Digital Commons Network^™

Optimization Analysis For Alignment Criteria And Installation Of Gravity Flow Underground Pipe, Eugene N. Balter

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In 1982 the Business Roundtable prepared several reports which investigated various aspects of construction which posed significant research opportunities. Their findings placed piping construction in the group of activities categorized as having "highest potential" for improvements based on inefficiency, or construction difficulty and proportionate costs. It was estimated that over $1 billion could be saved annually if the difficulty in the piping industry was improved to only average of other areas. Further investigation into the piping area showed that the alignment process took 20% of the cycle time for installation and ranked either first or second as compared to other …

A High Level Programming Language And Graphics Simulator For The Heathkit Et-18 Hero Robot, Kenneth J. Sizemore

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As modern industrial robots are used more in industry, the need for qualified programmers and operators will increase. Inexpensive robots are available for use as training systems, but these robots typically lack the high level tools, such as high level, languages and graphics simulators, that are available for the industrial robots. A high level programming language and a graphics simulator were developed for one of these training robots, the Heath ET-18 Hero Robot. The programs were designed to be executed on an IBM Personal Computer. The software was developed as part of an overall system which also includes a compiler …

An Interactive Information System For Tracking Student Academic Progress And Aid In Course Scheduling, Farahzad Behi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An interactive information system has been developed for the Computer Engineering Department to promote faster and more accurate means of obtaining academic information on a student or a group of students. It was also developed to provide departmental administrative personnel with information to guide course scheduling. The system has the capability of providing the following information concerning undergraduate students enrolled in the Computer Engineering program of the College of Engineering, University of Central Florida. 1. Basic information about the student, such as, address, telephone number, classification, etc. 2. A student's completed and in-progress courses 3. The grade and other information, …

Fate Of Heavy Metals From Highway Runoff In Stormwater Management Systems, Harvey H. Harper

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The movement and fate of heavy metal inputs (Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu, Al, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cr) from highway runoff were investigated in a three-year study on 1.3 hectare retention facility near the Maitland Interchange on Interstate 4, north of Orlando, Florida. Physical characteristics of the retention pond and surrounding watershed were defined and field instrumentation was installed. Stormwater samples were collected over a one-year period, representing a wide range of intensities and antecedent dry periods. Stormwater characteristics were compared with average retention pond water quality to determine removal efficiencies for heavy metals within the pond. A total of …

An I/O Controller Design For A Mainframe Computer In A Military Training Device, Robert E. Cara

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The design of an I/O Controller capable of processing data in real time in a tactical training simulator is presented. The controller consists of two microprocessor systems that communicate with peripherals by means of programmed I/O, and with the host computer by Direct Memory Access (DMA) and a serial RS232 link. This thesis addresses both the hardware and software aspects of the controller design.

Simulation Of High Resolution Range And Separation Profiles Using A Stepped Frequency Radar Pulse, Howard. Fain

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Single frequency pulse, linear frequency pulse, and stepped frequency pulse are a few of the radar pulse waveforms used to obtain target range information. Using a basic single frequency pulse limits the radar's range resolution by the pulse width, has excessive energy requirements, and is more vulnerable to jamming. With the use of frequency modulation the radar's range resolution can be greatly enhanced. This report deals with some of the issues involved in using stepped frequency pulse trains to obtain high resolution target range and range autocorrelation profiles. Radar returns from stepped frequency pulse trains may be coherently processed to …

Application Software Of The Future-Filter Design With Gem, Alan D. George

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As the use of computer in engineering design as well as other areas increase, it becomes more imperative that the application software used be as simple, convenient, and powerful as possible. The engineer is not interested in the internal workings of the computer or its operating system. It is the design itself that takes precedence. The filter design package developed for this project, known as FILTER, is such an application. With FILTER, coupled with the Digital Research Graphics Environment Manager, the engineer is led through the analog and digital filter design phase on a personal computer with carefully designed interactive …

Radar: Theory And Insight, Terry A. Dougherty

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Radar principles and design considerations are reviewed, using both analytical and heuristic methods. Emphasis is placed on achieving physical insight while maintaining technical rigor. Waveform properties and signal detectability maximization through matched filtering is discussed in detail. The Moving Target Indicator radar system is presented as an illustration of digital signal processing technology applied to modern radar systems.

