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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.
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The development of a pulse code modulation data encoder, a computerized ground station, and a PCM command system for obtaining and reproducing data from a balloon-borne experiment is discussed. The components of the system and the manner of operation are described. The capabilities and limitations of the system are analyzed.
The preliminary data processing system (PDPS), a set of algorithms, programs, equipment, data storage and memory devices, and all devices controlling the processing, is described using the Intercosmos-8 satellite as an example. Each stage of the system is considered along with its content and sequence. The essential elements of the data processing structure are described and the concepts underlying the selection of these elements are discussed.
The optimum procedure for locating a frame sync word periodically inserted in uncoded binary data received over a binary symmetric channel is based on the Hamming distance metric. In this paper, a practical frame sync acquisition and maintenance algorithm is described, and its performance is analyzed. Specifically, with respect to this algorithm, an upper bound on the probability of false sync acquisition, the mean time to sync acquisition, and the subsequent mean time to loss of sync are computed for arbitrary bit error rates, frame lengths, sync word lengths, and algorithm parameters.
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On March 29, 1974, Mariner 10 transmitted 562 clear, sharp pictures of Mercury in real time at 117.6 kilobits per second. The methods by which large area coverage at roughly 1 km resolution was achieved are described. In particular, it is shown how link performance was effectively improved by carefully assessing picture quality and coverage versus bit rate and bit error rate. A number of improvements as compared to the 1971 Mars Orbiter, Mariner 9, are outlined.
Minimum hardware, reliable processor responds rapidly to changing requirements simply by changes in contents of programmable read-only memory. General purpose controller can transfer data onto and off of data bus, perform logic and arithmetic manipulations, and store pertinent data in small internal random-access memory.
System permits long-term measurement of strains resulting from applied skeletal loads. Basic scheme utilizes pulse interval modulation.
Multiplexed biotelemetry system for animal research combines several power-saving features. Implantable sensor measures up to eight parameters simultaneously, including blood flow. Microamp transistors, switching circuits, and CMOS technology are used to lower power requirements. However, when blood flow is monitored, these measures are insufficient to reduce power enough for long-term operation from implantable primary battery.
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The emphasis in current, automatic vehicle testing and diagnosis is primarily centered on the proper operation of the engine. Lateral and longitudinal guidance technologies, including speed control and headway sensing for collision avoidance, are reviewed. The principal guidance technique remains the buried wire. Speed control and headway sensing, even though they show the same basic elements in braking and fuel systems, are proceeding independently. The applications of on-board electronic and microprocessor techniques were investigated; each application (emission control, spark advance, or anti-slip braking) is being treated as an independent problem is proposed. A unified bus system of distributed processors for accomplishing the various functions and testing required for vehicles equipped to use automated highways.
A biological system proposed to restrain a monkey in the Spacelab was tested under operational conditions using typical metabolic and telemetered cardiovascular instrumentation. Instrumentation, interfaced with other electronics, and data gathering during a very active operational mission were analyzed for adequacy of procedure and success of data handling by the onboard computer.
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Results of simulation of several short-constraint-length convolutional codes using a noisy symbol stream obtained via the turnaround ranging channels of the MVM'73 spacecraft are presented. First operational use of this coding technique is on the Voyager mission. The relative performance of these codes in this environment is as previously predicted from computer-based simulations.
RF carrier uses two receiver systems to increase signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity. Signals separately processed are coherently combined at summing junction for improved reception of marginal high-rate signals frequently lost to system, atmosphere, and galactic noises. Two receivers improve ratio by 2.7 dB; improvement is made by arraying more receiver systems.
The Viterbi decoders currently used by the Deep space Network (DSN) use an algorithm for maintaining node synchronization that breaks down at bit signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of about 2.0 dB. It is shown that this can become an important consideration when the effects of noisy carrier referencing are combined with the lower SNRs that are expected at Voyager 2 Uranus and Neptune encounters. Depending on the available carrier power, node synchronization losses of between 0.85 and 1.25 dB can be expected in addition to the radio loss.
During the entry of the Pioneer Venus Atmospheric Probes into the Venus atmosphere, there were several events (RF blackout and data rate changes) which caused the ground receiving equipment to lose lock on the signal. This caused periods of data loss immediately following each one of these disturbing events which lasted until all the ground receiving units (receiver, subcarrier demodulator, symbol synchronizer, and sequential decoder) acquired lock once more. A scheme to recover these data by off-line data processing was implemented. This scheme consisted of receiving the S band signals from the probes with an open loop reciever (requiring no lock up on the signal) in parallel with the closed loop receivers of the real time receiving equipment, down converting the signals to baseband, and recording them on an analog recorder. The off-line processing consisted of playing the analog recording in the reverse direction (starting with the end of the tape) up, converting the signal to S-band, feeding the signal into the "real time" receiving system and recording on digital tape, the soft decisions from the symbol synchronizer.
Airborne system rapidly delivers hard copy to firefighters. Sensors in airplane send data to ground station for image processing. Imagery immediately transferred to U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) maps by photo interpreter. Maps transmitted by telecopies directly to fire-control camps. Receipt by fire camp less than 10 minutes. Information aids in decisions involving deployment of firefighters and equipment, flood control, monitoring oilspills, observing thermal currents, and pollutions monitoring.
The results of two methods of obtaining timely and accurate severe weather presentations in the cockpit are detailed. The first method described is a course up display of uplinked weather radar data. This involves the construction of a demonstrator that will show the feasibility of producing a course up display in the cockpit of the NASA simulator at Langley. A set of software algorithms was designed that could easily be implemented, along with data tapes generated to provide the cockpit simulation. The second method described involves the uplinking of sferic data from a ground based 3M-Ryan Stormscope. The technique involves transfer of the data on the CRT of the Stormscope to a remote CRT. This sferic uplink and display could also be included in an implementation on the NASA cockpit simulator, allowing evaluation of pilot responses based on real Stormscope data.