Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Computer Sciences

Institution
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 45301 - 45330 of 46208

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

A Hybrid Approach To Battlefield Parallel Discrete Event Simulation, Steven R. Soderholm Dec 1991

A Hybrid Approach To Battlefield Parallel Discrete Event Simulation, Steven R. Soderholm

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes a method of parallelizing a battlefield discrete event simulation. The method combines elements of conservative time synchronization together with elements of optimistic computation and local rollback on a message passing hardware architecture. The battle simulation features aircraft moving in a battle area and launching missiles at enemy aircraft. Aircraft are randomly grouped into logical process (LPs), and a single LP is assigned to each processor. Aircraft state information is replicated across all LPs. Only the LP with the minimum next event time can execute safely. While one LP is executing safely all other LPs are precomputing their …

Go to article

A Cache Design To Exploit Structural Locality, Curtis M. Winstead Dec 1991

A Cache Design To Exploit Structural Locality, Curtis M. Winstead

Theses and Dissertations

A design and VHDL implementation of a content-addressable memory (CAM) to exploit structural locality is the subject of this research. The concept of structural locality is that memory locations are referenced in the same order as they were previously referenced. Therefore, if memory locations that exhibit structural locality can be made available to the CPU (Center Processing Unit) through a fast data store, an increase in speed of the computer system can be realized. The CAM's purpose is to store memory references in the order they were used by the CPU and prefetch these locations to a smaller on- chip …

Go to article

Parallelizing Serial Code For A Distributed Processing Environment With An Application To High Frequency Electromagnetic Scattering, Paul R. Work Dec 1991

Parallelizing Serial Code For A Distributed Processing Environment With An Application To High Frequency Electromagnetic Scattering, Paul R. Work

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the parallelization of existing serial programs in computational electromagnetics for use in a parallel environment. Existing Algorithms for calculating the radar cross section of a object are covered, and a ray-tracing code is chosen for implementation on a parallel machine. Current parallel architectures are introduced and a suitable parallel machine is selected for the implementation of the chosen ray tracing algorithm. The standard techniques for the parallelization of serial code are discussed, including load balancing and decomposition considerations, and appropriate methods for the parallelization effort are selected. A load balancing algorithm is modified to increase the efficiency …

Go to article

Formalization And Validation Of An Sadt Specification Through Executable Simulation In Vhdl, Daniel L. Eickmeier Dec 1991

Formalization And Validation Of An Sadt Specification Through Executable Simulation In Vhdl, Daniel L. Eickmeier

Theses and Dissertations

Formalizing an informal requirements specification, such as SADT, and executing the formal specification in a simulation environment, such as VHDL, provides a requirements analyst a means to validate the behavior of a specification early in the development life cycle. This research effort investigated and demonstrated the feasibility and benefit of transforming an SADT specification of a system into an equivalent VHDL executable simulation. Both non-time related behavior and concurrent, real-time related behavior is addressed. First, a decision table extension to SADT is created so that detailed, executable behavior can be specified. Next a mapping from SADT to VHDL is defined. …

Go to article

Robotic Tactile Sensors Fabricated From A Monolithic Silicon Integrated Circuit And A Piezoelectric Polyvinylidene Fluoride Thin Film, Craig S. Dyson Dec 1991

Robotic Tactile Sensors Fabricated From A Monolithic Silicon Integrated Circuit And A Piezoelectric Polyvinylidene Fluoride Thin Film, Craig S. Dyson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research effort was to design, fabricate, and test a tactile sensor system consisting of an external high impedance switch circuit, an external multiplexing circuit, and a tactile sensor IC. In order to accomplish this objective, a hardware design and selection process was implemented along with a logical test methodology. An external multiplexer circuit samples all of the array elements in 50 ms. The current prototype sensor has linearity spanning loads of 0.8 g to 135 g, a load resolution of 20 g, and a maximum bandwidth of 25 Hz. Using an elementary shape recognition algorithm the …

Go to article

Control Of A Large Flexible Space Structure Using Multiple Model Adaptive Algorithms, John A. Gustafson Dec 1991

Control Of A Large Flexible Space Structure Using Multiple Model Adaptive Algorithms, John A. Gustafson

