Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Institution
- Keyword
-
- Decision making (11)
- Systems engineering (10)
- Project management (7)
- #afcec (6)
- #antcenter (6)
-
- SysML (5)
- Optimization (4)
- Values (4)
- Drone aircraft (3)
- MBSE (3)
- Manufacturing (3)
- Military procurement (3)
- Model-based systems engineering (3)
- Airworthiness (2)
- Assessment (2)
- Business administration (2)
- Complex systems (2)
- Computer networks--Security measures (2)
- Cost effectiveness (2)
- Delphi method (2)
- Digital engineering (2)
- Discrete-time systems (2)
- Engineering education (2)
- Government purchasing (2)
- Human systems integration (2)
- Management (2)
- Methodology (2)
- Monitoring (2)
- Multi-criteria decision making (2)
- Nondestructive testing (2)
Articles 31 - 60 of 207
Full-Text Articles in Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering
Deep Multi-Modal U-Net Fusion Methodology Of Infrared And Ultrasonic Images For Porosity Detection In Additive Manufacturing, Christian E. Zamiela
Deep Multi-Modal U-Net Fusion Methodology Of Infrared And Ultrasonic Images For Porosity Detection In Additive Manufacturing, Christian E. Zamiela
Theses and Dissertations
We developed a deep fusion methodology of non-destructive (NDT) in-situ infrared and ex- situ ultrasonic images for localization of porosity detection without compromising the integrity of printed components that aims to improve the Laser-based additive manufacturing (LBAM) process. A core challenge with LBAM is that lack of fusion between successive layers of printed metal can lead to porosity and abnormalities in the printed component. We developed a sensor fusion U-Net methodology that fills the gap in fusing in-situ thermal images with ex-situ ultrasonic images by employing a U-Net Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for feature extraction and two-dimensional object localization. We …
The Development Of Authentic Virtual Reality Scenarios To Measure Individuals’ Level Of Systems Thinking Skills And Learning Abilities, Vidanelage L. Dayarathna
The Development Of Authentic Virtual Reality Scenarios To Measure Individuals’ Level Of Systems Thinking Skills And Learning Abilities, Vidanelage L. Dayarathna
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation develops virtual reality modules to capture individuals’ learning abilities and systems thinking skills in dynamic environments. In the first chapter, an immersive queuing theory teaching module is developed using virtual reality technology. The objective of the study is to present systems engineering concepts in a more sophisticated environment and measure students learning abilities. Furthermore, the study explores the performance gaps between male and female students in manufacturing systems concepts. To investigate the gender biases toward the performance of developed VR module, three efficacy measures (simulation sickness questionnaire, systems usability scale, and presence questionnaire) and two effectiveness measures (NASA …
Using A Systemic Skills Model To Build An Effective 21st Century Workforce: Factors That Impact The Ability To Navigate Complex Systems, Morteza Nagahi
Using A Systemic Skills Model To Build An Effective 21st Century Workforce: Factors That Impact The Ability To Navigate Complex Systems, Morteza Nagahi
Theses and Dissertations
The growth of technology and the proliferation of information made modern complex systems more fragile and vulnerable. As a result, competitive advantage is no longer achieved exclusively through strategic planning but by developing an influential cadre of technical people who can efficiently manage and navigate modern complex systems. The dissertation aims to provide educators, practitioners, and organizations with a model that helps to measure individuals’ systems thinking skills, complex problem solving, personality traits, and the impacting demographic factors such as managerial and work experience, current occupation type, organizational ownership structure, and education level. The intent is to study how these …
A Dual Perspective Towards Building Resilience In Manufacturing Organizations, Steven A. Fazio
A Dual Perspective Towards Building Resilience In Manufacturing Organizations, Steven A. Fazio
Theses and Dissertations
Modern manufacturing organizations exist in the most complex and competitive environment the world has ever known. This environment consists of demanding customers, enabling, but resource intensive Industry 4.0 technology, dynamic regulations, geopolitical perturbations, and innovative, ever-expanding global competition. Successful manufacturing organizations must excel in this environment while facing emergent disruptions generated as biproducts of complex man-made and natural systems. The research presented in this thesis provides a novel two-sided approach to the creation of resilience in the modern manufacturing organization. First, the systems engineering method is demonstrated as the qualitative framework for building literature-derived organizational resilience factors into organizational structures …
