The purpose of this study is to develop a method to qualitatively and quantitatively measure and assess the field testing of a diagnostic tool by identifying the parameters that are relevant to assess a field test. The study is conducted at Scania CV AB, Södertälje, Sweden, a world leading manufacturer of trucks, buses and industrial and marine engines, where a method to assess the field test of their diagnostic currently does not exist. The study follows a deductive approach while taking a positivistic and hermeneutic perspective. The relevant theories and literature such as quality development and software testing are described to give a better understanding of the study. The study is conducted in four main steps- description of present situation, situation analysis, development of the assessment approach or framework and evaluation of the framework. The empirical information gathered from numerous interviews and meetings is presented in the description of present situation along with the various data sources available. The collected data from different databases is analysed where hypotheses are formulated based on the different influencing parameters for field testing. The correlations between the parameters are then calculated and analysed to verify the hypothesis as True or False. The ECU updates are also analysed to show that the ECU updates performed during field testing is a good representation of the actual usage after release. The framework to assess the field test is then developed using the available data and analysis made. A holistic view is taken to include the processes before and after the field test in the framework. The framework is in the form of an Excel workbook where data is either copied from databases or manually entered and relevant graphs describing the field test are generated automatically. The time period to be displayed on the graphs can be selected manually. This gives a good base to take decisions about how a field test has gone and whether or not the software is ready for release. Based on the correlation of the different parameters, a table with different key values of how much field test usage that should be conducted based on the number of implemented change requests are presented. Thus the result is that the most important attributes to consider for a field test are the amount of implemented changes where each field test usage occasion increases the chance of finding potential faults in the software of the diagnostic tool. An unrestricted framework is also described using data that may be available, but currently difficult to utilise effectively. Thus the recommended future work is represented by this framework which describes what information that can be obtained from different data sources and how they can be used to get a detailed understanding of what exactly has been used during field testing as well as after the software has been released. The framework is assessed in the last step and its uses along with limitations are described.  The difficulty in describing the success of software testing is also discussed to give a good context to the framework and understand its utility.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the generalisability of the heart rate-blood lactate relationship determined in laboratory testing in comparison to running over ground. This plays a crucial role to prescribe exercise intensity from laboratory results. Ten well trained runners performed a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) pre-test and an incremental submaximal test performed at a two degrees inclined treadmill and a running track. Statistical analysis included student’s t-test of heart rate at interpolated blood lactate levels and comparison of second order polynomial regression lines. VO2max was 60,4 ± 6 ml/kg/min for men and 56,3 ± 4,3 ml/kg/min for women. There was no significant difference in heart rate at interpolated blood lactate of 3 and 4 mmol/L. There was no significant difference between heart rate values at any running velocity. A significant difference between blood lactate values was observed 14km/h (p=0,04). When considering blood lactate values up to 6mmol/L, heart rate-blood lactate relationships were similar. In conclusion, lactate threshold testing on treadmill through incremental test protocols on a two degrees incline gives similar heart rate- blood lactate relationship as running over ground and may be used to prescribe intensity in training performed over ground.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness affecting over 60 million people worldwide. The objectives of this study were to expand the existing methods of trend analysis in visual field time series data testing to aid in the early and accurate detection of glaucoma progression. Visual field data including 54 locations for each of 140 eyes (one per participant among 96 cases and 44 controls) were evaluated using the Humphrey Field Analyzer II program 24-2 Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm (SITA) standard test strategy and Goldmann size III stimuli. One eye was randomly selected for the study and data were collected between 2003 and 2009. Two visual field examinations were conducted at baseline and at eight additional time points of visual field exams taken every six months for four years. Demographic, clinical, structural and other health data in the VIP study were collected from the electronic medical record and health questionnaires. A variety of pointwise linear regression (PLR) criteria have been proposed for determining glaucomatous visual field progression. However, alternative PLR criteria have only been assessed on a limited basis. The first aim of this glaucoma progression detection study thoroughly examined PLR cut-point criteria to maximize the sensitivity and specificity of this standard tool in visual field analysis. The pointwise linear regression A2 (PLRA2) method was used to analyze the data, and Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) data were used to validate the decision rule. Results showed that visual field trend analysis using PLR can be refined by adjusting the standard slope-based and significance level-based criteria. By considering more restrictive declines in visual field data (e.g., < -1.2dB/y, which is approximately 12 times the normal rate of age-related decay) and relaxing the significance level criterion of the PLR slope to p < 0.04 a high specificity can be maintained, while increasing the hit rate, i.e., the proportion of glaucoma cases in which progression was detected by PLR. This work serves to improve a familiar and commonly used method of time series visual field trend analysis that can be implemented quickly to improve early detection of glaucoma progression. The second aim of this project was to investigate the performance of the nonlinear exponential and tobit regression models relative to the normal regression model in the analysis of visual field decay. The goodness-of-fit, as measured by Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), and rates of progression obtained by fitting three alternative regression models to longitudinal visual field data were compared at the location level. The results showed that visual field trend analysis using the tobit regression model results in a better model fit to visual field data, increased precision in the estimation of the rate of progression, and provides a specific advantage in modeling data from cases with advanced glaucoma. The third, and final, aim of this glaucoma progression research project sought to determine if demographic, clinical and health factors, including intraocular pressure, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, hypertension and diabetes, differ in participants whose visual field data are best fit overall by one statistical model compared to another. This was the first study to examine person-level factors that may affect the fit of proposed analysis models for visual field data, and to utilize bivariable and multivariable methods to understand patient-level predictors of visual field model fit. In the majority of eyes, the tobit model provided either a significantly better fit or there was no difference among models. Significant differences in patient characteristics included baseline MD and previous ocular surgery. This indicates that the tobit model may fit visual field time series data at least as well as the normal and nonlinear exponential models in all cases and controls; and in some advanced cases, it may provide a significantly improved fit. This research overcame critical barriers in visual field trend analysis by increasing the sensitivity of PLR methods and further developing methods using alternative distributions to determine significant loss of function within each visual field test location. Furthermore, results of this study will contribute to the ongoing improvement of visual field trend analysis and the early detection and treatment of glaucoma progression.

