Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Design And Implementation Of A Modular Wireless Sensor Network Sniffer, John C. Mceachen, Teo Hong Siang, Georgios Kirykos

U.S. Navy Research

We present the design and implementation of a wireless packet sniffing application focused on the communications of TinyOS-based sensor networks. This modular, multi-threaded application allows robust analysis of transmitted frames in an easily understood format similar to tcpdump. The underlying software framework is presented and details of the implementation are discussed. Finally, verification of the application is performed using a basic TinyOS application.

A Comparison Of Optimized Link State Routing With Traditional Ad-Hoc Routing Protocols, Pore Ghee Lye, John C. Mceachen

U.S. Navy Research

The performance of mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET) is related to the efficiency of the routing protocols in adapting to frequently changing network topology and link status. This paper addresses the issue by comparing the relative performance of three key ad-hoc routing protocols: Destination-sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV), Ad-hoc Ondemand Distance Vector (AODV) and Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR). The protocols are tested based on two scenarios, namely, tactical networks for ships and sensor-based network nodes. Four performance metrics were measured by varying the maximum speed of mobile hosts, network size and traffic load, to assess the routing capability and protocol efficiency. …

Process Modelling Support For The Conceptual Modelling Phase Of A Simulation Project, Cathal Heavey, John Ryan

Conference papers

While many developments have taken place around supporting the model coding task of simulation, there are few tools available to assist in the conceptual modelling phase. Several authors have reported the advantages of using process modelling tools in the early phases of a simulation project.

This paper provides an overview of process modelling tools in relation to their support for simulation, categorizing the tools into formal method and descriptive methods. A conclusion from this review is that none of the tools available adequately support the requirements gathering phase of simulation. This is not surprising as none of the process modelling …

The Paperless Factory: A Review Of Issues And Technologies, Manocher Djassemi, James A. Sena

Industrial Technology and Packaging

paper-based data management can be a bottleneck, slowing factory-wide information transfer. This study explores the evolution of paperless communication in a factory environment and reviews some of the key technologies that contribute to the implementation of a paperless system including digital communication, the virtual factory, computer-integrated manufacturing, and web-centric information flow. The challenges facing users of a paperless information system are also discussed.

Acuta Enews December 2006, Vol. 35, No. 12

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

From the President.................. Carmine Piscopo, Providence College

Board Report............... Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

DC Update.................. Jeanne Jansenius, Sewanee, The University of the South

FYI: Useful Information from the Campus...................... Student Monitor

Pumping Up PoE............................ GaryAudin, Delphi, Inc.

Site to See

Web Tip: Website Recognition Program........... Aaron Fuegrer, ACUTA Information Technology Manager

Info Links................. Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern Iowa

Thanks to Exhibitors for 2006

Welcome New Member

Cosign: A Parallel Algorithm For Coordinated Traffic Signal Control, Shih-Fen Cheng, Marina A. Epelman, Robert L. Smith

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The problem of finding optimal coordinated signal timing plans for a large number of traffic signals is a challenging problem because of the exponential growth in the number of joint timing plans that need to be explored as the network size grows. In this paper, the game-theoretic paradigm of fictitious play to iteratively search for a coordinated signal timing plan is employed, which improves a system-wide performance criterion for a traffic network. The algorithm is robustly scalable to realistic-size networks modeled with high-fidelity simulations. Results of a case study for the city of Troy, MI, where there are 75 signalized …

Finding A Length-Constrained Maximum-Sum Or Maximum-Density Subtree And Its Application To Logistics, Hoong Chuin Lau, Trung Hieu Ngo, Bao Nguyen Nguyen

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We study the problem of finding a length-constrained maximum-density path in a tree with weight and length on each edge. This problem was proposed in [R.R. Lin, W.H. Kuo, K.M. Chao, Finding a length-constrained maximum-density path in a tree, Journal of Combinatorial Optimization 9 (2005) 147–156] and solved in O(nU) time when the edge lengths are positive integers, where n is the number of nodes in the tree and U is the length upper bound of the path. We present an algorithm that runs in O(nlog2n) time for the generalized case when the edge lengths are positive real numbers, which …

Dynamic Multi-Linked Negotiations In Multi-Echelon Production Scheduling Networks, Hoong Chuin Lau, Guan Li Soh, Wee Chong Wan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we are concerned with scheduling resources in a multi-tier production/logistics system for multi-indenture goods. Unlike classical production scheduling problems, the problem we study is concerned with local utilities which are private. We present an agent model and investigate an efficient scheme for handling multi-linked agent negotiations. With this scheme we attempt to overcome the drawbacks of sequential negotiations and negotiation parameter settings. Our approach is based on embedding a credit-based negotiation protocol within a local search scheduling algorithm. We demonstrate the computational efficiency and effectiveness of the approach in solving a real-life dynamic production scheduling problem which …

