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At least 595 records · Page 33

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NASA NTRS1987

Off-line programming motion and process commands for robotic welding of Space Shuttle main engines

The off-line-programming software and hardware being developed for robotic welding of the Space Shuttle main engine are described and illustrated with diagrams, drawings, graphs, and photographs. The menu-driven workstation-based interactive programming system is designed to permit generation of both motion and process commands for the robotic workcell by weld engineers (with only limited knowledge of programming or CAD systems) on the production floor. Consideration is given to the user interface, geometric-sources interfaces, overall menu structure, weld-parameter data base, and displays of run time and archived data. Ongoing efforts to address limitations related to automatic-downhand-configuration coordinated motion, a lack of source codes for the motion-control software, CAD data incompatibility, interfacing with the robotic workcell, and definition of the welding data base are discussed.

Ruokangas, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The Penn State astronomical image processing system

The needs of modern astronomy for image processing set demanding standards in simultaneously requiring fast computation speed, high-quality graphic display, large data storage, and interactive response. An innovative image processing system was designed, integrated, and used; it is based on a supermicro architecture which is tailored specifically for astronomy, which provides a highly cost-effective alternative to the traditional minicomputer installation. The paper describes the design rationale, equipment selection, and software developed to allow other astronomers with similar needs to benefit from the present experience.

Truax, Ryland J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

IRAC test report. Gallium doped silicon band 2: Read noise and dark current

A direct readout infrared detector array, a candidate for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) Infrared Array Camera (IRAC), has been tested. The array has a detector surface of gallium doped silicon, bump bonded to a 58x62 pixel MOSFET multiplexer on a separate chip. Although this chip and system do not meet all the SIRTF requirements, the critically important read noise is within a factor of 3 of the requirement. Significant accomplishments of this study include: (1) development of a low noise correlated double sampling readout system with a readout noise of 127 to 164 electrons (based on the detector integrator capacitance of 0.1 pF); (2) measurement of the readout noise of the detector itself, ranging from 123 to 214 electrons with bias only (best to worst pixel), and 256 to 424 electrons with full clocking in normal operation at 5.4 K where dark current is small. Thirty percent smaller read noises are obtained at a temperature of 15K; (3) measurement of the detector response versus integration time, showing significant nonlinear behavior for large signals, well below the saturation level; and (4) development of a custom computer interface and suitable software for collection, analysis and display of data.

Lamb, Gerald↗

NASA NTRS1988

On-line measurement of heat of combustion

An experimental method for an on-line measurement of heat of combustion of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel mixture of unknown composition is developed. It involves combustion of a test gas with a known quantity of air to achieve a predetermined oxygen concentration level in the combustion products. This is accomplished by a feedback controller which maintains the gas volumetric flow rate at a level consistent with the desired oxygen concentration in the products. The heat of combustion is determined from a known correlation with the gas volumetric flow rate. An on-line microcomputer accesses the gas volumetric flow data, and displays the heat of combustion values at desired time intervals.

Chaturvedi, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Average low-latitude meridional electric fields from DE 2 during solar maximum

The average meridional electric field (zonal ion flow) patterns in the region between +/- 30 deg magnetic latitude were obtained by analyzing the electric field data taken by the Vector Electric Field Instrument aboard the DE 2 spacecraft during solar maximum conditions. The average data set displayed a rapid increase of the downward meridional electric field with local time near 1800 MLT; there was a secondary nighttime maximum of this electric field component, observed post midnight, with the crossover to upward electric fields (westward ion flow) occurring between 0400 and 0500 MLT. A sharp return to near zero was observed between 1200 and 1300. The zonal ion drift was found to be approximately symmetric with respect to the geomagnetic equator. These results are compared with results of the DE-2 neutral wind measurements and with results obtained from radar measurements.

Maynard, N. C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A knowledge-based tool for multilevel decomposition of a complex design problem

Although much work has been done in applying artificial intelligence (AI) tools and techniques to problems in different engineering disciplines, only recently has the application of these tools begun to spread to the decomposition of complex design problems. A new tool based on AI techniques has been developed to implement a decomposition scheme suitable for multilevel optimization and display of data in an N x N matrix format.

Rogers, James L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Real time processor for array speckle interferometry

The authors are constructing a real-time processor to acquire image frames, perform array flat-fielding, execute a 64 x 64 element two-dimensional complex FFT (fast Fourier transform) and average the power spectrum, all within the 25 ms coherence time for speckles at near-IR (infrared) wavelength. The processor will be a compact unit controlled by a PC with real-time display and data storage capability. This will provide the ability to optimize observations and obtain results on the telescope rather than waiting several weeks before the data can be analyzed and viewed with offline methods. The image acquisition and processing, design criteria, and processor architecture are described.

