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At least 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Automated Airspace Management: Concept, Development, and Testing

For many decades, researchers at NASA Ames Research Center have worked to make the air-transportation system more efficient, predictable, and effective. Since about 2005 one important aspect of this research has been the development of an autonomous system for air-traffic control. This system, known as the Autoresolver, is designed to perform most of the roles that air-traffic controllers perform including ensuring separation between aircraft, creating routes around weather and other avoidance volumes, and sequencing and scheduling aircraft across points in space. The recent, rapid expansion of new aircraft operations and types, including urban air mobility aircraft and small unmanned aerial systems, have only increased the need for highly automated systems to control the predicted traffic demand. This talk will focus on the development of the Autoresolver - from concept to testing. It will also discuss the National Airspace (NAS) Digital Twin simulation platform, created to facilitate rapid testing and improvement of the algorithm and with the hope of proving the automation in a high-fidelity environment. An open question that will be discussed is how to ensure that the system-level emergent behavior of independently developed autonomous algorithms is what is desired.

autonomy↗
DOE OSTI2024

FORCE Regression Testing

Via programs including the Light Water Reactor Sustainability and Integrated Energy Systems, the U.S. Department of Energy has invested in the Framework for Optimization of ResourCes and Economics (FORCE) software framework (Idaho National Laboratory 2024a) for the technical and economic analysis of nuclear-integrated energy systems (IES). Nuclear IES expand the use of nuclear from traditional baseload electricity generation to a flexible and adaptive source of combined heat and power. Nuclear heat can be used in the production of a variety of energy currencies such as hydrogen and ammonia as well as other heat applications including water desalination and district heating. FORCE is designed with the intent to provide interconnected analysis tools that enable the accurate technical and economic assessment of specific nuclear IES configurations for individual energy markets. FORCE consists of three main analysis pathways: HYBRID (Idaho National Laboratory 2024b), which contains high-resolution physical models for IES; Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON) (Idaho National Laboratory 2024c), which analyzes IES long-term economic viability; and Optimization of Real-time Capacity Allocation (ORCA) (Idaho National Laboratory 2024d), designed for real-time control of IES via digital twins and optimal decision making, including autonomous and remote operation research. Development of the FORCE ecosystem is guided by three pillars: capability, which assures that the computational requirements of IES analysis are met by the software tools; reliability, which provides for consistent code performance and expected behaviors; and accessibility, which lowers the barrier to entry for using the software and accelerates analysis by users beyond the FORCE primary developers. Reliability of the FORCE ecosystem is established according to the American Nuclear Society?s Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) program [American Society of Mechanical Engineers 1982], with specific levels of software quality assurance (SQA) within NQA-1 applied to each software tool in FORCE. As the tools within FORCE have matured, some integration algorithms to accurately connect the software tools for holistic analysis have been developed and deployed within the FORCE software repository. In accordance with NQA-1 standards, regression tests are required to guarantee the software performs consistently even when new capabilities are added to the software. In this report, we document the deployment of both unit tests, which test the consistent behavior of small pieces of the FORCE code base, as well as integration tests, which test the consistent performance of full use cases for the FORCE integration algorithms. We further document the encapsulation of these tests within a test harness, which collectively checks for each successful test completion on demand. Finally, we document the automation of the test harness using GitHub Actions [GitHub 2024], which require all tests succeed before any new capability or other changes can be added to the FORCE integration software

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS2003

Automated Monitoring with a BSP Fault-Detection Test

The figure schematically illustrates a method and procedure for automated monitoring of an asset, as well as a hardware- and-software system that implements the method and procedure. As used here, asset could signify an industrial process, power plant, medical instrument, aircraft, or any of a variety of other systems that generate electronic signals (e.g., sensor outputs). In automated monitoring, the signals are digitized and then processed in order to detect faults and otherwise monitor operational status and integrity of the monitored asset. The major distinguishing feature of the present method is that the fault-detection function is implemented by use of a Bayesian sequential probability (BSP) technique. This technique is superior to other techniques for automated monitoring because it affords sensitivity, not only to disturbances in the mean values, but also to very subtle changes in the statistical characteristics (variance, skewness, and bias) of the monitored signals.

