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Theses and Dissertations

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Articles 11131 - 11160 of 11490

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Development Of High Angle Of Attack Control Laws For An Unstable, Non- Minimum Phase Aircraft Using Variations Of The Quantitative Feedback Technique, Mark A. Mcclure Dec 1991

Development Of High Angle Of Attack Control Laws For An Unstable, Non- Minimum Phase Aircraft Using Variations Of The Quantitative Feedback Technique, Mark A. Mcclure

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the application of variations of the quantitative feedback technique to a control problem with unstable, non-minimum phase plants. The X-29A research aircraft is used as the basis for developing a set of representative linearized aircraft dynamics models, which are modified to allow for the use of differential canard control inputs for enhanced maneuverability at extreme angles of attack. A specialized design approach is presented to develop frequency dependent weighting matrices, and the shortcomings of traditional methods are discussed. Four independent longitudinal compensators are developed by first designing loop transmission functions. Discussion is provided that addresses the limitations …

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Design And Testing Of A Lightweight, Planar Microwave Lens, Paul M. Proudfoot Dec 1991

Design And Testing Of A Lightweight, Planar Microwave Lens, Paul M. Proudfoot

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the design, fabrication, and testing of a lightweight, planar microwave lens. The lens consists of two planar arrays of lightweight printed circuit antennas interconnected by microstrip lines whose length varies as a function of position on the lens. Microwave energy is coupled from one face of the lens to the other by means of a slot etched in the ground plane. At 8.0 GHz the lens is ten wavelengths across, is less than 1/8 inch thick, and weighs less than 4 pounds. The lens can scan a beam over a +/- 30 degree region in both the …

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Sensing Refractive Turbulence Profiles Using Wave Front Slope Measurements From Two Reference Sources, Michael D. Rejack Dec 1991

Sensing Refractive Turbulence Profiles Using Wave Front Slope Measurements From Two Reference Sources, Michael D. Rejack

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines a remote sensing technique for measuring the atmospheric structure constant as a function of altitude by performing spatial correlation or wavefront sensor measurements. Two point sources are used to irradiate two wavefront sensors in the aperture plane of an optical system. The geometric relationship between the sources and the sensors gives rise to crossed optical paths. At the point where the paths cross, the correlation value of the turbulence contributions will be at a peak. The correlation is shown to be mathematically related to the structure constant in terms of an integral of the structure constant multiplied …

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A Robust Digital Flight Control System For An Unmanned Research Vehicle Using Discrete Quantitative Feedback Theory, Donald J. Lacey Jr. Dec 1991

A Robust Digital Flight Control System For An Unmanned Research Vehicle Using Discrete Quantitative Feedback Theory, Donald J. Lacey Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes application of digital multiple-input multiple- output (MIMO) Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) technique to the design of a three axis rate controller for the Lambda Unmanned Research Vehicle. The resulting robust controller performs well throughout the flight envelope without gain scheduling. It results from research done at the Air Force Institute of Technology. The Lambda URV was designed by the Control Systems Development Branch of the Wright Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH for flight testing aircraft control hardware and software. The flight control system is built using a small perturbation linear model developed from flight test data. The …

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An Investigation Of A Design For A Finite-Difference Time Domain (Fdtd) Hardware Accelerator, James R. Marek Dec 1991

An Investigation Of A Design For A Finite-Difference Time Domain (Fdtd) Hardware Accelerator, James R. Marek

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated increasing the speed of Finite-Difference Time Domain (FDTD) cell calculations through a special purpose architecture using Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI). These FDTD cell equations model inhomogeneous, isotropic, lossy magnetic and dielectric materials. Special attention was given to simplicity and performance, using the fastest components generally available in AFIT VLSI programs, while attempting to minimize component count. A VHSIC Hardware Description Language simulation of the proposed chip established design feasibility and provided performance estimates: 350 ns to generate the first cell value, 200 ns thereafter (30 MFLOPS maximum double-precision). This study also implemented boundary conditions in hardware …

