41530 research outputs found
Sort by
Design and Analysis of a New High Step-Down Ratio DC-DC Converter for High Current Applications
No full textWith the steep rise in AI-powered workloads, the power requirements for datacenter and enterprise applications have increased rapidly. In these applications, very efficient DC-DC converters are crucial for providing a regulated voltage to processors, memory, and other components from a higher voltage backplane. Increasing power demands put heightened emphasis on the efficiency of voltage step-down solutions, as even small improvements add up to substantial cost savings at the facility scale. This thesis analyzes a new topology for step-down converters, targeting high step-down ratios and large output current requirements. Starting with mathematical derivations, the transfer function, component sizing equations, component rating equations, and details of the circuit’s operation are explored. Simulation is then used to verify the mathematical derivations and understand the nuances of the circuit’s operation. Finally, 12V to 1V 30W hardware prototypes are constructed for the proposed High-Step Down (HSD) converter, and a synchronous buck converter to provide a comparative analysis of their performances. Test results show that the proposed HSD converter yields larger efficiency at full load and cooler board operation than those of the synchronous buck. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of the proposed HSD topology for use in high step-down ratio and high-power applications
Pendulum Wave Generator
Get PDFThe Cal Poly Mechanical Vibrations Laboratory (Vibes Lab) serves to educate and excite students about mechanical vibrations through hands-on experiments. While the lab contains several relatively complicated technical experiments, it lacks simple demonstrations with immediate visual interest to appeal to audiences with less technical backgrounds. Because of this, faculty desired a fun and interactive demonstration project that could be operated with no prior training. The project chosen for this is a Pendulum Wave Generator which is a set of multiple pendulums with differing lengths that combine to create complex and observable patterns over time. This project was completed by a team of four Cal Poly mechanical engineering seniors and was sponsored by Dr. Hemanth Porumamilla
Griddle: A Novel Hardware Based Matrix Multiplier Architecture
Get PDFMatrix multiplication is a computational cornerstone in modern artificial intelligence and scientific computing, yet general-purpose processors struggle to perform these operations efficiently at scale. This thesis presents Griddle, a novel hardware architecture for matrix multiplication implemented on a Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA. Griddle focuses on flexibility and scalability by adopting a purely iterative approach that supports arbitrarily shaped input matrices without requiring padding or strict dimensional constraints. The architecture uses computational pipelines to execute a multiplication operation. Each pipe consists of a multiplication core and accumulation buffer that compute matrix products in parallel. The multiplication core contains a set of multiplier units which are able to index through the input matrices and compute multiplication operations. The accumulation buffer implements a modified reduction algorithm in order to accumulate multiplication results into a final output cell value. The system’s modular design allows configuration of the number of pipelines, multiplier units, and buffer sizes to match available hardware resources. The design was implemented in SystemVerilog and validated through both simulation and implementation on FPGA. Griddle demonstrates a path toward more flexible and adaptable hardware acceleration for matrix multiplication, allowing for reductions in wasted compute potential
Data Driven Analysis of Samara Seed Kinematics and Dynamics
No full textSamara Seeds are a class of fruit most famously belonging to the Acer species and are characterized by their single-bladed geometry and their auto-rotation response during descent. This steady-state auto-rotation response is the subject of aerodynamic analysis which aim to quantify the performance. The period prior to the beginning of steady-state auto-rotation is classified as the transition regime and has not been the subject of intense scrutiny.
