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At least 487 records · Page 27

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NASA NTRS1995

Flight dynamics software in a distributed network environment

As with all NASA facilities, the announcement of reduced budgets, reduced staffing, and the desire to implement smaller/quicker/cheaper missions has required the Agency's organizations to become more efficient in what they do. To accomplish these objectives, the FDD has initiated the development of the Flight Dynamics Distributed System (FDDS). The underlying philosophy of FDDS is to build an integrated system that breaks down the traditional barriers of attitude, mission planning, and navigation support software to provide a uniform approach to flight dynamics applications. Through the application of open systems concepts and state-of-the-art technologies, including object-oriented specification concepts, object-oriented software, and common user interface, communications, data management, and executive services, the FDD will reengineer most of its six million lines of code.

Jeletic, J.↗

NASA NTRS1995

A high-speed photonic clock and carrier regenerator

As data communications rates climb toward 10 Gbits/s, clock recovery and synchronization become more difficult, if not impossible, using conventional electronic circuits. The high-speed photonic clock regenerator described in this article may be more suitable for such use. This photonic regenerator is based on a previously reported photonic oscillator capable of fast acquisition and synchronization. With both electrical and optical clock inputs and outputs, the device is easily interfaced with fiber-optic systems. The recovered electrical clock can be used locally and the optical clock can be used anywhere within a several kilometer radius of the clock/carrier regenerator.

Yao, X. S.↗

NASA NTRS1996

The Multigrid-Mask Numerical Method for Solution of Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations

A multigrid-mask method for solution of incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variable form has been developed. The main objective is to apply this method in conjunction with the pseudospectral element method solving flow past multiple objects. There are two key steps involved in calculating flow past multiple objects. The first step utilizes only Cartesian grid points. This homogeneous or mask method step permits flow into the interior rectangular elements contained in objects, but with the restriction that the velocity for those Cartesian elements within and on the surface of an object should be small or zero. This step easily produces an approximate flow field on Cartesian grid points covering the entire flow field. The second or heterogeneous step corrects the approximate flow field to account for the actual shape of the objects by solving the flow field based on the local coordinates surrounding each object and adapted to it. The noise occurring in data communication between the global (low frequency) coordinates and the local (high frequency) coordinates is eliminated by the multigrid method when the Schwarz Alternating Procedure (SAP) is implemented. Two dimensional flow past circular and elliptic cylinders will be presented to demonstrate the versatility of the proposed method. An interesting phenomenon is found that when the second elliptic cylinder is placed in the wake of the first elliptic cylinder a traction force results in a negative drag coefficient.

Ku, Hwar-Ching↗

NASA NTRS1995

Visualization and Tracking of Parallel CFD Simulations

We describe a system for interactive visualization and tracking of a 3-D unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation on a parallel computer. CM/AVS, a distributed, parallel implementation of a visualization environment (AVS) runs on the CM-5 parallel supercomputer. A CFD solver is run as a CM/AVS module on the CM-5. Data communication between the solver, other parallel visualization modules, and a graphics workstation, which is running AVS, are handled by CM/AVS. Partitioning of the visualization task, between CM-5 and the workstation, can be done interactively in the visual programming environment provided by AVS. Flow solver parameters can also be altered by programmable interactive widgets. This system partially removes the requirement of storing large solution files at frequent time steps, a characteristic of the traditional 'simulate (yields) store (yields) visualize' post-processing approach.

Vaziri, Arsi↗

NASA NTRS1996

Efficient Process Migration for Parallel Processing on Non-Dedicated Networks of Workstations

This paper presents the design and preliminary implementation of MpPVM, a software system that supports process migration for PVM application programs in a non-dedicated heterogeneous computing environment. New concepts of migration point as well as migration point analysis and necessary data analysis are introduced. In MpPVM, process migrations occur only at previously inserted migration points. Migration point analysis determines appropriate locations to insert migration points; whereas, necessary data analysis provides a minimum set of variables to be transferred at each migration pint. A new methodology to perform reliable point-to-point data communications in a migration environment is also discussed. Finally, a preliminary implementation of MpPVM and its experimental results are presented, showing the correctness and promising performance of our process migration mechanism in a scalable non-dedicated heterogeneous computing environment. While MpPVM is developed on top of PVM, the process migration methodology introduced in this study is general and can be applied to any distributed software environment.

