Anna Selbrede

IM I / 6 / 11AP
1/26/2017
Compiled Annotations

Adams, Elena Y., Kristin A. Fretz, Aleksandr Y. Ukhorskiy, and Nicola J. Fox. "Van Allen
Probes Mission Overview and Discoveries to Date." Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest
33.3 (2016): 173-182. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Web. 25
Sept. 2016.

This unclassified journal article outlines the objectives, discoveries, and future actions of and
relating to the Van Allen Probes Mission. These NASA missions sent the twin Radiation Belt
Storm Probes (RBSP) into orbit, collecting data and viewing the Earths space radiation
environment. Adams outlines specific observations from the probes along with their purposes in
multiple tables, and also details science highlights and discoveries, complete with graphs and
captions to explain them. Finally, the article explains plans for the extended probes mission.
After these recent discoveries, the authors explain what will happen moving forward and their
purpose as well. Being from a reputable Johns Hopkins APL magazine, the article was detailed,
complex, and thorough. The researcher spent much time trying to understand different pieces,
but the article was helpful in providing practice with reading a complex text.

Burkon, Howard S., Wayne A. Loschen, and Zaruhi R. Mnatsakanyan. "Tradeoffs Driving
Policy and Research Decisions in Biosurveillance." Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest
27.4 (2008): 299-212. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Web. 28
Aug. 2016.

This article details the tradeoffs between three characteristics of advanced biosurveillance
systems: the extent of monitoring, the level of data aggregation, and the degree of automation. It
describes the necessity for these systems, how they work, and then individually explains the
effects of changing each characteristic. The author also connects these effects to the public
health
perspective in order to explain the best method for each situation. Initially this article was chosen
because of its relation to public policy, but it has much more to do with applied mathematics.
The article could be an interesting research project, combining public health, applied
mathematics, and engineering at APL; however, the researcher will need to learn much more to
understand it.

Cooley, Jeffrey G,. and Jennifer A. B. McKneely. "Command and Control Systems Engineering:
Integrating Rapid Prototyping and Cognitive Engineering." Johns Hopkins APL Technical
Digest 31.1. (2012): 31-42. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Web. 5 Sep. 2016.
This lengthy journal article examines command and control systems (C2), specifically from a
systems engineering perspective. Authors Jeffrey Cooley and Jennifer McKneely claim that
improving C2 systems through the integration of rapid prototyping and cognitive engineering
can positively affect their efficiency. The piece explains prototyping and cognitive engineering
individually, then shows the efficient combination through an example currently at APL. The
article is an interesting application of systems engineering, and includes a wide range of new
vocabulary. Written by Johns Hopkins APL staff members, the the topics are very complex due
to the highly technical authors and a high level audience. Any further research will require much
more background knowledge.

Edwards, Paul N. "How to Read a Book, v5.0." University of Michigan School of Information.
Print. 28 Aug. 2016.

Written by a professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, this short article
provides a few basic points on how to read a long nonfiction text. The author includes a table at
the beginning with the specific concepts, then expands upon them individually in later parts.
Because the Gifted and Talented program teacher mandated this article for summer reading,
clearly it is a reputable and valuable source for the Intern/Mentor course. The table effectively
outlines the points, and the informal language at various points in the text add interest to an
otherwise boring mandatory article. Because the researcher already has experience from the
Independent Research program, the piece was helpful, but also contained much already known
information. The researcher has also already developed techniques that do not follow the points
explained in the article, and will likely continue reading as before.

Gehman, Andrea. Personal Interview. 12 Sep 2016.

Andrea Gehman is the Senior Associate of General Counsel at the Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory Office of Counsel. In this interview, she explained her role as a
lawyer in an engineering and science building, and how she got to that point. Gehman did not
intend to be a lawyer, but she was interested in her first job out of college which was related to
law, so she went back to school later for her law degree. After working in other areas and less
flexible firms, she moved to APL to work in the Office of Counsel. Now she works with taxes,
employment, and benefits for staff at APL. This interview was an interesting introduction to the
lesser known Office of Counsel at APL. It was a great opportunity learn about law and how it
applies to the science and technology in an engineering building. Gehman also provided contacts
for the researcher to speak to in the future.

