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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 91 records · Page 5

Advances in optimal routing through computer networks

The optimal routing problem is defined. Progress in solving the problem during the previous decade is reviewed, with special emphasis on technical developments made during the last few years. The relationships between the routing, the throughput, and the switching technology used are discussed and their future trends are reviewed. Economic aspects are also briefly considered. Modern technical approaches for handling the routing problems and, more generally, the flow control problems are reviewed.

Paz, I. M.↗

Microwave remote sensing of hydrologic parameters

A perspective on the implementation of microwave sensors in future airborne and spaceborne observations of hydrologic parameters is presented. The rationale is based on a review of the status and future trends of active (radar) and passive (radiometer) microwave research as applied to the remote sensing of soil moisture content, snowpack water equivalent, freeze/thaw boundaries, lake ice thickness, surface water area, and the specification of watershed runoff coefficients. Analyses and observations based on data acquired from ground based, airborne and spaceborne platforms, and an evaluation of advantages and limitations of microwave sensors are included.

Ulaby, F. T.↗

Identification of high payoff research for more efficient applicator helicopters in agriculture and forestry

The results of a study of the uses of helicopters in agriculture and forestry in the United States are discussed. Comparisons with agricultural airplanes are made in terms of costs of aerial application to the growers. An analysis of cost drivers and potential improvements to helicopters that will lower costs is presented. Future trends are discussed, and recommendations for research are outlined. Operational safety hazards and accident records are examined, and problem areas are identified. Areas where research and development are needed to provide opportunities for lowering costs while increasing productivity are analyzed.

Waters, K. T.↗

World helicopter market study

The extent of the threat to the US helicopter industry posed by a determined effort by foreign manufacturers, European companies in particular, to supply their own domestic markets and also to penetrate export markets, including the USA is assessed. Available data on US and world markets for civil and military uses are collated and presented in both graphic and tabular form showing the past history of production and markets and, where forecasts are available, anticipated future trends. The data are discussed on an item-by-item basis and inferences are drawn in as much depth as appears justified.

Cleary, B.↗

Pattern classification using Charge Transfer Devices

The potential uses of Charge Transfer Devices (CTDs) in pattern classification operations are explored. The needs for a hardware-based pattern classifier are established, and a matrix multiplication subsystem based upon a sum of products CTD is presented. An evaluation process for sum of products devices (particularly analog-analog correlators) is developed, and the feasibility of employing a particular device in a pattern classifier is determined. Finally, the possible impact of future trends in technology is considered.

Snyder, W. E.↗

Modeling of electron time variations in the radiation belts

A review of the temporal variation in the trapped electron population of the inner and outer radiation zones is presented. Techniques presently used for modeling these zones are discussed and their deficiencies identified. An intermediate region is indicated between the zones in which the present modeling techniques are inadequate due to the magnitude and frequency of magnetic storms. Future trends are examined, and it is suggested that modeling of individual magnetic storms may be required in certain L bands. An analysis of seven magnetic storms is presented, establishing the independence of the depletion time of the storm flux and the storm magnitude. Provisional correlation between the storm magnitude and the Dst index is demonstrated.

Chan, K. W.↗

An overview of earth satellite orbit determination

This paper considers orbit determination for artificial satellites within the geosynchronous distance of the earth. A brief description of the systems used to gather data (past, present and future) will be presented as well as the accuracies of the data and the accuracies of the resultant orbits. The methods of analyzing the data and the applications and future trends of earth satellite orbit determination will be discussed.

Kolenkiewicz, R.↗

Machine processing of remotely sensed data; Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Symposium, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., June 27-29, 1979

Papers are presented on techniques and applications for the machine processing of remotely sensed data. Specific topics include the Landsat-D mission and thematic mapper, data preprocessing to account for atmospheric and solar illumination effects, sampling in crop area estimation, the LACIE program, the assessment of revegetation on surface mine land using color infrared aerial photography, the identification of surface-disturbed features through a nonparametric analysis of Landsat MSS data, the extraction of soil data in vegetated areas, and the transfer of remote sensing computer technology to developing nations. Attention is also given to the classification of multispectral remote sensing data using context, the use of guided clustering techniques for Landsat data analysis in forest land cover mapping, crop classification using an interactive color display, and future trends in image processing software and hardware.

Tendam, I. M.↗

Electric propulsion, circa 2000

This paper discusses the future of electric propulsion, circa 2000. Starting with the first generation Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) technology as the first step toward the next century's advanced propulsion systems, the current status and future trends of other systems such as the magnetoplasmadynamic accelerator, the mass driver, the laser propulsion system, and the rail gun are described.

