PROJECT ABSTRACTS, FALL SEMESTER, 2002.
PROJECT ABSTRACTS, FALL SEMESTER, 2002.
[ Project 1 ] :
A Tracking System for Shipping Containers
[ Project 2 ] :
System-level Development of an Automated Material Tracking Logistics System
[ Project 3 ] :
System Development of an Airport Terminal
[ Project 4 ] : Condition Based Maintenance
[ Project 5 ] : A Systems Engineering Approach to Elevator Design
[ Project 6 ] : Combat Breach Marking System
[ Project 7 ] : Online Stock Brokerage System
[ Project 8 ] : Buying and Selling on EBay
[ Project 9 ] :
Systems Integration of Cellular Phone and Bluetooth Functionality and Form
[ Project 10 ] : System-Level Development of a Power Plant
[ Project 11 ] : System Level Design Process of a Space System
[ Project 12 ] : Automated Relative Risk Site Ranking System
[ Project 13 ] :
Systems Engineering Approach to the Design of System for Pretreatment of Water
[ Project 14 ] :
Location-Based Services for Location-Aware Devices
[ Project 15 ] :
Intelligent Sensor Networks for Security of Buildings
[ Project 16 ] :
System Engineering for the African Telecommunications Satellite (AfTelSAT) for an ELV
[ Project 17 ] : Systems Architecture of an Arcology
[ Project 18 ] : Full Utility Service Gas Station
Title : A Tracking System for Shipping Containers
Author: Rob Annicelli
Abstract : I would like to model the system that tracks as well as stores information for shipping containers. The system I would like to model integrates a sensor array, communication device, security "seal", and location tracking device into the container. The system would be tied to a database and can be used by agencies such as the coast guard or office of homeland security to identify and track shipments from abroad.
Title :
System-level Development of an Automated Material Tracking Logistics System
Authors: Steve Sullivan and Ben Standish.
Abstract : Apply systems engineering principles for the system level development and design of an automated material tracking logistics system. This system would contain an RF tag designed to track materials in depots (warehouses), movements to field activities, and use/replacement cycles. The system will use a computer acquisition, transmitters, and tags to reduce inventory management time. We will utilize unified modeling language (UML) to visually diagram components, interactions, and relationships.
We feel this project could be expanded in later coursework to include data logging/smart tags, extensive networking, and even global tracking. Really, the extent could be limitless, but for now we would concentrate on a basic system.
Title : System Development of an Airport Terminal
Authors: Reginald Brown and Dung H. Nguyen.
Abstract : This project will involve the process of a person traveling through a particular terminal to get to their gate. Some of the things considered will be getting a ticket, choosing the terminal needed, going through security, and walking to the designated terminal where their plane will be. These are just some of the factors to be discussed.
Title :
Condition Based Maintenance
Author: David L. Devlin
Abstract : Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) intelligently monitors and tracks the condition of components in critical systems and provides either a confirmation of their health or an alert of a developing fault that may result in and impending failure. This information is extremely valuable to not only the operator for safety concerns but to the maintainers providing repair and logistics support.
The objective of CBM is to accurately detect the current state of systems and accurately predict systems' remaining useful lives. This enables organizations to perform maintenance only when needed to prevent operational deficiencies, essentially eliminating costly periodic maintenance and greatly reducing the likelihood of material failures.
The goal of my project would be to model a system such as a vehicle and incorporate aspects of CBM to trigger automatic responses and scheduling by the supply and/or maintenance chain through the use of embedded sensors coupled with wireless technology.
Title :
A Systems Engineering Approach to Elevator Design
Author: Bonnie Lawford and Mike Buck.
Abstract : Elevators are prevelent throughout many multi-level structures. While their usage is common the functions underlying the successful operation of these systems are not simple.
