Mission Information and Test Systems Summary of Accomplishments, 2012-2013

This annual report covers the activities of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's Mission Information and Test Systems directorate, which include the Western Aeronautical Test Range (Range Engineering and Range Operations), the Simulation Engineering Branch, and Information Services. This report contains highlights, current projects, and various awards achieved throughout 2012 and 2013

Moving towards interactive virtual classrooms : technological implications in establishing the first video conference distance learning facility at the University of Natal, with special emphasis on music courses.

Thesis (M.Mus.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.No abstract available

Telepresence learning environments for opera singing, a case study

The present study analyzes the data obtained in the execution of the Opera eLearning project, a multidisciplinary effort to develop a solution for Opera singing distance lessons at the graduate level, using high bandwidth to deliver quality audio and video experience that has been evaluated by singing teachers, chorus and orchestra directors, singers and other professional musicians. The research work includes the phases of design, execution and evaluation of pilot tests, followed by further development and execution of several experimental exercises with the system, all of them carried out between July 2008 and April 2009. This is an empirical research, an exploratory case study that has provided enough data to arrive to a sustainable model for a telepresence learning environment. Different usability methods have been implemented in order to assure users of the quality of the product. The main objective is to prove whether the system or artifact proposed can be used to deliver a complete remote singing class at a higher education level; for that purpose, we have defined several research categories that describe the usability of the system in multiple dimensions. We have used “design as research” approaches to promote innovation in the technological area. The theoretical framework is based on a wide variety of fields; from acoustics, physics, music, professional singing to telecommunications and multimedia technology. However, the common thread and central issue under analysis is distance education, through the construction of a remote learning system. We have also included the corresponding justification of the scientific methodology employedEl presente estudio analiza los datos obtenidos en la ejecución del proyecto Opera eLearning, un esfuerzo multidisciplinario para desarrollar una solución que permita dar clases a distancia de canto lírico a nivel de educación superior, utilizando conexiones de banda ancha con el fin de proveer una experiencia de vídeo y audio de calidad, la que ha sido evaluada por profesores de canto, directores de coros y orquesta, cantantes y otros músicos profesionales. El trabajo de investigación incluye las fases de diseño, ejecución y evaluación de las pruebas piloto, seguido del posterior desarrollo y ejecución de varios ejercicios experimentales con el sistema, todos ellos efectuados entre Julio de 2008 y Abril de 2009. Esta es una investigación empírica, un caso de estudio exploratorio que ha obtenido datos suficientes como para definir un modelo sostenible de entorno de enseñanza por telepresencia. Diversos métodos de usabilidad fueron implementados con el fin de asegurar a los usuarios la calidad del producto. El objetivo principal es probar si el sistema o artefacto propuesto puede ser usado para realizar de modo remoto una clase completa de canto lírico a nivel de educación superior; con tal propósito, hemos definido varias categorías de investigación que describen la usabilidad del sistema en múltiples dimensiones. Hemos utilizado el enfoque de “diseño como investigación” para promover la innovación en el área tecnológica. El marco teórico se basa en una amplia variedad de campos; desde la acústica, la física, la música, el canto profesional hasta las telecomunicaciones y tecnología multimedia. Sin embargo, el hilo común y tema central bajo análisis es la educación a distancia, ya que se trata de la construcción de un sistema de aprendizaje remoto. También se he incluido la justificación correspondiente a la metodología científica empleada

Case Study of Basic English and Reading: a Telecommunications-based Distance Education Course

Agricultural Education, Communications, and 4-H Youth Developmen

The mobile satellite service (MSS) systems for global personal communications

A worldwide interest has arisen on personal communications via satellite systems. The recently proposed mobile satellite service(MSS) systems are categorized four areas: geostationary earth orbit(GEO) systems, medium earth orbit(MEO) systems, low earth orbit(LEO) systems, and highly elliptical orbit(HEO) systems. Most of the systems in each category are introduced and explained including some technical details. The communication links and orbital constellations of some systems are analyzed and compared with different categories, and with different systems. Some economical aspects of the systems are mentioned. The regulatory issues about frequency spectrum allocation, and the current technical trends in these systems are summarized

Virtual Reality Applications and Development

Virtual Reality (VR) has existed for many years; however, it has only recently gained wide spread popularity and commercial use. This change comes from the innovations in head mounted displays (HMDs) and from the work of many software engineers making quality user experiences (UX). In this thesis, four areas are explored inside of VR. One area of research is within the use of VR for virtual environments and fire simulations. The second area of research is within the use of VR for eye tracking and medical simulations. The third area of research is within multiplayer development for more immersive collaborative simulations. Finally, the fourth area of research is within the development of typing in 3D for virtual reality. Extending from this final area of research, this thesis details an application that details more practical and granular details about developing for VR and using the real-time development platform, Unity

Proceedings of the Fifth International Mobile Satellite Conference 1997

Satellite-based mobile communications systems provide voice and data communications to users over a vast geographic area. The users may communicate via mobile or hand-held terminals, which may also provide access to terrestrial communications services. While previous International Mobile Satellite Conferences have concentrated on technical advances and the increasing worldwide commercial activities, this conference focuses on the next generation of mobile satellite services. The approximately 80 papers included here cover sessions in the following areas: networking and protocols; code division multiple access technologies; demand, economics and technology issues; current and planned systems; propagation; terminal technology; modulation and coding advances; spacecraft technology; advanced systems; and applications and experiments

An audio architecture integrating sound and live voice for virtual environments

The purpose behind this thesis was to design and implement audio system architecture, both in hardware and in software, for use in virtual environments. The hardware and software design requirements were to provide the ability to add sounds, environmental effects such as reverberation and occlusion, and live streaming voice to any virtual environment employing this architecture. Several free or open-source sound APIs were evaluated, and DirectSound3D was selected as the core component of the audio architecture. Creative Labs Environmental Audio Extensions (EAX) was integrated into the architecture to provide environmental effects such as reverberation, occlusion, obstruction, and exclusion. Voice over IP (VoIP) technology was evaluated to provide live, streaming voice to any virtual environment. DirectVoice was selected as the voice component of the architecture due to its integration with DirectSound3D . However, extremely high latency considerations with DirectVoice, and any other VoIP application or software, required further research into alternative live voice architectures for inclusion in virtual environments. Ausim3D's GoldServe Audio Localizing Audio Server System was evaluated and integrated into the hardware component of the audio architecture to provide an extremely low-latency, live, streaming voice capability.http://archive.org/details/anudiorchitectur109454977Commander, United States Naval ReserveApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited