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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Coherent receiver employing nonlinear coherence detection for carrier tracking

The concept of nonlinear coherence employed in carrier tracking to improve telecommunications efficiency is disclosed. A generic tracking loop for a coherent receiver is shown having seven principle feedback signals which may be selectively added and applied to a voltage controlled oscillator to produce a reference signal that is phase coherent with a received carrier. An eighth feedback signal whose nonrandom components are coherent with the phase detected and filtered carrier may also be added to exploit the sideband power of the received signal. A ninth feedback signal whose nonrandom components are also coherent with the quadrature phase detected and filtered carrier could be additionally or alternatively included in the composite feedback signal to the voltage controlled oscillator.

Lindsey, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1995

A novel photonic oscillator

We report a novel oscillator for photonic RF systems. This oscillator is capable of generating high-frequency signals up to 70 GHz in both electrical and optical domains and is a special voltage-controlled oscillator with an optical output port. It can be used to make a phase-locked loop (PLL) and perform all functions that a PLL is capable of for photonic systems. It can be synchronized to a reference source by means of optical injection locking, electrical injection locking, and PLL. It can also be self-phase locked and self-injection locked to generate a high-stability photonic RF reference. Its applications include high-frequency reference regeneration and distribution, high-gain frequency multiplication, comb-frequecy and square-wave generation, carrier recovery, and clock recovery. We anticipate that such photonic voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) will be as important to photonic RF systems as electrical VCOs are to electrical RF systems.

Yao, X. S.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Cryogenic Pound Circuits for Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillators

Two modern cryogenic variants of the Pound circuit have been devised to increase the frequency stability of microwave oscillators that include cryogenic sapphire-filled cavity resonators. The original Pound circuit is a microwave frequency discriminator that provides feedback to stabilize a voltage-controlled microwave oscillator with respect to an associated cavity resonator. In the present cryogenic Pound circuits, the active microwave devices are implemented by use of state-of-the-art commercially available tunnel diodes that exhibit low flicker noise (required for high frequency stability) and function well at low temperatures and at frequencies up to several tens of gigahertz. While tunnel diodes are inherently operable as amplitude detectors and amplitude modulators, they cannot, by themselves, induce significant phase modulation. Therefore, each of the present cryogenic Pound circuits includes passive circuitry that transforms the AM into the required PM. Each circuit also contains an AM detector that is used to sample the microwave signal at the input terminal of the high-Q resonator for the purpose of verifying the desired AM null at this point. Finally, each circuit contains a Pound signal detector that puts out a signal, at the modulation frequency, having an amplitude proportional to the frequency error in the input signal. High frequency stability is obtained by processing this output signal into feedback to a voltage-controlled oscillator to continuously correct the frequency error in the input signal.

Dick, G. John↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reinforcement Learning-Based Secondary Control Strategy for Voltage and Frequency Regulation in Islanded Inverter-Based Microgrids

This paper presents a reinforcement learning (RL) approach for secondary voltage and frequency control in islanded inverter-based microgrids. The proposed control strategy aims to restore voltage and frequency deviations caused by the primary droop control while ensuring proper power sharing between distributed generators. The RL agent is designed to provide correction signals to the primary control, considering communication delays and system constraints. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is validated through simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink environment, demonstrating superior performance in maintaining voltage and frequency within the nominal values.

Rodriguez Martinez, Omar Felipe [University of Pue↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mechanism-Informed Breakdown: Understanding Degradation by Controlling Voltage-Hold Patterns in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

Low catalyst loadings pose challenges to performance stability in proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis over extended operation. To study the impact of degradation mechanisms and voltage loss rates, different stress tests are applied to membrane electrode assemblies. Potential cycling conditions were observed to induce higher degrees of iridium (Ir) oxide crystallization, ionomer degradation, and catalyst layer (CL) thinning, which likely contributed to higher kinetic loss rates. On the other hand, while Ir migrating into the PEM (Ir band) generally impairs performance, the interconnected and more uniform Ir band formed under a constant 2 V hold may allow for Ir at the catalyst/membrane interface to remain electronically connected and kinetically accessible, as well as indicate greater Ir site access during the applied stressor. The 2 V hold also demonstrates improved kinetic durability through a lower Tafel slope, faster polarization kinetics, and reduced charge transfer resistance. In contrast, potential cycling caused the migration of disconnected Ir agglomerates into the membrane bulk and created a steady increase in charge transfer resistance, a more dramatic decrease in capacitance (46.7% loss), and significant damage to the surrounding ionomer, indicating a decline in both the quality and quantity of active sites in the anode CL. This work underscores the distinct degradation pathways associated with load holds versus cycling, highlighting the role of catalyst-ionomer interactions in kinetic performance and long-term stability. These insights can inform operational strategies for PEM electrolyzers powered by intermittent energy sources, aiming to minimize efficiency losses over extended operation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1971

Voltage-programed control of turboalternator load

A power source and load-control concept was designed and tested for use with a Brayton cycle turboalternator. The concept provides power that adjusts to a range of loads while controlling alternator speed and isolating load-switching transients. The concept is also applicable to power-generating sources other than the Brayton cycle.

Young, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Controllable high voltage source having fast settling time

A high voltage dc stepping power supply for sampling a utilization device such as an electrostatic analyzer has a relatively fast settling time for voltage steps. The supply includes a waveform generator for deriving a low voltage staircase waveform that feeds a relatively long response time power supply, deriving a high output voltage generally equal to a predetermined multiple of the input voltage. In the power supply, an ac voltage modulated by the staircase waveform is applied to a step-up transformer and then to a voltage multiplier stack to form a high voltage, relatively poor replica of the input waveform at an intermediate output terminal. A constant dc source, applied to the input of the power supply, biases the voltage at the intermediate output terminal to be in excess of the predetermined multiple of the input voltage.

Doong, H.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Tabletop Testing for EV Charging Ecosystem PKI (Project T34PKI Final Report)

To test the communications and cybersecurity functionality, Electric Vehicle and charging station vendors have had to ship their products to in-person testing events. This is cumbersome, expensive, inefficient, and an impediment to rapid time-to-deployment. In this project Sandia used COTS hardware and Open-Source Software to develop and demonstrate a more agile, productive approach: testing low-voltage controllers independently from high-voltage power delivery sub-systems. This approach allows communications controllers to be transported easily (e.g. shipped at low cost, checked as airline baggage); set up on a table-top (“bench testing”); and use ordinary 120 VAC outlets to conduct agile testing. Table-top platforms become end nodes that can connect to laboratory and cloud-based servers to test communications and cybersecurity, specifically Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) functionality and interoperability, separately from EV battery charging (power/energy transfer) functionality.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS1971

Portable low-frequency vibration measuring and recording system

Information gathering system measures and records vibrations which affect personnel comfort in space, air, and surface vehicles. Three vibration transducers with mutually perpendicular axes control the frequency output of voltage controlled oscillators /VCO/. Outputs of VCO'S are multiplexed and then recorded on one track of stereo tape recorder.

Clevenson, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Dynamic Analysis of a Two Member Manipulator

Attenuating start-up and stopping vibrations when maneuvering large payloads attached to flexible manipulator systems is a great concern for many space missions. To address this concern, it was proposed that the use of smart materials, and their applications in smart structures, may provide an effective method of control for aerospace structures. In this paper, a modified finite element model has been developed to simulate the performance of piezoelectric ceramic actuators, and was applied to a flexible two-arm manipulator system. Connected to a control voltage, the piezoelectric actuators produce control moments based on the optimal control theory. The computer simulation modeled the end-effector vibration suppression of the NASA manipulator testbed for berthing operations of the Space Shuttle to the Space Station. The results of the simulation show that the bonded piezoelectric actuators can effectively suppress follow-up vibrations of the end-effector, stimulated by some external disturbance.

