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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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1996

Achieving High Throughput for Data Transfer over ATM Networks

File-transfer rates for ftp are often reported to be relatively slow, compared to the raw bandwidth available in emerging gigabit networks. While a major bottleneck is disk I/O, protocol issues impact performance as well. Ftp was developed and optimized for use over the TCP/IP protocol stack of the Internet. However, TCP has been shown to run inefficiently over ATM. In an effort to maximize network throughput, data-transfer protocols can be developed to run over UDP or directly over IP, rather than over TCP. If error-free transmission is required, techniques for achieving reliable transmission can be included as part of the transfer protocol. However, selected image-processing applications can tolerate a low level of errors in images that are transmitted over a network. In this paper we report on experimental work to develop a high-throughput protocol for unreliable data transfer over ATM networks. We attempt to maximize throughput by keeping the communications pipe full, but still keep packet loss under five percent. We use the Bay Area Gigabit Network Testbed as our experimental platform.

Johnson, Marjory J.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Evolutionary Paths to Internationally-Standardized Space Internetworking

The space community is now poised at the start of an exciting new era of space exploration, where many different organization will be launching spacecraft to investigate nearby bodies, such as the Moon and Mars. International fleets of spacecraft are thus likely to begin to fly and interoperability will often become a mission-enabling technology. These fleets will require a mix of powerful data communications capabilities to be available, ranging from conventional point-to-point architectures to new configurations supporting internetworked operations. This paper reviews the various CCSDS capabilities to support fully-standardized in-space internetworking, and outlines a strategy for smoothly evolving into the new era with minimum impact on the highly successful installed base of CCSDS-compatible systems, which are now widely deployed across the international space community.

Space Internet↗
NASA NTRS2018

Considerations for Implementing Voice-Controlled Spacecraft Systems Through a Human-Centered Design Approach

As computational power and speech recognition algorithms improve, the consumer market will see better-performing speech recognition applications. The cell phone and Internet-related service industry have further enhanced speech recognition applications using artificial intelligence and statistical data-mining techniques. These improvements to speech recognition technology (SRT) may one day help astronauts on future deep space human missions that require control of complex spacecraft systems or spacesuit applications by voice. Though SRT and more advanced speech recognition techniques show promise, use of this technology for a space application such as vehicle/habitat/spacesuit requires careful considerations. There are still recognition challenges to overcome such as background noise, human speech variability, and task loading. However, implemented correctly, a voice-controlled spacecraft system (VCSS) can provide a useful, natural and efficient form of human-machine communications during complex tasks such as when the hands and eyes are busy or as an aid for vehicle situational awareness inquiries or collaborative human-robot tasks. This document provides considerations and guidance for the use of SRT in VCSS applications for space missions, specifically in command-and-control (C2) applications where the commanding is user-initiated. First, current SRT limitations as known at the time of this report are given. Then, highlights of SRT used in the space program provide the reader with a history of some of the human spaceflight applications and research. Next, an overview of the speech production process and the intrinsic variations of speech are provided. Finally, general guidance and considerations are given for development of a VCSS using a human-centered design approach for space applications that includes vocabulary selection and performance testing, as well as VCSS considerations for C2 dialogue management design, feedback, error handling, and evaluation/usability testing. Available from

Salazar, George A.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Advanced Utilization of the Payload Executive Processor (PEP) Ethernet Port to Support JSL Based Payloads

Increased interest by Payload Developers in utilization of the Joint Station LAN (Local Area Network) (JSL) for command and data transactions has driven the investigation of providing bi-directional Ethernet communication with PEP (Payload Executive Processor). Ethernet-only payload developers are interested in taking advantage of the services provided by PEP. Enabling Ethernet communications within PEP requires more than just turning on the hardware. PEP contains no Operating System (OS) or Ethernet stack so it does not inherit any built in functionality for Ethernet support. Both hardware drivers and application software must be developed from scratch. In the absence of an OS (Operating System) the design must address security issues in terms of access and data transferred, i.e. blocking unauthorized users and preventing denial of service. Developing a design to process Ethernet data within the existing real-time constraints of PEP requires a few compromises: data rates, supported protocols, custom packet format and limited client connections to name a few. Integration of the light weight internet protocol (LwIP). Ethernet stack provides a customizable solution for the embedded real-time environment. As utilization of the JSL increases, the successful implementation of an Ethernet interface enhances the utilization of PEP, and provides a new path for future Ethernet-only payloads to gain access to around the clock command and data services.

Guyette, Greg↗
NASA NTRS1989

Telescience at the University of California, Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley (UCB) is a member of a university consortium involved in telescience testbed activities under the sponsorship of NASA. Our Telescience Testbed Project consists of three experiments using flight hardware being developed for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer project at UCB's Space Sciences Laboratory. The first one is a teleoperation experiment investigating remote instrument control using a computer network such as the Internet. The second experiment is an effort to develop a system for operation of a network of remote workstations allowing coordinated software development, evaluation, and use by widely dispersed groups. The final experiment concerns simulation as a method to facilitate the concurrent development of instrument hardware and support software. We describe our progress in these areas.

Telemetry/instrumentation/methods↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Simulation Study of Quantum Clock Synchronization Using Teleportation

An important requirement in implementing distributed computing and sensing application is the synchronization of clocks at various locations. The Internet relies on the Network Time Protocol (NTP), which synchronizes clocks with accuracy in the order of milliseconds. More recently an ensemble of atomic clocks is used for navigation based on GPS. These clocks are highly accurate and provide time with very low uncertainty. Even so, many physics experiments such as distributed LIGO-based systems may require more accurate clock synchronization that is achievable using quantum entanglement. This requires the deployment of a network of quantum clocks synchronized by exploiting entangled atomic clock qubits. In this paper, we carry out a simulation study of synchronizing a network of quantum clocks interconnected by a fiber plant that supports the ESnet; the latter is used to support the classical communication needed for teleportation. We consider an existing protocol for synchro-nizing the atomic clock qubits that relies on the GHZ states. To assess the performance of the protocol we developed a discrete-event simulation of the network using IBM Qiskit framework for underlying quantum gate operations and measurements. The simulation results shed light on the resources required in terms of the number entangled qubits and the time needed to achieve the synchronization of different number of nodes in ESnet.

Kiran, Mariam↗
NASA NTRS1994

From Antarctica to space: Use of telepresence and virtual reality in control of remote vehicles

In the Fall of 1993, NASA Ames deployed a modified Phantom S2 Remotely-Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) into an ice-covered sea environment near McMurdo Science Station, Antarctica. This deployment was part of the antarctic Space Analog Program, a joint program between NASA and the National Science Foundation to demonstrate technologies relevant for space exploration in realistic field setting in the Antarctic. The goal of the mission was to operationally test the use of telepresence and virtual reality technology in the operator interface to a remote vehicle, while performing a benthic ecology study. The vehicle was operated both locally, from above a dive hole in the ice through which it was launched, and remotely over a satellite communications link from a control room at NASA's Ames Research Center. Local control of the vehicle was accomplished using the standard Phantom control box containing joysticks and switches, with the operator viewing stereo video camera images on a stereo display monitor. Remote control of the vehicle over the satellite link was accomplished using the Virtual Environment Vehicle Interface (VEVI) control software developed at NASA Ames. The remote operator interface included either a stereo display monitor similar to that used locally or a stereo head-mounted head-tracked display. The compressed video signal from the vehicle was transmitted to NASA Ames over a 768 Kbps satellite channel. Another channel was used to provide a bi-directional Internet link to the vehicle control computer through which the command and telemetry signals traveled, along with a bi-directional telephone service. In addition to the live stereo video from the satellite link, the operator could view a computer-generated graphic representation of the underwater terrain, modeled from the vehicle's sensors. The virtual environment contained an animate graphic model of the vehicle which reflected the state of the actual vehicle, along with ancillary information such as the vehicle track, science markers, and locations of video snapshots. The actual vehicle was driven either from within the virtual environment or through a telepresence interface. All vehicle functions could be controlled remotely over the satellite link.

Stoker, Carol↗
DOE OSTI2016

The National Opportunity for Interoperability and its Benefits for a Reliable, Robust, and Future Grid Realized Through Buildings

Today, increasing numbers of intermittent generation sources (e.g., wind and photovoltaic) and new mobile intermittent loads (e.g., electric vehicles) can significantly affect traditional utility business practices and operations. At the same time, a growing number of technologies and devices, from appliances to lighting systems, are being deployed at consumer premises that have more sophisticated controls and information that remain underused for anything beyond basic building equipment operations. The intersection of these two drivers is an untapped opportunity and underused resource that, if appropriately configured and realized in open standards, can provide significant energy efficiency and commensurate savings on utility bills, enhanced and lower cost reliability to utilities, and national economic benefits in the creation of new markets, sectors, and businesses being fueled by the seamless coordination of energy and information through device and technology interoperability. Or, as the Quadrennial Energy Review puts it, “A plethora of both consumer-level and grid-level devices are either in the market, under development, or at the conceptual stage. When tied together through the information technology that is increasingly being deployed on electric utilities’ distribution grids, they can be an important enabling part of the emerging grid of the future. However, what is missing is the ability for all of these devices to coordinate and communicate their operations with the grid, and among themselves, in a common language — an open standard.” In this paper, we define interoperability as the ability to exchange actionable information between two or more systems within a home or building, or across and within organizational boundaries. Interoperability relies on the shared meaning of the exchanged information, with agreed-upon expectations and consequences, for the response to the information exchange.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

IoT-Based Comfort Control and Fault Diagnostics System for Energy-Efficient Homes

This project studies an Internet of Things (IoT)-based comfort control and fault diagnostics system (referred as iComfort in this report) for energy-efficient homes. The system delivers an occupant-comfort-oriented thermal environment adaptive to fault scenarios and achieves HVAC energy savings in a cost-effective and straightforward way. This smart iComfort home system consists of the following key features. 1) Cost-effectiveness and scalability of the entire hardware and software system: The system includes low-cost temperature, humidity, and airflow sensors, and a Raspberry Pi-based local hub that interfaces with the cloud and IoT-enabled devices. The cost is low, not only for sensors, but also the costs associated with sensor installation, system setup and commissioning, data communication and storage, and data analytics (e.g., the development of automated fault detection and diagnosis (AFDD), as well as adaptive control strategies that are both computationally efficient and practical to implement). 2) Energy performance and user satisfaction: The system delivers user satisfaction and energy savings. This includes a) ease of use, b) optimal occupant thermal comfort, and c) accurate system feedback (e.g., low false alarm of AFDD strategies). 3) Favorable demonstrated prototype performance: The prototype tested at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Lab Homes demonstrates the accuracy of fault detections and diagnoses and shows thermal comfort improvement and energy savings through adaptive and optimal HVAC operations.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1995

Troika partnership model for licensing NASA-LaRC technologies

The Technology Applications (TAG) Group at NASA Langley Research Center has currently more than 100 technologies that are ripe for commercialization. These technologies are categorized by various sectors including: Energy and the Environment; Materials and Structures; Manufacturing; Information and Communications; Transportation, and Medical/Sensor/ Instrumentation. A requirement that TAG has placed on all technologies ready for licensing is that there will be some university involvement in the technology transfer or knowledge transfer process. This model involves the troika of government (LaRC), industry and university. A number of variations on the Troika Partnership Model (TPM) were developed as a part of this ASEE Fellowship. Furthermore, five technologies were identified - three of which industrial interests have been matched: LaRC-SI, a thermoplastic that can be used as a coating; Variable Geometry Truss Manipulator Arm that can be used for nuclear waste clean -up and as scaffolding; and ADAPT (Approach to Data Management, Archive Protection, and Transmission) is a technology that could be used for a variety of multi-tasking operations over the Internet. The aim of this work was to initiate a Space Act Agreement (SAA) for at least one of these technologies using one of the options of the TPM. A preliminary partnership agreement using the SAA is currently being negotiated with NASA-LaRC, VPI and Virginia Power for the LaRC-SI thermoplastic that will be used as a coating.

Maclin, Arlene P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A browsing tool for the Internet Logical Library of the HPCC Software Exchange

As the quantity of information available on the Internet grows, locating a particular piece of information becomes more difficult. One possible solution is for a database of pointers to all available information to be maintained at a central site. Subject classifications for all the information could also be maintained in order to make searching possible. This paper describes one possible method of searching such an index. In particular a prototype browsing tool has been created using TCL/TK to demonstrate several possible features: rapidly scanning at any rank of the index, narrowing the index to any scope, regular-expression searching, and creation of a list of pointers answering to any set of index terms. The prototype browser is an easy-to-use independent X application designed for use in the Catalog of Repositories of the HPCC (High Performance Computing and Communications) Software Exchange.

