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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Development of a microwave multilateration system for VTOL landing guidance

An experimental microwave multilateration system has been developed by NASA to provide highly accurate position and velocity measurements during the approach and landing phase of VTOL aircraft. The system uses an angle modulated ranging signal to provide both range and range rate measurements between an aircraft transponder and multiple ground stations. Range and range rate measurements are converted to coordinate measurements, and the coordinate information is transmitted via an integral data link to the aircraft. This paper describes the development of the multilateration system and the associated digital signal processing techniques. Advantages and disadvantages of several processing techniques are discussed. The operation and accuracy of the system as determined from both analytical studies and flight experiments will be described.

Britt, C. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Sensor data autonomy

'Smart' sensors onboard NASA space missions will require variable data output bandwidth as they respond to phenomena of interest. An Instrument Telemetry Packet (ITP) approach has been developed which encodes experimental instrument data into an autonomous data package, along with pertinent engineering parameters and ancillary data (time, position, attitude, etc.). New requirements for onboard concentration and buffering, as well as for end-to-end error control, arise from this approach. Emphasis is placed on packet protocols compatible with the data link standard ADCCP, to enable one set of ground support equipment to readily support instrument development, launch site checkout and mission operations phases.

Greene, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Cockpit displays and the growing role of the pilot in the ATC system

It is pointed out that advances in avionics and computer technology have reached the point where serious attention may be given to structuring a new controlled air traffic environment. The principal feature of such an environment is related to the capability of pilots to perform certain active ATC functions from the cockpit. The main function is concerned with the ability to maintain safe separation from other aircraft under all meteorological conditions. Technical features available to permit such a functional change include such concepts as the Discrete Address Beacon System, a full capability Beacon Collision Avoidance System, data links, computer generated displays, and flight management computers.

Lyman, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Evaluation of the navigation performance of shipboard-VTOL-landing guidance systems

The objective of this study was to explore the performance of a VTOL aircraft landing approach navigation system that receives data (1) from either a microwave scanning beam (MSB) or a radar-transponder (R-T) landing guidance system, and (2) information data-linked from an aviation facility ship. State-of-the-art low-cost-aided inertial techniques and variable gain filters were used in the assumed navigation system. Compensation for ship motion was accomplished by a landing pad deviation vector concept that is a measure of the landing pad's deviation from its calm sea location. The results show that the landing guidance concepts were successful in meeting all of the current Navy navigation error specifications, provided that vector magnitude of the allowable error, rather than the error in each axis, is a permissible interpretation of acceptable performance. The success of these concepts, however, is strongly dependent on the distance measuring equipment bias. In addition, the 'best possible' closed-loop tracking performance achievable with the assumed point-mass VTOL aircraft guidance concept is demonstrated.

Mcgee, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

NASA/Princeton digital avionics flight test facility

This paper describes a general-aviation digital avionics flight-test facility being jointly developed by the Flight Dynamics Laboratory of Princeton University and NASA/Langley Research Center. This facility consists of the Princeton avionics research aircraft (ARA) and NASA/Langley's digital avionics research (DARE) system. The ARA is a fully instrumented five-degree-of-freedom fly-by-wire aircraft. The DARE system contains a state-of-the-art flight computer system and receiving equipment that permits use of the NASA/Wallops Flight Center's position-tracking ground-based display-generation and ground-to-air digital-data-link equipment. The DARE/ARA system will be used for flight evaluation of advanced control, guidance, and display concepts developed as part of NASA/Langley Research Center's general aviation terminal area operations program.

Downing, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Continued study of NAVSTAR/GPS for general aviation

A conceptual approach for examining the full potential of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for the general aviation community is presented. Aspects of an experimental program to demonstrate these concepts are discussed. The report concludes with the observation that the true potential of GPS can only be exploited by utilization in concert with a data link. The capability afforded by the combination of position location and reporting stimulates the concept of GPS providing the auxiliary functions of collision avoidance, and approach and landing guidance. A series of general recommendations for future NASA and civil community efforts in order to continue to support GPS for general aviation are included.

Alberts, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Measuring weather for aviation safety in the 1980's

Requirements for an improved aviation weather system are defined and specifically include the need for (1) weather observations at all airports with instrument approaches, (2) more accurate and timely radar detection of weather elements hazardous to aviation, and (3) better methods of timely distribution of both pilot reports and ground weather data. The development of the discrete address beacon system data link, Doppler weather radar network, and various information processing techniques are described.

Wedan, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A survey of new technology for cockpit application to 1990's transport aircraft simulators

Two problems were investigated: inter-equipment data transfer, both on board the aircraft and between air and ground; and crew equipment communication via the cockpit displays and controls. Inter-equipment data transfer is discussed in terms of data bus and data link requirements. Crew equipment communication is discussed regarding the availability of CRT display systems for use in research simulators to represent flat panel displays of the future, and of software controllable touch panels.

Holt, A. P., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Remotely piloted vehicles. Citations from the International Aerospace abstracts data base

These citations from the international literature cover various aspects of remotely piloted vehicles. Included are articles concerning aircraft design, flight tests, aircraft control, cost effectiveness, automatic flight control, automatic pilots, and data links. Civil aviation applications are included, although military uses of remotely piloted vehicles are stressed. This updated bibliography contains 224 citations, 43 of which are new additions to the previous edition.

Mauk, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Optical data transmission technology for fixed and drag-on STS payloads umbilicals. Volume 1: Executive summary

The feasibility of using optical data handling methods to transmit payload checkout and telemetry is discussed. Optical communications are superior to conventional communication systems for the following reasons: high data capacity optical channels; small and light weight optical cables; and optical signal immunity to electromagnetic interference. Task number one analyzed the ground checkout data requirements that may be expected from the payload community. Task number two selected the optical approach based on the interface requirements, the location of the interface, the amount of time required to reconfigure hardware, and the method of transporting the optical signal. Task number three surveyed and selected optical components for the two payload data link. Task number four makes a qualitative comparison of the conventional electrical communication system and the proposed optical communication system.

St.denis, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Feasibility of collision warning, precision approach and landing using GPS, volume 1

The use of GPS, with an appropriately configured data link, to enhance general aviation avionic functions encountered in the terminal area and on approach was investigated with emphasis on approach and landing guidance and collision warning. The feasibility of using differential GPS to obtain the precision navigation solutions required for landing was studied. Results show that the concept is sound. An experimental program was developed to demonstrate this concept. The collision avoidance/warning concept was examined through the development of a functional system specification.

Ruedger, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A spacecraft mass memory design using self-structured magnetic bubbles

A self-structured multilayered bubble device developed for spacecraft sensor systems is described. The data link buffer mass memory is analyzed, and system characteristics are estimated based on a nominal 1.6 micron bubble diameter. It is shown that a memory of at least 10 billion bits capacity and 30 megabits per second could be developed with conventional spacecraft constraints.

Stermer, R. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Functional design to support CDTI/DABS flight experiments

The objectives of this project are to: (1) provide a generalized functional design of CDTI avionics using the FAA developd DABS/ATARS ground system as the 'traffic sensor', (2) specify software modifications and/or additions to the existing DABS/ATARS ground system to support CDTI avionics, (3) assess the existing avionics of a NASA research aircraft in terms of CDTI applications, and (4) apply the generalized functional design to provide research flight experiment capability. DABS Data Link Formats are first specified for CDTI flight experiments. The set of CDTI/DABS Format specifications becomes a vehicle to coordinate the CDTI avionics and ground system designs, and hence, to develop overall system requirements. The report is the first iteration of a system design and development effort to support eventual CDTI flight test experiments.

Goka, T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Direct strike lightning measurement system

A research data system developed for in-flight measurement of direct and nearby lightning-strike characteristics is described. The measurement system consists of a wide-band analog recorder which records the continuous lightning scenario and fast sample-rate digital transient recorders with augmented memory capacity for increased time resolution of specific times of interest. Electromagnetic sensors with bandwidths exceeding 100 MHz are used which respond to rates of change of the quantities being measured. Data system immunity from electromagnetic interference is accomplished by the use of a dynamotor for power isolation, shielded system enclosure and fiber-optic data links.

Thomas, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Annual Conference on Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects, 18th, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, July 21-24, 1981, Proceedings

Single event upset phenomena are discussed, taking into account cosmic ray induced errors in IIL microprocessors and logic devices, single event upsets in NMOS microprocessors, a prediction model for bipolar RAMs in a high energy ion/proton environment, the search for neutron-induced hard errors in VLSI structures, soft errors due to protons in the radiation belt, and the use of an ion microbeam to study single event upsets in microcircuits. Basic mechanisms in materials and devices are examined, giving attention to gamma induced noise in CCD's, the annealing of MOS capacitors, an analysis of photobleaching techniques for the radiation hardening of fiber optic data links, a hardened field insulator, the simulation of radiation damage in solids, and the manufacturing of radiation resistant optical fibers. Energy deposition and dosimetry is considered along with SGEMP/IEMP, radiation effects in devices, space radiation effects and spacecraft charging, EMP/SREMP, and aspects of fabrication, testing, and hardness assurance.

Tasca, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Controlling TV-Camera f-Stop Remotely

Lens opening of television camera controlled manually from remote location by simple and inexpensive data link without modifications to camera lens system. Allows closeup views of wide-brightness-range events otherwise hazardous for human operator.

Talley, G. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

NASA propulsion controls research

Multivariable control theory is applied to the design of multiple input and output engine controls. Highly-accurate, real-time engine simulations are utilized for control development and checkout. Electro-optical control components are developed for use in electronic control systems having fiber optic data links. Integrated controls are developed for VSTOL and Rotorcraft propulsion systems. Post-stall models of engine systems are developed to aid in understanding and control of post-stall engine behavior.

Teren, F.↗