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At least 739 records · Page 41

Monolithic 20-GHz Transmitting Module

20-GHz monolithic microwave/millimeter-wave integrated circuit (MMIC) with amplification and phase-shift (time-delay) capabilities developed. Use of MMIC module technology promises to make feasible development of weight- and cost-effective phased-array antenna systems, identified as major factor in achieving minimum cost and efficient use of frequency and orbital resources of future generations of communication satellite systems. Use of MMIC transmitting modules provides for relatively simple method for phase-shift control of many separate radio-frequency (RF) signals required for phased-array antenna systems.

Kascak, T.↗

Development of a Data Overflow Protection System for Super-Kamiokande to Maximize Data from Nearby Supernovae

Neutrinos from very nearby supernovae, such as Betelgeuse, are expected to generate more than ten million events over 10 s in Super-Kamokande (SK). At such large event rates, the buffers of the SK analog-to-digital conversion board (QBEE) will overflow, causing random loss of data that are critical for understanding the dynamics of the supernova explosion mechanism. In order to solve this problem, two new data-acquisition (DAQ) modules were developed to aid in the observation of very nearby supernovae. The first of these, the SN module, is designed to save only the number of hit photomultiplier tubes during a supernova burst and the second, the Veto module, prescales the high-rate neutrino events to prevent the QBEE from overflowing based on information from the SN module. In the event of a very nearby supernova, these modules allow SK to reconstruct the time evolution of the neutrino event rate from beginning to end using both QBEE and SN module data. This paper presents the development and testing of these modules together with an analysis of supernova-like data generated with a flashing laser diode. We demonstrate that the Veto module successfully prevents DAQ overflows for Betelgeuse-like supernovae as well as the long-term stability of the new modules. During normal running the Veto module is found to issue DAQ vetos a few times per month resulting in a total dead-time less than 1 ms, and does not influence ordinary operations. Additionally, using simulation data we find that supernovae closer than 800 pc will trigger the Veto module, resulting in a prescaling of the observed neutrino data.

F20 Instrumentation and technique↗

Longitudinal dependence of the interplanetary perturbation produced by energetic type 4 solar flares and of the associated cosmic ray modulation

One of the most significant features of the flare-associated Forbush decreases (Fds) in the galatctic cosmic ray (c.r.) is the so-called East-West asymmetry: the solar flares (Sfs) observed in the Eastern or central region of the solar disk exhibit a higher probability to cause large Fds than the Sfs occurring in the Western portion of the disk. In particular the interplanetary perturbations generated by Type IV Sfs depress the c.r. intensity in a vast spiral cone-like region (modulated region) which extends along the interplanetary magnetic field from the neighborhood of the active region to the advancing perturbation, and that, immediately after the flare-generated perturbation, the maximum c.r. modulation is observed between 0 and 40 deg. W of the meridian plane crossings the flare site at time of flare (flare's meridian plane).

Iucci, N.↗

New aspects of whistler waves driven by an electron beam studied by a 3-D electromagnetic code

We have restudied electron beam driven whistler waves with a 3-D electromagnetic particle code. The simulation results show electromagnetic whistler wave emissions and electrostatic beam modes like those observed in the Spacelab 2 electron beam experiment. It has been suggested in the past that the spatial bunching of beam electrons associated with the beam mode may directly generate whistler waves. However, the simulation results indicate several inconsistencies with this picture: (1) whistler waves continue to be generated even after the beam mode space charge modulation looses its coherence, (2) the parallel (to the background magnetic field) wavelength of the whistler wave is longer than that of the beam instability, and (3) the parallel phase velocity of the whistler wave is smaller than that of the beam mode. The complex structure of the whistler waves in the vicinity of the beam suggest that the transverse motion (gyration) of the beam and background electrons is also involved in the generation of whistler waves.

