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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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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

The phase of the crosspolarized signal generated by millimeter wave propagation through rain

Proposed schemes for cancelling rain-induced crosstalk in dual-polarized communications systems depend upon the phase relationships between the wanted and unwanted signals. This report investigates the phase relationship of the rain-generated crosspolarized signal relative to the copolarized signal. Theoretical results obtained from a commonly accepted propagation model are presented. Experimental data from the Communications Technology Satellite beacon and from the Comstar beacon are presented and the correlation between theory and data is discussed. An inexpensive semi-adaptive cancellation system is proposed and its performance expectations are presented. The implications of phase variations on a cancellation system are also discussed.

Overstreet, W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A formal model of asynchronous communication and its use in mechanically verifying a biphase mark protocol

In this paper we present a formal model of asynchronous communication as a function in the Boyer-Moore logic. The function transforms the signal stream generated by one processor into the signal stream consumed by an independently clocked processor. This transformation 'blurs' edges and 'dilates' time due to differences in the phases and rates of the two clocks and the communications delay. The model can be used quantitatively to derive concrete performance bounds on asynchronous communications at ISO protocol level 1 (physical level). We develop part of the reusable formal theory that permits the convenient application of the model. We use the theory to show that a biphase mark protocol can be used to send messages of arbitrary length between two asynchronous processors. We study two versions of the protocol, a conventional one which uses cells of size 32 cycles and an unconventional one which uses cells of size 18. We conjecture that the protocol can be proved to work under our model for smaller cell sizes and more divergent clock rates but the proofs would be harder.

Moore, J. Strother↗
NASA NTRS1972

The pseudonoise test set: Communication system's performance evaluation based upon RMS error testing

A pseudonoise (PN) test set was built to provide a relatively easy means of accurately determining the end-to-end rms error introduced by a communication system when subjected to wideband data. It utilizes a filtered pseudorandom sequence generator as a wideband data source, providing a convenient means for digitally delaying the input reference signal for comparison with the distorted test communication system output. In addition to providing a means to measure the end-to-end rms error and the average delay of a communication system, the PN test set also provides a means to determine the tested system's impulse response and correlation function. The theory of PN testing is discussed in detail along with the most difficult aspects of implementation, the building of matched filter pairs. Both analytical and empirical results are reported which support the contentions that this is an accurate and practical way to acquire figures of merit for complete communication systems.

Wallace, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A CDMA synchronisation scheme

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is known to decrease inter-service interference in Satellite Communication Systems. Its performance is increased by chip quasi-synchronous operation which virtually eliminates the self-noise; however, the theory shows that the time error on the synchronization has to be kept at less than one tenth of a chip which, for 1 Mchip/sec. spreading rate, corresponds to 10(exp -7) sec. This, on the return-link, may only be achieved by means of a closed loop control system which, for mobile communication systems, has to be capable of autonomous operation. Until now some results have been reported on the feasibility of chip quasi-synchronous operation for mobile communication systems only including satellites on GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit). In what follows, the basic principles are exposed, and results are presented showing how low chip synchronism error may be achieved by means of an autonomous control loop operating through satellites on any Earth orbit.

Soprano, C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The Rb 780-nanometer Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter: Theory and experiment

The Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter may provide ultra-high background noise rejection for free-space laser communications systems. The theoretical model for the filter is reported. The experimental measurements and their comparison with theoretical results are discussed. The results show that the filter can provide a 56-dB solar background noise rejection with about a 2-GHz transmission bandwidth and no image degradation. To further increase the background noise rejection, a composite Zeeman and Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter is designed and experimentally demonstrated.

