-1
10980
30
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Program for Controlling Digital Instrumentation Recorders
A computer program enables the simultaneous monitoring and control of two commercial digital instrumentation recorders, each comprising a variable-rate buffer and a data tape recorder. The program can issue all standard tape-motion-related commands (fast forward, rewind, record, forward,...
Briefs: Software
Program Computes Tone Fan Noise From a Turbofan Engine
TFaNS is a computer program that predicts the tone noise that emanates from the fan stage of a turbofan engine. With the help of this program, engineers working to reduce fan tone noise can study the effects of proposed design changes and are thus more likely to be successful in their...
Briefs: Software
Software for Generating 100-by-100-km Images From SAR Data
SAR Processing System Precision Processor (SPS PP) is one of the computer programs used in the Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) [where "SAR" means "synthetic-aperture radar"] to generate image data products. SPS PP ingests data that have been received from the RADARSAT (a Canadian...
Briefs: Software
Sequencing and Job-Control Software for Processing SAR Data
The SAR Processing System Control Processor (SPS CP) computer program performs sequencing and job-control functions within the Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) [where "SAR" means "synthetic-aperture radar"]. SPS CP interacts with the Product-Distribution-and-Management (PDM) system of the...
Briefs: Software
Software for Processing RADARSAT ScanSAR Data Into Images
SAR Processing System ScanSAR Processor (SPS SSP) is a computer program that is used in the Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) to processes scanSAR downlink data from the RADARSAT (a Canadian Earth-observation satellite) into a suite of image data products. ["SAR" means "synthetic-aperture...
Briefs: Software
Software for Wafer-Level Testing of Microfabricated Devices
Prober Assistant Measurement System (PAMS) is a computer program that automates the time-consuming process of testing microfabricated devices (integrated circuits and/or microelectromechanical systems) at the wafer level. PAMS was written specifically for use with the Karl Suss probe...
Briefs: Information Technology
A method of forward error correction by Reed-Solomon (RS) coding has been devised to increase the link margins of data-communication systems that must handle variable-length frames or...
Briefs: Information Technology
A recently developed algorithm saves encoding and decoding time in the operation of data-communication systems that utilize the NRZM code, which is derived from the better-known...
Briefs: Information Technology
The NACA Technical Report Server (NACATRS) is both a node in the NASA Technical Report Server and a stand-alone World Wide Web (WWW) site. The NACATRS is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of reports...
Briefs: Software
Program Predicts Jet Noise
MGBK is a computer program that predicts the mixing noise and the shock noise generated by a subsonic or low-supersonic jet, given input data on the mean flow and turbulence fields as predicted by a suitable state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program. More specifically, MGBK can be regarded as a...
Briefs: Software
Program for Analyzing Static Transmission Error of Helical Gears
The computer program HeliStat performs finite-element analysis to simulate meshing of helical gears. This program is a logical extension of the program DANST, which applies to spur gears. [DANST was described in "Computing Stresses in Spur Gears (LEW-15420), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 19,...
Briefs: Software
Software for Multidisciplinary Analysis of Optical Systems
Integrated Modeling of Optical Systems (IMOS) is a MATLAB™ computer program that provides many functions for analysis of a system represented by mathematical models of its thermal, structural, control, and/or optical aspects. For example, IMOS can be used to study thermal distortion of...
Briefs: Software
Software for Multidisciplinary Analysis of Graded Composites
The Coupled Structural/Thermal/Electromagnetic (CSTEM) computer program implements an integrated multidisciplinary approach to analysis and optimization of the designs of graded composite-material structures. The name of the program reflects recognition of the coupling among thermal,...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Integrated signaling devices of a proposed type would utilize thermal coupling to transfer digital signals between electronic circuits that are required to be kept electrically isolated from...
