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At least 667 records · Page 37

Flight and ground tests of a GOES satellite time receiver for satellite communications applications

A satellite time receiver was tested in various environmental conditions during the past year. The commercial receiver designed to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The test program included operation at low elevation during flight in a military cargo aircraft and long term comparison with laboratory standards. The GOES satellite time receiver offers an opportunity to provide easy wide area coverage synchronization at low cost.

Swanson, R. L.↗

Preparing Solar Cells for Soldering

Solder paste and contact ribbon dispensed in synchronism. Solder-paste dispenser operates on one cell at a time. Ribbon fed up ramps and into positioned while solder paste is applied. When ramps are moved out of way, ribbon lies down onto cell.

Hagerty, J. J.↗

Spectral characteristics of Pc 3 and Pc 4/5 magnetic pulsation bands observed near L = 6

The relationships among Pc 3, Pc 4, and Pc 5 activities observed at ground stations near L = 6 are clarified by comparing their dynamic spectral structures. It is found that there are two predominant spectral bands throughout the daytime with frequencies of about 20-80 mHz and about 3-10 mHz. At synchronous orbit, corresponding spectral bands are seen in the frequency-time spectra of the azimuthal component which generally show a clear harmonic structure when the satellite is located at the off-magnetic equator. The result strongly suggests that the 20-80 mHz band is the higher harmonics of standing shear Alfven waves and the 3-10 mHz band is the fundamental mode. Switching of activity between both bands is frequently observed on magnetically quiet days, indicating that the Pc 3 and Pc 4/5 bands are excited by different external driving sources.

Tonegawa, Y.↗

ExpertVision - A video-based non-contact system for motion measurement

A system known as ExpertVision for obtaining noncontact kinematic measurements using standard video signals is described. In the system, a video processor extracts edge information from video images using a proprietary thresholding technique. Images can be examined in real time at up to 200 fields/s, and as many as four synchronized inputs can be treated simultaneously by buffering the edge coordinates for each view in dedicated RAM memory. Mechanical applications for ExpertVision include the study of simple impacts, ballistics, wing flutter, the kinematics of helicopter rotor blades, and fluid and gas flow problems.

Walton, James S.↗

Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting

A compilation of technical papers, from the 23rd annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting, is presented. Papers were given in the following categories: (1) developments in rubidium, cesium, and hydrogen-based frequency standards, and in cryogenic and trapped-ion technology; (2) international and transnational applications of PTTI technology with emphasis on satellite laser tracking networks, GLONASS timing, comparison of national time scales and international communications; (3) applications of PTTI technology to the telecommunications, power distribution, platform positioning, and geophysical survey industries; (4) applications of PTTI technology to evolving military communications and navigation systems; and (5) dissemination of precise time and frequency by means of GPS, GLONASS, MILSTAR, Loran, and synchronous communications satellites.

Richard L. Sydnor↗

Implementing system simulation of C3 systems using autonomous objects

The basis of all conflict recognition in simulation is a common frame of reference. Synchronous discrete-event simulation relies on the fixed points in time as the basic frame of reference. Asynchronous discrete-event simulation relies on fixed-points in the model space as the basic frame of reference. Neither approach provides sufficient support for autonomous objects. The use of a spatial template as a frame of reference is proposed to address these insufficiencies. The concept of a spatial template is defined and an implementation approach offered. Discussed are the uses of this approach to analyze the integration of sensor data associated with Command, Control, and Communication systems.

Rogers, Ralph V.↗

Intelligent fuzzy controller for event-driven real time systems

Most of the known linguistic models are essentially static, that is, time is not a parameter in describing the behavior of the object's model. In this paper we show a model for synchronous finite state machines based on fuzzy logic. Such finite state machines can be used to build both event-driven, time-varying, rule-based systems and the control unit section of a fuzzy logic computer. The architecture of a pipelined intelligent fuzzy controller is presented, and the linguistic model is represented by an overall fuzzy relation stored in a single rule memory. A VLSI integrated circuit implementation of the fuzzy controller is suggested. At a clock rate of 30 MHz, the controller can perform 3 MFLIPS on multi-dimensional fuzzy data.

Grantner, Janos↗

The 24th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting

A compilation of technical papers presented at the 24th Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting held in Dec. 1992 is presented. Papers are in the following categories: recent developments in rubidium, cesium, and hydrogen-based frequency standards, and in cryogenic and trapped-ion technology; international and transnational applications of PTTI technology with emphasis on satellite laser tracking networks, GLONASS timing, intercomparison of national time scales, and international telecommunications; applications of PTTI technology to the telecommunications, power distribution, and platform positioning, and geophysical survey industries; applications of PTTI technology to evolving military communications and navigation systems; and dissemination of precise time and frequency by means of GPS, GLONASS, MILSTAR, Loran, and synchronous communications satellites.

