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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Bridging Cloud and Edge Computing at NREL Using CONNECT: Cloud Optimized Networking for Next-Gen Edge Computing Technologies [Slides]

CONNECT is an innovative on-premise hardware and software solution that integrates edge and cloud computing infrastructure at NREL. Built on the AWS Greengrass middleware and leveraging the MQTT protocol, CONNECT enables real-time data streaming from IoT devices and gateways to both cloud and local services, empowering researchers to rapidly capture, analyze, and act upon edge-generated data while leveraging cloud capabilities. The platform addresses research infrastructure challenges by providing a pre-approved platform which is already configured with the correct networking and cybersecurity baselines thus eliminating procurement delays and enabling on-demand availability. CONNECT's hybrid architecture efficiently manages burstable workloads, allowing research teams to dynamically scale computational capacity, handle peak data loads, and reduce operational bottlenecks. Advanced capabilities include built-in GPU support for executing machine learning models which enables low-latency inference at the edge from models trained in the cloud. This architecture supports real-time analytics and filtering, providing a mechanism to allow only transmitting and processing high-value data. Cloud-based configuration management permits engineers to manage on-premise systems remotely, optimizing operational efficiency. By bridging edge and cloud computing, CONNECT provides NREL researchers with a flexible, scalable platform that accelerates scientific discovery while maintaining robust security and performance standards.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development and Test Progress Towards a Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Based Gas Turbine Waste Heat Recovery System

Supercritical carbon dioxide systems are the focus of significant recent research efforts and promise compact, high-efficiency architecture for gas turbine waste heat recovery for pipeline gas turbines. The waste heat recovery system improves operating efficiency by converting waste heat to additional electric power, which increases overall system efficiency by 35% at the design point, and also significantly improves part-load performance. This paper describes the system design and component selection for a 5.7 MWe waste heat recovery system based on an integrally-geared compressor-expander architecture, including the thermodynamic cycle development, system architecture and component trade studies, and final selection. Validation test results for critical first-of-a-kind compressor and turbine component technologies are also presented, demonstrating full-pressure performance and progress towards commercialization.

wilkes, Jason↗
DOE OSTI2024

Low-cost Retrofit Kit for Integral Reciprocating Compressors (IRCs) to Reduce Emissions and Enhance Efficiency

Methane emissions from natural gas engines within the oil and gas industry pose a significant environmental challenge, contributing approximately 34.1 MMTCO2 eq to the total of 239 MMTCO2 eq of methane emissions in 2021, according to the EPA report. In response to this pressing issue, a collaborative effort involving the University of Oklahoma and key industry partners—WAGO Automation, Mid Continental Rental, Elipsa, and Perscient—has resulted in the development of a retrofit kit designed to reduce emissions from integral reciprocating compressors (IRCs), which are integrated compressors and engines. The retrofit kit developed comprises an Air Management System (AMS), Integrated Sensors, and a Cloud-Connected Control Unit with Graphical User Interface (GUI)/Human-Machine Interface (HMI). This solution enhances operational efficiency, reduces emissions, and expands the operational envelope of IRCs in the natural gas industry. The project successfully completed all tasks, including the installation of a full-size IRC at a designated site in Oklahoma, the development of an optimized AMS, integration of sensors, and implementation of a data acquisition system. Significant achievements include a notable reduction in CH 4 emissions, up to 84% at specific loads, and the successful deployment of the retrofit kit in diverse field conditions. The system's capabilities were enhanced through the creation of a feedback control algorithm for the AMS using a correlation matrix illustrating relationships between engine parameters, and the design of a predictive and preventive maintenance platform. The project concluded with the deployment of the entire retrofit kit to another location, confirming its effectiveness in reducing emissions and enhancing IRC performance. The comprehensive solution offers valuable benefits for IRCs, making them invaluable assets in the natural gas industry.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
NASA NTRS2015

Optimizing Integrated Arrival, Departure and Surface Operations Under Uncertainty

In airports and surrounding terminal airspaces, the integration of arrival, departure and surface scheduling and routing have the potential to improve the operations efficiency. Recent research had developed mixed-integer-linear programming algorithm-based scheduler for integrated arrival and departure operations in the presence of uncertainty. This paper extends to the surface previous research performed by the authors to integrate taxiway and runway operations. The developed algorithm is capable of computing optimal aircraft schedules and routings that reflects the integration of air and ground operations. A preliminary study case is conducted for a set of thirteen aircraft evolving in a model of the Los Angeles International airport and surrounding terminal areas. Using historical data, a representative traffic scenario is constructed and probabilistic distributions of pushback delay and arrival gate delay are obtained. To assess the benefits of optimization, a First- Come-First-Serve algorithm approach comparison is realized. Evaluation results demonstrate that the optimization can help identifying runway sequencing and schedule that reduce gate waiting time without increasing average taxi times.

