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At least 109 records · Page 6

Design of a video teleconference facility for a synchronous satellite communications link

The system requirements, design tradeoffs, and final design of a video teleconference facility are discussed, including proper lighting, graphics transmission, and picture aesthetics. Methods currently accepted in the television broadcast industry are used in the design. The unique problems associated with using an audio channel with a synchronous satellite communications link are discussed, and a final audio system design is presented.

Richardson, M. D.↗

Some approximation concepts for structural synthesis.

An efficient automated minimum weight design procedure is presented which is applicable to sizing structural systems that can be idealized by truss, shear panel, and constant strain triangles. Static stress and displacement constraints under alternative loading conditions are considered. The optimization algorithm is an adaptation of the method of inscribed hyperspheres and high efficiency is achieved by using several approximation concepts including temporary deletion of noncritical constraints, design variable linking, and Taylor series expansions for response variables in terms of design variables. Optimum designs for several planar and space truss example problems are presented. The results reported support the contention that the innovative use of approximation concepts in structural synthesis can produce significant improvements in efficiency.

Schmit, L. A., Jr.↗

Some approximation concepts for structural synthesis

An efficient automated minimum weight design procedure is presented which is applicable to sizing structural systems that can be idealized by truss, shear panel, and constant strain triangles. Static stress and displacement constraints under alternative loading conditions are considered. The optimization algorithm is an adaptation of the method of inscribed hyperspheres and high efficiency is achieved by using several approximation concepts including temporary deletion of noncritical constraints, design variable linking, and Taylor series expansions for response variables in terms of design variables. Optimum designs for several planar and space truss examples problems are presented. The results reported support the contention that the innovative use of approximation concepts in structural synthesis can produce significant improvements in efficiency.

Schmit, L. A., Jr.↗

Structural design optimization with survivability dependent constraints application: Primary wing box of a multi-role fighter

The superior survivability of a multirole fighter is dependent upon balanced integration of technologies for reduced vulnerability and susceptability. The objective is to develop a methodology for structural design optimization with survivability dependent constraints. The design criteria for optimization will be survivability in a tactical laser environment. The following analyses are studied to establish a dependent design relationship between structural weight and survivability: (1) develop a physically linked global design model of survivability variables; and (2) apply conventional constraints to quantify survivability dependent design. It was not possible to develop an exact approach which would include all aspects of survivability dependent design, therefore guidelines are offered for solving similar problems.

Dolvin, Douglas J.↗

Project Interface Requirements Process Including Shuttle Lessons Learned

Most failures occur at interfaces between organizations and hardware. Processing interface requirements at the start of a project life cycle will reduce the likelihood of costly interface changes/failures later. This can be done by adding Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to the Project top level drawing tree, providing technical direction to the Projects for interface requirements, and by funding the interface requirements function directly from the Project Manager's office. The interface requirements function within the Project Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) Office would work in-line with the project element design engineers early in the life cycle to enhance communications and negotiate technical issues between the elements. This function would work as the technical arm of the Project Manager to help ensure that the Project cost, schedule, and risk objectives can be met during the Life Cycle. Some ICD Lessons Learned during the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Life Cycle will include the use of hardware interface photos in the ICD, progressive life cycle design certification by analysis, test, & operations experience, assigning interface design engineers to Element Interface (EI) and Project technical panels, and linking interface design drawings with project build drawings

Bauch, Garland T.↗

Optimizing Elastodynamic Performances Of Composite Links

Method for design of laminated fiber-reinforced-matrix composite structural links of rectangular cross section optimizes damped-elastodynamic performances of links, making compromises among stiffness, strength, and damping of vibrations. Based on theory correlating damping with parameters of material(s), shape of link, and modal vibrations of link. Particularly desirable in robotic manipulators because they minimize vibrational and static-load bending, which give rise to positioning errors.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

Design of an optical fiber cable link for lightning instrumentation

A lightning instrumentation system was designed to record current magnitudes of lightning strikes that hit a launch pad service structure at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The instrumentation system consists of a lightning ground rod with a current sensor coil, an optical transmitter, an optical fiber cable link, a detector receiver, and a recording system. The transmitter is a wideband pulse transformer driving an IR LED emitter. The transmitter operates linearly as a transducer. A low loss fiber bundle provides isolation of the recorder system from the electromagnetic field of the lightning strike. The output of an optical detector receiver module is sampled and recorded in digital format. The significant factors considered in the design were dynamic range, linearity, mechanical configuration, electromagnetic isolation, and temperature compensation.

