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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 577 records · Page 32

Navigation Architecture For A Space Mobile Network

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) Augmentation Service for Satellites (TASS) is a proposed beacon service to provide a global, space-based GPS augmentation service based on the NASA Global Differential GPS (GDGPS) System. The TASS signal will be tied to the GPS time system and usable as an additional ranging and Doppler radiometric source. Additionally, it will provide data vital to autonomous navigation in the near Earth regime, including space weather information, TDRS ephemerides, Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP), and forward commanding capability. TASS benefits include enhancing situational awareness, enabling increased autonomy, and providing near real-time command access for user platforms. As NASA Headquarters Space Communication and Navigation Office (SCaN) begins to move away from a centralized network architecture and towards a Space Mobile Network (SMN) that allows for user initiated services, autonomous navigation will be a key part of such a system. This paper explores how a TASS beacon service enables the Space Mobile Networking paradigm, what a typical user platform would require, and provides an in-depth analysis of several navigation scenarios and operations concepts.

Satellite↗

Approximate estimation for systems with quantized data.

Estimation of the state of a nonlinear discrete-time system using quantized data is considered. An exact solution for the maximum likelihood estimate is expressed as the solution of a nonlinear two-point boundary-value problem. Approximate recursive solutions for both the maximum likelihood and the conditional-mean estimates are obtained. The results of Monte-Carlo simulations are presented in which the performance of these two algorithms is compared with that of a Kalman filter in which the quantization error is approximated by white noise.-

Clements, K. A.↗

On-line diagnosis of sequential systems

A model for on-line diagnosis was investigated for discrete-time systems, and resettable sequential systems. Generalized notions of a realization are discussed along with fault tolerance and errors. Further investigation into the theory of on-line diagnosis is recommended for three levels: binary state-assigned level, logical circuit level, and the subsystem-network level.

Sundstrom, R. J.↗

The Adaptable and Resilient Safety System: The Human Factor in Future In-Time Aviation Safety Management Systems

In-time integrated safety management will be paramount for safely enabling the envisioned transformations of the future National Airspace System (NAS). The path for realizing the vision includes addressing the increasing need for advanced data analytics and fusion of aviation safety data, managed by human decision-makers. The paper describes safety management systems and its’ challenges, and how the concept of In-time Aviation Safety Management Systems addresses the need to ensure an adaptable and resilient future safety system in the envisioned transformed NAS. Finally, it discusses potential human factors challenges, including new human roles and responsibilities, new information and cognitive requirements, new intelligent technologies that change human-system interaction and coordination, and new design paradigms for human system integration and teaming.

L. Prinzel↗

The Adaptable and Resilient Safety System: The Human Factor in Future In-Time Aviation Safety Management Systems

In-time integrated safety management will be paramount for safely enabling the envisioned transformations of the future National Airspace System (NAS). The path for realizing the vision includes addressing the increasing need for advanced data analytics and fusion of aviation safety data, managed by human decision-makers. The paper describes safety management systems and its’ challenges, and how the concept of In-time Aviation Safety Management Systems addresses the need to ensure an adaptable and resilient future safety system in the envisioned transformed NAS. Finally, it discusses potential human factors challenges, including new human roles and responsibilities, new information and cognitive requirements, new intelligent technologies that change human-system interaction and coordination, and new design paradigms for human system integration and teaming.

Aviation Safety↗

Insights Into Seismicity Associated With Flexibly Operating Enhanced Geothermal System From Real‐Time Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) have the capacity to broaden the accessible resource pool for geothermal power generation. Traditionally viewed as a “baseload” resource, their flexible operation might also enable dispatchable load‐following generation and long‐term energy storage, aligning them with the evolving landscape of decarbonized electricity systems. However, increasing permeability and extracting energy during EGS operations can induce microseismic events; for many prior EGS efforts, some associated seismicity has been observed. While energetically beneficial, the flexibility of EGS operations prompts our inquiry into whether new types of operations will yield previously unseen seismicity patterns. We demonstrate the use of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) with real‐time edge computing to monitor seismicity during a pilot test of a cyclically operated EGS facility at the Blue Mountain geothermal field. Our focus lies in uncovering seismicity insights from the real‐time microseismic catalog, particularly during load‐following dispatchability tests simulating flexible EGS operation. Here, we find that variations in pore pressure consistently correlate with seismicity, and that controlling pressure cycles during flexible operations appears to constrain microseismic activity during subsequent cycles. The spatio‐temporal evolution of microseismic clouds recorded during cyclic injection cycles fits diffusive models over our available observation period. Additionally, seismicity elevation lags behind pore pressure increases, likely due to pressure diffusion to the fracture system boundary. Through real‐time monitoring, we offer novel insights into seismicity associated with flexibly operating EGS. Our findings suggest that leveraging DAS and edge computing can inform EGS operations and help mitigate induced seismicity.