This thesis employs a data-driven approach to analyzing the kinematic and dynamic response of these seeds during both the transition and auto-rotation stages of flight to quantify the performance with respect to the time it takes to transition. The descent of 100 Tipuana Tipu seeds are captured using high-speed imaging and the trajectories are extracted using Python. The kinematics and dynamics are computed using existing models in literature to characterize the aerodynamic performance. The maximum reduction in descent velocity and corresponding highest specific thrust occurs during the transition regime as the auto-rotation begins. The dynamic response during the steady-state regime of these seeds illustrates greater lift performance and similar drag performance compared to Acer seeds but poor correlation to the transition regime duration. As current aerodynamic models fall short of quantitatively characterizing the transition regime and there are no apparent correlations between the transition time and the kinematic and dynamic performance, a novel statistical method relates the transition time to the morphology of the samara. This model suggests the blade area and aspect-ratio are the two primary driving factors in influencing transition time with the lower values corresponding to faster transitions. The mass and chord of the samaras are identified as secondary factors of influence of the transition time
Birch With Tidyclust In R
No full textThis thesis introduces a new implementation of the BIRCH clustering algorithm within the tidyclust framework in R. Traditional hierarchical clustering methods face scalability limitations with large datasets, due to their computational complexity. BIRCH offers a scalable alternative by summarizing data into microclusters using a CF-tree. This work shows the integration of the phases of the BIRCH algorithm into tidyclust, which enables a streamlined workflow for model specification, evaluation, and prediction. Through this implementation, scalable hierarchical clustering has been brought to R users within the tidyclust interface, enhacing the ability to better analyze large datasets
PlanSyncc - A Construction Document Translation Software
No full textPlanSyncc was born from shared construction internship experiences, where the team observed significant language barriers between supervisors and tradesmen, leading to miscommunication, inefficiencies, and safety risk. Motivated by this problem, PlanSyncc developed an AI-powered translation software to bridge the gap by translating construction documents in real-time. To bring PlanSyncc to life, the team divided the project into three key deliverables: a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a business plan, and a pitch deck. The MVP involved creating two Python-based translation codes, one for specifications and another for complex construction plans using tools like PyMuPDF, Tesseract, mtranslate, and others. The business plan outlined marketing strategy, pricing models, competition analysis, and future goals, while the pitch deck summarized PlanSyncc’s vision for potential investors. Moving forward, PlanSyncc plans to hire a software engineer to refine and train an optical character recognition (OCR) model to improve translation accuracy, secure funding to scale the product, and conduct testing with construction firms to validate and improve PlanSyncc’s functionality. The challenges presented by this project highlight the need to grow the team to improve expertise and further the startup journey. The goal is to transform communication in the construction industry, making job sites safer, more efficient, and inclusive
Skip the Grid: Energizing Navajo Nation
No full textSkip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project aimed at providing reliable and clean energy to families living in Navajo Nation. Cal Poly partnered with Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and Nextracker to help bring this plan to fruition. Twenty students were selected to contribute to the planning, coordinating, and fundraising for the project. After the preparation was completed, Cal Poly students joined representatives from Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and Nextracker. The trip commenced with a hands-on, productive five day visit to Chinle, Arizona. The first working day commenced with Cal Poly students attending a total of five schools in the Chinle school district, to teach elementary school children about the positive impacts and importance that solar energy can bring to their families and communities all over the world. In addition to education, the project focused on the physical installations of the equipment. With three days to install solar panels, battery boxes, electric coolers, and lights, five pre-determined groups worked tirelessly to bring access to electricity to over 110 children and their families. This impactful project provided more reliable access to basic necessities and a new beginning for forty families
Skip the Grid: Empowering the Navajo Nation Through Solar Energy
No full textSkip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project through California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), aimed at providing sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities. In Spring 2025, I participated as a rooftop safety lead and solar installer in Chinle, Arizona, where our team partnered with SOLV Energy, Goal Zero, and Heart of America to bring solar power to 40 off-grid homes across the Navajo Nation. As a member of Red Team #3, I was directly responsible for ensuring safe ladder setup, supervising rooftop work, mounting solar panels, and managing exterior cable routing for 8 successful installations. Beyond the technical work, this project served as an eye-opening experience that underscored the severe infrastructure inequities facing Native communities just beyond our state’s borders. I gained hands-on field experience in photovoltaic system installation, applied real-world safety protocols, and learned to adapt in remote, resource-limited environments
Son Care Foundation – Pergola Structure Construction
No full textThis paper covers the construction process of a pergola structure for the Son Care Foundation in San Luis Obispo, California. The project’s goal in this study is to create a welcoming outdoor space for clients their dogs. Excavating four footings, fabricating custom rebar cages, and pouring concrete using fast-setting mix were all part of the construction efforts. Framing the structure required precise calculations to accommodate for the slope and corner braces. The matching white paint and corrugated PVC roof further achieved the desired aesthetic the client requested. Trial and error, practical experience, and cooperation with local material suppliers and maintenance personnel were all crucial components of the project. Site conditions, design modifications, and procurement delays were all overcome with remarkable flexibility. Ultimately, the project emphasized the importance of thorough preconstruction planning, effective teamwork, and lots of learning by doing