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At least 469 records · Page 26

RAID Disk Arrays for High Bandwidth Applications

High bandwidth applications require large amounts of data transferred to/from storage devices at extremely high data rates. Further, these applications often are 'real time' in which access to the storage device must take place on the schedule of the data source, not the storage. A good example is a satellite downlink - the volume of data is quite large and the data rates quite high (dozens of MB/sec). Further, a telemetry downlink must take place while the satellite is overhead. A storage technology which is ideally suited to these types of applications is redundant arrays of independent discs (RAID). Raid storage technology, while offering differing methodologies for a variety of applications, supports the performance and redundancy required in real-time applications. Of the various RAID levels, RAID-3 is the only one which provides high data transfer rates under all operating conditions, including after a drive failure.

Moren, Bill↗

A Comparison of Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings Solvers for Airframe Noise Applications

This paper presents a comparison between two implementations of the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equation for airframe noise applications. Airframe systems are generally moving at constant speed and not rotating, so these conditions are used in the current investigation. Efficient and easily implemented forms of the equations applicable to subsonic, rectilinear motion of all acoustic sources are used. The assumptions allow the derivation of a simple form of the equations in the frequency-domain, and the time-domain method uses the restrictions on the motion to reduce the work required to find the emission time. The comparison between the frequency domain method and the retarded time formulation reveals some of the advantages of the different approaches. Both methods are still capable of predicting the far-field noise from nonlinear near-field flow quantities. Because of the large input data sets and potentially large numbers of observer positions of interest in three-dimensional problems, both codes utilize the message passing interface to divide the problem among different processors. Example problems are used to demonstrate the usefulness and efficiency of the two schemes.

Lockard, David P.↗

An Intelligent Archive Testbed Incorporating Data Mining

Many significant advances have occurred during the last two decades in remote sensing instrumentation, computation, storage, and communication technology. A series of Earth observing satellites have been launched by U.S. and international agencies and have been operating and collecting global data on a regular basis. These advances have created a data rich environment for scientific research and applications. NASA s Earth Observing System (EOS) Data and Information System (EOSDIS) has been operational since August 1994 with support for pre-EOS data. Currently, EOSDIS supports all the EOS missions including Terra (1999), Aqua (2002), ICESat (2002) and Aura (2004). EOSDIS has been effectively capturing, processing and archiving several terabytes of standard data products each day. It has also been distributing these data products at a rate of several terabytes per day to a diverse and globally distributed user community (Ramapriyan et al. 2009). There are other NASA-sponsored data system activities including measurement-based systems such as the Ocean Data Processing System and the Precipitation Processing system, and several projects under the Research, Education and Applications Solutions Network (REASoN), Making Earth Science Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs), and the Advancing Collaborative Connections for Earth-Sun System Science (ACCESS) programs. Together, these activities provide a rich set of resources constituting a value chain for users to obtain data at various levels ranging from raw radiances to interdisciplinary model outputs. The result has been a significant leap in our understanding of the Earth systems that all humans depend on for their enjoyment, livelihood, and survival. The trend in the community today is towards many distributed sets of providers of data and services. Despite this, visions for the future include users being able to locate, fuse and utilize data with location transparency and high degree of interoperability, and being able to convert data to information and usable knowledge in an efficient, convenient manner, aided significantly by automation (Ramapriyan et al. 2004; NASA 2005). We can look upon the distributed provider environment with capabilities to convert data to information and to knowledge as an Intelligent Archive in the Context of a Knowledge Building system (IA-KBS). Some of the key capabilities of an IA-KBS are: Virtual Product Generation, Significant Event Detection, Automated Data Quality Assessment, Large-Scale Data Mining, Dynamic Feedback Loop, and Data Discovery and Efficient Requesting (Ramapriyan et al. 2004).

Ramapriyan, H.↗

Potential impact of aerosols on convective clouds revealed by Himawari-8 observations over different terrain types in eastern China

Convective clouds are common and play a major role in Earth's water cycle and energy balance; they may even develop into storms and cause severe rainfall events. To understand the convective cloud development process, this study investigates the impact of aerosols on convective clouds by considering the influence of both topography and diurnal variation in radiation. By combining texture analysis, clustering, and thresholding methods, we identify all convective clouds in two warm seasons (May–September, 2016/17) in eastern China based on Himawari-8 Level 1 data. Having large diurnally resolved cloud data together with surface meteorological and environmental measurements, we investigate convective cloud properties and their variation, stratified by elevation and diurnal change. We then analyze the potential impact of aerosol on convective clouds under different meteorological conditions and topographies. In general, convective clouds tend to occur preferentially under polluted conditions in the morning, which reverses in the afternoon. Convective cloud fraction first increases then decreases with aerosol loading, which may contribute to this phenomenon. Topography and diurnal meteorological variations may affect the strength of aerosol microphysical and radiative effects. Updraft is always stronger along the windward slopes of mountains and plateaus, especially in northern China. The prevailing southerly wind near the foothills of mountains and plateaus is likely to contribute to this windward strengthening of updraft and to bring more pollutant into the mountains, thereby strengthening the microphysical effect, invigorating convective clouds. By comparison, over plain, aerosols decrease surface heating and suppress convection by blocking solar radiation reaching the surface.

clouds↗

Extracting Compositional Variation from THEMIS Data for Features with Large Topography on Mars Via Atmospheric Equalization

We have developed a means of equalizing the atmospheric signature in Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) infrared data over regions with large topography such as the Valles Marineris (VM). This equalization allows for the analysis of compositional variations in regions that previously have been difficult to study because of the large differences in atmospheric path length that result from large changes in surface elevation. Specifically, our motivation for this study is to examine deposits that are small at the scales observable by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) onboard Mars Global Surveyor, but which are more readily resolved with THEMIS.

Anderson, F. S.↗

Avionic expert systems

At the heart of any intelligent flight control system, there is a knowledge based expert system. The efficiency of these knowledge bases is one of the major factors in the success of aviation and space control systems. In the future, the speed and the capabilities of the expert system and their underlying data base(s) will be the limiting factors in the ability to build more accurate real time space controllers. A methodology is proposed for design and construction of such expert systems. It is noted that existing expert systems are inefficient (slow) in dealing with nontrivial real world situations that involve a vast collection of data. However, current data bases, which are fast in handling large amounts of data, cannot carry out intelligent tasks normally expected from an expert system. The system presented provides the power of deduction (reasoning) along with the efficient mechanisms for management of large data bases. In the system, both straight forward evaluation procedures and sophisticated inference mechanisms coexist. The design methodology is based on mathematics and logic, which ensures the correctness of the final product.

Golshani, Forouzan↗

Practical aspects of on-orbit modal identification using free-decay data

Future large space structures such as Space Station Freedom can be tested as a total structure on Earth. Size, zero g design, and the existing atmosphere conflict with traditional structural dynamic testing. On-orbit modal identification will become necessary. Practical aspects of performing such tests using time domain analysis of free decay data are discussed. The effects of environmental constraints, structural characteristics, and excitation and sensing are reviewed. A recent laboratory application and sensing are reviewed. In this test, an on-orbit experiment is simulated using free decay data and a limited number of excitation and measurement points. The test article is dynamically similar to the truss/solar arrays of Space Station. The identified modal parameters from this simulation correlate well, though not uniquely, with those obtained in a complete modal survey. Practical difficulties in performing the correlation are illustrated. Model parameters are identified with the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm.

Schenk, Axel↗

Parametric Analysis of a Hover Test Vehicle using Advanced Test Generation and Data Analysis

Large complex aerospace systems are generally validated in regions local to anticipated operating points rather than through characterization of the entire feasible operational envelope of the system. This is due to the large parameter space, and complex, highly coupled nonlinear nature of the different systems that contribute to the performance of the aerospace system. We have addressed the factors deterring such an analysis by applying a combination of technologies to the area of flight envelop assessment. We utilize n-factor (2,3) combinatorial parameter variations to limit the number of cases, but still explore important interactions in the parameter space in a systematic fashion. The data generated is automatically analyzed through a combination of unsupervised learning using a Bayesian multivariate clustering technique (AutoBayes) and supervised learning of critical parameter ranges using the machine-learning tool TAR3, a treatment learner. Covariance analysis with scatter plots and likelihood contours are used to visualize correlations between simulation parameters and simulation results, a task that requires tool support, especially for large and complex models. We present results of simulation experiments for a cold-gas-powered hover test vehicle.

