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At least 397 records · Page 22

An Evaluation of Flash Cells Used in Critical Applications

Due to the common use of Flash technology in many commercial and industrial Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) such as FPGAs and mixed-signal microcontrollers, flash technology is being utilized in fuzed munition applications. This presents a long-term reliability issue for both DoD and NASA safety- and mission-critical applications. A thorough understanding of the data retention failure modes and statistics associated with Flash data retention is of vital concern to the fuze safety community. A key retention parameter for a flash cell is the threshold voltage (VTH), which is an indirect indicator of the amount of charge stored on the cells floating gate. Initial test results based on a study of charge loss in flash cells in an FPGA device is presented. Statistical data taken from a small sample set indicates quantifiable charge loss for devices stored at both room temperature and 150 C. Initial evaluation of the distribution of threshold voltage in a large sample set (800 devices) is presented. The magnitude of charge loss from exposure to electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic fields is measured and presented. Simulated data (and measured data as available) resultant from harsh-environment testing (neutron, heavy ion, EMP) is presented.

data retention↗

An Evaluation of Flash Cells Used in Critical Applications

Due to the common use of Flash technology in many commercial and industrial Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) such as FPGAs and mixed-signal microcontrollers, flash technology is being utilized in fuzed munition applications. This presents a long-term reliability issue for both DoD and NASA safety- and mission-critical applications. A thorough understanding of the data retention failure modes and statistics associated with Flash data retention is of vital concern to the fuze safety community. A key retention parameter for a flash cell is the threshold voltage (VTH), which is an indirect indicator of the amount of charge stored on the cells floating gate. Initial test results based on a study of charge loss in flash cells in an FPGA device is presented. Statistical data taken from a small sample set indicates quantifiable charge loss for devices stored at both room temperature and 150 C. Initial evaluation of the distribution of threshold voltage in a large sample set (800 devices) is presented. The magnitude of charge loss from exposure to electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic fields is measured and presented. Simulated data (and measured data as available) resultant from harsh-environment testing (neutron, heavy ion, EMP) is presented.

Data Retention↗

Proton-induced fragmentation of carbon at energies below 100 MeV

Radiation effects caused by single cosmic ray particles have been studied for many years in radiobiological experiments for different biological objects and biological end-points. Additionally, single event effects in microelectronic devices have gained large interest. There are two fundamental mechanisms by which a single particle can cause radiation effects. On the one hand, a cosmic ray ion with high linear energy transfer can deposit a high dose along its path. On the other hand, in a nuclear collision, a high dose can be deposited by short range particles emitted from the target nucleus. In low earth orbits a large contribution to target fragmentation events originates from trapped protons which are encountered in the South Atlantic Anomaly. These protons have energies up to a few hundred MeV. We study the fragmentation of C, O and Si nuclei - the target nuclei of biological material and microelectronic devices - in nuclear collisions. Our aim is to measure production cross sections, energy spectra, emission directions and charge correlations of the emitted fragments. The present knowledge concerning these data is rather poor. M. Alurralde et al. have calculated cross sections and average energies of fragments produced from Si using the cascade-evaporation model. D.M. Ngo et al. have used the semiempirical cross section formula of Silberberg and Tsao to calculate fragment yields and the statistical model of Goldhaber to describe the reaction kinematics. Cross sections used in these models have uncertainties within a factor of two. Our data will help to test and improve existing models especially for energies below 300 MeV/nucleon. Charge correlations of fragments emitted in the same interaction are of particular importance, since high doses can be deposited if more than one heavy fragment with a short range is produced.

