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At least 397 records · Page 22

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NASA NTRS1988

Development of an interactive real-time graphics system for the display of vehicle space positioning

This paper will outline a new approach taken by the NASA Western Aeronautical Test Range to display real-time space positioning data using computer-generated images that produce a graphic representation of an area map integrated with the research flight test aircraft track. This display system supports research flight test requirements of research projects such as the advanced fighter technology integration (AFTI) F-16, F-18 high alpha research vehicle (HARV), AFTI F-111 mission adaptive wing (MAW), F-15, and X-29A forward-swept wing. This paper will discuss the requirements, system configuration and capability, and future system applications.

Comperini, Robert↗

NASA NTRS1988

Performance evaluation of NASA/KSC CAD/CAE graphics local area network

This study had as an objective the performance evaluation of the existing CAD/CAE graphics network at NASA/KSC. This evaluation will also aid in projecting planned expansions, such as the Space Station project on the existing CAD/CAE network. The objectives were achieved by collecting packet traffic on the various integrated sub-networks. This included items, such as total number of packets on the various subnetworks, source/destination of packets, percent utilization of network capacity, peak traffic rates, and packet size distribution. The NASA/KSC LAN was stressed to determine the useable bandwidth of the Ethernet network and an average design station workload was used to project the increased traffic on the existing network and the planned T1 link. This performance evaluation of the network will aid the NASA/KSC network managers in planning for the integration of future workload requirements into the existing network.

Zobrist, George↗

NASA NTRS1989

A graphics package for meteorological data, version 1.5

A plotting package has been developed to simplify the task of plotting meteorological data. The calling sequences and examples of high level yet flexible routines which allow contouring, vectors and shading of cylindrical, polar, orthographic and Mollweide (egg) projections are given. Routines are also included for contouring pressure-latitude and pressure-longitude fields with linear or log scales in pressure (interpolation to fixed grid interval is done automatically). Also included is a fairly general line plotting routine. The present version (1.5) produces plots on WMS laser printers and uses graphics primitives from WOLFPLOT.

Moorthi, Shrinivas↗

NASA NTRS1988

Sources of error in the graphical analysis of CFD results

Errors inherent to the graphic analysis of CFD solutions are discussed. Consideration is given to contouring, plotting of vector fields, particle tracing, and the computation of flow functions involving integration or differentiation. Many of the problems addressed are the direct result of knowing the function values only at grid points, not in the interior of the grid cells.

Buning, Pieter G.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Development of automation and robotics for space via computer graphic simulation methods

A robot simulation system, has been developed to perform automation and robotics system design studies. The system uses a procedure-oriented solid modeling language to produce a model of the robotic mechanism. The simulator generates the kinematics, inverse kinematics, dynamics, control, and real-time graphic simulations needed to evaluate the performance of the model. Simulation examples are presented, including simulation of the Space Station and the design of telerobotics for the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle.

Fernandez, Ken↗

NASA NTRS1990

Graphical Display Of Test-Flight Trajectories

Trajectories displayed directly on maps. Computer graphical system shows trajectories of experimental aircraft in real time during flight tests. Enables operator to choose variety of display modes and to issue course corrections to pilot. Principle of system adapted to variety of civil, military, and commercial uses in which paths of vehicles overlaid on maps - for example, in dispatching delivery vans.

Comperini, Robert G.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Displaying TeX Files On Graphics Terminals

Previewing of printouts saves time and paper. DVIVIEW program previews output from TeX on graphics terminals. Enables user to specify range of pages to be viewed, to change magnification of document, and to view each page in seven different modes affecting size and orientation of each page. Written in Pascal, FORTRAN, C, and Assembler.

Scott, Peter J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Optimized resolved rate control of seven-degree-of-freedom Laboratory Telerobotic Manipulator (LTM) with application to three-dimensional graphics simulation

The Laboratory Telerobotic Manipulator (LTM) is a seven-degree-of-freedom robot arm. Two of the arms were delivered to Langley Research Center for ground-based research to assess the use of redundant degree-of-freedom robot arms in space operations. Resolved-rate control equations for the LTM are derived. The equations are based on a scheme developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for computing optimized joint angle rates in real time. The optimized joint angle rates actually represent a trade-off, as the hand moves, between small rates (least-squares solution) and those rates which work toward satisfying a specified performance criterion of joint angles. In singularities where the optimization scheme cannot be applied, alternate control equations are devised. The equations developed were evaluated using a real-time computer simulation to control a 3-D graphics model of the LTM.

Barker, L. Keith↗

NASA NTRS1988

Scan line graphics generation on the massively parallel processor

Described here is how researchers implemented a scan line graphics generation algorithm on the Massively Parallel Processor (MPP). Pixels are computed in parallel and their results are applied to the Z buffer in large groups. To perform pixel value calculations, facilitate load balancing across the processors and apply the results to the Z buffer efficiently in parallel requires special virtual routing (sort computation) techniques developed by the author especially for use on single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) architectures.

Dorband, John E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Off-line robot programming and graphical verification of path planning

The objective of this project was to develop or specify an integrated environment for off-line programming, graphical path verification, and debugging for robotic systems. Two alternatives were compared. The first was the integration of the ASEA Off-line Programming package with ROBSIM, a robotic simulation program. The second alternative was the purchase of the commercial product IGRIP. The needs of the RADL (Robotics Applications Development Laboratory) were explored and the alternatives were evaluated based on these needs. As a result, IGRIP was proposed as the best solution to the problem.

Tonkay, Gregory L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Graphics Technology in Space Applications (GTSA 1989)

This document represents the proceedings of the Graphics Technology in Space Applications, which was held at NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center on April 12 to 14, 1989 in Houston, Texas. The papers included in these proceedings were published in general as received from the authors with minimum modifications and editing. Information contained in the individual papers is not to be construed as being officially endorsed by NASA.

