Computer Engineering Commons^™

Impacts Of Robotics And Flexible Manufacturing Technologies On Manufacturing Costs And Employment, Steven M. Miller

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The issues analyzed in this paper are the extent to which unit costs and production labor requirements might be reduced in manufacturing industries if there is more widespread use of industrial robots and flexible systems. The analysis is reported in detail in Miller (1983). These issues are analyzed from two different perspectives. The technological focus of the first perspective is narrowly confined to the use of robotic manipulators. It is assumed that robotic manipulators will be “retrofitted” into existing production facilities without making major changes in the organization of production within the factory, other than modifying individual work stations so …

Block Encoding Of Speech Spectral Principal Components, James R. Holland Jr.

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A Karhunen-Loeve series expansion was used to block encode speech spectral principal components as a function of time. Each of ten principal components was first obtained as a linear combination of 2© speech spectral band energies. Using a fixed block length of 10 frames (0.128 s), the K-L basis vectors were computed separately for various speakers for each principal component. In all cases the resulting basis vectors were essentially a set of discrete cosine basis vectors. Synthesis of speech from the block encoded parameters showed that very little information is lost with up to 70% data reduction. The block encoding …

Suboptimal Algorithms For Improvement Of Pipeline Through Insertion Of Delays, Sukhamoy Som

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Pipelining is now widely used in the design of high speed processors in order to overcome the intrinsic speed limitations imposed by the technology. For a good performance and avoidance of internal conflicts, the concurrent operations within different subunits of a pipeline architecture should be properly scheduled This scheduling problem is known to be intrinsically difficult" and a member of the "NP complete class of problems. The aim of this thesis is to develop heuristic suboptimal algorithms whose execution time is a polynomial function of the number of items to be scheduled. Insertion of delay is used as a basic …

Ads Formal Semantics, Takayuki Kimura

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Abstract Database System (ADS) is a data model developed for an enduring medical information system where frequent changes in the conceptual schema are anticipated and multi-level abstraction is required. The mechanism of abstraction in ADS is based on the abstraction operator of the lamba calculus. The formal semantics of a subset of the ADS model is presented using the denotational specification method.

Robotic Realities: Near Term Prospects And Problems, Robert U. Ayres, Steven M. Miller

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Industrial robots are automation, but with a difference. Other machine tools are extensions of human capabilities, while robots are seen mainly as substitutes for human workers. Robots will find most of their industrial applications during the next decade or two in the metal-working sectors, where they will begin to displace semiskilled machine operatives in medium to large batch production operations. They cannot substitute for skilled machinists or other workers doing nonroutine jobs, or specialized, dedicated hard automation used in mass production. The current generation of robots, lacking sensory data processing and interpretation capabilities, can potentially replace up to 1.3 million …

Self‐Refraction Of Nonlinear Capillary‐Gravity Waves, Partha P. Banerjee, Adrianus Korpel, Karl E. Lonngren

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Self‐refraction effects have been observed during the propagation of deep‐water capillary‐gravity waves. The observations are shown to be in qualitative agreement with the theory of self‐focusing and defocusing in a cubically nonlinear medium in the presence of diffraction.

Some Design Considerations For Picture Archiving And Communication Systems, J. R. Cox, G. J. Blaine, R. L. Hill, R. G. Jost, C. D. Shum

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Design considerations for picture archiving and communication systems are reviewed with special emphasis on those issues that differ from conventional network architectures. Design equations for three layers of a picture network are developed and discussed in the context of preliminary estimates of the flow of digital images between a multiplicity of picture sources, picture archives and picture viewing stations. Discussions of differences from conventional networks focuses on the local nature of the net, the availability of a wide-band transmission media with low error rates, the relative costliness of network equipment capable of taking advantage of the wide-band transmission media and …

Subharmonic Generation By Resonant Three‐Wave Interaction Of Deep‐Water Capillary Waves, Partha P. Banerjee, Adrianus Korpel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Subharmonic generation has been observed during the propagation of deep‐water capillary waves. The observations are shown to be in agreement with the theory of degenerate resonant noncollinear three‐wave interaction in a nonlinear, dispersive medium.

