Fiber-Optic Sensor System for Multipoint Pressure and Temperature Measurement
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
SEARCH · Search NASA
Results for “Sensor technology”
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.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Noninvasive Breath Analysis Using NASA E-Nose Technology for Health Assessment
Clinical breath analysis is based on the fact that many important metabolites and biomarker molecules are present at detectable levels in exhaled breath, and many of these molecules correlate with human disease or correlate with physiological states that could lead to a decline in health. Presented is a technology that utilizes an array of chemical sensors combined with humidity, temperature and pressure for real time breath analysis to correlate the chemical information in the breath with the state and functioning of different human organs. For example, a marker for pulmonary inflammation processes of the lower respiratory tract, e.g. asthma, is the increase of the nitrogen oxide (NO) concentration in breath. Other volatile biomarkers may correlate with infectious process, metabolic conditions and inflammatory diseases, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). This technology is also called "electronic nose" (E-Nose) in the sense that the device can mimic human nose to smell odors using a pattern recognition technique to analyze the sensor array data. Breath sampling is non-invasive and can be analyzed in real-time.
Li, Jing↗
A Comparison of Surface Acoustic Wave Modeling Methods
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology is low cost, rugged, lightweight, extremely low power and can be used to develop passive wireless sensors. For these reasons, NASA is investigating the use of SAW technology for Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM) of aerospace structures. To facilitate rapid prototyping of passive SAW sensors for aerospace applications, SAW models have been developed. This paper reports on the comparison of three methods of modeling SAWs. The three models are the Impulse Response Method a first order model, and two second order matrix methods; the conventional matrix approach, and a modified matrix approach that is extended to include internal finger reflections. The second order models are based upon matrices that were originally developed for analyzing microwave circuits using transmission line theory. Results from the models are presented with measured data from devices.
Wilson, W. c.↗
Comparison of Transmission Line Methods for Surface Acoustic Wave Modeling
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology is low cost, rugged, lightweight, extremely low power and can be used to develop passive wireless sensors. For these reasons, NASA is investigating the use of SAW technology for Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM) of aerospace structures. To facilitate rapid prototyping of passive SAW sensors for aerospace applications, SAW models have been developed. This paper reports on the comparison of three methods of modeling SAWs. The three models are the Impulse Response Method (a first order model), and two second order matrix methods; the conventional matrix approach, and a modified matrix approach that is extended to include internal finger reflections. The second order models are based upon matrices that were originally developed for analyzing microwave circuits using transmission line theory. Results from the models are presented with measured data from devices. Keywords: Surface Acoustic Wave, SAW, transmission line models, Impulse Response Method.
Wilson, William↗
Application of Fiber Optic Instrumentation
Fiber optic sensing technology has emerged in recent years offering tremendous advantages over conventional aircraft instrumentation systems. The advantages of fiber optic sensors over their conventional counterparts are well established; they are lighter, smaller, and can provide enormous numbers of measurements at a fraction of the total sensor weight. After a brief overview of conventional and fiber-optic sensing technology, this paper presents an overview of the research that has been conducted at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in recent years to advance this promising new technology. Research and development areas include system and algorithm development, sensor characterization and attachment, and real-time experimentally-derived parameter monitoring for ground- and flight-based applications. The vision of fiber optic smart structure technology is presented and its potential benefits to aerospace vehicles throughout the lifecycle, from preliminary design to final retirement, are presented.
Richards, William Lance↗
Radio Frequency Telemetry System for Sensors and Actuators
The present invention discloses and teaches apparatus for combining Radio Frequency (RF) technology with novel micro-inductor antennas and signal processing circuits for RF telemetry of real time, measured data, from microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors, through electromagnetic coupling with a remote poweringheceiving device. Such technology has many applications, but is especially useful in the biomedical area.
