A survey of new technology for cockpit application to 1990's transport aircraft simulators

Two problems were investigated: inter-equipment data transfer, both on board the aircraft and between air and ground; and crew equipment communication via the cockpit displays and controls. Inter-equipment data transfer is discussed in terms of data bus and data link requirements. Crew equipment communication is discussed regarding the availability of CRT display systems for use in research simulators to represent flat panel displays of the future, and of software controllable touch panels

The space physics environment data analysis system (SPEDAS)

With the advent of the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO), a complement of multi-spacecraft missions and ground-based observatories to study the space environment, data retrieval, analysis, and visualization of space physics data can be daunting. The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), a grass-roots software development platform (www.spedas.org), is now officially supported by NASA Heliophysics as part of its data environment infrastructure. It serves more than a dozen space missions and ground observatories and can integrate the full complement of past and upcoming space physics missions with minimal resources, following clear, simple, and well-proven guidelines. Free, modular and configurable to the needs of individual missions, it works in both command-line (ideal for experienced users) and Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode (reducing the learning curve for first-time users). Both options have “crib-sheets,” user-command sequences in ASCII format that can facilitate record-and-repeat actions, especially for complex operations and plotting. Crib-sheets enhance scientific interactions, as users can move rapidly and accurately from exchanges of technical information on data processing to efficient discussions regarding data interpretation and science. SPEDAS can readily query and ingest all International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)-compatible products from the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF), enabling access to a vast collection of historic and current mission data. The planned incorporation of Heliophysics Application Programmer’s Interface (HAPI) standards will facilitate data ingestion from distributed datasets that adhere to these standards. Although SPEDAS is currently Interactive Data Language (IDL)-based (and interfaces to Java-based tools such as Autoplot), efforts are under-way to expand it further to work with python (first as an interface tool and potentially even receiving an under-the-hood replacement). We review the SPEDAS development history, goals, and current implementation. We explain its “modes of use” with examples geared for users and outline its technical implementation and requirements with software developers in mind. We also describe SPEDAS personnel and software management, interfaces with other organizations, resources and support structure available to the community, and future development plans.Published versio

NASA SBIR abstracts of 1991 phase 1 projects

The objectives of 301 projects placed under contract by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are described. These projects were selected competitively from among proposals submitted to NASA in response to the 1991 SBIR Program Solicitation. The basic document consists of edited, non-proprietary abstracts of the winning proposals submitted by small businesses. The abstracts are presented under the 15 technical topics within which Phase 1 proposals were solicited. Each project was assigned a sequential identifying number from 001 to 301, in order of its appearance in the body of the report. Appendixes to provide additional information about the SBIR program and permit cross-reference of the 1991 Phase 1 projects by company name, location by state, principal investigator, NASA Field Center responsible for management of each project, and NASA contract number are included

Beyond XSPEC: Towards Highly Configurable Analysis

We present a quantitative comparison between software features of the defacto standard X-ray spectral analysis tool, XSPEC, and ISIS, the Interactive Spectral Interpretation System. Our emphasis is on customized analysis, with ISIS offered as a strong example of configurable software. While noting that XSPEC has been of immense value to astronomers, and that its scientific core is moderately extensible--most commonly via the inclusion of user contributed "local models"--we identify a series of limitations with its use beyond conventional spectral modeling. We argue that from the viewpoint of the astronomical user, the XSPEC internal structure presents a Black Box Problem, with many of its important features hidden from the top-level interface, thus discouraging user customization. Drawing from examples in custom modeling, numerical analysis, parallel computation, visualization, data management, and automated code generation, we show how a numerically scriptable, modular, and extensible analysis platform such as ISIS facilitates many forms of advanced astrophysical inquiry.Comment: Accepted by PASP, for July 2008 (15 pages

Program on application of communications satellites to educational development. Computer-based instruction: A background paper on its status, cost/effectiveness and telecommunications requirements

Status, cost/effectiveness, and telecommunication/satellite requirements of computer-based instructio

Towards Monitoring of the Anesthetic Drug Propofol: Design, Development, and Characterization of an Automated Flow Analytical System

Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic drug commonly used for the maintenance of sedation for critically ill patients in the ICU. Current standard dosing paradigms, which use weight, age, and sex to determine dosage amounts, are not universal to all patients. Consequently, some patients may be under-sedated, while others may be over-sedated. Patient under-sedation can affect patient comfort, proper patient-ventilator synchronization, and blood oxygenation. Patient over-sedation can result in the development of Propofol Infusion Syndrome (PRIS). PRIS can cause many physiological dysfunctions, even death, especially in children. To address this issue, an electrochemical propofol sensor and an automated flow analytical system (AFAS) have been designed in our lab. The AFAS is aimed toward the feedback controlled monitoring of propofol using microfabricated planar electrochemical sensors. The AFAS is composed of a flow-through electrochemical cell, computer controlled actuator, multi-position valve, peristaltic pump, and potentiostat. The system allows the user to implement complex analytical tasks, including flow injection analysis, continuous monitoring, and multipoint calibration with sample measurements. Measurements can be performed under varied experimental conditions, including a wide range of electrode configurations, sampling schemes, sample volumes, and sample concentrations. A membrane coated sensor for the measurement of propofol has been developed. The AFAS was used to characterize the response of the membrane coated electrode in repeated measurements, using ferrocenemethanol as a model compound. The influence of the thickness of the membrane on the measured electrochemical signal was also examined. Finally, the AFAS was used to demonstrate the performance characteristics of a membrane coated sensor for the measurement of propofol. The AFAS was used to determine the precision and accuracy of propofol measurement in the physiologically relevant concentration range, and the effect of interfering compounds on propofol measurement

Space programs summary no. 37-33, volume vi for the period march 1, 1965 to april 30, 1965. space exploration programs and space sciences

Space explorations and space science summary report - March - April 196

An investigation into cockpit display developments in the general aviation aircraft fleet

As we have progressed into the 21st Century, the general aviation (GA) cockpit has been slow to evolve to keep pace with the advances in technology and research that have been applied to the avionics displays for military and civil commercial aviation applications. GA cockpits are just now beginning to reflect the benefits of these advances The increased use of human factors research in the design of GA avionics displays has led to the awareness of the importance of improved information presentation and data cueing As a result, instrument panels are integrating a variety of highly configurable electronic, full-color, hierarchical in design, multifunction displays (MFD) These MFDs are being utilized for inserting a significant increase of coded and processed information into the often display-cluttered aircraft cockpit for use by the GA pilot. MFDs, coded and formatted properly, can aid the GA pilot in an overall increase in situational awareness (SA) of both the aircraft\u27s performance and the surrounding flight environment. In addition, many of these new MFDs have the capability to combine and integrate multiple data inputs onto a single display sometimes referred to as Data Fusion. In a similar vein, as “data fused” MFDs proliferate, the number of single functionality avionics system displays and control boxes can be reduced and replaced by MFD systems with multiple roles and capabilities. This will increase the available instrument panel space for additional or redundant components This thesis will investigate applicable human factors research and see how advanced GA avionics technologies are evolving as a result. This thesis will also discuss systems that should be incorporated in GA aircraft to improve SA for pilots in the GA aircraft sector