| An Analysis of How Education, Age, Overseas Assignments, and Mavenism Impact Use of New Media Technology |
DEC 2010 |
73 pages |
| Authors:
Thomas E. Enright; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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 | Previous research into new media technology usage has typically been limited to young adults ages 18-24. However this study will include age, education, overseas assignments, presence of mavenism, and information security concerns as variables impacting new media usage. For the purpose of this study, new media is defined by devices, activities, and social arrangements (Lievrouw & Livingstone, 2006). While dozens of new media technology are available, the scope of this ... |
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| Navigation with Limited Prior Information Using Time Difference of Arrival Measurements from Signals of Opportunity |
DEC 2010 |
112 pages |
| Authors:
Christopher M. Rondeau; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides world-wide availability to high-accuracy navigation and positioning information. However, the threats to GPS are increasing, and many limitations of GPS are being encountered. Simultaneously, systems previously considered as viable backups or supplements to GPS are being shut down. This creates the need for system alternatives. Navigation using signals of opportunity (SoOP) exploits any signal that is available in a given area, regardless of whether ... |
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| Network Security Toolkit Including Heuristic Solutions for Trust System Placement and Network Obfuscation |
DEC 2010 |
81 pages |
| Authors:
Gabriel H. Greve; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| For Part I, a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) network consists of a group stations and substations in a portion of the power grid. The use of Internet technology in SCADA communications as well as other factors has caused vulnerabilities. One idea to help mitigate this risk is to strategically place trust nodes to compartmentalize and secure the SCADA systems without disturbing its finely honed processes. The trust nodes ... |
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| Collaborative Early Systems Engineering: Strategic Information Management Review |
02 SEP 2010 |
27 pages |
| Authors:
Alan R. Heminger; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| DoD strategy highlights the need for information sharing and system interoperability. U.S. Air Force weapons systems are conceptualized and delivered by the USAF product centers (PC). This report examines the product centers and provides a roadmap for future integration. Findings: (1) The PC are operating in Weill's diversification operating model. Characteristics of this model include low business process standardization and integration. PCs have unique culture and mission. They work with ... |
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| The Combined Effects of Radio Frequency and Gamma Irradiation on P-Channel MOSFETS |
Sep 2010 |
87 pages |
| Authors:
Joshua D Daniel; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| The purpose of this research was to investigate the combined effects of continuous gigahertz radio frequency signals and gamma irradiation on the threshold voltage of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors. The Fairchild NDS352AP, a commonly used commercial device, was irradiated by a cobalt-60 source under a +5 V bias with and without a radio frequency signal applied to the gate. The threshold voltage was measured during and after irradiation. ... |
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| Reputation-Based Internet Protocol Security: A Multilayer Security Framework for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks |
Sep 2010 |
127 pages |
| Authors:
Timothy H Lacey; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This research effort examines the theory, application, and results for a Reputation-based Internet Protocol Security (RIPSec) framework that provides security for an ad-hoc network operating in a hostile environment. In RIPSec, protection from external threats is provided in the form of encrypted communication links and encryption-wrapped nodes while internal threats are mitigated by behavior grading that assigns reputations to nodes based on their demonstrated participation in the routing process. Network ... |
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| Providing a Theoretical Basis for Nanotoxicity Risk Analysis Departing from Traditional Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling |
Sep 2010 |
205 pages |
| Authors:
Dirk P Yamamoto; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Novel properties of engineered nanoparticles that make them attractive may also present unique exposure risks. The traditional physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling assumption of instantaneous equilibration likely does not apply to nanoparticles. This simulation-based research begins with development of a model that includes diffusion, active transport, and carrier mediated transport. Eigenvalue analysis was used to examine model behavior to focus future research. Results show that cellular transport processes greatly affect biokinetics ... |
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| Accelerating Malware Detection via a Graphics Processing Unit |
Sep 2010 |
97 pages |
| Authors:
Nicholas S Kovach; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Real-time malware analysis requires processing large amounts of data storage to look for suspicious files. This is a time consuming process that (requires a large amount of processing power) often affecting other applications running on a personal computer. This research investigates the viability of using Graphic Processing Units (GPUs), present in many personal computers, to distribute the workload normally precessed by the standard Central Processing Unit (CPU). Three experiments are ... |
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| Satellite Capabilities Mapping - Utilizing Small Satellites |