Briefs: Materials
Improved Coatings for Flexible Insulating Blankets
"ACE" (for "advanced ceramic engineered") denotes a type of coating mate-rial that increases the ability of flexible thermal-insulation blankets to resist erosion. Developed for use on the insulating blankets on the space shuttle orbiters, these coating materials could also be used on similar...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Improved Ignitor and Keeper Power Supplies for Hall Thruster
Ignitor and keeper power supplies have been developed specifically for a Hall-effect thruster with a cold cathode. Prior to the development of these power supplies, difficulties had been observed in the operation of cold-cathode Hall thrusters; in particular, they did not start reliably...
Briefs: Test & Measurement
The figure schematically depicts a portable helium leak detector that includes an improved sample-delivery system. This instrumentation is designed for detecting leaks in the fuel and...
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Fiber-Optic Sensors for Measuring Oxygen Dissolved in Water
Fiber-optic sensors for measuring concentrations of oxygen dissolved in water are undergoing development. In comparison with electrochemical dissolved-oxygen sensors, the fiber-optic sensors are expected to be easier to use and maintain. Also, unlike electrochemical dissolved-oxygen...
Briefs: Test & Measurement
An apparatus measures small concentrations of H2, O2, and H2O in flowing He gas. In the original application for which the apparatus was developed, the flow of He gas is used to purge a...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Development of a Range-Safety Smart System
Range Safety Officers (RSOs) are used by NASA and other government agencies to assure protection of life and property during launch operations. The current decision-making system used by the RSOs at NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) and the National Ranges, including the Eastern Range (ER) and Western...
Briefs: Software
Program Traces Rays With Quadruple Precision
QRAYPKS is a general-purpose FORTRAN optics-analysis computer program that enables the computation of path lengths to an unprecedented level of precision. The impetus for developing QRAYPKS was the need to mathematically model an outer-space laser interferometer to be used in detecting gravitational...
Briefs: Materials
Woven fabrics comprising polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers blended with other selected fibers have been found to exhibit combinations of properties that, in some applications, may be superior to those of...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
An air-displacement volumometer with soft sides has been devised for measuring the volume of a human body. This apparatus could be useful in hospitals, medical research laboratories, clinics,...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Improved Methodology for Dynamics of Orbiter Payload Bay Doors
The Payload Bay Door Dynamics Simulation (PBDS) computer program simulates the mechanical behavior of the space-shuttle payload bay doors and their latching and driving mechanisms during opening, closing, latching, and unlatching. PBDS was developed to replace an older program that was...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The figure depicts the exterior appearance of a pistol-grip rotary power tool that can be used to turn a drill bit, wrench socket, screwdriver, or other tool bit clockwise or counterclockwise at a controlled speed...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A pressure-swing technique has been developed for controlling the generation and flow of gas in an anaerobic biological reactor and associated equipment in a system that processes...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
The figure depicts a passive radiative cooler designed for use in outer space. The design of this device conjoins radiative and conductive thermal-isolation features, which, in further conjunction...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
A magnetically enhanced, high-voltage propellant isolator has been conceived for incorporation into materials-processing or space-based ion systems. The high-voltage isolator is needed...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Buoy Instrumented for Spectral Measurement of Water Quality
An instrumented buoy measures selected aspects of the spectrum of upwelling light for assessment of "water quality." The buoy carries a previously patented optical-backscatter probe that contains a hyperspectral sensor. The output of the probe is processed by a small onboard computer....
Top Stories
Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping
2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Engineers: Tech, Tools, and Gadgets
INSIDER: Research Lab
Scientists Create Superconducting Semiconductor Material
Blog: Software
Quiz: Materials
Blog: Aerospace
Tech Briefs Wrapped 2025: Top 10 Technology Stories
Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Webcasts
Upcoming Webinars: AR/AI
The Real Impact of AR and AI in the Industrial Equipment Industry
Upcoming Webinars: Motion Control
Next-Generation Linear and Rotary Stages: When Ultra Precision...
Upcoming Webinars: Energy
Hydrogen Engines Are Heating Up for Heavy Duty
Podcasts: Medical
How Wearables Are Enhancing Smart Drug Delivery
Podcasts: Power
SAE Automotive Podcast: Solid-State Batteries
Podcasts: Power