Nishikawa, Ken-Ichi↗

On Holo-Hilbert Spectral Analysis: A Full Informational Spectral Representation for Nonlinear and Non-Stationary Data

The Holo-Hilbert spectral analysis (HHSA) method is introduced to cure the deficiencies of traditional spectral analysis and to give a full informational representation of nonlinear and non-stationary data. It uses a nested empirical mode decomposition and Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) approach to identify intrinsic amplitude and frequency modulations often present in nonlinear systems. Comparisons are first made with traditional spectrum analysis, which usually achieved its results through convolutional integral transforms based on additive expansions of an a priori determined basis, mostly under linear and stationary assumptions. Thus, for non-stationary processes, the best one could do historically was to use the time- frequency representations, in which the amplitude (or energy density) variation is still represented in terms of time. For nonlinear processes, the data can have both amplitude and frequency modulations (intra-mode and inter-mode) generated by two different mechanisms: linear additive or nonlinear multiplicative processes. As all existing spectral analysis methods are based on additive expansions, either a priori or adaptive, none of them could possibly represent the multiplicative processes. While the earlier adaptive HHT spectral analysis approach could accommodate the intra-wave nonlinearity quite remarkably, it remained that any inter-wave nonlinear multiplicative mechanisms that include cross-scale coupling and phase-lock modulations were left untreated. To resolve the multiplicative processes issue, additional dimensions in the spectrum result are needed to account for the variations in both the amplitude and frequency modulations simultaneously. HHSA accommodates all the processes: additive and multiplicative, intra-mode and inter-mode, stationary and nonstationary, linear and nonlinear interactions. The Holo prefix in HHSA denotes a multiple dimensional representation with both additive and multiplicative capabilities.

Huang, Norden E.↗

UQpy: A general purpose Python package and development environment for uncertainty quantification

In this paper, we present the UQpy software toolbox, an open-source Python package for general uncertainty quantification (UQ) in mathematical and physical systems. The software serves as both a user-ready toolbox that includes many of the latest methods for UQ in computational modeling and a convenient development environment for Python programmers advancing the field of UQ. The paper presents an introduction to the software's architecture and existing capabilities, divided in the code in a set of modules centered around different UQ tasks such as sampling methods, generation of random processes and random fields, probabilistic inverse modeling, reliability analysis, surrogate modeling, and active learning. The paper also highlights the importance of the RunModel module, which is used to drive simulations in the uncertainty analyses performed in UQpy. This module conveniently allows the user to define computational models directly in Python, or to run simulations from a third-party software in serial or in parallel. To illustrate the various capabilities, two examples are tracked throughout the paper and analyzed repeatedly for various UQ tasks. The first is a Python model solving a nonlinear structural dynamics problem, used to illustrate UQpy's capabilities in sampling and forward propagation of high dimensional random vectors (stochastic processes), and probabilistic inference. The second model is a third-party Abaqus finite element model solving the thermomechanical response of a beam structure. This example is used to illustrate UQpy's capabilities in variance reduction sampling techniques, reliability analysis, surrogate modeling and active learning techniques.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Tessellation and Numerical Simulation of the in-Space Assembled Telescope (iSAT) Reflector

A novel tessellation method has been developed to allow the use of uniform truss modules to form curved or doubly curved surfaces. To illustrate the method, the structural support for the doubly curved in-Space Assembled Telescope primary reflector is developed. The method intentionally leaves gaps at the nodes between identical connecting modules; the gaps are relatively small, on the order of 0.5% of the lattice characteristic cell size. Uniquely shaped nodal connectors called multi-nuts are generated to fill in the nodal gaps and connect adjacent modules. With optimization techniques, the size of these nodal gaps can be minimized to thereby minimize the incurred structural efficiency losses. Finite element analyses of the primary reflector were performed, and the structural efficiency losses amounted to a natural frequency reduction of 5%. The benefits of having uniform truss modules outweigh the structural penalties as it will greatly simplify assembly and lower manufacturing costs.

Tessellation↗

Tessellation and Numerical Simulation of the in-Space Assembled Telescope (iSAT) Reflector

A novel tessellation method has been developed to allow the use of uniform truss modules to form curved or doubly curved surfaces. To illustrate the method, the structural support for the doubly curved in-Space Assembled Telescope primary reflector is developed. The method intentionally leaves gaps at the nodes between identical connecting modules; the gaps are relatively small, on the order of 0.5% of the lattice characteristic cell size. Uniquely shaped nodal connectors called multi-nuts are generated to fill in the nodal gaps and connect adjacent modules. With optimization techniques, the size of these nodal gaps can be minimized to thereby minimize the incurred structural efficiency losses. Finite element analyses of the primary reflector were performed, and the structural efficiency losses amounted to a natural frequency reduction of 5%. The benefits of having uniform truss modules outweigh the structural penalties as it will greatly simplify assembly and lower manufacturing costs.

