Engineering Commons^™

A Study Of Certain Atmospheric Effects On Radar Accuracy, Kenneth R. Swimm

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Along with other factors, accurate radar target location is dependent upon a knowledge of the electromagnetic propagation path. The propagation path is a function of the characteristics of the medium through which the signal travels. Advances in the resolution capabilities of modern electronic tracking equipment have led to requirements for more accurate prediction of atmospheric refraction characteristics. The inherent error of the equipment is, in many cases, less than the error introduced by the atmospheric refractive effects. After corrections to observed launch angle and target range have been made on the basis of atmospheric refraction information, residual errors in range …

The Development Of A Temperature Probe And Temperature Survey Of The Interaction Of An Oblique Shock Wave And A Turbulant Boundary Layer, Donald M. Yano

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a miniature air temperature probe and to measure temperatures in the interaction region of an oblique shock wave and a turbulent boundary layer.

An Acoustic Antenna With A Hollow Searchlight Pattern, Thurlow W.H. Caffey

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Economy, repeatibility, and convenience make it desirable to model a radar system by means of an acoustic system. The modeling is based upon the fact that, in a lossless medium, both EM-waves and acoustic waves obey a traveling wave equation of the same form. Furthermore, the field components of a plane wave in each system are related to each other by equations of the same form.

Adaptive Communication Systems, Arthur M. Breipohl

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The purpose of this study is to investigate an "adaptive" communication system in order to characterize the elements of adaptation. Although the term "adaptive" does not have a universally accepted meaning in the technical literature, it is usually applied to systems that have a significant ability to adjust their performance automatically over relatively wide variations in environment. In this sense almost any feedback system is adaptive, but the term is usually reserved for the more exotic systems which appear to make a deliberate effort to monitor the environment and then adjust their performance. Man is usually taken as the primary …

Computation Of The Dipole Moment Of A Coaxial Antenna In Sea Water., Richard B. Reinman

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The purpose of this paper is to develop a meaningful expression for the dipole moment in dissipative medium. Since the dipole moment is dependent on the current distribution which in turn is a function of system parameters, and might well start with determination of the input impedance. Two of the most popular methods for determining input impedance to a radiator in an air medium are 1) the induced emf method, and 2) a method whereby the power flow across a spherical surface is calculated as the radius of the sphere becomes infinite. Both methods assume a current distribution; only the …

Whole-Field Methods In The Measurement Of Post-Elastic Surface Strains, Siew Poh Chan

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Several whole-field methods were studied and a new technique was developed for the purpose of measuring post-elastic surface strains in metals. Critical evaluation was given to the following experimental techniques: the moire effect and the birefringent coating.

Fortran For The Maniac, Richard C. Lindberg

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

It is not the intent of this thesis to present the rules of FORTRAN; it is assumed that the reader is generally familiar with the principles of FORTRAN programming. Rather, this is an attempt to describe FORTRAN in relation to the compiler program it actually is -- a machine language program which translates FORTRAN statements to machine language instructions, the latter capable of being executed by the same computer. The FORTRAN statements will be interpreted in terms of the compiler program which performs the translation, and algorithms for these statements will be described.

Transient Response Of Linear Undamped And Lightly Damped Lumped Spring-Mass Systems By Graphica Techniques, Richard O. Brooks

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Responsive motions of linear undamped and lightly damped lumped spring mass systems subjected to transient inputs can be determined by several methods. All these methods require solving of the differential equation in some manner. Practically all techniques for solving the differential equations involve higher mathematics.

The Effects Of An Epoxy (Epocast 546) Upon The Tensile And Compressive Properties Of Portland Cement Concrete, Alvy C. Jackson

Civil Engineering ETDs

Although the behavioral pattern of plain concrete in compression is fairly consistent, its tensile properties leave much to be desired. The laboratory investigation described here was an attempt to increase the tensile property of plain concrete by adding an epoxy resin compound to the mixture. The investigation included tests for both compressive and tensile strengths of the mixtures that were considered. The compressive strength tests were included to determine what effect, if any, the attempt to increase the tensile property had on compressive strength.

Wave Propagation Past A Change In Cross-Section, Samuel A. Cone

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

This thesis was undertaken to accomplish the following:

1) To experimentally determine the longitudinal strain distribution in the region of a change in cross-section of a cylindrical bar when a longitudinal wave passes this region.

