Don Jerome Nelson
Professor of Electrical Engineering
Professor of Computer Science & Engineering
Director, Research Computing Group
Graduate Faculty Fellow
220N Walter Scott Engineering Center
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0511
Ph.D.: 1962 Stanford University, Electrical Engineering
M.Sc.: 1958 University of Nebraska, Electrical Engineering
B.Sc.: 1953 University of Nebraska, Electrical Engineering
Master Thesis: An Analog Multiplier Using Pulse Techniques
Ph.D. Dissertation: A Foundation for the Analysis of Analog-Oriented
Combined Computer Systems
Employment, except where noted is with University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1997-Present General Manager, Interactive Information R & D
1993-1997: Director, Research Computing Group
1988 - 1991: Co-Director, Center for Communication and
Information Science; Eng. Research Centers
1969 - Present: Professor of Computer Science
1967 - Present: Professor of Electrical Engineering
1963 - 1972: Director, Computing Center
1963 - 1967: Associate Professor, Elect. Engineering
1960 - 1963: Asssistant Professor, Elect. Engineering
1955 - 1958: Instructor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1955: Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Bell Laboratories
1953 - 1955: Instructor of Special Weapons, 2nd Lt. 1st Lt., U.S.A.F.
1953: Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Bell Laboratories
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (Senior Member)
Association for Computing Machinery
Registered Professional Engineer, State of Nebraska
Eta Kappa Nu
Pi Mu Epsilon
Tau Beta Pi
Introduction to W-Transform Analysis of Integration Techniques, University of Nebraska (in use 1976 - Present).
Fundamentals for Switching Theory and Logic Design, University of Nebraska (in use 1984 - Present).
Fundamentals of Load Projection for Electrical Utilities, University of Nebraska (in use 1986 - Present).
A Style Guide for Laboratory and Senior Project Reports, University of Nebraska
(in use 2002 – Present).
"A Fundamental Error Theory for Analog Computers," IRE Transactions on Electronic Computers, EC-12 Number 5, October 1963, pp. 541-550.
"A Hybrid Analog-Digital Parameter Optimizer for Astrac II," IEEE Transactions on Electronic Computers, December 1964 (Paper Review).
"Arguments for Centralization of Computer Resources," Educational Research and Methods Division of the American Society for Engineering Education, Vol. 1, No. 4, June 1969, pp. 16-21.
"A Modular Approach to Electrical Power Education," IEEE Transactions on Education, Special Issue on Electric Power Engineering Education, Vol. 21, No. 3, August 1978, pp. 122-126.
"Modeling Pumped Storage Facilities Using Dynamic Programming," Simulation of Energy Systems, Vol. 1, Simulations Councils Inc., 1979.
Automatic Load Forecasting, Final Report, EPRI FL-1758, Project 1355-5, Electrical Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California, March 1981.
"A New Extended Least-Hop Routing Algorithm," IEEE Transactions on Communications, Vol. 38, No. 4, April 1990, pp. 520-528 (with Khalid Sayood, Hao Chang).
"A Robust Low-Rate Coding Scheme for Packet Video," IEEE Transactions on Communications, May, 1991 (with principal authors Y.C. Chen, K. Sayood).
"Nonrandom Initialization for Backpropagation Using Thresholded Correlation Learning Vector Analysis (TCLVA)," Journal of Artificial Neural Networks, with principal authors R. Li, Ming Xu, accepted for publication.
"DDA Error Analysis Using Sample Data Techniques," Proceedings of the 1962 Spring Joint Computer Conference, Vol. 21, May 1963, pp. 365-375.
"NUROS - Nebraska University Remote Operating System," Proceedings of the Computer Conference of the British Institute of Electrical Engineers, July 1969. Co-Authors: Kenneth Smith, Roy S. Hallquist.
"Development of Optimal Integration Operators," Simulation Councils Proceedings, Vol. 3, No. 1, June 1974, pp. 107-114. Co-Author: Richard Kiger.
"Mapping Techniques Applied to Error Analysis of Digital Solution of Differential Equations," Proceedings of the International Computer Symposium, Taipei, Republic of China, December 1977. Co-Author: David W. Olive.
