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At least 991 records · Page 55
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Knowledge acquisition and representation for the Systems Test and Operations Language (STOL) Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS)

This presentation concentrates on knowledge acquisition and its application to the development of an expert module and a user interface for an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS). The Systems Test and Operations Language (STOL) ITS is being developed to assist NASA control center personnel in learning a command and control language as it is used in mission operations rooms. The objective of the tutor is to impart knowledge and skills that will permit the trainee to solve command and control problems in the same way that the STOL expert solves those problems. The STOL ITS will achieve this object by representing the solution space in such a way that the trainee can visualize the intermediate steps, and by having the expert module production rules parallel the STOL expert's knowledge structures.

Seamster, Thomas L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The Life Support Database system

The design and implementation of the database system are described with specific reference to data available from the Build-1 version and techniques for its utilization. The review of the initial documents for the Life Support Database is described in terms of title format and sequencing, and the users are defined as participants in NASA-sponsored life-support research. The software and hardware selections are based respectively on referential integrity and compatibility, and the implementation of the user interface is achieved by means of an applications-programming tool. The current Beta-Test implementation of the system includes several thousand acronyms and bibliographic references as well as chemical properties and exposure limits, equipment, construction materials, and mission data. In spite of modifications in the database the system is found to be effective and a potentially significant resource for the aerospace community.

Likens, William C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Thermal Synthesizer System - An integrated approach to spacecraft thermal analysis

The Thermal Synthesizer System (TSS), which is being developed to meet the thermal analysis needs of Space Station Freedom and of the proposed Space Exploration Initiative missions, is examined. The key requirements and design goals to be met by TSS are summarized, and the software engineering and user interface design philosophy are reviewed. The basic architecture for all applications within TSS is described. An overview is given of the main features of each of the applications of TSS.

Panczak, Tim↗
NASA NTRS1991

Automatic fringe analysis

To satisfy the requirement for fast, accurate interferometric analytical tools, the Fringe Analysis Workstation (FAW) has been developed to analyze complex fringe image data easily and rapidly. FAW is employed for flow studies in hydrodynamics and aerodynamics experiments, and for target shell characterization in inertial confinement fusion research. Three major components of the FAW system: fringe analysis/image processing, input/output, and visualization/graphical user interface are described.

Chiu, Arnold↗
NASA NTRS1992

ACSYNT - A standards-based system for parametric, computer aided conceptual design of aircraft

A group of eight US aerospace companies together with several NASA and NAVY centers, led by NASA Ames Systems Analysis Branch, and Virginia Tech's CAD Laboratory agreed, through the assistance of Americal Technology Initiative, in 1990 to form the ACSYNT (Aircraft Synthesis) Institute. The Institute is supported by a Joint Sponsored Research Agreement to continue the research and development in computer aided conceptual design of aircraft initiated by NASA Ames Research Center and Virginia Tech's CAD Laboratory. The result of this collaboration, a feature-based, parametric computer aided aircraft conceptual design code called ACSYNT, is described. The code is based on analysis routines begun at NASA Ames in the early 1970's. ACSYNT's CAD system is based entirely on the ISO standard Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System and is graphics-device independent. The code includes a highly interactive graphical user interface, automatically generated Hermite and B-Spline surface models, and shaded image displays. Numerous features to enhance aircraft conceptual design are described.

Jayaram, S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced training systems for the next decade and beyond

Autonomous training systems grouped under the term intelligent computer-aided training (ICAT) are described with references to their intelligent technologies. An ICAT system was developed for the deployment of the payload-assist module satellites from the Space Shuttle, fault detection in vacuum-vent lines on Spacelab, main-propulsion pneumatics, and for instrument pointing systems. The basic ICAT architecture is delineated with descriptions of elements such as the user interface, domain expert, traning-session manager, trainee model, and training-scenario generator. The ICAT systems employ advanced technologies including knowledge acquisition, virtual environments, and fuzzy logic. The general architecture of the ICAT systems is shown to be fully developed and applicable to the construction of seven different tasks, and the ICAT systems are concluded to enhance the training of aerospace personnel.

Loftin, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The SURE approach to reliability analysis

The SURE computer program, a reliability-analysis tool for ultrareliable computer-system architectures, provides rapid computational capability for semi-Markov models useful in describing the fault-handling behavior of fault-tolerant computer systems. The basic mathematics of SURE and its user interface are described, including a sample interactive session. The basis of the SURE model-pruning capability is presented, and the SURE loop-truncation method is justified. The techniques used to develop a semi-Markov model of a fault-tolerant computer system are also reviewed.