A Tool For Developing Diagnostics For A Digital Switching System, David G. Tagge

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Testing large digital systems is difficult. Throughout the literature on “design for testability,” the existence of diagnostic software is assumed. However, developing such software is a significant task. A hardware test fixture was developed to assist in the development of diagnostic software for a Stromberg-Carlson Corporation switching system. Two circuit boards were designed, constructed, and debugged.

Thmfp Reduction In Potable Water Using Granular Activated Carbon With And Without Pre-Ozonation, Rebecca M. Ciliax

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effectiveness of using granular activated carbon (GAC) to reduce trihalomethane formation potential (TIIMFP) in potable water . The City of Melbourne , Florida was chosen as a study site due to excessive levels of THM's in the finished water (greater than the 0.1 mg/1 standard). A pilot plant s tudy lasting 473 days included two GAC column systems : one receiving unozonated water, the other ozonated water. The water used in these experiments was obtained from Lake Washington, a highly colored surface water source which supplies Melbourne . The water applied to the GAC columns was …

Level Curve Concept For Facility Planning Using The Apple Ii Graphics Tablet, Craig E. Kirkland

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this effort is to demonstrate the feasibility of using a low cost microcomputer graphics system to assist the practicing engineer in solving facility planning problems. In many cases the lower resolution of the microcomputer system may be adequate and a better choice than a more expensive system. A demonstration microcomputer graphics system was developed using the Apple II Plus computer and an Apple Graphics Tablet. The facility planning problem chosen was single-facility location using the level curve concept in the rectilinear movement case. Two separate programs were written. The first was used to define the layout of …

Data Acquisition And Analysis Routines For Laser Propagation Experiments, Steven M. Burke

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Processing and analysis routines giving normalized moments of optical intensity, structure functions of wind velocity and temperature, central moments, and various measures of the turbulence parameter, C²_N, are presented. Rapid analog-to-digital data conversion and storage to implement this analysis using MINC 11/23 with RT11 operating system are discussed. Coding for file organization and implementation of processing routines on the VAX 11/750, VMS operating system are also discussed.

Metal Leaching Characteristics Of Three Synthetically Generated Metal Finishing Sludges, Christopher M. Cherniak

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was performed involving the leaching characteristics of three synthetically-generated metal finishing sludges. Three precipitates (one hydroxide, two sulfide-based) containing varying concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc were dewatered and subjected to an EPA-regulated limits. The sludge generated from an insoluble sulfide process exhibited the fewest parameters in violation (two), while the soluble sulfide sludge had one metal in compliance and the hydroxide sludge had none. On a metal-by-metal basis, the lead and copper exhibited the greatest capacity to withstand resolubilization in a low pH (5) environment. Nickel and zinc were present at the highest leachate concentrations …

An Automated System For University Placement Center Interview Scheduling And Database Management, John C. Debo

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As the University of Central Florida grows, the number of students using the placement center increases and the number of prospective employers conducting interviews also increases rapidly. The present system for scheduling interviews and maintaining records on students and employers is time and paperwork intensive, and is falling behind the load.

The system described in this paper is designed to do most of the interaction with students seeking interviews to aid the staff in scheduling the employers' interviewing days, and to do most of the record keeping of eligible students and prospective employers.

The several program modules are written in …

The Design Of An Internal Resource Allocation Model For Use In Higher Education, Ann Clark

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A computer model has been developed for the purpose of allocating funds, by department, within a university. This model categorizes each class as one of three types -- lecture, problem solving, or laboratory. A standard class size is assigned to each type -- 40, 25, and 10 respectively. Combining the previous years head count for each class with the credit-hour value of each class, a faculty position count for every department is generated.

