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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

W/V-Band RF Propagation Experiment Design

The utilization of frequency spectrum for space-to-ground communications applications has generally progressed from the lowest available bands capable of supporting transmission through the atmosphere to the higher bands, which have required research and technological advancement to implement. As communications needs increase and the available spectrum in the microwave frequency bands (3 30 GHz) becomes congested globally, future systems will move into the millimeter wave (mm-wave) range (30 300 GHz). While current systems are operating in the Ka-band (20 30 GHz), systems planned for the coming decades will initiate operations in the Q-Band (33 50 GHz), V-Band (50 75 GHz) and W Band (75 110 GHz) of the spectrum. These bands offer extremely broadband capabilities (contiguous allocations of 500 MHz to 1GHz or more) and an uncluttered spectrum for a wide range of applications. NASA, DoD and commercial missions that can benefit from moving into the mm-wave bands include data relay and near-Earth data communications, unmanned aircraft communications, NASA science missions, and commercial broadcast/internet services, all able to be implemented via very small terminals. NASA Glenn Research Center has a long history of performing the inherently governmental function of opening new frequency spectrum by characterizing atmospheric effects on electromagnetic propagation and collaborating with the satellite communication industry to develop specific communications technologies for use by NASA and the nation. Along these lines, there are critical issues related to W/V-band propagation that need to be thoroughly understood before design of any operational system can commence. These issues arise primarily due to the limitations imposed on W/V-band signal propagation by the Earth s atmosphere, and to the fundamental lack of understanding of these effects with regards to proper system design and fade mitigation. In this paper, The GRC RF propagation team recommends measurements that are required to assure that the risk associated with the use of mm-wave is minimized. We develop first order beacon and transponder system payload requirements and beacon terminal requirements. We will suggest and discuss a possible hardware implementation for the space segment, as well for the ground segment. A discussion on a propagation measurement campaign for taking relevant statistical data is also included.

Acosta, Roberto J.↗

ACAS Xr Part Task Sim, Preliminary Experiment Design

In early 2022, the Human Autonomy Teaming Lab (NASA Ames Research Center) will conduct a manned, human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation. This part task HITL will begin the lab’s Hazard Perception and Avoidance (HPA) technical work under NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Automated Flight and Contingency Management (AFCM) Sub-Project. The goals will be to assess levels of automation for manned, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This simulation will test manual and automated Resolution Advisory (RA) responses and return-to-course (RTC) maneuvers for the first version of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System’s (ACAS) rotary-wing (Xr) variant. This will be conducted on a fixed-based simulator designed to fly eVTOL aircraft while maneuvering for intruding traffic. Variables for this study include levels of autonomy (i.e., manual and automated) as well as the types of alerts at the onset of conflicts (i.e., Corrective and RA). The data collected will include response times, losses of well clear, and maneuver sizes and durations as well as subjective ratings like acceptability, perceived workload, and meaningful human control. Additional details and future anticipations are also discussed.

air taxis↗

Application of Modern Design of Experiments to CARS Thermometry in a Model Scramjet Engine

We have applied formal experiment design and analysis to optimize the measurement of temperature in a supersonic combustor at NASA Langley Research Center. We used the coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) technique to map the temperature distribution in the flowfield downstream of an 1160 K, Mach 2 freestream into which supersonic hydrogen fuel is injected at an angle of 30 degrees. CARS thermometry is inherently a single-point measurement technique; it was used to map thc flow by translating the measurement volume through the flowfield. The method known as "Modern Design of Experiments" (MDOE) was used to estimate the data volume required, design the test matrix, perform the experiment and analyze the resulting data. MDOE allowed us to match the volume of data acquired to the precision requirements of the customer. Furthermore, one aspect of MDOE, known as response surface methodology, allowed us to develop precise maps of the flowfield temperature, allowing interpolation between measurement points. An analytic function in two spatial variables was fit to the data from a single measurement plane. Fitting with a Cosine Series Bivariate Function allowed the mean temperature to be mapped with 95% confidence interval half-widths of +/- 30 Kelvin, comfortably meeting the confidence of +/- 50 Kelvin specified prior to performing the experiments. We estimate that applying MDOE to the present experiment saved a factor of 5 in data volume acquired, compared to experiments executed in the traditional manner. Furthermore, the precision requirements could have been met with less than half the data acquired.

Danehy, P. M.↗

Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Calibration Using the Modern Design of Experiments

A calibration of a hypersonic wind tunnel has been conducted using formal experiment design techniques and response surface modeling. Data from a compact, highly efficient experiment was used to create a regression model of the pitot pressure as a function of the facility operating conditions as well as the longitudinal location within the test section. The new calibration utilized far fewer design points than prior experiments, but covered a wider range of the facility s operating envelope while revealing interactions between factors not captured in previous calibrations. A series of points chosen randomly within the design space was used to verify the accuracy of the response model. The development of the experiment design is discussed along with tactics used in the execution of the experiment to defend against systematic variation in the results. Trends in the data are illustrated, and comparisons are made to earlier findings.

