An investigation for the development of an integrated optical data preprocessor

The successful fabrication and demonstration of an integrated optical circuit designed to perform a parallel processing operation by utilizing holographic subtraction to simultaneously compare N analog signal voltages with N predetermined reference voltages is summarized. The device alleviates transmission, storage and processing loads of satellite data systems by performing, at the sensor site, some preprocessing of data taken by remote sensors. Major accomplishments in the fabrication of integrated optics components include: (1) fabrication of the first LiNbO3 waveguide geodesic lens; (2) development of techniques for polishing TIR mirrors on LiNbO3 waveguides; (3) fabrication of high efficiency metal-over-photoresist gratings for waveguide beam splitters; (4) demonstration of high S/N holographic subtraction using waveguide holograms; and (5) development of alignment techniques for fabrication of integrated optics circuits. Important developments made in integrated optics are the discovery and suggested use of holographic self-subtraction in LiNbO3, development of a mathematical description of the operating modes of the preprocessor, and the development of theories for diffraction efficiency and beam quality of two dimensional beam defined gratings

CCTV Technology Handbook

This CCTV Technology Handbook provides emergency responders, law enforcement security managers, and other security specialists with a reference to aid in planning, designing, and purchasing a CCTV system. This handbook includes a description of the capabilities and limitations of CCTV components used in security applications

NASA SBIR abstracts of 1990 phase 1 projects

The research objectives of the 280 projects placed under contract in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 1990 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 program are described. The basic document consists of edited, non-proprietary abstracts of the winning proposals submitted by small businesses in response to NASA's 1990 SBIR Phase 1 Program Solicitation. 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 280, in order of its appearance in the body of the report. The document also includes Appendixes to provide additional information about the SBIR program and permit cross-reference in the 1990 Phase 1 projects by company name, location by state, principal investigator, NASA field center responsible for management of each project, and NASA contract number

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

Sensors for ceramic components in advanced propulsion systems: Summary of literature survey and concept analysis, task 3 report

The results of a literature survey and concept analysis related to sensing techniques for measuring of surface temperature, strain, and heat flux for (non-specific) ceramic materials exposed to elevated temperatures (to 2200 K) are summarized. Concepts capable of functioning in a gas turbine hot section environment are favored but others are reviewed also. Recommendation are made for sensor development in each of the three areas

Design and development of symmetric reflective compound parabolic concentrator (SRCPC) for power generation

This thesis presents a detailed design, simulation, optical performance, construction and experimental validation carried out on a novel non-imaging static symmetric reflective compound parabolic concentrator (SRCPC). By considering the seasonal variation of the sun’s position, a concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) system with precise acceptance angle and low concentrating ratio will be an ideal alternative to conventional flat plate photovoltaic (PV) modules in harvesting the power from the sun. The SRCPC is a suitable choice well designed to achieve optimum precise acceptance angles and concentration ratio for this purpose. The optical performance theory study shows that a truncated symmetric reflective CPC with acceptance half-angles of 0° and 10° (termed as SRCPC-10) is the optimum design when compared with the symmetric reflective CPC designs with acceptance half-angles of 0° and 15° and 0° and 20° in Penryn and higher latitudes. An increase in the range of acceptance angles decreases the concentration ratio but an increase in the range of acceptance angles is achieved by truncating the concentrator profile which will reduce its cost as well. Ray tracing simulations indicates that the SRCPC-10 exhibited the maximum optical efficiency and steady slope compared with others. The simulated maximum optical efficiency of the SRCPC was found to be 94%. In addition, the SRCPC-10 was found to have a more uniform intensity distribution at the receiver and a total daily-monthly energy collection compared to the other designs. Thermal modelling of the CPV system with the SRCPC-10 concentrator shows that the solar cell operating temperature can reach up to 70°C for irradiance of 1000W/m2 at an ambient temperature of 25° at a wind velocity of 2.5m/s. The integration of the thermal management system is able to control and maintain the temperature to 29°C. The modelled thermal and electrical efficiencies were 47% and 15% respectively with a heat transfer coefficient of 54.29W/m2K thereby bringing the system efficiency to 62%. The maximum power of the SRCPC-10 when characterised in an indoor controlled environment using solar simulator was 5.96W at 1000W/m2 at a cooling flow rate of 0.0079L/s with average conversion efficiency of 8.97%. The maximum power at 1200W/m2 and 0.031L/s was 7.14W with conversion efficiency of 10.57%. The maximum increase in efficiency from non-cooling to cooling is 2.54%. The efficiency increased because of cooling is relatively 40%. The outdoor characterisation (validation) of the SRCPC-10 shows that the maximum power was 7.4W at 1206W/m2 on a sunny day. The maximum electrical conversion efficiency of the SRCPC-10 in outdoor conditions was found to be 10.96%. These results revealed that this designed SRCPC-10 is capable of collecting both direct and diffuse radiation to generate power. Therefore, the SRCPC-10 could be used to provide a solution to the increasing demand on electricity to the energy mix, leaving a clean environment for future developments

NASA Tech Briefs Index, 1977, volume 2, numbers 1-4

Announcements of new technology derived from the research and development activities of NASA are presented. Abstracts, and indexes for subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief number are presented for 1977

NASA Tech Briefs Index, 1976

Abstracts of new technology derived from the research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are presented. Emphasis is placed on information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines. Subject matter covered includes: electronic components and circuits; electronic systems; physical sciences; materials; life sciences; mechanics; machinery; fabrication technology; and mathematics and information sciences

Study of high voltage solar array configurations with integrated power control electronics

Solar array electrical configurations for voltage regulatio

Index to 1981 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 6, numbers 1-4

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1981 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences