Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “analog-to-digital conversion”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Application of ultrasonic signature analysis for fatigue detection in complex structures

Ultrasonic signature analysis shows promise of being a singularly well-suited method for detecting fatigue in structures as complex as aircraft. The method employs instrumentation centered about a Fourier analyzer system, which features analog-to-digital conversion, digital data processing, and digital display of cross-correlation functions and cross-spectra. These features are essential to the analysis of ultrasonic signatures according to the procedure described here. In order to establish the feasibility of the method, the initial experiments were confined to simple plates with simulated and fatigue-induced defects respectively. In the first test the signature proved sensitive to the size of a small hole drilled into the plate. In the second test, performed on a series of fatigue-loaded plates, the signature proved capable of indicating both the initial appearance and subsequent growth of a fatigue crack. In view of these encouraging results it is concluded that the method has reached a sufficiently advanced stage of development to warrant application to small-scale structures or even actual aircraft.

Zuckerwar, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A spaceborne receiver for measuring electromagnetic field intensity

Description of a very accurately controlled receiver for monitoring the electromagnetic radiations in both existing and projected space communication bands. Based on analysis of the existing and projected space communication bands, 108 to 174 MHz, 240 to 478 MHz, and 1535 to 1665 MHz were covered. The receiver achieves accurate control via a digitally tuned synthesizer and a wide range of digital control including frequency band coverage and gain control selection. Digital memory was provided to store 16 separate digital command instructions which can be programmed via a command data link. The receiver provides for transmission to the ground of both a predetection signal and signals in digital format, which in turn, were provided by sampling and analog-to-digital conversions.

Reich, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Simple digital pulse-programing circuit

Pulse-sequencing circuit uses only shift register and Exclusive-OR gates. Circuit also serves as date-transition edge detector (for rising or falling edges). It is used in sample-and-hold, analog-to-digital conversion sequence control, multiphase clock logic, precise delay control computer control logic, edge detectors, other timing applications, and provides simple means to generate timing and control signals for data transfer, addressing, or mode control in microprocessors and minicomputers.

Langston, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Studies in optical parallel processing

Threshold and A/D devices for converting a gray scale image into a binary one were investigated for all-optical and opto-electronic approaches to parallel processing. Integrated optical logic circuits (IOC) and optical parallel logic devices (OPA) were studied as an approach to processing optical binary signals. In the IOC logic scheme, a single row of an optical image is coupled into the IOC substrate at a time through an array of optical fibers. Parallel processing is carried out out, on each image element of these rows, in the IOC substrate and the resulting output exits via a second array of optical fibers. The OPAL system for parallel processing which uses a Fabry-Perot interferometer for image thresholding and analog-to-digital conversion, achieves a higher degree of parallel processing than is possible with IOC.

Lee, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Space shuttle main engine digital controller

The controller provides responsive control of engine thrust and mixture ratio through the digital computer in the controller, updating the instructions to the engine control elements 50 times per second (every 20 milliseconds). Additionally, precise engine performance is achieved through closed loop control, utilizing 16 bit computation, 10 bit input/output resolution, and self calibrating analog-to-digital conversion. Engine reliability is enhanced by a dual redundant control system that allows normal operation after the first failure and a fail-safe shutdown after a second failure. The digital computer is programmable, allowing modification of engine control equations and constants by change of the stored program (software). The controller is packaged in a sealed, pressurized chassis with cooling provided by convection heat transfer through pin fins as part of the main chassis. The electronics are distributed on functional modules having special provisions for thermal and vibrational protection.

Mitchell, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Nonlinear optical processing with Fabry-Perot interferometers containing phase recording media

New techniques in nonlinear optical processing are explored, based on the operation of intensity level selection as performed by a Fabry-Perot interferometer containing a phase object. The image being processed is recorded on a medium between the mirrors as a spatially varying phase shift less than pi. The interferometer only transmits light through those portions of the object that corresponds to a single value of the phase and hence to a single intensity level in the input. More complicated operations such as thresholding and analog-to-digital conversion are performed by modulating the light source as the different levels are selected. Photoresist and lithium niobate have been used as phase objects, and experimental data for both are presented. Three kinds of Fabry-Perot interferometers have been used to demonstrate nonlinear processing using coherent and incoherent light. Color images have been produced with black and white inputs and white light illumination.

