Development of a Work Control System for Propulsion Testing at NASA Stennis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Messer, Elizabeth A.

2005-01-01

This paper will explain the requirements and steps taken to develop the current Propulsion Test Directorate electronic work control system for Test Operations. The PTD Work Control System includes work authorization and technical instruction documents, such as test preparation sheets, discrepancy reports, test requests, pre-test briefing reports, and other test operations supporting tools. The environment that existed in the E-Complex test areas in the late 1990's was one of enormous growth which brought people of diverse backgrounds together for the sole purpose of testing propulsion hardware. The problem that faced us was that these newly formed teams did not have a consistent and clearly understood method for writing, performing or verifying work. A paper system was developed that would allow the teams to use the same forms, but this still presented problems in the large amount of errors occurring, such as lost paperwork and inconsistent implementation. In a sampling of errors in August 1999, the paper work control system encountered 250 errors out of 230 documents released and completed, for an error rate of 111%.

Microscopic heat engine and control of work fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Gaoyang

In this thesis, we study novel behaviors of microscopic work and heat in systems involving few degrees of freedom. We firstly report that a quantum Carnot cycle should consist of two isothermal processes and two mechanical adiabatic processes if we want to maximize its heat-to-work conversion efficiency. We then find that the efficiency can be further optimized, and it is generally system specific, lower than the Carnot efficiency, and dependent upon both temperatures of the cold and hot reservoirs. We then move on to the studies the fluctuations of microscopic work. We find a principle of minimal work fluctuations related to the Jarzynski equality. In brief, an adiabatic process without energy level crossing yields the minimal fluctuations in exponential work, given a thermally isolated system initially prepared at thermal equilibrium. Finally, we investigate an optimal control approach to suppress the work fluctuations and accelerate the adiabatic processes. This optimal control approach can apply to wide variety of systems even when we do not have full knowledge of the systems.

Development of a Work Control System for Propulsion Testing at Stennis Space Center (SSC)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Messer, Elizabeth A.

2004-01-01

In 1996, Stennis Space Center was given management authority for all Propulsion Testing for NASA. Over the next few years several research and development (R&D) test facilities were completed and brought up to full operation in what is known as the E-Complex Test Facility at Stennis Space Center. This paper will explain the requirements and steps taken to develop the current Test Operations' electronic work control system. The Work Control System developed includes work authorization documents such as test preparation sheets, discrepancy reports, pre-test briefing reports, and test requests.

Bladder Control and Nerve Disease

MedlinePlus

... VUR) The Urinary Tract & How It Works Bladder Control Problems & Nerve Disease For the urinary system to ... the bladder do not work properly. What bladder control problems does nerve damage cause? Nerves that work ...

Lighting Control System for Premises with Display Screen Equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudryashov, A. V.

2017-11-01

The use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE) at enterprises allows one to increase the productivity and safety of production, minimize the number of personnel and leads to the simplification of the work of specialists, but on the other side, changes usual working conditions. If the personnel works with displays, visual fatigue develops more quickly which contributes to the emergence of nervous tension, stress and possible erroneous actions. Low interest of the lighting control system developers towards the rooms with displays is dictated by special requirements for coverage by sanitary and hygienic standards (limiting excess workplace illumination). We decided to create a combined lighting system which works considering daylight illumination and artificial light sources. The brightness adjustment of the LED lamps is carried out according to the DALI protocol, adjustment of the natural illumination by means of smart glasses. The technical requirements for a lighting control system, the structural-functional scheme and the algorithm for controlling the operation of the system have been developed. The elements of control units, sensors and actuators have been selected.

Synthesis Methods for Robust Passification and Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelkar, Atul G.; Joshi, Suresh M. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The research effort under this cooperative agreement has been essentially the continuation of the work from previous grants. The ongoing work has primarily focused on developing passivity-based control techniques for Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) systems. During this period, there has been a significant progress made in the area of passivity-based control of LTI systems and some preliminary results have also been obtained for nonlinear systems, as well. The prior work has addressed optimal control design for inherently passive as well as non- passive linear systems. For exploiting the robustness characteristics of passivity-based controllers the passification methodology was developed for LTI systems that are not inherently passive. Various methods of passification were first proposed in and further developed. The robustness of passification was addressed for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems for certain classes of uncertainties using frequency-domain methods. For MIMO systems, a state-space approach using Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI)-based formulation was presented, for passification of non-passive LTI systems. An LMI-based robust passification technique was presented for systems with redundant actuators and sensors. The redundancy in actuators and sensors was used effectively for robust passification using the LMI formulation. The passification was designed to be robust to an interval-type uncertainties in system parameters. The passification techniques were used to design a robust controller for Benchmark Active Control Technology wing under parametric uncertainties. The results on passive nonlinear systems, however, are very limited to date. Our recent work in this area was presented, wherein some stability results were obtained for passive nonlinear systems that are affine in control.

A Work Station For Control Of Changing Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mandl, Daniel J.

1988-01-01

Touch screen and microcomputer enable flexible control of complicated systems. Computer work station equipped to produce graphical displays used as command panel and status indicator for command-and-control system. Operator uses images of control buttons displayed on touch screen to send prestored commands. Use of prestored library of commands reduces incidence of errors. If necessary, operator uses conventional keyboard to enter commands in real time to handle unforeseeable situations.

Development of a Work Control System for Propulsion Testing at NASA Stennis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Messer, Elizabeth A.

2005-01-01

In 1996 Stennis Space Center was given management authority for all Propulsion Testing for NASA. Over the next few years several research and development (R&D) test facilities were completed and brought up to full operation in what is known as the E-Complex Test Facility at Stennis Space Center. To construct, activate and operate these test facilities, a manual paper-based work control system was created. After utilizing this paper-based work control system for approximately three years, it became apparent that the research and development test area needed a better method to execute, monitor, and report on tasks required to further propulsion testing. The paper based system did not provide the engineers adequate visibility into work tasks or the tracking of testing or hardware discrepancies. This system also restricted the engineer s ability to utilize and access past knowledge and experiences given the severe schedule limitations for most R&D propulsion testing projects. Therefore a system was developed to meet the growing need of Test Operations called the Propulsion Test Directorate (PTD) Work Control System. This system is used to plan, perform, and track tasks that support testing and also to capture lessons learned while doing so.

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of A Highly Flexible Aeroservoelastic Wing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haghighat, Sohrab

A multidisciplinary design optimization framework is developed that integrates control system design with aerostructural design for a highly-deformable wing. The objective of this framework is to surpass the existing aircraft endurance limits through the use of an active load alleviation system designed concurrently with the rest of the aircraft. The novelty of this work is two fold. First, a unified dynamics framework is developed to represent the full six-degree-of-freedom rigid-body along with the structural dynamics. It allows for an integrated control design to account for both manoeuvrability (flying quality) and aeroelasticity criteria simultaneously. Secondly, by synthesizing the aircraft control system along with the structural sizing and aerodynamic shape design, the final design has the potential to exploit synergies among the three disciplines and yield higher performing aircraft. A co-rotational structural framework featuring Euler--Bernoulli beam elements is developed to capture the wing's nonlinear deformations under the effect of aerodynamic and inertial loadings. In this work, a three-dimensional aerodynamic panel code, capable of calculating both steady and unsteady loadings is used. Two different control methods, a model predictive controller (MPC) and a 2-DOF mixed-norm robust controller, are considered in this work to control a highly flexible aircraft. Both control techniques offer unique advantages that make them promising for controlling a highly flexible aircraft. The control system works towards executing time-dependent manoeuvres along with performing gust/manoeuvre load alleviation. The developed framework is investigated for demonstration in two design cases: one in which the control system simply worked towards achieving or maintaining a target altitude, and another where the control system is also performing load alleviation. The use of the active load alleviation system results in a significant improvement in the aircraft performance relative to the optimum result without load alleviation. The results show that the inclusion of control system discipline along with other disciplines at early stages of aircraft design improves aircraft performance. It is also shown that structural stresses due to gust excitations can be better controlled by the use of active structural control systems which can improve the fatigue life of the structure.

76 FR 8353 - Positioning Systems Directorate Will Be Hosting an Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) Meeting...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-14

... an Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) Meeting for Document ICD-GPS-870 AGENCY: Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) meeting for document ICD-GPS-870. ACTION: Meeting Notice. SUMMARY: This notice... Working Group (ICWG) meeting for document ICD-GPS-870, Navstar Next Generation GPS Operational Control...

Cellular Decomposition Based Hybrid-Hierarchical Control Systems with Applications to Flight Management Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caines, P. E.

1999-01-01

The work in this research project has been focused on the construction of a hierarchical hybrid control theory which is applicable to flight management systems. The motivation and underlying philosophical position for this work has been that the scale, inherent complexity and the large number of agents (aircraft) involved in an air traffic system imply that a hierarchical modelling and control methodology is required for its management and real time control. In the current work the complex discrete or continuous state space of a system with a small number of agents is aggregated in such a way that discrete (finite state machine or supervisory automaton) controlled dynamics are abstracted from the system's behaviour. High level control may then be either directly applied at this abstracted level, or, if this is in itself of significant complexity, further layers of abstractions may be created to produce a system with an acceptable degree of complexity at each level. By the nature of this construction, high level commands are necessarily realizable at lower levels in the system.

Design of laser diode driver with constant current and temperature control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ming-cai; Yang, Kai-yong; Wang, Zhi-guo; Fan, Zhen-fang

2017-10-01

A laser Diode (LD) driver with constant current and temperature control system is designed according to the LD working characteristics. We deeply researched the protection circuit and temperature control circuit based on thermos-electric cooler(TEC) cooling circuit and PID algorithm. The driver could realize constant current output and achieve stable temperature control of LD. Real-time feedback control method was adopted in the temperature control system to make LD work on its best temperature point. The output power variety and output wavelength shift of LD caused by current and temperature instability were decreased. Furthermore, the driving current and working temperature is adjustable according to specific requirements. The experiment result showed that the developed LD driver meets the characteristics of LD.

Interprocess Communication in Highly Distributed Systems - A Workshop Report - 20 to 22, November 1978.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

Links between processes can be aLlocated strictLy to controL functions. In fact, the degree of separation of control and data is an important research is...delays or Loss of control messages. Cognoscienti agree that message-passing IPC schemes are equivalent in "power" to schemes which employ shared...THEORETICAL WORK Page 55 SECTION 6 THEORETICAL WORK 6.1 WORKING GRUP JIM REP.OR STRUCTURE of Discussion: Distributed system without central (or any) control

Design of a telescope control system using an ARM microcontroller with embedded RTOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peñuela Pico, Cristian R.; Atara Montañez, Fabian A.; Cuervo, Juan C.; Gonzalez-Llorente, Jesus

2014-08-01

This work presents the design of a wireless control system that allows driving all the necessary instruments to control the orientation of an equatorial mounting telescope through a real time operative system (RTOS) that runs over ARM microcontroller. The control system is commanded through a user-interface which works under Android platform giving the user the option to control the tracking mode, right ascension, and declination. The system was successfully deployed and tested during a one-hour observation of the Moon. The frequency measured by the oscilloscope is 66.67 Hz which equals the sidereal speed. The telescope control systems allows the user to have a better precision when locating a star but also to cover long-duration tracking processes

Suppression of work fluctuations by optimal control: An approach based on Jarzynski's equality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Gaoyang; Gong, Jiangbin

2014-11-01

Understanding and manipulating work fluctuations in microscale and nanoscale systems are of both fundamental and practical interest. For example, aspects of work fluctuations will be an important factor in designing nanoscale heat engines. In this work, an optimal control approach directly exploiting Jarzynski's equality is proposed to effectively suppress the fluctuations in the work statistics, for systems (initially at thermal equilibrium) subject to a work protocol but isolated from a bath during the protocol. The control strategy is to minimize the deviations of individual values of e-β W from their ensemble average given by e-β Δ F, where W is the work, β is the inverse temperature, and Δ F is the free energy difference between two equilibrium states. It is further shown that even when the system Hamiltonian is not fully known, it is still possible to suppress work fluctuations through a feedback loop, by refining the control target function on the fly through Jarzynski's equality itself. Numerical experiments are based on linear and nonlinear parametric oscillators. Optimal control results for linear parametric oscillators are also benchmarked with early results based on shortcuts to adiabaticity.

A demonstration of expert systems applications in transportation engineering : volume II, TRANZ, a prototype expert system for traffic control in highway work zones.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1988-01-01

The development of a prototype knowledge-based expert system (KBES) for selecting appropriate traffic control strategies and management techniques around highway work zones was initiated. This process was encompassed by the steps that formulate the p...

Verification hybrid control of a wheeled mobile robot and manipulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muszynska, Magdalena; Burghardt, Andrzej; Kurc, Krzysztof; Szybicki, Dariusz

2016-04-01

In this article, innovative approaches to realization of the wheeled mobile robots and manipulator tracking are presented. Conceptions include application of the neural-fuzzy systems to compensation of the controlled system's nonlinearities in the tracking control task. Proposed control algorithms work on-line, contain structure, that adapt to the changeable work conditions of the controlled systems, and do not require the preliminary learning. The algorithm was verification on the real object which was a Scorbot - ER 4pc robotic manipulator and a Pioneer - 2DX mobile robot.

Control system for, and a method of, heating an operator station of a work machine

DOEpatents

Baker, Thomas M.; Hoff, Brian D.; Akasam, Sivaprasad

2005-04-05

There are situations in which an operator remains in an operator station of a work machine when an engine of the work machine is inactive. The present invention includes a control system for, and a method of, heating the operator station when the engine is inactive. A heating system of the work machine includes an electrically-powered coolant pump, a power source, and at least one piece of warmed machinery. An operator heat controller is moveable between a first and a second position, and is operable to connect the electrically-powered coolant pump to the power source when the engine is inactive and the operator heat controller is in the first position. Thus, by deactivating the engine and then moving the operator heat controller to the first position, the operator may supply electrical energy to the electrically-powered coolant pump, which is operably coupled to heat the operator station.

Apparatus for moving a pipe inspection probe through piping

DOEpatents

Zollinger, W.T.; Appel, D.K.; Lewis, G.W.

1995-07-18

A method and apparatus are disclosed for controllably moving devices for cleaning or inspection through piping systems, including piping systems with numerous piping bends therein, by using hydrostatic pressure of a working fluid introduced into the piping system. The apparatus comprises a reservoir or other source for supplying the working fluid to the piping system, a launch tube for admitting the device into the launcher and a reversible, positive displacement pump for controlling the direction and flow rate of the working fluid. The device introduced into the piping system moves with the flow of the working fluid through the piping system. The launcher attaches to the valved ends of a piping system so that fluids in the piping system can recirculate in a closed loop. The method comprises attaching the launcher to the piping system, supplying the launcher with working fluid, admitting the device into the launcher, pumping the working fluid in the direction and at the rate desired so that the device moves through the piping system for pipe cleaning or inspection, removing the device from the launcher, and collecting the working fluid contained in the launcher. 8 figs.

Apparatus for moving a pipe inspection probe through piping

DOEpatents

Zollinger, W. Thor; Appel, D. Keith; Lewis, Gregory W.

1995-01-01

A method and apparatus for controllably moving devices for cleaning or inspection through piping systems, including piping systems with numerous piping bends therein, by using hydrostatic pressure of a working fluid introduced into the piping system. The apparatus comprises a reservoir or other source for supplying the working fluid to the piping system, a launch tube for admitting the device into the launcher and a reversible, positive displacement pump for controlling the direction and flow rate of the working fluid. The device introduced into the piping system moves with the flow of the working fluid through the piping system. The launcher attaches to the valved ends of a piping system so that fluids in the piping system can recirculate in a closed loop. The method comprises attaching the launcher to the piping system, supplying the launcher with working fluid, admitting the device into the launcher, pumping the working fluid in the direction and at the rate desired so that the device moves through the piping system for pipe cleaning or inspection, removing the device from the launcher, and collecting the working fluid contained in the launcher.

FPGA-based multiprocessor system for injection molding control.

PubMed

Muñoz-Barron, Benigno; Morales-Velazquez, Luis; Romero-Troncoso, Rene J; Rodriguez-Donate, Carlos; Trejo-Hernandez, Miguel; Benitez-Rangel, Juan P; Osornio-Rios, Roque A

2012-10-18

The plastic industry is a very important manufacturing sector and injection molding is a widely used forming method in that industry. The contribution of this work is the development of a strategy to retrofit control of an injection molding machine based on an embedded system microprocessors sensor network on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device. Six types of embedded processors are included in the system: a smart-sensor processor, a micro fuzzy logic controller, a programmable logic controller, a system manager, an IO processor and a communication processor. Temperature, pressure and position are controlled by the proposed system and experimentation results show its feasibility and robustness. As validation of the present work, a particular sample was successfully injected.

Method and System for Controlling a Dexterous Robot Execution Sequence Using State Classification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, Adam M. (Inventor); Quillin, Nathaniel (Inventor); Platt, Robert J., Jr. (Inventor); Pfeiffer, Joseph (Inventor); Permenter, Frank Noble (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A robotic system includes a dexterous robot and a controller. The robot includes a plurality of robotic joints, actuators for moving the joints, and sensors for measuring a characteristic of the joints, and for transmitting the characteristics as sensor signals. The controller receives the sensor signals, and is configured for executing instructions from memory, classifying the sensor signals into distinct classes via the state classification module, monitoring a system state of the robot using the classes, and controlling the robot in the execution of alternative work tasks based on the system state. A method for controlling the robot in the above system includes receiving the signals via the controller, classifying the signals using the state classification module, monitoring the present system state of the robot using the classes, and controlling the robot in the execution of alternative work tasks based on the present system state.

Pneumatic Valve Operated by Multiplex Pneumatic Transmission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishioka, Yasutaka; Suzumori, Koichi; Kanda, Takefumi; Wakimoto, Shuichi

A pneumatic system has several advantages, which are cheapness, lightweight, and reliability to human and environment. These advantages are adapted to some research areas, such as industrial lines, medical and nursing cares, and rehabilitation tools. However, the pneumatic system needs several devices; compressor, air tube, and control valve. This research aim to downsize pneumatic system. In this paper, a new method of multiplex pneumatic transmission for multi-pneumatic servo system is proposed. The valve for this system consists of two vibrators supported by springs, which was designed with simple and cheap structure. The working principle of the valve is vibrators resonance from multiplex pneumatic transmission and it is possible to work as ON/OFF valves without electric wire. Dynamic simulation was used to confirm the working principle of the resonance driving system. A prototype device confirming the principle was designed and developed based on the simulation. The experiments show that this new control system works very well to control two separated valves through single pneumatic tube.

Paperless Work Package Application

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kilgore, Jr., William R.; Morrell, Jr., Otto K.; Morrison, Dan

2014-07-31

Paperless Work Package (PWP) System is a computer program process that takes information from Asset Suite, provides a platform for other electronic inputs, Processes the inputs into an electronic package that can be downloaded onto an electronic work tablet or laptop computer, provides a platform for electronic inputs into the work tablet, and then transposes those inputs back into Asset Suite and to permanent SRS records. The PWP System will basically eliminate paper requirements from the maintenance work control system. The program electronically relays the instructions given by the planner to work on a piece of equipment which is currentlymore » relayed via a printed work package. The program does not control/approve what is done. The planner will continue to plan the work package, the package will continue to be routed, approved, and scheduled. The supervisor reviews and approves the work to be performed and assigns work to individuals or to a work group. (The supervisor conducts pre job briefings with the workers involved in the job) The Operations Manager (Work Controlling Entity) approves the work package electronically for the work that will be done in his facility prior to work starting. The PWP System will provide the package in an electronic form. All the reviews, approvals, and safety measures taken by people outside the electronic package does not change from the paper driven work packages.« less

Research on Intelligent Control System of DC SQUID Magnetometer Parameters for Multi-channel System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hua; Yang, Kang; Lu, Li; Kong, Xiangyan; Wang, Hai; Wu, Jun; Wang, Yongliang

2018-07-01

In a multi-channel SQUID measurement system, adjusting device parameters to optimal condition for all channels is time-consuming. In this paper, an intelligent control system is presented to determine the optimal working point of devices which is automatic and more efficient comparing to the manual one. An optimal working point searching algorithm is introduced as the core component of the control system. In this algorithm, the bias voltage V_bias is step scanned to obtain the maximal value of the peak-to-peak current value I_pp of the SQUID magnetometer modulation curve. We choose this point as the optimal one. Using the above control system, more than 30 weakly damped SQUID magnetometers with area of 5 × 5 mm^2 or 10 × 10 mm^2 are adjusted and a 36-channel magnetocardiography system perfectly worked in a magnetically shielded room. The average white flux noise is 15 {μ Φ }_0/Hz^{1/2}.

Research on Intelligent Control System of DC SQUID Magnetometer Parameters for Multi-channel System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hua; Yang, Kang; Lu, Li; Kong, Xiangyan; Wang, Hai; Wu, Jun; Wang, Yongliang

2018-03-01

In a multi-channel SQUID measurement system, adjusting device parameters to optimal condition for all channels is time-consuming. In this paper, an intelligent control system is presented to determine the optimal working point of devices which is automatic and more efficient comparing to the manual one. An optimal working point searching algorithm is introduced as the core component of the control system. In this algorithm, the bias voltage V_bias is step scanned to obtain the maximal value of the peak-to-peak current value I_pp of the SQUID magnetometer modulation curve. We choose this point as the optimal one. Using the above control system, more than 30 weakly damped SQUID magnetometers with area of 5 × 5 mm^2 or 10 × 10 mm^2 are adjusted and a 36-channel magnetocardiography system perfectly worked in a magnetically shielded room. The average white flux noise is 15 μΦ_0/Hz^{1/2}.

FPGA-Based Multiprocessor System for Injection Molding Control

PubMed Central

Muñoz-Barron, Benigno; Morales-Velazquez, Luis; Romero-Troncoso, Rene J.; Rodriguez-Donate, Carlos; Trejo-Hernandez, Miguel; Benitez-Rangel, Juan P.; Osornio-Rios, Roque A.

2012-01-01

The plastic industry is a very important manufacturing sector and injection molding is a widely used forming method in that industry. The contribution of this work is the development of a strategy to retrofit control of an injection molding machine based on an embedded system microprocessors sensor network on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device. Six types of embedded processors are included in the system: a smart-sensor processor, a micro fuzzy logic controller, a programmable logic controller, a system manager, an IO processor and a communication processor. Temperature, pressure and position are controlled by the proposed system and experimentation results show its feasibility and robustness. As validation of the present work, a particular sample was successfully injected. PMID:23202036

Evaluation of an open-rota system in a Danish psychiatric hospital: a mechanism for improving job satisfaction and work-life balance.

PubMed

Pryce, Joanna; Albertsen, Karen; Nielsen, Karina

2006-05-01

To evaluate the impact of an open-rota scheduling system on the health, work-life balance and job satisfaction of nurses working in a psychiatric ward in Denmark. The effects of shift rotation and scheduling are well known; however, little is known about the wider benefits of open-rota systems. Method A structured questionnaire was distributed to control and intervention groups preintervention and postintervention (20 months). Nurses within the intervention group trialed an open-rota system in which nurses designed their own work-rest schedules. Nurses in the intervention group reported that they were more satisfied with their work hours, less likely to swap their shift when working within the open-rota system and reported significant increases in work-life balance, job satisfaction, social support and community spirit when compared with nurses in the control groups. The ownership and choice over work-rest schedules has benefits for nurses, and potentially the hospital.

US Steel Gary Works land based pushing emissions control

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Randolph, R.A.; Price, C.A.

1983-01-01

To meet air quality standards at its Gary Works Coke Plant in Gary, Indiana, US Steel Corporation has installed pushing emission control systems for its five (77) oven, three meter coke batteries. The pushing emission control system consists of a hooded coke guide, single spot catch car, stationary emission capture ducts and remote gas cleaning baghouse with precoat capabilities. The system is providing effective emission control. In addition, there are corollary benefits. The operation of the single spot catch cars is easier and safer and coke moisture variables have been reduced.

Intelligent neural network and fuzzy logic control of industrial and power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuljaca, Ognjen

The main role played by neural network and fuzzy logic intelligent control algorithms today is to identify and compensate unknown nonlinear system dynamics. There are a number of methods developed, but often the stability analysis of neural network and fuzzy control systems was not provided. This work will meet those problems for the several algorithms. Some more complicated control algorithms included backstepping and adaptive critics will be designed. Nonlinear fuzzy control with nonadaptive fuzzy controllers is also analyzed. An experimental method for determining describing function of SISO fuzzy controller is given. The adaptive neural network tracking controller for an autonomous underwater vehicle is analyzed. A novel stability proof is provided. The implementation of the backstepping neural network controller for the coupled motor drives is described. Analysis and synthesis of adaptive critic neural network control is also provided in the work. Novel tuning laws for the system with action generating neural network and adaptive fuzzy critic are given. Stability proofs are derived for all those control methods. It is shown how these control algorithms and approaches can be used in practical engineering control. Stability proofs are given. Adaptive fuzzy logic control is analyzed. Simulation study is conducted to analyze the behavior of the adaptive fuzzy system on the different environment changes. A novel stability proof for adaptive fuzzy logic systems is given. Also, adaptive elastic fuzzy logic control architecture is described and analyzed. A novel membership function is used for elastic fuzzy logic system. The stability proof is proffered. Adaptive elastic fuzzy logic control is compared with the adaptive nonelastic fuzzy logic control. The work described in this dissertation serves as foundation on which analysis of particular representative industrial systems will be conducted. Also, it gives a good starting point for analysis of learning abilities of adaptive and neural network control systems, as well as for the analysis of the different algorithms such as elastic fuzzy systems.

The reactive bed plasma system for contamination control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birmingham, Joseph G.; Moore, Robert R.; Perry, Tony R.

1990-01-01

The contamination control capabilities of the Reactive Bed Plasma (RBP) system is described by delineating the results of toxic chemical composition studies, aerosol filtration work, and other testing. The RBP system has demonstrated its capabilities to decompose toxic materials and process hazardous aerosols. The post-treatment requirements for the reaction products have possible solutions. Although additional work is required to meet NASA requirements, the RBP may be able to meet contamination control problems aboard the Space Station.

Control and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) Prototype Radio - Generation 2 Security Flight Test Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iannicca, Dennis C.; Ishac, Joseph A.; Shalkhauser, Kurt A.

2015-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), in cooperation with Rockwell Collins, is working to develop a prototype Control and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) radio platform as part of NASA Integrated Systems Research Program's (ISRP) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration in the National Airspace System (NAS) project. A primary focus of the project is to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry standards bodies to build and demonstrate a safe, secure, and efficient CNPC architecture that can be used by industry to evaluate the feasibility of deploying a system using these technologies in an operational capacity. GRC has been working in conjunction with these groups to assess threats, identify security requirements, and to develop a system of standards-based security controls that can be applied to the GRC prototype CNPC architecture as a demonstration platform. The proposed security controls were integrated into the GRC flight test system aboard our S-3B Viking surrogate aircraft and several network tests were conducted during a flight on November 15th, 2014 to determine whether the controls were working properly within the flight environment. The flight test was also the first to integrate Robust Header Compression (ROHC) as a means of reducing the additional overhead introduced by the security controls and Mobile IPv6. The effort demonstrated the complete end-to-end secure CNPC link in a relevant flight environment.

Verification of operation of the actuator control system using the integration the B&R Automation Studio software with a virtual model of the actuator system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herbuś, K.; Ociepka, P.

2017-08-01

In the work is analysed a sequential control system of a machine for separating and grouping work pieces for processing. Whereas, the area of the considered problem is related with verification of operation of an actuator system of an electro-pneumatic control system equipped with a PLC controller. Wherein to verification is subjected the way of operation of actuators in view of logic relationships assumed in the control system. The actuators of the considered control system were three drives of linear motion (pneumatic cylinders). And the logical structure of the system of operation of the control system is based on the signals flow graph. The tested logical structure of operation of the electro-pneumatic control system was implemented in the Automation Studio software of B&R company. This software is used to create programs for the PLC controllers. Next, in the FluidSIM software was created the model of the actuator system of the control system of a machine. To verify the created program for the PLC controller, simulating the operation of the created model, it was utilized the approach of integration these two programs using the tool for data exchange in the form of the OPC server.

Advanced Aerodynamic Design of Passive Porosity Control Effectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunter, Craig A.; Viken, Sally A.; Wood, Richard M.; Bauer, Steven X. S.

2001-01-01

This paper describes aerodynamic design work aimed at developing a passive porosity control effector system for a generic tailless fighter aircraft. As part of this work, a computational design tool was developed and used to layout passive porosity effector systems for longitudinal and lateral-directional control at a low-speed, high angle of attack condition. Aerodynamic analysis was conducted using the NASA Langley computational fluid dynamics code USM3D, in conjunction with a newly formulated surface boundary condition for passive porosity. Results indicate that passive porosity effectors can provide maneuver control increments that equal and exceed those of conventional aerodynamic effectors for low-speed, high-alpha flight, with control levels that are a linear function of porous area. This work demonstrates the tremendous potential of passive porosity to yield simple control effector systems that have no external moving parts and will preserve an aircraft's fixed outer mold line.

Control Law Design for Propofol Infusion to Regulate Depth of Hypnosis: A Nonlinear Control Strategy

PubMed Central

Khaqan, Ali; Bilal, Muhammad; Ilyas, Muhammad; Ijaz, Bilal; Ali Riaz, Raja

2016-01-01

Maintaining the depth of hypnosis (DOH) during surgery is one of the major objectives of anesthesia infusion system. Continuous administration of Propofol infusion during surgical procedures is essential but increases the undue load of an anesthetist in operating room working in a multitasking setup. Manual and target controlled infusion (TCI) systems are not good at handling instabilities like blood pressure changes and heart rate variability arising due to interpatient variability. Patient safety, large interindividual variability, and less postoperative effects are the main factors to motivate automation in anesthesia. The idea of automated system for Propofol infusion excites the control engineers to come up with a more sophisticated and safe system that handles optimum delivery of drug during surgery and avoids postoperative effects. In contrast to most of the investigations with linear control strategies, the originality of this research work lies in employing a nonlinear control technique, backstepping, to track the desired hypnosis level of patients during surgery. This effort is envisioned to unleash the true capabilities of this nonlinear control technique for anesthesia systems used today in biomedical field. The working of the designed controller is studied on the real dataset of five patients undergoing surgery. The controller tracks the desired hypnosis level within the acceptable range for surgery. PMID:27293475

Control Law Design for Propofol Infusion to Regulate Depth of Hypnosis: A Nonlinear Control Strategy.

PubMed

Khaqan, Ali; Bilal, Muhammad; Ilyas, Muhammad; Ijaz, Bilal; Ali Riaz, Raja

2015-01-01

Maintaining the depth of hypnosis (DOH) during surgery is one of the major objectives of anesthesia infusion system. Continuous administration of Propofol infusion during surgical procedures is essential but increases the undue load of an anesthetist in operating room working in a multitasking setup. Manual and target controlled infusion (TCI) systems are not good at handling instabilities like blood pressure changes and heart rate variability arising due to interpatient variability. Patient safety, large interindividual variability, and less postoperative effects are the main factors to motivate automation in anesthesia. The idea of automated system for Propofol infusion excites the control engineers to come up with a more sophisticated and safe system that handles optimum delivery of drug during surgery and avoids postoperative effects. In contrast to most of the investigations with linear control strategies, the originality of this research work lies in employing a nonlinear control technique, backstepping, to track the desired hypnosis level of patients during surgery. This effort is envisioned to unleash the true capabilities of this nonlinear control technique for anesthesia systems used today in biomedical field. The working of the designed controller is studied on the real dataset of five patients undergoing surgery. The controller tracks the desired hypnosis level within the acceptable range for surgery.

Modular Systems Of Fixation And Position Jigs In The Production Process For Products And Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babík, Ondrej; Šajgalík, Michal; Zaušková, Lucia; Czán, Andrej

2015-12-01

The project deals with design and implementation of adjustment onto mounting tables in the automotive industry. Manual control system of the jigs is replaced by a pneumatic system. Advantages of the pneumatic system are eliminating service side-time, improving work flow and increasing safety and ergonomics at work. Thanks to higher effectivity of the work process, manpower can be used in other work positions.