Bosson, Christabelle↗
NASA NTRS2019

Using Science Operations Tools and Methods from NASA for Remote Presence Ocean Exploration on Earth: E/V Nautilus Cruise NA108

NASA Ames' Exploration Ground Data Systems (xGDS) supports rapid scientific decision making by synchronizing information in time and space, including video and still images, scientific instrument data, and science and operations notes in geographic and temporal context. We have deployed xGDS at multiple NASA field analog missions over the past decade.In the last two years, we have participated in SUBSEA, a multi-institution collaborative project. SUBSEA used the research ship E/V Nautilus along with its two remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), Hercules and Argus, to explore deep ocean volcanic vents as an analog for ocean worlds (e.g. Enceladus). This work allowed us to compare the existing oceanographic operations methods and technologies used for ocean exploration with corresponding tools and approaches developed and used at NASA. In the first year of SUBSEA we observed existing remote science operations from the Inner Space Center (ISC). In the second year, we deployed xGDS at ISC to complement existing capabilities with xGDS tools designed to support remote Nautilus science operations from the ISC. During operations, video, ROV position and instrument telemetry were streamed from the ship to the ISC. As the science team watched dive operations, they could annotate the data with observations that were relevant to their work domain. Later, the team members could review the data at their own pace to collaboratively develop a dive plan for the next day, which had to be delivered on a fixed daily schedule.The opportunity to compare operations under different conditions enabled us to make several key observations about conducting remote science and planning operations efficiently: (i) Reviewing data collaboratively and interactively with temporal and spatial context was critical for the remote science team's ability to plan dive operations on the Nautilus. (ii) Science team members were actively engaged with the remote dive operations because they could interact with the collected data and visualize it as they desired. (iii) Being able to replay past events at accelerated speeds, and jump to points in time and spaced based on search results, provided efficient access to critical points of interest in a massive volume of data, so the remote science team could deliver plans on time. SUBSEA (Systematic Underwater Biogeochemical Science and Exploration Analog) is a multi-institution collaboration supported by NASA, NOAA's Office of Exploration Research (OER), the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) and the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO). ISC is GSO's telepresence operations facility.

Lees, David S.↗
NASA NTRS1999

A US History of Airbreathing/Rocket Combined-Cycle (RBCC) Propulsion for Powering Future Aerospace Transports, with a Look Ahead to the Year 2020

A technohistorical and forward-planning overview of U.S. developments in combined airbreathing/rocket propulsion for advanced aerospace vehicle applications is presented. Such system approaches fall into one of two categories: (1) Combination propulsion systems (separate, non-interacting engines installed), and (2) Combined-Cycle systems. The latter, and main subject, comprises a large family of closely integrated engine types, made up of both airbreathing and rocket derived subsystem hardware. A single vehicle-integrated, multimode engine results, one capable of operating efficiently over a very wide speed and altitude range, atmospherically and in space. While numerous combination propulsion systems have reached operational flight service, combined-cycle propulsion development, initiated ca. 1960, remains at the subscale ground-test engine level of development. However, going beyond combination systems, combined-cycle propulsion potentially offers a compelling set of new and unique capabilities. These capabilities are seen as enabling ones for the evolution of Spaceliner class aerospace transportation systems. The following combined-cycle hypersonic engine developments are reviewed: (1) RENE (rocket engine nozzle ejector), (2) Cryojet and LACE, (3) Ejector Ramjet and its derivatives, (4) the seminal NASA NAS7-377 study, (5) Air Force/Marquardt Hypersonic Ramjet, (6) Air Force/Lockheed-Marquardt Incremental Scramjet flight-test project, (7) NASA/Garrett Hypersonic Research Engine (HRE), (8) National Aero-Space Plane (NASP), (9) all past projects; and such current and planned efforts as (10) the NASA ASTP-ART RBCC project, (11) joint CIAM/NASA DNSCRAM flight test,(12) Hyper-X, (13) Trailblazer,( 14) W-Vehicle and (15) Spaceliner 100. Forward planning programmatic incentives, and the estimated timing for an operational Spaceliner powered by combined-cycle engines are discussed.

Escher, William J. D.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Characterization of Days Based On Analysis of National Airspace System Performance Metrics

Days of operations in the National Airspace System can be described in term of traffic demand, runway conditions, equipment outages, and surface and enroute weather conditions. These causes manifest themselves in terms of departure delays, arrival delays, enroute delays and traffic flow management delays, Traffic flow management initiatives such as, ground stops, ground delay programs, miles-in-trail restrictions, rerouting and airborne holding are imposed to balance the air traffic demand with respect to the available capacity, In order to maintain operational efficiency of the National Airspace System, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains delay sad other statistics in the Air Traffic Operations Network (OPSNET) and the Aviation System Performance Metrics (ASPM) databases. OPSNET data includes reportable delays of fifteen minutes ox more experienced by Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) flights. Numbers of aircraft affected by departure delays, enroute delays, arrival delays and traffic flow delays are recorded in the OPSNET data. ASPM data consist of number of actual departures, number of canceled departures, percentage of on time departures, percentage of on time gate arrivals, taxi-out delays. taxi-in delays, gate delays, arrival delays and block delays. Surface conditions at the major U.S. airports are classified in terms of Instrument Meteorological Condition (IMC) and Visual Meteorological Condition (VMC) as a function of the time of the day in the ASPM data. The main objective of this paper is to use OPSNET and ASPM data to classify the days in the datasets into few distinct groups, where each group is separated from the other groups in terms of a distance metric. The motivations for classifying the days are two-fold, 1) to enable selection of days of traffic with particular operational characteristics for concept evaluation using system-wide simulation systems such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Airspace Concepts Evaluation Tool (ACES) and 2) to enable evaluation of a given day with respect to the characteristics of the classified groups. The first part of the paper is devoted to the analysis of major trends seen in the OPSNET and ASPM data. The second part of the paper is devoted to describing features or measures derived from the OPSNET and ASPM data that are suitable for characterizing days, and the classification algorithm used for grouping the days. Finally, the method for evaluating the characteristics of a given day with respect to the properties of the groups is described.

Chatterji, Gano B.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Mission Planning and Scheduling System for NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Mission

In the framework of NASA's return to the Moon efforts, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is the first step. It is an unmanned mission to create a comprehensive atlas of the Moon's features and resources necessary to design and build a lunar outpost. LRO is scheduled for launch in April, 2009. LRO carries a payload comprised of six instruments and one technology demonstration. In addition to its scientific mission LRO will use new technologies, systems and flight operations concepts to reduce risk and increase productivity of future missions. As part of the effort to achieve robust and efficient operations, the LRO Mission Operations Team (MOT) will use its Mission Planning System (MPS) to manage the operational activities of the mission during the Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) and operational phases of the mission. The MPS, based on GMV's flexplan tool and developed for NASA with Honeywell Technology Solutions (prime contractor), will receive activity and slew maneuver requests from multiple science operations centers (SOC), as well as from the spacecraft engineers. flexplan will apply scheduling rules to all the requests received and will generate conflict free command schedules in the form of daily stored command loads for the orbiter and a set of daily pass scripts that help automate nominal real-time operations.

Garcia, Gonzalo↗
NASA NTRS1990

Test plan pressure fed thrust chamber technology

Aerojet is developing the technology for the design of a reliable, low cost, efficient, and lightweight LOX/RP-1 pressure fed engine. This technology program is a direct result of Aerojet's liquid rocket booster (LRB) study and previous NASA studies that identified liquid engines using high bulk density hydrocarbon fuels as very attractive for a space transportation system (STS). Previous large thrust LOX/RP-1 engine development programs were characterized by costly development problems due to combustion instability damage. The combustion stability solution was typically obtained through trial and error methods of minimizing instability damage by degrading engine performance. The approach to this program was to utilize existing and newly developed combustion analysis models and design methodology to create a thrust chamber design with features having the potential of producing reliable and efficient operation. This process resulted in an engine design with a unique high thrust-per-element OFO triplet injector utilizing a low cost modular approach. Cost efficient ablative materials are baselined for the injector face and chamber. Technology demonstration will be accomplished through a hot fire test program using appropriately sized subscale hardware. This subscale testing will provide a data base to supplement the current industry data bank and to anchor and validate the applied analysis models and design methodology. Once anchored and validated, these analysis models and design methodology can be applied with greatly increased confidence to design and characterize a large scale pressure fed LOX/RP-1 thrust chamber. The objective of this test program is to generate a data base that can be used to anchor and validate existing analysis models and design methodologies and to provide early concept demonstration of a low cost, efficient LOX/RP-1 thrust chamber. Test conditions and hardware instrumentation were defined to provide data sufficient to characterize combustion stability, performance, and thermal operation over a wide thrust chamber throttling range.

