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An operational concept for the Smart Landing Facility (SLF)

January 1, 2001
  |
Conference Paper
Author:
Steven D. Thompson
…
Published in:
20th AIAA/IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conf., 14-18 October 2001, pp. 6.C.2-1 - 6.C.2-8.
Topic:
air traffic control
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

This paper describes an operational concept for the Smart Landing Facility (SLF). The SLF is proposed as a component of the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) and is envisioned to utilize Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) technologies to support higher-volume air traffic operations in a wider variety of weather conditions than are currently possible at airports without an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) or Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON). In order to accomplish this, the SLF will provide aircraft sequencing and separation within its terminal airspace (the SLF traffic area) and on the airport surface. The SLF infrastructure will provide timely and accurate weather and other flight information as well as traffic advisories. The SLF will provide a means to coordinate with nearby TRACONs or Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) to ensure proper integration of its traffic flows with those of adjacent airspace.
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Summary

This paper describes an operational concept for the Smart Landing Facility (SLF). The SLF is proposed as a component of the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) and is envisioned to utilize Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) technologies to support higher-volume air traffic operations in a wider variety...

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An operational concept for the Smart Landing Facility (SLF)

Sprites, elves, and glow discharge tubes

January 1, 2001
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Journal Article
Author:
Earle R. Williams
Published in:
Phys. Today, Vol. 54, No. 11, November 2001, pp. 41-47.
Topic:
weather
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

In the 1920's, the Scottish physicist C.T.R. Wilson predicted the existence of brief flashes of light above large thunderstorms. Almost 70 years later, Bernard Vonnegut of SUNY Albany realized that evidence for Wilson's then-unconfirmed predictions might appear in video imagery of Earth's upper atmosphere recorded by space-shuttle astronauts. He encouraged NASA's William Boeck and Otha Vaughan to look for evidence. Their search was successful. At the 1990 fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union, Boeck and Vaughan presented evidence for upper-atmosphere flashes. Evidence of a different nature came from the University of Minnesota's John Winckler and his colleagues, who had serendipitously observed a flash in moonless night-time skies over Minnesota in 1989. These early findings inspired two independent field programs to target the new phenomenon. In the summer of 1993, Walter Lyons of FMA Research set up detectors on Yucca Ridge in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. That same summer, Davis Sentman of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) sought to record the flashes from an aircraft flying over the Great Plains. Within a day of each other, the two research teams had documented what turned out to be a common phenomenon in the mesosphere. In doing so, they initiated not only a new kind of continental-scale field experiment but also—and more important—a new interdisciplinary area of research.
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Summary

In the 1920's, the Scottish physicist C.T.R. Wilson predicted the existence of brief flashes of light above large thunderstorms. Almost 70 years later, Bernard Vonnegut of SUNY Albany realized that evidence for Wilson's then-unconfirmed predictions might appear in video imagery of Earth's upper atmosphere recorded by space-shuttle astronauts. He encouraged...

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Sprites, elves, and glow discharge tubes

High Speed Interconnects and Parallel Software Libraries: Enabling Technologies for NVO

January 1, 2001
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Conference Paper
Author:
Jeremy Kepner
…
Published in:
Proc. of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conf. Series, Vol. 225, 2001, Virtual Observations of the Future, 13-16 June 2000, pp. 297-301.
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

The National Virtual Observatory (NVO) will directly or indirectly touch upon all steps in the process of transforming raw observational data into "meaningful" results. These steps include: (1) Acquisition and storage of raw data. (2) Data reduction (i.e. translating raw data into source detections). (3) Aquisition and storage of detected sources. (4) Multi-sensor/multi-temporal data mining of the products of steps (1), (2) and (3). (Not complete.)
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Summary

The National Virtual Observatory (NVO) will directly or indirectly touch upon all steps in the process of transforming raw observational data into "meaningful" results. These steps include: (1) Acquisition and storage of raw data. (2) Data reduction (i.e. translating raw data into source detections). (3) Aquisition and storage of detected...

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High Speed Interconnects and Parallel Software Libraries: Enabling Technologies for NVO

Exploiting VSIPL and OpenMP for Parallel Image Processing

January 1, 2001
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Conference Paper
Author:
Jeremy Kepner
Published in:
ADASS 2000, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems X, 12-14 November 2000, pp. 209-212.
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

VSIPL and OpenMP are two open standards for portable high performance computing. VSIPL delivers optimized single processor performance while OpenMP provides a low overhead mechanism for executing thread based parallelism on shared memory systems. Image processing is one of the main areas where VSIPL and OpenMP can have a large impact. Currently, a large fraction of image processing applications are written in the Interpreted Data Language (IDL) environment. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that the performance benefits of these new standards can be brought to image processing community in a high level manner that is transparent to users. To this end, this talk presents a fast, FFT based algorithm for performing image convolutions. This algorithm has been implemented within the IDL environment using VSIPL (for optimized single processor performance) with added OpenMP directives (for parallelism). This work demonstrates that good parallel speedups are attainable using standards and can be integrated seamlessly into existing user environments.
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Summary

VSIPL and OpenMP are two open standards for portable high performance computing. VSIPL delivers optimized single processor performance while OpenMP provides a low overhead mechanism for executing thread based parallelism on shared memory systems. Image processing is one of the main areas where VSIPL and OpenMP can have a large...

