Engineering Commons^™

Learning Proximal Operators With Gaussian Process And Adaptive Quantization In Distributed Optimization, Aldo Duarte Vera Tudela

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In networks consisting of agents communicating with a central coordinator and working together to solve a global optimization problem in a distributed manner, the agents are often required to solve private proximal minimization subproblems. Such a setting often requires a further decomposition method to solve the global distributed problem, resulting in extensive communication overhead. In networks where communication is expensive, it is crucial to reduce the communication overhead of the distributed optimization scheme. Integrating Gaussian processes (GP) as a learning component to the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) has proven effective in learning each agent's local proximal operator to …

Generalized Model To Enable Zero-Shot Imitation Learning For Versatile Robots, Yongshuai Wu

Master's Theses

The rapid advancement in Deep Learning (DL), especially in Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Imitation Learning (IL), has positioned it as a promising approach for a multitude of autonomous robotic systems. However, the current methodologies are predominantly constrained to singular setups, necessitating substantial data and extensive training periods. Moreover, these methods have exhibited suboptimal performance in tasks requiring long-horizontal maneuvers, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) inventory, where a robot requires thousands of steps to complete.

In this thesis, we address the aforementioned challenges by presenting the Cross-modal Reasoning Model (CMRM), a novel zero-shot Imitation Learning policy, to tackle long-horizontal robotic …

Machine Learning For Intrusion Detection Into Unmanned Aerial System 6g Networks, Faisal Alrefaei

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Progress in the development of wireless network technology has played a crucial role in the evolution of societies and provided remarkable services over the past decades. It remotely offers the ability to execute critical missions and effective services that meet the user's needs. This advanced technology integrates cyber and physical layers to form cyber-physical systems (CPS), such as the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), which consists of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), ground network infrastructure, communication link, etc. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in connecting objects to create and develop the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Therefore, the emergence of …

Detection Of Unauthorized Transmissions In A Frequency Spectrum Using A Wireless Sensor Network, Benjamin Roehrig, Joel Brinkman, Dylan Zupec, Jannette Gonzalez

Honors Capstones

A prototype for a wireless sensor network has been designed to detect and identify unauthorized wireless transmissions in a frequency spectrum. This prototype design is intended to detect unauthorized transmissions within the FM band of frequencies independently at individual nodes with Software Defined Radio receivers and transmit that information to a fusion center for aggregation using a Bluetooth Low Energy mesh network. Aggregated results will be displayed to the user through a Graphical User Interface at the fusion center.

Detection Of Unauthorized Transmissions In A Frequency Spectrum Using Wireless Sensor Network, Joel Brinkman, Jannette Gonzalez, Benjamin Roehrig, Dylan Zupec

Honors Capstones

A prototype for a wireless sensor network has been designed to detect and identify unauthorized wireless transmissions in a frequency spectrum. This prototype design is intended to detect unauthorized transmissions within the FM band of frequencies independently at individual nodes with Software Defined Radio receivers and transmit that information to a fusion center for aggregation using a Bluetooth mesh network. Aggregated results will be displayed to the user through a Graphical User Interface at the fusion center.

Summonable Construction Delivery Robot, Kevin M. Lewis

Honors Capstones

In many different construction industries, there is a need for tools, parts, and other necessary items to be transported quickly and efficiently over various types of terrain. Human resources have often been used to address these needs, which can become very time and cost inefficient over long periods. The design proposal here is aimed at addressing this need by developing an autonomous outdoor mobile robot based on a quadrupedal robot design. This approach differs by incorporating a wheeled and quadrupedal hybrid actuation system that provides terrain negotiation and speed at the appropriate times. The team uses Robot Operating System (ROS) …

Optimization Of Human Interactions In The College Campus Model Via Simio Integration, Benjamin E. Chaback

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

College campuses are a significant part of life in some cities. Many students each year attend university, pursuing additional knowledge from faculty members. Both staff and faculty members rely on these students to have successful jobs and to ensure the university functions. Yet recently, more and more students are attending, leading to overcrowding, lower admission rates, and difficulty getting into good programs. Previous work exists on qualitative student affairs and quantitative retention data, yet little on using simulations to model this problem. This work aimed to (a) Determine the ability to successfully model human interactions/people flow on a college campus, …

Uav-X Communication: Empirical Characterization And Performance Optimization, Muhammad Hashir Syed

Electrical Engineering Theses and Dissertations

In emerging wireless networks, the scalability of deploying drones presents an opportunity to design extensive aerial networks. These networks could effectively monitor large agricultural fields from the air and soil for food production with efficient resource utilization. On the one hand, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained interest in agricultural aerial inspection due to their ubiquity and observation scale. On the other hand, agricultural internet-of-thing devices, including buried soil sensors, have gained interest in improving natural resource efficiency in crop production. In this work, we investigate the natural interaction of these two phenomena, where UAVs can be leveraged as flying …

Blockchain Design For A Secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain, Zhe Xu

Masters Theses

In the realm of pharmaceuticals, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain for drugs has faced significant strains. The increased demand for vaccines and therapeutics has revealed critical weaknesses in the current drug supply chain management systems. If not addressed, these challenges could lead to severe societal impacts, including the rise of counterfeit medications and diminishing trust in government authorities.