Bartholomew, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Beyond the supercomputer

A NASA-directed development of massively parallel processor (MPP) computers is outlined, noting intended applications for data processing for near term earth resource and environment mapping, radar, and television transmissions. The MPP is designed to perform 100 billion operations/sec to obtain satisfactory image processing, while separate processing units correct distortions, register images, calculate correlation functions, and classify multispectral characteristics. Arrays of 1s and 0s will be manipulated in analog-to-digital conversions generating separate planes corresponding to powers of binaries. Data wires are replaced by fiber-optic tubes or thousands of wires, and single logic gates are replaced by thousands of logic gates and every memory element by thousands of memory elements. Features of the interconnections and the images control processor units are detailed, along with implementation of sliders for program flexibility.

Schaefer, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Quicker Selection of CCD Images

Microprocessor limits analog-to-digital conversion to image areas of interest. Image region of interest selected in order of brightness by use of threshold detectors and their coordinates stored by microprocessor for tracking.

Salomon, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Hybrid integrated optic modules for real-time signal processing

The most recent progress on four relatively new hybrid integrated optic device modules in LiNbO3 waveguides and one in YIG/GGG waveguide that are currently being studied are discussed. The five hybrid modules include a time-integrating acoustooptic correlator, a channel waveguide acoustooptic frequency shifter/modulator, an electrooptic channel waveguide total internal reflection moculator/switch, an electrooptic analog-to-digital converter using a Fabry-Perot modulator array, and a noncollinear magnetooptic modulator using magnetostatic surface waves. All of these devices possess the desirable characteristics of very large bandwidth (GHz or higher), very small substrate size along the optical path (typically 1.5 cm or less), single-mode optical propagation, and low drive power requirement. The devices utilize either acoustooptic, electrooptic or magnetooptic effects in planar or channel waveguides and, therefore, act as efficient interface devices between a light wave and temporal signals. Major areas of application lie in wideband multichannel optical real-time signal processing and communications. Some of the specific applications include spectral analysis and correlation of radio frequency (RF) signals, fiber-optic sensing, optical computing and multiport switching/routing, and analog-to-digital conversion of wide RF signals.

Tsai, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Severe storm electricity

Severe storms and lightning were measured with a NASA U2 and ground based facilities, both fixed base and mobile. Aspects of this program are reported. The following results are presented: (1) ground truth measurements of lightning for comparison with those obtained by the U2. These measurements include flash type identification, electric field changes, optical waveforms, and ground strike location; (2) simultaneous extremely low frequency (ELF) waveforms for cloud to ground (CG) flashes; (3) the CG strike location system (LLP) using a combination of mobile laboratory and television video data are assessed; (4) continued development of analog-to-digital conversion techniques for processing lightning data from the U2, mobile laboratory, and NSSL sensors; (5) completion of an all azimuth TV system for CG ground truth; (6) a preliminary analysis of both IC and CG lightning in a mesocyclone; and (7) the finding of a bimodal peak in altitude lightning activity in some storms in the Great Plains and on the east coast. In the forms on the Great Plains, there was a distinct class of flash what forms the upper mode of the distribution. These flashes are smaller horizontal extent, but occur more frequently than flashes in the lower mode of the distribution.

Rust, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Noise-Path Measurements in Aircraft Structures

System determines amount of radiated sound power separately attributed to airborne and structure-borne paths in aircraft. Also used to evaluate vibrating plates and thin shells. Sound transducers include array of lightweight, miniature piezoelectric accelerometers and two-microphone probe. Multichannel Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analyzer/computer used for analog-to-digital conversion and to analyze spectrum of each of input signals. Noise-path identification in aircraft performed in flight by this system.

Mcgary, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Dual-Sampler Processor Digitizes CCD Output

Circuit for processing output of charge-coupled device (CCD) imager provides increased time for analog-to-digital conversion, thereby reducing bandwidth required for video processing. Instead of one sampleand-hold circuit of conventional processor, improved processor includes two sample-and-hold circuits alternated with each other. Dual-sampler processor operates with lower bandwidth and with timing requirements less stringent than those of single-sample processor.

