Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “DATA CONVERTER”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

The Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for Level 1A Processing

The first process of the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) Science Algorithm Software converts the Level 0 data into the Level 1A Data Products. The Level 1A Data Products are the time ordered instrument data converted from counts to engineering units. This document defines the equations that convert the raw instrument data into engineering units. Required scale factors, bias values, and coefficients are defined in this document. Additionally, required quality assurance and browse products are defined in this document.

Jester, Peggy L.↗

Stress calculator speedily converts strain data

Stress calculator permits speedy conversion of strain data directly into maximum and minimum stresses and also determines stress direction. The calculator has a movable slide with logarithmic and linear scales, and an information and grid board. Its size is flexible for easy manipulation.

Cornett, D. W.↗

Using XML and Java Technologies for Astronomical Instrument Control

Traditionally, instrument command and control systems have been highly specialized, consisting mostly of custom code that is difficult to develop, maintain, and extend. Such solutions are initially very costly and are inflexible to subsequent engineering change requests, increasing software maintenance costs. Instrument description is too tightly coupled with details of implementation. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, under the Instrument Remote Control (IRC) project, is developing a general and highly extensible framework that applies to any kind of instrument that can be controlled by a computer. The software architecture combines the platform independent processing capabilities of Java with the power of the Extensible Markup Language (XML), a human readable and machine understandable way to describe structured data. A key aspect of the object-oriented architecture is that the software is driven by an instrument description, written using the Instrument Markup Language (IML), a dialect of XML. IML is used to describe the command sets and command formats of the instrument, communication mechanisms, format of the data coming from the instrument, and characteristics of the graphical user interface to control and monitor the instrument. The IRC framework allows the users to define a data analysis pipeline which converts data coming out of the instrument. The data can be used in visualizations in order for the user to assess the data in real-time, if necessary. The data analysis pipeline algorithms can be supplied by the user in a variety of forms or programming languages. Although the current integration effort is targeted for the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera (HAWC) and the Submillimeter and Far Infrared Experiment (SAFIRE), first-light instruments of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the framework is designed to be generic and extensible so that it can be applied to any instrument. Plans are underway to test the framework with other types of instruments, such as remote sensing earth science instruments.

Ames, Troy↗

Space Shuttle Orbiter logistics - Managing in a dynamic environment

The importance and methods of monitoring logistics vital signs, logistics data sources and acquisition, and converting data into useful management information are presented. With the launch and landing site for the Shuttle Orbiter project at the Kennedy Space Center now totally responsible for its own supportability posture, it is imperative that logistics resource requirements and management be continually monitored and reassessed. Detailed graphs and data concerning various aspects of logistics activities including objectives, inventory operating levels, customer environment, and data sources are provided. Finally, some lessons learned from the Shuttle Orbiter project and logistics options which should be considered by other space programs are discussed.

Renfroe, Michael B.↗

Performance Risk Model Validation with Operationally Relevant Tasks

Human Research Program aims to develop methods to support astronauts’ health and productivity during spaceflight. The Crew Health and Performance Probabilistic Risk Assessment (CHP-PRA) team uses powerful computational methods to predict mission risk in both domains: medical and performance. Here, we show how CHP-PRA uses the Performance Risk Model (PRisM) to quantify the performance risk and show an application of the model on operationally relevant tasks. There are various metrics adopted across performance researchers that PRisM can accommodate. For data analysis, interpretation, and integration, we use a method of unifying data from multiple sources by converting each to a single metric. We consult subject matter experts prior to integrating the converted data into PRisM. The method we use is inspired by the Cooper-Harper rating scale [1]. Using this unified metric, we can easily combine data from various tests and lab groups. We explain our conversion method in detail and show how it pertains to the process of testing and validation of PRisM on operational tasks. We conducted an initial validation in collaboration with the Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) lab. We test PRisM using data on their operationally relevant task ROBoT-r, a track-and-capture task for grappling incoming resupply vehicles [2]. Several other labs at NASA Johnson Space Center worked together to design 7 Functional Task Tests (FTTs) in pursuit of simulating the tasks required after landing on a planetary surface and after return to Earth [3]. Here we use the results from both ROBoT-r and the 7 FTTs and compare their experiment data to PRisM’s computational output to demonstrate how PRisM can support operations by predicting crew performance on future missions.

performance modeling↗

Digital optical recorder-reproducer system

A mass archival optical recording and reproduction system includes a recording light source such as a laser beam focussed and directed upon an acousto-optic linear modulator array (or page composer) that receives parallel blocks of data converted from a serial stream of digital data to be stored. The page composer imparts to the laser beam modulation representative of a plurality of parallel channels of data and through focussing optics downstream of the page composer parallel arrays of optical spots are recorded upon a suitable recording medium such as a photographic film floppy disc. The recording medium may be substantially frictionlessly and stably positioned for recording at a record/read station by an air-bearing platen arrangement which is preferably thermodynamically non-throttling so that the recording film may be positioned in the path of the information-carrying light beam in a static or dynamic mode. During readout, the page composer is bypassed and a readout light beam is focussed directly upon the recording medium containing an array of previously recorded digital spots, a sync bit, data positioning bits, and a tracking band. The readout beam which has been directed through the recording medium is then imaged upon a photodetector array, the output of which may be coupled to suitable electronic processing circuitry, such as a digital multiplexer, whereby the parallel spot array is converted back into the original serial data stream.

Reddersen, Brad R.↗

User's manual for EZPLOT version 5.5: A FORTRAN program for 2-dimensional graphic display of data

EZPLOT is a computer applications program that converts data resident on a file into a plot displayed on the screen of a graphics terminal. This program generates either time history or x-y plots in response to commands entered interactively from a terminal keyboard. Plot parameters consist of a single independent parameter and from one to eight dependent parameters. Various line patterns, symbol shapes, axis scales, text labels, and data modification techniques are available. This user's manual describes EZPLOT as it is implemented on the Ames Research Center, Dryden Research Facility ELXSI computer using DI-3000 graphics software tools.

