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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 235 records · Page 13

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NASA NTRS1993

Population-based learning of load balancing policies for a distributed computer system

Effective load-balancing policies use dynamic resource information to schedule tasks in a distributed computer system. We present a novel method for automatically learning such policies. At each site in our system, we use a comparator neural network to predict the relative speedup of an incoming task using only the resource-utilization patterns obtained prior to the task's arrival. Outputs of these comparator networks are broadcast periodically over the distributed system, and the resource schedulers at each site use these values to determine the best site for executing an incoming task. The delays incurred in propagating workload information and tasks from one site to another, as well as the dynamic and unpredictable nature of workloads in multiprogrammed multiprocessors, may cause the workload pattern at the time of execution to differ from patterns prevailing at the times of load-index computation and decision making. Our load-balancing policy accommodates this uncertainty by using certain tunable parameters. We present a population-based machine-learning algorithm that adjusts these parameters in order to achieve high average speedups with respect to local execution. Our results show that our load-balancing policy, when combined with the comparator neural network for workload characterization, is effective in exploiting idle resources in a distributed computer system.

Mehra, Pankaj↗

NASA NTRS2002

Adaptive Load-Balancing Algorithms using Symmetric Broadcast Networks

In a distributed computing environment, it is important to ensure that the processor workloads are adequately balanced, Among numerous load-balancing algorithms, a unique approach due to Das and Prasad defines a symmetric broadcast network (SBN) that provides a robust communication pattern among the processors in a topology-independent manner. In this paper, we propose and analyze three efficient SBN-based dynamic load-balancing algorithms, and implement them on an SGI Origin2000. A thorough experimental study with Poisson distributed synthetic loads demonstrates that our algorithms are effective in balancing system load. By optimizing completion time and idle time, the proposed algorithms are shown to compare favorably with several existing approaches.

Das, Sajal K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Application of model based control to robotic manipulators

A robot that can duplicate humam motion capabilities in such activities as balancing, reaching, lifting, and moving has been built and tested. These capabilities are achieved through the use of real time Model-Based Control (MBC) techniques which have recently been demonstrated. MBC accounts for all manipulator inertial forces and provides stable manipulator motion control even at high speeds. To effectively demonstrate the unique capabilities of MBC, an experimental robotic manipulator was constructed, which stands upright, balancing on a two wheel base. The mathematical modeling of dynamics inherent in MBC permit the control system to perform functions that are impossible with conventional non-model based methods. These capabilities include: (1) Stable control at all speeds of operation; (2) Operations requiring dynamic stability such as balancing; (3) Detection and monitoring of applied forces without the use of load sensors; (4) Manipulator safing via detection of abnormal loads. The full potential of MBC has yet to be realized. The experiments performed for this research are only an indication of the potential applications. MBC has no inherent stability limitations and its range of applicability is limited only by the attainable sampling rate, modeling accuracy, and sensor resolution. Manipulators could be designed to operate at the highest speed mechanically attainable without being limited by control inadequacies. Manipulators capable of operating many times faster than current machines would certainly increase productivity for many tasks.

Petrosky, Lyman J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Model order reduction applied to a hot-bench simulation of an aeroelastic wind-tunnel model

Simulations of an aeroelastically scaled wind-tunnel model were developed for hot-bench testing of a digital controller. The digital controller provided active flutter-suppression, rolling-maneuver-load alleviation, and plant estimation. To achieve an acceptable time scale for the hot-bench application, the mathematical model of the wind-tunnel model was reduced from 220 states to approximately 130 states while assuring that the required accuracy was preserved for all combinations of 10 inputs and 56 outputs. The reduction was achieved by focussing on a linear, aeroelastic submodel of the full mathematical model and by applying a method based on the internally balanced realization of a dynamic system. The error-bound properties of the internally balanced realization significantly contribute to its utility in the model reduction process. The reduction method and the results achieved are described.

Buttrill, Carey S.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Shake Test Results and Dynamic Calibration Efforts for the Large Rotor Test Apparatus

A shake test of the Large Rotor Test Apparatus (LRTA) was performed in an effort to enhance NASAscapability to measure dynamic hub loads for full-scale rotor tests. This paper documents the results of theshake test as well as efforts to calibrate the LRTA balance system to measure dynamic loads.Dynamic rotor loads are the primary source of vibration in helicopters and other rotorcraft, leading topassenger discomfort and damage due to fatigue of aircraft components. There are novel methods beingdeveloped to reduce rotor vibrations, but measuring the actual vibration reductions on full-scale rotorsremains a challenge. In order to measure rotor forces on the LRTA, a balance system in the non-rotatingframe is used. The forces at the balance can then be translated to the hub reference frame to measure therotor loads. Because the LRTA has its own dynamic response, the balance system must be calibrated toinclude the natural frequencies of the test rig.

