Engineering Commons^™

Uniform Energy Discharge For Pulsed Lasers, Eric Calvin Koschmann

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The art of achieving a large energy discharge in a controlled manner with relative ease is to use a pulse forming network. Historically the design of such networks generally used a single inductor and capacitor. Although easy to design and implement, this practice does not provide optimum performance in all cases. In particular, most laser welding requires a uniform energy discharge in a pulse to produce a high quality weld. Analysis has shown that when the pulse forming network approximates a lumped constant transmission line a maximum flat pulse is produced with minimal degradation of the pulse rise time. This …

A Cellular Algorithm For Data Reduction Of Polygon Based Images, Robert James Caesar

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT The amount of information contained in an image is often much more than is necessary. Computer generated images will always be constrained by the computer's resources or the time allowed for generation. To reduce the quantity of data in a picture while preserving its apparent quality can require complex filtering of the image data. This paper presents an algorithm for reducing data in polygon based images, using different filtering techniques that take advantage of a priori knowledge as to the images' content. One technique uses a novel implementation of vertex elimination. By passing the image through a sequence of …

Significant Measurements Of A Multiple Target Tracking System Utilizing Munkre's Algorithm As A Correlation Scheme, Nathalie Anna Day

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents and discusses the principles of multiple target tracking. A simulation written in Turbo Pascal provides the results of using a modified version of Munkre's algorithm for correlating targets with observations. The number and types of measurements necessary to obtain acceptable results are examined. The measurements under scrutiny are range, range rate, azimuth angle and elevation angle. A track-while-scan system is assumed and the nearest neighbor correlation scheme as well as rectangular gating are used for association.

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 …

Finite Impulse Response Filter Design Using Cosine Series Functions, Carlton Delos Bishop

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Window functions have been extensively used for the design of SAW filters. The classical truncated cosine series functions, such as the Hamming and Blackmann functions, are only a few of an infinite set of such functions. The derivation of this set of functions from orthonormal basis sets and the criteria for obtaining the constant coefficients of the functions are presented. These functions are very useful because of the closed-form expressions and their easily recognizable Fourier transform. Another approach to the design of Gaussian shaped filters having a desired sidelobe level using a 40 term cosine series will be presented as …

Design Of A Bandpass Oculometer, Karin Brandauer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A passive oculometer is a device that measures the position of the eye by utilizing the corneo-retinal potential (CRP) generated by the eye. In this thesis, the Bandpass Oculometer replaces the joystick of a personal computer, allowing the viewer to use a computer simply by moving his eyes. Low frequency noise, present in all electronic circuits, produces an offset from the reference point, the center of the screen. In previous lowpass oculometry studies at University of Central Florida, this offset caused the cursor to drift toward the edge of the field of view within a period of 30 seconds, decreasing …

Continuous Time Convolution Model For Generation Synthetic Hydrographs, Cheryl Brooks

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Synthetic hydrographs are often used in stormwater management to provide estimates of peak rate, volume and time distribution of stormwater runoff. A hydrograph model based on the mathematical technique of convolution was developed using an exponential routing response function and the basic watershed continuity equation. After incorporating the model into a computer program, it was calibrated using hydrographs from four urban and three rural watersheds. The watersheds are located in regions of west and south Florida and range in size from 14.7 to 3500 acres. Two other hydrograph models, the Soil Conservation Service's Unit Hydrograph (SCS-UH) mode 1 and the …

Mrp, Jit, And Opt: A Comparison On The Production Floor, Donna M. Denicole Christopher

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In order to compete in manufacturing, industry realizes it must work more efficiently with its resources. Three manufacturing techniques have been developed to assist industry in this challenge --MRP, JIT, and OPT. This paper compares these three techniques. It concentrates on the factors that affect production after vendor materials are in-house. A brief discussion of some of the implementation difficulties a company may face during the transition to a new philosophy is also addressed. Finally, a case study of a low volume, highly technical military project is evaluated and analyzed.

