Abstract: An atmospheric water vapor sensing system uses Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) to determine the refractivity and Slant-path Water Vapor Delay (SWD) between an Earth-based GPS receiver and a plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. The system provides improved precision in position calculation measurements by eliminating the refractivity effects of water vapor. No other system inputs are required apart from conventional GPS satellite signals and conventional satellite orbit data to implement the method. SWD arises from the refractivity in the integrated atmospheric water vapor in a column of atmosphere at an acute angular line-of-sight path between the Earth-based GPS receiver and any one of the plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. The system is especially useful in monitoring the Earth's crustal deformation.

Abstract: A weather radar system (21) utilizing enhanced fuzzy logic processing (300) to detect atmospheric microburst events. In addition to the wind shear likelihood (250), low level surface reflectivity likelihood (252), and clutter likelihood (254) used by existing fuzzy logic based microburst detection systems to generate a combined microburst likelihood, one enhancement includes using reflectivity measurements of high level storm activity to generate an independent high level aloft reflectivity likelihood image (310) that corresponds to and confirms the findings of the low level surface reflectivity likelihood (252). Another enhancement includes using a series of combined likelihoods saved over time (635) for N successive scans of the weather radar system (21) to generate a history likelihood (620) that eliminates spurious detections from one scan to the next.

Abstract: The computation system of the present invention comprises an improved method of moment estimation for devices which measure spectra as a function of range or time. The preferred embodiment of this system is illustrated as part of an automated meteorological monitoring system for the accurate real time detection of meteorological phenomena, such as winds, wind shear and turbulence. This automated meteorological monitoring system uses a standard weather radar transmitter to scan a predetermined volume of space with a stream of radar pulses to determine the characteristics of meteorological phenomena that are extant in the predetermined volume. The computation system of the present invention utilizes novel signal processing algorithms in the improved method of moment estimation to excise the valid data from the return echoes, which are corrupted by the presence of contaminating signals.

Abstract: A frozen precipitation accumulation alert system for a target area wherein the system comprises a means and apparatus for measuring at least one meteorological indicator in at least one measurement location proximate to the target area, detecting meteorological structure using radar data from a weather radar over a region that includes the target area, and determining a precipitation accumulation forecast based the meteorological structure and at least one meteorological indicator. The system further includes a means and apparatus for quantifying a precipitation rate of frozen precipitation over time wherein the precipitation rate is one of the meteorological indicators, and generating a view of user selected ones of the meteorological indicators, the meteorological structure, and the precipitation accumulation forecast.

Abstract: A radiometer system detects naturally occurring atmospheric microwave radiation in three bands at approximately 20, 30, and 90 GHz. Signals representing radiation intensity at each of these bands is converted into a brightness temperature and used as a system input to a processing system that yields system outputs including the atmospheric ice water path, liquid water path, and water vapor content. A parameterized radiative transfer model is used to quantify radiation emanating from the atmosphere. The applied signal processing technique provides measurement of the total ice column in the atmosphere, and simultaneously provides accurate measurement of water vapor and liquid water. A calibration technique enhances the accuracy of ice detection measurements by correcting for the effects of absorptive atmospheric components, such as water vapor and liquid water.

Abstract: The virtual reality imaging system takes a multidimensional space that contains real world objects and phenomena, be they static or dynamic in nature, and enables a user to define a point in and/or a path through this multidimensional space. The apparatus then displays the view to the user that would be seen from the point in and/or path through the multidimensional space. This view is filtered through user definable characteristics that refine the real world phenomena and objects to a perspective that is of interest to the user. This filtered view presents the user with a virtual view of the reality contained within this multidimensional space, which virtual reality presents data to the user of only objects, views and phenomena that are of particular interest to the user.

Abstract: A winter precipitation measuring system for quantifying the precipitation rate of winter precipitation at a given point on the Earth's surface. The winter precipitation measuring system includes an elongated tube, a thermal plate within the elongated tube, and a method and apparatus for maintaining the thermal plate at a substantially constant temperature relative to a reference plate and for determining a precipitation rate in response to the difference in power consumption required to maintain the thermal plate at a substantially constant temperature.

Abstract: The multipipeline multiprocessor includes communication hardware and parallel communication algorithms that are free of contention but also optimal in the sense that communication time is minimized for any vector computation task. This apparatus makes use of a hypercube processor interconnection network that has the capability to transmit on all wires simultaneously. A set of optimal routing algorithms for any of a plurality of communication tasks are either computed or stored in a memory to direct the interprocessor communication. Each computation task is defined as a plurality of sub-tasks, each sub-task defining a particular hypercube interconnection of the processors. The execution of the plurality of sub-tasks on the hypercube interconnection network implements the computation task.

Abstract: An atmospheric water vapor sensing system using Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) to determine the refractivity and Slant-path Water Vapor (SWV) between an Earth-based GPS receiver and a plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. Either the refractivity measure or the SWV measure can be input directly into weather forecasting models. SWV is the integrated atmospheric water vapor in a column of atmosphere at an acute angular line-of-sight path between the Earth-based GPS receiver and any one of the plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. SWV sensing facilitates atmospheric soundings over land and water to provide global scale high resolution atmospheric tomography for use in operational meteorology and meteorological forecasting.

Abstract: A radar station utilizes fuzzy logic processing to detect atmospheric microburst events. The detection process accesses radar velocity measurements to calculate wind shear and produce a wind shear likelihood image. Reflectivity measurements are used to create a reflectivity likelihood image as an indicator of storm activity. A clutter image of stationary objects close to the radar is used to create a clutter likelihood image as an indicator of false alarms. A weighting factor is applied to each set of wind shear, reflectivity, and clutter likelihood data, and the values are combined to produce a combined likelihood image. The combined likelihood image is subjected to averaging over a fixed area to eliminate spurious readings, and positions having a sufficient size in combination with a likelihood value exceeding a minimum threshold amount are selected as microburst events.

