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At least 307 records · Page 17

A Component-Level Model of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B)

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) is being employed in numerous peer-to-peer initiatives attempting to expand the capacity of the National Airspace System (NAS) or enable mixed operations of manned and unmanned vehicles. Safety assessments of these initiatives rely, in part, on modeling the accuracy of ADS-B in reporting the position and direction of an ownship and surrounding traffic. Frequently, these initiatives utilize a position uncertainty model that applies a reported ADS-B estimation position uncertainty (EPU) value to a Rayleigh distribution and uses a Gauss-Markov random walk to add error to the ADS-B output of a vehicle. This model of ADS-B state error is easy to implement and apply to numerous problems. However, it has a couple of draw-backs. First, the ADS-B state errors are equally probable in all directions. This is a good assumption in situations where aircraft maneuvering is not constrained. However, in situations where the aircraft maneuvering is constrained such as landing, the error distribution is likely to exhibit directionality and the non-directional model may skew results especially when assessing very low probabilities (e.g., 10(exp -9)) of catastrophic encounters. Second, the model does not account for processing latency in the receiving aircraft. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) recently examined the feasibility of decreasing the spacing of aircraft on parallel approaches to runways separated by as little as 700 feet. For Monte-Carlo analysis using a high-fidelity simulation of a large transport, LaRC started with a Gauss-Markov model of ADS-B error but then developed a component level model of ADS-B error to increase the fidelity of results.

Madden, Michael M.↗

Cross coupling in pilot/vehicle systems

Multiloop pilot/vehicle analysis is applied to the problem of determining crossfeed techniques which may be employed by pilots in minimizing the effects of vehicle cross coupling. As used here, cross coupling refers to unwanted vehicle motion which occurs in one control axis or loop as the result of pilot control actuation in another control axis or loop. The minimization or elimination of such cross coupling can contribute significantly to the 'workload' associated with tasks like nap-of-the-earth helicopter flight. In contrast, situations arise in which pilot's may use vehicle cross coupling to improve performance by coordinating two control actuations in the control of a single response variable. A crossfeed model is developed based upon simple control system design principles and configured in a manner amenable to pilot pursuit or precognitive control activity. A handling qualities theory developed to analyze single loop tasks is applied to the multiloop problem. The crossfeed model is applied to five different vehicles/configurations ranging from helicopters to fighter aircraft. Results indicate relatively simple crossfeed commands can significantly reduce cross coupling and, in some improve handling qualities as predicted by the single loop theory.

Hess, R. A.↗

A boundary-coupled generalization of the Newcomb stability criterion

In magnetohydrodynamic problems in which there are boundaries in the axial or azimuthal symmetry directions, the energy principle involves multiple nonorthogonal trial perturbations. The subsequent Euler-Lagrange coupling of these allowed excitations necessitates a generalization of the Newcomb necessary-and-sufficient stability criterion. This extension, in which the absence of a conjugate point (instead of a simple zero) provides stability, is described in this paper. An important aspect of the proof involves the treatment of certain asymmetries which arise in the presence of the anisotropy caused by the magnetic field. The general method described here has applications to finite-length axial laboratory pinches and to astrophysical plasmas with rooted magnetic fields.

Ray, A.↗

On the use of attachment modes in substructure coupling for dynamic analysis

Substructure coupling or component-mode synthesis may be employed in the solution of dynamics problems for complex structures. Although numerous substructure-coupling methods have been devised, little attention has been devoted to methods employing attachment modes. In the present paper the various mode sets (normal modes, constraint modes, attachment modes) are defined. A generalized substructure-coupling procedure is described. Those substructure-coupling methods which employ attachment modes are described in detail. One of these methods is shown to lead to results (e.g., system natural frequencies) comparable to or better than those obtained by the Hurty (1965) method.

