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CO2 Laser Applications of the Month 

SYNRAD 

An Excel Technology Company 

A Marking Bar Codes on Cardboard & Wood with CO2 Lasers 

Marking text and graphics on cardboard and wood has always been an 

excellent application for sealed CO2 

lasers, but bar and Data MatrixTM codes 

have previously been considered unmarkable, as the resulting contrast was generally not high enough to be read without 

the use of a vision system. With Synrad's 

versatile laser marking software, 

WinMark Pro®, thi is no longer the case. 

These codes can be made up of clo ely 

nested spots, which provide the needed 

contrast to make them readable with just 

a handheld scanner. The sample in the 

photo to the right was marked with a 25-

watt CO2 laser at a speed of 6" per second. 

Bar and Data MatrixTM codes, marked on bare cardboard using WinMark 

Pro's Spot tool. The 2.3"xO.5" bar code was marked with a cycle time of 6 seconds, and the O.4"sq. Data Matrix code in 1.5 seconds. 

A Laser Marking Data MatrixTM Codes on Steel 

2D codes have gained popularity in 

the automotive and other industries, 

thanks to their ability to pack a large 

amount of infom1ation into a very 

small space. Synrad CO2 lasers are 

ideal for marking these codes on a 

wide range of materials, including mild 

and stainless teels. Often considered 

the domain of d: YAG la ers, teel 

marking can be easily accompli hed 

with a CO2 laser - and, in some applications, as little a 50 watts i all that 

is required! CO2 la ers can offer u er 

a number of benefits over YAGs, 

including fewer afety requirements 

and higher contrast on some metal . 

Generally, for application requiring 

Ie than 100 watt of power, CO2 

laser are significantly less expen ive 

than YAG . 

A Laser Removal of Plastic Flashing 

This medical device, made of 

MDPE (Medium Density 

Polyethylene), was rotated at 300 rpms, 

while the fla hing was removed with 

18 watts of laser power and 5p i air 

assist. The proce results in a desirable smooth, rounded edge, with no 

loose plastic debris. HDPE, LDPE, and 

PTFE can also be cut with the same 

results. The metal rod was u ed to 

form the inside diameter of the part 

during production. The flashing was removed from this 

plastic part with a Synrad 25-watt laser. 

The Data MatrixTM Code (-0.2" sq.) 

on this torque converter was marked 

using WinMark Pro's Spot tool. The 

code was marked with 95 watts of 

power at a speed of 1" per second (7.4 

second cycle time). 

Discover more CO2 laser applications! 

Sign up for our monthly online 

Applications Newsletter at 

www.synrad.com/signup1 

All applications on this page were 

processed at SYllrad's Applications 

Laboratory. Synrad, the world's leading manufacturer of sealed CO2 

lasers, offers free process evaluations 

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information. 

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lei 1.425.349.3500 • loll-free 1.800.SYNRAD1 • fax 1.425.485.4882 • e-mail synrad@synrad.com · www.synrad.com 

For Free Info Circle No. 563 or Enter No. 563 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

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For Free Info Circle No. 546 or Enter No. 546 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
TECH BRIEFS February 2002 • Vol. 26 No.2 

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR DESIGN & MANUFACTURING 

FEATURES 

22 Application Briefs 

24 National Design Engineering 

Show Preview 

SOLUTIONS 

$ 32 Technology Focus: Computers 

32 Ground-Traffic Information-Management System 

for an Airport 

34 Mixed-Signal Driver ASIC for IEEE 1394 and 1

2

C Buses 

35 Unity-Power-Factor Interfaces for Data-Processing 

Equipment 

36 Program Injects Random Faults for Testing Computers 

0 37 Electronic Components and Systems 

37 InP HEMT MMIC Low-Noise Amplifier 

for 65 to 110 GHz 

38 "Substrateless" Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave 

Circuits 

41 Capacitors Containing Nanocrystalline BaTi03 

as Dielectric 

42 Millimeter-Wave and Microwave Treatment 

of Atherosclerosis 

44 Software 

44 KPP - a Preprocessor for VHDL 

44 Software for Analyzing Valve-Actuator Performance 

44 Software for Network Processing of Work Orders 

46 Materials 

46 Testing Soil for Electrokinetically Enhanced 

Bioremediation 

0 49 Mechanics 

49 Software for Designing Actively Controlled Structures 

50 Magnetically Moved Trim Masses for Fine Position 

Control 

@ ,9; 51 Physical Sciences 

51 New Technique Improves Cirrus Cloud Characterization 

r---

" .... .... ~--.:-:-:-:- --- ..... ~ 

~p;::;::::~~w::=:::;:j r==-- J :.::- : : : : ~~ ' ..... .. _ ... _-- ...... 

II ----:=.. 

'II ~~~ 

22 

66 

DEPARTMENTS 

12 Commercial Technology Team 

14 UpFront 

16 Reader Forum 

18 Who's Who at NASA 

20 Technologies of the Month 

72 Advertisers Index 

NEW FOR DESIGN ENGINEERS 

66 Products/Software 

68 Web Sites 

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT 

1a - 14a 

Photonics Tech Briefs 

Follows page 36 in selected editions only. 

6 www.nasatech.com ASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
virtual replication of dynamic 

neII"lear material models that predicts 

.. "'lOt!IIaiIlHriv"n by electrostatic forces 

analysis that predicts electromechanical 

driven by eIec:ltI'Ostatic forces 

tezoellec'tric material models for Mechanical Event Simulation 

and static stress analysis 

• Composite material models for Mechanical Event Simulation 

and static stress analysis 

• Thermal analysis for considering the effects of heat transfer 

• Fluid flow analysis for considering the effects of fluid dynamics 

• An easy-to-use graphical user interface that enables engineers to 

directly apply electrostatic forces to a structural model and provides 

right-click functionality for applying, modifying and removing loads, 

constraints and finite element properties 

• Built-in precision FEA model building capabilities with geometric 

scaling and structured meshing capabilities 

• InCAD technology for CAD/CAE interoperability within Autodesk 

Inventor, CADKEY, Mechanical Desktop, Pro/ENGINEER for 

Windows, Solid Edge and SolidWorks 

• Unstructured brick and tetrahedral meshing 

• A midplane mesh engine that automatically converts thin solid parts 

into plate/shell elements 

• A Material Library Manager that controls • Rt ~"R 

material property data for all &:I&..IJ 

analysis types 

sOLiomsE E 

•

PT ~ Ent~ 

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For Free Info Circle No. 513 or Visit www.nasatech.coml513 

When EnglnHrlng Has to be Right 

150 Beta Drive 

Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2932 USA 

US Phone: 1.412.967.2700 

Fax: 1.412.967.2781 

Europe (UK): 44.1784.442.246 

California: 1.714.564.0844 

E-mail: simulatemems@algor.com 

simulatemems.algor.com 
Contents continued 

tj 53 Information Sciences 

I 

~Uonk ~ 

53 

54 

56 

56 

56 

56 

57 

57 

58 

60 

62 

63 

Maximum-Likelihood Template Matching 

Fast Algorithms and Circuits for Quantum Wavelet 

Transforms 

Books and Reports 

Study of Inertial and Gravitational Masses of a Boson 

MetaVDielectric Color Filters for Flat Panel Displays 

Multiphase-Flow Model of Fluidized-Bed 

Pyrolysis of Biomass 

Motion Control Tech Briefs 

Vision-Only Operator Interface for a Robotic Manipulator 

Compact, Stiff, Lightweight, Quick-Release Clamp 

Software for Geometric Calibration of Video Cameras 

Motor Drive for Multiple Horizontally Rotating Bioreactors 

Tip Fences for Reduction of Lih-Generated Airframe Noise 

This document was prepared under the sponsonhip of the Nationa1 Aeronautics and Space 

Adminisucujon. Neith r Associated Business Publications Co., Ltd. nor the United Stales Go, .... 

ornmenl nor any peIWn acting on behalf of the niled Stales Government assumes any lia· 

bility resulting from the use of the information contained in this document. or warrants that 

such me will be free from privately owned rights. The U .. Gon~mment doe not endorse any 

commercial product, process, or activity identified in this publication. 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

Broadax Systems. Inc. (BSI), City of 

Industry, CA, offers the FieldGo 

M5B10 portable workstation for 

rugged environments. 

14 

ON THE COVER 

ANSYS, Inc: s ICEM computational fluid 

dynamics (CFD) technology was used to 

develop this CATIA-based CFD model of 

Chrysler's PT Cruiser to study flow behavior 

in the engine compartment. The model consists 

of hexahedral, tetrahedral, and prism cells. 

The analysis was conducted with both Fluent 

and STAR-CD programs. ANSYS (Canonsburg, 

PAl is one of the exhibitors featured in our 

preview of the National Design Engineering 

Show, beginning on page 24. 

(Image courtesy of DaimlerChrysler) 

Permissions: Authorization to photocopy items for inlernal or pe:nonalllse. or the inlernal or 

~rsonal use of specific clients. is granted by Associaled Business Publications, pro\ided lhat 

the flal fee of $3.00 per copy be paid directly 10 the Copyrighl Clearance Cemrr (222 Rose Wood Dr_, Dam-ers. MA 01923)_ For lhose organizations ulal have been granted a pholocoPY 

License b} CCC, a separale S) lern of payment has been arranged. The fee code for users of the 

Transactional Reporting Sen;cc is: I N 0I45-3J9X194 $3.00+.00 

The Measurement Systems of the Future are Here. 

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For Free Info Circle No. 502 or Enter No. 502 at www.nasatech.com/rs NASA Tech BriefS, February 2002 
S

Sof"",,,, pectrum" Insight 

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10 

TECH BRIEFS 

www.nasatech.com 

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Repnnts ............................................................................................ Jeannie Martin 

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For Free Info Circle No. 504 or Enter No. 504 at www.nasatech.com/rs ASA Tech BrieE , February 2002 
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NASA 

Commercial 

Technology 

Team 

NASA's R&D efforts produce a robust supply of promising technologies with applications in many 

industries. A key mechanism in identifying commercial applications for this technology is NASA's 

national network of commercial technology organizations. The network includes ten NASA field centers, six Regional Technology Transfer Centers (RITCs), the National Technology Transfer Center 

(NITC), business support organizations, and a full tie-in with the Federal Laboratory Consortium 

(FLC) for Technology Transfer. Call (609) 667-7737 for the FLC coordinator in your area. 

NASA's Technology Sources 

If you need further information about new technologies presented in NASA Tech Briefs, 

request the Technical Support Package (TSP) indicated at the end of the brief. If a TSP is 

not available, the Commercial Technology Office at the NASA field center that sponsored 

the research can provide you with additional information and, if applicable, refer you to the 

innovator(s). These centers are the source of all NASA-developed technology. 

Ames Research Goddard Space Johnson Space Langley Research Marshall Space 

Center Flight Center Center Center Flight Center 

Selected techno- Selected techno- Selected techno- Selected techno- Selected technological strengths: logical strengths: logical strengths: logical strengths: logical strengths: 

Infonnation Earth and Artificiallntelli- Aerodynamics; Materials; 

Technology; Planetary Science genceand Flight Systems; Manufacturing; 

Biotechnology; Missions; LlDAR; Human Computer Materials; Nondestructive 

Nanotechnology; Cryogenic Interface; Structures; Evaluation; 

Aerospace Systems; ute Sciences; Sensors; Biotechnology; 

Operations Tracking; Human Space Measurements; Space Propulsion; 

Systems; T elernetry; Flight Operations; I nfonnation Controls and 

Rotorcraft; Remote Sensing; Avionics; Sciences. Dynamics; 

Thermal Command. Sensors; Sam Morello Structures; 

Protection George A/com Communications. (757) 864-6005 Microgravity 

Systems. (301) 286-5810 Charlene E. Gilberl s.a.morello@ Processing. 

Carolina Blake gaJcom@gsfc. (281) 483-3809 larc.nasa.gov Vemotto McMillan 

(650) 604-1754 nasa.gov cxxnrnetr:i<ff1lH1iorf(j (256) 544-2615 

cblake@mail. jsc.nasa.gov John H. Glenn vemotto.mcmillan 

arc.nasa.gov Jet Propulsion Research Center @msfc.nasa.gov Laboratory Kennedy Space at Lewis Field 

Oryden Flight Selected techno- Center Selected techno- Stennis Space 

Research Center logical strengths: Selected techno- logical strengths: Center 

Selected techno- NearlDeep-Space logical strengths: Aeropropulsion; Selected technological strengths: Mission Fluids and Fluid Communications; logical strengths: 

Aerodynamics; Engineering; Systems; Mate- Energy Propulsion 

Aeronautics Flight Microspacecraft; rials Evaluation; Technology; Systems; 

Testing; Space Process Engi- High Temperature TesVMonitoring; 

Aeropropulsion; Communications; neering; Com- Materials Remote Sensing; 

Flight Systems; Infonnation mand, Control Research. Nonintrusive 

Thermal Testing; Systems; and Monitor Larry Vitema Instrumentation. 

Integrated Remote Sensing; Systems; Range (216) 433-3484 Kirk Sharp 

Systems Test and Robotics. Systems; Environ- cto@grc. (228) 688-1929 

Validation. Merle McKenzie mental Engi- nasa.gov kirksharp@ 

JennyBaer- (818) 354-2577 neering and ssc.nasa.gov 

Riedharl merfe.mckenzie@ Management. 

(661) 276-3689 jpl.nasagov Jim Aliberli 

jenny.baer- (321) 867-6224 

riedhart@dfrc. Jim.Alibero-1@ 

nasagov ksc.nasa.gov 

NASA-Sponsored Commercial Technology Organizations 

These organizations were established to provide rapid access to NASA and other federal 

R&D and foster collaboration between public and private sector organizations. They also 

can direct you to the appropriate point of contact within the Federal Laboratory Consortium. 

To reach the Regional Technology Transfer Center nearest you, call (800) 472-6785. 

Joseph Allen 

Nallonal Technology 

Transfer Center 

(BOO) 678-6882 

Ken Dozier 

Far-West Technology 

Transfer Center 

University of Southem 

Califomia 

(213) 743-2353 

Dr. William Gasko 

Center for Technology 

Commercialization 

Westborough, MA 

(508) 870-0042 

B. David Bridges 

Southeast Technology 

Transfer Cenler 

Georgia Institute of 

Technology 

(404) 894-6786 

Gary Sera 

Mid-Continent Technology 

Transfer Center 

Texas A&M University 

(409) 845-8762 

Chartes Blankenship 

Technology 

Commercialization Cenler 

Newport News, VA 

(757) 269-0025 

Pierrette Woodford 

Great Lakes Industrial 

Technology Transfer 

Center 

Battelle Memorial 

Institute 

(216) 898-6400 

NASA ON-LINE: Go to NASA's Commercial Technology Network (CTN) on the World Wide Web at 

http://nctn.hq.nasa.goY to search NASA technology resources, find commercialization opportunities, 

and leam about NASA's national network of programs, organizations, and services dedicated to technology transfer and commercialization. 

NASA Program Offices 

At NASA Headquarters there are seven major 

program offices that develop and oversee 

technology projects of potential interest to 

industry. The street address for these strategic 

business units is: NASA Headquarters, 300 E 

St. SW, Washington, DC 20546. 

Cart Ray 

Small Business Innovation 

Research Program (SBIR) 

& Small Business 

Technology Transfer 

Program (STTR) 

(202) 358-4652 

cray@mail.hq.nasa.gov 

Dr. Robert Norwood 

Office of Commercial 

Technology (Code RW) 

(202) 358-2320 

morwood@mail.hq. 

nasa.gov 

John Mankins 

Office of Space Flight 

(Code MP) 

(202) 358-4659 

jmankins@mail. 

hq.nasa.gov 

Terry Hertz 

Office of Aero-Space 

Technology (Code RS) 

(202) 358-4636 

thertz@mail.hq.nasa.gov 

Glen Mucklow 

Office of Space Sciences 

(Code SM) 

(202) 358-2235 

gmuck/oW@mail. 

hq.nasa.gov 

Roger Crouch 

Office of Mlcrogravity 

Science Applications 

(Code U) 

(202) 358-0689 

rcrouch@hq.nasa.gov 

Granville Paules 

Office of Mission to Planet 

Earth (Code Y) 

(202) 358-0706 

gJaUIes@mtpe.hq.nasagov 

NASAls Business Facilitators 

NASA has established several organizations 

whose objectives are to establish joint sponsored research agreements and incubate 

small start-up companies with significant 

business promise. 

Wayne P. Zeman 

lewis Incubator for 

Technology 

Cleveland, OH 

(216) 586-3888 

B. Greg Hinkebein 

Mississippi Enterprise for 

Technology 

Stennis Space 

Center, MS 

(800) 746-4699 

Julie Holland 

NASA Commercialization 

Cenler 

Pomona, CA 

(909) 869-44 77 

Bridgette Smalley 

UH-NASA Technology 

Commercialization 

InCUbator 

Houston, TX 

(713) 743-9155 

John Fini 

Goddard Space Flight 

Center Incubator 

Baltimore, MD 

(410) 327-9150 x1034 

Thomas G. Rainey 

NASA KSC Business 

Incubation Center 

TitUSVille, FL 

(407) 383-5200 

Joanne W. Randolph 

BizTech 

Huntsville, AL 

(256) 704-6000 

Joe Becker 

Ames Technology 

Commercialization Center 

San Jose, CA 

(408) 557-6700 

Marty Kaszubowski 

Hamplon Roads 

Technology Incubator 

(Langley Research Cenler) 

Hampton, VA 

(757) 865-2140 

If you are interested in information, applications, and services relating to satellite and aerial data for Earth resources, contact: Dr. Stan Morain, Earth Analysis 

Center, (505) 277-3622. 

12 www.nasatech.com N Tech Briefs, Febmary 2002 
TEAC~) 

Capacity Flexibility Portability Versatility 

1-64 channels of data 1Hz to 2MHz per 11lbs. light Input Modules: 

recording with 25GB AIT tape drive channel sampling 12" x 3.5" x 8" Microphone • Strain 

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C 2001 TEAC America, Inc. All tredemarl<.s are property of their respactMI companies. 

For F .... Info Circle No. 506 or Enter No. 506 at _.nasatech.comlrs 
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

The FieldGo M5B10 rugged, multi-slot 

"Iunchbox" workstation fTom 

Broadax Systems, City of Industry, 

CA, combines the power of a workstation 

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cards or single-board computers using 

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memory with PC122 ECC SDRAM. Data acquisition, testing, and otller requirements are met by inserting or wapping cards. The 12", 13", or 14" active TFT LCD 

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included. Also included are a hidden 3.5" hard disk drive that provides up to 100 

GB of record storage, a floppy drive, and a CD-ROM or CD-RW. 

For Free Info Circle No. 740 or Enter No,. 740 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

NASA Crystal-Growing Experiment May Benefit 

Electronics Industry 

At· NASA' Mar hall Space Flight Center in HlUltsville, AL, Frank 

Szofran and his colleagues are growing 

high-quality crystal by carefi.t1Jy cooling 

a molten germanium-silicon mixture 

in ide a cylindJ;cal container. The mixture forms into a single large and extraordinarily well-ordered crystal that has 

very few defects. The reason: remarkably, the crystal never touch the walls of 

the container in which they grow. 

When tlle crystal-growing procedure 

was discovered in Skylab expeIiments in 

tlle 1970s, scientists had no idea how it 

happened. Since men, crystal growers 

have named the process "detached 

Bridgman growth." 

Growing perfect crystals is important 

since mey are used in a variety of de\~ces 

on Eartll, including microchips, video 

cameras, radiation deteclOrs, digital 

watches, semiconductors, infrared sensors, and tiny solid- tate lasers. 

"In general, when people grow crystals 

for electronics applications, they would 

like mem to be the highest quality possible - me lowest number of impurities, 

the lowest number of dislocation ," said 

Szofran. "When crystal growth takes 

place in contact wim me container wall, 

me container pushes on me crystal, and 

that causes the atom to be nudged out 

14 

• •• • ", ., • ,. , . , . ' '. .. . 

• e •• -. . • , . . '.. .'. , 

• .. -

.......... .... , .. 

. . , ... . -•...... ",. rI -. . · .. . ... . .. - ... i ' . .. , .fIi .. . . .. . ; ~ 

• .. .. • .. , • e .. ., , • • .. · .. , .. • • • ' . , • e .. e . e ." • • .. .. .. • e 

i • .. e '" . ." .. , , • ," , .. .. A close-up view of atoms in a germanium crystal. The goal of Szofran's experiment is to minimize the defects in the orderly arrangement 

of the atoms. (Image from WebElements.coml 

of alignmen t. Such defects, as they're 

called, can cause the crystal not to perform as well," Szofran explalll ed. 

The important aspect of the 

detached Bridgman growth procedure 

is mal scientists have learned how to 

grow crystals using the method on 

Earth, ratber man just in space - a 

clear advantage to indu try. 

Contact Frank Szofran of NASA Marshall 

at 256-544-7777 or frank.szofran@msfc. 

nasa.gov. 

www.nasatech.com 

On the Road 

Again 

Technology derived from the 

space program affects our 

lives every day, from home smoke 

detectors and cordless power 

tools to implantable heart 

de\~ces and protective cloming. 

You can get a closer look at me 

benefits of space technologie 

through ASA' "Benefits of 

Space on Tour." 

A emitrailer owned and operated by NASA's John on Space 

Center in Houston win visit special events throughout the COUlltry next year from February 

througb November. Schedule 

permitting, it al 0 will stop at 

malls, universities, and schools. 

"The Benefits of Space Oll 

Tour exhibit clear! depicts the 

many ways in which tecbnologies 

derived from the .S. pace program impact evel one' daily life 

and idelllifies tr mendous 

potential for even greater future 

benefits to me public from the 

ongoing exploration of space," 

said Charlene Gilbert, John on 

Space Center's director of technology transfer and commercialization. 

The emitrailer is divided into 

two section , each of which can 

hold 30 people. The first section 

is the Technology Hall of Fame, 

which features audio and video 

exhibits on a dozen space program spinoffs. After viewing the 

exhibits, visitors continue into a 

SurroundSound theater, where a 

l()..minute ~deo on the past, present, and future of the pace program is shown. 

For information on the display's schedule of events and 

stops, contact David Haines of 

NASA Johnson at 281-244-1151 

or david.d.hainesl@jsc.nasa.gov . 

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
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In the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product NITIH, Of trademarks belong to t~r respective holden. 

For Free Info Circle No. 507 or Enter No. 507 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
16 

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Reader Forum is dedicated to the thoughts, concerns, questions, and comments of our readers. If you have a comment, a 

question regarding a technical problem, or an answer to a previously published question, post your letter to Reader Forum 

on-line at www.na5atech.com. or send to: Editor, NASA Tech 

Briefs, 317 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017; Fax: 212-986-

7864. Please include your name, company (if applicable), address, and e-mail address or phone number. 

Thanks to all of our reader. who voted in the 2001 ASA Tech 

Briefs Readers' Choice Awards for Product of the Year: Your winners 

will be announced during ational Manufacturing Week in 

Chicago next month, and will be posted on our Web site at 

WWW./IQsQtech.cuIIl. 

l

am looking {or a fOi mulation for a four-pan epoxy system 

that is to be poured into a soft teel mold. Th four components are an epon 82 re in and ilS hardener, an air release 

agent, and graphite filler to improve thermal conductance. It 

i very important that th re are no air inclu ions in the final 

molded product. Is anyone aware of any standard formulations that would fit thi bill? So far 1 have been un uccessful in 

removing all of the air bubble from the resin. Thank you. 

Jon Kingsbury 

j kl@ci unix.wlh.edu 

Doe anyone know the procedw"e for certification of te ting equipment in ord r to maintain ANSI, MIL, TM, T, 

and I 0 tandards? Are there any crossovers 0 that if one 

meelS I 0 and MIL standards, it also automati all meelS 

TM tandards, for example? "Vhat i the schedule for calibration of equipment? Does it need to be done by an independent, or an I utilize trict pro edure and train omeone 

to do thi in hOll e? We want to do it right, but th expen e is 

what unreal. Thanks fOI- any infonnation. 

Jo M. 

nupro ale@m n.com 

(Editor's Note: joe, have you checked out the A mencan ational 

landards In titllte (AN. 1) Web site at 1Il1llw.ansi.org? if you go there 

and click on " landal'ds Info, "you'llfind information on ISO, AN. 1, 

and other standard , as well as how they relate to 1 tandards.) 

I'm looking for infonnation on urfac fini hand th ir 

corre p nding eIIeclS on boundary layers. In pal-ticular, I have 

a pwnp with two 2" diameter rotating lobe u ed for compre ing gass s. hese are machined to high tolerance (0.0004 

gap bl w lobe and ide wall ; 0.0002 bl w lobes). The al 0 rotate at about 7000 rpm. I am intere ted in using urface fini h 

to create a large boundary layer, which in tum would prevent 

or low down gas leakage around the lobe . Any information 

would be appreciated. 

Rocky Van ten 

rocky@engrworkshop.com 

A Tech Briefs, Febntary 2002 
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trademarks andlor registered trademarks of other countries. 1D2001 Compaq Computer Corporation 
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Who's Who at NASA 

William Berry, Deputy Director, 

Ames Research Center 

William Berry is 

the deputy director of ASA's 

Ame Re earch Center in Moffet Field, 

CA. He is involved in 

the onstru tion of a 

new 200-acre research park in ilicon Valley. 

NASA Tech Briefs: What is the purpose 

of this research park? 

William Berry: In 1994, part of Ame ' 

center wa adja ent to the Moffet aval 

Air tation, which was shut down a part 

of the ba realignment and enclo ure 

pmces , and the land was transferred to 

ASA. About three ears ago, we came 

up with a plan to leverage that land and 

turn it into Ames Research enter. That 

occurred imultaneously with realignment made from traditional aeronautics 

re earch that moved into information 

t chnology and other related fields 

around ilicon aile - that' what led 

to a re earch park. 

This re earch park will b open to the 

public and erve a an educational 

medium. We al 0 expect the park to lead 

r earch and development and advance 

Ame ' mis ion. The park will focu on asa"obiology, life science , space ciences, 

nanotechnology, biotechnology, IT, and 

aemnautics. 

NTB: What organizations are expected 

to take part? 

Berry: We expect the niver ity of 

California to be the anchor tenant. They 

are establi lung a ilicon Valley Regional 

ampus here that will do re earch and 

education aligned with Ame ' mi ion. 

Carnegie-Mellon niversity has opened 

Carnegie-Mellon West on our campu 

here. We're in the proces of doing an 

environmental impact tatement, which 

cover many of the aspects of what we're 

doing. Other partners are the Computer 

Hi tory Museum, the California Air and 

Space enter, and we're actively soliciting a proposal right now from a corpoW\\1w.nasate h.com 

rate sponsor to help pmvide the infrastructure, and be an enabler for the entire re earch park. 

NTB: When do you expect the park to 

be completed? 

Berry: Completion is going to be a 

10- to 20-year project. The environmental impact tatement deci ion will 

be given thi summer. That statement 

will be an enabl r [or the construction 

of the research park, which is enviioned as 2.5 million quare fe l of 

con truction. 

NTB: What type of research do you expect to take place? 

Berry: Ames Re earch Center i the 

mo t basic re earch center out of all of 

ASA's center. I expect nanotechnology and biotechnology to bring much 

more to ASA than we envi ion now. I 

exp ct that we will be able to produce a 

ne, launch vehicle beyond the huttle 

for human pace flight and exploration. 

By applying new re earch to information 

technologies we can reduce the cost of 

the e tern . 

NTB: What will the benefits be for industry and the public? 

Berry: The NAS Re earch Park will 

fo u its A- pon ored re earch a tivlae in the Info/ Bio/ ano triangle. 

However, the first ignificant re earch i 

CMU' High Dependability Computing 

and Communication on ortium. We 

would expect some commercial opportunitie to flow from that. Companie 

like IBM, un Micro ystem , Ci co yterns, and Oracle have igned on to work 

on a number of initiative including air 

traffic control, Internet communication, 

space exploration, highway safety, and 

healthcare projects. 

A full transcript of this interview appears 

online at www.nasatech.com/whoswho. Mr. 

Berry can be reached at wberry@mail.arc. 

nasa.gov. For more information on the I1.SA 

Research Park, visit http://researchpark. 

arc. nasa.gov. 

ASA Tech Briefs, Febmaty 2002 
A CAE electromagnetic package 

that immediately boosts 

productivity and saves prototyping 

costs is hard to find. That's where 

our line of innovative boundary 

element method (BEM) simulation 

software can help. 

We've designed each of our 

packages around three basic 

principles: "dv"nced technology; 

prodwtivify lInd outsfllnding 

customer service. 

A clean, intuitive, user interface 

means the software is easier to 

use and learn than most other 

electromagnetic CAE tools. 

