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At least 145 records · Page 8

Automated Detection of Oscillating Regions in the Solar Atmosphere

Recently observed oscillations in the solar atmosphere have been interpreted and modeled as magnetohydrodynamic wave modes. This has allowed for the estimation of parameters that are otherwise hard to derive, such as the coronal magnetic-field strength. This work crucially relies on the initial detection of the oscillations, which is commonly done manually. The volume of Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) data will make manual detection inefficient for detecting all of the oscillating regions. An algorithm is presented that automates the detection of areas of the solar atmosphere that support spatially extended oscillations. The algorithm identifies areas in the solar atmosphere whose oscillation content is described by a single, dominant oscillation within a user-defined frequency range. The method is based on Bayesian spectral analysis of time series and image filtering. A Bayesian approach sidesteps the need for an a-priori noise estimate to calculate rejection criteria for the observed signal, and it also provides estimates of oscillation frequency, amplitude, and noise, and the error in all of these quantities, in a self-consistent way. The algorithm also introduces the notion of quality measures to those regions for which a positive detection is claimed, allowing for simple post-detection discrimination by the user. The algorithm is demonstrated on two Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) datasets, and comments regarding its suitability for oscillation detection in SDO are made.

Ireland, J.↗

Aeroacoustic Testing of UAS-Scale Rotors for a Quadcopter in Hover and Forward Flight

A series of experiments was conducted in an anechoic chamber and wind tunnel to investigatethe noise and performance of an optimum hovering rotor design. The optimum hovering rotorexperimental data set presented in this paper provides the community with a rotor that istheoretically easier to model. Isolated rotors were tested in an anechoic hover chamber as wellas on a representative quadcopter vehicle. In the anechoic chamber, performance and acousticmeasurements were taken at various rotor speeds to compare to those of a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) rotor. In the wind tunnel, free-stream velocity, vehicle pitch, and rotor rotationrates were varied to achieve various hover and forward flight operating conditions. Previousinvestigation of a small quadcopter in the Low Speed Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel (LSAWT) hadidentified possible broadband and interactional noise sources due to rotor airframe interactionand rotor-rotor interaction. These publications identified separation, turbulent boundary layertrailing edge, and bluntness vortex shedding as the main sources of self-generated airfoil noise.By replacing the COTS rotor with an optimum hovering rotor design, self-generated broadbandnoise was reduced for both hover and forward flight conditions for isolated rotor runs. However,the optimum rotors only reduced noise levels for full-vehicle hover conditions, and had little tono reduction in full-vehicle forward flight conditions.

Nicole A Pettingill↗

Ultra-Low Noise Laser and Optical Frequency Comb-Based Timing System for the Event Horizon Explorer (EHE) Mission

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) requires a highly stable time reference and synchronization system to maintain coherence between observations recorded independently at multiple stations – for example, the array of ground-based radio telescopes that comprise the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). Instability in the time reference or inaccuracy in the synchronization impacts phase conference and reduces the performance of the VLBI system. For space-based telescopes like the Event Horizon Explorer (EHE) mission, the precision timing system must meet the size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints of the spacecraft platform and be capable of operating in the space environment. The EHE mission is a proposed extension to the EHT that can improve the angular and time resolution of observations by enabling longer interferometric baselines than are possible on the Earth and sampling a wide range of Fourier spatial frequencies throughout the orbital motion. In this effort, we demonstrate the performance of one option for the EHE mission: the use of a space-qualified, ultra-low noise laser developed as part of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission as the timing reference, and an optical frequency comb to transfer the stability of this laser to the microwave regime for instrumentation use. We describe the implementation of the microwave down-conversion, in which the LISA cavity-stabilized laser is locked to a self-referenced optical frequency comb to divide the optical frequency down to 100 MHz. The phase noise of the 100 MHz signal is measured and validated using a phase noise analyzer that is referenced to a separate laboratory ultra-stable laser system. We present the results of this experiment, which demonstrates that the performance of this system meets the EHE requirement: a relative frequency error of 1e-14 from 1 to 30 seconds.

Hannah Tomio↗

The self-excited axisymmetric jet

The results of a number of investigations suggest that large-scale coherent structures and their interactions play key roles in the transport of heat, mass, and momentum, and in the generation of aerodynamic noise. Investigations related to the study of a large-scale coherent structure in the circular jet are considered, taking into account the advantages of inducing controlled perturbation through self-sustained excitation with the whistler nozzle. The primary objective of the present study was to document the jet response to self-excitation and the sensitivity of this response to the initial condition and the Reynolds number R(D). It was also felt that the results would find use in the control of mixing and aerodynamic noise in a jet.

