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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 1,351 records · Page 75
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Digital processing system for developing countries

An effort was undertaken to perform simple digital processing tasks using pre-existing general purpose digital computers. An experimental software package, LIGMALS, was obtained and modified for this purpose. The resulting software permits basic processing tasks to be performed including level slicing, gray mapping and ratio processing. The experience gained in this project indicates a possible direction which may be used by other developing countries to obtain digital processing capabilities.

Nanayakkara, C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A user's guide to the SUDAN computer program for determining the vibration modes of structural systems

The use of the SUDAN computer program for analyzing structural systems for their natural modes and frequencies of vibration is described. SUDAN is intended for structures which can be represented as an equivalent system of beam, spring, and rigid-body substructures. User-written constraint equations are used to analytically join the mass and stiffness matrices of the substructures to form the mass and stiffness matrices of the complete structure from which all the frequencies and modes of the system are determined. The SUDAN program can treat the case in which both the mass and stiffness matrices of the coupled system may be singular simultaneously. A general description of the FORTRAN IV program is given, the computer hardware and software specifications are indicated, and the input required by the program is described.

Kvaternik, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Petri nets as a modeling tool for discrete concurrent tasks of the human operator

The basic concepts of Petri nets are reviewed as well as their application as the fundamental model of technical systems with concurrent discrete events such as hardware systems and software models of computers. The use of Petri nets is proposed for modeling the human operator dealing with concurrent discrete tasks. Their properties useful in modeling the human operator are discussed and practical examples are given. By means of and experimental investigation of binary concurrent tasks which are presented in a serial manner, the representation of human behavior by Petri nets is demonstrated.

Schumacher, W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Feasibility study for a numerical aerodynamic simulation facility. Volume 1

A Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Facility (NASF) was designed for the simulation of fluid flow around three-dimensional bodies, both in wind tunnel environments and in free space. The application of numerical simulation to this field of endeavor promised to yield economies in aerodynamic and aircraft body designs. A model for a NASF/FMP (Flow Model Processor) ensemble using a possible approach to meeting NASF goals is presented. The computer hardware and software are presented, along with the entire design and performance analysis and evaluation.

Lincoln, N. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Development of a CCD array as an imaging detector for advanced X-ray astrophysics facilities

The development of a charge coupled device (CCD) X-ray imager for a large aperture, high angular resolution X-ray telescope is discussed. Existing CCDs were surveyed and three candidate concepts were identified. An electronic camera control and computer interface, including software to drive a Fairchild 211 CCD, is described. In addition a vacuum mounting and cooling system is discussed. Performance data for the various components are given.

Schwartz, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Automated mixed traffic transit vehicle microprocessor controller

An improved Automated Mixed Traffic Vehicle (AMTV) speed control system employing a microprocessor and transistor chopper motor current controller is described and its performance is presented in terms of velocity versus time curves. The on board computer hardware and software systems are described as is the software development system. All of the programming used in this controller was implemented using FORTRAN. This microprocessor controller made possible a number of safety features and improved the comfort associated with starting and shopping. In addition, most of the vehicle's performance characteristics can be altered by simple program parameter changes. A failure analysis of the microprocessor controller was generated and the results are included. Flow diagrams for the speed control algorithms and complete FORTRAN code listings are also included.

Marks, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Conceptual design and analysis of a large antenna utilizing electrostatic membrane management

Conceptual designs and associated technologies for deployment 100 m class radiometer antennas were developed. An electrostatically suspended and controlled membrane mirror and the supporting structure are discussed. The integrated spacecraft including STS cargo bay stowage and development were analyzed. An antenna performance evaluation was performed as a measure of the quality of the membrane/spacecraft when used as a radiometer in the 1 GHz to 5 GHz region. Several related LSS structural dynamic models differing by their stiffness property (and therefore, lowest modal frequencies) are reported. Control system whose complexity varies inversely with increasing modal frequency regimes are also reported. Interactive computer-aided-design software is discussed.

Brooks, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

GCF Mark IV development

The Mark IV ground communication facility (GCF) as it is implemented to support the network consolidation program is reviewed. Changes in the GCF are made in the area of increased capacity. Common carrier circuits are the medium for data transfer. The message multiplexing in the Mark IV era differs from the Mark III era, in that all multiplexing is done in a GCF computer under GCF software control, which is similar to the multiplexing currently done in the high speed data subsystem.

