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Air Force Institute of Technology

Theses/Dissertations

1993

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Exploring Qdes As A Tool For Determining Limits Of Achievable Performance In Aircraft Design, Mark F. Reidinger Dec 1993

Exploring Qdes As A Tool For Determining Limits Of Achievable Performance In Aircraft Design, Mark F. Reidinger

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the usefulness of a computer aided control design software package called QDES in determining the limits of achievable aircraft performance as it relates to controller capability. Modern aircraft, particularly fighters, are being designed to be statically unstable to enhance their maneuverability and performance. It is possible that the aircraft, although physically capable of a certain level of performance due to its engine/ airframe combination, may be uncontrollable up to this level. This study sought to develop a methodology to use QDES to make a preliminary analysis of an aircraft design to determine if there exists a controller …

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Rendering Of Three-Dimensional Data Sets Derived From Finite-Difference And Spectral Methods, Paul A. Schubert Dec 1993

Rendering Of Three-Dimensional Data Sets Derived From Finite-Difference And Spectral Methods, Paul A. Schubert

Theses and Dissertations

The timely visualization of three-dimensional data sets and the advantages of using a spectral method solution versus a finite-difference method solution in rendering isosurfaces is described. The Beam-Warming numerical algorithm, which uses implicit-approximate-factorization, is used to generate the steady-state solutions for a model diffusion-convection problem. The Chebyshev collocation operator is used to evaluate the right-hand side of the Beam-Warming algorithm for the spectral solution. Comparing the model problem results with the exact solution, the spectral series solution is truncated to the same degree of accuracy as the finite-difference for comparison of rendering times. The rendering algorithm employs octrees to efficiently …

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Optimal Control Design Advantages Utilizing Two-Degree-Of-Freedom Controllers, Michael J. Stephens Dec 1993

Optimal Control Design Advantages Utilizing Two-Degree-Of-Freedom Controllers, Michael J. Stephens

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the differences between a one-degree-of-freedom (1-DOF) controller, in which a controller is placed in a single location in the control loop, and a two-degree- of-freedom (2-DOF) controller, in which two separate controllers are designed -- one in the feedback loop and the other as a prefilter in the forward loop. The approach involved summarizing the major rules governing loop shaping for performance and robustness in the 1-DOF case and then extending the concepts to the 2-DOF case. H2 optimization was utilized to perform several types of SISO examples and …

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Fatigue Behavior Of A Cross-Ply Ceramic Matrix Composite At Elevated Temperatures Under Tension-Tension Loading, Richard J. Tuznik Dec 1993

Fatigue Behavior Of A Cross-Ply Ceramic Matrix Composite At Elevated Temperatures Under Tension-Tension Loading, Richard J. Tuznik

Theses and Dissertations

A study was conducted which investigated the behavior of a Nicalon/ Calcium-Aluminosilicate (Nicalon/CAS) cross-ply [0/90]2S ceramic matrix composite at elevated temperatures under tension-tension fatigue loading. Tension-tension fatigue tests were performed with a load ratio of R = 0.10 and a frequency of 10 Hertz at 700°C and 850°C. These results were compared to results from a previous study conducted at room temperature. Material behavior and damage was recorded by fatigue life curves, elastic modulus' maximum and minimum strain, acetate replication techniques, and post-mortem fractography. Analysis of these results showed identical matrix dominated damage behavior at RT and 700°C. Ultimate …

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A Numerical Determination Of Bifurcation Points For Low Reynolds Number Conical Flows, Larry K. Waters Dec 1993

A Numerical Determination Of Bifurcation Points For Low Reynolds Number Conical Flows, Larry K. Waters

Theses and Dissertations

It has long been established that supersonic flow over axisymmetric conical bodies at high angles of attack tend to develop a side force due to vortical asymmetry. One of the proposed reasons for the asymmetry is a bifurcation point in the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. This study investigated the possible existence of a bifurcation point in the Navier-Stokes equations for subsonic flow. Newton's method, with gauss elimination, was used- to solve the steady-state, viscous, compressible Navier-Stokes equations in spherical coordinates assuming conical similarity.

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Experimental Analysis Of Heat Transfer Characteristics And Pressure Drop Through Screen Regenerative Heat Exchangers, Jeffrey L. Wiese Dec 1993

Experimental Analysis Of Heat Transfer Characteristics And Pressure Drop Through Screen Regenerative Heat Exchangers, Jeffrey L. Wiese

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effect on heat transfer and friction characteristics for screen regenerative heat exchangers with the screen thickness reduced by rolling. The experiments were performed on 250 and 325 mesh, 304 stainless steel screen using helium gas. Reynolds numbers, based on hydraulic radius, Re, were between 10 and 100. Both the Colburn factor, StPr2/3, and friction factor, f, decreased as the screen thickness was reduced. A correlation was found for predicting friction factor, f. The drag coefficient per screen remained nearly unchanged for thicknesses reduced not more than 30 percent. The decrease in Colburn factor was …

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Electrical Properties Of P-Type Gainp2, Roy S. Calfas Dec 1993

Electrical Properties Of P-Type Gainp2, Roy S. Calfas

Theses and Dissertations

The GaInP2 n+—p junction diode has recently become important to the development of high efficiency GaInP2GaAs dual junction solar cells, which have a demonstrated air mass 1.5 conversion efficiencies in excess of 27. In order to study the effects of long term exposure to the space environment, the GaInP2 n+—p junction diodes were irradiated with a 1 MeV electron beam with a fluence of 1016 electrons/cm2. Since little is known about deep level defects traps in GaInP2, a deep level transient spectroscopy DLTS study was made to characterize the …

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High Resolution Fourier Transform Absorption Spectrum Of 79Br2 B3Π(0U+) ← X1ΣG+, Robert E. Franklin Dec 1993

High Resolution Fourier Transform Absorption Spectrum Of 79Br2 B3Π(0U+) ← X1ΣG+, Robert E. Franklin

Theses and Dissertations

High Resolution Fourier Transform Spectroscopy has been conducted for the 79Br2 B3π(0u+) ← X1Σg+ system of 79Br2. A total of 64 vibrational levels, including v"= 0-3 and v' = 10-33, have been observed and assigned. Rotational levels as high as J=76 were observed. A global fitting routine has been developed to fit the rotational spectra to the Dunham Expansion. Using Bv and Dv for both the X and B state, rotational transitions were calculated to within 0. 02 cm-1. The expansions of …

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Infrared Fluorescence Studies Of Electronic-To-Vibrational Energy Transfer In A Br2:No System, Michael R. Hawks Dec 1993

Infrared Fluorescence Studies Of Electronic-To-Vibrational Energy Transfer In A Br2:No System, Michael R. Hawks

Theses and Dissertations

Steady-state photolysis techniques were used to study electronic-to- vibrational energy transfer mechanisms from atomic bromine to nitric oxide. Molecular bromine was photodissociated by 488nm radiation to produce equal parts Br(2P1/2) and Br(2P3/2). Side fluorescence intensity from Br(2P1/2) at 2.7 µm and from NO (v=1 and 2) around 5.3 µm measured as a function of bromine pressure and nitric oxide pressure. The branching ratio collisional transfer into the first and second states of NO was determined, and previously reported rates for quenching of NO by molecular bromine were verified.

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Characterization Of An Lcd For Use As A Programmable Phase Shifter To Produce A Single-Lobed Far-Field Pattern In A Phased Array, Gregory S. Kenyon Dec 1993

Characterization Of An Lcd For Use As A Programmable Phase Shifter To Produce A Single-Lobed Far-Field Pattern In A Phased Array, Gregory S. Kenyon

Theses and Dissertations

The liquid crystal display LCD from an inexpensive pocket television was converted to a spatial light modulator SLM for the purpose of altering the phase front of a ten element diode laser array to produce a single lobe far field pattern. Characterization of the SLM determined the amount of phase shift, amplitude modulation and polarization rotation properties. Nonuniformities within the phase shifter and insufficient phase shift prevented the formation of a single lobe. However, a very limited phase grating was created and analyzed. LCDs from inexpensive commercial pocket televisions were found unsuitable for use as phase shifting spatial light modulators.

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The Effects Of Optical Feedback On Polarization Of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Gregory J. Vansuch Dec 1993

The Effects Of Optical Feedback On Polarization Of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Gregory J. Vansuch

Theses and Dissertations

Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers VCSELs are a type of semiconductor laser with a cavity oriented orthogonally to the planes of material growth. These lasers differ from conventional edge emitting lasers in several important ways. They have symmetric output beams and they are easily built into two dimensional arrays, making them very attractive as photonic components. The characteristic of interest in this thesis is polarization. While the asymmetric cavities of edge emitters exhibit a clear preference for light polarized in a particular direction, the cylindrically symmetric cavity of a VCSEL has no clear preference. Therefore, it should be relatively easy …

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Vibrational Energy Transfer Within The B3Π(0+U) State Of 79Br2 Upon Collision With N2, O2, No, And Sf6, Gregory S. Williams Dec 1993

Vibrational Energy Transfer Within The B3Π(0+U) State Of 79Br2 Upon Collision With N2, O2, No, And Sf6, Gregory S. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Vibrational transfer and electronic quenching in the lower vibrational levels of the 79Br2(B; v'≤3) were investigated using spectrally resolved, temporally resolved pulsed laser induced fluorescence techniques. Spectrally resolved emissions from collisionally populated Br2(B) vibrational levels were observed for N2, O2, NO, and SF6collision partners. The vibrational transfer was efficient in the nonpredissociative vibrational levels and is adequately described by the Montroll-Shuler model. An average fundamental vibrational transfer rate coefficient of kv(l,0)=3.4(±0.6) x 10-11 cm3/molec-sec predicts the vibrational transfer rates for the 0≤v'≤3 collisions with …

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Genetic Algorithms And Their Application To The Protein Folding Problem, Donald J. Brinkman Dec 1993

Genetic Algorithms And Their Application To The Protein Folding Problem, Donald J. Brinkman

Theses and Dissertations

The protein folding problem involves the prediction of the secondary and tertiary structure of a molecule given the primary structure. The primary structure defines sequence of amino-acid residues, while the secondary structure describes the local 3-dimensional arrangement of amino-acid residues within the molecule. The relative orientation of the secondary structural motifs, namely the tertiary structure, defines the shape of the entire biomolecule. The exact, mechanism by which a sequence of amino acids protein folds into its 3- dimensional conformation is unknown Current approaches to the protein folding problem include calculus-based methods, systematic search, model building and symbolic methods, random methods …

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Vulnerability Assessment Using A Fuzzy Logic Based Method, Richard W. Fleming Dec 1993

Vulnerability Assessment Using A Fuzzy Logic Based Method, Richard W. Fleming

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the feasibility of using qualitative analysis methods to evaluate computer security vulnerabilities. Although many risk analysis systems exist, few provide for the adequate analysis of identified vulnerabilities. While the main focus of this thesis is to evaluate computer security vulnerabilities, the methods involved have application in other areas requiring evaluation using qualitative methods. It is proposed, and demonstrated by this thesis, that the use of qualitative analysis using linguistic variables to describe the impact of computer security vulnerabilities is not only feasible, but intrinsically easier to understand and use than quantitative methods.

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Developing Realistic Cooperative Behaviors For Autonomous Agents In Air Combat Simulation, Dean P. Hipwell Dec 1993

Developing Realistic Cooperative Behaviors For Autonomous Agents In Air Combat Simulation, Dean P. Hipwell

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated, developed and implemented cooperative decision-making behaviors in an air combat simulation by using a knowledge-based system. Knowledge-based systems were well suited for this task because of built- in features such as inference engines and rule-based constructs. This thesis addresses the specific problem of generating autonomous forces for inclusion in the Advanced Research Projects Agency Distributed Interactive Simulation program. Existing autonomous forces implementations lacked flexibility, realistic behaviors, real-time planning and other features. The simulation system in this thesis addresses the problem of realistic behavior by modeling pilot decision processes rather than aircraft platforms. The system is based on …

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Developing Realistic Behaviors In Adversarial Agents For Air Combat Simulation, George S. Hluck Dec 1993

Developing Realistic Behaviors In Adversarial Agents For Air Combat Simulation, George S. Hluck

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes an initial effort into creating a rule-based, reactive system for air combat simulation. This program uses the object-oriented extension of the expert system tool known as the C Language Integrated Production System CLIPS. This effort rose out of the need for creating and integrating semi-autonomous forces for the Distributed Interactive System DIS. This thesis describes the basic maneuvers a pilot uses in present air-to-air combat. The methodology includes the design decisions, knowledge-base development, phase architecture, and maneuver architecture development. The actual implementation of the selected architecture is described. This thesis also discusses the results of experimental runs …

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Partitioning Structural Vhdl Circuits For Parallel Execution On Hypercubes, Kevin L. Kapp Dec 1993

Partitioning Structural Vhdl Circuits For Parallel Execution On Hypercubes, Kevin L. Kapp

Theses and Dissertations

Distributing simulations among multiple processors is one approach to reducing VHDL simulation time for large VLSI circuit designs. However, parallel simulation introduces the problem of how to partition the logic gates and system behaviors among the available processors in order to obtain maximum speedup. This research investigates deliberate partitioning algorithms that account for the complex inter-dependency structure of the circuit behaviors. Once an initial partition has been obtained, a border annealing algorithm is used to iteratively improve the partition. In addition, methods of measuring the cost of a partition and relating it to the resulting simulation performance are investigated. Structural …

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Interactive Control Of A Parallel Simulation From A Remote Graphics Workstation, Douglas C. Looney Dec 1993

Interactive Control Of A Parallel Simulation From A Remote Graphics Workstation, Douglas C. Looney

Theses and Dissertations

Modern military commanders are faced with an overwhelming amount of intelligence data concerning the disposition of engaging forces, The sheer volume of data produced for a single planning scenario is an obstacle to the user as well as the computer. Today’s commander requires a real-time, three- dimensional representation of the battlefield in order to assimilate the data for the management of a conflict. Parallel computation is required to complete the processing of this information in a timely manner. A network protocol is required to link the interface with the parallel simulation. The of this study is to improve user interaction …

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Investigation Into Formalization Of Domain-Oriented Parallel Software Development, Daniel P. King Dec 1993

Investigation Into Formalization Of Domain-Oriented Parallel Software Development, Daniel P. King

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the conceptual design of a semi-automated platform for parallel software development. The proposed semi-automated environment applies transformational techniques and domain-specific knowledge to a parallel software development process. Domain-specific and software design knowledge interact within the transformational development process in the creation of a software application. The underlying parallel specification language requires a set of parallel composition operators in order to capture an application’s concurrent properties. A set of parallel composition operators is proposed that consists of parallel composition, parallel enumeration, nondeterministic choice, sequential composition specific communication and synchronization variable types are also proposed. A semi-automated environment based …

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Using Discovery-Based Learning To Prove The Behavior Of An Autonomous Agent, David N. Mezera Dec 1993

Using Discovery-Based Learning To Prove The Behavior Of An Autonomous Agent, David N. Mezera

Theses and Dissertations

Computer-generated autonomous agents in simulation often behave predictably and unrealistically. These characteristics make them easy to spot and exploit by human participants in the simulation, when we would prefer the behavior of the agent to be indistinguishable from human behavior. An improvement in behavior might be possible by enlarging the library of responses, giving the agent a richer assortment of tactics to employ during a combat scenario. Machine learning offers an exciting alternative to constructing additional responses by hand by instead allowing the system to improve its own performance with experience. This thesis presents NOSTRUM, a discovery-based learning DBL system …

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An Object-Oriented Database Interface For Ada, Anthony D. Moyers Dec 1993

An Object-Oriented Database Interface For Ada, Anthony D. Moyers

Theses and Dissertations

Object data management ODM is currently at the forefront of research and development efforts in the database community. In order to take advantage of ODM technology, the Department of Defense DoD needs to ensure that these systems are accessible to Ada programmers. The Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT is conducting research towards the development of an Ada ODM interface to existing ODM systems. The design goals are portability, transparency, and completeness for Ada programmers. Portability means that the ODM system can be changed without affecting any existing application programs. Transparency means that Ada programmers can use the interface without …

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A Method For Populating The Knowledge Base Of Aptas, A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Raleigh A. Sandy Iii Dec 1993

A Method For Populating The Knowledge Base Of Aptas, A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Raleigh A. Sandy Iii

Theses and Dissertations

A formal process is described for populating the knowledge base of the Automatic Programming Technologies for Avionics Software APTAS system. This process was developed using a general knowledge base population process that applies to many knowledge-based software engineering systems. This general process is also described. The formal process for APTAS was demonstrated by storing new information from the radar tracking domain into the knowledge base of APTAS. Several procedures some automatic and some manual were implemented to support the formal process.

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Virtual Memory Management And Virtual Bus Overloading On Multiple Channel Architectures, John N. Armitstead Dec 1993

Virtual Memory Management And Virtual Bus Overloading On Multiple Channel Architectures, John N. Armitstead

Theses and Dissertations

Today's computational environment requires the processing capabilities available only through parallel architectures. The bottleneck that limits the potential of parallel processing is communication between processors, memories, and other hardware devices. A proposed multiple channel architecture (MCA) utilizes tunable semiconductor lasers and fiber optic cables that serve as the communication medium between processor, memory, and I/O nodes. A memory management unit (MMU) was completely described and implemented in a multiprocessor simulator. A permutation-based interleaving (PBI) scheme was utilized to reduce the chance of memory access collisions. Virtual bus utilization, number of collisions, and message traffic patterns were studied under various amounts …

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Design Of A Parallel Discrete Event Simulation Coprocessor, Jacob L. Berlin Dec 1993

Design Of A Parallel Discrete Event Simulation Coprocessor, Jacob L. Berlin

Theses and Dissertations

A Parallel Discrete Event Simulation Coprocessor was designed to off- load the synchronization overhead from the processors executing the application. In a multiprocessor architecture, one coprocessor executes the synchronization routines for each host processor. Speedup can be achieved when the host processor executes the application and the coprocessor concurrently executes synchronization routines. The coprocessor uses a programmable microcode control store to guarantee flexibility in the synchronization routines. The coprocessor uses an Extreme Search Associative Memory to support fast Next Event Queue NEQ management. This associative memory uses bit-serial word-parallel search logic to provide 01 insert and retrieval time of events …

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Using Database Technology To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition Systems, Danny A. Cecil, Joseph A. Fullenkamp Dec 1993

Using Database Technology To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition Systems, Danny A. Cecil, Joseph A. Fullenkamp

Theses and Dissertations

This research designed and prototyped an OODBMS technology base to store and retrieve various types of domain artifacts for domain-oriented application composition systems (DOACS). We developed object-oriented database schemas for a validating domain and the Object-Connection-Update software architecture. We implemented an inheritance relationship between the schemas so a domain model can inherit an architectural structure from an architecture model allowing us to isolate domain-specific knowledge from architecture-specific knowledge. We also developed a meta-model to formally define domain models in the database. We then developed a set of database methods to transform a domain model into a database schema for storing …

