Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “field testing”

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.

At least 1,801 records · Page 100

Structural frequency functions for an impulsive, distributed forcing function

The response of a penetrator structure to a spatially distributed mechanical impulse with a magnitude approaching field test force levels (1-2 Mlb) were measured. The frequency response function calculated from the response to this unique forcing function is compared to frequency response functions calculated from response to point forces of about 2000 pounds. The results show that the strain gages installed on the penetrator case respond similiarly to a point, axial force and to a spatially distributed, axial force. This result suggests that the distributed axial force generated in a penetration event may be reconstructed as a point axial force when the penetrator behaves in linear manner.

Bateman, Vesta I.↗

Forward looking wind shear detection

Information on forward looking wind shear detection is presented in vugraph form. Information is given on system concept development, signal characterization, the field test program, typical radiance fluctuations vs time and radiometric temperatures vs azimuth headings.

Source record↗

Propagation effects by roadside trees measured at UHF and L-band for mobile satellite systems

Propagation field tests were performed in Central Maryland and involved a helicopter and mobile van as the source and receiving platforms, respectively. Tests were implemented at both UHF (870 MHz) and L-band (1.5 GHz) during a period in which the trees were in full blossom and contained maximum moisture. Cumulative fade distributions were determined from the data for various fixed elevation angles, side of the road driving, and road types for both worst and best case path geometries and for overall average road conditions.

Goldhirsh, Julius↗

Development of a mobile satellite communication unit

A compact 210(W) x 280(H) x 330(D) mm mobile terminal capable of transmitting voice and data through L-band mobile satellites is described. The Voice Codec can convert an analog voice to or from digital codes at rates of 9.6, 8 and 4.8 kb/s by an MPC algorithm. The terminal functions with a single 12 V power supplied vehicle battery. The equipment can operate at any L-band frequency allocated for mobile uses in a full duplex mode and will soon be put into a field test via Japans's ETS-V satellite.

Suzuki, Ryutaro↗

Strategies for high-precision Global Positioning System orbit determination

Various strategies for the high-precision orbit determination of the GPS satellites are explored using data from the 1985 GPS field test. Several refinements to the orbit determination strategies were found to be crucial for achieving high levels of repeatability and accuracy. These include the fine tuning of the GPS solar radiation coefficients and the ground station zenith tropospheric delays. Multiday arcs of 3-6 days provided better orbits and baselines than the 8-hr arcs from single-day passes. Highest-quality orbits and baselines were obtained with combined carrier phase and pseudorange solutions.

Lichten, Stephen M.↗

Renormalization-group theory for the eddy viscosity in subgrid modeling

Renormalization-group theory is applied to incompressible three-dimensional Navier-Stokes turbulence so as to eliminate unresolvable small scales. The renormalized Navier-Stokes equation now includes a triple nonlinearity with the eddy viscosity exhibiting a mild cusp behavior, in qualitative agreement with the test-field model results of Kraichnan. For the cusp behavior to arise, not only is the triple nonlinearity necessary but the effects of pressure must be incorporated in the triple term. The renormalized eddy viscosity will not exhibit a cusp behavior if it is assumed that a spectral gap exists between the large and small scales.

Zhou, YE↗

Functional description of signal processing in the Rogue GPS receiver

Over the past year, two Rogue GPS prototype receivers have been assembled and successfully subjected to a variety of laboratory and field tests. A functional description is presented of signal processing in the Rogue receiver, tracing the signal from RF input to the output values of group delay, phase, and data bits. The receiver can track up to eight satellites, without time multiplexing among satellites or channels, simultaneously measuring both group delay and phase for each of three channels (L1-C/A, L1-P, L2-P). The Rogue signal processing described requires generation of the code for all three channels. Receiver functional design, which emphasized accuracy, reliability, flexibility, and dynamic capability, is summarized. A detailed functional description of signal processing is presented, including C/A-channel and P-channel processing, carrier-aided averaging of group delays, checks for cycle slips, acquistion, and distinctive features.

