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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Full-Text Articles in Computer Sciences

Solving The Ranking And Selection Indifference-Zone Formulation For Normal Distributions Using Computer Software, Catherine A. Poston Dec 1993

Solving The Ranking And Selection Indifference-Zone Formulation For Normal Distributions Using Computer Software, Catherine A. Poston

Theses and Dissertations

Ranking and selection procedures are statistical methods used to compare and choose the best among a group of similar statistically distributed populations. The two predominant approaches to solving ranking and selection problems are Guptas subset selection formulation and Bechhofers indifference- zone formulation. For the indifference-zone formulation where the populations have equal sample sizes, Barr and Rizvi developed an integral expression of the probability of correct selection PCS. Given appropriate parameters, the integral expression can be solved to determine the common sample size required to attain a desired PCS. Tables with selected solutions to the integral expression are available for a …


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 …


Using Discovery-Based Learning To Prove The Behavior Of An Autonomous Agent, David N. Mezera Dec 1993

Using Discovery-Based Learning To Prove The Behavior Of An Autonomous Agent, David N. Mezera

Theses and Dissertations

Computer-generated autonomous agents in simulation often behave predictably and unrealistically. These characteristics make them easy to spot and exploit by human participants in the simulation, when we would prefer the behavior of the agent to be indistinguishable from human behavior. An improvement in behavior might be possible by enlarging the library of responses, giving the agent a richer assortment of tactics to employ during a combat scenario. Machine learning offers an exciting alternative to constructing additional responses by hand by instead allowing the system to improve its own performance with experience. This thesis presents NOSTRUM, a discovery-based learning DBL system …


Developing Realistic Cooperative Behaviors For Autonomous Agents In Air Combat Simulation, Dean P. Hipwell Dec 1993

Developing Realistic Cooperative Behaviors For Autonomous Agents In Air Combat Simulation, Dean P. Hipwell

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated, developed and implemented cooperative decision-making behaviors in an air combat simulation by using a knowledge-based system. Knowledge-based systems were well suited for this task because of built- in features such as inference engines and rule-based constructs. This thesis addresses the specific problem of generating autonomous forces for inclusion in the Advanced Research Projects Agency Distributed Interactive Simulation program. Existing autonomous forces implementations lacked flexibility, realistic behaviors, real-time planning and other features. The simulation system in this thesis addresses the problem of realistic behavior by modeling pilot decision processes rather than aircraft platforms. The system is based on …


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 …


A Method For Populating The Knowledge Base Of Aptas, A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Raleigh A. Sandy Iii Dec 1993

A Method For Populating The Knowledge Base Of Aptas, A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Raleigh A. Sandy Iii

Theses and Dissertations

A formal process is described for populating the knowledge base of the Automatic Programming Technologies for Avionics Software APTAS system. This process was developed using a general knowledge base population process that applies to many knowledge-based software engineering systems. This general process is also described. The formal process for APTAS was demonstrated by storing new information from the radar tracking domain into the knowledge base of APTAS. Several procedures some automatic and some manual were implemented to support the formal process.


Investigation Into Formalization Of Domain-Oriented Parallel Software Development, Daniel P. King Dec 1993

Investigation Into Formalization Of Domain-Oriented Parallel Software Development, Daniel P. King

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the conceptual design of a semi-automated platform for parallel software development. The proposed semi-automated environment applies transformational techniques and domain-specific knowledge to a parallel software development process. Domain-specific and software design knowledge interact within the transformational development process in the creation of a software application. The underlying parallel specification language requires a set of parallel composition operators in order to capture an application’s concurrent properties. A set of parallel composition operators is proposed that consists of parallel composition, parallel enumeration, nondeterministic choice, sequential composition specific communication and synchronization variable types are also proposed. A semi-automated environment based …


Performance Measurement Of Three Commercial Object-Oriented Database Management Systems, Timothy J. Halloran Dec 1993

Performance Measurement Of Three Commercial Object-Oriented Database Management Systems, Timothy J. Halloran

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this thesis was to study the performance of three commercial object-oriented database management systems. The commercial systems studied included Itasca, sold by Itasca Systems Incorporated Matisse, sold by Intellitic International and ObjectStore, sold by Object Design Incorporated. To examine performance of these database management systems two benchmarks were run the OO1 benchmark and a new AFIT Simulation benchmark. The OO1 benchmark was designed, implemented, and run on all three database management systems. ObjectStore was our top performer on all configurations of the OO1 benchmark. The AFIT Simulation benchmark was designed, implemented, and run on the ObjectStore database …


