Model-Based Engineering/Digital Engineering (MBE/DE) and Mission Assurance of Complex NASA Systems With Federated Modeling
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Reliability model generator specification
The Reliability Model Generator (RMG), a program which produces reliability models from block diagrams for ASSIST, the interface for the reliability evaluation tool SURE is described. An account is given of motivation for RMG and the implemented algorithms are discussed. The appendices contain the algorithms and two detailed traces of examples.
Cohen, Gerald C.↗
Use of failure-mode effect analysis for improving spacecraft reliability.
Failure mode effect, block redundancy, functional redundancy and cooperative multichannel design for system reliability in Mariner spacecraft
FAILURE MODE↗
Observations on the Reliability of Rubidium Frequency Standards on Block 2/2A GPS Satellites
Currently, the block 2/2A Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites are equipped with two rubidium frequency standards. These frequency standards were originally intended to serve as the back-ups to two cesium frequency standards. As the constellation ages, the master Control Station is forced to initialize and increasing number or rubidium frequency standards. Unfortunately the operational use of these frequency standards has not lived up to initial expectations. Although the performance of these rubidium frequency standards has met and even exceeded GPS requirements, their reliability has not. The number of unscheduled outage times and the short operational lifetimes of the rubidium frequency standards compare poorly to the track record of the cesium frequency standards. Only a small number of rubidium frequency standards have actually been made operational. Of these, a large percentage have exhibited poor reliability. If this trend continues, it is unlikely that the rubidium frequency standards will help contribute to the navigation payload meeting program specification.
Dieter, Gary L.↗
Temperature-stabilized, triggerable microelectronic astable multivibrator starts reliably
Multiple chip custom block, MIC construction is used to fabricate an ultracompact, low-power astable multivibrator. The design provides a multivibrator that free runs, eliminating lockup, is triggerable, pulling into synchronization with an external signal source, and permits design flexibility for controlling the frequency variations with temperature.
Stebbins, W. J.↗
Fault-tolerant building-block computer study
Ultra-reliable core computers are required for improving the reliability of complex military systems. Such computers can provide reliable fault diagnosis, failure circumvention, and, in some cases serve as an automated repairman for their host systems. A small set of building-block circuits which can be implemented as single very large integration devices, and which can be used with off-the-shelf microprocessors and memories to build self checking computer modules (SCCM) is described. Each SCCM is a microcomputer which is capable of detecting its own faults during normal operation and is described to communicate with other identical modules over one or more Mil Standard 1553A buses. Several SCCMs can be connected into a network with backup spares to provide fault-tolerant operation, i.e. automated recovery from faults. Alternative fault-tolerant SCCM configurations are discussed along with the cost and reliability associated with their implementation.
Rennels, D. A.↗
Solvent Processing and Ionic Liquid-Enabled Long-Range Vertical Ordering in Block Copolymer Films with Enhanced Film Stability
Rapid and reliable processing methods for forming ordered block copolymer (BCP) materials with low defect density in a thin film geometry are required for many nanotechnology applications. Vertically aligned BCP structures, in particular, have applications ranging from nanolithography for electronics and photonics to nanoporous membranes for water remediation and novel batteries for flexible electronics. However, the attainment of nearly complete vertical orientational order of the BCP ordered phase remains challenging. Solvent-based techniques, such as direct immersion annealing (DIA) and solvent vapor annealing (SVA), have immense potential for these applications of BCP films, as it allows for tuning of their thermodynamic, structural, and chain mobility driven kinetic properties. We first demonstrate that DIA, using a judicious choice of binary solvent mixtures along with a relatively hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL), induces the rapid vertical ordering in polystyrene-b-polymethylmethacrylate (PS-PMMA) block copolymer in lamellar films. The IL establishes synergy to the binary solvent mixture of toluene and heptane to 1 create a near-neutral solvent environment for attaining the vertical microstructure of the BCP. Next, we show that IL can suppress the de-wetting of the PS-PMMA films to achieve long-range order using SVA in cylindrical films for long annealing times. Both vertical and horizontal morphology is attained in these films by selecting different solvent environments. Furthermore, attaining enhanced vertical and horizontal BCP structure with long-range defect-free order by tuning solvent quality and using additives like IL can render them useful for many nanotech applications.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Tolerating memory stack failures in multi-stack systems
Memory management circuitry and processes operate to improve reliability of a group of memory stacks, providing that if a memory stack or a portion thereof fails during the product's lifetime, the system may still recover with no errors or data loss. A front-end controller receives a block of data requested to be written to memory, divides the block into sub-blocks, and creates a new redundant reliability sub-block. The sub-blocks are then written to different memory stacks. When reading data from the memory stacks, the front-end controller detects errors indicating a failure within one of the memory stacks, and recovers corrected data using the reliability sub-block. The front-end controller may monitor errors for signs of a stack failure and disable the failed stack.