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Verification And Validation Of The Simulated Radar Image (Srim) Code Radar Cross Section Predictions, Dale A. Stanley Dec 1991

Verification And Validation Of The Simulated Radar Image (Srim) Code Radar Cross Section Predictions, Dale A. Stanley

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were to verify and validate the Simulated Radar Image (SRIM) Code Version 4.0 monostatic radar cross section (RCS) predictions. SRIM, uses the theory of Physical Optics (PO) to predict backscatter for a user specified aspect angle. Target obscuration and multiple reflections are taken into account by sampling the target with ray tracing. The software verification and validation technique followed in this study entailed comparing the code predictions to closed from PO equations, other RCS prediction software packages, and measured data. The targets analyzed were a sphere, rectangular flat plate, circular flat plate, solid right circular …

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Face Recognition With The Karhunen-Loeve Transform, Pedro F. Suarez Dec 1991

Face Recognition With The Karhunen-Loeve Transform, Pedro F. Suarez

Theses and Dissertations

The major goal of this research was to investigate machine recognition of faces. The approach taken to achieve this goal was to investigate the use of Karhunen-Loe've Transform (KLT) by implementing flexible and practical code. The KLT utilizes the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix as a basis set. Faces were projected onto the eigenvectors, called eigenfaces, and the resulting projection coefficients were used as features. Face recognition accuracies for the KLT coefficients were superior to Fourier based techniques. Additionally, this thesis demonstrated the image compression and reconstruction capabilities of the KLT. This theses also developed the use of the KLT …

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Image Segmentation Using Affine Wavelets, Steven E. Smiley Dec 1991

Image Segmentation Using Affine Wavelets, Steven E. Smiley

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the use of the multiresolution representation and Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural networks to segment both FLIR and SAR imagery. The multiresolution approximation coefficients are used as features into the RBF network which learns to distinguish between different cultural and natural regions or objects. The wavelets used are Mallat's spline wavelet and Daubechies' compactly supported wavelets. Additionally, this thesis provides an explanation of wavelets in a tutorial manner. It introduces wavelet theory and discusses two different approaches to generating the multiresolution or wavelet representation.

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Design Of A Fiber Optic Image Transmission Link, Justin D. Redd Dec 1991

Design Of A Fiber Optic Image Transmission Link, Justin D. Redd

Theses and Dissertations

An original design is presented for a fiber optic based digital image transmission link operating at a serial bit rate of 250 Mbits/Second. The link is designed as an integral part of an airborne infrared imaging system with particular emphasis on avoiding problems associated with aircraft electromagnetic interference (EMI). Unique features include simplicity (single PC board transmitter and receiver), low power, low cost (under $3,000), and use of the latest off-the-shelf components (including the Gazelle GA9011/GA9012 HOT ROD chip set). Theoretical modeling is used to predict a bit error rate of better than 10-15, while actual measurements include …

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Principal Base Parameter Analysis: Implementation And Analysis In An Adaptive Model-Based Robotic Controller, Gregory L. Showman Dec 1991

Principal Base Parameter Analysis: Implementation And Analysis In An Adaptive Model-Based Robotic Controller, Gregory L. Showman

Theses and Dissertations

Principal Base Parameter Analysis (PBPA) is a general and systematic procedure for determining the dynamic parameters that directly contribute to the joint torques of a manipulator, ranked in order of sensitivity. The feasibility of employing PBPA as an aid in the design and tuning of adaptive model-based controllers for industrial manipulators is rigorously investigated. This is accomplished by employing PBPA to determine the minimal size of the adaptive parameter vector and more importantly, to develop a less heuristic procedure for controller tuning. A simple, step-by-step procedure is developed wherein the manipulator torque equations are used in conjunction with PBPA to …