Advanced Technology 

We use Integrated's software to 

model precision magnetic circuits 

for the reprographics industry as 

well as other electromagnetic 

applications. The software enables 

us to create extremely accurate 

virtual results. This has aI/owed us 

to greatly reduce our prototype-toproduction phase.· 

Group Arnold 

Magnetic Technologies Corp, 

Rochester, NY. 

Advanced features like our intuitive 

user interface, extensive materials 

library, powerful solvers, 

exportable data and graphics, 

flexible post processing options 

and powerful parametric 

optimization routines give you 

the most sophisticated programs 

available anywhere. In addition, 

our coupled electromagnetic! 

mechanical suite gives you 

complete solutions. 

Productivity 

"Integrated's software offers 

Industrial Coils the ability to model 

our designs quickly and accurately. 

Our design time has been reduced 

from three weeks down to two and 

a ha/fdays. 

Mike Potter 

Assistant Engineering Manager, 

Industrial Coils, 

Baraboo, WI. 

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you with sample sessions to work 

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"We are using 

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the recording 

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writing and reading 

of high density data 

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with the user 

friendliness and 

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program." 

Dr. Sakhrat Khizroev 

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Seagate Technologies 

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Technologies of the Month 

Sponsored by ye tflcom 

For more information on these and other new, licensable inventions, visit 

www.nasatech.com/ techsearch 

Modular Fuel Injection System Simplifies 

Installation and Optimizes Performance 

Bosch 

Multi-port fuel injection is the standard 

method u ed to deliver fuel to the cylinders 

in automotive engine. Fuel injectors are 

refined devices that require individual electrical connection and exact po itioning to 

operate con·ectly. 

A new modular approach requires 

fuel injector to be mounted on a common connection strip that in turn fasten directly to the engine. The valve are connected ,vith locking collars de igned to fit in the exact rotational po ition, 

aligning th fuel tream plane perfectly ,vith a predetennined 

position to optimize tlle fuel mixture. Application include 

power equipment, tationary internal combustion engines, 

rocket propulsion system , and any chemical or fuel blending 

sy tem. 

Get Ihe complete report on this technology al: 

www.nasatech.c07ll/techsearch/tow/bosch.hhnl 

Email: nasatech@).et2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

Modified Manufacturing Process Yields 

Uniform Silica Spheres 

Shell 

Mo t ilica pellets, or pheres, require high crushing trength and uniform phere ize, particle size, and 

pore volume di tdbution for catalyst 

upports and many petroleum, chemical and proce industry applications. 

Silica spheres are produced u ing the 

ol-gel method, which unfortunately 

does not leave tile particle very uniform in size or poro ity. 

Researcher at hell discovered tIlat the key to narrow particle ize distdbution and controlled uniform size and porosity was the drying proce . The re earchers developed a 

patented multi-stage drying proce s using standard sol-gel 

chemi try and drying equipment. By carefully controlling the 

initial, partial drying stage, tile end re ult i remarkably uniform alkaline or neutral ilica phere, ideal for u e as catalytic carders \vith active compounds in such proces es as hydrometallization of heavy hydrocarbon oils. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech.c07ll/techsearch/ tow/ sheU.hhnl 

Email: nasatech@).et2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

501 CMOS Improves Integrated Circuits 

Honeywell 

A silicon-on-insulator (SOl) technology provide almo t 

total i olation of individual tran i tors by isolating each component in the circuit in its own "island" of in ulating material. 

The technology produces reliable integrated circuits with 

long lives at high temperatures. Key to thi circuit performance improvement is the use of a buried oxid e layer which 

enable RF integrated circuit (RFIC) products to achieve better channel-to-channel isolation for RF 

witches and faster time for RAM and ASl 

networks. 

Honeywell is currently using 01 technology 

to produce mixed mode integrated circuits 

(MMIC) that integrate digital, analog, RF, and 

microwave circuitry on tile arne ilicon die, 

providing up to 30% higher transistor packing 

density than standard proces e . 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech. co7ll/techsearch/tow/honeywell.hhnl 

Email: nasatech@).et2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

Using Hot Air to Improve Microwave 

Cooking 

Enersyst 

Though convenient, microwave cooking often re ults in a 

oggy end-product. Enersysl engineer, food cienti ts, and 

chef: have combined microwave technology with high-performance convection method. The basic concept i to augme11l 

jets of hot air directed over the urface of food ,vith microwave , improving surface temperature control and texture, and providing even browning for meats and cri py cru ts 

for dough products. The technology can b u ed with any 

cookware mat rial. 

Th flr t metllod "ti " the microwave 

and hot air tream and enables the intenity of the heat applied to the bottom of a 

pan to be changed byadju ting the 

elevation of a rack above a bottom 

air jet. A econd variation include 

a eparate air-conditioning chamber that circulates temperaturecontrolled air i11l0 the microwave 

chamber to facilitate cri ping and browning. A third method 

directs hot air down the ides of a specially d igned food C011-

tainer, cau ing tile container to heat evenly on all urfaces. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech.com/techsearch/ tow/enersyst2.ht7ll1 

Email: nasatech@).et2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

20 www.nasalech.com NASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
New image processing tools. 

Treat your image 

data to MATLAB. 

N ow there is a complete set of advanced image processing tools for MATLAB, 

the world's number one technical computing environment. 

You can analyze, enhance, and segment images. Perform 

registration, morphology, deblurring, and multidimensional 

Multiple, toucllingobjects operations. Develop image processing algorithms, and convert 

segmented using tile 

watershed transform. your image applications to C/C++ with the MATLAB Compiler. 

And because it's MATLAB, it's flexible and programmable, and it's easy to explore. 

See how much better image processing can be with the MATLAB solution. 

Go directly to application example , demos, tutorials, 

user tories, and pricing at www.mathworks.com/nti. 

The MathWorks 

Visit www.mathworks.(om/nti 

or (all 508·647·7040 

MATU.B image and 

signal processing 

products are used in 

aerospace, electronics, 

medica~ and mapping 

applications. 

For Free Info Circle No. 525 or Enter No. 525 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Signal Pra<essing Toolbox 

Statistics Toolbox 

Neurol Network Toolbox 

Mapping Toolbox 

Wavelet Toolbox 

Filter Design Toolbox 

MATlAB Compiler 
... .-T1i1easurement System Helps NASA 

Assess Engineering and Software 

Needs 

The Metrics System value-measurement software 

MSC.Software Corp. 

Santa Ana, CA 

(714) 540-8900 

"\\ww.mscsoftware.com 

To improve NASA' engineering capabilitie, former 

Administrator Daniel S. Goldin e tabli hed the Intelligent 

Synthesis Emironment (I E) Program. Par6cularlv, the ISE 

centel'S around developing and deploying advanced software 

s}'Stems, optimizing innovative approaches to mis ion development, and reducing cost and delivery time. Designed to work 

through a cries of evaluations and methodologies, the I E 

assesses technology, process, and cultural is ues. One of the 

bigge t challenge facing NASA \\"as obtaining accurate mearequired selection cdteria and benchmarks for determining 

where limited funds would be mo t wisely disseminated. 

"The metrlcs efforts would enable the program and project 

managers to make intelligent and informed decisions on the 

best use of their resources. In any Federal budget year, there i 

a con tant push-and-pull acthity with respect to monetary and 

human resources. Those programs that are unsuccessful, pro-

\ide no benefit, or are of a low priority, cannot continue," said 

Simpkin. 

Simpkins said that the system allowed the ISE to complete 

and op6mize capabilities of the Reusable Space Transportation 

Program and the Space Shuttle and ground proce sing applica60ns. The ISE utilized a variety of capabilities of the Metrics 

S\<'Stem, "including customer satisfaction sUIveys, focus groups, 

and scenario evaluations," added Simpkin. With the aid of the 

Metrics S\ tern, "a 'map' of current and possible future processes was also established, allowing a better measurement and 

asses ment of acthities with the system. More impoI1antly, each 

of the application areas became cognizant of the importance of 

being invoh'ed in the u e of metric. for results." 

uremellts of progress - project ,.--- ------ --------------------------- ---, 

manager, cientists, and engincel'S #### Measurement and Assessment Executive Score-sheet [08/01 /2002] 

found it difficult to find the time to Process Infusion 

-iProc ••• M .turity Index - 11/01 02102 05102 08102 

asse s change and improvement in 

their activitie . Requiring the e\-dluation of perfonnance and technology imestment~, NASA utilized 

a metric s 'stem developed by 

MSC. oftware Corp. 

5.5 

5 

4.5 

4 

3.5 

3 

2.5 

2 

1.5 

1 

- Index 

/' 

./ Process Maturity Index 2 4 5 

/' 

./ Remote Data Access Use 27 29 48 53 

Ql Q2 Q3 Remote Analysis Use 3 .. 11 

.... It 

11 

Data Access Time 93 82 61 56 

11 

- Environment Automation 4 6 15 

111e Meuies ,·tem is a mmlbersba.o;cd meamrement of the impact a 

pecific software or proce change 

brings to an org'dni7.ation, helping it:. 

adoption and successnll implementation. Utilizing a balanced scorecard 

approach - including metrics 

indexing utilizing multiple methods 

uch as mve . , meuies reporting. 

14 .....-Anltyl .. tn, ,.., Ttc:hn .... y -

C'O.I'.'A •••••• dTechn .... y- " 11 Analysis rme Per Technology 19 16 17 16 

-- - Cost Per Assessed Technology 10x ax ax Tx ot ., ., 

case studies, and automated meuicsgathedng to provide information 

about the technology, proce s, and 

cult-me - the Meui \ tem shows 

how a S} tem perfOlTIlS within a gi\en 

organization and how the organization has been affected by the tern. 

H_ ~!~..rl _ TImo -"_11R1 

.TKMoIogy 

As .... "*" • OM_ Colection 

iH~~~~ a_Pr.".nllon 

C Tec:h1doQr 0.. -. 11 It • allntl"..,... 

The Metrics ystem is not a measure of an individual' perfomlance, but, rather. of the svstem' capabilities in a pm·ticular emironment, taking into account design, all ah'sis , IT, data 

management, collaboration-enablillg applications, and critical 

capabilitie of the oftware infra trucrure that engineer reI' 

on to make decision and create new or enhanced product. 

The sy. tem is applicable to any software used in an engineering environment, such a CAD, PDM, and imulation. 

Preliminary deployment of the Metric Sy'tem already has 

demonstrated that implementation of imulation oftware at 

Kennedy Space Center re ulted in a decrea e in imulation 

cycle time from ix months to two weeks. Ther was al 0 an 

increase in product quality and a reduction in ri k. 

Pat Simpkins, who was re pon ible for the initial implementation of the Meuies } tern at T A, explained that the need 

for the metric y tem came from program management who 

.. .. • 

Though it i too early to e\ dluate re ults, impkin believes 

the global value of the evaluation program "has certain applicability acro ~ a lll}'1iad of IT programs and projects. Just the 

application of a 'balanced cor card' in the IT arena by itself i 

a leap forward." He also believe that as the ) tem manlres, 

"the next tools and methods delh'erable for tlle meuics activity 

can help other organizations within and outside ASA to develop a viable melri program for their programs and projects." 

With the Metrics Sy tern, ASA will di cover how advanced 

software solutions are impacting it.! proce e and de ign decisions. Thi communication is essential to ucces fully implement new technologi and processes, re ulting in lower costs 

and faster time to market. 

For Free tnfo Circle No. 736 or Enter No. 736 at 

_.nasatech.comlrs 

22 www.nasatech. om , TASA Tech BliefS, Februarv 2002 
Our cu tomer are te ting everything from train car to 

th Space hurtle, from automobile airbag to 

oil well ... and the Ii t keep growing. Why? Maybe it' 

our plug-in ignal conditioner that allow connection of 

allY igna/, any en or. Or perhap it' the fact that 

Oewetron y tern ar built on an op n-ar hitecture, 

COT * computer platform allowing ea y upgrade and 

compatibility with all Window ® oftware and 

hardware. 

Or it could be our oftware- 0 ea y to u e and yet 0 

powerful- with brilliant on-line di play, full- olor 

printing and one-click e port to Excel®, MatLab· , 

A II, and veral other popular format . Of cour e, 

o wetron machine are perfect platfonn for 

LabVIEW· de elopment, and they already include a 

alional In trument ® AID card connected to our highy 

Above left to right - the DEWE-4000, DEWE-2010, and 

DEWE-3010 portable PC Instruments 

o 

;; 

~ 

w 

o 

Our ba ic model are al 0 highly popular a portable 

indu trial computer built to MIL- TO-810C for hock 

and vibration. 

It could be any of the e thing - or maybe it' all of 

them. The bottom line i , if you're doing data 

acqui ition any other way. you're mi ing a Jot. 

take a look at Dewetron today. tart with our 

or give u a call and arrange a no-obligation 

demon tration at your faciJit . 

Conta t u today toll-free at 877-431-

364-9464 outside the U A), 

ww\ .dewamerica.comlntb 

i olation plug-in ignal conditioner ! I~~~~~' 

'COTS = Commercial, off-the-shelf. 

All trademarks acknowledged as 
Booth 6900 

SolidWorks 2oo1Plus 3D CAD oftware is available 

from SolidWorks Corp., Concord, MA Enhancements 

to the Wmdows-based product include new productivity tools such as ph ical dynamics, which calculate the 

actual contact and 

transference of motion from one component to anothel·. 

Top Down configuration tools let users 

control ketch relation , equations, and 

feature end collision , as well as view 

what-if de ign variations. Other enhancements include 

exploded drawing views, a split part feature, new asembly de ign tools, 20 to 3D design, and heet metal 

capabilities. For Free Info Circle No. 701 or Enter No. 

701 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 8216 

The MathWorks, atick, MA, \vill demonstrate irnMechanics, a modeling domain 

that extends Simulinke simulation oftware 

to provide an environment for modeling 

mechanical plants and controllers. It contains physical modeling blocks that repreent components found in mechanical systems, and that atisfy well-known mechanical 

equations. For Free Info Circle No. 722 or 

Enter No. 722 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

24 

Booth 6900 

Al 0 highlighted in the olidWorks booth will 

be the AI* olution line of simulation products and technology platfonns from ANSYS, 

Canon burg, PA. The product line includes 

AI*\ orkbench for creating custom engineering simulation solutions; AI*EMAX, a highfrequency electromagnetic anal i product 

for analyzing RF/ microwave passive components and circuits; and AI*Environment, which combine lCEM FD Engineering's pre- and po t-proce or technologies with sin1Ulation LO enable 

modeling and me hing for trucrural, thennal, and CFO projects. The compan 

al 0 \vill focus on its partnership with SAS LLC to develop a new ASTRAN 

product that will be distribllled by AN . For Free Info Circle No. 728 or Enter 

No. 728 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

www.nasatech.com 

Booth 7422 

Machine housings and enclosures ,Ire available 

from ROSt'+Bopla Enclosures, Frederick. MD. The 

Alllbo~ ('xtmsion product line featun's rounded 

corners and ('olmed gasket' for those requiring a 

handheld endosurl'. It is otTered in seven profile 

Sill'S that can be CUl 

to any length and 

capped with ('lIdplates. Mobile handheld machine control 

units int('rface between man and machine using housings 

made of PVC extrusion. End caps arc injeHionmolded in glass-filled polyamide. Plastic side pieces 

are ridged lilT better handling and al'(' acljustable 

to prmide a wider or narrow,'r front panel width. 

For FrM Info Circle No. 704 or Enter No. 704 at 

_ .nasatec:h.com/rs 

ASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
Strong Transducers With Low-Noise Outputs Measuring Fx, Fy, Fz, Tx, Ty, Tz. 

Shown are AT! six·axis transducers from 17mm dia. to 330 mm dia. 

"/ highly recommend AT! 's force/torque transducers to anyone 

who needs a reliable, pre-calibrated, easily programmable 

transducer. /t is a truly versatile plug-and-play system. " 

Prof. Francis(o Valero-Cuevas 

Neuromus(ular Biome(hani(s Laboratory 

Sibley S(hool of Me(hani(al and Aerospa(e Engineering 

Cornell University 

"Because of their off-the-shelf solutions for miniature force and 

torque sensing, we were able to go from concept to working 

prototype in months instead of years." 

Patrick Jensen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology 

Johns Hopkins University 

'The force/torque systems from AT! are ideal in our study of 

human grip force coordination and production. They are as 

dose to a turn-key system that we have found. " 

Professor Jay L. Alberts, Ph.D. 

Dept. of Health and Performance Sciences 

Georgia Institute of Te(hnology 

ATI manufactures a variety of extremely robust six -axis ForcelTorque (FIT) sensors that provide low-noise, high-resolution signals with 

output speeds of up to 10kHz and factors of safety up to 27 times measurement range. Since 1983, ATI has provided thousands of customers 

with FIT's ranging from the smallest six-axis sensor in the world (17 mm diameter) to sensors measuring thousands of pounds. The FIT con 

provide data via voltage outputs, RS-232 serial or interface with either ISA, PCI, PCMClA or cPCI buses. ATI is developing interfaces to Firewire, 

VXI, USB, DeviceNet and Ethernet. The FIT can also interface with analog data acquisition systems (seven channels required). 

Ouick-{hong 

Proteclo 

Speedebur 

(ompensoto 

For more information, (ontact Milton Gore at mgore@ati-ia.(om or extension 132. 

Robotic Tool (hanger 

Robotic (rash Protection Device 

Rohotic Dehurring Tool 

Automated Assemhly Alignment Device 

~.. 

A ---• INDUSTRIAL 

• AUTOMATION tr ~ ISO 9001 Registered 

Eoglo '!J Productivity 

Pinnade Pork, 1031 Goodworth DriYe, Apex, North Corolina 27502 USA 

Tel' +1.919.772.0115 • Fox: +1.919.772.8259 

Email: inFo@afi-io.(om • www.ofi-io.(om 
National Design Engineering Show Preview I _ 

Booth 6911 

MSC.Software Corp., Santa Ana, CA, will 

demonstrate MSC.visualNastran 4D 2002, a 

Windows-based tool that sets 3D assemblies 

into motion, animate the resulting stres es, 

and lets engineers measure the perfomlance 

of moving components. It supports virtually 

every CAD system and analyzes rigid body dynamics, motion-related stres analysis, and 

structural responses 

uch as vibrations, 

deflection, and 

buckling. Photorealistic rendering and 

animation are included, as well as 

steady-state heat 

transfer, topology 

optimization, redundant constraint relief, 

and gear, belt, and joint friction consu-aints. 

For Free Info Circle No. 72 1 o r Enter No. 

721 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 4904 

Dolch Computer Systems, Fremont. CA. 

offers rugged portable PC..s in ize from 

lightweight notebook sl)les to largescreen, multi-slot workstation . Ail units 

feature bulletpToof construction with 

metal case . environmental seals. and 

shock mounting. Expansion slots accept 

basic . terns and ClI tom applications 

"ith industrv-standard add-in cards in 

lSA, PCl, or' PC/ } 04 form factors. Flatpanel TIT coloT monitors and intelligent dis pia aTe a\"ailable in a variety of 

screen sizes and Tesolutions. For F .... 

Info Circle No. 725 or Enter No. 725 

at www.nasatech.cam/rs 

Booth 7919 

CADKEY Corp., Marlborough, MA, will introduce CADKEY GraphX" mechanical 

drawing oftware for drafters, mechanical 

de ign engineers, and manufacturing engineers. Built on an all-new Version 20 architecture, the product lets users create accurate drawings from scratch, or generate 

drawing from solid, surface, and polygon 

mode ls imported from •. 

other systems, 

including 

ACIS· and 

Parasolid . Industry-standard data 

translator are 

included. The oftware uses intelligent dimensioning on native or imported drawings 

to prohibit the creation of dimensions that do 

not match geometry or are not properly constructed. For Free Info Circle No. 7 11 or 

Enter No. 7 11 a t www.nosatech.com/ rs 

26 

VX Corp., Palm Bay, FL, will launch version 6 of VX Overdrive CAD/ CAM software, which features an upgraded Web 

publilihing tool, new PDM and collaborative product development tools, and an 

enhanced user interface. Other new features indud improved wire frame tools, 

and extended control of solids. surfacing, 

and assembly. New tOOling and milling 

functions such as mold design wizards 

and five-axis milling also are added. For 

Free Info Circle No. 724 or Enter No. 

724 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 7757 

Pittman, Harley ville, 

PA, will exhibi t tlle 

LO-COG- 22-mm 

brush-com mu tated 

DC motor that features a length of 

1.900". The motor 

uses a skewed fiveslot armature design 

and bonded neodymium iron boron 

magnets. Standard cartridge brush assemblies are designed to prolong brush 

life. Option include ball bealings, gearheads, and encoders. For Free Info Circle No. 71 5 or Enter No. 71 5 at www. 

nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 7345 

Booth 5142 

National Instruments, Austin, 

TX, will display tlle FieldPoint 

2000 family of network module 

that lets engineers create standalone measurement and contl'ol 

olutions. The company's Lab--

VIEW graphical programming 

language can be embedded on 

compact industrial measurement 

I/O nodes to build real-time distributed monitoring and control 

systems. Each intelligent node 

acts as an independent component in a networked ystem 

and still communicates with a 

host Window 

computer. FieldPoint consists of 

a variety of modular analog and 

di crete I/O, and several network 

interfaces for di tributed I/ O 

across Etllemet, serial, Foundation Fieldbus, and wireless networks. The modules combine 

I/O and ignal conditioning with 

direct connectivity to ensors 

such as voltage, current, RTD, 

thermocouple, relays, and pulse 

generation. For Free Info Circle 

No. 707 or Enter No. 707 at 

www.nasatech.com/ rs 

Hybrid linear actuators in size 17 from Haydon Switch & Instrument, Waterbury, CT, are available with a 0.90 step angle, which ili 

designed for higher re olution and a full step linear movement of 

1.5 microns. The acruators are available in captive, non-captive, 

external linear, and linear rotary de igns. The actuators have resolution ranging from 0.00006" to 0.002" per step, with opera-

• < ./' 

,'.i·'· .'_~- -'···;'''''·· · ... ..... " .. -~' a.: t · - .• l! 

• fI, :' :,. 

tional tllrust capabilitie of up to 50 pounds. They are for u e in applications such as X-V tables. medical equipment, semiconductor handling, telecommunication equipment, and valve 

control. For Free Info Circle No. 706 or Enter No. 706 at www.na satech.com/ rs 

Booth 6501 

Autodesk, San Rafael, CA, will highlight Autodesk Inventor 3D mechanical de ign oftware 

that enables engineers to move from 2D to 3D. 

The latest release 

features more 

than 200 new enhancements, including enhanced 

drawing annotation, Adaptive 

Technology, and 

integration with the Autodesk Streamline'" service. The oftware al 0 feature a design support system with context-sensitive tutorials, and 

design capabilities for large assemblies, machine, sheet metal, and sketching. For Free 

Info Circle No. 729 or Enter No. 729 at www. 

nasotech.com/ rs 

www.nasatech.com 

Booth 8916 

Devcon, Danvers, MA, will displaya line of methacrylate adhesives for hard-lo-bond plastic, 

composites. and dissimilar 'ub--

strates. They require little or no 

surface preparation and cure at 

room temperature to bonds that 

aTe resistant to weathering. humidity, and temperature variations. Epo,,'y adhesives are fOlmulated to bond rigid substr.\les 

such as glass, metals. ceramics, 

pla~tics, concrete, and wood. For 

Free Info Circle No. 708 or Enter 

No. 708 at www.nasatech. 

cam/rs 

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
Survive the rigors 

of deep space. 

Do More. 

In order for Alliance Spacesystems Inc. to 

design the robotic arm for the front of the 

Mars Exploration Rover, they needed an 

optimal combination of strength and light 

weight. With COSMOS!, they were able 

to reduce the weight 15-20% while still 

meeting NASAlJPL 's exacting standards. 
National Design Engineering Show Preview 

Booth 8217 

FEMLAB* v2.2 multi physics analysi software 

from COM OL, Burlington, MA, features a 

ne, Electromagneti Module and hemical 

Engineering Module. The new version also 

features higher-<>rder elements and extended 

multiphysic with model interaction between geometrical domain of 

different pace dimen ions. 

CAD imporL functionality 

includes 3D CAD import in the ICES format. A new feature 

i the weak form, 

which lets users 

compute fluxes, reaction forces in 

structural mechanics, 

and surface changes and 

currents. For Free Info Circle No. 710 or 

Enter No. 710 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

THK America, Schaumburg, IL, offers the 

Caged Bal!'", Caged Roller , and Caged Technology Ball Screw~ linear motion products. 

The Caged 

Technology isolates each of the 

load-Glrrying recirculating elements in the 

linear motion 

guide in an incage or pocket. The cage prevents 

ball-to-ball or roller-to-roLler contact and fliction. The cage also acts as a reservoir for lubricants. For Free Info Circle No. 709 or 

Enter No. 709 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Man ufacllll"i ngQuott'. myrna, CA, will display l\[fgJohs.com. a Web-bas d recruiting and plact'-

ment nt'two.-i, for manufacturing protesionab. The service automate. recruitin~ and (areer 

disco\'el) processes, and serves as ajob center for contract, pemlanent, and consulting job .. in 

mam manuhlcturing di eipline . The Web site offers careel' tools, pri,ac, options, and other 

feature,. For Free Info Circle No. 712 or Enter No. 712 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 7526 

Type TDO'" eLf·dinching cable-tie 

hooks will be introduced by PEM~ 

Fastening ystems, Danboro, PA. 

The hooks are de igned to hang 

bundled wires in an enclosure and 

allow users to temporarily remove 

and return tie-bundled wire to 

and from their mounting points. 

With the cable-tie hooks in place, 

tie-bundled wires can be lipped 

off. They install pemlanendy without ere, , use no adhe ive . and 

promote EMI/RFI hielding. The 

hooks are available in several izes 

and can be in tailed in heets as 

min as 0.040" or as thick as 0.125". 

For Free Info Circle No. 716 or 

Enter No. 716 at www.nasatech. 

com/rs 

Time Study Results with Rapid Precision 

28 

AccuStudy~ Replaces the Stopwatch and Clipboard 

. ., ~ .. " 

T ! ~ ~ ~ v " 

Let's face it, one con tant in proce improvement 

me time and motion tudy. Practitioner have 

used the arne memod for the pa t 122 year . 

It i fact that if the proce must improve 

then mere mu t be a time tudy. In the 

past it has also meant that it wa 

tediou , time con uming and Ie 

efficient than it hould be ... until now. 

ow. with AccuStlldy" there i an easy to u e, 

accurate and affordable way to stay in touch with 

your proce and make ure it is alway running a 

efficiently as possible to keep you as competitive 

as po ible. 

Whether you are a small manufacturer or large. you will benefit from 

AccliStudy'" the moment you take it out of the box. 

r,~~~ Il': · .. ~ ... ] 

Try a demonstration of AccuStudfat National Manufacturing Week. Booth #4815 

For Free Info Circle No. 509 or Enter No. 509 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

• Easy to learn and easy to use 

• Accurately captures ellacting 

time study data 

• Increases observation time by 

decreasing logging time 

• Rapidly Identifiable icons 

Improve speed and efficiency 

• Provides greater accuracy in 

recording time·motion 

observations 

• Continuous clock with time 

stamp yields greater integrity 

for scientific results 

• Instantaneous preparation and 

display of resuits, analysis and 

reports enable Immediate 

process improvement 

• Pays for itself in less than ten 

uses 

ifJAccuStudv 

Advanced Time Studies 

Info@timestudies .com 

www.timestudies .com 

206-855-9118 

877-369·7086 

ASA Tech Briefs, FebIUal)' 2002 
You can also view yet2.com's Tech of the Week by logging onto nasatechbriefs.com 

For free Info Cirde No. 585 or Vtsit _.nasatech.com/585 
Introducing POPmatic 

Point & Set~1I the first 

reliable auto-feed rivet 

system. 

POPmatic Point & Set, our new 

auto-feed rivet system, delivers 

what no riveting tool has before. 

Consistent riveting at a rate 

faster than any current hand 

tool. Designed with a safe, self 

loading hopper that holds up 

to 2500 rivets, Point & Set 

accelerates the riveting process 

to previously impossible speeds, 

meeting the requirements of 

any p~oduction line. It's reliability 

in an otherwise unreliable world. 

For more information, call us at 

203-925-4424 or visit us on the 

web at www.emhart.com 

A elUCK&DECKER COMPANY 

CERTIFIED 

ISO 9001 • as 9000 

For Free Info Circle No. 411 or Enter No. 411 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 7326 

Intelligent Motion Systems, Marlborough, CT, offers the Mdrive34 NEMA 

size 34 high-torque motor and dri"er 

that incorporates a motor with on-board 

electronics. It is . uited for robotics, 

medical inslruments, assembly. semiconductor manufactUIing. packaging, 

and inspection applications. The system 

uses a 1.8° motor combined with a microstepping drive. and accepts up to 14 

resolution settings from 1/2 to 256 microsteps per step. Parameters can be 

changed via an SPI port. Operating voltage is +24 to +75 vne. The molor is 

available in multiple configurations including single stack. optical en odeI'. 

linear actuator. and rear knob. For Free 

Info Circle No. 717 or Enter No. 717 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 217 

Booth 7505 

EDS/ PLM Solutions, Cypress, CA, will exhibit Solid Edge Insight that merges design 

data management capabilities with the 

Solid Edge Version 11 mechanical CAD 

software. Insight is a fully integrated solution that is u"llIlsparent to Solid Edge users. 

