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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Articles 2761 - 2790 of 3050

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Failure Detection, Isolation, And Recovery In An Integrated Navigation System, William B. Mosle Iii Dec 1993

Failure Detection, Isolation, And Recovery In An Integrated Navigation System, William B. Mosle Iii

Theses and Dissertations

An Inertial Navigation System (INS), the Global Positioning System (GPS), and a ground based transponder system (RRS) can all be used to provide the user with a navigation solution. Yet by integrating these three navigation systems with an extended Kalman filter (EKF), a navigation solution is attained that benefits from the information of all three subsystems. This research develops a multiple model EKF failure detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) algorithm using a Chi-Square failure test to provide robust navigation solution to measurement failures. The algorithm specifically counters failures in the GPS and RRS range measurements. Analysis is conducted using a …

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Processing Of Wide-Angle Synthetic Aperture Radar Signals For Target Detection, Kurt W. Knurr Dec 1993

Processing Of Wide-Angle Synthetic Aperture Radar Signals For Target Detection, Kurt W. Knurr

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated methods of targets detection using Wide-Angle Synthetic Aperture Radar (WASAR). WASAR uses multiple aspect angle Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images of the same scene. The SAR images were generated using a pre-release software package from package from Loral Corporation. The software was able to generate 512 by 512 pixel SAR images that contained various vegetation return which for our purposes we classified as clutter. Within this clutter, targets (M35 trucks) could be placed at random location and orientations. The software also had the capability of generating fully- polarimetic WASAR images with multiple depression angles. This data was …

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Characterization Of Nonlinear Effects In Optically Pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Scott L. Brown Dec 1993

Characterization Of Nonlinear Effects In Optically Pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Scott L. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The nonlinear characteristics of optically pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers VCSELs are identified, isolated, and quantified. Three different VCSELs are evaluated including two with gain regions of bulk GaAs operating at 875nm and one multi-quantum well MQW InGaAs VCSEL operating at 950nm. The nonlinearities evaluated include those due to cavity temperature, carrier injection, and internal lasing field. The VCSELs are pumped by a picosecondfemtosecond TiSapphire laser which is configured to operate in CW, gated CW minimum gate width was 200ns, picosecond, and gated picosecond modes. A linear relationship is shown between wavelength and substrate temperature, cavity temperature, and injected …

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Experimental Verification Of Tomographic Reconstruction Of Turbulent Air Flow Structure Using Optical Wavefront Measurements, Bryon L. Pedersen Dec 1993

Experimental Verification Of Tomographic Reconstruction Of Turbulent Air Flow Structure Using Optical Wavefront Measurements, Bryon L. Pedersen

Theses and Dissertations

The performance of an aircraft based optical system is degraded by aero-optic turbulence. The varying index of refraction within the turbulent field causes phase perturbation in an optical wave. In order to compensate for aero-optic turbulence effects, the nature of the turbulence must be understood. Large scale, organized structure within the turbulence has been found to contribute significantly to the overall phase perturbation caused by a turbulent field. A unique approach was devised to determine the turbulence structure using tomographic reconstruction techniques. Tomography provides an excellent means to determine the underlying structure within a turbulent field. The tomographic reconstruction produces …

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Developing Prediction Regions For A Time Series Model For Hurricane Forecasting, William Cheman Dec 1993

Developing Prediction Regions For A Time Series Model For Hurricane Forecasting, William Cheman

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, a class of time series models for forecasting a hurricanes future position based on its previous positions and a generalized model of hurricane motion are examined and extended. Results of a literature review suggest that meteorological models continue to increase in complexity while few statistical approaches, such as linear regression, have been successfully applied. An exception is provided by a certain class of time series models that appear to forecast storms almost as well as current meteorological models without their tremendous complexity. A suggestion for enhancing the performance of these time series models is pursued through an …

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System Design Analysis Of A Lightweight Laser Satellite Terminal, Brian C. Page Dec 1993

System Design Analysis Of A Lightweight Laser Satellite Terminal, Brian C. Page

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the technological feasibility of a man- portable satellite laser communications system. Areas of interest were an end- to-end system analysis on the communications link evaluation of atmospheric effects and evaluation of semi-conductor lasers as the laser source. A literature search revealed that satellite laser communication research is primarily directed at inter-satellite links. There have been some proposed systems for space-to-ground laser communications systems, but they all utilize large fixed ground stations. The focus of this research effort is directed at a small man-portable ground station capitalizing on recent advances in semiconductor laser devices. Baseline satellite communication systems …

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An Analysis Of The Root Causes Of Delays And Deficiencies In The Development Of Embedded Software For Air Force Weapon Systems, Jay R. Hopkins, Curtis De Keyrel Dec 1993

An Analysis Of The Root Causes Of Delays And Deficiencies In The Development Of Embedded Software For Air Force Weapon Systems, Jay R. Hopkins, Curtis De Keyrel

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of embedded software, used in every subsystem of ah major weapon systems used by the United States Air Force, has increased drastically over the last decades. However, in spite of the regulations currently in existence, developing and acquiring software which meets the user requirements within the original cost and schedule estimates continues to be difficult. At the same time, the Air Force has pushed to improve the development process with the Total Quality Management TQM program. The primary method used to improve the process has been to create metrics, collect data on these metrics, and then perform a …

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Performance Impacts For Actuator Misalignments And Failures In Large- Aperture Adaptive-Optic Telescopes, Timothy D. Hogan Dec 1993

Performance Impacts For Actuator Misalignments And Failures In Large- Aperture Adaptive-Optic Telescopes, Timothy D. Hogan

Theses and Dissertations

Large-aperture telescopes require adaptive optics in order to compensate for atmospheric turbulence which would otherwise negate the resolution advantages of using large apertures. This investigation analyzes the impacts of misalignments and failures, in the deformable mirror actuators, upon the performance of such systems. A numerical simulation of a standard adaptive optics system is used to generate characteristic optical transfer function OTF and signal-to-noise ratio SNR performance metrics. The performance impacts of the misalignments are shown to be dependent upon the Fried parameter effective telescope diameter, the source object brightness, and the control system time delay. The degree of performance degradation …

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A Non-Homogeneous, Spatio-Temporal, Wavelet Multiresolution Analysis And Its Application To The Analysis Of Motion, Thomas J. Burns Dec 1993

A Non-Homogeneous, Spatio-Temporal, Wavelet Multiresolution Analysis And Its Application To The Analysis Of Motion, Thomas J. Burns

Theses and Dissertations

This research presents a multiresolution wavelet analysis tool for analyzing motion in time sequential imagery. A theoretical framework is developed for constructing an L2R wavelet multiresolution analysis from three non-identical spatial and temporal L2R wavelet multiresolution analyses. This framework provides the flexibility to tailor the spatio-temporal frequency characteristics of the three dimensional wavelet filter to match the frequency behavior of the analyzed signal. An unconventional, discrete multiresolution wavelet decomposition algorithm is developed which yields a rich set of independent spatio-temporally oriented frequency channels for analyzing, the size and speed characteristics of moving objects. Unlike conventional wavelet decomposition methods, this algorithm …

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Spectroscopic And Vibrational Energy Transfer Studies In Molecular Bromine, Courtney D. Holmberg Dec 1993

Spectroscopic And Vibrational Energy Transfer Studies In Molecular Bromine, Courtney D. Holmberg

Theses and Dissertations

Vibrational transfer and electronic quenching in the lower vibrational levels (v' < 3) of the B3π(0u+) state of 79Br2 were investigated using spectrally resolved, temporally resolved laser induced fluorescence techniques. Spectrally resolved emissions from collisionally populated Br2(B) vibrational levels were observed for Br2 and rare gas collision partners. Vibrational transfer was efficient in the non-predissociative vibrational levels and was adequately described by the Montroll-Shuler model for harmonic oscillators. A single fundamental rate coefficient for vibrational transfer from v' = 1 to v' = 0, kv(1,0), characterizes vibrational relaxation. For Br2, the …