Schmitz, M.↗

Space Charge Analysis Capabilities for the Evaluation of High Voltage Insulation Materials

Materials development is crucial for the advancement of electric aviation. Current research focusing on novel multifunctional materials is underway to solve the needs for aerospace systems; however, additional testing of these materials to understand their failure modes is equally critical. This project will utilize pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) instrumentation to investigate space charge accumulation of multifunctional composites and other insulation materials critical to robust high power transmission systems. Evaluating the space charge phenomena in dielectric materials will provide unique and fundamentally necessary data to determine the feasibility and lifetime of any high voltage insulation system. When electrical charge is injected into a solid dielectric, charge can accumulate and become trapped, leading to the failure of the insulation via breakdown or arcing events. This study will discuss the pulsed electroacoustic methodology and its use on evaluating various dielectric polymer and composite films.

pulsed electroacoustic↗

Maximizing Spaceflight Biological Data with Omics Analytics: The NASA GeneLab Database

NASA’s GeneLab includes an open-access repository of some 250+ omics datasets generated by biological experiments relevant to spaceflight including simulated cosmic radiation and microgravity. In order to maximize the intelligibility of these data, particularly for users with limited bioinformatics background, GeneLab has become a knowledgebase platform converting raw genetic and proteomic signatures found in flight samples into biological and physiological meanings. A large community of more than 100 scientists has rallied behind GeneLab and organized into four Analysis Working Groups (AWGs: Animal, Plant, Microbe, and Multi-Omics). Together, the AWGs have gained scientific recognition worldwide by establishing a consortium in charge of adopting new complex standards for data analysis workflows and omics sample processing in a rapidly evolving field. We will demonstrate the usage of the repository with smart search capability, an online controlled-access toolshed "Galaxy" to process user data with vetted standard workflows, a workspace for data sharing and a data submission portal with ontology control for better metadata curation. The GeneLab visualization portal will also be demonstrated, showing how anyone without formal training in bioinformatics can now browse the space biology omics data to discover new biology and potential solutions to improve life in space.

Sylvain Vincent Costes↗

GeneLab: The NASA System Biology Platform for Space Omics Repository, Analysis and Visualization

NASA’s GeneLab includes an open-access repository of some 250+ omics datasets generated by biological experiments relevant to spaceflight including simulated cosmic radiation and microgravity. In order to maximize the intelligibility of these data, particularly for users with limited bioinformatics background, GeneLab has become a knowledgebase platform converting raw genetic and proteomic signatures found in flight samples into biological and physiological meanings. A large community of more than 100 scientists has rallied behind GeneLab and organized into four Analysis Working Groups (AWGs: Animal, Plant, Microbe, and Multi-Omics). Together, the AWGs have gained scientific recognition worldwide by establishing a consortium in charge of adopting new complex standards for data analysis workflows and omics sample processing in a rapidly evolving field. We will demonstrate the usage of the repository with smart search capability, an online controlled-access toolshed "Galaxy" to process user data with vetted standard workflows, a workspace for data sharing and a data submission portal with ontology control for better metadata curation. The GeneLab visualization portal will also be demonstrated, showing how anyone without formal training in bioinformatics can now browse the space biology omics data to discover new biology and potential solutions to improve life in space.

GeneLab↗

Solar Absorptivity Degradation of Spacecraft Materials Due to UV and Charged Particles in the Gateway Environment

Traditionally, most of the data accumulated for material optical property degradation in space has been in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment. However, Gateway is a new space station that will be assembled and flown in Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) for 15 years. Additionally, some Gateway modules will have a slow transit from Earth to NRHO that will take over a year to pass through the Van Allen Belts, which contain damaging charged particles. The environments Gateway modules will encounter are not well characterized. Environmental factors such as charged particles and ultraviolet (UV) radiation have been shown to significantly increase solar absorptivity (α) for some thermal control materials and coatings. Since α will impact thermal performance over the mission, the Gateway Passive Thermal Control System (PTCS) Group has identified charged particle and UV degradation of Gateway materials as a knowledge gap. Candidate materials and coatings were subjected to expected mission charged particle environments and over 5000 Equivalent Solar Hours (ESH) of UV at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). In situ change in reflectivity was observed at specified intervals during testing such that change in α could be plotted as a function of time of solar exposure.

