Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “electronics and subsystems”

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

The feasibility study for electronic imaging system with the photoheliograph

The development of the electronic subsystems used for the photoheliograph and its application for a high resolution study of the sun are discussed. Basic considerations are as follows: (1) determination of characteristics of solar activity within the spectral response of the photoheliograph, (2) determination of the space vehicles capable of carrying the photoheliograph, (3) analysis of the capability of the ground based data gathering network to assimilate the generated information, and (4) the characteristics of the photoheliograph and the associated spectral filters.

Svensson, E. L.↗

Large space telescope, phase A. Volume 3: Optical telescope assembly

The development and characteristics of the optical telescope assembly for the Large Space Telescope are discussed. The systems considerations are based on mission-related parameters and optical equipment requirements. Information is included on: (1) structural design and analysis, (2) thermal design, (3) stabilization and control, (4) alignment, focus, and figure control, (5) electronic subsystem, and (6) scientific instrument design.

Source record↗

OSO-7 orbiting solar observatory one year performance summary

The performance of the OSO-7 spacecraft during the first twelve months after launch is discussed. A summary description of the spacecraft and experiments is given. Line drawings of the satellite configuration, telemetry subsystem, electronics equipment, pneumatic equipment, and optical equipment are included.

Source record↗

Astronomy sortie missions definition study. Volume 3, book 2: Appendix: Design analysis and trade studies

Backup or supporting data for the design analyses and trade studies which defined the astronomy sortie missions are presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) configuration of space shuttle orbiter, (2) electronic subsystems, (3) electric power requirements, and (4) payload requirements. Mathematical models are developed to illustrate the orbital rendezvous capabilities.

Source record↗

Design, fabrication, test and delivery of a K-band antenna breadboard model

The results of a research effort to develop a Ku-Band single channel monopulse antenna with significant improvements in efficiency and bandwidth are reported. A single aperture, multimode horn, utilized in a near field Cassegrainian configuration, was the technique selected for achieving the desired efficiency and bandwidth performance. In order to provide wide polarization flexibility, a wire grid, space filter polarizer was developed. A solid state switching network with appropriate driving electronics provides the receive channel sum and difference signal interface with an existing Apollo type tracking electronics subsystem. A full scale breadboard model of the antenna was fabricated and tested. Performance of the model was well within the requirements and goals of the contract.

Source record↗

A flexible flight display research system using a ground-based interactive graphics terminal

Requirements and research areas for the air transportation system of the 1980 to 1990's were reviewed briefly to establish the need for a flexible flight display generation research tool. Specific display capabilities required by aeronautical researchers are listed and a conceptual system for providing these capabilities is described. The conceptual system uses a ground-based interactive graphics terminal driven by real-time radar and telemetry data to generate dynamic, experimental flight displays. These displays are scan converted to television format, processed, and transmitted to the cockpits of evaluation aircraft. The attendant advantages of a Flight Display Research System (FDRS) designed to employ this concept are presented. The detailed implementation of an FDRS is described. The basic characteristics of the interactive graphics terminal and supporting display electronic subsystems are presented and the resulting system capability is summarized. Finally, the system status and utilization are reviewed.

Hatfield, J. J.↗

Simulation analysis of a microcomputer-based, low-cost omega navigation system

A status report is presented on a proposed low-cost Omega Navigation System (ONS) based on a microcomputer (Available commercially). Minimum hardware and maximum software are designed for. Electronic subsystems are discussed in detail, with block diagrams of the receiver and microcomputer interface modules, and a flowchart of the automatic synchronization process. The system is designed as a precision navaid for general aviation in the $1000 price range.

Lilley, R. W.↗

Prediction and measurement results of radiation damage to CMOS devices on board spacecraft

Final results from the CMOS Radiation Effects Measurement (CREM) experiment flown on Explorer 55 are presented and discussed, based on about 15 months of observations and measurements. Conclusions are given relating to long-range annealing, effects of operating temperature on semiconductor performance in space, biased and unbiased P-MOS device degradation, unbiased n-channel device performance, changes in device transconductance, and the difference in ionization efficiency between Co-60 gamma rays and 1-Mev Van de Graaff electrons. The performance of devices in a heavily shielded electronic subsystem box within the spacecraft is evaluated and compared. Environment models and computational methods and their impact on device-degradation estimates are being reviewed to determine whether they permit cost-effective design of spacecraft.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗

Cost savings in LSI fabrication

One year study program was divided into three tasks: to identify costs factors involved in packaged electronic subsystems as function of LSI density and reliability; to select most promising factors that might be modified to reduce costs in high-density packaging; and to investigate cost-saving beam tape technology for producing high-volume discrete-device packages. Results are published in 67 page report.

