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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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At least 973 records · Page 54

Development of braided rope engine seals

In this study, after reviewing current seal design concepts, the potential of textile structures for seal design is examined from the material, structural, and fabrication points of view. Braided structures are identified as potential candidates for hypersonic seal structures because of their conformability and design flexibility. A large family of braided structures using 2-D and 3-D architecture can be designed using well established methods to produce a wide range of braiding yarn orientation for wear resistance as well as seal porosity control. As a first demonstration of the approach, 2-D braided fiberglass seals were fabricated according to a factorial design experiment by varying braiding angles, fractional longitudinal fibers, and preload pressure levels. Factorial diagrams and response surfaces were constructed to elucidate the inter-relationship of the braiding parameters as well as the effect of preload pressures on leakage resistance of the seal. It was found that seal resistance is a strong function of fractional longitudinal fiber content. As braiding angle increases, seal leakage resistance increases, especially at high preload pressures and in seals having high proportion of longitudinal fibers.

Ko, Frank K.↗

Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage Fuel Design and Fabrication

Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (NCPS) is a game changing technology for space exploration. Goal of assessing the affordability and viability of an NCPS includes thses overall tasks: (1) Pre-conceptual design of the NCPS and architecture integration (2) NCPS Fuel Design and Testing (3) Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREES) (4) Affordable NCPS Development and Qualification Strategy (5) Second Generation NCPS Concepts. There is a critical need for fuels development. Fuel task objectives are to demonstrate capabilities and critical technologies using full scale element fabrication and testing.

Hickman, Robert↗

Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage Fuel Design and Fabrication

Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (NCPS) is a game changing technology for space exploration. Goal of assessing the affordability and viability of an NCPS includes these overall tasks: (1) Pre-conceptual design of the NCPS and architecture integration (2) NCPS Fuel Design and Testing (3) Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREES) (4) Affordable NCPS Development and Qualification Strategy (5) Second Generation NCPS Concepts. There is a critical need for fuels development. Fuel task objectives are to demonstrate capabilities and critical technologies using full scale element fabrication and testing.

Hickman, Robert↗

Medical Data Architecture Project Status

The Medical Data Architecture (MDA) project supports the Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) risk to minimize or reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes and decrements in performance due to in-flight medical capabilities on human exploration missions. To mitigate this risk, the ExMC MDA project addresses the technical limitations identified in ExMC Gap Med 07: We do not have the capability to comprehensively process medically-relevant information to support medical operations during exploration missions. This gap identifies that the current in-flight medical data management includes a combination of data collection and distribution methods that are minimally integrated with on-board medical devices and systems. Furthermore, there are a variety of data sources and methods of data collection. For an exploration mission, the seamless management of such data will enable a more medically autonomous crew than the current paradigm. The medical system requirements are being developed in parallel with the exploration mission architecture and vehicle design. ExMC has recognized that in order to make informed decisions about a medical data architecture framework, current methods for medical data management must not only be understood, but an architecture must also be identified that provides the crew with actionable insight to medical conditions. This medical data architecture will provide the necessary functionality to address the challenges of executing a self-contained medical system that approaches crew health care delivery without assistance from ground support. Hence, the products supported by current prototype development will directly inform exploration medical system requirements.

medical data architecture↗

Medical Data Architecture (MDA) Project Status

The Medical Data Architecture (MDA) project supports the Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) risk to minimize or reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes and decrements in performance due to in-flight medical capabilities on human exploration missions. To mitigate this risk, the ExMC MDA project addresses the technical limitations identified in ExMC Gap Med 07: We do not have the capability to comprehensively process medically-relevant information to support medical operations during exploration missions. This gap identifies that the current in-flight medical data management includes a combination of data collection and distribution methods that are minimally integrated with on-board medical devices and systems. Furthermore, there are a variety of data sources and methods of data collection. For an exploration mission, the seamless management of such data will enable a more medically autonomous crew than the current paradigm. The medical system requirements are being developed in parallel with the exploration mission architecture and vehicle design. ExMC has recognized that in order to make informed decisions about a medical data architecture framework, current methods for medical data management must not only be understood, but an architecture must also be identified that provides the crew with actionable insight to medical conditions. This medical data architecture will provide the necessary functionality to address the challenges of executing a self-contained medical system that approaches crew health care delivery without assistance from ground support. Hence, the products supported by current prototype development will directly inform exploration medical system requirements.

