Digital Commons Network^™

Adaptive Critic Designs, Danil V. Prokhorov, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We discuss a variety of adaptive critic designs (ACDs) for neurocontrol. These are suitable for learning in noisy, nonlinear, and nonstationary environments. They have common roots as generalizations of dynamic programming for neural reinforcement learning approaches. Our discussion of these origins leads to an explanation of three design families: heuristic dynamic programming, dual heuristic programming, and globalized dual heuristic programming (GDHP). The main emphasis is on DHP and GDHP as advanced ACDs. We suggest two new modifications of the original GDHP design that are currently the only working implementations of GDHP. They promise to be useful for many engineering applications …

Modeling Intelligent Control Of Distributed Cooperative Inferencing, Edward M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to harness different problem-solving methods together into a cooperative system has the potential for significantly improving the performance of systems for solving NP-hard problems. The need exists for an intelligent controller that is able to effectively combine radically different problem-solving techniques with anytime and anywhere properties into a distributed cooperative environment. This controller requires models of the component algorithms in conjunction with feedback from those algorithms during run-time to manage a dynamic combination of tasks effectively. This research develops a domain-independent method for creating these models as well as a model for the controller itself. These models provide …

Azimuthal Modulation Of C-Band Scatterometer Over Southern Ocean Sea Ice, David G. Long, David S. Early

Faculty Publications

In a continuing evaluation of the ERS-1 C-band scatterometer as a tool for studying polar sea ice, the authors evaluate the azimuthal modulation characteristics of Antarctic sea ice. ERS-1 AMI scatterometer mode data sets from several study regions dispersed in the Antarctic seasonal sea ice pack are evaluated for azimuthal modulation. When appropriate, the incidence angle dependence is estimated and removed in a study region before determining whether azimuthal modulation is present in the data. Other comparisons are made using the fore and aft beam measurement difference. The results show that over the ice pack, azimuthal modulation is less than …

Development Of A Photon Counting System For Ozone Differential Absorption Lidar Signal Detection, Bradley Allen Eccles

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A photon counting system was assembled and integrated into an existing ozone differential absorption lidar signal detection system to improve the range of ozone measurement. Results of data extraction from decaying ozone return signals are presented. Photomultiplier tube detector models EMI 9214Q and EMI 9B17Q are evaluated and characterized. Detector operating performance was based on tube quantum efficiency, gain, dark current, and linearity. The influence of photomultiplier tube characteristics on photon counting performance are discussed along with the recommended optimum photon counting operating conditions. Two photomultiplier gating schemes, focus grid and four dynode gating, are described for use in photon …

Electromyography (Emg) Signal Classification By Artificial Neural Networks, Behnam Dashtipour

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

EMG signal processing is one of the active fields of biomedical signal processing. One unanswered question is how to determine whether a muscle is fatigued by analyzing the EMG signal. Fatigue detection could be useful in several different practical situations. There are several studies which show there are differences between EMG signal features before fatigue and after fatigue. Generally studies are based on an analytical analysis of the EMG signal instead of a quantitative analysis. In all previous studies in EMG signal processing for fatigue/nonfatigue detection, the result is that there exist some differences between the EMG signal before muscle …

Robust Control Of Smart Structures Using Neural Network Hardware, Rajendra Damle, Vittal Rao, Frank J. Kern

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the use of Intel's Electronically Trainable Analog Neural Network (ETANN) chipi80170NX for implementing single-chip robust controllers for smart structures is successfully demonstrated. Robust controllers like the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and linear quadratic Gaussian with loop transfer recovery (LQG/LTR) are implemented in various configurations using the ETANN chip on the smart structure test article. The test article is a cantilevered plate with PZTs as actuators and shaded PVDF film as sensors. The spatially distributed sensors allow direct measurement of the states of the system enabling the implementation of the LQR controller. A two step connectionist approach is …

Optimization Considerations For Adaptive Optics Digital Imagery Systems, Robert T. Brigantic

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation had three objectives. The first objective was to develop image quality metrics that characterize Adaptive Optics System (AOS) performance. The second objective was to delineate control settings that maximize AOS performance. The third objective was to identify and characterize trade-offs between fully and partially compensated adaptive. For the first objective, three candidate image quality metrics were considered: the Strehl ratio, a novel metric that modifies the Strehl ratio by integrating the modulus of the average system optical transfer function to a 'noise-effective-cutoff' frequency at which some specified image spectrum signal-to-noise-ratio level is attained, and the noise-effective-cutoff frequency. It …

Diffraction Analysis And Tactical Applications Of Signal Propagation Over Rough Terrain, You-Cheol Jang

