Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of The Plasma Frequency Probe, Charles Merrill Swenson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Electron density in a plasma can be measured by determining the plasma frequency. For 20 years this electron density measurement technique has been used with the plasma frequency probe. The purpose of this paper is to characterize, evaluate, and suggest improvements for this instrument. Although the current plasma frequency probe is a highly successful instrument for measuring absolute electron density in the ionosphere, several areas for improvement were found. These were in the radio frequency head and the voltage controlled oscillator. Currently, the plasma frequency probe is approximately 20% accurate in determining absolute densities around 1.5x10⁴ electrons/cm³ but …

A Methodology For Designing Spacecraft Onboard Processing Systems, Mohammad Nadeem Ahmad

Theses

A three layer methodology is presented for designing spacecraft onboard computer systems. The system design is perceived as a sequence of three hierarchical layers: the Dedicated Processing Layer, the Application and Support Processing Layer, and the Communications Processing Layer. Each layer implements a distinct set of functions and offers services at different levels of abstraction. As opposed to the ISO/OSI Reference Model, where the prime objective is to implement peripheral interaction between two systems, the layered approach used here is to address the problems in system design itself. The problem is approached in a bottom-up fashion, starting with the description …

A Microcomputer Based Non-Invasive Cardiopulmonary Monitor Using A Microwave Interferometer, Tanmoy K. Basu

Theses

With a microwave interferometer the vibrational velocity of the anterior (front), as well as posterior (back) chest wall can be monitored and recorded. The recorded signals are a reflection of the mechanical cardiac activity within the chest cavity, as opposed to Electrocardiogram (ECG) which is a reflection of the electrical cardiac activity. The interferometer recordings are obtained with no physical contact between the instrument and the subject. Moreover, the subject can be fully clothed since microwave energy readily passes through normal dry clothing.

A microwave interferometer that is capable of detecting the vibrational velocity of the surfaces of the chest …

X.25 Interface Packet Level Simulation, Arvind Tewari

Theses

An X.25 interface was simulated at the packet level and data packets successfully transmitted from the Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (a process) to the Data Terminal Equipment (another process). This was executed interactively. Two independent processesg were generated on the AT&T 3B15 computer and inter-process communication (IPC) used to transfer the data. The X.25 interface is based on the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model of the International Standards Organization.

Use Of The Lms Algorithm In Ecg Analysis, Xiaohua Yang

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to develop an IBM PC-AT based system to effectively process electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Adaptive filter theory is used to implement a noise cancellation system (adaptive noise canceller), which adaptively cancels the ECG signals resulting in real ECG noise. The adaptive process is based on the well known least-mean square (LMS) algorithm.

The noise canceling system is software based. Several programs have been written, which include analog to digital converter control, data acquisition and storage, data retrieval, adaptive filtering and digitized data graphics.

The thesis presents numerous computer experiments. The performance of the adaptive noise …

Progressive Transmission Of Images Using Pyramidal Structure, Chin-Hua Hsu

Theses

A progressive image transmission scheme based upon Laplacian pyramid structure is used for image coding over low-bandwidth channels. The filtering and differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) methods of image coding are generalized to allow quantization of the Laplacian images. Filtering is performed with a local, symmetric weighting function. The three different quantizers, (1) scalar quantizer, (2) memoryless vector quantizer (VQ), and (3) finite state vector quantizer (FSVQ), are used here to compare the results. In the receiver end, the image can be reconstructed using reverse procedure. The reconstructed image is not the same as the original image because of the …

Design Of A Lan Based Data Acquisition System For Sensor Applications, Krishna Murthy Uppunda

Theses

This thesis presents the design of a local area network (LAN) based data acquisition system for sensor applications. The circuit designed forms the robotic LAN (RLAN) interface between the sensor IC nodes and the ARCNET network. The RLAN network uses two packet protocols. The sensor data request (SDR) packet is received by the sensor IC nodes and the sensor transmits the sensor data (SD) packet. The RLAN interface provides a two way communication between the sensors and the ARCNET network. Whenever an ARCNET node receives the SDR packet, it stores the packet temporarily in a 1k RAM buffer. The RLAN …

Assessment Of Squirrel-Caused Power Outages, J. Chris Hamilton, Ron J. Johnson, Ronald M. Case, Michael W. Riley

