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Data and Control System Technologies
Many of the technologies developed by NASA involve powerful systems that process complex data and enable critical control operations. These systems can often have broad applications beyond the space program. Recent innovations at Dryden include technologies that impact flight safety, wireless communications, and natural disaster prediction.
Technology Portfolios
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Dryden Leads Development of Collision Avoidance Technologies
Innovative software developed at Dryden is laying the foundation for a collision avoidance system that would automatically take control of an aircraft that is in danger of crashing.
Featured Technologies
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Software Provides Real-Time, High-Resolution Terrain Information in Computing-Constrained Environments
Data adaptive algorithms are critically enabling technology for automatic collision avoidance system efforts at Dryden Flight Research Center.
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Peak-Seeking Technology to Optimize Flight, Manufacturing, and Business Operations
Innovators at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center have developed and are patenting a peak-seeking algorithm that can optimize performance of complex operations in real time.
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Integrated ADS-B System Enhances Control and Tracking of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Innovators at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center have developed an integrated communications and control system for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that utilizes automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) technology.
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Enterprise Middleware Solution
NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center has developed an Enterprise Middleware solution that allows disparate information technology (IT) systems to be integrated into one seamless, efficient system.
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Interactive Display Provides Pilots with Real-Time Sonic Boom Information
This new software system is capable of displaying the location and intensity of shock waves caused by supersonic aircraft. It can be integrated into cockpits or flight control rooms to help pilots place any loud booms in a specific location, minimizing their impact in populated areas. The system processes vehicle and flight parameters as well as data regarding current atmospheric conditions.
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Method Resolves Algebraic Loops While Improving Accuracy, Reducing Runtime
Innovators at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center have developed a method for resolving algebraic loops that occur in closed-loop systems when using MathWorks® Simulink® modeling and simulation tools. This variable fidelity method improves accuracy and reduces runtime significantly for users of Simulink Coder™ applications.
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Guidance and Control Method Increases UAV Range and Flight Duration
Innovators at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center have patented a guidance and control method that, in combination with relevant sensors, can increase range and flight time for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The method detects and exploits buoyant plumes of air known as thermals.
Other Available Technologies
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Optimizing Aircraft Effectors in Real Time to Reduce Drag and Improve Flight Performance
Innovators at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center have applied a novel peak-seeking algorithm to optimize an airplane’s performance.
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Peak-Seeking Control to Optimize Spanwise Lift Distribution
Innovators at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center have applied a novel peak-seeking control algorithm to improve performance during formation-flight-for-drag-reduction by optimizing an airplane’s spanwise lift distribution.
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Novel Flight Control System Offers Precision Navigation for Gulfstream III Aircraft
Innovators at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center have developed a flight control system that allows an aircraft to maintain an attitude and heading within 5 meters of a desired position.
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Low-Cost PCA System for Use in Commercial and Military Aircraft
This new low-cost Propulsion Controlled Aircraft (PCA) computer is designed for use in commercial and military aircraft. PCA is a computer-assisted engine control system that helps a pilot fly and land a plane safely when flight controls, such as elevators, rudders, and ailerons, become disabled during flight.
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Method for Increasing Flight Duration and Speed in UAVs
This guidance and control method allows unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to detect and exploit buoyant plumes of air called thermals. Detecting and soaring in thermals enables UAVs to optimize flight performance, increase speed, extend flight duration and range, and reduce energy consumption.
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Method Compresses Differing Data Streams Simultaneously
This new system for compressing data streams accomplishes lossless or lossy compression and decompression of many types of scientific data (sensors, video, images, text, graphics), including cases where low-frequency data is merged with high-frequency data, or where data types are mixed.
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Emergency Aircraft Lateral Controller for Safe Landing During System Failure
This emergency aircraft lateral controller uses existing (non-modified) digital engine computers during a system failure for the purpose of safe landing.
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Robust Flutter Margin Analysis for Expanding the Safe Flight Envelope
This is an on-line method for robust flutter prediction in expanding a safe flight envelope for an aircraft model under flight test.