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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2019

Weather Design Considerations for the TASAR Traffic Aware Planner

The Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) is a decision support automation tool for trajectory planning and optimization intended for use on today’s flight deck. Drawing from a variety of on- and off-board data sources, TAP employs a sophisticated trajectory optimization algorithm that provides the aircrew with fuel- and time-saving reroute recommendations that are free of known conflicts with traffic, special use airspace, and severe convective weather. As this kind of weather is a significant part of the pilot’s decision-making process while planning trajectory changes en route, a series of investigations has been conducted into the integration of weather data and associated functionality into the TAP software. This paper reviews the weather data sources and functionality that have been incorporated into TAP to date, along with experience gathered in the course of the design process.

Lewis, Timothy A.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Automated Discovery of Flight Track Anomalies

As new technologies are developed to handle the complexities of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), it is increasingly important to address both current and future safety concerns along with the operational, environmental, and efficiency issues within the National Airspace System (NAS). In recent years, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) safety offices have been researching ways to utilize the many safety databases maintained by the FAA, such as those involving flight recorders, radar tracks, weather, and many other high- volume sensors, in order to monitor this unique and complex system. Although a number of current technologies do monitor the frequency of known safety risks in the NAS, very few methods currently exist that are capable of analyzing large data repositories with the purpose of discovering new and previously unmonitored safety risks. While monitoring the frequency of known events in the NAS enables mitigation of already identified problems, a more proactive approach of finding unidentified issues still needs to be addressed. This is especially important in the proactive identification of new, emergent safety issues that may result from the planned introduction of advanced NextGen air traffic management technologies and procedures. Development of an automated tool that continuously evaluates the NAS to discover both events exhibiting flight characteristics indicative of safety-related concerns as well as operational anomalies will heighten the awareness of such situations in the aviation community and serve to increase the overall safety of the NAS. This paper discusses the extension of previous anomaly detection work to identify operationally significant flights within the highly complex airspace encompassing the New York area of operations, focusing on the major airports of Newark International (EWR), LaGuardia International (LGA), and John F. Kennedy International (JFK). In addition, flight traffic in the vicinity of Denver International (DEN) airport/airspace is also investigated to evaluate the impact on operations due to variances in seasonal weather and airport elevation. From our previous research, subject matter experts determined that some of the identified anomalies were significant, but could not reach conclusive findings without additional supportive data. To advance this research further, causal examination using domain experts is continued along with the integration of air traffic control (ATC) voice data to shed much needed insight into resolving which flight characteristic(s) may be impacting an aircraft's unusual profile. Once a flight characteristic is identified, it could be included in a list of potential safety precursors. This paper also describes a process that has been developed and implemented to automatically identify and produce daily reports on flights of interest from the previous day.

Matthews, Bryan↗
NASA NTRS2019

ATD-3 Dynamic Routes for Arrivals in Weather (DRAW) Operational Concept, V2.0

NASA's Airspace Technology Demonstration-3 (ATD-3) is the applied traffic flow management activity, and third in the series of ATD projects. ATD-3 provides a suite of en route automation tools, both ground and flight-deck based, that focus on improving the efficiency of en route operation from initial cruise to arrival into the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON). Dynamic Routes for Arrivals in Weather (DRAW) is a technology in the ATD-3 suite that is designed to provide Traffic Managers with a capability to efficiently manage arrival traffic flow and help sustain metering operations when weather is impacting arrivals into major airports. DRAW mitigates convective weather impact on arrival metering operations by providing tools to Traffic Managers that enable efficient reroutes free of convective weather conflicts, and integrated with the arrival metering schedule(s).

terminal airspace↗
NASA NTRS2019

Flutter Prediction for Aircraft Conceptual Design

Flutter prediction is usually a knowledge-based analysis process that aims to reduce the cost of aeroelastic stability margin certification. However, early detection of flutter problems is beneficial in the development of unconventional aircraft. The recently developed automation tool ConceptFEA for structural sizing of aircraft concepts paves the way for rapid physics-based flutter prediction of aircraft concepts. A match-point iteration procedure using the p-k method is implemented for ConceptFEA with minimum user input requirements to generate flutter boundary points. A subsonic business jet concept and its high aspect-ratio wing variant are used to demonstrate how the newly developed flutter prediction capability can be used during aircraft conceptual design. Sized structures, flutter boundary curves, and flutter sensitivity analysis results are generated for these two concepts using ConceptFEA. The relevant equivalent plate theory is provided to show the quantitative relationships between a stiffened panel and its equivalent NASTRAN PSHELL panel. The rapid flutter prediction capability of ConceptFEA makes multidisciplinary collaborations between systems analysts and aeroelasticity experts feasible in practice.