Sep 2010 |
93 pages |
| Authors:
David A Grisby; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| The cost and schedule advantages small satellites have over larger legacy systems have been studied, but there has been very little experimentation performed to determine whether small satellites can actually deliver the capabilities of larger spacecraft. To date, a desired operational capability has not been fully realized by a scalable satellite design. Advances in sensor technology have led to significant reductions in size, weight, and power (SWaP) presenting an opportunity ... |
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| Knowledge-Based Decision Support in Department of Defense Acquisitions |
Sep 2010 |
98 pages |
| Authors:
Clifton L Hicks; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Despite many reform efforts over the past 30 years, acquisition programs in the Department of Defense (DoD) continue to experience cost overruns and schedule delays. One contributing factor is the decision-making process used by defense officials. The General Accounting Office (GAO) has stated that ?poor program outcomes are the lack of widespread adoption of a knowledge-based acquisition process within DoD despite polices that support such a process. A knowledge-based business ... |
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| Determining the Index of Refraction of an Unknown Object using Passive Polarimetric Imagery Degraded by Atmospheric Turbulence |
09 Aug 2010 |
232 pages |
| Authors:
Hyde; Milo W IV; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| In this research, an algorithm is developed to estimate the index of refraction of an unknown object using passive polarimetric images degraded by atmospheric turbulence. The algorithm uses a variant of the maximum-likelihood blind-deconvolution algorithm developed by LeMaster and Cain to recover the true object (i.e., the first Stokes parameter), the degree of linear polarization, and the polarimetric-image point spread functions. Nonlinear least squares is then used to find the ... |
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| An Integrity Framework for Image-Based Navigation Systems |
Jun 2010 |
233 pages |
| Authors:
Craig Larson; D; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This work first examines fundamental differences between measurement models established for GPS and those of proposed image-based navigation systems. In contrast to single value per satellite GPS pseudorange measurements, image measurements are inherently angle-based and represent pixel coordinate pairs for each mapped target. Thus, in the image-based case, special consideration must be given to the units of the transformations between the states and measurements, and also to the fact that ... |
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| Simulation Modeling and Analysis of TNMCS for the B-1 Strategic Bomber |
Jun 2010 |
90 pages |
| Authors:
Carl R Parson; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Simulation provides a method of modeling complex systems which would otherwise be impractical for quantitative experimentation. While other analytic techniques have been used to explore Total Non-Mission Capable [due to] Supply (TNMCS) rates, simulation offers a novel approach to discovering what aspects of the supply chain impact this metric. This research develops a discrete event simulation to investigate factors which affect TNMCS rates for the B-1B by modeling the core ... |
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| Electronic Structure of Lithium Tetraborate |
Jun 2010 |
195 pages |
| Authors:
David J Wooten; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Due to interest as neutron detection material, an investigation of Li2B4O7(110) and Li2B4O7(100) was undertaken, utilizing photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopic techniques. The measured band gap depended on crystallographic direction with the band gaps ranging from 8.9 plus or minus 0.5 eV to 10.1 plus or minus 0.5 eV. The measurement yielded a density of states that qualitatively agreed with the theoretical results from model bulk band structure calculations for ... |
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| Restructuring Depot Maintenance Occupational Series to Improve Flexibility |
Jun 2010 |
87 pages |
| Authors:
Andrew J Levien; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This research addresses Air Force Material Command's desire to develop a flexible depot workforce to meet the demands of maintaining an ever-changing and aging aircraft fleet. Air Force depot maintenance personnel are currently (and have been for quite some time) categorized in very narrow occupational specialties, resulting in the approximately 23,000 personnel to be spread over 171 different occupational specialties. Much of the depot work maintenance workload has decreased in ... |
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| Characterization of Ballistic Impact Flash: An Initial Investigation and Methods Development |
Jun 2010 |
47 pages |
| Authors:
Todd A Henninger; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Ballistic impact flash plays a pivotal role in the ignition of fires in military vehicles. Flash duration, geometry, and energy profiles are critical variables in the assessment of ballistic-induced fires. The survivability community has identified a need for a standardized data collection methodology and corresponding valid community verified models. This effort will quantify existing test data and begin the process of producing dynamic models for flash geometry based on projectile ... |
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| Depot Maintenance Transformation: Successful Strategies in Capital Investing |
Jun 2010 |
87 pages |
| Authors:
Scott M Ritzel; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| In 2000, it was determined that the three Air Logistics Centers were underfunded compared to commercial industry. Specifically, the depots were not funded enough to allow reinvestment into capital assets. This determination was based on the fact that commercial industry reinvests 6% of its profits into capital programs while the Air Force depots reinvest only 3%. To keep the three Air Logistics Centers competitive, Congress injected $900M into the depots ... |
