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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Modifications for a communication interface board

The objectives of this report had three sections. First, it is to modify a communication interface board by using erasable programmable logic devices to replace around SSI and MSI logic. Second, it is to simulate selected portions of the schematics using Altera Maxplus 1990 and Maxplus 2 1991 CAD programs. Third, it is to replace a first input first output (FIFO) device as well as serial to parallel and parallel to serial converters with new FIFO's that have internal converters.

Dejesuslafuente, Carlos E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A mathematical basis for the design and design optimization of adaptive trusses in precision control

A mathematical basis for the optimal design of adaptive trusses to be used in supporting precision equipment is provided. The general theory of adaptive structures is introduced, and the global optimization problem of placing a limited number, q, of actuators, so as to maximally achieve precision control and provide prestress, is stated. Two serialized optimization problems, namely, optimal actuator placement for prestress and optimal actuator placement for precision control, are addressed. In the case of prestressing, the computation of a 'desired' prestress is discussed, the interaction between actuators and redundants in conveying the prestress is shown in its mathematical form, and a methodology for arriving at the optimal placement of actuators and additional redundants is discussed. With regard to precision control, an optimal placement scheme (for q actuators) for maximum 'authority' over the precision points is suggested. The results of the two serialized optimization problems are combined to give a suboptimal solution to the global optimization problem. A method for improving this suboptimal actuator placement scheme by iteration is presented.

Das, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A low maintenance and highly reliable fly-by-light architecture

This paper proposes a highly reliable distributed architecture for use in a commercial transport. Fly-By-Light characteristics of the architecture are a serial fiber optic backplane and redundant fiber optic data bus. The fiber optic bus is fault tolerant and Byzantine resilient. A distributed architecture (both physically and logically) can be realized by utilizing several processing clusters on the data bus. A processing cluster is composed of one or more processing units. The processing units consist of several modules. The modules of the processing unit are connected via a serial fiber optic backplane. Fault tolerance is implemented at the backplane to increase reliability and availability.

Dan Palumbo↗
NASA NTRS1993

Real-time transmission of digital video using variable-length coding

Huffman coding is a variable-length lossless compression technique where data with a high probability of occurrence is represented with short codewords, while 'not-so-likely' data is assigned longer codewords. Compression is achieved when the high-probability levels occur so frequently that their benefit outweighs any penalty paid when a less likely input occurs. One instance where Huffman coding is extremely effective occurs when data is highly predictable and differential coding can be applied (as with a digital video signal). For that reason, it is desirable to apply this compression technique to digital video transmission; however, special care must be taken in order to implement a communication protocol utilizing Huffman coding. This paper addresses several of the issues relating to the real-time transmission of Huffman-coded digital video over a constant-rate serial channel. Topics discussed include data rate conversion (from variable to a fixed rate), efficient data buffering, channel coding, recovery from communication errors, decoder synchronization, and decoder architectures. A description of the hardware developed to execute Huffman coding and serial transmission is also included. Although this paper focuses on matters relating to Huffman-coded digital video, the techniques discussed can easily be generalized for a variety of applications which require transmission of variable-length data.

Bizon, Thomas P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A self-reconfigurable manipulator system with dextrous bracing structure

The authors present a dextrous bracing structure of a dual-arm system as a means of implementing a self-reconfigurable manipulator system. The dextrous bracing structure allows a dual-arm system to relocate the bracing point between two arms, select the type of contact as the bracing point, and lock or release the joints of individual arms. The self-reconfigurable dual-arm system is now capable of reconfiguring its topology through serial, parallel and bracing structures, supporting general types of contact, rigid or sliding, as well as locking or releasing some of its joints as needed. The focus is on an analysis of the effects of the dextrous bracing on the performance of a dual-arm system in terms of dual-arm manipulabilities and resistivities. The analysis shows that a self-reconfigurable dual-arm system with a dextrous bracing structure gives continuously varying performance characteristics ranging from serial to parallel structures.

