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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 307 records · Page 17

The development of lossless data compression technology for remote sensing applications

Lossless data compression has been studied for many NASA missions to achieve the benefit of increased science return, reduced onboard memory requirement, station contact time and communication bandwidth. This paper first addresses the requirement for onboard applications and provides rational for the selection of the Rice algorithm among other available techniques. A top-level description of the Rice algorithm will be given, along with some new capabilities already implemented in both software and hardware VLSI forms. The paper then addresses systems issues important for onboard implementation including sensor calibration, error propagation and data packetization. The latter part of the paper provides several case study examples drawn from a broad spectrum of science instruments including the thematic mapper, x-ray telescope, gamma-ray spectrometer, and acousto-optical spectrometer.

Yeh, Pen-Shu↗

Scheduling Software for Complex Scenarios

Preparing a vehicle and its payload for a single launch is a complex process that involves thousands of operations. Because the equipment and facilities required to carry out these operations are extremely expensive and limited in number, optimal assignment and efficient use are critically important. Overlapping missions that compete for the same resources, ground rules, safety requirements, and the unique needs of processing vehicles and payloads destined for space impose numerous constraints that, when combined, require advanced scheduling. Traditional scheduling systems use simple algorithms and criteria when selecting activities and assigning resources and times to each activity. Schedules generated by these simple decision rules are, however, frequently far from optimal. To resolve mission-critical scheduling issues and predict possible problem areas, NASA historically relied upon expert human schedulers who used their judgment and experience to determine where things should happen, whether they will happen on time, and whether the requested resources are truly necessary.

Source record↗

Discrete Data Transfer Technique for Fluid-Structure Interaction

This paper presents a general three-dimensional algorithm for data transfer between dissimilar meshes. The algorithm is suitable for applications of fluid-structure interaction and other high-fidelity multidisciplinary analysis and optimization. Because the algorithm is independent of the mesh topology, we can treat structured and unstructured meshes in the same manner. The algorithm is fast and accurate for transfer of scalar or vector fields between dissimilar surface meshes. The algorithm is also applicable for the integration of a scalar field (e.g., coefficients of pressure) on one mesh and injection of the resulting vectors (e.g., force vectors) onto another mesh. The author has implemented the algorithm in a C++ computer code. This paper contains a complete formulation of the algorithm with a few selected results.

Samareh, Jamshid A.↗

NASA Global Precipitation Mission Ground Validation Implementation

The Global Precipitation Mission (GPM; core-satellite launch 2013) will provide Ka/Ku-band dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) and accompanying passive microwave radiometer-diagnosed precipitation estimates over a latitude range of 65 N to 65 S. The extended latitudinal domain of GPM coverage combined with requirements to detect (and in the case of liquid, estimate) liquid and frozen precipitation rates for values ranging from several hundred to just a few tenths of a millimeter per hour present new challenges to the development of physically-based satellite precipitation retrieval algorithms. On regional scales select national and international resources such as existing calibrated radar and rain gauge networks can provide basic datasets that enable direct statistical validation of GPM core-satellite reflectivitys and core/constellation rain rate measurements. Near-term planned field campaign involvements include Finland/Baltic Sea (fall 2010; joint CloudSat,GPM, and European study of precipitation in low-altitude melting layers and snowfall in the vicinity of the Helsinki testbed), central Oklahoma (spring 2011; joint with DOE ARM- precipitation retrievals over a mid-latitude continental land surface), and the Great Lakes region (winter 2011-12, snowfall retrieval).