Administrative positions, staff positions, operating expense, and operating capital funds are calculated using various combinations of factors involving student credit hours, faculty positions, and class type. Factors …

A Policy Analysis Of The Legal Aspects Of Teaching The Handicapped Child In Physical Education, Ronald K. Hirst

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Within the last decade, handicapped students were routinely excluded from public schools (Cintron, 1983). Federal and state law now guarantee these children a free, appropriate public education. It is the task of school administrators to develop programs and policy to insure the rights of handicapped children. The goal of this research is to present a legal perspective for the teaching of handicapped children in physical education and offer specific recommendations for the successful implementation of educational programs for the handicapped. A policy analysis was performed with regards to the legal aspects of teaching the handicapped child in physical education with …

Fast-Flyback Mirror Scanner, Raymond E. Hanna

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The system analysis and computer simulation for a fast-flyback mirror scanning system is presented. Mirror dynamic equations are developed to define the torque requirements for the drive motor. Electromechanical modeling and Laplace transforms are formulated to develop system equations for computer simulation. From the computer simulation, the servo performance parameters are selected for the servo loop to complete the design.

An Evaluation Of Wheelchair Restraint Systems Used In The Transportation Of Disabled Persons, Robin L. Drespel

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

There has been a significant effort to provide disabled persons with increased independence and mobility. The federal government requires that transportation facilities be made accessible to the disabled, and the number of handicapped persons using these facilities is expected to increase significantly in the future. Restraint systems have been required for passenger cars since the 1960s, and considerable effort has been dedicated to increasing public awareness of the benefits of seat belt usage. Little effort has been devoted to the development of restraint systems for individuals who must use wheelchairs as vehicle seats. A survey was conducted in the Central …

Sampling Rate Conversion As Applied To Speech, Terry E. Tanzey

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

There are several different ways to perform sampling rate conversion. Two methods for sampling rate conversion are discussed in this paper. The first is the interpolator method (ideal) which uses the interpolation formula. The word “ideal” is used in the sense that given other forms of interpolation, the most accurate results are achieved by using the interpolation formula. Given samples of bandlimited analog signal taken at a rate at least twice the Nyquist frequency, it is possible to reconstruct the original analog signal by using the interpolation formula. The second is the traditional way of sampling rate conversion, which is …

New Non-Linear Fm Pulse-Compression Technique For Radar Applications, Ronald A. Booher

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The development of pulsed type radar signals is examined, with a brief review of matched filtering. Gated RF, linear and non-linear FM pulse-compression (chirp) and matched filtering of radar signals is reviewed in depth. Emphasis is given to identifying the desirable characteristics of each method. A new method of non-linear FM pulse-compression is introduced; it utilizes the Eigen Function (a form of the raised-cosine family) of functions) as its modulating term. Its properties are then compared to those of the linear and non-linear systems reviewed in the preceding sections. Design considerations for implementation on a surface acoustic wave device are …

A Logic Simulator Interface, John D. Lofgren

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A software interface between a firmware documentation system and a logic simulator named TEGAS-5¹ is described. The interface accepts PALASM² inputs for PAL files. The output is an ASCII file which defines the firmware parts in TEGAS-5 format. Modules are written in FORTRAN and command routines are written in DCL on VAX 11/780 machines. No system calls are required, so portability is maintained. Limitations include the inability to load two different programs in identical firmware parts on the same design, but this can be overcome.

¹GE/Calma Corporation trademark

²MMI Corporation trademark

Optimum Input Impedance For An Electro-Oculometer, Robert A. Solomon

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A High Level Programming Language And Compiler For The Heathkit Et-18 Hero Robot, Daniel. Fischoff

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Robots are being used extensively i• n industry to increase the productivity and flexibility of manufacturing operations. Personnel must be trained to operate industrial robots safely and effectively. Many educational robotic systems have been developed, but these devices usually lack the high level programming language capabilities found on modern industrial robots. The Heathkit Hero Robot is an educational robotic system. A high level language was developed for the robot to make the Hero a more effective educational device. The high level language and compiler operate on an IBM Personal Computer, allowing robot programs to be written offline without interrupting the …

The Application Of Value Analysis Techniques To Service Organizations, David M. Richardson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research involves review of value analysis and value engineering techniques and application of these techniques to a service organization. Application of value analysis techniques to service organizations required some modification due to the amount of labor intensive, manual operations typical of many service industries. The modified value analysis methodology was applied to a fueling operation performed by Kennedy Space Center as part of their space shuttle operations. The successful application of this technique illustrated that value analysis methodology can be applied to service organizations with slight modifications.

A Computer Program To Design Reinforcement For Concrete Beams Subjected To Torsion, James E. Schwarz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A concrete beam is rarely subjected to pure torsion loading. However, in many design applications a beam is subjected to torsional loads in addition to bending and shear loading. The American Concrete Institute has developed a specification for the design of beams subjected to torsion. These specifications are found in ACI 318-83. In this research report, a computer program is presented, using these specifications, which will aid engineers in the design of reinforcement for concrete beams subjected to torsional loading. The provisions of the ACI 318-83 specification and their implementation into the computer program are presented. A sample problem is …

Data Compilation And Statistical Analysis Of Bachelor Of Science In Engineering Graduates At The University Of Central Florida, June A. Hagerty

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The College of Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF) required a data set containing the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) graduates from 1970 on, to be updated each semester. The data set was created in 1984, through the use of the Statistical Analysis System/Full-Screen Product (SAS/FSP), a computer system which allows for easy access to and editing of data values, and the use of SAS programming for statistical analysis of the data set. The data set presently (1985) contains 1483 observations each with 70 variables, such as personal information (age, social security number, ethnic origin), degree information …

Sex Differences In Dietary Practices And Attitudes Toward Weight, Mary F. Rollins

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Obesity constitutes one of America's major health problems. It has been estimated that there are 40 to 80 million Americans who are considered obese (Stuart & Davis, 1972). When 20% above ideal weight is used as a criterion of overweight, it is approximated that 25% to 45% of American adults fall into this category (Rodin, 1977).

There is a sex difference in the prevalence of obesity. While some studies suggest that biological factors predispose females toward obesity (Stuart & Jacobson, 1979), other studies attribute the sex differences to social factors (Hall & Havassy 1981; Wooley, Wooley, & Dyrenforth 1979a; Zegman …

Surgical Sterilization Of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella Val.), David H. Clippinger

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In November, 1983, 93 sexually immature and 33 mature grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) were surgically sterilized by clipping the gonaduct or removing a section of the ovaries of testes through a ventral incision between the pelvic girdle and the vent. No mortality occurred from this procedure. After six months (May, 1984), 95.7% of the immature and 100% of the mature grass carp had at least some gonadal tissue regeneration. Fifty-nine percent of the immature fish regenerated a pathway for the eggs or milt to enter the environment. Artificial spawning of the mature female grass carp was 66.7% successful. Over …

The Effects Of Magnetic Flux On Suspended Particles In Seawater, Mohammed A. Nehme

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of magnetic devices on the precipitates in a condenser’s tubes when seawater is used as cooling water. This test was necessary to evaluate these devices as possible replacements for conventional methods of water treatment. In the test program, a small condenser was operated with conditions similar to utility condensers. This condenser was modified to include twelve tubes. The inlet water box was divided to provide for two parallel magnetic water treatment streams, and one control untreated water stream for comparison purposes. With and without the use of a magnetic device, the chemical …

Fiber Optic Temperature Sensors For A Large Electric Power Generator, Daniel A. Lester

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Fiber optic temperature sensors are excellent candidates for monitoring the temperature along the stator windings of a large electric power generator. Unlike thermocouple thermometers, they are immune to the effects of strong magnetic fields which are present in all power generators. Several different point and line sensors have been evaluated in their ability to resolve temperature and temperature distribution (respectively), as well as their compatibility with the generator environment. The sensor must function inside the generator for long periods of time (up to 25 years) without benefit of recalibration. This constraint has required us to devise methods by which the …