Grove, C. H.↗

Interfaces for high-speed fiber-optic links - Analysis and experiment

An analysis of directly and externally modulated fiberoptic links is presented. The theoretical analysis is based on the signal flow diagram of the interface circuits to the laser diode, Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator, and p-i-n photodiode. System parameters such as gain, noise figure, two-tone intermodulation distortion, and spurious free and compression dynamic range are expressed as a function of frequency and operating point of the laser and external modulator. Two directly and externally modulated fiber-optic links were designed and fabricated to verify the analytical models. The direct modulation FO link was developed at the Ku-band (11.6-12.4 GHz), whereas the external modulation link was at L-band (875-925 MHz). Spurious-free dynamic ranges of 95.8 dB-Hz exp 2/3 and 113 dB-Hz exp 2/3, respectively, were achieved. The predictions based on the analytical models match the measured results.

Daryoush, Afshin S.↗

End-point controller design for an experimental two-link flexible manipulator using convex optimization

Recent results in linear controller design are used to design an end-point controller for an experimental two-link flexible manipulator. A nominal 14-state linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) controller was augmented with a 528-tap finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter designed using convex optimization techniques. The resulting 278-state controller produced improved end-point trajectory tracking and disturbance rejection in simulation and experimentally in real time.

Oakley, Celia M.↗

On implementation of the extended interior penalty function

The extended interior penalty function formulation is implemented. A rational method for determining the transition between the interior and extended parts is set forth. The formulation includes a straightforward method for avoiding design points with some negative components, which are physically meaningless in structural analysis. The technique, when extended to problems involving parametric constraints, can facilitate closed form integration of the penalty terms over the most important parts of the parameter interval. The method lends itself well to the use of approximation concepts, such as design variable linking, constraint deletion and Taylor series expansions of response quantities in terms of design variables. Examples demonstrating the algorithm, in the context of planar orthogonal frames subjected to ground motion, are included.

Cassis, J. H.↗

Large scale structural synthesis

A general purpose optimization program is coupled to a large scale finite element program to provide an efficient tool for structural synthesis. The resulting interface program may be used to design structures for minimum weight, subject to constraints on stress, displacement, and vibration frequencies. A variety of state-of-the-art techniques are employed, including design variable linking, constraint deletion, reciprocal variables, and formal approximations. The capability is demonstrated with the design of a gear housing using 30 design variables and over 5000 nonlinear inequality constraints. The finite element model consists of over 1600 elements and 7000 displacement degrees of freedom. The design required six detailed finite element analyses and approximately one hour on a Cray-1s supercomputer. It is concluded that structures of practical size and complexity can be efficiently designed using numerical optimization.

Vanderplaats, G. N.↗

Involute composite design evaluation using global design sensitivity derivatives

An optimization capability for involute structures has been developed. Its key feature is the use of global material geometry variables which are so chosen that all combinations of design variables within a set of lower and upper bounds correspond to manufacturable designs. A further advantage of global variables is that their number does not increase with increasing mesh density. The accuracy of the sensitivity derivatives has been verified both through finite difference tests and through the successful use of the derivatives by an optimizer. The state of the art in composite design today is still marked by point design algorithms linked together using ad hoc methods not directly related to a manufacturing procedure. The global design sensitivity approach presented here for involutes can be applied to filament wound shells and other composite constructions using material form features peculiar to each construction. The present involute optimization technology is being applied to the Space Shuttle SRM nozzle boot ring redesigns by PDA Engineering.

Hart, J. K.↗

Assessing Relay Communications for Mars Sample Return Surface Mission Concepts

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign would be a 3-mission campaign concept supported by NASA and ESA to return samples from the Mars surface. MSR would, for the first time ever, present a need to communicate with multiple surface assets that are co-located on Mars in a coordinated effort to accomplish the unified objective of fetching, transporting, and returning samples from Mars. Currently, Mars surface assets relay data to and from Earth using a number of orbiters in what’s known as the Mars Relay Network (MRN). This network is characterized by a small number of surface assets distributed across the Martian globe and a larger number of orbiters to provide relay services. As of June 2020, there are two surface assets for which five orbiters are providing relay. During the MSR Campaign, there would be two rovers and a lander that all would require relay communication from a small number of Mars orbiters to meet the aggressive MSR timeline. The inversion of the current MRN paradigm, a system of many surface assets requiring relay and few orbiters to provide relay, necessitates the unique challenge of optimally allocating relay passes to maximize the operational capability of all assets. The allocation must consider a large number of trade variables including Mars asset operational requirements and Earth ground system constraints, including staffing schedules, operations planning across time zones, and more. To address these telecommunication challenges, the Mars Asset Relay Mission Link Allocation Design Environment (MARMLADE) tool was developed. It is a MATLAB-based tool to assign orbiter passes or Direct-From-Earth (DFE) links to each of the three surface assets and quantify the operational efficiency of each surface asset.MARMLADE uses a data set of simulated Mars relay orbiter geometry and telecommunication capabilities provided by JPL’s Telecom Orbit Analysis and Simulation Tool (TOAST) software to compute which asset should get each pass based on a series of heuristics and predictions of all assets’ states. Within MARMLADE, the user can provide inputs including the option for time-based pass splitting, fixed FWD data rate capabilities, DFE communication capabilities, and link parameters allowing for the assessment of complex operations and hardware trades using surface mission operational efficiency as a primary figure of merit. As the MSR mission concepts continue to mature, MARMLADE is being used to assess ability of all MSR elements to meet the surface mission timeline requirements and to provide relay link allocations to each of the MSR surface assets.This paper will describe the motivation and design of the MARMLADE tool and how it is being used to perform campaign and mission level trades, generate requirements, and support development of the MSR surface mission scenarios.

