Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “modulation”

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 91 records · Page 5

Dynamic Characterization of the Crew Module Uprighting System for NASA’s Orion Crew Module

The Orion Crew Module Uprighting System is a set of five airbag that are responsible for the uprighting of the crew module in the case of an inverted splashdown. A series of tests during the Underway Recovery Test 7 (URT-7) were run in preparation for the Artemis I mission, where the dynamic characterization of the CMUS in an ocean wave environment was performed. A Datawell Waverider DWR-G4 wave buoy was deployed to the characterize the wave environment during these tests. The heave measurements from this buoy were projected to the Orion Crew Module Buoyancy Test Article location by two different methods: (1) directly time-shifting the data, and (2) performing a frequency-domain, phase-shifting operation. Results demonstrate that the phase-shifting operation led to better correlation with the true crew module response to wave excitation as compared with the purely time-shifted method. Additionally, a novel approach to localize an object in a bidirectional wave field based on its heave response is presented and validated with URT- 7 data. Given a wave measurement device at a known location, one can estimate the relative distance to another object based solely off its heave response. Results show that if signals have sufficiently good correlation, this method can be used to estimate the relative separation between two objects in the same wave field.

Vertaska, Ivan Bertaska↗

Stability enhancement module for grid-following converters: Hardware implementation and validation

Low-frequency oscillations limit power delivery of voltage-source converter interfaced resources, for example, wind and solar, operating in grid-following control mode. Our prior research identified the instability mechanism as the coupling between real power and voltage at point of common coupling. In turn, a stability enhancement control was proposed to weaken the coupling by introducing a simple voltage-based feedback loop. The stability enhancement control has been validated via electromagnetic transient simulation testbeds. The objectives of this paper are (a) to provide a more insightful explanation of the enhancement module by examining the impedance of the grid-following converter and (b) to verify the performance of the stability module using a hardware testbed. The theoretic examination demonstrates that stability enhancement module effectively reduces the negative resistance effect of $Z_{qq}$ and thus boosts stability. The experimental research leads to a hardware testbed of a grid-following converter with the ability of demonstrating low-frequency oscillations. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed stability enhancement control and the readiness of commercial realization of the stability enhancement unit.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Enhanced CO 2 Methanation Activity of Sm 0.25 Ce 0.75 O 2-δ –Ni by Modulating the Chelating Agents-to-Metal Cation Ratio and Tuning Metal–Support Interactions

Highly active and selective CO 2 methanation catalysts are critical to CO 2 upgrading, synthetic natural gas production, and CO 2 emission reduction. Wet impregnation is widely used to synthesize oxide-supported metallic nanoparticles as the catalyst for CO 2 methanation. However, as the reagents cannot be homogeneously mixed at an atomic level, it is challenging to modulate the microstructure, crystal structure, chemical composition, and electronic structure of catalysts via wet impregnation. In this work, a scalable and straightforward catalyst fabrication approach has been designed and validated to produce Sm 0.25 Ce 0.75 O 2-δ -supported Ni (SDC–Ni) as the CO 2 methanation catalyst. By varying the chelating agents-to-total metal cations ratio (C/I ratio) during the catalyst synthesis, we can readily and simultaneously modulate the microstructure, metallic surface area, crystal structure, chemical composition, and electronic structure of SDC–Ni, consequently fine-tuning the oxide–support interactions and CO 2 methanation activity. The optimal C/I ratio (0.1) leads to an SDC–Ni catalyst that facilitates C–O bond cleavage and significantly improves CO 2 conversion at 250 °C. A CO 2 -to-CH 4 yield of >73% has been achieved at 250 °C. Furthermore, a stable operation of >1500 hours has been demonstrated, and no degradation is observed. Extensive characterizations were performed to fundamentally understand how to tune and enhance CO 2 methanation activity of SDC–Ni by modulating the C/I ratio. The correlation of physical, chemical, and catalytic properties of SDC–Ni with the C/I ratio is established and thoroughly elaborated in this work. This study could be applied to tune the oxide–support interactions of various catalysts for enhancing the catalytic activity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ion fluxes and memory effects in an Ar–O 2 modulated radiofrequency-driven atmospheric pressure plasma jet

