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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 667 records · Page 37

Efficient Testing Combining Design of Experiment and Learn-to-Fly Strategies

Rapid modeling and efficient testing methods are important in a number of aerospace applications. In this study efficient testing strategies were evaluated in a wind tunnel test environment and combined to suggest a promising approach for both ground-based and flight-based experiments. Benefits of using Design of Experiment techniques, well established in scientific, military, and manufacturing applications are evaluated in combination with newly developing methods for global nonlinear modeling. The nonlinear modeling methods, referred to as Learn-to-Fly methods, utilize fuzzy logic and multivariate orthogonal function techniques that have been successfully demonstrated in flight test. The blended approach presented has a focus on experiment design and identifies a sequential testing process with clearly defined completion metrics that produce increased testing efficiency.

Murphy, Patrick C.↗

Oversimplification of Systems Engineering Goals, Processes, and Criteria in NASA Space Life Support

This paper investigates the oversimplification of the inherently complex systems engineering process in space life support. The standard systems engineering process steps are described. The International Space Station (ISS) life support system is explained with its goals and performance criteria. Although it is not usually emphasized, the essential function of developing a hierarchy of systems and subsystems is to simplify the design process. The System Complexity Metric (SCM) shows how this di-vide-and-conquer approach also reduces the system complexity. The complete systems engineering process has many detailed steps. It is often simplified because of the effort required and the human limitations on working memory and decision span. Systems analysis demands slow, logical, and fo-cused thinking but is often bypassed in favor of quick, intuitive, subconscious “gut feel.” A study of 100 system designs found examples of 12 specific mental mistakes, such as ignoring stakeholder needs, and these mistakes are essentially oversimplifications of the systems engineering process. An analysis of space life support goals, options, criteria, and processes found 11 examples of oversimplifications in systems engineering, such as neglecting safety and cost. All these 11 oversimplifications could be traced to one or more of the 12 previously identified mental mistakes or other well-known ones, such as ig-noring sunk costs. Oversimplification of the systems engineering process is rarely noticed but is a common and harmful problem. A study of failures in 50 different space systems found that problems in systems engineering caused failures and often led to errors in design, development, and test that further contributed to failure. It seems that more diligent systems engineering could prevent many project problems and failures, but projects seem to be more guided by “gut feel” based on tradition, authority, and consensus than on the logical, rational systems engineering approach.

Simplified systems engineering↗

Preliminary design for a standard 10 sup 7 bit Solid State Memory (SSM)

A modular concept with three separate modules roughly separating bubble domain technology, control logic technology, and power supply technology was employed. These modules were respectively the standard memory module (SMM), the data control unit (DCU), and power supply module (PSM). The storage medium was provided by bubble domain chips organized into memory cells. These cells and the circuitry for parallel data access to the cells make up the SMM. The DCU provides a flexible serial data interface to the SMM. The PSM provides adequate power to enable one DCU and one SMM to operate simultaneously at the maximum data rate. The SSM was designed to handle asynchronous data rates from dc to 1.024 Mbs with a bit error rate less than 1 error in 10 to the eight power bits. Two versions of the SSM, a serial data memory and a dual parallel data memory were specified using the standard modules. The SSM specification includes requirements for radiation hardness, temperature and mechanical environments, dc magnetic field emission and susceptibility, electromagnetic compatibility, and reliability.

Hayes, P. J.↗

Reuse and Interoperability of Avionics for Space Systems

The space environment presents unique challenges for avionics. Launch survivability, thermal management, radiation protection, and other factors are important for successful space designs. Many existing avionics designs use custom hardware and software to meet the requirements of space systems. Although some space vendors have moved more towards a standard product line approach to avionics, the space industry still lacks similar standards and common practices for avionics development. This lack of commonality manifests itself in limited reuse and a lack of interoperability. To address NASA s need for interoperable avionics that facilitate reuse, several hardware and software approaches are discussed. Experiences with existing space boards and the application of terrestrial standards is outlined. Enhancements and extensions to these standards are considered. A modular stack-based approach to space avionics is presented. Software and reconfigurable logic cores are considered for extending interoperability and reuse. Finally, some of the issues associated with the design of reusable interoperable avionics are discussed.

