Applied Mathematics Commons^™

Direct Least-Squares Ellipse Fitting, Jane Courtney, Annraoi Depaor

Conference Papers

Many biological and astronomical forms can be best represented by ellipses. While some more complex curves might represent the shape more accurately, ellipses have the advantage that they are easily parameterised and define the location, orientation and dimensions of the data more clearly. In this paper, we present a method of direct least-squares ellipse fitting by solving a generalised eigensystem. This is more efficient and more accurate than many alternative approaches to the ellipse-fitting problem such as fuzzy c-shells clustering and Hough transforms. This method was developed for human body modelling as part of a larger project to design a …

Derivation And Analysis Of Maximum And Conditional Work Of An Electromagnet In Relays With Small Gaps And Constant Armature Load, Dominic Chambega

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

No abstract provided.

Mathematical Simulation Of The Influence Of Volatile Ma•Rrer Cloud On Heterogeneous Ignition Of Single Coal Particles, Hassan Ratal Ambula

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Asimple model has been developed to predict the heterogeneous ignition temperature for single coal particles under conditions of negligible, natural and forced convections. These conditions cause different sizes Of volatile matter cloud that surround the coal particle. The model is based on the ignition Of a single coal particle heated by irradiation from spot heaters in a cold (ambient) surrounding. Energy from the particle surface oxidation, volatile matter combustion and physical heating from the spot heaters are all included in rhe particle energv balance. General ignüion criterion is used to determine the ignition point. The agreement between the experimental and …

Review Of The Product Development Process And Information Flow In The Manufacturing Industry: Problems And A Possible Wav Forward, E Opiyo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

No abstract provided.

Probabilistic Load Flow For Mv Radial Distribution Networks Supplying Statistical Loads, B Kundy

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Aecurate load models are required Jör 'he computation OJ' load on Medium Voltage (MV) distribution net•.vovk.s_ Modern microprocessors in recent times have enabled researchers stunple and log domestic loads. The findings show that domestic loads are stochastic in nonwe and are best described bv u beta probability distribution [Herman et al. 1999]. The statistical evaluafion lhe consumer voltages requires description load currents al rhe lime e/ lhe system maximum demand. In this paper. an analytical 1001 computing voltage vegulation on MV distribution net-norks fi•eding statistical louds is presenled. To deal beta- distributed currents on MV distribution networks, new scaling factors …

An Analysis Of Electromagnetic Interference (Emi) Of Ultra Wideband(Uwb) And Ieee 802.11a Wireless Local Area Network (Wlan) Employing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (Ofdm), Juan Lopez Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Military communications require the rapid deployment of mobile, high-bandwidth systems. These systems must provide anytime, anywhere capabilities with minimal interference to existing military, private, and commercial communications. Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology is being advanced as the next generation radio technology and has the potential to revolutionize indoor wireless communications. The ability of UWB to mitigate multipath fading, provide high-throughput data rates (e.g., greater than 100 Mbps), provide excellent signal penetration (e.g., through walls), and low implementation costs makes it an ideal technology for a wide range of private and public sector applications. Preliminary UWB studies conducted by The Institute for …

An Analysis Of Coast Guard Hh-65 Engine Reliability: A Comparison Of Malfunctions To Component Removals, Donna L. Cottrell

Theses and Dissertations

The Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter experienced 31 in-flight loss of power incidents during FY 2003 and 21 during the first two months of FY 2003. Concurrent with this apparent decrease in reliability, the Coast Guard seeks ways to expand the HH- 65’s Airborne Use of Force capabilities as a result of the September 11th, 2001 terrorists’ attacks. This study is an exploratory, empirical analysis of engine and airframe component replacements as related to engine mishaps and reliability in the HH-65. We use contingency table analysis, ordinary least squares regression, and logistic regression to examine the mishap history and component replacement …

A Fast And Simple Algorithm For Computing M-Shortest Paths In State Graph, M. Sherwood, Laxmi P. Gewali, Henry Selvaraj, Venkatesan Muthukumar

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

We consider the problem of computing m shortest paths between a source node s and a target node t in a stage graph. Polynomial time algorithms known to solve this problem use complicated data structures. This paper proposes a very simple algorithm for computing all m shortest paths in a stage graph efficiently. The proposed algorithm does not use any complicated data structure and can be implemented in a straightforward way by using only array data structure. This problem appears as a sub-problem for planning risk reduced multiple k-legged trajectories for aerial vehicles.

On The Empirical Balanced Truncation For Nonlinear Systems, Marissa Condon, Rossen Ivanov

Articles

Novel constructions of empirical controllability and observability gramians for nonlinear systems for subsequent use in a balanced truncation style of model reduction are proposed. The new gramians are based on a generalisation of the fundamental solution for a Linear Time-Varying system. Relationships between the given gramians for nonlinear systems and the standard gramians for both Linear Time-Invariant and Linear Time-Varying systems are established as well as relationships to prior constructions proposed for empirical gramians. Application of the new gramians is illustrated through a sample test-system.

Redundant Discrete Wavelet Transform Based Super-Resolution Using Sub-Pixel Image Registration, Daniel L. Ward

Theses and Dissertations

The limited resolution of video imagery taken by aircraft, over geographical areas of interest, hinders the accurate extraction of useful information. The frame resolution of the video is determined by the camera that created it. Information exists about the camera which can be used to increase frame resolution beyond the resolution capability of the camera. This is achieved by a process called super-resolution, which uses multiple low-resolution video frames to create one high-resolution image.

Feature Guided Image Registration Applied To Phase And Wavelet-Base Optic Flow, Kate R. Duffy

Theses and Dissertations

Optic Flow algorithms are useful in problems such as computers vision, navigational systems, and robotics. However, current algorithms are computationally expensive or lack the accuracy to be effective compared with traditionally navigation systems. Recently, lower accuracy inertial navigation systems (INS) based on Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology have been proposed to replace more accurate traditional navigation systems.

Pattern Recognition For Electric Power System Protection, Yong Sheng

Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this research is to demonstrate pattern recognition tools such as decision trees (DTs) and neural networks that will improve and automate the design of relay protection functions in electric power systems. Protection functions that will benefit from the research include relay algorithms for high voltage transformer protection (TP) and for high impedance fault (HIF) detection. A methodology, which uses DTs and wavelet analysis to distinguish transformer internal faults from other conditions that are easily mistaken for internal faults, has been developed. Also, a DT based solution is proposed to discriminate HIFs from normal operations that may confuse …

Identifying Enlisted Stay And Leave Population Characteristics With Discriminant Analysis, Zabrina Y. Hoggard

Theses and Dissertations

The research contribution of this thesis is the first known integrated architecture and feature selection algorithm for Radial Basis Neural Networks (RBNNs). The objective is to apply the network iteratively to determine the final architecture and feature set used to evaluate a problem. Additionally, this thesis compares three different classification techniques, Discriminant Analysis (DA), Feed-Forward Neural Networks (FFN) and RBNNs against several hard to solve problems. These problems were used to evaluate general classifier performance as well as the performance of the feature selection techniques. This thesis describes the classification techniques as well as the measures used to evaluate them. …

An Analysis Of Mutually Dispersive Brown Symbols For Non-Linear Ambiguity Suppression, Matthew J. Papaphotis

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis significantly advances research towards the implementation of optimal Non-linear Ambiguity Suppression (NLS) waveforms by analyzing the Brown theorem. The Brown theorem is reintroduced with the use of simplified linear algebraic notation. A methodology for Brown symbol design and digitization is provided, and the concept of dispersive gain is introduced. Numerical methods are utilized to design, synthesize, and analyze Brown symbol performance. The theoretical performance in compression and dispersion of Brown symbols is demonstrated and is shown to exhibit significant improvement compared to discrete codes. As a result of this research a process is derived for the design of …

Selecting Salient Features In High Feature To Exemplar Ratio Conditions, Ismail Aslan

Theses and Dissertations

A key tenet to the Air Force's vision of Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power is the ability to project power via the use of aerial refueling. Scheduling of limited tanker resources is a major concern for Air Mobility Command (AMC). Currently the Combined Mating and Ranging Planning System (CMARPS) is used to plan aerial refueling operations, however due to the complex nature of the program and the length of time needed to run a scenario, the need for a simple tool that runs in much shorter time is desired. Ant colony algorithms are recently developed heuristics for finding solutions to …

Modeling And Analysis Of Multicommodity Network Flows Via Goal Programming, Matthew A. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

