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At least 217 records · Page 12

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NASA NTRS1974

Selected reliability studies for the NERVA program

An investigation was made into certain methods of reliability analysis that are particularly suitable for complex mechanisms or systems in which there are many interactions. The methods developed were intended to assist in the design of such mechanisms, especially for analysis of failure sensitivity to parameter variations and for estimating reliability where extensive and meaningful life testing is not feasible. The system is modeled by a network of interconnected nodes. Each node is a state or mode of operation, or is an input or output node, and the branches are interactions. The network, with its probabilistic and time-dependent paths is also analyzed for reliability and failure modes by a Monte Carlo, computerized simulation of system performance.

Hoover, S. V.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Magnetochemistry of the Apollo landing sites

A coherent magnetochemical picture of lunar samples is presented which was determined from a synthesis of available magnetic-property data and corresponding chemical and petrographic data for soils and rock samples collected at the Apollo landing sites. The magnetic properties of the samples are correlated with Al/Si ratio as well as with telescope spectral reflectivity curves, and magnetochemical diagrams based on composition-sensitive magnetic parameters describing the Fe metal and Fe(2+) contents are used to classify the samples. It is shown that the relative metal-fraction size distribution and magnetic stability for different rock types and soils of varying Al/Si values are reflected in a plot of the ratio of saturation isothermal remanence to saturation magnetization vs the ratio of remanent coercive force to coercive force. It is concluded that all the Apollo landing sites have distinct telescope curves correlated with petrology, chemistry, Al/Si values, and magnetic properties. The established correlations suggest the possibility of estimating the magnetic properties of the regolith from remote-sensing observations.

Wasilewski, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A model of the human observer in failure detection tasks

A model for the human observer in failure detection tasks is proposed which consists of two stages: a linear estimator and a decision mechanism. The estimator is a Kalman filter, and the decision mechanism, which is based on Wald's sequential analysis, leads to a decision function which is the integration of the filter residuals. The final result is a simple detection system which depends on only three parameters, and the sensitivity of the model to these parameters is analyzed. The results of an experiment designed to test the validity of the model are reported. The question of open and closed decision intervals as well as the generalization of the model to more complicated cases is discussed.

Gai, E. G.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The theory and measurement of noncoherent microwave scattering parameters

The radar equation for incoherent scenes is derived and scattering coefficients are introduced in a systematic way to account for the complete interaction between the incident wave and the random scene. Intensity (power) and correlation techniques similar to that for coherent targets are proposed to measure all the scattering parameters. The sensitivity of the intensity technique to various practical realizations of the antenna polarization requirements is evaluated by means of computer simulated measurements, conducted with a scattering characteristic similar to that of the sea. It was shown that for scenes satisfying reciprocity one must admit three new cross-correlation scattering coefficients in addition to the commonly measured autocorrelation coefficients.

Claassen, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Extraterrestrial intelligence - An observational approach

The article surveys present and proposed search techniques for extraterrestrial intelligence in terms of technological requirements. It is proposed that computer systems used along with existing antennas may be utilized to search for radio signals over a broad frequency range. A general search within the electromagnetic spectrum would explore frequency, received power flux, spatial locations, and modulation. Previous SETI projects (beginning in 1960) are briefly described. An observation project is proposed in which the earth's rotational motion would scan the antenna beam along one declination circle in 24 hours. The 15 degree beam width would yield a mapping of 75% of the sky in an 8-day period if the beam were shifted 15 degrees per day. With the proposed instrument parameters, a sensitivity of about 10 to the -21 watt/sq m is achieved at a 0 degree declination and 1.5 GHz. In a second phase, a 26 m antenna would yield an HPBW of 0.8 degrees at 1 GHz and 0.03 degrees at 25 GHz. It is noted that the described technology would provide secondary benefits for radio astronomy, radio communications, and other fields.

Murray, B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Modeling of polymer photodegradation for solar cell modules

It was shown that many of the experimental observations in the photooxidation of hydrocarbon polymers can be accounted for with a computer simulation using an elementary mechanistic model with corresponding rate constants for each reaction. For outdoor applications, however, such as in photovoltaics, the variation of temperature must have important effects on the useful lifetimes of such materials. The data bank necessary to replace the isothermal rate constant values with Arrhenius activation parameters: A (the pre-exponential factor) and E (the activation energy) was searched. The best collection of data assembled to data is summarized. Note, however, that the problem is now considerably enlarged since from a theoretical point of view, with 51 of the input variables replaced with 102 parameters. The sensitivity of the overall scheme is such that even after many computer simulations, a successful photooxidation simulation with the expanded variable set was not completed. Many of the species in the complex process undergo a number of competitive pathways, the relative importance of each being often sensitive to small changes in the calculated rate constant values.

