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Articles 1 - 30 of 41
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Observation And Tracking Of Tropical Cyclones Using Resolution Enhanced Scatterometry, Richard Ryan Halterman
Observation And Tracking Of Tropical Cyclones Using Resolution Enhanced Scatterometry, Richard Ryan Halterman
Theses and Dissertations
The QuikSCAT scatterometer provides global daily coverage of oceanic near-surface vector winds. Recently, algorithms have been developed to enhance the spatial resolution of QuikSCAT winds from 25~km to 2.5~km posting. These ultra-high resolution winds are used, in comparison with standard L2B data product winds, to observe and track tropical cyclones. Resolution enhanced winds are found to provide additional storm structure such as inner core size and structure and the presence of multiple eyewalls compared with standard resolution winds. The 2.5~km winds are also able to observe storms nearer to the shore than 25~km winds. An analysis of circulation center locatability …
Shape Matching, Relevance Feedback, And Indexing With Application To Spine X-Ray Image Retrieval, Xiaoqian Xu
Shape Matching, Relevance Feedback, And Indexing With Application To Spine X-Ray Image Retrieval, Xiaoqian Xu
Theses and Dissertations
The National Library of Medicine (NLM), an institute in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), maintains a collection of 17,000 digitized spine X-ray images obtained from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). Research effort has been devoted to develop a web-accessible retrieval system that allows retrieval of images from the NHANES II database on relevant and frequently found pathologies. A comprehensive and successful image retrieval system requires effective image representation and matching methods, relevance feedback algorithms to incorporate user opinions, and efficient indexing schemes for fast access to image databases. This dissertation studies and develops approaches …
Using Duplication With Compare For On-Line Error Detection In Fpga-Based Designs, Daniel L. Mcmurtrey
Using Duplication With Compare For On-Line Error Detection In Fpga-Based Designs, Daniel L. Mcmurtrey
Theses and Dissertations
Space destined FPGA-based systems must employ redundancy techniques to account for the effects of upsets caused by radiated environments. Error detection techniques can be used to alert external systems to the presence of these upsets. Readback with compare is an error detection technique commonly employed in FPGA-based designs. This work introduces duplication with compare (DWC) as an automated on-line error detection technique that can be used as an alternative to readback with compare. This work also introduces a set of metrics that is used to quantify the effectiveness and coverage of this error detection technique. A tool is presented that …
A Bayesian Perspective On Estimating Mean, Variance, And Standard-Deviation From Data, Travis E. Oliphant
A Bayesian Perspective On Estimating Mean, Variance, And Standard-Deviation From Data, Travis E. Oliphant
Faculty Publications
This article shows how to compute confidence intervals for mean, standard-deviation, and variance using Bayesian methods. The method is implemented in SciPy as scipy.stats.bayes_mvs After reviewing some classical estimators for mean, variance, and standard-deviation and showing that un-biased estimates are not usually desirable, a Bayesian perspective is employed to determine what is known about mean, variance, and standard deviation given only that a data set in-fact has a common mean and variance. Maximum-entropy is used to argue that the likelihood function in this situation should be the same as if the data were independent and identically distributed Gaussian. A non-informative …
Predicting On-Orbit Static Single Event Upset Rates In Xilinx Virtex Fpgas, Joshua Engel, Keith S. Morgan, Michael J. Wirthlin, Paul S. Graham
Predicting On-Orbit Static Single Event Upset Rates In Xilinx Virtex Fpgas, Joshua Engel, Keith S. Morgan, Michael J. Wirthlin, Paul S. Graham
Faculty Publications
Sponsorship: Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Laboratory. This document describes the methodology used to predict single-event upset rates for Xilinx Virtex FPGAs based on the CREME96 orbit modeling tool. Using this methodology, SEU upset rates are obtained for several Xilinx Virtex FPGAs including Virtex, Virtex-II, and Virtex-4. Further, SEU upset rates are obtained for a variety of orbits for each of these FPGAs.
Mimo Communication Capacity: Antenna Coupling And Precoding For Incoherent Detection, Nicolas W. Bikhazi
Mimo Communication Capacity: Antenna Coupling And Precoding For Incoherent Detection, Nicolas W. Bikhazi
Theses and Dissertations
While the capacity of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems has been explored in considerable detail, virtually all literature on this topic ignores electromagnetic considerations. This dissertation explores electromagnetic effects on the capacity performance of these multi-antenna architectures. Specifically, it examines the impact of superdirectivity for compact antenna arrays, the effect of antenna mutual coupling, and MIMO performance of multi-mode optical fiber with non-linear detection. Superdirectivity can lead to abnormally large capacity bounds in a MIMO communication system, especially when the antennas are placed close together. Because superdirective behavior is difficult to achieve in practice, this work formulates an approach for limiting …
Anisotropic High Aspect Ratio Etch Development For Fluorinated Polymers With Stress Relief Technique, S. Kim, Gregory P. Nordin, N. Rahmanian
Anisotropic High Aspect Ratio Etch Development For Fluorinated Polymers With Stress Relief Technique, S. Kim, Gregory P. Nordin, N. Rahmanian
Faculty Publications
The authors have developed an anisotropic, high aspect ratio (18:1) etch for perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers with trenches as narrow as 800 nm using a CO/O2 etch chemistry in an inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etcher. Anisotropy is achieved by carbon sidewall passivation. The motivation for this etch development is to use the air trenches as very compact waveguide splitters [S. Kim et al., Opt. Eng. 45, 054602 (2006)] The authors report a new trench widening mechanism due to tensile stress of the PFCB films and a method of avoiding this widening through the use of additional stress relief trenches on …
Time-Varying Mimo Channels: Measurement, Analysis, And Modeling, Michael A. Jensen, Jon W. Wallace
Time-Varying Mimo Channels: Measurement, Analysis, And Modeling, Michael A. Jensen, Jon W. Wallace
Faculty Publications
communication nodes is analyzed. A wide-band 8 times 8 sounder is employed to measure the response of indoor and outdoor channels at 2.55 and 5.2 GHz. The rate of channel temporal variation is then quantified in terms of information theoretic metrics that indicate the loss in channel quality as transmit and receive channel state information becomes increasingly outdated. Finally, these metrics are used to investigate the ability of two different modeling strategies-a random matrix model and a physical time-varying cluster model-to capture the channel temporal variation.
A Prototype Platform For Array Feed Development, James Richard Nagel
A Prototype Platform For Array Feed Development, James Richard Nagel
Theses and Dissertations
Radio frequency interference (RFI) is a growing problem for radio astronomers. One potential solution utilizes spatial filtering by placing an array of electrically small antennas at the focal plane of a parabolic reflector. This thesis documents the design and characterization of a prototype array feed and RF receiver that were used to demonstrate the spatial filtering principle. The array consists of a 7-element hexagonal arrangement of thickened dipole antennas tuned to a center frequency of 1600 MHz. The receiver is a two-stage, low-noise frequency mixer that is tunable over the entire L-band. This thesis also documents a new receiver design …
Fabrication Of Hollow Optical Waveguides On Planar Substrates, John P. Barber
Fabrication Of Hollow Optical Waveguides On Planar Substrates, John P. Barber
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation presents the fabrication of hollow optical waveguides integrated on planar substrates. Similar in principle to Bragg waveguides and other photonic crystal waveguides, the antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide (ARROW) is used to guide light in hollow cores filled with liquids or gases. Waveguides with liquid or gas cores are an important new building block for integrated optical sensors. The fabrication method developed for hollow ARROW waveguides makes use of standard microfabrication processes and materials. Dielectric layers are deposited on a silicon wafer using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form the bottom layers of the ARROW waveguide. A sacrificial …
Design And Realization Of A Single Stage Sigma-Delta Adc With Low Oversampling Ratio, Yongjie Cheng
Design And Realization Of A Single Stage Sigma-Delta Adc With Low Oversampling Ratio, Yongjie Cheng
Theses and Dissertations
Due to the rapid growth of the communication market, a large amount of research is in process toward a high speed and high resolution sigma-delta A/D converter. This dissertation focuses on the design of a single-stage sigma-delta A/D converter with very low oversampling ratio for the wireless application. An architecture for a multibit single-stage delta-sigma A/D converter with two-step quantization is proposed. Both the MSB and LSB signals produced by the two-step quantization are fed back simultaneously to all integrator stages, making it suitable for low oversampling ratios. The two-step ADC avoids the problem that the complexity of an internal …
Obstacle Avoidance For Small Unmanned Air Vehicles, Brandon R. Call
Obstacle Avoidance For Small Unmanned Air Vehicles, Brandon R. Call
Theses and Dissertations
Small UAVs are used for low altitude surveillance flights where unknown obstacles can be encountered. These UAVs can be given the capability to navigate in uncertain environments if obstacles are identified. This research presents an obstacle avoidance system for small UAVs. First, a mission waypoint path is created that avoids all known obstacles using a genetic algorithm. Then, while the UAV is in flight, obstacles are detected using a forward looking, onboard camera. Image features are found using the Harris Corner Detector and tracked through multiple video frames which provides three dimensional localization of the features. A sparse three dimensional …
Maximizing Miniature Aerial Vehicles, Stephen Griffiths, Jeffery Brian Saunders, Andrew Curtis, Blake Barber, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard
Maximizing Miniature Aerial Vehicles, Stephen Griffiths, Jeffery Brian Saunders, Andrew Curtis, Blake Barber, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard
Faculty Publications
Despite the tremendous potential demonstrated by miniature aerial vehicles (MAV) in numerous applications, they are currently limited to operations in open air space, far away from obstacles and terrain. To broaden the range of applications for MAVs, methods to enable operation in environments of increased complexity must be developed. In this article, we presented two strategies for obstacle and terrain avoidance that provide a means for avoiding obstacles in the flight path and for staying centered in a winding corridor.
Comparison Of Microcantilever Hg Sensing Behavior With Thermal Higher Order Modes For As-Deposited Sputtered And Thermally Evaporated Au Films, Gregory P. Nordin, Michael A. George, Ashwini R. Kadam
Comparison Of Microcantilever Hg Sensing Behavior With Thermal Higher Order Modes For As-Deposited Sputtered And Thermally Evaporated Au Films, Gregory P. Nordin, Michael A. George, Ashwini R. Kadam
Faculty Publications
As-deposited sputtered and thermally evaporated Au films are studied for Hg sensing with rectangular Si microcantilevers. Microcantilever deflection and frequency shifts in the first four thermally induced flexural modes are measured for each type of Au film as a function of Hg exposure. All thermally induced higher order modes show shifts in their frequencies for Hg exposures when the Au is sputter deposited whereas typically only the third and fourth order modes show frequency shifts when the Au is thermally evaporated. A technique is employed in order to vary Au coverage along a microcantilever surface. The shifts in the thermal …
Melt Detection In Antarctic Ice Shelves Using Scatterometers And Microwave Radiometers, David G. Long, Lucas B. Kunz
Melt Detection In Antarctic Ice Shelves Using Scatterometers And Microwave Radiometers, David G. Long, Lucas B. Kunz
Faculty Publications
Ku-band dual-polarization radar backscatter measurements from the SeaWinds-on-QuikSCAT scatterometer are used to determine periods of surface freeze and melt in the Antarctic ice shelves. The normalized horizontal-polarization radar backscatter (sigmao) and backscatter polarization ratio are used in maximum-likelihood estimation of the ice state. This method is used to infer the daily ice-surface conditions for 25 study locations located on the Ronne, Ross, Larsen, Amery, Shackleton, and other ice shelves. The temporal and spatial variations of the radar response are observed for various neighborhood sizes surrounding each given location during the study period. Criteria for determining the dates of melt onset …