medical data architecture↗

On-board fault-tolerant SAR processor for spaceborne imaging radar systems

A real-time high-performance and fault-tolerant FPGA-based hardware architecture for the processing of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images has been developed for advanced spaceborne radar imaging systems. In this paper, we present the integrated design approach, from top-level algorithm specifications, system architectures, design methodology, functional verification, performance validation, down to hardware design and implementation.

imaging Radar↗

The Aeronautical Data Link: Decision Framework for Architecture Analysis

A decision analytic approach that develops optimal data link architecture configuration and behavior to meet multiple conflicting objectives of concurrent and different airspace operations functions has previously been developed. The approach, premised on a formal taxonomic classification that correlates data link performance with operations requirements, information requirements, and implementing technologies, provides a coherent methodology for data link architectural analysis from top-down and bottom-up perspectives. This paper follows the previous research by providing more specific approaches for mapping and transitioning between the lower levels of the decision framework. The goal of the architectural analysis methodology is to assess the impact of specific architecture configurations and behaviors on the efficiency, capacity, and safety of operations. This necessarily involves understanding the various capabilities, system level performance issues and performance and interface concepts related to the conceptual purpose of the architecture and to the underlying data link technologies. Efficient and goal-directed data link architectural network configuration is conditioned on quantifying the risks and uncertainties associated with complex structural interface decisions. Deterministic and stochastic optimal design approaches will be discussed that maximize the effectiveness of architectural designs.

Morris, A. Terry↗

High-speed fiber-optic links for distribution of satellite traffic

Low-loss fiberoptic links are designed for distribution of data and the frequency reference in large-aperture phased-array antennas based on the transmit/receive-level data mixing architecture. In particular, design aspects of a fiberoptic link satisfying the distribution requirements of satellite data traffic are presented. The design is addressed in terms of reactively matched optical transmitter and receiver modules. Analog and digital characterization of a 50-m fiberoptic link realized using these modules indicates the applicability of this architecture as the only viable alternative for distribution of data signals inside a satellite at present. It is demonstrated that the design of a reactive matching modules enhances the link performance. A dynamic range of 88 dB/MHz was measured for analog data over a 500-1000-MHz bandwidth.

Daryoush, Afshin S.↗

Microservice Architecture for Cognitive Networks

This develops the concept of a cognitive network and describes a microservice based architecture which could be used to implement such a system. Delay tolerant networking (DTN) influences the design of the architecture as well as the networking scenarios that the system attempts to address. A cognitive storage and fragmentation service is developed based on existing artificial intelligence techniques such as Advantage Actor Critic (A2C) and Deep Q-Networks. The system is simulated using OpenAI Gym in a custom developed DTN environment.

cognitive networks↗

Reconfigurable tree architectures using subtree oriented fault tolerance

An approach to the design of reconfigurable tree architecture is presented in which spare processors are allocated at the leaves. The approach is unique in that spares are associated with subtrees and sharing of spares between these subtrees can occur. The Subtree Oriented Fault Tolerance (SOFT) approach is more reliable than previous approaches capable of tolerating link and switch failures for both single chip and multichip tree implementations while reducing redundancy in terms of both spare processors and links. VLSI layout is 0(n) for binary trees and is directly extensible to N-ary trees and fault tolerance through performance degradation.