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 …


Domain Modeling Of Time-Dependent Systems, Robert W. Waggoner Dec 1993

Domain Modeling Of Time-Dependent Systems, Robert W. Waggoner

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the feasibility of composing time-dependent specifications in Architect, a domain-oriented application composition and generation system being developed at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Architect composes formally specified domain objects into an executable software specification that can be used to verify program correctness prior to generation of language specific code. As part of this research, domain modeling techniques were investigated and a candidate process was selected for evaluation. The process was used to develop domain models for two diverse time-dependent domains. Using object-oriented analysis, formal specifications were developed for a collection of event-driven logic circuit components …


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 …


Investigation Into Model-Based Fuzzy Logic Control, Michael W. Logan Dec 1993

Investigation Into Model-Based Fuzzy Logic Control, Michael W. Logan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the feasibility of a proposed hybrid linear/Fuzzy controller for nonlinear plants. The proposed controller concept is based on the use of multiple linearizations of a nonlinear plant, which describe the dynamics of perturbations about equilibrium points throughout the desired envelope of operation. A bank of linear compensators is developed, each corresponding to a linearized plant about a different equilibrium. The multiple control signals generated by the bank of compensators are then weighted and summed using Fuzzy Logic to produce a composite control perturbation signal, which is used to drive the nonlinear plant. Experiments were conducted to test …


Handwritten Word Recognition Based On Fourier Coefficients, Gary F. Shartle Dec 1993

Handwritten Word Recognition Based On Fourier Coefficients, Gary F. Shartle

Theses and Dissertations

A machine which can read unconstrained words remains an unsolved problem. For example, automatic entry o handwritten documents into a computer is yet to be accomplished. Most systems attempt to segment letters o a word and read words one character at a time. Segmenting a handwritten word is very difficult and often, the confidence of the results is low. Another method which avoids segmentation altogether is to treat each word as a whole. This research investigates the use of Fourier Transform coefficients, computed from the whole word, for the recognition of handwritten words. To test this concept, the particular pattern …


The Development And Use Of An Evaluation Mechanism For The Assessment Of Software Configuration Management Tools, Wayne M. Descheneau, Neil W. Robinson Dec 1993

The Development And Use Of An Evaluation Mechanism For The Assessment Of Software Configuration Management Tools, Wayne M. Descheneau, Neil W. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the development of a mechanism for use in the evaluation of Software Configuration Management SCM tools. An examination of applicable DoD standards identified the SCM requirements that could be levied on a development contractor, and a literature search revealed the functionality common to various automated tools. These two sets of information were organized into a matrix, and for each requirement that was met, the intersection on the matrix of the requirement and each functionality used to meet that requirement was checked. In addition to the matrix, the mechanism consisted of general information about a given tool and …


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.


Object-Oriented Design And Implementation Of A Parallel Ada Simulation System, James T. Belford Nov 1993

Object-Oriented Design And Implementation Of A Parallel Ada Simulation System, James T. Belford

Theses and Dissertations

Simulations which model the behavior real world entities are often large and complex, and require frequent changes to the configuration. This research effort examines the benefits of using object-oriented techniques to develop a distributed simulation environment which supports modularity, modifiability, and portability. The components of the Parallel Discrete Event Simulation PDES environment are identified and modeled using the Rumbaugh modeling technique. From the model, a prototype implementation of a Parallel Ada Simulation Environment PASE is accomplished using Classic Ada. A system interface for the Intel ipsc2 Hypercube was developed to illustrate the concepts of modularity and portability. In addition, the …


Computerized Vehicle Routing Programs And Their Effect On Vehicle Utilization In The Air Force, Rex E. Adee, William G. Howard Sep 1993

Computerized Vehicle Routing Programs And Their Effect On Vehicle Utilization In The Air Force, Rex E. Adee, William G. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine if a commercial computerized vehicle routing program improves vehicle utilization for an Air Force base transportation organization. First, the researchers investigate current routing procedures of Air Force base transportation organizations. Second, researchers identify a commercial computerized vehicle routing program that enables the authors to conduct a comparison of vehicle utilization rates between an Air Force base transportation organization and commercial computerized vehicle routing programs. The study reveals that implementing a computerized vehicle routing program in place of a manual routing procedure does not improve vehicle utilization. However, the study reveals some limitations …


