Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Intelligent Systems”

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 415 records · Page 23

Intelligent interfaces to aircraft systems

An approach for developing intelligent aiding systems for airline flight crews is proposed. This approach proceeds in four cycles: (1) National Traffic Safety Board data and pilot interviews are used to determine the areas in which pilots require aid; (2) a pilot information processing model is designed; (3) an intelligent pilot-aiding model is developed; and (4) systems for implementing aiding functions are defined. This approach is utilized to design a general situation-response pilot-aiding system. The situation-response model and the structure of a general situation-response pilot-aiding system are described. The computer implementation of the situation-response information processing model is examined.

Schudy, Robert↗

Automated Contingency Management for Water Recycling System

To enable effective management, planning, and operations for future missions that involve a crewed space habitat, operational support must be migrated from Earth to the habitat. Intelligent System Health Management technologies (ISHM) promise to enable the future space habitats to increase the safety and mission success while minimizing operational risks. In this paper, Water Recycling System (WRS) deployed at NASA Ames Research Center's Sustainability Base is used for verification and validation of the proposed solution. Our work includes the development of the WRS simulation model based on its dynamic physical characteristics and the design of Automatic Contingency Management (ACM) framework that integrates fault diagnosis and optimization. In WRS modeling, a nominal model with fault injectors is developed. Fault detection and isolation techniques are then developed for isolating causes and identifying the severity of the faults. Dynamic Programming (DP) based fault mitigation strategies are designed to accommodate the faults in the system. A series of simulations are presented with different fault modes and the results indicate that the proposed ACM system can alleviate the fault in the WRS optimally regarding energy consumption and effects of the fault.

Systems Health Management↗

Multi-Source Sensor Fusion for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Using Fuzzy Logic

As the applications for using small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) continue to grow in the coming years, it is imperative that intelligent sensor fusion techniques be explored. In BVLOS scenarios the vehicle position must accurately be tracked over time to ensure no two vehicles collide with one another, no vehicle crashes into surrounding structures, and to identify off-nominal scenarios. Therefore, in this study an intelligent systems approach is used to estimate the position of sUAS given a variety of sensor platforms, including, GPS, radar, and on-board detection hardware. Common research challenges include, asynchronous sensor rates and sensor reliability. In an effort to realize these challenges, techniques such as a Maximum a Posteriori estimation and a Fuzzy Logic based sensor confidence determination are used.

fuzzy logic↗

Multi-Source Sensor Fusion for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Using Fuzzy Logic

As the applications for using small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) continue to grow in the coming years, it is imperative that intelligent sensor fusion techniques be explored. In BVLOS scenarios the vehicle position must accurately be tracked over time to ensure no two vehicles collide with one another, no vehicle crashes into surrounding structures, and to identify off-nominal scenarios. Therefore, in this study an intelligent systems approach is used to estimate the position of sUAS given a variety of sensor platforms, including, GPS, radar, and on-board detection hardware. Common research challenges include, asynchronous sensor rates and sensor reliability. In an effort to realize these challenges, techniques such as a Maximum a Posteriori estimation and a Fuzzy Logic based sensor confidence determination are used.

UAS↗

Human-Building Collaboration: Toward lighting enabled collaborative system design

The profession of lighting design is evolving as contemporary lighting systems increasingly rely on cutting-edge computational technologies, sensors, and IOT systems. This trend requires designers to incorporate ideas of automation, dynamic controls, and user-system interaction into their design logic. However, real-time lighting simulations are constrained by inherent limitations arising from the reductive assumptions inevitably introduced in simulated lighting environments. This raises the question of how can designers account for the discrepancies between simulated and real lighting environments, and how can collaboration between humans and autonomous lighting systems bridge this gap. To address this question, we propose a protocol for designing collaborative interactions between humans and systems. Furthermore, this protocol builds on the Human-Lighting System Interaction Framework and demonstrates how human and system intelligence can be combined to fine-tune lighting qualities in a given space. Our paper shows how interactive lighting systems can customize lighting based on user preferences in real-time and how global lighting configurations can be adjusted over time. Specifically, we demonstrate: a) Human-system collaboration assumptions and goals, as well as how the protocol can be integrated into digitally programmable lighting systems. b) Implementations of collaboration that reveal how system autonomy, performance, and user experience are improved over short and long-term timeframes. c) How lighting design can be enhanced beyond simulation-driven design optimization capacities. The associated affordances and limitations are discussed with respect to existing lighting simulation design frameworks.

autonomous systems↗

Modeling of flow systems for implementation under KATE

The modeling of flow systems is a task currently being investigated at Kennedy Space Center in parallel with the development of the KATE artificial intelligence system used for monitoring diagnosis and control. Various aspects of the modeling issues are focussed on with particular emphasis on a water system scheduled for demonstration within the KATE environment in September of this year. LISP procedures were written to solve the continuity equations for three internal pressure nodes using Newton's method for simultaneous nonlinear equations.

Whitlow, Jonathan E.↗

Knowledge structure representation and automated updates in intelligent information management systems

A continuing effort to apply rapid prototyping and Artificial Intelligence techniques to problems associated with projected Space Station-era information management systems is examined. In particular, timely updating of the various databases and knowledge structures within the proposed intelligent information management system (IIMS) is critical to support decision making processes. Because of the significantly large amounts of data entering the IIMS on a daily basis, information updates will need to be automatically performed with some systems requiring that data be incorporated and made available to users within a few hours. Meeting these demands depends first, on the design and implementation of information structures that are easily modified and expanded, and second, on the incorporation of intelligent automated update techniques that will allow meaningful information relationships to be established. Potential techniques are studied for developing such an automated update capability and IIMS update requirements are examined in light of results obtained from the IIMS prototyping effort.

Corey, Stephen↗

From Aeronautics to Space: Lessons in Human Automation

Civilian air flight continues on a growth curve, as more and more people utilize air travel to meet business and personal travel needs: This consumer-driven demand has resulted in the adoption of new methods to increase air system capacity and to make the air transportation system increasingly more efficient. As a consequence, civilian aviation, as an industry, has assumed a leading role in the use of automated systems, and, by implication, in the understanding of how human openers interact with these systems. Aeronautical automation systems serve a variety of roles. These include controlling aircraft and aiding, advising and monitoring numerous functions in the aircraft/airspace system. Experiences in the use of human/automation systems gathered from aviation are, in many cases, generalizable to other industries having similar requirements for human and non-human intelligent system interaction. However, the human/automation lessons learned from aviation have special relevance to the space application, where many of the same operational demands prevail. The application of aeronautical lessons of human-automated interaction to spaceflight is the subject of this paper. The discussion will address: the progress that has been made through aeronautically-based research and experience in understanding human/automation interaction, ways that this understanding can be applied to the needs of space, and the limits of our present understanding of human/automations systems. Suggestions will be offered related to human-automation research generally, and to the particular needs of the space endeavor.

Connors, Mary M.↗

Beyond Human Vision: Exploring Materials with Machine Intelligence

Machine intelligence has the potential to revolutionize materials science, enabling autonomous synthesis, self-driving characterization, and accelerated modeling. However, despite the promise, successful implementation of these methods in day-to-day research remains a challenge. This talk will delve into the reasons behind this, exploring how truly intelligent experiments are hindered by opaque experiment control, a lack of domain-specific models, and human-centric design. Through a focus on the characterization of next-generation microelectronics and energy storage materials, I will share insights from both successful and failed attempts to implement machine intelligence. We will then explore the next steps necessary to unlock the full potential of machine intelligence in materials science, creating a future where intelligent systems work seamlessly alongside researchers to drive innovation and discovery.

artificial intelligence↗

Validation and verification of expert systems using evidence flow graphs

This paper describes an ongoing investigation into the use of evidence flow graph techniques for performing V&V of expert systems. This method involves translating a rule-base into an evidence flow graph, a representation originally developed for real-time intelligent systems in distributed environments, and then running simulations of the evidence flow graph. Certain errors can be found during the translation process. The simulations can detect output sensitivity to rule firing order, to order of presentation of inputs, and to small changes in input values.

Becker, Lee A.↗

A voyage to Mars: A challenge to collaboration between man and machines

A speech addressing the design of man machine systems for exploration of space beyond Earth orbit from the human factors perspective is presented. Concerns relative to the design of automated and intelligent systems for the NASA Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) missions are largely based on experiences with integrating humans and comparable systems in aviation. The history, present status, and future prospect, of human factors in machine design are discussed in relation to a manned voyage to Mars. Three different cases for design philosophy are presented. The use of simulation is discussed. Recommendations for required research are given.

