Object-oriented Software Tool Research Articles

CONRAD – a code for nuclear data modeling and evaluation

The CONRAD code is an object-oriented software tool developed at CEA since 2005. It aims at providing nuclear reaction model calculations, data assimilation procedures based on Bayesian inference and a proper framework to treat all uncertainties involved in the nuclear data evaluation process: experimental uncertainties (statistical and systematic) as well as model parameter uncertainties. This paper will present the status of CONRAD-V1 developments concerning the theoretical and evaluation aspects. Each development is illustrated with examples and calculations were validated by comparison with existing codes (SAMMY, REFIT, ECIS, TALYS) or by comparison with experiment. At the end of this paper, a general perspective for CONRAD (concerning the evaluation and theoretical modules) and actual developments will be presented.

Robustness Through Simplicity: A Minimalist Gateway to Neurorobotic Flight.

In attempting to build neurorobotic systems based on flying animals, engineers have come to rely on existing firmware and simulation tools designed for miniature aerial vehicles (MAVs). Although they provide a valuable platform for the collection of data for Deep Learning and related AI approaches, such tools are deliberately designed to be general (supporting air, ground, and water vehicles) and feature-rich. The sheer amount of code required to support such broad capabilities can make it a daunting task to adapt these tools to building neurorobotic systems for flight. In this paper we present a complementary pair of simple, object-oriented software tools (multirotor flight-control firmware and simulation platform), each consisting of a core of a few thousand lines of C++ code, that we offer as a candidate solution to this challenge. By providing a minimalist application programming interface (API) for sensors and PID controllers, our software tools make it relatively painless for engineers to prototype neuromorphic approaches to MAV sensing and navigation. We conclude our discussion by presenting a simple PID controller we built using the popular Nengo neural simulator in conjunction with our flight-simulation platform.

Recent Developments in the CONRAD Code regarding Experimental Corrections

The CONRAD code is an object-oriented software tool developed at CEA Cadarache since 2005 to deal with problems arising during the evaluation process (data assimilation and analysis, physical modelling, propagation of uncertainties…). This paper will present recent developments concerning the experimental corrections, which are required when a neutron resonance shape analysis is performed. Several experimental aspects are detailed in this work:

Data reconciliation: Development of an object-oriented software tool

Object-oriented modeling methodology is used for encapsulating different methods and attributes of data reconciliation (DR) in classes. Classes which are defined for DR, cover steady-state, dynamic, linear and nonlinear DR problems. Two main classes are Constraints and DR and defined for manipulating constraints and general DR problem. The remaining classes are derived from these two classes. A class namely DDRMethod is developed for encapsulating all common attributes and methods needed for any DDR method. Developed DR software and the method of performing dynamic DR are discussed in this paper. Two illustrative examples of Extended Kalman Filtering and artificial neural networks are used for DDR and two classes of DDRByKalman and NetDDRMethod developed by inheritance from DDRMethod class for these two methods. Performance of the proposed method is investigated by DDR of temperature measurements of a distillation column.

Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Dual-Clutch Automated Lay-Shaft Transmission

This paper presents a systematic model for the simulation and analysis of a power-shift transmission that features a dual-clutch design. The paper models the kinematics, dynamics, and control of the transmission for the analysis of powertrain overall performance and shift transient characteristics. The model is implemented in an object-oriented software tool. Analytical formulations and look-up tables are both used for modeling of powertrain components. The vehicle system model is established by integrating the various components and subsystem models according to the transmission power flow and control logic. The input to the simulation model is the vehicle speed-time profile and the output provides the speed follow-up, engine, and clutch operation status for the drive range and shift processes involved. As a numerical example, the model is used for a vehicle equipped with the power-shift transmission to simulate the speed follow-up over a specified drive range and the dynamic transients during shifts.© 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Reliability Measure Based on Average Loss of Capacity

We present an effective measure of system reliability based on average loss of call capacity that is appropriate for telecommunication hardware. We are led to consider a system consisting of units with many states with appropriately chosen performance effectiveness indices, while all atomic units are binary. In this respect, this effective measure of partial system availability is a variant of customer‐centered reliability methodology. We also identify the importance of a new structure called a ‘pool’ that behaves as a hybrid of series and parallel configurations. We present an algorithm for approximately calculating partial system unavailability, which solves the system decomposition problem for arbitrarily complex highly reliable systems made of hierarchically arranged k‐out‐of‐n sub‐structures. The algorithm agrees with our intuition for important special cases and has been programmed into an object oriented software tool. This method has been successfully used for the reliability analysis of GlobalstarTM gateways.

Object-oriented software tools for parallel PDE solvers

An object-oriented approach is taken to the problem of formulating portable, easy-to-modify PDE solvers for realistic problems in three space dimensions. The resulting software library, Cogito, contains tools for writing programs to be executed on MIMD computers with distributed memory. Difference methods on composite, structured grids are supported. Most of the Cogito classes have been implemented in Fortran 77, in such a way that the object-oriented design is visible. With respect to parallel performance, these tools yield code that is comparable to parallel solvers written in plain Fortran 77. The resulting programs are can be executed without modification on a large number of multicomputer platforms, and also on serial computers.

Client/Server computing: is this the future direction for the clinical laboratory?

One of the major trends in computing for the 1990s is the move towards distributed systems based on a Client/Server architecture. Although a recent survey has suggested that some 41% of the major companies in the UK are either using or planning to adopt this new technology, there is little evidence at present of similar progress in the field of clinical laboratory computing. The Pathology laboratories at St. Luke's Hospital have been developing in-house computer systems using object-oriented software tools since 1988, but these were initially based on conventional file sharing and suffered from poor performance under load. The conversion to Client/Server took place in March 1993 and the results have either met or exceeded all expectations. Our experience suggests that this approach may well be the way forward for the high performance but user-friendly laboratory systems of the future.

A Software Tool for Analog Filter Design

An object-oriented software tool for automating the process of analog filter design is presented. This tool can be used to reduce the time required to design an analog filter starting from raw specifications. It displays filter responses graphically, produces ready-to-use circuits, computes and displays relevant system functions, and supports simple sensitivity analysis. Implementation of the tool and its extension to support more filter types are discussed.

Lakemaker: A general object-oriented software tool for modelling the eutrophication process in lakes

A proposition for an integrated modelling tool and simulation environment is presented. The aim of this tool is to help modelling the eutrophication processes in shallow lakes. The system architecture is divided into three main modules plus one that handles the communication between them and the user. The modules are: the Domain Base, which involves a structural description of all components and processes that make components interact; the Model Base, which contains the equations related to the components (dynamic models) and to the processes (static models); and the Database into which input and output data are stored and can be accessed. The program was implemented on a personal computer with MS-DOS ® operating system.