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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.

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At least 55 records · Page 3

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NASA NTRS1996

Global Positioning System Synchronized Active Light Autonomous Docking System

A Global Positioning System Synchronized Active Light Autonomous Docking System (GPSSALADS) for automatically docking a chase vehicle with a target vehicle comprising at least one active light emitting target which is operatively attached to the target vehicle. The target includes a three-dimensional array of concomitantly flashing lights which flash at a controlled common frequency. The GPSSALADS further comprises a visual tracking sensor operatively attached to the chase vehicle for detecting and tracking the target vehicle. Its performance is synchronized with the flash frequency of the lights by a synchronization means which is comprised of first and second internal clocks operatively connected to the active light target and visual tracking sensor, respectively, for providing timing control signals thereto, respectively. The synchronization means further includes first and second Global Positioning System receivers operatively connected to the first and second internal clocks, respectively, for repeatedly providing simultaneous synchronization pulses to the internal clocks, respectively. In addition, the GPSSALADS includes a docking process controller means which is operatively attached to the chase vehicle and is responsive to the visual tracking sensor for producing commands for the guidance and propulsion system of the chase vehicle.

Howard, Richard T.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Approach to Synchronization Control of Magnetic Bearings Using Fuzzy Logic

This paper presents a fuzzy-logic approach to the synthesis of synchronization control for magnetically suspended rotor system. The synchronization control enables a whirling rotor to undergo synchronous motion along the magnetic bearing axes; thereby avoiding the gyroscopic effect that degrade the stability of rotor systems when spinning at high speed. The control system features a fuzzy controller acting on the magnetic bearing device, in which the fuzzy inference system trained through fuzzy rules to minimize the differential errors between four bearing axes so that an error along one bearing axis can affect the overall control loop for the motion synchronization. Numerical simulations of synchronization control for the magnetically suspended rotor system are presented to show the effectiveness of the present approach.

Yang, Li-Farn↗

NASA NTRS2009

Method and system to synchronize acoustic therapy with ultrasound imaging

Interference in ultrasound imaging when used in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is avoided by employing a synchronization signal to control the HIFU signal. Unless the timing of the HIFU transducer is controlled, its output will substantially overwhelm the signal produced by ultrasound imaging system and obscure the image it produces. The synchronization signal employed to control the HIFU transducer is obtained without requiring modification of the ultrasound imaging system. Signals corresponding to scattered ultrasound imaging waves are collected using either the HIFU transducer or a dedicated receiver. A synchronization processor manipulates the scattered ultrasound imaging signals to achieve the synchronization signal, which is then used to control the HIFU bursts so as to substantially reduce or eliminate HIFU interference in the ultrasound image. The synchronization processor can alternatively be implemented using a computing device or an application-specific circuit.

Owen, Neil↗

NASA NTRS2007

Adaptive Deadband Synchronization for a Spacecraft Formation

A paper discusses general problems in estimation and control of the states (positions, attitudes, and velocities) of spacecraft flying in formation, then addresses the particular formation-flying-control problem of synchronization of deadbands. The paper presents a deadband synchronization algorithm for the case in which the spacecraft are equipped with pulse-width-modulated thrusters for maintaining their required states. The algorithm synchronizes thruster-firing times across all six degrees of freedom of all the spacecraft. The algorithm is scalable, inherently adapts to disturbances, and does not require knowledge of spacecraft masses and disturbance forces. In this algorithm, one degree of freedom of one spacecraft is designated the leader, and all other degrees of freedom of all spacecraft as followers. The Cassini adaptive optimum deadband drift controller is the subalgorithm for control in each degree of freedom, and the adaptation is run until each spacecraft achieves a specified drift period. The adaptation is critical because a different disturbance affects each different degree of freedom. Then the leader communicates its thruster-firing starting times to the followers. Then, for each follower, a deadband-synchronization subalgorithm determines the shift needed to synchronize its drift period with that of the leader.

