Browse Topic: Documentation
A new aviation supply chain integrity coalition has offered 13 recommended actions to prevent the circulation of non-serialized aircraft parts throughout the global aviation industry. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL In the summer of 2023, a receiving clerk in the procurement department of TAP Air Portugal, a Lisbon-based airline, made a curious discovery: A $65 engine part that should have appeared brand-new showed signs of significant wear. The clerk checked the documentation from the London-based parts supplier and noticed that the submitted documentation was also suspicious. Using his safety training, the employee immediately reported the anomaly to TAP Air Portugal management, which raised the issue with the jet engine's manufacturer. Little did the procurement clerk know at the time, but this escalation led to one of the biggest investigations in the history of the aviation supply chain, as reported by Reuters and the British Broadcasting Corporation in
ABSTRACT The growing sophistication and emergence of widespread cyber threats today has driven the DOD to place Cyber Resiliency requirements on new and legacy defense systems. The DOD has recently garnered a massive defensive DevSecOps effort aimed at defining structured practices to unify software (Dev), Security (Sec), and operations (Ops) under the umbrella of more OpSec-driven engineering practices. According to the DOD DevSecOps practicum referenced in this document [1], “Practicing DevSecOps provides demonstrable quality and security improvements over the traditional software lifecycle, enabling application security, secure deployments, and secure operations in close alignment with mission objectives.” Modern systems often contain greater networking capability and are therefore more exposed to cyber-threats. Legacy systems were often conceived prior to the field of cyber warfare maturing, resulting in unpatched potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited through trusting
ABSTRACT The TeamView™ system is a combat proven multifunctional passive surveillance system providing 360° video-on-the-move and continuous recording. Integrated with GXP Xplorer™ and Socket GXP™ software products, the TeamView™ system can be a key part of a Ground Based ISR enterprise solution that improves mission capability. The system uses field proven hardware and software creating an end-to-end solution including video collection, management and exploitation
ABSTRACT The value of modularity in ground vehicles to the Army and other services has been a topic of much debate for decades. There are instances of successful implementations of modularity in current ground vehicle programs of record. However, these implementations have generally been accomplished through swappable mission equipment rather than large-scale transformation of the vehicle and its core components. Concurrently, the Army Science and Technology (S&T) community has continued to demonstrate the technical feasibility of large-scale, transformative ground vehicle modularity, but the business case of modularity remains elusive. Decision support tools are needed to enable Army leadership to confidently and holistically assess the right balance between modular and mission-specific (conventional) vehicle platforms. This complex problem needs to address numerous considerations, including total lifecycle cost, mission utility, personnel requirements, and fleet adaptability. In this
Defying engineering challenges in record time, researchers at the University of Maryland developed a machine learning model that eliminates hassles in materials design to yield green technologies used in wearable heaters
This document defines a quantified means of specifying a digital fiber optic link loss budget: Between end users and system integrators Between system integrators and subsystem suppliers Between subsystem suppliers and component vendors The standard specifies methods and the margin required for categories of links
Neurostimulators, also known as brain pacemakers, send electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain via special electrodes. It is estimated that some 200,000 people worldwide are now benefiting from this technology, including those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease or from pathological muscle spasms. According to Mehmet Fatih Yanik, professor of neurotechnology at ETH Zurich, further research will greatly expand the potential applications: instead of using them exclusively to stimulate the brain, the electrodes can also be used to precisely record brain activity and analyze it for anomalies associated with neurological or psychiatric disorders. In a second step, it would be conceivable in future to treat these anomalies and disorders using electrical impulses
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an ultra-sensitive sensor made with graphene that can detect extraordinarily low concentrations of lead ions in water. The device achieves a record limit of detection of lead down to the femtomolar range, which is one million times more sensitive than previous sensing technologies
With the arrival of robotic autonomy in future Army ground combat vehicles there is an intrinsic need for modeling and simulation infrastructure for autonomy. Taking a Modular Open System Approach to designing modeling and simulation architecture facilitates creating a flexible, scalable, and adaptable infrastructure that can be applied to a wide range of scenarios to assist Army programs of record and accelerate technology maturation while providing a low-cost, efficient way to reduce program risk and ensure next-generation robotic ground vehicles provide greater value to the soldier
Researchers worldwide are currently working on the next evolution of communication networks, called “beyond 5G” or 6G networks. To enable the near-instantaneous communication needed for applications like augmented reality or the remote control of surgical robots, ultra-high data speeds will be needed on wireless channels. In a study published recently in IEICE Electronics Express, researchers from Osaka University and IMRA AMERICA have found a way to increase these data speeds by reducing the noise in the system through lasers
Riding aboard NASA's Psyche spacecraft, the agency's Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration continues to break records. While the asteroid-bound spacecraft doesn't rely on optical communications to send data, the new technology has proven that it's up to the task. After interfacing with the Psyche's radio frequency transmitter, the laser communications demo sent a copy of engineering data from over 140 million miles (226 million kilometers) away, 1. times the distance between Earth and the Sun. This achievement provides a glimpse into how spacecraft could use optical communications in the future, enabling higher-data-rate communications of complex scientific information as well as high-definition imagery and video in support of humanity's next giant leap: sending humans to Mars
Riding aboard NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, the agency’s Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration continues to break records. While the asteroid-bound spacecraft doesn’t rely on optical communications to send data, the new technology has proven that it’s up to the task. After interfacing with the Psyche’s radio frequency transmitter, the laser communications demo sent a copy of engineering data from over 140 million miles (226 million kilometers) away, 1½ times the distance between Earth and the Sun
Aerospace is an industry where competition is high and the need to ensure safety and security while managing costs is foremost. Stakeholders, who gain the most by working together, do not necessarily trust each other. Changing backbone technologies that drive enterprise systems and secure historical records does not happen quickly (if at all). At best, businesses adapt incrementally, building customized applications on top of legacy systems. The complexity of these legacy systems leads to duplication of efforts and data storage, making them very inefficient. Technology that augments, rather than replaces, is needed to transform these complex systems into efficient, digital processes. Blockchain technology offers collaborative opportunities for solving some of the data problems that have long challenged the aerospace industry. The industry has been slow to adopt the technology even though experts agree that it has real potential to revolutionize the global supply chain—including
Emergency personnel and first responders have the opportunity to document crash scenes while evidence is still recent. The growth of the drone market and the efficiency of documentation with drones has led to an increasing prevalence of aerial photography for incident sites. These photographs are generally of high resolution and contain valuable information including roadway evidence such as tire marks, gouge marks, debris fields, and vehicle rest positions. Being able to accurately map the captured evidence visible in the photographs is a key process in creating a scaled crash-scene diagram. Image rectification serves as a quick and straightforward method for producing a scaled diagram. This study evaluates the precision of the photo rectification process under diverse roadway geometry conditions and varying camera incidence angles
The IncQuery AUTOSAR-UML Bridge is an innovative solution for Assisted Documentation Creation and Automated Handover, aiming at driving a paradigm shift in integrated digital engineering in the automotive domain. The AUTOSAR-UML Bridge is addressing a well-known gap in the engineering ecosystem of automotive design, where the co-design of AUTOSAR models and other model-based artifacts is often hampered by tedious workflows involving manual syncing of model contents between AUTOSAR and UML/SysML tools. The Bridge is aiming at streamlining the workflow by generating high-quality UML models from AUTOSAR projects, with built-in ISO26262 and ASPICE compliance. Automotive software architects and systems engineers spend a lot of time with creating ISO26262-compliant documentation, by creating UML models from AUTOSAR architecture designs, or establishing traceability between requirements captured in SysML and design artefacts that exist in both modeling languages. However, as a project
Major hardware and software upgrades underpin the Indy Autonomous Challenge racecar for 2024, proving self-driving vehicle capabilities at triple-digit speeds. After three years and more than 7,000 miles (11,265 km) of racing, the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) enters year four with an updated platform and embedded software upgrades. Among the highlights for the second-generation open-wheel racecars are pending patents and first-time applications. “We've achieved several impressive milestones since our start in 2020,” IAC President Paul Mitchell said. The achievement list includes setting a speed record for passing in autonomous racing (170 mph [273 km/h]), netting the autonomous vehicle land speed record (192.2 mph [309.3 km/h]) and establishing the fastest lap speed for an autonomous vehicle (180 mph [289.68 km/h]). “More than anything, we consider the IAC an applied-research platform for industry and academia to work together on advancing high-speed autonomy,” Mitchell said
After hurricanes and other disasters, it is becoming more common for people to fly drones to record the damage and post videos on social media. Those videos are a resource for rapid damage assessment. By using artificial intelligence, researchers are developing a system that can automatically identify buildings and make an initial determination of whether they are damaged and how serious that damage might be
Governance of the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Control Segment (UCS) Architecture was transferred from the United States Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to SAE International in April 2015. Consequently, a subset of the UCS Architecture Library Release 3.4(PR) has been published under SAE as the Unmanned Systems (UxS) Control Segment (UCS) Architecture, AS6512. This Version Description Document (VDD) describes the correspondence and differences between the two architecture libraries
Researchers have designed a lightweight helmet with tiny LEGO-size sensors that scan the brain while a person moves. The helmet is the first of its kind to accurately record magnetic fields generated by brain activity while people are in motion. This advance could make it easier to conduct brain scans in young children and individuals with neurological disorders who can’t always remain still in conventional scanners
