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Bruno, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Bruno, R..

33 records · Page 2

A homotopy approach for combined control-structure optimization - Constructive analysis and numerical examples

This paper outlines the development of methods for the combined control-structure optimization of physical systems encountered in the technology of large space structures. The objectives of the approach taken in this paper is not to produce the 'best' optimized design, but rather to efficiently produce a family of design options so as to assist in early trade studies, typically before hard design constraints are imposed. The philosophy is that these are candidate designs to be passed on for further considerations, and their function is more to guide the development of the system design rather than to represent the ultimate product. A homotopy approach involving multi-objective functions is developed for this purpose. Analytical and numerical examples are also presented.

Scheid, R. E.

Transceiver for Space Station Freedom

This paper describes the design of the Laser Communication Transceiver (LCT) system which was planned to be flight tested as an attached payload on Space Station Freedom. The objective in building and flight-testing the LCT is to perform a broad class of tests addressing the critical aspects of space-based optical communications systems, providing a base of experience for applying laser communications technology toward future communications needs. The LCT's functional and performance requirements and capabilities with respect to acquisition, spatial tracking and pointing, communications, and attitude determination are discussed.

Fitzmaurice, M.

Continuation methods in multiobjective optimization for combined structure control design

A homotopy approach involving multiobjective functions is developed to outline the methods that have evolved for the combined control-structure optimization of physical systems encountered in the technology of large space structures. A method to effect a timely consideration of the control performance prior to the finalization of the structural design involves integrating the control and structural design processes into a unified design methodology that combines the two optimization problems into a single formulation. This study uses the combined optimization problem as a family of weighted structural and control costs. Connections with vector optimizations are described; an analysis of the zero-set of required conditions is made, and a numerical example is given.

Milman, M.

Combined control-structure optimization

An approach for combined control-structure optimization keyed to enhancing early design trade-offs is outlined and illustrated by numerical examples. The approach employs a homotopic strategy and appears to be effective for generating families of designs that can be used in these early trade studies. Analytical results were obtained for classes of structure/control objectives with linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) costs. For these, researchers demonstrated that global optima can be computed for small values of the homotopy parameter. Conditions for local optima along the homotopy path were also given. Details of two numerical examples employing the LQR control cost were given showing variations of the optimal design variables along the homotopy path. The results of the second example suggest that introducing a second homotopy parameter relating the two parts of the control index in the LQG/LQR formulation might serve to enlarge the family of Pareto optima, but its effect on modifying the optimal structural shapes may be analogous to the original parameter lambda.

Salama, M.

Optimal placement of excitations and sensors by simulated annealing

The optimal placement of discrete actuators and sensors is posed as a combinatorial optimization problem. Two examples for truss structures were used for illustration; the first dealt with the optimal placement of passive dampers along existing truss members, and the second dealt with the optimal placement of a combination of a set of actuators and a set of sensors. Except for the simplest problems, an exact solution by enumeration involves a very large number of function evaluations, and is therefore computationally intractable. By contrast, the simulated annealing heuristic involves far fewer evaluations and is best suited for the class of problems considered. As an optimization tool, the effectiveness of the algorithm is enhanced by introducing a number of rules that incorporate knowledge about the physical behavior of the problem. Some of the suggested rules are necessarily problem dependent.

Salama, Moktar

Selection of active member locations in adaptive structures

The effective use of multiple passive and active members in adaptive structures necessitates that these members be optimally distributed throughout the structure. In truss structures, the problem falls into the class of combinatorial optimization for which the solution becomes exceedingly intractable as the problem size increases. This is overcome by using the simulated annealing algorithm to obtain near optimal locations for passive and/or active members. The maximization of the rate of energy dissipation over a finite time period as the measure of optimality is adopted. The selection of optimal locations for both passive and active members is consistently treated through the use of the energy dissipation rate criterion within the simulated annealing algorithm. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the methodology for large truss structures.

Chen, G.-S.

NASA/GSFC program in direct detection optical communications for intersatellite links

NASA-Goddard has undertaken the development of direct-detection optical communications for space applications at the Gbps data rate channel capability level. The primary challenges to optical communications designers lie in the development of reliable optical power sources, as well as of high performance pointing/acquisition/tracking systems required by the narrow widths of the transmitted optical beams. GaAlAs diodes and their arrays are currently the most attractive technology for optical transmitters; pioneering work has also been conducted on dichroic and grating techniques for combining the power of several laser diodes. Attention is given to the performance obtained for an optical link acquisition and submicroradian tracking/pointing system.

Fitzmaurice, M.

Methods for combined control-structure optimization

This paper outlines the development of methods for the combined control-structure optimization of physical systems encountered in the technology of large space structures. The objective of the approach taken in this paper is not to produce the 'best' optimized design, but rather to efficiently produce a family of design options so as to asist in early trade studies, typically before hard design constraints are imposed. The philosophy is that these are candidate designs to be passed on for further consideration, and their function is more to guide the development of the system design rather than to represent the ultimate product. A homotopy approach involving multi-objective functions is developed for this purpose, and a numerical example is presented.

