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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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NASA NTRS2012

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2012

Contents of this issue are: (1) Energy-Based Tetrahedron Sensor for High-Temperature, High-Pressure Environments (2) Handheld Universal Diagnostic Sensor (3) Large-Area Vacuum Ultraviolet Sensors (4) Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor System for Monitoring Smart Composite Aerospace Structures (5) Health-Enabled Smart Sensor Fusion Technology (6) Extended-Range Passive RFID and Sensor Tags (7) Hybrid Collaborative Learning for Classification and Clustering in Sensor Networks (8) Self-Healing, Inflatable, Rigidizable Shelter (9) Improvements in Cold-Plate Fabrication (10) Technique for Radiometer and Antenna Array Calibration - TRAAC (11) Real-Time Cognitive Computing Architecture for Data Fusion in a Dynamic Environment (12) Programmable Digital Controller (13) Use of CCSDS Packets Over SpaceWire to Control Hardware (14) Key Decision Record Creation and Approval Module (15) Enhanced Graphics for Extended Scale Range (16) Debris Examination Using Ballistic and Radar Integrated Software (17) Data Distribution System (DDS) and Solar Dynamic Observatory Ground Station (SDOGS) (18) Integration Manager (19) Eclipse-Free-Time Assessment Tool for IRIS (20) Automated and Manual Rocket Crater Measurement Software (21) MATLAB Stability and Control Toolbox Trim and Static Stability Module (22) Patched Conic Trajectory Code (23) Ring Image Analyzer (24) SureTrak Probability of Impact Display (25) Implementation of a Non-Metallic Barrier in an Electric Motor (26) Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Heat Exchangers for the Mars Science Laboratory Rover (27) Uniform Dust Distributor for Testing Radiative Emittance of Dust-Coated Surfaces (28) MicroProbe Small Unmanned Aerial System (29) Highly Stable and Active Catalyst for Sabatier Reactions (30) Better Proton-Conducting Polymers for Fuel-Cell Membranes (31) CCD Camera Lens Interface for Real-Time Theodolite Alignment (32) Peregrine 100-km Sounding Rocket Project (33) SOFIA Closed- and Open-Door Aerodynamic Analyses (34) Sonic Thermometer for High-Altitude Balloons (35) Near-Infrared Photon-Counting Camera for High-Sensitivity Observations (36) Integrated Optics Achromatic Nuller for Stellar Interferometry (37) High-Speed Digital Interferometry (38) Ultra-Miniature Lidar Scanner for Launch Range Data Collection (39) Shape and Color Features for Object Recognition Search (40) Explanation Capabilities for Behavior-Based Robot Control (41) A DNA-Inspired Encryption Methodology for Secure, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (42) Quality Control Method for a Micro-Nano-Channel Microfabricated Device (43) Corner-Cube Retroreflector Instrument for Advanced Lunar Laser Ranging (44) Electrospray Collection of Lunar Dust (45) Fabrication of a Kilopixel Array of Superconducting Microcalorimeters with Microstripline Wiring Spacecraft Attitude Tracking and Maneuver Using Combined Magnetic Actuators (46) Coherent Detector for Near-Angle Scattering and Polarization Characterization of Telescope Mirror Coatings

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1989

High-speed digital fiber optic links for satellite traffic

Large aperture phased array antennas operating at millimeter wave frequencies are designed for space-based communications and imaging platforms. Array elements are comprised of active T/R modules which are linked to the central processing unit through high-speed fiber-optic networks. The system architecture satisfying system requirements at millimeter wave frequency is T/R level data mixing where data and frequency reference signals are distributed independently before mixing at the T/R modules. This paper demonstrates design procedures of a low loss high-speed fiber-optic link used for transmission of data signals over 600-900 MHz bandwidth inside satellite. The fiber-optic link is characterized for transmission of analog and digital data. A dynamic range of 79 dB/MHz was measured for analog data over the bandwidth. On the other hand, for bursted SMSK satellite traffic at 220 Mbps rates, BER of 2 x 10 to the -7th was measured for E(b)/N(o) of 14.3 dB.

Daryoush, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Channel assignments and array gain bounds for the Ka-band array feed compensation system

The performance of a real-time digital combining system for use with array feeds was considered previously. The purpose of the combining operation is to recover signal to noise ratio (SNR) losses due to antenna deformations and atmospheric effects. Previously, arbitrary signal powers and noise variances were assumed, but no attempt was made to match the receiver channels to the available signal powers. It is shown that for any signal power and noise variance distribution, a best channel assignment exists that maximizes the combined SNR in the limit of vanishingly small combining losses. This limit can be approached in practice by observing sufficiently many samples. Specific signal power and noise variance distributions are considered, and it is shown that even relatively noisy channels can be used effectively to recover SNR losses resulting from signals diverted out of a high-quality channel by antenna deformations.