"Organization of a Database for Load Analysis and Projection," Proceedings of the International Computer Symposium, Taipei, Republic of China, December 1977. Co-Author: David W. Olive.
Also published in the Text of Abstracted Papers, 1978 Winter Conference, PES, IEEE, January 1978.
"Use of the Karhunen-Loeve Expansion to Analyze Hourly Load Requirements for a Power Utility," Text of Abstracted Papers, 1978 Winter Conference, PES, IEEE, January 1978. Co-Authors: Dobromil D. Belik, David W. Olive.
"Comparison of Circuit Switched and Packet Switched Networks Using Network Simulators," with Hamid Vakilzadian, Khalid Sayood, Hao Chang, Proceedings of the Summer Computer Simulation Conference, Austin, Texas, July 1989.
"Jamming Study of Radio Link Circuit-Switched Networks," Proceedings of the 1991 Summer Computer Simulation Conference, Baltimore, MD, with H. Vakilzadian, H. Chang. July 22-24, 1991, pp. 459-464, 1991.
"Modeling the Time of Occurence of Electric Utility Peak Loads," Proceedings of the 1992 Summer Computer Simulation Conference, with Shwu-Jen Chang, Muh-lin Chen, Reno, Nevada, July 1992, pp. 217-221.
"CNETSIM in a Graduate Level Course Introduction," Proceedings of the 1992 SCS Western Simulation Multiconference on Simulation in Engineering Education, Newport Beach, CA, January 20-22, 1992, pp. 273-278.
"Project-Oriented Array Abstraction for Database Query," Proceedings of the 1993 Western Multiconference on Computer Simulation, La Jolla, CA, January 17-20, 1993.
"An Object-Oriented Load Projection System," Proceedings of the 1993 Summer Computer Simulation Conference, Boston, MA, July 19-21, 1993 (to appear).
"Error Analysis of Digital Differential Analyzer Systems Using Sample Data Techniques." Spring Joint Computer Conference, San Francisco, May 1962.
"Use of IBM-2260 Remote Visual Display Units." Sixth National Canadian Computer Conference, June 1968.
"The Use of Program Budgeting in the Allocation of Computer Center Resources." Co-Author: Donald F. Costello. Spring Joint Computer Conference, Atlantic City, New Jersey, May 1970.
"Mapping Techniques Applied to Error Analysis of Digital Solution of Differential Equations." Proceedings of the International Computer Symposium, Taipei, Republic of China, December 1977.
"Organization of a Database for Load Analysis and Projection," Proceedings of the International Computer Symposium, Taipei, Republic of China, December 1977. Co-Author: David W. Olive.
Also presented at the 1978 Winter Conference of the Power Engineering Society, IEEE, January 1978.
"Use of the Karhunen-Loeve Expansion to Analyze Hourly Load Requirements for a Power Utility," 1978 Winter Conference, PES, IEEE, January 1978. Co-Authors: Dobromil D. Belik, David W. Olive.
"On-Line Algorithms for Forecasting Hourly Loads of an Electric Utility," IEEE PES Winter Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, February 1981. Paper No. 81WM 017-3, with Suri Vemuri and Wen Liang Huang.
"Adaptive Load Projections," IASTED International Conference on Energy, Power and Environmental Systems, Santa Barbara, California, May, 1985. Paper No. 090-014-1, with D. David Belik.
"Comparison of Circuit Switched and Packet Switched Networks Using Network Simulators," Proceedings of the Summer Computer Simulation Conference, with Hamid Vakilzadian, Khalid Sayood, Hao Chang, Austin, Texas, July 1989.
"A Robust Low Rate Coding Scheme for Packet Video," with principal authors K. Sayood, Y.C. Chen, 1990 BILCOM, Turkey.
"Modeling the Time of Occurence of Electric Utility Peaks," Proceedings of the Summer Computer Simulation Conference, with Shwu-Jen Chang, Muh-Lin Chen,Reno, Nevada, July, 1992.
"Object-Oriented Array Abstraction for Database Query," , Object Oriented Simulation Conference (OOS),with Muh-Lin Chen, XiaoSong Nie, La Jolla, California, January 1993
"An Object-Oriented Load Analysis and Projection System," , Proceedings of the Summer Computer Simulation Conference, with principal authors Ping He and Muh-lin Chen, Boston, Massachusetts, July 1993.
"Nelson's Theory-True Error," cited in Analog and Analog/Hybrid Computer Programming, by Arthur Hausner, Prentice-Hall 1971, Section 17.32.
Design and Build an Analog Computer for the University of Nebraska. Research Council Grant, 1956, (with Charles Rook).
Evaluate Research Potential in the Computer Field. Engineering Experiment Station Research Grant, summer 1962, (with David W. Olive).
Factory Control and Cost Center Analysis System for Hy-Gain Electronics. $16,000.
To Put Lincoln City Tax Records on Tape and Reprint Tax Record Forms,. Walter's Real Estate. $20,000
Computing Center Expansion, Proposal NSF-pf17415, 1964. $65,000
Integration of Computers and Education in Nebraska, NSF-J000054. 1968. $500,000 (with Kenneth Smith and Roy Hallquist).
Development of On-Line Bill Drafting System, State of Nebraska Legislative Council, 1970. $60,000 (with Richard Kiger, agreement terminated 1982).
State Energy Model, State of Nebraska Department of Petroleum Allocation. $8,000 (with David W. Olive and Kenneth Smith).
Investigation of Modularized Instruction for Power Engineering. Westinghouse Education Foundation, $20,000. 1977-79.
Advanced Protocol Development for a Simulation Program. U.S. Army Communication, Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, 1985-86. $160,000.
Modification of the NETSIM Simulator. Jet Propulsion Laboratories, 1987-88. $80,000.
Development of a Simulator for PrairieLink (a Packet-Switched Communications Network). Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph, 1988-89. $40,318 (LT&T) $20,160 (Nebraska Research Initiative Matching).
Development of a Database and Graphics Display System for a Fiber Optics Network, 1989-90. $42,668 (LT&T) $18,739 (Nebraska Research Initiative Matching).
A Study of ISDN Database/Customer Control Problems. Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph, U.S. West, 1989-90. $40,366 (LT&T and US West), $18,000 (Nebraska Research Initiative Matching).
End-User Projection and Simulation, Nebraska Public Power District. 1989-91. $26,000 (NPPD) $10,562 (Nebraska Research Initiative Matching).
Development of Research Centers Management Information System (RCMIS), Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1991. $39,273.
Development of Fiber Optics Graphic Database System (renewed contract), Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph, 1991-93. $120,000 (LT&T), $70,381 (Nebraska Research Initiative Matching).
Development and Installation of RCMIS (continued), Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1992. $32,036
Contracts under the RCG for Fiscal 1993-94 (under RCG With Muh-Lin Chen)
Consolidated Telephone Company, Cooperative Research, $3,000.
Vice Chancellor for Research, Research Management System, $28,552
Square D Company, Non-Identical Process Scheduling Under Ergonomic Constraints (ECAS), $18,797.
Nebraska Department of Communications, ESU Internet Development, $25,000.
Nebraska Department of Education, Site Development/Maintenance, $9,148.60.
NE Math Science Initiative, Site maintenance, $5,000.
Western NE Community College, Site Development/maintenance $5,000.
Contracts under the RCG for Fiscal 1994-95 (With Muh-Lin Chen)
Nebraska Department of Education, Site Maintenance/Consulting, $9,000.
Western Nebraska Community College, Site Maintenance/Consulting $1,725.
Nebr. State Education Ass’n (Diane Miller) Site Development/Consult. $2,500.
Lincoln Public Schools, Site Maintenance/Consulting $2,000.
Square D Company, ECAS Maintenance, $5,500.
Transcrypt International, SalesBook Project, $5000.
ACTON, Internet Development, $13,500
Vice Chancellor for Research, Patent Distribution, $2,000.
