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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 451 records · Page 25

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NASA NTRS1988

Speech coding at 4800 bps for mobile satellite communications

A speech compression project has recently been completed to develop a speech coding algorithm suitable for operation in a mobile satellite environment aimed at providing telephone quality natural speech at 4.8 kbps. The work has resulted in two alternative techniques which achieve reasonably good communications quality at 4.8 kbps while tolerating vehicle noise and rather severe channel impairments. The algorithms are embodied in a compact self-contained prototype consisting of two AT and T 32-bit floating-point DSP32 digital signal processors (DSP). A Motorola 68HC11 microcomputer chip serves as the board controller and interface handler. On a wirewrapped card, the prototype's circuit footprint amounts to only 200 sq cm, and consumes about 9 watts of power.

Gersho, Allen↗

NASA NTRS1988

On-line measurement of heat of combustion

An experimental method for an on-line measurement of heat of combustion of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel mixture of unknown composition is developed. It involves combustion of a test gas with a known quantity of air to achieve a predetermined oxygen concentration level in the combustion products. This is accomplished by a feedback controller which maintains the gas volumetric flow rate at a level consistent with the desired oxygen concentration in the products. The heat of combustion is determined from a known correlation with the gas volumetric flow rate. An on-line microcomputer accesses the gas volumetric flow data, and displays the heat of combustion values at desired time intervals.

Chaturvedi, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Analytical investigation of the dynamics of tethered constellations in earth orbit

This Quarterly Report on Tethering in Earth Orbit deals with three topics: (1) Investigation of the propagation of longitudinal and transverse waves along the upper tether. Specifically, the upper tether is modeled as three massive platforms connected by two perfectly elastic continua (tether segments). The tether attachment point to the station is assumed to vibrate both longitudinally and transversely at a given frequency. Longitudinal and transverse waves propagate along the tethers affecting the acceleration levels at the elevator and at the upper platform. The displacement and acceleration frequency-response functions at the elevator and at the upper platform are computed for both longitudinal and transverse waves. An analysis to optimize the damping time of the longitudinal dampers is also carried out in order to select optimal parameters. The analytical evaluation of the performance of tuned vs. detuned longitudinal dampers is also part of this analysis. (2) The use of the Shuttle primary Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters for blowing away a recoiling broken tether is discussed. A microcomputer system was set up to support this operation. (3) Most of the effort in the tether plasma physics study was devoted to software development. A particle simulation code has been integrated into the Macintosh II computer system and will be utilized for studying the physics of hollow cathodes.

Lorenzini, Enrico C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Asset - An application in mission automation for science planning

Recent advances in computer technology were used to great advantage in planning science observation sequences for the Voyager 2 encounter with Uranus in 1986. Despite a loss of experienced personnel, a challenging schedule, workforce limitations, and the complex nature of the Uranus encounter itself, the resultant science observation timelines were the most highly optimized of the five Voyager encounters with the outer planets. In part, this was due to the development of a microcomputer-based system, called ASSET (Automated Science Sequence Encounter Timelines generator), which was used to design those science observation timelines. This paper details the development of that system. ASSET demonstrates several features essential to the design of the first expert systems for science planning which will be applied for future missions.

Finnerty, D. F.↗

NASA NTRS1988

I-BIEM, an iterative boundary integral equation method for computer solutions of current distribution problems with complex boundaries: A new algorithm. I - Theoretical

A new algorithm for an iterative computation of solutions of Laplace's or Poisson's equations in two dimensions, using Green's second identity, is presented. This algorithm converges strongly and geometrically and can be applied to curved, irregular, or moving boundaries with nonlinear and/or discontinuous boundary conditions. It has been implemented in Pascal on a number of micro- and minicomputers and applied to several geometries. Cases with known analytic solutions have been tested. Convergence to within 0.1 percent to 0.01 percent of the theoretical values are obtained in a few minutes on a microcomputer.

Cahan, B. D.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Evaluation of several classification schemes for mapping forest cover types in Michigan

Landsat MSS data were evaluated for mapping forest cover types in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The study examined seasonal variations, interpretation procedures and vegetation composition/distribution and their effect on overall classification accuracy and ability to identify individual pine species. Photographic images were used for visual interpretations while digital analysis was performed using a common (ERDAS) microcomputer image processing system. The classification schemes were evaluated using contingency tables and were ranked using the KAPPA statistic. The various classification schemes were ranked differentially according to study site location. Visual interpretation procedures ranked best, or least accurate, depending on the spatial distribution and complexity of the forest cover. Supervised classification techniques were more accurate than unsupervised clustering over all sites and seasons. Maximum likelihood classification of June data was superior to any digital classification technique of February data. The study indicates that classification accuracy is more dependent on the composition and distribution of forests in the northern lower Peninsula of Michigan than on the selection of a particular classification scheme.