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Developing A Sophisticated User Interface To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Jay A. Cossentine Dec 1993

Developing A Sophisticated User Interface To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Jay A. Cossentine

Theses and Dissertations

This research refined the visual presentation and usability of a previously developed visual interface for a domain-oriented application composition and generation system. The refined visual interface incorporated domain-specific bit-mapped graphics and sophisticated user interface design concepts to reduce user workload. User workload was reduced through object layout, window design, and color utilization techniques; by combining repetitive procedures into single commands; and reusing, rather than recreating, composition information throughout the application composition process. The Software Refinery environment, including its graphical interface tool INTERVISTA, was used to develop techniques for visualizing and manipulating objects contained in a formal object base. INTERVISTA was …

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A Parallel Computational Fluid Dynamics Unstructured Grid Generator, Deborah E. Davis Dec 1993

A Parallel Computational Fluid Dynamics Unstructured Grid Generator, Deborah E. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This research addressed the development of a parallel computational fluid dynamics unstructured grid generator using Delaunay triangulation. The generator is applied to simple elliptical and cylindrical two-dimensional bodies. The methodologies used included Watsons point insertion algorithm, Holmes and Snyders point creation algorithm, a discretized surface definition, Andersons clustering function, and a Laplacian smoother. The first version of the software involved a processor boundary exchange at the end of each iteration with no inter-processor communications during the iterations The second version used inter-processor communication during each iteration instead of the boundary exchange. Version 1 demonstrated a speedup of 1.8 for some …

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Weapon System Sensor Integration For A Dis-Compatible Virtual Cockpit, Matthew N. Erichsen Dec 1993

Weapon System Sensor Integration For A Dis-Compatible Virtual Cockpit, Matthew N. Erichsen

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis continues the Virtual Cockpit VC research which investigates distributed interactive virtual flying, environments. The VC vl.0 used the SIMNET protocols to only communicate position and orientation over a common network. A simple cockpit instrumentation configuration and limited head- tip display, HUD showed aircraft state. With VC vl.0 weapons or sensors could not interact in the simulation environment. The VC v2.0 transitions from the SIMNET protocol to a partial implementation of the Distributed Interactive Simulation DIS v2.0.3 protocol. Simulated radar and forward looking infra-red FLIR sensors were developed to aid operator detection and designation when employing various munition types. …

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A Distributed Interactive Simulation Based Remote Debriefing Tool For Red Flag Missions, Michael T. Gardner Dec 1993

A Distributed Interactive Simulation Based Remote Debriefing Tool For Red Flag Missions, Michael T. Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force leaders, recognizing the need for improved training following the Vietnam War, implemented the Red Flag exercises at Nellis AFB. At the heart of this training is the Red Flag Measurement and Debriefing System RFMDS and its capability to accurately reconstruct the elements of an intense exercise fought over the deserts of Nevada. This thesis uses the technology of distributed interactive simulation DIS to transmit aircraft telemetry onto computer networks, allowing the monitoring and analysis of live Red Flag missions at any site with compatible communications equipment and thesis software. The use of standard DIS protocols enables simulators to …

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Alternative Architectures For Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Warren E. Gool Dec 1993

Alternative Architectures For Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Warren E. Gool

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a formalized framework for comparing the structure and semantics of software architectures. The framework uses object diagrams for analyzing the structure of the architectures and the axiomatic approach for analyzing the semantics. This framework is used to compare the Object Connection Update OCU model developed by the Software Engineering Institute against four other software architectures VHDL defined by Lipsett, MetaH defined by Honeywell, microRapide defined by Luckham, and hierarchical software systems as defined by Batory. The goal of the comparison was to evaluate the OCU model for suitability within prototype application composition and generation systems. This research …

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