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Storage system architectures and their characteristics

Not all users storage requirements call for 20 MBS data transfer rates, multi-tier file or data migration schemes, or even automated retrieval of data. The number of available storage solutions reflects the broad range of user requirements. It is foolish to think that any one solution can address the complete range of requirements. For users with simple off-line storage requirements, the cost and complexity of high end solutions would provide no advantage over a more simple solution. The correct answer is to match the requirements of a particular storage need to the various attributes of the available solutions. The goal of this paper is to introduce basic concepts of archiving and storage management in combination with the most common architectures and to provide some insight into how these concepts and architectures address various storage problems. The intent is to provide potential consumers of storage technology with a framework within which to begin the hunt for a solution which meets their particular needs. This paper is not intended to be an exhaustive study or to address all possible solutions or new technologies, but is intended to be a more practical treatment of todays storage system alternatives. Since most commercial storage systems today are built on Open Systems concepts, the majority of these solutions are hosted on the UNIX operating system. For this reason, some of the architectural issues discussed focus around specific UNIX architectural concepts. However, most of the architectures are operating system independent and the conclusions are applicable to such architectures on any operating system.

Sarandrea, Bryan M.↗

SPAR data handling utilities

The SPAR computer software system is a collection of processors that perform particular steps in the finite-element structural analysis procedure. The data generated by each processor are stored on a data base complex residing on an auxiliary storage device, and these data are then used by subsequent processors. The SPAR data handling utilities use routines to transfer data between the processors and the data base complex. A detailed description of the data base complex organization is presented. A discussion of how these SPAR data handling utilities are used in an application program to perform desired user functions is given with the steps necessary to convert an existing program to a SPAR processor by incorporating these utilities. Finally, a sample SPAR processor is included to illustrate the use of the data handling utilities.

Giles, G. L.↗

SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop Multi-Node Settled and Unsettled Propellant Tank Modeling of Zero Boil Off Test

Cryogenic propellant storage tank self-pressurization involves complex physical phenomena which are usually analytically modelled via complex multidimensional CFD codes. Unfortunately these codes, even when modelling axisymmetric domains, may takes weeks or longer to obtain transient pressure and temperature information for relatively short periods of time (several seconds to several hours). Propellant tank storage end-to-end mission simulations can last a duration of days to weeks to months. Multi-node modelling of propellant tanks is a viable alternative to traditional CFD modelling and presents the advantage of greatly reduced run times on the order of hours and days compared to the weeks or longer for CFD codes. A multi-node model represents the fluid within the storage tank, as well as the storage tank itself, as a fluid-thermal network. This type of setup is not necessarily geometrically based. This can be accomplished using a commercial generalized fluid-thermal network code, such as SINDA/FLUINT (SF). The advantage of using a fluid-thermal network code like SF lies in its extensive ability to model the external environment of the storage tank through the graphical user interface, Thermal Desktop (TD). The total heat load into the tank may be a function of heaters and a complex radiative environment as well. Thermal Desktop may be used to address the detailed radiative environment of the tank as well as building a geometrically accurate depiction of the storage tank itself.

Sakowski, Barbara↗

Simulated weightlessness in fish and neurophysiological studies on memory storage

Simulated weightlessness was used to study the different types of gravity responses in blind fish. It was found that a shift in the direction of low magnitude acceleration in weightlessness causes a rapid 180 deg turn in the blind fish, while a shift in the direction of the applied acceleration in the earth's gravitational field is not significant because of a higher acceleration magnitude threshold than during the zero g condition. This increased responsiveness seems to be explained by a combination of directional sensitivity with a Weber-Fechner relationship of increased receptor sensitivity at diminished levels of background stimulation. Neurophysical studies of the statocyst nerve of the gastropod Mollusc Pleurobranchaea Californica were undertaken in order to understand how complex otolith systems operate. Information storage was investigated on relatively simple neuronal networks in the mollusc Aplysia. Intracellular electrical stimulation of isolated neurons show that a manipulation of autoditonous rhymicity is possible. It was also found that glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation are involved in inherent rhymicity of Aplysis neurons.