Hudson, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Attention theory and training research

This study used elements of attention theory as a methodological basis to decompose a complex training task in order to improve training efficiency. The complex task was a microcomputer flight simulation where subjects were required to control the stability of their own helicopter while acquiring and engaging enemy helicopers in a threat enviroment. Subjects were divided into whole-task, part-task, and part/open loop adaptive task groups in a transfer of training paradigm. The effect of reducing mental workload at the early stages of learning was examined with respect to the degree that subordinate elements of the complex task could be automated through practice of consistent, learnable stimulus-response relationships. Results revealed trends suggesting the benefit of isolating consistently mapped sub-tasks for part-task training and the presence of a time-sharing skill over and above the skill required for the separate subtasks.

Connelly, James G., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A prototype 4800 bps voice terminal for the mobile satellite experiment

The authors report the final stage of a research project for the NASA mobile satellite experiment (MSAT-X). The work has resulted in two alternative coding techniques which have achieved good communications quality at 4.8 kb/s while tolerating vehicle noise, fading, and a fairly high-error-rate, bursty channel. The authors have constructed a circuit board based on three AT&T 32-bit floating-point DSP32 digital signal processors (DSP) and providing both excess processing power and considerable flexibility for handling different variations of the algorithms. A Motorola 68HC11 microcomputer chip serves as the board controller and interface handler. Mounted on a wirewrapped card, the prototype's circuit footprint amounts to only 225 cm2 and consumes about 13 W of power. A description is given of the architecture, signal processing and communication functions, circuitry, and firmware of the prototype. Issues such as synchronization, framing, error control, and modem interface are also addressed.

Chan, Wai-Yip↗

NASA NTRS1988

Hypercluster - Parallel processing for computational mechanics

An account is given of the development status, performance capabilities and implications for further development of NASA-Lewis' testbed 'hypercluster' parallel computer network, in which multiple processors communicate through a shared memory. Processors have local as well as shared memory; the hypercluster is expanded in the same manner as the hypercube, with processor clusters replacing the normal single processor node. The NASA-Lewis machine has three nodes with a vector personality and one node with a scalar personality. Each of the vector nodes uses four board-level vector processors, while the scalar node uses four general-purpose microcomputer boards.

Blech, Richard A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Characterization of direct readout Si:Sb and Si:Ga infrared detector arrays for space-based astronomy

Preliminary test results from the evaluation of Si:Sb and Si:Ga 58 x 62-element infrared detector arrays are presented. These devices are being characterized under background conditions and readout rates representative of operation in orbiting, crogenically-cooled infrared observatories. The arrays are hybridized to silicon direct-readout multiplexers which allow random-access and nondestructive readout. Array performance optimization is being conducted with a flexible microcomputer-based drive and readoaut electronics system. Preliminary Si:Sb measurements indicate a sense node capacitance of 0.06 pF, peak (28-micron) responsivity above 3 A/W at 2V bias, read noise of 130 rms e(-), dark current approximately 10 e(-)/s, and a well capacity greater than 10 to the 5th e(-). The limited test data available on the performance of the Si:Ga array are also discussed.

Mckelvey, Mark E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The Langley Advanced Real-Time Simulation (ARTS) system

This paper is intended as a status report on the ARTS system. It briefly describes the architecture and principal subsystems including: the CAMAC network system (hardware and software), the clocking system, the signal converters, the control consoles, and the minicomputer and microcomputer interfaces. The performance and reliability of the system exceeds expectations and component failure data over an 11-month period are presented. Planned enhancements, including the replacement of the mainframe computers, are discussed.

Crawford, Daniel J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Development of a micro-computer based integrated design system for high altitude long endurance aircraft

A microcomputer-based integration of aircraft design disciplines has been applied theoretically to sailplane, microwave-powered aircraft, and High Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) aircraft configurational definition efforts. Attention is presently given to the further development of such integrated-disciplines approaches through the incorporation of AI techniques; these are then applied to the aforementioned case of the HALE. The 'windFrame' language used, which is based on HyperTalk, will allow designers to write programs using a highly graphical, user interface-oriented environment.