Dunn, Glenn↗
DOE OSTI2021

Operational Limits of Redox Metal Oxides Performing Thermochemical Water Splitting

Solar thermochemical hydrogen production is an attractive technology that stores intermittent solar energy in the form of chemical bonds. Efficient operation requires the identification of a redox-active metal oxide (MO x ) material that can achieve high conversion of water to hydrogen at minimal energy input. Water splitting occurs by consecutive reduction and reoxidation reactions of MO x . MO x is reduced to MO x-δ and, in the second step, is reoxidized by water recovering the initial MO x and generate H 2 . The material must reduce at temperatures achievable in concentrated solar receiver/reactors, while maintaining a thermodynamic driving force to split water. At equilibrium, extent of reduction depends on temperature and oxygen partial pressure, and in this analysis, a set of thermodynamic properties, namely, enthalpy and entropy of oxygen vacancy formation, is sufficient to represent MO x . Herein, a method to easily classify materials based on these thermodynamic properties under any condition of oxygen partial pressure and temperature is presented. This method is based on fundamental thermodynamic principles and is applicable for any redox material with known thermodynamic properties. Despite the simplicity of the method, it is believed that this analysis will support future research in targeting thermodynamic properties of redox-active metal oxides.

water splitting↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Urban Air Mobility Airspace Dynamic Density

Effective flight planning requires information about a variety of potential threats, such as adverse weather or airspace restrictions, and about alternatives available if unforeseen events occur. Expected traffic along the route of flight is also essential to a safe outcome so that, for example, adequate fuel/energy supply can be loaded prior to flight. A dynamic density (DD) metric is introduced for the emerging urban air mobility (UAM) concept to predict airspace congestion that may lead to loss of separation between aircraft or less efficient operations. Using inspiration from dynamic density metric research for traditional air traffic management and a two-way highway analogy, we develop a dynamic density metric for a portion of airspace (aUAM corridor) that aggregates the impact from five factors: aircraft density, density of populous clusters, mean number of aircraft in populous clusters, mean distance between aircraft, and minimum distance between aircraft. This works describes our methodology, rationale, use cases, and visualization techniques to efficiently present the DD metric to an operator for informed decision making. We also present an approach for validating the metric. However, validation remains part of future work.

UAM↗
DOE OSTI2025

From Obsolete to Optimal (ATR Demineralized Water System)

My project was migrating a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) program from legacy software to a modern platform, enhancing operational efficiency and eliminating unsupported, obsolete equipment. Initially, I used a migration tool to transfer the programs to the new software, then manually updated variables to align with the new PLC. I optimized the PLC code by leveraging new scaling features in the I/O cards, removing over 45 obsolete rungs, and enhancing clarity with functional tag aliases. Next, I modernized the HMI's visuals with an updated color scheme and 3D buttons. I developed multiple interface versions iteratively refining them based on operator feedback. I also designed and created a dedicated "Rounds" screen incorporating insights from a previous intern’s project to streamline daily rounds. To improve clarity, consistency, and efficiency I redesigned the entire interface. Adding visual indicators to enhance operational awareness: red is used for values outside normal specifications, green for normal operating modes, yellow for manual mode, and grey for offline units. Additionally, I added a dynamic visual representation of tank levels, creating PLC logic to show the level in inches as well as inches and feet. I then incorporated a navigation sidebar to facilitate efficient screen transitions. Risk of human error was mitigated by defining narrow input ranges for tank level shutoff and password protecting setpoint changes. I also fixed issues with datatypes that caused inaccuracies in the original code. Overall, this comprehensive upgrade significantly enhanced the HMI's functionality, user experience, and operational reliability.

47 - OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Moon to Mars (M2M): Exploration Atmosphere

As humans leave the bounds of Earth to explore the lunar surface and beyond, crew will don extravehicular activity (EVA) suits to learn more about these extraterrestrial environments, establish sustained presence, and perform needed upgrades and maintenance to their space vehicle and habitation systems. Spacefaring vehicle and habitation design will need to support these EVA excursions while ensuring crew health and safety. A crucial technological design advancement towards this goal is the use of a lower pressure exploration atmosphere (EA) that enables high efficiency EVA, rather than the sea level atmosphere of 14.7 psia, 21% oxygen (O 2 ) found on the International Space Station, Shuttle, and most other Russian and Chinese space vehicles and stations. Early space vehicles (Mercury through Apollo Programs) used a 5 psia, 100% O 2 environment, which eliminated the need for pre-EVA denitrogenation protocols, simplified the life support system to a single gas, and saved structural mass. For longer duration missions (Skylab), a diluent gas was added, changing the atmosphere to 5 psia, 70-74% O 2 to prevent atelectasis while remaining normoxic. As in-flight science became a top priority, Shuttle and ISS atmospheres were chosen to operate at sea level allowing for simpler ground-based study control conditions. Consequently this led to long pre-EVA denitrogenation protocols involving up to 4 hours of O 2 prebreathe because the EVA suit still operated at a low pressure of 4.3 psid. To increase operational efficiency, the Shuttle was retroactively certified to operate using 10.2 psia, 26.5% O 2 , reducing O 2 prebreathe time to 40-75 min. Current plans for M2M habitats on the Lunar surface require EVA, thus EA recommendation became 8 psia and 32% O 2 but was revised to 8.2 psia and 34% O 2 to decrease hypoxia exposure. Unfortunately, the benefits of EA in support of safe and efficient EVAs comes with the challenge of fire management in a higher-than-normal O 2 % environment. Although known for decades, the recommended forward work to address fire management has only recently begun. Current flammability tests include examining material propagation and ignition sources as well as fire mitigation processes to better understand these properties for proposed new EA environments. Fire safety, DCS risk, and mission design all contribute to the multifaceted parameters of EA. Thus while it is clear that EA is required to achieve the goals of future exploratory space missions, final specifications are still being evaluated for optimizing crew health and safety.

space atmosphere↗
NASA NTRS1980

Automatic control of NASA Langley's 0.3-meter cryogenic test facility

Experience during the past 6 years of operation of the 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center has shown that there are problems associated with efficient operation and control of cryogenic tunnels using manual control schemes. This is due to the high degree of process crosscoupling between the independent control variables (temperature, pressure, and fan drive speed) and the desired test condition (Mach number and Reynolds number). One problem has been the inability to maintain long-term accurate control of the test parameters. Additionally, the time required to change from one test condition to another has proven to be excessively long and much less efficient than desirable in terms of liquid nitrogen and electrical power usage. For these reasons, studies have been undertaken to: (1) develop and validate a mathematical model of the 0.3-meter cryogenic tunnel process, (2) utilize this model in a hybrid computer simulation to design temperature and pressure feedback control laws, and (3) evaluate the adequacy of these control schemes by analysis of closed-loop experimental data. This paper will present the results of these studies.

Thibodeaux, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Evaluation of Capacitors at Cryogenic Temperatures for Space Applications

Advanced electronic systems designed for use in planetary exploration missions must operate efficiently and reliably under the extreme cold temperatures of deep space environment. In addition, spacecraft power electronics capable of cold temperature operation will greatly simplify the thermal management system by eliminating the need for heating units and associated equipment and thereby reduce the size and weight of the overall power system. In this study, film, mica, solid tantalum and electric double layer capacitors were evaluated as a function of temperature from room to liquid nitrogen in terms of their dielectric properties. These properties included capacitance stability and dielectric loss in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz. DC leakage current measurements were also performed on the capacitors. The results obtained are discussed and conclusions are made concerning the suitability of the capacitors investigated for low temperature applications.

Patterson, Richard L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Solar Selective Coatings Prepared From Thin-Film Molecular Mixtures and Evaluated

Thin films composed of molecular mixtures of metal and dielectric are being considered for use as solar selective coatings for a variety of space power applications. By controlling molecular mixing during ion-beam sputter deposition, researchers can tailor the solar selective coatings to have the combined properties of high solar absorptance and low infrared emittance. On orbit, these combined properties simultaneously maximize the amount of solar energy captured by the coating and minimize the amount of thermal energy radiated. The solar selective coatings are envisioned for use on minisatellites, for applications where solar energy is used to power heat engines or to heat remote regions in the interior of the spacecraft. Such systems may be useful for various missions, particularly those to middle Earth orbit. Sunlight must be concentrated by a factor of 100 or more to achieve the desired heat inlet operating temperature. At lower concentration factors, the temperature of the heat inlet surface of the heat engine is too low for efficient operation, and at high concentration factors, cavity type heat receivers become attractive. The an artist's concept of a heat engine, with the annular heat absorbing surface near the focus of the concentrator coated with a solar selective coating is shown. In this artist's concept, the heat absorbing surface powers a small Stirling convertor. The astronaut's gloved hand is provided for scale. Several thin-film molecular mixtures have been prepared and evaluated to date, including mixtures of aluminum and aluminum oxide, nickel and aluminum oxide, titanium and aluminum oxide, and platinum and aluminum oxide. For example, a 2400- Angstrom thick mixture of titanium and aluminum oxide was found to have a solar absorptance of 0.93 and an infrared emittance of 0.06. On the basis of tests performed under flowing nitrogen at temperatures as high as 680 C, the coating appeared to be durable at elevated temperatures. Additional durability testing is planned, including exposure to atomic oxygen, vacuum ultraviolet radiation, and high-energy electrons.

Jaworske, Don A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Impact of Probabilistic Weather on Flight Routing Decisions

Flight delays in the United States have been found to increase year after year, along with the increase in air traffic. During the four-month period from May through August of 2005, weather related delays accounted for roughly 70% of all reported delays, The current weather prediction in tactical (within 2 hours) timeframe is at manageable levels, however, the state of forecasting weather for strategic (2-6 hours) timeframe is still not dependable for long-term planning. In the absence of reliable severe weather forecasts, the decision-making for flights longer than two hours is challenging. This paper deals with an approach of using probabilistic weather prediction for Traffic Flow Management use, and a general method using this prediction for estimating expected values of flight length and delays in the National Airspace System (NAS). The current state-of-the-art convective weather forecasting is employed to aid the decision makers in arriving at decisions for traffic flow and flight planing. The six-agency effort working on the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) have considered weather-assimilated decision-making as one of the principal foci out of a list of eight. The weather Integrated Product Team has considered integrated weather information and improved aviation weather forecasts as two of the main efforts (Ref. 1, 2). Recently, research has focused on the concept of operations for strategic traffic flow management (Ref. 3) and how weather data can be integrated for improved decision-making for efficient traffic management initiatives (Ref. 4, 5). An overview of the weather data needs and benefits of various participants in the air traffic system along with available products can be found in Ref. 6. Previous work related to use of weather data in identifying and categorizing pilot intrusions into severe weather regions (Ref. 7, 8) has demonstrated a need for better forecasting in the strategic planning timeframes and moving towards a probabilistic description of weather (Ref. 9). This paper focuses on. specified probability in a local region for flight intrusion/deviation decision-making. The process uses a probabilistic weather description, implements that in a air traffic assessment system to study trajectories of aircraft crossing a cut-off probability contour. This value would be useful for meteorologists in creating optimum distribution profiles for severe weather, Once available, the expected values of flight path and aggregate delays are calculated for efficient operations. The current research, however, does not deal with the issue of multiple cell encounters, as well as echo tops, and will be a topic of future work.

Sheth, Kapil↗
NASA NTRS2008

Evaluation of Silicon-on-Insulator HTOP-01 Operational Amplifier for Wide Temperature Operation

Electronics capable of operation under extreme temperatures are required in many of NASA space exploration missions. Aerospace and military applications, as well as some terrestrial industries constitute environments where electronic systems are anticipated to be exposed to extreme temperatures and wide-range thermal swings. Electronics that are able to withstand and operate efficiently in such harsh environments would simplify, if not eliminate, traditional thermal control elements and their associated structures for proper ambient operation. As a result, overall system mass would be reduced, design would be simplified, and reliability would be improved. Electronic parts that are built utilizing silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology are known to offer better radiation-tolerance compared to their conventional silicon counterparts, provide faster switching, and consume less power. They also exhibit reduced leakage current and, thus, they are often tailored for high temperature operation. These attributes make SOI-based devices suitable for use in harsh environments where extreme temperatures and wide thermal swings are anticipated. A new operational amplifier, based on silicon-on-insulator technology and geared for high temperature well-logging applications, was recently introduced by Honeywell Corporation. This HTOP-01 dual precision operational amplifier is a low power device, operates on a single supply, and has an internal oscillator and an external clocking option [1]. It is rated for operation from -55 C to +225 C with a maximum output current capability of 50 mA. The amplifier chip is designed as a 14-pin, hermetically-sealed device in a ceramic package. Table I shows some of the device manufacturer s specifications.

Patterson, Richard↗