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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 433 records · Page 24

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1977

Minimal-resource computer program for automatic generation of ocean wave ray or crest diagrams in shoaling waters

A computer program for studying linear ocean wave refraction is described. The program features random-access modular bathymetry data storage. Three bottom topography approximation techniques are available in the program which provide varying degrees of bathymetry data smoothing. Refraction diagrams are generated automatically and can be displayed graphically in three forms: Ray patterns with specified uniform deepwater ray density, ray patterns with controlled nearshore ray density, or crest patterns constructed by using a cubic polynomial to approximate crest segments between adjacent rays.

Poole, L. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Satellite Doppler data processing using a microcomputer

A microcomputer which was developed to compute ground radio beacon position locations using satellite measurements of Doppler frequency shift is described. Both the computational algorithms and the microcomputer hardware incorporating these algorithms were discussed. Results are presented where the microcomputer in conjunction with the NIMBUS-6 random access measurement system provides real time calculation of beacon latitude and longitude.

Schmid, P. E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Suggested architecture for a specialized fluid dynamics computer

Future flow simulations in 3-D will require computers with extremely large main memories and an advantageous ratio between computer cost and arithmetic speed. Since random access memories are very expensive, a pipeline design is proposed which allows the use of much cheaper sequential devices without any sacrifice in speed for vector references (even with arbitrary spacing between successive elements). Also scalar arithmetic can be performed efficiently. The comparatively low speed of the proposed machine (about 10 to the 7th power operations per second) would be offset by a very low price per unit, making mass production possible.

Fornberg, B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

A wide bandwidth CCD buffer memory system

A prototype system was implemented to demonstrate that CCD's can be applied advantageously to the problem of low power digital storage and particularly to the problem of interfacing widely varying data rates. CCD shift register memories (8K bit) were used to construct a feasibility model 128 K-bit buffer memory system. Serial data that can have rates between 150 kHz and 4.0 MHz can be stored in 4K-bit, randomly-accessible memory blocks. Peak power dissipation during a data transfer is less than 7 W, while idle power is approximately 5.4 W. The system features automatic data input synchronization with the recirculating CCD memory block start address. System expansion to accommodate parallel inputs or a greater number of memory blocks can be performed in a modular fashion. Since the control logic does not increase proportionally to increase in memory capacity, the power requirements per bit of storage can be reduced significantly in a larger system.

Siemens, K.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A laser scanner for 35mm film

The design, construction, and testing of a laser scanning system is described. The scanner was designed to deliver a scanned beam over a 2.54 cm by 2.54 cm or a 5.08 cm by 5.08 cm format. In order to achieve a scan resolution and rate comparable to that of standard television, an acousto-optic deflector was used for one axis of the scan, and a light deflecting galvanometer for deflection along the other axis. The acoustic optic deflector has the capability of random access scan controlled by a digital computer.

Callen, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

X10: A FORTRAN direct access data management system

The XIO system is a set of subroutines that provide generalized data management capability for FORTRAN programs using a direct access file. Arrays of integer, real, double precision, and character data may be stored, each logical group of data identified by a unique matrix number. A matrix may be organized and stored as batches to reduce core requirements. Batches may be accessed randomly or sequentially. The file may be checkpointed and retained, allowing for restarts with stored values. The XIO subroutines operate on either IBM 360-370/OS/VS or DEC PDP-11/RSX computing systems.

Roland, D. P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Development of non-volatile semiconductor memory

A 256 word by 8-bit random access memory chip was developed utilizing p channel, metal gate metal-nitride-oxide-silicon (MNOS) technology; with operational characteristics of a 2.5 microsecond read cycle, a 6.0 microsecond write cycle, 800 milliwatts of power dissipation; and retention characteristics of 10 to the 8th power read cycles before data refresh and 5000 hours of no power retention. Design changes were implemented to reduce switching currents that caused parasitic bipolar transistors inherent in the MNOS structure to turn on. Final wafer runs exhibited acceptable yields for a die 250 mils on a side. Evaluation testing was performed on the device in order to determine the maturity of the device. A fixed gate breakdown mechanism was found when operated continuously at high temperature.

Heikkila, W. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Real-time onboard geometric image correction

A system to perform real time onboard geometric connection of LANDSAT D resolution satellite imagery is described. System requirements, algorithms, sensors, and other hardware components are defined. Feasibility of implementing the correction process is demonstrated using Kalman filter techniques to incorporate information from onboard ephemeris, attitude control, and ground control points. Random access sensor systems, such as charge injected devices and charge coupled devices are used to obtain pixel values at desired ground location, thus greatly reducing the data processing requirements.

Discenza, W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

ATLAS, an integrated structural analysis and design system. Volume 2: System design document

ATLAS is a structural analysis and design system, operational on the Control Data Corporation 6600/CYBER computers. The overall system design, the design of the individual program modules, and the routines in the ATLAS system library are described. The overall design is discussed in terms of system architecture, executive function, data base structure, user program interfaces and operational procedures. The program module sections include detailed code description, common block usage and random access file usage. The description of the ATLAS program library includes all information needed to use these general purpose routines.

