TPF-C Technology Plan - Exoplanet Exploration Program - NASA

Chapter 7
7.6 Integrated Modeling and Model Validation
7.6.1 Integrated Modeling Tools
Scope
Code architecture, optical aberration calculations, large problem numerics (parallel processing)
and design sensitivity and optimization components are currently supported by JPL R&TD
development funding for use in future missions such as TPF-C; TPF specific components include
element development and nonlinear heat transfer methods development. Within these TPFfunded
areas, technology completion will include:
• Completion and validation of nonlinear transient solution procedures:
Gray-body diffuse exchange by the end of pre-Phase A, specular exchange with thermal
control by Phase A. Validation will consist of performance benchmarking against
commercial tools currently used by design teams, and test validation using JPL in-house
test programs.
• Thermal and structural finite elements:
Completion of initial library by end of pre-Phase A, validation using theoretical,
commercial, and test fixture results.
• Optical aberration calculation:
Automated optical aberration calculations for the purpose of interfacing with codes such
as SPICA, MACOS, Code-V, etc. are seen as fundamental to the success of the analytic
methods development task, and should be available by the end of pre-Phase A.
Validation will consist of demonstrated higher levels of precision that with existing tools,
in support of contrast ratios on order of 10 -9 .
The integrated modeling tools have achieved TRL 3. Their schedule is given in Table 7-20.
Table 7-20. Integrated Modeling Tools Schedule
Planned
Completio
n Date
Planned Activities Performance Targets TRL
Pre-Phase
A
Phase A
Phase B
Completion of nonlinear transient
heat transfer solutions, completion
of initial thermal/structural finite
element library.
Nonlinear transient specular
exchange, thermal control module.
Nonlinear structural analysis
capabilities for local mechanical,
material nonlinearity investigation.
Demonstrate ability to compute thermal, structural
responses to degree of accuracy required by TPF,
correlate performance with commercially-available
tools, validate performance against HCIT.
Utilization of code by TPF design team members
for integrated thermal, structural and optical
aberration calculations, testbed validation, system
error budget investigation.
Continued use by design teams to increasing level
of sophistication including incorporation of
nonlinear optical element, hinge, latch behaviour.
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