Digital Commons Network^™

The Radar Range Equation For The Detection Of Steady Targets In Weibull Clutter, Leon C. Rountree

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the detection characteristics of a steady target immersed in radar clutter characterized by returns statistically modeled according to a Weibull probability density function are developed. A detector model is developed by modifying an envelope detection scheme used to detect deterministic signals in Gaussian noise. By examining the statistics of the detector output under alternate hypotheses, an expression for the probability of detection (P sub d) is developed in terms of the probability of false alarm (P sub fa), the signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR), and the Weibull skewness parameter (b), which is a function of the type of terrain …

Pulsed Compression For Aerosol Ranging With Coherent Pulse-Doppler Lidar Systems, Jerry L. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides a thorough review of conventional matched filter radar theory as it applies to aerosol sensing lidar. Basic matched-filter radar theory and the complex, dense aerosol target model eventually lead to a general derivation of the matched-filter radar receiver response to a dense aerosol target environment. The matched-filter response is obtained in terms of a two dimensional convolution of the target scattering function and the radar ambiguity function. The range and radial velocity resolution of various radar signals were compared using the matched-filter radar receiver and scattering function models. Pulse compression radar signals were compared to the simple …

Te Scattering From A Dielectric Coated Conducting Strip, William D. Wood Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Consider a plane wave incident on a conducting strip of infinite length coated on one side with a thin, uniform coating of lossless dielectric, and let the incident magnetic field vector be parallel to the edges of the strip. From first principles we develop the integral equations relating the total, incident, and scattered fields in the dielectric. We expand the fields in the dielectric slab as the sum of three plane waves (the 'forced' wave and two oppositely-directed surface waves). The phase constants in the x and y directions are known and the wave amplitudes are found using least-squared- error-point-matching. …

Automatic Flight Control System Design For An Unmanned Research Vehicle Using Discrete Quantitative Feedback Theory, David G. Wheaton

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the application of non-minimum phase (NMP) w'- plane discrete MIMO (multiple-input-multiple-output) Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) to the design of a three-axis rate-commanded automatic flight control system for an unmanned research vehicle (URV). The URV model used has seven inputs and three outputs derived from the small-angle perturbation equations of motion. Plant parameter uncertainty consists of six flight conditions derived from variations in the aircraft center of gravity, airspeed, and gross weight. A weighting matrix delts is used to post-multiply the plants for blending the seven effector inputs into three effective rate-command inputs and resulting in an effective …

Design Of A Linear Gaussian Control Law For An Adaptive Optics System, Mark Alan Von Bokern

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis considers the design of a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller for a ground-based adaptive-optics telescopes. The incoming aberrated image is reflected from a 97-element piezoelectric mirror, then measured with a Hartmann-type wavefront sensor. A Kalman filter processes the outputs of the wavefront sensor and obtains estimates of system states. A linear quadratic regulator processes these state estimates and determines an appropriate set of commands for the deformable mirror. Atmospheric distortion is modeled as a set of fourteen Zernike coefficients whose dynamic behavior is produced by excitation of a set of shaping filters by zero-mean Gaussian white noise. The …

An Evaluation Of An Ada Implementation Of The Rete Algorithm For Embedded Flight Processors, F. Jesse Fanning

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to design and develop an expert system shell in Ada, and to evaluate the shell's execution and size performance to determine its suitability for real-time operation on the MIL-STD-1750A embedded flight processor. The expert system shell uses the CLIPS/Ada inference engine, a forward-chaining Ada implementation of Rete. The expert system shell design is presented along with an overview of the target environment--the MIL-STD-1750A VHSIC Avionic Modular Processor (VAMP) running under the Ada Avionics Real-Time Software (AARTS) Operating System. Theoretical and empirical complexity analyses of the inference engine are presented and discussed in view of …

A Biologically-Inspired Neural Network Architecture For Image Processing, Laurence E. Lazofson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project included a literature survey of biological and artificial neural network research followed by development and testing of high- order and image recognition hierarchical neural network algorithms. Following training, performance testing of second-order and third-order networks yielded maximum accuracies comparable to those achieved by multilayer perceptron classifiers operating on test data sets. Several versions of an image classification algorithm were tested for learning performance using pixel data from forward-looking infrared (FLIR) images of tanks, trucks, target boards, and clutter. Employing the biologically-motivated Lambertization and contrast normalization of pixel windows, correlations with multiple Gabor function wavelets, and a 'phase …

Model-Based 3-D Recognition System Using Gabor Features And Neural Networks, Phung D. Le