Chanchio, Kasidit↗

NASA NTRS1998

Recent Productivity Improvements to the National Transonic Facility

Productivity gains have recently been made at the National Transonic Facility wind tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. A team was assigned to assess and set productivity goals to achieve the desired operating cost and output of the facility. Simulations have been developed to show the sensitivity of selected process productivity improvements in critical areas to reduce overall test cycle times. The improvements consist of an expanded liquid nitrogen storage system, a new fan drive, a new tunnel vent stack heater, replacement of programmable logic controllers, an increased data communications speed, automated test sequencing, and a faster model changeout system. Where possible, quantifiable results of these improvements are presented. Results show that in most cases, improvements meet the productivity gains predicted by the simulations.

Popernack, Thomas G., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1999

NCC: A Multidisciplinary Design/Analysis Tool for Combustion Systems

Liu, Nan-Suey↗

NASA NTRS1999

The Biolink Implantable Telemetry System

Most biotelemetry applications deal with the moderated data rates of biological signals. Few people have studied the problem of transcutaneous data transmission at the rates required by NASA's Life Sciences-Advanced BioTelemetry System (LS-ABTS). Implanted telemetry eliminate the problems associated with wire breaking the skin, and permits experiments with awake and unrestrained subjects. Our goal is to build a low-power 174-216MHz Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter suitable for short range biosensor and implantable use. The BioLink Implantable Telemetry System (BITS) is composed of three major units: an Analog Data Module (ADM), a Telemetry Transmitter Module (TTM), and a Command Receiver Module (CRM). BioLink incorporates novel low-power techniques to implement a monolithic digital RF transmitter operating at 100kbps, using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation in the 174-216MHz ISM band. As the ADM will be specific for each application, we focused on solving the problems associated with a monolithic implementation of the TTM and CRM, and this is the emphasis of this report. A system architecture based on a Frequency-Locked Loop (FLL) Frequency Synthesizer is presented, and a novel differential frequency that eliminates the need for a frequency divider is also shown. A self sizing phase modulation scheme suitable for low power implementation was also developed. A full system-level simulation of the FLL was performed and loop filter parameters were determined. The implantable antenna has been designed, simulated and constructed. An implant package compatible with the ABTS requirements is also being proposed. Extensive work performed at 200MHz in 0.5um complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) showed the feasibility of integrating the RF transmitter circuits in a single chip. The Hajimiri phase noise model was used to optimize the Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) for minimum power consumption. Two test chips were fabricated in a 0.5pm, 3V CMOS process. Measured phase noise for a 1.5mW, 200MHz ring oscillator VCO is -80dBc/Hz at 100KHZ offset, showing good agreement with the theory. We also propose a novel superregenerative receiver architecture for implementing the command receiver. The superregenerative receiver's simplicity, low cost, and low power consumption has made it the receiver of choice for short-distance data communications, remote control and home automation. We present the design of a superregenerative AM receiver implemented in a 0.5um CMOS technology that operates at 433.92MHz and dissipates only 300uW. Further work entails detailed transistor-level design of the FLL and superregenerative receiver and a monolithic implementation of an implantable transceiver in 0.5um CMOS technology.

Betancourt-Zamora, Rafael J.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Space Adaptation of Active Mirror Segment Concepts

