Engineering Commons^™

The Design And Validation Of A Wireless Bat-Mounted Sonar Recording System, Jeremy Joseph Langford

Masters Theses

Scientists studying the behavior of bats monitor their echolocation calls, as their calls are important for navigation and feeding, but scientist are typically restricted to ground-based recording. Recording bat calls used for echolocation from the back of the bat as opposed to the ground offers the opportunity to study bat echolocation from a vantage otherwise only offered to the bats themselves. However, designing a bat mounted in-flight audio recording system, (bat-tag), capable of recording the ultra-sound used in bat echolocation presents a unique set of challenges. Chiefly, the bat-tag must be sufficiently light weight as to not overburden the bat, …

Sic Band Gap Voltage Reference For Space Applications, Charles Kenneth Roberts

Masters Theses

Electronics for space applications can experience wide temperature swings depending on orientation towards stars and duty cycle of propulsion systems. Energy on satellites primarily comes from radiological thermal generators and / or solar panels. This requires space electronic applications to be energy efficient and have high temperature tolerance. As a result, space electronic systems use high efficiency SMPS [switching mode power supplies].

Currently, there exists SiC [silicon carbide] based electronics that is state of the art for high temperature applications. Commercial manufacturers at this time produce SiC Power MOSFETs [Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors], which are the switching element …

Dividing And Conquering Meshes Within The Nist Fire Dynamics Simulator (Fds) On Multicore Computing Systems, Donald Charles Collins

Masters Theses

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) provides a computational fluid dynamics model of a fire, which can be visualized by using NIST Smokeview (SMV). Users must create a configuration file (*.fds) that describes the environment and other characteristics of the fire scene so that the FDS software can produce the output file (*.smv) needed for visualization.The processing can be computationally intensive, often taking between several minutes and several hours to complete. In many cases, a user will create a file that is not optimized for a multicore computing system. By dividing meshes within the …

Implementation Of A Neuromorphic Development Platform With Danna, Jason Yen-Shen Chan

Masters Theses

Neuromorphic computing is the use of artificial neural networks to solve complex problems. The specialized computing field has been growing in interest during the past few years. Specialized hardware that function as neural networks can be utilized to solve specific problems unsuited for traditional computing architectures such as pattern classification and image recognition. However, these hardware platforms have neural network structures that are static, being limited to only perform a specific application, and cannot be used for other tasks. In this paper, the feasibility of a development platform utilizing a dynamic artificial neural network for researchers is discussed.

Cmos Current-Frequency Signal Processing Unit For Bioimplantable Sensors, Madeline Nicole Threatt

Masters Theses

Over the past few decades, implantable monitoring of glucose, lactate acid, and pH monitoring has become a viable replacement for stationary monitoring. Implantable biosensing requires biosensors in conjunction with corresponding potentiostats and a signal processing unit to translate the data information to a more versatile, transmittable form. This thesis presents a current-mode signal processing unit (SPU) that merges the simplicity of a charging capacitor in feedback topology with the accuracy of a delta-sigma modulator to create a pulse train with a frequency proportional to the input current. The SPU was realized in a 0.18 µ[micro]m bulk CMOS process.

A Low-Power, Laser-Based Delta-Sigma Modulator For The Measurement Of Atmospheric Gas Composition, Christopher Edward Crowder

Masters Theses

With the increased attention on monitoring the atmosphere’s gas composition, new ways of accurately measuring these concentrations are needed. Along with the needed increase in measurement accuracy; size, space, and power reduction is also essential in modern systems. As semiconductor technology has advanced, the abilities to meet the previously mentioned criteria are becoming more realizable.

Instrumentation used to measure the atmosphere’s composition is traditionally large, taking up much needed space and using larger amounts of power. While the larger instrumentation provides the necessary accuracy, the other constraints are sacrificed. For this reason, a smaller, yet highly accurate solution is needed. …

Radiation-Hardened Data Acquisition System Based On A Mask-Programmable Analog Array, Jacob Hunter Shelton

Masters Theses

Data acquisition systems capable of extreme temperature and radiation environments are of dire need in an era of great nuclear energy generation. Efforts to respond to recent nuclear accidents, such as those caused by natural disasters at Fukushima, have suffered in promptness and effectiveness due to the lack of information gathered from these sites. Currently, there are no systems available that accurately acquire, digitize, and remotely report this data in the presence of harsh radiation.

Using a mask-programmable analog array prototype chip designed for Triad Semiconductor and an FMI frequency synthesizer, both verified to beyond 300 kRad and 125ºC and …

Ultra-Low-Power Configurable Analog Signal Processor For Wireless Sensors, James Kelly Griffin

Masters Theses

The demand for on-chip low-power Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) analog signal processing has significantly increased in recent years. Digital signal processors continue to shrink in size as transistors half in size every two years. However, digital signal processors (DSP's) notoriously use more power than analog signal processors (APS's). This thesis presents a configurable analog signal processor (CASP) used for wireless sensors. This CASP contains a multitude of processing blocks include the following: low pass filter (LPF), high pass filter (HPF) integrator, differentiator, operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), rectifier with absolute value functionality, and multiplier. Each block uses current-mode processing and …

Digital-To-Analog Converter Interface For Computer Assisted Biologically Inspired Systems, Nicholas Conley Poore

Masters Theses

In today's integrated circuit technology, system interfaces play an important role of enabling fast, reliable data communications. A key feature of this work is the exploration and development of ultra-low power data converters. Data converters are present in some form in almost all mixed-signal systems; in particular, digital-to-analog converters present the opportunity for digitally controlled analog signal sources. Such signal sources are used in a variety of applications such as neuromorphic systems and analog signal processing. Multi-dimensional systems, such as biologically inspired neuromorphic systems, require vectors of analog signals. To use a microprocessor to control these analog systems, we must …

Microgrid Modeling And Grid Interconnection Studies, Hira Amna Saleem

Masters Theses

The demand for renewable energies and their integration to the grid has become more pressing than ever before due to the various reasons including increasing population energy demand, depleting fossil fuels, increasing atmospheric population, etc. Thus the vision of a sustainable future requires easy and reliable integration of renewable distributed generators to the grid. This master’s thesis studies the dynamics of distributed generators when they are connected with the main grid. Simulink MATLAB is used for the design and simulations of this system. Three distributed generators are used in this system: Photo-voltaic converter, Fuel cell and diesel generator. The control …

An On-Chip Transformer-Based Digital Isolator System, Cory Lynn Fandrich

Masters Theses

An on-chip transformer-based digital isolator has been designed, fabricated, and tested. This isolation technique is designed to function between a low voltage microcontroller and a potentially high-voltage power control system. The isolator’s isolation capability is determined by two factors, the RMS blocking voltage strength and common-mode transient immunity. The integrated circuit solution is designed in a high-temperature capable SOI process.

The on-chip transformer size is minimized by utilizing high frequency voltage pulses. A small transformer and overall small chip footprint of the design are favorable for integration into a larger system. The isolator is a two chip solution, an isolated …

A Sige Bicmos Lvds Driver For Space-Borne Applications, Matthew Ian Laurence

Masters Theses

When designing an integrated circuit for use during an interstellar mission, certain precautions must be made. The electronics on any off-earth mission will be exposed to wide temperature swings and harmful radiation due to being outside of the Earth’s protective ionosphere. It is crucial that any data path present be immune to these detrimental effects.

The introduction of galactic radiation can not only cause the onboard electronics to fail due to device degradation and single event latchup but can also lead to background radiation being coupled into the signal path as unwanted noise, degrading the signal to noise ratio. Unwanted …

The Characterization Of A Cmos Radiation Hardened-By-Design Circuit Technique, Austin James Womac

Masters Theses

This thesis presents the analysis, implementation and testing of a circuit-level radiation hardened-by-design (RHBD) technique first presented in [1]. Radiation effects heavily influence the cost and design of electronics bound for radiation-rich environments such as in nuclear reactors or space. The circuit-level RHBD technique is presented as a cost-effective way to mitigate total-ionizing dose (TID) radiation in digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistor circuits. These claims are analyzed and experimentally tested.

Devices from a relatively old and a newer semiconductor fabrication process are tested to investigate the impact of device scaling on the RHBD technique’s effectiveness. A rad-tolerant frequency synthesizer that …

A Secure Reconfigurable System-On-Programmable-Chip Computer System, William Herbert Collins

Masters Theses

A System-on-Programmable-Chip (SoPC) architecture is designed to meet two goals: to provide a role-based secure computing environment and to allow for user reconfiguration. To accomplish this, a secure root of trust is derived from a fixed architectural subsystem, known as the Security Controller. It additionally provides a dynamically configurable single point of access between applications developed by users and the objects those applications use. The platform provides a model for secrecy such that physical recovery of any one component in isolation does not compromise the system. Dual-factor authentication is used to verify users. A model is also provided for tamper …

Conductive Textiles And Their Use In Combat Wound Detection, Sensing, And Localization Applications, Stephen A. Holland

Masters Theses

Conductive textiles, originally used for electromagnetic shielding purposes, have recently been utilized in body area network applications as fabric antennas and distributed sensors used to document and analyze kinematic movement, health vital signs, or haptic interactions. This thesis investigates the potential for using conductive textiles as a distributed sensor and integrated communication system component for use in combat wound detection, sensing, and localization applications. The goal of these proof-of-concept experiments is to provide a basis for robust system development which can expedite and direct the medical response team in the field. The combat wound detection system would have the capability …

