Method and structure for minimizing error sources in image and position sensing detectors

A method and structure for minimizing one or more non-uniformities in image and position sensing detectors are provided. The structure is directed to a focal plane processor for removing non-uniformities which distort the computation of a desired property of an object of interest in an image field. The focal plane processor is capable of selectively disconnecting one or more rows and/or columns from further processing in the imaging array for those rows and/or columns which contribute to the presence of at least one non-uniformity in a video image generated by the focal plane processor. In one embodiment, the disconnection means is embodied as pre-processing circuitry which includes row and column shift registers which provide control signals to area-of-interest (AOI) switches. In another embodiment, the pixels which comprise the focal plane array are constructed in a manner which facilitates their individual isolation

Micro Digital Solar Attitude Detector and Imager

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) has developed the first generation of a micro digital solar attitude detector (DSAD). The micro-DSAD (ìDSAD) design is based on our patented approach of combining a centroiding position-sensitive active-pixel architecture with standard imaging capability for providing optional “engineering channel” images. This approach avoids the need for a DSP (digital signal processor) in computing the position, thus dramatically lowering the required mass and power resources. The ìDSAD technology is presently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5. We have demonstrated robust performance, significant total dose radiation tolerance, and single-event latchup immunity on small format prototype devices. The proposed ìDSAD realizes a significant breakthrough in meeting the requirements for the Sun sensor needed as part of ultra-low-power electronics and avionics. The ìDSAD device can also be used as an medium resolution imager for use in monitoring solar panel, boom, and antenna deployments or for sighting stars or other items of interest. Incorporating the entire sensor and its interface on a single chip enables us to create a sensor small enough to be of great utility in microsatellites for spacecraft formation flying, as well as applicability in nearly all NASA spacecraft missions

Finishing Beef Cattle on Grass with Self-Fed By-Products

There has been increasing interest by consumers in beef from cattle that are finished or fattened “on grass” rather than in a conventional feedlot. Also recently, Iowa has had a proliferation of plants that produce ethanol from corn. The byproduct of this process is distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The objective of this study was to feed beef cattle to market weight by grazing cool-season grass supplemented with self-fed by-product pellets

Performance and Carcass Traits of Market Beef Cattle Supplemented Self-Fed Byproducts on Pasture: Final Report

Over a two year period (2007 and 2008), 162 head of beef steers were finished with self-fed byproducts on cool season grass pastures. Yearling steers were continuously grazed at the Neely-Kinyon Farm in southwest Iowa on cool season grasses that were predominantly fescue at a stocking density of 2.25 head/acre. Half of the cattle were implanted (with Synovex®-S) or half were not. Cattle received a diet of either soyhulls-dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) or ground corn-dried distillers grains with solubles that was offered through self-feeders. The rations were mixed at a 1:1 ratio with a mineral balancer added which included Rumensin®. Live cattle performance and carcass traits were not affected by diet. Implanted cattle outgained non-implanted over the entire finishing period (3.52 lbs/d vs. 3.17 lbs/d). This led to implanted cattle coming off test heavier (1324 lbs vs. 1277 lbs) and railing with heavier carcasses (826 lbs vs. 800 lbs). Ribeye areas were greater (13.1 in2 vs. 12.7 in2) for implanted cattle; which was probably due to the heavier carcass weights. Non-implanted cattle had superior quality grades (55% vs. 40%) of low choice or better. Fatty acid profiles from the first year were analyzed and showed that raw beef samples from cattle on the soyhulls diet had significantly higher C18:2 In conclusion, pasture rearing cattle, when given access to self-fed by-products, provides for excellent performance on both live performance and carcass traits. Some considerations should be made by the feeder in regards to time of year when marketing cattle and the cattle’s genetics. This system is an alternative to high-grain conventional beef finishing production in feedlots

Performance and Carcass Traits of Market Beef Cattle Supplemented Self-Fed Byproducts on Pasture: A Progress Report

Over a two year period (2007 and 2008), 162 head of beef steers were finished with self-fed byproducts on cool season grass pastures. Yearling steers were continuously grazed at the Neely-Kinyon Farm in southwest Iowa on cool season grasses that were predominantly fescue at a stocking density of 2.25 head/acre. Half of the cattle were implanted (with Synovex®-S) or and half were not. Cattle received a diet of either soyhulls-dried distillers grain with solubles or corn-dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) that was offered as a meal through self-feeders. The rations were mixed in at 1:1 with a mineral balancer that included Rumensin®. Live cattle performance and carcass traits were not affected by diet. Implanted cattle outgained non-implanted over the entire finishing period (3.52 lbs/d vs. 3.17 lbs/d). This led to implanted cattle coming off test heavier (1324 lbs vs. 1277 lbs) and railing with heavier carcasses (826 lbs vs. 800 lbs). Ribeye areas were greater (13.1 in 2 vs. 12.7 in 2 ) for implanted cattle; which was probably due to the heavier carcass weights. Non-implanted cattle had superior quality grades (55% vs. 40%) of low choice or better. Year differences in quality grade (1023 vs. 985 in 2007 and 2008, respectively) were observed. This difference was attributed to factors that include genetic makeup of cattle, initial weights of cattle, time of year when cattle were harvested and grading technology. In conclusion, pasture rearing cattle, when given access to self-fed by-products, provides for excellent performance on both live performance and carcass traits. Some considerations should be made by the feeder in regards to time of year when marketing cattle and the cattle’s genetics. This system is an alternative to high-grain conventional beef finishing production in feedlots