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At least 91 records · Page 5

Design, development, and field demonstration of a remotely deployable water quality monitoring system

A prototype water quality monitoring system is described which offers almost continuous in situ monitoring. The two-man portable system features: (1) a microprocessor controlled central processing unit which allows preprogrammed sampling schedules and reprogramming in situ; (2) a subsurface unit for multiple depth capability and security from vandalism; (3) an acoustic data link for communications between the subsurface unit and the surface control unit; (4) eight water quality parameter sensors; (5) a nonvolatile magnetic bubble memory which prevents data loss in the event of power interruption; (6) a rechargeable power supply sufficient for 2 weeks of unattended operation; (7) a water sampler which can collect samples for laboratory analysis; (8) data output in direct engineering units on printed tape or through a computer compatible link; (9) internal electronic calibration eliminating external sensor adjustment; and (10) acoustic location and recovery systems. Data obtained in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron are tabulated.

Wallace, J. W.↗

Feasibility of self-structured current accessed bubble devices in spacecraft recording systems

The self-structured, current aperture approach to magnetic bubble memory is described. Key results include: (1) demonstration that self-structured bubbles (a lattice of strongly interacting bubbles) will slip by one another in a storage loop at spacings of 2.5 bubble diameters, (2) the ability of self-structured bubbles to move past international fabrication defects (missing apertures) in the propagation conductors (defeat tolerance), and (3) moving bubbles at mobility limited speeds. Milled barriers in the epitaxial garnet are discussed for containment of the bubble lattice. Experimental work on input/output tracks, storage loops, gates, generators, and magneto-resistive detectors for a prototype device are discussed. Potential final device architectures are described with modeling of power consumption, data rates, and access times. Appendices compare the self-structured bubble memory from the device and system perspectives with other non-volatile memory technologies.

Nelson, G. L.↗

Concept of a programmable maintenance processor applicable to multiprocessing systems

A programmable maintenance processor concept applicable to multiprocessing systems has been developed at the NASA Ames Research Center's Dryden Flight Research Facility. This stand-alone-processor is intended to provide support for system and application software testing as well as hardware diagnostics. An initial machanization has been incorporated into the extended aircraft interrogation and display system (XAIDS) which is multiprocessing general-purpose ground support equipment. The XAIDS maintenance processor has independent terminal and printer interfaces and a dedicated magnetic bubble memory that stores system test sequences entered from the terminal. This report describes the hardware and software embodied in this processor and shows a typical application in the check-out of a new XAIDS.

Glover, Richard D.↗

Spectral transmissometer and radiometer - Design and initial results

A new solid-state spectral transmissometer and radiometer is described. The radiometer measures upwelling radiance, downwelling irradiance, and beam transmittance from 390 to 750 nm with channel widths of 2.35 nm. The spectrometer consists of a 256 element CCD linear array collecting light dispersed by a reflection grating in a modified Littrow configuration. The spectrometer is time and space-shared among the three signal types. The instrument has been deployed as a free-drifting buoy and in the profiling mode, with data stored internally on a magnetic bubble memory or sent up a conducting cable as desired. Power can be supplied either by a detachable external battery pack or through conducting cable. The instrument has been deployed in the oligotrophic North Pacific Central Gyre and in the eutrophic Straits of Juan de Fuca, and preliminary results for each region are discussed.

Carder, Kendall L.↗

Programmable Maintenance Processor For XAIDS

Programmable maintenance processor (MAINT) made of commercially available integrated circuits. Autonomous one of four digital electronic processors in extended aircraft interrogation and display system (XAIDS). Developed for testing of system and application computer programs as well as for testing equipment. MAINT has independent terminal and printer interfaces and dedicated magnetic bubble memory storing system-testing sequences entered from terminal. Software for MAINT written in PLM86 programming language and broken into four separate modules.

Glover, Richard↗

A spacecraft mass memory design using self-structured magnetic bubbles

A self-structured multilayered bubble device developed for spacecraft sensor systems is described. The data link buffer mass memory is analyzed, and system characteristics are estimated based on a nominal 1.6 micron bubble diameter. It is shown that a memory of at least 10 billion bits capacity and 30 megabits per second could be developed with conventional spacecraft constraints.

Stermer, R. L., Jr.↗

Data storage technology comparisons

The role of data storage and data storage technology is an integral, though conceptually often underestimated, portion of data processing technology. Data storage is important in the mass storage mode in which generated data is buffered for later use. But data storage technology is also important in the data flow mode when data are manipulated and hence required to flow between databases, datasets and processors. This latter mode is commonly associated with memory hierarchies which support computation. VLSI devices can reasonably be defined as electronic circuit devices such as channel and control electronics as well as highly integrated, solid-state devices that are fabricated using thin film deposition technology. VLSI devices in both capacities play an important role in data storage technology. In addition to random access memories (RAM), read-only memories (ROM), and other silicon-based variations such as PROM's, EPROM's, and EEPROM's, integrated devices find their way into a variety of memory technologies which offer significant performance advantages. These memory technologies include magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magneto-optic disk, and vertical Bloch line memory. In this paper, some comparison between selected technologies will be made to demonstrate why more than one memory technology exists today, based for example on access time and storage density at the active bit and system levels.