A pre-service needs inventory was field tested for possible use by counselors of the Utah State Division of Rehabilitation Services. The field testing was carried out by utilizing two groups of consultants for evaluating format, content, and usability of the inventory. Examination of the data collected from the consultants indicated that a pre-service needs inventory was helpful during the intake process and in filling out the Individual Written Rehabilitation Program. It also indicated that the checklist was broad enough to gather sufficient information and that the instructions were adequate. Finally the data indicated that over 75% of the counselors participating in the field test would use the checklist if it were optional.

The complex physiology of orienteering performance is not well understood but recent advances in technology allow for more in-depth investigation. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate physiological field tests for elite orienteers in Australia. Seven male and three female elite orienteers volunteered to take part in the study. Subjects completed an incremental fixed-distance (803m) trial in Australian forest terrain, paced by a bicycle equipped with a speedometer. This was replicated in the laboratory using a 4.5% grade for treadmill running. Subjects also completed four (males) or three (females) laps of a 1340m terrain loop incorporating uphill, track and downhill sections. Subjects then repeated this test in the laboratory, with treadmill grade manipulated to replicate the gradient profile of each section. Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VCh) were recorded continuously with telemetry during each stage/lap. Blood [La] and RPE were recorded after each stage/lap. In the incremental tests, no significant differences (p=0.05 level) were observed in HR, VO2, blood [La] or RPE between the Field test, and its Laboratory replication over the entire range of speeds tested. The actual speeds run during the Field tests were significantly faster than the Laboratory test at the slowest speed (8 kmh- 1 ) attempted, and slower at the fastest speed (18 km-h-1) attempted. In the time-trial tests, no significant differences were observed in HR, VO2, blood [La] or RPE between the Field test and its Laboratory replication. The running speeds in the Field tests were significantly slower than the Laboratory tests. Running speed appeared inversely related to the course profile and the terrain also affected the speeds that could be achieved. Despite the changes in the course profile, the physiological responses to the course were maintained within a narrow range at a high level (-95% of maximal heart rate, 80-90% of VO2max, blood [La] -10 mM) for the duration of the 20-25 minute test. The Field tests that were developed in this study for elite orienteers in Australian forest terrain were successfully validated by replicating the protocols in a Laboratory setting.

