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Results for “varying data rates”

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 NTRS1991

Coaxial injector spray characterization using water/air as simulants

Quantitative information about the atomization of injector sprays is required to improve the accuracy of computational models that predict the performance and stability of liquid propellant rocket engines. An experimental program is being conducted at NASA-Lewis to measure the drop size and velocity distributions in shear coaxial injector sprays. A phase/Doppler interferometer is used to obtain drop size data in water air shear coaxial injector sprays. Droplet sizes and axial component of droplet velocities are measured at different radii for various combinations of water flow rate, air flow rate, injector liquid jet diameter, injector annular gap, and liquid post recess. Sauter mean diameters measured in the spray center 51 mm downstream of the liquid post tip range from 28 to 68 microns, and mean axial drop velocities at the same location range from 37 to 120 m/s. The shear coaxial injector sprays show a high degree of symmetry; the mean drop size and velocity profiles vary with liquid flow rate, post recess, and distance from the injector face. The drop size data can be used to estimate liquid oxygen/hydrogen spray drop sizes by correcting property differences between water-air and liquid oxygen/hydrogen.

Zaller, Michelle M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Prospects for TLRS baseline accuracies in the western USA

One of the main goals of the LAGEOS satellite mission is the detection of regional geotectonic movements. A parametric study with the intention to obtain the optimal baseline precision from dynamic solutions of laser ranging to LAGEOS is presented. The varied parameters are: length of reduced arc, number of tracking stations, data noise and rate, biases, refraction errors, system efficiency, gravity model errors in the value of GM. The baseline precisions are 1-10 cm depending upon the set of parameters adopted. General principles obtained are also presented.

Christodoulidis, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Operational fitness of box truss antennas in response to dynamic slewing

A parametric study was performed to define slewing capability of large satellites along with associated system changes or subsystem weight and complexity impacts. The satellite configuration and structural arrangement from the Earth Observation Spacecraft (EOS) study was used as the baseline spacecraft. Varying slew rates, settling times, damping, maneuver frequencies, and attitude hold times provided the data required to establish applicability to a wide range of potential missions. The key elements of the study are: (1) determine the dynamic transient response of the antenna system; (2) calculate the system errors produced by the dynamic response; (3) determine if the antenna has exceeded operational requirements at completion of the slew, and if so; (4) determine when the antenna has settled to the operational requirements. The slew event is not considered complete until the antenna is within operational limits.

Bachtell, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Validity of the two-level model for Viterbi decoder gap-cycle performance

A two-level model has previously been proposed for approximating the performance of a Viterbi decoder which encounters data received with periodically varying signal-to-noise ratio. Such cyclically gapped data is obtained from the Very Large Array (VLA), either operating as a stand-alone system or arrayed with Goldstone. This approximate model predicts that the decoder error rate will vary periodically between two discrete levels with the same period as the gap cycle. It further predicts that the length of the gapped portion of the decoder error cycle for a constraint length K decoder will be about K-1 bits shorter than the actual duration of the gap. The two-level model for Viterbi decoder performance with gapped data is subjected to detailed validation tests. Curves showing the cyclical behavior of the decoder error burst statistics are compared with the simple square-wave cycles predicted by the model. The validity of the model depends on a parameter often considered irrelevant in the analysis of Viterbi decoder performance, the overall scaling of the received signal or the decoder's branch-metrics. Three scaling alternatives are examined: optimum branch-metric scaling and constant branch-metric scaling combined with either constant noise-level scaling or constant signal-level scaling. The simulated decoder error cycle curves roughly verify the accuracy of the two-level model for both the case of optimum branch-metric scaling and the case of constant branch-metric scaling combined with constant noise-level scaling. However, the model is not accurate for the case of constant branch-metric scaling combined with constant signal-level scaling.