Craig, R. R., Jr.↗

Quantum mechanical calculations to chemical accuracy

The accuracy of current molecular-structure calculations is illustrated with examples of quantum mechanical solutions for chemical problems. Two approaches are considered: (1) the coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) with a perturbational estimate of the contribution of connected triple excitations, or CCDS(T); and (2) the multireference configuration-interaction (MRCI) approach to the correlation problem. The MRCI approach gains greater applicability by means of size-extensive modifications such as the averaged-coupled pair functional approach. The examples of solutions to chemical problems include those for C-H bond energies, the vibrational frequencies of O3, identifying the ground state of Al2 and Si2, and the Lewis-Rayleigh afterglow and the Hermann IR system of N2. Accurate molecular-wave functions can be derived from a combination of basis-set saturation studies and full configuration-interaction calculations.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗

Effect of modified aerodynamic strip theories on rotor blade aeroelastic stability

Various existing unsteady aerodynamic strip theories which have been developed in the past for both fixed and rotary wing aeroelastic analyses are modified in the paper so as to make them applicable to the coupled flap-lag-torsional aeroelastic problem of a rotor blade in hover. These corrections are primarily due to constant angle of attack, constant inflow and variable free stream velocity due to lead-lag motion. Next, the modified strip theories are incorporated in a coupled flap-lag-torsional aeroelastic analysis of the rotor blade in hover and the sensitivity of the aeroelastic stability boundaries to the aerodynamic assumptions is examined.

Friedmann, P.↗

Partitioning and packing mathematical simulation models for calculation on parallel computers

The development of multiprocessor simulations from a serial set of ordinary differential equations describing a physical system is described. Degrees of parallelism (i.e., coupling between the equations) and their impact on parallel processing are discussed. The problem of identifying computational parallelism within sets of closely coupled equations that require the exchange of current values of variables is described. A technique is presented for identifying this parallelism and for partitioning the equations for parallel solution on a multiprocessor. An algorithm which packs the equations into a minimum number of processors is also described. The results of the packing algorithm when applied to a turbojet engine model are presented in terms of processor utilization.

Arpasi, D. J.↗

Aeroelastic System Development Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Volterra Theory

This research combines Volterra theory and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) into a hybrid methodology for reduced-order modeling of aeroelastic systems. The out-come of the method is a set of linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) describing the modal amplitudes associated with both the structural modes and the POD basis functions for the uid. For this research, the structural modes are sine waves of varying frequency, and the Volterra-POD approach is applied to the fluid dynamics equations. The structural modes are treated as forcing terms which are impulsed as part of the uid model realization. Using this approach, structural and uid operators are coupled into a single aeroelastic operator. This coupling converts a free boundary uid problem into an initial value problem, while preserving the parameter (or parameters) of interest for sensitivity analysis. The approach is applied to an elastic panel in supersonic cross ow. The hybrid Volterra-POD approach provides a low-order uid model in state-space form. The linear uid model is tightly coupled with a nonlinear panel model using an implicit integration scheme. The resulting aeroelastic model provides correct limit-cycle oscillation prediction over a wide range of panel dynamic pressure values. Time integration of the reduced-order aeroelastic model is four orders of magnitude faster than the high-order solution procedure developed for this research using traditional uid and structural solvers.

Lucia, David J.↗

Closed-form solutions for a class of optimal quadratic regulator problems with terminal constraints

Closed-form solutions are derived for coupled Riccati-like matrix differential equations describing the solution of a class of optimal finite time quadratic regulator problems with terminal constraints. Analytical solutions are obtained for the feedback gains and the closed-loop response trajectory. A computational procedure is presented which introduces new variables for efficient computation of the terminal control law. Two examples are given to illustrate the validity and usefulness of the theory.

Juang, J.-N.↗

Extension-bend-twist coupling behavior of thin-walled advanced composite beams with initial twist

An analytical model is developed for assessing the extension-bend-twist coupling behavior of nonhomogeneous anisotropic beams with initial twist. The model is formulated as a coupled two-dimensional boundary value problem, where the displacement solutions are defined with pretwist-dependent functions that represent the extension, bending, and torsion, and unknown functions that represent local in-plane deformations and out-of-plane cross-section warping. The unknown deformation functions are determined by applying the principle of minimum potential energy to a discretized representation of the cross section. Numerical results are presented that fully verify this approach and illustrate the strong extension-twist coupling behavior present in pretwisted beams with thin-wall laminated composite cross sections as a function of ply angle, initial twist level, and initial twist axis location. Cross-sections analyzed include; thin laminated rectangles with either asymmetric or symmetric ply stacking sequences and a thin-wall single cell D-section composed of a graphite/epoxy woven cloth.

