Engineering Commons^™

Evolution Of An Introductory Electrical Engineering And Programming Course, Branimir Pejcinovic, Phillip Wong

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our first year electrical engineering sequence includes two courses that involve programming and hardware interfacing. ECE 102 deals with engineering problem solving and MATLAB, while ECE 103 introduces C programming. We use MATLAB both as a problem solving tool and as an introduction to programming. Students utilize MATLAB to control a data acquisition device, which enables more realistic team-based projects that combine problem-solving, programming, and interfacing. As is widely recognized, these types of courses are important and difficult to teach. We identified areas that needed improvement in ECE 102: a) outdated lecture format, b) not enough timely feedback, c) insufficient …

Passive Bottom Reflection-Loss Estimation Using Ship Noise And A Vertical Line Array, Lanfranco Muzi, Martin Siderius, Christopher M. Verlinden

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

An existing technique for passive bottom-loss estimation from natural marine surface noise (generated by waves and wind) is adapted to use noise generated by ships. The original approach—based on beamforming of the noise field recorded by a vertical line array of hydrophones—is retained; however, additional processing is needed in order for the field generated by a passing ship to show features that are similar to those of the natural surface-noise field. A necessary requisite is that the ship position, relative to the array, varies over as wide a range of steering angles as possible, ideally passing directly over the array …

A Data-Driven Approach To Cubesat Health Monitoring, Serbinder Singh

Master's Theses

Spacecraft health monitoring is essential to ensure that a spacecraft is operating properly and has no anomalies that could jeopardize its mission. Many of the current methods of monitoring system health are difficult to use as the complexity of spacecraft increase, and are in many cases impractical on CubeSat satellites which have strict size and resource limitations. To overcome these problems, new data-driven techniques such as Inductive Monitoring System (IMS), use data mining and machine learning on archived system telemetry to create models that characterize nominal system behavior. The models that IMS creates are in the form of clusters that …

Development And Characterization Of Tissue Engineered Blood Vessel Mimics Under "Diabetic" Conditions, Shelby Gabrielle Kunz

Master's Theses

The development of tissue engineered blood vessel mimics for the testing of intravascular devices in vitro has been established in the Cal Poly tissue engineering lab. Due to the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients and minimal accessible studies regarding the interactions between diabetes and intravascular devices used to treat vascular disease, there is a need for the development of diabetic models that more accurately represents diabetic processes occurring in the blood vessels, primarily endothelial dysfunction. This thesis aimed to create a diabetic blood vessel mimic by implementing a high glucose environment for culturing human endothelial cells from healthy …

Using Computer Vision To Build A Predictive Model Of Fruit Shelf-Life, Nandan G. Thor

Master's Theses

Computer vision is becoming a ubiquitous technology in many industries on account of its speed, accuracy, and long-term cost efficacy. The ability of a computer vision system to quickly and efficiently make quality decisions has made computer vision a popular technology on inspection lines. However, few companies in the agriculture industry use computer vision because of the non-uniformity of sellable produce. The small number of agriculture companies that do utilize computer vision use it to extract features for size sorting or for a binary grading system: if the piece of fruit has a certain color, certain shape, and certain size, …

Verification Of Receiver Equalization By Integrating Dataflow Simulation And Physical Channels, David M. Ritter, Tina Smilkstein

Master's Theses

This thesis combines Keysight’s SystemVue software with a Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA) and Vector Signal Generator (VSG) to test receiver equalization schemes over physical channels. The testing setup, “Equalization Verification,” is intended to be able to evaluate any equalization scheme over any physical channel, and a decision-directed feed-forward LMS equalizer is used as an example. The decision-directed feed-forward LMS equalizer is shown to decrease the BER from 10^-2 to 10^-3 (average of all trials) over a CAT7 and CAT6A cable, both simulated and physical, for 1GHz and 2GHz carrier, and 80MHz data rate. A wireless channel, 2.4GHz Dipole …