Classification System For Impedance Spectra, Carl Gordon Sapp

Masters Theses

This thesis documents research, methods, and results to satisfy the requirements for the M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Tennessee. This thesis explores two primary steps for proper classification of impedance spectra: data dimension reduction and effectiveness of similarity/dissimilarity measure comparison in classification. To understand the data characteristics and classification thresholds, a circuit model analysis for simulation and unclassifiable determination is studied. The research is conducted using previously collected data of complex valued impedance measurements taken from 1844 similar devices. The results show a classification system capable of proper classification of 99% of data samples with well-separated …

Design Of A High-Voltage, Differential Drive Bradbury-Nielsen Gate Amplifier With Ultra-High Slew Rate And Input Isolation, Kevin Christopher Omoumi

Masters Theses

To isolate and study various components of a nuclear reaction, elaborate equipment must be developed to aid in this process. This thesis presents the design and implementation of an ultra-high slew rate Bradbury-Nielsen gate driver circuit with high-voltage input isolation. This design will be used in a multi-pass time-of-flight isomer spectrometer and separator application integrated into an overall instrument called the Oak Ridge Isomer Spectrometer and Separator (ORISS). The output drive signals of this circuit are transmitted through a vacuum feed-through system to supply the necessary signals to the Bradbury-Nielsen gate contained within the vacuum. A differential driving signal with …

Design And Implementation Of A Signal Conditioning Operational Amplifier For A Reflective Object Sensor, Ankit Master

Masters Theses

Industrial systems often require the acquisition of real-world analog signals for several applications. Various physical phenomena such as displacement, pressure, temperature, light intensity, etc. are measured by sensors, which is a type of transducer, and then converted into a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal obtained from the sensor, usually a few tens mV in magnitude, is subsequently conditioned by means of amplification, filtering, range matching, isolation etc., so that the signal can be rendered for further processing and data extraction.

This thesis presents the design and implementation of a general purpose op amp used to condition a reflective object …

Optimization Of Alternating Current Electrothermal Micropump By Numerical Simulation, Quan Yuan

Masters Theses

Microfluidic technology has been grown rapidly in the past decade. Microfluidics can find wide applications in multiple fields such as medicine, electronics, chemical and biology. Micro-pumping is an essential part of a microfluidic system. This thesis presents the optimization process of AC electro-thermal micropump with respect to the geometry of electrode array and channel height.

The thesis first introduces the theories of AC electrokinetic including dielectrophoresis, AC electro-osmosis (ACEO) and AC electro-thermal (ACET). Also presented are the basic theory and governing equations of microfluidics, the continuity equation, the Navier-Stokes equation, and the conservation of energy equation. AC electro-thermal effect results …

High Order Contingency Selection Using Particle Swarm Optimization And Tabu Search, Ashwini Chegu

Masters Theses

There is a growing interest in investigating the high order contingency events that may result in large blackouts, which have been a great concern for power grid secure operation. The actual number of high order contingency is too huge for operators and planner to apply a brute-force enumerative analysis. This thesis presents a heuristic searching method based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and tabu search to select severe high order contingencies. The original PSO algorithm gives an intelligent strategy to search the feasible solution space, but tends to find the best solution only. The proposed method combines the original PSO …

A High Voltage Charge-Coupled Device (Ccd) Controller Asic For The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (Lsst), Ross F. Chun

Masters Theses

This thesis will present the design, implementation, and testing of a high voltage Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) controller ASIC for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), which will be used to study dark energy and dark matter. The LSST observatory, which includes a 3.2-gigapixel camera, will cover the entire sky every three nights by taking continuous 15-second exposures. The CCD controller ASIC, or Sensor Control Chip (SCC), will provide five CCD driver channels that are capable of generating serial or parallel clock signals for the LSST’s imaging sensors during readout mode. The SCC will also provide three programmable bias voltages for …

Design Of A Highly Constrained Test System For A 12-Bit, 16-Channel Wilkinson Adc, Zachary William Pannell

Masters Theses

Outer space is a very harsh environment that can cause electronics to not operate as they were originally intended. Aside from the extreme amount of radiation found in space, temperatures can also change very dramatically in a relatively small time frame. In order to test electronics that will be used in this environment, they first need to be tested on Earth under replicated conditions. Vanderbilt University designed a dewar that allows devices to be tested at these extreme temperatures while being radiated. For this thesis, a test setup that met all of the dewar's constraints was designed that would allow …

Plume Source Localization And Boundary Prediction, Samir Sahyoun

Masters Theses

Plume location and prediction using mobile sensors is the main contribution of this thesis. Plume concentration values measured by chemical sensors at different locations are used to estimate the source of the plume. This is achieved by employing a stochastic approximation technique to localize the source and compare its performance to the nonlinear least squares method. The source location is then used as the initial estimate for the boundary tracking problem. Sensor measurements are used to estimate the parameters and the states of the state space model of the dynamics of the plume boundary. The predicted locations are the reference …

A Dynamic Ampacity Model For The Testing Of Advanced Conductors, Matthew Benjamin Sooter

Masters Theses

Advanced Conductors are an intriguing new technology that promises to help the utility industry increase the transmission capacity available in the United States. Manufacturers of advanced conductors promise double the current carrying capacity of normal Aluminum Clad Steel Reinforced conductor through a combination of increased thermal limits and decreased thermal elongation.