Kosmatka, J. B.↗

Promoting Real-Time Science in the Classroom using Wireless PDA Technology

The year is 2004, NASA has landed and deployed a fleet of rovers on the surface of Mars to continue the exploration of that planet and prepare the way for human visitors. Middle school students at Milton Elementary have been following the mission through the media and Internet as part of Mr. Johnson's Earth and space sciences class. The kids have been working in teams to track the rovers as they move across the surface of Mars on a scale model of the landing site they built from sand and rocks using pictures and video downloaded from the Internet. They also built their own version of a rover that can be driven around the model. The time is 3:36pm. Jim and a couple of his fellow students from class are sitting in the cafeteria waiting for a student council meeting to begin. Mary and several others are on the bus riding home. Kathy is in her father's car waiting to leave the parking lot. On Mars, Rover-3 has just stopped and issued an alert to ground control at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Back at Milton Elementary chimes can be heard going off in the cafeteria, on the school bus, and in Kathy's car. The students are familiar with the drill and each brings up the Mars mission status display on their hand-held PDA device. They've been using their PDAs (those Palm devices that seem to be everywhere today) to obtain real-time position information for each of the rovers throughout the mission. The mission status display tells them that Rover-3 has stopped on the edge of a small gully and isn't quite sure what to do. The students begin considering the options amongst themselves. Should the rover just drive through the gully? If it does, what happens if it gets stuck? Maybe it should turnaround and look for away around the gully? Trough questions. Real questions. Real problems. The students know they will need to be prepared to discuss the options and conduct their own simulations using the models they built in Mr. Johnson's class tomorrow. Much the same way engineers and scientists will be working to solve the problem at NASA. It's a couple of days later, NASA has made a decision on what to do and has issued new commands for Rover-3 to execute at 9:15am Milton Elementary time. Interestingly, NASA's solution to the problem differs from the one favored by the students. 9:16am, chimes can be heard going off throughout Milton Elementary.

Matusow, David↗

Two-part valve acts as quick coupling

A two-part valve simplifies the problem of filling large tanks from smaller ones. One part acts as a check valve and remains integral to the recipient system, while the other part is integral to the donor system.

Source record↗

Visualization of Space-Time Ambiguities to be Explored by NASA GEC Mission with a Critique of Synthesized Measurements for Different GEC Mission Scenarios

The Grant supported research addressing the question of how the NASA Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) Mission called Geospace electrodynamics Connections (GEC) will resolve space-time structures as well as collect sufficient information to solve the coupled thermosphere-ionosphere- magnetosphere dynamics and electrodynamics. The approach adopted was to develop a high resolution in both space and time model of the ionosphere-thermosphere (I-T) over altitudes relevant to GEC, especially the deep-dipping phase. This I-T model was driven by a high- resolution model of magnetospheric-ionospheric (M-I) coupling electrodynamics. Such a model contains all the key parameters to be measured by GEC instrumentation, which in turn are the required parameters to resolve present-day problems in describing the energy and momentum coupling between the ionosphere-magnetosphere and ionosphere-thermosphere. This model database has been successfully created for one geophysical condition; winter, solar maximum with disturbed geophysical conditions, specifically a substorm. Using this data set, visualizations (movies) were created to contrast dynamics of the different measurable parameters. Specifically, the rapidly varying magnetospheric E and auroral electron precipitation versus the slower varying ionospheric F-region electron density, but rapidly responding E-region density.

Sojka, Jan J.↗

Mechanics of composite materials: Recent advances; Proceedings of the Symposium, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, August 16-19, 1982

The present conference on the mechanics of composites discusses microstructure's influence on particulate and short fiber composites' thermoelastic and transport properties, the elastoplastic deformation of composites, constitutive equations for viscoplastic composites, the plasticity and fatigue of metal matrix composites, laminate damping mechanisms, the micromechanical modeling of Kevlar/epoxy composites' time-dependent failure, the variational characterization of waves in composites, and computational methods for eigenvalue problems in composite design. Also discussed are the elastic response of laminates, elastic coupling nonlinear effects in unsymmetrical laminates, elasticity solutions for laminate problems having stress singularities, the mechanics of bimodular composite structures, the optimization of laminated plates and shells, NDE for laminates, the role of matrix cracking in the continuum constitutive behavior of a damaged composite ply, and the energy release rates of various microcracks in short fiber composites.

