Digital Commons Network^™

Acuta Enews February 1987, Vol. 16, No. 2

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

President's Message

ACUTA Winter Seminar

Party Line

Cable Carnage: Coaxial battered

Confusion abounds

U.S. Asking Room for 'Baby Bells' To Grow

Experts Say Competition Would Stir Innovation

Microcomputer Model For Solid Waste Planning, Samuel A. Vigil, Jane A. Zevely, Roy Yeaman

Civil and Environmental Engineering

No abstract provided.

Automated Manufacturing Technology As A Factor In Production Planning And Control, Henry Steven Nicholas

Theses

The field of automated manufacturing technology is examined. The physical hardware is described, including transfer systems, feeder systems, placing devices, automated work stations, sensors, and actuators. The interrelation of the hardware elements is described and various applications are identified. The role of the control system and its interaction with the hardware is examined. The data communications network required for the control system is considered. Various types of computers, computer network structures, and process control strategies are examined.

The use of automated manufacturing technology requires a new approach to production planning and control. The traditional approach is described and several problem …

Performance Of Second Order Delta Modulation System, Reza Aghazadeh Alavi

Theses

The performance of an ordinary delta modulation (DM) system under three types of input signals was investigated. These signals were band limited Gaussian noise, 800 Hz sine wave, and speech signal. The affects of 2nd DM added to the ordinary DM in improving the performance of the system were researched. This is called a Second Order Delta Modulation System. The obtained data showed an increase of about 3dB in the overall Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the system, in the worse case.

Input to the 2nd DM is the band limited error of the first DM. A linear phase …

Microcomputer-Based Automated Feeding And Monitoring System For Eating Behavior Studies On Rats, Tseng-Huang Shih

Theses

An instrumentation system has been designed to monitor feeding behavioral experiments on rats. This instrumentation system is capable of performing these experiments in an automated manner without any human intervention. It is capable of monitoring these experiments concurrently in six cages. It exhibits several features that make it more versatile than previous feeding & monitoring systems. It is also capable of storing the data generated on to a floppy disk and later printing out the data for analysis.

Another feature that makes it more versatile is the flexibility of the system. Construction of a parameter file before doing the experiment …

Mrp Ii As A Tool For Inventory Management : Application, Implementation, And Its Alternatives, Yi-Hsin Chiu

Theses

MRP II has been used universally as a tool for production planning in various manufacturing systems. Its foundation of success is based on an accurate inventory management. Due to the rational pricing of computer hardware and software, the selection of an appropriate off-the-shelf MRP II package has become an important topic. Moreover, implementation of a commercial MRP II package significantly affects its capability of handling an assigned task. The scope of this thesis is to discuss how to successfully implement MRP II through a design and development of a proper inventory data base in order to expand its application. The …

Reflections On Solid Modeling In Cad/Cam System, Yuh-Hwa Chyr

Theses

In this thesis, we will first study the mathematical fundamental for geometric modeling. It includes modeling space, representation scheme, and various characteristics for solid modeling. Then we discuss how a solid modeling system is integrated into an overall CAD/CAm system. What functions it performs, and what fuctions must be performed with other parts of the CAD/CAM systems. And how data can be transfered between solid modeling system and other CAD/CAM system.

Solid modeling has created a new era in CAD/CAM. A solid model is an unambiguous, three-dimensional, geometric representation of a design. The more design information a model can represent, …

Digital Signal Processing Implementing The C Language With Graphics Spectrum Analysis Display, Anuraksa Mahanirananda

Theses

Digital Signal Processing discussed in this thesis is concerned with the transformation of signals or complex wave forms From time domain to frequency domain and vise-versa, implemented on microcomputer systems. The primary principles are: speed of transformation, ease of usage as an application program, capabilities of graphics displaying transformed data (such as power spectrum analysis), storing these data onto record files, and capability of using these data Files and programs with other application programs.

We begin by discussing briefly, the concepts of Fourier theory, Discrete and Fast Fourier Transform, algorithms of Fast Fourier Transform and bit-reversal. Then we implement these …

Optically Phased Laser Transmitter, Janet S. Fender, Salvatore J. Cusumano, Robert R. Butts, Christopher R. Dehainaut

AFIT Patents

An apparatus and technique are described for phasing the outputs of a multiplier telescope array used as a laser transmitter. The technique uses samples of the transmitted beams to control optical path lengths through the separate telescopes so that the beams add coherently at the receiver. The phasing concept is applicable both to systems which provide inputs to the multiple telescopes by dividing a single laser beam and to systems in which the inputs to the telescopes and multiple, phase-locked laser beams. The approach is also compatible with single line and multi-line lasers, and it does not entail stringent alignment …

300 Baud Modem Design, Brian Terwilliger

Journal of the Microelectronic Engineering Conference

The 300 bps MODEM was researched and is in the process of being designed and built. The relatively low speed of a 300 bps MODEM allows for an asynchronous design therefore eliminating much of the timing control necessary at higher speeds. The result is a low speed functional MODEM.

A Study Of Optical Waveguides, James Weaver

Journal of the Microelectronic Engineering Conference

A planar optical waveguide has been produced by immersion a microscope slide (sodium rich) in molten KN03. The resulting K+ profile is due to an ion-exchange with Na+. The higher atomic number of K+ increases the index of refraction at the surface and therefore allows for the propagation of light by alternate total internal reflections. Methods for observing the K+ profile and measuring the refractive index are discussed, as well as the difficulties involved/ Also, suggestions for future experiments and characterizing techniques are given.

Automated Capacitance-Voltage Measurement, Dale Webb

Journal of the Microelectronic Engineering Conference

An IBH personal computer was used es en eutorT'l8tic data equlsitlon system for obtaining capacitance voltage (CV) measurements. An HP4145 parameter analyzer was used es en analog to digital converter end the resulting digitized CV data was analyzed on the VAX mainframe.

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 29 Number 2, Winter 1987, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

9 - CAMPAIGN FINANCING A look at what's wrong with modern campaigns and a creative, alternative approach to financing them. By Timothy J. Lukes

13 - TRADITION SHATTERED One hundred women broke the all male tradition at SCU 25 years ago. They returned to the campus to celebrate. By Barbara Wyman

18 - PAUL AQUINO: 0 & A Paul Aquino '65 talks about his famous sister-in-law, Cory, his family, and life in the Philippines.

21 - A YEAR FOR OTHERS Seven 1986 graduates chose to spend this year with the ·Jesuit Volunteers. They talk about what it's like. By Julie …

Bear River Water Quality: Phosphorus Control And The Impacts Of Exchanging Water With Willard Reservoir, Darwin L. Sorensen, Craig Caupp, Kenneth W. Barker, Jean M. Ihnat

Reports

No abstract provided.

Slot Injection Of Herbicides, Paul J. Jasa, Elbert C. Dickey, Thomas R. Peterson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Injection of thiocarbamate herbicides into a slot created by a coulter was evaluated during a 3-year study in southeastern Nebraska. Control of shattercane, the dominant weed, with the slot injector was similar to conventional double disk incorporation. In both tilled and untilled surface conditions, the slot injector placed the herbicide into the soil with minimal disturbance of the soil and residue. Herbicides which are normally broadcast applied were band applied, reducing chemical costs by two-thirds.

The Implementation Of Quality Control Circle Concepts Into American Industry, John R. Hunt

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In light of the growing worldwide competition among industrial manufacturers as developing nations become more technologically viable, it becomes imperative that we, as a nation, become more conscious than ever of quality and productivity.

Our most serious competitors, the Japanese, have developed a nationwide sense of quality consciousness and have evolved a management and manufacturing system to achieve their goals of superior quality that is currently unrivaled.

One important element of their productive system is the concept of Quality Control (QC) circles; generally described as a problem solving group of working people, who as members of a team, identify, solve, …

Computer Simulation Of Dynamic Systems, Charles G. Smith

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Computer simulation of a control system is a valuable tool in design or performance evaluation. This is especially true when non-linear elements cannot be ignored and must be included within the model. A general purpose block diagram oriented simulation program will be developed which can utilize continuous, discrete and non-linear building blocks. The software tool will be demonstrated by means of an example.

The Creation Of An Expert System For Teaching Piano Lessons, Carol Chew

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Combining the arts with science and technology has had many beneficial results. Computers and music have been connected for many years. Computers have been used in music composition, electronic keyboards, music publishing and digital sound processing. Artificial intelligence has been used in creating expert systems for training people in various fields. An attempt will be made to tie together expert systems for training with current computerized music technology.

This research report proposes that an expert system be developed to teach piano lessons. The fields of music and artificial intelligence will be drawn upon in developing this expert system structure. While …

Edge Direction Confidence Estimation For Improvement Of Hough Accumulation, Eric J. Grajales

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The Hough transform silhouette identification method requires a consistency of edge direction in the identification of similar silhouettes. Many gradient operators used in Hough preprocessing require a thresholding and a non-maxima suppression routine to aid the localization process. These routines may delete edges or cause edge fragmentation. These anomalies degrade the Hough performance due to the lack of accurate silhouette extraction, and reduce the correct localization in the Hough accumulator. Noise or sampling errors can be removed by several enhancement routines presented. They are mean, median, symmetric nearest neighbor, hi pass, and low pass filters.

An edge detection process is …

Implementation Of A 35 Ghz Microstrip Antenna System, Rachel S. Albritton

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Millimeter waves, corresponding to the frequency range 30 to 300 GHz, have characteristics which make them ideal for many applications. Antennas at these frequencies have the advantage of reduced size and weight and can be fabricated as an integral part of the system they are used in. Millimeter wave microstrip antennas have been extensively researched over the past decade. The purposed of this report was to build and test 35 GHz microstrip antennas as well as put into operation a high voltage klystron power supply, Micro-Now Model 756. The antennas were fabricated and tested in the lab and the results …

Intelligent Robots, Abol H. Moulavi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

There is an increasing need for integrating sensory feedback into the robot system. This will provide better flexibility and will improve the capacity of the robot to reason and make decisions in real time.

