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2005

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Articles 2221 - 2250 of 3074

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

A Miniaturized Hilbert Pifa For Dual-Band Mobile Wireless Applications, Mohammed Z. Azad, Mohammod Ali Jan 2005

A Miniaturized Hilbert Pifa For Dual-Band Mobile Wireless Applications, Mohammed Z. Azad, Mohammod Ali

Faculty Publications

A miniaturized planar inverted-F antenna (PIFa) is proposed for dual-band mobile phone application in the 900- and 1900-MHz bands. By employing a Hilbert geometry, an overall size reduction of 50% was achieved compared to a conventional rectangular PIFa. The proposed antenna can be easily printed on the inside surface of the plastic housing of a mobile phone or other wireless device. An experimental prototype of this miniature antenna was fabricated on 0.125 mm thick Duroid 5880 substrate. Measured results demonstrate dual-band characteristics with good radiation patterns.

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A New Circularly Polarized Rectenna For Wireless Power Transmission And Data Communication, Mohammod Ali, G. Yang, Roger A. Dougal Jan 2005

A New Circularly Polarized Rectenna For Wireless Power Transmission And Data Communication, Mohammod Ali, G. Yang, Roger A. Dougal

Faculty Publications

Small distributed wireless sensors are becoming very important in many aspects of our lives. While low data rate passive sensors operate with little energy there is a need for moderate to high data rate distributed sensors for infrastructure monitoring and other applications. Such sensors will require their batteries or onboard capacitors to be charged when depleted for proper operation. In this letter, we propose a circularly polarized (CP) microstrip patch antenna that can function as a WLAN antenna in the 5.15-5.35 GHz and as a rectenna at 5.5 GHz.

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Optimal Spacings For Two Common Landscape Irrigation Sprinklers, Kody L. Karschnik Jan 2005

Optimal Spacings For Two Common Landscape Irrigation Sprinklers, Kody L. Karschnik

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

A simple irrigation system providing sufficient watering needed to make a plant grow is not very difficult. However, to set up a system which provides uniform distribution of water is more difficult. Uniformity coefficients such as Distribution Uniformity and Christiansen coefficient of Uniformity can be used to compare systems and layouts. After measuring the distribution of water from a single sprinkler, a densogram is created with software. The densogram is a numerical and graphical representation of the overlap pattern that the sprinklers create on a given area of surface that is being irrigated. By varying the distance between the sprinklers …

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Intelligent Sensors: An Integrated Systems Approach, Ajay Mahajan, Sanjeevi Chitikeshi, Pavan Bandhil, Lucas Utterback, Fernando Figueroa Jan 2005

Intelligent Sensors: An Integrated Systems Approach, Ajay Mahajan, Sanjeevi Chitikeshi, Pavan Bandhil, Lucas Utterback, Fernando Figueroa

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

The need for intelligent sensors as a critical component for Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) is fairly well recognized by now. Even the definition of what constitutes an intelligent sensor (or smart sensor) is well documented and stems from an intuitive desire to get the best quality measurement data that forms the basis of any complex health monitoring and/or management system. If the sensors, i.e. the elements closest to the measurand, are unreliable then the whole system works with a tremendous handicap. Hence, there has always been a desire to distribute intelligence down to the sensor level, and give it …

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Physical Intelligent Sensors, Pavan Bandhil, Sanjeevi Chitikeshi, Ajay Mohan Mahajan, Fernando Figueroa Jan 2005

Physical Intelligent Sensors, Pavan Bandhil, Sanjeevi Chitikeshi, Ajay Mohan Mahajan, Fernando Figueroa

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

This paper proposes the development of intelligent sensors as part of an integrated systems approach, i.e. one treats the sensors as a complete system with its own sensing hardware (the traditional sensor), A/D converters, processing and storage capabilities, software drivers, self-assessment algorithms, communication protocols and evolutionary methodologies that allow them to get better with time. Under a project being undertaken at the NASA s Stennis Space Center, an integrated framework is being developed for the intelligent monitoring of smart elements. These smart elements can be sensors, actuators or other devices. The immediate application is the monitoring of the rocket test …

