Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Standard”

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 397 records · Page 22

Recent developments and proposed schemes for trapped ion frequency standards

Ion traps are exciting candidates as future precision frequency sources. Recent developments demonstrate that mercury ion frequency standards are capable of a stability performance comparable to commercial cesium standards. There is, however, considerable room for improvement with regard to the signal to noise problem. The 40 GHz microwave frequency implies that a careful design should be implemented to ensure the elimination of the unwanted side bands in the microwave pump signal. A long life, high performance light source to be used in a trapped mercury ion microwave standard must be developed and the long term performance of a trapped mercury ion microwave standard must be investigated. While newly proposed two photon pumping schemes in conjuction with mercury ions promise exciting developments for both microwave and optical frequency standards, other ions that may be potential candidates should be evaluated for their usefulness.

Maleki, L.↗

Standard format data units - Tools for automatic exchange of space mission data

A set of standard formatting rules for the data sets, and a standard computer-readable language with which to describe the data, are two tools which are used to create the Standard Format Data Unit (SFDU). The NASA/JPL proposal for creation and utilization of SFDUs is presented, and its relationship to recommendations from the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) is discussed. Several current and planned implementations of the SFDU concept among major space flight projects are identified. The purpose of creating the concept of an SFDU is to allow members of the science community to share national and global resource data independently of project or program. The feedback from SFDU implementation efforts is considered an essential part of the CCSDS activity. Even though the CCSDS specifically deals with space data systems, the SFDU concept can be applied to practically every data system on an open network. The SFDU is in the early phase of CCSDS standard definition work, and must go through several other phases before being formally recommended as an international standard.

Willett, J. B.↗

What should DOE do to help establish voluntary consensus standards for measuring and rating the performance of PV modules?

In response to concern expressed by the photovoltaics community over progress toward the establishment and issuance of concensus standards on photovoltaic performance measurements, a review of the status of and progress in developing these standards was conducted. It examined the roles of manufacturers, and consumers and the national laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in supporting this effort. This was done by means of a series of discussions with knowledgeable members of the photovoltaic community. Results of these interviews are summarized and a new approach to managing support of standards activity is recommended that responds to specific problems found in the performance measurement standards area. The study concludes that there is a positive role to be played by the U.S. Department of Energy in establishing collector performance measurement standards. It recommends that DOE continue to provide direct financial support for selected committees and for research at national laboratories, and that management of the activity be restructured to increase the authority and responsibility of the consensus committees.

Runkle, L. D.↗

Rubidium and cesium frequency standards status and performance on the GPS program

The on-oribt operational performance of the frequency standards on the Global Positioning System (GPS) 1 to 10 NAVSTAR satellites are discussed. The history of the Rb frequency standards showing the improvements incorporated at various stages of the program and the corresponding results are presented. Also presented is the operational history of the NAVSTAR cesium frequency standards. The frequency standards configuration data presented covers the chronology of events from the concept validation satellites, NAVSTAR 1 to 10, starting in 1978 to the present, including the configurations of clocks to be used on the GPS Production Program. Data are presented showing the results of long-term laboratory testing of a production Rb frequency standard with the necessary data taken to calculate Delta F, drift, time error, and Allan variance.

Bethke, H.↗

Standardization of ground and flight data interfaces for spaceflight instrument support

Instrument Ground Support Equipment (IGSE) will be used for instrument support on both the ground and flight phases of the Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO) program. These mission phases include instrument development, observatory integration and test, prelaunch processing at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) end-to-end testing, and in-orbit operations. The data interfaces between each of the IGSE's and the ground and flight systems have been evaluated to determine whether they should be standardized, and, if so, to what standard and why? Standardization, in this concept, provides for the capability to use the same IGSE without change as these systems are used throughout the various phases of the mission listed above. This evaluation has shown that there is a cost savings associated with standardization. In addition, several other intrinsic benefits have been identified. Based on this evaluation, the international standard protocol X.25 was selected to interface each of the IGSE's to the ground and flight systems.