Electronic systems installed in their operation environments often require regular testing. The nanometer transistor size in new IC design technologies makes the electronic systems more vulnerable to defects. Due to certain reasons like wear out or over heating and difficulty to access systems in remote areas, in-field testing is vital. For in-field testing, embedded test controllers are more effective in terms of maintenance cost than external testers. For in-field testing, fault coverage, high memory requirements, test application time, flexibility and diagnosis are the main challenges. In this thesis, an Embedded Test Controller (ETC) is designed and implemented which provides flexible in-field testing and diagnostic capability with high fault coverage. The ETC has relatively low memory requirements for storing deterministic test data as compared to storing complete test vectors. The test patterns used by the ETC are stored separately for each component of the device under test, in system memory. The test patterns for each component are concatenated during test application according to a flexible test command. To address test application time (which corresponds to down time of the system), two different versions of the ETC are designed and implemented. These versions provide a trade off between test application time and hardware overhead. Hence, a system integrator can select which version to use depending on the cost factors at hand. The ETC can make use of an embedded CPU in the Device Under Test (DUT), for performing test on the DUT. For DUTs where no embedded CPU is available, there is the additional cost of a test specific CPU for the ETC. To access the DUT during the test application, the IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) interface is used. The ETC generates test result that provides information of failing ICs and patterns. The designed and implemented versions of the ETC are validated through experimentations. An FPGA platform is used for experimental validation of the ETC versions. A set of tools are developed for automating the experimental setup. Performance and hardware cost of the ETC versions are evaluated using the ITC'02 benchmarks.

Διάφορες μορφές κωδικοποίησης Huffman έχουν προταθεί για τη συμπίεση των δεδομένων δοκιμής που χρησιμοποιούνται για τον έλεγχο της ορθής λειτουργίας ολοκληρωμένων συστημάτων μετά την κατασκευή τους. Μεταξύ αυτών η βέλτιστη επιλεκτική κωδικοποίηση Huffman παρουσιάζει διάφορα πλεονεκτήματα. Η υιοθέτηση διαφορετικής τεχνικής ελέγχου της ορθής λειτουργίας του ολοκληρωμένου συστήματος μετά την κατασκευή του και στο πεδίο της εφαρμογής αυξάνει το κόστος του συστήματος. Για το λόγο αυτό στην εργασία αυτή διερευνούμε τη δυνατότητα χρησιμοποίησης της βέλτιστης επιλεκτικής κωδικοποίησης τόσο μετά την κατασκευή του ολοκληρωμένου συστήματος όσο και στο πεδίο της εφαρμογής. Τα συστήματα που μας ενδιαφέρουν είναι τα ενσωματωμένα συστήματα πραγματικού χρόνου. Για το λόγο αυτό μελετάμε καταρχήν τα χαρακτηριστικά που πρέπει να έχει η τεχνική ελέγχου ορθής λειτουργίας στο πεδίο της εφαρμογής ανάλογα με τις απαιτήσεις ενός ενσωματωμένου συστήματος. Σε κάθε περίπτωση μελετάμε το κόστος υλοποίησης της τεχνικής ελέγχου τόσο σε κυκλώματα, σχεδιάζοντάς τα σε Verilog, όσο και στο βαθμό συμπίεσης των δεδομένων δοκιμής, κάνοντας εξομοιώσεις σε C. / One-time factory testing of VLSI component after fabrication is insufficient in the deep submicron area. The products must be tested periodically in the field of application. Due to the complexity of the Systems on a Chip (SOCs), huge amounts of test data are required. However in many embedded systems the capacity of the available memory is a limited resource. In Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) based factory testing in order to reduce the memory requirements of the ATE and the time required to transfer the test data from ATE into the chip (and hence the test application time) various test set compression techniques have been proposed. In this paper we investigate the required enhancements so that an Optimal Selective Huffman Coding based test-set compression technique can be used for periodic testing in the field. The requirements of various types of periodic testing are examined depending on the criticality of the application running in embedded systems.