Theses and Dissertations

A different approach to pattern recognition was attempted using Gabor features, artificial neural nets, and an image generator. The Gabor features and artificial neural nets are sound biological-based, and the image generator provides complete access to any view of an object. This thesis tested the idea that their integration could form a robust 3-D recognition system. The results of the research showed that the Gabor features together with a neural net were used successfully in classifying objects regardless of their positions, out-of- plane rotations, and to a lesser extent in-plane rotations. The Gabor features were obtained by correlating the image …

Detection Of High Altitude Aircraft Wake Vortices Using Infrared Doppler Lidar: An Assessment, Michael J. Estes

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the feasibility of air-to-air detection of high altitude aircraft wake vortices at long ranges using infrared Doppler lidar. The purpose of this technique is to detect otherwise stealthy aircraft. Three laser wavelengths were analyzed: 1.064, 2.091, and 9.115 microns. Analysis revealed that the spectral width of the return signal from an aircraft wake presented a good signature for detection. Based on the analysis, a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 0 db was established. Detection performance was then analyzed using signal-to-noise ratio calculations for backscatter by ambient atmospheric aerosols, jet engine exhaust soot particles, and condensation trail ice particles. …

A Compact Optical Associative Memory Using Dynamic Holographic Storage Media And Photorefractive Gain And Attenuation Elements, Thomas J. Burns

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort implemented a compact optical associative memory architecture consisting of a Fabry-Perot Confocal Resonator (FPCR) optical processing environment, two dynamically reprogrammable Lithium Niobate volume holograms, and Barium Titanate gain and attenuation elements. The reduced physical dimensions of the compact optical processing environment make it more adaptable to military applications than previous associative memory designs. The FPCR employs Mangin mirrors designed to reduce spherical aberrations in off-axis rays. The orientation of the gain element's grating vector angle and the model used to predict the profile of the attenuation element were unique to this research effort. The object stored in …

Fluorescent Lifetime Measurements Of Rare Earth Elements In Gallium Arsenide, Danny J. Topp

Theses and Dissertations

Lifetime measurements of the excited states of three GaAs semiconductors doped with the rare earth elements Erbium (ER), Praseodymium (Pr) , and Thulium (Tm) has been studied using a pulsed nitrogen laser and germanium detector. The measurements were made with an experimental set up with a system response time of 0.34 micro seconds. A 330 milliwatt nitrogen laser with a wavelength of 3370 angstrums was used to excite transitions of the rare earth elements.

Multidisciplinary Modeling And Design Of A Space Structure, Brian K. Cassiday, Lawrence L. Gatchet, John T. Tester, Stephen O. Gaines Ii, Mario N. Moya

Theses and Dissertations

A method is needed to simultaneously integrate several engineering disciplines into one complete model to determine the performance of the system as a whole during the design development. System engineering methodologies are particularly suited to this problem. These methods provide a structured approach to problem formulation and system parameter identification. Bond graphs are also well suited as bond graphs model power flow and energy relationships within subsystems, a characteristic inherent to all dynamic systems. The intent of this research was to demonstrate the use of concurrent engineering theory to systematically model a large flexible space structure involving several engineering disciplines. …

A Computer Model Of A Co2 Oscillator-Amplifier System, William F. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

An existing CO₂ laser amplifier simulation model developed for use on IBM-compatible personal computers has been improved through the redesign and addition of supplemental procedures from several models. The models and selected procedures which form the basis of the improved model are described. One procedure calculates the pumping rates of CO₂ and N₂ through calculation of the Boltzmann equation. Another procedure calculates the average vibrational temperatures of C₂'s vibrational modes. A third procedure replaces the Runge- Kutta integrator used in the original model with a faster, more accurate Adams- Bashforth-Moulton predictor-corrector integrator.

An Analysis Of The Effects Of Phenytoin In Treating Motion Sickness And The Effects Of Motion Sickness On The Human Electroencephalogram, Todd M. Banducci

Theses and Dissertations

This research had two goals: to continue the ongoing research at AFIT to determine the efficacy of the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin in combating the onset and progression of motion sickness; and to note whether or not there is a discernable similarity in the brains of the test subjects to indicate a common point of origin (epicenter) and propagation pattern of the effects of motion sickness in the brain. Eight male DOD personnel were used as subjects to complete twelve trials. Four subjects completed the phenytoin verses placebo double-blind crossover experiment. These four subjects experienced a 99% mean increase in their …