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Investigation Of The Effects Of Aeroelastic Deformations On The Radar Cross Section Of Aircraft, Samuel D. Mckenzie Dec 1991

Investigation Of The Effects Of Aeroelastic Deformations On The Radar Cross Section Of Aircraft, Samuel D. Mckenzie

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of aeroelastic deformations on the radar cross section (RCS) of a T-38 trainer jet and a C-5A transport aircraft are examined and characterized. Realistic representations of structural wing deformations are obtained from a mechanical/computer aided design software package called NASTRAN . NASTRAN is used to evaluate the structural parameters of the aircraft as well as the restraints and loads associated with realistic flight conditions. Geometries for both the non-deformed and deformed airframes are obtained from the NASTRAN models and translated into RCS models. The RCS is analyzed using a numerical modeling code called the Radar Cross Section - …

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Electromagnetic Scattering From Dielectric Pyramidal Tips, Albert D. Tyson Iv Dec 1991

Electromagnetic Scattering From Dielectric Pyramidal Tips, Albert D. Tyson Iv

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the electromagnetic scattering from conducting, lossless dielectric, and lossy dielectric (absorber) pyramids. The backscatter from pyramids was measured and a time gate was applied to isolate the scattering from the tips. The measured results were compared to predictions from an approximate Uniform Theory of Diffraction (UTD) solution for scattering by a dielectric corner. The accuracy of the corner diffraction solution was found to be dependent on the polarization of the incident electric field. The accuracy of the UTD solution was also dependent on the aspect angle to the pyramid: the UTD solution gave a nominally correct answer …

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Evaluation Of An Interdigitated Gate Electrode Field-Effect Transistor (Igefet) For In Situ Resin Cure Monitoring, Thomas E. Graham Dec 1991

Evaluation Of An Interdigitated Gate Electrode Field-Effect Transistor (Igefet) For In Situ Resin Cure Monitoring, Thomas E. Graham

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to design an Interdigitated Gate Electrode Field-Effect Transistor (IGEFET) and evaluate its performance as an in situ resin cure monitor. A commercially available resin was selected for the research, and rheological studies were performed to identify the resin's gelation point during isothermal cures at two selected temperatures. Additional rheological studies were performed to identify the resin's glass transition temperature. The interdigitated gate electrode of the IGEFET was coated with samples of the resin, and electrical measurements were performed while the resin cured. The chemical changes which occur in the resin as a result of …

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Function Prediction Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Randall L. Lindsey Dec 1991

Function Prediction Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Randall L. Lindsey

Theses and Dissertations

A fully recurrent neural network was applied to the function prediction problem. The real-time recurrent learning (RTRL) algorithm was modified and tested for use as a viable function predictor. The modification gave the algorithm a variable learning rate and a linear/sigmoidal output selection. Verifying the networks ability to temporally learn both the classic exclusive-OR (XOR) problem and the internal state problem, the network was then used to simulate the frequency response of a second order IIR lowpass Butterworth filter. The recurrent network was then applied to two problems: head position tracking, and voice date reconstruction. The accuracy at which the …

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An Analysis Of One-Dimensional Models Of The Insulating And Conducting Priz, Joseph W. Cook Iii Dec 1991

An Analysis Of One-Dimensional Models Of The Insulating And Conducting Priz, Joseph W. Cook Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to analytically reproduce experimental and analytical data, on the single-insulated and conducting PRIZ, presented in 1987 and 1988 by the Soviet scientists Bliznetsov et al. Our onedimensional analytical models, derived from earlier Soviet reports, have consistently reproduced previously reported data on the PRIZ. In this study, the same codes were successfully used to analyze the effects of injection at high and low intensity exposures (30 µW/cm2 to 500 mW/cm2) Although the codes qualitatively duplicated the nature of the space charge distribution in the single-insulated and conducting PRIZ, our quantitative results were significantly different from …

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Performance Analysis Of The Speckle Holography Image Reconstruction Technique, Rudolf N. Vonniederhausern Dec 1991

Performance Analysis Of The Speckle Holography Image Reconstruction Technique, Rudolf N. Vonniederhausern

Theses and Dissertations

In speckle holography, short exposures frames along with wave front measurements allow post processing image reconstruction. With speckle holography the amplitude of high spatial frequencies is boosted to allow resolution out to the diffraction limit of the telescope. To provide system parameters for the wave front sensor design, a software analysis program has been developed that provides the system transfer function as a function of the number and size of sensor subapertures and sensor noise. Trends in the ratio of the atmospheric coherence diameter to wave front subaperture size and the effect on the system transfer function have been obtained. …

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An Analysis Of The Information Requirements Of Conus Based Deputy Commanders For Maintenance, Daniel J. Green Dec 1991

An Analysis Of The Information Requirements Of Conus Based Deputy Commanders For Maintenance, Daniel J. Green

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the information requirements of Air Force Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. It had three basic objectives: (1) identify the critical success factors that they monitor on a continuous basis, (2) identify similarities in those requirements for all DGMs and across major commands, and (3) determine if the application of information technology would enhance their decision making. Surveys were sent to all CONUS based Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. The study found that there were nine critical success factors that were used by a majority of all respondents. In addition, nine command-specific critical success factors …

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Design Of An Optimum Thrust Nozzle For A Typical Hypersonic Trajectory Through Computational Analysis, David J. Herring Dec 1991

Design Of An Optimum Thrust Nozzle For A Typical Hypersonic Trajectory Through Computational Analysis, David J. Herring

Theses and Dissertations

An analysis of a planar supersonic nozzle for a NASP type vehicle was performed with a computer program that used the new upwind flux difference splitting (FDS) method. Thrust optimization, off-design performance, and cowl angle parametric analyses were accomplished, using FDS code, an oblique shock wave solver program, and a Scramjet cycle analysis code, at six points on a 1000 PSF maximum dynamic pressure trajectory, for the Mach numbers 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0. Results from the single parameter number range from 7.5 to 20.0, the attachment angles identified as optimum for the respective trajectory points were 38.0, …

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Computation Of Planar Store Trajectories Using An Adaptive Grid Procedure, William D. Hack Dec 1991

Computation Of Planar Store Trajectories Using An Adaptive Grid Procedure, William D. Hack

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to compare a quasi-analytical, potential flow/three-degree-of-freedom model to an implicit-Euler algorithm for the calculation of store trajectories. The implicity algorithm uses a cell- centered, finite-volume, spatial discretization applied to the Euler equations, written in time-dependent, curvilinear-coordinates. A flux-differencing Roe scheme is employed to find the split-fluxes and the Steger/Warming flux-vector method is used to calculate the flux-Jacobians. The potential flow and implicit- Euler algorithm are combined with a three-degree-of-freedom algorithm to evaluate the planar, freefall trajectories of a simple store shape. The research uses two different grid-modification techniques in the implicit algorithm evaluation. Data …

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Tensile Strength Characterization Of A Metal Matrix Composite With Circular Holes, Jeffrey Rattray Dec 1991

Tensile Strength Characterization Of A Metal Matrix Composite With Circular Holes, Jeffrey Rattray

Theses and Dissertations

Static tensile testing conducted at room temperature and 650 C shows notch sensitivity for a quasi-isotropic lay-up of a titanium alloy metal matrix composite. The specific material used was SCS-6/Beta 21S. Some unnotched specimens were tested and then the diameter-to-width ratio was varied from 0.1 to 0.4. The room temperature unnotched strength is 840 MPa, and the strength falls to less than half this value at 650 C. The off-axis plies of the (0, + or - 45, 90)s lay-up exhibit debonding of the fibers from the matrix at only ten percent of failure stress. This debonding is shown with …

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The Use Of A Higher Order Kinematic Relationship On The Analysis Of Cylindrical Composite Panels, Kathleen V. Tighe Dec 1991