Tessellation↗

OMV: A simplified mathematical model of the orbital maneuvering vehicle

A model of the orbital maneuvering vehicle (OMV) is presented which contains several simplications. A set of hand controller signals may be used to control the motion of the OMV. Model verification is carried out using a sequence of tests. The dynamic variables generated by the model are compared, whenever possible, with the corresponding analytical variables. The results of the tests show conclusively that the present model is behaving correctly. Further, this model interfaces properly with the state vector transformation module (SVX) developed previously. Correct command sentence sequences are generated by the OMV and and SVX system, and these command sequences can be used to drive the flat floor simulation system at MSFC.

Teoh, W.↗

Design Lessons Learned from Temperature Management of Galileo's Retro-Propulsion Module

Launched in 1989, the Galileo mission added dramatically to our understanding of the Jovian system and our entire solar system1. To make best use of limited resources, the Galileo Orbiter used excess power from its Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) for temperature management of its Retro-Propulsion Module (RPM). This paper describes operational challenges introduced by this design and how, despite major mission changes through development and flight, they were overcome through a challenging six-year interplanetary cruise to Jupiter. This case study offers lessons for missions planning to couple critical spacecraft subsystems in unconventional ways.

Gounley, Robert↗

An Ultra-Fast Inrush-Current-Free Startup Method for Grid-tie Inverter without Voltage Sensors

This paper proposes an ultra-fast inrush-currentfree startup method for grid-tie inverters without voltage sensors and phase-locked loop (PLL). Traditionally, the grid-tie inverter needs the voltage measured from points of common couplings (PCC) to generate the phase angle via PLL for inverter pulsewidth- modulation (PWM) signals. The startup procedure is slow and inrush current occurs if the initial PWM does not match the unknown grid voltage well. This paper proposes a startup method that only uses measured inverter ac currents to generate the initial PWM by controlling the current to zero. The generated PWM pattern can be used to reproduce the real grid voltage regardless of the grid impedance. The zero-crossing points of the grid voltage are detected and then used for grid synchronization. The proposed startup procedure only needs a few cycles (16.67 ms/cycle) to reliably synchronize the inverter to the grid without any inrush current. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of this control strategy.

He, Yuchen↗

Modulation of cosmic ray protons and helium nuclei near solar maximum

Balloon observations of proton and helium spectra in 1970, 1971, and 1972, which extend previous work for the period 1965-1969, reveal a factor of about 1.85 deviation from a single-valued regression at low rigidities. This deviation decreases with increasing rigidity for both species. The period 1969-197 is unique, because time variations at low and high energies were anticorrelated. When satellite observations are used to extend the balloon observations to energies below 100 MeV/nucleon, the proton spectrum shows a steeper slope in 1970 and 1972 than the characteristic J = AT spectrum observed during 1965-1969. The slope of the helium spectrum became continuously flatter during the same period (1970-1972). Computer-generated spectra based on simple two-parameter modulation models describe the basic features of the observations, if one of the variable parameters is used to characterize the rigidity dependence of the diffusion coefficient. On the other hand, models that do not allow such a variation are not consistent with the observations.

Rygg, T. A.↗

Investigation of laser dynamics, modulation and control by means of intra-cavity time varying perturbation

Projects aimed at the generation of tunable visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light, and on the control of this light by means of novel mode-locking and modulation techniques are discussed. During this period the following projects have been active: (1) studies of transient mode-locking of the Nd:YAG laser and the application of short optical pulses; (2) experimental investigations of the Na-Xe excimer laser system; (3) further development of techniques for vacuum ultraviolet holography; and (4) theoretical and initial experimental studies of a new device which should prove very useful for both infrared up-conversion and generation of tunable UV radiation - a two-photon resonantly pumped frequency converter.

Harris, S. E.↗

Conservative zonal schemes for patched grids in 2 and 3 dimensions

The computation of flow over complex geometries, such as realistic aircraft configurations, poses difficult grid generation problems for computational aerodynamicists. The creation of a traditional, single-module grid of acceptable quality about an entire configuration may be impossible even with the most sophisticated of grid generation techniques. A zonal approach, wherein the flow field is partitioned into several regions within which grids are independently generated, is a practical alternative for treating complicated geometries. This technique not only alleviates the problems of discretizing a complex region, but also facilitates a block processing approach to computation thereby circumventing computer memory limitations. The use of such a zonal scheme, however, requires the development of an interfacing procedure that ensures a stable, accurate, and conservative calculation for the transfer of information across the zonal borders.

