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At least 559 records · Page 31

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1989

Optical Addressing And Clocking Of RAM's

Proposed random-access-memory (RAM) addressing system, in which memory linked optically to read/write logic circuits, greatly increases computer operating speed. System - comprises addressing circuits including numerous lasers as signal sources, numerous optical gates including optical detectors associated with memory cells, and holographic element to direct light signals to desired memory-cell locations - applied to high-capacity digital systems, supercomputers, and complex microcircuits.

Johnston, Alan R.↗

NASA NTRS1998

FPGA Based Reconfigurable ATM Switch Test Bed

Various issues associated with "FPGA Based Reconfigurable ATM Switch Test Bed" are presented in viewgraph form. Specific topics include: 1) Network performance evaluation; 2) traditional approaches; 3) software simulation; 4) hardware emulation; 5) test bed highlights; 6) design environment; 7) test bed architecture; 8) abstract sheared-memory switch; 9) detailed switch diagram; 10) traffic generator; 11) data collection circuit and user interface; 12) initial results; and 13) the following conclusions: Advances in FPGA make hardware emulation feasible for performance evaluation, hardware emulation can provide several orders of magnitude speed-up over software simulation; due to the complexity of hardware synthesis process, development in emulation is much more difficult than simulation and requires knowledge in both networks and digital design.

Chu, Pong P.↗

NASA NTRS2019

FPGA Mitigation Strategies for Critical Applications

Technology is changing at a fast pace. Transistor geometries are getting smaller, voltage thresholds are getting lower, design complexity is exponentially increasing, and user options are expanding. Consequently, reliable insertion of error detection and correction (EDAC) circuitry has become relatively challenging. As a response, a variety of mitigation techniques are being evaluated. They range from weak EDAC circuits that save area and power to strong mitigation strategies that are a great expense to systems. This presentation will focus on radiation induced susceptibilities for a variety of FPGA types and ASIC devices. In addition, the user will be provided information on applicable mitigation strategies per device.

Berg, Melanie↗

DOE OSTI2023

A Highly Soluble Iron–Based Posolyte Species with High Redox Potential for Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

A novel iron-based posolyte redox species are presented for an aqueous redox flow battery, (Tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine)iron(II) dichloride, which is obtained by a simple synthetic route, shows a high redox potential of 0.788 V versus SHE, and exhibits exceptional aqueous solubility of 1.46 M. Paired with bis(3-trimethylammonio)propyl viologen tetrachloride at neutral pH, the battery demonstrates an open-circuit voltage of 1.19 V and delivers good cycling performance, with a capacity fade rate of 0.28% per day and coulombic efficiency of 99.3%. Postmortem chemical and electrochemical analyses of the posolyte species suggest future routes for stabilization of the complex. Among all the iron complexes with a redox potential above 0.4 V versus SHE, this compound exhibits the highest solubility. Furthermore, these results offer valuable insights that can be applied to the development of future posolyte species for sustainable energy storage solutions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Flux-pumped impedance-engineered broadband Josephson parametric amplifier

Broadband quantum-limited amplifiers play a critical role in the single-shot readout of superconducting qubits, but a popular implementation, the traveling wave parametric amplifier, involves a complex design and fabrication process. Here, we present a simple design for a Josephson parametric amplifier, using a lumped element resonator comprising a superconducting quantum interference device whose useful bandwidth is enhanced with an on-chip impedance-matching circuit. Additionally, we demonstrate a flux-coupling geometry that maximizes the coupling to the Josepson loop and minimizes spurious excitation of the amplifier resonant circuit. The amplifier, which operates in a flux-pumped mode, is demonstrated with a power gain of more than 20dB over a bandwidth of about 300MHz, where approximate noise measurements indicate quantum-limited pehrformance. A procedure is given for optimizing the bandwidth for this kind of amplifier, using a linearized circuit simulation while minimizing non-linearities.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2024

Random coordinate descent: A simple alternative for optimizing parameterized quantum circuits