Felice, R.↗

Information system life-cycle and documentation standards, volume 1

The Software Management and Assurance Program (SMAP) Information System Life-Cycle and Documentation Standards Document describes the Version 4 standard information system life-cycle in terms of processes, products, and reviews. The description of the products includes detailed documentation standards. The standards in this document set can be applied to the life-cycle, i.e., to each phase in the system's development, and to the documentation of all NASA information systems. This provides consistency across the agency as well as visibility into the completeness of the information recorded. An information system is software-intensive, but consists of any combination of software, hardware, and operational procedures required to process, store, or transmit data. This document defines a standard life-cycle model and content for associated documentation.

Callender, E. David↗

Design and industrial production of frequency standards in the USSR

Some aspects of research development and production of quantum frequency standards, carried out in QUARTZ Research and Production Association (RPA), Gorky, U.S.S.R., were investigated for the last 25 to 30 years. During this period a number of rubidium and hydrogen frequency standards, based on the active maser, were developed and put into production. The first industrial model of a passive hydrogen maser was designed in the last years. Besides frequency standards for a wide application range, RPA QUARTZ investigates metrological frequency standards--cesium standards with cavity length 1.9 m and hydrogen masers with a flexible storage bulb.

Demidov, Nikolai A.↗

International standards for cost-optimized space missions and infrastructure

The establishment of international standards is essential for the success of multiagency space missions. Here, two key areas for international standardization are proposed: the development of standards for infrastructure and the development of multiagency standards. Such standards will ultimately enable cost-optimized small missions as well as a cost-optimized superset of space infractructures.

Mckenzie, Merle↗

CCSDS - An approach to the definition of common standards for understanding space-related data

International cooperation for space data projects requires common data processing goals and unique data exchange mechanisms. The absence of standards has led to project unique interface definitions and special software on diverse systems. To address this problem, CCSDS Panel 2 is creating a set of standards to support self description of data using standard structures. The proposed standard data interchange mechanism - the Standard Formatted Data Unit (SFDU) - reduces information loss in data transfers, increases automated information exchange, and extends the lifetime of data. Data interchange structures, languages, and services are being developed with necessary control functions to provide these benefits. A set of recommendations for agency review has been issued this year to be the basis for future data exchange and to enhance access to older mission data sets. Space agencies and other space data handling facilities are being encouraged to implement the SFDU concept for ongoing and planned projects.

Drexler, Manfred↗

Possible applications of atomic frequency standards with an internal high resolution digital synthesizer

The applications of Atomic Frequency Standards with an internal synthesizer (thereafter referred as 'Synthesized Frequency Standards or Oscillators') with a special emphasis on the Rb oscillator are reviewed. A fractional frequency synthesizer, developed by SEPA, was incorporated in the Frequency Locked Loop of a TFL Rubidium Frequency Standard. This combination allows a frequency settability in steps of 1.5 x 10(exp -12) (optional 1 x 10(exp -13) over a range of 6 x 10(exp -9) without having to resort to change the C-field to tune the output frequency of the device. This capability, coupled to the excellent short term stability of the Rb frequency standard, opens new possibilities for time and frequency users in the various fields (time metrology, navigation, communication, etc.) in which stable frequency standards find their application.

Detoma, E.↗

Space Generic Open Avionics Architecture (SGOAA) standard specification

This standard establishes the Space Generic Open Avionics Architecture (SGOAA). The SGOAA includes a generic functional model, processing structural model, and an architecture interface model. This standard defines the requirements for applying these models to the development of spacecraft core avionics systems. The purpose of this standard is to provide an umbrella set of requirements for applying the generic architecture models to the design of a specific avionics hardware/software processing system. This standard defines a generic set of system interface points to facilitate identification of critical services and interfaces. It establishes the requirement for applying appropriate low level detailed implementation standards to those interfaces points. The generic core avionics functions and processing structural models provided herein are robustly tailorable to specific system applications and provide a platform upon which the interface model is to be applied.

