NASA Tech Briefs, January 2001

The topics include: 1) A "Model" of Interactive Engineering; 2) Feature Section: Communications Technology; 3) lnReview; 4) Application Briefs; 5) Submillimeter-Wave Image Sensor; 6) Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corers With Integrated Sensors; 7) Normally Closed, Piezoelectrically Actuated Microvalve; 8) Magnetostrictively Actuated Valves for Cryosurgical Probes; 9) Remote Sensing of Electric Fields in Clouds; 10) Wireless-Communication Headset Subsystem To Enhance Signaling; 11) Power Amplifier With 9 to 13 dB of Gain From 65 to 146 GHz; 12) Humidity Interlock for Protecting a Cooled Laser Crystal; 13) A Lightweight Ambulatory Physiological Monitoring System; 14) Improvements in a Lightning-Measuring Instrument; 15) Broad-Band, Noninvasive Radio-Frequency Current Probe; 16) Web-Based Technology Distributes Lean Models; 17) Software Guides Aeroelastic-Systems Design; and 18) Postprocessing Software for Micromechanics Analysis Code. A Photonics West 2001 Preview Tech Brief supplement to this January 2001 issue is also included

Dual-Use Space Technology Transfer Conference and Exhibition

This document contains papers presented at the Dual-Use Space Technology Transfer Conference and Exhibition held at the Johnson Space Center February 1-3, 1994. Possible technology transfers covered during the conference were in the areas of information access; innovative microwave and optical applications; materials and structures; marketing and barriers; intelligent systems; human factors and habitation; communications and data systems; business process and technology transfer; software engineering; biotechnology and advanced bioinstrumentation; communications signal processing and analysis; new ways of doing business; medical care; applications derived from control center data systems; human performance evaluation; technology transfer methods; mathematics, modeling, and simulation; propulsion; software analysis and decision tools systems/processes in human support technology; networks, control centers, and distributed systems; power; rapid development perception and vision technologies; integrated vehicle health management; automation technologies; advanced avionics; ans robotics technologies. More than 77 papers, 20 presentations, and 20 exhibits covering various disciplines were presented b experts from NASA, universities, and industry

