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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 235 records · Page 13

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NASA NTRS1986

Monitoring of the MU radar antenna pattern by Satellite Ohzora (EXOS-C)

As the first attempt among MST (mesosphere stratosphere troposphere) type radars, the MU (middle and upper atmosphere) radar features an active phased array system. Unlike the conventional large VHF radars, in which output power of a large vacuum tube is distributed to individual antenna elements, each of 475 solid state power amplifier feeds each antenna element. This system configuration enables very fast beam steering as well as various flexible operations by dividing the antenna into independent subarrays, because phase shift and signal division/combination are performed at a low signal level using electronic devices under control of a computer network. The antenna beam can be switched within 10 microsec to any direction within the zenith angle of 30 deg. Since a precise phase alignment of each element is crucial to realize the excellent performance of this system, careful calibration of the output phase of each power amplifier and antenna element was carried out. Among various aircraft which may be used for this purpose artificial satellites have an advantage of being able to make a long term monitoring with the same system. An antenna pattern monitoring system for the MU radar was developed using the scientific satellite OHZORA (EXOS-C). A receiver named MUM (MU radar antenna Monitor) on board the satellite measures a CW signal of 100 to 400 watts transmitted from the MU radar. The principle of the measurement and results are discussed.

Sato, T.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Solar electric propulsion breadboard thrust subsystem test results.

Work providing a firm basis for building an engineering model thrust subsystem (TSS) is described. A 1500-hr functional demonstration test revealed the impact of each element on TSS integration, operation, and future development. The primary conclusions are: accurate and specific definition of interfaces is essential to a timely system integration program. In addition to normal operating requirements, this definition must include requirements for preflight checkout, self-protection of all interfaces, capability expansion, failure modes, maximum input power, interelement power losses, noise and transient sensitivity and production, packaging for vacuum, thermal control, electrical grounding, cabling, mounting, and handling. In any future design, each phase of the TSS operation (startup, throttling, switching, etc.) should be considered in detail to anticipate and account for possible in-flight variations in element characteristics and performance.

Masek, T. D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Metallic oxide switches using thick film technology

Metallic oxide thick film switches were processed on alumina substrates using thick film technology. Vanadium pentoxide in powder form was mixed with other oxides e.g., barium, strontium copper and glass frit, ground to a fine powder. Pastes and screen printable inks were made using commercial conductive vehicles and appropriate thinners. Some switching devices were processed by conventional screen printing and firing of the inks and commercial cermet conductor terminals on 96% alumina substrates while others were made by applying small beads or dots of the pastes between platinum wires. Static, and dynamic volt-ampere, and pulse tests indicate that the switching and self-oscillatory characteristics of these devices could make them useful in memory element, oscillator, and automatic control applications.

Patel, D. N.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Fiber-optic rotation sensor technology

A concept for an all-waveguide fiber-optic rotation sensor is discussed, and the results of preliminary tests of key elements are described. A single channel waveguide coupler design provides the functions of an optical switch, a 3-dB beam splitter, a phase retarder, and a signal modulator, all of which may be formed on the same chip and interconnected by channel single-mode waveguides. Preliminary test results for the waveguide coupler and for a rotation sensor without the coupler are presented. Signal processing, polarization control, and interconnection of the waveguide components are discussed.

Goss, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Baseband-processed SS-TDMA communication system architecture and design concepts

The architecture and system design for a commercial satellite communications system planned for the 1990's was developed by Motorola for NASA's Lewis Research Center. The system provides data communications between individual users via trunking and customer premises service terminals utilizing a central switching satellite operating in a time-division multiple-access (TDMA) mode. The major elements of the design incorporating baseband processing include: demand-assigned multiple access reservation protocol, spectral utilization, system synchronization, modulation technique and forward error control implementation. Motorola's baseband processor design, which is being proven in a proof-of-concept advanced technology development, will perform data regeneration and message routing for individual users on-board the spacecraft.

Attwood, S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Blocked impurity band hybrid infrared focal plane arrays for astronomy

High-performance infrared hybrid focal plane arrays using 10- x 50-element Si:As blocked-impurity-band (BIB) detectors (cutoff wavelength = 28 microns) and matching switched MOSFET multiplexers have been developed and characterized for space astronomy. Use of impurity-band-conduction technology provides detectors which are nuclear-radiation-hard and free of the many anomalies associated with conventional silicon photoconductive detectors. Emphasis in the present work is on recent advances in detector material quality which have led to significantly improved detector and hybrid characteristics. Results demonstrating increased quantum efficiency (particularly at short-wavelength infrared), obtained by varying the BIB detector properties (infrared active layer thickness and arsenic doping profile), are summarized. Measured read noise and dark current for different temperatures are reported. The hybrid array performance achieved demonstrates that BIB detectors are well suited for use in astronomical instrumentation.

