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At least 1,081 records · Page 60
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Remote Target Engagement System (RTES) Generation 4 ("Gen 4")

RTES is designed to provide teleoperation of remote weapon platform capability at defensive physical protection locations requiring active lethal capabilities for final access denial. Multiple operator consoles allow for coordinated engagement of many weapon platforms by one or more operator consoles. This results in faster response times, increased effectiveness, and increased survivability from removing response force from harm's way increasing survivability. This software is developed against DoD requirements and has been safety and functionally reviewed and approved for operational use. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525. SAND2021-1935 O

Klingler, KristopherR.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Theoretical and software considerations for nonlinear dynamic analysis

In the finite element method for structural analysis, it is generally necessary to discretize the structural model into a very large number of elements to accurately evaluate displacements, strains, and stresses. As the complexity of the model increases, the number of degrees of freedom can easily exceed the capacity of present-day software system. Improvements of structural analysis software including more efficient use of existing hardware and improved structural modeling techniques are discussed. One modeling technique that is used successfully in static linear and nonlinear analysis is multilevel substructuring. This research extends the use of multilevel substructure modeling to include dynamic analysis and defines the requirements for a general purpose software system capable of efficient nonlinear dynamic analysis. The multilevel substructuring technique is presented, the analytical formulations and computational procedures for dynamic analysis and nonlinear mechanics are reviewed, and an approach to the design and implementation of a general purpose structural software system is presented.

Schmidt, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Maneuver analysis

The maneuver analysis for the Mariner 9 mission, both prelaunch and in-flight, was different from that of previous Mariners because of the requirement to insert the spacecraft into orbit about Mars and to trim the orbit to an unprecedented accuracy. The most apparent differences were in the spacecraft design, the software development, and the maneuver strategy required for each phase of the mission. The analysis that was performed and the software that was developed, with emphasis on the maneuver strategy and actual in-flight results are described.

Mitchell, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Applying Generative-AI to NASA Documentation and Processes

This research and development project leverages generative-AI to assist in the generation of software process documentation based on NASA standards. By utilizing fine-tuned AI models, the proposed system will analyze NASA's software guidelines, helping to translate them into well-structured, compliant process documents. This assistance can reduce the manual effort required to produce such documentation, enhance consistency, and assure alignment with NASA's stringent software development and operational requirements. In addition to assisting in the generation of software process documentation, the project explores how generative-AI can help create audit checklists as well as assess the compliance of NASA provider documentation against applicable NASA standards. This approach would support the compliance auditing process, providing real-time insights and assessments. The intended result will be a streamlined process, potentially including a Python-based tool and database, that improves audit efficiency, reduces human error, lowers manpower costs and required manhours, and assures continuous compliance with NASA and industry evolving standards for safety-critical software development. Future task might be to investigate the software industry approach and standards for potential collaboration.

NASA Standards↗
NASA NTRS1992

SEDS1 mission software verification using a signal simulator

The first flight of the Small Expendable Deployer System (SEDS1) is schedule to fly as the secondary payload of a Delta 2 in March, 1993. The objective of the SEDS1 mission is to collect data to validate the concept of tethered satellite systems and to verify computer simulations used to predict their behavior. SEDS1 will deploy a 50 lb. instrumented satellite as an end mass using a 20 km tether. Langley Research Center is providing the end mass instrumentation, while the Marshall Space Flight Center is designing and building the deployer. The objective of the experiment is to test the SEDS design concept by demonstrating that the system will satisfactorily deploy the full 20 km tether without stopping prematurely, come to a smooth stop on the application of a brake, and cut the tether at the proper time after it swings to the local vertical. Also, SEDS1 will collect data which will be used to test the accuracy of tether dynamics models used to stimulate this type of deployment. The experiment will last about 1.5 hours and complete approximately 1.5 orbits. Radar tracking of the Delta II and end mass is planned. In addition, the SEDS1 on-board computer will continuously record, store, and transmit mission data over the Delta II S-band telemetry system. The Data System will count tether windings as the tether unwinds, log the times of each turn and other mission events, monitor tether tension, and record the temperature of system components. A summary of the measurements taken during the SEDS1 are shown. The Data System will also control the tether brake and cutter mechanisms. Preliminary versions of two major sections of the flight software, the data telemetry modules and the data collection modules, were developed and tested under the 1990 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program. To facilitate the debugging of these software modules, a prototype SEDS Data System was programmed to simulate turn count signals. During the 1991 summer program, the concept of simulating signals produced by the SEDS electronics systems and circuits was expanded and more precisely defined. During the 1992 summer program, the SEDS signal simulator was programmed to test the requirements of the SEDS Mission software, and this simulator will be used in the formal verification of the SEDS Mission Software. The formal test procedures specification was written which incorporates the use of the signal simulator to test the SEDS Mission Software and which incorporates procedures for testing the other major component of the SEDS software, the Monitor Software.