System engineering-based approach is now ubiquitous in the automotive industry. It is a disciplined approach that ensures that targets are clearly defined and met through a structured and holistic approach. In this paper, we report an application of a systems engineering-based methodology for developing seating system features. It starts with a Business Requirement Document (BRD), which enlists the business requirements of a feature. We then developed a Logical Architecture Diagram (LAD) on a Simulink environment, which is an initial proposal for designing the logic to realize the desired functionality. As a next step, we perform Functional Failure Analysis (FFA) on the LAD to identify potential failure modes. We propose a few ways to mitigate the identified failures or modify the design so that these failures are rendered inconsequential to the end user. Based on the updated LAD, a System Requirement Document (SRD) is created, which contains all the requirements corresponding to the
The Indian passenger vehicle market has grown by more than 40% by volume in the last decade and has reached a record high in FY23. This has created a more diverse and demanding customer base that values interior design and quality. The modern customer expects a high level of aesthetics and sophistication in their vehicle interiors - including in the luggage area. The Luggage Cover (Parcel Tray) is a component in the luggage area of a passenger vehicle that is used to conceal the luggage & improve its aesthetics. The cover is generally made of thermoplastic material with rotating hinges and is held in its place by the compression from the back door, which is frequently opened and closed. The parts that connect the cover to the door (usually an elastomer interface on the thermoplastic tray) tend to change over a period due to climatic conditions and leads to rattling concerns over a period. The change in elastomer interface with the back door (due to repeated compression & climatic
Engineers like to know what customers think about a vehicle. Now, drivers of the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E can oblige via a new system that channels select customer comments to engineers. F-150 Lightning fullsize pickup truck and Mustang Mach-E SUV owners in the U.S. can pass along opinions via a 45-second voice message after selecting “record feedback” through the settings-general menu on the infotainment touchscreen. “We want to hear the customer's voice. Ford does customer clinics and events, but this is a different way to capture customer feedback,” Donna Dickson, chief engineer of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, said in an interview with SAE Media
A threat in the form of chemical vapor may not be visible, but rapid detection is critical for preservation of life and property. In addition, understanding the surrounding environment informs the posture that the warfighter will need to take. The field of chemical vapor detection spans far beyond the warfighter and is rich in research. A search in SciFinder for “chemical vapor detection” provides over 400,000 results with over 3,000 books, 26,000 reviews, and nearly 300,000 journal articles. The focus of this document will be with an eye towards perimeter monitoring for a wide range of gas-phase chemicals. To accomplish such sensing, compound-specific sensors should not be employed as they lack capability to detect or inform about the presence of many potential threats outside of their selected targets. A viable technique for sensing a wide range of compounds is infrared absorption as most potential threats provide an infrared absorbance spectrum which arises from each compound’s
Volcanic eruptions, floods, and tornadoes can all dramatically change the surface of Earth to the point where alterations can be seen from space. Some modifications driven by human intervention, such as mining and deforestation, are also visible in satellite imagery. For the past 50 years, NASA’s Landsat satellites have recorded our planet’s changing surface. Now maps from a company called terraPulse Inc. help academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and businesses see, understand, and manage those changes
Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuits are both enabling and limiting. Because pressurization results in stiffening of the pressure garment, an astronaut’s motions and mobility are significantly restricted during EVAs. Dexterity, in particular, is severely reduced. Astronauts are commonly on record identifying spacesuit gloves as a top-priority item in their EVA apparel needing significant improvement. Apollo 17 astronaut-geologist Harrison “Jack” Schmitt has singled out hand fatigue and dexterity as the top two problems to address in EVA spacesuit design for future Moon and Mars exploration. The NASA-STD-3000 standards document indeed states: “Space suit gloves degrade tactile proficiency compared to bare hand operations... Attention should be given to the design of manual interfaces to preclude or minimize hand fatigue or physical discomfort
Super-cooled large drops present serious threats to aviation safety and as a result, the problem has been addressed by the FAA with the additional icing certification requirement. SLD clouds often consist of bi-modal drop size spectra leading to great challenges when it comes to simulating and characterizing these conditions in situ and in icing wind tunnels. Legacy instrumentation for measuring drop size distributions and liquid water content has been challenged under these conditions. In this report, a high-resolution particle imaging instrument is described; this instrument addresses the need for measuring drop size distributions and liquid water content over a wide range of drop sizes (10 to 2500 μm or larger). A high-throughput megapixel digital camera is used to record shadow images of the particles. High-quality illumination of the particle field is provided with high-power LED illumination with driving electronics designed to provide pulse durations as short as 25ns with
Items per page:
50
1 – 50 of 4840