Complex Filters As Cascade Of Buffered Gingell Structures: Design From Band-Pass Constraints, Nicole M. Hay

Master's Theses

Complex filters are multi-input, multi-output networks designed to discriminate based upon the relative phase difference between input signals. Complex filters find application in modern wireless systems for single sideband transmission and image-reject reception. This thesis presents one active complex filter implementation using two operational amplifiers per stage, termed “type-II” topology. The “type-II” originates from the passive RC-CR polyphase topology presented by Gingell in his 1973 paper, “Single sideband modulation using sequence asymmetric polyphase networks.” This new topology gains several advantages over existing complex filter implementations, namely “cascadability” (multiple sections placed in series to create a higher-order response) without altering the …

Modeling And Simulation Of A Sounding Rocket Active Stabilization System, Steven M. Maclean

Master's Theses

The Horizon Simulation Framework is a modeling and simulation framework developed to verify system level requirements. In this thesis, the framework is extended to include the Dynamic position type that existed in the early development phase of the framework. The Dynamic position type is tested through the modeling and simulation of a sounding rocket. An active control system based on linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) control theory is implemented and tested in the simulation to determine the overall effect on altitude. A first order aerodynamics and aeroprediction model are created within the framework to allow for rapid changes early in the design …

Design And Construction Of 1800w Modular Multiple Input Single Output Non-Isolated Dc-Dc Converters, Angelo Miguel Asuncion Gallardo

Master's Theses

This thesis report details the design and construction of non-isolated DC-DC converters to create a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) converter for combining multiple renewable energy sources into one single output. This MISO uses the four-switch buck-boost topology to output a single 48V from multiple nominal 24V inputs. The MISO converter implements a modular approach to deliver 1800W output power. Each module in the MISO is rated at 600W and they share the output power equally. Hardware results show that the converter produces 1800W of output power from three sources with 96.4% efficiency. Each module also demonstrates equal sharing feature …

A Modified Boost Converter With Reduced Input Current Ripple, Nathan H. Lentz

Master's Theses

Battery-powered trends in consumer electronics, transportation, and renewable energy sectors increase demands on DC/DC converter technology. Higher switching frequency and efficiency reduces solution size and cost, while increasing power capabilities. Still, switching noise remains the primary drawback associated with any DC/DC converter. Reducing a converter’s input ripple helps prevent switching noise from spreading to other systems on a shared DC power bus. This thesis covers the analysis, simulation, and implementation of a recently-proposed boost converter topology, alongside an equivalent standard boost converter, operating in steady-state, continuous conduction mode. A Matlab-based simulation predicts each converter’s input ripple performance using a state-space …

Complementary Companion Behavior In Video Games, Gavin Scott

Master's Theses

Companion characters in are present in many video games across genres, serving the role of the player's partner. Their goal is to support the player's strategy and to immerse the player by providing a believable companion. These companions often only perform rigidly scripted actions and fail to adapt to an individual player's play-style, detracting from their usefulness. Behavior like this can also become frustrating to the player if the companions become more of a hindrance than they are a benefit. Other work, including this project's precursor, focused on building companions that mimic the player. These strategies customize the companion's actions …

Quantifying The Impact Of Truck Only Lanes On Vehicular Emissions On A Limited-Access Highway, Edward Chee Tang

Master's Theses

This thesis seeks to estimate CO₂ emissions on a portion of the U.S. 101 highway in San Luis Obispo County before and after construction of a truck only lane on the Cuesta Grade. Towards that aim, the microsimulation software, VISSIM, was used in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions model, MOVES. The microsimulation model was calibrated and validated against historical and present traffic volumes obtained from Caltrans with good results using several validation measures. It was found that CO₂ emissions did decrease between 1998 and 2012 (pre and post lane addition), but this effect was shown to …

Modeling And Charging Control Of A Lithium Ion Battery System For Solar Panels, Garrett David Heinen