Gundy-Burlet, Karen↗

Analysis of large system black box verification test data

Issues regarding black box, large systems verification are explored. It begins by collecting data from several testing teams. An integrated database containing test, fault, repair, and source file information is generated. Intuitive effectiveness measures are generated using conventional black box testing results analysis methods. Conventional analysts methods indicate that the testing was effective in the sense that as more tests were run, more faults were found. Average behavior and individual data points are analyzed. The data is categorized and average behavior shows a very wide variation in number of tests run and in pass rates (pass rates ranged from 71 percent to 98 percent). The 'white box' data contained in the integrated database is studied in detail. Conservative measures of effectiveness are discussed. Testing efficiency (ratio of repairs to number of tests) is measured at 3 percent, fault record effectiveness (ratio of repairs to fault records) is measured at 55 percent, and test script redundancy (ratio of number of failed tests to minimum number of tests needed to find the faults) ranges from 4.2 to 15.8. Error prone source files and subsystems are identified. A correlational mapping of test functional area to product subsystem is completed. A new adaptive testing process based on real-time generation of the integrated database is proposed.

Clapp, Kenneth C.↗

Impact of small-crack effects on design-life calculations

The potential impact of the observed small-crack-effect in 2024-T3 aluminum alloy on calculated crack-growth lives is described. The significance of the small-crack effect is assessed by comparing lives computed using only large-crack data to those computed using a combined small- and large-crack data base for constant-amplitude (R = -1 and 0) and fighter-wing spectrum loading (FALSTAFF) conditions. Based on the life calculations, the small-crack effect would have no impact on life analyses that assume an initial crack larger than about 0.3 mm; only a small impact on life analyses that assume an initial crack of 0.1 mm; but a large impact on life analyses that assume an initial crack of about 0.01 mm. When small-crack effects are taken into account, fatigue life analyses based solely on crack growth may provide a viable alternative to traditional two-part initiation-plus-crack-growth life analyses.

Phillips, E. P.↗

Diurnal and annual temperature variations in the 30-60 km region as indicated by statistical analysis of rocketsonde temperature data.

The relatively large amount of rocketsonde data now available for selected stations together with representative estimates of the solar radiation corrections has been utilized to establish the phases and amplitudes of the diurnal temperature oscillations from 30 to 60 km. Once the magnitude of the solar radiation errors and the diurnal temperature oscillations are established, these values are used to obtain new estimates of the actual mean temperatures for each calendar month.

Hoxit, L. R.↗

Parallelization and visual analysis of multidimensional fields: Application to ozone production, destruction, and transport in three dimensions

Atmospheric modeling is a grand challenge problem for several reasons, including its inordinate computational requirements and its generation of large amounts of data concurrent with its use of very large data sets derived from measurement instruments like satellites. In addition, atmospheric models are typically run several times, on new data sets or to reprocess existing data sets, to investigate or reinvestigate specific chemical or physical processes occurring in the earth's atmosphere, to understand model fidelity with respect to observational data, or simply to experiment with specific model parameters or components.

Schwan, Karsten↗

Cost and performance characteristics of data system configurations for processing remotely sensed data

Some alternative approaches to constructing a large remote-sensing data system are explored. The cost and performance implications of using a collection of 'small' computers versus using one large computer are examined. Several architectures and associated costs for the large data system supporting a single data center are presented. Recurring cost factors (maintenance and operations) currently slightly favor the single large-machine architecture, but other factors may dictate the choice of one of the two multimachine architectures discussed.

Gregor, P. J.↗

Repeatability and uncertainty analyses of light gas gun test data

All large spacecraft are susceptible to high-speed impacts by meteoroids and pieces of orbiting space debris which can damage flight-critical systems and in turn lead to catastrophic failure. One way to obtain information on the response of a structure to a meteoroid impact or an orbital debris impact is to simulate the impact conditions of interest in the laboratory and analyze the resulting damage to a target structure. As part of the Phase B and C/D development activities for the Space Station Freedom, 950 impact tests were performed using the NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) light gas gun from 1985-1991. This paper presents the results of impact phenomena repeatability and data uncertainty studies performed using the information obtained from those tests. The results of these studies can be used to assess the utility of individual current and future NASA/MSFC impact test results in the design of long-duration spacecraft.