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Exploiting VSIPL and OpenMP for Parallel Image Processing

Monolithic 3.3V CCD/SOI-CMOS Imager Technology

December 10, 2000
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Conference Paper
Author:
Vyshnavi Suntharalingam
…
Published in:
IEEE Int. Eelctron Devices Mtg., 10-13 December 2000, pp. 30.3.1-30.3.4.
Topic:
semiconductor (CMOS)
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

We have developed a merged CCD/SOI-CMOS technology that enables the fabrication of monolithic, low-power imaging systems on a chip. The CCD's, fabricated in the bulk handle wafer, have charge-transfer inefficiencies of about 1x10(-5) and well capacities of more than 100,000 electrons with 3.3-V clocks and 8x8um pixels. Fully depleted 0.35pm SOI-CMOS ring oscillators have stage delay of 48ps at 3.3V. We demonstrate for the first time an integrated image sensor with charge-domain A/D conversion and on-chip clocking.
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Summary

We have developed a merged CCD/SOI-CMOS technology that enables the fabrication of monolithic, low-power imaging systems on a chip. The CCD's, fabricated in the bulk handle wafer, have charge-transfer inefficiencies of about 1x10(-5) and well capacities of more than 100,000 electrons with 3.3-V clocks and 8x8um pixels. Fully depleted 0.35pm...

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Monolithic 3.3V CCD/SOI-CMOS Imager Technology

A statistical analysis of approach winds at capacity-restricted airports

November 30, 2000
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Project Report
Author:
Glenn H. Perras
…
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-296
Topic:
weather
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

A study was conducted on six major U.S. airports with closely-spaced parallel (CSP) runways that become capacity-restricted during times of lowered cloud ceilings and visibilities. These airports were SFO, BOS, EWR, PHL, SEA, and STL. Efforts are underway to develop a feasible system for simultaneous CSP approaches, which would increase the capacity at these airports during restrictive weather conditions. When considering any new procedure, the wind conditions on approach are needed to understand the impact of wake turbulence transport. Wind observations from aircraft that are equipped with Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting System (MDCRS) capabilities were used to conduct a statistical analysis on wind characteristics at each airport. Data from January 1997 through December 1999 were used in each analysis. Data analysis techniques and the statistical results are presented in this report. This information is expected to support procedure and benefits assessment models.
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Summary

A study was conducted on six major U.S. airports with closely-spaced parallel (CSP) runways that become capacity-restricted during times of lowered cloud ceilings and visibilities. These airports were SFO, BOS, EWR, PHL, SEA, and STL. Efforts are underway to develop a feasible system for simultaneous CSP approaches, which would increase...

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A statistical analysis of approach winds at capacity-restricted airports

Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Program (LINEAR)

November 1, 2000
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Journal Article
Author:
Grant H. Stokes
…
Published in:
Icarus J., Vol. 148, No. 1, November 2000, pp. 21-28.
Topic:
LINEAR
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

The Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program has applied electro-optical technology developed for Air Force Space Surveillance applications to the problem of discovering near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and comets. This application is natural due to the commonality between the surveillance of the sky for man-made satellites and the search for near-Earth objects (NEOs). Both require the efficient search of broad swaths of sky to detect faint, moving objects. Currently, the Air Force Ground-based Electro-Optic Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) systems, which operate as part of the worldwide U.S. space surveillance network, are being upgraded to state-of-the-art charge-coupled device (CCD) detectors. These detectors are based on recent advances made by MIT Lincoln Laboratory in the fabrication of large format, highly sensitive CCDs. In addition, state-of-the-art data processing algorithms have been developed to employ the new detectors for search operations. In order to address stressing space surveillance requirements, the Lincoln CCDs have a unique combination of features, including large format, high quantum efficiency, frame transfer, high readout rate, and low noise, not found on any commercially available CCD. Systems development for the GEODSS upgrades has been accomplished at the Lincoln Laboratory Experimental Test Site (ETS) located near Socorro, New Mexico, over the past several years. Starting in 1996, the Air Force funded a small effort to demonstrate the effectiveness of the CCD and broad area search technology when applied to the problem of finding asteroids and comets. This program evolved into the current LINEAR program, which is jointly funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and NASA. LINEAR, which started full operations in March of 1998, has discovered through September of 1999, 257 NEAs (of 797 known to date), 11 unusual objects (of 44 known), and 32 comets. Currently, LINEAR is contributing ~70% of the worldwide NEA discovery rate and has single-handedly increased the observations submitted to the Minor Planet Center by a factor of 10. This paper covers the technology used by the program, the operations, and the detailed results of the search efforts.
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Summary

The Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program has applied electro-optical technology developed for Air Force Space Surveillance applications to the problem of discovering near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and comets. This application is natural due to the commonality between the surveillance of the sky for man-made satellites and the search for near-Earth...