Griffin, Sandy↗

NASA NTRS1989

TAE Plus: Transportable Applications Environment Plus tools for building graphic-oriented applications

The Transportable Applications Environment Plus (TAE Plus), developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, is a portable User Interface Management System (UIMS), which provides an intuitive WYSIWYG WorkBench for prototyping and designing an application's user interface, integrated with tools for efficiently implementing the designed user interface and effective management of the user interface during an application's active domain. During the development of TAE Plus, many design and implementation decisions were based on the state-of-the-art within graphics workstations, windowing system and object-oriented programming languages. Some of the problems and issues experienced during implementation are discussed. A description of the next development steps planned for TAE Plus is also given.

Szczur, Martha R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Efficient utilization of graphics technology for space animation

Efficient utilization of computer graphics technology has become a major investment in the work of aerospace engineers and mission designers. These new tools are having a significant impact in the development and analysis of complex tasks and procedures which must be prepared prior to actual space flight. Design and implementation of useful methods in applying these tools has evolved into a complex interaction of hardware, software, network, video and various user interfaces. Because few people can understand every aspect of this broad mix of technology, many specialists are required to build, train, maintain and adapt these tools to changing user needs. Researchers have set out to create systems where an engineering designer can easily work to achieve goals with a minimum of technological distraction. This was accomplished with high-performance flight simulation visual systems and supercomputer computational horsepower. Control throughout the creative process is judiciously applied while maintaining generality and ease of use to accommodate a wide variety of engineering needs.

Panos, Gregory Peter↗

NASA NTRS1989

A computer graphics system for visualizing spacecraft in orbit

To carry out unanticipated operations with resources already in space is part of the rationale for a permanently manned space station in Earth orbit. The astronauts aboard a space station will require an on-board, spatial display tool to assist the planning and rehearsal of upcoming operations. Such a tool can also help astronauts to monitor and control such operations as they occur, especially in cases where first-hand visibility is not possible. A computer graphics visualization system designed for such an application and currently implemented as part of a ground-based simulation is described. The visualization system presents to the user the spatial information available in the spacecraft's computers by drawing a dynamic picture containing the planet Earth, the Sun, a star field, and up to two spacecraft. The point of view within the picture can be controlled by the user to obtain a number of specific visualization functions. The elements of the display, the methods used to control the display's point of view, and some of the ways in which the system can be used are described.

Eyles, Don E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Combining high performance simulation, data acquisition, and graphics display computers

Issues involved in the continuing development of an advanced simulation complex are discussed. This approach provides the capability to perform the majority of tests on advanced systems, non-destructively. The controlled test environments can be replicated to examine the response of the systems under test to alternative treatments of the system control design, or test the function and qualification of specific hardware. Field tests verify that the elements simulated in the laboratories are sufficient. The digital computer is hosted by a Digital Equipment Corp. MicroVAX computer with an Aptec Computer Systems Model 24 I/O computer performing the communication function. An Applied Dynamics International AD100 performs the high speed simulation computing and an Evans and Sutherland PS350 performs on-line graphics display. A Scientific Computer Systems SCS40 acts as a high performance FORTRAN program processor to support the complex, by generating numerous large files from programs coded in FORTRAN that are required for the real time processing. Four programming languages are involved in the process, FORTRAN, ADSIM, ADRIO, and STAPLE. FORTRAN is employed on the MicroVAX host to initialize and terminate the simulation runs on the system. The generation of the data files on the SCS40 also is performed with FORTRAN programs. ADSIM and ADIRO are used to program the processing elements of the AD100 and its IOCP processor. STAPLE is used to program the Aptec DIP and DIA processors.

Hickman, Robert J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Multibody dynamics model building using graphical interfaces

In recent years, the extremely laborious task of manually deriving equations of motion for the simulation of multibody spacecraft dynamics has largely been eliminated. Instead, the dynamicist now works with commonly available general purpose dynamics simulation programs which generate the equations of motion either explicitly or implicitly via computer codes. The user interface to these programs has predominantly been via input data files, each with its own required format and peculiarities, causing errors and frustrations during program setup. Recent progress in a more natural method of data input for dynamics programs: the graphical interface, is described.

Macala, Glenn A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

CREW CHIEF: A computer graphics simulation of an aircraft maintenance technician

Approximately 35 percent of the lifetime cost of a military system is spent for maintenance. Excessive repair time is caused by not considering maintenance during design. Problems are usually discovered only after a mock-up has been constructed, when it is too late to make changes. CREW CHIEF will reduce the incidence of such problems by catching design defects in the early design stages. CREW CHIEF is a computer graphic human factors evaluation system interfaced to commercial computer aided design (CAD) systems. It creates a three dimensional man model, either male or female, large or small, with various types of clothing and in several postures. It can perform analyses for physical accessibility, strength capability with tools, visual access, and strength capability for manual materials handling. The designer would produce a drawing on his CAD system and introduce CREW CHIEF in it. CREW CHIEF's analyses would then indicate places where problems could be foreseen and corrected before the design is frozen.

Aume, Nilss M.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Graphics applications utilizing parallel processing

The results are presented of research conducted to develop a parallel graphic application algorithm to depict the numerical solution of the 1-D wave equation, the vibrating string. The research was conducted on a Flexible Flex/32 multiprocessor and a Sequent Balance 21000 multiprocessor. The wave equation is implemented using the finite difference method. The synchronization issues that arose from the parallel implementation and the strategies used to alleviate the effects of the synchronization overhead are discussed.

Rice, John R.↗