Bickford, Randall L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The development of a post-test diagnostic system for rocket engines

An effort was undertaken by NASA to develop an automated post-test, post-flight diagnostic system for rocket engines. The automated system is designed to be generic and to automate the rocket engine data review process. A modular, distributed architecture with a generic software core was chosen to meet the design requirements. The diagnostic system is initially being applied to the Space Shuttle Main Engine data review process. The system modules currently under development are the session/message manager, and portions of the applications section, the component analysis section, and the intelligent knowledge server. An overview is presented of a rocket engine data review process, the design requirements and guidelines, the architecture and modules, and the projected benefits of the automated diagnostic system.

Zakrajsek, June F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The development of a post-test diagnostic system for rocket engines

An effort was undertaken by NASA to develop an automated post-test, post-flight diagnostic system for rocket engines. The automated system is designed to be generic and to automate the rocket engine data review process. A modular, distributed architecture with a generic software core was chosen to meet the design requirements. The diagnostic system is initially being applied to the Space Shuttle Main Engine data review process. The system modules currently under development are the session/message manager, and portions of the applications section, the component analysis section, and the intelligent knowledge server. An overview is presented of a rocket engine data review process, the design requirements and guidelines, the architecture and modules, and the projected benefits of the automated diagnostic system.

Zakrajsek, June F.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Validating Connected, Automated, and Electric Vehicle Models and Simulation - Research Performance Progress Report

The objective of this project is to test connected and automated vehicles with both electrified and internal combustion engine powertrains to support updates and validation of modeling and simulation tools. This includes the development of the components and network architecture to execute and collect empirical data for multiple scenarios and traffic interactions. Specific program objectives include: • Translate Lab algorithms into vehicle and infrastructure controls • Conduct physical testing at realistic scale • Evaluate system performance • Improve models using empirical data • Improve control algorithms from lessons learned • Identify system and algorithm assumptions which need refinement It is important to note that the objective of this project was not to demonstrate the efficacy of the selected algorithms to improve energy efficiency but rather to validate and improve modeling and simulation tools using empirical data. While it is a desirable outcome to concurrently demonstrate improved energy efficiency through use of these algorithms, and in most cases that was the outcome, the success of this project was not predicated on the performance of the algorithm towards improving energy efficiency across all scenarios and test matrices.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1972

Microbial ecology measurement system

The sensitivity and potential rapidity of the PIA test that was demonstrated during the feasibility study warranted continuing the effort to examine the possibility of adapting this test to an automated procedure that could be used during manned missions. The effort during this program has optimized the test conditions for two important respiratory pathogens, influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, developed a laboratory model automated detection system, and investigated a group antigen concept for virus detection. Preliminary tests on the handling of oropharygeal clinical samples for PIA testing were performed using the adenovirus system. The results obtained indicated that the PIA signal is reduced in positive samples and is increased in negative samples. Treatment with cysteine appeared to reduce nonspecific agglutination in negative samples but did not maintain the signal in positive samples.

Source record↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Detect and Avoid and Collision Avoidance Flight Test Results with ACAS Xr

In October 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) completed its Integration of Automated Systems flight test series, conducted under NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility project and in partnership with Sikorsky and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The flight test effort included two crewed rotorcraft platforms. The first, a modified S-76B helicopter, served as the “ownship” for the duration of the flight test. The second vehicle, a modified S-70, served as the intruder aircraft. One Sikorsky pilot and one NASA test pilot was onboard each aircraft for every test point, with the NASA test pilot responsible for interacting with the research systems under test. Approximately half of the flight test was devoted to assessing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) next-generation collision avoidance system, the Airborne Collision Avoidance System X for Rotorcraft (ACAS Xr). The two configurations available within ACAS Xr – the Collision Avoidance System (CAS) configuration and the Detect and Avoid (DAA) configuration – were flown with an onboard pilot under Visual Flight Rules in controlled airspace over the Long Island Sound (Connecticut, USA). A total of 33 flight test cards were flown with ACAS Xr active. The ownship was equipped with ACAS Xr and the intruder was equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The test points were blocked by ACAS Xr configuration, with individual encounters varying the ownship speed (90 knots or 20 knots), the intruder designation (en-route, terminal area, or structured airspace), and method of RA execution (automated or manually executed). Results showed that the ACAS Xr alerting and guidance was largely effective and rated positively by the NASA test pilots, exemplified by zero instances of the pilots overriding an ACAS Xr Resolution Advisory (RA). Key areas of improvement, however, were noted, particularly with regards to the lack of an aural alert indicating a need to accelerate when receiving an RA at low speed and the occurrence of multiple RAs that the pilots found to be unacceptable.

