Results for “task programming” — Page 66

NASA NTRS2012

Imagining a Stata / Python Combination

There are occasions when a task is difficult in Stata, but fairly easy in a more general programming language. Python is a popular language for a range of uses. It is easy to use, has many high ]quality packages, and programs can be written relatively quickly. Is there any advantage in combining Stata and Python within a single interface? Stata already offers support for user-written programs, which allow extensive control over calculations, but somewhat less control over graphics. Also, except for specifying output, the user has minimal programmatic control over the user interface. Python can be used in a way that allows more control over the interface and graphics, and in so doing provide a roundabout method for satisfying some user requests (e.g., transparency levels in graphics and the ability to clear the results window). My talk will explore these ideas, present a possible method for combining Stata and Python, and give examples to demonstrate how this combination might be useful.

Fiedler, James↗

NASA NTRS2013

ION Configuration Editor

The configuration of ION (Inter - planetary Overlay Network) network nodes is a manual task that is complex, time-consuming, and error-prone. This program seeks to accelerate this job and produce reliable configurations. The ION Configuration Editor is a model-based smart editor based on Eclipse Modeling Framework technology. An ION network designer uses this Eclipse-based GUI to construct a data model of the complete target network and then generate configurations. The data model is captured in an XML file. Intrinsic editor features aid in achieving model correctness, such as field fill-in, type-checking, lists of valid values, and suitable default values. Additionally, an explicit "validation" feature executes custom rules to catch more subtle model errors. A "survey" feature provides a set of reports providing an overview of the entire network, enabling a quick assessment of the model s completeness and correctness. The "configuration" feature produces the main final result, a complete set of ION configuration files (eight distinct file types) for each ION node in the network.

Borgen, Richard L.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Analysis of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration initiated a new project focused on Planetary Defense on October 1, 2014. The new project is funded by NASAs Near Earth Object Program (Lindley Johnson, Program Executive). This presentation describes the objectives, functions and plans of four tasks encompassed in the new project and their inter-relations. Additionally, this project provides for outreach to facilitate partnerships with other organizations to help meet the objectives of the planetary defense community. The four tasks are (1) Characterization of Near Earth Asteroids, (2) Physics-Based Modeling of Meteor Entry and Breakup (3) Surface Impact Modeling and (4) Physics-Based Impact Risk Assessment.

Asteroids↗

NASA NTRS2016

Improving and Expanding NASA Software Cost Estimation Methods

Estimators and analysts are increasingly being tasked to develop better models and reliable cost estimates in support of program planning and execution. While there has been extensive work on improving parametric methods for cost estimation, there is very little focus on the use of cost models based on analogy and clustering algorithms. In this paper we summarize the results of our research in developing an analogy method for estimating NASA spacecraft flight software using spectral clustering on system characteristics (symbolic nonnumerical data) and evaluate its performance by comparing it to a number of the most commonly used estimation methods. The strengths and weaknesses of each method based on their performance are also discussed. The paper concludes with an overview of the analogy estimation tool (ASCoT) developed for use within NASA that implements the recommended analogy algorithm.

Hihn, Jairus↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Clinical Decision Support - Concepts of Operation

We are entering a new era in space exploration to return to the moon and explore Mars. Crew members operating independently during long duration space exploration missions will require a clinical decision support system (CDSS) to increase autonomy by augmenting their knowledge, skills and abilities in different scenarios. Significant changes to in-flight and habitat medical care due to constraints on mass, volume, power, crew time and medical evacuation capabilities are needed to increase crew autonomy and self-reliance in decision making and task performance. The Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element of the Human Research Program (HRP) pushes the boundary of space medical systems to advance the care of astronauts on future exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit by identifying and testing next-generation medical care and crew health maintenance technologies. Clinical decision support (CDS) presents knowledge and data in a context aware manner to augment a crew members’ knowledge, skills and abilities during the process of observation, orientation, decisions and action. A comprehensive crew health and performance CDSS is required to augment crew capability and will be used in different scenarios for several reasons. In general, the CDSS’s role is to assist the crew in prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of crew health and performance related conditions that may arise in exploration spaceflight. For example, CDSS would assist a high acuity scenario such as a heart attack by supplying clear instructions, vital signs and treatment reminders. A lower severity scenario such as kidney stone risk could interface to vehicle systems and display more complex predictive data during a diagnosis. A CDSS needs to contribute to successful missions by maintaining a high performing crew who can potentially exhibit countless medical conditions related to derangements from the space environment (sleep, cognition, nutrition and exercise) as well as conditions intrinsic to humans anywhere. While supporting the crew’s ability to make sound clinical decisions is desirable in any mission, it is essential for exploration missions with significant communication delays, no evacuation capability, and extended exposure to the flight environment. Such missions correspond with medical Level of Care V (LOC V), the highest level specified in NASA-STD-3001. The project focuses on CDS implementation research to derive requirements for LOC V, where the need for increased autonomy results in new practices and the inclusion of non-clinical data, such as vehicle environmental measures and physical exercise results, from other human and vehicle domains and advanced analytics. The CDS project describes how the CDSS is intended to be used by defining concepts of operations (ConOps). The process to derive ConOps focuses on increased autonomy that reduces the likelihood and consequences of accepted medical conditions. These crew health and performance inputs are grouped by common datasets and analysis models. Use cases are derived to research new clinical scenarios, architectural development and workflows. Implementation research is conducted with protypes to inform assumptions and derive requirements. The project also establishes how externally developed analysis and approaches can be added to expand a clinical decision support system and thus highlight how a comprehensive system can be globally developed with collaborators. This presentation will cover example scenarios from the CDS ConOps and the method to derive them. One example scenario will be CDSS alerting an increased kidney stone risk during a mission, with diagnosis and treatment options provided during the intervention.

clinical decision support↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Clinical Decision Support - Concepts of Operation

We are entering a new era in space exploration to return to the moon and explore Mars. Crew members operating independently during long duration space exploration missions will require a clinical decision support system (CDSS) to increase autonomy by augmenting their knowledge, skills and abilities in different scenarios. Significant changes to in-flight and habitat medical care due to constraints on mass, volume, power, crew time and medical evacuation capabilities are needed to increase crew autonomy and self-reliance in decision making and task performance. The Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element of the Human Research Program (HRP) pushes the boundary of space medical systems to advance the care of astronauts on future exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit by identifying and testing next-generation medical care and crew health maintenance technologies. Clinical decision support (CDS) presents knowledge and data in a context aware manner to augment a crew members’ knowledge, skills and abilities during the process of observation, orientation, decisions and action. A comprehensive crew health and performance CDSS is required to augment crew capability and will be used in different scenarios for several reasons. In general, the CDSS’s role is to assist the crew in prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of crew health and performance related conditions that may arise in exploration spaceflight. For example, CDSS would assist a high acuity scenario such as a heart attack by supplying clear instructions, vital signs and treatment reminders. A lower severity scenario such as kidney stone risk could interface to vehicle systems and display more complex predictive data during a diagnosis. A CDSS needs to contribute to successful missions by maintaining a high performing crew who can potentially exhibit countless medical conditions related to derangements from the space environment (sleep, cognition, nutrition and exercise) as well as conditions intrinsic to humans anywhere. While supporting the crew’s ability to make sound clinical decisions is desirable in any mission, it is essential for exploration missions with significant communication delays, no evacuation capability, and extended exposure to the flight environment. Such missions correspond with medical Level of Care V (LOC V), the highest level specified in NASA-STD-3001. The project focuses on CDS implementation research to derive requirements for LOC V, where the need for increased autonomy results in new practices and the inclusion of non-clinical data, such as vehicle environmental measures and physical exercise results, from other human and vehicle domains and advanced analytics. The CDS project describes how the CDSS is intended to be used by defining concepts of operations (ConOps). The process to derive ConOps focuses on increased autonomy that reduces the likelihood and consequences of accepted medical conditions. These crew health and performance inputs are grouped by common datasets and analysis models. Use cases are derived to research new clinical scenarios, architectural development and workflows. Implementation research is conducted with protypes to inform assumptions and derive requirements. The project also establishes how externally developed analysis and approaches can be added to expand a clinical decision support system and thus highlight how a comprehensive system can be globally developed with collaborators. This presentation will cover example scenarios from the CDS ConOps and the method to derive them. One example scenario will be CDSS alerting an increased kidney stone risk during a mission, with diagnosis and treatment options provided during the intervention.

clinical decision support↗

NASA NTRS2010

FPGA NEPP : FY09 summary report

This report documents the activities and results of the fiscal year 2009 (FY09) funding for the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) program for re-programmable field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The FY09 task was divided into three efforts: 1. Device physics-based design modifications 2. Contention study of Xilinx Virtex-4 3. IDDQ study of Actel A54SX The FY09 NEPP FPGA study was organized into these three sections in recognition of the continued and increasing importance of FPGAs to NASA. FPGAs represent the state of the art in electronic components with millions and millions of transistors integrated into a single device. Modern NASA spacecraft design has dozens and dozens of FPGAs implemented onboard. FPGAs are used in critical command and data handling, instrument control and monitoring, and communications protocols, to name just a few. The reliability of FPGAs is fundamental to mission success for NASA.

Sheldon, Douglas↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Functional Task Tests in Partial Gravity During Parabolic Flight

BACKGROUND Critical mission tasks that are required by crews immediately after landing on a planetary surface are seat egress, jump, and walk. To be able to define an effective and comprehensive countermeasure strategy for preserving crew performance during exploration-class missions, there is a need to understand how these functional tasks are actually performed in partial gravity such as on the Moon or Mars. We propose to study the performance in the execution of these tasks during the partial gravity and hypergravity phases of parabolic flight. These tasks will be completed using the same equipment and procedures as the Standard Measures Sensorimotor protocol, which is performed by astronauts returning from spaceflight and by ground-based subjects after prolonged axial body unloading during bed rest. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize that partial gravity during parabolic flight will cause acute changes in vestibular, proprioceptive, and sensorimotor functions, and these changes will impact the performance of mission critical tasks such as standing, walking, and jumping. The largest changes in performance are expected at the lowest gravity level (0.25g) because subjects will no longer be able to use the gravitational reference for the perception of vertical. Ultimately, this information could be used to assess performance risks and inform the design of countermeasures for NASA exploration-class human missions. METHODS Twelve subjects will be tested during three flights of 30 parabolas, including 10 parabolas at 0.25g, 10 parabolas at 0.5g and 10 parabolas at 0.75g. Subject also will perform tests in 1g between parabolas and in hypergravity (1.8g) during the pull-out phases. Subjects will perform the same tasks as those tested on astronauts returning from spaceflight: sit-to-stand and obstacle walk, tandem walk, jump down, and recovery from fall. Measurements will include: (a) the time for the subject to complete the test (sit-to-stand and obstacle walk, recovery from fall); (b) the time elapsed between the start of motion and the stabilization of upright posture (recovery from fall, jump down); (c) the mean sway speed during quiet standing (recovery from fall, jump down); (d) changes in heart rate and blood pressure (recovery from fall); (e) the percentage of correct steps and torso acceleration (tandem walk); and (f) the severity of motion sickness symptoms. RELEVANCE Although gravitational dose-response curves have been obtained for some biochemical systems in animals, these dose-responses are unknown for most human physiologic systems. Our study will compare the outcomes of 5 functional task tests in 0.25g, 0.5g, 0.75g, 1g, and 1.8g with those previously obtained in ground-based subjects after prolonged axial body unloading and in astronauts immediately after spaceflight. This comparison will help understanding the true extent of functional task performance deficits in partial gravity. The dose-response relationship between gravity level and task performance decrement also will help determining the gravity threshold for these functional tasks. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work is supported by the NASA’s Human Research Program Human Health Countermeasures Element