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Squirrel-caused power outages in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, were evaluated by examining company power outage reports and by consulting with power company representatives. Reports showed that squirrel-caused outages at pole-mounted transformers were most prevalent during May, June, and October (48% of total) and between 1 and 4 h after sunrise (38%), patterns that coincide with squirrel dispersal or morning activity periods. In Lincoln, 1980 and 1981, squirrels caused 177 outages per year, which was 24% of all outages and 90% of animal-caused outages. Estimated minimum annual costs were $23 364 for repairs, public relations, and lost revenue while meters were …

Modeling The Electromagnetic Radiation From Electrically Small Table-Top Products, Todd H. Hubing, J. Frank Kaufman

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

It is noted that the most difficult radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems with table-top products often occur at frequencies where the maximum dimensions of the product are much smaller than a wavelength. Electrically small table-top products tend to be much more efficient radiation sources than dipole source models would predict, and the radiation is generally much more difficult to contain than other types of EMI source models indicated. The ways in which electrically small sources radiate are investigated, and a technique for modeling electrically small table-top products that have power or signal cables is proposed. The end-driven wire model is …

The Multiprocessor System With A Fairly Weighted Global Bus Arbitration Circuit, Shinobu Doi

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to investigate various multiprocessor system structures and to implement and test the resultant system configuration that offers high reliability and availability, ease of expansion, ease of programming, and increased computing performances. The resultant system is a MC68000 based tightly coupled multiprocessor system with large local memories and local I/Os, arbitrated by a specially designed arbitration circuit to implement pseudo random global bus granting. Each of the computer modules is an enhanced independent uniprocessor system with channel access switches to access the global memory. In its multiprocessor mode one computer module cooperates with the other …

Ultrashort Pulse Production In Synchronously Pumped Mode-Locked Dye Laser Systems, Duncan Leo Macfarlane

Dissertations and Theses

The concern of this dissertation is the understanding and improvement of a class of lasers that is responsible for some of the shortest optical pulses available today. In particular, we seek ways to produce from synchronously pumped mode-locked dye laser systems, shorter pulses of higher intensity with improved pulse-to-pulse consistency. Specific topics.that are discussed herein include the study of the role of the pump pulse in synchronously pumped mode-locked lasers, the study of the pulse shaping and shortening due to an intracavity saturable absorber, and the study of a fundamental pulse train instability associated with these lasers.

Randomized Routing On Fat-Trees, Ronald I. Greenberg, Charles E. Leiserson

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Fat-trees are a class of routing networks for hardware-efficient parallel computation. This paper presents a randomized algorithm for routing messages on a fat-tree. The quality of the algorithm is measured in terms of the load factor of a set of messages to be routed, which is a lower bound on the time required to deliver the messages. We show that if a set of messages has load factor lambda on a fat-tree with n processors, the number of delivery cycles (routing attempts) that the algorithm requires is O(lambda + lg n lg lg n) with probability 1-O(1/n). The best previous …

Automatic Color Segmentation Of Images With Application To Detection Of Variegated Coloring In Skin Tumors, Scott E. Umbaugh, Randy Hays Moss, William V. Stoecker

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A description is given of a computer vision system, developed to serve as the front-end of a medical expert system, that automates visual feature identification for skin tumor evaluation. The general approach is to create different software modules that detect the presence or absence of critical features. Image analysis with artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, such as the use of heuristics incorporated into image processing algorithms, is the primary approach. On a broad scale, this research addressed the problem of segmentation of a digital image based on color information. The algorithm that was developed to segment the image strictly on the …

The Effect Of Cable Terminations On Emi Measurements, Todd H. Hubing

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effects of using uncontrolled or undefined cable terminations during electromagnetic interference (EMI) measurements was investigated. Several different models are described along with corresponding measurements in order to illustrate how specific terminations can be used to achieve particular measurement goals. It is noted that until a well-defined method of terminating power and signal cables is introduced, the best the EMI test engineer can do is to be aware of the significance of common-mode terminations and try to avoid situations where the common-mode termination impedance is completely undefined or not repeatable.

Speech Synthesis Using A Digital Modulation Scheme On The Ibm Personal Computer, John Glenn Wallace

Masters Theses

"Previously the primary output interface that users of personal computers have had available to them were limited to the crt or the printer. This paper presents a method for implementing a voice synthesizer on an IBM personal computer using only the hardware already contained in the personal computer. Presented is a modulation method which can be used with the IBM to obtain good quality voice output. The method consists of 3 parts, 1) sampling and recording the voice, 2) processing and filtering these samples and 3) using these processed samples to drive the speaker. A description of the hardware used …

A 68000-Based Produce Sorting Microcomputer : Graduate Clinical Research Master's Report, Ramzi Albert Haidamus

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This report discusses in great detail the various research, design, and development stages of the Produce Sorting Microcomputer developed for HAGAN ENGINEERING Inc. The two-semester Clinical Research project has been approved by the graduate committee at the School of Engineering at the University of the Pacific and fulfills the requirements towards a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering.