Optical Property↗

Transport of charged particles in the earth's magnetosphere

A review of recent data on and conceptions of processes in which high energy particles are transported across magnetic shells in the earth's magnetosphere is presented. The processes discussed include adiabatic processes (with conservation of all three adiabatic invariants of charged particle motion in the magnetic field), diffusion processes (with violation of only the third or third and second invariants), and the so-called fast nonadiabatic processes, which appear to result from the action of strong electric fields.

Shalimov, V. P.↗

The non-Z-squared response of the heavy nuclei cosmic ray detector on HEAO-3

A combination of ion chambers and Cerenkov radiators similar to the Heavy Nuclei Experiment flown on HEAO-3 was calibrated at the Bevalac heavy-ion accelerator using beams of Mn-25 nuclei at kinetic energies up to about 1700 MeV/nucleon and Au-79 nuclei up to about 1000 MeV/nucleon. The data show only a small deviation (about 2-3 charge units at Au) from the Z-squared scaling used previously (Binns et al., 1981, 1982, 1983) to analyze the HNE data. Although at lower energy, the calibration indicates that the published relative abundances of the Sn-50/Ba-56 group and the published upper-limit actinide abundances are not likely to be significantly affected by non-Z-squared effects.

Garrard, T. L.↗

Ion beam plume and efflux characterization flight experiment study

A flight experiment and flight experiment package for a shuttle-borne flight test of an 8-cm mercury ion thruster was designed to obtain charged particle and neutral particle material transport data that cannot be obtained in conventional ground based laboratory testing facilities. By the use of both ground and space testing of ion thrusters, the flight worthiness of these ion thrusters, for other spacecraft applications, may be demonstrated. The flight experiment definition for the ion thruster initially defined a broadly ranging series of flight experiments and flight test sensors. From this larger test series and sensor list, an initial flight test configuration was selected with measurements in charged particle material transport, condensible neutral material transport, thruster internal erosion, ion beam neutralization, and ion thrust beam/space plasma electrical equilibration. These measurement areas may all be examined for a seven day shuttle sortie mission and for available test time in the 50 - 100 hour period.

Sellen, J. M., Jr.↗

Observations of ions with nuclear charge Z greater than or equal to 9 in the inner magnetosphere

The Explorer 45 heavy ion data analysis is extended to ions heavier than fluorine, that is, ions with nuclear charge Z greater than about 9 during and after a major magnetic storm on August 4, 1972. Although the heavy ion detector telescope does not permit a precise identification of these ions, it is pointed out that if they are, for example, magnesium ions, then an equatorially mirroring peak trapped flux of 0.02 ions/sq cm-s-sr-keV is derived on L shells just below L = 3 at energies 12.8-51.2 MeV per ion (533-2133 keV per nucleon). It is noted that other possible ion contributions include silicon and iron. The fluxes of these ions are found to decay on time scales typically several tens of days; this is substantially faster than that of helium ions and slightly faster than that of oxygen ions in the lower MeV range.