Theses and Dissertations

The development and performance of moving-bank multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) and control (MMAC) algorithms for quelling vibrations induced in the SPICE 2 space structure are analyzed in this thesis. The structure consists of a large platform and a smaller platform connected by three legs in a tripod fashion. The model supplied by Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB is used to develop a truth model and multiple reduced ordered filter models. The filter models are developed from modal analysis and internally balanced techniques. Deviations of the line-of-sight vector from the center of the large platform to the center of the smaller …

Go to article

Face Recognition With The Karhunen-Loeve Transform, Pedro F. Suarez Dec 1991

Face Recognition With The Karhunen-Loeve Transform, Pedro F. Suarez

Theses and Dissertations

The major goal of this research was to investigate machine recognition of faces. The approach taken to achieve this goal was to investigate the use of Karhunen-Loe've Transform (KLT) by implementing flexible and practical code. The KLT utilizes the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix as a basis set. Faces were projected onto the eigenvectors, called eigenfaces, and the resulting projection coefficients were used as features. Face recognition accuracies for the KLT coefficients were superior to Fourier based techniques. Additionally, this thesis demonstrated the image compression and reconstruction capabilities of the KLT. This theses also developed the use of the KLT …

Go to article

Real Imagery As A Three Dimensional Display, Juan C. Echeverry Dec 1991

Real Imagery As A Three Dimensional Display, Juan C. Echeverry

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort implemented two 3-D display designs to assess their performance and effect on an observer's depth perception. Both 3-D displays produced real images for the observer to view. The first display setup combined a lens relay with a two concave mirror projector. The second display setup combined the two concave mirror projector with a diffuser. The lens relay/ two concave mirror projector combination was successful in imaging a source from the CRT to a point in space above the two mirror system. The problem was that the observer could not assess the image location by just looking at …

Go to article

An Investigation Of The Application Of Artificial Neural Networks To Adaptive Optics Imaging Systems, Andrew H. Suzuki Dec 1991

An Investigation Of The Application Of Artificial Neural Networks To Adaptive Optics Imaging Systems, Andrew H. Suzuki

Theses and Dissertations

Recurrent and feedforward artificial neural networks are developed as wavefront reconstructors. The recurrent neural network studied is the Hopfield neural network and the feedforward neural network studied is the single layer perceptron artificial neural network. The recurrent artificial neural network input features are the wavefront sensor slope outputs and neighboring actuator feedback commands. The feedforward artificial neural network input features are just the wavefront sensor slope outputs. Both artificial neural networks use their inputs to calculate deformable mirror actuator commands. The effects of training are examined.

Go to article

Radar System Classification Using Neural Networks, David M. Cameron Dec 1991

Radar System Classification Using Neural Networks, David M. Cameron

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated methods of improving the accuracy of neural networks in the classification of large numbers of classes. A literature search revealed that neural networks have been successful in the radar classification problem, and that many complex problems have been solved using systems of multiple neural networks. The experiments conducted were based on 32 classes of radar system data. The neural networks were modelled using a program called the Neural Graphics Analysis System. It was found that the accuracy of the individual neural networks could be increased by controlling the number of hidden nodes, the relative numbers of training …

Go to article

Binary Programming Models Of Spatial Pattern Recognition: Applications In Remote Sensing Image Analysis, Thomas G. Reed Dec 1991

Binary Programming Models Of Spatial Pattern Recognition: Applications In Remote Sensing Image Analysis, Thomas G. Reed

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of this investigation was to implement subregion allocation objectives using a network model base on an existing subregion allocation binary programming model (Benabdallah and Wright (B&W), 1990), the ultimate goal being the application of subregion allocation concepts towards the spatial analysis of satellite imagery. The multi-objective aspects of subregion allocation can be accomplished via a network formulation, a formulation vastly simpler in complexity than the binary programming models previously used. Without a network programming package that could maintain integral flows, however, deriving the solution was a tiresome task for the user. Nonetheless, several new concepts and advantages …

Go to article

Reducing Requirements Errors Through The Use Of Computer-Aided Software Engineering (Case) Tools And During Requirements Analysis, Marvin B. Key Jr. Dec 1991

Reducing Requirements Errors Through The Use Of Computer-Aided Software Engineering (Case) Tools And During Requirements Analysis, Marvin B. Key Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated whether using CASE tools in the requirements analysis phase of software development reduced the software coding errors attributable to requirement analysis. A survey of the population gathered data as to the current practices and efforts in the use of CASE tools. The data was gathered in two groups: a control group and a sample group. The data was analyzed by group and in various combinations to obtain a greater understanding into population trends and tendencies. The results of the research indicate that the Air Force does not use CASE tools to any great extent. Also, error and …