Thomas, J. B.↗

Ozone and nitrogen dioxide ground based monitoring by zenith sky visible spectrometry in Arctic and Antarctic

Unattended diode array spectrometers have been designed for ground based stratospheric trace species monitoring by zenith sky visible spectrometry. Measurements are performed with a 1.0 nm resolution between 290 nm and 590 nm in order to allow simultaneous evaluations of column densities of ozone, nitrogen dioxide. Field tests have shown that the species can be monitored with a precision of + or - 2 Dobson for the first and + or - 2.10 to the 15th mol/sq cm for the second, although the absolute accuracy of the method is limited by the error of the estimation of the atmospheric optical path of the scattered light. Two identical instruments were set up in January 1988, one in Antarctica at Dumont d'Urville (66 S, 140 E) to be operated all year and another one in the Arctic at ESRANGE at Kiruna (68 N; 22 E) which will operate to the final warming of spring 1988. The data are processed in real time at both stations. O3 and NO2 columns are transmitted together with surface and stratospheric temperature and winds. They are also recorded for further treatment and search for OClO and BrO. Only one month of data from Antarctica is available at the moment. Obtained during polar summer, they cannot show more than stable columns of O3 and NO2 and for the last species, the buildup of its diurnal variation.

Pommereau, J. P.↗

Electronic data generation and display system

The Electronic Data Generation and Display System (EDGADS) is a field tested paperless technical manual system. The authoring provides subject matter experts the option of developing procedureware from digital or hardcopy inputs of technical information from text, graphics, pictures, and recorded media (video, audio, etc.). The display system provides multi-window presentations of graphics, pictures, animations, and action sequences with text and audio overlays on high resolution color CRT and monochrome portable displays. The database management system allows direct access via hierarchical menus, keyword name, ID number, voice command or touch of a screen pictoral of the item (ICON). It contains operations and maintenance technical information at three levels of intelligence for a total system.

Wetekamm, Jules↗

Dynamic models for simulation of the 70-M antenna axis servos

Dynamic models for the various functional elements of the 70 m antenna axis servos are described. The model representing the digital position controller, the linear and nonlinear properties of the physical hardware, and the dynamics of the flexible antenna structure are encoded in six major function blocks. The general modular structure of the function blocks facilitates their adaptation to a variety of dynamic simulation studies. Model parameter values were calculated from component specifications and design data. A simulation using the models to predict limit cycle behavior produced results in excellent agreement with field test data from the DSS 14 70-m antenna.

Hill, R. E.↗

Precision GPS orbit determination strategies for an earth orbiter and geodetic tracking system

Data from two 1985 GPS field tests were processed and precise GPS orbits were determined. With a combined carrier phase and pseudorange, the 1314-km repeatability improves substantially to 5 parts in 10 to the 9th (0.6 cm) in the north and 2 parts in 10 to the 8th (2-3 cm) in the other components. To achieve these levels of repeatability and accuracy, it is necessary to fine-tune the GPS solar radiation coefficients and ground station zenith tropospheric delays.

Lichten, Stephen M.↗

Measurement of sound emitted by flying projectiles with aeroacoustic sources

Training projectiles with axisymmetric ring cavities that produce intense tones in an airstream were shot in a straight-line trajectory. A ground-based microphone was used to obtain the angular distribution of sound intensity produced from the flying projectile. Data reduction required calculation of Doppler and attenuation factors. Also, the directional sensitivity of the ground-mounted microphone was measured and used in the data reduction. A rapid angular variation of sound intensity produced from the projectile was found that can be used to plot an intensity contour map on the ground. A full-scale field test confirmed the validity of the aeroacoustic concept of producing a relatively intense whistle from the projectile, and the usefulness of short-range flight tests that yield acoustic data free of uncertainties associated with diffraction, reflection, and refraction at jet boundaries in free-jet tests.