Chamarczuk, Michal [Rice Univ., Houston, TX (Unite↗

Optimal discrete-time dynamic output-feedback design - A w-domain approach

An alternative method for optimal digital control design is described in this paper. The method is based on the usage of the w-transform and has many attractive design features. One of these is its immediate connection with frequency loop-shaping techniques that are now popular and effective for multivariable control synthesis in continuous-time domain. Furthermore, any design algorithms originally developed for continuous-time systems can now be immediately extended to the discrete-time domain. The main results presented in this paper are the exact problem formulation and solution of an optimal discrete-time dynamic output-feedback design in the w-domain involving a quadratic performance index to random disturbances. In addition, necessary conditions for optimality are obtained for the numerical solution of the optimal output-feedback compensator design. A numerical example is presented illustrating its application to the design of a low-order dynamic compensator in a stability augmentation system of a commercial transport.

Ha, Cheolkeun↗

Rapidly Viable Sustained Grid

Rapid recovery of power flow, possibly after a blackout, is a crucial need arising in scenarios that are increasingly becoming more frequent; here, solutions for rapid viability of power while the grid is being restored are urgently needed to keep critical infrastructure (CI) online. Increasingly, after the initial recovery phase, sustenance of reliable power requires assistive services to the grid for long periods of time. Even though the need is urgent, there is only sparse effort present toward a comprehensive framework/strategy for making power rapidly viable with an emphasis on sustained grid ancillary services; which is the focus of this proposal. The proposed concept envisions four phases. In the first phase, when a large portion of power is disrupted (see Figure 1(a)), emphasis is on bringing CI online with the objective of maximizing the time horizon of power viability using resources available at the CI. In the second phase (Figure 1(b)), neighborhood resources are tightly coordinated that forms the CI’s central-core (CC) to provide guaranteed viability of CI over a longer horizon. In the third phase, self-organizing power networks are expanded in a distributed layer supporting the central-core (Figure 1(c)). In the fourth phase, separate CI-networks coalesce and are controlled in a coordinated fashion to provide grid ancillary services (AS), such as primary frequency control and enhancing grid resiliency. With time, system efficiencies and penetration of renewables increase, while the time-horizon of guaranteed sustenance of CI is maximized. Under proposed work, the concept will be instantiated with a focus on medical centers as CI. Comprehensive power hardware in the loop strategies and emulated field tests will guide and validate devised solutions. A strong T2M effort to commercialize resulting technology is outlined. The proposed technology will be transformative for the grid. It will fundamentally change the way large contingencies are managed where power systems and critical infrastructure transition from being fragile to being robust using intelligent, self-organizing control for coordinating resources, enhanced resiliency and use of sustainable energy sources.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

System Measures Errors Between Time-Code Signals

System measures timing errors between signals produced by three asynchronous time-code generators. Errors between 1-second clock pulses resolved to 2 microseconds. Basic principle of computation of timing errors as follows: central processing unit in microcontroller constantly monitors time data received from time-code generators for changes in 1-second time-code intervals. In response to any such change, microprocessor buffers count of 16-bit internal timer.

Cree, David↗

Wide field of view laser beacon system for three-dimensional aircraft position measurement

This paper presents a new wide field of view laser beacon system for measurement, in three dimensions, of aircraft or other remote objects. The system is developed for aircraft collision hazard warning independent of ground-based hardware, as well as for flight research, helicopter-assisted construction and rescue, and robotic manipulation applications. Accurate information describing the relative range, elevation, and azimuth of the aircraft are generated by the sweep of a low-power fan-shaped rotating laser beacon past an array of optical detectors. The system achieves a wide angle of acceptance of laser beacon light through use of compound parabolic concentrators, which collimate the light for spectral filtering to minimize solar interference. An on-board microprocessor system converts the pulse sequence to aircraft position in real time. System reliability and performance are enhanced through narrow pass filtering of the pulse signals, digital logic design to mask spurious signals, and adaptive modulation of trigger threshold levels.

Sweet, L. M.↗

Necessary conditions for optimization in multiparameter discrete systems

A general first-order dynamic representation for discrete systems with several independent variables is proposed, based on the Dieudonne-Rashevsky form for partial differential equations. This representation does not restrict consideration to causal systems. A minimum principle for such systems is proved, thus extending results known for discrete-time systems to the case of several independent variables. The proof requires only the classical implicit function theorem.

Hegg, D. R.↗

One GHz digitizer for space based laser altimeter

This is the final report for the research and development of the one GHz digitizer for space based laser altimeter. A feasibility model was designed, built, and tested. Only partial testing of essential functions of the digitizer was completed. Hybrid technology was incorporated which allows analog storage (memory) of the digitally sampled data. The actual sampling rate is 62.5 MHz, but executed in 16 parallel channels, to provide an effective sampling rate of one GHz. The average power consumption of the one GHz digitizer is not more than 1.5 Watts. A one GHz oscillator is incorporated for timing purposes. This signal is also made available externally for system timing. A software package was also developed for internal use (controls, commands, etc.) and for data communication with the host computer. The digitizer is equipped with an onboard microprocessor for this purpose.

Staples, Edward J.↗

Performance of the upgraded Orroral laser ranging system

The topics discussed include the following: upgrade arrangements, system prior to 1991, elements of the upgrade, laser performance, timing system performance, pass productivity, system precision, system accuracy, telescope pointing and future upgrades and extensions.

Luck, John M.↗