Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Portability”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

Laser Spiderweb Sensor Used with Portable Handheld Devices

A portable spectrometer, including a smart phone case storing a portable spectrometer, wherein the portable spectrometer includes a cavity; a source for emitting electromagnetic radiation that is directed on a sample in the cavity, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is reflected within the cavity to form multiple passes of the electromagnetic radiation through the sample; a detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation after the electromagnetic radiation has made the multiple passes through the sample in the cavity, the detector outputting a signal in response to the detecting; and a device for communicating the signal to a smart phone, wherein the smart phone executes an application that performs a spectral analysis of the signal.

Scott, David C.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Portable, Low-Cost, Column Carbon Dioxide and Methane Measurements for Validating Satellite Observations in Remote Locations

We present a low-cost (~$10K per instrument), portable solution to ground-based validation of satellite observations for difficult to reach locations with precisions of 1 ppm XCO2 and 10 ppb XCH4 for hourly data products. While Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) is the gold-standard for ground validation, there are locations where a ground column validation data point would be useful but conditions are not conducive to a permanent station. Examples include wetlands, thawing permafrost, the tropics, the Amazon, sub-Saharan Africa, as well as locations without a power grid or with geopolitical conflict. In addition, the low-cost and portability mean a geographical region can be studied in depth with multiple instruments. This passive, sun-pointing instrument is a miniaturized, laser heterodyne radiometer (mini-LHR) that has been under development by our team since 2009. It can be operated either in tandem with AERONET (a global network of 500 instruments that measure aerosol optical depth), or as a stand-alone instrument with a low-cost (~$3K), light-weight sun tracker. One of the main benefits of the mini-LHR is that it can quickly reach remote locations and provide a validation measurement even if there is limited or no infrastructure at the site. The instrument weighs ~10 lbs, fits into a backpack, and is powered by two folding solar panels and a battery pack. In clear conditions, the instrument can be set-up in under an hour. Portability means that mini-LHRs can be easily moved for side-by-side comparisons with other mini-LHRs and with TCCON which simplifies assessing instrument bias as well as accuracy. Like TCCON, the mini-LHR points directly at the sun with a narrow field-of-view and is its insensitivity to cloud and aerosol scattering that is common to nadir-pointing passive satellite approaches. Here we present a collection of sample data sets to demonstrate performance from locations that vary in climate, altitude, solar zenith angle, hours of sun per day, etc., as well as data from side-by-side TCCON comparisons. Retrievals of CO2 and CH4 were completed using the NASA/Goddard's Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG) that incorporates meteorological inputs from Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) data set.

Wilson, Emily W.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Portable Laser Guided Robotic Metrology System

This paper introduces the new Portable Laser Guided Robotic antenna range (PLGR) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Glenn Research Center. Previous work used industrial robots in fixed facilities to characterize antennas and required fixtures that do not lend themselves to portable applications.NASA's PLGR system is designed for in-situ antenna measurements at a remote site. The system consists of a robot arm mounted on a vertical lift and a laser tracker, each on a portable base. The lift and laser tracker enable scanning a surface larger than the robot's reach. To accomplish this the robot first collects all points within its reach, then the system is moved and the laser tracker is used to relocate the robot before additional points are captured.The PLGR architecture will be discussed including how safety systems and path planning are combined to effectively characterize antennas. Software was written in high level languages for flexible integration of vector network analyzers and antenna controllers. Lastly, data will be shown to demonstrate the system functionality and accuracy.

Slater, Peter A.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Improved Spacecraft Tracking and Navigation Using a Portable Radio Science Receiver

The Portable Radio Science Receiver (PRSR) is a suitcase-sized open-loop digital receiver designed to be small and easy to transport so that it can be deployed quickly and easily anywhere in the world. The PRSR digitizes, downconverts, and filters using custom hardware, firmware, and software. Up to 16 channels can be independently configured and recorded with a total data rate of up to 256 Mbps. The design and implementation of the system's hardware, firmware, and software is described. To minimize costs and time to deployment, our design leveraged elements of the hardware, firmware, and software designs from the existing full-sized operational (non-portable) Radio Science Receivers (RSR) and Wideband VLBI Science Receivers (WVSR), which have successfully supported flagship NASA deep space missions at all Deep Space Network (DSN) sites. We discuss a demonstration of the PRSR using VLBI, with one part per billion angular resolution: 1 nano-radian / 200 ?as synthesized beam. This is the highest resolution astronomical instrument ever operated solely from the Southern Hemisphere. Preliminary results from two sites are presented, including the European Space Agency (ESA) sites at Cebreros, Spain and Malargue, Argentina. Malargue's South American location is of special interest because it greatly improves the geometric coverage for spacecraft navigation in the Southern Hemisphere and will for the first time provide coverage to the 1/4 of the range of declination that has been excluded from reference frame work at Ka-band.