Reynolds, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS2001

The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Design Challenge for Scientific Spacecraft Powered by a Stirling Power Converter

A 55 We free-piston Stirling Technology Demonstration Convertor (TDC) has been tested as part of an evaluation to determine its feasibility as a means for significantly reducing the amount of radioactive material required compared to Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) to support long-term space science missions. Measurements were made to quantify the low frequency magnetic and electric fields radiated from the Stirling's 80 Hertz (Hz) linear alternator and control electronics in order to determine the magnitude of reduction that will be required to protect sensitive field sensors aboard some science missions. One identified "Solar Probe" mission requires a 100 dB reduction in the low frequency magnetic field over typical military standard design limits, to protect its plasma wave sensor. This paper discusses the electromagnetic interference (EMI) control options relative to the physical design impacts for this power system, composed of 3 basic electrical elements. They are (1) the Stirling Power Convertor with its linear alternator, (2) the power switching and control electronics to convert the 90 V, 80 Hz alternator output to DC for the use of the spacecraft, and (3) the interconnecting wiring including any instrumentation to monitor and control items 1 and 2.

Sargent, Noel B.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Initial Findings in Full-Shell Active Optics

The realization of active full-shell x-ray optics will provide ground-breaking capability for future missions. Future X-ray missions, such as Lynx, require high angular-resolution, large effective area, and as wide a field of view(FOV) as possible. It is currently not possible to perform high-resolution imaging of both wide and narrow FOVs with a single X-ray telescope. In this paper, we discuss the use of actuators to switch the optical surface of full-shell x-ray optics between prescriptions optimized for narrow-field and wide-field viewing, as well as correct for low-spatial-frequency errors in the optics. Previously, a pathfinder was developed using finite-element modeling(FEM). Using a combination of the model’s influence functions, the capacity of active full-shell optics was shown to switch between prescriptions with 92% accuracy. Another benefit of the analytical pathfinder was its ability to correct low-spatial frequency errors, which comprise a large percentage of the MSFC full-shell x-ray optics root-mean-square (RMS) slope error. In order to verify the pathfinder, a surface-parallel actuator was bonded to a nickel-replicated coupon. After the actuator was bonded to the coupon, the slope of the surface was measured while the actuator was activated. The proof-of-concept demonstrator development, the influence function data, and the resulting implications on the analytical pathfinder are reported and discussed.

X-ray optics↗

NASA NTRS1980

Packet communications in satellites with multiple-beam antennas and signal processing

A communication satellite with a multiple-beam antenna and onboard signal processing is considered for use in a 'message-switched' data relay system. The signal processor may incorporate demodulation, routing, storage, and remodulation of the data. A system user model is established and key functional elements for the signal processing are identified. With the throughput and delay requirements as the controlled variables, the hardware complexity, operational discipline, occupied bandwidth, and overall user end-to-end cost are estimated for (1) random-access packet switching; and (2) reservation-access packet switching. Other aspects of this network (eg, the adaptability to channel switched traffic requirements) are examined. For the given requirements and constraints, the reservation system appears to be the most attractive protocol.

Davies, R.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Improving Kinetic Consistency Across Elastic Model Transitions With Quadratic Inequality Constrained Weighted Least Squares (WLSQI)

Flexible body modeling presents a large challenge in the development of simulations to aid in design of flight control systems for launch and landing vehicles. Typically, the flexible body model is not a single continuous model but are rather discrete sets of Linear Time Invariant (LTI) Finite Element Models (FEM) incremented by propellant levels. This introduces the problem of smoothly transitioning modal and physical states of the vehicle when switching from one FEM to the next. This paper introduces a new approach to optimally transition flexible body states with weighted least squares, building off previous methods.