Rainee N Simons↗
Radio frequency telemetry system for sensors and actuators
The present invention discloses and teaches apparatus for combining Radio Frequency (RF) technology with novel micro-inductor antennas and signal processing circuits for RF telemetry of real time, measured data, from microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors, through electromagnetic coupling with a remote powering/receiving device. Such technology has many applications, but is especially useful in the biomedical area.
Simons, Rainee N.↗
Compact instantaneous phase-shifting Sagnac interferometer for nanoscale tilt measurement
There is a large inter disciplinary need for high precision angular sensors in state-of-the-art technologies. This particularly applies to optical metrology in the field of Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) or X-ray where the optics are commonly characterized in terms of slope errors at a nanoradian scale level. Here, in this paper, we present the in-lab development of an angular sensor based on a single reflection compact Sagnac interferometer using instantaneous phase shifting. Our automated prototype and first results show less than 15 nrad RMS repeatability, at least 200 nrad sensitivity and 280 nrad reproducibility over 100 μrad angular range.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Advanced Multipurpose Rendezvous Tracking System Study
Rendezvous and docking (R&D) sensors needed to support Earth orbital operations of vehicles were investigated to determine the form they should take. An R&D sensor must enable an interceptor vehicle to determine both the relative position and the relative attitude of a target vehicle. Relative position determination is fairly straightforward and places few constraints on the sensor. Relative attitude determination, however, is more difficult. The attitude is calculated based on relative position measurements of several reflectors placed in a known arrangement on the target vehicle. The constraints imposed on the sensor by the attitude determination method are severe. Narrow beamwidth, wide field of view (fov), high range accuracy, and fast random scan capability are all required to determine attitude by this method. A consideration of these constraints as well as others imposed by expected operating conditions and the available technology led to the conclusion that the sensor should be a cw optical radar employing a semiconductor laser transmitter and an image dissector receiver.
Laurie, R. J.↗
NASA Fuel Tank Wireless Power and Signal Study
Hydro Technologies has developed a custom electronics and mechanical framework for interfacing with off-the-shelf sensors to achieve through barrier sensing solutions. The core project technology relies on Hydro Technologies Wireless Power and Signal Interface (Wi psi) System for transmitting data and power wirelessly using magnetic fields. To accomplish this, Wi psi uses a multi-frequency local magnetic field to produce magnetic fields capable of carrying data and power through almost any material such as metals, seawater, concrete, and air. It will also work through layers of multiple materials.
Merrill, Garrick↗
Performance of a Front End prototype ASIC for picosecond precision time measurements with LGAD sensors
For the High-Luminosity phase of LHC, the ATLAS experiment is proposing the addition of a High Granularity Timing Detector (HGTD) in the forward region, to mitigate the effects of the increased pile-up. The chosen detection technology is Low Gain Avalanche Detector (LGAD) silicon sensors that can provide an excellent timing resolution below 50 ps. The front-end read-out ASIC must exploit the large signal derivative and small noise provided by the sensor, while keeping low power consumption. This paper presents the results on the first prototype of a front-end ASIC, named ALTIROC0, which contains the analog stages (preamplifier and discriminator) of the read-out chip. The ASIC was characterised both alone and as part of a module with a 2×2 LGAD array of 1.1×1.1 mm 2 pads bump-bonded to it. The various contributions of the electronics to the time resolution were investigated in test-bench measurements with a calibration setup. Both when the ASIC is alone or with a bump-bonded sensor, the jitter of the ASIC is better than 20 ps for an injected charge of 10 fC. The time walk effect, which arises from the different preamplifier response for various injected charges, can be corrected up to 10 ps using a Time Over Threshold measurement. The combined performance of the ASIC and the LGAD sensor, which was measured during a beam test campaign in October 2018 with pions of 120 GeV energy at the CERN SPS, is around 40 ps for all measured modules. All tested modules show good efficiency and time resolution uniformity.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Overview of CMOS Sensors for Future Tracking Detectors
