https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20100029488 2019-08-30T11:21:59+00:00Z Initialize System m ~ _ ... i9{-~ ~ Collect Compute Generate Process PID Control Inputs Outputs Create It Develop your custom real-time control application with easy-to-use National Instruments LabVIEW" RT running on a Windows-based PC. Embed It Download and run your application on a dedicated processor running a real-time operating system on the RT Series DAQ board for PCI or PXINjCompactPCl. Control It --~ Control your embedded system deterministically, without interruption, even if you must reboot. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS~ ni.com/info/lvrt (800) 890·6229 Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • info@ni.com For More Information Circle No. 500 Call for your FREE Real-Time Product Selection Guide , .~199I'-IDt'III~~M"'.--:s.fIiIeU::I" ~,........, .. ~or_""d" __ ~ SHOP ONLINE! We're Open 24-7 to Serve You! Over 100,000 Process Measurement And Control Products Available Onlinel (om ga.comrw] ,,---- LEOMEG~ ____ ~_ HOT OFF THE PRESS! For FREE literature, and CD-ROM, Visit Our Website: www.omega.com or call between 8:30am-5:00pm: Oia/1-203-359-7874 For Sales and Service, Call: e-mail:info@omega.com OOOPYRIGIfT 2000 OMEGA eIClINEERIIIG, INC. AI.L RIGIflS RESERVEll. • Large color display for rea/-time data viewing Intuitive touch-screen interface simplifies setup and operation • Look-back while recording in real time • Up to 32 analog or digital input channels • Virtual Chart'" efficiently stores data while saving paper • Ethernet interface for command and control • High-resolution chart printing for clear, crisp traces www.astro-med.com/ev16 For More Information Circle No. 518 Getting your designs off the ground means working with the laws of motion and gravity. ot an easy task. Luckily, Carpenter can help You'll find more than 400 grades of specialty alloys, titanium, impact-resistant ceramics and other advanced materials. Parts forming tech nologies that meet your most demanding specs. And a battery of technical experts to conquer any design challenge. More than materials ~arpenter has unmatched manufacturing expertise, extensive distribution, and R&D that never stops. All of which allow you to turn the laws of flight to your ~dvan tage. For details, call1-800-654-6S43. Or visit www.caItech.com/aero @ CARPENTER For More Information Circle No. 512 Engineered Materials for a Changing World DYNAMET • ENGINEERED PRODUCTS • SPECIALTY ALLOYS TECH BRIEFS June 2000 • Vol. 24 No. 6 ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR DESIGN & Iv\ANUFACTURING FEATURES 20 M ission Accomplished 26 Application Briefs 30 leveraging Intellectual Assets to Streamline Product Design BRIEFS 32 34 36 38 Special Coverage: Design & Analysis Software Computer Program Automates Thermal Analyses Automated Generation of Acoustic- Propagation Computer Codes Rule-Based" Intelligent" Monitoring Software Comprehensive Micromechanics-Analysis Code (MAClGMC) 40 Software for Analyzing Forth Programs = 44 Electronic Components and Systems 44 Cadmium Zinc Telluride Detectors for Imaging of Gamma Rays 46 Inexpensive Packaged Subharmonic Down-Converter for MMICs 48 Test and Measurement 48 Power Supply for Miniature Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer 52 Software 52 ~ ~ 54 54 58 60 62 64 Program Predicts Creep Lives of Ceramic Components Physical Sciences Vapor Corrosion Cell Controlling Crystal-Growth Habit in Directional Freezing Special Coverage: Computers & Peripherals RS-232 -to-Infrared Tra nsceiver " Intelligent" Transceivers Would Predict Failures of Parts Networks Based on Stack-Tree Topology and a 1394 Bus DEPARTMENTS 12 Commercial Technology Team 14 Reader Forum 16 NASA Patents 18 UpFront 24 Who's Who at NASA 28 Commercialization Opportunities 42 Special Coverage Products: Design & Analysis Software 65 Special Coverage Products: Computers & Peripherals 68 New on the Market 69 New on Disk 70 New Literature 71 Advertisers Index 72 This Month in RPD Online 6 www.nasatech.com lASA Tech Briefs, j une 2000 ucts enable you to analysis types .nto one event. Resultant forces from flow around this turbine were calculaled and then prOjected onto the object for a structural analySIS Other mul- tlphYSICS capabilities Include combining heal transfer With flUid f ow heat transfer With stat,CllranSlent stress and heat trans- fer With flUid flow and stress steady-state thermal processor helps pre- D ct temperature distribution due to ther- mal loading. Loadmg such as convechon, radiation conductiOn applied tempera· tures and surface heal fluxes can be added 10 an analYSIS for fasl. accurate results In the case 01 thiS 9ngmB casing. both conduct on and convection were part of the analYSIS of thiS 3· D solid model Algor has been developing FEA software since 1978. In 1984 Algor was the first company to offer FEA on PCs, which have evolved into the NT workstations of today. Algor offers the premier FEA software on PC workstations by combining ease-of-use and affordability. CAOKEY -- Prices start at just $975 for InCAD DesignPak. Autodesk Voyager Reg i stered Developer Member 'All trademarks may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. PARAMETRI C TE:CHNOLOCY CORPORATION ~,.(,PART!,:~,~,S Algor, Inc. 150 Beta Drive, PillsbJrgh. PA 15238-2932 USA Phone: .. l (412) 967-2700 Fax: + 1 (412) 967-2781 California: .. 1 (714) 564-0844 Europe (UK): +44 (1784) 442 246 E-mail: info@algor.com Contents continued SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS 1a - 10a Electronics Tech Briefs Follows page 60 in selected editions only. 1b - 10b Motion Control Tech Briefs Follows page 24 in selected editions only This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Na.tional Aeronauucs and pace Administration. either Associated Business Publications Co., Ltd. nor the niled tales Gov- ernment nor any person acting on behalf of the United tates CO\'ernmelll assun)es any lia- bility resulting from the use of the informacion contained in lhjs docume.nt. or warranr:.co that such use will be [Tee from pri\"atel)1 owned rights. The U.S. Covernmem does not endorse any commercial product, process, or acciviry identified in Lhis publication . PRODUCT OF THE MONTH The MAX 200 digital document system from Xerox Engineering Systems, Stamford, CT, offers high-volume, wide-format digital print ing, scanning, and copying. 18 ON THE COVER These images of remote sensing data analysis were processed by ENVI® (Envi- ronment for Visualizing Images), NOeSYSTM, and IDl® (Interactive Data language) software from Research Sys- tems, Boulder, CO. The company's IDl Wavelet Toolkit for image and signal pro- cessing analysis is featured in this month's Special Coverage on Design and Analysis Software, beginning on page 30. (Images courtesy of Homestake Mining Com- pany, University of Utah (upper left image), and the NASA Airborne Sensor Facility.) Permissions: Authoriz.ation to phmocopy icems for internal or personal use, or Lhe internal or personaJ use of specific clients, is granted by Associated Business Publications. provid,ed that the nat fee of 3.00 per COP)' be paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center (222 Rose Wood Or., Danvers, ,MA 01923) . For those organizations that have been gralHed a photocopy license h)' cee, a eparate system of payment has been arranged. The fee code for users of the Transactional Reporting Senice is: ISSN 0145-3J9X194 $3.00+ .00 8 For More Information Circle No. 414 NASA Tech Briefs, June 2000 WE'RE MAKING A BIG SPLASH O N OUR OWN. , ..' Q f ) '/~i' - , . 1 ~ , til , y A' _0' . ;> .F t J ~, , ;r .0' v0 J til ..:: ) STORAGE PRODUCTS DIVISION (SPD) The 2-year manufacturer 01 the onglnal Data Express and other D-ready storage enclosures IS explonng ne\\. waters. one, the worlds large 1 memo!) manufacturer, has a new sister company from It successful storage diVIsIon As of June 1, 2000 the new storage company WIll be known as LOrCase' Technology, Inc What " i ll this mean to you? \i Ith plans to add more dedicated resources, StorCase \\111 be able to further focus on new wrage products and bnng them LO market sooner. Because SLOrCase ""'Ill remam m the same faCIlities, you can oum on thiS being a seamless transition , maintaming the same quahty products, selVlce and suppon. torCase Technology - making a big splash on Its ovm For more details, call a StorCase representative at (800) 337-8421 or visit us al Ii StorCase- 'TeCHNO ,- OOY 17600 Ncwho"" S".E/'I1-Y YaiR I~ ~T 70 /VEW LE.VE.I..£ OF covtPi-EX/TY. How do you attack complex design problems or balance creative solutions with practical needs? It takes robust technologies and a stimulating design environment. More than ever, Autodesk hamesses the passion of designers and the power of the Web to help companies realize the competitive advantage of superior mechanical design. It's a faster, more fluid approach that we call iDesign. See what iDesign can do for you : www.autodesk.com/rocket. For Mont Information Circle No. 516 autodeske ==========~~ ____ Mi_SSi_onACCDnlpHshed ASA contractor TRW (Redondo Beach, CA), which began u ing it in a variety of applications for equipment deployed in outer space. It was used in the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant En- ergy System (CERES) instrument, the mo t preci ely calibrated radiometer ever to fly in space. CERES measures emitted and reflected energy from the surface of the Earth and the atmos- the mo t accurate eye ever for mea- suring clouds and their impact on Earth's radiant energy sy tern. ASA has a igned CERES the highe t prior- ity in its Earth Observing System (EOS) program. Today, Pennzane i used to lubricate mechanisms in the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) satellite; the Geo ta- Operational Environmental (GOES), which provide 60 22 For More Information Circle No. 413 percent of the Earth ' weather reports and track distre ignal to locate stranded sailors; and the Tropical Rain- fall Mea uring Mission (TRMM) , which performed climate research such as im- proving precipitation measurement techniques and developing representa- tive rainfall climatologies. It Really Is Rocket Science The resulting commercial motor oil, Pennzoil Synthetic with Pennzane, pro- vides extra engine protection against deposits and wear resulting from evere dliving conditions. It provides this pro- tection when engine need it most, such as at temperature extreme . While not subjected to the severe tempera- ture fluctuations of outer space, the oil protects cars at very low and very high operating temperatures. The oil is designed to protect against both oxidative and thermal break- down, and the accelerated oil con- sumption associated with severe service conditions such as short-trip driving with frequent engine starts and stop. Penn zane X2000 fluid can be used in any application requiring a low volatil- ity hydrocarbon . It's designed for lubri- cation in vacuum environments, as well as applications requiring no conden - ables, ucb as computers and precision in truments. The utility of Pennzane X2000 can be extended by adding typi- cal hydrocarbon additives, such as ex- treme pressure agents, antiwear agents, and antioxidants. For more in/ormation on Pennzane X2000, visit the Penmoil web site at www.pennzoil.com. ASA Tech Briefs, june 2000 The Multiphysic Design Tool of Choice ti • • DaimlerChrysler Motorola AppliedMateria1s U.S.Army U.S. Navy IBM Xerox Pratt & Whitney Siemens Caterpillar BMW-Rolls Royce ... and many others Struct raJ Str s Fluid-Structure Interaction in a MicroMixer Geometry, Courtesy of Sarnoff Corporation For More Information Circle No. S44 UncIerhoocI Cooling Cavitation in Vane 011 Pump - """"' .""OOVo'("1l1rt ("Oft' fn 1St. 721. 4.&:ot. ___ &.-.e .. oIaou--.,r OO~ Corpor-. 21S"",""o.- ~- VOICE: 256.726.4800 www.ddn:.com Harsh Environments? Delicate Equipment? t Cas~es! Hardigg Cases support Scientists working to discover the mysteries of our Universe. Solar Pyranometer Case Field Proven Reliability - Cases: Trunk Style Electronic Rack Instrument Wheeled Styles 350 COTS Sizes " d.gg _ 147 North Main Street South Deerfield, MA 01373 USA Tel: 1-800-542-7344 or 413-665-2163 Email: cases@hardigg.com www.hardigg.com GSA Contract: GS-14F-6140A ISO 9001 Certified For More Information Circle No. 420 or Visi t www.nasatech.coml420 I , Who's Who at NASA , , Douglas B. Leviton, Optical Physicist, Goddard Space Flight Center D ougl.as B. Lev~ton I an OptI- cal physicist at A A's Goddard Space Flight Cen- ter in Greenbelt, MD. He has worked on a variety of optical technolo- gies for ultraviolet through infrared wavelength ASA science missions including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) . His absolute optical encoder technology was honored as ASA's Government Invention of the Year for 1999. (See page 22 of the May issue of NASA Tech Briefs for more information on NASA's awards.) NASA Tech Briefs: What is an absolute optical encoder? Douglas B. Leviton: Optical en- coder measure mechanical position and report it to a computer as a num- ber. For example, a rotary encoder mounted on a large telescope's support bearings tells you the telescope's point- ing angle. In a milling machine or a lathe, linear encoders mounted on the machine's slides tell you the position of the cutting tool with respect to the part being machined. Some encoders are incrementaJ , which means that if you tum the power off and tum it back on, the encoder gets lost because its refer- ence is 10 t. With an absolute encoder, you can turn power off and back on, and when the encoder wakes up, it still knows exactly where it is. This is e pe- cially advantageous in space mecha- nisms where con erving power is im- portant. NTB: What advantages does your in- ventjon provide? Leviton: Conventional absolute en- coder ense a bit pattern on glass that is unique at each po ition. The limita- tion on resolution is, "How small can you make the finest little bit?" Instead of reading out individual bits, my ab- olute encoder takes digital picture of a different kind of pattern and inter- pret them through oftware to get po- www.nasatecb .com sition with much higher resolution. The pattern resembles coarsely paced pickets in a fence . Each