Supply Chain Information Sharing In A Macro Prediction Market, Zhiling Guo, Fang Fang, Andrew B. Whinston

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper aims to address supply chain partners' incentives for information sharing from an information systems design perspective. Specifically, we consider a supply chain characterized by N geographically distributed retailers who order a homogeneous product from one manufacturer. Each retailer's demand risk consists of two parts: a systematic risk part that affects all retailers and an idiosyncratic risk part that only has a local effect. We propose a macro prediction market to effectively elicit and aggregate useful information about systematic demand risk. We show that such information can be used to achieve accurate demand forecast sharing and better channel coordination …

Effect Of Chromium–Gold And Titanium–Titanium Nitride–Platinum–Gold Metallization On Wire/Ribbon Bondability, Jianbiao Pan, Robert M. Pafchek, Frank F. Judd, Jason B. Baxter

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Gold metallization on wafer substrates for wire/ribbon bond applications requires good bond strength to the substrate without weakening the wire/ribbon. This paper compares the ribbon bondability of Cr-Au and Ti-TiN-Pt-Au metallization systems for an optoelectronic application. Both Chromium and Titanium are used to promote adhesion between semiconductor substrates and sputtered gold films. However, both will be oxidized if they diffuse to the gold surface and result in the degradation of the wire/ribbon bondability. Restoring bondability by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) etch was investigated. Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of Cr-Au and Ti-TiN-Pt-Au, annealing, and CAN etch processes, on …

Developing Institutional Faculty Communities To Review And Assess Sotl Work, Paul Savory, Amy Nelson Burnett, Amy M. Goodburn

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

This workshop explores theoretical questions and practical strategies for how to develop faculty peer reviewers for SOTL work. After reading a set of faculty case-study files that include varying forms of SOTL work, participants will engage in guided discussion about reviewing and assessing such work and about developing faculty communities equipped to do such work. Presenter(s) also will seek feedback on guidelines that they have developed for external reviewers of SOTL work. Many teaching efforts have focused primarily on engaging faculty to participate in SOTL initiatives, with little attention to creating mechanisms for evaluating and assessing the work resulting from …

Acuta Enews November 2006, Vol. 35, No. 11

ACUTA Newsletters

In This lssue

Legislative/Regulatory Scorecard tor 2006.............. Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executive Director

ACUTA Presents Open-Source lP Telephony Audio Seminar

Tech Talk: A Communications Method Respected by lts Peers.................. Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

DC Update............... Jeonne Jansenius, University of the South

FYI: Useful lnformation from the Campus................... Student Monitor

Board Report...................... Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

lT Disaster Recovery: Why Plan?.................. Mike Grunder, Vantage Technology

Web Tip: What's New?..................... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA lnformation Technology Manager

lnfo Links................... Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

IEEE 10 Gb/s Ethernet Standards Approved. Hugo Draye, Fluke Networks (Reprinted from BICSI …

An M/M/1 Retrial Queue With Unreliable Server, Nathan P. Sherman, Jeffrey P. Kharoufeh

Faculty Publications

We analyze an unreliable M/M/1 retrial queue with infinite-capacity orbit and normal queue. Retrial customers do not rejoin the normal queue but repeatedly attempt to access the server at i.i.d. intervals until it is found functioning and idle. We provide stability conditions as well as several stochastic decomposability results.

Robust Controllability In Temporal Constraint Networks Under Uncertainty, Hoong Chuin Lau, Jia Li, Roland H. C. Yap

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Temporal constraint networks are embedded in many planning and scheduling problems. In dynamic problems, a fundamental challenge is to decide whether such a network can be executed as uncertainty is revealed over time. Very little work in this domain has been done in the probabilistic context. In this paper, we propose a Temporal Constraint Network (TCN) model where durations of uncertain activities are represented by random variables. We wish to know whether such a network is robust controllable, i.e. can be executed dynamically within a given failure probability, and if so, how one might find a feasible schedule as the …

A Lean Approach To Manage A Capstone Senior Project Course, Manocher Djassemi

Industrial Technology and Packaging

The senior project course (IT461) in the Industrial Technology program at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is a quarter long capstone course that complements the "learn-by-doing" educational approach at Cal Poly. Our short time frame, an 11-week academic quarter, poses a challenge for both students and faculty. This paper provides details of a new design for the IT461 course. A lean, paperless approach to course management is presented. Using this approach, little or no paper is exchanged between students and faculty. The reduction in waste can be significant in engineering or technology senior project courses. Evaluation of the results …

Investigation Of The Lead-Free Solder Joint Shear Performance, James Webster, Jianbiao Pan, Brian J. Toleno