Depleted Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors are emerging as one of the main candidate technologies for future tracking detectors in high luminosity colliders. Their capability of integrating the sensing diode into the CMOS wafer hosting the front-end electronics allows for reduced noise and higher signal sensitivity, due to the direct collection of the sensor signal by the readout electronics. They are suitable for high radiation environments due to the possibility of applying high depletion voltage and the availability of relatively high resistivity substrates. The use of a CMOS commercial fabrication process leads to their cost reduction and allows faster construction of large area detectors. In this contribution, a general perspective of the state of the art of CMOS detectors for High Energy Physics experiments is given. The main developments carried out with regard to these devices in the framework of the CERN RD50 collaboration are summarized.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Assembly and Functional Test of NRAD Heated Instrumentation Rig
This is a technical report (TEV-4296) which documents the configuration and materials of construction for a heated sensor test conducted in the NRAD reactor. It is being reviewed for external release so that operators of university reactors can evaluate whether this level of documentation will be acceptable for similar tests conducted in their reactors. The Objective section of this TEV is reproduced below. The purpose of this TEV is to document assembly and functional testing of a device which is designed to allow advanced sensors to be temporarily placed at the periphery of the NRAD reactor. While in this location, the operational characteristics of the sensors can be evaluated while they are exposed to a neutron flux. This device (or “rig”) consists of a cartridge heater surrounded by six guide tubes, which are in turn surrounded by insulation and an aluminum dry tube. The heater allows for the sensors to be tested while at elevated temperature.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
The ring laser inertial sensor.
Ring laser inertial sensor for aerospace systems obtaining high accuracy angular resolution and mechanical simplicity
ANGULAR VELOCITY↗
Research and Educational Opportunities with NASA GSFC
The research carried out in the Earth sciences at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center will be the focus of the presentation. These research interests span the full breath of disciplines in Earth System Science. Branches and research groups focus on areas as diverse as planetary geomagnetics and atmospheric chemistry. There are 4 major laboratories in the directorate and 2 organizations that focus on scientific information technology. These laboratories focus on atmospheric sciences (atmospheric chemistry, climate and radiation, regional processes, atmospheric modeling), hydrological sciences (snow, ice, oceans, and seasonal-to-interannual prediction), terrestrial physics (geology, terrestrial biology, land-atmosphere interactions, geophysics), climate modeling (global warming, greenhouse gases, climate change). Two of the labs also have branches that focus on sensor development especially using lidar and microwave technologies. In the information technologies, areas of scientific and technical research, and expertise include massively parallel computers, technologies for high speed electronic networks, scientific visualization, information systems, archive and distribution systems, and information processing. Examples will be presented from each of these research disciplines.
Meeson, Blanche W.↗
Offset of a Drag-Free Sensor from the Center of Gravity of Its Satellite
The drag-free satellite is one that encloses a proof mass, shielding it from atmospheric drag and solar radiation pressure (SRP). By sensing the location of the proof mass in the body and using thrusters to force the spacecraft to follow the proof mass in a closed-loop fashion, the effects of drag and SRP may be eliminated from the spacecraft orbit. Thus, several benefits may be gained, including improved ephemeris propagation and reduced operational costs. The package including the proof mass and the location sensing equipment may be considered as a single sensor; if generalized, such a sensor could be manufactured and used more easily in satellite designs, similar to how current missions use, for example, rate gyros and magnetometers. The flight heritage of the technology has been such that the proof mass sensor is a primary facet of the mission, allowing it to dominate design considerations. In particular, this paper discusses the effects that may be expected if a generalized drag-free sensor is placed some distance away from the spacecraft center of gravity. The proof mass will follow a given gravitational orbit, and a separation from the spacecraft center of gravity places the spacecraft itself in a different orbit from the proof mass, requiring additional fuel just to maintain function of the drag- free sensor. Conclusions include some guiding principles for determining whether certain mission characteristics may restrict or preclude the use of drag-free sensors for that mission. These principles may be used both by mission planners considering drag-free missions and by hardware designers considering or pursuing the development of such generalized sensors.