Scharf, Daniel↗

NASA NTRS2011

Simulation and Verification of Synchronous Set Relations in Rewriting Logic

This paper presents a mathematical foundation and a rewriting logic infrastructure for the execution and property veri cation of synchronous set relations. The mathematical foundation is given in the language of abstract set relations. The infrastructure consists of an ordersorted rewrite theory in Maude, a rewriting logic system, that enables the synchronous execution of a set relation provided by the user. By using the infrastructure, existing algorithm veri cation techniques already available in Maude for traditional asynchronous rewriting, such as reachability analysis and model checking, are automatically available to synchronous set rewriting. The use of the infrastructure is illustrated with an executable operational semantics of a simple synchronous language and the veri cation of temporal properties of a synchronous system.

Rocha, Camilo↗

DOE OSTI2025

Modeling and Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Validation of Synchronous Wind: An Inverterless Grid-Forming Wind Power Plant

Grid-forming (GFM) control of Type-3 and Type-4 wind turbine generators (WTGs) has attracted substantial attention in power systems research; however, the limited overcurrent capability of power electronics converters continues to deteriorate the grid strength of the evolving power systems. Synchronous wind, also known as a Type-5 WTG, offers a unique GFM solution to address grid integration and grid strength issues by keeping the grid largely synchronous at very high integration levels of renewable generation. A Type-5 WTG interfaces with the electric grid via a synchronous generator driven by a variable-speed hydraulic torque converter; hence, the wind rotor operates in variable-speed mode for maximum power generation, and the generator shaft remains synchronous to the grid. This paper develops and tests a high-fidelity model of a Type-5 WTG in a power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing environment. The PHIL demonstration shows that a Type-5 WTG inherently behaves as a GFM unit and can obtain similar performance in terms of power responses, wind rotor dynamics, and efficiency compared to a Type-3 WTG in high-wind conditions. The developed model provides further insight into how Type-5 WTGs can benefit the smooth transition to power systems with high integration levels of inverter-based resources.

grid strength↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

In-Situ Process Monitoring, Synchronization, and Mapping Laser Powder Bed Fusion Builds of Ti6Al4V

The use of in-situ process monitoring is of interest to lower the cost of inspection for the qualification of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) parts. Precise monitoring of the LPBF-AM build process constitutes a multi-scale and multi-discipline task. There are several significant challenges to the in-situ approach: the synchronization of sensor signals to process steps, the physical interpretation and classification of sensor signals, managing very large datasets, and comparing the inputs with the observed monitoring signals. At NASA Langley Research Center, a configurable architecture additive testbed has been developed to monitor the build process with synchronized sensors. The philosophy and method adopted for the synchronization of the cameras with laser power & position Ti-6Al-4V LPBF are described. The synchronized in-situ monitoring signals are compared with ex-situ nondestructive inspection and optical microscopy observations. Such comparisons permit a better understanding of how the sequential process actions of LPBF-AM can affect build quality.

Laser Powder Bed Fusion↗

DOE OSTI2024

Modeling and Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Validation of Synchronous Wind: An Inverterless Grid-Forming Wind Power Plant: Preprint

Grid-forming (GFM) control of Type-3 and Type-4 wind turbine generators has attracted substantial attention in power systems research; however, the limited over-current capability of power electronics converters continues to deteriorate the grid strength of the evolving power systems. Synchronous wind, also known as Type-5 wind turbine generator (WTG), offers a unique GFM solution to address grid integration and grid strength issues by keeping the grid largely synchronous at very high penetration levels of renewable generation. A Type-5 WTG interfaces to the electric grid via a synchronous generator (SG) driven by a variable-speed hydraulic torque converter; hence, the wind rotor operates in variable-speed mode for maximum power generation and the generator shaft remains synchronous to the grid. This paper developed and tested a high-fidelity model of Type-5 WTG under power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing environment. The PHIL demonstration showed that a Type-5 WTGs inherently behaves as a GFM unit and can obtain similar performance in terms of power responses, wind rotor dynamics, and efficiency compared to Type-3 WTG in high wind conditions. The developed model also provides further insight on how Type-5 WTGs can benefit the smooth transition to power systems with high integration level of inverter-based resources.

grid strength↗

DOE OSTI2026

Auxiliary-state-facilitated phase synchronization phenomena in isolated spin systems

