Engineering Commons^™

The Use Of A Portable Microcomputer As A Data Collection Tool To Support Integrated Simulation Support Environments: A Concept, James E. Wilkinson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Advances in simulation methodology, and the computer support systems to implement these methodologies, have led to the development of integrated simulation support environments. These environments, or collection of software tools, seek to aid the analyst in developing models, data management and analysis, and data presentation.

While an integrated simulation environment provides a more organized structure for managing and performing simulation projects, and provides a database management structure for storing, manipulating, and analyzing data, they do not address the actual process of going out and obtaining the data. As a result, many of the common problems associated with poor problem and …

Image Reconstruction After Transform Coding Using Relative Entropy And Maximum Entropy, John S. Bodenschatz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Presented are two new methods based on entropy for reconstructing images compressed with the Discrete Cosine transform. One method is based upon a sequential implementation of the Minimum Relative Entropy Principle; the other is based upon the Maximum Entropy Principle. These will be compared with each other and with the conventional method employing the Inverse Discrete Cosine transform. Chapter 2 describes the traditional use of the Discrete Cosine transform for image compression. Chapter 3 explains the theory and implementation of the entropy-based reconstructions. It introduces a fast algorithm for the Maximum Entropy Principle. Chapter 4 compares the numerical performance of …

Study Of A Terrain Avoidance Algorithm To Be Used In Conjunction With The Lantirn Terrain Following System, Glenda C. Frazier

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes the development of a basic terrain avoidance algorithm which is proposed for use with the terrain following algorithm in the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared System for Night (LANTIRN). The algorithms were modeled in a digital simulation in which an aircraft is flown over a single-obstacle three-dimensional terrain. Vertical acceleration and roll angle commands are generated in the simulation by the algorithms using terrain data collected from the modeled terrain following radar antenna scan. The response of the aircraft to these commands is determined, and the resulting trajectories over the terrain are displayed.

The development of …

Human Factors Compatibility Concerns In The Selection Of Display Technologies For Computer And Data Terminals, Francis C. Westerfield

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Human factors considerations are often overlooked in the selection of electronic computer displays. When cost is used as the only determining factor, the resulting product may not be commercially successful because of an inadequate display.

To help avoid this situation, designers and users should be aware of the various factors involved in proper display selection. These factors were developed by a synthesis of existing scientific and industrial literature on the subject and are explained in this paper.

The first factor is a basic knowledge of the structure, characteristics, and function of the human visual system. The theory of sight, anatomy …

An Experimental And Theoretical Analysis Of A Laser Beam Propagating Through Multiple Phase Screens, Arthur R. Weeks

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An experimental and a theoretical analysis for a laser beam propagating through multiple phase screens was performed. The theoretical analysis showed that the statistics for the intensity fluctuations, which can be predicted by the HK and the I-K distributions, could be derived from a multiplicative process using statistical distributions derived from Gaussian statistics. For the single phase screen experiment, the experimental normalized moments were compared with the normalized moments of both the HK and I-K distributions . In addition, the intensity data was lowpass filtered to yield moments that are predicted by the gamma distribution. The single phase screen data …

Effect Of Manufacturing Tolerances On The Number Of Load Carrying Fasteners In A Joint Subjected To A Shear Load: A Statistical Approach, Larry John Borkowski

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Within the elastic range, the number of load-carrying fasteners in an interchangeable manufactured joint subjected to a shear load is dependent upon the following characteristics: 1. Material properties of the constituent parts in the shear joint. 2. Geometry of the shear joint. 3. Manufacturing tolerances of the constituent parts in the shear joint. 4. Number of fasteners in the shear joint. 5. Preload on the fasteners in the joint. 6. Static coefficient of friction between the joint surfaces. Neglecting the effects of preload and friction, the number of load-carrying fasteners is determined for a theoretical bolted joint design as a …

The Design Of A Processing Element For The Systolic Array Implementation Of A Kalman Filter, John P. Condorodis

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The Kalman filter is an important component of optimal estimation theory. It has applications in a wide range of high performance control systems including navigational, fire control, and targeting systems. The Kalman filter, however, has not been utilized to its full potential due to the limitations of its inherent computational intensiveness which requires "off-line" processing or allows only low bandwidth real-time applications.

