Kettering University

This thesis presents the results of adding a continuity test feature and an automatic park position feature to an existing end-of-line test stand. The continuity check involves sending four separate signals to a wire harness and then monitoring the return signals to ensure the devices being tested are properly connected. The automatic park feature is designed to raise the lift plate to the required park position after the window regulator test is complete. This function automates a previously user-operated procedure, making it faster and more reliable. The thesis describes the processes of designing, implementing, and testing these features. The selection and installation of additional hardware is explained. The main focus of the project, however, is on altering the LabVIEW software to perform the new features. The modifications and additions to the current state machine architecture are covered in detail.

A custom Generic Reusable Core (GRC) hardware platform has been created for use in multiple embedded system projects. This platform contains the Atmel AT91RM9200 microprocessor, SDRAM and FLASH memories, and numerous communication interface devices. Applications built on the open-source eCos Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) must be able to run on the new hardware. A similar commercially available development system exists for which an eCos port is available. This thesis describes the process of porting the eCos RTOS from the commercially available development system to the new one by briefly introducing eCos, describing the porting procedures, and explaining how to use eCos' toolset to test the new port of the RTOS.

A previous Kettering thesis project created a simple software component verification utility modeled after Microsoft's MDAC Component Checker. This thesis takes the original utility and identifies and implements a number of improvements with the aim of releasing the upgraded utility as a technical support tool. Enhancements include multiple product support and product auto-detection, evaluation saving and loading, and an additional utility for creating the component databases.

Department 1726 of Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) conducts failure analysis of semiconductor devices and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) parts in various electronic devices. Device dimensions are often in millimeters, while device features are in microns. Since the microscope must operate at a high resolution in order to capture the device features, it can only capture a small portion of the device. In order to image the entire device multiple pictures must be taken and stitched together. Currently, operators perform this function manually. This procedure is time consuming and manpower intensive which reduces the time available to conduct high level failure analysis. This thesis investigated solutions to this problem. The result was a custom system developed for image capture automation and a commercial solution, ImageAssembler 3, deployed for stitching the captured images together.

Every year the Bahamas is faced with the threat of hurricanes. As a result of these hurricanes, Grand Bahama Power Co. has the huge job of damage recovery and assessment to deal with. GIS has emerged as a very useful tool during the reconstruction. However, due to the amount of external crews assisting sufficient updates were not being made to the GIS database. This thesis seeks to develop a GIS Data Verification Project, to bring back the level of accuracy that made the GIS so useful for hurricane recovery as well as day to day activities for planning and engineering staff.

Magnetic anomalies caused by buildings, bridges, or vehicles can jeopardize compass accuracy on Magna Donnelly rearview mirrors. To ensure compass accuracy, these anomalies need to be recorded and subsequently studied on a three-axis Helmholtz. A software application in conjunction with a magnetometer is required to record these anomalies. Once these anomalies are properly recorded and studied, further compass algorithm can be developed to ensuring accurate compass headings.

Mobile employees that use several phone systems and move in and out of the office several times a day often have trouble keeping up with the different avenues of communication. Chasing down voicemail messages and missing calls can cause a breakdown in communication and a loss of productivity. This thesis evaluated several possible solutions to this problem. To implement a unified contact system, a hardware upgrade to the existing PBX, a hosted PBX, and an Asterisk-based server were considered. The Asterisk-based server solution seemed to be the optimal solution, providing seamless integration with the current phone system. This solution was also scaleable, and cost effective. The find-me / follow-me feature, which forwards calls to multiple phones, will improve communication, productivity, and allow for future expansion with the possibility of using voice over IP (VoIP).

Mobile robotics is a relatively new and fast growing field of research. This is largely because mobile robots can perform jobs that are just too dangerous or unpleasant for humans to do. From scouting enemy positions during combat, to researching life on the ocean floor, there are vast possibilities for this specialized domain. Map building and navigation are two of the most important topics in mobile robotics research. This thesis is centered on mapping and motion planning with a Pioneer 2DX8 mobile robot. The purpose of this project is not to necessarily further the field of robotics as a whole, but to duplicate and enhance what others have done in the fields of mapping and navigation. This will be achieved by utilizing established algorithms and techniques.

Open source components and some custom code come together to create an instant message solution for Kettering University that avoids these proprietary networks. This same solution places the university on the global, standards-based jabber (XMPP) network, and provides for the security and features needed by an academic institution or an enterprise environment. GNU Free Documentation License

Rosemount Nuclear Instruments, Inc. (RNII) is a division of Emerson Electric. The company manufactures safety related pressure transmitters and control systems for use in nuclear facilities. The pressure transmitters are assembled through a lengthy manual process. Current methods of assembly depend heavily on human understanding of procedures and manual selection of materials for use in the final assembly of transmitters. This method of assembly requires significant overhead and maintenance to maintain and the procedures were not typically understood by the instrument builders. There is also an increased potential for incorrect material selection due to the complexity of the procedures. This thesis outlines the process of automating the manufacturing process using software designed and testing on similar production lines in the Rosemount Measurement Division (RMD) of Emerson Process Management.

