Electrical & Computer Engineering Masters Papers

Permanent URI for this collectionhdl:10365/32559

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Image Sensor Classification System for Prosthesis Control
    (North Dakota State University, 2010) Schwandt, Daniel Jason
    This paper proposes the integration of an image sensor classification system into the control scheme for prosthetic limbs. The goal is to minimize the mental strain experienced by brain-computer interface (BCI) users when performing routine tasks. In particular, the focus is to investigate the capabilities of image classification as a method for identifying and classifying objects. Incorporating this process into prosthesis control will allow more fluid and natural movements while minimizing the mental strain of multiple commands by the user. A popular imaging and classification software package was evaluated by exposing it to various images under different conditions. Results indicate that an image sensor classification system is suitable for prosthetic limb control in many situations; however, the system performance is reduced in low light and clustered object conditions. It is therefore feasible to consider the integration of image sensor classification and camerain-hand technology into EMG- and BCI-controlled prosthetics.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Analysis of Power Line Communication Channel Model using Communication Techniques
    (North Dakota State University, 2013) Singh, Varinder Pal
    With the advent of technology, human dependency on power (electricity) and communication has grown beyond leaps and bounds. Many efforts have been made to continuously improve and increase the efficiency in both areas. Power Line Communication (PLC) is a technology where power lines or transmission lines are being used for communication purposes along with transmitting electrical energy. Because the power grid is already in place, the PLC has the obvious advantage of reducing communication infrastructure cost. However, the power grid is designed optimally for power delivery (not the data). The power transmission line generally appears as a harsh environment for the low-power high-frequency communication signals. In order to evaluate the performance of PLC, this paper simulates a practical multipath power line communication channel model and provides the Bit Error Rate (BER) vs signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) curves for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Computer-Aided Microwave Design System (CAMDS): Improvement, Verification, and Device Fabrication
    (North Dakota State University, 2012) Sharma, Swetha Somshekar
    This paper presents a review of the Computer-Aided Microwave Design System (CAMDS) as originally developed by Divya Bais. Its goal was to deal with microwave design and analysis problems presented in standard textbooks such as David Pozar’s Microwave Engineering. This work presents improvements to CAMDS and verifies its performance. The paper focusses on passive devices using microstrip transmission lines such as filters or stub tuners. Designs developed with CAMDS are compared with those reported by Pozar, simulated using the Agilent Advanced Design System (ADS), and then fabricated using an ADS layout. In appropriate cases, device performance is checked using independent computer analysis or measurement of the device response using a microwave network analyzer. The main results are an improved version of CAMDS and rigorous verification of its capabilities to produce useful designs for practical passive microwave devices.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Design of an Audio-Visual Display for Cross-Modal Experimentation
    (North Dakota State University, 2012) Myers, Gail Jeanne
    The present paper shows the characteristics of a hardware/software display capable of presenting, at different spatial locations, multiple audio-visual stimuli in real-time. The system has been developed to provide a tool in neuroscience in event-related potential (ERP) studies, with presentation delays of less than one millisecond. The high time precision achieved makes it possible to overcome problems from previously used technologies in order to create a realistic environment of cross-modal stimulation. The design presented here has been built using a modular approach, which makes the system flexible and adaptable to different experiments or studies. The capability of presenting different stimuli either in audition, vision, or both combined in real-time, facilitates the study of realistic cross-modal attention experiments.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Estimating Tau (τ) from Left Ventricular Pressure Waveforms During Vena Caval Occlusions
    (North Dakota State University, 2011) Gopinath, Sushma
    Many people are dependent on artificial pacemakers to have a normal cardiac function. Due to this it is important to study the effects of pacing on cardiac function, as well as, to determine the best site to pace with an artificial pacemaker that yields the best cardiac performance. Tau (τ), the time constant of left ventricular relaxation, has been studied as one measure of effective cardiac function, where high τ has been associated with myocardial ischemia and hence a low τ is desirable. The objective of the current study was to create a program in MATLAB™ that estimates τ from left ventricular pressure (LVP) data, verify this program using synthesized data and calculate τ for physiological data. LVP data was collected from five canines under four pacing modes: left ventricular (LV), bi-ventricular (BV), right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) at rates of 90 or 100 and 160 bpm. Four models of τ were used: 1. A semi-logarithmic, zero asymptote model (τ L), 2. A semi-logarithmic model using data from the first 40ms of the isovolumic relation (τ 40), 3. Exponential model with non-zero asymptote of left ventricular pressure (τ E) and 4. A derivative model with non-zero asymptote of left ventricular pressure (τ D). The program successfully loaded all data files and computed τ for all dogs, all pacing sites and all heart rates.