- Massood Towhidnejad is a tenure full professor of software engineering and currently serves as program coordinator fo... moreMassood Towhidnejad is a tenure full professor of software engineering and currently serves as program coordinator for master of software engineering. His research interest includes; software engineering, software quality assurance and testing, autonomous systems, machine learning, and Air Traffic Management. He has secured over four million dollar in funding from government and industry, and published over one hundred technical reports, journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers. He is the president of the Mak Gruop Inc. (mak-group.com) which in provides software and systems engineering training and assessment services. Mack Group also provides ABET accreditation services.edit
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The System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) is a program destined to manage every aspect of aviation traffic in the near future, but given the system's enormous amount of information, and the rise of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV),... more
The System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) is a program destined to manage every aspect of aviation traffic in the near future, but given the system's enormous amount of information, and the rise of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), the system is bound to run into problems. The introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, such as fog computing, could allow for a more secure and distributed management UAVs traffic management as part of the National Airspace, as well as to solve the System-Wide Information Management potential future shortcomings. This paper seeks to introduce an approach to integrate the concept of fog computing and the SWIM architecture in order to provide an improved and more reliable solution to airport traffic management in and around Tower and TRACON facilities, where there is a chance of intrusion by small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
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Within the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) NextGen project, System Wide Information Management (SWIM) program is the essential core in facilitating the collaborative access to the aviation information by various stakeholders.... more
Within the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) NextGen project, System Wide Information Management (SWIM) program is the essential core in facilitating the collaborative access to the aviation information by various stakeholders. The Aircraft Access to SWIM (AAtS) is a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) that provides the technical platform for the exchange of situational information between the aircraft and the National Airspace System (NAS). In this research project, we investigate the challenges in one and two way communication between the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and the SWIM network architecture. EFBs are utilized for allowing aircrafts' access to SWIM through a Data Link Service (DLS) provided by a Data Link Service Provider (DLSP). Issues such as cybersecurity, performance, availability, and quality of service in the AAtS are investigated and mitigation approaches toward more secure and efficient service provided to the aircraft and to NAS are discussed. To this end, a set of comprehensive tests are carried out in an emulated network in a lab environment to identify and assess some of the issues associated with quality of service (QoS) as well as cybersecurity in both wired and wireless connectivity of Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs). This work also aims to assess the efficiency of different approaches in the downlink and uplink data transmission between aircraft and the AAtS system. Nine operational scenarios are identified in AAtS, where they are tested with three technical communication scenarios that are further correlated with messaging patterns using web-services.
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This textbook explains software engineering through the use of a case study on the software development lifecycle. The case study covers the development of a DigitalHome (DH) System. A set of scenarios that provide a realistic framework... more
This textbook explains software engineering through the use of a case study on the software development lifecycle. The case study covers the development of a DigitalHome (DH) System. A set of scenarios that provide a realistic framework for use of the DH System material are included along with exercises that provide students with an opportunity to engage in the software development practice within a team environment. Each chapter includes mini tutorials that introduce various software engineering topics discussed. Teacher notes and other web resources are available upon qualified course adoption.
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The demand for additional engineering and computing degree graduates continue to increase [1, 2]; however, interest in pursuing these degrees is not matching the predicated demand. More specifically, attracting US students in engineering... more
The demand for additional engineering and computing degree graduates continue to increase [1, 2]; however, interest in pursuing these degrees is not matching the predicated demand. More specifically, attracting US students in engineering and computing field has always been a challenge; this is particularly true for female and minority students. Factors such as the "geek image", a demanding mathematical foundation, lack of "gee whiz" element early in the curriculum, and overall misconception about the career in these areas are all contributors to this problem. This paper describes some of our activities associated with the introduction of Computational Thinking (CT) concepts to middle and high schools. The central tenet of the project is to entice students in grade 6-12 to learn some fundamental and advance topics in engineering and computing field, thereby recognizing their own ability to understand the computing and engineering topics, and potentially recognizing their interest in such topics and potential further education and career in these fields.
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Software testing is recognized in industry as being critical for large, complex projects, especially where safety factors are involved. However, student programming projects, especially in introductory courses, do not have the same sense... more
Software testing is recognized in industry as being critical for large, complex projects, especially where safety factors are involved. However, student programming projects, especially in introductory courses, do not have the same sense of criticality since the only effect of their failure is for ...
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is working with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to develop a distributed multi-layer autonomous UAS planning and control technology for gathering intelligence in Anti-Access Area Denial... more
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is working with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to develop a distributed multi-layer autonomous UAS planning and control technology for gathering intelligence in Anti-Access Area Denial (A2/AD) environments populated by intelligent adaptive adversaries. These resilient autonomous systems are able to navigate through hostile environments while performing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) tasks, and minimizing the loss of assets. Our approach incorporates artificial life concepts, with a high-level architecture divided into three biologically inspired layers: cyber-physical, reactive, and deliberative. Each layer has a dynamic level of influence over the behavior of the agent. Algorithms within the layers act on a filtered view of reality, abstracted in the layer immediately below. Each layer takes input from the layer below, provides output to the layer above, and provides direction to the layer below. Fast-reactive control systems in lower layers ensure a stable environment supporting cognitive function on higher layers. The cyber-physical layer represents the central nervous system of the individual, consisting of elements of the vehicle that cannot be changed such as sensors, power plant, and physical configuration. On the reactive layer, the system uses an artificial life paradigm, where each agent interacts with the environment using a set of simple rules regarding wants and needs. Information is communicated explicitly via message passing and implicitly via observation and recognition of behavior. In the deliberative layer, individual agents look outward to the group, deliberating on efficient resource management and cooperation with other agents. Strategies at all layers are developed using machine learning techniques such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) or NN applied to system training that takes place prior to the mission.
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This paper provides an update to our ongoing Resilient Autonomous Systems (RAS) project that is being conducted at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is supported by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). The objective of the RAS... more
This paper provides an update to our ongoing Resilient Autonomous Systems (RAS) project that is being conducted at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is supported by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). The objective of the RAS project is to develop a distributed multi-layer autonomous UAS planning and control technology for gathering intelligence in Anti-Access Area Denial (A2/AD) environments populated by intelligent adaptive adversaries. These resilient autonomous systems are able to navigate through hostile environments while collecting intelligence and minimizing the loss of assets. Our approach incorporates artificial life concepts, with the high-level architecture divided into three biologically inspired meta-layers: cyber-physical, reactive, and deliberative. Each meta-layer is a combination of N layers, each representing simple behavior, and collectively having a dynamic level of influence over the behavior of the agent. Algorithms within each layer act on a combination of perceptions, memory, and intents. Perceptions represent a filtered view of reality, abstracted in the layer immediately below, modified in the current layer, and passed to the next highest layer. Intents represent a recommended action output from the layer above, modified in the current layer, and passed to the next lowest layer. Each cycle, perceptions and intents are cleared. Memory permeates each layer, and allows the layers to retain some knowledge from previous cycles. Fast-reactive control systems in low meta-layers ensure a stable environment supporting cognitive function on higher meta-layers. The key concepts of our approach are: A layered architecture of intelligence on a spectrum from reactive to deliberative; the use of artificial life algorithms providing robust, complex behavior from a set of simple rules; communication of information between agents via observation; the use of a genetic algorithm (GA) to assist the team in selecting and adapting the best solutions for each layer. This distributed cooperative system of intelligent assets will provide adaptable, scalable performance to accomplish mission goals in challenging environments.
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is working on an ongoing project, Resilient Autonomous Systems (RAS), supported by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). The objective of this project is to develop autonomous vehicle command and control... more
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is working on an ongoing project, Resilient Autonomous Systems (RAS), supported by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). The objective of this project is to develop autonomous vehicle command and control (C2) technologies that demonstrate increased resilience in Anti-Access Area Denial (A2/AD) environments. Current automated solutions that offer little autonomous re-planning capability can be inflexible in handling dynamic scenarios in these environments. In this case, increased resiliency is defined as the ability of the system to better operate at or above an acceptable level of performance even in unfavorable environments, such as when encountering intelligent adversaries using Electronic Warfare (EW) and Integrated Air Defenses (IAD). The ERAU team has outlined a number of scenarios that set two teams, red and blue, against each other in a shared simulated environment. In general, the objectives for each team are as follows: The blue team assets must navigate through hostile enemy environments, collecting intelligence and reporting back to base, while minimizing the losses. The red team assets must minimize the loss of intelligence to the blue team while maximizing blue team expenditure in fuel and assets. Scenarios range from an area of 25 km2 with 10 agents on each team, to 4000 km2 and >300 agents on each team.