In this research we focused on the mobility system modeled by the AMC mobility planner's calculator (AMPCALC). We developed AMPCALC as a user-friendly tool and allow the user to easily carry out strategic airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation calculations that are covered in Air Force Pamphlet 10-1403. In this study, Excel software and its macro language, Visual Basic for Application, are our two main tools. In the methodology of the thesis we examined fundamental aspects of the mobility system in AMPCALC. We discussed formulation logic of the mobility cycle. We presented ramp use optimization and tanker optimization processes. We …

Flow Patterns In A Two-Roll Mill, Christopher Hills

Articles

The two-dimensional flow of a Newtonian fluid in a rectangular box that contains two disjoint, independently-rotating, circular boundaries is studied. The flow field for this two-roll mill is determined numerically using a finite-difference scheme over a Cartesian grid with variable horizontal and vertical spacing to accommodate satisfactorily the circular boundaries. To make the streamfunction numerically determinate we insist that the pressure field is everywhere single-valued. The physical character, streamline topology and transitions of the flow are discussed for a range of geometries, rotation rates and Reynolds numbers in the underlying seven-parameter space. An account of a preliminary experimental study of …

Advances In Space Radiation Shielding Codes, John W. Wilson, Ram K. Tripathi, Garry D. Qualls, Francis A. Cucinotta, Richard E. Prael, John W. Norbury, John H. Heinbockel, John Tweed, Giovanni De Angelis

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Early space radiation shield code development relied on Monte Carlo methods and made important contributions to the space program. Monte Carlo methods have resorted to restricted one-dimensional problems leading to imperfect representation of appropriate boundary conditions. Even so, intensive computational requirements resulted and shield evaluation was made near the end of the design process. Resolving shielding issues usually had a negative impact on the design. Improved spacecraft shield design requires early entry of radiation constraints into the design process to maximize performance and minimize costs. As a result, we have been investigating high-speed computational procedures to allow shield analysis from …

Real-Time Travel Time Estimation Using Macroscopic Traffic Flow Models, Pushkin Kachroo, Kaan Ozbay, Antoine G. Hobeika

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

This paper presents the estimation of travel time on highways based on macroscopic modelling. The focus is on real-time values as compared to average or static values. The macroscopic models are used for distributed and time/space lumped settings and corresponding travel time estimation functions and algorithms are developed. The implications of these algorithms for the implementation of various incident management and traffic control strategies are also discussed.

Simulation Of Engineering Systems Described By High-Index Dae And Discontinuous Ode Using Single Step Methods, Marc Compere

Publications

This dissertation presents numerical methods for solving two classes of or-dinary diferential equations (ODE) based on single-step integration meth-ods. The first class of equations addressed describes the mechanical dynamics of constrained multibody systems. These equations are ordinary differential equations (ODE) subject to algebraic constraints. Accordinly they are called differential-algebraic equations (DAE).

Specific contributions made in this area include an explicit transforma-tion between the Hessenberg index-3 form for constrained mechanical systems to a canonical state-space form used in the nonlinear control communities. A hybrid solution method was developed that incorporates both sliding-mode control (SMC) from the controls literature and post-stabilization from …

Electrokinetic Cha Raci'erisation Of Colloidal A-Alumina, J Ntalikwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Electrophoretic mobility (uD is an important rneasurable parameter in studying the electrokinetic properties of a colloid dispersion. This parameter is Often convened into zeta potential (C) Which piays a great role in thc description Of the stability towards aggregation Of dispersed particles. In this paper, measurements of Of colloidal a-alumina dispersed in various concentrations of electrolyte arc reported. It was observed that, the isoelectric points (the pH at which us = O) occurred at 7.52 ± 0.32, 8.05 ± 0.11 and 7,95 ± 0.18 in Naci, KCI and NaNOs respectively. The isoelectric point was observed to be a function Of …

Comparative Analysis Of Rng K-E And 'Standard' K-C Models For Fluid Flow Around A Cylinder, A Temu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A two-dimensional computational scheme for simulating fluid flow around a cylinder was investigated. RNG (Re-NOrmalisation Group) and 'standard' turbulent closure models were used. simulation was implemented with assistance OfFLOW-3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. The governing equation Of fluid motion, in Eulerian form, included body forces as well as surface forces. The computational model predictions for fluid velocity showed good agreement between the two models. Comparison Of the viscosities showed a large deviation from the two models, with RNG k-E model giving a better approximation. Comparison Of the velocity around the cylinder, as obtained from RNG k-c model, with approximation …

