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Smith, J. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Smith, J. H..

At least 19 records

Multi-Mission Strategic Technology Prioritization Study

This viewgraph presentation provides an overview of a pilot study intended to demonstrate in an auditable fashion how advanced space technology development can best impact future NASA missions. The study was a joint project by staff members of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The other goals of the study were to show an approach to deal effectively with inter-program analysis trades, and to explore the limits of these approaches and tools in terms of what can be realistically achieved.

Weisbin, C. R.

Reaching Mars: multi-criteria R&D portfolio selection for Mars exploration technology planning

The exploration of Mars has been the focus of increasing scientific interest about the planet and its relationship to Earth. A multi-criteria decision-making approach was developed to address the question, Given a Mars program composed of mission concepts dependent on a variety of alternative technology development programs, which combination of technologies would enable missions to maximize science return under a constrained budget?.

R&D technology planning mathematical programming

Surface transport vehicles and supporting technology requirements

Requirements have been identified for surface transport vehicles which allow remote scientific exploration on the moon, as well as lunar resource recovery and emplacement of a permanent base on the lunar surface. Attention is given to the results of a design study which developed configurational concepts for lunar surface transport vehicles and inferred technology-development requirements, with a view to a phased program of implementation. Distinct benefits are noted for the design of simple vehicle platforms with high commonality, in order to reduce logistical-support requirements and maximize functional flexibility. Two generic vehicle classed are defined.

Matijevic, J. R.

Comparison of Decision Models

Two methods of multiattribute decision analysis compared in report. One method employs linear utility model. Other utilizes multiplicative utility model. Report based on interviews with experts in automotive technology to obtain their preferences regarding 10 new types of vehicles.

Feinberg, A.

Cost and Performance Model for Photovoltaic Systems

Lifetime cost and performance (LCP) model assists in assessment of design options for photovoltaic systems. LCP is simulation of performance, cost, and revenue streams associated with photovoltaic power systems connected to electric-utility grid. LCP provides user with substantial flexibility in specifying technical and economic environment of application.

Borden, C. S.

Photovoltaic performance models - A report card

Models for the analysis of photovoltaic (PV) systems' designs, implementation policies, and economic performance, have proliferated while keeping pace with rapid changes in basic PV technology and extensive empirical data compiled for such systems' performance. Attention is presently given to the results of a comparative assessment of ten well documented and widely used models, which range in complexity from first-order approximations of PV system performance to in-depth, circuit-level characterizations. The comparisons were made on the basis of the performance of their subsystem, as well as system, elements. The models fall into three categories in light of their degree of aggregation into subsystems: (1) simplified models for first-order calculation of system performance, with easily met input requirements but limited capability to address more than a small variety of design considerations; (2) models simulating PV systems in greater detail, encompassing types primarily intended for either concentrator-incorporating or flat plate collector PV systems; and (3) models not specifically designed for PV system performance modeling, but applicable to aspects of electrical system design. Models ignoring subsystem failure or degradation are noted to exclude operating and maintenance characteristics as well.

Smith, J. H.

Spaceborne power systems preference analyses. Volume 1: Summary

Sixteen alternative spaceborne nuclear power system concepts were ranked using multiattribute decision analysis to identify promising concepts for further technology development. Four groups interviewed were: safety, systems definition and design, technology assessment, and mission analysis. The ranking results were consistent from group and for different utility function models for individuals.

Smith, J. H.

Spaceborne power systems preference analyses. Volume 2: Decision analysis

Sixteen alternative spaceborne nuclear power system concepts were ranked using multiattribute decision analysis. The purpose of the ranking was to identify promising concepts for further technology development and the issues associated with such development. Four groups were interviewed to obtain preference. The four groups were: safety, systems definition and design, technology assessment, and mission analysis. The highest ranked systems were the heat-pipe thermoelectric systems, heat-pipe Stirling, in-core thermionic, and liquid-metal thermoelectric systems. The next group contained the liquid-metal Stirling, heat-pipe Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converter (AMTEC), heat-pipe Brayton, liquid-metal out-of-core thermionic, and heat-pipe Rankine systems. The least preferred systems were the liquid-metal AMTEC, heat-pipe thermophotovoltaic, liquid-metal Brayton and Rankine, and gas-cooled Brayton. The three nonheat-pipe technologies selected matched the top three nonheat-pipe systems ranked by this study.

Smith, J. H.

Methods for Cloud Cover Estimation

Several methods for cloud cover estimation are described relevant to assessing the performance of a ground-based network of solar observatories. The methods rely on ground and satellite data sources and provide meteorological or climatological information. One means of acquiring long-term observations of solar oscillations is the establishment of a ground-based network of solar observatories. Criteria for station site selection are: gross cloudiness, accurate transparency information, and seeing. Alternative methods for computing this duty cycle are discussed. The cycle, or alternatively a time history of solar visibility from the network, can then be input to a model to determine the effect of duty cycle on derived solar seismology parameters. Cloudiness from space is studied to examine various means by which the duty cycle might be computed. Cloudiness, and to some extent transparency, can potentially be estimated from satellite data.

Glackin, D. L.

An in-depth review of photovoltaic system performance models

The features, strong points and shortcomings of 10 numerical models commonly applied to assessing photovoltaic performance are discussed. The models range in capabilities from first-order approximations to full circuit level descriptions. Account is taken, at times, of the cell and module characteristics, the orientation and geometry, array-level factors, the power-conditioning equipment, the overall plant performance, O and M effects, and site-specific factors. Areas of improvement and/or necessary extensions are identified for several of the models. Although the simplicity of a model was found not necessarily to affect the accuracy of the data generated, the use of any one model was dependent on the application.

Smith, J. H.

Summary of photovoltaic system performance models

A detailed overview of photovoltaics (PV) performance modeling capabilities developed for analyzing PV system and component design and policy issues is provided. A set of 10 performance models are selected which span a representative range of capabilities from generalized first order calculations to highly specialized electrical network simulations. A set of performance modeling topics and characteristics is defined and used to examine some of the major issues associated with photovoltaic performance modeling. Each of the models is described in the context of these topics and characteristics to assess its purpose, approach, and level of detail. The issues are discussed in terms of the range of model capabilities available and summarized in tabular form for quick reference. The models are grouped into categories to illustrate their purposes and perspectives.

Smith, J. H.

Development of a quantitative basis for selection of spectral features in a vegetation monitoring system

The development of an objective methodology for evaluation of alternative Landsat data preprocessing options, spectral transform features for monitoring vegetation, and feature summarization algorithms is presented. Based on estimates of spectral separability between a target class and its confusion classes, analysis of variance techniques are used to evaluate potential design options for large scale vegetation monitoring systems. Case studies are presented for early season and through the season spring small grains separation and for barley/other spring small grains separation. It is concluded that a basis for efficient, objective selection among alternative feature extraction approaches has been established for the large scale vegetation mapping/inventory problem. Although the approach has been demonstrated for the unitemporal class separability case, extensions to the multitemporal case are under development.

Phinney, D. E.

Simulations as a tool for evaluating Landsat-based crop area estimation systems

An important use of remotely sensed data is in the estimation of agricultural production in foreign areas. Evaluation of such production estimates is difficult because of the lack of independent crop inventories. This paper presents simulation software developed to assess the effects of various factors on the performance of Landsat-based agricultural crop area estimators. An application of the simulator to determine whether the interaction of weather cycles with the Landsat orbital period could induce a systematic bias in large area crop estimates is discussed in detail. The simulation study was performed for the spring grains growing region of the Soviet Union.

Ramey, D. B.