Boundary Layer On A Continuous Flat Plate In Parallel Flow With Similar And Non-Similar Boundary Conditions, Vaughn H.M. Faber

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a computational analysis of the incompressible laminar boundary layer on a continuous moving surface. The skin friction and heat transfer variations on a moving plate with similar and non-similar (constant) mass transfer at the wall are obtained for 210 cases for the similar boundary solution and 60 cases for the non-similar solution.

Both cases were solved numerically using the fourth order Runge-Kutta algorithm. For the non-similarity case, the local non-similarity method as described by Sparrow, Quack and Boerner was used. The analysis shows that the shear stress for both the similar and non-similar cases is higher when …

Phase Noise Analysis And Basic Measuring Techniques, James A. Ferrell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Oscillators are important elements of RF and microwave communications systems. The increased use of the electromagnetic spectrum requires the use of better and cleaner oscillators. Local oscillators in RF to IF converters play a big role in the overall performance of the receiver systems because phase noise in the local oscillator can drastically reduce the signal to noise ratio at the output of the receiver, especially if the converter is at the front end. Phase noise is the parameter used to describe oscillator stability. The analysis and basic measurement techniques of phase noise are performed in this report.

This research …

Optimization Of Storm Sewer Construction Costs Using A Microcomputer Program, Dawn E. Fetter

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

When designing a storm sewer system there is a material and labor cost trade-off between changing pipe diameter for a specific flowrate while keeping physical pipe slope constant, and changing physical pipe slope for the same flowrate while keeping the pipe diameter constant.

To calculate costs associated with every possible combination of pipe diameters and excavation depth to find the optimum design for a storm sewer network without the use of a computer would be a very cumbersome task indeed. In fact, a minimum cost solution may never be found.

This paper presents a microcomputer program which assists the engineer …

Rise Time To Frequency Correlation Of Crosstalk In Coupled Microstrip Lines, Charles Michael Fletcher Jr.

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An examination of forward crosstalk in microstrip transmission lines is presented through a computer simulation using SPICE. A non-resistive lumped L-C transmission line model is modified to include capacitive and inductive coupling from adjacent lines. Two adjacent microstrip transmission lines are modeled, and simulation results in both the time and frequency domains are shown. The time domain or transient analysis looks at the effect of rise times on crosstalk. Rise times in the range of 100 to 1000 nanoseconds (ns) are considered. The frequency analysis shows the crosstalk frequency response over the range of 100 to 1600 kilohertz (kHz). The …

Management Considerations Of Productivity Issues For Local Government, Scott M. Gilbertson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report examines the issues needed to be addressed by a municipal manager and provides guidelines to follow when establishing a productivity measurement and improvement program. Examined in detail is the relationship of the municipality's quality of service delivery in relationship to productivity. The concerns of productivity in the public sector at the national and local levels are also identified.

Numerous difficulties are encountered when attempting to measure and improve productivity. Many of these difficulties are presented and several are discussed in detail. To overcome the identified difficulties, there are a number of techniques available, some of which are recently …

Parametric Shape Generation Of Aerodynamic And Structural Objects For Aerodynamic, Structural And Radar Cross-Section Analysis, Franklin C. Basile

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the design and development of software to parametrically build three-dimensional aerodynamic objects or shapes for various engineering design and analysis activities. The software is designed to generate and display sufficient geometric output to completely define the object. Parameters are entered through a prompting sequence which determines the type of object and the amount of geometry needed to describe the object. Geometry created by this program will act as the baseline model for aerodynamic , structural, and radar cross-section analysis. An integral part of the program is the complete 3-D viewing capability. Interactive global display capability allows for …

Heavy Metal Removal By Sedimentation Of Street Sweepings In Stormwater Runoff, Mary Elizabeth Brabham