Baseflow Separation Based On Storage-Outflow Modelling Of Streamflow Recessions, With Application To Semi- Arid Catchments In Tanzania, S Mwakalila

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Discharge in many rivers is Often fed by baseflow provided by drainage of the saturated zone in the shallow permeable soils. It is becoming clear that the outflow from this saturated zone is not linear proportional to storage as is commonly assumed in many algorithms. The objectives Of this study theretore, are first to explore the extent to which the assumption of linearity in storage-outflow relationships is valid and secondly to introduce an alternative approach to baseflow separation algorithms for estimating direct mnoff time series. Numerical analysis Of streamflow recessions from the semi-arid catchments of the Great Ruaha basin in …

Overview Of Fuzzy Logic, Mohamed Trabia

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Presentations

The presentation includes a brief introduction to fuzzy logic and fuzzy logic controllers. These concepts are illustrated by an example of an autonomous vehicle controller.

Comparison Of Two Distributed Fuzzy Logic Controllers For Flexible-Link Manipulators, Linda Z. Shi, Mohamed Trabia

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Presentations

The paper suggests that fuzzy logic controllers present a computationally efficient and robust alternative to conventional controllers. The paper presents two possible structures for the distributed fuzzy logic controller of a single-link flexible manipulator. A linear quadratic regulator method is used to prove the effectiveness of fuzzy logic controllers.

Design Of Fuzzy Logic Controllers For Optimal Performance, Mohamed Trabia

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Presentations

While fuzzy logic controllers are generally robust, the performance of a system whose behavior is not well understood, or that has a large number of coupled inputs and outputs, may be less than optimal. In this paper, nonlinear programming techniques are used to improve the performance of a fuzzy logic controller for navigating an autonomous vehicle.

A Low Power Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (Asic) Implementation Of Wavelet Transform/Inverse Transform, Daniel N. Harvala

Theses and Dissertations

A unique ASIC was designed implementing the Haar Wavelet transform for image compression/decompression. ASIC operations include performing the Haar wavelet transform on a 512 by 512 square pixel image, preparing the image for transmission by quantizing and thresholding the transformed data, and performing the inverse Haar wavelet transform, returning the original image with only minor degradation. The ASIC is based on an existing four-chip FPGA implementation. Implementing the design using a dedicated ASIC enhances the speed, decreases chip count to a single die, and uses significantly less power compared to the FPGA implementation. A reduction of RAM accesses was realized …

Investigation Of Optical Interference Effects In The Generalized Eikonal Formalism, Nyok Fah Thong

Student Works (2000-2009)

In recent studies, the generalized eikonal equation and the equation of continuity had been shown able to describe wave phenomena, which cannot be obtained by simple geometrical optics. The time dependent generalized eikonal equation, derived from the time dependent Maxwell wave equation, is able to describe dispersion and soliton effects. This method was exten4ed to include diffraction, self-trapping and self-focusing in linear and non-linear media for stationary waves. For cases that have no analytical solution, the generalized eikonal equation and the equation of continuity are solved numerically. The solutions are in good agreement with the solutions obtained from the Fresnel-Kirchhoff …

Eddy Structures Induced Within A Wedge By A Honing Circular Arc, C. P. Hills

Articles

In this paper we outline an expeditious numerical procedure to calculate the Stokes flow in a corner due to the rotation of a scraping circular boundary. The method is also applicable to other wedge geometries. We employ a collocation technique utilising a basis of eddy (similarity) functions introduced by Moffatt (1964) that allows us to satisfy automatically the governing equations for the streamfunction and all the boundary conditions on the surface of the wedge. The circular honing problem thereby becomes one-dimensional requiring only the satisfaction of conditions on the circular boundary. The advantage of using the Moffatt eddy functions as …

Eddies Induced In Cylindrical Containers By A Rotating End Wall, Christopher Hills

Articles

The flow generated in a viscous liquid contained in a cylindrical geometry by a rotating end wall is considered. Recent numerical and experimental work has established several distinct phases of the motion when fluid inertia plays a significant role. The current paper, however, establishes the nature of the flow in the thus far neglected low Reynolds number regime. Explicitly, by employing biorthogonality relations appropriate to the current geometry, it is shown that a sequence of exponentially decaying eddies extends outward from the rotating end wall. The cellular structure is a manifestation of the dominance of complex eigensolutions to the homogeneous …