Petersen, Walter A.↗

Rapid Calculation of Spacecraft Trajectories Using Efficient Taylor Series Integration

A variable-order, variable-step Taylor series integration algorithm was implemented in NASA Glenn's SNAP (Spacecraft N-body Analysis Program) code. SNAP is a high-fidelity trajectory propagation program that can propagate the trajectory of a spacecraft about virtually any body in the solar system. The Taylor series algorithm's very high order accuracy and excellent stability properties lead to large reductions in computer time relative to the code's existing 8th order Runge-Kutta scheme. Head-to-head comparison on near-Earth, lunar, Mars, and Europa missions showed that Taylor series integration is 15.8 times faster than Runge- Kutta on average, and is more accurate. These speedups were obtained for calculations involving central body, other body, thrust, and drag forces. Similar speedups have been obtained for calculations that include J2 spherical harmonic for central body gravitation. The algorithm includes a step size selection method that directly calculates the step size and never requires a repeat step. High-order Taylor series integration algorithms have been shown to provide major reductions in computer time over conventional integration methods in numerous scientific applications. The objective here was to directly implement Taylor series integration in an existing trajectory analysis code and demonstrate that large reductions in computer time (order of magnitude) could be achieved while simultaneously maintaining high accuracy. This software greatly accelerates the calculation of spacecraft trajectories. At each time level, the spacecraft position, velocity, and mass are expanded in a high-order Taylor series whose coefficients are obtained through efficient differentiation arithmetic. This makes it possible to take very large time steps at minimal cost, resulting in large savings in computer time. The Taylor series algorithm is implemented primarily through three subroutines: (1) a driver routine that automatically introduces auxiliary variables and sets up initial conditions and integrates; (2) a routine that calculates system reduced derivatives using recurrence relations for quotients and products; and (3) a routine that determines the step size and sums the series. The order of accuracy used in a trajectory calculation is arbitrary and can be set by the user. The algorithm directly calculates the motion of other planetary bodies and does not require ephemeris files (except to start the calculation). The code also runs with Taylor series and Runge-Kutta used interchangeably for different phases of a mission.

Scott, James R.↗

Quantifying Traversability of Terrain for a Mobile Robot

A document presents an updated discussion on a method of autonomous navigation for a robotic vehicle navigating across rough terrain. The method involves, among other things, the use of a measure of traversability, denoted the fuzzy traversability index, which embodies the information about the slope and roughness of terrain obtained from analysis of images acquired by cameras mounted on the robot. The improvements presented in the report focus on the use of the fuzzy traversability index to generate a traversability map and a grid map for planning the safest path for the robot. Once grid traversability values have been computed, they are utilized for rejecting unsafe path segments and for computing a traversalcost function for ranking candidate paths, selected by a search algorithm, from a specified initial position to a specified final position. The output of the algorithm is a set of waypoints designating a path having a minimal-traversal cost.

Howard, Ayanna↗

Greedy Sampling and Incremental Surrogate Model-Based Tailoring of Aeroservoelastic Model Database for Flexible Aircraft

This paper presents a data analysis and modeling framework to tailor and develop linear parameter-varying (LPV) aeroservoelastic (ASE) model database for flexible aircrafts in broad 2D flight parameter space. The Kriging surrogate model is constructed using ASE models at a fraction of grid points within the original model database, and then the ASE model at any flight condition can be obtained simply through surrogate model interpolation. The greedy sampling algorithm is developed to select the next sample point that carries the worst relative error between the surrogate model prediction and the benchmark model in the frequency domain among all input-output channels. The process is iterated to incrementally improve surrogate model accuracy till a pre-determined tolerance or iteration budget is met. The methodology is applied to the ASE model database of a flexible aircraft currently being tested at NASA/AFRC for flutter suppression and gust load alleviation. Our studies indicate that the proposed method can reduce the number of models in the original database by 67%. Even so the ASE models obtained through Kriging interpolation match the model in the original database constructed directly from the physics-based tool with the worst relative error far below 1%. The interpolated ASE model exhibits continuously-varying gains along a set of prescribed flight conditions. More importantly, the selected grid points are distributed non-uniformly in the parameter space, a) capturing the distinctly different dynamic behavior and its dependence on flight parameters, and b) reiterating the need and utility for adaptive space sampling techniques for ASE model database compaction. The present framework is directly extendible to high-dimensional flight parameter space, and can be used to guide the ASE model development, model order reduction, robust control synthesis and novel vehicle design of flexible aircraft.