Testing Of Methods For Reducing Motivational Bias In Multi - Criteria Decision Analysis Problems, Chadwick Samuel Kerr
Testing Of Methods For Reducing Motivational Bias In Multi - Criteria Decision Analysis Problems, Chadwick Samuel Kerr
Theses and Dissertations
The idea of multi-criteria decision making has been around for quite a while. All judgement tasks are potential points of bias introduction. Each judgement task was assessed to identify common biases introduced through an extensive literature review for each task and bias. In several other studies, the distinction is made between cognitive and motivational biases. Cognitive biases are widely studied and well known with mitigations that have been validated. Motivational biases are judgements influenced by the decision maker’s desire for a specific outcome, also referred to as intentional bias, that are hard to correct and received very little testing and …
Applications In Multi-Band Isolation Of Spectra With Data-Adaptive Sub-Banding (Midas): Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis To Optimize Midas-Based De-Noising Methods When Processing Infrasound And Other Signals Of Interest, Everett Raymond Coots
Theses and Dissertations
The ever-present challenge faced by the signal processing analyst is to get more from the available data, whether it be exploiting the same data in new ways to garner new information, or simply to increase the confidence in existing qualitative metrics. Traditional techniques include filtering (to improve the signal to noise ratio of detected signals or images or to isolate and possibly remove interfering signals), feature detection/extraction (identifying key characteristics within the signal) and signal decomposition (identification of dominant signals of interest relative to noise terms). Current research by our team began with an emphasis on the filtering of signals …
A Joint Soft Warping And Clustering Approach To Detecting Time Series Anomalies, Christopher John Schuchmann
A Joint Soft Warping And Clustering Approach To Detecting Time Series Anomalies, Christopher John Schuchmann
Theses and Dissertations
Unsupervised anomalous time series detection methods focus on identifying outliers without prior knowledge of the dataset. However, these methods often require multiple parameters to be optimized, with adequate performance tied to their careful tuning and prior domain knowledge. In this work, two methods are proposed for detecting outlier time series that adopt a joint clustering and alignment optimization to filter out the desired signals. The time series are globally clustered while simultaneously being aligned to other signals in their same cluster group. This alternating optimization employs time-warping similarity measures to help identify closely matching time series as well as the …
The Effect Of Information Acquisition Automation And Workspace Design On Human Pattern Recognition For Information Fusion, Kellie L. Turner
The Effect Of Information Acquisition Automation And Workspace Design On Human Pattern Recognition For Information Fusion, Kellie L. Turner
Theses and Dissertations
Automation employed in information fusion systems is designed to help humans combine information derived from multiple sources to form a cohesive assessment of the situation. Research using the Levels of Automation model (Parasuraman, Wickens, and Sheridan, 2000) have produced conflicting results, which Patterson (2017) posited was because it focused solely on analytical processing while neglecting the effects of intuitive cognition. The present study examined how information acquisition automation affects the human’s ability to detect patterns in data needed to reach higher levels of information fusion. Results showed that when information acquisition was performed through manual operations, pattern recognition performance was …
Machine Learning Application For Mission Data Reprogramming, Paolo A. Bingham
Machine Learning Application For Mission Data Reprogramming, Paolo A. Bingham
Theses and Dissertations
Before entering a conflict or theater, USAF aircraft require updated mission data software reprogramming. Mission data controls all electronic warfare (EW) operations of the aircraft. EW operations include identifying and jamming radar operated systems, whether they are friendly or hostile. The process of reprogramming software is continuous and routinely updated for every EW system annually. On specific circumstances, the process can be expedited to months, but this puts a strain on the development team and shifts all attention to one specific mission data file. Unfortunately, a growing number of requests to upgrade mission data to a higher priority state, has …
Assessment Of Visual Field Performance Asymmetries While Utilizing Aircraft Attitude Symbology, George A. Reis
Assessment Of Visual Field Performance Asymmetries While Utilizing Aircraft Attitude Symbology, George A. Reis