This report summarizes the results of a three year effort by Blue Line Engineering Co. to advance the state of segmented mirror systems in several separate but related areas. The initial set of tasks were designed to address the issues of system level architecture, digital processing system, cluster level support structures, and advanced mirror fabrication concepts. Later in the project new tasks were added to provide support to the existing segmented mirror testbed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in the form of upgrades to the 36 subaperture wavefront sensor. Still later, tasks were added to build and install a new system processor based on the results of the new system architecture. The project was successful in achieving a number of important results. These include the following most notable accomplishments: 1) The creation of a new modular digital processing system that is extremely capable and may be applied to a wide range of segmented mirror systems as well as many classes of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) control systems such as active structures or industrial automation. 2) A new graphical user interface was created for operation of segmented mirror systems. 3) The development of a high bit rate serial data loop that permits bi-directional flow of data to and from as many as 39 segments daisy-chained to form a single cluster of segments. 4) Upgrade of the 36 subaperture Hartmann type Wave Front Sensor (WFS) of the Phased Array Mirror, Extendible Large Aperture (PAMELA) testbed at MSFC resulting in a 40 to 5OX improvement in SNR which in turn enabled NASA personnel to achieve many significant strides in improved closed-loop system operation in 1998. 5) A new system level processor was built and delivered to MSFC for use with the PAMELA testbed. This new system featured a new graphical user interface to replace the obsolete and non-supported menu system originally delivered with the PAMELA system. The hardware featured Blue Line's new stackable processing system which included fiber optic data links, a WFS digital interface, and a very compact and reliable electronics package. The project also resulted in substantial advances in the evolution of concepts for integrated structures to be used to support clusters of segments while also serving as the means to distribute power, timing, and data communications resources. A prototype cluster base was built and delivered that would support a small array of 7 cm mirror segments. Another conceptual design effort led to substantial progress in the area of laminated silicon mirror segments. While finished mirrors were never successfully produced in this exploratory effort, the basic feasibility of the concept was established through a significant amount of experimental development in microelectronics processing laboratories at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Ultimately lightweighted aluminum mirrors with replicated front surfaces were produced and delivered as part of a separate contract to develop integrated segmented mirror assemblies. Overall the project was very successful in advancing segmented mirror system architectures on several fronts. In fact, the results of this work have already served as the basic foundation for the system architectures of several projects proposed by Blue Line for different missions and customers. These include the NMSD and AMSD procurements for NASA's Next Generation Space Telescope, the HET figure maintenance system, and the 1 meter FAST telescope project.

Ames, Gregory H.↗

NASA NTRS2000

STS-99: Flight Day 05 Highlights and Crew Activities Report

During day 5 Endeavour gathers data four times faster than its advanced data communications system can send it to Earth. Pilot Dom Gorie and Mission Specialists Janice Voss and Mamoru Mohri transmit television coverage of Voss using an inflatable globe to explain the mapping of Earth land surfaces. Mohri is shown taking photos out the commander's window, while Gorie is changing a tape on a payload high rate recorder. Mapping operations continued smoothly, with both radar and orbiter systems working flawlessly.

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NASA NTRS1998

3D Navier-Stokes Time Accurate Solutions Using Multipartitioning Parallel Computation Methodology

A parallel CFD code solving 3D time accurate Navier-Stokes equations with multipartitioning parallel Methodology is being developed in collaboration with Ohio State University within the Air Vehicle Directorate, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The advantage of the multipartitioning parallel method is that the domain decomposition will not introduce domain boundaries for the implicit operators. A ring structure data communication is employed so that the implicit time accurate method can be implemented for multi-processors with the same accuracy as for the single processor. No sub-iteration is needed at the domain boundaries. The code has been validated for some typical unsteady flows, which include Coutte Flow, flow passing a cylinder. The code now is being employed for a large scale time accurate wall jet transient flow computation. 'ne preliminary results are promising. The mesh has been refined to capture more details of the flow field. The mesh refinement computation is in progress and would be difficult to successfully implement without the parallel computation techniques used. A modified version of the code with more efficient inversion of the diagonalized block matrix is currently being tested.

Zha, Ge-Cheng↗

NASA NTRS2001

Utilization of Infrared Fiber Optic in the Automotive Industry

Fiber optics are finding a place in the automotive industry. Illumination is the primary application today. Soon, however, fiber optics will be used for data communications and sensing applications. Silica fiber optics and plastic fibers are sufficient for illumination and communication applications however, sensing applications involving high temperature measurement and remote gas analysis would benefit from the use of infrared fiber optics. Chalcogonide and heavy metal fluoride glass optical fibers are two good candidates for these applications. Heavy metal fluoride optical fibers are being investigated by NASA for applications requiring transmission in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Zirconium-Barium-Lanthanum-Aluminum-Sodium-Fluoride (ZBLAN) is one such material which has been investigated. This material has a theoretical attenuation coefficient 100 times lower than that of silica and transmits into the mid-IR. However, the measured attenuation coefficient is higher than silica due to impurities and crystallization. Impurities can be taken care of by utilizing cleaner experimental protocol. It has been found that crystallization can be suppressed by processing in reduced gravity. Fibers processed in reduced gravity on the KC135 reduced gravity aircraft were found to be free of crystals while those processed on the ground were found to have crystals. These results will be presented along with plans for producing continuous lengths of ZBLAN optical fiber on board the International Space Station.