The study identified that more than the current strategies, such as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) in the U.S., which focuses on unique authentication and traceability codes for prescription drugs, is needed to …

Value Of Service-Oriented Multi-Service Provisioning And Resource Allocation In Integrated Localization, Sensing And Communication Systems, Biwei Li

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The unprecedented proliferation of wireless infrastructures and their ongoing convergence with diverse industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications introduce new demands for upcoming wireless networks. In response to such diversity of demands, envisioned future wireless networks must have multiple beyond communication capabilities, such as localization and sensing. To efficiently utilize, allocate, and manage these capabilities, the integration of localization, sensing, and communication (ILSAC) within a unified wireless system structure is of utmost importance. However, the seamless integration of ILSAC into intricate network infrastructures is encumbered by critical challenges, including high-accuracy localization/sensing algorithm, efficient resource management and allocation scheme, and robust …

Plc Course Development, Leonard Hernandez, Jacqueline Grace Radding

Electrical Engineering

The goal of this project is to design and construct the first lab experiment for the newly developed EE435 laboratory course. The experiment entails PLC programming to automate LED lighting in a simulated building. Starting with why PLCs are used, how to use the interface of EcoStruxure Control Expert V15.0 and practice using logic to control the dimming of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) to sustain a certain number of lumens consistent in a zone. Through the lab manual developed in this project, students will gain experience of creating logic designs using Function Block Diagram (FBD) and learn the layout …

Fair Fault-Tolerant Approach For Access Point Failures In Networked Control System Greenhouses, Mohammed Ali Yaslam Ba Humaish

Theses and Dissertations

Greenhouse Networked Control Systems (NCS) are popular applications in modern agriculture due to their ability to monitor and control various environmental factors that can affect crop growth and quality. However, designing and operating a greenhouse in the context of NCS could be challenging due to the need for highly available and cost-efficient systems. This thesis presents a design methodology for greenhouse NCS that addresses these challenges, offering a framework to optimize crop productivity, minimize costs, and improve system availability and reliability. It contributes several innovations to the field of greenhouse NCS design. For example, it recommends using the 2.4GHz frequency …

Energy Harvesting For Residential Microgrid Distributed Sensor Systems, Devin C. Whalen

Master’s Theses

Microgrids are localized, independent power grids that can operate while connected to the larger electrical grid. These systems make intelligent decisions regarding power management and use an array of components to monitor power generation, consumption, and environmental conditions. While this technology can save end users money, the complexity of installation and maintenance has limited the adoption of microgrids in residential spaces. To simplify this technology for end users, the next evolution of microgrid components includes sensors that are wireless and ambiently powered.

Even with a microgrid installed, significant energy is wasted in residential spaces. To address this loss, energy harvesting …

Cross-Layer Performance Evaluation Of C-V2x, Dhruba Sunuwar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The evolution of connected vehicles from a distant futuristic concept to an integral part of daily life is indisputable. Vehicle-to-everything communication (V2X) serves as the cornerstone of this transformation, facilitating seamless interaction among vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and networks. However, evaluating V2X system performance proves intricate due to the dynamic nature of vehicles influenced by mobility factors. To address this complexity, we have developed a specialized system-level simulator expressly for evaluating V2X communication performance. Notably, the simulator encompasses (i) intelligent transportation system (ITS) scenarios integrated into a geographical framework and (ii) the capability to assess cross-layer performance spanning physical (PHY) and …

Non-Invasive Monitoring Device For Early Detection Of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema, Amy Prendergast

Honors Theses and Capstones

Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema (BCRL) is a common co-morbidity in cancer survivors following neoadjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery. It is brought about by the disruption in the lymphatic system (think lymph node biopsy) that leads to a buildup of lymphatic fluid in the arm. Current diagnostic strategies for this condition are merely retroactive, and fairly limited in the parameters that are examined to ensure patient well-being long term. We hypothesize that with an approach that mimics bioimpedance spectroscopy analysis, we will be able to provide a clinical support tool that would better determine early stages of lymphedema …

Enhancing 5g Fixed Wireless Access In Rural Settings Via Machine Learning-Driven Resource Optimization, Maryam Amini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Providing broadband access to rural communities continues to be an important societal problem whose solution would help to break down the digital divide. While 5G wireless networks may be used for rural broadband, a key challenge is the placement of base stations, which is exacerbated by the use of high frequencies in the millimeter-wave band. Such technology requires an unobstructed line of sight, demanding meticulous planning of the number, height, and location of base stations for optimal coverage. Conventional methods, such as ray-tracing to simulate signal propagation across varied terrain, are computational costly and not feasible for vast coverage areas. …

Autonomous Damage And Structure Scanning Drone, Natasha Ninan, Amber Long, Lee Nestor, Emmanuel Jensen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Remote damage analysis plays a crucial role in lowering the risk associated with human presence at dangerous sites. This project focuses on developing a system for remote structural examination using photogrammetric techniques and analysis. The system utilizes a drone equipped with cameras for photogrammetry, and LiDARs for navigation. This setup can enable efficient structural model generation with the collection of images from multiple points. A novel structural analysis is performed to detect potential damage or points of failure in the structure.

Key components include a teleoperated drone, a software pipeline for photogrammetric analysis, collision protection mechanisms, and a user interface. …