Yin, B.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Maximum Entropy Principle in Deep Thermalization and in Hilbert-Space Ergodicity

We report universal statistical properties displayed by ensembles of pure states that naturally emerge in quantum many-body systems. Specifically, two classes of state ensembles are considered: those formed by (i) the temporal trajectory of a quantum state under unitary evolution or (ii) the quantum states of small subsystems obtained by partial, local projective measurements performed on their complements. These cases, respectively, exemplify the phenomena of “Hilbert-space ergodicity” and “deep thermalization.” In both cases, the resultant ensembles are defined by a simple principle: The distributions of pure states have maximum entropy, subject to constraints such as energy conservation, and effective constraints imposed by thermalization. We present and numerically verify quantifiable signatures of this principle by deriving explicit formulas for all statistical moments of the ensembles, proving the necessary and sufficient conditions for such universality under widely accepted assumptions, and describing their measurable consequences in experiments. We further discuss information-theoretic implications of the universality: Our ensembles have maximal information content while being maximally difficult to interrogate, establishing that generic quantum state ensembles that occur in nature hide (scramble) information as strongly as possible. Our results generalize the notions of Hilbert-space ergodicity to time-independent Hamiltonian dynamics and deep thermalization from infinite to finite effective temperature. Our work presents new perspectives to characterize and understand universal behaviors of quantum dynamics using statistical and information-theoretic tools.

Eigenstate thermalization↗
NASA NTRS1971

Bias and spread in EVT performance tests.

Performance tests (error probability measurements) of communications systems characterized by low bit rates and high reliability requirements frequently utilize classical extreme value theory (EVT) to avoid the excessive test times encountered with bit error rate (BER) tests. If the underlying noise is Gaussian or perturbed Gaussian, the EVT error estimates have either excessive bias or excessive variance if an insufficient number of test samples is used. EVT is examined to explain the cause of this bias and spread. Experimental verification is made by testing a known Gaussian source, and procedures that minimize these effects are described. It seems apparent that even under the best of conditions the EVT test results are not particularly better than those of BER tests.

Smith, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Optimum design and performance of Costas receivers containing soft bandpass limiters

This paper investigates several key questions concerning the mechanization and design of a Costas receiver for reconstruction of a carrier from a suppressed carrier signal. For baseband NRZ encoded data symbols and a soft bandpass limiter preceding the loop, several design issues which are considered herein and which affect acquisition and tracking performance are: (1) The choice of an IF bandwidth. (2) The optimum choice of the Costas arm filter bandwidths as well as the spectral roll-off characteristics. (3) The optimum choice of loop bandwidth to data rate ratio for a given signal-to-noise ratio. (4) The signal suppression factor and the combined limiter-squaring loss. (5) The variations in loop bandwidth and damping with signal level. (6) The choice of the limiter transfer characteristic. (7) Performance degradation due to the presence of a limiter. Various new results in system design are presented and typical numerical results are given and graphically demonstrated in SNR regions of practical interest. The theory is applicable to the design of carrier reconstruction loops required in the implementation of spread spectrum communication receivers.

Lindsey, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Magnetocentrifugally driven flows from young stars and disks. 1: A generalized model

We propose a generalized model for stellar spin-down, disk accretion, and truncation, and the origin of winds, jets, and bipolar outflows from young stellar objects. We consider the steady state dynamics of accretion of matter from a viscous and imperfectly conducting disk onto a young star with a strong magnetic field. For an aligned stellar magnetosphere, shielding currents in the surface layers of the disk prevent stellar field lines from penetrating the disk everywhere except for a range of radii about pi = R(sub x), where the Keplerian angular speed of rotation Omega(sub x) equals the angular speed of the star Omega(sub *). For the low disk accretion rates and high magnetic fields associated with typical T Tauri stars, R(sub x) exceeds the radius of the star R(sub *) by a factor of a few, and the inner disk is effectively truncated at a radius R(sub t) somewhat smaller than R(sub x). Where the closed field lines between R(sub t) and R(sub x) bow sufficiently inward, the accreting gas attaches itself to the field and is funneled dynamically down the effective potential (gravitational plus centrifugal) onto the star. Contrary to common belief, the accompanying magnetic torques associated with this accreting gas may transfer angular momentum mostly to the disk rather than to the star. Thus, the star can spin slowly as long as R(sub x) remains significantly greater than R(sub *). Exterior to R(sub x) field lines threading the disk bow outward, which makes the gas off the mid-plane rotate at super-Keplerian velocities. This combination drives a magnetocentrifugal wind with a mass-loss rate M(sub w) equal to a definite fraction f of the disk accretion rate M(sub D). For high disk accretion rates, R(sub x) is forced down to the stellar surface, the star is spun to breakup, and the wind is generated in a manner identical to that proposed by Shu, Lizano, Ruden, & Najita in a previous communication to this journal. In two companion papers (II and III), we develop a detailed but idealized theory of the magnetocentrifugal acceleration process.

Shu, Frank↗
NASA NTRS2004

Laser Ranging to the Moon, Mars and Beyond

Current and future optical technologies will aid exploration of the Moon and Mars while advancing fundamental physics research in the solar system. Technologies and possible improvements in the laser-enabled tests of various physical phenomena are considered along with a space architecture that could be a cornerstone for robotic and human exploration in the solar system. In particular, accurate ranging to the Moon and Mars would not only lead to construction of a new space communication infrastructure enabling improved navigational accuracy, but would provide a significant improvement in several tests of gravitational theory: the equivalence principle, geodetic precession, PPN parameters beta and gamma, and the constancy of the gravitational constant G. Other tests would become possible with an optical architecture that would allow proceeding from cm to mm to sub-mm range accuracies. Looking to future exploration, what characteristics are desired for the next generation of ranging devices, what is the optimal architecture that would benefit both space exploration and fundamental physics, and what fundamental questions can be investigated?

Turyshev, Slava G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

VICAR image processing system guide to system use

The functional characteristics and operating requirements of the VICAR (Video Image Communication and Retrieval) system are described. An introduction to the system describes the functional characteristics and the basic theory of operation. A brief description of the data flow as well as tape and disk formats is also presented. A formal presentation of the control statement formats is given along with a guide to usage of the system. The guide provides a step-by-step reference to the creation of a VICAR control card deck. Simple examples are employed to illustrate the various options and the system response thereto.

Seidman, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Subreflector extension for improved efficiencies in Cassegrain antennas - GTD/PO analysis

Both offset and symmetric Cassegrain reflector antennas are used in satellite and ground communication systems. It is known that the subreflector diffraction can degrade the performance of these reflectors. A geometrical theory of diffraction/physical optics analysis technique is used to investigate the effects of the extended subreflector, beyond its optical rim, on the reflector efficiency and far-field patterns. Representative numerical results are shown for an offset Cassegrain reflector antenna with different feed illumination tapers and subreflector extensions. It is observed that for subreflector extensions as small as one wavelength, noticeable improvements in the overall efficiencies can be expected. Useful design data are generated for the efficiency curves and far-field patterns.

Rahmat-Samii, Yahya↗
NASA NTRS2003

Kinetics of Nucleation and Crystal Growth in Glass Forming Melts in Microgravity

This flight definition project has the specific objective of investigating the kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth in high temperature inorganic oxide, glass forming melts in microgravity. It is related to one1 of our previous NASA projects that was concerned with glass formation for high temperature containerless melts in microgravity. The previous work culminated in two experiments which were conducted aboard the space shuttle in 1983 and 1985 and which consisted of melting (at 1500 C) and cooling levitated 6 to 8 mm diameter spherical samples in a Single Axis Acoustic Levitator (SAAL) furnace. Compared to other types of materials, there have been relatively few experiments, 6 to 8, conducted on inorganic glasses in space. These experiments have been concerned with mass transport (alkali diffusion), containerless melting, critical cooling rate for glass formation, chemical homogeneity, fiber pulling, and crystallization of glass forming melts. One of the most important and consistent findings in all of these experiments has been that the glasses prepared in microgravity are more resistant to crystallization (better glass former) and more chemically homogeneous than equivalent glasses made on earth (1g). The chemical composition of the melt appears relatively unimportant since the same general results have been reported for oxide, fluoride and chalcogenide melts. These results for space-processed glasses have important implications, since glasses with a higher resistance to crystallization or higher chemical homogeneity than those attainable on earth can significantly advance applications in areas such as fiber optics communications, high power laser glasses, and other photonic devices where glasses are the key functional materials. The classical theories for nucleation and crystal growth for a glass or melt do not contain any parameter that is directly dependent upon the g-value, so it is not readily apparent why glasses prepared in microgravity should be more resistant to crystallization than equivalent glasses prepared on earth. Similarly, the gravity-driven convection in a fluid melt is believed to be the primary force field that is responsible for melt homogenization on earth. Thus, it is not obvious why a glass prepared in space, where gravity-driven convection is ideally absent, would be more chemically homogeneous than a glass identically prepared on earth. The primary objective of the present research is to obtain experimental data for the nucleation rate and crystal growth rate for a well characterized silicate melt (lithium disilicate) processed entirely in space (low gravity) and compare these rates with the nucleation and crystal growth rates for a similar glass prepared identically on earth (1g).

Day, Delbert E.↗
NASA NTRS2005

An Analysis of Risk and Function Information in Early Stage Design

The concept of function offers a high potential for thinking and reasoning about designs as well as providing a common thread for relating together other design information. This paper focuses specifically on the relation between function and risk by examining how this information is addressed for a design team conducting early stage design for space missions. Risk information is decomposed into a set of key attributes which are then used to scrutinize the risk information using three approaches from the pragmatics sub-field of linguistics: i) Gricean, ii) Relevance Theory, and Functional Analysis. Results of this linguistics-based approach descriptively account for the context of designer communication with respect to function and risk, and offer prescriptive guidelines for improving designer communication.

Barrientos, Francesca↗
NASA NTRS2013

From STEM to STEAM: Toward a Human-Centered Education

The 20th century was based on local linear engineering of complicated systems. We made cars, airplanes and chemical plants for example. The 21st century has opened a new basis for holistic non-linear design of complex systems, such as the Internet, air traffic management and nanotechnologies. Complexity, interconnectivity, interaction and communication are major attributes of our evolving society. But, more interestingly, we have started to understand that chaos theories may be more important than reductionism, to better understand and thrive on our planet. Systems need to be investigated and tested as wholes, which requires a cross-disciplinary approach and new conceptual principles and tools. Consequently, schools cannot continue to teach isolated disciplines based on simple reductionism. Science; Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) should be integrated together with the Arts1 to promote creativity together with rationalization, and move to STEAM (with an "A" for Arts). This new concept emphasizes the possibility of longer-term socio-technical futures instead of short-term financial predictions that currently lead to uncontrolled economies. Human-centered design (HCD) can contribute to improving STEAM education technologies, systems and practices. HCD not only provides tools and techniques to build useful and usable things, but also an integrated approach to learning by doing, expressing and critiquing, exploring possible futures, and understanding complex systems.

Boy, Guy A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Operation and maintenance, fire rescue air-pack. Volume 2: Communications

The operation and maintenance procedures are described for the development model of the fire rescue air pack (FRAP) voice amplifier assembly, including the battery charger. Operational instructions include a general description of the assembly, specifications, and installation and operation. Maintenance instructions include theory of operation, preventive maintenance, repair, adjustment, and a parts list. The FRAP is intended to permit fire rescue personnel to enter a smoke-filled, toxic or oxygen depleted environment carrying their own source of breathing air. The voice amplifier assembly permits the wearer to communicate by voice with other persons in the vicinity. The battery charger assembly provides a means of keeping the amplifier batteries fully charged.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

Nonlinearity of Helmholtz resonators

Consideration of the nonlinear damping of pressure oscillations by means of acoustic liners consisting of a perforated plate communicating with a volume or of individual Helmholtz resonators. A nonlinear analysis leads to a modified first-order theory; in particular, some second-order damping effects (due to the formation of jets through the orifices) are considered, while other less important damping effects (of second order) are neglected. The effect of the vena contracta in the orifice flow is also taken into account, and the conditions of maximum damping are discussed. A determination is made of the orifice velocity, the cavity pressure, the admittance coefficient, the resistance, and the reactance, and good agreement is found between the theoretically determined resistance and orifice velocity and the pertinent experimental data.

Sirignano, W. A.↗