Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons^™

Hysteretic Controlled Dc-Dc Converters, Shweta Chauhan

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Switched-mode DC-DC converters are widely used in applications requiring step-up and step-down of DC voltages or currents. These converters find their use in portable applications such as laptops and smart phones, radio-frequency power amplifiers, as light emitting diode (LED) drivers, etc. The power converters consist of a switching network, energy storage elements such as inductors and capacitors, and a load resistor. Transformers are used in converters, which require isolation. The switching network comprises of MOSFETs and diodes. With improvement in the VLSI technology, smaller MOSFETs with increased power handling capability are pushing the speed of operation of these power converters …

A Probabilistic Technique For Open Set Recognition Using Support Vector Machines, Matthew Scherreik

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Classification algorithms trained using finite sets of target and confuser data are limited by the training set. These algorithms are trained under closed set assumptions and do not account for the infinite universe of confusers found in practice. In contrast, classification algorithms developed under open set assumptions label inputs not present in the training data as unknown instead of assigning the most likely class. We present an approach to open set recognition, the probabilistic open set SVM, that utilizes class posterior estimates to determine probability thresholds for classification. This is accomplished by first training an SVM in a 1-vs-all configuration …

Hierarchical Modulation Detection Of Underwater Acoustic Communication Signals Through Maximum Likelihood Combining, Josh Sanderson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Modulation detection is important to many communication applications. Much research has been done in this area for radio frequency (RF) signals, but until recently little has carried over to the underwater communication world. Traditional methods include the use of fourth order cumulants or second order cyclostationary features to determine the modulation scheme being used. Many of these methods fail due to the complex and varying nature of the underwater channel. This thesis proposes a new form of hierarchy modulation detection for underwater acoustic communication signals using maximum likelihood combining. The proposed method for hierarchical modulation detection for this research is …

Java Implementation Of Grounded Circumscription For Owl, Ali Akhavan Karbasi

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The semantic web is a new development in the World Wide Web (WWW) supporting machine-readable and machine-understandable data in order to add the "understanding" aspect to current capabilities. This technology involves the use of semantic reasoners, which are software that can infer logical consequences from a set of facts or axioms. Inference can be done in different ways, e.g. based on what is called the open world assumption in which what is not known to be true is simply unknown, and its closed world assumption opposite, which considers what is not known to be true as false. Each of these …

An Approximation Method For Solving Complex Electromagnetics Problems Using The Volume Integral Equation, Ryan Nobis, Dan Jiao, Saad Omar

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Solving complex electric field problems can lead researchers to a host of electronic characteristics about an inhomogeneous, complex object. However due to the complexity of these electric fields, a computer needs to be used in order to solve them. Due to the size of the matrices for some problems, methods for improving speed and performance for these algorithms are absolutely necessary. A Volume Integral Equation was used to solve the Electric Field Displacement, D, and approximate the differential term in this equation. The problem was next discretized using phasors, so that it can computationally be solved. Data used to form …

Cal Poly Brocade Challenge 2013, Chandler Morehardt, Alexa Coburn, Juan Silva, Kerry Sun, Greg Wang, Raul Chagoya, Jd Torres

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Intensive Mentoring And Micro-Electronics Research For Students In Engineering, Dr. Stephen Shultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The 2010 MEG funds were used to run the program that we call the Intensive Mentoring and Micro-Electronics Research for Students in Engineering (IMMERSE) program.

Design And Practical Application Of An Innovative, Pneumatically Latched Valve, Cheng Y. Lin, Jennifer G. Michaeli, Nathan J. Luetke

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This article explains the design and fabrication of an innovative five-port, two-position (5/2), pneumatically latched valve. The initial application to repeatedly and automatically lift a mechanical cover or gate was presented as part of an undergraduate student project in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program's Automation and Controls course in the Department of Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University. Valve operation, including self-latching, utilizes mechanical means only. The valve does not require any electrical power, electronic sensors, or controller, which makes it an energy-saving device. For light-duty operation, a bellows foot-air pump is used for air supply. A single activation of …

Surveying First-Year Students Prior Conceptual Understanding Of Direct Current Resistive Electric Circuits: An Update, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

There is an increasing diversity of educational background of students entering Level 7 and Level 8 programmes in engineering in Irish third level education. Student reasoning about basic electricity concepts often differs from accepted explanations. The paper reports, analyses and reflects on the results of a multiple-choice diagnostic test to assess student understanding of such concepts (developed by Engelhardt and Beichner (2004) for U.S. high school and college students) taken by four cohorts of students, on the same DIT Level 7 engineering programme, from 2008-12 (n=106) and two cohorts of students, on the same DIT Level 8 engineering programme, from …

A Teaching Practice Review Of The Use Of Multiple-Choice Questions For Formative And Summative Assessment Of Student Work On Advanced Undergraduate And Postgraduate Modules In Engineering, Aidan O'Dwyer

Articles

This paper reflects on, reports on and evaluates the use of multiple-choice questions, in both formative and summative assessment modes, on control engineering modules taken by advanced undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students, over four academic years. The material covered by the modules is analytical in nature. The rationale for examining the assessment strategy was the poor performance by students in a closed book traditional terminal examination on one of the advanced undergraduate modules over some years. The change in assessment strategy has improved student learning, as measured by assessment data; student feedback on the assessment methods is broadly positive. The …

An Interdisciplinary Team-Based Mobile Robots Design Course For Engineering, Fernando Rios-Gutierrez, Rocio Alba-Flores

Electrical & Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

An Interdisciplinary, Team-Based Mobile Robots Design Course for Engineering TechnologyAbstractThis work describes the educational experience gained during a new course in mobile robotics, a fourthyear elective course in the undergraduate Electrical Engineering Technology program at our University.The main topic of this course is concentrated on team-based, one semester-long robotics projects in whichstudents design and build mobile robots for different applications. A mobile robot is a system that contains mechanical and electronic parts that can be programmed toperform some specific functions, responding to sensory inputs under the control of an internal or externalcomputer. The reasons to use mobile robots as the …

Observer Incorporated Neoclassical Controller Design: A Discrete Perspective, Winston Alexander Baker

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Control theory has generally been divided into two categories, modern control and classical control. Modern control uses state feedback to alter the pole locations of a given system. Classical control uses pre-compensation to alter the zeroes of the system and uses output feedback to adjust the poles to bring stability to the system. The drawback is that the application of classical control techniques can be a lengthy, complicated and iterative design process and in the end, classical control techniques still do not give information about the state of the system. Neoclassical control combines classical control techniques with the state feedback …

A Miniature Energy Harvesting Device For Wireless Sensors In Electric Power System, Rashed H. Bhuiyan, Roger A. Dougal, Mohammod Ali

Faculty Publications

A novel energy harvesting device called the energy coupler is proposed which can provide power to small wireless sensors in a power system. The energy coupler when coupled electromagnetically to a nearby current carrying conductor scavenges ac power from the conductor. The proposed energy coupler converts the harvested ac power into dc using a passive voltage multiplier circuit. The design of the energy coupler is such that the dc power obtained is adequate to charge a miniature 1.2-V rechargeable battery. It is demonstrated that the energy coupler is capable of delivering 10 mW of dc power to a 50-Ω load. …

Enhancing Electrical Engineering Technology Capstone Experience, Fernando Rios-Gutierrez, Youakim Kalaani

Electrical & Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

The College of Science and Technology (COST) at our university (XXX) offers degrees in Mechanical (MET), Civil (CET) and Electrical Engineering Technology (EET). All the Engineering Technology programs are ABET accredited and have been successful in achieving the TAC2000 outcomes. In particular, our Senior Design capstone course (TEET4010/ 4020) is a comprehensive three-credit, two-semester engineering design course, that all engineering majors are required to take as their capstone experience. We view this course as a very important component in the preparation of a trained EET professional. The course emphasizes both hard and soft skills and serves as an emulation of …

Enhancing The Learning Experience In A Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology Course, Rocio Alba-Flores, Youakim G. Al-Kalaani

Electrical & Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Rapidly changing technology advances demand the revisions of engineering and technology courses so that they continue to serve students and industry in a relevant way. In a typical engineering technology department, students from different majors are usually required to take an introductory electrical engineering course. Due to the multidisciplinary background of students, such a course has traditionally been a challenge to teach so as to make it interesting and useful to all students. Therefore innovative teaching methods have to be employed in order to accommodate different backgrounds and learning styles.