Systematic Design Process For Slanted Graing Couplers,, Gregory P. Nordin, J. Jiang, B. Wang
Systematic Design Process For Slanted Graing Couplers,, Gregory P. Nordin, J. Jiang, B. Wang
Faculty Publications
We have developed a systematic design process for recently proposed slanted grating couplers (SGCs) that operates in the strong coupling regime. Based on rigorous analysis of SGC properties, this design process utilizes the k-vector diagram and a rigorous grating leaky-mode solver to intentionally enforce the phase-match and Bragg conditions. We demonstrate that the resultant SGC designs have performance similar to those obtained by parallel micro-genetic algorithm (µGA) optimization with the twodimensional finite-difference time-domain (2D FDTD) method. Only two 2D FDTD simulations are necessary in the later stages of our systematic design process. Therefore the time saving is tremendous compared to …
Adaptive Control Of Micro Air Vehicles, Joshua Stephen Matthews
Adaptive Control Of Micro Air Vehicles, Joshua Stephen Matthews
Theses and Dissertations
Although PID controllers work well on Miniature Air Vehicles (MAVs), they require tuning for each MAV. Also, they quickly lose performance in the presence of actuator failures or changes in the MAV dynamics. Adaptive control algorithms that self tune to each MAV and compensate for changes in the MAV during flight are explored. However, because the autopilots on MAVs are small, many of the adaptive control algorithms like those that employ least squares estimation may take too much code space, memory, and/or computing power. In this thesis we develop several Lyapunov-based model reference adaptive control (MRAC) schemes that are both …
Cross-Layer Issues In Mac Protocol Design For Mimo Ad Hoc Networks, Michael A. Jensen, A. Lee Swindlehurst, Michele Zorzi, James R. Zeidler, Adam L. Anderson, Bhaskar Rao, John Proakis, Srikanth Krishnamurthy
Cross-Layer Issues In Mac Protocol Design For Mimo Ad Hoc Networks, Michael A. Jensen, A. Lee Swindlehurst, Michele Zorzi, James R. Zeidler, Adam L. Anderson, Bhaskar Rao, John Proakis, Srikanth Krishnamurthy
Faculty Publications
In this article, we discuss research and design issues that arise in the development of networking protocols for an ad hoc network where nodes are equipped with multiple antenna elements and have the ability to perform signal processing operations as required by adaptive beamforming, interference cancellation, and space-time coding.
Video Stabilization And Target Localization Using Feature Tracking With Video From Small Uavs, David Linn Johansen
Video Stabilization And Target Localization Using Feature Tracking With Video From Small Uavs, David Linn Johansen
Theses and Dissertations
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with lightweight, inexpensive cameras have grown in popularity by enabling new uses of UAV technology. However, the video retrieved from small UAVs is often unwatchable due to high frequency jitter. Beginning with an investigation of previous stabilization work, this thesis discusses the challenges of stabilizing UAV based video. It then presents a software based computer vision framework and discusses its use to develop a real-time stabilization solution. A novel approach of estimating intended video motion is then presented. Next, the thesis proceeds to extend previous target localization work by allowing the operator to easily identify …
Melt Detection And Estimation In Greenland Using Tandem Quikscat And Seawinds Scatterometers, Brandon R. Hicks
Melt Detection And Estimation In Greenland Using Tandem Quikscat And Seawinds Scatterometers, Brandon R. Hicks
Theses and Dissertations
Ku-band dual-polarization radar backscatter measurements from the SeaWinds on QuikScat (QuikScat) and SeaWinds on ADEOS-2 (SeaWinds) scatterometers are used to classify the melt state and estimate melt severity in Greenland. Backscatter measurements are organized into high temporal and high spatial resolution images created using the Scatterometer Image Reconstruction (SIR) algorithm and a new temporal data segmentation technique. Melt detection is performed using a layered electromagnetic model combined with a Markov chain model. The new melt detection method allows classification of the snow-pack into three states: melt, refreeze, and frozen. Melt severity and refreeze severity indexes are also developed. The melt …
