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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.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Architecture for time or transform domain decoding of reed-solomon codes

Two pipeline (255,233) RS decoders, one a time domain decoder and the other a transform domain decoder, use the same first part to develop an errata locator polynomial .tau.(x), and an errata evaluator polynominal A(x). Both the time domain decoder and transform domain decoder have a modified GCD that uses an input multiplexer and an output demultiplexer to reduce the number of GCD cells required. The time domain decoder uses a Chien search and polynomial evaluator on the GCD outputs .tau.(x) and A(x), for the final decoding steps, while the transform domain decoder uses a transform error pattern algorithm operating on .tau.(x) and the initial syndrome computation S(x), followed by an inverse transform algorithm in sequence for the final decoding steps prior to adding the received RS coded message to produce a decoded output message.

Shao, Howard M.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Gigabit Satellite Network for NASA's Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS)

The advanced communication technology satellite (ACTS) gigabit satellite network provides long-haul point-to-point and point-to-multipoint full-duplex SONET services over NASA's ACTS. at rates up to 622 Mbit/s (SONET OC-12), with signal quality comparable to that obtained with terrestrial fiber networks. Data multiplexing over the satellite is accomplished using time-division multiple access (TDMA) techniques coordinated with the switching and beam hopping facilities provided by ACTS. Transmissions through the satellite are protected with Reed-Solomon encoding. providing virtually error-free transmission under most weather conditions. Unique to the system are a TDMA frame structure and satellite synchronization mechanism that allow: (a) very efficient utilization of the satellite capacity: (b) over-the-satellite dosed-loop synchronization of the network in configurations with up to 64 ground stations: and (c) ground station initial acquisition without collisions with existing signalling or data traffic. The user interfaces are compatible with SONET standards, performing the function of conventional SONET multiplexers and. as such. can be: readily integrated with standard SONET fiber-based terrestrial networks. Management of the network is based upon the simple network management protocol (SNMP). and includes an over-the-satellite signalling network and backup terrestrial internet (IP-based) connectivity. A description of the ground stations is also included.

Hoder, Douglas↗
NASA NTRS2020

Micro-X Sounding Rocket: Transitioning from First Flight to a Dark Matter Configuration

The Micro-X sounding rocket flew for the first time on July 22, 2018, becoming the first program to fly Transition-Edge Sensors and multiplexing SQUID readout electronics in space. While a rocket pointing failure led to no time on-target, the success of the flight systems was demonstrated. The successful flight operation of the instrument puts the program in a position to modify the payload for indirect galactic dark matter searches. The payload modifications are motivated by the science requirements of this observation. Micro-X can achieve world-leading sensitivity in the keV regime with a single flight. Dark matter sensitivity projections have been updated to include recent observations and the expected sensitivity of Micro-X to these observed fluxes. If a signal is seen (as seen in the X-ray satellites), Micro-X can differentiate an atomic line from a dark matter signature.

J. S. Adams↗
NASA NTRS1973

An ultrasonic scanning system for arterial imaging

A transcutaneous system for real-time imaging of arteries is described. A transducer probe containing three linear arrays of elements scans tissues within the element Fresnel zones. Each element is multiplexed in turn to a pulsed Doppler processor to permit real-time visualizations of moving targets. Applications of the motion-indicating B-scans are discussed, with special attention to problems in transcutaneous measurement of blood flow.

Hottinger, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Telemetry Computer System at Wallops Flight Center

This paper describes the Telemetry Computer System in operation at NASA's Wallops Flight Center for real-time or off-line processing, storage, and display of telemetry data from rockets and aircraft. The system accepts one or two PCM data streams and one FM multiplex, converting each type of data into computer format and merging time-of-day information. A data compressor merges the active streams, and removes redundant data if desired. Dual minicomputers process data for display, while storing information on computer tape for further processing. Real-time displays are located at the station, at the rocket launch control center, and in the aircraft control tower. The system is set up and run by standard telemetry software under control of engineers and technicians. Expansion capability is built into the system to take care of possible future requirements.

Bell, H.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Multiplexed Predictive Control of a Large Commercial Turbofan Engine

Model predictive control is a strategy well-suited to handle the highly complex, nonlinear, uncertain, and constrained dynamics involved in aircraft engine control problems. However, it has thus far been infeasible to implement model predictive control in engine control applications, because of the combination of model complexity and the time allotted for the control update calculation. In this paper, a multiplexed implementation is proposed that dramatically reduces the computational burden of the quadratic programming optimization that must be solved online as part of the model-predictive-control algorithm. Actuator updates are calculated sequentially and cyclically in a multiplexed implementation, as opposed to the simultaneous optimization taking place in conventional model predictive control. Theoretical aspects are discussed based on a nominal model, and actual computational savings are demonstrated using a realistic commercial engine model.