Milman, M.

K-coronameter observations and potential field model comparison in 1976 and 1977

Results of determining the shape and location of the heliospheric current sheet from a potential field model and from K-coronameter observations are compared. Interplanetary magnetic field polarities as observed by IMP 8, Helios 1 and 2, and Voyager 2 spacecraft were used to test the two methods over the period May 1976 to August 1977 throughout 18 Carrington rotations. The computed heliospheric current sheets from both methods had a quasi-stationary four-sector structure and very similar shapes. Agreement between interplanetary magnetic field polarity and the results from the potential field model was found on 79 percent of the days, while agreement between the interplanetary field polarity and the polarities derived from the K-coronameter data was found on 87 percent of the days.

Bruno, R.

Quadrupole distortions of the heliospheric current sheet in 1976 and 1977

Latitudinal variations in the position of the heliospheric current sheet were investigated using interplanetary measurements from Helios A, Helios B, IMP 8, and white light corona measurements in the period May 1976 to May 1977. The latitude of the heliospheric current sheet between 0.3 AU and I AU is consistent with that of the maximum brightness curve of white light polarization brightness at 1.75 solar radii within approximately + or - 7 deg. The combined data sets show that the four-sector magnetic sector pattern observed in the ecliptic plane for most of this epoch could be attributed to a warped current sheet whose shape near the sun resembles a saddle surface that is nearly symmetrical about the equatorial plane. The latitudinal extent of the current sheet is on the average 8 deg and the maximum extent is 15 deg (except on one rotation, when it is 20 deg). These results can be interpreted as a consequence of the solar magnetic field, the dominant components of the field being due to a dipole nearly aligned with the sun's spin axis and a quadrupole component whose strength is about 17 percent of the dipole.

Bruno, R.

Structure of current sheets in the sector boundaries - Helios 2 observations during early 1976

The orientation and structure of 14 current sheets are examined. Most of the observed sheets can be interpreted as tangential discontinuities that are, on the average, inclined at large angles with respect to the ecliptic plane, and have a typical thickness ranging from 1000 to 6000 km. Results do not show any evidence for a variation of the physical characteristics of the boundaries with time or heliocentric distances. The implications of a comparison between present results and the global configuration of the sector boundary surface are discussed, and it is concluded that the multiplicity of events within individual transition regions may suggest fluctuations of the sector boundary surface on the fine scale.

Villante, U.

The shape and location of the sector boundary surface in the inner solar system

Simultaneous observations by Helios 1 and Helios 2 over four solar rotations, between January 20 and May 23, 1976, were used to determine the latitudinal dependence of the polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field within plus or minus 7.23 deg of the solar equator and within 1 AU. The longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the sector boundary crossing are consistent with a warped sector boundary which extended from the sun to 1 AU and was inclined approximately 10 deg with respect to the heliographic equator. This is consistent with simultaneous Pioneer 11 observations, which showed unipolar fields at approximately 16 deg latitude at heliocentric distances greater than 3.5 AU. Two sectors were observed at southern latitudes; however, four sectors were observed at northern latitudes on two rotations, indicating a distortion from planarity of the sector boundary surface.

Villante, U.

An extended investigation of Helios 1 and 2 observations - The interplanetary magnetic field between 0.3 and 1 AU

Helios 1 and 2 spacecraft allowed a detailed investigation of the radial dependence of the interplanetary magnetic field components between 0.3 and 1 AU. The behavior of the radial component is in a very good agreement with Parker's model (approximately equal to the inverse square of the heliocentric distance) and the azimuthal component also shows a radial dependence which is close to theoretical predictions (approximately equal to the inverse of the heliocentric distance). Experimental results for the normal component and for the field magnitude are consistent with those from previous investigations. The relative amplitude of the directional fluctuations with periods less than 12 hr is essentially independent of heliocentric distance, while their power decreases approximately as the inverse cube of the heliocentric distance without any appreciable difference between higher and lower velocity regimes.

Mariani, F.

The shape and location of the sector boundary surface in the inner solar system

Simultaneous observations by Helios-1 and Helios-2 over four solar rotations were used to determine the latitudinal dependence of the polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field within plus or minus 7.23 deg of the solar equator and within 1 AU. The longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the sector boundary crossing are consistent with a warped sector boundary which extended from the sun to 1 AU and was inclined approximately 10 deg with respect to the heliographic equator. This is consistent with simultaneous Pioneer 11 observations, which showed unipolar fields at latitude approximately 16 deg at heliocentric distances greater than 3.5 AU. Two sectors were observed at southern latitudes; however, four sectors were observed at northern latitudes on two rotations, indicating a distortion from planarity of the sectory boundary surface.

Villante, U.