Contracts under the RCG for Fiscal 1995-96 (With Muh-Lin Chen)
ACTON (Ron Brown) Internet Site Development/Management, $50,093.24
ACTON (Mark Seacrest) Marketing/Research Database for Newspapers, $25,750.00
Dept. of Engineering Mechanics (Qing Jiang) Set up Workstation $ 1,050.00
Dept. of Mathematics Set up Workstation $500.00
E-H Engineering (David Hayes) Data Presentation $50.00
ISCO (Mark Hansen) PC Controller for Superfluid Extraction Instrument $3,000)
Lincoln Public Schools (Janice Moyer) Site Development $1,500
Nebr. State Education Ass’n (Diane Miller) Site Development/Consult. $4,000
Nebr. Department of Education (Kim Le) Site Development/Consult. $6,000
Square D Company (Larry Trickel) ECAS Augmentation $4,253.75
Transcrypt International (Mike Wallace) SalesBook Development ($4,000)
Western Nebraska Community Coll. (Rita Gressler) Site Update/Cons. $1,431.87
Contracts under the RCG for Fiscal 1996-97 (With Muh-Lin Chen)
(To be entered at end of fiscal year)
Grants and Contracts as Contributor (P.I. in parenthesis):
Put Nebraska Statutes on Computer Tape (John Gradwohl) 1965. $20,000
Automation of University Model (Harry Allen) 1971. $15,000.
Graphical Computing (Kenneth Smith) 1967-68. Research Council $20,000
Remote Job Control of Undergraduate Computer Programs (Kenneth Smith) National Science Foundation Undergraduate Equipment Grant, 1967-68 $24,700
Automatic Load Forecasting (Suri Vemuri) EPRI, 1979-80. $28,000
Simulation of Packet-Switching Networks Under Stress (William P. Osborne) 1983-84 U.S. Army $79,000
Computerization Study for Nebraska State Historical Society (Brito Mutunayagam) 1984 $56,000
Aspects of Secure Analog Communication (Co-PI: Jennifer Seberry) 1991-92. Transcrypt International $3350, Nebraska Research Initiative Match $837.
Union Life Insurance: Computer Selection, Development of Charging Algorithms (1973)
Nebraska Public Power District:
- Development of Program to Model Optimum Dispatch of Nuclear Plant,
- Development of a Power Production Modeling Program 1973-74
- Development of a Model to Work with Power Production Modeling
Program to Optimally Dispatch Pumping and Generation at a Proposed
Pumped-Hydro Facility 1974-75
- Development of Load Projection Scheme for Planning Purposes
(with D. Olive and K. Smith) 1976-77
- Adaptation of a Load Database System to Load Projection 1978-79
- Development of an Interactive Hourly Load Projection Program 1979-80
- Conversion of Power Production Modeling Program for Semi-Interactive
Use (Otter Tail Power) 1981
- Continued Development and Enhancement of Power Production
Modeling Program 1983
- Continued Development of Pumped Storage Modeling Program (North
western Public Service, Otter Tail Power) 1983
Taiwan Power Company: Optimal Dispatch of Nuclear Facilities 1974
Co-Author of electrical textbook for Military Special Weapons School
Designed and constructed Special Weapons Trainer
Designed and supervised construction of Analog Computer for University of Nebraska
Developed factory control and cost center analysis system for Hy-Gain Electronics
Designed and supervised development of Law Information Retrieval System
(for batch and interactive systems).
Supervised design and development of Computerized Taylor, Lieberfeld, and
Heldman Model for University of Nebraska
Designed and supervised development of Nebraska University Remote
Operating System (NUROS). In use 1967-83.
Designed and supervised development of the Nebraska State Legislature
Bill Drafting System. In use 1971-82.
Developed dynamic programming algorithm for "pole spotting" (implemented by Roger Bell).
Designed and developed optimal dispatch Power Production Modeling System for Nebraska Public Power Distruct. In use 1973-present.
Designed and developed a Simulator for generation of the Nebraska Public
Power District Nuclear Plant at Brownville, for operation under Intermediate
Operation and Maintenance Constraints (using Dynamic Programming)
Designed and developed Pumped Hydro Power Production Model for Nebraska
Public Power District (using Dynamic Programming)
Designed and developed an electrical power Load Database System and Load
Analysis and Projection System for Nebraska Public Power District (with D.W.