detect and avoid↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Detect and Avoid and Collision Avoidance Flight Test Results with ACAS Xr

In October 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) completed its Integration of Automated Systems flight test series, conducted under NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility project and in partnership with Sikorsky and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The flight test effort included two crewed rotorcraft platforms. The first, a modified S-76B helicopter, served as the “ownship” for the duration of the flight test. The second vehicle, a modified S-70, served as the intruder aircraft. One Sikorsky pilot and one NASA test pilot was onboard each aircraft for every test point, with the NASA test pilot responsible for interacting with the research systems under test. Approximately half of the flight test was devoted to assessing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) next-generation collision avoidance system, the Airborne Collision Avoidance System X for Rotorcraft (ACAS Xr). The two configurations available within ACAS Xr – the Collision Avoidance System (CAS) configuration and the Detect and Avoid (DAA) configuration – were flown with an onboard pilot under Visual Flight Rules in controlled airspace over the Long Island Sound (Connecticut, USA). A total of 33 flight test cards were flown with ACAS Xr active. The ownship was equipped with ACAS Xr and the intruder was equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The test points were blocked by ACAS Xr configuration, with individual encounters varying the ownship speed (90 knots or 20 knots), the intruder designation (en-route, terminal area, or structured airspace), and method of RA execution (automated or manually executed). Results showed that the ACAS Xr alerting and guidance was largely effective and rated positively by the NASA test pilots, exemplified by zero instances of the pilots overriding an ACAS Xr Resolution Advisory (RA). Key areas of improvement, however, were noted, particularly with regards to the lack of an aural alert indicating a need to accelerate when receiving an RA at low speed and the occurrence of multiple RAs that the pilots found to be unacceptable.

detect and avoid↗
DOE OSTI2020

Statistical Tests for Diagnosing Fission Source Convergence and Undersampling in Monte Carlo Criticality Calculations [Slides]

There is a very strong need for statistical testing to determine fission source convergence in Monte Carlo criticality calculations. Automation of such tests will greatly streamline and support the work carried out by NCS practitioners. Recent R&D work has shown that no single statistical test for convergence is sufficiently reliable, robust, and “guaranteed.” However, a combination of several standard statistical tests for the similarity of distributions, coupled with a high-fidelity estimate of the fission-matrix source is sufficiently robust, reliable, and repeatable that convergence can be “guaranteed.” During the course of the EG-AMCT studies, a number of statistical metrics and tests were proposed for diagnosing clustering and undersampling. None of these was robust and reliable enough for practical use in production codes. However, the expert group efforts came close. Some recent R&D work stemming from those past efforts has been very successful and promising. This Sub-Group will provide international input and collaboration on the development and implementation of statistical tests for convergence, with the primary goal of having the MC codes automatically detect convergence (or lack thereof). Newly proposed statistical tests to detect undersampling (after convergence) will also be reviewed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS2003