The recent advances in VLSI circuit technology have created the opportunity to design algorithms and data structures for direct implementation in integrated circuits. A systolic architecture is a concept which allows the construction of massively parallel systems in …

Feasibility Of Pulsed Air Operation In A Fixed Film Biological Reactor, Harry C. Pepper Iii

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An investigation was made into pulsed air sparging in a downflow, fixed film biological reactor receiving domestic wastewater feed (primary effluent). The pulsed mode of aeration was compared to continuous flow or non-pulsed aeration based on BOD₅ and TSS removals. The reactor utilized 0.19 to 0.20 in. (ES) gravel media with a 5.5 ft. depth. Automatic backwashing was initiated by a high loss of head condition through a programmable controller. Average backwash water-volume as a percent of product water was, under stable operation, 16 to 18%.

The pilot plan was operated for a period of three and one-half months. …

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Communication Simulation System, Mark D. Patz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this work is to develop a fast, dynamic, and menu driven direct sequence spread spectrum communication simulation system for the Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX VMS line of computers. This software breaks the system down into two sections, the transmitter and the receiver. Each of the blocks that comprise the system is user definable in order to program the desired conditions. The input data and spreading data located within the transmitter are generated by a maximal length sequence generator, up to the tenth order. Encoding of the data is achieved by using an (n,k) cyclic code. A level …

A Pc-Based Simulation For Convolutional Codes Using Viterbi Decoding, Mark W. Rossman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The objective of a digital communication system is to provide accurate transmission of information from one location to another. During transmission, the signal is subjected to noise and other distortions that compromise the integrity of the information. Channel encoding techniques can be employed to reduce this loss of integrity. One technique that has become popular in space and satellite communication systems is convolutional coding.

Channel encoding is only practical if it provides substantial improvement over the uncoded signal with a moderate hardware investment. The optimal approach to decoding convolutional codes is the Maximum-Likelihood method. This method compares the received data …

Amplification Of Video Signal Conditioner Circuit Design, Phuoc K. Nguyen

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Charge Injection Device (CID) has recently become a popular imaging device due to its versatility and high performance. The UCF's Electro-Optics Laboratory currently uses the TN 2505A, a General Electric solid state CID surveillance camera as an imager in an image processing system. The model offers two useful amplification techniques for video signal under low light condition: electronic gain boost and extended integration. This report describes the design and implementation of an external interface circuit that enables utilization of these two amplification techniques on the TN 2505A.

Single Element Controlled Oscillator, Miguel A. Muniz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Oscillator circuits play an important role in the electronics world. The Single Resistance Controlled Oscillator (SRCO) consists of an active stage, a bridge tee feedback network and the control element. The oscillation frequency will change as the control element is adjusted because the point of maximum gain at zero phase shift has been changed. Furthermore, the amplitude should remain constant. In practice, however, it does not. An analysis of the SRCO indicates that the amplitude increase is due to the effect of the pole introduced by the operational amplifier. This paper introduces a compensation that extends the useful range of …

Design For Conversion Of Ucf's Supersonic Wind Tunnel To A Wind Tunnel With Hypersonic Capability, Huseyin S. Sivasligil

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A supersonic wind tunnel, currently in existence at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, is examined to determine feasibility for conversion to a wind tunnel with hypersonic capability. Computational data are presented, and the determination is made that the existing wind tunnel can be converted if alterations and additions are made. These changes include replacement of the existing two dimensional nozzle with a two dimensional nozzle specifically designed for operation at Mach number 7, and the addition of a vacuum tank and heater. The use of an axisymmetric nozzle design is recommended for conversion to Mach numbers higher …

Computerized Flow Process Charting System And Applications, George H. Griffin

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A computerized flow process charting application program of dBase III+ has been developed to aid in resource requirements planning and operations analysis. Traditional flow process charting has used as the following data elements: assembly number, assembly sequence number, distance travelled, time required for the activity and an activity symbol. The computerized system adds several variables to these in order to customize the application at Martin Marietta Electronic Systems. These additional variables include work center identification, machine number identification, lot sizes, set up and run times and manufacturing specifications. Additionally, the circle or operations symbol has been expanded to differentiate between …

Operations Research In The High Tech Military Environment: A Survey, C. Steven Griffin

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The use of operations research as a technology to solve many of the problems of government and industry has become a major field of study within the very short span of the last fifty years. In the paper entitled, "Operations Research in the High Tech Military Environment: A Survey," the reader is provided with a better understanding of the tenets of operations research through an examination of a representative sample of the latest operations research applications developed for the high tech environment.

Initially, this involves providing the reader with some fundamental insights into what operations research is, what its practitioners …

Capacity Planning In A Discrete Item Manufacturing Environment, Ali M. Alsebaiee

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Capacity planning is a medium-to-long- term production planning tool that enables management to better understand how the demand of its customers have and will affect the available capacity planning. For a successful production and planning control system, management needs to consider the availability of not only the materials and component, but also the required manufacturing capacity. Several capacity planning techniques that deal with capacity planning in a discrete item manufacturing (job shop environment) are discussed in this report. These are Resource Requirement Planning, Rough Cut Capacity Planning, Capacity Requirement Planning, Operation Sequence, Input Output, and Simulation. A computerized capacity planning …

Experimental And Theoretical Studies On Design Calculations For Latent Heat Storage, Dieter Lindemann

Open Access Theses

Research was conducted to obtain design data of latent heat-of-fusion thermal energy storage (LHTES) devices. The devices studied utilize a porous medium (PM) to increase the effective conductivity of the storage system. Therefore the melting and freezing process is accelerated. Metal shavings and metal spheres were used as porous media and water as the phase change medium (PCM). A simple experimental method to measure the conductivity of a water-metal mixture or ice-metal mixture was applied to obtain conductivity data. These measurements can be considered fairly accurate because measured conductivity of pure water and of pure ice agreed very well with …

The Effect Of Excess Lead Oxide On The Sintering Characteristics And Dielectric Properties Of Lead Magnesium Niobate Ceramics, Dyllan Jye-Lun Hong

Masters Theses

"The effect of lead oxide additions on sintering characteristics and dielectric properties of ferroelectric Pb₃MgNb₂O₉ based capacitors was studied. The basic dielectric compositions were formed by solid state reaction. Densification was studied as a function of PbO content over the temperature range 900 °C to 1000 °C for sintering times one to six hours depending on the amount of additive, and the sintering temperature.

Weight loss, density and shrinkage measurements of each composition were made in order to relate the effects of the excess PbO additions on the densification. The dielectric and electrical properties were …

Design Of A Meta-Assembler For Microprogramming And A Survey Of Microprogram Optimization Techniques, Rahul Saxena

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this thesis is to develop and implement a meta-assembler for microprogramming. Different methods for optimizing microprogram execution and storage are also investigated.

The meta-assembler is of an adaptive type. It allows complete flexibility in the definition of the target machine op-codes and microinstruction field formats. The assembly process consists of two main phases. In the first phase the assembler builds a description of the target machine in terms of its microinstruction field format definitions. In the second phase the source program is assembled into object microcode. The assembler is written in the language Pascal. The assembler is …

Formability Of 356 Aluminum, Karol Krumrey Schrems

Masters Theses

"Although aluminum casting alloys are not often thought of as being formable, this thesis examines this possibility. Aluminum alloy 356 was cast in permanent molds and subsequently deformed by rolling (providing compressive loading) and bending (providing tensile loading). Cold forming was found to be very limited, while forming at elevated temperatures was comparatively easy and permitted reductions of up to 90%. Tensile properties and microstructures were examined in detail. Forming breaks up the eutectic silicon and intermetallic compounds. The yield strength and tensile strength increased almost linearly with increasing total percent reduction. The elongation at first increases with total percent …

Design Of Multivariable Deadbeat Controllers Using Reduced Order Models, Joaquin Alberto Zuniga

Masters Theses

"This study is concerned with the design of minimum Frobenius norm deadbeat controllers using reduced order models. Deadbeat controllers force the non-zero initial states of a linear multivariable discrete time system to the origin of the state space in minimum time. A controller of minimum Frobenius norm achieves such response with least effort.

The deadbeat controllers are designed on the basis of eigenspectrum assignment. In general, this approach permits a freedom in the selection of the closed-loop Jordan matrix which is used in the design of parametric controllers.

In this presentation, it is demonstrated that the task of deadbeat controller …

The Use Of Computerized Data Acquisition Techniques To Measure The Kinetics Of A Batch Flotation Process, Jose Antonio Barrera-Godinez

Masters Theses

"The flotation response of a lead ore was measured by utilization of a computer driven data acquisition system. A symmetric, fast and automatic froth removal and weighing system was attached to a conventional laboratory flotation cell. The rate controlling mechanisms were identified by manipulation of the froth removal rate, (FRR), froth layer thickness, (FT), and air flow rate, (AFR). The production of froth, water, solids and value in addition to value recovery and concentrate grade were determined as a function of time of flotation.

The flotation response was controlled by events dependent of AFR when using shallow froths of less …

Mechanical And Neutronic Properties Of Neutron Absorbing Materials, Donald James Buth

Masters Theses

“The primary neutron absorbing material examined in this project was Boraflex™, which consists of a silicone polymer with boron carbide acting as the neutron absorber. Two aluminum based neutron absorbers, Boral™ and Al-B-Ten, were also examined. Both X-ray and neutron radiography were used to examine the Boraflex™. The neutron radiography gave better resolution in detecting fluctuations in the boron carbide distribution; however, X-ray radiography did perform better in detecting flaws in the base material. Tensile tests were performed to determine the uniformity of Boraflex™'s tensile properties. The average tensile strength was calculated to be 303 ± 15 psi. A small …

Implementing An Mrp System In A Job Shop Environment, Kathleen A. Behnke

Masters Theses

"In today’s highly competitive marketplace, many small manufacturers are struggling to survive. The competition to produce a quality product at a competitive price comes not only from other small companies, but also from larger companies and foreign manufacturers, who have learned to produce in a more economical fashion. The challenge of the small manufacturer is learning to compete.

Every manufacturer, whether large or small, has one basic objective: to be profitable. The profit objective is usually achieved using a three part strategy of maximizing customer service, minimizing inventory investment, and maintaining efficient plant operation.

Small companies, including the one in …

Fluidized-Bed Gasifier Engine System Using Rice Hulls, Luis Cruz Baja

Masters Theses

"The operation of a fluidized-bed gasifier using rice hulls and a spark-ignition, internal combustion (IC) engine on product gas at the optimum reactor conditions and on gasoline produced generator loads of 6.7 KWe and 10.5 KWe at average speeds of 1740 RPM and 1785 RPM and thermal efficiencies of 12.7% and 13.8%, respectively. The diesel engine operation on dual diesel fuel oil (DFO) product gas and 100% DFO generated 8.0 KWe and 8.3 KWe at 1416 RPM and 1552 RPM and thermal efficiencies of 10.2% and 20.2% respectively. The gasoline engine could be run on 100% product gas while the …

The Interfacial Phenomena Of Liquid Copper Of Sapphire Substrates, Jenq Liu

Masters Theses

"The wetting behavior of liquid copper on the sapphire is effected by the crystallographic orientation of the solid surface, the oxygen partial pressure, and the temperature. Each of these influences has been studied by the sessile drop technique, over the oxygen partial pressure range from 10^-2 to 10^-20 atm at temperatures of 1373°K, and 1523°K. The effect of oxygen partial pressure on the liquid copper surface energy follows the Gibbs Langmuir Law.

The crystallographic orientation of the sapphire surface causes variations in the contact angle. This is more significant for higher oxygen partial pressure, but is eliminated at …

An Assessment Of Large Scale Battery Energy Storage For Industrial Loads, Brent Edward Mckinney

Masters Theses

"Reduction of peak demand on utility systems can be beneficial to both utilities and customers. One means of achieving peak demand reduction is by the use of load-leveling batteries. This thesis describes the technical and economic factors for demand side, customer-owned battery energy storage systems. The thesis has taken into account battery costs, converter and balance of plant costs, current utility rates, and customer load profiles typical of those for which battery storage may be feasible. Battery storage system designs and costs were described and quantified by using the results of EPRI project 1275-12. Utilities in the midwest were selected …

Parallel Approximate String Matching Applied To Occluded Object Recognition, David Smith

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis develops an algorithm for approximate string matching and applies it to the problem of partially occluded object recognition. The algorithm measures the similarity of differing strings by scanning for matching substrings between strings. The length and number of matching substrings determines the amount of similarity. A classification algorithm is developed using the approximate string matching algorithm for the identification and classification of objects. A previously developed method of shape description is used for object representation.

Threshold Characteristics Of Multimode Laser Oscillators, Mehdi Khoshnevissan

Dissertations and Theses

The threshold characteristics of multimode laser oscillators are considered in detail, and a new model is given for semiconductor diode lasers. Analytical expressions and numerical solutions are obtained for mode amplitudes, and over-all spectral characteristics of lasers operating above and below threshold. The theoretical results are i n agreement with experimental data. The band-ta-band absorption is included in the model and i t ' s effect is studied on the mixed broadening.

Continuous Statistical Distribution Curve Fitting And Analysis Tool, Gerald Robie

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper reports on the implementation and utilization of a micro-computer based simulation modeling verification and validation tool. The interactive software tool, written in BASIC, computes and displays the frequency distribution of a given set of input data, computes appropriate parameters for a continuous statistical distribution which the user selects as likely to represent the population from which the input data sample was obtained, performs several goodness-of-fit analyses on the resultant distribution and provides sensitivity analysis capability on the input data, distribution type selection and distribution parameters.