Statler, Irving C.↗

Hybrid Architectures and Their Impact on Intelligent Design

In this presentation we investigate a novel framework for the design of autonomous fuzzy intelligent systems. The system integrates the following modules into a single autonomous entity: (1) a fuzzy expert system; (2) artificial neural network; (3) genetic algorithm; and (4) case-base reasoning. We describe the integration of these units into one intelligent structure and discuss potential applications.

Kandel, Abe↗

Health Management Applications for International Space Station

Traditional mission and vehicle management involves teams of highly trained specialists monitoring vehicle status and crew activities, responding rapidly to any anomalies encountered during operations. These teams work from the Mission Control Center and have access to engineering support teams with specialized expertise in International Space Station (ISS) subsystems. Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) applications can significantly augment these capabilities by providing enhanced monitoring, prognostic and diagnostic tools for critical decision support and mission management. The Intelligent Systems Division of NASA Ames Research Center is developing many prototype applications using model-based reasoning, data mining and simulation, working with Mission Control through the ISHM Testbed and Prototypes Project. This paper will briefly describe information technology that supports current mission management practice, and will extend this to a vision for future mission control workflow incorporating new ISHM applications. It will describe ISHM applications currently under development at NASA and will define technical approaches for implementing our vision of future human exploration mission management incorporating artificial intelligence and distributed web service architectures using specific examples. Several prototypes are under development, each highlighting a different computational approach. The ISStrider application allows in-depth analysis of Caution and Warning (C&W) events by correlating real-time telemetry with the logical fault trees used to define off-nominal events. The application uses live telemetry data and the Livingstone diagnostic inference engine to display the specific parameters and fault trees that generated the C&W event, allowing a flight controller to identify the root cause of the event from thousands of possibilities by simply navigating animated fault tree models on their workstation. SimStation models the functional power flow for the ISS Electrical Power System and can predict power balance for nominal and off-nominal conditions. SimStation uses realtime telemetry data to keep detailed computational physics models synchronized with actual ISS power system state. In the event of failure, the application can then rapidly diagnose root cause, predict future resource levels and even correlate technical documents relevant to the specific failure. These advanced computational models will allow better insight and more precise control of ISS subsystems, increasing safety margins by speeding up anomaly resolution and reducing,engineering team effort and cost. This technology will make operating ISS more efficient and is directly applicable to next-generation exploration missions and Crew Exploration Vehicles.

Alena, Richard↗

Intelligent test integration system

A new test technology is described which was developed for space system integration. The ultimate purpose of the system is to support the automatic generation of test systems in real time, distributed computing environments. The Intelligent Test Integration System (ITIS) is a knowledge based layer above the traditional test system components which can generate complex test configurations from the specification of test scenarios.

Sztipanovits, J.↗

The Challenges of Human-Autonomy Teaming

Machine intelligence is improving rapidly based on advances in big data analytics, deep learning algorithms, networked operations, and continuing exponential growth in computing power (Moores Law). This growth in the power and applicability of increasingly intelligent systems will change the roles humans, shifting them to tasks where adaptive problem solving, reasoning and decision-making is required. This talk will address the challenges involved in engineering autonomous systems that function effectively with humans in aeronautics domains.

Human-Autonomy teaming↗

Expert Script Generator

Program provides additional level of interface to facilitate use of telerobotic system. ESG (Expert Script Generator) is software package automatically generating high-level task objective commands from complex menu-driven language of the NASA Intelligent Systems Research Laboratory (ISRL). Makes telerobotics laboratory accessible to researchers not familiar with comprehensive language developed by ISRL for interacting with various systems of ISRL test bed. Incorporates expert-system technology to capture typical rules of operation that skilled operator uses. Result: operator interfact optimizing ability of system to perform task remotely in hazardous environment, in timely manner, and without undue stress to operator, while minimizing change for operator erros that damage equipment. Written in CLIPS.

Sliwa, Nancy E.↗

Proceedings of the Goddard Space Flight Center Workshop on Robotics for Commercial Microelectronic Processes in Space

Potential applications of robots for cost effective commercial microelectronic processes in space were studied and the associated robotic requirements were defined. Potential space application areas include advanced materials processing, bulk crystal growth, and epitaxial thin film growth and related processes. All possible automation of these processes was considered, along with energy and environmental requirements. Aspects of robot capabilities considered include system intelligence, ROM requirements, kinematic and dynamic specifications, sensor design and configuration, flexibility and maintainability. Support elements discussed included facilities, logistics, ground support, launch and recovery, and management systems.

Source record↗