Theses and Dissertations

The free space propagation model is inadequate to predict the mean path-loss in ground wireless communication. Also, many existing propagation channel models do not adequately predict path-loss in rough terrain because most of them were based on measurements in urban areas. Hence, a channel model that estimates mean path-loss over many different kinds of terrain conditions is desired. In this thesis, two new propagation channel models, Real Terrain Diffraction Model (RTDMOD) and Universal Terrain Channel Model (UTCMOD), were developed. Other geometric theory of diffraction (GTD) methods (Epstein-Peterson (EP) and Deygout (DG)) agree within 5 % from 3 MHz to 3GHz …

Design Fabrication And Characterization Of High Performance In Gaas/Inp Focal Plane Array In The 1-2.6 Μm Wavelength Region, Krishna R. Linga

Dissertations

This research thesis describes a new In_xGa_1-xAs/InA_ysP_1-y/InP technology for long wavelength photodetectors and photodetector arrays. A unique and novel detector structure was designed and fabricated using Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy, for low leakage current photodetector arrays in the 1-2.6 µm wavelength region. Potential applications of InGaAs focal plane arrays include near-infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence, remote sensing, environmental sensing, space and astronomical applications. The unique design concepts included the step grading of InAsP layers, lower lattice mismatch between the two InAsP graded layers, lattice matched InAsP cap layer and InGaAs absorption layer, sulphur doping …

Multi-Wavelength Pyrometric Systems For Emissivity-Independent Non-Contact Temperature Sensing, Michael B. Kaplinsky

Dissertations

A Multi-Wavelength Imaging Pyrometer (M-WIP) for real-time remote sensing of temperature profiles of targets with unknown emissivity was developed and demonstrated. To measure the spectral radiance of a target at several distinct wavelengths an M-WIP system was implemented based on an 320x122-element PtSi IR-CCD imager with an assembly of 7 narrow-band 1k filters in the range from 1790nm to 4536nm. A real-time algorithm for simultaneous estimation of the temperature and model parameters of the target emissivity from the least-squares fit of the theoretical model of 1k camera output signal to the experimental spectral measurements was developed and implemented. This rea1-time …

Performance Optimization Of Very High Frame Rate Ccd Burst-Image Sensors, Zeynep M. Pektas

Dissertations

The primary objective of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of an image sensor that is capable of capturing images at 10⁷ frames per second. Such high frame rate operation is based on storage of a certain (N) number of frames into the BCCD memory registers and readout at a slower rate at the end of the frame collection period. To accommodate an optical frame time of 100ns, a high-speed virtual-gate photodetector with six multiple n-type implants was proposed and a novel design strategy was developed. The feasibility of this design was demonstrated by simulating the entire photodetector …

Analysis And Comparison Of Resistive, Ferroelectric And Pyroelectric Uncooled Bolometers For Electronic Imaging Systems, Mo-Huang Li

Theses

The performance parameters (responsivity (R_v). detectivity (D*), total noise and response time) of resistive, pyroelectric and ferroelectric bolometer detectors are dependent on a large number of key variables including chopping frequercy, the input impedance and voltage noise of the readout circuitry, the structure dependent parameters (particularly thermal conductance and thermal capacitance), and material properties such as dielectric constant, pyroelectric coefficient, loss tangent and thin film thickness. The interrelationship between the key variables and their influence on performance is often complex and not easily discerned for the three major types of thermal detectors: resistive, pyroelectric and ferroelectric bolometers.

In …

Analysis Of 320x240 Uncooled Microbolometer Focal Plane Array And Design Of Thermoelectric Cooler Controller, Takayoshi Fukaya

Theses

Uncooled microbolometer focal plane array is one of the promising method used in uncooled infrared imaging projects. The array's advantages over the conventional cooled imagers are its ability to operate without cryogenic cooler or dewar and its low cost. For the past several years, the ULTRA (Uncooled, Low cost, Technology Reinvestment Alliance) Consortium has been developing uncooled microbolometer imaging system.

This thesis investigates the technology behind the ULTRA camera system. The theoretical as well as the operation of the uncooled microbolometer focal plane array and the processing hardware and software is analyzed and explained.

Thermoelectric cooler controller for the microbolometer …

Petri Net Modeling And Performance Analysis Of Z39.50 Search And Retrieval Protocol, Roopali Paranjpe

Theses

Z39.50 is an American Standard for information retrieval. The standard depicts a client-server model of computing. With reference to the Open System Interconnection (COSI)) model developed by International Standards Organization (ISO); Z39.50 is an application layer protocol. A Z39.50 client performs searching, querying and requesting functions and a Z39.50 server interfaces with the database in the remote system and responds to client requests by providing a set of records for the search query.

Z39.50 state tables describe a complex set of concurrent and serial events. A Petri net model is prepared for the entire system comprising the protocol. A Petri …

Low Frequency Characterization Of A Loop Antenna, Irene Koukhta

Theses

The conventional solution of an integral equation for the loop antenna in free space can be expressed analytically using Fourier Series. However, the solutions based on delta gap feed model yield divergent input susceptance.