This report discusses the current issues related to the development and application of intelligent robots. The report surveys the essential features of an intelligent robot. These features are sensing, off-line programming, task level programming, adaptive control and knowledge representation.

Such a robot should be knowledge driven. It should "know" about objects and work plans, this knowledge should provide the capability for the robot to handle uncertainty …

A New Relative Entropy Based Method For Probability Mass Function Estimation, William A. Marinelli

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Presented is a new algorithm for implementing the Relative Entropy method for estimating the probability density function of a process. The Relative Entropy principle can also be used to estimate the power spectrum of a random process as presented in Appendix A.

Chapter 2 presents the current method of pdf estimation using the Relative Entropy method. In this method a set of Lagrange multipliers are solved for simultaneously. The new algorithm, discussed in Chapter 3, presents a new, efficient method for solving for one Lagrange multiplier at a time, iteratively. The procedure presented allows one to estimate the probability density …

Speech Signal Representation Through Digital Signal Processing Techniques, Debbie A. Kravchuk

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper addresses several different signal processing methods for representing speech signals. Some of the techniques that are discussed include time domain coding which uses pulse-code, differential, or delta modulating methods. Also presented are frequency domain techniques such as sub-band coding and adaptive transform coding. In addition, this paper will discuss representing speech signals through source coding techniques via vocoders. A comparison of these different signal representation methods is included.

Spectral Shaping For The Hearing Impaired, Brian D. Mclean

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Presented is a method for shaping the audio spectrum in order to improve speech intelligibility for the hearing impaired. Audiological data is used to design a finite impulse response (FIR) digital filter using the frequency sampling method. Cubic spline interpolation is used to generate any number of frequency samples from the limited number available from audiological data. The computer aided design procedure presented allows the filter designer to specify hearing threshold levels and threshold of discomfort levels at audiogram frequencies. The algorithm uses cubic spline interpolation to generate a smooth curve of gain versus frequency. Next, root-mean-square (RMS) error is …

The Use Of A Portable Microcomputer As A Data Collection Tool To Support Integrated Simulation Support Environments: A Concept, James E. Wilkinson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Advances in simulation methodology, and the computer support systems to implement these methodologies, have led to the development of integrated simulation support environments. These environments, or collection of software tools, seek to aid the analyst in developing models, data management and analysis, and data presentation.

While an integrated simulation environment provides a more organized structure for managing and performing simulation projects, and provides a database management structure for storing, manipulating, and analyzing data, they do not address the actual process of going out and obtaining the data. As a result, many of the common problems associated with poor problem and …

Human Factors Compatibility Concerns In The Selection Of Display Technologies For Computer And Data Terminals, Francis C. Westerfield

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Human factors considerations are often overlooked in the selection of electronic computer displays. When cost is used as the only determining factor, the resulting product may not be commercially successful because of an inadequate display.

To help avoid this situation, designers and users should be aware of the various factors involved in proper display selection. These factors were developed by a synthesis of existing scientific and industrial literature on the subject and are explained in this paper.

The first factor is a basic knowledge of the structure, characteristics, and function of the human visual system. The theory of sight, anatomy …

An Experimental And Theoretical Analysis Of A Laser Beam Propagating Through Multiple Phase Screens, Arthur R. Weeks

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An experimental and a theoretical analysis for a laser beam propagating through multiple phase screens was performed. The theoretical analysis showed that the statistics for the intensity fluctuations, which can be predicted by the HK and the I-K distributions, could be derived from a multiplicative process using statistical distributions derived from Gaussian statistics. For the single phase screen experiment, the experimental normalized moments were compared with the normalized moments of both the HK and I-K distributions . In addition, the intensity data was lowpass filtered to yield moments that are predicted by the gamma distribution. The single phase screen data …

The Design Of A Processing Element For The Systolic Array Implementation Of A Kalman Filter, John P. Condorodis

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The Kalman filter is an important component of optimal estimation theory. It has applications in a wide range of high performance control systems including navigational, fire control, and targeting systems. The Kalman filter, however, has not been utilized to its full potential due to the limitations of its inherent computational intensiveness which requires "off-line" processing or allows only low bandwidth real-time applications.

The recent advances in VLSI circuit technology have created the opportunity to design algorithms and data structures for direct implementation in integrated circuits. A systolic architecture is a concept which allows the construction of massively parallel systems in …

Issues In The Design And Implementation Of Expert Systems, Clive L. Dym

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

This article discusses the issues that arise in the design and implementation of expert systems. These issues include: task selection; the stages of development of expert system projects; knowledge acquisition; languages and tools; development and run-time environments; and organizational and institutional issues. The article closes with some speculation about the future development of expert systems.

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Communication Simulation System, Mark D. Patz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this work is to develop a fast, dynamic, and menu driven direct sequence spread spectrum communication simulation system for the Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX VMS line of computers. This software breaks the system down into two sections, the transmitter and the receiver. Each of the blocks that comprise the system is user definable in order to program the desired conditions. The input data and spreading data located within the transmitter are generated by a maximal length sequence generator, up to the tenth order. Encoding of the data is achieved by using an (n,k) cyclic code. A level …