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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Multiple trellis coded modulation (MTCM) performance on a fading mobile satellite channel

The author recently introduced the notion of multiple trellis coding, in which more than one channel symbol per trellis branch is transmitted. He showed that on the ideal additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, the combination of multiple trellis coding with M-ary modulation yields a performance gain with symmetric signal sets comparable to and in some cases better than that previously achieved only with signal constellation asymmetry. The combination of conventional trellis coding with multiple phase-shift-keyed (MPSK) signaling has recently been shown by the author to be a well-suited modulation/coding scheme for transmission over the fading mobile satellite channel. In particular, a rate 2/3 coded 8-PSK scheme operating at 4800 b/s is currently under development for use in NASA's Mobile Satellite Experiment (MSAT-X). The author applies the multiple trellis-coded modulation technique in the same fading mobile satellite environment, extending the analysis results previously found for its performance over the AWGN channel to the MSAT-X channel.

Simon, Marvin K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Generalized Multiple-Trellis-Coded Modulation

Generalized multiple-trellis-coded modulation technique combines multiple trellis coding (more than one channel symbol per trellis branch transmitted) with symmetrical M-ary phase-shift keying. Transmitter puts out k M-ary code symbols for every b input binary symbols. Throughout performances, b/k, of trellis-coded multiple-phase-shift-keying channels compared with computational cutoff rates, R0, of multiple-phase-shift keying. Performs better than conventional trellis-coded modulation technique, with no increase in complexity.

Divsalar, D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Study of spread spectrum multiple access systems for satellite communications with overlay on current services

The feasibility of using spread spectrum techniques to provide a low-cost multiple access system for a very large number of low data terminals was investigated. Two applications of spread spectrum technology to very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite communication networks are presented. Two spread spectrum multiple access systems which use a form of noncoherent M-ary FSK (MFSK) as the primary modulation are described and the throughput analyzed. The analysis considers such factors as satellite power constraints and adjacent satellite interference. Also considered is the effect of on-board processing on the multiple access efficiency and the feasibility of overlaying low data rate spread spectrum signals on existing satellite traffic as a form of frequency reuse is investigated. The use of chirp is examined for spread spectrum communications. In a chirp communication system, each data bit is converted into one or more up or down sweeps of frequency, which spread the RF energy across a broad range of frequencies. Several different forms of chirp communication systems are considered, and a multiple-chirp coded system is proposed for overlay service. The mutual interference problem is examined in detail and a performance analysis undertaken for the case of a chirp data channel overlaid on a video channel.

Ha, Tri T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Multiple-Trellis-Coded Modulation

Theoretical gain over simple multiple-phase-shift keying at least 2 to 3 decibels. Multiple-trellis-coded modulation scheme combined with M-ary modulation shows theoretically to yield asymptotic gains in performance over uncoded multiple-phase-shift keying, while employing symmetric multiple-phase-shift signal constellations and avoiding code catastrophe. Suitable for satellite and terrestrial-mobile/satellite communications or other communications requiring burst-error correction. Extended to such higher dimensional modulations as quadrature amplitude modulation.

Divsalar, D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Vibration isolation versus vibration compensation on multiple payload platforms

There are many future science instruments with high performance pointing (sub microradian) requirements. To build a separate spacecraft for each payload is prohibitively expensive, especially as not all instruments need to be in space for a long duration. Putting multiple payloads on a single basebody that supplies power, communications, and orbit maintenance is cheaper, easier to service, and allows for the spacecraft bus to be reused as new instruments become available to replace old instruments. Once several payloads are mounted together, the articulation of one may disturb another. The situation is even more extreme when the basebody serves multiple purposes, such as space station which has construction, satellite servicing, and man motion adding to the disturbance environment. The challenge then is to maintain high performance at low cost in a multiple payload environment. The goal is to supply many future science instruments with high performance pointing (sub microradian). The options are independent spacecraft for each payload (expensive); or multiple payloads on a single basebody (cheaper, easier to service, basebody reusable for several short duration payloads). The problems are one payload can disturb another, and other activities create large disturbances (construction, satellite servicing, and man motion).

Sirlin, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Method of forming a multiple layer dielectric and a hot film sensor therewith

The invention is a method of forming a multiple layer dielectric for use in a hot-film laminar separation sensor. The multiple layer dielectric substrate is formed by depositing a first layer of a thermoelastic polymer such as on an electrically conductive substrate such as the metal surface of a model to be tested under cryogenic conditions and high Reynolds numbers. Next, a second dielectric layer of fused silica is formed on the first dielectric layer of thermoplastic polymer. A resistive metal film is deposited on selected areas of the multiple layer dielectric substrate to form one or more hot-film sensor elements to which aluminum electrical circuits deposited upon the multiple layered dielectric substrate are connected.

Hopson, Purnell, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The performance of trellis-coded MDPSK with multiple symbol detection

The idea of using a multiple (more than two) symbol observation interval to improve error probability performance is applied to differential detection of trellis-coded multiple phase-shift keying (MPSK) over an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. An equivalent Euclidean distance measure per trellis branch is determined for this detection scheme. This is used to define an augmented (larger multiplicity) trellis code whose distance measure is the conventional squared Euclidean distance typical of conventional trellis-coded modulation on the AWGN. Such an augmented multiple trellis code is a convenient mathematical tool for simplifying the analysis. Results are obtained by a combination of analysis (upper Chernoff bounds and asymptotic large-SNR approximations) and computer simulation. It is shown that only a slight increase (e.g., one symbol) in the length of the observation interval will provide a significant improvement in bit error probability performance.

Divsalar, Dariush↗
NASA NTRS1990

Multiple Access Trade Study

The Personal Access Satellite System (PASS) strawman design uses a hybrid Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)/Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) implementation. TDMA is used for the forward direction (from Suppliers to Users), and FDMA for the return direction (from Users to Suppliers). An alternative architecture is proposed that will require minimal real time coordination and yet provide a fast access method by using random access Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). The CDMA system issues are addressed such as connecting suppliers and users, both of whom may be located anywhere in the CONUS, when the user terminals are constrained in size and weight; and providing efficient traffic routing under highly variable traffic requirements. It is assumed that bandwidth efficiency is not of paramount importance. CDMA or Spread Spectrum Multiple Access (SSMA) communication is a method in which a group of carriers operate at the same nominal center frequency but are separable from each other by the low cross correlation of the spreading codes used. Interference and multipath rejection capability, ease of selective addressing and message screening, low density power spectra for signal hiding and security, and high resolution ranging are among the benefits of spread spectrum communications.

Motamedi, Masoud↗
NASA NTRS1992

Optical multiple access techniques for on-board routing

The purpose of this research contract was to design and analyze an optical multiple access system, based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) techniques, for on board routing applications on a future communication satellite. The optical multiple access system was to effect the functions of a circuit switch under the control of an autonomous network controller and to serve eight (8) concurrent users at a point to point (port to port) data rate of 180 Mb/s. (At the start of this program, the bit error rate requirement (BER) was undefined, so it was treated as a design variable during the contract effort.) CDMA was selected over other multiple access techniques because it lends itself to bursty, asynchronous, concurrent communication and potentially can be implemented with off the shelf, reliable optical transceivers compatible with long term unattended operations. Temporal, temporal/spatial hybrids and single pulse per row (SPR, sometimes termed 'sonar matrices') matrix types of CDMA designs were considered. The design, analysis, and trade offs required by the statement of work selected a temporal/spatial CDMA scheme which has SPR properties as the preferred solution. This selected design can be implemented for feasibility demonstration with off the shelf components (which are identified in the bill of materials of the contract Final Report). The photonic network architecture of the selected design is based on M(8,4,4) matrix codes. The network requires eight multimode laser transmitters with laser pulses of 0.93 ns operating at 180 Mb/s and 9-13 dBm peak power, and 8 PIN diode receivers with sensitivity of -27 dBm for the 0.93 ns pulses. The wavelength is not critical, but 830 nm technology readily meets the requirements. The passive optical components of the photonic network are all multimode and off the shelf. Bit error rate (BER) computations, based on both electronic noise and intercode crosstalk, predict a raw BER of (10 exp -3) when all eight users are communicating concurrently. If better BER performance is required, then error correction codes (ECC) using near term electronic technology can be used. For example, the M(8,4,4) optical code together with Reed-Solomon (54,38,8) encoding provides a BER of better than (10 exp -11). The optical transceiver must then operate at 256 Mb/s with pulses of 0.65 ns because the 'bits' are now channel symbols.