Control Systems of Rubber Dryer Machinery Components Using Programmable Logic Control (PLC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendra; Yulianto, A. S.; Indriani, A.; Hernadewita; Hermiyetti

2018-02-01

Application of programmable logic control (PLC) is widely used on the control systems in the many field engineering such as automotive, aviation, food processing and other industries [1-2]. PLC is simply program to control many automatic activity, easy to use, flexible and others. PLC using the ladder program to solve and regulated the control system component. In previous research, PLC was used for control system of rotary dryer machine. In this paper PLC are used for control system of motion component in the rubber dryer machinery. Component of rubber dryer machine is motors, gearbox, sprocket, heater, drying chamber and bearing. Principle working of rubber dryer machinery is wet rubber moving into the drying chamber by sprocket. Sprocket is driven by motors that conducted by PLC to moving and set of wet rubber on the drying chamber. Drying system uses greenhouse effect by making hanger dryer design in the form of line path. In this paper focused on motion control system motors and sensors drying rubber using PLC. The results show that control system of rubber dryer machinery can work in accordance control input and the time required to dry the rubber.

HVAC System Automatic Controls and Indoor Air Quality in Schools. Technical Bulletin.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wheeler, Arthur E.

Fans, motors, coils, and other control components enable a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to function smoothly. An explanation of these control components and how they make school HVAC systems work is provided. Different systems may be compared by counting the number of controlled devices that are required. Control…

Psychosocial work environment and health in U.S. metropolitan areas: a test of the demand-control and demand-control-support models.

PubMed

Muntaner, C; Schoenbach, C

1994-01-01

The authors use confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the psychosocial dimensions of work environments relevant to health outcomes, in a representative sample of five U.S. metropolitan areas. Through an aggregated inference system, scales from Schwartz and associates' job scoring system and from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) were employed to examine two alternative models: the demand-control model of Karasek and Theorell and Johnson's demand-control-support model. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the two models. The two multidimensional models yielded better fits than an unstructured model. After allowing for the measurement error variance due to the method of assessment (Schwartz and associates' system or DOT), both models yielded acceptable goodness-of-fit indices, but the fit of the demand-control-support model was significantly better. Overall these results indicate that the dimensions of Control (substantive complexity of work, skill discretion, decision authority), Demands (physical exertion, physical demands and hazards), and Social Support (coworker and supervisor social supports) provide an acceptable account of the psychosocial dimensions of work associated with health outcomes.

Surveillance of work-related asthma in new york state.

PubMed

Tice, Cori J; Cummings, Karen R; Gelberg, Kitty H

2010-04-01

The objective of this paper is to determine the percent of adults with asthma attributable to work and describe characteristics of the work-related asthma population in New York State. Sociodemographic and control characteristics of those with and without work-related asthma are compared. Data from three population-based surveys and one case-based surveillance system were analyzed. Work-relatedness of asthma was determined by self-report for the population-based surveys and by physician report for the case-based system. Self-reported sociodemographic and control characteristics were analyzed for the population-based surveys by work-relatedness. The percent of work-relatedness among adults with current asthma in New York State ranged from 10.6% to 44.5%. Significantly more adults with work-related asthma had poorly controlled asthma than those without work-related asthma. More adults with work-related asthma also tended to be employed in the manufacturing, educational services, and public administration industries than the general population. The most frequently reported exposure was dust. Adults with work-related asthma have decreased control and adverse socioeconomic impacts compared to those with asthma that is not work-related. Increased recognition and physician reporting is necessary to further prevent the impact of work-related exposures.

Concurrent Path Planning with One or More Humanoid Robots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reiland, Matthew J. (Inventor); Sanders, Adam M. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A robotic system includes a controller and one or more robots each having a plurality of robotic joints. Each of the robotic joints is independently controllable to thereby execute a cooperative work task having at least one task execution fork, leading to multiple independent subtasks. The controller coordinates motion of the robot(s) during execution of the cooperative work task. The controller groups the robotic joints into task-specific robotic subsystems, and synchronizes motion of different subsystems during execution of the various subtasks of the cooperative work task. A method for executing the cooperative work task using the robotic system includes automatically grouping the robotic joints into task-specific subsystems, and assigning subtasks of the cooperative work task to the subsystems upon reaching a task execution fork. The method further includes coordinating execution of the subtasks after reaching the task execution fork.

Real time test bed development for power system operation, control and cyber security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddi, Ram Mohan

The operation and control of the power system in an efficient way is important in order to keep the system secure, reliable and economical. With advancements in smart grid, several new algorithms have been developed for improved operation and control. These algorithms need to be extensively tested and validated in real time before applying to the real electric power grid. This work focuses on the development of a real time test bed for testing and validating power system control algorithms, hardware devices and cyber security vulnerability. The test bed developed utilizes several hardware components including relays, phasor measurement units, phasor data concentrator, programmable logic controllers and several software tools. Current work also integrates historian for power system monitoring and data archiving. Finally, two different power system test cases are simulated to demonstrate the applications of developed test bed. The developed test bed can also be used for power system education.

Design And Implementation Of Integrated Vision-Based Robotic Workcells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Michael J.

1985-01-01

Reports have been sparse on large-scale, intelligent integration of complete robotic systems for automating the microelectronics industry. This paper describes the application of state-of-the-art computer-vision technology for manufacturing of miniaturized electronic components. The concepts of FMS - Flexible Manufacturing Systems, work cells, and work stations and their control hierarchy are illustrated in this paper. Several computer-controlled work cells used in the production of thin-film magnetic heads are described. These cells use vision for in-process control of head-fixture alignment and real-time inspection of production parameters. The vision sensor and other optoelectronic sensors, coupled with transport mechanisms such as steppers, x-y-z tables, and robots, have created complete sensorimotor systems. These systems greatly increase the manufacturing throughput as well as the quality of the final product. This paper uses these automated work cells as examples to exemplify the underlying design philosophy and principles in the fabrication of vision-based robotic systems.

The Dynamic between Work Values and Part-Time Work Experiences across the High School Years

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porfeli, Erik J.

2008-01-01

The work value system, its development, and its relationship with work experiences can be modeled as an adaptive control system [Ford, D. H., & Lerner, R. M. (1992). "Developmental systems theory: An integrative approach". Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications]. This study employed longitudinal data from 1000 participants (Youth Development Study;…

Firing Room Remote Application Software Development & Swamp Works Laboratory Robot Software Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garcia, Janette

2016-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is creating a way to send humans beyond low Earth orbit, and later to Mars. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is working to make this possible by developing a Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) which will allow the launch of Space Launch System (SLS). This paper's focus is on the work performed by the author in her first and second part of the internship as a remote application software developer. During the first part of her internship, the author worked on the SCCS's software application layer by assisting multiple ground subsystems teams including Launch Accessories (LACC) and Environmental Control System (ECS) on the design, development, integration, and testing of remote control software applications. Then, on the second part of the internship, the author worked on the development of robot software at the Swamp Works Laboratory which is a research and technology development group which focuses on inventing new technology to help future In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) missions.

Integrated command, control, communication and computation system design study. Summary of tasks performed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

A summary of tasks performed on an integrated command, control, communication, and computation system design study is given. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System command and control system study, an automated real-time operations study, and image processing work are discussed.

Nuclear electric propulsion reactor control systems status

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferg, D. A.

1973-01-01

The thermionic reactor control system design studies conducted over the past several years for a nuclear electric propulsion system are described and summarized. The relevant reactor control system studies are discussed in qualitative terms, pointing out the significant advantages and disadvantages including the impact that the various control systems would have on the nuclear electric propulsion system design. A recommendation for the reference control system is made, and a program for future work leading to an engineering model is described.

Rankine cycle system and method

DOEpatents

Ernst, Timothy C.; Nelson, Christopher R.

2014-09-09

A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system uses a receiver with a maximum liquid working fluid level lower than the minimum liquid working fluid level of a sub-cooler of the waste heat recovery system. The receiver may have a position that is physically lower than the sub-cooler's position. A valve controls transfer of fluid between several of the components in the waste heat recovery system, especially from the receiver to the sub-cooler. The system may also have an associated control module.

Psychological Sciences Division 1979 Programs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-11-01

the potential for substantially improving the ONR effectiveness of Navy undersea manipulator sys- tems. Computer aided controls can be used to Report...OPERATOR VIEWING AND CONTROL OF the operator enters control orders) to determine UNDERSEA VEHICLE AND WORK SYS- ihe structure and mode of command inputs...efforts focus upon a class of control-display ele- Current Navy submersible work systems, such as ments common to general purpose undersea work CURV

Building the Brain's "Air Traffic Control" System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function. Working Paper 11

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2011

2011-01-01

Being able to focus, hold, and work with information in mind, filter distractions, and switch gears is like having an air traffic control system at a busy airport to manage the arrivals and departures of dozens of planes on multiple runways. In the brain, this air traffic control mechanism is called executive functioning, a group of skills that…

Assessment of the Use of Nanofluids in Spacecraft Active Thermal Control Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ungar, Eugene K.; Erickson, Lisa R.

2011-01-01

The addition of metallic nanoparticles to a base heat transfer fluid can dramatically increase its thermal conductivity. These nanofluids have been shown to have advantages in some heat transport systems. Their enhanced properties can allow lower system volumetric flow rates and can reduce the required pumping power. Nanofluids have been suggested for use as working fluids for spacecraft Active Thermal Control Systems (ATCSs). However, there are no studies showing the end-to-end effect of nanofluids on the design and performance of spacecraft ATCSs. In the present work, a parametric study is performed to assess the use of nanofluids in a spacecraft ATCSs. The design parameters of the current Orion capsule and the tabulated thermophysical properties of nanofluids are used to assess the possible benefits of nanofluids and how their incorporation affects the overall design of a spacecraft ATCS. The study shows that the unique system and component-level design parameters of spacecraft ATCSs render them best suited for pure working fluids. The addition of nanoparticles to typical spacecraft thermal control working fluids actually results in an increase in the system mass and required pumping power.

Multimode marine engine room simulation system based on field bus technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Huayao; Deng, Linlin; Guo, Yi

2003-09-01

Developing multi mode MER (Marine Engine Room) Labs is the main work in Marine Simulation Center, which is the key lab of Communication Ministry of China. It includes FPP (Fixed Pitch Propeller) and CPP (Controllable Pitch Propeller) mode MER simulation systems, integrated electrical propulsion mode MER simulation system, physical mode MER lab, etc. FPP mode simulation system, which was oriented to large container ship, had been completed since 1999, and got second level of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technical Progress award. This paper mainly introduces the recent development and achievements of Marine Simulation Center. Based on the Lon Works field bus, the structure characteristics and control strategies of completely distributed intelligent control network are discussed. The experiment mode of multi-nodes field bus detection and control system is described. Besides, intelligent fault diagnosis technology about some mechatronics integration control systems explored is also involved.

Stability Analysis of Distributed Engine Control Systems Under Communication Packet Drop (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose the work. 14. ABSTRACT Currently, Full Authority Digital Engine Control ( FADEC ...based on a centralized architecture framework is being widely used for gas turbine engine control. However, current FADEC is not able to meet the...system (DEC). FADEC based on Distributed Control Systems (DCS) offers modularity, improved control systems prognostics and fault tolerance along with

Thermal Components Boost Performance of HVAC Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2012-01-01

As the International Space Station (ISS) travels 17,500 miles per hour, normal is having a constant sensation of free-falling. Normal is no rain, but an extreme amount of shine.with temperatures reaching 250 F when facing the Sun. Thanks to a number of advanced control systems onboard the ISS, however, the interior of the station remains a cool, comfortable, normal environment where astronauts can live and work for extended periods of time. There are two main control systems on the ISS that make it possible for humans to survive in space: the Thermal Control System (TCS) and the Environmental Control and Life Support system. These intricate assemblies work together to supply water and oxygen, regulate temperature and pressure, maintain air quality, and manage waste. Through artificial means, these systems create a habitable environment for the space station s crew. The TCS constantly works to regulate the temperature not only for astronauts, but for the critical instruments and machines inside the spacecraft as well. To do its job, the TCS encompasses several components and systems both inside and outside of the ISS. Inside the spacecraft, a liquid heat-exchange process mechanically pumps fluids in closed-loop circuits to collect, transport, and reject heat. Outside the ISS, an external system circulates anhydrous ammonia to transport heat and cool equipment, and radiators release the heat into space. Over the years, NASA has worked with a variety of partners.public and private, national and international. to develop and refine the most complex thermal control systems ever built for spacecraft, including the one on the ISS.

Statistics of the work done on a quantum critical system by quenching a control parameter.

PubMed

Silva, Alessandro

2008-09-19

We study the statistics of the work done on a quantum critical system by quenching a control parameter in the Hamiltonian. We elucidate the relation between the probability distribution of the work and the Loschmidt echo, a quantity emerging usually in the context of dephasing. Using this connection we characterize the statistics of the work done on a quantum Ising chain by quenching locally or globally the transverse field. We show that for local quenches starting at criticality the probability distribution of the work displays an interesting edge singularity.

Automatic-Control System for Safer Brazing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, J. A.; Vanasse, M. A.

1986-01-01

Automatic-control system for radio-frequency (RF) induction brazing of metal tubing reduces probability of operator errors, increases safety, and ensures high-quality brazed joints. Unit combines functions of gas control and electric-power control. Minimizes unnecessary flow of argon gas into work area and prevents electrical shocks from RF terminals. Controller will not allow power to flow from RF generator to brazing head unless work has been firmly attached to head and has actuated micro-switch. Potential shock hazard eliminated. Flow of argon for purging and cooling must be turned on and adjusted before brazing power applied. Provision ensures power not applied prematurely, causing damaged work or poor-quality joints. Controller automatically turns off argon flow at conclusion of brazing so potentially suffocating gas does not accumulate in confined areas.

Role of measurement in feedback-controlled quantum engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Juyeon; Kim, Yong Woon

2018-01-01

In feedback controls, measurement is an essential step in designing protocols according to outcomes. For quantum mechanical systems, measurement has another effect; to supply energy to the measured system. We verify that in feedback-controlled quantum engines, measurement plays a dual role; not only as an auxiliary to perform feedback control but also as an energy supply to drive the engines. We consider a specific engine cycle exploiting feedback control followed by projective measurement and show that the maximum bound of the extractable work is set by both the efficacy of the feedback control and the energy change caused by projective measurement. We take a concrete example of an engine using an immobile spin-1/2 particle as a working substance and suggest two possible scenarios for work extraction.

Dual Tasking and Working Memory in Alcoholism: Relation to Frontocerebellar Circuitry

PubMed Central

Chanraud, Sandra; Pitel, Anne-Lise; Rohlfing, Torsten; Pfefferbaum, Adolf; Sullivan, Edith V

2010-01-01

Controversy exists regarding the role of cerebellar systems in cognition and whether working memory compromise commonly marking alcoholism can be explained by compromise of nodes of corticocerebellar circuitry. We tested 17 alcoholics and 31 age-matched controls with dual-task, working memory paradigms. Interference tasks competed with verbal and spatial working memory tasks using low (three item) or high (six item) memory loads. Participants also underwent structural MRI to obtain volumes of nodes of the frontocerebellar system. On the verbal working memory task, both groups performed equally. On the spatial working memory with the high-load task, the alcoholic group was disproportionately more affected by the arithmetic distractor than were controls. In alcoholics, volumes of the left thalamus and left cerebellar Crus I volumes were more robust predictors of performance in the spatial working memory task with the arithmetic distractor than the left frontal superior cortex. In controls, volumes of the right middle frontal gyrus and right cerebellar Crus I were independent predictors over the left cerebellar Crus I, left thalamus, right superior parietal cortex, or left middle frontal gyrus of spatial working memory performance with tracking interference. The brain–behavior correlations suggest that alcoholics and controls relied on the integrity of certain nodes of corticocerebellar systems to perform these verbal and spatial working memory tasks, but that the specific pattern of relationships differed by group. The resulting brain structure–function patterns provide correlational support that components of this corticocerebellar system not typically related to normal performance in dual-task conditions may be available to augment otherwise dampened performance by alcoholics. PMID:20410871

PC-Based systems for experiments in optical characterization of materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López-Mora, C. C.; Trejo-Duran, M.; Alvarado-Méndez, E.; Rojas-Laguna, R.; Vargas-Rodríguez, E.; Estudillo-Ayala, J. M.; Mata-Chavez, R.; Sukhoivanov, I.; García-Pérez, A.; Ibarra-Manzano, O. G.; Andrade-Lucio, J. A.

2011-01-01

An automatic control for applications of optical characterization of materials using the optical Z-Scan technique is presented in this work. The emphasis is placed in the design of the graphical user interface (GUI) and the automation process. For this purpose, we use a USB data acquisition module with programmable I/O ports for control and signals acquisition for the complete system. The control software was developed using the graphical programming language LabVIEW® and compiled in order to obtain a portable system with the hardware used in this work.

Grasp Assist Device with Automatic Mode Control Logic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laske, Evan (Inventor); Davis, Donald R. (Inventor); Ihrke, Chris A. (Inventor)

2018-01-01

A system includes a glove, sensors, actuator assemblies, and controller. The sensors include load sensors which measure an actual grasping force and attitude sensors which determine a glove attitude. The actuator assembly provides a grasp assist force to the glove. Respective locations of work cells in the work environment and permitted work tasks for each work cell are programmed into the controller. The controller detects the glove location and attitude. A work task is selected by the controller for the location. The controller calculates a required grasp assist force using measured actual grasping forces from the load sensors. The required grasp assist force is applied via the glove using the actuator assembly to thereby assist the operator in performing the identified work task.

Second law of thermodynamics and quantum feedback control: Maxwell's demon with weak measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jacobs, Kurt

2009-07-15

Recently Sagawa and Ueda [Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 080403 (2008)] derived a bound on the work that can be extracted from a quantum system with the use of feedback control. For many quantum measurements their bound was not tight. We show that a tight version of this bound follows straightforwardly from recent work on Maxwell's demon by Alicki et al. [Open Syst. Inf. Dyn. 11, 205 (2004)], for both discrete and continuous feedback control. Our analysis also shows that bare, efficient measurements always do non-negative work on a system in equilibrium, but do not add heat.

Performance Analysis: Work Control Events Identified January - August 2010

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

De Grange, C E; Freeman, J W; Kerr, C E

2011-01-14

This performance analysis evaluated 24 events that occurred at LLNL from January through August 2010. The analysis identified areas of potential work control process and/or implementation weaknesses and several common underlying causes. Human performance improvement and safety culture factors were part of the causal analysis of each event and were analyzed. The collective significance of all events in 2010, as measured by the occurrence reporting significance category and by the proportion of events that have been reported to the DOE ORPS under the ''management concerns'' reporting criteria, does not appear to have increased in 2010. The frequency of reporting inmore » each of the significance categories has not changed in 2010 compared to the previous four years. There is no change indicating a trend in the significance category and there has been no increase in the proportion of occurrences reported in the higher significance category. Also, the frequency of events, 42 events reported through August 2010, is not greater than in previous years and is below the average of 63 occurrences per year at LLNL since 2006. Over the previous four years, an average of 43% of the LLNL's reported occurrences have been reported as either ''management concerns'' or ''near misses.'' In 2010, 29% of the occurrences have been reported as ''management concerns'' or ''near misses.'' This rate indicates that LLNL is now reporting fewer ''management concern'' and ''near miss'' occurrences compared to the previous four years. From 2008 to the present, LLNL senior management has undertaken a series of initiatives to strengthen the work planning and control system with the primary objective to improve worker safety. In 2008, the LLNL Deputy Director established the Work Control Integrated Project Team to develop the core requirements and graded elements of an institutional work planning and control system. By the end of that year this system was documented and implementation had begun. In 2009, training of the workforce began and as of the time of this report more than 50% of authorized Integration Work Sheets (IWS) use the activity-based planning process. In 2010, LSO independently reviewed the work planning and control process and confirmed to the Laboratory that the Integrated Safety Management (ISM) System was implemented. LLNL conducted a cross-directorate management self-assessment of work planning and control and is developing actions to respond to the issues identified. Ongoing efforts to strengthen the work planning and control process and to improve the quality of LLNL work packages are in progress: completion of remaining actions in response to the 2009 DOE Office of Health, Safety, and Security (HSS) evaluation of LLNL's ISM System; scheduling more than 14 work planning and control self-assessments in FY11; continuing to align subcontractor work control with the Institutional work planning and control system; and continuing to maintain the electronic IWS application. The 24 events included in this analysis were caused by errors in the first four of the five ISMS functions. The most frequent cause was errors in analyzing the hazards (Function 2). The second most frequent cause was errors occurring when defining the work (Function 1), followed by errors during the performance of work (Function 4). Interestingly, very few errors in developing controls (Function 3) resulted in events. This leads one to conclude that if improvements are made to defining the scope of work and analyzing the potential hazards, LLNL may reduce the frequency or severity of events. Analysis of the 24 events resulted in the identification of ten common causes. Some events had multiple causes, resulting in the mention of 39 causes being identified for the 24 events. The most frequent cause was workers, supervisors, or experts believing they understood the work and the hazards but their understanding was incomplete. The second most frequent cause was unclear, incomplete or confusing documents directing the work. Together, these two causes were mentioned 17 times and contributed to 13 of the events. All of the events with the cause of ''workers, supervisors, or experts believing they understood the work and the hazards but their understanding was incomplete'' had this error in the first two ISMS functions: define the work and analyze the hazard. This means that these causes result in the scope of work being ill-defined or the hazard(s) improperly analyzed. Incomplete implementation of these functional steps leads to the hazards not being controlled. The causes are then manifested in events when the work is conducted. The process to operate safely relies on accurately defining the scope of work. This review has identified a number of examples of latent organizational weakness in the execution of work control processes.« less

Recent Technology Advances in Distributed Engine Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culley, Dennis

2017-01-01

This presentation provides an overview of the work performed at NASA Glenn Research Center in distributed engine control technology. This is control system hardware technology that overcomes engine system constraints by modularizing control hardware and integrating the components over communication networks.

Specification for Visual Requirements of Work-Centered Software Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

no person shall be subject to any penity for fallng to comply wih a collection of N ilo ration it does not display a currenty valid OMB control...work- aiding systems. Based on the design concept for a work- centered support system (WCSS), these software systems support user tasks and goals...through both direct and indirect aiding methods within the interface client. In order to ensure the coherent development and delivery of work- centered

A Convex Approach to Fault Tolerant Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maghami, Peiman G.; Cox, David E.; Bauer, Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The design of control laws for dynamic systems with the potential for actuator failures is considered in this work. The use of Linear Matrix Inequalities allows more freedom in controller design criteria than typically available with robust control. This work proposes an extension of fault-scheduled control design techniques that can find a fixed controller with provable performance over a set of plants. Through convexity of the objective function, performance bounds on this set of plants implies performance bounds on a range of systems defined by a convex hull. This is used to incorporate performance bounds for a variety of soft and hard failures into the control design problem.

Automotive Stirling engine system component review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hindes, Chip; Stotts, Robert

1987-01-01

The design and testing of the power and combustion control system for the basic Stirling engine, Mod II, are examined. The power control system is concerned with transparent operation, and the Mod II uses engine working gas pressure variation to control the power output of the engine. The main components of the power control system, the power control valve, the pump-down system, and the hydrogen stable system, are described. The combustion control system consists of a combustion air supply system and an air/fuel ratio control system, and the system is to maintain constant heater head temperature, and to maximize combustion efficiency and to minimize exhaust emissions.

Absenteeism due to mental health problems and systems for return to work: an internet-based unmatched case-control study.

PubMed

Doki, Shotaro; Sasahara, Shinichiro; Hirai, Yasuhito; Oi, Yuichi; Matsuzaki, Ichiyo

2016-11-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for absenteeism due to mental health problems with regard to company characteristics and systems for return to work in Japan. This was an Internet-based unmatched case-control study. Two hundred and fifty-eight workers who experienced over 28 days of sick leave due to mental health problems (cases) and 258 workers who have not taken sick leave (controls) were recruited. Company characteristics and the awareness and presence of systems for return to work were analysed as indicators of absenteeism. A total of 501 workers were included in the analysis. Females were less likely to experience absenteeism when adjustments were made for both the awareness and presence of systems [odds ratio (OR) = 0.51 and 0.41, respectively]. Large companies showed an increased risk of having absentee workers than small companies. The awareness of a gradual resumption system and the presence of a sick pay system were related to absenteeism (OR = 2.75 and 2.40, respectively). The awareness and presence of systems for return to work are related to the long-term absenteeism. The predictors of sex and company size are also related to the experience of the long-term absenteeism. To understand the effect of systems for return to work on absenteeism due to mental problems, further studies are needed.

Control system health test system and method

DOEpatents

Hoff, Brian D.; Johnson, Kris W.; Akasam, Sivaprasad; Baker, Thomas M.

2006-08-15

A method is provided for testing multiple elements of a work machine, including a control system, a component, a sub-component that is influenced by operations of the component, and a sensor that monitors a characteristic of the sub-component. In one embodiment, the method is performed by the control system and includes sending a command to the component to adjust a first parameter associated with an operation of the component. Also, the method includes detecting a sensor signal from the sensor reflecting a second parameter associated with a characteristic of the sub-component and determining whether the second parameter is acceptable based on the command. The control system may diagnose at least one of the elements of the work machine when the second parameter of the sub-component is not acceptable.

A qualitative inquiry into work-family conflict among Indian doctors and nurses.

PubMed

Pal, Suchitra

2012-01-01

The aims of this pilot study were to identify and examine job control, working long hours and their impact on work and family conflict (WFC) among four Indian doctors and nurses. The four participants had previously worked in the west and were now working in India. Employing a grounded theory approach data were analyzed using several coding procedures geared toward model development. For these four Indian doctors and nurses, job control was found to be grounded in two factors: type of work group control and a lack of control in the work environment. Working long hours is seen to be possible due to a culture accepting of working long hours, a supportive family system, and other arrangements at home.

Model based design of electronic throttle control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherian, Fenin; Ranjan, Ashish; Bhowmick, Pathikrit; Rammohan, A.

2017-11-01

With the advent of torque based Engine Management Systems, the precise control and robust performance of the throttle body becomes a key factor in the overall performance of the vehicle. Electronic Throttle Control provides benefits such as improved air-fuel ratio for improving the vehicle performance and lower exhausts emissions to meet the stringent emission norms. Modern vehicles facilitate various features such as Cruise Control, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Program and Pre-crash systems. These systems require control over engine power without driver intervention, which is not possible with conventional mechanical throttle system. Thus these systems are integrated to function with the electronic throttle control. However, due to inherent non-linearities in the throttle body, the control becomes a difficult task. In order to eliminate the influence of this hysteresis at the initial operation of the butterfly valve, a control to compensate the shortage must be added to the duty required for starting throttle operation when the initial operation is detected. Therefore, a lot of work is being done in this field to incorporate the various nonlinearities to achieve robust control. In our present work, the ETB was tested to verify the working of the system. Calibration of the TPS sensors was carried out in order to acquire accurate throttle opening angle. The response of the calibrated system was then plotted against a step input signal. A linear model of the ETB was prepared using Simulink and its response was compared with the experimental data to find out the initial deviation of the model from the actual system. To reduce this deviation, non-linearities from existing literature were introduced to the system and a response analysis was performed to check the deviation from the actual system. Based on this investigation, an introduction of a new nonlinearity parameter can be used in future to reduce the deviation further making the control of the ETB more precise and accurate.

Study on fault diagnosis and load feedback control system of combine harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ying; Wang, Kun

2017-01-01

In order to timely gain working status parameters of operating parts in combine harvester and improve its operating efficiency, fault diagnosis and load feedback control system is designed. In the system, rotation speed sensors were used to gather these signals of forward speed and rotation speeds of intermediate shaft, conveying trough, tangential and longitudinal flow threshing rotors, grain conveying auger. Using C8051 single chip microcomputer (SCM) as processor for main control unit, faults diagnosis and forward speed control were carried through by rotation speed ratio analysis of each channel rotation speed and intermediate shaft rotation speed by use of multi-sensor fused fuzzy control algorithm, and these processing results would be sent to touch screen and display work status of combine harvester. Field trials manifest that fault monitoring and load feedback control system has good man-machine interaction and the fault diagnosis method based on rotation speed ratios has low false alarm rate, and the system can realize automation control of forward speed for combine harvester.

Probe-Hole Field Emission Microscope System Controlled by Computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Yunming; Zeng, Haishan

1991-09-01

A probe-hole field emission microscope system, controlled by an Apple II computer, has been developed and operated successfully for measuring the work function of a single crystal plane. The work functions on the clean W(100) and W(111) planes are measured to be 4.67 eV and 4.45 eV, respectively.

75 FR 8928 - Announcement of IS-GPS-200, IS-GPS-705, IS-GPS-800 Interface Control Working Group (ICWG...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-26

... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Announcement of IS-GPS-200, IS-GPS-705, IS-GPS-800Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) Teleconference Meeting AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, DoD... Positioning Systems Wing will be hosting an Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) teleconference meeting for...

Nonlinear feedback model attitude control using CCD in magnetic suspension system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, CHIN-E.; Hou, Ann-San

1994-01-01

A model attitude control system for a CCD camera magnetic suspension system is studied in this paper. In a recent work, a position and attitude sensing method was proposed. From this result, model position and attitude of a magnetic suspension system can be detected by generating digital outputs. Based on this achievement, a control system design using nonlinear feedback techniques for magnetic suspended model attitude control is proposed.

Initial design and evaluation of automatic restructurable flight control system concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiss, J. L.; Looze, D. P.; Eterno, J. S.; Grunberg, D. B.

1986-01-01

Results of efforts to develop automatic control design procedures for restructurable aircraft control systems is presented. The restructurable aircraft control problem involves designing a fault tolerance control system which can accommodate a wide variety of unanticipated aircraft failure. Under NASA sponsorship, many of the technologies which make such a system possible were developed and tested. Future work will focus on developing a methodology for integrating these technologies and demonstration of a complete system.

[The working environment control of anhydride hardeners from an epoxy resin system].

PubMed

Matsumoto, Naomi; Yokota, Kozo; Johyama, Yasushi; Takakura, Toshiyuki

2003-07-01

Epoxy resins are widely used in adhesives, coatings, materials for molds and composites, and encapsulation. Acid anhydrides such as methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride are being used as curing agents for epoxy resins. The anhydride hardeners are well-known industrial inhalant allergens, inducing predominantly type I allergies. In the electronic components industry, these substances have been consumed in large quantities. Therefore, safe use in the industry demands control of the levels of exposure causing allergic diseases in the workshop. We conducted a prospective survey of two electronics plants to clarify how to control the atmospheric level of the anhydrides in the work environment. Measurements of the levels of the anhydrides in air started according to the Working Environment Measurement Standards (Ministry of Labour Notification No. 46, 1976) in April 2000, along with improvements in the work environment. A value of 40 micrograms/m3 was adopted as the administrative control level to judge the propriety of the working environment control. A total of 2 unit work areas in both plants belonged to Control Class III. The exposure originated from manual loading, casting, uncured hot resins, and leaks in an impregnating-machine or curing ovens. In order to achieve the working environment control, complete enclosure of the source, installation of local exhaust ventilation, and improvement or maintenance of the local exhaust ventilation system were performed on the basis of the results of the working environment measurement, with the result that the work environment was improved (Control Class I). It became evident that these measures were effective just like other noxious substances.

Research on Integrated Control of Microgrid Operation Mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, ZhiPing; Gao, JinFeng; Li, HangYu

2018-03-01

The mode switching control of microgrid is the focus of its system control. According to the characteristics of different control, an integrated control system is put forward according to the detecting voltage and frequency deviation after switching of microgrid operating mode. This control system employs master-slave and peer-to-peer control. Wind turbine and photovoltaic(PV) adopt P/Q control, so the maximum power output can be achieved. The energy storage will work under the droop control if the system is grid-connected. When the system is off-grid, whether to employ droop control or P/f control is determined by system status. The simulation has been done and the system performance can meet the requirement.

