Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Transfer functions”

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 1,117 records · Page 62

Component response to random vibratory motion of the carrier vehicle

Two physical models of component plus supporting substructure are considered. Each model consists of a rigid body attached to a moving base by means of linear springs and viscous dampers. The second model differs from the first in that its dampers are elastically supported. The first model receives the more extensive treatment. Base motion, assumed a random translational motion parallel to a fixed axis, is prescribed only to the extent that the power spectral density (PSD) of its acceleration is given; and, as given, its plot on log-log graph paper is a series of straight line segments, each segment having an extremity in common with the adjacent segment. Closed expressions are given for the mean squares of base acceleration, base velocity, and base displacement. The component is restricted to planar motion and allowed two degrees of freedom, one translational and one rotational. Integral expressions are given for the mean squares of component response variables, the transfer functions essential to mean square computation being available via the equations of motion. Closed expressions are given for mean squares of certain of the response variables for the case wherein the base acceleration PSD is constant.

Tuell, L. P.↗

A class of fast staircase algorithms for generalized state-space systems

Several methods are presented for defining generalized state space models (GSSM), with emphasis on 'fast' techniques for transforming GSSMs to condensed state space models (SSM). The fast forms are configured to yield invariant transfer functions. Details of the decomposition process are summarized in terms of the determination of eigenvalues which are separated within staircase matrices. Applications of the techniques are illustrated through implementation of a unimodular transformation which does not affect the finite eigenvalues, by demonstrating deadbeat control of a GSSM, which the definition of a reduced observer of a GSSM, and by embedding a polynomial matrix into a unimodular matrix.

Beelen, T.↗

Design of feedforward-cascade controllers for multivariable systems

The problems of disturbance decoupling and command matching in linear multivariable systems by means of feedforward and cascade controllers are formulated and solved in a transfer-function setting. It is shown that a necessary and sufficient condition for existence of the required controllers is that the plant zero polynomial is not identically zero and is stable. The required controllers are realized by parallel combination of a proportional-multiple-derivative term and a dynamic term, where the order of the dynamic term does not exceed the number of plant transmission zeros. The control scheme proposed in the paper is composed of a stabilizing feedback controller to enhance system stability, a feedforward controller to achieve disturbance decoupling and a cascade controller to ensure command matching. The three controllers have no effect on each other and can therefore be designed independently. A numerical example is given for illustration.

Seraji, H.↗

Application of the cepstrum to remove echoes from rotor acoustic spectra

The application of the power cepstrum technique to the analysis of model scale helicopter rotor noise spectra is investigated. The power cepstrum technique emerges as a useful tool for the removal of undesired acoustic reflections from measured rotor spectra. It is most effective when the reflections are exact duplicates of the signal, i.e., when the echo transfer function is linear. Moreover, the technique is best applied to a measured spectrum which is due entirely to the signal and its echoes, when no nonsource related signals are present. It is noted that this technique can be applied without prior knowledge of the echo characteristics.

Martin, R. M.↗

The role of modeling and flight testing in rotorcraft parameter identification

The importance of recognizing that each lower-order model used for rotorcraft parameter identification has a limited range of applicability is illustrated in some detail. Examples are given to illustrate the use of conditioning the test input signals and the potential of using multi-axis test inputs to enhance the parameter identifiability. The paper discusses the benefits and limitations of using frequency sweeps as flight-test input signals for identification of frequency response for rotorcraft and for the subsequent fitting of parametric transfer-function models. This paper demonstrates the major role played by analytical modeling and the understanding of the physics involved in the rotorcraft flight dynamics, particularly understanding the limit of lower-order models, in achieving successful rotorcraft parameter identification.

Chen, R. T. N.↗

Global relationship between oceanic geoid and topography

The transfer function of geoid over topography as a function of wavelength is derived. The relationship between oceanic geoid and seafloor depth is analyzed. The correction of the geoid and topological data for thermal cooling of the oceanic lithosphere, sediment loading, and crustal thickening induced by volcanism under large ocean plateaus is discussed. The global residual depth and geoid anomalies are computed. The admittance and correlation between residual depth and geoid anomalies as a function of wavelength are examined.