Starin, Scott R.↗
Bayesian inference for high confidence signal validation and sensor calibration assessment - 328
Online Monitoring (OLM) systems has been investigated for applications in the nuclear industry for the past two decades. These systems offer economic and technological advantages over the currently implemented time based testing methods for sensors and associated instrumentations. The advantages offered not only augment economic viability of current nuclear reactors but will be an inevitable change called for to suit the technologies of the advanced reactors (Gen III+). Irrespective, the acceptance of OLM into the regulatory structure in the U.S. is still hindered by technical and structural clarity on uncertainty quantification used by these systems. A Bayesian inference technique is implemented in the form of a residual model to quantify uncertainty in OLM predictions. The developed system used Gaussian processes to represent the OLM predictions and model inadequacy, the stationary representation of model based uncertainty. In addition, model selection techniques are used in conjunction with numerical methods such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Gibb's sampler to add robustness to the estimation model inadequacy, particularly in the presence of drifts and faulted conditions. The prediction model developed herein find applicability in fault detection, obtaining real values of processes after the onset of faults etc. Further development looks into the extension of current method for a multiple output scale implementation. (authors)
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Advanced Air Bag Technology Assessment
As a result of the concern for the growing number of air-bag-induced injuries and fatalities, the administrators of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) agreed to a cooperative effort that "leverages NHTSA's expertise in motor vehicle safety restraint systems and biomechanics with NASAs position as one of the leaders in advanced technology development... to enable the state of air bag safety technology to advance at a faster pace..." They signed a NASA/NHTSA memorandum of understanding for NASA to "evaluate air bag to assess advanced air bag performance, establish the technological potential for improved technology (smart) air bag systems, and identify key expertise and technology within the agency (i.e., NASA) that can potentially contribute significantly to the improved effectiveness of air bags." NASA is committed to contributing to NHTSAs effort to: (1) understand and define critical parameters affecting air bag performance; (2) systematically assess air bag technology state of the art and its future potential; and (3) identify new concepts for air bag systems. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was selected by NASA to respond to the memorandum of understanding by conducting an advanced air bag technology assessment. JPL analyzed the nature of the need for occupant restraint, how air bags operate alone and with safety belts to provide restraint, and the potential hazards introduced by the technology. This analysis yielded a set of critical parameters for restraint systems. The researchers examined data on the performance of current air bag technology, and searched for and assessed how new technologies could reduce the hazards introduced by air bags while providing the restraint protection that is their primary purpose. The critical parameters which were derived are: (1) the crash severity; (2) the use of seat belts; (3) the physical characteristics of the occupants; (4) the proximity of the occupants to the airbag module; (5) the deployment time, which includes the time to sense the need for deployment, the inflator response parameters, the air bag response, and the reliability of the air bag. The requirements for an advanced air bag technology is discussed. These requirements includes that the system use information related to: (1) the crash severity; (2) the status of belt usage; (3) the occupant category; and (4) the proximity to the air bag to adjust air bag deployment. The parameters for the response of the air bag are: (1) deployment time; (2) inflator parameters; and (3) air bag response and reliability. The state of occupant protection advanced technology is reviewed. This review includes: the current safety restraint systems, and advanced technology characteristics. These characteristics are summarized in a table, which has information regarding the technology item, the potential, and an date of expected utilization. The use of technology and expertise at NASA centers is discussed. NASA expertise relating to sensors, computing, simulation, propellants, propulsion, inflatable systems, systems analysis and engineering is considered most useful. Specific NASA technology developments, which were included in the study are: (1) a capacitive detector; (2) stereoscopic vision system; (3) improved crash sensors; (4) the use of the acoustic signature of the crash to determine crash severity; and (5) the use of radar antenna for pre-crash sensing. Information relating to injury risk assessment is included, as is a summary of the areas of the technology which requires further development.
Phen, R. L.↗