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT Continuous flow column studies were conducted to characterize suspended sol ids and heavy metal reduct ions through sedimentation with varying overflow rates. The heavy metals tested were cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, lead, nickel and chromium. Stormwater derived samples spiked with street sweepings categorized into particle size ranges less than 500 microns in diameter were utilized in the research. Overflow rates investigated ranged from 28 to 3600 gallons per day per square foot. Theoretical predictions of suspended solids reductions with the application of Stoke's Law exceeded observed reductions for the continuous flow system. Performance curves for all reductions over the …

Method For Sizing Mos Transistors For Vlsi, Matthew J. Amatangelo

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Determining the device width to length ratios has typically been an iterative process for the custom IC digital design engineer. After the logic design phase is complete for a particular circuit, the designer would make an educated guess at the device sizes. Then by trial and error, using SPICE or another circuit simulator, suitable sizes would be determined. Unfortunately, this approach is time consuming and the resulting sizes are often a good bit larger than they need to be to maintain a certain speed because of the lack of a rigorous sizing methodology. This paper describes a method for reducing …

Investigative Study Of The Reliability Of A Rotating Turbine Blade, William Stuart Beal

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

-Turbine blading incidents are a concern to electrical utilities since they can result in power plant unavailability. The reliability of a particular turbine blade is investigated in this report to determine if it can be replaced with a more reliable blade design. The majority of incidents concerning this blade have been attributed to stall flutter vibration that has been the result of unit operation at low load levels with high back-pressures in the steam condenser. Stall flutter can be avoided by limiting back-pressure levels during low load operation and is thus not a concern here. Another potential cause of unreliability …

A Student Performance Evaluation Method For An Intelligent Simulation-Based Tutoring System, Camille Marie Dixon

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Intelligent simulation-based tutoring systems (ISTS) present intriguing and complex environments for the training of high performance skills. These skills involve the manipulation of objects within time and space constraints.

As with any tutoring system, there must exist a performance measurement methodology. Within an ISTS there is a module which functions as a tutor and a module which functions as a student modeler. These fundamental modules are required to make effective individualized tutoring decisions. However, each of these modules rely on information from a performance measurement system or evaluation system.

The objective of this research was to establish a performance evaluation …

A Piezoelectric Actuated Scanning Mirror System Utilizing A Type One Control Loop, David Gibbs

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to design and build an improved control loop for a piezoelectric actuated scanning mirror system. A control system has been built having zero steady state position error and an 80 Hertz bandwidth. This was achieved by placing the piezoelectric actuator in the feedback path of an operational amplifier and placing series cascaded notch filters and lead compensators in the forward path of the control loop. A prototype system, including compensation and feedback, is developed. Its performance compares favorably with that of the system model. It is capable of plus and minus 1.7 degrees of …

Comparison Of Subsurface Cavity Investigations Using Earth Resistivity, Seismograph And Ground Penetrating Radar, Dennis M. Filler

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Sinkhole formation in the Central Florida area has become a serious problem. The subsurface exploration method for cavity detection is indeed needed prior to sinkhole development. this research study compares the effectiveness of earth resistivity, seismograph and ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods in the detection of subsurface cavities. A resistivity instrument measures a material's resistance to electric currents. The seismograph measure the propagation velocity of a medium refracting compressional waves. The GPR transmits and receives electromagnetic pulses reflecting off subsurface interfaces.

Tests were conducted at two sites: a model test site at the University of central Florida, Orlando, and a …

A Comparison Of Two Microcomputer Continuous Simulation Languages, Amy Brannon Kirkland

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Until the early 1980s, most digital simulation models of reasonably complex systems required the use of a mainframe for a solution to be obtained in a timely manner. Recently, the declining prices of computer memory, operating systems, and modern hardware have supported the implementation of large simulation packages on smaller machines. Today, tremendous improvements in the performance of microcomputers have provided the simulationist with a completely personalized, less expensive computing environment. Operating within a microcomputer environment, the simulationist must choose a suitable computer language. Often, user familiarity dictates the selection of a language, while other factors such as ease of …

Some Reasons Why New Technologies Are Not Always Successful - Specifically Directed Toward Cim, Shuk Fong Lai

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

To keep the competitive edge, many companies constantly implement new technologies. However, the implementation of these new technologies are not always successful. Why?