On The Automation Of Object-Oriented Requirements Analysis, Nancy L. Crowley Sep 1993

On The Automation Of Object-Oriented Requirements Analysis, Nancy L. Crowley

Theses and Dissertations

The research investigated the possibility that an object-oriented requirements analysis (OORA) specification model can be represented in a computer system and used as a basis for the elicitation of the information necessary for the development of an object-oriented specification for a particular problem. The proof-of-concept system developed is called the OORA automated Knowledge System (OAKS). OAKS contains a generic domain model that is modified to satisfy a particular problem in the domain. The core of OAKS is a reusable domain model, which represents a domain of interest. The domain model is used as a basis for user changes that are …


Anns An X Window Based Version Of The Afit Neural Network Simulator, Ching-Seh Wu Jun 1993

Anns An X Window Based Version Of The Afit Neural Network Simulator, Ching-Seh Wu

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents an X Window based neural network simulation environment developed at Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) using the techniques of modern software engineering. This artificial neural network simulator is a tool running on Sun SPARCstations and supporting two user modes: end-users and client-programmers. End-users interact with neural network paradigms developed by client-programmers for the purpose of studying and analyzing the execution of a particular Neural Network (NN) paradigm, or class of NN algorithms. Client programmers maintain the system and use this environment for the development of new NN paradigms or algorithms for end-users. The development follows a …


A Decision Criteria To Select An Associative-Memory Organization That Minimizes The Execution Time Of A Mix Of Associative-Search Operations, David W. Banton Jun 1993

A Decision Criteria To Select An Associative-Memory Organization That Minimizes The Execution Time Of A Mix Of Associative-Search Operations, David W. Banton

Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation develops a decision criteria to select an associative-memory organization that minimizes the execution time of a mix of associative-search operations and a decision criteria to estimate the layout dimensions of each organization for a specified memory size. The dissertation reclassifies Feng's associative-search operations into three hardware-influenced categories: bit-position independent (BPI), record-content independent (RCI); bit-position dependent (BPD), RCI; and BPD, record-content dependent (RCD). It develops a relationship between the categories and three associative-memory organizations: the CAM, the bit-serial word-parallel associative memory (BSWPAM) , and the extreme-search associative memory (ESAM). A version of the CAM, three versions of the BSWPAM, …


Object-Oriented Database Access From Ada, Li Chou Mar 1993

Object-Oriented Database Access From Ada, Li Chou

Theses and Dissertations

Ada embodies many modern software engineering principles, namely, modifiability, efficiency, reliability, and understandability. Its powerful data abstraction allows programmers to easily model objects in the real world. A database management system (DBMS) provides long term storage. It provides a convenient and efficient environment to manipulate data. Currently, with Ada access to a DBMS is typically done through the use of a language extension and a preprocessor to convert the extensions to library calls appropriate for the DBMS. However, these systems are limited on more complex applications, such as computer-aided engineering design. Object-oriented design (OOD) is a new way of thinking …


Toward Reusable Graphics Components In Ada, Sam-Kyu Lim Mar 1993

Toward Reusable Graphics Components In Ada, Sam-Kyu Lim

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates and illustrates a way of developing reusable graphics software components in Ada associated with a C++/C library. The work was carried out using object-oriented software development techniques that were used to analyze, design and implement a partial flight simulator. The objective of this thesis was to present a way of building reusable software components with Ada in a graphics application environment. An object-oriented approach was taken in the development of a set of reusable graphics software components for a flight simulator domain. A selection of a set of reusable software components came from domain analysis. These components …


A Distributed Object-Oriented Database Application Design, Hsin-Feng Edward Wu Mar 1993

A Distributed Object-Oriented Database Application Design, Hsin-Feng Edward Wu

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze and develop a distributed object-oriented database management system (DOODBMS) application to support parallel software development of the Parallel Algorithms and Applications Group (PAAG) at AFIT. By following the software lifecycle of object-oriented paradigm, this thesis investigation is intended to generate requirements analysis, design, implementation, user interface design and implementation, and integration of the database application with the user interface. ITASCA, an existing DOODBMS platform, has been chosen to prototype the application for its distribution functionalities and object-oriented modeling power. The user interface of the database application is based on X-window OSF/Motif front-end …


Development Of A Visual System Interface To Support A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Timothy L. Weide Mar 1993

Development Of A Visual System Interface To Support A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Timothy L. Weide