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Spatial Bioaccumulation Modeling In A Network Of Bayous, Ronaldo Luna, Karen H. Watanabe, Andrew J. Wilding Jan 2005

Spatial Bioaccumulation Modeling In A Network Of Bayous, Ronaldo Luna, Karen H. Watanabe, Andrew J. Wilding

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A software system, Spatial Network Bioaccumulation Model (SNBM), was developed to model the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aquatic food webs. The SNBM uses a geographic information system as an engine to: (i) store the spatial representation of input parameters (the data related to the ecosystem), (ii) transfer input and output data to and from the food-web bioaccumulation model, and (iii) display the predicted food-web organism concentrations over a base map of the field site. The bioaccumulation model is a time-dependent, set of first-order ordinary differential equations that are solved numerically. Many sampling locations can be analyzed using …

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Segmental Dynamics In Poly(Methyl Acrylate)-D3 On Strongly And Weakly Adsorbing Silica Surfaces, Burak Metin, Frank D. Blum Jan 2005

Segmental Dynamics In Poly(Methyl Acrylate)-D3 On Strongly And Weakly Adsorbing Silica Surfaces, Burak Metin, Frank D. Blum

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The segmental dynamics of a polymer on a solid surface appears to be significantly different than that in bulk. The strength of the interaction between polymer segments and a solid surface is likely to be an important factor affecting the segmental mobility of the polymers. Studies of polymers on a weakly adsorbing surface would provide additional understanding of their motional characteristics on surfaces. In a recent NMR study by Rivillon et al., chain dynamics was seen to be different for samples, even when there was no specific interaction with the surface. Peanasky et al. have found a restricted segmental dynamics …

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Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis Of Hydroxyl Content Of Hydrothermally Processed Heteroepitaxial Barium Titanate Films, Sandeep K. Patil, Nipun Shah, Frank D. Blum, M. N. Rahaman Jan 2005

Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis Of Hydroxyl Content Of Hydrothermally Processed Heteroepitaxial Barium Titanate Films, Sandeep K. Patil, Nipun Shah, Frank D. Blum, M. N. Rahaman

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The concentration of hydroxyl (-OH) groups in epitaxial barium titanate (BaTiO3) films (thickness ≈ 200 nm), deposited on single-crystal strontium titanate (SrTiO3) at 150 °C by a hydrothermal technique, was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. After hydrothermal treatment, a broad FTIR resonance for the hydroxyl groups indicated a significant concentration of surface -OH groups in the films. The as-deposited films were subsequently treated hydrothermally with D2O, and the kinetics of the exchange reaction between -OH incorporated into the film and -OD from the D2O were studied using FTIR. For reactions carried out intermittently, the …

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Realizing Ternary Quantum Switching Networks Without Ancilla Bits, Marek Perkowski, Guowu Yang, Xiaoyu Song, Jinzhao Wu Jan 2005

Realizing Ternary Quantum Switching Networks Without Ancilla Bits, Marek Perkowski, Guowu Yang, Xiaoyu Song, Jinzhao Wu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper investigates the synthesis of quantum networks built to realize ternary switching circuits in the absence of ancilla bits. The results we established are twofold. The first shows that ternary Swap, ternary NOT and ternary Toffoli gates are universal for the realization of arbitrary n × n ternary quantum switching networks without ancilla bits. The second result proves that all n×n quantum ternary networks can be generated by NOT, Controlled-NOT, Multiply-Two and Toffoli gates. Our approach is constructive.

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Smith Predictor Structure Stability Analysis Using Mikhailov Stability Criterion, Pauline Sourdille, Aidan O'Dwyer, Eugene Dermot Coyle Professor Jan 2005

Smith Predictor Structure Stability Analysis Using Mikhailov Stability Criterion, Pauline Sourdille, Aidan O'Dwyer, Eugene Dermot Coyle Professor

Conference papers

As is well known, stability is an important requirement for control systems. Due to the nature of time-delay processes, common methods to evaluate stability may be difficult to use. In 1938, Mikhailov proved a frequency response criterion, which is sufficient and necessary for the stability of processes described by known n-th order constant coefficient linear differential equations. This paper presents the Mikhailov method and the application of this method to a Smith predictor structure controlled by a PI controller.

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Pid Controller Tuning Of Networked Computer Based Control Systems, Aidan O'Dwyer Jan 2005

Pid Controller Tuning Of Networked Computer Based Control Systems, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

This contribution discusses the use of PID controller tuning rules to assist in the implementation of network computer based control systems. Such systems typically have a variable time delay associated with the transfer of information. PID controller tuning rules can be directly implemented with minimal capital investment.

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Maintaining A Balance At Undergraduate Degree Level In The Teaching Of Automation And Classical Control Systems, Eugene Coyle, Aidan O'Dwyer Jan 2005

Maintaining A Balance At Undergraduate Degree Level In The Teaching Of Automation And Classical Control Systems, Eugene Coyle, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

Advances in the past decade in the development and application of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Automation Systems in both high technology industrial plants and in the more mainstream manufacturing sectors, has heightened the importance of ensuring that undergraduate degree programme syllabi are designed to adequately cater for the teaching and training of students in automation. Prior to this growth in automation, delivered syllabi in Control Systems on most Electrical Engineering programmes had a theoretical rigour, reflecting the mathematical nature of the topic. A major challenge currently facing departmental lecturing staff and programme coordinators is that of the design of …

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Design Of A Wireless System For Patient-Hospital Communciation And Result Validation In Point Of Care Testing, John Mcgrory, Owen Lynch, Eugene Coyle Jan 2005

Design Of A Wireless System For Patient-Hospital Communciation And Result Validation In Point Of Care Testing, John Mcgrory, Owen Lynch, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

This paper discuses mobile phone (cell phone) and wireless applications for linking patients who manage their healthcare outside the hospital using point of care testing (POCT) to hospital information systems (HIS). Certain medical conditions require patients to manage their healthcare by performing on themselves POC testing and act faithfully on the result. This raises quality control issue, as these POC samples and testing procedures are not independently overseen by professional hospital staff. In hospitals, samples taken by clinicians are validated by hi-tech computerised validation systems to ensure plausibility, before physicians rely on them. Patients in the home must often use …

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A Quantum Test Algorithm, Marek Perkowski, Jacob Biamonte Jan 2005

A Quantum Test Algorithm, Marek Perkowski, Jacob Biamonte

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Current processes validation methods rely on diverse input states and exponential applications of state tomography. Through generalization of classical test theory exceptions to this rule are found. Instead of expanding a complete operator basis to validate a process, the objective is to utilize quantum effects making each gate realized in the process act on a complete set of characteristic states and next extract functional information. Random noise, systematic errors, initialization inaccuracies and measurement faults must also be detected. This concept is applied to the switching class comprising the search oracle. In a first approach, the test set cardinality is held …

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Information Delivery On Mobile Devices Using Contour Icon Sonification, Charlie Cullen, Eugene Coyle Jan 2005

Information Delivery On Mobile Devices Using Contour Icon Sonification, Charlie Cullen, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

This paper examines the use of musical patterns to convey information, specifically in the context of mobile devices. Existing mechanisms (such as the popularity of the Morse code SMS alert) suggest that the use of musical patterns on mobile devices can be a very efficient and powerful method of data delivery. Unique musical patterns based on templates known as Contour Icons are used to represent specific data variables, with the output rendering of these patterns being referred to as a Sonification of that data. Contour Icon patterns mimic basic shapes and structures, thus providing listeners with a means of categorising …

