Matching Items (13)
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- All Subjects: Radar
- All Subjects: Signal Processing
- Creators: Electrical Engineering Program
Description
The world of a hearing impaired person is much different than that of somebody capable of discerning different frequencies and magnitudes of sound waves via their ears. This is especially true when hearing impaired people play video games. In most video games, surround sound is fed through some sort of digital output to headphones or speakers. Based on this information, the gamer can discern where a particular stimulus is coming from and whether or not that is a threat to their wellbeing within the virtual world. People with reliable hearing have a distinct advantage over hearing impaired people in the fact that they can gather information not just from what is in front of them, but from every angle relative to the way they're facing. The purpose of this project was to find a way to even the playing field, so that a person hard of hearing could also receive the sensory feedback that any other person would get while playing video games To do this, visual surround sound was created. This is a system that takes a surround sound input, and illuminates LEDs around the periphery of glasses based on the direction, frequency and amplitude of the audio wave. This provides the user with crucial information on the whereabouts of different elements within the game. In this paper, the research and development of Visual Surround Sound is discussed along with its viability in regards to a deaf person's ability to learn the technology, and decipher the visual cues.
ContributorsKadi, Danyal (Co-author) / Burrell, Nathaneal (Co-author) / Butler, Kristi (Co-author) / Wright, Gavin (Co-author) / Kosut, Oliver (Thesis director) / Bliss, Daniel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Detecting early signs of neurodegeneration is vital for measuring the efficacy of pharmaceuticals and planning treatments for neurological diseases. This is especially true for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) where differences in symptom onset can be indicative of the prognosis. Because it can be measured noninvasively, changes in speech production have been proposed as a promising indicator of neurological decline. However, speech changes are typically measured subjectively by a clinician. These perceptual ratings can vary widely between clinicians and within the same clinician on different patient visits, making clinical ratings less sensitive to subtle early indicators. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for the objective measurement of flutter, a quasi-sinusoidal modulation of fundamental frequency that manifests in the speech of some ALS patients. The algorithm detailed in this paper employs long-term average spectral analysis on the residual F0 track of a sustained phonation to detect the presence of flutter and is robust to longitudinal drifts in F0. The algorithm is evaluated on a longitudinal speech dataset of ALS patients at varying stages in their prognosis. Benchmarking with two stages of perceptual ratings provided by an expert speech pathologist indicate that the algorithm follows perceptual ratings with moderate accuracy and can objectively detect flutter in instances where the variability of the perceptual rating causes uncertainty.
ContributorsPeplinski, Jacob Scott (Author) / Berisha, Visar (Thesis director) / Liss, Julie (Committee member) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
In many systems, it is difficult or impossible to measure the phase of a signal. Direct recovery from magnitude is an ill-posed problem. Nevertheless, with a sufficiently large set of magnitude measurements, it is often possible to reconstruct the original signal using algorithms that implicitly impose regularization conditions on this ill-posed problem. Two such algorithms were examined: alternating projections, utilizing iterative Fourier transforms with manipulations performed in each domain on every iteration, and phase lifting, converting the problem to that of trace minimization, allowing for the use of convex optimization algorithms to perform the signal recovery. These recovery algorithms were compared on a basis of robustness as a function of signal-to-noise ratio. A second problem examined was that of unimodular polyphase radar waveform design. Under a finite signal energy constraint, the maximal energy return of a scene operator is obtained by transmitting the eigenvector of the scene Gramian associated with the largest eigenvalue. It is shown that if instead the problem is considered under a power constraint, a unimodular signal can be constructed starting from such an eigenvector that will have a greater return.
ContributorsJones, Scott Robert (Author) / Cochran, Douglas (Thesis director) / Diaz, Rodolfo (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The Lightning Audio capstone group, consisting of Brian Boerhinger, Rahul Nandan, Jaime Ramirez, and Niccolo Magnotto (myself), united in the effort to prove the feasibility of a consumer grade plasma arc speaker. This was achieved in group's prototype design, which demonstrates the potential for a refined product in its conventional interfacing, casing, size, safety, and aesthetics. If the potential for an excellent ionization-based loudspeaker product were realized, it would be highly profitable in its reasonable cost of production, novelty, and place in a large and fitting market.
ContributorsMagnotto, Niccolo John (Author) / Roedel, Ronald (Thesis director) / Huffman, James (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Passive radar can be used to reduce the demand for radio frequency spectrum bandwidth. This paper will explain how a MATLAB simulation tool was developed to analyze the feasibility of using passive radar with digitally modulated communication signals. The first stage of the simulation creates a binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) signal, quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal, or digital terrestrial television (DTTV) signal. A scenario is then created using user defined parameters that simulates reception of the original signal on two different channels, a reference channel and a surveillance channel. The signal on the surveillance channel is delayed and Doppler shifted according to a point target scattering profile. An ambiguity function detector is implemented to identify the time delays and Doppler shifts associated with reflections off of the targets created. The results of an example are included in this report to demonstrate the simulation capabilities.