Gibson, John P., and Stephen P. Yanek. "The Fleet Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapon System:
APLs Efforts for the U.S. Navys Strategic Deterrent System and the Relevance to
Systems Engineering." Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest 29.4. (2011): 362-376. The
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Web. 28 Aug. 2016.

This article examines APLs role in the Fleet Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapon System, the
nations largest nuclear deterrent system. APL has played a major role in advancing the system,
especially through improving its workings based on systems engineering principles. The article
details the program used to test the system, explaining its importance in any system
improvements throughout the nation and world. The researcher solely chose this article for the
systems engineering portion, and it provided a detailed explanation of a relevant application,
even though it is five years old. By applying systems engineering to this specific system, the
article helped the researcher better understand some critical systems principles. The article is
therefore a good basis for further systems reading.

Hatfield, Scott. "The Physics of Quadcopter Flight." Blog post. Black Tie Aerial. Scott Hatfield,
29 Apr. 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2016.

In this blog article, an amateur multirotor designer overviews the basics of quadcopter flight. He
provides background on the multirotor coordinate system of roll, pitch, and yaw, employing
analogies to illustrate the different movements. Next, Hatfield explains how steering works in
each direction, including why certain ways of steering do not work. He concludes by describing
how a quadcopter moves based on the physics previously discussed. This article is not technical
or scholarly by nature; the author wrote it in order to educate the general public because many
explanations are not available. As a result, the information was useful for a basic understanding
of the physics of quadcopter flight, but the article must be supported with higher level articles to
be quoted or referenced in the final paper.

Hooks, Richard. Personal Interview. 29 Nov. 2016.

Richard Hooks is a mechanical and aerospace engineer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
Laboratory. During this interview, Hooks explained his experience designing, building, and
testing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). He described the basic designs for a UAV and
contrasted their complexity and efficiency, providing examples that he had worked on in the past
to illustrate specific points. Addressing questions from the researcher, he clarified commands in
a Computed-Aided Design design software, Solidworks, overviewed the process he uses to
design a UAV, and explained the function of specific parts on a quadcopter in his office. Finally,
Hooks explained two algorithms he has on Matlab that assist in quadcopter development. This
interview clarified numerous aspects of the design of UAVs in both theory and on a computer.
Hooks has a wide range of experience in the field, and provided first-hand knowledge on this
specific topic. Because of the personal interview setting, he was able to answer questions from
the researcher effectively and tailor responses to the level of the researcher. Knowledge from this
interview will be integral in the design process for the quadcopter.

Jackson, Shirley A. "Science and Engineering Education of Women in the 21st Century." Johns
Hopkins APL Technical Digest 22.1. (2001): 79-82. The Johns Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory. Web. 18 Sep. 2016.
This journal article, part of a series on science in the 21st century, examines the role of the
education of women in their misrepresentation in engineering and science. The writer overviews
studies proving the gender gap in technology, then outlines the educational and career obstacles
that are leading to this misrepresentation, specifically in education. The article continues by
listing how to improve science education, and concludes with the key to changing the
representation of women in the sciences: the spirit of adventure. This article was an interesting
read on a still important issue; however, because it was written in 2001, the conclusions are not
as relevate due to many recent pushes for women in science and engineering.

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. New UAV Can Launch from Underwater for Aerial
Missions. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. The Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory LLC., 17 Mar. 2016. Web. 3 Dec. 2016.

This press release from Johns Hopkins University describes the Corrosion Resistant Aerial
Covert Unmanned Nautical System (CRACUNS), an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV)
designed by a group at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). The UUV also serves as a UAV
(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), completing missions both in and out of the water. After rising from
under the surface of the water, it can fly and perform tasks in harsh shore environments, and
carry many different payloads. CRACUNS also succeeded in preventing corrosion even after
two months of submersion in saltwater.The project provides insight into work completed at APL,
specifically in the researchers group. Because many projects are classified, this press release
also is helpful in highlighting the information that is available to the public and can be discussed.
Although short, the release concisely summarizes CRACUNS and can be used to describe the
UAVs specifications and uses during presentations.

