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Theses and Dissertations

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Articles 10921 - 10950 of 11490

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Cepstral And Auditory Model Features For Speaker Recognition, John M. Colombi Dec 1992

Cepstral And Auditory Model Features For Speaker Recognition, John M. Colombi

Theses and Dissertations

The TIMIT and KING databases, as well as a ten day AFIT speaker corpus, are used to compare proven spectral processing techniques to an auditory neural representation for speaker identification. The feature sets compared were Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) cepstral coefficients and auditory nerve firing rates using the Payton model. This auditory model provides for the mechanisms found in the human middle and inner auditory periphery as well as neural transduction. Clustering algorithms were used to generate speaker specific codebooks - one statistically based and the other a neural approach. These algorithms are the Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithm and a Kohonen …

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Digital Signal Processing Using Lapped Transforms With Variable Parameter Windows And Orthonormal Bases, Brian D. Raduenz Dec 1992

Digital Signal Processing Using Lapped Transforms With Variable Parameter Windows And Orthonormal Bases, Brian D. Raduenz

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis develops and evaluates a number of new concepts and tools for the analysis of signals using variable overlapped windows and orthonormal bases. Windowing, often employed as a spectral estimation technique, can result in irreparable distortions in the transformed signal. By placing conditions on the window and incorporating it into the orthonormal representation, any signal distortion resulting from the transformation can be eliminated or cancelled in reconstruction. This concept is critical to the theory underpinning this thesis. As part of this evaluation, a tensor product based general N-point fast Fourier transform algorithm was implemented in the DOD standard language, …

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Automated Face Recognition System, Kenneth R. Runyon Dec 1992

Automated Face Recognition System, Kenneth R. Runyon

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis three variations of an end-to-end face recognition prototype system are developed, implemented and tested. Each version includes real-time image collection, automated segmentation, preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. The first version uses a Karhunen Loeve Transform (KLT) feature extractor and a K-nearest neighbor classifier. Version two uses the same feature set but utilizes a multilayer perception neural network with a back propagation learning rule. Finally the third version uses a Discrete Cosine Transform as the feature extractor and the K-nearest neighbor as the classifier. Only the KLT versions of the system were tested. The tests were based on …

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Acquisition Of Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Signals Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques, Ronald E. Schmitz Dec 1992

Acquisition Of Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Signals Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques, Ronald E. Schmitz

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the use of digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to achieve initial synchronization with Global Positioning System (GPS) Pseudo-Noise (PN) signals. Synchronization with the transmitted PN signal is essential to the despreading of the transmitted Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DS/SS) signals and decoding of the transmitted satellite data. The use of DSP methods to decrease the time required to achieve initial synchronization is investigated. This thesis proposes an initial acquisition section of the GPS receiver and derives the equations to show the method is mathematically feasible. Computer simulations of the proposed receiver using received signals corrupted by Doppler …

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Computer Simulation Of A General Purpose Satellite Modem, William L. Montgomery Jr. Dec 1992

Computer Simulation Of A General Purpose Satellite Modem, William L. Montgomery Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to model and simulate the performance of a digital phase shift keyed satellite modem. The probability of bit error (P sub b) at different levels of energy per bit to noise power ratio (E sub b/N sub o) was the performance measure. The channel was assumed to contribute only additive white Gaussian noise. A second order Costas loop performs demodulation in the modem and was the key part of the simulation. The Costas loop with second order Butterworth arm filters was tested by finding the response to a phase or frequency step. The Costas …

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An Object-Oriented Computer Aided Design Program For Modern Control Systems Analysis, Frederick L. Trevino Dec 1992

An Object-Oriented Computer Aided Design Program For Modern Control Systems Analysis, Frederick L. Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation is a continuation of the ICECAP-PC research project conducted under Prof. Gary B. Lamont at the Air Force Institute of Technology. It is an ongoing development of a public domain Computer Aided Design (CAD) package for Control Engineering students and faculty, with a special emphasis on education. This investigation focuses on three areas. First, an object-oriented environment is specified, designed and implemented. The functional structure of ICECAP-PC is then converted into an object-oriented structure because object-orientation provides an advanced logic and implementation structure and effectively addresses common software engineering issues. Additionally, a new interface featuring pull-down menus, mouse …

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Detection Of Spoofing, Jamming, Or Failure Of A Global Positioning System (Gps), Juan R. Vasquez Dec 1992

Detection Of Spoofing, Jamming, Or Failure Of A Global Positioning System (Gps), Juan R. Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force has equipped its aircraft with avionic systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Guidance Systems (INS) capable of providing accurate navigation solutions. The aircrews flying these aircraft require a system that can either survive the hostile environments encountered in combat or notify the aircrew that their performance has been significantly degraded. This research focuses on failure detection and isolation techniques using an extended Kalman filter and generalized likelihood ratios using matched filters. Analysis is conducted using a Kalman filter development package known as the Multimode Simulation for Optimal Filter Evaluation (MSOFE). Both a large order …

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Face Recognition With Neural Networks, Dennis L. Krepp Dec 1992

Face Recognition With Neural Networks, Dennis L. Krepp

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated neural networks for face verification and classification. The research concentrated on developing a neural network based feature extractor and/or classifier to perform authorized user verification in a realistic work environment. Recognition accuracy, system assumptions, training time, and execution time were analyzed to determine the feasibility of a neural network approach. Data was collected using a camcorder and two segmentation schemes: manual segmentation and motion-based, automatic segmentation. Data consisted of over 2000. 32x32 pixel, 8 bit gray scale images of 52 subjects; each subject had two to ten days worth of images collected. Several training and test sets …

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Signal Approximation With A Wavelet Neural Network, Charles M. Westphal Dec 1992

Signal Approximation With A Wavelet Neural Network, Charles M. Westphal

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the use of Wavelet Neural Networks (WNN) for signal approximation. The particular wavelet function used in this analysis consisted of a summation of sigmoidal functions (a sigmoidal wavelet). The sigmoidal wavelet has the advantage of being easily implemented in hardware via specialized electronic devices like the Intel Electronically Trainable Analog Neural Network (ETANN) chip. The WNN representation allows the determination of the number of hidden-layer nodes required to achieve a desired level of approximation accuracy. Results show that a bandlimited signal can be accurately approximated with a WNN trained with irregularly sampled data. Signal approximation, Wavelet neural …

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Excitation And De-Excitation Mechanisms Of Er-Doped Gaas And Algaas, David W. Elsaesser Dec 1992

Excitation And De-Excitation Mechanisms Of Er-Doped Gaas And Algaas, David W. Elsaesser

Theses and Dissertations

Electrical and optical characterization have been performed on GaAs and AlxGa1-xAs samples doped with Er either by ion implantation or during Molecular Beam Epitaxial (MBE) growth. Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) and Temperature-Dependent Hall Effect (TDH) measurements indicated the presence of two hole traps in Er-doped GaAs, at 35 and 360 meV above the valence band maximum. The former (shallower) center was thought to be due to Er substituting for a Ga atom (ErGa) and giving rise to an isoelectronic impurity potential. The second center was attributed to an Er atom occupying an interstitial …

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An Experimental Determination Of The Effects Of Blending Collocated And Non-Collocated Sensor Measurements To Control A Flexible Structure, Richard G. Cobb Dec 1992

An Experimental Determination Of The Effects Of Blending Collocated And Non-Collocated Sensor Measurements To Control A Flexible Structure, Richard G. Cobb

Theses and Dissertations

An experimental investigation was performed controlling a cantilevered beam in bending using proportional feedback on a blend of collocated and non-collocated sensor measurements using a single actuator. Exact transfer functions between the control input and the measurements were developed and compared to the finite element method. By analyzing the open loop pole-zero locations as a function of the measurement blending, insight into the closed loop behavior is obtained. Minimum phase behavior can be maintained for a range of the blending ratio. Results using blended control were compared to both proportional collocated feedback and compensated collocated feedback using LQG methods. The …

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Canonical Floquet Perturbation Theory, David J. Pohlen Dec 1992

Canonical Floquet Perturbation Theory, David J. Pohlen

Theses and Dissertations

Classical Floquet theory is examined in order to generate a canonical transformation to modal variables for periodic system This transformation is considered canonical if the periodic matrix of eigenvectors is symplectic at the initial time. Approaches for symplectic normalization of the eigenvectors had to be examined for each of the different Poincare eigenvalue cases. Particular attention was required in the degenerate case, which depended on the solution of a generalized eigenvector. Transformation techniques to ensure real modal variables and real periodic eigenvectors were also needed. Periodic trajectories in the restricted three-body case were then evaluated using the canonical Floquet solution. …

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A Study Of Heat Flux Induced Dryout In Capillary Grooves, Timothy J. Murphy Dec 1992

A Study Of Heat Flux Induced Dryout In Capillary Grooves, Timothy J. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

This is an experimental study of ethanol flowing in the narrow grooves of a copper plate which is subjected to heat fluxes sufficient to evaporate more liquid than can be replaced by capillary pumping. Three groove geometries are used: square, rectangle, and trapezoid. The objective is to simulate aspects of liquid flow in heat pipes with axial grooves. In order to validate analytical models of capillary flow in grooves, the capillary limit, dryout front location, and dryout front movement in response to power draw downs are documented. The results show the rewet performance of the groove is dependent on geometry. …

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The Non-Linear Dynamics Of Composite Cylindrical Shells, James M. Greer Jr. Dec 1992

The Non-Linear Dynamics Of Composite Cylindrical Shells, James M. Greer Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The non-linear dynamic behavior of suddenly loaded composite shells is the subject of this research. The objective of research is two-fold: (1) to characterize the apparently random physical behavior sometimes observed in the finite element analysis as either numerical instability, chaotic behavior, or both; and (2) to develop criteria for choosing time steps for the finite element model, referred to as DSHELL. This displacement based finite element code is capable of dynamic analysis of plates, arches, and cylindrical shells undergoing large displacements and moderately large rotations during deformation. DSHELL uses a 36-DOF isoparametric shell element to obtain numerical results. A …

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Passive Damping Of A Solar Array, Mark A. Scharpen Dec 1992

Passive Damping Of A Solar Array, Mark A. Scharpen

Theses and Dissertations

This study was an attempt to conceptualize, design, build, and test a constrained layer damping device that uses mechanical advantage for the purpose of increasing the damping of transient vibration of a five-bay planar truss. The aluminum truss was clamped to a fixed support and simulated a solar array. A conventional constrained layer treatment was designed, built, and tested to serve as a benchmark for comparison. For the conventional treatment, Plunkett and Lee's segmented constraining layer technique was used. The improved device, two three-layer sandwich beams spanning the two bays nearest the built-in end, were supported several inches away from …

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Vibration Suppression In Large Flexible Space Structures Using Active Control Techniques, Chad T. Matheson Dec 1992

Vibration Suppression In Large Flexible Space Structures Using Active Control Techniques, Chad T. Matheson

Theses and Dissertations

This report investigates the use of active vibration control techniques applied to the PACOSS Dynamic Test Article as an experimental structure. In the course of the research, a mathematical model of the lightly damped experimental structure was created based on experimental data. This model was used in the design of two classes of controllers. The first class is pure rate feedback of the structure's measured states such that global stability is insured. The second type of controller investigated was an optimal controller (LQG) that was created using the truncated mathematical model. The rate feedback controller showed significant improvements in the …

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Baseline Experiments On Coulomb Damping Due To Rotational Slip, John P. Santacroce Dec 1992

Baseline Experiments On Coulomb Damping Due To Rotational Slip, John P. Santacroce

Theses and Dissertations

Two experimental pin-type joint models are developed to study the effects of Coulomb Damping due to rotational slip. Model One is an inverted beam allowed to pivot at one end as a pendulum. Model Two is a horizontally mounted beam allowed to pivot about its center. The equations of motion for the joint geometries, considering only macro-slip friction, are developed and solved. Theoretical and experimental results for the response of the models in vibration are presented showing energy dissipation versus clamping force for the joint(s).

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Behavior Of A Quasi-Isotropic Ply Metal Matrix Composite Under Thermo-Mechanical And Isothermal Fatigue Loading, Karl A. Hart Dec 1992

Behavior Of A Quasi-Isotropic Ply Metal Matrix Composite Under Thermo-Mechanical And Isothermal Fatigue Loading, Karl A. Hart

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the behavior of the SCS6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composite with a quasi-isotropic layup when tested under static and fatigue conditions. Specimens were subjected to in-phase and out-of-phase thermo- mechanical and isothermal fatigue loading. In-phase and isothermal loading produced a fiber dominated failure while the out-of-phase loading produced a matrix dominated failure. Also, fiber domination in all three profiles was present at higher maximum applied loads and al three profiles demonstrated matrix domination at lower maximum applied loads. Thus, failure is both profile dependent and load equipment. Additional analyses, using laminated plate theory, Halpin-Tsai equations, METCAN, and the Linear …

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An Experimental Investigation Of A Finite Circulation Control Wing, John M. Tallarovic Dec 1992

An Experimental Investigation Of A Finite Circulation Control Wing, John M. Tallarovic

Theses and Dissertations

This wind tunnel investigation examined the lift, drag, and pitching moment of a 20% thick, 8.5% camber, partial elliptical cross-section, single blowing slot, rectangular, circulation control wing. The aspect ratios tested were 3.71 and 3.99. Variables included three differently shaped trailing edge Coanda surfaces and steady blowing and pulsed blowing. The test Reynolds number, based on the chord was 500,000. The-angle of attack was varied from minus 6 degrees to the inception of stall. The maximum lift coefficient measured was 3. 17 with an equivalent drag coefficient of 1.85. Results also show a limit to increasing lift by increasing the …

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Fatigue Behavior Of A Cross-Ply Ceramic Matrix Composite Under Tension-Tension And Tension-Compression Loading, Frank A. Opalski Dec 1992

Fatigue Behavior Of A Cross-Ply Ceramic Matrix Composite Under Tension-Tension And Tension-Compression Loading, Frank A. Opalski

Theses and Dissertations

A study was conducted which investigated the behavior of a cross-ply [0/90]2S Nicalon/Calcium-Aluminosilicate (Nicalon/CAS) ceramic matrix composite at room temperature under tension-compression fatigue loading. Material behavior and damage was recorded by stress-strain curves, elastic modulus, hysteretic energy density, and acetate replication techniques. Tension-tension fatigue tests at a load ratio R of 0.1 (R = σmin/σmax) were completed which determined that 140 MPa was the maximum stress allowable in which cycle runout (1,000,000 cycles) would occur. Above this value, transverse crack density increased with respect to cycles and failure ultimately occurred. Tension-compression tests were then performed …

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A Wind Tunnel Study Of Magnus Effects On A Differentially Rotating Missile, Karen A. Naselius Dec 1992

A Wind Tunnel Study Of Magnus Effects On A Differentially Rotating Missile, Karen A. Naselius

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates magnus effects on a non-firmed missile model which had three axially rotating sections that span at different rates. Five spin cases are examined; the mid section spinning only; the front and rear sections spinning only; all section spinning at the same speed; all sections spinning in the same direction with the mid section spinning at an additional ten revolutions per second; and all sections spinning with the mid sections spinning the opposite direction at an additional ten revolutions per second. These five cases are tested at three different spin rates for two different wind tunnel velocities. Since …

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A Radiosity Approach To Realistic Image Synthesis, Richard L. Remington Dec 1992

A Radiosity Approach To Realistic Image Synthesis, Richard L. Remington

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has not had the capability to generate photorealistic images. This thesis is a research effort to implement such a system at AFIT, and to apply knowledge from the particle transport community to this problem. Investigation into various techniques for generating photorealistic images led to the conclusion that the radiosity method would serve as the foundation for development. This is because of the increased accuracy of the diffuse reflections with the radiosity method and the fact that the images produced with radiosity axe view-independent. Two distinct tools to generate photorealistic images axe described. The …

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Generalization And Parallelization Of Messy Genetic Algorithms And Communication In Parallel Genetic Algorithms, Laurence D. Merkle Dec 1992

Generalization And Parallelization Of Messy Genetic Algorithms And Communication In Parallel Genetic Algorithms, Laurence D. Merkle

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic algorithms (GA) are highly parallelizable, robust semi- optimization algorithms of polynomial complexity. The most commonly implemented GAs are 'simple' GAs (SGAs). Reproduction, crossover, and mutation operate on solution populations. Deceptive and GA-hard problems are provably difficult for simple GAs. Messy GAs (MGA) are designed to overcome these limitations. The MGA is generalized to solve permutation type optimization problems. Its performance is compared to another MGA's, an SGA's, and a permutation SGA's. Against a fully deceptive problem the generalized MGA (GMGA) consistently performs better than the simple GA. Against an NP-complete permutation problem, the GMGA performs better than the other …

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Development Of A Protocol Usage Guideline For Conservative Parallel Simulations, Prescott J. Van Horn Dec 1992

Development Of A Protocol Usage Guideline For Conservative Parallel Simulations, Prescott J. Van Horn

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of distributed simulation is to speedup simulation execution by partitioning the simulation processing load over multiple processors, This thesis reviews current synchronization protocol methods for distributed simulations, and proposes guidelines for obtaining optimal conservative simulation partitionings using empirical evidence. An analysis is performed using three protocol variations of the Chandy-Misra HULL message algorithm, two using a pending message blocking strategy, and the other using a safetime blocking strategy. A fourth protocol evaluated is based on the SRADS algorithm proposed by Reynolds. The analysis involves a study of all possible 2 and 4 node configurations, for three queuing simulations, …

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Parallel Simulation Of Structural Vhdl Circuits On Intel Hypercubes, Thomas A. Breeden Dec 1992

Parallel Simulation Of Structural Vhdl Circuits On Intel Hypercubes, Thomas A. Breeden

Theses and Dissertations

Many VLSI circuit designs are too large to be simulated with VHDL in a reasonable amount of time. One approach to reducing the simulation time is to distribute the simulation over several processors. This research creates an environment for designing and simulating structural VHDL circuits on the Intel iPSC/2 and iPSC/860 Hypercubes. Logic gates and system behaviors are partitioned among the processors, and signed changes are shared via event messages. Circuit simulations are run over the SPECTRUM parallel simulation testbed, and the null- message paradigm is used to avoid deadlock. Structural circuits ranging from forty to over one thousand logic …

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Automated Control Of Aircraft In Formation Flight, Louis E. Buzogany Dec 1992

Automated Control Of Aircraft In Formation Flight, Louis E. Buzogany

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, an automated formation control system for an aircraft formation comprised of one lead and multiple wing aircraft is analyzed. Second- order models of the C-130 aircraft are developed in order to accurately model the flying qualities of large aircraft. This automated formation control system is capable of controlling the C-130 aircraft in maneuvering formation flight, thus reducing the wing's pilot workload. During formation flight, the wing aircraft continuously measures the lead aircraft's relative position with an ideal on-board position sensor. This information, in addition to Proportional Plus Integral feedback control, is used to maintain the aircraft in …

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Scientific Visualization Of Volumetric Radar Cross Section Data, Thomas G. Wojszynski Dec 1992

Scientific Visualization Of Volumetric Radar Cross Section Data, Thomas G. Wojszynski

Theses and Dissertations

For aircraft design and mission planning, designers, threat analysts, mission planners, and pilots require a Radar Cross Section (RCS) central tendency with its associated distribution about a specified aspect and its relation to a known threat, Historically, RCS data sets have been statically analyzed to evaluate a d profile. However, Scientific Visualization, the application of computer graphics techniques to produce pictures of complex physical phenomena. appears to be a more promising tool to interpret this data. This work describes data reduction techniques and a surface rendering algorithm to construct and display a complex polyhedron from adjacent contours of RCS data. …

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Design And Characterization Of Optically Pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Richard J. Bagnell Dec 1992

Design And Characterization Of Optically Pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Richard J. Bagnell

Theses and Dissertations

Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are a form of semiconductor laser which have their cavity oriented orthogonally to the plane of the wafer. The orientation necessitates short cavities, highly reflective mirrors and a relatively high gain/loss ratio. Even so, the resultant superior exit beam characteristics and the tight packing density of the finished lasers provide strong motivation for pursuing the growth of these structures. This thesis details the design of an optically pumped InGaAs multiple quantum well periodic gain structure VCSEL with a 950 nm lasing wavelength. These growths were to be a first attempt at VCSEL construction, so …

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High Range Resolution Radar Target Identification Using The Prony Model And Hidden Markov Models, Mark R. Dewitt Dec 1992

High Range Resolution Radar Target Identification Using The Prony Model And Hidden Markov Models, Mark R. Dewitt

Theses and Dissertations

Fully polarized Xpatch signatures are transformed to two left circularly polarized signals. These two signals are then filtered by a linear FM pulse compression ('chirp') transfer function, corrupted by AWGN, and filtered by a filter matched to the 'chirp' transfer function. The bandwidth of the 'chirp' radar is about 750 MHz. Range profile feature extraction is performed using the TLS Prony Model parameter estimation technique developed at Ohio State University. Using the Prony Model, each scattering center is described by a polarization ellipse, relative energy, frequency response, and range. This representation of the target is vector quantized using a K-means …

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Enhancement Of Audio Localization Cue Synthesis By Adding Environmental And Visual Cues, Eric L. Scarborough Dec 1992

Enhancement Of Audio Localization Cue Synthesis By Adding Environmental And Visual Cues, Eric L. Scarborough

Theses and Dissertations

An audio localization cue synthesizer, the DIRectional Audio Display (DIRAD) was used to simulate auditory distance, room reflections, and to provide spatial audio for computer graphics images. The DIRAD processes input audio signals to generate spatially located sounds for headphone listening. The DIRAD can position audio sources around the head and these sounds are stable with respect to the listener's head position. An interactive, real-time simulation of auditory distance and room reflections was accomplished using the DIRAD in combination with a Silicon Graphics audio processor board installed in a Personal Iris 4D/35. Several demonstrations of auditory distance and the effects …

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