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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Articles 1081 - 1110 of 1277

Full-Text Articles in Computer Sciences

The Effective Use Of Animation In Simulation Model Validation, Christopher L. Swider Mar 1994

The Effective Use Of Animation In Simulation Model Validation, Christopher L. Swider

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined two animation displays moving icons, bar graphs at two presentation speeds to determine how each of these factors affected the animations ability to communicate violations of model assumptions. Subjects viewed animation displays individually and in combination at each presentation speed. Eight problem scenarios were presented to evaluate each animations ability to communicate violations of different assumptions. Each animations communication ability was measured subjectively and objectively. Subjective measures in the form of pairwise comparisons were used to calculate normalized preference ratings for each animation. objective measures included problem identification accuracy and problem time. Subjective results indicated that moving …

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Assessing The Vulnerability Of Multi-Commodity Networks With Failing Components, Alan R. Robinson Mar 1994

Assessing The Vulnerability Of Multi-Commodity Networks With Failing Components, Alan R. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This research proposes an analytical approach for assessing flow disturbance, or compromise, based on limited sampling of arc flow information in multi-commodity, or multiple origin-destination O-D, networks with failing arcs. There were three objectives established for this research. The first objective was to bound the expected flow, given the arcs fail with certain probabilities, which was accomplished by reviewing current approaches for single-commodity networks and extending the results to the multi-commodity case. The second objective was to determine the best placement of flow monitors to obtain the most accurate estimates of O-D pair volumes. This was accomplished using a multi-criteria …

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A Fortran Based Learning System Using Multilayer Back-Propagation Neural Network Techniques, Gregory L. Reinhart Mar 1994

A Fortran Based Learning System Using Multilayer Back-Propagation Neural Network Techniques, Gregory L. Reinhart

Theses and Dissertations

An interactive computer system which allows the researcher to build an optimal neural network structure quickly, is developed and validated. This system assumes a single hidden layer perceptron structure and uses the back- propagation training technique. The software enables the researcher to quickly define a neural network structure, train the neural network, interrupt training at any point to analyze the status of the current network, re-start training at the interrupted point if desired, and analyze the final network using two- dimensional graphs, three-dimensional graphs, confusion matrices and saliency metrics. A technique for training, testing, and validating various network structures and …

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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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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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A Parallel Computational Fluid Dynamics Unstructured Grid Generator, Deborah E. Davis Dec 1993

A Parallel Computational Fluid Dynamics Unstructured Grid Generator, Deborah E. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This research addressed the development of a parallel computational fluid dynamics unstructured grid generator using Delaunay triangulation. The generator is applied to simple elliptical and cylindrical two-dimensional bodies. The methodologies used included Watsons point insertion algorithm, Holmes and Snyders point creation algorithm, a discretized surface definition, Andersons clustering function, and a Laplacian smoother. The first version of the software involved a processor boundary exchange at the end of each iteration with no inter-processor communications during the iterations The second version used inter-processor communication during each iteration instead of the boundary exchange. Version 1 demonstrated a speedup of 1.8 for some …

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Developing A Sophisticated User Interface To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Jay A. Cossentine Dec 1993

Developing A Sophisticated User Interface To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Jay A. Cossentine

Theses and Dissertations

This research refined the visual presentation and usability of a previously developed visual interface for a domain-oriented application composition and generation system. The refined visual interface incorporated domain-specific bit-mapped graphics and sophisticated user interface design concepts to reduce user workload. User workload was reduced through object layout, window design, and color utilization techniques; by combining repetitive procedures into single commands; and reusing, rather than recreating, composition information throughout the application composition process. The Software Refinery environment, including its graphical interface tool INTERVISTA, was used to develop techniques for visualizing and manipulating objects contained in a formal object base. INTERVISTA was …

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Alternative Architectures For Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Warren E. Gool Dec 1993

Alternative Architectures For Domain-Oriented Application Composition And Generation Systems, Warren E. Gool

