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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

Combined trellis coding and feedforward processing for MSS applications

The idea of using a multiple (more than two) symbol observation interval to improve error probability performance is applied to differential detection of trellis coded MPSK over a mobile satellite (fading) channel. Results are obtained via computer simulation. It is shown that only a slight increase (e.g., one symbol) in the length of the observation interval will provide a significant improvement in bit error probability performance both in AWGN and fading environments.

Divsalar, D.↗

Symbol Tables and Branch Tables: Linking Applications Together

This document explores the computer techniques used to execute software whose parts are compiled and linked separately. The computer techniques include using a branch table or indirect address table to connect the parts. Methods of storing the information in data structures are discussed as well as differences between C and C++.

Handler, Louis M.↗

Parallel computation using boundary elements in solid mechanics

The inherent parallelism of the boundary element method is shown. The boundary element is formulated by assuming the linear variation of displacements and tractions within a line element. Moreover, MACSYMA symbolic program is employed to obtain the analytical results for influence coefficients. Three computational components are parallelized in this method to show the speedup and efficiency in computation. The global coefficient matrix is first formed concurrently. Then, the parallel Gaussian elimination solution scheme is applied to solve the resulting system of equations. Finally, and more importantly, the domain solutions of a given boundary value problem are calculated simultaneously. The linear speedups and high efficiencies are shown for solving a demonstrated problem on Sequent Symmetry S81 parallel computing system.

Chien, L. S.↗

Exploration for porphyry copper deposits in Pakistan using digital processing of Landsat-1 data

Rock-type classification by digital-computer processing of Landsat-1 multispectral scanner data has been used to select 23 prospecting targets in the Chagai District, Pakistan, five of which have proved to be large areas of hydrothermally altered porphyry containing pyrite. Empirical maximum and minimum apparent reflectance limits were selected for each multispectral scanner band in each rock type classified, and a relatively unrefined classification table was prepared. Where the values for all four bands fitted within the limits designated for a particular class, a symbol for the presumed rock type was printed by the computer at the appropriate location. Drainage channels, areas of mineralized quartz diorite, areas of pyrite-rich rock, and the approximate limit of propylitic alteration were very well delineated on the computer-generated map of the test area. The classification method was used to evaluate 2,100 sq km in the Mashki Chah region. The results of the experiment show that outcrops of hydrothermally altered and mineralized rock can be identified from Landsat-1 data under favorable conditions.

Schmidt, R. G.↗

Shuttle user analysis (study 2.2): Volume 3. Business Risk And Value of Operations in space (BRAVO). Part 4: Computer programs and data look-up

Computer program listings as well as graphical and tabulated data needed by the analyst to perform a BRAVO analysis were examined. Graphical aid which can be used to determine the earth coverage of satellites in synchronous equatorial orbits was described. A listing for satellite synthesis computer program as well as a sample printout for the DSCS-11 satellite program and a listing of the symbols used in the program were included. The APL language listing for the payload program cost estimating computer program was given. This language is compatible with many of the time sharing remote terminals computers used in the United States. Data on the intelsat communications network was studied. Costs for telecommunications systems leasing, line of sight microwave relay communications systems, submarine telephone cables, and terrestrial power generation systems were also described.

Source record↗

Mapping soil types from multispectral scanner data.

Multispectral remote sensing and computer-implemented pattern recognition techniques were used for automatic ?mapping' of soil types. This approach involves subjective selection of a set of reference samples from a gray-level display of spectral variations which was generated by a computer. Each resolution element is then classified using a maximum likelihood ratio. Output is a computer printout on which the researcher assigns a different symbol to each class. Four soil test areas in Indiana were experimentally examined using this approach, and partially successful results were obtained.

Kristof, S. J.↗

The DLG processor: A data management executive for the engineering design integration (EDIN) system. Volume 1: Engineering description and utilization manual

The DLG processor is a Univac 1100 series computer program designed to read, modify, manipulate, and replace symbolic images. DLG is controlled by a set of user supplied directives and operates from a data base of stratified information which can be merged with the symbolic images. Data bases can be constructed and maintained in the mass storage media using the DLG directive language.

Glatt, C. R.↗

Proving the correctness of the flight director program EADIFD, volume 1

EADIFD is written in symbolic assembly language for execution on the C4000 airborne computer. It is a subprogram of an aircraft navigation and guidance program and is used to generate pitch and roll command signals for use in terminal airspace. The proof of EADIFD was carried out by an inductive assertion method consisting of two parts, a verification condition generator and a source language independent proof checker. With the specifications provided by NASA, EADIFD was proved correct. The termination of the program is guaranteed and the program contains no instructions that can modify it under any conditions.

Lee, F. J.↗

Object oriented studies into artificial space debris

A prototype simulation is being developed under contract to the Royal Aerospace Establishment (RAE), Farnborough, England, to assist in the discrimination of artificial space objects/debris. The methodology undertaken has been to link Object Oriented programming, intelligent knowledge based system (IKBS) techniques and advanced computer technology with numeric analysis to provide a graphical, symbolic simulation. The objective is to provide an additional layer of understanding on top of conventional classification methods. Use is being made of object and rule based knowledge representation, multiple reasoning, truth maintenance and uncertainty. Software tools being used include Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE) and SymTactics for knowledge representation. Hooks are being developed within the SymTactics framework to incorporate mathematical models describing orbital motion and fragmentation. Penetration and structural analysis can also be incorporated. SymTactics is an Object Oriented discrete event simulation tool built as a domain specific extension to the KEE environment. The tool provides facilities for building, debugging and monitoring dynamic (military) simulations.