Tucker, Dennis S.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Future Evolution of NASA's SLR and VLBI Networks

Over the first half of this decade the NASA Space Geodesy Program is planning a major transformation of its existing (Satellite Laser Ranging) SLR network of stations and also further evolutionary changes to its network of (Very Long Base Interferometry) VLBI stations. These network changes will be made to meet the ever more demanding requirements of the earth and space science programs that these networks support while seeking through automation and electronic data communications to increase efficiency and decrease cost of operations and maintenance. The major aspects of the NASA plan will be outlined and the benefits to the scientific community will be addressed.

Bosworth, John M.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Achieving QoS for Aeronautical Telecommunication Networks Over Differentiated Services

Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) has been developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization to integrate Air-Ground and Ground-Ground data communication for aeronautical applications into a single network serving Air Traffic Control and Aeronautical Operational Communications. To carry time critical information required for aeronautical applications, ATN provides different Quality of Services (QoS) to applications. ATN has therefore, been designed as a stand alone network which implies building an expensive separate network for ATN However, the cost of operating ATN can be reduced if it can be run over a public network such as the Internet. Although the current Internet does not provide QoS the next generation Internet is expected to provide QoS to applications. The objective of this paper is to investigate the possibility of providing QoS to ATN applications when it is run over the next generation Internet. Differentiated Services (DiffServ), one of the protocols proposed for the next generation Internet, will allow network service providers to offer different QoS to customers. Our results show that it is possible to provide QoS to ATN applications when they run over a DiffServ backbone.

Bai, Haowei↗

NASA NTRS1996

Scaling Properties of Algorithms in Nanotechnology

At the present time, several technologies are pressing the limits of microminiature manufacturing. In semiconductor technology, for example, the Intel Pentium Pro (which is used in the Department of Energy's ASCI 'red' parallel supercomputer system) and the DEC Alpha 21164 (which is used in the CRAY T3E) both are fabricated using 0.35 micron process technology. Recently Texas Instruments (TI) announced the availability of 0.25 micron technology chips by the end of 1996 and plans to have 0.18 micron devices in production within two years. However, some significant challenges lie down the road. These include the skyrocketing cost of manufacturing plants, the 0.1 micron foreseeable limit of the photolithography process, quantum effects, data communication bandwidth limitations, heat dissipation, and others. Some related microminiature technologies include micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), opto-electronic devices, quantum computing, biological computing, and others. All of these technologies require the fabrication of devices whose sizes are approaching the nanometer level. As such they are often collectively referred to with the name 'nanotechnology'. Clearly nanotechnology in this general sense is destined to be a very important technology of the 21st century. The ultimate dream in this arena is 'molecular nanotechnology', in other words the fabrication of devices and materials with most or all atoms and molecules in a pre-programmed position, possibly placed there by 'nano-robots'. This futuristic capability will probably not be achieved for at least two decades. However, it appears that somewhat less ambitious variations of molecular nanotechnology, such as devices and materials based on 'buckyballs' and 'nanotubes' may be realized significantly sooner, possibly within ten years or so. Even at the present time, semiconductor devices are approaching the regime where quantum chemical effects must be considered in design.

Saini, Subhash↗

NASA NTRS2002

Electro-Optic Modulator Based on Organic Planar Waveguide Integrated with Prism Coupler

The objectives of the project, as they were formulated in the proposal, are the following: (1) Design and development of novel electro-optic modulator using single crystalline film of highly efficient electro-optic organic material integrated with prism coupler; (2) Experimental characterization of the figures-of-merit of the modulator. It is expected to perform with an extinction ratio of 10 dB at a driving signal of 5 V; (3) Conclusions on feasibility of the modulator as an element of data communication systems of future generations. The accomplishments of the project are the following: (1) The design of the electro-optic modulator based on a single crystalline film of organic material NPP has been explored; (2) The evaluation of the figures-of-merit of the electro-optic modulator has been performed; (3) Based on the results of characterization of the figures-of-merit, the conclusion was made that the modulator based on a thin film of NPP is feasible and has a great potential of being used in optic communication with a modulation bandwidth of up to 100 GHz and a driving voltage of the order of 3 to 5 V.