Hudson, W. R.↗

On-board computers for control

On-board computers for control and sequencing from Apollo to Voyager are described along with future trends and recent design examples. Consideration is given to a high-order language for the Space Shuttle program. Emphasis is placed on the usage of modern LSI and new distributed architectural approaches. The distributed computer of the Galileo spacecraft and the data processing system for the Shuttle Orbiter are outlined.

Scull, J. R.↗

FBI fingerprint identification automation study. AIDS 3 evaluation report. Volume 2: Technical feasibility

The results of this effort are presented in a manner for use by both the AIDS 3 Operational and Economic Feasibility subtasks as well as the Development of Alternative subtask. The approach taken was to identify the major functions that appear in AIDS 3 and then to determine which technologies would be needed for support. The technologies were then examined from the point of view of reliability, throughput, security, availability, cost and possible future trends. Whenever possible graphs are given to indicate projected costs of rapidly changing technologies.

Mulhall, B. D. L.↗

GaAs workshop report

The advantages of GaAs over silicon are discussed. The substrate problem in solar cell fabrication was reviewed. Future trends in solar energy technology were predicted with special emphasis on cost of production.

Kamath, G. S.↗

Proceedings of the 12th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting

The meeting gave PTTI managers, systems engineers, and program planners a transparent view of the state-of-the-art, an opportunity to express needs, a view of important future trends, and a review of relevant past accomplishments. The PTTI users were provided with new and useful applications, procedures, and techniques. Emphasis is placed on military applications and avionics.

Wardrip, S. C.↗

High density circuit technology

Polyimide dielectric materials were acquired for comparative and evaluative studies in double layer metal processes. Preliminary experiments were performed. Also, the literature indicates that sputtered aluminum films may be successfully patterned using the left-off technique provided the substrate temperature remains low and the argon pressure in the chamber is relatively high at the time of sputtering. Vendors associated with dry processing equipment are identified. A literature search relative to future trends in VLSI fabrication techniques is described.

Wade, T. E.↗

Future requirements for advanced materials

Recent advances and future trends in aerospace materials technology are reviewed with reference to metal alloys, high-temperature composites and adhesives, tungsten fiber-reinforced superalloys, hybrid materials, ceramics, new ablative materials, such as carbon-carbon composite and silica tiles used in the Shuttle Orbiter. The technologies of powder metallurgy coupled with hot isostatic pressing, near net forging, complex large shape casting, chopped fiber molding, superplastic forming, and computer-aided design and manufacture are emphasized.

Olstad, W. B.↗

Magnetic control systems for large spacecraft with applications to space telescope

Magnetic control systems for large space vehicles offer the advantage of a simple, reliable, low cost augmentation to the primary control system. When used for momentum management, a magnetic torque source offers a long life and noncontaminant environment when compared to a mass expulsion torque source. These qualities make such systems suitable for employment with the Space Telescope, which is a long life, high performance vehicle with optics and scientific instruments which would be degraded by contamination due to mass expulsion products. The various applications of magnetic systems on the Space Telescope are considered. The future trend in magnetic control of large space vehicles lies in providing a known three axis reference for backup operations, such as recovery of the primary control mode.

Dougherty, H.↗

Microwave sensors for earth resource observations in the 1980's

Future trends in microwave sensing are identified with reference to the workshops organized by the Active Microwave Remote Sensing Research Program. The workshops demonstrated that (1) microwave techniques have great potential for earth observations of renewable and nonrenewable resources and (2) existing research does not adequately assess microwave sensor measurement capabilities. The need for synoptic information includes such areas as cloud-free, surface-roughness and electrical-properties data. Attention is given to applications including all-weather imaging, sensitivity to vegetation and soil-moisture conditions. Research tasks to be accomplished during the next five years are discussed.

Rouse, J. W., Jr.↗

1981 LTA technology assessment - Past and present

A four-part presentation is made of (1) lessons learned from the design and operation of the 'classic' airships of the 1920s and 30s, with respect to such issues as construction, propulsion, control, instrumentation, ground handling, habitability, aerodynamics, and structure and construction; (2) lessons learned from the development of such specialized lighter-than-air (LTA) concepts as metal-clad airships, semi-buoyant lifting bodies, experimental, sport and commercial free balloons, high-altitude platforms, and tethered aerostats; (3) the current status of LTA technology in various countries, with emphasis on significant developments in configuration, dynamics, control, structures, materials, and propulsion; and (4) a projection of future trends. It is concluded that socio-economic factors will strongly influence and encourage LTA development in the 1990s.

Ashford, R. L.↗