Olive and K. Smith). In use 1976-Present
1.) Load Database System
2.) Multiple Regression Load Projection System
3.) Adaptive Hourly Load Projection System (1979-present)
Designed and developed MINSYS, an input/output system for use with production systems (in FORTRAN and PASCAL) In use 1983-present
Designed and developed EACNT, a Distributive Management/Accounting
System for the University of Nebraska Engineering College Computer Facility.
In use 1963-present.
Designed and supervised development of PNETSIM, a packet switched network simulator for the Army to test protocols in a precedence oriented topologicallydynamic network. ARPANET and NELHNET protocols were implemented within PNETSIM
Designed NELHNET (Nebraska Extended Least Hop Network Protocol) as an improved routing algorithm for packet switched communication networks
Designed and supervised development of CNETSIM, a circuit switched network simulator for the Army and Jet Propulsion Laboratories. The code simulates the RITA routing algorithm (1989)
Designed and supervised development of PLSIM, a packet switched network simulator for the DCA Inner Protocol (For simulation of the LT&T packet switched network, PrairieLink) 1989-90
Designed and supervised development of FM, a file maintenance and graphics display system for a fiber optics network (LT&T) 1989-90
Designed and supervised development of CACNT, a distributed management accounting system for the Center for Communication and Information Science.
Also used by other Engineering Research Centers.
Designed (with Muh-Lin Chen) and supervised development of ECAS (Ergonomic Constraint Assignment System) for scheduling personnel to tasks in a factory environment (for Square D Co.).
An Investigation of Error Analysis in Combined Computer Systems. Ph.D.
Dissertation, Stanford University, 1962.
Technical Report No. 1002-1 Radio Science Laboratory, Stanford Electronics
Laboratories, Stanford, California
Project Management and Control, invited talk for local chapter of the Association for System Management, Lincoln, Nebraska, April 08, 1970.
Maintenance of Large Computer Systems, Internal Planning Document,
University of Nebraska Computing Center, 1971.
NUPDATE, User's Guide for a Program, Document and Data Management Computer Program
Nebraska University Remote Operating System (NUROS), a user's manual for the terminal remote job system
Legiform, Printing and Duplicating Department, University of Nebraska, 1971
Draftform, Printing and Duplicating Department, University of Nebraska, 1971
Draft, a user's manual for the Nebraska Legislature Bill Drafting System
Modeling Pumped-Hydro Facilities, presented to local PES members, September 25, 1974.
Power Production Modeling, presented to local ASME members, May 19, 1975 (with Harold T. Hitch and Dale Osborn)
CRLOC, a program for plotting root-loci with a complex domain, 1975
CRMAP, a program for mapping the grid lines from a complex domain to complex range through polynomial transformations, 1975
CONPLT, a program for PERT analysis (with plotting) for use with concepts in a curriculum, 1977
Load Projection System, a systems manual discussing the structure and use of programs GENDA, FMAIN, PLTI, SCATT and BGRJ incorporated in a system for maintaining a load and independent variable database and projecting loads using multiple regression
Hourly Projection, Daily Projection, Monthly Projection, user manuals for load projection systems (above)
Growth Variables, a report to Nebraska Public Power District on economic and associated variables that have forecasts available for use in a long-term load projection system
Program R2: Multiple Regression for a Single Variable, an interactive program for developing least-squares models for load projection (1981)
Program T2: Time Series Recursive Multiple Input ARMA Model, an interactive program for developing iterative least-squares or Kalman filter models for load projection, 1981
Model Development for Hourly Load, a report prepared for Nebraska Public Power District, 1981
W-Transform Analysis of Integration Techniques, a mongraph on w-transform or z-transform analysis of numerical integration methods
GGPP, a general graph plotting program for producing publication-ready graphs
MINSYS, an interactive Input/Output Management System for Multiple User Production Systems, 1983
EACNT, a distributed management accounting system for the Engineering College Computing Facility, University of Nebraska, 1983
SIM, a packet network communications system simulator for testing routing and flow-control algorithms, 1984
Switching Theory, a set of notes for sophomore students interested in switching theory and design of digital circuits, 1984
A Systems Study of Packet Networks Under Stress, Final Report Contract DAAB07-K-K530, Department of the Army, COM-EC/ASCD, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey January 1984
Advanced Protocol Development for a Simulation Program, CECOM-TR-85 K535F, Final Report, Department of the Army Communications Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, January 1984
PNETSIM Suite, a suite of programs for simulation of packet switched networks with a set of manuals. User's Guide, System Programmer's Manual, Post Processor Manual (1987)
CNETSIM Suite, a suite of programs for simulation of circuit switched networks with a set of manuals, User's Guide, System Programmer's Manual.