Extending classical synchronization to the quantum domain is of great interest both from the fundamental physics point of view and with a view toward quantum technology applications. This work characterizes phase synchronization of an effective spin-1 system, which is realized by coupling three quantum states with infinite lifetime to auxiliary excited states that have a finite lifetime. Integrating out the excited states, the effective spin-1 model features coherent and incoherent effective couplings. The following are our key findings. (i) Phase synchronization can be controlled by adjusting the phases of the couplings to the excited states. (ii) Unlike in the paradigmatic spin-1 system studied in the literature, where the dissipative couplings describe decay into the limit-cycle state, the effective spin-1 model investigated in this work is governed by a competition between dissipative decay into and out of the limit-cycle state, with the dissipative decay out of the limit-cycle state playing a critical role. (iii) We identify a parameter regime where phase synchronization of the effective spin-1 system is, in the absence of coherent effective couplings, governed entirely by the effective dissipators. The effective spin-1 model is benchmarked through comparisons with master-equation calculations for the full Hilbert space. Physical insights are gained through analytical perturbation theory calculations. In conclusion, our findings, which are expected to hold for a broad class of energy-level and coupling schemes, are examined using hyperfine states of 87 Rb as an example system.

Nonlinear optics↗

DOE OSTI2026

Secondary-Side Active Rectifier Synchronization and Control in LCC-LC Compensated Inductive Power Transfer Systems

This paper proposes a communication-less synchronization and output power control strategy for LCC-LC compensated inductive power transfer systems with a secondaryside active rectifier. By replacing the passive rectifier with an active bridge, the proposed architecture eliminates the need for a separate secondary-side DC-DC converter and enables direct regulation of battery power. The key challenge in such a system is achieving robust synchronization of the secondary active bridge with the primary inverter without access to primary-side signals. To address this issue, the secondary-side variables are analyzed and the current through the secondary series inductor is identified as a load-independent synchronization variable with a fixed phase relationship to the primary excitation. A fixed-frequency second order generalized (SOGI)-based phase locked loop (PLL) is used to estimate the switching phase and frequency, and a phase-shift-based output power controller is developed using a phasor-transformer model of the active bridges. A modified control formulation is further introduced to remove phase-dependent loop-gain variation and simplify controller design. Simulation results validate the proposed method under both fixed and varying switching-frequency conditions, demonstrating successful frequency tracking from 82 kHz to 88 kHz and accurate output power regulation over a wide operating range. The proposed method offers a compact and effective solution for high-power IPT systems by enabling secondary-side synchronization and control without wireless communication or an additional DC-DC conversion stage.

Fernandes, Arnold Anthony [ORNL] (ORCID:0009000631↗

DOE OSTI2025

Operating Wind Turbine as Synchronous Generator: Modeling and Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Demonstration

Grid-forming (GFM) control of Type 3 and Type 4 wind turbine generators (WTGs) has attracted substantial attention in power systems research; however, the limited overcurrent capability of power electronics converters continues to deteriorate the grid strength of the evolving power systems. Synchronous wind, also referred to as a Type 5 WTG, offers a unique GFM solution to address grid integration and grid strength issues by keeping the grid largely synchronous at very high integration levels of renewable generation. A Type 5 WTG interfaces with the electric grid via a synchronous generator driven by a variable speed hydraulic torque converter; hence, the wind rotor operates in variable-speed mode for maximum power generation, and the generator shaft remains synchronous to the grid. This paper develops and tests a high-fidelity model of a Type 5 WTG in a power-hardware-in-the-loop testing environment, and it presents its operation characteristics under different grid contingencies. The power-hardware-in-the-loop demonstration shows that a Type 5 WTG inherently behaves as a GFM unit and can obtain similar performance in terms of power response, wind rotor dynamics, and stability enhancement compared to a Type 3 WTG in GFM control mode. Furthermore, the paper provides further insight into how Type 5 WTGs can support the smooth transition to power systems with high integration levels of inverter-based resources.