Variational quantum algorithms rely on the optimization of parameterized quantum circuits in noisy settings. The commonly used back-propagation procedure in classical machine learning is not directly applicable in this setting due to the collapse of quantum states after measurements. Thus, gradient estimations constitute a significant overhead in a gradient-based optimization of such quantum circuits. This paper introduces a random coordinate descent algorithm as a practical and easy-to-implement alternative to the full gradient descent algorithm. This algorithm only requires one partial derivative at each iteration. Motivated by the behavior of measurement noise in the practical optimization of parameterized quantum circuits, this paper presents an optimization problem setting that is amenable to analysis. Under this setting, the random coordinate descent algorithm exhibits the same level of stochastic stability as the full gradient approach, making it as resilient to noise. The complexity of the random coordinate descent method is generally no worse than that of the gradient descent and can be much better for various quantum optimization problems with anisotropic Lipschitz constants. Theoretical analysis and extensive numerical experiments validate our findings. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Ding, Zhiyan (ORCID:000000018863403X)↗

DOE OSTI2024

SPARTAN (Scalable Probabilistic Application Reconfigurable Tensor Autonomous Network)

The technical founder of Ludwig Computing Inc has been competitively selected for support by Cyclotron Road, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) through an approved merit review process. Ludwig Computing Inc, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office through the Cyclotron Road program, has investigated the advantages of probabilistic computing for real-world compute-intensive applications. This research adds to the understanding of alternative computing paradigms by exploring a unique hardware-software co-design that integrates quantum computing methods with nature-inspired problem-solving techniques. The project's focus on areas such as combinatorial optimization, graph analytics, and machine learning demonstrates the potential for significant advancements in computational efficiency and performance. By harnessing natural randomness to streamline large circuits into fewer devices, Ludwig's approach enables massive parallelism, potentially offering higher throughput, speed, and energy efficiency compared to conventional hardware solutions. This work benefits the public by paving the way for more efficient computing solutions that could address complex real-world problems while potentially reducing energy consumption in data-intensive industries.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS2000

Heat Transfer in a Complex Trailing Edge Passage for a High Pressure Turbine Blade - Part 1: Experimental Measurements: Experimental Measurements - Part 1

A combined experimental and computational study has been performed to investigate the detailed heat transfer coefficient distributions within a complex blade trailing edge passage. The experimental measurements are made using a steady liquid crystal thermography technique applied to one major side of the passage. The geometry of the trailing edge passage is that of a two-pass serpentine circuit with a sharp 180-degree turning region at the tip. The upflow channel is split by interrupted ribs into two major subchannels, one of which is turbulated. This channel has an average aspect ratio of roughly 14:1. The spanwise extent of the channel geometry includes both area convergence from root to tip, as well as taper towards the trailing edge apex. The average section Reynolds numbers tested in this upflow channel range from 55,000 to 98,000. The tip section contains a turning vane near the extreme comer. The downflow channel has an aspect ratio of about 5:1, and also includes convergence and taper. Turbulators of varying sizes are included in this channel also. Both detailed heat transfer and pressure distribution measurements are presented. The pressure measurements are incorporated into a flow network model illustrating the major loss contributors.

Bunker, Ronald S.↗

NASA NTRS2010

26th Space Simulation Conference Proceedings. Environmental Testing: The Path Forward

