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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

A Multi-Objective No-Regret Decision Making Model With Bayesian Learning For Autonomous Unmanned Systems, Matthew Howard Jan 2008

A Multi-Objective No-Regret Decision Making Model With Bayesian Learning For Autonomous Unmanned Systems, Matthew Howard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The development of a multi-objective decision making and learning model for the use in unmanned systems is the focus of this project. Starting with traditional game theory and psychological learning theories developed in the past, a new model for machine learning is developed. This model incorporates a no-regret decision making model with a Bayesian learning process which has the ability to adapt to errors found in preconceived costs associated with each objective. This learning ability is what sets this model apart from many others. By creating a model based on previously developed human learning models, hundreds of years of experience …


Reducing Eddy Currents In High Magnetic Field Environments, Russell Case Jan 2008

Reducing Eddy Currents In High Magnetic Field Environments, Russell Case

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When an electrical conducting volume is placed into the bore of an MRI undergoing an image scan, time varying magnetic gradients induce eddy currents in this conducting material. These eddy currents in turn produce a mechanical torque on this volume. It is the goal of this thesis to produce a computer simulation of eddy currents produced by placing conducting materials inside an MRI bore. The first part of the thesis establishes the physics and principles behind an MRI system along with several applications. Next, this thesis presents an analysis of eddy current effects produced on a conductor placed into an …


Comparison Of Theoretical Models Of Power Spectral Density To The Experimental Value For Spectrum Of Irradiance Fluctuations, Craig Hershberger Jan 2008

Comparison Of Theoretical Models Of Power Spectral Density To The Experimental Value For Spectrum Of Irradiance Fluctuations, Craig Hershberger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A propagation experiment was designed, assembled, and conducted on an extended range to verify theoretical temporal models for weak to strong fluctuation theory. Laser light intensity was propagated over terrain at the Kennedy Space Center (Florida), and detected using optical receivers at a distance of 13.3 Km from the optical source. The intensity data from the experiment was used to generate an experimental Power Spectral Density (PSD) function. The theoretical Mutual Coherence Function (MCF) and Wave Structure Function (WSF) as set forth by Andrews/Phillips , were evaluated to determine the effective relationship between the statistical moments of the random optical …


Bi-Directional Dcm Dc-To-Dc Converter For Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Michael Pepper Jan 2008

Bi-Directional Dcm Dc-To-Dc Converter For Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Michael Pepper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the recent revival of the hybrid vehicle much advancement in power management has been made. The most popular hybrid vehicle, the hybrid electric vehicle, has many topologies developed to realize this hybrid vehicle. From these topologies, as sub set was created to define a particular group of vehicles where the converter discussed in this thesis has the most advantage. This sub set is defined by two electric sources of power coupled together at a common bus. This set up presents many unique operating conditions which can be handled seamlessly by the DC-to-DC converter when designed properly. The DC-to-DC converter …


A Time-Varying Radiometric Bias Correction For The Trmm Microwave Imager, Kaushik Gopalan Jan 2008

A Time-Varying Radiometric Bias Correction For The Trmm Microwave Imager, Kaushik Gopalan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation provides a robust radiometric calibration for the TRMM Microwave Imager to correct systematic brightness temperature errors, which vary dynamically with orbit position (time) and day of the year. The presence of a time-varying bias in TMI is confirmed by inter-calibration with WindSat and SSMI. This time varying bias is manifested as a time of day dependent variation of the relative biases between TMI and both WindSat and SSMI. In this dissertation, we provide convincing evidence that this time-varying Tb bias in TMI is caused by variations in the physical temperature of the emissive TMI reflector antenna. This dissertation …


Design, Characterization And Compact Modeling Of Novel Silicon Controlled Rectifier (Scr)-Based Devices For Electrostatic Discha, Lifang Lou Jan 2008

Design, Characterization And Compact Modeling Of Novel Silicon Controlled Rectifier (Scr)-Based Devices For Electrostatic Discha, Lifang Lou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), an event of a sudden transfer of electrons between two bodies at different potentials, happens commonly throughout nature. When such even occurs on integrated circuits (ICs), ICs will be damaged and failures result. As the evolution of semiconductor technologies, increasing usage of automated equipments and the emerging of more and more complex circuit applications, ICs are more sensitive to ESD strikes. Main ESD events occurring in semiconductor industry have been standardized as human body model (HBM), machine model (MM), charged device model (CDM) and international electrotechnical commission model (IEC) for control, monitor and test. In additional to …


Transient Response Improvement For Multi-Phase Voltage Regulators, Shangyang Xiao Jan 2008

