Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “model updating”

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 1,099 records · Page 61

Computer-aided communication satellite system analysis and optimization

The capabilities and limitations of the various published computer programs for fixed/broadcast communication satellite system synthesis and optimization are discussed. A satellite Telecommunication analysis and Modeling Program (STAMP) for costing and sensitivity analysis work in application of communication satellites to educational development is given. The modifications made to STAMP include: extension of the six beam capability to eight; addition of generation of multiple beams from a single reflector system with an array of feeds; an improved system costing to reflect the time value of money, growth in earth terminal population with time, and to account for various measures of system reliability; inclusion of a model for scintillation at microwave frequencies in the communication link loss model; and, an updated technological environment.

Stagl, T. W.↗

Modal test of the Viking orbiter

A modal test of the Orbiter Development Test Modal (ODTM) has been conducted to verify, or update, the mathematical model used for load analysis. The approach used to assure the quality and validity of the experimental data is defined, the modal test is described, and test results are presented and compared with analysis results. Good correlation between the analyses and the test data assures an acceptable model for incorporation into the mathematical model of the launch system.

Leppert, E. L.↗

ATS-6 - Flight accelerometers

The Applications Technology Satellite-6 (ATS-6) flight accelerometers were designed to provide data for verifying the basic spacecraft vibration modes during launch, to update the analytical model of the ATA structure, and to provide a capability for detection and diagnosis of inflight and anomalies. The experiment showed accelerations less than 2.5 g during liftoff and 1.1 g or less during staging with frequencies below 80 Hz. Measured values were generally within 1 g of predicted.

Mattson, R.↗

Elastic body dynamics

Most of the structural dynamics resources allocated to the Space Shuttle are concentrated on the flight events which result in critical structural loads and/or minimum control stability margins. Since these events are primarily sub-orbital, the data base of interest to those involved in orbital experimentation is somewhat limited. A brief discussion of available data is given. Although estimates of peak acceleration levels and the associated frequency spectrum in the payload bay due to thrusting of the various control system thrusters were made, the actual levels and time histories must be based on updated structural math models and a detailed knowledge of the input forcing functions.

Holder, B. W.↗

Modal test and analysis correlation

Modal testing plays a significant role in experimentally measuring the modal parameters used directly for response analysis of spacecraft or indirectly to update a mathematical model for use in response analysis. Developments in modal testing and correlation of results to analytical models are discussed. Several procedures to semi-automate correlation of resonant frequency and mode shape test data to the model have been shown to be valid for hypothetical problems but have not been successful in practice. Improving the correlation of frequencies and mode shapes does not necessarily improve the correlation of modal force coefficients. The paper discusses other parameters, such as kinetic energy and strain energy, which may be more significant in the correlation process. Because the most demanding requirement of a modal test is in determining dynamic loads, the authors asssume that objective, minimally discussing theoretical developments, summarizing their results, and giving sample data.

Wada, B. K.↗

Robot environment expert system

The Robot Environment Expert System uses a hexidecimal tree data structure to model a complex robot environment where not only the robot arm moves, but also the robot itself and other objects may move. The hextree model allows dynamic updating, collision avoidance and path planning over time, to avoid moving objects.

Potter, J. L.↗

Predicting rime ice accretion on airfoils

A method for predicting the droplet impingement and resulting rime ice accretion on airfoils in an incompressible, inviscid flowfield is presented. The governing equations for the water droplet trajectories are described briefly and the appropriate similarity parameters presented. Droplet impingement parameters are described for both monodisperse and arbitrary droplet size distributions. A time-stepping ice accretion process is presented where the flowfield and droplet impingement characteristics are updated periodically to model the time-dependent nature of the process. The method compares well to experimental results of both droplet impingement and rime ice shapes. The time stepping improves the accuracy of the ice shape predictions. Recommendations are given for further research.

Bragg, M. B.↗

Neutral environment for space station

The results of studies to determine the contamination compatibility of the cross boom and dual keel Space Station configurations with attached payloads are presented. The approach was to define the 3-D configuration of the Space Station and calculate surface-to-surface view factors and solid angles between surfaces and points in an extensive point matrix around the Space Station via a modified TRASYS model. The molecular number column densities along specific experiment lines-of-sight on the cross boom generally meet JSC 30426 requirements. The deposition of contaminants on payload surfaces exceeds the JSC 30426 requirements. These model predictions require updating because of the impact on background brightness predictions. An increase of a factor of 2 to 10 in column densities would result in an unacceptable optical background.

Rantanen, R. O.↗

A study on diagnosability of space station ECLSS

The use is demonstrated of the Multigraph Architecture (MGA) for studies on the Environment Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). The objective was the following: (1) to create an updated set of models of the Potable Water Subsystem (PWS) by using the graphical model building tools of the Multigraph Programming Environment (MPE); (2) to derive a real time alarm simulator from the models; and (3) to demonstrate the effects of sensor allocation on the diagnosability of the PWS. This work may serve as a preliminary study for the detailed analysis of the sensor allocation and diagnosability problems in the ECLSS.

Padalkar, S.↗

TV observations of Phobos - First results

From February to March, 1989, Phobos-2 acquired 37 TV images of Phobos at distances from 200 to 1100 km. These images will be used to update the figure model and topographic and geological maps of Phobos, its spectral characteristics and scattering law, the surface composition and texture, and the parameters of the orbital motion and forced libration.

Avanesov, G. A.↗

An architecture for designing fuzzy logic controllers using neural networks

Described here is an architecture for designing fuzzy controllers through a hierarchical process of control rule acquisition and by using special classes of neural network learning techniques. A new method for learning to refine a fuzzy logic controller is introduced. A reinforcement learning technique is used in conjunction with a multi-layer neural network model of a fuzzy controller. The model learns by updating its prediction of the plant's behavior and is related to the Sutton's Temporal Difference (TD) method. The method proposed here has the advantage of using the control knowledge of an experienced operator and fine-tuning it through the process of learning. The approach is applied to a cart-pole balancing system.

