Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons^™

Preservation Of Biomass In Underground Capsules Using An Open-Source Wireless Water Activity Sensor System: Capstone Review, Joshua Varughese

University Honors Theses

This paper highlights the progression of a two-term senior capstone project in the ECE department at Portland State University. Sponsored by Dr. David Burnett from PSU's WEST Lab, the project aims to produce an affordable wireless monitoring system for water activity. The example scenario focuses on carbon sequestration where wood biomass is buried underground in enclosed capsules. For optimal sequestration, microorganisms capable of decaying the wood and releasing carbon back into the environment must be eliminated. Water activity, a key metric for measuring microbial activity, must be below 0.61 to prevent microbial survival. The system this project was designed for …

Supercomputers And Quantum Computing On The Axis Of Cyber Security, Haydar Yalcin, Tugrul Daim, Mahdieh Mokhtari Moughari, Alain Mermoud

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cybersecurity has become a very critical area to address for governments, industry and the academic community. Cyber attacks are on the rise so is research to address the challenges presented by these attacks. Research yields several technological advancements. This paper explores the development of quantum computing and supercomputers within the context of cybersecurity. As many governments and organizations are under the threat of cyber-attacks, it is critical and timely to explore the status of technological development. We use advanced scientometric techniques to disclose the development status and identify the centers of excellence. The research uses bibliometric data of published papers …

Residential Ders In Service-Oriented Load Participation: Enhancing Grid Flexibility, Zhongkai Zeng

Dissertations and Theses

Amidst concerns about power consumption during peak periods and potential grid instability, the role of Distributed Energy Resource (DER) aggregation comes into consideration. Smart electric water heaters with remote capabilities and energy storage offer load reduction capabilities that can help maintain grid stability and manage residential energy consumption. DERs address challenges posed by stochastic renewable energy generation and fossil fuel power plant emissions, playing a contributing role in load shifting and enhancing grid flexibility by participating in energy management programs.

However, high unenrollment rates in demand response programs, notably programs that use direct load control, persist due to customer dissatisfaction. …

Reducing Switching Noise And Losses In Two-Stage Electric Power Converters, Abhijeet Prem

Student Research Symposium

Advancements in semiconductor devices are enabling the design of better electrical power converter systems. Wide Bandgap (WBG) switching devices from Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride can operate at high temperatures, voltages, and frequencies with faster turn-on/off periods, improving converter performance over silicon devices. However, WBG technology is still new, and the rapid switching transitions of these devices lead to issues such as voltage overshoots, ringing, and electromagnetic interference, which need to be addressed for widespread adoption. This work introduces a new control method for reshaping the switching voltages, which overcomes the disadvantages of fast transition time without increasing the system's …

Trust Model Measurements For The Energy Grid Of Things, N. Sonali Fernando, John M. Acken, Robert Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Information security is essential for the reliable operation of an Energy Grid of Things (EGoT). In addition to basic information security protocols as defined by published standards, there is a need for a monitoring function that measures the trustworthiness of the various actors participating in an EGoT. We describe in this paper the implementation and evaluation of a Distributed Trust Model that was developed specifically for monitoring communication within an EGoT. We then show how the model parameters are set using statistical measures for hypothesis testing.

Quantum Search Algorithms For Constraint Satisfaction And Optimization Problems Using Grover's Search And Quantum Walk Algorithms With Advanced Oracle Design, Abdirahman Sheikh Hassan Alasow

Dissertations and Theses

The field of quantum computing has emerged as a powerful tool for solving and optimizing combinatorial optimization problems. To solve many real-world problems with many variables and possible solutions for constraint satisfaction and optimization problems, the required number of qubits of scalable hardware for quantum computing is the bottleneck in the current generation of quantum computers. In this dissertation, we will demonstrate advanced, scalable building blocks for the quantum search algorithms that have been implemented in Grover's search algorithm and the quantum walk algorithm. The scalable building blocks are used to reduce the required number of qubits in the design. …

Meso-Scale Seabed Quantification With Geoacoustic Inversion, Tim Sonnemann, Jan Dettmer, Charles W. Holland, Stan E. Dosso

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Abstract Knowledge of sub-seabed geoacoustic properties, for example depth dependent sound speed and porosity, is of importance for a variety of applications. Here, we present a semi-automated geoacoustic inversion method for autonomous underwater vehicle data that objectively adapts model inference to seabed structure. Through parallelized trans-dimensional Bayesian inference, we infer seabed properties along a 12 km survey track on the scale of about 10 cm and 50 m in the vertical and horizontal, respectively. The inferred seabed properties include sound speed, attenuation, density, and porosity as a function of depth from acoustic reflection coefficient data. Parameter uncertainties are quantified, and …

An Introduction To Nanomaterials For Nanopackaging, James E. Morris

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The multiple purposes of an electronics “package” include the provision of mechanical support to the silicon chip, for example, and protection from the environment, the delivery of power in and the facilitation of heat out, and the reliable input and output of information signals, whether electrical or optical. In the age of heterogeneous integration, this includes the internal conversion of signal modes between multiple technologies within the package, while maintaining the traditional requirement of reliable information transmission between packages, e.g., on a traditional circuit board. This article presents some selected examples of nanopackaging, i.e., the application of nanotechnologies, (nanoparticles, carbon …

Comparison Of Conventional And Adaptive Acoustic Beamforming Algorithms Using A Tetrahedral Microphone Array In Noisy Environments, Megan Brittany Ewers

Dissertations and Theses

In situ acoustic measurements are often plagued by interfering sound sources that occur within the measurement environment. Both adaptive and conventional beamforming algorithms, when applied to the outputs of a microphone array arranged in a tetrahedral geometry, are able to capture sound sources in desired directions and reject sound from unwanted directions. Adaptive algorithms may be able to measure a desired sound source with greater spatial precision, but require more calculations and, therefore, computational power. A conventional frequency-domain phase-shift algorithm and a modified adaptive frequency-domain Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) algorithm were applied to simulated and recorded signals from a …

Source Level Of Wind-Generated Ambient Sound In The Oceana, N. Ross Chapman, Michael Ainslie, Martin Siderius

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Inference of source levels for ambient ocean sound from local wind at the sea surface requires an assumption about the nature of the sound source. Depending upon the assumptions made about the nature of the sound source, whether monopole or dipole distributions, the estimated source levels from different research groups are different by several decibels over the frequency band 10–350 Hz. This paper revisits the research issues of source level of local wind-generated sound and shows that the differences in estimated source levels can be understood through a simple analysis of the source assumptions.

Analysis Of Countermeasures Against Remote And Local Power Side Channel Attacks Using Correlation Power Analysis, Aurelien Tchoupou Mozipo, John M. Acken

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Countermeasures and deterrents to power side-channel attacks targeting the alteration or scrambling of the power delivery network have been shown to be effective against local attacks where the malicious agent has physical access to the target system. However, remote attacks that capture the leaked information from within the IC power grid are shown herein to be nonetheless effective at uncovering the secret key in the presence of these countermeasures/deterrents. Theoretical studies and experimental analysis are carried out to define and quantify the impact of integrated voltage regulators, voltage noise injection, and integration of on-package decoupling capacitors for both remote and …

Energy-Efficient Neuromorphic Architectures For Nuclear Radiation Detection Applications, Jorge I. Canales-Verdial, Jamison R. Wagner, Landon A. Schmucker, Mark Wetzel, Nathan J. Withers, Philippe Erol Proctor, Christof Teuscher, Multiple Additional Authors

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A comprehensive analysis and simulation of two memristor-based neuromorphic architectures for nuclear radiation detection is presented. Both scalable architectures retrofit a locally competitive algorithm to solve overcomplete sparse approximation problems by harnessing memristor crossbar execution of vector–matrix multiplications. The proposed systems demonstrate excellent accuracy and throughput while consuming minimal energy for radionuclide detection. To ensure that the simulation results of our proposed hardware are realistic, the memristor parameters are chosen from our own fabricated memristor devices. Based on these results, we conclude that memristor-based computing is the preeminent technology for a radiation detection platform.

Understanding Quadrature Modulation By Designing A 7mhz Iq Test Bench To Encode The Polybius Square, William Lee Bradley

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis outlines the design of an IQ Test Bench that allows for experimentation of quadrature modulation techniques. Quadrature modulation utilizes two signals I and Q, 90° out of phase from each other, to greatly increase communication data rates. Using Desmos, a thorough mathematical analysis of waveform mixing is presented, and constellation diagrams are plotted from the results. From this an ancient fire signaling technique known as the Polybius Square is encoded into the system. The IQ Test Bench is built from fundamental components that would be contained within an RFFE: a local oscillator and two frequency mixers. The LO …

A Time Synchronized Multi-Hop Mesh Network With Crystal-Free Nodes, Filip Maksimovic, Austin Patel, David C. Burnett, Thomas Watteyne, Kristofer S.J. Pister

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this work we propose and demonstrate a protocol for a time synchronized channel hopping mesh network for wireless transceivers that use exclusively imprecise and inaccurate on-chip oscillators. This protocol is built on an IEEE 802.15.4 physical layer radio that enables interoperability with protocols such as 6TiSCH or Thread. A calibration-bootstrapped multi-hop mesh network is demonstrated with a single crystal-enabled node acting as the root. The protocol is designed to create a multi-hop mesh while compensating noisy and drifting oscillators and timers. With a 4 s synchronization period, an experimental implementation of the network maintains, in the worst case, 1.8 …

