Graphical Environment Research Articles

Analysis of the electronic circuits of 11 W and 15 W compact fluorescent lamps


 
 
 The introduction of electronic ballast in lighting systems design has dramatically revolutionized the lighting space. This is orchestrated by the entrance of the Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) into the lighting market. The CFLs currently being used in domestic and industrial lighting systems provide highly competitive alternatives to conventional incandescent lamps. The electronic ballast incorporated into the CFLs helps eliminate the flickering and slow starting flaws prevalent in traditional fluorescent lamps. To properly evaluate the performance characteristics and limitations of the CFLs, a critical analysis of its electronic circuit becomes imperative. To this end, this paper presents experimental and simulation analyses of the CFL circuits. To achieve this, two Futina CFL bulbs of 11W and 15W model YPZ220/11-BMSP RR/RDD and YPZ220/15-BMSP RR/RDD, respectively, were analyzed and experimentally verified. A function-based programming paradigm was applied to develop a graphical user interface (GUI) used for the circuits analyses. The GUI is designed using MATLAB graphical user interface development environment (GUIDE). Experiments were conducted to obtain the performance characteristics of the CFLs, and measurements show that the 11W lamp has a higher amplitude than the 15W lamp. However, both lamps show similar waveforms after 300 seconds. The maximum voltage amplitudes for both CFLs are the same, with a peak value of 218V. The current waveforms in the spectral domain gave a maximum amplitude of 0.3 A for the 11W CFL and 0.2 A for the 15W. The voltage frequency (0.00196) of both CFLs are the same, whereas the current frequencies are different. This indicates that the wattage of a CFL does not affect the frequency of its voltage waveform. The frequency of the 11W CFL current (0.00157) is higher than that of the 15W CFL current (0.00784). This implies that the higher the CFL wattage, the lower the frequency of its current waveform. Additionally, simulation results revealed that the key difference between the CFLs is the current total harmonic distortion (THDI), which increases with an increasing rated power of the CFL or the aggregation of a number of the smaller rated CFLs.
 
 

A study of the influence of the base thickness on photoelectric parameters of silicon solar cells with the new TCAD algorithms

he Sentaurus TCAD software package is widely used in the modeling of semiconductor optoelectronic devices. The main part of simulating solar elements is creating a correct geometric model. A geometric model can be built using the SDE module in two different ways, i.e. by writing code or using standard shapes in a graphical environment. Creating complex structures using simple shapes is time-consuming and labour intensive. Therefore, this paper provides data on how to develop algorithms using geometric models of complex structural solar cells. A universal algorithm has been developed for creating a geometric model of solar cells with a sinusoidal p-n junction and a rear multiple structure. Using these algorithms, it is possible to create geometric models of various solar cells from simple to complex structures. By applying this algorithm, the authors studied the dependence of photoelectric parameters of the p-n and n-p junction silicon solar cells on their thickness in order to find the optimum thickness for both structures. It has been found, that the optimum thickness was equal to 256 μm for p-n junction and 75 μm for n-p junction silicon solar cell. The maximum efficiency of p-n junction silicon solar cell is 1.4 times greater than that of n-p junction solar cell in their optimum thickness.

