Digital Commons Network^™

A Prototype Architecture For An Automated Scenario Generation System For Combat Simulations, Mark W. Pfefferman

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort examines the problem of automating the scenario generation process and presents a prototype architecture for an automated scenario generation system. This architecture is designed using an object- oriented approach which leads to a modular and modifiable design. The architecture provides a mechanism for automatically generating scenario files from a textual US Army operation order. This translation process occurs in two phases. First, the text operation order is translated into an intermediate format called the mission file. In the second phase, the system reads the mission file, instantiates intelligent entities, and assigns missions to those entities. The intelligent …

Objectsim - A Reusable Object Oriented Dis Visual Simulation, Mark I. Snyder

Theses and Dissertations

This research designed and implemented a reusable Distributed Interactive Simulation DIS visual simulation architecture for Silicon Graphics platforms. The goal was to research software architecture technologies and to create a design and implementation using these ideas. The architecture was designed using object oriented techniques to provide the ability to customize it via inheritance extension. The resulting design was implemented using C and applied to several DIS visual simulation projects in the Graphics Lab at AFIT. The architecture, named ObjectSim, was successful in its goal of providing a reusable core for the DIS visual simulation projects in the Graphics Lab at …

Domain Modeling Of Time-Dependent Systems, Robert W. Waggoner

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the feasibility of composing time-dependent specifications in Architect, a domain-oriented application composition and generation system being developed at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Architect composes formally specified domain objects into an executable software specification that can be used to verify program correctness prior to generation of language specific code. As part of this research, domain modeling techniques were investigated and a candidate process was selected for evaluation. The process was used to develop domain models for two diverse time-dependent domains. Using object-oriented analysis, formal specifications were developed for a collection of event-driven logic circuit components …

Synthetic Battlebridge: Information Visualization And User Interface Design Applications In A Large Virtual Reality Environment, Kirk G. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

With shrinking budgets and fewer personnel, future military training will rely heavily on simulated environments. The goal for this training is to reduce cost while maintaining readiness and unparalleled capability for all levels of military command. This thesis effort, the Synthetic Battle Bridge SBB , provides a real-time simulated environment for military commanders to observe on-going computer simulations of varying participation levels and helps them wring the most from a simulation. The SBB, designed for higher ranking personnel with little time to spend learning how to run the system, must exhibit three capabilities ease-of-use, long-term retention, and adaptability. Based on …

Processing Of Wide-Angle Synthetic Aperture Radar Signals For Target Detection, Kurt W. Knurr

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated methods of targets detection using Wide-Angle Synthetic Aperture Radar (WASAR). WASAR uses multiple aspect angle Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images of the same scene. The SAR images were generated using a pre-release software package from package from Loral Corporation. The software was able to generate 512 by 512 pixel SAR images that contained various vegetation return which for our purposes we classified as clutter. Within this clutter, targets (M35 trucks) could be placed at random location and orientations. The software also had the capability of generating fully- polarimetic WASAR images with multiple depression angles. This data was …

Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation Applied To The Lambda Urv For Failure Detection And Identification, David W. Lane

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation (MMAE) is a method of estimating unknown system parameters by modeling all possible parameter configurations in several models. The parameters for this research are failure status conditions associated with flight control actuators and sensors on the LAMBDA Unmanned Research Vehicle, an experimental aircraft operated by Wright Laboratory Flight Controls Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Six actuator failures and eight sensor failures are modeled, along with the fully functional aircraft, in fifteen elemental Kalman filters. These filters propagate and update their own aircraft state estimates in real time. A probability computation representing the likelihood of …

Failure Mechanisms Of High Temperature Semiconductor Lasers, David H. Leicester

Theses and Dissertations

The primary intent of this research was to determine the influence of three common degradation mechanisms, dark area defects, facet degradation, and contact degradation, on the operational lifetime of GaAs edge-emitting semiconductor lasers driven by continuous current at 100 deg C. Inherent to this work was the quantified characterization of the lasers during their operation. This characterization arose as the power output as a function of driving current at room temperature before and after laser exposure to 100 deg C ambient temperature. These power vs. current characterizations were conducted at room temperature on each laser before and after exposure to …