ContributorsScarborough, Gillian Donnelly (Author) / Cochran, Douglas (Thesis director) / Berisha, Visar (Committee member) / Wang, Chao (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The increasing presence and affordability of sensors provides the opportunity to make novel and creative designs for underserved markets like the legally blind. Here we explore how mathematical methods and device coordination can be utilized to improve the functionality of inexpensive proximity sensing electronics in order to create designs that are versatile, durable, low cost, and simple. Devices utilizing various acoustic and electromagnetic wave frequencies like ultrasonic rangefinders, radars, Lidar rangefinders, webcams, and infrared rangefinders and the concepts of Sensor Fusion, Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radar, and Phased Arrays were explored. The effects of various factors on the propagation of different wave signals was also investigated. The devices selected to be incorporated into designs were the HB100 DRO Radar Doppler Sensor (as an FMCW radar), HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor, and Maxbotix Ultrasonic Rangefinder \u2014 EZ3. Three designs were ultimately developed and dubbed the "Rad-Son Fusion", the "Tri-Beam Scanner", and the "Dual-Receiver Ranger". The "Rad-Son Fusion" employs the Sensor Fusion of an FMCW radar and Ultrasonic sensor through a weighted average of the distance reading from the two sensors. The "Tri-Beam Scanner" utilizes a beam-forming Digital Phased Array of ultrasonic sensors to scan its surroundings. The "Dual-Receiver Ranger" uses the convolved result from to two modified HC-SR04 sensors to determine the time of flight and ultimately an object's distance. After conducting hardware experiments to determine the feasibility of each design, the "Dual-Receiver Ranger" was prototyped and tested to demonstrate the potential of the concept. The designs were later compared based on proposed requirements and possible improvements and challenges associated with the designs are discussed.
ContributorsFeinglass, Joshua Forster (Author) / Goryll, Michael (Thesis director) / Reisslein, Martin (Committee member) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
We present in this paper a method to compare scene classification accuracy of C-band Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical images utilizing both classical and quantum computing algorithms. This REU study uses data from the Sentinel satellite. The dataset contains (i) synthetic aperture radar images collected from the Sentinel-1 satellite and (ii) optical images for the same area as the SAR images collected from the Sentinel-2 satellite. We utilize classical neural networks to classify four classes of images. We then use Quantum Convolutional Neural Networks and deep learning techniques to take advantage of machine learning to help the system train, learn, and identify at a higher classification accuracy. A hybrid Quantum-classical model that is trained on the Sentinel1-2 dataset is proposed, and the performance is then compared against the classical in terms of classification accuracy.
ContributorsMiller, Leslie (Author) / Spanias, Andreas (Thesis director) / Uehara, Glen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2023-05
Description
Power spectral analysis is a fundamental aspect of signal processing used in the detection and \\estimation of various signal features. Signals spaced closely in frequency are problematic and lead analysts to miss crucial details surrounding the data. The Capon and Bartlett methods are non-parametric filterbank approaches to power spectrum estimation. The Capon algorithm is known as the "adaptive" approach to power spectrum estimation because its filter impulse responses are adapted to fit the characteristics of the data. The Bartlett method is known as the "conventional" approach to power spectrum estimation (PSE) and has a fixed deterministic filter. Both techniques rely on the Sample Covariance Matrix (SCM). The first objective of this project is to analyze the origins and characteristics of the Capon and Bartlett methods to understand their abilities to resolve signals closely spaced in frequency. Taking into consideration the Capon and Bartlett's reliance on the SCM, there is a novelty in combining these two algorithms using their cross-coherence. The second objective of this project is to analyze the performance of the Capon-Bartlett Cross Spectra. This study will involve Matlab simulations of known test cases and comparisons with approximate theoretical predictions.
ContributorsYoshiyama, Cassidy (Author) / Richmond, Christ (Thesis director) / Bliss, Daniel (Committee member) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor, Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
In the field of electronic music, haptic feedback is a crucial feature of digital musical instruments (DMIs) because it gives the musician a more immersive experience. This feedback might come in the form of a wearable haptic device that vibrates in response to music. Such advancements in the electronic music field are applicable to the field of speech and hearing. More specifically, wearable haptic feedback devices can enhance the musical listening experience for people who use cochlear implant (CI) devices.
This Honors Thesis is a continuation of Prof. Lauren Hayes’s and Dr. Xin Luo’s research initiative, Haptic Electronic Audio Research into Musical Experience (HEAR-ME), which investigates how to enhance the musical listening experience for CI users using a wearable haptic system. The goals of this Honors Thesis are to adapt Prof. Hayes’s system code from the Max visual programming language into the C++ object-oriented programming language and to study the results of the developed C++ codes. This adaptation allows the system to operate in real-time and independently of a computer.