Air Traffic Controller Working Memory: Considerations in Air Traffic Control Tactical Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-09-01

INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM 3 2. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER MEMORY 5 2.1 MEMORY CODES 6 21.1 Visual Codes 7 2.1.2 Phonetic Codes 7 2.1.3 Semantic Codes 8...raise an awareness of the memory re- quirements of ATC tactical operations by presenting information on working memory processes that are relevant to...working v memory permeates every aspect of the controller’s ability to process air traffic information and control live traffic. The

Control and synchronisation of a novel seven-dimensional hyperchaotic system with active control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varan, Metin; Akgul, Akif

2018-04-01

In this work, active control method is proposed for controlling and synchronising seven-dimensional (7D) hyperchaotic systems. The seven-dimensional hyperchaotic system is considered for the implementation. Seven-dimensional hyperchaotic system is also investigated via time series, phase portraits and bifurcation diagrams. For understanding the impact of active controllers on global asymptotic stability of synchronisation and control errors, the Lyapunov function is used. Numerical analysis is done to reveal the effectiveness of applied active control method and the results are discussed.

Design of electric control system for automatic vegetable bundling machine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Yan

2017-06-01

A design can meet the requirements of automatic bale food structure and has the advantages of simple circuit, and the volume is easy to enhance the electric control system of machine carrying bunch of dishes and low cost. The bundle of vegetable machine should meet the sensor to detect and control, in order to meet the control requirements; binding force can be adjusted by the button to achieve; strapping speed also can be adjusted, by the keys to set; sensors and mechanical line connection, convenient operation; can be directly connected with the plug, the 220V power supply can be connected to a power source; if, can work, by the transmission signal sensor, MCU to control the motor, drive and control procedures for small motor. The working principle of LED control circuit and temperature control circuit is described. The design of electric control system of automatic dish machine.

Control strategies for crane systems: A comprehensive review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramli, Liyana; Mohamed, Z.; Abdullahi, Auwalu M.; Jaafar, H. I.; Lazim, Izzuddin M.

2017-10-01

Crane systems are tremendously utilised in numerous heavy load transportation industries, and therefore, the control of crane systems is a well-established research field. As the last review paper was published more than a decade ago, there is a lack of collected and organised information regarding the latest and the newest updates on control strategies for crane control systems. Hence, this paper presents a comprehensive review of crane control strategies discussing the latest research works during the years from 2000 to 2016. Various crane types and control issues are highlighted, followed by the main focus of this paper, an extensive review of the control schemes for diverse types of crane systems that have been carried out in the 21st century. A brief review on modelling of single-pendulum and double-pendulum crane systems is also given. In addition, anti-sway control systems for industrial cranes that are available on the market is described. This paper summarises most of the related work and also pays a special focus on research trends regarding the control of crane systems that have been previously published in the literature. It is envisaged that this review paper will be helpful to new researchers when identifying research directions for this particular area of interest.

Burnout and work environments of public health nurses involved in mental health care.

PubMed

Imai, H; Nakao, H; Tsuchiya, M; Kuroda, Y; Katoh, T

2004-09-01

(1) To examine whether prevalence of burnout is higher among community psychiatric nurses working under recently introduced job specific work systems than among public health nurses (PHNs) engaged in other public health services. (2) To identify work environment factors potentially contributing to burnout. Two groups were examined. The psychiatric group comprised 525 PHNs primarily engaged in public mental health services at public health centres (PHCs) that had adopted the job specific work system. The control group comprised 525 PHNs primarily engaged in other health services. Pines' Burnout Scale was used to measure burnout. Respondents were classified by burnout score into three groups: A (mentally stable, no burnout); B (positive signs, risk of burnout); and C (burnout present, action required). Groups B and C were considered representative of "burnout". A questionnaire was also prepared to investigate systems for supporting PHNs working at PHCs and to define emergency mental health service factors contributing to burnout. Final respondents comprised 785 PHNs. Prevalence of burnout was significantly higher in the psychiatric group (59.2%) than in the control group (51.5%). Responses indicating lack of job control and increased annual frequency of emergency overtime services were significantly correlated with prevalence of burnout in the psychiatric group, but not in the control group. Prevalence of burnout is significantly higher for community psychiatric nurses than for PHNs engaged in other services. Overwork in emergency services and lack of job control appear to represent work environment factors contributing to burnout.

The near optimality of the stabilizing control in a weakly nonlinear system with state-dependent coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dmitriev, Mikhail G.; Makarov, Dmitry A.

2016-08-01

We carried out analysis of near optimality of one computationally effective nonlinear stabilizing control built for weakly nonlinear systems with coefficients depending on the state and the formal small parameter. First investigation of that problem was made in [M. G. Dmitriev, and D. A. Makarov, "The suboptimality of stabilizing regulator in a quasi-linear system with state-depended coefficients," in 2016 International Siberian Conference on Control and Communications (SIBCON) Proceedings, National Research University, Moscow, 2016]. In this paper, another optimal control and gain matrix representations were used and theoretical results analogous to cited work above were obtained. Also as in the cited work above the form of quality criterion on which this close-loop control is optimal was constructed.

Wheelchair ergometer. Development of a prototype with electronic braking.

PubMed

Forchheimer, F; Lundberg, A

1986-01-01

A new wheelchair ergometer is described, which compensates for the pulsating character of the work by an automatic control system. This makes it possible to maintain a constant level of power during wheelchair work. An automatic control system has been integrated in an electronically braked bicycle ergometer, and a pedal unit from Rodby Electronic bicycle ergometer RE 820 has been coupled to a modified test wheelchair. With this device, the physical working capacity during submaximal circumstances can be tested in handicapped persons.

Combining metric episodes with semantic event concepts within the Symbolic and Sub-Symbolic Robotics Intelligence Control System (SS-RICS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelley, Troy D.; McGhee, S.

2013-05-01

This paper describes the ongoing development of a robotic control architecture that inspired by computational cognitive architectures from the discipline of cognitive psychology. The Symbolic and Sub-Symbolic Robotics Intelligence Control System (SS-RICS) combines symbolic and sub-symbolic representations of knowledge into a unified control architecture. The new architecture leverages previous work in cognitive architectures, specifically the development of the Adaptive Character of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) and Soar. This paper details current work on learning from episodes or events. The use of episodic memory as a learning mechanism has, until recently, been largely ignored by computational cognitive architectures. This paper details work on metric level episodic memory streams and methods for translating episodes into abstract schemas. The presentation will include research on learning through novelty and self generated feedback mechanisms for autonomous systems.

An Annotated and Cross-Referenced Bibliography on Computer Security and Access Control in Computer Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bergart, Jeffrey G.; And Others

This paper represents a careful study of published works on computer security and access control in computer systems. The study includes a selective annotated bibliography of some eighty-five important published results in the field and, based on these papers, analyzes the state of the art. In annotating these works, the authors try to be…

Research on automatic control system of greenhouse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yi; Qi, Guoyang; Li, Zeyu; Wu, Qiannan; Meng, Yupeng

2017-03-01

This paper introduces a kind of automatic control system of single-chip microcomputer and a temperature and humidity sensor based on the greenhouse, describes the system's hardware structure, working principle and process, and a large number of experiments on the effect of the control system, the results show that the system can ideally control temperature and room temperature and humidity, can be used in indoor breeding and planting, and has the versatility and portability.

Method and apparatus for fine tuning an orifice pulse tube refrigerator

DOEpatents

Swift, Gregory W.; Wollan, John J.

2003-12-23

An orifice pulse tube refrigerator uses flow resistance, compliance, and inertance components connected to a pulse tube for establishing a phase relationship between oscillating pressure and oscillating velocity in the pulse tube. A temperature regulating system heats or cools a working gas in at least one of the flow resistance and inertance components. A temperature control system is connected to the temperature regulating system for controlling the temperature of the working gas in the at least one of the flow resistance and inertance components and maintains a control temperature that is indicative of a desired temporal phase relationship.

Indoor Unmanned Airship System Airborne Control Module Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

YongXia, Gao; YiBo, Li

By adopting STC12C5A60S2 SCM as a system control unit, assisted by appropriate software and hardware resources, we complete the airborne control module's design of unmanned airship system. This paper introduces hardware control module's structure, airship-driven composition and software realization. Verified by the China Science and Technology Museum special-shaped airship,this control module can work well.

Architectures and Evaluation for Adjustable Control Autonomy for Space-Based Life Support Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malin, Jane T.; Schreckenghost, Debra K.

2001-01-01

In the past five years, a number of automation applications for control of crew life support systems have been developed and evaluated in the Adjustable Autonomy Testbed at NASA's Johnson Space Center. This paper surveys progress on an adjustable autonomous control architecture for situations where software and human operators work together to manage anomalies and other system problems. When problems occur, the level of control autonomy can be adjusted, so that operators and software agents can work together on diagnosis and recovery. In 1997 adjustable autonomy software was developed to manage gas transfer and storage in a closed life support test. Four crewmembers lived and worked in a chamber for 91 days, with both air and water recycling. CO2 was converted to O2 by gas processing systems and wheat crops. With the automation software, significantly fewer hours were spent monitoring operations. System-level validation testing of the software by interactive hybrid simulation revealed problems both in software requirements and implementation. Since that time, we have been developing multi-agent approaches for automation software and human operators, to cooperatively control systems and manage problems. Each new capability has been tested and demonstrated in realistic dynamic anomaly scenarios, using the hybrid simulation tool.

MathWorks Simulink and C++ integration with the new VLT PLC-based standard development platform for instrument control systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiekebusch, Mario J.; Di Lieto, Nicola; Sandrock, Stefan; Popovic, Dan; Chiozzi, Gianluca

2014-07-01

ESO is in the process of implementing a new development platform, based on PLCs, for upcoming VLT control systems (new instruments and refurbishing of existing systems to manage obsolescence issues). In this context, we have evaluated the integration and reuse of existing C++ libraries and Simulink models into the real-time environment of BECKHOFF Embedded PCs using the capabilities of the latest version of TwinCAT software and MathWorks Embedded Coder. While doing so the aim was to minimize the impact of the new platform by adopting fully tested solutions implemented in C++. This allows us to reuse the in house expertise, as well as extending the normal capabilities of the traditional PLC programming environments. We present the progress of this work and its application in two concrete cases: 1) field rotation compensation for instrument tracking devices like derotators, 2) the ESO standard axis controller (ESTAC), a generic model-based controller implemented in Simulink and used for the control of telescope main axes.

On-Board Hydrogen Gas Production System For Stirling Engines

DOEpatents

Johansson, Lennart N.

2004-06-29

A hydrogen production system for use in connection with Stirling engines. The production system generates hydrogen working gas and periodically supplies it to the Stirling engine as its working fluid in instances where loss of such working fluid occurs through usage through operation of the associated Stirling engine. The hydrogen gas may be generated by various techniques including electrolysis and stored by various means including the use of a metal hydride absorbing material. By controlling the temperature of the absorbing material, the stored hydrogen gas may be provided to the Stirling engine as needed. A hydrogen production system for use in connection with Stirling engines. The production system generates hydrogen working gas and periodically supplies it to the Stirling engine as its working fluid in instances where loss of such working fluid occurs through usage through operation of the associated Stirling engine. The hydrogen gas may be generated by various techniques including electrolysis and stored by various means including the use of a metal hydride absorbing material. By controlling the temperature of the absorbing material, the stored hydrogen gas may be provided to the Stirling engine as needed.

Design of Simulation Product for Stability of Electric Power System Using Power System Stabilizer and Optimal Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Junaidi, Agus; Hamid, K. Abdul

2018-03-01

This paper will discuss the use of optimal control and Power System Stabilizer (PSS) in improving the oscillation of electric power system. Oscillations in the electric power system can occur due to the sudden release of the load (Switcing-Off). The oscillation of an unstable system for a long time causes the equipment to work in an interruption. To overcome this problem, a control device is required that can work effectively in repairing the oscillation. The power system is modeled from the Single Machine Infinite Bus Model (SMIB). The state space equation is used to mathematically model SMIB. SMIB system which is a plant will be formed togetherness state variables (State-Space), using riccati equation then determined the optimal gain as controller plant. Plant is also controlled by Power Stabilizer System using phase compensation method. Using Matlab Software based simulation will be observed response of rotor speed change and rotor angle change for each of the two controlling methods. Simulation results using the Simulink-MATLAB 6.1 software will compare the analysis of the plant state in Open loop state and use the controller. The simulation response shows that the optimal control and PSS can improve the stability of the power system in terms of acceleration to achieve settling-time and Over Shoot improvement. From the results of both methods are able to improve system performance.

How does a specific learning and memory system in the mammalian brain gain control of behavior?

PubMed

McDonald, Robert J; Hong, Nancy S

2013-11-01

This review addresses a fundamental, yet poorly understood set of issues in systems neuroscience. The issues revolve around conceptualizations of the organization of learning and memory in the mammalian brain. One intriguing, and somewhat popular, conceptualization is the idea that there are multiple learning and memory systems in the mammalian brain and they interact in different ways to influence and/or control behavior. This approach has generated interesting empirical and theoretical work supporting this view. One issue that needs to be addressed is how these systems influence or gain control of voluntary behavior. To address this issue, we clearly specify what we mean by a learning and memory system. We then review two types of processes that might influence which memory system gains control of behavior. One set of processes are external factors that can affect which system controls behavior in a given situation including task parameters like the kind of information available to the subject, types of training experience, and amount of training. The second set of processes are brain mechanisms that might influence what memory system controls behavior in a given situation including executive functions mediated by the prefrontal cortex; switching mechanisms mediated by ascending neurotransmitter systems, the unique role of the hippocampus during learning. The issue of trait differences in control of different learning and memory systems will also be considered in which trait differences in learning and memory function are thought to potentially emerge from differences in level of prefrontal influence, differences in plasticity processes, differences in ascending neurotransmitter control, differential access to effector systems like motivational and motor systems. Finally, we present scenarios in which different mechanisms might interact. This review was conceived to become a jumping off point for new work directed at understanding these issues. The outcome of this work, in combination with other approaches, might improve understanding of the mechanisms of volition in human and non-human animals. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

NLC Special Projects

Science.gov Websites

Measurement (with NLC RF group) LCLS and related technologies (LCLS work related to NLC work) Collimation Systems (with Beam Delivery group) Combined Laser System (with NLC sources group) Polarized Positron Sources (with NLC sources group) Crab Cavity Phase Control System Timing and RF distribution System (with

A new fuzzy sliding mode controller for vibration control systems using integrated-structure smart dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dzung Nguyen, Sy; Kim, Wanho; Park, Jhinha; Choi, Seung-Bok

2017-04-01

Vibration control systems using smart dampers (SmDs) such as magnetorheological and electrorheological dampers (MRD and ERD), which are classified as the integrated structure-SmD control systems (ISSmDCSs), have been actively researched and widely used. This work proposes a new controller for a class of ISSmDCSs in which high accuracy of SmD models as well as increment of control ability to deal with uncertainty and time delay are to be expected. In order to achieve this goal, two formualtion steps are required; a non-parametric SmD model based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and a novel fuzzy sliding mode controller (FSMC) which can weaken the model error of the ISSmDCSs and hence provide enhanced vibration control performances. As for the formulation of the proposed controller, first, an ANFIS controller is desgned to identify SmDs using the improved control algorithm named improved establishing neuro-fuzzy system (establishing neuro-fuzzy system). Second, a new control law for the FSMC is designed via Lyapunov stability analysis. An application to a semi-active MRD vehicle suspension system is then undertaken to illustrate and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed control method. It is demonstrated through an experimental realization that the FSMC proposed in this work shows superior vibration control performance of the vehicle suspension compared to other surveyed controller which have similar structures to the FSMC, such as fuzzy logic and sliding mode control.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration in the National Airspace System (NAS) Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shively, Jay

2017-01-01

Over the past 5 years, the UAS integration into the NAS project has worked to reduce technical barriers to integration. A major focus of this work has been in support of RTCA SC-228. This committee has recently published the first UAS integration minimum performance standards (MOPS). This work has spanned detect and avoid (DAA) as well as command and control comm datalinks. I will discuss DAA efforts with focus on the human systems work. I will discuss how automation was discussed and addressed within this context. ICAO stood up a remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) panel in 2014. They have developed an RPAS manual and are now working to revise existing annexes and standards and recommended practices. The Human In The System (HITS) has worked to infuse human factors guidelines into those documents. I will discuss that effort as well as how ICAO has defined and address autonomy. There is a great deal of interest in the control of multiple vehicles by a single operator. The UAS EXCOM Science and Research Panel (SARP) is holding a workshop on this topic in late June. I will discuss research performed on this topic when I worked for the Army and on-going work within the division and a NATO working group on Human-Autonomy Teaming.

Development of 3000 m Subsea Blowout Preventer Experimental Prototype

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Baoping; Liu, Yonghong; Huang, Zhiqian; Ma, Yunpeng; Zhao, Yubin

2017-12-01

A subsea blowout preventer experimental prototype is developed to meet the requirement of training operators, and the prototype consists of hydraulic control system, electronic control system and small-sized blowout preventer stack. Both the hydraulic control system and the electronic system are dual-mode redundant systems. Each system works independently and is switchable when there are any malfunctions. And it significantly improves the operation reliability of the equipment.

Adaptive Decentralized Control

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-04-01

and implementation of the decentralized controllers. It raises, however, many difficult questions regarding the conditions under which such a scheme ...adaptive controller, and a general form of the model reference adaptive controller (4]. We believe that this work represents a significant advance in the...Comparing the adaptive system with the tuned system results in the development of a generic adaptive error system. Passivity theory was used to derive

Demand-type gas supply system for rocket borne thin-window proportional counters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acton, L. W.; Caravalho, R.; Catura, R. C.; Joki, E. G.

1977-01-01

A simple closed loop control system has been developed to maintain the gas pressure in thin-window proportional counters during rocket flights. This system permits convenient external control of detector pressure and system flushing rate. The control system is activated at launch with the sealing of a reference volume at the existing system pressure. Inflight control to plus or minus 2 torr at a working pressure of 760 torr has been achieved on six rocket flights.

Methods and measurements in real-time air traffic control system simulation.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1983-04-01

The major purpose of this work was to asses dynamic simulation of air traffic control systems as a technique for evaluating such systems in a statistically sound and objective manner. A large set of customarily used measures based on the system missi...

Perpetual extraction of work from a nonequilibrium dynamical system under Markovian feedback control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosugi, Taichi

2013-09-01

By treating both control parameters and dynamical variables as probabilistic variables, we develop a succinct theory of perpetual extraction of work from a generic classical nonequilibrium system subject to a heat bath via repeated measurements under a Markovian feedback control. It is demonstrated that a problem for perpetual extraction of work in a nonequilibrium system is reduced to a problem of Markov chain in the higher-dimensional phase space. We derive a version of the detailed fluctuation theorem, which was originally derived for classical nonequilibrium systems by Horowitz and Vaikuntanathan [Phys. Rev. EPLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.82.061120 82, 061120 (2010)], in a form suitable for the analyses of perpetual extraction of work. Since our theory is formulated for generic dynamics of probability distribution function in phase space, its application to a physical system is straightforward. As simple applications of the theory, two exactly solvable models are analyzed. The one is a nonequilibrium two-state system and the other is a particle confined to a one-dimensional harmonic potential in thermal equilibrium. For the former example, it is demonstrated that the observer on the transitory steps to the stationary state can lose energy and that work larger than that achieved in the stationary state can be extracted. For the latter example, it is demonstrated that the optimal protocol for the extraction of work via repeated measurements can differ from that via a single measurement. The validity of our version of the detailed fluctuation theorem, which determines the upper bound of the expected work in the stationary state, is also confirmed for both examples. These observations provide useful insights into exploration for realistic modeling of a machine that extracts work from its environment.

Adaptive Control Of Remote Manipulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seraji, Homayoun

1989-01-01

Robotic control system causes remote manipulator to follow closely reference trajectory in Cartesian reference frame in work space, without resort to computationally intensive mathematical model of robot dynamics and without knowledge of robot and load parameters. System, derived from linear multivariable theory, uses relatively simple feedforward and feedback controllers with model-reference adaptive control.

Step 1: Human System Integration Simulation and Flight Test Progress Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

The Access 5 Human Systems Integration Work Package produced simulation and flight demonstration planning products for use throughout the program. These included: Test Objectives for Command, Control, Communications; Pilot Questionnaire for Command, Control, Communications; Air Traffic Controller Questionnaire for Command, Control, Communications; Test Objectives for Collision Avoidance; Pilot Questionnaire for Collision Avoidance; Plans for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Control Station Simulations Flight Requirements for the Airspace Operations Demonstration

The Internal Control System and Control Programs: A Reference Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-01

multilocation audits . [Ref. 27:Ch. 8, p. 4] 3. Verification Staqe The actual audit field work occurs during this phase. The audit team provides an entrance...number) ;E, GUO.)P SuB GROUP Internal Control; Internal Control System; Audits ; Reviews; Ccamand Evaluation Program; EconnTy & Efficiency Reviews...general overview of the inter- nal control system and discusses the various external and internal audits , inspections, reviews and investiaative

Bioinspired nanovalves with selective permeability and pH sensitivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Z.; Huang, X.; Schenderlein, M.; Moehwald, H.; Xu, G.-K.; Shchukin, D. G.

2015-01-01

Biological systems with controlled permeability and release functionality, which are among the successful examples of living beings to survive in evolution, have attracted intensive investigation and have been mimicked due to their broad spectrum of applications. We present in this work, for the first time, an example of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs)-inspired controlled release system that exhibits on-demand release of angstrom-sized molecules. We do so in a cost-effective way by stabilizing porous cobalt basic carbonates as nanovalves and realizing pH-sensitive release of entrapped subnano cargo. The proof-of-concept work also consists of the establishment of two mathematical models to explain the selective permeability of the nanovalves. Finally, gram-sized (or larger) quantities of the bio-inspired controlled release system can be synthesized through a scaling-up strategy, which opens up opportunities for controlled release of functional molecules in wider practical applications.Biological systems with controlled permeability and release functionality, which are among the successful examples of living beings to survive in evolution, have attracted intensive investigation and have been mimicked due to their broad spectrum of applications. We present in this work, for the first time, an example of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs)-inspired controlled release system that exhibits on-demand release of angstrom-sized molecules. We do so in a cost-effective way by stabilizing porous cobalt basic carbonates as nanovalves and realizing pH-sensitive release of entrapped subnano cargo. The proof-of-concept work also consists of the establishment of two mathematical models to explain the selective permeability of the nanovalves. Finally, gram-sized (or larger) quantities of the bio-inspired controlled release system can be synthesized through a scaling-up strategy, which opens up opportunities for controlled release of functional molecules in wider practical applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr06378c

Status, Vision, and Challenges of an Intelligent Distributed Engine Control Architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Behbahani, Alireza; Culley, Dennis; Garg, Sanjay; Millar, Richard; Smith, Bert; Wood, Jim; Mahoney, Tim; Quinn, Ronald; Carpenter, Sheldon; Mailander, Bill;

Simulation modelling for new gas turbine fuel controller creation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vendland, L. E.; Pribylov, V. G.; Borisov, Yu A.; Arzamastsev, M. A.; Kosoy, A. A.

2017-11-01

State of the art gas turbine fuel flow control systems are based on throttle principle. Major disadvantage of such systems is that they require high pressure fuel intake. Different approach to fuel flow control is to use regulating compressor. And for this approach because of controller and gas turbine interaction a specific regulating compressor is required. Difficulties emerge as early as the requirement definition stage. To define requirements for new object, his properties must be known. Simulation modelling helps to overcome these difficulties. At the requirement definition stage the most simplified mathematical model is used. Mathematical models will get more complex and detailed as we advance in planned work. If future adjusting of regulating compressor physical model to work with virtual gas turbine and physical control system is planned.

Spacecraft Radiator Freeze Protection Using a Regenerative Heat Exchanger with Bypass Setpoint Temperature Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ungar, Eugene K.

2008-01-01

Spacecraft radiators are sized for their maximum heat load in their warmest thermal environment, but must operate at reduced heat loads and in colder environments. For systems where the radiator environment can be colder than the working fluid freezing temperature, radiator freezing becomes an issue. Radiator freezing has not been a major issue for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) active thermal control systems (ATCSs) because they operate in environments that are warm relative to the freezing point of their external coolants (Freon-21 and ammonia, respectively). For a vehicle that lands at the Lunar South Pole, the design thermal environment is 215K, but the radiator working fluid must also be kept from freezing during the 0 K sink of transit. A radiator bypass flow control design such as those used on the Space Shuttle and ISS requires more than 30% of the design heat load to avoid radiator freezing during transit - even with a very low freezing point working fluid. By changing the traditional ATCS architecture to include a regenerating heat exchanger inboard of the radiator and by using a regenerator bypass flow control valve to maintain system setpoint, the required minimum heat load can be reduced by more than half. This gives the spacecraft much more flexibility in design and operation. The present work describes the regenerator bypass ATCS setpoint control methodology. It includes analytical results comparing the performance of this system to the traditional radiator bypass system. Finally, a summary of the advantages of the regenerator bypass system are presented.

RICIS Symposium 1992: Mission and Safety Critical Systems Research and Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

This conference deals with computer systems which control systems whose failure to operate correctly could produce the loss of life and or property, mission and safety critical systems. Topics covered are: the work of standards groups, computer systems design and architecture, software reliability, process control systems, knowledge based expert systems, and computer and telecommunication protocols.

A Report by the NEHA Air Pollution Committee

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirkpatrick, Lane

1972-01-01

Transportation controls to reduce air pollution are elaborated. These include: traffic control, parking restrictions, retrofit systems, testing and inspection, gaseous fuel systems, improved public transportation, and work schedule changes. (BL)

Intelligent control of a planning system for astronaut training.

PubMed

Ortiz, J; Chen, G

1999-07-01

This work intends to design, analyze and solve, from the systems control perspective, a complex, dynamic, and multiconstrained planning system for generating training plans for crew members of the NASA-led International Space Station. Various intelligent planning systems have been developed within the framework of artificial intelligence. These planning systems generally lack a rigorous mathematical formalism to allow a reliable and flexible methodology for their design, modeling, and performance analysis in a dynamical, time-critical, and multiconstrained environment. Formulating the planning problem in the domain of discrete-event systems under a unified framework such that it can be modeled, designed, and analyzed as a control system will provide a self-contained theory for such planning systems. This will also provide a means to certify various planning systems for operations in the dynamical and complex environments in space. The work presented here completes the design, development, and analysis of an intricate, large-scale, and representative mathematical formulation for intelligent control of a real planning system for Space Station crew training. This planning system has been tested and used at NASA-Johnson Space Center.

Cockpit displayed traffic information and distributed management in air traffic control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kreifeldt, J. G.

1980-01-01

A graphical display of information (such as surrounding aircraft and navigation routes) in the cockpit on a cathode ray tube has been proposed for improving the safety, orderliness, and expeditiousness of the air traffic control system. An investigation of this method at NASA-Ames indicated a large reduction in controller verbal work load without increasing pilot verbal load; the visual work may be increased. The cockpit displayed traffic and navigation information system reduced response delays permitting pilots to maintain their spacing more closely and precisely than when depending entirely on controller-issued radar vectors and speed command.

Automation Applications in an Advanced Air Traffic Management System : Volume 4A. Automation Requirements.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-08-01

Volume 4 describes the automation requirements. A presentation of automation requirements is made for an advanced air traffic management system in terms of controller work force, computer resources, controller productivity, system manning, failure ef...

Smart monitoring system based on adaptive current control for superconducting cable test.

PubMed

Arpaia, Pasquale; Ballarino, Amalia; Daponte, Vincenzo; Montenero, Giuseppe; Svelto, Cesare

2014-12-01

A smart monitoring system for superconducting cable test is proposed with an adaptive current control of a superconducting transformer secondary. The design, based on Fuzzy Gain Scheduling, allows the controller parameters to adapt continuously, and finely, to the working variations arising from transformer nonlinear dynamics. The control system is integrated in a fully digital control loop, with all the related benefits, i.e., high noise rejection, ease of implementation/modification, and so on. In particular, an accurate model of the system, controlled by a Fuzzy Gain Scheduler of the superconducting transformer, was achieved by an experimental campaign through the working domain at several current ramp rates. The model performance was characterized by simulation, under all the main operating conditions, in order to guide the controller design. Finally, the proposed monitoring system was experimentally validated at European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in comparison to the state-of-the-art control system [P. Arpaia, L. Bottura, G. Montenero, and S. Le Naour, "Performance improvement of a measurement station for superconducting cable test," Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 095111 (2012)] of the Facility for the Research on Superconducting Cables, achieving a significant performance improvement: a reduction in the system overshoot by 50%, with a related attenuation of the corresponding dynamic residual error (both absolute and RMS) up to 52%.

International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-02-01

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is responsible for designing and building the life support systems that will provide the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) a comfortable environment in which to live and work. Scientists and engineers at the MSFC are working together to provide the ISS with systems that are safe, efficient and cost-effective. These compact and powerful systems are collectively called the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, or simply, ECLSS. This is an exterior view of the U.S. Laboratory Module Simulator containing the ECLSS Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) testing facility at MSFC. At the bottom right is the data acquisition and control computers (in the blue equipment racks) that monitor the testing in the facility. The ITCS simulator facility duplicates the function, operation, and troubleshooting problems of the ITCS. The main function of the ITCS is to control the temperature of equipment and hardware installed in a typical ISS Payload Rack.

Remote Supervision and Control of Air Conditioning Systems in Different Modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rafeeq, Mohammed; Afzal, Asif; Rajendra, Sree

2018-01-01

In the era of automation, most of the application of engineering and science are interrelated with system for optimal operation. To get the efficient result of an operation and desired response, interconnected systems should be controlled by directing, regulating and commanding. Here, air conditioning (AC) system is considered for experimentation, to supervise and control its functioning in both, automated and manual mode. This paper reports the work intended to design and develop an automated and manual AC system working in remote and local mode, to increase the level of comfort, easy operation, reducing human intervention and faults occurring in the system. The Programmable Logical Controller (PLC) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system were used for remote supervision and monitoring of AC systems using series ninety protocol and remote terminal unit modbus protocol as communication module to operate in remote mode. PLC was used as remote terminal for continuous supervision and control of AC system. SCADA software was used as a tool for designing user friendly graphical user interface. The proposed SCADA AC system successfully monitors and controls in accordance within the parameter limits like temperature, pressure, humidity and voltage. With all the features, this designed system is capable of efficient handling of the resources like the compressor, humidifier etc., with all the levels of safety and durability. This system also maintains the temperature and controls the humidity of the remote location and also looks after the health of the compressor.

The Segmented Aperture Interferometric Nulling Testbed (SAINT) I: Overview and Air-side System Description

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hicks, Brian A.; Lyon, Richard G.; Petrone, Peter, III; Bolcar, Matthew R.; Bolognese, Jeff; Clampin, Mark; Dogoda, Peter; Dworzanski, Daniel; Helmbrecht, Michael A.; Koca, Corina;

Team performance in networked supervisory control of unmanned air vehicles: effects of automation, working memory, and communication content.

PubMed

McKendrick, Ryan; Shaw, Tyler; de Visser, Ewart; Saqer, Haneen; Kidwell, Brian; Parasuraman, Raja

2014-05-01

Assess team performance within a net-worked supervisory control setting while manipulating automated decision aids and monitoring team communication and working memory ability. Networked systems such as multi-unmanned air vehicle (UAV) supervision have complex properties that make prediction of human-system performance difficult. Automated decision aid can provide valuable information to operators, individual abilities can limit or facilitate team performance, and team communication patterns can alter how effectively individuals work together. We hypothesized that reliable automation, higher working memory capacity, and increased communication rates of task-relevant information would offset performance decrements attributed to high task load. Two-person teams performed a simulated air defense task with two levels of task load and three levels of automated aid reliability. Teams communicated and received decision aid messages via chat window text messages. Task Load x Automation effects were significant across all performance measures. Reliable automation limited the decline in team performance with increasing task load. Average team spatial working memory was a stronger predictor than other measures of team working memory. Frequency of team rapport and enemy location communications positively related to team performance, and word count was negatively related to team performance. Reliable decision aiding mitigated team performance decline during increased task load during multi-UAV supervisory control. Team spatial working memory, communication of spatial information, and team rapport predicted team success. An automated decision aid can improve team performance under high task load. Assessment of spatial working memory and the communication of task-relevant information can help in operator and team selection in supervisory control systems.