Gilles Clement↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Functional Task Tests in Partial Gravity During Parabolic Flight

BACKGROUND Critical mission tasks required by crews immediately after landing on a planetary surface include walking, jumping, and egressing from a seat. Understanding how these functional tasks are performed in partial gravity such as on the moon or Mars is necessary to define effective and comprehensive countermeasure strategies for preserving crew performance during exploration-class missions. We propose to study the performance of these tasks during the partial gravity phases of parabolic flight. These tasks will be performed using the same equipment and procedures as those used with astronauts returning from spaceflight and with ground-based subjects after prolonged axial body unloading during bed rest (sensorimotor standard measures). HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize that partial gravity during parabolic flight will cause acute changes in vestibular, proprioceptive, and sensorimotor functions, and these changes will impact the performance of mission critical tasks such as standing, walking, and jumping. The largest changes in performance are expected at the lowest gravity level (0.25g) because subjects will no longer be able to use the gravitational reference for the perception of upright. Ultimately, this information could be used to assess performance risks and inform the design of countermeasures for NASA exploration-class human missions. METHODS Twelve subjects will be tested during three flights of 30 parabolas, including 10 parabolas at 0.25g, 10 parabolas at 0.5g, and 10 parabolas at 0.75g. Subjects also will perform tests in 1g between parabolas. The tasks will be the same as those tested on astronauts returning from spaceflight: sit-to-stand with obstacle walk, tandem rail balance, jump down, and recovery from fall. Measurements will include: (a) time to test completion (sit-to-stand with obstacle walk, recovery from fall); (b) time elapsed between the start of motion and the stabilization of upright posture (recovery from fall, jump down); (c) mean sway speed during quiet standing (recovery from fall, jump down); (d) changes in heart rate and blood pressure (recovery from fall); (e) balance time and torso accelerations (tandem rail balance); (f) cone of stability (jump down); and (g) severity of motion sickness symptoms. RELEVANCE Although gravitational dose-response curves have been obtained for some biochemical systems in animals, these dose-responses are unknown for most human physiologic systems. Our study will compare the outcomes of four functional task tests in 0.25g, 0.5g, 0.75g, and 1g with those previously obtained in ground-based subjects after prolonged axial body unloading and in astronauts immediately after spaceflight. These comparisons will help us understand the true extent of functional task performance deficits in partial gravity. The dose-response relationship between gravity level and task performance decrement also will help determining the gravity threshold for these functional tasks. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work is supported by the NASA’s Human Research Program Human Health Countermeasures Element.

T. R. Macaulay↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Future Lunar Geophysical Mission Opportunities Including the Lunar Geophysical Network and CLPS

In the next few years, several opportunities are underway to take new geophysical observations of the Moon including geodetic and seismic. NASA’s novel Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program seeks to acquire delivery services from 14 US companies. Nine funded task orders have been selected with payloads from multiple disciplines. Here we review the upcoming geophysical CLPS payloads and their measurement objectives then we provide a review of the Lunar Geophysical Network mission in development for New Frontiers 5. The Lunar Geophysical Network (LGN) mission is proposed to land on the Moon in the early 2030’s and deploy packages at four locations to enable continuous geophysical measurements for a minimum of 6 and a goal of 10 years. Returning to the lunar surface with a long-lived geophysical network is a key next step to advance lunar and planetary science. LGN will greatly expand our primarily Apollo-based knowledge of the deep lunar interior by identifying and characterizing mantle melt layers, as well as core size and state. To meet the mission objectives, the instrument suite provides complementary seismic, geodetic, heat flow, and electromagnetic (EM) observations. We discuss the network landing site requirements and provide example sites that meet these requirements. Landing sites include the P-5 region within the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT; (lat:15˚; lon:-35˚), Schickard basin (lat:-44.3˚; lon:-55.1˚), Crisium basin (lat:18.5˚; lon:61.8˚), and the farside Korolev basin (lat:-2.4˚; lon:-159.3˚) (Figure 1). Network optimization considers the best locations to observe seismic core phases, e.g., ScS and PKP. Ray path density and proximity to young fault scarps are also analyzed to provide increased opportunities for seismic observations. Geodetic constraints from laser ranging require the LGN to have at least three nearside stations at maximum limb distances. Heat flow and EM measurements should be obtained away from terrane boundaries and from magnetic anomalies at locations representative of global trends. In our recent paper, an in-depth case study is provided for Mare Crisium. We also discuss the consequences for scientific return of less-than-optimal locations or number of stations.

Moons↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Future Lunar Geophysical Mission Opportunities Including the Lunar Geophysical Network, Artemis and CLPS

In the next few years, several opportunities are underway to take new geophysical observations of the Moon including geodetic and seismic. NASA’s novel Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program seeks to acquire delivery services from 14 US companies. Nine funded task orders have been selected with payloads from multiple disciplines. Here we review the upcoming geophysical CLPS payloads and their measurement objectives then we provide a review of the Lunar Geophysical Network mission in development for New Frontiers 5. The Lunar Geophysical Network (LGN) mission is proposed to land on the Moon in the early 2030’s and deploy packages at four locations to enable continuous geophysical measurements for a minimum of 6 and a goal of 10 years. Returning to the lunar surface with a long-lived geophysical network is a key next step to advance lunar and planetary science. LGN will greatly expand our primarily Apollo-based knowledge of the deep lunar interior by identifying and characterizing mantle melt layers, as well as core size and state. To meet the mission objectives, the instrument suite provides complementary seismic, geodetic, heat flow, and electromagnetic (EM) observations. We discuss the network landing site requirements and provide example sites that meet these requirements. Landing sites include the P-5 region within the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT; (lat:15˚; lon:-35˚), Schickard basin (lat:-44.3˚; lon:-55.1˚), Crisium basin (lat:18.5˚; lon:61.8˚), and the farside Korolev basin (lat:-2.4˚; lon:-159.3˚) (Figure 1). Network optimization considers the best locations to observe seismic core phases, e.g., ScS and PKP. Ray path density and proximity to young fault scarps are also analyzed to provide increased opportunities for seismic observations. Geodetic constraints from laser ranging require the LGN to have at least three nearside stations at maximum limb distances. Heat flow and EM measurements should be obtained away from terrane boundaries and from magnetic anomalies at locations representative of global trends. In our recent paper, an in-depth case study is provided for Mare Crisium. We also discuss the consequences for scientific return of less-than-optimal locations or number of stations.

Moons↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Future Lunar Missions: the Need for Future Science Observations at the Lunar Surface

In the next few years, several opportunities are underway to take new science observations of the Moon. NASA’s novel Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program seeks to acquire delivery services from 14 US companies. Nine funded task orders have been selected with payloads from multiple disciplines. Here we review the upcoming geophysical CLPS payloads and their measurement objectives then we provide a review of the Lunar Geophysical Network mission in development for a future opportunity to fly to the lunar surface.

Moons↗

NASA NTRS1987

Reliability Program Requirements for Aeronautical and Space System Contractors

General reliability program requirements for NASA contracts involving the design, development, fabrication, test, and/or use of aeronautical and space systems including critical ground support equipment are prescribed. The reliability program requirements require (1) thorough planning and effective management of the reliability effort; (2) definition of the major reliability tasks and their place as an integral part of the design and development process; (3) planning and evaluating the reliability of the system and its elements (including effects of software interfaces) through a program of analysis, review, and test; and (4) timely status indication by formal documentation and other reporting to facilitate control of the reliability program.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1988

System analysis in rotorcraft design: The past decade

Rapid advances in the technology of electronic digital computers and the need for an integrated synthesis approach in developing future rotorcraft programs has led to increased emphasis on system analysis techniques in rotorcraft design. The task in systems analysis is to deal with complex, interdependent, and conflicting requirements in a structured manner so rational and objective decisions can be made. Whether the results are wisdom or rubbish depends upon the validity and sometimes more importantly, the consistency of the inputs, the correctness of the analysis, and a sensible choice of measures of effectiveness to draw conclusions. In rotorcraft design this means combining design requirements, technology assessment, sensitivity analysis and reviews techniques currently in use by NASA and Army organizations in developing research programs and vehicle specifications for rotorcraft. These procedures span simple graphical approaches to comprehensive analysis on large mainframe computers. Examples of recent applications to military and civil missions are highlighted.

Galloway, Thomas L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Human controller modeling in environments that include non-control tasks

In complex environments where the human operator is a supervisor, he must allocate his attention between different kinds of tasks for optimum overall performance. When a portion of the future reference trajectory for the control task is available for preview, scheduling various activities is possible. A model has been developed for this situation using dynamic programming to solve an optimal control problem. An experiment was conducted where subjects controlled an airplane symbol over a map, shown a fixed distance into the future. Discrete, non-control tasks were introduced as number entry tasks. Results from the model are compared with experimental results.

Govindaraj, T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Parallel processors and nonlinear structural dynamics algorithms and software

Techniques are discussed for the implementation and improvement of vectorization and concurrency in nonlinear explicit structural finite element codes. In explicit integration methods, the computation of the element internal force vector consumes the bulk of the computer time. The program can be efficiently vectorized by subdividing the elements into blocks and executing all computations in vector mode. The structuring of elements into blocks also provides a convenient way to implement concurrency by creating tasks which can be assigned to available processors for evaluation. The techniques were implemented in a 3-D nonlinear program with one-point quadrature shell elements. Concurrency and vectorization were first implemented in a single time step version of the program. Techniques were developed to minimize processor idle time and to select the optimal vector length. A comparison of run times between the program executed in scalar, serial mode and the fully vectorized code executed concurrently using eight processors shows speed-ups of over 25. Conjugate gradient methods for solving nonlinear algebraic equations are also readily adapted to a parallel environment. A new technique for improving convergence properties of conjugate gradients in nonlinear problems is developed in conjunction with other techniques such as diagonal scaling. A significant reduction in the number of iterations required for convergence is shown for a statically loaded rigid bar suspended by three equally spaced springs.

Belytschko, Ted↗

NASA NTRS1995

Growth of single crystals of organic salts with large second-order optical nonlinearities by solution processes for devices

Data obtained from the electric field induced second harmonic generation (EFISH) and Kurtz Powder Methods will be provided to MSFC for further refinement of their method. A theoretical model for predicting the second-order nonlinearities of organic salts is being worked on. Another task is the synthesis of a number of salts with various counterions. Several salts with promising SHG activities and new salts will be tested for the presence of two crystalline forms. The materials will be recrystallized from dry and wet solvents and compared for SHG efficiency. Salts that have a high SHG efficiency and no tendency to form hydrates will be documented. The synthesis of these materials are included in this report. A third task involves method to aid in the growth of large, high quality single crystals by solution processes. These crystals will be characterized for their applicability in the fabrication of devices that will be incorporated into optical computers in future programs. Single crystals of optimum quality may be obtained by crystal growth in low-gravity. The final task is the design of a temperature lowering single crystal growth apparatus for ground based work. At least one prototype will be built.

Leslie, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Modeling the human controller in environments that include continuous and discrete tasks

In complex environments where the human operator is a supervisor, he must allocate his attention between different kinds of tasks for satisfactory overall performance. When a portion of the future reference trajectory for a continuous control task is available for preview, scheduling various other discrete activities is possible. A model has been developed for this situation using dynamic programming to solve an optimal control problem. An experiment was conducted where subjects controlled an airplane symbol over a map, shown a fixed distance into the future. Discrete tasks were introduced as data entry tasks. Results showed that the model compared favorably with experimental results.

Govindaraj, T.↗