Pierson, William E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hybrid Curve Fitting For Reducing Motion Commands In Object Construction

Existing slicing software for additive manufacturing typically requires a triangulated mesh as its input. Triangulated meshes are approximate representations of exact CAD models. Despite the loss in dimensional accuracy, triangulated meshes are used because they are computationally easier to cross-section and offset than the exact geometry in CAD format. When a triangulated object is prepared, the resulting machine instructions include only linear motion commands. Numerous modern motion controllers can move in arc and spline motions; however, the absence of slicing software that supports curvature prevents these commands from being leveraged. To address this limitation, this paper presents a method for the hybrid reconstruction of arcs and splines as a post-processing step to traditional slicing. This method can greatly reduce the number of motion commands required to construct an object by printing smooth curved surfaces. This concise representation of tool-pathing allows for more even extrusion and is computed without a major impact on slicing time.

Wade, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1973

Analyses of requirements for computer control and data processing experiment subsystems: Image data processing system (IDAPS) software description (7094 version), volume 2

A description of each of the software modules of the Image Data Processing System (IDAPS) is presented. The changes in the software modules are the result of additions to the application software of the system and an upgrade of the IBM 7094 Mod(1) computer to a 1301 disk storage configuration. Necessary information about IDAPS sofware is supplied to the computer programmer who desires to make changes in the software system or who desires to use portions of the software outside of the IDAPS system. Each software module is documented with: module name, purpose, usage, common block(s) description, method (algorithm of subroutine) flow diagram (if needed), subroutines called, and storage requirements.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1999

Java RMI Software Technology for the Payload Planning System of the International Space Station

The Payload Planning System is for experiment planning on the International Space Station. The planning process has a number of different aspects which need to be stored in a database which is then used to generate reports on the planning process in a variety of formats. This process is currently structured as a 3-tier client/server software architecture comprised of a Java applet at the front end, a Java server in the middle, and an Oracle database in the third tier. This system presently uses CGI, the Common Gateway Interface, to communicate between the user-interface and server tiers and Active Data Objects (ADO) to communicate between the server and database tiers. This project investigated other methods and tools for performing the communications between the three tiers of the current system so that both the system performance and software development time could be improved. We specifically found that for the hardware and software platforms that PPS is required to run on, the best solution is to use Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) for communication between the client and server and SQLJ (Structured Query Language for Java) for server interaction with the database. Prototype implementations showed that RMI combined with SQLJ significantly improved performance and also greatly facilitated construction of the communication software.

Bryant, Barrett R.↗
NASA NTRS2011

ISS Operations Cost Reductions Through Automation of Real-Time Planning Tasks

In 2007 the Johnson Space Center s Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) management team challenged their organizations to find ways to reduce the cost of operations for supporting the International Space Station (ISS) in the Mission Control Center (MCC). Each MOD organization was asked to define and execute projects that would help them attain cost reductions by 2012. The MOD Operations Division Flight Planning Branch responded to this challenge by launching several software automation projects that would allow them to greatly improve console operations and reduce ISS console staffing and intern reduce operating costs. These tasks ranged from improving the management and integration mission plan changes, to automating the uploading and downloading of information to and from the ISS and the associated ground complex tasks that required multiple decision points. The software solutions leveraged several different technologies including customized web applications and implementation of industry standard web services architecture; as well as engaging a previously TRL 4-5 technology developed by Ames Research Center (ARC) that utilized an intelligent agent-based system to manage and automate file traffic flow, archive data, and generate console logs. These projects to date have allowed the MOD Operations organization to remove one full time (7 x 24 x 365) ISS console position in 2010; with the goal of eliminating a second full time ISS console support position by 2012. The team will also reduce one long range planning console position by 2014. When complete, these Flight Planning Branch projects will account for the elimination of 3 console positions and a reduction in staffing of 11 engineering personnel (EP) for ISS.