Post-tensioned segmental concrete box girders have been in use in the United States since the early 1970s. This unique bridge system uses post-tensioning to connect many smaller concrete bridge segments into very efficient long span bridges. However, because of the slender components, localized transverse bending becomes more critical when compared to more conventional bridge types. Bridge owners are finding that ratings for standard loads and permit trucks are often controlled by the transverse behavior of the girders near concentrated wheel loads. The popular analysis methods used today range from two dimensional frame models to three dimensional finite element models of the entire bridge. Currently, engineers must make sound engineering judgments on limited available information, while balancing safety and economy. To quantify and understand longitudinal and transverse behavior, the results from three live load tests of single cell segmental concrete box girder bridges are presented. Each bridge was instrumented with longitudinal and transverse strain sensors on at least two cross sections as well as rotation and deflection sensors, when possible. Two dimensional transverse frame models and three dimensional shell models were compared to the test results for each subject bridge. The two dimensional frame analyses using the common bottom web pin and roller boundary conditions provide mean absolute percent error in excess of 250%. Conversely, the newly introduced boundary conditions using pin supports at the top and bottom of each web was shown to reduce mean absolute percent error to 82%, which is on the same order of magnitude as longitudinal beamline analysis. The three dimensional shell models were insensitive to several changes including mesh fineness, number of spans modeled, and support conditions. Using uniform surface loading, the transverse modeling procedure was shown to provide significantly more accurate results than the common two dimensional frame models. A faster and more convenient analysis method using a program generated, structure specific, influence surface was also outlined. This method produced similar results when compared to the uniform surface loading method, while allowing additional automation for easier load application. / Ph. D.

No description available.

Created in response to the aging infrastructure in the United States, the Long Term Bridge Performance Program (LTBPP) under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proposes to assess the long-term performance of representative bridges through nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques and visual inspection. For consistency, a set of guidelines is needed to define the procedures for testing each bridge. The NDE techniques involve dynamic testing, and the protocol for this testing has yet to be finalized. To evaluate the dynamic testing guidelines, a 103 ft single-span, simply supported highway bridge was dynamically tested. The test bridge was characterized by a skew of 34° and superelevation around 4%. Forced vibration testing involved an impact hammer with accelerometers measuring the response. Resonant frequencies were identified from the data by picking peaks from the magnitudes of the frequency response functions (FRF). Eleven modes were identified with frequencies ranging from 2.75 Hz to 22.5 Hz. Mode shapes associated with each mode were constructed using the imaginary components of the FRFs. The half-power bandwidth method was used to estimate the damping for each mode, with values ranging from 1% to 5% of critical damping. Finite element (FE) models of the bridge were constructed in the commercial FE software Abaqus. The effects of adding and removing superelevation and skew, varying mesh refinement, and changing boundary conditions on modal parameters were thoroughly investigated. FE models were compared to the experimental results by directly comparing frequencies and using the modal assurance criterion to compare mode shapes. Support conditions of the actual structure were bounded using the results of the comparison. Much insight was gained about forced vibration testing as applied to a full-scale bridge. The spectral resolution of the data proved to limit the accuracy and confidence of detecting closely-spaced modes and calculating damping estimates. Also, a more controlled method of exciting the structure was desired, such as using a shaker with a known input. Resonant frequencies of the FE models were sensitive to changes in boundary conditions, with some frequencies doubling. Both changes in boundary conditions and including skew and superelevation noticeably affected the mode shapes. When compared to the experimental results, the models with idealized roller and pin boundary conditions provided the best correlations based on resonant frequencies and mode shapes. / Master of Science