picket has a lit- tle bar code that uniquely identifie it. The camera ees two or three pickets at a time. Since only one position is being measured, each one of tho e pickets gives the same answer. This means that a pretty vast area on the cale can be damaged and the encoder still works fine . NTB: What was NASA's first applica- tion for the new encoder? Leviton: The very first application was in 1998 for a system we built to cal- ibrate flight prisms for the HST Ad- vanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). That system was essentially a vacuum UV version of the classical, prism re- fractometer for measuring refractive index of transmissive optical materials. We needed a cheap rotary encoder in vacuum with sub-arcsecond accuracy in a hurry, 0 we engineered a special ver- sion of the new encoder in just a few weeks for less than $1,000. Meanwhile, we ended up enhancing the world 's database of far UV optical material properties with data of unprecedented accuracy and spectral coverage. The materials we measured are crucial to other NASA UV science missions and are being used increasingly in optical designs of wafer teppers for advanced semiconductor production. NTB: What are some potential com- mercial applications for your invention? Leviton: Any mechanism requiring ab olute encoders more sensitive and compact than existing encoders can take advantage of this new technology. One example would be linear position- ing platforms for microlithography steppers. Other potential applications include inspection equipment, robot- ics , machine vi ion, coordinate- measuring equipment, aviation, sur- veying, profilometer, and disk-drive manufacture . A full transcript of this interview ap- pears on line at www.nasatech. com. Mr. Leviton can be reached at doug.leviton@ gsf c. nasa. gov. NASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 -Portable 6- I Measurements Attach the new WaveBook/516"' to your notebook PC for portable, 16-bit measurements up to 1 Msamples/s. Start with eight built-in channels, and easily expand up to 72, including direct-connect signal conditioning for strain gages, ICre-style accelerometers, and more. WaveBook/S16N • Extemal clock input • Multichannel analog triggering • Digital-pattem triggering • Pulse-amplitude & pulse-width triggering • Pre- & post-trigger modes • In-vehicle bus option Included Out-of-the-Box'" WaveView"' software converts your PC and the WaveBook/516 into a compact, multichannel waveform analyzer, streaming data to your PC's hard drive in real time. WindowS- 95/98/2000/NT drivers, as well as LabVIE'vV" and DASYLabe support, are also included. IOtech has been the undisputed leader in portable, notebook PC-based data acquisition for nearly a decade. Visit our Web site at www.wavebook.com and see why the WaveBook/516 is first in its class. For a demo or 30-day evaluation, contact our sales department at 1.888.805.3020 or sales@iotech.com. Our·oI·rh~lIox. W..-e800Iit the K)tedo Web w ondu coil, precision machining and molding, and design miniaturization with a single-chip microcomputer, J/all sensor technology, new con- trol algorithms, and digital filtering techniques. In addition to motion , velocity, and position control , the drive also is capable of torque control , step- ping mode operation, and variable fault protec- tion programming. It is available with a range of gearhead , from 3.71: 1 to 1,526: 1 in planetary and spur con.structions. For More Information Circle No. 755 Brushless Motors for Automotive lFM brushless two-wire mOlors for automotive OEM applications are avail- able from Sa) ide Motion Group, Port Washing-ton , NY. TI,e motor/ amplifier combination features an integrated t"'o-wire brush- less design and an integrated encoder. The motors allow substitution of longer-life DC bru hies motor for 0 brush-type mOlor . ommulation is integrated into the motor. allowing usage off tan- dard battel')' ,'oltage. . 'ew 98-page catalog gives in- depth pecifications and descriptions of AccuCoderTM brand encoders b ' Encoder Products. Catalog features a full line of Cube"'. indusLn- standard size 25. size 20, .lze 15. size 58 mm, Cface, and uitable for a ,ariel)' of indusLria\ counting, motion and motor control. Q-oss-reference senice. TWQ-\ear warran~ , one-da\ expr deli, l') , tandard deli\'ervH; busine dav . Distributo worldwide. Enc~er Products cO" Box 154 , Sandpoint. ID ~&W879; phone (BOO) 366-5412; fax (20 ) 26W5-I I; """.encoderproducts.com. Encoder Products Co. For More Information Cirde No. 604 AC Inverter for Motor Control SY DRJ\'f. J\' erie of A ioverters from Omron Elec- tronics, chaumburg, IL, feature a digital operatOr that utilizes quick- tart LEOs for eas) programming. The digital operator come with a face-mounted speed potentiometer that make it po ibl to tart the imerter immediatel) after power is applied. The inverters measure 5" high, and can be mounted 00 an optional 01 rail brack- et. They can be used for motor control in pumps, fans, com'eors, mixers, blower , and compressors. Other feature include soft tart and optional RS- 422 and 4 5. The inverters offer V / Hz control with a starting torque of 150% at 3 Hz. For More Information Circle No. 753 Motors and Gearmotors Pitllllan , Harley5\ille, PA, offers the LO- COG® ries 8290™ 26-lTun brush-comnlu- tated DC motOrs and gearmOLors that fea- ture a cartridge brush assembly designed to reduce audible and electrical noise. The 26-mm iron-core motors and gearnlOtors are available in three length : 1.79 ", 1.923", and 2.173". They feature a 7-sIOL skewed armature to min- imize magnetic cogging, even at low speeds, and windings are resin-impregnated for reliability in incremental motion applications. Two-pole pertna- nent magnet stators are made of bonded neodymi- um iron boron magnets. The units can be cus- tomized with Hewlett-Packard optical encoders. For More Information Circle No. 756 Laser-Based Gauging Sensors The Class II and Laser Beam Sensors from LMI Selcom, Detroit, MI , are noncontact laser-based industrial gauging sensors based on the shadow measurement principle . Available in 15 standard model and diaphragms, the ensors look at the shadow they create, and do nOl rei)' on surface reflecti"ty for measuremenL They are suited for high-speed, nonstationary, hard-to- measure application in rubber, metalworking, alu- minum, paper, and plastics. The sensors consist of an emiuer and receiver, and allow measurement inde- pendent of the object in the beam. Measurement range \aries from 0.02" to 1.0"; frequency ranges from I to 10 kHz. For More Information Cin:le No. 760 ----Motor- Driven Pump The DPOI05 DC motor-noIed_-§1 SlebI:ze ~ • • .... , .. , ~ 1 _. a solution 0/ potential} solid material in the hydrophobic liquid and converting thl. solution to. solid phas •• and the em loIIon Is ltabWzed by th. Indusl ... of water- sol ubI. Itablllzing polymer in the aqueous ph.s. and o~ solubilizing stabilizing matanal. genmUy polymer. III the oil phaSI. lIS patent 6.051 $2 SttbWzatioo and use gfhgtemggoeous hooid composllions CoBrain processes documents at 1MB/minute. and creates a problem-solution index. In this example, there are four solutions to stabilize an emulsion. The water-soluble polymer solution is selected. and a brief excerpt. along with a link to the original document. appears. www.nasatech.com T A Tech Briefs,June 2000 Automated IP Assessment Semantic proces ing technology hold the key. emantic knowledge pro- ce sing software addres e the needs of Information Technology (IT) depart- ments, knowledge man- agers, R&D teams. and IP profe ional. Programs such as CoBrain from In- vention Machine orpora- tion (Bo ton, MA), are fun- damentally de igned to read on-line text docu- ments, analyze sentences to lendsion st.Dize n At.!v FiJtJ AND endsion n At.!v FiJtJ AND [!J stabile iJAt.!vFiJtJ 1Il ........ . AI¥IWI determine meaning, ex- tract al l key concepts, and automatically create the content and index for an Internet or Intranet portal. p SntIIt~ r s.'*lI __ ~ .... r £ .. T_ enough information to determine all pos ible licen able IP, since companie need to know the markets for their technolog}. Once again. emantic pro- cessing can help. One can semantically pro- ce the public-domain patent portfolio of competitors and part- ner. or perform a topic-based approach. all leading to a func- tional index howing an overlap 01 a com- plement to the tech- nology that you wish to license. 3 .. The content is organized by functionality, which i ideally suited for intellec- Eliminating Re-Design Long-term revenue growth, market hare, tual property a essment, as you will find all solutions to any specific problem within a single folder of the Patents from the U,S. Patent Office server are searched and' then automatically structured in an SAO tree. and competitivenes are the mo t compel- ling reason why com- index. This index is based on meaning, so queries will return answers. The problem-solution format is suited to the design community, as they are looking to find olution to their tasks. For example, using the older tech- nologies available, an engineer or scien- tist would key-word earch their Intranet repositorie or the Internet for ways to reduce friction or deposit thin film, and all too often tells of thou ands of item are Ii ted. It then take hours or even da} to \\."ade I:hrough this information to find any rele'"allt knowledge. On the other hand. knowledge proce ing oft- ware has an understanding of words, contexts, and relation hip . 0 the multi- pas reasoning andemantic algoril:hms will extract all ke concepts and create a problem-solution index. , 'ow, designers can po t a query and gel pecific answers to their que tions, as weB as find other experts within their company. First, the company ees a producti\1ty increase, and then a way to tan new projects ASA Tech Briefs.June 2000 based on existing work, thus avoiding co tly re-work. This knowledge index gives a clear un- derstanding of their IP. and allows the company to more easily determine what could be licen ed. For example. a com- pany can see aU of their olutions for re- ducing friction, such as carbon-coating, graphite, graphite fibers, and oil. A brief review could reveal that carbon-coating technology is not being used. and could be licen ed easily to third parties. Or, they may see multiple generation of a ingular technolog:. and be able to de- tennine if first- or second-generation 0- lution can be licen ed, now that they are u ing a third- or fourth-generation technology. Without knO\\;ng the company's com- plete technologr portfolio. organized into a functional index, it would be a long and difficult proce to begin IP li- censing, and probably is why 0 few companies take ad\"antage of it. The index alone may not yet provide www.nasalech.com panies J11U t le\'erage their intellectual a ets. Design re-work is happening at an alarming rate of more than 65% in most companies - imply because they did not know that a problem already bad been oh'ed. Com- petition and market pre Stires point to higher productivity and more innovative product development. To truly leverage a company' knowledge, a fully auto- mated technology is required to keep up with the information being created. This technology must be able to read. extract all rele\"ant information, and au- tomatically creale a knowledge index based on problem and olutions. When an employee querie this knowl- edge base, answers are returned - not a list of documents. The "make v . buy" decision for product development is now an ab- solute step in the development process, o more and more companie continu- ally areearching for IP that can be Ii- cen 'ed and incorporated into their products. Semantic proce iug technol- ogy automatically will organize the company' knowledge into vertical knowledge ba es, along with an index of functionality. 0 they can al 0 as e their intellectual property and deter- mine what can be licen ed for addi- tional re\'enue. For ilIOn' inJamwion. contact the author, Philip Gt>orgr. Vue Pl7!Sident oj IVorldwidR Markeling, Jor Invl'1ltion Alachine Corpora- lion; Tel: 617-305-9250. Visit the Invtmlion MachinR web site at www.inlltlltion-machilll'. com. 31 @ Computer Program Automates Thermal Analyses This program reduces the costs of thermal analyses of hypersonic flight systems. Lyndon B. Johnson pace Center; Houston, Texas A computer program (ee figure) has been developed to erve a a time- and co t-effective mean of automating thermal anal e of uch hyper onic flight sy tems as the pace shuttle or- biter, the ational Aerospace Plane ( ASP), and the crew return vehicle (CRV). Heretofore, thermal analy e of the space shuttle orbiter have been performed manually and have, there- fore, been hindered b long cycle time and the ri k of human error. The pre- sent thermal-analy i automation pro- gram, which repre ents an advance in the state of the art, i expected to en- able the izing and analy i of thermal protection systems (TP s) of re-entry pace vehicle (R Vs) while increasing the accuracy of the analyse, reducing the amounts of labor needed to per- Smoothing form the analy e, and reducing tlle co t of the analyse . Because the de ign of the TP of a pacecraft affect the weight and thereby directly affects the operational co t and performance of the pace- craft, it is vital that adequate TPS mate- rials be sized to minimum pos ible thickne es. From a thermal per pec- tive, the de ign is constrained by (1) Heating Pressure Initial Temperature File One-Dimensional Smoothing Output Temperature-Gradient L------~------------I Data for Printing and Display This Program Flow Diagram has been made as concise as possible to show data links among data-base files. 