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2003

Topics covered include: Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites; Less-Toxic Coatings for Inhibiting Corrosion of Aluminum; Liquid Coatings for Reducing Corrosion of Steel in Concrete; Processable Polyimides Containing APB and Reactive End Caps; Rod/Coil Block Copolyimides for Ion-Conducting Membranes; Techniques for Characterizing Microwave Printed Antennas; Cylindrical Antenna With Partly Adaptive Phased-Array Feed; Command Interface ASIC - Analog Interface ASIC Chip Set; Predicting Accumulations of Ice on Aerodynamic Surfaces; Analyzing Aeroelasticity in Turbomachines; Software for Allocating Resources in the Deep Space Network; Expert Seeker; High-Speed Recording of Test Data on Hard Disks; Functionally Graded Nanophase Beryllium/Carbon Composites; Thin Thermal-Insulation Blankets for Very High Temperatures; Aerostructures Test Wing; Flight-Test Evaluation of Flutter-Prediction Methods; Piezoelectrically Actuated Microvalve for Liquid Effluents; Larger-Stroke Piezoelectrically Actuated Microvalve; Innovative, High-Pressure, Cryogenic Control Valve: Short Face-to-Face, Reduced Cost; Safer Roadside Crash Walls Would Limit Deceleration; Improved Interactive Medical-Imaging System; Scanning Microscopes Using X Rays and Microchannels; Slotting Fins of Heat Exchangers to Provide Thermal Breaks; Methane Clathrate Hydrate Prospecting; Automated Monitoring with a BSP Fault-Detection Test; Automated Monitoring with a BCP Fault-Decision Test; Vector-Ordering Filter Procedure for Data Reduction; Remote Sensing and Information Technology for Large Farms; Developments at the Advanced Design Technologies Testbed; Spore-Forming Bacteria that Resist Sterilization; and Acoustical Applications of the HHT Method.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tandem column isolation of zirconium-89 from cyclotron bombarded yttrium targets using an automated fluidic platform: Anion exchange to hydroxamate resin columns

The development of a tandem column purification method for the production of high-purity 89Zr is presented. The primary column was a macroporous strongly basic anion exchange resin on styrene divinylbenzene co-polymer. The secondary column, with an internal volume of ~27 µL, was packed with hydroxamate resin. A condition of inverted selectivity was developed, whereby the 89Zr eluent from the primary column is synonymous with the load condition on the secondary column. The ability to transfer 89Zr from one column to the next allows two sequential column clean-up methods to be performed prior to the final elution of the 89Zr. This approach assures delivery of high purity 89Zr product and assures a 89Zr product that is eluted in a substantially smaller volume than is possible when using the traditionally-employed single hydroxamate resin column method. The tandem column purification process has been implemented into a prototype automated fluidic system. The system is configured with on-line gamma detection so column effluents can be monitored in near-real time. The automated method was tested using seven cyclotron bombarded Y foil targets. It was found that 95.1±1.3% of the 89Zr present in the foils was recovered in the secondary column elution fraction. Furthermore, elution peak analysis of several 89Zr elution profile radiochromatograms made possible the determination of 89Zr recovery as a function of volume; a 89Zr product volume that contains 90% of the mean secondary column elution peak can be obtained in 0.29±0.06 mL (representing 86±5% of the 89Zr activity in the target). This product volume represents a significant increase in isotope product concentration over the predominant method used in the field. In addition to the reduced 89Zr product elution volume, titrations of the 89Zr product with deferoxamine mesylate salt across two preparatory methods resulted in mean effective specific activity (ESA) values of 279 and 340 TBq·mmole-1 and mean bindable metals concentrations ([MB]) of 13.5 and 16.7 nmole·g-1. These ESA and [MB] values infer that the 89Zr product resulting from this tandem column isolation method has the highest purity reported to date.

immunoPET, zirconium-89, laboratory automation, de↗
DOE OSTI2016

Further Automate Planned Cluster Maintenance to Minimize System Downtime during Maintenance Windows

This report documents the integration and testing of the automated update process of compute clusters in LC to minimize impact to user productivity. Description: A set of scripts will be written and deployed to further standardize cluster maintenance activities and minimize downtime during planned maintenance windows. Completion Criteria: When the scripts have been deployed and used during planned maintenance windows and a timing comparison is completed between the existing process and the new more automated process, this milestone is complete. This milestone was completed on Aug 23, 2016 on the new CTS1 cluster called Jade when a request to upgrade the version of TOSS 3 was initiated while SWL jobs and normal user jobs were running. Jobs that were running when the update to the system began continued to run to completion. New jobs on the cluster started on the new release of TOSS 3. No system administrator action was required. Current update procedures in TOSS 2 begin by killing all users jobs. Then all diskfull nodes are updated, which can take a few hours. Only after the updates are applied are all nodes are rebooted, and then finally put back into service. A system administrator is required for all steps. In terms of human time spent during a cluster OS update, the TOSS 3 automated procedure on Jade took 0 FTE hours. Doing the same update without the Toss Update Tool would have required 4 FTE hours.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2014

