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At least 667 records · Page 37

Peripheral processors for high-speed simulation

This paper describes some of the results of a study directed to the specification and procurement of a new cockpit simulator for an advanced class of helicopters. A part of the study was the definition of a challenging benchmark problem, and detailed analyses of it were made to assess the suitability of a variety of simulation techniques. The analyses showed that a particularly cost-effective approach to the attainment of adequate speed for this extremely demanding application is to employ a large minicomputer acting as host and controller for a special-purpose digital peripheral processor. Various realizations of such peripheral processors, all employing state-of-the-art electronic circuitry and a high degree of parallelism and pipelining, are available or under development. The types of peripheral processors array processors, simulation-oriented processors, and arrays of processing elements - are analyzed and compared. They are particularly promising approaches which should be suitable for high-speed simulations of all kinds, the cockpit simulator being a case in point.

Karplus, W. J.↗

Moving V/STOL from technology to system

The design of future V/STOL aircraft is seen to revolve around tradeoffs of V/STOL capability with classical figures of merit. The Navy may soon drive V/STOL technology to the threshold of a major advancement. It has decided to proceed with a significant V/STOL effort and, based on results, decide whether or not to procure significant numbers and types of V/STOL aircraft. The author envisages a line of development beginning with Navy Type A multipurpose subsonic V/STOL aircraft, followed by derivatives for civil utility applications, followed ultimately by V/STOL commercial transports.

Deckert, W. H.↗

Low cost Ku-band earth terminals for voice/data/facsimile

A Ku-band satellite earth terminal capable of providing two way voice/facsimile teleconferencing, 128 Kbps data, telephone, and high-speed imagery services is proposed. Optimized terminal cost and configuration are presented as a function of FDMA and TDMA approaches to multiple access. The entire terminal from the antenna to microphones, speakers and facsimile equipment is considered. Component cost versus performance has been projected as a function of size of the procurement and predicted hardware innovations and production techniques through 1985. The lowest cost combinations of components has been determined in a computer optimization algorithm. The system requirements including terminal EIRP and G/T, satellite size, power per spacecraft transponder, satellite antenna characteristics, and link propagation outage were selected using a computerized system cost/performance optimization algorithm. System cost and terminal cost and performance requirements are presented as a function of the size of a nationwide U.S. network. Service costs are compared with typical conference travel costs to show the viability of the proposed terminal.

Kelley, R. L.↗

Life cycle costing with a discount rate

This article studies life cycle costing for a capability needed for the indefinite future, and specifically investigates the dependence of optimal policies on the discount rate chosen. The two costs considered are reprocurement cost and maintenance and operations (M and O) cost. The procurement price is assumed known, and the M and O costs are assumed to be a known function, in fact, a non-decreasing function, of the time since last reprocurement. The problem is to choose the optimum reprocurement time so as to minimize the quotient of the total cost over a reprocurement period divided by the period. Or one could assume a discount rate and try to minimize the total discounted costs into the indefinite future. It is shown that the optimum policy in the presence of a small discount rate hardly depends on the discount rate at all, and leads to essentially the same policy as in the case in which discounting is not considered.

Posner, E. C.↗

Design package for a solar-heating system

Report contains sufficient information to assemble complete tested residential flat-plate solar heating system. Descriptive material provides design, performance, and hardware specifications for utilization by architectural engineers, and contractors in procurement, installation, operation, and maintenance of similar solar applications.

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Modular solar-heating system - design package

Compilation contains design, performance, and hardware specifications in sufficient detail to fabricate or procure materials and install, operate, and maintain complete modular solar heating and hot water system for single family size dwellings.

Sinton, D. S.↗

Cost analysis of new and retrofit hot-air type solar assisted heating systems

A detailed cost analysis/cost improvement study was performed on two Department of Energy/National Aeronautics and Space Administration operational test sites to determine actual costs and potential cost improvements of new and retrofit hot air type, solar assisted heating and hot water systems for single family sized structures. This analysis concentrated on the first cost of a system which included procurement, installation, and integration of a solar assisted heating and hot water system on a new or retrofit basis; it also provided several cost projections which can be used as inputs to payback analyses, depending upon the degree of optimism or future improvements assumed. Cost definitions were developed for five categories of cost, and preliminary estimates were developed for each. The costing methodology, approach, and results together with several candidate low cost designs are described.

Stewart, R. D.↗

Purification and cultivation of human pituitary growth hormone secreting cells

The maintainance of actively secreting human pituitary growth hormone cells (somatotrophs) in vitro was studied. The primary approach was the testing of agents which may be expected to increase the release of the human growth hormone (hGH). A procedure for tissue procurement is described along with the methodologies used to dissociate human pituitary tissue (obtained either at autopsy or surgery) into single cell suspensions. The validity of the Biogel cell column perfusion system for studying the dynamics of GH release was developed and documented using a rat pituitary cell system.

Hymer, W. C.↗

Acquisition and sources

Suggestions and ideas for acquiring documents or their surrogates for a planned or fledgling information system are offered. The problems of selectivity of documents or their surrogates, both in superabundant quantities, and duplicate checking are highlighted. Acquisitioning flow, a semiautomated duplicate search technique, and alerting methods for prospective documentation are described. Appendices include two category systems, selected definitions and acronyms, and a selected address list for document procurement.

Eckert, P. F.↗

Trade study: Liquid hydrogen transportation - Kennedy Space Center

Cryogenic transportation methods for providing liquid hydrogen requirements are examined in support of shuttle transportation system launch operations at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, during the time frames 1982-1991 in terms of cost and operational effectiveness. Transportation methods considered included sixteen different options employing mobile semi-trailer tankers, railcars, barges and combinations of each method. The study concludes that the most effective method of delivering liquid hydrogen from the vendor production facility in New Orleans to Kennedy Space Center includes maximum utilization of existing mobile tankers and railcars supplemented by maximum capacity mobile tankers procured incrementally in accordance with shuttle launch rates actually achieved.

Gray, D. J.↗

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study. Volume 7: SPS program plan and economic analysis

The economic and programmatic requirements for a recommended SPS solar photovoltaic baseline concept were analyzed. Costs are determined for the DDT&E; initial capital investment (covers initial procurement and emplacement of each SPS plant and equipment); replacement capital investment (capital asset replacement over the SPS operating life); operations and maintenance (expendables, minor maintenance, repair crews); and taxes/insurance.

Hanley, G.↗

An assessment of thermal design procedures for Shuttle payloads

A review of the thermal design options for unmanned Shuttle payloads is presented. Because many future Shuttle payloads will have budgets and less time available for the definition of their thermal subsystems, simplified design procedures will be the most cost-effective. The thermal interface between an individual payload and the Orbiter is discussed. A simplified, modular thermal control system that will reduce the cost of providing thermal protection by minimizing both the initial procurement cost of any specialized hardware and the need for a detailed thermal interface analysis is described.

Almgren, D. W.↗

Environmental testing of terrestrial flat plate photovoltaic modules

The Low-Cost Solar Array (LSA) Project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has as one objective: the development and implementation of environmental tests for flat plate photovoltaic modules as part of the Department of Energy's terrestrial photovoltaic program. Modules procured under this program have been subjected to a variety of laboratory tests intended to simulate service environments, and the results of these tests have been compared to available data from actual field service. This comparison indicates that certain tests (notably temperature cycling, humidity cycling, and cyclic pressure loading) are effective indicators of some forms of field failures. Other tests have yielded results useful in formulating module design guidelines. Not all effects noted in field service have been successfully reproduced in the laboratory, however, and work is continuing in order to improve the value of the test program as a tool for evaluating module design and workmanship. This paper contains a review of these ongoing efforts and an assessment of significant test results to date.

Hoffman, A.↗

Sealed-cell nickel-cadmium battery applications manual

The design, procurement, testing, and application of aerospace quality, hermetically sealed nickel-cadmium cells and batteries are presented. Cell technology, cell and battery development, and spacecraft applications are emphasized. Long term performance is discussed in terms of the effect of initial design, process, and application variables. Design guidelines and practices are given.

Scott, W. R.↗

Military markets for solar thermal electric power systems

The Department of Defense maintains an inventory of over 1,800 MW of engine-generators 15 KW and larger, with an estimated procurement rate of over 140 MW/year. Nearly the entire requirement could be met by advanced heat engines of the types being developed as point-focussing, distributed receiver power plants. A conceptual system consisting of a heat engine which efficiently burns liquid fossil or synthetic fuels, with a 'solarization kit' for conversion to hybrid solar operation could meet existing DOD requirements for new systems which are quieter, lighter, and multi-fueled. An estimated 24 percent (33 MW/year) or more could operationally benefit from the solar option. Baseline cost projections indicate levelized energy cost goals of 210 to 120 mills/KWh (15 to 1000 KW systems). Fuel cost escalation is the major factor affecting the value of the solar option. A baseline calculation for fuel at $0.59/gal in spring, 1979, escalating at 8 percent above general inflation indicates a value of $2700/KWe for a solarization kit.

Hauger, J. S.↗

Thermal Power Systems (TPS); Point-Focusing Thermal and Electric Applications (PFTEA). Volume 2: Detailed report, fiscal year 1979

Progress in the development of systems which employ point focusing distributed receiver technology is reported. Emphasis is placed on the first engineering experiment, the Small Community Solar Thermal Power Experiment. Procurement activities for the Military Module Power Experiment the first of a series of experiments planned as part of the Isolated Load Series are included.

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