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| Performance of Military Cargo Aircraft using Required Navigation Performance Departures |
Jun 2010 |
55 pages |
| Authors:
Tracy N Hunter; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Maximum takeoff weight for cargo aircraft is affected by many factors including the aircraft's ability to safely climb out to altitude. When there are obstacles in the departure path, the total weight of the aircraft may have to be reduced to ensure the aircraft will achieve the appropriate climb rate to clear the obstacles. During times of limited visibility, aircrews traditionally rely on predetermined departure paths limited by the aircraft ... |
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| Velocity Plume Profiles for Hall Thrusters Using Laser Diagnostic |
Jun 2010 |
133 pages |
| Authors:
Daniel B Lee; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This research built a non-intrusive laser diagnostic tool using Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) and absorption techniques to measure the velocity and density plume profiles of low powered Hall Thrusters. This tool was then applied to a Busek 200W Hall thruster to validate the performance against previous research on the same thruster. A laser frequency sweep through 834.72 nm produced LIF signals for ionized xenon-- collected at 541.9 nm--in the thruster ... |
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| Mission Assurance: A Review of Continuity of Operations Guidance for Application to Cyber Incident Mission Impact Assessment (CIMIA) |
Jun 2010 |
162 pages |
| Authors:
Brian L Hale; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Military organizations have embedded information technology (IT) into mission processes to increase operational efficiency, improve decision-making quality, and shorten the sensor-to-shooter cycle. This IT-to-mission dependence can place the organizational mission at risk when an information incident (e.g., loss or manipulation of an information resource) occurs. Non-military organizations typically address this type of IT risk through an introspective, enterprise-wide focused risk management program that continuously identifies, prioritizes, and documents risks so ... |
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| An Informational Analysis and Communications Squadron Survey of Cyberspace Mission Assurance |
Jun 2010 |
81 pages |
| Authors:
Mickey Evans; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Networks under the Air Force's purview are under constant attack from hostile actors. The dependence on these systems by every facet of the Air Force enterprise is more prevalent now than ever before. The realization of these facts has increased the focus on assuring more than the network systems and applications themselves, but instead on the missions that rely so heavily on the systems. The purpose of this research was ... |
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| Screening and Sufficiency in Multiobjective Decision Problems with Large Alternative Sets |
Jun 2010 |
124 pages |
| Authors:
Michael D Cote; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Portfolio selection problems with combinatorially-large alternative sets can be impossible to evaluate precisely on a reasonable timescale. When portfolios require complex modeling for performance assessment, prohibitive computational processing times can result. Eliminating a small number of alternatives through an intelligent screening process can greatly reduce the number of alternative combinations, thereby decreasing a problem's evaluation time and cost. A methodology was developed for the class of hierarchical portfolio selection problems ... |
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| Cyberspace Mission Focus: NW Ops vs. NetOps |
Jun 2010 |
68 pages |
| Authors:
Travis J Hawker; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This research outlines a method of reasoning for understanding warfighting domains, defining operations within a warfighting domain (primarily offensive, defensive and security) and correlating that operational understanding into mission requirements within the Air Force in order to better answer the questions, How do we fly, fight and win in cyberspace? In doing so, this research will attempt to show that what is currently coined as defensive operations on the network ... |
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| Modeling Computer Communication Networks in a Realistic 3D Environment |
01 Mar 2010 |
99 pages |
| Authors:
Rowell; Charles R Jr; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Communication network simulations have typically been visualized in the past through 2D representations, but this is insufficient for battlefield network scenarios. Visual representations of battlefield networks greatly benefit from 3D visualization due to its ability to retain asset location. This research investigates the feasibility of modeling a typical battlefield communication network in a realistic 3D manner and discusses the effects of doing so. The result is an open source, 3D ... |
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| A Simulation Based Methodology to Examine the B-1B's AN/ALQ-161 Maintenance Process |
01 Mar 2010 |
82 pages |
| Authors:
Ricardo R Garza; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This thesis looks at the maintenance procedures associated with the defensive electronic counter measure (ECM) system on the B-1B, designated the AN/ALQ-161. Computer simulation of the current line-replaceable-unit (LRU) maintenance network for Ellsworth AFB and Dyess AFB is modeled. In addition, two hypothetical repair networks are proposed and analyzed. This research considers the applicability of this type of computer simulation, using ARENA software to study the AN/ALQ-161 repair system. The ... |