SOLID-BODY SIMULATION OF SHOE LAST ELEMENTS FOR MANUFACTURE OF SHOES OF HIGH COMFORT

Purpose. Investigate the process of adjusting the shape of the shoe last by modeling solid elements (individual overlays) made by 3D printing. Methodology. We used a three-dimensional graphic environment Delcam Crispin with the use of modules ShoeMaker, LastMaker, PowerShape, which provide a full cycle of design processes of shoe production from processing scans of the feet, modeling the top design to the design of the last; Ultimaker Cura slicer to customize the printing of prototypes, made of different polymeric materials. The FDM method for 3D printing was used to study the adjustment of a shoe last with a printed cover. Results. The proposed sequence of adjusting the shape of the lasts using solid modeling in CAD environments Delcam Crispin LastMaker and PowerShape allows for design and technological preparation for the manufacture of corrective lasts by 3D printing. The end result of the last adjustment process is a digital copy of the prototype last, which can be used to model shoes in the 3D space of modern CAD. To achieve improved performance in the use of lasts made by 3D printing, the physical and mechanical properties of polymeric materials were determined, experimental tensile studies of samples obtained by 3D printing on an upgraded bursting machine 2167 P-50. Elastan D70 was chosen from the researched materials, which satisfies the physical and mechanical characteristics for the production of the last cover and subsequent operation of the product. Scientific novelty. Adjustment of the form and the sizes of a block is carried out at the expense of use of overlays made by a method of 3D printing which considers deviations of the sizes and the form of a block and foot of the individual customer. Practical value. The paper proposes an improved method of adjusting existing lasts with the help of printed overlays in anthropometric areas, which require completeness adjustment for individual consumers. It is the adjustment of the last with the help of printed lasts made of polymeric materials that will significantly reduce the production time, reduce the cost and commissioning of shoe lasts to individual order.

Unscripted Narrative for Affectively Driven Characters

We discuss work carried out at the University of Salford (UK) and INESC-id (Portugal) on the design and implementation of interactive dramas in 3D graphics environments. We present detailed requirements and methods for the design of unscripted (emergent) dramas based on research into role-playing games. We describe the affectively driven intelligent autonomous characters implemented and discuss both theoretical and technical issues relating to its computational implementation. Finally we consider the implications for game design and new genres of game.

Reconfigurable Wireless Sensor Node Remote Laboratory Platform with Cloud Connectivity.

Thanks to the recent rapid technological advancement in IoT usage, there is a need for students to learn IoT-based concepts using a dedicated experimental platform. Furthermore, being forced into remote learning due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for innovative learning methods. From our perspective, a learning platform should be reconfigurable to accommodate multiple applications and remotely accessible at any time, from anywhere, and on any connected device. Considering that many of the university courses are now held online, the reliability and scalability of the system become critical. This paper presents the design and development of a wireless configurable myRIO-based sensor node that connects to SystemLink Cloud. The sensors that were used are for ambient light, temperature, and proximity. A graphical programming environment (G-LabVIEW) and related APIs were used for rapid concept-to-development process. Distinct applications have been developed for the instructor and students, respectively. The students can select which sensor and application to run on the system and observe the measurements on the local student’s application or the cloud platform at a specific moment. They can also read the data on the cloud platform and use them in their LabVIEW application. In the context of remote education, we strongly believe that this platform is and will be suitable for the COVID and Post-COVID eras as well because it creates a much better remote laboratory experience for students. In conclusion, the system that was developed is innovative because it is software reconfigurable from the device, from the instructor’s application and cloud via a web browser, it is intuitive, and it has a user-friendly interface. It meets most of the necessary requirements in the current era, being also highly available and scalable in the cloud.

An automata-based programming engine

Automata-based programming considers program systems construction as finite state machines that demonstrate state-based behavior. This paper analyzes approaches to data structures and their realization in different programming paradigms. The requirements for automata style implementations are estimated for actual tasks. It is shown that automata-based algorithms need approaches beyond the standard object-oriented inheritance and polymorphism. The Liskov substitution principle is considered as an implementation base instead them. Data-oriented programming approach and in particular data and code separation form the backbone of the engine. The work describes the automata data structure and code-data interaction. The dynamically loaded modules and representations of data, code and schemes provide the main building blocks. Automata-based programming engine conception is introduced to clue all above. This engine supports distributed systems referencing. In order to implement an automata-based programming engine, the pilot project has to meet a set of requirements, including modular programming support, extended metadata availability and code-free read-only data access. Oberon/Component Pascal programming language is therefore chosen, along with a BlackBox Component Builder graphical environment. Automata-based programming engine prototype is implemented as Abpe subsystem for BlackBox. Several example automata-based modules demonstrate functional interacting programs.

