Abstract: A wrist-band type biosignal measurement system and its data transfer through human body communication (HBC) were investigated. An HBC method based on pulses of ultra-wide band instead of using frequency or amplitude modulations was studied and implemented since the system became very compact and it was more suited for personal or mobile health monitoring. Our system measured photo-plethysmogram (PPG) and measured PPG signals were transmitted through a finger to a monitoring PC system. The device was compact and low-power consuming. HBC communication has very strongsecurity measures since it does not use wireless network.Furthermore, biosignal monitoring system becomes handy because it does not need to have wire connections.
Abstract: With the increasing number of on-chip components and the critical requirement for processing power, Chip Multiprocessor (CMP) has gained wide acceptance in both academia and industry during the last decade. However, the conventional bus-based onchip communication schemes suffer from very high communication delay and low scalability in large scale systems. Network-on-Chip (NoC) has been proposed to solve the bottleneck of parallel onchip communications by applying different network topologies which separate the communication phase from the computation phase. Observing that the memory bandwidth of the communication between on-chip components and off-chip memory has become a critical problem even in NoC based systems, in this paper, we propose a novel 3D NoC with on-chip Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) in which different layers are dedicated to different functionalities such as processors, cache or memory. Results show that, by using our proposed architecture, average link utilization has reduced by 10.25% for SPLASH-2 workloads. Our proposed design costs 1.12% less execution cycles than the traditional design on average.
Abstract: The load frequency control problem of power systems has attracted a lot of attention from engineers and researchers over the years. Increasing and quickly changing load demand, coupled with the inclusion of more generators with high variability (solar and wind power generators) on the network are making power systems more difficult to regulate. Frequency changes are unavoidable but regulatory authorities require that these changes remain within a certain bound. Engineers are required to perform the tricky task of adjusting the control system to maintain the frequency within tolerated bounds. It is well known that to minimize frequency variations, a large proportional feedback gain (speed regulation constant) is desirable. However, this improvement in performance using proportional feedback comes about at the expense of a reduced stability margin and also allows some steady-state error. A conventional PI controller is then included as a secondary control loop to drive the steadystate error to zero. In this paper, we propose a robust controller to replace the conventional PI controller which guarantees performance and stability of the power system over the range of variation of the speed regulation constant. Simulation results are shown to validate the superiority of the proposed approach on a simple single-area power system model.
Abstract: Water recycling represents an important challenge for many countries, in particular in countries where this natural resource is rare. On the other hand, in many operations, water is used as a cooling medium, as a high proportion of water consumed in industry is used for cooling purposes. Generally this water is rejected directly to the nature. This reject will cause serious environment damages as well as an important waste of this precious element.. On way to solve these problems is to reuse and recycle this warm water, through the use of natural cooling medium, such as air in a heat exchanger unit, known as a cooling tower. A poor performance, design or reliability of cooling towers will result in lower flow rate of cooling water an increase in the evaporation of water, an hence losses of water and energy. This paper which presents an experimental investigate of thermal and hydraulic performances of a mechanical cooling tower, enables to show that the water evaporation rate, Mev, increases with an increase in the air and water flow rates, as well as inlet water temperature and for fixed air flow rates, the pressure drop (ΔPw/Z) increases with increasing , L, due to the hydrodynamic behavior of the air/water flow.
Abstract: The system is made with main distributed components:
First Level: Industrial Computers placed in Control Room (monitors thermal and electrical processes based on the data provided by the second level); Second Level: PLCs which collects data from process and transmits information on the first level; also takes commands from this level which are further, passed to execution elements from third
level; Third Level: field elements consisting in 3 categories: data collecting elements; data transfer elements from the third level to the second; execution elements which take commands from the second
level PLCs and executes them after which transmits the confirmation of execution to them. The purpose of the automatic functioning is the optimization of the co-generative electrical energy commissioning in the national
energy system and the commissioning of thermal energy to the consumers.
The integrated system treats the functioning of all the equipments and devices as a whole: Gas Turbine Units (GTU); MT 20kV Medium Voltage Station (MVS); 0,4 kV Low Voltage Station (LVS); Main Hot Water Boilers (MHW); Auxiliary Hot Water Boilers (AHW); Gas Compressor Unit (GCU); Thermal Agent Circulation
Pumping Unit (TPU); Water Treating Station (WTS).
Abstract: Optical burst switching (OBS) has been proposed to
realize the next generation Internet based on the wavelength division
multiplexing (WDM) network technologies. In the OBS, the burst
contention is one of the major problems. The deflection routing has
been designed for resolving the problem. However, the deflection
routing becomes difficult to prevent from the burst contentions as the
network load becomes high. In this paper, we introduce a flow rate
control methods to reduce burst contentions. We propose new flow
rate control methods based on the leaky bucket algorithm and
deflection routing, i.e. separate leaky bucket deflection method, and
dynamic leaky bucket deflection method. In proposed methods, edge
nodes which generate data bursts carry out the flow rate control
protocols. In order to verify the effectiveness of the flow rate control in
OBS networks, we show that the proposed methods improve the
network utilization and reduce the burst loss probability through
computer simulations.