Li, Wu↗
NASA NTRS2022

Visualizing Multi-process CPU Utilization using CUSP

The CPU Utilization Statistics Plotter (CUSP) tool automates the interpretation of detailed CPU Utilization trace data and statistics. It puts you on the cusp of understanding how CPU resources are split among the many parallel components of a software system.CUSP combines time-sampled CPU utilization numbers and Event Log annotations to generate human-readable plots and tables. It automatically splits up large CPU usage log files around interesting events, determines and highlights just the tasks of primary relevance by evaluating their changing contribution to each plot's total CPU usage, automatically eliminates irrelevant tasks, provides context by labeling plots with names and durations of all active commands, and uses consistent color-coding to enable quick visual comparison across multiple plots.CUSP has been used to process CPU Utilization trace logs on the Mars Science Laboratory and the Mars 2020 Rover missions during flight software development and Flight Operations on the Martian surface since December 2013.

Maimone, Mark W↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Flight Mechanics Analysis of Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator

The Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) successfully demonstrated the capability of an inflatable aeroshell. Prior to launch, flight mechanics analysis was conducted to better understand the predicted splashdown point of the re-entry vehicle and ejectable data recorder. Best estimated trajectory separation states were utilized to understand the LOFTID trajectory over the entire 36 minute launch window. Weather forecasting model were integrated into the simulation to improve trajectory prediction accuracy. Automation tools were developed to facilitate the rapid generation of trajectory predictions during operations. The resulting improvements to the flight mechanics modeling and simulation allowed for pre-launch splashdown point to be within 3 nautical miles of the actual splashdown point.

Rohan G Deshmukh↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Natural Language Understanding Approach for Digitizing Aircraft Ground Taxi Instructions

Recent Advancements in spoken language processing technologies have enabled the development of reliable automation tools to assist air traffic control (ATC) operations. These advancements present a unique opportunity to strategically implement digital taxi instructions for aircraft movement on the ground. Digital taxi instructions issue taxiing procedures to pilots as textual or graphical instructions. There are several benefits of digital instructions, including a reduction in radio congestion, elimination of communication errors, and improved aircraft monitoring capabilities. Natural language understanding (NLU) models can extract digital taxi instructions from verbal instructions issued by air traffic controllers. This capability enables the implementation of a digital taxi communication framework with minimal changes to the existing air traffic controller operational environment. We explore a novel application for NLU: automatically generating digital taxi instructions from air traffic controller speech. We describe the development of an annotation scheme to represent (aircraft) ground traffic communications in the US National Airspace System (NAS).Our annotation scheme uses intent classification and slot filling to extract taxi instructions, enabling NLU models to leverage syntactic information. Several neural network models were trained to categorize the controller’s intent and label information relevant to his or her intent.Our research demonstrates that it is feasible to use NLU to automatically generate digitaltaxi instructions, suggesting that it is a powerful tool for the implementation of digital taxi communications.

Hillel Steinmetz↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Flight Mechanics Analysis of Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID)

The Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) successfully demonstrated the capability of an inflatable aeroshell. Prior to launch, flight mechanics analysis was conducted to better understand the predicted splashdown point of the re-entry vehicle and ejectable data recorder. Best estimated trajectory separation states were utilized to understand the LOFTID trajectory over the entire 36 minute launch window. Weather forecasting model were integrated into the simulation to improve trajectory prediction accuracy. Automation tools were developed to facilitate the rapid generation of trajectory predictions during operations. The resulting improvements to the flight mechanics modeling and simulation allowed for pre-launch splashdown point to be within 3 nautical miles of the actual splashdown point.

