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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Articles 241 - 270 of 413

Full-Text Articles in Computer Engineering

Low Probability Of Intercept Waveforms Via Intersymbol Dither Performance Under Multipath Conditions, Jonathan K. Keen Mar 2009

Low Probability Of Intercept Waveforms Via Intersymbol Dither Performance Under Multipath Conditions, Jonathan K. Keen

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the effects of multipath interference on Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) waveforms generated using intersymbol dither. LPI waveforms are designed to be difficult for non-cooperative receivers to detect and manipulate, and have many uses in secure communications applications. In prior research, such a waveform was designed using a dither algorithm to vary the time between the transmission of data symbols in a communication system. This work showed that such a method can be used to frustrate attempts to use non-cooperative receiver algorithms to recover the data. This thesis expands on prior work by examining the effects of …


Image Processing For Multiple-Target Tracking On A Graphics Processing Unit, Michael A. Tanner Mar 2009

Image Processing For Multiple-Target Tracking On A Graphics Processing Unit, Michael A. Tanner

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple-target tracking (MTT) systems have been implemented on many different platforms, however these solutions are often expensive and have long development times. Such MTT implementations require custom hardware, yet offer very little flexibility with ever changing data sets and target tracking requirements. This research explores how to supplement and enhance MTT performance with an existing graphics processing unit (GPU) on a general computing platform. Typical computers are already equipped with powerful GPUs to support various games and multimedia applications. However, such GPUs are not currently being used in desktop MTT applications. This research explores if and how a GPU can …


The Modular Clock Algorithm For Blind Rendezvous, Nicholas C. Theis Mar 2009

The Modular Clock Algorithm For Blind Rendezvous, Nicholas C. Theis

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the problem in initializing communications whereby cognitive radios need to find common spectrum with other cognitive radios, a process known as frequency rendezvous. It examines the rendezvous problem as it exists in a dynamic spectrum access cognitive network. Specifically, it addresses the problem of rendezvous in an infrastructureless environment. A new algorithm, the modular clock algorithm, is developed and analyzed as a solution for the simple rendezvous environment model, coupled with a modified version for environment models with less information. The thesis includes a taxonomy of commonly used environment models, and analysis of previous efforts to solve …


Numerical Analysis For Relevant Features In Intrusion Detection (Narfid), Jose Andres Gonzalez Mar 2009

Numerical Analysis For Relevant Features In Intrusion Detection (Narfid), Jose Andres Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Identification of cyber attacks and network services is a robust field of study in the machine learning community. Less effort has been focused on understanding the domain space of real network data in identifying important features for cyber attack and network service classification. Motivations for such work allow for anomaly detection systems with less requirements on data “sniffed” off the network, extraction of features from the traffic, reduced learning time of algorithms, and ideally increased classification performance of anomalous behavior. This thesis evaluates the usefulness of a good feature subset for the general classification task of identifying cyber attacks and …


Voice Traffic Over Mobile Ad Hoc Networks: A Performance Analysis Of The Optimized Link State Routing Protocol, Lady Noreen P. Santos Mar 2009

Voice Traffic Over Mobile Ad Hoc Networks: A Performance Analysis Of The Optimized Link State Routing Protocol, Lady Noreen P. Santos

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the performance of the Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications in Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). Using VoIP over MANETs takes advantage of the mobility and versatility of a MANET environment and the flexibility and interoperability a digital voice format affords. Research shows that VoIP-like traffic can be routed through an ad hoc network using the Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector routing protocol. This research determines the suitability of OLSR as a routing protocol for MANETs running VoIP applications. Representative VoIP traffic is submitted to a MANET and end-to-end delay …


Dynamic Interactions For Network Visualization And Simulation, Cigdem Yetisti Mar 2009

Dynamic Interactions For Network Visualization And Simulation, Cigdem Yetisti

Theses and Dissertations

Most network visualization suites do not interact with a simulator, as it executes. Nor do they provide an effective user interface that includes multiple visualization functions. The subject of this research is to improve the network visualization presented in the previous research [5] adding these capabilities to the framework. The previous network visualization did not have the capability of altering specific visualization characteristics, especially when detailed observations needed to be made for a small part of a large network. Searching for a network event in this topology might cause large delays leading to lower quality user interface. In addition to …


Stochastic Estimation And Control Of Queues Within A Computer Network, Mingook Kim Mar 2009