Hasan, M. A. Z.↗

Research study on stabilization and control. Modern sampled-data control theory. Analysis and design of the digital large space telescope system

Dynamic modeling of a low cost single axis LST system and the pointing stability of that system are investigated. The effects of nonlinear friction of the bearings of the reaction wheels, quantization, and sensor noise on the pointing error are covered. In addition, data are given on self sustained oscillations of the system induced by quantization and methods of evaluating attitude error of the digital LST.

Kuo, B. C.↗

Shuttle Global Positioning System (GPS) design study

The effects of oscillator noise on Shuttle Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver performance, GPS navigation system self-test, GPS ground transmitter design to augment shuttle navigation, the effect of ionospheric delay modelling on GPS receiver design, and GPS receiver tracking of Shuttle transient maneuvers were investigated.

Nilsen, P. W.↗

Semiconductor Laser Line-width Measurements for Space Interferometry Applications

This work discusses results using the self-heterodyne delay atechnique to measure 1.3 um InP based DFB lasers. We will also address practical issues concerning detection and elimination of back reflections, choice of fiber length and resolution, and measurement of laser 1/f and current supply noise.

DFB laser delayed self-heterodyne interferometer l↗

S-band and Ku-band return service interference between TDRSS users

The Tracking Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) return service performance can be degraded by interference from another user when two or more spacecraft communicate with the same Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) at the same time. This paper describes the S-band and Ku-band return service self interference environment expected in the 1996 - 2010 timeframe and shows the self-interference expected for selected TDRSS users based on Communications Link Analysis and Simulation System (CLASS) Automated Conflict Resolution System (ACRS) and Interference Monitor (IM) tools. The results show: which user links are susceptible to interference from other users, the interference statistics, and whether or not interference can be avoided with appropriate interference mitigation techniques such as scheduling, cross-polarization, or Pseudo random Noise (PN) spreading. The analysis results enable Space Network (SN) managers to determine the impacts of self-interference on the TDRSS service availability. They also enable project offices to determine whether they should select return service communications parameters, such as polarization and PN spreading, to minimize the probability of being impacted by self-interference; try to schedule TDRSS support around other user spacecraft communications schedules; or accept communication outages due to self-interference.

Harrell, Linda↗

Research study on stabilization and control. Modern sampled-data control theory: Stability analysis of the low cost large space telescope system

The pointing stability of the low-cost large space telescope (LST) system was investigated. The low-cost LST is characterized by the use of reaction wheels for the generation of control torques. Because of the critical requirement on the pointing accuracy of the LST, the nonlinear frictional characteristics of the bearings of the reaction wheels were studied which can cause limit cycles in a closed-loop system. Another possible source of pointing error in the LST is due to the effect of quantization and sensor noise. Since the LST is a digital system, digital to analog and analog to digital converters and sensors for positional and rate feedbacks were used. Sensor noise and amplitude quantization causes pointing error in the LST and, in addition, quantization is a nonlinear phenomenon which can cause self-sustained oscillations in the closed-loop system. The dynamic modeling of the single-axis LST is described, and several methods of evaluating the attitude error of the digital LST due to quantization and noise inputs are given.

Kuo, B. C.↗

High-Speed Self-Aligned Focusing Schlieren and Background-Oriented Schlieren with Pulsed Laser Illumination

Laser light sources are commonly used in schlieren-based flow visualization techniques that are in development at NASA Langley Research Center. Of particular interest are high-intensity, low coherence sources that allow for high signal-to-noise schlieren imagery to be acquired without the laser speckle that typically occurs as a result of interference. Results from a self-aligned focusing schlieren system developed at NASA Langley and a background-oriented schlieren system are presented to highlight the effectiveness of these sources.

Schlieren↗

Slat Cove Noise Modeling: A Posteriori Analysis of Unsteady RANS Simulations

A companion paper by Khorrami et al demonstrates the feasibility of simulating the (nominally) self-sustained, large-scale unsteadiness within the leading-edge slat-cove region of multi-element airfoils using unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations, provided that the turbulence production term in the underlying two-equation turbulence model is switched off within the cove region. In conjunction with a FfowesWilliams-Hawkings solver, the URANS computations were shown to capture the dominant portion of the acoustic spectrum attributed to slat noise, as well as reproducing the increased intensity of slat cove motions (and, correspondingly, far-field noise as well) at the lower angles of attack. This paper examines that simulation database, augmented by additional simulations, with the objective of transitioning this apparent success to aeroacoustic predictions in an engineering context. As a first step towards this goal, the simulated flow and acoustic fields are compared with experiment and simplified analytical model. Rather intense near-field fluctuations in the simulated flow are found to be associated with unsteady separation along the slat bottom surface, relatively close to the slat cusp. Accuracy of the laminar-cove simulations in this near-wall region is raised to be an open issue. The adjoint Green's function approach is also explored in an attempt to identify the most efficient noise source locations.