Vonbaumgarten, R. J.↗

SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop Multi-Node Settled and Unsettled Propellant Tank Modeling of Zero Boil Off Test

Cryogenic propellant storage tank self-pressurization involves complex physical phenomena which are usually analytically modelled via complex multidimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) codes. Unfortunately these codes, even when modelling axisymmetric domains, may take weeks or longer to obtain transient pressure and temperature information for relatively short periods of time (several seconds to several hours). Propellant tank storage end-to-end mission simulations can last a duration of days to weeks to months. Multi-node modelling of propellant tanks is a viable alternative to traditional CFD modelling and presents the advantage of greatly reduced run times on the order of hours and days compared to the weeks or longer for CFD codes. A multi-node model represents the fluid within the storage tank, as well as the storage tank itself, as a fluid-thermal network. This type of setup is not necessarily geometrically based. This can be accomplished using a commercial generalized fluid-thermal network code, such as SINDA/FLUINT (SF). The advantage of using a fluid-thermal network code like SF lies in its extensive ability to model the external environment of the storage tank through the graphical user interface, Thermal Desktop (TD). The total heat load into the tank may be a function of heaters and a complex radiative environment as well. Thermal Desktop may be used to address the detailed radiative environment of the tank as well as building a geometrically accurate depiction of the storage tank itself.

Thermal Desktop↗

Global Soil Water Estimates as Landslide Predictor: The Effectiveness of SMOS, SMAP, and GRACE Observations, Land Surface Simulations, and Data Assimilation

This global feasibility study assesses the potential of coarse-scale, gridded soil water estimates for the probabilistic modeling of hydrologically-triggered landslides, using Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS), Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) remote sensing data, Catchment Land Surface Model (CLSM) simulations and six data products based on the assimilation of SMOS, SMAP, and/or GRACE observations into CLSM. SMOS or SMAP observations (~40-km resolution) are only available for less than 20% of the globally reported landslide events, because they are intermittent and uncertain in regions with complex terrain. GRACE terrestrial water storage estimates include 75% of the reported landslides but have coarse spatial and temporal resolutions (monthly, ~300-km). CLSM soil water simulations have the added advantage of complete spatial and temporal coverage, and are found to be able to distinguish between “stable slope” (no landslide) conditions and landslide-inducing conditions in a probabilistic way. Assimilating SMOS and/or GRACE data increases the landslide probability estimates based on soil water percentiles for the reported landslides, relative to model-only estimates at 36-km resolution for the period 2011-2016, unless the CLSM model-only soil water content is already high (≥ 50th percentile). The SMAP Level 4 data assimilation product (at 9-km resolution, period 2015-2019) more generally updates the soil water conditions towards higher landslide probabilities for the reported landslides, but is similar to model-only estimates for the majority of landslides where SMAP data cannot easily be converted to soil moisture owing to complex terrain.

Anne Felsberg↗

Thermal Imaging for Inspection of Large Cryogenic Tanks

The end of the Shuttle Program provides an opportunity to evaluate and possibly refurbish launch support infrastructure at the Kennedy Space Center in support of future launch vehicles. One major infrastructure element needing attention is the cryogenic fuel and oxidizer system and specifically the cryogenic fuel ground storage tanks located at Launch Complex 39. These tanks were constructed in 1965 and served both the Apollo and Shuttle Programs and will be used to support future launch programs. However, they have received only external inspection and minimal refurbishment over the years as there were no operational issues that warranted the significant time and schedule disruption required to drain and refurbish the tanks while the launch programs were ongoing. Now, during the break between programs, the health of the tanks is being evaluated and refurbishment is being performed as necessary to maintain their fitness for future launch programs. Thermography was used as one part of the inspection and analysis of the tanks. This paper will describe the conclusions derived from the thermal images to evaluate anomalous regions in the tanks, confirm structural integrity of components within the annular region, and evaluate the effectiveness of thermal imaging to detect large insulation voids in tanks prior to filling with cryogenic fluid. The use of thermal imaging as a tool to inspect unfilled tanks will be important if the construction of additional storage tanks is required to fuel new launch vehicles.

Arens, Ellen↗

A vehicle scheduling algorithm using non-serial discrete dynamic programming with space shuttle applications

Description of the development and operation of a vehicle-scheduling algorithm which has applications to the NASA problem of assigning payloads to space delivery vehicles. The algorithm is based on a discrete, integer-valued, nonserial, dynamic-programming solution to the classical problem of developing resource utilization plans with limited resources. The algorithm places special emphasis on incorporating interpayload (precedence) relationships; maintaining optimal alternate schedule definitions (a unique feature of dynamic programming) in the event of contingencies (namely, resource inventory changes) without problem resolution; and, by using a special information storage technique, reducing the computational complexity of solving realistic problems.

