FIE '98. 28th Annual Frontiers in Education Conference. Moving from 'Teacher-Centered' to 'Learner-Centered' Education. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.98CH36214), 1998
Proceedings of the 17th IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference [Cat. No. 00CH37066], 2000
Teaching instrumentation is challenging due to the wide range of topics that can-and should-be co... more Teaching instrumentation is challenging due to the wide range of topics that can-and should-be considered. This paper summarizes an approach to instrumentation education that attempts to remain focused on a systems-level view. The objective of the course focuses on giving students the tools they need to understand and use instruments and to impart enough information to allow students to create useful electronic instruments comprising functional subsystems. A design project is given at the beginning of the course to achieve this goal. Design projects are chosen to provide motivation and affirmation of course content. For example, recent instrument-design projects included an eddy-current device, an environmental station, a particle levitator, a semiconductor-noise-measurement system, and a PDA-based protocol analyzer. The experience has been positive as measured by student responses and their ability to complete useful instruments
Conference Record - IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference
During Fall Semester 1996 at Kansas State University, the authors carried out an experiment in te... more During Fall Semester 1996 at Kansas State University, the authors carried out an experiment in teaching. The experiment involved Circuit Theory II and Electronics I, two core lecture courses in both the electrical engineering and the computer engineering curricula, which are normally taken concurrently. The basic approach to Electronics I was altered from a strict lecture format, with introductory material on solid-state electronics, two- and three-terminal solid-state devices, and basic electronic circuits, to a combination lecture/discussion/laboratory/design-and experience. In Electronics I, we placed emphasis on review and assimilation of topics covered in previous courses, as well as topics covered concurrently in the Circuit Theory II course. We used a “discovery” approach to the presentation of the subject matter, and we formed an imaginary company, with each student being both an engineer and a middle-level manager. Our company's goal was to produce a regulated dual-trac...
2006 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings, 2006
The measurement of soil properties on site-specific basis is desired for modern production agricu... more The measurement of soil properties on site-specific basis is desired for modern production agriculture. This paper addresses this need using an on-the-go in-situ spectrophotometer to acquire NIR reflectance spectra of soil. The spectral data is optionally augmented with electrical conductivity, temperature, and pH sensor data. Calibrations are a particular problem in that they may need to be optimized for particular
ABSTRACT The practice of systems engineering (SE) can be described as the evolution of a holistic... more ABSTRACT The practice of systems engineering (SE) can be described as the evolution of a holistic viewpoint for complex systems that simultaneously considers the vertical and horizontal integration of elements in an optimal fashion. The rapid evolution of core computing, communication, and interface technologies means that systems architects are presented with palettes of powerful functions and rarely need to resort to development of deep-core layers. This creates a greater need for systems engineers who can, in an optimal fashion, exploit commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software in order to meet design requirements subject to constraints largely defined by time and cost. Current systems engineers have achieved their titles largely through experience. While there exist undergraduate and graduate SE programs-and those numbers are increasing-education practices haven't kept up. Electrical and computer engineering (ECE) programs-the source of the largest cadre of engineers able to deal with both hardware and software-remains characterized by the significant amounts of attention paid to details, with relatively little treatment of the SE perspective. This paper describes an approach, which we term Macro Systems, that can be adapted to a broad spectrum of core ECE courses with the result that students can be exposed to SE concepts on a continual, progressive, and appropriate basis.
2008 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2008
In this paper, we derive a simple method for estimating the International Roughness Index (IRI) o... more In this paper, we derive a simple method for estimating the International Roughness Index (IRI) of a pavement profile using data collected by a computerized profilograph. The algorithm presented herein achieves this by estimating the standard deviation of the point-to-point slope of the pavement from the profilograph's recorded data and then mapping this to an expected IRI via a theoretically
IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 1989
The authors consider a special class of problems in which the dominant noise source in the spectr... more The authors consider a special class of problems in which the dominant noise source in the spectrum measurements is the noise generated in the detector itself. In this case, the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum estimates can be improved by a multiplexing technique known as Hadamard spectrometry. Specifically, if the MSE (mean-square error) of a single-slit spectrometer is σ2, the
2009 IEEE Intrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2009
In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the international roughness index (IRI) of a pa... more In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the international roughness index (IRI) of a pavement profile using data collected by a computerized profilograph making noisy measurements. We begin by modeling the pavement as a nonstationary stochastic process and show that, despite this nonstationarity, we can exploit the design of the profilograph to derive a Wiener-deconvolution filter for estimating
2008 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2008