Application of Time-Delay Absorber to Suppress Vibration of a Dynamical System to Tuned Excitation.

PubMed

El-Ganaini, W A A; El-Gohary, H A

2014-08-01

In this work, we present a comprehensive investigation of the time delay absorber effects on the control of a dynamical system represented by a cantilever beam subjected to tuned excitation forces. Cantilever beam is one of the most widely used system in too many engineering applications, such as mechanical and civil engineering. The main aim of this work is to control the vibration of the beam at simultaneous internal and combined resonance condition, as it is the worst resonance case. Control is conducted via time delay absorber to suppress chaotic vibrations. Time delays often appear in many control systems in the state, in the control input, or in the measurements. Time delay commonly exists in various engineering, biological, and economical systems because of the finite speed of the information processing. It is a source of performance degradation and instability. Multiple time scale perturbation method is applied to obtain a first order approximation for the nonlinear differential equations describing the system behavior. The different resonance cases are reported and studied numerically. The stability of the steady-state solution at the selected worst resonance case is investigated applying Runge-Kutta fourth order method and frequency response equations via Matlab 7.0 and Maple11. Time delay absorber is effective, but within a specified range of time delay. It is the critical factor in selecting such absorber. Time delay absorber is better than the ordinary one as from the effectiveness point of view. The effects of the different absorber parameters on the system behavior and stability are studied numerically. A comparison with the available published work showed a close agreement with some previously published work.

An innovative exercise method to simulate orbital EVA work - Applications to PLSS automatic controls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lantz, Renee; Vykukal, H.; Webbon, Bruce

1987-01-01

An exercise method has been proposed which may satisfy the current need for a laboratory simulation representative of muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and thermoregulatory responses to work during orbital extravehicular activity (EVA). The simulation incorporates arm crank ergometry with a unique body support mechanism that allows all body position stabilization forces to be reacted at the feet. By instituting this exercise method in laboratory experimentation, an advanced portable life support system (PLSS) thermoregulatory control system can be designed to more accurately reflect the specific work requirements of orbital EVA.

76 FR 35858 - Global Positioning System Directorate (GPSD); Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-20

...); Notice of Meeting ACTION: Notice of Meeting--Public Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) for Signals-in... published a meeting notice on the Public Interface Control Group (ICWG) on June 2, 2011 Vol. 76, No. 106... Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) meeting for the NAVSTAR GPS public signals in space (SiS) documents...

A graphical, rule based robotic interface system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mckee, James W.; Wolfsberger, John

1988-01-01

The ability of a human to take control of a robotic system is essential in any use of robots in space in order to handle unforeseen changes in the robot's work environment or scheduled tasks. But in cases in which the work environment is known, a human controlling a robot's every move by remote control is both time consuming and frustrating. A system is needed in which the user can give the robotic system commands to perform tasks but need not tell the system how. To be useful, this system should be able to plan and perform the tasks faster than a telerobotic system. The interface between the user and the robot system must be natural and meaningful to the user. A high level user interface program under development at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, is described. A graphical interface is proposed in which the user selects objects to be manipulated by selecting representations of the object on projections of a 3-D model of the work environment. The user may move in the work environment by changing the viewpoint of the projections. The interface uses a rule based program to transform user selection of items on a graphics display of the robot's work environment into commands for the robot. The program first determines if the desired task is possible given the abilities of the robot and any constraints on the object. If the task is possible, the program determines what movements the robot needs to make to perform the task. The movements are transformed into commands for the robot. The information defining the robot, the work environment, and how objects may be moved is stored in a set of data bases accessible to the program and displayable to the user.

Autonomous berthing/unberthing of a Work Attachment Mechanism/Work Attachment Fixture (WAM/WAF)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Charles C.; Antrazi, Sami S.

1992-01-01

Discussed here is the autonomous berthing of a Work Attachment Mechanism/Work Attachment Fixture (WAM/WAF) developed by NASA for berthing and docking applications in space. The WAM/WAF system enables fast and reliable berthing (unberthing) of space hardware. A successful operation of the WAM/WAF requires that the WAM motor velocity be precisely controlled. The operating principle and the design of the WAM/WAF is described as well as the development of a control system used to regulate the WAM motor velocity. The results of an experiment in which the WAM/WAF is used to handle an orbital replacement unit are given.

Cyber Security Testing and Training Programs for Industrial Control Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daniel Noyes

2012-03-01

Service providers rely on industrial control systems (ICS) to manage the flow of water at dams, open breakers on power grids, control ventilation and cooling in nuclear power plants, and more. In today's interconnected environment, this can present a serious cyber security challenge. To combat this growing challenge, government, private industry, and academia are working together to reduce cyber risks. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a key contributor to the Department of Energy National SCADA Test Bed (NSTB) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Control Systems Security Program (CSSP), both of which focus on improving the overall securitymore » posture of ICS in the national critical infrastructure. In support of the NSTB, INL hosts a dedicated SCADA testing facility which consists of multiple control systems supplied by leading national and international manufacturers. Within the test bed, INL researchers systematically examine control system components and work to identify vulnerabilities. In support of the CSSP, INL develops and conducts training courses which are designed to increase awareness and defensive capabilities for IT/Control System professionals. These trainings vary from web-based cyber security trainings for control systems engineers to more advanced hands-on training that culminates with a Red Team/ Blue Team exercise that is conducted within an actual control systems environment. INL also provides staffing and operational support to the DHS Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT) Security Operations Center which responds to and analyzes control systems cyber incidents across the 18 US critical infrastructure sectors.« less

NASA develops new digital flight control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mewhinney, Michael

1994-01-01

This news release reports on the development and testing of a new integrated flight and propulsion automated control system that aerospace engineers at NASA's Ames Research Center have been working on. The system is being tested in the V/STOL (Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing) Systems Research Aircraft (VSRA).

Exact controllability for a Thermodiffusion System with locally distributed controls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Moraes, F. G.; Schulz, R. A.; Soriano, J. A.

2018-03-01

In this work we establish a exact controllability result for a thermodiffusion system, modeled by Cattaneo's law, posed in a one-dimensional domain. In the present model the control mechanisms are effective in a small subinterval of the domain. To obtain the desired results, we prove an observability inequality for the adjoint system which, together with the multiplier methods and the Hilbert Uniqueness Method (HUM) developed by J.L. Lions, gives the controllability.

Automation Applications in an Advanced Air Traffic Management System : Volume 4B. Automation Requirements (Concluded)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-08-01

Volume 4 describes the automation requirements. A presentation of automation requirements is made for an advanced air traffic management system in terms of controller work for-e, computer resources, controller productivity, system manning, failure ef...

SILICATES FOR CORROSION CONTROL IN BUILDING POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS

EPA Science Inventory

Silicates have been used to control the corrosion of drinking water distribution system materials. Previous work has shown that they are particularly useful in reducing the release of zinc from galvanized materials in hot water systems. Negatively charged silicate species were re...

A Realtime Active Feedback Control System For Coupled Nonlinear Chemical Oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tompkins, Nathan; Fraden, Seth

2012-02-01

We study the manipulation and control of oscillatory networks. As a model system we use an emulsion of Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillators packed on a hexagonal lattice. Each drop is observed and perturbed by a Programmable Illumination Microscope (PIM). The PIM allows us to track individual BZ oscillators, calculate the phase and order parameters of every drop, and selectively perturb specific drops with photo illumination, all in realtime. To date we have determined the native attractor patterns for drops in 1D arrays and 2D hexagonal packing as a function of coupling strength as well as determined methods to move the system from one attractor basin to another. Current work involves implementing these attractor control methods with our experimental system and future work will likely include implementing a model neural network for use with photo controllable BZ emulsions.

STCA, TCAS, Airproxes and Collision Risk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooker, Peter

2005-09-01

The focus here is on the performance of and interaction between the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and the controller's short-term conflict alert (STCA) system. The data source used is UK Airprox Board Reports of close encounters between aircraft, and the focus is on commercial air transport aircraft using UK controlled airspace with a radar service. Do the systems work well together? Are controllers surprised when they find out that a pilot has received a TCAS resolution advisory? What do TCAS and STCA events say about collision risk? Generally, the systems seem to work together well. On most occasions, controllers are not surprised by TCAS advisories: either they have detected the problem themselves or STCA has alerted them to it. The statistically expected rate of future mid-air collisions is estimated by extrapolation of Airprox closest encounter distances.

The Effectiveness of E-Learning Systems: A Review of the Empirical Literature on Learner Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sorgenfrei, Christian; Smolnik, Stefan

2016-01-01

E-learning systems are considerably changing education and organizational training. With the advancement of online-based learning systems, learner control over the instructional process has emerged as a decisive factor in technology-based forms of learning. However, conceptual work on the role of learner control in e-learning has not advanced…

Bilateral control of master-slave manipulators with constant time delay.

PubMed

Forouzantabar, A; Talebi, H A; Sedigh, A K

2012-01-01

This paper presents a novel teleoperation controller for a nonlinear master-slave robotic system with constant time delay in communication channel. The proposed controller enables the teleoperation system to compensate human and environmental disturbances, while achieving master and slave position coordination in both free motion and contact situation. The current work basically extends the passivity based architecture upon the earlier work of Lee and Spong (2006) [14] to improve position tracking and consequently transparency in the face of disturbances and environmental contacts. The proposed controller employs a PID controller in each side to overcome some limitations of a PD controller and guarantee an improved performance. Moreover, by using Fourier transform and Parseval's identity in the frequency domain, we demonstrate that this new PID controller preserves the passivity of the system. Simulation and semi-experimental results show that the PID controller tracking performance is superior to that of the PD controller tracking performance in slave/environmental contacts. Copyright © 2011 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A cognitive robotics system: the symbolic and sub-symbolic robotic intelligence control system (SS-RICS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelley, Troy D.; Avery, Eric

2010-04-01

This paper will detail the progress on the development of the Symbolic and Subsymbolic Robotics Intelligence Control System (SS-RICS). The system is a goal oriented production system, based loosely on the cognitive architecture, the Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) some additions and changes. We have found that in order to simulate complex cognition on a robot, many aspects of cognition (long term memory (LTM), perception) needed to be in place before any generalized intelligent behavior can be produced. In working with ACT-R, we found that it was a good instantiation of working memory, but that we needed to add other aspects of cognition including LTM and perception to have a complete cognitive system. Our progress to date will be noted and the challenges that remain will be addressed.

Validation Methods for Fault-Tolerant avionics and control systems, working group meeting 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

The proceedings of the first working group meeting on validation methods for fault tolerant computer design are presented. The state of the art in fault tolerant computer validation was examined in order to provide a framework for future discussions concerning research issues for the validation of fault tolerant avionics and flight control systems. The development of positions concerning critical aspects of the validation process are given.

Hadfield works robotic controls in the Cupola Module

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-10

ISS034-E-027317 (10 Jan. 2013) --- In the Cupola aboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield, Expedition 34 flight engineer, works the controls at the Robotic workstation to maneuver the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) or CanadArm2 from its parked position to grapple the Mobile Remote Servicer (MRS) Base System (MBS) Power and Data Grapple Fixture 4 (PDGF-4).

A Spoken Dialogue System for Command and Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

Previous work in this domain focused on the formal representation of linguistic concepts in ontologies for data integration. His doctoral...20 2.8 Ongoing and Future Work .................................................................................... 20 2.8.1 Dynamic... work , we developed grammars with broader coverage for the domain of Livespace room-control. The goal was to provide commands and queries to be

Quality Space and Launch Requirements, Addendum to AS9100C

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-08

45 8.9.1 Statistical Process Control (SPC) .......................................................................... 45...SMC Space and Missile Systems Center SME Subject Matter Expert SOW Statement of Work SPC Statistical Process Control SPO System Program Office SRP...occur without any individual data exceeding the control limits. Control limits are developed using standard statistical methods or other approved

An Open Specification for Space Project Mission Operations Control Architectures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hooke, A.; Heuser, W. R.

1995-01-01

An 'open specification' for Space Project Mission Operations Control Architectures is under development in the Spacecraft Control Working Group of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astro- nautics. This architecture identifies 5 basic elements incorporated in the design of similar operations systems: Data, System Management, Control Interface, Decision Support Engine, & Space Messaging Service.

A control system based on field programmable gate array for papermaking sewage treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zi Sheng; Xie, Chang; Qing Xiong, Yan; Liu, Zhi Qiang; Li, Qing

2013-03-01

A sewage treatment control system is designed to improve the efficiency of papermaking wastewater treatment system. The automation control system is based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), coded with Very-High-Speed Integrate Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL), compiled and simulated with Quartus. In order to ensure the stability of the data used in FPGA, the data is collected through temperature sensors, water level sensor and online PH measurement system. The automatic control system is more sensitive, and both the treatment efficiency and processing power are increased. This work provides a new method for sewage treatment control.

Determining of a robot workspace using the integration of a CAD system with a virtual control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herbuś, K.; Ociepka, P.

2016-08-01

The paper presents a method for determining the workspace of an industrial robot using an approach consisting in integration a 3D model of an industrial robot with a virtual control system. The robot model with his work environment, prepared for motion simulation, was created in the “Motion Simulation” module of the Siemens PLM NX software. In the mentioned model components of the “link” type were created which map the geometrical form of particular elements of the robot and the components of “joint” type mapping way of cooperation of components of the “link” type. In the paper is proposed the solution in which the control process of a virtual robot is similar to the control process of a real robot using the manual control panel (teach pendant). For this purpose, the control application “JOINT” was created, which provides the manipulation of a virtual robot in accordance with its internal control system. The set of procedures stored in an .xlsx file is the element integrating the 3D robot model working in the CAD/CAE class system with the elaborated control application.

Acceleration control system for semi-active in-car crib with joint application of regular and inverted pendulum mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawashima, T.

2016-09-01

To reduce the risk of injury to an infant in an in-car crib (or in a child safety bed) collision shock during a car crash, it is necessary to maintain a constant force acting on the crib below a certain allowable value. To realize this objective, we propose a semi-active in-car crib system with the joint application of regular and inverted pendulum mechanisms. The arms of the proposed crib system support the crib like a pendulum while the pendulum system itself is supported like an inverted pendulum by the arms. In addition, the friction torque of each arm is controlled using a brake mechanism that enables the proposed in-car crib to decrease the acceleration of the crib gradually and maintain it around the target value. This system not only reduces the impulsive force but also transfers the force to the infant's back using a spin control system, i.e., the impulse force acts is made to act perpendicularly on the crib. The spin control system was developed in our previous work. This work focuses on the acceleration control system. A semi-active control law with acceleration feedback is introduced, and the effectiveness of the system is demonstrated using numerical simulation and model experiment.

75 FR 56562 - Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-16

... safe and healthful working environment. A well planned mine ventilation system is necessary to assure a fresh air supply to miners at all working places, to control the amounts of harmful airborne... present harsh and hostile working environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support...

Model based design introduction: modeling game controllers to microprocessor architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jungwirth, Patrick; Badawy, Abdel-Hameed

2017-04-01

We present an introduction to model based design. Model based design is a visual representation, generally a block diagram, to model and incrementally develop a complex system. Model based design is a commonly used design methodology for digital signal processing, control systems, and embedded systems. Model based design's philosophy is: to solve a problem - a step at a time. The approach can be compared to a series of steps to converge to a solution. A block diagram simulation tool allows a design to be simulated with real world measurement data. For example, if an analog control system is being upgraded to a digital control system, the analog sensor input signals can be recorded. The digital control algorithm can be simulated with the real world sensor data. The output from the simulated digital control system can then be compared to the old analog based control system. Model based design can compared to Agile software develop. The Agile software development goal is to develop working software in incremental steps. Progress is measured in completed and tested code units. Progress is measured in model based design by completed and tested blocks. We present a concept for a video game controller and then use model based design to iterate the design towards a working system. We will also describe a model based design effort to develop an OS Friendly Microprocessor Architecture based on the RISC-V.

Control of a solar-energy-supplied electrical-power system without intermediate circuitry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leistner, K.

A computer control system is developed for electric-power systems comprising solar cells and small numbers of users with individual centrally controlled converters (and storage facilities when needed). Typical system structures are reviewed; the advantages of systems without an intermediate network are outlined; the demands on a control system in such a network (optimizing generator working point and power distribution) are defined; and a flexible modular prototype system is described in detail. A charging station for lead batteries used in electric automobiles is analyzed as an example. The power requirements of the control system (30 W for generator control and 50 W for communications and distribution control) are found to limit its use to larger networks.

Evaluation of Traffic Information and Prediction System (TIPS) as work zone traffic control.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-03-01

As part of a pavement rehabilitation project on I-64, the Traffic Information and Prediction System (TIPS) was installed as a a means of providing real-time data for motorists in advance and through the work zone. This system collects real-time data ...

The Absolute Stability Analysis in Fuzzy Control Systems with Parametric Uncertainties and Reference Inputs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Bing-Fei; Ma, Li-Shan; Perng, Jau-Woei

This study analyzes the absolute stability in P and PD type fuzzy logic control systems with both certain and uncertain linear plants. Stability analysis includes the reference input, actuator gain and interval plant parameters. For certain linear plants, the stability (i.e. the stable equilibriums of error) in P and PD types is analyzed with the Popov or linearization methods under various reference inputs and actuator gains. The steady state errors of fuzzy control systems are also addressed in the parameter plane. The parametric robust Popov criterion for parametric absolute stability based on Lur'e systems is also applied to the stability analysis of P type fuzzy control systems with uncertain plants. The PD type fuzzy logic controller in our approach is a single-input fuzzy logic controller and is transformed into the P type for analysis. In our work, the absolute stability analysis of fuzzy control systems is given with respect to a non-zero reference input and an uncertain linear plant with the parametric robust Popov criterion unlike previous works. Moreover, a fuzzy current controlled RC circuit is designed with PSPICE models. Both numerical and PSPICE simulations are provided to verify the analytical results. Furthermore, the oscillation mechanism in fuzzy control systems is specified with various equilibrium points of view in the simulation example. Finally, the comparisons are also given to show the effectiveness of the analysis method.

Feasibility study of self-powered magnetorheological damper systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chao; Liao, Wei-Hsin

2012-04-01

This paper is aimed to provide a feasibility study of self-powered magnetorheological (MR) damper systems, which could convert vibration and shock energy into electrical energy to power itself under control. The self-powered feature could bring merits such as higher reliability, energy saving, and less maintenance for the MR damper systems. A self-powered MR damper system is proposed and modeled. The criterion whether the MR damper system is self-powered or not is proposed. A prototype of MR damper with power generation is designed, fabricated, and tested. The modeling of this damper is experimentally validated. Then the damper is applied to a 2 DOF suspension system under on-off skyhook controller, to obtain the self-powered working range and vibration control performance. Effects of key factors on the self-powered MR damper systems are studied. Design considerations are given in order to increase the self-powered working range.

Cerebrocerebellar networks during articulatory rehearsal and verbal working memory tasks.

PubMed

Chen, S H Annabel; Desmond, John E

2005-01-15

Converging evidence has implicated the cerebellum in verbal working memory. The current fMRI study sought to further characterize cerebrocerebellar participation in this cognitive process by revealing regions of activation common to a verbal working task and an articulatory control task, as well as regions that are uniquely activated by working memory. Consistent with our model's predictions, load-dependent activations were observed in Broca's area (BA 44/6) and the superior cerebellar hemisphere (VI/CrusI) for both working memory and motoric rehearsal. In contrast, activations unique to verbal working memory were found in the inferior parietal lobule (BA 40) and the right inferior cerebellum hemisphere (VIIB). These findings provide evidence for two cerebrocerebellar networks for verbal working memory: a frontal/superior cerebellar articulatory control system and a parietal/inferior cerebellar phonological storage system.

The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network: An Interactive Systems Approach to Advancing Cancer Control Implementation Research and Practice

PubMed Central

Fernández, María E.; Melvin, Cathy L.; Leeman, Jennifer; Ribisl, Kurt M.; Allen, Jennifer D.; Kegler, Michelle C.; Bastani, Roshan; Ory, Marcia G.; Risendal, Betsy C.; Hannon, Peggy A.; Kreuter, Matthew W.; Hebert, James R.

2018-01-01

Background Although cancer research has advanced at a rapid pace, a gap remains between what is known about how to improve cancer prevention and control (CPC) and what is implemented as best practices within health care systems and communities. The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN), with more than 10 years of dissemination and implementation research experience, aims to accelerate the uptake and use of evidence-based CPC interventions. Methods The collective work of the CPCRN has facilitated the analysis and categorization of research and implementation efforts according to the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation (ISF), providing a useful heuristic for bridging the gap between prevention research and practice. The ISF authors have called for examples of its application as input to help refine the model. Results We provide examples of how the collaborative activities supported by the CPCRN, using community-engaged processes, accelerated the synthesis and translation of evidence, built both general and innovation-specific capacity, and worked with delivery systems to advance cancer control research and practice. Conclusions The work of the CPCRN has provided real-world examples of the application of the ISF and demonstrated that synthesizing and translating evidence can increase the potential that evidence-based CPC programs will be used and that capacity building for both the support system and the delivery system is crucial for the successful implementation and maintenance of evidence-based cancer control. Impact Adoption and implementation of CPC can be enhanced by better understanding ISF systems and intervening to improve them. PMID:25155759

An expert system to perform on-line controller restructuring for abrupt model changes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Litt, Jonathan S.

1990-01-01

Work in progress on an expert system used to reconfigure and tune airframe/engine control systems on-line in real time in response to battle damage or structural failures is presented. The closed loop system is monitored constantly for changes in structure and performance, the detection of which prompts the expert system to choose and apply a particular control restructuring algorithm based on the type and severity of the damage. Each algorithm is designed to handle specific types of failures and each is applicable only in certain situations. The expert system uses information about the system model to identify the failure and to select the technique best suited to compensate for it. A depth-first search is used to find a solution. Once a new controller is designed and implemented it must be tuned to recover the original closed-loop handling qualities and responsiveness from the degraded system. Ideally, the pilot should not be able to tell the difference between the original and redesigned systems. The key is that the system must have inherent redundancy so that degraded or missing capabilities can be restored by creative use of alternate functionalities. With enough redundancy in the control system, minor battle damage affecting individual control surfaces or actuators, compressor efficiency, etc., can be compensated for such that the closed-loop performance in not noticeably altered. The work is applied to a Black Hawk/T700 system.

[Effect of underground work on cardiovascular system 
in coal miners].

PubMed

Lai, Zhiwei; Wang, Xiaoye; Tan, Hongzhuan; Huang, Yaoyu; Lu, Changcheng

2015-10-01

To study the effect of underground work on cardiovascular system health in coal miners.
 Male coal miners, who received electrocardiographic examinations between June, 2013 and August, 2014 in Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases to exclude pneumoconiosis, were enrolled for this study (n=3 134). Miners with 2 years or more underground work experience were selected as the exposed group (n=2 370), while miners without underground work experience were selected as the control group (n=764). The prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities and the influential factors were compared between the 2 groups.
 The prevalences of electrocardiographic abnormalities, hypertension, heart rate abnormalities and cardiovascular system abnormalities in the exposed group vs the control group were 37.6% vs 25.4%, 20.5% vs 13.4%, 5.7% vs 6.0%, 49.8% vs 35.2%, respectively. The cardiovascular system abnormalities were correlated with the underground work (OR=3.128, 95% CI: 1.969-4.970), the underground work experience (OR=1.205, 95% CI: 1.070-1.358) and the type of works (mining worker OR=1.820, 95% CI: 1.527-2.169; auxiliary worker OR=1.937, 95% CI: 1.511-2.482; other worker OR=3.291, 95%CI: 2.120-5.109).
 Underground work may increase the prevalence of cardiovascular system abnormalities for coal miners. The longer the coal miners work in underground, the higher the risk of the cardiovascular system abnormalities they are.

The Integrated Library System Design Concepts for a Complete Serials Control Subsystem.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-08-20

7AD-fl149 379 THE INTEGRTED LIBRARY SYSTEM DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR A 1/COMPLETE SERIALS CONTROL UBSYSTEM(U) ONLINE COMPUTER SYSTEMS INC GERMANTOWN MD 28...CONTROL SUBSYSTEM Presented to: The Pentagon Library The Pentagon Washington, DC 20310 Prepared by: Online Computer Systems, Inc. 20251 Century Blvd...MDA903-82-C-0535 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS Online Computer Systems, Inc

Automation Applications in an Advanced Air Traffic Management System : Volume 5A. DELTA Simulation Model - User's Guide

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-08-01

Volume 4 describes the automation requirements. A presentation of automation requirements is made for an advanced air traffic management system in terms of controller work for-e, computer resources, controller productivity, system manning, failure ef...

Superconducting Qubits as Mechanical Quantum Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sachtleben, Kewin; Mazon, Kahio T.; Rego, Luis G. C.

2017-09-01

We propose the equivalence of superconducting qubits with a pistonlike mechanical quantum engine. The work reports a study on the nature of the nonequilibrium work exchanged with the quantum-nonadiabatic working medium, which is modeled as a multilevel coupled quantum well system subject to an external control parameter. The quantum dynamics is solved for arbitrary control protocols. It is shown that the work output has two components: one that depends instantaneously on the level populations and another that is due to the quantum coherences built in the system. The nonadiabatic coherent dynamics of the quantum engine gives rise to a resistance (friction) force that decreases the work output. We consider the functional equivalence of such a device and a rf-SQUID flux qubit.

B827 Chemical Synthhesis Project - Industrial Control System Integration - Statement of Work & Specification with Attachments 1-14

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wade, F. E.

The Chemical Synthesis Pilot Process at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Site 300 827 Complex will be used to synthesize small quantities of material to support research and development. The project will modernize and increase current capabilities for chemical synthesis at LLNL. The primary objective of this project is the conversion of a non-automated hands-on process to a remoteoperation process, while providing enhanced batch process step control, stored recipe-specific parameter sets, process variable visibility, monitoring, alarm and warning handling, and comprehensive batch record data logging. This Statement of Work and Specification provides the industrial-grade process control requirements for themore » chemical synthesis batching control system, hereafter referred to as the “Control System” to be delivered by the System Integrator.« less

Memory and cognitive control circuits in mathematical cognition and learning.

PubMed

Menon, V

2016-01-01

Numerical cognition relies on interactions within and between multiple functional brain systems, including those subserving quantity processing, working memory, declarative memory, and cognitive control. This chapter describes recent advances in our understanding of memory and control circuits in mathematical cognition and learning. The working memory system involves multiple parietal-frontal circuits which create short-term representations that allow manipulation of discrete quantities over several seconds. In contrast, hippocampal-frontal circuits underlying the declarative memory system play an important role in formation of associative memories and binding of new and old information, leading to the formation of long-term memories that allow generalization beyond individual problem attributes. The flow of information across these systems is regulated by flexible cognitive control systems which facilitate the integration and manipulation of quantity and mnemonic information. The implications of recent research for formulating a more comprehensive systems neuroscience view of the neural basis of mathematical learning and knowledge acquisition in both children and adults are discussed. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Memory and cognitive control circuits in mathematical cognition and learning

PubMed Central

Menon, V.

2018-01-01

Numerical cognition relies on interactions within and between multiple functional brain systems, including those subserving quantity processing, working memory, declarative memory, and cognitive control. This chapter describes recent advances in our understanding of memory and control circuits in mathematical cognition and learning. The working memory system involves multiple parietal–frontal circuits which create short-term representations that allow manipulation of discrete quantities over several seconds. In contrast, hippocampal–frontal circuits underlying the declarative memory system play an important role in formation of associative memories and binding of new and old information, leading to the formation of long-term memories that allow generalization beyond individual problem attributes. The flow of information across these systems is regulated by flexible cognitive control systems which facilitate the integration and manipulation of quantity and mnemonic information. The implications of recent research for formulating a more comprehensive systems neuroscience view of the neural basis of mathematical learning and knowledge acquisition in both children and adults are discussed. PMID:27339012

Multivariable control of a rolling spider drone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyu, Haifeng

The research and application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has been a hot topic recently. A UAV is dened as an aircraft which is designed not to carry a human pilot or operated with remote electronic input by the flight controller. In this thesis, the design of a control system for a quadcopter named Rolling Spider Drone is conducted. The thesis work presents the design of two kinds of controllers that can control the Drone to keep it balanced and track different kinds of input trajectories. The nonlinear mathematical model for the Drone is derived by the Newton-Euler method. The rotational subsystem and translational system are derived to describe the attitude and position motion of Drone. Techniques from linear control theory are employed to linearize the highly coupled and nonlinear quadcopter plant around equilibrium points and apply the linear feedback controller to stabilize the system. The controller is a digital tracking system that deploys LQR for system stability design. Fixed gain and adaptive gain scheduled controllers are developed and compared with different LQR weights. Step references and reference trajectories involving signicant variation for the yaw angle in the xy-plane and three-dimensional spaces are tracked in the simulation. The physical implementation and an output feedback controller are considered for future work.

Quality Control Circles: A Vehicle for Just-in-Time Implementation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sepehri, Mehran

1985-01-01

Explains just-in-time (JIT) material flow and production, a method of production designed to eliminate waste. Discusses why quality control circles work so well with a JIT system, and describes how several companies have made JIT work for them. (CT)

Validation of Digital Systems in Avionics and Flight Control Applications Handbook. Volume 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-01

will also be available to Airways Facilities, Systems Research and Development Service, Air Traffic Control Service, and Flight Standards elements...2114, March 12-14, 1979. 3. Validation Methods Research for Fault-Tolerant Avionics and Control Systems-- *r Working Group Meeting II, NASA...command generation with the multiple methods becoming avail- able for closure of the outer control loop necessitates research on alternative integration

Basic characteristics and realization of production system control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Shaopeng; Shell, Richard; Hall, Ernest L.

1992-11-01

This paper analyzes the issues involved in developing an intelligent production control system. It describes the basic characteristics of a production control system and an effective design methodology to realize the production control functions. Petri net, subsystem and hierarchical control concepts are applied to a computer integrated material handling system (MHS). Some communication and interface requirements of the MHS are also considered in this paper. The control system solution is illustrated with an actual MHS operation case which indicates that a truly flexible and integrated production system can be realized with a Petri net operation model and a hierarchical control structure. The significance of this work is related to the different operation testing and evaluation requirements encountered in manufacturing.

Design and evaluation of a failure detection and isolation algorithm for restructurable control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiss, Jerold L.; Hsu, John Y.

1986-01-01

The use of a decentralized approach to failure detection and isolation for use in restructurable control systems is examined. This work has produced: (1) A method for evaluating fundamental limits to FDI performance; (2) Application using flight recorded data; (3) A working control element FDI system with maximal sensitivity to critical control element failures; (4) Extensive testing on realistic simulations; and (5) A detailed design methodology involving parameter optimization (with respect to model uncertainties) and sensitivity analyses. This project has concentrated on detection and isolation of generic control element failures since these failures frequently lead to emergency conditions and since knowledge of remaining control authority is essential for control system redesign. The failures are generic in the sense that no temporal failure signature information was assumed. Thus, various forms of functional failures are treated in a unified fashion. Such a treatment results in a robust FDI system (i.e., one that covers all failure modes) but sacrifices some performance when detailed failure signature information is known, useful, and employed properly. It was assumed throughout that all sensors are validated (i.e., contain only in-spec errors) and that only the first failure of a single control element needs to be detected and isolated. The FDI system which has been developed will handle a class of multiple failures.

Diversified Control Paths: A Significant Way Disease Genes Perturb the Human Regulatory Network

PubMed Central

Wang, Bingbo; Gao, Lin; Zhang, Qingfang; Li, Aimin; Deng, Yue; Guo, Xingli

2015-01-01

Background The complexity of biological systems motivates us to use the underlying networks to provide deep understanding of disease etiology and the human diseases are viewed as perturbations of dynamic properties of networks. Control theory that deals with dynamic systems has been successfully used to capture systems-level knowledge in large amount of quantitative biological interactions. But from the perspective of system control, the ways by which multiple genetic factors jointly perturb a disease phenotype still remain. Results In this work, we combine tools from control theory and network science to address the diversified control paths in complex networks. Then the ways by which the disease genes perturb biological systems are identified and quantified by the control paths in a human regulatory network. Furthermore, as an application, prioritization of candidate genes is presented by use of control path analysis and gene ontology annotation for definition of similarities. We use leave-one-out cross-validation to evaluate the ability of finding the gene-disease relationship. Results have shown compatible performance with previous sophisticated works, especially in directed systems. Conclusions Our results inspire a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms that drive pathological processes. Diversified control paths offer a basis for integrated intervention techniques which will ultimately lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. PMID:26284649

Quality Space and Launch Requirements Addendum to AS9100C

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-05

45 8.9.1 Statistical Process Control (SPC) .......................................................................... 45 8.9.1.1 Out of Control...Systems Center SME Subject Matter Expert SOW Statement of Work SPC Statistical Process Control SPO System Program Office SRP Standard Repair...individual data exceeding the control limits. Control limits are developed using standard statistical methods or other approved techniques and are based on

Position, Attitude, and Fault-Tolerant Control of Tilting-Rotor Quadcopter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Rumit

The aim of this thesis is to present algorithms for autonomous control of tilt-rotor quadcopter UAV. In particular, this research work describes position, attitude and fault tolerant control in tilt-rotor quadcopter. Quadcopters are one of the most popular and reliable unmanned aerial systems because of the design simplicity, hovering capabilities and minimal operational cost. Numerous applications for quadcopters have been explored all over the world but very little work has been done to explore design enhancements and address the fault-tolerant capabilities of the quadcopters. The tilting rotor quadcopter is a structural advancement of traditional quadcopter and it provides additional actuated controls as the propeller motors are actuated for tilt which can be utilized to improve efficiency of the aerial vehicle during flight. The tilting rotor quadcopter design is accomplished by using an additional servo motor for each rotor that enables the rotor to tilt about the axis of the quadcopter arm. Tilting rotor quadcopter is a more agile version of conventional quadcopter and it is a fully actuated system. The tilt-rotor quadcopter is capable of following complex trajectories with ease. The control strategy in this work is to use the propeller tilts for position and orientation control during autonomous flight of the quadcopter. In conventional quadcopters, two propellers rotate in clockwise direction and other two propellers rotate in counter clockwise direction to cancel out the effective yawing moment of the system. The variation in rotational speeds of these four propellers is utilized for maneuvering. On the other hand, this work incorporates use of varying propeller rotational speeds along with tilting of the propellers for maneuvering during flight. The rotational motion of propellers work in sync with propeller tilts to control the position and orientation of the UAV during the flight. A PD flight controller is developed to achieve various modes of the flight. Further, the performance of the controller and the tilt-rotor design has been compared with respect to the conventional quadcopter in the presence of wind disturbances and sensor uncertainties. In this work, another novel feed-forward control design approach is presented for complex trajectory tracking during autonomous flight. Differential flatness based feed-forward position control is employed to enhance the performance of the UAV during complex trajectory tracking. By accounting for differential flatness based feed-forward control input parameters, a new PD controller is designed to achieve the desired performance in autonomous flight. The results for tracking complex trajectories have been presented by performing numerical simulations with and without environmental uncertainties to demonstrate robustness of the controller during flight. The conventional quadcopters are under-actuated systems and, upon failure of one propeller, the conventional quadcopter would have a tendency of spinning about the primary axis fixed to the vehicle as an outcome of the asymmetry in resultant yawing moment in the system. In this work, control of tilt-rotor quadcopter is presented upon failure of one propeller during flight. The tilt-rotor quadcopter is capable of handling a propeller failure and hence is a fault-tolerant system. The dynamic model of tilting-rotor quadcopter with one propeller failure is derived and a controller has been designed to achieve hovering and navigation capability. The simulation results of way point navigation, complex trajectory tracking and fault-tolerance are presented.

Dielectric Elastomer Actuators for Soft Wave-Handling Systems.

PubMed

Wang, Tao; Zhang, Jinhua; Hong, Jun; Wang, Michael Yu

2017-03-01

This article presents a soft handling system inspired by the principle of the natural wave (named Wave-Handling system) aiming to offer a soft solution to delicately transport and sort fragile items such as fruits, vegetables, biological tissues in food, and biological industries. The system consists of an array of hydrostatically coupled dielectric elastomer actuators (HCDEAs). Due to the electrostriction property of dielectric elastomers, the handling system can be controlled by electric voltage rather than the cumbersome pneumatic system. To study the working performance of the Wave-Handling system and how the performance can be improved, the basic properties of HCDEA are investigated through experiments. We find that the HCDEA exhibits some delay and hysteretic characteristics when activated by periodic voltage and the characteristics are influenced by the frequency and external force also. All this will affect the performance of the Wave-Handling system. However, the electric control, simple structure, light weight, and low cost of the soft handling system show great potential to move from laboratory to practical application. As a proof of design concept, a simply made prototype of the handling system is controlled to generate a parallel moving wave to manipulate a ball. Based on the experimental results, the improvements and future work are discussed and we believe this work will provide inspiration for soft robotic engineering.

Analysis and control of the METC fluid bed gasifier. Quarterly progress report, January--March 1995

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1995-03-01

This document summarizes work performed for the period 10/1/94 to 3/31/95. In this work, three components will form the basis for design of a control scheme for the Fluidized Bed Gasifier (FBG) at METC: (1) a control systems analysis based on simple linear models derived from process data, (2) review of the literature on fluid bed gasifier operation and control, and (3) understanding of present FBG operation and real world considerations. Below we summarize work accomplished to data in each of these areas.

Launch Control Network Engineer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Medeiros, Samantha

2017-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) is being built at the Kennedy Space Center in order to successfully launch NASA’s revolutionary vehicle that allows humans to explore further into space than ever before. During my internship, I worked with the Network, Firewall, and Hardware teams that are all contributing to the huge SCCS network project effort. I learned the SCCS network design and the several concepts that are running in the background. I also updated and designed documentation for physical networks that are part of SCCS. This includes being able to assist and build physical installations as well as configurations. I worked with the network design for vehicle telemetry interfaces to the Launch Control System (LCS); this allows the interface to interact with other systems at other NASA locations. This network design includes the Space Launch System (SLS), Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), and the Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). I worked on the network design and implementation in the Customer Avionics Interface Development and Analysis (CAIDA) lab.

Completion of the LANSCE Proton Storage Ring Control System Upgrade -- A Successful Integration of EPICS Into a Running Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaller, S. C.; Bjorklund, E. A.; Carr, G. P.; Faucett, J. A.; Oothoudt, M. A.

1997-05-01

The Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center (LANSCE) Proton Storage Ring (PSR) control system upgrade was completed in 1996. In previous work, much of a PDP-11-based control system was replaced with Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) controls. Several parts of the old control system which used a VAX for operator displays and direct access to a CAMAC serial highway still remained. The old system was preserved as a "fallback" if the new EPICS-based system had problems. The control system upgrade completion included conversion of several application programs to EPICS-based operator interfaces, moving some data acquisition hardware to EPICS Input-Output Controllers (IOCs), and the implementation of new gateway software to complete the overall control system interoperability. Many operator interface (OPI) screens, written by LANSCE operators, have been incorporated in the new system. The old PSR control system hardware was removed. The robustness and reliability of the new controls obviated the need for a fallback capability.

Examining Cybersecurity of Cyberphysical Systems for Critical Infrastructures Through Work Domain Analysis.

PubMed

Wang, Hao; Lau, Nathan; Gerdes, Ryan M

2018-04-01

The aim of this study was to apply work domain analysis for cybersecurity assessment and design of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Adoption of information and communication technology in cyberphysical systems (CPSs) for critical infrastructures enables automated and distributed control but introduces cybersecurity risk. Many CPSs employ SCADA industrial control systems that have become the target of cyberattacks, which inflict physical damage without use of force. Given that absolute security is not feasible for complex systems, cyberintrusions that introduce unanticipated events will occur; a proper response will in turn require human adaptive ability. Therefore, analysis techniques that can support security assessment and human factors engineering are invaluable for defending CPSs. We conducted work domain analysis using the abstraction hierarchy (AH) to model a generic SCADA implementation to identify the functional structures and means-ends relations. We then adopted a case study approach examining the Stuxnet cyberattack by developing and integrating AHs for the uranium enrichment process, SCADA implementation, and malware to investigate the interactions between the three aspects of cybersecurity in CPSs. The AHs for modeling a generic SCADA implementation and studying the Stuxnet cyberattack are useful for mapping attack vectors, identifying deficiencies in security processes and features, and evaluating proposed security solutions with respect to system objectives. Work domain analysis is an effective analytical method for studying cybersecurity of CPSs for critical infrastructures in a psychologically relevant manner. Work domain analysis should be applied to assess cybersecurity risk and inform engineering and user interface design.

Open control/display system for a telerobotics work station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keslowitz, Saul

1987-01-01

A working Advanced Space Cockpit was developed that integrated advanced control and display devices into a state-of-the-art multimicroprocessor hardware configuration, using window graphics and running under an object-oriented, multitasking real-time operating system environment. This Open Control/Display System supports the idea that the operator should be able to interactively monitor, select, control, and display information about many payloads aboard the Space Station using sets of I/O devices with a single, software-reconfigurable workstation. This is done while maintaining system consistency, yet the system is completely open to accept new additions and advances in hardware and software. The Advanced Space Cockpit, linked to Grumman's Hybrid Computing Facility and Large Amplitude Space Simulator (LASS), was used to test the Open Control/Display System via full-scale simulation of the following tasks: telerobotic truss assembly, RCS and thermal bus servicing, CMG changeout, RMS constrained motion and space constructible radiator assembly, HPA coordinated control, and OMV docking and tumbling satellite retrieval. The proposed man-machine interface standard discussed has evolved through many iterations of the tasks, and is based on feedback from NASA and Air Force personnel who performed those tasks in the LASS.

A dual-systems perspective on addiction: contributions from neuroimaging and cognitive training.

PubMed

McClure, Samuel M; Bickel, Warren K

2014-10-01

Dual-systems theories explain lapses in self-control in terms of a conflict between automatic and deliberative modes of behavioral control. Numerous studies have now tested whether the brain areas that control behavior are organized in a manner consistent with dual-systems models. Brain regions directly associated with the mesolimbic dopamine system, the nucleus accumbens and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in particular, capture some of the features assumed by automatic processing. Regions in the lateral prefrontal cortex are more closely linked to deliberative processing and the exertion of self-control in the suppression of impulses. While identifying these regions crudely supports dual-systems theories, important modifications to what constitutes automatic and deliberative behavioral control are also suggested. Experiments have identified various means by which automatic processes may be sculpted. Additional work decomposes deliberative processes into component functions such as generalized working memory, reappraisal of emotional stimuli, and prospection. The importance of deconstructing dual-systems models into specific cognitive processes is clear for understanding and treating addiction. We discuss intervention possibilities suggested by recent research, and focus in particular on cognitive training approaches to bolster deliberative control processes that may aid quit attempts. © 2014 New York Academy of Sciences.

A dual-systems perspective on addiction: contributions from neuroimaging and cognitive training

PubMed Central

McClure, Samuel M.; Bickel, Warren K.

2014-01-01

Dual-systems theories explain lapses in self-control in terms of a conflict between automatic and deliberative modes of behavioral control. Numerous studies have now tested whether the brain areas that control behavior are organized in a manner consistent with dual-systems models. Brain regions directly associated with the mesolimbic dopamine system, the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in particular, capture some of the features assumed by automatic processing. Regions in the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC) are more closely linked to deliberative processing and the exertion of self-control in the suppression of impulses. While identifying these regions crudely supports dual-system theories, important modifications to what constitutes automatic and deliberative behavioral control are also suggested. Experiments have identified various means by which automatic processes may be sculpted. Additional work decomposes deliberative processes into component functions such as generalized working memory, reappraisal of emotional stimuli, and prospection. The importance of deconstructing dual-systems models into specific cognitive processes is clear for understanding and treating addiction. We discuss intervention possibilities suggested by recent research, and focus in particular on cognitive training approaches to bolster deliberative control processes that may aid quit attempts. PMID:25336389

Improvement on Main/backup Controller Switching Device of the Nozzle Throat Area Control System for a Turbofan Aero Engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jie; Duan, Minghu; Yan, Maode; Li, Gang; Li, Xiaohui

2014-06-01

A full authority digital electronic controller (FADEC) equipped with a full authority hydro-mechanical backup controller (FAHMBC) is adopted as the nozzle throat area control system (NTACS) of a turbofan aero engine. In order to ensure the switching reliability of the main/backup controller, the nozzle throat area control switching valve was improved from three-way convex desktop slide valve to six-way convex desktop slide valve. Simulation results show that, if malfunctions of FAEDC occur and abnormal signals are outputted from FADEC, NTACS will be seriously influenced by the main/backup controller switching in several working states, while NTACS will not be influenced by using the improved nozzle throat area control switching valve, thus the controller switching process will become safer and smoother and the working reliability of this turbofan aero engine is improved by the controller switching device improvement.

40 CFR 63.2292 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... designed and maintained to capture all emissions for discharge through a control device. Work practice..., wheat straw, rice straw, and bagasse. Biofilter means an enclosed control system such as a tank or... collected by a capture device. Catalytic oxidizer means a control system that combusts or oxidizes, in the...

Cortical Interactions Underlying the Production of Speech Sounds

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guenther, Frank H.

2006-01-01

Speech production involves the integration of auditory, somatosensory, and motor information in the brain. This article describes a model of speech motor control in which a feedforward control system, involving premotor and primary motor cortex and the cerebellum, works in concert with auditory and somatosensory feedback control systems that…

Charter for Systems Engineer Working Group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suffredini, Michael T.; Grissom, Larry

2015-01-01

This charter establishes the International Space Station Program (ISSP) Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Systems Engineering Working Group (SEWG). The MSS SEWG is established to provide a mechanism for Systems Engineering for the end-to-end MSS function. The MSS end-to-end function includes the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), the Mobile Remote Servicer (MRS) Base System (MBS), Robotic Work Station (RWS), Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), Video Signal Converters (VSC), and Operations Control Software (OCS), the Mobile Transporter (MT), and by interfaces between and among these elements, and United States On-Orbit Segment (USOS) distributed systems, and other International Space Station Elements and Payloads, (including the Power Data Grapple Fixtures (PDGFs), MSS Capture Attach System (MCAS) and the Mobile Transporter Capture Latch (MTCL)). This end-to-end function will be supported by the ISS and MSS ground segment facilities. This charter defines the scope and limits of the program authority and document control that is delegated to the SEWG and it also identifies the panel core membership and specific operating policies.

Real-time path planning and autonomous control for helicopter autorotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yomchinda, Thanan

Autorotation is a descending maneuver that can be used to recover helicopters in the event of total loss of engine power; however it is an extremely difficult and complex maneuver. The objective of this work is to develop a real-time system which provides full autonomous control for autorotation landing of helicopters. The work includes the development of an autorotation path planning method and integration of the path planner with a primary flight control system. The trajectory is divided into three parts: entry, descent and flare. Three different optimization algorithms are used to generate trajectories for each of these segments. The primary flight control is designed using a linear dynamic inversion control scheme, and a path following control law is developed to track the autorotation trajectories. Details of the path planning algorithm, trajectory following control law, and autonomous autorotation system implementation are presented. The integrated system is demonstrated in real-time high fidelity simulations. Results indicate feasibility of the capability of the algorithms to operate in real-time and of the integrated systems ability to provide safe autorotation landings. Preliminary simulations of autonomous autorotation on a small UAV are presented which will lead to a final hardware demonstration of the algorithms.

Fuel composition effect on cathode airflow control in fuel cell gas turbine hybrid systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Nana; Zaccaria, Valentina; Tucker, David

2018-04-01

Cathode airflow regulation is considered an effective means for thermal management in solid oxide fuel cell gas turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid system. However, performance and controllability are observed to vary significantly with different fuel compositions. Because a complete system characterization with any possible fuel composition is not feasible, the need arises for robust controllers. The sufficiency of robust control is dictated by the effective change of operating state given the new composition used. It is possible that controller response could become unstable without a change in the gains from one state to the other. In this paper, cathode airflow transients are analyzed in a SOFC-GT system using syngas as fuel composition, comparing with previous work which used humidified hydrogen. Transfer functions are developed to map the relationship between the airflow bypass and several key variables. The impact of fuel composition on system control is quantified by evaluating the difference between gains and poles in transfer functions. Significant variations in the gains and the poles, more than 20% in most cases, are found in turbine rotational speed and cathode airflow. The results of this work provide a guideline for the development of future control strategies to face fuel composition changes.

From the doctor's workshop to the iron cage? Evolving modes of physician control in US health systems.

PubMed

Kitchener, Martin; Caronna, Carol A; Shortell, Stephen M

2005-03-01

As national health systems pursue the common goals of containing expenditure growth and improving quality, many have sought to replace autonomous modes (systems) of physician control that rely on initial professional training and subsequent peer review. A common approach has involved extending bureaucratic modes of physician control that employ techniques such as hierarchical coordination and salaried positions. This paper applies concepts from studies of professional work to frame an empirical analysis of emergent bureaucratic modes of physician control in US hospital-based systems. Conceptually, we draw from recent studies to update Scott's (Health Services Res. 17(3) (1982) 213) typology to specify three bureaucratic modes of physician control: heteronomous, conjoint, and custodial. Empirically, we use case study evidence from eight US hospital-based systems to illustrate the heterogeneity of bureaucratic modes of physician control that span each of the ideal types. The findings indicate that some influential analysts perpetuate a caricature of bureaucratic organization which underplays its capacity to provide multiple modes of physician control that maintain professional autonomy over the content of work, and present opportunities for aligning practice with social goals.

Investigation of induced recirculation during planned ventilation system maintenance

PubMed Central

Pritchard, C.J.; Scott, D.F.; Noll, J.D.; Voss, B.; Leonis, D.

2015-01-01

The Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) investigated ways to increase mine airflow to underground metal/nonmetal (M/NM) mine working areas to improve miners’ health and safety. One of those areas is controlled recirculation. Because the quantity of mine air often cannot be increased, reusing part of the ventilating air can be an effective alternative, if implemented properly, until the capacity of the present system is improved. The additional airflow can be used to provide effective dilution of contaminants and higher flow velocities in the underground mine environment. Most applications of controlled recirculation involve taking a portion of the return air and passing it back into the intake to increase the air volume delivered to the desired work areas. OMSHR investigated a Nevada gold mine where shaft rehabilitation was in progress and one of the two main fans was shut down to allow reduced air velocity for safe shaft work. Underground booster fan operating pressures were kept constant to maintain airflow to work areas, inducing controlled recirculation in one work zone. Investigation into system behavior and the effects of recirculation on the working area during times of reduced primary ventilation system airflow would provide additional information on implementation of controlled recirculation into the system and how these events affect M/NM ventilation systems. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health monitored the ventilation district when both main fans were operating and another scenario with one of the units turned off for maintenance. Airflow and contaminants were measured to determine the exposure effects of induced recirculation on miner health. Surveys showed that 19% controlled recirculation created no change in the overall district airflow distribution and a small reduction in district fresh air intake. Total dust levels increased only modestly and respirable dust levels were also low. Diesel particulate matter (DPM) levels showed a high increase in district intake mass flow, but minor increases in exposure levels related to the recirculation percentage. Utilization of DPM mass flow rates allows input into ventilation modeling programs to better understand and plan for ventilation changes and district recirculation effects on miners’ health. PMID:26190862

Efficient operation scheduling for adsorption chillers using predictive optimization-based control methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bürger, Adrian; Sawant, Parantapa; Bohlayer, Markus; Altmann-Dieses, Angelika; Braun, Marco; Diehl, Moritz

2017-10-01

Within this work, the benefits of using predictive control methods for the operation of Adsorption Cooling Machines (ACMs) are shown on a simulation study. Since the internal control decisions of series-manufactured ACMs often cannot be influenced, the work focuses on optimized scheduling of an ACM considering its internal functioning as well as forecasts for load and driving energy occurrence. For illustration, an assumed solar thermal climate system is introduced and a system model suitable for use within gradient-based optimization methods is developed. The results of a system simulation using a conventional scheme for ACM scheduling are compared to the results of a predictive, optimization-based scheduling approach for the same exemplary scenario of load and driving energy occurrence. The benefits of the latter approach are shown and future actions for application of these methods for system control are addressed.

Development of telescope control system for the 50cm telescope of UC Observatory Santa Martina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Tzu-Chiang; Soto, Ruben; Reveco, Johnny; Vanzi, Leonardo; Fernández, Jose M.; Escarate, Pedro; Suc, Vincent

2012-09-01

The main telescope of the UC Observatory Santa Martina is a 50cm optical telescope donated by ESO to Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. During the past years the telescope has been refurbished and used as the main facility for testing and validating new instruments under construction by the center of Astro-Engineering UC. As part of this work, the need to develop a more efficient and flexible control system arises. The new distributed control system has been developed on top of Internet Communication Engine (ICE), a framework developed by Zeroc Inc. This framework features a lightweight but powerful and flexible inter-process communication infrastructure and provides binding to classic and modern programming languages, such as, C/C++, java, c#, ruby-rail, objective c, etc. The result of this work shows ICE as a real alternative for CORBA and other de-facto distribute programming framework. Classical control software architecture has been chosen and comprises an observation control system (OCS), the orchestrator of the observation, which controls the telescope control system (TCS), and detector control system (DCS). The real-time control and monitoring system is deployed and running over ARM based single board computers. Other features such as logging and configuration services have been developed as well. Inter-operation with other main astronomical control frameworks are foreseen in order achieve a smooth integration of instruments when they will be integrated in the main observatories in the north of Chile

Realworld maximum power point tracking simulation of PV system based on Fuzzy Logic control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othman, Ahmed M.; El-arini, Mahdi M. M.; Ghitas, Ahmed; Fathy, Ahmed

2012-12-01

In the recent years, the solar energy becomes one of the most important alternative sources of electric energy, so it is important to improve the efficiency and reliability of the photovoltaic (PV) systems. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) plays an important role in photovoltaic power systems because it maximize the power output from a PV system for a given set of conditions, and therefore maximize their array efficiency. This paper presents a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) using Fuzzy Logic theory for a PV system. The work is focused on the well known Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm and is compared to a designed fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The simulation work dealing with MPPT controller; a DC/DC Ćuk converter feeding a load is achieved. The results showed that the proposed Fuzzy Logic MPPT in the PV system is valid.

78 FR 51749 - Proposed Information Collection; Ventilation Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record (Pertains to...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-21

... maintaining a safe and healthful working environment. A well planned mine ventilation system is necessary to assure a fresh air supply to miners at all working places, to control the amounts of harmful airborne... usually present harsh and hostile working environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life...

First Experiences Using XACML for Access Control in Distributed Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorch, Marcus; Proctor, Seth; Lepro, Rebekah; Kafura, Dennis; Shah, Sumit

2003-01-01

Authorization systems today are increasingly complex. They span domains of administration, rely on many different authentication sources, and manage permissions that can be as complex as the system itself. Worse still, while there are many standards that define authentication mechanisms, the standards that address authorization are less well defined and tend to work only within homogeneous systems. This paper presents XACML, a standard access control language, as one component of a distributed and inter-operable authorization framework. Several emerging systems which incorporate XACML are discussed. These discussions illustrate how authorization can be deployed in distributed, decentralized systems. Finally, some new and future topics are presented to show where this work is heading and how it will help connect the general components of an authorization system.

Programmable Logic Controller Modification Attacks for use in Detection Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-27

and J. Lowe, “The Myths and Facts Behind Cyber Security Risks for Industrial Control Systems ,” in Proceedings of the VDE Kongress, vol. 116, 2004. [13...Feb 2014 Date 20 Feb 2014 Date 20 Feb 2014 Date AFIT-ENG-14-M-66 Abstract Unprotected Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems offer...control and monitor physical industrial processes. Although attacks targeting SCADA systems have increased, there has been little work exploring the

Tank waste remediation system configuration management plan

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vann, J.M.

The configuration management program for the Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) Project Mission supports management of the project baseline by providing the mechanisms to identify, document, and control the functional and physical characteristics of the products. This document is one of the tools used to develop and control the mission and work. It is an integrated approach for control of technical, cost, schedule, and administrative information necessary to manage the configurations for the TWRS Project Mission. Configuration management focuses on five principal activities: configuration management system management, configuration identification, configuration status accounting, change control, and configuration management assessments. TWRS Projectmore » personnel must execute work in a controlled fashion. Work must be performed by verbatim use of authorized and released technical information and documentation. Application of configuration management will be consistently applied across all TWRS Project activities and assessed accordingly. The Project Hanford Management Contract (PHMC) configuration management requirements are prescribed in HNF-MP-013, Configuration Management Plan (FDH 1997a). This TWRS Configuration Management Plan (CMP) implements those requirements and supersedes the Tank Waste Remediation System Configuration Management Program Plan described in Vann, 1996. HNF-SD-WM-CM-014, Tank Waste Remediation System Configuration Management Implementation Plan (Vann, 1997) will be revised to implement the requirements of this plan. This plan provides the responsibilities, actions and tools necessary to implement the requirements as defined in the above referenced documents.« less

Low-power grating detection system chip for high-speed low-cost length and angle precision measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Ligang; Luo, Rengui; Wu, Wuchen

2006-11-01

This paper forwards a low power grating detection chip (EYAS) on length and angle precision measurement. Traditional grating detection method, such as resister chain divide or phase locked divide circuit are difficult to design and tune. The need of an additional CPU for control and display makes these methods' implementation more complex and costly. Traditional methods also suffer low sampling speed for the complex divide circuit scheme and CPU software compensation. EYAS is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It integrates micro controller unit (MCU), power management unit (PMU), LCD controller, Keyboard interface, grating detection unit and other peripherals. Working at 10MHz, EYAS can afford 5MHz internal sampling rate and can handle 1.25MHz orthogonal signal from grating sensor. With a simple control interface by keyboard, sensor parameter, data processing and system working mode can be configured. Two LCD controllers can adapt to dot array LCD or segment bit LCD, which comprised output interface. PMU alters system between working and standby mode by clock gating technique to save power. EYAS in test mode (system action are more frequently than real world use) consumes 0.9mw, while 0.2mw in real world use. EYAS achieved the whole grating detection system function, high-speed orthogonal signal handling in a single chip with very low power consumption.

Dynamics and controls working group summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oglevie, R. E.

1984-01-01

The technology status of the dynamics and controls discipline as it applies to energy storage wheel systems was evaluated. No problems were identified for which an adequate solution could not be proposed. Design issues that influence control were addressed. The dynamics and control aspects associated with the energy storage system concept and its various constituent parts, and the control tasks attendant to large, manned spacecraft are discussed.

Electric and hybrid vehicle system R/D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwartz, H. J.

1980-01-01

The work being done to characterize the level of current propulsion technology through component testing is described. Important interactions between the battery and the propulsion system will be discussed. Component development work, involving traction motors, motor controllers and transmissions are described and current results are presented. Studies of advanced electric and hybrid propulsion system studies are summarized and the status of propulsion system development work supported by the project is described. A strategy for fostering joint industry/government projects for commercialization of propulsion components and systems is described briefly.

[Development of New Mathematical Methodology in Air Traffic Control for the Analysis of Hybrid Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hermann, Robert

1997-01-01

The aim of this research is to develop new mathematical methodology for the analysis of hybrid systems of the type involved in Air Traffic Control (ATC) problems. Two directions of investigation were initiated. The first used the methodology of nonlinear generalized functions, whose mathematical foundations were initiated by Colombeau and developed further by Oberguggenberger; it has been extended to apply to ordinary differential. Systems of the type encountered in control in joint work with the PI and M. Oberguggenberger. This involved a 'mixture' of 'continuous' and 'discrete' methodology. ATC clearly involves mixtures of two sorts of mathematical problems: (1) The 'continuous' dynamics of a standard control type described by ordinary differential equations (ODE) of the form: {dx/dt = f(x, u)} and (2) the discrete lattice dynamics involved of cellular automata. Most of the CA literature involves a discretization of a partial differential equation system of the type encountered in physics problems (e.g. fluid and gas problems). Both of these directions requires much thinking and new development of mathematical fundamentals before they may be utilized in the ATC work. Rather than consider CA as 'discretization' of PDE systems, I believe that the ATC applications will require a completely different and new mathematical methodology, a sort of discrete analogue of jet bundles and/or the sheaf-theoretic techniques to topologists. Here too, I have begun work on virtually 'virgin' mathematical ground (at least from an 'applied' point of view) which will require considerable preliminary work.

Software control and system configuration management - A process that works

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petersen, K. L.; Flores, C., Jr.

1983-01-01

A comprehensive software control and system configuration management process for flight-crucial digital control systems of advanced aircraft has been developed and refined to insure efficient flight system development and safe flight operations. Because of the highly complex interactions among the hardware, software, and system elements of state-of-the-art digital flight control system designs, a systems-wide approach to configuration control and management has been used. Specific procedures are implemented to govern discrepancy reporting and reconciliation, software and hardware change control, systems verification and validation testing, and formal documentation requirements. An active and knowledgeable configuration control board reviews and approves all flight system configuration modifications and revalidation tests. This flexible process has proved effective during the development and flight testing of several research aircraft and remotely piloted research vehicles with digital flight control systems that ranged from relatively simple to highly complex, integrated mechanizations.

Designing of a technological line in the context of controlling with the use of integration of the virtual controller with the mechatronics concept designer module of the PLM Siemens NX software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herbuś, K.; Ociepka, P.

2017-08-01

In the work is examined the sequential control system of a technological line in the form of the final part of a system of an internal transport. The process of designing this technological line using the computer-aided approach ran concurrently in two different program environments. In the Mechatronics Concept Designer module of the PLM Siemens NX software was developed the 3D model of the technological line prepared for verification the logic interrelations implemented in the control system. For this purpose, from the whole system of the technological line, it was distinguished the sub-system of actuators and sensors, because their correct operation determines the correct operation of the whole system. Whereas in the application of the virtual controller have been implemented the algorithms of work of the planned line. Then both program environments have been integrated using the OPC server, which enables the exchange of data between the considered systems. The data on the state of the object and the data defining the way and sequence of operation of the technological line are exchanged between the virtual controller and the 3D model of the technological line in real time.

Advanced automation of a prototypic thermal control system for Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dominick, Jeff

1990-01-01

Viewgraphs on an advanced automation of a prototypic thermal control system for space station are presented. The Thermal Expert System (TEXSYS) was initiated in 1986 as a cooperative project between ARC and JCS as a way to leverage on-going work at both centers. JSC contributed Thermal Control System (TCS) hardware and control software, TCS operational expertise, and integration expertise. ARC contributed expert system and display expertise. The first years of the project were dedicated to parallel development of expert system tools, displays, interface software, and TCS technology and procedures by a total of four organizations.