Go to article

A Formal Definition Of The Object-Oriented Paradigm For Requirements Analysis, Andrew D. Boyd Dec 1991

A Formal Definition Of The Object-Oriented Paradigm For Requirements Analysis, Andrew D. Boyd

Theses and Dissertations

This paper develops a formal definition of the Object-Oriented paradigm for requirements analysis. The literature was surveyed for both formal and informal methods for conducting an Object-Oriented Requirements Analysis (OORA). The informal methods reviewed are: Bailin's, Shlaer and Mellor's, Booch's, and Coad and Yourdon's. The formal methods reviewed are: Bralick's, Z, and REFINE. None of the methods were found to be adequate for doing an OORA. A formal definition of an OORA, based on the concept of classes, is developed. The definition itself is presented as set and relation theory. A supporting graphical representation is also developed and presented. The …

Go to article

Investigative Search Of Quality Historical Software Support Cost Data And Software Support Cost-Related Data, Brent L. Barber Dec 1991

Investigative Search Of Quality Historical Software Support Cost Data And Software Support Cost-Related Data, Brent L. Barber

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine what software support cost data and software support cost-related data should and can be collected by the Air Force. In addition, the study was to determine how the subject data should be collected. The collection of this data is necessary in order to measure the accuracy and calibration requirements of the software support cost models used by the Air Force. The study found there was no standard set of data items, and no standard procedures in place for the collection of this data. In most cases data were available or easily accessible, …

Go to article

Structured Hypermedia Application Development Model (Shadm): A Structured Model For Technical Documentation Application Design, Peter W. Cassell Dec 1991

Structured Hypermedia Application Development Model (Shadm): A Structured Model For Technical Documentation Application Design, Peter W. Cassell

Theses and Dissertations

This research was conducted to determine how a Royal Australian Air Force technical maintenance publication could be transformed into a task oriented hypermedia application and to develop a model that could be used for future similar transformations. The model was developed following in-depth analysis of the existing USAF F-15E maintenance publication set and validation was conducted using a prototype developed in HyperWriter, a commercial hypermedia product. The prototype model was based around the performance of three maintenance tasks on an aircraft sub-subsystem and incorporated online user access to the necessary support data for task completion. Publication managers, producers, and users …

Go to article

Relative Utility Of Selected Software Requirement Metrics, James H. Byers Dec 1991

Relative Utility Of Selected Software Requirement Metrics, James H. Byers

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the relative utility of selected software requirement metrics in assessing the productivity of the software requirements analysis process and the quality of the products of this process. This objective was met by collecting information about the perceptions that practicing software professionals have of the usefulness of various requirement metrics. The study employed a two part methodology. The first part utilized Basili's goal/question/metric paradigm to identify specific goals of the measurement effort and to identify requirement metrics worthy of further investigation. The second part employed a typical research design to gather perceptions that …

Go to article

An Expert System Advisor For Medical Evaluation Boards, Jerry S. G. Harrington Dec 1991

An Expert System Advisor For Medical Evaluation Boards, Jerry S. G. Harrington

Theses and Dissertations

Expert system technology has proven itself to be able to improve productivity and decision making in a variety of fields of endeavor. The purpose of this study was to determine if an expert system for medical evaluation boards (MEBs) could improve upon the processing of medical evaluation board cases. Research was conducted to develop an expert system and measure the capabilities of the system, both in terms of accuracy and timeliness of case completion of the medical evaluation administrators/clerks who were assisted by the system. The research methodology involved a three - phase approach. The objective of phase one was …

Go to article

Logic Programming In Digital Circuit Design, Joseph W. Eicher Dec 1991

Logic Programming In Digital Circuit Design, Joseph W. Eicher

Theses and Dissertations

The design of large, complex digital circuitry requires highly skilled engineers. Much of the time spent by these engineers in the design phase involves tasks that are repetitive, tedious, and slow. If these repetitive tasks are automated, the engineer can spend more time managing the design process and produce a better-quality design in less time. Logic programming can be used to automate design tasks, even those that require a high degree of skill. This thesis investigates several aspects of the digital circuit design process that involve pattern-matching paradigms suitable for encoding in the logic programming language Prolog.