Mortensen, L. O.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Experimental demonstration of static shape control

Results of a microprocessor-controlled implementation of static shape control using a specially constructed flexible beam facility are presented. The discussion covers the development of shape control algorithms, adaptation of the algorithms for use with finite element models, construction of a flexible beam, characterization and calibration of the facility, development of a finite element model for the beam, and the development of computer hardware and software. It is shown that feedback control yields better results than open-loop control, and that the use of more than two sensors in the control loop has little effect on the system performance.

Eldred, D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

NASA V/STOL Propulsion Control Analysis - Phase I and II program status

NASA-Lewis Research Center initiated the V/STOL Propulsion Control Analysis Program in 1979 in order to take advantage of advanced electronic control technology for the next generation of V/STOL aircraft. The rationale, methods, and criteria developed during Phase I and Phase II of the program are discussed first. The development of an integrated flight and propulsion control system is then described. Most V/STOL aircraft under consideration depend on reaction thrusters or separate lift engines for attitude control and on engine thrust variations for height control. S/CTOL aircraft vector-thrust for pitch control during low speed operation. The baseline propulsion control system provides a thrust level response of 10 rad/sec and a vectoring response of 22 rad/sec. The requirements of the control components include: (1) redundant electronic control computers with minimum software and 100% Fault Coverage; (2) prime reliable electromechanical actuator interfaces; (3) miniature, digitally compatible sensors with easily detected failure modes; and (4) dual element, fail operational fuel pumps.

Miller, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Experiences in using the CYBER 203 for three-dimensional transonic flow calculations

In this paper, the authors report on some of their experiences modifying two three-dimensional transonic flow programs (FLO22 and FLO27) for use on the NASA Langley Research Center CYBER 203. Both of the programs discussed were originally written for use on serial machines. Several methods were attempted to optimize the execution of the two programs on the vector machine, including: (1) leaving the program in a scalar form (i.e., serial computation) with compiler software used to optimize and vectorize the program, (2) vectorizing parts of the existing algorithm in the program, and (3) incorporating a new vectorizable algorithm (ZEBRA I or ZEBRA II) in the program.

Melson, N. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Shuttle automatic landing system

The Shuttle automatic landing system design requirements are discussed, the approach and landing flight phase is described, and the hardware and software subsystems are functionally described. Emphasis is placed on the complexity, flexibility, and criticality of the software function. The software structure, critical computational problems, and verification process as a subsystem are discussed. Finally, the hardware/software verification activities required before flight test of the autoland system are described, along with the results from two flight tests and the planned system certification to the operational flight boundaries.

Tsikalas, G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Design of multivariable feedback control systems via spectral assignment

The applicability of spectral assignment techniques to the design of multivariable feedback control systems was investigated. A fractional representation design procedure for unstable plants is presented and illustrated with an example. A computer aided design software package implementing eigenvalue/eigenvector design procedures is described. A design example which illustrates the use of the program is explained.

Mielke, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Alternatives for jet engine control

The development of models of tensor type for a digital simulation of the quiet, clean safe engine (QCSE) gas turbine engine; the extension, to nonlinear multivariate control system design, of the concepts of total synthesis which trace their roots back to certain early investigations under this grant; the role of series descriptions as they relate to questions of scheduling in the control of gas turbine engines; the development of computer-aided design software for tensor modeling calculations; further enhancement of the softwares for linear total synthesis, mentioned above; and calculation of the first known examples using tensors for nonlinear feedback control are discussed.

Sain, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Numerical simulation of mesoscale precipitation

The numerical simulation of mesoscale precipitation as well as the development of software and appropriate computer techniques are investigated. The development of a mesoscale model and the means to incorporate meteorological data into the model are examined.

Kalb, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

HH-60D night hawk helicopter

Fundamental development issues, system requirements and improvements are reported for the HH-60D night hawk helicopter. The HH-60D mission requirements are for combat search and rescue (aerospace rescue and recovery service user based at Scott AFB) and special operations (special operations forces based at Hurlburt AFB). Cockpit design, computer architecture and software are described in detail.

Richardson, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Development and operation of a real-time data acquisition system for the NASA-LaRC differential absorption lidar

Computer hardware and software of the NASA multipurpose differential absorption lidar (DIAL) sysatem were improved. The NASA DIAL system is undergoing development and experimental deployment for remote measurement of atmospheric trace gas concentration from ground and aircraft platforms. A viable DIAL system was developed with the capability of remotely measuring O3 and H2O concentrations from an aircraft platform. Test flights were successfully performed on board the NASA/Goddard Flight Center Electra aircraft from 1980 to 1984. Improvements on the DIAL data acquisition system (DAS) are described.

Butler, C.↗