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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Iodine imaging using spectral analysis

Existing radiographic imaging systems provide images which represent an integration or averaging over the energy spectrum. In order to provide noninvasive angiography it is necessary to image the relatively small amounts of iodine which are available following an intravenous administration. This is accomplished by making use of the special spectral characteristics of iodine. Two methods will be presented. One involves a special grating for encoding the iodine information in the form of a fine line pattern. This is subsequently decoded to provide images of iodinated structures which are otherwise almost invisible. The second method utilizes a scanned X-ray beam which is rapidly switched in the high energy region. In this region, iodine experiences significant variations in the attenuation coefficient while bone and soft tissue do not. An efficient and accurate X-ray detector can be used with scanned X-ray beams. This provides a high degree of sensitivity enabling the visualization of small vessels containing relatively dilute iodine.

Macovski, A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

On-board processing satellite network architecture and control study

The market for telecommunications services needs to be segmented into user classes having similar transmission requirements and hence similar network architectures. Use of the following transmission architecture was considered: satellite switched TDMA; TDMA up, TDM down; scanning (hopping) beam TDMA; FDMA up, TDM down; satellite switched MF/TDMA; and switching Hub earth stations with double hop transmission. A candidate network architecture will be selected that: comprises multiple access subnetworks optimized for each user; interconnects the subnetworks by means of a baseband processor; and optimizes the marriage of interconnection and access techniques. An overall network control architecture will be provided that will serve the needs of the baseband and satellite switched RF interconnected subnetworks. The results of the studies shall be used to identify elements of network architecture and control that require the greatest degree of technology development to realize an operational system. This will be specified in terms of: requirements of the enabling technology; difference from the current available technology; and estimate of the development requirements needed to achieve an operational system. The results obtained for each of these tasks are presented.

Campanella, S. Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1988

The bit-error rate performance of a satellite microwave matrix switch

The matrix switch is a critical element of communications satellites employing multiple beam antennas and on-board switching. Two proof-of-concept models of a microwave matrix switch have been developed under NASA-sponsored contracts. These switches have undergone extensive testing at NASA Lewis Research Center to determine their operating characteristics in a system environment. The results of these tests indicate the effect of the matrix switch on the overall system operation.

Kerczewski, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Electron-impact ionization and electron attachment cross sections of radicals important in transient gaseous discharges

Electron-impact ionization and electron attachment cross sections of radicals and excited molecules were measured using an apparatus that consists of an electron beam, a molecular beam and a laser beam. The information obtained is needed for the pulse power applications in the areas of high power gaseous discharge switches, high energy lasers, particle beam experiments, and electromagnetic pulse systems. The basic data needed for the development of optically-controlled discharge switches were also investigated. Transient current pulses induced by laser irradiation of discharge media were observed and applied for the study of electron-molecule reaction kinetics in gaseous discharges.

Lee, Long C.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Radio Frequency (RF) Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) Switches for Space Communications

Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) is an emerging technology for radio frequency (RF) systems because it has the potential to dramatically decrease loss and improve efficiency. In this paper, we address the design and fabrication of novel MEMS switches being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center. Two types of switches are being developed: a microstrip series single pole single throw (SPST) switch and a coplanar waveguide (CPW) series SPST and single pole double throw (SPDT) switches. These are being fabricated as an integral part of 50 Ohm microstrip and CPW RF integrated circuits using microfabrication techniques. The construction of the switch relies on a cantilever beam that is partially supported by a dielectric post. The cantilever beam is electro-magnetically actuated. To decrease stiction, a Si3N4 thin film is deposited over the contact area. Thus, when the switch is closed, the ON-state insertion loss is governed by the parallel plate capacitance formed by the two contacts. The isolation in the OFF-state is governed by the parasitic capacitance when the cantilever is in the up position. RF MEMS switches have been demonstrated with 80% lower insertion loss than conventional solid state devices (GaAs Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MESFETs) and Silicon PIN diodes) based switches. For example, a conventional GaAs five-bit phase shifter which is required for beam steering in a phased array antenna has approximately 7 dB of insertion loss at 26.5 GHz where as a comparable MEMS based phase shifter is expected to have only 2 dB of insertion loss. This translates into 56% lower power dissipation and therefore decreases the thermal load on the spacecraft and also reduces the power amplifier requirements. These benefits will enable NASA to build the next generation of deep space science crafts and micro/nano satellites.

Simons, Rainee N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The bit-error rate performance of a satellite microwave matrix switch

The matrix switch is a critical element of communications satellites using multiple-beam antennas and on-board switching. Two proof-of-concept models of a microwave matrix switch have been developed under NASA-sponsored contracts. These switches have undergone extensive testing at NASA Lewis Research Center to determine their operating characteristics in a system environment. The results of these tests indicate the effect of the matrix switch on the overall system operation.