Sydnor, Richard L.↗

The 25th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting

Papers in the following categories are presented: recent developments in rubidium, cesium, and hydrogen-based frequency standards, and in cryogenic and trapped-ion technology; international and transnational applications of precise time and time interval (PTTI) technology with emphasis on satellite laser tracking networks, GLONASS timing, intercomparison of national time scales and international telecommunication; applications of PTTI technology to the telecommunications, power distribution, platform positioning, and geophysical survey industries; application of PTTI technology to evolving military communications and navigation systems; and dissemination of precise time and frequency by means of GPS, GLONASS, MILSTAR, LORAN, and synchronous communications satellites.

Sydnor, Richard L.↗

The GRO remote terminal system

In March 1992, NASA HQ challenged GSFC/Code 531 to propose a fast, low-cost approach to close the Tracking Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) Zone-of-Exclusion (ZOE) over the Indian Ocean in order to provide global communications coverage for the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) spacecraft. GRO had lost its tape recording capability which limited its valuable science data return to real-time contacts with the TDRS-E and TDRS-W synchronous data relay satellites, yielding only approximately 62 percent of the possible data obtainable. To achieve global coverage, a TDRS spacecraft would have to be moved over the Indian Ocean out of line-of-sight control of White Sands Ground Terminal (WSGT). To minimize operations life cycle costs, Headquarters also set a goal for remote control, from the WSGT, of the overseas ground station which was required for direct communications with TDRS-1. On August 27, 1992, Code 531 was given the go ahead to implement the proposed GRO Relay Terminal System (GRTS). This paper describes the Remote Ground Relay Terminal (RGRT) which went operational at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC) in Canberra, Australia in December 1993 and is currently augmenting the TDRSS constellation in returning between 80-100 percent of GRO science data under the control of a single operator at WSGT.

Zillig, David J.↗

The 26th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting

This document is a compilation of technical papers presented at the 26th Annual PTTI Applications and Planning Meeting. Papers are in the following categories: (1) Recent developments in rubidium, cesium, and hydrogen-based frequency standards, and in cryogenic and trapped-ion technology; (2) International and transnational applications of Precise Time and Time Interval technology with emphasis on satellite laser tracking, GLONASS timing, intercomparison of national time scales and international telecommunications; (3) Applications of Precise Time and Time Interval technology to the telecommunications, power distribution, platform positioning, and geophysical survey industries; (4) Applications of PTTI technology to evolving military communications and navigation systems; and (5) Dissemination of precise time and frequency by means of GPS, GLONASS, MILSTAR, LORAN, and synchronous communications satellites.

Sydnor, Richard↗

The EOS Aura Mission

The EOS Aura Mission is designed to make comprehensive chemical measurements of the troposphere and stratosphere. In addition the mission will make measurements of important climate variables such as aerosols, and upper tropospheric water vapor and ozone. Aura will launch in late 2003 and will fly 15 minutes behind EOS Aqua in a polar sun synchronous ascending node orbit with a 1:30 pm equator crossing time.

Schoeberl, Mark R.↗

XML Flight/Ground Data Dictionary Management

A computer program generates Extensible Markup Language (XML) files that effect coupling between the command- and telemetry-handling software running aboard a spacecraft and the corresponding software running in ground support systems. The XML files are produced by use of information from the flight software and from flight-system engineering. The XML files are converted to legacy ground-system data formats for command and telemetry, transformed into Web-based and printed documentation, and used in developing new ground-system data-handling software. Previously, the information about telemetry and command was scattered in various paper documents that were not synchronized. The process of searching and reading the documents was time-consuming and introduced errors. In contrast, the XML files contain all of the information in one place. XML structures can evolve in such a manner as to enable the addition, to the XML files, of the metadata necessary to track the changes and the associated documentation. The use of this software has reduced the extent of manual operations in developing a ground data system, thereby saving considerable time and removing errors that previously arose in the translation and transcription of software information from the flight to the ground system.

