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At least 829 records · Page 46

Usability of an Updated Version of the Supplemental Data Service Provider-Consolidated Dashboard for Supporting Uncrewed Aircraft System Traffic Management

The Supplemental Data Service Provider-Consolidated Dashboard (SDSP-CD) is a preflight planning user interface (UI) that serves to aid operators when drafting routes for small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUASs). The primary function of the SDSP-CD is to identify hazards that an sUAS may encounter along a proposed flight path and assess the severity of these risks. A usability study was conducted on an updated version of the SDSP-CD to determine if the most recent iterations made to the system improved objective performance and subjective user experience. There are two main components of the SDSP-CD interface: (1) the dashboard and (2) the interactive map. The dashboard provides users with hazard and vehicle limitations for each sUAS in their fleet while the map contains a graphical representation of each vehicle’s route, hazard details, and geographic information. A series of preflight risk-assessment questions and tasks were developed to examine how participants interact with the updated version of the SDSP-CD. Additionally, a new service that measures vertiport congestion was developed and included as one of the services that was tested. In the present study, participants were trained to use the SDSP-CD and then completed two simulated scenarios during which they performed a variety of tasks, responded to questions, and completed surveys. The two scenarios developed for the present study were the Package Delivery and Hurricane Preparation scenarios. The Package Delivery scenario involved a fleet of four sUASs delivering low-stakes items (e.g., lunches and snacks) to people in a fictitious city. The Hurricane Preparation scenario involved a fleet of 11 sUASs delivering a range of supplies (from medicine to boardgames) to employees stranded at an office park due to road closures caused by an impending hurricane. Participants assumed the role of a fleet manager during both scenarios and were responsible for managing the sUASs in their fleet. Questions included those with objectively correct responses, open-ended strategy responses, and subjective user experience feedback. It was found that participants were largely successful at using the SDSP-CD interface to answer questions with objectively correct responses. Additionally, participants were able to use reasoning and logic based on the information available in the SDSP-CD to determine the cause of various risks and what actions they would consider taking. Finally, although participants reported that there were elements of the UI that could be improved, overall feedback pertaining to user experience suggested that the SDSP-CD concept is viable.

usability testing↗

Sentinel-1 Snow Depth Assimilation to Improve River Discharge Estimates in the Western European Alps

Seasonal snow is an important water source and contributor to river discharge in mountainous regions. Therefore the amount of snow and its distribution are necessary inputs for hydrological modeling. Recent research has shown the potential of the Sentinel-1 radar satellite to map snow depth (SD) at sub-kilometer resolution in mountainous regions. In this study we assimilate these new SD retrievals into the Noah-Multiparameterization land surface model using an ensemble Kalman filter for the western European Alps. The land surface model was coupled to the Hydrological Modeling and Analysis Platform (HyMAP), a global flow routing scheme that provides simulations of routed river discharge. The performance with different precipitation forcing inputs, namely MERRA-2 (with and without gauge based correction) and ERA5, was compared based on in situ precipitation and SD stations, with ERA5 leading to the best SD performance. The Sentinel-1 based data assimilation (DA) results show small but systematic improvements for SD estimates, with the mean absolute error reducing from 36.4 cm for the open loop (OL) to 35.6 cm for the DA across all stations and timesteps, improving 318 out of 516 in situ sites. The DA updates in SD also result in enhanced snow water equivalent and discharge simulations. The median temporal correlation between discharge simulations and measurements increases from 0.73 to 0.78 for the DA. This study demonstrates the utility of the Sentinel-1 SD retrievals to improve not only the representation of snow in mountain ranges, but also the snow melt contribution to river discharge, and hydrological modeling in general.

Isis Brangers↗

A Permutation Engine Switching Node

We describe an asynchronous, strictly non-blocking crossbar node topology and distributed routing algorithm that is particularly suited to optoelectronic implementation.

Permutation engine permutation node topology routi↗

Assessment of a National Airspace System Airborne Rerouting Tool

This paper presents the assessment of a National Airspace System airborne rerouting tool. The tool implements NASA’s Dynamic Weather Routes concept for wind-corrected flying-time savings during convective weather activity. A description of the system, as applicable to the entire United States airspace is provided, and results are presented demonstrating benefits of such a system from various Centers and airlines’ perspectives. Three cases for selection of reroute-return capture fix, which prevent unrealistically large controller clearances are presented. Results are shown for potential time- and fuel-savings (over 134,000 minutes and 4.2 million lbs. of fuel for over 35,000 proposed reroutes) and sector congestion reduction (over 121 hours in congested sectors) for all 20 Centers. The data used were for 30 days with highest delays attributable to convective weather from April to October of 2014. Other results show the evaluation of the maneuver or reroute start point (a parameter representing the amount of coordination time needed), which highlight the need for a controller-pilot data link. A data link would help achieve higher savings. The results for persistence time, beyond which the time-savings dwindle quickly, help determine the maximum coordination time required for each Center. Finally, an assessment from a current National Operations Manager at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center of the FAA is documented. Those suggestions could improve the efficiency of the air transportation system, especially with the expected improvements in the traffic flow management infrastructure. Currently, one industry partner and one airline are assessing this technology for commercial operational use.