Contactless laser control and measuring complex for determining the level of winding pressure and magnetic conductor of power transformer

TARGET. The purpose of this work is to develop a non-contact laser control and measuring complex (LCMC) for vibration control of the level of pressing of windings and magnetic circuit of a power transformer. A laser vibrometer is used as a measuring element, the developed software in the LabVIEW graphical programming environment serves as a tool for processing vibration signals. The technical condition of the power transformer is analyzed by the amplitude spectra of the vibration of the tank of the transformer under study, formed using the fast Fourier transform algorithm in the LabVIEW software.METHODS. The vibration control method makes it possible to control a power transformer during its operation under voltage, which makes it possible to move from a planned system of transformer repairs to a system for taking out for repair according to the current technical condition.RESULTS. The developed LCMC allows to carry out non-contact measurements of vibration parameters of a power transformer under voltage and to establish the current level of pressing of windings and magnetic circuit.CONCLUSION. The developed LCMC with software allows contactless control of the technical condition of the magnetic circuit and the windings of the power transformer according to the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the vibration parameters, as well as the use of statistical methods for processing and analyzing signals received from the transformer.

Contactless laser control and measuring complex for determining the level of winding pressure and magnetic conductor of power transformer

TARGET. The purpose of this work is to develop a non-contact laser control and measuring complex (LCMC) for vibration control of the level of pressing of windings and magnetic circuit of a power transformer. A laser vibrometer is used as a measuring element, the developed software in the LabVIEW graphical programming environment serves as a tool for processing vibration signals. The technical condition of the power transformer is analyzed by the amplitude spectra of the vibration of the tank of the transformer under study, formed using the fast Fourier transform algorithm in the LabVIEW software.METHODS. The vibration control method makes it possible to control a power transformer during its operation under voltage, which makes it possible to move from a planned system of transformer repairs to a system for taking out for repair according to the current technical condition.RESULTS. The developed LCMC allows to carry out non-contact measurements of vibration parameters of a power transformer under voltage and to establish the current level of pressing of windings and magnetic circuit.CONCLUSION. The developed LCMC with software allows contactless control of the technical condition of the magnetic circuit and the windings of the power transformer according to the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the vibration parameters, as well as the use of statistical methods for processing and analyzing signals received from the transformer.

Subsystem of sample processing of active and reactive power of transformer substation

Purpose. Apply statistical analysis to the volumetric samples of electricity consumption parameters to reduce the amount of network node capacity that will be stored. Methodology. Using the statistical data methods processing in the graphical programming system LabVIEW. Findings. Electricity is one of the energy types, the generation volume, transportation, distribution and use of which is constantly growing. At all these stages, the control of the change rate parameters of electrical energy – power occurs. Power is characterized by certain parameters that are subject to continuous monitoring. The change capacity in the conditions of industrial enterprises has a complex character with certain stochastic components. The need to record detailed information causes an increase in the data amount to be stored. As a result, there is a processing data problem on electric energy volumes and electric power parameters with reduction data volume and informativeness preservation. Based on the statistical normal distribution concept, in the graphical programming environment the data processing subsystem on sampling intervals of active and reactive powers of low voltage section the step-down substation is constructed. Using the indicators of the characteristics of the normal distribution of active and reactive power, the analysis of their semi-daily samples was performed. Selected intervals at which the indicators of normal distribution differ significantly, which allowed to form conclusions about the presence of modes close to idling Originality. It is established that due to the difficulty covering long time periods under the fixing condition data on electric power parameters, there is a dilemma regarding the resulting information amount and its detailing, to avoid information loss, a procedure based on the law of normal data sampling is the resulting data to be stored, with the possibility recording significant deviations in terms of excess and sample asymmetry. Practical value. Applying the proposed method in the monitoring system for long-term monitoring electrical power parameters, it is possible to reduce significantly the amount of data during the transmission basic information, power level and range, and, if necessary, use additional information about changes in observation intervals expressed through excess and asymmetry.

Operative Anatomy of the Skull Base: 3D Exploration with a Highly Detailed Interactive Atlas.

