Charles G. Brown

Validation of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission height data

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) provided data for detailed topographical maps of about 80% of the Earths land surface. SRTM consisted of single-pass C- and X-band interferometric synthetic aperture radars (INSARs). In order to utilize SRTM data in remote sensing applications the data must be calibrated and validated. This paper presents The University of Michigans SRTM calibration and validation campaign and our results using recently acquired C-band SRTM data of our calibration sites. An array of calibration targets was deployed with the intention of determining the accuracy of INSAR-derived digital elevation maps. The array spanned one of the X-band swaths and stretched from Toledo, OH to Lansing, MI. Passive and active targets were used. The passive targets included trihedrals and tophats. The locations in latitude, longitude, and elevation of the point targets were determined using differential GPS. We also acquired U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) digital elevation models (DEMs) to use in the calibration and validation work. The SRTM data used in this study are both Principal Investigator Processor (PI) data, which are not the refined final data product, and the ground data processing system (GDPS) data, which are a more refined data product. We report that both datasets for southeastern Michigan exceed the SRTM mission specifications for absolute and relative height errors for our point targets. A more extensive analysis of the SRTM GDPS data indicates that it meets the absolute and relative accuracy requirements even for bare surface areas. In addition, we validate the PI height error files, which are used to provide a statistical characterization of the difference between the SRTM GDPS and USGS DEM heights. The statistical characterization of the GDPS-USGS difference is of interest in forest parameter retrieval algorithms.

Model-Based Estimation of Forest Canopy Height in Red and Austrian Pine Stands Using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and Ancillary Data: A Proof-of-Concept Study

In this paper, accurate tree stand height retrieval is demonstrated using C-band Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) height and ancillary data. The tree height retrieval algorithm is based on modeling uniform tree stands with a single layer of randomly oriented vegetation particles. For such scattering media, the scattering phase center height, as measured by SRTM, is a function of tree height, incidence angle, and the extinction coefficient of the medium. The extinction coefficient for uniform tree stands is calculated as a function of tree height and density using allometric equations and a fractal tree model. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated using SRTM and TOPSAR data for 15 red pine and Austrian pine stands (TOPSAR is an airborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar). The algorithm yields root-mean-square (rms) errors of 2.5-3.6 m, which is a substantial improvement over the 6.8-8.3-m rms errors from the raw SRTM minus National Elevation Dataset Heights.

Advances in x-ray framing cameras at the National Ignition Facility to improve quantitative precision in x-ray imaging

We describe an experimental method to measure the gate profile of an x-ray framing camera and to determine several important functional parameters: relative gain (between strips), relative gain droop (within each strip), gate propagation velocity, gate width, and actual inter-strip timing. Several of these parameters cannot be measured accurately by any other technique. This method is then used to document cross talk-induced gain variations and artifacts created by radiation that arrives before the framing camera is actively amplifying x-rays. Electromagnetic cross talk can cause relative gains to vary significantly as inter-strip timing is varied. This imposes a stringent requirement for gain calibration. If radiation arrives before a framing camera is triggered, it can cause an artifact that manifests as a high-intensity, spatially varying background signal. We have developed a device that can be added to the framing camera head to prevent these artifacts.

Crosstalk in x-ray framing cameras: Effect on voltage, gain, and timing (invited)a)

We present evidence that electromagnetic crosstalk between independent strips in gated x-ray framing cameras can affect relative gains by up to an order of magnitude and gate arrival times up to tens of picoseconds when strip separation times are less then ∼1 ns. Crosstalk is observed by multiple methods, and it is confirmed by direct measurements of voltage on the active surface of the detector and also by indirect voltage monitors in routine operation. The voltage measurements confirm that crosstalk is produced not only in the active regions of the microchannel plate, but also along the entire input path of the voltage pulses.

Computational studies of X-ray framing cameras for the national ignition facility

Summary form only given. The NIF is the worlds most powerful laser facility and is used for inertial confinement fusion experiments. One hundred and ninety two laser beams are used to compress a small capsule. X-ray framing cameras are an important diagnostic used to help characterize the dynamics of the capsule. The gated x-ray framing cameras consists of several key components including a pin hole array, microstrip/microchannel plate, pulsed phosphor, and either film pack or CCD for recording images1. The pin hole array is a thin piece of tantalum with small holes used to shield most of the incident x-rays, but allows some to be projected onto a microstrip/microchannel plate. When photons strike the microstrip/microchannel plate photoelectrons are created which can be accelerated through pores in the microchannel plate by pulsed voltages on the microstrips. The electrons are amplified in the pores by a secondary electron cascade. At the output of the microchannel plate the electrons are accelerated to a phosphor screen where the output can be recorded. The x-ray framing cameras have provided excellent information. As the yields at NIF have increased and the data provided by the framing cameras have been further resolved, some “streak” artifacts were discovered that needed further understanding2. A theory was proposed as to the origin of these artifacts2, as well as a mitigation strategy2. In this presentation we will discuss the results of electrostatic, full wave electromagnetic, and particle-in-cell simulations used to further understand the streaks in the data as well as simulation results for the mitigation strategy2 used to help correct the problem. We will also discuss some simulation results that illustrate potential enhancements for future framing cameras.