Master's Theses

The advancement in solar panel and battery technology makes them useful for energy supply and storage. This thesis involves the modeling and charging control of a lithium ion battery system for solar panels. The proposed model is based on the parameters and characteristics of a realistic battery and solar panel system; and the hybrid control approach combines the advantages of the adaptive incremental conductance method and the perturb and observe method to track the maximum power point of the solar panel for charging the battery unit. Computer simulation results demonstrate that this proposed approach offers a faster convergence rate than …

Evaluation Of Pc-Based Virtual Reality As A Tool To Analyze Pedestrian Behavior At Midblock Crossings, Kristina Lynn Mai

Master's Theses

The aim of this research was to analyze if current generation PC-driven virtual reality simulations can be used to accurately mimic and therefore, observe behavior at a crosswalk. Toward that goal, the following research tasks were carried out: a) Designing a 3D virtual crosswalk and recruiting volunteers to wear the HTC Vive headset and to walk across the street, b) Setting up cameras near the midblock crosswalk on University Drive at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo to observe pedestrians, and c) Comparing pedestrian behavior data from both the virtual and real midblock crosswalk. The comparison was based on …

Dc-Dc Converter Control System For The Energy Harvesting From Exercise Machines System, Alexander Sireci

Master's Theses

Current exercise machines create resistance to motion and dissipate energy as heat. Some companies create ways to harness this energy, but not cost-effectively. The Energy Harvesting from Exercise Machines (EHFEM) project reduces the cost of harnessing the renewable energy. The system architecture includes the elliptical exercise machines outputting power to DC-DC converters, which then connects to the microinverters. All microinverter outputs tie together and then connect to the grid. The control system, placed around the DC-DC converters, quickly detects changes in current, and limits the current to prevent the DC-DC converters and microinverters from entering failure states.

An artificial neural …

Atomic Oxygen Considerations For Leo De-Orbit Trajectories Using Solar Sails, Daniel A. Fugett

Master's Theses

Solar sails have the potential to benefit many future space exploration missions, but they lack the heritage required for present-day use. To grow confidence in solar sail technology, they could be deployed on LEO satellites higher than 600 km to help de-orbit the satellite within 25 years upon mission termination. To determine how atomic oxygen would affect the solar sail, material from Lightsail-2 was tested in a thermal-energy, isotropic, atomic oxygen vacuum chamber based in the space environments laboratory in California Polytechnic State University. The sail material, aluminized Mylar, was tested for its survivability on both the coated and uncoated …

An Ergonomics Investigation Of The Application Of Virtual Reality On Training For A Precision Task, Delaney M. Bales

Master's Theses

Virtual reality is rapidly expanding its capabilities and accessibility to consumers. The application of virtual reality in training for precision tasks has been limited to specialized equipment such as a haptic glove or a haptic stylus, but not studied for handheld controllers in consumer-grade systems such as the HTC Vive. A straight-line precision steadiness task was adopted in virtual reality to emulate basic linear movements in industrial operations and disability rehabilitation. This study collected the total time and the error time for the straight-line task in both virtual reality and a physical control experiment for 48 participants. The task was …

Code Decomposition: A New Hope, Nupur Garg

Master's Theses

Code decomposition (also known as functional decomposition) is the process of breaking a larger problem into smaller subproblems so that each function implements only a single task. Although code decomposition is integral to computer science, it is often overlooked in introductory computer science education due to the challenges of teaching it given limited resources.

Earthworm is a tool that generates unique suggestions on how to improve the decomposition of provided Python source code. Given a program as input, Earthworm presents the user with a list of suggestions to improve the functional decomposition of the program. Each suggestion includes the lines …

Hand (Motor) Movement Imagery Classification Of Eeg Using Takagi-Sugeno-Kang Fuzzy-Inference Neural Network, Rory Larson Donovan

Master's Theses

Approximately 20 million people in the United States suffer from irreversible nerve damage and would benefit from a neuroprosthetic device modulated by a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). These devices restore independence by replacing peripheral nervous system functions such as peripheral control. Although there are currently devices under investigation, contemporary methods fail to offer adaptability and proper signal recognition for output devices. Human anatomical differences prevent the use of a fixed model system from providing consistent classification performance among various subjects. Furthermore, notoriously noisy signals such as Electroencephalography (EEG) require complex measures for signal detection. Therefore, there remains a tremendous need to …

On The Impact Of Android Api Evolution On Education Materials, Kennedy Owen

Master's Theses

The recent growing popularity of mobile devices has led to the establishment of several popular mobile platforms such as the Android operating system. To foster growth in this evolving market, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) were created to enable developers to create mobile device applications that utilize mobile device features and functionality for personal or widespread commercial use. However, as a result of excessive device and API evolution, mobile development faces increasingly complex issues, including an alarmingly rapid decay of development resources.

This thesis conducts a case study around one such resource: a series of Android app development lab …

Estimating Transit Ridership Patterns Through Automated Data Collection Technology: A Case Study In San Luis Obispo, California, Ashley Kim

Master's Theses

Public transportation offers a crucial solution to the travel demand in light of national and global economic, energy, and environmental challenges. If implemented effectively, public transit offers an affordable, convenient, and sustainable transportation mode. Implementation of new technologies for information-harvesting may lead to more effective transit operations. This study examines the potential of automated data collection technologies to analyzing and understand the origin-destination flow patterns, which is essential for transit route planning and stop location placement.

This thesis investigates the collection and analysis of data of passengers onboard San Luis Obispo Transit buses in February and March 2017 using Bluetooth …

Children’S Social Network: Kids Club, Eiman Alrashoud

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Young children often have a profound interest that if nurtured, would develop to great social cues and skills thereby improving their social aspects of life. Parents can conveniently benefit from a swift data sharing in the collaborative scrutiny of their kid's participation, in public activities facilitated through the internet digital technology. To facilitate the involvement of shared activities among children, an interactive website is essential. The aim of my project is to develop a website that is intended to be an interactive platform for a variety of events selection. Additionally, the website will aid parents in the creation, discovery and …

Low-Noise Speed-Optimized Large Area Cmos Avalanche Photodetector For Visible Light Communication, Md. Mottaleb Hossain, Sagar Ray, Jeng Shiuh Cheong, Liang Qiao, Aina N.A.P. Baharuddin, Mona Mostafa Hella, John P.R. David, Majeed M. Hayat

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Mean-gain and excess-noise measurements are presented for a 350 × 350 μm ² P+/N-well/P-sub and a 270 × 270 μm ² N-well/P-sub avalanche photodetectors fabricated using 0.13-μm CMOS technology. The active area of the P+/N-well/P-sub device was divided into multiple subsections to decrease transit time and increase speed. For the P+/N-well structure, remarkably low excess-noise factors of 4.1 and 4 were measured at a mean gain of 16 corresponding to a k value of approximately 0.1, using a 542 (633) nm laser. For a variant N-well/P-sub structure, excess-noise factors of 6.5 and 6.2 were measured at a mean-gain of 16 …

Cubesat Data Transmission And Storage Throughput Optimization Through The Use Of A Zynq Soc Based Cubesat Science Instrument Interface Electronics Board, Caleb Mosby Munsill

Master's Theses

The CubeSat standard sprang from the desire to create a satellite standard that would open the doors for universities and other lower budget research institutions by making it more feasible to get their work into space. Since then, many other institutions and industries have been adopting variations on the standard for their own use. As more people are seeking out to use the CubeSat standard as their main bus, the standards and practices of the community have grown and expanded and with this growth, new challenges have been created. One such challenge is the bandwidth limitation in the RF-downlink. When …

Effect Of Cohorts On Student Retention In Engineering, Patricia Backer, Cindy Kato