Dupnick, E.↗

Wideband Single-Crystal Transducer for Bone Characterization

The microgravity conditions of space travel result in unique physiological demands on the human body. In particular, the absence of the continual mechanical stresses on the skeletal system that are present on Earth cause the bones to decalcify. Trabecular structure decreases in thickness and increases in spacing, resulting in decreased bone strength and increased risk of injury. Thus, monitoring bone health is a high priority for long-term space travel. A single probe covering all frequency bands of interest would be ideal for such measurements, and this would also minimize storage space and eliminate the complexity of integrating multiple probes. This invention is an ultrasound transducer for the structural characterization of bone. Such characterization measures features of reflected and transmitted ultrasound signals, and correlates these signals with bone structure metrics such as bone mineral density, trabecular spacing, and thickness, etc. The techniques used to determine these various metrics require measurements over a broad range of ultrasound frequencies, and therefore, complete characterization requires the use of several narrowband transducers. This is a single transducer capable of making these measurements in all the required frequency bands. The device achieves this capability through a unique combination of a broadband piezoelectric material; a design incorporating multiple resonator sizes with distinct, overlapping frequency spectra; and a micromachining process for producing the multiple-resonator pattern with common electrode surfaces between the resonators. This device consists of a pattern of resonator bars with common electrodes that is wrapped around a central mandrel such that the radiating faces of the resonators are coplanar and can be simultaneously applied to the sample to be measured. The device operates as both a source and receiver of acoustic energy. It is operated by connection to an electronic system capable of both providing an excitation signal to the transducer and amplifying the signal received from the transducer. The excitation signal may be either a wide-bandwidth signal to excite the transducer across its entire operational spectrum, or a narrow-bandwidth signal optimized for a particular measurement technique. The transducer face is applied to the skin covering the bone to be characterized, and may be operated in through-transmission mode using two transducers, or in pulse-echo mode. The transducer is a unique combination of material, design, and fabrication technique. It is based on single-crystal lead magnesium niobate lead titanate (PMN-PT) piezoelectric material. As compared to the commonly used piezoceramics, this piezocrystal has superior piezoelectric and elastic properties, which results in devices with superior bandwidth, source level, and power requirements. This design necessitates a single resonant frequency. However, by operating in a transverse length-extensional mode, with the electric field applied orthogonally to the extensional direction, resonators of different sizes can share common electrodes, resulting in a multiply-resonant structure. With carefully sized resonators, and the superior bandwidth of piezocrystal, the resonances can be made to overlap to form a smooth, wide-bandwidth characteristic.

Liang, Yu↗

Wideband Single-Crystal Transducer for Bone Characterization

The microgravity conditions of space travel result in unique physiological demands on the human body. In particular, the absence of the continual mechanical stresses on the skeletal system that are present on Earth cause the bones to decalcify. Trabecular structure decreases in thickness and increases in spacing, resulting in decreased bone strength and increased risk of injury. Thus, monitoring bone health is a high priority for long-term space travel. A single probe covering all frequency bands of interest would be ideal for such measurements, and this would also minimize storage space and eliminate the complexity of integrating multiple probes. This invention is an ultrasound transducer for the structural characterization of bone. Such characterization measures features of reflected and transmitted ultrasound signals, and correlates these signals with bone structure metrics such as bone mineral density, trabecular spacing, and thickness, etc. The techniques used to determine these various metrics require measurements over a broad range of ultrasound frequencies, and therefore, complete characterization requires the use of several narrowband transducers. This is a single transducer capable of making these measurements in all the required frequency bands. The device achieves this capability through a unique combination of a broadband piezoelectric material; a design incorporating multiple resonator sizes with distinct, overlapping frequency spectra; and a micromachining process for producing the multiple-resonator pattern with common electrode surfaces between the resonators. This device consists of a pattern of resonator bars with common electrodes that is wrapped around a central mandrel such that the radiating faces of the resonators are coplanar and can be simultaneously applied to the sample to be measured. The device operates as both a source and receiver of acoustic energy. It is operated by connection to an electronic system capable of both providing an excitation signal to the transducer and amplifying the signal received from the transducer. The excitation signal may be either a wide-bandwidth signal to excite the transducer across its entire operational spectrum, or a narrow-bandwidth signal optimized for a particular measurement technique. The transducer face is applied to the skin covering the bone to be characterized, and may be operated in through transmission mode using two transducers, or in pulse-echo mode.

