Systems Engineering Commons^™

Experimental Investigation Of Reading Passive Uhf Tags In A Multi-Tag Environment, Yi Zhou

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Recently, the Internet of things (IoT) has emerged as a promising solution for several industrial applications. One of the key components in IoT is passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags which do not require a power source for operations. Specifically, ultra-high frequency (UHF) tags are studied in this paper. However, due to factors such as tag-to-tag interference and inaccurate localization, RFID tags that are closely spaced together are difficult to detect and program accurately with unique identifiers. This thesis investigates several factors that affect the ability to encode a specific tag with unique information in the presence of other tags, …

Systemic Intervention For Complex System Governance Development, Charles B. Keating, Polinpapilinho F. Katina,, John C. Pyne, Ra’Ed M. Jaradat

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper explores the issues related to systemic intervention for Complex System Governance (CSG) development. Systemic intervention seeks to intentionally engage a system to influence trajectory or outcomes. CSG is an emerging field focused on the design, execution, and evolution of the functions necessary to provide continued system performance (stability) in the midst of incessant turbulence and increasing complexity. Integral to this field is the necessity to ‘intervene’ in a complex system to enhance system behavior, structure, or performance. Arguably, system interventions have an unremarkable record of success, ranging from declared success in improving a situation (system) to abysmal failure …

Program Requirements: Complexity, Myths, Radical Change, And Lean Enablers, Bohdan W. Oppenheim

Systems Engineering Faculty Works

This paper presents a comprehensive discussion on the difficulties of formulating good and stable requirements early in complex engineering programs and the consequences on program execution. Formal classical systems engineering and program management (CSEPM) methodology is based on the assumption that the knowledge to anticipate all interfaces and create good requirements exists early in the program, and that it is a matter of working out the details to build extremely complex devices such as satellites, aircraft, refineries, nuclear power plants, and high-speed rail. The author argues that classical systems engineering and program management works well only for well-understood systems, but …

Human-Intelligence/Machine-Intelligence Decision Governance: An Analysis From Ontological Point Of View, Faisal Mahmud, Teddy Steven Cotter

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The increasing CPU power and memory capacity of computers, and now computing appliances, in the 21st century has allowed accelerated integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into organizational processes and everyday life. Artificial intelligence can now be found in a wide range of organizational processes including medical diagnosis, automated stock trading, integrated robotic production systems, telecommunications routing systems, and automobile fuzzy logic controllers. Self-driving automobiles are just the latest extension of AI. This thrust of AI into organizations and everyday life rests on the AI community’s unstated assumption that “…every aspect of human learning and intelligence could be so precisely described …

Decomposition Algorithms In Stochastic Integer Programming: Applications And Computations., Babak Saleck Pay

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation we focus on two main topics. Under the first topic, we develop a new framework for stochastic network interdiction problem to address ambiguity in the defender risk preferences. The second topic is dedicated to computational studies of two-stage stochastic integer programs. More specifically, we consider two cases. First, we develop some solution methods for two-stage stochastic integer programs with continuous recourse; second, we study some computational strategies for two-stage stochastic integer programs with integer recourse. We study a class of stochastic network interdiction problems where the defender has incomplete (ambiguous) preferences. Specifically, we focus on the shortest …

Phased Helical Antenna Array For Cubesat Application, Kameron Lacalli

Undergraduate Honors Theses

CubeSats communication links are typically slow due to their power and size restrictions. However, a low power, high speed down link connection can allow for greater data collection and relaying, pushing the capability of 1U CubeSats beyond what is traditionally thought possible. Investigated here is the feasibility of a 11 Mb/s down link connection on a 1U CubeSat, accomplished via 2x2 helical antenna phased array operating on the 802.11 standard. Using a phased array also allows for beam steering to secure connection with the ground station when the on board ADCS may not provide precise pointing capability of the CubeSat, …

Selecting Cloud Platform Services Based On Application Requirements, Bridger Ronald Larson

