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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Geophysical Information from Advanced Sounder Infrared Spectral Radiance

Advanced satellite sensors are tasked with improving global observations of the Earth's atmosphere, clouds, and surface to enable enhancements in weather prediction, climate monitoring capability, and environmental change detection. Satisfying this type of improvement for inferred geophysical information from these observations requires optimal usage of data from current systems as well as enhancements to future sensors. This presentation addresses the information content present in infrared spectral radiance from advanced atmospheric sounders with an emphasis on knowledge of thermodynamic state and trace species. Results of trade-off studies conducted to evaluate the impact of spectral resolution, spectral coverage, instrument noise, and a priori knowledge on remote sensing system information content will be discussed. A focus is placed on information achievable from the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) on the NASA EOS Aqua satellite in orbit since 2002, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) aboard MetOp-A since 2006, and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) instrument aboard the NPP and JPSS series of satellites which began 28 October 2011.

Larar, Allen M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Commercialization of the Transportation-Security, Tracking, and Reporting System (T-STAR)

The Transportation-Security, Tracking, and Reporting System (T-STAR) was developed by the National Nuclear Security Administration, NA-21, Office of Radiological Security (ORS) to provide a transportation security system for detection and tracking during transport of Category 1 and Category 2 radiological material. Few off-the-shelf systems for conveyance tracking offer detection of a cargo compartment breach or a removal of the cargo. Systems that do offer this capability often require permanent installation through modifying of the conveyance itself. This is not sustainable in many countries where ORS is building use, storage, and transport security capacity. The development of T-STAR has moved from fielding robust prototypes deployed in countries ranging from North America, Latin America and Central Asia to a commercially produced product that can now be deployed to provide enhanced security during transit. Each prototype deployment resulted in important lessons learned, which informed the requirements for the final commercial product. T-STAR uses both cellular and Iridium satellite modems to provide redundant communications to provide the configuration, status, and alerts to a server monitoring the shipment, which is accessible using a multilanguage browser-based user interface. A wireless security system employing using Z-wave sensors for intrusion detection located in the conveyance provide low cost but effective solution for a wide range of conveyance types. Additional capabilities include the ability to monitor a vehicles’ CANBUS (Controller Area Network) system, an ethernet port for high throughput sensor information such as video cameras, and the ability to power and use advanced external sensor payloads. These features make the T-STAR a capable and expandable security gateway that can be deployed on a variety of conveyances from box trucks to open trailers. The ability to provide tracking, monitoring, and detection provide a key component in overall best practices designed to protect shipments of radioactive material.

Schultze, Michael [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000283205671)↗
NASA NTRS1985

Robust detection, isolation, and accommodation for sensor failures

Recent advances in multivariable robust control system design are extended to sensor failure, detection, isolation, and accommodation (FDIA) and estimator design. A new concept called threshold selector is introduced. It represents a significant and innovative tool for the analysis and synthesis of FDIA algorithms. Analytical results are obtained for the SISO case to compute optimal thresholds and size of minimum detectable failures, and a computer-aided technique is developed for the multivariable case. The techniques have been applied to sensor FDIA for an aircraft turbine engine control system.

Emami-Naeini, A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Sensor Fusion-Based Vehicle Detection and Tracking Using a Single Camera and Radar at a Traffic Intersection

Recent advancements in sensor technologies, in conjunction with signal processing and machine learning, have enabled real-time traffic control systems to adapt to varying traffic conditions. This paper introduces a new sensor fusion approach that combines data from a single camera and radar to achieve cost-effective and efficient vehicle detection and tracking. Initially, vehicles are independently detected and classified using the camera and radar. Then, the constant-velocity model within a Kalman filter is employed to predict vehicle locations, while the Hungarian algorithm is used to associate these predictions with sensor measurements. Finally, vehicle tracking is accomplished by merging kinematic information from predictions and measurements through the Kalman filter. A case study conducted at an intersection demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed sensor fusion method for traffic detection and tracking, including performance comparisons with individual sensors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1975