Topics covered include: A Multifunctional Space Environment Simulation Facility for Accelerated Spacecraft Materials Testing; Exposure of Spacecraft Surface Coatings in a Simulated GEO Radiation Environment; Gravity-Offloading System for Large-Displacement Ground Testing of Spacecraft Mechanisms; Microscopic Shutters Controlled by cRIO in Sounding Rocket; Application of a Physics-Based Stabilization Criterion to Flight System Thermal Testing; Upgrade of a Thermal Vacuum Chamber for 20 Kelvin Operations; A New Approach to Improve the Uniformity of Solar Simulator; A Perfect Space Simulation Storm; A Planetary Environmental Simulator/Test Facility; Collimation Mirror Segment Refurbishment inside ESA s Large Space; Space Simulation of the CBERS 3 and 4 Satellite Thermal Model in the New Brazilian 6x8m Thermal Vacuum Chamber; The Certification of Environmental Chambers for Testing Flight Hardware; Space Systems Environmental Test Facility Database (SSETFD), Website Development Status; Wallops Flight Facility: Current and Future Test Capabilities for Suborbital and Orbital Projects; Force Limited Vibration Testing of JWST NIRSpec Instrument Using Strain Gages; Investigation of Acoustic Field Uniformity in Direct Field Acoustic Testing; Recent Developments in Direct Field Acoustic Testing; Assembly, Integration and Test Centre in Malaysia: Integration between Building Construction Works and Equipment Installation; Complex Ground Support Equipment for Satellite Thermal Vacuum Test; Effect of Charging Electron Exposure on 1064nm Transmission through Bare Sapphire Optics and SiO2 over HfO2 AR-Coated Sapphire Optics; Environmental Testing Activities and Capabilities for Turkish Space Industry; Integrated Circuit Reliability Simulation in Space Environments; Micrometeoroid Impacts and Optical Scatter in Space Environment; Overcoming Unintended Consequences of Ambient Pressure Thermal Cycling Environmental Tests; Performance and Functionality Improvements to Next Generation Thermal Vacuum Control System; Robotic Lunar Lander Development Project: Three-Dimensional Dynamic Stability Testing and Analysis; Thermal Physical Properties of Thermal Coatings for Spacecraft in Wide Range of Environmental Conditions: Experimental and Theoretical Study; Molecular Contamination Generated in Thermal Vacuum Chambers; Preventing Cross Contamination of Hardware in Thermal Vacuum Chambers; Towards Validation of Particulate Transport Code; Updated Trends in Materials' Outgassing Technology; Electrical Power and Data Acquisition Setup for the CBER 3 and 4 Satellite TBT; Method of Obtaining High Resolution Intrinsic Wire Boom Damping Parameters for Multi-Body Dynamics Simulations; and Thermal Vacuum Testing with Scalable Software Developed In-House.

Packard, Edward A.↗

NASA NTRS1996

High-Speed Soft-Decision Decoding of Two Reed-Muller Codes

In this research, we have proposed the (64, 40, 8) subcode of the third-order Reed-Muller (RM) code to NASA for high-speed satellite communications. This RM subcode can be used either alone or as an inner code of a concatenated coding system with the NASA standard (255, 233, 33) Reed-Solomon (RS) code as the outer code to achieve high performance (or low bit-error rate) with reduced decoding complexity. It can also be used as a component code in a multilevel bandwidth efficient coded modulation system to achieve reliable bandwidth efficient data transmission. This report will summarize the key progress we have made toward achieving our eventual goal of implementing, a decoder system based upon this code. In the first phase of study, we investigated the complexities of various sectionalized trellis diagrams for the proposed (64, 40, 8) RM subcode. We found a specific 8-trellis diagram for this code which requires the least decoding complexity with a high possibility of achieving a decoding speed of 600 M bits per second (Mbps). The combination of a large number of states and a high data rate will be made possible due to the utilization of a high degree of parallelism throughout the architecture. This trellis diagram will be presented and briefly described. In the second phase of study, which was carried out through the past year, we investigated circuit architectures to determine the feasibility of VLSI implementation of a high-speed Viterbi decoder based on this 8-section trellis diagram. We began to examine specific design and implementation approaches to implement a fully custom integrated circuit (IC) which will be a key building block for a decoder system implementation. The key results will be presented in this report. This report will be divided into three primary sections. First, we will briefly describe the system block diagram in which the proposed decoder is assumed to be operating, and present some of the key architectural approaches being used to implement the system at high speed. Second, we will describe details of the 8-trellis diagram we found to best meet the trade-offs between chip and overall system complexity. The chosen approach implements the trellis for the (64, 40, 8) RM subcode with 32 independent sub-trellises. And third, we will describe results of our feasibility study on the implementation of such an IC chip in CMOS technology to implement one of these sub-trellises.