Transient Response Improvement For Multi-Phase Voltage Regulators, Shangyang Xiao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Next generation microprocessor (Vcore) requirements for high current slew rates and fast transient response together with low output voltage have posed great challenges on voltage regulator (VR) design . Since the debut of Intel 80X86 series, CPUs have greatly improved in performance with a dramatic increase on power consumption. According to the latest Intel VR11 design guidelines , the operational current may ramp up to 140A with typical voltages in the 1.1V to 1.4V range, while the slew rate of the transient current can be as high as 1.9A/ns [1, 2]. Meanwhile, the transient-response requirements are becoming stringer and stringer. …


Design Of Polynomial-Based Filters For Continuously Variable Sample Rate Conversion With Applications In Synthetic Instrumentati, Matthew Hunter Jan 2008

Design Of Polynomial-Based Filters For Continuously Variable Sample Rate Conversion With Applications In Synthetic Instrumentati, Matthew Hunter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this work, the design and application of Polynomial-Based Filters (PBF) for continuously variable Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) is studied. The major contributions of this work are summarized as follows. First, an explicit formula for the Fourier Transform of both a symmetrical and nonsymmetrical PBF impulse response with variable basis function coefficients is derived. In the literature only one explicit formula is given, and that for a symmetrical even length filter with fixed basis function coefficients. The frequency domain optimization of PBFs via linear programming has been proposed in the literature, however, the algorithm was not detailed nor were explicit …


High Temperature Packaging For Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Devices, Brian Grummel Jan 2008

High Temperature Packaging For Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Devices, Brian Grummel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, wide bandgap semiconductor devices feature increased efficiency, higher current handling capabilities, and higher reverse blocking voltages than silicon devices while recent fabrication advances have them drawing near to the marketplace. However these new semiconductors are in need of new packaging that will allow for their application in several important uses including hybrid electrical vehicles, new and existing energy sources, and increased efficiency in multiple new and existing technologies. Also, current power module designs for silicon devices are rife with problems that must be enhanced to improve reliability. This thesis introduces new packaging that is thermally resilient and has reduced …


A Low Phase Noise K-Band Oscillator Utilizing An Embedded Dielectric Resonator On Multilayer High Frequency Laminates, Ajay Subramanian Jan 2008

A Low Phase Noise K-Band Oscillator Utilizing An Embedded Dielectric Resonator On Multilayer High Frequency Laminates, Ajay Subramanian

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

K-Band (18 to 26 GHz) dielectric resonator oscillators are typically used as a local oscillator in most K-Band digital transmitter/receiver topologies. Traditionally, the oscillator itself is made up of an active device, a dielectric resonator termination network, and a passive load matching network. The termination network embodies a cylindrical high permittivity dielectric resonator that is coupled on the same plane as a current carrying transmission line. This configuration provides an adequate resonance needed for oscillation but has some limitations. In order to provide a high Q resonance the entire oscillator is placed in a metal box to prevent radiation losses. …


Ultra-Wide Band In Communications: Performance Analysis And Enhancements, Burak Berksoy Jan 2008

Ultra-Wide Band In Communications: Performance Analysis And Enhancements, Burak Berksoy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the last ten years, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology has attracted tremendous research attention. Frequency allocation of 3.1-10.6 GHz for UWB application by FCC made it apparent that UWB will be the technology for future wireless high speed communication applications. With the promise of high data rates (high channel capacity), UWB also offers advantages such as communication security, high multi-path resolution, good penetration capability, ability to coexist with other communication schemes in the same band, and finally, circuit simplicity. The theoretical advantages of UWB has made it a great candidate for short distance communications, however, UWB communications have many challenges, …


Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration, Liang Hong Jan 2008

Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration, Liang Hong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The removal of systematic brightness temperature (Tb) biases is necessary when producing decadal passive microwave data sets for weather and climate research. It is crucial to achieve Tb measurement consistency among all satellites in a constellation as well as to maintain sustained calibration accuracy over the lifetime of each satellite sensor. In-orbit inter-satellite radiometric calibration techniques provide a long term, group-wise solution; however, since radiometers operate at different frequencies and viewing angles, Tb normalizations are made before making intermediate comparisons of their near-simultaneous measurements. In this dissertation, a new approach is investigated to perform these normalizations from one satellite's measurements …


Audio And Video Tempo Analysis For Dance Detection, Ryan Faircloth Jan 2008

Audio And Video Tempo Analysis For Dance Detection, Ryan Faircloth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The amount of multimedia in existence has become so extensive that the organization of this data cannot be performed manually. Systems designed to maintain such quantity need superior methods of understanding the information contained in the data. Aspects of Computer Vision deal with such problems for the understanding of image and video content. Additionally large ontologies such as LSCOM are collections of feasible high-level concepts that are of interest to identify within multimedia content. While ontologies often include the activity of dance it has had virtually no coverage in Computer Vision literature in terms of actual detection. We will demonstrate …