A Correlation And Forecasting Analysis On Lost Satellites, Kenneth R. Norton

Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between the size of the United States Air Force Space Command's lost satellite lists and thirteen other variables is investigated. The thirteen variables contain the Space Surveillance Center crew's effort to work the lost list, solar activity, geomagnetic field strength, and the number of observations received each day from seven space track sensors. To identify the relationship of cause and effect between the lost lists and the thirteen variables, simple and multiple linear regressions are used on a data set that begins on 1 January 1988 and ends on 31 December 1988. Multiple linear regression and basic time-series …

An Aluminum Salvage Station For The External Tank (Asset), James N. Haislip Jr., William C. Raynes Jr., David L. Van Matte, Roger E. Linscott, Michael A. Skinner

Theses and Dissertations

The external tank is currently the only non-reusable portion of the National Space Transportation System. The tank has 98% of the energy required to be placed in orbit at the point it is jettisoned. The purpose of this study is to develop techniques which would transform this throw-away item into a source of construction material at low earth orbit. A simulation is developed to verify the reduction timelines and peak power requirements for manual and automated reduction. The required tools to accomplish the tasks of initial cutting, product transport, spray on foam insulation removal, and product storage are developed. A …

Application Of Influence Diagrams In Identifying Soviet Satellite Missions, Cary C. Chun

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the feasibility of applying influence diagrams to capture expert knowledge and incorporate decision theory to construct a Soviet satellite mission prediction model. Before a Soviet launch occurs, formulations of the model's prior probability distribution allows the input of expert knowledge and any available information. As the predictive variables of the model become known, the information is used to successively refine the estimate of the probable mission, thereby, reducing the uncertainty in the model. Discretizing is used to approximate continuous variables as discrete variables which successfully allows the combination of both variable types in a single influence diagram …

Executive Information Systems For Usaf Hospital Administrators: A Feasibility Assessment, Alan R. Constantian

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the feasibility of implementing an executive information system (EIS) for hospital administrators at CONUS-based USAF inpatient medical facilities. A literature search determined that successful system implementation would require that such an EIS be found technically, economically, operationally, and motivationally feasible. Failure to meet any of these feasibility factors would jeopardize successful implementation. Surveys were mailed to each of the administrators and medical systems officers of CONUS- based USAF inpatient medical facilities in order to gather data on these feasibility issues. Approximately eighty percent of the survey population of 66 in each group responded to the survey. There …

An Assessment Of The Factors In Office Automation Systems Affecting Air Force Middle Managers And Clerical Workers In The Information Management Career Field, Loy C. Cook

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the attitudes and opinions of personnel affected by two office automation systems. Reprographics Automated Management System (RAMS) and Records Information Management System (RIMS). Eight investigative questions were posed: (1) How receptive were information management personnel to the office automation systems (RAMS and RIMS)? (2) Were information management personnel's perception different now from the period prior to installation of the office automation systems? (3) What is the frequency of use for each office automation system? (4) What major factors impede these office automation projects (RAMS/RIMS)? (5) What major factors facilitate these office automation …

A Comparison Of Human-Computer Interfaces In Air Force Organizations, Michael G. Morris

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated differences in organizational efficiency and effectiveness for users of graphical user interfaces and text-based interfaces on personal computers in Air Forces offices. Areas of interest included amount of time required to learn the basic system, amount of time required to learn new application, users' ratings of user-friendliness, users' perceptions of the extent that their system help them perform in their job, the number of software packages used on the job by users of each system, user satisfaction, responsible authorities' ratings of quality of output, and the relationship between user job experience level and interface used on the …

An Evaluation Of The Educational Background And Knowledge Base Of Air Force Information Management Officers, Summer E. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the educational background and knowledge base recommended for Information Management professionals to that currently possessed by Air Force Information Management (IM) officers. The literature review revealed that information managers should have an educational background that provides them with knowledge in the areas of people, computers, systems, models, organization, and society. Statistics made available through the Air Force Manpower and Personnel Center (AFMPC) indicated that only 2.1% of all 70XX officers have a complete information resource management background, and only 7% have a technical or computer-related background.

An Examination Of The Perceived Computer Literacy Of Enlisted Air Force Administration Personnel And An Analysis Of Their Perceived Training Needs, Howard A. Bass

Theses and Dissertations

With the realignment of the Air Force administration career field under the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force on November 19, 1987, came a new set of requirements for all Air Force administrators. They were now responsible for electronic information as well as the written word. The question was, did the administrators have the technical capabilities, or computer literacy, needed to handle these new requirements. This study made that assessment and additionally made a determination of the enlisted administrators perceived computer training needs. The results revealed that only 64.3% of the respondents perceived themselves as computer literate. …

Damping Of Layered Beams With Mixed Boundary Conditions, Eugene T. Cottle

Theses and Dissertations

For many years, viscoelastic materials have been used in damping treatments to control vibration. In order to optimize a damping treatment for maximum damping, a design engineer must be able to predict frequencies of vibration of damped normal modes and loss factors as a function of the design parameters. Theoretical models of layered beams have been developed, but to date, exact solutions have assumed boundary conditions to be the same for all layers. In this thesis, equations of motion for a damped, layered beam are solved for the longitudinal displacement of both elastic layers, as well as the lateral displacement …

Characterization Of Barium Titanate As An Optical Amplifier, George A. Vogel

Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of two-beam coupling in photorefractive materials has resulted in an extensive amount of research into their use as optical processing/computing elements. This dissertation develops the theoretical equations for two-beam coupling in barium titanate as an optical amplifier. One of the factors which limits the optical gain in photorefractive crystals is the loss of pump beam power to the amplification of parasitic light (beam fanning). This parasitic light is produced by light scattered from the pump beam by imperfections on both the crystal face and within the crystal. Through the analysis of signal and noise amplification as functions of …

A Whole Word And Number Reading Machine Based On Two Dimensional Low Frequency Fourier Transforms, Mark A. O'Hair

Theses and Dissertations

The Fourier transform is investigated as a means for developing an optical reader capable of reading a large vocabulary without segmenting the image of a word into individual characters. The reader is capable of reading printed and cursive font styles, is scale invariant, and is substantially insensitive to noise. The image of a particular word is treated as a single symbol; the two dimensional low frequency Fourier coefficients (assuming n coefficients are calculated) define the word's location on an n dimensional hypersphere of unit radius. The distance between individual locations (words) categorizes similar and dissimilar words. The smaller the distance, …

Developmentally Appropriate Software: Its Effect On The Language Of Young Children, Janice A. Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect that the use of computer software which has been designated as more or less developmentally appropriate had on the language of young children. The guiding questions for the study were: (1) what common and varied patterns exist in children's language in response to software that has been designated by the Haugland/Shade Developmental Scale as more or less developmentally appropriate, and (2) how do individual and pairs of children respond to software that has been designated as more or less developmentally appropriate for children in their age range? Four pieces of …

Investigation Of Parent Program On Mediating Stress As It Relates To The Special Education Process, Mary Carol Stammen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a parent training program, "FACTS," by: (1) increasing the parents' perceived ability to participate in the special education process of their child as an active participant, and (2) lowering the level of stress experienced as they interact with the educational system of their children.

This study involved an experimental group consisting of 26 parents who received the parent training program and a control group consisting of 24 parents who did not receive the parent training program. Both groups completed pre- and post-test measures. The instruments used for this measure …

Wild Bill Goes To Washington : A Reassessment Of The Senate Career Of North Dakota's William Langer, Eric P. Bergeson

Theses and Dissertations

William Langer is firmly established as a legend in North Dakota history. The legend began during his controversial terms as attorney general (1916-1920) and governor (1932-1934 and 1936-1938). A maverick in the United States Senate after his election to the upper chamber in 1940, admirers saw him as a civil libertarian and a defender of the "common man." The loyalty and devotion of his constituents increased over the years because of his willingness to do favors for them and because of his considerable campaign skills. However, a study of his papers, the Congressional Record, and newspaper and magazine articles reveals …

Picture Viewing As A Test Of Attention To Food And Body Image Cues In Restrained Versus Nonrestrained Eaters, Sally Rose Brinza

Theses and Dissertations

Restrained eaters, those who chronically and severely restrict food intake in order to lose weight, are thought to exhibit thoughts and behaviors similar to those seen in semi-starved and eating disordered (bulimic and anorexic) individuals. A paradoxical tendency to overeat once food restraint is disinhibited has been noted in restrainers. Food and body weight preoccupation and hyperresponsiveness to external food cues have been hypothesized to occur in restrained individuals; however the literature reports conflicting results and these factors have not been thoroughly investigated. Cognitive factors which differentiate restrained eaters from nonrestrained eaters may affect information processing.

The purpose of this …

Minimum Orbits About The Planet Venus, Jeffrey J. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

An investigation is conducted into low orbiting satellites around the planet Venus with drag limited lifetimes. It is possible to specify combinations of orbital elements which result in orbital lifetimes in excess of some desired value. These combinations can be assembled into Critical Curves and Critical surfaces. Critical Curves and Surfaces are defined as curves and surfaces in orbital element space above which initial element sets will result in orbits that meet or exceed lifetime requirements. A numerical method is implemented for finding these combinations, and three Critical Surfaces are examined. A decay threshold is selected for bounding satellite lifetime. …