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At least 865 records · Page 48

New multilevel codes over GF(q)

Set partitioning to multi-dimensional signal spaces over GF(q), particularly GF sup q-1(q) and GF sup q (q), and show how to construct both multi-level block codes and multi-level trellis codes over GF(q). Two classes of multi-level (n, k, d) block codes over GF(q) with block length n, number of information symbols k, and minimum distance d sub min greater than or = d, are presented. These two classes of codes use Reed-Solomon codes as component codes. They can be easily decoded as block length q-1 Reed-Solomon codes or block length q or q + 1 extended Reed-Solomon codes using multi-stage decoding. Many of these codes have larger distances than comparable q-ary block codes, as component codes. Low rate q-ary convolutional codes, work error correcting convolutional codes, and binary-to-q-ary convolutional codes can also be used to construct multi-level trellis codes over GF(q) or binary-to-q-ary trellis codes, some of which have better performance than the above block codes. All of the new codes have simple decoding algorithms based on hard decision multi-stage decoding.

Wu, Jiantian↗

Permutation codes for the state assignment of fault tolerant sequential machines

A new fault-tolerant state assignment method is suggested for synchronous sequential machines. It is assumed that the inputs are fault free and that for no input it is possible to reach all or most of the states, whose number may be fairly large. Error correcting codes for the state assignment are generated by permutations of a chosen linear code. A state assignment algorithm is developed and its computational complexity is estimated. Examples are given.

Chen, M.↗

High-speed architecture for the decoding of trellis-coded modulation

Since 1971, when the Viterbi Algorithm was introduced as the optimal method of decoding convolutional codes, improvements in circuit technology, especially VLSI, have steadily increased its speed and practicality. Trellis-Coded Modulation (TCM) combines convolutional coding with higher level modulation (non-binary source alphabet) to provide forward error correction and spectral efficiency. For binary codes, the current stare-of-the-art is a 64-state Viterbi decoder on a single CMOS chip, operating at a data rate of 25 Mbps. Recently, there has been an interest in increasing the speed of the Viterbi Algorithm by improving the decoder architecture, or by reducing the algorithm itself. Designs employing new architectural techniques are now in existence, however these techniques are currently applied to simpler binary codes, not to TCM. The purpose of this report is to discuss TCM architectural considerations in general, and to present the design, at the logic gate level, or a specific TCM decoder which applies these considerations to achieve high-speed decoding.

Osborne, William P.↗

Pressurized Lunar Rover

The pressurized lunar rover (PLR) consists of a 7 m long, 3 m diameter cylindrical main vehicle and a trailer which houses the power and heat rejection systems. The main vehicle carries the astronauts, life support systems, navigation and communication systems, directional lighting, cameras, and equipment for exploratory experiments. The PLR shell is constructed of a layered carbon-fiber/foam composite. The rover has six 1.5 m diameter wheels on the main body and two 1.5 m diameter wheels on the trailer. The wheels are constructed of composites and flex to increase traction and shock absorption. The wheels are each attached to a double A-arm aluminum suspension, which allows each wheel 1 m of vertical motion. In conjunction with a 0.75 m ground clearance, the suspension aids the rover in negotiating the uneven lunar terrain. The 15 N-m torque brushless electric motors are mounted with harmonic drive units inside each of the wheels. The rover is steered by electrically varying the speeds of the wheels on either side of the rover. The PLR trailer contains a radiosotope thermoelectric generator providing 6.7 kW. A secondary back-up energy storage system for short-term high-power needs is provided by a bank of batteries. The trailer can be detached to facilitate docking of the main body with the lunar base via an airlock located in the rear of the PLR. The airlock is also used for EVA operation during missions. Life support is a partly regenerative system with air and hygiene water being recycled. A layer of water inside the composite shell surrounds the command center. The water absorbs any damaging radiation, allowing the command center to be used as a safe haven during solar flares. Guidance, navigation, and control are supplied by a strapdown inertial measurement unit that works with the on-board computer. Star mappers provide periodic error correction. The PLR is capable of voice, video, and data transmission. It is equipped with two 5 W X-band transponder, allowing simultaneous transmission and reception. An S-band transponder is used to communicate with the crew during EVA. The PLR has a total mass of 6197 kg. It has a nominal speed of 10 km/hr and a top speed of 18 km/hr. The rover is capable of towing 3 metric tons (in addition to the RTG trailer).