Lee, Sukhan↗
NASA NTRS1991

Dynamic coordination of a self-reconfigurable manipulator system

The authors present the dynamic coordination of a self-reconfigurable manipulator system capable of changing its mechanical structure according to given task requirements. The self-reconfiguration is achieved by reconfiguring the topology of a dual-arm system through serial, parallel, and bracing structures. Particular emphasis is placed on the dynamic coordination of two arms having three different dual-arm topologies. The authors develop the Cartesian space dynamic models of a dual-arm system of three dual-arm topologies and derive the kinematic and dynamic constraints imposed on two arms in cooperation. Dual-arm dynamic manipulabilities are defined to quantify the dynamic performance of three dual-arm topologies in terms of the efficiency of generating Cartesian accelerations. A methodology of selecting serial, parallel, and bracing structures based on dual-arm dynamic manipulabilities is provided.

Kim, Sungbok↗
NASA NTRS1993

Implicit transient finite element structural computations on MIMD systems - FETI vs. direct solvers

A domain decomposition method for implicit schemes that require significantly less storage and is several times faster than factorization algorithms is proposed. The transient domain decomposition method is an extension of the finite element tearing and interconnecting (FETI) method for the solution of static problems. Serial and parallel performance results obtained using the CRAY Y-MP/8 and the iPSC-860/128 systems demonstrate that the FETI method is superior to both serial and parallel direct methods.

Crivelli, Luis↗
NASA NTRS1994

Efficient massively parallel simulation of dynamic channel assignment schemes for wireless cellular communications

Fast, efficient parallel algorithms are presented for discrete event simulations of dynamic channel assignment schemes for wireless cellular communication networks. The driving events are call arrivals and departures, in continuous time, to cells geographically distributed across the service area. A dynamic channel assignment scheme decides which call arrivals to accept, and which channels to allocate to the accepted calls, attempting to minimize call blocking while ensuring co-channel interference is tolerably low. Specifically, the scheme ensures that the same channel is used concurrently at different cells only if the pairwise distances between those cells are sufficiently large. Much of the complexity of the system comes from ensuring this separation. The network is modeled as a system of interacting continuous time automata, each corresponding to a cell. To simulate the model, conservative methods are used; i.e., methods in which no errors occur in the course of the simulation and so no rollback or relaxation is needed. Implemented on a 16K processor MasPar MP-1, an elegant and simple technique provides speedups of about 15 times over an optimized serial simulation running on a high speed workstation. A drawback of this technique, typical of conservative methods, is that processor utilization is rather low. To overcome this, new methods were developed that exploit slackness in event dependencies over short intervals of time, thereby raising the utilization to above 50 percent and the speedup over the optimized serial code to about 120 times.

Greenberg, Albert G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Performance analysis of three dimensional integral equation computations on a massively parallel computer

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of the integral equation computations using numerical source field-panel method in a massively parallel processing (MPP) environment. A comparative study of computational performance of the MPP CM-5 computer and conventional Cray-YMP supercomputer for a three-dimensional flow problem is made. A serial FORTRAN code is converted into a parallel CM-FORTRAN code. Some performance results are obtained on CM-5 with 32, 62, 128 nodes along with those on Cray-YMP with a single processor. The comparison of the performance indicates that the parallel CM-FORTRAN code near or out-performs the equivalent serial FORTRAN code for some cases.

Logan, Terry G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Scalability study of parallel spatial direct numerical simulation code on IBM SP1 parallel supercomputer

The implementation and the performance of a parallel spatial direct numerical simulation (PSDNS) code are reported for the IBM SP1 supercomputer. The spatially evolving disturbances that are associated with laminar-to-turbulent in three-dimensional boundary-layer flows are computed with the PS-DNS code. By remapping the distributed data structure during the course of the calculation, optimized serial library routines can be utilized that substantially increase the computational performance. Although the remapping incurs a high communication penalty, the parallel efficiency of the code remains above 40% for all performed calculations. By using appropriate compile options and optimized library routines, the serial code achieves 52-56 Mflops on a single node of the SP1 (45% of theoretical peak performance). The actual performance of the PSDNS code on the SP1 is evaluated with a 'real world' simulation that consists of 1.7 million grid points. One time step of this simulation is calculated on eight nodes of the SP1 in the same time as required by a Cray Y/MP for the same simulation. The scalability information provides estimated computational costs that match the actual costs relative to changes in the number of grid points.