Erickson, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The robot's eyes - Stereo vision system for automated scene analysis

Attention is given to the robot stereo vision system which maintains the image produced by solid-state detector television cameras in a dynamic random access memory called RAPID. The imaging hardware consists of sensors (two solid-state image arrays using a charge injection technique), a video-rate analog-to-digital converter, the RAPID memory, and various types of computer-controlled displays, and preprocessing equipment (for reflexive actions, processing aids, and object detection). The software is aimed at locating objects and transversibility. An object-tracking algorithm is discussed and it is noted that tracking speed is in the 50-75 pixels/s range.

Williams, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Achievements in optical data storage and retrieval

The present paper deals with the current achievements in two technology efforts, one of which is a wideband holographic recorder which uses multichannel recording of data in the form of holograms on roll film for storage and retrieval of large unit records at hundreds of megabit per second. The second effort involves a system (termed DIGIMEN) which uses binary spot recording on photographic film in the form of microfiche to provide a mass storage capability with automatic computer-controlled random access to stored records. Some potential design improvements are noted.

Nelson, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Implementation of real-time digital signal processing systems

Special purpose hardware implementation of DFT Computers and digital filters is considered in the light of newly introduced algorithms and IC devices. Recent work by Winograd on high-speed convolution techniques for computing short length DFT's, has motivated the development of more efficient algorithms, compared to the FFT, for evaluating the transform of longer sequences. Among these, prime factor algorithms appear suitable for special purpose hardware implementations. Architectural considerations in designing DFT computers based on these algorithms are discussed. With the availability of monolithic multiplier-accumulators, a direct implementation of IIR and FIR filters, using random access memories in place of shift registers, appears attractive. The memory addressing scheme involved in such implementations is discussed. A simple counter set-up to address the data memory in the realization of FIR filters is also described. The combination of a set of simple filters (weighting network) and a DFT computer is shown to realize a bank of uniform bandpass filters. The usefulness of this concept in arriving at a modular design for a million channel spectrum analyzer, based on microprocessors, is discussed.

Narasimha, M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Microprocessor-based detector for PSK commands

Command detector unit operates over wide range of data rates and signal levels in space environment. It consists of signal conditioning, read-only memory, random-access memory, and digital processor. Entire unit fits on single multilayer printed-wiring board.

Durden, J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

RAM-Based frame synchronizer

Frame synchronizer for serial telemetry is rapidly reconfigured for changing formats. Synchronizer generates signals marking data-word boundaries, beginning of each frame, and beginning of each paragraph. Also derived are search, check, and lock status signals. Existing unit is assembled from standard random-access memory elements and MOS and low-power-Schottky logic.

Niswander, J. K.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Operational aspects of satellite data collection systems

Operational aspects of satellite data collection systems (DCS) are discussed with consideration given to a cooperative program between the United States and France. The Tiros-N DCS is described which is a random access system providing operational capability for position location and/or data collection of 4000 to 16,000 moving and/or fixed platforms. The platform transmissions and processing of the data is designed to conform with the user needs. The position location is obtained through ground processing of Doppler measurements made by the data collection instrument on board the spacecraft.

Morakis, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Packet communications in satellites with multiple-beam antennas and signal processing

A communication satellite with a multiple-beam antenna and onboard signal processing is considered for use in a 'message-switched' data relay system. The signal processor may incorporate demodulation, routing, storage, and remodulation of the data. A system user model is established and key functional elements for the signal processing are identified. With the throughput and delay requirements as the controlled variables, the hardware complexity, operational discipline, occupied bandwidth, and overall user end-to-end cost are estimated for (1) random-access packet switching; and (2) reservation-access packet switching. Other aspects of this network (eg, the adaptability to channel switched traffic requirements) are examined. For the given requirements and constraints, the reservation system appears to be the most attractive protocol.

Davies, R.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Proton upsets in LSI memories in space

Two types of large scale integrated dynamic random access memory devices were tested and found to be subject to soft errors when exposed to protons incident at energies between 18 and 130 MeV. These errors are shown to differ significantly from those induced in the same devices by alphas from an Am-241 source. There is considerable variation among devices in their sensitivity to proton-induced soft errors, even among devices of the same type. For protons incident at 130 MeV, the soft error cross sections measured in these experiments varied from 10 to the -8th to 10 to the -6th sq cm/proton. For individual devices, however, the soft error cross section consistently increased with beam energy from 18-130 MeV. Analysis indicates that the soft errors induced by energetic protons result from spallation interactions between the incident protons and the nuclei of the atoms comprising the device. Because energetic protons are the most numerous of both the galactic and solar cosmic rays and form the inner radiation belt, proton-induced soft errors have potentially serious implications for many electronic systems flown in space.

Mcnulty, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Eight microprocessor-based instrument data systems in the Galileo Orbiter spacecraft

Instrument data systems consist of a microprocessor, 3K bytes of Read Only Memory and 3K bytes of Random Access Memory. It interfaces with the spacecraft data bus through an isolated user interface with a direct memory access bus adaptor, and/or parallel data from instrument devices such as registers, buffers, analog to digital converters, multiplexers, and solid state sensors. These data systems support the spacecraft hardware and software communication protocol, decode and process instrument commands, generate continuous instrument operating modes, control the instrument mechanisms, acquire, process, format, and output instrument science data.

Barry, R. C.↗