Investigation Into Model-Based Fuzzy Logic Control, Michael W. Logan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the feasibility of a proposed hybrid linear/Fuzzy controller for nonlinear plants. The proposed controller concept is based on the use of multiple linearizations of a nonlinear plant, which describe the dynamics of perturbations about equilibrium points throughout the desired envelope of operation. A bank of linear compensators is developed, each corresponding to a linearized plant about a different equilibrium. The multiple control signals generated by the bank of compensators are then weighted and summed using Fuzzy Logic to produce a composite control perturbation signal, which is used to drive the nonlinear plant. Experiments were conducted to test …

Design And Construction Of The Aerobot Robotic Manipulator (Arm), William L. Cochran

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis designed, constructed, and tested a robotic arm for the Aerobot Aerial Robot. The main purpose of the ARM is to enable the Aerobot to retrieve objects for use in an annual robotics competition. Design of the ARM involved synthesizing the characteristics of simplicity, weight, strength, and size. The result was a three-degree-of-freedom manipulator that uses electric motors, cable linkages, and telescoping tubes to access a work space below the Aerobot. Forward and inverse kinematics were investigated to enable automation of the ARM. Data was collected from infrared sensors to validate the model. Manipulation of the ARM is presently …

Filtering, Coding, And Compression With Malvar Wavelets, Stephen R. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis develops and evaluates a number of new concepts and tools for the analysis of signals using Malvar wavelets lapped orthogonal transforms . Windowing, often employed as a spectral estimation technique, can result in irreparable distortions in the transformed signal. By utilizing the Malvar wavelet, any signal distortion resulting from the transformation can be eliminated or cancelled during reconstruction. This is accomplished by placing conditions on the window and the basis function and then incorporating the window into the orthonormal representation. Paradigms for both a complex-valued and a real-valued Malvar wavelet are summarized. I-lie algorithms for the wavelets were …

Using Database Technology To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition Systems, Danny A. Cecil, Joseph A. Fullenkamp

Theses and Dissertations

This research designed and prototyped an OODBMS technology base to store and retrieve various types of domain artifacts for domain-oriented application composition systems (DOACS). We developed object-oriented database schemas for a validating domain and the Object-Connection-Update software architecture. We implemented an inheritance relationship between the schemas so a domain model can inherit an architectural structure from an architecture model allowing us to isolate domain-specific knowledge from architecture-specific knowledge. We also developed a meta-model to formally define domain models in the database. We then developed a set of database methods to transform a domain model into a database schema for storing …

Design Of A Shared Coherent Cache For A Multiple Channel Architecture, John A. Reisner

Theses and Dissertations

The Multiple Channel Architecture MCA is a recently proposed computer architecture which uses fiber optic communications to overcome many of the problems associated with interconnection networks. There exists a detailed MCA simulator which faithfully simulates an MCA system, however, the original version of the simulator did not cache shared data. In order to improve the performance of the MCA, a cache coherency protocol was developed and implemented in the simulator. The protocol has two features which are significant: (1) a time-division multiplexed TDM communication bus is used for coherency traffic, and (2) the shared data is cached in an independent …

Object Interaction In A Parallel Object-Oriented Discrete-Event Simulation, Walter G. Trachsel

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates object interaction issues involved in developing an object-oriented parallel discrete-event simulation and develops a simulation model that provides object interaction capabilities. The research covers issues in object representation, object interaction, object management. discrete-event simulation, and parallel simulation. There are three primary types of objects that the research discusses. The first type is a basic simulation object, whose size and behavior is insignificant compared to the size of the simulation as a whole. The second type is an aggregate object which consists of smaller component objects that interact and affect the performance of the larger object as a …

The Development And Use Of An Evaluation Mechanism For The Assessment Of Software Configuration Management Tools, Wayne M. Descheneau, Neil W. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the development of a mechanism for use in the evaluation of Software Configuration Management SCM tools. An examination of applicable DoD standards identified the SCM requirements that could be levied on a development contractor, and a literature search revealed the functionality common to various automated tools. These two sets of information were organized into a matrix, and for each requirement that was met, the intersection on the matrix of the requirement and each functionality used to meet that requirement was checked. In addition to the matrix, the mechanism consisted of general information about a given tool and …

A Computerized Instructional System For Mechanical Motion Of Objects, Jian J. Zhang