Berenji, Hamid R.↗

WAMDII: The Wide Angle Michelson Doppler Imaging Interferometer

As part of an effort to learn more about the upper atmosphere and how it is linked to the weather experienced each day, NASA and NRCC are jointly sponsoring the Wide Angle Michelson Doppler Imaging Interferometer (WAMDII) Mission. WAMDII will measure atmospheric temperature and wind speed in the upper atmosphere. In addition to providing data on the upper atmosphere, the wind speed and temperature readings WAMDII takes will also be highly useful in developing and updating computer simulated models of the upper atmosphere. These models are used in the design and testing of equipment and software for Shuttles, satellites, and reentry vehicles. In making its wind speed and temperature measurements, WAMDII examines the Earth's airglow, a faint photochemical luminescence caused by the influx of solar ultraviolet energy into the upper atmosphere. During periods of high solar flare activity, the amount of this UV energy entering the upper atmosphere increases, and this increase may effect airglow emissions.

Source record↗

Helium in the polar wind

The coupled time-dependent continuity, momentum, and energy equations for four charged species (H(+), He(+), O(+) and electrons) moving through a stationary upper neutral atmosphere (composed of O2, N2, O, He, and H) were solved along open geomagnetic field lines using a modified version of the Gombosi et al. (1985) model. The thermospheric densities and temperatures, obtained from the MSIS-86 model (Hedin, 1987), were used to calculate neutral-ion sources, sinks, and collision frequencies. The various cross sections and conductivities employed by the Gombosi et al. model were also updated. The paper presents the first time-dependent solutions for the He(+) component of the polar wind. Special attention is paid to the solar cycle variation of the ion upflows.

Gombosi, T. I.↗

New model of iron spectra in the extreme ultraviolet and application to SERTS and EUV observations: A solar active region and capella

We report new predictions for the EUV spectral emission of FeIX-FeXXIV, based on data now available from the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) and the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) spectrometers. The iron spectral emission model is the first result of a larger effort to revise the Raymond & Smith model and to update the atomic rates. We present here predicted emissivities for selected densities and temperatures applicable to various astrophysical plasmas. Comparisons of our predicted spectra with two recent observations provide important tests of the atomic data. They also test to some extent some basic assumptions of coronal emission codes: optically thin spectral lines and ionization equilibrium.

Brickhouse, N. S.↗

Development, Validation, and Potential Enhancements to the Second-Generation Operational Aerosol Product at the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A revised (phase 2) single-channel algorithm for aerosol optical thickness, tau(sup A)(sub SAT), retrieval over oceans from radiances in channel 1 (0.63 microns) of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) has been implemented at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service for the NOAA 14 satellite launched December 30, 1994. It is based on careful validation of its operational predecessor (phase 1 algorithm), implemented for NOAA 14 in 1989. Both algorithms scale the upward satellite radiances in cloud-free conditions to aerosol optical thickness using an updated radiative transfer model of the ocean and atmosphere. Application of the phase 2 algorithm to three matchup Sun-photometer and satellite data sets, one with NOAA 9 in 1988 and two with NOAA 11 in 1989 and 1991, respectively, show systematic error is less than 10%, with a random error of sigma(sub tau) approx. equal 0.04. First results of tau(sup A)(sub SAT) retrievals from NOAA 14 using the phase 2 algorithm, and from checking its internal consistency, are presented. The potential two-channel (phase 3) algorithm for the retrieval of an aerosol size parameter, such as the Junge size distribution exponent, by adding either channel 2 (0.83 microns) from the current AVHRR instrument, or a 1.6-microns channel to be available on the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission and the NOAA-KLM satellites by 1997 is under investigation. The possibility of using this additional information in the retrieval of a more accurate estimate of aerosol optical thickness is being explored.

Stowe, Larry L.↗

Wavelet Applications for Flight Flutter Testing

Wavelets present a method for signal processing that may be useful for analyzing responses of dynamical systems. This paper describes several wavelet-based tools that have been developed to improve the efficiency of flight flutter testing. One of the tools uses correlation filtering to identify properties of several modes throughout a flight test for envelope expansion. Another tool uses features in time-frequency representations of responses to characterize nonlinearities in the system dynamics. A third tool uses modulus and phase information from a wavelet transform to estimate modal parameters that can be used to update a linear model and reduce conservatism in robust stability margins.

Lind, Rick↗

Wavelet Applications for Flight Flutter Testing

Wavelets present a method for signal processing that may be useful for analyzing responses of dynamical systems. This paper describes several wavelet-based tools that have been developed to improve the efficiency of flight flutter testing. One of the tools uses correlation filtering to identify properties of several modes throughout a flight test for envelope expansion. Another tool uses features in time-frequency representations of responses to characterize nonlinearities in the system dynamics. A third tool uses modulus and phase information from a wavelet transform to estimate modal parameters that can be used to update a linear model and reduce conservatism in robust stability margins.

Lind, Rick↗

Combining Static Analysis and Model Checking for Software Analysis

We present an iterative technique in which model checking and static analysis are combined to verify large software systems. The role of the static analysis is to compute partial order information which the model checker uses to reduce the state space. During exploration, the model checker also computes aliasing information that it gives to the static analyzer which can then refine its analysis. The result of this refined analysis is then fed back to the model checker which updates its partial order reduction. At each step of this iterative process, the static analysis computes optimistic information which results in an unsafe reduction of the state space. However we show that the process converges to a fired point at which time the partial order information is safe and the whole state space is explored.

Brat, Guillaume↗