In this work we used molecular beam mass spectrometry to characterize ion fluxes produced by a modulated radiofrequency (RF)-driven atmospheric pressure plasma jet operating in a homogeneous gas environment (Ar + 1% O 2 ). The influence of the RF modulation frequency (100 Hz to 20 kHz) on the ion fluxes was investigated by time-resolved measurements, and the lifetimes of the dominant ions, O 2 + , NO + , O − , O 2 − and O 3 − , were found to be 28 ± 2, 117 ± 8, 7.3 ± 0.4, 17 ± 1 and 23 ± 2 μs, respectively. The absolute ion densities in the near afterglow region were found to be of the order of 1011 cm−3. Significant differences in the dynamics of the positive and negative ions were found; these are explained by the presence of electrons at similar densities in the afterglow produced by electron detachment reactions from negative ions due to the large concentrations of atomic oxygen and singlet delta oxygen. Transitions in ion flux dynamics for different modulation frequencies and at the startup of the plasma were analyzed together with intensified charge coupled device images recording the plasma propagation in order to assess the dynamics of plasma plume propagation and how it is impacted by ‘memory effects’. Quantitative measurements of the ion densities enabling these memory effects are reported. The results in this paper highlight the tremendous impact of memory effects on plasma propagation and the corresponding pre-ionization.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Numerical Codes for the DESC-LSST Analysis Pipeline: Core Cosmology Library Standard Modules and Beyond wCDM Modules (Final Technical Report)

The overall objective of the project is to investigate and develop specific software modules and analysis components for the software pipeline of LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC). Following the key projects of DESC Science Roadmap (SRM), we will write and test computer codes for the Core Cosmology Library (CCL) in order to complete its modules, functionalities, and interface to work with the analysis pipelines from the five science probes of DESC (parts of SRM deliverables CX4.2TJP, CX6.2CS). We will also code modules for CCL to test models beyond w-Cold-Dark-Matter (wCDM) and modification to gravity (MG). Interfaces for MG models will also be developed for the TJPCOSMO software which is the main pipeline of the Theory and Joint Probe (TJP) working group (deliverable TJP2.3). In order to use the full power of LSST data to constrain MG models, we will also work on constraints from nonlinear regime by running and analyzing MG N-Body simulations using a Parameterized-Post-Friedmann framework into the Gadget-2 simulation package (deliverable TJP2.2). Preliminary results for the simulations were obtained in the past. In collaboration with other DESC groups, we plan to make these simulations feedable to cosmic emulators that are practical for likelihood analyzes (deliverable TJP2.2, parts of CX6.2CS). We will also modify and integrate our current codes for consistency tests between data sets and probes into the pipeline (parts of deliverables CX8.2TJP, TJP2.3). We understand that other groups will contribute to some of these objectives but our team will focus and collaborate with others on the particular part of testing MG and models beyond wCDM and refine the DESC pipeline for this purpose. PI has been coordinating his work with the TJP and CS working groups and the DESC management team. PI is a full member of DESC since June 2013. He and his students have been contributing to LSST-DESC activities and work including TJP telecons, collaboration meetings, hack-weeks, and workshops. PI chaired or co-chaired sessions at collaboration meetings and hack-weeks about testing gravity and models beyond wCDM using LSST. He is coordinating the TJP2 projects for testing models beyond wCDM including the writing of DESC-research-note, development of code for pipeline, and N-Body simulations for MG and beyond wCDM models testable with LSST analyses. As stressed in the DESC white paper, SRM, and P5 report, one of the important questions in understanding cosmic acceleration and dark energy is to be able to distinguish whether the acceleration is due to a dark energy component in the universe or a modification to gravity. Answering these questions will have a significant impact on the question of cosmic acceleration and dark energy. The methods that we will use include analytical work, numerical code, and N-Body simulations. A first approach that that we will use consists of using growth rate parameters that enter the perturbed dynamics equations. These parameters take distinctive values for distinct gravity theories and have potential to distinguish between Dark Energy and Modified Gravity. The second method is to look for inconsistencies in Dark Energy parameter spaces using specific combinations of cosmological data sets. Our investigation addresses the Dark Energy problem that is relevant to the mission of the HEP program to understand how our universe works at its most fundamental level. It will allow us to make progress on the HEP mission to explore the nature of Dark Energy and the basic nature of space and time using future surveys such as LSST. The investigation supports the DOE HEP program Cosmic Frontier as it will contribute to the study and understanding of dark energy and fundamental properties of the universe. The investigation contributes directly to LSST-DESC key projects and their deliverables as described in the Science Road-map document to build analysis pipeline and to test dark energy and beyond wCDM models using LSST.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Flammability tests for Apollo command module and lunar module mockup

