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At least 739 records · Page 41

Space applications of artificial intelligence; Proceedings of the Annual Goddard Conference, Greenbelt, MD, May 16, 17, 1989

Theoretical and implementation aspects of AI systems for space applications are discussed in reviews and reports. Sections are devoted to planning and scheduling, fault isolation and diagnosis, data management, modeling and simulation, and development tools and methods. Particular attention is given to a situated reasoning architecture for space repair and replace tasks, parallel plan execution with self-processing networks, the electrical diagnostics expert system for Spacelab life-sciences experiments, diagnostic tolerance for missing sensor data, the integration of perception and reasoning in fast neural modules, a connectionist model for dynamic control, and applications of fuzzy sets to the development of rule-based expert systems.

Rash, James L.↗

Spacelab Life Sciences-1 electrical diagnostics expert system

The Spacelab Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1) Electrical Diagnostic (SLED) expert system is a continuous real time knowledge-based system to monitor and diagnose electrical system problems in the Spacelab. After fault isolation, the SLED system provides corrective procedures and advice to the ground-based console operator. The SLED system updates its knowledge about the status of Spacelab every 3 seconds. The system supports multiprocessing of malfunctions and allows multiple failures to be handled simultaneously. Information which is readily available via a mouse click includes: general information about the system and each component, the electrical schematics, the recovery procedures of each malfunction, and an explanation of the diagnosis.

Kao, Cheng Y.↗

Location of a faulty module in a computing system

Considering the interplay between different phases of fault tolerance, a new problem of locating a faulty module in a computing system is formulated and solved. First, the probability of each module being faulty, or faulty probability, is calculated using the likelihood principle from the model parameters for fault detection, diagnostics, error propagation, and error detection. Then, based on the faulty probabilities and a given required diagnostic coverage, the order in which modules are to be diagnosed and the maximum time allotted to diagnose each module are determined by minimizing the average total diagnostic time. An example is presented and analyzed to answer the question of whether or not a system should delay the diagnosis upon detection of an error until more errors are detected.

Lin, Tein-Hsiang↗

The polar stratospheric cloud event of January 24. II - Photochemistry

During the 1988/89 Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE), observations of the chemical composition, aerosol characteristics and atmospheric state were obtained from two aircraft, a NASA ER-2 and a DC-8. This paper presents a diagnosis of observations obtained using the ER-2 on January 24, 1989, using a Lagrangian coupled microphysical-photochemical model. The high chlorine monoxide mixing ratios observed from the ER-2 on the afternoon of January 24, 1989 are interpreted as a result of in situ heterogeneous release of reactive chlorine from the reservoirs HCl and CIONO2 on type-1 polar stratospheric cloud particles observed to be present at that time. This essential element in theories of polar ozone depletion has never before been observed directly in the stratosphere.

Jones, R. L.↗

Impedance studies of nickel/cadmium and nickel/hydrogen cells using the cell case as a reference electrode

Impedance measurements have been made on several Ni/Cd and Ni/H2 flight-weight cells using the case as a reference electrode. For these measurements, the voltage of the case with respect to the anode or cathode is unimportant provided that it remains stable during the measurement of the impedance. In the cells measured so far, the voltage of the cell cases with respect to the individual electrodes differ from cell to cell, even at the same overall cell voltage, but they remain stable with time. The measurements can thus be used to separate the cell impedance into the contributions of each electrode, allowing improved diagnosis of cell problems.

Reid, Margaret A.↗

Tissue fluid pressures - From basic research tools to clinical applications

This paper describes clinical applications of two basic research tools developed and refined in the past 20 years: the wick catheter (for measuring tissue fluid pressure) and the colloid osmometer (for measuring osmotic pressure). Applications of the osmometer include estimations of the reduced osmotic pressure of sickle-cell hemoglobin with deoxygenation, and of reduced swelling pressure of human nucleus pulposus with hydration or upon action of certain enzymes. Clinical uses of the wick-catheter technique include an improvement of diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic compartment syndromes, the elucidation of the tissue pressure thresholds for neuromuscular dysfunction, and the development of a better tourniquet for orthopedics.

Hargens, Alan R.↗

An overview of the space medicine program and development of the Health Maintenance Facility for Space Station

Because the prolonged stay on board the Space Station will increase the risk of possible inflight medical problems from that on Skylab missions, the Health Maintenance Facility (HMF) planned for the Space Station is much more sophisticated than the small clinics of the Skylab missions. The development of the HMF is directed by the consideration of three primary factors: prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries and illnesses that may occur in flight. The major components of the HMF include the clinical laboratory, pharmacy, imaging system, critical-care system, patient-restraint system, data-management system, exercise system, surgical system, electrophysiologic-monitoring system, introvenous-fluid system, dental system, and hyperbaric-treatment-support system.