Adamson, J. M.↗

Testing interconnected VLSI circuits in the Big Viterbi Decoder

The Big Viterbi Decoder (BVD) is a powerful error-correcting hardware device for the Deep Space Network (DSN), in support of the Galileo and Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF)/Cassini Missions. Recently, a prototype was completed and run successfully at 400,000 or more decoded bits per second. This prototype is a complex digital system whose core arithmetic unit consists of 256 identical very large scale integration (VLSI) gate-array chips, 16 on each of 16 identical boards which are connected through a 28-layer, printed-circuit backplane using 4416 wires. Special techniques were developed for debugging, testing, and locating faults inside individual chips, on boards, and within the entire decoder. The methods are based upon hierarchical structure in the decoder, and require that chips or boards be wired themselves as Viterbi decoders. The basic procedure consists of sending a small set of known, very noisy channel symbols through a decoder, and matching observables against values computed by a software simulation. Also, tests were devised for finding open and short-circuited wires which connect VLSI chips on the boards and through the backplane.

Onyszchuk, I. M.↗

Attentional Capture by Superimposed Symbology: Boundary Conditions

We report new results from an ongoing set of experiments in which subjects view a computer-generated display consisting of a set of stationary symbols (e.g., a "HUD") superimposed on a dynamic view of a runway as it appears to the pilot during final approach. Previous work (McCann, Foyle, & Johnston, 1993) has shown that when subjects process a cueing stimulus and then identify a geometric target, performance is slower when the cue appears on the HUD and the target appears on the runway surface, compared to a control condition where the cue and target are both on the runway surface. This "shift cost" was taken as evidence that the HUD captures attention, which then has to be shifted to the "out-the-world" scene before the target can be identified. New experiments show that the shift cost is eliminated when the cue occupies a known, fixed location on the HUD. Implications for the conditions that produce attentional tunneling are discussed.

McCann, Robert S.↗

Performance Of Digital Data-Transition-Tracking Loop

Report presents theoretical study of performance of all-digital data-transition-tracking loop (DTTL). Equations derived to analyze effects of few samples per symbol period and of noncommensurate sampling and symbol rates. Noise and frequency response taken into account. Effects upon variance of phase error and on mean time to lose lock quantified through computer simulations. Because of phase ambiguity, digital DTTL performs poorly when number of samples per symbol period is small.

Hinedi, Sami M.↗

Performance of the all-digital data-transition tracking loop in the advanced receiver

The performance of the all-digital data-transition tracking loop (DTTL) with coherent or noncoherent sampling is described. The effects of few samples per symbol and of noncommensurate sampling rates and symbol rates are addressed and analyzed. Their impacts on the loop phase-error variance and the mean time to lose lock (MTLL) are quantified through computer simulations. The analysis and preliminary simulations indicate that with three to four samples per symbol, the DTTL can track with negligible jitter because of the presence of earth Doppler rate. Furthermore, the MTLL is also expected to be large engough to maintain lock over a Deep Space Network track.

Cheng, U.↗

Symbolic Analysis of Concurrent Programs with Polymorphism

The current trend of multi-core and multi-processor computing is causing a paradigm shift from inherently sequential to highly concurrent and parallel applications. Certain thread interleavings, data input values, or combinations of both often cause errors in the system. Systematic verification techniques such as explicit state model checking and symbolic execution are extensively used to detect errors in such systems [7, 9]. Explicit state model checking enumerates possible thread schedules and input data values of a program in order to check for errors [3, 9]. To partially mitigate the state space explosion from data input values, symbolic execution techniques substitute data input values with symbolic values [5, 7, 6]. Explicit state model checking and symbolic execution techniques used in conjunction with exhaustive search techniques such as depth-first search are unable to detect errors in medium to large-sized concurrent programs because the number of behaviors caused by data and thread non-determinism is extremely large. We present an overview of abstraction-guided symbolic execution for concurrent programs that detects errors manifested by a combination of thread schedules and data values [8]. The technique generates a set of key program locations relevant in testing the reachability of the target locations. The symbolic execution is then guided along these locations in an attempt to generate a feasible execution path to the error state. This allows the execution to focus in parts of the behavior space more likely to contain an error.

Rungta, Neha Shyam↗

How to feed a spacecraft

The uplink process between ground computers and the spacecraft computer is examined. Data is uplinked to a spacecraft by a load (a sequence of preplanned commands) or by real-time commands; the differences between these two types of uplinks are discussed. The sequencing of a load involves: (1) request generation, (2) request integration, (3) reference generation, and (4) transmitting the load. The functions of each of the sequencing steps are described. The development of new sequencing methods using expert systems and AI is being studied. A symbolic processing software which has the ability to transmit data typed into a computer in English was developed. Consideration is given to the composition, capabilities of the parser, and application of the symbolic processing software to the Comet Renedezvous Asteroid Flyby spacecraft.

Mclaughlin, William↗

Fast and Easy Searching of Files in Unisys 2200 Computers

A program has been written to enable (1) fast and easy searching of symbolic files for one or more strings of characters, dates, or numerical values in specific fields or columns and (2) summarizing results of searching other fields or columns.

Snook, Bryan E.↗

Analysis of the Hessian for aeroelastic optimization

The symbol of the Hessian for an aeroelastic optimization model problem is analyzed. The flow is modeled by the small-disturbance full potential equation and the structure is modeled by an isotropic (von Karman) plate equation. The cost function consists of both aerodynamic and structural terms. In the new analysis the symbol of the cost function Hessian near the minimum is computed. The result indicates that under some conditions, which are likely fulfilled in most applications, the system is decoupled for the non-smooth components. The result also shows that the structure part in the Hessian is well-conditioned while the aerodynamic part is ill-conditioned. Applications of the result to optimization strategies are discussed.

Arian, Eyal↗