Theses and Dissertations

This research designed and prototyped a visual system interface to generate, display, and modify domain-oriented application specifications. A visual system interface, called the Architect Visual System Interface (AVSI), supplements a text-based environment, called Architect, previously developed by two other students. 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. This thesis investigates visual techniques for populating, manipulating, viewing, and composing these software application specifications within the formal object base scheme required …


An Immersive Synthetic Environment For Observation And Interaction With A Large Volume Of Interest, Rex G. Haddix Iii Mar 1993

An Immersive Synthetic Environment For Observation And Interaction With A Large Volume Of Interest, Rex G. Haddix Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the initial development of a Synthetic Battlebridge System designed to provide the user with a synthetic three- dimensional view of moving and stationary vehicles dispersed over a hundred thousand cubic mile volume. The system contains provisions to allow a user to view the battlefield either in the Polhemus LookingGlass™ fiber optic based high resolution head mounted display, a standard CRT, or through the Fake Space Labs BOOM2M™ high resolution monochrome display. Users can also video tape a session in the Synthetic Battlebridge System. A voice recognition system provides user interaction to the Synthetic Battlebridge System. Using a …


Rendering The Out-The-Window View For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, W. Dean Mccarty Mar 1993

Rendering The Out-The-Window View For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, W. Dean Mccarty

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is developing a distributed interactive flight simulator, the Virtual Cockpit, using commercial graphics workstations and helmet mounted displays. The Virtual Cockpit communicates with other simulators via local and long-haul networks using the SIMNET protocol. The work reported in this thesis focuses on developing the terrain database for the synthetic environment and on rendering the pilot's view of the database. There are many different file formats for describing 3- dimensional geometric polygonal objects. An analysis of three formats, AFIT GEOM, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) DRP, and Software Systems' Flight, is presented. Each file …


Weapon System Integration For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, William E. Gerhard Jr. Jan 1993

Weapon System Integration For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, William E. Gerhard Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology is continuing research in the Virtual Cockpit. The Virtual Cockpit makes use of high performance graphics workstations, Virtual Environment technology, and Distributed Interactive Simulation network protocols to create a flight simulator based on the capabilities of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the design and implementation issues for integrating a weapons delivery capability. Weapons simulated include: RADAR and IR guided air- to-air missiles, gravity and precision guided bombs, and a 20mm cannon. Virtual Environment displays used include: color NTSC and monochrome high resolution helmet mounted displays …


Object-Oriented Analysis, Design, And Implementation Of The Saber Wargame, David S. Douglass Dec 1992

Object-Oriented Analysis, Design, And Implementation Of The Saber Wargame, David S. Douglass

Theses and Dissertations

Saber is a two-sided, air and land war game that simulates decisions made of commanders at the theater-level. It is being developed by the Air Force Institute of Technology for the Air Force Wargaming center at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Saber models conventional, chemical, and nuclear warfare between aggregated air and land forces. It also portrays the effects of logistics, satellites, weather, terrain, and intelligence which add to the realism of the Saber war game. The Saber war game has three main components, the preprocessor. which is responsible for scenario development and pregame activities, the simulation. the guts of the war …


A User Interface To A True 3-D Display Device, Bruce A. Hobbs Dec 1992

A User Interface To A True 3-D Display Device, Bruce A. Hobbs

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes an interactive interface to a true three dimensional, real-dm dynamic graphic display, the TI Omniview™. The system generates true 3-D images of volumetric data and objects. The TI Omniview is a cylindrical volumetric laser display that uses a rotating double-helix translucent disk to fill the display cylinder. Voxels are illuminated on the 2-D surface. The rotational speed of the disk allows the viewer to fuse the 2-D images into a true 3-D image. The interface provides the user with a quick and flexible means of manipulating the image generated, the sub-volume displayed, and the resulting 3-D image. …


A Vhdl Interpreter For Model-Based Diagnoses, David R. Griffin Dec 1992

A Vhdl Interpreter For Model-Based Diagnoses, David R. Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

Model-based reasoning permits diagnostic applications to be written without waiting for someone to become an 'expert' of the system. For model-based diagnostics, there must be a model to reason from. This thesis explores using a VHDL description of the system as that model. A system based around a VHDL interpreter was written specifically for a model-based diagnostic algorithm. Currently, the diagnostic system uses an algorithm by Dries. This algorithm was derived from Scarl's Full Consistency Algorithm. The system was designed to be modular so that different diagnostic techniques could be implemented. It is divided into three parts: a VHDL parser, …