Digital Commons Network^™

Reflections On Established "Quality Criteria Standards" At Elko High School, Lindsay Cox

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship report includes validation documents required to met the quality criteria for secondary-level programs of instruction in agriculture. The documents are concurrently used for the Nevada Career and Technical Education Grant review process at Elko County High School conducted by the CTE facilitator and the Nevada Department of Education. The internship also included the development of a national chapter award application for the Ruby Mountain FFA chapter and standards development for the State of Nevada Ag Communication and Animal Science courses.

Cubesat Launch Sequencer, Billy Beecher

Electrical Engineering

I am working with the Naval Postgraduate School to develop a low cost CubeSat launch sequencer for NPSCuL that is designed to operate in low Earth orbit. The system will be capable of providing programmable delays with a minimum delay of one second to a maximum delay of five minutes. Delays must be accurate to within ± 10% or within one second, whichever is less. After the delay, the system will provide the necessary launch signal. To ensure protection from radiation, the system will feature triple redundancy and voting logic stages to ensure that the proper signal is propagated.

Off Grid Solar Powered Street Light, Justin Fang, Billy Pham

Electrical Engineering

Street lights are fixtures found in every city and serve the important purpose of illuminating the streets and keeping the roads safe for pedestrians and drivers. Current street lights are powered by the grid, power which is paid for by the taxpayers and could have been used to power homes instead. With this project, our goal is to design and implement an electric power system that collects and stores solar energy, and delivers power to an LED smart street light. The resulting system would reduce street light energy costs by 100% since they would not draw any power from the …

Differential Transformer Protection Using The Sel 387 And Sel 587 Microprocessor Relays, Ryan Chun

Electrical Engineering

The objective of this Senior Project is to use the SEL 387 current differential and overcurrent microprocessor relays to protect three-single-phase 1 KVA 120:208 transformers configured in ∆-∆, Y-Y, Y-∆, and ∆-Y connections. In the second phase of this project, is to create a functioning lab that uses the SEL 587 relay to teach basic differential transformer protection for the upcoming EE-444 students.

The protection schemes developed in both of the senior project phases require the use of differential and overcurrent protection elements by monitoring the changes of the input and output current through the transformer. When these currents fail …

Design Of Improved Distribution Panel For The Dc House, Nolan Joksch

Electrical Engineering

The DC House is a humanitarian project intended to provide electricity to rural areas that would benefit from electricity, but are too remote to have access to it. This particular project is to design and construct the feeder box for the electrical distribution system to distribute power to the system as well as protect it. Building an electrical panel that is easily maintained and, above all, safe for the user is key to this project.

Merry-Go-Round Human Powered Generator, Daniel Barnicle, Dario Romero

Electrical Engineering

This project entails the design and construction of a Merry-Go-Round Human Powered Generator for the DC House project. The Merry-Go-Round Human-Powered-Generator is a sustainable project focusing on utilizing renewable human mechanical energy. As young children play on the Merry-Go-Round, the generator converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy for the DC House. The Merry-Go-Round Generator boosts the generated voltage output to power a battery. This electrical energy then transfers from the battery to the DC House to provide power to it.

Assessment For Completion Of Cp7 Integration With Revision 6 Avionics, Daniel Jennings

Electrical Engineering

he purpose of this project is the continuation of the CP7 CubeSat project, analysis for integration with new Avionics Systems, and to leave behind instruction for future work for completion of the satellite. CP7 is a satellite in development to support a mechanical and electrical system to experiment on particle damping in micro-gravity. The completion of this satellite needs to be prioritized more than it has been by the PolySat team to honor our work with Northrop Grumman, who have been supportive and helpful throughout the process. This work seeks to aid in the completion of this satellite, so that …

Keyboard Emulation Data Logger, Mattics Phi, Scott Leonard, Greg Alesso, Norman Tran

Electrical Engineering

The purpose of this project is to design and build a low cost, portable USB data logger for electrical engineering labs. This data logger connects to any computer through a USB port and appears as a keyboard to the host’s operating system. The logger performs electrical measurements and records the data by emulating keyboard strokes inside any spreadsheet program or analysis tool without the need for software or ancillary hardware. The logger is capable of measuring voltage and current. The end result of this project is to create a low cost, easy to use solution for data collection that can …

Broadband, Rugged, High Linearity, Low-Noise Amplifier, Shane Smith

Electrical Engineering

This report examines the application of a low-noise amplifier module for a Global Positioning System (GPS). This low-noise amplifier module helps allow the carrier signal to get the amplification needed to give a smoother analog to digital conversion. However, the frequency range of the GPS spectrum reaches up to 1.6GHz, where component noise becomes an issue and can create a disrupted signal. This low-noise amplifier needs to create a reasonable gain, while achieving a low noise figure. An amplifier with high gain and low noise figure becomes difficult because they create a design trade-off, higher the gain brings higher the …