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Navigation aid systems are essential avionics component that significantly helps pilots to achieve safe and efficient flights. Current verification of aircraft navigational aid transmitters is performed by multiple passes of an airplane... more
Navigation aid systems are essential avionics component that significantly helps pilots to achieve safe and efficient flights. Current verification of aircraft navigational aid transmitters is performed by multiple passes of an airplane at various approach angles and conditions. Such a test requires substantial logistics and resources, which makes them costly. This research presents a software defined radio (SDR) based system designed to test the instrument landing system (ILS) and VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) signals. The system is comprised of a signal receiver and processing sub-system that is flown by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV platform performs autonomous flight following a predefined path; while the ILS and VOR signal are received and demodulated using the SDR. The signals are processed on-board of the UAV and transmitted to a ground station. The test system also acquires high-resolution global positioning system (GPS) location by a differential GPS unit. Design considerations are made to meet the measurement accuracy and sensitivity requirements contained in ICAO Document 8071. Initial system tests show measured VOR signals that are within limits established by the FAA
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– This WIP discusses Inspire-CT, an NSFfunded, multi-institutional project that is exploring ways to share the excitement and engagement of advanced computing courses with pre-college and introductory undergraduate students. The... more
– This WIP discusses Inspire-CT, an NSFfunded, multi-institutional project that is exploring ways to share the excitement and engagement of advanced computing courses with pre-college and introductory undergraduate students. The discussion includes examples of initial educational activities and a summary of results, issues, and future plans. Index Terms – Computing education, capstone design, computational thinking
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One of the major investments of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation (NextGen) program is in Four-Dimensional (4D) Trajectory Based Operations (TBO). The heart of 4D TBO is the autopilot... more
One of the major investments of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation (NextGen) program is in Four-Dimensional (4D) Trajectory Based Operations (TBO). The heart of 4D TBO is the autopilot capability on any National Airspace System (NAS) operating aircraft. Autopilot is an essential component of the Flight Management System (FMS), a vital piece in the future automation of the aviation industry. In this research, we propose a simulation-based design of an autopilot for Boeing-737 that can be extended to other types of aircraft. The paper will present the control mechanism in autopilot altitude hold, as well as detailed results of the control loop tests. Multiple tests consisting of diverse maneuvers are simulated to verify the performance of the aircraft. Finally, the autopilot is compared against a conventional autopilot in performing similar maneuvers and the results are displayed. This simulation-based framework allows for cost-effective...
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Software safety is of critical importance to the ongoing success of the aviation industry. The DO-178 standard is the de-facto standard for safe aviation software across different regulatory contexts. Regulatory usage of DO-178 has... more
Software safety is of critical importance to the ongoing success of the aviation industry. The DO-178 standard is the de-facto standard for safe aviation software across different regulatory contexts. Regulatory usage of DO-178 has coincided with an excellent aviation safety record, and therefore is often considered a success. There is an open question on whether the DO-178 standard prohibits the ability to utilize recent innovative techniques and processes that are being used by the broader software industry. This question is increasingly relevant in a time when rising software complexity, long considered a challenge, is posing a serious threat to the continued success of the industry. Aviation software is particularly subject to this complexity, and is challenged by growing software size, increased importance, and other accidental complexity.
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The assessment of individual student work on team projects is challenging. Ideally, every student would work toward the project goals with an equal level of effort resulting in all students in the course sharing the same final grade for... more
The assessment of individual student work on team projects is challenging. Ideally, every student would work toward the project goals with an equal level of effort resulting in all students in the course sharing the same final grade for the project. Unfortunately, this is not realistic. In this paper, a number of approaches to student assessment including peer and leader evaluation, ranking systems, etc. are discussed. Based on some of these ideas and the goal of providing students with frequent feedback, a new assessment approach for the computer and software engineering senior design course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is presented, which utilizes rubrics to judge each student’s personal contribution and frequent delivery of the assessment so that students may iteratively improve their performance. This approach is evaluated versus the previous, a more highly subjective, assessment approach for this course. The paper concludes with a discussion of how this process will ...
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While many Software Engineering (SE) and Computer Science (CS) textbooks make use of case studies to introduce difference concepts and methods, the case studies introduced by these texts focus on a specific life-development phase or a... more
While many Software Engineering (SE) and Computer Science (CS) textbooks make use of case studies to introduce difference concepts and methods, the case studies introduced by these texts focus on a specific life-development phase or a particular topic within software engineering object-oriented design and implementation or requirements analysis and specification. Moreover, these case studies usually do not come with instructor guidelines on how to adopt the introduced material to the instructor's teaching style or to the particular level of the class or students in the class. The DigitalHome Case Study aims at addressing these shortcomings by providing a comprehensive set of artifacts associated with the full software development life-cycle. The project provides an extensive set of case study modules with exercises for teaching different topics in software engineering and computer science, as well as guidance for instructors on how to use these case modules. In this chapter, the...
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In this paper, we explore the benefits of teaching heavyweight process life cycle models to young software engineering students to better prepare them in the use of agile methods. The benefits of agile methods compared to process-heavy... more
In this paper, we explore the benefits of teaching heavyweight process life cycle models to young software engineering students to better prepare them in the use of agile methods. The benefits of agile methods compared to process-heavy models include the ability to respond faster to the changing needs of customers and the short feedback loop between customers and developers. Since agile methods depend significantly on the competence of the individual, teaching traditional approaches (e.g. waterfall) can be advantageous to the understanding of students about what the major activities associated with software development are, by providing a well-defined structure that naturally aligns with the novice student. Towards this goal, we conducted a survey with different types of software engineers, ranging from novice undergraduates to software engineering professionals. The survey provides data on the exposure of traditional and agile process, the level of experience in using traditional and agile process models, and the perceived most optimal learning sequence. Based on the analysis of the collected data, we argue that teaching traditional software engineering process-oriented approaches prior to introducing agile methods, is highly beneficial to students’ understanding and optimal use of agile techniques.