Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “serial”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

A versatile ground data display system for Spacelab experiments

A microprocessor-based data capture and display system suited to the needs of many Spacelab experimenters is described. Although developed specifically for the needs of the FAUST UV astronomy telescope, several features of the system may make it attractive to other groups who need to interact with their Spacelab data in real or near-real time. The display system captures data from the serial data stream originating in the Spacelab experiment computer input/output (ECIO) data channel, and can reformat and display several hundred variables per second in real time. The system offers a combination of CRT display and analog paper strip-chart output. A facility is also provided for simultaneously creating floppy-disk records of short segments of data according to prearranged criteria, to allow detailed examination of critical events in the operation of the experiment. The simplicity, economy, reliability, and flexibility of the display system suggest its use for monitoring a variety of low- and medium-data-rate Spacelab experiments.

Werthimer, D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Baseband processor development for the Advanced Communications Satellite Program

An onboard-baseband-processor concept for a satellite-switched time-division-multiple-access (SS-TDMA) communication system was developed for NASA Lewis Research Center. The baseband processor routes and controls traffic on an individual message basis while providing significant advantages in improved link margins and system flexibility. Key technology developments required to prove the flight readiness of the baseband-processor design are being verified in a baseband-processor proof-of-concept model. These technology developments include serial MSK modems, Clos-type baseband routing switch, a single-chip CMOS maximum-likelihood convolutional decoder, and custom LSL implementation of high-speed, low-power ECL building blocks.

Moat, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Photoelectric photometry of selected SAO stars. III

Photometric observations of 131 SAO stars for use in calibrating data obtained from the Near Infrared Photographic Sky Survey (NIPSS) are reported. The serial numbers of the primary NIPSS program fields in which the photometry was done are shown along with the approximate position of each field and the number of stars observed in each field. The observations are listed, showing the SAO numbers of the program stars, their 1950 equatorial coordinates, the V magnitudes, and the (V-R) and (V-I) color indices. The mean errors in magnitudes and color indices obtained by averaging deviations from the mean for each star are on the order of 0.02 mag.

Scharlach, W. W. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dynamic-RAM Data Storage Unit

Dynamic random-access-memory (RAM) data delay and storage unit developed to insure data received from satellite is stored and not lost when satellite is not within range of ground station. Stores 256K of serial data, with independent read and write capability.

Sturman, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Conductive Container for Semiconductor Devices

Container for semiconductor components not only protects them against mechanical damage but ensures they are not harmed by electrostatic discharges. Container holds components in fixed positions so they can be serialized and identified from their locations. Suitable for holding components during both storing and shipping. Originally developed for microwave diodes, container concept readily adaptable to transistors and integrated circuits.

Rice, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Single-Chip VLSI Reed-Solomon Encoder

Reed-Solomon (RS) encoder based on Berlekamp bit-serial multiplier algorithm. RS code standard, based on code words of 255 8-bit symbols, of which 223 symbols convey information and remaining 32 are check symbols. This code enables correction of up to 16 erroneous information symbols per word. Berlekamp algorithm based on code-generating polynomial with 32 roots that occur in reciprocal pairs. Choice of algorithm permits compact design.

Truong, T. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Software used with the flux mapper at the solar parabolic dish test site

Software for data archiving and data display was developed for use on a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-11/34A minicomputer for use with the JPL-designed flux mapper. The flux mapper is a two-dimensional, high radiant energy scanning device designed to measure radiant flux energies expected at the focal point of solar parabolic dish concentrators. Interfacing to the DEC equipment was accomplished by standard RS-232C serial lines. The design of the software was dicated by design constraints of the flux-mapper controller. Early attemps at data acquisition from the flux-mapper controller were not without difficulty. Time and personnel limitations result in an alternative method of data recording at the test site with subsequent analysis accomplished at a data evaluation location at some later time. Software for plotting was also written to better visualize the flux patterns. Recommendations for future alternative development are discussed. A listing of the programs used in the anaysis is included in an appendix.

Miyazono, C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Fitts' Law? a Test of the Relationship Between Information Load and Movement Precision

The independence of information load (Hick's Law) and movement precision (Fitts' Law) was tested using additive factors methodology. Subjects were required to classify stimuli according to a decision rule with a variable entropy. The stimuli were presented in the center of the CRT screen. In response, subjects had to move a cursor from a starting point near the stimulus to the appropriate target. The precision of the response movement was varied by manipulating the ratio of the radius of the annulus to the width of the target area. The dependent measure was elapsed time between onset of the stimulus and completion of the response movement. Independence of the Hick's Law and Fitts' Law components of the reaction time was tested with an analysis of variance. Presence of an interaction would suggest that a decision stage and a response stage are dependent, and cannot be considered discrete steps in a serial process.

Zalaski, M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Slow opening valve

A valve control is described having a valve body with an actuator stem and a rotating handle connected to the actuator stem by a differential drive mechanism which, during uniform movement of the handle in one direction, initially opens the valve at a relatively slow rate and, thereafter, complete the valve movement at a substantially faster rate. A series of stop rings are received about the body in frictional abutting relationship and serially rotated by the handle to uniformly resist handle movement independently of the extent of handle movement.