This thesis will outline a control developed for the Power Line Conductor Accelerated Test Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This custom facility is designed for the testing and rapid aging of advanced overhead conductors as part of a U.S. Department of Energy initiative to assist the development and …

Pitot Tube And Wind Tunnel Studies Of The Flow Induced By One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge (Oaugdp ®) Plasma Actuators Using A Conventional And An Economical High Voltage Power Supply, Manish Yadav

Masters Theses

The aerodynamic applications of plasma science is a field of growing interest. Investigations using various approaches have been initiated by several research groups that are designed to manipulate the aerodynamic boundary layer and to re-attach the flow to airfoils. EHD (ElectroHydroDynamic) flow control has proven at least as effective as other methods of boundary layer flow control. In the EHD approach, glow discharge plasma actuators are placed on the wings and fuselage of the aircraft, or on the turbine blades in the engine, to influence the boundary layer flow. This thesis is concerned with plasma actuators based on the OAUGDP …

The Design Of Medium Access Control (Mac) Protocols For Energy Efficient And Qos Provision In Wireless Sensor Networks, Yang Liu

Masters Theses

This thesis work focuses on innovative design of media access control (MAC) protocols in wireless sensor networks (WNSs). The characteristics of the WSN inquire that the network service design considers both energy efficiency and the associated application requirement. However, most existing protocols address only the issue of energy efficiency.

In this thesis, a MAC protocol has been proposed (referred to as Q-MAC) that not only minimized the energy consumption in multi-hop WSNs, but also provides Quality of Service (QoS) by differentiating network services based on priority levels prescribed by different applications. The priority levels reflect the state of system resources …

Curvature Variation As Measure Of Shape Information, Sreenivas Rangan Sukumar

Masters Theses

In this thesis, we present the Curvature Variation Measure (CVM) as our informational approach to shape description. We base our algorithm on shape curvature, and extract shape information as the entropic measure of the curvature. We present definitions to estimate curvature for both discrete 2D curves and 3D surfaces and then formulate our theory of shape information from these definitions.

With focus on reverse engineering and under vehicle inspection, we document our research efforts in constructing a scanning mechanism to model real world objects. We use a laser-based range sensor for the data collection and discuss view-fusion and integration to …

Carbon Nanotube Based Chemical And Biological Sensors, Srikanth Singamaneni

Masters Theses

Carbon nanotubes are among those wonderful molecules man has discovered by chance. Carbon nanotubes are sheets of graphite rolled up to form seamless cylinders. Their outstanding electrical, mechanical and thermal properties form the inspiration behind this work. This work investigates the possible application of carbon nanotubes as biological sensors for the detection of various biomolecules like Streptavidin and Mouse monoclonal Immunoglobulin-G. Electrical conductance changes of Carbon nanotubes for exposure to alcohol vapors were studied. This thesis demonstrates that these quantum wires can form highly sensitive biological and chemical sensors at molecular level. Although the main focus of the-research was chemical …

An Experimental Model Of Ball Lightning, Madras Parameswaran Sriram

Masters Theses

A form of ball lightning was generated in the laboratory. Plasma spheres several centimeters in diameter were produced in atmospheric pressure air. These spheres persisted up to ½ a second after power turn –off. A mathematical model was derived that predicts the observed lifetime. The theory predicts that the sphere lifetime should scale as the radius squared, which means large spheres should exist for many seconds. We also generated ball lightning in a zero gravity environment. The object was to eliminate convection, which had been observed to reduce the size of a ball generated by a two – dimensional electric …

A Characteristic Study Of The Atmospheric Pressure Nonthermal Resistive Barrier Plasma Discharge For Biological Decontamination, Magesh Thiyagarajan

Masters Theses

Steady-state atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasmas can splendidly debilitate bacteria in liquids, gases and on surfaces, as well as can disintegrate hazardous chemicals. The nonthermal gas discharge at atmospheric pressure, such as resistive barrier discharge is investigated for low temperature sterilization purposes. In specific, exploring and understanding the hidden secrets of the plasma sterilization mechanisms and the intensification of the main microbial reduction pathways are the objectives of the research.

A dual-mode steady-state atmospheric pressure resistive barrier ionized gas (plasma) generator has been designed and developed to meet the environmental health and federally mandated safety standards. Electrical, chemical, optical, and biological …