The flammability test program for Apollo command module and lunar module mockups is described. The fire safety design of the modules was verified by performing deliberate ignitions at many locations while the interior atmosphere was controlled to simulate realistic flight conditions. The data obtained for each test and restrictions on various materials are discussed.

Bricker, R. W.↗

Modulation techniques for deep-space pulse-position modulation (PPM) optical communication

The extremely energy-efficient pulse-position modulation (PPM) format is being actively developed as a basis for optical communications with deep-space probes. Attention is presently given to different modulation schemes for the efficient production of laser pulses over a broad range of repetition rates. Both Q-switching and cavity dumping modulation methods are available for the envisioned diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser source. Numerical calculation results are presented for cavity-dumping.

Rayman, Marc D.↗

DC bias modulation characteristics of longitudinal KD*P modulators

A test program designed to study the DC modulation characteristics of longitudinal KD*P modulators and to determine what electrode structure might improve the performance of these devices is presented which was developed in the Marshall Space Flight Center. The physical constraints of these devices and the necessary electrical characteristics that the KD*P modulators must have to be used in the MSFC polarimeter are discussed.

West, ED↗

Modulated Source Interferometry with Combined Amplitude and Frequency Modulation

An improved interferometer is produced by modifying a conventional interferometer to include amplitude and/or frequency modulation of a coherent light source at radio or higher frequencies. The phase of the modulation signal can be detected in an interfering beam from an interferometer and can be used to determine the actual optical phase of the beam. As such, this improvement can be adapted to virtually any two-beam interferometer, including: Michelson, Mach-Zehnder, and Sagnac interferometers. The use of an amplitude modulated coherent tight source results in an interferometer that combines the wide range advantages of coherent interferometry with the precise distance measurement advantages of white light interferometry.

Gutierrez, Roman C.↗

Programmable Thermostat Module Upgrade for the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module

The STS-121/ULF1.1 mission was the maiden flight of the Programmable Thermostat Module (PTM) system used to control the 28 V shell heaters on the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM). These PTMs, in conjunction with a Data Recorder Module (DRM), provide continuous closed loop temperature control and data recording of MPLM on-orbit heater operations. This paper will discuss the hardware design, development, test and verification (DDT&V) activities performed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) as well as the operational implementation and mission performance.

Clark, Dallas↗

Programmable Thermostat Module Upgrade for the Multipurpose Logistics Module

The STS-121/ULF 1.1 mission was the maiden flight of the programmable thermostat module (PTM) system used to control the 28 V shell heaters on the multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM). These PTMs, in conjunction with a data recorder module (DRM), provide continuous closed loop temperature control and data recording of MPLM on-orbit heater operations. This Technical Memorandum discusses the hardware design, development, test, and verification (DDT&V) activities performed at the Marshall Space Flight Center as well as the operational implementation and mission performance.

Clark, D. W.↗