Towards these goals, two signal processing algorithms were developed and programmed in C++. The first algorithm is a thresholding method, which outputs a pulse of a predefined width when the input signal falls below some threshold in amplitude. The second algorithm is a root-mean-square (RMS) method, which outputs a pulse-width modulation signal with a fixed period and with a duty cycle dependent on the RMS of the input signal. The thresholding method was found to work best with speech, and the RMS method was found to work best with music. Future work entails the design of adaptive signal processing algorithms to allow the system to work more effectively on speech in a noisy environment and to emphasize a variety of elements in music.
This Honors Thesis is a continuation of Prof. Lauren Hayes’s and Dr. Xin Luo’s research initiative, Haptic Electronic Audio Research into Musical Experience (HEAR-ME), which investigates how to enhance the musical listening experience for CI users using a wearable haptic system. The goals of this Honors Thesis are to adapt Prof. Hayes’s system code from the Max visual programming language into the C++ object-oriented programming language and to study the results of the developed C++ codes. This adaptation allows the system to operate in real-time and independently of a computer.
Towards these goals, two signal processing algorithms were developed and programmed in C++. The first algorithm is a thresholding method, which outputs a pulse of a predefined width when the input signal falls below some threshold in amplitude. The second algorithm is a root-mean-square (RMS) method, which outputs a pulse-width modulation signal with a fixed period and with a duty cycle dependent on the RMS of the input signal. The thresholding method was found to work best with speech, and the RMS method was found to work best with music. Future work entails the design of adaptive signal processing algorithms to allow the system to work more effectively on speech in a noisy environment and to emphasize a variety of elements in music.
ContributorsBonelli, Dominic Berlage (Author) / Papandreou-Suppappola, Antonia (Thesis director) / Hayes, Lauren (Thesis director, Committee member) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
The use of conventional weather radar in vulcanology leads to two problems: the radars often use wavelengths which are too long to detect the fine ash particles, and they cannot be field–adjusted to fit the wide variety of eruptions. Thus, to better study these geologic processes, a new radar must be developed that is easily reconfigurable to allow for flexibility and can operate at sufficiently short wavelengths.
This thesis investigates how to design a radar using a field–programmable gate array board to generate the radar signal, and process the returned signal to determine the distance and concentration of objects (in this case, ash). The purpose of using such a board lies in its reconfigurability—a design can (relatively easily) be adjusted, recompiled, and reuploaded to the hardware with none of the cost or time overhead required of a standard weather radar.
The design operates on the principle of frequency–modulated continuous–waves, in which the output signal frequency changes as a function of time. The difference in transmit and echo frequencies determines the distance of an object, while the magnitude of a particular difference frequency corresponds to concentration. Thus, by viewing a spectrum of frequency differences, one is able to see both the concentration and distances of ash from the radar.
The transmit signal data was created in MATLAB®, while the radar was designed with MATLAB® Simulink® using hardware IP blocks and implemented on the ROACH2 signal processing hardware, which utilizes a Xilinx® Virtex®–6 chip. The output is read from a computer linked to the hardware through Ethernet, using a Python™ script. Testing revealed minor flaws due to the usage of lower–grade components in the prototype. However, the functionality of the proposed radar design was proven, making this approach to radar a promising path for modern vulcanology.
This thesis investigates how to design a radar using a field–programmable gate array board to generate the radar signal, and process the returned signal to determine the distance and concentration of objects (in this case, ash). The purpose of using such a board lies in its reconfigurability—a design can (relatively easily) be adjusted, recompiled, and reuploaded to the hardware with none of the cost or time overhead required of a standard weather radar.
The design operates on the principle of frequency–modulated continuous–waves, in which the output signal frequency changes as a function of time. The difference in transmit and echo frequencies determines the distance of an object, while the magnitude of a particular difference frequency corresponds to concentration. Thus, by viewing a spectrum of frequency differences, one is able to see both the concentration and distances of ash from the radar.
The transmit signal data was created in MATLAB®, while the radar was designed with MATLAB® Simulink® using hardware IP blocks and implemented on the ROACH2 signal processing hardware, which utilizes a Xilinx® Virtex®–6 chip. The output is read from a computer linked to the hardware through Ethernet, using a Python™ script. Testing revealed minor flaws due to the usage of lower–grade components in the prototype. However, the functionality of the proposed radar design was proven, making this approach to radar a promising path for modern vulcanology.
ContributorsLee, Byeong Mok (Co-author) / Xi, Andrew Jinchi (Co-author) / Groppi, Christopher (Thesis director) / Mauskopf, Philip (Committee member) / Baumann, Alicia (Committee member) / Cochran, Douglas (Committee member) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05