Creel, Kenneth↗

Flexible high speed CODEC

HARRIS, under contract with NASA Lewis, has developed a hard decision BCH (Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem) triple error correcting block CODEC ASIC, that can be used in either a bursted or continuous mode. the ASIC contains both encoder and decoder functions, programmable lock thresholds, and PSK related functions. The CODEC provides up to 4 dB of coding gain for data rates up to 300 Mbps. The overhead is selectable from 7/8 to 15/16 resulting in minimal band spreading, for a given BER. Many of the internal calculations are brought out enabling the CODEC to be incorporated in more complex designs. The ASIC has been tested in BPSK, QPSK and 16-ary PSK link simulators and found to perform to within 0.1 dB of theory for BER's of 10(exp -2) to 10(exp -9). The ASIC itself, being a hard decision CODEC, is not limited to PSK modulation formats. Unlike most hard decision CODEC's, the HARRIS CODEC doesn't upgrade BER performance significantly at high BER's but rather becomes transparent.

Wernlund, James V.↗

The development of an autonomous rendezvous and docking simulation using rapid integration and prototyping technology

A generic planar 3 degree of freedom simulation was developed that supports hardware in the loop simulations, guidance and control analysis, and can directly generate flight software. This simulation was developed in a small amount of time utilizing rapid prototyping techniques. The approach taken to develop this simulation tool, the benefits seen using this approach to development, and on-going efforts to improve and extend this capability are described. The simulation is composed of 3 major elements: (1) Docker dynamics model, (2) Dockee dynamics model, and (3) Docker Control System. The docker and dockee models are based on simple planar orbital dynamics equations using a spherical earth gravity model. The docker control system is based on a phase plane approach to error correction.

Shackelford, John H.↗

A Software Package for Neural Network Applications Development

Original Backprop (Version 1.2) is an MS-DOS package of four stand-alone C-language programs that enable users to develop neural network solutions to a variety of practical problems. Original Backprop generates three-layer, feed-forward (series-coupled) networks which map fixed-length input vectors into fixed length output vectors through an intermediate (hidden) layer of binary threshold units. Version 1.2 can handle up to 200 input vectors at a time, each having up to 128 real-valued components. The first subprogram, TSET, appends a number (up to 16) of classification bits to each input, thus creating a training set of input output pairs. The second subprogram, BACKPROP, creates a trilayer network to do the prescribed mapping and modifies the weights of its connections incrementally until the training set is leaned. The learning algorithm is the 'back-propagating error correction procedures first described by F. Rosenblatt in 1961. The third subprogram, VIEWNET, lets the trained network be examined, tested, and 'pruned' (by the deletion of unnecessary hidden units). The fourth subprogram, DONET, makes a TSR routine by which the finished product of the neural net design-and-training exercise can be consulted under other MS-DOS applications.

Baran, Robert H.↗

The application of controlled structures technology to adaptive optics

Viewgraphs on the application of controlled structures technology (CST) to adaptive optics are presented. Topics covered include: a typical large optical system (LDR); overview of current optical programs; typical adaptive optics system; actuation approaches for deforming a mirror; control approach comparison; control structure interaction (CSI) control bandwidth limitations; applications of CST concepts to optics; distributed control approaches; quasistatic error correction; low authority control (LAC); and high authority control (HAC) design methodology.

Anderson, Eric H.↗

Striped tertiary storage arrays

Data stripping is a technique for increasing the throughput and reducing the response time of large access to a storage system. In striped magnetic or optical disk arrays, a single file is striped or interleaved across several disks; in a striped tape system, files are interleaved across tape cartridges. Because a striped file can be accessed by several disk drives or tape recorders in parallel, the sustained bandwidth to the file is greater than in non-striped systems, where access to the file are restricted to a single device. It is argued that applying striping to tertiary storage systems will provide needed performance and reliability benefits. The performance benefits of striping for applications using large tertiary storage systems is discussed. It will introduce commonly available tape drives and libraries, and discuss their performance limitations, especially focusing on the long latency of tape accesses. This section will also describe an event-driven tertiary storage array simulator that is being used to understand the best ways of configuring these storage arrays. The reliability problems of magnetic tape devices are discussed, and plans for modeling the overall reliability of striped tertiary storage arrays to identify the amount of error correction required are described. Finally, work being done by other members of the Sequoia group to address latency of accesses, optimizing tertiary storage arrays that perform mostly writes, and compression is discussed.