Insight vaulting combines 

design 

documents 

and CAD files 

with attribute 

data in a C001-

mon, secure 

index storage 

system that 

supports file locking, search, and rolebased access. It features distributed data 

management, assembly link management, 

bill of material management. and CAD 

property synchronization. For Free Info 

Circle No. 718 or Enter No. 718 at www. 

nasatech.com/ rs 

The Tempo onics· R Series AQB quadrature interface position sensor from MTS Systems Corp., Sensor Div., Cary, NC, 

features programmable fixed pulse frequency and resolution. The AQB interface en or generates an absolute position output either upon power-up or after receiving an 

input signal from the con troller interface. Resolution varies from 50 to 12,500 

counts/ inch and pulse frequency ranges from 8 kHz to 1 MHz. The interface is available 

in rod style and profile style application housings. For Free Info Circle No. 719 or Enter 

No. 719 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Booth 7937 

Optical Caging Products, Rochester, NY, 

will display the SmartScope- Que t 250 

bench top multisensor video measurement system with 

TeleStar optics. 

The system provides video measuremen ts wi th 

the convenience 

of a zoom lens. It 

integrates data from video, touch probe, 

and laser sensors to charactedze a part. 

The Louch probe acquires data from 

areas not accessible by the optics, and 

supports a variety of standard probe 

heads and styli . The TeleStar lens has 

collimated profile illumination that 

matches the aperture of the optics over 

its entire lOx range. For Free Info Circle 

No. 720 or Enter No. 720 at www. 

nasatech.com/ rs 

Booth 7911 

An upgrade LO FiberSIM 3.4 oftware will be 

available from VlSTAGY, Waltham, MA. 

FiberSIM enable engineers working with 

CAD system to create products made of 

lightweight composite materials. The software incorporate XML 

tools for sharing specialized de ign 

information 

about composiLe parts 

with other 

appli ations. 

It also provides enhanced documentation 

features, and eruting, customiZing, and display capabilities for manipulating geometric 

and non-geometdc design da.ta. For Free Info 

Circle No. 723 or Enter No. 723 at 

www.nasatech.com/rs 

Ceradyne, Costa Mesa, CA. "ill display rolling element products, including rollel and 

balls for bearing applications and cam rollel . The rollers have machined crowned profile to minimize stresses in the cel"lUl1ic and metallic components. The use of silicon nitride allows cylindrical roller bearings to run at higher speeds with les friction. Cam 

rollers opera.te aL contact tresses of 1.0 to 2.4 CPa. For Free Info Circle No. 713 or Enter 

No. 713 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

www.nasatech.com NASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 

............. Technology Focus: Computers 

• Ground-Traffic Information-Management System for an Airport 

Real-time operational data are shared among diverse users to help minimize delays. 

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 

A computer-based y tem, and a 

method built around the use of the system, have been developed to automate 

the acquisition, integration, and management of data that have been generated at different rates by multiple, heterogeneous, incompatible source . The 

system [hereafter denoted the "TMS" 

(for "traffic-management system")] in 

its original form i intended for u e in 

improving the management of ground 

traffic at a large, bu y airport in order 

to reduce delays. The TMS could also 

be adapted to cheduling the movements of multi pi vehicle in other setting - for example, vessels in harbors, 

trucks or railroad car in hipping 

yards, and railroad cars in switching 

yard. till other u es for the TMS 

could include managing containers at 

DATA SOURCES 

a shipping dock, managing stock on a 

factory floor or in a warehouse, and 

training of a variety of airline, airport, 

and government personnel in the management of airport ground traffic. 

The ba ic TMS concept admits of 

variations. In a preferred representative version, the TMS is a client/ server 

computer sy tem that shares real-time 

aircraft-operations data among the 

Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA), airlines, airport managers, and 

ramp controllers. The TMS (see figure) include executive, information, 

input-management, prediction, and 

client-interface ubsystem that are interconnected to participate in the interchange of real-time aircraft-operation data among the aforementioned 

group. In addition to rai ing the level 

• • FlightOperations 

Data 

Executive 

Subsystem 

Startup 

Message 

Error 

Messages 

Information 

Subsystem 

Object Relational Bus 

(o.m-r 

FlightOperations + 

Users' Requests 

Display Update 

of coordination among these groups, 

the TMS generates its value-added data 

products for their u e. These data 

products include estimated times of arrival of airplanes at gates and estimated 

airplane-departure time . The TMS 

uses expert-system software to fuse data 

in order to establish and update reference data values for every aircraft surface operation. 

The executive ubsystem is responsible for controlling the other subsystern , starting and shutting down 

proces es at cheduled times, monitoring sy tem components for error and 

warning conditions, notifying sy temsupport personnel of detected y tem 

error, and, when possible, recovering 

from system failures. Additional duties 

of the executive subsy tem include faOptional I 

I 

CLIENTS 

Ramp 

Tower 

Airport 

Operators 

Airlines 

Remote Clients 

I 

~-- 1 Archive ~ -: ...----- --, Data 

'--___ --' Predicted and 

Other Client(s) 

Actual Data 

"Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System 

The TMS Is a Client/Server Syst em that helps various user groups to increase the level of coordination of airport operations and thereby reduce groundtraffic delays. 

32 www.nasalech.com ASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
You can pull the plug ... 

... but you can't kill the power. 

Introducing the world's first ruggedized portable with a six hour battery life. 

Tired of not having access to power where and when you need it? Those days are history thanks 

to the all-new Dolch FieldPAC.· the only ruggedized portable with a six hour battery life. Imagine 

taking your desktop right into the field and never having to worry about finding a power source 

again. Want more? How about a CD read/write drive. USB port. audio. Ethernet. removable hard 

drive, and a full-size keyboard. Plus all the durability and quality you expect from Dolch. All backed 

by the Dolch Difference,N the most comprehensive customer support initiative in the industry. 

So no matter what type of environment you work in-more power to you! 

For more information, check out www.DolchNTB.com or call 877.347.4924. 

C2001 Dolch Comput~ Systems. Inc. FleldPAC and the slogAn the Ilok:h Difference are trMiematks of Dokh Computer SystM'ls. In<. 

For Free Info Circle No. 512 or Enter No. 512 at www.nasatech.comlrs 
Computers 

cilitating diagnose of faults in subsystems, providing remote acces for monitoring and control, maintaining system stati tic, and managing u er 

accounts. The executive ubsystem can 

i sue commands to re et various hardware components of the TMS. 

The input-management sub y tern is 

a collection of computer programs that 

handle the data coming in from variou sources via network or serial links. 

In turn, the input-management ub ystern feed the data to the information 

ible for integrating all the input data 

in order to monitor the progress of arriving and departing flights, and to predict key events, including push backs 

(departures from gate), takeoffs, 

touchdown , and arrivals at gate . The 

integrated monitoring information 

and predicted values are fed back to 

the information ub ystem for display 

by the client-interface sub ystem. 

The client-interface ubsystem is a 

collection of computer programs. In a 

preferred version of the TMS, the 

client-interface system di tribute 

flight, TMS-status, and schedule data 

Straighten It Out With the 

34 

CLD Linear Motor 

If your linear motion ystem i pinning 

out of control, you're not alone. That can 

happen when you try to obtain precision 

linear motion u ing rotary technology. 

Now, there's a high-tech olution - the 

compact tubular linear motor from 

California Linear Devices: 

• Brushless, direct-drive technology 

• A ingle moving part - no cams, gears or pulleys 

• Integral bearing sy tern 

• Fully programmable move profile 

• Forces from 50 to 1,200 lb. 

• Velocity to 100 inJ ec. 

• Stroke from 2 to 20 in. 

C.I ...... I...... ) ... 

2236 Rutherford Road, Suite 119 

Carlsbad, CA 92008 

Phone: (760) 603-8026 

Fax: (760) 603-0049 

Toll Free: (877) 474-2854 

E-mail: sales@calinear.com 

www.calinear.com 

So leave the rotary world behind, and you'll never look back. 

Call u today at (877) 474-2854 or visit www.calinear.com. 

For Free Info Circle No. 516 or Enter No. 516 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

from the information ub y tern to variou clients, including the aforementioned sources of data and user groups 

and possibly other clients at remote locations. It al 0 provides a graphical 

user interface for continuou ly displaying flight data on a bit-mapped display, 

and for executing variou command 

to change the data or the method of 

di play. 

This work was done by B-rian J Glas , Liljana Spirkovska, William J McDermott, 

Ronald J Rei man, James Gibson, and 

David L. Iverson of Ames Research Center. For further infannation, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Electronic 

Components & Systems category. 

This invention has been patented by 

NASA (US. Patent No. 6,161,097). Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or exclusive 

license for its commercial development 

should be addressed to the Patent Coun el, 

Ames Research Center, (650) 604-5104. 

Refer to ARC-I4268 . 

• Mixed-Signal Driver 

ASIC for IEEE 1394 

and I

2

C Buses 

Radiation-hardened ASICs 

enable communication among 

three different buses. 

'ASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 

Pasadena, California 

The IEEE 1394 and 12 Mixed- ignal 

Driver is one of two application- pecific 

integrated circuits (ASI ) designed to 

function together as an interface among 

the following three digital- ignal bu e : 

• A peripheral component interface 

(PCl) bus; 

• A high-speed erial data bus that onform to In titute of Electrical and 

Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standard 

1394, also known as the FireWir tandard; and 

• An l

2

C (inter integrated circuit) bu , 

which was developed in the early 19 Os 

by Philip emiconductor for connecting a central proce sing unit to peripheral integrated-circuit chips in a 

television receiver. 

Among other thing that have been 

emphasized in the development effort 

are radiation hardness and compactness 

as required for intended use aboard 

pacecraft As result of engineering compromises neces ary for radiation hardnes , the performance of this et of 

A Tech Briefs, February 2002 
ASIC is expected to lag somewhat behind that of comparable circuitry previously developed for terrestrial use. evertheless, because the capability for 

communication among the three buses 

i not afforded by any plug-in circuit 

cards now commercially available, there 

could be a terrestrial market for these 

ASICs for applications in which the tribus communication is required. 

In the original spacecraft application, 

the two ICs would enable communication among multiple computers, scientific instruments, and pacecraft engineering ystems via the three buses. The 

first ASIC, which could be characterized 

as a digital input/output (DIO) ASIC, 

would provide a digital interface (a link 

layer) among the tllree buse . The econd ASI , denoted the IEEE 1394 and 

1

2

C Mixed ignal Input/ Output Driver 

I ("M 10 ASIC" for hort) is the 

focus of thi articl. The MSIO ASIC 

would serve as the physical layer in the 

overall data-communication architecture. 

The MSIO ASIC would implement an 

analog interface to the IEEE 1394 and 

I

2

C bus cables. The MSIO ASIC would be 

connected, either directly or through an 

isolation tran former, to the DIO ASIC. 

The MSIO ASIC would receive digital 

commands and data from the DIO ASIC 

and pass these data and commands out 

through the IEEE 1394 and I

2

C cables. 

The MSIO would contain a commercial 

controller core, custom analog bus cabledriver circuits, two eC-bus cable-driver 

core, and custom glue-logic circuitry. 

The M 10 ASI would be a radiationhardened, galvanically i olated, threeport implementation of the phy icallayer function de cribed in the IEEE 

1394a D2 .0 draft specifi ation. The 

MSIO I would al 0 contain two radiation-hardened, galvani ally i olated ets 

ofI2C drivers and receivers, independent 

of the 1394 interface and of each other. 

This work was done by Huy Long, Peter 

Jones, avio Chau, and Eric Holmberg of 

Caltech and Ross McTaggert oj Digital MediaCom for NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. For further in/onnation, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-lille 

at www.nasatech.com/ tsp under the Electronic Components & 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 

Intellectual Property group 

JPL 

Mail Stop 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91109 

(818) 354-2240 

Refer to NPO-30121, volume and number 

of this ASA Tech Brief: is ue, and the 

page number. 

O Unity-Power-Factor Interfaces for Data-Processing Equipment 

These could be manufactured as plug-in units. 

John F. Kennedy pace Center, Florida 

ircuits for conditioning power 

upplied to compute are under development. pow r conditioner of thi 

type would be an int rface between a 

com'entional AC power line and a omputer power uppl (that i , an A toD onverter) that ontain one or 

more r tifier() and indu tor( ). Typicall, uch a power onverter i charactel;zed b a power fa LOr <I, and, b -

cause it pre ents a nonlinear load LO the 

pow r line, it injects current at harmonic of th power-line frequency 

back illlo tlle power line. Th e harmonic cllrr nts can cau e interference 

with the op ration of other electronic 

equipment as well as overheating of 

pow r-line tran form r . 

The main purpo erved b th 

power onditioner i to prevelll injection of tlle harmonic into the power 

line and to bring the power factor up to 

1. It would not b ne s ary l modify 

ither th ompUler pow r uppl or 

the pow r-<Ii tribution tem. Instead, the power condition r ould be 

manufa tur d a a plug-in unit that 

ould impl be in ert d b twe n an 

outlet and th c mputer 

plug. Hence, it would b a 

a pI' vi u I con tru t d 

power conditioner. 

The eITe ts of power fa tors <1 and 

power-line hann ni on pow r-<Ii triTech Briefs, February 2002 

Boost Inductor 

rv AC Source 

Boost Inductor 

The MOSFETs Sand S' Are Switched on and off periodically to effect pulse-width modulation to shape 

the source current to a purely sinusoidal waveform when presented with a nonlinear load like a computer power supply. 

bution tem and data-proce ing 

equipment are well known. Prior to th 

pre ent d velopm Ill, ITorts to uppr th e elTects had included the development of unity-pow r-fa tor ( PF) 

r ctifter that in Iud active urr nthaping circuits to make the pow r-line 

currents drawn b the rectifier inuoidal. lIow ver, u h rectifiers have n t 

b come p pular in ommer ial datapro e ing equipm Ill. 

wWW.nasale h. m 

The pre ent developmental p w r 

conditioners can be characterized a 

boo t A to- th 

PF rectifi rs, th e pow r onverter 

utilize urrent haping. In parti ular, 

th utilize pul e-width modulation a a 

versatil m an of haping curren to 

control th now of p w r. The modulation in uch a power converter i ontrolled b a combination of an inn r avra e-current loop and an uter 

35 
Computers 

voltage-control loop. Together, these 

control loops maintain a regulated output voltage while forcing the input current to be inusoidal. 

The figure is a simplified schematic 

diagram of uch a power conditioner 

for a ingle-phase power line. When the 

metal oxide semiconductor field-effect 

transistor (MO FETs) labeled S are 

turned on, the magnitude of source current through the boost inductors increases. When the MO FE~ labeled S' 

are turned on, the magnitude of the 

current through the boo t inductors decreases. Hence, by suitably modulating 

the switching of Sand S', the source 

current can be controlled to be inusoidal. 

This work was done by David Lofftus of 

GSE Technology Applications and Giri 

Venkataramanan of Montana State University for Kennedy Space Center. For further 

information, access the Technical Support 

Package (TSP) free on-line at www. 

nasatech.com/tsp under the Electronic Components & Systems category. 

KSC-12147 

Program Injects Random Faults for Testing Computers 

NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

JIFI (let Propul ion Laboratory's 

Implementation of a fault Injector) is 

a computer program for tudying the 

ability of a computer to tolerate, detect, and/or recover from faults (that 

is, bit error) .JIFI afford the capability 

to inject faults into user-specified central-processing-unit (CP ) regi ters 

and memory regions with uniform random distributions in location and time. 

This capability makes it possible to 

study the fault sensitivity of either a 

computer regarded as a complete sy -

tem or of a specified component of 

hardware or application software. JIFI 

operate at the application level and is 

easy to use. In contrast, prior fault-injection oftware operates at a lower 

level and is more difficult to u e. JIFI 

include fault-injection, profiling, output-verifying, and cia sifying subprogram that constitute parts of an 

ea y-to-use software interface for performing fault-injection experiments 

and analyzing the re ulting data. ]IFI 

generates a fault-injection-result output file for each run. Data from rna -

sive fault-injection campaigns can be 

collected and proce sed automatically. 

This program was written by A nil 

Agrawal, Garen Khanoyan, John Beahan, 

Leslie Callum, Raphael Some, and Won Kim 

of Caltecl~ for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the 

Software category. 

This software is available for commercial 

licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the 

California Institute of Technology at (818) 

393-3425. Refer to NPO-30162. 

36 For Free Info Circle No. 401 or Enter No. 401 at www.nasatech.com/rs ASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 

Photonics Tech Briefs 

Fluorescent Dyes for Two-Photon Microscopy 

Suitability for specific applications would depend on optical, chemical, and biological properties. 

NASAsjet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A propo ed program of re earch would 

be oriented toward the development of 

fluore cent dyes for use in two-photon 

micro copy. Two-photon micro copy and 

its predecessor, one-photon microscopy, 

are valiants of fluore cence microscopy, 

which has become a major technology for 

biological and phy ical sciences. The 

basic idea in fluorescence microscopy is 

to use fluorescent compounds as markers 

for various phy ical and biological 

processes 0 that by ob ervation of fluorescence under micro copes, one can locate tho e proces es with high resolution 

in space and time. Because the fluorescence emitted by a compound can be i 0-

lated by its characteri tic excitation and 

emi ion wavelengths, the compound can 

be traced with high signal-to-noise ratio, 

even in a "messy" environment. In twophoton microscopy, excitation of a fluore cent dye involve the concurrent absorption of two photon of approximately 

twice the wavelength of the peak of the 

ingle-photon-ab orption spectrum. 

During the past few years, two-photon 

microscopy has evolved to the incipient 

development of a commercial two-photon microscope. Heretofore, two-photon 

microscopy has been performed with 

dye optimized for one-photon microscopy; these dye are unlikely to satisfy the requirements for future relatively 

inexpensive two-photon micro cope, 

which are expected to feature simplified 

optics and power-efficient, ultrafast lasers 

combined in such a way as to afford only 

about 1/ 25 of the sensitivity of previously can tructed prototype two-photon 

micro copes. 

The dyes to be developed in the propo ed research would be optimized for 

two-photon micro copy. Preliminary reearch has revealed that at least three 

classe of dye will be needed: 

1. Vital dyes could be used to label cells 

and follow them over time. The e 

could include hydrophilic dyes that 

would be trapped in cytoplasm or hydrophobic dyes that would be carried 

in organelles or in cell membranes. 

Vital dye must be optimized for minimal toxicity and low bleaching. 

2. Hydrophilic marker dye would be 

formulated for covalent linking of antibodie for use in immunocytochemPOTENTIAL CLASS-1 DYES: 

Example of a Hydrophilic Two-Photon Dye 

Example of a Lipophilic Two-Photon Dye 

POTENTIAL CLAS5-2 DYE: 

ical labeling of ti sues. The e dyes 

could be ba ed partly on vital dye . 

However, because these marker dyes 

would be u ed on fixed tissue, toxicity 

would not be of concern as in the 

case of vital dyes. Marker dyes must 

be very hydrophilic to minimize the 

"background" staining that would 

otherwise occur becau e the dye 

would interact with, and stick to, the 

ti sue. Marker dyes mu t be optimized for brighmes ; bleaching i of 

less concern. 

3. Photo toxic agents would be used to 

ensitize cell or ti sues for selective 

killing by laser light. A tumor or pathogen would be targeted, either by direct interaction with a dye or by formation of a targeting complex that 

could include, for example, antibodie to a tumor antigen. The dye-labeled tissue would be irradiated with 

light that the dye would absorb; photoactivated damage or toxic byproducts of dye bleaching would then kill 

the targeted cell. These dye are required to be nontoxic until and unless 

illuminated. 

o 

A HN NH 

/'- ............. ~ 

A Hydrophilic Two-Photon Dye for Antibody Attachment via Biotin/Avidin Complexation With Biotin-Tagged Antibody 

These Dye M olecules have been identified as potentially suitable for use in two-photon microscopy. 

ITa www.ptbmagazine.com Photonics Tech Briefs, February 2002 
www.indigosystems.com 

Aerosense Orlando 2002 

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..... , 

indigo ~ brighter. 

For Free Info Circle No. 485 or Visit www.nasatech.com/485 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

The initial plan for the proposed reearch is traightforward, given that a 

few dyes (see figure) are already known 

to have properties that make them candidates for u e in two-photon microscopy. These properties include absorption maxima in approximately the 

correct wavelength range and absorption cros section about 50 times those 

of conventional dye. The plan calls for 

the following coordinated efforts: 

1. Synthesize dyes that (a) have two-photon-ab orption wavelengths tuned for 

specific applications; (b) exhibit hydrophilicity suitable for control ofbiodistribution and, possibly, toxicity; 

and (c) are functionalized to provide 

for routine attachment to antibodies, 

caging complexes, and other biologically relevant compound. 

2. Determine lipo/ hydrophilicity of 

each dye. 

3. Measure two-photon cross section at 

wavelengths from 780 to 1,000 nm, 

determine one- and two-photon-fluore cence quantum efficiencies, and 

characterize bleaching rate and 

byproducts. 

4. Test each dye in a biological setting to 

determine toxicity with and without illumination and to determine performance under a microscope. 

This wark was done fly Scott E. Fraser, Seth 

R Marder, and Joseph W. Perry of Caltech for 

NASA'sJ et Propulsion Laboratory. Far further information, access the Technical Suppart 

Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech. 

com/ tsp under the Materials category. 

In accardance with Public Law 96-51 7, 

the contractor has elected to retain title to this 

invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its 

commercial use should be addressed to 

Intellectual Property group 

JPL 

Mail Stop 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91109 

(818) 354-2240 

Refer to NP0-20150, volume and number 

of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the 

page number. 

Optoelectronic Oscillator With Low Acceleration Sensitivity 

A fiber-optic delay line is arranged to minimize changes in optical-path length. 

I1SA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

An optoelectronic 0 cilia tor with a 

nominal operating frequency of 11.763 

GHz has been de igned and constructed 

to demonstrate a technique for reducing 

the sen itivity of the operating frequency 

to acceleration. Optoelectronic 0 cillaLOrs in general exhibit low en itivity to 

acceleration in addition to other attractive characteristics (high spectral purity, 

low phase noi e, capability for generating multigigahertz frequencie , and both 

electrical and optical input and output 

capabilitie ). The practical significance 

of the pre ent development i that the reduction of acceleration en itivitie to exceptionally low level would render optoelectronic oscillator even more 

attractive as signal ources for use on diverse moving platforms, including automobile, hip, aircraft, and pacecraft. 

The optoelectronic oscillator (see Figure 1) include a di tributed-feedback 

laser and a feedback loop that comprises 

a semiconductor Mach-Zehnder electrooptical modulator, a delay line that consists of a coiled 2-km-long optical fiber, a 

photodetector, a microwave amplifier, 

and a band-pass filter. The 0 ciilator al 0 

includes an electronic controller that 

drive the laser, regulates the temperature of the laser, biases the modulator 

and the photodetector, and upplie 

power to the microwave amplifier. All of 

the 0 cillator components except the 

fiber-optic delay line are packaged in a 

module that amounts to a prototype of 

"turn-key" (fully operational) optoelectronic oscillator units. 

Of course, firm mounting of the components within the module is an essential 

2a 

part of the de ign for reducing sen itivity 

to accel ration. Most of the remaining 

en itivity to acceleration i attributable 

to acceleration-induced changes in the 

length of the optical path along the fiberoptic delay line; therefore, the problem 

of desensitization to acceleration become one of minimizing these change . 

Oscillator Module 

r--------------------------~ 

I Submodule I I __ I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I Amplifier I 

I Controller I L __________________________ J 

Spool 

-----~ 

r I 

I I 

I I 

i I 

I -- I 

I I 

I I 

I l _____ J 

Figure 1. The Optoelectronic Oscillator (shown here before modification to reduce sensitivity to acceleration) comprises an oscillator module and a fiber-optic delay line. 

www.plbmagazine.com Photoni Tech Briefs, February 2002 

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Photonics Tech Briefs 

= ~ IE = 

I J I I I I 

I I I I I I 

I I J Oscillator J 1 I II II II 1\ \1 II 

I J J Module I I 1 

• - SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM SHOWING ARRANGEMENT OF COILS 

PHOTOGRAPH OF OSCILLATOR MOUNTED FOR TESTING ON VIBRATION TABLE 

Figure 2. The Fiber-Optic Delay Line Has Been Split into two coils of opposite chirality. In combination 

with other features of design and construction, this split greatly reduces the sensitivity of the oscillator to acceleration along the coil axis. 

Experiments and calculations have 

shown that if the fiber-optic delay line is 

coiled tightly on a spool, then the en itivity to acceleration perpendicular to 

the spool axis is less than 1/ 20 of the 

sensitivity to acceleration along the 

spool axis_ Hence, the problem is reduced further in that it should be possible to eliminate most of the sen itivity to 

acceleration by concentr~ting on minimizing the response to acceleration 

along the spool axis. 

The solution of the problem is to split 

the fiber-optic delay line into two coils 

that are of opposite chirality but are otherwise identical and that are mounted 

on opposite faces of the oscillator module (see Figure 2). In principle, when acceleration along the spool axis lengthens the optical path in one coil by a 

given amount, it should shorten the optical path in the other coil by the same 

amount, so that the net change in optical-path length should be zero. Measurements have shown that the sensitivity is 

reduced to about 1/40 of that obtained 

www.ptbmagazine.com 

of a single-coil version of the delay line. 

The total sensitivity to acceleration 

along all three axes was found to be less 

than 1.5 x 10-

10 t (",1.5 X 10-11 S2/m), 

where g (",9.8 m/ 2) is the gravitational 

acceleration at the surface of the Earth. 

This work was done by Shouhua Huang, 

Meirong Tu, and X. Steve Yao of Caltech for 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For 

further information, access the Technical 

Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/ tsp under the Electronic 

Components & Systems category. 

In accordance with Public Law 96-51 7, 

the contractor has elected to retain title to this 

invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its 

commercial use should be addressed to 

Intellectual Property group 

JPL 

Mail Stop 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91109 

(818) 354-2240 

Refer to NPO-21003, volume and number 

of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the 

page number. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, February 2002 
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Photonics Tech Briefs 

Critical Composition Buffering for Growing InxGal_xAs on InP 

Improved buffer structure for lattice-mismatched InGaAs devices. 

John H. Glenn Research Center; Cleveland, Ohio 

A method of growing lattice-mi matched InXGal_.As epitaxial 

layers on InP substrates using intermediate buffer layers of 

InAsll.., has been invented to improve the performance of 

InxGal_.As thermophotovoltaic device. The use of buffer layers 

is required to minimize the density of threading di locations 

generated because of the lattice mismatch between lowbandgap InxGal_.As and InP. These defects degrade the electrical performance of the InGaAs device by acting as recombination centers for minority carriers. 

The traditional approach to buffer layer design trives to accommodate the stre 

Other InO.68Gao.32As developed by the lattice 

Layers mismatch through gen-

} 

Buffer 

Layer 

Only Two InAsyl',-y Buffer Layers with 

carefully chosen values of yare needed to 

bridge the lattice mismatch between the 

InP substrate and the first In .... Ga •. 12As 

layer. 

UY·SCOPE 

eration of misfit dislocation that are confined 

to the sub trate/ epilayer interface, while 

minimizing the generation of threading di locations that propagate 

through the epitaxial 

layer(s). Often, many 

buffer layers, strained 

layer superlattice (SLS) 

or thermal cycle growth 

techniques are used to 

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increase the interaction of threading di locations, thereby reducing the overall dislocation density. The method described 

here utilize a different phenomenon first observed in InGaAs 

grown on GaAs, whereby the strain of lattice mismatch is accommodated by dislocation formation in the substrate and underlying buffer layer rather than the top device epilayers. The 

success of thi method depends on the selection of the composition of each buffer layer according to everal criteria, most 

notably the following: 

• The yield strength of each buffer layer must exceed that of 

the adjacent lower layer (including that of the substrate) so 

that dislocations are preferentially generated in the ofter, 

lower layers. 

• The buffer layers must be in compression, relative to the subtrate. 

• The composition of the buffer layers must be chosen to 

make the lattice mi match between any two adjacent layers 

less than a critical value, below which few or no dislocations 

propagate up through the layer to the overlying InxGal_.As. 

This translates to making the compositions of the adjacent 

buffer layers differ by Ie s than a corre ponding critical 

amount. 