Wray, Richard B.↗

AIAA spacecraft GN&C interface standards initiative: Overview

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has undertaken an important standards initiative in the area of spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) subsystem interfaces. The objective of this effort is to establish standards that will promote interchangeability of major GN&C components, thus enabling substantially lower spacecraft development costs. Although initiated by developers of conventional spacecraft GN&C, it is anticipated that interface standards will also be of value in reducing the development costs of micro-engineered spacecraft. The standardization targets are specifically limited to interfaces only, including information (i.e. data and signal), power, mechanical, thermal, and environmental interfaces between various GN&C components and between GN&C subsystems and other subsystems. The current emphasis is on information interfaces between various hardware elements (e.g., between star trackers and flight computers). The poster presentation will briefly describe the program, including the mechanics and schedule, and will publicize the technical products as they exist at the time of the conference. In particular, the rationale for the adoption of the AS1773 fiber-optic serial data bus and the status of data interface standards at the application layer will be presented.

Challoner, A. Dorian↗

Spectral Irradiance Calibration in the Infrared 11: Comparison of (alpha) Boo and 1 Ceres with a Laboratory Standard

Infrared spectra of two celestial objects frequently used as flux standards are calibrated against an absolute laboratory flux standard at a spectral resolving power of 100 to 200. The spectrum of the K1.5III star, alpha Boo, is measured from 3 microns to 30 microns and that of the C-type asteroid, 1 Ceres, from 5 microns to 30 microns. While these 'standard' spectra do not have the apparent precision of those based on calculated models, they do not require the assumptions involved in theoretical models of stars and asteroids. Specifically they provide a model-independent means of calibrating celestial flux in the spectral range from 12 microns to 30 microns where accurate absolute photometry is not available. The agreement found between the spectral shapes of alpha Boo and Ceres based on laboratory standards, and those based on observed ratios to alpha CMa (Sirius) and alpha Lyr (Vega), flux calibrated by theoretical modeling of these hot stars strengthens our confidence in the applicability of the stellar models as primary irradiance standards.

Witteborn, Fred C.↗

Hg(+) Frequency Standards

In this paper we review the development of Hg(+) microwave frequency standards for use in high reliability and continuous operation applications. In recent work we have demonstrated short-term frequency stability of 3 x 10(exp -14)/nu(sub tau) when a cryogenic oscillator of stability 2-3 x 10(exp 15) was used a the local oscillator. The trapped ion frequency standard employs a Hg-202 discharge lamp to optically pump the trapped Hg(+)-199 clock ions and a helium buffer gas to cool the ions to near room temperature. We describe a small Hg(+) ion trap based frequency standard with an extended linear ion trap (LITE) architecture which separates the optical state selection region from the clock resonance region. This separation allows the use of novel trap configurations in the resonance region since no optical pumping is carried out there. A method for measuring the size of an ion cloud inside a linear trap with a 12-rod trap is currently being investigated. At approx. 10(exp -12), the 2nd order Doppler shift for trapped mercury ion frequency standards is one of the largest frequency offsets and its measurement to the 1% level would represent an advance in insuring the very long-term stability of these standards to the 10(exp -14) or better level. Finally, we describe atomic clock comparison experiments that can probe for a time variation of the fine structure constant, alpha = e(exp 2)/2(pi)hc, at the level of 10(exp -20)/year as predicted in some Grand Unified String Theories.

Prestage, John D.↗

Langley Wind Tunnel Data Quality Assurance-Check Standard Results

A framework for statistical evaluation, control and improvement of wind funnel measurement processes is presented The methodology is adapted from elements of the Measurement Assurance Plans developed by the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) for standards and calibration laboratories. The present methodology is based on the notions of statistical quality control (SQC) together with check standard testing and a small number of customer repeat-run sets. The results of check standard and customer repeat-run -sets are analyzed using the statistical control chart-methods of Walter A. Shewhart long familiar to the SQC community. Control chart results are presented for. various measurement processes in five facilities at Langley Research Center. The processes include test section calibration, force and moment measurements with a balance, and instrument calibration.