32 www.nasatech.com Component Maximum Temperature ASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 Considering Engineering Simulation? (Sometimes, your decision is black and white.) -eSlg To read the complete ARA Engineering Report, Mainstream CAE Tools: Technical Considerations and Informative Comparisons, visit www.ara-eng.com/special-report.htm ANSYS and DeIigo~.,. raglsta ABA Tech Briefs,June 2000 www.deneba.com/ntb • ng but Oeneba Canvas 7 and OenebaCAD 2 Canvas. SpnteEffects, Spntelayers OenebaCAO ms. Inc For more mformatlon send email to sales "" deneb a com t tGM ·PIP 'liter sold separately 0 ENE a A For More Information Circle No. 569 health and status words are con tantly being monitored. tatus i not missed be- cause when any fault is detected, a new colored (red) message is added to the top of a real-time UNIX X-"Window me age tack. An additional benefit is that each such message is time-tagged. Data can be analyzed easily becau e SMART gi es event time . All faults are immediately made known to enable quick action by a flight-test team. A third ource of input i a "GetData" balch file. The capability to receive data from this ource is a recent addition to SMART. SMART reads the batch file, frame by frame , at whatever rate the data come in, and generates messages ac- cording to the rules. This capability is very effective in automating the analysis of batch data. Certain events can easily be tested by the rule and message gen- erated. It is also very helpful in develop- ing the rule by use of known events rep- resentative of those that it is very important to be able to detect. A fourth source of input i a spread- heet ubprogram that i part of SMART. This subprogram is used b a rule devel- oper to test the rules. There i an option to automatically load all the ignals from an input rule ource onto a preadsheel. The te ter can click a cell and type the de- ired data value to test the rules. The mes- age( ) appear on the stack when the rule has been satisfied. The primary output of MART con- ists of mes age put into a dynamic stack. ew me age are alway added to the top of the tack and as old mes age are rescinded, the tack is compressed to fill in the gap . Message can also be color-coded to enhance the visibility of de ignated information. The current me sages in the stack can be sent to a printer at any time by use of a print com- mand on the SMART window. The SMART window provide an op- tion to ave the messages in a log file on a hard disk. Thi option is very useful for saving time-tagged event information for testing. Certain information can be carmed out from thi file by use of stan- dard UNIX commands; thi feature was found to be very u eful in the LASRE program. Another option, which wa recently added to SMART, provides for trigger- ing by a rule to generate a mes age and the current time and record the me - sage and its time tag in a file. Informa- tion i continuously written into this fi le as long as the nlle i ati fied. The mes- sage is defined by the developer. The me age could be, [or example, a param- eter to be recorded whenever a fault flag i et. This option is meant to be used as a tool for analyzing anomalies as quick] as po sible. This work was done 1Jy Richard Larson of Dryden Flight Research Center. For fur- ther information, access the Technical Sup- port Package (TSP) free on-line at unuw.nasatech.com under the Information Sciences category. DRG99-28 0- Comprehensive Micromechanics-Analysis Code (MAC/GMC) Composite-material structures with complex thermomechanicalload histories can be analyzed. John H Glenn Research Center; Cleveland, Ohio Micromechanics Analysis Code Witll Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/ GMC) is a comprehen ive, user-friendly, efficient computer program tllat predicts the elastic and inelastic thermomecharu- cal responses of continuous and discon- tinuous composite materials with arbi- trary internal microstructures and reinforcement shapes. This program en- ables the efficient analysis of composite structures subjected to complex thermo- mechanical load historie. MAC/ GMC won second place in tile 1997 NASA Soft- ware of the Year competition and has been applied in industrial, government, and academic setting to such diverse composite-material structures as turbine parts, tires, and even brain tissues. The predictive capability of MAC/ GMC rests on the mathematical model known as the generalized method of cells (GMC) - a continuum-based model of micromechanics that provide closed-form expression for the macro- scopic re pon e of a composite material in term of the properties, sizes, shape , and re ponses of the individual con- tituents or phases that make up the ma- terial. The visco plastic and fatigue-life characteristic of the constituents or phases, are in tum, represented by ad- vanced, physics-based mathematical ub- models. 38 The GMC also incorporates expres- sions that relate stress and strain fields within individual constituents to macro- scopically applied stresses and strains via stress-concentration factor. These ex- pressions make possible the investiga- tion of failure processes at tile micro- scopic level at each step of applied-load history. The GMC also affords a capabil- ity for studying the influence of the strengths of bonds of fiber/ matrix inter- faces; this is an important capability be- cause the strengths of these bonds strongly influence the progression of damage. MAC/ GMC enhance the basic capa- bilitie of the GMC by providing a mod- ular software framework wherein one can take advantage of any or all of tile following options: • Various tIlermal, mechanical (stress or strain), and thermomechanical load histories can be impo ed. • Different integration algoritllms can be elected. • Any of a variety of constitutive sub- model for constituent materials can be elected from a library of such mod- els or implemented via a subroutine defined by the user. • Any of a variety of fiber architectures (unidirectional, laminate, and woven) can be selected from a library of repre- www.nasatech.com sentative volume elements or be de- fined by user. • A postproce sing ubprogram for graphical display of microscopic and macroscopic field quantities is avail- able (MACPOST). The most outstanding feature of MAC/ GMC is its ability to accurately model composites with laminated and woven fiber architectures at minimal cost and with minimal input by me user. MAC/ GMC can be executed in conjunc- tion with standard linear and nonlinear finite-element analysis programs for cost-effective design and analysis of large structure , including fully time-depen- dent deformation behavior of con- stituents. It is also possible to model porosity, damage, interfacial regions around inclusions, and deterioration of interfaces. Multiaxial states of stress or strain can be applied and predicted ac- curately, regardles of the orientations of fibers. One advantage of the use of consti- tutive ubmodels i m.at any type of simple or combined loading (e.g., multiaxial stress) can be applied, irre- spective of ymmetry or asymmetry, and without resorting to different boundary-condition application strate- gies . An analytical macro elastic- tIlermo-ineJa tic constitutive law offers NASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 . , . 1-800-452-4844- Ext. &838 t s about time you got exa t V what you wanted 10 a power supply-dean stable power and a great pnce And w th Ag ent Technolog es new senes of power supplies you wIll Starting at only $595 ur new line of E3640A-E3649A power suppl as prOVIdes 30·1QOW of stable ean DC power A ten mode are progra mab e so yo can shorten set up as a d automate test ng They ac ffer OV9fVOltage protection A w features like d a output ra ges remote sens ng, and standa d fr .. for measureme t adv ce ta k to one of our Be a S8 as soon as yo e fou d lea power I your pnce ges be ng a eng eer • ••••• ••• • ••• • Agil.nt Technologies Innovating the HPWwr the advantage of reducing the amount of memory needed in a finite-element tructural-analysis code; it al 0 enable coupling of optimization algorithm with the olution for automated tailor- ing of the material and tructure under analy i . Furthermore, this for- mulation has been hown to predict macro copic beha\'ior accurately, given onl a few ubcell within a repeating cell. This work wa done by teven 1\1. Arnold of Glenn Research Center, Brett A. Bednarcyk of Ohio Aerospace Institute, and Thomas E. Wilt and Daniel E. Trow- bridge of the University of Akron. For fur- ther information, acces the Technical upport Package (T P) free on-line at tJ Software for Analyzing Forth Programs www.nasatech.com under the Alachinery/ utomation category. Inquiries concerning rights for the commer- cial use of this invention should be addres ed to il il Glenn Research Center; Commercial Technology Offue, Attn: /eve Fedor, Mail top 4-8, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleve- land, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-16 70. Various parts of code can be categorized and quantified in selectable ways. Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama Forth Source Code Analy i Tool et (FSCAT ) is a computer program that provides a \vide range of capabilities for documenting, analyzing, and rever e-en- gineering computer programs written in the Forth programming language. FS- CATS also aids in the management of oftware, estimating costs of software, and development of metric for charac- terizing oftware. The functions performed by FSCAT include the follo\ving: • Categorizing lines of code and count- ing the lines in each category; • Producing cross-references for all word, constants, and variables; • Producing cross-references for all defi- nitions; • Identifying unu ed and multiplicate definition; • Identifying unused and undefined Forth word; • Identifying development system code, missing library definitions, and mis - ing compiler definitions; and • Listing a call tree at electable level of detail - All symbols (full structure) - elected categories of symbols (par- tial structure) - Only application-code-type symbol (classical structure chart) . The aforementioned function are en- hanced by pre enting all re ults in table in the Microsoft Access software environ- ment The availability of results in tabular form provides the user with extraordinary flexibility in tailoring FSCAT to produce a wide range of orted and filtered views. By use of the report capabilitie of Mi- cro oft Acce ,table of summary infor- mation can readily be printed as needed. The figure depicts an interactive dis- play, denoted the "main form," used to control the operation of FSCATS. The main form contain eight command but- tons for processing a source code and ob- taining re ults. Command buttons 2, 3, ~ frmFORTH_CODE : Form I!!!I @I f3 and 4 enable the user to view the source code at Path for Forth source code C:\directory\ COMMANDS 1 . Count Forth Code and Create Parsed ForthWordList 2. Delete the Non Target Code Embedded In f[ ... ]f from the ForthWordList table 3. Remove Numbers and Common Forth Words From Table ForthWordList 4. Remove library symbols from ForthWordUst [all lower case and non-alpha symbols] S. Divide ForthWordList Table Into tables: Definitions and References 6. Count Usage of Definitions vs. References 7. Create Table Containing Only Unique References 8. Walk The Call Tree defined by tables ForthWordUst and Definitions Source Code: • File Set A File Set B (\ Log Source Code to Table Scratch Line Number Walk Parameters: Starting Value of the program counter Maximum symbols to include 12000 The Main form of FSCATS is an interactive display containing command buttons for selecting among options for process- ing code and obtaining the results of processing. 40 www.nasatech.com the three levels of detail mentioned above. The structure-chart level ob- tains when all filters are used and the remaining code set consists of appli- cation-level Forth words. FSCATS was written for execution on an IBM-compatible com- puter containing a '486 or higher processor with at least 10MB of free hard-disk space and 16MB of random-acce s memory. The Windows 95 or Window T oper- ating system, the Office 95 software, and Mi- cro oft Acce s (ver ion 7.0 or later) are needed to run F CAT . This work was done by Michael Neighburs of Micro Craft Inc. for Mar- shall Space Flight Cen- ter. For further informa- tion, please contact the company by e-mail at lheneighbors@Ubra. net. MFS-31255 ASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 As clock speeds approach 1 GHz even the simplest passive elements cause propagation delay, cross talk, and ground bounce. Eliminate glitches, resets, and logiC errors by simulating entire signal paths. Rely on Ansoft's high performance EDA solutions for your signal integrity and EMI needs. Contact us for a free evaluation at 412-261-3200 or info@ansoft.com. For More Information Circle No. 460 -$ Special Coverage: Design & Analysis Software the late t version of Helix De ign stem N design software . The program al 0 feature Helix Craftsman, a topological modeling toolkit for local shape deforma- tion, de ign change, and accurate model healing. Helix2000 incor- porate dual-hybrid modeling that integrates urface with solids, combining both parametric and topological de ign change . Other improvements include a new dragging axis for easier po i- tioning by intelligently snapping parts into place. sers can embed mating condition intelligence into parts prior to assembly, so they "understand" how they should fit together. The oftware also allows creation of annotation symbol for tolerances and urface fini h . It can convert 2D AutoCAD- drawings into 3D solids. For More Information Circle No. 711 GE Fanuc Auto- mation, Char- lottesville, VA, has introduced /XMan- ager Automation Management System Version 1 .20 grap hical automation analy- sis software with an HTML inter- face that enables u ers to click on cu tomized graphical representations of their loca- tions in a facility. Providing management and analysis of automation systems soft- ware, the program is a client/server sy tern with version control, audit trail, security, and scheduling capabilities. The software supplies the analysis and reporting tools necessary to meet validation or quality system requirements, and optimizes engineering practices through- out system life cycles. For More Information Circle No. 714 InduSofl, Hilton Head, C, offers InduSoft Web Studio data analysis software that displays information from any control or data acquisi- tion system that conforms to Microsoft's DNA architec- ture. It works on any stand- alone Windows PC, or on a client/ erver sy tern that uses thin client workstations. The software allows the use of popular Web browsers such as etscape or Windows Explorer to display real-time, dynamic