Theses and Dissertations
Two experiments were conducted to examine visual performance asymmetries when perceiving complex, meaningful visual stimuli, such as the Arc Segment Attitude Reference (ASAR). The ASAR symbology represents an aircraft’s attitude. Experiment 1 examined participants’ performance while recalling and reporting various attitudes of ASAR symbology and a Gabor patch, which were briefly presented in the peripheral visual field. Performance was assessed for coordinate and categorical judgments at various display locations. The results were consistent with the horizontal-vertical anisotropy literature, which implies that performance would be better for stimuli placed on the horizontal meridian as compared to stimuli placed on the vertical …
Meta-Analysis Of Performance Characteristics Of Modern Database Schemas, Carter Grove
Meta-Analysis Of Performance Characteristics Of Modern Database Schemas, Carter Grove
Theses and Dissertations
Industry and academia alike are more commonly using databases as solutions to advanced and complex problems. Unfortunately, not all database schemas are created equal and can yield different advantages in different areas. To try to understand what database schema might be best suited for a user’s needs, we sought out to distinguish how databases are measured against each other, what their performance characteristics are, and what advantages each type of database inherently possesses. To allow for the ingestion of data across the five different categories of database schemas, we used a met-analysis of past literature and aggregated the data to …
Applying Model-Based Systems Engineering And Fidelity Quantification To Support Fair Fight In A Distributed Simulation System, Nathaniel Erbe, David Lemmer
Applying Model-Based Systems Engineering And Fidelity Quantification To Support Fair Fight In A Distributed Simulation System, Nathaniel Erbe, David Lemmer
Theses and Dissertations
Current 5th and 6th generation fighter aircraft capabilities, and the DoD's push towards digital engineering have created an environment in which simulated testing using live, virtual, and constructive assets has increasing utility. These simulations need to be credible in the eyes of the stakeholders, which for distributed simulation systems includes establishing fair fight between simulation services. Fair fight is when multiple simulations interoperate without generating one-sided systematic advantages. Issues that impede fair fight can be categorized into interoperability issues at the simulations implementation level and incompatible representations of reality between underlying models. This research used model-based systems engineering to generate …
Interdependent Infrastructure Recovery Using Multilayered Networks And Optimization, Brigham A. Moore
Interdependent Infrastructure Recovery Using Multilayered Networks And Optimization, Brigham A. Moore
Theses and Dissertations
Interdependent infrastructure recovery modeling and simulation are complicated due to various interdependent connections and complexities. Current efforts have identified both operational and restoration interdependency subtypes and coupling strategies that have not been integrated into one comprehensive model. This research presents a model which simultaneously integrates nine interdependency subtypes and four coupling strategies in a multi-objective format to provide the most tailorable and comprehensive network-based recovery model available. This research also created a defense-centric interdependent infrastructure database by modifying the existing CLARC database. This research then addressed assumptions regarding recovery work management in order to address the impact of work crew …
Collaborative All-Source Navigation With Integrity, Jonathon S. Gipson
Collaborative All-Source Navigation With Integrity, Jonathon S. Gipson
Theses and Dissertations
The novel ARMAS-SOM framework fuses collaborative all-source sensor information in a resilient manner with fault detection, exclusion, and integrity solutions recognizable to a GNSS user. This framework uses a multi-filter residual monitoring approach for fault detection and exclusion and is augmented with an additional "observability" EKF sub-layer for resilience. We monitor the a posteriori state covariances in this sub-layer to provide intrinsic awareness when navigation state observability assumptions required for integrity are in danger. This is used to selectively augment the framework with offboard information to preserve resilience. By maintaining split parallel collaborative and proprioceptive estimation instances and employing a …
Requirements Analysis And Architecture For An Operational Study Of Fatigue In Usaf Mobility Aircrew, Jonathan F. Mecham
Requirements Analysis And Architecture For An Operational Study Of Fatigue In Usaf Mobility Aircrew, Jonathan F. Mecham
Theses and Dissertations
