This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Archived Versions

Design of Systems Operating in Random Environments

As taught in: Spring 2006

CAD rendering of project design, with kayak, outriggers, and motor.

Students in 2.017 designed this autonomous surface vessel for tracking a subsurface acoustic source. (Image courtesy of the 2.017 Spring 2006 final project design team.)

Instructors:

Prof. Franz Hover

Prof. Michael Triantafyllou

MIT Course Number:

2.017J / 1.015J

Level:

Undergraduate

Course Features

Course Description

This class covers the principles for optimal performance and survival of extreme events in a random environment; linear time invariant systems and Fourier transform; random processes, autocorrelation function, and power spectra. We will study statistics of the response of systems and perform optimization using a statistics-based index. The class will also involve sea wave modeling, sea spectra, elements of seakeeping, wind modeling, and wind spectra. Finally, it also covers extreme events and probability of failure; examples include extreme waves and 100-year events. Students undertake a term project, focusing on electronics and instrumentation, and design for the ocean environment.