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NASA NTRS2019

Characterization of a Photon Counting Test Bed for Space to Ground Optical Pulse Position Modulation Communications Links

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) has developed a laboratory transmitter and receiver prototype of a space to ground optical communications link. The system is meant to emulate future deep space optical communication links, such as the first crewed flight of Orion, in which the transmitted laser is modulated using pulse position modulation and the receiver is capable of detecting single photons. The transmitter prototype consists of a software defined radio, a high extinction ratio electro-optic modulator system, and 1550 nm laser. The receiver is a scalable concept and utilizes a single-pixel array of fiber coupled superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. The transmit and receive waveforms follow the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Optical Communications High Photon Efficiency Standard. This paper describes the transmitter and receiver prototypes as well as the system test configuration. System level tests results are presented and compared to predictions from software simulations.

Nappier, Jennifer M.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Further Development Of Aperture: A Precise Extremely Large Reflective Telescope Using Re-Configurable Elements: NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) - Phase II

One of the pressing needs for space ultraviolet-visible astronomy is a design to allow larger mirrors than the James Webb Space Telescope primary. The diameter of the rocket fairing limits the mirror diameter such that all future missions calling for mirrors up to 16 meters in diameter or larger will require a mirror that is deployed post-launch. In response to the deployment requirement, we address the issues of this concept called "A Precise Extremely Large Reflective Telescope Using Reconfigurable Elements (APERTURE) with both hardware experiments and software simulations... We designed and built several fixtures with O-rings to hold a membrane. We established a coating process to make a membrane that was coated on one side with Cr and the other side with Cr-Terfenol-D-NiCo. The Terfenol-D (T-D hereafter) is the MSM (Magnetic Smart Memory) we use. We bought and established a procedure for measuring a deformation over time and purchased a Shack Hartmann system from Imagine Optic (https://www.imagine-optic.com). The first substrate we used was DuPont (TM) Kapton® polyimide film. Due to material creep, we found the stability over a 48-hour period with a Kapton substrate was not as good as desired (greater than 1 micron). We then switched to CP1 Polyimide. We found the CP1 much more stable to creep, being stable from about 3 hours to 48 hours to within a measurement error to below approximately 0.1 micron. We produced a 13 micron maximum deviation on a 50-millimeter-diameter piece of CP1 (25 microns thick). The T-D coating was about 2 microns, and the other layers, about 10 nanometers. The magnetic field at the base was about 0.1 teslas. We can make the T-D film at least 5 times thicker and the magnetic field at least 5 times stronger, and hence make deformations as much as 25 times larger. We have a formed a collaboration produced at the NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) mid-term review with Dr. Ron Shiri of Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to explore making controlled deviations on lambda/14-lambda/20 scales which are required to bring a surface to the diffraction limit. We carried out only preliminary work on Si using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), which produced deviations on the 1 micron level. We are still working on a program to bring to GSFC a flat enough (radius of curvature greater than 10 microns) -coated a Si piece with Cr, T-D, NiCo. Then we plan to carry out tests with an interferometer. Further, we formed a new collaboration with Prof. Rajan Vaidyanathan of the University of Central Florida to replace the CP1 with a shape memory alloy (SMA). With his collaboration, we acquired new Federal funding outside of NASA to explore the use of SMAs (we use NiTi). Our preliminary results indicate that we can produce deformations greater than 1 micron on approximately 100 microns thick. Furthermore we have shown that the NiTi can deploy to better than 1 micron of its set original and then trained shape.

Re-Configurable Elements↗

NASA NTRS2019

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Silicon Carbide, Boron Nitride and Silicon for Ceramic Matrix Composite Applications

A comprehensive computational molecular dynamics study is presented for crystalline α-SiC (6H, 4H, and 2H SiC), β-SiC (3C SiC), layered boron nitride, amorphous boron nitride and silicon, the constituent materials for high-temperature SiC/SiC compositions. Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Parallel Simulator software package was used. The Tersoff Potential force field was utilized to evaluate their mechanical characteristics of most of the materials, and the Reax force field was used to model silicon when the Tersoff Potential did not provide accurate results. Their mechanical behaviors were evaluated at a strain rate of 10(exp 7)/s and the results agree with the experimental data in the literature. The results are foundational for linking constituent behavior to composite performance, particularly when test data is unavailable or suspect.