Aircrew fatigue in flight operations is a known hazard that has driven the creation of fatigue-reducing regulation and fatigue risk management systems industry wide. In addition, biomathematical models have been created and tested to forecast the effectiveness of aircrew under conditions of time-zone shifts and long duty days. However, limited operational studies exist to validate these models or to help understand how individual factors can affect them. Operational studies have a variety of limitations that make gathering typical data regarding fatigue or sleep difficult. This research takes systems requirement analysis approach to design a study that measures effects of circadian …
A Fuzzy Framework For The Air Force Mission Dependency Index, Devin M. Depalmer
A Fuzzy Framework For The Air Force Mission Dependency Index, Devin M. Depalmer
Theses and Dissertations
AFIMSC completed an MDI modernization to support better risk-based decision-making by utilizing tactical mission-owner knowledge to quantify the relationship between facilities and the missions they enable. The resulting facility-mission risk scores leave room for improvement for better use of their intended purposes due to (1) the vulnerability of cognitive biases affecting survey responses due to the use of a traditional risk matrix (2) the lack of resolution between scores from risk ties and (3) the failure to include information from the operational and strategic organizational hierarchy level. This research addresses these concerns through the novel implementation of a fuzzy logic …
Optimizing Cost And Performance Of Infrastrucure Alternatives At Contingency Bases In A Hub-And-Spoke Network, Kyle J. Rodriguez
Optimizing Cost And Performance Of Infrastrucure Alternatives At Contingency Bases In A Hub-And-Spoke Network, Kyle J. Rodriguez
Theses and Dissertations
Military contingency bases require substantial resources and funding sustain and are often not connected to an infrastructure grid. Infrastructure assets produce the required outputs for sustainment, but are often expensive and inefficient, producing a significant logistical burden. With the increasing near-peer threats of opposing military forces, there is a need for more self-sufficient contingency bases with alternatives that reduce resources usage and the cost of sustainment. Accordingly, the goal of this research is to develop an optimization model capable of selecting infrastructure alternative combinations that minimize the overall resource usage and cost of sustainment at the contingency base level.
Evaluating The Impact Of Culture On Customer Satisfaction For Fms Projects, Yaquari A. Adams Ii
Evaluating The Impact Of Culture On Customer Satisfaction For Fms Projects, Yaquari A. Adams Ii
Theses and Dissertations
The cost, time, and quality pillars of the iron triangle in project management are often considered the most important factors for managers to consider when striving to achieve project success. However, recent literature suggests customer satisfaction and end-user benefit are the most important elements to prioritize during project development. This research analyzes the Air Force Security Assistance Center Construction Division and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) joint construction operations in relation to two Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) knowledge areas, project stakeholder management and project risk management. Project stakeholder management is addressed by identifying the relationship between cultural competency and …
An Analysis Of Stability In Software Resources Data Report (Srdr) Computer Software Configuration (Csci), Trevor J. Violette
An Analysis Of Stability In Software Resources Data Report (Srdr) Computer Software Configuration (Csci), Trevor J. Violette
Theses and Dissertations
This research studies cost and schedule stability in programs that utilize Software Resource Data Report (SRDR) reporting standards. We find software programs at the Computer Software Configuration Item (CSCI) level show much lower levels of stability than previously published DoD stability research that focused on aircraft. A comparison of software development methods found little to no difference between Agile and Plan Driven methodologies. Critical Success Factors (CSF) were identified from prior literature and used to examine CSCIs from the SRDR dataset. Focusing on schedule or cost resulted in different variables showing significance. A CSCI is more likely to remain on …
An Analysis Of Error Structure And Theoretical First Unit Cost In Learning Curve Theory Models, Alexander D. Pollack
An Analysis Of Error Structure And Theoretical First Unit Cost In Learning Curve Theory Models, Alexander D. Pollack
Theses and Dissertations