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Air Pollution Transport Modeling, David M. Paal Dec 1993

Air Pollution Transport Modeling, David M. Paal

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort addresses modeling of the transportation of air pollution in the atmosphere and the numerical analysis of the partial differential equations used in such modeling. Three Gaussian models are examined and compared using example problems. Several finite difference schemes are developed to solve the partial differential equations used in air pollution transport modeling. This study examines three Gaussian models SCREEN, AFTOX, and the program GAUSPLUM. The model GAUSPLUM is developed in this study and uses the Ada programming language and the analytic solution to the advection- diffusion equation. Numerical analysis of the partial differential equations PDE used in …

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Design And Construction Of The Aerobot Robotic Manipulator (Arm), William L. Cochran Dec 1993

Design And Construction Of The Aerobot Robotic Manipulator (Arm), William L. Cochran

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis designed, constructed, and tested a robotic arm for the Aerobot Aerial Robot. The main purpose of the ARM is to enable the Aerobot to retrieve objects for use in an annual robotics competition. Design of the ARM involved synthesizing the characteristics of simplicity, weight, strength, and size. The result was a three-degree-of-freedom manipulator that uses electric motors, cable linkages, and telescoping tubes to access a work space below the Aerobot. Forward and inverse kinematics were investigated to enable automation of the ARM. Data was collected from infrared sensors to validate the model. Manipulation of the ARM is presently …

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A Numerical Study Of High-Speed Missile Configurations Using A Block- Structured Parallel Algorithm, Douglas C. Blake Dec 1993

A Numerical Study Of High-Speed Missile Configurations Using A Block- Structured Parallel Algorithm, Douglas C. Blake

Theses and Dissertations

A numerical analysis of the aerodynamic phenomena associated with the high-speed flight of a sharp-nosed, four-finned, high-fineness ratio missile using a block-structured, parallel computer algorithm is presented. The algorithm, PANS-3EM, utilizes a second-order-accurate, shock-capturing, Total Variation Diminishing scheme and incorporates a Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model. PANS-3EM allows for extreme flexibility in the choice of computational domain decomposition and computing machine of implementation. Developmental work consists of conceptualization and verification of the algorithm as well as parallel performance and scalability studies conducted on a variety of computing platforms. Using PANS-3EM, the aerodynamic characteristics of the missile are investigated. Drag and pitching moment …

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High Resolution Fourier Transform Absorption Spectrum Of 79Br2 B3Π(0U+) ← X1ΣG+, Robert E. Franklin Dec 1993

High Resolution Fourier Transform Absorption Spectrum Of 79Br2 B3Π(0U+) ← X1ΣG+, Robert E. Franklin

Theses and Dissertations

High Resolution Fourier Transform Spectroscopy has been conducted for the 79Br2 B3π(0u+) ← X1Σg+ system of 79Br2. A total of 64 vibrational levels, including v"= 0-3 and v' = 10-33, have been observed and assigned. Rotational levels as high as J=76 were observed. A global fitting routine has been developed to fit the rotational spectra to the Dunham Expansion. Using Bv and Dv for both the X and B state, rotational transitions were calculated to within 0. 02 cm-1. The expansions of …

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Shock Wave Interaction With L-Shaped Structures, Richard C. Miller Dec 1993

Shock Wave Interaction With L-Shaped Structures, Richard C. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the interaction of shock waves with L-shaped structures using the CTH hydrodynamics code developed by Sandia National Laboratories. Computer models of shock waves traveling through air were developed using techniques similar to shock tube experiments. Models of L-shaped buildings were used to determine overpressures achieved by the reflecting shock versus angle of incidence of the shock front. An L-shaped building model rotated 45 degrees to the planar shock front produced the highest reflected overpressure of 9.73 atmospheres in the corner joining the two wings, a value 9.5 times the incident overpressure of 1.02 atmospheres. The same L-shaped …