Sarkisov, Sergey S.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Overview of the NCC

A multi-disciplinary design/analysis tool for combustion systems is critical for optimizing the low-emission, high-performance combustor design process. Based on discussions between then NASA Lewis Research Center and the jet engine companies, an industry-government team was formed in early 1995 to develop the National Combustion Code (NCC), which is an integrated system of computer codes for the design and analysis of combustion systems. NCC has advanced features that address the need to meet designer's requirements such as "assured accuracy", "fast turnaround", and "acceptable cost". The NCC development team is comprised of Allison Engine Company (Allison), CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC), GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE), NASA Glenn Research Center (LeRC), and Pratt & Whitney (P&W). The "unstructured mesh" capability and "parallel computing" are fundamental features of NCC from its inception. The NCC system is composed of a set of "elements" which includes grid generator, main flow solver, turbulence module, turbulence and chemistry interaction module, chemistry module, spray module, radiation heat transfer module, data visualization module, and a post-processor for evaluating engine performance parameters. Each element may have contributions from several team members. Such a multi-source multi-element system needs to be integrated in a way that facilitates inter-module data communication, flexibility in module selection, and ease of integration. The development of the NCC beta version was essentially completed in June 1998. Technical details of the NCC elements are given in the Reference List. Elements such as the baseline flow solver, turbulence module, and the chemistry module, have been extensively validated; and their parallel performance on large-scale parallel systems has been evaluated and optimized. However the scalar PDF module and the Spray module, as well as their coupling with the baseline flow solver, were developed in a small-scale distributed computing environment. As a result, the validation of the NCC beta version as a whole was quite limited. Current effort has been focused on the validation of the integrated code and the evaluation/optimization of its overall performance on large-scale parallel systems.

Liu, Nan-Suey↗

NASA NTRS2001

Spinoff 2001: Special Millennium Feature

For the past 43 years, NASA has devoted its facilities, labor force, and expertise to sharing the abundance of technology developments used for its missions with the nation's industries. These countless technologies have not only successfully contributed to the growth of the U.S. economy, but also to the quality of life on Earth. For the past 25 years, NASA's Spinoff publication has brought attention to thousands of technologies, products, and services that were developed as a direct result of commercial partnerships between NASA and the private business sector. Many of these exciting technologies included advances in ceramics, computer technology, fiber optics, and remote sensing. New and ongoing research at the NASA field centers covers a full spectrum of technologies that will provide numerous advantages for the future, many of which have made significant strides in the commercial market. The NASA Commercial Technology Network plays a large role in transferring this progress. By applying NASA technologies such as data communication, aircraft de-icing technologies, and innovative materials to everyday functions, American consumers and the national economy benefit. Moving forward into the new millennium, these new technologies will further advance our country's position as the world leader in scientific and technical innovation. These cutting-edge innovations represent the investment of the U.S. citizen in the Space Program. Some of these technologies are highlighted in Spinoff 2001, an example of NASA's commitment to technology transfer and commercialization assistance. This year's issue spotlights the commercial technology efforts of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center. Kennedy's extensive network of commercial technology opportunities has enabled them to become a leader in technology transfer outreach. This kind of leadership is exemplified through Kennedy's recent partnership with the State of Florida, working toward the development of the Space Experiment Research and Processing Laboratory. The new laboratory is the first step toward the development of a proposed 400-acre Space Commerce Park, located at Kennedy Space Center. Spinoff, once again, successfully showcases the variety of commercial successes and benefits resulting from the transfer of NASA technology to private industry. It is with great pride and pleasure that we present Spinoff 2001 with a Special Millennium Feature. With help from U.S. industry and commercial technology programs, NASA will continue to assist in the presentation of innovative new products to our nation.

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