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At least 415 records · Page 23

Computer simulation of a geomagnetic substorm

A global two-dimensional simulation of a substormlike process occurring in earth's magnetosphere is presented. The results are consistent with an empirical substorm model - the neutral-line model. Specifically, the introduction of a southward interplanetary magnetic field forms an open magnetosphere. Subsequently, a substorm neutral line forms at about 15 earth radii or closer in the magnetotail, and plasma sheet thinning and plasma acceleration occur. Eventually the substorm neutral line moves tailward toward its presubstorm position.

Lyon, J. G.↗

Computer simulator for a mobile telephone system

A software simulator was developed to assist NASA in the design of the land mobile satellite service. Structured programming techniques were used by developing the algorithm using an ALCOL-like pseudo language and then encoding the algorithm into FORTRAN 4. The basic input data to the system is a sine wave signal although future plans call for actual sampled voice as the input signal. The simulator is capable of studying all the possible combinations of types and modes of calls through the use of five communication scenarios: single hop systems; double hop, signal gateway system; double hop, double gateway system; mobile to wireline system; and wireline to mobile system. The transmitter, fading channel, and interference source simulation are also discussed.

Schilling, D. L.↗

Computer simulation of current collection in a plasma environment

The pattern of current collection by a biased strip of stainless steel placed in the plasma environment produced by a 30 cm Kaufman ion thruster is studied. Two positions of the collector relative to the ion source were used. Edge on, in which case currents were measured on both sides of the collector, and face on, in which case currents were again measured on both sides of the collector. In the latter case, the surface of the collector that faces the ion thruster is referred to as the front face, the other side as the back face. A qualitative summary of the experimental results is presented.

Zei, D.↗

Computer simulations of postural change, water immersion and bedrest - An integrative approach for understanding the spaceflight response

Mathematical modeling techniques were used to simulate the fluid electrolyte (F-E) responses during gravity unloading. It is shown that the response to weightlessness can best be understood by separately examining the acute (hours to days) and chronic (days to weeks) phases, and assuming the presence of normal, although complex, feedback regulatory processes. Headward shifts of fluid are shown to be primarily responsible for acute body losses of extracellular F-E. Losses of body water are closely related to the volume of fluid shifts from the legs. A diuresis is predicted within the first several hours of hypogravity, and this may be obscured by a reduced F-E intake; on Skylab, early F-E losses occurred primarily by deficit intake.

Leonard, J. I.↗

Computer simulation of surface and film processes

A molecular dynamics technique based upon Lennard-Jones type pair interactions is used to investigate time-dependent as well as equilibrium properties. The case study deals with systems containing Si and O atoms. In this case a more involved potential energy function (PEF) is employed and the system is simulated via a Monte-Carlo procedure. This furnishes the equilibrium properties of the system at its interfaces and surfaces as well as in the bulk.

Tiller, W. A.↗

Computer simulator for a mobile telephone system

A software simulator was developed to help in the design of the LMSS. The simulator is used to study the characteristics and implementation requirements of the LMSS' configuration.

Schilling, D. L.↗

Computer simulation of auroral kilometric radiation

An investigation is carried out of the linear amplification and nonlinear saturation of electromagnetic waves associated with two components of electrons consisting of a cold Maxwellian background and a weakly relativistic population of electrons possessing a loss-cone distribution. The goal is to understand the mechanism responsible for the production of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR). A relativistic 1-2/2 dimensional electromagnetic particle simulation code is used in studying an initial value problem modeling the AKR source region. The simulation makes it possible to follow the growth of all modes of radiation, including the ordinary mode (O-mode), slow extraordinary mode (Z-mode), whistler mode and fast extraordinary mode (X-mode), past the point of saturation.

Wagner, J. S.↗

Computer simulator for a mobile telephone system

A software simulator to help NASA in the design of the LMSS was developed. The simulator will be used to study the characteristics of implementation requirements of the LMSS's configuration with specifications as outlined by NASA.

Schilling, D. L.↗

Computer simulations of space-borne meteorological systems on the CYBER 205

Because of the extreme expense involved in developing and flight testing meteorological instruments, an extensive series of numerical modeling experiments to simulate the performance of meteorological observing systems were performed on CYBER 205. The studies compare the relative importance of different global measurements of individual and composite systems of the meteorological variables needed to determine the state of the atmosphere. The assessments are made in terms of the systems ability to improve 12 hour global forecasts. Each experiment involves the daily assimilation of simulated data that is obtained from a data set called nature. This data is obtained from two sources: first, a long two-month general circulation integration with the GLAS 4th Order Forecast Model and second, global analysis prepared by the National Meteorological Center, NOAA, from the current observing systems twice daily.