Butler, Ricky W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Model-based diagnostics for Space Station Freedom

An innovative approach to fault management was recently demonstrated for the NASA LeRC Space Station Freedom (SSF) power system testbed. This project capitalized on research in model-based reasoning, which uses knowledge of a system's behavior to monitor its health. The fault management system (FMS) can isolate failures online, or in a post analysis mode, and requires no knowledge of failure symptoms to perform its diagnostics. An in-house tool called MARPLE was used to develop and run the FMS. MARPLE's capabilities are similar to those available from commercial expert system shells, although MARPLE is designed to build model-based as opposed to rule-based systems. These capabilities include functions for capturing behavioral knowledge, a reasoning engine that implements a model-based technique known as constraint suspension, and a tool for quickly generating new user interfaces. The prototype produced by applying MARPLE to SSF not only demonstrated that model-based reasoning is a valuable diagnostic approach, but it also suggested several new applications of MARPLE, including an integration and testing aid, and a complement to state estimation.

Fesq, Lorraine M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The Space Station Module Power Management and Distribution automation test bed

The Space Station Module Power Management And Distribution (SSM/PMAD) automation test bed project was begun at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in the mid-1980s to develop an autonomous, user-supportive power management and distribution test bed simulating the Space Station Freedom Hab/Lab modules. As the test bed has matured, many new technologies and projects have been added. The author focuses on three primary areas. The first area is the overall accomplishments of the test bed itself. These include a much-improved user interface, a more efficient expert system scheduler, improved communication among the three expert systems, and initial work on adding intermediate levels of autonomy. The second area is the addition of a more realistic power source to the SSM/PMAD test bed; this project is called the Large Autonomous Spacecraft Electrical Power System (LASEPS). The third area is the completion of a virtual link between the SSM/PMAD test bed at MSFC and the Autonomous Power Expert at Lewis Research Center.

Lollar, Louis F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Development of an Intelligent Hypertext Manual for the Space Shuttle Hazardous Gas Detection System

The Intelligent Hypertext Manual (IHM) for the Hazardous Gas Detection System (HGDS) of the Space Shuttle is described as an example of an integrated knowledge system. The IHM is described in terms of its design as a system for facilitating the interpretation of real-time data regarding hazardous gases and their successful and timely detection. Hypermedia technology is employed that incorporates text, video, and sound, and the architecture of the IHM integrated knowledge system is based on knowledge elements, a basic user interface, and integrated application software. Knowledge organization enhances the retrieval of documents for launch commit criteria, operations and maintenance requirements, flight-measurement location, and hypermedia incorporation. The integration of computer and AI technologies for the HGDS IHM demonstrates the potential for enhancing efficiency in aerospace operations with aerospace data that are easy to retrieve.

Lo, Ching F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

First level release of 2GCHAS for comprehensive helicopter analysis

Consideration is given to the Second Generation Comprehensive Helicopter Analysis System (2GCHAS) under development by the Aeroflightdynamics Directorate of the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command to provide a significant advance in rotorcraft analysis capability. The recent progress that led to the completion of the first-level release in December 1990 is described. The project management approach, 2GCHAS engineering capabilities and features, documentation, and the user interface are also examined. The spanwise bound circulation distribution of the fixed wing calculated with the vortex wake system, and ground resonance frequency and damping results are illustrated in graphic form.

Ormiston, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

HST Servicing Mission Planning and Replanning Tool

An overview is presented of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Service Mission Planning and Replanning Tool (SM/PART) and the approach that was employed to develop the system. SM/PART is an AI expert system utilized by NASA to rapidly build complex timelines and command plans to control HST activities. HST servicing missions are Space Shuttle/Orbiter missions expected to occur every three to five years to rendezvous with the HST in orbit and replace, upgrade, or repair HST components. SM/PART runs on a UNIX-based workstation and is implemented in the C language with a Motif-based graphical user interface.