Chin, Gordon↗

NASA NTRS1990

Test Processor For PCM Telemetry

User displays telemetric data in variety of formats. TDPlus system is a data-processing subsystem designed for use in testing pulse-code-modulation (PCM) telemetry equipment. Accommodates variety of PCM formats. Includes custom-built set of four circuit cards that plug into any personal computer compatible with Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus. Software written in 'C', very user-friendly, and enables anyone who has basic knowledge of telemetry to use system without instruction manual. Built for about tenth of cost of currently available commercial unit of similar capability.

Massey, David↗

NASA NTRS1989

Online submicron particle sizing by dynamic light scattering using autodilution

Efficient production of a wide range of commercial products based on submicron colloidal dispersions would benefit from instrumentation for online particle sizing, permitting real time monitoring and control of the particle size distribution. Recent advances in the technology of dynamic light scattering (DLS), especially improvements in algorithms for inversion of the intensity autocorrelation function, have made it ideally suited to the measurement of simple particle size distributions in the difficult submicron region. Crucial to the success of an online DSL based instrument is a simple mechanism for automatically sampling and diluting the starting concentrated sample suspension, yielding a final concentration which is optimal for the light scattering measurement. A proprietary method and apparatus was developed for performing this function, designed to be used with a DLS based particle sizing instrument. A PC/AT computer is used as a smart controller for the valves in the sampler diluter, as well as an input-output communicator, video display and data storage device. Quantitative results are presented for a latex suspension and an oil-in-water emulsion.

Nicoli, David F.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Aerosol measurements in the stratocumulus project

Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) and Condensation Nuclei (CN) were measured from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Electra throughout the marine stratocumulus project. The total particle concentration was measured with a condensation nucleus counter. The CCN were measured with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) instantaneous CCN spectrometer. This instrument simultaneously measures the concentration of aerosol active at up to 100 different critical supersaturations (Sc). This is accomplished by exposing the sample to a fixed supersaturation field and using the size of the droplets produced in this cloud chamber to deduce the Sc of the nuclei upon which they have grown. Droplet size is associated with Sc through a calibration which is accomplished by passing soluble aerosols of known size and composition through the cloud chamber. This procedure results in a calibration curve of Sc vs. droplet size. This then allows the channel number to be directly associated with Sc. Thus, number concentration vs. Sc is obtained and this is a CCN spectrum. Since the instrument operates continuously, the measurements at all Sc's are available simultaneously. Samples are drawn directly from the ambient air and data is displayed in nearly real time. Samples were integrated over times of about 10 seconds so that substantial spatial resolution is available. Calibrations were performed once or twice a day and were found to be consistent. Preliminary results are shown.

Hudson, James G.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A user-friendly menu-driven language-free laser characteristics curves graphing program

In the selection of laser materials to be used as active sensors, it is essential to know how various factors of the specific material composition interact. Questions such as how does the rod size and frequency or absorption relate and how might this be affected by temperature variations must be answered before the materials are selected. A menu-driven language-free program was developed that would graph the interrelationship of many physical parameters of laser materials. This program reduced or removed the requirement that all users be competent in FORTRAN. A menu-driven language-free program was then developed that requires the use of a microcomputer to graph a two-dimensional display of data. The ability to graph more than one graph-line on the same chart was accomplished. The program is now generic in that it will take any data file whether in the data base or not. The program generates the format for the data read statement if it is not contained in the file header and the user does not know how to write them.

Klutz, Glenn↗

NASA NTRS1991

The 1983 tail-era data series. Volume 4: GOES 5 and GOES 6 geosynchronous magnetic field data

Twenty-four hour plots are presented of approximately 1-min average magnetic fields from the GOES 5 and GOES 6 spacecraft for the period January 1 to September 4, 1983, with the exception that GOES 6 was not available for the first five months of 1983. Data are displayed in a VDH coordinate system based on a centered dipole with Northern Hemisphere geographic coordinates of the pole at 78.80 deg latitude and 289.24 deg longitude. Magnetic local times are shown along the upper horizontal axis and universal time and dipole tilt angles along the bottom horizontal axis.

Fairfield, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

PROMIS series. Volume 7: GOES 5 and GOES 6 geosynchronous magnetic field data for March - June 1986

This is the seventh in a series of volumes pertaining to the Polar Region Outer Magnetosphere International Study (PROMIS). This volume contains 24 hour plots of approximately 1-minute average magnetic fields from the GOES 5 and GOES 6 spacecraft for the period March 10 through June 16, 1986. Data are displayed in a VDH coordinate system based on a centered dipole with northern hemisphere geographic coordinates of the pole at 78.80 deg latitude and 289.24 deg longitude.

