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At least 127 records · Page 7

Ultrasonic Leak Detection System

A system for detecting ultrasonic vibrations. such as those generated by a small leak in a pressurized container. vessel. pipe. or the like. comprises an ultrasonic transducer assembly and a processing circuit for converting transducer signals into an audio frequency range signal. The audio frequency range signal can be used to drive a pair of headphones worn by an operator. A diode rectifier based mixing circuit provides a simple, inexpensive way to mix the transducer signal with a square wave signal generated by an oscillator, and thereby generate the audio frequency signal. The sensitivity of the system is greatly increased through proper selection and matching of the system components. and the use of noise rejection filters and elements. In addition, a parabolic collecting horn is preferably employed which is mounted on the transducer assembly housing. The collecting horn increases sensitivity of the system by amplifying the received signals. and provides directionality which facilitates easier location of an ultrasonic vibration source.

Youngquist, Robert C.↗

Advanced concepts for telemetry data systems

The Consultative Committee for Space Data Standards (CCSDS) has defined Advanced Orbiting System (AOS) standards for the overall architectural framework of future packet telemetry systems. The standards encompass a CCSDS principal network covering the onboard space-link and ground systems, and furnishes an asynchronous (telemetry/internetworking) and isochronous (audio and video) data-transport services employing CCSDS packets and virtual channels. Attention is given to changes envisioned in ground telemetry processing systems currently in use, as well as to the application of CCSDS standards to future systems.

Pritchard, James A.↗

A portable, low-cost flight-data measurement and recording system

The design of and the experience with an inexpensive, hand-portable, onboard data system used to record four parameters in the final portion of the landing approach and touchdown of an airplane are described. The system utilized a high-quality audio tape recorder and amateur photographic equipment with accessory circuitry rather than specialized instrumentation to given satisfactory results.

Miller, R. J.↗

Inverse Text Normalization of Air Traffic Control System Command Center Planning Telecon Transcriptions

We present a hybrid neural network and rule-based Inverse Text Normalization (ITN) method for domains containing unique technical phraseology, specifically Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) planning telecon audio transcriptions. The ATCSCC hosts bi-hourly planning telephone conferences (or planning telecons) to ensure smooth operations within the National Airspace (NAS). Access to both live and post meeting transcripts of this speech audio would enable quick review of meetings. Provided speech transcripts, ITN is the process of converting unformatted raw Automated Speaker Recognition (ASR) model transcripts into a human (expert) readable written form. Our hybrid ITN framework utilizes a fine-tuned Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers neural network to format conversational English, and rule-based methods to format domain-specific aviation text. With an overall Punctuation Error Rate (PER) of 25.56 and Word Error Rate with Punctuation and Capitalization (WER PC) of 5.47, we show that this method has vast potential in being applied to ATCSCC planning telecon audio and other audio/text based data available in ATM.

ATM↗

Inverse Text Normalization of Air Traffic Control System Command Center Planning Telecon Transcriptions

We present a hybrid neural network and rule-based Inverse Text Normalization (ITN) method for domains containing unique technical phraseology, specifically Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) planning telecon audio transcriptions. The ATCSCC hosts bi-hourly planning telephone conferences (or planning telecons) to ensure smooth operations within the National Airspace (NAS). Access to both live and post meeting transcripts of this speech audio would enable quick review of meetings. Provided speech transcripts, ITN is the process of converting unformatted raw Automated Speaker Recognition (ASR) model transcripts into a human (expert) readable written form. Our hybrid ITN framework utilizes a fine-tuned Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers neural network to format conversational English, and rule-based methods to format domain-specific aviation text. With an overall Punctuation Error Rate (PER) of 25.56 and Word Error Rate with Punctuation and Capitalization (WER PC) of 5.47, we show that this method has vast potential in being applied to ATCSCC planning telecon audio and other audio/text based data available in ATM.

ATM↗

Three dimensional audio versus head down TCAS displays

The advantage of a head up auditory display was evaluated in an experiment designed to measure and compare the acquisition time for capturing visual targets under two conditions: Standard head down traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) display, and three-dimensional (3-D) audio TCAS presentation. Ten commercial airline crews were tested under full mission simulation conditions at the NASA Ames Crew-Vehicle Systems Research Facility Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator. Scenario software generated targets corresponding to aircraft which activated a 3-D aural advisory or a TCAS advisory. Results showed a significant difference in target acquisition time between the two conditions, favoring the 3-D audio TCAS condition by 500 ms.

Begault, Durand R.↗

Results of the recent precipitation static flight test program on the Navy P-3B antisubmarine aircraft

Severe precipitation static problems affecting the communication equipment onboard the P-3B aircraft were recently studied. The study was conducted after precipitation static created potential safety-of-flight problems on Naval Reserve aircraft. A specially designed flight test program was conducted in order to measure, record, analyze, and characterize potential precipitation static problem areas. The test program successfully characterized the precipitation static interference problems while the P-3B was flown in moderate to extreme precipitation conditions. Data up to 400 MHz were collected on the effects of engine charging, precipitation static, and extreme cross fields. These data were collected using a computer controlled acquisition system consisting of a signal generator, RF spectrum and audio analyzers, data recorders, and instrumented static dischargers. The test program is outlined and the computer controlled data acquisition system is described in detail which was used during flight and ground testing. The correlation of test results is also discussed which were recorded during the flight test program and those measured during ground testing.

Whitaker, Mike↗

Satellite sound broadcasting system, portable reception

Studies are underway at JPL in the emerging area of Satellite Sound Broadcast Service (SSBS) for direct reception by low cost portable, semi portable, mobile and fixed radio receivers. This paper addresses the portable reception of digital broadcasting of monophonic audio with source material band limited to 5 KHz (source audio comparable to commercial AM broadcasting). The proposed system provides transmission robustness, uniformity of performance over the coverage area and excellent frequency reuse. Propagation problems associated with indoor portable reception are considered in detail and innovative antenna concepts are suggested to mitigate these problems. It is shown that, with the marriage of proper technologies a single medium power satellite can provide substantial direct satellite audio broadcast capability to CONUS in UHF or L Bands, for high quality portable indoor reception by low cost radio receivers.

Golshan, Nasser↗

Virtual Ultrasound Guidance for Inexperienced Operators

Medical ultrasound or echocardiographic studies are highly operator-dependent and generally require lengthy training and internship to perfect. To obtain quality echocardiographic images in remote environments, such as on-orbit, remote guidance of studies has been employed. This technique involves minimal training for the user, coupled with remote guidance from an expert. When real-time communication or expert guidance is not available, a more autonomous system of guiding an inexperienced operator through an ultrasound study is needed. One example would be missions beyond low Earth orbit in which the time delay inherent with communication will make remote guidance impractical. The Virtual Ultrasound Guidance system is a combination of hardware and software. The hardware portion includes, but is not limited to, video glasses that allow hands-free, full-screen viewing. The glasses also allow the operator a substantial field of view below the glasses to view and operate the ultrasound system. The software is a comprehensive video program designed to guide an inexperienced operator through a detailed ultrasound or echocardiographic study without extensive training or guidance from the ground. The program contains a detailed description using video and audio to demonstrate equipment controls, ergonomics of scanning, study protocol, and scanning guidance, including recovery from sub-optimal images. The components used in the initial validation of the system include an Apple iPod Classic third-generation as the video source, and Myvue video glasses. Initially, the program prompts the operator to power-up the ultrasound and position the patient. The operator would put on the video glasses and attach them to the video source. After turning on both devices and the ultrasound system, the audio-video guidance would then instruct on patient positioning and scanning techniques. A detailed scanning protocol follows with descriptions and reference video of each view along with advice on technique. The program also instructs the operator regarding the types of images to store and how to overcome pitfalls in scanning. Images can be forwarded to the ground or other site when convenient. Following study completion, the video glasses, video source, and ultrasound system are powered down and stored. Virtually any equipment that can play back video can be used to play back the program. This includes a DVD player, personal computer, and some MP3 players.

Caine, Timothy↗

Complementary satellite sound broadcasting systems: A NASA assessment for the Voice of America

Satellite concepts are examined which offer potentially significant sound broadcast coverage of audio as a complement to VOA's existing and planned terrestrial sound broadcasting system. HF bands are emphasized but additional discussion is included for systems using higher frequencies. Low altitude satellites, shuttle altitude (275 km) and sun synchronous (about 1600 to 1800 km), would not be practical for international broadcasting since many satellites would be required for reliable and widespread coverage. Two concepts are discussed which would offer significant and practical broadcast coverage at HF. One, an 8-hr posigrade equatorial orbit, would offer about 1 hr of widespread, twice daily, coverage to three areas of the globe. The time of coverage is even greater when confined to densely populated areas only (2 to 3 hrs). Another orbit, the Apogee at Constant Time/Equatorial (ACE), provides the same coverage, but only once daily to each area. The latter orbit is highly elliptical, allowing insertion of a greater payload (more broadcast channels) with the existing launch capability. The ACE and 8-hr orbit concepts led to systems of about equal costs, with the ACE being slightly better.