Dolinar, S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A wideband-PCM recorder for the Space Shuttle orbiter

The Shuttle wideband-PCM recorder accomplishes recording on up to 14 data tracks with analog or digital data inputs. FM multiplexed analog frequencies of up to 2 MHz and digital rates of 1 Mb/s are accommodated at a tape speed of 120 in/s. Recording time in analog mode varies between 4 min for 2 MHz data to 80 min for 100 kHz data. The total digital data storage is 3.44 x 10 to the 9th bits with recording times from 1 hour for 1 Mb/s to 19 hours for 50 Kb/s data in the serial track switching mode. A versatile command decoder and control interface are used for eight primary modes of operation.

Petit, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Release of radiogenic gases from the moon

The rate of escape of Ar-40 from the moon is calculated from mass-spectrometer data obtained at the Apollo-17 landing site. It is shown that the rate of loss of Ar from the moon varies significantly over periods the order of one lunation and that the average loss rate is about 3 t/a, corresponding to about 6% of the present rate of Ar production by K decay within the moon. These features of the Ar loss-rate data are interpreted as evidence that this gas originates in the partially molten asthenosphere, which in turn requires that early differentiation only affected the outer 600 to 1,000 km of the moon, trapping significant amounts of radioactive materials in the present asthenosphere. The relationship between the venting of Ar and other radiogenic gases in the lunar atmosphere is discussed.

Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Age-dating volcanic and alluvial surfaces with multipolarization data

A false-color multipolarization version of one of the images of Owens Valley area acquired by the JPL Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is given. A geologic map of the alluvial fans there (Gillespie, 1982) is also given for comparison. In general, brightness in the multipolarization images can be seen to be inversely proportional to the age of the surfaces. A more detailed investigation of the relationship between backscatter and age of the surfaces was undertaken with calibrated aircraft SAR data. The quantitative relationship between backscatter coefficient and age for the three polarizations is shown. The straight lines connecting the measured data points imply a steady-state process, although the process or processes leading to this relationship may have operated at rates that varied with climate fluctuations, such as the glacial ages. It is expected that the relationship between radar brightness and age is a consistent one, and that with the wider availability of calibrated radar backscatter data, these relationships can be less well-known areas. The effect of variable such as past climate fluctuations, tectonic disturbance, and rock type must be understood before extension beyond the Mojave Desert region can be attempted.

Farr, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An X-ray survey of nine historical novae

The Einstein Observatory imaging proportional counter was used to search for X-ray emission from nine nearby historical novae. Six of the novae were detected with estimated X-ray intensities between .1 to 4 keV of 10 to the -13th power to 10 to the -11th power ergs/sq cm-s, comparable to the intensities of previously detected cataclysmic variables. The X-ray intensity of one of the novae, V603 Aql, varies over times of several hundred seconds. The data suggest a correlation between the decay rate of the historical outburst and the current X-ray luminosity. Alternatively, the X-ray luminosity may be related to the inclination of the binary system.

Becker, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An X-ray survey of nine historical novae

The Einstein Observatory Imaging Proportional Counter has been used to search for X-ray emission from nine nearby historical novae. Six of the novae have been detected with estimated X-ray intensities between 0.1 and 4 keV of 10 to the -13th to 10 to the -11th erg/sq cm-sec, comparable to the intensities of previously detected cataclysmic variables. The X-ray intensity of one of the novae, V603 Aql, varies over times of several hundred seconds. The data suggest a correlation between the decay rate of the historical outburst and the current X-ray luminosity. Alternatively, the X-ray luminosity may be related to the inclination of the binary system.

Becker, R. H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Application of Variable Data Rate (VDR) Towards Channel Optimization