numerical analysi↗

Analysis and Application of Novel and Heritage Acceleration Limiting Algorithms for SLS on Ascent

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently building the Space Launch System (SLS) Block-1 launch vehicle, to be used as the crewed heavy-lift vehicle for the Artemis series of missions. The SLS Block-1 guidance subsystem utilizes a nonlinear algorithm derived from Shuttle heritage for limiting the vehicle’s induced maximum axial acceleration during ascent flight, known as g-limiting. Even though g-limiting has demonstrated stability and robustness through several design analysis cycles and the extensive Shuttle flight history, there are no available documents that demonstrate that this algorithm has been proven stable through conventional controls stability analysis. This paper highlights the non-linear nature of g-limit, presents an alternative methodology to employ a linear version of this algorithm, performs assessment of selected linear gains using classical stability analysis and, conducts a comparison of both approaches through Six Degrees-of-Freedom (6-DOF) Monte Carlo (MC) simulations.

Jason Everett↗

Satellite-To-Satellite Imaging in Support of LEO Optical Navigation, Using the ASTERIA Cubesat

The Arcsecond Space Telescope Enabling Research in Astrophysics (ASTERIA) was a 6-unit CubeSat technology demonstration mission that was built at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on November 20th, 2017. After successfully completing its 90-day primary mission that demonstrated arcsecond-level line-of-sight pointing and focal plane thermal stability for exoplanet detection, it entered an extended mission performing onboard software demonstrations alongside science until end of mission in December 2019. At the end of its lifetime it was being used as a demonstration platform for several experiments, including low earth orbit (LEO) optical navigation operations. With its visible light astrometric camera and stable attitude control system, the ASTERIA spacecraft showed itself to be a capable platform for the imaging of geosynchronous satellites from LEO. This paper will describe the imagery attained in flight and also the image processing algorithms that were developed to render that imagery into navigation quality data. These algorithms dealt with hot pixel filtering, noise modeling, attitude registration, star signal rejection and satellite signal identification. Brightness prediction algorithms used for target selection will also be discussed.

Fesq, Lorraine↗

Local Scale (3-M) Soil Moisture Mapping Using SMAP and Planet Superdove

A capability for mapping meter-level resolution soil moisture with frequent temporal sampling over large regions is essential for quantifying local-scale environmental heterogeneity and eco-hydrologic behavior. However, available surface soil moisture (SSM) products generally involve much coarser grain sizes ranging from 30 m to several 10s of kilometers. Hence a new method is proposed to estimate 3-m resolution SSM using a combination of multi-sensor fusion, machine- learning (ML) and Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) matching approaches. This method established favorable SSM correspondence between 3-m pixels and overlying 9-km grid cells from overlapping Planet SuperDove (PSD) observations and NASA Soil Moisture Active-Passive (SMAP) mission products. The resulting 3-m SSM predictions showed improved accuracy by reducing ab- solute bias and RMSE by ~0.01 cm3/cm3 over the original SMAP data in relation to in-situ soil moisture measurements for the Australian Yanco region, while preserving the high sampling frequency (1-3 day global revisit) and sensitivity to surface wetness (R 0.865) from SMAP. Heterogeneous soil moisture distributions varying with vegetation biomass gradients and irrigation regimes were generally captured within a selected study area. Further algorithm refinement and implementation for regional applications will allow for improvement in water resources management, precision agriculture, and disaster forecasts and responses.

soil moisture↗

Inelastic transient dynamic analysis of three-dimensional problems by BEM

A general direct boundary element formulation and its numerical implementation for solving transient dynamic problems of three-dimensional isotropic homogeneous or piecewise homogeneous solids involving material nonlinearities are presented. The algorithm produces accurate results for static nonlinear problems by using large time steps. When a large value of yield stress is selected, the incremental inelastic transient algorithm produces results identical to those obtained by elastodynamic analysis.