The project was selected based on its complexity, feasibility, the time span it required to complete, and its relevance to the area of real time microcomputer design. In addition, the design constraints and specifications were to be dictated solely by HAGAN ENGINEERING Inc. …

The Effects Of Bandwidth Limiting Tuning Elements On A Synchronously Pumped Mode-Locked Dye Laser, Bahram Zandi

Dissertations and Theses

In this study an improved description of the bandwidth limiting tuning filters has been introduced into a semiclassical model for a synchronously pumped mode-locked dye laser system. This model is an improvement over the traditional rate equation approach since it has detailed representations of the energy levels, rotational distribution, and coherence effects. The new set of equations has been solved numerically using the best available values for the various parameters, and autocorrelations have been computed for a range of different length detuning and bandwidth limiting elements. In the experiments, an acousto-optically mode-locked argon ion laser is used to synchronously pump …

Optical Recording Aspects Of Rf Magnetron Sputtered Iron-Garnet Films, J.P. Krumme, V. Doormann, P. Hansen, H. Baumgart, J. Petruzzello, M.P.A. Viegers

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The intrinsic magneto-optical readout performance in reflection is calculated for bismuth and cobalt-substituted iron-garnet films on a multilayer interference mirror at 800-, 633-, 488-, and 420-nm wavelengths and is compared with that of a trilayer medium composed of an antireflection layer, a rare-earth transition-metal film, and a metallic mirror. It is found, when disregarding inhomogeneities, like irregular domain shape, ripple of the magnetic anisotropy, and surface roughness, that iron garnets are superior to rare-earth transition-metal films at blue to near-ultraviolet wavelengths if operated at thicknesses where optical interference occurs in the magnetic layer. Optical transmittance at these thicknesses is sufficiently …

A Pulsed Field-Gradient System For Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Experiments, Saumil Shirish Mehta

Masters Theses

"The construction and performance of a system to generate pulsed magnetic field gradients for use with a commercial superconducting NMR spectrometer for the purpose of molecular self-diffusion measurements is described. Types of coils that provide linear field gradients are discussed. The design and construction of a conventional Helmholtz pair is outlined. A procedure to estimate the magnitude of the field gradients generated by the Helmholtz coils is explained. The design of a circuit to generate fast current pulses using a power MOSFET has been detailed and compared with a functionally similar circuit using bipolar power transistors. The performance of the …

Netexpert, An Expert System For Computer Network Management, Sailen Patel

Theses

Data Communications systems consist of distributed software and hardware components executing concurrently a number of communications functions. The logical framework for these functions is called data communication architecture and is layered hierarchically according to the OSI model. The protocol defines the syntax and semantics of the communications between entities of the same layer. NETEXPERT: An Expert system described here contains a set of formal specifications corresponding to different abstractions level of the protocol. On the highest level there is a specification of the service provided by this protocol. On the consecutive lower levels there are successive refinements of this specification …

An Application Of Bit Level Systolic Arrays On Digitized Adaptive Array Processes, Shin-Hwa Tsai

Theses

This thesis has concentrated on some aspects of adaptive arrays, i.e., the data type as well as the calculating processes under an optimized version. An adaption of a modified bit-level array is described on the control structure for processes like correlation matrix, Q-R decomposition and solution of triangular linear systems. In short, an implementation of SMI(Sample Matrix Inversion) under a parallel systolic array process is consider5ed. Also an application of utilizing systolic array on a matrix inversion is derived. As a result, it could be predicted that a VLSI chip implementation for small adaptive arrays is feasible in the near …

Computation Of Frequency Characteristics Of Lumped-Element 3 Db Branch Line Directional Couplers, H. R. Mgombelo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

An analysis of the 3 dB lumped-element branchline directional coupler constructed using L-C and T networks is given. Matrices of lumped element capacitances and inductances in the form of low and high pass filters are equated to the matrices of the distributed element transmission lines at the centre frequency of operation, as a result of which design equations are derived. Using even and odd modes of excitation, frequency characteristics of the directional couplers are computed and compared to those of the coupler constructed using distributed element transmission lines.