Johnson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Increasing the usefulness of Shuttle with SPACEHAB

SPACEHAB is a pressurized laboratory, approximately 10 feet long and 13 feet in diameter, which fits in the forward position of the Shuttle payload bay and connects to the crew compartment through the Orbiter airlock. SPACEHAB modules may contain up to 61 standard middeck lockers, providing 1100 cubic feet of pressurized work space. SPACEHAB'S capacity offers crew-tended access to the microgravity environment for experimentation, technology development, and small-scale production. The modules are designed to facilitate the user's ability to quickly and inexpensively develop and integrate a microgravity payload. Payloads are typically integrated into the SPACEHAB module in standard SPACEHAB lockers or SPACEHAB racks. Lockers are designed to offer identical user interfaces as standard Space Shuttle middeck lockers. SPACEHAB racks are interchangeable with Space Station Freedom racks, allowing hardware to be qualified for early station use.

Stone, Barbara A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Flow Analysis Software Toolkit

Flow Analysis Software Toolkit (FAST) computer program provides software environment facilitating visualization of data. Collection of separate programs (modules) running simultaneously and helps user to examine results of numerical and experimental simulations. Intended for graphical depiction of computed flows, also assists in analysis of other types of data. Combines capabilities of such programs as PLOT3D, RIP, SURF, and GAS into one software environment with modules sharing data. All modules have consistent, highly interactive graphical user interface. Modular construction makes it flexible and extensible. Environment custom-configured, and new modules developed and added as needed. Written in ANSI compliant FORTRAN 77 and C language.

Watson, Velvin↗
NASA NTRS1993

Simulating Orbital Operations Of Spacecraft

Orbital Operations Simulator, OOS, computer program developed to implement mathematical models of complex outer-space vehicular systems and be "testbed" for new flight software. Has multi-vehicular-simulation capability to model on-orbit proximity and docking operations. Version 1.0, with its Prepare Processor and User Interface Shell designed to be true multivehicle dynamic simulator with capability to change mathematical models of spacecraft subsystems easily. Written in K & R standard C, LEX, and YACC languages and operates under System V shell.

Edwards, Carter↗
NASA NTRS1992

An Embedded Rule-Based Diagnostic Expert System in Ada

Ada is becoming an increasingly popular programming language for large Government-funded software projects. Ada with it portability, transportability, and maintainability lends itself well to today's complex programming environment. In addition, expert systems have also assumed a growing role in providing human-like reasoning capability expertise for computer systems. The integration is discussed of expert system technology with Ada programming language, especially a rule-based expert system using an ART-Ada (Automated Reasoning Tool for Ada) system shell. NASA Lewis was chosen as a beta test site for ART-Ada. The test was conducted by implementing the existing Autonomous Power EXpert System (APEX), a Lisp-based power expert system, in ART-Ada. Three components, the rule-based expert systems, a graphics user interface, and communications software make up SMART-Ada (Systems fault Management with ART-Ada). The rules were written in the ART-Ada development environment and converted to Ada source code. The graphics interface was developed with the Transportable Application Environment (TAE) Plus, which generates Ada source code to control graphics images. SMART-Ada communicates with a remote host to obtain either simulated or real data. The Ada source code generated with ART-Ada, TAE Plus, and communications code was incorporated into an Ada expert system that reads the data from a power distribution test bed, applies the rule to determine a fault, if one exists, and graphically displays it on the screen. The main objective, to conduct a beta test on the ART-Ada rule-based expert system shell, was achieved. The system is operational. New Ada tools will assist in future successful projects. ART-Ada is one such tool and is a viable alternative to the straight Ada code when an application requires a rule-based or knowledge-based approach.

Jones, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The development and technology transfer of software engineering technology at NASA. Johnson Space Center

The United State's big space projects of the next decades, such as Space Station and the Human Exploration Initiative, will need the development of many millions of lines of mission critical software. NASA-Johnson (JSC) is identifying and developing some of the Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) technology that NASA will need to build these future software systems. The goal is to improve the quality and the productivity of large software development projects. New trends are outlined in CASE technology and how the Software Technology Branch (STB) at JSC is endeavoring to provide some of these CASE solutions for NASA is described. Key software technology components include knowledge-based systems, software reusability, user interface technology, reengineering environments, management systems for the software development process, software cost models, repository technology, and open, integrated CASE environment frameworks. The paper presents the status and long-term expectations for CASE products. The STB's Reengineering Application Project (REAP), Advanced Software Development Workstation (ASDW) project, and software development cost model (COSTMODL) project are then discussed. Some of the general difficulties of technology transfer are introduced, and a process developed by STB for CASE technology insertion is described.

Pitman, C. L.↗