Data Communication With A Nano-Satellite Using Satellite Personal Communication Networks (S-Pcns), Khudeja Khan Jan 2008

Data Communication With A Nano-Satellite Using Satellite Personal Communication Networks (S-Pcns), Khudeja Khan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Satellites typically communicate with locations on the ground to receive commands and send data back. Establishing reliable communications generally requires dedicated ground stations, which in turn require hardware and expertise. Developers of nano-satellites, however, may not have the expertise or resources necessary for establishing a dedicated ground station. Therefore, the use of an existing communication system, such as the Satellite Personal Communication Networks (S-PCNs), is attractive. Another shortcoming of the fixed ground stations, already available, is that they are normally only able to communicate with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) nano-satellites four times per day (two10-minute windows separated by 90 minutes, …


Numerical Modeling Of Wave Propagation In Nonlinear Photonic Crystal Fiber, Md. Kaisar Khan Jan 2008

Numerical Modeling Of Wave Propagation In Nonlinear Photonic Crystal Fiber, Md. Kaisar Khan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we propose numerical techniques to explain physical phenomenon of nonlinear photonic crystal fiber (PCF). We explain novel physical effects occurred in PCF subjected to very short duration pulses including soliton. To overcome the limitations in the analytical formulation for PCF, an accurate and efficient numerical analysis is required to explain both linear and nonlinear physical characteristics. A vector finite element based model was developed to precisely synthesize the guided modes in order to evaluate coupling coefficients, nonlinear coefficient and higher order dispersions of PCFs. This finite element model (FEM) is capable of evaluating coupling length of directional …


Modeling And Analysis Of Power Mosfets For High Frequency Dc-Dc Converters, Yali Xiong Jan 2008

Modeling And Analysis Of Power Mosfets For High Frequency Dc-Dc Converters, Yali Xiong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Evolutions in integrated circuit technology require the use of a high-frequency synchronous buck converter in order to achieve low cost, low profile, fast transient response and high power density. However, high frequency operation leads to increased power MOSFET switching losses. Optimization of the MOSFETs plays an important role in improving converter performance. This dissertation focuses on revealing the power loss mechanism of power MOSFETs and the relationship between power MOSFET structure and its power loss. The analytical device model, combined with circuit modeling, cannot reveal the relationship between device structure and its power loss due to the highly non-linear characteristics …


Real-Time Trajectory Planning For Groundand Aerial Vehicles In A Dynamic Environment, Jian Yang Jan 2008

Real-Time Trajectory Planning For Groundand Aerial Vehicles In A Dynamic Environment, Jian Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, a novel and generic solution of trajectory generation is developed and evaluated for ground and aerial vehicles in a dynamic environment. By explicitly considering a kinematic model of the ground vehicles, the family of feasible trajectories and their corresponding steering controls are derived in a closed form and are expressed in terms of one adjustable parameter for the purpose of collision avoidance. A collision-avoidance condition is developed for the dynamically changing environment, which consists of a time criterion and a geometrical criterion. By imposing this condition, one can determine a family of collision-free paths in a closed …


Novel Complex Adaptive Signal Processing Techniques Employing Optimally Derived Time-Varying Convergence Factors With Applicatio, Raghuram Ranganathan Jan 2008

Novel Complex Adaptive Signal Processing Techniques Employing Optimally Derived Time-Varying Convergence Factors With Applicatio, Raghuram Ranganathan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In digital signal processing in general, and wireless communications in particular, the increased usage of complex signal representations, and spectrally efficient complex modulation schemes such as QPSK and QAM has necessitated the need for efficient and fast-converging complex digital signal processing techniques. In this research, novel complex adaptive digital signal processing techniques are presented, which derive optimal convergence factors or step sizes for adjusting the adaptive system coefficients at each iteration. In addition, the real and imaginary components of the complex signal and complex adaptive filter coefficients are treated as separate entities, and are independently updated. As a result, the …


Integration Of A Nanostructure Embedded Thermoresponsive Polymer For Microfluidic Applications, Ghanashyam Londe Jan 2008

Integration Of A Nanostructure Embedded Thermoresponsive Polymer For Microfluidic Applications, Ghanashyam Londe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work describes the modeling, synthesis, integration and characterization of a novel nanostructure embedded thermoresponsive material for microfluidic applications. The innumerable applications of thermoresponsive surfaces in the recent years have necessitated the development of a rigorous mathematical treatment for these surfaces to understand and improve their behavior. An analytical model is proposed to describe the transfer characteristic (variation of contact angle versus temperature) of a unique switchable, nanostructured, thermoresponsive surface consisting of silica nanoparticles and the thermoresponsive polymer, Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide ) (PNIPAAm) which changes its wetting angle upon heating. Important metrics such as the absolute lower critical solution temperature, threshold & …