Cazenave, A.↗

The LQR/LTR procedure for multivariable feedback control design

This paper provides a tutorial overview of the linear quadratic Gaussian with loop transfer recovery (LQG/LTR) design procedure for linear multivariable feedback systems. LQR/LTR is interpreted as the solution of a specific weighted H-squared tradeoff between transfer functions in the frequency domain. Properties of this solution are examined for both minimum-phase and nonminimum-phase systems. This leads to a formal weight augmentation procedure for the minimum-phase case which permits essentially arbitrary specification of system sensitivity functions in terms of the weights. While such arbitrary specifications are not possible for nonminimum-phase problems, a direct relationship between weights and sensitivities is developed for nonminimum-phase SISO and certain nonminimum-phase MIMO cases which guides the weight selection process.

Stein, Gunter↗

The evolution of instabilities in the axisymmetric jet. I - The linear growth of disturbances near the nozzle. II - The flow resulting from the interaction between two waves

The modal distribution of coherent structures evolving near the nozzle of a circular jet was studied experimentally and theoretically, with particular attention given to the effects produced on the instability modes by transverse curvature, flow divergence, inhomogeneous inflow conditions, and the detailed shape of the mean velocity profile. Experiments were performed using a specially constructed air-jet facility; hot-wire anemometers were used in conjunction with Disa Model 55P11 sensors for flow measurements. The linear model used as a transfer function is capable of predicting the spectral distribution of the velocity perturbations in a jet. Consideration was also given to studies of leading nonlinear interactions generated by waves externally superimposed on an axisymmetric jet; theoretical predictions were verified experimentally.

Cohen, J.↗

The influence of eddy currents on magnetic actuator performance

The present investigation of the effects of eddy currents on EM actuators' transient performance notes that a transfer function representation encompassing a first-order model of the eddy current influence can be useful in control system analysis. The method can be extended to represent the higher-order effects of eddy currents for actuators that cannot be represented by semiinfinite planes.

Zmood, R. B.↗

The physical basis for estimating wave energy spectra from SAR imagery

Ocean surface waves are imaged by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) through a combination of the effects of changes in the surface slope, surface roughness, and surface motion. Over a limited range of conditions, each of these effects can be described in terms of a linear modulation-transfer function. In such cases, the wave-height spectrum can be estimated in a straightforward manner from the SAR image-intensity spectrum. The range of conditions over which this assumption of linearity is valid is investigated using a numerical simulation model, and the implications of various departures from linearity are discussed.

Lyzenga, David R.↗

SIR-B ocean-wave enhancement with fast Fourier transform techniques

Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) imagery is Fourier filtered to remove the estimated system-transfer function, reduce speckle noise, and produce ocean scenes with a gray scale that is proportional to wave height. The SIR-B system response to speckled scenes of uniform surfaces yields an estimate of the stationary wavenumber response of the imaging radar, modeled by the 15 even terms of an eighth-order two-dimensional polynomial. Speckle can also be used to estimate the dynamic wavenumber response of the system due to surface motion during the aperture synthesis period, modeled with a single adaptive parameter describing an exponential correlation along track. A Fourier filter can then be devised to correct for the wavenumber response of the remote sensor and scene correlation, with subsequent subtraction of an estimate of the speckle noise component. A linearized velocity bunching model, combined with a surface tilt and hydrodynamic model, is incorporated in the Fourier filter to derive estimates of wave height from the radar intensities corresponding to individual picture elements.

Tilley, David G.↗

Inverse of polynomial matrices in the irreducible form

An algorithm is developed for finding the inverse of polynomial matrices in the irreducible form. The computational method involves the use of the left (right) matrix division method and the determination of linearly dependent vectors of the remainders. The obtained transfer function matrix has no nontrivial common factor between the elements of the numerator polynomial matrix and the denominator polynomial.

