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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

Simultaneous VHF and UHF radar observation of the mesosphere at Arecibo during a solar flare: A check on the gradient-mixing hypothesis

The results of a two wavelength (VHF and UHF) mesosphere experiment performed at the Arecibo Observatory on January 5, 1981 are discussed. The 46.8-MHz VHF radar (3.21 m Bragg scale) was operated to provide spectral measurements of signals scattered from refractivity fluctuations due to turbulence. Other physical parameters such as radial velocities, scattered signal power, and Doppler spread due to turbulence can be derived from signal spectra. The 430-MHz UHF radar (0.36 m Bragg scale) was used for D-region electron-density measurements using the incoherent scatter technique with a comparable height resolution. The radars were pointed symmetrically about the vertical with a beam spacing of 5.5 degree in the meridional plane. Occurrence of a type 4 solar flare during the experiment produced enhanced D-region electron-density gradients. This was a unique circumstance that provided the possibility of testing the basic premises of the turbulent gradient-mixing hypothesis.

Rastogi, P. K.↗

ERBE bidirectional model consistency check

A short analysis is presented of Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) errors inherent in the directional models used for data interpretation. The models were all developed on the basis of experience with the Nimbus-7 ERB experiment, which had a spatial resolution one-third that of ERBE instrumentation. A pseudo-directional model is defined to simulate the ERBE scanner data, using the assumptions that the average radiant exitance for any particular scene is independent of the viewing geometry, geographic location and time the data is collected. The directionality of the view angle and solar zenith angle is accounted for by a method of bins.

Baldwin, D. G.↗

Checking Nickel Plate For Porosity

Porosity test goes for free ride with cryogenic adhesion test. Frosted areas marked so pores found after frost disappears. Plating stylus used for local repair of nickel layer.

Roberts, Michael D.↗

Checking Fits With Digital Image Processing

Computer-aided video inspection of mechanical and electrical connectors feasible. Report discusses work done on digital image processing for computer-aided interface verification (CAIV). Two kinds of components examined: mechanical mating flange and electrical plug.

Davis, R. M.↗

Checking Plumbing Connections Electrically

Ports identified by Zener-diode voltages. Electronic verification circuits assist in assembly of multiple-line plumbing by helping to ensure proper lines joined to proper input and output ports. Zener diode and electronic jack added to each fixture. Zener breakdown voltage is different for each port. When fixture makes fluid connection, also makes electrical connection. Zener breakdown voltage identifies line, port, or valve to which fluid line connected.

Chappel, Jerry L.↗

Vacuum Head Checks Foam/Substrate Bonds

Electromechanical inspection system quickly gives measurements indicating adhesion, or lack thereof, between rigid polyurethane foam and aluminum substrate. Does not damage inspected article, easy to operate, and used to perform "go/no-go" evaluations or as supplement to conventional destructive pull-plug testing. Applies vacuum to small area of foam panel and measures distance through which foam pulled into vacuum. Probe head applied to specimen and evacuated through hose to controller/monitor unit. Digital voltmeter in unit reads deflection of LVDT probe head.

Lloyd, James F.↗

Local area network with fault-checking, priorities, and redundant backup

This invention is a redundant error detecting and correcting local area networked computer system having a plurality of nodes each including a network connector board within the node for connecting to an interfacing transceiver operably attached to a network cable. There is a first network cable disposed along a path to interconnect the nodes. The first network cable includes a plurality of first interfacing transceivers attached thereto. A second network cable is disposed in parallel with the first cable and, in like manner, includes a plurality of second interfacing transceivers attached thereto. There are a plurality of three position switches each having a signal input, three outputs for individual selective connection to the input, and a control input for receiving signals designating which of the outputs is to be connected to the signal input. Each of the switches includes means for designating a response address for responding to addressed signals appearing at the control input and each of the switches further has its signal input connected to a respective one of the input/output lines from the nodes. Also, one of the three outputs is connected to a repective one of the plurality of first interfacing transceivers. There is master switch control means having an output connected to the control inputs of the plurality of three position switches and an input for receiving directive signals for outputting addressed switch position signals to the three position switches as well as monitor and control computer means having a pair of network connector boards therein connected to respective ones of one of the first interfacing transceivers and one of the second interfacing transceivers and an output connected to the input of the master switch means for monitoring the status of the networked computer system by sending messages to the nodes and receiving and verifying messages therefrom and for sending control signals to the master switch to cause the master switch to cause respective ones of the nodes to use a desired one of the first and second cables for transmitting and receiving messages and for disconnecting desired ones of the nodes from both cables.

Morales, Sergio↗

Self-checking self-repairing computer nodes using the mirror processor

Circuitry added to fault-tolerant systems for concurrent error deduction usually reduces performance. Using a technique called micro rollback, it is possible to eliminate most of the performance penalty of concurrent error detection. Error detection is performed in parallel with intermodule communication, and erroneous state changes are later undone. The author reports on the design and implementation of a VLSI RISC microprocessor, called the Mirror Processor (MP), which is capable of micro rollback. In order to achieve concurrent error detection, two MP chips operate in lockstep, comparing external signals and a signature of internal signals every clock cycle. If a mismatch is detected, both processors roll back to the beginning of the cycle when the error occurred. In some cases the erroneous state is corrected by copying a value from the fault-free processor to the faulty processor. The architecture, microarchitecture, and VLSI implementation of the MP, emphasizing its error-detection, error-recovery, and self-diagnosis capabilities, are described.

Tamir, Yuval↗

A second generation expert system for checking and diagnosing AXAF's electric power system

AXAF - Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility - is a third NASA's great space observatory. Each of these observatories is intended to cover different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (x-ray for AXAF) and to provide high resolution images of celestial sources in our universe. While the spacecraft is in orbit, the electric power system (EPS) performance is monitored via sensors measuring voltages, currents, pressures, and temperatures. The sensor data are sent from the spacecraft to the ground station as telemetry and analyzed on arrival. Monitoring, diagnosis and maintenance of such EPS is an arduous task which requires expertise and constant attention of the ground personnel. To help the ground crew in this task, much of it should be automated and delegated to expert systems, which draw engineer's attention to possible malfunctions and allows him to review the telemetry to determine the source of the trouble, diagnose the suspected fault and to propose a corrective action. Those systems are built on assumptions such as: (1) domain knowledge is available and can be represented as a set of rules; (2) domain knowledge is circumscribed, static, and monotonic; and (3) expert decision making can be emulated by a logical inference mechanism.

Bykat, Alex↗

Self-checking on-line testable static RAM

This is a fault-tolerant random access memory for use in fault-tolerant computers. It comprises a plurality of memory chips each comprising a plurality of on-line testable and correctable memory cells disposed in rows and columns for holding individually addressable binary bits and provision for error detection incorporated into each memory cell for outputting an error signal whenever a transient error occurs therein. In one embodiment, each of the memory cells comprises a pair of static memory sub-cells for simultaneously receiving and holding a common binary data bit written to the memory cell and the error detection provision comprises comparator logic for continuously sensing and comparing the contents of the memory sub-cells to one another and for outputting the error signal whenever the contents do not match. In another embodiment, each of the memory cells comprises a static memory sub-cell and a dynamic memory sub-cell for simultaneously receiving and holding a common binary data bit written to the memory cell and the error detection provision comprises comparator logic for continuously sensing and comparing the contents of the static memory sub-cell to the dynamic memory sub-cell and for outputting the error signal whenever the contents do not match. Capability for correction of errors is also included.

Chau, Savio N.↗

Constraint checking during error recovery

The system-level software onboard a spacecraft is responsible for recovery from communication, power, thermal, and computer-health anomalies that may occur. The recovery must occur without disrupting any critical scientific or engineering activity that is executing at the time of the error. Thus, the error-recovery software may have to execute concurrently with the ongoing acquisition of scientific data or with spacecraft maneuvers. This work provides a technique by which the rules that constrain the concurrent execution of these processes can be modeled in a graph. An algorithm is described that uses this model to validate that the constraints hold for all concurrent executions of the error-recovery software with the software that controls the science and engineering activities of the spacecraft. The results are applicable to a variety of control systems with critical constraints on the timing and ordering of the events they control.

Lutz, Robyn R.↗

Charts for checking the stability of compression members in trusses

The present report contains a set of charts developed for computing the fixity effect on a compression member in a truss through its adjacent members, the amount of fixity being considered variable with the particular total truss load. The use of the charts is illustrated on two- and three-bay systems, as well as on a triangular truss.

Borkmann, K↗

Checking ozone amounts by measurements of UV-irradiances

Absolute measurements of UV-irradiances in Germany and New Zealand are used to determine the total amounts of ozone. UV-irradiances measured and calculated for clear skies and for solar zenith angles less than 60 deg generally show a good accordance. The UVB-irradiances, however, show that the actual Dobson values are about 5 percent higher in Germany and about 3 percent higher in New Zealand compared to those obtained by our method. Possible reasons for these deviations are discussed.

Seckmeyer, Gunther↗

Laboratory spectra of field samples as a check on two atmospheric correction methods

Atmospheric correction is the first step toward quantitative analysis of imaging spectroscopy data. Two methods, MODTRAN model and the empirical line, were used to convert AVIRIS radiance values to reflectance values. A set of laboratory spectra of field samples corresponding to AVIRIS coverage was used to assess these methods. This will also serve to select bands for future quantative analyses.

Xu, Pung↗

Self-Checking Pairs Of Microprocessors

Method of imparting fault tolerance to computer system provides for immediate detection of faults at microprocessor level. Shadow microprocessor provides nominal duplicate outputs to verify functioning of main microprocessor. When output signal on any pin of one microprocessor differs from that on corresponding pin of other microprocessor, comparator puts out alarm signal.

Smith, Brian S.↗

On-Orbit Health Check of Hubble Space Telescope Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries

The Hubble Space Telescope is a one-of-a-kind spacecraft that pushes technology to its limits. Housing an 8-foot (2.4 meter) mirror and several sophisticated cameras and detectors the telescope is the largest orbital astronomy observatory ever placed in space. It has two modules each containing three 88 Ah NiH2 batteries (six total). Reconditioning has traditionally been used as a means of maintaining the performance of normal cells and batteries. This paper describes the objective, procedure, and results of a reconditioning processes that used to improve the performance of an HST nickel-hydrogen batteries.

Rao, Gopalakrishna M.↗

Check-Up of Planet Earth at the Turn of the Millennium: Anticipated New Phase in Earth Sciences

Langley's remarkable solar and lunar spectra collected from Mt. Whitney inspired Arrhenius to develop the first quantitative climate model in 1896. In 1999, NASA's Earth Observing AM Satellite (EOS-AM) will repeat Langley's experiment, but for the entire planet, thus pioneering calibrated spectral observations from space. Conceived in response to real environmental problems, EOS-AM, in conjunction with other international satellite efforts, will fill a major gap in current efforts by providing quantitative global data sets with a resolution of few kilometers on the physical, chemical and biological elements of the earth system. Thus, like Langley's data, EOS-AM can revolutionize climate research by inspiring a new generation of climate system models and enable us to assess the human impact on the environment.

Kaufman, Y. J.↗