Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “L CODES”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 721 records · Page 40

Viterbi decoder node synchronization losses in the Reed-Solomon/Veterbi concatenated channel

The Viterbi decoders currently used by the Deep Space Network (DSN) employ an algorithm for maintaining node synchronization that significantly degrades at bit signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of below 2.0 dB. In a recent report by the authors, it was shown that the telemetry receiving system, which uses a convolutionally encoded downlink, will suffer losses of 0.85 dB and 1.25 dB respectively at Voyager 2 Uranus and Neptune encounters. This report extends the results of that study to a concatenated (255,223) Reed-Solomon/(7, 1/2) convolutionally coded channel, by developing a new radio loss model for the concatenated channel. It is shown here that losses due to improper node synchronization of 0.57 dB at Uranus and 1.0 dB at Neptune can be expected if concatenated coding is used along with an array of one 64-meter and three 34-meter antennas.

Deutsch, L. J.↗

Archival of Seasat-A satellite scatterometer data merged with in situ data at selected, illuminated sites over the ocean

A large data base of Seasat-A Satellite Scatterometer (SASS) measurements merged with high-quality surface-truth wind, wave, and temperature data has been documented. The data base was developed for all times when selected in situ measurement sites were within the SASS footprint. Data were obtained from 42 sites located in the coastal waters of North America, Australia, Western Europe, and Japan and were assembled by correlating the SASS and surface-truth measurements in both time and distance. These data have been archived on a set of nine-track 6250 bpi ASCII coded magnetic tapes, which are available from the National Technical Information Service.

Schroeder, Lyle C.↗

Manual for obscuration code with space station applications

The Obscuration Code, referred to as SHADOW, is a user-oriented computer code to determine the case shadow of an antenna in a complex environment onto the far zone sphere. The surrounding structure can be composed of multiple composite cone frustums and multiply sided flat plates. These structural pieces are ideal for modeling space station configurations. The means of describing the geometry input is compatible with the NEC-BASIC Scattering Code. In addition, an interactive mode of operation has been provided for DEC VAX computers. The first part of this document is a user's manual designed to give a description of the method used to obtain the shadow map, to provide an overall view of the operation of the computer code, to instruct a user in how to model structures, and to give examples of inputs and outputs. The second part is a code manual that details how to set up the interactive and non-interactive modes of the code and provides a listing and brief description of each of the subroutines.

Marhefka, R. J.↗

An upwind parabolized Navier-Stokes code for chemically reacting flows

A new upwind, parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code has been developed to compute the hypersonic, viscous, chemically reacting flow around two-dimensional or axisymmetric bodies. The new code is an extension of the upwind (perfect gas) PNS code of Lawrence et al. (1986). The upwind algorithm is based on Roe's flux-difference splitting scheme which has been modified to account for real gas effects. The algorithm solves the gas dynamic and species continuity equations in a 'loosely' coupled manner. The new code has been validated by computing the laminar flow (at free stream Mach number 25) of chemically reacting air over a wedge and a cone. The results of these computations are compared with the results from a centrally-differenced, fully coupled, nonequilibrium PNS code. The agreement is excellent, except in the vicinity of the shock wave where the present code exhibits superior shock capturing capabilities.

Tannehill, John C.↗

A Mach 6 external nozzle experiment with Argon-Freon exhaust simulation

A scramjet exhaust simulation technique for hypersonic wind tunnel testing has been developed. Mixtures of Argon and Freon correctly match the inviscid simulation parameters of Mach number, static-pressure ratio, and the ratio of specific heats at the combustor exit location; this simulation is accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures and without combustion. An investigation of nozzle parametrics in a Mach 6 freestream showed that the external nozzle ramp angle, the cowl trailing-edge angle, an external nozzle flow fence and the nozzle static-pressure ratio significantly affected the external nozzle thrust and pitching moment as measured by the integration of surface-pressure data. A comparison of Argon-Freon and air exhaust simulation showed that the external nozzle thrust and pitching moment were in error by roughly a factor of 2 using air due to the incorrect match of the ratio of specific heats. An assessment of two-dimensional Euler and Navier-Stokes codes for predicting external nozzle aerodynamic characteristics was made by comparing computed and experimental results.

