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At least 289 records · Page 16

Software Process Assessment (SPA)

NASA's environment mirrors the changes taking place in the nation at large, i.e. workers are being asked to do more work with fewer resources. For software developers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the effects of this change are that we must continue to produce quality code that is maintainable and reusable, but we must learn to produce it more efficiently and less expensively. To accomplish this goal, the Data Systems Technology Division (DSTD) at GSFC is trying a variety of both proven and state-of-the-art techniques for software development (e.g., object-oriented design, prototyping, designing for reuse, etc.). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques, the Software Process Assessment (SPA) program was initiated. SPA was begun under the assumption that the effects of different software development processes, techniques, and tools, on the resulting product must be evaluated in an objective manner in order to assess any benefits that may have accrued. SPA involves the collection and analysis of software product and process data. These data include metrics such as effort, code changes, size, complexity, and code readability. This paper describes the SPA data collection and analysis methodology and presents examples of benefits realized thus far by DSTD's software developers and managers.

Rosenberg, Linda H.↗

Software sizing, cost estimation and scheduling

The Technology Implementation and Support Section at Martin Marietta Astronautics Group Denver is tasked with software development analysis, data collection, software productivity improvement and developing and applying various computerized software tools and models. The computerized tools are parametric models that reflect actuals taken from the large data base of completed software development projects. Martin Marietta's data base consists of over 300 completed projects and hundreds of cost estimating relationships (CERs) that are used in sizing, costing, scheduling and productivity improvement equations, studies, models and computerized tools.

Cheadle, William G.↗

An information model for use in software management estimation and prediction

This paper describes the use of cluster analysis for determining the information model within collected software engineering development data at the NASA/GSFC Software Engineering Laboratory. We describe the Software Management Environment tool that allows managers to predict development attributes during early phases of a software project and the modifications we propose to allow it to develop dynamic models for better predictions of these attributes.

Li, Ningda R.↗

Report on Automated Semantic Analysis of Scientific and Engineering Codes

The loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter due to a software error reveals what insiders know: software development is difficult and risky because, in part, current practices do not readily handle the complex details of software. Yet, for scientific software development the MCO mishap represents the tip of the iceberg; few errors are so public, and many errors are avoided with a combination of expertise, care, and testing during development and modification. Further, this effort consumes valuable time and resources even when hardware costs and execution time continually decrease. Software development could use better tools! This lack of tools has motivated the semantic analysis work explained in this report. However, this work has a distinguishing emphasis; the tool focuses on automated recognition of the fundamental mathematical and physical meaning of scientific code. Further, its comprehension is measured by quantitatively evaluating overall recognition with practical codes. This emphasis is necessary if software errors-like the MCO error-are to be quickly and inexpensively avoided in the future. This report evaluates the progress made with this problem. It presents recommendations, describes the approach, the tool's status, the challenges, related research, and a development strategy.

Stewart. Maark E. M.↗

Network Monitor and Control of Disruption-Tolerant Networks

For nearly a decade, NASA and many researchers in the international community have been developing Internet-like protocols that allow for automated network operations in networks where the individual links between nodes are only sporadically connected. A family of Disruption-Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols has been developed, and many are reaching CCSDS Blue Book status. A NASA version of DTN known as the Interplanetary Overlay Network (ION) has been flight-tested on the EPOXI spacecraft and ION is currently being tested on the International Space Station. Experience has shown that in order for a DTN service-provider to set up a large scale multi-node network, a number of network monitor and control technologies need to be fielded as well as the basic DTN protocols. The NASA DTN program is developing a standardized means of querying a DTN node to ascertain its operational status, known as the DTN Management Protocol (DTNMP), and the program has developed some prototypes of DTNMP software. While DTNMP is a necessary component, it is not sufficient to accomplish Network Monitor and Control of a DTN network. JPL is developing a suite of tools that provide for network visualization, performance monitoring and ION node control software. This suite of network monitor and control tools complements the GSFC and APL-developed DTN MP software, and the combined package can form the basis for flight operations using DTN.

network monitor↗

ESML for Earth Science Data Sets and Analysis

The primary objective of this research project was to transition ESML from design to application. The resulting schema and prototype software will foster community acceptance for the Define once, use anywhere concept central to ESML. Supporting goals include: 1) Refinement of the ESML schema and software libraries in cooperation with the user community; 2) Application of the ESML schema and software to a variety of Earth science data sets and analysis tools; 3) Development of supporting prototype software for enhanced ease of use; 4) Cooperation with standards bodies in order to assure ESML is aligned with related metadata standards as appropriate; and 5) Widespread publication of the ESML approach, schema, and software.