Drapeau, Ann L.↗

Combinatorial pulse position modulation for power-efficient free-space laser communications

A new modulation technique called combinatorial pulse position modulation (CPPM) is presented as a power-efficient alternative to quaternary pulse position modulation (QPPM) for direct-detection, free-space laser communications. The special case of 16C4PPM is compared to QPPM in terms of data throughput and bit error rate (BER) performance for similar laser power and pulse duty cycle requirements. The increased throughput from CPPM enables the use of forward error corrective (FEC) encoding for a net decrease in the amount of laser power required for a given data throughput compared to uncoded QPPM. A specific, practical case of coded CPPM is shown to reduce the amount of power required to transmit and receive a given data sequence by at least 4.7 dB. Hardware techniques for maximum likelihood detection and symbol timing recovery are presented.

Budinger, James M.↗

Initial results from Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) postretrieval observations

Initial postretrieval observations of the Long Duration Exposure Facility and the 57 onboard experiments are reported in this paper. These observations have revealed that the facility and experiments, which had remained in space for 68 months prior to being retrieved in January 1990, can be used to generate 'gage block' type data to verify the existing models of the low earth orbit environments and if necessary, the data to correct errors in these existing models. The LDEF observations can also be used to update and revise the existing models used by spacecraft designers to predict the effects of long exposures in these environments on spacecraft materials and components.

Kinard, William H.↗

Visual information processing II; Proceedings of the Meeting, Orlando, FL, Apr. 14-16, 1993

Various papers on visual information processing are presented. Individual topics addressed include: aliasing as noise, satellite image processing using a hammering neural network, edge-detetion method using visual perception, adaptive vector median filters, design of a reading test for low-vision image warping, spatial transformation architectures, automatic image-enhancement method, redundancy reduction in image coding, lossless gray-scale image compression by predictive GDF, information efficiency in visual communication, optimizing JPEG quantization matrices for different applications, use of forward error correction to maintain image fidelity, effect of peanoscanning on image compression. Also discussed are: computer vision for autonomous robotics in space, optical processor for zero-crossing edge detection, fractal-based image edge detection, simulation of the neon spreading effect by bandpass filtering, wavelet transform (WT) on parallel SIMD architectures, nonseparable 2D wavelet image representation, adaptive image halftoning based on WT, wavelet analysis of global warming, use of the WT for signal detection, perfect reconstruction two-channel rational filter banks, N-wavelet coding for pattern classification, simulation of image of natural objects, number-theoretic coding for iconic systems.

Huck, Friedrich O.↗

The "navigraph"

Commander Le Prieur, whose flight experience in a low-speed seaplane we related in our number of September 27, 1924, invented, four years ago, an instrument destined to render very great service to aviators, namely, the "navigraph", designed to correct errors of orientation due to the effect of the winds during flight.

COURSE FINDING INSTRUMENTS↗

Real-Time Reed-Solomon Decoder

Generic Reed-Solomon decoder fast enough to correct errors in real time in practical applications designed to be implemented in fewer and smaller very-large-scale integrated, VLSI, circuit chips. Configured to operate in pipelined manner. One outstanding aspect of decoder design is that Euclid multiplier and divider modules contain Galoisfield multipliers configured as combinational-logic cells. Operates at speeds greater than older multipliers. Cellular configuration highly regular and requires little interconnection area, making it ideal for implementation in extraordinarily dense VLSI circuitry. Flight electronics single chip version of this technology implemented and available.

Maki, Gary K.↗

NASA SERC 1990 Symposium on VLSI Design

This document contains papers presented at the first annual NASA Symposium on VLSI Design. NASA's involvement in this event demonstrates a need for research and development in high performance computing. High performance computing addresses problems faced by the scientific and industrial communities. High performance computing is needed in: (1) real-time manipulation of large data sets; (2) advanced systems control of spacecraft; (3) digital data transmission, error correction, and image compression; and (4) expert system control of spacecraft. Clearly, a valuable technology in meeting these needs is Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI). This conference addresses the following issues in VLSI design: (1) system architectures; (2) electronics; (3) algorithms; and (4) CAD tools.