Lin, Shu↗

NASA NTRS1996

High-Speed Soft-Decision Decoding of Two Reed-Muller Codes

In his research, we have proposed the (64, 40, 8) subcode of the third-order Reed-Muller (RM) code to NASA for high-speed satellite communications. This RM subcode can be used either alone or as an inner code of a concatenated coding system with the NASA standard (255, 233, 33) Reed-Solomon (RS) code as the outer code to achieve high performance (or low bit-error rate) with reduced decoding complexity. It can also be used as a component code in a multilevel bandwidth efficient coded modulation system to achieve reliable bandwidth efficient data transmission. This report will summarize the key progress we have made toward achieving our eventual goal of implementing a decoder system based upon this code. In the first phase of study, we investigated the complexities of various sectionalized trellis diagrams for the proposed (64, 40, 8) RNI subcode. We found a specific 8-trellis diagram for this code which requires the least decoding complexity with a high possibility of achieving a decoding speed of 600 M bits per second (Mbps). The combination of a large number of states and a hi ch data rate will be made possible due to the utilization of a high degree of parallelism throughout the architecture. This trellis diagram will be presented and briefly described. In the second phase of study which was carried out through the past year, we investigated circuit architectures to determine the feasibility of VLSI implementation of a high-speed Viterbi decoder based on this 8-section trellis diagram. We began to examine specific design and implementation approaches to implement a fully custom integrated circuit (IC) which will be a key building block for a decoder system implementation. The key results will be presented in this report. This report will be divided into three primary sections. First, we will briefly describe the system block diagram in which the proposed decoder is assumed to be operating and present some of the key architectural approaches being used to implement the system at high speed. Second, we will describe details of the 8-trellis diagram we found to best meet the trade-offs between chip and overall system complexity. The chosen approach implements the trellis for the (64, 40, 8) RM subcode with 32 independent sub-trellises. And third, we will describe results of our feasibility study on the implementation of such an IC chip in CMOS technology to implement one of these sub-trellises.

Lin, Shu↗

DOE OSTI2021

Fast-forwarding quantum evolution

We investigate the problem of fast-forwarding quantum evolution, whereby the dynamics of certain quantum systems can be simulated with gate complexity that is sublinear in the evolution time. We provide a definition of fast-forwarding that considers the model of quantum computation, the Hamiltonians that induce the evolution, and the properties of the initial states. Our definition accounts for any asymptotic complexity improvement of the general case and we use it to demonstrate fast-forwarding in several quantum systems. In particular, we show that some local spin systems whose Hamiltonians can be taken into block diagonal form using an efficient quantum circuit, such as those that are permutation-invariant, can be exponentially fast-forwarded. We also show that certain classes of positive semidefinite local spin systems, also known as frustration-free, can be polynomially fast-forwarded, provided the initial state is supported on a subspace of sufficiently low energies. Last, we show that all quadratic fermionic systems and number-conserving quadratic bosonic systems can be exponentially fast-forwarded in a model where quantum gates are exponentials of specific fermionic or bosonic operators, respectively. Our results extend the classes of physical Hamiltonians that were previously known to be fast-forwarded, while not necessarily requiring methods that diagonalize the Hamiltonians efficiently. We further develop a connection between fast-forwarding and precise energy measurements that also accounts for polynomial improvements.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS1993

Nonlinear optical thin films

A focused approach to development and evaluation of organic polymer films for use in optoelectronics is presented. The issues and challenges that are addressed include: (1) material synthesis, purification, and the tailoring of the material properties; (2) deposition of uniform thin films by a variety of methods; (3) characterization of material physical properties (thermal, electrical, optical, and electro-optical); and (4) device fabrication and testing. Photonic materials, devices, and systems were identified as critical technology areas by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense. This approach offers strong integration of basic material issues through engineering applications by the development of materials that can be exploited as the active unit in a variety of polymeric thin film devices. Improved materials were developed with unprecedented purity and stability. The absorptive properties can be tailored and controlled to provide significant improvement in propagation losses and nonlinear performance. Furthermore, the materials were incorporated into polymers that are highly compatible with fabrication and patterning processes for integrated optical devices and circuits. By simultaneously addressing the issues of materials development and characterization, keeping device design and fabrication in mind, many obstacles were overcome for implementation of these polymeric materials and devices into systems. We intend to considerably improve the upper use temperature, poling stability, and compatibility with silicon based devices. The principal device application that was targeted is a linear electro-optic modulation etalon. Organic polymers need to be properly designed and coupled with existing integrated circuit technology to create new photonic devices for optical communication, image processing, other laser applications such as harmonic generation, and eventually optical computing. The progression from microscopic sample to a suitable film-forming material in a working device is a complex, multifaceted endeavor. It requires close attention to maintaining the optical properties of the electro-optic active portion of the polymer while manipulating the polymer structure to obtain the desired secondary polymer properties.

Leslie, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Networked Rectenna Array for Smart Material Actuators

The concept of microwave-driven smart material actuators is envisioned as the best option to alleviate the complexity associated with hard-wired control circuitry. Networked rectenna patch array receives and converts microwave power into a DC power for an array of smart actuators. To use microwave power effectively, the concept of a power allocation and distribution (PAD) circuit is adopted for networking a rectenna/actuator patch array. The PAD circuit is imbedded into a single embodiment of rectenna and actuator array. The thin-film microcircuit embodiment of PAD circuit adds insignificant amount of rigidity to membrane flexibility. Preliminary design and fabrication of PAD circuitry that consists of a few nodal elements were made for laboratory testing. The networked actuators were tested to correlate the network coupling effect, power allocation and distribution, and response time. The features of preliminary design are 16-channel computer control of actuators by a PCI board and the compensator for a power failure or leakage of one or more rectennas.

Choi, Sang H.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Inlet Performance of the NFAC 1/50th-scale 80- by 120- Foot Wind Tunnel

The National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel (80x120) was dedicated in 1987 and rated at 100 knots for full-scale aircraft testing at NASA Ames Research Center. The 80x120 is the world’s largest wind tunnel, designed as an open circuit tunnel with a large aerodynamically treated inlet open to the ambient atmospheric air. In 2017, damage was sustained within the wind tunnel drive system, opening a window to do testing using the existing 1/50th-scale model of the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel within the full-scale 80- by 120-Foot Wind tunnel test section. The objective of the research was to quantify the turbulence levels within the 1/50th-scale test section as a function of onset atmospheric wind direction (± 90 deg from tunnel center-line), variable test section speed (5 – 50 m/s) and purposeful obtrusion of wind flow into the inlet. The model wind tunnel inlet, contraction, and test section are geometrically identical to that of the full-scale wind tunnel and model testing provides aerodynamic performance characteristics under controlled test conditions allowing for insight into the full-scale test section flow quality. The test section turbulence levels are minimally affected by the onset direction of the ambient atmospheric wind, but are dramatically affected by the speed in the tunnel while operated in the presence of winds. Original design specifications were axial/vertical/lateral turbulence ≤ 0.5% at maximum test section speed, though early full scale tunnel testing determined that lateral turbulence would be ≤ 0.6%. For test section speeds ≥ 30 m/s the tunnel is within the design specification limits. Between 5 m/s and 30 m/s, the test section turbulence levels are dependent on the onset wind direction and test section speed where test section turbulence in the axial, vertical and lateral directions was seen to be between 0.5% and 1% and, at times, greater than 1%. Finally, testing was performed with blockage designs at the inlet to disrupt the wind flow quality entering the tunnel contraction zone in an attempt to create higher levels of turbulence for high turbulent test conditions simulating the earth’s boundary layer. The highest turbulence levels measured were 6% in the axial direction by use of large spires designed to obstruct ≈ 50% of the inlet area.

Inlet Performance↗

DOE OSTI2022

Electrochemically Stable High Energy Density Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-Sulfur batteries (LSB) have emerged as one of the strong contenders for high energy density rechargeable batteries in the Li-ion battery domain. The LSB system is considered as the most promising to achieve the next milestone in energy density of 500 Wh/kg. However, the LSB system is plagued with problems of polysulfide formation which are soluble in the organic electrolyte leading to loss in capacity and eventual cell failure. The problem is further compounded by dendrite formation on the Li anode during electrochemical cycling leading to puncturing of the separator causing eventual short-circuiting of the cell and consequent heat generation resulting in major safety hazards of flammability of the organic liquid electrolyte and impending explosion. This chapter describes various approaches developed to combat both cathode and anode issues. These involve synthesis and characterization of complex framework materials (CFMs) for confining the polysulfides and sulfur in the LSB cathodes. The CFMs include a CFM host and a coating applied to the CFM host, which includes one or more form of an electronic conductor, a lithium-ion conductor and a functional electrocatalyst for electrocatalytically converting the soluble polysulfides to Li 2 S. Further, sulfur is infiltrated into the CFM host creating a sulfur-carbon linkage serving as effective anchors for trapping the ensuing polysulfides. The systems have been tested in coin cells and pouch cells with metallic Li anodes under lean electrolyte conditions of 3-4 μl/mg of electrolyte (E) to sulfur (S) ratios showing promise and feasibility. New emergent dendrite-free alloys have also been identified to test against pure Li and CFM cathodes in coin cell and pouch cell configurations under lean electrolyte conditions. Results of these studies are described and discussed with thoughts on future directions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2022

