Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Reference Standards”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11

Accuracy assessment: The statistical approach to performance evaluation in LACIE

A statistical methodology was developed to check the accuracy of the products of the experimental operations throughout crop growth and to determine whether the procedures are adequate to accomplish the desired accuracy and reliability goals. It has allowed the identification and isolation of key problems in wheat area yield estimation, some of which have been corrected and some of which remain to be resolved. The major unresolved problem in accuracy assessment is that of precisely estimating the bias of the LACIE production estimator. Topics covered include: (1) evaluation techniques; (2) variance and bias estimation for the wheat production estimate; (3) the 90/90 evaluation; (4) comparison of the LACIE estimate with reference standards; and (5) first and second order error source investigations.

Houston, A. G.↗

Results of the 1980 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

Thirty-eight modules were carried to an altitude of about 36 kilometers. In addition to the cell calibration program, an experiment to evaluate the calibration error versus altitude was performed. The calibrated cells can be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Seaman, C. H.↗

Performance tests of a gas blending system based on mass-flow controllers

The system provides many of the gas mixtures required for calibrating analytical instruments used in engine exhaust gas analysis and is capable of blending from one to four additive gases with either of two carrier gases in concentrations from 20 ppm to 50%. Two mixtures can be flowing simultaneously. Performance tests were made to determine the stability accuracy of the system while it was in limited use for a period of 2 years. The accuracy of the blender was measured by comparing binary mixtures from the blender with National Bureau of Standards standard reference materials. Analytical instruments were used to make these comparisons. The expected accuracy of 2% was obtained in some of the tests, by the majority showed a systematic biAs of -5%. Although these tests revealed subtle instabilities in the flow controllers that contributed to the random scatter of data, the accuracy of wet test meters and bubble flowmeters used for calibration is marginal for this purpose. A simple procedure is recommended that should enable the full potential of the system to be realized.

Evans, A., Jr.↗

Explosive materials equivalency, test methods and evaluation

Attention is given to concepts of explosive equivalency of energetic materials based on specific airblast parameters. A description is provided of a wide bandwidth high accuracy instrumentation system which has been used extensively in obtaining pressure time profiles of energetic materials. The object of the considered test method is to determine the maximum output from the detonation of explosive materials in terms of airblast overpressure and positive impulse. The measured pressure and impulse values are compared with known characteristics of hemispherical TNT data to determine the equivalency of the test material in relation to TNT. An investigation shows that meaningful comparisons between various explosives and a standard reference material such as TNT should be based upon the same parameters. The tests should be conducted under the same conditions.

Koger, D. M.↗

Fabrication division ultrasonic inspection specification for critically stressed components

An ultrasonic inspection specification which incorporates existing industry practices for straight beam modes with a new approach to the angle beam reference standard was developed. The method employs a commercially available letter "I" die stamp to impress a controlled shape ultrasonic reflector using common hand tools. The specification is designed to produce very stringent inspections and is primarily intended for utilization in the grading of material used in high load-low safety factor applications, such as cryogenic wind tunnel models and support hardware.

Berry, R. F., Jr.↗

Results of the 1982 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

The 1982 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed on July 21, meeting all objectives of the program. Twenty-eight modules were carried to an altitude of 36.0 kilometers. The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Downing, R. G.↗

Current status of visibility sensors for aviation

The development of a new increased range higher visibility was investigated. The visibility sensor that is currently is the Transmissometer. Current transmissometer technology provides only a factor of 10 dynamic range with a single base line. The FAA is preparing to install automated weather observing systems (AWOS) at many locations. These systems require visibilities up to approximately 5 miles. To use a transmissometer for this type of measurement, the base line must be about 1,000 feet; where alignment becomes very difficult to maintain. New technologies were developd for measuring visibility. Improved transmissometers, forward-scatter meters and back-scatter meters have become available. A current practical issue for visibility sensors is how to specify one that is good enough to meet the needs of aviation. The first question is what performance is required; how accurately must the sensor measure? Visibility sensors do not actually measure the visibility directly. The purpose of measuring the visibility is to predict what the pilot will see a considerable distance away from the sensor location. The atmosphere introduces considerable variation in the measurement and the basic sensor accuracy needed is difficult to define. The second question for high visibilities is what to use as the standard reference sensor. The third question pertains to the competitive procurement of visibility sensors, which is mandated at present. Two acceptance test procedures to be used to insure satisfactory sensor performance is examined.

