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- Acoustic Speaker System
Advisor: Dr. A. Barry Kunz
Refine an already proven dual bandpass woofer design, by carefully tuning the porting and extending the benefit of this design to a smaller system. Refine and simplify the amplification requirements by incorporating a proper passive crossover design. Develop measurement technology to correlate the objective measurements of this speaker with the subjective listening experience.
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- Audio Power Amplifier (Team A)
Audio Power Amplifier (Team B)
Advisor: Dr. A. Barry Kunz
Design and develop alternate approaches to a high quality audio power amplifier. Study initially well-respected tube and solid state amplifier technologies. Use subjective, controlled listening tests to define the listener's perception of quality. Extend the study to include precise objective measurements that correlate measureables with the subjective listener reaction. Use the criteria developed to design a superior amplifier.
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- Not Selected
- Optimization of Device Performance Using Semiconductor TCAD Tools
Advisor: Dr. Ashok K. Goel
In this project, students will focus on studying the performance of transistors using industry standard Semiconductor Technological Computer-Aided Design tools called ATLAS, ATHENA, DevEdit and Smart Spice bought from Silvaco Corporation. They will simulate the electrical performances of devices such as MOSFETs, MESFETs, MODFETs and other state-of-the-art transistors with respect to their current-voltage characteristics and other performance indicators such as trans-conductance, parasitics and cut-off frequency. Since these indicators are functions of several transistor design and processing parameters, students will try to optimize the transistor design for best performance.
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- Digital Communication System
Advisor: Dr. Allan R. Hambley
In this project, students will design and construct a demonstration digital communication system consisting of a simulated data source, a carrier source, a phase reversal keyed modulator, a simulated communication channel, a Costas phase-locked loop carrier recovery system, a matched filter and a bit-clock recovery loop.
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- Wireless Network Implementation
Advisor: Dr. Warren F. Perger
Current computer networks are often limited by cabling restrictions. Wireless networking technology is now emerging that provides reasonable bandwidth for a modest investment. As with any new technology there are many initial questions to be answered regarding the product offered: what standards are there, what vendors follow the standards, and do the products perform as claimed ? After examining these issues, the design team will evaluate and acquire products to install and test in a small wireless network. Studies of different antennas and antenna placements will be necessary as the system is tested under different building construction types. The final outcome of this project should be a design proposal for a large-scale implementation of a wireless network. This proposal must include studies of performance as well as interference issues with other wireless devices and other wireless networks.
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- Internet-based Status and Control System
Advisor: Dr. Martha E. Sloan
Realize an internet based status and control system with a combination of a PC, Linux, shell scripts, C++, HTML and/or related technologies. The design team will specify the controller board and develop the software. In addition, the team will build a test box. The sponsor will provide a PC, a Linux CD, a controller board and parts for the test box. The I/O of the controller board will be 16-bit digital and 16-bit analog (0 to 5 VDC) with a maximum sample rate of 1 Hz.The test box will latch signals from the controller board. In addition, the test box will route signals (operator and latched) to the controller board. Ultimately, by logging onto the website, any user in any part of the world will be able to operate and monitor (with 30-second updates) the status and control system using the latest version of the Netscape web browser. The website will display an archive of at least the most recent 60seconds.
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- Not Selected
- DSP Implementation of voice-over-IP
Advisor: Dr. Timothy J. Schulz
This project will focus on implementing voice-over-IP on an IBM PowerPC 405, starting with C code that has been developed for a speech compression algorithm. The key work will involve hand-optimizing assembler code to implement the DSP algorithms by using the single-cycle multiply-accumulate (MAC) capabilities of the 405 processor.
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- Image Processing and Navigation for Unmanned Vehicles
Advisor: Dr. Martha E. Sloan
Unmanned vehicle systems are becoming an important part of the world today. From automated warehousing systems, to hazardous environment operation, and the exciting new concept of automated highways, the development of sensor processing and navigation for unmanned vehicles is an emerging technology. Michigan Tech's Unmanned Robotics Team is looking for a novel approach to solve it's image processing and navigation needs. The team is involved in a competition to design an autonomous ground vehicle capable of navigating an outdoor obstacle course without human intervention. This project is a continuation of past work.
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- Radio Telescope Beam Steering and Data Acquisition
Advisor: Dr. Warren F. Perger
The Electrical Engineering department's radio telescope at the Amjoch Observatory in Atlantic Mine has two 10 foot parabolic reflector antennas operating as an interferometer. This is the continuation of a project to design, build and test a system to permit the tracking of stars. Previous work on the project included procuring a PC, a controller board, stepper motors, and associated hardware and software to provide smooth position control of the dishes. This project is to utilize the same PC to sample the two IF signals at the output of each of the two dishes' receivers through an A-to-D converter card. These digitized signals would then be stored and processed to provide a plot of the radio signal received from a given star.
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- Broadband Whip Antenna for Vehicular Applications
Advisor: Dr. Jon A. Soper
The next generation of military ground based communications systems are broad band which necessitates the requirement for a monopole whip type antenna that operates in the 20 MHz to 2500 MHz frequency band for vehicular mount applications. The problem is to design, build and test a whip structure that covers this frequency band with optimum gain, radiation pattern, radiation efficiency, and impedance across the frequency band. Full band coverage, particularly at the lower band edge, is considered to be challenging. A practical design in the sub-band from 200 -2500 MHz would still be very useful. Traveling wave (loaded) structures can be considered as long as efficiency issues are addressed. It is also desirable to estimate the radiation pattern distortion effects induced by asymmetric vehicular ground planes.