Pittman, James L.↗

Electromagnetic scattering by coated convex surfaces and wedges simulated by approximate boundary conditions

Asymptotic/high-frequency solutions are developed for analyzing the non-specular scattering mechanisms associated with coated convex surfaces and edges simulated by approximate boundary conditions. In particular, the standard impedance boundary conditions (SIBC's) and the second order generalized impedance boundary conditions (GIBC's) are employed for a characterization of the edge diffraction, creeping wave, and surface diffracted wave contributions. To study the creeping wave and surface diffracted wave mechanisms, rigorous UTD (uniform geometrical theory of diffraction) diffraction coefficients are developed for a convex coated cylinder simulated with SIBC's and GIBC's. The ray solutions obtained remain valid in the transition region and reduce uniformly to those in the deep lit and shadow regions. A uniform asymptotic solution is also presented for observations in the close vicinity of the cylinder. The diffraction coefficient for a convex cylinder are obtained via a generalization of the corresponding ones of the circular cylinder. To validate the asymptotic/high-frequency solution, integral equations are derived for both E and H-polarization and solved numerically using the method of moments. Results are presented for a single and three layered coated convex cylinder. Some insights are also provided on the accuracy of the employed GIBC's versus SIBC's for application to curved surfaces. To characterize the scattering by impedance wedges illuminated at skew incidence, diffraction coefficients are derived from an approximate solution of the governing functional difference equations. This solution exactly recovers the known ones for an impedance half plane or an arbitrary wedge at normal incidence, and to validate it for other wedge angles, a moment method code was used. Finally, to test the usefulness of the approximate skew incidence impedance wedge diffraction coefficient for three dimensional structures, equivalent currents are derived in the context of the physical theory of diffraction (PTD) for a finite length impedance wedge of arbitrary internal angles. These are incorporated in a standard general purpose PTD code and results are presented for a number of different impedance structures.

Syed, H. H.↗

Damage progression in stiffened composite panels

The design of composite structures requires an evaluation of their safety and durability under service loads and possible overload conditions. This paper presents a computational tool that has been developed to examine the response of stiffened composite panels via the simulation of damage initiation, growth, accumulation, progression, and propagation to structural fracture or co*lapse. The structural durability of a composite panel with a discontinuous stiffener is investigated under compressive loading induced by the gradual displacement of an end support. Results indicate damage initiation and progression to have significant effects on structural behavior under loading. Utilization of an integrated computer code for structural durability assessment is demonstrated.

Minnetyan, Levon↗

Space Shuttle main engine OPAD: The search for a hardware enhanced plume

The process of applying spectroscopy to the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) for plume diagnostics, as it exists today, originated at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and its implementation was assured largely through the efforts of Sverdrup AEDC, in Tullahoma, Tennessee. This team continues to lead and guide efforts in the plume diagnostics arena. The process, Optical Plume Anomaly Detection (OPAD), formed the basis for various activities in the development of ground-based systems as well as the development of in-flight plume spectroscopy. OPAD currently provides and will continue to provide valuable information relative to future systems definitions, instrumentation development, code validation, and data diagnostic processing. OPAD is based on the detection of anomalous atomic and molecular species in the SSME plume using two complete, stand-alone optical spectrometers. To-date OPAD has acquired data on 44 test firings of the SSME at the Technology Test Bed (TTB) at MSFC. The purpose of this paper will be to provide an introduction to the OPAD system by discussing the process of obtaining data as well as the methods of examining and interpreting the data. It will encompass such issues as selection of instrumentation correlation of data to nominal engine operation, investigation of SSME component erosion via OPAD spectral data, necessity and benefits of plume seeding, application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to data analysis, and the present status of efforts to quantify specie erosion utilizing standard plume and chemistry codes as well as radiative models currently under development.

Powers, W. T.↗

Discontinuously Stiffened Composite Panel under Compressive Loading

The design of composite structures requires an evaluation of their safety and durability under service loads and possible overload conditions. This paper presents a computational tool that has been developed to examine the response of stiffened composite panels via the simulation of damage initiation, growth, accumulation, progression, and propagation to structural fracture or collapse. The structural durability of a composite panel with a discontinuous stiffener is investigated under compressive loading induced by the gradual displacement of an end support. Results indicate damage initiation and progression to have significant effects on structural behavior under loading. Utilization of an integrated computer code for structural durability assessment is demonstrated.

Minnetyan, Levon↗

Accurate Cold-Test Model of Helical TWT Slow-Wave Circuits

Recently, a method has been established to accurately calculate cold-test data for helical slow-wave structures using the three-dimensional (3-D) electromagnetic computer code, MAxwell's equations by the Finite Integration Algorithm (MAFIA). Cold-test parameters have been calculated for several helical traveLing-wave tube (TWT) slow-wave circuits possessing various support rod configurations, and results are presented here showing excellent agreement with experiment. The helical models include tape thickness, dielectric support shapes and material properties consistent with the actual circuits. The cold-test data from this helical model can be used as input into large-signal helical TWT interaction codes making It possible, for the first time, to design complete TWT via computer simulation.

Kory, Carol L.↗

Rotating Rake Turbofan Duct Mode Measurement System

An experimental measurement system was developed and implemented by the NASA Glenn Research Center in the 1990s to measure turbofan duct acoustic modes. The system is a continuously rotating radial microphone rake that is inserted into the duct. This Rotating Rake provides a complete map of the acoustic duct modes present in a ducted fan and has been used on a variety of test articles: from a low-speed, concept test rig, to a full-scale production turbofan engine. The Rotating Rake has been critical in developing and evaluating a number of noise reduction concepts as well as providing experimental databases for verification of several aero-acoustic codes. More detailed derivation of the unique Rotating Rake equations are presented in the appendix.

Sutliff, Daniel L.↗

Validation of Ray Tracing Code Refraction Effects

NASA's current predictive capabilities using the ray tracing program (RTP) are validated using helicopter noise data taken at Eglin Air Force Base in 2007. By including refractive propagation effects due to wind and temperature, the ray tracing code is able to explain large variations in the data observed during the flight test.

Heath, Stephanie L.↗

Aerodynamic Analyses and Database Development for Lift-Off/Transition and First Stage Ascent of the Ares I A106 Vehicle

NASA Langley Research Center, in partnership with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Ames Research Center, was involved in the aerodynamic analyses, testing, and database development for the Ares I A106 crew launch vehicle in support of the Ares Design and Analysis Cycle. This paper discusses the development of lift-off/transition and ascent databases. The lift-off/transition database was developed using data from tests on a 1.75% scale model of the A106 configuration in the NASA Langley 14x22 Subsonic Wind Tunnel. The power-off ascent database was developed using test data on a 1% A106 scale model from two different facilities, the Boeing Polysonic Wind Tunnel and the NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. The ascent database was adjusted for differences in wind tunnel and flight Reynolds numbers using USM3D CFD code. The aerodynamic jet interaction effects due to first stage roll control system were modeled using USM3D and OVERFLOW CFD codes.