Alternative Wheelchair Control System, Jessica Hendricks, Tara Keigharn

Electrical Engineering

We geared this project towards assisting an individual with limited[1] motor function to operate a wheelchair. The product targets individuals who find use of a joystick is ineffective or painful. We focused our design on the wheelchair bought from Adaptive Driving Systems (Driving, 2013); but ultimately we would like to field a final product capable of applying to any electric wheelchair. Our goal: a person to operate the electric wheelchair using sensors that transmit a translation of an individual’s hand movement through a wireless transmission to a microcontroller installed on the wheel chair that then controls the wheelchair’s movement. …

Wind And Hydroelectric Power Simulation For The Dc House Project, Randy Lormand, Christopher Goloskie

Electrical Engineering

This project details the design and integration of a wind and hydroelectric power simulation system in correlation with the DC House Project. The simulator uses variable speed drives to rotate a DC motor which then drives a generator to produce output. This output is then regulated using a DC to DC converter which holds the voltage level constant making it easier to interface with other power sources for the house. The test results indicate that the simulator will be able to produce two separate power outputs that will provide at least 70 Watts of power in the acceptable speed range …

Buddy: A Breathalyzer For Iphone, Douglas Blaalid, Brandon Bevans

Electrical Engineering

Buddy is a Breathalyzer for the iPhone designed to be more a product than a project. Through proprietary hardware and a custom iOS application, Buddy provides users with a previously untapped link from the alcohol in their body to the display on their phones. Buddy uses an alcohol sensor connected to an Arduino Uno to accurately detect the BAC of the user’s breath. The BAC is then transmitted to an iPhone via the headphone jack where it is displayed and logged in a captivating app. The finished prototype successfully measured the approximate BAC of intoxicated users. The product website has …

Spread Spectrum Jamming - Part 2, Casey Burke, Christian Hume, Javier Meza

Electrical Engineering

Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) is a special modulation technique used in many telecommunication devices which uses a wide bandwidth relative to single-frequency carrier modulation techniques. Like the name suggests, the spectral content of wireless signals are spread across a range of frequencies to increase the security of transmitted signals by reducing the potential impact of outside interference (i.e. noise, jamming). This resistance against outside interference and jamming has particular application in the field of electronic warfare where spread spectrum jamming techniques may prove to be an effective way of shutting down remotely controlled enemy vehicles.

Last year, a group of …

Swing Human Powered Generator: For The Dc House Project, Juan Vicente Avelar, Juan Jose Galindo, Juan Pramyr Ramos

Electrical Engineering

The Play Park Human Powered Generator project addresses various ways of generating power. More specifically, this project entails the design and construction of the Swing Power Generator to provide electrical power from mechanical energy. The swing generator will eventually be used as part of the human-powered generators utilized in the DC House project.

A swing generator prototype was built for this project, which demonstrates the feasibility of its use for electrical power source. Detailed design and construction of the swing generator is presented in this report along with results from hardware testing.

Airport Runway Heating System, Greg Wang, Curtis Reedy

Electrical Engineering

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, flight delays cost airlines $22 billion annually (Rapajic 16). Snow and ice buildup on the tarmacs are a major contributor to these delays in regions where freezing weather conditions are common. Current solutions such as anti-freeze chemicals and snowplows are ineffective and costly. Implementing a radiant heating system, specifically pipes running hot liquid within or below the runways, can help maintain the surface above freezing temperatures. Such a system has yet to be installed in a functioning airport because of its complexity and high cost. However, the FAA provides funding for infrastructure improvements, and …

National Tragedy And Uncertainty Reduction: Adult Reaction To National Tragedy And Anxiety Reduction Strategies, Erica Christine Turnlund

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

The Deadliest School Shooting In American History: A Dramatistic Analysis Of The Virginia Tech Massacre, Natalie Susanne Zafis

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

The Virtual Bulletin Board: A Feminist Critique Of Pinterest, Alexandra B. Davila

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Affordable Housing, Michelle Bokeo

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

Toad Creek Multi-Family Housing Development Conceptual Analysis, Emily Ewer

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

Nissan Leaf On-Board Diagnostic Bluetooth Utility, John Allande, Philip Tyler, Eric Woodruff

Computer Engineering

The team’s sponsor, John Dunning, owns an Electric Vehicle. The electric vehicle market is young, as is the research and testing on the cars themselves. Most EV owners know the most expensive component in their vehicles is the battery, and would like to know when the battery will fail. By experimenting with data from the OBD II port in Dr. Dunning’s Nissan Leaf (2013 EV) the team will create a Android app to interface with a Bluetooth module to receive OBD data. The program will collect data focused on battery pack voltage, battery pack current, motor RPM, and state of …

Fit For Green Online Notification And Reporting System, Alexander Spotnitz

Computer Engineering

Fit for Green seeks to combat two main threats on the American home front: obesity and the energy crisis. This project is an online Notification & Reporting System that allows gym administrators using the Fit for Green solutions the ability to instantly generate reports and have those reports emailed to them on a scheduled (daily or weekly) basis. The reports contain metrics pertinent to the gym (e.g. one metric may be Average Power Generated per Workout Session).

Pier Portal Project Ii, Andy Lam, Brian Markwart

Computer Engineering

The goal of this project is to design and build a remotely controllable camera system that will be deployed at the Cal Poly Pier located in Avila Beach. The system is composed of a camera and all of its lighting and movement controlling hardware enclosed into a waterproof acrylic tube, allowing it to be lowered underwater. The camera will stream its video feed onto a website where any user will be able to watch a live video stream from the pod. In addition, users with the correct privileges will be able to remotely control of the camera system via the …

Motion Sensing Fifa Controller, Anthony Agius, Jake Troychak

Computer Engineering

Our Project is designed to control the XBOX 360 video game FIFA Soccer by different kicking motions made by the user. This system consists of two pieces: the microcontroller attached to the XBOX 360 controller and the foot piece that is attached to the users foot in order to read all of the movements needed to control the game. Our project brings the soccer game to life by forcing the users to actually perform the different kicking motions that they want their game avatar to copy on the game. This project was designed for those who want to be more …

Eco Sensor Pod, Austin Zuffi, Michael Chamoures

Computer Engineering

The EcoSensor Pod, designed by the UCSD Data Turbine group, is a self-contained hardware/software solution for environmental monitoring, disaster response, and other real-time sensing applications. We improved upon the design of the Sensor Pod by 1. Developing a custom PCB for the system to remove the problem of wires becoming de-attached in harsh environment deployments and 2. Creating an easy-to-use web application that provides the UCSD team with the ability to view various charts displaying both past and live, real-time data. These modifications were successfully implemented and tested and will make future deployments of the EcoSensor Pod more robust and …

Evs Sports Knee Brace Testing Machinefinal Design Report, Silvia Aguilar, Nick Mattison, Chris Mccarthy

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this document is to report on the development of a test machine for EVS’ Web and Axis knee braces. Between September 2012 and June 2013, Team CSN, comprising of Nick Mattison, Silvia Aguilar, and Chris McCarthy, have methodically planned, designed, built, and tested this machine. The overarching goal of this unique machine is to address the need for both hyperextension and fatigue testing. From here on out this report dives into details of the machine with an Appendix C reporting testing results of said knee braces.

Integrated Collision Avoidance System Sensor Evaluation Final Design Project, Alex F. Graebe, Bridgette S. Kimball, Drew T. Lavoise

Mechanical Engineering

Following the development of Aircraft Collision Avoidance Technology (ACAT) by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a need arose to transition the life-saving technology to aid the general aviation community. Considering the realistic cost of implementation, it was decided that the technology should be adapted to function on any smartphone, using that device as an end-to-end solution to sense, process, and alert the pilot to imminent threats. In September of 2012, the SAS (Sense and Survive) Senior Project Team at California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo was assigned the task of using smartphone technology to accurately sense …

Android App For General Aviation Ground Collision Avoidance, Corey Taylor Christiansen, Timothy Justin Dascomb, John Preston Cook

Mechanical Engineering

This project used ground collision avoidance algorithms developed by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center to create an Android application that could be used by general aviation pilots. The application uses GPS and accelerometer data to calculate future trajectories and checks them against a terrain elevation map of the United States stored on the SD card. X-Plane, a flight simulator, was used for project testing.

Lid Street Retrofit, Matthew Sayles

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

Design And Application Of Recycled Asphalt Roads For A Vineyard In San Luis Obispo County, Carl Gates Molitor

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project encompasses the design, schedule and budget of a recycled asphalt driveway located on a vineyard in San Luis Obispo County. The design parameters that served as the basis of this project were provided by Mr. Jean-Pierre Wolff of Wolff vineyards. He owns and operates a local winery on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo. He implemented a similar upgrade on his own winery. The purpose of these road improvements was to improve the conditions for the grapes as well the air quality for visitors to the winery. The new road needed to be wider and more suitable for …