Hodson, Robert F.↗

Multi-Pressure Rail System Design with Variable Pressure Control Strategy

This paper presents the design and the control method of a Multiple Pressure Rail system (MPR) with a variable pressure control logic that allows minimization of throttling loss, therefore, increasing the overall fluid power actuation efficiency. An MPR system allows controlling hydraulic actuators with a pressure control logic, as opposed to traditional flow control logics which are well established in mobile applications. A proper setting of the number of pressure rails and the pressure level in each rail permits optimizing the system efficiency of an MPR solution. MPR systems have been recently proposed with different purposes, but seldom adopt variable pressure control strategies to manage the pressure variations in the rails. Moreover, the related past work attempts to maximize the energy recovery during overrunning load conditions. This paper, instead, addresses the case of an MPR system that handles a multitude of hydraulic functions without significant overrunning loads, as it occurs in many mobile applications such as in agriculture. The paper first presents the design alternatives considered for the MPR system, including the supply, the control valves, and the controller. Second, a dedicated test rig is developed to support experimental activities and validations of a lumped parameter model developed within this research to develop the MPR control strategy. The results describe the operating features of the proposed MPR solution. By considering the case of a traditional LS system, the paper results also show how system efficiency can be highly improved, with energy savings in the order of 49%

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

The Evolution of Software and Its Impact on Complex System Design in Robotic Spacecraft Embedded Systems

The growth in computer hardware performance, coupled with reduced energy requirements, has led to a rapid expansion of the resources available to software systems, driving them towards greater logical abstraction, flexibility, and complexity. This shift in focus from compacting functionality into a limited field towards developing layered, multi-state architectures in a grand field has both driven and been driven by the history of embedded processor design in the robotic spacecraft industry.The combinatorial growth of interprocess conditions is accompanied by benefits (concurrent development, situational autonomy, and evolution of goals) and drawbacks (late integration, non-deterministic interactions, and multifaceted anomalies) in achieving mission success, as illustrated by the case of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Approaches to optimizing the benefits while mitigating the drawbacks have taken the form of the formalization of requirements, modular design practices, extensive system simulation, and spacecraft data trend analysis. The growth of hardware capability and software complexity can be expected to continue, with future directions including stackable commodity subsystems, computer-generated algorithms, runtime reconfigurable processors, and greater autonomy.

software↗

Electrochemical Degradation of Pt 3 Co Nanoparticles Investigated by Off-Lattice Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations with Machine-Learned Potentials

In fuel cell applications, the durability of catalysts is critical for large-scale industrial implementation. However, limited synthesis controllability and spectroscopic resolution impede a comprehensive understanding of degradation mechanisms at the atomic level. In this study, we develop a machine-learned potential (MLP) to simulate the degradation processes for Pt3Co nanoparticles. The precision of MLP is determined to be comparable to that of density functional theory calculations. Using off-lattice kinetic Monte Carlo simulations with MLP, we successfully replicate established experimental trends and offer a logical resolution to ongoing debates regarding atomic orderings. Based on the simulation results, we suggest design principles for Pt3Co nanoparticles that combine high activity and durability. Finally, we validate the wide applicability of our method by successfully applying it to Pt3Ni and Pt3Co0.5Ni0.5 nanoparticles. The research serves as a guideline for developing MLPs for alloy electrochemical catalysts and lays the foundation for designing more durable and active fuel-cell catalysts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Full configuration interaction simulations of exchange-coupled donors in silicon using multi-valley effective mass theory

Abstract Donor spins in silicon have achieved record values of coherence times and single-qubit gate fidelities. The next stage of development involves demonstrating high-fidelity two-qubit logic gates, where the most natural coupling is the exchange interaction. To aid the efficient design of scalable donor-based quantum processors, we model the two-electron wave function using a full configuration interaction method within a multi-valley effective mass theory. We exploit the high computational efficiency of our code to investigate the exchange interaction, valley population, and electron densities for two phosphorus donors in a wide range of lattice positions, orientations, and as a function of applied electric fields. The outcomes are visualized with interactive images where donor positions can be swept while watching the valley and orbital components evolve accordingly. Our results provide a physically intuitive and quantitatively accurate understanding of the placement and tuning criteria necessary to achieve high-fidelity two-qubit gates with donors in silicon.