Hall, Timothy A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Effective Team Support: From Modeling to Software Agents

The purpose of this research contract was to perform multidisciplinary research between CMU psychologists, computer scientists and engineers and NASA researchers to design a next generation collaborative system to support a team of human experts and intelligent agents. To achieve robust performance enhancement of such a system, we had proposed to perform task and cognitive modeling to thoroughly understand the impact technology makes on the organization and on key individual personnel. Guided by cognitively-inspired requirements, we would then develop software agents that support the human team in decision making, information filtering, information distribution and integration to enhance team situational awareness. During the period covered by this final report, we made substantial progress in modeling infrastructure and task infrastructure. Work is continuing under a different contract to complete empirical data collection, cognitive modeling, and the building of software agents to support the teams task.

Remington, Roger W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Control system design for the MOD-5A 7.3 mW wind turbine generator

This paper provides descriptions of the requirements analysis, hardware development and software development phases of the Control System design for the MOD-5A 7.3 mW Wind Turbine Generator. The system, designed by General Electric Company, Advanced Energy Programs Department, under contract DEN 3-153 with NASA Lewis Research Center and DOE, provides real time regulation of rotor speed by control of both generator torque and rotor torque. A variable speed generator system is used to provide both airgap torque control and reactive power control. The wind rotor is designed with segmented ailerons which are positioned to control blade torque. The central component of the control system, selected early in the design process, is a programmable controller used for sequencing, alarm monitoring, communication, and real time control. Development of requirements for use of aileron controlled blades and a variable speed generator required an analytical simulation that combined drivetrain, tower and blade elastic modes with wind disturbances and control behavior. An orderly two phase plan was used for controller software development. A microcomputer based turbine simulator was used to facilitate hardware and software integration and test.

Barton, Robert S.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Effective Team Support: From Task and Cognitive Modeling to Software Agents for Time-Critical Complex Work Environments

The purpose of this research contract was to perform multidisciplinary research between CMU psychologists, computer scientists and NASA researchers to design a next generation collaborative system to support a team of human experts and intelligent agents. To achieve robust performance enhancement of such a system, we had proposed to perform task and cognitive modeling to thoroughly understand the impact technology makes on the organization and on key individual personnel. Guided by cognitively-inspired requirements, we would then develop software agents that support the human team in decision making, information filtering, information distribution and integration to enhance team situational awareness. During the period covered by this final report, we made substantial progress in completing a system for empirical data collection, cognitive modeling, and the building of software agents to support a team's tasks, and in running experiments for the collection of baseline data.

Remington, Roger W.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Node-red Software Architecture For Soec System Control

The software workflows that have been developed are open-source and therefore can be accessed and utilized by researchers and students all around the world for free of cost. The software is flexible and easily modifiable to suit the needs for testing bench-scale to system-level setups, and is not limited to just hydrogen generation facilities. The web-interface of the code allows for easy remote access and management, which is especially useful for distributed systems. This is more challenging with traditional PLCs, which often require direct connections or specialized software, making remote troubleshooting more cumbersome. Additionally, since the underlying interface is open-source, with an active community contributing to its development, regular updates, new features, and a wealth of community support and shared solutions will keep improving the overall architecture without excessive fees for upgrades.

Shigrekar, Amey [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Topical Group on Application and Industry Community Engagement Frontier Snowmass 2021 (Summary Report)

HEP community leads and operates cutting-edge experiments for the DOE Office of Science which have challenging sensing, data processing, and computing requirements that far surpass typical industrial applications. To make necessary progress in the energy, material, and fundamental sciences, development of novel technologies is often required to enable these advanced detector and accelerator programs. Our capabilities include efficient co-design, which is a prerequisite to enable the deployment of advanced techniques in a scientific setting where development spans from rapid prototyping to robust and reliable production scale. This applies across the design spectrum from the low level fabrication techniques to the high level software development. It underpins the requirement for a holistic approach of innovation that accelerates the cycle of technology development and deployment. The challenges set by the next generation of experiments requires a collaborative approach between academia, industry and national labs. Just a single stakeholder will be unable to deliver the technologies required for the success of the scientific goals. Tools and techniques developed for High Energy Physics (HEP) research can accelerate scientific discovery more broadly across DOE Office of Science and other federal initiatives and also benefit industry applications.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Approaches for Synthesis and Deployment of Controller Models on Automated Vehicles for Car-following in Mixed Autonomy

This paper describes the software design patterns and vehicle interfaces that were employed to transition vehicle controllers from simulation environments to open-road field experiments. The approach relies on a life cycle that utilizes model-based design and code generation, along with agile software development, and both software and hardware-in-the-loop testing, with additional safety margins. Autonomous designs should consider the dynamics of mixed autonomy in traffic to safely operate among humans. The software that provides a vehicle’s behavior intelligence is often developed through simulation, which may have a mismatch between dynamics, or as a result of a reinforcement learning workflow, which may be a black box with challenges to analyze. In each of these cases, it is important to have research interfaces that provide strongly typed data streams accessible to researchers who are not software experts while continuing to satisfy safety and liveness constraints. This paper describes how we design the hardware platform interfaces and software design process for a mixed autonomy traffic experiment with a leader-follower scenario. Controller synthesis for these vehicles requires clearly articulated vehicle interfaces and software design patterns for successful onboard deployment. Testing strategies for such controllers are also described before algorithms are transitioned to full-scale field experiments with safety operators for the vehicles. Testing strategies include software-in-the-loop simulation testing, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, ghost-car testing, and read-only testing in live traffic. With our approach, we were not only able to validate our controller synthesized in scripts and simulation, but also able to scale deployment to multiple vehicles.

Bhadani, Rahul↗
NASA NTRS1993

Implementation of interconnect simulation tools in spice

Accurate computer simulation of high speed digital computer circuits and communication circuits requires a multimode approach to simulate both the devices and the interconnects between devices. Classical circuit analysis algorithms (lumped parameter) are needed for circuit devices and the network formed by the interconnected devices. The interconnects, however, have to be modeled as transmission lines which incorporate electromagnetic field analysis. An approach to writing a multimode simulator is to take an existing software package which performs either lumped parameter analysis or field analysis and add the missing type of analysis routines to the package. In this work a traditionally lumped parameter simulator, SPICE, is modified so that it will perform lossy transmission line analysis using a different model approach. Modifying SPICE3E2 or any other large software package is not a trivial task. An understanding of the programming conventions used, simulation software, and simulation algorithms is required. This thesis was written to clarify the procedure for installing a device into SPICE3E2. The installation of three devices is documented and the installations of the first two provide a foundation for installation of the lossy line which is the third device. The details of discussions are specific to SPICE, but the concepts will be helpful when performing installations into other circuit analysis packages.

Satsangi, H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Does software design complexity affect maintenance effort?

The design complexity of a software system may be characterized within a refinement level (e.g., data flow among modules), or between refinement levels (e.g., traceability between the specification and the design). We analyzed an existing set of data from NASA's Software Engineering Laboratory to test whether changing software modules with high design complexity requires more personnel effort than changing modules with low design complexity. By analyzing variables singly, we identified strong correlations between software design complexity and change effort for error corrections performed during the maintenance phase. By analyzing variables in combination, we found patterns which identify modules in which error corrections were costly to perform during the acceptance test phase.

Epping, Andreas↗
NASA NTRS1990

Software verification plan for GCS

This verification plan is written as part of an experiment designed to study the fundamental characteristics of the software failure process. The experiment will be conducted using several implementations of software that were produced according to industry-standard guidelines, namely the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics RTCA/DO-178A guidelines, Software Consideration in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification, for the development of flight software. This plan fulfills the DO-178A requirements for providing instructions on the testing of each implementation of software. The plan details the verification activities to be performed at each phase in the development process, contains a step by step description of the testing procedures, and discusses all of the tools used throughout the verification process.

Dent, Leslie A.↗