Fairfield, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Satellite radar for monitoring forest resources

An evaluation is made of the computer analysis results of a study which used Seasat satellite radar data obtained in 1978 and Shuttle Imaging Radar-B data obtained in 1984. The change-detection procedures employed demonstrate that deforestation and reforestation activities can be effectively monitored on the basis of radar data gathered at satellite altitudes. The computer-processing techniques applied to the data encompassed (1) overlay display, (2) ratios, (3) differences, (4) principal-component analysis, and (5) classification; of these, overlay display is noted to quickly and easily yield a qualitative display of the multidate data.

Hoffer, Roger M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Dynamic inter-limb resistance exercise device for long-duration space flight

Essential for fitness on Earth, resistive exercise is even more important for astronauts, who must maintain muscle and bone strength in the absence of gravity. To meet this need, designers and scientists at NASA Ames Research Center, Life Science Division, have worked to develop more effective exercise devices for long-duration exposure to microgravity. One of these concepts is the Inter-Limb Resistance Device which allows the subject to exercise one limb directly against another, strengthening muscle groups in the arms, legs, and back. It features a modular harness with an inelastic cable and instrumented pulley. Forces similar to other high resistance exercise equipment are generated. Sensors in the pulley measure force and velocity for performance feedback display and data acquisition. This free-floating apparatus avoids vibration of sensitive experiments on board spacecraft. Compact with low mass, this hardware is also well suited for a 'safe haven' from radiation on board Space Station Freedom, and may prove useful in confined environments on Earth, such as Antarctic stations, submarines, and other underwater habitats. Potential spin-offs of this technology include products for personal strengthening and cardiovascular conditioning, rehabilitation of hospital patients, fitness exercise for the disabled, and retraining after sports injuries.

Schwandt, Douglas F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

ECLIPS at LMD: Preliminary results of phase 2

The LMD (Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique) ground-based backscatter lidar station (48 degrees 4 N, 02 degrees 0 E) near Paris was operated daily during the phase 2 of the Experimental Closed Lidar Pilot Study (ECLIPS) from May 22 to June 19, 1991 simultaneously with a radiometric equipment recording the downward short wavelength (SW) and long wavelength (LW) fluxes. A day-by-day summary of the field measurement as a function of universal time (UT) is given. Considering a 5 days week, there are only two days of missing data (05/31 and 06/06) in our record. The nearby meteorological station (10 km away) provides rawindsounding at 00UT and 12UT. During two days, the French airborne lidar LEANDRE was flown over the ground-based station. The airborne equipment looked down while the ground based equipment looked up. The two lidars were operated at 532 nm, and the on-board radiometers were identical to the ones on the ground. The measurements were synchronized with Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHIRR) overpasses as required. We also indicate the Meteosat data corresponding to the period of measurements. Two examples of simultaneous ground-based lidar, pygeometer and pyranometer data are displayed.

Valentin, R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Automated Spacelab Stowage Expert System for SLS missions

Issues related to the development of the Automated Spacelab Stowage Expert System (ASSESS) are examined including the problem domain, design, and status. The ASSESS concept is designed to configure stowage items into Spacelab lockers with an expert-system approach in which knowledge is available for every item and locker and for the complete heuristics. ASSESS employs the Knowledge Engineering Environment for development, and graphic displays present data on the items, lockers, and general system status. The automatic and manual modes are presented; the former provides the capability for an automatic solution to the stowage of a set of items into Spacelab lockers based on stowage heuristics defined and/or set by the user. The approach and heuristics algorithms are shown to permit the effective practical solution of NP-hard problems.

Kao, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1992

OCEAN-PC and a distributed network for ocean data

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) wishes to develop an integrated software package for oceanographic data entry and access in developing countries. The software, called 'OCEAN-PC', would run on low cost PC microcomputers and would encourage and standardize: (1) entry of local ocean observations; (2) quality control of the local data; (3) merging local data with historical data; (4) improved display and analysis of the merged data; and (5) international data exchange. OCEAN-PC will link existing MS-DOS oceanographic programs and data sets with table-driven format conversions. Since many ocean data sets are now being distributed on optical discs (Compact Discs - Read Only Memory, CD-ROM, Mass et al. 1987), OCEAN-PC will emphasize access to CD-ROMs.

Mclain, Douglas R.↗