Research on new techniques for the analysis of manual control systems Progress report, 16 Jun. - 15 Dec. 1967

Adaptive behavior of human operators to failure transitions in controlled element dynamics, and identifying unknown sampling frequencies in dynamic system

Task allocation among multiple intelligent robots

Researchers describe the design of a decentralized mechanism for allocating assembly tasks in a multiple robot assembly workstation. Currently, the approach focuses on distributed allocation to explore its feasibility and its potential for adaptability to changing circumstances, rather than for optimizing throughput. Individual greedy robots make their own local allocation decisions using both dynamic allocation policies which propagate through a network of allocation goals, and local static and dynamic constraints describing which robots are elibible for which assembly tasks. Global coherence is achieved by proper weighting of allocation pressures propagating through the assembly plan. Deadlock avoidance and synchronization is achieved using periodic reassessments of local allocation decisions, ageing of allocation goals, and short-term allocation locks on goals

Research on new techniques for the analysis of manual control systems Progress report, 16 Jun. - 15 Dec. 1968

Parameter estimation for continuous input-output systems with internal sampling in human controller model

Computers for real time flight simulation: A market survey

An extensive computer market survey was made to determine those available systems suitable for current and future flight simulation studies at Ames Research Center. The primary requirement is for the computation of relatively high frequency content (5 Hz) math models representing powered lift flight vehicles. The Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) was used as a benchmark vehicle for computation comparison studies. The general nature of helicopter simulations and a description of the benchmark model are presented, and some of the sources of simulation difficulties are examined. A description of various applicable computer architectures is presented, along with detailed discussions of leading candidate systems and comparisons between them

Research on new techniques for the analysis of manual control systems Progress report, 15 Jun. 1969 - 15 Jun. 1970

Applying statistical decision theory to manual adaptive control system

Autonomous dexterous end-effectors for space robotics

The development of a knowledge-based controller is summarized for the Belgrade/USC robot hand, a five-fingered end effector, designed for maximum autonomy. The biological principles of the hand and its architecture are presented. The conceptual and software aspects of the grasp selection system are discussed, including both the effects of the geometry of the target object and the task to be performed. Some current research issues are presented

Estimates of the Statistics of Randomly Varying Parameters of Linear Systems

Mathematical model used in estimating statistics of randomly varying parameters of linear system

High efficiency solar photovoltaic power module concept

The investigation of a preliminary concept for high efficiency solar power generation in space is presented. The concept was a synergistic combination of spectral splitting, tailored bandgap cells, high concentration ratios, and cool cell areas

Advanced space system concepts and their orbital support needs (1980 - 2000). Volume 1: Executive summary

The likely system concepts which might be representative of NASA and DoD space programs in the 1980-2000 time period were studied along with the programs' likely needs for major space transportation vehicles, orbital support vehicles, and technology developments which could be shared by the military and civilian space establishments in that time period. Such needs could then be used by NASA as an input in determining the nature of its long-range development plan. The approach used was to develop a list of possible space system concepts (initiatives) in parallel with a list of needs based on consideration of the likely environments and goals of the future. The two lists thus obtained represented what could be done, regardless of need; and what should be done, regardless of capability, respectively. A set of development program plans for space application concepts was then assembled, matching needs against capabilities, and the requirements of the space concepts for support vehicles, transportation, and technology were extracted. The process was pursued in parallel for likely military and civilian programs, and the common support needs thus identified

Computing methods in optimization problems - Gradient methods for the optimization of dynamic system parameters by hybrid computation

Gradient methods for optimization of dynamic system parameters by hybrid computatio