The dilemma with learning curves and actual costs is "fitting square pegs into round holes." Alternative regression techniques or further modifications to Y=aXb may address discrepancies in modeling observed data with learning curves. Adequate data permits further analysis of the constants, variables, and factors that make up a learning curve model. The analysis involves trying a nonlinear solver on the traditional learning curve models (i.e., Wright's cumulative average theory and Crawford's unit learning curve theory) and changing the theoretical first unit cost (T1) to the actual first unit cost (A1). Mergers and acquisitions in the aircraft industry may have …
A State-Based Model For Validating Autonomous Munition Behaviors, Dalton J. Miller
A State-Based Model For Validating Autonomous Munition Behaviors, Dalton J. Miller
Theses and Dissertations
Autonomous munitions provide an opportunity for the Department of Defense (DoD) to extend the capabilities of operators in combat situations. However, there is also a need for a high level of trust in the effectiveness and accuracy of these systems. With the advent of model-based standards in autonomy and munitions, there is a need to implement these techniques toward an effective modeling and simulation (MS) capability. By leveraging modern MS tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler and the DoD's Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM), this thesis proposes a framework for simulating complex autonomy architectures within high fidelity …
Model Based Systems Engineering Demonstrator For Air Worthiness With Performance Data Of Department Of Defense Rotorcraft, Bretton M. Bethel
Model Based Systems Engineering Demonstrator For Air Worthiness With Performance Data Of Department Of Defense Rotorcraft, Bretton M. Bethel
Theses and Dissertations
Airworthiness is a process of certifying that an aircraft can be safety operated within specified bounds. This process is essential to ensuring the safety of the aircraft, its personnel, and the surrounding assets. A Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach can be utilized as a method to improve the airworthiness process. MBSE is the methodology of creating and utilizing domain models as a means of exchanging and presenting information for a wide variety of disciplines to understand and replacing previous document-based exchange. The objective of this research is to develop a reference architecture with a MBSE approach to perform the airworthiness …
Utilizing Model Based Systems Engineering To Identify Safety Critical Functions In Airworthiness Certification, Jeffrey C. King
Utilizing Model Based Systems Engineering To Identify Safety Critical Functions In Airworthiness Certification, Jeffrey C. King
Theses and Dissertations
Modern aircraft are complex systems with numerous interacting hardware and software components. To minimize any safety mishaps during operations, new aircraft designs and modifications must go through an airworthiness certification. The current United States Air Force (USAF) airworthiness certification process, captured in MIL-HDBK-516C, is time-consuming and manpower intensive due to extensive documentation. To minimize inefficiencies of this document-based approach, this thesis examined model-based systems engineering (MBSE) to support Safety Critical Function (SCF) thread analysis against criteria found in Section 15 of MIL-HDBK-516C. Within this scope, the research identified an SCF domain-specific profile and style guide using the Systems Modeling Language …
Application Of Game Theory Based Design To U.S. Space Systems, Benjamin C. Donohoo
Application Of Game Theory Based Design To U.S. Space Systems, Benjamin C. Donohoo
Theses and Dissertations
Modern defense systems are designed to static sets of requirements and specifications. This process has worked well in the past but fails to account for the strategic interdependence of design choices made prior to operating systems. However, as the world becomes increasingly competitive, and as the space domain becomes increasingly congested and contested, such interdependence of design can be described using Game Theory. Game Theory is the mathematical study of strategy, actions and payoffs between rational, self-interested actors. Limited extant research has applied Game Theory to system design but focused on a single system being designed cooperatively within a single …
Data- Driven Asset Degradation Modeling: An Enterprise-Wide Roof System Case Study, Kurt R. Lamm
Data- Driven Asset Degradation Modeling: An Enterprise-Wide Roof System Case Study, Kurt R. Lamm
Theses and Dissertations
Organizations with large facility and infrastructure portfolios have used asset management databases for over ten years to collect and standardize asset condition data. Decision makers use this data to predict asset degradation and expected service life, enabling prioritized maintenance, repair, and renovation actions that reduce asset life-cycle costs and achieve organizational objectives. However, these asset condition forecasts are calculated using standardized, self-correcting distribution models that rely on continuous functions. This research presents four step wise asset condition forecast models that utilize historical asset inspection data to improve prediction accuracy: (1) Slope, (2) Weighted Slope, (3) Condition-intelligent Weighted Slope, and (4) …
Assessing The Effectiveness Of Afwerx Ability To Influence Regional Participation Rates And Capture Cluster Specific Technological Innovations, Colin M. Sandor
Assessing The Effectiveness Of Afwerx Ability To Influence Regional Participation Rates And Capture Cluster Specific Technological Innovations, Colin M. Sandor
Theses and Dissertations
The 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) emphasized capturing innovation through partnerships with non-traditional defense contractors. Furthermore, the NDS outlined the need to rapidly acquire new technologies to maintain a competitive advantage against our adversaries. The AFWERX program is the Air Forces attempt to accomplish these goals. AFWERX seeks to capture innovations occurring within the private sector of the United States by placing itself geographically within top innovation ecosystems. An approach that creates a setting where the Air Force is one of many investors, who benefit from the learning and investments across the entire network. The research within this paper examines …
Training Subject Matter Experts To Make Better Estimates, Cameron R. Scott
Training Subject Matter Experts To Make Better Estimates, Cameron R. Scott
Theses and Dissertations
Subject Matter Expert (SME) Elicitation is commonly used as a cost-estimation method when no historical data exists. The elicitation process assumes Subject Matter Experts are the resident experts in their individual fields of study. In addition, the process assumes SMEs provide reasonably trustworthy cost estimates that follow the tenets of probability theory. This last assumption is the subject of this study. A Navy sponsored e-learning course was created to help train SMEs in understanding probability distributions (O'Hagan, 2019). We conducted a study hypothesizing that taking the e-learning course would improve study participant accuracy in estimating confidence intervals for probability distributions.
A Decision-Support System For The Deployment Tasking Process Of U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Officers, Kenneth A. Neal
A Decision-Support System For The Deployment Tasking Process Of U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Officers, Kenneth A. Neal
Theses and Dissertations
The Armed Forces frequently deploy their personnel to expeditionary locations around the world. For example, the Air Force tasks its personnel to deploy based on a six-month rotational cycle. In the current tasking process, the deployment makes its way down from combatant commanders to squadron commanders through the chain of command. The commander then has a few days to select an individual from their unit to fill the tasking. The commander may consider an individuals’ dwell time, home-station position, and upcoming significant life events; however, because commanders have little time and information, minimum requirements selection criteria often become the driving …
The Utility Of Modeling An Enterprise Architecture For Air Force Digital Transformation, Mark W. Kassan
The Utility Of Modeling An Enterprise Architecture For Air Force Digital Transformation, Mark W. Kassan
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force Materiel Command is undergoing a digital transformation to increase the speed of delivering new warfighter capabilities. This Digital Campaign consists of six Lines of Effort (LOEs) formed with diverse goals to transform the enterprise. This research investigated using the Zachman Framework and Systems Modeling Language to analyze this transformation. Extensive modeling captured the as-is Preliminary Design Review (PDR) process, and mapped LOE goals as primary impacts to Zachman cells. This led to an identification of a to-be digital PDR process. Secondary affected cells were then traced following a relationship analysis. Four discoveries were made. (1) Enterprise modeling …
Nebulizer-Based Systems To Improve Pharmaceutical Aerosol Delivery To The Lungs, Benjamin M. Spence
Nebulizer-Based Systems To Improve Pharmaceutical Aerosol Delivery To The Lungs, Benjamin M. Spence
Theses and Dissertations
Combining vibrating mesh nebulizers with additional new technologies leads to substantial improvements in pharmaceutical aerosol delivery to the lungs across therapeutic administration methods. In this dissertation, streamlined components, aerosol administration synchronization, and/or Excipient Enhanced Growth (EEG) technologies were utilized to develop and test several novel devices and aerosol delivery systems. The first focus of this work was to improve the poor delivery efficiency, e.g., 3.6% of nominal dose (Dugernier et al. 2017), of aerosolized medication administration to adult human subjects concurrent with high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy, a form of continuous-flow non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The developed Low-Volume Mixer-Heater (LVMH) …