Graves, Sara↗

Software support for improving technology infusion

This paper focuses on describing the custom software tool, DDP, that was developed to support the TIMA process, and on showing how the needs of the TIMA process have influenced the development of the structure and capabilities of the DDP software.

requirements risk decision-making tradeoffs↗

Development of an Integrated Rocket Thrust Chamber Assembly Analysis and Design Toolkit (TCAT)

There are many individual computational tools and methods used to analyze and design components of a rocket engine thrust chamber assembly (TCA) 11,21. To analyze and design a thrust chamber assembly these tools are usually used in sequence while communication of information between these tools is usually done manually. Each component of a TCA is usually designed and optimized individually with limited considerations on system optimized design. This approach is often iterative and can be prone to error. Also at present, expert knowledge of each tool is required. The objective of this software development effort is to select, integrate and automate the best tools into an easy-to-use computational package, the Thrust Chamber Analysis Toolkit (TCAT). This tool will provide a seamless process to analyze and design all or individual components of a thrust chamber assembly. This paper describes the current status of the MAT software development. The selected component codes and their capabilities are briefly described. User and module interfaces and integration status are presented. MAT pre- and post-processing added options are presented and overall MAT capabilities are demonstrated with the results of sample cases. Ongoing and planned model validation efforts are also described. Finally, the MAT future plan options are discussed.

Farhangi, S.↗

Generic trending and analysis system

The Generic Trending and Analysis System (GTAS) is a generic spacecraft performance monitoring tool developed by NASA Code 511 and Loral Aerosys. It is designed to facilitate quick anomaly resolution and trend analysis. Traditionally, the job of off-line analysis has been performed using hardware and software systems developed for real-time spacecraft contacts; then, the systems were supplemented with a collection of tools developed by Flight Operations Team (FOT) members. Since the number of upcoming missions is increasing, NASA can no longer afford to operate in this manner. GTAS improves control center productivity and effectiveness because it provides a generic solution across multiple missions. Thus, GTAS eliminates the need for each individual mission to develop duplicate capabilities. It also allows for more sophisticated tools to be developed because it draws resources from several projects. In addition, the GTAS software system incorporates commercial off-the-shelf tools software (COTS) packages and reuses components of other NASA-developed systems wherever possible. GTAS has incorporated lessons learned from previous missions by involving the users early in the development process. GTAS users took a proactive role in requirements analysis, design, development, and testing. Because of user involvement, several special tools were designed and are now being developed. GTAS users expressed considerable interest in facilitating data collection for long term trending and analysis. As a result, GTAS provides easy access to large volumes of processed telemetry data directly in the control center. The GTAS archival and retrieval capabilities are supported by the integration of optical disk technology and a COTS relational database management system.

Keehan, Lori↗

Software Model Of Software-Development Process

Collection of computer programs constitutes software tool for simulation of medium- to large-scale software-development projects. Necessary to include easily identifiable and more-readily quantifiable characteristics like costs, times, and numbers of errors. Mathematical model incorporating these and other factors of dynamics of software-development process implemented in the Software Life Cycle Simulator (SLICS) computer program. Simulates dynamics of software-development process. In combination with input and output expert software systems and knowledge-based management software system, develops information for use in managing large software-development project. Intended to aid managers in planning, managing, and controlling software-development processes by reducing uncertainties in budgets, required personnel, and schedules.

Lin, Chi Y.↗

MiniWall Tool for Analyzing CFD and Wind Tunnel Large Data Sets

It is challenging to review and assimilate large data sets created by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel tests. Over the past 10 years, NASA Ames Research Center has developed and refined a software tool dubbed the "MiniWall" to increase productivity in reviewing and understanding large CFD‐generated data sets. Under the recent NASA ERA project, the application of the tool expanded to enable rapid comparison of experimental and computational data. The MiniWall software is browser based so that it runs on any computer or device that can display a web page. It can also be used remotely and securely by using web server software such as the Apache HTTP Server. The MiniWall software has recently been rewritten and enhanced to make it even easier for analysts to review large data sets and extract knowledge and understanding from these data sets. This paper describes the MiniWall software and demonstrates how the different features are used to review and assimilate large data sets.