Hanebutte, Ulf R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Wavelength-Division Multiplexing With Integrated Optics

High-density wavelength-division-multiplexed optoelectronic integrated circuits developed for use as transceivers in fiber-optic communications between computers, according to proposal. One of proposed multiplexer/demultiplexer units provides simultaneous communication on 32 wavelength channels at overall data rate greater than 40 Gb/s, increasing channel capacity, simplifying transmitting and receiving electronics and reducing delay by eliminating serial-to-parallel and parallel-to-serial "bottlenecks."

Lang, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Infrared-Proximity-Sensor Modules For Robot

Collision-avoidance system for articulated robot manipulators uses infrared proximity sensors grouped together in array of sensor modules. Sensor modules, called "sensorCells," distributed processing board-level products for acquiring data from proximity-sensors strategically mounted on robot manipulators. Each sensorCell self-contained and consists of multiple sensing elements, discrete electronics, microcontroller and communications components. Modules connected to central control computer by redundant serial digital communication subsystem including both serial and a multi-drop bus. Detects objects made of various materials at distance of up to 50 cm. For some materials, such as thermal protection system tiles, detection range reduced to approximately 20 cm.

Parton, William↗
NASA NTRS1994

FFT Computation with Systolic Arrays, A New Architecture

The use of the Cooley-Tukey algorithm for computing the l-d FFT lends itself to a particular matrix factorization which suggests direct implementation by linearly-connected systolic arrays. Here we present a new systolic architecture that embodies this algorithm. This implementation requires a smaller number of processors and a smaller number of memory cells than other recent implementations, as well as having all the advantages of systolic arrays. For the implementation of the decimation-in-frequency case, word-serial data input allows continuous real-time operation without the need of a serial-to-parallel conversion device. No control or data stream switching is necessary. Computer simulation of this architecture was done in the context of a 1024 point DFT with a fixed point processor, and CMOS processor implementation has started.

Boriakoff, Valentin↗
NASA NTRS1987

Using Histories to Implement Atomic Objects

In this paper we describe an approach of implementing atomicity. Atomicity requires that computations appear to be all-or-nothing and executed in a serialization order. The approach we describe has three characteristics. First, it utilizes the semantics of an application to improve concurrency. Second, it reduces the complexity of application-dependent synchronization code by analyzing the process of writing it. In fact, the process can be automated with logic programming. Third, our approach hides the protocol used to arrive at a serialization order from the applications. As a result, different protocols can be used without affecting the applications. Our approach uses a history tree abstraction. The history tree captures the ordering relationship among concurrent computations. By determining what types of computations exist in the history tree and their parameters, a computation can determine whether it can proceed.

Ng, Pui↗
NASA NTRS1997

Turbo Trellis Coded Modulation With Iterative Decoding for Mobile Satellite Communications

In this paper, analytical bounds on the performance of parallel concatenation of two codes, known as turbo codes, and serial concatenation of two codes over fading channels are obtained. Based on this analysis, design criteria for the selection of component trellis codes for MPSK modulation, and a suitable bit-by-bit iterative decoding structure are proposed. Examples are given for throughput of 2 bits/sec/Hz with 8PSK modulation. The parallel concatenation example uses two rate 4/5 8-state convolutional codes with two interleavers. The convolutional codes' outputs are then mapped to two 8PSK modulations. The serial concatenated code example uses an 8-state outer code with rate 4/5 and a 4-state inner trellis code with 5 inputs and 2 x 8PSK outputs per trellis branch. Based on the above mentioned design criteria for fading channels, a method to obtain he structure of the trellis code with maximum diversity is proposed. Simulation results are given for AWGN and an independent Rayleigh fading channel with perfect Channel State Information (CSI).