Lowrie, Matthew B.↗

Reconfigurable tree architectures using subtree oriented fault tolerance

An approach to the design of reconfigurable tree architectures is presented in which spare processors are allocated at the leaves. The approach is unique in that spares are associated with subtrees, and sharing of spares between these subtrees can occur. The subtree-oriented fault-tolerance approach is more reliable than previous approaches capable of tolerating link and switch failures for both single-chip and multichip tree implementations while reducing redundancy in terms of both spare processors and links. VLSI layout is O(n) for binary trees and is directly extensible to N-ary trees and fault tolerance through performance degradation.

Lowrie, Matthew B.↗

A Strategic Approach to Medical Care for Exploration Missions

Exploration missions will present significant new challenges to crew health, including effects of variable gravity environments, limited communication with Earth-based personnel for diagnosis and consultation for medical events, limited resupply, and limited ability for crew return. Providing health care capabilities for exploration class missions will require system trades be performed to identify a minimum set of requirements and crosscutting capabilities, which can be used in design of exploration medical systems. Medical data, information, and knowledge collected during current space missions must be catalogued and put in formats that facilitate querying and analysis. These data are used to inform the medical research and development program through analysis of risk trade studies between medical care capabilities and system constraints such as mass, power, volume, and training. Medical capability as a quantifiable variable is proposed as a surrogate risk metric and explored for trade space analysis that can improve communication between the medical and engineering approaches to mission design. The resulting medical system design approach selected will inform NASA mission architecture, vehicle, and subsystem design for the next generation of spacecraft.

Canga, Michael A.↗

Evaluation of Precision Landing Performance Using A Generalized Aerospace Simulation in Simulink Framework

NASA’s science and exploration goals to return to the Moon and beyond will need to perform precision landings to place humans and cargo supplies near places of scientific interest, surface resources, or pre-established basecamps. With the maturation of new navigation technology, such as terrain relative navigation, precision landing is now feasible, enabling new exploration sites, such as the lunar poles. However, verification of precision landing performance becomes crucial since not reaching the designated landing site would have a high risk of loss of mission. Therefore, having a high-fidelity simulation platform to evaluate six degrees of freedom vehicle performance during high-risk phases of flight such landing is a fundamental part of the system verification and risk reduction. The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has developed the GeneraLized Aerospace Simulation in Simulink® (GLASS) tool which incorporates guidance, navigation, and control algorithms, as well as vehicle and environmental models, such as gravity, vehicle mass properties, navigation sensors, propulsion, and terrain models. GLASS uses the MathWorks® Simulink® environment which provides a model-based design framework that allows the incorporation of vehicle models in a modular architecture. The Simulink® environment provides seamless integration with all the MathWorks® capabilities and toolboxes, such as control design toolboxes and Simscape™ Multibody™ dynamics toolbox. The MathWorks® environment also allows for guidance, navigation, and control algorithms to be auto coded in C language, enabling quick software and hardware in the loop testing. This paper provides an overview of GLASS capabilities for analyzing precision landing performance, including navigation trades applied to a NASA human lander reference design architecture.

Guidance↗

A microprocessor based high speed packet switch for satellite communications, executive summary

The feasibility of using microprocessors to control satellite-borne packet switching was investigated by designing a packet switch architecture suitable for microprocessor control, using 2900 series components to design the processor(s), and evaluating the packet switch in terms of system throughput, delay, and queue sizes without the packet switch. System architecture for one, three, and multiple processors was designed and evaluated. The production cost of the single processor packet switch is estimated at $500,000, excluding cost of development. The three processor version which can support a maximum throughput of 500,000 packets/sec is estimated to have a production cost of under $100,000. For the multiple processor system, cost is believed to be proportional to throughput, with $1,000,000 for 500,000 packets/sec being the proportionality factor.

Arozullah, M.↗

Advanced embedded processing: Present and future

Integrated airframe/propulsion control system architecture is discussed. The main objectives of the program are: design and validation methodology for system architecture; system design; system specification; and small-scale system testing.