Joecker, Benjamin (ORCID:0000000302635440)↗

Development of a hybrid microelectronics solid state relay for 2500 volts isolation and minus 120 C to 80 C thermal cycling range

A hybrid microelectronics solid state relay was developed in a TO-116 package for the MINX project. The relay provides 2500 Vdc input to output isolation and operated from a MHTL logic signal to switch a load of 400 Vdc at 2 mA. The relay is designed to operate in space and survive 1000 thermal cycles of 120 C to 80 C. The use of X-rays for failure analysis in small hybrid circuits proved valuable and the applications of vacuum deposited Parylene as a dielectric coating proved extremely valuable.

Sater, B. L.↗

Geosynchronous platform definition study. Volume 1: Executive summary report

A study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of employing space platforms for geosynchronous operations. The basic approach taken was to define two geosynchronous traffic models and to develop a logical pattern of subsequent analyses leading to the definition of system requirements and conceptual platform designs for each model. Alternative geosynchronous programs were defined using various configurations and operational modes, which were then evaluated to determine a recommended geosynchronous program approach. Later, attention was focused on transportation interfaces in order to define the desired match between geosynchronous platforms and transportation system elements.

Source record↗

Use of the LANDSAT-2 Data Collection System in the Colorado River Basin Weather Modification Program

The author has identified the following significant results. The LANDSAT data collection system has proven itself to be a valuable tool for control of cloud seeding operations and for verification of weather forecasts. These platforms have proven to be reliable weather resistant units suitable for the collection of hydrometeorological data from remote severe weather environments. The detailed design of the wind speed and direction system and the wire-wrapping of the logic boards were completed.

Kahan, A. M.↗

One-way Doppler extractor

This paper presents a feasibility analysis, tradeoffs, and implementation for a one-way Doppler extractor system. A Doppler error analysis is discussed which shows that quantization error is a primary source of Doppler measurement error. Several competing extraction techniques are compared, and a 'Vernier' technique is presented which obtains high Doppler resolution with low-speed logic. Parameter tradeoffs and sensitivities for this Vernier technique are discussed, leading to a hardware design configuration. Also presented is a performance evaluation of the resulting breadboard model that verifies the theoretical performance predictions. The breadboard model contains the circuitry to interface with an S-band transponder, to extract the Doppler and time-interval counts, to compute navigational parameters by means of a microprocessor, and to display the results. Performance tests have verified that the breadboard is capable of extracting Doppler, on an S-band signal, to an accuracy of better than 0.02 hertz for a one-second averaging period. This corresponds to a range rate error of no more than 3 millimeters per second.

Nossen, E. J.↗

CADAT integrated circuit mask analysis

CADAT System Mask Analysis Program (MAPS2) is automated software tool for analyzing integrated-circuit mask design. Included in MAPS2 functions are artwork verification, device identification, nodal analysis, capacitance calculation, and logic equation generation.

Source record↗

Expert systems built by the Expert: An evaluation of OPS5

Two expert systems were written in OPS5 by the expert, a Ph.D. astronomer with no prior experience in artificial intelligence or expert systems, without the use of a knowledge engineer. The first system was built from scratch and uses 146 rules to check for duplication of scientific information within a pool of prospective observations. The second system was grafted onto another expert system and uses 149 additional rules to estimate the spacecraft and ground resources consumed by a set of prospective observations. The small vocabulary, the IF this occurs THEN do that logical structure of OPS5, and the ability to follow program execution allowed the expert to design and implement these systems with only the data structures and rules of another OPS5 system as an example. The modularity of the rules in OPS5 allowed the second system to modify the rulebase of the system onto which it was grafted without changing the code or the operation of that system. These experiences show that experts are able to develop their own expert systems due to the ease of programming and code reusability in OPS5.