This paper provides a brief overview of profilometry based on inertial-frame-based profilers, and... more This paper provides a brief overview of profilometry based on inertial-frame-based profilers, and enumerates some of the problems and research areas addressable by the instrumentation-and-measurement community. Recommendations are directed toward efforts that will lead to (1) determining effective guidelines for collecting and processing road profiles; (2) determining, insofar as possible, the specific causes of the poor repeatability in the data
6th IEEE Conference Record., Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 1989
The multiplexing offered by Hadamard-transform spectrometry can improve the signal-to-noise ratio... more The multiplexing offered by Hadamard-transform spectrometry can improve the signal-to-noise ratio at the output of a spectrometer. Traditionally, the inverse Hadamard transform (IHT) has been used to recover the individual spectral components, but the IHT does not take into account the nonidealities associated with the multiplexing process. A system model has been developed which addresses nonidealities in the multiplexer, noise
IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 1996
ABSTRACT Two computationally efficient spectrum-recovery schemes were recently developed for use ... more ABSTRACT Two computationally efficient spectrum-recovery schemes were recently developed for use by Hadamard-transform spectrometers that have static and dynamic nonidealities in their encoding masks. These methods make use of a left-cyclic Hadamard encodement scheme and the ability to express the left-cyclic WD matrix in factored form as WD =STD. The matrix WD describes the dynamic characteristics of and the encodement scheme for the mask. This paper focuses on the use of a right-cyclic Hadamard pattern to encode the mask and computationally efficient methods that can be used to obtain the spectrum-estimate. The major advantage of right-cyclic over left-cyclic encodement schemes is due to the resulting right-cyclic nature of both W D and WD-1. Fast algorithms, such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT) or a Trench algorithm, that take advantage of the right-cyclic nature of WD can be used to obtain WD-1 directly. In general, the number of mask elements is not an integer power of two, and non-radix-2 FFT's must be used to compute WD-1. Since WD-1 is right-cyclic, the vector-matrix product of WD-1 and the measurement vector can be expressed as a circular correlation and implemented indirectly via FFT's. With appropriate zero-padding of the vectors, radix-2 FFT's can be used for this computation. Various algorithms were used at each step in the overall computation of the spectrum-estimate, and the total computation times are presented and compared. The size of the mask is important in determining which algorithms are the most efficient in recovering the spectrum-estimate
IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 1996
Hadamard-transform (HT) spectrometers offer a multiplex advantage over conventional monochromator... more Hadamard-transform (HT) spectrometers offer a multiplex advantage over conventional monochromators, making them very useful in situations in which the signal-to-noise ratio is low. HT spectrometers having no moving parts can be implemented by substituting an electrooptic mask for the moving mask in the optical path. However, the physical properties of an electrooptic mask introduce two types of nonidealities-static and dynamic-into the measurement system. These nonidealities can cause distortions in the acquired spectra if their effects are neglected in the signal-recovery process. We have developed two complete system models that incorporate the effects of both static and dynamic nonidealities. In addition, we have devised recovery schemes applicable for each system model and have designed computationally efficient implementations of the recovery schemes
FIE '98. 28th Annual Frontiers in Education Conference. Moving from 'Teacher-Centered' to 'Learner-Centered' Education. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.98CH36214), 1998
Proceedings of the 17th IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference [Cat. No. 00CH37066], 2000
Teaching instrumentation is challenging due to the wide range of topics that can-and should-be co... more Teaching instrumentation is challenging due to the wide range of topics that can-and should-be considered. This paper summarizes an approach to instrumentation education that attempts to remain focused on a systems-level view. The objective of the course focuses on giving students the tools they need to understand and use instruments and to impart enough information to allow students to create useful electronic instruments comprising functional subsystems. A design project is given at the beginning of the course to achieve this goal. Design projects are chosen to provide motivation and affirmation of course content. For example, recent instrument-design projects included an eddy-current device, an environmental station, a particle levitator, a semiconductor-noise-measurement system, and a PDA-based protocol analyzer. The experience has been positive as measured by student responses and their ability to complete useful instruments
Conference Record - IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference
During Fall Semester 1996 at Kansas State University, the authors carried out an experiment in te... more During Fall Semester 1996 at Kansas State University, the authors carried out an experiment in teaching. The experiment involved Circuit Theory II and Electronics I, two core lecture courses in both the electrical engineering and the computer engineering curricula, which are normally taken concurrently. The basic approach to Electronics I was altered from a strict lecture format, with introductory material on solid-state electronics, two- and three-terminal solid-state devices, and basic electronic circuits, to a combination lecture/discussion/laboratory/design-and experience. In Electronics I, we placed emphasis on review and assimilation of topics covered in previous courses, as well as topics covered concurrently in the Circuit Theory II course. We used a “discovery” approach to the presentation of the subject matter, and we formed an imaginary company, with each student being both an engineer and a middle-level manager. Our company's goal was to produce a regulated dual-trac...