Hashin, Z.↗

Optical Sensors Based on Single Arm Thin Film Waveguide Interferometer

All the goals of the research effort for the first year were met by the accomplishments. Additional efforts were done to speed up the process of development and construction of the experimental gas chamber which will be completed by the end of 1997. This chamber incorporates vacuum sealed multimode optical fiber lines which connect the sensor to the remote light source and signal processing equipment. This optical fiber line is a prototype of actual optical communication links connecting real sensors to a control unit within an aircraft or spacecraft. An important problem which we are planning to focus on during the second year is coupling of optical fiber line to the sensor. Currently this problem is solved using focusing optics and prism couplers. More reliable solutions are planned to be investigated.

Sarkisov, Sergey S.↗

Integrating CFD, CAA, and Experiments Towards Benchmark Datasets for Airframe Noise Problems

Airframe noise corresponds to the acoustic radiation due to turbulent flow in the vicinity of airframe components such as high-lift devices and landing gears. The combination of geometric complexity, high Reynolds number turbulence, multiple regions of separation, and a strong coupling with adjacent physical components makes the problem of airframe noise highly challenging. Since 2010, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has organized an ongoing series of workshops devoted to Benchmark Problems for Airframe Noise Computations (BANC). The BANC workshops are aimed at enabling a systematic progress in the understanding and high-fidelity predictions of airframe noise via collaborative investigations that integrate state of the art computational fluid dynamics, computational aeroacoustics, and in depth, holistic, and multifacility measurements targeting a selected set of canonical yet realistic configurations. This paper provides a brief summary of the BANC effort, including its technical objectives, strategy, and selective outcomes thus far.

Choudhari, Meelan M.↗

Extension-torsion coupling behavior of advanced composite tilt-rotor blades

An analytic model was developed to study the extension-bend-twist coupling behavior of an advanced composite helicopter or tilt-rotor blade. The outer surface of the blade is defined by rotating an arbitrary cross section about an initial twist axis. The cross section can be nonhomogeneous and composed of generally anisotropic materials. The model is developed based upon a three dimensional elasticity approach that is recast as a coupled two-dimensional boundary value problem defined in a curvilinear coordinate system. Displacement solutions are written in terms of known functions that represent extension, bending, and twisting and unknown functions for local cross section deformations. The unknown local deformation functions are determined by applying the principle of minimum potential energy to the discretized two-dimensional cross section. This is an application of the Ritz method, where the trial function family is the displacement field associated with a finite element (8-node isoparametric quadrilaterals) representation of the section. A computer program was written where the cross section is discretized into 8-node quadrilateral subregions. Initially the program was verified using previously published results (both three-dimensional elasticity and technical beam theory) for pretwisted isotropic bars with an elliptical cross section. In addition, solid and thin-wall multi-cell NACA-0012 airfoil sections were analyzed to illustrate the pronounced effects that pretwist, initial twist axis location, and spar location has on coupled behavior. Currently, a series of advanced composite airfoils are being modeled in order to assess how the use of laminated composite materials interacts with pretwist to alter the coupling behavior of the blade. These studies will investigate the use of different ply angle orientations and the use of symmetric versus unsymmetric laminates.

Kosmatka, J. B.↗

Resonance line transfer calculations by doubling thin layers. I - Comparison with other techniques. II - The use of the R-parallel redistribution function

A versatile and efficient technique for the solution of the resonance line scattering problem with frequency redistribution in planetary atmospheres is introduced. Similar to the doubling approach commonly used in monochromatic scattering problems, the technique has been extended to include the frequency dependence of the radiation field. Methods for solving problems with external or internal sources and coupled spectral lines are presented, along with comparison of some sample calculations with results from Monte Carlo and Feautrier techniques. The doubling technique has also been applied to the solution of resonance line scattering problems where the R-parallel redistribution function is appropriate, both neglecting and including polarization as developed by Yelle and Wallace (1989). With the constraint that the atmosphere is illuminated from the zenith, the only difficulty of consequence is that of performing precise frequency integrations over the line profiles. With that problem solved, it is no longer necessary to use the Monte Carlo method to solve this class of problem.

Yelle, Roger V.↗