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| Optimization of Environmental Conditions to Maximize Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Through Algal Growth |
Mar 2010 |
247 pages |
| Authors:
Kenneth M Karcher; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| The micro-alga Chlorella vulgaris was cultivated under a variety of environmental conditions in various culture media solutions to optimize growth rate and biomass productivity. Efforts during this work investigated growth at the micro-scale in an air-lift bubble system with the goal of interpreting performance characteristics for application to a larger tubular Photo-bioreactor. Maximum growth rates and biomass yields were 0.65 d-1 and 2.003 g biomass/L and achieved in seven days ... |
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| Developing a Qualia-Based Multi-Agent Architecture for Use in Malware Detection |
Mar 2010 |
113 pages |
| Authors:
Bobby D Birrer; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Detecting network intruders and malicious software is a significant problem for network administrators and security experts. New threats are emerging at an increasing rate, and current signature and statistics-based techniques are not keeping pace. Intelligent systems that can adapt to new threats are needed to mitigate these new strains of malware as they are released. This research detects malware based on its qualia, or essence rather than its low-level implementation ... |
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| Thrust and Performance Study of Micro Pulsed Plasma Thrusters |
Mar 2010 |
148 pages |
| Authors:
Jeremy J Selstrom; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This research is focused on several areas of the micro PPT performance. An important idea studied is the effect of lifetime use on the performance. The thruster is fired for a simulated lifetime of use to see if there is an impact on the thrust of the thruster later in life. Also vital is the efficiency of the thruster. A micro PPT performing at max efficiency will ionize all ablated ... |
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| Thermal Neutron Point Source Imaging using a Rotating Modulation Collimator (RMC) |
Mar 2010 |
102 pages |
| Authors:
Nathan O Boyce; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This thesis demonstrates a previously untested capability of the Rotating Modulation Collimator (RMC) to image a point-like neutron source. The encouraging results, achieved using low-energy neutrons, provide motivation for further refinement and continued research with higher-energy neutrons. The detector and the masks on an existing RMC imaging system were exchanged to function with neutrons. The source in this research produced a poly-energetic spectrum of neutrons through the reaction. The source ... |
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| Performance of Scattering Matrix Decomposition and Color Spaces for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery |
Mar 2010 |
88 pages |
| Authors:
Manuel E Arriagada; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Polarization decomposition techniques are applied to the polarization-dependent data to form colorful imagery that is easy for a human to interpret. Yet, the presumption is that the SAR system operates with maximum bandwidth requiring extensive processing for near- or real-time application. In this thesis, the author investigates the differences between the choices of color space when processing sparse SAR data with three scattering matrix decompositions (linear, Pauli and Krogager) to ... |
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| Fuel Savings Opportunities From Air Refueling |
Mar 2010 |
83 pages |
| Authors:
Murat Toydas; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Fuel is a critical strategic asset for military aviation operations, yet is increasingly expensive. Air refueling offers both the opportunity to extend aircraft range and the potential to save fuel by enabling a transport aircraft to depart with less fuel in exchange for additional cargo. We evaluate the practicality of air refueling in terms of fuel savings versus distance and cargo quantity, by introducing two non-linear optimization models that examine ... |
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| Changes to Electrical Conductivity in Irradiated Carbon-Nickel Nanocomposites |
Mar 2010 |
100 pages |
| Authors:
David F Coy; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Pre and post irradiation resistivity and XAFS measurements have been conducted to examine the effects of 0.5 MeV electron irradiation on nickel-carbon composites. Results showed a decrease in surface resistivity following irradiation and a corresponding decrease in NiO content for the irradiated samples as compared to pre-irradiation measurements and non-irradiated samples. Surface resistivity measurement capabilities were established and measurement techniques refined to produce repeatable results of sufficient precision to discern ... |
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| AFM-Patterned 2-D Thin-Film Photonic Crystal Analyzed by Complete Angle Scatter |
Mar 2010 |
88 pages |
| Authors:
Nicholas C Herr; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| The purpose of this research was to use an atomic force microscope (AFM) to generate a 2-D square array of sub-wavelength surface features from a single material over a region large enough to permit optical characterization. This work is an extension of previous AFIT nano-patterning work and is in response to the small subunit sizes demanded for the production of optical metamaterials and photonic crystals. A diamond nano-indentation AFM probe ... |
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| Orbit Maneuver for Responsive Coverage Using Electric Propulsion |
Mar 2010 |
99 pages |
| Authors:
Timothy S Hall; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| The use of continuous electric propulsion to manipulate a satellite's orbit offers significant potential for enhancing coverage of a target in ways not previously considered. Elliptical orbits utilizing a very low perigee can facilitate access to the surface and atmosphere of the Earth at sub-ionosphere altitudes while counteracting atmospheric drag forces using continuous electric propulsion. Additionally, in-plane and out-of-plane manipulation of both circular and elliptical orbits can allow for passage ... |
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| Attitude Control of a Satellite Simulator Using Reaction Wheels and a PID Controller |
Mar 2010 |
166 pages |
| Authors:
Ryan E Snider; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Attitude requirements of a satellite are determined by its mission: telecommunications, optical imagery, and meteorology to name a few. A satellite's ability to orient its mission critical hardware (solar arrays, attitude sensors, etc.), as well as its mission specific payload, is incumbent upon the performance of the satellite's attitude control system (ACS). For a highly accurate ACS and for moderately fast maneuverability, reaction wheels are preferred because they allow continuous ... |
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| Estimating Characteristics of a Maneuvering Reentry Vehicle Observed by Multiple Sensors |
Mar 2010 |
123 pages |
| Authors:
Evan M Brooks; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Post flight analysis of ballistic missile reentry vehicles is an area of focus for the U.S. Government, especially for those involved in ballistic missile defense. Typically, this analysis incorporates either a model-driven least squares filter or a data-following Kalman filter. The research performed here developed a filter that attempts to integrate the strengths of both filters. A least squares filter operates on observation data collected during exoatmospheric free flight and ... |
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| Numerical Investigation of Pre-detonator Geometries for PDE Applications |
Mar 2010 |
80 pages |
| Authors:
Robert T Fievisohn; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| A parametric study was performed to determine optimal geometries to allow the successful transition of a detonation from a pre-detonator into the thrust tube of a pulse detonation engine. The study was performed using a two-dimensional Euler solver with progress variables to model the chemistry. The geometrical configurations for the simulations look at the effect of shock reflections, flow obstructions, and detonation diffraction to determine successful geometries. It was observed ... |
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| Mission Analysis and Design for Space Based Inter-Satellite Laser Power Beaming |
Mar 2010 |
119 pages |
| Authors:
Nicholas M Keller; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This research effort develops an interdisciplinary design tool to optimize an orbit for the purpose of wirelessly beaming power from the International Space Station's (ISS) Japanese Experimental Module Exposed Facility (JEM/EF) to a target satellite. For the purpose of this initiative, the target satellite will be referred to as FalconSAT6, a reference to the proposed follow-on satellite to the U.S. Air Force Academy's (USAFA) FalconSAT5 program. The USAFA FalconSAT program ... |
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| Analysis of Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System Designs for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems |
Mar 2010 |
148 pages |
| Authors:
Ryan M Hiserote; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Currently fielded electric-powered small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) lack the endurance desired by warfighters, while their internal combustion engine driven counterparts generate mission compromising acoustic and thermal signatures. Parallel hybrid-electric propulsion systems would meet the military's needs by combining the advantages of hydrocarbon and electric power systems. Three distinct parallel hybrid-electric system designs, each with three unique battery discharging profiles, were analyzed and compared using a constrained static optimization formulation ... |
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| CFD Analysis of Experimental Wing and Winglet for FalconLAUNCH 8 and the ExFIT Program |
Mar 2010 |
84 pages |
| Authors:
Benjamin P Switzer; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
|
| Reusable launch vehicles have many benefits over their expendable counterparts. These benefits range from cost reductions to increased functionality of the vehicles. Further research is required in the development of the technology necessary for reusable launch vehicles to come to fruition. The Air Force Institute of Technology's future involvement in the ExFIT program will entail designing and testing of a new wing tip mounted vertical stabilizer in the hypersonic regime. ... |
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| Effects of Prior Aging at 260 deg C in Argon on Inelastic Deformation Behavior of PMR-15 Polymer at 260 deg C: Experiment and Modeling |
Mar 2010 |
163 pages |
| Authors:
Bradley K Diedrick; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| The inelastic deformation behavior of PMR-15 neat resin, a high-temperature polymer, was investigated at 260 deg C. The experimental program was designed to explore the influence of strain rate on loading and unloading behaviors. In addition, the effect of prior strain rate on creep, relaxation, and recovery responses was evaluated. The material exhibits positive, nonlinear strain rate sensitivity in monotonic loading. Early failures occur before inelastic flow is fully established. ... |
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| An Exploration of the Effects of Maintenance Manning on Combat Mission Readiness (CMR) Utilizing Agent Based Modeling |
Mar 2010 |
90 pages |
| Authors:
Adam S MacKenzie; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Agent based models have been shown to be powerful tools in describing processes and systems centered on individual behaviors and local interactions (i.e. bottom-up) between specific entities. Current application areas tend to be focused within the business and social science arenas, although their usefulness has been demonstrated in the modeling of various chemistry and physics-based systems. Conversely, many highly process-oriented systems, such as manufacturing environments, tend to be modeled via ... |
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| Real Time Fault Detection and Diagnostics Using FPGA-Based Architectures |
Mar 2010 |
78 pages |
| Authors:
Nathan P Naber; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Errors within circuits caused by radiation continue to be an important concern to developers. A new methodology of real time fault detection and diagnostics utilizing FPGA based architectures while under radiation were investigated in this research. The contributions of this research are focused on three areas; a full test platform to evaluate a circuit while under radiation, an algorithm to detect and diagnose fault locations within a circuit, and finally ... |
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| Investigation of Thermal Management and Metamaterials |
Mar 2010 |
198 pages |
| Authors:
Calvin T Roman; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
|
| Thermal metamaterials are materials composed of engineered, microscopic structures that exhibit unique thermal performance characteristics based primarily on their physical structures and patterning, rather than just their chemical composition or bulk material properties. The heat transfer performance attributes of the thermal metamaterial are such that similar performance cannot be obtained using conventional materials or compounds. Thermal metamaterials are an emerging technology, and are just now beginning to be acknowledged and ... |
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| Phase Unwrapping in the Presence of Strong Turbulence |
Mar 2010 |
157 pages |
| Authors:
Casey J Pellizzari; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
|
| Phase unwrapping in the presence of branch points using a least-squares wave-front reconstructor requires the use of a Postprocessing Congruence Operation (PCO). Branch cuts in the unwrapped phase are altered by the addition of a constant parameter h to the rotational component when applying the PCO. Past research has shown that selecting a value of h which minimizes the proportion of irradiance in the pupil plane adjacent to branch cuts ... |
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| Codifying Information Assurance Controls for Department of Defense (DoD) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems |
Mar 2010 |
140 pages |
| Authors:
Eddie A Mendezllovet; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
|
| Protecting DoD critical infrastructure resources and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems from cyber attacks is becoming an increasingly challenging task. DoD Information Assurance controls provide a sound framework to achieve an appropriate level of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. However, these controls have not been updated since 2003 and currently do not adequately address the security of DoD SCADA systems. This research sampled U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering subject ... |
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| Utilizing the Digital Fingerprint Methodology for Secure Key Generation |
Mar 2010 |
77 pages |
| Authors:
Jennifer C Anilao; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
|
| This research examines a new way to generate an uncloneable secure key by taking advantage of the delay characteristics of individual transistors. The user profiles the circuit to deduce the glitch count of each output line for each number of selectable buffers added to the circuit. The user can then use this information to generate a specific glitch count on each output line, which is passed to an encryption algorithm ... |
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| Static and Dynamic Component Obfuscation on Reconfigurable Devices |
Mar 2010 |
81 pages |
| Authors:
Camdon R Cady; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Computing systems are used in virtually every aspect of our lives. Technology such as smart phones and electronically controlled subsystems in cars is becoming so commonly used that it is virtually ubiquitous. Sometimes, this technology can be exploited to perform functions that it was never intended to perform, or fail to provide information that it is supposed to protect. X-HIA was shown to be effective at identifying several circuit components ... |
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| Simulation and Application of GPOPS for a Trajectory Optimization and Mission Planning Tool |
Mar 2010 |
114 pages |
| Authors:
Danielle E Yaple; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Rapid trajectory generation is crucial to prompt global warfare. To meet the USAF's objective of Persistent and Responsive Precision Engagement, a rapid mission planning tool is required. This research creates the framework for the mission planning tool and provides a sample optimal trajectory which is solved using the GPOPS software package. GPOPS employs a Gaussian psuedospectral method to solve the non-linear equations of motion with both end conditions and path ... |
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| Accurate Dynamic Response Predictions of Plug-and-Play Sat I |
Mar 2010 |
93 pages |
| Authors:
Michael D Trottier; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| Researchers at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office have conducted extensive vibration testing and structural modeling on the first ORS Plug-and-Play Satellite (PnPSAT I). The intent of this research effort is to evaluate the premise that current post-integration spacecraft environmental test requirements can be reduced or modified using accurately tuned finite element (FE) models. As part of this research, modal testing was ... |
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