2) To experimentally determine the longitudinal strain distribution in the incident, reflected and transmitted waves produced by a longitudinal wave in the region of a change in cross-section of a cylindrical bar.

3) To experimentally observe, at a distance of several bar diameters away from the change in cross section, the relation between the magnitudes of an incident longitudinal wave and the reflected and transmitted …

Programming Manual For The Maniac Assembly Routine, Robert C. Ashley

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Methods For Analyzing Networks Containing One Nonlinear Element, Dustin J. Wilson

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The inclusion of a single nonlinear element in a general N-loop network greatly complicates the resulting equations and prohibits a straightforward solution. The object of this investigation is to provide a method for solving such networks. In particular, a reduction of the network coefficient matrix will be considered in order to obtain one nonlinear equation and (N-1) linear equations. It will be shown that the form of the nonlinear equations is always the same, and a procedure for approximating the solution of equations of this type will be given.

Transistorized Circuits For Telemetry, Dominick Misciascio Jr.

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This thesis is concerned with the telemetry of small DC signals from photomultiplier tubes. The circuitry must have a high input impedance so as not to load down the photomultiplier tube and a low output impedance which is capable of controlling the current through a small incandescent bulb. This bulb is used to illuminate a photoresistor. The output of the circuit consists of a variation of the resistance of the photoresistor. This variable resistance is conventionally converted into a variable audio frequency which is transmitted to the receiving station on a radio-frequency carrier. The output resistance must be independent of …

A Unique Analog-To-Digital Voltage Conversion Network, Thomas O. Summers

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The increasing utilization of digital data acquisition systems has resulted in the design and development of a large number of different analog-to-digital voltage converters. Each of these designs exhibits varying specifications with regard to accuracy, speed, environmental tolerance, reliability, and cost.

These specifications are usually interrelated and the nature of the interrelations are, in turn, related to the design approach.

As an example of these interrelations, one could consider the specifications of a converter designed around an electro-optical approach requiring a cathode ray tube with coding mask. In this approach, the analog input voltage causes the deflection of a swept …

Measurement Of Thin Film Thickness By The Crystal Resonance Method, David G. Adams

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Recent years have seen a tremendous increase in thin film activity. The electronics industry, in particular, has become increasingly active in the development and production of thin film components and complete micro-electronic circuits laid down as thin films. The principal methods of producing thin films are by chemical and electrolytic processes, and by evaporation and sputtering in vacuum. One of the problems associated with film deposition in vacuum involves the measurement of film thickness, a difficult task because: 1) the thicknesses encountered are typically measured in hundreds of angstroms; 2) the films are not physically flat; and 3) they do …

Characterization Of Synthetic Resins Used In Graphite Extrusion Process, Charles I. Fairchild

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Six furan resins and one epoxy resin were used in tests to determine coking values and gas evolution characteristics of the resins. The same resins, except the epoxy, were used as binders in extruded graphite rods to determine environmental factors affecting the coked density of the rods.

Coking values of the resins containing three different activators were determined by measuring residue remaining after heat treatment to 850° C. Coking values 54-56% were obtained with 8 phr to toluenesulfonic acid actiator.

Gas evolution curves were obtained by measurement of pressure rise in a constant volume apparatus during heating to 300° C …

Properties Of Radar Augmentation For Missile Targets., Warren T. Randall

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

This thesis presents a study made to investigate problems involved in the design of certain radar augmentation devices. The task arose from the requirement to add realistic simulation of radar reflection characteristics to drone targets during an evaluation of the performance capability of the Falcon missile, conducted by Hughes Aircraft Company at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. In addition to performing a mathematical analysis of the problem, the author who asked to design and build equipment which would present a visual demonstration of the reflection activities. The necessary definition of radar properties and a description of the test equipment …

An Approach To Correlate Pulsed Radar And Photographic Data, Nasir Ahmed

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory Lunar Program, which is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has two major projects underway. These are Ranger and Surveyor. The Ranger Project is in the flight stage whereas Surveyor is still in hardware development. The equipment of Ranger 3, 4, and 5 spacecrafts includes a radar altimeter to obtain radar reflection data, and a vidicon camera to obtain close-up pictures of the moon's surface. The data obtained in these flights will thus be available for analysis and comparison using the techniques outlined in this thesis.