Himmel, R. P.↗

On space deployable antennas and electronics: Plans and programs

Technology plans are presented for developing deployable reflectors having diameters of 30 to 300 meters and surface accuracies of several millimeters for L and X band applications, as well as for the electronic subsystems required for such large structures. An electromagnetic analysis method for predicting the radio frequency performance of large reflectors involves projecting field points onto an aperture plane. The data points in the aperture plane are quantized to produce contours of constant phase and amplitude. Far field patterns are then calculated using reduced computer storage.

Campbell, T. G.↗

Lightning hazards to aircraft

Lightning hazards and, more generally, aircraft static electricity are discussed by a representative for the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory. An overview of these atmospheric electricity hazards to aircraft and their systems is presented with emphasis on electrical and electronic subsystems. The discussion includes reviewing some of the characteristics of lightning and static electrification, trends in weather and lightning-related mishaps, some specific threat mechanisms and susceptible aircraft subsystems and some of the present technology gaps. A roadmap (flow chart) is presented to show the direction needed to address these problems.

Corn, P. B.↗

Lightning hazards overview: Aviation requirements and interests

A ten-year history of USAF lightning incidents is presented along with a discussion of the problems posed by lightning to current aircraft, and the hazards it constitutes to the electrical and electronic subsystems of new technology aircraft. Lightning technical protection technical needs, both engineering and operational, include: (1) in-flight data on lightning electrical parameters; (2) tech base and guidelines for protection of advanced systems and structures; (3) improved laboratory test techniques; (4) analysis techniques for predicting induced effects; (5) lightning strike incident data from general aviation; (6) lightning detection systems; (7) pilot reports on lightning strikes; and (8) better training in lightning awareness.

Corn, P. B.↗

Reconfigurable modular computer networks for spacecraft on-board processing

The core electronics subsystems on unmanned spacecraft, which have been sent over the last 20 years to investigate the moon, Mars, Venus, and Mercury, have progressed through an evolution from simple fixed controllers and analog computers in the 1960's to general-purpose digital computers in current designs. This evolution is now moving in the direction of distributed computer networks. Current Voyager spacecraft already use three on-board computers. One is used to store commands and provide overall spacecraft management. Another is used for instrument control and telemetry collection, and the third computer is used for attitude control and scientific instrument pointing. An examination of the control logic in the instruments shows that, for many, it is cost-effective to replace the sequencing logic with a microcomputer. The Unified Data System architecture considered consists of a set of standard microcomputers connected by several redundant buses. A typical self-checking computer module will contain 23 RAMs, two microprocessors, one memory interface, three bus interfaces, and one core building block.

Rennels, D. A.↗

Fiber-optic instrumentation: Cryogenic sensor model description

An assessment and determination of technology requirements for developing a demonstration model to evaluate feasibility of practical cryogenic liquid level, pressure, and temperature sensors is presented. The construction of a demonstration model to measure characteristics of the selected sensor and to develop test procedures are discussed as well as the development of an appropriate electronic subsystem to operate the sensors.

Sharma, M. M.↗

Development and integration of the infrared telescope for Spacelab

A description is given of the design features of the Small Helium-Cooled Infrared Telescope (IRT) being developed for the 1983 Spacelab 2 mission and the problems encountered during the development of its (1) superfluid helium system requirements, (2) interfaces with Spacelab, and (3) Kennedy Space Center prelaunch operations requirements and restrictions. The IRT comprises cryogenic, IR optical, mechanical, and electronics subsystems. Attention is given the preflight management of superfluid helium by a vacuum maintenance assembly (VMA), which will operate almost continuously until launch and then be deactivated to fly as unavoidable ballast. The objective of IRT design and development is the meeting of IR science and engineering objectives with a relatively low-cost system.

Urban, E. W.↗

Voyager spacecraft images of Jupiter and Saturn

The Voyager imaging system is described, noting that it is made up of a narrow-angle and a wide-angle TV camera, each in turn consisting of optics, a filter wheel and shutter assembly, a vidicon tube, and an electronics subsystem. The narrow-angle camera has a focal length of 1500 mm; its field of view is 0.42 deg and its focal ratio is f/8.5. For the wide-angle camera, the focal length is 200 mm, the field of view 3.2 deg, and the focal ratio of f/3.5. Images are exposed by each camera through one of eight filters in the filter wheel on the photoconductive surface of a magnetically focused and deflected vidicon having a diameter of 25 mm. The vidicon storage surface (target) is a selenium-sulfur film having an active area of 11.14 x 11.14 mm; it holds a frame consisting of 800 lines with 800 picture elements per line. Pictures of Jupiter, Saturn, and their moons are presented, with short descriptions given of the area being viewed.

Birnbaum, M. M.↗

Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer (CLAES) - Instrument overview

The design and capabilities of CLAES are described. The CLAES is an instrument on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) and measures the global concentrations of stratospheric species and temperature over the altitude range 10-60 km. Consideration is given to the motorized limb acquisition and adjustment mirror, solid cryogen cooler, optical system, electronics subsystems, cryostat, and IR calibration source. Diagrams of the CLAES and UARS are provided.

Burriesci, Larry↗