Katti, Romney R.↗

Processor architectures utilizing magnetic bubble and semi-conductor memories

To aid work being conducted on the feasibility of a low cost Omega navigational receiver, a control panel was designed and constructed according to supplied specifications. Since the proposed Omega receiver is designed around a microprocessor, software engineering necessary for control panel operation is included in the design. The control panel is to be used as an operational model for use in the design of a prototype receiver. A detailed description of the hardware design is presented along with a description of the software needed to operate the panel. A complete description of the operating procedures for the panel are also included.

Parrish, E. A., Jr.↗

A magnetic field measurement technique using a miniature transducer

The development, fabrication, and application of a magnetometer are described. The magnetometer has a miniature transducer and is capable of automatic scanning. The magnetometer described here is capable of detecting static magnetic fields as low as 1.6 A/m and its transducer has an active area 0.64 mm by 0.76 mm. Thin and rugged, the transducer uses wire, 0.05 mm in diameter, which is plated with a magnetic film, enabling measurement of transverse magnetic fields as close as 0.08 mm from a surface. The magnetometer, which is simple to operate and has a fast response, uses an inexpensive clip-on milliammeter (commonly found in most laboratories) for driving and processing the electrical signals and readout. A specially designed transducer holding mechanism replaces the XY recorder ink pen; this mechanism provides the basis for an automatic scanning technique. The instrument has been applied to the measurements of magnetic fields arising from remanent magnetization in experimental plated-wire memory planes and regions of magnetic activity in geological rock specimens.

Fales, C. L., Jr.↗

Investigation of single crystal ferrite thin films

Materials suitable for use in magnetic bubble domain memories were developed for aerospace applications. Practical techniques for the preparation of such materials in forms required for fabrication of computer memory devices were considered. The materials studied were epitaxial films of various compositions of the gallium-substituted yttrium gadolinium iron garnet system. The major emphasis was to determine their bubble properties and the conditions necessary for growing uncracked, high quality films.

Mee, J. E.↗

Analysis of ERTS imagery using special electronic viewing/measuring equipment

An electronic satellite image analysis console (ESIAC) is being employed to process imagery for use by USGS investigators in several different disciplines studying dynamic hydrologic conditions. The ESIAC provides facilities for storing registered image sequences in a magnetic video disc memory for subsequent recall, enhancement, and animated display in monochrome or color. Quantitative measurements of distances, areas, and brightness profiles can be extracted digitally under operator supervision. Initial results are presented for the display and measurement of snowfield extent, glacier development, sediment plumes from estuary discharge, playa inventory, phreatophyte and other vegetative changes.

Evans, W. E.↗

ESIAC: A data products system for ERTS imagery (time-lapse viewing and measuring)

An Electronic Satellite Image Analysis Console (ESIAC) has been developed for visual analysis and objective measurement of earth resources imagery. The system is being employed to process imagery for use by USGS investigators in several different disciplines studying dynamic hydrologic conditions. The ESIAC provides facilities for storing registered image sequences in a magnetic video disc memory for subsequent recall, enhancement, and animated display in monochrome or color. The unique feature of the system is the capability to time-lapse the ERTS imagery and/or analytic displays of the imagery. Data products have included quantitative measurements of distances and areas, brightness profiles, and movie loops of selected themes. The applications of these data products are identified and include such diverse problem areas as measurement of snowfield extent, sediment plumes from estuary dicharge, playa inventory, phreatophyte and other vegetation changes. A comparative ranking of the electronic system in terms of accuracy, cost effectiveness and data output shows it to be a viable means of data analysis.

Evans, W. E.↗

Study of time-lapse processing for dynamic hydrologic conditions

The usefulness of dynamic display techniques in exploiting the repetitive nature of ERTS imagery was investigated. A specially designed Electronic Satellite Image Analysis Console (ESIAC) was developed and employed to process data for seven ERTS principal investigators studying dynamic hydrological conditions for diverse applications. These applications include measurement of snowfield extent and sediment plumes from estuary discharge, Playa Lake inventory, and monitoring of phreatophyte and other vegetation changes. The ESIAC provides facilities for storing registered image sequences in a magnetic video disc memory for subsequent recall, enhancement, and animated display in monochrome or color. The most unique feature of the system is the capability to time lapse the imagery and analytic displays of the imagery. Data products included quantitative measurements of distances and areas, binary thematic maps based on monospectral or multispectral decisions, radiance profiles, and movie loops. Applications of animation for uses other than creating time-lapse sequences are identified. Input to the ESIAC can be either digital or via photographic transparencies.

Serebreny, S. M.↗

Research on materials for advanced electronic and aerospace application

Development and understanding of materials most suitable for use in compact magnetic and optical memory systems are discussed. Suppression of metal deterioration by hydrogen is studied. Improvement of mechanical properties of polymers is considered, emphasizing low temperature ductility and compatibility with high modulus fiber materials.

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Advanced computing

Advanced concepts in hardware, software and algorithms are being pursued for application in next generation space computers and for ground based analysis of space data. The research program focuses on massively parallel computation and neural networks, as well as optical processing and optical networking which are discussed under photonics. Also included are theoretical programs in neural and nonlinear science, and device development for magnetic and ferroelectric memories.

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