A computer-aided telescope pointing system utilizing a video star tracker

The Video Inertial Pointing (VIP) System developed to satisfy the acquisition and pointing requirements of astronomical telescopes is described. A unique feature of the system is the use of a single sensor to provide information for the generation of three axis pointing error signals and for a cathode ray tube (CRT) display of the star field. The pointing error signals are used to update the telescope's gyro stabilization and the CRT display is used by an operator to facilitate target acquisition and to aid in manual positioning of the telescope optical axis. A model of the system using a low light level vidicon built and flown on a balloon-borne infrared telescope is briefly described from a state of the art charge coupled device (CCD) sensor. The advanced system hardware is described and an analysis of the multi-star tracking and three axis error signal generation, along with an analysis and design of the gyro update filter, are presented. Results of a hybrid simulation are described in which the advanced VIP system hardware is driven by a digital simulation of the star field/CCD sensor and an analog simulation of the telescope and gyro stabilization dynamics.

Murphy, J. P.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Agency Recognized for Integrated Controls for HVAC and Lighting Systems - Case Study: Denver Water

This case study highlights the strategies Denver Water used at its Administration Building for integrating HVAC and lighting systems. They employed advanced lighting controls, integrated with building automation systems, as well as lighting system occupancy sensors integrated with HVAC controls. The project was recognized by DOE's Integrated Lighting Campaign.

integrated lighting, lighting, controls, HVAC, bui↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA SPLICE Project: Development and Testing of Precision Landing GN&C Technologies

NASA's technology advancement needs for entry, descent and landing call for high-precision, high-rate sensors that can improve navigation accuracy and vehicle control performance. Higher landing accuracy is required for any future human lander missions, and likely, for most robotic missions 1,2. Sensors and algorithms that significantly reduce navigation errors and can image the local terrain will enable landing at locations of high scientific interest that would otherwise pose significant risk to the vehicle. The Safe and Precise Landing-Integrated Capabilities Evolution project, or SPLICE, is developing precision landing and hazard avoidance (PL&HA) technologies for NASA and for potential commercial space flight missions. SPLICE technologies include sensors, algorithms, advanced space flight computing capabilities, and simulation tools used to integrate and study guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) system performance. SPLICE efforts include hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation testing, ground testing, and flight testing, including reuse of hardware from the CoOperative Blending of Autonomous Landing Technologies (COBALT) suborbital flight-test payload3,4. Two of the precise navigation sensors that are being developed and matured within SPLICE are LiDARs. Since 2006, NASA Langley has been developing a Navigation Doppler LiDAR (NDL) for precise velocity measurements, and SPLICE is building an NDL engineering test unit (ETU) that will be brought up to TRL 6 following environmental and high-speed1,2 testing. NASA Goddard is developing a Hazard Detection LiDAR (HD LiDAR) engineering development unit (EDU) for SPLICE that has relevance to future human and robotic lander missions. The HD LiDAR will be flight test and matured to TRL 5.

Restrepo, Carolina I.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ultra-Long Distance BOTDA Sensor System Employing Hybrid Amplification and Advanced Noise Reduction Techniques

Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) sensor systems play a pivotal role in distributed sensing, which enables precise measurements of strain and temperature across extensive fiber lengths. This research offers a comprehensive strategy to extend the sensing range of BOTDA systems beyond tens of kilometers while maintaining high spatial resolutions. Such enhanced sensing is realized through the integration of distributed Raman amplification, inline amplification using erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA), and advanced noise reduction techniques. Optimizing Raman pump and probe wave profiles ensures the robustness of Brillouin scattering signals, effectively countering attenuation-induced losses. Additionally, enhancing weak Brillouin signals by strategically placing EDFAs at optimal fiber locations keeps sensor sensitivity high. Leveraging inherent redundancy in measured data as a function of frequency and fiber distance, the non-local means (NLM) filter removes noise while preserving essential physical information. In summary, this research has shown a holistic exploration of extending BOTDA’s distance sensing capabilities up to 150 km with spatial resolutions of 8 meters.