Mendez, Antonio J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Multiple scattering effects on spaceborne lidar

A semianalytic Monte Carlo code originally developed for oceanographic calculations (Poole et al., 1981) has been modified for use in studying multiple scattering of space-based lidar. The approach is very similar to that described by Kunkel and Weinman (1976). The trajectory of each photon is followed from the transmitter through multiple scattering until the photon is either scattered backward out of the atmosphere, scattered forward into the ground and absorbed, or scattered out the sides of the cloud. The probability that the photon will return directly to the detector is computed and summed over all significant scattering events within the field of view of the detector. Multiple scattering of the lidar pulse causes an apparent increase in the transmittance of the medium. Multiple scattering effects for space-based lidar are more significant than for ground-based lidar due to the much larger beam diameter in the atmosphere. These larger diameters are due not only to the greater range between the lidar and the scattering volume, but also the need to maintain relatively large beam divergences to satisfy eye safety restrictions on the laser irradiance at the Earth's surface. The simulations presented here are for a wavelength of 1064 nm and the Deirmendjian C1 phase function, which yields an extinction coefficient of 17.259/km. We have looked at two cases: a space-based lidar at 296 km observing a C1 cloud 293 km from the lidar and, for comparison purposes, a ground-based lidar looking at a C1 cloud with a base height of either 2 km or 5 km. The C1 size distribution roughly approximates that of stratocumulus or altocumulus clouds (aufm Kampe and Weickmann, 1957).

Winker, David M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Multiple scattering lidar returns from stratus clouds

Multiple scattering lidar returns from stratus clouds were measured using a multi-field-of-view (MFOV) lidar operating at 1.054 microns. The detector consists of four concentric silicon photodiodes which define half-angle fields of view (FOV) of 3.8, 12.5, 25 and 38.5 mrad. The central FOV receives the conventional lidar signal, while the outer FOV's receive only multiply scattered contributions. The ratios of the signals in the outer FOV's to the signal in the central FOV is an indication of the lateral spreading of the scattered component of the laser pulse as it propagates through the cloud. MFOV lidar returns from stratus clouds measured between October 1991 and March 1992 can be divided into two distinct types, those with large multiple scattering ratios and those with small ratios. An example of each type of return is shown. Both measurements were made at an elevation angle of 45 degrees. Clouds with small multiple scattering signals probably have a high concentration of much larger particles on the order of hundreds of micrometers in size. This is a typical size range for suspended ice crystals or precipitations. Stratus clouds often have a high concentration of ice crystals even when there is no precipitation. Large ice crystals would give smaller signals in the outer FOV's because much of the scattered intensity is contained in a narrow diffraction peak with an angular width on the order of milliradians. The result is that for a given extinction, many more orders of scattering are required for the laser pulse to spread out. So far we have not been able to do simulations of MFOV lidar returns from ice crystal clouds because of uncertainties about the phase function of the crystals, particularly the magnitude of the backscatter peak at 180 degrees. On two occasions, MFOV lidar returns measured just prior to snowfall, showed a striking vertical profile. An example is shown. From 900 to 1300m, the multiply scattered signals are negligible compared to the return in the central FOV. Abruptly, at 1300m strong signals begin in the outer FOVs. These results could be explained by the presence of a cloud layer composed of water droplets at a range of 1300m (or 900m above ground) with snow precipitations forming at the bottom of the cloud. By measuring the polarization ratio of lidar signals, Pal and Carswell have observed snow precipitating from a cloud layer composed of water droplets. Based on these results, we believe that analysis of multiple scattering lidar returns can yield important information on the phase of cloud particles.

Hutt, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Multiplicity among the young stars in Taurus

Twenty-eight young stars systems in the northern Taurus star-forming region are surveyed for multiplicity. These observations, made by infrared lunar occultation and imaging techniques, can identify binaries in the angular separation range 0.005-10 arcsec. Of the 28 systems, 11 are binaries and two are triples, giving an observed multiplicity of 1.5 stars per system. The binary frequency and distribution of separations are similar to those of the main-sequence F and G spectral-type stars. Stars that have detected companions and those without are indistinguishable in H-alpha equivalent width, indicating that stars with active inner disks are represented in both groups. The multiple systems are in general weaker 1.3 mm continuum emitters than the single stars, indicating that the large-scale disks in these systems are less massive. However, there are important exceptions so the evolution of disks in multiple systems is not clear.

Simon, M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Position/force control in multiple-manipulator systems

Multiple-manipulator systems show great potential for accomplishing many tasks beyond the capabilities of a single manipulator. A fundamental task is the control of both the motion and the force of a common payload. Despite the recent progress in the motion and force control of multiple manipulators, there has been a continuing question on which physical force should be and can be controlled. The frequently used orthogonal decomposition is plagued by a unit inconsistency problem, rendering its physical interpretation difficult, if not impossible. This paper discusses one concept of internal force and shows how its regulation can be handled by the existing approaches. The many approaches to the position control of multiple manipulators are categorized, and a detailed outline of a straightforward form of multiple manipulator control is presented.