Theses and Dissertations

As virtualization platforms or cloud computing have become more of a commodity, many more organizations have been utilizing them. Many organizations and technologies have emerged to fulfill those cloud needs. Cloud vendors provide similar services, but the differences can have significant impact on specific applications. Selecting the right provider is difficult and confusing because of the number of options. It can be difficult to determine which application characteristics will impact the choice of implementation. There has not been a concise process to select which cloud vendor and characteristics are best suited for the application requirements and organization requirements. This thesis …

Dynamic Warehouse Optimization Using Predictive Analytics., Parvaneh Jahani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The forward area is a small area of a warehouse with a low picking cost. Two approaches that are investigated for selecting the SKUs of this area and the allocated space are the static and the dynamic approaches. In the case that decisions about the forward area are made periodically (e.g. yearly) and the products' demand patterns are completely ignored, the FRP is static. We developed two heuristics that solve the large discrete assignment, allocation, and sizing problem simultaneously. Replenishing the same product in the same place of the forward area brings about a ``Locked" layout of the fast picking …

Grouping Techniques To Manage Large-Scale Multi-Item Multi-Echelon Inventory Systems, Anvar Abaydulla

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Large retail companies operate large-scale systems which may consist of thousands of stores. These retail stores and their suppliers, such as warehouses and manufacturers, form a large-scale multi-item multi-echelon inventory supply network. Operations of this kind of inventory system require a large number of human resources, computing capacity, etc.

In this research, three kinds of grouping techniques are investigated to make the large-scale inventory system “easier” to manage. The first grouping technique is a network based ABC classification method. A new classification criterion is developed so that the inventory network characteristics are included in the classification process, and this criterion …

Recognition Of Infrastructure Events Using Principal Component Analysis, Lane David Broadbent

Theses and Dissertations

Information Technology systems generate system log messages to allow for the monitoring of the system. In increasingly large and complex systems the volume of log data can overwhelm the analysts tasked with monitoring these systems. A system was developed that utilizes Principal Component Analysis to assist the analyst in the characterization of system health and events. Once trained, the system was able to accurately identify a state of heavy load on a device with a low false positive rate. The system was also able to accurately identify an error condition when trained on a single event. The method employed is …

Time Series Classification Using Covariance Descriptors, Oluwaseun Winsala

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a novel framework for time series classification that leverages the geometric structure of covariance matrices when labeling signals. Our method maps each signal to a new multivariate localized feature signal (MLFS) representation, from which we compute a covariance descriptor. This robust MLFS covarieance representation handles classification tasks where the sampling rates of the signals vary within a class or classes. We demonstrate that by simply using the k-nearest neighbor classification rule and multiclass kernel support vector machine with the Riemannian metric between the MLFS convariance matrices, which produces state-of-the-art results on a number of standard datasets. Moreover, …

Space Analysis And Research Centers (Sparcs) For Ssa Data And Analytics, Phillip Cunio, Brien Flewelling

Space Traffic Management Conference

Widespread use of massive data and increasing reliance on spaceborne infrastructure are two of the emerging megatrends of the early 21^st century. However, both come with liabilities: movement and processing of large data volumes is very expensive, and reliance on spaceborne infrastructure adds risk that problems in the still incompletely-understood space domain might cause work disruptions.

ExoAnalytic proposes the use of Space Analysis and Research Centers (SpARCs) as a way to begin addressing both these issues. A SpARC is a facility which integrates volumes of data collected on satellites, centrally analyzes it, and makes available resulting useful information. The …

Examining Time To Evacuate Dynamically Activated Aircraft Hazard Areas, Zheng Tao, Granghuai Wang, Ashley G. Williams, Jon L. Semanek, Jonathan L. Schwartz

Space Traffic Management Conference

The growth in launch and reentry operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) presents the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the challenge of integrating them more efficiently while also minimizing effects on other NAS users and maintaining safety. Currently, to maintain safety and account for unforeseen events such as vehicle breakup, the FAA segregates large amounts of airspace, called Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs), from traditional NAS users during launch and reentry operations. In order to minimize effects on NAS users, some AHAs during reentry are dynamically activated only if an unexpected event occurs. If a dynamic AHA is activated, then …

Wells Fargo, Samsung And Spacex: The Dos And Don’Ts Of Today’S Quality Environment, Jim Burgin

Operations Management Presentations

Quality is everywhere, and is so critical to your success. This webinar will use Toyota’s 14 Principles as the springboard to discuss teach points from my Quality Management class. The title mentions a few companies where good practices or challenging activities provide a road map to success or failure. Rest assured there are many more. Burgin uses stories and experiences from class to illustrate quality concepts.

