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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Upgrade to Fixed and Translating Scintillation-based Loss Detector System in the Fermilab Drift Tube Linac

The closed-off structure of the Fermilab Drift Tube Linac precludes a robust array of instrumentation from directly monitoring the H- beam that is accelerated from 750 keV to 116 MeV. To improve beam tuning and operational assessment of Drift Tube Linac performance, scintillator-based loss monitors were previously installed along the exterior of the first two accelerating cavities to assess low energy beam losses. Here we present a recent upgrade to the loss monitor system, including significant improvements in analog signal processing to address baseline-interfering noise; digitization of the signals to enable regular operational use and tuning; and a new remote operation upgrade of the translating loss monitor with precise positioning of the loss monitor along its nine-foot track. Data from the fixed and translating detectors collected under varying beam conditions validate the utility of the upgrade.

Chen, E. V. [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Upgrade to Fixed and Translating Scintillation-Based Loss Detector System in the Fermilab Drift Tube Linac

The closed-off structure of the Fermilab Drift Tube Linac precludes a robust array of instrumentation from directly monitoring the H- beam that is accelerated from 750 keV to 116 MeV. To improve beam tuning and op-erational assessment of Drift Tube Linac performance, scintillator-based loss monitors were previously installed along the exterior of the first two accelerating cavities to assess low energy beam losses. Here we present a recent upgrade to the loss monitor system, including significant improvements in analog signal processing to address baseline-interfering noise; digitization of the signals to enable regular operational use and tuning; and a new remote operation upgrade of the translating loss monitor with precise positioning of the loss monitor along its nine-foot track. Data from the fixed and translating de-tectors collected under varying beam conditions validate the utility of the upgrade.

Chen, Erin V. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000215467899)↗
DOE OSTI2020

ADC Nonlinearity Correction for the Majorana Demonstrator

Imperfections in analog-to-digital conversion cannot be ignored when signal digitization requirements demand both wide dynamic range and high resolution, as is the case for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR 76 Ge neutrinoless double beta decay search. Enabling the experiment's high-resolution spectral analysis and efficient pulse shape discrimination required careful measurement and correction of ADC nonlinearites. Here, a simple measurement protocol was developed that did not require sophisticated equipment or lengthy data taking campaigns. A slope-dependent hysteresis was observed and characterized. A correction applied to digitized waveforms prior to signal processing reduced the differential and integral nonlinearites by an order of magnitude, eliminating these as dominant contributions to the systematic energy uncertainty at the double-beta decay Q value.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1973

An all digital low data rate communication system

The advent of digital hardwares has made it feasible to implement many communication system components digitally. With the exception of frequency down conversion, the proposed low data rate communication system uses digital hardware completely. Although the system is designed primarily for deep space communications with large frequency uncertainty and low signal-to-noise ratio, it is also suitable for other low data rate applications with time-shared operation among a number of channels. Emphasis is placed on the fast Fourier transform receiver and the automatic frequency control via digital filtering. The speed available from the digital system allows sophisticated signal processing to reduce frequency uncertainty and to increase the signal-to-noise ratio.

Chen, C.-H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Microprocessor realizations of range and range-rate filters in radar systems

This paper describes the implementation of digital radar range-rate filters on a microprocessor-based system. A range-rate filter processes a digitized noisy range signal to recover smoothed range data and its derivative, range rate. Two filter designs are implemented. Considerations aiding their efficient operation on an 8-bit microprocessor are discussed. The filters are subjected to a noisy range input signal of known variance, and the associated output signals are statistically analysed to determine noise-rejection characteristics. These results are compared to analytical predictions.

Fleischer, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Radio phase characteristics of terrain from multipolarized synthetic aperture radar data

Recent advances in digital data acquisition and signal processing technology permit simultaneous measurement of the complex (amplitude and phase) radar backscatter from several polarization-diverse antennas. While absolute phase mesurements remain to be analyzed in detail. The differential phase of signals polarized parallel and perpendicular to the plane of incidence provide information on the scattering mechanisms that dominate the interaction of the radio waves with the terrain. Analysis of phase backscatter maps from a typical urban area yields a bimodal distribution with the two peaks separated by approximately 180 degrees, highly indicative of a dominant simple geometric one bounce-two bounce mechanism. Some maps of agricultural areas exhibit a similar distribution, however, other agricultural areas yield a distribution that, while still bimodal, consists of two peaks separated by about 110 deg. Still other agricultural areas exhibit a more complex distribution. All of the observed phase shifts appear to be independent of incidence angle from at least 20 deg to 55 deg, therefore the 110 degree shifts are inconsistent with both the geometric model used for the urban area and with common dielectric slab models.