Delta Differential One-Way (DOR)↗
NASA NTRS1975

The development of a portable cardiac ultrasonoscope

This paper describes a new, portable, battery powered echocardioscope developed at the NASA-Ames Research Center in cooperation with the Stanford University School of Medicine. This instrument has three major advantages over existing equipment. First, it is compact and light weight for easy portability. Second, its DC operation makes it safer to use in remote settings where AC power is unavailable or in intensive care and neonatal units where AC instruments could present electrical hazards for the patient. Third, its design and packaging should enable it to sell for several thousand dollars less than presently marketed ultrasonoscopes. The cooperative development of this instrument, its principles of operation, and the significance of its unique features are presented.

Schmidt, G.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Development of a portable, high-energy radiographic source

A two-year program has been undertaken to develop a portable high-energy (3-4 MeV) radiographic system for in-service and repair inspections of components at nuclear power stations. The basic design concept uses a lightweight portable linear accelerator. This paper describes the design objectives, concepts employed, and progress to date. Specific potential applications and accompanying radiographic techniques are discussed, along with novel beam-angulation devices that permit utilization in areas of highly restricted access.

Reinhart, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Portable device for detection of petit mal epilepsy

A portable device that analyzes the electroencephalogram to determine if petit mal epilepsy waveforms are present is developed and tested. Clinicians should find it useful in diagnosing seizure activity of their patients. The micropower, battery-operated, portable device indicates a seizure has occurred if three criteria are satisfied: (1) frequencies of 2.5-7 Hz, (2) large-amplitude waves, and (3) minimum number of waves per second. Levels and counts are adjustable, thus insuring high reliability against noise artifacts and permitting each subject to be individually fitted. The device has shown promise in giving the patient a possible mechanism of seizure control or suppression.

Smith, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Research and development of a versatile portable speech prosthesis

The Versatile Portable Speech Prosthesis (VPSP), a synthetic speech output communication aid for non-speaking people is described. It was intended initially for severely physically limited people with cerebral palsy who are in electric wheelchairs. Hence, it was designed to be placed on a wheelchair and powered from a wheelchair battery. It can easily be separated from the wheelchair. The VPSP is versatile because it is designed to accept any means of single switch, multiple switch, or keyboard control which physically limited people have the ability to use. It is portable because it is mounted on and can go with the electric wheelchair. It is a speech prosthesis, obviously, because it speaks with a synthetic voice for people unable to speak with their own voices. Both hardware and software are described.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

A high resolution, field portable spectrometer

The design of a high resolution, field portable spectrometer system is presented. The system provides the spectral resolution previously available only with laboratory based systems. The system's portability allows for essential in situ measurements, provides rapid acquisition and calibration of spectral reflectance data over a wavelength band from about 300 to 1000 nm. Features include a calibration scheme for normalizing data to the incident radiation, and the injection of a spectral calibration signal. Laboratory tests indicate that the system will perform as expected, and plans are being made to integrate the system with a ground based active and passive microwave data acquisition system.

Warren, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Portable reflectance spectrometer

A portable reflectance spectrometer is disclosed. The spectrometer essentially includes an optical unit and an electronic recording unit. The optical unit includes a pair of thermoelectrically-cooled detectors, for detecting total radiance and selected radiance projected through a circular variable filter wheel, and is capable of operating to provide spectral data in the range 0.4 to 2.5 micrometers without requiring coventional substitution of filter elements. The electronic recording unit includes power supplies, amplifiers, and digital recording electronics designed to permit recordation of data on tape casettes. Both the optical unit and electronic recording unit are packaged to be manually portable.

Goetz, A. F. H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Portable Slot-Sizing Tool

Portable milling tool consisting of air-motor-driven cutter held in adjustable moving slide made possible local removal of chromium plating in close-tolerance, onsite remachining and sizing of half-hole slots on longeron bridges. Made from commercially available parts, including air motor capable of variable speeds up to 900 rpm, ball end mill, revolving handle, two miter gears, and ball slide. Adaptation of portable sizing tool useful for field modification of such large equipment as trucks, aircraft, and ships.

Zuver, Nelson T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Portable Test And Monitoring System For Wind-Tunnel Models

Portable system developed to test and monitor instrumentation used in wind-tunnel models. Self-contained and moves easily to model, either before or after model installed in wind tunnel. System is 44 1/2 in. high, 22 in. wide, and 17 in. deep and weighs 100 lb. Primary benefits realized with portable test and monitoring system associated with saving of time.