Color Coding Organic Chemicals for Inventory Control.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wystrach, V. P.; George, Babu

1985-01-01

Describes a system in which organic chemicals are recoded for inventory control and reshelving purposes. The system works well in undergraduate organic chemistry or biology laboratories but can be expanded to handle a larger and more complicated inventory. (JN)

Reconfigurable assembly work station

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Yhu-Tin; Abell, Jeffrey A.; Spicer, John Patrick

A reconfigurable autonomous workstation includes a multi-faced superstructure including a horizontally-arranged frame section supported on a plurality of posts. The posts form a plurality of vertical faces arranged between adjacent pairs of the posts, the faces including first and second faces and a power distribution and position reference face. A controllable robotic arm suspends from the rectangular frame section, and a work table fixedly couples to the power distribution and position reference face. A plurality of conveyor tables are fixedly coupled to the work table including a first conveyor table through the first face and a second conveyor table throughmore » the second face. A vision system monitors the work table and each of the conveyor tables. A programmable controller monitors signal inputs from the vision system to identify and determine orientation of the component on the first conveyor table and control the robotic arm to execute an assembly task.« less

Design of a temperature control system using incremental PID algorithm for a special homemade shortwave infrared spatial remote sensor based on FPGA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zhipeng; Wei, Jun; Li, Jianwei; Zhou, Qianting

2010-11-01

An image spectrometer of a spatial remote sensing satellite requires shortwave band range from 2.1μm to 3μm which is one of the most important bands in remote sensing. We designed an infrared sub-system of the image spectrometer using a homemade 640x1 InGaAs shortwave infrared sensor working on FPA system which requires high uniformity and low level of dark current. The working temperature should be -15+/-0.2 Degree Celsius. This paper studies the model of noise for focal plane array (FPA) system, investigated the relationship with temperature and dark current noise, and adopts Incremental PID algorithm to generate PWM wave in order to control the temperature of the sensor. There are four modules compose of the FPGA module design. All of the modules are coded by VHDL and implemented in FPGA device APA300. Experiment shows the intelligent temperature control system succeeds in controlling the temperature of the sensor.

Interference control in working memory: comparing groups of children with atypical development.

PubMed

Palladino, Paola; Ferrari, Marcella

2013-01-01

The study aimed to test whether working memory deficits in children at risk of Learning Disabilities (LD) and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be attributed to deficits in interference control, thereby implicating prefrontal systems. Two groups of children known for showing poor working memory (i.e., children with poor comprehension and children with ADHD) were compared to a group of children with specific reading decoding problems (i.e., having severe problems in phonological rather than working memory) and to a control group. All children were tested with a verbal working memory task. Interference control of irrelevant items was examined by a lexical decision task presented immediately after the final recall in about half the trials, selected at random. The interference control measure was therefore directly related to working memory performance. Results confirmed deficient working memory performance in poor comprehenders and children at risk of ADHD + LD. More interestingly, this working memory deficit was associated with greater activation of irrelevant information than in the control group. Poor decoders showed more efficient interference control, in contrast to poor comprehenders and ADHD + LD children. These results indicated that interfering items were still highly accessible to working memory in children who fail the working memory task. In turn, these findings strengthen and clarify the role of interference control, one of the most critical prefrontal functions, in working memory.

The Present Status of the Field of Digital Computer Based Industrial Control Systems and the Work of the International Purdue Workshop in Helping to Promote this Field

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-09-01

Strategy for a Class of Static Systems", IEEE Trans, on Auto. Cont., AC-17, 7-15 (1972). 14. Findeisen , W., and Lefkowitz, I., "Design and Applications...of Multilayer Control", Proc. Fourth IFAC Congress, Warsaw, 1969. 15. Findeisen , W., Multilevel Control Systems, Panstwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe

A novel teaching system for industrial robots.

PubMed

Lin, Hsien-I; Lin, Yu-Hsiang

2014-03-27

The most important tool for controlling an industrial robotic arm is a teach pendant, which controls the robotic arm movement in work spaces and accomplishes teaching tasks. A good teaching tool should be easy to operate and can complete teaching tasks rapidly and effortlessly. In this study, a new teaching system is proposed for enabling users to operate robotic arms and accomplish teaching tasks easily. The proposed teaching system consists of the teach pen, optical markers on the pen, a motion capture system, and the pen tip estimation algorithm. With the marker positions captured by the motion capture system, the pose of the teach pen is accurately calculated by the pen tip algorithm and used to control the robot tool frame. In addition, Fitts' Law is adopted to verify the usefulness of this new system, and the results show that the system provides high accuracy, excellent operation performance, and a stable error rate. In addition, the system maintains superior performance, even when users work on platforms with different inclination angles.

A Novel Teaching System for Industrial Robots

PubMed Central

Lin, Hsien-I; Lin, Yu-Hsiang

2014-01-01

The most important tool for controlling an industrial robotic arm is a teach pendant, which controls the robotic arm movement in work spaces and accomplishes teaching tasks. A good teaching tool should be easy to operate and can complete teaching tasks rapidly and effortlessly. In this study, a new teaching system is proposed for enabling users to operate robotic arms and accomplish teaching tasks easily. The proposed teaching system consists of the teach pen, optical markers on the pen, a motion capture system, and the pen tip estimation algorithm. With the marker positions captured by the motion capture system, the pose of the teach pen is accurately calculated by the pen tip algorithm and used to control the robot tool frame. In addition, Fitts' Law is adopted to verify the usefulness of this new system, and the results show that the system provides high accuracy, excellent operation performance, and a stable error rate. In addition, the system maintains superior performance, even when users work on platforms with different inclination angles. PMID:24681669

Fault tolerant architectures for integrated aircraft electronics systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levitt, K. N.; Melliar-Smith, P. M.; Schwartz, R. L.

1983-01-01

Work into possible architectures for future flight control computer systems is described. Ada for Fault-Tolerant Systems, the NETS Network Error-Tolerant System architecture, and voting in asynchronous systems are covered.

A control system for a powered prosthesis using positional and myoelectric inputs from the shoulder complex.

PubMed

Losier, Y; Englehart, K; Hudgins, B

2007-01-01

The integration of multiple input sources within a control strategy for powered upper limb prostheses could provide smoother, more intuitive multi-joint reaching movements based on the user's intended motion. The work presented in this paper presents the results of using myoelectric signals (MES) of the shoulder area in combination with the position of the shoulder as input sources to multiple linear discriminant analysis classifiers. Such an approach may provide users with control signals capable of controlling three degrees of freedom (DOF). This work is another important step in the development of hybrid systems that will enable simultaneous control of multiple degrees of freedom used for reaching tasks in a prosthetic limb.

Symbiosis of executive and selective attention in working memory

PubMed Central

Vandierendonck, André

2014-01-01

The notion of working memory (WM) was introduced to account for the usage of short-term memory resources by other cognitive tasks such as reasoning, mental arithmetic, language comprehension, and many others. This collaboration between memory and other cognitive tasks can only be achieved by a dedicated WM system that controls task coordination. To that end, WM models include executive control. Nevertheless, other attention control systems may be involved in coordination of memory and cognitive tasks calling on memory resources. The present paper briefly reviews the evidence concerning the role of selective attention in WM activities. A model is proposed in which selective attention control is directly linked to the executive control part of the WM system. The model assumes that apart from storage of declarative information, the system also includes an executive WM module that represents the current task set. Control processes are automatically triggered when particular conditions in these modules are met. As each task set represents the parameter settings and the actions needed to achieve the task goal, it will depend on the specific settings and actions whether selective attention control will have to be shared among the active tasks. Only when such sharing is required, task performance will be affected by the capacity limits of the control system involved. PMID:25152723

Symbiosis of executive and selective attention in working memory.

PubMed

Vandierendonck, André

2014-01-01

The notion of working memory (WM) was introduced to account for the usage of short-term memory resources by other cognitive tasks such as reasoning, mental arithmetic, language comprehension, and many others. This collaboration between memory and other cognitive tasks can only be achieved by a dedicated WM system that controls task coordination. To that end, WM models include executive control. Nevertheless, other attention control systems may be involved in coordination of memory and cognitive tasks calling on memory resources. The present paper briefly reviews the evidence concerning the role of selective attention in WM activities. A model is proposed in which selective attention control is directly linked to the executive control part of the WM system. The model assumes that apart from storage of declarative information, the system also includes an executive WM module that represents the current task set. Control processes are automatically triggered when particular conditions in these modules are met. As each task set represents the parameter settings and the actions needed to achieve the task goal, it will depend on the specific settings and actions whether selective attention control will have to be shared among the active tasks. Only when such sharing is required, task performance will be affected by the capacity limits of the control system involved.

Development of self-control in children aged 3 to 9 years: Perspective from a dual-systems model

PubMed Central

Tao, Ting; Wang, Ligang; Fan, Chunlei; Gao, Wenbin

2014-01-01

The current study tested a set of interrelated theoretical propositions based on a dual-systems model of self-control. Data were collected from 2135 children aged 3 to 9 years. The results suggest that (a) there was positive growth in good self-control, whereas poor control remained relatively stable; and (b) girls performed better than boys on tests of good self-control. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for a dual-systems model of self-control theory and future empirical work. PMID:25501669

Transient stability enhancement of modern power grid using predictive Wide-Area Monitoring and Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousefian, Reza

This dissertation presents a real-time Wide-Area Control (WAC) designed based on artificial intelligence for large scale modern power systems transient stability enhancement. The WAC using the measurements available from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) at generator buses, monitors the global oscillations in the system and optimally augments the local excitation system of the synchronous generators. The complexity of the power system stability problem along with uncertainties and nonlinearities makes the conventional modeling non-practical or inaccurate. In this work Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithm on the benchmark of Neural Networks (NNs) is used to map the nonlinearities of the system in real-time. This method different from both the centralized and the decentralized control schemes, employs a number of semi-autonomous agents to collaborate with each other to perform optimal control theory well-suited for WAC applications. Also, to handle the delays in Wide-Area Monitoring (WAM) and adapt the RL toward the robust control design, Temporal Difference (TD) is proposed as a solver for RL problem or optimal cost function. However, the main drawback of such WAC design is that it is challenging to determine if an offline trained network is valid to assess the stability of the power system once the system is evolved to a different operating state or network topology. In order to address the generality issue of NNs, a value priority scheme is proposed in this work to design a hybrid linear and nonlinear controllers. The algorithm so-called supervised RL is based on mixture of experts, where it is initialized by linear controller and as the performance and identification of the RL controller improves in real-time switches to the other controller. This work also focuses on transient stability and develops Lyapunov energy functions for synchronous generators to monitor the stability stress of the system. Using such energies as a cost function guarantees the convergence toward optimal post-fault solutions. These energy functions are developed on inter-area oscillations of the system identified online with Prony analysis. Finally, this work investigates the impacts of renewable energy resources, in specific Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)-based wind turbines, on power system transient stability and control. As the penetration of such resources is increased in transmission power system, neglecting the impacts of them will make the WAC design non-realistic. An energy function is proposed for DFIGs based on their dynamic performance in transient disturbances. Further, this energy is augmented to synchronous generators' energy as a global cost function, which is minimized by the WAC signals. We discuss the relative advantages and bottlenecks of each architecture and methodology using dynamic simulations of several test systems including a 2-area 8 bus system, IEEE 39 bus system, and IEEE 68 bus system in EMTP and real-time simulators. Being nonlinear-based, fast, accurate, and non-model based design, the proposed WAC system shows better transient and damping response when compared to conventional control schemes and local PSSs.

Automatic speech recognition in air traffic control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karlsson, Joakim

1990-01-01

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology and its application to the Air Traffic Control system are described. The advantages of applying ASR to Air Traffic Control, as well as criteria for choosing a suitable ASR system are presented. Results from previous research and directions for future work at the Flight Transportation Laboratory are outlined.

40 CFR 63.2292 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... designed and maintained to capture all emissions for discharge through a control device. Work practice..., and bagasse. Biofilter means an enclosed control system such as a tank or series of tanks with a fixed.... Catalytic oxidizer means a control system that combusts or oxidizes, in the presence of a catalyst, exhaust...

Genetic algorithms for adaptive real-time control in space systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderzijp, J.; Choudry, A.

1988-01-01

Genetic Algorithms that are used for learning as one way to control the combinational explosion associated with the generation of new rules are discussed. The Genetic Algorithm approach tends to work best when it can be applied to a domain independent knowledge representation. Applications to real time control in space systems are discussed.

48 CFR 819.7112 - Internal controls.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Internal controls. 819.7112 Section 819.7112 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS VA Mentor-Protégé Program 819.7112 Internal controls. (a) OSDBU will oversee the Program and will work...

Remote control of microcontroller-based infant stimulating system.

PubMed

Burunkaya, M; Güler, I

2000-04-01

In this paper, a remote-controlled and microcontroller-based cradle is designed and constructed. This system is also called Remote Control of Microcontroller-Based Infant Stimulation System or the RECOMBIS System. Cradle is an infant stimulating system that provides relaxation and sleeping for the baby. RECOMBIS system is designed for healthy full-term newborns to provide safe infant care and provide relaxation and sleeping for the baby. A microcontroller-based electronic circuit was designed and implemented for RECOMBIS system. Electromagnets were controlled by 8-bit PIC16F84 microcontroller, which is programmed using MPASM package. The system works by entering preset values from the keyboard, or pulse code modulated radio frequency remote control system. The control of the system and the motion range were tested. The test results showed that the system provided a good performance.

Building intelligent systems: Artificial intelligence research at NASA Ames Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedland, P.; Lum, H.

1987-01-01

The basic components that make up the goal of building autonomous intelligent systems are discussed, and ongoing work at the NASA Ames Research Center is described. It is noted that a clear progression of systems can be seen through research settings (both within and external to NASA) to Space Station testbeds to systems which actually fly on the Space Station. The starting point for the discussion is a truly autonomous Space Station intelligent system, responsible for a major portion of Space Station control. Attention is given to research in fiscal 1987, including reasoning under uncertainty, machine learning, causal modeling and simulation, knowledge from design through operations, advanced planning work, validation methodologies, and hierarchical control of and distributed cooperation among multiple knowledge-based systems.

Building intelligent systems - Artificial intelligence research at NASA Ames Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedland, Peter; Lum, Henry

1987-01-01

The basic components that make up the goal of building autonomous intelligent systems are discussed, and ongoing work at the NASA Ames Research Center is described. It is noted that a clear progression of systems can be seen through research settings (both within and external to NASA) to Space Station testbeds to systems which actually fly on the Space Station. The starting point for the discussion is a 'truly' autonomous Space Station intelligent system, responsible for a major portion of Space Station control. Attention is given to research in fiscal 1987, including reasoning under uncertainty, machine learning, causal modeling and simulation, knowledge from design through operations, advanced planning work, validation methodologies, and hierarchical control of and distributed cooperation among multiple knowledge-based systems.

The WorkPlace distributed processing environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ames, Troy; Henderson, Scott

1993-01-01

Real time control problems require robust, high performance solutions. Distributed computing can offer high performance through parallelism and robustness through redundancy. Unfortunately, implementing distributed systems with these characteristics places a significant burden on the applications programmers. Goddard Code 522 has developed WorkPlace to alleviate this burden. WorkPlace is a small, portable, embeddable network interface which automates message routing, failure detection, and re-configuration in response to failures in distributed systems. This paper describes the design and use of WorkPlace, and its application in the construction of a distributed blackboard system.

Control of dental prosthesis system with microcontroller.

PubMed

Kapidere, M; Müldür, S; Güler, I

2000-04-01

In this study, a microcontroller-based electronic circuit was designed and implemented for dental prosthesis curing system. Heater, compressor and valve were controlled by 8-bit PIC16C64 microcontroller which is programmed using MPASM package. The temperature and time were controlled automatically by preset values which were inputted from keyboard while the pressure was kept constant. Calibration was controlled and the working range was tested. The test results showed that the system provided a good performance.

Computer optimization techniques for NASA Langley's CSI evolutionary model's real-time control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliott, Kenny B.; Ugoletti, Roberto; Sulla, Jeff

1992-01-01

The evolution and optimization of a real-time digital control system is presented. The control system is part of a testbed used to perform focused technology research on the interactions of spacecraft platform and instrument controllers with the flexible-body dynamics of the platform and platform appendages. The control system consists of Computer Automated Measurement and Control (CAMAC) standard data acquisition equipment interfaced to a workstation computer. The goal of this work is to optimize the control system's performance to support controls research using controllers with up to 50 states and frame rates above 200 Hz. The original system could support a 16-state controller operating at a rate of 150 Hz. By using simple yet effective software improvements, Input/Output (I/O) latencies and contention problems are reduced or eliminated in the control system. The final configuration can support a 16-state controller operating at 475 Hz. Effectively the control system's performance was increased by a factor of 3.

A Tribute to J. C. Sprott

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazarimehr, Fahimeh; Jafari, Sajad; Chen, Guanrong; Kapitaniak, Tomasz; Kuznetsov, Nikolay V.; Leonov, Gennady A.; Li, Chunbiao; Wei, Zhouchao

2017-12-01

In honor of his 75th birthday, we review the prominent works of Professor Julien Clinton Sprott in chaos and nonlinear dynamics. We categorize his works into three important groups. The first and most important group is identifying new dynamical systems with special properties. He has proposed different chaotic maps, flows, complex variable systems, nonautonomous systems, partial differential equations, fractional-order systems, delay differential systems, spatiotemporal systems, artificial neural networks, and chaotic electrical circuits. He has also studied dynamical properties of complex systems such as bifurcations and basins of attraction. He has done work on generating fractal art. He has examined models of real-world systems that exhibit chaos. The second group of his works comprise control and synchronization of chaos. Finally, the third group is extracting dynamical properties of systems using time-series analysis. This paper highlights the impact of Sprott’s work on the promotion of nonlinear dynamics.

Comparative study between two different active flutter suppression systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nissim, E.

1978-01-01

An activated leading-edge (LE)-tailing-edge (TE) control system is applied to a drone aircraft with the objective of enabling the drone to fly subsonically at dynamic pressures which are 44% above the open-loop flutter dynamic pressure. The control synthesis approach is based on the aerodynamic energy concept and it incorporates recent developments in this area. A comparison is made between the performance of the activated LE-TE control system and the performance of a TE control system, analyzed in a previous work. The results obtained indicate that although all the control systems achieve the flutter suppression objectives, the TE control system appears to be somewhat superior to the LE-TE control system, in this specific application. This superiority is manifested through reduced values of control surface activity over a wide range of flight conditions.

Non-contact control of the working condition of mechanical units of the steam compressor for desalination plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danilin, A. I.; Chernyavsky, A. Zh.; Danilin, S. A.; Neverov, V. V.; Voroh, D. A.; Blagin, E. V.

2018-03-01

New methods and means for monitoring working condition of the rotating elements of steam compressor unit such as blade ring of the impeller and gears of multiplier are considered. Blade control is carried out by the signalling device of pre-emergency deformation of impeller blades. Control of the gears condition is carried out by apparatus system which allows to analyse change of the signal form caused by the gears wear. Influence of the wear types on the typical information parameters of the analysed signals is described. Technical characteristics of the devices and experimental research results are presented. Described control systems allow to detect deviations equal to 1-2% from initial condition. Application of such systems gives the opportunity to improve fault diagnosis and maintenance in 2-3 times.

International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-02-01

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is responsible for designing and building the life support systems that will provide the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) a comfortable environment in which to live and work. Scientists and engineers at the MSFC are working together to provide the ISS with systems that are safe, efficient, and cost-effective. These compact and powerful systems are collectively called the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, or simply, ECLSS. This is a view of the ECLSS and the Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) Test Facility in building 4755, MSFC. In the foreground is the 3-module ECLSS simulator comprised of the U.S. Laboratory Module Simulator, Node 1 Simulator, and Node 3/Habitation Module Simulator. At center left is the ITCS Simulator. The main function of the ITCS is to control the temperature of equipment and hardware installed in a typical ISS Payload Rack.

International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-02-01

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is responsible for designing and building the life support systems that will provide the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) a comfortable environment in which to live and work. Scientists and engineers at the MSFC are working together to provide the ISS with systems that are safe, efficient, and cost-effective. These compact and powerful systems are collectively called the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, or simply, ECLSS. This is a view of the ECLSS and the Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) Test Facility in building 4755, MSFC. In the foreground is the 3-module ECLSS simulator comprised of the U.S. Laboratory Module Simulator, Node 1 Simulator, and Node 3/Habitation Module Simulator. On the left is the ITCS Simulator. The main function of the ITCS is to control the temperature of equipment and hardware installed in a typical ISS Payload Rack.

Cognition-based development and evaluation of ergonomic user interfaces for medical image processing and archiving systems.

PubMed

Demiris, A M; Meinzer, H P

1997-01-01

Whether or not a computerized system enhances the conditions of work in the application domain, very much demands on the user interface. Graphical user interfaces seem to attract the interest of the users but mostly ignore some basic rules of visual information processing thus leading to systems which are difficult to use, lowering productivity and increasing working stress (cognitive and work load). In this work we present some fundamental ergonomic considerations and their application to the medical image processing and archiving domain. We introduce the extensions to an existing concept needed to control and guide the development of GUIs with respect to domain specific ergonomics. The suggested concept, called Model-View-Controller Constraints (MVCC), can be used to programmatically implement ergonomic constraints, and thus has some advantages over written style guides. We conclude with the presentation of existing norms and methods to evaluate user interfaces.

Energy management system for a rotary machine and method therefor

DOEpatents

Bowman, Michael John; Sinha, Gautam; Sheldon, Karl Edward

2004-11-09

In energy management system is provided for a power generating device having a working fluid intake in which the energy management system comprises an electrical dissipation device coupled to the power generating device and a dissipation device cooling system configured to direct a portion of a working fluid to the electrical dissipation device so as to provide thermal control to the electrical dissipation device.

Control systems for platform landings cushioned by air bags

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ross, Edward W.

1987-07-01

This report presents an exploratory mathematical study of control systems for airdrop platform landings cushioned by airbags. The basic theory of airbags is reviewed and solutions to special cases are noted. A computer program is presented, which calculates the time-dependence of the principal variables during a landing under the action of various control systems. Two existing control systems of open-loop type are compared with a conceptual feedback (closed-loop) system for a fairly typical set of landing conditions. The feedback controller is shown to have performance much superior to the other systems. The feedback system undergoes an interesting oscillation not present in the other systems, the source of which is investigated. Recommendations for future work are included.

Optimal management of non-Markovian biological populations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Williams, B.K.

2007-01-01

Wildlife populations typically are described by Markovian models, with population dynamics influenced at each point in time by current but not previous population levels. Considerable work has been done on identifying optimal management strategies under the Markovian assumption. In this paper we generalize this work to non-Markovian systems, for which population responses to management are influenced by lagged as well as current status and/or controls. We use the maximum principle of optimal control theory to derive conditions for the optimal management such a system, and illustrate the effects of lags on the structure of optimal habitat strategies for a predator-prey system.

A new flight control and management system architecture and configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Fan-e.; Chen, Zongji

2006-11-01

The advanced fighter should possess the performance such as super-sound cruising, stealth, agility, STOVL(Short Take-Off Vertical Landing),powerful communication and information processing. For this purpose, it is not enough only to improve the aerodynamic and propulsion system. More importantly, it is necessary to enhance the control system. A complete flight control system provides not only autopilot, auto-throttle and control augmentation, but also the given mission management. F-22 and JSF possess considerably outstanding flight control system on the basis of pave pillar and pave pace avionics architecture. But their control architecture is not enough integrated. The main purpose of this paper is to build a novel fighter control system architecture. The control system constructed on this architecture should be enough integrated, inexpensive, fault-tolerant, high safe, reliable and effective. And it will take charge of both the flight control and mission management. Starting from this purpose, this paper finishes the work as follows: First, based on the human nervous control, a three-leveled hierarchical control architecture is proposed. At the top of the architecture, decision level is in charge of decision-making works. In the middle, organization & coordination level will schedule resources, monitor the states of the fighter and switch the control modes etc. And the bottom is execution level which holds the concrete drive and measurement; then, according to their function and resources all the tasks involving flight control and mission management are sorted to individual level; at last, in order to validate the three-leveled architecture, a physical configuration is also showed. The configuration is distributed and applies some new advancement in information technology industry such line replaced module and cluster technology.

Automated turn pike using PLC and SCADA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silpa Sreedhar, P.; Aiswarya, P.; Kathirvelan, J.

2017-11-01

We propose a smart turnpike based on Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA) in this paper. In this work, the basic idea is to measure the weight of the vehicles and classify them according to its weight to the respective lanes. It is difficult for the turnpike people to monitor the whole process all the time. So, this PLC based diversion system can be implemented in turnpikes to reduce the difficulties. This method will work based on weight sensors (piezo-resistive) whose output will be fed to a PLC, which will control the vehicle diversion. Using SCADA software, the whole process can be monitored from a remote area. The algorithm developed in this successfully installed in real time system.

Bidirectional Frontoparietal Oscillatory Systems Support Working Memory.

PubMed

Johnson, Elizabeth L; Dewar, Callum D; Solbakk, Anne-Kristin; Endestad, Tor; Meling, Torstein R; Knight, Robert T

2017-06-19

The ability to represent and select information in working memory provides the neurobiological infrastructure for human cognition. For 80 years, dominant views of working memory have focused on the key role of prefrontal cortex (PFC) [1-8]. However, more recent work has implicated posterior cortical regions [9-12], suggesting that PFC engagement during working memory is dependent on the degree of executive demand. We provide evidence from neurological patients with discrete PFC damage that challenges the dominant models attributing working memory to PFC-dependent systems. We show that neural oscillations, which provide a mechanism for PFC to communicate with posterior cortical regions [13], independently subserve communications both to and from PFC-uncovering parallel oscillatory mechanisms for working memory. Fourteen PFC patients and 20 healthy, age-matched controls performed a working memory task where they encoded, maintained, and actively processed information about pairs of common shapes. In controls, the electroencephalogram (EEG) exhibited oscillatory activity in the low-theta range over PFC and directional connectivity from PFC to parieto-occipital regions commensurate with executive processing demands. Concurrent alpha-beta oscillations were observed over parieto-occipital regions, with directional connectivity from parieto-occipital regions to PFC, regardless of processing demands. Accuracy, PFC low-theta activity, and PFC → parieto-occipital connectivity were attenuated in patients, revealing a PFC-independent, alpha-beta system. The PFC patients still demonstrated task proficiency, which indicates that the posterior alpha-beta system provides sufficient resources for working memory. Taken together, our findings reveal neurologically dissociable PFC and parieto-occipital systems and suggest that parallel, bidirectional oscillatory systems form the basis of working memory. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Computer Programs For Automated Welding System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agapakis, John E.

1993-01-01

Computer programs developed for use in controlling automated welding system described in MFS-28578. Together with control computer, computer input and output devices and control sensors and actuators, provide flexible capability for planning and implementation of schemes for automated welding of specific workpieces. Developed according to macro- and task-level programming schemes, which increases productivity and consistency by reducing amount of "teaching" of system by technician. System provides for three-dimensional mathematical modeling of workpieces, work cells, robots, and positioners.

System Control for the Transitional DCS.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-07-01

ELEMENT. PROJI Honeywell System and Research Center AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBE Aerospace and Defense Group 2700 Ridgway Parkway, Minneapolis,MN 55413 It1...performance monitoring and stress isolation system for the terrestrial transmission system. The satellite system is assumed to be under the control of its...the routing tables could be in a failed condition while some other route, although less efficient, is still functioning. The recommended adaptive

Zero-gyro control of the International Ultraviolet Explorer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Donnell, James R., Jr.; Hoffman, Henry C.

1993-01-01

The IUE was built for an anticipated lifespan of three years with a goal of five. It has been operating for over 15 years, even though it has had only two working gyros since August 17, 1985, through the use of a two-gyro attitude control system that uses information from IUE's fine sun sensor (FSS) and the two remaining gyros to provide three-axis control. A one-gyro control system that uses an additional axis of information from the FSS has been developed and tested on-orbit. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the work in progress towards the development of a zero-gyro control law for IUE. Motion about the sunline, which cannot be measured by the FSS, is measured and controlled in the zero-gyro system by applying a momentum bias perpendicular to the sunline and measuring the transfer of this momentum between the spacecraft reaction wheels, while the spacecraft is held in the other two axes using position and derived-rate information from the FSS.

Historical review of C-5A lift distribution control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Disney, T. E.; Eckholdt, D. C.

1976-01-01

Analytical and experimental development work on various load alleviation systems for the C-5A is reviewed to trace the development of the technical and hardware concepts to the present time. Variations in system objectives, means of implementation and effects on loads and airplane performance, stability and control are discussed.

Synthesis of Optimal Constant-Gain Positive-Real Controllers for Passive Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mao, Y.; Kelkar, A. G.; Joshi, S. M.

1999-01-01

This paper presents synthesis methods for the design of constant-gain positive real controllers for passive systems. The results presented in this paper, in conjunction with the previous work by the authors on passification of non-passive systems, offer a useful synthesis tool for the design of passivity-based robust controllers for non-passive systems as well. Two synthesis approaches are given for minimizing an LQ-type performance index, resulting in optimal controller gains. Two separate algorithms, one for each of these approaches, are given. The synthesis techniques are demonstrated using two numerical examples: control of a flexible structure and longitudinal control of a fighter aircraft.

Control system for several rotating mirror camera synchronization operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Ningwen; Wu, Yunfeng; Tan, Xianxiang; Lai, Guoji

1997-05-01

This paper introduces a single chip microcomputer control system for synchronization operation of several rotating mirror high-speed cameras. The system consists of four parts: the microcomputer control unit (including the synchronization part and precise measurement part and the time delay part), the shutter control unit, the motor driving unit and the high voltage pulse generator unit. The control system has been used to control the synchronization working process of the GSI cameras (driven by a motor) and FJZ-250 rotating mirror cameras (driven by a gas driven turbine). We have obtained the films of the same objective from different directions in different speed or in same speed.

Education, employment, absenteeism, and work disability in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Ekblom-Kullberg, S; Kautiainen, H; Alha, P; Leirisalo-Repo, M; Julkunen, H

2015-01-01

To study education, employment, absenteeism, and work disability (WD) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to population controls. The study included 181 women of working age with SLE (mean age 44.0 years, disease duration 12.7 years) and 549 female population controls matched for age living in the same metropolitan area of Helsinki. Data regarding education, employment, absenteeism, and WD in patients and controls were obtained by questionnaire and personal interview. Basic education, vocational, or academic degrees and occupational categories in patients with SLE were similar to those in controls. In total, 62% of the patients were employed, compared to 77% of the controls (p < 0.001). During the preceding 12 months, employed SLE patients had been on sick leave for 25.4 days vs. 10.2 days in controls (p < 0.001). Subjective work ability regarding physical and mental demands of the job were lower in SLE patients than in controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively). The rate of permanent WD, defined as receiving disability benefits, was 34.3% in SLE patients vs. 10.3% in controls (p < 0.001). Cumulative WD due to SLE 5, 10, and 20 years after the clinical diagnosis was 13, 22, and 47%, respectively. SLE does not seem to affect educational achievements and the employment rate for SLE patients is reasonably high. Absenteeism and work disability are, however, 2-3 times more common than in controls. Less than half of the patients were on permanent disability pension due to SLE 20 years after diagnosis of the disease.

Hierarchical Ada robot programming system (HARPS)- A complete and working telerobot control system based on the NASREM model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leake, Stephen; Green, Tom; Cofer, Sue; Sauerwein, Tim

1989-01-01

HARPS is a telerobot control system that can perform some simple but useful tasks. This capability is demonstrated by performing the ORU exchange demonstration. HARPS is based on NASREM (NASA Standard Reference Model). All software is developed in Ada, and the project incorporates a number of different CASE (computer-aided software engineering) tools. NASREM was found to be a valid and useful model for building a telerobot control system. Its hierarchical and distributed structure creates a natural and logical flow for implementing large complex robust control systems. The ability of Ada to create and enforce abstraction enhanced the implementation of such control systems.