Wright, Jesse↗

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2007

Topics include: Ka-Band TWT High-Efficiency Power Combiner for High-Rate Data Transmission; Reusable, Extensible High-Level Data-Distribution Concept; Processing Satellite Imagery To Detect Waste Tire Piles; Monitoring by Use of Clusters of Sensor-Data Vectors; Circuit and Method for Communication Over DC Power Line; Switched Band-Pass Filters for Adaptive Transceivers; Noncoherent DTTLs for Symbol Synchronization; High-Voltage Power Supply With Fast Rise and Fall Times; Waveguide Calibrator for Multi-Element Probe Calibration; Four-Way Ka-Band Power Combiner; Loss-of-Control-Inhibitor Systems for Aircraft; Improved Underwater Excitation-Emission Matrix Fluorometer; Metrology Camera System Using Two-Color Interferometry; Design and Fabrication of High-Efficiency CMOS/CCD Imagers; Foam Core Shielding for Spacecraft CHEM-Based Self-Deploying Planetary Storage Tanks Sequestration of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in a Polymer PPC750 Performance Monitor Application-Program-Installer Builder Using Visual Odometry to Estimate Position and Attitude Design and Data Management System Simple, Script-Based Science Processing Archive Automated Rocket Propulsion Test Management Online Remote Sensing Interface Fusing Image Data for Calculating Position of an Object Implementation of a Point Algorithm for Real-Time Convex Optimization Handling Input and Output for COAMPS Modeling and Grid Generation of Iced Airfoils Automated Identification of Nucleotide Sequences Balloon Design Software Rocket Science 101 Interactive Educational Program Creep Forming of Carbon-Reinforced Ceramic-Matrix Composites Dog-Bone Horns for Piezoelectric Ultrasonic/Sonic Actuators Benchtop Detection of Proteins Recombinant Collagenlike Proteins Remote Sensing of Parasitic Nematodes in Plants Direct Coupling From WGM Resonator Disks to Photodetectors Using Digital Radiography To Image Liquid Nitrogen in Voids Multiple-Parameter, Low-False-Alarm Fire-Detection Systems Mosaic-Detector-Based Fluorescence Spectral Imager Plasmoid Thruster for High Specific-Impulse Propulsion Analysis Method for Quantifying Vehicle Design Goals Improved Tracking of Targets by Cameras on a Mars Rover Sample Caching Subsystem Multistage Passive Cooler for Spaceborne Instruments GVIPS Models and Software Stowable Energy-Absorbing Rocker-Bogie Suspensions

Source record↗

Air-coupled acoustic thermography for in-situ evaluation

Acoustic thermography uses a housing configured for thermal, acoustic and infrared radiation shielding. For in-situ applications, the housing has an open side adapted to be sealingly coupled to a surface region of a structure such that an enclosed chamber filled with air is defined. One or more acoustic sources are positioned to direct acoustic waves through the air in the enclosed chamber and towards the surface region. To activate and control each acoustic source, a pulsed signal is applied thereto. An infrared imager focused on the surface region detects a thermal image of the surface region. A data capture device records the thermal image in synchronicity with each pulse of the pulsed signal such that a time series of thermal images is generated. For enhanced sensitivity and/or repeatability, sound and/or vibrations at the surface region can be used in feedback control of the pulsed signal applied to the acoustic sources.

Zalameda, Joseph N.↗

A Global Analysis of Wildfire Smoke Injection Heights Derived from Space-Based Multi-Angle Imaging

We present an analysis of over 23,000 globally distributed wildfire smoke plume injection heights derived from Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) space-based, multi-angle stereo imaging. Both pixel-weighted and aerosol optical depth (AOD)-weighted results are given, stratified by region, biome, and month or season. This offers an observational resource for assessing first-principle plume-rise modelling, and can provide some constraints on smoke dispersion modelling for climate and air quality applications. The main limitation is that the satellite is in a sun-synchronous orbit, crossing the equator at about 10:30 a.m. local time on the day side. Overall, plumes occur preferentially during the northern mid-latitude burning season, and the vast majority inject smoke near-surface. However, the heavily forested regions of North and South America, and Africa produce the most frequent elevated plumes and the highest AOD values; some smoke is injected to altitudes well above 2 km in nearly all regions and biomes. Planetary boundary layer (PBL) versus free troposphere injection is a critical factor affecting smoke dispersion and environmental impact, and is affected by both the smoke injection height and the PBL height; an example assessment is made here, but constraining the PBL height for this application warrants further work.

Val Martin, Maria↗

Use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems in Space

Products that rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become an essential part of daily life for millions of people around the world. In addition to enabling navigation, these constellations of satellites and the signals they transmit provide a global, precise timing source, used in everything from electrical power grid phasing to synchronization of financial networks. This colloquium introduces the concept of radio navigation, describes the features of GNSS signals that make navigation possible, and explains how these signals are processed by GNSS receivers. The resulting measurements and error sources, such as atmospheric effects and multipath, are discussed. Special consideration is given to the challenges of using GNSS in space, and the innovations that make it possible. A survey of space applications and recent flight experiences is provided. Active areas of research are discussed, including the use of GNSS for missions to the Moon.

Space service volume↗

Global Navigation Satellite Systems and How They Work

Products that rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become an essential part of daily life for millions of people around the world. In addition to enabling navigation, these constellations of satellites and the signals they transmit provide a global, precise timing source, used in everything from electrical power grid phasing to synchronization of financial networks. This colloquium introduces the concept of radio navigation, describes the features of GNSS signals that make navigation possible, and explains how these signals are processed by GNSS receivers. The resulting measurements and error sources, such as atmospheric effects and multipath, are discussed. Special consideration is given to the challenges of using GNSS in space, and the innovations that make it possible. A survey of space applications and recent flight experiences is provided. Active areas of research are discussed, including the use of GNSS for missions to the Moon.

Ashman, Ben↗