Engineering Commons^™

A 'User-Friendly' Robot Operator Training Aid, Donald A. Washburn

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

There will be an increasing demand for robot operators, since more companies are using robots in production and material handling. In order to train these would-be operators, a 'user-friendly' robot operator training aid was developed. This aid helps the trainee learn how to program a robot using on-line programming, and the trainee also obtains valuable hands-on experience. Since this training aid is user-friendly and has safety features, it requires little or no previous experience with robots or computers and minimal supervision. With this training, the would-be operators will acquire a basic understanding of how they can apply this experience to …

Adaption And Optimization Of The Ibrahim Time Domain (Itd) Modal Parameter Identification Algorithm For Mini-Computer Use, Mary T. Cogeos

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Conventional modal analysis is performed using FFT Analyzers with modal analysis software developed by one of many test/analysis software vendors. The analysis is performed in the frequency domain using frequency response functions. A recent advancement in modal analysis involves analyzing the measured free response of a structure in the time domain. The Ibrahim Time Domain (ITD) Algorithm is such a method which has been used and verified at government environmental test facilities. The ITD is an accurate numeric solution. Minimal operator interaction is required for proper performance of the algorithm. The results of the ITD Algorithm are far superior to …

Gain Control Of A Time-Varying Signal Using A Multiplaying Dac, Yassin Movassaghi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The design of a high speed circuit accepting a bipolar analog signal with a 3 db bandwidth of 20 MHZ and an eight bit unipolar gain control signal is presented in this thesis. The system produces the product of these two signals at a rate of one digital byte every 25 nsec. At the heart of the system are two multiplying digital to analog converters (DACs) operating in parallel. The circuit design was based on a statistically validated model for a multiplying DAC. This circuit could be used for controlling the intensity of each picture element (i.e. pixel) for many …

A Comparative Study Of Computer Interfacing Techniques For Military Training Devices, Gary R. Fraas

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report surveys many of the interfacing techniques currently in use on emerging military training devices. The primary focus of this report is associated with the hardware aspects of computer interfacing. After a brief introduction into the various aspects of military training devices, this study presents various computer related interfacing techniques used on military training devices. Topics addressed in the study include custom designed interfaces, commercial packages, serial communications with an emphasis on RS-232, -422, -423, and -449 serial standards as well as local area networks. Then, a number of bus standards are presented and finally, interface products pertaining to …

Surface Acoustic Wave Bidirectional Filter Synthesis And Analysis, Raymond L. Yap

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices are manufactured using standard metallization and photolithographic techniques that have been established by the semiconductor industry. The facilities in the newly developed Microelectronics laboratory at the University of Central Florida will be utilized in the fabrication of a SAW device.

This thesis will outline the complete procedure beginning with the initial design from given specifications, up to mask generation, fabricating and testing of the device. This will serve to calibrate the fabrication process for future work in SAW device and semiconductor fabrication.

The models that are used in the SAWCAD design software will be verified …

Non-Iterative Finite Impulse Response Design Techniques, Carlton D. Bishop

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A general, non-iterative design technique for low shapefactor, transversal filters is presented. This design approach uses two cosine series to specify appropriate eigenfunctions. An infinite set of such eigenfunctions are defined and the method for choosing the coefficients is discussed.

The total filter response is specified as the product of two individual frequency responses. The impulse response of each is then determined by applying the superposition of appropriate eigenfunctions. The criteria for choosing the appropriate eigenfunctions is discussed.

A synthesis procedure for designing surface acoustic wave filters is presented. The effects of truncating the impulse response are also explored. A …

Effects Of Finite Length Registers On A Modified Directform Realization Of A High Order H(Z) Transfer Function, Angel Vanrell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

When a digital process is realized on a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose hardware, errors due to finite register length are introduced. These errors are due primarily to arithmetic roundoff, coefficient quantization, and scaling rules. This paper addresses the effects of finite word length on a direct-form implementation of a high order H (z) transfer function. The development and analysis of a modified direct-form realization suggested by Dr. Fred O. Simons, are carried out via FORTRAN emulation of a fourth-order low-pass Butterworth filter. The results are presented as a parametric tradeoff of signal-to-noise ratio at the filter output versus word …

The Frequency Response Computation Of H(Z) Models That Include Digital Error Effects, Carol R. Smith

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Pulse responses are not suitable for evaluating H(z) frequency responses that include digital errors. Digital error effects, however, are conveniently included in H(z) frequency response calculations based on the step response. A non-real time algorithm for computing the frequency response of a real time digital filters based on the filter step response is developed and verified through an example.

