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Air Force Institute of Technology

2006

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Articles 181 - 210 of 225

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Characterization Of Compressive Creep Behavior Of Oxide/Oxide Composite With Monazite Coating At Elevated Temperature, Patrick R. Jackson Mar 2006

Characterization Of Compressive Creep Behavior Of Oxide/Oxide Composite With Monazite Coating At Elevated Temperature, Patrick R. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

The compressive creep behavior of a N610/monazite/alumina composite was investigated in this work. The composite consists of a porous alumina matrix reinforced with NextelTM610 fibers coated with monazite in a symmetric cross-ply (0°/90°/0°/90°)s orientation. Compressive stress-strain behavior was investigated as well. The addition of monazite coating resulted in ~ 35% loss in compressive strength at 900°C and in ~45% loss in compressive strength at 1100°C. Compressive creep behavior was examined at 900 and 1100°C for creep stresses ranging from 50 to 95 MPa. Primary and secondary creep regimes were observed at both temperatures. Minimum creep rate was reached in all …

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Structural Design Of Wing Twist For Pitch Control Of Joined Wing Sensor Craft, Fred A. Kimler Iii Mar 2006

Structural Design Of Wing Twist For Pitch Control Of Joined Wing Sensor Craft, Fred A. Kimler Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated two aspects of the aft wing structure of a joined wing SensorCraft. First, the efficacy of a novel approach for incorporating wing twist for pitch control was analyzed. This design involved adding a spanwise sliding joint into the wing structure at the lower aft spar of the vehicle's aft wing. Second, the joint section where the forward and aft wings connect and form the outboard wing was redesigned and analyzed to improve the load transmission between the wing spars. Using MSC.NASTRAN, linear and non-linear static analyses were performed to examine the efficiency of the wing twist sliding …

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Fretting Fatigue Behavior Of Nickel Alloy In-100, Elhoucine Madhi Mar 2006

Fretting Fatigue Behavior Of Nickel Alloy In-100, Elhoucine Madhi

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, a systematic investigation of the fretting fatigue behavior of nickel alloy, IN-100 was carried out. The study includes both experimental work and the corresponding analysis of the contact conditions, and the latter is accomplished using the finite element method. Fretting fatigue tests were performed over a wide range of axial stresses to examine both low and high cycle fretting fatigue under constant contact load and the influence of different pad geometries was also explored. It was observed that fretting reduced the fatigue strength of IN- 100, and that increasing cylindrical pad radii does not have the same …

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A Comparison Of Main Rotor Smoothing Adjustments Using Linear And Neural Network Algorithms, Nathan A. Miller Mar 2006

A Comparison Of Main Rotor Smoothing Adjustments Using Linear And Neural Network Algorithms, Nathan A. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Helicopter main rotor smoothing is a maintenance procedure that is routinely performed to minimize airframe vibrations induced by non-uniform mass and/or aerodynamic distributions in the main rotor system. This important task is both time consuming and expensive, so improvements to the process have long been sought. Traditionally, vibrations have been minimized by calculating adjustments based on an assumed linear relationship between adjustments and vibration response. In recent years, artificial neural networks have been trained to recognize non-linear mappings between adjustments and vibration response. This research was conducted in order observe the character of the adjustment mapping of the Vibration Management …

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Alleviation Of Buffet-Induced Vibration Using Piezoelectric Actuators, Shawn D. Morganstern Mar 2006

Alleviation Of Buffet-Induced Vibration Using Piezoelectric Actuators, Shawn D. Morganstern

Theses and Dissertations

Buffet-induced vibration has been problematic for aircraft structures for many years. The F-16 ventral fin, while prone to these effects, lends itself well to the evaluation of modern active structural and flow control technologies. The objective of this research was to determine the most critical natural modes of vibration for the F-16 ventral fin and design piezoelectric actuators capable of reducing buffet-induced ventral fin vibration. A finite element model (FEM) for the fin was developed, tuned and optimized to closely match published modal frequencies. Piezoelectric actuator patches were designed using the strain characteristics of the FEM and integrated into the …

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Optimization Of A Low Heat Load Turbine Nozzle Guide Vane, Jamie J. Johnson Mar 2006

Optimization Of A Low Heat Load Turbine Nozzle Guide Vane, Jamie J. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Often turbomachinery airfoils are designed with aerodynamic performance foremost in mind rather than component durability. However, future aircraft systems require ever increasing levels of gas-turbine inlet temperature causing the durability and reliability of turbine components to be an ever more important design concern. As a result, the need to provide improved heat transfer prediction and optimization methods presents itself. Here, an effort to design an airfoil with minimized heat load is reported. First, a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) flow solver was validated over different flow regimes as well as varying boundary conditions against extensive data available in literature published by the …

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Simulation Of A Moving Elastic Beam Using Hamilton's Weak Principle, Elliott J. Leigh Mar 2006

Simulation Of A Moving Elastic Beam Using Hamilton's Weak Principle, Elliott J. Leigh

Theses and Dissertations

Hamilton's Law is derived in weak form for slender beams with closed cross sections. The result is discretized with mixed space-time finite elements to yield a system of nonlinear, algebraic equations. An algorithm is proposed for solving these equations using unconstrained optimization techniques, obtaining steady-state and time accurate solutions for problems of structural dynamics. This technique provides accurate solutions for nonlinear static and steady-state problems including the cantilevered elastica and flatwise rotation of beams. Modal analysis of beams and rods is investigated to accurately determine fundamental frequencies of vibration, and the simulation of simple maneuvers is demonstrated.

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Structural Health Monitoring Considering Internal Beam Damage, Jessica B. Chronister Mar 2006

Structural Health Monitoring Considering Internal Beam Damage, Jessica B. Chronister

Theses and Dissertations

The present study establishes a nondestructive method of damage detection and assessment in cantilever beams. The specimens used are twelve-inch aluminum 2024-T3 beams with machined notches of varying lengths and locations. Laser Doppler vibrometry is used to obtain the frequency response of vibrating beams. Experimental methods are developed to detect the presence, location and extent of damage by direct observation of the eigenvector in the third through eighth modes. Models in MATLAB and ABAQUS are used to predict and validate the observed data. With this experimental method developed, the validity of the method is tested for specimens that have been …

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Characterizing The Impact Of Precision Time And Range Measurements From Two-Way Time Transfer Systems On Network Differential Gps Position Solutions, Kendra L. B. Cook Mar 2006

Characterizing The Impact Of Precision Time And Range Measurements From Two-Way Time Transfer Systems On Network Differential Gps Position Solutions, Kendra L. B. Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Precise positioning plays an important role for both military and civilian users, from cell phones and OnStar to precision munitions and swarms of UAVs. Many applications require precise relative positioning of a network of vehicles (such as aircraft, tanks, troops, etc). Currently, the primary means for performing precise positioning is by using the Global Positioning System (GPS), and although GPS has become commonplace in today’s society, there are still limitations affecting the system. Recent advances in dynamic Two-Way Time Transfer (TWTT) have potentially provided a means to improve precise relative positioning accuracy over differential GPS (DGPS)-only approaches. TWTT is a …

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Analysis Of Bacterial Population And Distribution In The Developing Strata Of A Constructed Wetland Used For Chlorinated Ethene Bioremediation, Milton J. Clausen Jr. Mar 2006

Analysis Of Bacterial Population And Distribution In The Developing Strata Of A Constructed Wetland Used For Chlorinated Ethene Bioremediation, Milton J. Clausen Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorinated hydrocarbons and their degradation products are among of the most common organic groundwater contaminates in the United States. These compounds attack the central nervous system in animals and can affect the photosynthesis of plants. These compounds are also resistant to degradation in the environment and, because of this, pose a risk to any ecosystem in which they are present. This study identified the dominant microbial species in a constructed treatment wetland at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Samples were taken from three different depths and during each of the four seasons. These samples were …

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Improving Maintenance Data Collection Via Point-Of-Maintenance (Pomx) Implementation, William D. Cone Mar 2006

Improving Maintenance Data Collection Via Point-Of-Maintenance (Pomx) Implementation, William D. Cone

Theses and Dissertations

Maintenance data collection is an integral part of flightline aircraft maintenance. Historically, this data was input via traditional keyboard data entry methods at a computer terminal. These terminals are typically located in the aircraft maintenance unit (AMU) facility, away from where the actual maintenance is being performed. In contrast to the traditional approach, the Point-of-Maintenance system (POMX) seeks to reduce the data entry burden while increasing data accuracy through the use of E-Tools such as ruggedized laptop computers and handheld portable maintenance aids (PMAs). POMX enables data entry at the aircraft or other maintenance location via wireless local area network …

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Characteristics Of Two-Dimensional Triangular And Three-Dimensional Face-Centered-Cubic Photonic Crystals, Jeffery D. Clark Mar 2006

Characteristics Of Two-Dimensional Triangular And Three-Dimensional Face-Centered-Cubic Photonic Crystals, Jeffery D. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The fabrication of photonic crystals (PhC) with photonic band gaps (PBG) in the visible range is a difficult task due to the small structural feature sizes of the PhC. The particular type of PhC examined is a two-dimensional (2-D) triangular structure with a PBG designed for visible wavelengths with applications in visible integrated photonic systems. This work examines the processes involved and viability of fabricating 2-D triangular PhC's by a variety of techniques: focused ion beam, electron lithography and holographic photo-polymerization/lithography. The design of the PhC was based on a program created to display gap maps for triangular structures. The …

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In Vitro Toxicity Of Aluminum Nanoparticles In Rat Alveolar Macrophages, Andrew J. Wagner Mar 2006

In Vitro Toxicity Of Aluminum Nanoparticles In Rat Alveolar Macrophages, Andrew J. Wagner

Theses and Dissertations

Nanomaterials, which are by definition in the 1 - 100 nanometer range, have numerous possible benefits to society, but currently there is a lack of data that characterizes these materials effects on human health and environment. In general nanomaterials are of interest to the Air Force because of their applications in electronics, sensors, munitions and energetic/reactive systems. Nanoparticles such as aluminum have been considered for enhancing propulsion in solid rocket fuel. To date, only a few studies have looked at the toxicological effects of direct exposure to nanoparticles, none with aluminum. It is important to increase the understanding of the …

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Free Flight Store Simulation Using Beggar, Judson T. Babcock Mar 2006

Free Flight Store Simulation Using Beggar, Judson T. Babcock

Theses and Dissertations

The complete numerical solution of the airflow around a store in extended free flight is of particular importance to the United States Air Force. Beggar is the primary Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program used by the USAF to obtain solutions for store separations. However, Beggar's ability to simulate a store in free flight is limited because the store must fall through a static background mesh, eventually reaching a point where the solution will fail. The length of any free flight simulation is consequently limited by the height of the background mesh. Code modifications are made to Beggar to remove this …

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A Minimum Effort Control Approach To Guided Munition Path Planning, Jeffrey M. Borkowski Mar 2006

A Minimum Effort Control Approach To Guided Munition Path Planning, Jeffrey M. Borkowski

Theses and Dissertations

An advance in the development of smart munitions entails autonomously modifying target selection during flight to maximize the value of the target being destroyed. Target identification and classification provides a basis for target value, which is used in conjunction with multi-target tracks to determine an optimal aim point for the munition. A unique guidance law can be constructed that exploits attribute and kinematic data from an onboard video sensor. This thesis develops an innovative path planning algorithm that provides an obstacle avoidance function while navigating the munition toward the highest value target. The foundation of this path planning method is …

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Multiframe Shift Estimation, Stephen A. Bruckart Mar 2006

Multiframe Shift Estimation, Stephen A. Bruckart

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop a fundamental framework for a new approach to multiframe translational shift estimation in image processing. This thesis sought to create a new multiframe shift estimator, to theoretically prove and experimentally test key properties of it, and to quantify its performance according to several metrics. The new estimator was modeled successfully and was proven to be an unbiased estimator under certain common image noise conditions. Furthermore its performance was shown to be superior to the cross correlation shift estimator, a robust estimator widely used in similar image processing cases, according to several criteria. …

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Space-Time Adaptive Processing For Side-Looking Arrays With Platform Maneuver, John T. Buckreis Mar 2006

Space-Time Adaptive Processing For Side-Looking Arrays With Platform Maneuver, John T. Buckreis

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort develops a space-time adaptive processing (STAP) radar data model for the side-looking (SL) array with platform maneuver. A primary assumption of most STAP models is the absence of platform maneuver during the coherent processing interval (CPI). This research abandons the platform stationarity assumption, allowing platform pitch, roll, and yaw during the CPI. The model developed characterizes platform maneuver effects on the clutter spectrum, examines Matched Filter (MF) output Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise-Ratio (SINR), and investigates maneuver impact on sample support homogeneity. The introduction of pitch marginally impacts MF SINR due to the lack of achieved azimuth resolution in this research, …

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Comparison Of Computational Electromagnetic Codes For Prediction Of Low-Frequency Radar Cross Section, Paul C. Lash Mar 2006

Comparison Of Computational Electromagnetic Codes For Prediction Of Low-Frequency Radar Cross Section, Paul C. Lash

Theses and Dissertations

Radar cross section (RCS) prediction of full-scale aircraft is of interest to military planners for a variety of applications. Several computational electromagnetic codes for RCS prediction are available with differing features and capabilities. The goal of this research is to compare the capabilities of three computational electromagnetic codes for use in production of RCS signature assessments at low frequencies in terms of performance, accuracy, and features: Fast Illinois Solver Code (FISC), Code for Analysis of Radiators on Lossy Surfaces (CARLOS-3D), and Science Applications International Corporation Full-wave solver (SAF). The comparison is accomplished through analysis of predicted and measured RCS of …

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Evaluation Of A Field Programmable Gate Array Circuit Reconfiguration System, Jason L. Ives Mar 2006

Evaluation Of A Field Programmable Gate Array Circuit Reconfiguration System, Jason L. Ives

Theses and Dissertations

This research implements a circuit reconfiguration system (CRS) to reconfigure a field programmable gate array (FPGA) in response to a faulty configurable logic block (CLB). It is assumed that the location of the fault is known and the CLB is moved according to one of four replacement methods: column left, column right, row up, and row down. Partial reconfiguration of the FPGA is done through the Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) port to produce the desired logic block movement. The time required to accomplish the reconfiguration is measured for each method in both clear and congested areas of the FPGA. …

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Determining The Resistivity Of Resistive Sheets Using Transmission Measurements, Milo W. Hyde Iv Mar 2006

Determining The Resistivity Of Resistive Sheets Using Transmission Measurements, Milo W. Hyde Iv

Theses and Dissertations

In September 2005, radar cross section (RCS) measurements were made of resistive sheets, or R-cards, wrapped around a polystyrene foam cylinder to compare with a newly developed theoretical RCS prediction technique. The resistivities of the R-cards were initially measured with a direct current (DC) four-point probe. When the RCS measurements were compared to the theoretical predictions, it became clear that DC resistivity alone is not sufficient to accurately predict the scattering from an R-card. This thesis presents alternating current (AC) methods for determining the resistivity of an R-card. Both freespace and waveguide techniques are presented. Experimental verification of the techniques …

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Polar Phase Screens: A Comparison With Other Methods Of Random Phase Screen Generation, Rebecca J. Eckert Mar 2006

Polar Phase Screens: A Comparison With Other Methods Of Random Phase Screen Generation, Rebecca J. Eckert

Theses and Dissertations

This research provides the first organized comparison of random phase screen generation methods, including logarithmic polar Fourier series, using structure functions. Random phase screens are essential elements of simulating light propagation through turbulent media. In order to be effective, they must accurately reflect theory and be practical to implement. This research explains and evaluates three methods of generating random phase screens: using a Fourier series upon a polar frequency grid with logarithmic spacing; using the fast Fourier transform, with its Cartesian frequency grid; and using Zernike polynomials. It provides a comparison of the Polar Fourier Series technique with the two …

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Side-Looking Airborne Adaptive Operation In Hot Clutter, Timothy W. Lawson Mar 2006

Side-Looking Airborne Adaptive Operation In Hot Clutter, Timothy W. Lawson

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort examines side-looking airborne radar operation in hot clutter. In this context, hot clutter is an electronic counter-measure used to degrade airborne radar performance. Hot clutter occurs by illuminating the ground with an airborne jammer at some velocity, azimuth, elevation, and range from the airborne radar. This research uses a simplifying assumption where the bistatic hot clutter radar cross section (RCS) scattering statistics are identical to the monostatic clutter RCS scattering statistics. When the airborne jammer waveform scattered returns are perfectly coherent with the radar waveform, the radar cannot distinguish between the returns transmitted by the jammer and …

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Active Optical Tracking With Spatial Light Modulators, Steven R. Mawhorter Mar 2006

Active Optical Tracking With Spatial Light Modulators, Steven R. Mawhorter

Theses and Dissertations

Two spatial light modulators are utilized for beam splitting, steering and tracking. Both linear and holographic phase screens are used in a demonstration of technology to allow real time tracking to communicate in a one-to-several type scenario. One SLM is used to apply a linear phase modulation to steer multiple beams onto a detector. The spots that are produced represent the targets as they move around the field of view of the central communication node. A Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm will subsequently use the detected spots as the desired pointing locations. Using this as input, the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm yields a phase only …

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Wideband Signal Detection Using A Down-Converting Channelized Receiver, Willie H. Mims Mar 2006

Wideband Signal Detection Using A Down-Converting Channelized Receiver, Willie H. Mims

Theses and Dissertations

Ultra wideband (UWB) signals typically occupy a very large spectral bandwidth resulting from extremely short duration pulses. Direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signals typically occupy a large spectral bandwidth resulting from spreading methods. Both signals can be difficult to detect without having prior knowledge of their structure and/or existence. This research develops and evaluates techniques for the non-cooperative (non-matched filter) detection of such signals. Impulse-like UWB and DSSS signals are received in an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel and are assessed using a bandpass filtered, down-converting (BPF-D/C) channelized receiver architecture. Modeling and simulation are conducted to characterize BPF-D/C channelized …

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Evaluating The Correlation Characteristics Of Arbitrary Am And Fm Radio Signals For The Purpose Of Navigation, Bryan S. Kim Mar 2006

Evaluating The Correlation Characteristics Of Arbitrary Am And Fm Radio Signals For The Purpose Of Navigation, Bryan S. Kim

Theses and Dissertations

The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides position estimates on the Earth at anytime, anywhere and in any weather. However, to provide robust positioning, GPS requires an unobstructed path to satellite signals. As such, GPS performance generally degrades or becomes non-existent in environments such as large urban areas. This research investigates and analyzes the correlation characteristics of arbitrary AM and FM radio signals for the purpose of navigation. Simulations are conducted with different combinations of correlation methods (`fixed' or `varying'), modulation types (AM or FM), and signal types (song or voice). Out of the eight different variations considered, only two provided …

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Multiple Model Methods For Cost Function Based Multiple Hypothesis Trackers, Matthew C. Kozak Mar 2006

Multiple Model Methods For Cost Function Based Multiple Hypothesis Trackers, Matthew C. Kozak

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple hypothesis trackers (MHTs) are widely accepted as the best means of tracking targets in clutter. This research seeks to incorporate multiple model Kalman filters into an Integral Square Error (ISE) cost-function-based MHT to increase the fidelity of target state estimation. Results indicate that the proposed multiple model methods can properly identify the maneuver mode of a target in dense clutter and ensure that an appropriately tuned filter is used. During benign portions of flight, this causes significant reductions in position and velocity RMS errors compared to a single-filter MHT. During portions of flight when the mixture mean deviates significantly …

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Investigation Of The Effects Of Target Feature Variations On Ballistic Missile Rcs, Sang H. Lee Mar 2006

Investigation Of The Effects Of Target Feature Variations On Ballistic Missile Rcs, Sang H. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Uncertainties about certain features of target geometries can result in a loss of confidence in target signature assessment. This thesis describes the development of a general "rule-of-thumb" to determine how the radar signature of a target varies as a function of the target's specific features. The targets of interest in this study are fictitious ballistic missiles. Four target features of these missiles are investigated: fin size, nose cone shape, panel riveting along the sides of the missile, and heat shielding on the nose cone. By varying these target features in different missile configurations, and comparing them to each other, a …

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Design And Characterization Of A Radiation Tolerant Triple Mode Redundant Sense Amplifier Flip-Flop For Space Applications, Mark E. Martin Mar 2006

Design And Characterization Of A Radiation Tolerant Triple Mode Redundant Sense Amplifier Flip-Flop For Space Applications, Mark E. Martin

Theses and Dissertations

One of the more recently proposed flip-flop designs has been the sense amplifier flip-flop. It has gained acceptance in the commercial realm because of its power consumption, speed, setup time, clock line loading, and data line loading characteristics. In this thesis, a recently designed RADHARD version of D sense amplifier flip-flop was taken and a triple mode redundant version for space and radiation environment use was created. The design was created with valuable options to increase radiation hardness and to give end users greater flexibility in realizing their own radiation hardened version of flip-flop. In addition, a methodology for using …

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Estimation And Mitigation Of Unmodeled Errors For A Pseudolite Based Reference System, Jeremiah A. Shockley Mar 2006

Estimation And Mitigation Of Unmodeled Errors For A Pseudolite Based Reference System, Jeremiah A. Shockley

Theses and Dissertations

Current flight reference systems rely heavily on the Global Positioning System (GPS), causing susceptibility to GPS jamming. Additionally, an increasing number of tests involve jamming the GPS signal. A need exists to develop a system capable of GPS-level accuracy during these outages. One promising solution is a ground-based pseudolite system capable of delivering sub-centimeter level accuracy, yet operating at non-GPS frequencies. This thesis attempts to determine the unknown errors in the Locata system, one such pseudolite-based system, to achieve the accuracy required. The development of a measurement simulation tool along with a Kalman filter algorithm provides confirmation of filter performance …

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A Platform For Antenna Optimization With Numerical Electromagnetics Code Incorporated With Genetic Algorithms, Timothy L. Pitzer Mar 2006

A Platform For Antenna Optimization With Numerical Electromagnetics Code Incorporated With Genetic Algorithms, Timothy L. Pitzer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigation presents a unique incorporation of the Method of Moments (MoM) with a Genetic Algorithm (GA). A GA is used in accord with the Numerical Electromagnetics Code, Version 4 (NEC4) to create and optimize typical wire antenna designs, including single elements and arrays. Design parameters for the antenna are defined and encoded into a chromosome composed of a series of numbers. The cost function associated with the specific antenna of interest is what quantifies improvement and, eventually, optimization. This cost function is created and used by the GA to evaluate the performance of a population of antenna designs. …

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