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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 37 records · Page 2

Extraction of Doppler Observables from Open-Loop Recordings for the Juno Radio Science Investigation

The goal of the Juno Gravity Science investigation is to estimate the gravitational field of Jupiter by measurement of the spacecraft velocity during periods of closest approach. Velocity is measured by the Doppler shift of dual X- and Ka-band radio links between the Juno spacecraft, in orbit around Jupiter, and the DSS-25 antenna of the Deep Space Network (DSN). During times of closest-approach, Juno experiences large dynamic ranges caused by the orbital dynamics and spin signatures caused by the spin-stabilized spacecraft that are detectable by the receivers at DSS-25. Open-loop recordings of received voltages are processed to compute Doppler observables utilized in the estimation of the gravity field. Presented is a method to process open-loop data collected by the DSN to compensate for the spin signature of the spacecraft, removal of artifacts from Doppler observables caused by the high dynamic environment, and improve performance of the digital phase-locked loop utilized in the data processing.

Buccino, Dustin R.↗

Open-Loop Acquisition Of Suppressed Carrier Signals

Three digital techniques for open-loop acquisition of suppressed carrier signals in presence of binary-phase-shift-keyed (BPSK) modulation representing non-return-to-zero (NRZ) data symbols. Based on assumption that offset, tau, between timing of symbols and clock in receiver unknown, but fixed fraction of symbol period, T. In all three, fast Fourier transforms (FFT's) performed on outputs of integrate-and-dump filters that are parts of Costas-type loops used to demodulate BPSK signals. Timing of integrate-and-dump filters constant. Outputs mixed to obtain an error signal.

Shah, Biren N.↗

On modeling performance of open-loop mechanisms

A technique is presented for modeling the performance of open-loop mechanisms or systems, where performance is measured by success or failure as a function of the selected target for movement along a constrained trajectory and without corrective feedback. A modification of signal detection theory is used, which normalizes dissimilar data and indicates two independent parameters of performance: (1) discriminability and (2) optimality of the distribution of selected moves. An illustrative application is made to experimental data.

Sheridan, T. B.↗

Open-loop characteristics of magnetic suspension systems using electromagnets mounted in a planar array

The open-loop characteristics of a Large-Gap Magnetic Suspension System (LGMSS) were studied and numerical results are presented. The LGMSS considered provides five-degree-of-freedom control. The suspended element is a cylinder that contains a core composed of permanent magnet material. The magnetic actuators are air core electromagnets mounted in a planar array. Configurations utilizing five, six, seven, and eight electromagnets were investigated and all configurations were found to be controllable from coil currents and observable from suspended element positions. Results indicate that increasing the number of coils has an insignificant effect on mode shapes and frequencies.

Groom, Nelson J.↗

Experimental evaluation of open-loop UpLink Power Control using ACTS

The present investigation deals with the implementation of open-loop up-link power control using a beacon signal in the down-link frequency band as the control parameter. A power control system was developed and tested using the ACTS satellite. ACTS carries beacon signals in both up- and down-link bands with which the relationship between the up- and down-link fading can be established. A power controlled carrier was transmitted to the ACTS satellite from a NASA operated ground station and the transponded signal was received at COMSAT Laboratories using a terminal that was routinely used to monitor the two ACTS beacon signals. The experiment ran for a period of approximately six months and the collected data were used to evaluate the performance of the power control system. A brief review of propagation factors involved in estimating the up-link fade using a beacon signal in the down-link band are presented. The power controller design and the experiment configuration are discussed. Results of the experiment are discussed.

Dissanayake, Asoka↗

Open Loop Heat Pipe Radiator Having a Free-Piston for Wiping Condensed Working Fluid

An open loop heat pipe radiator comprises a radiator tube and a free-piston. The radiator tube has a first end, a second end, and a tube wall, and the tube wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The free-piston is enclosed within the radiator tube and is capable of movement within the radiator tube between the first and second ends. The free-piston defines a first space between the free-piston, the first end, and the tube wall, and further defines a second space between the free-piston, the second end, and the tube wall. A gaseous-state working fluid, which was evaporated to remove waste heat, alternately enters the first and second spaces, and the free-piston wipes condensed working fluid from the inner surface of the tube wall as the free-piston alternately moves between the first and second ends. The condensed working fluid is then pumped back to the heat source.