Aluko, Olanrewaju↗

NASA NTRS2019

Free-Flight CFD Simulations of Ballistic Range and Flight Tests

Free-Flight CFD capability has been implemented into the finite-volume solver US3D under the Entry Systems Modeling project. Several simulations of ballistic range experiments have been performed in order to validate the simulation software and methodology. Extension of the software to flight scale trajectories with varying freestream conditions has been carried out. Results show promising ability to predict vehicle behavior as compared to flight. Finally, a multi-body free-flight capability has been developed to generalize the single-body free-flight solver to study multiple bodies in proximal flight.

Brock, Joseph M.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Autonomous sUAS Operating in UTM TCL4+ and STEReO Fire Scenario

This study presents a sUAS payload point design that enables autonomous BVLOS flightin UTM TCL4+ urban environments and STEReO fire responses. The payload components include an onboard computer, 360 deg LIDAR, range finder altimeter, downward-facing monocular camera, forward-facing thermal and visible light dual camera, vehicle-to-vehicle radio modem, and Li-ion smart battery. The components are mounted on an enclosed structural frame that was designed in-house. Placing the autonomy components onboard leverages the advantages of sUAS over manned aircraft such as low-cost, quick response time, and increased scalability. Autonomous capabilities include object and fire detection, V2V communication, embedded processing, and SLAM. Data processing is conducted on-board the aircraft to eliminate the dependency on a ground station downlink. The payload is evaluated in both software simulation as well as flight tests.

Autonomous UAS↗

NASA NTRS2020

The Next Generation X-Ray Galaxy Survey with eROSITA

eROSITA, launched on 13 July 2019, will be completing the first all-sky survey in the soft and medium X-ray band in nearly three decades. This 4-year survey, finishing in late 2023, will present a rich legacy for the entire astrophysics community and complement upcoming multi-wavelength surveys (with, e.g. the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope and the Dark Energy Survey). Besides the major scientific aim to study active galactic nuclei (AGN) and galaxy clusters, eROSITA will contribute significantly to X-ray studies of normal (i.e. not AGN) galaxies. Starting from multi-wavelength catalogues, we measure star formation rates and stellar masses for 60 212 galaxies constrained to distances of 50–200 Mpc. We chose this distance range to focus on the relatively unexplored volume outside the local Universe, where galaxies will be largely spatially unresolved and probe a range of X-ray luminosities that overlap with the low luminosity and/or highly obscured AGN population. We use the most recent X-ray scaling relations as well as the on-orbit eROSITA instrument performance to predict the X-ray emission from XRBs and diffuse hot gas and to perform both an analytic prediction and an end-to-end simulation using the mission simulation software, SIXTE. We consider potential contributions from hidden AGN and comment on the impact of normal galaxies on the measurement of the faint end of the AGN luminosity function. We predict that the eROSITA 4-year survey, will detect ≳15 000 galaxies (3σ significance) at 50–200 Mpc, which is ~ 100× more normal galaxies than detected in any X-ray survey to date.

Surveys↗

NASA NTRS2020

Electric Six Degree of Freedom Installation Timelapse (Six Degree of Freedom Dynamic Test System)

The Six-degree-of-freedom Dynamic Test System (SDTS) is a short-range real-time motion based testing platform. Its primary use at NASA/JSC has been for development and qualification testing of docking systems, robotic assisted berthing mechanisms, and dynamic attachment systems. The SDTS is a closed-loop force feedback system that can simulate on-orbit contact dynamics between two vehicles utilizing the actual mechanical interfaces for testing. The facility is controlled by interconnected computers running real-time simulation software that takes measured contact forces, integrates the equations of motion in real time, and provide those states back into the motion table. This infrastructure can also be used for non-mating applications such as relative position sensor testing/evaluations. The SDTS facility provides a superstructure for mounting test articles, multiple test sensors, an intercom network for voice communications, and a synchronized timing system for data acquisition that includes HD video. This time-lapse video shows the buildup and testing of a modern electric actuation system created by Mikrolar, Inc. at the Johnson Space Center. This motion base will replace the current hydraulic actuator system, which is been in use since the 1970s, for all-future NASA testing. Once the system goes through customization to provide JSC’s unique closed-loop environment, the facility will help certify docking system and attach mechanisms on the ground before we send the first woman and the next man to the lunar surface

