Stand-alone Control System Research Articles

Integrated Chassis Control for Multi-Axle Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review

Multi-axle vehicles (MAVs) are used to transport heavy loads, navigate challenging terrain, and perform specific tasks. However, designing vehicle control systems for such vehicles is challenging. MAVs, such as trucks, buses, military vehicles, and multi-purpose vehicles, require sophisticated control techniques to increase the stability and ride comfort of such vehicles. This paper provides a comprehensive review of standalone control systems and integrated control systems (ICSs) for the steering, driving/braking, and suspension systems of MAVs, with a particular focus on the optimal tyre force distribution (TFD) in ICSs for MAVs. It also discusses various objective functions and optimisation methods used for the TFD. The findings indicate that optimising TFD significantly improves the stability of MAVs. As such, future studies may consider examining optimising three-axis TFD for MAVs to further improve vehicle stability.

Implementation of Fast Fourier Transform and Artificial Neural Network in Series Arc Fault Identification and Protection System on DC Bus Microgrid

A microgrid is a cluster of electrical sources and loads that are interconnected and synchronized. Microgrid operation is typically divided into two modes, isolated or connected to the grid with a single or standalone control system. In this context, it can enhance the reliability and quality of electricity supply for connected customers. When using a microgrid system, it is important to consider the risk of series arc faults. Series arc faults are sudden bursts of flames resulting from ionization of gas between two electrode gaps. These faults can occur due to manufacturing defects, installation Errors, aging, or corrosion on conductor rods, leading to imperfect connections. Detecting series arc faults in DC microgrid system operations can be challenging using standard protective devices. Failure in the protection system can pose risks of fire, electrical shock hazards, and power loss in the DC microgrid.Therefore, a device has been designed to detect series arc faults by utilizing the fast Fourier transform method and artificial neural network, which function to analyze DC signal and make decisions when faults occur by examining the average sum of current frequency values during normal and fault conditions. In this study, the average sum of current frequency values during normal conditions was found to range from 0.35437 to 0.36906 A, while during fault conditions, it ranged from 0.21450 to 0.22793 A, with an average protection identification time of 1087 ms and an ANN output accuracy of 99.98%.

Integration of Stand-Alone Controlled Active Power Filters in Harmonic Power Flow of Radial Distribution Networks

Utilization of active power filters (APFs) is the most efficient method to reduce harmonic pollution in distribution networks. Previous approaches utilized APFs in integrated control schemes based on broad data-gathering systems. Since a broad data-gathering system is not available in most practical distribution networks, previously proposed approaches may not readily be implemented. This paper presents the utilization of stand-alone controlled APFs (SACAPFs) in radial distribution networks. Utilizing APFs with a stand-alone control system decreases implementation costs and complexity by making them autonomous and independent of integrated control systems, which are complicated and expensive in practical applications. In this paper, a single SACAPF is modeled as a dependent current source where its injection current is equal in amplitude but opposite in phase compared to the harmonic content of the current passing through the point of common coupling (reference current). Due to the presence of both linear and nonlinear loads in the distribution network, the reference current changes after injection by SACAPF, so it is necessary to modify the injection current until reaching a constant value in the reference current. This is considered via an iterative procedure in the modeling scheme. Operation of multiple SACAPFs is handled using a backward procedure based on a priority list. Simulation results on an IEEE 18-bus test system show the proper operation of the stand-alone control systems for both single and multiple SACAPF implementation. Furthermore, optimal allocation of the proposed SACAPFs is performed in an IEEE 33-bus test network and a 9-bus test network, and the results are discussed and compared with the allocation of integrated control system APFs.

Wireless vibrotactile wireless optical device for motor activity assistance motor activities

This article describes the research that leads to the development of a wireless optical device capable of generating vibrotactile mechanical stimuli at different points on the skin and at desired frequencies by means of sixteen actuators contained in a portable bracelet designed for any extremity of the human body. This prototype allows control over each actuator used as a stimulation point, actuated independently by wirelessly transmitted commands to a rechargeable stand-alone control system in the bracelet. Usability tests were carried out, with respect to tactile perception, which proved the correct functioning of the device. In perspective, the development, after a variety of validation tests with a large sample of patients with and without neuropathy, aims at creating a database to be used as set point values in front of these patients with the expectation that the system will also be used in patients with movement deficits, and employing tactile perception as a psychomotor stimulant in the execution of motor activities.

Integrated Data (i-Data), Mining and Utilization Approach for Effective Flare Management Strategies

Upset emissions occur during plant startup, shutdown, maintenance, malfunction, and flaring incidents. A wide range of these upsets cannot be managed by standalone control systems; plant personnel intervention is necessary sometimes. The methods needed to assist plant personnel to control and prevent abnormal process operations are gathered under abnormal situation management. Abnormal operations that lead to flare have significant economic, environmental, and safety impacts. Flaring is necessary for managing process upsets, however, it leads to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing negative social impacts and local transient air pollution. In addition, excessive flaring results in energy and raw material losses. These are valuable commodities that must be sustained. Therefore, flare minimization during normal and abnormal operational situations has great environmental, industrial, and societal benefits. It is not possible to quantify the impacts without und...

Control Strategy of Electric Vehicle Controllers and the Reliability Analysis based on Dual Computer Hot Stand-by Technology

Aiming at the reliability and security problems existed in stand-alone control mechanism for electric vehicles, a electric vehicle controller control strategy based on dual computer hot stand-by technology was proposed, traditional stand-alone control mechanism was replaced by dual computer hot stand-by control mechanism, when host engine failed, the standby engine would replace the host engine and take over the control tasks, it can ensure the reliable and continuous working of the control unit. Markov model was used to analysis the reliability and security of the dual computer hot stand-by system, and its performance was compared with stand-alone control system on MTBF value, reliability and safety performance curves, the results show that reliability and security level of dual computer hot stand-by system is significantly higher than stand-alone control system, the research has a practical guiding significance for introducing dual computer hot stand-by technology into electric vehicles.

PERFORMANCE OF AN OFF-BOARD TEST RIG FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

An off-board test bench has been developed for evaluating the performance of an automotive air conditioning system. The facility consists of the mechanical hardware used in an automobile along with a large number of additional sensors and a standalone control system that mimics the operations in a car. The performance of the individual components and the system has been investigated for two major independent variables of running automobiles, namely the compressor speed and the speed of the evaporator fan. Correlations for the volumetric efficiency of the compressor and COP of the system have been developed. While the refrigerant flow rate is influenced mainly by compressor speed, the COP depends on both the operating variables. The investigation also establishes that the design of the rig, the selection and placement of the sensors and the method of measurement are suitable for its further deployment under dynamic condition and for fault diagnosis.

Uso de robots cooperativos para el desarrollo de habilidades de trabajo cooperativo en niños

<p>El presente trabajo describe una contribución al proyecto QUEMES. Es una propuesta para la educación en tecnología que aborda tres componentes: la construcción de los robots móviles diferenciales, el entorno gráfico de programación orientado a evento y las actividades pedagógicas para los niños. Este proyecto fue desarrollado en el 2010 por el grupo de investigación SIDRE de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana en convenio con Maloka. QUEMES es una propuesta de aprendizaje en educación en tecnología usando robots cooperativos. El objetivo es que los niños aprendan a trabajar de forma cooperativa a través de la observación de cómo interactúan los robots para resolver un problema débilmente estructurado en forma conjunta. Se aplica la metodología de “Motivación para la creación”, desarrollada por Maloka en sus clubes de ciencia; los problemas por solucionar parten de situaciones de la vida cotidiana, lo que facilita la asociación de la tecnología y su diario vivir. El software para la programación de los robots está desarrollado en un entorno gráfico que es muy fácil e intuitivo de utilizar. Los estudiantes sólo definen las interacciones entre los robots y las reacciones que estos deben tener ante los eventos; al compilar el programa se generan de forma automática los códigos necesarios para el control autónomo de los robots.</p><p>QUEMES, además de proporcionar una plataforma hardware y software, también plantea una serie de actividades tecnológicas escolares, donde los estudiantes aprenden los principios básicos de mecánica, electrónica y programación, necesarios para la comprensión del funcionamiento de los robots, además de reflexionar sobre la importancia del trabajo cooperativo. El aporte presentado consiste en extender las actividades educativas que los estudiantes pueden realizar mediante el diseño de nuevas tareas de cooperación entre los robots móviles, aprovechando la incorporación de un sistema prensil de objetos geométricos simples en cada robot.</p>

Experimental Evaluation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System Software Based on the TMO Model

Over the past few decades, a considerable number of studies have been conducted on the technologies to build an UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) control system. Today, focus in research has moved from a standalone control system towards a network-centric control system for multiple UAV systems. Enabling the design of such complex systems in easily understandable forms that are amenable to rigorous analysis is a highly desirable goal. In this paper, we discuss our experimental evaluation of the Time-triggered Message-triggered Object (TMO) structuring scheme in the design of the UAV control system. The TMO scheme enables high-level structuring together with design-time guaranteeing of accurate timings of various critical control actions with significantly smaller efforts than those required when using lowerlevel structuring schemes based on direct programming of threads, UDP invocations, etc. Our system was validated by use of environment simulator developed based on an open source flight simulator named FlightGear. The TMO-structured UAV control software running on a small computing platform was easily connected to a simulator of the surroundings of the control system, i.e., the rest of the UAV and the flight environment. Positive experiences in both the TMO-structured design and the validation are discussed along with potentials for future expansion in this paper.