Shake Test Results↗

NASA NTRS1985

Future possibilities in objective analysis and data assimilation for atmospheric dynamics

The role that dynamics plays in estimating the state of the atmosphere from incomplete and noisy data is reviewed. Objective analysis represents an attempt at relying mostly on the data and minimizing the role of dynamics in the estimation. Data assimilation tries to balance properly the roles of dynamical and observational information. Sequential estimation is presented as the proper framework for understanding this balance, and the Kalman filter as the ideal, optimal procedure for data assimilation. The optimal filter computes forecast error covariances of a given atmospheric model exactly, and hence data assimilation should be closely connected with predictability studies. This connection is described, and consequences drawn for currently active areas of the atmospheric and related sciences, namely, mesoscale meteorology, long range forecasting, and upper ocean dynamics. Possibilities offered by judicious data assimilation in understanding barotropic adjustment, a phenomenon that appears to play a crucial role in atmospheric behavior on the scale of weeks to months, and hence in long range forecasting are addressed.

Ghil, M.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Boundary-Layer Cloud Modeling Challenges on the North Slope of Alaska

The accurate modeling and prediction of cloud base heights is critical for energy balance calculations and aviation operations, alike. Low-level (i.e., boundary-layer) Arctic clouds can be difficult to model, making prediction of formation and dissipation challenging. Primarily mixed-phase, these clouds typically contain low quantities of supercooled liquid water and often slowly precipitate relatively small amounts of moderately and heavily rimed snow particles. While this appears to be the predominant cloudy state on the North Slope of Alaska (NSA), the delicate balance of microphysical, dynamical, radiative, surface coupling, and advective processes can rapidly shift to heavy snow (with various degrees of riming) or to a complete dissipation of the cloud layer without any precipitation, depending on the dominant processes. Here we strive to disentangle these various processes. First, we compare the predictive performances of four different numerical weather models in forecasting the presence and base-heights of low-level clouds: the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh - Alaska (HRRR-AK) model, the Polar Weather Research and Forecasting (Polar WRF) model, the Unified Model (UM), and the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) model. Initial results comparing model output at two U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (AMT) NSA sites, during the fall season in 2019 and 2022, show that the UM slightly outperforms the HRRR-AK in terms of accurately forecasting the presence of a low-level cloud layer (89% of the time). All models have a significant bias of 300 to 800 meters in forecasting cloud base height (lower than is observed); however, the UM and ECMWF models have the lowest biases. Finally, a case study for a particularly challenging April 2017 thin-cloud event is presented, wherein we compare the performance of four different bulk microphysical parameterization schemes using a higher-resolution large eddy simulation (LES) model, the WRF-LES. Initial results show that the Thompson scheme was the only one able to reproduce and sustain a substantial supercooled liquid layer, but it was unable to reproduce the transition from a deep, liquid-rich cloud to a thin layer with moderately and heavily rimed precipitation. This is the first step in linking simulated LES-scale riming processes with those parameterized at a coarser mesoscale model scale. This has important implications for forecasting low-level clouds in an operational environment, given the efficiency of the riming process.

cloud base heights↗

NASA NTRS1972

The social function of technology assessment

The problem of preserving the uneasy balance between a dynamic society and the equilibrium of man-environment society is discussed. Four sets of activities involved in technology assessment are considered: (1) Technology forecasting is necessary to warn of future dangers and opportunities, for effective timing, and to identify tradeoffs and alternatives. But forecasting is also chancy at best. (2) Social indicators need to be developed for the characterization of social status and measurement of social progress, as well as a better understanding of social needs. (3) With respect to technology assessment, the conflict between profitable directions of innovations and socially desirable directions is described, and a systematic way is needed to determine in advance what is technologically feasible to meet social needs. (4) National goals with respect to scientific and technological developments are also required.

Huddle, F. P.↗

NASA NTRS1971

The University of Virginia superconducting magnetic suspension and balance facility.

Description of a prototype facility comprising a superconducting magnetic suspension and balance and a supersonic wind tunnel. This facility was developed with the objectives of establishing the feasibility of applying the three-component magnetic balance concept to dynamic stability studies, and investigating design concepts and parameters that are critical for extrapolation to large-scale systems. Many important design and operational aspects, as well as safety considerations, are dictated by the cryogenic nature of this advanced-technology facility. Results of initial tests demonstrate that superconductors can be utilized safely and efficiently for wind-tunnel magnetic suspensions. At the present stage of development of this facility, controlled one-dimensional support of a spherical model has been achieved.

Zapata, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The University of Virginia superconducting magnetic suspension and balance facility

A prototype facility comprising a superconducting magnetic suspension and balance and a supersonic wind tunnel was developed with the objectives of (1) establishing the feasibility of applying the 3-component magnetic balance concept to dynamic stability studies, and (2) investigating design concepts and parameters that are critical for extrapolation to large-scale systems. Many important design and operational aspects as well as safety considerations are dictated by the cryogenic nature of this advanced-technology facility. Results of initial tests demonstrate that super-conductors can be utilized safely and efficiently for wind tunnel magnetic suspensions. At the present stage of development of this facility, controlled one-dimensional support of a spherical model was achieved.

Zapata, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Radio occultation exploration of Mars

The present work summarizes the principal results of the radio occultation experiments carried out to date for Mars. The early measurements, made at the time of the Martian dust storm of 1971, showed greatly reduced temperature gradients in the daytime troposphere, indicating the heating effect of the dust. The temperature gradients that were measured later when the atmosphere was apparently free of dust, were still much lower than expected under conditions of radiative-convective balance, indicating that dynamics may play a large part in determining the temperature structure of the Martian troposphere. The surface atmospheric pressure was observed to vary widely with topography ranging from about 1 mb at the summit of the Middle Spot volcano (Pavonis Mons) to over 10 mb in the North circumpolar region. The radius of the planet was measured with accuracies ranging from about 0.25 to about 2.1 km over latitudes ranging from 86 to -80 deg. These measurements have shown that Mars has pronounced equatorial and north-south asymmetries, which make it difficult to represent its shape by a simple triaxial figure. The daytime ionosphere measurements indicated that the main ionization peak was similar in behavior to a terrestrial F1 layer and is probably produced by photoionization of carbon dioxide by solar extreme ultraviolet.

Kliore, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Wind tunnel determination of dynamic cross-coupling derivatives - A new approach

The latest developments in the NAE ongoing dynamic stability research program are briefly summarized. Emphasis is placed on the recently developed wind-tunnel data reduction procedures used to obtain cross and cross-coupling derivatives due to an oscillatory motion. These procedures, which account for the dynamic behaviour of the model-balance subsystem, are described for the balance configurations currently in use. The principles on which they are based, however, are quite general and can therefore be applied to other balance configurations. Two full-model dynamic stability apparatuses are described and typical results, obtained from dynamic calibrations as well as from wind-tunnel experiments, are presented.

Hanff, E. S.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Studies of planetary upper atmospheres through occultations

The structure, composition, dynamics and energy balance of planetary upper atmospheres through interpretation of steller occultation data from Uranus is discussed. The wave-optical problem of modelling strong scintillation for arbitrary turbulent atmospheres is studied, as well as influence of turbulence. It was concluded that quasi-global features of atmospheric structure are accurately determined by numerical inversion. Horizontally inhomogeneous structures are filtered out and have little effect on temperature profiles.

Elliot, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Workshop on Closed System Ecology

Self maintaining laboratory scale ecological systems completely isolated from exchanges of matter with external systems were demonstrated. These research tools are discussed in terms of their anticipated value in understanding (1) global ecological material and energy balances, (2) the dynamics of stability and instability in ecosystems, (3) the effects of man-made substances and structures on ecosystems, and (4) the precise requirements for dynamic control of controlled ecology life support systems (CELSS).

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1986

System considerations for a magnetically suspended flywheel

This paper presents the system considerations of a magnetically suspended energy storage system. The key technologies for system success are presented in a technology flowchart. The key areas identified and discussed include: the active bearing control system, the back-up touchdown bearings, and the flywheel dynamic performance and balancing. Two possible hardware designs are described which have been identified as having characteristics suitable for energy storage in low earth orbit spacecraft. Finally, a matrix of the key technologies versus the various prototype designs is presented to show the current progress of inertial energy storage, and to show the direction of future work.

Anand, D. K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

DEPEND - A design environment for prediction and evaluation of system dependability

The development of DEPEND, an integrated simulation environment for the design and dependability analysis of fault-tolerant systems, is described. DEPEND models both hardware and software components at a functional level, and allows automatic failure injection to assess system performance and reliability. It relieves the user of the work needed to inject failures, maintain statistics, and output reports. The automatic failure injection scheme is geared toward evaluating a system under high stress (workload) conditions. The failures that are injected can affect both hardware and software components. To illustrate the capability of the simulator, a distributed system which employs a prediction-based, dynamic load-balancing heuristic is evaluated. Experiments were conducted to determine the impact of failures on system performance and to identify the failures to which the system is especially susceptible.

Goswami, Kumar K.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Parallel simulation today

This paper surveys topics that presently define the state of the art in parallel simulation. Included in the tutorial are discussions on new protocols, mathematical performance analysis, time parallelism, hardware support for parallel simulation, load balancing algorithms, and dynamic memory management for optimistic synchronization.

Nicol, David↗

NASA NTRS1996

Nonlinear spatial evolution of inviscid instabilities on hypersonic boundary layers

The spatial development of an initially linear vorticity-mode instability on a compressible flat-plate boundary layer is considered. The analysis is done in the framework of the hypersonic limit where the free-stream Mach number M approaches infinity. Nonlinearity is shown to become important locally, in a thin critical layer, when sigma, the deviation of the phase speed from unity, becomes o(M(exp -8/7)) and the magnitude of the pressure fluctuations becomes 0(sigma(exp 5/2)M(exp 2)). The unsteady flow outside the critical layer takes the form of a linear instability wave but with its amplitude completely determined by the nonlinear flow within the critical layer. The coupled set of equations which govern the critical-layer dynamics reflect a balance between spatial-evolution, (linear and nonlinear) convection and nonlinear vorticity-generation terms. The numerical solution to these equations shows that nonlinear effects produce a dramatic reduction in the instability-wave amplitude.

Wundrow, David W.↗