Biro, Ross↗
NASA NTRS1995

ORBCOMM: Initial operations

ORBCOMM, a subsidiary of Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), has designed a system to provide low-cost mobile two-way data communications for worldwide commercial markets. The primary application areas are data communications and messaging. The ORBCOMM System has been designed so a user can compose, transmit, and receive messages; control and monitor assets; and collect data on hand-held subscriber communicators (SC's). With a constellation of 36 LEO satellites and terrestrial facilities, users in the temperature climate zones around the world will have a satellite in view over 98% of the time, and will have to wait less than two minutes the rest of the time to directly access a satellite. A message transmitted from a SC and received by the satellite is relayed down to a regional gateway earth station (GES). The GES then transmits the message via fiber land-lines to the network control center (NCC). The NCC then determines the location of the recipient of the message and routes the message accordingly. The NCC can receive and transmit messages from terrestrial networks via X.400 and X.25 gateways. The NCC can translate messages from widely used e-mail systems such as Internet, cc:Mail, and Microsoft Mail into X.400 messages for transmission to and from ORBCOMM SC's.

Schoen, David↗
DOE OSTI2019

User Location-Specific Data for Smarter Smart Grids

This project focused on modifying and evaluating the Readings at Desk (RAD) controller, a lighting control system developed and patented by Erik Page & Associates, Inc. (EP&A) that: 1) Measures the amount of light present in the workstation; 2) Allows occupants to define desired light levels at the workstation; 3) Communicates to wirelessly-controllable overhead lighting systems. In measuring conditions at the desk, the RAD controller differs from typical lighting control systems that rely on daylight sensors located at the ceiling. There are inherent advantages associated with using sensors that are located at the occupant’s workstation in that they more accurately represent what the occupant is experiencing, theoretically providing a much better closed-loop control point. The technical objectives of this Phase I project were: 1) Objective 1: Modify the RAD controller such that it can report energy use of connected devices and receive status updates and/or commands from external sources, such as grid or demand response signals. 2) Objective 2: Modify the RAD controller to measure the temperature at a workstation, accept temperature preferences from users, and communicate controls information to a building’s HVAC systems. 3) Objective 3: Carry out a comprehensive performance test of the modified RAD controller in controlling lighting and HVAC systems. All three technical objectives were met in the Phase I project execution, as well as an additional “bonus” technical achievement not described in the original proposal: the development of a computer monitor-mounted occupancy and lighting sensor board.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS2020

LaRC SmartLab Apps For Instrument Control and Data Processing: Laboratory Environment Monitor

The LaRC SmartLab applications are a series of software tools to greatly enhance researcher efficiency by streamlining and automating workflows. Python scripts and applications are increasingly being used in scientific workflows, including for instrument control and data processing. Interactive Python scripting environments such as JupyterLab provide powerful tools for using Python. In some use cases, the development of standalone applications with dedicated graphical user interfaces can enhance the utility of the code and open it up to more users, including non-programmers. Here, we describe a Python based application for communicating with, and displaying data from, iTHX Temperature, Humidity, and Dew Point probes. We discuss the set up and use of the application as well as its implementation. We also highlight the use of Simulated probes to enable users and developers to familiarize with or debug the application, even when they do not have access to the physical hardware in the laboratory.

LaRC SmartLab↗
DOE OSTI2019

Evaluating Time Varying Connectivities and System Throughput in Opportunistic Networks for Smart Grid Applications

With increasing proliferation of smart phones, there is an opportunity to employ mobile ad hoc networks to connect to distributed energy assets located in remote areas. With embedded intelligence and edge computing capabilities, autonomous ‘edge control nodes’ can enable a decentralized energy nexus, without the need for on-demand communications. Authors have developed an opportunistic networking framework using Bluetooth Low Energy and a specialized mobile phone application that enables delay tolerant networking for the above framework. Here, this paper presents the analysis of time varying graph connectivity for such an opportunistic mobile ad hoc network. Dependence of connectivity on different network parameters such as radio characteristics, the mobility of data mules and parameters governing how connections are established are explored. Simulation results showing the variation of above trends have been presented.

Bluetooth↗
DOE OSTI2015

High Fidelity Simulations of Large-Scale Wireless Networks

The worldwide proliferation of wireless connected devices continues to accelerate. There are 10s of billions of wireless links across the planet with an additional explosion of new wireless usage anticipated as the Internet of Things develops. Wireless technologies do not only provide convenience for mobile applications, but are also extremely cost-effective to deploy. Thus, this trend towards wireless connectivity will only continue and Sandia must develop the necessary simulation technology to proactively analyze the associated emerging vulnerabilities. Wireless networks are marked by mobility and proximity-based connectivity. The de facto standard for exploratory studies of wireless networks is discrete event simulations (DES). However, the simulation of large-scale wireless networks is extremely difficult due to prohibitively large turnaround time. A path forward is to expedite simulations with parallel discrete event simulation (PDES) techniques. The mobility and distance-based connectivity associated with wireless simulations, however, typically doom PDES and fail to scale (e.g., OPNET and ns-3 simulators). We propose a PDES-based tool aimed at reducing the communication overhead between processors. The proposed solution will use light-weight processes to dynamically distribute computation workload while mitigating communication overhead associated with synchronizations. This work is vital to the analytics and validation capabilities of simulation and emulation at Sandia. We have years of experience in Sandia’s simulation and emulation projects (e.g., MINIMEGA and FIREWHEEL). Sandia’s current highly-regarded capabilities in large-scale emulations have focused on wired networks, where two assumptions prevent scalable wireless studies: (a) the connections between objects are mostly static and (b) the nodes have fixed locations.

Onunkwo, Uzoma↗
NASA NTRS1999

Dan Goldin Presentation: Pathway to the Future

In the "Path to the Future" presentation held at NASA's Langley Center on March 31, 1999, NASA's Administrator Daniel S. Goldin outlined the future direction and strategies of NASA in relation to the general space exploration enterprise. NASA's Vision, Future System Characteristics, Evolutions of Engineering, and Revolutionary Changes are the four main topics of the presentation. In part one, the Administrator talks in detail about NASA's vision in relation to the NASA Strategic Activities that are Space Science, Earth Science, Human Exploration, and Aeronautics & Space Transportation. Topics discussed in this section include: space science for the 21st century, flying in mars atmosphere (mars plane), exploring new worlds, interplanetary internets, earth observation and measurements, distributed information-system-in-the-sky, science enabling understanding and application, space station, microgravity, science and exploration strategies, human mars mission, advance space transportation program, general aviation revitalization, and reusable launch vehicles. In part two, he briefly talks about the future system characteristics. He discusses major system characteristics like resiliencey, self-sufficiency, high distribution, ultra-efficiency, and autonomy and the necessity to overcome any distance, time, and extreme environment barriers. Part three of Mr. Goldin's talk deals with engineering evolution, mainly evolution in the Computer Aided Design (CAD)/Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) systems. These systems include computer aided drafting, computerized solid models, virtual product development (VPD) systems, networked VPD systems, and knowledge enriched networked VPD systems. In part four, the last part, the Administrator talks about the need for revolutionary changes in communication and networking areas of a system. According to the administrator, the four major areas that need cultural changes in the creativity process are human-centered computing, an infrastructure for distributed collaboration, rapid synthesis and simulation tools, and life-cycle integration and validation. Mr. Goldin concludes his presentation with the following maxim "Collaborate, Integrate, Innovate or Stagnate and Evaporate." He also answers some questions after the presentation.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2012

From EXOSAT to the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive (HEASARC): X-ray Astronomy Comes of Age

In May 1983 the European Space Agency launched EXOSAT, its first X-ray astronomy observatory. Even though it lasted only 3 short years, this mission brought not only new capabilities that resulted in unexpected discoveries, but also a pioneering approach to operations and archiving that changed X-ray astronomy from observations led by small instrument teams, to an observatory approach open to the entire community through a guest observer program. The community use of the observatory was supported by a small dedicated team of scientists, the precursor to the data center activities created to support e.g. Chandra and XMM-Newton. The new science capabilities of EX OS AT included a 90 hr highly eccentric high earth orbit that allow unprecedented continuous coverage of sources as well as direct communication with the satellite that allowed real time decisions to respond to unexpected events through targets of opportunity. The advantages of this orbit demonstrated by EXOSAT resulted in Chandra and XMM-Newton selecting similar orbits. The three instruments on board the EXOSAT observatory were complementary, designed to give complete coverage over a wide energy band pass of 0.05-50 keY. An onboard processor could be programmed to give multiple data modes that could be optimized in response to science discoveries: These new capabilities resulted in many new discoveries including the first comprehensive study of AGN variability, new orbital periods in X-ray binaries and cataclysmic variables, new black holes, quasi-periodic oscillations from neutron stars and black holes and broad band X-ray spectroscopy. The EXOSAT team generated a well-organized database accessible worldwide over the nascent internet, allowing remote selection of data products, making samples and undertaking surveys from the data. The HEASARC was established by NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center in 1990 as the repository of NASA X-ray and Gamma-ray data. The proven EXOSAT database system became the core of the HEASARC infrastructure. The HEASARC pioneered many concepts now taken for granted including standardized formats using FITS files, restoring data from earlier missions, multi-mission analysis tools and a searchable archive over the world wide web.

White, Nicholas E.↗