Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons^™

Real-Time 3d Markerless Multiple Hand Detection And Tracking For Human Computer Interaction Applications, Soumita Ghosh, Jianmin Zheng, Wenyu Chen, Jane Zhang, Yiyu Cai

Electrical Engineering

In this paper we present a purely vision based implementation of markerless hand detection and tracking system which effectively detects and tracks the hand positions irrespective of hand orientation. A shape based detection algorithm using a new line approximation technique followed by an adaptive minimum distance classifier based tracking technique is implemented. The technique is very generic and can be practically used in all types of immersive and semi-immersive environments like simulations, three-dimensional (3D) games, visually assisted medical surgery and other humancomputer interactive applications.

A Linear Combination Of Heuristics Approach To Spatial Sampling Hyperspectral Data For Target Tracking, Barry R. Secrest

Theses and Dissertations

Persistent surveillance of the battlespace results in better battlespace awareness which aids in obtaining air superiority, winning battles, and saving friendly lives. Although hyperspectral imagery (HSI) data has proven useful for discriminating targets, it presents many challenges as a useful tool in persistent surveillance. A new sensor under development has the potential of overcoming these challenges and transforming our persistent surveillance capability by providing HSI data for a limited number of pixels and grayscale video for the remainder. The challenge of exploiting this new sensor is determining where the HSI data in the sensor's field of view will be the …

Theory And Applications Of Compressive Sensing, Atul Divekar, Okan Ersoy

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technical Reports

This thesis develops algorithms and applications for compressive sensing, a topic in signal processing that allows reconstruction of a signal from a limited number of linear combinations of the signal. New algorithms are described for common remote sensing problems including superresolution and fusion of images. The algorithms show superior results in comparison with conventional methods. We describe a method that uses compressive sensing to reduce the size of image databases used for content based image retrieval. The thesis also describes an improved estimator that enhances the performance of Matching Pursuit type algorithms, several variants of which have been developed for …

Optimization Design Of Electrodes For Anode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Via Genetic Algorithm, Junxiang Shi, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

Porous electrode is the critical component of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and provides a functional material backbone for multi-physicochemical processes. Model based electrode designs could significantly improve SOFC performance. This task is usually performed via parameter studies for simple case and assumed property distributions for graded electrodes. When nonlinearly coupled multiparameters of electrodes are considered, it could be very difficult for the model based parameter study method to effectively and systematically search the design space. In this research, the optimization approach with a genetic algorithm is demonstrated for this purpose. An anode-supported proton conducting SOFC integrated with a fuel supply …

Optimal Tuning Of System Stabilizer Parameters Using Pbil With Adaptive Learning Rate, K. A. Folly, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents an optimal tuning of Power System Stabilizers (PSS) for a multi-machine power system using Population-Based Incremental Learning (PBIL) algorithm with adaptive learning rate. the proposed (APBIL) algorithm can adjust the learning rate automatically according to the degree of evolution of the search. the objective of the design is to achieve adequate stability over a wide range of operating conditions. the proposed controller is compared with traditional PBIL with fixed learning rate (PBIL) and tested under various operating conditions. Simulation results show that the APBIL based PSS provides a more efficient search capability and gives a better damping …

Supporting Islanded Microgrid Operations In The Presence Of Intermittent Wind Generation, Nikhil K. Ardeshna, Badrul H. Chowdhury

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Although microgrids have the potential to solve several sticky problems that beset the present-day grid, indiscriminate application can cause serious problems. Thorough studies are needed on many aspects to identify the potential problems and to develop effective mitigation techniques. Microgrids can operate in parallel with the main grid or as an isolated system to support customers isolated from the grid. during parallel operations, the microgrid supplies only a fraction of the power demand of the grid. However, in islanded operations, the microgrid must continue to supply 100% of power to the customers. Both types of operations are studied to identify …

Study Of Solid State Fault Interruption Device For Medium Voltage Distribution Systems With Distributed Generators, Mehul K. Madan, Badrul H. Chowdhury

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Solid state fault interruption devices (FID) can interrupt fault currents much faster than the presently available circuit breakers. Due to their current inability to block system level voltages, presently available semiconductor devices are connected in series to increase blocking capability of the fault interrupting device. to verify the ability of the interruption device for use in a medium voltage distribution system, a FID model is subjected to simulated tests for continuous current carrying capability, rated fault current interruption, and lightning impulse withstand tests. a simulation to demonstrate the ability of the FID to interrupt fault currents in a 7.2kV distribution …

Voltage Prediction Using A Cellular Network, Lisa L. Grant, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Better identification tools are needed for power system voltage profile prediction. the power systems of the future will see an increase in both renewable energy sources and load demand increasing the need for quick estimation of bus voltages and line power flows for system security and contingency analysis. a Cellular Simultaneous Recurrent Neural Network (CSRN) to identify and predict bus voltage dynamics is presented in this paper. the benefit of using a cellular structure over traditional neural network architectures is that the network can represent a direct mapping of any power system allowing for easier scalability to large power systems. …

Gms Considering Uncertainty In Wind Power In A Wind-Hydrothermal Power System, Y. Yare, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An optimal preventive generator maintenance scheduling (GMS) in a smart grid environment comprising wind-hydrothermal energy resources is presented in this paper. GMS problem is solved with the aim of maximizing economic benefits subject to satisfying system constraints. This GMS formulation becomes a challenging problem because of the variability and intermittency of wind speed and the incorporation of uncertainty in wind generation. the objective is to perform preventive GMS in such a manner that the annual generation cost is minimized, the annual cost saving is increased while all operating constraints are satisfied in the presence of uncertainty in wind generation. Discrete …

Feedback Linearization Internal Control For The Unified Power Flow Controller, Keyou Wang, Mariesa L. Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents feedback linearization-based controller design methodology for a unified power flow controller (UPFC) to achieve rapid reference signal tracking in the internal level. Feedback linearization control (FBLC) is a nonlinear technique based on differential geometry theory and overcomes the drawback of traditional PI control linearizing at one specific operating condition. FBLC is applied on UPFC dynamic model via an appropriate coordinate transformation and LQR control is then applied on the transferred linear system. the proposed control is validated on the IEEE 118-bus system with full-order generator and network models. ©2010 IEEE.

Education For Renewable Electric Energy Delivery And Management Systems, Mariesa Crow, M. Baran, A. Q. Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Generation-III Engineering Research Center (ERC) established in 2008 with the mission to develop the fundamental and enabling technologies necessary for a new and paradigm shifting power grid infrastructure, the FREEDM System. the center involves more than fifty professors and one hundred fifty graduate and undergraduate students from five US universities and two international universities, as well as more than sixty companies and national laboratories in 28 states and nine countries. This paper will discuss some of the on-going efforts to educate students to …

Embedded Radio Frequency Identification Device License Plates For Roadside Use In Nebraska, Dwight L. Mosby Jr.

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

The transportation industry has many stakeholders with different needs that work with advanced technologies. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an emerging technology that is used to track inventory and it holds promise for the transportation industry. This research identifies how to evaluate transportation stakeholder requirements for RFID technologies using a tool described as the House of Quality (HOQ). This research investigates RFID’s ability to work in license plates and may provide infrastructure to support identifying RFID enabled commercial vehicles. This research considers variables that affect the performance of a RFID License Plate System that will use a scanner located at …

Nanofabrication Of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Device By An Integrated Block-Copolymer And Nanoimprint Lithography Method, E. L. Yang, C. C. Liu, C. Y.P. Yang, P. F. Nealey, C. A. Steinhaus, Jack L. Skinner

Mechanical Engineering

The integration of block-copolymers and nanoimprint lithography presents a novel and cost-effective approach to achieving nanoscale patterning capabilities. The authors demonstrate the fabrication of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering device using templates created by the block-copolymers nanoimprint lithography integrated method.

Subwoofer Frequency Response Optimization By Means Of Active Control, Luis Dominguez

Aerospace Engineering

Most subwoofer systems have difficulties producing frequencies in the low end of the hearing spectrum due to the added power requirements and instabilities. Active controls can transform the audio signal without changing physical characteristics and ultimately generating a more impressive audio system. A Linkwitz transform crossover was implemented to extend the low end frequency response of a sealed enclosure. A graphical user interface in MATLAB was written to aid in selection of components, driver and enclosure volume. The circuit board was built and integrated with a home theater system inside of a couch and tested with a Real Time Analyzer. …

On The Solution Of A Class Of Large Body Problems With Full Or Partial Circular Symmetry By Using The Finite-Difference Time-Domain (Fdtd) Method, Wenhua Yu, Dean Arakaki, Raj Mittra

Electrical Engineering

This paper presents an efficient method to accurately solve large body scattering problems with partial circular symmetry. The method effectively reduces the computational domain from three to two dimensions by using the reciprocity theorem. It does so by dividing the problem into two parts: a larger 3-D region with circular symmetry, and a smaller 2-D region without circular symmetry. An finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm is used to analyze the circularly symmetric 3-D case, while a method of moments (MoM) code is employed for the nonsymmetric part of the structure. The results of these simulations are combined via the reciprocity theorem …

Experimental Evaluation Of Select Servers And Firewalls Under Denial Of Service Security Attacks, Raja Sekhar Reddy Gade

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Internet security requires newer prevention mechanisms to be implemented on web-servers and routers. Firewall/Intrusion Prevention mechanisms (IPS) can be deployed on host servers or routers as an added line of defense against Internet attacks. In this thesis, we evaluate performance of security mechanisms provided by these devices against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The host based firewalls on Windows servers-2003 and 2008 were evaluated. In this thesis, we also evaluated Juniper Networks Netscreen-5GT firewall/IPS, and Cisco ASA-5510/IPS that are used in protecting web-servers against DDoS attacks. It was found that the host based firewalls and protection mechanisms on the …

Modeling Of A Gyro-Stabilized Helicopter Camera System Using Neural Networks, Nicholas Joseph Layshot

Master's Theses

On-board gimbal systems for camera stabilization in helicopters are typically based on linear models. Such models, however, are inaccurate due to system nonlinearities and complexities. As an alternative approach, artificial neural networks can provide a more accurate model of the gimbal system based on their non-linear mapping and generalization capabilities.

This thesis investigates the applications of artificial neural networks to model the inertial characteristics (on the azimuth axis) of the inner gimbal in a gyro-stabilized multi-gimbal system. The neural network is trained with time-domain data obtained from gyro rate sensors of an actual camera system. The network performance is evaluated …

Control Of Longitudinal Pitch Rate As Aircraft Center Of Gravity Changes, John Andres Cadwell Jr.

Master's Theses

In order for an aircraft to remain in stable flight, the center of gravity (CG) of an aircraft must be located in front of the center of lift (CL). As the center of gravity moves rearward, pitch stability decreases and the sensitivity to control input increases. This increase in sensitivity is known as pitch gain variance. Minimizing the pitch gain variance results in an aircraft with consistent handling characteristics across a broad range of center of gravity locations.

This thesis focuses on the development and testing of an open loop computer simulation model and a closed loop control system to …

Effects Of Cloud-Induced Photovoltaic Power Transients On Power System Protection, Joel A. Nelson

Master's Theses

As the world strives towards finding alternative sources of power generation, photovoltaic generation has become an increasingly prevalent alternative energy source on power systems world-wide. This paper studies the effects that incorporating photovoltaic generation has on the existing power systems and their power system protection schemes. Along with the addition of this emerging alternative energy source comes the volatility of PV power generation as cloud-cover produces erratic variations in solar irradiance and PV power production. Such variations in PV power may lead to unfavorable operating conditions and power system failures. The issues addressed in this paper include a study of …

Synthesis Of Reversible Circuits For Large Reversible Functions, Marek Perkowski, Nouraddin Alhagi, Maher Hawash

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper presents a new algorithmMP (multiple pass) to synthesize large reversible binary circuits without ancilla bits. The well-known MMD algorithm for synthesis of reversible circuits requires to store a truth table (or a Reed-Muller - RM transform) as a 2n vector to represent a reversible function of n variables. This representation prohibits synthesis of large functions. However, in MP we do not store such an exponentially growing data structure. The values of minterms are calculated in MP dynamically, one-by-one, from a set of logic equations that specify the reversible circuit to be designed. This allows for synthesis of large …

A Fiber Bragg Grating-Based All-Fiber Sensing Systems For Telerobotic Cutting Applications, Ginu Rajan, Dean Callaghan, Yuliya Semenova, Mark Mcgrath, Eugene Coyle, Gerald Farrell

Articles

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based strain sensing system for minimally invasive telerobotic cutting applications is presented in this paper. Investigations assume that a scissor blade can be approximated as a uniformly tapered cantilever beam. A replica of the scissor blade is produced and strain characterization has been carried out using an FBG sensor system. Results are validated against measurements obtained using conventional electrical resistance strain gauges. The scissor blade experiences both direct and lateral forces during cutting, hence the system is characterized for a direct load range of 0-30 N and a lateral load range of 0-10 N. The results …

The Generation Of Domestic Electricity Load Profiles Through Markov Chain Modelling, Fintan Mcloughlin, Aidan Duffy, Michael Conlon

Articles

Micro-generation technologies such as photovoltaics and micro-wind power are becoming increasing popular among homeowners, mainly a result of policy support mechanisms helping to improve cost competiveness as compared to traditional fossil fuel generation. National government strategies to reduce electricity demand generated from fossil fuels and to meet European Union 20/20/20 targets is driving this change. However, the real performance of these technologies in a domestic setting is not often known as high time resolution models for domestic electricity load profiles are not readily available. As a result, projections in terms of reducing electricity demand and financial paybacks for these micro-generation …

Generalized Ellipsometry On Sculptured Thin Films Made By Glancing Angle Deposition, Daniel Schmidt

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this thesis, physical properties of highly optically and magnetically anisotropic metal sculptured thin films made by glancing angle deposition are presented. Predominantly, the determination of optical and magneto-optical properties with spectroscopic generalized Mueller matrix ellipsometry and homogenization approaches is discussed. Nomenclatures are proposed to unambiguously identify the sculptured thin film geometry.

