Engineering Commons^™

Real Time Rendering Engine, Kevin Ubay-Ubay

Computer Engineering

Entertaining and playable content in computer graphics requires real time rendering. Real time rendering essentially demands that frames need to be rendered within milliseconds in order to deliver an interactive experience for the client. Video games are an example of such a medium that needs real time rendering. Without frame rates in the realm of real time, video games cannot deliver an enjoyable experience. Behind virtually every video game is an engine. The architecture of video game engines usually comprises of sub engines that are specifically designed to handle physics, audio, user input and rendering. The purpose of this project …

Set-Top Box Simulator, Philip Tyler

Computer Engineering

This report presents a python-based Set-top box simulation program utilizing a Simulation library called SimPy (See Appendix 1) to simulate real-time operation of a Set-top Box, or DVR. A graphical user interface, designed with PyQt4, allows a user to customize many simulation parameters such as hard drive speeds, buffer sizes, length of simulation, etc. The GUI also shows the user any errors that occur during the simulation such as buffer overflows/underflows. The results of this simulator lie within 85%-95% accuracy depending on the user-input parameters. With this simulation program, a Set-top box hardware or firmware developer can interchange the scheduling …

Human Powered Vehicle Bike Computer, Eric Yaklin, Bradley Shellnut

Computer Engineering

This project is a bike computer system built for Cal Poly’s Human Powered Vehicle Team. It was designed and built using Arduino and Android programming tools. The project consists of an Arduino Uno used to collect bike data (such as speed, temperature and GPS location) and an Android Application used to display this data in real time and save it to user profiles within the application. Although many bike computers already exist, this project was specifically designed to be used in a team racing environment rather than for individual use.

Programming Tools For Artificial Intelligence Classes, Christopher Mckee

Computer Engineering

This project was begun in Winter of 2013 at California Polytechnic State University by myself, Christopher McKee, and was advised by Foaad Khosmood. The main goal of this project was to create an alternative to a current program that was being used in the Artificial Intelligence course on campus. The previous program used Java to create a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for students to use when learning how to create the various intelligent agents. In the versions created within the scope of this project, one of the environments used Java as the programming language, while the other two environments leveraged …

Channels: Easy Video Content Consumption, Alexander R. Ledwith

Computer Engineering

The idea for this project is to take a user’s digital movie and television show library, and organize the individual videos into lists that will continuously and concurrently play like cable TV channels. This means that when a list of channels is switched to, video content will automatically start playing, possibly in the middle, based on a schedule. It should serve the needs of the user by allowing the user to quickly watch any of their existing channels, easily add a new channel based on chosen criteria or manual selection, and easily add new video content. In addition, the product …

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 …

Pictshare, Josh Beeston, Eddie Bell

Computer Engineering

No abstract provided.

Protocases, Christopher M. Polis

Computer Engineering

Design and implementation of a 3D printing web application.

Aurora: Experience Music Like Never Before, Jason Dreisbach

Computer Engineering

Choreographing musical light shows has previously required expensive professional equipment and experienced personnel. A Mac application, Aurora, was developed to control Phillips Hue Light LED light bulbs to emulate the effects of more complex professional lighting systems. Aurora makes it possible to choreograph dazzling lighting effects to musical tracks.

Edwards Lifesciences - Skirt To Frame Attachment Manufacturing Aid, Samuel Joda, Cesar Grimaldo, Patrick Hutchinson

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Multilink Suspension & Steering System For Cal Poly Formula Electric, Tristan French, Alissa Roland, Maximilian Sluiter

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this project was to design a suspension that would improve the performance of the Cal Poly SAE Formula Electric car around a racing track Performance would be quantified through skidpad, slalom, and straight-line acceleration tests as well as autocross lap times. The approach to meeting the objective was to increase the steady-state lateral acceleration and quicken the transient response while maintaining predictable handling so that the driver could extract maximum performance from the car.

The car uses round-section (motorcycle) tires at a large negative camber angle because the lateral force generated by a pair of negatively-cambered tires …

Cisco Rackmount Bracket Optimization, Michael Baldwin, Edwin Lee, Garrett Smith

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

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 …

Drape Forming Machine, Adam Johnson, Will Schlosser, Brian Miller

Mechanical Engineering

The goal of this project was to build a prototype machine that formed multiple sheets of debulked pre-preg OOA carbon fiber into a 2-foot long trapezoidal shape. The machine was required to do this process semi-automatically.

Rapid Decompression Containment System, Evan Domingue, Michelle Rudney, Daniel Trees

Mechanical Engineering

Cal Poly students; Evan Domingue, Michelle Rudney and Daniel Trees; are working with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA, ASI) and engineer John Wilcox to complete a senior project. The senior project is focused on finding a solution to meet the requirement set forth in MIL-HDBK 1791 4.2.5.2 for rapid decompression which requires cargo items to be designed with pressure relief devices or to be configured for air shipment as to prevent any part from becoming a projectile in the event of catastrophic loss of aircraft cabin pressure. The goal of this project is to design a safe, cost-effective, and …

Titan 130 Engine Aft-Mount, Woody Newell, Michael Haworth, Dylan Perry

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

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.

Barbeque Grill Temperature Distribution Design Improvement, Peter Gobell, Connor Mcgill, Thomas Willson

Mechanical Engineering

Team License to Grill set out to asses Bull Outdoor Products, Inc.’s barbeques and quantify the apparent uneven temperature distribution or “hot spots” and “cold spots” across the grill. This testing was accomplished with the design and fabrication of a test fixture allowing for accurate and repeatable temperature collection across the barbeque. With results that matched the sponsor’s claims of hot and cold spots, an engineering model was made using heat transfer and thermodynamic equations. Once the model somewhat resembled the experimental data, it was used to suggest different modifications that would allow for better temperature distribution. It was discovered …

Autocad Course Book Update, Todd Sammons

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project is a proposed updated version of the course book used in the BRAE 151 course. The book that is currently used is a product of Doug Phillips (BRAE ’03). Since Mr. Phillips designed the book currently used, many new features have been added and the user interface is drastically different. This purpose of this book is to bring the course book used in BRAE 151 up the current version.

Design And Construction Of A Remedial Pumping System, Brandon Downing

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the design and construction of a remedial pumping system at Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch. The site the system is installed is called the College Well Station where it will be used to irrigate about two acres of turf. Excessive iron residue is in their water, so in order to prevent this residue from clogging the irrigation system, this system was installed. The system consists of a 2,500 gallon settling tank, booster pump, variable frequency drive (VFD), and a bladder tank. The settling tank will settle the iron particles to the bottom, preventing the pump from …

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 …

Design, Construction And Evaluation Of A Low Head Hydroelectric Turbine For Canals, Sean Phillip Ellenson

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Means of hydroelectric power generation today typically require state or federal funding, massive construction projects and high head differentials with the use of a dam. With thousands of miles of canals and waterways at our disposal, it is necessary to find a cost effective way of generating a substantial amount of power from low-head hydroelectric power sources.

This senior project details research on low-head hydroelectric power generation, along with the design, construction and evaluation of a twisted Savonius hydroelectric turbine. Sizing optimizations for a twisted Savonius turbine were performed, and the hydroelectric power generation unit was constructed, including a housing …

A Generic Decision Making Framework For Autonomous Systems, Connor Lange

Master's Theses

With the rising popularity of small satellites, such as CubeSats, many smaller institutions previously incapable of developing and deploying a spacecraft have starting to do so. Institutions with a history of space flight, such as NASA JPL, have begun to put projects on CubeSats that would normally fly on much larger satellites. As a result, the institutions with space flight heritage have begun to port spacecraft software that was previously designed for much larger and more complex satellites to the CubeSat platform. Unfortunately for universities, who are the majority of all institutions devel- oping CubeSats, these ported systems are too …

Applications Of Artificial Neural Networks To Synthetic Aperture Radar For Feature Extraction In Noisy Environments, David James Roberts

Master's Theses

It is often that images generated from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are noisy, distorted, or incomplete pictures of a target or target region. As the goal for most SAR research pertains to automatic target recognition (ATR), extensive filtering and image processing is required in order to extract the features necessary to carry out ATR. This thesis investigates the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in order to improve upon the feature extraction process by laying the foundation for ANN SAR ATR algorithms and programs. The first technique investigated is that of an ANN edge detector designed to be invariant to …

Seismic Performance Comparison Of A Fixed-Base Versus A Base-Isolated Office Building, Nicholas Reidar Marrs

Master's Theses

The topic of this thesis is base isolation. The purpose of this thesis is to offer a relative understanding of the seismic performance enhancements that a typical 12-story steel office building can achieve through the implementation of base isolation technology. To reach this understanding, the structures of a fixed-base office building and a base-isolated office building of similar size and layout are designed, their seismic performance is compared, and a cost-benefit analysis is completed. The base isolation system that is utilized is composed of Triple Friction Pendulum (TFP) bearings.

The work of this thesis is divided into four phases. First, …

Seismic Rehabilitation Of Steel Moment Frames Vulnerable To Soft-Story Failures Through Implementation Of Rocking Cores, Juan Carlos Sanchez

Master's Theses

During seismic events, inefficient steel moment frame building systems may exhibit soft-story failures. This thesis focuses on development and validation of a seismic retrofit strategy for avoiding soft-story failures in low-rise and mid-rise steel moment frame buildings. The considered retrofit strategy consists of a sufficiently stiff Rocking Core (RC) pinned to the foundation and pin connected to the existing frame. For demonstration purposes, two representative benchmark steel moment frames, which are modified from the three- and nine-story pre-Northridge steel moment frames designed for Los Angeles in the SAC Steel Project, are considered. Finite Element (FE) models of the benchmark buildings …