Problems with implementation of new technologies can be either technical or managerial. This paper presents research limited to management problems and suggests the necessary changes. It also outlines the important factors in the decision-making process and the criteria for a successful implementation of a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system. Many experts believe that CIM is the ultimate solution to slow and reverse the decline of the U.S. global manufacturing market. However, some companies that have implemented CIM …

Laser Induced Darkening Semiconductor Dope Glasses, Jayant Malhotra

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A System For Measuring The Phase Difference Between Two Points Of A Propagating Laser Beam, Jefferson E. Odhner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An optical system has been designed, analyzed, implemented, and calibrated which measures the phase difference between two points of a propagating laser beam. The system is a quadrature interferometer whose detector outputs are processed by a computer. This quadrature interferometer measures both the phase and amplitude variations between two points of a laser beam after the beam passes through turbulence . These measurements are in turn processed by a computer to isolate the phase variations from the amplitude variations. Further statistical analysis which can be performed on these phase variations should provide an understanding of the phase fluctuations of propagating …

Analysis Of Phase Noise In Phase Lock Loop, Diane Marie Pavik

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report presents an introduction into phase lock loops (PLL) with a major emphasis on calculating phase noise in frequency synthesizers. A PLL model that incorporates the major sources of noise is presented for the purpose of design analysis. The model can be used to analyze second and fifth order PLLs which allows the accurate calculation of phase noise as a function of independent variable design parameters. The stability of PLLs is also analyzed to show the effects of a marginally stable system on the resultant phase noise. Developing an accurate PLL model which accounts for the major sources …

A Study Of The Reaction Kinetics For The Thermal Oxidation Of Dilute N-Heptane Vapors In A Plug Flow Reactor, Steven Hunter Ramsey

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

During August through October, 1986, experiments were conducted with the aim of devel oping kinetic relationships for the thermal oxi dation of dilute n-Heptane vapors in air using a Lindberg tube furnace reactor. This project was designed to be the first step in the ultimate goal of research ing the effe cts upon the combustion of dilute organic vapors when certain chemicals are added to the combustion stream. These chemicals are postulated to form free radicals and thus enhance the oxidation of organ i cs . Comparison of the kinetics before and after the addition of t he free radical …

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 …

Finite Element Analysis Of A Glass Fiber Inclusion, Jeffery R. Southland

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This analysis investigates the micromechanical behavior of a fiber-reinforced composite. Two realistic deviations from the typical set of simplifying assumptions are considered: nonhomogeneous matrix properties and imperfect fiber/matrix bonds. The stress effects due to a soft matrix interlayer at the fiber interface and the loss of a portion of the fiber/matrix interface bond are examined. The analysis is performed with the ANSYS finite element program. The effects of higher order shape functions and different mesh densities are studied. The final results are compared to a previous analysis performed at Florida Technological University (now University of Central Florida) which utilized a …

An Overview Of Machine Vision, Juan C. Telchi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this paper is to examine new ideas and other useful information on the most recent advances in the robotic vision field. A visual system model was introduced and the basic components of this model were explained. The principal areas in robotic vision were researched. This included two dimension and three dimension vision sensors. Industrial applications and future developments of machine vision systems were addressed. A survey was done to summarize the vision system market and the robot market share worldwide.

The Feasibility Analysis Of Cooling A Residential Space Using An Underground Air Pipe Coupled With An Air Chimney, Nam Ky Trinh

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the thermal and economic feasibility of using an earth-cooled air system of residential space cooling. A residential building located in Orlando, Florida was modeled to determine the sensible cooling load for various design factors. A parametric study was conducted to determine the effects of the following: inside set temperature, infiltration rate, and overall heat transfer coefficient of the walls and roof. The inside set temperature had the greatest impact on the cooling energy load, followed by the infiltration rate and the overall heat transfer coefficient of the walls and roof.

Two load conditions were examined to determine …