Investigation and suppression of artifacts in x-ray framing cameras due to advance radiation incident on microchannel plates

We present evidence of an artifact in gated x-ray framing cameras that can severely impact image quality. This artifact presents as a spatially-varying, high-intensity background and is correlated with experiments that produce a high flux of x-rays during the time before the framing camera is triggered. Dedicated experiments using a short pulse UV laser that arrives before, during, and after the triggering of the framing camera confirm that these artifacts can be produced by light that arrives in advance of the voltage pulse that triggers the camera. This is consistent with these artifacts being the result of photoelectrons produced uniformly at the active area of the camera by early incident light and then selectively trapped by the electromagnetic (EM) fields of the camera. Simulations confirm that the EM field above the active surface can act to confine electrons produced before the camera is triggered. We further present a method to suppress these artifacts by installing a conducting electrode in front of the active area of the framing camera. This device suppresses artifacts by attracting any electrons liberated by x-rays that arrive before the camera is triggered.

Analysis of a Small Loop Antenna With Inductive Coupling to Nearby Loops

This paper analyzes the inductive coupling that occurs when a loop antenna is near other conductive objects that form complete loops and are excited by incident low-frequency magnetic fields. The currents developed on the closed loops from the time changing magnetic fields generate their own magnetic fields that alter the voltage received by nearby open loop antennas. We will demonstrate how inductance theory can be used to model the system of loops. Using this theory, time domain circuit models are developed to find the open circuit voltage of a loop near one closed loop and for the open circuit voltage of one loop near two closed loops. We will show that the model is in good agreement with measurements that have been made in a TEM cell. One important application of this work is for electroexplosive device safety. It is necessary to ensure that if lightning strikes a facility that the electromagnetic fields generated inside do not have strong enough coupling to a detonator cable to cause initiation of explosives. We will show how the model can be used to analyze magnetic field coupling into a detonator cable attached to explosives in one typical type of work stand.

Analysis of conductor impedances accounting for skin effect and nonlinear permeability

It is often necessary to protect sensitive electrical equipment from pulsed electric and magnetic fields. To accomplish this electromagnetic shielding structures similar to Faraday Cages are often implemented. If the equipment is inside a facility that has been reinforced with rebar, the rebar can be used as part of a lighting protection system. Unfortunately, such shields are not perfect and allow electromagnetic fields to be created inside due to discontinuities in the structure, penetrations, and finite conductivity of the shield. In order to perform an analysis of such a structure it is important to first determine the effect of the finite impedance of the conductors used in the shield. In this paper we will discuss the impedances of different cylindrical conductors in the time domain. For a time varying pulse the currents created in the conductor will have different spectral components, which will affect the current density due to skin effects. Many construction materials use iron and different types of steels that have a nonlinear permeability. The nonlinear material can have an effect on the impedance of the conductor depending on the B-H curve. Although closed form solutions exist for the impedances of cylindrical conductors made of linear materials, computational techniques are needed for nonlinear materials. Simulations of such impedances are often technically challenging due to the need for a computational mesh to be able to resolve the skin depths for the different spectral components in the pulse. The results of such simulations in the time domain will be shown and used to determine the impedances of cylindrical conductors for lightning current pulses that have low frequency content.

Lightning protection certification for high explosives facilities at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

This paper presents an innovation in lighting safety certification, and a description of its implementation for high explosives processing and storage facilities at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Lightning rods have proven useful in the protection of wooden structures; however, modern structures made of rebar, concrete, and the like, require fresh thinking. Our process involves a rigorous and unique approach to lightning safety for modern buildings, where the internal voltages and currents are quantified and the risk assessed. To follow are the main technical aspects of lightning protection for modern structures and these methods comply with the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association, the National Electrical Code, and the Department of Energy. At the date of this release, we have certified over 70 HE processing and storage cells at our Site 300 facility

Adaptation of a cubic smoothing spline algortihm for multi-channel data stitching at the National Ignition Facility

Some diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), including the Gamma Reaction History (GRH) diagnostic, require multiple channels of data to achieve the required dynamic range. These channels need to be stitched together into a single time series, and they may have non-uniform and redundant time samples. We chose to apply the popular cubic smoothing spline technique to our stitching problem because we needed a general non-parametric method. We adapted one of the algorithms in the literature, by Hutchinson and deHoog, to our needs. The modified algorithm and the resulting code perform a cubic smoothing spline fit to multiple data channels with redundant time samples and missing data points. The data channels can have different, timevarying, zero-mean white noise characteristics. The method we employ automatically determines an optimal smoothing level by minimizing the Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) score. In order to automatically validate the smoothing level selection, the Weighted Sum-Squared Residual (WSSR) and zero-mean tests are performed on the residuals. Further, confidence intervals, both analytical and Monte Carlo, are also calculated. In this paper, we describe the derivation of our cubic smoothing spline algorithm. We outline the algorithm and test it with simulated and experimental data.