Microwave Remote Sensing Of Saharan Ergs And Amazon Vegetation, Haroon Stephen
Microwave Remote Sensing Of Saharan Ergs And Amazon Vegetation, Haroon Stephen
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation focuses on relating spaceborne microwave data to the geophysical characteristics of the Sahara desert and the Amazon vegetation. Radar and radiometric responses of the Saharan ergs are related to geophysical properties of sand formations and near surface winds. The spatial and temporal variability of the Amazon vegetation is studied using multi-frequency and multi-polarization data. The Sahara desert includes large expanses of sand dunes called ergs that are constantly reshaped by prevailing winds. Radar backscatter measurements observed at various incidence and azimuth angles from the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT), the ERS scatterometer (ESCAT), the SeaWinds scatterometer aboard QuikScat (QSCAT), and …
Incorporating Wireless Power Transfer In An Led Lighting Application, Jonathan S. Shipley
Incorporating Wireless Power Transfer In An Led Lighting Application, Jonathan S. Shipley
Theses and Dissertations
There are various situations in which electrical energy is desired but cannot by conveniently supplied. Since the days of Hienrich Hertz and Nikola Tesla, scientists have tried to solve this problem using different methods of wireless power transfer. Today, wireless power transfer has only been commercially demonstrated at small distances through use of induction. This thesis demonstrated the transfer of wireless power at relatively large distances through radio frequencies in the development of a prototype for a commercial product - a wireless household lamp.
Random City Generator Technical Report, Brandon Call
Random City Generator Technical Report, Brandon Call
Faculty Publications
The Brigham Young University (BYU) Multiple Agent Intelligent Coordination and Control (MAGICC) research lab researchs many aspects of small unmanned air vehicles (UAV). To facilitate this research, students have created a UAV simulator called Aviones. In order to increase the capability of Aviones to simulate an urban environment, the ability to draw buildings, streets and vehicles have been added. This document outlines how cities are created and how a researcher can use them in conjunction with Aviones.
Arq Techniques For Mimo Communication Systems, Zhihong Ding
Arq Techniques For Mimo Communication Systems, Zhihong Ding
Theses and Dissertations
Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems employ multiple antennas at the transmitter and the receiver. Multiple antennas provide capacity gain and/or robust performance over single antenna communications. Traditional automatic-repeat-request (ARQ) techniques developed for single-input single-output (SISO) communication systems have to be modified in order to be employed in MIMO communication systems. In this dissertation, we propose and analysis some ARQ techniques for MIMO communication systems. The basic retransmission protocols of ARQ, stop-and-wait (SW-ARQ), go-back-$N$ (GBN-ARQ), and selective repeat (SR-ARQ), designed for SISO communication systems are generalized for parallel multichannel communication systems. The generalized ARQ protocols seek to improve the channel utilization …
Operational Amplifier Bandwidth Extension Using Negative Capacitance Generation, Adrian P. Genz
Operational Amplifier Bandwidth Extension Using Negative Capacitance Generation, Adrian P. Genz
Theses and Dissertations
A need for high bandwidth operational amplifiers, or op-amps, exists for certain applications. This need requires research in the area of op-amp bandwidth extension. The proposed method of this thesis uses Negative Capacitance Generation (NCG), which involves using the Miller effect to generate an equivalent negative capacitance at a given node in a circuit, to extend the bandwidth of an op-amp. This is accomplished by first applying NCG to the second stage of an op-amp, in which the op-amp has been compensated using Single Capacitor Miller Compensation (SCMC). Next, the Miller capacitor used to compensate the op-amp can be reduced …
Seu-Induced Persistent Error Propagation In Fpgas, Keith S. Morgan
Seu-Induced Persistent Error Propagation In Fpgas, Keith S. Morgan
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis introduces a new way to characterize the dynamic SEU cross section of an FPGA design in terms of its persistent and non-persistent components. An SEU in the persistent cross section results in a permanent interruption of service until reset. An SEU in the non-persistent cross section causes a temporary interruption of service, but in some cases this interruption may be tolerated. Techniques for measuring these cross sections are introduced. These cross sections can be measured and characterized for an arbitrary FPGA design. Furthermore, circuit components in the non-persistent and persistent cross section can statically be determined. Functional error …
Decentralized Cooperative Aerial Surveillance Using Fixed-Wing Miniature Uavs, Randal Beard, Derek Kingston, Timothy W. Mclain, Derek Nelson
Decentralized Cooperative Aerial Surveillance Using Fixed-Wing Miniature Uavs, Randal Beard, Derek Kingston, Timothy W. Mclain, Derek Nelson
Faculty Publications
Numerous applications require aerial surveillance. Civilian applications include monitoring forest fires, oil fields and pipelines, and tracking wildlife. Applications to homeland security include border patrol and monitoring the perimeter of nuclear power plants. Military applications are numerous. The current approach to these applications is to use a single manned vehicle for surveillance. However, manned vehicles are typically large and expensive. In addition, hazardous environments and operator fatigue can potentially threaten the life of the pilot. Therefore, there is a critical need for automating aerial surveillance using unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). This paper gives an overview of a cooperative control strategy …
Compact And Low Loss Silicon-On-Insulator Rib Waveguide 90° Bend, Yusheng Qian, Seunghyun Kim, Jiguo Song, Gregory P. Nordin, Jianhua Jiang
Compact And Low Loss Silicon-On-Insulator Rib Waveguide 90° Bend, Yusheng Qian, Seunghyun Kim, Jiguo Song, Gregory P. Nordin, Jianhua Jiang
Faculty Publications
A compact and low loss silicon-on-insulator rib waveguide 90° bend is designed and demonstrated. An interface realized by a trench filled with SU8 at the corner of a waveguide bend effectively reflects incoming light through total internal reflection (TIR). In order to accurately position the SU8-filled trench relative to the waveguide and reduce sidewall roughness of the interface, electron beam lithography (EBL) is employed while inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP RIE) is used to achieve a vertical sidewall. The measured loss for TE polarization is 0.32 dB ± 0.02 dB/bend at a wavelength of 1.55 µm.
Vision-Based Target Localization From A Fixed-Wing Miniature Air Vehicle, Joshua D. Redding, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard, Clark N. Taylor
Vision-Based Target Localization From A Fixed-Wing Miniature Air Vehicle, Joshua D. Redding, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard, Clark N. Taylor
Faculty Publications
This paper presents a method for localizing a ground-based object when imaged from a small fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Using the pixel location of the target in an image, with measurements of UAV position and attitude, and camera pose angles, the target is localized in world coordinates. This paper presents a study of possible error sources and localization sensitivities to each source. The localization method has been implemented and experimental results are presented demonstrating the localization of a target to within 11 m of its known location.
Vector Field Path Following For Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Derek R. Nelson, D. Blake Barber, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard
Vector Field Path Following For Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Derek R. Nelson, D. Blake Barber, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard
Faculty Publications
This paper presents a new method for unmanned aerial vehicle path following using vector fields to represent desired ground track headings to direct the vehicle onto the desired path. The key feature of this approach is that ground track heading error and lateral following error approach zero asymptotically even in the presence of constant wind disturbances. Methods for following straight-line and circularorbit paths, as well as combinations of straight lines and arcs, are presented. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of this path following approach for small air vehicles flying in high-wind conditions.