and animated graph- ic screens, trends, alarms, and reports. The program exports data using XML formal, and includes an object~riented database based on the Microsoft SQL environment for storing and retrieving information. It also includes math func- tions, report generation, archiving, batch recipes, and interfaces for PLCs, remote I/O, serial links, and TCP / IP networking. The software also provides automatic error checking. For More Information Circle No. 713 prietar circuit imulation engine, component for mixed analog/ dig- ital de ign, and a target generation ystem. The proprietary AC circuit imulator fea- ture full graphical schematic entry and editing. Other enhancements include circuit synthe i with more than 500 predefined circuit templates and built-in design equations; mixed ig- nal circuit components including FD Rs, Z-impedance, and poten- tiometer ; and analog ftIter design wizards for any Allpole or Elliptic filter. Proce ing features for Monte Carlo, thermal, noise, and poten- tiometer analysis are included. For More Information Circle No. 712 IDL Wavelet Toolkit data analysis software from Research Sys- tems, Boulder, CO, is an add~n to the lOL (Interactive Data Lan- guage) visualization and application soft- ware. The toolki t enables IDL users to ... ... .,...:..," • • analyze, filter, and compress large amounts of data for storage or Internet posting. Users are able to manage projects, import data, define wavelets, and vi ualize the results from a single graphical user imerface. Other featu res include a di crete wavelet transform, 3D wavelet power spectrum visualizer that plots wavelet power as a 3D surface, and the ability to import data from ASCII , JPEG, GIF, TIFF, binary, and .wav audio file formats. The software enables users to filer out fre- quencies and white noi e that how up in data. For More Information Circle No. 710 COADE, Houston, TX, ha introduced CAE- SAR II Ver ion 4.20 pipe stress design and analysis software for Window 95 / 98/ T. ew feature include hydrodynamic load analysis, linear and power law current pro- files, and a wave scratch pad to view the recommended theory graphically or to plot the specified wave's particle data. It also includes the Airy, Stokes 5th, and Stream Function wave theorie . The package includes pipe tres analysis; API, NEMA, WRC, and AI C component evaluation; component databases; automatic spring sizing; tructural steel modeling; automatic underground pipe mod- eling; material database with allowable stress data; fiberglass piping capabilities; and a 3D graphics library. A materials library and an online applications guide also are included. For More Information Circle No. 715 42 www.nasatech.com ASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 SGI powers the only full-scale 3 60-degree virtual realtty air traffic control tower in the world. SGI and NASA Ames Research Center have created the air traffic control tower of the future-today. NASA FutureFlight Central provides the ability to virtually test and prevent potential air and runway traffic problems. The possibilities of this technology are limitless. It could enable control towers to collaborate in real hme with international airports. visually predict and therefore prevent commercial flight delays or accidents, and even manage interplanetary traffic control some day By using the Silicon Graphics~ Onyx2& visual workstation to process complex 3D graphics, imaging. Video. and satellite data in real time, the system can portray any airport in the world in realistic 360-degree high· resolution images. Win a Silicon Graphics 1600SW flat panel display. Visit our Web site to find out more how SGI Federal can help you see the future. While you're there. enter to win one of our award-winning flat panel displays. Complete contest rules are located at www.<>qifederol.com. www.sglfederal.com ffc .arc.nasa.gov For More Information Circle No. 560 • Cadmium Zinc Telluride Detectors for Imaging of Gamma Rays Angular resolution less than an arc minute can be achieved. Goddard pace Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland Planar array of cadmium zinc tel- luride photodetector with readout electronic circuitry have been devel- oped for use as hard-x-ray and y-ray image en or . When a coded, x-and-y- ray-opaque aperture mask is po itioned in front of uch a en or, the re ulting as embly i an in trument that can be u ed to ob erve hard-x-ray and y-ray sources. In operation, the spatial pat- tern of x and y ray impinging on the sensor is deconvolved from the aper- ture pattern to obtain an image of the source. With uitable choice of the sen- sor pixel pitch, coded aperture pat- tern, and di tance of the aperture in front of the detector array, it hould be possible to image radiation ources at angular re olution of 30 arc seconds and finer. In the o\;ginal intended ap- plication, the in trument will be oper- ated in outer space to measure pre- ci ely the direction to distant ource of hard-x-ray and y-ray bursts that are of cosmological interest. The in tru- ment can also be used to image hard-x- ray and y-ray-sources in a terre trial lab- oratory setting; indeed, a prototype of the instrument has been demonstrated in such a setting. Prototype sensor containing 2 x 2 and 5 x 5 arrays of detector modules made from Cdo.gZno.ITe have been con- structed (see figure). The dimensions of a module are 15 by 15 by 2 mm. Each face ofa module is patterned with 127 metal trips, each 50 pm wide, at a pitch of 100 )lm . The su;p pattern is surrounded by a 450-pm guard ring. The metal smps divide the module into, and serve as electrical contaclS for, a corresponding paltern of smp detector. The mps on the front and back face are made orthogonal to each other to e tabli h a square pixel grid with a pitch of 100 pm. The row and column metal strips that are collinear with each other in the various module are electrically tied together with wire bonds to make long strips that span the entire array of modules, thereby defining a pixel co- ordinate grid over the whole array. The row and column mp are biased via 44 monolithic resistors formed in voltage- divider configw-ation along two or- thogonal edge of the array. For read- out, the strip are ac-coupled, via 1,000-pF capacitor, to high-density ap- plication- pecific integrated circuits. In operation, the Cdo.gZno.ITe mater- ial ab orbs photons with energies be- tween 10 and 150 keY. The electrons strips. In addition, the charges on af- fected adjacent mp mu t be ummed for accuracy in determining the pho- ton energy. For even greater accuracy, it i neces ary to sum the ignal from anode trip because the charges col- lected on cathode strip are reduced because of the poor hole-transport propertie of Cdo.gZno.l Te . Detector Modules like this one are arranged in a square array to form a sensor for imaging of hard x rays and y rays. A pixel pitch of 100 11m in two dimensions is defined by orthogonal arrays of de- tector strips on the upper and lower faces of each module. and hole generated in the ab orption of photon drift to the anode and cath- ode smp , re pectively, where they are collected. The charge collected on or- thogonal anode and cathode strips in- dicate the magnitudes and positions of photon-impingement events in the de- tector plane. Because the cloud of drifting charge induced by each pho- ton has a finite size and can diffu e out- ward as the carrier drift, charge i typ- ically induced on three adjacent smps at 100-pm pitch. The position of im- pingement is determined from the av- erage of the strip numbers weighted by the charges induced on the affected www.nasatech.com Using 50-keV y ray from a 241Am ource, a 2 x 2 prototype ensor was tested in conjunction with a 40-pm- thick gold aperture mask patterned in a 100-pm-pitch quare grid supported by a l-mm-thick beryllium substrate. The aperture mask was placed 32 mm in front of the ensor (in the fully de- veloped in trument, the mask would be placed 800 mm in front of the sensor). The results of the test revealed that the prototype in trument was capable of an angular re olution of about 30 arc sec- onds. The resullS give confidence in computer simulation that predict that the fully developed in trument will be ASA Tech BriefS,June 2000 DriverUnx - 32-bit drivers for VB, C++, Delphi (DLL and ActiveX) LabVIEW Vis - same form and feel as LabVIEW's built-in DAC Vis , Start-up Software Test Panel • VisualScope - digital storage oscilloscope application • ExceU X - Excel add-in (no programming required) I TestPoint Drivers WHY PAY A BUNDLE WHEN YOU CAN GET IT BUNDLED FREE? Now get hundreds of dollars of software free with any of Keithley's full line of economically priced PCI boards. And that includes 32-bit DLL and ActiveX-based drivers, TestPoint™ drivers, LabVIEW· Vis, an ExceLlNXTM add-in and start-up software. Everything you need to get up and running fast. Best of all, you'll be using the software with exceptional-quality Keithley PCI boards such as our new KPCI-3107/8, the industry'S best-priced value at under $1000 - 16-bit performance at a 12-bit price. Easy to set up and use, these PCI boards produce accurate data you can trust. And you can trust Keithley for application support, to make sure you can meet your most stringent data acquisition demands. ~& ",n software'" For more information, call 1-888-KEITHLEY (1-888-534-8453). www.keithley.com I(ElrnE.EY • KPCI-3101 /2/3/4 Low Cost Multifunction Boards ~ • KPCI-3107/8 High Resolution Multifunction Boards ""'-- • KPCI-1801 /2HC High Channel Count Multifunction Boards • KPCI-311O/3116 High Speed Multifunction Boards • KPCI-PI024/96 and KPCI-3160 Parallel Digital I/O Boards • KPCI-3140 Counter/Timer with Digital I/O Board All trademarks are the property of their respective companies. II"" I Feel like a combat soldier stepping through a fiber optic ,.,~, K cables and connectors minefield? RIFOCS can light the A._ RIFOCS way to ensure connection of your critical fiber optic r== == components. RIFOCS recently provided high-performance and reliable cables for the Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missile program for the Army. Whether the application is for land, sea, air or space, RIFOCS can deliver! We are a MIL-I-45208A certified full-service provider with a proven track record. Call now! RIFOCS Corp.INT+1-80S-389-9800 • Fax. INT+1-805-389-9808 • sales@rifocs.com • www.rifocs.com 46 For More Information Circle No. 418 Toke a ride with CrystalEyes· stereoscopic eyeweor and experience Stereo3D-- the most reolistic representafion of grophicol informofion. Over 100,000 designers 000 engineers agree: CrystalEyes is the opfimal tool for visualiz- ing complex mode~ noturol~ and interoctive~. CE is supported by Ieoding CAD software including: AutoCAD, So~dWorks, Solid Edge, CATlA, HlEAS and Unigrophics. Put your development process in overdrive with Crystal Eyes and ... • Enhance Design Reriew • Reduce Design C ydes • Accelerate Time-To-Market Get • FREE demo CDI Call 800-783-2660 or visit www.stereographcomldemocdl STI!Rl!oGRAPHlcr o c-;,jo 2IIOIl \Ino6noIm Carpar_ II ........... ~. !IortoGn,lia ..... !IortoGn,lia • .,..., .. ' ............ "'!Ior103O h ....... " 1IniGr"'~II.lHnrIorori prolad ............. oIlhoir,..,.,..hoWon. IIlICI06IIO For More Information Circle No. 419 able to locate about 90"(-ra bur (S per year to an accurac of ±3 arc econd, and to produce an all- k uryey with a re olution of 30 arc e ond . This work was done by L. Barbier, J • Gehrels, B. Teegarden, A. M. Par. ons, L. M. Bartlett, P. K. hu, and J. Tueller of Goddard Space Flight Center; C. M. Stahle of Orbital Sciences Corp.; Z. Q. hi, K. Hu, and . J. nodgra s of Hughe TX Corp.; D. M. Palmer, . D. Barthelmy, and J. Krizmanic of Universities Space Research Association; . J. Lehtonen and K. J. Mach of Johns Hopkins Univer ity Applied Physics Laboratory; P. Kurczynski of the Univer ity of Maryland; E. Fenimore of Los Alamos National Laboratory; and D. C. Mancini of Argonne National Laborato- ries. For fU7·ther information, access the Technical Support Package (T. P) free on- line at www. nasatech.com under the Elec- tronic Components and Systems category. GSC-14044 • Inexpensive Packaged Subharmonic Down- Converter :MMICs MMICs like these could be used in microwave digital communication receivers. John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio Two packaged monolithic microwave integrated-circuit (MMIC) mixers have been designed to operate as subhar- monically pumped frequency down- converters in receivers of satellite- or ground-ba ed digital communication system. One operates a radio frequency (RF) between 17 and 20 GHz, the other at an RF between 22 and 32 GHz (see Figure 1) . The e MMICs are of a type de cribed in "MMI Converters for K- and Ka-Band Communications" (LEW-16752), It It Tech Briefs, Vol. 23, o. 7 Ouly 1999), page 59. The approach taken in developing thi type of MMIC i one of minimizing co ts by relying on well e tabli hed de ign practices and mature , commerciaJl available processe for fabrication of MMIC chips. Both mixers incorporate on board local-o cillator (LO) amplifiers to re- duce the required LO drive levels. The 22-32-GHz mixer al 0 incorporate an output [intermediate-frequency (IF) 1 amplifier. To reduce the size and thus NASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 RF IF RF IF 15 to 24 GHz o to 5 GHz 22 to 32 GHz 0.8 to 3 GHz 17-22-GHz Mixer 22-32-GHz Mixer Figure 1. The Two Mixer Circuits, shown here in simplified schematic form, feature single-j!nded con- figurations that minimize size. Inexpensive filters (not shown here) provide the needed isolation among the different frequencies. the costs of the mixer chips. both mix- ers incorporate lumped circuit ele- ments for matching of impedances (in contradistinction to the tran mission- line impedance-matching elements customarily used for microwave ). The specific practices and processes cho en for design and fabrication of the 17-20-GHz MMIC are those of GaAs metal/semiconductor field-ef- fect tran istor (MESFETs) with 0.5- ).1m design rules, while tho e of elec- tron-acceptor-doped high-electron- mobility transistors (p-HEMT) with 0.25-).Im de ign rules were chosen for the 22-32-GHz MMIC. Figure 2 de- piets the two MMIC chips. Both MMIC chips are inlegrated into ball-grid- array (BGA) package, which are lead- less ceramic interconnection sub- strate wi th tungsten/copper via ; the MMIC are in erted in these package in surface-mount configurations and bonded in place by u e of arrays of 17-20-GHz MMIC noncollapsing, hard balls made of a copper/silver eutectic alloy. In tests, the 17-20-GHz down-con- verter was found to perfonn well at RFs from 15 to 24 GHz, LO frequencie of 7 to ] 0.5 GHz, and lFs from 0 to 5 GHz. The 22-32-GHz down-converter was found to perfonn well over the RF range from 22 to 32 GHz in tests in which the LO frequency was swept, along with the RF, to maintain an IF of 2 GHz. This work was done by Paul Blount of Hit- tile Microwave Curp. for Glenn Research Center. For fUTther information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP).free on-li7le at UfUIW.nasatech.com under the Electronic Components and Systems calegory. Inquiries concerning rights for the com- mercial use of this inveniion should be ad- dressed to NASA Glenn Re earch Center, Commercial Technology Office, Attn: Sieve Fedor, Mail Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-16805. 