Rohan Deshmukh↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Enhanced Quantification of 3D Woven Composites Via Fourier Analysis and Structure Tensors Applied to CT Scans

NASA's development of advanced 3D woven carbon composites, such as HEEET and 3MDCP, represents a significant leap in materials designed to endure extreme atmospheric entry conditions. However, the internal complexity of these materials introduces a variety of structures and novel defect types. Traditional characterization methods rely on labor-intensive, manual examination of X-ray CT scans, demanding considerable time and expertise. This process, while thorough, is not sustainable for large-scale analysis and defect tracking. Addressing this critical challenge, this presentation introduces an innovative suite of automated tools and analytical techniques, pioneered by the Mars Sample Return (MSR) Earth Entry System (EES) Thermal Protection System (TPS) project. These advancements offer a more efficient and accurate approach for quantifying CT data and characterizing the defects of 3D woven composites.

Magnus Haw↗
DOE OSTI2014

A Runtime Verification Framework for Control System Simulation

n a standard workflow for the validation of a control system, the control system is implemented as an extension to a simulator. Such simulators are complex software systems, and engineers may unknowingly violate constraints a simulator places on extensions. As such, errors may be introduced in the implementation of either the control system or the simulator leading to invalid simulation results. This paper presents a novel runtime verification approach for verifying control system implementations within simulators. The major contribution of the approach is the two-tier specification process. In the first tier, engineers model constraints using a domain-specific language tailored to modeling a controller’s response to changes in its input. The language is high-level and effectively hides the implementation details of the simulator, allowing engineers to specify design-level constraints independent of low-level simulator interfaces. In the second tier, simulator developers provide mapping rules for mapping design-level constraints to the implementation of the simulator. Using the rules, an automated tool transforms the design-level specifications into simulator-specific runtime verification specifications and generates monitoring code which is injected into the implementation of the simulator. During simulation, these monitors observe the input and output variables of the control system and report changes to the verifier. The verifier checks whether these changes follow the constraints of the control system. We describe application of this approach to the verification of the constraints of an HVAC control system implemented with the power grid simulator GridLAB-D.

control system↗
DOE OSTI2014

PNNL Strategic Goods Testbed: A Data Library for Illicit Nuclear Trafficking

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has put significant effort into nonproliferation activities as an institution, both in terms of the classical nuclear material focused approach and in the examination of other strategic goods necessary to implement a nuclear program. To assist in these efforts, several projects in the Analysis in Motion (AIM) and Signature Discovery (SDI) Initiatives at PNNL are developing machine learning methodology for human-computer interaction in real time environments to assist analysts in this domain. All of these technical projects require access to data – whether it is in terms of detector data, shipping records, financial information, company relations, or other communications. The first question that mathematical and computational researchers come up with when asked to build analyst assist or automated tools is “What does the data look like? ” They become frustrated when basic questions like this can not be easily answered and this can have the effect of pushing researchers away from the nuclear trafficking domain, especially in strategic commodity and export control areas where data sets can not easily be generated through standard experimental techniques. For small projects that are building a proof of concept for their methodology, obtaining this data can be arduous and expensive. To relieve the burden of data collection from these projects and grow a lab-wide capability, the Strategic Goods Testbed Team has taken over data collection and placed subscriptions and access to flat data files in a centralized location so that all projects can benefit from these items. We have collected shipping data in the form of PIERS records, judicial information about export control cases, NAC data on the nuclear fuel industry, and financial data from Dun and Bradstreet and our data sets are continuing to expand. With a single access agreement, researchers in data-mining and other fields can utilize all of the records that have been downloaded, make requests through subscription services, and interact with other researchers through our interface. Our testbed team provides more than a simply static repository by working with researchers to refine their data needs and insure data quality as well as quantity. We are currently working with laboratory and initiative specific management to examine effective ways for continuing data growth and sustainability.

data capability↗
DOE OSTI2016

TopN-Pareto Front Search

The JMP Add-In TopN-PFS provides an automated tool for finding layered Pareto front to identify the top N solutions from an enumerated list of candidates subject to optimizing multiple criteria. The approach constructs the N layers of Pareto fronts, and then provides a suite of graphical tools to explore the alternatives based on different prioritizations of the criteria. The tool is designed to provide a set of alternatives from which the decision-maker can select the best option for their study goals.