Objective We evaluated the usefulness of a three-dimensional (3D) interactive atlas to illustrate and teach surgical skull base anatomy in a clinical setting. Study Design A highly detailed atlas of the adult human skull base was created from multiple high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans of a healthy Caucasian male. It includes the parcellated and labeled bony skull base, intra- and extracranial vasculature, cranial nerves, cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. We are reporting retrospectively on our experiences with employing the atlas for the simulation and teaching of neurosurgical approaches and concepts in a clinical setting. Setting The study was conducted at the University Hospital Mainz, Germany, and Hirslanden Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. Participants Medical students and neurosurgical residents participated in this study. Results Handling the layered graphical user interface of the atlas requires some training; however, navigating the detailed 3D content from intraoperative perspectives led to quick comprehension of anatomical relationships that are otherwise difficult to perceive. Students and residents appreciated the collaborative learning effect when working with the atlas on large projected screens and markedly improved their anatomical knowledge after interacting with the software. Conclusion The skull base atlas provides an effective way to study essential surgical anatomy and to teach operative strategies in this complex region. Interactive 3D computer graphical environments are highly suitable for conveying complex anatomy and to train and review surgical concepts. They remain underutilized in clinical practice.

GranatumX: A Community-engaging, Modularized, and Flexible Webtool for Single-cell Data Analysis

We present GranatumX, a next-generation software environment for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis. GranatumX is inspired by the interactive webtool Granatum. GranatumX enables biologists to access the latest scRNA-seq bioinformatics methods in a web-based graphical environment. It also offers software developers the opportunity to rapidly promote their own tools with others in customizable pipelines. The architecture of GranatumX allows for easy inclusion of plugin modules, named Gboxes, which wrap around bioinformatics tools written in various programming languages and on various platforms. GranatumX can be run on the cloud or private servers and generate reproducible results. It is a community-engaging, flexible, and evolving software ecosystem for scRNA-seq analysis, connecting developers with bench scientists. GranatumX is freely accessible at http://garmiregroup.org/granatumx/app.

Assessment and Improvement of Anti-COVID-19 Measures in Higher Education Establishments

This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for evaluating and improving the anti-Coronavirus (COVID-19) measures in higher education establishments. The methodology combines the use of: (1) Building Information Modeling (BIM) for the integration and control in a 3D graphic environment the anti-COVID-19 safety measures; (2) a questionnaire to collect the students’ commitment to safety measures and their suggestions to improve these measures; (3) data analysis to explore the impact of the students’ profiles on their commitment to safety measures. The proposed methodology is applied at the engineering school Polytech’Lille in the North of France. Results show that the BIM model provides valuable services to the administration by integrating the safety measures in a 3D environment and checking the compatibility of these measures and their improvement. The use of the questionnaire allows the administration to collect students’ feedback about their commitment to safety measures and their suggestions to improve these measures.

Industry 4.0 Digital Technologies for data collection and control

This article describes an attempt to create open source LabVIEW software, equivalent to data collection and control software. The proposed solution uses GNU Radio, OpenCV, Scilab, Xcos, and Comedi in Linux. GNU Radio provides a user-friendly graphical interface. Also, GNU Radio is a software-defined radio that conducts experiments in practice using software rather than the usual hardware implementation. Blocks for data propagation, code deletion with and without code tracking are created using the zero correlation zone code (ZCZ, a combination of ternary codes equal to 1, 0, and –1, which is specified in the program). Unlike MATLAB Simulink, GNU Radio is open source, i. e. free, and the concepts can be easily accessed by ordinary people without much programming experience using pre-written blocks. Calculations can be performed using OpenCV or Scilab and Xcos. Xcos is an application that is part of the Scilab mathematical modeling system, and it provides developers with the ability to design systems in the field of mechanics, hydraulics and electronics, as well as queuing systems. Xcos is a graphical interactive environment based on block modeling. The application is designed to solve problems of dynamic and situational modeling of systems, processes, devices, as well as testing and analyzing these systems. In this case, the modeled object (a system, device or process) is represented graphically by its functional parametric block diagram, which includes blocks of system elements and connections between them. The device drivers listed in Comedi are used for real-time data access. We also present an improved PyGTK-based graphical user interface for GNU Radio. English version of the article is available at URL: https://panor.ru/articles/industry-40-digital-technology-for-data-collection-and-management/65216.html