22-32-GHz MMIC Figure 2. The Two MMIC Chips are compact: The 17-20-GHz chip has an area of 0.7 mml; the 22-32- GHz chip has an area of 1.25 mml. NASA Tech Briers,June 2000 WWWJlasatech.com 16-Bit Data Acquisition For $595 measurements starting at just $595" with NI 6034E data acquisition devices from National Instruments. 16·81t Samplo Analog Analog Device Rate Inputs Outputs &dIdIwa., ... 1'IIO. 2 ........ Wlfldl9lldiglll~dWNI. O"::' ..... NI.QA(J" ....... ..:I .......... ,~ _(MAX)_ Take Measurements, Not Estimates Get up to O.0197%"' absolute accuracy, backed by NIST-traceable calibration certificates. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS' (BOO) 327-9894 Tel: (512) 7940100 - info@nl.oom .c.....,.:l!IIO'-_a.- ... __ ..... _ -_ ..... ---.------- For More Information Circle No. 421 Power Supply for Miniature Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer This lightweight, low-power system is designed to operate unattended for a long time. ftSA' Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California A lightweight, low-power-con ump- tion power supply ha been devel- oped to generate a combination of radio-frequency (RF) and dc voltage needed for the operation of a minia- ture quadrupole ma s p ctrometer that could operate unattended in the field for a long time, possibly u ing a battery as an energy source. More pecifically, the circuit is designed to supply large , variable, frequency- and amplitude-stable RF voltage, vari- ou Iy floating or uperimposed on po itive or negative dc voltage, for application to primaril capaCl tlve ma - pectrometer load with capaci- tance of the order of 50 pF. Th figure i a implified block di- agram of an ac ection of the power upply. Thi ection put out a igna l with a frequency of 10 MHz, lhough in general, the frequency could be extended to a much as 100 MHz. The basic high-frequency clock ig- nal for thi ection is generated by oscillator 1 at a frequency of 20 MHz. Flip-flop (FF) 2 divides the frequency by two, producing two 10- Error Amplifier and Compensation Circuit DAC 3 Lines Serial Command 1Hz pul e train lhat differ in phase by a half cycle. Integrator and um- ming amplifiers U3 and U4 convert the 10-MHz clock pul e to awtooth waveform. Ql is a high- peed metal oxide/ semiconductor field-effect transistor (MO FET) that turn on when the awtooth waveform applied to its gate goe beyond its threshold voltage. The conduction angle and the con- ducted current can be increased by increa ing the awtooth voltage. Q3 operate imilarly to Ql , but a half T1 Qut+ +dc - I U e ry Tuesday at .00 a.M dste n TI e in a Live Webcast to learn more about using Algor, the leading technology software for mechanical engineers. Each hour-long Webcast con- tains general news, frequently asked questions, a main topic presentation that shows Algor software in action and a general panel discussion focused around a topic, such as Mechanical Event Simulation, the use of Algor's pro- prietary kinematic elements or Algor's interoperability with CAD solid modelers. Algor President and CEO Michael Bussler and other key technical experts frequently join Algor application engineers for the Webcasts. During the Webcast. engineers can phone or email questions to be answered live by the panel. After the broadcast, Webcasts are made available as Webcast replays for a personal, free screening any time. WNbCllsts help engineers learn these topics faster: Automatic vs. User-Specified Meshing in CAD· Performing a Unear Static Stress Analysis Using Algor • Performing Heat Transfer Analyses Using Algor • Mechanical Event Simulation VS. Motion Load Transfer' The Use of Kinematic Elements· Fluid Flow Power Using Algor' FEA vs. Mechanical Event Simulation' Algor's PipePak Analysis Capabilities' And more he live Webcasts to intera t road cast and av y h • Email your questions before or during the Webcast to webcast@algor.com • Call in during the Webcast at +1 (412) 967-2700 x3014 • If there is a point of interest or subject matter that you would bout the Str amlng Video Format· The streaming video fonnat used for all Webcasts is designed for Microsoft Windows Media Player. Since moet of AJgor's customers operate on the WIndows 95. 98, or NT pIIItfonns, using Microsoft tools such _ WIndows MedIa Player and IntIImet Explorer ".0 or higher affIn maImum ~,...., ... ~ The IIItest like added to the schedule, please send an email to webcast@algor.com ...... fII ........... """., eM .. I- ...... "' .. ! .. , .... jn.... ...", Im~~rII GIl : Autodesk Voyager Member When the Engineering Has to be Right Algor, Inc. 150 Beta DIive, Pittsburgh, R\ 15238-2932 USA Phone: +1 (412) 967-2700 Fax: +1 (412) 967-2781 California: +1 (714) 564-0844 Europe (UK): +44 (1784) 442 246 CADKEV Email: info@algor.com L-=:.-=-=--___ ----!AlI~-~~b~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ______ __.J www.algor.com ~ Vapor Corrosion Cell This device detects corrosive gases that form during combustion and other processes. Lyndon B. Johnson SPace Center, Houston, Texas The presence of corrosive in the Earth 's atmosphere i of global con- cern . From acid rains that are destroy- ing fore t and di figuring monu- ments like the Parthenon and the pyramids, to atmospheric pollutants that produce smog and induce emphy- sema in a significant number of peo- ple, the introduction of corro ives and other pollutants into the atmosphere is a critical and continuing environ- mental is ue. 0 less critical to the space program is the presence of cor- rosives (reactive gases and water vapor) that are generated as byprod- ucts of the launch process. The vapor corrosion cell developed for Johnson Space Cen ter can be used to detect corrosives early in the formation 54 nStrip o AI Strip o Insulating Strip The Vapor Corrosion Cell is an electrochemical cell that generates a measurable current in the pres- ence of airborne corrosive substances. For More Information Circle No. 423 NASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 ·c.roway Del·vers Custom Wor stations and Beowulf Clusters for H· h Perfo rna ce Techn·cal Computing! Which Solution is Right for You? • 750 MHz Dual Alpha UP2000 or 21264Dp • 800 MHz Pentium ill or Quad Xeon • 850 MHz AMD Athlon • Beowulf Cluster Distributed Memory Parallel Processing • Myrinet Gigabit Ethernet Microway Screamer™ Dual Alpha UP2000 750 MHz, 8MB Cache in RuggedRock™ Chassis with Redundant Power Supply High Speed, Low Latency Backplanes • RAID Microway 18 Node 36 Processor, Dual Pentium III Beowulf Cluster wi1h Myrinet and MPI Satisfied customers have purchased Microway work- stations since 1986. Our cost effective Linux solutions have been chosen by universities, government research labs and ISPs worldwide since 1996. Over the years Microway brand systems have become famous for their quality and price/performance. Simultaneously, our Technical Support staff earned a reputation as one of the best in the industry. This means you can count on our experience to configure a UNIX or NT workstation or Linux Beowulf cluster solution that is ideally suited to your specific problem. This is why Microway was chosen by Los Alamos National Laboratory to maintain the hardware on their 144-node Alpha Avalon cluster. It is also - why the University of Wisconsin chose Microway to build their 100-node dual Pentium III cluster. In addition to being an Intel Product Developer and AMD Athlon OEM, Microway was named Alpha Processor, Inc.'s Top North American Channel Partner for 1 999. liTo find a successful supplier of Linux solutions there are three things that you should know: One, the supplier must be proficient in Linux, a master of understanding Linux's superiorities; Two, the supplier must have a clear passion for hardware tech- nology; Three, if you found a supplier that knows both Linux and understands hard- ware solutions, congratulations you have found Microway! When it comes to Linux and high performance, there's only one way, and that's Microwayf" - Bruce Faust, founder of DigitalScape and Carrera Computers Microway custom configures Linux, NT and UNIX workstations, clusters and servers plus state of the art RAID systems. If you need a quality product that is built to last, from a company that will be around to support you for years to come, Microway is The Number One Choice. Find out why over 75 % of Microway's sales come from repeat customers. Please call 508-746-7341 for a technical salesperson who speaks your language! Visit us at microway.com ® Technology You Can Count On Research Park Box 79, Kingston, MA 02364 508-746-7341 • info@microwav.(om For More Information Circle No. 568 GOT A FEW LOOSE SCREWS Eliminate time consuming and hazardous bolting methods! Only hand tools are required for installation and removal of any size fastener. Save man-hours and downtime! For more information, call for a free copy of our catalog and video ~ ..---. ® The hardened washer is installed first to protect the joint surface. The Torquenut~ is spun on hand tight, for positioning . Easy turn jackbolts "push" the nut body up, tightening the existing bolt or stud in pure tension. Tremen- dous clamping force is generated on the joint with very little effort. P.O. Box 683 • Carnegie. PA 15106 1-800-345-BOLT · 412-279-1149 outside us FAX 412-279-1185 Visit us at: www.superbolt.com For More Information Circle No_ 424 ACR SmartReader Plus 7 features: • 7 voltage and current channels + /-0.5% FS accuracy • Up to 1.5 MB memory 12-bit resolution • Sample rates as fast as 25 readings per second • Weighs less than 4 oz • 1 O-year battery life (guaranteed) • Free technical support on our 800 number • 3·year warranty • Year 2000 compliant Downloading information is simple: Connect an ACR interface cable to the logger and the Com port of a PC and run the ACR software_ View data graphically or statistically. loggers are accessible remotely by modem and can be networked. ~-~ . 8 .. Without data, it's just an opinion !nCR SYSTEMS INC. 56 For more information on the complete ACR family of data logging instruments, please contact us. Telephone: 604.591.1128 · Toll free ICOA & USA): 1.800.663.7845 Fax: 604_591.2252 . Web: www.acrsystems.com • [·mail: acrfjacrsystems.com Bldg 210 - 12960 84th Avenue Surrey BC V3W lKl Canada Sttking Hanufacturtr's Reprmntatim For More Information Circle No. 425 proce ; that i , before significant quan- titie are vented into the atmo phere. The development of the vapor corro- ion cell went well beyond the original intent by leading to procedure that, if followed , are expected to help clean up the environment by everely limiting the harmful effects of such corrosive ga e as nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, and acidic aero ols. The availability of the vapor corrosion cell is also expected to en- courage the testing and development of alloy that will prove resistant to cor- rosion. Moreover, by detecting corro- sives at an early tage, the vapor corro- sion cell can help to reduce costs, save time, and increa e afety margin . This device is expected to be vital not only in the space program but aloin the military, in activities and institutions that focus on the environment, in the aviation industry, and in any other in- du tries, institutions, and activities in which there are risks that chemical proce ses will produce corrosive byprod- ucts. Initial testing has shown that the vapor corrosion cell is highly sensitive to corrosives and that the cell can be re- versed and rejuvenated to enable multi- ple measurements. Hence, the vapor corrosion cell is a significant step to- ward redressing the imbalance caused by the release of corrosives into the at- mosphere through chemical processes. In an atmosphere filled with chemi- cally reactive gases and water vapor, such as are present at liftoff on a launch pad, the vapor corrosion cell is the only device capable of gauging the atmos- pheric corrosion potential. The cell (see figure) contains strips of alternat- ing, dis imilar, electrically conductive materials - elemental metals or alloys - separated by thin strips of an electri- cally nonconductive material. 