Kerczewski, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Study of advanced communications satellite systems based on SS-FDMA

A satellite communication system based on the use of a multiple, contiguous beam satellite antenna and frequency division multiple access (FDMA) is studied. Emphasis is on the evaluation of the feasibility of SS (satellite switching) FDMA technology, particularly the multiple, contiguous beam antenna, the onboard switch and channelization, and on methods to overcome the effects of severe Ka band fading caused by precipitation. This technology is evaluated and plans for technology development and evaluation are given. The application of SS-FDMA to domestic satellite communications is also evaluated. Due to the potentially low cost Earth stations, SS-FDMA is particularly attractive for thin route applications up to several hundred kilobits per second, and offers the potential for competing with terrestrial facilities at low data rates and over short routes. The onboard switch also provides added route flexibility for heavy route systems. The key beneficial SS-FDMA strategy is to simplify and thus reduce the cost of the direct access Earth station at the expense of increased satellite complexity.

Kiesling, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Fiber-optic rotation sensor technology

A concept for an all-waveguide fiber-optic rotation sensor is discussed, and the results of preliminary tests of key elements are described. A single channel waveguide coupler design provides the functions of an optical switch, a 3-dB beam splitter, a phase retarder, and a signal modulator, all of which may be formed on the same chip and interconnected by channel single-mode waveguides. Preliminary test results for the waveguide coupler and for a rotation sensor without the coupler are presented. Signal processing, polarization control, and interconnection of the waveguide components are discussed.

Goss, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Communications satellites in the fiber optics era

Three new satellite technologies, i.e., electronically hopped antenna beams, on-board switching, and laser intersatellite links, will soon be tested on experimental satellites. These technologies will enable future satellites to capture significant amounts of data and voice traffic. Fiber cables on the continents will dominate trunking routes, but satellites functioning as switches will be more flexible and reliable, and will cost less than terrestrial-based switches. When satellite switches and laser intersatellite links are combined, the resulting satellite networks will provide cost-effective, independent voice/data networks in the coming global village. They will augment existing terrestrial networks for thin route and low data rate links.

Lovell, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Approaches to optimization of SS/TDMA time slot assignment

Reduction techniques for traffic matrices are explored in some detail. These matrices arise in satellite switched time-division multiple access (SS/TDMA) techniques whereby switching of uplink and downlink beams is required to facilitate interconnectivity of beam zones. A traffic matrix is given to represent that traffic to be transmitted from n uplink beams to n downlink beams within a TDMA frame typically of 1 ms duration. The frame is divided into segments of time and during each segment a portion of the traffic is represented by a switching mode. This time slot assignment is characterized by a mode matrix in which there is not more than a single non-zero entry on each line (row or column) of the matrix. Investigation is confined to decomposition of an n x n traffic matrix by mode matrices with a requirement that the decomposition be 100 percent efficient or, equivalently, that the line(s) in the original traffic matrix whose sum is maximal (called critical line(s)) remain maximal as mode matrices are subtracted throughout the decomposition process. A method of decomposition of an n x n traffic matrix by mode matrices results in a number of steps that is bounded by n(2) - 2n + 2. It is shown that this upper bound exists for an n x n matrix wherein all the lines are maximal (called a quasi doubly stochastic (QDS) matrix) or for an n x n matrix that is completely arbitrary. That is, the fact that no method can exist with a lower upper bound is shown for both QDS and arbitrary matrices, in an elementary and straightforward manner.

Wade, T. O.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Toward High-Endurance Nonvolatile Reconfigurable Metasurfaces

The applications of adaptive optics extend across multiple sectors, encompassing areas such as LiDAR, biological and chemical sensing, and free-space optical communications. The advent of metasurfaces optics with reconfigurability has offered a versatile platform for the design of compact optical components, offering a compelling alternative to their conventional bulky counterparts. In this study, we introduce the PROWESS (Phase change Reconfigurable Optical WavEfront Synthesis System project at NASA LaRC), electrically reconfigurable metasurfaces using low-loss, high-contrast phase change material (PCM), Ge2Sb2Se4Te integrated with IR-transparent silicon microheater for various practical applications. The talk covers a reliable platform for switching large-scale PCM-based devices utilizing a microheater and an architecture for the metasurface switching within an integrated circuit configuration, which is compatible with standard foundry fabrication processes. The utilization of near- to midinfrared transparent silicon microheater in the proposed architecture opens possibilities for the development of reconfigurable transmissive optics such as filters, zoom lenses, and beam steering modules. We demonstrated switching of 140 µm × 140 µm PCM pixel, on a 200 µm × 200 µm silicon microheater for several thousand cycles. Further, we performed an in-depth investigation into the failure mechanism utilizing techniques such as transmission electron microscopy and thermal modeling. Guidelines for device performance improvement are proposed, and an improved design with larger endurance is shown in progress. With further progress, we aim to unlock the full potential of PCM-based devices and advance the field of adaptive optics with demonstrable examples including a reconfigurable beam steerer for ocean surface flash LiDAR and Navigation Doppler LiDAR for precise lunar landing missions.