Schonberg, William P.↗

Science Archives in the 21st Century: A NASA LAMBDA Report

Lambda is a thematic data center that focuses on serving the cosmic microwave background (CMB) research community. LAMBDA is an active archive for NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) and Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) mission data sets. In addition, LAMBDA provides analysis software, on-line tools, relevant ancillary data and important web links. LAMBDA also tries to preserve the most important ground-based and suborbital CMB data sets. CMB data is unlike other astrophysical data, consisting of intrinsically diffuse surface brightness photometry with a signal contrast of the order 1 part in 100,000 relative to the uniform background. Because of the extremely faint signal levels, the signal-to-noise ratio is relatively low and detailed instrument-specific knowledge of the data is essential. While the number of data sets being produced is not especially large, those data sets are becoming large and complex. That tendency will increase when the many polarization experiments currently being deployed begin producing data. The LAMBDA experience supports many aspects of the NASA data archive model developed informally over the last ten years-that small focused data centers are often more effective than larger more ambitious collections, for example; that data centers are usually best run by active scientists; that it can be particularly advantageous if those scientists are leaders in the use of the archived data sets; etc. LAMBDA has done some things so well that they might provide lessons for other archives. A lot of effort has been devoted to developing a simple and consistent interface to data sets, for example; and serving all the documentation required via simple 'more' pages and longer explanatory supplements. Many of the problems faced by LAMBDA will also not surprise anyone trying to manage other space science data. These range from persuading mission scientists to provide their data as quickly as possible, to dealing with a high volume of nuisance (spam) messages. Because so many data center problems and solutions are common across individual data centers and disciplines it would be very valuable to establish some new systems of communication - such as informal email lists for administrators and developers. But resources are very limited, so new timeconsuming and inefficient mechanisms - like too-frequent and too-structured meetingsshould be avoided. Although there are great advantages to being small, agile and independent, there are also some areas where science data centers within and without NASA could be better coordinated - for the assignment of persistent identifiers; to encourage the early adoption of useful standards and technologies; etc. Some super-structure to facilitate such coordination might be beneficial as long as it doesn't begin to control the other work of the archives, and become a "methodology police". In this respect the CCSDS "Reference Model for an Open Archive Information System" is a little worrying. It may be that the closer a data center gets to following such a detailed prescription, the less effective it will become. It is much better to have an informal coordination process than a bureaucratic straight-jacket.

Butterworth, P.↗

Two phase choke flow in tubes with very large L/D

Data were obtained for two phase and gaseous choked flow nitrogen in a long constant area duct of 16200 L/D with a diverging diffuser attached to the exit. Flow rate data were taken along five isotherms (reduced temperature of 0.81, 0.96, 1.06, 1.12, and 2.34) for reduced pressures to 3. The flow rate data were mapped in the usual manner using stagnation conditions at the inlet mixing chamber upstream of the entrance length. The results are predictable by a two phase homogeneous equilibrium choking flow model which includes wall friction. A simplified theory which in essence decouples the long tube region from the high acceleration choking region also appears to predict the data resonably well, but about 15 percent low.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Wind tunnel investigation of an all flush orifice air data system for a large subsonic aircraft

The results of a wind tunnel investigation on an all flush orifice air data system for use on a KC-135A aircraft are presented. The investigation was performed to determine the applicability of fixed all flush orifice air data systems that use only aircraft surfaces for orifices on the nose of the model (in a configuration similar to that of the shuttle entry air data system) provided the measurements required for the determination of stagnation pressure, angle of attack, and angle of sideslip. For the measurement of static pressure, additional flush orifices in positions on the sides of the fuselage corresponding to those in a standard pitot-static system were required. An acceptable but less accurate system, consisting of orifices only on the nose of the model, is defined and discussed.

Larson, T. J.↗