Data Analysis↗

MiniWall Tool for Analyzing CFD and Wind Tunnel Large Data Sets

It is challenging to review and assimilate large data sets created by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel tests. Over the past 10 years, NASA Ames Research Center has developed and refined a software tool dubbed the MiniWall to increase productivity in reviewing and understanding large CFD-generated data sets. Under the recent NASA ERA project, the application of the tool expanded to enable rapid comparison of experimental and computational data. The MiniWall software is browser based so that it runs on any computer or device that can display a web page. It can also be used remotely and securely by using web server software such as the Apache HTTP server. The MiniWall software has recently been rewritten and enhanced to make it even easier for analysts to review large data sets and extract knowledge and understanding from these data sets. This paper describes the MiniWall software and demonstrates how the different features are used to review and assimilate large data sets.

Computational Fluid Dyanmics↗

Earth Science Markup Language: Transitioning From Design to Application

The primary objective of the proposed Earth Science Markup Language (ESML) research is to transition from design to application. The resulting schema and prototype software will foster community acceptance for the "define once, use anywhere" concept central to ESML. Supporting goals include: 1. Refinement of the ESML schema and software libraries in cooperation with the user community. 2. Application of the ESML schema and software libraries to a variety of Earth science data sets and analysis tools. 3. Development of supporting prototype software for enhanced ease of use. 4. Cooperation with standards bodies in order to assure ESML is aligned with related metadata standards as appropriate. 5. Widespread publication of the ESML approach, schema, and software.

Moe, Karen↗

N-Set: A NASA Research Project

This slide presentation reviews the research project named N-Set. The goal of this project is to create a user friendly tool for estimating the cost and size of software development. Using the historical experience which NASA has desire is to create a tool that will give an early Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) estimate of the cost and size of a software development task without using the lines of code as a primary input value.

software cost estimating tool↗

Research flight software engineering and MUST, an integrated system of support tools

Consideration is given to software development to support NASA flight research. The Multipurpose User-Oriented Software Technology (MUST) program, designed to integrate digital systems into flight research, is discussed. Particular attention is given to the program's special interactive user interface, subroutine library, assemblers, compiler, automatic documentation tools, and test and simulation subsystems.

Straeter, T. A.↗

Product assurance policies and procedures for flight dynamics software development

The product assurance policies and procedures necessary to support flight dynamics software development projects for Goddard Space Flight Center are presented. The quality assurance and configuration management methods and tools for each phase of the software development life cycles are described, from requirements analysis through acceptance testing; maintenance and operation are not addressed.

Perry, Sandra↗

Propulsion Diagnostic Method Evaluation Strategy (ProDiMES) User's Guide

This report is a User's Guide for the Propulsion Diagnostic Method Evaluation Strategy (ProDiMES). ProDiMES is a standard benchmarking problem and a set of evaluation metrics to enable the comparison of candidate aircraft engine gas path diagnostic methods. This Matlab (The Mathworks, Inc.) based software tool enables users to independently develop and evaluate diagnostic methods. Additionally, a set of blind test case data is also distributed as part of the software. This will enable the side-by-side comparison of diagnostic approaches developed by multiple users. The Users Guide describes the various components of ProDiMES, and provides instructions for the installation and operation of the tool.

Simon, Donald L.↗

Electronic collection system for spacelab mission timeline requirements

This paper describes the Functional Objective Requirements Collection System (FORCS) software tool that has been developed for use by Principal Investigators (PI's) and Payload Element Developers (PED's) on their own personal computers to develop on-orbit timelining requirements for their payloads. The FORCS tool can be used either in a totally stand-alone mode, storing the information in a local file on the user's personal computer hard disk or in a remote mode where the user's computer is linked to a host computer containing the integrated database of the timeline requirements for all of the payloads on a mission. There are a number of features incorporated in the FORCS software to assist the user. The user may move freely back and forth between the various forms for inputting the data. Several methods are used to input the information, depending on the type of the information. These methods range from filling in text boxes, using check boxes and radio buttons, to inputting information into a spreadsheet format. There are automated features provided to assist in developing the proper format for the data, ranging from limit checking on some of the parameters to automatic conversion of different formats of time data inputs to the one standard format used for the timeline scheduling software.

Lindberg, James P.↗