Resonance: The science behind the art of sonic drilling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucon, Peter Andrew

The research presented in this dissertation quantifies the system dynamics and the influence of control variables of a sonic drill system. The investigation began with an initial body of work funded by the Department of Energy under a Small Business Innovative Research Phase I Grant, grant number: DE-FG02-06ER84618, to investigate the feasibility of using sonic drills to drill micro well holes to depths of 1500 feet. The Department of Energy funding enabled feasibility testing using a 750 hp sonic drill owned by Jeffery Barrow, owner of Water Development Co. During the initial feasibility testing, data was measured and recorded at the sonic drill head while the sonic drill penetrated to a depth of 120 feet. To demonstrate feasibility, the system had to be well understood to show that testing of a larger sonic drill could simulate the results of drilling a micro well hole of 2.5 inch diameter. A first-order model of the system was developed that produced counter-intuitive findings that enabled the feasibility of using this method to drill deeper and produce micro-well holes to 1500 feet using sonic drills. Although funding was not continued, the project work continued. This continued work expanded on the sonic drill models by understanding the governing differential equation and solving the boundary value problem, finite difference methods, and finite element methods to determine the significance of the control variables that can affect the sonic drill. Using a design of experiment approach and commercially available software, the significance of the variables to the effectiveness of the drill system were determined. From the significant variables, as well as the real world testing, a control system schematic for a sonic drill was derived and is patent pending. The control system includes sensors, actuators, personal logic controllers, as well as a human machine interface. It was determined that the control system should control the resonant mode and the weight on the bit as the primary two control variables. The sonic drill can also be controlled using feedback from sensors mounted on the sonic drill head, which is the driver for the sonic drill located above ground

Decision Support System Requirements Definition for Human Extravehicular Activity Based on Cognitive Work Analysis

PubMed Central

Miller, Matthew James; McGuire, Kerry M.; Feigh, Karen M.

2016-01-01

The design and adoption of decision support systems within complex work domains is a challenge for cognitive systems engineering (CSE) practitioners, particularly at the onset of project development. This article presents an example of applying CSE techniques to derive design requirements compatible with traditional systems engineering to guide decision support system development. Specifically, it demonstrates the requirements derivation process based on cognitive work analysis for a subset of human spaceflight operations known as extravehicular activity. The results are presented in two phases. First, a work domain analysis revealed a comprehensive set of work functions and constraints that exist in the extravehicular activity work domain. Second, a control task analysis was performed on a subset of the work functions identified by the work domain analysis to articulate the translation of subject matter states of knowledge to high-level decision support system requirements. This work emphasizes an incremental requirements specification process as a critical component of CSE analyses to better situate CSE perspectives within the early phases of traditional systems engineering design. PMID:28491008

Decision Support System Requirements Definition for Human Extravehicular Activity Based on Cognitive Work Analysis.

PubMed

Miller, Matthew James; McGuire, Kerry M; Feigh, Karen M

2017-06-01

The design and adoption of decision support systems within complex work domains is a challenge for cognitive systems engineering (CSE) practitioners, particularly at the onset of project development. This article presents an example of applying CSE techniques to derive design requirements compatible with traditional systems engineering to guide decision support system development. Specifically, it demonstrates the requirements derivation process based on cognitive work analysis for a subset of human spaceflight operations known as extravehicular activity . The results are presented in two phases. First, a work domain analysis revealed a comprehensive set of work functions and constraints that exist in the extravehicular activity work domain. Second, a control task analysis was performed on a subset of the work functions identified by the work domain analysis to articulate the translation of subject matter states of knowledge to high-level decision support system requirements. This work emphasizes an incremental requirements specification process as a critical component of CSE analyses to better situate CSE perspectives within the early phases of traditional systems engineering design.

Evaluation of respiratory system in textile-dyeing workers.

PubMed

Salmani Nodoushan, Mojahede; Mehrparvar, Amir Houshang; Loukzadeh, Ziba; Rahimian, Masoud; Ghove Nodoushan, Mohamad Ali; Jafari Nodoushan, Reza

2014-01-01

Despite the presence of many textile and dyeing plants in Iran, we couldn't find similar studies in this country. Forthermore, considering progress in the dyeing process and engineering controls, assessment of respiratory system is important for these workers. The present study was performed to evaluate the respiratory system in dyeing workers. In a cross-sectional study, 101 dyeing workers (all dyeing workers in yazd) and 90 workers without respiratory exposures (control group), were evaluated. A questionnaire was filled for each participant included Venables questionnaire and some other questions about age, work experience, personal or familial history of asthma or atopy, acute and chronic respiratory symptoms; Then spirometry was performed before and after the shift work Results: The frequency of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher among dyeing workers than controls. According to the Venables questionnaire, 11.9% of the dyeing workers suffered from asthma. Means of FVC and FEV1 of pre-shift spirometry were lower than control (p< 0.001). Across-shift spirometry showed significant reduction of FVC (p< 0.001), FEV1 (p< 0.001), FEF25-75% (p= 0.05) and FEF25% (p= 0.007) in dyeing workers compared to the control group. Evaluation of dyeing workers' respiratory system in this study showed that despite development in dyeing processes and engineering controls, workers in this job show more prevalent acute and chronic symptoms, and across-shift changes in spirometric parameters were significantly higher in this work group than the control group. Therefore it is necessary to pay attention to the control of respiratory exposures in this job.

Development of An Intelligent Flight Propulsion Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calise, A. J.; Rysdyk, R. T.; Leonhardt, B. K.

1999-01-01

The initial design and demonstration of an Intelligent Flight Propulsion and Control System (IFPCS) is documented. The design is based on the implementation of a nonlinear adaptive flight control architecture. This initial design of the IFPCS enhances flight safety by using propulsion sources to provide redundancy in flight control. The IFPCS enhances the conventional gain scheduled approach in significant ways: (1) The IFPCS provides a back up flight control system that results in consistent responses over a wide range of unanticipated failures. (2) The IFPCS is applicable to a variety of aircraft models without redesign and,(3) significantly reduces the laborious research and design necessary in a gain scheduled approach. The control augmentation is detailed within an approximate Input-Output Linearization setting. The availability of propulsion only provides two control inputs, symmetric and differential thrust. Earlier Propulsion Control Augmentation (PCA) work performed by NASA provided for a trajectory controller with pilot command input of glidepath and heading. This work is aimed at demonstrating the flexibility of the IFPCS in providing consistency in flying qualities under a variety of failure scenarios. This report documents the initial design phase where propulsion only is used. Results confirm that the engine dynamics and associated hard nonlineaaities result in poor handling qualities at best. However, as demonstrated in simulation, the IFPCS is capable of results similar to the gain scheduled designs of the NASA PCA work. The IFPCS design uses crude estimates of aircraft behaviour. The adaptive control architecture demonstrates robust stability and provides robust performance. In this work, robust stability means that all states, errors, and adaptive parameters remain bounded under a wide class of uncertainties and input and output disturbances. Robust performance is measured in the quality of the tracking. The results demonstrate the flexibility of the IFPCS architecture and the ability to provide robust performance under a broad range of uncertainty. Robust stability is proved using Lyapunov like analysis. Future development of the IFPCS will include integration of conventional control surfaces with the use of propulsion augmentation, and utilization of available lift and drag devices, to demonstrate adaptive control capability under a greater variety of failure scenarios. Further work will specifically address the effects of actuator saturation.

Spaceport Command and Control System Automation Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plano, Tom

2017-01-01

The goal of automated testing is to create and maintain a cohesive infrastructure of robust tests that could be run independently on a software package in its entirety. To that end, the Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) project at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has brought in a large group of interns to work side-by-side with full time employees to do just this work. Thus, our job is to implement the tests that will put SCCS through its paces.

SP-100 Control System Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shukla, Jaikaran N.; Halfen, Frank J.; Brynsvold, Glen V.; Syed, Akbar; Jiang, Thomas J.; Wong, Kwok K.; Otwell, Robert L.

1994-07-01

Recent work in lower power generic early applications for the SP-100 have resulted in control system design simplification for a 20 kWe design with thermoelectric power conversion. This paper presents the non-mission-dependent control system features for this design. The control system includes a digital computer based controller, dual purpose control rods and drives, temperature sensors, and neutron flux monitors. The thaw system is mission dependent and can be either electrical or based on NaK trace lines. Key features of the control system and components are discussed. As was the case for higher power applications, the initial on-orbit approach to criticality involves the relatively fast withdrawal of the control-rods to a near-critical position followed by slower movement through critical and into the power range. The control system performs operating maneuvers as well as providing for automatic startup, shutdown, restart, and reactor protection.

Haptic control of a pneumatic muscle actuator to provide resistance for simulated isokinetic exercise; part II: control development and testing.

PubMed

Hall, Kara L; Phillips, Chandler A; Reynolds, David B; Mohler, Stanley R; Rogers, Dana B; Neidhard-Doll, Amy T

2015-01-01

Pneumatic muscle actuators (PMAs) have a high power to weight ratio and possess unique characteristics which make them ideal actuators for applications involving human interaction. PMAs are difficult to control due to nonlinear dynamics, presenting challenges in system implementation. Despite these challenges, PMAs have great potential as a source of resistance for strength training and rehabilitation. The objective of this work was to control a PMA for use in isokinetic exercise, potentially benefiting anyone in need of optimal strength training through a joint's range of motion. The controller, based on an inverse three-element phenomenological model and adaptive nonlinear control, allows the system to operate as a type of haptic device. A human quadriceps dynamic simulator was developed (as described in Part I of this work) so that control effectiveness and accommodation could be tested prior to human implementation. Tracking error results indicate that the control system is effective at producing PMA displacement and resistance necessary for a scaled, simulated neuromuscular actuator to maintain low-velocity isokinetic movement during simulated concentric and eccentric knee extension.

A Brief Survey of the Team Software ProcessSM (TSPSM)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-24

spent more than 20 years in industry as a software engineer, system designer, project leader, and development manager working on control systems...InnerWorkings, Inc. Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Siemens AG SILAC Ingenieria de Software S.A. de C.V

Automation of the electron-beam welding process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koleva, E.; Dzharov, V.; Kardjiev, M.; Mladenov, G.

2016-03-01

In this work, the automatic control is considered of the vacuum and cooling systems of the located in the IE-BAS equipment for electron-beam welding, evaporation and surface modification. A project was elaborated for the control and management based on the development of an engineering support system using existing and additional technical means of automation. Optimization of the indicators, which are critical for the duration of reaching the working regime and stopping the operation of the installation, can be made using experimentally obtained transient characteristics. The automation of the available equipment aimed at improving its efficiency and the repeatability of the obtained results, as well as at stabilizing the process parameters, should be integrated in an Engineering Support System which, besides the operator supervision, consists of several subsystems for equipment control, data acquisition, information analysis, system management and decision-making support.

Cognition and aging in a complex work environment: relationships with performance among air traffic control specialists.

PubMed

Becker, J T; Milke, R M

1998-10-01

Chronological age affects the performance of demanding cognitive tasks within the aviation environment. Within the domain of air traffic control (ATC), the ability to handle simultaneous visual and auditory input, or to return to a task after a break to complete another task, is critical to success and is the sort of cognitive function most affected by age. The limited available data suggest a strong relationship between age and job performance among ATC specialists, whether measured at the time of entry into the system or during the working lifetime of a full-performance-level controller. An analysis of the distribution of the ages of controllers currently in the system, and a projection for the years 2001 and 2006, leads to the conclusion that a high proportion of the ATC work force will be at risk for displaying age-related changes in job performance efficiency over the next 10 yr. It seems important, therefore, to determine the nature and extent of the age-related cognitive changes that can occur during the lifespan of a controller (i.e., 25-55 yr of age) and how these changes may affect job performance. The results of such an analysis should aid in the design and implementation of new control systems to minimize any deleterious effects of aging on performance.

STATISTICS-BASED APPROACH TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS

EPA Science Inventory

This paper describes work toward development of a convenient decision support system to improve everyday operation and control of the wastewater treatment process. The goal is to help the operator detect problems in the process and select appropriate control actions. The system...

Work, family and life-course fit

PubMed Central

Moen, Phyllis; Kelly, Erin; Huang, Qinlei

2008-01-01

This study moves from “work-family” to a multi-dimensional “life-course fit” construct (employees’ cognitive assessments of resources, resource deficits, and resource demands), using a combined work-family, demands-control and ecology of the life course framing. It examined (1) impacts of job and home ecological systems on fit dimensions, and (2) whether control over work time predicted and mediated life-course fit outcomes. Using cluster analysis of survey data on a sample of 917 white-collar employees from Best Buy headquarters, we identified four job ecologies (corresponding to the job demands-job control model) and five home ecologies (theorizing an analogous home demands-home control model). Job and home ecologies predicted fit dimensions in an additive, not interactive, fashion. Employees’ work-time control predicted every life-course fit dimension and partially mediated effects of job ecologies, organizational tenure, and job category. PMID:19430546

Asynchronous data change notification between database server and accelerator controls system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fu, W.; Morris, J.; Nemesure, S.

2011-10-10

Database data change notification (DCN) is a commonly used feature. Not all database management systems (DBMS) provide an explicit DCN mechanism. Even for those DBMS's which support DCN (such as Oracle and MS SQL server), some server side and/or client side programming may be required to make the DCN system work. This makes the setup of DCN between database server and interested clients tedious and time consuming. In accelerator control systems, there are many well established software client/server architectures (such as CDEV, EPICS, and ADO) that can be used to implement data reflection servers that transfer data asynchronously to anymore » client using the standard SET/GET API. This paper describes a method for using such a data reflection server to set up asynchronous DCN (ADCN) between a DBMS and clients. This method works well for all DBMS systems which provide database trigger functionality. Asynchronous data change notification (ADCN) between database server and clients can be realized by combining the use of a database trigger mechanism, which is supported by major DBMS systems, with server processes that use client/server software architectures that are familiar in the accelerator controls community (such as EPICS, CDEV or ADO). This approach makes the ADCN system easy to set up and integrate into an accelerator controls system. Several ADCN systems have been set up and used in the RHIC-AGS controls system.« less

Work stress and depression among direct support professionals: the role of work support and locus of control.

PubMed

Gray-Stanley, J A; Muramatsu, N; Heller, T; Hughes, S; Johnson, T P; Ramirez-Valles, J

2010-08-01

Although work stress can impede the capacity of direct support professionals and contribute to mental health challenges, external (i.e. work social support) and internal resources (i.e. an internal locus of control) have been shown to help DSPs cope more actively. We examined how work stress was associated with depression, with a particular focus on the role of resources. Direct support professionals (n = 323) who serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from five community-based organisations completed a cross-sectional, self-administered survey which measured work stress, work support, locus of control, and depression. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that work stress was positively associated with depression, while resources were negatively associated with depression. In particular, work support moderated the effects of client disability stress, supervisory support lessened the effects of role conflict, and locus of control moderated the effects of workload. Such findings suggest the importance of external and internal resources for staff mental health. This research underscores the need for strong work social support systems and interventions to help staff manage work stressors.

Work stress and depression among direct support professionals: the role of work support and locus of control

PubMed Central

Gray-Stanley, J. A.; Muramatsu, N.; Heller, T.; Hughes, S.; Johnson, T. P.; Ramirez-Valles, J.

2013-01-01

Background Although work stress can impede the capacity of direct support professionals and contribute to mental health challenges, external (i.e. work social support) and internal resources (i.e. an internal locus of control) have been shown to help DSPs cope more actively. We examined how work stress was associated with depression, with a particular focus on the role of resources. Method Direct support professionals (n = 323) who serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from five community-based organisations completed a cross-sectional, self-administered survey which measured work stress, work support, locus of control, and depression. Results Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that work stress was positively associated with depression, while resources were negatively associated with depression. In particular, work support moderated the effects of client disability stress, supervisory support lessened the effects of role conflict, and locus of control moderated the effects of workload. Conclusions Such findings suggest the importance of external and internal resources for staff mental health. This research underscores the need for strong work social support systems and interventions to help staff manage work stressors. PMID:20633203

Use of COTS in the Multimission Advanced Ground Intelligent Control (MAGIC) program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crowley, N.L.

1997-11-01

This tutorial will discuss the experiences of the Space System Technologies Division of the USAF Phillips Laboratory (PL/VTS) in developing a COTS-based satellite control system. The system`s primary use is a testbed for new technologies that are intended for future integration into the operational satellite control system. As such, the control system architecture must be extremely open and flexible so we can integrate new components and functions easily and also provide our system to contractors for their component work. The system is based on commercial hardware, is based on Windows NT, and makes the maximum use of COTS components andmore » industry standards.« less

Telerobotic control of a mobile coordinated robotic server. M.S. Thesis Annual Technical Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Gordon

1993-01-01

The annual report on telerobotic control of a mobile coordinated robotic server is presented. The goal of this effort is to develop advanced control methods for flexible space manipulator systems. As such, an adaptive fuzzy logic controller was developed in which model structure as well as parameter constraints are not required for compensation. The work builds upon previous work on fuzzy logic controllers. Fuzzy logic controllers have been growing in importance in the field of automatic feedback control. Hardware controllers using fuzzy logic have become available as an alternative to the traditional PID controllers. Software has also been introduced to aid in the development of fuzzy logic rule-bases. The advantages of using fuzzy logic controllers include the ability to merge the experience and intuition of expert operators into the rule-base and that a model of the system is not required to construct the controller. A drawback of the classical fuzzy logic controller, however, is the many parameters needed to be turned off-line prior to application in the closed-loop. In this report, an adaptive fuzzy logic controller is developed requiring no system model or model structure. The rule-base is defined to approximate a state-feedback controller while a second fuzzy logic algorithm varies, on-line, parameters of the defining controller. Results indicate the approach is viable for on-line adaptive control of systems when the model is too complex or uncertain for application of other more classical control techniques.

An introduction to statistical process control in research proteomics.

PubMed

Bramwell, David

2013-12-16

Statistical process control is a well-established and respected method which provides a general purpose, and consistent framework for monitoring and improving the quality of a process. It is routinely used in many industries where the quality of final products is critical and is often required in clinical diagnostic laboratories [1,2]. To date, the methodology has been little utilised in research proteomics. It has been shown to be capable of delivering quantitative QC procedures for qualitative clinical assays [3] making it an ideal methodology to apply to this area of biological research. To introduce statistical process control as an objective strategy for quality control and show how it could be used to benefit proteomics researchers and enhance the quality of the results they generate. We demonstrate that rules which provide basic quality control are easy to derive and implement and could have a major impact on data quality for many studies. Statistical process control is a powerful tool for investigating and improving proteomics research work-flows. The process of characterising measurement systems and defining control rules forces the exploration of key questions that can lead to significant improvements in performance. This work asserts that QC is essential to proteomics discovery experiments. Every experimenter must know the current capabilities of their measurement system and have an objective means for tracking and ensuring that performance. Proteomic analysis work-flows are complicated and multi-variate. QC is critical for clinical chemistry measurements and huge strides have been made in ensuring the quality and validity of results in clinical biochemistry labs. This work introduces some of these QC concepts and works to bridge their use from single analyte QC to applications in multi-analyte systems. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Standardization and Quality Control in Proteomics. Copyright © 2013 The Author. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Closed-loop helium circulation system for actuation of a continuously operating heart catheter pump.

PubMed

Karabegovic, Alen; Hinteregger, Markus; Janeczek, Christoph; Mohl, Werner; Gföhler, Margit

2017-06-09

Currently available, pneumatic-based medical devices are operated using closed-loop pulsatile or open continuous systems. Medical devices utilizing gases with a low atomic number in a continuous closed loop stream have not been documented to date. This work presents the construction of a portable helium circulation addressing the need for actuating a novel, pneumatically operated catheter pump. The design of its control system puts emphasis on the performance, safety and low running cost of the catheter pump. Static and dynamic characteristics of individual elements in the circulation are analyzed to ensure a proper operation of the system. The pneumatic circulation maximizes the working range of the drive unit inside the catheter pump while reducing the total size and noise production.Separate flow and pressure controllers position the turbine's working point into the stable region of the pressure creation element. A subsystem for rapid gas evacuation significantly decreases the duration of helium removal after a leak, reaching subatmospheric pressure in the intracorporeal catheter within several milliseconds. The system presented in the study offers an easy control of helium mass flow while ensuring stable behavior of its internal components.

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems Test Facility at MSFC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is responsible for designing and building the life support systems that will provide the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) a comfortable environment in which to live and work. Scientists and engineers at the MSFC are working together to provide the ISS with systems that are safe, efficient, and cost-effective. These compact and powerful systems are collectively called the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, or simply, ECLSS. This photograph shows the development Water Processor located in two racks in the ECLSS test area at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Actual waste water, simulating Space Station waste, is generated and processed through the hardware to evaluate the performance of technologies in the flight Water Processor design.

Work-system risk factors for permanent work disability among home-care workers: a case-control study.

PubMed

Dellve, Lotta; Lagerström, Monica; Hagberg, Mats

2003-04-01

There is a growing need for home-care services in western societies. As home-care workers show high levels of absence related to poor health it is important that we broaden our knowledge about what factors in the work system contribute to this. The aim of this study was to explore and estimate the impact of the work system on permanent work disability and its relative importance compared with home-life risks among home-care workers. The cases (617 subjects) were all home-care workers in Sweden, whose disability pension was approved in 1997 or 1998. The controls (771 subjects) were home-care workers still working. We used a questionnaire to gain situation-specific information on working life and home life 5 and 15 years before disability pension entitlement. The most important risk factors in the work system were poor ergonomic/lifting conditions, time pressure and lack of professional caring technique. Fifteen years prior to disability pension entitlement, insufficient management (odds ratio (OR) 95%, CI 2.6[1.6;4.2]) and relational problems at work were also risk factors. Five years before disability pension entitlement, poor organisational support (4.1 [2.5;6.7]), opportunities for co-working and working climate (3.5 [2.4;5.2]) were also strongly related to a persisting work ability. The magnitude of exposure to a number of risk factors had an increased effect (highest 13.8 [5.6-33.8]). The strongest risk factor in home life was little opportunity to rest from work (4.9 [3.0;8.0]). The risk factors in working life were robust to the inclusion of the grouped risk factors of home life. The conclusion was that risk factors related to the work system are, alone, strongly related to permanent work disability among home-care workers. Also, exposure to several of the risk factors constitutes a notably strong risk for permanent work disability.

A Context-Driven Model for the Flat Roofs Construction Process through Sensing Systems, Internet-of-Things and Last Planner System

PubMed Central

Andújar-Montoya, María Dolores

2017-01-01

The main causes of building defects are errors in the design and the construction phases. These causes related to construction are mainly due to the general lack of control of construction work and represent approximately 75% of the anomalies. In particular, one of the main causes of such anomalies, which end in building defects, is the lack of control over the physical variables of the work environment during the execution of tasks. Therefore, the high percentage of defects detected in buildings that have the root cause in the construction phase could be avoidable with a more accurate and efficient control of the process. The present work proposes a novel integration model based on information and communications technologies for the automation of both construction work and its management at the execution phase, specifically focused on the flat roof construction process. Roofs represent the second area where more defects are claimed. The proposed model is based on a Web system, supported by a service oriented architecture, for the integral management of tasks through the Last Planner System methodology, but incorporating the management of task restrictions from the physical environment variables by designing specific sensing systems. Likewise, all workers are integrated into the management process by Internet-of-Things solutions that guide them throughout the execution process in a non-intrusive and transparent way. PMID:28737693

A Context-Driven Model for the Flat Roofs Construction Process through Sensing Systems, Internet-of-Things and Last Planner System.

PubMed

Andújar-Montoya, María Dolores; Marcos-Jorquera, Diego; García-Botella, Francisco Manuel; Gilart-Iglesias, Virgilio

2017-07-22

The main causes of building defects are errors in the design and the construction phases. These causes related to construction are mainly due to the general lack of control of construction work and represent approximately 75% of the anomalies. In particular, one of the main causes of such anomalies, which end in building defects, is the lack of control over the physical variables of the work environment during the execution of tasks. Therefore, the high percentage of defects detected in buildings that have the root cause in the construction phase could be avoidable with a more accurate and efficient control of the process. The present work proposes a novel integration model based on information and communications technologies for the automation of both construction work and its management at the execution phase, specifically focused on the flat roof construction process. Roofs represent the second area where more defects are claimed. The proposed model is based on a Web system, supported by a service oriented architecture, for the integral management of tasks through the Last Planner System methodology, but incorporating the management of task restrictions from the physical environment variables by designing specific sensing systems. Likewise, all workers are integrated into the management process by Internet-of-Things solutions that guide them throughout the execution process in a non-intrusive and transparent way.

Enhanced Control for Local Helicity Injection on the Pegasus ST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierren, C.; Bongard, M. W.; Fonck, R. J.; Lewicki, B. T.; Perry, J. M.

2017-10-01

Local helicity injection (LHI) experiments on Pegasus rely upon programmable control of a 250 MVA modular power supply system that drives the electromagnets and helicity injection systems. Precise control of the central solenoid is critical to experimental campaigns that test the LHI Taylor relaxation limit and the coupling efficiency of LHI-produced plasmas to Ohmic current drive. Enhancement and expansion of the present control system is underway using field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology for digital logic and control, coupled to new 10 MHz optical-to-digital transceivers for semiconductor level device communication. The system accepts optical command signals from existing analog feedback controllers, transmits them to multiple devices in parallel H-bridges, and aggregates their status signals for fault detection. Present device-level multiplexing/de-multiplexing and protection logic is extended to include bridge-level protections with the FPGA. An input command filter protects against erroneous and/or spurious noise generated commands that could otherwise cause device failures. Fault registration and response times with the FPGA system are 25 ns. Initial system testing indicates an increased immunity to power supply induced noise, enabling plasma operations at higher working capacitor bank voltage. This can increase the applied helicity injection drive voltage, enable longer pulse lengths and improve Ohmic loop voltage control. Work supported by US DOE Grant DE-FG02-96ER54375.

Development of a stereofluoroscopy system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rivers, D. B.

1979-01-01

A technique of 3-D video imaging, was developed for use on manned missions for observation and control of remote manipulators. An improved medical diagnostic fluoroscope with a stereo, real-time output was also developed. An explanation of how this system works, and recommendations for future work in this area are presented.

Control and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) Prototype Radio - Generation 2 Security Architecture Lab Test Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iannicca, Dennis C.; McKim, James H.; Stewart, David H.; Thadhani, Suresh K.; Young, Daniel P.

2015-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center, in cooperation with Rockwell Collins, is working to develop a prototype Control and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) radio platform as part of NASA Integrated Systems Research Program's (ISRP) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration in the National Airspace System (NAS) project. A primary focus of the project is to work with the FAA and industry standards bodies to build and demonstrate a safe, secure, and efficient CNPC architecture that can be used by industry to evaluate the feasibility of deploying a system using these technologies in an operational capacity. GRC has been working in conjunction with these groups to assess threats, identify security requirements, and to develop a system of standards-based security controls that can be applied to the current GRC prototype CNPC architecture as a demonstration platform. The security controls were integrated into a lab test bed mock-up of the Mobile IPv6 architecture currently being used for NASA flight testing, and a series of network tests were conducted to evaluate the security overhead of the controls compared to the baseline CNPC link without any security. The aim of testing was to evaluate the performance impact of the additional security control overhead when added to the Mobile IPv6 architecture in various modes of operation. The statistics collected included packet captures at points along the path to gauge packet size as the sample data traversed the CNPC network, round trip latency, jitter, and throughput. The effort involved a series of tests of the baseline link, a link with Robust Header Compression (ROHC) and without security controls, a link with security controls and without ROHC, and finally a link with both ROHC and security controls enabled. The effort demonstrated that ROHC is both desirable and necessary to offset the additional expected overhead of applying security controls to the CNPC link.

Intelligent Luminance Control of Lighting Systems Based on Imaging Sensor Feedback

PubMed Central

Liu, Haoting; Zhou, Qianxiang; Yang, Jin; Jiang, Ting; Liu, Zhizhen; Li, Jie

2017-01-01

An imaging sensor-based intelligent Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting system for desk use is proposed. In contrast to the traditional intelligent lighting system, such as the photosensitive resistance sensor-based or the infrared sensor-based system, the imaging sensor can realize a finer perception of the environmental light; thus it can guide a more precise lighting control. Before this system works, first lots of typical imaging lighting data of the desk application are accumulated. Second, a series of subjective and objective Lighting Effect Evaluation Metrics (LEEMs) are defined and assessed for these datasets above. Then the cluster benchmarks of these objective LEEMs can be obtained. Third, both a single LEEM-based control and a multiple LEEMs-based control are developed to realize a kind of optimal luminance tuning. When this system works, first it captures the lighting image using a wearable camera. Then it computes the objective LEEMs of the captured image and compares them with the cluster benchmarks of the objective LEEMs. Finally, the single LEEM-based or the multiple LEEMs-based control can be implemented to get a kind of optimal lighting effect. Many experiment results have shown the proposed system can tune the LED lamp automatically according to environment luminance changes. PMID:28208781

Intelligent Luminance Control of Lighting Systems Based on Imaging Sensor Feedback.

PubMed

Liu, Haoting; Zhou, Qianxiang; Yang, Jin; Jiang, Ting; Liu, Zhizhen; Li, Jie

2017-02-09

An imaging sensor-based intelligent Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting system for desk use is proposed. In contrast to the traditional intelligent lighting system, such as the photosensitive resistance sensor-based or the infrared sensor-based system, the imaging sensor can realize a finer perception of the environmental light; thus it can guide a more precise lighting control. Before this system works, first lots of typical imaging lighting data of the desk application are accumulated. Second, a series of subjective and objective Lighting Effect Evaluation Metrics (LEEMs) are defined and assessed for these datasets above. Then the cluster benchmarks of these objective LEEMs can be obtained. Third, both a single LEEM-based control and a multiple LEEMs-based control are developed to realize a kind of optimal luminance tuning. When this system works, first it captures the lighting image using a wearable camera. Then it computes the objective LEEMs of the captured image and compares them with the cluster benchmarks of the objective LEEMs. Finally, the single LEEM-based or the multiple LEEMs-based control can be implemented to get a kind of optimal lighting effect. Many experiment results have shown the proposed system can tune the LED lamp automatically according to environment luminance changes.

Thermodynamics of Weakly Measured Quantum Systems.

PubMed

Alonso, Jose Joaquin; Lutz, Eric; Romito, Alessandro

2016-02-26

We consider continuously monitored quantum systems and introduce definitions of work and heat along individual quantum trajectories that are valid for coherent superposition of energy eigenstates. We use these quantities to extend the first and second laws of stochastic thermodynamics to the quantum domain. We illustrate our results with the case of a weakly measured driven two-level system and show how to distinguish between quantum work and heat contributions. We finally employ quantum feedback control to suppress detector backaction and determine the work statistics.

Development of a HTSMA-Actuated Surge Control Rod for High-Temperature Turbomachinery Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Padula, Santo, II; Noebe, Ronald; Bigelow, Glen; Culley, Dennis; Stevens, Mark; Penney, Nicholas; Gaydosh, Darrell; Quackenbush, Todd; Carpenter, Bernie

2007-01-01

In recent years, a demand for compact, lightweight, solid-state actuation systems has emerged, driven in part by the needs of the aeronautics industry. However, most actuation systems used in turbomachinery require not only elevated temperature but high-force capability. As a result, shape memory alloy (SMA) based systems have worked their way to the forefront of a short list of viable options to meet such a technological challenge. Most of the effort centered on shape memory systems to date has involved binary NiTi alloys but the working temperatures required in many aeronautics applications dictate significantly higher transformation temperatures than the binary systems can provide. Hence, a high temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA) based on NiTiPdPt, having a transformation temperature near 300 C, was developed. Various thermo-mechanical processing schemes were utilized to further improve the dimensional stability of the alloy and it was later extruded/drawn into wire form to be more compatible with envisioned applications. Mechanical testing on the finished wire form showed reasonable work output capability with excellent dimensional stability. Subsequently, the wire form of the alloy was incorporated into a benchtop system, which was shown to provide the necessary stroke requirements of approx.0.125 inches for the targeted surge-control application. Cycle times for the actuator were limited to 4 seconds due to control and cooling constraints but this cycle time was determined to be adequate for the surge control application targeted as the primary requirement was initial actuation of a surge control rod, which could be completed in approximately one second.