In our department, a basic electrical engineering course is offered …

2010 Spring Engr333 Project Final Report, Eric Ledy, Rachel Jelgerhuis, Jasper Gondhi, Michael Gondhi, Steve Brink, John Mantel, Kyle Harvey, Jim Vanleeuwen, Jacob Speelman, Mitch Brummel, Tyler Van Dongen, Nathan Van Heukelum, Lynette Hromada, Jen Meneely, Matthew Brouwer, Marc Eberlein, Steve Demaagd, Tim Opperwall, Andrew Dejong, Joel Love, Alex Boelkins, Amanda Hollinger, Betsy Huyser, Jason Dornbos, Jason Handlogten, Justin Karsten, Matt Milan

ENGR 333

Calvin is developing plans for a new data center to provide business continuity and quick recovery in the event of a disaster. The new data center will not replace the existing data center; rather, it will provide redundancy for the operations of the campus. Because of the energy demands of data centers, there is a worldwide push for energy efficiency. So-called “green data centers” provide the same functionality as a normal data center with reduced energy usage and reduced energy costs. Calvin, like most organizations, must weigh the long-term economic benefits of energy efficiency projects against higher initial cost. The …

2010 Spring Engr333 Poster 1, Eric Ledy, Rachel Jelgerhuis, Jasper Gondhi, Michael Gondhi, Steve Brink, John Mantel, Kyle Harvey, Jim Venleeuwen, Jacob Speelman, Mitch Brummel, Tyler Van Dongen, Nathan Van Heukelum, Lynette Hromada, Jen Meneely, Matthew Brouwer, Marc Eberlein, Steve Demaagd, Tim Opperwall, Andrew Dejong, Joel Love, Alex Boelkins, Amanda Hollinger, Betsy Huyser, Jason Dornbos, Jason Handlogten, Justin Karsten, Matt Milan

ENGR 333

Calvin is developing plans for a new data center to provide business continuity and quick recovery in the event of a disaster. The new data center will not replace the existing data center; rather, it will provide redundancy for the operations of the campus. This new data center will be placed in the Spoelhof Complex. Because of the energy demands of data centers, there is a worldwide push for energy efficiency. So-called “green data centers” provide the same functionality as a normal data center with reduced energy usage and reduced energy costs. Calvin, like most organizations, must weigh the long-term …

2010 Spring Engr333 Poster 2, Eric Ledy, Rachel Jelgerhuis, Jasper Gondhi, Michael Gondhi, Steve Brink, John Mantel, Kyle Harvey, Jim Vanleeuwen, Jacob Speelman, Mitch Brummel, Tyler Van Dongen, Nathan Van Heukelum, Lynette Hromada, Jen Meneely, Matthew Brouwer, Marc Eberlein, Steve Demaagd, Tim Opperwall, Andrew Dejong, Joel Love, Alex Boelkins, Amanda Hollinger, Betsy Huyser, Jason Dornbos, Jason Handlogten, Justin Karsten, Matt Milan

ENGR 333

The new redundant data center requires that Network Operations Center personnel are able to monitor certain conditions within the data center for the safety of the server equipment. Server equipment will fail if it gets too hot or if the surrounding environment becomes too humid, therefore the baseline instrumentation design must monitor both temperature and humidity in the data center. The system must also be capable of remotely alerting NOC personnel when there is a problem.

2010 Spring Engr333 Project Seminar Presentation, Eric Ledy, Rachel Jelgerhuis, Jasper Gondhi, Michael Gondhi, Steve Brink, John Mantel, Kyle Harvey, Jim Vanleeuwen, Jacob Speelman, Mitch Brummel, Tyler Van Dongen, Nathan Van Heukelum, Lynette Hromada, Jen Meneely, Matthew Brouwer, Marc Eberlein, Steve Demaagd, Tim Opperwall, Andrew Dejong, Joel Love, Alex Boelkins, Amanda Hollinger, Betsy Huyser, Jason Dornbos, Jason Handlogten, Justin Karsten, Matt Milan

ENGR 333

File for student presentation, given by students in the Spring 2010 class of ENGR333.

2010 Spring Engr333 Project Assignment, Matthew K. Heun

ENGR 333

The Spring 2010 ENGR333 project assessed options for the design of a redundant data center for the Calvin campus.

I asked the students “What would it take to build a redundant data center at Calvin that is 30% more energy efficient than the existing data center?”

Note: Because I was on sabbatical in Fall 2009, ENGR333 was moved to Spring 2010.

Customer

The customer for this project was Calvin’s VP for finance Henry DeVries.

Development Of A Quality Of Service Framework For Multimedia Streaming Applications, Stuart Wallace

Masters

By the year 2012, it is expected that the majority of all Internet traffic will be video content. Coupled with this is the increasing availability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) due to their ease of deployment, flexibility and reducing roll out costs. Unfortunately the contention based access mechanism utilised by IEEE 802.11 WLANs does not suit the non-uniform or bursty bandwidth profile of a video stream which can lead to a reduced quality of service (QoS) being experienced by the end-user. In 2005, the IEEE 802.11e protocol was ratified in an attempt to solve this emerging problem. It provides …

Experiences With Virtual Learning Environments In Control Engineering Education, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