Concept, implementation and commissioning of the automation system for the accelerator module test facility AMTF

The European XFEL project launched on June 5, 2007 will require about 103 accelerator modules as a main part of the XFEL linear accelerator. All superconducting components constituting the accelerator module like cavities and magnets have to be tested before the assembly. For the tests of the individual cavities and the complete modules an XFEL Accelerator Module Test Facility (AMTF) has been erected at DESY. The process control system EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) is used to control and operate the cryogenic plant and all its subcomponents. A complementary component of EPICS is the Open Source software suit CSS (Control System Studio). CSS is an integrated engineering, maintenance and operating tool for EPICS. CSS enables local and remote operating and monitoring of the complete system and thus represents the human machine interface. More than 250 PROFIBUS nodes work at the accelerator module test facility. DESY installed an extensive diagnostic and condition monitoring system. With these diagnostic tools it is possible to examine the correct installation and configuration of all PROFIBUS nodes in real time. The condition monitoring system based on FDT/DTM technology shows the state of the PROFIBUS devices at a glance. This information can be used for preventive maintenance which is mandatory for continuous operation of the AMTF facility. The poster will describe all steps form engineering to implementation and commissioning.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-D-201-04: Evaluation of Elekta Agility MLC Performance Using Statistical Process Control

Purpose: to evaluate the performance and stability of the Elekta Agility MLC model using an automated quality control (QC) test in combination with statistical process control tools. Methods: Leaf positions were collected daily for 11 Elekta units over 5–19 months using the automated QC test, which analyzes 23 MV images to determine the location of MLC leaves relative to the radiation isocenter. The leaf positions are measured at 5 nominal positions, and images are acquired at collimator 0° and 180° to capture all MLC leaves in the field-of-view. Leaf positioning accuracy was assessed using individual and moving range control charts. Control limits were recomputed following MLC recalibration (occurred 1–2 times for 4 units). Specification levels of ±0.5, ±1 and ±1.5mm were tested. The mean and range of duration between out-of-control and out-of-specification events were determined. Results: Leaf position varied little over time, as confirmed by very tight individual control limits (mean ±0.19mm, range 0.09–0.44). Mean leaf position error was −0.03mm (range −0.89–0.83). Due to sporadic out-of-control events, the mean in-control duration was 3.3 days (range 1–23). Data stayed within ±1mm specification for 205 days on average (range 3–372) and within ±1.5mm for the entire date range. Measurements stayed within ±0.5mm for 1 day on average (range 0–17); however, our MLC leaves were not calibrated to this level of accuracy. Conclusion: The Elekta Agility MLC model was found to perform with high stability, as evidenced by the tight control limits. The in-specification durations support the current recommendation of monthly MLC QC tests with a ±1mm tolerance. Future work is on-going to determine if Agility performance can be optimized further using high-frequency QC test results to drive recalibration frequency. Factors that can affect leaf positioning accuracy, including beam spot motion, leaf gain calibration, drifting leaves, and image artifacts, are under investigation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of Damage in Medium Voltage Cable Using Machine Learning

Developments in cable test instrumentation coupled with artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) to aid in interpretation of cable test signals supports the feasibility for automated analysis of reflectometry tests for low voltage power cables. This work seeks to leverage prior ML work and success for low voltage cables to evaluate potential application to medium voltage (2kV to 10kV) installations. The Accelerated and Real-Time Environmental Nodal Assessment (ARENA) Cable Motor Test Bed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was used to test a medium voltage cable with several types of damage including thermal aging and low resistance conductor-to-shield faults. The cable was tested using an inductive clamshell coupler to protect the test instruments from the energized cable voltages that would damage the test instruments if coupled directly to the energized conductor.

42 ENGINEERING↗