Faculty Publications

Project Succeed is a campus-wide initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Its focus is to improve the 5-year graduation and retention rates and close the achievement gap for Under-Represented Minorities (URMs) across all majors at San José State University (SJSU). There are three major goals: strengthen SJSU’s core academic performance in retention and graduation; provide an improved supportive environment for URM students; and enhance the delivery and integration of academic and co-curricular support services. For Fall 2015, newly matriculated students in the College of Business, College of Engineering, and Child and Adolescent Development Department (CHAD) were assigned schedules …

Improving Student Engagement In Engineering Using Brain-Based Learning Principles As Instructional Delivery Protocols, John Solomon, Vimal Viswanathan, Eric Hamilton, Chitra Nayak

Faculty Publications, Mechanical Engineering

This paper presents a study on the academic engagement issues of the upper level engineering students in an HBCU (name of the university will be added later) and strategies implemented to overcome these issues using brain based learning principles as instructional delivery protocols. Although student engagement issues inside engineering classrooms have several components, we focus our attention in this paper mainly on two issues: the dis-engagement arising due to the lack of understanding of pre-requisites and insufficient mathematical skills of students reaching junior and senior engineering classes. A previous pilot study confirmed that a large fraction of students who reach …

Estimation Of Size And Rotations Of Icebergs From Historical Data Utilizing Scatterometer Data, Jeffrey Scott Budge

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the development and methodology of a new, consolidated BYU/NIC Antarctic Iceberg Tracking Database is presented. The new database combines data from the original BYU daily iceberg tracking database derived from scatterometers, and the National Ice Center's weekly Antarctic iceberg tracking database derived from mostly optical and infrared sensors. Using this data, interpolation methods and statistical analyses of iceberg locations are discussed. The intent of this database is to consolidate iceberg location data in order to increase accessibility to users.Active microwave remote sensing instruments are used to track tabular icebergs and provide a daily estimate of their positions …

A Survey Of Sparse Channel Estimation In Aeronautical Telemetry, Christopher James Hogstrom

Theses and Dissertations

Aeronautical telemetry suffers from multipath interference, which can be resolved through the use of equalizers at the receiver. The coefficients of data-aided equalizers are computed from a channel estimate. Most channels seen in aeronautical telemetry are sparse, meaning that most of the coefficients of the channel are zero or nearly zero. The maximum likelihood (ML) estimate does not always produce a sparse channel estimate. This thesis surveys a number of sparse estimation algorithms that produce a sparse channel estimate and compares the post-equalizer bit error rates (BER) using these sparse estimates with the post-equalizer BER using the ML estimate. I …

Flexible Micro-N-Line Probe And Apparatus To Characterize Electronic Conductivity Of Li-Ion Battery Electrode Films, Derek Van Clement

Theses and Dissertations

A key metric that affects Li-ion battery cell performance is the electronic conductivity of the electrode films. Previous research has found that the conductivity of electrodes is not homogeneous throughout the entirety of the deposited film area. To further characterize the non-homogeneity of the conductivity of electrode films, a micro-N-line probe and a micro-flex-line probe were developed to take micro-scale conductivity measurements of thin-film battery electrodes in a non-destructive manner. These devices have been validated by comparing test results to those of it's predecessor, the micro-four-line probe, on various commercial-quality Li-ion battery electrodes. Results show that there is significant variation …

Injury Severity Of Truck Drivers In Crashes At Highway–Rail Grade Crossings, Waleed Ali Khan

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There is a noticeable difference between different road users, specifically between passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles such as its length and weight. The majority of previous research were focused on general highway traffic that included passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc. Moreover, HRGC safety studies of specific types of vehicles are relatively few and heavy vehicle safety at grade crossing is even more under-explored.

This research thus focuses on the following objectives: Identify factors related to different injury severity levels of heavy-vehicle drivers (truck/truck-trailer) drivers in crashes reported at HRGCs; to identify a more suitable statistical model for injury severity …