Poupard, Charles A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Portable high speed photometry systems for observing occultations

Ring orbit studies for Uranus have been particularly fruitful because of the ability, through occultations, to obtain data of high spatial resolution at the rate of 1 to 2 times per year. The occultation program at M.I.T. involves: (1) identifying the scientific questions that can be answered by occultation events, (2) predicting the zone of visibility for the useful events, (3) maintaining and improving a set of portable high-speed photometric systems, (4) obtaining the observations, and (5) reducing the data and interpreting the results. Two stellar occultations by Uranus occurred in May 1985, and were observed with a network of large telescopes that encompassed the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Portable quartz-oscillator time standards were used at all observatories, and were calibrated before and after each event. Observations obtained form Cerro Tololo and McDonald Observatories of the 4 May and 24 May 1985 occultations by the Uranian rings clearly show a companion to the delta ring on both the immersion and emersion traces. The occultation by Ceres that occurred on 12 November 1984 was observed. Preliminary results give a mean diameter of 933 + or - 10 km, which implies a geometric albedo, Pv = 0.07 + or - 0.01 and a density 2.7 + or - 0.3 gm cu/cm. Hence Ceres is likely composed of silicate material throughout.

Elliot, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The FORCE - A highly portable parallel programming language

This paper explains why the FORCE parallel programming language is easily portable among six different shared-memory multiprocessors, and how a two-level macro preprocessor makes it possible to hide low-level machine dependencies and to build machine-independent high-level constructs on top of them. These FORCE constructs make it possible to write portable parallel programs largely independent of the number of processes and the specific shared-memory multiprocessor executing them.

Jordan, Harry F.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Spacecraft Health Automated Reasoning Prototype (SHARP): The fiscal year 1989 SHARP portability evaluations task for NASA Solar System Exploration Division's Voyager project

A Spacecraft Health Automated Reasoning Prototype (SHARP) portability study is presented. Some specific progress is described on the portability studies, plans for technology transfer, and potential applications of SHARP and related artificial intelligence technology to telescience operations. The application of SHARP to Voyager telecommunications was a proof-of-capability demonstration of artificial intelligence as applied to the problem of real time monitoring functions in planetary mission operations. An overview of the design and functional description of the SHARP system is also presented as it was applied to Voyager.

Atkinson, David J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Position requirements for space station personnel and linkages to portable microcomputer performance assessment

The development and use of a menu of performance tests that can be self-administered on a portable microcomputer are investigated. In order to identify, develop, or otherwise select the relevant human capabilities/attributes to measure and hence include in the performance battery, it is essential that an analysis be conducted of the jobs or functions that will be performed throughout a space shuttle mission. The primary job analysis instrument, the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ), is discussed in detail so the reader will have sufficient background for understanding the application of the instrument to the various work activities included within the scope of the study, and the derivation of the human requirements (abilities/attributes) from the PAQ analyses. The research methodology is described and includes the procedures used for gathering the PAQ data. The results are presented in detail with specific emphasis on identifying critical requirements that can be measured with a portable computerized assessment battery. A discussion of the results is given with implications for future research.

Jeanneret, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Detailed modal testing of a solid rocket motor using a portable test system

Modern analytical techniques have expended the ability to evaluate solid rocket motors used in launch vehicles. As more detailed models of solid rocket motors were developed, testing methods were required to verify the models. Experimental modal analysis (modal testing) of space structures and launch vehicles has been a requirement for model validation for many years. However, previous testing of solid rocket motors has not typically involved dynamic modal testing of full scale motors for verification of solid propellant or system assembly properties. Innovative approaches to the testing of solid rocket motors were developed and modal testing of a full scale, two segment Titan 34D Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) was performed to validate detailed computer modeling. Special modifications were made to convert an existing facility into a temporary modal test facility which would accommodate the test article. The assembly of conventional data acquisition equipment into a multiple channel count portable system has made modal testing in the field feasible. Special purpose hydraulic exciters were configured to apply the dynamic driving forces required. All instrumentation and data collection equipment were installed at the test site for the duration of the test program and removed upon completion. Conversion of an existing test facility into a temporary modal test facility, and use of a multiple channel count portable test data acquisition system allowed all test objectives to be met and resulted in validation of the computer model in a minimum time.

Glozman, Vladimir↗
NASA NTRS1989

The FORCE: A highly portable parallel programming language

Here, it is explained why the FORCE parallel programming language is easily portable among six different shared-memory microprocessors, and how a two-level macro preprocessor makes it possible to hide low level machine dependencies and to build machine-independent high level constructs on top of them. These FORCE constructs make it possible to write portable parallel programs largely independent of the number of processes and the specific shared memory multiprocessor executing them.

Jordan, Harry F.↗