SSBI) cancellation are realized by using only three photodiodes. Simulation results for 40 Gb/s PDM-OFDM transmissions indicate that the low-cost coherent receiver has 3.2 dB optical signal-to-noise ratio difference compared with the theoretical value.

Concomitant ALK translocation and EGFR mutation in lung cancer: a comparison of direct sequencing and sensitive assays and the impact on responsiveness to tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

PubMed

Won, J K; Keam, B; Koh, J; Cho, H J; Jeon, Y K; Kim, T M; Lee, S H; Lee, D S; Kim, D W; Chung, D H

2015-02-01

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation are considered mutually exclusive in nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, sporadic cases having concomitant EGFR and ALK alterations have been reported. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of NSCLCs with concomitant EGFR and ALK alterations using mutation detection methods with different sensitivity and to propose an effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategy. A total of 1458 cases of lung cancer were screened for EGFR and ALK alterations by direct sequencing and flourescence in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively. For the 91 patients identified as having an ALK translocation, peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-clamping real-time PCR, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS), and mutant-enriched NGS assays were carried out to detect EGFR mutation. EGFR mutations and ALK translocations were observed in 42.4% (612/1445) and 6.3% (91/1445) of NSCLCs by direct sequencing and FISH, respectively. Concomitant EGFR and ALK alterations were detected in four cases, which accounted for 4.4% (4/91) of ALK-translocated NSCLCs. Additional analyses for EGFR using PNA real-time PCR and ultra-deep sequencing by NGS, mutant-enriched NGS increased the detection rate of concomitant EGFR and ALK alterations to 8.8% (8/91), 12.1% (11/91), and 15.4% (14/91) of ALK-translocated NSCLCs, respectively. Of the 14 patients, 3 who were treated with gefitinib showed poor response to gefitinib with stable disease in one and progressive disease in two patients. However, eight patients who received ALK inhibitor (crizotinib or ceritinib) showed good response, with response rate of 87.5% (7/8 with partial response) and durable progression-free survival. A portion of NSCLC patients have concomitant EGFR and ALK alterations and the frequency of co-alteration detection increases when sensitive detection methods for EGFR mutation are applied. ALK inhibitors appear to be effective for patients with co-alterations. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Point-of-Care Coagulation Tests Monitoring of Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Their Reversal Therapy: State of the Art.

PubMed

Iapichino, Giacomo E; Bianchi, Paolo; Ranucci, Marco; Baryshnikova, Ekaterina

2017-06-01

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) exert similar anticoagulant effects to vitamin K antagonists and are increasingly used worldwide. Nevertheless, an evidence-based approach to patients receiving DOACs when any unplanned urgent surgery or bleeding (either spontaneous or traumatic) occurs is still missing. In this review, we investigate the role of point-of-care coagulation tests when other, more specific tests are not available. Indeed, thromboelastography and activated clotting time can detect dabigatran-induced coagulopathy, while their accuracy is limited for apixaban and rivaroxaban, mostly in cases of low drug plasma concentrations. These tests can also be used to guide the reversal of DOAC-induced coagulopathy providing a quick, before-and-after picture in case of therapeutic use of hemostatic compounds. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Prospects for high accuracy time dissemination and synchronization using coded radar pulses from a low-earth orbiting spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Detoma, Edoardo V.; Dionisio, C.

1995-01-01

The radar (an acronym for radio detection and ranging) is an instrument developed just before the WW-II to precisely measure the position of an object (target) in space. This is done by emitting a narrow pulse of electromagnetic energy in the RF spectrum, receiving the return echo and measuring the time of flight in the two-way path from the emitter to the target. The propagation delay provides a measure of the range to the target, which is not in itself sufficient to uniquely locate the position of the same in space. However, if a directional antenna is used, the direction of the echo can be assessed by the antenna pointing angles. In this way the position of the target can be uniquely determined in space. How well this can be done is a function of the resolution of the measurements performed (range and direction, i.e.: angles); in turn, the resolution will dictate the time and frequency requirements of the reference oscillator.

Optical superheterodyne receiver.

PubMed

Lucy, R F; Lang, K; Peters, C J; Duval, K

1967-08-01

Optical communications experiments at 6328 A, comparing the fading characteristics of coherent and noncoherent optical detection, have been performed over a 1-km real atmospheric path in different weather conditions. The results show that fading is less severe for noncoherent detection and that the fading characteristic for both types vary significantly with weather conditions. In addition, the similarity of optical FM to rf FM is demonstrated. The measurements were performed using a remote laser transmitter and an optical superheterodyne receiver operating simultaneously in both a coherent and noncoherent detection mode. The receiver, tunable over a frequency range of 1 GHz at the IF difference frequency of 30 MHz, has automatic frequency control and also uses a precision angle tracking servo to maintain receiver spatial alignment with a remote transmitter. The angle and frequency tracking capability permit operation between moving transmitter and receiver terminals.

Multi-transmitter multi-receiver null coupled systems for inductive detection and characterization of metallic objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, J. Torquil; Morrison, H. Frank; Doolittle, Lawrence R.; Tseng, Hung-Wen

2007-03-01

Equivalent dipole polarizabilities are a succinct way to summarize the inductive response of an isolated conductive body at distances greater than the scale of the body. Their estimation requires measurement of secondary magnetic fields due to currents induced in the body by time varying magnetic fields in at least three linearly independent (e.g., orthogonal) directions. Secondary fields due to an object are typically orders of magnitude smaller than the primary inducing fields near the primary field sources (transmitters). Receiver coils may be oriented orthogonal to primary fields from one or two transmitters, nulling their response to those fields, but simultaneously nulling to fields of additional transmitters is problematic. If transmitter coils are constructed symmetrically with respect to inversion in a point, their magnetic fields are symmetric with respect to that point. If receiver coils are operated in pairs symmetric with respect to inversion in the same point, then their differenced output is insensitive to the primary fields of any symmetrically constructed transmitters, allowing nulling to three (or more) transmitters. With a sufficient number of receivers pairs, object equivalent dipole polarizabilities can be estimated in situ from measurements at a single instrument sitting, eliminating effects of inaccurate instrument location on polarizability estimates. The method is illustrated with data from a multi-transmitter multi-receiver system with primary field nulling through differenced receiver pairs, interpreted in terms of principal equivalent dipole polarizabilities as a function of time.

ICESAT GLAS Altimetry Measurements: Received Signal Dynamic Range and Saturation Correction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, Xiaoli; Abshire, James B.; Borsa, Adrian A.; Fricker, Helen Amanda; Yi, Donghui; Dimarzio, John P.; Paolo, Fernando S.; Brunt, Kelly M.; Harding, David J.; Neumann, Gregory A.

2017-01-01

NASAs Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat), which operated between 2003 and 2009, made the first satellite-based global lidar measurement of earths ice sheet elevations, sea-ice thickness, and vegetation canopy structure. The primary instrument on ICESat was the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), which measured the distance from the spacecraft to the earth's surface via the roundtrip travel time of individual laser pulses. GLAS utilized pulsed lasers and a direct detection receiver consisting of a silicon avalanche photodiode and a waveform digitizer. Early in the mission, the peak power of the received signal from snow and ice surfaces was found to span a wider dynamic range than anticipated, often exceeding the linear dynamic range of the GLAS 1064-nm detector assembly. The resulting saturation of the receiver distorted the recorded signal and resulted in range biases as large as approximately 50 cm for ice- and snow-covered surfaces. We developed a correction for this saturation range bias based on laboratory tests using a spare flight detector, and refined the correction by comparing GLAS elevation estimates with those derived from Global Positioning System surveys over the calibration site at the salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. Applying the saturation correction largely eliminated the range bias due to receiver saturation for affected ICESat measurements over Uyuni and significantly reduced the discrepancies at orbit crossovers located on flat regions of the Antarctic ice sheet.

QRS complex detection based on continuous density hidden Markov models using univariate observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotelo, S.; Arenas, W.; Altuve, M.

2018-04-01

In the electrocardiogram (ECG), the detection of QRS complexes is a fundamental step in the ECG signal processing chain since it allows the determination of other characteristics waves of the ECG and provides information about heart rate variability. In this work, an automatic QRS complex detector based on continuous density hidden Markov models (HMM) is proposed. HMM were trained using univariate observation sequences taken either from QRS complexes or their derivatives. The detection approach is based on the log-likelihood comparison of the observation sequence with a fixed threshold. A sliding window was used to obtain the observation sequence to be evaluated by the model. The threshold was optimized by receiver operating characteristic curves. Sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spc) and F1 score were used to evaluate the detection performance. The approach was validated using ECG recordings from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database. A 6-fold cross-validation shows that the best detection performance was achieved with 2 states HMM trained with QRS complexes sequences (Sen = 0.668, Spc = 0.360 and F1 = 0.309). We concluded that these univariate sequences provide enough information to characterize the QRS complex dynamics from HMM. Future works are directed to the use of multivariate observations to increase the detection performance.

[Prevalence and factors associated with burnout in a health area].

PubMed

Caballero Martín, M; Bermejo Fernández, F; Nieto Gómez, R; Caballero Martínez, F

2001-03-31

The main objective was to determine the prevalence of the burnout syndrome among health workers and its distribution by social, demographic and work variables. The secondary aim was to detect potentially modifiable causes. Descriptive cross-sectional study. Primary care. All the 354 doctors, nurses and clinical auxiliaries belonging to the 22 primary care teams of Area VI, Madrid. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was sent out by internal mail. This had three instruments: a questionnaire on social and demographic variables, the validated questionnaire known as the Maslach Burnout Inventory and an open opinion section. High levels of burnout were detected: 30.6% in the high range on the emotional tiredness sub-scale, with higher scores among men (p = 0.026). There were also more paediatric staff affected in personal achievements. There was scant relationship of the syndrome to social variables. 43.9% thought they suffered or had suffered from some kind of physical or psychological disorder directly related to exercising their profession. 38.3% associated directly their burnout with the excess demand habitually experienced in clinics. We detected worryingly high levels of this syndrome among our professionals, similar to other surveys in Spain. The subjects of the survey linked their unease with certain work factors that could easily be modified. The training received in techniques of self-control and stress management is clearly insufficient.

Does detection range matter for inferring social networks in a benthic shark using acoustic telemetry?

PubMed Central

Bass, Nathan Charles; Guttridge, Tristan L.; Day, Joanna; Brown, Culum

2017-01-01

Accurately estimating contacts between animals can be critical in ecological studies such as examining social structure, predator–prey interactions or transmission of information and disease. While biotelemetry has been used successfully for such studies in terrestrial systems, it is still under development in the aquatic environment. Acoustic telemetry represents an attractive tool to investigate spatio-temporal behaviour of marine fish and has recently been suggested for monitoring underwater animal interactions. To evaluate the effectiveness of acoustic telemetry in recording interindividual contacts, we compared co-occurrence matrices deduced from three types of acoustic receivers varying in detection range in a benthic shark species. Our results demonstrate that (i) associations produced by acoustic receivers with a large detection range (i.e. Vemco VR2W) were significantly different from those produced by receivers with smaller ranges (i.e. Sonotronics miniSUR receivers and proximity loggers) and (ii) the position of individuals within their network, or centrality, also differed. These findings suggest that acoustic receivers with a large detection range may not be the best option to represent true social networks in the case of a benthic marine animal. While acoustic receivers are increasingly used by marine ecologists, we recommend users first evaluate the influence of detection range to depict accurate individual interactions before using these receivers for social or predator–prey studies. We also advocate for combining multiple receiver types depending on the ecological question being asked and the development of multi-sensor tags or testing of new automated proximity loggers, such as the Encounternet system, to improve the precision and accuracy of social and predator–prey interaction studies. PMID:28989756

Diffusion imaging quality control via entropy of principal direction distribution.

PubMed

Farzinfar, Mahshid; Oguz, Ipek; Smith, Rachel G; Verde, Audrey R; Dietrich, Cheryl; Gupta, Aditya; Escolar, Maria L; Piven, Joseph; Pujol, Sonia; Vachet, Clement; Gouttard, Sylvain; Gerig, Guido; Dager, Stephen; McKinstry, Robert C; Paterson, Sarah; Evans, Alan C; Styner, Martin A

2013-11-15

Diffusion MR imaging has received increasing attention in the neuroimaging community, as it yields new insights into the microstructural organization of white matter that are not available with conventional MRI techniques. While the technology has enormous potential, diffusion MRI suffers from a unique and complex set of image quality problems, limiting the sensitivity of studies and reducing the accuracy of findings. Furthermore, the acquisition time for diffusion MRI is longer than conventional MRI due to the need for multiple acquisitions to obtain directionally encoded Diffusion Weighted Images (DWI). This leads to increased motion artifacts, reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and increased proneness to a wide variety of artifacts, including eddy-current and motion artifacts, "venetian blind" artifacts, as well as slice-wise and gradient-wise inconsistencies. Such artifacts mandate stringent Quality Control (QC) schemes in the processing of diffusion MRI data. Most existing QC procedures are conducted in the DWI domain and/or on a voxel level, but our own experiments show that these methods often do not fully detect and eliminate certain types of artifacts, often only visible when investigating groups of DWI's or a derived diffusion model, such as the most-employed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Here, we propose a novel regional QC measure in the DTI domain that employs the entropy of the regional distribution of the principal directions (PD). The PD entropy quantifies the scattering and spread of the principal diffusion directions and is invariant to the patient's position in the scanner. High entropy value indicates that the PDs are distributed relatively uniformly, while low entropy value indicates the presence of clusters in the PD distribution. The novel QC measure is intended to complement the existing set of QC procedures by detecting and correcting residual artifacts. Such residual artifacts cause directional bias in the measured PD and here called dominant direction artifacts. Experiments show that our automatic method can reliably detect and potentially correct such artifacts, especially the ones caused by the vibrations of the scanner table during the scan. The results further indicate the usefulness of this method for general quality assessment in DTI studies. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Diffusion imaging quality control via entropy of principal direction distribution

PubMed Central

Oguz, Ipek; Smith, Rachel G.; Verde, Audrey R.; Dietrich, Cheryl; Gupta, Aditya; Escolar, Maria L.; Piven, Joseph; Pujol, Sonia; Vachet, Clement; Gouttard, Sylvain; Gerig, Guido; Dager, Stephen; McKinstry, Robert C.; Paterson, Sarah; Evans, Alan C.; Styner, Martin A.

2013-01-01

Diffusion MR imaging has received increasing attention in the neuroimaging community, as it yields new insights into the microstructural organization of white matter that are not available with conventional MRI techniques. While the technology has enormous potential, diffusion MRI suffers from a unique and complex set of image quality problems, limiting the sensitivity of studies and reducing the accuracy of findings. Furthermore, the acquisition time for diffusion MRI is longer than conventional MRI due to the need for multiple acquisitions to obtain directionally encoded Diffusion Weighted Images (DWI). This leads to increased motion artifacts, reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and increased proneness to a wide variety of artifacts, including eddy-current and motion artifacts, “venetian blind” artifacts, as well as slice-wise and gradient-wise inconsistencies. Such artifacts mandate stringent Quality Control (QC) schemes in the processing of diffusion MRI data. Most existing QC procedures are conducted in the DWI domain and/or on a voxel level, but our own experiments show that these methods often do not fully detect and eliminate certain types of artifacts, often only visible when investigating groups of DWI's or a derived diffusion model, such as the most-employed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Here, we propose a novel regional QC measure in the DTI domain that employs the entropy of the regional distribution of the principal directions (PD). The PD entropy quantifies the scattering and spread of the principal diffusion directions and is invariant to the patient's position in the scanner. High entropy value indicates that the PDs are distributed relatively uniformly, while low entropy value indicates the presence of clusters in the PD distribution. The novel QC measure is intended to complement the existing set of QC procedures by detecting and correcting residual artifacts. Such residual artifacts cause directional bias in the measured PD and here called dominant direction artifacts. Experiments show that our automatic method can reliably detect and potentially correct such artifacts, especially the ones caused by the vibrations of the scanner table during the scan. The results further indicate the usefulness of this method for general quality assessment in DTI studies. PMID:23684874

Surface EEG-Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Closed-Loop System.