Pool, Sam Lee↗

Computer-Driven Keratometer

Simple optical system measures corneal deformations. Shuttered laser briefly illuminates subject's eye through reticle, projecting concentric rings of light on eye. Reflected by beam splitter and mirror into solid-state video camera, ring pattern compared with reference pattern by computer. Keratometer assists in rapid diagnosis of eye ailments and preparation of cornea for surgery. Unit does not require critical alignment with eye; results more reliable, and easier to use.

Baroth, Edmund C.↗

Expert System For Heat Exchanger

Diagnosis simplified for non-engineers. Developmental expert-system computer program assists operator in controlling, monitoring operation, diagnosing malfunctions, and ordering repairs of heat-exchanger system dissipating heat generated by 20-kW radio transmitter. System includes not only heat exchanger but also pumps, fans, sensors, valves, reservoir, and associated plumbing. Program conceived to assist operator while avoiding cost of keeping engineer in full-time attendance. Similar programs developed for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems.

Bagby, D. Gordon↗

Fault recovery recommendation

Information on Recovery Recommendation System (RECORS) is given in viewgraph form. The system goal is to provide intelligent aiding for monitoring, diagnosis and response to aircraft system failures. Information is given on levels of abstraction, RECORS implementation, and architecture.

Hudlicka, Eva↗

Tropical Pacific moisture variability: Its detection, synoptic structure and consequences in the general circulation

Satellite data analysis tools are developed and implemented for the diagnosis of atmospheric circulation systems over the tropical Pacific Ocean. The tools include statistical multi-variate procedures, a multi-spectral radiative transfer model, and the global spectral forecast model at NMC. Data include in-situ observations; satellite observations from VAS (moisture, infrared and visible) NOAA polar orbiters (including Tiros Operational Satellite System (TOVS) multi-channel sounding data and OLR grids) and scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR); and European Centre for Medium Weather Forecasts (ECHMWF) analyses. A primary goal is a better understanding of the relation between synoptic structures of the area, particularly tropical plumes, and the general circulation, especially the Hadley circulation. A second goal is the definition of the quantitative structure and behavior of all Pacific tropical synoptic systems. Finally, strategies are examined for extracting new and additional information from existing satellite observations. Although moisture structure is emphasized, thermal patterns are also analyzed. Both horizontal and vertical structures are studied and objective quantitative results are emphasized.

Mcguirk, James P.↗

Distributed systems status and control

Concepts are investigated for an automated status and control system for a distributed processing environment. System characteristics, data requirements for health assessment, data acquisition methods, system diagnosis methods and control methods were investigated in an attempt to determine the high-level requirements for a system which can be used to assess the health of a distributed processing system and implement control procedures to maintain an accepted level of health for the system. A potential concept for automated status and control includes the use of expert system techniques to assess the health of the system, detect and diagnose faults, and initiate or recommend actions to correct the faults. Therefore, this research included the investigation of methods by which expert systems were developed for real-time environments and distributed systems. The focus is on the features required by real-time expert systems and the tools available to develop real-time expert systems.

Kreidler, David↗

Definition and preliminary design of the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) phase 1. Volume 2

The steps and engineering trades and analyses used in establishing the initial requirements and in developing a concept and configuration for the laser atmospheric wind sounder (LAWS) instrument. A summary of the performance anticipated from the baseline configuration, and a bibliography are presented. LAWS, which is a facility instrument of the Earth observing system (EOS), is the culmination of over 20 years of effort in the field of laser Doppler wind sensing and will be the first instrument to fly in space capable of providing global-scale tropospheric wind profiles at high spatial resolutions. Global-scale wind profiles are necessary for: (1) more accurate diagnosis of large-scale circulation and climate dynamics; (2) improved numerical weather prediction; (3) improved understanding of mesoscale systems; and (4) improved understanding of global biogeochemical and hydrologic cycles. The objective of phase 1 was to define and perform a preliminary design for the LAWS instrument. The definition phase consisted of identifying realistic concepts for LAWS and analyzing them in sufficient detail to be able to choose the most promising one for the LAWS instrument. Systems and subsystems configurations were then developed for the chosen concept. The concept and subsequent configuration were to be compatible with two prospective platforms: the Japanese polar orbiting platform (JPOP) and as an attached payload on the Space Station Freedom. After a thorough and objective concept selection process, a heterodyne detection Doppler lidar using a CO2 laser transmitter operating a 9.1 micron over a 2.1 micron solid state system was chosen. A configuration for LAWS that meets the performance requirements was designed at the conclusion of phase 1.