Weinstein, Leonard M.↗

Open-Loop Flight Testing of COBALT GN&C Technologies for Precise Soft Landing

A terrestrial, open-loop (OL) flight test campaign of the NASA COBALT (CoOperative Blending of Autonomous Landing Technologies) platform was conducted onboard the Masten Xodiac suborbital rocket testbed, with support through the NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES), Game Changing Development (GCD), and Flight Opportunities (FO) Programs. The COBALT platform integrates NASA Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) sensing technologies for autonomous, precise soft landing, including the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) velocity and range sensor and the Lander Vision System (LVS) Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN) system. A specialized navigation filter running onboard COBALT fuzes the NDL and LVS data in real time to produce a precise navigation solution that is independent of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and suitable for future, autonomous planetary landing systems. The OL campaign tested COBALT as a passive payload, with COBALT data collection and filter execution, but with the Xodiac vehicle Guidance and Control (G&C) loops closed on a Masten GPS-based navigation solution. The OL test was performed as a risk reduction activity in preparation for an upcoming 2017 closed-loop (CL) flight campaign in which Xodiac G&C will act on the COBALT navigation solution and the GPS-based navigation will serve only as a backup monitor.

Carson, John M., III↗

Real-time open-loop frequency response analysis of flight test data

A technique has been developed to compare the open-loop frequency response of a flight test aircraft real time with linear analysis predictions. The result is direct feedback to the flight control systems engineer on the validity of predictions and adds confidence for proceeding with envelope expansion. Further, gain and phase margins can be tracked for trends in a manner similar to the techniques used by structural dynamics engineers in tracking structural modal damping.

Bosworth, J. T.↗

Analysis of open-loop conical scan pointing error and variance estimators

General pointing error and variance estimators for an open-loop conical scan (conscan) system are derived and analyzed. The conscan algorithm is modeled as a weighted least-squares estimator whose inputs are samples of receiver carrier power and its associated measurement uncertainty. When the assumptions of constant measurement noise and zero pointing error estimation are applied, the variance equation is then strictly a function of the carrier power to uncertainty ratio and the operator selectable radius and period input to the algorithm. The performance equation is applied to a 34-m mirror-based beam-waveguide conscan system interfaced with the Block V Receiver Subsystem tracking a Ka-band (32-GHz) downlink. It is shown that for a carrier-to-noise power ratio greater than or equal to 30 dB-Hz, the conscan period for Ka-band operation may be chosen well below the current DSN minimum of 32 sec. The analysis presented forms the basis of future conscan work in both research and development as well as for the upcoming DSN antenna controller upgrade for the new DSS-24 34-m beam-waveguide antenna.

Alvarez, L. S.↗

Maneuver reconstruction techniques for open-loop spin-stabilized spacecraft

The Pioneer missions were supported by spin-stabilized spacecraft designs using open-loop control and blow-down propulsion subsystems. Reliable estimates of the ever-changing performance inherent to these subsystems were needed to effectively design and reconstruct trajectory correction maneuver (TCM) strategies. These performance updates were obtained by adjusting model parameters to match independent telemetric and radiometric observations to define the simultaneous changes in attitude, velocity, and spin rate during a maneuver sequence.

Frauenholz, R. B.↗

Open-loop radio science with a suppressed-carrier signal

When a suppressed-carrier signal is squared, the carrier reappears in doubled form. An open-loop receiver can be used to deliver a recording of a band-limited waveform containing this carrier, whose amplitude and phase can be tracked by the radio science experimenter.

Greenhall, C. A.↗

State space representation of the open-loop dynamics of the Space Shuttle Main Engine

A parameter and structure estimation technique for multivariable systems is used to obtain state space representation of open loop dynamics of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). The parameterization being used is both minimal and unique. The simplified linear models may be used for fault detection studies and control system design and development.

Duyar, Ahmet↗