Go to article

Parallel Implementation Of Vhdl Simulations On The Intel Ipsc/2 Hypercube, Ronald C. Comeau Dec 1991

Parallel Implementation Of Vhdl Simulations On The Intel Ipsc/2 Hypercube, Ronald C. Comeau

Theses and Dissertations

VHDL models are executed sequentially in current commercial simulators. As chip designs grow larger and more complex, simulations must run faster. One approach to increasing simulation speed is through parallel processors. This research transforms the behavioral and structural models created by Intermetrics' sequential VHDL simulator into models for parallel execution. The models are simulated on an Intel iPSC/2 hypercube with synchronization of the nodes being achieved by utilizing the Chandy Misra paradigm for discrete-event simulations. Three eight-bit adders, the ripple carry, the carry save, and the carry-lookahead, are each run through the parallel simulator. Simulation time is cut in at …

Go to article

An Event Driven State Based Interface For Synthetic Environments, Mark J. Gerken Dec 1991

An Event Driven State Based Interface For Synthetic Environments, Mark J. Gerken

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has produced synthetic environments using head mounted displays (HMDs) and hand measurement devices. This thesis is a continuation of AFIT synthetic environment research. Hand measurement data from a VPL DataGlove is combined with hand orientation and translational data to define a set of valid gestures. These gestures form the basis of an input language for class of finite automata known as finite state machines. Using the input symbols from this language, the user may define a finite state machine which associates a stream of input symbols with one or more …

Go to article

An Object-Oriented Database Implementation Of The Magic Vlsi Layout Design System, Timothy M. Jacobs Dec 1991

An Object-Oriented Database Implementation Of The Magic Vlsi Layout Design System, Timothy M. Jacobs

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis attempts to prove that the commercially available Object Store data management system provide the performance and functionality necessary to support a complex engineering design system. This is accomplished by modifying the Magic VLSI circuit layout design system to eliminate its current Unix file data management system and replace it with Object Store. The approach to this research effort includes a design recovery of the Magic system and identification of its ket data management functions. These functions are then modified to take advantage of the database management facilities of Object Store. Additional code is added to instrument performance measurement …

Go to article

Analysis Of A Decision Support System For Case Tool Selection And The Specification Of An Ada To Sql Abstract Interface, Tina M. Deangelis Dec 1991

Analysis Of A Decision Support System For Case Tool Selection And The Specification Of An Ada To Sql Abstract Interface, Tina M. Deangelis

Theses and Dissertations

Information overload has long been a problem in the fast moving technical field of software development. Yet quality information is needed to make informed decisions about buying software tools that help in software development. Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools help to coordinate and control information in large software developments. Many CASE tool purchases, however, are being based on ad hoc tool evaluation and selection methods which depend on biased vendor information. To capture specific knowledge about how to pick a tool for a given software development effort, a historical database that identifies important tool characteristics needed to be maintained …

Go to article

Design And Implementation Of A Graphical User Interface And Database Management System For The Saber Wargame, Andrew M. Horton Dec 1991

Design And Implementation Of A Graphical User Interface And Database Management System For The Saber Wargame, Andrew M. Horton

Theses and Dissertations

Saber is a theater level, multi-sided, airpower employment computerized wargame that can be programmed to simulate any combat scenario. The model simulates theater level combat between air and land forces, and takes into account the effects of logistics, resupply, and both theater nuclear and chemical warfare. The major objective of the Saber model is to provide a suitable educational platform to allow users to apply basic, tactical employment concepts to multiple combat units, each having a specialized mission, and incorporating every branch of the armed services. This thesis documents a graphical user interface and data management system that has been …

Go to article

An Animated Graphical Postprocessor For The Saber Wargame, Gary W. Klabunde Dec 1991

An Animated Graphical Postprocessor For The Saber Wargame, Gary W. Klabunde

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most cost effective ways to learn and home the skills necessary to conduct and win a war is through the use of realistic computer simulations of conflict, or wargames. The Saber wargame was developed for just this purpose. Saber is a multisided, theater-level simulation developed by the Air Force Institute of Technology for the Air Force Wargaming Center. It models conventional, nuclear, and chemical warfare between aggregated air and ground forces. To aid in the realism, the effects of logistics, satellites, weather, and intelligence are represented. Saber provides an avenue for senior level joint service officers to …