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Vibrational Energy Transfer Within The B3Π(0+U) State Of 79Br2 Upon Collision With N2, O2, No, And Sf6, Gregory S. Williams Dec 1993

Vibrational Energy Transfer Within The B3Π(0+U) State Of 79Br2 Upon Collision With N2, O2, No, And Sf6, Gregory S. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Vibrational transfer and electronic quenching in the lower vibrational levels of the 79Br2(B; v'≤3) were investigated using spectrally resolved, temporally resolved pulsed laser induced fluorescence techniques. Spectrally resolved emissions from collisionally populated Br2(B) vibrational levels were observed for N2, O2, NO, and SF6collision partners. The vibrational transfer was efficient in the nonpredissociative vibrational levels and is adequately described by the Montroll-Shuler model. An average fundamental vibrational transfer rate coefficient of kv(l,0)=3.4(±0.6) x 10-11 cm3/molec-sec predicts the vibrational transfer rates for the 0≤v'≤3 collisions with …

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Genetic Algorithms And Their Application To The Protein Folding Problem, Donald J. Brinkman Dec 1993

Genetic Algorithms And Their Application To The Protein Folding Problem, Donald J. Brinkman

Theses and Dissertations

The protein folding problem involves the prediction of the secondary and tertiary structure of a molecule given the primary structure. The primary structure defines sequence of amino-acid residues, while the secondary structure describes the local 3-dimensional arrangement of amino-acid residues within the molecule. The relative orientation of the secondary structural motifs, namely the tertiary structure, defines the shape of the entire biomolecule. The exact, mechanism by which a sequence of amino acids protein folds into its 3- dimensional conformation is unknown Current approaches to the protein folding problem include calculus-based methods, systematic search, model building and symbolic methods, random methods …

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Vulnerability Assessment Using A Fuzzy Logic Based Method, Richard W. Fleming Dec 1993

Vulnerability Assessment Using A Fuzzy Logic Based Method, Richard W. Fleming

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the feasibility of using qualitative analysis methods to evaluate computer security vulnerabilities. Although many risk analysis systems exist, few provide for the adequate analysis of identified vulnerabilities. While the main focus of this thesis is to evaluate computer security vulnerabilities, the methods involved have application in other areas requiring evaluation using qualitative methods. It is proposed, and demonstrated by this thesis, that the use of qualitative analysis using linguistic variables to describe the impact of computer security vulnerabilities is not only feasible, but intrinsically easier to understand and use than quantitative methods.

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Developing A Graphical User Interface To Support A Real-Time Digital Signal Processing System, Jeffrey C. Miller Dec 1993

Developing A Graphical User Interface To Support A Real-Time Digital Signal Processing System, Jeffrey C. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

A graphical software user interface for a VMEbus-based real-time digital signal processing system was designed. Use, requirements were defined and the Rumbaugh object-oriented analysis and design technique was applied to analyze the requirements and produce an object-oriented design. The software design includes a graphical, mouse- and keyboard driven user interface, specialized hardware driver modules, and operating system interfaces. An implementation plan was also developed to map the design into the C programming language using existing system code, automatically generated code, and newly written code. Based on the implementation plan, a limited software system prototype w successfully developed and demonstrated. The …

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Objectsim - A Reusable Object Oriented Dis Visual Simulation, Mark I. Snyder Dec 1993

Objectsim - A Reusable Object Oriented Dis Visual Simulation, Mark I. Snyder

Theses and Dissertations

This research designed and implemented a reusable Distributed Interactive Simulation DIS visual simulation architecture for Silicon Graphics platforms. The goal was to research software architecture technologies and to create a design and implementation using these ideas. The architecture was designed using object oriented techniques to provide the ability to customize it via inheritance extension. The resulting design was implemented using C and applied to several DIS visual simulation projects in the Graphics Lab at AFIT. The architecture, named ObjectSim, was successful in its goal of providing a reusable core for the DIS visual simulation projects in the Graphics Lab at …