Drapeau, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Periodic binary sequence generators: VLSI circuits considerations

Feedback shift registers are efficient periodic binary sequence generators. Polynomials of degree r over a Galois field characteristic 2(GF(2)) characterize the behavior of shift registers with linear logic feedback. The algorithmic determination of the trinomial of lowest degree, when it exists, that contains a given irreducible polynomial over GF(2) as a factor is presented. This corresponds to embedding the behavior of an r-stage shift register with linear logic feedback into that of an n-stage shift register with a single two-input modulo 2 summer (i.e., Exclusive-OR gate) in its feedback. This leads to Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuit architecture of maximal regularity (i.e., identical cells) with intercell communications serialized to a maximal degree.

Perlman, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Reactanceless synthesized impedance bandpass amplifier

An active R bandpass filter network is formed by four operational amplifier stages interconnected by discrete resistances. One pair of stages synthesize an equivalent input impedance of an inductance (L sub eq) in parallel with a discrete resistance (R sub o) while the second pair of stages synthesizes an equivalent input impedance of a capacitance (C sub eq) serially coupled to another discrete resistance (R sub i) coupled in parallel with the first two stages. The equivalent input impedances aggregately define a tuned resonant bandpass filter in the roll-off regions of the operational amplifiers.

Kleinberg, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Graphic displays of vector magnetograph data

Graphic displays that have proved useful in dealing with vector magnetograph data are summarized in three settings: real-time control, analysis, and final presentation. Among the topics discussed are: flexible, implicit data-scaling; geometrical transformations; methods of comparing fields (e.g., transverse vs. longitudinal; observed vs. computed; one time vs. another); displaying the magnitude and direction of the transverse field; minimizing the display time of serial graphics devices; graphic file structure; and graphic interaction with operators and observers.

Rabin, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Experience with 800 x 800 virtual phase and 500 x 500 three-phase CCD imagers

A description of the Galileo/Institute for Astronomy charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging system and its initial operation has been presented previously. Originally designed to operate a 500 x 500 backside illuminated three-phase CCD, the system has been modified to allow use of either the 500 x 500 sensor or the TI 800 x 800 virtual phase CCD. The modifications for the operation of the virtual phase CCD and current system performance with each type of sensor are discussed. A description is given of the implementation of various techniques discovered at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory that improve imager performance. These techniques include tri-level clocking of the virtual phase CCD to eliminate spurious charge generation in the serial register, the use of ultraviolet light flood with the backside thinned 500 x 500 three-phase device to dramatically improve the quantum efficiency in the blue, and the practical elimination of deferred charge in the three-phase device. Results of astronomical observations with each sensor are presented.

Hlivak, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Parallel solution of closely coupled systems

An odd-even permutation and a nested dissection technique were used to circumvent the strong seriality of a system of closely coupled equations. The effect of transforming the n x n Hermitian definite positive matrix coefficient on the topology of Cholesky factors is discussed. A series of directed graphs is constructed in order to show the computational steps required for the odd-even permutation. Numerical expressions for the speed-up and efficiency of parallel N-processing techniques and sequential processing by a single computer are derived. Similar expressions are derived for the case of insufficient processing capacity. The application of the odd-even permutation to the ensemble class of computer architectures is demonstrated.

Utku, S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Parallel Pascal - An extended Pascal for parallel computers

Parallel Pascal is an extended version of the conventional serial Pascal programming language which includes a convenient syntax for specifying array operations. It is upward compatible with standard Pascal and involves only a small number of carefully chosen new features. Parallel Pascal was developed to reduce the semantic gap between standard Pascal and a large range of highly parallel computers. Two important design goals of Parallel Pascal were efficiency and portability. Portability is particularly difficult to achieve since different parallel computers frequently have very different capabilities.

Reeves, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Gravity receptors - An ultrastructural basis for peripheral sensory processing

The present ultrastructural study of serial sections has shown that type II hair cells of the anterior part of the utricular macula are integrated into the afferent neural circuitry of type I cells, which are arranged in clusters. Additionally, there exists a complex system of intramacularly originating efferent-type nerve fibers and terminals. The findings, taken together, suggest that on morphological grounds, complex processing of sensory information occurs in gravity receptors. Asymmetry of such a complex system may contribute to motion and space-motion sickness.

Ross, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Algorithm for Calibrating Robot Arms

Robots made to less demanding specifications and yet be more accurate. Method, described in published paper, used on any serial-link robot with any combination of revolute and primatic joints. Increases accuracy of positioning manipulator at any point in workspace relative to fixed coordinate system. Accurate absolute positioning capability particularly useful for those tasks where robot is issued target location by external sensory devices, such as vision system. With new method, ultraprecise manufacturing and high-resolution measurements of robot components unnecessary. Method therefore reduces cost of robots in addition to increasing robot accuracy.

Hayati, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The Factory of the Future

A brief history of aircraft production techniques is given. A flexible machining cell is then described. It is a computer controlled system capable of performing 4-axis machining part cleaning, dimensional inspection and materials handling functions in an unmanned environment. The cell was designed to: allow processing of similar and dissimilar parts in random order without disrupting production; allow serial (one-shipset-at-a-time) manufacturing; reduce work-in-process inventory; maximize machine utilization through remote set-up; maximize throughput and minimize labor.

Byman, J. E.↗