{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":33536,"title":"ASPECT (Automated System-level Performance Evaluation and Characterization Tool)","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10965,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10961,"level":2,"code":"TX16.4","title":"Architectures and Infrastructure","definition":"This area covers architectures and infrastructure that support existing operations and enable the integration of new vehicles, new operations and new business models, including advanced communications technologies and infrastructure and cyber-security. ","exampleTechnologies":"Operator prioritization services integrated with air navigation service provider tools; develop requirements for a secure integrated CNS (Communications, Navigation, Surveillance) system for Trajectory Based-Operations (TBO) and future autonomous operations; guidelines & standards for initial Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration in the NAS; technologies, guidelines, scalable architecture & standards for integration of all vehicles types into the NAS.","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":5,"endTrl":5,"benefits":"ASPECT technology will have immediate applications in NASA programs focused on integration of UAS into NAS such as the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Program. In addition, NASA programs involving multiple collaborating UAS performing a variety of missions will substantially benefit from the ASPECT technology. This is since one of the major requirements for safe operation of multiple collaborating UAS is timely and accurate collision detection and effective collision avoidance. ASPECT will also find applications in NASA space programs where safety requirements include detection and avoidance of non-cooperative spacecraft, space debris, and small celestial bodies.
The ASPECT technology will be directly applicable to military UAS carrying out missions in GPS-denied environments. In such situations, secondary sensors are the only option, and collision avoidance is to be achieved with respect to both own team members and non-cooperating threats. Other applications of ASPECT will be in law enforcement, border patrol, and perimeter surveillance missions performed using UAS in scenarios where ADS-B is intermittent or unavailable.","description":"SSCI has developed a suite of SAA tools and an analysis capability referred to as ASPECT (Automated System-level Performance Evaluation and Characterization Tool). ASPECT encapsulates our airspace encounter generator, sensor/tracker fusion algorithms, and prediction, threat assessment, and avoidance modules. It also provides both component-level and system-level analysis that is required for evaluating how well SAA sensors and software meet fundamental safety requirements for UAS in the NAS. ASPECT consists of MESSENGER (Multi-aircraft Encounter Scenario Generator), ASSIST (AsynchronouS Sensor fusIon SysTem), FORECAST (Fast On-line Prediction of Aircraft State Trajectories), and REACT (Rapid Encounter Avoidance & Conflict Resolution) modules. Initial versions of FORECAST and REACT were designed under related projects. Phase I developed the ASSIST (Asynchronous Sensor Fusion System) capability, which fuses combinations of SAA sensors such as GRB, ABR, camera, and Mode C transponder for localizing non-communicating threats. ASPECT was then used to analyze ASSIST's estimation accuracy, with the objective of achieving the precision of ADS-B and rejecting spurious/clutter tracks. Phase II will: (i) Expand and validate the underlying sensor models and demonstrate capability using flight test data generated at Olin College (Needham, MA), (ii) Extend our REACT system, and (iii) Carry out SAA system-level analyses using ASPECT to illustrate the relationship between sensor suite (hardware) selection, component SAA software modules, and achievable safety performance of the integrated system. The result of Phase II efforts will be a complete flow-down error and risk analysis framework, which constitutes a major step toward the integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. Phase II plans have been reviewed by NASA's UAS Traffic Management Program and AeroVironment (letters of support attached), who we anticipate to be one of our early transition partners.","startYear":2015,"startMonth":5,"endYear":2017,"endMonth":8,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":246243,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Joseph","lastName":"Jackson","fullName":"Joseph Jackson","fullNameInverted":"Jackson, Joseph","primaryEmail":"Joseph.Jackson@Ssci.Com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3164646,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Vincent","lastName":"Schultz","fullName":"Vincent Schultz","fullNameInverted":"Schultz, Vincent","primaryEmail":"Vincent.P.Schultz@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":293347,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_A2.01-8766","fileSize":319799,"objectId":289866,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"312.3 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":293347,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_A2.01-8766","fileSize":319799,"objectId":289866,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"312.3 KB"}],"id":289866,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"ASPECT (Automated System-level Performance Evaluation and Characterization Tool), Phase II Briefing Chart","libraryItemTypeId":1222,"projectId":33536,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1222,"code":"DOCUMENT","description":"Document","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}},{"caption":"ASPECT (Automated System-level Performance Evaluation and Characterization Tool) Briefing Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":297290,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_A2.01-8766","fileSize":302966,"objectId":293821,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"295.9 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":297290,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_A2.01-8766","fileSize":302966,"objectId":293821,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"295.9 KB"}],"id":293821,"title":"Briefing Chart Image","description":"ASPECT (Automated System-level Performance Evaluation and Characterization Tool) Briefing Chart","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":33536,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":65003,"projectId":33536,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2015-05-01","path":"Advanced From","relatedProjectId":17861,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":17861,"title":"Asynchronous Sensor fuSion for Improved Safety of Air Traffic (ASSIST)","startTrl":2,"currentTrl":3,"endTrl":3,"benefits":"Effective SAA systems that fuse ground-based radar information with that provided by onboard sensors have great potential to improve the quality of autonomous SAA tracking technology, bringing the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) into the National Airspace closer to reality. This has immediate implications in the safety improvement in the NextGen program.
Besides facilitating UAV access to the NAS, effective SAA systems can be used for maintaining safety during aerial combat training involving UAVs and, when the GBR is available, for gaining improved situational awareness in military theaters of operation. Commercial applications of the ASSIST technology are envisioned in commercial aircraft where additional information on the non-cooperating intruders has a potential to improve the overall flight safety.","description":"SSCI proposes to develop, implement and test a collision detection system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), referred to as the Asynchronous Sensor fuSion for Improved Safety of air Traffic (ASSIST). The ASSIST system is robust to ADS-B spoofing, and will associate the EO/IR and airborne radar (ABR) tracks generated onboard the UAV with those generated by the ground-based radar (GBR) to minimize false tracks generated by EO/ABR due to clutter. Under this project, we plan to leverage our FORECAST technology (Fast On-line pREdiCtion of Aircraft State Trajectories) that fuses the ground-based radar information with airborne radar and transponder data to achieve accurate track generation and efficient prediction of potential NMACs in a high-density airspace. We will also leverage our SAFESEE (Sense and Avoid using Fusion and Expansion SEgmEntation) technology - a collision detection system that uses pixel-level fusion of EO/IR optical-flow features to achieve robust probability of detection and low FAR under realistic operating conditions. SAFESEE has been recently flight tested at the Air Force Bombing Range at Avon Park, FL. Under our FORECAST project we developed a capability of simulating communication delay between the ground station and the UAV. We plan to extend this capability and carry out a study of effects of the communication delay on the ASSIST system. Specific Phase I tasks include: (i) Acquire target tracks and FAR related to existing capabilities from NASA; (ii) Develop, implement and test the ASSIST system; and (iii) Carry out a trade study of the effect of the communication delay on the ASSIST system. In Phase II we plan to carry out extensive analysis and simulation testing of the ASSIST system, and arrive at a flight testing plan for the continuation of the work beyond Phase II.","startYear":2014,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2014,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":80,"endDateString":"Dec 2014","startDateString":"Jun 2014"},"infoText":"Advanced from another project within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Asynchronous Sensor fuSion for Improved Safety of Air Traffic (ASSIST))","dateText":"May 2015"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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