Salomon, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1961

A Digital Solar Aspect Sensor

The solar aspect sensor described herein performs the analog-to-digital conversion of data optically. To accomplish this, it uses a binary "Gray code" light mask to produce a digital indication, in vehicle-fixed coordinates, of the elevation and azimuth angles of incident light from the sun. This digital solar aspect sensor system, in Explorer X, provided measurements of both elevation and azimuth angles to +/- 2 degrees at a distance of over 140,000 statute miles.

Albus, James S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Optical analog-to-digital converter

A method and apparatus for converting the intensity of an unknown optical signal (B) into an electrical signal in digital form utilizes two elongated optical attenuators (11, 13), one for the unknown optical signal from a source (10) and one for a known optical signal (A) from a variable source (12), a plurality of photodetectors (e.g., 17, 18) along each attenuator for detecting the intensity of the optical signals, and a plurality of comparators (e.g., 21) connected to the photodetectors in pairs to determine at what points being compared the attenuated known signal equals the attenuated unknown signal. The intensity of the unknown relative to the known is thus determined by the output of a particular comparator. That output is automatically encoded to a relative intensity value in digital form through a balancing feedback control (24) and encoder (23). The digital value may be converted to analog form in a D-to-A converter (27) and used to vary the source of the known signal so that the attenuated intensity of the known signal at a predetermined point (comparator 16) equals the attenuated intensity of the unknown signal at the predetermined point of comparison. If the known signal is then equal to the unknown, there is verification of the analog-to-digital conversion being complete. Otherwise the output of the comparator indicating equality at some other point along the attenuators will provide an output which is encoded and added, through an accumulator comprised of a register (25) and an adder (26), to a previous relative intensity value thereby to further vary the intensity of the known signal source. The steps are repeated until full conversion is verified.

Evanchuk, Vincent L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The effects of quantization on signal processing

Typically an analog signal from a space system is sampled, quantized by Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion, merged into a bit stream, communicated to a ground station, received by the ground station, and processed by the ground station to extract useful information for dissemination to the users. The cost of each of these steps is reduced as the number of quantization steps is reduced in the A/D converter. The number of quantization steps should be as small as possible without losing the required information content. This report deals specifically with the accuracy of averages as a function of the number of quantized samples used to compute the averages with the noise on the analog signal as a parameter. For example, the success of the Visible Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR) Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) Demonstration depends upon temporally averaging multiple samples in an effort to reduce noise to a sufficiently low level such that temperature profile sounding is made possible. A tutorial description of this process is presented.

Montgomery, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The feasibility of inflight measurement of lightning strike parameters

The appearance of nonmetallic structural materials and microelectronics in aircraft design has resulted in a need for better knowledge of hazardous environments such as lightning and the effects these environments have on the aircraft. This feasibility study was performed to determine the lightning parameters in the greatest need of clarification and the performance requirements of equipment necessary to sense and record these parameters on an instrumented flight research aircraft. It was found that electric field rate of change, lightning currents, and induced voltages in aircraft wiring are the parameters of greatest importance. Flat-plate electric field sensors and resistive current shunts are proposed for electric field and current sensors, to provide direct measurements of these parameters. Six bit analog-to-digital signal conversion at a 5 nanosecond sampling rate, short-term storage of 85000 bits and long term storage of 5 x 10 to the 7th power bits of electric field, current and induced voltage data on the airplane are proposed, with readout and further analysis to be accomplished on the ground. A NASA F-106B was found to be suitable for use as the research aircraft because it has a minimum number of possible lightning attachment points, space for the necessary instrumentation, and appears to meet operational requirements. Safety considerations are also presented.

Crouch, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Implementation and extension of the impulse transfer function method for future application to the space shuttle project. Volume 2: Program description and user's guide

The data processing procedures and the computer programs were developed to predict structural responses using the Impulse Transfer Function (ITF) method. There are three major steps in the process: (1) analog-to-digital (A-D) conversion of the test data to produce Phase I digital tapes (2) processing of the Phase I digital tapes to extract ITF's and storing them in a permanent data bank, and (3) predicting structural responses to a set of applied loads. The analog to digital conversion is performed by a standard package which will be described later in terms of the contents of the resulting Phase I digital tape. Two separate computer programs have been developed to perform the digital processing.

Patterson, G.↗