Model Based Systems Engineeringfor Cubesats, Lloyd Walker, Dale Thomas

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Cognitive Measure Of Workload In Multimodal User Interfaces, Maliha Lubna, Paul Collopy, Jeff Hansberger

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Systems Generational Evolution, Katherine Burris, Dale Thomas

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Implementing Sysml To Reduce Ambiguity In The Life Cycle Management Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Zach Thomas, Dale Thomas

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Game-Based Learning Of Incentives In Systems Engineering, Joseph H. Clerkin, Bryan Mesmer

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Methodology For Simulation And Analysis Of Complex Adaptive Supply Network Structure And Dynamics Using Information Theory, Joshua V. Rodewald, John M. Colombi, Kyle F. Oyama, Alan W. Johnson

Faculty Publications

Supply networks existing today in many industries can behave as complex adaptive systems making them more difficult to analyze and assess. Being able to fully understand both the complex static and dynamic structures of a complex adaptive supply network (CASN) are key to being able to make more informed management decisions and prioritize resources and production throughout the network. Previous efforts to model and analyze CASN have been impeded by the complex, dynamic nature of the systems. However, drawing from other complex adaptive systems sciences, information theory provides a model-free methodology removing many of those barriers, especially concerning complex network …

Visualizing Complex Adaptive Systems: A Case Study Of The Missouri Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, Julie M. Kapp, Sara Schlemper, Riyad Haq, Sofia Campos Vidal Pires, Eduardo J. Simoes

Frontiers in Public Health Services and Systems Research

Background: The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program was created by the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. MIECHV provides comprehensive services to at-risk families through evidence-based home visiting programs.

Purpose: The following question is addressed: Does the Missouri MIECHV system meet the definition of a complex adaptive system (CAS)?

Methods: A systematic review was conducted of documents related to MIECHV programs (federal, state, and local levels), and to affiliated programs with a home visiting and early childhood (aged birth to 5 years) scope. The organizations’ fit was identified for the scope of early childhood home …

Simulation And Optimization Of Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm For The Stochiastic Uncapacitated Location-Allocation Problem, Jean-Paul Arnaout, Georges Arnaout, John El Khoury

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

This study proposes a novel methodology towards using ant colony optimization (ACO) with stochastic demand. In particular, an optimizationsimulation-optimization approach is used to solve the Stochastic uncapacitated location-allocation problem with an unknown number of facilities, and an objective of minimizing the fixed and transportation costs. ACO is modeled using discrete event simulation to capture the randomness of customers’ demand, and its objective is to optimize the costs. On the other hand, the simulated ACO’s parameters are also optimized to guarantee superior solutions. This approach’s performance is evaluated by comparing its solutions to the ones obtained using deterministic data. The results …

A General Theory Of Emergence In Engineered Systems, John J. Johnson Iv

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Engineered systems are designed to satisfy specific needs and produce explainable/predictable results. But despite this intent, engineered systems don’t always do what they are designed to do once they are implemented. Some engineered systems produce properties and behaviors that are not clearly explainable or predictable by the properties of their components. This is a problem recognized in government and private sectors as having broad ranging financial and security consequences. It is also the essence of the emergence phenomena. A review of the literature reveals two significant gaps in the current body of knowledge on emergence as it pertains to engineered …

An Outcome-Based Competency Model For Systems Engineering Trainees, Vanessa J. Pietrzyk