Pamadi, Bandu N.↗

Further Development of Rotating Rake Mode Measurement Data Analysis

The Rotating Rake mode measurement system was designed to measure acoustic duct modes generated by a fan stage. After analysis of the measured data, the mode amplitudes and phases were quantified. For low-speed fans within axisymmetric ducts, mode power levels computed from rotating rake measured data would agree with the far-field power levels on a tone by tone basis. However, this agreement required that the sound from the noise sources within the duct propagated outward from the duct exit without reflection at the exit and previous studies suggested conditions could exist where significant reflections could occur. To directly measure the modes propagating in both directions within a duct, a second rake was mounted to the rotating system with an offset in both the axial and the azimuthal directions. The rotating rake data analysis technique was extended to include the data measured by the second rake. The analysis resulted in a set of circumferential mode levels at each of the two rake microphone locations. Radial basis functions were then least-squares fit to this data to obtain the radial mode amplitudes for the modes propagating in both directions within the duct. The fit equations were also modified to allow evanescent mode amplitudes to be computed. This extension of the rotating rake data analysis technique was tested using simulated data, numerical code produced data, and preliminary in-duct measured data.

Dahl, Milo D.↗

Comparison of Numerically Simulated and Experimentally Measured Performance of a Rotating Detonation Engine

A quasi-two-dimensional, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of a rotating detonation engine (RDE) is described. The simulation operates in the detonation frame of reference and utilizes a relatively coarse grid such that only the essential primary flow field structure is captured. This construction and other simplifications yield rapidly converging, steady solutions. Viscous effects, and heat transfer effects are modeled using source terms. The effects of potential inlet flow reversals are modeled using boundary conditions. Results from the simulation are compared to measured data from an experimental RDE rig with a converging-diverging nozzle added. The comparison is favorable for the two operating points examined. The utility of the code as a performance optimization tool and a diagnostic tool are discussed.

combustion↗

Grid Convergence for Three Dimensional Benchmark Turbulent Flows

Grid convergence studies are performed to establish reference solutions for benchmark three dimensional turbulent flows in support of the ongoing turbulence model verification and validation e ort at the Turbulence Modeling Resource website curated by NASA. The bench- mark cases are a subsonic flow around a hemisphere cylinder and a transonic flow around the ONERA M6 wing with a sharp trailing edge. The study applies widely-used computational fluid dynamics codes developed and supported at the NASA Langley Research Center: FUN3D, USM3D, and CFL3D. Reference steady-state solutions are computed for the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model on families of consistently-refined grids composed of different types of cells. Coarse-to- ne and code-to-code solution variation is described in detail.

Diskin, Boris↗

Status of the Post Flight MMOD Inspection Campaign for the SpaceX Cargo Dragon

The SpaceX Cargo Dragon has been flying supply missions for NASA to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2012. At the time of this writing, SpaceX has completed 14 missions to ISS with each returning to Earth via water landing. After each mission, a team from the NASA Johnson Space Center performs an inspection of the exterior surfaces of the Cargo Dragon spacecraft for hypervelocity impact damage features. Data from these inspections are collected into a database that includes impact feature dimensions as well as the location on the vehicle. Additional details on the type and size of particle that produced the damage site are pro-vided when sampling data and definitive spectroscopic analysis results are available. Observation data can be compared with impact estimates from risk assessment codes as a check on the micro-meteoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) environment predictions.

Hyde, James L.↗

SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft Post Flight MMOD Inspection Campaign

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft performed 20 resupply flights to the International Space Station (ISS) between 2012 and 2020. After each mission, a team led by the NASA Johnson Space Center Hypervelocity Impact Technology (HVIT) Group inspected each Dragon vehicle exterior for hypervelocity impact damage. A general description of the inspected vehicle areas is provided as well as mission details such as exposure duration and launch dates. This paper documents the general inspection procedure for collection of data and the post inspection data analysis process. It also provides details of the observation data collected in addition to the spectroscopic analysis results of intact samples collected to discern the source of the impacting particle. A comparison between observed impacts and the expected number of damage features calculated by Bumper 3 with the latest micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) environments are also presented. Statistics on the >300 impact features documented in the database will provide insight into the depth to diameter ratios and other relationships. The quality of the comparison between the observations and code predictions are dependent on several factors. The paper provides details of each of these variables.

orbital debris↗