Engineering Commons^™

Spatiotemporal Pattern Detection With Neuromorphic Circuits, Robert C. Ivans

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, neuromorphic circuits are used to implement spiking neural networks in order to detect spatiotemporal patterns. Unsupervised training and detection-by-design techniques were used to attain the appropriate connectomes and perform pattern detection.

Unsupervised training was performed by feeding random digital spikes with a repeating embedded spatiotemporal pattern to a spiking neural network composed of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons and memristor-R(t) element circuits which implement spike-timing-dependent plasticity learning rules.

Detection-by-design was achieved using neuromporphic circuits and digital logic gates. When detection-by-design was achieved using both neuromorphic circuits and digital logic gates, a network was created of spatiotemporal pattern detector circuits, …

A Wireless, Multi-Channel Printed Capacitive Strain Gauge System For Structural Health Monitoring, Kshama Lakshmi Ranganatha

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Structural health monitoring of soft structural textiles plays a key role within the space industry to ensure the safety and integrity of space habitats, parachutes, and decelerator systems. Strain monitoring could be an effective means to evaluate structural integrity, but conventional monitoring systems are not suitable because they are intended for large, rigid structures. To overcome the limitations of rigid sensors, we recently proposed using printed capacitive strain gauges (CSGs) on flexible substrates to monitor the structural health of soft structure materials. Here, we present a strategy and implementation of a wireless, multi-channel readout system for distributed monitoring of soft …

Phase Change Temperature Sensor For High Radiation Environment: Material, Additive Technology And Structure Development, Al Amin Ahmed Simon

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Performance of any sensor in a nuclear reactor involves reliable operation under a harsh environment (i.e., high temperature, neutron irradiation, and a high dose of ionizing radiation). In this environment, accurate and continuous monitoring of temperature is critical for the reactor's stability and proper functionality. Furthermore, during the development and testing stages of new materials and structural components for these systems, it is imperative to collect in-situ measurement data about the exact test conditions for real-time analysis of their performance. To meet the compelling need of such sensing devices, we propose radiation-hard temperature sensors based on the phase change phenomenon …

Study And Design Of Array And Beamsteering Antennas For Millimeter Wave Band Application, Saeideh Shad

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication systems have attracted significant interest regarding supporting high data rate of Gigabit/s communications for the new generation of wireless communication networks. MmWave communication systems have frequency ranges in between 30 and 300 GHz wherein an enormous amount of unused bandwidth is available. Although the available bandwidth of mmWave frequencies is promising for high data rate communications, the propagation characteristics of mmWave frequencies are significantly different from microwave frequency band in terms of path loss, diffraction and blockage, and atmospheric absorption. In general, the overall losses of mmWave signals are significantly larger than that of microwave signals …

Industrial Control System Data Resiliency, Daniel A. Bovard

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis identifies and fortifies against a critical vulnerability in industrial control system (ICS) security. A properly designed ICS security framework consists of a multi-layered approach starting with heavy fortifications in information technology and ending with control information of operational technology. Currently, ICS security frameworks lack visibility and place blind trust in devices at the lowest level of the control hierarchy. Attaining control data visibility at the lowest level of the control hierarchy is critical to increasing the resiliency of an ICS security posture. This thesis demonstrates how this data can be captured at the lowest level of the control …

Design And Development Of Optical Waveguide Architectures For Real-Time Temperature Monitoring In Extreme Environments, Bahareh Badamchi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation prompts on the research and development of a new real-time, reusable, and reversible optical sensor for integrated temperature monitoring in harsh environments. This is achieved through integrating the photonic properties of optical waveguides/optical fiber and the phase change properties of chalcogenide glasses (ChGs). ChG materials have very specific crystallization temperatures beyond which these materials transform from being a dielectric material to a metallic material. When such ChG material is coated over a dielectric optical waveguide, in the crystalline phase, highly localized surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes are generated at the waveguide: metallic ChG interface. In this case, the …

Studying The Electron Population Effects On Magnetron Oscillation Via Particle-In-Cell Simulation, Andong Yue

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This research examines magnetron physics via the Particle-In-Cell simulations of two magnetron models, the 2D Rising Sun magnetron model and the 3D L3Harris CWM-75kW magnetron model, by using new data analytic schemes. Two data analytic schemes are presented, the electron population analysis and the breadth ratio analysis; these schemes reveal insights into the magnetron physics that are not readily accessible otherwise. Both magnetron models were simulated a) without priming, b) with RF priming, and c) with modulated electron injection. The research found that the 2D Rising Sun magnetron model is sensitive to RF priming; a 50 ns RF priming at …

Millimeter-Wave Channel Measurement At 73ghz And 81ghz, Changyu Guo

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The abundant spectrum available at mmWave band can provide high capacity, high throughput, and low latency. In this thesis, we present experimental measurements for 73 and 81 GHz mmWave bands. Wideband propagation measurements were performed at the Boise Airport concourse C area and tarmac for both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of sight (NLOS) scenarios. Power delay profiles were recorded and analyzed with close-in free space reference path loss models and floating intercept path loss models. In addition, building material attenuation at 28, 73, and 91 GHz is presented. Measurements at 73 GHz for wideband and narrowband signal are performed with directional …

A Low Cost Sensor System For Monitoring And Predicting Corrosion Of Long Term Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage, Vikram M. Patel

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

With the closing of the Yucca mountain storage facility, on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel at reactor sites has increased and will continue to increase until a permanent storage facility is prepared. Dry storage canisters are used to store spent nuclear fuel waste over long periods of time, but are susceptible to mechanical failure via corrosion. This dissertation presents a system to monitor the integrity of the storage canister. Sensor data fusion algorithms have been designed to predict the integrity of the storage system and provide feedback for preventative maintenance. The environmental conditions that lead to corrosion have been replicated …