Hessenius, Kristin A.↗

Examination of the Structural Response of the Orion European Service Module to Reverberant and Direct Field Acoustic Testing

The NASA Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV), comprised of the Service Module, the Crew Module, and the Launch Abort System, is the next generation human spacecraft designed and built for deep space exploration. Orion will launch on NASAs new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System. The European Space Agency (ESA) is responsible for providing the propulsion sub-assembly of the Service Module to NASA, called the European Service Module (ESM). The ESM is being designed and built by Airbus Safran Launchers for ESA. Traditionally, NASA has utilized reverberant acoustic testing for qualification of spaceflight hardware. The ESM Structural Test Article (E-STA) was tested at the NASA Plum Brook Stations (PBS) Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility in April-May 2016. However, Orion is evaluating an alternative acoustic test method, using direct field acoustic excitation, for the MPCVs Service Module and Crew Module. Lockheed Martin is responsible for the Orion proof-of-concept direct field acoustic test program. The E-STA was exposed to direct field acoustic testing at NASA PBS in February 2017. This paper compares the dynamic response of the E-STA structure and its components to both the reverberant and direct field acoustic test excitations. Advantages and disadvantages of direct field acoustic test excitation method are discussed.

Acoustics↗

Examination of the Structural Response of the Orion European Service Module to Reverberant and Direct Field Acoustic Testing

The NASA Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV), comprised of the Service Module, the Crew Module, and the Launch Abort System, is the next generation human spacecraft designed and built for deep space exploration. Orion will launch on NASAs new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System. The European Space Agency (ESA) is responsible for providing the propulsion sub-assembly of the Service Module to NASA, called the European Service Module (ESM). The ESM is being designed and built by Airbus Safran Launchers for ESA. Traditionally, NASA has utilized reverberant acoustic testing for qualification of spaceflight hardware. The ESM Structural Test Article (E-STA) was tested at the NASA Plum Brook Stations (PBS) Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility in April-May 2016. However, Orion is evaluating an alternative acoustic test method, using direct field acoustic excitation, for the MPCVs Service Module and Crew Module. Lockheed Martin is responsible for the Orion proof-of-concept direct field acoustic test program. The E-STA was exposed to direct field acoustic testing at NASA PBS in February 2017. This paper compares the dynamic response of the E-STA structure and its components to both the reverberant and direct field acoustic test excitations. Advantages and disadvantages of direct field acoustic test excitation method are discussed.

Acoustics↗

Techniques for charging and/or discharging a battery using frequency modulation

Described herein are techniques that increase the charging and/or discharging rate of a rechargeable battery, at least in part, by using frequency modulated (FM) signals having a frequency in the megahertz (MHz) frequency range. In some embodiments, the MHz frequency range may include any frequency between 0.1 MHz and 1 gigahertz (GHz). In some embodiments, a battery charger described herein may be configured to generate and transmit, to a battery, an FM signal modulated over a frequency range during a period of time, the FM signal having a frequency of at least 0.5 MHz during at least a first portion of the period of time. In some embodiments, a method described herein includes transmitting an FM signal modulated over a frequency range during a period of time and having a frequency of at least 0.5 MHz during at least a first portion of the period of time to a battery.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Stiffness-generated rigid-body mode shapes for Lanczos eigensolution with SUPORT DOF by way of a MSC/NASTRAN DMAP alter

When using all MSC/NASTRAN eigensolution methods except Lanczos, the analyst can replace the coupled system rigid-body modes calculated within DMAP module READ with mass orthogonalized and normalized rigid-body modes generated from the system stiffness. This option is invoked by defining MSC/NASTRAN r-set degrees of freedom via the SUPORT bulk data card. The newly calculated modes are required if the rigid-body modes calculated by the eigensolver are not 'clean' due to numerical roundoffs in the solution. When performing transient structural dynamic load analysis, the numerical roundoffs can result in inaccurate rigid-body accelerations which affect steady-state responses. Unfortunately, when using the Lanczos method and defining r-set degrees of freedom, the rigid-body modes calculated within DMAP module REIGL are retained. To overcome this limitation and to allow MSC/NASTRAN to handle SUPORT degrees of freedom identically for all eigensolvers, a DMAP Alter has been written which replaces Lanczos-calculated rigid-body modes with stiffness-generated rigid-body modes. The newly generated rigid-body modes are normalized with respect to the system mass and orthogonalized using the Gram-Schmidt technique. This algorithm has been implemented as an enhancement to an existing coupled loads methodology.

Abdallah, Ayman A.↗