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Dominant theories relating to outcome-based learning and workforce competency were synthesized into a singular outcome-based competency model to evaluate systems engineering training. A baseline model was developed using leading theories from the academic literature pertaining to competencies for systems engineers across three categories: cognitive, skill-based, and behavioral. The model was further refined via qualitative and quantitative analysis of formal interviews of subject matter experts in the field of systems engineering workforce management. The refined model classifies 28 critical competencies for systems engineers into three tiers of workforce functionality: foundational, specialized, and leadership. The resultant theoretical model is both grounded in …

Systems Theory Based Architecture Framework For Complex System Governance, Bry Carter

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop a systems theory based framework for complex system governance using grounded theory approach. Motivation for this research includes: 1) the lack of research that identifies modeling characteristics for complex system governance, 2) the lack of a framework rooted in systems theory to support performance of complex system governance functions for maintaining system viability.

This research focused on answering: What systems theoretic framework can be developed to inform complex system governance and enable articulation of governance function performance? The grounded theory research approach utilized three phases. First, the literature in systems theory, management …

Conceptual Architecture To Measure The Effects Of Subauroral Polarization Streams On Radar Operations, Shayla K. Redmond

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides the initial conceptual development of taking into account subauroral polarization streams when preparing for a radar operation. The DoDAF views created to portray the architecture consisted of operational, capabilities, data and information, and finally system views to ensure consistency and realistic outcomes. OV-2 was the significant view because it set the baseline for required actions necessary for the proposed results the Flow Integration of Ionospheric Activity and Radar Evaluation (FIIARE) system would produce. FIIARE is a computer based system concept that performs consolidations and produce predictions using algorithms from the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). The data portrayed …

Application Of Executable Architecture In Early Concept Evaluation Using The Dod Architecture Framework, Zhongwang Chua

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing complexity in the development of today's modern warfighting systems demands a systematic evaluation approach in the assessment of the envisaged capability and estimating the cost effectiveness, especially in the early stages of Concept Development. This research focused on the development of early Concept evaluation methodology through the use of Executable Architecture (EA) through the System Architecting process. Particularly, the methodology was applied in the assessment of a proposed Multi-tiered Unmanned Aircraft System System-of-System that is designed provide target acquisition and conduct dynamic strike on Theater Ballistic Missile launchers. Through the implementation of the evaluation methodology using dynamic modeling …

Air Force Project Risk Management – The Impact Of Inconsistent Processes, Eric J. Perez

Theses and Dissertations

On the surface, the majority of Air Force units appear to be executing some form of project risk management (PRM). Deeper investigation exposes many of the PRM practices currently in place to often be ad hoc, and as such, have the potential to poorly inform decisions when risk data is escalated to the enterprise levels of the Air Force. Resultantly, there is inconsistency between the PRM processes practiced by Air Force units. This inconsistency is an indication of risk mishandling at the project level and erroneous risk data provided at the enterprise levels of the Air Force. It may be …

A Systems Engineering Approach For Plant Layout Management & Optimization, Abdulelah Saeed Algarni

Theses and Dissertations

The basis of this paper was to investigate the system engineering applications on petro-chemical facilities layout designs. This work aims to facilitate and introduce the application of Facility Layout Problems to industrial case studies based on system engineering methodologies and performance measurements. Additionally, an effort was made to present a state-of-the-art literature review of industrial layout problems that exhibits scarcity of system engineering role in the design and implementations of industrial Facility Layout Problems. Facility Layout is one of the demanding large-scale optimization problems. Upon the completion of this report, we found a great sense of vitality of system engineering …

Development Of An Associate Degree Level Course On Lean, Jeremy Espinoza

Master of Technology Management Plan II Graduate Projects

Lean training and education has become a focal point in both industry and the realm of academics; however, the need within the industry remains, and oftentimes companies must take on the additional and high expense of training new graduates once they enter the workforce. Often, the classes that students study in the lean methodology, if any are studied at all, are taught within other disciplines, and the instruction is in a general sense as opposed to in depth and hands on. Within the past eight years it has been referenced in different academic articles that students are not coming into …