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Object-Oriented Design And Implementation Of A Parallel Ada Simulation System, James T. Belford

Theses and Dissertations

Simulations which model the behavior real world entities are often large and complex, and require frequent changes to the configuration. This research effort examines the benefits of using object-oriented techniques to develop a distributed simulation environment which supports modularity, modifiability, and portability. The components of the Parallel Discrete Event Simulation PDES environment are identified and modeled using the Rumbaugh modeling technique. From the model, a prototype implementation of a Parallel Ada Simulation Environment PASE is accomplished using Classic Ada. A system interface for the Intel ipsc2 Hypercube was developed to illustrate the concepts of modularity and portability. In addition, the …

Methodology For Modeling High Performance Distributed And Parallel Systems, Rakesh Kushwaha

Dissertations

Performance modeling of distributed and parallel systems is of considerable importance to the high performance computing community. To achieve high performance, proper task or process assignment and data or file allocation among processing sites is essential. This dissertation describes an elegant approach to model distributed and parallel systems, which combines the optimal static solutions for data allocation with dynamic policies for task assignment. A performance-efficient system model is developed using analytical tools and techniques.

The system model is accomplished in three steps. First, the basic client-server model which allows only data transfer is evaluated. A prediction and evaluation method is …

A Comprehensive Part Model And Graphical Schema Representation For Object-Oriented Databases, Michael H. Halper

Dissertations

Part-whole modeling plays an important role in the development of database schemata in data-intensive application domains such as manufacturing, design, computer graphics. text document processing, and so on. Object-oriented databases (OODBs) have been targeted for use in such areas. Thus, it is essential that OODBs incorporate a part relationship as one of their modeling primitives. In this dissertation, we present a comprehensive OODB part model which expands the boundaries of OODB part-whole modeling along three fronts. First, it identifies and codifies new semantics for the OODB part relationship. Second, it provides two novel realizations for part relationships and their associated …

Morphological Operations In Image Processing And Analysis, Chamim Christopher Pu

Dissertations

Morphological operations applied in image processing and analysis are becoming increasingly important in today's technology. Morphological operations which are based on set theory, can extract object features by suitable shape (structuring elements). Morphological filters are combinations of morphological operations that transform an image into a quantitative description of its geometrical structure which based on structuring elements. Important applications of morphological operations are shape description, shape recognition, nonlinear filtering, industrial parts inspection, and medical image processing.

In this dissertation, basic morphological operations are reviewed, algorithms and theorems are presented for solving problems in distance transformation, skeletonization, recognition, and nonlinear filtering. A …

Medium Access Control Mechanisms For High Speed Metropolitan Area Networks, Michail Papamichail

Dissertations

In this dissertation novel Medium Access Control mechanisms for High Speed Metropolitan Area networks are proposed and their performance is investigated under the presence of single and multiple priority classes of traffic. The proposed mechanisms are based on the Distributed Queue Dual Bus network, which has been adopted by the IEEE standardization committee as the 802.6 standard for Metropolitan Area Networks, and address most of its performance limitations. First, the Rotating Slot Generator scheme is introduced which uses the looped bus architecture that has been proposed for the 802.6 network. According to this scheme the responsibility for generating slots moves …

Characterization Of Three-Dimensional Shear Flows, Kurra Bhaswan

Theses

This work investigates techniques to analyze and characterize the presence of microstructure in moderately dilute three-dimensional shear flows. In three dimensional shear flows, a distinct structure develops as the coefficient of restitution is lowered with the particles exhibiting a strong tendency towards the formation of clusters. There exists a need to automatically detect and characterize this microstructure in the given flow. Several methods are examined for effective characterization of the microstructure. The techniques employed are based on the classification of the data based on the properties of the Voronoi diagram constructed from the positional parameters of the two-dimensional slices of …

Establishing A Distributed Processing And Distributed Database Environment For Intergraph Mge & Orscle Products, Praveen Chandrasekhar

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

The department of Agricultural Economics undertake various government contracts for GIS based applications. Currently, they have multi-year contracts with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH). This contract is carried out in the Agricultural Economics Geographical Information System lab (AEGIS). One part of the contract is to integrate a heterogenous system comprising of PCs and Intergraph workstations so that the PC can share the data or Microstation Geographical information system Environment (MGE) and ORACLE based applications. Since the Department also undertakes other contracts which requires them to use ARC/INFOR as the front-end while the data would reside in ORACLE …