Source record↗

Tropical Pacific moisture variability

The objectives are to describe synoptic scale variability of moisture over the tropical Pacific Ocean and the systems leading to this variability; implement satellite analysis procedures in support of this effort, and to incorporate additional satellite information into operational analysis forecast systems at the National Meteorological Center (NMC). Composite satellite radiance patterns describe features detectable well before the development of synoptic scale tropical plumes. These typical features were extracted from historical files of Tiros Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) radiance observations for a pair of tropical plumes which developed during January 1989. Signals were inserted into the NMC operational medium range forecast model and a suite of model integrations were conducted. Many of the 48 h model errors of the historical forecasts were eliminated by the inclusion of more complete satellite observations. Three studies in satellite radiance analysis progressed. An analysis which blended TOVS moisture channels, OLR observations and European Center for Medium Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model analysis to generate fields of total precipitable water comparable to those estimated from Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) mu-wave observations. This study demonstrated that a 10 y climatology of precipitable water over the oceans is feasible, using available infrared observations (OLR and TOVS) and model analysis (ECMWF, NMC or similar quality). The estimates are sensitive to model quality and the estimating model must be updated with operational model changes. Coe developed a set of tropical plume and ITCZ composites from TOVS observations, and from NMC and ECMWF analyses which had been passed through a radiative transfer model to simulate TOVS radiances. The composites have been completed as well as many statistical diagnostics of individual TOVS channels. Analysis of the computations is commencing. Chung has initiated a study of the differences between TOVS observed vapor structure during El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) (1983) and non-ENSO (1984) years. Preliminary diagnosis demonstrates gross moisture changes between warm and cold sea surface temperature episodes.

Mcguirk, James P.↗

Flight elements: Advanced avionics systems architectures

Space transportation objectives are associated with transporting material from Earth to orbit, interplanetary travel, and planetary landing. The objectives considered herein are associated with Earth to orbit transportation. Many good avionics architectural features will support all phases of space transportation, but interplanetary transportation poses significantly different problems such as long mission time with high reliability, unattended operation, and many different opportunities such as long nonoperational flight segments that can be used for equipment fault diagnosis and repair. Fault tolerance can be used to permit continued operation with faulty units, not only during launch but also, and perhaps with more impact, during prelaunch activities. Avionics systems are entering a phase of development where the traditional approaches to satisfactory systems based on engineering judgement and thorough testing will alone no longer be adequate to assure that the required system performance can be obtained. A deeper understanding will be required to make the effects of obscure design decisions clear at a level where their impact can be properly judged.

Source record↗

Flight elements: Fault detection and fault management

Fault management for an intelligent computational system must be developed using a top down integrated engineering approach. An approach proposed includes integrating the overall environment involving sensors and their associated data; design knowledge capture; operations; fault detection, identification, and reconfiguration; testability; causal models including digraph matrix analysis; and overall performance impacts on the hardware and software architecture. Implementation of the concept to achieve a real time intelligent fault detection and management system will be accomplished via the implementation of several objectives, which are: Development of fault tolerant/FDIR requirement and specification from a systems level which will carry through from conceptual design through implementation and mission operations; Implementation of monitoring, diagnosis, and reconfiguration at all system levels providing fault isolation and system integration; Optimize system operations to manage degraded system performance through system integration; and Lower development and operations costs through the implementation of an intelligent real time fault detection and fault management system and an information management system.

Lum, H.↗

Development of nickel hydrogen battery expert system

The Hubble Telescope Battery Testbed employs the nickel-cadmium battery expert system (NICBES-2) which supports the evaluation of performances of Hubble Telescope spacecraft batteries and provides alarm diagnosis and action advice. NICBES-2 also provides a reasoning system along with a battery domain knowledge base to achieve this battery health management function. An effort to modify NICBES-2 to accommodate nickel-hydrogen battery environment in testbed is described.

Shiva, Sajjan G.↗

Modeling of flow systems for implementation under KATE

The modeling of flow systems is a task currently being investigated at Kennedy Space Center in parallel with the development of the KATE artificial intelligence system used for monitoring diagnosis and control. Various aspects of the modeling issues are focussed on with particular emphasis on a water system scheduled for demonstration within the KATE environment in September of this year. LISP procedures were written to solve the continuity equations for three internal pressure nodes using Newton's method for simultaneous nonlinear equations.

Whitlow, Jonathan E.↗