Abstract: In this paper we propose a novel RF LDMOS structure which employs a thin strained silicon layer at the top of the channel and the N-Drift region. The strain is induced by a relaxed Si0.8 Ge0.2 layer which is on top of a compositionally graded SiGe buffer. We explain the underlying physics of the device and compare the proposed device with a conventional LDMOS in terms of energy band diagram and carrier concentration. Numerical simulations of the proposed strained silicon laterally diffused MOS using a 2 dimensional device simulator indicate improvements in saturation and linear transconductance, current drivability, cut off frequency and on resistance. These improvements are however accompanied with a suppression in the break down voltage.
Abstract: Using of natural lighting has come into prominence in
constructed buildings, especially in last ten years, under scope of
energy efficiency. Natural lighting methods are one of the methods
that aim to take advantage of day light in maximum level and
decrease using of artificial lighting. Increasing of day light amount in
buildings by using suitable methods will give optimum result in
terms of comfort and energy saving when the daylight-artificial light
integration is ensured with a suitable control system. Using of natural
light in places that require lighting will ensure energy saving in great
extent. With this study, it is aimed to save energy used for purpose of
lighting. Under this scope, lighting of a scanning laboratory of a
hospital was realized by using a lighting automation containing
natural and artificial lighting. In natural lighting, light pipes were
used and in artificial lighting, dimmable power LED modules were
used. Necessity of lighting was followed with motion sensors. The
lighting automation containing natural and artificial light was ensured
with fuzzy logic control. At the scanning laboratory where this
application was realized, energy saving in lighting was obtained.
Abstract: A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of
liquid nitrogen aeration on mortalities of adult Cryptolestes
furrugineus, rusty grain beetles, in a prototype cardboard grain bin
equipped with an aeration system. The grain bin was filled with Hard
Red Spring wheat and liquid nitrogen was introduced from the bottom
of the bin. The survival of both cold acclimated and unacclimated C.
furrugineus was tested. The study reveals that cold acclimated insects
had higher survival than unacclimated insects under similar cooling
conditions. In most cases, mortalities of as high as 100% were
achieved at the bottom 100 cm of the grain bin for unacclimated
insects for most of the trials. Insect survival increased as the distance
from the bottom of the grain bin increased. There was no adverse
effect of liquid nitrogen aeration on wheat germination.
Abstract: The use of additions in cement in manufacturing,
mortar and concrete offers economic and ecological advantages. Cements with additions such as limestone, slag and natural
pouzzolana are produced in cement factories in Algeria. Several studies analyzed the effect of these additions on the physical and
mechanical properties as well as the durability of concrete. However,
few studies were conducted on the effect of local metakaolin on
mechanical properties and durability of concrete. The main purpose
of this paper is to analyze the performance of mortar and concrete with local metakaolin. The preparation of the metakaolin was carried
out by calcination of kaolin at a temperature of 850 °C for a period of 3 hours. The experimental results have shown that the rates of
substitutions of 10 and 15% metakaolin increases the compressive
strength and flexural strength at both early age and long term. The durability and the permeability were also improved by reducing the
coefficient of sorptivity.
Abstract: This paper presents a constrained valley detection
algorithm. The intent is to find valleys in the map for the path planning
that enables a robot or a vehicle to move safely. The constraint to the
valley is a desired width and a desired depth to ensure the space for
movement when a vehicle passes through the valley. We propose an
algorithm to find valleys satisfying these 2 dimensional constraints.
The merit of our algorithm is that the pre-processing and the
post-processing are not necessary to eliminate undesired small valleys.
The algorithm is validated through simulation using digitized
elevation data.
Abstract: CIM is the standard formalism for modeling management
information developed by the Distributed Management Task
Force (DMTF) in the context of its WBEM proposal, designed to
provide a conceptual view of the managed environment. In this
paper, we propose the inclusion of formal knowledge representation
techniques, based on Description Logics (DLs) and the Web Ontology
Language (OWL), in CIM-based conceptual modeling, and then we
examine the benefits of such a decision. The proposal is specified
as a CIM metamodel level mapping to a highly expressive subset
of DLs capable of capturing all the semantics of the models. The
paper shows how the proposed mapping provides CIM diagrams with
precise semantics and can be used for automatic reasoning about the
management information models, as a design aid, by means of newgeneration
CASE tools, thanks to the use of state-of-the-art automatic
reasoning systems that support the proposed logic and use algorithms
that are sound and complete with respect to the semantics. Such a
CASE tool framework has been developed by the authors and its
architecture is also introduced. The proposed formalization is not
only useful at design time, but also at run time through the use of
rational autonomous agents, in response to a need recently recognized
by the DMTF.
Abstract: The analysis of electromagnetic environment using
deterministic mathematical models is characterized by the
impossibility of analyzing a large number of interacting network
stations with a priori unknown parameters, and this is characteristic,
for example, of mobile wireless communication networks. One of the
tasks of the tools used in designing, planning and optimization of
mobile wireless network is to carry out simulation of electromagnetic
environment based on mathematical modelling methods, including
computer experiment, and to estimate its effect on radio
communication devices. This paper proposes the development of a
statistical model of electromagnetic environment of a mobile
wireless communication network by describing the parameters and
factors affecting it including the propagation channel and their
statistical models.