Structured And Object-Oriented Methodologies: A Comparative Analysis Based On A Case Study, Gary Brian Warren

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

On The Automation Of Object-Oriented Requirements Analysis, Nancy L. Crowley

Theses and Dissertations

The research investigated the possibility that an object-oriented requirements analysis (OORA) specification model can be represented in a computer system and used as a basis for the elicitation of the information necessary for the development of an object-oriented specification for a particular problem. The proof-of-concept system developed is called the OORA automated Knowledge System (OAKS). OAKS contains a generic domain model that is modified to satisfy a particular problem in the domain. The core of OAKS is a reusable domain model, which represents a domain of interest. The domain model is used as a basis for user changes that are …

Computerized Vehicle Routing Programs And Their Effect On Vehicle Utilization In The Air Force, Rex E. Adee, William G. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine if a commercial computerized vehicle routing program improves vehicle utilization for an Air Force base transportation organization. First, the researchers investigate current routing procedures of Air Force base transportation organizations. Second, researchers identify a commercial computerized vehicle routing program that enables the authors to conduct a comparison of vehicle utilization rates between an Air Force base transportation organization and commercial computerized vehicle routing programs. The study reveals that implementing a computerized vehicle routing program in place of a manual routing procedure does not improve vehicle utilization. However, the study reveals some limitations …

Data Dependence In Programs Involving Indexed Variables, Borislav Nikolik

Dissertations and Theses

Symbolic execution is a powerful technique used to perform various activities such as program testing, formal verification of programs, etc. However, symbolic execution does not deal with indexed variables in an adequate manner. Integration of indexed variables such as arrays into symbolic execution would increase the generality of this technique. We present an original substitution technique that produces array-term-free constraints as a counterargument to the commonly accepted belief that symbolic execution cannot handle arrays. The substitution technique deals with constraints involving array terms with a single aggregate name, array terms with multiple aggregate names, and nested array terms. Our approach …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Certain Metrics In Measuring The Quality Of End User Documentation, Ronald Morrison

Dissertations and Theses

Traditional methods of evaluating quality in computer end user documentation have been subjective in nature, and have not been widely used in practice. Attempts to quantify quality and more narrowly define the essential features of quality have been limited -- leaving the issue of quality largely up to the writer of the user manual.

Quantifiable measures from the literature, especially Velotta (1992) and Brockman (1990), have been assembled into a set of uniformly weighted metrics for the measurement of document quality. This measure has been applied to the end user documentation of eighty-two personal computer packages. End user documentation is …

Optimizing Communication Routing In Parallel Computer Architectures, Nikolaos T. Liolios

Masters Theses

This thesis is a research effort to improve on existing algorithms for processor placement and routing on hypercube and 2d-transputer parallel architectures that perform communications through message propagation. Given a set of processors N, randomly distributed on the parallel computer network, the problem is to find an optimal communication routing that minimizes the number of required links and intermediate processors. It was concluded that the spanning tree is the best starting heuristic for the routing problem. For hypercubes an algorithm was developed that outperforms all algorithms in the literature. For 2d-transputers the method of overlap maximization used in VLSI routing, …

A Network Management Tool For The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Using Simple Network Management Protocol, Ghasem Shojaie

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This research is an attempt to develop a general purpose network management tool, using the Simple Network Management Protocol, for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). This tool is intended to be a non vendor specific application that runs on very low cost hardware, yet provides the primary functions one needs to monitor the health of network devices such as routers and bridges. The Simple Network Management Protocol was chosen because it is an industry standard. It has fewer operators than other network management protocols; therefore, it is simpler to implement. Because of the type of network that is …

A Study Of Automated Estimating Of Software Cost, Steven Shouli Wang

Masters Theses

The objectives of this thesis are to survey software cost estimation methods and to discuss how the methods can be applied as conceptual knowledge in a software cost estimation expert database system. The various applications of expert database systems are discussed. Consequently, a new method to approach the software cost estimation has been proposed.

This proposed method is based upon a dozen years of analyzing software cost models which have been done by some dedicated scientists in universities, research organizations, and industry. A CASE tool called IASCE has been designed to assist the project manager to estimate a proposed project …