To overcome such diverging results, alternative solution using equivalent magnetic frill current feed models were implemented. Although low frequency models for delta gap feeds were suggested, no generalized low frequency expansions for the input admittance have been reported previously. In this work, such generalized low frequency expansion are developed for both delta-gap and magnetic frill feeds of loop antennas. Validity of such expansion have been investigated …

Cr9000 Measurement And Control System Pcmcia-Ata Software Device Interface, Ryan Jon Soulier

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Many industries have a need for high speed data collection of a large amount of data. For example, the auto industry extensively tests vehicles for resistance to stress, temperature, and moisture. Campbell Scientific, Inc. (CSI) has built the CR9000 measurement and control system that fills this need by being able to measure up to 252 separate sensors at a sustained rate of up to ten thousand samples per second.

The CR9000 system lacks efficiency because it has only a small, fixed amount of memory and is capable of recording data only for a short period. Older devices designed by CSI …

In-Situ Ellipsometric Control Of Magnetic Multilayer Deposition (Abstract), Xiang Gao, Scott Heckens, John A. Woollam

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Correct determination of layer thicknesses on a subnanometer scale is crucial for studies of giant magnetoresistance, magneto-optical (MO) Kerr rotation, magnetic interlayer coupling, and other magnetic properties of metallic multilayers. Some structures such as [Co/Ni] and [Co/Pt] with fewer than 20 repeats are difficult to be analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) due to too little material. In this work, in-situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (in-situ SE) is used to precisely determine the optical constants undisturbed by oxidation, and the growth rates of different metal films deposited in a sputtering chamber. In-situ SE determines both the constant and continuously changing growth rates …

Evolutionary Codesign, Karthikeyan Ethirajan

Masters Theses

We present our approach to hardware/software partitioning for embedded systems based upon Evolutionary Algorithms. We have implemented it in a CAD tool, EvoC - Evolutionary Codesign which does automatic hardware/software partitioning of real-time embedded systems at the system level. Our objective is to find good design configurations that are tuned towards user's preferences. We are able to explore a large, often intractable design space using Evolutionary Algorithms while evaluating solutions having multiple and sometimes conflicting attributes in the light of Multi-Attribute Utility Theory. EvoC provides a generic format for specifying a wide variety of design problems and the implementation assumes …

Predicting Timing Behavior In Architectural Design Exploration Of Real-Time Embedded Systems, Rajeshkumar Sambandam

Masters Theses

This thesis aims at developing efficient analytical techniques to perform trade-off studies in the architectural design exploration phase of real-time embedded systems. Real-time embedded systems (RTES) have stringent timing requirements. In the process of designing such a system, a key issue is to determine if a system is able to meet all the timing requirements imposed on it, though it may prove attractive in terms of cost and performance. Traditional methods of using event-driven simulation for modern RTES are very time consuming and are not guaranteed to prove feasibility. Specifically, we identify a flexibility metric to compare various options in …

An Adaptive Scheme For Admission Control In Atm Networks, Saragur M. Srinidhi, William H. Thesling, Vijaya K. Konangi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents a real time front-end admission control scheme for ATM networks. A call management scheme which uses the burstiness associated with traffic sources in a heterogeneous ATM environment to effect dynamic assignment of bandwidth is presented. In the proposed scheme, call acceptance is based on an on-line evaluation of the upper bound on cell loss probability which is derived from the estimated distribution of the number of calls arriving. Using this scheme, the negotiated quality of service will be assured when there is no estimation error. The control mechanism is effective when the number of …

Generalized Beam Matrices. Iv. Optical System Design, Anthony A. Tovar, Lee W. Casperson

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Systematic procedures are presented for determining the optical components needed to produce an arbitrary transformation of a Gaussian light beams's spot size, radius of curvature, displacement, and direction of propagation. As an example, an optical system is considered that spatially separates the two coincident Gaussian beams produced by a high-diffraction-loss resonator that uses a Gaussian variable-reflectivity output coupler. In addition, an ABCDGH reverse matrix theorem and an ABCDGH Sylvester theorem are also derived. These matrix theorems may be used to satisfy special constraints inherent in the design of multipass and periodic optical systems.

Rate-Equation Approximations In High-Gain Lasers, Lee W. Casperson

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The rate-equation approximation is one of the most fundamental and universally employed simplifications in laser analyses. The accuracy and regions of applicability of this approximation are explored in comparisons with more rigorous semiclassical models. Higher-order rate-equation approximations are also developed, and these improved models can yield much better accuracy than conventional rate equations with little added complexity. The modified adiabatic elimination methods reported here would also be useful in reducing the mathematical models governing other physical systems.

