Engineering Commons^™

Semantic Correlation Of Behavior For The Interoperability Of Heterogeneous Simulations, Christopher James Dean

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A desirable goal of military simulation training is to provide large scale or joint exercises to train personnel at higher echelons. To help meet this goal, many of the lower echelon combatants must consist of computer generated forces with some of these echelons composed of units from different simulations. The object of the research described is to correlate the behaviors of entities in different simulations so that they can interoperate with one another to support simulation training. Specific source behaviors can be translated to a form in terms of general behaviors which can then be correlated to any desired specific …

Application Of Case-Based Reasoning Techniques To The Automation Of Single-Family Residential Property Appraisals, Raymond Laureano-Ortiz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Case-based reasoning has emerged as an alternative to rule-based reasoning techniques for the design of expert systems. This paper concentrates on the issues involved in the application of the case-based reasoning techniques to a specific domain, property appraisal. Case-based reasoning has been recently favored because it seems to resemble more closely to the psychological process human follows when trying to apply their knowledge to the solution of problems: People adapt solutions of similar problems they handled in past experiences to address present situations.

Property appraisal or valuation is a domain characterized by having a single parameter in its solution, that …

Counterpropagation Neural Network Detection Of Visual Primitives, Cynthia Lynn Johnson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Psychological testing has shown that there is an early preattentive stage in the human visual system. At this level, simple features and properties of objects known as visual primitives are detected spatially in parallel by groupings of cells in the visual cortex known as feature maps. In order to study this preattentive stage in a machine vision system, the biologically inspired, highly parallel architecture of the artificial neural network shows great promise. This paper describes how the unique architecture of the counterpropagation neural network was used to simulate the feature maps which detect visual primitives in the human visual system. …

Development Of Techniques To Perform Simulation-Adaptation In A Simulation Training Environment Using Expert System Methods, Cheryl E. Bagshaw

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The use of computers for instructional purposes is steadily increasing, along with an emphasis on developing systems which create environments tailored to human beings. Artificial Intelligence techniques have been incorporated into these systems with an aim at developing better methods of modeling of simulating knowledge and intelligent behavior. One type of these systems, Intelligent Simulation Training Systems (ISTS), utilize a simulation in the training process. This is an ideal environment for the instruction of skills which focus on the ability to understand the time and space relationships of objects.

An intelligent tutor module of an ISTS must configure scenarios for …

Object-Oriented Development Techniques For Real-Time Software Systems: A Case Study, Thomas S. Seldenright

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Great improvements have been made in computer technology over the last forty years. Today, systems are being developed to solve complex problems that were previously thought to be out of the reach of computer solutions. Unfortunately, advances in software development techniques have been outpaced by the advances made in hardware development techniques. In recent years, effort has been made to formalize software development techniques suitable for real-time systems. This paper presents an object-oriented approach to realtime systems development. The object-oriented development approach is applied to a real-time case study problem. The case study involves controlling the speed of a toy …

Char: The Fire Investigators Aid The Implementation Of Expert System, Pamella M. Johnson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to determine the applicability of expert systems to fire investigation. This will be accomplished by: a) using an expert systems building tool, b) extraction and organization of the knowledge base, c) application of the system to solve a real problem.

Ada Real-Time Performance Benchmarks For Personal Computer Environments, Stephen L. Laroche

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A set of benchmarks were developed to test the real-time performance of Ada Personal Computer (PC) compilers. The benchmark set measures the overhead associated with various functions, including subprogram calls both from within and outside of packages ( including generic), dynamic allocation and deallocation of objects, exceptions, task activation/termination, task rendezvous, various time related functions, common arithmetic functions, and file I/0. The benchmark set also determines the type of memory deallocation supported, and determines whether fixed-interval or pre-emptive delay task scheduling is used. The different benchmarks are described along with an explanation of the testing methods for each benchmark. Two …

Direct Digital Control Of A Liquid Level Control Unit, Barbara Viehman Lytle

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A system was developed to allow undergraduate engineering students the capability of simulating various types of control modes in a laboratory environment. The use of digital control and common industrail components such as transducers, recorders, and valves was implemented.