On the energy landscape of symmetric quantum signal processing

Symmetric quantum signal processing provides a parameterized representation of a real polynomial, which can be translated into an efficient quantum circuit for performing a wide range of computational tasks on quantum computers. For a given polynomial f , the parameters (called phase factors) can be obtained by solving an optimization problem. However, the cost function is non-convex, and has a very complex energy landscape with numerous global and local minima. It is therefore surprising that the solution can be robustly obtained in practice, starting from a fixed initial guess Φ 0 that contains no information of the input polynomial. To investigate this phenomenon, we first explicitly characterize all the global minima of the cost function. We then prove that one particular global minimum (called the maximal solution) belongs to a neighborhood of Φ 0 , on which the cost function is strongly convex under the condition ‖ f ‖ ∞ = O ( d − 1 ) with d = d e g ( f ) . Our result provides a partial explanation of the aforementioned success of optimization algorithms.

Wang, Jiasu↗

NASA NTRS2006

Automated Antenna Design with Evolutionary Algorithms

Current methods of designing and optimizing antennas by hand are time and labor intensive, and limit complexity. Evolutionary design techniques can overcome these limitations by searching the design space and automatically finding effective solutions. In recent years, evolutionary algorithms have shown great promise in finding practical solutions in large, poorly understood design spaces. In particular, spacecraft antenna design has proven tractable to evolutionary design techniques. Researchers have been investigating evolutionary antenna design and optimization since the early 1990s, and the field has grown in recent years as computer speed has increased and electromagnetic simulators have improved. Two requirements-compliant antennas, one for ST5 and another for TDRS-C, have been automatically designed by evolutionary algorithms. The ST5 antenna is slated to fly this year, and a TDRS-C phased array element has been fabricated and tested. Such automated evolutionary design is enabled by medium-to-high quality simulators and fast modern computers to evaluate computer-generated designs. Evolutionary algorithms automate cut-and-try engineering, substituting automated search though millions of potential designs for intelligent search by engineers through a much smaller number of designs. For evolutionary design, the engineer chooses the evolutionary technique, parameters and the basic form of the antenna, e.g., single wire for ST5 and crossed-element Yagi for TDRS-C. Evolutionary algorithms then search for optimal configurations in the space defined by the engineer. NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) mission will launch three small spacecraft to test innovative concepts and technologies. Advanced evolutionary algorithms were used to automatically design antennas for ST5. The combination of wide beamwidth for a circularly-polarized wave and wide impedance bandwidth made for a challenging antenna design problem. From past experience in designing wire antennas, we chose to constrain the evolutionary design to a monopole wire antenna. The results of the runs produced requirements-compliant antennas that were subsequently fabricated and tested. The evolved antenna has a number of advantages with regard to power consumption, fabrication time and complexity, and performance. Lower power requirements result from achieving high gain across a wider range of elevation angles, thus allowing a broader range of angles over which maximum data throughput can be achieved. Since the evolved antenna does not require a phasing circuit, less design and fabrication work is required. In terms of overall work, the evolved antenna required approximately three person-months to design and fabricate whereas the conventional antenna required about five. Furthermore, when the mission was modified and new orbital parameters selected, a redesign of the antenna to new requirements was required. The evolutionary system was rapidly modified and a new antenna evolved in a few weeks. The evolved antenna was shown to be compliant to the ST5 mission requirements. It has an unusual organic looking structure, one that expert antenna designers would not likely produce. This antenna has been tested, baselined and is scheduled to fly this year. In addition to the ST5 antenna, our laboratory has evolved an S-band phased array antenna element design that meets the requirements for NASA's TDRS-C communications satellite scheduled for launch early next decade. A combination of fairly broad bandwidth, high efficiency and circular polarization at high gain made for another challenging design problem. We chose to constrain the evolutionary design to a crossed-element Yagi antenna. The specification called for two types of elements, one for receive only and one for transmit/receive. We were able to evolve a single element design that meets both specifications thereby simplifying the antenna and reducing testing and integration costs. The highest performance antenna found using a getic algorithm and stochastic hill-climbing has been fabricated and tested. Laboratory results correspond well with simulation. Aerospace component design is an expensive and important step in space development. Evolutionary design can make a significant contribution wherever sufficiently fast, accurate and capable software simulators are available. We have demonstrated successful real-world design in the spacecraft antenna domain; and there is good reason to believe that these results could be replicated in other design spaces.

Hornby, Gregory S.↗