Optical Rotary Sensors for Avionic Applications

RÉSUMÉ Cette thèse concerne des nouveaux capteurs optiques dédiés aux systèmes de contrôle de vol d’avions «fly-by-wire (FBW)». Les capteurs de déplacement sont utilisés dans les systèmes de contrôle de vol pour détecter la distraction du pilote, les déplacements de l'actionneur et ceux de la surface de vol. Actuellement, les capteurs « Rotary variable displacement transducers - RVDTs» utilisés dans les systèmes de contrôle de vol d'avions FBW sont les capteurs basés sur des circuits magnétiques et électroniques analogiques. Donc, une interface électronique est nécessaire pour la démodulation et numérisation des signaux reçus. Par conséquent, des paires de fils longs torsadés sont utilisés pour connecter le RVDT à l’ordinateur installé à bord de l’avion. Les paires de fils torsadés sont lourds et sensibles aux interférences électromagnétiques (IEM) et aux coups de foudre qui peuvent se produire pendant le vol. Nous proposons des capteurs optiques intelligents pour réduire le poids de l’avion, la consommation du carburant pour un environnement vert, l’IEM et pour utiliser moins de pièces métalliques afin de protéger davantage l’avion contre les coups de foudre. La conception des encodeurs de capteurs optiques rotatifs (Optical rotation sensors - ORSs) est basée sur trois exigences importantes, soient la fiabilité, la linéarité, et l’exactitude de mesures. Ces capteurs intégrés dans le système de vol doivent être intelligents. Pour la fiabilité, la réponse du capteur est calculée à partir du ratio des deux puissances optiques ou celui de la différence divisée par la somme de ces deux puissances optiques. Cependant, pour la linéarité, la réponse du capteur consiste en une relation linéaire avec le paramètre à mesurer qui est l’angle de rotation. Quant à l’exactitude, l’erreur doit être moins de 1% sur toute la gamme de mesures. De plus, pour un capteur intelligent, le capteur basé sur des circuits analogiques, les convertisseurs au monde numérique et l’étape de démodulation doivent être emballés dans un boîtier commun. Dans un premier prototype, un capteur de déplacement ratio-métrique, auto-référant, analogique et optique a été proposé pour les applications avioniques. La position de rotation est déterminée par le ratio de deux puissances lumineuses réfléchie et transmise qui rendent le capteur indépendant de fluctuations de puissance. L’encodeur multi-gradient original proposé compense pour l’usage d’une source non-uniforme.----------ABSTRACT This thesis is on novel optical sensors for smart sensor system needed in flight control system (FCS) of fly-by-wire (FBW) aircraft. Displacement sensors are needed in FBW-FCS to detect pilot inceptors, actuator displacements, and flight control surface movement. Currently, the sensors used for rotary variable displacement transducers (RVDTs) are analog electronic sensors, hence an electronic interface is needed for demodulation and digitization of analog signals. As a result, long twisted wires are drawn from the sensor to the flight control computer (FCC) interface which are heavy and susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and lightning strike. By proposing smart optical sensors, we aim to reduce the aircraft weight to decrease the fuel usage towards a greener environment, reduce EMI, and protect the aircraft against a lightning strike by using fewer metallic parts. The encoders of the optical rotation sensors (ORS) are designed based on three important requirements of reliability, linearity, and accuracy. In addition, they must be smart sensors to be integrated into the smart sensor system needed in FBW aircraft. For reliability requirements, the designed sensor response is the ratio of two optical powers or the ratio of the difference to the sum of two optical powers. For linearity requirement, the sensor response must be a linear relation with the measurand which is the rotation angle. For accuracy requirement, the error should be less than 1% over the full range. In addition, for a smart sensor, the analog sensor and the electronics for digitization and demodulation have to be packaged into a single housing.In the first design, an optical, analog, self-referencing, ratio-metric, smart displacement sensor is proposed for avionic applications. The position of rotation is determined by an encoder by the ratio of the transmitted and reflected light powers, which makes the sensor independent of power fluctuations. A single multi-gradient encoder design compensates for the use of a non-uniform source. An anti-reflection coated glass window with the outer diameter of 27mm is used with an encoder pattern mapped on it using aluminum deposition. The experimental results show that the ratio of the transmitted and reflected powers has an accuracy of 0.53% over the full range, matching the specifications for avionic applications

Holding the Edge: Maintaining the Defense Technology Base—Vol. II, Appendices

The report notes that America’s defense technology base has weathered significantly, with challenges to U.S. high-Technology firms from abroad, increasing dependence on foreign and civilian sources of technology for use in military systems, and growing technological sophistication of our adversaries

Technology 2003: The Fourth National Technology Transfer Conference and Exposition, volume 2

Proceedings from symposia of the Technology 2003 Conference and Exposition, Dec. 7-9, 1993, Anaheim, CA, are presented. Volume 2 features papers on artificial intelligence, CAD&E, computer hardware, computer software, information management, photonics, robotics, test and measurement, video and imaging, and virtual reality/simulation

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2002

Topics include: a technology focus sensors, software, electronic components and systems, materials, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing, bio-medical, physical sciences, information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs

NASA Technology Plan 1998

This NASA Strategic Plan describes an ambitious, exciting vision for the Agency across all its Strategic Enterprises that addresses a series of fundamental questions of science and research. This vision is so challenging that it literally depends on the success of an aggressive, cutting-edge advanced technology development program. The objective of this plan is to describe the NASA-wide technology program in a manner that provides not only the content of ongoing and planned activities, but also the rationale and justification for these activities in the context of NASA's future needs. The scope of this plan is Agencywide, and it includes technology investments to support all major space and aeronautics program areas, but particular emphasis is placed on longer term strategic technology efforts that will have broad impact across the spectrum of NASA activities and perhaps beyond. Our goal is to broaden the understanding of NASA technology programs and to encourage greater participation from outside the Agency. By relating technology goals to anticipated mission needs, we hope to stimulate additional innovative approaches to technology challenges and promote more cooperative programs with partners outside NASA who share common goals. We also believe that this will increase the transfer of NASA-sponsored technology into nonaerospace applications, resulting in an even greater return on the investment in NASA