Anderson-Cook, Christine M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

openECA Platform and Analytics Alpha Test Results

The objective of the Open and Extensible Control and Analytics (openECA) Platform for Phasor Data project is to develop an open source software platform that significantly accelerates the production, use, and ongoing development of real-time decision support tools, automated control systems, and off-line planning systems that (1) incorporate high-fidelity synchrophasor data and (2) enhance system reliability while enabling the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) operating functions of reliability coordinator, transmission operator, and/or balancing authority to be executed more effectively.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2017

openECA Platform and Analytics Beta Demonstration Results

The objective of the Open and Extensible Control and Analytics (openECA) Platform for Phasor Data project is to develop an open source software platform that significantly accelerates the production, use, and ongoing development of real-time decision support tools, automated control systems, and off-line planning systems that (1) incorporate high-fidelity synchrophasor data and (2) enhance system reliability while enabling the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) operating functions of reliability coordinator, transmission operator, and/or balancing authority to be executed more effectively.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

An Integrated Testbed for Trojans in Printed Circuit Boards with Fuzzing Capabilities

This paper showcases an all-in-one testing environment that combines Trojan detection and fuzzing capabilities for printed circuit boards using the OpenPLC “NYU Trojan Edition” and a dedicated Trojan detection framework. The demo system is self-contained and equipped with two OpenPLC-based boards (one with a Trojan and one without), and automated tools for inserting the Trojan and collecting side-channel data. We developed a graphical user interface for interactive Trojan selection, data visualization, and anomaly detection analysis.

Trojan detection, anomaly detection, PCB, timing l↗
DOE OSTI2015

Implementation and Validation of Reference Sensitivity Profile Calculations in TRIPOLI 4 - 14247

In current neutron transport calculations, particularly on continuous-energy Monte-Carlo codes, the major source of uncertainty is coming from nuclear data. In order to improve nuclear data evaluations, integral experiments are used. Feedback is then precisely obtained by re-estimating cross-section levels and correlations according to their sensitivity. k{sub eff}-sensitivity coefficients are traditionally obtained using deterministic codes since hands-on methods were not yet implemented in continuous energy Monte Carlo codes. In this paper, an Iterated-Fission-Probability-based method newly developed in the continuous energy Monte Carlo code TRIPOLI-4 will be used to calculate sensitivity coefficient breakdown on isotopes and reactions and results will be compared to those of ERANOS deterministic code. Objective is twofold: to show the reliability of the new TRIPOLI-4 method and to identify where and why profiles are slightly different. Sensitivity profiles, forward and adjoint fluxes are thus meticulously compared using a fine 1968-group energy structure. An OECD international benchmark (Uncertainty Analysis for Criticality Safety Assessment - UACSA - Phase III) is taken as working example to enforce validation and to compare to independent results (e.g. MCNP-6). This benchmark is constituted of two bare spheres filled with homogeneous mixture of uranium and polyethylene (respectively 2% and 50% U-235 enrichments) and gives an overview of issues encountered in thermal reactor cores. Several energy-group structures (1968G, 172G, 33G) are also tested in ERANOS to identify multi-group and implicit effects. Lessons learnt are that continuous Monte Carlo methods seem to be mature and compare well with deterministic codes. Only damper the U-238 elastic - and on certain conditions the U-238 capture - sensitivity coefficient for which difference can reach 30% between TRIPOLI-4 and ERANOS. Indeed concerning U-238, implicit effects are emphasized and multi-group theory remains limited by hypothesis; even a 1968-group structure is not refined enough to properly calculate U-238 elastic scattering k{sub eff}-sensitivity. This reference 3D continuous-energy sensitivity capability in TRIPOLI4-IFP will be extensively used in the uncertainty automated tool RIB of the French Criticality-Safety package CRISTAL. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1994

Software engineering and data management for automated payload experiment tool

The Microgravity Projects Office identified a need to develop a software package that will lead experiment developers through the development planning process, obtain necessary information, establish an electronic data exchange avenue, and allow easier manipulation/reformatting of the collected information. An MS-DOS compatible software package called the Automated Payload Experiment Tool (APET) has been developed and delivered. The objective of this task is to expand on the results of the APET work previously performed by UAH and provide versions of the software in a Macintosh and Windows compatible format.

Maddux, Gary A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Software engineering and data management for automated payload experiment tool

The Microgravity Projects Office identified a need to develop a software package that will lead experiment developers through the development planning process, obtain necessary information, establish an electronic data exchange avenue, and allow easier manipulation/reformatting of the collected information. An MS-DOS compatible software package called the Automated Payload Experiment Tool (APET) has been developed and delivered. The objective of this task is to expand on the results of the APET work previously performed by University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and provide versions of the software in a Macintosh and Windows compatible format. Appendix 1 science requirements document (SRD) Users Manual is attached.

Maddux, Gary A.↗