Hemsch, Michael J.↗

Spectral Irradiance Calibration in the Infrared: Comparison of (alpha) Bootis and 1 Ceres with a Laboratory Standard - 11

Infrared spectra of two celestial objects frequently used as flux standards are calibrated against an absolute laboratory flux standard at a spectral resolving power of 100 to 200. The spectrum of the KI.5 III star alpha Boo is measured from 3 to 30 microns, and that of the C-type asteroid 1 Ceres from 5 to 30 microns. While these "standard" spectra do not have the apparent precision of those based on calculated models, they do not require the assumptions involved in theoretical models of stars and asteroids. Specifically, they provide a model-independent means of calibrating celestial flux in the spectral range from 12 to 30 microns, where accurate absolute photometry is not available. The agreement found between the spectral shapes of alpha Boo and Ceres based on laboratory standards and those based on observed ratios to alpha CMa (Sirius) and alpha Lyr (Vega), flux-calibrated by theoretical modeling of these hot stars, strengthens our confidence in the applicability of the stellar models as primary irradiance standards.

Witteborn, Fred C.↗

Evaluation of NASA Foodbars as a Standard Diet for Use in Short-Term Rodent Space Flight Studies

A standard rodent diet for space flight must meet the unique conditions imposed by the space environment and must be nutritionally adequate since diet can influence the outcome of experiments. This paper evaluates the use of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) developed Foodbars as a standard space flight diet for rats. The Foodbar's semi-purified formulation permits criteria such as nutrient consistency, high nutrient bioavailability and flexibility of formulation to be met. Extrusion of the semi-purified diet produces Foodbars with the proper texture and a non-crumbing solid form for use in space. Treatment of Foodbar with 0.1% potassium sorbate prevents mold growth. Irradiation (15-25 kGy) prevents bacterial growth and in combination with sorbate-treatment provides added protection against mold for shelf-stability. However, during the development process, nutrient analyses indicated that extrusion and irradiation produced nutrient losses. Nutrients were adjusted accordingly to compensate for processing losses. Nutrient analysis of Foodbars continues to be performed routinely to monitor nutrient levels. It is important that the standard rodent diet provide nutrients that will prevent deficiency but also avoid excess that may mask physiological changes produced by space flight. All vitamins levels in the Foodbars, except for vitamin K conformed to or exceeded the current NRC (1995) recommendations. All indispensable amino acids in Foodbar conformed to or exceeded the NRC nutrient recommendation for mice growth and rat maintenance. However, some indispensable amino acids were slightly below recommendations for rat reproduction/growth. Short-term (18-20 d) animal feeding studies indicated that Foodbars were palatable, supported growth and maintained health in rats. Results indicated that NASA rodent Foodbars meet both the physical and nutritional criteria required to support rodents in the space environment and thus, may be used successfully as a standard diet for short-term space flight studies. However, nutritional adequacy of NASA Rodent Foodbars as a standard diet on longer duration (>20 d) space flight missions remains to be determined.

Tou, Janet↗

The Need for a Shear Stress Calibration Standard

By surveying current research of various micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) shear stress sensor development efforts we illustrate the wide variety of methods used to test and characterize these sensors. The different methods of testing these sensors make comparison of results difficult in some cases, and also this comparison is further complicated by the different formats used in reporting the results of these tests. The fact that making these comparisons can be so difficult at times clearly illustrates a need for standardized testing and reporting methodologies. This need indicates that the development of a national or international standard for the calibration of MEMS shear stress sensors should be undertaken. As a first step towards the development of this standard, two types of devices are compared and contrasted. The first type device is a laminar flow channel with two different versions considered: the first built with standard manufacturing techniques and the second with advanced precision manufacturing techniques. The second type of device is a new concept for creating a known shear stress consisting of a rotating wheel with the sensor mounted tangentially to the rim and positioned in close proximity to the rim. The shear stress generated by the flow at the sensor position is simply tau = (mu)r(omega)/h, where mu is the viscosity of the ambient gas, r the wheel radius, omega the angular velocity of the wheel, and h the width of the gap between the wheel rim and the sensor. Additionally, issues related to the development of a standard for shear stress calibration are identified and discussed.

Scott, Michael A.↗