Modification to an existing bench scale process control system is outlined and demonstrated. A computer program was written which interfaces with the hardware and data acquisition software allowing the user many options to study control processes under a variety of conditions. A wide range of parameters can be selected. System parameters can be saved on disk or printed directly. Data are …

Design Of A Systolic Architecture To Implement Graphic Transforms, Aimee A. Murray

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The graphics generator hardware is an important component of flight-training simulators. The function of this hardware is to generate 3D perspective images at rates of 30 frames per second to produce realistic out-ofwindow scenes viewed by the crew under training. Within most graphics generator hardware are array processors which achieve high computation throughput necessary to generate real-time processing. The function of the array processors is to transform, clip, rotate and perspective project the data base into screen coordinates for use by the graphic generator. A FIMD (few instructions multiple data) systolic architecture is proposed to achieve high computational throughput that …

Survey Of Local Area Networks For Low End Systems, Wipawadee P. Sonprasit

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Local area networks (LANs) that support small systems, the personal computers in particular, are surveyed. LAN environments, factors motivating interest in PC LANs, and capability requirements of LANs posed by low-end systems users, are outlined. Discussion of LAN technology includes standards, architecture, transmission media, topology, transmission techniques, access protocol, and performance factors topics. Commercial products are presented with more in-depth outline on selected products. Observation and future of PC LANs conclude the survey.

Utilizing Object-Oriented Design To Reduce The Effort Expended On The Maintenance Phase Of A Software Project, Susan Muriel Storma

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Due to poor software design, software products typically incur substantial cost overruns during the maintenance phase of the life cycle. Use of modern software engineering principles (e.g., information hiding and abstraction) can i mprove the design of a product and, hence, reduce the effort associated with the maintenance phase of a product. Object-oriented design (OOD) is a tool which embodies these software engineering principles. This paper first presents the concepts of 00D and how it is used. A design example involving a programmable temperature controller is presented utilizing 00D and is then compared to a top-down design approach. Conclusions are …

Comparison Of Graphical Design Methodologies, Pamela Stark Woodard

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The recent development of the Ada language by the Department of Defense and its required use within the Department of Defense for the development of embedded software systems has resulted in a need for better methods to represent Ada software designs. Graphical design techniques have long been used as software design and documentation aids. The use of graphical techniques to illustrate an Ada design can provide a clear, concise means to describe a complex software system. The purpose of this paper is to investigate several software design methodologies which incorporate graphical design notations. The specific software methodologies examined in detail …

Development Of A Bi-Directional Inference Engine Using An Object-Oriented Approach, Taha A. Sidani

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An inference engine is the mechanism by which an expert system program uses the domain specific information in the knowledge base to solve a problem at hand. Most of the current systems apply one of three control strategies to perform the reasoning process. These strategies are better known as forward chaining, backward chaining, and hybrid control. However, some of these systems restrict the user by confining him/her to use only the type of control provided. Hybrid systems infer using both forward and backward chaining. In either case, the user is limited to the method in which the knowledge engineer represented …

Implementation Of A Parallel Ynet Architecture, Julie Nadeau Leblanc

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A simulation of an alternate implementation of a redundant busing network based on the Teradata Ynet architecture is presented. An overview of the Teradata DBC/1012 data base parallel processing computer including the Ynet, an active logic busing network, is given. Other multiprocessor busing networks are examined and compared to the standard Ynet and the alternate Ynet.

In the standard Ynet system, two networks, called Ynets, process message packets concurrently. When one of the Ynet paths fails, the system is reset. The remaining Ynet path restarts using the previously interrupted packets and processing continues without the aid of the failed Ynet. …

The Design Of A Processing Element For The Systolic Array Implementation Of A Kalman Filter, John P. Condorodis

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The Kalman filter is an important component of optimal estimation theory. It has applications in a wide range of high performance control systems including navigational, fire control, and targeting systems. The Kalman filter, however, has not been utilized to its full potential due to the limitations of its inherent computational intensiveness which requires "off-line" processing or allows only low bandwidth real-time applications.

The recent advances in VLSI circuit technology have created the opportunity to design algorithms and data structures for direct implementation in integrated circuits. A systolic architecture is a concept which allows the construction of massively parallel systems in …

Implementation Of Inversion Algorithms In Reconfigurable Systolic Arrays, Haritini E. Andre

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Reducing the computing time of the matrix inversion has been a concern of many authors. The use of Systolic architectures containing orthogonally connected processing elements capable of few instructions multiple data have allowed for new algorithms to be implemented. Two algorithms are examined that rely on the triangularization methods for matrix inversion. One can be applied to the general non-singular matrix and the other to the symmetric matrix. The throughput in both implementation is revolutionized. The speed improvement over Liu and Young’s implementation of the symmetric matrix inversion is by a factor of three.