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- Not Selected
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- Heartbeat Sensor for Automotive Occupant Sensing
Advisor: Dr. Jon A. Soper
As the public has become more aware of the benefits of passenger-side airbags over the past several years, so too have they and their insurance companies become aware of the costs associated with their use. Airbag modules can be expensive to replace in many vehicles, and many that partially destroy the instrument panel during deployment create even greater repair costs. For this reason it is desirable to design an airbag system that only deploys when an occupant is present, thereby avoiding unnecessary deployments, and hence unnecessary repair costs. One way to determine whether a seat is occupied by a living being is by using very sensitive vibration sensors to detect heartbeats. At this time, there are systems commercially available that use geophones to detect human heartbeats in vehicles. These systems are typically used at prison gates, border crossings, and military installations to detect people who may be hiding in vehicles. The systems require that the vehicle be turned off and quiet, and are intended to monitor the entire vehicle at once. This project will investigate the adaptation of this technology to detect only occupants in a specific seat inside the vehicle, and whether it is possible to detect the heartbeat signature in the presence of normal vehicle vibration at idle speed. A secondary goal for this project would be to implement the technology as it currently exists and evaluate its use as a security device, so that as the owner approaches the vehicle, he or she may be informed if someone is already inside.
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- Position Control for a Fishing Boat
Advisor: Dr. Jon A. Soper
Electric trolling motors can be used to position a boat to a desired fishing location using a GPS signal to define that location. This project is to develop a controller that accepts the GPS signal and delivers power to control the speed and direction of the trolling motors in order to move the boat to and maintain the desired fishing location.
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- Not Selected
- Not Selected
- 400 Horse Power Dynamometer Control
Advisor: Dr. Noel N. Schulz
This customer has received a donation from GM consisting of a 400 hp dynamometer including all the analog control consoles. A site is being chosen and the dynamometer will soon be set up. The dynamometer system will provide rotation to power-train components, such as drive shafts, rear axle housings, transmissions, engines, hydraulic pumps, and other rotating components for the study of power transfer, noise, and vibration. Initially, the system will be set up with the supplied analog controls. An improved set up would include digital controls and monitoring. Several software and hardware manufacturers offer programmable systems on the market today. The task here would be to select and construct the appropriate system to meet the application. An additional consideration would be to design the layout of the dynamometer cell to account for acoustic measurements. We anticipate that the dynamometer would be in a separate room adjacent to the acoustic cell.
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- Real-Time On-Line Monitoring and Diagnostics
Advisor: Dr. Bruce A. Mork
Embedded processors and advanced sensors are rapidly being incorporated into expensive high-voltage equipment such as generators, circuit breakers, and transformers. Real-time condition-monitoring systems enable the operation of equipment to its maximum allowable limits and can indicate when maintenance should be performed, thus preventing catastrophic failures (a 300-MVA transformer costs about $2 Million). Individual monitoring systems can be linked to the company's intranet or SCADA networks. This allows system-wide access to real-time and historical data. Data mining and expert systems might then be applied to examine trending and make operational suggestions. The design team will a) obtain from the project sponsor a description of the monitoring approach presently in use, b) identify and evaluate newer technologies that might be applied, and c) based on thorough engineering analysis develop an advanced alternative to the existing approach. Of particular interest is the development of an easy-to-set-up portable remote monitoring package than can be used to nurse ailing transformers through critical load periods until repair or replacement is possible. Factors to be considered are benefit/cost, sensor placement, data integrity, ease of setup, and data and communications interfacing. Intranet and expert system aspects might also be considered.
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- Transmission Improvements Using Power Electronics
Advisor: Dr. Noel N. Schulz
EPRI has commissioned studies that have shown that FACTS devices increase power import capability into certain areas._ This project challenges students to show how FACTS devices can improve import capability into Michigan._ Presently, imports into Michigan are limited by transmission elements in Ohio, Indiana, and SW Michigan._ It is believed that FACTS devices can relieve these limits and utilize existing capacity on lines coming into Michigan
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- Power System Grid Reinforcement
Advisor: Dr. Noel N. Schulz
Numerous outages to the generation/transmission system in the Adrian, Michigan area could cause unacceptable low voltage conditions and thermal overloads of the transmission facilities in the area. The risk exists of a cascading outage, the need to drop load, and the need to reduce generation due to the thermal overload problems. The project will determine where and how to reinforce the 345 kV and/or 138 kV power system transmission grid in the Adrian area and requires a system load flow analysis as well as economic considerations and risk analysis. A concept approval of the proposed solution is required. The project will include aspects of substation and line design, and possibly insulation coordination, relaying and other system protection requirements, and equipment specification.
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- Protective Relaying Specifications for 345/148 kV Transformer Addition
Advisor: Dr. Noel N. Schulz
The Grand Rapids, Michigan area transmission system required the addition of a 345/138 transformer at the existing 138 kV Gaines switching substation. The 345 line near the substation will be tapped and one 345 kV breaker will be added. The 138 kV switching station is configured in a breaker-and-a-half arrangement with three incoming 138 kV lines. The existing 345 kV line is protected with 2 Directional Comparison Blocking schemes using power-line carrier for communications. The project will develop the system protective relaying specifications for the modified Gaines substation and incoming lines, incorporating both the new equipment and system configuration as well as any required modifications to the existing system protection schemes. This project will require development of the new system short circuit models, protective relaying zones, and application of sufficient protective relaying to clear all faults within the critical clearing time. The use of Digital relays is preferred. Differential protection of the transformer is required.
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- Not Selected
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