Benefits Assessment↗

Exercising Prediction Validation Methods for Analysis of Quiet Supersonic Overflight

En route noise certification procedures for quiet supersonic aircraft are in development under the International Civil Aviation Organization for a proposed standard that could enable civil supersonic overland flight. While these quiet supersonic aircraft do not exist yet, methods are being developed and evaluated using existing N-wave empirical datasets and low-boom simulation datasets. One potential aspect of future certification methods is the ability to use a validated prediction model to predict the certification noise level under reference day weather conditions. Methods to validate predictions, such as the two-sample t-test, Fisher’s combined probability test, two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and equivalence testing, have been exercised and modified for this application. While some methods compare mean values, others compare values across the distribution, and a combination of methods can be used. The methods were applied to a subset of an N-wave dataset to demonstrate the applicability and identify potential areas for improvement. Atmospheric turbulence variability was included as a factor in these analyses through KZKFourier propagation simulations with parameters matching actual flights and weather conditions. Results are presented for six noise metrics (PL, ASEL, BSEL, DSEL, ESEL, and ISBAP), and plans to expand the analyses are discussed.

sonic boom↗

Portable power tool machines weld joints in field

Portable routing machine for cutting precise weld joints required by nonstandard pipe sections used in the field for transfer of cryogenic fluids. This tool is adaptable for various sizes of pipes and has a selection of router bits for different joint configurations.

Spier, R. A.↗

Argon purge gas cooled by chill box

Cooling argon purge gas by routing it through a shop-fabricated chill box reduces charring of tungsten inert gas torch head components. The argon gas is in a cooled state as it enters the torch and prevents buildup of char caused by the high concentrations of heat in the weld area during welding operations.

Spiro, L. W.↗

Tooling concepts for assembly of large structures

Manufacture of the S-IC stage of the Saturn V space vehicle has resulted in new. concepts and innovations in the field of tooling. The structure size (35-ft diameter), the high reliability and accuracy requirements, and the low density or production quantity lead to a greater degree of simplicity, economy, and versatility in fabrication and assembly tooling. There are three specific concepts which should be applicable in industry, local jigging for welding, rotation of structures in vertical assemblies, and the assembly of two structures. The usual weld jigging serves a two-fold purpose: (a) to support the molten weld puddle and (b) to force and maintain alinement of the parts being welded. The extension of this method to large-diameter tanks is expensive and difficult. An alternate procedure used at MSFC is to perform free-state welding and use local jigging (stra1rclamps) and intermittent tack welding. Cylindrical structures can be accurately rotated for routing or welding on a simplified ring turntable. The tool consists of a ring of the structure diameter resting on rollers. Torque is nearly zero since the ring is rotated by friction rollers with the force being applied at the ring perimeter. Two such turntables are used at MSFC. The horizontal mating of two large components, where controlled motions of small magnitude are necessary, can be easily done by positioning units equipped with air-bearings. Such bearings are usable on concrete of minimum surface preparation and require no special air pressure source. This concept is used in assembly of the two S-IC containers.

Saturn S-IC stage↗

Double copper sheath multiconductor instrumentation cable is durable and easily installed in high thermal or nuclear radiation area

Multiconductor instrumentation cable in which the conducting wires are routed through two concentric copper tube sheaths, employing a compressed insulator between the conductors and between the inner and outer sheaths, is durable and easily installed in high thermal or nuclear radiation area. The double sheath is a barrier against moisture, abrasion, and vibration.

Mc Crae, A. W., Jr.↗

Waveguide feeder system for the Goonhilly satellite-communication earth station

There are two features which distinguish the feeder arrangements at a satellite earth station from those used in conventional microwave line-of-sight links. The first is the importance of low loss in all waveguides and components and the second is the need for rotating joints. Losses are important in the receive direction because they contribute significantly to the overall system noise temperature while, in the transmit direction, not only do they waste expensive transmitter power but localized points of high loss can give rise to the formation of arcs when the power is applied. Rotating joints are required on the elevation axis of the aerial to permit waveguide connection between apparatus in the turntable cabin and on the dish. In the installation at Goonhilly, three separate waveguide connections are required between the turntable cabin and the focus platform; one each for the Telstar and Relay transmitters operating at 6390 and 1725 Mc/s respectively, and one for the receiver feed, routed via the maser cabin on the back of the dish and operating at 4170 and 4080 Mc/s. Dominate-mode rectangular waveguide is used for these runs, and the components and installation practices used follow normal practice as far as possible.

GROUND STATION↗

Locating and sealing air leaks in multiroomed buildings

Industrial, nontoxic smoke bombs are used in multiroomed buildings to locate and fill discovered leak areas with polyurethane foam. All obvious air escape routes are sealed and the room is then pressurized to a minimum of 0.1 inch water above the pressure of adjoining rooms.

Britton, J. M.↗

Weld preparation tool for pipes and tubing

Improved scarfing tool consists of a mount-table, roller-guided assembly. It converts a conventional routing machine for relatively precise field preparation of pipes for welding.

Wallace, E. D.↗

Real-Time Operating System/360

RTOS has a cost savings advantage for real-time applications, such as those with random inputs requiring a flexible data routing facility, display systems simplified by a device independent interface language, and complex applications needing added storage protection and data queuing.

Hoffman, R. L.↗