Divsalar, D.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Virtual Reality Simulation of the International Space Welding Experiment

Virtual Reality (VR) is a set of breakthrough technologies that allow a human being to enter and fully experience a 3-dimensional, computer simulated environment. A true virtual reality experience meets three criteria: (1) It involves 3-dimensional computer graphics; (2) It includes real-time feedback and response to user actions; and (3) It must provide a sense of immersion. Good examples of a virtual reality simulator are the flight simulators used by all branches of the military to train pilots for combat in high performance jet fighters. The fidelity of such simulators is extremely high -- but so is the price tag, typically millions of dollars. Virtual reality teaching and training methods are manifestly effective, and we have therefore implemented a VR trainer for the International Space Welding Experiment. My role in the development of the ISWE trainer consisted of the following: (1) created texture-mapped models of the ISWE's rotating sample drum, technology block, tool stowage assembly, sliding foot restraint, and control panel; (2) developed C code for control panel button selection and rotation of the sample drum; (3) In collaboration with Tim Clark (Antares Virtual Reality Systems), developed a serial interface box for the PC and the SGI Indigo so that external control devices, similar to ones actually used on the ISWE, could be used to control virtual objects in the ISWE simulation; (4) In collaboration with Peter Wang (SFFP) and Mark Blasingame (Boeing), established the interference characteristics of the VIM 1000 head-mounted-display and tested software filters to correct the problem; (5) In collaboration with Peter Wang and Mark Blasingame, established software and procedures for interfacing the VPL DataGlove and the Polhemus 6DOF position sensors to the SGI Indigo serial ports. The majority of the ISWE modeling effort was conducted on a PC-based VR Workstation, described below.

Phillips, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

PARAMESH: A Parallel Adaptive Mesh Refinement Community Toolkit

In this paper, we describe a community toolkit which is designed to provide parallel support with adaptive mesh capability for a large and important class of computational models, those using structured, logically cartesian meshes. The package of Fortran 90 subroutines, called PARAMESH, is designed to provide an application developer with an easy route to extend an existing serial code which uses a logically cartesian structured mesh into a parallel code with adaptive mesh refinement. Alternatively, in its simplest use, and with minimal effort, it can operate as a domain decomposition tool for users who want to parallelize their serial codes, but who do not wish to use adaptivity. The package can provide them with an incremental evolutionary path for their code, converting it first to uniformly refined parallel code, and then later if they so desire, adding adaptivity.

MacNeice, Peter↗
NASA NTRS1985

Ultrasound Techniques for Space Applications

Ultrasound has proven to be a safe non-invasive technique for imaging organs and measuring cardiovascular function. It has unique advantages for application to problems with man in space including evaluation of cardiovascular function both in serial studies and during critical operations. In addition, specialized instrumentation may be capable of detecting the onset of decompression sickness during EVA activities. A spatial location and three-dimensional reconstruction system is being developed to improve the accuracy and reproducibility for serial comparative ultrasound studies of cardiovascular function. The three-dimensional method permits the acquisition of ultrasonic images from many views that can be recombined into a single reconstruction of the heart or vasculature. In addition to conventional imaging and monitoring systems, it is sometimes necessary or desirable to develop instrumentation for special purposes. One example of this type of development is the design of a pulsed-Doppler system to monitor cerebral blood flow during critical operations such as re-entry. A second example is the design of a swept-frequency ultrasound system for the detection of bubbles in the circulatory system and/or soft tissues as an early indication of the onset of decompression sickness during EVA activities. This system exploits the resonant properties of bubbles and can detect both fundamental and second harmonic emissions from the insonified region.

Rooney, James A.↗