Spjeldvik, W. N.↗

Panel to review EOSDIS plans

Formed in Jan. 1992, the Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans was charged with advising NASA on its plans for developing the Earth Observing System (EOS) Data and Information System (EOSDIS). Specifically, the panel was asked to do the following: assess the validity of the engineering and technical underpinnings of the EOSDIS; assess its potential value to scientific users; suggest how technical risk can be minimized; and assess whether current plans are sufficiently resilient to be adaptable to changing technology and requirements such as budget environments, data volumes, new users, and new databases. The panel completed an interim report (Addendum A) and transmitted it to NASA and other interested parties in the government on 9 Apr. 1992. Because of a delay in NASA's plans to select the contractor for EOSDIS, the panel was not able to complete its review of the program according to the original government request. With the issuance of a letter report (Addendum B) on 28 Sep. 1992, the panel became inactive until such time as NASA could release the details of the contractor's proposed architecture, schedule, and costs for developing EOSDIS. In early 1993, NASA awarded the contract for the EOSDIS Core System (ECS). On 20 Apr. 1993, NASA asked the panel to reconvene to do the following: ( 1) complete its review of NASA's approach to the EOSDIS architecture and implementation; (2) appraise NASA's responses to the panel's previous recommendations; and (3) review the planning for EOSDIS in the context of NASA's role in the Global Change Data and Information System (GCDIS) implementation plan. To respond to the NASA charge, the panel met three times in 1993 including sessions with NASA officials and the EOSDIS contractor. In addition, several of the panel members visited individual Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC's) to obtain additional views of EOSDIS. The panel has now obtained substantial information on the EOSDIS budget, contractor work program, and current baseline architecture that was not previously available, due to procurement restrictions. This report presents the panel's findings and recommendations based on this additional information.

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An Overview of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission

The advent of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), currently with a launch readiness date of December, 2012, will see evolutionary changes in the Landsat data products available from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. The USGS initiated a revolution in 2009 when EROS began distributing Landsat data products at no cost to requestors in contrast to the past practice of charging the cost of fulfilling a request; that is, charging $600 per Landsat scene. To implement this drastic change, EROS terminated data processing options for requestors and began to produce all data products using a consistent processing recipe. EROS plans to continue this practice for the LDCM and will required new algorithms to process data from the LDCM sensors. All previous Landsat satellites flew multispectral scanners to collect image data of the global land surface. Additionally, Landsats 4, 5, and 7 flew sensors that acquired imagery for both reflective spectral bands and a single thermal band. In contrast, the LDCM will carry two pushbroom sensors; the Operational Land Imager (OLI) for reflective spectral bands and the Thermal InfraRed Sensor (TIRS) for two thermal bands. EROS is developing the ground data processing system that will both calibrate and correct the data from the thousands of detectors employed by the pushbroom sensors and that will also combine the data from the two sensors to create a single data product with registered data for all of the OLI and TIRS bands.

Irons, James R.↗

Observational evidence for a boundary layer source of dayside region 1 field-aligned currents

With the addition of magnetic field information to the Atmosphere Explorer C data base it is now possible to make simultaneous observations of charged particles, magnetic field perturbations, and ion drift velocity. The most recently compiled observations from this data set are presented, and attention is given to the observed relationships between the convection reversal boundary, the high-latitude limit of plasma sheet particles, and the high-latitude limit of the region 1 current sheets in the low-altitude ionosphere, taking into account the association with similar boundaries and regions in the distant magnetosphere. The observed relationships between these boundaries are further discussed in light of the current-generating mechanisms considered.

Bythrow, P. F.↗

An experimental estimate of the O/+/-O resonant charge transfer cross section, collision frequency, and energy transfer rate

The resonant-charge-transfer cross section dominates the interaction between neutral and ionized atomic oxygen at temperatures greater than several hundred degrees Kelvin. This cross section is of direct importance to F-region studies of ion diffusion, ion thermal balance, and neutral atmospheric winds and pressure gradients, since it determines collision frequencies and energy and momentum transfer rates. However, the uncertainty in this cross section is roughly 25-40%. Incoherent-scatter measurements allow determination of the product of the atomic oxygen concentration multiplied by the cross section. If present-day atmospheric models are accepted as statistically representative of F-region atomic oxygen concentrations experimental (aeronomical) data presented indicate that the resonant-charge-transfer cross section is about 1.3 times greater than the value presently in general use, though in excellent agreement with the only other available (laboratory) experimental value. This revised cross section has obvious implications for thermospheric studies.