Interfacing The Sdk-85 With Common Laboratory Equipment, Thomas A. Boerjan

Graduate Research Papers

The-SDK-85 is a low-cost microcomputer trainer well-suited for entry and intermediate level programming and also interfacing. From it the fundamentals of digital electronics and computer programming can be taught at the high school and college level. The objectives of this paper are to learn:

1. The basic hardware required for a simple computer trainer.

2. The software necessary to do simple tasks.

3. How to interface the SDK-85 to common laboratory equipment.

4. How industry is using digital electronics.

5. Basic hardware and software troubleshooting • techniques.

6. Instructional methodology to be used with the SDK-85.

Development Of An On-Line Computer System For Enzyme Kinetics Studies, Jacqueline R. Thweatt

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

The PDP-11/10 minicomputer was interfaced to the Beckman 25 ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometer and this on-line computer system was applied to enzyme kinetics studies. This interface involved hardware equipment to locate, amplify, and transmit the analog signal to an analog-to-digital converter, and software to acquire and store the digital data. Data processing programs were used to calculate kinetic parameters and statistical information from the acquired data.

The Varian Cary 219 ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometer can be readily interfaced to the Apple II Plus microcomputer by hardware equipment which can be purchased from the manufacturer. Various software may also be purchased for use in enzyme …

Octal-Tree Spatial Sorting And Its Applications, Jeffrey L. Posdamer

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

An octal tree subdivision recursively divides a bounded three-dimensional volume into octanta about an internal division point. This scheme has been used to represent cellular or enumerated voxel models of solid objects. Given one or more sets of points sampled from the surface of a solid, an octal tree may be generated in which each leaf node contains m or less points. By specifying the tree traversal rule, the points are accessed in a sorted order. By defining m=3, a divide-and-conquer surface triangulation algorithm may be developed which does not require special sampling conditions (such as co-planarity) on subsets of …

Robotics And The Conservation Of Human Resources, Robert U. Ayres, Steven M. Miller

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Due to rapid expansion in the field of robotics, policy issues have arisen in regard to developing human skills to deal with the new technology and to deal with the obsolescent human skills which are the inevitable result of this growth pattern. Industrialists, educators, union leaders, and government officials must work cooperatively to insure that the coming changes are made with minimum disruption. Improved training methods and courses have to be developed for the skills needed to control, manage and supervise the new machines. Some of the ways in which this can be accomplished are through offering financial incentives for …

A Direct Formulation And Computer-Implementation Of A Symbolic Network Analysis Algorithm, Timothy James Knerr

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An algorithm for the symbolic analysis of linear, time-invariant, active or passive networks is presented. The algorithm incorporates the best features of earlier numerical and topological methods of symbolic analysis. A hybrid set of equations is formulated for a closed linear graph and arranged in matrix form. A numerical evalu­ation procedure for the determinant of this hybrid matrix results in an efficient method of symbolic analysis. A proof of the algorithm based on determinant evaluation by a permutation product expansion provides insight into relationships with other methods of symbolic analysis. A computer program implementation of the algorithm is described and …

A Critical Study Of Nonlinear Echo Phenomena, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The present thesis attempts to give a concise and critical account of the evolution of the echo phenomena over the last thirty years. Starting with spin and photon echoes, which were among the earliest to be observed and studied, the thesis explores the experimental findings and the models proposed in connection with the more contemporary echo experiments, viz. those involving electroacoustic or polarization echoes in single and polycrystalline piezoelectric materials and in powders. Although the investigations regarding the various mechanisms of short and long term echo formation are by no means complete, a coherent picture is beginning to emerge as …

An Abstract Model Of Unstratified Database System, Takayuki D. Kimura, Jerome R. Cox Jr., Will D. Gillett

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

A semantic data model is introduced with the following capabilities: (1) Abstraction mechanisms for aggregation, generalization and classification, (2) Unstratified control of the database content, (3) Refined control of intentional and extensional information, and (4) Extensive semantic consistency checking. The basic features of the model are illustrated through a scenario of interactions between the user and the database system (using the proposed model) for constructing a simple database on technical publications.

Design Studies Suggested By An Abstract Model For Medical Information System, Jerome R. Cox Jr., Takayuki D. Kimura, P. Moore, Will D. Gillett, Mishell J. Stucki

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

We have developed a formal model of a database system that is unusual in that it has the ability to represent information about its own structure and to insure semantic consistency. The model distinguishes general laws from instances of events and objects, but many of its mechanisms serve both categories of information. The model form a substrate upon which an information structure appropriate to neonatology is being developed. Some example queries are shown and a design study for an associative memory suggested by the model is described briefly.

Synchronization Strategies, Mishell J. Stucki, Jerome R. Cox Jr

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Computing systems are now frequently composed of independently clocked subsystems that cooperate to perform the function desired for the whole. This type of architecture has many advantages and promises to be the standard for the foreseeable future. With the trend towards more and more gates per chip, the number of chips per subsystem gets smaller and smaller, and we can expect to soon see one or more subsystems per chip. This transition will require contributions from disciplines previously outside the field of chip design, and every issue will have to be carefully worked out beforehand because debugging chips of this …

Information Systems For Natural Resources Managers: An Exercise In Interfacing, Connie L. Knapp

Marine Affairs Theses and Major Papers

This thesis proposes guidelines for achieving the human interfaces which are requisite to the development and operation of natural resources information systems. Conclusions were drawn from an evaluation of past experiences in building and attempting to use these types of systems. Both successful and unsuccessful systems were considered, as well as the current effort in Rhode Island to develop a system for coastal resources managers. Examples are presented to support particular conclusions and recommendations. The perspective is nontechnical. Examples and recommendations, therefore, are conceptual rather than quantitative or technical. While a variety of mechanisms can be used to achieve the …

Comparative Cost Analysis Of Implementing Computer Assisted Instruction On General Purpose Computers, Minicomputers, Or Time-Shared Systems, William Henderson Trueheart Junior

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

No abstract provided.

The Theoretical Distribution Of Forces In The Rigid Component Of The Buccal Arch Positioner, Dennis H. Teruya

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The distribution of an applied force to the rigid component of the Buccal Arch Positioner was determined with a theoretically formulated model. The rigid component was assumed to be a free body without the semi-rigid attachments and was evaluated at four points for the force distribution. The summation of the forces and the moments were equated to zero and were utilized to derive equations to solve for the unknown forces. The unknown forces at each point of the rigid component were solved for in terms of the given force applications.

A laterally directed force application at one of the posterior …

A Method Of Analyzing Mandibular Movement, Richard B. Mccoy

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mandibular movement is considered to be a fundamental factor in the study, analysis, and treatment of occlusion. For many years, dentists have realized that dental health depends upon the compatibility of mandibular movements and occlusion. This realization has led to the development of new methods and techniques for recording accurately and scientifically the movements of the mandible. In order for this data to be of scientific value, it must be stored in a usable form which is easily available for analysis.

The purpose of this research project was to develop a procedure for storing and recalling mandibular-movement information. Before such …

Moment-Curvature-Thrust Relationships In Hybrid Members, Douglas Wrenn Fiala

Dissertations and Theses

In order to overcome the difficulties encountered in closed form solutions, moment-curvature-thrust relationships are developed for hybrid and nonhybrid cross sections utilizing an open form method. The use of horizontal sectors permits the inclusion of residual stresses and/or nonbilinear stress-strain relationships, if desired. Theoretical and experimental data are compared. Applications to circular tubes and other cross sections are discussed. Results indicate that open form solutions are feasible for calculating moment-curvature-thrust data. Hybrid cross sections are easily treated by open form solutions.

Digital Video Display System Using Cathode-Ray Tube, George M. Low, Arthur I. Zygielbaum, Warren L. Martin, Alexander Engel

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

A digital video display system (DWDS) is disclosed for display of image, alphanumeric and other data on a cathode-ray tube (CRT) with sequential raster scan and two, four or eight gray shades. The DVDS includes a central processing unit for ac tivating the system, selecting the X (horizontal axis) and Z (in tensity modulation) modes, and designating the starting loca tion of two successive rasters of data from a memory accessed by a data multiplexer subsystem (DMS). At the end of each raster, the DMS interrupts the computer for a new starting lo cation of a raster of data to …

Software Simulation Of The D17b Computer, Bruce Chatterton

Theses and Dissertations

A software program has been written which simulates the functions of the Minuteman D17B computer at the register transfer level. The simulation program is written in the FORTRAN Extended language to be used on the Intercom System (teletype) of a CDC 6600 computer system. The simulation program consists of a main program and eight subroutines. A programming language for the D17B simulation was formed which contains numbers and load codes, switches, and miscellaneous commands. Example programs run on the simulated computer have been included to show the types of output available.