Choudhari, Meelan↗

Halogen occultation experiment (HALOE) performance verification test procedure

The Performance Verification Test Procedure is given for the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) instrument, which is being developed in house at the Langley Research Center for the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). This procedure is used for comprehensive performance testing of the HALOE instrument which occurs before, during, and after flight environmental tests. The radiometric performance tests include noise, drift, linearity, instantaneous field-of-view, cal wheel gas cell characterization, and self thermal emissions. Pointer/tracker performance tests include sun sensor performance, gimbal performance, control system performance, and boresight alignment. In addition, the instrument is tested functionally in simulated orbit sequences and all command operating modes are exercised. The data analysis required for each test is specified and pass/fail criteria are given where applicable. This test will fully demonstrate the HALOE instrument's ability to achieve science mission requirements. The HALOE instrument is a gas correlation radiometer that measures vertical distribution of eight upper atmospheric constituents: O3, HCl, HF, NO, CH4, H2O, NO2, and CO2.

Mauldin, L. E., III↗

Speech coding at 4800 bps for mobile satellite communications

A speech compression project has recently been completed to develop a speech coding algorithm suitable for operation in a mobile satellite environment aimed at providing telephone quality natural speech at 4.8 kbps. The work has resulted in two alternative techniques which achieve reasonably good communications quality at 4.8 kbps while tolerating vehicle noise and rather severe channel impairments. The algorithms are embodied in a compact self-contained prototype consisting of two AT and T 32-bit floating-point DSP32 digital signal processors (DSP). A Motorola 68HC11 microcomputer chip serves as the board controller and interface handler. On a wirewrapped card, the prototype's circuit footprint amounts to only 200 sq cm, and consumes about 9 watts of power.

Gersho, Allen↗

Determining gravitational radiation from Newtonian self-gravitating systems

Quadrupole gravitational radiation formulas are tested and compared in a calculation of rotating stellar core collapse. While the standard quadrupole formula (SQF) allows an economical calculation of the waveform in postlinear gravity, it has several shortcomings that become apparent in a finite difference (FD) calculation. These shortcomings are related to the large-moment arm of the quadrupole moment and the two (numerical) time derivatives that separate it from the waveform. These shortcomings lead to high-frequency noise in the SQF waveform. Several alternatives to the SQF are developed. Each is mathematically equivalent to the SQF and applicable to self-gravitating sources. For FD calculations, the new quadrupole formulas are all superior to the SQF and capable of producing waveforms free of the high-frequency noise characteristics of its use.

Finn, Lee Samuel↗

Ultra Small Aperture Terminal for Ka-Band SATCOM

An ultra small aperture terminal (USAT) at Ka-band frequency has been developed by Lewis Research Center (LeRC) for data rates up to 1.5 Mbps in the transmit mode and 40 Mbps in receive mode. The terminal consists of a 35 cm diameter offset-fed parabolic antenna which is attached to a solid state power amplifier and low noise amplifier. A single down converter is used to convert the Ka-band frequency to 70 MHz intermediate frequency (IF). A variable rate (9.6 Kbps to 10 Mbps) commercial modem with a standard RS-449/RS-232 interface is used to provide point-to-point digital services. The terminal has been demonstrated numerous times using the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) and the 4.5 in Link Evaluation Terminal (LET) in Cleveland. A conceptual design for an advanced terminal has also been developed. This advanced USAT utilizes Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) and flat plate array technologies. This terminal will be self contained in a single package which will include a 1 watt solid state amplifier (SSPA), low noise amplifier (LNA) and a modem card located behind the aperture of the array. The advanced USAT will be light weight, transportable, low cost and easy to point to the satellite. This paper will introduce designs for the reflector based and array based USAT's.