Rhode, Matthew N.↗

Thermal Characterization of Functionally Graded Materials: Design of Optimum Experiments

This paper is a study of optimal experiment design applied to the measure of thermal properties in functionally graded materials. As a first step, a material with linearly-varying thermal properties is analyzed, and several different tran- sient experimental designs are discussed. An optimality criterion, based on sen- sitivity coefficients, is used to identify the best experimental design. Simulated experimental results are analyzed to verify that the identified best experiment design has the smallest errors in the estimated parameters. This procedure is general and can be applied to design of experiments for a variety of materials.

Cole, Kevin D.↗

Developing Conceptual Hypersonic Airbreathing Engines Using Design of Experiments Methods

Designing a hypersonic vehicle is a complicated process due to the multi-disciplinary synergy that is required. The greatest challenge involves propulsion-airframe integration. In the past, a two-dimensional flowpath was generated based on the engine performance required for a proposed mission. A three-dimensional CAD geometry was produced from the two-dimensional flowpath for aerodynamic analysis, structural design, and packaging. The aerodynamics, engine performance, and mass properties arc inputs to the vehicle performance tool to determine if the mission goals were met. If the mission goals were not met, then a flowpath and vehicle redesign would begin. This design process might have to be performed several times to produce a "closed" vehicle. This paper will describe an attempt to design a hypersonic cruise vehicle propulsion flowpath using a Design of' Experiments method to reduce the resources necessary to produce a conceptual design with fewer iterations of the design cycle. These methods also allow for more flexible mission analysis and incorporation of additional design constraints at any point. A design system was developed using an object-based software package that would quickly generate each flowpath in the study given the values of the geometric independent variables. These flowpath geometries were put into a hypersonic propulsion code and the engine performance was generated. The propulsion results were loaded into statistical software to produce regression equations that were combined with an aerodynamic database to optimize the flowpath at the vehicle performance level. For this example, the design process was executed twice. The first pass was a cursory look at the independent variables selected to determine which variables are the most important and to test all of the inputs to the optimization process. The second cycle is a more in-depth study with more cases and higher order equations representing the design space.

Ferlemann, Shelly M.↗

A Parametric Geometry Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study Utilizing Design of Experiments (DOE)

Design of Experiments (DOE) was applied to the LAS geometric parameter study to efficiently identify and rank primary contributors to integrated drag over the vehicles ascent trajectory in an order of magnitude fewer CFD configurations thereby reducing computational resources and solution time. SME s were able to gain a better understanding on the underlying flowphysics of different geometric parameter configurations through the identification of interaction effects. An interaction effect, which describes how the effect of one factor changes with respect to the levels of other factors, is often the key to product optimization. A DOE approach emphasizes a sequential approach to learning through successive experimentation to continuously build on previous knowledge. These studies represent a starting point for expanded experimental activities that will eventually cover the entire design space of the vehicle and flight trajectory.

Rhew, Ray D.↗

A Parametric Geometry Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study Utilizing Design of Experiments (DOE)

Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques were applied to the Launch Abort System (LAS) of the NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) parametric geometry Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study to efficiently identify and rank the primary contributors to the integrated drag over the vehicles ascent trajectory. Typical approaches to these types of activities involve developing all possible combinations of geometries changing one variable at a time, analyzing them with CFD, and predicting the main effects on an aerodynamic parameter, which in this application is integrated drag. The original plan for the LAS study team was to generate and analyze more than1000 geometry configurations to study 7 geometric parameters. By utilizing DOE techniques the number of geometries was strategically reduced to 84. In addition, critical information on interaction effects among the geometric factors were identified that would not have been possible with the traditional technique. Therefore, the study was performed in less time and provided more information on the geometric main effects and interactions impacting drag generated by the LAS. This paper discusses the methods utilized to develop the experimental design, execution, and data analysis.

Rhew, Ray D.↗

Experiences in the Practice of Design of Experiments at NASA

Statistical design of experiments (DOE) has gained recognition within NASA by spurring innovation and efficiency, and it has demonstrated significant impact. Aerospace research and development benefits DOE techniques by accelerating learning, maximizing knowledge, ensuring strategic resource investment, and informing data-driven decisions. In practice, DOE relies on multidisciplinary collaboration to develop solution strategies that integrate statistical methods with subject-matter expertise to meet challenging research objectives. This presentation shares experiences in the practice of design of experiments at NASA in aeronautics, space exploration, and atmospheric science.

Peter A. Parker↗

A summary of the Skylab crew/vehicle disturbances experiment T-013

A manned space flight experiment (designated experiment T-013) to assess the characteristics of astronaut crew-motion disturbances was conducted on the second manned Skylab mission. A brief description of the experiment hardware utilized is given, and a comprehensive discussion of the experiment data reduction and analysis is presented. Data obtained from a force-measuring system, an astronaut limb-motion measuring system, motion-picture film, and the Skylab attitude and pointing control system is described. Results show that astronaut crew members can produce significant disturbance inputs to a spacecraft's attitude control system. Total forces of up to 400 N were exerted during vigorous soaring activities, whereas ""restrained'' motions by the experiment subject generated total forces of up to 300 N. A discussion of potential applications of the experiment results is given and appendixes provide additional detail with respect to experiment operations and results.

Conway, B. A.↗