Hall, David W.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Keyboard Emulation For Computerized Instrumentation

Keyboard emulator has interface at same level as manual keyboard entry. Since communication and control take place at high intelligence level in instrument, all instrument circuitry fully utilized. Little knowledge of instrument circuitry necessary, since only task interface performs is key closure. All existing logic and error checking still performed by instrument, minimizing workload of laboratory microcomputer. Timing constraints for interface operation minimal at keyboard entry level.

Wiegand, P. M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Simulating Scenes In Outer Space

Multimission Interactive Picture Planner, MIP, computer program for scientifically accurate and fast, three-dimensional animation of scenes in deep space. Versatile, reasonably comprehensive, and portable, and runs on microcomputers. New techniques developed to perform rapidly calculations and transformations necessary to animate scenes in scientifically accurate three-dimensional space. Written in FORTRAN 77 code. Primarily designed to handle Voyager, Galileo, and Space Telescope. Adapted to handle other missions.

Callahan, John D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

R-Curve Instability Calculations Of Crack Growth

Report discusses use of instability method of calculation and R-curve mathematical models to analyze growth of cracks in fracture-mechanics specimens. In case of single material and structure, such analysis sometimes simple enough to be done on pocket calculator. Where microcomputer or larger computer available, comprehensive program includes libraries of driving-force equations for various configurations and R-curve mathematical models for different materials. Author concludes instability method simple and effective and model equations studied all viable in sense at lease one of them should fit almost any applicable set of crack-growth data. Method and models constitute powerful mathematical tools for analysis of fractures.

Orange, Thomas W.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Preliminary design study of hydrogen and ammonia resistojets for prime and auxiliary thrusters

Designs of high performance resistojets for primary and auxiliary propulsion are described.Thruster power for the primary propulsion application was in the 2 to 3 kW range while auxiliary propulsion power per thruster was 0.15 to 0.25 kW. Propellants considered were hydrogen and ammonia. The report described design techniques used to forecast the temperature and energy flux distributions using mathematical modeling by personal microcomputer. BASIC language is used throughout to give the designer rapid interaction and control. Both designs integrate compact first stage coils with concentric tubular heaters. The hybrid heater design allows better thruster power matching with the spacecraft power bus. Projected specific impulse levels were 760 to 830 s for hydrogen and 380 to 410 s for ammonia.

Page, Russell J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A computer program for processing impedance cardiographic data: Improving accuracy through user-interactive software

This report contains the source code and documentation for a computer program used to process impedance cardiography data. The cardiodynamic measures derived from impedance cardiography are ventricular stroke column, cardiac output, cardiac index and Heather index. The program digitizes data collected from the Minnesota Impedance Cardiograph, Electrocardiography (ECG), and respiratory cycles and then stores these data on hard disk. It computes the cardiodynamic functions using interactive graphics and stores the means and standard deviations of each 15-sec data epoch on floppy disk. This software was designed on a Digital PRO380 microcomputer and used version 2.0 of P/OS, with (minimally) a 4-channel 16-bit analog/digital (A/D) converter. Applications software is written in FORTRAN 77, and uses Digital's Pro-Tool Kit Real Time Interface Library, CORE Graphic Library, and laboratory routines. Source code can be readily modified to accommodate alternative detection, A/D conversion and interactive graphics. The object code utilizing overlays and multitasking has a maximum of 50 Kbytes.

Cowings, Patricia S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Examination of coating failure by acoustic emission

Coatings of NiCrAlY bond coat with a zirconia - 12 wt percent yttria overlay were applied to disc-shaped specimens of U-700 alloy. A waveguide of 1 mm diameter platinum was TIG welded to the specimen and allowed it to be suspended in a tubular furnace. The specimen was thermally cycled to 1150 C, and the acoustic emission (AE) monitored. The weight gain per thermal cycle was also measured. A computer system based on the IBM-XT microcomputer was used extensively to acquire the AE data with respect to temperature. This system also controlled the temperature by using a PD software loop. Several different types of AE analyses were performed. A major feature of these tests, not addressed by previous work in this area, was that the coatings covered 100 percent of the specimen and also that the AE was amplified at two different levels. It is believed that this latter feature allows a qualitative appraisal of the relative number of cracks per AE event. The difference in AE counts between the two channels is proportional to the number of cracks per AE event, and this parameter may be thought of as the crack density. The ratio of the AE count difference to the AE count magnitude of one channel is inversely proportional to the crack growth. Both of these parameters allow the crack distribution and crack growth within each specimen to be qualitatively followed during the thermal cycling operation. Recent results which used these principles will be presented.

Berndt, Christopher C.↗