Electronics & Software

Connector test clamps (CTCs) are clamping electrical connectors designed for use in testing electrical continuity from the backshell of a connector at one end of a shielded electrical cable, through the cable shield, to the backshell at the other end of the cable. CTCs increase the reliability...

The Perilog methods and software provide a suite of data-mining tools. Perilog retrieves and organizes data from any sequence of terms that are contextually associated (e.g., text, music, genetic sequences). Perilog data mining includes: (1) keyterm-in-context search; (2) flexible, model-based phrase...

BEAM is a method of real-time, automated analysis and diagnosis applicable to a broad class of complex electromechanical systems, including spacecraft, aircraft, and process-control systems. Some aspects of its operation were described in “Reusable Software for Autonomous Diagnosis of Complex...

A prototype of a relatively inexpensive S-band transponder has been developed for use aboard a spacecraft as part of a NASA space- craft tracking and data network (STDN). The transponder design incorporates recent advances in digital processing of received radio signals. Notable features of...

A report presents a study of the use of wavelet-based mathematical models to quantify the responses of humans in control loops. The report begins with a review of the traditional representation of manual control responses by use of transfer functions derived from Fourier transforms,...

A method of automated evolutionary synthesis of electronic circuits has been augmented by a concept called “morphing through fuzzy topologies.” Previous versions of the method provided for the evaluation of “crisp” topologies were precisely specified by open/closed (on/off)...

Integrated silicon microdisplays, such as liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) devices, are becoming the most effective image source for high-resolution viewfinders, head- mounted displays, and helmet-mounted displays (HMDs). Since these microdisplays are reflective in nature, they require...

Human factors engineering has been applied to the design of an overheadbridge crane control console for use by a seated operator in a clean-room environment. The crane console provides the operator with the ability to lift and move loads up to 27.5 tons (24.9 tonnes) in three vertical speed ranges and three...

Automated Rover Sequence Generation (ARSG) is a prototype computer program for ground-based automatic generation of sequences of commands that can be used for a robotic exploratory vehicle (rover) on Mars. ARSG is based on the Automated Scheduling and Planning Environment (ASPEN) computer...

Human data-transfer from space-shuttle checkout systems to shuttle business systems is slow, error-prone, and expensive. The Operations and Maintenance Requirement Specification-Automated Buy Off System (OMRS-ABOS) is a software system that automatically transfers test-validation data...

A computer program processes signal data in the instrument described in “Current- Signature Sensor for Diagnosing Solenoid Valves” (KSC-12152), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 9 (September 2001), page 30. Ten-bit samples of the electric current in a solenoid valve are acquired at a rate of...

A computer program predicts the radiation forces on the TOPEX/ Poseidon satellite at any point in its orbit around the Earth. The program performs a unified analysis of the thermal, radiative, power-generation, and orbital-mechanics aspects of operation because these aspects are inter- dependent: The...

OwWwL and Agent- Nation are Java- language computer programs that act together, quickly scanning Internet databases for relevant information, then organizing the infor- mation into a format suited to the user. OwWwL is a search- engine program that, like other such programs, includes a “spider”...

Application Fault Injector (AFI) is a simple com- puter program for testing the fault tolerance of other programs. AFI is a library of subroutines designed to inject faults into memory, data structures, and registers. The library is modular, can easily be extended, and can easily be ported to different computer hardware...

This report examines the simulation of the dynamic behavior of a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) optical switch in order to meet the Telcordia telecommunication industry standards for shock. The setup of the finite element model of the telecommunications device is discussed in detail, along with a...

A short report discusses the technical background of, and the need for, special bus-driver software for part of a test-bed computer system that is to be used in experimentation for development of advanced avionics. The system features a scalable, fault-tolerant, distributed architecture that...

A relatively inexpensive, lightweight, durable, easy-to-operate radio-frequency (RF) instrument has been developed, along with special electromagnetic tags, for use in detecting buried objects to which the tags are attached. Each tag comprises a dipole antenna (basically, two collinear...