Vilnrotter, V. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High voltage systems (tube-type microwave)/low voltage system (solid-state microwave) power distribution

SPS satellite power distribution systems are described. The reference Satellite Power System (SPS) concept utilizes high-voltage klystrons to convert the onboard satellite power from dc to RF for transmission to the ground receiving station. The solar array generates this required high voltage and the power is delivered to the klystrons through a power distribution subsystem. An array switching of solar cell submodules is used to maintain bus voltage regulation. Individual klystron dc voltage conversion is performed by centralized converters. The on-board data processing system performs the necessary switching of submodules to maintain voltage regulation. Electrical power output from the solar panels is fed via switch gears into feeder buses and then into main distribution buses to the antenna. Power also is distributed to batteries so that critical functions can be provided through solar eclipses.

Nussberger, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Data distribution satellite

The Data Distribution Satellite (DDS), operating in conjunction with the planned space network, the National Research and Education Network and its commercial derivatives, would play a key role in networking the emerging supercomputing facilities, national archives, academic, industrial, and government institutions. Centrally located over the United States in geostationary orbit, DDS would carry sophisticated on-board switching and make use of advanced antennas to provide an array of special services. Institutions needing continuous high data rate service would be networked together by use of a microwave switching matrix and electronically steered hopping beams. Simultaneously, DDS would use other beams and on board processing to interconnect other institutions with lesser, low rate, intermittent needs. Dedicated links to White Sands and other facilities would enable direct access to space payloads and sensor data. Intersatellite links to a second generation ATDRS, called Advanced Space Data Acquisition and Communications System (ASDACS), would eliminate one satellite hop and enhance controllability of experimental payloads by reducing path delay. Similarly, direct access would be available to the supercomputing facilities and national data archives. Economies with DDS would be derived from its ability to switch high rate facilities amongst users needed. At the same time, having a CONUS view, DDS would interconnect with any institution regardless of how remote. Whether one needed high rate service or low rate service would be immaterial. With the capability to assign resources on demand, DDS will need only carry a portion of the resources needed if dedicated facilities were used. Efficiently switching resources to users as needed, DDS would become a very feasible spacecraft, even though it would tie together the space network, the terrestrial network, remote sites, 1000's of small users, and those few who need very large data links intermittently.

Stevens, Grady H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Recent advances in antenna synthesis.

A technique for the synthesis of planar aperture antennas has been developed. It applies equally well to continuous or array type apertures. Patterns with shaped main beams and complex sidelobe structures can be synthesized. The method involves applying corrections iteratively and converging toward the desired pattern. The iteration process terminates when the synthesized pattern approximates the desired pattern to within a specified tolerance. A computer program has been written to perform all calculations. The source distribution which is required to produce the synthesized pattern is provided as output. The method is such that patterns requiring complex source distributions will not be synthesized (such as superdirective patterns).

Stutzman, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design and breadboard evaluation of the SPS reference phase control system concept

Efficient operation of a very large phased array such as the proposed solar power satellite, requires precision focusing and pointing of the power beam; i.e., the power beam must have a planar wavefront directed precisely at the center of the target antenna (rectenna). To maintain such a power beam requires real-time phase compensation at each subaperture in order to adjust for structural deformations and other transitory factors. In the current solar power satellite (SPS) baseline, the spaceborne antenna (Spacetenna) is an active retrodirective array. A pilot signal transmitted from the center of the rectenna is phase-conjugated at each subaperture (power module) of the spacetenna, thereby assuring that the radiated composite wave is focused on the target. This scheme requires a large amount of precision electronic circuitry on the spacetenna. Specifically, pilot receivers must be located at each power module and an adaptive distribution network is required in order to provide a properly phased reference signal at each conjugator.

Hopkins, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A new antenna concept for satellite communications

A novel antenna configuration of two reflecting surfaces and a phased array is examined for application to satellite communications and shown to be superior in every respect to earlier designs for service to the continental United States from synchronous orbit. The vignetting that afflicts other two reflector optical systems is eliminated by use of a reflecting field element. The remaining aberrations, predominantly coma, are isolated in the time delay distribution at the surface of the array and can be compensated by ordinary array techniques. The optics exhibits infinite bandwidth and the frequency range is limited only by the design of the array.

Skahill, G.↗
NASA NTRS2009

DSN Simulator

The DSN Simulator (wherein DSN signifies NASA's Deep Space Network) is an updated version of the software described in DSN Array Simulator (NPO-44506), Software Tech Briefs (Special supplement to NASA Tech Briefs), Vol. 32, No. 9 (September 2008), page 26. To recapitulate: This software is used for computational modeling of proposed DSN facilities comprising arrays of antennas and transmitting and receiving equipment for microwave communication with spacecraft on interplanetary missions. Such modeling is performed to estimate facility performance, evaluate requirements that govern facility design, and evaluate proposed improvements in hardware and/or software. The software includes a Monte Carlo simulation component that enables rapid generation of key mission-set metrics (e.g., numbers of links, data rates, and data volumes), and statistical distributions thereof as functions of time. The prior version of the software could model only one DSN facility at a time and included hard-coded, unconfigurable metrics. The present updated version is capable of modeling the entire DSN and provides for configurable metrics, making it possible to perform loading analyses for alternative future DSN architectures and mission-set scenarios. The present version also features an improved user interface and interfaces for exchange of data with other DSN software and with a DSN mission model database.

Fijany, Amir↗
NASA NTRS2000

Low-Cost Tracking Ground Terminal Designed to Use Cryogenically Cooled Electronics

A computer-controlled, tracking ground terminal will be assembled at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field to receive signals transmitted by the Glenn's Direct Data Distribution (D3) payload planned for a shuttle flight in low Earth orbit. The terminal will enable direct data reception of up to two 622-megabits-per-second (Mbps) beams from the space-based, K-band (19.05-GHz) transmitting array at an end-user bit error rate of up to 10(exp -12). The ground terminal will include a 0.9-m-diameter receive-only Cassegrain reflector antenna with a corrugated feed horn incorporating a dual circularly polarized, K-band feed assembly mounted on a multiaxis, gimbaled tracking pedestal as well as electronics to receive the downlink signals. The tracking system will acquire and automatically track the shuttle through the sky for all elevations greater than 20 above the horizon. The receiving electronics for the ground terminal consist of a six-pole microstrip bandpass filter, a three-stage monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifier, and a Stirling cycle cryocooler (1 W at 80 K). The Sterling cycle cryocooler cools the front end of the receiver, also known as the low-noise amplifier (LNA), to about 77 K. Cryocooling the LNA significantly increases receiver performance, which is necessary so that it can use the antenna, which has an aperture of only 0.9 m. The following drawing illustrates the cryoterminal.

Wald, Lawrence W.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Initial Results of the Geosynchronous Synthetic Thinned Array Radiometer (GeoSTAR)

An error budget is presented to meet 1 Kelvin radiometric accuracy in a geostationary atmospheric sounder with 50 km spatial resolution on the earth. The gain and phase errors are weighted by the magnitude of visibility versus antenna separation, and requirements range between approx.0.5% and 0.3 degrees of amplitude and phase, respectively, for the closest spacings at the center of the array, and about 5% and 3 degrees for the majority of the array. The latter requirement is met by our design without any special testing or stabilizations by reference signals. The former is met using an internal noise diode reference and by measuring the detailed antenna patterns on the antenna range. Biases and other additive errors in the raw visibility samples must be below about 2 mK on average, and this requirement is met by a phase shifting scheme applied to the local oscillator distribution. An outline of the data processing is presented, along with the first images from this system.

Synthetic Thinned Aperture Radiometer (STAR)↗
NASA NTRS2013

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2013

Topics include: ISS Ammonia Leak Detection Through X-Ray Fluorescence; A System for Measuring the Sway of the Vehicle Assembly Building; Fast, High-Precision Readout Circuit for Detector Arrays; Victim Simulator for Victim Detection Radar; Hydrometeor Size Distribution Measurements by Imaging the Attenuation of a Laser Spot; Quasi-Linear Circuit; High-Speed, High-Resolution Time-to-Digital Conversion; Li-Ion Battery and Supercapacitor Hybrid Design for Long Extravehicular Activities; Ultrasonic Low-Friction Containment Plate for Thermal and Ultrasonic Stir Weld Processes; High-Powered, Ultrasonically Assisted Thermal Stir Welding; Next-Generation MKIII Lightweight HUT/Hatch Assembly; Centrifugal Sieve for Gravity-Level-Independent Size; Segregation of Granular Materials; Ion Exchange Technology Development in Support of the Urine Processor Assembly; Nickel-Graphite Composite Compliant Interface and/or Hot Shoe Material; UltraSail CubeSat Solar Sail Flight Experiment; Mechanism for Deploying a Long, Thin-Film Antenna From a Rover; Counterflow Regolith Heat Exchanger; Acquisition and Retaining Granular Samples via a Rotating Coring Bit; Very-Low-Cost, Rugged Vacuum System; Medicine Delivery Device With Integrated Sterilization and Detection; FRET-Aptamer Assays for Bone Marker Assessment, C-Telopeptide, Creatinine, and Vitamin D; Multimode Directional Coupler for Utilization of Harmonic Frequencies from TWTAs; Dual-Polarization, Multi-Frequency Antenna Array for use with Hurricane Imaging Radiometer; Complementary Barrier Infrared Detector (CBIRD) Contact Methods; Autonomous Control of Space Nuclear Reactors; High-Power, High-Speed Electro-Optic Pockels Cell Modulator; Covariance Analysis Tool (G-CAT) for Computing Ascent, Descent, and Landing Errors; Enigma Version 12; Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) Shield Ballistic Limit Analysis Program; Spitzer Telemetry Processing System; Planetary Protection Bioburden Analysis Program; Wing Leading Edge RCC Rapid Response Damage Prediction Tool (IMPACT2); ISSM: Ice Sheet System Model; Automated Loads Analysis System (ATLAS); Integrated Main Propulsion System Performance Reconstruction Process/Models. Phoenix Telemetry Processor; Contact Graph Routing Enhancements Developed in ION for DTN; GFEChutes Lo-Fi; Advanced Strategic and Tactical Relay Request Management for the Mars Relay Operations Service; Software for Generating Troposphere Corrections for InSAR Using GPS and Weather Model Data; Ionospheric Specifications for SAR Interferometry (ISSI); Implementation of a Wavefront-Sensing Algorithm; Sally Ride EarthKAM - Automated Image Geo-Referencing Using Google Earth Web Plug-In; Trade Space Specification Tool (TSST) for Rapid Mission Architecture (Version 1.2); Acoustic Emission Analysis Applet (AEAA) Software; Memory-Efficient Onboard Rock Segmentation; Advanced Multimission Operations System (ATMO); Robot Sequencing and Visualization Program (RSVP); Automating Hyperspectral Data for Rapid Response in Volcanic Emergencies; Raster-Based Approach to Solar Pressure Modeling; Space Images for NASA JPL Android Version; Kinect Engineering with Learning (KEWL); Spacecraft 3D Augmented Reality Mobile App; MPST Software: grl_pef_check; Real-Time Multimission Event Notification System for Mars Relay; SIM_EXPLORE: Software for Directed Exploration of Complex Systems; Mobile Timekeeping Application Built on Reverse-Engineered JPL Infrastructure; Advanced Query and Data Mining Capabilities for MaROS; Jettison Engineering Trajectory Tool; MPST Software: grl_suppdoc; PredGuid+A: Orion Entry Guidance Modified for Aerocapture; Planning Coverage Campaigns for Mission Design and Analysis: CLASP for DESDynl; and Space Place Prime.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2010

The Deep Space Network Advanced Systems Program

The deep space network (DSN)--with its three complexes in Goldstone, California, Madrid, Spain, and Canberra, Australia--provides the resources to track and communicate with planetary and deep space missions. Each complex consists of an array of capabilities for tracking probes almost anywhere in the solar system. A number of innovative hardware, software and procedural tools are used for day-to-day operations at DSN complexes as well as at the network control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Systems and technologies employed by the network include large-aperture antennas (34-m and 70-m), cryogenically cooled receivers, high-power transmitters, stable frequency and timing distribution assemblies, modulation and coding schemes, spacecraft transponders, radiometric tracking techniques, etc. The DSN operates at multiple frequencies, including the 2-GHz band, the 7/8-GHz band, and the 32/34-GHz band.

tracking↗
NASA NTRS2002

A Lightning Channel Retrieval Algorithm for the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (LMA)

