Engineering Commons^™

Atrengine: An Orientation-Based Algorithm For Automatic Target Recognition, Justin Ting-Jeuan Kuo

Master's Theses

Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) is a subject involving the use of sensor data to develop an algorithm for identifying targets of significance. It is of particular interest in military applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles and missile tracking systems. This thesis develops an orientation-based classification approach from previous ATR algorithms for 2-D Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. Prior work in ATR includes Chessa Guilas’ Hausdorff Probabilistic Feature Analysis Approach in 2005 and Daniel Cary’s Optimal Rectangular Fit in 2007.

A system incorporating multiple modules performing different tasks is developed to streamline the data processing of previous algorithms. Using images from …

Mos Current Mode Logic (Mcml) Analysis For Quiet Digital Circuitry And Creation Of A Standard Cell Library For Reducing The Development Time Of Mixed Signal Chips, David Marusiak

Master's Theses

Many modern digital systems use forms of CMOS logical implementation due to the straight forward design nature of CMOS logic and minimal device area since CMOS uses fewer transistors than other logic families. To achieve high-performance requirements in mixed-signal chip development and quiet, noiseless circuitry, this thesis provides an alternative toCMOSin the form of MOS Current Mode Logic (MCML). MCML dissipates constant current and does not produce noise during value changing in a circuit CMOS circuits do. CMOS logical networks switch during clock ticks and with every device switching, noise is created on the supply and ground to deal with …

Smart Wall Outlet Design And Implementation For The Dc House Project, Kevin Roy Mendoza

Master's Theses

Most everyday AC appliances are designed to operate off of 120V coming from the wall outlet in our homes. This voltage is a standard set from our established infrastructure. Unlike AC devices, DC devices do not have any set standard of voltage they all will run off of. This presents a problem for the DC house as the various loads that will be used will have different required input voltages. One set voltage for a wall outlet will not suffice for the DC House. This Smart Wall Outlet is designed with a DC-DC converter that will have its output voltage …

A Frequency-Domain Method For Active Acoustic Cancellation Of Known Audio Sources, Ryan D. Rocha

Master's Theses

Active noise control (ANC) is a real-time process in which a system measures an external, unwanted sound source and produces a canceling waveform. The cancellation is due to destructive interference by a perfect copy of the received signal phase-shifted by 180 degrees. Existing active noise control systems process the incoming and outgoing audio on a sample-by-sample basis, requiring a high-speed digital signal processor (DSP) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with strict timing requirements on the order of tens of microseconds. These timing requirements determine the maximum sample rate and bit size as well as the maximum attenuation that the system can …

Variable Precision Tandem Analog-To-Digital Converter (Adc), Colton A. Parsons

Master's Theses

This paper describes an analog-to-digital signal converter which varies its precision as a function of input slew rate (maximum signal rate of change), in order to best follow the input in real time. It uses Flash and Successive Approximation (SAR) conversion techniques in sequence.

As part of the design, the concept of "total real-time optimization" is explored, where any delay at all is treated as an error (Error = Delay * Signal Slew Rate). This error metric is proposed for use in digital control systems. The ADC uses a 4-bit Flash converter in tandem with SAR logic that has variable …

Data Transfer Using Light, Ryan Thomas Suarez

Computer Engineering

A proof of concerpt for data transmission using light as a medium. Data is transferred by strobing and LED faster than the human eye can detect in an attempt to come up with a more secure alternate to in-building wifi.

Modeling And Simulation Of Parallel D-Statcoms With Full-Wave Rectifiers, Jason Brinsfield

Master's Theses

In recent years, both a significant increase in electrical demand and a large influx of intermittent renewable energy sources have put a considerable stress on the nation’s electrical grid. Conventional power flow control techniques such as capacitor banks and tap-changing transformers are incapable of adequately handling the rapid fluctuations in power supply and demand that today’s grid experiences. Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) controllers are a practical way to compensate for such rapid power fluctuations. One type of shunt FACTS controller is the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), which uses fully controllable switches to source or sink reactive power to a …

Engine Control Unit Tuning Module Test System, Efren Alonzo Cabebe Jr.

Computer Engineering

A test system has been developed to provide quality assurance and functional testing for soon-to-be mass produced engine tuning modules. The system is comprised of two halves: the front-end graphical user interface and back-end microcontroller platform. The use of the interface is intuitive in starting tests and reporting the status of completed tests. The back-end microcontroller platform performs the physical tests. Two high precision analog-to-digital converters and two digital-to-analog converters provide the inputs to and receive the outputs from the module, with another pulse-width-modulated pin tied to the tachometer input. Alongside the test system infrastructure, a simple suite of tests …

The Trackpacer, Alexandra Kline

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

Competitive and recreational runners struggle to maintain a target pace during workouts and currently have no easy-to-see visual feedback on their pace. Lack of real-time, easy-to-see pace feedback makes it difficult for athletes to maintain a target pace and thereby makes their workouts less effective. Some GPS watches provide pacing feedback, but they are impossible to read while running hard.

Pacing is a basic yet essential component of track and field, no matter what type of running event is taking place. During practice, certain paces are prescribed to evoke certain physiological responses from athletes. For example, a coach might ask …

Singing Arc, Justin Kis

Electrical Engineering

This project aims to develop a singing arc. A singing arc is commonly, though mistakenly, referred to as a plasma speaker. Whereas a traditional speaker uses a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to move an electromagnet, which in turn moves a cone, which generates sound waves, the singing arc sends a PWM signal through a standing spark, which vibrates, which generates sound waves.

Several plans for the singing arc are readily available online. This project will analyze the similarities between a selection of them, try to eliminate any faults in design, and improve the function of the circuit. The final …

Boosty-Bit: Power For Pint-Sized Projects, Timothy Grijalva

Electrical Engineering

In order to make it easier for hobbyists to create small portable microcontroller based electronics projects, I have created Boosty-bit, a tiny DC-DC boost convert that runs off a single alkaline battery cell (AA or AAA). The Boosty-bit converter can source up to 250mA @ 3.3v, making it ideal for many microcontroller based projects. In addition to power management, Boosty-bit is also physically small, allowing it to fit inside pen/marker-sized enclosures along with a AAA battery and a microcontroller. Boosty-bit aims to be the ideal solution for “makers” who desire portability and compact form factors in their projects.

Learning About Led Lighting Technology Through Patents, Joe C. Liu

Master's Theses

Patents and published patent applications are valuable resources to students, engineers, and researchers for learning about technology. This thesis investigated the ability to learn about a technology through the disclosures that are made in published patent applications and issued patents.

This thesis first provides an overview of U.S. patent law, system, and resources that are available to the public. It is through an understanding of U.S. patent law and system that one can appreciate that patents and patent applications are a resource for learning about technology.

By providing the basic building blocks of LED lighting technology as learned through the …

Fuzz Pedal Design Project, Kyle Schaefer

Biomedical Engineering

The purpose of this project was to design and build a high quality, yet affordable, analog “fuzz” guitar pedal kit to be sold to other members of Cal Poly’s Audio Engineering Society. The Audio Engineering Society (AES) has hosted pedal-building projects in the past, but my project partner Michael Twardochleb first had the idea to build an original kit to be officially affiliated with the club. Michael had built other pedals of his own in the past, making him an excellent partner to have for this project. Our design was based on the classic Vox Tonebender’s circuit, which was in …

Imu Based Tracking And Stabilization System, Aaron Barton

Electrical Engineering

The objective of this project is to develop a system that can track a user selected point in space given displacement, vibration and rotation of the device. Stabilization systems are used in various forms over the years, with the military amongst the foremost adopters. More recently, with the increasing popularity of quad-copters for RC hobbyists, and small cameras capable of take high quality video during recreational sports such as skiing or mountain biking, the need has emerged for a cheaper, more accessible version of stabilization systems for use in photography. Additionally, while some devices do exist for hobbyists can take …

The Garage Band Lightshow, Jason Descenzo

Electrical Engineering

The expenses musicians accrue make it hard to afford all the different equipment needed to perform and very unlikely that the average start up band or artist can afford the luxury of a musical light show in their early performances. The Garage Band Lightshow provides an easily set up and affordable way for musicians to use concert lighting in their performances. The Garage Band Lightshow provides one LED box. The light box responds to an audio signal and provides varying pulses and colors of light depending on the high, mid, and low frequencies of the audio signal. The Garage Band …

Investigation Of Degradation Effects Due To Gate Stress In Gan-On-Si High Electron Mobility Transistors Through Analysis Of Low Frequency Noise, Michael Curtis Meyer Masuda

Master's Theses

Gallium Nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) have superior performance characteristics compared to Silicon (Si) and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) based transistors. GaN is a wide bandgap semiconductor which allows it to operate at higher breakdown voltages and power. Unlike traditional semiconductor devices, the GaN HEMT channel region is undoped and relies on the piezoelectric effect created at the GaN and Aluminum Gallium Nitride (AlGaN) heterojunction to create a conduction channel in the form of a quantum well known as the two dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Because the GaN HEMTs are undoped, these devices have higher electron mobility crucial for …