Halem, M.↗

Computer simulation of protein systems

Ligand binding to dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is discussed. This is an extremely important enzyme, as it is the target of several drugs (inhibitors) which are used clinically as antibacterials, antiprotozoals and in cancer chemotherapy. DHFR catalyzes the NADPH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) dependent reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, which is used in several pathways of purine and pyrimidine iosynthesis, including that of thymidylate. Since DNA synthesis is dependent on a continuing supply of thymidylate, a blockade of DHFR resulting in a depletion of thymidylate can lead to the cessation of growth of a rapidly proliferating cell line. DHFR exhibits a significant species to species variability in its sensitivity to various inhibitors. For example, trimethoprim, an inhibitor of DHFR, binds to bacterial DHFR's 5 orders of magnitude greater than to vertebrate DHFR's. The structural mechanics, dynamics and energetics of a family of dihydrofolate reductases are studied to rationalize the basis for the inhibitor of these enyzmes and to understand the molecular basis of the difference in the binding constants between the species. This involves investigating the conformational changes induced in the protein on binding the ligand, the internal strain imposed by the enzyme on the ligand, the restriction of fluctuations in atom positions due to binding and the consequent change in entropy.

Osguthorpe, D. J.↗

Control algorithms and computer simulation of a stand-alone photovoltaic village power system

At Stand-Alone Photovoltaic (SAPV) power systems increase in size and load diversity, the design and simulation of control subsystems takes on added importance. These SAPV systems represent 'mini utilities' with commensurate controls requirements, albeit with the added complexity of the energy source (sunlight received) being an uncontrollable variable. This paper briefly describes a stand-alone photovoltaic power/load system computerized simulation model. The model was tested against operational data from the Schuchuli stand-alone village photovoltaic system and has achieved acceptable levels of simulation accuracy. The model can be used to simulate system designs although with probable battery modification.

Groumpos, P. P.↗

Computer simulation of plasma electron collection by PIX-II

A wake model was defined for the NASCAP/LEO finite element model for the plasma interaction experiment (PIX-II) launched to study the interaction between high-voltage large solar arrays with the space plasma environment. The cell surface model considers the individual cells, distances between interconnects, and the fraction of surface covered by interconnects. Account is taken of the electrostatic potential around the spacecraft, which travels at 7500 mps, over five times the speed of thermal ions. Ram ions are produced ahead of the array and the wake ion density is described with a geometric shadowing model. The model correctly predicted the currents in high and low bias voltages when compared to orbital data. The panel snapover, however, was projected to occur at 100 V and instead occurred at 300 V, which indicates that the snapover state is bistable. Finally, a low potential was both predicted and measured in the wake.

Mandell, M. J.↗

Magnetic field draping in the Comet Halley coma - Comparison of Vega observations with computer simulations

During the Vega-1 encounter with Comet Halley, the magnetometer observed draping and compression of the interplanetary magnetic field. These are reproduced well by a three-dimensional MHD simulation of the cometary interaction. Rotations in the magnetic field similar to those at closest approach are also observed 2.75 hours earlier. It is suggested that both rotations correspond to the same IMF interval and that the spacecraft had overtaken the plasma and encountered 'older' magnetic field as it penetrated the coma. Analysis of the MHD model indicates that it should take about 3 to 5 hours for a solar wind parcel to pass from the unperturbed solar wind to Vega-1 at closest approach. A simulated magnetic field profile composed of nested sections for different IMF orientations closely resembles the observations. This result supports the hypothesis of layered magnetic orientations in the coma.

Schwingenschuh, K.↗

Computer simulation of thermal modeling of primary lithium cells

The objective was to gain a better understanding of the safety problem of primary Li-SOCl2 and Li-SO2 cells by carrying out detailed thermal modeling work. In particular, the transient heat generation rates during moderate and extermely high discharge rate tests of Li-SOCl2 cells were predicted and compared with those from the electrochemical heating. The difference between the two may be attributed to the lithium corrosion and other chemical reactions. The present program was also tested for charging of Li-SO2. In addition, the present methodology should be applicable to other primary cylindrical cells as well as rechargeable battery analyses with minor modifications.

Young, I. Cho↗

Computer simulation of ledge formation and ledge interaction for the silicon (111) free surface

Both strip and triangular clusters, composed of 2 -1 -1 line ledges, have been simulated on the Si (111) surface. The long-range ledge-ledge interaction and the surface stress tensor distribution have been evaluated for these two pill-box geometries using a semiempirical potential-energy function that incorporates both two-body and three-body contributions. The consequences of the ledge-ledge interaction on two-dimensional nucleation for Si (111) has been evaluated as a function of Si adatom supersaturation and shown to differ significantly from conventional theory, where such interaction is neglected.

Balamane, H.↗