It has been een that the yield trength of an alloy of two materials varie with compo ition, with the maximum occurring at 

a 50/ 50 mixture. For example, it has been suggested that the 

yield strength of InGaAs has a maximum at a composition of 

Ino.5Gao.Y\S (at elevated temperatures characteri tic of epitaxial 

growth). The u e of InGaAs buffer layers for the growth of low 

bandgap (i.e., 0.6 eV) Ino.68Gao.!:As on InP may begin with a 

Ino.53Gao.47As buffer layer lattice-matched to the InP ub trate 

and be compri ed of InGaAs layer with increasing In content 

and lower yield strength. Thus, the buffer layer tructure begin with a trong material followed by succes ively weaker materials. Stre s tends to be relieved by ill location formation in 

the weaker overlying layers. The oppo ite i true for buffer layers compo ed ofInAsll_yo The buffer tructure begin with InP 

and proceed with succe sively higher yield strength material, 

thereby encouraging the formation of threading dislocations 

in the underlying materials. Cro - ectional TEM (tran mi ion 

electron micro copy) analy is has verified this behavior of 

InAsll-, buffer layers on InP. This technique allow buffer layers to be produced with fewer and thinner layers, providing 

cost and operational benefits. 

The figure depicts the buffer-layer tructure of a typical 

InxGal_.As thermophotovoltaic device fabricated by the present 

method. In this case, x i chosen to be 0.68 to obtain a bandgap 

of 0.6 e . Only two 1nAsl1-, buffer layers are needed: For the 

fir t buffer layer, y i cho en to be 0.16 to obtain a lattice mismatch of 0.58 percent with the substrate. For the second buffer 

layer, y is cho en to be 0.32 to obtain both a lattice mismatch of 

0.51 percent with the first buffer layer and a lattice match with 

the fir t InxGal_.As layer. 

This work was done by David Wilt oj Glenn Research Center 

and Richard W Hoffman oj Essential Research, Inc. For Jurther inJormation, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.CXJm/tsp under the Materials category. 

Inquiries concerning rights Jor the commercial use oj this invention 

should be addressed to I\SA Glenn Research Center; Commercial 

Technology Office, A Un: Steve Fedor, Mail Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpark 

Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. ReJer to LEW-16776. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, February 2002 
Crystal1ine Organic Films for Optical 

Applications 

Nonlinear optics can be implemented as smaller, less 

power-hungry devices. 

Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 

Cells that contain thin, ingle-crystal 

films of photorespon ive organic material [e.g., meta-nitroaniline (m- A)] 

have been invented for u e as nonlinear 

optics and e pecially as second-harmonic generator. In com pari on with 

crystal of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) that have been u ed previou ly in such application , the crystal of 

thi invention are maller and are capable of producing second harmonics of 

input light at lower input power level. 

A cell according to the invention ( ee 

figure) includes an upper and a lower 

plate made of fu ed quartz or other 

tran parent material. A rece to hold 

the organic material i formed in the 

lower plate. The rece include a 

groove around its periphery. The upper 

urface of the lower plate, the broad 

upward-facing urface of the rece s, and 

the lower urface of the upper plate are 

optically poli hed to (1) eliminate defects that would otherwi e act as eed 

for unde ired nucleation of multiple 

cr tal in the final cry tallization 

proce de cribed below and (2) enable 

the upp r and lower plate to fit clo ely 

together. The dimen ion of the final 

organic cry tal are determined b the 

dimen ion of the rece - typically a 

diameter of the order of 10 mm and a 

thickne between 0.5 and 500 11m. 

The quantity of the organic material 

placed in the rece i cho en 0 that the 

material fill all of the rece except for 

the groove; thi i becau the groove 

erve to ab orb an exce of the organic material during melting and/or 

thermal expan ion, to prevent the material from flowing between (and 

thereby forcing apart) the faying urface of the upper and lower plat . 

Once the organic material i placed in 

the rece , the upp r and lower plate 

are put together. The re ulting cell containing the organic material i heated to 

melt the organic material, then cooled 

to fr eze the organic material in a polycrystalline form with an even di tribution of grain . 

The cell i then placed on a controll d-temperature, heated tag under 

a polarizing micro cope, 0 that the organic material can be heated and 

cooled for the final cry tallization and 

the mi ro ope can b u ed to ob erve 

Photoni Tech Briefs, February 2002 

Upper Plate 

Organic Material Placed in Recess 

Upper & Lower Plates • Put Together and Material 

Recrystallized in Polycrystalline Form 

Final Crystallization • 

Single Crystal of Organic Material 

A Single Crystal of an Organic Material with a 

nonlinear optical response is formed by controlled solidification in a recess between two optically polished transparent plates. 

the cry tallization proce . The temperature of the tage i first increased to the 

melting point, taking care that except 

for a ingle eed cry tal of de ired orientation, all the organic material i 

melted. The eed crystal can be ingled 

out under the micro cope, and while all 

other crystal m it, it can be kept olid 

b expo ing it to a microjet of cool air. 

The temperature of the tage i then 

lowly decreased, cau ing the organic 

material to freeze as a ingle crystal that 

grm outward from the eed cry tal. 

This wurk was done by Alexander Leyderman oj the University oj Pumo Rico Jor Marhall Space Flight Center. For further inJonll.ation, please contact the innovator at 

alex@Jeynman. upr. clu. edu. 

Inquiries concerning rights JOT the commercial use oj this inven.tion hould be addres ed to the Paten.t Counsel, Marshall 

pace Flight Gertter; (256) 544-0021. &Jer 

to MFS-3J450. 

www.ptbmagazine.com 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

Apparatus Measures X-Ray Diffraction and Fluorescence 

A single apparatus performs functions for which two apparatuses were previously needed. 

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 

The figure depicts an apparatus for measuring x-ray diffraction (XRD) and/or xray fluorescence (XRF) in a pecimen of 

material. The specimen could be, for example, a standard XRD powder sample of 

a mineral, the elemental composition of 

which one seeks to identify. It is common 

X-Ray Emitter Collimator 

that generate x-ra) at a number of photon energies. The x-ray beam from the 

source passes through a collimator, and 

the collimated beam passe through a 

band-pass filter, so that the sample is irradiated by a collimated, monochromatic 

beam. 

Diffraction and 

Fluorescence Photons 

Controller 

CCD and the processing circuitry are 

operated so that only photon at the primary beam energy are counted in computing the diffraction pattern. 

2. The sample is irradiated with a monochromatic beam and both diffraction 

and £luore cence are of interest. The 

- Microprocessor 

The Readout From the CCD in t his apparatus yields information on the XRD pattern and XRF spectrum of the sam ple. 

practice to characteJize sample in term 

of both XRD and XRF, but heretofore, it 

has been necessary to use eparate XRD 

and XRF apparatuse . 

The apparatus (see figure) includes a 

tandard x-ray emitter - preferabl one 

AUTOMATED SUBMICRON 

POSITIONING 

is easy and affordable using Zaber's 

computer controlled actuators, mirror 

mounts, and other equipment. 

• Replace manual 

micrometer heads .c 

• Built-in controller & 0 

CO RS-232 interface Q) 

• Daisy-chain multiple CJ) 

devices to a single ::J serial port 0) 

• LabVIEW drivers 0) 

and other software M 

• Up to 60 mm travel ~ 

• O. 1 Jim resolution E 

0 

• Optional manual .... control knob LL 

~oe:P> Technologies Inc. 

1·866·409·2237 

info@zaber.com 

www.zaber.com 

For Free Info Circle No. 444 or 

Enter No. 444 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

The irradiated pecimen emits mainly 

two kinds of x-rays: (1) primary (diffraction) photon at the incidem photon energy; and (2) econdary (f1uore cence) 

photon , which have lower energies. The 

photons emitted by the pecirnen travel to 

a charge-coupled device (CCD) containing a t.wo-dimen ional array of pixel , 

wherein the photons are detected. In general, the CCD pixel outputs depend on 

both the f1uore cence spectrum and on 

the diffraction pattern projected omo the 

array of pixels. By suitable choice of the 

mode of operation, one can extract diffraction or fluorescence information from 

the CCD pixel outputs, as explained below. 

Typical CCD rival traditional i(Li) detectors with regard to energy re olution 

and sen itivity in the energy range of 0.2 to 

10 keY. Taking advantage of this characteri tic, the CCD can be operated in a photon-counting mode; the CCD can be interrogated at such short imerva1s that in 

each successive imerrogation the output 

compri e indications of the energie of 

individual photons incident on ingle pixels. Taking further advantage of thi characteristic, the CCD pixel outputs can be 

processed to select only tho e ignal in a 

de ired photon-energy range. The CCD 

pixel outputs are processed partly in a 

controller and partly in a microproce or 

connected to a display unit. 

The apparatus can be operated in any 

of several distinct mode, of which four 

are de cribed below: 

1. The sample is irradiated with a monochromatic beam and only the diffraction pattern is of intere t. To discriminate against fluorescence photons, the 

www.plbmagazine.com 

CCD and proce ing circuitry are operated to measure both the primary and 

lower-energy photon . The diffraction 

pattern i extracted from the ignals at 

the primary photon energy, while the 

£luore cence spectrum i extracted 

from the signal at lower photon energie. 

3. The irradiating beam i monochromatic and only the f1uore cence pectrum is of intere t. In this mode, CCD 

outputs at the primary beam energy are 

rejected, and only the lower-energy ignals are used in calculating the fluorescence pectrum. 

4. The x-ray beam is polychromatic (a 

band-pass filter i not used), and only a 

particular diffraction pattern is of in tere t. In thi mode, the CCD and proce 

ing circuits are operated to detect only 

diffraction at elected multiple beam 

energie and thus to discriminate 

again t photon at all oUler energies. 

Thi mode is u efuJ for diffraction experiments in which there i a need for 

fine adjustment of the x-ray beam energies to amid trong ab orption in the 

samples. 

This worn was done fr; David F. Blake, 

Charles Bryson, and Friedemann Freund of 

Ames Research Center. For further infonnalion, acce s Ihe Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at wurw.nasatech.com/ tsp 

under the Physical Sciences category. 

This invention has been patented fr; NASA 

(U.S. Patent o. 5,491,738). Inquiries concenling nonexclusive or exclusive license far its 

commercial development should be addr1!ssed to 

the Patent Counse~ Ames Research Center, 

(650) 604-5104. Refer to ARG12043. 

Pholonics Tech Briefs, February 2002 
You can also view yet2.com's Tech of the Week by logging onto nasatechbriefs.com 

For Free Info tirer. No. 489 or vr$lt www.nasatech.conv489 
Lasiris TM Lasers 

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of the Month 

Sp(}T1Sored by ye ~com 

For more information on these and other new, 

licensable inventions, visit 

www.nasatech.com/ techsearch 

Mid-Infrared Detector Subsystem for On-Line 

Process Monitoring and Other Applications 

Revolutionary change in the measurement of chemical 

proce es on-line have been demonstrated in the plant by the 

use of this miniature linear array detector. It operates in the 

mid-infrared (2-14 micron band) and offers the significant advantage of room temperature operation. The detector can be 

provid d as a component, as a board with ASIC-based ignal 

proce ing, or as a complete sub ystem delivering serial data to 

a PC. The technology is of broad intere t for mid-infrared detection and analy i . 

Competing technologie either require cooling or are till at 

an early re earch stage. This one enable the implementation 

of miniature mid-infrared in truments and systems. This has already been exploited in one application that took a measurement technique out of the laboratory and into the manufacturing plant. The detector provide 128 pixels in a linear array, 

and can be optimized for a specific wavelength within the 2-14 

micron band. It can be supplied as an unmounted component, 

on a mall PCB with as ociated ASI to buffer the detector ignal, or as a subsystem with power upplies and a local procesor to convert the signal to a erial data tream in RS-422 format. The manufacturing process is well established and uses 

proven techniques developed from ilicon device fabrication. 

The technology can readily be adapted to a different number 

of pixels to suit particular application. 

The detector was developed in a joint program between a 

major re earch laboratory and a chemical company. The technology has bee n developed to en ure a con i tent high-yield 

manufacturing process, and initial application in pectro copy 

have demonstrated the excellent performance of the device 

and shown its clear advantage . The technology appear to be 

suitable for broader applications in the mid-infrared. 

For more information go to 

www.nasatech. coml techsearchl towl detector. html 

email: nasatech@yet2. com; phone:617-557-3837 

Liquid Crystal Optical Element and Liquid 

Crystal Display Apparatus 

A Iight-controlling device of thi liquid crystal optical element without a pair of polarization plates may be used as a 

building material such as a window, a skylight, or a partition of 

a door, as a material for casting for various electrical products, 

or a door or closure. Furthermore, a projection type display apparatu using this type liquid crystal optical element is realized 

with a further bright image and Ie optical 10 s than that using 

a usual liquid crystal optical element, which requires a pair of 

polarization plates. 

For more information go to 

www.nasatech.comltechsearch/ towl liquid. html 

email: nasatech@yet2.com; phone: 617-557-3837 

Photonics Tech Briefs, February 2002 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

PRODUCT GUIDE:OPTICAL MOUNTS 

Optical mounts are the worker bees of the photonic indu try. They come in swarm , they possess none of the 

glamour of other members of the family uch as holographic optics and VCSELs, but they are the very foundation of 

an optical train or experiment. All of the manufacturers Ii ted 

below have extensive lines of optical mounts, so that this guide 

does not purport to do anything more than sugge t the range 

of the offerings. 

is precisely at the geometrical center and on the front surface 

of the optical component. Flexure mounts u e solid spring to 

con train the component' mounting plate. Melle Griot, another foremost purveyor of such components, a serts that 

kinematic and flexure mounts offer economical, preci e po itioning in spite of some cross-coupled motion. Because gimbal 

mounts provide angular adjustment without tran lation, they 

are employed in the mo t precise beam control application , 

The mounts are intended for the most part for holding and and are generally more expen ive than kinematic mounts. 

pointing lenses, mirror , beamsplitters and other round and 

for the most part ingle-element optics. According to ewport 

Corporation, one of the leading providers of thi kind of 

equipment, the main factors to consider in electing a mount 

are adju tment type - that is, kinematic, gimbal, or flexure, 

transmis ion capability, and mechanical interface. 

Mounts with a clear aperture are obviou ly suitable for use 

with transmissive elements such as beam plitters, lense , and 

filters. Platfonn mounts, with their olid front plate, are uited 

to reflective optics, and to adjust components mounted on 

their urface, such as pri ms and beamsplitting cubes. 

In a kinematic mount, the mo t commonly used method of 

providing two-axi rotation, the center of rotation i located off 

the optic' urface. For a gimbal mount, the center of rotation 

The material from which the mOlmt is made is also important 

in choice. Aluminum, brass, and tainle teel all have their 

virtues and drawbacks, and the manufacturer should be consulted 

on which of these materials are be t uited to your application. 

NEWPORT CORP. www.newport.com 

Newport offers a wide variety of fixed, 

full- ize and miniature kinematic, 

gimbal, and pecialty mounts that can be 

mounted to po ts, table, and rail . 

-:'The tima~ erie is the company' topof-the-line mount, utilizing interchangeable actuators. The e table 

kinemati mounts feature the company' patented clear quadrant de ign, 

and many optional mounting accesorie are offered. Included in the rie 

ar mounts for ize ranging from 0.5, 1, 

1.1 2.3 and 4 in. The clear quadrant of 

the front plate allows b am to pas 

clo e to the edge of the mounted optic, 

o that beam can be reflect d from one 

mount to another at minimum incident 

angle and with minimum eparation. 

Part numbers begin with . There are 

more than 55 kin matic and 5 gimbal 

mounts in the erie . 

':'The ltima orner Gimbal Optical 

Mounts ar de ign d to tilt an optic 

without tran lating its urface b adju ting twO adjacent actuatOl. orn r 

mounting allO\ an optic to b po itioned in location where pace i at a 

premium. ewport ay the mounts for 

I-inch diam ter opti ar provided 

with 0 TPI adju tment screws, but th 

u r can al 0 u e the base mod I and 

choo e among everal actuators. 

(-The Perfonna'" erie ar kin matic 

mounts for general laboratory or indu trial application . Th are availabl for I-inch diam ter ap rtllre opti as well as platform versi n in ize 

ranging from 0.5 and 0.75 to 1 and 2-

in h optic . Preci ion 0 TPI adjustPhOloni Tech Briefi , February 2002 

ment crew with matc hi ng bra 

leeve are tandard on the e mounts. 

Cap tan knob can enhance the po ition en itivity of the mount by in erting a tandard Allen wrench. An adaptor converts the mount to a 

po t-mounted horizontal platfonn for 

mounting pri m , cube beam plitters, 

and other components. The e mounts 

are available in aperture optic iz of 1 

and 2 in., and in a 2-in. platfonn type. 

Part numbers begin \vith a P. 

-:'The MFM rie of flexure mounts 

come in diameter iz of 0.5, 0.75 or 

1 in. The O-pitch adjustment crew 

can be adju ted ov r a 3.5-degr e 

range \vith an Allen wrench. Th company offers a number of other pecialty 

moun : the GM erie for orthogonal 

coplanar adju tments; the HVM eri 

for vertical-drive kinematic adju tment; the GM for vertical-drive gimbal adju trnent; the 610 eri ultra-reolution mirror mount; and veral 

erie of len mounts and holder , in 

addition to man erie of pecialty opti al mounts. ew to the line i th 

RM25 polarizer rotation mount, allowing 1 in. diamet r linear polarizers, 

wave plate, calcit polarizer, and polarizing cube beam plitters to b continuou Iy rotated 360 degree. 

El ES G lOT www.mellesgriot.com 

Melle Griot' MicroLab" opto-mechanical tern i de igned for optical omponents that typicall rang from 

5 to 15 millimeters in ize. It in lude 

mirror and b am plitter mounts, len , 

fib r and polarizer hold rs, and opri al 

www.plbmagazine.com 

component cell y terns. A serie of optical mounting cell i al 0 available to 

make handling easier. 

-:'The ki nematic mirror mount can b 

adju ted over an angular range of plus 

or minu 5 degree. Mirror of a diameter of 12.5 to 12.7 millimeters and 25 

to 25.4 millimeter are attached to the 

mount using compon nt holder . 

When mounted horizontally on top of 

a po t, thi black anodized aluminum 

mount become a prism or cube-beamplitter tilt table. 

-:' Gimbal and beam pUtter mounts provide plu or minus 2.5 degree of angular adju tment about two orthogonal 

axe that intersect at th center of the 

optic' front urface. retaining ring 

holds optic from 12.5 to 12.7 millimetel . Mirrors up to 6 millimetel in 

thickne and plate beam plitter up to 

a millim ter in thickne can be 

mounted. The maximum tran mitted 

beam diameter at a 45-degr angle of 

incid nc for the gimbal beam plitt r 

mount i 5 mi11imetel . 

-)The fle ure mirror/ optic mount has 

three adju ring ere that yield plu or 

minus 2 degree of tilt when one r w 

is turn d and I millimeter of tran lation 

along the optical axi when all three are 

turned an equal amount. Melle GriOl 

a that the mount' I&-mm-diam ter 

ap rtur make it unique. The flexure 

mirror/ opti mount i made of b 

with a black hrome fini h and black 

anodized aluminum. An optical-c II rotation adaptor aLlO\ optic mounted 

in 16-mm-diameter ell to be rotated 

in the £I ur mount. 

<-Th ompan mak a variety of optical 

ll a 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

component holders to mount 12.5-millimeter and 25-millimeter components 

to the kinematic mirror mount and 

flexure optics mount. The malleI' component is mounted in a plate that attaches to the front face of the mount. 

Two versions are available: the tandard 

version has an M2-threaded hole for 

post mounting, and the extended version is u ed with two kinematic mirror 

mounts when transmission is required. 

With 25-millimeter components, the 

optic is held against the front mount's 

urface by a plate that goes over the 

front face of the optic. It is attached to 

the mirror mount with four screws. 

.:-A line of optical component cells is designed to hold lenses and other components for handling. The cells come in 

outer diameters of 10, 16, and 20 millimeters, covering a component diameter range of from 5 to 17.5 millimeters. 

Other holders include a gradient-index 

lens holder, a pherical ball lens holder, 

a microcomponent holder, a pinhole/ 

lit holder, a filter holder and an adjustable lens holder. There are also two 

type of cell holders, one that attache to 

a mirror/ optics mount, and one with an 

integral base. An x-y positioner for optical component cell allows 16-millimeterdiameter cell-mounted components to 

be aligned in the x-y plane. 

-:-A line of kinematic mjrror / beam plitter mounts ha an angular range of 10 

degrees. It i available with a ready-togo mounted \vavelength/ 4 flat mirror. 

Optics diameters that can be used with 

the mounts range from 12.5 to 50. millimeters. They come with either two or 

three adjuster. AI 0 available is a line 

of flexure mirror / beamsplitter mounts. 

Size that can be used range from the 

MicroLab vel' ion (16 mm) to 50 mm. 

A group offlexure mirror mounts called 

MicropointN are machined from a ingle 

piece of hardened and tempered steel. 

Also available are a general-purpose 

gimbal mirror/ beamsplitter mount as 

well as a re earch-grade mirror / beamsplitter mount. Holders are available for 

lense , filters, and polarizers. 

EDMUND 

INDUSTRIAL OPTICS 

www.edmundoptics.com 

E

dmund Industrial Optics' line of 

mounting components has tapped 

holes and dimensions in the English standard (i.e., 1/4-20, holes on 1 inch centers) as well as mounting components in 

the metric standard (i.e., M6 threads, 

holes on 25 millimeter centers). But the 

company's thread-to-thread adapters 

eliminate the differences, and the adapter 

plates and metric-base plates are designed 

12a 

to be compatible with both Engli hand 

metric standard breadboards. 

.:- Edmund's kinematic optical cell 

mounts cover diameter ranges from 1-

2 in. up to 12.5-12.625 in. They are aI 0 

available for the company's C-mount 

and T-mount integrating mounting 

components. A ball pivot and 64-pitch 

screw (two 32-pitch for 8-12.5 diameter models). There is an angled eries 

that offers an angled base for simple 

stand-alone installation. The straight 

series adapts to standard 1/ 4-20 TPI 

hardware. There are nine models in 

the angled eries and five in the 

straight series. A line of precision gimbal mounts has coarse angular translation of 360 degrees and fine angular 

translation of 0.25-mm pitch. A 20-mm 

stainle s steel metric post is included. 

There are four models in the eries. 

-:- The kinematic mounts series ha three 

model, with sizes of 25.4, 50.0, and 

50.8 mm. A set screw holds optics in 

place. There are two color-coded 

knobs for pitch and roll. The topmounted micrometer do not interfere 

with sy tern imegration . 

• :. Edmund offers a elf-centering jaw 

clamp and gimbal mount for u e with 

components up to 4-1 / 4 in. diameter. 

The clamp i mounted alone on the 

1/ 4-20 tapped hole in the base or to 

the 6-in. gimbal frame . The gimbal 

mount has an angled base to allow fastening by 1/ 4-20 cap screws or unfastened standalone use. The mount features two-a,,,is tilt with orthogonal 

three-point su pen ion. Three 64-pitch 

screws permit adjustment. 

• :-A Ijne of polarizer mounts has three 

standard and one micrometer-<iriven 

model. They have a ecure optic retainer, a lever ann for smooth rotation, 

a locking knob for repeatability, and 

360-<iegree caled vernier. For the micrometer-driven version, the total 

travel of the 0.25-mm pitch fine adjustmem i 10 degrees. 

.:. Edmund offers a fixed / multiple filter 

mount that aJlows stacking of up to 

four filter. It comes in two models 

with a retaining ring that holds the filter in place. A matching mounting cell 

its securely in the filter holder. 

-:- Among other devices available are metric rectangular optic mounts, a metric 

pring/ mount filter holder, a prism 

holder, and a rotary assembly \vith a 

prism holder. A kinematic mirror 

mount holds I-in. and 2-in. djameter 

mirrors. The company also offers an 

adju table gimbal mirror mount with 

movement by means of two fine 80-

pitch crews, pennitting 7-<iegree tilt in 

two planes. Also available are miniawww.ptbmagazine.com 

ture, small, and large straight and 

angle mounts, and optical fiber alignment mounts. 

COHERENT www.coherentinc.com 

Coherent's standard stock includes a 

wide variety of precision optical 

mounts and hardware, as well as translation components, optical tables and rails. 

TopAdjust kinematic mirror mounts are 

available in many sizes ranging from 1 in. 

square to 3 in. square. Both tip and tilt 

controls are top mounted to avoid beam 

contact where access is restlicted or it is 

necessary to keep the operator's hands 

away from the optical path, as in highpower sy terns. TopAdju t mirror mounts 

are available with base for metric or inch 

table mounting or without bases for postmounted application. The fine pitch adjusting screws are fitted with knurled locking rings to prevent accidental movement 

once set in place. Angular adju tmem 

range is plus or minus 2 degrees. 

-:'Coherent markets Precise~ I-in. mirror 

mounts designed to accept round mirrors or beamsplitters up to 25.4 millimeters in diameter. Holes in the backplate 

are designed to accept almost all hardware. Angular adjustment range is plus or 

minus 10 degree. The l00-thread-perinch adjusters have the hex key option . 

.:-The company aI 0 offers kinematic mirror mounts for round, front- urface 

mirrors or beam plitters of either 3 or 4 

in. diameters. Optics are retained in 

the mount by two delrin inserts and a 

nylon-lipped set screw. Angular adju tment range for the 3-in. mount is plus 

or minu 12 degree, and for the 4-in . 

plus or minus 10 degree. Clear aperture on the 3-in. mount i 73.0 millimeters and for the 4-in. 97.5 millimeters. 

-:-Available from Coherent are compact 

mirror mounts that will accept square or 

round (cell-mounted) mirrors in I-in. or 

smaller ize. A wide range of cells i 

available for mounting rOlmd mirrors on 

tl1e face of these mounts. Angular adjustment range is plus or minus 15 degree. 

.:·A line of len and optical component 

mounts i also available from Coherent. These are fixed po ition postmounted component holder . They 

are available in a range of size from 

0.5 in. diameter to 4 in. diameter. 

Len e , filters, mirrors and windows 

can all be held in these mounts. 

':·The company aI 0 offers adapters for a 

range of mounts; fixed threaded lens 

mounts; kinematic pIism and beamplitter platfonns; beam height Ii ers 

for Precise mounts; 145-degree 

adapters; and a variety of beam tee ring 

devices, among other instmments. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, FeblUary 2002 
OPTOSIGMA 

www.optosigma.com 

O ptoSigma markets a broad range of mirror mounts of both the kinematic 

and the gimbal variety. Large precision 

mirror mounts are available for 4, 6, 8, 

and IO-in. diameter mirrors, and larger 

sizes are available on request. 

Sensitivity is less than 3 arcseconds. 

Mirrors are held in a mounting ring by 

means of three clamp screws. Angular 

alignment can be made about two axes, 

by means of dual-action adjusters with 

fine crew and ultrafine differential micrometer action. 

·:· Opto igrna offers its UltraStable'" mirror mounts for 1 and 2-in. diameter 

mirror. Adapters can be u ed for 

other sizes. Mirrors are secured in 

place from the rear of the mount using 

a retaining ring. Two degree of freedom about the azimuthal and elevational axes are driven by a dual- peed 

differential micrometer. 

-:- line of gimbal mirror and beam plitter mounts have full 360-degree rotation around the mirror urface. Once 

roughly et, the mount may be locked 

and fine motion controlled by the micrometer adju ter for both azimuth 

and elevation. The e mounts accept 2-

in. (50-mm) or 30-mm diameter beamplitters and provide a clear aperture 

at 45 degree of I-in . and one-half 

inch respectivel . The line has ix mirror mounts and two beam plitter 

mounts available. 

-:' Opto igma make mini-beam plitter 

mounts available. The permit a 45-

degree incident beam to pas unimpeded through the mount. They accommodate only I5-mm diameter 

beam plitter of thickne up to 2 millimet rs, providing a 6-mm diameter 

clear aperture at 45 degree. They 

have two top-projecting crew to provide plus or minu 2 degrees of tilt 

over two axe . 

-:·The com pan ' TopMike'" mirror 

mounts have the tilt controls topmounted within the width of th mirror mount. The mirror can be adjusted in two a,xe of tilt. The TopMike 

i normally upplied with a bas that 

ets the mirror normal to the optical 

path, but two other mounting option 

are available, one being at 45 degree 

LO the incident path. Ther ar five 

model available. 

·:· Opto igma al 0 offers the Oner: uch" 

mirror mount. The u er imply touches 

a pring-loaded button on the ide of 

the mount, in erts the mirror, r leas 

the bUllon, and the mirror i held 

curely in an adjuslabl mount. utOUts 

in the ide of the mount make it po iPhotonics Tech Brief! , February 2002 

ble to avoid LOuching the mirror. A 

slight noncircularity in the mounting 

aperture ensures kinematic sealing and 

allows for a slight variation in diameter 

to accommodate both inch and metric 

diameters. Fine-pitch 100 TPI (0.25-

mm) crews provide stable and controllable adjustment in two perpendicular 

axes of tilt. 

-:. Other products available from the 

company include flexure mirror 

mounts, small mirror mounts, minimirror mounts (10, 12.7, and 15 mm in 

thickne se of 3 to 6 mm), five- and 

three-axis optical mounts, polarizer 

holders and pinhole mounts. 

THORLABS www.thorlabs.com 

Thorlab offer a ix-axi kinematic mount (K6X) de igned for such applicatiions as cry tal alignment, len alignment for diffraction-limited performance, and fiber optic coupling. AI 0 

available i a pri m mounting attachment 

designed LO provide a half-inch by 1.44-

in. platform moumed LO the rotation 

tage of the K6 . The K6Xl come with 

pri m-mounting hardware, hex key and 

mounting crews. 

-:' Thorlab sa} its gimbal mirror mounts 

for I-in. and 2-in. mounts are true gimbal de ign because the optical urface i 

located on the rotating axe . Their graduated adju ter knob have 50 divi ion 

per revolution. The hardened teel drive 

mechani m provid long-term tability, 

according to the company. 

.:. Al 0 available [rom Thorlab are kinematic mounts for optic with 1/ 2, 1, 2, 

3, and 4 in . diam ter . The compan 

offers a vertical-drive mirror mount 

for I-in. optic with a total travel of 

plu or minu 3 in. piezoelectric 

kinematic moum combin the mechanical feature of a kinematic mirror mount with the electromechanical 

of a piezoelectric tack. The tacks ar 

mounted in th fronl plate, directl 

und r the tip of the three adju ter 

rews, allowing for coar e and fine 

con trol of both the tran lation and th 

angl of the front plate. 

.:. Also available are mounts for thin I-in . 

and 2-in. optic, a kinematic pri m 

moum, and a kinematic platform 

mount. Among mounts for len e are 

those with diam ters for 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 

2-in. diameter lense . A elf-centering 

len mount has three pring-loaded 

finge that automatically grip opti 

ranging from 0.15 in. to 1.70 in. The 

lens holder fingers are op ned with 

one hand by pin hing the actuator tab 

b tween the thumb and forefinger. 

www.ptbmagazine.com 

The spring-loaded fingers firmly grip 

the optic while the cam action of the 

nested ring design centers the optic. 

.:- ew to the line is a cylindrical lens 

mount that accepts cylinders up to 65 

millimeters tall. Thorlabs says that, unlike most guillotine mounts, there are 

no objects in its design to block the optical axis. Also available is a high-preciion rotation mount that combines 

easy-to-u e manual rotation with backlash-free micrometer adjustment, according to the company. 

CVILASERS 

www.cvilaser.com 

(

VI La er offers several lines of rotary 

mounts intended for optics of diameters of 0.5 through 3.0 in. The 

Modell 180 allows the u er to make quick 

coarse adjustments followed by an extremely fine tweaking. With the locking 

crew disengaged the 11 0 operates like 

an ordinary rotary mount, allowing full 

36O-degree rotation. With the thumbcrew engaged, turning the adjustment 

screw provide 20-microradian per degree adjustment over a plu or minus 5-

degree total rotation range. 

.:. Mirror mounts are available for all 

tandard mirror ize from 0.5 to 4.0. 

ew to the line are rectangular mirror/ 

pri m mounts, which hold right-angle 

prism and rectangular or quare mirrors, providing, according to CVI, very 

large clear aperture . CVI' erie 200 

has 16 model to choo e from, for ize 

ranging from O.5-in. diameter to 2.0 in. 

diameter. CVI sa its erie 310 is its 

large t and highe t-re olution mount, 

with model for 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 optic. 

The mounts are made of hardened 

teel \vilh lapped carbide bearing 

points and O-pitch adju tment crews. 

-:. Al 0 available are erie of rectangular 

mirror/ pri m mounts, a thre -axi 

pd m mount, len centering c II , filter wheel, len moum right-angle 

pi te , and many other optic holders. 

(. VI call the rie 00 super moum 

a completely innovative concept. The 

mainfram i a heavy fixed plate with 

three O-pitch adju tm nt crews and 

a til table contoured frame with a pair 

of pr ci ion machin d dovetail . Individual optic carrier clamp to the e 

dovetail . Th beam height i 

longer built into the mount; the 00 

make it adju table. And the arne 

mainframe rna hold man different 

type o[ arrier. orne o[ th d vice 

that rna b fa hioned with the 00 

ar a vertical-plan ring re onator, a 

Michel on interferometer, and aren ctive beam e pander with a ti mati m compen ation. 

13a 
NelN Products 

DPSS Laser for Biomedical Market 

jD Uniphase Commercial La ers, an Jose, CA, 

announce the erie (CDP 532-5), a continuous-wave 

532-nm laser for OEM integration into biomedical instrllments. The product is half as large as previous designs, and 

features a controller that requires less power and produces 

less heat than other available models, according to the 

company. The S series is a single-longitudinal-mode frequency-doubled Nd:Vanadate diode-pumped solid-state 

laser. It provides an outpllt power of 10 mW with less than 

0.5 percent noi e. The device has a 76- x 28.5- x 40-mm 

head and a 111- x 6~ x 22-mm controller.JDS expects the 

laser to have applications in the biomedical indu try that would include use as an illumination source for 

instruments sllch as D A sequencers and flow cytometers. 

For F .... Info Circle No. 750 or Enter No. 750 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Precision Molded 

Glass 

Components 

Docter Optics, Mesa, 

AZ, offers precision 

molded standard optical components in rectangular, square, or diameter 

sizes from 4 mm to 165 mOl. Components include 

aspheric condenser and pherical singlet len es, concave first surface mirrors, heat-absorbing filters of 

Scholt B270 SuperwiteO crown, 8830 Duran" borosilicate, F2, Pyrex, KGI or K 2 colored glass materials, 

single- or multila er AR, cold light, dichroic, IR and 

metalli aluminum coated devices. Custom components are a\'ailable in size up to 260 mm and include 

lR and neutral density filters. 

For Free Info Circle No. 752 or 

Enter No. 752 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

1024-x-1 Linear 

InGaAs Array 

Indigo ystems Corp., 

Santa Barbara, CA, 

introduces the 

ISC0007-G 1024, 

which it calls the world's first 1024-x-1 linear InGaAs 

photodetector array for telecommunications and 

IR spectrOScopy applications. The instrument combines the company' readout integrated circuit, 

lnGaAs detectors, and bump-bonded h ·bridization 

techniques, all fashioned in-house. Indigo a} the 

array is specifically designed to meet the rigorous 

demands of DWDM optical quality monitoring, providing both ultrahigh patial re olution and very 

wide dynamic range. 

For Free Info Clrde No. 755 or 

Enter No. 755 at www.nasatech.comfrs 

Diode Laser Mirrorsl 

Line Reflectors 

Edmund Industrial 

Optics, Barrington, Nj, 

is offering new laser mirror and high-power 

laser line reflectors. The 

mirrors al'e manufactured from fused silica with a 

dielectric coating, and are recommended for beam 

steering visible and near-lR lasers in the kilowatt 

power range, uch as fundamental and frequencydoubled d:YAG lasers. They feature high 

reflectance of greater than 99.8 percent and a damage threshold of20j/ cm2• They are available in two 

diameters, 12.5 mOl and 25.0 mOl, and feature surface accuracy of a tenth of a wave at 632 nm. 

14a 

For Free Info Circle No. 758 or 

Enter No. 758 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

1480-nm Pump Laser 

Sources 

California Eastern laboratories, anta Clara, CA., 

introduces the 74611£ 

and NX7462KE, two new 

I 480-nm pump laser 

sources from NEe. Designed for erbium-doped fiber 

amplifiers deployed in DWDM ultra-long-haul, longhaul, and metro networks, the devices have output powers of 550 rnA and 600 rnA respectively and operating 

temperature ranges of -20 to +70 degrees e. Housed in 

hermetically sealed J4.pin blltterOy packages, these 

modules combine an InGaAs FP laser diode with an 

internal optical isolator, a thermoelectric cooler, and an 

lnGaAs monitor photodiode. 

For Free Info Circle No. 153 or 

Enter No. 753 at www.nasatech.comIrs 

I·· _ .... . - -

. ew \"lave Research, Fremont, 

CA, introduces AccuLazeR

, a 

compact tabletop machining 

system designed for uch 

applications as thick- or thinfilm resistor and capacitor 

uimming, hole drilling, L D 

repair and material marking and etching. Each system includes an Nd:YAG laser, a high-magnification 

video system, and control sofn''are. It is available in six 

different wavelengths from deep (213 nm) to LR 

(1064 nm), enabling users to match the wavelength to 

the absorption level of the material to be processed. 

For Free Info Circle No. 756 or 

Enter No. 756 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Miniature Neon 

Lamps 

GilwayTechnical Lamp, 

Woburn, MA, says its 

line of rnggedized 

miniature neon lamps 

was designed for indicator applications requiring operation directly from 

110/ 220 VAC. Available in tandard red and green 

colors, with or without a series resistor, they provide 

brightness up to 5.0 mcd. They measure only 3.2 mm 

to 6.0 mm in diameter, they can also operate from 

greater than 90 VDC, and are rated for 15,000 to 

50,000 hours of operation. These Gilway lamp are 

flIled with eitller a neon-argon gas mixmre or pure 

neon gas, depending upon model. 

For Free Info Circle No. 759 or 

Enter No. 759 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

www.ptbmagazine.com 

Modular Triple 

Spectrograph 

Systems 

Acton Research Corp., 

Acton, MA, is offering 

the TripleProR modular triple spectrograph system. Based on its 

SpectraPro" spectrometer system, TriplePro incorporate a 300-mm double subtractive monochromator 

as tlle prefllter, with a high-performance triple grating pectraPro 500 spectrometer as tl,e fmal dispersing stage. Equipped with two exit position on the 

output stage, TriplePro is ideal for Raman spectroscopy applications, according to the company. 

The instrument incorporates Acton Research's 

SpectraSense data acquisition software. 

For Free Info Clrde No. 751 or 

Enter No. 751 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Laser Distance-Gauging 

Sensor 

Banner Engineering Corp., 

Minneapolis, MN, is offering 

the lrGAGE" LTII time-of-flight 

sensor, which the company says is a Class 2 laser distance-gauging device that can measure at long ranges 

up to 50 meters (164 feet) . The LTII has a measurement 

resolution of I mm (0.04 in.). The range for gray targets 

is 0.3 to 3 m (1-9.8 ft.) and for white targets 0.3 to 5 m 

(1-16.4 ft.); a retroneOective model is available for applications that require sensing range up to 50 m. The 

device features a modulated visible red sensing beam, 

and botll a discrete (switched) output and an analog 

output, or both simultaneously. Output response speed 

is programmable to 1, 10, or 100 milliseconds. 

For Free Info Clrde No. 754 or 

Enter No. 754 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Eyesafe Laser 

Rangefinder 

Receiver 

Analog Modules, Longwood, FL, says the 

rngged , compact constrnction of its Model 

759 hybrid eyesafe laser 

rangefinder receiver 

makes it uitable for 

handheld, vehicle-mounted or airborne applications. 

The Model 759 uses an advanced preamplifier design 

to achieve a sensitivity of 40 nW at 1550 nm with 20-

ns pulses. Pulsewidths from 6 to 40 ns are proce ed 

over six ordel of magnitude of dynamic range, and 

operation is po ible from 1.0 to 1.6 micrometers. 

For Free Info Circle No. 757 or 

Enter No. 757 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

DPSS Q-Switched 

Lasers 

Laservall orth America, 

Pawtucket, RI, is introducing the ViolinoR line 

of continuous-wave, Q 

switched (up to 300 kHz) 

d:YAG/YVO. diode-pumped solid-state OEM laser 

ources. The line comes in compact models with 5, 10 

and 20 W output at 1064 nm. The Violino is aircooled and requires no external chiller, and has an 

average diode life oflO,OOO to 15,000 hours. It is available as a marker package, with scanning head, 0 P 

control card, and laser marking software. Laservall 

recommends the unit for marking, engraving, 

microvia drilling, scribing, ablation, and more. 

For Free Info Circle No. 760 or 

Enter No. 760 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Photonics Tech Briefs, February 2002 
Electronic Components and Systems 

. InP HEMT MMIC Low-Noise Amplifier for 65 to 110 GHz 

Copies performed substantially as designed in cryogenic and room-temperature tests. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) has been designed to function as a low-power-consumption, lownoise amplifier (LNA) at frequencies 

from about 65 to about 110 CHz. This 

MMIC incorporates TRW's tate-of-theart, InP-based, high-elecu·on-mobility 

transistors (HEMTs) coupled with coplanar-waveguide (CPW) transmission lines, 

thin-film resi tors, and thin-film capacitors. The MMlC is mounted in a waveguide module with CPW-to-waveguide 

transitions of the probe type ( ee figure). 

An unu ual feature of the circuit is a 

path for a pilot signal with a typical frequency of 500 MHz. This path i through 

the same transistors u ed to amplify the 

millimeter-wave signal. The pilot signal is 

applied through a pilot input terminal 

(the upper left pad in the figure) and appears at a pilot output terminal (the 

upper right pad in the figure). The lowlevel pilot signal is coupled from one bias 

circuit to the next and does not interact 

appreciably with the millimeter-wave signal. The pilot signal i meant to be used 

to measure fluctuations in the gain of the 

transistors; such measurements are usefit! in applications (e.g., radiometry) in 

which fluctuation in gain can affect 

measurements. 

The MMIC i designed to operate in 

the presence of cooling by a suitable cryogenic apparatus. eventeen waveguide 

module containing copies of the MMIC 

were te ted for noi e temp rature by use 

of a variable-temperature waveguide with 

a 2O-dB attenuator and a precise diode 

MODULE CONTAINING AMPLIFIER 

temperature sensor. The range of noise 

temperatures over the 85-to-ll~Hz frequency range was found to be 30 to 107 K 

at an operating temperature of24 K. The 

noise at room operating temperature was 

found to range from 250 to 470 K. In 

other tests, the MMICs were found to be 

capable of producing 20 dB of gain while 

con wning as little as 1.4 mW of dc power. 

Thi work was done by Todd Gaier and 

Sander Weinreb of Caltech, Neal Erickson of the 

University of Massachusetts, and Richard Lai 

of TRW far NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For fUlther information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.71asatech.com/tsp under the }:1.ectronic 

Components and rysterns calegrny. 

NP0-20752 

r----------------------------------------------------l 

c,a~m~ PILOT 

~ LJ PILOT 

IN OUT 

'----, rC J r- I [~ r--

0

1 

C5 

~ 0 0 III 

0 0 0 0 0 

nn 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I~CJ~~ I 

uu ____ ~n~ ____ Jnl ______ ~ n~ ______________ ~ 

01 I 

_u ~ -- ~ I~~ 

L O 00 0~®@0"~~~0 0 0 C3:Ji 

LL--------------------------------------------------------------------_--_----"j 

MAGNIAED LAYOUT OF AMPLIFIER 

A Four-Stage MMIC LNA is mounted in a split-block waveguide module. The dimensions of the MMIC chip are 2 by 0.73 by 0.075 mm. 

Tech Brief: , Febroa 2002 www.nasalech.com 37 
Electronics 

• "Substrateless" Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Circuits 

Radio-frequency losses are reduced by suspending conductors in air. 

NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

Monolithic integrated circuits (in 

particular, chottky-diode-based frequency multipliers) that operate at frequencie as high as a few terahertz are 

being developed in a program that utiand held only by their edge on a semiconductor frame. The monolilhic integration make the integrated circuit 

larger (in compari on wilh discrete circuit components lhat one would otherwise have to as emble), lhereby making 

the circuit more robust and easier to 

handle in fabrication and mounting. 

Metallic beam-leads are used extensively, 

serving as (1) mechanical handle thatfacilitate handling and 

mounting (2) current 

paths for dc grounding 

and biasing of the diodes, 

and (3) thermal conductors. Moreover, this approach enable the precise 

positioning of the diodes 

with respect to the rest of 

the circuitry and facilitates 

caling for operation at 

higher frequencies. 

lizes the recent advances in 

method of compure~ 

aided design and microfabrication. In the approach followed in this 

program, the active semiconductor device (GaAsba ed chottI-'Y diode) in 

a frequency-multiplier circuit are integrated with 

pas ive devices (planar 

metal transmission line). 

To reduce radio-frequency 

losses associated with dielectric layer in lhe pasive circuitry, the semiconductor sub trate under lhe 

tran mis ion lines i etched 

away, leaving metal conductors insulated by air 

A · Substrateless· 400-GHz Frequency Doubler is mounted in a crossed-waveguide 

block for testing. 

Following thi approach, 

a frequenc multiplier i 

designed in a three-stage 

proce . In lhe first tage, 

one uses (l) a computer 

program that simulate 

nonlinear circuits and (2) 

a computer program that 

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For Free Info Circle No. 442 or Enter No. 442 at www.nasatech.com/rs A Tech Brief] , February 2002 
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Electronics 

implements a mathematical model of a 

diode in conjunction with a harmonicbalance-based simulator computer program to optimize the dimension, doping profile, and number of diodes to be 

used in the circuit. This stage yield the 

diodejunction characteli tics and embedding impedance that give the best 

performance. 

matIices referenced to diode and transmission-line ports. The matIice plu dle 

embedding impedances computed by the 

nonlinear-<:ircuit imulator software are 

then provided as input to linear-<:ircuit 

imulator oftware, which is used to analyze dle impedance-matching effectiveness of the input and output u-ansmissionline circuits. The paJ-asitics associated with 

the diode( ) are included in thi analysis 

as part of the passive circuit. 

In the second stage, the input and output impedance-matching transmi ion 

line circuits are de igned by use of finiteelement electromagnetic-simulator oftwar . The numerical output of this oftware compri es scatteling-parameler 

To simplify and speed up dle analy i , 

the pas ive circuitry is divided into small 

elements at electromagnetically appropriate points, giving lise to event! pa40 

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For Free Info Circle No. 522 or Enter No. 522 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

rameter matrice . Ports are modeled as 

being attached to probes on each anode 

so that the individual embedding impedance for each diode can be calculated directly. The diodes are then modeled a 

being embedded into the re ulting cascaded S-paranleter matrix blocks to determine the total efficiency and the 

power perfonnaJlce of tlle multiplier. If 

these are unsatisfactory, relative to dle intIin ic efficiency and performance of the 

diodes, the circuit design is iteratively 

modified to correct for the parasitics 

found in the simulation. 

Standard processing techniques, including tepper lithography and reactive-ion etching, are Llsed to fabdcate 

the diode structures on the front ide of 

a GaAs wafer. The diode are located on 

an edge of that portion of the GaAs 

wafer tllat i destined to remain as a 

transmission-line-supporting frame. 

After front-side proce sing has been 

completed, a back- ide procedure is 

used to remove the GaAs under the 

metal conductor of the input and output tran mi ion line , except for edge 

upports as de cribed above. 

Thus far, two type of frequency-doubier circuits, de igned for output frequencie of 200 and 400 GHz, re pectively, have been de igned, fabricated, 

and te ted (see figure). otwithstanding a need for furth r iteration to optimize de ign, the re ults of the tests are 

encouraging: For eXaJnple, in a test in 

which the input frequency ranged from 

179 to 212 GHz, one of the 400-GHz 

units exhibited a peak effi iency and 

peak power of =15 percent and = 6 mW, 

resp ctively, at an output frequency of 

369 GHz at room temperature. This 

represents a new performance record 

from planar chottky diode varactor at 

this frequency. 

This work was done by hnran Mehdi, 

Suzanne Martin, Jean Bruston, Erich 

chiecht, and R P. mith oj Cal/eclt Jor 

NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. For 

Jurther inJormation, access the Technical 

UP/lOrt Package (T. :P) free on-line at www. 

nasatech.com/tsp under the Electronic 

Componten.ts and IJ lems category. 

In accordance with Public Law 96517, the 

contractor has erected to Tl!lain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights Jor its commercial use should be addressed to 

Intellectual Property group 

JPL 

Mail SLOP 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91109 

(818) 354-2240 

ReJer to NPO-21O 0, volume and number oj this Tech Briefs is ue and 

lhe page number. 

ASA Tech Briefs, Febmary 2002 
• Capacitors Containing Nanocrystalline 

BaTi03 as Dielectric 

Energy densities, breakdown potentials, and resistances exceed 

those of prior BaTi03-dielectric capacitors. 

John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

Capacitors in which the main dielectric layer are made from sintered 

nanocrystalline BaTi03 have been fabricated and tested in an initially successful and continuing effort to increase 

energy den ities, breakdown potential, 

and insulation resistance beyond those 

of prior commercial capacitors that 

contain coarser-grained intered 

BaTi03• This development effort i 

based on the premi e that the relevant 

physical properties of BaTi03 grain 

vary with their ize in uch a way thal 

maller grains are better uited for u e 

as dieleclrics in capacitor. 

The variation in question can be 

ummarized as follow: 

• apacitance and Energy- torage 

Den ity: For reason too omplex to 

be explained in the limited pa e 

availabl for th i articl, hy teretic 

witching of ferroel ctric domain in 

BaTi 3 give ri e to a 10 of capac itan and thu a 10 of incremental 

n rgy- torage den ity with increasing applied potential. It had been 

onje lUr d that thi delrimental effect of ferroelectric-domain witching ould be minimized b reducing 

grain ize to the nano ry taJlin 

range (<100 nm) . Thu , it hould be 

po ibl to tor more energy, e peiall n ar the upper limit of applied 

vol tag for a given capacitor. 

• Breakdown Potential and Energytorage Den ity: Th breakdown potential of BaTi03 or another erarni 

diele tric material i relat d to its 

m hani al tr ngth, whi h i apProperty 

Grain Size 

Relative PerrOlttlvlty 

Insulation Resistance at Temperature of 25 C 

at Applied Potential of 

200 V at Temperature of 200 C 

DielectriC 

Breakdown 

Potentlalffhlckness 

Electric Field Equiv. to 

Potenhaiffhlckness 

-=====-

Energy-Storage DenSity at Half of Average 

Breakdown Potential 

proximately inversely proportional 

to the square root of the size of its 

small est internal flaw. Inasm uch as 

the flaw size cannot be smaller than 

the grain size, it i expected that, 

along with mechanical strength , the 

breakdown potential should increase 

with decrea ing grain size. The expected increa e in the breakdown 

potential would contribute, along 

with the expected increase in capacitance, to an increase in achievable 

energy- torage density. 

• In ulation Re istance: The in ulation re i tance of a capacitor i quantified by measuring the direct current that it pa se when charged to a 

teady poten tial. A simplified electric 

model of a grainy dielectric material 

i that of grain-boundary and grainint rior elements in erie. In a 

nanocry talline (grain ize Ie s than 

about 100 nm) dielectric, more inherently re i tive grain boundarie 

are pre ent p r unit thickne than 

are pre ent in a oar er-grained verion of the arne material and thu 

one pects the in ulation re i tance 

to be greater. 

In preparation for te ting the e concepts, multila r apacitor that contained intered nanocrystalline diel -

tric la er wer fabri ated. The 

nanocry talline di lectric material were 

formulated to ali fy an Electronic Indu trie of meri a (TA) tandard, 

all d 7R, that pecifie acceptable 

ranges of diel ctri propertie as fun -

lion f temp rature. a h grain of th 

capacitors Made From Commercial CapaCitors 

Nanocrystalline BaTi03 Made From CoarserGrsined BaTi03 

<100 nm 0.5 11m 

1.815 2.498 

1.240 Gil 132 Gil 

730 Mil 138 Mil 

863 V/8.75 11m 744 V117.311m 

986 V!lIm 43.0V/llm 

3.20 J/cm3 1.86 J/cm3 

The Nanocrystalline-BaTiO. Capacitors were tested along with commercial BaTIOl-dielectric capacitors 

and found to be superior with respect to insulation resistance, dielectric-breakdown electric field, and 

energy-storage density. 

Tech Sri [s, FcbnlaJ) 2002 "'" .n, Ie h.com 

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For Free Info Circle No. 403 or 

Enter No. 403 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
42 

For Free Info Circle No. 419 or 

Enter No. 419 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Electronics 

X7R-compliant BaTi03 has a duplex microstructure compri ing a lighliy doped ferro lectric core surrounded by a 

heavily doped paraelectric hell. (The dopants are Bi, b, 

Zn, and Mn). 

The table presents re ults of te ts of capacitors made from 

one of the nanocrystaliine-BaTi03 formulations and of commercially available capacit r made from coar er-grained 

BaTi03. These re ults clearly indicate the superiority of the 

nanocrystalline BaTi03 as the dielectric material. On the 

basis of these re ults and of other ob ervation made during 

the te ts, it appears that in comparison with capacitors made 

from coarser-grained BaTiOs, capacitors made from 

nanocrystalline BaTi03 can operate more reliably at high 

temperature and high voltages, can be made smaller and 

lighter for a given capacitance value, and can have higher energy-storage densities and higher capacitances for a given 

case ize. 

This work was done by John Freim and Yuval Avniel of anamaterials Research Corp. Jor Glenn Research Center. 

Inquiries concerning right for the commercial use of this invention should be addressed 10 'A 'A Glenn Research Center, Commercial Technology Office, Attn: leve Fedor, Mail Slop 4-8, 21000 

Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW16984 . 

• Millimeter-Wave and 

Microwave Treatment of 

Atherosclerosis 

Controlled temperature profiles are generated 

to treat diseased coronary arteries without 

injuring them. 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Cenlel; Houston, Texas 

Millimeter-wave/ microwave ablation (essentially, heating by 

use of millimeter-wave and microwave electromagnetic radiation) ha been propo ed as a mean of treating athero clerotic 

Ie ions. Computational simulation have shown that by conu'olling and customizing temp rature profile in millimeter-wave/ 

microwave ablation, it hould be po ible to (1) treat ali1eroclero i or coronary li1rombo i without (2) incuning me di 

tension and injuries to arterial wall and epithelial wall that are 

common to current invasive treatments, while (3) po ibl reducing po t-u"eatment inflammation and even re teno i . AJmough millimeter-wave/ microwave ablation has el to be 

proved in tests on live animals, it offers me potential to ignifiPulse-Duration 

Control 

MIllimeter-Wave 

or MICrowave 

Source 

Power-Level 

Control 

Automatic Shutdown 

Waveguide or Coaxial Catheter 

An Antenna on t he Tip of a Catheter would radiate millimeter-wave or microwave energy to heat atherosclerotic lesions. 

A Tech Briefs, February 2002 
canuy advance the tate of the art. Indeed, after further te ting, m iIli meterwave/ microwave ablation might be used 

by cardiologi ts during balloon angioplasty replacement procedure (PTCAs) 

or coronary catheterizations. Because it i 

expected to be afer and more effective 

than traditional methods, mi llimeterwave/ microwave ablation could 0011 

supplement or even supplant today's 

treatment choice. 

In millimeter-wave/ microwave ablation, electromagnetic energy would be 

delivered via a catheter to a preci e location in a coronary artery for elective 

heating of a targeted atherosclerotic leion. Heating to controlled, cu tomized 

temperature profiles could be used to 

treat Ie ion in the intima and media layers or an artery wall, yet the mo t superficial endouleliaJ cell layer and Ule outer 

adventitial layer would be pre erved. 

Pr ervation of the endothelial ell layer 

i nece ary to prevent thrombotic, inflammat ry, and proliferative proce e 

(resteno i ), which complicate angioplastic procedure. 

In millimeter-wave/ microwave ablation, advamageou temperature profile 

would be obtained b ontrolling the 

power delivered, pulse duration, and frequen y. For be t re ul , the profile 

would b ch en 0 that the maximum 

temperature i delivered at the mer of 

an athero cl roti Ie ion and the temperature would d crease, uniforml in 

all dir tions, \vitb di tance from the center. The heating would favorabl mod if , 

lipid-rich Ie ion ulat contain the inflammat0T)' cellular infiluate that are prone 

to rupture, and the rupture r which 

cau e thromb tic artery oc lu ion 

(heart attacks). 

The major components f an apparatus for millimeter-wave/ micr wave ablation apparaLU ( e figur ) would indud 

a millimeter-wave/ micr I ve ur e, a 

catheter/u<lJl m' ion line, and an antenna at the di tal nd of the ath ter. 

The ource would g nerate millimeterwal' or micr wa\' power at a ontrolled 

lev I up to 10 W, with a pul e dur.:l.tion between 0.1 and 10 controlled t Il'iiliin 2 

percent. cho n frequen ' belli' en 2 

and 300 l Iz could b used; a s parate 

source would probabl be needed for 

a h frequen . The atheter/ tnm mi 

ion lin w uld deliv r th p wer t th 

ant nna. 

Th antenna w uld Ii cus the radiated 

beam that mo t of the millim ter-wme 

r microwave energy w uld be d 'po it d 

within the targeted atherosderoti le ion . 

