Nonlinear time-domain models of human controllers
Human controllers nonlinear time domain mathematical model for analyzing compensatory tracking task data
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Human controllers nonlinear time domain mathematical model for analyzing compensatory tracking task data
A generalized discrete time domain modeling and analysis technique is presented for all types of switching regulators using any type of duty-cycle controller, and operating in both continuous and discontinuous inductor current. State space techniques are employed to derive an equivalent nonlinear discrete time model that describes the converter exactly. The system is linearized about its equilibrium state to obtain a linear discrete time model for small signal performance evaluations, such as stability, audiosusceptibility and transient response. The analysis makes extensive use of the digital computer as an analytical tool. It is universal, exact and easy to use.
InP/InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are being widely utilized in optical receivers for modern long haul and high bit-rate optical fiber communication systems. The separate absorption, grading, charge, and multiplication (SAGCM) structure is an important design consideration for APDs with high performance characteristics. Time domain modeling techniques have been previously developed to provide better understanding and optimize design issues by saving time and cost for the APD research and development. In this work, performance dependences on multiplication layer thickness have been investigated by time domain modeling. These performance characteristics include breakdown field and breakdown voltage, multiplication gain, excess noise factor, frequency response and bandwidth etc. The simulations are performed versus various multiplication layer thicknesses with certain fixed values for the areal charge sheet density whereas the values for the other structure and material parameters are kept unchanged. The frequency response is obtained from the impulse response by fast Fourier transformation. The modeling results are presented and discussed, and design considerations, especially for high speed operation at 10 Gbit/s, are further analyzed.
Applicability of nonlinear time domain analysis to problem of modeling human operator /pilot/
A new 3-D lightning model that incorporates the effect of corona is described for the first time. The new model is based on a Thin Wire Time Domain Lightning (TWTDL) Code developed previously. The TWTDL Code was verified during the 1985 and 1986 lightning seasons by the measurements conducted at the 553 m CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario. The inclusion of corona in the TWTDL code allowed study of the corona effects on the lightning current parameters and the associated electric field parameters.
The objectives outlined in the original proposal for this project were to create a well-documented computer analysis model based on the finite-difference, time-domain (FDTD) method that would be capable of computing antenna impedance, far-zone radiation patterns, and radar cross-section (RCS). The ability to model a variety of penetrable materials in addition to conductors is also desired. The spiral antennas under study by this project meet these requirements since they are constructed of slots cut into conducting surfaces which are backed by dielectric materials.
The approach chosen to model steady state scattering from jet engines with moving turbine blades is based upon the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. The FDTD method is a numerical electromagnetic program based upon the direct solution in the time domain of Maxwell's time dependent curl equations throughout a volume. One of the strengths of this method is the ability to model objects with complicated shape and/or material composition. General time domain functions may be used as source excitations. For example, a plane wave excitation may be specified as a pulse containing many frequencies and at any incidence angle to the scatterer. A best fit to the scatterer is accomplished using cubical cells in the standard cartesian implementation of the FDTD method. The material composition of the scatterer is determined by specifying its electrical properties at each cell on the scatterer. Thus, the FDTD method is a suitable choice for problems with complex geometries evaluated at multiple frequencies. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the FDTD method.
In recent years, much interest has been shown in the use of printed circuit antennas in mobile satellite and communications terminals at microwave frequencies. Although such antennas have many advantages in weight and profile size over more conventional reflector/horn configurations, they do, however, suffer from an inherently narrow bandwidth. A way of optimizing the bandwidth of such antennas by an electronic tuning technique using a loaded probe mounted within the antenna structure is examined, and the resulting far-field radiation patterns are shown. Simulation results from a 2D finite difference time domain (FDTD) model for a rectangular microstrip antenna loaded with shorting pins are given and compared to results obtained with an actual antenna. It is hoped that this work will result in a design package for the analysis of microstrip patch antenna elements.
Using discrete time state variable representation, a generalized computer-aided modeling and analysis of dc-dc converters is presented. The methodology provides exact modeling and is applicable to all types of power stages and duty-cycle control, including continuous and discontinuous inductor current operation. Converter stability, transient behavior and audio susceptibility can be analytically evaluated and predicted. The generalized theory of the proposed approach to converter modeling and analysis is presented first, followed by a demonstrative example applying the theory to a constant frequency buck converter operating in continuous and discontinuous inductor current mode. Excellent agreement with laboratory test data has been observed.
The theoretical basis for the ASYSTD program is discussed in detail. In addition, the extensive bibliography given in this document illustrates some of the extensive work accomplished in the area of time domain simulation. Additions have been in the areas of modeling and language program enhancements, orthogonal transform modeling, error analysis, general filter models, BER measurements, etc. Several models have been developed which utilize the COMSAT generated orthogonal transform algorithms.
Using state variable representation a nonlinear, discrete-time system is derived that models the converter exactly. This system is linearized about its steady state solution, and converter stability, transient response and audio susceptibility are studied. The steady state solution of the converter is stable if and only if all the roots of the linearized system are absolutely less than unity. Excellent agreement with laboratory test data has been observed.