Implementation Profile: Egot Derms Server/Client System (Doe-Psu-0000922-2), Tylor Slay, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This implementation profile (IP) provides the scope and requirements necessary to implement a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS), which networks large numbers of DER within an energy grid of things (EGoT). This document originated as part of a U.S. DOE-funded project to develop a DERMS based on a set of rules known as the Energy Services Interface (ESI). The ESI serves as an umbrella, ensuring the information exchange between an aggregator and DER owners conforms to expectations: protect privacy, provide security, develop trustworthiness, and ensure interoperability. DERMS developers use the ESI to ensure that information exchange meets these expectations. …

Product Specification: Distributed Trust Model System (Doe-Psu-0000922-4), Narmada Sonali Fernando, Abdullah Barghouti, Robert B. Bass, John M. Acken

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A Distributed Trust Model (DTM) System is a supervisory component within an energy grid of things. The role of a DTM System is to implement the trust aspects of an energy services interface. The DTM System augments existing security measures by monitoring the communication between the various EGoT System actors and quantifying metrics of trust of each actor.

Implementation Profile: Modeling Environment (Doe-Psu-0000922-3), Sean Keene, Midrar Adham, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This implementation profile provides the scope, background, and requirements necessary to implement a Modeling Environment (ME) to test a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Management System (DERMS). A DERMS is used by an aggregator to dispatch large numbers of DERs in order to provide grid services to a Grid Operator. The ME addresses scalability issues inherent to Hardware-in-the-Loop DERMS simulation; a large number of assets are needed in order to observe effects on the grid from deployment and dispatch of DERs.

Product Specification: Distributed Control Module (Doe-Psu-0000922-5), Nicole Henderson, Kai Zeng, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This product specification describes the architecture, implementation, and hardware descriptions of a Distributed Control Module (DCM) prototype. A DCM is an enabling technology for distributed energy resources (DER). DERs are grid-enabled generation, storage, and load devices that are owned by utility customers. DCMs enable information exchange between a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) and DERs for the purpose of networking large numbers of DERs. The DCM prototype described within this document enables DER participation in a service-oriented aggregation system. A DERMS server provides IEEE 2030.5 smart energy resource services to DCM clients using a request/response information exchange process. DCMs …

Energy Services Interface (Doe-Psu-0000922-1), Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This document defines a set of rules known as the Energy Services Interface (ESI), which “establish a bi-directional, service-oriented, logical interface to support secure, trustworthy information exchange between an aggregator and distributed energy resources (DERs). These exchanges facilitate energy interactions between the DERs and the aggregator, thereby allowing the aggregator to provide grid services through dispatch of the DERs.” The ESI serves as an umbrella, ensuring the information exchange between an aggregator and DER owners conforms to expectations: protect privacy, provide security, develop trustworthiness, and ensure interoperability. DERMS developers use the ESI to ensure that information exchange meets these expectations.

Psu Derms Operating Manual And Egot System Reference (Doe-Psu-0000922-7), Tylor Slay, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This document guides the user of the Portland State University Distributed Energy Resource Management System in configuration and normal operation. For direct access to the underlying code and its usage see the accompanying PSU EGoT System Reference. The system reference outlines all classes and methods used through the Energy Grid of Things system including applications, models, interfaces and the entity component system.

Moisture-Controlled Triboelectrification During Coffee Grinding, Joshua Méndez Harper, Yong-Hyun Kim, Robin E. Bumbaugh, Connor S. Mcdonald, Christopher H. Hendon, Elana J. Cope, Leif E. Lindberg, Justin Pham, Multiple Additional Authors

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Triboelectrification is the physical process where materials acquire surface charge from frictional interactions at their interfaces.The magnitude of charge depends on the interfacial material composition and can be harnessed in emergent technologies for energy generation.

The mechanism of electrostatic accumulation is complex and is further obscured in granular materials where collisions are sufficiently energetic to cause fracturing. In this “fractoelectric” regime, crack initiation and propagation are thought to charge particles through transfer of electrons and/or ions at the hot crack interface.

Whether a material’s charging is dominated by tribo- or fractoelectrification, fracture-generated granular flows often comprise particles whose surface charge …

Psu Esi Review (Doe-Psu-0000922-6), Tylor Slay, Jaime Kolln, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A guide to developing an Energy Service Interface (ESI) was created as part of the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium 2.5.2 ESI project. The approach applies device-agnostic and service-oriented ESI principles and leverages documents such as the Interoperability Maturity Model and Common Grid Service Definitions to provide a methodology to review, develop, and update standards and profiles to engage distributed energy resources to provide grid services. This document evaluates the ESI developed by Portland State University’s Power Engineering Group under the Electric Grid of Things project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The evaluation explores the compliance of this specific …

Trust Model Utilization For Energy Grid Communication, N. Sonali Fernando, John M. Acken, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The internet information that is used by the Energy Grid of Things requires both preventative security measures as well as surveillance measures. The preventative security measures include certificates, encryption, and all of the basic security protocols as defined by published standards. The surveillance measures include monitoring information flow activities and evaluating these messages for indications of potential security attacks. We describe in this paper the utilization of a Distributed Trust Model that was developed specifically for monitoring communication within an Energy Grid of Things. The goal for the Distributed Trust Models is to provide a level of aggregate trust that …

A Magnetic Constant Torque Mechanism, Gozde Sivka, Dawei Che, Bert Dechant, Colton Bruce, Jonathan Z. Bird

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper presents the design of a new type of magnetic constant torque mechanism. The constant torque is shown to be created over a prescribed ±65° stroke length and is shown to be highly uniform. The value of the constant torque is adjustable through the relative axial motion of the rotors. The constant torque is created using a simple magnet arrangement which makes use of the axial transverse-flux path of one rotor's magnetic field relative to the azimuthal field flow of the fixed secondary rotor. It is shown that the use of segmented magnets introduces torque ripple.

Mud Acoustics, Charles W. Holland, Stan E. Dosso, Jason D. Chaytor

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Imaging the ocean requires an understanding of how different seafloor sediments interact with sound waves.

A Transverse-Flux Constant Force Mechanism, Gozde Sivka, Bertrand Dechant, Colton Bruce, Jonathan Z. Bird

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A new type of constant force magnet mechanism is presented that relies on the interaction of magnets alone to create a constant force over a prescribed stroke length. It is demonstrated that by using a transverse field path a very uniform radial field along the travel length is created. This can then be used to create a constant force over a long stroke length. The constat force value is shown to be adjustable through the rotation of the stator relative to the translator. The operating principle of the presented transverse-flux constant force mechanism is validated by using 3-D finite element …

A Tessellation Of Engineers, Grace Jenkins Welsh

University Honors Theses

A capstone project is the culmination of what a student has learned while pursuing an undergraduate degree. A project of this magnitude requires a lot of time and dedication from every member of the team. This essay looks back at the experience of an electrical engineering student participating in the design of an auxiliary power and protection of a planned substation. The author describes the team's work, how they performed as a team, and their involvement with the professional sponsor and advisor. The author examines the experience with the goal of informing and encouraging prospective engineering students who may be …

Quantum Algorithms For Unate And Binate Covering Problems With Application To Finite State Machine Minimization, Abdirahman Alasow, Marek Perkowski

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Covering problems find applications in many areas of computer science and engineering, such that numerous combinatorial problems can be formulated as covering problems. Combinatorial optimization problems are generally NPhard problems that require an extensive search to find the optimal solution. Exploiting the benefits of quantum computing, we present a quantum oracle design for covering problems, taking advantage of Grover’s search algorithm to achieve quadratic speedup. This paper also discusses applications of the quantum counter in unate covering problems and binate covering problems with some important practical applications, such as finding prime implicants of a Boolean function, implication graphs, and minimization …

Material And Physical Reservoir Computing For Beyond Cmos Electronics: Quo Vadis?, Christof Teuscher

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Traditional computing is based on an engineering approach that imposes logical states and a computational model upon a physical substrate. Physical or material computing, on the other hand, harnesses and exploits the inherent, naturally-occurring properties of a physical substrate to perform a computation. To do so, reservoir computing is often used as a computing paradigm. In this review and position paper, we take stock of where the field currently stands, delineate opportunities and challenges for future research, and outline steps on how to get material reservoir to the next level. The findings are relevant for beyond CMOS and beyond von …

Chemical Strategies To Mitigate Electrostatic Charging During Coffee Grinding, Joshua Méndez Harper, Christopher H. Hendon

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The process of grinding coffee generates particles with high levels of electrostatic charge, causing a number of detrimental effects including clumping, particle dispersal, and spark discharge. At the brewing level, electrostatic aggregation between particles affects liquid-solid accessibility, leading to variable extraction quality. In this study, we quantify the effectiveness of four charge mitigation strategies. Our data suggests that adding small amounts of water to whole beans pre-grinding, or bombarding the grounds with ions produced from a high-voltage ionizer, are capable of de-electrifying the granular flows. While these techniques helped reduce visible mess, only the static reduction through water inclusion was …