34th Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems-Final Program

Organized by the Naval Postgraduate School Monterey California. Cosponsored by the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society. Symposium Organizing Committee: General Chairman-Sherif Michael, Technical Program-Roberto Cristi, Publications-Michael Soderstrand, Special Sessions- Charles W. Therrien, Publicity: Jeffrey Burl, Finance: Ralph Hippenstiel, and Local Arrangements: Barbara Cristi

Multiple dataset visualization (MDV) framework for scalar volume data

Many applications require comparative analysis of multiple datasets representing different samples, conditions, time instants, or views in order to develop a better understanding of the scientific problem/system under consideration. One effective approach for such analysis is visualization of the data. In this PhD thesis, we propose an innovative multiple dataset visualization (MDV) approach in which two or more datasets of a given type are rendered concurrently in the same visualization. MDV is an important concept for the cases where it is not possible to make an inference based on one dataset, and comparisons between many datasets are required to reveal cross-correlations among them. The proposed MDV framework, which deals with some fundamental issues that arise when several datasets are visualized together, follows a multithreaded architecture consisting of three core components, data preparation/loading, visualization and rendering. The visualization module - the major focus of this study, currently deals with isosurface extraction and texture-based rendering techniques. For isosurface extraction, our all-in-memory approach keeps datasets under consideration and the corresponding geometric data in the memory. Alternatively, the only-polygons- or points-in-memory only keeps the geometric data in memory. To address the issues related to storage and computation, we develop adaptive data coherency and multiresolution schemes. The inter-dataset coherency scheme exploits the similarities among datasets to approximate the portions of isosurfaces of datasets using the isosurface of one or more reference datasets whereas the intra/inter-dataset multiresolution scheme processes the selected portions of each data volume at varying levels of resolution. The graphics hardware-accelerated approaches adopted for MDV include volume clipping, isosurface extraction and volume rendering, which use 3D textures and advanced per fragment operations. With appropriate user-defined threshold criteria, we find that various MDV techniques maintain a linear time-N relationship, improve the geometry generation and rendering time, and increase the maximum N that can be handled (N: number of datasets). Finally, we justify the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed MDV by visualizing 3D scalar data (representing electron density distributions in magnesium oxide and magnesium silicate) from parallel quantum mechanical simulation

Silicon carbide power devices

Abstract unavailable please refer to PD

Space-time-frequency methods for interference-limited communication systems

textTraditionally, noise in communication systems has been modeled as an additive, white Gaussian noise process with independent, identically distributed samples. Although this model accurately reflects thermal noise present in communication system electronics, it fails to capture the statistics of interference and other sources of noise, e.g. in unlicensed communication bands. Modern communication system designers must take into account interference and non-Gaussian noise to maximize efficiencies and capacities of current and future communication networks. In this work, I develop new multi-dimensional signal processing methods to improve performance of communication systems in three applications areas: (i) underwater acoustic, (ii) powerline, and (iii) multi-antenna cellular. In underwater acoustic communications, I address impairments caused by strong, time-varying and Doppler-spread reverberations (self-interference) using adaptive space-time signal processing methods. I apply these methods to array receivers with a large number of elements. In powerline communications, I address impairments caused by non-Gaussian noise arising from devices sharing the powerline. I develop and apply a cyclic adaptive modulation and coding scheme and a factor-graph-based impulsive noise mitigation method to improve signal quality and boost link throughput and robustness. In cellular communications, I develop a low-latency, high-throughput space-time-frequency processing framework used for large scale (up to 128 antenna) MIMO. This framework is used in the world's first 100-antenna MIMO system and processes up to 492 Gbps raw baseband samples in the uplink and downlink directions. My methods prove that multi-dimensional processing methods can be applied to increase communication system performance without sacrificing real-time requirements.Electrical and Computer Engineerin

Computational Modeling of Airborne Noise Demonstrated Via Benchmarks, Supersonic Jet, and Railway Barrier

