SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
A method for increasing the sensitivity for radio frequency reception is described. Receiving systems or stations are arrayed in such a manner as to provide signal to noise ratio improvement relative to a single receiving system or station. Radio frequency carrier arraying for high rate telemetry that provides signal to noise ratio improvement for RF carrier reception and demodulation is discussed.
In this paper we present a reliable technique for failure detection and identification (FDI) for dual redundant flight control sensors aboard the NASA F-8 digital fly-by-wire (DFBW) aircraft, and we discuss the successful application of the technique to identifying failures injected on test flight telemetry data. The technique exploits the analytic redundancy which exists as relationships among variables being measured by dissimilar instruments. With straightforward modification the technique may be extended to provide failure monitoring of a single remaining sensor after the identified failure of its companion sensor.
Telemetry unit has been developed for possible use in measuring scalp-tissue pH and heart rate of unborn infant. Unit radius data to receiver as much as 50 ft. away. Application exists during hours just prior to childbirth to give warning of problems that might require cesarean delivery.
The utility of a multichannel implantable telemetry system for obtaining cardiovascular data was tested in a monkey with a CV-990 aircraft flight simulation of a space flight experiment. Valuable data were obtained to aid planning and execution of flight experiments using chronically instrumented animals.
Stability of the multimegabit telemetry digital Costas loop is considered. It is shown that the present design is stable with about 35.2 dB gain margin, and therefore is quite stable. The bandpass filter implementation of the data filters is covered.
A candidate pre-Analog to Digital filter bandwidth versus data rate design is presented for the multimegabit telemetry demodulator/detector. The design is based on considerations of Analog to Digital bias, quantization errors, and automatic gain control effects, as well as the deleterious effects of filtering. Two methods of gain control of the input level to the analog to Digital converter are considered. The first method uses a particular value of gain, according to which bandwidth is selected. The second method uses a second narrowband noncoherent Automatic Gain Controls (in the LPF bandwidth) to attempt to keep the Analog to Digital input level constant. This second method reduces the bit error rate degradation slightly but appears to be more difficult to implement.
The system includes an implantable transmitter, external receiver-retransmitter collar, and a microprocessor-controlled demodulator. The size of the implant is suitable for animals with body weights of a few kilograms or more; further size reduction of the implant is possible. The ECG is sensed by electrodes designed for internal telemetry and to reduce movement artifacts. The R-wave characteristics are then specifically selected to trigger a short radio frequency pulse. Temperatures are sensed at desired locations by thermistors and then, based on a heartbeat counter, transmitted intermittently via pulse interval modulation. This modulation scheme includes first and last calibration intervals for a reference by ratios with the temperature intervals to achieve good accuracy even over long periods. Pulse duration and pulse sequencing are used to discriminate between heart rate and temperature pulses as well as RF interference.
The Standard Telemetry and Command Components (STACC) were conceived by NASA for use on the Multimission Modular Spacecraft. The components have wider application, however, and already are being considered for many other spacecraft. A programmable Central Unit controls Remote Interface Units via a full duplex data bus, providing data acquisition and command distribution capability throughout the spacecraft. The Central Unit can meet any uplink, time code, and format requirements without hardware changes. Each remote unit can acquire any type of data (serial digital, bi-level, analog, or passive analog) on any channel. A third type of unit is an optional interface providing I/O capability to an on-board computer. The protocols used on the 1Mbps data bus are compatible with MSFC's 'Standard Interfaces for Digital Data, Multiplex Serial Data Acquisition and Distribution Systems (SIDD/MSDADS Standard)'. The bus design saves significant harness weight and simplifies the single point ground and isolation approaches.
A solid state data recorder (SSDR) has been developed which offers a high-reliability alternative to tape recorders in many spacecraft telemetry applications. The storage medium used in this recorder was ferrimagnetic garnet films supporting nonvolatile magnetic bubble domains. The recorder was designed using modular construction consisting of a digital control unit, power supply, and two memory modules. A prototype SSDR has been fabricated which is designed for 100-million bits of storage but was populated with 128 chips for a 13-million bit capacity. Preliminary tests indicate satisfactory operation.
A completely implantable epidural pressure telemetry system designed for accurate measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) is described. The implant device is batteryless, providing unlimited operating life. The described system uses a capacitive pressure transducer with excellent long-term stability. Once detected with the transducer and converted to a frequency with the oscillator electronics, the pressure signal is digitized. It is then telemetered without the possibility of further degradation. After detection with the small external module, the data can be retransmitted by a radio link for complete patient mobility or the energizer signal pickup module can be wired to a bedside readout unit. Continuous data are available from the system so that the dynamic ICP changes reflecting arterial blood pressure can be observed and used for diagnosis.
An implant telemetry system for the simultaneous monitoring of temperature, activity, and EKG from small animals, such as rats, has recently been designed with the novel feature that instead of a battery the system is energized by an inductive field. A 250 kHz resonant coil surrounds the cage (30 x 30 x 20 cm) and provides the approximately 100 microwatt of power required to operate the implant transmitter while allowing the animal unrestrained movement in the cage. The implant can also be battery operated if desired. RF transmission is in the 8-10 MHz band, which allows the use of a simple, essentially single IC chip, receiver.
Format would simplify ground processing of telemetry data. Also, missing minor frame would create error in only one set of source data instead of disrupting all sets. Format organizes data from various sources into autonomous blocks. Data are pre-processed, in effect, so main computer only needs to determine block type and process data set as batch.
RF carrier array includes one master and slave receiving system to improve overall signal-to-noise ratio. Greater number of slave systems creates additional improvement. Scheme reduces detection threshold of low-rate telemetry signals transmitted from spacecraft, enhancing communications efficiency.
Portable digital physiological data telemetry system uses less power, is more compact, and provides better data integrity than two previous systems designed to similar specifications. It has 13 data channels and two-way voice communication.
A telemetry system for use in making strain and temperature measurements on the rotating components of high speed turbomachines employs phase locked transmitters, which offer greater measurement channel capacity and reliability than existing systems which employ L-C carrier oscillators. A prototype transmitter module was tested at 175 C combined with 40,000 g's acceleration.
A computer oriented time code designed for users with various time resolution requirements is presented. It is intended as a time code for spacecraft and ground applications where direct code compatibility with automatic data processing equipment is of primary consideration. The principal features of this time code are: byte oriented format, selectable resolution options (from seconds to nanoseconds); and long ambiguity period. The time code is compatible with the new data handling and management concepts such as the NASA End-to-End Data System and the Telemetry Data Packetization format.
The EEG of the baboon was studied under two very different sets of conditions: 37 were totally immobolized while 12 were studied in their free movements with 4 channel telemetry. For the immobilzed, 3 stages were described: (1) activation, record desynchronized; (2) rest with 13-15 cm/sec rhythm, like the human alpha rhythm stage but with eyes open or closed; (3)relaxation with a decrease in 13-15 rhythm and the appearance of 5-7 cm/sec theta waves, eyelids closed, animal apparently sleeping. For the free animals the rest stage appeared when the animal's attention was not directed anywhere and there was no relaxation stage. It is concluded that the EEG pattern of the immobilized animal that was described as the "relaxation" stage really represents a special functional state which one must distinguish clearly from the physiological stages of sleep.
The input signal conditioner portion of the multimegasymbol telemetry demodulator and detector feasibility model is described. The input signal conditioner accepts the 55 MHz wideband IF signal of a Block 4 Deep Space Network receiver and provides selectable bandpass filtering, total power automatic gain control, and frequency translation providing inphase and quadrature outputs at baseband.