Lalli, Vincent R., et al. "Training Manual for Elements of Interface Definition and Control."
NASA Reference Publications, PDF ed., no. 1370, 1997.

This extensive NASA reference publication details interface definition and control. First, the
article explains the significance of interface control, and how it fits into systems engineering
processes such as configuration control. Then, it details the steps of interface control, and the
best practices for them, and provides a further explanation of its role in each step of the systems
engineering circle. From reading the document, the reader will be able to better understand
interface control, and learn how to create an ICD (Interface Control Document), the most integral
aspect of interface control. The appendix includes specific examples to aid in the design, and
there are training quizzes throughout the document. Because it is a NASA publication, the source
is credible and likely used widely as a reference. The researcher will use this article in making a
universal checklist for an ICD.

Leong, Bernard Tat Meng, Sew Ming Low, and Melanie Po-Leen Ooi. Low-Cost
Microcontroller- based Hover Control Design of a Quadcopter. Procedia Engineering.
Volume 41, 2012, Pages 458-464, ISSN 1877-7058. Web. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016.
This engineering journal article examines the design of a low-cost microcontroller-based hover
control system for a quadcopter. First, the paper outlines the benefit of a hover control system,
the ability to reduce the degrees of freedom the user must control at once. Then the article
presents PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) and LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator), two
control algorithms used in the investigation, and explains the system and subsystem design for
the hover control system itself. Finally the article analyzes the results of a simulation software
and a hardware test, concluding that the quadcopter had a stable hover with an error of plus or
minus two centimeters for a total flight time of five minutes with a total implementation cost of
USD 24. The article is recent considering changes in engineering over time, and the author also
is credible in writing from Monash University and having the article peer reviewed. However,
there are some obvious spelling and grammar errors that lower credibility. Although describing a
very specific investigation, the results of the paper provided background information on the
flight of a quadcopter. The researcher will consider the use of a low-cost microcontroller-based
hover control system when designing a quadcopter.

Masunaga, Samantha. "New Rules on Small Drones Kick in: What You Need to Know." Los
Angeles Times. Phys.org. Web. 5 Sep. 2016.

This short article from a science and technology new service briefly outlines new changes
regarding small drone policy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) placed new
restrictions on these drones, from the distance to time they can fly. All drone activity must occur
with a permit, and special permits must be gained to fly outside of any of the restrictions.
Although short, the article provides a strong basis and additional sites to visit for more
information on FAA drone regulations. The topic itself is also recent and therefore relevant to
drone design today. The website is an interesting website that will be helpful for finding general
information.

Montgomery, Clym. "Multi-Rotors, First-Person View, And The Hardware You Need." Toms
Hardware. Purch Group, 3 June 2014. Web. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016.

This introductory article from the technology journalism website Toms Hardware explains the
basics of building a quadcopter, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for personal use. The
article overviews general terms used with UAVs, the basics of flight controllers and how to
choose one, the different parts needed to build the frame, the video system, and the ways to
control the drone once it is in the air. Each topic is covered in a page, highlighting the best
options for different levels of builders and designers, and explaining the differences between the
many variations available. Although lengthy, the article is written in an easy-to-read format for a
wide audience. The information was not technical or high level, but more of a basic foundation
to teach the average person interested in building a UAV. However, the website is still credible
with writers experience in engineering and drone design.The researcher will use article for that
basic understanding in order to interpret more complex articles in the future.
Muller, Steven. "Technology and Society in the 21st Century." Johns Hopkins APL Technical
Digest 22.1 (2001): 85-89. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Web. 25 Sept. 2016.

This article takes a psychological side to technology today, explaining its role in society. Muller
addresses the three main characteristics of leisure that are by-products of technology,
technologys ability to combine sound and images to convince the population of virtually
anything, and the wide possibilities of security and surveillance that could easily go too far.
Next, the author explains issues with the new enhanced quality of life with technology, from
ethical questions to the the continuous changes and choices, leading to his claim that people are
becoming more isolated. Concluding pessimistically, the article ends by addressing technologys
effect on politics and the chance for mobocracy. Although from a technical Johns Hopkins APL
magazine, the less technical topic allowed for more universal language to be used, making the
article easier to read. The article is now over fifteen years old, so much has likely changed.
However, it can be related to today because it highlights interesting points in many still relevant
areas.