PubMed

Leite, Jorge; Morales-Quezada, Leon; Carvalho, Sandra; Thibaut, Aurore; Doruk, Deniz; Chen, Chiun-Fan; Schachter, Steven C; Rotenberg, Alexander; Fregni, Felipe

2017-09-01

Conventional transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) protocols rely on applying electrical current at a fixed intensity and duration without using surrogate markers to direct the interventions. This has led to some mixed results; especially because tDCS induced effects may vary depending on the ongoing level of brain activity. Therefore, the objective of this preliminary study was to assess the feasibility of an EEG-triggered tDCS system based on EEG online analysis of its frequency bands. Six healthy volunteers were randomized to participate in a double-blind sham-controlled crossover design to receive a single session of 10[Formula: see text]min 2[Formula: see text]mA cathodal and sham tDCS. tDCS trigger controller was based upon an algorithm designed to detect an increase in the relative beta power of more than 200%, accompanied by a decrease of 50% or more in the relative alpha power, based on baseline EEG recordings. EEG-tDCS closed-loop-system was able to detect the predefined EEG magnitude deviation and successfully triggered the stimulation in all participants. This preliminary study represents a proof-of-concept for the development of an EEG-tDCS closed-loop system in humans. We discuss and review here different methods of closed loop system that can be considered and potential clinical applications of such system.

Rapid detection of in vitro antituberculous drug resistance among smear-positive respiratory samples using microcolony detection-based direct drug susceptibility testing method.

PubMed

Iftikhar, Irim; Irfan, Seema; Farooqi, Joveria; Azizullah, Zahida; Hasan, Rumina

2017-01-01

With the rise in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, there is a search for newer techniques that will rapidly detect drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although molecular techniques can detect resistance, culture is still considered gold standard, especially in resource-limited settings where quick, cheap, and easy techniques are needed. The aim of the study was to evaluate microcolony method thin layer agar (TLA) for quick detection of resistance against the first- and second-line antituberculous drugs in clinical isolates. This was a cross-sectional study performed at Aga Khan University Hospital. A total of 87 Z-N stain smear-positive pulmonary samples were received and indirect drug susceptibility test (ID-DST) was performed using Lowenstein-Jensen and mycobacteria growth indicator tube. Direct DST was performed using TLA on 7H10 agar. TLA was observed twice weekly under microscope for 4 weeks. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for TLA using indirect susceptibility method as the gold standard. Level of agreement was calculated using Kappa score. TLA showed sensitivity of 89% and 95.2% for isoniazid and rifampicin, while for ethionamide, ofloxacin, and injectable aminoglycosides, it was 96.6%, 92.1%, and 100%, respectively. Specificity for the first-line drugs was >95% while second-line drugs ranged from 70% to 100%. Mean time to positivity was 10.2 days by TLA as compared to 43.1 days by ID-DST. TLA is a quick and reliable method in identifying resistance, especially in resource-limited settings. However, additional liquid culture can be set up as backup, especially in patients on therapy to avoid false negative results.

Hydrates in the California Borderlands Revisited: Results from a Controlled-Source Electromagnetic Survey of the Santa Cruz Basin.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kannberg, P. K.; Constable, S.

2014-12-01

Methane hydrate, an ice-like clathrate of water and methane, forms in shallow continental slope sediments, and is both a potential energy source and geologic hazard. Hydrates presence is traditionally inferred from the presence of the bottom simulating reflector (BSR), a seismic velocity inversion resulting from free gas pooling at the base of the hydrate stability field. The BSR is not a measure of hydrate, but rather a proxy for free gas presence. Whereas seismic methods are sensitive to velocity anomalies, controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) methods are sensitive to conductivity anomalies. The electrically resistive methane hydrate makes a favorable target for CSEM surveys, which are capable of detecting and potentially quantifying the presence of methane hydrate directly. Building on previous work 100km to the south in the San Nicolas Basin, we present initial results from a 6-day June 2014 survey in the Santa Cruz Basin, located 100km west of Los Angeles. CSEM surveys are performed by deep-towing an EM source that is transmitting a known signal; this signal is detected by towed and seafloor receivers. The initial EM source signal is altered by the electrical properties of the surrounding environment. Conductors such as brine and seawater are attenuating mediums, while resistors such as methane hydrate, gas, and oil are preservative of the original signal. Twenty-one seafloor receivers, as well as a 4 receiver towed array were deployed to image the resistivity structure of the Santa Cruz Basin. Using 30-year-old 2D seismic profiles as a guide, potential hydrate targets were identified, and the transmitter and array were towed over 150 km on 6 lines with 5 seafloor receivers each. The 6 towed lines were coincident with legacy seismic lines. The towed array is sensitive to sediment depths less than 1km, allowing for high data density through the hydrate stability field. The larger transmitter-receiver offsets of the seafloor receivers allow sensitivity to at least 3km below the seafloor. Combining the two data sets allows for both high resolution in the near-seafloor hydrate accumulations as well as imaging the potential gas-source regions of the hydrate field.

Tagging age-1 Lost River and shortnose suckers with passive integrated transponders, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon–Summary of 2009–11 effort

USGS Publications Warehouse

Burdick, Summer M.

2012-01-01

A passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging study was initiated in 2009 for age-1 endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, for the purpose of examining causes of mortality, validating estimated age to maturity, and examining movement patterns. This study, which was done opportunistically in 2009 and 2010, received funding in 2011 for a directed tagging effort. Tags were redetected using an existing infrastructure of remote PIT tag readers and tag scanning surveys at American white pelican and double-crested cormorant breeding and loafing areas. Individual fish histories are used to describe the distance, direction, and timing of age-1 sucker movement. Sucker PIT tag detections in the Sprague and Williamson rivers in mid-summer and in autumn indicate age-1 suckers use these tributaries outside of the known spring spawning season. PIT tags detected in bird habitats indicate predation by birds may have been a cause of mortality in 2009. Field conditions prevented scanning bird breeding and loafing areas in Upper Klamath Wildlife National Refuge for tags in 2011, however, limiting our ability to make inferences about bird predation in those years.

System and method for preconcentrating, identifying, and quantifying chemical and biological substances

DOEpatents

Yu, Conrad M.; Koo, Jackson C.

2000-01-01

A system and method for preconcentrating, identifying, and quantifying chemical and biological substances is disclosed. An input valve directs a first volume of a sample gas to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device. The SAW device preconcentrates and detects a mass of a substance within the sample gas. An output valve receives a second volume of the sample gas containing the preconcentrated substance from the SAW device and directs the second volume to a gas chromatograph (GC). The GC identifies the preconcentrated substance within the sample gas. A shunt valve exhausts a volume of the sample gas equal to the first volume minus the second volume away from the SAW device and the GC. The method of the present invention includes the steps of opening an input valve for passing a first volume of a sample gas to a SAW device; preconcentrating and detecting a mass of a substance within the sample gas using the SAW device; opening an output valve for passing a second volume of the sample gas containing the preconcentrated substance to a gas chromatograph (GC); and then identifying the preconcentrated substance within the sample gas using the GC.

Frequency and characteristics associated with exposure to tobacco direct mail marketing and its prospective effect on smoking behaviors among young adults from the US Midwest.

PubMed

Choi, Kelvin; Forster, Jean L

2014-11-01

We examined the exposure to tobacco direct mail marketing and its effect on subsequent smoking behaviors in a US Midwest regional cohort of young adults. Data were collected from 2622 young adults (mean age = 24 years) in 2010 to 2011 (baseline) and 2011 to 2012 (follow-up). We collected information on demographics, tobacco use, and exposure to tobacco direct mail materials in the previous 6 months at baseline. Smoking behaviors were reassessed at follow-up. We investigated the characteristics associated with receiving these materials at baseline, and the associations between receiving cigarette coupons in the mail at baseline and smoking behaviors at follow-up. Thirteen percent of participants reported receiving tobacco direct mail materials in the previous 6 months. Receipt of these materials was associated with age, education, and tobacco use (P < .05). Among those who received these materials, 77% and 56% reported receiving coupons for cigarettes and other tobacco products, respectively. Among baseline nonsmokers and ex-smokers, receiving coupons was associated with becoming current smokers at follow-up (P < .05). Among baseline current smokers, receiving coupons was associated with lower likelihood of smoking cessation at follow-up (P < .05). Tobacco direct mail marketing promoted and sustained smoking behaviors among US Midwest young adults. Regulating this marketing strategy might reduce the prevalence of smoking in this population.

Weak beacon detection for air-to-ground optical wireless link establishment.

PubMed

Han, Yaoqiang; Dang, Anhong; Tang, Junxiong; Guo, Hong

2010-02-01

In an air-to-ground free-space optical communication system, strong background interference seriously affects the beacon detection, which makes it difficult to establish the optical link. In this paper, we propose a correlation beacon detection scheme under strong background interference conditions. As opposed to traditional beacon detection schemes, the beacon is modulated by an m-sequence at the transmitting terminal with a digital differential matched filter (DDMF) array introduced at the receiving end to detect the modulated beacon. This scheme is capable of suppressing both strong interference and noise by correlation reception of the received image sequence. In addition, the DDMF array enables each pixel of the image sensor to have its own DDMF of the same structure to process its received image sequence in parallel, thus it makes fast beacon detection possible. Theoretical analysis and an outdoor experiment have been demonstrated and show that the proposed scheme can realize fast and effective beacon detection under strong background interference conditions. Consequently, the required beacon transmission power can also be reduced dramatically.

Dolphin biosonar target detection in noise: wrap up of a past experiment.

PubMed

Au, Whitlow W L

2014-07-01

The target detection capability of bottlenose dolphins in the presence of artificial masking noise was first studied by Au and Penner [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 70, 687-693 (1981)] in which the dolphins' target detection threshold was determined as a function of the ratio of the echo energy flux density and the estimated received noise spectral density. Such a metric was commonly used in human psychoacoustics despite the fact that the echo energy flux density is not compatible with noise spectral density which is averaged intensity per Hz. Since the earlier detection in noise studies, two important parameters, the dolphin integration time applicable to broadband clicks and the dolphin's auditory filter shape, were determined. The inclusion of these two parameters allows for the estimation of the received energy flux density of the masking noise so that the dolphin target detection can now be determined as a function of the ratio of the received energy of the echo over the received noise energy. Using an integration time of 264 μs and an auditory bandwidth of 16.7 kHz, the ratio of the echo energy to noise energy at the target detection threshold is approximately 1 dB.

Robust Data Detection for the Photon-Counting Free-Space Optical System With Implicit CSI Acquisition and Background Radiation Compensation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Tianyu; Kam, Pooi-Yuen

2016-02-01

Since atmospheric turbulence and pointing errors cause signal intensity fluctuations and the background radiation surrounding the free-space optical (FSO) receiver contributes an undesired noisy component, the receiver requires accurate channel state information (CSI) and background information to adjust the detection threshold. In most previous studies, for CSI acquisition, pilot symbols were employed, which leads to a reduction of spectral and energy efficiency; and an impractical assumption that the background radiation component is perfectly known was made. In this paper, we develop an efficient and robust sequence receiver, which acquires the CSI and the background information implicitly and requires no knowledge about the channel model information. It is robust since it can automatically estimate the CSI and background component and detect the data sequence accordingly. Its decision metric has a simple form and involves no integrals, and thus can be easily evaluated. A Viterbi-type trellis-search algorithm is adopted to improve the search efficiency, and a selective-store strategy is adopted to overcome a potential error floor problem as well as to increase the memory efficiency. To further simplify the receiver, a decision-feedback symbol-by-symbol receiver is proposed as an approximation of the sequence receiver. By simulations and theoretical analysis, we show that the performance of both the sequence receiver and the symbol-by-symbol receiver, approach that of detection with perfect knowledge of the CSI and background radiation, as the length of the window for forming the decision metric increases.

The spatial coherence structure of infrasonic waves: analysis of data from International Monitoring System arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, David N.

2015-04-01

The spatial coherence structure of 30 infrasound array detections, with source-to-receiver ranges of 25-6500 km, has been measured within the 0.25-1 Hz passband. The data were recorded at International Monitoring System (IMS) microbarograph arrays with apertures of between 1 and 4 km. Such array detections are of interest for Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty monitoring. The majority of array detections (e.g. 80 per cent of recordings in the third-octave passband centred on 0.63 Hz) exhibit spatial coherence loss anisotropy that is consistent with previous lower frequency atmospheric acoustic studies; coherence loss is more rapid perpendicular to the acoustic propagation direction than parallel to it. The thirty array detections display significant interdetection variation in the magnitude of spatial coherence loss. The measurements can be explained by the simultaneous arrival of wave fronts at the recording array with angular beamwidths of between 0.4 and 7° and velocity bandwidths of between 2 and 40 m s-1. There is a statistically significant positive correlation between source-to-receiver range and the magnitude of coherence loss. Acoustic multipathing generated by interactions with fine-scale wind and temperature gradients along stratospheric propagation paths is qualitatively consistent with the observations. In addition, the study indicates that to isolate coherence loss generated by propagation effects, analysis of signals exhibiting high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) is required (SNR2 > 11 in this study). The rapid temporal variations in infrasonic noise observed in recordings at IMS arrays indicates that correcting measured coherence values for the effect of noise, using pre-signal estimates of noise power, is ineffective.

CALUTRON RECEIVER

DOEpatents

York, H.F.

1959-07-01

A receiver construction is presented for calutrons having two or more ion sources and an individual receiver unit for each source. Design requirements dictate that the face plate defining the receiver entrance slots be placed at an angle to the approaching beam, which means that ions striking the face plate are likely to be scattcred into the entrance slots of other receivers. According to the present invention, the face plate has a surface provided with parallel ridges so disposed that one side only of each ridge's exposed directly to the ion beam. The scattered ions are directed away from adjacent receivers by the ridges on the lace plate.