Learning System, Bhavesh T. Adani

Theses

Many rule-based learning systems have been implemented which generate and update rules/facts from illustrative examples provided by the user. But very few of them have succeeded in achieving the efficiency and accuracy of an ideal system.

The approach made here is to continuously update the hierarchical structure of rules/facts of a knowledge-base so that efficient and accurate solutions to any query can be achieved easily and immediately from the many possible solutions to the query. As the rule-based systems deal with a very large knowledge-base, it is sometimes necessary to apply a learning technique that finds optimum solutions efficiently.

The …

Analysis And Design Of A Surface Microengineered Silicon Humidity Sensor, Uei-Yanq Chen

Theses

This thesis details the design for a solid-state humidity sensor which utilizes state-of-the-art silicon technology. The sensor design utilizes a microengineered surface which includes a polysilicon airbridge structure as heater and sensor element in an integrated device.The operation of this device depends upon the small variation of thermal convection coefficient which effects the temperature of the heated element within the device. The temperature of the polysilicon bridge is monitored by means of a resistance bridge. In one design(sensor I) a single polysilicon airbridge is used for both the heater and resistance sensing element. Also a second inferior design (sensor II) …

Optimal Cache Size In Microprocessor-Based Multiprogramming System, Charalambos Stephanou Christou

Theses

The Motorola 68020 microprocessor, its paged memory management unit MC68851 and cache memories are rigorously studied. The simulation model of this uniprocessor, multiprogramming system was constructed and tested to determine the optimal physical cache size.

The parameters varied in the model are the cache size, the degree of multitasking, the loop count and size, the cache algorithm and the time slice given to every task. A number of simulations have been conducted and the results are examined.

Arithmetic Pipline Scheduler, Chun-Ta Pan

Theses

A schedule is used to determine which stages of an arithmetic pipeline are active at any particular time. It can determine when another process can be introduced into the pipeline so no more than one set of data will use the same stage at the same time. The Arithmetic Pipeline Scheduler (APS) is a software tool used to analyze schedules for different operations and determine greedy schemes for introducing data into the pipeline. The user can use APS to process up to ten arithmetic equations. The user also can use APS to define different configurations of stages. Besides, APS can …

Computer Analysis Of The Electrocardiogram Using Hardware Digital Signal Processing, Mohammad Ashfaque Shaikh

Theses

A system based on the microcomputer IBM PC-AT has been realized to acquire and filter the clinical electrocardiogram (ECG) data in real time. The system program further detects and analyzes the ECG signals for possible cardiac arrhythmias.

This research is based on work done by previous researchers and achieves significant goals towards achieving on-line arrhythmia detection using a microcomputer. The system uses the hardware and software package ASPI 320/PC from Atlanta Signal Processors Inc. This hardware configuration uses a special purpose instrumentation microprocessor ( TMS32010 from Texas Instruments) to coprocess the ECG signals. Coprocessing the signals with the ASPI 320/PC …

Estimation Of X-Band Scattering Properties Of Tree Components, David E. Pitts, Gautam D. Badhwar, Eddie Reyna, R. Zoughi, Linkim Wu, Richard K. Moore

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An X-band FM-CW very fine range resolution scatterometer was used to acquire backscattering data for individual branches for a number of tree species. Using a model to describe the scattering source function, dσ/dR = f(η, κ), and an experimental procedure for selected removal of plant parts, allows the estimation of η, the volume backscatter coefficient, and κ, the volume extinction coefficient. It is found that 1) leaves are strong attenuators as well as scatterers, 2) the albedo, ω = η/κ, at a given angle of incidence, is nearly independent of the tree type, 3) the tree …

Clinical Base Station For Portable Patient Monitoring Equipment, Silin Kuang

Theses

In today's clinical environment, where it is not always desirable to have a computer terminal present, a microcontroller-based biomedical system with multi-purpose features is needed. The present work offers an approach for a clinical based desktop workstation that provides the physician with record files, general management of his patient group, and specific algorithms for patient or group analyses. The workstation has the capabilities to acquire a large number of data from a portable patient monitoring device, generate a hard copy graphic record, create a patient cardfile and an . office personnel loggin file, and check patient's appointment and emergency list. …

Istemcr : Integrated System For Truck Engine Monitoring Via Cellular Radio, Tse-Shan Pan

Theses

The study presented is aimed at the application of the Data Acquisition to The Truck Engine as the source of all the signals, with the mobile telephone Cellular Radio system.