Stateflow-Based Energy Management Strategy for Hybrid Energy System to Mitigate Load Shedding

This study investigates the potential application of Stateflow (SF) to design an energy management strategy (EMS) for a renewable-based hybrid energy system (HES). The SF is an extended finite state machine; it provides a platform to design, model, and execute complex event-driven systems using an interactive graphical environment. The HES comprises photovoltaics (PV), energy storage units (ESU) and a diesel generator (Gen), integrated with the power grid that experiences a regular load shedding condition (scheduled power outages). The EMS optimizes the energy production and utilization during both modes of HES operation, i.e., grid-connected mode and the islanded mode. For islanded operation mode, a resilient power delivery is ensured when the system is subjected to intermittent renewable supply and grid vulnerability. The contributions of this paper are twofold: first is to propose an integrated framework of HES to address the problem of load shedding, and second is to design and implement a resilient EMS in the SF environment. The validation of the proposed EMS demonstrates its feasibility to serve the load for various operating scenarios. The latter include operations under seasonal variation, abnormal weather conditions, and different load shedding patterns. The simulation results reveal that the proposed EMS not only ensures uninterrupted power supply during load shedding but also reduces grid burden by maximizing the use of PV energy. In addition, the SF-based adopted methodology is envisaged to be a useful alternative to the popular design method using the conventional software tools, particularly for event-driven systems.

A Fast GUI-Based Tool for Group-Velocity Analysis of Surface Waves

AbstractWe present an interactive graphical tool for extraction of group-velocity dispersion curves of seismic traces for rapid manual picking of large amounts of data: a task commonly encountered in ambient-noise tomography. The program can be used for group-velocity analysis of surface waves from earthquakes and controlled source data as well as of Green’s functions from cross-correlated ambient-noise data. The presented tool is especially suited to datasets in which automatic picking algorithms fail and so dispersion analysis is only possible by visual inspection. Such situations can occur in highly heterogeneous regions with complex surface-wave dispersion or where surface-wave arrivals are poorly emerged (as can often be the case with ambient-noise-derived Green’s functions from temporary seismic deployments). In these datasets, the poor signal-to-noise ratio, spectral holes, or limited bandwidth may therefore mean that manual analysis is the only choice. However, without an efficient workflow the feasibility of this can be seriously constrained by the analysis time for the potentially vast number of traces to be analyzed. We tackled this problem by implementing well-known techniques of dispersion curve analysis (traditional frequency–time analysis) in a fast and interactive graphical environment. It is specifically developed for high user processing speed, prioritizing fast computation, and high display responsiveness. This solution retains the benefits of manual dispersion picking for complex datasets, while maintaining good user processing efficiency. An experienced analyst can measure upward of 200 traces per hour. xdcpick stands for an X-window-based picking of dispersion curves.

Model-based Simulation of a Hydraulic Closed-loop Rotary Transmission with Automatic Control

Model-based simulation of a hydraulic closed-loop rotary transmission with automatic control of hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor is considered in the paper. The approach is based on multi-pole modelling and intelligent simulation. In the paper the functional scheme of the transmission is proposed and multi-pole models of components are introduced. Mathematical multi-pole models of components for steady state conditions and for dynamic transient responses are presented. A high-level graphical environment CoCoVila (compiler compiler for visual languages) is used as a tool for describing models and performing simulations. Object-oriented multi-pole models, visual programming environment, automatic program synthesis and distributed computing are as original approach in simulation of fluid power systems.