Broadband Dynamic Modification Using Feedforward Control, Kendeas Antonis Karantonis

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The use of feedforward control for dynamic modification is relatively new to the area of structural vibration control. In this thesis the disturbance path dynamics of a flexible aluminum beam, pinned at both ends and under the influence of broadband excitation inputs, are modified through the use of feedforward control. The ideal algebraically determined feedforward control method for response cancellation is first presented. Theoretically, this compensator modifies the disturbance path dynamics to any desired behavior. This ideal algebraic approach can only be used for minimum phase systems. In non-minimum phase systems, right half s-plane plant zeros emerge as unstable poles …

Space Object Identification Using Feature Space Trajectory Neural Networks, Neal W. Bruegger

Theses and Dissertations

The Feature Space Trajectory Neural Network (FSTNN) is a simple yet powerful pattern recognition tool developed by Neiberg and Casasent for use in an Automatic Target Recognition System. Since the FSTNN was developed, it has been used on various problems including speaker identification and space object identification. However, in these types of problems, the test set represents time series data rather than an independent set of points. Since the distance metric of the standard FSTNN treats each test point independently without regard to its position in the sequence, the FSTNN can yield less than optimal results in these problems. Two …

Theoretical Study Of A Linear Accelerator Used As A Vuv/X-Ray Source Using The Inverse Compton Scattering Mechanism: Comparisons And Applications, Robert A. Schill Jr., Edward Mccrea

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

A classical linear theory is used to compare large synchrotron sources to a rf linear accelerator employed as a VUV/X-ray source. Comparisons are made on a per-pulse basis. It is demonstrated that the linear accelerator as an X-ray source is comparable to large synchrotron accelerators with wiggler insertion devices at the experiment. Applications to lithography, X-ray microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy and detector calibration are examined. Excluding lithography, the linear accelerator with an appropriate laser source is a useful source of X rays for these applications. As verification, classical results are compared with quantum mechanical results and are shown to be in …

High-Bandwidth Attitude Jitter Determination For Pointing And Tracking Systems, Marcelo C. Algrain

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

For many reasons smaller spacecraft are becoming more appealing. Because of their lower inertias, these spacecraft are more sensitive to disturbances and likely to have more attitude jitter than the larger units. These jitter levels are unacceptable for some scientific instruments and need to be compensated. In the case of line-of-sight type instruments, the attitude jitter can be mitigated by incorporating a fast steering mirror into the system. To take full advantage of these devices, the spacecraft attitude must be measured at sufficiently high bandwidth, well beyond what is commonly provided by inertial reference units. Various ways to obtain higher …

Dominant Wave Directions And Significant Wave Heights From Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery Of The Ocean, Lisa M. Zurk, William J. Plant

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We show that quasi-linear theory accounts for dominant wave directions observed in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery of the ocean for range-to-velocity (R/V) ratios up to 70 s. We also show that when used in combination with Alpers and Hasselmann's [1982] model of signal-to-noise ratios in SAR imagery, this theory yields significant wave heights in good agreement with those actually observed. We have found that the apparent dominant wave direction in SAR imagery taken at a 45° incidence angle can differ from the true wave direction by as much as 40° under certain conditions. To understand such differences, we simulated …

Adaptive Distributed Detection With Applications To Cellular Cdma, Jian-Guo Chen

Dissertations

Chair and Varshney have derived an optimal rule for fusing decisions based on the Bayesian criterion. To implement the rule, probabilities of detection P_D and false alarm P_F for each detector must be known, which is not readily available in practice. This dissertation presents an adaptive fusion model which estimates the P_D and P_F adaptively by a simple counting process. Since reference signals are not given, the decision of a local detector is arbitrated by the fused decision of all the other local detectors. Adaptive algorithms for both equal probable and unequal probable sources, for independent …

Two Dimensional Agonistic Control, Daqing Yang

Dissertations

The conventional method of precise multiple-axis motion control entails use of a multiple axis positioning system with each axis carrying not only the workpiece but also the positioning system of the remaining axes. The resultant structure is heavy, sluggish, and expensive. An alternative positioning technique is being investigated in which the motion of the workpiece is controlled by pulling it with tendons, each of which has its own actuator. Since the actuators can be mounted on the base of the structure instead of being carried by motion system of the other axes, they can be relatively large and powerful without …

An Information Security Education Initiative For Engineering And Computer Science, Shiu-Kai Chin, Cynthia E. Irvine, Deborah Frincke

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - All Scholarship

This paper puts forward a case for an educational initiative in information security at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its focus is on the need for such education, the desired educational outcomes, and how the outcomes may be assessed. A basic thesis of this paper is that the goals, methods, and evaluation techniques of information and computer security are consistent with and supportive of the stated goals of engineering education and the growing movement for outcomes-based assessment in higher education.