Becaus f Ul rapid de a of Ul el ctromagnetic lval'e, litu energy I\'ould p s 

into, or be 'ond, the adlentitl,. Bv uit-

-\ Tech Bri r .. , Febmulf 2002 

able choice of the power delivered, pulse 

duration, frequency, and antenna de ign 

(which affects the width of the radiated 

beam), the temperature profile could be 

cu tomized to the ize, shape, and type of 

lesion being u·eated. By conu'oll ing temperature, one could limit (I) ule danlage 

to the endothelial layers and (2) the risk 

of ov rheating nondi eas d tissue and 

proximal blood. For afety, the conu'ol 

system f the apparatus would provide 

automatic shutoff in the event of an inappropriate power level, excessive reflected 

power, unsuitable pul e duration, or heating beyond pre cribed limits. 

This work was done fry Patrick Fink and G. 

D. Arndt of Johnson Space Center; J R 

Carl and Reginald Beer of Lockheed Martin; 

George RaIJoul of Hernandez Engineering, 

Inc.; and Philip Henry and Antonio Pacifico. 

For further infonnation, access the Technical 

Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.llasatech.com/ tsp U11der the Electronic 

Components and Systems category. 

This invention has been palented fry NASA 

(u. . Palent To. 6,047,216). Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license for its 

commercial development should be addressed to 

the Patent Counsel, Johnson Space Genle/; 

(281) 483-0837. Refer to MSCr22724. 

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• Software 

€I KPP - a Preprocessor for VHDL 

KPP is a computer program that s rves as a preprocessor for 

VHDL code. ["VHDL" signifie VH IC Hardware Description 

Language, which i a language used by the United State Department of Defen e for describing, de igning, and imulating 

very-high-speed integrated circuits (VH rCs).] KPP is based on, 

and imilar to, CPP, which i a preproce ing program for the C 

computing language. KPP adds certain features that are useful 

to digital design engineers but are lacking in VHDL. The e include, mo t notably, a capability for nested looping. KPP aI 0 

provides a number of standard functions for defining and undefining variables, incorporating contents of named file, conditional execution ofinstrucLions, and block omments. The use 

of KPP can enable faster coding and greater reu e of de igns. 

KPP can run in the Windows 95, Windows 9 , and Window 

op rating ystems. 

This program was written l7y Richard Katz ojGoddard Space Flight 

Center and L Brill oj Edutech, Inc. Forjurther injann£ltion, access the 

Technical upport Package (TSP) free on-lillJ! at WWUJ.llasatech.rom/tsp 

under the ojt.ware category. 

GSG14380 

o Software for Analyzing Valve-Actuator 

Performance 

computer program as i L~ engineers in analyzing data on the 

performance of actuators of fuel and oxidizer valve in the main 

engine of the pace huttJe. The program could be adapted to 

imilar us in other ettings in which, as in tJ1e pace shuttJe, valve 

actuatol are in o-umented to provide data on commanded verus actual actuator po ition . The program acquire uch data 

during a pecifi d diagno tic pro edure in which valve are 

opened and closed. The program proce e the data and generate everal indication of performance, including trend plots, 

delta command minus actual po ition plots, ramp-rate plots, 

en'or-from-<:ommand plots, and the mean and tandard deviation of the plotted quantitie . The advantage afforded by the 

program is that it give more infonnation than doe a imple 

pass/ fail le ting criterion. By looking at engineering performance profile generated by thi program during te ts performed at different time , the engineers can identify valve that 

are about to fail in time to replace them. 

This program was written l7y Edwin A. Cortes oj Kennedy Space 

Center. Far 11l01-e injannation, contact the Kennedy Commercial Technolo{!;j Office aI32J-867-6224. 

KSG12238 

€I Software for Network Processing of 

Work Orders 

The Electronic Portable Information Collection (EPI ) computer program i a computer ystem that proce es work authorization documents (WADs). The EPIC System, which i aI 0 

known as the Portable Data Collection ystem, compri e a central data erver and portable data terminal . The cenu-aJ data 

server acts as the host on a local-area network and maintain the 

WAD data in tructured Query Language (SQL) and a database. 

The portable data tenninals are de ktop, laptop, and pen-based 

tabl t computers that run, vaJ;ously, the Windows 95 or Windows 

Tech Briefs, February 2002 
NT operating system and are connected 

to the central data server via the network. 

In the current process that the EPIC 

system is de igned to replace, all data 

pertaining to a job to be done by a 

team of workers are recorded on one 

master paper copy of the WAD for that 

job. Each member of the team has a 

paper copy, on which is recorded information pertinent to the task(s) to be 

performed by that member. Entries on 

the paper documents are authenticated by use of ink tamps. The person 

who holds the master copy of the WAD 

i the only one who has immediate access to a complete record of all processing that takes place, including deviations incorporated into the WAD. 

In the EPIC system, task step, deviations, and other pertinent data are tored 

in the SQL database, which is read and 

written by use of the EPIC software. 

Stamping i perfonned electronically; 

that is, the aforementioned data include 

information that erve the purpo e now 

erved by ink stamp. By use of the EPr 

oftware, WAD can readil be tored, retrieved, and run on-line. 

The EPI oftware include the following module: 

• Form Conversion Module 

Prior to xecution of the job de CJibed 

in a WAD, this module i used to exmlct 

the data fr m the WAD (whi h is a Micro oft Word document) and in ert the 

data into the database. 

• tamp Utilities Module 

This module admini trate the electronic tamps. It as ociate the electronic tamp with the data in the database, including the user' name, and 

the user' telephone, fax, oill e, and 

identification number. It al 0 associate the tamp with the authentication 

image of the work tamp assign d to 

the p J on who p r£ nn d the task to 

which the tamp pertain. 

• Report Generator Module 

After completion of ajob. thi module 

generat an as-nm reporl. Th report 

include all of the infOlmation from the 

original version f th WAD plus the 

tamp, notes, deviati n, and other 

data that were entered dllling the job. 

The repon i put into Portabl D cument FOllllat (PDF); u h, it is a 

read-onl d cument that an be 

earched. lean r ports, whi h consi t 

of lh original WAD plu deviations but 

no tamp or data ntrie, can al 0 b 

general d. 

• Portable Data Terminal JI.loduli' 

Thi module prodele a graphi alu er 

interface ( J) ~ r eli playing the information on, and enu of information into th . t m from, the 

\ Te h Brief:, Febman 2002 

portable data terminal ofa member of Corp. Forfurther infarmation, see belaw. 

the team. A member can enter task 

data by use of a keyboard, mouse, or 

electronic pen. A member can alter 

work proced ures by use of a deviation 

form through which the WAD can be 

edited and approvals for changes can 

be obtained. As infonnation is thus 

entered via a portable data terminal, it 

becomes immediately available on all 

the other portable data temlinals. 

This program was written IYy Kathy Potter, 

In accardance with Public Law 96-517, the 

contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights far its commercial use should be addressed to 

Raymond Babineau 

entel Carp. 

PO Box 1899 

Dahlgren, VA 22448 

(504) 663-0471 

E-mail: roabineau@sentel.com 

John Lekki, and Carl I Delaune if Kennedy 

Space Center and Mike Kappel oj Sentel 

Refer to KSC-12172, volume and number 

oj this ASA Tech Briefs issue, and the 

page number. 

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For Free Info Circle No. 511 or Enter No. 511 at www.nasatech.com/rs 15 
Materials 

• Testing Soil for Electrokinetically Enhanced Bioremediation 

Data from tests provide guidance for in situ treatment. 

John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

The term "prefield test" denotes an 

in situ te t of contaminated oil in 

preparation for in situ treatment of the 

soil by a method called "electrokinetically enhanced bioremediation" 

(EEB). A prefield test yields data that are 

helpful in designing and operating an effici ent and co t-effective EEB system. 

EEB was described in "Engineered 

Bioremediation of Contaminated Soil" 

(KSC-12045), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, 

No.7 Uuly 2001), page 58. To recapitulate: EEB involves the utilization of 

controlled flow of liquids and gases 

into and out of the ground via wells, in 

conjunction with electrokinetic transport of matter through pores in the 

oil, to provide reagents and nutrients 

that enhance the natural degradation 

of contaminants by indigenous and/or 

Features 

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Call fo~ sp@cial OEM p~ic1ng 

and custOM configu~ationl 

introduced micro-organisms. An EEB 

system includes injection and electrode 

wells, pump, reservoirs of chemicals, 

and other components needed to control the movements of charged anionic 

and cationic a well as noncharged 

chemical species and micro-organisms 

through the ground. 

It has been standard practice, in 

preparing to de ign ystems for in situ 

treatment of contaminated soil, to perform bench-scale laboratory te t on 

samples of soil from contaminated sites 

to determine hydrogeological, physical, and chemical parameters of oils 

and contaminants. A prefield te t yields 

additional information that cannot be 

obtained from a bench-scale test and 

thu makes it possible to design a superior treatment y tern for a pecific conApplications 

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8OS520.3300phone . www.lnnovative-dsp.com 

46 For Free Info Circle No. 414 or Enter No. 414 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

taminated site. The additional information pertains to electrical conductivity 

and other parameters that vary spatially 

because of spatial variations in such 

properties of the soil as porosity, density of packing of particles, and chemical properties of pore fluid/ soil interfaces. The data from a prefield test 

make it possible to optimize such design and operating parameters as applied voltages and currents and the poitions of electrode wells, in order to 

treat the contaminated soil efficiently 

and more nearly uniformly. 

In preparation for a prefield test, 

one inserts multipl e test electrodes at 

different locations dispersed over the 

soil region of interest. At least one test 

electrode must be an anode and at 

lea t one must be a cathode (see figure) . During the te t, known dc voltages and currents are applied to the oil 

via the test electrodes. Voltage probe 

are in erted in the soil at variou depths 

and al numerou horizontal po itions 

between the le t elecu·odes. The voltage readings as functions of position 

are used to generate a three-dimensional map of the test electric field. 

The inhomogeneities of the test electric field are related to the inhomogeneitie of the soil and the positions 

of tl1e te t electrodes, and can be u ed 

to guide the ub equent placement of 

working electrode wells for remediation of the oil. A rule of thumb calls 

for the placing of the working electrode wells so that at locations far from 

the electrode wells but till within the 

region of oil to be treated, the electric 

field hould be at lea t 10 to 20 percent 

a strong as the electric fie lds near the 

electrode we ll . 

Other parameters can al 0 be meaured during a prefield te t: 

• It can be u eful to measure the temperature of the soil at various position between the te t electrode and 

the temperatures of the test electrode wells as functions of applied 

currents. 

• The volumes of fluids in the electrode 

wells can be measured over time to 

determine rates of electro-osmotic 

NASA Tech Brief! , February 2002 
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Test Anode Wells 

/ Test Cathode Wells ~ 

• • l" "'~1-----14 ft ---- I ---------------------28ft-----------------~ 1 

Test Cat hode and Anode Wells can be positioned in this pattern or any of a variety of other patterns, depending on the size and nature of the soil region 

of interest. The minimum number of electrode wells needed for a prefield test is three. 

flow through th soil. It may al 0 be 

u eful to track rates of electro-o motic 

flow functions of applied voltage. 

• Voltage drops acros electrode-well 

walls can be measured for u e in determining the optimum well-wall material for particular oil condition. 

• The pH of the oil near a test electrode well can be measured while relea ing a pH-adju ting olution from 

the well at a known rate. The re ult 

of this measurement provide guidance for adju ting the pH of the soil 

during treatment. 

This work was done by Dalibor Hodko of 

Lynntech, Inc., for Kennedy Sp ace Center. For further information, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at www.nasatech. com/tsp under the 

Materials 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 

Dalibor Hodko 

Lynntech, 1nc. 

7610 Eastmark Drive 

Suite 202 

College Station, TX 77840 

(979) 693-0017 

Refer to KSC-12160, volume and number 

of this ASA T ch Briefs issue, and the 

page number. 

48 For Free Info Circle No. 526 or Enter No. 526 at www.nasatech.com/rs A Tech Briefi • February 2002 
Mechanics 

o Software for Designing Actively Controlled Structures 

One program offers capabilities heretofore available only in separate programs. 

John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

SMARTCOM i a computer program for the analysis and 

design of actively controlled "smart" structure. Typically, an 

actively controlled "smart" structure incorporates piezoelectric 

ensors and actuators that are used, in conjunction with an electrical control ystem, to damp vibrations. As i the case for other 

tructures, the analysi and de ign of actively controlled U mart" 

tructure i often best accomplished with the help of finite-element computer programs. nfortunately, prior finite-element 

code do not offer coupl d analyse of the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of U mart"-structure materials. Also, 

they are not directly link d with control oftware, making it nece ary to use separate finite-element and control program to 

analyz controlled structure. Furthermore, the programs used 

heretofore to de ign " mart" tructure do not offer capabilitie 

for optimization or for probabili tic or fuzzy anal i. 

In contrast, MART OM offer all of the needed function 

and capabilitie in one package. MART OM can be used for 

finite-el ment modeling of el cttical, mechanical, and thermal 

(fects. It in ludes control algorithm for active damping, algorithm for optimizing th de ign of tructure , and algorithm 

for fuzzy and probabili tic modeling of uncertaintie . 

MARTCOM compri e everal module that are u ed, valiousl , imultaneously or in equence ( ee figure). At the pre em 

tate of developm nt, the module are the following: 

• MART OM (having the arne narn as that of th 

program) g n rate a graphical us r imerfa e ( I) and 

control the execution of the oth r module. The G [provide asy-to-u dialogue that help the user to sp cify data, 

define the problem, p cify anal i option, \ ' ualiz a tru -

ture, and vi ualize the re ults of the anal i f th uucture. 

The re ults of the anal is an be di played in b th textual 

and graphical fonTI . 

SMARTPRB SMARTFUZ 

SMARTPOS 

This Data-Flow Diagram shows the relationships among some of the modules 

of SMARTCOM. 

-\ Tech Brie~ • Febmal) 2002 

• SMARTPRE preproces es data for mathematical modeling. 

• MARTMSH generates computational me he for imple shapes. 

• MARTFEM is a finite-element-analysis code that model mechanical, thermal, and electric fields and i integrated directly 

with control algoritllms. 

• MARTOPT contain optimization algorithms integrated with 

MARTFEM. 

• MARTF Z contain fuzzy modeling algorithms integrated 

with SMARTFEM. 

• MARTPRB implements probabili tic matllematical model 

and technique . 

• MARTPOS po tproce e th re ults ofan anal is for di play. 

This w01'k wa done by Ming S. Hung of Expert System 

Applications, Inc., for Glenn Research Center. For further 

infomwtion, access the Technical upport Package (TSP).free on-line 

at www.nasatedt.com/Lsp under the Mechanic category. 

Inquirie concerning rights for the commercial 'Use of this invention 

should be addres ed 10 ~ A Glenn Research Center; Commercial 

Technology OffiCl', Attn: leve Fedor; Mail top 4-8, 21000 Brookpark 

Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-16 10. 

For Free Info Circle No. 422 o r 

Enter No. 422 at www.nasat ech.co mlrs 49 
Mechanics 

o Magnetically Moved Trim Masses for Fine Position Control 

Control would be achieved without spurious effects generated by propulsion systems. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

y tern of caged trim masse manipulated by magnetic fields have been propo ed for effecting fine control of the 

po itions and/ or orientation of spacecraft. The y tems were conceived for u e 

during observation by pacebome interferometers, the component instruments 

of which (1) are located on multiple 

spacecraft flying in formation and (2) 

are required to be kept aligned with each 

other within nalTOW position and orientation tolerance . The propo ed systems 

would make it po ible to avoid the purious effects generated by the spacecraft 

propul ion ystems that would otherwise 

have to be used for fine position control; 

the spurious effects would include vibration , exhaust, and flashes of light, which 

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would be detrimental to the interferometlic observation. Terrestrial ver ion 

of the proposed system might be useful 

for fine horizontal positioning of delicate scientific instruments. 

Three caged trim mas e would be 

needed for complete position and orientation control of a pacecraft in three dimensions. Each trim mass would be manipulated by three pairs of opposing 

electromagnets - one pair for each of 

three mutually orthogonal axes ( ee figure). During time when observations 

were not being performed (e.g., during 

use of the pacecraft thrusters) , the electromagnets would b activated to r t 

the trim mas es to, and hold them at, the 

central po ition within their cages. 

This work wa done by James Kelley 

of Callech for NASA's Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory. For further infannation, access 

lhe Technical Support Package (TSP) free 

on-line at www.nasatech.rom/tsp under the 

Mechanics category. 

NPO-20570 

z 

jage 

r---f----', Electromagnet 

~- X 

Trim Mass 

VIEW ALONG Y AXIS 

z 

Y 

VIEW ALONG X AXIS 

A Trim Mass Would Be Manipulated by six 

electromagnets located on the axes of a 

Cartesian coordinate system. 

ASA Tech Briefi • February 2002 
• Physical Sciences 

~ New Technique Improves Cirrus Cloud Characterization 

Radiometric measurements at submillimeter-wavelength accurately characterize cirrus cloud 

properties. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A new technique for retrieving cirrus 

properties from radiomeuic measurements at submillimeter wavelength 

has been developed. The technique 

can accurately measure the amount of 

ice pre ent in cirrus clouds, determine 

the median crystal size, and con train 

crystal shape. The re trieval algorithm 

improves upon prior algorithms by also 

reuieving middle and upper tropospheric water-vapor profUe in concert 

with cloud properties. This joint-analysis method corrects for retrieval errors 

introduced by water vapor in and near 

the cloud. 

ubmillimete r-wave cloud ice radiome t.ry is a relatively new technique. 

In 1995, two theoretical papers were 

published de cribing the use of radiometry to characterize ice clouds. 

These studies indicated that cirrus 

clouds scatter the upwelling flux of 

submillimeter-wavelength radiation 

emitted by lower atmospheric water 

vapor back toward the Earth, thus reducing the upward flux of energy. (In 

the submillimeter-wave spectral region, 

ice particles primarily scatter radiation 

rather than emitting or absorbing it.) 

From space, this effect makes cloud 

look radiatively cold against the warm 

emissions of water vapor in the lower 

troposphere. The ability of cirrus ice to 

scatter radiation is primarily a function 

of the amount of ice and the distribution of crystal sizes. Scattering induced 

by changes in crystal size is di ti.nguished from cattering induced by 

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change in the total ice content, 

termed the ice water path (IWP), by 

making measurements at widely spaced 

frequencies. Additionally, crystal shape 

can be constrained by determining the 

crystal height-to-width aspect ratio, 

which is derived from off-nadir measurements at orthogonal polarization 

angles. Key assumptions underlying the 

theoretical predictions were validated 

by a set of airborne measurements in 

1996. 

The new retrieval algorithm corrects 

for middle and upper tropospheric 

water vapor that degrade retrieval accuracy via two mechanisms. First, water 

vapor emits radiation, reducing the apparent fraction of the radiation scattered 

by an underlying cloud. econd, water 

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Tech Bri Ii, F bruar)" 2002 For Free Info Circle No. 528 or Enter No. 528 at www.nasatech.com/rs 51 
Physical Sciences 

IWP Decibel Error Orne Decibel Error 

vapor absorbs radiation, 

also reducing the apparent scattered fraction. 

Thus, there is a need for a 

retrieval technique that 

corrects for these watervapor-induced screening 

effects. The new algorithm builds on previous 

work by simultaneously 

retrieving water-vapor 

profiles and cin-us properties. 

-'"-

Experiment Median Root Mean Median Root Mean 

Square Square 

CEPEX, Zenith Looking, 10 Channels 1.2 2.3 0.7 1.1 

CEPEX, Slant Upward Looking, 10 Channels 1.1 2.2 0.6 1.0 .... -

CEPEX, Zenith Looking, 11 Channels 0.8 1.8 0.6 1.0 

- --- -"" 

FIRE II, Nadir Looking, 10 Channels 1.2 2.1 1.0 1.6 

Errors Associated With Retrieval of IWP and Om. are significantly reduced with the new retrieval technique. A Bayesian algorithm 

52 

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is used to invert a mathematical model of the radiometric 

properties of both cloud ice and water 

vapor. The model is statistical in nature 

relying on a combination of an in-situ 

cirrus measurement database, assumptions about vertical cloud inhomogeneity, and estimates of cloud temperature. The in-situ cirrus database 

consists of measurements from four 

sets of field measurements including 

three sets taken over a tropical site 

(CEPEX) and one over a midLatitude, 

Midcontinent site (FIRE II). The assumptions about cloud inhomogeneity 

are based on the observed relationship 

between IWP and tbe median crystal 

diameter, Dme. 

The accuracy of this method bas 

been assessed in computational simulations using the complement of radiometric channel pLanned for a new 

airborne instrument, the submillimeter-wavelength cloud ice radiometer 

(SWCIR) currently being developed by 

JPL. The instrument will have the capability to make radiometric measurements at ten frequencies spanning from 

183 to 643 CHz. The simulations have 

quantified the accuracy of expected cirrus retrievals and have also quantified 

improvements that could be expected 

with the addition of an 880-CHz channel. The table presents selected results 

from these simulations. These results illustrate the dramatic improvement in 

accuracy that is achievable with the new· 

analysis technique. 

This work was performed by Steven Walter of Caltech (now employed by Aerojet in 

Azusa, CA), and K. Franklin Evans and 

Aaron Evans at the University of Colorado 

for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 

For furtheT information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical 

Sciences category. 

NPO-21016 

ASA Tech Briefs, Febru3ll' 2002 
Information Sciences 

tj Maximum-Likelihood Template Matching 

This algorithm features a robust measure of matching and an efficient search technique. 

NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

An improved algorithm for detecting 

gray-scale and binary templates in digitized image has been devised. The greate t difference between this algorithm and 

certainty is below a pecified threshold. 

In oilier recognition applications, one accepts all template positions with likelihoods greater ilian orne ilireshold value. 

The earch for ilie template position(s) is perfonned according a variant 

of a multiresolution technique that 

make it unnecessary to con ider all po -

prior template-detecting algo- r------------------------------------, 

Feltures selected Tracked Features 

rithms stems from the measure 

used to detennine the quality 

or degree of match between a 

template and given portion of 

an image. Thi measure i 

bas d on a maximum-likelihood fonnulation of the tempial -matching problem; tlti 

measure, and tile matching p rfonnance obtained by use of it, 

are more robust than are tho e 

of prior template-matching aIgoriilims, mo t of which utilize 

a um-of quared-difference 

measure. Otller function tIlat 

ilic algoriilim perfOlTIlS along 

witll template matching include 

In an Image of Rocky Terrain. 100 7-by-7-pixel feature templates were selected as having the lowest uncertainty for 

tracking. Tracking was then performed in an image acquired after the camera had undergone forward motion. Seventy-two features survived to be tracked after pruning by use of uncertainty and probability-of-failure measures. 

No false positives remained among the tracked features. 

ubpixel localization, e timation of uncertainty, and Optinlal selection of feature. 

This algoriilim is expected to be useful for 

det ting templates in digital imag in a 

van ty of application , in luding recognition of objects, ranging b us of tereocopic imag ,and tracking of moving objects or feature. (For the purpose of 

tracking, feature or obj cts recogniz d in 

an initial image could be used as template 

for matching in ub quem imag of ilie 

same scene.) 

For the ake of computational implici ,tile pre ent version of tile algoritllm 

involve t:wo-dimen ional edge and int nity t mplate , tile po pa e ofwhi hi 

r tricted to tran lation in the image 

plane; hm e\' r, it i po ible, in principl , 

to extend til algorithm to more compl 

case . The basic image-matching t chniqu u ed in th algorithm utiliz a 

prior maximum-likelihood fonnulation 

of edge templat matching tIlat has be n 

extended to in lude matching of gra -

cal template . In tIli fonnulation, on 

gen rate a function that assigns a likelihood to each of ilie p ible po ition of 

a template. In an application in whi h a 

ingl in [an orth t mplate appears in 

tile image, (e.g., tracking or ter 0 cop ), 

one accepts the template po irion wim 

tile highe t likelihood if tile matching unTech Briefs. February 2002 

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For Free Info Circle No. 413 or Enter No. 41 3 at www.nasatech.com/rs 53 
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Enter No. 424 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Information Sciences 

ible template posItIOns explicitly, yet 

makes it possible to find the best template po ition(s) in a discretized earch 

space. In this technique, the pace of 

model po itions i divided into rectilinear cells and the cells are tested to determine which (if any) contain positions 

that atisfy a likelihood-based acceptance 

criterion. The cells that pas tl1e test are 

divided into subcells, which are examined recursively, and the re t are pruned. 

Inasmuch as tl1e likelihood function 

measure tl1e probability that each position is an instance of the template, error 

and uncertainty cause the Iikelihoodfunction peak that correspond to that 

position to be pread over some volume 

of the pose pace. Integration of tl1e likelihood function under the peak yields 

an improved measure of the quality of 

the peak as a location of the template. 

ubpixel localization and estimation of 

uncertainty are performed by fitting the 

likelihood urface with a parameterized 

function at the locations of the peaks. In 

a stereo copic or tracking application, 

the probability of failure to detect the 

correct position of the template is estimated in a procedure that include a 

comparison of the integral of the likelihood under the mo t likely peak to the 

integral of the likelihood in the remainder of the pose space. 

The foregoing techniques used for 

matching templates can al 0 be adapted 

to the optimal selection of features for 

tracking. This involve e timation of the 

uncertainty of matching each po ible 

feature with a region of the image in 

which it might he. The features at the location with the lowest uncertainty values are selected as the optimal features 

for o-acking ( ee figure) . 

This work was done by Clark F. Olson of 

Caltech for NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the 

Technical upport Package (To P) free on-line 

at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Information cien.ces category. 

NPO-21 026 

@Fast Algorithms and Circuits for Quantum 

Wavelet Transforms 

These theoretical building blocks could be used to implement 

a variety of quantum algorithms. 

r;4SA:S Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

Fast algorithm and the fir t complete 

and efficient circuits for implementing 

two quantum wavelet transform have 

been developed in theory. The ignificance of this development within the 

overall d velopment of quantum computing i the following: In principle, tl1e 

algorithms and circuits constitute intruction for implementing the tranform by use of primitive quantum gate; 

the circuits in thi case are analogou to 

circuit-diagram-level de cription of clasical electronic circuits that perform 

logic functions. 

Quantum wavelet nan form are fundamental computational operation that 

an be incorporated into many different 

quantum algorithms. uch tran form 

could be useful for optical quantum 

compre ion of data and for quantumenhanced image proce sing. They may 

even be useful for e timating quantum 

tate. The two wavelet transforms of interest here are the quantum Haar and 

the quantum Daubechie D (4) transform. The approach taken in tl1e development of algorithm and circuits to implement these tran forms involved 

www.nasatech.com 

factorization of the clas ical operators 

for these transforms into direct urns, direct products, and inner products of 

unitary matrice to enable efficient 

quantum implementation. 

A particular clas of unitary matrice 

- permutation matrice - playa pivotal role in thi factorization. Permutation matrice arise not only in quantum 

wavelet nan form but also in quantum 

Fourier tran form and in many clas ical 

computation that involve unitary transform for proces ing of signals and images. Computational operation that can 

be performed easily and inexpen ively 

following a classical approach cannot always be p rformed thi way following a 

quantum approach, and vice versa. The 

computational co t of permutation matrice i negligible in the classical approach because the matrice can be 

avoided explicitly, whereas in the quantum approach, permutation operations 

mu t be performed explicitly and hence 

the co t of these operation must be included in the full measure of the complexity and thus the cost of the affected 

quantum wavelet transforms. 

ASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
One of the quantum circuits that was 

developed, denoted the "qubit swap 

gate," implements a fundamental permutation matrix denoted "TI4'" One can 

assemble qubit swap gates to implement 

other fundamental permutation matrices; namely, the perfect-shuffle mauix 

(TI2n) and the bit-reversal matrix (P2n). 

For quantum computing, the perfectshuffle and bit-reversal matrices can be 

characterized directly in terms of their 

effects on tile ordering of qubits. One 

can assemble building blocks of circuits 

for these and other matrices to implement the quantum Baar, Daubechies 

D (4), and wavelet transforms (see figure). 

The present algorithms and circuits 

have been validated through exten ive 

simulation. Prior to this development, 

it had been demonstrated that basic 

quantum gates can be implemented experimentally by use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, cavity 

quantum electrodynamics, and ion 

traps. At tile time of reporting the information for this article, no one had 

yet demonstrated m.at such gates can be 

integrated together into large-scale 

quantum circuits; however, efforts to do 

so were under way at NASA' Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 

This work was done by A mir Fijany and 

Colin Williams of Caltech for NASA's Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at wurw.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Information Sciences category. 