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Information Delivery On Mobile Devices Using Boolean Sonification Patterns, Charlie Cullen, Eugene Coyle Jan 2005

Information Delivery On Mobile Devices Using Boolean Sonification Patterns, Charlie Cullen, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

Sonification is the means by which non-speech audio can be used to convey information. Existing work has produced methods for delivering information in a wide range of fields, and recent work has considered the huge potential of mobile devices for Sonification. Boolean Sonification is a method of defining two related musical patterns as boolean conditions (true/false, yes/no etc.), such that one is considered contrary to the other by the listener. The final pattern set ideally comprises of two musical events that are closely enough related as to be considered a group, yet distinct enough to be perceived as separate entities. …

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Adaptive Voip Playout Scheduling: Assessing User Satisfaction, Miroslaw Narbutt, Andrew Kelly, Liam Murphy, Philip Perry Jan 2005

Adaptive Voip Playout Scheduling: Assessing User Satisfaction, Miroslaw Narbutt, Andrew Kelly, Liam Murphy, Philip Perry

Articles

Delay and packet loss dramatically affect the quality of a voice-over-IP (VoIP) call and depend on the playout buffer scheme implemented at the receiver. The choice of playout algorithm can’t be based on statistical metrics without considering the perceived end-to-end conversational speech quality. The authors present a method for evaluating various playout algorithms that extends the Emodel concept by estimating user satisfaction from time-varying transmission impairments. This article evaluates several playout algorithms and shows a correspondence between their results and those obtained via statistical loss and delay metrics.

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A Novel Framework For Radio Resource Management In Ieee 802.11 Wireless Lans, Mark Davis, Tristan Raimondi Jan 2005

A Novel Framework For Radio Resource Management In Ieee 802.11 Wireless Lans, Mark Davis, Tristan Raimondi

Conference papers

In this paper we address the need to characterize and quantify resource usage in IEEE 802.11 WLANs in order to support radio resource management. We present a compact and intuitive framework for performance characterization and resource utilization that is based upon the concept of MAC bandwidth components. These MAC bandwidth components are directly related to the transmission rate and serve to quantify the resource requirements associated with accessing the wireless medium. We also introduce a graphical technique for presenting these MAC bandwidth components that illustrates how WLAN stations interact in contending for access to the wireless medium. We demonstrate the …

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An Acoustic Fluid-Structure Simulation Of A Therapeutic Ultrasound Wire Waveguide Apparatus, Graham Gavin, M. Hashmi, Finbar Dolan, Garret Mcguinness Jan 2005

An Acoustic Fluid-Structure Simulation Of A Therapeutic Ultrasound Wire Waveguide Apparatus, Graham Gavin, M. Hashmi, Finbar Dolan, Garret Mcguinness

Conference Papers

The use of high-power low-frequency ultrasound transmitted down small diameter wire waveguides is an emerging technology that may have potential in the treatment of complicated atherosclerotic plaques in cardiovascular surgery. This form of energy delivery results in vibrating the distal-tip of the wire waveguide disrupting material by means of direct contact ablation and also cavitation, pressure waves and acoustic streaming in the surrounding fluid. This work describes a numerical acoustic fluid-structure model of the ultrasound wire waveguide and blood surrounding the distal tip. The structural analysis of the model predicts the natural frequencies of the waveguide and shows the extent …

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Shifted Non-Negative Matrix Factorisation For Sound Source Separation, Derry Fitzgerald, Matt Cranitch, Eugene Coyle Jan 2005

Shifted Non-Negative Matrix Factorisation For Sound Source Separation, Derry Fitzgerald, Matt Cranitch, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

A shifted non-negative matrix factorisation algorithm is derived, which offers advantages over previous matrix factorisation techniques for the purposes of single channel source separation. It represents a sound source as translations of a single frequency basis function. These translations approximately correspond to notes played by an instrument. Results are presented for a set of synthetic data, and on a single channel recording of piano and clarinet. Though the system is aimed at musical recordings, the techniques can be applied to any data which contains shifted versions of an underlying factor, and so the algorithm could possibly be used in other …

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Simulation In Semiconductor Manufacturing Facilities, Amr Arisha, Paul Young Jan 2005

Simulation In Semiconductor Manufacturing Facilities, Amr Arisha, Paul Young

Conference papers

Semiconductor manufacturing is one of the most complex industries in terms of technology and manufacturing procedure. The life cycle of a semiconductor facility (FAB) has many phases, in their life cycle including capacity planning, new products introduction, variation of products/technologies, and decline phase. The complexity of the manufacturing and the external forces from markets and technology growth make predicting the effects of changes in the manufacturing system problematic. Simulation, if used correctly, is a powerful hands-on tool which may be used to give a better insight of the effect of engineering/management decisions on the performance of the manufacturing system. While …

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An Investigation On The Suitability Of Surface Engineered Austempered Ductile Iron As A Gear Material, M. Grech, David Kennedy, Zdravko Schauperl Jan 2005

An Investigation On The Suitability Of Surface Engineered Austempered Ductile Iron As A Gear Material, M. Grech, David Kennedy, Zdravko Schauperl

Conference Papers

This preliminary study demonstrates that surface engineered austempered ductile iron is a valid alternative gear material to carburised steel. The impact energy of ductile cast iron samples in various conditions, including as – cast, austempered at 240oC and austempered and shot peened using both 0.7mm and 1.4mm steel balls, was measured. As expected the as-cast material exhibited nominal impact energy. This has been attributed mainly to the pearlitic matrix structure.Austempering generally increases the impact energy. The extent of the improvement is however dependent on the austempering temperature and the resulting microstructure. It was shown that the structure following …

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Micro Shot Blasting Of Machine Tools For Improving Surface Finish And Reducing Cutting Forces In Manufacturing, James Vahey, David Kennedy Jan 2005

Micro Shot Blasting Of Machine Tools For Improving Surface Finish And Reducing Cutting Forces In Manufacturing, James Vahey, David Kennedy

Articles

Micro blasting of cutting tips and tools is a very effective and reliable method of advancing the life of tools under the action of turning, milling, drilling, punching and cutting. This paper outlines the ways in which micro blasted tools, both coated and un coated have benefited from shot blasting and resulted in greater productivity, lower cutting forces, improved surface finish of the work pieces and less machine downtime. The process of micro blasting is discussed in the paper. Its effectiveness depends on many parameters including the shot media ad size, the mechanics of impact and the application of the …

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A Gap Model For Understanding The Variation Of The Real Product From The Ideal, Kevin Delaney, Pat Phelan, Declan Delaney Jan 2005

A Gap Model For Understanding The Variation Of The Real Product From The Ideal, Kevin Delaney, Pat Phelan, Declan Delaney

Conference Papers

Clients have an idealised view of the appearance and functionality of the products they are sourcing. Their product requirements vary according to their specific circumstances and experiences. When designers try to meet or surpass client expectations, variation results and the product will deviate from the client’s idealised view. This often results in frustration, disappointment and rework for everyone concerned. Consequently designers must understand the sources of variation affecting their products and the techniques and tools that they can employ to reduce the negative effects of this variation. This paper examines the factors influencing clients as they formulate their expectations. It …

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Vibrational Coupling In Conjugated Π Systems With A View To Optimization Of Fluorescence Yield Through Phonon Confinement, Luke O'Neill, Patrick Lynch, Mary Mcnamara, Hugh Byrne Jan 2005

Vibrational Coupling In Conjugated Π Systems With A View To Optimization Of Fluorescence Yield Through Phonon Confinement, Luke O'Neill, Patrick Lynch, Mary Mcnamara, Hugh Byrne

Conference papers

A series of π conjugated systems were studied by absorption, photoluminescence and vibrational spectroscopy. As is common for these systems, a linear relationship between the positioning of the absorption and photoluminescence maxima plotted against inverse conjugation length is observed. The relationships are in good agreement with the simple particle in a box method, one of the earliest descriptions of the properties of one-dimensional organic molecules. In addition to the electronic transition energies, it was observed that the Stokes shift also exhibited a well-defined relationship with increasing conjugation length, implying a correlation between the electron-vibrational coupling and chain length. This correlation …

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Scm's Vital Role In B2b, Edward Sweeney Jan 2005

Scm's Vital Role In B2b, Edward Sweeney

Practitioner Journals

No abstract provided.

