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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

Multimode solar-heating system--Columbia, South Carolina

Report describes failure of six-mode pyramidal-optics system to reduce winter energy savings. Over 12 month period, control problems, energy dissipation, and high operating-energy requirements undermined system efficiency. Energy savings were maximal when system in direct space-heating or hot-water preheating mode. In least efficient mode, heat pumps alternatively mingled storage or collector energy, and space heating was provided by electric heat strip.

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Stellar convection. II - A multimode numerical solution for convection in spheres

A stable, equilibrium solution for convection in a self-gravitating sphere of Boussinesq fluid was computed by using a modal analysis in which the theta, phi dependence of the fluid is expanded in a set of 168 spherical harmonics. The temperature, velocity, and convective flux of the fluid as well as the kinetic and thermal energy spectra as functions of wavelength are computed. The spectra are found to be in agreement with both experimental observations and analytic scaling laws. The dynamics of the energy cascade is examined by computing the ratio of the amount of energy dissipation at a particular wavelength to the amount of energy produced at that same wavelength. It is found that there is only a slight cascade of kinetic energy to smaller wavelengths but a large cascade of thermal energy.

Marcus, P. S.↗

Capacity of a multimode direct detection optical communication channel

The capacity is derived under both peak and average signal power constraints and without a signal bandwidth constraint. A random telegraph wave type signalling scheme of Kabanov is known to achieve capacity provided enough signalling bandwidth is available. In the absence of received background noise, an optimally coded PPM system is shown to achieve capacity with greatly reduced bandwidth as compared to Kabanov signals.

Tan, H. H.↗

Time-dependent solutions of multimode convection equations

Truncated modal equations are used to study the time evolution of thermal convection. In the Boussinesq approximation these nonlinear equations are obtained by expanding the fluctuating velocity and temperature fields in a finite set of planforms of the horizontal coordinates. Numerical studies dealing with two or three modes with triad interactions are discussed. Rich time dependence was found in these cases: periodic and aperiodic solutions can be obtained, along with various steady solutions. Three-mode solutions reproduce the qualitative appearance of spoke-pattern convection as observed in experiments at high Prandtl numbers. Though the values of the periods of the time-dependent solutions do not agree with those of the experiments, their variation with Rayleigh number compares favorably. Except at the highest Rayleigh number considered (10,000,000), the theoretical Nusselt numbers agree well with experiment.

Toomre, J.↗

Venus Radar Mapper (VRM): Multimode radar system design

The surface of Venus has remained a relative mystery because of the very dense atmosphere that is opaque to visible radiation and, thus, normal photographic techniques used to explore the other terrestrial objects in the solar system are useless. The atmosphere is, however, almost transparent to radar waves and images of the surface have been produced via Earth-based and orbital radars. The technique of obtaining radar images of a surface is variously called side looking radar, imaging radar, or synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The radar requires a moving platform in which the antenna is side looking. High resolution is obtained in the cross-track or range direction by conventional radar pulse encoding. In the along-track or azimuth direction, the resolution would normally be the antenna beam width, but for the SAR case, a much longer antenna (or much sharper beam) is obtained by moving past a surface target as shown, and then combining the echoes from many pulses, by using the Doppler data, to obtain the images. The radar design of the Venus Radar Mapper (VRM) is discussed. It will acquire global radar imagery and altimetry data of the surface of Venus.

Johnson, William T. K.↗

Wave envelope technique for multimode wave guide problems

A fast method for solving wave guide problems is proposed. In particular, the guide is considered to be inhomogeneous allowing propagation of waves of higher order modes. Such problems have been handled successfully for acoustic wave propagation problems with single mode and finite length. This paper extends this concept to electromagnetic wave guides with several modes and infinite length. The method is described and results of computations are presented.

Hariharan, S. I.↗

Venus Radar Mapper (VRM) - Multimode radar system design

The paper describes the radar design of the Venus Radar Mapper (VRM), which is intended to acquire global radar imaging and altimetry data of the Venus surface. The radar design requirements are satisfied through the use of an existing Voyager antenna for the SAR function and newly developed sensor and altimeter antenna subsystems. The sensor utilizes a block adaptive quantizer to maximize science data return with minimum transmission of radar data back to earth.