As part of a research program directed at the acoustics of advanced subsonic propulsion systems undertaken at NASA Langley, Duke University was funded to develop a boundary condition model for bulk-reacting nacelle liners. The overall objective of the Langley program was to understand and predict noise from advanced subsonic transport engines and to develop related noise control technology. The overall technical areas included: fan and propeller source noise, acoustics of ducts and duct liners, interior noise, subjective acoustics, and systems noise prediction. The Duke effort was directed toward duct liner acoustics for the development of analytical methods to characterize liner behavior in both frequency domain and time domain. A review of duct acoustics and liner technology can be found in Reference [1]. At that time, NASA Langley was investigating the propulsion concept of an advanced ducted fan, with a large diameter housed inside a relatively short duct. Fan diameters in excess of ten feet were proposed. The lengths of both the inlet and exhaust portions of the duct were to be short, probably less than half the fan diameter. The nacelle itself would be relatively thin-walled for reasons of aerodynamic efficiency. The blade-passage frequency was expected to be less than I kHz, and very likely in the 200 to 300 Hz range. Because of the design constraints of a short duct, a thin nacelle, and long acoustic wavelengths, the application of effective liner technology would be especially challenging. One of the needs of the NASA Langley program was the capability to accurately and efficiently predict the behavior of the acoustic liner. The traditional point impedance method was not an adequate model for proposed liner designs. The method was too restrictive to represent bulk reacting liners and to allow for the characterization of many possible innovative liner concepts. In the research effort at Duke, an alternative method, initially developed to handle bulk reacting layers as described in Reference [2], was extended to apply to a broad range of liner types. This method included the effect of local gradients along the liner surface, and was particularly appropriate for situations with flow over the liner and grazing incidence acoustic fields. In order to utilize time domain computational methods to solve for the propfan acoustic field, corresponding liner boundary conditions were developed for time domain solutions rather than frequency domain solutions.
A computer program is described which is primarily designed to simulate the transient behavior of communications systems.
ASYSTD activities are presented dealing with signal to noise ratio and bit error rate measurement, distortion measurement, optimization feasibility, and the definition and systems design implications of mean square error for nonideal, orthogonally encoded channels.
A model identification methodology for structural dynamics has been applied to simulated vibrational data as a first step in evaluating its accuracy. The evaluation has taken into account a wide variety of factors which affect the accuracy of the procedure. The effects of each of these factors were observed in both the response time histories and the estimates of the parameters of the model by comparing them with the exact values of the system. Each factor was varied independently but combinations of these have also been considered in an effort to simulate real situations. The results of the tests have shown that for the chain model, the procedure yields robust estimates of the stiffness parameters under the conditions studied whenever uniqueness is ensured. When inaccuracies occur in the results, they are intimately related to non-uniqueness conditions inherent in the inverse problem and not to shortcomings in the methodology.
Random process models phased in the time domain are used to analyze astrophysical time series data produced by random processes. A moving average (MA) model represents the data as a sequence of pulses occurring randomly in time, with random amplitudes. An autoregressive (AR) model represents the correlations in the process in terms of a linear function of past values. The best AR model is determined from sampled data and transformed to an MA for interpretation. The randomness of the pulse amplitudes is maximized by a FORTRAN algorithm which is relatively stable numerically. Results of test cases are given to study the effects of adding noise and of different distributions for the pulse amplitudes. A preliminary analysis of the optical light curve of the quasar 3C 273 is given.
The use of rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) as primary structure has the potential to reduce the weight and volume of robotic systems. In the case of robotics for interplanetary exploration, these systems can leverage origami-inspired folding for increased mobility options and reduced storage volume. Folding rigid-flex PCB robotics can be constructed with rigid PCB connected by short Nomex fabric hinges coupled with flex PCB ribbon cables that permits enhanced system flexibility and energy dissipation to promote impact survivability. This paper presents a design methodology of rigid-flex PCB systems with an emphasis on impact resistance. The design process considers solder joint adequacy, panel bending, and fracture using a finite element (FE) model. The proposed design methodology is developed using a case study with NASA JPL's Pop-Up Folding Flat Explorer Robot (PUFFER). First, the finite-element (FE) modeling methodology is presented with consideration to both frequency and time-domain modeling applications, which include operational self-contact analysis and high impact scenarios. The time-domain impact modeling methodology utilizes hyperelastic material properties for the Nomex hinges. This modeling method is validated using image correlation of PUFFER drop tests. A flowchart is presented to guide users through a validated Abaqus modeling procedure for highly flexible rigid-flex systems. Next, a case study is presented in which PUFFER is subject to drop heights representative of falls into Lunar pits and then the design is refined for a more optimum impact performance. Finally, the results of the case study are used to inform a generalized design methodology for rigid-flex PCB robotics subject to high-impact loads with the considerations presented.
The use of rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) as primary structure has the potential to reduce the weight and volume of robotic systems. In the case of robotics for interplanetary exploration, these systems can leverage origamiinspired folding for increased mobility options and reduced storage volume. Folding rigid-flex PCB robotics can be constructed with rigid PCB connected by short Nomex fabric hinges coupled with flex PCB ribbon cables that permits enhanced system flexibility and energy dissipation to promote impact survivability. This paper presents a design methodology of rigidflex PCB systems with an emphasis on impact resistance. The design process considers solder joint adequacy, panel bending, and fracture using a finite element (FE) model. The proposed design methodology is developed using a case study with NASA JPL’s Pop-Up Folding Flat Explorer Robot (PUFFER). First, the finite-element (FE) modeling methodology is presented with consideration to both frequency and time-domain modeling applications, which include operational self-contact analysis and high impact scenarios. The time-domain impact modeling methodology utilizes hyperelastic material properties for the Nomex hinges. This modeling method is validated using image correlation of PUFFER drop tests. A flowchart is presented to guide users through a validated Abaqus modeling procedure for highly flexible rigid-flex systems. Next, a case study is presented in which PUFFER is subject to drop heights representative of falls into Lunar pits and then the design is refined for a more optimum impact performance. Finally, the results of the case study are used to inform a generalized design methodology for rigid-flex PCB robotics subject to high-impact loads with the considerations presented.