Liang, Yu↗

Environmental Projects. Volume 9: Construction of hazardous materials storage facilities

Activities at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (GDSCC) are carried out in support of seven parabolic dish antennas. These activities may give rise to environmental hazards. This report is one in a series of reports describing environmental projects at GDSCC. The construction of two hazardous materials and wastes storage facilities and an acid-wash facility is described. An overview of the Goldstone complex is also presented along with a description of the environmental aspects of the GDSCC site.

Source record↗

Preliminary experimental studies into the storage capacity of cryogenic hydrogen in aerogel blanket materials

The abundance and diversity of hydrogen applications necessitates continued and accelerated research into advanced storage technologies. Traditionally, hydrogen has been stored as either a high-pressure, warm gas; or a low-pressure, cryogenic liquid. Methods such as cryo-supercritical and cryo-adsorbed have been explored, but are not yet mainstream. Cryo-adsorbed is attractive because higher storage densities at higher temperatures than liquid may be achieved. Recently NASA, in partnership with Eta Space, Southwest Research Institute, the University of Central Florida, and Air Liquide, have been exploring the use of inexpensive, commercially available silica aerogel blanket materials for cryo-adsorbed hydrogen storage. Unlike most adsorbents, aerogel blanket is not a powder, but a robust, composite material that can be formed into complex shapes to aid in more efficient storage system designs, and has already been proven to uptake large quantities of fluids such as nitrogen and oxygen. Recent experimental efforts into the uptake of low-pressure hydrogen gas at 77 K, and liquid hydrogen at normal boiling point (NBP) will be discussed. Although preliminary in nature, the test results are promising, showing up to a 49% increase in storage density at 77 K over the gas alone, and greater than a one-to-one volume equivalency with NBP LH 2 .

A M Swanger↗

Environmental projects. Volume 5, part 1: Study of subsurface contamination. Part 2: Guide to implement environmental compliance programs

In support of the national goal for the preservation of the environment and the protection of human health and safety, NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex have adopted the position that their operating installations shall maintain a high level of compliance in regard to regulations concerning environmental hazards. An investigation carried out by Engineering Science, Inc. focused on possible underground contamination that may have resulted from leaks and/or spills from storage facilities at the Goldstone Communications Complex. It also involved the cleanup of a non-hazardous waste dumpsite at the Mojave Base Site at the Goldstone complex. The report also includes details of the management duties and responsibilities needed to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Bengelsdorf, I.↗

Correlation methods

A method for processing complex radar data with a computer using correlation functions is reviewed. Parameters including data storage, data reduction, and real time operation are addressed. Since complex auto- and cross-correlation functions are calculated and stored, almost no information is lost. These also can be analyzed in terms of the full correlation analysis of the spaced-antenna-drifts technique. The proposed approach therefore appears to be very feasible to suit most Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere (MST) radar applications.

Rottger, J.↗

High-performance network and channel based storage

In the traditional mainframe-centered view of a computer system, storage devices are coupled to the system through complex hardware subsystems called I/O channels. With the dramatic shift toward workstation-based computing, and its associated client/server model of computation, storage facilities are now found attached to file servers and distributed throughout the network. In this paper, we discuss the underlying technology trends that are leading to high-performance network-based storage, namely advances in networks, storage devices, and I/O controller and server architectures. We review several commercial systems and research prototypes that are leading to a new approach to high-performance computing based on network-attached storage.

Katz, Randy H.↗

High performance network and channel-based storage

In the traditional mainframe-centered view of a computer system, storage devices are coupled to the system through complex hardware subsystems called input/output (I/O) channels. With the dramatic shift towards workstation-based computing, and its associated client/server model of computation, storage facilities are now found attached to file servers and distributed throughout the network. We discuss the underlying technology trends that are leading to high performance network-based storage, namely advances in networks, storage devices, and I/O controller and server architectures. We review several commercial systems and research prototypes that are leading to a new approach to high performance computing based on network-attached storage.

Katz, Randy H.↗

Study of methane fuel for subsonic transport aircraft

The cost and performance were defined for commercial transport using liquid methane including its fuel system and the ground facility complex required for the processing and storage of methane. A cost and performance comparison was made with Jet A and hydrogen powered aircraft of the same payload and range capability. Extensive design work was done on cryogenic fuel tanks, insulation systems as well as the fuel system itself. Three candidate fuel tank locations were evaluated, i.e., fuselage tanks, wing tanks or external pylon tanks.

Carson, L. K.↗