Design and development of a generalized LIDAR point cloud streaming framework over the web

LIDAR data, retrieved by laser systems carried by airplanes, helicopters or cars, require the storage of millions of point information concerning the space we are scanning. This work illustrates the implementation of a web application which gets LIDAR data from a PostreSQL database and creates n different levels of detail of the point cloud data and saves them into related files. A first operation implemented on the data is linear point to point measurementope

Multiplexed Control of Smart Structure Using Piezoelectric Actuators

Active control of smart structures containing a large number of actuators and sensors presents a tradeoff between increased system performance and the cost and bulk of the required hardware and computational resources. A technique called multiplexed control offers advantages when software and hardware resources are scarce and performance specifications call for a large number of actuators and sensors. In structural control applications, in particular those using smart materials, it is often desirable to increase the number of actuators to enhance controllability.The focus of this research is to demonstrate real-time multiplexing on the hardware side of the actively controlled structure. Multiplexing effectively reduces the number of power units by sharing them among a large number of actuators according to a switching schedule. Multiplexing introduces periodicity in the closed-loop plant, requiring the use of periodic linear systems theory to tune as optimal quadratic regulator. In this thesis a multiplexed implementation is developed to control the three actuators mounted on single smart beam, where the control inputs are updated sequentially and cyclically instead of simultaneously, thus allowing the use of a single power amplifier. Focus was placed on the application of multiplexed control theory to a smart structure, including experimental procedures to obtain a plant model using system identification tools, and tuning of a discrete-time periodic quadratic regulator. An observer was also implemented. Simulations and real-time implementation validate the approac

Multiplexed Control of Smart Structure Using Piezoelectric Actuators

Active control of smart structures containing a large number of actuators and sensors presents a tradeoff between increased system performance and the cost and bulk of the required hardware and computational resources. A technique called multiplexed control offers advantages when software and hardware resources are scarce and performance specifications call for a large number of actuators and sensors. In structural control applications, in particular those using smart materials, it is often desirable to increase the number of actuators to enhance controllability.The focus of this research is to demonstrate real-time multiplexing on the hardware side of the actively controlled structure. Multiplexing effectively reduces the number of power units by sharing them among a large number of actuators according to a switching schedule. Multiplexing introduces periodicity in the closed-loop plant, requiring the use of periodic linear systems theory to tune as optimal quadratic regulator. In this thesis a multiplexed implementation is developed to control the three actuators mounted on single smart beam, where the control inputs are updated sequentially and cyclically instead of simultaneously, thus allowing the use of a single power amplifier. Focus was placed on the application of multiplexed control theory to a smart structure, including experimental procedures to obtain a plant model using system identification tools, and tuning of a discrete-time periodic quadratic regulator. An observer was also implemented. Simulations and real-time implementation validate the approac

Coordinated traffic signal systems for municipalities

Many municipalities have a need for a document which examines installation and operations methods used in coordinated traffic signal systems. Included within this document are the results of surveys of various municipalities which range in population from thirty three thousand persons to in excess of five hundred thousand persons. Along with the state of practice information, some conclusions and recommendations are defined so that municipalities may begin to implement coordinated traffic signal systems within their jurisdiction. This document will be of interest to those persons who manage, operate, and maintain traffic signal systems; in addition, engineers and municipal officials tasked with developing such a system will find benefit in this document

Multiplexed Control of Smart Structure Using Piezoelectric Actuators

Active control of smart structures containing a large number of actuators and sensors presents a tradeoff between increased system performance and the cost and bulk of the required hardware and computational resources. A technique called multiplexed control offers advantages when software and hardware resources are scarce and performance specifications call for a large number of actuators and sensors. In structural control applications, in particular those using smart materials, it is often desirable to increase the number of actuators to enhance controllability.The focus of this research is to demonstrate real-time multiplexing on the hardware side of the actively controlled structure. Multiplexing effectively reduces the number of power units by sharing them among a large number of actuators according to a switching schedule. Multiplexing introduces periodicity in the closed-loop plant, requiring the use of periodic linear systems theory to tune as optimal quadratic regulator. In this thesis a multiplexed implementation is developed to control the three actuators mounted on single smart beam, where the control inputs are updated sequentially and cyclically instead of simultaneously, thus allowing the use of a single power amplifier. Focus was placed on the application of multiplexed control theory to a smart structure, including experimental procedures to obtain a plant model using system identification tools, and tuning of a discrete-time periodic quadratic regulator. An observer was also implemented. Simulations and real-time implementation validate the approac

Interview with John Nale by Mike Hastings

Biographical NoteJohn Elias Nale was born on September 4, 1949, in Farmerville, Louisiana, to Caroline Theresa (Boles) and Melvin Travis Nale. The family had moved to Louisiana from Bangor, Maine, returning first to Bangor and then to his mother’s home town, Waterville, Maine, during his childhood. He is a second cousin of George Mitchell; his grandmother and George Mitchell’s mother were sisters. Nale is a graduate of the University of Maine, Orono and the Franklin Pierce Law Center. Upon joining the bar, he practiced law in Waterville and Portland, Maine, including practicing law with his three brothers for fifteen years. At the time of this interview, he was practicing elder law at Nale Law Offices, Waterville, Maine. SummaryInterview includes discussion of: growing up in Waterville, Maine, as next-door neighbor of the Mitchells; the Lebanese community in Waterville; Nale’s immigrant Lebanese ancestry; practicing elder law; Lebanese emigration to the United States; visiting Mitchell in Washington, DC, to celebrate Mitchell’s elevation to Senate majority leader; recollections of Mitchell’s mother, Mary (Saad) Mitchell