Wen, John T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

GSFC conceptual design study for an inter-satellite Optical Multiple Access communication system

System and terminal level specifications for an inter-satellite Optical Multiple Access (OMA) communication system are presented, as well as the resulting hardware designs for both OMA relay and OMA user terminals. The OMA relay terminal design uses a mechanical innovation which moves multiple fiber optic pickups in the focal plane, thereby providing simultaneous links with multiple OMA user terminals via a single telescope. Thus, with such a terminal on a relay satellite, multiple access service can be provided with a minimum of impact on the relay satellite.

Fox, Neil↗
NASA NTRS1987

Dynamical modelling of coordinated multiple robot systems

The state of the art in the modeling of the dynamics of coordinated multiple robot manipulators is summarized and various problems related to this subject are discussed. It is recognized that dynamics modeling is a component used in the design of controllers for multiple cooperating robots. As such, the discussion addresses some problems related to the control of multiple robots. The techniques used to date in the modeling of closed kinematic chains are summarized. Various efforts made to date for the control of coordinated multiple manipulators is summarized.

Hayati, Samad↗
NASA NTRS1954

Multiple over-all performance and rotating-stall characteristics of a 15-stage experimental axial-flow compressor at an intermediate speed

The 15-stage experimental axial-flow compressor was investigated at 78.5 percent of design speed, which falls in the region of the surge-limit line discontinuity. In this region indications of multiple characteristic curves of compressor operation had been found. On the basis of previous stage-matching analyses, these multiple performance characteristics appear to be the result of multiple-valued stage performance characteristics. At this speed of 78.5 percent, at least six separate characteristic performance curves were found, associated with five different numbers of rotating stall configurations, from zero to four stall zones. It was difficult in many cases to repeat a given performance curve by approaching the test speed in a similar manner, and many of the curves were not stable, the no-stall curve being the only definitely repeatable one. In some cases a jump from one curve to another took place at the surge point, while in others the change occurred within the usual limits of a conventional performance curve and without any sudden obvious changes in observed data. In general, as the number of zones in the rotating-stall pattern decreased, the maximum weight flow, maximum efficiency, and maximum pressure ratio of the resultant curves were increased. It appears, therefore, that multiple performance characteristics at the given speed are encountered in the region of the discontinuity of the surge line.

Lucas, James G↗
NASA NTRS1994

Testing and analysis of flat and curved panels with multiple cracks

An experimental and analytical investigation of multiple cracking in various types of test specimens is described in this paper. The testing phase is comprised of a flat unstiffened panel series and curved stiffened and unstiffened panel series. The test specimens contained various configurations for initial damage. Static loading was applied to these specimens until ultimate failure, while loads and crack propagation were recorded. This data provides the basis for developing and validating methodologies for predicting linkup of multiple cracks, progression to failure, and overall residual strength. The results from twelve flat coupon and ten full scale curved panel tests are presented. In addition, an engineering analysis procedure was developed to predict multiple crack linkup. Reasonable agreement was found between predictions and actual test results for linkup and residual strength for both flat and curved panels. The results indicate that an engineering analysis approach has the potential to quantitatively assess the effect of multiple cracks in the arrest capability of an aircraft fuselage structure.

Broek, David↗
NASA NTRS1994

Model study of multiple polar cap arcs: Occurrence and spacing

A new scenario for the formation of multiple polar cap arcs is proposed based on the results from a time-dependent electrodynamic model of polar cap arcs developed by Zhu et al. (1993). The results suggest that the appearance of multiple polar cap arcs may not be due to multiple structures in the magnetospheric source region, but instead, may primarily be determined by the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere system in which the ionosphere plays an active role. It was found that with the same magnetospheric driver, a strong ionospheric background convection and an ionospheric background Hall conductance in the range of from 0.5 to 1.5 mho favor the occurrence of multiple polar cap arcs. It was also found that the spacing between individual arcs is highly correlated with the ratio of the enhanced Hall and Pedersen conductances (i.e., the hardness of the primary magnetospheric precipitation), which is allowed to vary in the model runs. A harder precipitation causes a wider spacing. In the modelings, the spacing ranged from about 20 kilometers to about 60 kilometers when the precipitation hardness increased.

Zhu, L.↗