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Design Of A Wireless System For Patient-Hospital Communication And Result Validation In Point Of Care Testing, John Mcgrory, Owen Lynch, Eugene Coyle Jan 2005

Design Of A Wireless System For Patient-Hospital Communication And Result Validation In Point Of Care Testing, John Mcgrory, Owen Lynch, Eugene Coyle

Conference Papers

This paper discuses mobile phone (cell phone) and wireless applications for linking patients who manage their healthcare outside the hospital using Point of Care Testing (POCT) to hospital information systems (HIS). Certain medical conditions require patients to manage their healthcare by performing on themselves POC testing and act faithfully on the result. This raises quality control issue, as these POC samples and testing procedures are not independently overseen by professional hospital staff. In hospitals, samples taken by clinicians are validated by hi-tech computerised validation systems to ensure plausibility, before physicians rely on them. Patients in the home must often use …

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Attitudes Towards Electronic Purchasing In The Irish Construction Industry, Alan V. Hore, Roger West Jan 2005

Attitudes Towards Electronic Purchasing In The Irish Construction Industry, Alan V. Hore, Roger West

Conference papers

It is well known that the adoption of information technology in materials procurement in the construction industry has been sporadic and piecemeal. Very significant inefficiencies and problems still exist in both paper transactions and non-integrated electronic solutions. There is a general lack of awareness and take-up of information communication technologies (ICT) within the Irish construction material purchasing supply chain. In order to verify this contention a methodology was adopted which involved the design and distribution of an on-line questionnaire to over 100 Irish construction companies. The survey was designed to ascertain the current level of technology take-up in business-to-business (B2B) …

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An Examination Of The Effect Of Organisational Culture Of The Implementation Of Public-Private Partnership (Ppp) In Ireland, Louis Gunnigan, David Eaton Jan 2005

An Examination Of The Effect Of Organisational Culture Of The Implementation Of Public-Private Partnership (Ppp) In Ireland, Louis Gunnigan, David Eaton

Conference papers

This paper is concerned with identifying the organisational issues causing difficulty in the use of PPP and assessing the impact of PPP implementation on the organisational culture in the Irish public and private sectors. The authors address this issue by mapping the PPP process for one project type and comparing this process with that carried out in traditional procurement. Process differences through use of PPP are identified and organisational issues that have potential to impact on PPP success are assessed. Whilst the study undertaken is not extensive, it provides insight for initiators of PPP projects into the organisational issues that …

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Onset Detection, Music Transcription And Ornament Detection For The The Traditional Irish Fiddle, Aileen Kelleher, Derry Fitzgerald, Eugene Coyle, Robert Lawlor, Mikel Gainza Jan 2005

Onset Detection, Music Transcription And Ornament Detection For The The Traditional Irish Fiddle, Aileen Kelleher, Derry Fitzgerald, Eugene Coyle, Robert Lawlor, Mikel Gainza

Conference papers

By combining techniques used in previous onset detectors, a system that detects note onsets in traditional Irish fiddle tunes has been implemented. The notes detected also include the most common types of ornamentation played by the fiddle. Ornaments are notes of extremely short duration, at most a fifth the length of a regular note. A Short Time Fourier Transform based sub-band technique, which previously gave good results for the Irish tin whistle, was modified to include a threshold approximation more suitable for the fiddle. This system has been tested on a database of real recorded fiddle tunes and good results …

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