Johnson, William T. K.↗

Microwave Transmitter With Multimode Output Section

Output-waveguide structure transports 400 kW of continuous-wave signal power at 34.5 GHz. Transmitter generates 400 kW of continuous-wave (CW) signal power. Main feature of conceptual design of this microwave transmitter is output section. Output waveguide structure includes mode converter, directional coupler, polarization monitor, and corrugated overmoded output section. Output directional pattern suitable for antenna illumination without flared feedhorn.

Hoppe, Daniel J.↗

Multimodal user input to supervisory control systems - Voice-augmented keyboard

The use of a voice-augmented keyboard input modality is evaluated in a supervisory control application. An implementation of voice recognition technology in supervisory control is proposed: voice is used to request display pages, while the keyboard is used to input system reconfiguration commands. Twenty participants controlled GT-MSOCC, a high-fidelity simulation of the operator interface to a NASA ground control system, via a workstation equipped with either a single keyboard or a voice-augmented keyboard. Experimental results showed that in all cases where significant performance differences occurred, performance with the voice-augmented keyboard modality was inferior to and had greater variance than the keyboard-only modality. These results suggest that current moderately priced voice recognition systems are an inappropriate human-computer interaction technology in supervisory control systems.

Mitchell, Christine M.↗

Virtual workstation - A multimodal, stereoscopic display environment

A head-mounted, wide-angle, stereoscopic display system controlled by operator position, voice and gesture has been developed for use in a multipurpose interface environment. The system provides a multisensory, interactive display environment in which a user can virtually explore a 360-degree synthesized or remotely sensed environment and can viscerally interact with its components. Primary applications of the system are in telerobotics, management of large-scale integrated information systems, and human factors research. System configuration, application scenarios, and research directions are described.

Fisher, S. S.↗

Wave envelope technique for multimode wave guide problems

A numerical solution technique for two-dimensional EM waveguide problems is developed analytically and demonstrated. The frequency-domain waveguide problem is transformed to a time-dependent problem and treated following the limiting-amplitude principle; the wave-envelope technique is applied; and the resulting problem is solved numerically using a finite-difference scheme based on a variation of the finite-area method (Baumeister, 1977 and 1984). Results for several sample problems, obtained in 10 min or less of execution time on PCs, are presented in tables.

Hariharan, S. I.↗

Stratospheric sulfate aerosol in and near the Northern Hemisphere polar vortex - The morphology of the sulfate layer, multimodal size distributions, and the effect of denitrification

Measurements were made of stratospheric sulfate aerosols using a passive cavity aerosol spectrometer and a condensation nucleus counter on a NASA ER-2 aircraft in the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Experiment of 1989. The problems of representative and accurate sampling and particle evaporation were explicitly addressed in the design of the inlets and reduction of the data. The measurements suggest that the sulfate aerosol is bimodal in the polar vortex above the mass mixing ratio maximum in the sulfate layer. It appears that a nuclei mode of small, newly formed particles exists in this region. A stronger case is made for a nuclei mode in the upper few kilometers of the troposphere and in the lower few kilometers of the stratosphere. This mode is probably a global phenomenon occurring in all seasons. Comparison of denitrified and nondenitrified air suggests that denitrification removes some of the larger sulfate particles.

Wilson, J. G.↗

SMART: Situated Multimodal Advanced Real-time Trainer

We have begun work on an intelligent support tool (SMART) for operating and maintenance procedures. This work extends McDonnell Douglas's recent success in developing electronic job aids for onboard applications. SMART is based on advanced AI technology that derives the sequential, situational, operational, and temporal views of operating and maintenance procedures from a single internal representation of the procedures. SMART guides the astronauts through detailed operating and maintenance procedures. It also helps the astronauts decide when and how it is safe to deviate from the established procedures. SMART's user interface presents the sequential and procedural views of the procedures to the astronauts. The views are supplemented with vivid color graphics of internal system functions, digitized photographs of flight hardware, and full-motion video. SMART also allows the astronauts to keep their own personal notes attached to a procedure. SMART will be delivered on portable hand-held systems. SMART provides highly descriptive, realistic, 'hands-on' training which is available 'on-demand' wherever and whenever it it needed.

Desrosiers, Stephen↗

Multimode Data-Compression System

Data-compression system developed to satisfy need for high-speed, high-performance compression of data from sources as diverse as medical images, high-definition television images, audio signals, readouts from scientific instruments, and binary data files. Maximum data-transmission capability of communication channel or storage capacity of storage device multiplied by approximately compression ratio. Various combinations of lossless and lossy compression chosen to suit various data streams.

Fang, Wai-Chi↗

Multimodal Perception and Multicriterion Control of Nested Systems: Coordination of Postural Control and Vehicular Control - 1

The purpose of this report is to identify the essential characteristics of goal-directed whole-body motion. The report is organized into three major sections (Sections 2, 3, and 4). Section 2 reviews general themes from ecological psychology and control-systems engineering that are relevant to the perception and control of whole-body motion. These themes provide an organizational framework for analyzing the complex and interrelated phenomena that are the defining characteristics of whole-body motion. Section 3 of this report applies the organization framework from the first section to the problem of perception and control of aircraft motion. This is a familiar problem in control-systems engineering and ecological psychology. Section 4 examines an essential but generally neglected aspect of vehicular control: coordination of postural control and vehicular control. To facilitate presentation of this new idea, postural control and its coordination with vehicular control are analyzed in terms of conceptual categories that are familiar in the analysis of vehicular control.

Riccio, Gary E.↗

Multimodal Perception and Multicriterion Control of Nested Systems: Constraints on Crew Members During Space Vehicle Abort, Entry, and Landing - 2

This report reviews the operational demands made of a Shuttle pilot or commander within the context of a proven empirical methodology for describing human sensorimotor performance and whole-body coordination in mechanically and perceptually complex environments. The conclusions of this review pertain to a) methods for improving our understanding of the psychophysics and biomechanics of visual/manual control and whole-body coordination in space vehicle cockpits; b) the application of scientific knowledge about human perception and performance in dynamic inertial conditions to the development of technology, procedures, and training for personnel in space vehicle cockpits; c) recommendations for mitigation of safety and reliability concerns about human performance in space vehicle cockpits; and d) in-flight evaluation of flight crew performance during nominal and off-nominal launch and reentry scenarios.

Riccio, Gary E.↗

Achievements of the DOT-NASA Joint Program on Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Technologies: Application to Multimodal Transportation

This report presents three-year accomplishments from the national program on Commercial Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technology (CRSGT) application to transportation, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The joint program was authorized under Section 5113 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). This is the first national program of its type focusing on transportation applications of emerging commercial remote sensing technologies. U.S. DOT's Research and Special Programs Administration manages the program in coordination with NASA's Earth Science Enterprise's application programs. The program focuses on applications of CRSGT products and systems for providing smarter and more efficient transportation operations and services. The program is performed in partnership with four major National Consortia for Remote Sensing in Transportation (NCRST). Each consortium focuses on research and development of products in one of the four priority areas for transportation application, and includes technical application and demonstration projects carried out in partnership with industries and service providers in their respective areas. The report identifies products and accomplishments from each of the four consortia in meeting the goal of providing smarter and more efficient transportation services. The products and results emerging from the program are being implemented in transportation operations and services through state and local agencies. The Environmental Assessment and Application Consortium (NCRST-E) provides leadership for developing and deploying cost effective environmental and transportation planning services, and integrates CRSGT advances for achieving smarter and cost effective corridor planning. The Infrastructure Management Consortium (NCRST-I) provides leadership in technologies that achieve smarter and cheaper ways of managing transportation infrastructure assets, operation, and inspection, and integrates CRSGT advances for achieving infrastructure security. The Traffic Flow Consortium (NCRST-F) provides leadership to develop new tools for regional traffic flow management including heavy vehicles and intermodal flow of freight, and integrates CRSGT advances for complementing and extending the reach of ITS user services. The Safety, Hazards and Disasters (NCRST-H) provides leadership for deploying remote sensing technology to locate transportation hazards and improve disaster recovery, and integrates CRSGT advances for application to protect transportation systems from terrorism. The DOT-NASA team is proud to present this report of accomplishments on products and results emerging from the joint program for application to transportation practice.

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