2006 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings, 2006
The measurement of soil properties on site-specific basis is desired for modern production agricu... more The measurement of soil properties on site-specific basis is desired for modern production agriculture. This paper addresses this need using an on-the-go in-situ spectrophotometer to acquire NIR reflectance spectra of soil. The spectral data is optionally augmented with electrical conductivity, temperature, and pH sensor data. Calibrations are a particular problem in that they may need to be optimized for particular
ABSTRACT The practice of systems engineering (SE) can be described as the evolution of a holistic... more ABSTRACT The practice of systems engineering (SE) can be described as the evolution of a holistic viewpoint for complex systems that simultaneously considers the vertical and horizontal integration of elements in an optimal fashion. The rapid evolution of core computing, communication, and interface technologies means that systems architects are presented with palettes of powerful functions and rarely need to resort to development of deep-core layers. This creates a greater need for systems engineers who can, in an optimal fashion, exploit commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software in order to meet design requirements subject to constraints largely defined by time and cost. Current systems engineers have achieved their titles largely through experience. While there exist undergraduate and graduate SE programs-and those numbers are increasing-education practices haven't kept up. Electrical and computer engineering (ECE) programs-the source of the largest cadre of engineers able to deal with both hardware and software-remains characterized by the significant amounts of attention paid to details, with relatively little treatment of the SE perspective. This paper describes an approach, which we term Macro Systems, that can be adapted to a broad spectrum of core ECE courses with the result that students can be exposed to SE concepts on a continual, progressive, and appropriate basis.
2008 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2008
In this paper, we derive a simple method for estimating the International Roughness Index (IRI) o... more In this paper, we derive a simple method for estimating the International Roughness Index (IRI) of a pavement profile using data collected by a computerized profilograph. The algorithm presented herein achieves this by estimating the standard deviation of the point-to-point slope of the pavement from the profilograph's recorded data and then mapping this to an expected IRI via a theoretically
IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 1989
The authors consider a special class of problems in which the dominant noise source in the spectr... more The authors consider a special class of problems in which the dominant noise source in the spectrum measurements is the noise generated in the detector itself. In this case, the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum estimates can be improved by a multiplexing technique known as Hadamard spectrometry. Specifically, if the MSE (mean-square error) of a single-slit spectrometer is σ2, the
2009 IEEE Intrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2009
In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the international roughness index (IRI) of a pa... more In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the international roughness index (IRI) of a pavement profile using data collected by a computerized profilograph making noisy measurements. We begin by modeling the pavement as a nonstationary stochastic process and show that, despite this nonstationarity, we can exploit the design of the profilograph to derive a Wiener-deconvolution filter for estimating
2008 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2008
This paper provides a brief overview of profilometry based on inertial-frame-based profilers, and... more This paper provides a brief overview of profilometry based on inertial-frame-based profilers, and enumerates some of the problems and research areas addressable by the instrumentation-and-measurement community. Recommendations are directed toward efforts that will lead to (1) determining effective guidelines for collecting and processing road profiles; (2) determining, insofar as possible, the specific causes of the poor repeatability in the data
6th IEEE Conference Record., Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 1989
The multiplexing offered by Hadamard-transform spectrometry can improve the signal-to-noise ratio... more The multiplexing offered by Hadamard-transform spectrometry can improve the signal-to-noise ratio at the output of a spectrometer. Traditionally, the inverse Hadamard transform (IHT) has been used to recover the individual spectral components, but the IHT does not take into account the nonidealities associated with the multiplexing process. A system model has been developed which addresses nonidealities in the multiplexer, noise
IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 1996
ABSTRACT Two computationally efficient spectrum-recovery schemes were recently developed for use ... more ABSTRACT Two computationally efficient spectrum-recovery schemes were recently developed for use by Hadamard-transform spectrometers that have static and dynamic nonidealities in their encoding masks. These methods make use of a left-cyclic Hadamard encodement scheme and the ability to express the left-cyclic WD matrix in factored form as WD =STD. The matrix WD describes the dynamic characteristics of and the encodement scheme for the mask. This paper focuses on the use of a right-cyclic Hadamard pattern to encode the mask and computationally efficient methods that can be used to obtain the spectrum-estimate. The major advantage of right-cyclic over left-cyclic encodement schemes is due to the resulting right-cyclic nature of both W D and WD-1. Fast algorithms, such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT) or a Trench algorithm, that take advantage of the right-cyclic nature of WD can be used to obtain WD-1 directly. In general, the number of mask elements is not an integer power of two, and non-radix-2 FFT's must be used to compute WD-1. Since WD-1 is right-cyclic, the vector-matrix product of WD-1 and the measurement vector can be expressed as a circular correlation and implemented indirectly via FFT's. With appropriate zero-padding of the vectors, radix-2 FFT's can be used for this computation. Various algorithms were used at each step in the overall computation of the spectrum-estimate, and the total computation times are presented and compared. The size of the mask is important in determining which algorithms are the most efficient in recovering the spectrum-estimate
IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 1996
Hadamard-transform (HT) spectrometers offer a multiplex advantage over conventional monochromator... more Hadamard-transform (HT) spectrometers offer a multiplex advantage over conventional monochromators, making them very useful in situations in which the signal-to-noise ratio is low. HT spectrometers having no moving parts can be implemented by substituting an electrooptic mask for the moving mask in the optical path. However, the physical properties of an electrooptic mask introduce two types of nonidealities-static and dynamic-into the measurement system. These nonidealities can cause distortions in the acquired spectra if their effects are neglected in the signal-recovery process. We have developed two complete system models that incorporate the effects of both static and dynamic nonidealities. In addition, we have devised recovery schemes applicable for each system model and have designed computationally efficient implementations of the recovery schemes
Uploads