The Genesee County Road Commission has been doing Purchase Requisition in paper and pen format to do the necessary purchases for some time. For the agency, this method of purchasing process is very inefficient in terms of time and cost due to physical paper transfer, and there is always a possibility for a person to make a mistake due to bad handwriting or incomplete information. The old method of purchasing also has problems with redundant data entry during a purchasing process. A new Intranet based GCRC Purchase Requisition System was developed and brought online and is under testing phase. This new Purchase Requisition System is proving to be a beneficial to the agency because access link to forms can now be transferred between employees in an instant with the GCRC email system. Also old purchase forms can be stored in an organized manner in electronic form in the central database and can easily be searched and extracted using system features. The system is performing well and as expected and some of the employee who does purchasing has seen the prototype system and were satisfied. After the Purchase Requisition process is complete, there is a Purchase Order process that comes afterwards and the electronic module for this phase is currently under development by Precision Computer Solutions, Inc. In the future, the developer recommends connecting the GCRC Requisition database and the Purchasing Purchase Order database or at least find a way to transfer data to the Purchase Order database from the Purchase Requisition database.

The Thesis Differential Global Positioning System brings an understanding of the Omnistar/Novatel DGPS package. A full understanding of the system was aquired by communicating with representatives from both companies and research on other existing DGPS pacakages. Testing was done to test the reliability and accuracy of the system. The data collected from testing was processed and checked on these two conditions: reliability and accuracy. The System proved to not be useful enough for the company to use and futher testing was terminated.

The aim of this thesis is to design, develop, and implement an automated testing method for system generated reports presented in a PDF format, and present the results of these tests in an efficient manner to aid in problem resolution. The testing involves comparison against a stored baseline report to check for any changes occurring in content or format that occurred.

The current PIM3 system is lagging behind the customer's needs. Past successes have increased the use and requirements placed on the system by the customer. Designing a next-generation PIM architecture can mitigate the PIM3's deficiencies and give the end-user greatly enhanced computational ability. Specifically, a latch-based, 3R/4W register file would allow additional PEs to be placed on a single die thus increasing computational density and satisfying the customer's computing requirements.

The goal of the thesis was to design and put into production a custom asset management system. The system would handle requests for computers, track all computers, track service history of computers, and generate useful reports to management.

The purpose of this thesis is to design and develop a system that enables project managers to publish pertinent information about their projects in a quick and easy way. Also, this system is to allow the access of that information in an easily navigable format, by any interested party, while at the same time providing the opportunity for collaboration on the presented information. The results of this thesis shall serve as a building block for future development and expansion in this area.

There is a need for JPS to provide its own facility for customer monetary transactions that is accessible at any point in time. The proposed online payment system provides a secure, web-service based, in-house developed payment system that realizes real-time recording of transacitons and is accessible interminably to JPS clients. If implemented, it creates a channel through which JPS can more effectively conduct payment transactions with its customers.

This document serves as a record of the thought process and actions taken to improve the photometric testing procedure at SoundOff Signal. The test procedure is thoroughly explained and relevant information leading to the resolution is subquent.

This thesis details the creation and deployment of a configurable software library and an application that makes use of the library. The library breaks the process of transmitting data, for the purpose of centralizing it, into four distinct steps. The data is selected for transport, compressed, encrypted, and transported. The software library allows programmers great flexability in using the current functionality and in adding their own improvements in the future. Each phase of processing is modular and through the use of interfaces and abstract constructors, new modules can be used from old software using the library. This system is used by UPS to centralize the dimensional information of roughly 12 million packages per day spread over 57 sites nationally.

This thesis discusses the implementation of the timer driver and CAN driver that the author created using Microchip Technology's dsPIC30F6014 microcontroller. Detailed descriptions of Microchip's timer and CAN hardware architecture is inclued. Driver descriptions and setup instructions are included for both drivers. Several test cases, including the Padova Lift Truck application, are executed and results of the functionality of the timer and CAN drivers are recorded.

This thesis presents a robot motion planning algorithm which can navigate a Crawler robot to conduct aircraft rivet inspection. This algorithm successfully navigates the robot to all rivets while satisfying the navigation requirements of the robot.

Wireless technology may provide viable solutions for error proofing applications for Superior Controls. This thesis first explains the conclusions and recommendations resulting from the research. It then goes over wireless communication protocols with respect to potential interference that could occur between wireless devices. Next, it lists potential applications and wireless products that may be useful for error proofing. A few sample products are then used to test the conclusions that are drawn about interference. Next, a few potential designs are discussed with estimates of power usage of these designs and the pros and cons associated with each. Finally, a proof of concept of the part pick design is implemented in order to verify the feasibility of all the designs in general.

Without a proper system in place, a team of software programmers can find themselves within a mess of confusion when it comes time to develop their product. Thus, a software development process gives form to the chaos and provides the tools and mechanisms for generating quality software. A software development cycle can consist of several distinct phases, leading from requirements and design cycles to actual coding, testing, integration, and delivery. Likewise, there are numerous tools for assisting with the appropriate implementation of the process. There are also several models, such as the waterfall method, development spirals, or agile/extreme programming, to choose from when selecting a software development process for a programming team. All of these subject areas will be considered in the analysis of the software development process from the I5151 Java software team.