McGinley, W. Mark↗
NASA NTRS1997

Dynamic Analysis of a Two Member Manipulator Arm

Attenuating start-up and stopping vibrations when maneuvering large payloads attached to flexible manipulator systems is a great concern for many space missions. To address this concern, it was proposed that the use of smart materials, and their applications in smart structures, may provide an effective method of control for aerospace structures. In this paper, a modified finite element model has been developed to simulate the performance of piezoelectric ceramic actuators, and was applied to a flexible two-arm manipulator system. Connected to a control voltage, the piezoelectric actuators produce control moments based on the optimal control theory. The computer simulation modeled the end-effector vibration suppression of the NASA manipulator testbed for berthing operations of the Space Shuttle to the Space Station. The results of the simulation show that the bonded piezoelectric actuators can effectively suppress follow-up vibrations of the end-effector, stimulated by some external disturbance.

McGinley, Mark↗
NASA NTRS2005

Advanced Controller Developed for the Free-Piston Stirling Convertor

A free-piston Stirling power convertor is being considered as an advanced power-conversion technology for future NASA deep-space missions requiring long-life radioisotope power systems. The NASA Glenn Research Center has identified key areas where advanced technologies can enhance the capability of Stirling energy-conversion systems. One of these is power electronic controls. Current power-conversion technology for Glenn-tested Stirling systems consists of an engine-driven linear alternator generating an alternating-current voltage controlled by a tuning-capacitor-based alternating-current peak voltage load controller. The tuning capacitor keeps the internal alternator electromotive force (EMF) in phase with its respective current (i.e., passive power factor correction). The alternator EMF is related to the piston velocity, which must be kept in phase with the alternator current in order to achieve stable operation. This tuning capacitor, which adds volume and mass to the overall Stirling convertor, can be eliminated if the controller can actively drive the magnitude and phase of the alternator current.

Gerber, Scott S.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Tunnel junction-enabled monolithically integrated GaN micro-light emitting transistor

GaN/InGaN microLEDs are a very promising technology for next-generation displays. Switching control transistors and their integration are key components in achieving high-performance, efficient displays. Monolithic integration of microLEDs with GaN switching devices provides an opportunity to control microLED output power with capacitive (voltage)-controlled rather than current-controlled schemes. This approach can greatly reduce system complexity for the driver circuit arrays while maintaining device opto-electronic performance. In this work, we demonstrate a 3-terminal GaN micro-light emitting transistor that combines a GaN/InGaN blue tunneling-based microLED with a GaN n-channel FET. Further, the integrated device exhibits excellent gate control, drain current control, and optical emission control. This work provides a promising pathway for future monolithic integration of GaN FETs with microLED to enable fast switching, high-efficiency microLED display and communication systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1979

Power-switch dV/dt sensing

Simple means for controlling voltage risetime and powerline noise used three transistors and capacitive feedback. Rate of change of voltage across load is reduced and controlled by circuit. Circuit is useful in situations where large wire bundles are subject to noise and crosstalk due to rapid current switching.

Jones, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Control of multiple resonant power processors in a multi-source system

Analysis and test results show that phasor-regulated, Mapham-derived resonant inverters can be paralleled to provide standardizing interfaces for multiple sources on a utility-type, aerospace power distribution bus. The basic sources do not require matching in any way, and may have grossly different characteristics. Fully stable system architectures with multiple sources, parallel/redundant distribution buses, and a wide variety of loads can be easily constructed and controlled. The commands and parameters available for system control allow for tight tolerance bus voltage control, and absolute power-sharing control from the various sources over the full range of possible source and load variations. That level of control enables simplified load power processing hardware and the distribution of losses to optimally load the source thermal control system. Positive control of all system performance and allocation of losses are not required by all missions or vehicles, and overall vehicle considerations do not always require the loads on vehicle energy sources and thermal control systems to be balanced. In those cases, power system control can be simplified, and a hierarchical set of defaults can be substituted for computer-generated or supervisory input commands to allow for stable, fully autonomous system operation.

Mildice, James↗