Computer Engineering Commons^™

Interval-Type And Affine Arithmetic-Type Techniques For Handling Uncertainty In Expert Systems, With Applications To Geoinformatics And Computer Security, Martine Ceberio, Vladik Kreinovich, Sanjeev Chopra, Luc Longpre, Hung T. Nguyen, Bertram Ludaescher, Chitta Baral

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Expert knowledge consists of statements Sj (facts and rules). The expert's degree of confidence in each statement Sj can be described as a (subjective) probability (some probabilities are known to be independent). Examples: if we are interested in oil, we should look at seismic data (confidence 90%); a bank A trusts a client B, so if we trust A, we should trust B too (confidence 99%). If a query Q is deducible from facts and rules, what is our confidence p(Q) in Q? We can describe Q as a propositional formula F in terms of Sj; computing p(Q) exactly is …

Optimizing Transmission Time Of Scalable Coded Images In Peer-To-Peer Networks, Xiao Su, Rod Fatoohi, Tao Wang

Faculty Publications

In this paper, we study how to optimize image transmission time in peer-to-peer networks by considering the property of bitstreams generated by image coding algorithms. Images can be either scalable coded or nonscalable coded. Since transmission of nonscalable coded images is well understood, we focus on the transmission of scalable coded images in this paper.Because scalable coding embeds lower bit-rate bitstreams into higher bit-rate bitstreams, there exists a many-to-one relationship between supplying and requesting peers. When a requesting peer asks for an image coded in a particular bit rate, multiple peers with the same image but coded in different bit …

From Intervals To Domains: Towards A General Description Of Validated Uncertainty, With Potential Applications To Geospatial And Meteorological Data, Vladik Kreinovich, Olga Kosheleva, Scott A. Starks, Kavitha Tupelly, Gracaliz P. Dimuro, Antonio C. Da Costa Rocha, Karen Villaverde

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

When physical quantities xi are numbers, then the corresponding measurement accuracy can be usually represented in interval terms, and interval computations can be used to estimate the resulting uncertainty in y=f(x1,...,xn).

In some practical problems, we are interested in more complex structures such as functions, operators, etc. Examples: we may be interested in how the material strain depends on the applied stress, or in how a physical quantity such as temperature or velocity of sound depends on a 3-D point.

For many such structures, there are ways to represent uncertainty, but usually, for each new structure, we have to perform …

A Case-Based Technique For Tracking Concept Drift In Spam Filtering, Sarah Jane Delany, Padraig Cunningham, Alexey Tsymbal, Lorcan Coyle

Articles

Spam filtering is a particularly challenging machine learning task as the data distribution and concept being learned changes over time. It exhibits a particularly awkward form of concept drift as the change is driven by spammers wishing to circumvent spam filters. In this paper we show that lazy learning techniques are appropriate for such dynamically changing contexts. We present a case-based system for spam filtering that can learn dynamically. We evaluate its performance as the case-base is updated with new cases. We also explore the benefit of periodically redoing the feature selection process to bring new features into play. Our …

A Framework For Teaching Real–Time Digital Signal Processing With Field–Programmable Gate Arrays, Tyson S. Hall, David V. Anderson

Faculty Works

Many curricula include separate classes in both digital signal processing (DSP) theory and very high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL) modeling; however, there are few opportunities given to students to combine these two skills into a working knowledge of DSP hardware design. A pedagogical framework has been developed whereby students can leverage their previous knowledge of DSP theory and VHDL hardware design techniques to design, simulate, synthesize, and test digital signal processing systems. The synthesized hardware is implemented on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which provide a fast and cost-effective way of prototyping hardware systems in a laboratory environment. This …

Study Of System Parameters And Control Design For A Flexible Manipulator Using Piezoelectric Transducers, Mehrdad Kermani Ph.D., P.Eng., Mehrdad Moallem, Rajni Patel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

A Collision Detection Chip On Reconfigurable Hardware, Nuzhet Atay, John W. Lockwood, Burchan Bayazit

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Collision detection algorithms check the intersection between two given surfaces or volumes. They are computationally-intensive and the capabilities of conventional processors limit their performance. Hardware acceleration of these algorithms can greatly benefit the systems that need collision detection to be performed in real-time. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a great platform to achieve such acceleration. An FPGA is a collection of digital gates which can be reprogrammed at run time, i.e., it can be used as a CPU that reconfigures itself for a given task. In this paper, we present an FPGA based collision detection chip. The chip …

Sheep Updates 2005 - Part 2, Peter Tozer, Janette Drew, K. E. Kemper, M. L. Hebart, F. D. Brien, K. S. Jaensch, R. J. Grimson, D. H. Smith, A. M. M. Ramsay, J. S. Richards, K. D. Atkins, T. Thompson, W. K. Murray, J. R. L. Hall, Chris Carter, Peter Tozer, Mark Hyder, John Young, B. A. Mcgregor, Patricia Harper

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors: CONCURRENT SESSIONS - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT 1.Finishing Pastoral Lambs, Peter Tozer, Patricia Harper, Janette Drew, Department of Agriculture Western Australia 2. Coating Improves Wool Quality under Mixed Farming Conditions, KE Kemper, ML Hebart, FD Brien, KS Grimson, DH Smith AMM Ramsay, South Australian Research and Development Institute 3. J. S. Richards, K.D. Atkins, T. Thompson, W. K. Murray, Australian Sheep Industry Co-operative Research Centre and NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Rd. Orange 4. Strategic Risk Management in the Sheep Industry, J.R.L. Hall, ICON Agriculture (JRL Hall & Co) 5. …

Real-Time Power Aware Routing In Wireless Sensor Networks, Octav Chipara, Zhimin He, Guoliang Xing, Qin Chen, Xiaorui Wang, Chenyang Lu, John Stankovic, Tarek Abdelzaher

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Many mission-critical wireless sensor network applications must resolve the inherent conflict between the tight resource constraints on each sensor node, particularly in terms of energy, with the need to achieve desired quality of service such as end-to-end real-time performance. To address this challenge we propose the Real-time Power-Aware Routing (RPAR) protocol. RPAR achieves required communication delays at minimum energy cost by dynamically adapting the transmission power and routing decisions based on packet deadlines. RPAR integrates a geographic forwarding policy cognizant of deadlines, power, and link quality with new algorithms for on-demand power adaptation and efficient neighborhood discovery. Simulations based on …

Rotational Legged Locomotion, Damian M. Lyons, Kiran Pamnany

Faculty Publications

In this paper we presented a novel, agile robot mechanism, which we call a rotopod, which combines aspects of wheeled and legged locomotion. A general description of how a tripedal rotopod can be made to step, rotating the mechanism about one leg, and moving the center of the mechanism, is presented. The concept of a gait for this mechanism is defined, and is used to show how extremely agile the mechanism can be. Specific resistance is employed as a way to explore the relative efficiency of this mechanism versus a wheel. Finally, we describe our first prototype rotopod and report …

Rank-Based Multisensory Fusion In Multitarget Video Tracking, Damian M. Lyons, D. Frank Hsu

Faculty Publications

An attractive approach to improve tracking performance for visual surveillance is to use information from multiple visual sensory cues such as position, color, shape, etc. Previous work in fusion for tracking has tended to focus on fusion by numerically combining the scores assigned by each cue. We argue that for video scenes with many targets in a crowded situation, the splitting and merging of regions associated with targets, and the subsequent dramatic changes in cue values and reliabilities, renders this form of fusion less effective. In this paper we present experimental results showing that use of cue rank information in …

Processing Educational Data: From Traditional Statistical Techniques To An Appropriate Combination Of Probabilistic, Interval, And Fuzzy Approaches, Olga Kosheleva, Martine Ceberio

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

There are many papers that experimentally compare effectiveness of different teaching techniques. Most of these papers use traditional statistical approach to process the experimental results. The traditional statistical approach is well suited to numerical data but often, what we are processing is either intervals (e.g., A means anything from 90 to 100) or fuzzy-type perceptions, words from the natural language like "understood well" or "understood reasonably well". We show that the use of intervals and fuzzy techniques leads to more adequate processing of educational data.

Interval Versions Of Statistical Techniques With Applications To Environmental Analysis, Bioinformatics, And Privacy In Statistical Databases, Vladik Kreinovich, Luc Longpre, Scott A. Starks, Gang Xiang, Jan Beck, Raj Kandathi, Asis Nayak, Scott Ferson, Janos Hajagos

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many areas of science and engineering, it is desirable to estimate statistical characteristics (mean, variance, covariance, etc.) under interval uncertainty. For example, we may want to use the measured values x(t) of a pollution level in a lake at different moments of time to estimate the average pollution level; however, we do not know the exact values x(t) -- e.g., if one of the measurement results is 0, this simply means that the actual (unknown) value of x(t) can be anywhere between 0 and the detection limit DL. We must therefore modify the existing statistical algorithms to process such …

Opal: In Vivo Based Preservation Framework For Locating Lost Web Pages, Terry L. Harrison

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

We present Opal, a framework for interactively locating missing web pages (http status code 404). Opal is an example of "in vivo" preservation: harnessing the collective behavior of web archives, commercial search engines, and research projects for the purpose of preservation. Opal servers learn from their experiences and are able to share their knowledge with other Opal servers using the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH). Using cached copies that can be found on the web, Opal creates lexical signatures which are then used to search for similar versions of the web page. Using the OAI-PMH to facilitate …

Mobility-Pattern Based Localization Update Algorithm For Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks, Mohammad Yacoub Al-Laho

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In mobile wireless sensor networks, sensors move in the monitored area at any direction and speed. Unlike many other networking hosts, sensor nodes do not have global addresses. They are often identified by using a location-based addressing scheme. Therefore, it is important to have the knowledge of the sensor location indicating where the data came from. In this thesis, three localization update algorithms were designed, Specifically, a sensor movement is divided into three states: Pause, Linear, and Random. Each state adopts different localization update algorithm. Since complex movement involves different mobility patterns, a state transition model is developed to …

Dream: A Theoretical Analysis, Xueying Qi

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

A Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET, for short) is a collection of mobile nodes deployed in support of a short-lived special-purpose operation. Examples include search-and-rescue missions, law-enforcement, multimedia classrooms, and among many others. Unlike cellular or satellite networks, MANET do not rely on any form of pre-existing infrastructure. The mobility of nodes combined with the lack of infrastructure makes routing in MANET notoriously difficult. It was recently suggested that routing in MANET can use to advantage geographic information that the nodes may acquire either by endowing them with a GPS chip or simply by using known localization algorithms. Distance Routing Effect …

Electromagnetic Propagation Prediction Inside Aircraft Cabins, Genevieve Hankins

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Electromagnetic propagation models for signal strength prediction within aircraft cabins are essential for evaluating and designing a wireless communication system to be implemented onboard aircraft. There are many commercially available software packages for predicting wireless system performance in conventional indoor environments. It is of interest to examine the available software to determine if the aircraft's electromagnetic environment (EME) can be modeled successfully without developing an aircraft specific prediction tool. EnterprisePlanner®, a registered product of Wireless Valley Communications, Incorporated, was selected for the present effort. The performance of the prediction model was evaluated through a comparison with field measurements taken on …

Non-Linear And Linear Transformations Of Features For Robust Speech Recognition And Speaker Identification, Saurabh Prasad

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Automatic speech recognizers perform poorly when training and test data are systematically different in terms of noise and channel characteristics. One manifestation of such differences is variations in the probability density functions (pdfs) between training and test features. Consequently, both automatic speech recognition and automatic speaker identification may be severely degraded. Previous attempts to mm1m1ze this problem include Cepstral Mean and Variance Normalization and transforming all speech features to a uni-variate Gaussian pdf. In this thesis, two techniques are presented for non-linearly scaling speech features to fit them to a target pdf - the first is based on the principles …

A Feature Specific Modular Approach For Pose And Illumination Invariant Face Recognition, Praveen Sankaran

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A feature specific modular-PCA (Principal Component Analysis) approach on face images in multiple views for pose and illumination invariant face recognition is presented in this thesis. Principal components are extracted from different sub-modules of the image and are concatenated to make a single signature vector to represent a face region in a particular viewing angle. Additional principal components are extracted horn image regions representing key facial feature and are added as an extension of the signature vector. Feature specific modular-PCA approach is capable of recognizing faces in varying illumination conditions and facial expressions as the modular components represent the local …

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Prediction For Wireless Networks Inside Boeing Fuselages, Mennatoallah Youssef

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Commercial grade software is intended for electromagnetic predictions within office buildings; it was used to develop models to analyze propagation inside airplane fuselages. This study shows that Wireless XGTD and Insite software can accurately predict power propagation within airplane fuselages. Current work uses fuselage models, which contain additional internal components. A comparison was made between empty and full fuselage to examine the effects of internal components. Two propagation model types [Fast 3D and Full 3D] were also compared for accuracy to experimental study. It was concluded that completed fuselages are suggested for further simulation study as well as that the …

Fine-Tuning Of Mass-Spring Model Properties For Simulating Realistic Soft Body Deformation, Sylva A. Girtelschmid

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Obtaining a well behaved soft-tissue model is one of the most challenging and important tasks in the development of surgical simulation systems. Achieving both accurate and real-time deformation response from a soft-tissue model becomes more difficult as the complexity of the represented anatomy and the degree of deformation increases. One common approach to modeling deformable objects is the Mass-Spring (MS) system method. Mass-Spring systems are attractive to real-time applications due to their relatively low computational requirement and ease of implementation. However, their parameter determination is typically done manually, which becomes tedious when accurate approximation to real-world objects is desired. This …

A Conceptual Framework For Analysis Of System Safety Interoperability Of United States Navy's Combat Systems, Showkat Shanaz Alborzi

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Today's political and military reality requires the optimal use of our legacy systems. The objective is to maximize the effectiveness of our operations by efficient allocation, placement and the use of our forces and war-fighting systems. The synergism drawn from the capabilities of the legacy complex systems enables today's war-fighting needs to be met without substantial increase in cost or resources. This synergism can be realized by the effective integration and interoperation of legacy systems into a larger, more complex system of systems.

However, the independently developed legacy systems in this new tactical environment often have different data types, languages, …

The Case For Thoroughly Testing Complex System Dynamic Models, Wayne Wakeland, Megan Hoarfrost

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

In order to determine whether model testing is as useful as suggested by modeling experts, the full battery of model tests recommended by Forrester, Senge, Sterman, and others was applied retrospectively to a complex previously-published system dynamics model. The time required to carry out each type of test was captured, and the benefits that resulted from applying each test was determined subjectively. The resulting benefit to cost ratios are reported. These ratios suggest that rather than focusing primarily on sensitivity testing, modelers should consider other types of model tests such as extreme condition tests and family member tests. The study …

Electromagnetic Measurement Of Spinal Curvature, Ronan Fitzmaurice, Ted Burke, Annraoi De Paor

Conference Papers

In this paper, we describe an original mathematical technique for calculating the position and orientation of an electromagnetic coil from a minimum of four collinear magnetic field measurements. This problem arose in the development of a system for evaluating the efficacy of inflatable back rafts designed to mitigate complications that arise from the immobilisation of patients with suspected spinal injuries on spinal boards during transport to hospital. Electromagnetic markers are attached to points of interest on the back of an immobilised test subject. Spinal curvature is then measured by passing a magnetometer underneath the board.

Cs 208: Computer Programming For Business I, Dennis Kellermeier

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

CS 208 is the first of a two quarter sequence in programming for business students. It is required for Management Information Science majors. The courses are designed to help students achieve a high degree of facility in intermediate level programming. This course assumes students have never written a program before.

Cs 466/666: Introduction To Formal Languages, Krishnaprasad Thirunarayan

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

This course introduces the theory of formal languages and automata. The primary focus is on the two methods of defining languages: using generators (e.g., grammars/regular expressions) and using recognizers (e.g., finite state machines). Along with presenting the fundamentals, this course will develop and examine relationships among the various specification methods for the regular languages and the context-free languages, in detail. Overall, we plan to cover the first seven chapters of the text book.

Cs 214: Object Oriented Programming, Roddy Keish

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Cs 242: Computer Science Iii, Mateen M. Rizki

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Cs 205: Computer Literacy And Office Automation, Terri Bauer

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

•To understand basic computer operations and the principal components of a computer and connected peripheral devices
•To understand and examine current operating systems, software utilities, device drivers and
application software
•To define and understand current storage technology and learn about logical file storage and management
•To become proficient in using:
-Windows XP
-Spreadsheet Applications
-Database Applications
-Presentation Graphics Applications
-To understand the basics of email

Cs 400/600: Data Structures And Software Design, Jack Jean

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.