Newman, Jeff. "Printing the Future." Naval Aviation News. Naval Aviation News, 17 Oct. 2016.
Web. 3 Dec. 2016.
This informational article in naval aviation overviews success in the inclusion of an additive
manufactured flight-critical part in the MV- 22B Osprey. Naval Air Systems Command
(NAVAIR) set the development of a flight-critical part that is 3D printed as a goal in a series to
integrate the manufacturing technique into standard procedures. The team predicted they would
complete the part by three years, but the successful test flew eighteen months later. This triumph
begins the next steps of increasing efficiency through additive manufacturing, as the parts have
reduced cost but maintain enhanced performance. The use of additive manufacturing in US Navy
projects also occurs at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where the researcher
interns. Groups have tested and implemented designs created with 3D printing, and a member of
the office has even just recieved a 3D printer for work use. This article serves as an effective
educational tool in explaining the relevancy and successes of additive manufacturing especially
because it directly relates to work done at APL today.

"Practice Guide: Interface Control." Department of Health and Human Services Enterprise
Performance Life Cycle Framework. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

This guide from the United States Department of Health and Human Services outlines interface
control and explains best practices for it. The document defines an interface and interface
control, explaining its purpose in engineering. Then the document provides more specific
requirements and guidelines for an interface control document, referencing another government
organizations document for further reading. Although the Department of Health and Human
Services is not generally an engineering source, the researcher was able to corroborate the site
with documents received from a staff member at the Johns Hopkins APL, proving its validity.
However, the document still should be cross checked with other articles before being quoted in a
paper.

"Purpose of Interface Control." Retrieved from Kathleen Perrino. PDF. 18 Sep. 2016.

This concise document outlines interface control. The paper introduces the general purpose, and
then details the purpose and value of the two Preliminary Interface Control Drawings phases,
and then explains the analysis process of interface control. Throughout the document, multiple
drawings and graphics are used to assist in explanation. However, the information is presented in
a PDF of what appears to be a powerpoint, and is somewhat hard to read. The appearance would
discredit the information, but because the document was received from an experienced staff
member at Johns Hopkins APL, it is likely a result of reuse and reprinting. This information
helped the researcher better understand the purpose and steps of interface control. The researcher
will be referencing it in the future while putting together a checklist for the FOENEX interface
control document.

Sample, Jennifer L., and Harry K. Charles, Jr. "Systems Engineering at the Nanoscale." Johns
Hopkins APL Technical Digest 31.1 (2012): 50-57. The Johns Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory. Web. 28 Aug. 2016.

This unclassified technical journal article discusses work in nanotechnology at the Johns
Hopkins APL, specifically in relation to complex engineering systems. The articles defines
systems and some basic systems engineering principles, then moves to explain nanotechnology
separately, explaining how small size can relate to a much larger world in multiple applications.
The two ideas are then meshed together to highlight advances of both, referencing specific then
explains how the two relate at APL. Finally, the author discusses possible environmental and
safety concerns regarding nanotechnology.The researcher was initially interested in the article
due to its relation of systems engineering, and the information proved to be complex but still
interesting. Both authors work at the Johns Hopkins APL, and numerous references are sourced
throughout the paper, providing exceptional credibility. The article is a basis for reading
technical engineering papers, and will lead to more reading in the future.

Wpadmin. "PTC Creo vs SolidWorks: A Comparison." NxRev, 3 June 2016. Accessed 16 Oct.
2016.

This short article on a website for Computer Aided Design (CAD) software compares two
commonly used CAD softwares: PTC Creo and SolidWorks. The author immediately
acknowledges its bias as a seller of PTC Creo, but then explains that the website has worked
with every CAD software, and is therefore still a reputable source. Comparisons are made based
on feature set, ease of use, and compatibility. However, they become increasingly biased toward
PTC Creo leading to a declaration that Creo is superior. The researcher should have read through
the entire article before beginning to annotate it, but instead annotated the whole article that was
skewed in favor of PTC Creo. The document did provide some relevant statistics for each
software, but it mainly served as a lesson to check sources better from the start.