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a formalized framework for comparing the structure and semantics of software architectures. The framework uses object diagrams for analyzing the structure of the architectures and the axiomatic approach for analyzing the semantics. This framework is used to compare the Object Connection Update OCU model developed by the Software Engineering Institute against four other software architectures VHDL defined by Lipsett, MetaH defined by Honeywell, microRapide defined by Luckham, and hierarchical software systems as defined by Batory. The goal of the comparison was to evaluate the OCU model for suitability within prototype application composition and generation systems. This research …

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Using Database Technology To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition Systems, Danny A. Cecil, Joseph A. Fullenkamp Dec 1993

Using Database Technology To Support Domain-Oriented Application Composition Systems, Danny A. Cecil, Joseph A. Fullenkamp

Theses and Dissertations

This research designed and prototyped an OODBMS technology base to store and retrieve various types of domain artifacts for domain-oriented application composition systems (DOACS). We developed object-oriented database schemas for a validating domain and the Object-Connection-Update software architecture. We implemented an inheritance relationship between the schemas so a domain model can inherit an architectural structure from an architecture model allowing us to isolate domain-specific knowledge from architecture-specific knowledge. We also developed a meta-model to formally define domain models in the database. We then developed a set of database methods to transform a domain model into a database schema for storing …

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A Distributed Interactive Simulation Based Remote Debriefing Tool For Red Flag Missions, Michael T. Gardner Dec 1993

A Distributed Interactive Simulation Based Remote Debriefing Tool For Red Flag Missions, Michael T. Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force leaders, recognizing the need for improved training following the Vietnam War, implemented the Red Flag exercises at Nellis AFB. At the heart of this training is the Red Flag Measurement and Debriefing System RFMDS and its capability to accurately reconstruct the elements of an intense exercise fought over the deserts of Nevada. This thesis uses the technology of distributed interactive simulation DIS to transmit aircraft telemetry onto computer networks, allowing the monitoring and analysis of live Red Flag missions at any site with compatible communications equipment and thesis software. The use of standard DIS protocols enables simulators to …

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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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A Prototype Architecture For An Automated Scenario Generation System For Combat Simulations, Mark W. Pfefferman Dec 1993

A Prototype Architecture For An Automated Scenario Generation System For Combat Simulations, Mark W. Pfefferman

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort examines the problem of automating the scenario generation process and presents a prototype architecture for an automated scenario generation system. This architecture is designed using an object- oriented approach which leads to a modular and modifiable design. The architecture provides a mechanism for automatically generating scenario files from a textual US Army operation order. This translation process occurs in two phases. First, the text operation order is translated into an intermediate format called the mission file. In the second phase, the system reads the mission file, instantiates intelligent entities, and assigns missions to those entities. The intelligent …

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Design Of A Shared Coherent Cache For A Multiple Channel Architecture, John A. Reisner Dec 1993

Design Of A Shared Coherent Cache For A Multiple Channel Architecture, John A. Reisner

Theses and Dissertations

The Multiple Channel Architecture MCA is a recently proposed computer architecture which uses fiber optic communications to overcome many of the problems associated with interconnection networks. There exists a detailed MCA simulator which faithfully simulates an MCA system, however, the original version of the simulator did not cache shared data. In order to improve the performance of the MCA, a cache coherency protocol was developed and implemented in the simulator. The protocol has two features which are significant: (1) a time-division multiplexed TDM communication bus is used for coherency traffic, and (2) the shared data is cached in an independent …

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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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Object Interaction In A Parallel Object-Oriented Discrete-Event Simulation, Walter G. Trachsel Dec 1993

Object Interaction In A Parallel Object-Oriented Discrete-Event Simulation, Walter G. Trachsel

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates object interaction issues involved in developing an object-oriented parallel discrete-event simulation and develops a simulation model that provides object interaction capabilities. The research covers issues in object representation, object interaction, object management. discrete-event simulation, and parallel simulation. There are three primary types of objects that the research discusses. The first type is a basic simulation object, whose size and behavior is insignificant compared to the size of the simulation as a whole. The second type is an aggregate object which consists of smaller component objects that interact and affect the performance of the larger object as a …

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A Method For Populating The Knowledge Base Of Afit's Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Russell M. Warner Dec 1993

A Method For Populating The Knowledge Base Of Afit's Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Russell M. Warner