Convex Optimization↗

NASA NTRS1985

Safety considerations in the design of Spacelab refrigerator/freezer

A vapor compression refrigerator/freezer has been designed for Spacelab to conduct life sciences experiments. It is equipped with different safety features to eliminate all probable types of failures. The whole Freon loop is enclosed in a second containment so that any leakage of Freon can be contained. The unit is provided with an 'Emergency On' switch to actuate during backup mode which provides the spacecraft power directly to the compressor and the cooling fans while removing the power supply and all normal control elements from the circuit. During this mode, the compressor runs continuously when operating as a freezer (-22 C) and is controlled by a thermostat to cycle when operating as a refrigerator (4 C). It has a push button switch at the front panel to momentarily power the thermometer by a battery to monitor the inside temperature during an emergency. It has a door switch which shuts off the internal cooling fans when the door is opened. All the important critical performance data will be downlinked through a data connector to monitor during mission.

Hye, A.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Improving Kinetic Consistency Across Elastic Model Transitions With Quadratic Inequality Constrained Weighted Least Squares (WLSQI)

GN&C↗

NASA NTRS1996

Ladderlike Switched-Path Optical Delay Lines

Switched-path adjustable optical delay lines with ladderlike configurations proposed for use in photonically controlling phases of radio signals in radiating elements of phased-array antennas and in adaptive filtering of signals. Lines relatively simple, compact, easy to fabricate, and inexpensive. Switchable delay blocks stacked like building blocks to form incrementally adjustable delay lines. Delay lines also stacked to form high-density multiple-channel delay systems. To reduce number of blocks, heights of blocks increased successively by factor of 2, similar to crystal arrangement described in article "Switched-Polarization Birefringent Optical Delay Lines" (NPO-19412).

Yao, Xiaotian Steve↗

NASA NTRS1979

Distributed-switch Dicke radiometers

A radiometer on an orbiting spacecraft is described which derives high spatial resolution information from terrestrial and atmospheric regions. The N elements or subapertures on the spacecraft transduce electromagnetic energy into electric signals. Many or all of the elements are simultaneously illuminated by electromagnetic energy radiated from the same region. Identical, parallel processing channels are responsive to the N elements. Each of the channels includes a variable gain amplifier responsive to the signal transduced by its corresponding array elements. The gain of each amplifier is controlled as a function of the output difference when the channel is connected periodically to each of a pair of Dicke noise sources, such as resistors maintained at predetermined temperatures.

Levis, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Performance of multiplexed Ge:Ga detector arrays in the far infrared

The performance of two multi-element, multiplexed Ge:Ga linear arrays under low-background conditions was investigated. The on-focal switching is accomplished by MOSFET switches, and the integrated charge is made available through MOSFET source followers. The tests were conducted at 106 microns, and the radiation on the detectors was confined to a spectral window 1.25 microns wide using a stack of cold filters. At 4.2 K, the highest responsivity was 584 A/W, the noise equivalent power was 1.0 x 10(exp -16) W/square root of Hz, and the read noise was 6100 electrons/sample. A detailed description of the test setup and procedure is presented.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1993

Optoelectronic Control Of Phased-Array Antenna

Radiation patterns switched within microseconds. According to concept, digital beam-steering information destined for number of phased antenna elements transmitted in serial multiplex along optical fiber to optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC), demultiplexing information into parallel electronic channels to phase shifters associated with various elements. Because of small distances between elements of such arrays, compactness of optical fibers makes them attractive for distribution of beam-steering (phase-shifting) control signals. Also offers advantages of light weight, low attenuation, mechanical flexibility, large bandwidth, and immunity to both crosstalk and electromagnetic interference.

Bhasin, K. B.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Effect of Inductance and Requirements for Surge Current Testing of Tantalum Capacitors

Surge current testing is considered one of the most important techniques to evaluate reliability and/or screen out potentially defective tantalum capacitors for low-impedance applications. Analysis of this test, as it is described in the MIL-PRF-55365 document, shows that it does not address several issues that are important to assure adequate and reproducible testing. This work investigates the effect of inductance of the test circuit on voltage and current transients and analyzes requirements for the elements of the circuit, in particular, resistance of the circuit, inductance of wires and resistors, type of switching devices, and characteristics of energy storage bank capacitors. Simple equations to estimate maximum inductance of the circuit to prevent voltage overshooting and minimum duration of charging/discharging cycles to avoid decreasing of the effective voltage and overheating of the parts during surge current testing are suggested.

Teverosky, Alexander↗

NASA NTRS1981

Charge control switch responsive to cell casing deflection

A switch structure, adapted for sensing the state-of-charge of a rechargeable cell, includes a contact element which detects cell casing deflection that occurs as a result of an increase in gaseous pressure within the cell when the cell is returned to its fully charged state during a recharging operation.

Fischell, Robert E.↗