Abstract: The development of many measurement and inspection systems of products based on real-time image processing can not be carried out totally in a laboratory due to the size or the temperature of the manufactured products. Those systems must be developed in successive phases. Firstly, the system is installed in the production line with only an operational service to acquire images of the products and other complementary signals. Next, a recording service of the image and signals must be developed and integrated in the system. Only after a large set of images of products is available, the development of the real-time image processing algorithms for measurement or inspection of the products can be accomplished under realistic conditions. Finally, the recording service is turned off or eliminated and the system operates only with the real-time services for the acquisition and processing of the images. This article presents a systematic performance evaluation of the image compression algorithms currently available to implement a real-time recording service. The results allow establishing a trade off between the reduction or compression of the image size and the CPU time required to get that compression level.
Abstract: Buildings are considered as significant part in the
cities, which plays main role in organization and arrangement of city
appearance, which is affects image of that building facades, as an
connective between inner and outer space, have a main role in city
image and they are classified as rich image and poor image by people
evaluation which related to visual architectural and urban elements in
building facades. the buildings in Karimi street , in Lahijan city
where, lies in north of Iran, contain the variety of building's facade
types which, have made a city image in Historical part of Lahijan
city, while reflected the Iranian cities identity. The study attempt to
identify the architectural and urban elements that impression the
image of building facades in historical area, based on public
evaluation. Quantitative method were used and the data was collected
through questionnaire survey, the result presented architectural style,
color, shape, and design evaluated by people as most important factor
which should be understate in future development. in fact, the rich
architectural style with strong design make strong city image as weak
design make poor city image.
Abstract: This article presents a simple way to perform programmed voice commands for the interface with commercial Digital and Analogue Input/Output PCI cards, used in Robotics and Automation applications. Robots and Automation equipment can "listen" to voice commands and perform several different tasks, approaching to the human behavior, and improving the human- machine interfaces for the Automation Industry. Since most PCI Digital and Analogue Input/Output cards are sold with several DLLs included (for use with different programming languages), it is possible to add speech recognition capability, using a standard speech recognition engine, compatible with the programming languages used. It was created in this work a Visual Basic 6 (the world's most popular language) application, that listens to several voice commands, and is capable to communicate directly with several standard 128 Digital I/O PCI Cards, used to control complete Automation Systems, with up to (number of boards used) x 128 Sensors and/or Actuators.
Abstract: This work presents the mixed-mode II/III prestressed split-cantilever beam specimen for the fracture testing of composite materials. In accordance with the concept of prestressed composite beams one of the two fracture modes is provided by the prestressed state of the specimen, and the other one is increased up to fracture initiation by using a testing machine. The novel beam-like specimen is able to provide any combination of the mode-II and mode-III energy release rates. A simple closed-form solution is developed using beam theory as a data reduction scheme and for the calculation of the energy release rates in the new configuration. The applicability and the limitations of the novel fracture mechanical test are demonstrated using unidirectional glass/polyester composite specimens. If only crack propagation onset is involved then the mixed-mode beam specimen can be used to obtain the fracture criterion of transparent composite materials in the GII - GIII plane in a relatively simple way.
Abstract: The study applied a combination of organisational learning models (Senge, 1994: Pedler, Burgoyne and Boydell, 1991) and later adopted fifteen organisational learning principles with one of the biggest energy providers in South East Asia. The purposes of the current study were to: a) investigate the company-s practices on fifteen organisational learning principles; b) explore the perceptions and expectations of its employees in relations to the principles; and c) compare the perceptions and expectations between management and non-management staff toward the fifteen factors. One hundred and ten employees responded on a designed questionnaire and the results indicated that the company was practicing activities that associated with organisational learning principles. Also, according to the T-test results, significant differences between management and non-management respondents were found. Research implications are also provided.
Abstract: in dissimilar material joints, failure often occurs
along the interface between two materials due to stress singularity.
Stress distribution and its concentration depend on materials and
geometry of the junction. Inhomogenity of stress distribution at the
interface of junction of two materials with different elastic modules
and stress concentration in this zone are the main factors resulting in
rupture of the junction. Effect of joining angle in the interface of
aluminum-polycarbonate will be discussed in this paper. Computer
simulation and finite element analysis by ABAQUS showed that
convex interfacial joint leads to stress reduction at junction corners in
compare with straight joint. This finding is confirmed by photoelastic
experimental results.
Abstract: This paper proposes a scheduling scheme using feedback
control to reduce the response time of aperiodic tasks with soft
real-time constraints. We design an algorithm based on the proposed
scheduling scheme and Total Bandwidth Server (TBS) that is a
conventional server technique for scheduling aperiodic tasks. We then
describe the feedback controller of the algorithm and give the control
parameter tuning methods. The simulation study demonstrates that the
algorithm can reduce the mean response time up to 26% compared
to TBS in exchange for slight deadline misses.