Engineering Commons^™

Nanosatellite Program – A Challenge To Amsat For Collaboration To Use The Amateur Bands, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A report published by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Nanosatellite Program – A Challenge to AMSAT for Collaboration to Use the Amateur Bands" from 1998.

Dsp Implementation Of A Quadrature Phase Shift Keying Transmitter, Andrew Phoon

Theses : Honours

The aim of this project is to develop a DSP implementation of a QPSK transmitter. This transmitter is to process digital signals in real-time and modulate it with sinusoidal and cosinusoidal signals to produce the required QPSK waveform. This thesis is mainly divided into three sections. The first section deals with the theory of modulation. Phase shift keying, in particular binary phase shift keying, is explained in some detail, with references to the generation of quadrature phase shift keying. In the second section, a brief overview of the SIMULINK package from MATLAB is given, as simulations of ideal and nonideal …

Cognitive Agents, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

Several researchers have proposed using cognitive concepts as a semantic basis for agent communications (M.N. Huhns and M.P. Singh, 1997). One of the leading candidates for such a semantics is based on Arcol, the communication language used within Artimis. Interestingly, this application (not only of Arcol, but also in general) appears extremely misguided. The intentional concepts are well suited to designing agents, but are not suited to giving a basis to a public, standardizable view of communication. A challenge for using the cognitive concepts is that although they are natural in several respects and can guide implementations, full blown implementations …

Personal Assistants, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

Already there are simple personal agents to help with some of our shopping. There are agents to track stocks in our portfolios, advise us on how to use particular software products, and arrange meetings within corporate workgroups. However, none of these agents takes more than one aspect of our activities into account, nor do they adapt easily to our preferences. Personal assistants, on the other hand, are agents that can represent individuals on the Web. They help users in their day-to-day activities, especially those involving information retrieval, negotiation, or coordination. A personal assistant might schedule a meeting and then, based …

Workflow Agents, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

Software agents as user agents, resource agents, and brokers may be able to enhance usefulness of workflow applications. Workflow technology is important to network computing because workflows exist naturally wherever distributed resources are interrelated. The problem with current workflow technology is that it is often too rigid. The lack of freedom accorded to human participants causes workflow management systems to appear unfriendly. As a result, they are often ignored or circumvented. This rigidity also causes productivity losses by making it harder to accommodate the flexible, ad hoc reasoning of human intelligence. Another challenge is that system requirements are rarely static. …

All Agents Are Not Created Equal, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

As the technology advances, we can expect the development of specialized agents to be used as standardized building blocks for information systems. Two trends lend credence to such a prediction. First, software systems in general are being constructed with larger components, such as ActiveX and JavaBeans, which are becoming closer to being agents themselves. They have more functionality than simple objects, respond to events autonomously, and, most importantly, respond to system builders at development time, as well as to events at runtime. Moreover, there is a move toward more cooperative information systems, in which the architecture itself plays an important …

Anthropoid Agents, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

In the study of agents on the Internet, we often ascribe to them human qualities, such as beliefs and intentions. These qualities are best understood as metaphors that give developers a way to talk about and design the capabilities and applications of agents. Despite all the progress in computing, users have been slow to accept the technology. They have often accepted what was thrown at them, but only under economic duress. Bringing the technology closer to their emotional needs might ease this resistance. So how can we put a human face on computing? Maybe by putting an animated face on …

A Corba-Base Integration Of Distributed Electronic Healthcare Records Using The Synapses Approach, Jane Grimson, William Grimson, Damon Berry, Gaye Stephens, Eoghan Felton, Dipak Kalra, Pieter Toussaint, Onno Weir

Articles

The ability to exchange in a meaningful, secure, and simple fashion relevant healthcare data about patients is seen as vital in the context of efficient and cost-effective shared or team-based care. The electronic healthcare record (EHCR) lies at the heart of this information exchange, and it follows that there is an urgent need to address the ability to share EHCR's or parts of records between carers and across distributed health information systems. This paper presents the Synapses approach to sharing based on a standardized shared record, the Federated Healthcare Record, which is implemented in an open and flexible manner using …

Expedient Method To Determine Active Zone Depth For Expansive Soils In The St. Louis, Missouri Area, Robert Allen Abbott

Masters Theses

"A laboratory testing program was developed to formulate a relationship which could be used to estimate the active zone depth at a given site with the index properties of the potentially expansive soils at the site. The testing program utilized standard consolidometers to incrementally add moisture to soil specimens to determine a swell versus soil suction index. Tests were performed on laboratory manufactured soil specimens of commercial clay to validate the testing methodology.

A QUATTRO PRO computer spreadsheet was developed to perform the calculations to determine the potential field surface heave for the soils tested provided they were at a …

Statistical Analysis Of Structural Response Via A Quadratic Regression Model, Mahesh Balasubramanian

Masters Theses

"Described herein is the development of an efficient capability to analyze the statistics of structural responses given a description of the statistics of the input, or design, variables. In the application of interest, inputs and outputs are related through a very large finite element model. The finite element model is approximated here by a second-order hyper-surface. Developed for the quadratic relationship are expressions for response means, standard deviations and correlation coefficients. The analysis allows correlated and uncorrelated input variables, and admissible input variable distributions are normal, log-normal and Weibull.

In addition to characterizations of response means, standard deviations and correlation …

An Integrated Transportation Use Modeling System For Indiana; Implementation Report And User's Manual, Andrew Ying-Ming Yen, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

The principle objective of this research was to develop an integrated model to represent the interrelationships between land use and transportation, subject to the requirements of the ISTEA of 1991 and the CAAA of 1990. The integrated model includes two major parts: a land-use allocation module and a travel demand module. An interface module has also been built to transform data between these two modules. The land-use allocation module consists of a residential location model, an employment location model, a land use potential model, and a land consumption model. One unique feature of the residential and employment location models is …

An Integrated Transportation Use Modeling System For Indiana, Andrew Ying-Ming Yen, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

The principle objective of this research was to develop an integrated model to represent the interrelationships between land use and transportation, subject to the requirements of the ISTEA of 1991 and the CAAA of 1990. The integrated model includes two major parts: a land-use allocation module and a travel demand module. An interface module has also been built to transform data between these two modules. The land-use allocation module consists of a residential location model, an employment location model, a land use potential model, and a land consumption model. One unique feature of the residential and employment location models is …

Assessing And Updating Indot's Traffic Monitoring System For Highways (2 Volumes), Samuel Labi, Jon Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

This study evaluates the existing resources and procedures of INDOT’s current traffic monitoring program, with the objective of transforming this program into a comprehensive Traffic Monitoring System for Highways (TMS/H). Reliable traffic data is a valuable input for studies and decision-making at various levels and in various phases of highway management including planning and design, finance and taxation, legislation and safety. The nature and scope of the various components comprising a TMS/H for any state were identified in available literature such as the Federal Register and Traffic Monitoring Guide. A complete inventory of the existing resources (personnel and equipment) and …

Automation And Standardization Of Measuring Moisture Content And Density Of Soil Using The Technique Of Time Domain Reflectometry, Wei Feng, Chih-Ping Lin, Richard J. Deschamps, Vincent P. Drnevich

JTRP Technical Reports

The methodology developed by Siddiqui and Drnevich (1995) for measuring soil water content and density using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) was extended for routine use in the quality control testing of compacted soils. The objectives of the study were to develop computer software to automate data interpretation and data reduction, develop prototype equipment for field use, compare the results of the TDR method with the sand cone and nuclear density methods on actual construction sites and develop draft specifications for ASTM and AASHTO. New prototype equipment was developed for compaction quality control testing. Waveform interpretation and data reduction were automated …

Implementation Of Subgrade Resilient Modulus For Pavement (2 Volumes), A. G. Altschaeffl, Ross A. Duckworth, M. K. Clough

JTRP Technical Reports

This Implementation Project had two purposes: 1) to update the INDOT Division of Materials and Tests’ laboratory equipment and train personnel to properly conduct the testing for subgrade resilient modulus in accordance with new AASHTO testing protocol (AASHTO T0294-94(; 2) to educate and train the geotechnical engineering section in the procedures for determining the design resilient modulus with minimum required testing, while using the database of the previous report on this subject, FHWA/IN/JHRP-92/23, “Subgrade Resilient Modulus for Pavement Design and Evaluation,” Part I of the Final Report, the detailed “Laboratory Procedures Manual,” has been written for use by laboratory technicians …

Implementation Of Subgrade Resilient Modulus For Pavement: Laboratory Procedures Manual (2 Volumes), A. G. Altschaeffl, Ross A. Duckworth, M. K. Clough