10 the example of the figure, the dissimilar electrically conductive materials are aluminum and titanium. This device is responsive to (1) the pre sures of reac- tive vapors and the concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere; (2) the nature and surface areas of the two dis- similar conductors; (3) the nature and thickne s of the electrically nonconduc- tive eparator; and (4) the ambient temperature. By controlling all but one of these parameters, one can operate the vapor corrosion cell in such a man- ner as to use it to measure the remain- ing parameters. All the strips of each of the two elec- trically conductive materials are electri- cally connected in parallel. An electro- chemical potential develops between the two di similar conductor strips when their edges are exposed to an at- NASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 Solid Edge Users Are First: First To Complete Their Models, First To Market And First To Earn A Positive ROI. Independent Benchmarks Prove It. NEED A POWERFUL WINDOWS SOLID MODELER? NEED IT TO BE AFFORDABLE AND EASY TO USE? INDEPENDENT BENCHMARKS PROVE SOLID EDGE USERS FINISH FIRST. The Solid Edge interface is easier to learn and use. Try it and see the difference. Inference logic automates design processes and decision management tools speed problem solving. Process- specific features for machinery, plastics, sheet metal and tubing design give you an unbeatable Edge. Powerful features maximize your productivity: robust solid modeling, best-in-class assembly modeling, integrated document and revision management, industry-leading drafting tools and photo-realistic rendering. FREE Software: Solid Edge Origin is fully parametric 2D drafting and sketching software with basic 3D tools. It's more powerful than AutoCAD and absolutely FREE. Order over the web or by phone. Be First. Insist on Solid Edge. www.solid-edge.com1-800-807 -2200 Vnilpaphics Solu/ions SOLID EDGE .. ,.., ~ SoI~ Unigraphks, Sofod Edge. iMAN. Parasofod and I'rI!di<:bve Engineering aR! tradematts Of registered trademarin I $Me I I Soi.r(1 .1 au program-Physics-to-code. d a8t - V· (eVil + ua-y) + ~VII +all = / • LARGE NUMBER O F EXAMPLES in model library gives you a sho rtcut to so lvi ng your problem and accelerates yo ur understanding of how the tool works. co H SOL COMSOL Inc. Phone: 781-273-3322 Fax: 78 1-273-6603 e-mail: Info@comsol.com www.comsol.com et product Call us noW to g . and ., specifications, detal s, les I application e)(arnp . FfMLAB is a .product from COMSOL Inc. For More Information Circle No. 429 o r visit www.nasat ech.coml429 as byproducts of industrial chemical proce e. Thi device thu becomes a new and valuable ally in the early de- tection of corro ive . This work was done by Dennis D. Davis and Anna H. DeArmond of AlliedSignal, Inc., for Johnson Space Center. This invention is owned by I1SA, and a patent application has been filed. Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or ex- clusive license for its commercial develop- ment should be addressed to the Patent Counsel,Johnson Space Center, (281) 483- 0837. Refer to M C-22871. (® Controlling Crystal-Growth Habit in Directional Freezing Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; Houston, Texas A method of controlling the crystal- growth habit in directional freezing ha been devised. A sub tance can be purified by directional-freeze crystal- lization, wherein (1) the liquid phase of the substance is partially frozen, causing impurities to become prefer- entially concentrated in the remain- ing unfrozen liquid (they are more soluble in the liquid than in the solid), (2) the unfrozen liquid con- taining a large part of the impurities is extracted, and (3) the remaining crys- talline phase is melted. The present method is directed toward reducing the entrapment of liquid within the crystalline structure, thus enhancing separation efficiency. The method i based on the observation that unifor- mity in heat-transfer conditions is of the utmost importance in forming uniform crystals in which little liquid is entrapped. This work was done by William M. Con- lon of Polar Spring Corp. for Johnson Space Center. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at unuw.nasatech.com under the Physical Sciences category. In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to Polar Spring Corp. 3501 Edison Way Menlo Park, CA 94025 Refer to MSC-22518, volume and num- ber of this ASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number. ASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 30 MHz Function/Arb The DS345 Function! Arb Generator Is the instru- ment of choice for thousands of engineers and scientists worldwide because It offers unmatched performance and features at a low price. The heart of the DS345 Is an SRS custom ASIC. Using Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) it delivers 111Hz frequency resolution to 30 MHz, phase continuous frequency sweeps and arbitrary waveforms that can be entered from the front panel or a computer. And there's no compromise when It comes to features. The DS345 Is equipped with AM, FM, PM and burst modulation, linear and log frequency sweeps and a standard 10 MHz reference Input. If you're looking for out- standing value In a function generator take a close look at the DS345. • RS-232-to-Infrared Transceiver This unit can readily be reprogrammed for a different baud rate or protocol. Marshall ;pace Flight Center, Alabama A tran ceiver ha been developed to serve as a data-.8, 1(}'12, or 14-16. Also offered in a white sweatshirt (adult sizes only) . 15.95 T~hin/ 23.95 sweatshirL Add 5.00 to order for postage/ handling. Mail payment to: Associated Susine Publications, Dept. F., 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 1900, 'ew York, NY 10017. Call (212) 49(}.3999 for credit card orders. Sa Carbon Nanotubes as Anodes in Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Cells The discharge capacities of these nanotubes exceed those of other forms of carbon. John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio Carbon nanotubes (al 0 known as "bucky tubes") have shown promise for use as anode materials in rechargeable lithi- um-ion power cells. In comparison with graphite and other forms of carbon used under identical condition, bucky tubes exhibit greater specific discharge capacity and greater specific energy; this increase has been attributed to the greater elec- tronegativity ofbud .. J' tubes and the conse- quent ability of bucky tube to accommo- date more lithium ion per unit of carbon. The success achieved thus far in the devel- opment of bucky-tube anode with high reversible (charge/ discharge) lithium-ion capacities is a re ult of advance in (1) the production of single- and multi-walled bucJ- tivated teel zinc-plated screw. The modular blocks mount on header pin installed imo PCBs. For' More Inf~ion Circle No. 711 AC Inlet/Outlet Connector The lEC 320 AC inlet/ oullet connector ... ith built~n ground clip from Melllode Electronics, Rolling Meadows. IL, meets UL and CUL standards. and fea- tures a maximwn operating \'Oltage of 250V AC at a maximwn current of 15 ContaCt resistance is 20 mil- liohms maximwn. "ith an insulation r . tance of 1000 megohms at 1500V AG. The built-in groWld clip fur- nishes direCt cabinet grounding, eliminating the need for a separate ground "ire or connection. The grOWld- ed A receptacles mate "ith all industr)"Standard lEe power cord sel>. The contaCtS and ground clip are made of copper alloy ,,;th a tin plating. The insulator is black pol),carbonate and canies a 94V.{) rating. For More Information Circle No. 774 lOa For More Information Circle No. 766 \' ... ,f!J6r ~ \' if~ IL~ lamps and Drivers Durel Corp., Chandler, AZ, offers DUREL® 3 electrol um i n esce n t lamps and drivers for backlighting displays and keypads of cellular phones, pagers, and GP handsets. The lamp conSLrUction incorporates a proprietary pho - phor technology. Matched systems provide uniform brightness in displays, while maximizing lamp life and minimizing the use ofbaLlery power. A variety of system configurations is available for specific appli- cations. According to the company, the lamps pro- vide thinne s, Oex,ibility, uniform illwnination , and low power consumption. For More Information Circle No. 169 Graphics Controller The PMC700 graphics con- troller from DY 4 Systems, Kanata, ON, Canada, is an LEEE 1386.1 PMCbased mez- zanine board that provides graphic functions such as 2D and 3D rendering. video caJ>- ture and overlay, support for legacy interlaced displays, and anti-aliasing capabilities. The controller com- bines commercial software, silicon, 3D graphics acceleration, and an XI If OpenGL® programming interface. The controUer is designed for imple- menLing human-machine interfaces for critical applications such as cockpit primary flight and dig- ital map di plays. For More Information Circle No. 772 . ~~'~~ l :; ' :: , , •• f/! ,. • 1" - . -- CompactPCI D/A Board DATEL Systems, Mans.. field, MA, has introduced the CPCI-520 four-chan- nel analog output board configured in a single-,o;JoL board outline. The board features Df A converters "ith 2.!>-, :.., and lO-volt output ranges, both unipolar and bipolar. Any channel may be selected for 4-20 m. ... precision current loops in active mode. not reqwring external c~nt loop excitation. Each DfA channel may be set for any of the ranges with five ranges set for 12-bit resolution. All channels update simultaneously when a sample clock is received, either from the on- board programmable timebase, or from an external user~upplied clock inpuL For More Information Circle No. 77S www.nasatech.com PVDF Capacitive Sensors The PT30 and KT34 PVDF capacitive sensors from Turck, Plymouth, MN, are barrel~tyle sensors de igned to solve applications in harsh environ- ments. Made of polyvinylidene Ouoride (PVDF), the housing, cable, cord grip, and mOWlting brackets are immune LO damage from contact with most industrial chemi- cals. They detect metallic and nonmetallic materials such as water, metal, wood, glass, plastic, and thin wire. The PT30 is a 3O-mm sensor that provides 10- mm sensing range; the KT34 is a 34-mm sensor with a 20-mm sensing range. Both models are available in Oush and nonflush mounting styles. For More Information Circle No. 767 Flat Bushbar Systems A new flat bush bar system from Rittal Corp., Spring- field, OH, is designed to simplify the installation and wiring process of power dis- tribution components with- in a control panel. The system is rated at 360 amps and offers a 40-mm pacing design. Features include cliJ>-On connections. touch-safe cover system, the ability to inte- grate single or double DIN-rail-moWlted controls, and multifunction adapters rated from 25 to 40 amps. The adapters are suited for industrial control equipment that utilizes LECtype controls. Available in 4:", 54-, and 9O-mm widths, the adapters feature a Ooating contact system for diJXlnfcliJXlff mounting, wire leads or clamps. and the ability to integrate BUS technology. For More Information Circle No. 770 Film Measurement System ADE Corp., Westwood, MA, offers the AcuMap 11 film measurement and visualiza- tion system that provides an alternative to conventional film thickness measurement sy Lems. I t is a full-wafer mapper capable of provid- ing up to 40,000 film mea- surements across a wafer in less than 90 seconds. The system maps dielectric films and is compatible with IOO-200-mm wafers. It employs an optical imaging system that provides high.- or pad-mounted. They are available in unibody or modular format, in sin- gle- or multiple-bay configurations, with mounting for 19", 23", and proprietal)' racks. Optional heat exchangers and air conditioners are available, among other features. For More Information Circle No. 776 Electronics Tech BriefS,J une 2000 -Directly from us to you www.a/gor.com or b Courses and Educalion at Your Desk Now new and experienced Algor customers can get step-by-step instruction on how to take advan- tage of software features and capabilities without leaving their desk. Each Web Course registra- tion includes: Access to the Live Web Course on the Internet using a password. Viewing the Live Web Course gives engineers the opportunity to phone in or email their questions and participate in the training. Access to the replay of the Web Course for unlimited personal screenings using streaming video format. The streaming video format is a fast response format that "streams" the video over the Internet to the engineer with no download times. A VHS videotape or CD-ROM con- taining the Web Course enables engineers who do not have Internet access to benefit from Algor's use of Internet audio/video technology. This enables viewers to build a resource library of Web Courses. Past topics of Algor Live Web Courses are also available for sale in both Internet Streaming Video, VHS videotape or CD-ROM for- mat. See our web site for course listings and details. Algor's Cutting Edge Technology Enables igh Au '0 a d 'd 0 Ii All Algor Live Web Courses are broadcasted in three band- widths with top quality audio to reach viewers on all types of Internet connections from 56k modems to cable modems and T1 lines. Algor has made a significant investment in webcasting technology to produce Web Courses of the highest possible quality at any bandwidth. High-technology production tech- niques show the details of Algor software in use at any bandwidth. FREE SA PLE. To sample Algor's Web Course technique at no charge, tune into one of our e blic ebcasts available at www.algor.comlwebcast that showcase live demonstrations of Algor software capabilities. By calling in, engineers can participate in the live demonstration by having Algor engineers respond to their questions. The Webcasts are then made available for replay after the live broadcast for a personal screening at any time. Visit our web site for a list- ing of upcoming Webcasts and Webcast Replays. Algor's Web Courses have qualified for Profe sional Development Hours (PDH) within those states that have Continuing Professional Competmcy (CPC) requirements as a condition of license renewal for Professional Engineers. from a wall transformer unit to 5-Vdc power used by the other subsy terns. 2. RS-232 Voltage-Level Converter This circuit converts RS-232 tran- mitting (TxD) and receiving (RxD) ±lO-Vdc logic level to +5/ 0-Vdc logic level used in the PLD. 3. System Clock The sy tern clock operate at a fre- quency of 32 MHz (instead of 4 MHz) because 8¥ over- ampling of the 4-MHz received infrared signal is required for the 4-MHz receiving logic in the PLD. The system clock also provides a master clock signal that is divided in frequency down to 921.6 kHz to enable 8¥ over-sam- pling for the 115.2-kilobaud RS-232 receiving logic. 4. Infrared Transceiver Module This module contains an infrared light-emitting diode (LED) and an optically gated tran istor that oper- ate at the same wavelength. Because it is an IrDA-standard module, it i compatible with commercial elec- tronic devices. 