In this project I propose to take a systems engineering approach to the analysis of elevator usage by various users on various levels of a building with various input actions and output goals. Examples of the latter may include: a user on a lower level pushing 'up' while a user on a higher level pushes 'down'. A user inside the elevator pushing a higher floor number right before a user on a lower level pushes the 'down' button. A user inside pushing the 'door close' button, the door sensor sensing an obstruction in the door way and consequently signaling 'door open', and so on.
Title : Combat Breach Marking System
Author: Adrian Marsh
Abstract : A minefield marking system that will enable a military tracked vehicle to mark a breach lane, through a minefield, allowing follow on forces to identify and safely pass through the lane. The system must be employable by the personnel in the vehicle without exposing them to enemy artillery or direct fire. The system must produce a lane marking signature that is visible to following vehicles and sturdy enough to sustain combat conditions.
Title :
Online Stock Brokerage System
Author: Gouthami Chintalapani
Abstract : In this project, I would like to apply the systems analysis and engineering principles to design an Online Stock Brokerage System. This system allows clients to keep track of, and execute their transactions, shows performance charts of different stocks in their portfolios, provides security for their transactions, and alerts them to pre-defined levels of changes in stocks. It could be expanded to include various other facilities like statistical analysis of stocks and market news alerts.
Title :
Buying and Selling on EBay
Authors: Vishal Chintawar and Aditya Nagarajan
Abstract : EBay has built an enormous network of buyers and sellers. It has been hugely successful at generating repeat business. Some dealers of antiques and collectibles are, in fact, making a living using ebay as their sole storefront. EBay facilitates all kinds of buying and selling, and takes a cut of the trading. The whole ebay system basically involves three entities, buyer, seller and broker (ebay). The system should take care of all possible interaction between these entities.
Our aim is to understand and analyze the various system-engineering concepts that work at achieving these functionalities in successful ebay system.
Title :
Systems Integration of Cellular Phone and Bluetooth Functionality and Form
Authors: Kevin Luft
Abstract : I'd like to complete a project on the integration of a cellular phone and blue-tooth enable PDA into one unit. PDA and cellular technologies have evolved separately in both form and function, but are becoming increasingly linked. Why not have one unit that can perform both functions and communicate wirelessly with other devices? There's no need to be constrained by the traditional form of either device, especially with the development of new user interfaces that should improve functionality and ease of use.
I'll be conducting the modeling and analysis of the project myself and hope to use it for my MSSE thesis project.
Title : System-Level Development of a Power Plant
Authors: Wahab A. Waizy and Hai Bui
Abstract : I have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, I am thinking to work on a Hydro-Electric Plant or Nuclear power Plant with minimum cost and high efficiency. I will probably use one of the existing power plant as an example and make suggestion with technical data, charts and diagrams to show the plant can operate more effectively.
At this time, I am working alone but if anyone would like to join this project he or she is welcome.
Title :
System Level Design Process of a Spacecraft System
Authors: Kevin Turner and Karl Brunson
Abstract : This project is designed to describe in a system level manner the methodical approach of the design process for a Space System. The development of this system will hinge upon the mission requirements that are derived from the objectives of the mission itself. Subsequent system and subsystem processes will be described as the system level design evolves through the design process.
This project will also demonstrate the underlying principles of systems engineering by analyzing the technical and logistical issues related to the Space System development by linking component level processes between the managers, engineers and technicians.
Title :
Automated Relative Risk Site Ranking System
Author: Keisha R. Harris
Abstract : The project will demonstrate a system level design of a Environmental Restoration Site Ranking System. System modeling, methodology, and techniques will be displayed by the overall system engineering process. The design will require a user to input required site parameters that will be stored and ranked as High, Medium, or Low based on Relative Risk industry standard ranking calculations.
Title :
Systems Engineering Approach to the Design of System
for Pretreatment of Water
Authors: Pramod Agrawal and Tripti Pandey
Abstract : A water pre-treatment plant is an example of a multi-area facility designed to receive raw water and convert it into the desired grade. The focus of this project will be a system for water treatment to produce USP grade water, including several steps of its purification.
There are different terminologies to define the various "types" of water, depending on its source and potential use, however, the minimum water quality requirements/ standards with respect to chemical and microbiological purity are derived from US Government regulations with a degree of personal interpretation.
Many methods are good at removing one or more types of impurity; however, none can be relied upon to remove them all to the levels required for certain applications. It becomes necessary to use a combination of methods to obtain the final water quality necessary for the facility's water needs.
In order to convert the feed water first into USP Purified water, the feed water should pass through several pre-treatment steps. These steps are necessary to prepare the feed water for further purification in order to obtain the desired final water quality required to meet the process needs of the facility.
On this project, we will make a brief introduction to the lifecycle of a system to treat the water. This will include the automated control for the flow of water and monitoring for the whole system.
Title :
Location-Based Services for Location-Aware Devices
Authors: Saurabh Khandelwal and Deepakkumar Prabhakaran
Abstract : Mobile location services are poised to become the most useful and compelling service for users in immediate future. By combining the location of wireless users with their personal preferences and information of the area, the users can be provided with information whenever and wherever they require.
Our aim is to understand, analyze and design such a system, which can provide location based services, applying systems engineering principles, thereby helping us better understand these principles.
Title :
Intelligent Sensor Networks for Security of Buildings
Author: Rajeshree Vijay Varangaonkar
Abstract : The objective of the project is to conceptualize, design, develop and implement an intelligent sensor network for the security of any building. A brief concept is described below:
The idea is to use sensors to track any untoward incident occurring inside and outside the building with a computer interface to detect any discrepancy recorded in the sensor measurements. The measurements will have to be sorted out to provide meaningful information. For this primarily it is required to classify data such that a sensor does not duplicate, contradict or give false information regarding an event or a measurement recorded by another sensor. A database must be provided to facilitate the interpretation of data provided by the sensors e.g., the acceptable signals of normal operation, signal values above the threat threshold. Next in line would be to consider integrating these sensors by a network to allow the information to be communicated to a central computer that will process data and generate alarms. The alarm system will also require a detailed analysis, its various aspects being local alert, distant alert, bad signals, emergency, sensor malfunctioning to cite some of its requirements. The development lifecycle of this project will be as follows:
Title :
System Engineering for the African Telecommunications Satellite (AfTelSAT) for an ELV
Authors: Constance Salters and Robert Johnson
Abstract : Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs) are used to launch numerous scientific and communication satellites into orbits around the Earth. We will assess the systems engineering needed for a telecommunications satellite to be launched for an African country. We would address the scientific/technical requirements for satellite launches and the telecommunications/"infra-structure" requirements needed for such a satellite to successfully communicate with a ground station. We would then develop the organizational/team structures needed for this satellite to be initially designed, tested, and built and how to go about the process of "marketing" and "introducing" the technology needed for a third world country to use the "World Wide Web".
Title :
Systems Architecture of an Arcology
Author: Rowin Andruscavage
Abstract : Urban planning and development taken to the next level, an arcology is an urban complex designed to minimize the human footprint and mesh well with its natural environment. This project will create a systems model to represent the flow of resources (food, fuel, power, information, waste) through a human habitat, establish metrics to measure system performance and efficiency, and attempt to compare present-day urban developments to a model of a similarly-sized arcology.
Title :
Full Utility Service Gas Station
Authors: Ayman Malash and Amirali Nasserian
Abstract : We are going to create a model that simulates the various activities in a gas station. We are going to use Probability and Statistics concepts, such as random numbers and probability distributions to predict the number of customers arriving to site around the clock. Based on that we are going to optimize our resources, i.e., working personnel needed at every period of the day, tracking the inventory, etc. The scope may be extended to optimize the station layout (assuming it is new) in such a way that smoothen the movement in the station. We may come across some automation techniques, such as self-service pumping, credit card machine, etc.
Environmental and hazards factors may also be incorporated.
Finally, we are going to make the final decision on which topic we are going to proceed and we will keep you updated.
Developed in September 2002 by Mark Austin
Copyright © 2002, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland