Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Recurrent Neural Networks For Radar Target Identification, Eric T. Kouba

Theses and Dissertations

A real-time recurrent learning algorithm was applied to a five class radar target identification problem. The wideband radar was assumed to measure both kinematic (tracking information expressed as estimated aspect angles) and high range resolution data from a single, isolated aircraft. The aspect angles (azimuth and elevation) of the aircraft relative to the radar were assumed to be constantly chancing. This created temporal sequences of high range resolution radar signatures that changed as the aspect angles changed. These sequences were used as input features to a recurrent neural network for three radar target identification test cases. The first test case …

The Adaptation Of The Sei's Capability Maturity Model To The Air Force Software Acquisition Management Process, William G. Dickerhoff Jr., William J. Sommers

Theses and Dissertations

This study develops an Air Force Software Acquisition Maturity Framework (SAMF) by adapting the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) capability Maturity Model (CMM) to the Air Force software acquisition process. The SAMFs purpose is to provide the Air Force Materiel Command's product centers and program off ices with criterion to assess their software acquisition maturity in a similar fashion as the SEI's CMM provides companies a benchmark to measure their organization's software production maturity. The research was accomplished through a combination of information gathering techniques and data analysis. A literature search of documentation, both within and external to the Department of …

Packet Routing In Networks With Long Wires, Ronald I. Greenberg, H.-C. Oh

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

In this paper, we examine the packet routing problem for networks with wires of differing length. We consider this problem in a network independent context, in which routing time is expressed in terms of “congestion” and “dilation” measures for a set of packet paths. We give, for any constant ε > 0, a randomized on-line algorithm for routing any set of N packets in O((Clg^ε(Nd)+Dlg(Nd))/lglg(Nd)) time, where C is the maximum congestion and D is the length of the longest path, both taking wire delays into account, and d is the longest path in terms of number of wires. We also …

The Management Of Replicated Data, Hsueh-Chi Shih, C. Y. Ho, S. Alptekin

Computer Science Technical Reports

Data replication, which has the benefits of improving system availability and read performance, proved to be indispensable to many database applications. In a replicated database, the one-copy serializability of transaction executions can be ensured by employing a replica control mechanism on top of the traditional concurrency control mechanism. This work contains two replica control algorithms and a read-only transaction processing algorithm. Both replica control algorithms handle multiple site, communication and partitioning failures. The replica control algorithms achieve read operation efficiency by always translating a logical read operation into one local physical read operation and by taking advantage of the locality …

Deterministic Approximations To Co-Production Problems With Service Constraints And Random Yields, Gabriel R. Bitran, Thin Yin Leong

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Production planning problems where multiple item categories are produced simultaneously are examined. The items have random yields and are used to satisfy the demands of many products. These products have specification requirements that overlap. An item originally targeted to satisfy the demand of one product may be used to satisfy the demand of other products when it conforms to their specifications. Customers' demand must be satisfied from inventory. The problem is formulated with service constraints and a near-optimal solution is provided to the problem with a fixed planning horizon. Simple heuristics are proposed for the problem solved with a rolling …

Multilayer Perceptrons For Classification, Lisa M. Belue

Theses and Dissertations

Techniques for training, testing, and validating multilayer perceptrons are thoroughly examined. Results obtained using perceptrons are compared and contrasted with two multivariate discriminant analysis techniques- logistic regression and k neighbor. Methods for determining significant input features are investigated and a procedure for examining the confidence to place in the significance of these features is developed. Procedures to evaluate the applicability of high-order feature inputs are examined. These methods and procedures are applied to two very different applications. The first application concerns the prediction of Air Force pilot retention/separation rates for input to force projection models. The second application concerns the …

Transformation Of Combat Data In Support Of Battle Trace, Hyoung-Kyu Choi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to find an appropriate way of characterizing battle data as a function of time. This study was initially designed to remove the numerical instability problem cited in Barr's battle trace methodology as suggested by TRAC-MTRY. The research focused on the instability problem and identifying/recommending a technique that improved the efficiency of computation, and enhanced an analyst's ability to meaningfully interpret the battle trace. Two Lanchester's Square Law based methodologies are introduced and analyzed. The results of this analysis indicate that the battle trace of a constant value generated by Lanchester's Square Law integration seemed …

Causal Univariate Spatial-Temporal Autoregressive Moving Averages (Starma) Modelling Of Target Information To Generate Tasking Of A World-Wide Sensor System, Kelly A. Greene

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense employs a resource limited world-wide sensor system to detect certain events of interest. The purpose of this research was to establish a methodology using a univariate causal STARMA model for forecasting the relative probability of an event occurring in a geographical location during a time block of the day. These relative probabilities are used as input for a tasking model that assigns the scarce sensor resources so as to optimize the detection of these events. The STARMA model is appropriate for forecasting the relative probabilities because a definite temporal relationship and a definite spatial relationship exists …

A Sensitivity Analysis Of Circular Error Probable Approximation Techniques, Peter Puhek

Theses and Dissertations

Several algebraic CEP estimates models were examined in this study. Each assumes that the crossrange and downrange miss distances of the sample data follow a bivariate normal distribution. The analysis determined the sensitivities of these models to changes in the parameters of sample size, bias, correlation, and ellipticity. The accuracy of each model is expressed in terms of relative error, and the parameter regions in which a certain method dominated as the most accurate were noted. In general, it was found that bias was the most significant parameter in determining the best CEP method. A simple method, based on the …

Confidence Interval Estimation For Output Of Discrete-Event Simulations Using The Kalman Filter, Randall B. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

Discrete-event simulation is computer modeling of stochastic, dynamic systems. The Kalman filter is a Bayesian stochastic estimation algorithm. Because of the correlated nature of simulation output, it is difficult to apply the methods of classical statistics directly when constructing confidence intervals of discrete-event simulation parameters. Through the determination of a dynamics equation and application of the Kalman filter to simulation output data, three new confidence interval construction techniques have been developed. One technique obtains an estimate of the mean value and its associated variance from an estimated Kalman filter. The second technique utilizes Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation (MMAE) techniques to …

Composite Stock Cutting Through Simulated Annealing, Hanan Lutfiyya, Bruce M. Mcmillin, Pipatpong Poshyanonda, Cihan H. Dagli

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper explores the use of Simulated Annealing as an optimization technique for the problem of Composite Material Stock Cutting. The shapes are not constrained to be convex polygons or even regular shapes. However, due to the composite nature of the material, the orientation of the shapes on the stock is restricted. For placements of various shapes, we show how to determine a cost function, annealing parameters and performance. © 1992.

Migrating A C-Based Cad Tool To An Object-Oriented Database/C++ Environment: Conversion Costs And Performance Analysis, Mark A. Roth, Timothy M. Jacobs

AFIT Documents

his paper examines the potential of object-oriented databases to support complex design applications. To do this we migrated the Magic very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit design tool written in the C language to a new environment in which Magic's existing file management code is replaced with a C++ language interface to the commercial object-oriented database management system (OODBMS) product Object Store. In our initial implementation we found the performance of this tool as implemented on the OODBMS to be marginally faster than the tool as currently implemented with a flat file system in several critical areas. Increased functionality, including …

Relative Utility Of Selected Software Requirement Metrics, James H. Byers

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the relative utility of selected software requirement metrics in assessing the productivity of the software requirements analysis process and the quality of the products of this process. This objective was met by collecting information about the perceptions that practicing software professionals have of the usefulness of various requirement metrics. The study employed a two part methodology. The first part utilized Basili's goal/question/metric paradigm to identify specific goals of the measurement effort and to identify requirement metrics worthy of further investigation. The second part employed a typical research design to gather perceptions that …

Radar System Classification Using Neural Networks, David M. Cameron

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated methods of improving the accuracy of neural networks in the classification of large numbers of classes. A literature search revealed that neural networks have been successful in the radar classification problem, and that many complex problems have been solved using systems of multiple neural networks. The experiments conducted were based on 32 classes of radar system data. The neural networks were modelled using a program called the Neural Graphics Analysis System. It was found that the accuracy of the individual neural networks could be increased by controlling the number of hidden nodes, the relative numbers of training …

Domain Limitations And Interface Requirements For Expert Developed Knowledge Based Systems, Bernard Lee Lewis

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The expanded use of graphical, case-based and object oriented techniques in expert systems creation has made it more practical for domain experts to develop their own applications. This thesis focuses on the elements necessary in an expert/developer interface and looks at various forms and techniques that exemplify such an approach. The spreadsheet metaphor is used for an interface or managed set of interfaces that a domain expert can use in building his own expert system or prototype. criteria are established for such interfaces and recent commercial offerings that make expert-created knowledge-bases more practical are reviewed for techniques that qualify. Approaches …

Composite Stock Cutting Through Simulated Annealing, Pipatpong Poshyanonda, Cihan H. Dagli

Computer Science Technical Reports

This paper explores the use of Simulated Annealing as an optimization technique for the problem Composite Material Stock Cutting. The shapes are not constrained to be convex polygons or even regular shapes. However, due to the composite nature of the material, the orientation of the shapes on the stock is restricted. For placements of various shapes, we show how to determine a cost function, annealing parameters, and performance.

Composite Stock Cutting Through Simulated Annealing, Pipatpong Poshyanonda, Cihan H. Dagli

Computer Science Technical Reports

This paper explores the use of Simulated Annealing as an optimization technique for the problem Composite Material Stock Cutting. The shapes are not constrained to be convex polygons or even regular shapes. However, due to the composite nature of the material, the orientation of the shapes on the stock is restricted. For placements of various shapes, we show how to determine a cost function, annealing parameters, and performance.

A Robust Approach To Human-Computer Interface Design Using The Taguchi Method, Billie Mitchell Reed

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The application of Dr. Genichi Taguchi's approach for design optimization, called Robust Design, to the design of human-computer interface software is investigated. The Taguchi Method is used to select a near optimum set of interface design alternatives to improve user acceptance of the resulting interface software product with minimum sensitivity to uncontrollable noise caused by human behavioral characteristics.

Design alternatives for interaction with personal micro-computers are identified. Several important and representative alternatives are chosen as design parameters for the Taguchi matrix experiment. A noise field with three human behavioral characteristics as noise factors were chosen as a representative noise array. …

Mapping Efficient Numerical Methods To The Solution Of Multiple Objective Linear Programs, Michael A. Shields

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation was initiated to increase the speed, accuracy and capacity of m-simplex algorithms for solving multiple objective linear programming problems. Specifically, improvements were sought through the application of general numerical techniques. It soon became apparent that the m- simplex algorithm, like the simplex algorithm, is heavily dependent upon the technology of solving related systems of linear equations. The numerical arguments for the application of LU triangular matrix factorization techniques to simplex computations are well known. OF special significance to m-simplex performance is the case of rank-k updates to basis factorizations. A stable and efficient LU approach to the rank-k …

A Goodness-Of-Fit Test For A Family Of Two Parameter Weibulls With Known Shape Using Minimum Distance Estimation Of Parameters, John S. Crown

Theses and Dissertations

This research is to produce a modified Anderson-Darling goodness of fit test for the Weibull distribution when the location parameter is found by minimum distance estimation, the shape parameter is assumed known, and the MLE is used for the scale parameter. The critical values for the Anderson-Darling test are generated via Monte Carlo simulation when both the Anderson-Darling and Cramer-Von Mises distance statistics are minimized. These critical values are then used for a power study. The Monte Carlo simulation used 5000 repetitions for sample sizes of 5,8,12,15,16,20 and 25 with the Weibull shape parameter of . 5(.5)4.0. The power study …

New Modified Anderson-Darling And Cramer-Von Mises Goodness-Of-Fit Tests For A Normal Distribution With Specified Parameters, Goksel Kahya

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis improves the powers of the Anderson-Darling and Cramer-von Mises goodness-of-fit tests using the mean rank and the median rank plotting positions. A Monte Carlo simulation of 5000 repetitions is used to generate the critical values from n =4 through n =80 for certain significance levels. An extensive power study is performed to compare the powers of the modified tests to the known tests for the uniform, the exponential, the double exponential, the lognormal, and the Weibull distributions. The power of the A-D tests modified by the median rank plotting and the mean rank plotting position are approximately 0.01% …

A Network Flow And Goal Programming Approach To Modeling The Impact Of Pre-Accession Training To The Trained Personnel Requirements Process, William J. Beveridge

Theses and Dissertations

HQ ATC was tasked to analyze the impact of pre-accession training to the Trained Personnel Required (TPR) and training production process. Pre- accession training is a policy of providing contracted initial skills training to enlistees prior to entering basic military training. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to model the impact of pre-accession training. A network modeling and goal programming approach was used. Comparisons between the current training policy and a pre-accession training policy were made. Sensitivity was conducted on the impact of a balk rate on the new policy. The balk rate is the percent …

Linear Programming By G.V. Shenoy, New Delhi: Wiley Eastern Limited, 1989., A K Rao

IIMB Management Review

No abstract provided.

Modcad: A Graphic Predetermined Time Standards Software For The Ibm P.C., Raad A. Dawood

Masters Theses

MODCAD is a software program designed to give MODAPTS (MODular Arrangement of Predetermined Time Standards) the capability to generate workplace layouts that can be used in conjunction with the time study analysis. Software packages have been developed for MODAPTS such as MODAPTS Plus and Task Master that allow the user to input the predetermined codes of MODAPTS.

AutoCAD (a computer aided design software) is used to combine MODAPTS codes and workplace layout drawings in a single environment by customizing the standard AutoCAD menus and icons to include the MODAPTS codes and routines. AutoLisp (AutoCAD resident language) is used to write …

Assessment Of Squirrel-Caused Power Outages, J. Chris Hamilton, Ron J. Johnson, Ronald M. Case, Michael W. Riley

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Squirrel-caused power outages in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, were evaluated by examining company power outage reports and by consulting with power company representatives. Reports showed that squirrel-caused outages at pole-mounted transformers were most prevalent during May, June, and October (48% of total) and between 1 and 4 h after sunrise (38%), patterns that coincide with squirrel dispersal or morning activity periods. In Lincoln, 1980 and 1981, squirrels caused 177 outages per year, which was 24% of all outages and 90% of animal-caused outages. Estimated minimum annual costs were $23 364 for repairs, public relations, and lost revenue while meters were …

Matrix Methods Of Approximating Classical Predator-Prey Problems, E. Y. Rodin, R. Greenberg, B. Nelson

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

No abstract provided.

Lexical Analysis Using Table Look-Up, Brian Keith Smith, Dominic Soda, George Winston Zobrist

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Interstate Gas Pipeline Ratemaking And Contract Implications, Henry E. Brown

Natural Gas Symposium: Contract Solutions for the Future of Regulatory Environment (March 24-25)

61 pages.

Contains references.

Contains 7 attachments.

Creditors’ Rights Involved In The Production And Sale Of Natural Gas, William M. Schultz

Natural Gas Symposium: Contract Solutions for the Future of Regulatory Environment (March 24-25)

101 pages (includes forms).

Contains 6 attachments.

Section 311 And 312 Of The Natural Gas Policy Act Of 1978 And Hinshaw Pipelines, Lauren Eaton

Natural Gas Symposium: Contract Solutions for the Future of Regulatory Environment (March 24-25)

5 pages.