Jackson, Robert↗

AIRNET: A real-time comunications network for aircraft

A real-time local area network was developed for use on aircraft and space vehicles. It uses token ring technology to provide high throughput, low latency, and high reliability. The system was implemented on PCs and PC/ATs operating on PCbus, and on Intel 8086/186/286/386s operating on Multibus. A standard IEEE 802.2 logical link control interface was provided to (optional) upper layer software; this permits the controls designer to utilize standard communications protocols (e.g., ISO, TCP/IP) if time permits, or to utilize a very fast link level protocol directly if speed is critical. Both unacknowledged datagram and reliable virtual circuit services are supported. A station operating an 8 MHz Intel 286 as a host can generate a sustained load of 1.8 megabits per second per station, and a 100-byte message can be delivered from the transmitter's user memory to the receiver's user memory, including all operating system and network overhead, in under 4 milliseconds.

Weaver, Alfred C.↗

The Extended Duration Orbiter Regenerable CO2 Removal System

A new carbon dioxide scrubber system is undergoing development for extended duration orbiter (EDO) missions. The EDO requirements of missions up to 18 days and the capability for future missions up to 30 days necessitated the development and implementation of a regenerative CO2 removal process. This new system will reduce the launch weight and stowage volume as compared to the present method of CO2 removal, lithium hydroxide, which is stowed in canisters. The selected design, called the Regenerable CO2 Removal System (RCRS), uses a solid amine material to adsorb carbon dioxide and water vapor and periodically desorb these to space vacuum. The RCRS, which is located below the middeck floor, interfaces with the orbiter's cabin Atmospheric Revitalization System and is adjustable from four to seven crewmembers. The RCRS is designed to automatically cycle the beds from absorb to vacuum-desorb every 30 minutes. Also incorporated into the design are features such consumable recovery, external leak protection, trace contaminant control and automatic control logic operation.

Ouellette, Fred A.↗

Flexible high speed codec

The project's objective is to develop an advanced high speed coding technology that provides substantial coding gains with limited bandwidth expansion for several common modulation types. The resulting technique is applicable to several continuous and burst communication environments. Decoding provides a significant gain with hard decisions alone and can utilize soft decision information when available from the demodulator to increase the coding gain. The hard decision codec will be implemented using a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip. It will be capable of coding and decoding as well as some formatting and synchronization functions at data rates up to 300 megabits per second (Mb/s). Code rate is a function of the block length and can vary from 7/8 to 15/16. Length of coded bursts can be any multiple of 32 that is greater than or equal to 256 bits. Coding may be switched in or out on a burst by burst basis with no change in the throughput delay. Reliability information in the form of 3-bit (8-level) soft decisions, can be exploited using applique circuitry around the hard decision codec. This applique circuitry will be discrete logic in the present contract. However, ease of transition to LSI is one of the design guidelines. Discussed here is the selected coding technique. Its application to some communication systems is described. Performance with 4, 8, and 16-ary Phase Shift Keying (PSK) modulation is also presented.

Boyd, R. W.↗

Real-Time Reed-Solomon Decoder

Generic Reed-Solomon decoder fast enough to correct errors in real time in practical applications designed to be implemented in fewer and smaller very-large-scale integrated, VLSI, circuit chips. Configured to operate in pipelined manner. One outstanding aspect of decoder design is that Euclid multiplier and divider modules contain Galoisfield multipliers configured as combinational-logic cells. Operates at speeds greater than older multipliers. Cellular configuration highly regular and requires little interconnection area, making it ideal for implementation in extraordinarily dense VLSI circuitry. Flight electronics single chip version of this technology implemented and available.

Maki, Gary K.↗