Zebker, H. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Optically controlled welding system

An optically controlled welding system wherein a welding torch having through-the-torch viewing capabilities is provided with an optical beam splitter to create a transmitted view and a reflective view of a welding operation. These views are converted to digital signals which are then processed and utilized by a computerized robotic welder to make the welding torch responsive thereto. Other features include an actively cooled electrode holder which minimizes a blocked portion of the view by virtue of being constructed of a single spoke or arm, and a weld pool contour detector comprising a laser beam directed onto the weld pool with the position of specular radiation reflected therefrom, being characteristic of a penetrated or unpenetrated condition of the weld pool.

Gordon, Stephen S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Advanced power system protection and incipient fault detection and protection of spaceborne power systems

This research concentrated on the application of advanced signal processing, expert system, and digital technologies for the detection and control of low grade, incipient faults on spaceborne power systems. The researchers have considerable experience in the application of advanced digital technologies and the protection of terrestrial power systems. This experience was used in the current contracts to develop new approaches for protecting the electrical distribution system in spaceborne applications. The project was divided into three distinct areas: (1) investigate the applicability of fault detection algorithms developed for terrestrial power systems to the detection of faults in spaceborne systems; (2) investigate the digital hardware and architectures required to monitor and control spaceborne power systems with full capability to implement new detection and diagnostic algorithms; and (3) develop a real-time expert operating system for implementing diagnostic and protection algorithms. Significant progress has been made in each of the above areas. Several terrestrial fault detection algorithms were modified to better adapt to spaceborne power system environments. Several digital architectures were developed and evaluated in light of the fault detection algorithms.

Russell, B. Don↗
NASA NTRS1992

Digital Extraction Of Doppler Shift In An Advanced Receiver

Report describes demonstration of ability of Advanced Receiver II (ARX II) to extract Doppler shifts in radio telemetry signals from spacecraft by digital processing. Frequency of sampling clock fixed and derived from frequency-and-timing subsystem. Although this can result in noninteger number of samples per symbol, it enables digital extraction of Doppler shift. ARX II operates with older receiver called "Block IV". ARX II performed at least as well as, and in most cases better than, Block IV.

Hinedi, Sami M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Turbomachinery noise

Summarized here are key advances in experimental techniques and theoretical applications which point the way to a broad understanding and control of turbomachinery noise. On the experimental side, the development of effective inflow control techniques makes it possible to conduct, in ground based facilities, definitive experiments in internally controlled blade row interactions. Results can now be valid indicators of flight behavior and can provide a firm base for comparison with analytical results. Inflow control coupled with detailed diagnostic tools such as blade pressure measurements can be used to uncover the more subtle mechanisms such as rotor strut interaction, which can set tone levels for some engine configurations. Initial mappings of rotor wake-vortex flow fields have provided a data base for a first generation semiempirical flow disturbance model. Laser velocimetry offers a nonintrusive method for validating and improving the model. Digital data systems and signal processing algorithms are bringing mode measurement closer to a working tool that can be frequently applied to a real machine such as a turbofan engine. On the analytical side, models of most of the links in the chain from turbomachine blade source to far field observation point have been formulated. Three dimensional lifting surface theory for blade rows, including source noncompactness and cascade effects, blade row transmission models incorporating mode and frequency scattering, and modal radiation calculations, including hybrid numerical-analytical approaches, are tools which await further application.

Groeneweg, John F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Optically controlled welding system

An optically controlled welding system (10) wherein a welding torch (12) having through-the-torch viewing capabilities is provided with an optical beam splitter (56) to create a transmitted view and a reflective view of a welding operation. These views are converted to digital signals which are then processed and utilized by a computerized robotic welder (15) to make the welding torch responsive thereto. Other features includes an actively cooled electrode holder (26) which minimizes a blocked portion of the view by virtue of being constructed of a single spoke or arm (28) and a weld pool contour detector (14) comprising a laser beam directed onto the weld pool with the position of specular radiation reflected therefrom being characteristic of a penetrated or unpenetrated condition of the weld pool.

Gordon, Stephen S.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Optical Relay for Future NASA Geosynchronous Orbiting Satellite for High Data Rate Links to NASA User Missions

