Microprocessor Feasability Study and Preliminary Design for an Artillery Fire Control Application

A project is underway at Oklahoma State University to develop an artillery fire control system. A preliminary study has been concluded which demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed system approach by computer simulations. This is a similar preliminary study as to the feasibility of using a microprocessor as the basis of the hardware implementation as an alternative to completely discrete components.Electrical Engineerin

Experimental study of digital image processing techniques for LANDSAT data

The author has identified the following significant results. Results are reported for: (1) subscene registration, (2) full scene rectification and registration, (3) resampling techniques, (4) and ground control point (GCP) extraction. Subscenes (354 pixels x 234 lines) were registered to approximately 1/4 pixel accuracy and evaluated by change detection imagery for three cases: (1) bulk data registration, (2) precision correction of a reference subscene using GCP data, and (3) independently precision processed subscenes. Full scene rectification and registration results were evaluated by using a correlation technique to measure registration errors of 0.3 pixel rms thoughout the full scene. Resampling evaluations of nearest neighbor and TRW cubic convolution processed data included change detection imagery and feature classification. Resampled data were also evaluated for an MSS scene containing specular solar reflections

On-board multispectral classification study. Volume 2: Supplementary tasks

The operational tasks of the onboard multispectral classification study were defined. These tasks include: sensing characteristics for future space applications; information adaptive systems architectural approaches; data set selection criteria; and onboard functional requirements for interfacing with global positioning satellites

Energy Efficient Engine (E3) controls and accessories detail design report

An Energy Efficient Engine program has been established by NASA to develop technology for improving the energy efficiency of future commercial transport aircraft engines. As part of this program, a new turbofan engine was designed. This report describes the fuel and control system for this engine. The system design is based on many of the proven concepts and component designs used on the General Electric CF6 family of engines. One significant difference is the incorporation of digital electronic computation in place of the hydromechanical computation currently used

The Fundamental Hardware Elements and Options of Digital Signal Processing

The hardware available for digital signal processing is evaluated. The elements required for implementation of digital signal processing applications are identified. These elements--memories, ALUs and multipliers -- are analyzed. Then the operation of parts which make up a range of possible solutions are evaluated. Thus, the graduating engineer is aided in making a transition from the theoretical to the practical world

Digit-slicing architectures for real-time digital filters

One of the many important algorithmic techniques in digital signal processing is real-time digital filtering. Modular sliced structures for digital filters have been proposed before, but the nature of implementation has been mainly constrained to non-recursive second order digital filters with positive values of coefficients. The aim of this research project is to extend this modular digit slicing concept to more practical higher order digital filters which are recursive and are of many forms (direct, nondirect, canonic, non-canonic). [Continues.

Aerospace Applications of Microprocessors

An assessment of the state of microprocessor applications is presented. Current and future requirements and associated technological advances which allow effective exploitation in aerospace applications are discussed

SETI science working group report

This report covers the initial activities and deliberations of a continuing working group asked to assist the SETI Program Office at NASA. Seven chapters present the group's consensus on objectives, strategies, and plans for instrumental R&D and for a microwave search for extraterrestrial in intelligence (SETI) projected for the end of this decade. Thirteen appendixes reflect the views of their individual authors. Included are discussions of the 8-million-channel spectrum analyzer architecture and the proof-of-concept device under development; signal detection, recognition, and identification on-line in the presence of noise and radio interference; the 1-10 GHz sky survey and the 1-3 GHz targeted search envisaged; and the mutual interests of SETI and radio astronomy. The report ends with a selective, annotated SETI reading list of pro and contra SETI publications

Capstan drive transport system for motion picture film

The work presented describes the development of a capstan drive system for the transport of motion picture film. From a model description of the plant and computer aided system design analysis, control algorithms are formulated. The work shows how these relativity complex control algorithms are implemented by making use of the parallel processing capabilities of the transputer. A critical investigation of current film transport methods is undertaken leading to the design and testing of a prototype capstan drive mechanism. The capstan drive system is shown to eliminate problems of sprocket drives and their associated mechanisms. A multi-input multi-output controller is presented using state-space methods of design. The developed control strategies are fully tested on a model of the plant before hardware testing. The control outputs of the system are speed and tension. The final control solution is shown to be a combination of full-state feedback, integral control, and a Kalman filter estimator for the elimination of system disturbances. The transputer implementation of the developed control strategies is presented together with a comparison between simulation and experimental results. It is shown that computational times can be reduced by using multiple transputers and placing computation-intensive sections of the control algorithm on separate processors. Transputer configurations and interconnections are shown. The capstan system has been shown to allow faster printing speeds with improved transport accuracy leading to better quality of the final picture print. The system has been shown to be 'robust' to external disturbances and changes in plant parameters