Garbinski, Charles↗

Digital decoder for phase-delay coded data

Coded or modulated digital data converts to nonreturn to zero /NRZ/ data. Technique includes logic implementation and pertinent timing diagrams. Demodulation to NRZ facilitates digital logic operations on incoming data. Phase-delay modulation has advantage of inherent self-timing not present in NRZ modulation.

Lewin, J.↗

A proposed Applications Information System - Concept, implementation, and growth

This paper describes a newly developed concept within NASA for an Applications Information System (AIS). The AIS would provide the opportunity to the public and private sectors of shared participation in a remote sensing research program directed to a particular set of land-use or environmental problems. Towards this end, the AIS would offer the technological framework and information system resources to overcome many of the deficiencies that end-users have faced over the years such as limited access to data, delay in data delivery, and a limited access to data reduction algorithms and models to convert data to geophysical measurements. In addition, the AIS will take advantage of NASA developments in networking among information systems and use of state of the art technology, such as CD Roms and optical disks for the purpose of increasing the scientific benefits of applied environmental research. The rationale for the establishment of an AIS, a methodology for a step-wise, modular implementation, and the relationship of the AIS to other NASA information systems are discussed.

Mcconnell, Dudley G.↗

SODR Memory Control Buffer Control ASIC

The Spacecraft Optical Disk Recorder (SODR) is a state of the art mass storage system for future NASA missions requiring high transmission rates and a large capacity storage system. This report covers the design and development of an SODR memory buffer control applications specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The memory buffer control ASIC has two primary functions: (1) buffering data to prevent loss of data during disk access times, (2) converting data formats from a high performance parallel interface format to a small computer systems interface format. Ten 144 p in, 50 MHz CMOS ASIC's were designed, fabricated and tested to implement the memory buffer control function.

Hodson, Robert F.↗

Automated attendance accounting system

An automated accounting system useful for applying data to a computer from any or all of a multiplicity of data terminals is disclosed. The system essentially includes a preselected number of data terminals which are each adapted to convert data words of decimal form to another form, i.e., binary, usable with the computer. Each data terminal may take the form of a keyboard unit having a number of depressable buttons or switches corresponding to selected data digits and/or function digits. A bank of data buffers, one of which is associated with each data terminal, is provided as a temporary storage. Data from the terminals is applied to the data buffers on a digit by digit basis for transfer via a multiplexer to the computer.

Chapman, C. P.↗

"Speaking" Microcomputer

Microcomputer system allows blind person to use portable computer and communicate with remote mainframe computer. System prepares data for transmission to mainframe, translates data transmitted from mainframe for its own use, and converts data ordinarily displayed on its video screen into synthesized speech.

Mandy, C.↗

Deriving New Mixing Ratios for Venus Atmospheric Gases Using Data From the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer

We present the first published method to convert data obtained by the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer (LNMS) into units of mixing ratio (ppm) and volume percent (v%) against CO 2 and N 2 , the dominant Venus atmospheric gases, including conversion to density (kg m −3 ). These unit conversions are key to unlocking the untapped potential of the data, which represents a significant challenge given the scant calibration data in the literature. Herein, we show that our data treatments and conversions yield mixing ratios and volume percent values for H 2 O, N 2 , and SO 2 that are within error to those reported for the gas chromatograph (LGC) on the Pioneer Venus Large Probe (PVLP). For the noble gases, we developed strategies to correct for instrument biases by treating the data as a relative scale and using PVLP and Venera-based measurements as calibration points. Together, these methods, conversions, calibrations, and comparisons afford novel unit conversions for the LNMS data and yield unified measures for Venus’ atmosphere from the LNMS and LGC on the PVLP. - Conversion into mixing ratio (ppm), volume percent (v%), and density (kg m −3 ). - Mixing ratios are expressed against CO 2 and N 2 . - LNMS and LGC measurements on the PVLP are consistent.

Venus↗

Some theoretical considerations of longitudinal stability in power-on flight with special reference to wind-tunnel testing, November 1942

Some problems relating to longitudinal stability in power-on flight are considered. A derivation is included which shows that, under certain conditions, the rate of change of the pitching moment coefficient with lift coefficient as obtained in wind tunnel tests simulating constant power operation is directly proportional to one of the indices of stability commonly associated with flight analysis, (the slope of the curve relating the elevator angle for trim and lift coefficient). The necessity of analyzing power-on wind tunnel data for trim conditions is emphasized, and a method is provided for converting data obtained from constant thrust tests to simulated constant throttle flight conditions.

Donlan, C. J.↗

Instrumentation, data acquisition and reduction for a large spaceborne helium dewar

The data acquisition system monitors five types of transducers: (1) platinum and germanium resistance thermometers; (2) superconducting liquid level indicators for both cryogen tanks; (3) pressure transducers for both tanks; (4) strain gauges at critical structural locations; and (5) flowmeters for monitoring cryogen tank boiloff which are linear voltage output transducers. All the transducers produce a voltage proportional to the parameter they measure; this is routed to a single six and one-half digit voltmeter by way of an 80-channel multiplexer. The data acquisition program has six main functions: (1) definition and modification of the channels to be stimulated; (2) sensor stimulation and measurement; (3) raw data storage; (4) raw data conversion; (5) real-time formatting and output of raw or converted data; and (6) editing. The heart of the program is a driver section that represents approximately 20 percent of the code. The driver mode sequences and controls the six main functions.

Brooks, W. F.↗