Evolution of directional hearing in moths via conversion of bat detection devices to asymmetric pressure gradient receivers

PubMed Central

Reid, Andrew; Marin-Cudraz, Thibaut

2016-01-01

Small animals typically localize sound sources by means of complex internal connections and baffles that effectively increase time or intensity differences between the two ears. However, some miniature acoustic species achieve directional hearing without such devices, indicating that other mechanisms have evolved. Using 3D laser vibrometry to measure tympanum deflection, we show that female lesser waxmoths (Achroia grisella) can orient toward the 100-kHz male song, because each ear functions independently as an asymmetric pressure gradient receiver that responds sharply to high-frequency sound arriving from an azimuth angle 30° contralateral to the animal's midline. We found that females presented with a song stimulus while running on a locomotion compensation sphere follow a trajectory 20°–40° to the left or right of the stimulus heading but not directly toward it, movement consistent with the tympanum deflections and suggestive of a monaural mechanism of auditory tracking. Moreover, females losing their track typically regain it by auditory scanning—sudden, wide deviations in their heading—and females initially facing away from the stimulus quickly change their general heading toward it, orientation indicating superior ability to resolve the front–rear ambiguity in source location. X-ray computer-aided tomography (CT) scans of the moths did not reveal any internal coupling between the two ears, confirming that an acoustic insect can localize a sound source based solely on the distinct features of each ear. PMID:27849607

The assessment of sympathetic activity using iPPG based inter-limb coherence measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsoy, Maria O.; Rogatina, Kristina V.; Stiukhina, Elena S.; Postnov, Dmitry E.

2017-04-01

Photoplethysmography is an optical technique that can be used to detect blood volume changes and to measure important physiological parameters. This is low cost and non-invasive technique. However, one has to apply sensor directly to the skin. In this regard, the development on remote mothods receives the growing attention, such as imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG). Note, most of public-available iPPG systems are based on smartphone-embedded cameras, and thus have a sample frequency about 30-60 frames per second, which is enough for heart rate measurements, but may be too low for some more advanced usages of this technique. In our work, we describe the attempt to use smartphone-based iPPG technique aimed to measure the tiny mismatch in RR interval data series recorded from left and right arms. We use the transmission mode iPPG, in which the light transmitted through the medium of finger is detected by a web-camera opposite the LED source. The computational scheme by processing and analysis of the received signal was implemented using MATLAB language (MathWork Inc. in the United States). We believe that further development of our approach may lead to fast and low cost method to access the state of the sympathetic nervous system.

A potential risk of overestimating apparent diffusion coefficient in parotid glands.

PubMed

Liu, Yi-Jui; Lee, Yi-Hsiung; Chang, Hing-Chiu; Huang, Teng-Yi; Chiu, Hui-Chu; Wang, Chih-Wei; Chiou, Ta-Wei; Hsu, Kang; Juan, Chun-Jung; Huang, Guo-Shu; Hsu, Hsian-He

2015-01-01

To investigate transient signal loss on diffusion weighted images (DWI) and overestimation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in parotid glands using single shot echoplanar DWI (EPDWI). This study enrolled 6 healthy subjects and 7 patients receiving radiotherapy. All participants received dynamic EPDWI with a total of 8 repetitions. Imaging quality of DWI was evaluated. Probability of severe overestimation of ADC (soADC), defined by an ADC ratio more than 1.2, was calculated. Error on T2WI, DWI, and ADC was computed. Statistical analysis included paired Student t testing and Mann-Whitney U test. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Transient signal loss was visually detected on some excitations of DWI but not on T2WI or mean DWI. soADC occurred randomly among 8 excitations and 3 directions of diffusion encoding gradients. Probability of soADC was significantly higher in radiotherapy group (42.86%) than in healthy group (24.39%). The mean error percentage decreased as the number of excitations increased on all images, and, it was smallest on T2WI, followed by DWI and ADC in an increasing order. Transient signal loss on DWI was successfully detected by dynamic EPDWI. The signal loss on DWI and overestimation of ADC could be partially remedied by increasing the number of excitations.

Holevo Capacity Achieving Joint Detection Receiver

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-31

DETECTION RECEIVER (75) Inventor: Saikat Guha, Everett , MA (US) (73) Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp., Cambridge, MA (US) ( * ) Notice...tum Operations”, Oct. 18, 2011, 11 pages. Shannon, “The Bell System Technical Journal”, A Mathematical Theory of Communication, vol. XXVII, No. 3, Jul

Detection of cystic structures using pulsed ultrasonically induced resonant cavitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph (Inventor); Kovach, John S. (Inventor)

2002-01-01

Apparatus and method for early detection of cystic structures indicative of ovarian and breast cancers uses ultrasonic wave energy at a unique resonance frequency for inducing cavitation in cystic fluid characteristic of cystic structures in the ovaries associated with ovarian cancer, and in cystic structures in the breast associated with breast cancer. Induced cavitation bubbles in the cystic fluid implode, creating implosion waves which are detected by ultrasonic receiving transducers attached to the abdomen of the patient. Triangulation of the ultrasonic receiving transducers enables the received signals to be processed and analyzed to identify the location and structure of the cyst.

Detecting Payload Attacks on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Huan

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) play critical roles in industrial control systems (ICS). Providing hardware peripherals and firmware support for control programs (i.e., a PLC’s “payload”) written in languages such as ladder logic, PLCs directly receive sensor readings and control ICS physical processes. An attacker with access to PLC development software (e.g., by compromising an engineering workstation) can modify the payload program and cause severe physical damages to the ICS. To protect critical ICS infrastructure, we propose to model runtime behaviors of legitimate PLC payload program and use runtime behavior monitoring in PLC firmware to detect payload attacks. By monitoring themore » I/O access patterns, network access patterns, as well as payload program timing characteristics, our proposed firmware-level detection mechanism can detect abnormal runtime behaviors of malicious PLC payload. Using our proof-of-concept implementation, we evaluate the memory and execution time overhead of implementing our proposed method and find that it is feasible to incorporate our method into existing PLC firmware. In addition, our evaluation results show that a wide variety of payload attacks can be effectively detected by our proposed approach. The proposed firmware-level payload attack detection scheme complements existing bumpin- the-wire solutions (e.g., external temporal-logic-based model checkers) in that it can detect payload attacks that violate realtime requirements of ICS operations and does not require any additional apparatus.« less

An overview of landmine detection with emphasis on electromagnetic approaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Yogadhish

2003-04-01

Human suffering caused by antipersonnel landmines left over from previous conflicts has only recently received significant public exposure. However, considerable amount of research on how to detect and deal with buried landmines has been carried out at least since the second world war. The research has encompassed a wide range of technologies and large sums of money have been spent. Despite these efforts there is still no operationally satisfactory solution, especially to the detection problem. This lack of success is attributable to the difficulty of the problem and the high degree of effectiveness demanded of any proposed solution. The many landmine detection approaches can be divided into two broad categories: (1)approaches primarily aimed at detecting the casing of the landmine (physical properties of its explosive content may also have some influence) and (2)approaches aimed at directly detecting the explosive contents. Examples of techniques belonging to the first group are electromagnetic induction, ground probing radar and other high frequency electromagnetic techniques, acoustics and other mechanical techniques, and infrared. Trace explosive vapour detection, thermalneutron activation and nuclear quadrupole resonance are examples of the second group. Following a brief introduction to nature of the landmine problem and the many technologies that have been explored to solve it, the presentation will focus on some of the detection approaches based on electromagnetic techniques. In particular, the state of the art in electromagnetic induction detection will be reviewed and required future research and development in this area will be presented.

Detections of Acoustic-Tagged Green Sturgeon in Baker Bay on the Lower Columbia River during September - November 2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Parsley, Michael J.

2009-01-01

Acoustic transmitters implanted in green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) captured in rivers in California were detected by acoustic receivers deployed within and around Baker Bay. The receivers were deployed at eight locations in the Bay and adjacent navigation channels of the Lower Columbia River during a period of anticipated channel dredging. Three of the transmitters detected were confirmed to have been implanted into green sturgeon in previous years; two were from the Sacramento River and one was from the Klamath River. The transmitters (fish) were within detection range of the receivers for only a short period, which is consistent with findings of earlier studies that green sturgeon make rapid and extensive intra-estuary movements.

Optimum detection of tones transmitted by a spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, M. K.; Shihabi, M. M.; Moon, T.

1995-01-01

The performance of a scheme proposed for automated routine monitoring of deep-space missions is presented. The scheme uses four different tones (sinusoids) transmitted from the spacecraft (S/C) to a ground station with the positive identification of each of them used to indicate different states of the S/C. Performance is measured in terms of detection probability versus false alarm probability with detection signal-to-noise ratio as a parameter. The cases where the phase of the received tone is unknown and where both the phase and frequency of the received tone are unknown are treated separately. The decision rules proposed for detecting the tones are formulated from average-likelihood ratio and maximum-likelihood ratio tests, the former resulting in optimum receiver structures.

A digital receiver module with direct data acquisition for magnetic resonance imaging systems.

PubMed

Tang, Weinan; Sun, Hongyu; Wang, Weimin

2012-10-01

A digital receiver module for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with detailed hardware implementations is presented. The module is based on a direct sampling scheme using the latest mixed-signal circuit design techniques. A single field-programmable gate array chip is employed to perform software-based digital down conversion for radio frequency signals. The modular architecture of the receiver allows multiple acquisition channels to be implemented on a highly integrated printed circuit board. To maintain the phase coherence of the receiver and the exciter in the context of direct sampling, an effective phase synchronization method was proposed to achieve a phase deviation as small as 0.09°. The performance of the described receiver module was verified in the experiments for both low- and high-field (0.5 T and 1.5 T) MRI scanners and was compared to a modern commercial MRI receiver system.

Detecting Bioaerosols When Time Is of the Essence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hazi, A

About seven years ago, Livermore researchers received seed funding from the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program to develop an instrument that counters bioterrorism by providing a rapid early warning system for pathogens, such as anthrax. (See S&TR, January/February 2002, pp. 24-26.) That instrument, the Autonomous Pathogen Detection System (APDS), is now ready for deployment to better protect the public from a bioaerosol attack, and the development team has been honored with a 2004 R&D 100 Award. The lectern-size APDS can be placed in airports, office buildings, performing arts centers, mass transit systems, sporting arenas--anywhere an attack might be launched.more » APDS was designed to get results fast and get them right, without false positives. Biological scientist Richard Langlois, who spearheaded the APDS development effort, explains, ''The system provides results on the spot. Faster results allow a faster emergency response, which in the end means saving lives.''« less

Ultrasonic Leak Detection System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Youngquist, Robert C. (Inventor); Moerk, J. Steven (Inventor)

1998-01-01

A system for detecting ultrasonic vibrations. such as those generated by a small leak in a pressurized container. vessel. pipe. or the like. comprises an ultrasonic transducer assembly and a processing circuit for converting transducer signals into an audio frequency range signal. The audio frequency range signal can be used to drive a pair of headphones worn by an operator. A diode rectifier based mixing circuit provides a simple, inexpensive way to mix the transducer signal with a square wave signal generated by an oscillator, and thereby generate the audio frequency signal. The sensitivity of the system is greatly increased through proper selection and matching of the system components. and the use of noise rejection filters and elements. In addition, a parabolic collecting horn is preferably employed which is mounted on the transducer assembly housing. The collecting horn increases sensitivity of the system by amplifying the received signals. and provides directionality which facilitates easier location of an ultrasonic vibration source.

Patient ECG recording control for an automatic implantable defibrillator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fountain, Glen H. (Inventor); Lee, Jr., David G. (Inventor); Kitchin, David A. (Inventor)

1986-01-01

An implantable automatic defibrillator includes sensors which are placed on or near the patient's heart to detect electrical signals indicative of the physiology of the heart. The signals are digitally converted and stored into a FIFO region of a RAM by operation of a direct memory access (DMA) controller. The DMA controller operates transparently with respect to the microprocessor which is part of the defibrillator. The implantable defibrillator includes a telemetry communications circuit for sending data outbound from the defibrillator to an external device (either a patient controller or a physician's console or other) and a receiver for sensing at least an externally generated patient ECG recording command signal. The patient recording command signal is generated by the hand held patient controller. Upon detection of the patient ECG recording command, DMA copies the contents of the FIFO into a specific region of the RAM.

Systematic Differences in Signal Emitting and Receiving Revealed by PageRank Analysis of a Human Protein Interactome

PubMed Central

Li, Xiu-Qing

2012-01-01

Most protein PageRank studies do not use signal flow direction information in protein interactions because this information was not readily available in large protein databases until recently. Therefore, four questions have yet to be answered: A) What is the general difference between signal emitting and receiving in a protein interactome? B) Which proteins are among the top ranked in directional ranking? C) Are high ranked proteins more evolutionarily conserved than low ranked ones? D) Do proteins with similar ranking tend to have similar subcellular locations? In this study, we address these questions using the forward, reverse, and non-directional PageRank approaches to rank an information-directional network of human proteins and study their evolutionary conservation. The forward ranking gives credit to information receivers, reverse ranking to information emitters, and non-directional ranking mainly to the number of interactions. The protein lists generated by the forward and non-directional rankings are highly correlated, but those by the reverse and non-directional rankings are not. The results suggest that the signal emitting/receiving system is characterized by key-emittings and relatively even receivings in the human protein interactome. Signaling pathway proteins are frequent in top ranked ones. Eight proteins are both informational top emitters and top receivers. Top ranked proteins, except a few species-related novel-function ones, are evolutionarily well conserved. Protein-subunit ranking position reflects subunit function. These results demonstrate the usefulness of different PageRank approaches in characterizing protein networks and provide insights to protein interaction in the cell. PMID:23028653

Performance analysis of an all-digital BPSK direct sequence spread-spectrum IF receiver architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Bong-Young; Chien, Charles; Samueli, Henry; Jain, Rajeev

1993-09-01

A VLSI architecture for an all-digital binary phase shift keyed (BPSK) direct-sequence (DS) spread spectrum (SS) IF receiver is presented, and an in-depth performance analysis is given. The all-digital architecture incorporates a Costar loop for carrier recovery and a delay-locked loop for clock recovery. For the PN acquisition block, a robust energy detection scheme is proposed to reduce false PN locks over a broad range of signal-to-noise ratios. The proposed architecture is intended for use in the 902-928 MHz unlicensed spread spectrum radio band. A 100 kbs information rate and a 12.7 Mchips/second PN code rate are assumed. The IF center frequency is 12.7 MHz and the IF sampling rate is 50.8 Msamples/ second, which is the Nyquist rate for the 25.4 MHz bandwidth signal. Finite wordlength effects have been simulated to optimize the architecture, thereby minimizing the chip area, and results of the finite wordlength simulations demonstrate that the chip architecture achieves a bit error rate performance within 1 dB of theory in an additive white Gaussian noise channel. The probability of PN acquisition within 5 ms is approximately 56% at -17 dB IF input SNR and 82% at -11 dB IF input SNR.

A 30 Gb/s full-duplex bi-directional transmission optical wireless-over fiber integration system at W-band.

PubMed

Tang, Chanjuan; Yu, Jianjun; Li, Xinying; Chi, Nan; Xiao, Jiangnan; Tian, Yumin; Zhang, Junwen

2014-01-13

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a full-duplex bi-directional transmission optical wireless-over fiber integration system at W-band (75-100 GHz) with the speed up to 15 Gb/s for both 95.4 GHz link and 88.6 GHz link for the first time. The generation of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) wireless signal is based on the photonic technique by heterodyne mixing of an optical quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) signal with a free-running light at different wavelength. After 20 km fiber transmission, up to 30 Gb/s mm-wave signal is delivered over 2 m wireless link, and then converted to the optical signal for another 20 km fiber transmission. At the wireless receiver, coherent detection and advanced digital signal processing (DSP) are introduced to improve receiver sensitivity and system performance. With the OSNR of 15 dB, the bit error ratios (BERs) for 10 Gb/s signal transmission at 95.4 GHz and 88.6 GHz are below the forward-error-correction (FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10(-3) whether post filter is used or not, while the BER for 15 Gb/s QPSK signal employing post filter in the link of 95.4 GHz is 2.9 × 10(-3).