David C. Burnham↗

A FMCW Radar Ranging Device for the Teleoperator Maneuvering System

A frequency-modulated continuous wave radar system is under development in the Communications Systems Branch of the Information and Electronic Systems Laboratory at Marshall Space Flight Center. The radar unit is being designed for use on the teleoperator maneuvering system. Its function is to provide millimeter-level accuracy in range and range rate measurements out to a range of thirty meters. This will facilitate soft docking with accuracy. This report is an updating of previous developments reported on this system. An innovation in the system is the utilization of a standard reference signal generated by shunting a portion of the radar energy into a shorted coaxial delay line. The regular radar target return signal is constantly compared with the reference signal to provide internal error compensation. Within a five meter range, a limit imposed by present laboratory dimensions, the radar system exhibits reliable accuracy with range error less than 0.2%.

Mcdonald, M. W.↗

Results of the 1983 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

The 1983 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed and met all objectives of the program. Thirty-four modules were carried to an altitude of 36.0 kilometers. The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays. Cell calibration data are tabulated as well as the repeatability of standard solar cell BFS-17A (35 flights over a 21-year period).

Downing, R. G.↗

Data distribution in the NBS Automated Manufacturing Research Facility

The Automated Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) at the National Bureau of Standards was constructed as a testbed for research in the automation of small batch maufacturing, in particular for systems producing machined parts in lots of 1000 or less. Potential standard interfaces between existing and future components of small batch of factory floor metrology in an automated environment, delivering proven measurement techniques and standard reference materails industry to are identified. Commercially available product are used to construct the facility to expedite transfer of research results into the private sector.

Mitchell, M. J.↗

Advanced photovoltaic experiment (S0014)

The advanced photovoltaics-related experiments for investigating a portion of the solar spectrum and the effect of the space environment on photovoltaics. The information will be used to provide correlation between space and ground testing and also to provide for more accurate performance measurement in the laboratory. Specific objectives of these experiments are to provide information on the performance and endurance of advanced and conventional solar cells, to improve reference standards for photovoltaic measurements, and to measure the energy distribution in the extraterrestrial solar spectrum. Data to be obtained will include temperatures and short-circuit current of the samples. Six-point current-voltage (I-V) characteristics will be obtained for selected samples. These data will be recorded once a day during the flight. Orbit data will be correlated with preflight and postflight measurement of the samples.

Bradhorst, H. W., Jr.↗

Results of the 1984 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

The 1984 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed on July 19, meeting all objectives of the program. Thirty-six modules were carried to an altitude of 36.0 kilometers. The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Downing, R. G.↗

A finding list for the multiplet tables of NSRDS-NBS3, Sections 1-10

The preparation of a magnetic-tape finding list for the first 10 sections of the U.S. National Bureau of Standards Reference Data System (NSRDS-NBS3) tables of optical multiplets of astrophysical interest (Moore, 1965-1983) is reported. The format of the list is described, and a sample page is provided.

Adelman, C. J.↗

The 1982-1984 Eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae

A workshop proceedings concerned with the new data collected during the 1982-1984 eclipse period of the 27-year system Epsilon Aurigae is presented. This binary star has been a classic problem in astrophysics because the opaque eclipsing object is nonstellar, and probably disk shaped. Invited papers concerning the history of the system, optical, infrared and ultraviolet photometry, optical polarimetry and ultraviolet spectroscopy are included. An invited paper concerning comprehensive theoretical interpretation in the context of stellar evolution also is included. The information collected herein is unparalleled in scope and will remain a standard reference until the next eclipse cycle in the year 2009 A.D., in all probability.

Stencel, R. E.↗

Results of the 1985 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

The 1985 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed on July 12, 1985, meeting all objectives of the program. Fifty-seven modules were carried to an altitude of 115,000 ft (35.0 km). The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Anspaugh, B. E.↗

Results of the 1986 NASA/JPL Balloon Flight Solar Calibration Program

The 1986 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed on July 15, 1986, meeting all objectives of the program. Thirty modules were carried to an altitude of 118,000 ft (36.0 km). The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Anspaugh, B. E.↗

Results from the Balloon Ozone Intercomparison Campaign (BOIC)

Data from the BOIC which consisted of three balloon missions conducted in Palestine, Texas from June 1983 to March 1984 are presented. The BOIC was to assess the ability to perform ozone measurements from balloon platforms. The accuracy and precision of the various ozone measurement systems, which were composed of a photometer, a mass spectrometer, and solar UV absorption sensors, are evaluated. The ozone observations obtained with the instruments on the three flight missions are analyzed and intercompared. The flight in situ data are also compared to the National Bureau of Standards reference photometer, satellite measurements, and under simulated stratospheric pressure and ozone concentrations.

Hilsenrath, E.↗