5. ThePUJ The PLD contains all the logic cir- cuitry needed for conversion between an RS-232 data stream and a faster in- frared data stream. Thus, most of the functionality of the transceiver i im- plemented in the PLD. 6. Configuration EPROM The configuration erasable pro- grammable read-only memory (EPROM) is used to reconfigure the logic in a the PLD, which logic is based on a static random-access memory (SRAM). Each time power is turned on, the PLD is configured with its hardware logic. Change in the logic are implemented by chang- ing or reprogramming the configu- ration EPROM. 7. PC Programming Connector This is a socket for a cable connec- tion to enable the u e of a PC to pro- gram the PLD. This socket i u ed temporarily - during development - for configuring the PLD directly from a PC without reprogramming the EPROM. This work was done by Brandon Dew- berry and Kosta Vamavas oj Marshall Space Flight Center. This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent application has been filed. For Jur- ther inJormation, contact Sammy Nabors, MSFC Commercialization Assistance Lead, at (256) 544-5226 OT sammy.nabors@msJc. nasa.lOv. ReJer to MFS-31331 . • "Intelligent" Transceivers Would Predict Failures of Parts Replacements could be ordered automatically to arrive just in time. NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California Special-purpose, "intelligent," com- puter-controlled, highly miniaturized radio transceivers have been proposed for use in monitoring critical and/ or valuable pieces of equipment. These transceivers and associated electronic circuits would perform both diagnostic and prognostic monitoring functions: 62 NOW IT'S eASY TO FIND NGINEERING TOOLS WITH GUIDE NASA Tech Briefs' NEW online guide to suppliers, products, and services for design engineers. Search by keyword or within 25+ product categories link directly to company web sites Locate B2B suppliers and sites offering e-commerce Plus: Add your company's information to the eGuide. * Go to: NASA TECH BRIEFS aGUIDE suppien.. PJOdIQs" i SI!Niru fOibGi!iH £IiiiIf1n C , I 'A ... _ 0> G j '- ... ·f~n~lf~ ~..,.==:=::- ....--....... ---- -~ ..... ~ ~----. -. F."'IAOOorEOIT ~AN (GUIDE USTIHG ---.. , ----- ... _-- www.nasatech.com/eguide All searches are free of charge. 'For companies not currently advertising in NASA Tech Briefs products, there is a small fee to add a listing. See web site for details, or contact Luke Schnirring, luke@abptuf.org. www.nasatech.coID They would acquire and provide infor- mation on the history and current status of the monitored equipment. On the basis of this information, they would pre- dict impending failures of components. Then they would order replacements for components expected to fail soon or for consumable supplies (e.g., fuel) ex- pected to be exhausted soon; these or- ders would be submitted so that the needed replacements would arrive just in time. The intelligent transceivers were con- ceived as means to relieve highly mobile military forces of much of the burden of maintenance and logistics. They could also prove useful in civilian industries in which it would be cost-effective to antici- pate needs to replace components and/ or replenish supplies; examples could include the automotive, vending- machine, and shipping industries. Intelligent tran ceivers would have di- mensions of no more than a few cen- timeters. They could be mass-produced relatively inexpensively by use of estab- lished integrated-circuit fabrication techniques. An intelligent transceiver would be connected with "smart-part" microchips that would be designed into major components and subassemblies of the equipment to be monitored (see fig- ure) . These microchip would contain sensors and sensor circuitry for monitor- ing the physical conditions and statuses of components and subassemblies. The sensors and circuits would be designed ASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 ,..----------------------- I Transceiver ~ I I ·Smart-Part" I SenSOf-Array-lnterface Intemet-Node Circuitry I Sensor Chips I ASIC I I f-1 I I I I I I I I I Processorl Radio I / I Controllerl Transmitter & I Interface for I Microcomputer Receiver II Connection to I External I Circuits I I I Intemal Antenna 1-----.1>----<,:---+ \_------------~:~~:~--) An -Intelligent" Transceiver connected with ·smart-part" sensor chips would provide information on the status of the equipment in which the sensor chips were embedded. and calibrated to be especially sensitive to such failure-inducing phenomena as excessive wear, overstress, and tempera- ture anomalies. The output signals from the smart chips would be collected by the transceiver and processed by algo- rithms that would predict times of prob- able failure of specific components. An application-specific integrated cir- cuit (ASIC) within the transceiver would provide the sensor-signal-processing al- gorithms and would serve as the inter- face between the rest of the transceiver and the smart sensor chips. During nor- mal operation, the principal function of the ASIC would be to scan the sensors and perform continuous self-imerroga- tion and diagnosis. Meanwhile, the time accumulating on each monitored com- ponent would be sent to a transceiver memory for continuous updating. Dur- ing this operation, anomalies expected to lead to failure would be identified and times to failure would be estimated. The collected data would be processed into "plain-language" text with supple- mental information derived from the memory, and requests for replacement of parts expected to fail would be trans- mitted - all automatically. Functions and characteristics of intel- ligent transceivers, in addition to those de cribed above, would include the fol- lowing: • Each transceiver would contain a small battery or other power ource and a small antenna for transmitting and re- ceiving over a limited range; however, in normal operation, it would be con- nected, via a standardized receptacle, to a larger antenna and a power source in the monitored equipment to enable communication over a longer range. NASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 • Although a transceiver would automat- ically signal the need for replacement of parts or other maintenance actions, it could also be interrogated manually for information on the status of the monitored equipment. • Each transceiver would record the maintenance history of the monitored equipment. • All components of the monitored equipment would be identified, in a transceiver memory, by part numbers. • Instructions for repair and replace- ment would be contained in each transceiver memory and would be ac- cessible via an infrared link to a display unit. • Each transceiver would contain a Global PositiOning System (GPS) receiver. • Each tran ceiver would be capable of autonomously communicating with other tran ceivers to ascertain their lo- cations. • A transceiver on a damaged piece of equipment could interrogate other damaged pieces of equipment to de- termine what components could be salvaged and whether a replacement for a damaged component in its own damaged piece of equipment was lo- cally available. • Each tran ceiver would be capable of "learning and updating its "knowl- edge" of the rates of wear of critical components. This wln"k was done by Philip Muynihan and Govind Deshpande of Call~ch fOT NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free ~line at UIW'W.nasatech.com under the Electronic Components and Systems category. NP0-20699 www.nasatech.com • BLADDER TANKS 'AlR CEUS • DIAPHRAGMS' ACUATO • BEllOWS' FUEL CEUS • STRESS TEST BLADDERS • CUSTOM INFLATABLES • PNEUMATIC / HYDRAUUC PRESSES ...AI-" P a 800·526-5330 AERO TEC LABORATORIES INC. RAMsEv. NJ 01446-1251 USA TEL: 201-825-1400' FAX: 20HI2.5·1962 .-Mail .e!:!e;~~ri~e:.~~Xmnet For More Information Circle No. 489 NEW BOXLIGHT XO-9 M ULTRA COMPACT At 4.8 Ibs. and 1000 ANSI lumens, the XD-9m projector can dazzle audiences in any environment. All BOXLIGHT projectors have a 3O-day money-back guarantee, two-year parts and labor warranty, and free lifetime 24-hour tech- nical support. BOXLIGHT offers a full line of projectors and accessories. Learn more about BOXLIGHTs commitment to pre entation excellence by visiting www.boxlight.com/manufacturing or by calling 1-800-863-6315. .BOXLIGHT. •• Presenting a Better Way For More Information Circle No. 491 Are You an INSIDER? Subscribe today to NTB INSIDER, the FREE e-mail newsletter for NASA Tuh Brnfs readers. Twice each month, the INSIDER will bring you exclusive previews of upcoming briefs and articles in \'\SA Tech Briefs, advance notice of online and trade show opportUnities, and ASA/industry ne\'i you won't find elsewhere. Subscribe online at www.nasatech.com • Networks Based on Stack-Tree Topology and a 1394 Bus COTS circuits can be configured to achieve high degrees of fault tolerance. NA :As Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California A method of de igning fault-tolerant networks of computers and other elec- tronic circuits has been conceived with a view toward minimizing costs by utilizing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) prod- ucts and standards for all tern and com- ponent interfaces. The method involves, more pecifically, utilization of selected features of the 1394 bus architecture and of the stack tree-topology ( ee Figure 1), which is a pecial case of the general tree topology and which complies with the 1394 standard. Of particular significance in the method is a specific type of stack tree denoted as Complete tack Tree (CST) of n stem nodes. Taken by itself, the stack-tree topology is not fault tolerant: failure of any link par- titions a stack tree into two segments, while failure of a stem node can partition the tree into two or three segments, de- pending on the specific design. Moreover, the 1394 standard does not permit loops, which would be formed if, for example, one were to connect the leaf nodes of a A Stack Tree A Tree (But Not A Stack Tree) 2 3 n-l n 2n-l 2n A Complete Stack Tree (CST) of nStem Nodes Figure 1. Stack Trees are constructed from three-port nodes. A leaf node is one that is con- nected to one other node denoted a stem node. Each stem node is connected to at most three other nodes, of which no more than two are stem nodes. A complete stack tree (CST) is one in which each stem node is connected to at least one leaf node. 64 6 5 8 9 EQUIVALENT REPRESENTATIONS OF CST R FOR n = 16 1.0 0.9 0.8 ~ :0 0.7 .!!l a; a: ~ 0.6 0 ~ Q) z III 0.5 :J In 0.4 0.3 0.2 10-9 10-8 10- 7 10-6 Node Failure Rate CALCULATED BUS NETWORK RELIABILITIES FOR n = 16 Figure 2. The CST. Topology Is More Fault-Tolerant than is t he corresponding CSTs topology. These curves were calculated for the example of a CST of n = 16 and an assumed fault -detection-and-re- configuration coverage of 0.9999. CST with spare links. However, the 1394 standard provides a "port disable" feature, which can be utilized to make any pare links "invisible" to the rest of the network. In the initial configuration of the net- work, the ports connected to the spare links are disabled, thereby disabling the spare links and preventing the formation of loop . In the event of failure of one or more nodes or a link of the initial network configuration, messages can be rerouted around the failed parts by enabling the appropriate ports to activate the appro- priate spare links. The upper part of Figure 2 schemati- cally depicts a complete tack tree without spare links [denoted a "simplex complete stack tree" (CSTs)) and a complete stack tree with a pare link constructed to ob- tain a configuration called "CSTR" (where "R" refers to the fuet that the resulting net- work topology is ringlike). The lower part of Figure 2 presents an example of calcu- lated bus network reliabilities as functions www.nasatech.com of the node failure rate to demonstrate that a significan t increase in reliability is expected to be achievable by the present method. This work was done by Leon A lkali, Savio Chau, and Ann Tai of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com under the Electronic Components and Systems category. In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to Technology Reporting OffICe JPL Mail Stop 122-116 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91109 (818) 354-2240 Refer to NP0-20817, volume and number of this ASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number. ASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 $- Special Coverage: Computers & Peripherals The OmniMeterQ Elf" single-board computeT from DVP. Rockville. MD. mea- sure 12 square inches and features audio and telecom peripherals. 12 addi- tional discreet ker->. and a econd serial port. It comes with direct support for various QVGA dis- plays, including an extended temperature-range QVGA mono- chrome display with integral touchscreen. The compUler is a StrongARM-based platform for OEMs develop- ing handheld computers. The system features onboard NiMH and NiCAD battery charging circuitry, low-power DRAM, onboard multi- voltage power supply. and lO-bit A/D converter. l().general-purpose 1/0 pins. It supports Wmdows CEo embedded. and Linux platforms. For More Information Circle No_ 727 National Instruments. Austin, TX., has intro- duced the DAQCard- 6062E and DAQCard- 6715 PCMCIA cards for laptop computers. The 6062E is a 12-bit, 500 kS/s multifunc- tion 1/0 card with analog output wave- form capability. The 6715 is an 8-channel analog output PCMClA card with the ability to generate waveforms at IMs/s. Both cards feature a shielded latching connector that keeps the cable attached to the card. The boards include NI-DAQN driver software for use with numer- ous programming environments and languages with Nl PCbased data acquisition products. The software works with PCMCIA, PCl. PXI/CompactPCl, ISA, and IEEE-1394 platforms. The cards are used for creating waveforms in process control applications, audio testing, and vibration analysis. For More Information Circle No. 726 Accuride Inter- national, Santa Fe Springs, CA, offers two keyboard tray systems mounted on fully concealed Accuride slides. Both the deluxe and standard sys- tems feature an angled keyboard platform and a 30"- wide tray that prer vides a mousing urface on either side. The trays feature a curvilin- ear, ergonomic design for user comfort. The trays feature three typing positions. Each tray comes with a remoYabJe gel or foam palm rest that allows the system to accommo- date virtually any keyboard. An installation template and heaV)Yiuty brackets are included. For More Information Circle No. 131 CyberResearch, Branford, CT, offers the MSC series of ultra- compact industrial PC worksta- tions with 6.4" TIT LCD dis- plays. The MSC 06 features an embedded 486DX4, lOO-MHz. CPU card, and an optional ana- log resistive touchscreen. The MSC 06H development PC sys- tem also features a HideAwayN 6.4" TIT LCD color display mounted inside the unit's hinged front cover. The MSC 00 base system does not include a built-in LCD dis- play, but is available with two different embedded 486DX4, tOO-MHz. CPU card options. both of which include a PC/I04 connector for accessories. All MSC series workstations feature a wall-mountable steel chassis. 