hexapod↗

NASA NTRS1996

Evaluation of Star Identification Techniques

A number of different strategies are used or have been suggested for identifying star fields atitude determination in space. We offer a general classification of the existing techniques and select three representative algorithms for more comprehensive evaluation. In addition, we describe a software simulation environment we developed for the design, paramter determination, and evaluation of star identification algorithms. The identification rates and performance on the three algorithms are presented over a variety of noise conditions using two different sized onboard catalogs.

star↗

NASA NTRS2021

FRESCO: A Framework for Spacecraft Systems Autonomy

Achieving the science exploration and defense goals of the following decades will require flight systems capable of operations with limited operator contact, system mode changes and retasking based on sensor data, and complex robotic operations. To support these capabilities, increasingly autonomous flight systems are required that can perform dedicated mission functions, e.g. payload targeting and communications, and system-level functions, e.g. planning and goal monitoring. Architecting an autonomous system requires a well-reasoned, self-consistent framework to avoid \textit{ad hoc} design choices that will introduce complexity and risk. The Framework for Robust Execution and Scheduling of Commands On-Board, FRESCO, is the result of lessons learned in developing a software architecture to enable autonomous solar system exploration. FRESCO generalizes this work to offer a modular, software-agnostic approach to developing verifiable architecture for autonomous space systems. FRESCO specifies guiding principles, functions, interfaces, and interactions from which mission-specific autonomous control architectures can be derived. FRESCO is a principled framework relying on explicit, state-based goal definitions, centralized management of state knowledge, clearly separated control boundaries, and hierarchical reasoning. Using components from FRESCO reference architecture, an autonomous decision-making architecture can be designed for spacecraft which can then be mapped to flight software architecture. FRESCO is flexibly defined to enable autonomous control of flight systems built using extensive software and hardware heritage. Finally, FRESCO-derived architectures support a spectrum of operator/spacecraft interactions, ranging from traditional commanding to goal-driven commanding with the ability to change mission goals autonomously. FRESCO has been used in defining the autonomy architectures for the ASTERIA mission and have been demonstrated in laboratory and software simulation for small body rendezvous and in-space servicing missions.

Kolcio, Ksenia↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advances in Integrally Formed Metallic Structures

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is applying flow forming technology to aerospace aluminum alloys for the manufacture of integrally stiffened cylinders that meet aircraft fuselage or launch vehicle specifications. High-strength 2xxx series alloys, in various temper/product form conditions, are being compared with medium-strength, very formable AA 6061 as the benchmark. Screening of candidate materials traditionally relies on empirical forming trials, but more recently on metrics derived from constant nominal strain rate tensile testing. In this work, the established hierarchy of formability metrics is adopted as the baseline; tensile area reduction, work hardening exponent, and modulus of resilience. The suite of metrics can be expanded based on phenomenological and mechanistic considerations of plastic flow instabilities to incorporate anisotropy ratio, rate of work hardening, and dynamic strain aging effects. Separate research thrusts at LaRC are aimed at formulating a protocol for scalable production of fully formed, defect-free components: 1) quantifying the extended set of formability metrics from constant and jump strain rate tensile tests with digital image correlation (DIC); 2) using statistically designed experiments on a vertical spin/flow forming facility (WF VUD-600®) to isolate the effect of convenient process variables, such as axial feed rate and thickness reduction; and 3) predicting the effect of feed ratio (roller translation relative to mandrel rotation speeds) on material response via process modeling using the DEFORM® simulation software. Current results will be discussed in terms of correlating intrinsic material properties with the bulk workability characteristics to successfully fabricate cylinders with complex cross-sections.

Aluminum↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pterodactyl: Coupled 6-Dof Integration of Guidance and Control Algorithms in Genesis

The NASA-funded Pterodactyl project seeks to advance the current state-of-the-art for entry vehicles by developing novel guidance and control technologies for Deployable Entry Vehicles (DEVs). This paper builds upon the Pterodactyl architecture that employed eight individually articulating flaps with two options for guidance, bank angle modulation with the Fully Numerical Predictor Corrector Entry Guidance technique (FNPEG) and angle of attack and sideslip modulation with FNPEG uncoupled range control (FNPEG URC). These, with a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller, had previously been presented in uncoupled 3-DOF trajectories. This work will show results from fully coupled 6-DOF simulations, leveraging recent advancements in trajectory simulation software, namely the Julia-based Genesis package. Preliminary results show good performance for angle of attack and sideslip modulation when using a controller designed at high dynamic pressure conditions.

range targeting↗

NASA NTRS2024

Real-Time Optical Receiver Decoder Architecture Changes for High-Speed Modes

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Glenn Research Center (GRC) has developed an optical communications transmitter and receiver using Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The goal of this project is to become fully compliant with Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) High Photon Efficiency (HPE) Optical Communications Coding and Synchronization standard. The receive modem’s decoder has been modified using shift registers to enable the decoding of higher data rate pulse-position modulation (PPM) 4 and PPM-8 signals. PPM-4 and PPM-8 is then verified by comparing the codeword error rate (CWER) of a hardware implementation to a software simulation. The changes show the capability to decode PPM-4 and PPM-8 for a single decoder. This memorandum details the changes made, the performance achieved with the changes, and necessary future work.

PPM↗

DOE OSTI2012

Extending a CAD-Based Cartesian Mesh Generator for the Lattice Boltzmann Method

This paper describes the development of a custom preprocessor for the PaRAllel Thermal Hydraulics simulations using Advanced Mesoscopic methods (PRATHAM) code based on an open-source mesh generator, CartGen [1]. PRATHAM is a three-dimensional (3D) lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based parallel flow simulation software currently under development at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The LBM algorithm in PRATHAM requires a uniform, coordinate system-aligned, non-body-fitted structured mesh for its computational domain. CartGen [1], which is a GNU-licensed open source code, already comes with some of the above needed functionalities. However, it needs to be further extended to fully support the LBM specific preprocessing requirements. Therefore, CartGen is being modified to (i) be compiler independent while converting a neutral-format STL (Stereolithography) CAD geometry to a uniform structured Cartesian mesh, (ii) provide a mechanism for PRATHAM to import the mesh and identify the fluid/solid domains, and (iii) provide a mechanism to visually identify and tag the domain boundaries on which to apply different boundary conditions.

Cartesian Grid↗

DOE OSTI2013

A Variable Refrigerant Flow Heat Pump Computer Model in EnergyPlus

This paper provides an overview of the variable refrigerant flow heat pump computer model included with the Department of Energy's EnergyPlusTM whole-building energy simulation software. The mathematical model for a variable refrigerant flow heat pump operating in cooling or heating mode, and a detailed model for the variable refrigerant flow direct-expansion (DX) cooling coil are described in detail.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2012

Model for Aggregated Water Heater Load Using Dynamic Bayesian Networks

The transition to the new generation power grid, or “smart grid”, requires novel ways of using and analyzing data collected from the grid infrastructure. Fundamental functionalities like demand response (DR), that the smart grid needs, rely heavily on the ability of the energy providers and distributors to forecast the load behavior of appliances under different DR strategies. This paper presents a new model of aggregated water heater load, based on dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs). The model has been validated against simulated data from an open source distribution simulation software (GridLAB-D). The results presented in this paper demonstrate that the DBN model accurately tracks the load profile curves of aggregated water heaters under different testing scenarios.

Vlachopoulou, Maria↗

DOE OSTI2013

Investigating Short Circuit Models for Wind Turbine Generators

Short circuit study needs to be performed at the planning stage before connecting large gen erators with the electric grid. This study will reveal the impact of new generation on the fault levels of the grid. The fault levels will determine the rating of nearby equipment and setting of relays. However, a short circuit model of the new generation is required for this study. This report investigates and quantifies the short circuit models of different wind turbine generators (WTGs) and of wind farms, and using these models, explores the effects of the wind farms on the nearby switchgear. WTGs, commonly classified as Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4, exhibit different short circuit behavior depending upon their architecture and controls. The short circuit model (synonymous to Thevenin model) of Type 1 WTG is well known; it comprises of a voltage source behind a transient reactance, X'. The transient reactance X' is derived using the reactance of stator, rotor and the magnetizing reactance. In case of Type 2 WTG, an external rotor resistance is used to increase the range of operating slips. The value of the external rotor resistance increases at higher operating slips. The effect of the external rotor resistance on the fault current response is analyzed by simulating a validated model of Type 2 WTG. The validation is performed using the field data from an actual 67-machine Type 2 wind farm located in Wyoming, USA. The results shows that the external rotor resistance should be considered in its Thevenin impedance for better accuracy. A wind farm contains a large number of WTGs, pad mounted transformers, and cables typically connected in a ‘daisy chain” configuration. The effect of these cable impedances on the short circuit model of Type 2 wind farm is examined using the validated models. It is found that the collector circuit cables inside the farm do not have a significant effect on the short circuit model of the farm. Based on this finding, a simple equivalencing procedure for the wind farm is proposed and validated. Faults inside and outside the wind farm are analyzed and recommendations to select main circuit breakers and generator circuit breakers are made. Type 3 WTG, also known as Doubly Fed Asynchronous Generator (DFAG), uses back to back converters in the rotor circuit to inject slip frequency voltage into the rotor circuit. Until recently, these machines used crowbar to short the rotor circuit during faults to protect the converter com ponents form high rotor currents resulting from faults. This type of WTG is simulated and the model is validated using field data from a 66-machine Type 3 wind farm in Wyoming, USA. The simulation study reveals that the crowbar feature is activated almost immediately after the fault takes place, and remains activated throughout the fault-period. This confirms that the short circuit model for Type 3 WTG with crowbar is similar to the model for Type 2 WTG. In the past, wind farms were allowed to disconnect during faults. However, recent grid codes around the world and in the United States demand that the wind farms be kept connected to the grid during faults, and provide certain reactive power quantified based on the voltage dip at the point of interconnection. This requirement, also called low voltage ride through (LVRT), can be accomplished by using Type 4 WTGs that employ full back to back converter interface between generators (permanent magnet synchronous generators are typically used) and the grid. However, the controls are proprietary, and hence the short circuit models are not well defined. This report proposes controls that enable the WTG to comply with the strictest grid codes, and based on this model, proposes a short circuit model of the Type 4 WTG. This model is not validated due to lack of validation data, but the use of grid code requirements as control objectives lends good credibility to the model. PSCAD/EMTDC ® , a powerful and time-tested time-domain simulation software is used to implement all models. This software is capable of modeling in detail all components of wind farms, and all components and controls of converters in time domain.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

A New Analytic-Adaptive Model for EGS Assessment, Development and Management Support

To increase understanding of the energy extraction capacity of Enhanced Geothermal System(s) (EGS), a numerical model development and application project is completed. The general objective of the project is to develop and apply a new, data-coupled Thermal-Hydrological-Mechanical-Chemical (T-H-M-C) model in which the four internal components can be freely selected from existing simulation software without merging and cross-combining a diverse set of computational codes. Eight tasks are completed during the project period. The results are reported in five publications, an MS thesis, twelve quarterly, and two annual reports to DOE. Two US patents have also been issued during the project period, with one patent application originated prior to the start of the project. The “Multiphase Physical Transport Modeling Method and Modeling System” (U.S. Patent 8,396,693 B2, 2013), a key element in the GHE sub-model solution, is successfully used for EGS studies. The “Geothermal Energy Extraction System and Method" invention (U.S. Patent 8,430,166 B2, 2013) originates from the time of project performance, describing a new fluid flow control solution. The new, coupled T-H-M-C numerical model will help analyzing and designing new, efficient EGS systems.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

A New Analytic-Adaptive Model for EGS Assessment, Development and Management Support

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