SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “SPECIFICATIONS”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 361 records · Page 20

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1982

Formal specification and mechanical verification of SIFT - A fault-tolerant flight control system

The paper describes the methodology being employed to demonstrate rigorously that the SIFT (software-implemented fault-tolerant) computer meets its requirements. The methodology uses a hierarchy of design specifications, expressed in the mathematical domain of multisorted first-order predicate calculus. The most abstract of these, from which almost all details of mechanization have been removed, represents the requirements on the system for reliability and intended functionality. Successive specifications in the hierarchy add design and implementation detail until the PASCAL programs implementing the SIFT executive are reached. A formal proof that a SIFT system in a 'safe' state operates correctly despite the presence of arbitrary faults has been completed all the way from the most abstract specifications to the PASCAL program.

Melliar-Smith, P. M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Material characterization and specification development for 350 F curing epoxy-graphite materials

New analytical techniques and a processability laminate have been used in the development of a material specification for 350 F curing epoxy-graphite materials. The development of the specification required the evaluation of prepregs which had variations in their processing behavior that were detected only in production. Chemical techniques were used to analyze the prepregs and establish limits on the concentrations of the various chemical constituents. A batch acceptance test laminate was designed to determine suitability of prepregs for production useage. The new specification requires that the processability laminate be ultrasonically and micrographically inspected for voids and porosity. Incorporation of these and other requirements will help to insure material consistency and processability.

Rogers, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

IGES, a key interface specification for CAD/CAM systems integration

The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) program has focused the efforts of 52 companies on the development and documentation of a means of graphics data base exchange among present day CAD/CAM systems. The project's brief history has seen the evolution of the Specification into preliminary industrial usage marked by public demonstrations of vendor capability, mandatory requests in procurement actions, and a formalization into an American National Standard in September 1981. Recent events have demonstrated intersystem data exchange among seven vendor systems with a total of 30 vendors committing to offer IGES capability. A full range of documentation supports the IGES project and the recently approved IGES Version 2.0 of the Specification.

Smith, B. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Site-Specific Research Conducted in Support of the Salton Sea Solar Pond Project - FY 1982 Report

The design and operation of a salt-gradient solar pond power plant at the Salton Sea presents problems not encountered at small research ponds that were built in the United States. The specific characteristics of the Salton Sea site and the desire to construct the pond using the local clay as a sealant represent major deviations from previous solar pond experience. The site-specific research in support of the plant design is described. The research activity included validation of the spectrophotometric light transmission measurement technique, a search for options for clarifying the turbid and colored water of the Salton Sea, development of water clarification specifications in terms common to industry practice, quantification of gas production from microbiological reactions in the ground, a determination of the combined effects of temperature and salinity on the permeation of the local clays, and a preliminary evaluation of material corrosion.

French, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Gateway design specification for fiber optic local area networks

This is a Design Specification for a gateway to interconnect fiber optic local area networks (LAN's). The internetworking protocols for a gateway device that will interconnect multiple local area networks are defined. This specification serves as input for preparation of detailed design specifications for the hardware and software of a gateway device. General characteristics to be incorporated in the gateway such as node address mapping, packet fragmentation, and gateway routing features are described.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1984

An approach to developing specification measures

An approach to developing specification measures is described. A key feature of the approach is the introduction of a new requirements representation, the Composite Specification Model (CSM). Results are reported from an experiment in which the requirements for a real system are recast using the CSM. Specification measures are then extracted from the CSM representation of the system.

Agresti, W. W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Investigation of specification measures for the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL)

Requirements specification measures are investigated for potential application in the Software Engineering Laboratory. Eighty-seven candidate measures are defined; sixteen are recommended for use. Most measures are derived from a new representation, the Composite Specification Model, which is introduced. The results of extracting the specification measures from the requirements of a real system are described.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1984

Specification of a NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for a differential GPS ground system

One step towards the successful completion of a functional ground unit for the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) will be in choosing a currently available GPS receiver that will accurately measure the propagation times of the satellite signals and have the capability to be electrically interfaced with and controlled by a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-11/34A computer. The minimum requirements and characteristics of a NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver are described. The specific technical specifications addressed include data accuracies and resolutions, receiver interface/external control, enclosure dimensions and mounting requirements, receiver operation, and environmental specifications.