Mappouras, Georgios↗
Development of an immersion fiber optic Raman probe for real-time analysis of molten materials
This study presents an advancement in high-temperature Raman spectroscopy, specifically for analyzing molten materials. It introduces an approach by integrating a fiber-optic Raman probe with a copper block protection system designed to endure extreme thermal conditions. The copper block features an open port designed to accommodate an external telescope with a 3 cm focal length, enabling Raman spectra collection in challenging high-temperature environments. A built-in gas channel ensures a continuous flow of argon gas to prevent flux intrusion. The robust copper block acts as a reliable shield, safeguarding the fiber-optic Raman probe within molten materials. This enhancement maintains the probe's integrity and significantly improves its resilience, making it ideal for rigorous investigations of molten substances. This advancement is particularly relevant in metallurgy, where flux materials impact production quality and efficiency. The ability to acquire Raman signals under elevated thermal conditions offers opportunities for studying molecular dynamics, compositional changes, and chemical interactions within molten substances. This introduced direct immersion probing technique has implications, benefiting both scientific and industrial fields. It holds promise for advancing research and exploration in various contexts, from fundamental scientific inquiries to practical applications in metallurgical processes, where flux materials are critical for optimizing production quality and efficiency. Furthermore, this approach enhances the capabilities of high-temperature Raman spectroscopy, making it a valuable tool for investigating molten materials and their properties in diverse settings.
Argon↗
Cloud radiative effects significantly increase wintertime atmospheric blocking in the Euro-Atlantic sector
Reliable simulation, prediction, and complete theoretical understanding of atmospheric blocking remain challenging despite its significant socio-economic impacts. Generations of climate models have notoriously underestimated blocking frequency, particularly over the Euro-Atlantic sector. Identifying factors controlling blocking frequency and dynamics is therefore essential for improving its simulation. Here, using a cloud-locking experiment, we show that cloud radiative effects (CREs) significantly increase the frequency of Euro-Atlantic blocking. CREs enhance upstream diabatic source of wave activity, both directly through longwave heating and indirectly through their feedback on latent heating, with the latter playing the dominant role. The resulting increase in the upstream diabatic source feeds into local wave activity downstream and promotes blocking formation. Qualitatively similar results are shown by multi-model experiments with radiatively inactive clouds to longwave radiation, albeit with a larger impact from mean-state changes. The results underscore the necessity of accurately representing cloud-radiation interactions in weather and climate models for improved prediction of blocking events.
Atmospheric dynamics↗
Software reliability experiments data analysis and investigation
The objectives are to investigate the fundamental reasons which cause independently developed software programs to fail dependently, and to examine fault tolerant software structures which maximize reliability gain in the presence of such dependent failure behavior. The authors used 20 redundant programs from a software reliability experiment to analyze the software errors causing coincident failures, to compare the reliability of N-version and recovery block structures composed of these programs, and to examine the impact of diversity on software reliability using subpopulations of these programs. The results indicate that both conceptually related and unrelated errors can cause coincident failures and that recovery block structures offer more reliability gain than N-version structures if acceptance checks that fail independently from the software components are available. The authors present a theory of general program checkers that have potential application for acceptance tests.
Walker, J. Leslie↗
Ranger tv subsystem /block iii/. volume 4a- manufacturing, product assurance, and test final report, jul. 1961 - jul. 1965
Manufacturing, reliability, and quality control techniques used on Ranger Block III TELEVISION subsystem
COMPONENT RELIABILITY↗
Automated synthesis and verification of configurable DRAM blocks for ASIC's
A highly flexible embedded DRAM compiler is developed which can generate DRAM blocks in the range of 256 bits to 256 Kbits. The compiler is capable of automatically verifying the functionality of the generated DRAM modules. The fully automated verification capability is a key feature that ensures the reliability of the generated blocks. The compiler's architecture, algorithms, verification techniques and the implementation methodology are presented.