Ahmad, S.↗

Effect of grid aspect ratio on convergence

The effects of high-aspect-ratio grids on algorithm convergence are considered by means of vector stability theory and computational experiments. The results indicate that approximately factored implicit schemes experience convergence deterioration because of nonoptimum local time-stepping procedures and increased need for viscous preconditioning. Based on this insight, an enhanced algorithm is devised using improved selection of the local time step, appropriate definition of the viscous preconditioning matrix, and proper implementation of the boundary conditions. The new algorithm provides uniformly efficient convergence at all aspect ratios for both Euler and Navier-Stokes computations for a variety of test problems.

Buelow, P. E. O.↗

Parallel unstructured grid generation

A parallel unstructured grid generation algorithm is presented and implemented on the Hypercube. Different processor hierarchies are discussed, and the appropraite hierarchies for mesh generation and mesh smoothing are selected. A domain-splitting algorithm for unstructured grids which tries to minimize the surface-to-volume ratio of each subdomain is described. This splitting algorithm is employed both for grid generation and grid smoothing. Results obtained on the Hypercube demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithms developed.

Loehner, Rainald↗

Large space structure flight experiment

The primary purpose of this work is to provide a first order feasibility analysis of a large space structure flight experiment. The feasibility issues are addressed from the control technologist's point of view. Control and system identification techniques and algorithms are evaluated with a selected experiment antenna structure through analysis and computer simulation. The required and actuator hardware is assessed and its requirements examined with respect to the current state-of-the-art. The results of this study show that a shuttle attached flight experiment is feasible with moderate advancement of current control technology. The control and identification algorithms are well understood and can be adapted to the flight computers with additional dedicated processors. Although it is necessary to select a focused flight configuration to produce quantitative results, it is believed that, in general, performance requirements and capabilities, timelines, hardware, and algorithms are sufficiently generic in nature and can be applied to other configurations.

Schwab, D. C.↗

Performance of some block codes on a Gaussian channel

A technique proposed by Chase (1972) is used to evaluate the performance of several fairly long binary block codes on a wideband additive Gaussian channel. Considerations leading to the use of Chase's technique are discussed. Chase's concepts are first applied to the most powerful practical class of binary codes, the BCH codes with Berlekamp's (1972) decoding algorithm. Chase's algorithm is then described along with proposed selection of candidate codes. Results are presented of applying Chase's algorithm to four binary codes: (23, 12) Golay code, (32, 16) second-order Reed-Muller code, (63, 36) 5-error correcting BCH code, and (95, 39) 9-error correcting shortened BCH code. It is concluded that there are many block codes of length not exceeding 100 with extremely attractive maximum likelihood decoding performance on a Gaussian channel. BCH codes decoded via Berlekamp's binary decoding algorithm and Chase's idea are close to being practical competitors to short-constraint length convolutional codes with Viterbi decoding.

Baumert, L. D.↗

Genetic-Algorithm Tool For Search And Optimization

SPLICER computer program used to solve search and optimization problems. Genetic algorithms adaptive search procedures (i.e., problem-solving methods) based loosely on processes of natural selection and Darwinian "survival of fittest." Algorithms apply genetically inspired operators to populations of potential solutions in iterative fashion, creating new populations while searching for optimal or nearly optimal solution to problem at hand. Written in Think C.

Wang, Lui↗

Balancing Vibrations at Harmonic Frequencies by Injecting Harmonic Balancing Signals into the Armature of a Linear Motor/Alternator Coupled to a Stirling Machine

Vibrations at harmonic frequencies are reduced by injecting harmonic balancing signals into the armature of a linear motor/alternator coupled to a Stirling machine. The vibrations are sensed to provide a signal representing the mechanical vibrations. A harmonic balancing signal is generated for selected harmonics of the operating frequency by processing the sensed vibration signal with adaptive filter algorithms of adaptive filters for each harmonic. Reference inputs for each harmonic are applied to the adaptive filter algorithms at the frequency of the selected harmonic. The harmonic balancing signals for all of the harmonics are summed with a principal control signal. The harmonic balancing signals modify the principal electrical drive voltage and drive the motor/alternator with a drive voltage component in opposition to the vibration at each harmonic.

Holliday, Ezekiel S.↗