17 - WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Precision Time Protocol Synchronization Under Network Impairments

This bulletin examines how network anomalies disrupt Precision Time Protocol synchronization on long terrestrial links used for grid timing. Using a CAST testbed with emulated impairments, we measured delay, offset, and time interval error while monitoring packet rates. Symmetric delays did not perturb synchronization, whereas asymmetric delays produced false offsets; jitters were largely filtered out, but they delayed synchronization recovery; moderate packet loss was tolerated, while severe loss forced holdover and loss of synchronization.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

NASA NTRS1972

Future techniques for tracking of synchronous satellites

A tracking system error analysis computer program is reported to study the feasibility of using range sum and range-rate sum measurements through a synchronous satellite to a user satellite, and range sum and range-rate sum measurements through a synchronous satellite to a ground based transponder for tracking of synchronous satellites. Error analysis transformed noise, bias, ground station location and orbit uncertainties into expected uncertainties in each of the orbits after tracking. Results show that both of the proposed measurement methods are feasible for determining and refining the orbits of future synchronous satellites.

Cooley, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Time synchronization via lunar radar.

The advent of round-trip radar measurements has permitted the determination of the ranges to the nearby planets with greater precision than was previously possible. When the distances to the planets are known with high precision, the propagation delay for electromagnetic waves reflected by the planets may be calculated and used to synchronize remotely located clocks. Details basic to the operation of a lunar radar indicate a capability for clock synchronization to plus or minus 20 microsec. One of the design goals for this system was to achieve a simple semiautomatic receiver for remotely located tracking stations. The lunar radar system is in operational use for deep space tracking at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and synchronizes five world-wide tracking stations with a master clock at Goldstone, Calif. Computers are programmed to correct the Goldstone transmissions for transit time delay and Doppler shifts so as to be received on time at the tracking stations; this dictates that only one station can be synchronized at a given time period and that the moon must be simultaneously visible to both the transmitter and receiver for a minimum time of 10 min.-

Higa, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Satellite time synchronization of a NASA network.

A satellite time synchronization technique has been used for synchronization of remotely separated clocks during the past several years. The NASA network has been successfully synchronized to an accuracy of tens of microseconds via the NASA Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite GEOS-11. The results indicate that a polar orbit satellite having an onboard clock can effectively be used to synchronize clocks on a global basis.

Laios, S. C.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Map synchronization in optical communication systems

The time synchronization problem in an optical communication system is approached as a problem of estimating the arrival time (delay variable) of a known transmitted field. Maximum aposteriori (MAP) estimation procedures are used to generate optimal estimators, with emphasis placed on their interpretation as a practical system device, Estimation variances are used to aid in the design of the transmitter signals for best synchronization. Extension is made to systems that perform separate acquisition and tracking operations during synchronization. The closely allied problem of maintaining timing during pulse position modulation is also considered. The results have obvious application to optical radar and ranging systems, as well as the time synchronization problem.

Gagliardi, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Multiple rendezvous maneuvers at synchronous altitude

Rendezvous techniques between synchronous satellites were found using a cotangential elliptic phasing (CEP) transfer. This transfer is a closed elliptic orbit which is cotangent to the synchronous orbits of the chase vehicle and target satellite. The cotangent point lies on the line of apsides of the transfer orbit which coincides with the line of intersection of the synchronous orbits. The rendezvous maneuvers accomplish plane changes and phase shifts simultaneously, and these maneuvers are found to be optimal when the plane change is split equally between the velocity increments. The CEP transfer can be extended to several revolutions for a further reduction of fuel usage. A set of synchronous satellites was used in a simulated mission. An optimal sequence for rendezvous among these satellites was established such that the total sum of velocity increments is within the realm of estimated 1980 technology.

Creehan, E. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Synthesis and evaluation of phase detectors for active bit synchronizers

Self-synchronizing digital data communication systems usually use active or phase-locked loop (PLL) bit synchronizers. The three main elements of PLL synchronizers are the phase detector, loop filter, and the voltage controlled oscillator. Of these three elements, phase detector synthesis is the main source of difficulty, particularly when the received signals are demodulated square-wave signals. A phase detector synthesis technique is reviewed that provides a physically realizable design for bit synchronizer phase detectors. The development is based upon nonlinear recursive estimation methods. The phase detector portion of the algorithm is isolated and analyzed.

Mcbride, A. L.↗