Carlson, H. C.↗

Quantitative ESD Guidelines for Charged Spacecraft Derived from the Physics of Discharges

Quantitative guidelines are proposed for Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) pulse shape on charged spacecraft. The guidelines are based on existing ground test data, and on a physical description of the pulsed discharge process. The guidelines are designed to predict pulse shape for surface charging and internal charging on a wide variety of spacecraft structures. The pulses depend on the area of the sample, its capacitance to ground, and the strength of the electric field in the vacuum adjacent to the charged surface. By knowing the pulse shape, current vs. time, one can determine if nearby circuits are threatened by the pulse. The quantitative guidelines might be used to estimate the level of threat to an existing spacecraft, or to redesign a spacecraft to reduce its pulses to a known safe level. The experiments which provide the data and the physics that allow one to interpret the data will be discussed, culminating in examples of how to predict pulse shape/size. This method has been used, but not confirmed, on several spacecraft.

Frederickson, A. R.↗

A review of studies on ion thruster beam and charge-exchange plasmas

Various experimental and analytical studies of the primary beam and charge-exchange plasmas of ion thrusters are reviewed. The history of plasma beam research is recounted, emphasizing experiments on beam neutralization, expansion of the beam, and determination of beam parameters such as electron temperature, plasma density, and plasma potential. The development of modern electron bombardment ion thrusters is treated, detailing experimental results. Studies on charge-exchange plasma are discussed, showing results such as the relationship between neutralizer emission current and plasma beam potential, ion energies as a function of neutralizer bias, charge-exchange ion current collected by an axially moving Faraday cup-RPA for 8-cm and 30-cm ion thrusters, beam density and potential data from a 15-cm ion thruster, and charge-exchange ion flow around a 30-cm thruster. A 20-cm thruster electrical configuration is depicted and facility effects are discussed. Finally, plasma modeling is covered in detail for plasma beam and charge-exchange plasma.

Carruth, M. R., Jr.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2014

Topics include: Data Fusion for Global Estimation of Forest Characteristics From Sparse Lidar Data; Debris and Ice Mapping Analysis Tool - Database; Data Acquisition and Processing Software - DAPS; Metal-Assisted Fabrication of Biodegradable Porous Silicon Nanostructures; Post-Growth, In Situ Adhesion of Carbon Nanotubes to a Substrate for Robust CNT Cathodes; Integrated PEMFC Flow Field Design for Gravity-Independent Passive Water Removal; Thermal Mechanical Preparation of Glass Spheres; Mechanistic-Based Multiaxial-Stochastic-Strength Model for Transversely-Isotropic Brittle Materials; Methods for Mitigating Space Radiation Effects, Fault Detection and Correction, and Processing Sensor Data; Compact Ka-Band Antenna Feed with Double Circularly Polarized Capability; Dual-Leadframe Transient Liquid Phase Bonded Power Semiconductor Module Assembly and Bonding Process; Quad First Stage Processor: A Four-Channel Digitizer and Digital Beam-Forming Processor; Protective Sleeve for a Pyrotechnic Reefing Line Cutter; Metabolic Heat Regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption; CubeSat Deployable Log Periodic Dipole Array; Re-entry Vehicle Shape for Enhanced Performance; NanoRacks-Scale MEMS Gas Chromatograph System; Variable Camber Aerodynamic Control Surfaces and Active Wing Shaping Control; Spacecraft Line-of-Sight Stabilization Using LWIR Earth Signature; Technique for Finding Retro-Reflectors in Flash LIDAR Imagery; Novel Hemispherical Dynamic Camera for EVAs; 360 deg Visual Detection and Object Tracking on an Autonomous Surface Vehicle; Simulation of Charge Carrier Mobility in Conducting Polymers; Observational Data Formatter Using CMOR for CMIP5; Propellant Loading Physics Model for Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery; Probabilistic Guidance for Swarms of Autonomous Agents; Reducing Drift in Stereo Visual Odometry; Future Air-Traffic Management Concepts Evaluation Tool; Examination and A Priori Analysis of a Direct Numerical Simulation Database for High-Pressure Turbulent Flows; and Resource-Constrained Application of Support Vector Machines to Imagery.

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