Engineering Commons^™

On-Board Orbit Determination And 3-Axis Attitude Determination For Picosatellite Applications, John Arthur Bowen

Master's Theses

This thesis outlines an orbit determination and 3-axis attitude determination system for use on orbit as applicable to 1U CubeSats and other picosatellites. The constraints imposed by the CubeSat form factor led to the need for a simple configuration and relaxed accuracy requirements. To design a system within the tight mass, volume, and power constraints inherent to CubeSats, a balance between hardware complexity, software complexity and accuracy is sought. The proposed solution consists of a simple orbit propagator, magnetometers with a magnetic field look-up table, Sun sensors with an analytic Sun direction model, and the TRIAD method to combine vector …

Robust Unconstrained Face Detection And Lip Localization Using Gabor Filters, Robert E. Hursig

Master's Theses

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) is a well-researched field of study aimed at augmenting the man-machine interface through interpretation of the spoken word. From in-car voice recognition systems to automated telephone directories, automatic speech recognition technology is becoming increasingly abundant in today’s technological world. Nonetheless, traditional audio-only ASR system performance degrades when employed in noisy environments such as moving vehicles. To improve system performance under these conditions, visual speech information can be incorporated into the ASR system, yielding what is known as audio-video speech recognition (AVASR). A majority of AVASR research focuses on lip parameters extraction within controlled environments, but these …

Development Of A Reusable Aerospike Nozzle For Hybrid Rocket Motors, Patrick Lemieux

Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, has developed an innovative program of experimental research and development on hybrid rocket motors (where the fuel and the oxidizer are in different phases prior to combustion). One project currently underway involves the development of aerospike nozzles for such motors. These nozzles, however, are even more susceptible to throat ablation than regular converging-diverging nozzles, due the nature of their flow expansion mechanism. This paper presents the result of a recent development project focused on reducing throat ablation in hybrid rocket motor nozzles. Although the method is …

Application Of Volterra Functions To X-31 Aircraft Model Motion, United States Air Force Academy, Russell M. Cummings

Aerospace Engineering

Recent advances towards an efficient computational method for accurately determining the stability and control characteristics of an aircraft are discussed and critiqued. The present approach with greatest promise is to reduce the number of high-fidelity CFD simulations by using Volterra functions Reduced Order Modeling. This type of reduced order model is a predictive model which has a unique training maneuver -a unit impulse. The advantage of such an approach is the fast prediction of the aerodynamic characteristics of an aircraft. This article presents the results of application of the Volterra functions ROM for prediction of linear movement of a 2D …

Comparison Of Overset Grid And Grid Deformation Techniques Applied To 2-Dimensional Naca Airfoils, Charles M. Hoke, Robert K. Decker, Russell M. Cummings, David R. Mcdaniel, Scott A. Morton

Aerospace Engineering

This paper documents a comparison of overset grid and grid deformation schemes applied to flapped and non-flapped NACA airfoil configurations in order to determine the relative accuracy and computational efficiency of each method. This study is part of a larger effort to use computational fluid dynamics to perform moving control surface calculations. Three different cases, using both overset and deformed grids, are considered, including: a) lift and moment comparison of a quasi-steady, non-flapped 0012 airfoil, b) lift and moment comparison of a dynamically pitching non-flapped 0012 airfoil, and c) lift comparison of a dynamic pitching and oscillating flapped 0012 airfoil. …

Teaching Sustainability In Cal Poly Electrical And Computer Engineering Programs, David Braun, Art Maccarley, John Oliver

Electrical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Mode Pattern Analysis Of Gallium Nitride-Based Laser Diodes, Xiaomin Jin, Sean Jobe, Simeon Trieu, Benafsh Husain, Jason Flickinger, Bei Zhang, Tao Dai, Xiang-Ning Kang, Guo-Yi Zhang

Electrical Engineering

In this paper, we present an analysis of gallium nitride (GaN) quantum-well (QW) laser diode (LD) by numerical simulation. Here we discuss three aspects that are crucial to our analysis. First, the transverse mode pattern is studied, and our current GaN diode laser structure is discussed with optical waveguide mode analysis. Then we compare the QW design of the laser and maximize laser modal gain. Finally, we report the influence of the electron block (e-block) layer on lasing performance of our design.

Video Technology For Interuniversity Collaboration In A Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, James Hanson

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Advanced video technology was used to incorporate multi-component (inter-university and university-industry) collaborations in geotechnical engineering laboratory courses. The project was conducted between California Polytechnic State University (California), Auburn University (Alabama), and Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. (Japan). Synchronous video conferencing and asynchronous video communications were used between the partners. The conferencing activities included guest lectures and exchange of assignments. New assignments developed in the study included role-playing whereby one class acted as a client on a project that was ordering geotechnical testing to be completed by the students at the other university acting as a consulting firm. New assignments also included …

A Simple, Yet Effective, Demonstration Of Polymeric Mechanical Behavior, Lanny Griffin, Jeffrey Swab

Biomedical Engineering

Developing an appreciation for the mechanical behavior of polymers materials in a lecture mode can be challenging for students if they have not bad the benefit of a laboratory experience . We have developed a simp le demonstration of thermoplastic polymeric behav ior using low-density polyethylene bags. The demonstration illustrates strengthening, rate effects, and directionality of strengthening and stiffness. Following the demonstration, students are better ab le to articulate the influence of structure, properties, processing , and performance as it applies to thermoplastic polymers.

Drop Impact Dynamic Response Study Of Jedec Jesd22-B111 Test Board, Jianbiao Pan, Michael Krist, Andrew Farris, Nicolas Vickers

Honors Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Rfid Tag Readability Issues With Palletized Loads Of Consumer Goods, Jay Singh, Eric Olsen, Keith Vorst, K. Tripp

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an automatic identification technology, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags. This technology is being used in enterprise supply chain management-related applications to improve the efficiency of inventory tracking and management. However, this technology has not been able to realize its promised potential because of several factors, such as lack of congruous worldwide standards, privacy issues and less than perfect read rates in supply chain applications. This research aimed to evaluate the readability issues commonly faced by tagged cases of palletized consumer products. The variables studied in this research were …

The Effect Of Particle Surface Area To Volume Ratio On Ion Release From Cocr Spheres, Darin J. Grandfield

Master's Theses

In 2005, over 200,000 Americans underwent a hip arthroplasty, the replacement of a hip joint with an artificial prosthesis. Of these arthroplasties, metal-on-metal type implants represent an increasing usage percentage. Metal-on-metal implants are selected largely for their low volumetric wear rate, durability, and resistance to corrosion. In spite of these advantages, little is known concerning the long-term consequences of heavy metal alloy use in the body, although early research indicates potentially carcinogenic results. This thesis is a preliminary investigation into these long term effects and their root causes.

An improved comprehension of the corrosion kinetics and the rate of ion …

Evaluating The Electrical Response Of Polyaniline To Mechanical Strain, Matthew L. Goebel

Master's Theses

This thesis focuses on the electrical output of polyaniline films subjected to uniaxial strain in hydrochloric acid solutions. Polyaniline belongs to novel class of materials known as conducting polymers. Alternating single and double bonds in the backbone of conducting polymers allow them to transmit electric charge when they are doped with negatively charged ions. Modifying the degree of doping and other electrical/chemical treatments allow conducting polymers to exhibit conducting, semi-conducting, or insulating electrical properties. Resilient mechanical properties, good processability, and low cost make conducting polymers good candidates for applications traditionally held by metals and semi-conductors.

When tensile strain is applied …

Satellite Formation Flight Navigation Using The Clohessy-Wiltshire Equations, Anna Kimmich

Aerospace Engineering

This report presents the design and simulation of a satellite navigation program using Matlab. The program allows any number of independent satellites to navigate in a co-planar cluster formation in a circular orbit with no input besides its location coordinates from a simulated GPS unit and the relative location of other satellites from a simulated on-board sensor. This navigation program uses a potential field-like function to calculate the desired satellite position within the formation. It uses the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations to calculate the impulsive maneuvers needed to achieve and maintain the formation.

The Effects Of Thermal Annealing On The Obliquely Deposited Ag–Ge–S Thin Films, F. Wang, W. P. Dunn, M. Jain, C. De Leo, N. Vicker, Richard N. Savage, Xiaomin Jin, S. Mamedov, P. Boolchand

Materials Engineering

Obliquely deposited thin films of ternary Ag–Ge–S glasses are characterized in this work. Thin films are fabricated in a vacuum thermal evaporator at different evaporation angles and examined by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman mode frequency of GeS₄ corner-sharing (CS) structure of the as-deposited films display a red-shift as a function of Ag content due to reduced global connectivity, and therefore decreased network stress. Film thickness of normally deposited thin films is significantly less when compared against obliquely deposited ones. Sulfur-ring (S₈) modes are observed in thin films but not in corresponding bulk material. Thermal annealing of thin …

Design, Construction And Evaluation Of A Multi Layered Solar Distillation Prototype, Arlen A. Flanagan

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Water is arguably the most important resource to any individual; especially in areas of deserts and open oceans where drinkable water suppliers are scarce. The prototype Solar Desalination Unit allows normally undrinkable water to be distilled into a potable source with minimal inputs. The unit’s main power source is focused sunlight to thermally heat water inducing evaporation which is then condensed and collected. While solar desalination has been around for many years, lately more complex designs have been investigated in order to increase yields and efficiency. This paper focuses on the design, construction and testing of a Multi-Plate Solar Desalination …

A Study Of Dempster-Shafer's Theory Of Evidence In Comparison To Classical Probability Combination, Scott J. Seims

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

A Study of Dempster-Shafer’s Theory of Evidence in Comparison to Classical Probability Combination

Scott J. Seims

This thesis is an assessment on the effectiveness of Dempster-Shafer’s Theory of Evidence in comparison to Classical Probabilistic Combination as it applies to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Automatic Target Recognition (ATR). A three feature based classifier (peaks, corners and edges) ATR system is presented. These classifiers are assumed to be independent. The results of both the weight-based Maximum Likelihood and Dempster-Shafer’s Theory of Evidence data fusion techniques are presented.

Using Dempster-Shafer an accuracy of 77.50 percent is obtained, which is less than the …

General Direction Routing Protocol, Sean Michael Lydon

Master's Theses

The General Direction Routing Protocol (GDRP) is a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)

multi-path routing protocol which abstracts localization information (commonly GPS

coordinates) into relative direction information in order to perform routing decisions. By

generating relative direction information GDRP is able to operate with fewer precision

requirements than other protocols. This abstraction also allows the integration of other emerging

hardware-based localization techniques, for example, Beamforming Sensor Arrays.

GDRP does not specifically address the next hop a packet should take, but instead specifies a

direction it should travel. This direction abstraction allows for multiple paths to be taken through

the network thus …

Affine Region Tracking And Augmentation Using Mser And Adaptive Sift Model Generation, Matthew James Marano

Master's Theses

Relatively complex Augmented Reality (AR) algorithms are becoming widely available due to advancements in affordable mobile computer hardware. To take advantage of this a new method is developed for tracking 2D regions without a prior knowledge of an environment and without developing a computationally expensive world model. In the method of this paper, affinely invariant planar regions in a scene are found using the Maximally Stable Extremal Region (MSER) detector. A region is selected by the user to define a search space, and then the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) is used to detect affine invariant keypoints in the region. …

Jdiet: Footprint Reduction For Memory-Constrained Systems, Michael John Huffman

Master's Theses

Main memory remains a scarce computing resource. Even though main memory is becoming more abundant, software applications are inexorably engineered to consume as much memory as is available. For example, expert systems, scientific computing, data mining, and embedded systems commonly suffer from the lack of main memory availability.

This thesis introduces JDiet, an innovative memory management system for Java applications. The goal of JDiet is to provide the developer with a highly configurable framework to reduce the memory footprint of a memory-constrained system, enabling it to operate on much larger working sets. Inspired by buffer management techniques common in modern …

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Of An Extreme Aspect Ratio Hale Uav, Bryan J. Morrisey

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of an Extreme Aspect Ratio HALE UAV

Bryan J. Morrisey

Development of High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft systems is part of a vision for a low cost communications/surveillance capability. Applications of a multi payload aircraft operating for extended periods at stratospheric altitudes span military and civil genres and support battlefield operations, communications, atmospheric or agricultural monitoring, surveillance, and other disciplines that may currently require satellite-based infrastructure. Presently, several development efforts are underway in this field, including a project sponsored by DARPA that aims at producing an aircraft that can sustain flight for multiple years and …

Development Of An Integrated Gaussian Process Metamodeling Application For Engineering Design, Collin R. Baukol

Master's Theses

As engineering technologies continue to grow and improve, the complexities in the engineering models which utilize these technologies also increase. This seemingly endless cycle of increased computational power and demand has sparked the need to create representative models, or metamodels, which accurately reflect these complex design spaces in a computationally efficient manner. As research into metamodeling and using advanced metamodeling techniques continues, it is important to remember design engineers who need to use these advancements. Even experienced engineers may not be well versed in the material and mathematical background that is currently required to generate and fully comprehend advanced complex …

Time-Frequency Analysis Of Intracardiac Electrogram, Erik Brockman

Master's Theses

The Cardiac Rhythm Management Division of St. Jude Medical specializes in the development of implantable cardioverter defibrillators that improve the quality of life for patients diagnosed with a variety of cardiac arrhythmias, especially for patients prone to sudden cardiac death. With the goal to improve detection of cardiac arrhythmias, this study explored the value in time-frequency analysis of intracardiac electrogram in four steps. The first two steps characterized, in the frequency domain, the waveforms that construct the cardiac cycle. The third step developed a new algorithm that putatively provides the least computationally expensive way to identifying cardiac waveforms in the …

The Magic Atm, Amber Iraeta, Jason Sy, August Brower

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Electro Mechanical Actuator Test Stand For In-Flight Experiments, Michael Koopmans, Catlin Mattheis, Austin Lawrence

Mechanical Engineering

The Prognostic Center of Excellence at NASA Ames is currently researching actuator prognostics, specifically in the application of electro mechanical actuators (EMA’s). Cal Poly ME students Michael Koopmans and Catlin Mattheis and EE student Austin Lawrence have chosen to undertake the task of building a test stand that will be flown in flight while testing EMA’s specific faults. A stand was designed to fit inside a standard 19” rack, take power from the aircraft 3 EMA’s, a computer, data acquisition, and electric magnets switches are powered. A MIL STD 1553 interface is present to allow fault injection. Vibration and temperature …

1.5 Kw Pwm Bipolar Inverter, Michael Newbry, Percy Vigo

Electrical Engineering

This report focuses on the design, construction, and testing of a PWM inverter capable of converting 1.5 kW. The purpose for the inverter is to convert DC solar energy to power an air conditioner. The inverter uses a bipolar control scheme which comes from a PIC microcontroller. This report contains the advantages and disadvantages of all the PWM control schemes. Furthermore, the testing shows bipolar inverter characteristics and a sample use of filters to obtain sinusoidal waveforms. The design of the circuit makes the inverter easy and safe to use and test.

Non-Linear Contact Analysis Of Meshing Gears, Chun Hung Lee

Master's Theses

Gear transmission systems are considered one of the critical aspects of vibration analysis, and it contains various potential faults such as misalignment, cracks, and noise. Therefore, it requires vibration monitoring to ensure the system is operating properly. Case mounted accelerometers are frequently used to monitor frequencies in a system. However, it is not a simple task to identify and interpret the acceleration data since there are many gear mesh frequencies present. One of the approaches utilized by researchers to perform gear diagnostic is Finite Element Modeling. This study focuses on stiffness cycle and meshing stiffness of non-linear quasi-static finite element …

Mechanical Simulation Of Articular Cartilage Based On Experimental Results, Kevin Matthew Stewart

Master's Theses

Recently, a constituent based cartilage growth finite element model (CGFEM) was developed in order to predict articular cartilage (AC) biomechanical properties before and after growth. Previous research has noted limitations in the CGFEM such as model convergence with growth periods greater than 12 days. The main aims of this work were to address these limitations through (1) implementation of an exact material Jacobian matrix definition using the Jaumann-Kirchhoff (J-K) method and (2) quantification of elastic material parameters based upon research findings of the Cal Poly Cartilage Biomechanics Group (CPGBG). The J-K method was successfully implemented into the CGFEM and exceeded …

Advanced Thermosonic Wire Bonding Using High Frequency Ultrasonic Power: Optimization, Bondability, And Reliability, Minh-Nhat Ba Le

Master's Theses

Gold wire bonding typically uses 60 KHz ultrasonic frequency. Studies have been reported that increasing ultrasonic frequency from 60KHz to 120KHz can decrease bonding time, lower bonding temperature, and/or improve the bondability of Au metalized organic substrates. This thesis presents a systematic study of the effects of 120 KHz ultrasonic frequency on the reliability of fine pitch gold wire bonding. Two wire sizes, 25.4 and 17.8 μm in diameter (1.0 and 0.7 mil, respectively) were used. The gold wires were bonded to metalized pads over organic substrates with five different metallization. The studies were carried out using a thermosonic ball …

Design, Fabrication, And Implementation Of A Single-Cell Capture Chamber For A Microfluidic Impedance Sensor, Joshua-Jed Doria Fadriquela

Master's Theses

A microfluidic device was created for single-cell capture and analysis using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channels and a glass substrate to develop a microfluidic single-cell impedance sensor for cell diagnostics. The device was fabricated using photolithography to create a master mold which in turn will use soft lithography to create the PDMS components for constant device production. The commercial software, COMSOLTM Multiphysics, was used to quantify the fluid dynamics in shallow micro-channels.

The device will be able to capture a cell and sequester it long enough to enable measurement of the impedance spectra that can characterize cell. The proposed device will be …