Advanced Borehole Radar for Hydrogeology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, M.

2014-12-01

Ground Penetrating Radar is a useful tool for monitoring the hydrogeological environment. We have developed GPR systems which can be applied to these purposes, and we will demonstrate examples borehole radar measurements. In order to have longer radar detection range, frequency lower than100MHz has been normally adopted in borehole radar. Typical subsurface fractures of our interests have a few mm aperture and radar resolution is much poorer than a few cm in this frequency range. We are proposing and demonstrating to use radar polarimetry to solve this problem. We have demonstrated that a full-polarimetry borehole radar can be used for characterization of subsurface fractures. Together with signal processing for antenna characteristic compensation to equalize the signal by a dipole antenna and slot antennas, we could demonstrate that polarimetric borehole radar can estimate the surface roughness of subsurface fractures, We believe the surface roughness is closely related to water permeability through the fractures. We then developed a directional borehole radar, which uses optical field sensor. A dipole antenna in a borehole has omni-directional radiation pattern, and we cannot get azimuthal information about the scatterers. We use multiple dipole antennas set around the borehole axis, and from the phase differences, we can estimate the 3-diemnational orientation of subsurface structures. We are using optical electric field sensor for receiver of borehole radar. This is a passive sensor and connected only with optical fibers and does not require any electric power supply to operate the receiver. It has two major advantages; the first one is that the receiver can be electrically isolated from other parts, and wave coupling to a logging cable is avoided. Then, secondary, it can operate for a long time, because it does not require battery installed inside the system. It makes it possible to set sensors in fixed positions to monitor the change of environmental conditions for a long period. We demonstrated this idea using cross- hole borehole radar measurement. We think this method is useful for detecting any changes in hydrogeological situations, which will be useful for subsurface storage such as LNG and nuclear waste.

Mantle transition zone beneath northeast China from P-receiver function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, R.; Wu, Q.

2015-12-01

We used receiver functions to examine lateral topographical variations on the 410- and 660-km beneath northeast China and particularly the Kuril-Japan arc junctions. Compared to other receiver functions studies, our analysis was based on greater station coverage of higher density by combining all recent seismic arrays so far deployed in northeast China. Our image shows that the 410-km is featured by a ~10-20 km uplift extending in the NNE direction beneath some areas of the Quaternary basaltic rocks distributed at Abaga and at Wudalianchi. The Clapeyron slope of the olivine phase transiton at 410-km suggests that the uplift is compatible with a negative thermal anomaly. We also confirm a significant depression of the 660 from the Changbai volcanism in the north to Korea in the south along the NW-SE direction. The depression is also accompanied by an uplift of the 660 to the west. The shallow 660-km discontinuity is also particularly detected beneath the Kuril-Japan arc junctions, while it was not detected before. The thermal anomaly at 410 km depth is most likely a remnant of a detached mantle lithosphere that recently sank to depth, thus providing robust evidence for the source and evolution of these basalts. The depression of the 660-km discontinuity may support that the subducting Pacific slab bends sharply and becomes stagnant when it meets strong resistance at a depth of about 670 km. After accumulation to a great extent the stagnant slab finally penetrates into the lower mantle. Combined with the previous triplicated studies, the shallow 660-km may suggest that descending Pacific slab at its leading and junction edges might be accommodated by a tearing near a depth of 660 km. Acknowledgements. Two liner seismic arrays were deployed by the Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration. The data of the permanent stations were provided by the Data Management Centre of China, National Seismic Network at the Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration. We thank the NECESSArray project for providing data, which are downloadable from website of IRIS. This research supported by the NSF of China (Grant Nos. 41474089, 90814013 and 40974061).

GNSS Spoofing Network Monitoring Based on Differential Pseudorange.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenjun; Zhan, Xingqun

2016-10-23

Spoofing is becoming a serious threat to various Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications, especially for those that require high reliability and security such as power grid synchronization and applications related to first responders and aviation safety. Most current works on anti-spoofing focus on spoofing detection from the individual receiver side, which identifies spoofing when it is under an attack. This paper proposes a novel spoofing network monitoring (SNM) mechanism aiming to reveal the presence of spoofing within an area. Consisting of several receivers and one central processing component, it keeps detecting spoofing even when the network is not attacked. The mechanism is based on the different time difference of arrival (TDOA) properties between spoofing and authentic signals. Normally, TDOAs of spoofing signals from a common spoofer are identical while those of authentic signals from diverse directions are dispersed. The TDOA is measured as the differential pseudorange to carrier frequency ratio (DPF). In a spoofing case, the DPFs include those of both authentic and spoofing signals, among which the DPFs of authentic are dispersed while those of spoofing are almost overlapped. An algorithm is proposed to search for the DPFs that are within a pre-defined small range, and an alarm will be raised if several DPFs are found within such range. The proposed SNM methodology is validated by simulations and a partial field trial. Results show 99.99% detection and 0.01% false alarm probabilities are achieved. The SNM has the potential to be adopted in various applications such as (1) alerting dedicated users when spoofing is occurring, which could significantly shorten the receiver side spoofing cost; (2) in combination with GNSS performance monitoring systems, such as the Continuous Operating Reference System (CORS) and GNSS Availability, Accuracy, Reliability anD Integrity Assessment for Timing and Navigation (GAARDIAN) System, to provide more reliable monitoring services.

The effect of reinforcing bars to flaw detection in RC structure using group velocity profile generated by surface waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yung-Chiang; Cheng, Chia-Chi; Wang, Hong-Hua; Hsu, Keng-Tsang; Chiang, Chih-Hung

2018-03-01

A new flaw detection method for concrete plate-like structure is realized using the dispersion profile of the group velocity of surface waves obtained by a sensor with proper distance from the transient impacting load. The waveform obtained by the sensor is analyzed using STFT and reassigned method to obtain a group velocity spectrogram. The delaminating crack or honeycomb which locates underneath the test line between the impactor and the receiver as well as the low-density layer on top of sound concrete are proved to be detectable in both numerical and experimental studies. The velocity turning point in the wavelength-velocity profile is about 1.6 to 2.2 times of the depths of the flaws or the low-density layer wavelength. As the proposed method is easy to operate, inexpensive and effective on solving many problems of concrete deterioration, one essential question to be concerned is the effect of dense reinforcing rebar to the stress wave propagation. In this preliminary study, the theoretical modal dispersion curves for a plain concrete plate and a concrete plate containing a thin steel layer are compared. A 2D numerical model with concrete and steel layers was constructed. The images of slowness spectrograms obtained by placing impactor and receiver at variant distances are compared with theoretical modal dispersion curve. Experiments are performed on a heavy lattice arranged bridge pier. The results show that the response of the rebar layers is near 0.3 ms/m in slowness spectrogram instead of around 0.5 ms/m plain concrete. The steel rebar layer affects the results more severely when the test line is parallel to the direction of shallower rebars. For more clearly observing the condition of concrete, one can filter the response in the waveform with the time less than 0.4 ms/m multiplying the impactor-receiver distance.

A versatile microprocessor-controlled hybrid receiver. [with firmware control for operation over large frequency uncertainty

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, T. L.

1978-01-01

A hybrid receiver has been designed for the Galileo Project. The receiver, located on the Galileo Orbiter, will autonomously acquire and track signals from the first atmospheric probe of Jupiter as well as demodulate, bit-synchronize, and buffer the telemetry data. The receiver has a conventional RF and LF front end but performs multiple functions digitally under firmware control. It will be a self-acquiring receiver that operates under a large frequency uncertainty; it can accommodate different modulation types, bit rates, and other parameter changes via reprogramming. A breadboard receiver and test set demonstrate a preliminary version of the sequential detection process and verify the hypothesis that a fading channel does not reduce the probability of detection.

Error Reduction Methods for Integrated-path Differential-absorption Lidar Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Jeffrey R.; Numata, Kenji; Wu, Stewart T.

2012-01-01

We report new modeling and error reduction methods for differential-absorption optical-depth (DAOD) measurements of atmospheric constituents using direct-detection integrated-path differential-absorption lidars. Errors from laser frequency noise are quantified in terms of the line center fluctuation and spectral line shape of the laser pulses, revealing relationships verified experimentally. A significant DAOD bias is removed by introducing a correction factor. Errors from surface height and reflectance variations can be reduced to tolerable levels by incorporating altimetry knowledge and "log after averaging", or by pointing the laser and receiver to a fixed surface spot during each wavelength cycle to shorten the time of "averaging before log".

Environmental exposure of primary care personnel to ribavirin aerosol when supervising treatment of infants with respiratory syncytial virus infections.

PubMed Central

Rodriguez, W J; Bui, R H; Connor, J D; Kim, H W; Brandt, C D; Parrott, R H; Burch, B; Mace, J

1987-01-01

The potential exposure to ribavirin aerosol in the environment was assessed in nurses caring for infants and children with severe lower respiratory tract infections due to respiratory syncytial virus. Ribavirin aerosol was administered via a ventilator, oxygen tent, or oxygen hood. Participants worked directly with infants receiving ribavirin for 20.0 to 35.0 h over a 3-day period. No toxic or adverse effects of ribavirin aerosol were observed in any of the 19 nurses studied, and ribavirin was not detected in erythrocytes, plasma, or urine collected after the potential exposure period. PMID:3662474

On-line ultrasonic gas entrainment monitor

DOEpatents

Day, Clifford K.; Pedersen, Herbert N.

1978-01-01

Apparatus employing ultrasonic energy for detecting and measuring the quantity of gas bubbles present in liquids being transported through pipes. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned along the longitudinal axis of a fluid duct, oriented to transmit acoustic energy radially of the duct around the circumference of the enclosure walls. The back-reflected energy is received centrally of the duct and interpreted as a measure of gas entrainment. One specific embodiment employs a conical reflector to direct the transmitted acoustic energy radially of the duct and redirect the reflected energy back to the transducer for reception. A modified embodiment employs a cylindrical ultrasonic transducer for this purpose.

HRO: A New Forward-Scatter Observation Method Using a Ham-Band Beacon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maegawa, K.

1999-02-01

A new forward-scatter meteor observation method has been used since 1996 in Japan. It uses its own 50 W continuous wave beacon with a broad directivity antenna on 53.750 MHz. To compensate for the weak echo power from the beacon, observers use SSB mode receivers and narrow band echo detection methods with Fast Fourier Transform software on personal computers. More than 250000 echoes have been counted per year so far. >From these results, diurnal and seasonal variations have been derived and are presented and discussed here. This method (HRO) will continue to play a leading radio observation role in Japan for the future.

Forty-five degree backscattering-mode nonlinear absorption imaging in turbid media.

PubMed

Cui, Liping; Knox, Wayne H

2010-01-01

Two-color nonlinear absorption imaging has been previously demonstrated with endogenous contrast of hemoglobin and melanin in turbid media using transmission-mode detection and a dual-laser technology approach. For clinical applications, it would be generally preferable to use backscattering mode detection and a simpler single-laser technology. We demonstrate that imaging in backscattering mode in turbid media using nonlinear absorption can be obtained with as little as 1-mW average power per beam with a single laser source. Images have been achieved with a detector receiving backscattered light at a 45-deg angle relative to the incoming beams' direction. We obtain images of capillary tube phantoms with resolution as high as 20 microm and penetration depth up to 0.9 mm for a 300-microm tube at SNR approximately 1 in calibrated scattering solutions. Simulation results of the backscattering and detection process using nonimaging optics are demonstrated. A Monte Carlo-based method shows that the nonlinear signal drops exponentially as the depth increases, which agrees well with our experimental results. Simulation also shows that with our current detection method, only 2% of the signal is typically collected with a 5-mm-radius detector.

An improved pi/4-QPSK with nonredundant error correction for satellite mobile broadcasting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feher, Kamilo; Yang, Jiashi

1991-01-01

An improved pi/4-quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) receiver that incorporates a simple nonredundant error correction (NEC) structure is proposed for satellite and land-mobile digital broadcasting. The bit-error-rate (BER) performance of the pi/4-QPSK with NEC is analyzed and evaluated in a fast Rician fading and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) environment using computer simulation. It is demonstrated that with simple electronics the performance of a noncoherently detected pi/4-QPSK signal in both AWGN and fast Rician fading can be improved. When the K-factor (a ratio of average power of multipath signal to direct path power) of the Rician channel decreases, the improvement increases. An improvement of 1.2 dB could be obtained at a BER of 0.0001 in the AWGN channel. This performance gain is achieved without requiring any signal redundancy and additional bandwidth. Three types of noncoherent detection schemes of pi/4-QPSK with NEC structure, such as IF band differential detection, baseband differential detection, and FM discriminator, are discussed. It is concluded that the pi/4-QPSK with NEC is an attractive scheme for power-limited satellite land-mobile broadcasting systems.

Digital signal processing techniques for coherent optical communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldfarb, Gilad

Coherent detection with subsequent digital signal processing (DSP) is developed, analyzed theoretically and numerically and experimentally demonstrated in various fiber-optic transmission scenarios. The use of DSP in conjunction with coherent detection unleashes the benefits of coherent detection which rely on the preservaton of full information of the incoming field. These benefits include high receiver sensitivity, the ability to achieve high spectral-efficiency and the use of advanced modulation formats. With the immense advancements in DSP speeds, many of the problems hindering the use of coherent detection in optical transmission systems have been eliminated. Most notably, DSP alleviates the need for hardware phase-locking and polarization tracking, which can now be achieved in the digital domain. The complexity previously associated with coherent detection is hence significantly diminished and coherent detection is once gain considered a feasible detection alternative. In this thesis, several aspects of coherent detection (with or without subsequent DSP) are addressed. Coherent detection is presented as a means to extend the dispersion limit of a duobinary signal using an analog decision-directed phase-lock loop. Analytical bit-error ratio estimation for quadrature phase-shift keying signals is derived. To validate the promise for high spectral efficiency, the orthogonal-wavelength-division multiplexing scheme is suggested. In this scheme the WDM channels are spaced at the symbol rate, thus achieving the spectral efficiency limit. Theory, simulation and experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. Infinite impulse response filtering is shown to be an efficient alternative to finite impulse response filtering for chromatic dispersion compensation. Theory, design considerations, simulation and experimental results relating to this topic are presented. Interaction between fiber dispersion and nonlinearity remains the last major challenge deterministic effects pose for long-haul optical data transmission. Experimental results which demonstrate the possibility to digitally mitigate both dispersion and nonlinearity are presented. Impairment compensation is achieved using backward propagation by implementing the split-step method. Efficient realizations of the dispersion compensation operator used in this implementation are considered. Infinite-impulse response and wavelet-based filtering are both investigated as a means to reduce the required computational load associated with signal backward-propagation. Possible future research directions conclude this dissertation.