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2020

This Research Report presents the FY20 research statistics and contributions of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management (EN) at AFIT. AFIT research interests and faculty expertise cover a broad spectrum of technical areas related to USAF needs, as reflected by the range of topics addressed in the faculty and student publications listed in this report. In most cases, the research work reported herein is directly sponsored by one or more USAF or DOD agencies. AFIT welcomes the opportunity to conduct research on additional topics of interest to the USAF, DOD, and other federal organizations when adequate manpower and financial resources are available and/or provided by a sponsor. In addition, AFIT provides research collaboration and technology transfer benefits to the public through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). Interested individuals may discuss ideas for new research collaborations, potential CRADAs, or research proposals with individual faculty using the contact information in this document

Photonic wideband phased array: an optical time steered antenna based on a new true time delay unit

L’attività di ricerca svolta durante il corso di dottorato e descritta dettagliatamente all’interno della tesi è stata diretta al progetto di una innovativa rete ottica di formazione del fascio per antenne a schiera a banda larga esenti dal fenomeno del beam squint. La rete di formazione del fascio proposta è basata sull’utilizzo di un chip ottico integrato modulare che consente di realizzare il True Time Delay implementando switched delay lines. Le caratteristiche del sistema ne consentono l’utilizzo in architetture ad array e a subarray, e la sua modularità rende possibile, in principio, il pilotaggio del sistema radiante, integrando in un unico componente le linee di ritardo di ciascun elemento della schiera. Nella sua prima parte la tesi di dottorato introduce alle antenne ad alte prestazioni richieste dalle moderne applicazioni, focalizzando l’attenzione sui Phased Array, sistemi radianti destinati a svolgere un ruolo di primo piano grazie alla loro flessibilità e potenzialità. Un’analisi ragionata delle soluzioni proposte in letteratura viene, quindi, proposta al fine di evidenziare i principi di funzionamento e le principali problematiche connesse all’implementazione di reti ottiche di formazione del fascio. Inoltre, vengono descritte e discusse le architetture ottiche utilizzate sia per il controllo della fase che per il controllo del ritardo. Successivamente viene presentata la nuova unità ottica integrata di tipo True Time Delay. Le configurazioni di utilizzo del chip ottico studiate e messe a punto durante gli anni del corso di dottorato vengono presentate nel dettaglio, chiarendo le scelte e le strategie di progetto utilizzate in modo da ottimizzare le prestazioni del sistema. Viene presentato il progetto di un prototipo di antenna a schiera basato sul nuovo modulo True Time Delay e un modello accurato dell’intero sistema, implementato allo scopo di verificare il funzionamento dell’antenna e determinarne le prestazioni. Il modello sviluppato tiene in conto delle reali caratteristiche dei dispositivi disponibili in commercio da utilizzarsi all’interno della rete e del sistema radiante, degli inevitabili errori realizzativi relativi a ciascun componente e delle caratteristiche peculiari del nuovo modulo di ritardo. Per compensare gli effetti degli errori suddetti è stata prevista all’interno della rete un’unità di compensazione. Per rendere semplice ed efficace determinarne i parametri è stato sviluppato un algoritmo evolutivo capace di sfruttare al meglio le potenzialità dell’unità così da evitare inutili complessità. Infine, viene proposta una nuova architettura, interamente ottica, di una rete di formazione del fascio per antenne a schiera capaci di irradiare sia fasci somma che fasci differenza beam squint free

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1997

Topics: Design and Analysis Software; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports