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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 1,657 records · Page 92

High voltage systems (tube-type microwave)/low voltage system (solid-state microwave) power distribution

SPS satellite power distribution systems are described. The reference Satellite Power System (SPS) concept utilizes high-voltage klystrons to convert the onboard satellite power from dc to RF for transmission to the ground receiving station. The solar array generates this required high voltage and the power is delivered to the klystrons through a power distribution subsystem. An array switching of solar cell submodules is used to maintain bus voltage regulation. Individual klystron dc voltage conversion is performed by centralized converters. The on-board data processing system performs the necessary switching of submodules to maintain voltage regulation. Electrical power output from the solar panels is fed via switch gears into feeder buses and then into main distribution buses to the antenna. Power also is distributed to batteries so that critical functions can be provided through solar eclipses.

Nussberger, A. A.↗

NASA Communications Division (NASCOM) Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) shuttle multiplexer-demultiplexer data system (MDM) and supporting items

The multiplexer-demultiplexer (MDM) project included the design, documentation, manufacture, and testing of three MDM Data Systems. The equipment is contained in 59 racks, and includes more than 3,000 circuit boards and 600 microprocessors. Spares, circuit card testers, a master set of programmable integrated circuits, and a program development system were included as deliverables. All three MDM's were installed, and were operationally tested. The systems performed well with no major problems. The progress and problems analysis, addresses schedule conformance, new technology, items awaiting government approval, and project conclusions are summarized. All contract modifications are described.

New, S. R.↗

Multimission Modular Spacecraft Ground Support Software System (MMS/GSSS) state-of-the-art computer systems/ compatibility study

The compatibility of the Multimission Modular Spacecraft (MMS) Ground Support Software System (GSSS), currently operational on a ModComp IV/35, with the VAX 11/780 system is discussed. The compatibility is examined in various key areas of the GSSS through the results of in depth testing performed on the VAX 11/780 and ModComp IV/35 systems. The compatibility of the GSSS with the ModComp CLASSIC is presented based upon projections from ModComp supplied literature.

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Rotor systems research aircraft /RSRA/ rotor force and moment measurement system

The two Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) are flight vehicles with unique measurement capabilities. The primary goal of the RSRA is direct measurement of rotor forces and moments in flight. This is accomplished through a rotor force and moment measurement system comprised of load cells and/or hydro-pneumatic isolator units which are integral to the aircraft structure. Due to structural flexibility, the aircraft must undergo a physical calibration. A static calibration of the first RSRA has been completed, and data analysis has progressed through determination of a linear calibration algorithm. Design, development, and operation of the RSRA rotor force and moment measurement system and the Static Calibration Facility are described, and results of the calibration are presented.

Burks, J. S.↗

Toward multidisciplinary use of LANDSAT: Interfacing computerized LANDSAT analysis systems with geographic information systems

The LANDSAT-geographic information system (GIS) interface must summarize the results of the LANDSAT classification over the same cells that serve as geographic referencing units for the GIS, and output these summaries on a cell-by-cell basis in a form that is readable by the input routines of the GIS. The ZONAL interface for cell-oriented systems consists of two primary programs. The PIXCEL program scans the grid of cells and outputs a channel of pixels. Each pixel contains not the reflectance values but the identifier of the cell in which the center of the pixel is located. This file of pixelized cells along with the results of a pixel-by-pixel classification of the scene produced by the LANDSAT analysis system are input to the CELSUM program which then outputs a cell-by-cell summary formatted according to the requirements of the host GIS. Cross-correlation of the LANDSAT layer with the other layers in the data base is accomplished with the analysis and display facilities of the GIS.

Myers, W. L.↗

The effect of partial coherence in receiving system noise temperature on array gain for telemetry and radio frequency carrier reception for receiving systems with unequal predetection signal-to-noise ratios

Signal to noise ratio improvement realized by arraying receiving systems or stations for coherent reception is reduced when some portion of the predetection noise is coherent in the array. This effect for arrayed receiving systems with unequal apertures including expected performance for selected planets of the solar system within the array beamwidth is examined.

Brockman, M. H.↗

A new system for observing solar oscillations at the Mount Wilson Observatory. I - System design and installation

An observation system designed to obtain daily measurements of solar photospheric and subphotospheric rotational velocities, from the frequency splitting of nonradial solar p-mode oscillations of degree greater than 150, is nearing completion of the Mount Wilson Observatory. The system will combine a 244 x 248 pixel CID camera with a high speed floating point array processor, a 32-bit minicomputer, and a large capacity disk storage system. These components will be integrated into the spectrograph of the 60-foot solar tower telescope at Mount Wilson.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗

Feasibility demonstration of booster cross-over system for 3 1/2 inch SRB/MLP frangible nut system

Recent testing of the SRB/MLP Frangible Nut System (SOS Part Number 114850-9/Boosters P/N 114848-3) at NASA indicated a need to reduce the function time between boosters (2) within a single frangible nut. These boosters are initiated separately by electrical impulse(s). Coupling the output of each detonator with an explosive cross-over would reduce the function time between boosters (independent of electrical impulse) while providing additional redundancy to the system. The objectives of this program were to: provide an explosive cross-over between boosters, reduce function time between boosters to less than one (1) millisecond within a given nut, reduce cost of boosters, be compatible with the existing frangible nut system, and meet requirements of USBI Spec's (nut 10SPC-0030, booster 10SPC-0031).

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Doppler System Phase Transfer Functions for a System with an X-band Uplink and X-band and S-band Downlinks

A new DSN RF system is being developed that transmits at X-band and receive at both X-band and S-band. End-to-end tests are planned to measure the phase stability of this system. Equations for the phase transfer functions between the error sources in the system and the X-band and S-band Doppler extractor outputs are derived. This analysis considers both test modes, using a test translator, and actual spacecraft tracking where the spacecraft is at some distance from the DSN station. The results indicate that the proposed end-to-end tests will not accurately reflect the error that occurs during actual spacecraft tracking.

Koerner, M. A.↗

Results of electric-vehicle propulsion system performance on three lead-acid battery systems

Three types of state of the art 6 V lead acid batteries were tested. The cycle life of lead acid batteries as a function of the electric vehicle propulsion system design was determined. Cycle life, degradation rate and failure modes with different battery types (baseline versus state of the art tubular and thin plate batteries were compared. The effects of testing strings of three versus six series connected batteries on overall performance were investigated. All three types do not seem to have an economically feasible battery system for the propulsion systems. The tubular plate batteries on the load leveled profile attained 235 cycles with no signs of degradation and minimal capacity loss.

Ewashinka, J. G.↗

Programming for energy monitoring/display system in multicolor lidar system research

The Z80 microprocessor based computer program that directs and controls the operation of the six channel energy monitoring/display system that is a part of the NASA Multipurpose Airborne Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system is described. The program is written in the Z80 assembly language and is located on EPROM memories. All source and assembled listings of the main program, five subroutines, and two service routines along with flow charts and memory maps are included. A combinational block diagram shows the interfacing (including port addresses) between the six power sensors, displays, front panel controls, the main general purpose minicomputer, and this dedicated microcomputer system.

Alvarado, R. C., Jr.↗

A method for high order linear system reduction and nonlinear system simplification

Least-squares-type algorithms for reducing the order of linear systems in the frequency domain and simplifying nonlinear systems in time domain are developed and demonstrated. The possible model structures are represented as nodes in a tree, and costs along the branches are assigned using the repeated-Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure of Desrochers and Saridis (1980), permitting identification of the optimal n-term model by searching the tree to depth n, with no need for parameter identification. The efficiency and flexibility of the algorithms is shown in applications to the eighth-order linear system studied by Hsia (1972), a three-state eight-nonlinear-term aircraft-dynamics problem, and the related linear-controller problem (Garrard and Jordan, 1977).