Cohen, Gerald C.↗

Using A Model-Based Systems Engineering Approach For Exploration Medical System Development

NASA's Human Research Program's Exploration Medical Capabilities (ExMC) element is defining the medical system needs for exploration class missions. ExMC's Systems Engineering (SE) team will play a critical role in successful design and implementation of the medical system into exploration vehicles. The team's mission is to "Define, develop, validate, and manage the technical system design needed to implement exploration medical capabilities for Mars and test the design in a progression of proving grounds." Development of the medical system is being conducted in parallel with exploration mission architecture and vehicle design development. Successful implementation of the medical system in this environment will require a robust systems engineering approach to enable technical communication across communities to create a common mental model of the emergent engineering and medical systems. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) improves shared understanding of system needs and constraints between stakeholders and offers a common language for analysis. The ExMC SE team is using MBSE techniques to define operational needs, decompose requirements and architecture, and identify medical capabilities needed to support human exploration. Systems Modeling Language (SysML) is the specific language the SE team is utilizing, within an MBSE approach, to model the medical system functional needs, requirements, and architecture. Modeling methods are being developed through the practice of MBSE within the team, and tools are being selected to support meta-data exchange as integration points to other system models are identified. Use of MBSE is supporting the development of relationships across disciplines and NASA Centers to build trust and enable teamwork, enhance visibility of team goals, foster a culture of unbiased learning and serving, and be responsive to customer needs. The MBSE approach to medical system design offers a paradigm shift toward greater integration between vehicle and the medical system and directly supports the transition of Earth-reliant ISS operations to the Earth-independent operations envisioned for Mars. Here, we describe the methods and approach to building this integrated model.

Hanson, A.↗

Design of the ARES Mars Airplane and Mission Architecture

Significant technology advances have enabled planetary aircraft to be considered as viable science platforms. Such systems fill a unique planetary science measurement gap, that of regional-scale, near-surface observation, while providing a fresh perspective for potential discovery. Recent efforts have produced mature mission and flight system concepts, ready for flight project implementation. This paper summarizes the development of a Mars airplane mission architecture that balances science, implementation risk and cost. Airplane mission performance, flight system design and technology maturation are described. The design, analysis and testing completed demonstrates the readiness of this science platform for use in a Mars flight project.

Braun, Robert D.↗

All-Digital Plug and Play Passive RFID Sensors for Energy Efficient Building Control

This is the final report for the project “All-Digital Plug and Play Passive RFID Sensors for Energy Efficient Building Control”, funded by DOE, and performed by Clemson University, Phase IV Engineering and Harvard University from October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. The main objective of this project is to develop, demonstrate and pre-commercialize a novel, plug & play, battery-free, wireless sensor technology to enable low-cost (<$10 per node) indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity measurement for energy efficient building controls and operations. The proposed technology is based on the novel concept of all-digital sensing and its seamless integration with the passive RFID technology. This project focuses on the design, fabrication, material optimization, interrogation electronics, validation, and demonstration of the novel sensor nodes for building applications. The specific objectives of this research program include: (1) Design, fabricate and optimize a compact, robust, and high-resolution digitizer, which could convert rotation angle into digital numbers. (2) Develop the multi-physics-based modeling and simulation of the temperature/humidity transducer to derive a rational design of the architecture, dimension, structure, materials (i.e., mechanical, electrical, thermal and hygroscopic) properties and functions of the sensor node. (3) Design, fabricate and optimize the bi-material based humidity sensitive coil which could linearly transduce the environmental relative humidity variations to rotation angles. (4) Design, fabricate and optimize an UHF RFID platform which could support long-range passive wireless communications of 8-bit digital numbers. (5) Design, fabricate and optimize the miniaturized all-digital sensor using MEMS technology. (6) Validate the integrated all-digital sensing system in a real building environment to test the system’s performance.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