Pakkurti, M.↗
Worldwide Physics-Based Lifetime Prediction of c-Si Modules Due to Solder-Bond Failure
Lifetime prediction of the fielded c-Si solar modules due to location-specific weather conditions has been an important topic of photovoltaic research and the economic viability of solar energy. Data analytic techniques such as the performance ratio method, Statistical clear sky model, and Suns-Vmp methods quantify the degradation from measured data of a solar farm, however, the nonlinear time-dependence and correlated degradations make it difficult to use the empirical degradation rates for ultimate lifetime projection. In this article, we propose a complementary physics-based model to predict the solder bond failure caused by mechanical stress associated with the variations of the temperature. Integrating the worldwide weather information from NASA/NSRDB databases, the model predicts the location-specific output-power degradation and the lifetime of a module due to solder bond failure. The model parameters are calibrated against qualification tests involving thermal cycling of specific batches of modules from a specific technology/manufacturer. The results may be summarized as: 1) Modules installed at higher latitudes show a longer lifetime due to reduced damage accumulation. 2) The reduction of temperature fluctuation close to large bodies of water, such as seashores, increases solder bond lifetime significantly. 3) Relatively speaking, modules installed close to the Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn (23.5 degrees North/South) suffer from a higher solder bond damage and have a shorter lifetime, suggesting a conservative design. This model should serve as a building block of a comprehensive reliability framework that can predict the lifetime of a module that experiences simultaneous and correlated degradation mechanisms involving yellowing, corrosion, and potential-induced degradation.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Reliability Practice at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
This paper describes in brief the Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) Programs performed directly by the reliability branch at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The mission assurance requirements flow down is explained. GSFC practices for PRA, reliability prediction/fault tree analysis/reliability block diagram, FMEA, part stress and derating analysis, worst case analysis, trend analysis, limit life items are presented. Lessons learned are summarized and recommendations on improvement are identified.
Pruessner, Paula S.↗
Fault-tolerant software
Limitations in the current capabilities for verifying programs by formal proof or by exhaustive testing have led to the investigation of fault-tolerance techniques for applications where the consequence of failure is particularly severe. Two current approaches, N-version programming and the recovery block, are described. A critical feature in the latter is the acceptance test, and a number of useful techniques for constructing these are presented. A system reliability model for the recovery block is introduced, and conclusions derived from this model that affect the design of fault-tolerant software are discussed.
Hecht, H.↗
Least Reliable Bits Coding (LRBC) for high data rate satellite communications
An analysis and discussion of a bandwidth efficient multi-level/multi-stage block coded modulation technique called Least Reliable Bits Coding (LRBC) is presented. LRBC uses simple multi-level component codes that provide increased error protection on increasingly unreliable modulated bits in order to maintain an overall high code rate that increases spectral efficiency. Further, soft-decision multi-stage decoding is used to make decisions on unprotected bits through corrections made on more protected bits. Using analytical expressions and tight performance bounds it is shown that LRBC can achieve increased spectral efficiency and maintain equivalent or better power efficiency compared to that of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK). Bit error rates (BER) vs. channel bit energy with Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) are given for a set of LRB Reed-Solomon (RS) encoded 8PSK modulation formats with an ensemble rate of 8/9. All formats exhibit a spectral efficiency of 2.67 = (log2(8))(8/9) information bps/Hz. Bit by bit coded and uncoded error probabilities with soft-decision information are determined. These are traded with with code rate to determine parameters that achieve good performance. The relative simplicity of Galois field algebra vs. the Viterbi algorithm and the availability of high speed commercial Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) for block codes indicates that LRBC using block codes is a desirable method for high data rate implementations.
Vanderaar, Mark↗
On the performance of block codes
It is important to define and evaluate measures which incorporate most, if not all, of the quantities affecting the overall system reliability. For the simple types of block codes normally employed in space communication systems, the complexity of the encoder and decoder is of little consequence, since the use of integrated circuit technology allows the construction of the basic components in an inexpensive fashion. The complexity is essentially independent of the particular code-decoder used. The processing speed is generally a function of the type of logic used and the technology in the construction of the integrated circuits.
Helgert, H. J.↗