Bhatta, Hari↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Sensor Dilemma in Intelligent Transportation Systems: Evaluating Radar, Lidar and Camera: Preprint

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are at the forefront in advancing the way we interact with and perceive the transportation network. This revolution is fueled by the significant advancement in sensor perception technologies such as radar, lidar, and video imaging, which are the most popular modalities for ITS. Real-time perception data from these sensors allow intelligent infrastructure-side decision-making to improve the energy, efficiency, and safety at traffic intersections. As traffic departments across the United States transition from traditional loop detectors and emulators and embrace newer technologies, they are often left with a dilemma in choosing a sensor technology for infrastructure-based perception that is reliable, inexpensive, and easy to set up and that has robust performance in varying weather conditions. However, choosing a sensor that checks all these boxes is not straightforward, as every sensor type has unique benefits and drawbacks. Radar is excellent at detecting long-range vehicles and weather resistance but lacks high resolution. Lidar is expensive and weather-sensitive, while cameras provide rich visual data at a low cost but are constrained by lighting and visibility. This study examines radar, lidar, and camera sensor capabilities to ascertain whether any of these qualifies as the "best" sensor for ITS perception. While no single sensor can meet all the demands of ITS, a hybrid approach combining multiple sensor modalities like radar, lidar, and cameras offers the most robust solution for enhancing the safety and efficiency of ITS. Through this evaluation, we hope to draw attention to the necessity of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's infrastructure perception and control framework, which presents a multisensor track data fusion engine to assimilate multiple data streams in order to provide robust and reliable perception.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS1987

Advanced detection, isolation and accommodation of sensor failures: Real-time evaluation

The objective of the Advanced Detection, Isolation, and Accommodation (ADIA) Program is to improve the overall demonstrated reliability of digital electronic control systems for turbine engines by using analytical redundacy to detect sensor failures. The results of a real time hybrid computer evaluation of the ADIA algorithm are presented. Minimum detectable levels of sensor failures for an F100 engine control system are determined. Also included are details about the microprocessor implementation of the algorithm as well as a description of the algorithm itself.

Merrill, Walter C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Advanced detection, isolation, and accommodation of sensor failures - Real-time evaluation

The objective of the Advanced Detection, Isolation, and Accommodation (ADIA) program is to improve the overall demonstrated reliability of digital electronic control systems for turbine engines by using analytical redundancy to detect sensor failures. The results of a real-time hybrid computer evaluation of the ADIA algorithm are presented. Minimum detectable levels of sensor failures for an F100 engine control system are determined. Also included are details about the microprocessor implementation of the algorithm as well as a description of the algorithm itself.

Merrill, Walter C.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ultra-Long Distance BOTDA Sensor System Employing Hybrid Amplification and Advanced Noise Reduction Techniques

Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) sensor system play a pivotal role in distributed sensing, which enables precise measurements of strain and temperature across extensive fiber lengths. Nonetheless, challenges emerge as distances grow due to signal attenuation and noise interference resulting in measurement errors. This research offers a comprehensive strategy to extend the sensing range of BOTDA systems beyond 10’s of kilometers while maintaining high spatial resolutions. Such enhanced sensing is realized through the integration of distributed Raman amplification, inline amplification using erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA), and advanced noise reduction techniques. Leveraging inherent redundancy in measured data as a function of frequency and fiber distance, the non-local means (NLM) filter removes noise while preserving essential physical information. This approach proves particularly advantageous in BOTDA systems, where accurate measurement of Brillouin scattering signals is paramount for long-range sensing, while concurrently safeguarding high spatial resolutions. In summary, this research has shown a holistic exploration of extending BOTDA's distance sensing capabilities up to 150 km with spatial resolutions of 8 meters.

Bhatta, Hari↗
NASA NTRS1987

Research sensors

The program described covers development of sensors and sensing techniques for research applications on aeropropulsion systems. In general, the sensors are used in-situ to measure the environment at a given location within a turbine engine, or to measure the response of an engine component to the imposed environment. Locations of concern are generally in the gas path and, for the most part, are within the hot section. Specific parameters of concern are dynamic gas temperature, heat flux, airfoil surface temperature, and strain on airfoils and combustor liners. In order to minimize the intrusiveness of surface-mounted sensors, a considerable effort was expended to develop thin-film sensors for surface temperature, strain, and heat flux measurements. Most of the work described is sufficiently advanced that sensors were used and useful data were obtained. The notable exception is the work to develop a high-temperature static strain measuring capability; this work is still in progress.