Stochastic Estimation And Control Of Queues Within A Computer Network, Mingook Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Captain Nathan C. Stuckey implemented the idea of the stochastic estimation and control for network in OPNET simulator. He used extended Kalman filter to estimate packet size and packet arrival rate of network queue to regulate queue size. To validate stochastic theory, network estimator and controller is designed by OPNET model. These models validated the transient queue behavior in OPNET and work of Kalman filter by predicting the queue size and arrival rate. However, it was not enough to verify a theory by experiment. So, it needed to validate the stochastic control theory with other tools to get high validity. …


Optimized Robust Adaptive Networks In Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition Systems, Luis A. Oquendo Class Mar 2009

Optimized Robust Adaptive Networks In Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition Systems, Luis A. Oquendo Class

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the application of a Exponential Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) to be used as a memory buffer in conjunction with Special Protection Schemes (SPS) using the Electric Power and Communication Synchronizing Simulator (EPOCHS). It is proposed that using an SPS incorporating EWMA can compensate for the network layer lack of guarantee of packet delivery and provide for the stability and integrity of the power grid under a catastrophic event. The performance of the proposed SPS is evaluated using a discrete event computer simulation developed using the NS2 network simulator and the Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSS/E) power …


Enhancing The Ns-2 Network Simulator For Near Real-Time Control Feedback And Distributed Simulation Breaks, John S. Weir Mar 2009

Enhancing The Ns-2 Network Simulator For Near Real-Time Control Feedback And Distributed Simulation Breaks, John S. Weir

Theses and Dissertations

A network simulator coupled with a visualization package enables the human visual system to analyze the results of network modeling as a supplement to analytical data analysis. This research takes the next step in network simulator and visualization suite interaction. A mediator (or run-time infrastructure (RTI) in the literature) provides researchers the potential to interact with a simulation as it executes. Utilizing TCP/IP sockets, the mediator has the capability to connect multiple visualization packages to a single simulation. This new tool allows researchers to change simulation parameters on the y without restarting the network simulation.


The Evaluation Of Rekeying Protocols Within The Hubenko Architecture As Applied To Wireless Sensor Networks, Cory J. Antosh Mar 2009

The Evaluation Of Rekeying Protocols Within The Hubenko Architecture As Applied To Wireless Sensor Networks, Cory J. Antosh

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the impact of using three different rekeying protocols–pair-wise, hierarchical, and Secure Lock within a wireless sensor network (WSN) under the Hubenko architecture. Using a Matlab computer simulation, the impact of the three rekeying protocols on the number of bits transmitted across the network and the amount of battery power consumed in WSN nodes during rekey operations is investigated. Baseline pair-wise rekeying performance can be improved by using either Secure Lock or hierarchical rekeying. The best choice depends on the size of the WSN and the size of the key used. Hierarchical rekeying is the best choice for …


Chip To Chip Optical Interconnection Using Mems Mirrors, Tod V. Laurvick Feb 2009

Chip To Chip Optical Interconnection Using Mems Mirrors, Tod V. Laurvick

Theses and Dissertations

This experiment explores the use of MEMS mirrors to direct subsurface optical signals to another device and reception of those signals for use in chip to chip communications. Devices were built in PolyMUMPs to control horizontal and vertical beam direction and tilting in the outgoing signal and MEMS beam splitters for the incoming signal. Several elements of the outgoing beam path were successful and those which needed improvement indicate a high probability of success with limited trials needed and currently successful design elements could still be improved within the scope of PolyMUMPs. The incoming beam path elements were not successful …


Automated Virtual Machine Introspection For Host-Based Intrusion Detection, Brett A. Pagel Feb 2009

Automated Virtual Machine Introspection For Host-Based Intrusion Detection, Brett A. Pagel

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines techniques to automate configuration of an intrusion detection system utilizing hardware-assisted virtualization. These techniques are used to detect the version of a running guest operating system, automatically configure version-specific operating system information needed by the introspection library, and to locate and monitor important operating system data structures. This research simplifies introspection library configuration and is a step toward operating system independent introspection. An operating system detection algorithm and Windows virtual machine system service dispatch table monitor are implemented using the Xen hypervisor and a modified version of the XenAccess library. All detection and monitoring is implemented from …