Mccall, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Specification for IBM/IBM compatible 3480 tape cartridge

This document establishes the same kinds of standards and controls that are currently in use for the procurement on new analog and digital magnetic tapes. The Magnetic Tape Certification Facility (MTCF) currently maintains a Quality Products List (QPL) for all new analog and digital magnetic tapes purchased by NASA-GSFC. Extensive tests are conducted in the MTCF on an annual basis to determine the manufacturer's tape types to be added to or deleted from the current QPL. The MTCF currently maintains two specifications for magnetic tapes: NASA TM-79724 is used for the QPL and acceptance testing of new analog tapes; and NASA TM-80599 is used for the QPL and acceptance testing of new digital tapes. This specification will be used for the QPL and acceptance testing of new 3480 cartridges. The magnetic tapes used by GSFC, LaRC, ARC/Dryden, WFF, and the Network Tracking Stations are covered by the NASA-GSFC specifications. The 3480 cartridge was introduced approximately 3.5 years ago and is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to digital magnetic tapes. Many users have already converted to the 3480 system and have more tape drives on order.

Perry, Jimmy L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Specification for wide channel bandwidth one-inch video tape

Standards and controls are established for the procurement of wide channel bandwidth one inch video magnetic recording tapes for Very Long Base Interferometer (VLBI) system applications. The Magnetic Tape Certification Facility (MTCF) currently maintains three specifications for the Quality Products List (QPL) and acceptance testing of magnetic tapes. NASA-TM-79724 is used for the QPL and acceptance testing of new analog tapes; NASA-TM-80599 is used for QPL and acceptance testing of new digital tapes; and NASA-TM-100702 is used for the QPL and acceptance testing of new IBM/IBM compatible 3480 magnetic tape cartridges. This specification will be used for the QPL and acceptance testing of new wide channel bandwidth one inch video magnetic recording tapes. The one inch video tapes used by the Jet Propulsion Lab., the Deep Space Network and the Haystack Observatory will be covered by this specification. These NASA stations will use the video tapes for their VLBI system applications. The VLBI system is used for the tracking of quasars and the support of interplanetary exploration.

Perry, Jimmy L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A graphically oriented specification language for automatic code generation. GRASP/Ada: A Graphical Representation of Algorithms, Structure, and Processes for Ada, phase 1

The first phase of a three-phase effort to develop a new graphically oriented specification language which will facilitate the reverse engineering of Ada source code into graphical representations (GRs) as well as the automatic generation of Ada source code is described. A simplified view of the three phases of Graphical Representations for Algorithms, Structure, and Processes for Ada (GRASP/Ada) with respect to three basic classes of GRs is presented. Phase 1 concentrated on the derivation of an algorithmic diagram, the control structure diagram (CSD) (CRO88a) from Ada source code or Ada PDL. Phase 2 includes the generation of architectural and system level diagrams such as structure charts and data flow diagrams and should result in a requirements specification for a graphically oriented language able to support automatic code generation. Phase 3 will concentrate on the development of a prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of this new specification language.

Cross, James H., II↗

NASA NTRS1990

High frequency, high temperature specific core loss and dynamic B-H hysteresis loop characteristics of soft magnetic alloys

Limited experimental data exists for the specific core loss and dynamic B-H loops for soft magnetic materials for the combined conditions of high frequency and high temperature. This experimental study investigates the specific core loss and dynamic B-H loop characteristics of Supermalloy and Metglas 2605SC over the frequency range of 1 to 50 kHz and temperature range of 23 to 300 C under sinusoidal voltage excitation. The experimental setup used to conduct the investigation is described. The effects of the maximum magnetic flux density, frequency, and temperature on the specific core loss and on the size and shape of the B-H loops are examined.

Wieserman, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Network, system, and status software enhancements for the autonomously managed electrical power system breadboard. Volume 3: Commands specification

This volume (3 of 4) contains the specification for the command language for the AMPS system. The volume contains a requirements specification for the operating system and commands and a design specification for the operating system and command. The operating system and commands sits on top of the protocol. The commands are an extension of the present set of AMPS commands in that the commands are more compact, allow multiple sub-commands to be bundled into one command, and have provisions for identifying the sender and the intended receiver. The commands make no change to the actual software that implement the commands.

Mckee, James W.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Formal specification of human-computer interfaces

A high-level formal specification of a human computer interface is described. Previous work is reviewed and the ASLAN specification language is described. Top-level specifications written in ASLAN for a library and a multiwindow interface are discussed.

Auernheimer, Brent↗

NASA NTRS1991

Direct glass bonded high specific power silicon solar cells for space applications

A lightweight, radiation hard, high performance, ultra-thin silicon solar cell is described that incorporates light trapping and a cover glass as an integral part of the device. The manufacturing feasibility of high specific power, radiation insensitive, thin silicon solar cells was demonstrated experimentally and with a model. Ultra-thin, light trapping structures were fabricated and the light trapping demonstrated experimentally. The design uses a micro-machined, grooved back surface to increase the optical path length by a factor of 20. This silicon solar cell will be highly tolerant to radiation because the base width is less than 25 microns making it insensitive to reduction in minority carrier lifetime. Since the silicon is bonded without silicone adhesives, this solar cell will also be insensitive to UV degradation. These solar cells are designed as a form, fit, and function replacement for existing state of the art silicon solar cells with the effect of simultaneously increasing specific power, power/area, and power supply life. Using a 3-mil thick cover glass and a 0.3 g/sq cm supporting Al honeycomb, a specific power for the solar cell plus cover glass and honeycomb of 80.2 W/Kg is projected. The development of this technology can result in a revolutionary improvement in high survivability silicon solar cell products for space with the potential to displace all existing solar cell technologies for single junction space applications.

Dinetta, L. C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

High frequency, high temperature specific core loss and dynamic B-H hysteresis loop characteristics of soft magnetic alloys

Limited experimental data exists for the specific core loss and dynamic B-H loop for soft magnetic materials for the combined conditions of high frequency and high temperature. This experimental study investigates the specific core loss and dynamic B-H loop characteristics of Supermalloy and Metglas 2605SC over the frequency range of 1 to 50 kHz and temperature range of 23 to 300 C under sinusoidal voltage excitation. The experimental setup used to conduct the investigation is described. The effects of the maximum magnetic flux density, frequency, and temperature on the specific core loss and on the size and shape of the B-H loops are examined.

Wieserman, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Bias and design in software specifications

Implementation bias in a specification is an arbitrary constraint in the solution space. Presented here is a model of bias in software specifications. Bias is defined in terms of the specification process and a classification of the attributes of the software product. Our definition of bias provides insight into both the origin and the consequences of bias. It also shows that bias is relative and essentially unavoidable. Finally, we describe current work on defining a measure of bias, formalizing our model, and relating bias to software defects.

Straub, Pablo A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

State-selected chemical reaction dynamics at the S matrix level - Final-state specificities of near-threshold processes at low and high energies

State-to-state reaction probabilities are found to be highly final-state specific at state-selected threshold energies for the reactions O + H2 yield OH + H and H + H2 yield H2 + H. The study includes initial rotational states with quantum numbers 0-15, and the specificity is especially dramatic for the more highly rotationally excited reactants. The analysis is based on accurate quantum mechanical reactive scattering calculations. Final-state specificity is shown in general to increase with the rotational quantum number of the reactant diatom, and the trends are confirmed for both zero and nonzero values of the total angular momentum.

Chatfield, David C.↗