Richter, hanz↗
NASA NTRS2008

Development and Operation of Arrays of TES x-ray Microcalorimeters Suitable for Constellation-X

Having already developed a transition-edge-sensor (TES) microcalorimeter design that enables uniform and reproducible high spectral resolution (routinely better than 3 eV resolution at 6 keV) and is compatible with high fill-factor arrays, we are now working towards demonstrating this performance at high count rates and with the multiplexed read-out needed for instrumenting the Constellation-X X-ray Microcalorimeter Spectrometer (XMS) focal plane array. Design changes that increase the speed of the individual XMS pixels, such as lowering the heat capacity or increasing the thermal conductance of the link to the 50-mK heatsink, result in larger, faster signals, thus the coupling to the multiplexer and the overall bandwidth of the electronics must accommodate this increase in slew rate. In order to operate the array with high incident x-ray flux without unacceptable degradation of the spectral resolution, the magnitude of thermal and electrical crosstalk must be controlled. We will discuss recent progress in the thermal and electrical designs of our close-packed TES arrays, and we will present spectra acquired through the read-out chain from the multiplexer electronics, through the demultiplexer software, to real-time signal processing.

Kilbourne, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Television multiplexing system

System with single, standard, wideband line transmits ten or more real time TV video data displays over hard wire to recorders more than 22.5 km from source. Digital logic and integrated circuits ensure high reliability and low maintenance. System is adaptable for video sampling applications.

Simpkins, L. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A CCD integrated circuit for transient recorders

A 50 MHz CCD integrated circuit is described that was developed for use in transient analog signal recorders to sample and time expand transient signals. The integrated circuit achieves an effective 200 MHz sample rate by using four 32 stage peristaltic CCDs to sample the transient signal four times each clock period. Dual frequency, 4 phi clocking is used to sample and time expand the sampled data. The output signals of the four CCDs are multiplexed on chip into a single low frequency output data line. When operated with 50 MHz/165 KHz 4 phi clocks, this circuit has a 200 MHz sample rate, a record length of 640 nanoseconds, a time expansion factor of 303, and overall signal to noise ratio of 40:1. The signal to noise ratio is limited by fixed pattern noise of the four CCDs.

Balch, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS2018

UV Capabilities of the CETUS Multi-Object Spectrometer (MOS) and NUV/FUV Camera

The Cosmic Evolution Through UV Spectroscopy (CETUS) concept enables parallel observations by the UV multiobject spectrometer (MOS) and near-UV/far-UV camera which operate simultaneously but independently with their separate field of views. The near-UV MOS can target up to 100 objects at a time without confusion with nearby sources or background zodiacal light. This multiplexing will allow over 100,000 galaxies to be observed over a typical mission lifetime. The MOS includes a next-generation micro-shutter array (NGMSA), an efficient aspheric Offner-like spectrometer design with a convex grating, and nanotube light traps for suppressing unwanted wavelengths. The NUV/FUV Camera has the capability to image in a range of sub-bands from 115-400 nm at the same time the MOS is operating at 180-350 nm. The UV camera has a similar Offner-like relay, selectable filters, and two separate detectors to optimize observing in either the far-UV (115-175 nm) or the near-UV (180-400 nm) utilizing a CsI Micro-Channel Plate detector (MCP) and a CCD respectively.

The Cosmic Evolution Through UV Spectroscopy (CETU↗
NASA NTRS1986

Optical linear algebra processors - Architectures and algorithms

Attention is given to the component design and optical configuration features of a generic optical linear algebra processor (OLAP) architecture, as well as the large number of OLAP architectures, number representations, algorithms and applications encountered in current literature. Number-representation issues associated with bipolar and complex-valued data representations, high-accuracy (including floating point) performance, and the base or radix to be employed, are discussed, together with case studies on a space-integrating frequency-multiplexed architecture and a hybrid space-integrating and time-integrating multichannel architecture.

Casasent, David↗
NASA NTRS1989

Smart structures research program at Virginia Tech

A review of the smart structures and avionics research and teaching program that started in 1979 at Virginia Tech is described. Current smart structures research include major efforts in the development of embedded and attached optical fiber and acoustic fiber sensors for cure monitoring, in-service lifetime structural testing, nondestructive evaluation, and impact and damage detection and analysis; of gradual material degradation; sensor signal multiplexing, processing and data handling to achieve near real-time distributed structural analysis; and the integration of embedded sensors, actuators and control electronics to achieve controlled structural response. Special campus facilities used for this work include an optical fiber fabrication facility, an autoclave for composite structure fabrication and curing, and laboratories for optical fiber sensor development, materials response and nondestructive evaluation, structural control testing and computer engineering.