Adaptive Control Of Woofer-Tweeter Adaptive Optics, Jimmie J. Perez Feb 2009

Adaptive Control Of Woofer-Tweeter Adaptive Optics, Jimmie J. Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Adaptive optics applies advanced sensing and control to improve the ability of optical systems to collect images through a turbulent atmosphere. The results of this research effort demonstrate that the combination of two recent approaches improves the performance of adaptive optics in directed energy and laser communication scenarios. The first approach is adaptive control, which offers improved performance over fixed-gain controllers in the presence of rapidly changing turbulence. The second approach incorporated into the study is a dual-mirror system. The two mirrors are a high-bandwidth, low-actuator-stroke (tweeter) mirror and a low-bandwidth, large actuator-stroke (woofer) mirror. The woofer-tweeter combination allows for …


Subjective Audio Quality Over A Secure Ieee 802.11n Draft 2.0 Wireless Local Area Network, Benjamin W. Ramsey Feb 2009

Subjective Audio Quality Over A Secure Ieee 802.11n Draft 2.0 Wireless Local Area Network, Benjamin W. Ramsey

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the quality of audio generated by a G.711 codec and transmission over an IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 wireless local area network (WLAN). Decline in audio quality due to additional calls or by securing the WLAN with transport mode Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) is quantified. Audio quality over an IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 WLAN is also compared to that of IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g WLANs under the same conditions. Audio quality is evaluated by following International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Recommendation P.800, where human subjects rate audio clips recorded during various WLAN configurations. The Mean …


An Fpga-Based System For Tracking Digital Information Transmitted Via Peer-To-Peer Protocols, Karl R. Schrader Feb 2009

An Fpga-Based System For Tracking Digital Information Transmitted Via Peer-To-Peer Protocols, Karl R. Schrader

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the problem of identifying and tracking digital information that is shared using peer-to-peer file transfer and Voice over IP (VoIP) protocols. The goal of the research is to develop a system for detecting and tracking the illicit dissemination of sensitive government information using file sharing applications within a target network, and tracking terrorist cells or criminal organizations that are covertly communicating using VoIP applications. A digital forensic tool is developed using an FPGA-based embedded software application. The tool is designed to process file transfers using the BitTorrent peer-to-peer protocol and VoIP phone calls made using the Session …


An Analysis Of Botnet Vulnerabilities, Sean W. Hudson Jun 2008

An Analysis Of Botnet Vulnerabilities, Sean W. Hudson

Theses and Dissertations

Botnets are a significant threat to computer networks and data stored on networked computers. The ability to inhibit communication between servers controlling the botnet and individual hosts would be an effective countermeasure. The objective of this research was to find vulnerabilities in Unreal IRCd that could be used to shut down the server. Analysis revealed that Unreal IRCd is a very mature and stable IRC server and no significant vulnerabilities were found. While this research does not eliminate the possibility that a critical vulnerability is present in the Unreal IRCd software, none were identified during this effort.


A Survey Of Satellite Communications System Vulnerabilities, Jessica A. Steinberger Jun 2008

A Survey Of Satellite Communications System Vulnerabilities, Jessica A. Steinberger

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. military’s increasing reliance on commercial and military communications satellites to enable widely-dispersed, mobile forces to communicate makes these space assets increasingly vulnerable to attack by adversaries. Attacks on these satellites could cause military communications to become unavailable at critical moments during a conflict. This research dissected a typical satellite communications system in order to provide an understanding of the possible attacker entry points into the system, to determine the vulnerabilities associated with each of these access points, and to analyze the possible impacts of these vulnerabilities to U.S. military operations. By understanding these vulnerabilities of U.S. communications satellite …


Optimal Guidance Of A Relay Mav For Isr Support Beyond Line-Of-Sight, John H. Hansen Mar 2008

Optimal Guidance Of A Relay Mav For Isr Support Beyond Line-Of-Sight, John H. Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis developed guidance laws to optimally position a relay Micro-UAV (MAV) to provide an operator with real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) by relaying communication and video signals when there is no line-of-sight between the operator at the base and the rover MAV performing the ISR mission. The ISR system consists of two MAVs, the Relay and the Rover, and a Base. The Relay strives to position itself to minimize the radio frequency (RF) power required for maintaining communications between the Rover and the Base, while the Rover performs the ISR mission, which may maximize the required RF power. …


Shi(El)Ds: A Novel Hardware-Based Security Backplane To Enhance Security With Minimal Impact To System Operation, Matthew G. Judge Mar 2008