The twin pressures of the need for students to learn a wider variety of concepts, ideally in a self-learning mode, and the reduction in class contact time has led to the use of increased levels of information technology in control engineering education. This paper reports on, reflects on, and evaluates the author’s use of virtual laboratories (computer based laboratories available on the internet) in control engineering modules at DIT Kevin St. The use of the virtual laboratories helps in the ongoing evolution of the teaching approach from a traditional didactic lecture and laboratory course to a more learner-centred approach. The …

2006 Fall Engr333 Project Final Report, 2006 Fall Engr333

ENGR 333

The objective of this project was to demonstrate Calvin’s interest in alternative energy. The development of a short-term plan to implement a demonstration wind turbine and a long-term plan to determine the feasibility of a larger turbine for the future demonstrates this interest. The class was divided into five teams: management, external relations, long-term technology, short-term technology, and campus infrastructure. While each team had its own objectives, everyone worked together to share information and accomplish the overall project goals. This management technique provided necessary structure and simulated an environment typically found in a career environment.

2006 Fall Engr333 Project Posters, 2006 Fall Engr333

ENGR 333

To demonstrate Calvin’s interest in alternative energy by developing a short-term plan to implement a demonstration wind turbine and a long-term plan to determine the feasibility of a larger turbine for the future.

2006 Fall Engr333 Project Assignment, Matthew K. Heun

ENGR 333

In the Fall 2006 semester, I challenged the ENGR333 students to “construct a realistic plan to make a significant impact on the Calvin College campus with electrical power generated from wind resources.”

Customer

The customer for this project was Calvin’s VP for finance Henry DeVries.

2005 Fall Engr333 Project Assignment, Matthew K. Heun

ENGR 333

In the Fall 2005 semester, I challenged the ENGR333 students to “develop realistic designs for the wellness center HVAC system and upgraded physical plant infrastructure.”

Customer

The customer for this project was Calvin’s VP for finance Henry DeVries.

Design And Simulation Of A Permanent-Magnet Electromagnetic Aircraft Launcher, Dean Patterson, Antonello Monti, Charles W. Brice, Roger A. Dougal, Robert O. Pettus, Srinivas Dhulipala, Dilip Chandra Kovuri, Tiziana Bertoncelli

Faculty Publications

This paper describes the basic design, refinement, and verification using finite-element analysis, and operational simulation using the Virtual Test Bed, of a linear machine for an electromagnetic aircraft launcher, for the aircraft carrier of the future. Choices of basic machine format and procedures for determining basic dimensions are presented. A detailed design for a permanent-magnet version is presented, and wound-field coil and induction machine versions are briefly discussed. The long armature-short field geometry is justified, and in particular the impact of this geometry on the scale of the power electronic drive system is examined.

Management Of Extremes In The Configuration Of Interoffice Telephone Switch & Priority Systems, C. Ariel Pinto

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper describes how to enable diverse enterprise customers for voice-data switch to achieve in configuration a balance among users, features, and perceived reliability subject to extremes of traffic. The analysis entailed the simulation of the voice-data switch with embedded priority system, generation of latency times for various configurations and transaction traffic rates, and the development of a framework and theoretical propositions for configuration of super-saturated systems. It was shown that the concept of tolerance levels defined in the risk of extreme events can be applied for embedded priority systems and was the basis for the application of the zone-configuration …

2004 Fall Engr333 Final Report On Co-Generation (Section A), Matt Dekam, Chris Wiesehan, Jason Flietstra, Jeremy Hanson, Brian Katerberg, Kevin Palmer, Aaron Svacha, Aaron Buys, Josh Blocker, Matt Vredevoogd, Andrew Huisjen, Thomas Totoe, Andy Vandermoren, Chris Vanroekel

ENGR 333

The goal of the project was to construct a realistic plan to get Calvin off the grid. This means that Calvin would own and operate on-site facilities that generate all the electricity consumed by the campus. Current peak load for the college is approximately three megawatts. Upon completion of the new recreation center and dining hall renovation, future load will climb to roughly five megawatts. As a result, the desired system to remove the college from the grid would provide five megawatts.

2004 Fall Engr333 Final Report On Wind Generation (Section B), Terry Austen, Kristin De Groot, Matt Ooms, Andy Van Noord, Kurt Koubal, Dan Kuiper, Andy Wermel, Ryan Dewall, Eddie Lucas, Dawn Svenkeson

ENGR 333

An energy savings plan for Calvin College has been developed. The plan suggests implementing a small-scale wind turbine pilot program and an energy usage awareness program (Powerful Savings). If implemented, this proposal could save around $6,400 annually with a payback period of 8 years.