Claus, R. O.↗
NASA NTRS2001

The Effect of Doppler Frequency Shift, Frequency Offset of the Local Oscillators, and Phase Noise on the Performance of Coherent OFDM Receivers

This paper first shows that the Doppler frequency shift affects the frequencies of the RF carrier, subcarriers, envelope, and symbol timing by the same percentage in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal or any other modulated signals. Then the SNR degradation of an OFDM system due to Doppler frequency shift, frequency offset of the local oscillators and phase noise is analyzed. Expressions are given and values for 4-, 16-, 64-, and 256-QAM OFDM systems are calculated and plotted. The calculations show that the Doppler shift of the D3 project is about 305 kHz, and the degradation due to it is about 0.01 to 0.04 dB, which is negligible. The degradation due to frequency offset and phase noise of local oscillators will be the main source of degradation. To keep the SNR degradation under 0.1 dB, the relative frequency offset due to local oscillators must be below 0.01 for the 16 QAM-OFDM. This translates to an offset of 1.55 MHz (0.01 x 155 MHz) or a stability of 77.5 ppm (0.01 x 155 MHz/20 GHz) for the DI project. To keep the SNR degradation under 0.1 dB, the relative linewidth (0) due to phase noise of the local oscillators must be below 0.0004 for the 16 QAM-OFDM. This translates to a linewidth of 0.062 MHz (0.0004 x 155 MHz) of the 20 GHz RIF carrier. For a degradation of 1 dB, beta = 0.04, and the linewidth can be relaxed to 6.2 MHz.

Xiong, Fuqin↗
NASA NTRS1991

Multiplex Fabry-Perot interferometer

Attention is given to a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) technique in which one of the etalon plates is moved over a large optical distance while the other remains fixed, thus exploiting the multiplex advantage of the instrument. This technique involves the application of Fourier-transform spectrometer to the multiple harmonics passing through the FPI etalon. It is shown that the multiplex FPI acts as several Michelson interferometers working at the same time, over the same spectral interval, and at different spectral resolutions. A high spectral resolution has been obtained over a large wavenumber interval, while the advantage of a reasonable scan length has been retained.

Hays, Paul B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Apollo experience report: Real-time display system

The real time display system used in the Apollo Program is described; the systematic organization of the system, which resulted from hardware/software trade-offs and the establishment of system criteria, is emphasized. Each basic requirement of the real time display system was met by a separate subsystem. The computer input multiplexer subsystem, the plotting display subsystem, the digital display subsystem, and the digital television subsystem are described. Also described are the automated display design and the generation of precision photographic reference slides required for the three display subsystems.

Sullivan, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Accurate positioning of characters on CRT displays

Two systems, one digital and one analog, improve positioning of characters in cathode-ray tube (CRT) display systems. Circuits minimize effects of amplifier settling times--effects that can displace and distort characters in high-speed multiplexed systems.

Damian, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The Spacelab Experiment Interface Device (SEID)

The Spacelab experiment interface device (SEID) is described which simulates the electrical, and logical connections of the Spacelab remote acquisition unit (RAU), the interface functions of the Spacelab experiment computer software, and the electrical aspects of the high rate multiplexer. Simulated RAU interfaces include PCM serial channels (up to four), user time clock (UTC), flexible inputs (up to 128) and discrete outputs (up to 64). Connectors are logically compatible with the rau. be instructed to execute sequences of input/output commands to the RAU, similar to those performed during flight. This approximation of the experiment computer software is adequate to detect interface problems and prevent these from occurring during Spacelab payload integration. The SEID hardware is a microprocessor based system, utilizing an 8085 microprocessor with 6K of PROM and 4K of static RAM. The basic unit is augmented with an LSI-11 microcomputer to provide disk storage and a more dynamic environment for generation of control data. A simulation of the general monitoring loop is provided to emulate Spacelab system timing.

Kallus, R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

HgCdTe 256x256 NWIR FPA

Researchers developed a HgCdTe 256x256 focal plane array (FPA) which operates in the 1 to 5 micron band. This is presently the largest demonstrated HgCdTe FPA. The detector material is HgCdTe on sapphire (PACE-1 technology) which has a low thermal expansion mismatch with silicon. The multiplexer is a CMOS FET-switch device processed through a commercial silicon foundry. The multiplexer input is direct injection and the charge capacity is about 2 times 10 to the 7th power electrons. The kTC limited read noise is 400 electrons. Researchers demonstrated high background imaging using the device. The broadband quantum efficiency is measured to be 59 percent. Dark currents less than 0.1 pA were measured at 77 K for detectors processed on PACE-1 material with 4.9 microns cutoff. The dark currents decrease as the temperature is lowered, and researchers are presently studying the T less than 77 K characteristics. The interconnect yield is greater than 95 percent. The devices are available for astronomical applications.

Vural, Kadri↗