NASA is exploring options for its Next Generation Relay (NGR) architecture while the current Tracking Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) completes its mission. The plan is to start implementation of the NGR beginning around 2025. The new system of proposed relay satellites will greatly increase the data rates between low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite missions and the NASA TDRSS relay satellites. This increase in data rates will allow an unprecedented increase in data throughput from the LEO satellite missions back to the principal investigators (PI). This can be accomplished at Ka-band frequencies with high order modulation or at optical frequencies using Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK). The first satellite in the next set of relay satellites will have to be backward compatible with current technology to support ongoing and planned missions. The new set of satellites will be launched over a 10-year period with design lifetimes of at least 15 years. To meet these requirements, we analyzed various architectures and designed both the communication payloads on the relay satellite and candidate payloads on the user spacecraft by utilizing optical heads already designed. From this analysis, a demonstration optical satellite named “the Next Generation Optical Relay Pathfinder” with Ka-band capabilities was proposed to be built and launched with the purpose of evaluating an integrated high-speed optical and Ka-band communication system. Given a cost limit for the demonstration satellite, various satellite configurations were developed by varying the number of optical communication payloads. The communication payload on the relay satellite consisted of three major sub-systems: 1) Optical communication payload, 2) Ka-band communication payload, 3) Digital processing and routing of signals. The size, mass (weight), and power (SWaP) of the communication payload and other sub-systems of the satellite were obtained. The NASA Glenn Research Center COMPASS team designed the Pathfinder satellite and performed a cost analysis for its build and launch. In this paper, we first describe the needs, drivers, and the associated challenges for the Next Generation Optical Relay Pathfinder to be capable of connecting multiple LEO and GEO satellites at high data rates. Second, we detail the concept of operations (ConOps) and the system architecture, including the satellite configurations considered, their attributes and limitations, and the size of the satellite needed for each configuration. Third, we provide a summary of the Next Generation Optical Relay Pathfinder satellite design trades and its key elements. Finally, we present the path needed for implementation and operations.

Warner, Joseph H. D.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Detector Channel Combining Results from a High Photon Efficiency Optical Communications Link Test Bed

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) is developing a low cost, scalable, photon-counting receiver prototype for space-to-ground optical communications links. The receiver is being tested in a test bed that emulates photon-starved space-to-ground optical communication links. The receiver uses an array of single-pixel fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. The receiver is designed to receive the high photon efficiency serially concatenated pulse position modulation (SCPPM) waveform specified in the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Optical Communications Coding and Synchronization Blue Book Standard. The optical receiver consists of an array of single-pixel superconducting nanowire detectors, analog phase shifters for channel alignment, digitizers for each detector channel, and digital processing of the received signal. An overview of the test bed and arrayed receiver system is given. Simulation and system characterization results are presented. The data rate increase of using a four-channel arrayed detector system over using one single pixel nanowire detector is characterized. Results indicate that a single-pixel detector is capable of receiving data at a rate of 40 Mbps and a four-channel arrayed detector system is capable of receiving data at a rate of 130 Mbps.

Downey, Jennifer N.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Detector Channel Combining Results from a High Photon Efficiency Optical Communications Link Test Bed

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) is developing a low cost, scalable, photon counting receiver prototype for space-to-ground optical communications links. The receiver is being tested in a test bed that emulates photon-starved space-to-ground optical communication links. The receiver uses an array of single-pixel fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. The receiver is designed to receive the high photon efficiency serially concatenated pulse position modulation (SCPPM) waveform specified in the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Optical Communications Coding and Synchronization Blue Book Standard. The optical receiver consists of an array of single-pixel superconducting nanowire detectors, analog phase shifters for channel alignment, digitizers for each detector channel, and digital processing of the received signal. An overview of the test bed and arrayed receiver system is given. Simulation and system characterization results are presented. The data rate increase of using a four-channel arrayed detector system over using one single pixel nanowire detector is characterized. Results indicate that a single-pixel detector is capable of receiving data at a rate of 40 Mbps and a four-channel arrayed detector system is capable of receiving data at a rate of 130 Mbps.

Downey, Jennifer N.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Achieving Exact and Constant Turnaround Ratio in a DDS-Based Coherent Transponder

A report describes a non-standard direct digital synthesizer (DDS) implementation that can be used as part of a coherent transponder so as to allow any rational turnaround ratio to be exactly achieved and maintained while the received frequency varies. (A coherent transponder is a receiver-transmitter in which the transmitted carrier is locked to a pre-determined multiple of the received carrier's frequency and phase. That multiple is called the turnaround ratio.) The report also describes a general model for coherent transponders that are partly digital. A partially digital transponder is one in which analog signal processing is used to convert the signals between high frequencies at which they are radiated and relatively low frequencies at which they are converted to or from digital form, with most of the complex processing performed digitally. There is a variety of possible architectures for such a transponder, and different ones can be selected by choosing different parameter values in the general model. Such a transponder uses a DDS to create a low-frequency quasi-sinusoidal signal that tracks the received carrier s phase, and another DDS to generate an IF or near-baseband version of the transmitted carrier. With conventional DDS implementations, a given turnaround ratio can be achieved only approximately, and the error varies slightly as the received frequency changes. The non-conventional implementation employed here allows any rational turnaround ratio to be exactly maintained.

D'Addario, Larry R.↗