Modeling in the environment of three-dimensional graphics as a method of forming students' critical thinking

The problem and the aim of the study. The formation of critical thinking is one of the most important tasks that teachers face in the vocational education system. The complexity, versatility of the studied objects, phenomena and processes of reality make it necessary for the mentors of the digital school to look for universal methods of cognition. The authors propose to use the modeling method in 3D graphics environments to form critical thinking as an important skill that meets the challenges of globalization and transformation. Research methods. The main method is modeling, as a general scientific method for studying the phenomena of reality using the analogy between the model and the original. The research was carried out on the basis of Vyatka State University for students of the training programme 44.04.01 Pedagogical education, profile Informatization of Education (master degree level). A software tool for organizing modeling as a method of teaching and scientific cognition is SketchUp. The Pearson’s χ2 (chi-square) criterion was used as a method for statistical processing of the experimental data. Results. The students of the experimental group used modeling in the environment of three-dimensional graphics at the following stages: acquiring theoretical information about the original object, creating a substitute model, developing a system of research problems, reflection, checking and adjusting the results in the conditions of the original object, the statement of a qualitatively new knowledge. The assessment of the levels of formation of critical thinking was carried out and statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the pedagogical system were revealed, χ2emp.2 > χ2crit0.05 (6.42 > 5.99). In conclusion, the conditions under which three-dimensional modeling contributes to the development of basic properties that ensure the formation of critical thinking are generalized: application together with other methods of scientific knowledge; modeling not only in a software environment for creating a 3D project, but also developing an Instruction as a model for its practical application; obtaining qualitatively new knowledge, etc.

A MATLAB toolbox for multivariate regression coupled with variable selection

Multivariate regression is a fundamental supervised chemometric approach that defines the relationship between a set of independent variables and a quantitative response. It enables the subsequent prediction of the response for future samples, thus avoiding its experimental measurement. Regression approaches have been widely applied for data analysis in different scientific fields.In this paper, we describe the regression toolbox for MATLAB, which is a collection of modules for calculating some well-known regression methods: Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Partial Least Squares (PLS), Principal Component Regression (PCR), Ridge and local regression based on sample similarities, such as Binned Nearest Neighbours (BNN) and k-Nearest Neighbours (kNN) regression methods. Moreover, the toolbox includes modules to couple regression approaches with supervised variable selection based on All Subset models, Forward Selection, Genetic Algorithms and Reshaped Sequential Replacement. The toolbox is freely available at the Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group website and provides a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows the calculation in a user-friendly graphical environment.

Using 3D Graphics and Interfaces in Training Games

This paper is devoted to the use of computer three-dimensional graphics and interface for developing educational games that contribute to the gamification of the training process. Similar educational games-analogues are considered, which were created by modern scientists and specialists, in order to fill the games with high-quality content for training. There is given a brief description of the software that is used in the development of game logic and building levels and interfaces that is Unity game engine. In addition to theoretical data, the paper describes the process of developing a graphical three-dimensional environment of the game, from the point of view of the psychology of perception, color, shapes and space, and the user interface, from the point of view of psychological techniques, usability and visual design. The analysis of the interaction between the game and the student was the key point discussed in this paper: how the student can learn about the virtual world and interact with it during the game is an important point that affects the creation of the user interface and game levels. After the development of the game was completed, it was implemented, followed by a survey of a group of students who completed testing at the end of the game. The paper final part gives brief description of the results and provides a comparative table of findings compiled according to game implementation and testing of students.

ANALYSIS OF VOLTAGE NON-SINUSIDALITY IN POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS WITH INDUCTION HEATING UNITS

The importance of the problem of improving the quality of electrical energy grew along with the development and widespread introduction of various high-performance technological installations in production, such as arc steel-making furnaces, welding installations, induction furnaces, etc. in accordance with the requirements of the standard GOST 30804.4.7–2013 and in accordance with the measurement program. A method for processing the research results obtained during the experiment is described. All power quality indicators are processed using computer programs created in the Labview graphical programming environment. The analysis of indicators of the quality of electrical energy to the requirements of GOST 32144-2013 was carried out, according to the results of which conductive low-frequency electromagnetic interference was detected in the 0.4 kV electrical network according to the coefficient of the n-th harmonic voltage components. The obtained values ​​of the indicators of the quality of electrical energy, characterizing the coefficient of the n-th harmonic components of the voltage, confirm the need to use technical means to reduce the influence of higher harmonics on electrical networks.