The Use Of A Higher Order Kinematic Relationship On The Analysis Of Cylindrical Composite Panels, Kathleen V. Tighe

Theses and Dissertations

An analytical study was performed to determine the critical buckling loads and natural frequencies for composite cylindrical shells, including transverse shear effects and constant through the thickness direct strain εz. A linearized form of Sanders shell equations are derived, including a parabolic transverse shear strain distribution. Higher order laminate constitutive relations are developed. Hamilton's Principle is applied to derive five partial differential equations of motion and the associated boundary conditions, which are then solved using the Galerkin technique. Ply layups of (0/90), (45/-45), and (0/45/-45/90) were investigated under three boundary conditions, simply supported, clamped, and a combination simple- …

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A Comparison Of Fractional Order Time Derivative Models Of The Viscoelastic Stress Relations In Thermorheologically Complex Materials, Victor B. Chambers Dec 1991

A Comparison Of Fractional Order Time Derivative Models Of The Viscoelastic Stress Relations In Thermorheologically Complex Materials, Victor B. Chambers

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the viscoelastic behavior of thermorheologically complex materials, a typical example of which is a soft, rubbery material. Materials such as these are very useful in damping vibrations in structures, but the relaxation moduli of these materials change significantly with temperature and frequency. In the case of space structures applications where temperatures vary greatly and a stable platform is necessary, a method to predict this changing modulus is needed. The original approach was to validate a previously developed viscoelastic model, but the task expanded to include extending the model to materials with two …

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Application Of Finite Element Modeling And Analysis To The Design Of Positive Pressure Oxygen Masks, Bruce H. Bitterman Dec 1991

Application Of Finite Element Modeling And Analysis To The Design Of Positive Pressure Oxygen Masks, Bruce H. Bitterman

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated tools and techniques for performing finite element analysis of the MBU-20/P pilot's oxygen mask. The problem which was investigated was the fit of the mask to the face at Positive Pressure Breathing (PPB) pressures. Deformed geometry of the mask and reaction forces on the face were calculated to provide a measure of the fit. The MBU-20/P mask was first digitized by 3-D digitizer. A computer program was written to translate the digitized coordinate data to a finite element format for two commercial packages. The packages targeted were SDRC I-DEAS and PDA PATRAN. Other supplementary programs were written …

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Navigation Of A Satellite Cluster With Realistic Dynamics, J. Timothy Middendorf Dec 1991

Navigation Of A Satellite Cluster With Realistic Dynamics, J. Timothy Middendorf

Theses and Dissertations

Previous work in the area of estimation of relative positions within a satellite cluster showed favorable results. However, the work was done using point mass orbits in the truth model. This thesis investigates the estimation of relative satellite positions operating in near circular orbit including the J2 term in Earth's geopotential. The iterated, extended Kalman filter is used as the on-board estimator in order to gain better performance in the face of the non-linearities. The dynamics in the estimator are based on the Clohessy- Wiltshire equations for relative orbital motion. Inputs to the host estimator are range measurements from …

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Perturbation Theory For Restricted Three-Body Orbits, David A. Ross Dec 1991

Perturbation Theory For Restricted Three-Body Orbits, David A. Ross

Theses and Dissertations

A perturbation theory for restricted three-body orbits, using a periodic trajectory as a reference solution, is investigated. The nearly- periodic equations of motions are derived by analogy to a linearization about an equilibrium point. In this case, the linearization produces a set of time- periodic equations of motion that, according to Floquet, are completely solved by a periodic trajectory. The four-dimensional phase space of the restricted three-body problem is the first surveyed for regions of periodic motion, via the surface of section phase plot. Upon extraction of a periodic orbit, nearly- periodic orbits are integrated. The integrated state vector is …

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Thrust Vector Control Of An Overexpanded Supersonic Nozzle Using Pin Insertion And Rotating Airfoils, Curtis R. Amble Dec 1991

Thrust Vector Control Of An Overexpanded Supersonic Nozzle Using Pin Insertion And Rotating Airfoils, Curtis R. Amble

Theses and Dissertations

An experimental study of probe thrust vector control of overexpanded supersonic flow in nozzles using movable probes as the vectoring mechanism is presented. Two type of movable probes were used. The first inserted cylindrical proves through the wall of the nozzle to set depths relative to the nozzle wall; the second used rotating airfoils, inserted within the nozzle flow, rotated to various angles of attack relative to the nozzle centerline. Effectiveness of these probe thrust vector control mechanisms was investigated for a confined jet and conical nozzle. The study objective was to evaluate performance and transient characteristics of these probe …

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Effect Of Nonuniform Entrance Flow Profile On Hypersonic Nozzle Pitching Moment, Sandra L. Snelling Dec 1991

Effect Of Nonuniform Entrance Flow Profile On Hypersonic Nozzle Pitching Moment, Sandra L. Snelling

Theses and Dissertations

The Scramjet Hypersonic Nozzle (SCHNOZ) parabolized Navier-Stokes computer code was used to model turbulent, chemically reacting flow present in a hypersonic nozzle. Two nozzle configurations were considered, an isolated nozzle (no external flow) and a nozzle with a finite length cowl. A single nonuniform entrance flow profile was generated and an equivalent uniform flow profile calculated for input into the nozzle code. Uniform and nonuniform cases for each nozzle were run using both frozen and finite rate chemistry. An increased grid resolution in the computer code was necessary to eliminate numerically induced anomalies in the results of the nonuniform cases …

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The Application Of Statistical Estimation Techniques To Terrain Modeling, Donald P. Duckett Jr. Dec 1991

The Application Of Statistical Estimation Techniques To Terrain Modeling, Donald P. Duckett Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis researches methods of generating accurate and realistic polygonal terrain models by reducing gridded sampled terrain elevation data such as DMA DTED. The terrain models generated should be applicable for use in flight simulators and other systems. Existing methods of terrain modeling are discussed, and limitations of these systems are presented. The geostatistical estimation technique known as kriging is presented as a method estimating terrain elevations at locations not provided in DMA DTED or other gridded terrain elevation data. Kriging is an optimal interpolation method based on statistical analysis of the data. It also provides a measure of accuracy, …

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A Standardized Software Reliability Measurement Methodology, Joseph J. Stanko Dec 1991

A Standardized Software Reliability Measurement Methodology, Joseph J. Stanko

Theses and Dissertations

Current Air Force practice is to perform Operational Test and Evaluation (OT and E) for each new weapons system. In support of this, Headquarters Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (HQ AFOTEC) is responsible for measuring both suitability and effectiveness. While suitability is adequately measured, the current effort only addresses hardware effectiveness, or at best, system effectiveness. Since tools and metrics are in place for software suitability assessments related to OT and E (for example, software maintainability), there should be some effective way of measuring the operational effectiveness of software. Currently, HQ AFOTEC/LG5 has a data collection tool for …

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Evaluation Of Scalar Value Estimation Techniques For 3d Medical Imaging, Rob W. Parrott Dec 1991

Evaluation Of Scalar Value Estimation Techniques For 3d Medical Imaging, Rob W. Parrott

Theses and Dissertations

Scalar value estimation in 3D medical imaging increases data resolution for enhanced renditions and corrects inaccurate surface formations. Accurate estimations are vital because clinical assessment is often aided by examination of 3D medical images. This thesis explores different estimation techniques and introduces the geostatistical estimation technique called kriging to the field of 3D imaging. Kriging theory claims to be the optimal estimator-- better than the standard deterministic methods commonly used. The techniques investigated are linear interpolation, trilinear interpolation, tricubic interpolation, and kriging. This research investigates scalar value estimation in the volume pre-processing operation of slice interpolation and in a surface …

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