32 MB RAM, 2.5" 6-GB hard disk drive, 55W power sup- ply, DOS software, and built-in 10Base-T Ethernet port. For More Information Circle No. 728 The PENTX.2 single- board computer from MATRIX Corp., Raleigh, NC, i available in 6U VMEbus, convection- cooled, milita.rized, con- duction-cooled, and non-VME versions. The computer is based on the 266-MHz. Pentium·n and 440BX support chip set. The system supports lSA peripher- als such as keyboard, mouse, serial ports, parallel ports, IDE. and flop- py disk internces. It supports Ultra SCSI, lOBase-T and lOOBaseTX. Ethernet, one PCI mezzanine card slot. and AGP graphics functions. Also available is a FLASH disk that functions as an IDE disk drive and USB port. The sys- tem memory interface supports memory sizes from 32 to 128 MB SDRAM. For More Information Circle No. 729 Christensen Dis- play Products, Preston, WA, has introduced the LS10 10.4" flat- panel monitor series, available in a variety of mount- ing and touch- creen configura- tion . The moni- tors offer up to 800 x 600 resolu- tion, 16-bit color. wide viewing angles. and direct compatibiJity with any tandard analog video signal. They feature a true 10.4" diagonal viewing area, which is as large as a traditional 12" ClIT monitor, but with less depth and weight. The monitors use the same internee as the company' larger industrial flat-panel monitor products. For More Information Circle No. 730 ASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 www.nasarech.com 65 ewl An infonnative brochure from MIN- ALEX, leader in close tolerance shapes to 3 1/ 2", i11ustrates typical applications and de- scribe capabilities including short runs. MI ALEX, quality leader, delivers on time, every time . MlNALEX, PO Box 247, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889; Tel: 908-5344044; Fax: 908-534-6788. Minalex For More Information Circle No. 607 EXPERIENCE THE POWEROFFEA THROUGH INTERNET TV DISTANCE LEARNING Visit www.eTechLeaming.com to access a free web course preview and get schedule and ordering infor- mation. For as little as $350, web courses let you learn at your own pace with on-demand replays and a library copy video or CD-ROM. In addition, these courses have qualified for Professional Development Hours toward P.E. license renewal. Address: 150 Beta Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15238; Phone: +1 (412) 967-2700; E- mail: info@algor.com; or Fax: +1 (412) 967-2781; www.eTechLearning.com , www.algor.com, www. pipepak.com, www.feaincad.com Algor, Inc. For More Information Circle No. 610 SOFTWARE SHOWCASE Software Showcase provides you with information and demonstrations of industry- leading National Instruments application software for mea- surement and automation applications, such as LabVIEW", LabWindowsT" / CVI, LookoutT". HiQT", and much more. The free multimedia CD also offers direct access to product and order information via the Internet. Call or visit the ational instruments Web site for your free CDI ational Instruments; Tel: 800-433-3488 (U.S. and Canada); 512-794-0100; Fax: 512-683-9300; e-mail: info@ni .com; www.ni.com/ info/showcase National Instruments For More Information Circle No. 613 POROUS CERAMIC VACUUM CHUCK PhotoMachining of- fers a porous ceramic vacuum chuck for use with thin films and other Oat samples. Pore sizes under 25 microns assure uniform suction and holding power for even the smallest parts. PhotoMachining also pro- vides contract laser-manufacturing services, and designs and builds custom \aser-based manufuct:uring equipment. Photo Machining, Inc., 4 Industrial Dr., Unit 40, Pelham, NH 03076; Tel: 603-882-9944; Fax; 603-886-8844; rschaeffer@photomachining.com; www.photomachioing.com PhotoMachining, Inc. For More Information Circle No. 616 66 KEITHLEY'S 2000/2001 CATALOG Keithley's 2000/2001 cata- log of computer-based mea- surement products provides specifications, election guides, and background on measurement techniques. Products include voltage, current, and resistance meters; sources, switches, software, real~time con- trol hardware, igoal conditioning hardware; acqui- sition, digital I/O, and motion control boards; and semiconductor products . Keithley Instruments, Inc., 28775 Aurora Rd ., Cleveland, OH 44139; Tel: 1-888-KEITHLEY; www.keithley.com Keithley Instruments, Inc. For More Information Circle No. 608 ALGOR'S ACCUPAKI VE SOFTWARE REPLICATES REAL- WORLD EVENTS In this impact simulation, Algor's Accupak/ VE Mecha- nical Event Simulation soft- ware and kinematic element technology replicates physical behavior by determining the motion, flexing and resulting stresses of a CAD part or assembly in a "vi.rtuaI laboratory." Add thermal, fluid or electrostat- ic effects to Accupak/VE analyses with linear and nonlinear materials to simulate multiple physical phenomena. Address: 150 Beta Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15238; Phone: +1 (412) 967-2700; E-mail : info@algor.com; or Fax: +1 (412) 967-2781 ; www.a1gor.com Algor, Inc. For More Information Circle No. 611 PXITM- COMPACTPCI FOR MEASUREMENT AND AUTOMATION PX1 modular instrumentation empowers you to meet your measurement and automation cbalJenges in the most effective way possible. By combining PC technology with CompactPCl modular industrial packaging, timing and triggering, and the industry's best software. National Instruments brings you the widest selection of PX1/ CompactPCI solutions for test, measurement, data acquisition, and industrial automation. National Instruments; Tel: 8Ooww.eTedlLearning.com 599.510.519.610.611,612 ................ 7.53.61.66 AMCO Engineering Co ................... www.amcoengineering.com .......... 636 ................ 67 Ansofl ................................................ w"w.ansoft.com .............................. 460 ................ 41 Ans)"s, Inc ........................................... www.ans). ... com .............................. 534 ................ 33 ~ed, Inc. ...•.•.•...•.......•.......... www.astrond.com ................ ..427. 484 .. 69. 8a The MathWorb, Inc. ................. _.www.mathworlts.com/ nasb ... _ ... .571 ................ 19 Melles Griot ._._ ............................. www.meIIesgriot.com/ mgI67.h1m .... 600 ... _ ........ lb MetrUm-Datatape .......................... www.metrum-datatape.com ........ 408 ................ 48 MicrO\'o'ay ............................................ ww.microwaj'.com ........................ 568 ................ 55 ."UtSA Ttch BnLjs. ISS.' 0145-319X. USPS 750-070. copyrighlC2000 in .S. is puhlished monthly by Associa~ Bwin"", Pubtications Co .• Ltd.. 317 Madison Ave .•• ew York. NY 10017-5391. The c0Pl'Tight information does not include the (U.S. righu to) indi'idual tech briefs tba! are mpplied by NASA. Editorial. sales. production. and circulation offices at 317 Madison Aw!:.. ew York. NY 10017·5391. Subscription for non-qualified 5ubscriben in the U.S .• Panama Canal Zone. and Pueno Rico. S75.00 for 1 year; S135 for 2 yean. Single copies $5.00. foreign subscriptions one-year U.s. funds $19!>'00. Company Web Site Circle Number Page Minalex ............................................ _ .. _ ................... _ ............................ 607 ................ 66 Minco Products. Inc ......................... w..w.minco.com ............................ 428 ................ 69 Mouser ElectrOnics .......................... "'''"w.mouser.com ............................ 486 ................ 8a MSC Sofl ... are ................................ www.mscsoftware.com/offers ...... 525 ...... COV m ational Instruments COrporation .................................... www.ni.com/ info/ ivrt. www.ni.com/ info/ 16bitdaq. www.ni.com/ info/ motion. www.ni.com/ info/ sho ... case • .. ww.ni.com/ info/ pxi 500.421.602.613. 614 .............. COVn.47, 5b, 66 NOOK Industries ................................. "'w.nookindustries.com .............. 601 ............... .3b Nummcal Algorithms Group. Inc. """'w.nag.com ................................ ..417 ................ 35 NuSil Silicone Technology .............. www.nusil.com ............. ................... 413 ................ 22 Omega E.ngineering. Inc ................. 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Unigraphics Solutions ............................................. wMlid-edge.com .................... 541 ................ 57 Sony Precision Technology America ............................................ www.sonypl.com ............................ 527 ................ 3a SOrbothane. Inc ............................... www.sorbothane.com ...................... 615 ................ 66 Sorensen ............................................ www.sorensen.com ........................ 466 ..... COV lIa lacoSwitch Co ................................... "w.stacos\<;lch.com .................... 622 ................ 67 Stanford Re,;earch ) lems .............. ..,."·.thinkSRS.com ........................ 51:'1 ................ 59 lereoGraphics Corporation .......... "-,,w.5tereographics.com/ democd/ .. 419 ............... .46 StorCase Technology. A Kin&'>tOD Technology Company .. w",w.slorcase.com ........................ 532 .................. 9 Superboll. Inc ............................... "".superboILcom ........................ 424 ................ 56 Smrad.lnc. ........................................ "w.5)nrad.com ............................ 411 ................ 14 3Dsbare.com by PlanetCAD. a division of Spatial ........................... ww.:'IDshare.com. ",ww.PlanetCAD.com ................. .540 ................ 29 TaiTech ................ _ ............ _ ............... -w.taItech.com ............................ 625 ................ 67 Test Mart .......................................... ww.lestmart.com ........................ 555 ................ 49 TSI Incorpora~. Flowmeter Dilision .......................... http://flovomelers.tsi.com ............ 422 ............... .50 Xerox Engineering terns ............ w"w.XES.com ................................ 442 ................ 70 Remit by check. draft. postal. express orden or VISA, taslerCard. and American Expres$. Other remiuancC$ a1 sender's risk. Address all communications fOT subscrip- ,ions or circulation 10 ,'VASA Ttth Bri4s. 317 Madison A,,,.. ew York, NY 10017-5391. Periodicals postage paid a1 ew York. NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send addrts> changes 10 NASA Trdt BriLjJ, PO Box 10523. Riverton. NJ 08076-9023. I"-' ___ In .. _I A5A Tech Briefs.June 2000 www.nasalech.com 71 72 This onth in ila~id Product -----.. online DtZvtilopmtZnt Tools & Techniques To Create Better Products Faster Sponsors: The web publication for NASA Tech Briefs readers NASA Tech Brieft ' totally digital publication. Rapid Product Development Online (www.rapidproducts.net) . helps en- gineers develop better products faster by giving them im- mediate, 24-hour acce s to the late t information on CAD, FEA, modeling. reverse engineering, and rapid prototyp- ing tools and techniques. RPD Online includes feature stories, industry and prod- uct news, product reviews, show coverage. demos, links, and a keyword-searchable supplier guide. This month 's RPD Online includes: L.-_________ • Fused Deposition Modeling in Microgravity - Re- searchers are evaluating Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and similar techniques for meeting the challenges of space-ba ed manufacturing aboard long-duration, manned missions. Toymaker Cuts Design Time in Half - Feber Inter- national, a manufacturer of injection-molded plastic toys, has developed a dynamic. flexible system based on nu- merical control ( C) and CAD/ CAM technologies . • Translating CAD Models Overnight - General Pat- tern, a supplier of rapid prototyping services, turned to an automated online service to complete an urgent project in record time. L.-_____ •• New Products - This month 's featured products in- clude a computer-controlled machine for desktop manu- facturing, a new line of resins for stereoli thography, and a mold design and manufacturing software package. Solid Edge is Unigraphics Solutions' mid-range CAD software package. Be sure to visit www.rapidproducts.net for the lat- est information on the rapid product development industry. For advertising and sponsorship informa- tion, contact Joe Pramberger at joe@abptuf.org; Tel: 212-490-3999. Spatial www.rapidproducts.net www.nasatech.com NASA Tech Briefs,June 2000 SELECTED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ARTIC~ES INSIDE: Human Effectiveness Directorate Articles ,.15 AFRL Tech IcllS Agent-Based Modeling and Behavioral epresentation Page 1& Harsh Transit Computing TransPAC™ provides for state-of-the-art computing in bone jarring tran portation environments - trains, trucks, ship and cargo airplane . o Up to Pentium® II o Multiple Removable Drive o Up to 4 Add-in Slots o Built-in Touch Screen o AC/DC and Battery Power o Rugged All Metal Case Tested to stringent military standards, TransPAC withstands constant vibration and shock, and ward off flying dust, dirt and airborne moisture. o MIL-SID 810 Qualified o 20g Operating Shock o Operation to AO°C o Completely Sealed NEMA 12 I IP 66 Rating o Unique Quick Dismount Dolch COTS computers and di play are flying on the C-17, the NASA Space Shuttle and up on MIR. If you need a COTS solution to fit your toughest assignment, call us today! 800.995.7560 www.dolchtranspac.com For More Information Circle No. 629

NASA Tech Briefs, June 2000

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