Somersall, A. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Determining soil moisture from geosynchronous satellite infrared data - A feasibility study

Numerical modelling results are reported from a pilot study investigating the feasibility of developing a technique for daily soil moisture measurement throughout the world, based on GOES infrared data. A detailed one-dimensional boundary layer-surface-soil model was used in order to determine which physical parameters observable from GOES are most sensitive to soil moisture, and which are most effected by seasonal changes, atmospheric effects and vegetation cover. The results of the sensitivity test show that the mid-morning differential of surface temperature with respect to absorbed solar radiation is optimally sensitive to soil moisture. A case study comparing model results with GOES infrared data confirms the sensitivity of this parameter to soil moisture and also confirms the applicability of the model to predicting area-averaged surface temperature changes. Model measurements of soil moisture are expected to be most accurate for dry or marginal agricultural areas where drought is common. Sources of error, including the advection of clouds, are examined and methods of minimizing error are discussed.

Wetzel, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Muon fluctuation studies of EAS 10(17) eV

Fluctuation studies need to compare a parameter which is sensitive to longitudinal fluctuations against a parameter which is insensitive. Cascade calculations indicate that the shower size parameter at Haverah Park, rho (500), and the muon density are insensitive while parameters that significantly reflect the longitudinal development of a particular extensive air shower (EAS) include the muon/water Cerenkov response ratio and the muon arrival time dispersion. This paper presents conclusions based on muon fluctuation studies of EAS measured between 1976 and 1981 at Haverah Park.

Blake, P. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Problems experienced and envisioned for dynamical physical systems

The use of high performance systems, which is the trend of future space systems, naturally leads to lower margins and a higher sensitivity to parameter variations and, therefore, more problems of dynamical physical systems. To circumvent dynamic problems of these systems, appropriate design, verification analysis, and tests must be planned and conducted. The basic design goal is to define the problem before it occurs. The primary approach for meeting this goal is a good understanding and reviewing of the problems experienced in the past in terms of the system under design. This paper reviews many of the dynamic problems experienced in space systems design and operation, categorizes them as to causes, and envisions future program implications, developing recommendations for analysis and test approaches.

Ryan, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Fiber composite structural durability and damage tolerance: Simplified predictive methods

Simplified predictive methods and models (theory) to evaluate fiber/polymer-matrix composite material for determining structural durability and damage tolerance are presented and described. This theory includes equations for (1) fatigue and fracture of composites without and with defects, (2) impact resistance and residual strength after impact, (3) thermal fatigue, and (4) combined stress fatigue. Several examples are included to illustrate applications of the theory and to identify significant parameters and sensitivities. Comparisons with limited experimental data are made.

Chamis, Christos C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Fiber composite structural durability and damage tolerance - Simplified predictive methods

Chamis, Christos C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A comparison of two neural network schemes for navigation

Neural networks have been applied to tasks in several areas of artificial intelligence, including vision, speech, and language. Relatively little work has been done in the area of problem solving. Two approaches to path-finding are presented, both using neural network techniques. Both techniques require a training period. Training under the back propagation (BPL) method was accomplished by presenting representations of (current position, goal position) pairs as input and appropriate actions as output. The Hebbian/interactive activation (HIA) method uses the Hebbian rule to associate points that are nearby. A path to a goal is found by activating a representation of the goal in the network and processing until the current position is activated above some threshold level. BPL, using back-propagation learning, failed to learn, except in a very trivial fashion, that is equivalent to table lookup techniques. HIA, performed much better, and required storage of fewer weights. In drawing a comparison, it is important to note that back propagation techniques depend critically upon the forms of representation used, and can be sensitive to parameters in the simulations; hence the BPL technique may yet yield strong results.

Munro, Paul W.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A comparison of two neural network schemes for navigation

Neural networks have been applied to tasks in several areas of artificial intelligence, including vision, speech, and language. Relatively little work has been done in the area of problem solving. Two approaches to path-finding are presented, both using neural network techniques. Both techniques require a training period. Training under the back propagation (BPL) method was accomplished by presenting representations of current position, goal position pairs as input and appropriate actions as output. The Hebbian/interactive activation (HIA) method uses the Hebbian rule to associate points that are nearby. A path to a goal is found by activating a representation of the goal in the network and processing until the current position is activated above some threshold level. BPL, using back-propagation learning, failed to learn, except in a very trivial fashion, that is equivalent to table lookup techniques. HIA, performed much better, and required storage of fewer weights. In drawing a comparison, it is important to note that back propagation techniques depend critically upon the forms of representation used, and can be sensitive to parameters in the simulations; hence the BPL technique may yet yield strong results.

Munro, Paul↗

NASA NTRS1990

A study of the kinematic dynamo equation with time-dependent coefficients

During an active star formation epoch the interstellar medium of a galaxy is in a hyperactive state, and the average turbulent velocity is higher than in the long periods between star formation epochs. The galactic magnetic field generated by dynamo action depends strongly on the turbulent velocity, so that generation of magnetic field should vary with star formation activity. This paper is a preliminary study of the kinematic dynamo equation with time-dependent coefficients simulating the time dependence of the star formation activities. Ko and Parker argued in a simple model that the thickness of the dynamo region is the most sensitive dynamo parameter. The present work shows that the effect of inflating the galactic disk suddenly is to transform a stationary magnetic field into a growing field while keeping the profile more or less intact. Plane wave solutions for a dynamo with power-law time-dependent parameters show that the field may decay first and then grow, and vice versa, which is quite different from a constant parameter dynamo.

Ko, Chung-Ming↗

NASA NTRS1989

Ozone trends in Atlanta, Georgia - Have emission controls been effective?

Nine years of summertime ozone data from the Atlanta metropolitan area are analyzed and compared to local emissions of volatile organic carbon and nitrogen oxides. Trends from 1979 to 1987 were studied for the number of days per year ozone exceeded the NAAQS standard, the second-highest ozone level observed per year, and the first quartile summertime average ozone observed, as well as the mean difference between the ozone level observed downwind and upwind of the city. Because this last parameter is sensitive to chemical factors but relatively insensitive to the number of days each year with meteorological conditions conducive to ozone formation, its trend may be best suited for determining how effective emission controls have been in reducing O3 in the Atlanta area. In spite of the fact that sizeable reductions have been claimed for volatile organic carbon emissions over the past several years, the data give no indication that ozone levels have decreased and in fact, imply that summertime ozone production may have increased. The results imply that either emissions have not decreased as much as has been claimed or that ozone is not sensitive to anthropogenic volatile organic carbon emissions.

Lindsay, Ronald W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Lunar regolith analogues - Spectral reflectance properties of compositional variations

The effect is analyzed of variations in glass, end member abundance, and compositional variations on the reflectance spectra of glass and mafic silicate-bearing mineral mixtures chosen to reproduce spectral reflectance properties of lunar regoliths. The spectral properties of the glasses appear to be sensitive to parameters such as fusion techniques and initial composition. Variations in these parameters can yield classes which show spectral variations far in excess of those found for naturally occurring lunar impact-derived glasses and surface fines. The addition of glass to a mafic silicate-bearing assemblage results in a reduction in overall reflectance, band depths, and band area ratios, as well as a general decrease in band II minimum wavelength position and an increase in interband peak position.

Cloutis, Edward A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Design for inadvertent damage in composite laminates

Simplified predictive methods and models to computationally simulate durability and damage in polymer matrix composite materials/structures are described. The models include (1) progressive fracture, (2) progressively damaged structural behavior, (3) progressive fracture in aggressive environments, (4) stress concentrations, and (5) impact resistance. Several examples are included to illustrate applications of the models and to identify significant parameters and sensitivities. Comparisons with limited experimental data are made.

Singhal, Surendra N.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Statistical circuit design for yield improvement in CMOS circuits

This paper addresses the statistical design of CMOS integrated circuits for improved parametric yield. The work uses the Monte Carlo technique of circuit simulation to obtain an unbiased estimation of the yield. A simple graphical analysis tool, the yield factor histogram, is presented. The yield factor histograms are generated by a new computer program called SPICENTER. Using the yield factor histograms, the most sensitive circuit parameters are noted, and their nominal values are changed to improve the yield. Two basic CMOS example circuits, one analog and one digital, are chosen and their designs are 'centered' to illustrate the use of the yield factor histograms for statistical circuit design.

Kamath, H. J.↗