Development and implementation of the verification process for the shuttle avionics system

The background of the shuttle avionics system design and the unique drivers associated with the redundant digital multiplexed data processing system are examined. With flight software pervading to the lowest elements of the flight critical subsystems, it was necessary to identify a unique and orderly approach of verifying the system as flight ready for STS-1. The approach and implementation plan is discussed, and both technical problems and management issues are dealt with

High Precision Attitude Reference System /HPARS/ Final report

Test facilities for attitude control using analog and computerized simulation

Emotional engagements predict and enhance social cognition in young chimpanzees

Social cognition in infancy is evident in coordinated triadic engagements, that is, infants attending jointly with social partners and objects. Current evolutionary theories of primate social cognition tend to highlight species differences in cognition based on human-unique cooperative motives. We consider a developmental model in which engagement experiences produce differential outcomes. We conducted a 10-year-long study in which two groups of laboratory-raised chimpanzee infants were given quantifiably different engagement experiences. Joint attention, cooperativeness, affect, and different levels of cognition were measured in 5- to 12-month-old chimpanzees, and compared to outcomes derived from a normative human database. We found that joint attention skills significantly improved across development for all infants, but by 12 months, the humans significantly surpassed the chimpanzees. We found that cooperativeness was stable in the humans, but by 12 months, the chimpanzee group given enriched engagement experiences significantly surpassed the humans. Past engagement experiences and concurrent affect were significant unique predictors of both joint attention and cooperativeness in 5- to 12-month-old chimpanzees. When engagement experiences and concurrent affect were statistically controlled, joint attention and cooperation were not associated. We explain differential social cognition outcomes in terms of the significant influences of previous engagement experiences and affect, in addition to cognition. Our study highlights developmental processes that underpin the emergence of social cognition in support of evolutionary continuity

High Data Rate HF Communications for BFTN Using Advanced Waveform Techniques

NPS NRP Project PosterIn this feasibility study, we propose the application of advanced waveforms techniques (e.g. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM) for high data rate HF communications within the Battle Force Tactical Network (BFTN). OFDM and other multicarrier-type modulations can potentially mitigate the multipath problem that HF is subjected to and potentially increase the limited data throughput of HF systems. While SATCOM provides reliable RF communications and data links, the Navy needs a viable alternative to SATCOM. Beyond line of sight (BLOS) HF communications (2-30 MHz band) can be improved using advanced digital waveform techniques that are used in wireless and cellular communications. It can be a complementary system or be the solution to SATCOM-degraded scenarios.Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC)U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF)This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.