Recognizing the vagaries of channel impediments, one way to optimize aggregate channel information throughput is to maintain a constant symbol rate but vary the modulation scheme and/or the codec rate. The CCSDS VCM and ACM standards promulgation relies upon this kind of an approach. We offer a considerably simpler alternative for spacecraft that are not parked in geo-stationary orbit, one that can rely upon conventional spacecraft housekeeping schedules to change spacecraft and ground operations and will minimize the possibility of requiring any spacecraft hardware accommodations to incorporate. We suggest the use of varying the physical symbol rate within the channel to both initiate acquisition earlier in a pass and retain the link longer as the pass tends toward loss of signal. There is nothing new in what we propose, just a recognition of what has been successful in the past and employed in multiple missions. Integrating over the periodicity of orbit repetition, we shall show that any link that is dependent primarily on a varying range from spacecraft to ground only requires a maximum of five symbol rate transitions in order to optimize total information throughput. By applying these symbol rate transitions using almost rigid rules, we anticipate doubling the information throughput for conventional LEO sun-synchronous orbits. We provide other examples as well.

variable data rate↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Application of Variable Data Rate (VDR) Towards Channel Optimization

Recognizing the vagaries of channel impediments, one way to optimize aggregate channel information throughput is to maintain a constant symbol rate but vary the modulation scheme and/or the codec rate. The CCSDS VCM and ACM standards promulgation relies upon this kind of an approach. We offer a considerably simpler alternative for spacecraft that are not parked in geo-stationary orbit, one that can rely upon conventional spacecraft housekeeping schedules to change spacecraft and ground operations and will minimize the possibility of requiring any spacecraft hardware accommodations to incorporate. We suggest the use of varying the physical symbol rate within the channel to both initiate acquisition earlier in a pass and retain the link longer as the pass tends toward loss of signal. There is nothing new in what we propose, just a recognition of what has been successful in the past and employed in multiple missions. Integrating over the periodicity of orbit repetition, we shall show that any link that is dependent primarily on a varying range from spacecraft to ground only requires a maximum of five symbol rate transitions in order to optimize total information throughput. By applying these symbol rate transitions using almost rigid rules, we anticipate doubling the information throughput for conventional LEO sun-synchronous orbits. We provide other examples as well.

Variable Data Rate↗
NASA NTRS2003

Grid Erosion Modeling of the NEXT Ion Thruster Optics

Results from several different computational studies of the NEXT ion thruster optics are presented. A study of the effect of beam voltage on accelerator grid aperture wall erosion shows a non-monotonic, complex behavior. Comparison to experimental performance data indicates improvements in simulation of the accelerator grid current, as well as very good agreement with other quantities. Also examined is the effect of ion optics choice on the thruster life, showing that TAG optics provide better margin against electron backstreaming than NSTAR optics. The model is used to predict the change in performance with increasing accelerator grid voltage, showing that although the current collected on the accel grid downstream face increases, the erosion rate decreases. A study is presented for varying doubly-ionized Xenon current fraction. The results show that performance data is not extremely sensitive to the current fraction.

Ernhoff, Jerold W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Information content of interferometric delay-rate measurements for planetary orbiter navigation

Spacecraft such as Magellan and Mars Observer will use earth-based interferometric delay-rate tracking to meet their navigation requirements. Examples of methods used to implement these measurements are Differenced One-Way Doppler, delta-Differenced One-Way Doppler, and Two-Way Minus Three-Way Doppler. These measurements have a greater capability to observe certain orbital elements than that possessed by two-way Doppler, which has been the sole data type used in all U.S. planetary orbiter missions to date. In this paper, an approximate analytic model is developed for delay-rate measurements, as a function of classical orbital elements. The resulting expressions are used to show how the information content of these data types varies with orbit size, shape, and orientation. Comparison is made with the information content of Doppler data, using orbital element sets derived from the Magellan and Mars Observer missions. Results indicate that navigation accuracy improvements obtained by augmenting Doppler data with delay-rate measurements are greatest for spacecraft in low-altitude circular orbits; but decrease steadily for orbits of progressively greater size and eccentricity. The differences in Doppler-only and Doppler plus delay-rate orbit determination accuracies were also found to be highly dependent on Doppler measurement accuracy.

Thurman, Sam W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Relationships between motion on isentropic surfaces from 3-H rawinsonde data and radar echoes

Vertical motion in insentropic surfaces obtained at 3-h intervals conducted on 11 and 12 May, 1974 is related to convection indicated by radar echoes. Temporal and spatial changes in vertical motion are shown and demonstrated to be associated with areas of convection. Large vertical motion was calculated, and it is shown that vertical motion changes as much as 20 cm s (-1) in a horizontal distance of 300 km. The rate of change of vertical motion is demonstrated to be as large a 8 cm s (-1)h(-1) from data taken at 3-h intervals, while data taken at 12-h intervals the same day displayed a maximum rate of change of 2 cm s(-1)n(-1). Radar observations confirmed that the intensity of convection varies as a result of the atmospheric variability as detected by 3-h data but is invisible in data taken at 12-h intervals.

Overall, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Conditional replenishment using motion prediction

Conditional replenishment is an interframe video compression method that uses correlation in time to reduce video transmission rates. This method works by detecting and sending only the changing portions of the image and by having the receiver use the video data from the previous frame for the non-changing portion. The amount of compression that can be achieved through this technique depends to a large extent on the rate of change within the image, and can vary from 10 to 1 to less than 2 to 1. An additional 3 to 1 reduction in rate is obtained by the intraframe coding of data blocks using a 2-dimensional variable rate Hadamard transform coder. A further additional 2 to 1 rate reduction is achieved by using motion prediction. Motion prediction works by measuring the relative displacements of a subpicture from one frame to the next. The subpicture can then be transmitted by sending only the value of the 2-dimensional displacement. Computer simulations have demonstrated that data rates of 2 to 4 Mega-bits/second can be achieved while still retaining good fidelity in the image.

Hein, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS1969

DRSS communication considerations for manned space flight

A lower and an upper bound or manned space flight requirements for a data relay satellite system (DRSS) in the 1975-1980 time period are described. In all cases, the most stringent requirement is an intersatellite link to provide wideband information transfer from an overseas DRS to the Continental United States. A parametric communication analysis is made as a function of varying frequency and antenna aperture. The desirability of using a VHF frequency band for low data rates and voice relay and the requirement for frequencies of 8 and 16 GHz for video and wideband digital data relay are shown.

Peltzer, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Comments on galactic evolution and nucleocosmochronology

Long-lived nucleochronologies are calculated for several recently proposed models of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. Special attention is paid to the Re-187/Os-187 chronometer, for which important data have recently become available. It is found that although the rate of star formation does vary with time in the different models, the quantity that is related to the effective net rate of nucleosynthesis is constant for most of the physically plausible recent-evolution models examined. This constant net rate implies that for these models, the age of the Galaxy at the time the solar system formed is twice the mean age of the stable elements. This mean age can be estimated by the parameter 'delta max', in which case the age of the Galaxy is twice this parameter plus the age of the solar system. The present uncertainties in 'delta max' yield an age for the Galaxy of 7 to 20 billion years. However, this range could be significantly reduced by an accurate measurement of the half-life of Re-187 and more knowledge on the effect of stellar temperatures on the Os-186/Os-187 neutron-capture cross-section ratio. In fact, experiments which could be carried out in the next few years can reduce these uncertainties tremendously and enable an age determination to be made which might severely restrict cosmological models.

Hainebach, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The Lyman-alpha observations of comet Kohoutek from Mariner 10

The paper presents the Lyman-alpha data from postperihelion observations of comet Kohoutek made with Mariner 10 UV spectrometer during the 1974 January 11-24 period when the comet distance from the sun varied from 0.521 AU to 0.860 AU. These data are analyzed to determine the hydrogen production rates. It is noted that observations against the low interplanetary background allowed a measurement of the hydrogen corona over 30 million km (or 15 minutes) as seen from the Mariner 10 spacecraft. The bulk of the observations can be fitted with a non-steady-state model assuming two velocity components (20 km/sec and 8 km/sec) of equal proportions. A 70% increase in the hydrogen production rate is found within 2 days from January 17 to 19 while the comet receded from the sun. Finally, it is noted that the postperihelion production rates from the Mariner 10 observations are comparable to the preperihelion production rates reported previously.

Kumar, S.↗