Englund, David R.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Orbital Express AVGS Validation and Calibration for Automated Rendezvous

From March to July of 2007, the DARPA Orbital Express mission achieved a number of firsts in autonomous spacecraft operations. The NASA Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (AVGS) was the primary docking sensor during the first two dockings and was used in a blended mode three other automated captures. The AVGS performance exceeded its specification by approximately an order of magnitude. One reason that the AVGS functioned so well during the mission was that the validation and calibration of the sensor prior to the mission advanced the state-of-the-art for proximity sensors. Some factors in this success were improvements in ground test equipment and truth data, the capability for ILOAD corrections for optical and other effects, and the development of a bias correction procedure. Several valuable lessons learned have applications to future proximity sensors.

Heaton, Andrew F.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Smart-Pixel Array Processors Based on Optimal Cellular Neural Networks for Space Sensor Applications

A smart-pixel cellular neural network (CNN) with hardware annealing capability, digitally programmable synaptic weights, and multisensor parallel interface has been under development for advanced space sensor applications. The smart-pixel CNN architecture is a programmable multi-dimensional array of optoelectronic neurons which are locally connected with their local neurons and associated active-pixel sensors. Integration of the neuroprocessor in each processor node of a scalable multiprocessor system offers orders-of-magnitude computing performance enhancements for on-board real-time intelligent multisensor processing and control tasks of advanced small satellites. The smart-pixel CNN operation theory, architecture, design and implementation, and system applications are investigated in detail. The VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) implementation feasibility was illustrated by a prototype smart-pixel 5x5 neuroprocessor array chip of active dimensions 1380 micron x 746 micron in a 2-micron CMOS technology.

Fang, Wai-Chi↗
NASA NTRS1998

Thin Film Sensors for Minimally-Intrusive Measurements in Harsh High Temperature Environment

Advanced thin film sensors are being developed to provide accurate surface temperature, heat flux and strain measurements for components used in hostile propulsion environments. These sensors are sputter deposited and microfabricated directly onto the test articles with no additional bonding agent. The thickness of the sensors is only a few micrometers which creates minimal disturbance of the gas flow over the test surface. Thus thin film sensors have the advantage over conventional wire- based sensors by providing minimally intrusive measurement and having a faster response. These thin film sensors are being developed for characterization of advanced materials and structures in hostile, high-temperature environments, and for validation of design codes. This paper presents the advances of three high temperature thin film sensor technologies developed at NASA Lewis Research Center: thermocouples, heat-flux gages and strain gages. The fabrication techniques of these thin film sensors which include physical vapor deposition, photolithography patterning and lead Wire attachment are described. Sensors demonstrations on a variety of engine materials, including superalloys, ceramics and advanced ceramic matrix composites, in several hostile, high-temperature test environments are presented. The advantages and limitations of thin film sensor technology are also discussed.

Lei, Jih-Fen↗
NASA NTRS1989

Rebuilding the space technology base

NASA's Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) will not only develop novel technologies for space exploration and exploitation, but also take mature technologies into their demonstration phase in earth orbit. In the course of five years, CSTI will pay off in ground- and space-tested hardware, software, processes, methods for low-orbit transport and operation, and fundamental scientific research on the orbital environment. Attention is given to LOX/hydrogen and LOX/hydrocarbon reusable engines, liquid/solid fuel hybrid boosters, and aeroassist flight experiments for the validation of aerobraking with atmospheric friction. Also discussed are advanced scientific sensors, systems autonomy and telerobotics, control of flexible structures, precise segmented reflectors, high-rate high-capacity data handling, and advanced nuclear power systems.

Povinelli, Frederick P.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Thin Film Heat Flux Sensor Development for Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Systems

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has an on-going effort for developing high temperature thin film sensors for advanced turbine engine components. Stable, high temperature thin film ceramic thermocouples have been demonstrated in the lab, and novel methods of fabricating sensors have been developed. To fabricate thin film heat flux sensors for Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) systems, the rough and porous nature of the CMC system posed a significant challenge for patterning the fine features required. The status of the effort to develop thin film heat flux sensors specifically for use on silicon carbide (SiC) CMC systems with these new technologies is described.

Wrbanek, John D.↗