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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Speech analyzer

A speech signal is analyzed by applying the signal to formant filters which derive first, second and third signals respectively representing the frequency of the speech waveform in the first, second and third formants. A first pulse train having approximately a pulse rate representing the average frequency of the first formant is derived; second and third pulse trains having pulse rates respectively representing zero crossings of the second and third formants are derived. The first formant pulse train is derived by establishing N signal level bands, where N is an integer at least equal to two. Adjacent ones of the signal bands have common boundaries, each of which is a predetermined percentage of the peak level of a complete cycle of the speech waveform.

Lokerson, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Implementing a Digital Phasemeter in an FPGA

Firmware for implementing a digital phasemeter within a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) has been devised. In the original application of this firmware, the phase that one seeks to measure is the difference between the phases of two nominally-equal-frequency heterodyne signals generated by two interferometers. In that application, zero-crossing detectors convert the heterodyne signals to trains of rectangular pulses, the two pulse trains are fed to a fringe counter (the major part of the phasemeter) controlled by a clock signal having a frequency greater than the heterodyne frequency, and the fringe counter computes a time-averaged estimate of the difference between the phases of the two pulse trains. The firmware also does the following: Causes the FPGA to compute the frequencies of the input signals; Causes the FPGA to implement an Ethernet (or equivalent) transmitter for readout of phase and frequency values; and Provides data for use in diagnosis of communication failures. The readout rate can be set, by programming, to a value between 250 Hz and 1 kHz. Network addresses can be programmed by the user.

Rao, Shanti R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Space simulation experiments on reaction control system thruster plumes.

A space simulation procedure was developed for studying rocket plume contamination effects using a 5-lb bipropellant reaction control system thrustor. Vacuum chamber pressures of 0.00003 torr (70 miles altitude) were achieved with the thrustor firing in pulse trains consisting of eight pulses - 50 msec on, 100 msec off, and seven minutes between pulse trains. The final vacuum was achieved by cooling all vacuum chamber surfaces to liquid-helium temperature and by introducing a continuous argon leak of 48 std. cc/sec into the test chamber. Fast time response liquid flow rate measurements showed that large variations occurred in the ratio of oxidizer to fuel flow for pulse-on times up to 120 msec. These variations could lead to poor combustion efficiency and the production of contamination.

Cassidy, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Space simulation experiments on reaction control system thruster plumes

A space simulation procedure was developed for studying rocket plume contamination effects using a 5-pound bipropellant reaction control system thruster. Vacuum chamber pressures of 3 x 10 to the minus 5 torr (70 miles altitude) were achieved with the thruster firing in pulse trains consisting of eight pulses (50 msec on, 100 msec off, and seven minutes between pulse trains). The final vacuum was achieved by cooling all vacuum chamber surfaces to liquid helium temperature and by introducing a continuous argon leak of 48 std. cc/sec into the test chamber. An effort was made to simulate propellant system flow dynamics corresponding to actual spacecraft mission use. Fast time response liquid flow rate measurements showed that large variations occurred in the ratio of oxidizer to fuel flow for pulse-on times up to 120 msec. These variations could lead to poor combustion efficiency and the production of contamination.

Cassidy, J. F.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unconventional compute methods and future challenges for superconducting digital computing

Superconducting digital computing (SDC) based on Josephson junctions (JJs) offers significant potential for enhancing compute throughput and reducing energy consumption compared to conventional room-temperature CMOS-based approaches. Current superconducting logic families exhibit diverse characteristics in clocking strategies, power management, and information encoding techniques. This paper reviews recent advancements in unconventional computing methods specifically designed for superconducting digital circuits, emphasizing temporal computing and pulse-train representations. Notable techniques include race logic (RL), temporal pulse train computing (U-SFQ), and temporal multipliers, each offering unique performance and area advantages suited to superconducting implementations. Additionally, this paper reviews innovations in superconducting coarse-grain reconfigurable architectures (CGRA), superconducting-specific on-chip communication architectures, cryogenic sensor interfaces, and quantum computing control electronics. Finally, we highlight research challenges that should be addressed to facilitate the widespread adoption of superconducting digital computing.

EDA tools↗
NASA NTRS1984

Observations of double layer-like and soliton-like structures in the ionosphere

Two types of large electric field signatures, individual pulses and pulse trains, were observed on a sounding rocket launched into the afternoon auroral zone on January 21, 1982. The typical electric fields in the individual pulses were 50 mV/m or larger, aligned mostly parallel to B, and the corresponding potentials were at leat 100 mV (kT approximately 0.3 eV). A lower limit of 15 km/sec can be set on the velocity of these structures, indicating that they were not ion acoustic double layers. The pulse trains, each consisting of on the order of 100 pulses, were observed in close association with intense plasma frequency waves. This correlation is consistent with the interpretation of these trains as Langmuir solitons. The pulse trains correlate better with the intensity of the field-aligned currents than with the energetic electron flux.

Boehm, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Method and apparatus for measuring frequency and phase difference

The present invention is a system for deriving direct digital indications of frequency and phase difference between two incoming pulse trains adaptable for collision avoidance systems or the like. A pair of radar beams are directed toward a target and corresponding beams returning therefrom are detected. A digital difference circuit forms a pulse train from the Doppler shift frequencies of each beam pair having a repetition rate functionally related to the difference in magnitude of the shift frequencies. Pulses from the pulse train are counted as a function of time. Visual indications thereof on display are correlative to target position relative to beams.

Shores, Paul↗
NASA NTRS1989

Method and apparatus for measuring frequency and phase difference

A system for deriving direct digital indications of frequency and phase difference between two incoming pulse trains adaptable for collision avoidance systems or the like. A pair of radar beams 152 and 152A are directed toward a target 153 and corresponding beams 154 and 154A returning therefrom are detected. A digital difference circuit 110 forms a pulse train 66 from the Doppler shift frequencies of each beam pair having a repetition rate functionally related to the difference in magnitude of the shift frequencies. Pulses from the pulse train are counted as a function of time. Visual indications thereof on display 144 are correlative to target position relative to beams 152 and 152A.

Kobayashi, Herbert S.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Demonstration of Control of Laser-Plasma Instabilities in the Laboratory Using STUD Pulses (Spike Trains of Uneven Duration and Delay)

The success of laser Driven Inertial Fusion Technology (LaDrIFT) hinges on controlling laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) for effective and non-deleterious energy coupling, together with the control of implosion hydrodynamic instabilities (IHI) for target integrity. Conventional approaches ignore LPI and focus on IHI. LPI control suggests the use of low intensities, short wavelengths, and thus the slow implosions of thinner shells, while IHI control calls for thicker shells, fast implosions and thus at higher laser intensities and ablation pressures. These contradicting requirements severely restrict LaDrIFT design space, flexibility and scalability. This program demonstrates, with theoretical designs and their preliminary experimental realizations, that STUD pulses (Spike Trains of Uneven Duration and Delay) can control LPI in high-energy-density (HED) laser-created plasmas and explore this physics for the first time with high repetition (rep) rate lasers.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1983

SETI Pulse Detection Algorithm: Analysis of False-alarm Rates

Some earlier work by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Science Working Group (SWG) on the derivation of spectrum analyzer thresholds for a pulse detection algorithm based on an analysis of false alarm rates is extended. The algorithm previously analyzed was intended to detect a finite sequence of i periodically spaced pulses that did not necessarily occupy the entire observation interval. This algorithm would recognize the presence of such a signal only if all i-received pulse powers exceeded a threshold T(i): these thresholds were selected to achieve a desired false alarm rate, independent of i. To simplify the analysis, it was assumed that the pulses were synchronous with the spectrum sample times. This analysis extends the earlier effort to include infinite and/or asynchronous pulse trains. Furthermore, to decrease the possibility of missing an extraterrestrial intelligence signal, the algorithm was modified to detect a pulse train even if some of the received pulse powers fall below the threshold. The analysis employs geometrical arguments that make it conceptually easy to incorporate boundary conditions imposed on the derivation of the false alarm rates. While the exact results can be somewhat complex, simple closed form approximations are derived that produce a negligible loss of accuracy.

Levitt, B. K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Analysis of a PWM-Resonant DC-TO-DC Converter

When a parallel resonant tank is excited by a bipolar current pulse train a sinusoidal voltage develops across the tank whose amplitude depends on the duty cycle of the pulse train.

Converter Resonant Tank↗
NASA NTRS1984

Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation control of an AC induction motor

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a micro-processor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .THETA., where .THETA. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands of electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a flyback DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

Geppert, Steven↗
NASA NTRS1985

Pulse width modulation inverter with battery charger

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a microprocessor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .theta., where .theta. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands for electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a flyback DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

Slicker, James M.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Time Resolved Irradiance of an Integrating Sphere Illuminated by a Mode-Locked Optical Parametric Oscillator

Tunable laser based illumination sources have been adopted by a number of recent hyperspectral instruments for pre-launch spectral radiometric calibration. Some of these sources use mode-locked cavity configurations, which produce a pulse train and create an undesirable fluctuation in the radiometric source at the mode locking frequency. Although typically this frequency is several orders of magnitude higher than the instrument response, care must be taken to ensure the resultant calibration is not biased due to detector or electronic saturation effects. The temporal averaging properties of an integrating sphere can be used to reduce high frequency fluctuations to an acceptable level. In this work, the time resolved output of an integrating sphere coupled with a mode-locked source was measured. A 76 cm diameter sphere with 30 cm output aperture was illuminated using a mode-locked pulse train at 76 MHz, with single pulse durations of 12 ps. The time constant of the sphere was found to be 36 ns, and the resultant temporal averaging of pulses produced a maximum time varying irradiance at the output of 20% of the mean. The form of this time variance is a sawtooth pattern, with a sharp rise during the introduction of each pulse into the sphere followed by a slower decay between pulses. A comparison of instrument calibration data generated with this integrating sphere using both a mode locked source and a continuous wave source is also given. .

McAndrew, Brendan↗
NASA NTRS2000

Transverse Mode Dynamics of VCSELs Undergoing Current Modulation

Transverse mode dynamics of a 20-micron-diameter vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) undergoing gain switching by deep current modulation is studied numerically. The direct current (dc) level is set slightly below threshold and is modulated by a large alternating current (ac). The resulting optical pulse train and transverse-mode patterns are obtained numerically. The ac frequency is varied from 2.5 GHz to 10 GHz, and the ac amplitude is varied from one-half to four times that of the dc level. At high modulation frequencies, a regular pulse train is not generated unless the ac amplitude is large enough. At all modulation frequencies, the transverse spatial profile switches from single-mode to multiple-mode pattern as the ac pumping level is increased. Optical pulse widths vary in the range 5-30 ps. with the pulse width decreasing when either the frequency is increased or the ac amplitude is decreased. The numerical modeling uses an approximation form of the semiconductor Maxwell-Bloch equations. Temporal evolution of the spatial profiles of the laser (and of carrier density) is determined without any assumptions about the type or number of modes. Keywords: VCSELs, current modulation, gain switching, transverse mode dynamics, computational modeling

Goorjian, Peter M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Circularly Polarized Attosecond Pulses Enabled by an Azimuthal Phase and Polarization Grating

High-harmonic generation (HHG) is an extreme nonlinear optical process that can map the properties of an infrared driving laser beam onto short wavelength attosecond pulse trains. However, current techniques for generating circularly polarized high harmonics for probing magnetic materials and chiral systems have limitations: two-color collinear counter-rotating driving lasers result in a low cutoff photon energy, while single-color non-collinear counter-rotating schemes suffer from low conversion efficiency. In this work, we generate circularly polarized attosecond pulse trains by using a structured laser driver which has a rotating polarization and phase grating along the azimuthal coordinate. Furthermore, our experimental and numerical results demonstrate the production of left and right circularly polarized harmonics, which naturally separate upon propagation. Our approach uses a single laser color in a collinear geometry, that can be scaled for high efficiency. Simulations show this scheme can extend into the soft x-ray region when driven by mid-infrared driving lasers, while preserving the same high phase-matching cutoff photon energy as for linearly-polarized high harmonics.

attosecond science↗
NASA NTRS1996

Advanced Orion Optimized Laser System Analysis

Contractor shall perform a complete analysis of the potential of the solid state laser in the very long pulse mode (100 ns pulse width, 10-30 hz rep-rate) and in the very short pulse mode (100 ps pulse width 10-30 hz rep rate) concentrating on the operation of the device in the 'hot-rod' mode, where no active cooling the laser operation is attempted. Contractor's calculations shall be made of the phase aberrations which develop during the repped-pulse train, and the results shall feed into the adaptive optics analyses. The contractor shall devise solutions to work around ORION track issues. A final report shall be furnished to the MSFC COTR including all calculations and analysis of estimates of bulk phase and intensity aberration distribution in the laser output beam as a function of time during the repped-pulse train for both wave forms (high-energy/long-pulse, as well as low-energy/short-pulse). Recommendations shall be made for mitigating the aberrations by laser re-design and/or changes in operating parameters of optical pump sources and/or designs.

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