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Reflow profile has significant impact on solder joint performance because it influences wetting and microstructure of the solder joint. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of reflow profile and thermal shock on the shear performance of eutectic SnPb (SnPb) and Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) solder joints. Test boards were assembled with four different sized surface mount chip resistors (1206, 0805, 0603 and 0402). Nine reflow profiles for SAC 305 and nine reflow profiles for SnPb were developed with three levels of peak temperature (12ºC, 22ºC, and 32ºC above solder liquidus temperature, or 230ºC, 240ºC, and 250ºC for SAC …

Acuta Enews October 2006, Vol. 35, No. 10

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

VoWl-Fi? VoWiMAX? Why Not? Why Wait?................ Ray Horak, The Context Corporation

From the President: Strategic Planning.................... Carmine Piscopo, Providence College

Tech Talk: Taking the Pulse of Our Network Security................. Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

DC Update.............. Jeanne Jansenius, University of the South

lnfo Links...................... Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

FYI: Useful lnformation from the Campus Student Monitor

Board Report................ Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

Web Tip: Telecom Listserv Changes Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA lnformation Technology Manager

ACUTA Conference-Some Thoughts and Highlights 30 Years Out.... Mike Grunder, Vantage Technology

Welcome New Members

Committee Profile: Program Committee

Adaptive Critic Neural Network Force Controller For Atomic Force Microscope-Based Nanomanipulation, Qinmin Yang, Jagannathan Sarangapani

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Automating the task of nanomanipulation is extremely important since it is tedious for humans. This paper proposes an atomic force microscope (AFM) based force controller to push nano particles on the substrates. A block phase correlation-based algorithm is embedded into the controller for the compensation of the thermal drift which is considered as the main external uncertainty during nanomanipulation. Then, the interactive forces and dynamics between the tip and the particle, particle and the substrate are modeled and analyzed. Further, an adaptive critic NN controller based on adaptive dynamic programming algorithm is designed and the task of pushing nano particles …

Viz: A Visual Analysis Suite For Explaining Local Search Behavior, Steven Halim, Roland H. C. Yap, Hoong Chuin Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems are common in real life. Due to their intractability, local search algorithms are often used to solve such problems. Since these algorithms are heuristic-based, it is hard to understand how to improve or tune them. We propose an interactive visualization tool, VIZ, meant for understanding the behavior of local search. VIZ uses animation of abstract search trajectories with other visualizations which are also animated in a VCR-like fashion to graphically playback the algorithm behavior. It combines generic visualizations applicable on arbitrary algorithms with algorithm and problem specific visualizations. We use a variety of techniques such as …

Two-Instant Reallocation In Two-Echelon Spare Parts Inventory Systems, Huawei Song, Hoong Chuin Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we study the problem of deciding when and how to perform reallocation of existing spare parts in a multi-echelon reparable item inventory system. We present a mathematical model that solves the problem when there are two reallocation instants, in response to the open challenge post by Cao and Silver(2005) to consider two or more possible reallocations within a replenishment cycle.

Analysis Of A K-Out-Of-N System With Spares, Repairs, And A Probabilistic Rule, Srinivas R. Chakravarthy

Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Publications

We consider a k-out-of-N reliability system with identical components having exponential lifetimes. There is a single repairman who attends to failed components on a first comefirst-served basis. The repair times are assumed to be of phase type. The system has K spares that can be used according to a probabilistic rule to extend the lifetime of the system. The system is analyzed using Markov chain theory and some interesting results are obtained. A few illustrative numerical examples are discussed.

Acuta Enews September 2006, Vol. 35, No. 9

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

Prepaid Calling Cards

From ACUTA Headquarters: Looking Ahead................. Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executive Director

Tech Talk: As a Framework, lTlL Leads the Way.............. Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

DC Update............ Jeanne Jansenius, University of the South

Wiretaps: lnterpreting the Constitution Becomes a Controversy............. Pat Scott, ACUTA Comm. Mgr.

Board Report.............. Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ. ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

ACUTA One-Day Workshop: Making Convergence Work

Be a State/Province Coordinator............ Mary Lou Emmons, lndiana Univ., Bloomington

lnfo Links................ Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

More Winners from ACUTA Annual Conference

Your Site Could Be a Site to See

Welcome …

Acuta Enews September 2006, Vol. 35, No. 9

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

Prepaid Calling Cards

From ACUTA Headquarters: Looking Ahead...................... Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executive Director

Tech Talk: As a Framework, lTlL Leads the Way................ Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

DC Update................ Jeanne Jansenius, University of the South

Wiretaps: lnterpreting the Constitution Becomes a Controversy.............. Pat Scott, ACUTA Comm. Mgr.