metasurface optics↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) multibeam antenna technology verification experiments

The Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) is a key to reaching NASA's goal of developing high-risk, advanced communications technology using multiple frequency bands to support the nation's future communication needs. Using the multiple, dynamic hopping spot beams, and advanced on board switching and processing systems, ACTS will open a new era in communications satellite technology. One of the key technologies to be validated as part of the ACTS program is the multibeam antenna with rapidly reconfigurable hopping and fixed spot beam to serve users equipped with small-aperature terminals within the coverage areas. The proposed antenna technology experiments are designed to evaluate in-orbit ACTS multibeam antenna performance (radiation pattern, gain, cross pol levels, etc.).

Acosta, Roberto J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Demand Assignment in the ACTS LBR System

On the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) being developed at NASA Lewis, low-burst-rate (LBR) traffic stations will access the ACTS multibeam package via two hopping beams that can be directed at certain areas in the continental U.S. An onboard baseband processor (BBP) demodulates uplink traffic, switches it between uplink and downlink beams at baseband, and then remodulates it for retransmission at 20 GHz. This study describes the demand-assigned operation of the ACTS LBR system, where the onboard switch is remote from both traffic stations and master control station (MCS). Network control uses inbound and outbound orderwire channels and a BBP control channel, allowing the MCS to coordinate assignment of individual 64-kb/s spacecraft channels. Models are developed to simulate the dynamics of the assignment process and verify the call blocking behavior, to predict control channel loads, and to evaluate algorithms for burst time plan rearrangement.

White, Lawrence W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

ACTS on-orbit multibeam antenna pattern measurements

The Advanced Communication Technology (ACTS) is a key to NASA's goal of developing high-risk, advanced communications technology using multiple frequency bands to support the nation's future communication needs. Using the multiple, dynamic hopping spot beams and advanced on board switching and processing systems, ACTS will open a new era in communications satellite technology. One of the key technologies to be validated as part of the ACTS program is the multibeam antenna (MBA) with rapidly reconfigurable hopping and fixed spot beams to serve users equipped with small-aperture terminals within the coverage areas. The MBA test program is designed to evaluate the on-orbit ACTS antenna performance. The main parameters measured are beam shape, beam center location and gain.

Acosta, R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Simulation of Galactic Cosmic Rays and Dose-Rate Effects in RITRACKS

The NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) facility has been used successfully for many years to generate ion beams for radiation research experiments by NASA investigators. Recently, modifications were made to the beam lines to allow rapid switching between different types of ions and energies, with the aim to simulate the Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) environment. As this will be a focus of space radiation research for upcoming years, the stochastic radiation track structure code RITRACKS (Relativistic Ion Tracks) was modified to simulate beams of various ion types and energies during time intervals specified by the user at the microscopic and nanoscopic scales. For example, particle distributions of a mixed 344.1-MeV protons (18.04 cGy) and 950-MeV/n iron (5.64 cGy) beam behind a 20 g/cm(exp 2) aluminum followed by a 10 g/cm(exp 2) polyethylene shield as calculated by the code GEANT4 were used as an input field in RITRACKS. Similarly, modifications were also made to simulate a realistic radiation environment in a spacecraft exposed to GCR by sampling the ion types and energies from particle spectra pre-calculated by the code HZETRN. The newly implemented features allows RITRACKS to generate time-dependent differential and cumulative 3D dose voxel maps. These new capabilities of RITRACKS will be used to investigate dose-rate effects and synergistic interactions of various types of radiations for many end points at the microscopic and nanoscopic scales such as DNA damage and chromosome aberrations.

Plante, Ianik↗
NASA NTRS2002

MEMS, Ka-Band Single-Pole Double-Throw (SPDT) Switch for Switched Line Phase Shifters

Ka-band MEMS doubly anchored cantilever beam capacitive shunt devices are used to demonstrate a MEMS SPDT switch fabricated on high resistivity silicon (HRS) utilizing finite ground coplanar waveguide (FGC) transmission lines. The SPDT switch has an insertion loss (IL), return loss (RL), and isolation of 0.3dB, 40dB, and 30 dB, respectively at Ka-band.

Scardelletti, Maximilian C.↗