Susceptibility of Circuit Switched Networks, Final Report, Contracts 957900 and 957978, Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Pasadena, California, August 1, 1988.
Circuit Switched/Packet Switched Network Comparisons, Final Report, Contracts 957900 and 957978, Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Pasadena, California, August 22, 1988.
A Simulator for PrairieLink - User's Manual, Don Nelson, Muh-Lin Chen, Hao Chang, Shwu-Jen Chang, August 31, 1989.
FM User's Guide, A Fiber Optics Network Database and Graphics Display System, Don Nelson, Muh-lin Chen, Hao Chang, Shwu-Jen Chang, January 10, 1989.
Fiberlink System Programmer's Manual, A Fiber Optics Network Database and Graphics Display System, Don Nelson, Muh-lin Chen, Hao Chang, Shwu- Jen Chang, January 10, 1989.
CACNT Accounting System User's Manual I (Associates), Don Nelson, Muh-lin Chen, Hao Chang, Shwu-Jen Chang, Version 2.0, 1989.
CACNT Accounting System User's Manual II (Directors), Don Nelson, Muh-lin Chen, Hao Chang, Shwu-Jen Chang, Version 2.0,1989.
Planned Database Evolution in a Growing Service Environment, Don Nelson, Hamid Vakilzadian, Jitender Deogun, Roger Kieckhafer, R.A. Christenson, Y.P. Peng and C. Price, June 19, 1990.
RCMIS: Research Center Management Information System: User's Manual, Comprehensive Overview, Center Directors, Don Nelson, Muh-lin Chen, ChloeAnn Danielson, 1992.
EE841 Engineering Problems
EE861 Solid State Electronic Circuits
EE862 Communication Systems
EE871 Analog Computer Circuits
EE876 Switching Circuits and Logic Design
EE921 Network Synthesis
EE931 Object Oriented Software Engineering
EE932 Advanced Electrical Laboratory
EE960 Circuit Models of Solid State Devices
EE945 Optimal Control System Theory
EE952 Error Analysis in Digital Systems
EE971 Simulation of Communication Networks
Regents Scholarship each year in attendance at the University of Nebraska
Honor list each year in attendance at the University of Nebraska.
Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding EE Sophomore Award (1950).
Member of Eta Kappa Nu, Sigma Tau, and Pi Mu Epsilon honorary societies.
Associate member of Sigma Xi honorary society upon graduation (1953).
Bachelor of Science Degree with Distinction.
Distinguished Military Student Award.
Received Commendation for writing special weapons textbook in military.
Received Commendation for designing and constructing special weapons trainer while in military.
Received (Floor of the Legislature) commendation for development of the Nebraska State Legislature Bill Drafting System (1971).
Outstanding Faculty Award (University of Nebraska IEEE - 1989).
Who's Who in America
Who's Who in the Computer Field
Who's Who in Consulting
American Men and Women of Science (12th Edition)
Who's Who in the Midwest (1973)
The National Register of Prominent Americans and International Notables (1974-75)
Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans (Bicentennial Edition, 1975-76)
Notable Americans of 1976-77
Directory of Distinquished Americans (1980)
Directory of World's Researchers (1980)
Who's Who in Technology Today (1980)
a) Graphic Databases
b) Distributed Management Information Systems
c) Interactive Data Management and Retrieval
d) Interactive Management/Modeling
e) Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
f) All aspects of Software Engineering
g) Logic, Automata
a) Communication Network Simulation
b) Load Analysis and Projection
c) Power Production Modeling
d) Switching Theory/Automata
e) Analog, Digital and Hybrid Systems
f) Integration Operators and Algorithms
g) Control Systems
h) Network Synthesis