JTRP Technical Reports

This Implementation Project had two purposes: 1) to update the INDOT Division of Materials and Tests’ laboratory equipment and train personnel to properly conduct the testing for subgrade resilient modulus in accordance with new AASHTO testing protocol (AASHTO T0294-94(; 2) to educate and train the geotechnical engineering section in the procedures for determining the design resilient modulus with minimum required testing, while using the database of the previous report on this subject, FHWA/IN/JHRP-92/23, “Subgrade Resilient Modulus for Pavement Design and Evaluation,” Part I of the Final Report, the detailed “Laboratory Procedures Manual,” has been written for use by laboratory technicians …

Geotechnical Performance Of Highway Embankment Constructed Using Waste Foundry Sand, Patrick J. Fox, David G. Mast

JTRP Technical Reports

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of waste foundry sand (WFS) as a highway embankment material in a fullscale field demonstration project. This evaluation included geotechnical concerns, such as deformation, strength, hydraulic conductivity, and ease of construction. The report presents an introduction and previous research concerning WFS use in highway construction. A geotechnical laboratory testing program characterized the WFS used in the project, which was a waste product of Auburn Foundry, Inc., located in Auburn, Indiana. This study was also a part of the FHWA Priorities Technology Program. The project site was a 275 m section …

Performance Evaluation Of A Highway Embankment Constructed Using Waste Foundry Sand, Barry K. Partridge, James E. Alleman

JTRP Technical Reports

Over 9 million Mg of waste foundry sands (WFS) are produced annually in the United States as a by-product of the metal casting industry. The majority of WFS are deposited in restricted or sanitary waste landfills. Considerable savings is available to the metal casting industry through the development of reuse applications for their WFS and generators are often willing to provide WFS to a job site at no cost to the end user. Laboratory investigations have indicated that WFS from ferrous foundries can provide the necessary engineering properties for a highway embankment and that the MicrotoxTM bioassay test can be …

Assessing And Updating Indot's Traffic Monitoring System For Highways, Volume 1 - Main Report, Samuel Labi, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Modeling And Optimization Of The Indiana Lane Merge Control System On Approaches To Freeway Work Zones, Part I, Andrzej P. Tarko, Sreenivasulu R. Kanipakapatnam, Jason S. Wasson

JTRP Technical Reports

Severe traffic turbulence on entry sections of freeway work zones increases the delays and risk of crash. A new Indiana Department of Transportation system called Indiana Merge Lane System (IMLS) creates a dynamic no passing zone on the approach to the freeway work zone through the sequence of DO NOT PASS signs. The system is thought to encourage drivers to switch lanes well upstream of the discontinuous lane taper where the merging maneuver is safer and less intrusive. The IMLS is expected to impact drivers’ behavior, their perception of the traffic conditions, and traffic safety.

This research is focused on: …

Usable Software And It's Attributes: A Synthesis Of Software Quality: European Community Law And Human-Computer Interaction., Ronan Fitzpatrick, Catherine Higgins

Conference papers

Strategic managers and IS professionals who are responsible for specifying, acquiring and producing quality software products are not supported by the endless flow of new international standards, legislation and user requirements. In order to clarify the current situation for everybody concerned with software quality, and especially those interested in usability, there is a need for a new review and evaluation of the various strands that contribute to software quality. By way of review this paper recalls the original software quality factors which were defined twenty years ago by McCall et al. and presents a methodical analysis and synthesis of three …

A Tool For Evaluating Access Control On High Speed Urban Arterials, Part I, Henry C. Brown, Samuel Labi, Andrzej P. Tarko, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

A highway system serves two needs: mobility and accessibility. Access control techniques are used to restrict access to the highway and improve vehicle flow. The objective of this research was to develop a comprehensive procedure to evaluate access control alternatives. The procedure includes the design and quantitative evaluation of alternatives to select the best one. Evaluation of each alternative includes prediction of turning volumes, delays, crash rates, and economic effectiveness. Several existing models predict traffic delays for signalized intersections and for minor streams at unsignalized intersections. Models are needed to predict delays of arterial streams caused by minor streams at …

Controlling Air Content In Concrete That Is Being Pumped, A Synthesis Study, Charles F. Scholer, Jay Grossman

JTRP Technical Reports

Changes in the air content of fresh concrete that is being pumped can occur at a number of places. These locations include the initial loading of the concrete into the pump hopper, as it passes through the pump line, and when it exits the line. This synthesis reviews the findings of recent research studies which deal with air content change in pumped concrete and summarizes methods of reducing air loss caused by handling. Three main mechanisms by which air content is lost in fresh concrete that is being pumped have been noted. These factors include the high-pressure dissolution of air …

Development Of A 3-D Finite Element Program For Pavement Analysis, Volume 3: Appendix 3, Tatsaba Nilaward, Chiang Shih, Thomas D. White, E. C. Ting

JTRP Technical Reports

A three dimensional finite element program is developed for the analysis of pavement systems. An explicit approach of the finite element analysis is adopted. This approach results in a vector formulation of the equation of motion. Large displacement is considered through the use of a co-rotational approach which considers small deformations and large rotations of the elements. For the convenience of application a two dimensional finite element program is also developed. An eight-node isoperimetric solid element is used for the three dimensional analysis, and a four-node element for the two dimensional analysis. Loading conditions are verified for static ramp and …

Development Of A 3-D Finite Element Program For Pavement Analysis, Volume 2: Appendix 2, Tatsaba Nilaward, Chiang Shih, Thomas D. White, E. C. Ting

JTRP Technical Reports

A three dimensional finite element program is developed for the analysis of pavement systems. An explicit approach of the finite element analysis is adopted. This approach results in a vector formulation of the equation of motion. Large displacement is considered through the use of a co-rotational approach which considers small deformations and large rotations of the elements. For the convenience of application a two dimensional finite element program is also developed. An eight-node isoperimetric solid element is used for the three dimensional analysis, and a four-node element for the two dimensional analysis. Loading conditions are verified for static ramp and …

Identification And Quantification Of Radionuclides In Coal Ash, James E. Alleman, Franklyn M. Clikeman, Thomas Skronski

JTRP Technical Reports

One of the important environmental issues raised recently in regard to coal ash reuse for highway construction purposes (e.g., embankment development) is that of worker, and public, exposure to radiation which might possibly be emitted by these types of residuals. Radiation emission is, in fact, a natural phenomenon for most materials, both natural and man-made, but in the case of coal ash residuals the process of combustion produces an inevitable concentration of radionuclides from the original virgin coal. INDOT’s corresponding environmental concern consequently focuses on the following basic question: does this magnification of radionuclides found within these coal ash residuals …

Modeling And Optimization Of The Indiana Land Merge Control System On Approaches To Freeway Work Zones, Part I: Implementation Report; Part Ii: Manual Of The Indiana Lane Merge Control System (2 Volumes), Andrzej P. Tarko, Sreenivasulu R. Kanipakapatnam, Jason S. Wasson

JTRP Technical Reports

Severe traffic turbulence on entry sections of freeway work zones increases the delays and risk of crash. A new Indiana Department of Transportation system called Indiana Merge Lane System (IMLS) creates a dynamic no passing zone on the approach to the freeway work zone through the sequence of DO NOT PASS signs. The system is thought to encourage drivers to switch lanes well upstream of the discontinuous lane taper where the merging maneuver is safer and less intrusive. The IMLS is expected to impact drivers’ behavior, their perception of the traffic conditions, and traffic safety. This research is focused on: …

Strength And Durability Of Concrete: Effects Of Cement Paste-Aggregate Interfaces, Part I: Theoretical Study On Influence Of Interfacial Transition Zone On Properties Of Concrete Materials, Yiguo Zhang, Wai-Fah Chen

JTRP Technical Reports

This research was based on a two-part basic research investigation studying the effects of cement paste-aggregate interfaces (or interfacial transition zones-HZ) on strength and durability of concrete. Part I dealt with the theoretical study and Part II dealt with the experimental. Part I, the theoretical part, illustrates the effect of ITZ on the concrete properties by assuming its elastic moduli to be varied continuously in the region. A four-phase composite model is employed and three functions are chosen to model the moduli variation in the ITZ. A theoretical solution for an n-layered spherical inclusion model is used to estimate the …

Gaas Implementation Of Fir Filter, Anup Savla

Theses : Honours

This thesis discusses the findings of the final year project involving Gallium Arsenide implementation of a triangular FIR filter to perform discrete wavelet transforms. The overall characteristics of Gallium Arsenide technology- its construction, behaviour and electrical charactersitics as they apply to VLSI technology - were investigated in this project. In depth understanding of its architecture is required to be able to understand the various design techniques employed. A comparison of Silicon and GaAs performance and other characteristics has also been made to fully justify the choice of this material for system implementation. A lot of research and active interest has …

Test 1803: Kubota M6800dt Diesel, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

No abstract provided.