NP0-20747 

( 14= g 1 g6 °g1 g~ ) 

Qubit Swap Gate 

80 

a, 

a2 

a3 

Circuit for Perfect-Shuffle Permutation Matrix, n2n 

80 

a, 

~ 

a3 

nEven 

80 

a, 

a2 

a3 

a4 

nOdd 

Circuits for Bit-Reversal Permutation Matrix, P2n 

80 --------1 

a,------------~ 

a2------; 

Os r-----l 

Block-Level Circuit for HaarWaveletTransform 

a3 

80 

a, 

a2 

a3 

a2 

a, 

80 

a4 

a3 

a2 

a, 

80 

The Qubit Swap Gate implements the n. permutation matrix. A circuit composed of multiple qubit 

swap gates can implement other fundamental permutation matrices. 

Tech Bri fs, Febntlll 2002 www.nasalech.com 

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Books & Reports 

(@ Study of Inertial and 

Gravitational Masses 

of a Boson 

A report present a theoretical study 

of the relationship between the inertial 

mas (mj) and gravitational mass (mg) of 

a self-interacting neutral calar boson in 

a heat bath. The que tion of whether 

these mas es differ arises in modern 

physics. In quantum field theory, the 

mass of a particle appears as a parameter 

that, as a result of interaction with field , 

is changed to a renormalizable, physically reliable value (mJ. The interaction 

of a particle with fields al 0 has a thermal character. Thus, a bo on in a heat 

bath in a gravitational field gains an acceleration different from the gravitational acceleration. The tudy utilizes a 

simple approximate Lagrangian model 

that i well suited for analy is of temperature- and gravitation-related effects. 

This wVl"k was done by Igor Kulikov of 

Calteel! for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a (opy of the report, "Inertial and Gravitational Mas es of Bosons at 

FinilR Temperatures," access the Technical 

Sup/Jort Package (TSP) free on-line at 

U1WW.nasatech.com/i:sp under the Physical 

Sciences category. 

NPO-30325 

@ Metal/ Dielectric Color Filters 

for Flat Panel Displays 

A report expands on the propo al described in "Low-Ab orption olor Filter for Flat Panel Di pia Device " 

( PO-20435) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 23, 

o. 12 (December 1999), page 34. To 

recapitulate: The dye pixel color filter 

in a conventional liquid-crystal or other 

display devi e would be replaced with 

interference fillers, which are Ie s aborptive, and optic would be configured 0 that light reflected from the filter would be reused as illumination. 

The overall effect would be to increase 

brightne and efficiency. The pre ent 

report adds pecificity by proposing that 

the interference filters be of the type described in "Metal/Dielecu'ic-Film Interference Color Filters" ( PO-20217) , 

NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 23, o. 2 (February 1999), page 70: Each filter would be 

made of three thin metal films interspersed with two thin dielectric films. In 

comparison with conventional multilayer 

W\\w.nasatech.com 

all-dielectric filters, the proposed filters 

would contain fewer layer, and therefore could be fabricated more easily and 

at lower co t. 

This wvrk was done by Yu Wang of Caltech 

for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To 

obtain a copy of the report, "Metal Film Interference Filler for Liquid Crystal Display 

Device, " access the Technical Support Package 

(To 'P) free on-line at U1WW.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Physical ciences category. 

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, 

the contractol" has elected to retain title to this 

invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its 

commercial use should be addressed to 

Intellectual Property group 

JPL 

Mail Stop 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 911 09 

(818) 354-2240 

Refer to NPO-20479, volume and number of 

this ASA Tech Briefi issue, and the page 

number. 

(@ Multiphase-F1ow Model of 

Fluidized-Bed Pyrolysis of 

Biomass 

report pre ents additional information about the ubject matter of "Model 

of Pyrolysis of Biomass in a FluidizedBed Reactor" ( PO-2070) /1SA Tech 

Briefs, Vol. 25, I o. 6 Gune 2001), page 

59. The model is built on equation for 

the dynami of thre c mponents -

gas, and, and biomass - partly by taking uitable en emble average of the 

coupled con ervation equations for the 

gas, and for the biomass and and particle . Equation for exchange of mas , 

momentum, and energy between phase 

are included. Equations for trail port of 

the olid phase are clo ed by u e of eparate di tribution function for and and 

biomass particle. Interparticle collision 

are de cribed in the framework of the kinetic theory of den e gase , using inelastic-rigid- phere models. 

This work was done by Josette Bellan and 

Danny Lathouwers of Caltech for NASA's Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a cvpy of 

the report, "Multiphase Flow Equations fVY 

Modeling Tar Production from Biomass 

Particle Pyrolysis in a Fluidized Bed Reactor, " 

access the Technical Support Package (TSP) 

free on-line at U1WW.nasatech.com/tsp under 

the Physical Sciences category. 

NPO-20789 

ABA Tech Brief: , Febntary 2002 
Vision-Only Operator Interface for a Robotic Manipulator 

Images of the actual and commanded robot poses are displayed along with warnings. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A system of elecu'onic hardware and 

software has been developed as an experimental prototype of a visual interface between a human operator and a 

possibly remote one-arm anthropomorphic robotic manipulator. The system is 

denoted, more specifically, as a visiononly operator interface to emphasize 

that unlike some other operator interfaces, it does not include joy ticks, forcefeedback devices, or other mechanical 

devices that could encumber the operator. The operator ommands the robot 

by moving one ofbi or her arms; the operator receives feedback in the form of a 

live video image of the work pa e of the 

robot overlaid with a graphical model of 

the robot plu icon that warn of robot 

pose that hould be avoided. 

The figure i a simplified chematic 

depiction of the flow of data within the 

system and the sequence of actions perfomled by the system. The flow of data 

begins with acquisition of images of the 

operator's arms, by use of four video 

cameras that urround the operator. To 

facilitate tracking, the operator's spa e 

is darkened and the main joints ( houlder, elbow, and wrist) of the operator's 

arm are marked with small light bulb. 

The image dat.a from the video cameras 

are proce ed into three-dimensional 

Cartesian coordinates of the mainjoints 

at a video frame rate of 60 Hz, with an 

accuracy of 10 mm. 

The coordinate of th main joints of 

the operator's arm are converted to commanded angles for joints of the robot 

anTl. These commanded angle are used 

to construct the graphi al model of the 

robot to be overlaid on the live video 

imag of the robot. The model data ar 

analyzed to detect self-collisions, which 

are defined here as sintations in which 

two links of the manipulator come too 

close to each other. The links in danger of 

colliding with each other can be highlighted in the graphical display to help 

the operator avoid elf-colli ions; alternatively, line indicating distances of closest 

approach can be cU.-awn in the display. 

In this system, the commanded joint 

angle are generated by use of the configuration-control fonnali m, which has 

been described in a number of plior 

NASA Tech Briefs articles. The configuration-control formali m can re olve mathematical singularities associated with kinematic redundancie , but adds a1gorithmi 

ingulaIities to robot pose that the operator would not easily recognize as being 

inguJar. Therefore, in the graphical display, the work space ill the vicinity of the 

GenenllUon of Commanded Joint Angles for Robot Live Video Image of Robot OverlaId With Graphical Display 

Images of t he Operator's Arm are processed into commanded robot-joint angles and into a graphical display of the commanded robot pose plus warning 

icons overlaid on a video image of the robot. 

1otioo mrol Tech Brief.~ , February 2002 www.nasateh.com 57 
Motion Control Tech Briefs 

wri t of the robot ann i eli cretized into 

cubes, and each ucb cube is marked in 

red to indicate that a quantitative measure of the ri k of a kinematic or algorithmic singul<uity at the center of that cube 

exceeds a specified threshold. The quantitative measure is the determinant of 

JJL where JA is the augmented Jacobian 

determinant of the system, computed for 

the current orientation and the current 

manipulator ann angle (defined as the 

angle between boulder/elbow/wrist 

plane and the vertical plane that contains 

both the wrist and the base of the robot). 

This work was done by Paolo Fiorini, Eugene Chalfant, Pietro Perona, Enrico 

DiBernardo, and Yuichi Tsumaki of Caltech for NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the 

Electronic Components and Systems category. 

NPO-20912 

Compact, Stiff, Lightweight, Quick-Release Clamp 

This clamp offers several advantages over a prior toggle-action clamp. 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 

The term "CO MOWRAP" denotes a 

compact, tiff, remotely actuatable, lightweight, quick-release clamp that could be 

sub tituted for the larger, heavier, and 

monxlilIicult-to-use toggle-action clamp 

now used in the space shuttle orbiter 

docking system (ODS) to perform contingency separations. In comparison Witl1 

prior hand-operated device designed for 

tl1e same purpo e, the CO MOWRAP is 

smaller and lighter in weight, yet offi rs 

greater capabilitie . The COSMOWRAP 

( ee figure) contain no pring and requires no pre-flight calibration or maintenance. The CO MOWRAP i expected 

to perform well, not only in the spaceshuttle application for which it was originally designed, but aI 0 in terrestrial applications. Because the design of the 

COSMOWRAP reduce the force needed 

for in tallation or removal and provides 

for release by the action of one hand, the 

replacement of the OD toggle-action 

clamp by me COSMOWRAP can be expected to contribute to crew safety in the 

nited tates space program and on the 

International pace Station. 

The toggle action clamp, an adjunct to 

the OD ,carrie a high load and is remotely manually released by use of a 

tether. As its name implie , it include a 

toggle-action mechani m. The mecha5 

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For Free Info Circle No. 426 or Enter No. 426 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

nisrn includes an acmating lever. Unfortunately, because of time limits, the design of me toggle-action clamp was not 

optimized before the clamp was produced. As a result, the toggle-action 

clamp is heavy as well as very large and 

cumber orne - a circumstance WOl -

ened by need for two such clamp on 

eacb spaceflight. The combined assembly length of the toggle-action clamps is 

>32 in. (>81.3 cm) and ach toggle-action clamp weighs 22 lb. (a mas of 10 

kg). In addition, the operation of the 

toggle-action clamp is affected by friction 

in its joints. Because the force needed to 

operate the toggle-action clamp is 

greater than that originally expe ted, a 

winch tool mu t be used to perform a release maneuver when the clamp load i 

high. Moreover, because it is typically 

necessary to perfOJ-rn pre-flight calibration and checkout, the toggle-action 

clamp is not only cumbersome but aI 0 

expen ive to use. 

The OSMOWRAP i a u er-friendly 

and co t-efficient alternative to the toggle-action clamp and has de irable characten I:J. not ob erved in the toggle-action clamp. Among these characteristic 

are the following: 

• The clamping load i ignificantly 

higher at release than at in tallation. 

• The CO MOWRAP is capable of remote manual release. Its release load i 

no more than 25 lb. (Ill ) [tl1e value 

required for space mi ions], although 

the load on the clamp portion of the 

OSMOWRAP can approach 104 lb. 

(44 kN). 

• The clamp can open fully at release to 

enable separation of previou Iy 

clamped interfacial components. 

Two especially notable features of the 

CO MOWRAP de ign are a doubl - lant 

interface and an over-center lock-and-release rolling mechani m that provide operational advantages over the toggle-action clamp and enable quick release. 

Whereas friction in the joints re ists operMotion Control Tech Briefs, February 2002 
Ultra Flat Gearing Components 

CSD Series harmonic drive gearing from 

HD Systems delivers 1 arc-min positional 

accuracy in a compact package. The axial 

length of the CSD Series has been reduced 

by 50% versus the CSF series. This design 

is made possible by HD Systems patented 

"S' tooth profile, as well as manufacturing 

expertise. The CSD series is ideal for many 

applications including robotics, aerospace, 

and factory automation equipment. The CSD 

Series is available in 5 frame sizes, 70mm 

to 170mm in diameter with rated torque 

from 250 in-Ib to 3275 in-lb. Gear ratios 50, 

100,160:1. 

HD Systems, Inc. 

(800)231-HDSI (631 )231 -6630 

For Free Info Circle No. 551 or 

Enter No. 551 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

New, Hollow Shaft Actuators 

The FHA Series of actuators feature a 

through-bore up to 45mm in diameter and 

provides high torque and exceptional 

positioning accuracy. This performance is 

achieved in a compact design using a 

patented ·S· tooth harmonic drive gear 

coupled to a DC brushless pancake motor 

with integral electronic commutation and a 

high resolution encoder. Rated torque up to 

1730 in-Ib and positional accuracy better 

than 1 arc-minute can be achieved. The FHA 

Series is available in five frame sizes, ranging 

from 128 to 300mm in diameter, and 116 to 

248mm in length. 

HD Systems, Inc. 

(800)231-HDSI (631 )231 -6630 

For Free Info Circle No. 550 or 

Enter No. 550 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

ADVERTISEMENT 

NEW, Harmonic Drive Gearhead, Zero Backlash 

The CSF-2UH series high torque gearheads use HD Systems' 

patented ·S· tooth that delivers more than twice the torque, twice the 

life, and twice the torsional stiffness when compared to conventional 

Harmonic Drive Gearing. Positional Accuracy is better than 

1 arc-min. The CSF-2UH series is available in 10 frame sizes with 

rated torque ranging from 48 in-Ib to 8400 in-Ib and peak torque 

ranging from 310 in-Ib to 42,000 in-lb. Gear Ratios 30:1 to 160:1. 

The CSF series uses a rigid cross roller bearing to support its output 

flange. This combination allows the gearhead to be extremely 

compact while providing high axial, radial, and moment load capacities. Easily interfaced with a servo motor, these zero backlash, high 

accuracy gear systems are ideal for indexing tables, robots, and 

factory automation equipment. Flange 0r shaft output available. 

HD Systems, Inc. (800)231-HDSI (631 )231-6630 

For Free Info Circle No. 552 or Enter No. 552 at www.nasatech.com/r;s 

See US at the National Design Show Booth# 417 

For Free Info Circle No. 549 or Enter fio. 549. at www.nasatech_comlrs 
Motion Control Tech Briefs 

Over-Center 

Lock-and-Release 

Link Pivot Pin 

Pivot Pins 

Pivot Pin 

setscrew that enables th precise adjustment of ti1e release load. 

• A slide link make one-hand operation 

po ible. 

Although high- Lrength- teel components are included in the COSMOWRAP, 

it could be possible to make some components from aluminum. depending on 

the magninlde of the load anticipated for 

the intended application. The required 

lope of the slant interface depends on 

the fini h of interface-bemng surfaces. 

Once a surface finish and coating have 

been specified and the corresponding 

ranges of friction are known, tile required slope can be easily determined 

and verified by simple tests. 

The COSMOWRAP serves the same purpose as does a toggle-action clamp, but is smaller, stiffer, lighter 

in weight, more easily operable, and more capable. 

Ease of use, a weight-and- pace-saving 

design. and one-handed operation make 

the COSMOWRAP an attractive addition 

to the U. . pace program. The COSMOWRAP can be us d. for example. to 

assemble and disassemble a wide vadety 

of highly loaded gasket join ts; thus, it can 

b expected to be uitable for a variety of 

applications in hazardous e nvironments. 

not only in outer pace but a\ 0 on Earth 

(for example. in the repair and construction of pipeline, firefighting. and demolition). The CO MOWRAP can aI 0 be 

used as a quick-release C clamp, jig or 

fixture in place of many other leverand/ or toggle-actuated mechani ms. 

ation of the handle in the toggle-action 

clamp, the 0 MOWRAP de ign utilizes 

the friction in the joints in its main load 

path to reduce the release load. At release, the double-slant interface configuration of the COSMOWRAP enables 

complete and quick everance of load 

AUTOMATED SUBMICRON 

POSITIONING 

is easy and affordable using Zaber's 

computer controlled actuators. mirror 

mounts. and other equipment. 

• Replace manual 

micrometer heads 

• Built-in controller & 

RS-232 interface 

• Daisy-chain multiple 

devices to a single 

serial port 

• LabVIEW drivers 

and other software 

• Up to 60 mm travel 

• 0.1 Jim resolution 

• Optional manual 

control knob 

.c 

() 

'" (1) 

(/) 

:::> 

en 

en 

M 

iAE 

o 

... 

LL 

~D& Technologies Inc. 

1-866-409-2237 

info@zaber.com 

www.zaber.com 

For Free Info Circle No. 657 or 

Enter No. 657 at www.nasatech.co mlrs 

paths; as a con equence, the components 

of the 0 MOWRAP can be made hort 

and compact, thu contributing to an optimized de ign charactedzed by minimwn weight and maximum tiffne . 

Other benefits of the COSMOWRAP deign are the following: 

• The over-center lock-and-releas 

rolling mechanism enable the COSMOWRAP to lock itself under load. 

• The roller mechanism in the 0 

MOWRAP is not only Ie adversely affected by friction than is the correponding mechani m in the 

toggle-action clamp; in addition, the 

COSMOWRAP mechanism include a 

This work was done &y Ted W. T!. ai oJJ ohnSOD Space Center. 

This invention is owned &y fASA, and a 

patent application has been filed. Inquiries 

concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license 

jar its commercial development hould be addressed to the Patent Counsel, Johnson Space 

Center, (281) 483-0837. Refer to MSC-22722. 

Software for Geometric Calibration of 

Video Cameras 

NA :A ~ Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A oftware library and et of program 

largel automate the geomemc calibration of video cameras. Developed especially for roboti vision ystem, this soft-

\vare generate the infonnation needed to 

determine the three-dimen ional (3D) 

positions of objects that appear in two-dimensional (2D) video images. Typically. 

the software can perform 2D-t0-3D mappings with preci ion of 0.1 to 0.3 pixels. 

The software enable the creation, manipulation, and application of geometric 

model of camera lense . The models are 

con tructed emiautomatically from images of known calibration targets. and 

the e models can be applied auto matiwww.nasatech.com 

cally to live images, thereb enabling robots to generate the po ition information 

needed for uch robotic operation as manipulation of objects, mapping, and navigation. The oftware supports three main 

type of model : (1) linear (ordinarily 

suitable for fields of view narrower ilian 

about 30°). (2) radial lens di tortion (typically uitable for fields of view ranging 

from 15° to 1l0° wide). and (3) fisheye 

lens distortion (typically uitable for fields 

of view wider than 90°). Camera models 

generated by this software have enabled 

the development of real-time, vi ionbased control systems on a variety of advanced civilian and military robots. 

Motion Control Tech Briefs. February 2002 
The Company with 

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Integrate your machine vision with motion and measurements 

Increase production cycles and lower test costs using an integrated National Instruments platform with vision, 

motion control, and measurement solutions . Perform precision alignment, automated inspection, precision 

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Easy integration 

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and IEEE 1394; and development tools such as LabVIEW"; Measurement Studio~ and TestStand .... 

( ni.com/info ) 

For more information on leading manufacturers 

who increased production cycles, visit ni.com/info 

and enter n8krOB 

For Free Info Circle No. 653 or Enter No. 653 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

(800) 811-0742 

Fax: 1512) 683·9300 • info@ni.com 
ALL SPRINGS ARE NOT EQUAL ® 

W7~W@' ~[fJ{fl][]!]@~ 

62 

For Free Info Circle No. 656 or Enter No. 656 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Gel more spring lor vour monev 

"Inlegrale" 

For designers with special spring requirements the widely 

versatile HELI-CAL® Flexure, "machined" spring may be the 

answer. Helical machined springs are ideal for integrating 

multiple features and functions into a single component. 

See us at NDES Booth #7542 

M ~~~}f~~. VI 

901 W. McCoy Lane · P.O. Box 1069 • Santa Maria, CA 93456 

Phone (805) 928-3851 • FAX (805) 928-2369 • www.Heli-Cal.com 

For Free Info Circle No. 655 or Enter No. 655 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Motion Control Tech Briefs 

The algarithms and svftware were deuelaped /Jy Dvn Gennery, Tvdd 

Litwin, Yalin Xiong, Mark Maimvne, and Larry Matthies vf Calteeh Jvr 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For Jurther information, access 

the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech. 

com/ tsp under the Svftware category. 

This software is available faT commercial licensing. Please con.tact Don 

Hart vfthe California Institute vfTechnology at (818) 393-3425. Refer 

tv NP0-21077. 

Motor Drive for Multiple 

Horizontally Rotating 

Bioreactors 

Bioreactors can be installed and removed easily. 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; Houston, Texas 

The figure depicts a mechanism that is capable of simul taneously rotating as many as six dispo able bioreactor chambers about horizontal axes. The particular bioreactor chamber for which this mechanism i designed are 

high-aspect-ratio ves el CHARV), which are round cylindrical vessels developed by NASA. 

~Adaptor 

Adaptor Bearings 

'-.. Bearing-Clamp Retainer 

Drive Belt and Pulleys 

This Drive Mechanism rotates as many as six bioreactor chambers simultaneously. A chamber can be removed during operation, without disturbing 

the rotation of the other chambers. 

Motion Control Tech Briefs, February 2002 
The source of motion is a 24-Vdc 

geared electric motor with an output 

shaft speed of 300 rpm in the absence of 

a load. By means of a toothed drive belt 

and pulleys, rotation is coupled from the 

geared-motor output haft to a drive 

haft, which is located centrally relative 

to the axe of rotation of the bioreactor 

chambers. The sizes of the pulley and 

gear belt can be changed to obtain different speeds of rotation. 

Each bioreactor chamber is mounted 

on an adaptor equipped with bearings 

that allow free rotation about a hOlizontaJ 

axis. The bearings, in tum, are clamped 

onto a tationary retainer. A foam collar 

on each end of the drive shaft makes contact with the outside diameters of the 

bioreactor chambers, acting as a frictional 

coupling to transfer rotation of the dtive 

haft to the bioreactor chambers. The 

compressibility of the collar accommodates variations in the diameters of the 

chambers. By loosening the bearing 

clamp of any given reactor chamber, one 

can remove that chamber without topping the rotation of the other chambers. 

This !/Iork !/las done by Eric D. Johnston and 

Mitchell Lilt oj the University oj Pennsylvania 

for Johnson Space Center. For further information, access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.rom/ tsp 

under the Machinery/Automation category. 

MSG22860 

Tip Fences for Reduction of LiftGenerated Airframe Noise 

These simple, easily retrofitted devices reduce drag as well 

as noise. 

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 

Tip fence have been invented to reduce the noi e generated in the airflow about the high-lift y tem (the 

flap and la ) of airplane wing. Tip 

fence al 0 afford an important econdary benefit by increa ing lift-todrag ratio. 

Typi al modes of op ration of the 

flap and la of an airplane wing are 

the fall wing: In preparation for takeoff, the flap are panl xtended, and 

the laLS are full extend d to provid a 

lean airflow over the main lem Dt of 

the wing. hort! after takeoff, th lats 

are retracted to inC!' the lift-to-drag 

TOP View OF RIGHT WING 

ratio during climbout. During landing, 

the lats and Oap are fully extended, 

and ignificant aerodynamic noi e i 

generated at th ir rip. Tip fence can 

reduce th noi e gen rated during 

takeoff and climbout, but more important! during approach and landing. 

Tip fence are 0 named becau e 

they are fencelike barrier and al-e 

mounted at or near ome or all of the 

inboard and outboard tips of the flap 

and lats ( ee Figur 1). The e moun ting location are cho n beau they 

are a clo e as po ible to the aerod -

namic- urface di continuitie wh re 

SJMPUAEO PERSPECTlVE VIEW OF PART OF 

WING WITH SLAT AND FLAP EXTENDED 

TIp TIp 

Fence "-f) 1l====:=!!!L====:n F~ LL Fence 

SIMPLIFIED VIEW OF FLAP LOOKING FORWARD 

ENLARGED SIDE VIEW Of' 

TlP FENCE ON SLAT 

ENLARGED SlOE VIEW OF 

TIP FENCE ON FlAP 

Figure 1. Tip Fences can readily be added to flaps and slats to reduce noise and drag. 

(otion ntrol Tc h Bliefs, Febntal) 2002 w",,\.nasatcch.com 

BERG 

w. M. BERG, INC. PRECISION MECHANICAL COMPONENTS __ J ____ • __ ~~___ oj 

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Phone: 1-800-232-BERG Fax: 1-800-455-BERG 

or visit our website at: wmberg.com 

499 Ocean Ave., E. Rockaway, NY 11518 

An Invensys company 

For Free Info Circle No. 654 or 

Enter No. 654 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
Motion Control Tech Briefs 

82 

III 

"C 

~ 78 

c: 

CI) 

0 

i 74 

(/) 

I 70 

c.. 

CI) 

, 

, 

, 

'b, 

/"0. til 

'6 

z 66 With Tip Fences , , ~ 5l' 

£ 

, 

62 

1) ... 

... ...... "'0-_ 

~L-__ ~ __ ~ ____ ~ __ ~ ____ L-__ -L __ ~ ____ ~ __ -J 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

Frequency, kHz 

Figure 2. less Noise Was Generated by the airflow over a wing equipped with flap tip fences than by 

the airflow over same wing without flap tip fences under otherwise identical test conditions. 

vortices as ociated with noise form 

when flaps and lats are extended. Tip 

fences can be made of any uitable 

rigid material (e.g., metal or compo -

ite ) and can be attached to the tips of 

flap and lats by l-iveting, welding, 

bolting, or other conventional means. 

MICRO-DRIVES 

Is an international group of 

micromoLOr and gearbox 

manufacturers dedicated to 

prO\;ding quality producLS 

and ervices with timely de-

-- _... livery at a reasonable price. 

For over 40 years we have upplied OEMs with fractional horsepower motor and geannotor for 

pumps, ventilation equipment, security and acce 

control, priming machinery, motorized window 

treaunenLS and gaming equipmem, medical eqwpment and instrumenLS and almost any other miniature actuator applications ),ou can imagine. 

• Product izes 12 to 80 mm 

• Power ratings .5 to 25 watLS 

• Torque range up to 347.2 oz-in 

• Visit our web ite for pricing 

"ROLLING RING" 

LINEAR ACTUATORS 

AND ASSEMBLIES 

Amacoil/ hing linear actuators 

and motion control prodUCLS for 

positioning and reciprocating m(}-

tion applications. Rolling ring technology reduces operating COSLS and maintenance by 

permitting instantaneous, aULOmatic reversal without 

complex electronic controls, clutches, cams, or gears. 

features include backlash-free linear motion; threadless shaft eliminating the need for protective bellows. 

Amacoil Inc.; LOll free: 1-8()().252-2645; tax: 610-485-

2357; e-mail: amacoil@amacoil.com; web: www. 

Amacoil Inc. 

They can be ea ily and in ex pen ively 

retrofitted to most pre-exi ting airplane, with minimal de ign change. 

A tip fence can be fonned from a flat 

plate, or, if de ired, it can be fabricat d 

as a more complex, aerodynamically 

contoured body. In a typical applicaMicro Mo Electronics is an OEM 

supplier of fractional horsepower 

D motors, precision gearheads, 

tachometers, encoders, brakes, 

and complete sen'o systems. 

Gearmotors from l.9 mm in diameter. Power OutpULS to 1,000 

watLS. OYer 1,000 matching gearhead types are 

available in ratio up to 1,000,000: l. Custom m(}-

tion systems and special modificatio ns. ISO 9001 

certified. Micro Mo Electronics, Inc., 14 I Evergreen Ave., Clearwater, fL 33762-300 ; Phone 

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0131; fax (727) 573-5918; web site: http://www. 

micromo.com; e-mail: info@mkromo.com. 

Micro Mo Electronics 

For Free Info Circle No. 651 or 

Visit www.nasatech.coml651 

SLIP RING 

ASSEMBLIES 

Fenlon'" Friction fabrics 

are narrow fabrics woven 

from P.T.f.E. and other synthetic and natural yarns. 

Coated with phenolic and 

other thennosetting resins, 

fenner's friction fabri cs provide superior low friction properties for applications within aerospace, 

automolive, consLrUction, industrial and recreation. 

For more infOlmation, call (717) 664-8269 or visit 

our website aL www.lowfrictionfabrics.com. 

Fenner Drives 

coatedfabrics@fennerdrives.com 

tion, the tip fences would extend below 

the lower urface of a slat or flap, as depicted on the right side of Figure l. 

However, other combination of tip and 

fen ce configuration are also po sible. 

In a demonstration of the benefits of 

tip fences, two different ver ion of a 

wing with flap extended were tested in a 

wind tunn I and in flight on a Lanceair 

N airplane. In one version, the flap was 

equipped with tip fences; in the other 

ver ion, it was not. The flight data is 

shown in Figure 2, demonstrating that 

the tip fences cau ed less noi e to be 

generated over a broad range of frequencies. The wind-tunnel data howed 

that tip fence can also reduce the profil e or vi. cous drag significantly. 

This work was done by James C. Ross 

and Bruce L. Storms of Ames Research 

Center. For further in/ormation, access the 

Technical upport Package (TSP) free online at www.nasatech. com/tsp under the 

Mechanics category. 