A study of universal modulation techniques applied to satellite data collection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

A universal modulation and frequency control system for use with data collection platform (DCP) transmitters is examined. The final design discussed can, under software/firmwave control, generate all of the specific digital data modulation formats currently used in the NASA satellite data collection service and can simultaneously synthesize the proper RF carrier frequencies employed. A novel technique for DCP time and frequency control is presented. The emissions of NBS radio station WWV/WWVH are received, detected, and finally decoded in microcomputer software to generate a highly accurate time base for the platform; with the assistance of external hardware, the microcomputer also directs the recalibration of all DCP oscillators to achieve very high frequency accuracies and low drift rates versus temperature, supply voltage, and time. The final programmable DCP design also employs direct microcomputer control of data reduction, formatting, transmitter switching, and system power management.

Optic probe for multiple angle image capture and optional stereo imaging

DOEpatents

Malone, Robert M.; Kaufman, Morris I.

2016-11-29

A probe including a multiple lens array is disclosed to measure velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the moving surface is reflected back from the surface and is Doppler shifted, collected into the array, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to the multiple lens array. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays to establish many measurement points at numerous different locations. One or more lens groups may be replaced with imaging lenses so a stereo image of the moving surface can be recorded. Imaging a portion of the surface during initial travel can determine whether the surface is breaking up.

Photonic Doppler velocimetry lens array probe incorporating stereo imaging

DOEpatents

Malone, Robert M.; Kaufman, Morris I.

2015-09-01

A probe including a multiple lens array is disclosed to measure velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the moving surface is reflected back from the surface and is Doppler shifted, collected into the array, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to the multiple lens array. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays to establish many measurement points at numerous different locations. One or more lens groups may be replaced with imaging lenses so a stereo image of the moving surface can be recorded. Imaging a portion of the surface during initial travel can determine whether the surface is breaking up.

Multipoint photonic doppler velocimetry using optical lens elements

DOEpatents

Frogget, Brent Copely; Romero, Vincent Todd

2014-04-29

A probe including a fisheye lens is disclosed to measure the velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the surface and then reflected back from the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface, collected into fisheye lens, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to an index-matching lens and eventually to a fisheye lens. The fiber array flat polished and coupled to the index-matching lens using index-matching gel. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays through the fisheye lens which in turn project many measurement points at numerous different locations to establish surface coverage over a hemispherical shape with very little crosstalk.

Helmet blastometer

DOEpatents

Moss, William C; King, Michael J

2015-03-24

A helmet blastometer for characterizing the direction, speed, magnitude, and duration of a blast event to determine the likelihood of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (biTBI). Time of arrival (TOA) gage sensors are mounted on a rigid outer shell of the helmet each producing a TOA signal in response to a fast rising blast induced positive pressure change above a predetermined threshold. A receiver analyzes the positive pressure changes from the gages to determine direction, speed, and magnitude of a blast. Other TOA gauge sensors can be used to produce a TOA signal in response to a negative pressure change below a predetermined threshold. The positive and negative pressure change TOA signals are used to determine blast duration. A second set of internal contact pressure sensors is connected to an inner liner of the helmet to detect contact pressure on a user's head to determine if biTBI has been sustained.

Frequency and Characteristics Associated With Exposure to Tobacco Direct Mail Marketing and Its Prospective Effect on Smoking Behaviors Among Young Adults From the US Midwest

PubMed Central

Forster, Jean L.

2014-01-01

Objectives. We examined the exposure to tobacco direct mail marketing and its effect on subsequent smoking behaviors in a US Midwest regional cohort of young adults. Methods. Data were collected from 2622 young adults (mean age = 24 years) in 2010 to 2011 (baseline) and 2011 to 2012 (follow-up). We collected information on demographics, tobacco use, and exposure to tobacco direct mail materials in the previous 6 months at baseline. Smoking behaviors were reassessed at follow-up. We investigated the characteristics associated with receiving these materials at baseline, and the associations between receiving cigarette coupons in the mail at baseline and smoking behaviors at follow-up. Results. Thirteen percent of participants reported receiving tobacco direct mail materials in the previous 6 months. Receipt of these materials was associated with age, education, and tobacco use (P < .05). Among those who received these materials, 77% and 56% reported receiving coupons for cigarettes and other tobacco products, respectively. Among baseline nonsmokers and ex-smokers, receiving coupons was associated with becoming current smokers at follow-up (P < .05). Among baseline current smokers, receiving coupons was associated with lower likelihood of smoking cessation at follow-up (P < .05). Conclusions. Tobacco direct mail marketing promoted and sustained smoking behaviors among US Midwest young adults. Regulating this marketing strategy might reduce the prevalence of smoking in this population. PMID:25211739

[Analysis and experimental verification of sensitivity and SNR of laser warning receiver].

PubMed

Zhang, Ji-Long; Wang, Ming; Tian, Er-Ming; Li, Xiao; Wang, Zhi-Bin; Zhang, Yue

2009-01-01

In order to countermeasure increasingly serious threat from hostile laser in modern war, it is urgent to do research on laser warning technology and system, and the sensitivity and signal to noise ratio (SNR) are two important performance parameters in laser warning system. In the present paper, based on the signal statistical detection theory, a method for calculation of the sensitivity and SNR in coherent detection laser warning receiver (LWR) has been proposed. Firstly, the probabilities of the laser signal and receiver noise were analyzed. Secondly, based on the threshold detection theory and Neyman-Pearson criteria, the signal current equation was established by introducing detection probability factor and false alarm rate factor, then, the mathematical expressions of sensitivity and SNR were deduced. Finally, by using method, the sensitivity and SNR of the sinusoidal grating laser warning receiver developed by our group were analyzed, and the theoretic calculation and experimental results indicate that the SNR analysis method is feasible, and can be used in performance analysis of LWR.

Exploitation of Ubiquitous Wi-Fi Devices as Building Blocks for Improvised Motion Detection Systems.

PubMed

Soldovieri, Francesco; Gennarelli, Gianluca

2016-02-27

This article deals with a feasibility study on the detection of human movements in indoor scenarios based on radio signal strength variations. The sensing principle exploits the fact that the human body interacts with wireless signals, introducing variations of the radiowave fields due to shadowing and multipath phenomena. As a result, human motion can be inferred from fluctuations of radiowave power collected by a receiving terminal. In this paper, we investigate the potentialities of widely available wireless communication devices in order to develop an improvised motion detection system (IMDS). Experimental tests are performed in an indoor environment by using a smartphone as a Wi-Fi access point and a laptop with dedicated software as a receiver. Simple detection strategies tailored for real-time operation are implemented to process the received signal strength measurements. The achieved results confirm the potentialities of the simple system here proposed to reliably detect human motion in operational conditions.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging activation detection: fuzzy cluster analysis in wavelet and multiwavelet domains.

PubMed

Jahanian, Hesamoddin; Soltanian-Zadeh, Hamid; Hossein-Zadeh, Gholam-Ali

2005-09-01

To present novel feature spaces, based on multiscale decompositions obtained by scalar wavelet and multiwavelet transforms, to remedy problems associated with high dimension of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) time series (when they are used directly in clustering algorithms) and their poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that limits accurate classification of fMRI time series according to their activation contents. Using randomization, the proposed method finds wavelet/multiwavelet coefficients that represent the activation content of fMRI time series and combines them to define new feature spaces. Using simulated and experimental fMRI data sets, the proposed feature spaces are compared to the cross-correlation (CC) feature space and their performances are evaluated. In these studies, the false positive detection rate is controlled using randomization. To compare different methods, several points of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, using simulated data, are estimated and compared. The proposed features suppress the effects of confounding signals and improve activation detection sensitivity. Experimental results show improved sensitivity and robustness of the proposed method compared to the conventional CC analysis. More accurate and sensitive activation detection can be achieved using the proposed feature spaces compared to CC feature space. Multiwavelet features show superior detection sensitivity compared to the scalar wavelet features. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Sequential detection of learning in cognitive diagnosis.

PubMed

Ye, Sangbeak; Fellouris, Georgios; Culpepper, Steven; Douglas, Jeff

2016-05-01

In order to look more closely at the many particular skills examinees utilize to answer items, cognitive diagnosis models have received much attention, and perhaps are preferable to item response models that ordinarily involve just one or a few broadly defined skills, when the objective is to hasten learning. If these fine-grained skills can be identified, a sharpened focus on learning and remediation can be achieved. The focus here is on how to detect when learning has taken place for a particular attribute and efficiently guide a student through a sequence of items to ultimately attain mastery of all attributes while administering as few items as possible. This can be seen as a problem in sequential change-point detection for which there is a long history and a well-developed literature. Though some ad hoc rules for determining learning may be used, such as stopping after M consecutive items have been successfully answered, more efficient methods that are optimal under various conditions are available. The CUSUM, Shiryaev-Roberts and Shiryaev procedures can dramatically reduce the time required to detect learning while maintaining rigorous Type I error control, and they are studied in this context through simulation. Future directions for modelling and detection of learning are discussed. © 2016 The British Psychological Society.

An Improved Time-Frequency Analysis Method in Interference Detection for GNSS Receivers

PubMed Central

Sun, Kewen; Jin, Tian; Yang, Dongkai

2015-01-01

In this paper, an improved joint time-frequency (TF) analysis method based on a reassigned smoothed pseudo Wigner–Ville distribution (RSPWVD) has been proposed in interference detection for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. In the RSPWVD, the two-dimensional low-pass filtering smoothing function is introduced to eliminate the cross-terms present in the quadratic TF distribution, and at the same time, the reassignment method is adopted to improve the TF concentration properties of the auto-terms of the signal components. This proposed interference detection method is evaluated by experiments on GPS L1 signals in the disturbing scenarios compared to the state-of-the-art interference detection approaches. The analysis results show that the proposed interference detection technique effectively overcomes the cross-terms problem and also preserves good TF localization properties, which has been proven to be effective and valid to enhance the interference detection performance of the GNSS receivers, particularly in the jamming environments. PMID:25905704

Amerlcan Diabetic Association Standards in an Air Force Medical Clinic

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-05-01

diagnosed diabetes in the US were receiving recommended eye exams for detection of diabetic retinopathy and what factors were associated with receiving...8217(1993) concluded that a large segment of the diabetic population in the US was not receiving eye care to detect diabetic retinopathy and prevent...Military Health Services System are not currentl y requi red to maintain statistics on pa- tients with diabetes mellitus. However, conside ring the

Method and apparatus for detecting and/or imaging clusters of small scattering centers in the body

DOEpatents

Perez-Mendez, V.; Sommer, F.G.

1982-07-13

An ultrasonic method and apparatus are provided for detecting and imaging clusters of small scattering centers in the breast wherein periodic pulses are applied to an ultrasound emitting transducer and projected into the body, thereafter being received by at least one receiving transducer positioned to receive scattering from the scattering center clusters. The signals are processed to provide an image showing cluster extent and location. 6 figs.

Method and apparatus for detecting and/or imaging clusters of small scattering centers in the body

DOEpatents

Perez-Mendez, Victor; Sommer, Frank G.

1982-01-01

An ultrasonic method and apparatus are provided for detecting and imaging clusters of small scattering centers in the breast wherein periodic pulses are applied to an ultrasound emitting transducer and projected into the body, thereafter being received by at least one receiving transducer positioned to receive scattering from the scattering center clusters. The signals are processed to provide an image showing cluster extent and location.

Trends in detectable viral load by calendar year in the Australian HIV observational database.

PubMed

Law, Matthew G; Woolley, Ian; Templeton, David J; Roth, Norm; Chuah, John; Mulhall, Brian; Canavan, Peter; McManus, Hamish; Cooper, David A; Petoumenos, Kathy

2011-02-23

Recent papers have suggested that expanded combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) through lower viral load may be a strategy to reduce HIV transmission at a population level. We assessed calendar trends in detectable viral load in patients recruited to the Australian HIV Observational Database who were receiving cART. Patients were included in analyses if they had started cART (defined as three or more antiretrovirals) and had at least one viral load assessment after 1 January 1997. We analyzed detectable viral load (>400 copies/ml) in the first and second six months of each calendar year while receiving cART. Repeated measures logistic regression methods were used to account for within and between patient variability. Rates of detectable viral load were predicted allowing for patients lost to follow up. Analyses were based on 2439 patients and 31,339 viral load assessments between 1 January 1997 and 31 March 2009. Observed detectable viral load in patients receiving cART declined to 5.3% in the first half of 2009. Predicted detectable viral load based on multivariate models, allowing for patient loss to follow up, also declined over time, but at higher levels, to 13.8% in 2009. Predicted detectable viral load in Australian HIV Observational Database patients receiving cART declined over calendar time, albeit at higher levels than observed. However, over this period, HIV diagnoses and estimated HIV incidence increased in Australia.

Guided acoustic wave inspection system

DOEpatents

Chinn, Diane J.

2004-10-05

A system for inspecting a conduit for undesirable characteristics. A transducer system induces guided acoustic waves onto said conduit. The transducer system detects the undesirable characteristics of the conduit by receiving guided acoustic waves that contain information about the undesirable characteristics. The conduit has at least two sides and the transducer system utilizes flexural modes of propagation to provide inspection using access from only the one side of the conduit. Cracking is detected with pulse-echo testing using one transducer to both send and receive the guided acoustic waves. Thinning is detected in through-transmission testing where one transducer sends and another transducer receives the guided acoustic waves.

Lab Demonstration of the Hybrid Doppler Wind Lidar (HDWL) Transceiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marx, Catherine T.; Gentry, Bruce; Jordan, Patrick; Dogoda, Peter; Faust, Ed; Kavaya, Michael

2013-01-01

The recommended design approach for the 3D Tropospheric Winds mission is a hybrid Doppler lidar which combines the best elements of both a coherent aerosol Doppler lidar operating at 2 micron and a direct detection molecular Doppler lidar operating at 0.355 micron. In support of the mission, we built a novel, compact, light-weighted multi-field of view transceiver where multiple telescopes are used to cover the required four fields of view. A small mechanism sequentially selects both the "transmit" and "receive" fields of view. The four fields are combined to stimulate both the 0.355 micron receiver and the 2 micron receiver. This version is scaled (0.2 micron diameter aperture) from the space-based version but still demonstrates the feasibility of the hybrid approach. The primary mirrors were conventionally light-weighted and coated with dielectric, high reflectivity coatings with high laser damage thresholds at both 2 micron and 0.355 micron. The mechanical structure and mounts were fabricated from composites to achieve dimensional stability while significantly reducing the mass. In the laboratory, we demonstrated the system level functionality at 0.355 micron and at 2 micron raising the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from 2 to 4.

Lab Demonstration of the Hybrid Doppler Wind Lidar (HDWL) Transceiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marx, Catherine T.; Gentry, Bruce; Jordan, Patrick; Dogoda, Peter; Faust, Ed; Kavaya, Michael

2013-01-01

The recommended design approach for the 3D Tropospheric Winds mission is a hybrid Doppler lidar which combines the best elements of both a coherent aerosol Doppler lidar operating at 2 microns and a direct detection molecular Doppler lidar operating at 0.355 microns. In support of the mission, we built a novel, compact, light-weighted multi-field of view transceiver where multiple telescopes are used to cover the required four fields of view. A small mechanism sequentially selects both the "transmit" and "receive" fields of view. The four fields are combined to stimulate both the 0.355 micron receiver and the 2 micron receiver. This version is scaled (0.2 m diameter aperture) from the space-based version but still demonstrates the feasibility of the hybrid approach. The primary mirrors were conventionally light-weighted and coated with dielectric, high reflectivity coatings with high laser damage thresholds at both 2 microns and 0.355 microns. The mechanical structure and mounts were fabricated from composites to achieve dimensional stability while significantly reducing the mass. In the laboratory, we demonstrated the system level functionality at 0.355 microns and at 2 microns, raising the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from 2 to 4.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kar, Durga P.; Nayak, Praveen P.; Bhuyan, Satyanarayan

In order to power or charge electronic devices wirelessly, a bi-directional wireless power transfer method has been proposed and experimentally investigated. In the proposed design, two receiving coils are used on both sides of a transmitting coil along its central axis to receive the power wirelessly from the generated magnetic fields through strongly coupled magnetic resonance. It has been observed experimentally that the maximum power transfer occurs at the operating resonant frequency for optimum electric load connected across the receiving coils on both side. The optimum wireless power transfer efficiency is 88% for the bi-directional power transfer technique compared 84%more » in the one side receiver system. By adopting the developed bi-directional power transfer method, two electronic devices can be powered up or charged simultaneously instead of a single device through usual one side receiver system without affecting the optimum power transfer efficiency.« less

Compact imaging spectrometer utilizing immersed gratings

DOEpatents

Lerner, Scott A.

2005-12-20

A compact imaging spectrometer comprising an entrance slit for directing light, lens means for receiving the light, refracting the light, and focusing the light; an immersed diffraction grating that receives the light from the lens means and defracts the light, the immersed diffraction grating directing the detracted light back to the lens means; and a detector that receives the light from the lens means.

On the Unreasonable Effectiveness of post-Newtonian Theory in Gravitational-Wave Physics

ScienceCinema

Will, Clifford M.

2017-12-22

The first indirect detection of gravitational waves involved a binary system of neutron stars.  In the future, the first direct detection may also involve binary systems -- inspiralling and merging binary neutron stars or black holes. This means that it is essential to understand in full detail the two-body system in general relativity, a notoriously difficult problem with a long history. Post-Newtonian approximation methods are thought to work only under slow motion and weak field conditions, while numerical solutions of Einstein's equations are thought to be limited to the final merger phase.  Recent results have shown that post-Newtonian approximations seem to remain unreasonably valid well into the relativistic regime, while advances in numerical relativity now permit solutions for numerous orbits before merger.  It is now possible to envision linking post-Newtonian theory and numerical relativity to obtain a complete "solution" of the general relativistic two-body problem.  These solutions will play a central role in detecting and understanding gravitational wave signals received by interferometric observatories on Earth and in space.

Smart concrete slabs with embedded tubular PZT transducers for damage detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Weihang; Huo, Linsheng; Li, Hongnan; Song, Gangbing

2018-02-01

The objective of this study is to develop a new concept and methodology of smart concrete slab (SCS) with embedded tubular lead zirconate titanate transducer array for image based damage detection. Stress waves, as the detecting signals, are generated by the embedded tubular piezoceramic transducers in the SCS. Tubular piezoceramic transducers are used due to their capacity of generating radially uniform stress waves in a two-dimensional concrete slab (such as bridge decks and walls), increasing the monitoring range. A circular type delay-and-sum (DAS) imaging algorithm is developed to image the active acoustic sources based on the direct response received by each sensor. After the scattering signals from the damage are obtained by subtracting the baseline response of the concrete structures from those of the defective ones, the elliptical type DAS imaging algorithm is employed to process the scattering signals and reconstruct the image of the damage. Finally, two experiments, including active acoustic source monitoring and damage imaging for concrete structures, are carried out to illustrate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Systems, Apparatuses and Methods for Beamforming RFID Tags

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fink, Patrick W. (Inventor); Lin, Gregory Y. (Inventor); Ngo, Phong H. (Inventor); Kennedy, Timothy F. (Inventor)

2017-01-01

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag having a plurality of information sources and a beamforming network. The tag receives electromagnetic radiation from the interrogator. The beamforming network directs the received electromagnetic radiation to a subset of the plurality of information sources. The RFID tag transmits a response to the received electromagnetic radiation, based on the subset of the plurality of information sources to which the received electromagnetic radiation was directed. Method and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Baseline seismic survey for the 2nd offshore methane hydrate production test in the Eastern Nankai Trough

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teranishi, Y.; Inamori, T.; Kobayashi, T.; Fujii, T.; Saeki, T.; Takahashi, H.; Kobayashi, F.

2017-12-01

JOGMEC carries out seismic monitoring surveys before and after the 2nd offshore methane hydrate (MH) production test in the Eastern Nankai Trough and evaluates MH dissociation behavior from the time-lapse seismic response. In 2016, JOGMEC deployed Ocean Bottom Cable (OBC) system provided by OCC in the Daini Atsumi Knoll with water depths of 900-1100 m. The main challenge of the seismic survey was to optimize the cable layout for ensuring an effective time-lapse seismic detectability while overcoming the following two issues: 1. OBC receiver lines were limited to only two lines. It was predicted that the imaging of shallow reflectors would suffer from lack of continuity and resolution due to this limitation of receiver lines. 2. The seafloor and shallow sedimentary layers including monitoring target are dipping to the Northwest direction. It was predicted that the refection points would laterally shift to up-dip direction (Southeast direction). In order to understand the impact of the issues above, the seismic survey was designed with elastic wave field simulation. The reflection seismic survey for baseline data was conducted in August 2016. A total of 70 receiver stations distributed along one cable were deployed successfully and a total of 9952 shots were fired. After the baseline seismic survey, the hydrophone and geophone vertical component datasets were processed as outlined below: designaturing, denoising, surface consistent deconvolution and surface consistent amplitude correction. High-frequency imaging with Reverse Time Migration (RTM) was introduced to these data sets. Improvements in imaging from the RTM are remarkable compared to the Kirchhoff migration and the existing Pre-stack time migration with 3D marine surface seismic data obtained and processed in 2002, especially in the following parts. The MH concentrated zone which has complex structures. Below the Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR) which is present as a impedance-contrast boundary

WGM-Based Photonic Local Oscillators and Modulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matsko, Andrey; Maleki, Lute; Iltchenko, Vladimir; Savchenkov, Anatoliy

2007-01-01

Photonic local oscillators and modulators that include whispering-gallery mode (WGM) optical resonators have been proposed as power-efficient devices for generating and detecting radiation at frequencies of the order of a terahertz. These devices are intended especially to satisfy anticipated needs for receivers capable of detecting lowpower, narrow-band terahertz signals to be used for sensing substances of interest in scientific and military applications. At present, available terahertz-signal detectors are power-inefficient and do not afford the spectral and amplitude resolution needed for detecting such signals. The proposed devices would not be designed according to the conventional approach of direct detection of terahertz radiation. Instead, terahertz radiation would first be up-converted into the optical domain, wherein signals could be processed efficiently by photonic means and detected by optical photodetectors, which are more efficient than are photodetectors used in conventional direct detection of terahertz radiation. The photonic devices used to effect the up-conversion would include a tunable optical local oscillator and a novel electro-optical modulator. A local oscillator according to the proposal would be a WGM-based modelocked laser operating at a desired pulserepetition rate of the order of a terahertz. The oscillator would include a terahertz optical filter based on a WGM microresonator, a fiber-optic delay line, an optical amplifier (which could be either a semiconductor optical amplifier or an erbium-doped optical fiberamplifier), and a WGM Ka-band modulator. The terahertz repetition rate would be obtained through harmonic mode locking: for example, by modulating the light at a frequency of 33 GHz and locking each 33d optical mode, one would create a 1.089-THz pulse train. The high resonance quality factors (Q values) of WGM optical resonators should make it possible to decrease signal-generation threshold power levels significantly below those of other optical-signal-generation devices.

Bad data packet capture device

DOEpatents

Chen, Dong; Gara, Alan; Heidelberger, Philip; Vranas, Pavlos

2010-04-20

An apparatus and method for capturing data packets for analysis on a network computing system includes a sending node and a receiving node connected by a bi-directional communication link. The sending node sends a data transmission to the receiving node on the bi-directional communication link, and the receiving node receives the data transmission and verifies the data transmission to determine valid data and invalid data and verify retransmissions of invalid data as corresponding valid data. A memory device communicates with the receiving node for storing the invalid data and the corresponding valid data. A computing node communicates with the memory device and receives and performs an analysis of the invalid data and the corresponding valid data received from the memory device.

An infrared search for extraterrestrial laser signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Betz, A.

1986-01-01

The focus of project SETI is on microwave frequencies, where receivers fundamentally have the best sensitivity for the detection of narrow band signals. Such receivers, when coupled to existing radio telescopes, form an optimum system for broad area searches over the sky. Detection of narrow band infrared signals is best done with a laser heterodyne reciever similar in function to a microwave spectral line receiver. A receiver was built for astrophysical observations at 30 THz (10 microns) and the spectrometer is being adapted for SETI work. The receiver uses a small CO2 laser as the local oscillator, a HgCdTe diode as the photomixer, and a multichannel intermediate frequency (IF) filterbank. An advanced multichannel IF processor is now being built to detect infrared line radiation in 1000 spectral channels each 1 MHz wide. When completed this processor will be used with a ground based telescope next year for a survey of several hundred selected stars for narrow band CO2 laser signals at 30 THz.

Detection, Identification, Location, and Remote Sensing using SAW RFID Sensor Tags

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barton, Richard J.

2009-01-01

In this presentation, we will consider the problem of simultaneous detection, identification, location estimation, and remote sensing for multiple objects. In particular, we will describe the design and testing of a wireless system capable of simultaneously detecting the presence of multiple objects, identifying each object, and acquiring both a low-resolution estimate of location and a high-resolution estimate of temperature for each object based on wireless interrogation of passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor tags affixed to each object. The system is being studied for application on the lunar surface as well as for terrestrial remote sensing applications such as pre-launch monitoring and testing of spacecraft on the launch pad and monitoring of test facilities. The system utilizes a digitally beam-formed planar receiving antenna array to extend range and provide direction-of-arrival information coupled with an approximate maximum-likelihood signal processing algorithm to provide near-optimal estimation of both range and temperature. The system is capable of forming a large number of beams within the field of view and resolving the information from several tags within each beam. The combination of both spatial and waveform discrimination provides the capability to track and monitor telemetry from a large number of objects appearing simultaneously within the field of view of the receiving array. In the presentation, we will summarize the system design and illustrate several aspects of the operational characteristics and signal structure. We will examine the theoretical performance characteristics of the system and compare the theoretical results with results obtained from experiments in both controlled laboratory environments and in the field.

30 CFR 77.701-2 - Approved methods of grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... from a direct-current power system with one polarity grounded will be approved: (1) A solid connection..., casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from a direct-current power system. 77... enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from a direct-current power system. (a) The following...

30 CFR 75.701-3 - Approved methods of grounding metallic frames, casings and other enclosures of electric equipment...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., casings and other enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with... equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with one polarity grounded. For the purpose of... direct-current power system with one polarity grounded, the following methods of grounding will be...

30 CFR 75.701-3 - Approved methods of grounding metallic frames, casings and other enclosures of electric equipment...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., casings and other enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with... equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with one polarity grounded. For the purpose of... direct-current power system with one polarity grounded, the following methods of grounding will be...

30 CFR 77.701-2 - Approved methods of grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... from a direct-current power system with one polarity grounded will be approved: (1) A solid connection..., casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from a direct-current power system. 77... enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from a direct-current power system. (a) The following...

31 CFR 363.42 - How will my interest income be reported for tax purposes?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... TreasuryDirect § 363.42 How will my interest income be reported for tax purposes? When you open your TreasuryDirect ® account, you consent to receive the appropriate tax reporting forms by electronic means... printable form through your TreasuryDirect account. If you withdraw your consent to receive tax reporting...

30 CFR 75.701-3 - Approved methods of grounding metallic frames, casings and other enclosures of electric equipment...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., casings and other enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with... equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with one polarity grounded. For the purpose of... direct-current power system with one polarity grounded, the following methods of grounding will be...

30 CFR 75.701-3 - Approved methods of grounding metallic frames, casings and other enclosures of electric equipment...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., casings and other enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with... equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with one polarity grounded. For the purpose of... direct-current power system with one polarity grounded, the following methods of grounding will be...

30 CFR 75.701-3 - Approved methods of grounding metallic frames, casings and other enclosures of electric equipment...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., casings and other enclosures of electric equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with... equipment receiving power from direct current power systems with one polarity grounded. For the purpose of... direct-current power system with one polarity grounded, the following methods of grounding will be...

Receiver design, performance analysis, and evaluation for space-borne laser altimeters and space-to-space laser ranging systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, Frederic M.; Sun, Xiaoli; Field, Christopher T.

1995-01-01

Laser altimeters measure the time of flight of the laser pulses to determine the range of the target. The simplest altimeter receiver consists of a photodetector followed by a leading edge detector. A time interval unit (TIU) measures the time from the transmitted laser pulse to the leading edge of the received pulse as it crosses a preset threshold. However, the ranging error of this simple detection scheme depends on the received, pulse amplitude, pulse shape, and the threshold. In practice, the pulse shape and the amplitude are determined by the target target characteristics which has to be assumed unknown prior to the measurement. The ranging error can be improved if one also measures the pulse width and use the average of the leading and trailing edges (half pulse width) as the pulse arrival time. The ranging error becomes independent of the received pulse amplitude and the pulse width as long as the pulse shape is symmetric. The pulse width also gives the slope of the target. The ultimate detection scheme is to digitize the received waveform and calculate the centroid as the pulse arrival time. The centroid detection always gives unbiased measurement even for asymmetric pulses. In this report, we analyze the laser altimeter ranging errors for these three detection schemes using the Mars Orbital Laser Altimeter (MOLA) as an example.

High-resolution three-dimensional imaging with compress sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jingyi; Ke, Jun

2016-10-01

LIDAR three-dimensional imaging technology have been used in many fields, such as military detection. However, LIDAR require extremely fast data acquisition speed. This makes the manufacture of detector array for LIDAR system is very difficult. To solve this problem, we consider using compress sensing which can greatly decrease the data acquisition and relax the requirement of a detection device. To use the compressive sensing idea, a spatial light modulator will be used to modulate the pulsed light source. Then a photodetector is used to receive the reflected light. A convex optimization problem is solved to reconstruct the 2D depth map of the object. To improve the resolution in transversal direction, we use multiframe image restoration technology. For each 2D piecewise-planar scene, we move the SLM half-pixel each time. Then the position where the modulated light illuminates will changed accordingly. We repeat moving the SLM to four different directions. Then we can get four low-resolution depth maps with different details of the same plane scene. If we use all of the measurements obtained by the subpixel movements, we can reconstruct a high-resolution depth map of the sense. A linear minimum-mean-square error algorithm is used for the reconstruction. By combining compress sensing and multiframe image restoration technology, we reduce the burden on data analyze and improve the efficiency of detection. More importantly, we obtain high-resolution depth maps of a 3D scene.

Multi Ray Model for Near-Ground Millimeter Wave Radar

PubMed Central

Litvak, Boris; Pinhasi, Yosef

2017-01-01

A quasi-optical multi-ray model for a short-range millimeter wave radar is presented. The model considers multi-path effects emerging while multiple rays are scattered from the target and reflected to the radar receiver. Among the examined scenarios, the special case of grazing ground reflections is analyzed. Such a case becomes relevant when short range anti-collision radars are employed in vehicles. Such radars operate at millimeter wavelengths, and are aimed at the detection of targets located several tens of meters from the transmitter. Reflections from the road are expected to play a role in the received signal strength, together with the direct line-of-sight beams illuminated and scattered from the target. The model is demonstrated experimentally using radar operating in the W-band. Controlled measurements were done to distinguish between several scattering target features. The experimental setup was designed to imitate vehicle near-ground millimeter wave radars operating in vehicles. A comparison between analytical calculations and experimental results is made and discussed. PMID:28867776

Investigation of ELF/VLF waves created by a "beat-wave" HF ionospheric heating at high latitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shumilov, Oleg; Tereshchenko, Evgeniy; Kasatkina, Elena; Gomonov, Alexandr

2015-04-01

The generation of extremely low frequency (ELF, 3-3000 Hz) and very low frequency (VLF, 3-30 kHz) electromagnetic waves by modulated ionospheric high frequency (HF, 2-30 MHz) heating is one of the main directions of ionospheric modification experiments. In this work, we present observations of ELF waves generated during a "beat-wave" heating experiments at the EISCAT heating facility. ELF waves were registered with the ELF receiver located at Lovozero (68 N, 35 E), 660 km east from the EISCAT Tromso heating facility (69.6 N, 19.2 E). Frequency shifts between the generated beat-wave and received ELF waves were detected in all sessions. It is shown that the amplitudes of ELF waves depend on the auroral electrojet current strength. Our results showing a strong dependence of ELF signal intensities on the substorm development seem to support the conclusion that electrojet currents may affect the BW generation of ELF/VLF waves.

10-Gbps optical duobinary signal generated by bandwidth-limited reflective semiconductor optical amplifier in colorless optical network units and compensated by fiber Bragg grating-based equalizer in optical line terminal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Meixia; Zhang, Min; Wang, Danshi; Cui, Yue; Han, Huanhuan

2016-10-01

We propose a scheme of optical duobinary-modulated upstream transmission system for reflective semiconductor optical amplifier-based colorless optical network units in 10-Gbps wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON), where a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is adopted as an optical equalizer for better performance. The demodulation module is extremely simple, only needing a binary intensity modulation direct detection receiver. A better received sensitivity of -16.98 dBm at bit rate error (BER)=1.0×10-4 can be achieved at 120 km without FBG, and the BER at the sensitivity of -18.49 dBm can be up to 2.1×10-5 at the transmission distance of 160 km with FBG, which demonstrates the feasibility of our proposed scheme. Moreover, it could be a high cost-effectiveness scheme for WDM-PON in the future.

Quantum counterfactual communication without a weak trace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arvidsson-Shukur, D. R. M.; Barnes, C. H. W.

2016-12-01

The classical theories of communication rely on the assumption that there has to be a flow of particles from Bob to Alice in order for him to send a message to her. We develop a quantum protocol that allows Alice to perceive Bob's message "counterfactually"; that is, without Alice receiving any particles that have interacted with Bob. By utilizing a setup built on results from interaction-free measurements, we outline a communication protocol whereby the information travels in the opposite direction of the emitted particles. In comparison to previous attempts on such protocols, this one is such that a weak measurement at the message source would not leave a weak trace that could be detected by Alice's receiver. While some interaction-free schemes require a large number of carefully aligned beam splitters, our protocol is realizable with two or more beam splitters. We demonstrate this protocol by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for a Hamiltonian that implements this quantum counterfactual phenomenon.

Efficient Usage of Dense GNSS Networks in Central Europe for the Visualization and Investigation of Ionospheric TEC Variations

PubMed Central

Zanimonskiy, Yevgen M.; Yampolski, Yuri M.; Figurski, Mariusz

2017-01-01

The technique of the orthogonal projection of ionosphere electronic content variations for mapping total electron content (TEC) allows us to visualize ionospheric irregularities. For the reconstruction of global ionospheric characteristics, numerous global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers located in different regions of the Earth are used as sensors. We used dense GNSS networks in central Europe to detect and investigate a special type of plasma inhomogeneities, called travelling ionospheric disturbances (TID). Such use of GNSS sensors allows us to reconstruct the main TID parameters, such as spatial dimensions, velocities, and directions of their movement. The paper gives examples of the restoration of dynamic characteristics of ionospheric irregularities for quiet and disturbed geophysical conditions. Special attention is paid to the dynamics of ionospheric disturbances stimulated by the magnetic storms of two St. Patrick’s Days (17 March 2013 and 2015). Additional opportunities for the remote sensing of the ionosphere with the use of dense regional networks of GNSS receiving sensors have been noted too. PMID:28994718

Efficient Usage of Dense GNSS Networks in Central Europe for the Visualization and Investigation of Ionospheric TEC Variations.

PubMed

Nykiel, Grzegorz; Zanimonskiy, Yevgen M; Yampolski, Yuri M; Figurski, Mariusz

2017-10-10

The technique of the orthogonal projection of ionosphere electronic content variations for mapping total electron content (TEC) allows us to visualize ionospheric irregularities. For the reconstruction of global ionospheric characteristics, numerous global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers located in different regions of the Earth are used as sensors. We used dense GNSS networks in central Europe to detect and investigate a special type of plasma inhomogeneities, called travelling ionospheric disturbances (TID). Such use of GNSS sensors allows us to reconstruct the main TID parameters, such as spatial dimensions, velocities, and directions of their movement. The paper gives examples of the restoration of dynamic characteristics of ionospheric irregularities for quiet and disturbed geophysical conditions. Special attention is paid to the dynamics of ionospheric disturbances stimulated by the magnetic storms of two St. Patrick's Days (17 March 2013 and 2015). Additional opportunities for the remote sensing of the ionosphere with the use of dense regional networks of GNSS receiving sensors have been noted too.

Tunable Single-Frequency Near IR Lasers for DIAL Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henderson, Sammy W.; Marquardt, John H.; Carrig, Timothy J.; Gatt, Phil; Smith, Duane D.; Hale, Charley P.

2000-01-01

Tunable single-frequency sources in the 2-4 micron wavelength region are useful for remote DIAL measurements of chemicals and pollutants. We are developing tunable single-frequency transmitters and receivers for both direct and coherent detection lidar measurement applications. We have demonstrated a direct-diode-pumped PPLN-based OPO that operates single frequency, produces greater than 10 mW cw and is tunable over the 2.5 - 3.9 micron wavelength region. This laser has been used to injection seed a pulsed PPLN OPO, pumped by a 1.064 micron Nd:YAG laser, producing 50-100 microJoule single-frequency pulses at 100 Hz PRF near 3.6 micron wavelength. In addition, we have demonstrated a cw Cr:ZnSe laser that is tunable over the 2.1 - 2.8 micron wavelength region. This laser is pumped by a cw diode-pumped Tm:YALO laser and has produced over 1.8 W cw. Tm- and Tm, Ho-doped single-frequency solid-state lasers that produce over 50 mW cw and are tunable over approximately 10 nm in the 2 -2.1 micron band with fast PZT tuning have also been demonstrated. A fast PZT-tunable Tm, Ho:YLF laser was used for a direct-detection column content DIAL measurement of atmospheric CO2. Modeling shows that that all these cw and pulsed sources are useful for column-content coherent DIAL measurements at several km range using topographic targets.

All-fiber intensity bend sensor based on photonic crystal fiber with asymmetric air-hole structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budnicki, Dawid; Szostkiewicz, Lukasz; Szymanski, Michal O.; Ostrowski, Lukasz; Holdynski, Zbigniew; Lipinski, Stanislaw; Murawski, Michal; Wojcik, Grzegorz; Makara, Mariusz; Poturaj, Krzysztof; Mergo, Pawel; Napierala, Marek; Nasilowski, Tomasz

2017-10-01

Monitoring the geometry of an moving element is a crucial task for example in robotics. The robots equipped with fiber bend sensor integrated in their arms can be a promising solution for medicine, physiotherapy and also for application in computer games. We report an all-fiber intensity bend sensor, which is based on microstructured multicore optical fiber. It allows to perform a measurement of the bending radius as well as the bending orientation. The reported solution has a special airhole structure which makes the sensor only bend-sensitive. Our solution is an intensity based sensor, which measures power transmitted along the fiber, influenced by bend. The sensor is based on a multicore fiber with the special air-hole structure that allows detection of bending orientation in range of 360°. Each core in the multicore fiber is sensitive to bend in specified direction. The principle behind sensor operation is to differentiate the confinement loss of fundamental mode propagating in each core. Thanks to received power differences one can distinguish not only bend direction but also its amplitude. Multicore fiber is designed to utilize most common light sources that operate at 1.55 μm thus ensuring high stability of operation. The sensitivity of the proposed solution is equal 29,4 dB/cm and the accuracy of bend direction for the fiber end point is up to 5 degrees for 15 cm fiber length. Such sensitivity allows to perform end point detection with millimeter precision.

All-digital radar architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molchanov, Pavlo A.

2014-10-01

All digital radar architecture requires exclude mechanical scan system. The phase antenna array is necessarily large because the array elements must be co-located with very precise dimensions and will need high accuracy phase processing system for aggregate and distribute T/R modules data to/from antenna elements. Even phase array cannot provide wide field of view. New nature inspired all digital radar architecture proposed. The fly's eye consists of multiple angularly spaced sensors giving the fly simultaneously thee wide-area visual coverage it needs to detect and avoid the threats around him. Fly eye radar antenna array consist multiple directional antennas loose distributed along perimeter of ground vehicle or aircraft and coupled with receiving/transmitting front end modules connected by digital interface to central processor. Non-steering antenna array allows creating all-digital radar with extreme flexible architecture. Fly eye radar architecture provides wide possibility of digital modulation and different waveform generation. Simultaneous correlation and integration of thousands signals per second from each point of surveillance area allows not only detecting of low level signals ((low profile targets), but help to recognize and classify signals (targets) by using diversity signals, polarization modulation and intelligent processing. Proposed all digital radar architecture with distributed directional antenna array can provide a 3D space vector to the jammer by verification direction of arrival for signals sources and as result jam/spoof protection not only for radar systems, but for communication systems and any navigation constellation system, for both encrypted or unencrypted signals, for not limited number or close positioned jammers.

Spatial auditory processing in pinnipeds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holt, Marla M.

Given the biological importance of sound for a variety of activities, pinnipeds must be able to obtain spatial information about their surroundings thorough acoustic input in the absence of other sensory cues. The three chapters of this dissertation address spatial auditory processing capabilities of pinnipeds in air given that these amphibious animals use acoustic signals for reproduction and survival on land. Two chapters are comparative lab-based studies that utilized psychophysical approaches conducted in an acoustic chamber. Chapter 1 addressed the frequency-dependent sound localization abilities at azimuth of three pinniped species (the harbor seal, Phoca vitulina, the California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, and the northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris). While performances of the sea lion and harbor seal were consistent with the duplex theory of sound localization, the elephant seal, a low-frequency hearing specialist, showed a decreased ability to localize the highest frequencies tested. In Chapter 2 spatial release from masking (SRM), which occurs when a signal and masker are spatially separated resulting in improvement in signal detectability relative to conditions in which they are co-located, was determined in a harbor seal and sea lion. Absolute and masked thresholds were measured at three frequencies and azimuths to determine the detection advantages afforded by this type of spatial auditory processing. Results showed that hearing sensitivity was enhanced by up to 19 and 12 dB in the harbor seal and sea lion, respectively, when the signal and masker were spatially separated. Chapter 3 was a field-based study that quantified both sender and receiver variables of the directional properties of male northern elephant seal calls produce within communication system that serves to delineate dominance status. This included measuring call directivity patterns, observing male-male vocally-mediated interactions, and an acoustic playback study. Results showed that males produce calls that were highly directional that together with social status influenced the response of receivers. Results from the playback study were able to confirm that the isolated acoustic components of this display resulted in similar responses among males. These three chapters provide further information about comparative aspects of spatial auditory processing in pinnipeds.

Recombinant human tripeptidyl peptidase-1 infusion to the monkey CNS: Safety, pharmacokinetics, and distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vuillemenot, Brian R., E-mail: bvuillemenot@bmrn.com; Kennedy, Derek; Reed, Randall P.

CLN2 disease is caused by deficiency in tripeptidyl peptidase-1 (TPP1), leading to neurodegeneration and death. The safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and CNS distribution of recombinant human TPP1 (rhTPP1) were characterized following a single intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intrathecal-lumbar (IT-L) infusion to cynomolgus monkeys. Animals received 0, 5, 14, or 20 mg rhTPP1, ICV, or 14 mg IT-L, in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) vehicle. Plasma and CSF were collected for PK analysis. Necropsies occurred at 3, 7, and 14 days post-infusion. CNS tissues were sampled for rhTPP1 distribution. TPP1 infusion was well tolerated and without effect on clinical observations or ECG. A mildmore » increase in CSF white blood cells (WBCs) was detected transiently after ICV infusion. Isolated histological changes related to catheter placement and infusion were observed in ICV treated animals, including vehicle controls. The CSF and plasma exposure profiles were equivalent between animals that received an ICV or IT-L infusion. TPP1 levels peaked at the end of infusion, at which point the enzyme was present in plasma at 0.3% to 0.5% of CSF levels. TPP1 was detected in brain tissues with half-lives of 3–14 days. CNS distribution between ICV and IT-L administration was similar, although ICV resulted in distribution to deep brain structures including the thalamus, midbrain, and striatum. Direct CNS infusion of rhTPP1 was well tolerated with no drug related safety findings. The favorable nonclinical profile of ICV rhTPP1 supports the treatment of CLN2 by direct administration to the CNS. - Highlights: • TPP1 enzyme replacement therapy to the CNS is in development for CLN2 disease. • Toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and CNS distribution were assessed in monkeys. • TPP1 infusion directly to the brain did not result in any safety concerns. • A positive pharmacokinetic and distribution profile resulted from TPP1 infusion. • This study demonstrates the feasibility of ICV administered rhTPP1 to treat CLN2.« less

A Methodological Report: Adapting the 505 Change-of-Direction Speed Test Specific to American Football.

PubMed

Lockie, Robert G; Farzad, Jalilvand; Orjalo, Ashley J; Giuliano, Dominic V; Moreno, Matthew R; Wright, Glenn A

2017-02-01

Lockie, RG, Jalilvand, F, Orjalo, AJ, Giuliano, DV, Moreno, MR, and Wright, GA. A methodological report: Adapting the 505 change-of-direction speed test specific to American football. J Strength Cond Res 31(2): 539-547, 2017-The 505 involves a 10-m sprint past a timing gate, followed by a 180° change-of-direction (COD) performed over 5 m. This methodological report investigated an adapted 505 (A505) designed to be football-specific by changing the distances to 10 and 5 yd. Twenty-five high school football players (6 linemen [LM]; 8 quarterbacks, running backs, and linebackers [QB/RB/LB]; 11 receivers and defensive backs [R/DB]) completed the A505 and 40-yd sprint. The difference between A505 and 0 to 10-yd time determined the COD deficit for each leg. In a follow-up session, 10 subjects completed the A505 again and 10 subjects completed the 505. Reliability was analyzed by t-tests to determine between-session differences, typical error (TE), and coefficient of variation. Test usefulness was examined via TE and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) differences. Pearson's correlations calculated relationships between the A505 and 505, and A505 and COD deficit with the 40-yd sprint. A 1-way analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05) derived between-position differences in the A505 and COD deficit. There were no between-session differences for the A505 (p = 0.45-0.76; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.84-0.95; TE = 2.03-4.13%). Additionally, the A505 was capable of detecting moderate performance changes (SWC0.5 > TE). The A505 correlated with the 505 and 40-yard sprint (r = 0.58-0.92), suggesting the modified version assessed similar qualities. Receivers and defensive backs were faster than LM in the A505 for both legs, and right-leg COD deficit. Quarterbacks, running backs, and linebackers were faster than LM in the right-leg A505. The A505 is reliable, can detect moderate performance changes, and can discriminate between football position groups.