Chang, Fan R.↗

Stability studies of Solar Optical Telescope dynamics

The Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) is designed to operate as an attached payload mounted on the Instrument Pointing System (IPS) in the cargo bay of the Shuttle Orbiter. Pointing and control of SOT is accomplished by an active Articulated Primary Mirror (APM), an active Tertiary Mirror (TM), an elaborate set of optical sensors, electromechanical actuators and programmable controllers. The structural interactions of this complex control system are significant factors in the stability of the SOT. The preliminary stability study results of the SOT dynamical system are presented. Structural transfer functions obtained from the NASTRAN model of the structure were used. These studies apply to a single degree of freedom (elevation). Fully integrated model studies will be conducted in the future.

Gullapalli, Sarma N.↗

Punch stretching process monitoring using acoustic emission signal analysis. II - Application of frequency domain deconvolution

The coloring effect on the acoustic emission signal due to the frequency response of the data acquisition/processing instrumentation may bias the interpretation of AE signal characteristics. In this paper, a frequency domain deconvolution technique, which involves the identification of the instrumentation transfer functions and multiplication of the AE signal spectrum by the inverse of these system functions, has been carried out. In this way, the change in AE signal characteristics can be better interpreted as the result of the change in only the states of the process. Punch stretching process was used as an example to demonstrate the application of the technique. Results showed that, through the deconvolution, the frequency characteristics of AE signals generated during the stretching became more distinctive and can be more effectively used as tools for process monitoring.

Liang, Steven Y.↗

Designing Estimator/Predictor Digital Phase-Locked Loops

Signal delays in equipment compensated automatically. New approach to design of digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) incorporates concepts from estimation theory and involves decomposition of closed-loop transfer function into estimator and predictor. Estimator provides recursive estimates of phase, frequency, and higher order derivatives of phase with respect to time, while predictor compensates for delay, called "transport lag," caused by PLL equipment and by DPLL computations.

Statman, J. I.↗

Imaging interferometry with non-redundant arrays

The performance of a set of nonredundant arrays, that convert an existing telescope to an interferometer, was simulated. Each array is a perforated mask, placed at an image of the objective. Each pair of holes in a mask transmits a unique spatial frequency that is present in the target; hence the term nonredundant. Each mask produces a fringe I(f) in the focal plane that is the product of the Fourier transforms of the object and the optical transfer function S(f).

Zirker, J. B.↗

A new state space model for the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna servo controls

A control axis referenced model of the NASA/JPL 70-m antenna structure is combined with the dynamic equations of servo components to produce a comprehansive state variable (matrix) model of the coupled system. An interactive Fortran program for generating the linear system model and computing its salient parameters is described. Results are produced in a state variable, block diagram, and in factored transfer function forms to facilitate design and analysis by classical as well as modern control methods.

Hill, R. E.↗

A methodology for the synthesis of robust feedback systems

A new methodology is developed for the synthesis of linear, time-variant (LTI) controllers for multivariable LTI systems. The resulting closed-loop system is nominally stable and exhibits a known level of performance. In addition, robustness of the feedback system is guaranteed, i.e., stability and performance are retained in the presence of multiple unstructured uncertainty blocks located at various points in the feedback loop. The design technique is referred to as the Causality Recovery Methodology (CRM). The CRM relies on the Youla parameterization of all stabilizing compensators to ensure nominal stability of the feedback system. A frequency-domain inequality in terms of the structured singular value mu defines the robustness specification. The optimal compensator, with respect to the mu condition, is shown to be noncausal in general. The aim of the CRM is to find a stable, causal transfer function matrix that approximates the robustness characteristics of the optimal solution. The CRM, via a series of infinite-dimensional convex programs, produces a closed-loop system whose performance robustness is at least as good as that of any initial design. The algorithm is approximated by a finite dimensional process for the purposes of implementation. Two numerical examples confirm the potential viability of the CRM concept; however, the robustness improvement comes at the expense of increased computational burden and compensator complexity.

Milich, David Albert↗