Stevens, Grady H.↗

Real-Time Reconfigurable Adaptive Speech Recognition Command and Control Apparatus and Method

An adaptive speech recognition and control system and method for controlling various mechanisms and systems in response to spoken instructions and in which spoken commands are effective to direct the system into appropriate memory nodes, and to respective appropriate memory templates corresponding to the voiced command is discussed. Spoken commands from any of a group of operators for which the system is trained may be identified, and voice templates are updated as required in response to changes in pronunciation and voice characteristics over time of any of the operators for which the system is trained. Provisions are made for both near-real-time retraining of the system with respect to individual terms which are determined not be positively identified, and for an overall system training and updating process in which recognition of each command and vocabulary term is checked, and in which the memory templates are retrained if necessary for respective commands or vocabulary terms with respect to an operator currently using the system. In one embodiment, the system includes input circuitry connected to a microphone and including signal processing and control sections for sensing the level of vocabulary recognition over a given period and, if recognition performance falls below a given level, processing audio-derived signals for enhancing recognition performance of the system.

Salazar, George A.↗

An Air-flow-direction Pickup Suitable for Telemetering Use on Pilotless Aircraft

A free-swiveling vane-type pickup for measuring air flow direction in both the angle-of-attack and angle-of-sideslip directions is described. The device, which is intended to telemeter flow direction from pilotless aircraft, has variable-inductance outputs suitable for use in the 100 to 200 kcps subcarrier frequency range of the NACA FM-AM telemetering system. Preliminary test results indicate that it can also be adapted for use with the audio subcarrier frequencies of the Research and Development Board standard FM-FM telemetering system. Test results are presented which indicate that the pickup is aerodynamically stable and has an accuracy, obtained from a bench calibration, of better than 0.3 degrees under conditions including acceleration up to 20g in any direction, Mach numbers from 0.5 to 2.8, and dynamic pressures up to at least 65 psi. Equations and curves which can be used to obtain flow direction at the center of gravity of a maneuvering model are presented.

Ikard, Wallace L↗

TDRS Ku band gateway

The Wideband Transport Frame Formatter (WTFF) is the tracking and data relay satellite (TDRS) ku-band return link gateway. The WTFF system is a multiplexing device developed to process and downlink the high rate data generated by a wide variety of users. The WTFF is designed to frame and format high data rate user channels into transport frames and multiplex according to a predefined schedule into two bit streams that are compatible with TDRS Ku I and Q band service. The combined data rate will be 300 Mbps. The WTFF will service up to eight input channels generating data in the range of 10 to 150 Mbps. In addition to these input channels, audio data will be accepted by the WTFF system and inserted in the downlink. A second function of the WTFF is to provide telecommunication coding as assigned to each virtual channel to ensure a given quality of service.

Collins, Cynthia↗

Proceedings of the Third International Mobile Satellite Conference (IMSC 1993)

Satellite-based mobile communications systems provide voice and data communications to users over a vast geographic area. The users may communicate via mobile or hand-held terminals, which may also provide access to terrestrial cellular communications services. While the first and second International Mobile Satellite Conferences (IMSC) mostly concentrated on technical advances, this Third IMSC also focuses on the increasing worldwide commercial activities in Mobile Satellite Services. Because of the large service areas provided by such systems, it is important to consider political and regulatory issues in addition to technical and user requirements issues. Topics covered include: the direct broadcast of audio programming from satellites; spacecraft technology; regulatory and policy considerations; advanced system concepts and analysis; propagation; and user requirements and applications.

Kwan, Robert↗

Wireless augmented reality communication system

The system of the present invention is a highly integrated radio communication system with a multimedia co-processor which allows true two-way multimedia (video, audio, data) access as well as real-time biomedical monitoring in a pager-sized portable access unit. The system is integrated in a network structure including one or more general purpose nodes for providing a wireless-to-wired interface. The network architecture allows video, audio and data (including biomedical data) streams to be connected directly to external users and devices. The portable access units may also be mated to various non-personal devices such as cameras or environmental sensors for providing a method for setting up wireless sensor nets from which reported data may be accessed through the portable access unit. The reported data may alternatively be automatically logged at a remote computer for access and viewing through a portable access unit, including the user's own.

Devereaux, Ann↗

Wireless Augmented Reality Communication System

The system of the present invention is a highly integrated radio communication system with a multimedia co-processor which allows true two-way multimedia (video, audio, data) access as well as real-time biomedical monitoring in a pager-sized portable access unit. The system is integrated in a network structure including one or more general purpose nodes for providing a wireless-to-wired interface. The network architecture allows video, audio and data (including biomedical data) streams to be connected directly to external users and devices. The portable access units may also be mated to various non-personal devices such as cameras or environmental sensors for providing a method for setting up wireless sensor nets from which reported data may be accessed through the portable access unit. The reported data may alternatively be automatically logged at a remote computer for access and viewing through a portable access unit, including the user's own.

Devereaux, Ann↗