The throughput in both implementation is …

Editor Design In The Context Of Control System Simulation, Leon Fadden

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Advances in microcomputer display devices and support software during the past decade have made the microcomputer an increasingly popular vehicle for technical education. This is especially apparent in the area of simulation. The pedagog can provide the student of control theory not merely with the block diagrams and differential algebra but with high resolution color graphic animations supported by mathematical models whose parameters are easily changed by some editor facility. This mode of control system design and behavior study is both faster and more enjoyable for the student, providing greater continuity, concentration, and learning efficiency.

This paper describes the simulation …

Design Of A Laboratory Course In Embedded Computer Systems, Alexander Nikoloff

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report discusses and presents the design of a university undergraduate level laboratory course introducing the topic of embedded computer systems. The course utilizes the Rainbow 100 computer and the Data Translation LDT2801 interface board to illustrate this concept.

Lab problems in Digital to Analog conversions, Analog to Digital conversions, Digital input/output, serial communication, motor drivers and parallel communication are presented, as are fully documented solutions. Suggested lecture material appropriate to the course is reviewed.

Root Locus Plotter For A Dual Tank System Under Feedback Control, John M. Decatrel

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A root locus graphics routine was written in Turbo Pascal for the analysis and design of a linearized dual tank control system. The routine is a subprogram to be incorporated with an editor written by L. Fadden. This editor allows for the saving and changing of parameters to the system.

The dual tank system is a good example for classical feedback control analysis. A brief description of the process and system is presented. The system may be described by linearized differential and algebraic equations. From these, a characteristic equation is derived, which gives rise to the root locus. The root …

Computer Aided Supplement For Calculus Review, Gholam A. Shaykhian

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Several years ago an experimental re-entry program for women was initiated at the University of Central Florida. Women with B.S. degrees in Math or Science dating back 10 and 20 years ago were given a review course in Mathematics, primarily calculus, preparatory to subsequent courses in their M.S. programs of study. The complete course is available on tape and many students have viewed it since the course’s inception.

This project involved generation of software for testing the manipulative skills presented in the Calculus review. A skeleton format is presented which demonstrates all the features of the different programming modules being …

Control Of A Nonlinear System By Linearization, Drew D. Nelson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In today’s linear control systems, exact solutions can be obtained by the use of Laplace Transforms in the frequency domain. In dealing with nonlinear systems, exact solutions are not always achievable. For this reason, it is necessary to linearize the system and then apply frequency response methods.

This paper shows the comparison of a nonlinear system with the linearized model of the same system. For both proportional and proportional-integral control, the response to a unit step change in the set point showed minimal difference between the linearized and nonlinear system.

A Study Of The Dynamic Control Of The Inverted Pendulum System, Koon T. Ang

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report describes the simulation of an inverted pendulum control system. The purpose is to provide an interesting learning process through high resolution color graphics animations in the control of dynamic systems. The software uses the graphic capabilities extensively to make it very user-friendly and highly interactive. A numerical analysis method is used to solve the systems of equations. The animation driven by the results is then displayed on the video terminal. Facilities range from selection of controllers, changing of system parameters, plotting graphs, and hardcopy outputs.

A Task Manager For A Multiprocessor Computer System, Peter J. Ingraham

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The advent of the 32-bit microprocessor has sparked the manufacture of a number of 32-bit single-board computers (SBCs). These SBCs rival [performance of minicomputers for a fraction of the cost, and a number of them conform to standard 32-bit bus structures. A 32-bit multiprocessor computer system can be created by connecting two or more SBCs on a 32-bit bus. This computer system has the potential of providing many times the power as a single-processor computer system as well as a significant reduction in cost.

The Multiprocessor Task Manager is designed to efficiently distribute software tasks, schedule their execution, and manage …

Analysis Of System Reliability As A Capital Investment, Albert J. Williams

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report, "Analysis of System Reliability as a Capital Investment", is an analysis of radar system reliability of two similar tracking radar systems as a capital investment. It describes the two tracking radar systems and calculates the mission failures rates based upon field failure data. Additionally, an analysis of a simulation program written in FORTRAN is performed which treats system reliability as a capital investment based on 335 electronic systems that were fabricated with a reliability program versus 564 electronic systems fabricated without a reliability program. The data from the two tracking radar systems, one with reliability program and the …

Development Of A Sixteen Line Multiplexer, James H. Stangel

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report explains the development of a telephone line multiplexer to be used with a computer based personal paging system. The large geographical area coverage made possible by computer processing results in many calls having to cross telephone tariff boundaries. Since system users cannot be expected to pay long distance charges, dedicated lines which cross tariff boundaries must be leased. Multiplexing applied to those leased lines reduces the cost of data transmission, and is, therefore, justified. The design of the multiplexer proceeds from a specification set which is derived from user response requirements. Fundamentally, the response consists in advising the …