Maki, Gary K.↗

An investigation of error characteristics and coding performance

The first year's effort on NASA Grant NAG5-2006 was an investigation to characterize typical errors resulting from the EOS dorn link. The analysis methods developed for this effort were used on test data from a March 1992 White Sands Terminal Test. The effectiveness of a concatenated coding scheme of a Reed Solomon outer code and a convolutional inner code versus a Reed Solomon only code scheme has been investigated as well as the effectiveness of a Periodic Convolutional Interleaver in dispersing errors of certain types. The work effort consisted of development of software that allows simulation studies with the appropriate coding schemes plus either simulated data with errors or actual data with errors. The software program is entitled Communication Link Error Analysis (CLEAN) and models downlink errors, forward error correcting schemes, and interleavers.

Ebel, William J.↗

X ray observations of late-type stars using the ROSAT all-sky survey

The ROSAT mission made the first x ray survey of the entire sky using an imaging detector. Although ROSAT is a joint NASA/German project and involves direct American participation during its second phase of pointed observations, the all-sky survey remains the sole property of the German investigators. NASA grant represented the first use of ROSAT data analysis funds to support direct American participation in the ROSAT all-sky survey. The project involved a collaborative agreement between the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA) and the Max-Planck-Institut fur Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE) where JILA supplied MPE with a post-doctoral research associate with experience in the field of stellar (coronal) x ray emission to work within their ROSAT group. In return, members of the cool star research group at JILA were given the opportunity to collaborate on projects involving ROSAT all-sky survey data. Both sides have benefitted (and still benefit) from this arrangement since MPE suffers from a shortage of researchers who are interested in x ray emission from 'normal' stars and white dwarfs. MPE has also drawn upon experience in optical identification of x ray sources from the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey in planning their own identification strategies for the ROSAT all-sky survey. The JILA cool stars group has benefitted since access to all-sky survey data has expanded the scope of their already extensive research programs involving multiwavelength observations of late-type stars. ROSAT was successfully launched on 1 June 1990 and conducted the bulk of the survey from 30 July 1990 to 25 January 1991. Data gaps in the survey have subsequently been made up. At the time of this writing (February 1992), the survey data have been processed once with the Standard Analysis Software System (SASS). A second processing will soon begin with improvements made to the SASS to correct errors and bugs found while carrying out scientific projects with data from the first processing. We outline the major research activities of Dr. Fleming over the past year (detailed accounts of his activities during the first two years of this grant can be found in the first-year and second-year status reports on this grant). Regarding the three specific projects which were proposed in the original proposal, two of them (White Dwarfs and Late M Dwarfs) are near completion. The results are described in two conference proceedings which are appended.

Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗

Data management for support of the Oregon Transect Ecosystem Research (OTTER) project

Management of data collected during projects that involve large numbers of scientists is an often overlooked aspect of the experimental plan. Ecosystem science projects like the Oregon Transect Ecosystem Research (OTTER) Project that involve many investigators from many institutions and that run for multiple years, collect and archive large amounts of data. These data range in size from a few kilobytes of information for such measurements as canopy chemistry and meteorological variables, to hundreds of megabytes of information for such items as views from multi-band spectrometers flown on aircraft and scenes from imaging radiometers aboard satellites. Organizing and storing data from the OTTER Project, certifying those data, correcting errors in data sets, validating the data, and distributing those data to other OTTER investigators is a major undertaking. Using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Pilot Land Data System (PLDS), a Support mechanism was established for the OTTER Project which accomplished all of the above. At the onset of the interaction between PLDS and OTTER, it was not certain that PLDS could accomplish these tasks in a manner that would aid researchers in the OTTER Project. This paper documents the data types that were collected under the auspices of the OTTER Project and the procedures implemented to store, catalog, validate, and certify those data. The issues of the compliance of investigators with data-management requirements, data use and certification, and the ease of retrieving data are discussed. We advance the hypothesis that formal data management is necessary in ecological investigations involving multiple investigators using many data gathering instruments and experimental procedures. The issues and experience gained in this exercise give an indication of the needs for data management systems that must be addressed in the coming decades when other large data-gathering endeavors are undertaken by the ecological science community.

Skiles, J. W.↗