Abstract: The facility for preparing and deploying atmospheric sounding devices of the present invention, makes use of a structure with a retractable cover and a wind deflecting member circumscribing the shelter, to provide a transportable, reliable, and cost effective facility to prepare and deploy lighter-than-air balloons as the vehicle for carrying sounding devices. The facility permits preparation and deployment in any weather condition including, but not limited to, light to heavy winds that would otherwise cause down drafts through the roof opening in the structure.

Abstract: The personal computer based integrated radar acquisition (PIRAQ) system integrates a programmable timing generator, a digital Intermediate Frequency (IF) processor, and a digital signal processor on a standardized personal computer "add-on" electronic circuit module that accepts standard IF input and produces standard radar display outputs. The digital intermediate frequency processor includes an IF pre-processor, a programmable digital matched filter, and a wide dynamic range digital baseband converter. Implementing the PIRAQ system in digital components on a single electronic circuit module for use in a personal computer provides and efficient, low-cost, portable, and programmable high-performance radar acquisition system hardware base from which radar signals can be digitally processed.

Abstract: The mass storage system functions to archive, store, retrieve and manage the plurality of data files that comprise a typical file-system as a single uninterpreted bitfile. Client data processors access this file-system on a shared, channel-attached direct access storage device the same as if the file-system was located on a directly attached direct access storage device belonging exclusively to the client data processor. The direct access storage devices, archival storage devices and the client data processors which move the file-system bitfile between archival storage devices, direct access storage devices for access by the client data processors.

Abstract: A system for concentrating and injecting individual organic components of a gas sample into a gas chromatography system. The concentration and injection system includes a first tube longitudinally disposed within a second tube, with a columnar space therebetween. The second tube carries both a coolant and a heated fluid seriatim, thereby allowing the respective temperature conductors to directly contact the surface of the first tube and efficiently achieve the desired temperatures in the required time frame for optimum separation and sensitive detection of volatile organic compounds within the gas sample. The present system has the additional advantages of providing a flexible freezeout temperature due to the ability to regulate the cryogen flow and a flexible desorption due to the ability to regulate the temperature of the heated fluid held in a reservoir. Further, using a heated fluid coupled with the ability to regulate the fluid's temperature and flow, prevents the problem of overheating the cryotrap.

Abstract: The portable intelligent whole air sampling system performs in situ air sampling over multiple time periods at individually programmable times, rates and volumes. The system contains multiple independent disposable syringes that collectively provide a large sampling capacity for a large number of samples over an extended period. In addition, the unit/sampler features a battery powered system for portability, operational ability in a wide variety of environmental conditions, an internal time stamping feature to record time and date of events, and microprocessor controlled program features for flexible sampling options. The removable cassette/carousel provides sample portability to a sample extraction device that functions opposite the field sample intake device. Sampling system mechanical components include a removable syringe cassette/carousel, a motorized carousel drive, a motorized plunger extractor, and a motorized syringe selection fork.

Abstract: The virtual reality imaging system takes a multidimensional space that contains real world objects and phenomena, be they static or dynamic in nature, and enables a user to define a point and/or a path through this multidimensional space. The apparatus then displays the view to the user that would be seen from the point and/or path through the multidimensional space. This view is filtered through user definable characteristics that refine the real world phenomena and objects to a perspective that is of interest to the user. This filtered view presents the user with a virtual view of the reality contained within this multidimensional space, which virtual reality presents data to the user of only objects, views and phenomena that are of particular interest to the user.

Abstract: A low cost telemetry receiving system for use with an atmospheric sounding device includes an antenna configuration mounted on an azimuthally rotatable platform. The antennas have an asymmetrically shaped receiving beam having a narrow azimuth and wide elevation. The wide elevation is fixed due to a first antenna being oriented zenithally, and a second antenna being oriented horizonally. Rotating an azimuthally rotatable platform facilitates full canopy coverage for receiving telemetry. Determining when to reposition the rotatable platform is accomplished by sensing the strength of telemetry signal by rapidly sequencing the receiving beam so that it sweeps azimuthally within the narrow azimuthal view of the antenna. The platform rotates in the direction the signal is strongest.

Abstract: A multiple-Doppler radar network can be constructed using only one, traditional, transmitting pencil-beam radar and one or more passive, non-transmitting receiving sites. Radiation scattered from the pencil beam of the transmitting radar as it penetrates weather targets can be detected at the receive-only sites as well as at the transmitter. In a bistatic system, the location of targets in Cartesian space can be calculated from the pointing angle of the transmitting antenna and the time between transmission of a radar pulse from the transmitter and detection at a passive receiver site.

Abstract: A multiple Doppler radar network can be constructed using only one, traditional, transmitting pencil-beam radar and one or more passive, non-transmitting receiving sites. Radiation scattered from the pencil beam of the transmitting radar as it penetrates weather targets can be detected at the receive-only sites as well as at the transmitter. In a bistatic system, the location of targets in Cartesian space can be calculated from the pointing angle of the transmitting antenna and the time between transmission of a radar pulse from the transmitter and detection at a passive receiver site.

Abstract: The virtual reality imaging system takes a multidimensional space that contains real world objects and phenomena, be they static or dynamic in nature, and enables a user to define a point and/or a path through this multidimensional space. The apparatus then displays the view to the user that would be seen from the point and/or path through the multidimensional space. This view is filtered through user definable characteristics that refine the real world phenomena and objects to a perspective that is of interest to the user. This filtered view presents the user with a virtual view of the reality contained within this multidimensional space, which virtual reality presents data to the user of only objects, views and phenomena that are of particular interest to the user.