Engineering Commons^™

Major Grant Awarded To Usu Biological Engineering Professor | College Of Engineering, Utah State University

College of Engineering News

USU biological engineering assistant professor Elizabeth Vargis received a three-year grant from the National Eye Institute for her ongoing research in better understanding why new blood cells form during retinal disease.

New Ladar Technology Promises Sharper Aerial Views | College Of Engineering, Utah State University

College of Engineering News

Researchers at Utah State University’s Center for Advanced Imaging LADAR are changing the way we see the world.

College Of Engineering Advisor Receives Regional Award | College Of Engineering, Utah State University

College of Engineering News

College of Engineering academic advisor Leslie Buxton received the Region 10 Excellence in Advising Award. Buxton was selected among nominees from five western states.

A Sine-Summation Algorithm For The Prediction Of Ship Deck Motion, Christian R. Bolander, Douglas F. Hunsaker

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

Landing a fixed-wing aircraft on a moving aircraft carrier is a risky and inefficient process. Having an accurate prediction of ship deck motion decreases the risk posed to both the pilot and the aircraft and increases the efficiency of landing maneuvers. The present work proposes the use of a sine-summation algorithm to predict future ship motion. The algorithm decomposes recorded ship acceleration data into its characteristic harmonic parameters using a fast Fourier transform. The harmonic parameters are then used in a summation of sine waves to create a fit for the acceleration data, which is projected into future time intervals …

Usu Professor Receives Alumni Award From Virginia Tech | College Of Engineering, Utah State University

College of Engineering News

Utah State University’s Marc Maguire received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from The Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech. Maguire is an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering.

A Procedure For The Calculation Of The Perceived Loudness Of Sonic Booms, Christian R. Bolander, Douglas F. Hunsaker, Hao Shen, Forrest L. Carpenter

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

Implementing a method to calculate the human ear’s perceived loudness of a sonic boom requires consulting scattered literature with varying amounts of detail. This work describes a comprehensive implementation of Stevens’ Mark VII in Python, called PyLdB. References to literary works are included in enough detail so that the reader could use this work as a guide to implement the Mark VII algorithm. The details behind the mathematics of the Mark VII algorithm are included and PyLdB is used to calculate the perceived loudness of an example pressure signature. PyLdB is benchmarked against a widely used and validated code by …

Simple Stability Criteria For Uncertain Continuous-Time Linear Systems, Mohammad Shekaramiz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper mainly deals with the stability problem of continuous-time linear systems having uncertainties. Instead of using the tradition types of Lyapunov functions, this paper provides a very different method to investigate the stability of such systems. Hence, it reduces the conservativeness of having structured uncertainties belonging to convex sets. Based on a famous theorem that specifies regions containing all the eigenvalues of a complex square matrix, sufficient criteria are proposed to guarantee the asymptotic stability of linear systems. The main merit of this method is in analyzing linear systems having uncertainties. Moreover, the proposed criteria can also be used …

Lecture 1: Stochastic Hydrology, Julianne Quinn

All ECSTATIC Materials

This is the first lecture of CE 5500: Stochastic Hydrology, taught by Julianne Quinn at the University of Virginia.

On The Stability Analysis Of Linear Continuous-Time Distributed Systems, Mohammad Shekaramiz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the stability problem of linear continuous-time distributed systems. When dealing with large-scale systems, usually there is not thorough knowledge of the interconnection models between different parts of the entire system. In this case, a useful stability analysis method should be able to deal with high dimensional systems accompanied with bounded uncertainties for its interconnections. In this paper, in order to formulate the stability criterion for large-scale systems, stability analysis of LTI systems is first considered. Based on the existing methods for estimating the spectra of square matrices, sufficient criteria are proposed to guarantee the asymptotic stability of …

A Note On Kriging And Gaussian Processes, Mohammad Shekaramiz, Todd K. Moon, Jacob H. Gunther

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

An introduction to gaussian processes and kriging.

Details On Gaussian Process Regression (Gpr) And Semi-Gpr Modeling, Mohammad Shekaramiz, Todd K. Moon, Jacob H. Gunther

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This report tends to provide details on how to perform predictions using Gaussian process regression (GPR) modeling. In this case, we represent proofs for prediction using non-parametric GPR modeling for noise-free predictions as well as prediction using semi-parametric GPR for noisy observations.