Shi(El)Ds: A Novel Hardware-Based Security Backplane To Enhance Security With Minimal Impact To System Operation, Matthew G. Judge

Theses and Dissertations

Computer security continues to increase in importance both in the commercial world and within the Air Force. Dedicated hardware for security purposes presents and enhances a number of security capabilities. Hardware enhances both the security of the security system and the quality and trustworthiness of the information being gathered by the security monitors. Hardware reduces avenues of attack on the security system and ensures the trustworthiness of information only through proper design and placement. Without careful system design, security hardware leaves itself vulnerable to many attacks that it is capable of defending against. Our SHI(EL)DS architecture combines these insights into …


Composable Distributed Access Control And Integrity Policies For Query-Based Wireless Sensor Networks, David W. Marsh Mar 2008

Composable Distributed Access Control And Integrity Policies For Query-Based Wireless Sensor Networks, David W. Marsh

Theses and Dissertations

An expected requirement of wireless sensor networks (WSN) is the support of a vast number of users while permitting limited access privileges. While WSN nodes have severe resource constraints, WSNs will need to restrict access to data, enforcing security policies to protect data within WSNs. To date, WSN security has largely been based on encryption and authentication schemes. WSN Authorization Specification Language (WASL) is specified and implemented using tools coded in JavaTM. WASL is a mechanism{independent policy language that can specify arbitrary, composable security policies. The construction, hybridization, and composition of well{known security models is demonstrated and shown to preserve …


Constellation Design Of Geosynchronous Navigation Satellites Which Maximizes Availability And Accuracy Over A Specified Region Of The Earth, Halil Ibrahim Ozdemir Mar 2008

Constellation Design Of Geosynchronous Navigation Satellites Which Maximizes Availability And Accuracy Over A Specified Region Of The Earth, Halil Ibrahim Ozdemir

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there are four Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) either being developed or in existence-GPS, GLONASS, Compass, and Galileo. Additionally, there are several Regional Navigation Satellite Systems (RNSS) planned or in existence, as well as numerous augmentation systems (which require a GNSS for operation). It can be anticipated that there will be interest in developing additional independent regional navigation satellite systems to cover areas of interest to particular countries or regions, who want to have their own system. In this paper, a genetic algorithm is used in an effort to determine near-optimal RNSS constellations. First, a cost function is setup, …


Dialable Cryptography For Wireless Networks, Marnita T. Eaddie Mar 2008

Dialable Cryptography For Wireless Networks, Marnita T. Eaddie

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to develop an adaptive cryptographic protocol, which allows users to select an optimal cryptographic strength and algorithm based upon the hardware and bandwidth available and allows users to reason about the level of security versus the system throughput. In this constantly technically-improving society, the ability to communicate via wireless technology provides an avenue for delivering information at anytime nearly anywhere. Sensitive or classified information can be transferred wirelessly across unsecured channels by using cryptographic algorithms. The research presented will focus on dynamically selecting optimal cryptographic algorithms and cryptographic strengths based upon the hardware and …


Network Visualization Design Using Prefuse Visualization Framework, John Mark Belue Mar 2008

Network Visualization Design Using Prefuse Visualization Framework, John Mark Belue

Theses and Dissertations

Visualization of network simulation events or network visualization is an effective and low cost method to evaluate the health and status of a network and analyze network designs, protocols, and network algorithms. This research designed and developed a network event visualization framework using an open source general visualization toolkit. This research achieved three major milestones during the development of this framework: A robust network simulator trace file parser, multiple network visualization layouts {including user-defined layouts, and precise visualization timing controls and integrated display of network statistics. The parser architecture is extensible to allow customization of simulator trace formats that are …


Priority Based Buffering Over Multiple Lossy Links Using Tcp Aware Layer Buffering, Kevin J. Savidge Mar 2008

Priority Based Buffering Over Multiple Lossy Links Using Tcp Aware Layer Buffering, Kevin J. Savidge

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless military information systems require high reliability, which is difficult to achieve in adverse conditions. To provide high reliability, one must overcome packet loss across multiple wireless hops. Buffering packets in a lossy environment is well explored; however, the ability to selectively buffer TCP traffic across multiple lossy links is a new area of research. This document seeks to explore the delivery of high priority traffic in a lossy environment and conclude that prioritized buffing can increase the probability that a high priority download will finish, where others will fail. It is shown that buffering provides six times the throughput …


Mission Impact Analysis Visualization For Enhanced Situational Awareness, Sean C. M. Carroll Mar 2008

Mission Impact Analysis Visualization For Enhanced Situational Awareness, Sean C. M. Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort examines the creation of mission impact analysis visualizations to enhance situational awareness. It focuses on using prefuse to create a visualization that allows the user to quickly understand the impact of the failure of any element needed directly or indirectly for a mission. The visualization correctly identifies the direct or indirect impact on physical requirements such as network links and servers as well as non-physical elements such as the generation of a report, or ability to perform a task. The visualization provides an overview of the situation, as well as including enhancements to allow for greater detail …


Hardware Algorithm Implementation For Mission Specific Processing, Jason W. Shirley Mar 2008

Hardware Algorithm Implementation For Mission Specific Processing, Jason W. Shirley

Theses and Dissertations

There is a need to expedite the process of designing military hardware to stay ahead of the adversary. The core of this project was to build reusable, synthesizeable libraries to make this a possibility. In order to build these libraries, Matlab® commands and functions, such as Conv2, Round, Floor, Pinv, etc., had to be converted into reusable VHDL modules. These modules make up reusable libraries for the Mission Specific Process (MSP) which will support AFRL/RY. The MSP allows the VLSI design process to be completed in a mere matter of days or months using an FPGA or ASIC design, as …


Evaluating Security And Quality Of Service Considerations In Critical Infrastructure Communication Networks, Gregory R. Roberts Mar 2008

Evaluating Security And Quality Of Service Considerations In Critical Infrastructure Communication Networks, Gregory R. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the benefits of utility communication based on Internet technology, some dangers in using Internet technology in establishing a utility intranet connecting protection and control systems, and compares three different approaches to making reservations for routing traffic in the utility intranet based on different levels of background traffic. A model of expected background traffic on a national utility intranet is presented. The Utility Communication Architecture 2.0 and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 began laying the groundwork in 2002 in establishing an infrastructure allowing power substations, program logic controllers, remote terminal units, intelligent electronic devices, and other devices …


Scripted Mobile Network Routing In A Contested Environment, Anthony R. Otto Mar 2008

Scripted Mobile Network Routing In A Contested Environment, Anthony R. Otto

Theses and Dissertations

Mobile wireless network protocols currently run on optimistic routing algorithms, adjusting node connectivity only when the chosen connectivity metrics, such as signal strength, pass beyond minimum thresholds. Optimistic routing has several weaknesses. Optimistic routing suffers from increased network overhead during increased frequency of node movement and increased node density per area, and optimistic routing also suffers from non-optimistic access change for individual nodes. The overall communication throughput of a network may be increased if the network topology change is scripted; a scripted plan can allow messages to travel along a more efficient topological path while creating less topology control traffic. …


Hot Swapping Protocol Implementations In The Opnet Modeler Development Environment, Mark E. Coyne Mar 2008

Hot Swapping Protocol Implementations In The Opnet Modeler Development Environment, Mark E. Coyne

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort demonstrates hot swapping protocol implementations in OPNET via the building of a dependency injection testing framework. The thesis demonstrates the externalization (compiling as stand-alone code) of OPNET process models, and their inclusion into custom DLL's (Dynamically Linked Libraries). A framework then utilizes these process model DLL's, to specify, or “inject,” process implementations post-compile time into an OPNET simulation. Two separate applications demonstrate this mechanism. The first application is a toolkit that allows for the testing of multiple routing related protocols in various combinations without code re-compilation or scenario re-generation. The toolkit produced similar results as the same …


Network Formation Using Ant Colony Optimization -- A Systematic Review, Steven C. Oimoen, Gilbert L. Peterson, Kenneth M. Hopkinson Jan 2008

Network Formation Using Ant Colony Optimization -- A Systematic Review, Steven C. Oimoen, Gilbert L. Peterson, Kenneth M. Hopkinson

Faculty Publications

A significant area of research in the field of hybrid communications is the Network Design Problem (NDP) [1]. The NDP is an NP complete problem [1] that focuses on identifying the optimal network topology for transmitting commodities between nodes, under constraints such as bandwidth, limited compatible directed channels, and link and commodity costs. The NDP focuses on designing a flexible network while trying to achieve optimal flow or routing. If a link (or arc) is used, then an associated fixed cost of the edge is incurred. In addition, there is a cost for using the arc depending on the flow. …