Lee, Charles↗

Initial Characterization of Optical Communications with Disruption-Tolerant Network Protocols

Disruption-tolerant networks (DTNs) are groups of network assets connected with a suite of communication protocol technologies designed to mitigate the effects of link delay and disruption. Application of DTN protocols to diverse groups of network resources in multiple sub-networks results in an overlay network-of-networks with autonomous data routing capability. In space environments where delay or disruption is expected, performance of this type of architecture (such as an interplanetary internet) can increase with the inclusion of new communications mediums and techniques. Space-based optical communication links are therefore an excellent building block of space DTN architectures. When compared to traditional radio frequency (RF) communications, optical systems can provide extremely power-efficient and high bandwidth links bridging sub-networks. Because optical links are more susceptible to link disruption and experience the same light-speed delays as RF, optical-enabled DTN architectures can lessen potential drawbacks and maintain the benefits of autonomous optical communications over deep space distances. These environment-driven expectations - link delay and interruption, along with asymmetric data rates - are the purpose of the proof-of-concept experiment outlined herein. In recognizing the potential of these two technologies, we report an initial experiment and characterization of the performance of a DTN-enabled space optical link. The experiment design employs a point-to-point free-space optical link configured to have asymmetric bandwidth. This link connects two networked systems running a DTN protocol implementation designed and written at JPL for use on spacecraft, and further configured for higher bandwidth performance. Comparing baseline data transmission metrics with and without periodic optical link interruptions, the experiment confirmed the DTN protocols' ability to handle real-world unexpected link outages while maintaining capability of reliably delivering data at relatively high rates. Finally, performance characterizations from this data suggest performance optimizations to configuration and protocols for future optical-specific DTN space link scenarios.

Space networking↗

Architecture and performance analysis of DIRSMIN: A fault-tolerant switch using dilated reduced-stage MIN

We develop and analyze a dilated high performance fault tolerant fast packet multistage interconnection network (MIN) in this paper. In this new design, the links at the input and the output stages of a dilated banyan-based MIN are rearranged to create multiple routes for each source-destination pair in the network after removing one stage in the network. These multiple paths are link- and node-disjoint. Fault tolerance at low latency is achieved by sending multiple copies of each input packet simultaneously using different routes and different priorities. This guarantees that high throughput is maintained even in the presence of faults. Throughput is analyzed using simulation and analysis and we show that the new design has considerably higher performance in the presence of a faulty switching element (SE) or link in comparison to dilated networks. We also analyze the reliability and show that the new design has superior reliability in comparison to competing proposals.

Somani, Arun K.↗

Building a Practical Natural Laminar Flow Design Capability

A preliminary natural laminar flow (NLF) design method that has been developed and applied to supersonic and transonic wings with moderate-to-high leading-edge sweeps at flight Reynolds numbers is further extended and evaluated in this paper. The modular design approach uses a knowledge-based design module linked with different flow solvers and boundary layer stability analysis methods to provide a multifidelity capability for NLF analysis and design. An assessment of the effects of different options for stability analysis is included using pressures and geometry from an NLF wing designed for the Common Research Model (CRM). Several extensions to the design module are described, including multiple new approaches to design for controlling attachment line contamination and transition. Finally, a modification to the NLF design algorithm that allows independent control of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) and cross flow (CF) modes is proposed. A preliminary evaluation of the TS-only option applied to the design of an NLF nacelle for the CRM is performed that includes the use of a low-fidelity stability analysis directly in the design module.

Campbell, Richard L.↗