Cho, Y. I.↗

Current developments in NASA's mobile satellite program

The technical background of the NASA mobile satellite program is described, with attention given to the principal system parameters considered by NASA and JPL over the past decade. Recent system concepts and technology developments are discussed with emphasis on the mobile user terminal. Based on L-band channel studies, ground and space segment analyses, and field testing of developed mobile equipment, a first-generation LMSS configuration is proposed. In addition, a future system configuration with potential for significantly increased capacity is examined.

Rafferty, W.↗

Mobile satellite system fade statistics for shadowing and multipath from roadside trees at UHF and L-band

Field tests related to planned mobile satellite systems were performed, and results that add to the existing database of propagation measurements at L-band (1.5 GHz) are described. They are considered particularly useful in that propagation effects were studied systematically, with repeated and controlled runs pertaining to different path elevation angles, road types, and path geometries defining shadowing and line-of-sight modes. In addition, simultaneous L-band and UHF measurements were performed for the purpose of establishing scaling factors applicable to previous UHF (870 MHz) results. The control of the experimental parameters was made possible by using a helicopter as the source platform and a mobile van to house the receiver.

Goldhirsh, Julius↗

Characterization of fluid flow by digital correlation of scattered light

The objective is to produce a physical system suitable for a space environment that can measure fluid velocities in a three-dimensional volume by the development of a particle correlation velocimetry technique. Experimental studies were conducted on a field test cell to demonstrate the suitability and accuracy of digital correlation techniques for measuring two-dimensional fluid flows. This objective was satisfied by: (1) the design of an appropriate illumination and detection system for making velocity measurements within a test cell; (2) the design and construction of a test cell; (3) the preliminary evaluations on fluid and seeding requirements; and (4) the performance of controlled tests using a multiple exposure correlation technique. This presentation is represented by viewgraphs with very little text.

Gilbert, John A.↗

Remote sensing of ocean currents

A method of remotely measuring near-surface ocean currents with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is described. The apparatus consists of a single SAR transmitter and two receiving antennas. The phase difference between SAR image scenes obtained from the antennas forms an interferogram that is directly proportional to the surface current. The first field test of this technique against conventional measurements gives estimates of mean currents accurate to order 20 percent, that is, root-mean-square errors of 5 to 10 centimeters per second in mean flows of 27 to 56 centimeters per second. If the full potential of the method could be realized with spacecraft, then it might be possible to routinely monitor the surface currents of the world's oceans.

Goldstein, R. M.↗

Wind turbine acoustics

Available information on the physical characteristics of the noise generated by wind turbines is summarized, with example sound pressure time histories, narrow- and broadband frequency spectra, and noise radiation patterns. Reviewed are noise measurement standards, analysis technology, and a method of characterizing wind turbine noise. Prediction methods are given for both low-frequency rotational harmonics and broadband noise components. Also included are atmospheric propagation data showing the effects of distance and refraction by wind shear. Human perception thresholds, based on laboratory and field tests, are given. Building vibration analysis methods are summarized. The bibliography of this report lists technical publications on all aspects of wind turbine acoustics.

Hubbard, Harvey H.↗

Theory of CW lidar aerosol backscatter measurements and development of a 2.1 microns solid-state pulsed laser radar for aerosol backscatter profiling

The performance and calibration of a focused, continuous wave, coherent detection CO2 lidar operated for the measurement of atmospheric backscatter coefficient, B(m), was examined. This instrument functions by transmitting infrared (10 micron) light into the atmosphere and collecting the light which is scattered in the rearward direction. Two distinct modes of operation were considered. In volume mode, the scattered light energy from many aerosols is detected simultaneously, whereas in the single particle mode (SPM), the scattered light energy from a single aerosol is detected. The analysis considered possible sources of error for each of these two cases, and also considered the conditions where each technique would have superior performance. The analysis showed that, within reasonable assumptions, the value of B(m) could be accurately measured by either the VM or the SPM method. The understanding of the theory developed during the analysis was also applied to a pulsed CO2 lidar. Preliminary results of field testing of a solid state 2 micron lidar using a CW oscillator is included.

Kavaya, Michael J.↗

Refine your search to explore more results.