Board Report............... Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ. ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

ACUTA One-Day Workshop: Making Convergence Work

Be a State/Province Coordinator........... Mary Lou Emmons, lndiana Univ., Bloomington

lnfo Links................... Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

More Winners from ACUTA Annual Conference

Your Site Could Be a Site to See

Welcome …

Efficacy Of Virtual Models In A Production Systems Course, Lawrence Whitman, Barbara Chaparro

Publications

Wichita State University has developed an integrated set of virtual reality models of an aircraft assembly line. These models are intended to provide students an ‘artifact’ of industrial and manufacturing engineering by providing a realistic environment for initial learning and application. By utilizing a virtual model of the line, students are able to view the process and interrogate the process details, make changes and observe the effects, and gain a better understanding of the concepts and their interrelationships. This paper presents the method used to assess if virtual models (computer models of a real factory) lead to: improved perception of …

Estimation Of Liquidus Temperature When Snagcu Bga/Csp Components Are Soldered With Snpb Paste, Jianbiao Pan

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Recently, the soldering of lead-free components with SnPb paste, or lead-free backward compatibility, is becoming a hot topic. One of the major challenges in backward compatibility assembly is the development of a right reflow profile for the soldering of SnAgCu Ball Grid Array (BGA)/Chip Scale Package (CSP) components with SnPb paste. If the SnAgCu reflow profile is used, the reflow temperature may be too high for other SnPb components in the same board during assembly according to the component rating per IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020C. In addition, the flux in SnPb solder paste may not function properly in such a high reflow …

Acuta Enews August 2006, Vol. 35, No. 8

ACUTA Newsletters

In This lssue

Report from the 35th Annual ACUTA Conference

From the President: Generations X and Y.............. Carmine Piscopo, Providence College

Tech Talk: TWAMP Will Help Track lP Network Performance............... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

lnfo Links.................... Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

Web Tip: Conference Audio/Video Available Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA lnformation Tech. Mgr.

ACUTA One-Day Workshop: Making Convergence Work

FYI: Useful lnformation from Campus............... Student Monitor

Board Report.............. Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ. ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

DC Update............. Jeanne Jansenius, University of the South

Network Redundancy Options..................... Rick Cunningham, PAETEC Communications

Welcome New Members

Committee Profile: Publications Committee

Acuta Enews July 2006, Vol. 35, No. 7

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Board of Directors for 2006-2007

From ACUTA Headquarters: Member Service Awards............ Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executive Director

ACUTA One-Day Workshop: Making Convergence Work

Tech Talk: Technology Makes PBXs "Open" for Business................... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

lnfo Links Randy Hayes, Univ' of Northern lowa

Board Report............... Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

DC Update.............. Jeanne Jansenius, University of the south

Web Tip: Telecom and VolP Listserv FAQ.................. Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA lnformation Tech. Mgr.

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Online Press Room

Order And Disorder, Entropy In Math, Science, Nature And The Arts, Sol Neeman Ph.D., Arie Maharshak

Engineering Studies Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Often, science and engineering students have difficult time in viewing certain concepts in their holistic form. An example for such a concept is the concept of Entropy. Although it originated from the field of thermodynamics, the relation between order and disorder is a profound one and manifests itself in various fields, sometimes unrelated, such as math and science, nature and the arts. In the discipline of physics, the amount of disorder in a system has been quantified by the concept of Entropy. In the area of information theory it provides a quantitative measure of the amount of compression that may …

Development Of An Electro-Mechanical System To Identify & Map Adverse Soil Compaction Using Gis&Gps, Santosh Pitla, L. G. Wells

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

A stand-alone electro-mechanical system with a 32-inch disc coulter was developed and tested to identify soil compaction in a 1-acre field located at the University of Kentucky Animal Research Center (UKARC). The system was evaluated by making four passes in the square grid cell. With the aid of hydraulic actuation, the coulter oscillated between depths of 100mm (4-in) and 330mm (13-in) as it moved forward and recorded the vertical impedance force given by the soil continuously. Forty standard soil cone penetrometer measurements along the diagonals to a depth of 400mm (16-in) were taken and the average cone indices (MPa) at …

Neural Network Based Decentralized Excitation Control Of Large Scale Power Systems, Wenxin Liu, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, Donald C. Wunsch, David A. Cartes, Jagannathan Sarangapani

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a neural network (NN) based decentralized excitation controller design for large scale power systems. The proposed controller design considers not only the dynamics of generators but also the algebraic constraints of the power flow equations. The control signals are calculated using only local signals. The transient stability and the coordination of the subsystem controllers can be guaranteed. NNs are used to approximate the unknown/imprecise dynamics of the local power system and the interconnections. All signals in the closed loop system are guaranteed to be uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). Simulation results with a 3-machine power system demonstrate the …