A new multi-station VHF time-of-arrival (TOA) antenna network is, at the time of this writing, coming on-line in Northern Alabama. The network, called the Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), employs GPS timing and detects VHF radiation from discrete segments (effectively point emitters) that comprise the channel of lightning strokes within cloud and ground flashes. The network will support on-going ground validation activities of the low Earth orbiting Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) satellite developed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama. It will also provide for many interesting and detailed studies of the distribution and evolution of thunderstorms and lightning in the Tennessee Valley, and will offer many interesting comparisons with other meteorological/geophysical wets associated with lightning and thunderstorms. In order to take full advantage of these benefits, it is essential that the LMA channel mapping accuracy (in both space and time) be fully characterized and optimized. In this study, a new revised channel mapping retrieval algorithm is introduced. The algorithm is an extension of earlier work provided in Koshak and Solakiewicz (1996) in the analysis of the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) system. As in the 1996 study, direct algebraic solutions are obtained by inverting a simple linear system of equations, thereby making computer searches through a multi-dimensional parameter domain of a Chi-Squared function unnecessary. However, the new algorithm is developed completely in spherical Earth-centered coordinates (longitude, latitude, altitude), rather than in the (x, y, z) cartesian coordinates employed in the 1996 study. Hence, no mathematical transformations from (x, y, z) into spherical coordinates are required (such transformations involve more numerical error propagation, more computer program coding, and slightly more CPU computing time). The new algorithm also has a more realistic definition of source altitude that accounts for Earth oblateness (this can become important for sources that are hundreds of kilometers away from the network). In addition, the new algorithm is being applied to analyze computer simulated LMA datasets in order to obtain detailed location/time retrieval error maps for sources in and around the LMA network. These maps will provide a more comprehensive analysis of retrieval errors for LMA than the 1996 study did of LDAR retrieval errors. Finally, we note that the new algorithm can be applied to LDAR, and essentially any other multi-station TWA network that depends on direct line-of-site antenna excitation.

Koshak, William↗
NASA NTRS2012

Experimental Evaluation of the "Polished Panel Optical Receiver" Concept on the Deep Space Network's 34 Meter Antenna

The potential development of large aperture ground-based "photon bucket" optical receivers for deep space communications has received considerable attention recently. One approach currently under investigation proposes to polish the aluminum reflector panels of 34-meter microwave antennas to high reflectance, and accept the relatively large spotsize generated by even state-of-the-art polished aluminum panels. Here we describe the experimental effort currently underway at the Deep Space Network (DSN) Goldstone Communications Complex in California, to test and verify these concepts in a realistic operational environment. A custom designed aluminum panel has been mounted on the 34 meter research antenna at Deep-Space Station 13 (DSS-13), and a remotely controlled CCD camera with a large CCD sensor in a weather-proof container has been installed next to the subreflector, pointed directly at the custom polished panel. Using the planet Jupiter as the optical point-source, the point-spread function (PSF) generated by the polished panel has been characterized, the array data processed to determine the center of the intensity distribution, and expected communications performance of the proposed polished panel optical receiver has been evaluated.

photon counting detection↗
NASA NTRS1983

Scanning beam antenna conceptual design for 20/30 GHz satellite systems

The configuration described is one of four antenna system configurations developed using a variety of monolithic microwave integrated circuit module arrangements and optical systems. A parametric analysis is expected to produce a data base for the selection of design points for a variety of applications. Soon to be accomplished is the design concept of the active (lens) array, which will take into consideration such factors as, coupling effects, the space-fed power divider network design, input bias and control layout, investigation of thermal distribution, and analysis of module failure (graceful degradation).

Smetana, J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Analysis of Superconducting Magnet Quench Antenna Data

Quenching poses a serious problem for superconducting magnets operating at high currents. It occurs when the material transitions from the superconducting to the normal state, which leads to heating and potential damage to the magnet. To understand and mitigate quenching, the Magnet Department at Fermilab is developing and testing superconducting magnet quench antenna arrays. This study delves into the anomalous events preceding the quench during magnet training by analyzing the collected data. With the moving average and Fast Fourier Transform techniques, we investigate the trends and frequency patterns of the data. Moreover, we introduce an unsupervised anomaly detection algorithm based on Principal Component Analysis and DBSCAN clustering. It can autonomously identify events within background noise, without relying on any predefined event features. Our analysis reveals that the spatio-temporal distribution of these anomalous events has little connection to the quench location, indicating that a majority of them bear no relation to the quenching process.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1981

Transfer-matrices for series-type microwave antenna circuits

Transfer matrices are developed which permit analysis and computer evaluation of certain series type microwave antenna circuits associated with an L-Band microwave radiometer (LBMR) under investigation at Goddard Space Flight Center. This radiometer is one of several diverse instrument designs to be used for the determination of soil moisture, sea state, salinity, and temperature data. Four port matrix notation is used throughout for the evaluation of LBMR circuits with mismatched couplers and lossy transmission lines. Matrix parameters in examples are predicted on an impedance analysis and an assumption of an array aperture distribution. The notation presented is easily adapted to longer and more varied chains of matrices, and to matrices of larger dimension.

Schmidt, R. F.↗