This invention has been patented I7y ItSA 

(u. . Patent No.5, 738,298). Inquiries roncerning nonexclusive or exclusive license/or its 

ro11!memal development should be addressed to 

the Patent Coun eJ., Ames Research Center; 

(650) 604-5104. RefertoARC-14009. 

provides motion, velocity, position, and torque control \\;th an integrated PWM or 

linear amplifier in one 2" X 4" 

X 3.7" extruded metal case. It 

provides Device et~ compliant, 

RS-232, or RS-485 multidrop control of brush 

and/or brush Ie D motors. p LO 64 axes can be 

networked. Under 600 in ingle piece quantitie . Micro Mo Electronics, lnc., 14 I Evergreen 

Ave., learwat r, FL 33762-300 ; phone: (00) 07-

9166 ( or Canada) or (727) 572-0131; tax: (727) 

573-5918; web site: hup:// www.micromo.com; 

e-mail: info@micromo.com. 

Micro Mo Electronics 

For Free Info Circle No. 652 or 

Visit www.nasatech.coml652 

Fundamentals 

of Fluid Mechanics 

Third Edition Update 

Bruce R. Munson, Donald F. Young, and Theodore H . Okiishi 

This eminal text come 

with a free Fluid Mechanics 

Phenomena CD-ROM that 

brings fluid mechanics to 

life. Video segments illusnate how fluid motion i related to familiar devices and 

everyday experiences. 

Cloth/CD-ROM ' 896 pages 

Discount price: $97.95 

Order online: 

www.nasatech.com/store 

Motion C-Olllrol Tech Briefs, Februal, 2002 
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 Free Info Circle No. 566 or 

Visit www.nasatech.com/566 

Unmatched speed and accuracy in parasitic 

extraction and signal integrity simulation. 
Single layer to multilayer· MIL -P-50884C certified, all types 

• Optional connectors & pins for simplified assembly 

• Integral wire-wound inductive coils 

• SMT-ready design· 0.003" lines/spaces 

Replace hard wiring, connector systems & circuit boards to 

create smaller, more reliable electronic packages 

• Avionics • Medical devices· Telecommunications 

• Military radios • Panelized flex for pick & place 

Minco Products, Inc. 

7300 Commerce Lane / Minneapolis, MN 55432-3177 U.S.A. 

Tel: (763) 571-3121 / Fax: (763) 571-0927 / www.minco.com 

For Free Info Circle No. 418 or 

Enter No. 418 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

TOUGH EPOXY 

RESISTS UP TO 425°F 

• Convenient cures at ambient and/or elevated 

temperatures. Resists prolonged service up 

to 425°F. Withstands severe thermal and 

mechanical shock and vibration • Outstanding 

adhesion to metallic and non-metallic substrates • Excellent durability and chemical 

resistance • Superior electrical insulation 

• Easy to apply. Convenient packaging 

Master Bond Inc. 

Adhesives, Sealants & Coatings 

66 

154 Hobart St., Hackensack, NJ 07601 

TEL: 201-343-8983 • FAX: 201-343-2132 

main@masterbond.com • www.MasterBond.com 

For Free Info Circle No. 431 or 

Enter No. 431 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

NeWonthe 

MARKET. 

Data Recorder 

TEAC America, Montebello, CA, offers the multi-channel GX-l 16-

channel data acquisition and recording system that can be used as a 

PC front-end or a tandalone measurement data recorder with a 

choice of storage media. The main unit contains 8 lots for input/output amps. Plug-in signal conditioning modules with two channels each 

are available, enabling up to 16 input channels to be recorded. Each 

channel samples from 1 Hz to 200 kHz with imultaneous sampling 

and 16-bit quantization. Data can be recorded to the storage media or 

tran ferred via SC I to a PC. For Free Info Circle No. 730 or Enter No. 

730 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Data Acquisition System 

The OMR eries data acquisition and control device from OMEGA 

Engineering, Stamford, CT, is designed for data acquisition ystem 

based on P with tandard RS-232 erial I/O port. The device provides 

a direct computer link to most types of sensors including thermocouples, 

Vibration Analyzer 

RTD , and voltage Output device . 

Module include a single-channel and an 

8-channel thermocouple input module, a 

3-channel RTD input module, a 15-channel digital I/O module, and voltageinput module with or without integral 

digital display. The modules communicate 

u ing two-\vire RS-485 communications. 

For Free Info Circle No. 731 or Enter No. 

731 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

The portable ZonicBookTM vibration analyzer from IOtech, 

Cleveland, OH, is available in 4-, , or 16-channel configurations. The 

device accepts ICp® accelerometer and microphone inputs directly, 

and imultaneously ample all channel at 51.2 kHz with a eparate 

i;=~ igma Delta converter for each input 

channel. Analy i capabilities include 

FIT anal i , integration/ differentiation, averaging, octave anal i , and 

tandard AC and DC voltage. The unit 

use Windows-based eZ-AnalystTM oftware and a notebook computer to 

acquire continuous, gap-free data into 

the P , memory and hard drive. For 

Free Info Circle No. 733 or Enter No. 733 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

Handheld Computer 

The P L-486 handheld computer from Two 

Teclmologies, Horsham, PA, is based on the 

ROM-DO ® 6.22 operating sy tem and feantres 

a 192 x 128 pixel LCD capable of displaying text 

and graphic. The standard memory configuration includes MB of RAM and 2 MB of 

FlASH. The optional P Card lot provide 

additional storage capacity. Other features 

include a serial port that can be configured for 

RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485. Multiple keypad 

layouts are available with tandard or custom graphics. For Free Info 

Circle No. 734 or Enter No. 734 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2002 
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Your best solutions come 

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Elastomer Products 

A new Web site from Kent Elastomer 

Products, Kent, OH, features an on-line 

order capability for natural rubber 

latex, PVC and TPE tubing, multilumen, solid cord and proples, FREEBANDTM Latex Free and natural rubber 

latex tourniquets, and dip molded products. Each product selection offers 

information on specifications, and outlines the company's production capabilities. www.kentelastomer.com 

Elemental Analysis 

Leeman Labs, Hudson, NH, has created a 

Web site featuring information on products 

induding rcp spectrometers, metal and 

metal alloy analYlers, inorganic standards for 

elemental analysis, cold vapor atomic absorption mercury analyzers, and sample preparaD tion equipment for mercury analysi . A site 

Ifi~~_== ..... _~ map contains information about the company, special promotions, and exhibition and seminar chedule. 

www.leemanlabs.com 

Fasteners 

PEM® Fastening Systems, Danboro, 

PA, has added an on-line "PE1\1Select 

Dynamic Product Locator" to its Web 

site, enabling design engineers to search 

the entire database of PEM® fasteners 

and then download specifications, drawings, and literature. The tools provide 

users ,,~th a dloice of pan number search, part descl;ption search, 

interactive earch, and photo index search methods. www.pemnet.com 

Injection Molding 

Twin hot Technologies, Rifton , NY, 

offers a Web site describing the 

company's co-injection proces using a 

modified standard injection molding 

machine. The site features explanations of the technology and includes a 

savings calculator, enabling users to 

alculate cost using the Twinshot system. www.twinshot.com 

CAD Models 

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able CAD model available in 91 

formats. The site allows users to 

view 3D and isometric picture previews, and search for parts, which 

can be downloaded by sending dle 

part model to their own e-mail 

address. Users can also request free L. ___________ ..J 

catalogs, software, engineedng assistance, samples, and quotes. 

www.smalley.com 

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TECH BRIEFS 

Free catalogs and literature for NASA Tech Briefs' readers. To order, circle the 

corresponding number on the Readers Information Request Form on page 69. 

NEW 2S-MHZ 

ECA-11X 8-AXIS 

MOTION 

CONTROllER 

ew 25-M Hz 0 P -Axis 

Motion Controller for OEMs 

in need of high speed: 

250us- PID Loops, 100 Programmable I/ O and 

10K Equiv. Gates of 100 MHz SRAM FPGA on 

board. All CMOS de ign, high MTBF and no cooling required in sealed enclosure. ARC Electronics 

de igns and simulates with multi-tasking/ multithread 0 . Arc Electroni Inc.; Tel: 803-438-9390; 

Fax: 03-4 5764; www.arcelectroni inc.com 

Arc Electronics Inc. 

For Free Info Circle No. 616 or 

Visit www.nasatech.coml616 

~ MINI-MOTOR POT 

COMBINATION 

FOR INDUSTRIAL 

& MEDICAL USES 

Combines precision pot & miniature DC gearhead 

nit shown pot assembly only 0.675" diam., 1/ " 

diam. output haft, gearhead onl ' 0.315" diam . • 5K 

pot resistance · 3-10' elect. angle, 0.5% linearity • 

Custom pot pecs from: lK to 30K Ohm , varying 

elect. angles, CUStom linearities • 3, 6, & V motors 

• Gearhead reduct. from 4:1 to 4096:1 • POt reliab. 

100 million revs. . nit shown 295 ea. at 10 level. 

JDK Control , 424 rown Point Circle, Grass Valle , 

95945; Tel: 530-273-4608; Fax: 530-273-0769; 

JDK Controls 

POLYGON 

SHAFT-TO-HUB 

CONNECTIONS 

Polygon shaft-to-hub connection can transmit twice the 

torque of involute spline in 

the same shaft diameter, due to the elimination of 

tress concentration risers. Three-lobe polygons are 

self<entering, and provide perfect concentricity, as 

they are precision ground on centers, with the shaft 

bearing diameters, using one set-up. They can be 

ground after heat treating, for absolute minimal 

clearance and backlash. Zero backlash connections 

are manufactured using taper polygons. Four-lobe 

polygons slide under torque loads. toffel Polygon 

70 

ystems, Inc.; Tel: 914-961-2000; Fax: 914-961-7231. 

Stoffel Polygon Systems, Inc. 

For Free Info Circle No. 622 or 

Visit www.nasatech.com/622 

INSTRUMENTATION 

& APPLICATION 

GUIDE ON CD-ROM 

VOL II 

Action In truments' second 

edition of their FREE COROM is available. It provides Application Notes to 

help users understand how signal conditioning and 

isolation can improve control system reliability and 

lower costs. Specifying instrumentation to convert 

sen ors ignals (RTO, TC, 0 , AC, Pot, Bridge, 

Frequency) to control ignals (4-20mA, 1-5V etc.) is 

now easier than ever, especially with Action 's 

product selector guide_ Action Instruments; 

Tel: ()(}.767-5726; e-mail: literature@actionio.com; 

W\",,'W.euToLhennaction.com 

Action Instruments 

For Free Info Circle No. 617 or 

Visit www.nasatech.com/617 

TURBO-JETTM 

PRECISION 

TEMPERATURE 

CYCLING TESTER 

Hot to cold in secondsl TurboJet provides rapid temperature 

cycling of your OUT (10 second cycling from 

+230'C to -6S·C). Turbo-Jet offers dependable cascade refrigeration for enhanced reliability, a builtin telemetry system to provide control from an -

where (via Ethernet connection), and an external 

thermocouple to control and monitor OUT. Visit 

ft product .com/ turbojet2 to find out more , 

request a free Turbo-Jet t-shirt, and enter BO E 

Wave* radio/ CD drawing. Kinetics Thermal 

Stems; Tel: 800-824-{1400, ext. 5360. 

Kinetics Thermal Systems 

For Free Info Circle No. 620 or 

Visit www.nasatech.com/620 

ELECTRONIC 

COMPONENTS 

DISTRIBUTOR 

Mouser Electronics provides 

complete product & pricing data 

~ for over 107,000 components 

from 200+ leading suppliers: 

AMP, Fairchild, Kemet, Phoenix Contact, eiko, 

STMicroelectronics, Nichicon, VlShay, and more. Our 

Web site offers secure online ordering, downloadable 

catalog, data heets, search capabilities, and much 

more. Mouser Electronics, Inc., a TTl Inc. Company, 

1000 N. Main L, Mansfield, TX 76063-1511 ; Tel: 800-

346-6873 or 17-804-3888; Fax: 17 04-3899; e-mail: 

catalog@mouser.com; w,,"w.mouser.com 

Mouser Electronics, Inc. 

For Free Info Circle No. 623 or 

Enter No. 623 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

www.nasatech.com 

OPTICAL 

COMPONENTS 

Argyle International, an American corporation, supplies optical components of all types 

including prisms, lenses, lightpipes, windows, beamsplitters. 

Custom manufactured to your 

specifications at our factory in China, quantitie 

range from prototype to OEM and quality is always 

excellent. Material used range from all glasses to 

fused silica, silicon, sapphire, and others. Call, fax , 

e-mail with your requirements. Argyle International 

Inc., 254 Wall t. , Princeton, ~ 0 540; Tel: 609-924-

9484; Fax: 609-924-2679; www.argyleoptic .com 

Argyle International Inc. 

For Free Info Circle No. 618 or 

Visit www.nasatech.com/618 

• 

ENGINEERING 

SOLUTIONS 

PLATFORM 

The Engineering lutions 

Platform (E P) provide 

the designer with a modular hardware platform to 

develop, prototype, "erify, and test their de igns 

before they are finalized. ESP consists of a generalpurpose main board that can be CUStom configured 

by using application specific development card . 

The first available development card features 

Xilinx' FPGA Virtex 2 1000. For more information, 

please visit www.nuhorizons.com/ espntb. 

Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. 

For Free Info Circle No. 621 or 

Visit www.nasatech.com/621 

NEW USERS' GUIDE 

FOR VIBRATION CONTROL PRODUCTS 

Kinetic ystem, Inc. announces 

a new Users' Guide for highperformance vibration control 

equipment. The 48-page color catalog provides 

ea ill' understood technical information and a 

selection process for standard or custom-designed 

VlBRAPLANE* Vibration Isolation Workstations, 

Optical Tables, Vibration-Free Platforms, Islands, 

Vibration Isolation Mount , Breadboards, and 

Accessorie . The guide provides features, benefits, 

performance data, technical specifications, photos, 

drawings, and an explanation of vibration isolation 

terms. Contact Kinetic Sytsems, Inc. at8()(}'992-28 4. 

Kinetic Systems, Inc. 

For Free Info Circle No. 624 or 

Enter No. 624 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

, "SA Tech Briefs, Fellman 2002 
BetaTHERM manufactures 

NTC t,hennistol'S with an interchangeability accuracy as tight 

as ±.05'C with time constants 

as fast as 20 ms. These devices 

tI/I~~f;"~.~ are capable of operating over a 

range of -80'C to +300'C. 

Many of the thermistors are designed into custom 

probes to measure air, surface and liquid temperature. The probe housings can be made from stainless 

teel, brass, or copper materials to withstand hostile 

and corro ive environments. BetaTHERM 

Corporation; Tel: 508-842'()516; Fax: 508-842.()748; 

e-mail: sales@betathenn-usa.com; www.betatherm.com 

BetaTHERM Corporation 

For Free Info Circle No. 629 or 

Enter No. 629 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

PRESSURE 

INDICATING 

SENSOR FILMS 

Pressurex force indicating 

sensor films enable you to 

quickly, accurately and inexpensively measure pressure distribution and magnitude between an two contacting surfaces. Ideal QC 

and R&D applications include evaluation of bolted 

joints and gasketed surfaces, lamination presse , nip 

impressions, heat seals, composite material tests and 

machine calibration. FREE samples. Sensor Products 

Inc. USA; Tel: 973-884-1755; Fax: 973-884-1699; 

e-mail: ales@senso'l)rod.com; www.sensorprod.com 

Sensor Products Inc. USA 

For Free Info Circle No. 632 or 

Enter No. 632 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

POROUS 

CERAMIC 

VACUUM 

CHUCK 

PhotoMachining offers a porous ceramic 

vacuum chuck for use 

"ith thin film and other Bat samples. Pore sizes 

under 25 microns assure uniform SlI tion and holding 

power for even the smallest parts. PhotoMachining 

also provides contract laser-manufacturing services, 

and designs and builds custoDl laser-based manufacturing equipmenL PhotoMachining, Lnc., 4 Industrial 

Dr., nit 40, Pelham, H 03076; Tel: 603-8 2-9944; 

Fax: 60 6-8844; rschaeffer@photomachining.com; 

,\'\\w.photomadlining.com 

PhotoMachining, Inc. 

For Free Info Circle No. 635 or 

Enter No. 635 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

COMPOSITES AND 

HONEYCOMB 

Goodfellow Corporation offers 

a range of materials for product 

design and development. 

Included are metal matrix and 

resin n13trix composites for 

greater strength, stiffness, thermal onductivity, abrasion resistance, creep resistance. and dimensional stability. as well as aluminum and polyaramid honeycomb combining low 

density with shear-carrying trengtll. Goodfellow 

Corporation; Tel: 00-821-2870; Fax: 800-283-2020; 

www.goodfellow.com 

Goodfellow Corporation 

For Free Info Circle No. 638 or 

Enter No. 638 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

N. \ 5.\ T<'llt Btiefs. Ft'blUan 2002 

FREE MEASUREMENT 

& AUTOMATION 

CATALOG 2002 

The National Instruments 

Measu'rement and Automation 

Catalog 2002 is the leading 

resource for engineers and sdentists seeking the most effective customer-defined measurement and automation solutions. You will find everything you need 

from product specifications to comprehensive tutorials, comparison charts to selection advice and 

related references. For a free copy call or visit 

www.ni.com/ info and enter na6m40. Tel: 800433-

3488 or 512-683-0100; Fax: 512-6 3-9300; e-mail: 

info@ni.com. 

National Instruments 

For Free Info Circle No. 630 or 

Enter No. 630 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

L~. '. '.J, .... )' . . . , 

. - ~ 

)~l 

WAVE SPRING 

CATALOG 

New 2001 Wave Spring Catalog! 

Smalley has over 1800 springs in 

sLOck with sizes from 3/8"' to 

16"'. Special designs range from 

9/32"' to 84"'; carbon and stainless teel are available. Smalley 

offers a No-Tooling-CostTM manufacturing proce 

All Springs Are Not Equal®. Save up to 50% more 

space with Smalley. Call today and speak with one 

of our engineers to gel FREE design as istance. 

malley teel Ring Company, 385 Gilman Avenue. 

Wheeling, lL 60090; Tel: 847-537-7600; Fax.: 847-

537-7698; email: info@smalley.com; web ite: 

www.smalley.com 

Smalley Steel Ring Company 

For Free Info Circle No. 633 or 

Enter No. 633 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

MAGNETIC 

SHIELDING LAB 

KIT BROCHURE 

4-page brochure describe use 

of kit for solving problems of 

magnetic interference in the 

design and operation of electrical equipment from instruments til netwOrks. ed Cor bllth internal and 

external interference. Detailed how to use, kit components, ordering information included. Magnetic 

Shield Corporation, 740 . Thomas Dr .• 

Bensenville, IL 60106; Tel: 630-76&-7800; Fax: 630-

766-2 13; e-maiI: hilds@magnetic-shield.com; 

w,,,,,,magnetic-shield.com 

Magnetic Shield Corporation 

For Free Info Circle No. 636 or 

Enter No, 636 at www.nasatech.comfr s 

TUBING, HOSE, 

FITTINGS, & CLAMPS 

Plastic and rubber tubing and 

hose Cor the de ign engineer are 

de cribed in ew ge Indsutries' 

colorful brochure. Tubing and 

hose mnterials in lude P C, 

pol urethane, nylon. TPE, silicone, nuor polymers. Viton®, more. Fittings and 

clamps in plastic and metal. Custom capabilitie 

include thermal lUbe bonding, heat forming, 

coiling, and hose assemblies. ewAge Industries 

Inc., uthampton, PA: Tel: 00-50-NEWAGE; Fa.x: 

800-837-1856; e-mail: psales@newageind.com; 

ww\ ..... newageindustries.com 

NewAge Industries Inc. 

For Free Inf o Circle No. 639 o r 

Enter No. 639 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

\\"\1". IlaSilltX h.com 

SELF-CLINCH ING 

PANEL FASTENER 

ASSEMBLIES 

(BULLETIN PF) 

PEM® self-clinching panel fastener 

assemblies can satisfy a wide range 

of application requiremel1ls including limited 

space applications, low-profi le design , limited 

access areas, high corrosion resistance. tool or hand 

actuated, long screw projection for thicker panels, 

install ation into printed circuit boards, and 

flush mounted. PEM Fastening Systems - a 

PennEngineering company; Tel: 800-237-4736; 

Fax: 215-76tHl143; www.pemnet.com 

PEM Fastening Systems, a 

PennEngineering Company 

For Free Info Circle No. 631 or 

Enter No. 631 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

SEAL MASTER 

INFLATABLE 

SEALS 

Solve difficult design 

problems! Custom-built, 

fabric-rein forced elastomelic seals offer innovative solutions where gaps 

exist in sealing weather, 

liquids, temperature, 

light/dark pressure/vacuum, ratliation, and contaminants. Use anywhere a 

positive eal i needed between opposing surfaces. 

Design assistance available. Seal Master 

Corporation, 368 Marlinel Dr., Kent, OH 44240-

4368; Tel: 80(H77-8436; www.sealmaster.com 

Seal Master Corporation 

For Free Info Circle No. 634 or 

Enter No. 634 at www.nasatech.com/r s 

STOCKED BELLOWS 

CONTACT SPRINGS 

brochure preseots 

ervometer's lines of ntiniature, 

gold-plated, bellows-type spring 

contacts and flexible interconnect contacts, which range 

from ODs of 0.037" to 0.125". 

Servo meter ontacts insure electriCal ontinuity 

wbere vibration, tolerance build-up, and thermal 

expansion are a problem. Lifetime pring 

repeatability and reliabililY. Visit our homepage: 

www.servomeler.com. ervomcler® Precision 

Manufacturing Group, LLC, 501 Little Falls Rd., 

Cedar Grove. U 07009-1291; Tel: 973-7854630; 

Fax: 973-785.()756. 

Servometer® 

For Free Info Circle No. 637 or 

Enter No. 637 at www.n asat ech.com/r s 

TUSK DIRECT 

INTRODUCES CATALOG 

OF IN-STOCK LINEAR 

MOTION PRODUCTS 

Free linear motion catalng in print, 

D-ROM, and on the Web. TIle new Tu k Catalog is a 

re ource for de ign engineers working with linear 

motion and neetling commercially available linear 

bearings of man types quickly. Included are tlimensions, specifications and CAD drawings for ball slides. 

roller slides. heavy dut:)' ero ed roUer tables. multiaxJ.&.po~itioning tables. recirculating slide guides, ball 

bushings, pillow blocks. shafts, bang rs, supports, and 

lincar bea.ring and automation components. Tusk 

Direct; Tel: 00-447-2042; Fax: 203-748-5H7; 

e-mail: sal s@tusktlireCl..com; www.tuskdireCLcom 

Tusk Direct 

For Free Info Circle No. 640 or 

Enter No. 640 at www.nasat ech.comfrs 

il 
Advertisers Index 

For free product literature from these advertisers, enter their reader service numbers at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Advertisers listed in bold-face type have banner ads on the NASA Tech Briefs Web site - www.nasatech.com 

Company 

Reader Service 

Number Page 

Accuride .................................................................................. 505 ..................... ................. 11 

Action Instruments ................................................................ 617 ...................................... 70 

Advanced Tune Studies ................. ....................................... 509 ...................................... 2 

Algor. Inc ........................................................................... 513 .•.........................•.•..•..... 7 

AmacoilInc ............................................................................. 650 ...................................... 64 

Ansoft Corporation ................................................................ 566 ...................................... 65 

Arc Electronics Inc ................................................................. 616 ...................................... 70 

ARC Second Inc ..................................................................... 528 ...................................... 51 

Argyle International Inc ....................................................... 618 ...................................... 70 

ASME Imernational .............................................................. 434 ...................................... 72 

ATllndusLrial AULOmation .................................................. 540 ...................................... 25 

Autodesk ................................................................................ 507 ...................................... 15 

W.M. Berg. Inc ....................................................................... 654 ...................................... 63 

BetaTHERM Corporation .................................................... 629 ...................................... 70 

BSI/Broadax Systems ............................................................ 401 .................................... .. 36 

California Linear Devices ...................................................... 516 ...................................... 34 

Compaq CompllLerCorporation ........................................ 531 ...................................... 17 

Dewetron ................................................................................ 402 ...................................... 23 

Digi-Key Corporation ............................................................ 523 ........................................ 3 

Dolch Computer ystems ...................................................... 512 ...................................... 33 

DuPont Krytox ........................................................................ 441 ...................................... 39 

DuPom Vespel ........................................................................ 524 ...................................... 47 

Dynetic Systems ...................................................................... 409 .......................•.............. 68 

Emhart. a Black & Decker Company ......................... .411. 534 ................. ............... 30.31 

Endevco ............ ...................................................................... 502 .................................• _ ..... 8 

Fenner Drives ........................................................................ 658 ...................................... 64 

FJW Optical ) tems. Inc ....................................................... 452 ........................................ 6a 

Fluoramics Inc ....................................................................... 527 ...................................... 50 

Gage Applied. Inc. ................................................................ 403 ...................................... 41 

Globe Motors ................................... ....................................... 422 ...................................... 49 

72 

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Company 

Reader Service 

Number Page 

Goodfellow Corporatio n ...................................................... 638 ...................................... 71 

HD Systems. Inc ............................................................. 549-552 ...................................... 59 

Helical Products Company .................................................. 655 ...................................... 62 

IBM .......................................................................................... 558 .............................. COV IV 

Indigo Systems ........................................................................ 485 ........................................ Ia 

Innovative Integration .......................................................... 414 ...................................... 46 

1nstron Corporation .............................................................. 526 .................................... ..48 

Integrated Engineering Software ........................................ 574 ...................................... 19 

jDKControls .......................................................................... 6 19 ...................................... 70 

Kaman Insoumentation Corp . ............................................ 404 ...................................... 1 

Kinetic Systems. Inc ............................................................... 624 ...................................... 70 

Kinetics Thennal Systems ...................................................... 620 ...................................... 70 

Lake hore Cryou-onics ........................................................ 424 ...................................... 54 

Lambda Research Corporation ............................................ 473 ........................................ 5a 

Magnetic hield Corporation .............................................. 636 ...................................... 71 

Master Bond Inc. .............................................................• 431 .................................... 66 

MathSoft .......................................................................... 503 ...•.................................. 9 

The Math Works. Inc ...................................... ....................... 525 ...................................... 21 

Micro-Drives .......................................................................................................................... 64 

Micro-Epsilon ........................................................................ 419 ..................................... .42 

Micro Mo ElectrOnics .................................................... 65 I. 652 ...................................... 64 

Minco Products. Inc ............................................................... 418 ...................................... 66 

Mouser Electronics. Inc ......................................................... 623 ...................................... 70 

MSC Software .................•........•....................................... 572 .......................... COV ill 

National Instruments 

COrporation •.............•....................... 58I. 412. 653. 630, 436 ...... COV II. 55. 61. 71. 4a 

NewAge Industries Inc .................................................. ....... 639 ...................................... 71 

oran Engineering. Inc. ...................................................... 4 15 ...................................... 44 

Nu Horizons Electronics Corp ............................................. 621 ...................................... 70 

uSii Technology .............................................................. 522 .................................... 40 

Omega Engineering. Inc .......................................... ............. 501 ........................................ 1 

Opt igma .............................................................................. 437 ........................................ 3. 

Originub Corporation ........................................................ 405 ...................................... 16 

PEM Fastening ystems 

a PennEngineering company ........................................ .... 631 ...................................... 71 

PhoLOMachining. Inc ............................................................. 635 ...................................... 71 

PhoLOn. Inc ............................................................................ .4 ........................................ 7a 

Presra Corporation .............................................................. 511 ...................................... 45 

Research Systems, A Kodak COmpany ............................. .410 .................................. ..43 

RGB pectrwn ....••.•............................•............................. 504 ...............•.................... 10 

Seal Master Corporation ...................................................... 634 ...................................... 71 

Sensor Products Inc. . ................................................... 632 ...................................... 71 

Servomete~ ............................................................................ 637 ...................................... 71 

Smalley teel Ring COmpany ........................................ 656. 633 ................................ 62. 71 

SLOCkerYale Canada, Inc ....................................................... 443 .................................... IOa 

Stoffel Pol 'gon ystems. Inc ................................................. 622 ...................................... 70 

SoucturaJ Research & Anal ~i Corp ................................... 508 ...................................... 27 

Synrad. Inc ............................................................................. 563 ........................................ 2 

TEA America. Inc ............................................................... 506 ...................................... 13 

Tescom Corporation ........................................................ 406 .................................... 52 

Translogic. Inc- ...................................................................... 426 ...................................... 58 

TSI Incorporated .................................................................. 442 ...................................... 38 

Thsk Direct. ............................................................................. 640 ...................................... 71 

United Electronic Industries ................................................ 413 ...................................... 53 

Velmex .................................................................................... 421 ...................................... 56 

Voltek ...................................................................................... 425 ...................................... 68 

VX Corporation .................................................................... 546 ...................................... 4-5 

ret2.com .................................................................... 585. 489 ................ 20. 29, 9a, lOa 

Zaber .............................................................................. 657. 444 ................................ 60. 

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NASA Tech Briefs. February 2002 
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