Digital flight control systems

The design of stable feedback control laws for sampled-data systems with variable rate sampling was investigated. These types of sampled-data systems arise naturally in digital flight control systems which use digital actuators where it is desirable to decrease the number of control computer output commands in order to save wear and tear of the associated equipment. The design of aircraft control systems which are optimally tolerant of sensor and actuator failures was also studied. Detection of the failed sensor or actuator must be resolved and if the estimate of the state is used in the control law, then it is also desirable to have an estimator which will give the optimal state estimate even under the failed conditions

Aircraft adaptive learning control

The optimal control theory of stochastic linear systems is discussed in terms of the advantages of distributed-control systems, and the control of randomly-sampled systems. An optimal solution to longitudinal control is derived and applied to the F-8 DFBW aircraft. A randomly-sampled linear process model with additive process and noise is developed

Generalized Vulnerability Measures of Graphs

Several measures of vulnerability of a graph look at how easy it is to disrupt the network by removing/disabling vertices. As graph-theoretical parameters, they treat all vertices alike: each vertex is equally important. For example, the integrity parameter considers the number of vertices removed and the maximum number of vertices in a component that remains. We consider the generalization of these measures of vulnerability to weighted vertices in order to better model real-world applications. In particular, we investigate bounds on the weighted versions of connectivity and integrity, when polynomial algorithms for computation exist, and other characteristics of the generalized measures

Control of spinning flexible spacecraft by modal synthesis

A procedure is presented for the active control of a spinning flexible spacecraft. Such a system exhibits gyroscopic effects. The design of the controller is based on modal decomposition of the gyroscopic system. This modal decoupling procedure leads to a control mechanism implemented in modular form, which represents a distinct computational advantage over the control of the coupled system. Design procedures are demonstrated for two types of control algorithms, linear and nonlinear. The first represents classical linear feedback approach, and the second represents an application of on-off control, both types made feasible by the modal decomposition scheme

A Seat at the Table: Integrating Historic Preservation into Comprehensive Campus Planning

Historic preservation should be incorporated into comprehensive campus planning in such a way that it is always part of the discussion. Although many universities are effectively managing their historic resources, there are many that would benefit from clear guidance on how to approach these issues. The existing literature is insufficient to meet these needs. This thesis analyzes the tools suggested by the literature in light of a variety of types of institutions to determine which tools are most appropriate for which types of schools and how they should be applied, which ones have more general application, and, finally, what preservation strategies may be missing from current campus planning techniques. Historic preservation on college campuses is a multifaceted endeavor and requires the careful balancing of priorities