Generalized ellipsometry, a non-destructive optical characterization technique, is employed to determine geometrical structure and anisotropic dielectric properties of highly spatially coherent three-dimensionally nanostructured thin films in the spectral range from 400 to 1700 nm. The analysis of metal slanted columnar thin films (F1-STFs) deposited at glancing angle ( …

Performance Evaluation Of A Pbil-Based Power System Damping Controller, K. A. Folly, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recently Population-Based Incremental Learning (PBIL) algorithm has been applied to a range of problems in engineering with promising results. However, in most of the literature the standard PBIL with fixed learning rate has been used. It has been shown that when applied to dynamic environment as the one encountered in power systems, adaptive learning rate is more appropriate to use. in this paper, Population-Based Incremental Learning (PBIL) algorithm with adaptive learning rate is used to tune the parameters of a power system controller for damping power oscillations in a multi-machine power system. the optimization of controller's parameters has been performed …

Guest Editorial Special Section On The 2009 International Conference On Electromagnetic Near-Field Characterization And Imaging (Iconic'09), Jean Fu Kiang, Sergey Kharkovsky

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Incorporating Correlation Matrices Into Hardware Triply Selective Fading Channel Emulators Using Kronecker Product, Fei Ren, Yahong R. Zheng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article proposes a hardware triply selective Rayleigh fading channel emulator which is implemented by incorporating spatial and inter-tap correlation matrices into uncorrelated frequency-flat Rayleigh fading waveforms with a Kronecker product method. the Kronecker product of square roots of three correlation matrices are computed in real time via serial, parallel, or mixed serial-parallel computational methods and then combined with uncorrelated flat fading waveforms. a 4x4 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) triply selective channel with 4 correlated delay-taps per subchannel is implemented on a Stratix III FPGA DSP development kit. We show that the three methods provide flexibility for designs in speed and …

Recent Development Of Via Models: Hybrid Circuit And Field Analysis, Yaojiang Zhang, Jun Fan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Via-plate interaction can be modeled as lumped circuits for vias and a two-dimensional field problem for the plate domain. the accuracy of the improved intrinsic via model and the conventional physics-Based via model is investigated by comparing them with either analytical formula or numerical simulations for a via in a circular plate pair with various edge boundary conditions. It is found that the intrinsic via model matches very well with both the analytical formula and numerical solutions in all the examples studied. However, the physics-Based via model is only an acceptable approximation at low frequencies and its accuracy is not …

Robust Neural Network Rise Observer Based Fault Diagnostics And Prediction, James W. Fonda, S. (Sarangapani) Jagannathan, Steve Eugene Watkins

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel fault diagnostics and prediction scheme in continuous time is introduced for a class of nonlinear systems. The proposed method uses a novel neural network (NN) based robust integral sign of the error (RISE) observer, or estimator, allowing for semi-global asymptotic stability in the presence of NN approximation errors, disturbances and unmodeled dynamics. This is in comparison to typical results presented in the literature that show only boundedness in the presence of uncertainties. The output of the observer/estimator is compared with that of the nonlinear system and a residual is used for declaring the presence of a fault when …

Decentralized State Feedback And Near Optimal Adaptive Neural Network Control Of Interconnected Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems, Shahab Mehraeen, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Mariesa Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, first a novel decentralized state feedback stabilization controller is introduced for a class of nonlinear interconnected discrete-time systems in affine form with unknown subsystem dynamics, control gain matrix, and interconnection dynamics by employing neural networks (NNs). Subsequently, the optimal control problem of decentralized nonlinear discrete-time system is considered with unknown internal subsystem and interconnection dynamics while assuming that the control gain matrix is known. For the near optimal controller development, the direct neural dynamic programming technique is utilized to solve the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation forward-in-time. The decentralized optimal controller design for each subsystem utilizes the critic-actor structure …

A Novel Impedance Definition Of A Parallel Plate Pair For An Intrinsic Via Circuit Model, Yaojiang Zhang, Gang Feng, Jun Fan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Rigorous analysis of via-plate-pair interactions requires the impedance of a plate pair to be defined in terms of radial transmission lines on perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) ports. the plate domain is not a solid plate pair but one with multiple PMC holes where conventional impedance definitions are not suitable. a new impedance definition is proposed where port voltages and currents are expressed in terms of the inward and outward zero-order modes of a radial transmission line. Radial scattering parameters among multiple radial ports are then introduced and the transforms between the radial scattering and impedance matrices are given. an analytical …