On The Stability Analysis Of Perturbed Continuous T-S Fuzzy Models, Mohammad Shekaramiz, Farid Sheikholeslam

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper deals with the stability problem of continuous-time Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models. Based on the Tanaka and Sugeno theorem, a new systematic method is introduced to investigate the asymptotic stability of T-S models in case of having second-order and symmetric state matrices. This stability criterion has the merit that selection of the common positive-definite matrix P is independent of the sub-diagonal entries of the state matrices. It means for a set of fuzzy models having the same main diagonal state matrices, it suffices to apply the method once. Furthermore, the method can be applied to T-S models having certain …

Details On Amp-B-Sbl: An Algorithm For Recovery Of Clustered Sparse Signals Using Approximate Message Passing [1-3], Mohammad Shekaramiz, Todd K. Moon, Jacob H. Gunther

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Solving the inverse problem of compressive sensing in the context of single measurement vector (SMV) problem with an unknown block-sparsity structure is considered. For this purpose, we propose a sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) algorithm simplified via the approximate message passing (AMP) framework. In order to encourage the block-sparsity structure, we incorporate the concept of total variation, called Sigma-Delta, as a measure of block-sparsity on the support set of the solution. The AMP framework reduces the computational load of the proposed SBL algorithm and as a result makes it faster compared to the message passing framework. Furthermore, in terms of the …

Task Affect And Task Understanding In Engineering Problem Solving, Oenardi Lawanto, Angela L. Minichiello, Jacek Uziak, Andreas Febrian

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Within the self-regulated learning literature, motivation is considered to be an essential feature of students’ self-regulatory processes. Additionally, task affect (i.e., personal objectives and task value) is thought to influence students’ self-regulatory processes; insufficient task affect may lead to failures to self-regulate effectively. In a school setting, task affect is a form of motivation for completing the course tasks in order to attain course-level goals that are inherently valued. In this study, motivation is operationalized as students’ personal objectives and task values, and self-regulation refers to students’ understanding of tasks (also called task interpretation skill) involved in a course. This …

"Mentoring Is Ethical, Right?": Women Graduate Students And Faculty In Science And Engineering Speak Out, Laura Gelles, Idalis Villanueva, Marialuisa Di Stefano

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

The relationship between graduate students and their research advisors within academia is pivotal to the development and success of the research enterprise. Graduate students rely on their faculty advisor to be a source of information, a departmental negotiator, and a role model to guide their professional and ethical behavior. However, if an advisor does not fully recognize a student’s best interest or they are unaware of how to be an “ethical mentor”, they may overlook the unique social capital of the graduate student (e.g., background, culture) and jeopardize the research relationship. This work aims to explore how women graduate students …

A Note On Bayesian Linear Regression, Mohammad Shekaramiz, Todd K. Moon

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this report, we briefly discuss Bayesian linear regression as well as the proof for the inference to perform prediction based on the training data using this technique.

Ce 5500: Stochastic Hydrology, University Of Virginia, Julianne Quinn

All ECSTATIC Materials

This document is the syllabus for CE 5500: Stochastic Hydrology by instructor Julianne D. Quinn at the University of Virginia. The course is an elective class, open to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students.

Smart Tennis Ball, Eric Mielke

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Smart Tennis Ball system allows users to track the location of a lost ball. It incorporates ultra-wideband technology and an accurate trilateration algorithm in order to precisely track the location of a tennis or golf ball.

The UWB signals intersect in a triangular fashion and pinpoint the location of the ball using trilateration. The system then calculates the position of the ball and then sends this location to the user’s cell phone. This allows for less frustration for the user who needs to find their lost ball.

3d Mapping With Raspberry Pi, Matt Blake

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) allows a robot to map its environment while also keeping track of the robot’s own location within the map. ORB-SLAM2 is a type of SLAM which only uses a video stream as input, but it does not have automatic support for the common low-cost Raspberry Pi Camera. This project involved creating a version of the ORB-SLAM2 ROS module that can use the Raspberry Pi Camera as its main input source, as well as integrating April Tag fiducial detection into the module to allow for future improvements to the mapping and positioning process.

Aggi-E-Bike, Rees Hatch, Mahmoud Monsour, Garrett Witmer, Oscar Silva, Layan Nimri

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Aggi-E-Bike reinvents the electric drive for an bicycle to achieve higher power density while still being cost-effective. The challenge to push converters to be smaller comes with the trying to remove heat generated by the non-ideal circuit components. The interdisciplinary Aggi-E-Bike team has worked side by side to tackle this challenge. The team will also be representing USU at IEEE's 2019 International Future Energy Challenge (IFEC) final competition in late July in Madison, Wisconsin. The competition requirements and judging criteria have heavily influenced the design decisions made for the project; requirements such as no forced air cooling and a fixed …

Backyard Splash Pad, James Humble, Braydan Allen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Motivation

• We wanted to obtain experience using OpenCV to do image processing
• Splash Pads at parks are crowded
• With kids it is not always easy to get out the door
• Having a Splash Pad in your backyard allows you to customize it

Features

• Routine that will randomly turn on and off the nozzles
• Phone app that can control the nozzles and light color
• Reaction to objects when they are over a nozzle

Brain Wars: A Mental Game Of Tug Of War, Michael Chesnut, Tony Rawlings

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Brain Wars: A mental game of tug of war.

Carburetor Automator, Taylor Zinke, Xuecong Fan

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The goal of this project is to improve the air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) delivered in carbureted engines. The AFR affects the power, gas consumption, emissions, and lifetime of an engine. Carburetors use two adjustable flaps and a fixed-diameter, narrow tube to deliver air and fuel to the engine.

Cnc Pancake Printer, Johnathan Powell

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The objective of this project is to allow anyone to quickly, easily, and reliably create pancake art, with a variety of applications, from entertainment to advertising.

Any image can be used, and while the process is simple and easy to run, the printer and algorithms are also easy to expand, modify, and upgrade.

Cycling Hud, Justin Allred

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Problem: Cyclists are constantly looking for data to track performance during their ride. These performance metrics are generally displayed on a bike computer mounted on the handlebars. The cyclist must take his or her eyes off the road to view the data.

Hypothesis: If this data could be displayed in front of the cyclist’s eyes, the safety of the ride could be increased, and data viewing would become more convenient to the cyclist. A solution to this problem is a heads-up-display (HUD) which can provide the cyclist information right in front of his or her eyes.

Objective: Create a HUD …

Depth Finder Unlimited, Mason Shumway

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The purpose of this project was to design a depth finder that can be used from land.

Electric Go-Kart, Josh Larkin, Ian Colbert, Morgan Durocher

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Benefits of Electric Vehicles

• More Efficient
• Zero CO₂ Emissions
• Less Maintenance
• Cheaper to operate

Fixed Site Srcurity Using Fiducials And Blob Tracking, Noah Mecham, Garrett Ruskauff, Reebal Nimri, Grant Stensland

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The goal of this project was to implement a security system using autonomous robots for any given area using Robotic Operating System (ROS).

The project incorporates the use of fiducials known as April Tags and Blob tracking to patrol an area and search for a predetermined intruder.

The security system was specifically made to work in GPS denied locations, so it is ideal for homes and businesses.

Flex Sensor System, Eric Alsop, Derek Withers, Riley Densley

Electrical and Computer Engineering

In this project we refined and implemented a flex sensor that was recently invented here in Utah. This sensor uses light to measure how much something is bending. This method of sensing has many advantages over current carbon-based sensors including linear output, ability to make two sensors with identical output (nearly impossible with carbon-based sensors), reduced hysteresis, improved accuracy, and reduced power consumption. Perhaps most importantly, these sensors can be made from a wide variety of materials.

Home Automation, Aaron Pettit

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This system monitors several appliances in a person’s home. The framework is setup to be easily expandable for any future modifications. Two systems are currently supported.

• Lighting control
• Washer and Dryer notifications

Most home automation systems typically include lights or door locks. I have not seen many systems that include a washer and dryer controllers. The controller for the washer and dryer use magnets as to attach to any type of washing machine.