In the last several years, there has been a growing demand for mobility to cope with the increasing population. All kinds of transportation have responded to this demand by expanding their networks and introducing new ideas. Rail transportation introduced the idea of high-speed trains and air transportation introduced the idea of high-speed civil transport (HSCT). In this expanding world, the noise legislation is felt to inhibit these plans. Accurate computational methods for noise prediction are in great demand. In the current research, two computational methods are developed to predict noise propagation in air. The first method is based on the finite differencing technique on generalized curvilinear coordinates and it is used to solve linear and nonlinear Euler equations. The dispersion-relation-preserving scheme is adopted for spatial discretization. For temporal integration, either the dispersion-relation-preserving scheme or the low-dispersion-and-dissipation Runge-Kutta scheme is used. Both characteristic and asymptotic nonreflective boundary conditions are studied. Ghost points are employed to satisfy the wall boundary condition. A number of benchmark problems are solved to validate different components of the present method. These include initial pulse in free space, initial pulse reflected from a flat or curved wall, time-periodic train of waves reflected from a flat wall, and oscillatory sink flow. The computed results are compared with the analytical solutions and good agreements are obtained. Using the method developed, the noise of Mach 2.1, perfectly expanded, two-dimensional supersonic jet is computed. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the jet mean flow. The instability waves, which are used to excite the jet, are obtained from the solution of the compressible Rayleigh equation. Then, the linearized Euler equations are solved for jet noise. To improve computational efficiency, flow-adapted grid and a multi-block time integration technique are developed. The computations are compared with the experimental results for both the mean flow and the jet noise. Good agreement is obtained. The method proved to be fast and efficient. The second computational method is based on the boundary element technique. The Helmholtz equation is solved for the sound field around a railway noise barrier. Linear elements are used to discretize the barrier surface. Frequency-dependent grids are employed for efficiency. The train noise is represented by a point source located above the nearest rail. The source parameters are estimated from a typical field measurement of train noise spectrum. Both elevated and ground-level train decks are considered. The performance of the noise barrier at low and high frequencies is investigated. Moreover, A-weighted sound pressure levels are calculated. The computed results are successfully compared with field measurements

Cost and benefits design optimization model for fault tolerant flight control systems

Requirements and specifications for a method of optimizing the design of fault-tolerant flight control systems are provided. Algorithms that could be used for developing new and modifying existing computer programs are also provided, with recommendations for follow-on work

Design/cost tradeoff studies. Appendix A. Supporting analyses and tradeoffs, book 2. Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study (EOS)

Attitude reference systems for use with the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) are described. The systems considered are fixed and gimbaled star trackers, star mappers, and digital sun sensors. Covariance analyses were performed to determine performance for the most promising candidate in low altitude and synchronous orbits. The performance of attitude estimators that employ gyroscopes which are periodically updated by a star sensor is established by a single axis covariance analysis. The other systems considered are: (1) the propulsion system design, (2) electric power and electrical integration, (3) thermal control, (4) ground data processing, and (5) the test plan and cost reduction aspects of observatory integration and test

Research Reports: 1983 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

Thirty-five technical reports contain results of investigations in information and electronic systems; materials and processing; systems dynamics; structures and propulsion; and space sciences. Ecology at KSC, satellite de-spin, and the X-ray source monitor were also studied

An Exploratory Examination into the Relationship between Corporate Governance and Risk Management in Islamic Banks: Disclosure and Survey Analysis

Whenever corporate and financial failures and crises arise in the world, issues of corporate governance and risk management are always highlighted as major causes of the event. In order to substantiate such claims, it is first important to specify which factors, in either corporate governance or risk management, actually cause these failures. Furthermore, if such factors were identified, might these failures be avoided in the future? This line of questioning provides the rationale behind this research. This study thus aims to explore and examine corporate governance and risk management practices as well as the potential relationship between the two variables in the case of Islamic banks in various countries. In doing so, the research explores corporate governance and risk management practices by employing disclosure analysis through annual reports, by using content analysis, with the objective of identifying the state of Islamic corporate governance and risk management practices in Islamic banks. To achieve this, the study analyses 181 annual reports from 53 Islamic banks. In addition, the corporate governance and risk management practices of Islamic banks were also explored through perceptions analysis, based upon the responses obtained by questionnaire survey from Islamic bankers and financiers from 28 Islamic banks from 6 countries and locations. An attempt was also made to locate the correlation between corporate governance and risk management with both data sets as it is expected that good corporate governance practices should moderate risk exposure and establish a better risk management process. Thus, this study is predicated on the notion that if banks have good corporate governance practices, the risk management practices should then be efficient. By using qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis, including correlation analysis, this study found that the relationship between corporate governance and risk management is not incredibly strong in the case of the Islamic banks involved in the period that this study covers. However, in examining the type of relationship, it was established that there was a positive relationship between the two. Thus, it can be said that with regards to bank failures, if corporate governance is the aforementioned trigger, it is also partly due to risk management – based on the fact that a positive relationship exists between the two. The findings of the study reveal two important results: corporate governance and risk management do not have a strong correlation between them. The findings show that most Islamic banks have very poor scores in Shari’ah compliance and Shari’ah governance. Poor scores are also revealed in other dimensions such as ethics, audit and board composition. However, in determining which aspect of corporate governance has the stronger propensity for creating problems, it is important to establish the actual dimension which affects corporate governance and risk management the most. This study reveals that Shari’ah-related dimension has the highest bearing on the overall corporate governance positions. Risk management, on the other hand, depends very highly on reporting and disclosure. A further aspect to consider is that not all dimensions positively affect corporate governance. For instance, the structure, committee and senior management has a negative impact on corporate governance. For risk management, all dimensions had positive impacts except for primary key areas, which are market and liquidity risk and operational risk