Desrochers, A. A.↗

A natural coordinate system for nonlinear systems

A natural coordinate system for nonlinear systems of the form x = f(x) + g(x)u is discussed where x is a element of R(N), u is an element of R, and f and g are analytic, vector-valued functions on R(N). It is shown that in these coordinates the equation becomes a system with only feedback paths (no feedforwards), if feedback linearizability conditions are satisfied.

Su, R.↗

Observing system simulation experiments related to space-borne LIDAR wind profiling. I - Forecast impacts of highly idealized observing systems. II - Sensitivity to atmospheric and instrumental influences

It is pointed out that extended-range numerical weather prediction requires complete global and accurate three-dimensional fields of temperature, moisture, and winds as a function of pressure throughout the troposphere, lower stratosphere, and at the earth's surface. Recent developments in the use of incoherent optical radar (LIDAR) systems indicate the feasibility of obtaining pressure as a function of height with presumably very high vertical resolution and accuracy. In evaluating the feasibility of an employment of spaceborne LIDAR systems as an aid for obtaining data required for weather prediction, simulation studies could provide important information. The present investigation is concerned with the conduction of such simulation experiments. It is found that the results of a composite system of temperature and pressure show significant improvements over those of temperature only. The effects of simulating several sources of LIDAR wind error for two different representations of nature are also examined.

Dlouhy, R.↗

Results of electric-vehicle propulsion system performance on three lead-acid battery systems

Three types of state of the art 6 V lead acid batteries were tested. The cycle life of lead acid batteries as a function of the electric vehicle propulsion system design was determined. Cycle life, degradation rate and failure modes with different battery types (baseline versus state of the art tubular and thin plate batteries) were compared. The effects of testing strings of three versus six series connected batteries on overall performance were investigated. All three types do not seem to have an economically feasible battery system for the propulsion systems. The tubular plate batteries on the load leveled profile attained 235 cycles with no signs of degradation and minimal capacity loss.

Ewashinka, J. G.↗

The design and implementation of cost-effective algorithms for direct solution of banded linear systems on the vector processor system 32 supercomputer

The problem of solving banded linear systems by direct (non-iterative) techniques on the Vector Processor System (VPS) 32 supercomputer is considered. Two efficient direct methods for solving banded linear systems on the VPS 32 are described. The vector cyclic reduction (VCR) algorithm is discussed in detail. The performance of the VCR on a three parameter model problem is also illustrated. The VCR is an adaptation of the conventional point cyclic reduction algorithm. The second direct method is the Customized Reduction of Augmented Triangles' (CRAT). CRAT has the dominant characteristics of an efficient VPS 32 algorithm. CRAT is tailored to the pipeline architecture of the VPS 32 and as a consequence the algorithm is implicitly vectorizable.

Samba, A. S.↗

Evolution of systems concepts for a 100 kWe class Space Nuclear Power System

Conceptual designs for the SP-100 Space Nuclear Power System have been prepared that meet baseline, backup and growth program scenarios. Near-term advancement in technology was considered in the design of the Baseline Concept. An improved silicon-germanium thermoelectric technique is used to convert the heat from a fast-spectrum, liquid lithium cooled reactor. This system produces a net power of 100 kWe with a 10-year end of life, under the specific constraints of area and volume. Output of the Backup Concept is estimated to be 60 kWe for a 10-year end of life. This system differs from the Baseline Concept because currently available thermoelectric conversion is used from energy supplied by a liquid sodium cooled reactor. The Growth Concept uses Stirling engine conversion to produce 100 kWe within the constraints of mass and volume. The Growth Concept can be scaled up to produce a 1 MWe output that uses the same type reactor developed for the Baseline Concept. Assessments made for each of the program scenarios indicate the key development efforts needed to initiate detailed design and hardware program phases. Development plans were prepared for each scenario that detail the work elements and show the program activities leading to a state of flight readiness.

Katucki, R.↗