Theses and Dissertations

This research developed a formal method for adding new domains to Architect, a domain-oriented application composition system being developed at the Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT to explore new software engineering technologies. Using canonical formal specifications of domain objects, Architect rapidly composes these specifications into a software application and executes a prototype of that application as a means to demonstrate its correctness before any programming language specific code is generated. Architect is implemented in the Software Refinery environment, which allows Architect to create and manipulate object-oriented specifications. As a part of this research effort, domain-oriented application composition systems were …

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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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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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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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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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Identity Verification Through The Fusion Of Face And Speaker Recognition, John G. Keller Dec 1993

Identity Verification Through The Fusion Of Face And Speaker Recognition, John G. Keller

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, face recognition and speaker identification systems are each converted into verification systems. The two verification systems are then fused to form a single identity verification system. Finally, the use of the Karhunen-Loeve Transform (KLT) for dimensional reduction is examined for suitability in the verification task. The base face recognition system used the KLT for feature reduction and a back-propagation neural net for classification. Verification involved training a net for each individual in the database for two classes of outputs, 'Joe' or 'not Joe.' The base speaker identification system used Cepstral analysis for feature extraction and a distortion …

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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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Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation Applied To The Lambda Urv For Failure Detection And Identification, David W. Lane Dec 1993

Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation Applied To The Lambda Urv For Failure Detection And Identification, David W. Lane

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation (MMAE) is a method of estimating unknown system parameters by modeling all possible parameter configurations in several models. The parameters for this research are failure status conditions associated with flight control actuators and sensors on the LAMBDA Unmanned Research Vehicle, an experimental aircraft operated by Wright Laboratory Flight Controls Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Six actuator failures and eight sensor failures are modeled, along with the fully functional aircraft, in fifteen elemental Kalman filters. These filters propagate and update their own aircraft state estimates in real time. A probability computation representing the likelihood of …

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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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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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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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The Afit Multielectrode Array For Neural Recording And Simulation: Design, Testing, And Encapsulation, James R. Reid Jr Dec 1993

The Afit Multielectrode Array For Neural Recording And Simulation: Design, Testing, And Encapsulation, James R. Reid Jr

Theses and Dissertations

A two-dimensional, X-Y addressable, multiplexed array of 256 electrodes (16 x 16) has been fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing techniques. The individual electrodes are 16O microns x 160 microns, approximating the size of the cortical columns; the overall array size is 3910 microns x 3910 microns. The array has been fitted to a chronically implantable package and tested for several days in a simulated neural environment. EEG-like data were collected successfully from individual electrodes in the array. This array improves on a previous design of a 16 electrode (4 x 4) array that was chronically implanted on the cortex of …

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Development Of Computer Software To Aid Environmental Decision Makers In The Education And Training Of Air Force Remedial Project Managers, Roger R. Ouellette, Bruce K. Lyman Dec 1993

Development Of Computer Software To Aid Environmental Decision Makers In The Education And Training Of Air Force Remedial Project Managers, Roger R. Ouellette, Bruce K. Lyman

Theses and Dissertations

By the end of Fiscal Year 1991, the Air Force had identified 4,354 contaminated sites. Much like the 177 toxic sites at McClellan AFB, bases across the country and throughput the world are filled with chrome, lead, paint solvents and many other toxics that are rendering water supplies unusable and endangering the health of millions of people living in and around these bases. Air Force officials continue to identify contaminated sites with no end in sight. Since the cleanup of these toxic materials involves diverse, complex activities, the Air Force created the duty position of Remedial Project Manager to manage …

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Filtering, Coding, And Compression With Malvar Wavelets, Stephen R. Hall Dec 1993

Filtering, Coding, And Compression With Malvar Wavelets, Stephen R. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis develops and evaluates a number of new concepts and tools for the analysis of signals using Malvar wavelets lapped orthogonal transforms . Windowing, often employed as a spectral estimation technique, can result in irreparable distortions in the transformed signal. By utilizing the Malvar wavelet, any signal distortion resulting from the transformation can be eliminated or cancelled during reconstruction. This is accomplished by placing conditions on the window and the basis function and then incorporating the window into the orthonormal representation. Paradigms for both a complex-valued and a real-valued Malvar wavelet are summarized. I-lie algorithms for the wavelets were …

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