The Relationship between Voluntary Disclosure and Independent Directors in the Presence of a Dominant Shareholder

Differently from prior studies that examine the role of stand-alone control systems within the relationship between owners and managers, our study investigates the correlation between two control mechanisms – voluntary disclosure and independent directors – in companies characterized by the presence of a dominant shareholder that is supposed to mitigate the classical agency problem. Based on agency theory, we hypothesize that the two mechanisms tend to coexist, since the presence of either one reduces the costs of introducing the other. Two further effects – the reputation and the domino effect – contribute to determine a positive relationship between the two mechanisms. We carried out the empirical analysis on 175 non-financial Italian listed companies, all controlled by a dominant shareholder. Voluntary disclosure is measured through three alternative disclosure indexes. Independent directors are identified not only according to a formal/legal definition, but also through stricter criteria. The empirical test is based on a multivariate analysis controlling for size, residual ownership diffusion, leverage, profitability and labour pressure. Results support our hypothesis and are robust to alternative criteria to identify dominant shareholders. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between different control mechanisms in particular agency settings.

Software of the standalone control system for 49-pole superconducting wiggler

The paper describes the software of the standalone control system for 49-poles superconducting wiggler with magnetic field 3.5 T. This wiggler was fabricated in Budker INP for ELETTRA Storage Ring (Trieste, Italy). The description of instrumentation is brief. Unlike this, the software description is more detailed, as software basically determines functional capabilities of standalone system. Described software consists of two parts: embedded part operating in VME controller and high-level part operation on host machine. Embedded part is the main part of the software. It provides the interactions with the hardware and realizes all algorithms for MSCW control. Host software organizes user interface.

STRUCTURE AND EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF AN INTEGRATED TRAFFIC SUPERVISORY SYSTEM

This paper addresses the problem of integrating Advanced Traveller Information Systems (ATIS) and Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS). A framework that allows the integration of existing successful control implementations is reviewed. This framework is utilized to integrate the ATISIATMS control decisions of two operational schemes; ATIS stand-alone system (dynamic route guidance), and ATMS stand-alone control system (responsive signal control), and to form a dual non-cooperative supervisory traffic control system. The two operational schemes are formulated as bi-level optimization problems. Approximate simulation-based optimization algorithms are devised as representations of the existing control logic operating these schemes. These operational schemes are then integrated via as fuzzy-logc supervisory control system. Neural nets are utilized to develop the knowledge base of the fuzzy system and to calibrate the fuzzy set parameters. The neurofuzzy algorithm is tested on a simplified urban network.

A supervisory control system for ATIS/ATMS integration. Part 2: neuro-fuzzy calibration and analyses

This paper addresses the problem of integrating advanced traveller information systems (ATIS) and advanced traffic management systems (ATMS). A fuzzy-logic structure that allows the integration of existing successful ATIS/ATMS control implementations is presented. Part 1 of this paper addressed the formulation of the three operational schemes: ATIS stand-alone system, ATMS stand-alone control system, and a supervisory dual non-cooperative ATIS/ATMS control. Approximate simulation-based optimisation algorithms are devised as representations of the existing control logic operating these schemes. In Part 2 of the paper, the supervisory dual non-cooperative scheme is represented by a fuzzy-logic system. The structures of the fuzzy logics for the stand-alone systems are presented. A neural nets algorithm is then utilised to develop the knowledge base of the supervisory fuzzy system and to calibrate its parameters. The neural nets’ algorithm utilises data replicates generated by the approximate optimisation algorithms (presented in Part 1). The details of the fuzzy system's training are briefly presented. The results of the fuzzy system's calibration and effectiveness are discussed.

A supervisory control system for ATIS/ATMS integration. Part 1: formulations, algorithms and analyses

This paper addresses the problem of integrating advanced traveller information systems (ATIS) and advanced traffic management systems (ATMS). A framework that allows the integration of existing successful control implementations is presented. This framework is utilised to integrate the ATIS/ATMS control decisions of two operational schemes, namely the ATIS stand-alone system, and the ATMS stand-alone control systems, and to form a dual non-cooperative supervisory traffic control system. The two operational schemes are formulated as bi-level optimisation problems. Approximate simulation-based optimisation algorithms are devised as representations of the existing control logic operating these schemes. The schemes’ performance is assessed using a simplified network.

A supervisory control system for ATIS/ATMS integration. Part 1: formulations, algorithms and analyses

This paper addresses the problem of integrating advanced traveller information systems (ATIS) and advanced traffic management systems (ATMS). A framework that allows the integration of existing successful control implementations is presented. This framework is utilised to integrate the ATIS/ATMS control decisions of two operational schemes, namely the ATIS stand-alone system, and the ATMS stand-alone control systems, and to form a dual non-cooperative supervisory traffic control system. The two operational schemes are formulated as bi-level optimisation problems. Approximate simulation-based optimisation algorithms are devised as representations of the existing control logic operating these schemes. The schemes’ performance is assessed using a simplified network.

The Deactivation of OCLC's Serials Control System

This paper uses the literature to trace the history of OCLC's online Serials Control System (SCS), and it describes OCLC's plan to replace SCS with a stand-alone control system, SC350. Fifteen years of reports about SCS portray a system that never met all the needs of serials lbrarians. Reactions to replacement of SCS by SC350 emphasize the problems a library encounters when it changes from one serials control system to another. When considering such a change, a library should take the opportunity to re-examine its serials control needs and plan accordingly.