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Graphical Tools For Situational Awareness Assistance For Large Battle Spaces, Brian B. Soltz Dec 1993

Graphical Tools For Situational Awareness Assistance For Large Battle Spaces, Brian B. Soltz

Theses and Dissertations

As virtual environments grow in complexity and size, users are increasingly challenged in assessing situations in large-scale virtual environment. This occurs because of the difficulty in determining where to focus attention and assimilating and assessing the information as it floods in. One technique for providing this type of assistance is to provide the user with a first-person, immersive, synthetic environment observation post, that permits unobtrusive observation of the environment without interfering with the activity in the environment. However, for large, complex synthetic environments, this type of support is not sufficient because the portrayal of raw, unanalyzed data in the virtual …

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Domain Analysis And Modeling Of A Model-Based Software Executive, Robert L. Welgan Dec 1993

Domain Analysis And Modeling Of A Model-Based Software Executive, Robert L. Welgan

Theses and Dissertations

This research was adapted the domain analysis techniques of Prieto- Diaz and Tracz to specify a domain analysis process which was used to conduct domain analysis over the domain of software executives. This analysis created a set of informal and formal domain model artifacts. The domain model artifacts were instantiated into two application executive subsystems. These executive subsystems operated in Architect, a domain-oriented application composition system based on the Object-Connection-Update OCU model. This research demonstrated and evaluated execution of the instantiated executive domain model in a series of event-driven and time-driven applications. As a consequence of developing the application executive …

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Synthetic Battlebridge: Information Visualization And User Interface Design Applications In A Large Virtual Reality Environment, Kirk G. Wilson Dec 1993

Synthetic Battlebridge: Information Visualization And User Interface Design Applications In A Large Virtual Reality Environment, Kirk G. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

With shrinking budgets and fewer personnel, future military training will rely heavily on simulated environments. The goal for this training is to reduce cost while maintaining readiness and unparalleled capability for all levels of military command. This thesis effort, the Synthetic Battle Bridge SBB , provides a real-time simulated environment for military commanders to observe on-going computer simulations of varying participation levels and helps them wring the most from a simulation. The SBB, designed for higher ranking personnel with little time to spend learning how to run the system, must exhibit three capabilities ease-of-use, long-term retention, and adaptability. Based on …

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Three Dimensional Object Recognition Using A Complex Autoregressive Model, David E. Chelen Dec 1993

Three Dimensional Object Recognition Using A Complex Autoregressive Model, David E. Chelen

Theses and Dissertations

Based on an autoregressive model, Complex Partial Correlation CPARCOR features are known to provide exceptional Position, Scale, and Rotation Invariant PSRI properties for planar 2-Dimensional 2-D object recognition. Although autogressive models have been successfully applied to numerous spatio-temporal recognition tasks, the effects of out-of-plane image rotations were never considered. This study investigates application of the CPAR-COR model to a five class problem of nonplanar 2-D views of 3-D objects. Recognition based on CPAR-COR features is evaluated using a Template Matching algorithm, two K-Nearest-Neighbor KNN classifiers, and a Hidden Markov Model HMM. Direct comparisons to recognition based on Fourier features are …

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Failure Mechanisms Of High Temperature Semiconductor Lasers, David H. Leicester Dec 1993

Failure Mechanisms Of High Temperature Semiconductor Lasers, David H. Leicester

Theses and Dissertations

The primary intent of this research was to determine the influence of three common degradation mechanisms, dark area defects, facet degradation, and contact degradation, on the operational lifetime of GaAs edge-emitting semiconductor lasers driven by continuous current at 100 deg C. Inherent to this work was the quantified characterization of the lasers during their operation. This characterization arose as the power output as a function of driving current at room temperature before and after laser exposure to 100 deg C ambient temperature. These power vs. current characterizations were conducted at room temperature on each laser before and after exposure to …