The Design Of A Qpsk Modem And The Probability Of Error Analysis For An Sca Based Digital Communication System, Fouad Guediri

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An analysis of the probability of error for an SCA based digital communication system is developed. QPSK modulation and the signal to noise ratio degradation due to the SCA transmission are analyzed to predict the performance of the system in terms of probability of error. The design and analysis of a QPSK model, a pseudorandom generator, and a pseudorandom correlator are also presented in this thesis.

Filter Settle Time For Signal Processing Applications, Michael T. Mccord

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, the step modulated sine wave [u(t)Asin2πft] response of the low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters are evaluated. Butterworth filters from the first order on up to the ideal filter are analyzed, and expressions for the settle times developed. The longest settle time occurs for the ideal filter, with all other filters taking progressively less time to settle as the order decreases. A significant point is that the transient settle time for a filter depends on the difference in applied signal frequency and the filter cut off frequency. The set of expressions developed in this report are primarily intended …

Finite Impulse Response Filter Implementation Via Windowing Technique, Thomas J. Horrigan

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report is devoted to an investigation of finite impulse response (FIR) filters and their implementation via windowing techniques. Analysis is restricted to those FIR filters that possess both a nonrecursive structure and a linear phase response. Initially an informative yet concise overview of FIR filters is presented. Some knowledge of "discrete – time" systems is assumed. Next, the concepts associated with FIR filter implementation through the utilization of window functions is developed. Analysis is performed in both the time and frequency domains. Results obtained define optimal window function criteria. The last design technique is devoted to computer aided …

The Use Of Computers In Construction Management, Joella S. Francois

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study on the use of computers for the management of construction projects has been conducted. The findings of this study will be presented here and will consist of: 1. An examination of the different utilization of computers in the field of construction management. 2. An analysis of the methodology of some well known computer software packages used by many construction companies. 3. A complete documentation of computer codes that have been developed a. to illustrate the use of computer graphics for an effective utilization of some construction management techniques such as the bar chart b. to solve the problem …

Digital Hearing Aids, Somsak Deawsurintr

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes the design of a hearing aid using digital techniques. The Amplitude Compression Amplifier and Digital Filter are discussed. General review of different filter types are presented as background for the design of Digital Filters. The design procedure for Digital Filters and the software program for the Intel-2920 signal processor are created. Finally, the program is tested by simulation via the 2920-Simulator.

Millimeter Wave Scattering From A Rough Surface, Charles H. Hargraves

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents an introduction to rough surface scattering and describes techniques that were used during the course of this project to measure and characterize electromagnetic scattering from a rough surface. An analytical model is described that accurately predicts the statistics of the measured scattering data. The CW measurement process that was used is described and scattering measurement results are presented. Calculated and measured statistical moments are compared in order to show agreement of measurements with various statistical scattering models. Recommendations for additional work in the area of measurement and analytical modeling of rough surface scattering are given.

The Combination Of Artificial Intelligence And Robotics For A Mobile Robot Application, Leslie D. Interrante

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The combination of artificial intelligence and robotics led to more flexibility and powerful mobile robot applications. The robot and its environment were simulated with a microcomputer to gather statistical information. An application was demonstrated in the laboratory with a mobile robot. The robot recognized an obstacle in its path and generated the necessary changes in its environment so that it could successfully complete a required task.

Design Of An Evaluation System For The Electro-Oculometer, Chrysanthos A. Panayiotou

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to develop a system for evaluation of a skin-voltage Oculometer. A test set-up is designed that allows any person to attach the input of the Oculometer (electrodes) on his/her-self and obtain the transfer characteristics of the system. Two set-ups are designed. In the first one, the static transfer characteristics are obtained with the aid of a wall chart. In the second one, the dynamic transfer characteristics are obtained with the aid of a computer moving a bright spot on a large screen television set. An investigation of the possible sources of error is also …

Awqpsk : An Optimum Modulation Technique For Spread Spectrum Communication, Madjid A. Belkerdid

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) and minimum shift keying (MSK) are the two most used M-ary modulation techniques in Direct-Sequence (DS) Spread Spectrum Communication systems. This thesis introduces a new modulation technique that can compete well with QPSK and MSK in many applications. This new modulation technique, made up of a superposition of one QPSK signal and two amplitude weighted QPSK signals, is called Amplitude Weighted Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (AWQPSK). It is found to have the same probability of error as QPSK and MSK techniques. It has a higher bandwidth efficiency in bits/sec/Hz than QPSK and MSK. It has …