Acoustic Location of Lightning Using Interferometric Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erives, H.; Arechiga, R. O.; Stock, M.; Lapierre, J. L.; Edens, H. E.; Stringer, A.; Rison, W.; Thomas, R. J.

2013-12-01

Acoustic arrays have been used to accurately locate thunder sources in lightning flashes. The acoustic arrays located around the Magdalena mountains of central New Mexico produce locations which compare quite well with source locations provided by the New Mexico Tech Lightning Mapping Array. These arrays utilize 3 outer microphones surrounding a 4th microphone located at the center, The location is computed by band-passing the signal to remove noise, and then computing the cross correlating the outer 3 microphones with respect the center reference microphone. While this method works very well, it works best on signals with high signal to noise ratios; weaker signals are not as well located. Therefore, methods are being explored to improve the location accuracy and detection efficiency of the acoustic location systems. The signal received by acoustic arrays is strikingly similar to th signal received by radio frequency interferometers. Both acoustic location systems and radio frequency interferometers make coherent measurements of a signal arriving at a number of closely spaced antennas. And both acoustic and interferometric systems then correlate these signals between pairs of receivers to determine the direction to the source of the received signal. The primary difference between the two systems is the velocity of propagation of the emission, which is much slower for sound. Therefore, the same frequency based techniques that have been used quite successfully with radio interferometers should be applicable to acoustic based measurements as well. The results presented here are comparisons between the location results obtained with current cross correlation method and techniques developed for radio frequency interferometers applied to acoustic signals. The data were obtained during the summer 2013 storm season using multiple arrays sensitive to both infrasonic frequency and audio frequency acoustic emissions from lightning. Preliminary results show that interferometric techniques have good potential for improving the lightning location accuracy and detection efficiency of acoustic arrays.

UWB pulse detection and TOA estimation using GLRT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yan; Janssen, Gerard J. M.; Shakeri, Siavash; Tiberius, Christiaan C. J. M.

2017-12-01

In this paper, a novel statistical approach is presented for time-of-arrival (TOA) estimation based on first path (FP) pulse detection using a sub-Nyquist sampling ultra-wide band (UWB) receiver. The TOA measurement accuracy, which cannot be improved by averaging of the received signal, can be enhanced by the statistical processing of a number of TOA measurements. The TOA statistics are modeled and analyzed for a UWB receiver using threshold crossing detection of a pulse signal with noise. The detection and estimation scheme based on the Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT) detector, which captures the full statistical information of the measurement data, is shown to achieve accurate TOA estimation and allows for a trade-off between the threshold level, the noise level, the amplitude and the arrival time of the first path pulse, and the accuracy of the obtained final TOA.

Low-Power SOI CMOS Transceiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fujikawa, Gene (Technical Monitor); Cheruiyot, K.; Cothern, J.; Huang, D.; Singh, S.; Zencir, E.; Dogan, N.

2003-01-01

The work aims at developing a low-power Silicon on Insulator Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (SOI CMOS) Transceiver for deep-space communications. RF Receiver must accomplish the following tasks: (a) Select the desired radio channel and reject other radio signals, (b) Amplify the desired radio signal and translate them back to baseband, and (c) Detect and decode the information with Low BER. In order to minimize cost and achieve high level of integration, receiver architecture should use least number of external filters and passive components. It should also consume least amount of power to minimize battery cost, size, and weight. One of the most stringent requirements for deep-space communication is the low-power operation. Our study identified that two candidate architectures listed in the following meet these requirements: (1) Low-IF receiver, (2) Sub-sampling receiver. The low-IF receiver uses minimum number of external components. Compared to Zero-IF (Direct conversion) architecture, it has less severe offset and flicker noise problems. The Sub-sampling receiver amplifies the RF signal and samples it using track-and-hold Subsampling mixer. These architectures provide low-power solution for the short- range communications missions on Mars. Accomplishments to date include: (1) System-level design and simulation of a Double-Differential PSK receiver, (2) Implementation of Honeywell SOI CMOS process design kit (PDK) in Cadence design tools, (3) Design of test circuits to investigate relationships between layout techniques, geometry, and low-frequency noise in SOI CMOS, (4) Model development and verification of on-chip spiral inductors in SOI CMOS process, (5) Design/implementation of low-power low-noise amplifier (LNA) and mixer for low-IF receiver, and (6) Design/implementation of high-gain LNA for sub-sampling receiver. Our initial results show that substantial improvement in power consumption is achieved using SOI CMOS as compared to standard CMOS process. Potential advantages of SOI CMOS for deep-space communication electronics include: (1) Radiation hardness, (2) Low-power operation, and (3) System-on-Chip (SOC) solutions.

Modified directly observed treatment for tuberculosis versus self-administered therapy: an observational study in rural Greece.

PubMed

Charokopos, N; Tsiros, G; Foka, A; Voila, P; Chrysanthopoulos, K; Spiliopoulou, I; Jelastopulu, E

2013-01-01

Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) is the key element of DOTS (directly observed treatment, short course), part of the internationally recommended control strategy for tuberculosis (TB). The evaluation of DOT has not been widely evaluated in rural areas in developed settings. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a modified DOT program (MDOT) by a general practitioner (GP) in a rural area of southwest Greece, where there is substantial underreporting of TB cases. Thirteen new TB cases with 30 close contacts were compared with 41 past-treated TB subjects (controls) with 111 close contacts in this observational, case-control study. Home visits by a GP were conducted and comparison of various data (laboratory findings, treatment outcomes, questionnaire-based parameters, on-site recorded conditions) was performed in both newly detected pulmonary TB cases and previously treated TB cases managed without DOT intervention. MDOT by GP implementation revealed that 11 cases (84.6%) were successfully treated, one (7.7%) case died, and one (7.7%) was lost to follow up. None of the close contacts of new TB cases was infected with active TB, while 6.3% of previously-treated TB subjects were infected with active TB and had to receive a complete anti-TB regimen. Chemoprophylaxis was administered to 13.3% of close contacts of new cases; whereas 12.6% of close contacts of previously-treated patients received chemoprophylaxis. This pilot study revealed that a GP is able to implement a program based on DOT resulting in high treatment adherence and prevention of TB compared with the conventional self-administration of treatment.

Neurogenesis and ontogeny of specific cell phenotypes within the hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus.

PubMed

Antle, Michael C; LeSauter, Joseph; Silver, Rae

2005-06-09

The hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is anatomically and functionally heterogeneous. A group of cells in the SCN shell, delineated by vasopressin-ergic neurons, are rhythmic with respect to Period gene expression and electrical activity but do not receive direct retinal input. In contrast, some cells in the SCN core, marked by neurons containing calbindin-D28k, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), are not rhythmic with respect to Period gene expression and electrical activity but do receive direct retinal input. Examination of the timing of neurogenesis using bromodeoxyuridine indicates that SCN cells are born between embryonic day 9.5 and 12.5. Calbindin, GRP, substance P, and VIP cells are born only during early SCN neurogenesis, between embryonic days 9.5-11.0. Vasopressin cells are born over the whole period of SCN neurogenesis, appearing as late as embryonic day 12.5. Examination of the ontogeny of peptide expression in these cell types reveals transient expression of calbindin in a cluster of dorsolateral SCN cells on postnatal days 1-2. The adult pattern of calbindin expression is detected in a different ventrolateral cell cluster starting on postnatal day 2. GRP and SP expression appear on postnatal day 8 and 10, respectively, after the retinohypothalamic tract has innervated the SCN. In summary, the present study describes the ontogeny-specific peptidergic phenotypes in the SCN and compares these developmental patterns to previously identified patterns in the appearance of circadian functions. These comparisons suggest the possibility that these coincident appearances may be causally related, with the direction of causation to be determined.

Clinical trial of combined radio- and fluorescence-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer

PubMed Central

Schaafsma, Boudewijn E.; Verbeek, Floris P.R.; Rietbergen, Daphne D.D.; van der Hiel, Bernies; van der Vorst, Joost R.; Liefers, Gerrit-Jan; Frangioni, John V.; van de Velde, Cornelis J.H.; van Leeuwen, Fijs W.B.; Vahrmeijer, Alexander L.

2013-01-01

Background Combining radioactive colloids and a near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore permit preoperative planning and intraoperative localization of deeply located sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) with direct optical guidance by a single lymphatic tracer. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate and optimize a hybrid NIR fluorescence and radioactive tracer for SLN detection in breast cancer patients. Method Patients with breast cancer undergoing SLN biopsy were enrolled. The day before surgery, indocyanine green (ICG)-99mTc-Nanocolloid was injected periareolarly and a lymphoscintigram was acquired. Directly before surgery, blue dye was injected. Intraoperative SLN localization was performed by a gamma probe and the Mini-FLARETM NIR fluorescence imaging system. Patients were divided into two dose groups, with one group receiving twice the particle density of ICG and nanocolloid, but the same dose of radioactive 99mTechnetium. Results Thirty-two patients were enrolled in the trial. At least one SLN was identified pre- and intraoperatively. All 48 axillary SLNs could be detected by gamma tracing and NIR fluorescence imaging, but only 42 of them stained blue. NIR fluorescence permitted detection of lymphatic vessels draining to the SLN up to 29 hours after injection. Increasing the particle density by two-fold did not yield a difference in fluorescence intensity, median 255 (range 98 – 542) vs. median 284 (90 – 921; P = 0.590), or signal- to- background ratio, median 5.4 (range 3.0 – 15.4) vs. median 4.9 (3.5 – 16.3; P = 1.000), of the SLN. Conclusion The hybrid NIR fluorescence and radioactive tracer ICG-99mTc-Nanocolloid permitted accurate pre- and intraoperative detection of the SLNs in patients with breast cancer. PMID:23696463

Detecting Volcanic Ash Plumes with GNSS Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rainville, N.; Larson, K. M.; Palo, S. E.; Mattia, M.; Rossi, M.; Coltelli, M.; Roesler, C.; Fee, D.

2016-12-01

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers are commonly placed near volcanic sites to measure ground deformation. In addition to the carrier phase data used to measure ground position, these receivers also record Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) data. Larson (2013) showed that attenuations in SNR data strongly correlate with ash emissions at a series of eruptions of Redoubt Volcano. This finding has been confirmed at eruptions for Tongariro, Mt Etna, Mt Shindake, and Sakurajima. In each of these detections, very expensive geodetic quality GNSS receivers were used. If low-cost GNSS instruments could be used instead, a networked array could be deployed and optimized for plume detection and tomography. The outputs of this sensor array could then be used by both local volcanic observatories and Volcano Ash Advisory Centers. Here we will describe progress in developing such an array. The sensors we are working with are intended for navigation use, and thus lack the supporting power and communications equipment necessary for a networked system. Reliably providing those features is major challenge for the overall sensor design. We have built prototypes of our Volcano Ash Plume Receiver (VAPR), with solar panels, lithium-ion batteries and onboard data storage for preliminary testing. We will present results of our field tests of both receivers and antennas. A second critical need for our array is a reliable detection algorithm. We have tested our algorithm on data from recent eruptions and have incorporated the noise characteristics of the low-cost GNSS receiver. We have also developed a simulation capability so that the receivers can be deployed to optimize vent crossing GNSS signals.

The recognition of extraterrestrial artificial signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seeger, C. L.

1980-01-01

Considerations in the design of receivers for the detection and recognition of artificial microwave signals of extraterrestrial origin are discussed. Following a review of the objectives of SETI and the probable reception and detection characteristics of extraterrestrial signals, means for the improvement of the sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratios and on-line data processing capabilities of SETI receivers are indicated. The characteristics of the signals likely to be present at the output of an ultra-low-noise microwave receiver are then examined, including the system background noise, terrestrial radiations, astrophysical radiations, accidental artificial radiations of terrestrial origin, and intentional radiations produced by humans and by extraterrestrial intelligence. The classes of extraterrestrial signals likely to be detected, beacons and leakage signals, are considered, and options in the specification of gating and thresholding for a high-spectral resolution, high-time-resolution signal discriminator are indicated. Possible tests for the nonhuman origin of a received signal are also pointed out.

Silicon photonic integrated circuit swept-source optical coherence tomography receiver with dual polarization, dual balanced, in-phase and quadrature detection.

PubMed

Wang, Zhao; Lee, Hsiang-Chieh; Vermeulen, Diedrik; Chen, Long; Nielsen, Torben; Park, Seo Yeon; Ghaemi, Allan; Swanson, Eric; Doerr, Chris; Fujimoto, James

2015-07-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a widely used three-dimensional (3D) optical imaging method with many biomedical and non-medical applications. Miniaturization, cost reduction, and increased functionality of OCT systems will be critical for future emerging clinical applications. We present a silicon photonic integrated circuit swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) coherent receiver with dual polarization, dual balanced, in-phase and quadrature (IQ) detection. We demonstrate multiple functional capabilities of IQ polarization resolved detection including: complex-conjugate suppressed full-range OCT, polarization diversity detection, and polarization-sensitive OCT. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a silicon photonic integrated receiver for OCT. The integrated coherent receiver provides a miniaturized, low-cost solution for SS-OCT, and is also a key step towards a fully integrated high speed SS-OCT system with good performance and multi-functional capabilities. With further performance improvement and cost reduction, photonic integrated technology promises to greatly increase penetration of OCT systems in existing applications and enable new applications.

Silicon photonic integrated circuit swept-source optical coherence tomography receiver with dual polarization, dual balanced, in-phase and quadrature detection

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhao; Lee, Hsiang-Chieh; Vermeulen, Diedrik; Chen, Long; Nielsen, Torben; Park, Seo Yeon; Ghaemi, Allan; Swanson, Eric; Doerr, Chris; Fujimoto, James

2015-01-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a widely used three-dimensional (3D) optical imaging method with many biomedical and non-medical applications. Miniaturization, cost reduction, and increased functionality of OCT systems will be critical for future emerging clinical applications. We present a silicon photonic integrated circuit swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) coherent receiver with dual polarization, dual balanced, in-phase and quadrature (IQ) detection. We demonstrate multiple functional capabilities of IQ polarization resolved detection including: complex-conjugate suppressed full-range OCT, polarization diversity detection, and polarization-sensitive OCT. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a silicon photonic integrated receiver for OCT. The integrated coherent receiver provides a miniaturized, low-cost solution for SS-OCT, and is also a key step towards a fully integrated high speed SS-OCT system with good performance and multi-functional capabilities. With further performance improvement and cost reduction, photonic integrated technology promises to greatly increase penetration of OCT systems in existing applications and enable new applications. PMID:26203382