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Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Program (LINEAR)

WSP utility libraries

October 23, 2000
  |
Project Report
Author:
Oliver J. Newell
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-284
Topic:
weather
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

The ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor (WSP) augments the weather detection capability of existing ASR-9 radars to include low-level wind shear warnings, storm cell tracking and prediction, and improved immunity to false weather echoes due to anomalous propagation (AP). To economically develop and field an operational system at the 34 WSP sites, the FAA is pursuing a strategy that leverages the software written during the 10-year R&D phase of the project. To that end, the software developed at Lincoln Laboratory has been "hardened" to ensure reliable, continuous operation, and has been ported to a "Phase II" prototype built around the latest generation of COTS hardware. A significant number of the hardened software modules are being used in the production version of the WSP with only minor modifications. Included as part of the software are a number of lower-level utility libraries to provide basic services such as memory management and network communication. This document provides a detailed description of these common utility libraries.
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Summary

The ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor (WSP) augments the weather detection capability of existing ASR-9 radars to include low-level wind shear warnings, storm cell tracking and prediction, and improved immunity to false weather echoes due to anomalous propagation (AP). To economically develop and field an operational system at the 34 WSP...

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WSP utility libraries

Common CHI for en route ATC automation in FFP1 and beyond

October 22, 2000
  |
Conference Paper
Author:
Maria Picardi Kuffner
Published in:
45th Annual Air Traffic Control Association Conf. Proc., 22-26 October 2000, pp. 237-241.
Topic:
air traffic control
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

Unique computer-human interface (CHI) challenges are arising with the pending deployment of automation developed to assist air traffic controllers and managers. In the US, a set of Free Flight Phase 1 (FFPl) decision-support tools will provide computer generated scheduling and sequencing advice from Traffic Management Advisor (TMA) and conflict probing advice from User Request Evaluation Tool (URET). These tools were originally developed independently using their own CHIs. Recently, the air traffic community requested that future tools be implemented as an integrated functionality with a consistent look and feel modeled on Eurocontrol's innovative Operational Display and Input Development (ODID) IV. M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory presented an initial comparative study of FAA and Eurocontrol tools that identified several key inconsistencies between the newly deployed Display System Replacement (DSR), the upcoming FFPl and the future ODID-like CHIs at ATCA 1999. This paper expands the survey to add the ETMS Traffic Situation Display (TSD) and to include a comparison of all look and feel aspects of each tool ranging from the purpose and system requirements to the display and coordination features. Excerpts from the completed survey are presented in Table 1, accompanied by preliminary descriptions of resulting human factors issues that need resolution to achieve a common CHI for future air traffic control and management. In support of the FAA, the Laboratory is now applying the findings from this effort and previous controller testing in collaboration with MITRE CAASD to identify and assess CHI features to be used for a demonstration of integrated operational concepts. This effort, along with continued CHI requirements testing, communication with FAA vendors and concept demonstrations conducted in coordination with the air traffic community will lead to a comprehensive list of prioritized issues regarding a common CHI.
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Summary

Unique computer-human interface (CHI) challenges are arising with the pending deployment of automation developed to assist air traffic controllers and managers. In the US, a set of Free Flight Phase 1 (FFPl) decision-support tools will provide computer generated scheduling and sequencing advice from Traffic Management Advisor (TMA) and conflict probing...

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Common CHI for en route ATC automation in FFP1 and beyond

ASR-9 weather systems processor software overview

October 20, 2000
  |
Project Report
Author:
Oliver J. Newell
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-264
Topic:
radar
R&D area:
R&D group:

Summary

The ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor (WSP) augments the weather detection capability of existing ASR-9 radars to include low-level wind shear warnings, storm cell tracking and prediction, and improved immunity to false weather echoes due to anomalous propagation (AP). To economically develop and field an operational system at the 34 WSP sites, the FAA is pursuing a strategy that leverages the software written during the 10-year R&D phase of the project. To that end, the software developed at Lincoln Laboratory has been "hardened" to ensure reliable, continuous operation, and has been ported to a "Phase II" prototype built around the latest generation of COTS hardware. A significant number of the hardened software modules are being used in the production version of the WSP with only minor modifications. This document provides a high-level description of these software modules, with an emphasis on how the modules fit together in the WSP system. Descriptions of the hardware environment in which the software executes are also provided.
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Summary

The ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor (WSP) augments the weather detection capability of existing ASR-9 radars to include low-level wind shear warnings, storm cell tracking and prediction, and improved immunity to false weather echoes due to anomalous propagation (AP). To economically develop and field an operational system at the 34 WSP...

READ MORE
ASR-9 weather systems processor software overview
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