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Developing Realistic Behaviors In Adversarial Agents For Air Combat Simulation, George S. Hluck Dec 1993

Developing Realistic Behaviors In Adversarial Agents For Air Combat Simulation, George S. Hluck

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes an initial effort into creating a rule-based, reactive system for air combat simulation. This program uses the object-oriented extension of the expert system tool known as the C Language Integrated Production System CLIPS. This effort rose out of the need for creating and integrating semi-autonomous forces for the Distributed Interactive System DIS. This thesis describes the basic maneuvers a pilot uses in present air-to-air combat. The methodology includes the design decisions, knowledge-base development, phase architecture, and maneuver architecture development. The actual implementation of the selected architecture is described. This thesis also discusses the results of experimental runs …

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Integration And Enhancement Of The Saber Wargame, Karl S. Mathias Dec 1993

Integration And Enhancement Of The Saber Wargame, Karl S. Mathias

Theses and Dissertations

The Saber wargame is a theater-level air/land battle wargame written in Ada that is being developed for the Air Force Wargaming Center at Maxwell AFB, AL. This thesis documents how the user interface and simulation engine were integrated. Integration was accomplished by developing a portable object-oriented database system (OODBMS) interface. The interface was implemented in Ada and tied to an OODBMS also written in Ada. Using the interface, both subsystems were able to work from a consistent database and exchange information. The user interface was enhanced by converting it from the Software Technology for Adaptable Reliable Systems Ada/X Window System …

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Discovery Learning In Autonomous Agents Using Genetic Algorithms, Edward O. Gordon Dec 1993

Discovery Learning In Autonomous Agents Using Genetic Algorithms, Edward O. Gordon

Theses and Dissertations

As the new Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) draft standard evolves into a useful document and distributed simulations begin to emerge that implement parts of the standard, there is renewed interest in available methods to effectively control autonomous aircraft agents in such a simulated environment. This investigation examines the use of a genetics-based classifier system for agent control. These are robust learning systems that use the adaptive search mechanisms of genetic algorithms to guide the learning system in forming new concepts (decision rules) about its environment. By allowing the rule base to evolve, it adapts agent behavior to environmental changes. Addressed …

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Evaluation Of An Acoustic Charge Transport (Act) Device For Adaptive Interference Suppression In Spread Spectrum Communications Systems, Michael S. Mills Dec 1993

Evaluation Of An Acoustic Charge Transport (Act) Device For Adaptive Interference Suppression In Spread Spectrum Communications Systems, Michael S. Mills

Theses and Dissertations

Analytical results have shown that adaptive filtering can be a powerful tool for the rejection of narrowband interference in a direct sequence spread spectrum receiver. However, the complexity of adaptive filtering hardware has hindered the experimental validation of these results. This thesis describes a unique adaptive filter architecture for implementing the Widrow-Hoff Least- Mean-Square (LMS) algorithm using two state-of-the-art Acoustic Charge Transport (ACT) Programmable Transversal Filters (PTFs). Signal-to-noise ratio improvement measurements demonstrate the effectiveness of the adaptive filter for suppressing single- and dual-tone jammers at jammer-to-signal ratios (JSRs) of up to 30 dB. It is shown that the ACT adaptive …

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Predicting Nonlinear Time Series, James C. Gainey Jr. Dec 1993

Predicting Nonlinear Time Series, James C. Gainey Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Predicting future values of a time series has many practical uses in real-time signal processing and understanding. This thesis implements an Adaptive Time Delay Neural Network ATNN capable of user-defined degeneration to the more common Time Delay Neural Network TDNN. Time delays along axons or at the synapses, which vary in biological systems, motivate this research. The ATNNTDNN test results and time series prediction capabilities are compared to those of the Real-Time Recurrent Learning RTRL algorithm. To show the advantages and disadvantages of using TDNN and ATNN for prediction versus the RTRL, the networks were applied to two problems incommensurate …

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