Go to article

Enhanced Animation Of Parallel Algorithms, Michael D. Lack Dec 1991

Enhanced Animation Of Parallel Algorithms, Michael D. Lack

Theses and Dissertations

Algorithm animation is a visualization method used to enhance understanding of the functioning of an algorithm or program. Visualization is used for many purposes, including education, algorithm research, performance analysis, and program debugging. This research, which follows from previous work, examines algorithm animation requirements for the various visualization purposes and extends the capabilities of an existing facilities, the AFIT algorithm Animation Research Facility (AAARF). The structure of AAARF is summarised and its visualization capabilities presented, analysed and compared with other similar packages. This research focuses on the parallel data requirements of the AAARF users, and the meaningful display of large …

Go to article

Graph-Based Visualization Of Formal Specification And Domain Specific Languages, Randel K. Langloss Dec 1991

Graph-Based Visualization Of Formal Specification And Domain Specific Languages, Randel K. Langloss

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops and implements Visual Refine, a graph-based visualization system, for the Refine wide-spectrum formal specification language and environment developed and marketed by Reasoning Systems, Inc. Refine specifications are represented in the Refine object base as abstract syntax trees (AST). Using these AST representations, one-to-one mappings are defined between nodes of the AST and the graphical icons of Visual Refine. Visual Refine uses these mappings to implement a set of formal transformations. Each transformation is encapsulated within a Refine rule, and this set of rules form the Visual Refine transformation system. The Visual Refine transformation system, in conjunction with …

Go to article

Multi-Layered Feedforward Neural Networks For Image Segmentation, Gregory L. Tarr Dec 1991

Multi-Layered Feedforward Neural Networks For Image Segmentation, Gregory L. Tarr

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial neural network image segmentation techniques are examined. The biological inspired cortex transform is examined as a means to preprocess images for segmentation and classification. A generalized neural network formalism is presented as a means to produce common pattern recognition processing techniques in a single iterable element. Several feature reduction preprocessing techniques, based on feature saliency, Karhunen-Loeve transformation and identity networks are tested and compared. The generalized architecture is applied to a problem in image segmentation, a tracking of high- value fixed tactical targets. A generalized architecture for neural networks is developed based on the second order terms of the …

Go to article

An Expert System For Measuring, Interpreting, And Managing System Performance Factors For The Work Information Management System, Billy J. C. Irwin Dec 1991

An Expert System For Measuring, Interpreting, And Managing System Performance Factors For The Work Information Management System, Billy J. C. Irwin

Theses and Dissertations

This study develops an expert system for measuring, interpreting, and managing the Wang VS operating system performance factors for the Work Information Management System. The system's performance concerns least known to system administrators are identified. Of these, SHARER buffers and VTOC cache are identified as factors that can significantly impact system performance with little effort. A six step process is used in developing the expert system. Concept maps representing the structure of the Wang VS Disk Input/Output problem domain are provided. The expert system provides information about the system parameters, SHARER buffers and VTOC cache, and recommends main memory allocations. …

Go to article

Possible Application Of Quality Function Deployment In Software Systems Development In The United States Air Force, Craig R. Lamb Dec 1991

Possible Application Of Quality Function Deployment In Software Systems Development In The United States Air Force, Craig R. Lamb

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of the thesis were to determine whether the methods of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) could be used in the software development environment within the USAF, and whether or not this area should be researched further. The research was limited to the requirements analysis and definition phase. The different areas of study included a brief review of the structured analysis methodology, a detailed review of the QFD models currently being used in the product industries, a review of how QFD fits into the software development cycle, and specific software modifications to the QFD methodology. A review of some applications …

Go to article

Design And Application Of An Object Oriented Graphical Database Management System For Synthetic Environments, John A. Brunderman Dec 1991

Design And Application Of An Object Oriented Graphical Database Management System For Synthetic Environments, John A. Brunderman

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is investigating the use of synthetic environments for military applications under the sponsorship of Rome Laboratories (RL). Areas under investigation include mission planning, battle management and flight simulation. The work reported in this thesis focuses on the object-oriented design and implementation of the Graphical Database Management System (GDMS) used to support research in these areas. GDMS provides the data structures, file format and algorithms to manage and render hierarchical, three-dimensional, polygonal models. Flexibility and adaptability were key factors in its design. A secondary objective of this research was to demonstrate the functionality of …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last