Acosta, Roberto↗

Prediction of blade-vortex interaction noise using airloads generated by a finite-difference technique

The present numerical finite-difference scheme for helicopter blade-load prediction during realistic, self-generated three-dimensional blade-vortex interactions (BVI) derives the velocity field through a nonlinear superposition of the rotor flow-field yielded by the full potential rotor flow solver RFS2 for BVI, on the one hand, over the rotational vortex flow field computed with the Biot-Savart law. Despite the accurate prediction of the acoustic waveforms, peak amplitudes are found to have been persistently underpredicted. The inclusion of BVI noise source in the acoustic analysis significantly improved the perceived noise level-corrected tone prediction.

Tadghighi, Hormoz↗

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2012

Topics covered include: Beat-to-Beat Blood Pressure Monitor; Measurement Techniques for Clock Jitter; Lightweight, Miniature Inertial Measurement System; Optical Density Analysis of X-Rays Utilizing Calibration Tooling to Estimate Thickness of Parts; Fuel Cell/Electrochemical Cell Voltage Monitor; Anomaly Detection Techniques with Real Test Data from a Spinning Turbine Engine-Like Rotor; Measuring Air Leaks into the Vacuum Space of Large Liquid Hydrogen Tanks; Antenna Calibration and Measurement Equipment; Glass Solder Approach for Robust, Low-Loss, Fiber-to-Waveguide Coupling; Lightweight Metal Matrix Composite Segmented for Manufacturing High-Precision Mirrors; Plasma Treatment to Remove Carbon from Indium UV Filters; Telerobotics Workstation (TRWS) for Deep Space Habitats; Single-Pole Double-Throw MMIC Switches for a Microwave Radiometer; On Shaft Data Acquisition System (OSDAS); ASIC Readout Circuit Architecture for Large Geiger Photodiode Arrays; Flexible Architecture for FPGAs in Embedded Systems; Polyurea-Based Aerogel Monoliths and Composites; Resin-Impregnated Carbon Ablator: A New Ablative Material for Hyperbolic Entry Speeds; Self-Cleaning Particulate Prefilter Media; Modular, Rapid Propellant Loading System/Cryogenic Testbed; Compact, Low-Force, Low-Noise Linear Actuator; Loop Heat Pipe with Thermal Control Valve as a Variable Thermal Link; Process for Measuring Over-Center Distances; Hands-Free Transcranial Color Doppler Probe; Improving Balance Function Using Low Levels of Electrical Stimulation of the Balance Organs; Developing Physiologic Models for Emergency Medical Procedures Under Microgravity; PMA-Linked Fluorescence for Rapid Detection of Viable Bacterial Endospores; Portable Intravenous Fluid Production Device for Ground Use; Adaptation of a Filter Assembly to Assess Microbial Bioburden of Pressurant Within a Propulsion System; Multiplexed Force and Deflection Sensing Shell Membranes for Robotic Manipulators; Whispering Gallery Mode Optomechanical Resonator; Vision-Aided Autonomous Landing and Ingress of Micro Aerial Vehicles; Self-Sealing Wet Chemistry Cell for Field Analysis; General MACOS Interface for Modeling and Analysis for Controlled Optical Systems; Mars Technology Rover with Arm-Mounted Percussive Coring Tool, Microimager, and Sample-Handling Encapsulation Containerization Subsystem; Fault-Tolerant, Real-Time, Multi-Core Computer System; Water Detection Based on Object Reflections; SATPLOT for Analysis of SECCHI Heliospheric Imager Data; Plug-in Plan Tool v3.0.3.1; Frequency Correction for MIRO Chirp Transformation Spectroscopy Spectrum; Nonlinear Estimation Approach to Real-Time Georegistration from Aerial Images; Optimal Force Control of Vibro-Impact Systems for Autonomous Drilling Applications; Low-Cost Telemetry System for Small/Micro Satellites; Operator Interface and Control Software for the Reconfigurable Surface System Tri-ATHLETE; and Algorithms for Determining Physical Responses of Structures Under Load.

Source record↗

Solar electric propulsion breadboard thrust subsystem test results.

Work providing a firm basis for building an engineering model thrust subsystem (TSS) is described. A 1500-hr functional demonstration test revealed the impact of each element on TSS integration, operation, and future development. The primary conclusions are: accurate and specific definition of interfaces is essential to a timely system integration program. In addition to normal operating requirements, this definition must include requirements for preflight checkout, self-protection of all interfaces, capability expansion, failure modes, maximum input power, interelement power losses, noise and transient sensitivity and production, packaging for vacuum, thermal control, electrical grounding, cabling, mounting, and handling. In any future design, each phase of the TSS operation (startup, throttling, switching, etc.) should be considered in detail to anticipate and account for possible in-flight variations in element characteristics and performance.

Masek, T. D.↗