Experiments in Nonlinear Adaptive Control of Multi-Manipulator, Free-Flying Space Robots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Vincent Wei-Kang

1992-01-01

Sophisticated robots can greatly enhance the role of humans in space by relieving astronauts of low level, tedious assembly and maintenance chores and allowing them to concentrate on higher level tasks. Robots and astronauts can work together efficiently, as a team; but the robot must be capable of accomplishing complex operations and yet be easy to use. Multiple cooperating manipulators are essential to dexterity and can broaden greatly the types of activities the robot can achieve; adding adaptive control can ease greatly robot usage by allowing the robot to change its own controller actions, without human intervention, in response to changes in its environment. Previous work in the Aerospace Robotics Laboratory (ARL) have shown the usefulness of a space robot with cooperating manipulators. The research presented in this dissertation extends that work by adding adaptive control. To help achieve this high level of robot sophistication, this research made several advances to the field of nonlinear adaptive control of robotic systems. A nonlinear adaptive control algorithm developed originally for control of robots, but requiring joint positions as inputs, was extended here to handle the much more general case of manipulator endpoint-position commands. A new system modelling technique, called system concatenation was developed to simplify the generation of a system model for complicated systems, such as a free-flying multiple-manipulator robot system. Finally, the task-space concept was introduced wherein the operator's inputs specify only the robot's task. The robot's subsequent autonomous performance of each task still involves, of course, endpoint positions and joint configurations as subsets. The combination of these developments resulted in a new adaptive control framework that is capable of continuously providing full adaptation capability to the complex space-robot system in all modes of operation. The new adaptive control algorithm easily handles free-flying systems with multiple, interacting manipulators, and extends naturally to even larger systems. The new adaptive controller was experimentally demonstrated on an ideal testbed in the ARL-A first-ever experimental model of a multi-manipulator, free-flying space robot that is capable of capturing and manipulating free-floating objects without requiring human assistance. A graphical user interface enhanced the robot usability: it enabled an operator situated at a remote location to issue high-level task description commands to the robot, and to monitor robot activities as it then carried out each assignment autonomously.

Styrene vapor control systems in FRP yacht plants.

PubMed

Todd, W F

1985-01-01

The production of large (greater than 25-ft) fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) yachts has presented problems of styrene exposure in excess of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure level (OSHA PEL) of 100 ppm. Also, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is currently recommending a 10-hour workshift, 40-hour workweek time weighted average (TWA) of 50 ppm for styrene. Meeting this challenge will require a system of engineering, work practice, personal protective equipment, and monitoring control measures. NIOSH has performed a study of the engineering controls in three FRP yacht plants. Work practices and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were also considered in the evaluation. The three systems evaluated included a dilution system, a local ventilation system, and a push-pull ventilation system. The cost of constructing and operating these systems was not evaluated in this study. Study results indicated that each type of ventilation system can meet the present PEL of 100 ppm styrene; however, it is not certain that these systems can meet a lower PEL of 50 ppm styrene.

Reducing usage of the computational resources by event driven approach to model predictive control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Misik, Stefan; Bradac, Zdenek; Cela, Arben

2017-08-01

This paper deals with a real-time and optimal control of dynamic systems while also considers the constraints which these systems might be subject to. Main objective of this work is to propose a simple modification of the existing Model Predictive Control approach to better suit needs of computational resource-constrained real-time systems. An example using model of a mechanical system is presented and the performance of the proposed method is evaluated in a simulated environment.

A fuzzy-logic-based controller for methane production in anaerobic fixed-film reactors.

PubMed

Robles, A; Latrille, E; Ruano, M V; Steyer, J P

2017-01-01

The main objective of this work was to develop a controller for biogas production in continuous anaerobic fixed-bed reactors, which used effluent total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration as control input in order to prevent process acidification at closed loop. To this aim, a fuzzy-logic-based control system was developed, tuned and validated in an anaerobic fixed-bed reactor at pilot scale that treated industrial winery wastewater. The proposed controller varied the flow rate of wastewater entering the system as a function of the gaseous outflow rate of methane and VFA concentration. Simulation results show that the proposed controller is capable to achieve great process stability even when operating at high VFA concentrations. Pilot results showed the potential of this control approach to maintain the process working properly under similar conditions to the ones expected at full-scale plants.

Recursive Deadbeat Controller Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Juang, Jer-Nan; Phan, Minh Q.

1997-01-01

This paper presents a recursive algorithm for a deadbeat predictive controller design. The method combines together the concepts of system identification and deadbeat controller designs. It starts with the multi-step output prediction equation and derives the control force in terms of past input and output time histories. The formulation thus derived satisfies simultaneously system identification and deadbeat controller design requirements. As soon as the coefficient matrices are identified satisfying the output prediction equation, no further work is required to compute the deadbeat control gain matrices. The method can be implemented recursively just as any typical recursive system identification techniques.

Cost and benefits design optimization model for fault tolerant flight control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rose, J.

1982-01-01

Requirements and specifications for a method of optimizing the design of fault-tolerant flight control systems are provided. Algorithms that could be used for developing new and modifying existing computer programs are also provided, with recommendations for follow-on work.

Novel imaging closed loop control strategy for heliostats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bern, Gregor; Schöttl, Peter; Heimsath, Anna; Nitz, Peter

2017-06-01

Central Receiver Systems use up to thousands of heliostats to concentrate solar radiation. The precise control of heliostat aiming points is crucial not only for efficiency but also for reliable plant operation. Besides the calibration of open loop control systems, closed loop tracking strategies are developed to address a precise and efficient aiming strategy. The need for cost reductions in the heliostat field intensifies the motivation for economic closed loop control systems. This work introduces an approach for a closed loop heliostat tracking strategy using image analysis and signal modulation. The approach aims at the extraction of heliostat focal spot position within the receiver domain by means of a centralized remote vision system decoupled from the rough conditions close to the focal area. Taking an image sequence of the receiver while modulating a signal on different heliostats, their aiming points are retrieved. The work describes the methodology and shows first results from simulations and practical tests performed in small scale, motivating further investigation and deployment.

Computer model of cardiovascular control system responses to exercise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Croston, R. C.; Rummel, J. A.; Kay, F. J.

1973-01-01

Approaches of systems analysis and mathematical modeling together with computer simulation techniques are applied to the cardiovascular system in order to simulate dynamic responses of the system to a range of exercise work loads. A block diagram of the circulatory model is presented, taking into account arterial segments, venous segments, arterio-venous circulation branches, and the heart. A cardiovascular control system model is also discussed together with model test results.

ICE System: Interruptible control expert system. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vezina, James M.

1990-01-01

The Interruptible Control Expert (ICE) System is based on an architecture designed to provide a strong foundation for real-time production rule expert systems. Three principles are adopted to guide the development of ICE. A practical delivery platform must be provided, no specialized hardware can be used to solve deficiencies in the software design. Knowledge of the environment and the rule-base is exploited to improve the performance of a delivered system. The third principle of ICE is to respond to the most critical event, at the expense of the more trivial tasks. Minimal time is spent on classifying the potential importance of environmental events with the majority of the time used for finding the responses. A feature of the system, derived from all three principles, is the lack of working memory. By using a priori information, a fixed amount of memory can be specified for the hardware platform. The absence of working memory removes the dangers of garbage collection during the continuous operation of the controller.

A new composite adaptive controller featuring the neural network and prescribed sliding surface with application to vibration control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phu, Do Xuan; Huy, Ta Duc; Mien, Van; Choi, Seung-Bok

2018-07-01

This work proposes a novel composite adaptive controller based on the prescribed performance of the sliding surface and applies it to vibration control of a semi-active vehicle seat suspension system subjected to severe external disturbances. As a first step, the online fast interval type 2 fuzzy neural network system is adopted to establish a model and two sliding surfaces are used; conventional surface and prescribed surface. Then, an equivalent control is determined by assuming the derivative of the prescribed surface is zero, followed by the design of a controller which can guarantee both stability and robustness. Then, two controllers are combined and integrated with adaptation laws using the projection algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed composite controller is validated through both simulation and experiment by undertaking vibration control of a semi-active seat suspension system equipped with a magneto-rheological (MR) damper. It is shown from both simulation and experimental realization that excellent vibration control performances are achieved with a small tracking error between the proposed and prescribed objectives. In addition, the control superiority of the proposed controller to conventional sliding mode controller featuring one sliding surface and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers are demonstrated through a comparative work.

Visual working memory capacity increases between ages 3 and 8 years, controlling for gains in attention, perception, and executive control.

PubMed

Pailian, Hrag; Libertus, Melissa E; Feigenson, Lisa; Halberda, Justin

2016-08-01

Research in adults has aimed to characterize constraints on the capacity of Visual Working Memory (VWM), in part because of the system's broader impacts throughout cognition. However, less is known about how VWM develops in childhood. Existing work has reached conflicting conclusions as to whether VWM storage capacity increases after infancy, and if so, when and by how much. One challenge is that previous studies did not control for developmental changes in attention and executive processing, which also may undergo improvement. We investigated the development of VWM storage capacity in children from 3 to 8 years of age, and in adults, while controlling for developmental change in exogenous and endogenous attention and executive control. Our results reveal that, when controlling for improvements in these abilities, VWM storage capacity increases across development and approaches adult-like levels between ages 6 and 8 years. More generally, this work highlights the value of estimating working memory, attention, perception, and decision-making components together.

Constant voltage and constant current control implementation for electric vehicles (evs) wireless charger

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tampubolon, Marojahan; Pamungkas, Laskar; Hsieh, Yao Ching; Chiu, Huang Jen

2018-04-01

This paper presents the implementation of Constant Voltage (CV) and Constant Current (CC) control for a wireless charger system. A battery charging system needs these control modes to ensure the safety of the battery and the effectiveness of the charging system. Here, the wireless charger system does not employ any post-regulator stage to control the output voltage and output current of the charger. But, it uses a variable frequency control incorporated with a conventional PI control. As a result, the size and the weight of the system are reduced. This paper discusses the brief review of the SS-WPT, control strategy and implementation of the CV and CC control. Experimental hardware with 2kW output power has been performed and tested. The results show that the proposed CV and CC control method works well with the system.

Interdependent networks: the fragility of control

PubMed Central

Morris, Richard G.; Barthelemy, Marc

2013-01-01

Recent work in the area of interdependent networks has focused on interactions between two systems of the same type. However, an important and ubiquitous class of systems are those involving monitoring and control, an example of interdependence between processes that are very different. In this Article, we introduce a framework for modelling ‘distributed supervisory control' in the guise of an electrical network supervised by a distributed system of control devices. The system is characterised by degrees of freedom salient to real-world systems— namely, the number of control devices, their inherent reliability, and the topology of the control network. Surprisingly, the behavior of the system depends crucially on the reliability of control devices. When devices are completely reliable, cascade sizes are percolation controlled; the number of devices being the relevant parameter. For unreliable devices, the topology of the control network is important and can dramatically reduce the resilience of the system. PMID:24067404

Controller's role in monitoring prospective payment system.

PubMed

Margrif, F D

1986-05-01

The challenge for hospital controllers in overseeing the prospective payment system (PPS) lies not in acquiring technical expertise but in working with the chief executive officer to coordinate organizational change. Specifically, the controller should assist in creating a prospective payment committee (PPC)--an interdisciplinary group of executives, middle managers, and medical staff. The PPC's duties, among others, include educating staff about the PPS, development of a productivity reporting system, and review of the responsibility accounting structure.

The Design and Transfer of Advanced Command and Control (C2) Computer-Based Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-03-31

TECHNICAL REPORT 80-02 QUARTERLY TECHNICAL REPORT: THE DESIGN AND TRANSFER OF ADVANCED COMMAND AND CONTROL (C 2 ) COMPUTER-BASED SYSTEMS ARPA...The Tasks/Objectives and/or Purposes of the overall project are connected with the design , development, demonstration and transfer of advanced...command and control (C2 ) computer-based systems; this report covers work in the computer-based design and transfer areas only. The Technical Problems thus

Studies and research concerning BNFP: computerized nuclear materials control and accounting system development evaluation report, FY 1978

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crawford, J M; Ehinger, M H; Joseph, C

1978-10-01

Development work on a computerized system for nuclear materials control and accounting in a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant is described and evaluated. Hardware and software were installed and tested to demonstrate key measurement, measurement control, and accounting requirements at accountability input/output points using natural uranium. The demonstration included a remote data acquisition system which interfaces process and special instrumentation to a cenral processing unit.

Real-Time Imaging with a Pulsed Coherent CO, Laser Radar

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-01-01

30 joule) transmitted energy levels has just begun. The FLD program will conclude in 1997 with the demonstration of a full-up, real - time operating system . This...The master system and VMEbus controller is an off-the-shelf controller based on the Motorola 68040 processor running the VxWorks real time operating system . Application

Tree fruit IPM programs in the Western United States: the challenge of enhancing biological control through intensive management

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The work of Stern and colleagues on integrated control has had long-lasting effects on development of IPM programs in orchard systems. Management systems based solely on pesticides have proven to be unstable, and the success of IPM systems in orchards has been driven by the conservation of natural ...

External and Turbomachinery Flow Control Working Group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahmadi, G.; Alstrom, B.; Colonius, T.; Dannenhoffer, J.; Glauser, M.; Helenbrook, B.; Higuchi, H.; Hodson, H.; Jha, R.; Kabiri, P.;

Reliability Analysis of the Electrical Control System of Subsea Blowout Preventers Using Markov Models

PubMed Central

Liu, Zengkai; Liu, Yonghong; Cai, Baoping

2014-01-01

Reliability analysis of the electrical control system of a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) stack is carried out based on Markov method. For the subsea BOP electrical control system used in the current work, the 3-2-1-0 and 3-2-0 input voting schemes are available. The effects of the voting schemes on system performance are evaluated based on Markov models. In addition, the effects of failure rates of the modules and repair time on system reliability indices are also investigated. PMID:25409010

Steam plant startup and control in system restoration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mello, F.P. de; Westcott, J.C.

1994-02-01

The IEEE Working Group on Power System Restoration developed a panel session for the Summer Power Meeting on July 14, 1992 on Special Considerations in Power System Restoration. One of the contributions to this session is presented in this paper dealing with aspects of steam plant startup and control in scenarios of system restoration. The topics addressed include the complexity of a steam plant, the contrast between normal plant startups and shutdowns and those following major system blackouts including the effects of plant design, automatic controls, bypass valving and operator training.

Electrohydraulic Synchronizing Servo Control of a Robotic Arm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, S.; Ruan, J.; Pei, X.; Yu, Z. Q.; Zhu, F. M.

2006-10-01

The large robotic arm is usually driven by the electrodraulic synchronizing control system. The electrodraulic synchronizing system is designed with the digital valve to eliminate the effect of the nonlinearities, such as hysteresis, saturation, definite resolution. The working principle of the electrodraulic synchronizing control system is introduced and the mathematical model is established through construction of flow rate equation, continuity equation, force equilibrium equation, etc. To obtain the high accuracy, the PID control is introduced in the system. Simulation analysis shows that the dynamic performance of the synchronizing system is good, and its steady state error is very small. To validate the results, the experimental set-up of the synchronizing system is built. The experiment makes it clear that the control system has high accuracy. The synchronizing system can be applied widely in practice.

Coordinated three-dimensional motion of the head and torso by dynamic neural networks.

PubMed

Kim, J; Hemami, H

1998-01-01

The problem of trajectory tracking control of a three dimensional (3D) model of the human upper torso and head is considered. The torso and the head are modeled as two rigid bodies connected at one point, and the Newton-Euler method is used to derive the nonlinear differential equations that govern the motion of the system. The two-link system is driven by six pairs of muscle like actuators that possess physiologically inspired alpha like and gamma like inputs, and spindle like and Golgi tendon organ like outputs. These outputs are utilized as reflex feedback for stability and stiffness control, in a long loop feedback for the purpose of estimating the state of the system (somesthesis), and as part of the input to the controller. Ideal delays of different duration are included in the feedforward and feedback paths of the system to emulate such delays encountered in physiological systems. Dynamical neural networks are trained to learn effective control of the desired maneuvers of the system. The feasibility of the controller is demonstrated by computer simulation of the successful execution of the desired maneuvers. This work demonstrates the capabilities of neural circuits in controlling highly nonlinear systems with multidelays in their feedforward and feedback paths. The ultimate long range goal of this research is toward understanding the working of the central nervous system in controlling movement. It is an interdisciplinary effort relying on mechanics, biomechanics, neuroscience, system theory, physiology and anatomy, and its short range relevance to rehabilitation must be noted.

Distributed environmental control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cleveland, Gary A.

1992-01-01

We present an architecture of distributed, independent control agents designed to work with the Computer Aided System Engineering and Analysis (CASE/A) simulation tool. CASE/A simulates behavior of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). We describe a lattice of agents capable of distributed sensing and overcoming certain sensor and effector failures. We address how the architecture can achieve the coordinating functions of a hierarchical command structure while maintaining the robustness and flexibility of independent agents. These agents work between the time steps of the CASE/A simulation tool to arrive at command decisions based on the state variables maintained by CASE/A. Control is evaluated according to both effectiveness (e.g., how well temperature was maintained) and resource utilization (the amount of power and materials used).

A statistical learning strategy for closed-loop control of fluid flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guéniat, Florimond; Mathelin, Lionel; Hussaini, M. Yousuff

2016-12-01

This work discusses a closed-loop control strategy for complex systems utilizing scarce and streaming data. A discrete embedding space is first built using hash functions applied to the sensor measurements from which a Markov process model is derived, approximating the complex system's dynamics. A control strategy is then learned using reinforcement learning once rewards relevant with respect to the control objective are identified. This method is designed for experimental configurations, requiring no computations nor prior knowledge of the system, and enjoys intrinsic robustness. It is illustrated on two systems: the control of the transitions of a Lorenz'63 dynamical system, and the control of the drag of a cylinder flow. The method is shown to perform well.

[Present state and problems of work environment control in the workplaces using hazardous materials based on the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Japan].

PubMed

Hori, Hajime

2013-10-01

In Japan, working environment measurement is prescribed in the designated workplaces using hazardous materials. Measurements should be carried out periodically and countermeasures are performed depending on the results. By introducing such a system, working environments have remarkably improved. However, in the designated workplaces, measurements should be continued even in work environments found safe. On the other hand, measurement need not be obliged for non-designated workplaces even if hazardous materials are utilized.In the United States of America and many European countries, work environment management and work management are carried out by measuring personal exposure concentrations. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is now discussing the introduction of personal exposure monitoring. However, many problems exist to prevent the simple introduction of American and European methods. This paper describes the brief history, present state and problems of work environment control in Japan, comparing with the systems of American and European countries.

Evaluation of Factors Unique to Multifunction Controls/Displays Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-01

different Iron Report) 18. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES This work was performed by the contractor at the Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Flight Control Division, Crew...This Technical Report is the result of a work effort performed by the Require- ments and Analysis Group of the Crew Systems Development Branch (FIGR...human factors. Mr. Emmett Herron of the Bunker Ramo Corporation provided pilot inputs to the work efforts, and Ms. Gloria Calhoun of the same company

The NASA MSFC Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) Laboratory: Summary of Capabilities, Recent Upgrades, and Future Work

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Vermilion, David J.; Rogers, Jan R.

2015-01-01

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory has a long history of providing materials research and thermophysical property data. A summary of the labs capabilities, recent upgrades, and ongoing and future work will be provided. The laboratory has recently added two new capabilities to its main levitation chamber: a rapid quench system and an oxygen control system. The rapid quench system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. The oxygen control system consists of an oxygen sensor, oxygen pump, and a control unit. The sensor is a potentiometric device that determines the difference in oxygen activity between two gas compartments separated by an electrolyte, which is yttria-stabilized zirconia. The pump utilizes coulometric titration to either add or remove oxygen. The system is controlled by a desktop control unit, which can also be accessed via a computer. This system allows the oxygen partial pressure within the vacuum chamber to be measured and controlled, theoretically in the range from 10-36 to 100 bar. The ESL laboratory also has an emissometer, called the High-Temperature Emissivity Measurement System (HiTEMS). This system measures the spectral emissivity of materials from 600degC to 3,000degC. The system consists of a vacuum chamber, a black body source, and a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The system utilizes optics to swap the signal between the sample and the black body. The system was originally designed to measure the hemispherical spectral emissivity of levitated samples, which are typically 2.5mm spheres. Levitation allows emissivity measurements of molten samples, but more work is required to develop this capability. The system is currently setup measure the near-normal spectral emissivity of stationary samples, which has been used to take measurements of ablative materials, rocket nozzle coating materials, and materials for spacecraft instruments.

Development of design principles for automated systems in transport control.

PubMed

Balfe, Nora; Wilson, John R; Sharples, Sarah; Clarke, Theresa

2012-01-01

This article reports the results of a qualitative study investigating attitudes towards and opinions of an advanced automation system currently used in UK rail signalling. In-depth interviews were held with 10 users, key issues associated with automation were identified and the automation's impact on the signalling task investigated. The interview data highlighted the importance of the signallers' understanding of the automation and their (in)ability to predict its outputs. The interviews also covered the methods used by signallers to interact with and control the automation, and the perceived effects on their workload. The results indicate that despite a generally low level of understanding and ability to predict the actions of the automation system, signallers have developed largely successful coping mechanisms that enable them to use the technology effectively. These findings, along with parallel work identifying desirable attributes of automation from the literature in the area, were used to develop 12 principles of automation which can be used to help design new systems which better facilitate cooperative working. The work reported in this article was completed with the active involvement of operational rail staff who regularly use automated systems in rail signalling. The outcomes are currently being used to inform decisions on the extent and type of automation and user interfaces in future generations of rail control systems.

Development of feedback-speed-control system of fixed-abrasive tool for mat-surface fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanagihara, K.; Kita, R.

2018-01-01

This study deals with the new method to fabricate a mat-surface by using fixed-abrasive tool. Mat-surface is a surface with microscopic irregularities whose dimensions are close to the wavelengths of visible light (400-700 nanometers). In order to develop the new method to fabricate mat-surface without pre-masking and large scale back up facility, utilization of fixed-abrasive tool is discussed. The discussion clarifies that abrasives in shot blasting are given kinetic energy along to only plunge-direction while excluding traverse-direction. If the relative motion between tool and work in fixed-abrasive process can be realized as that in blasting, mat-surface will be accomplished with fixed-abrasive process. To realize the proposed idea, new surface-fabrication system to which is adopted feedback-speed-control of abrasive wheel has been designed. The system consists of micro-computer unit (MPU), work-speed sensor, fixed-abrasive wheel, and wheel driving unit. The system can control relative speed between work and wheel in optimum range to produce mat-surface. Finally experiment to verify the developed system is carried out. The results of experiments show that the developed system is effective and it can produce the surface from grinding to mat-surface seamlessly.

Distributed Coordinated Control of Large-Scale Nonlinear Networks

DOE PAGES

Kundu, Soumya; Anghel, Marian

2015-11-08

We provide a distributed coordinated approach to the stability analysis and control design of largescale nonlinear dynamical systems by using a vector Lyapunov functions approach. In this formulation the large-scale system is decomposed into a network of interacting subsystems and the stability of the system is analyzed through a comparison system. However finding such comparison system is not trivial. In this work, we propose a sum-of-squares based completely decentralized approach for computing the comparison systems for networks of nonlinear systems. Moreover, based on the comparison systems, we introduce a distributed optimal control strategy in which the individual subsystems (agents) coordinatemore » with their immediate neighbors to design local control policies that can exponentially stabilize the full system under initial disturbances.We illustrate the control algorithm on a network of interacting Van der Pol systems.« less

High job control enhances vagal recovery in media work.

PubMed

Lindholm, Harri; Sinisalo, Juha; Ahlberg, Jari; Jahkola, Antti; Partinen, Markku; Hublin, Christer; Savolainen, Aslak

2009-12-01

Job strain has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In modern media work, time pressures, rapidly changing situations, computer work and irregular working hours are common. Heart rate variability (HRV) has been widely used to monitor sympathovagal balance. Autonomic imbalance may play an additive role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. To study the effects of work demands and job control on the autonomic nervous system recovery among the media personnel. From the cross-sectional postal survey of the employees in Finnish Broadcasting Company (n = 874), three age cohorts (n = 132) were randomly selected for an analysis of HRV in 24 h electrocardiography recordings. In the middle-aged group, those who experienced high job control had significantly better vagal recovery than those with low or moderate control (P < 0.01). Among young and ageing employees, job control did not associate with autonomic recovery. High job control over work rather than low demands seemed to enhance autonomic recovery in middle-aged media workers. This was independent of poor health habits such as smoking, physical inactivity or alcohol consumption.

Fringe-jump corrected far infrared tangential interferometer/polarimeter for a real-time density feedback control system of NSTX plasmasa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juhn, J.-W.; Lee, K. C.; Hwang, Y. S.; Domier, C. W.; Luhmann, N. C.; Leblanc, B. P.; Mueller, D.; Gates, D. A.; Kaita, R.

2010-10-01

The far infrared tangential interferometer/polarimeter (FIReTIP) of the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) has been set up to provide reliable electron density signals for a real-time density feedback control system. This work consists of two main parts: suppression of the fringe jumps that have been prohibiting the plasma density from use in the direct feedback to actuators and the conceptual design of a density feedback control system including the FIReTIP, control hardware, and software that takes advantage of the NSTX plasma control system (PCS). By investigating numerous shot data after July 2009 when the new electronics were installed, fringe jumps in the FIReTIP are well characterized, and consequently the suppressing algorithms are working properly as shown in comparisons with the Thomson scattering diagnostic. This approach is also applicable to signals taken at a 5 kHz sampling rate, which is a fundamental constraint imposed by the digitizers providing inputs to the PCS. The fringe jump correction algorithm, as well as safety and feedback modules, will be included as submodules either in the gas injection system category or a new category of density in the PCS.

Design and Modeling of a Liquid Lithium LiMIT Loop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szott, Matthew; Christenson, Michael; Stemmley, Steven; Ahn, Chisung; Andruczyk, Daniel; Ruzic, David

2017-10-01

The use of flowing liquid lithium in plasma facing components has been shown to reduce erosion and thermal stress damage, prolong device lifetime, decrease edge recycling, reduce impurities, and increase plasma performance, all while providing a clean and self-healing surface. The Liquid Metal Infused Trench (LiMIT) system has proven the concept of controlled thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic-driven lithium flow for use in fusion relevant conditions, through tests at UIUC, HT-7, and Magnum PSI. As the use of liquid lithium in fusion devices progresses, emphasis must now be placed on full systems integration of flowing liquid metal concepts. The LiMIT system will be upgraded to include a full liquid lithium loop, which will pump lithium into the fusion device, utilize TEMHD to drive lithium through the vessel, and remove lithium for filtration and degassing. Flow control concepts recently developed at UIUC - including wetting control, dryout control, and flow velocity control - will be tested in conjunction in order to demonstrate a robust system. Lithium loop system requirements, designs, and modeling work will be presented, along with plans for installation and testing on the HIDRA device at UIUC. This work is supported by DOE/ALPS DE-FG02-99ER54515.

Performance improvement in remote manipulation with time delay by means of a learning system.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freedy, A.; Weltman, G.

1973-01-01

A teleoperating system is presented that involves shared control between a human operator and a general-purpose computer-based learning machine. This setup features a trainable control network termed the autonomous control subsystem (ACS) which is able to observe the operator's control actions, learn the task at hand, and take appropriate control actions. A working ACS system is described that has been put in operation for the purpose of exploring the uses of a remote intelligence of this type. The expansion of the present system into a multifunctional learning machine capable of a greater degree of autonomy is also discussed.

Design of digital load torque observer in hybrid electric vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yukun; Zhang, Haoming; Wang, Yinghai

2008-12-01

In hybrid electric vehicle, engine begain to work only when motor was in high speed in order to decrease tail gas emission. However, permanent magnet motor was sensitive to its load, adding engine to the system always made its speed drop sharply, which caused engine to work in low efficiency again and produced much more environment pollution. Dynamic load torque model of permanent magnet synchronous motor is established on the basic of motor mechanical equation and permanent magnet synchronous motor vector control theory, Full- digital load torque observer and compensation control system is made based on TMS320F2407A. Experiment results prove load torque observer and compensation control system can detect and compensate torque disturbing effectively, which can solve load torque disturbing and decrease gas pollution of hybrid electric vehicle.

Telepresence work system concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, L. M.

1985-01-01

Telepresence has been used in the context of the ultimate in remote manipulation where the operator is provided with the sensory feedback and control to perform highly dexterous tasks. The concept of a Telepresence Work Station (TWS) for operation in space is described. System requirements, concepts, and a development approach are discussed. The TWS has the potential for application on the Space Shuttle, on the Orbit Maneuver Vehicle, on an Orbit Transfer Vehicle, and on the Space Station. The TWS function is to perform satellite servicing tasks and construction and assembly operations in the buildup of large spacecraft. The basic concept is a pair of dexterous arms controlled from a remote station by an operation with feedback. It may be evolved through levels of supervisory control to a smart adaptive robotic system.

Waste heat recovery system for recapturing energy after engine aftertreatment systems

DOEpatents

Ernst, Timothy C.; Nelson, Christopher R.

2014-06-17

The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery (WHR) system including a Rankine cycle (RC) subsystem for converting heat of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine including the same. The WHR system includes an exhaust gas heat exchanger that is fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system and is adapted to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to a working fluid of the RC subsystem. An energy conversion device is fluidly coupled to the exhaust gas heat exchanger and is adapted to receive the vaporized working fluid and convert the energy of the transferred heat. The WHR system includes a control module adapted to control at least one parameter of the RC subsystem based on a detected aftertreatment event of a predetermined thermal management strategy of the aftertreatment system.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomas, H. P.; Basso, T. S.; Kroposki, B.

The Department of Energy (DOE) Distributed Power Program (DPP) is conducting work to complete, validate in the field, and support the development of a national interconnection standard for distributed energy resources (DER), and to address the institutional and regulatory barriers slowing the commercial adoption of DER systems. This work includes support for the IEEE standards, including P1547 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, P1589 Standard for Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, and the P1608 Application Guide. Work is also in progress on system integration research and development (R&D) on themore » interface and control of DER with local energy systems. Additional efforts are supporting high-reliability power for industry, evaluating innovative concepts for DER applications, and exploring plug-and-play interface and control technologies for intelligent autonomous interconnection systems. This paper summarizes (1) the current status of the IEEE interconnection standards and application guides in support of DER, and (2) the R&D in progress at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for interconnection and system integration and application of distributed energy resources.« less

Working Memory Systems in the Rat.

PubMed

Bratch, Alexander; Kann, Spencer; Cain, Joshua A; Wu, Jie-En; Rivera-Reyes, Nilda; Dalecki, Stefan; Arman, Diana; Dunn, Austin; Cooper, Shiloh; Corbin, Hannah E; Doyle, Amanda R; Pizzo, Matthew J; Smith, Alexandra E; Crystal, Jonathon D

2016-02-08

A fundamental feature of memory in humans is the ability to simultaneously work with multiple types of information using independent memory systems. Working memory is conceptualized as two independent memory systems under executive control [1, 2]. Although there is a long history of using the term "working memory" to describe short-term memory in animals, it is not known whether multiple, independent memory systems exist in nonhumans. Here, we used two established short-term memory approaches to test the hypothesis that spatial and olfactory memory operate as independent working memory resources in the rat. In the olfactory memory task, rats chose a novel odor from a gradually incrementing set of old odors [3]. In the spatial memory task, rats searched for a depleting food source at multiple locations [4]. We presented rats with information to hold in memory in one domain (e.g., olfactory) while adding a memory load in the other domain (e.g., spatial). Control conditions equated the retention interval delay without adding a second memory load. In a further experiment, we used proactive interference [5-7] in the spatial domain to compromise spatial memory and evaluated the impact of adding an olfactory memory load. Olfactory and spatial memory are resistant to interference from the addition of a memory load in the other domain. Our data suggest that olfactory and spatial memory draw on independent working memory systems in the rat. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Symmetries in vakonomic dynamics: applications to optimal control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez, Sonia; Cortés, Jorge; de León, Manuel

2001-06-01

Symmetries in vakonomic dynamics are discussed. Appropriate notions are introduced and their relationship with previous work on symmetries of singular Lagrangian systems is shown. Some Noether-type theorems are obtained. The results are applied to a class of general optimal control problems and to kinematic locomotion systems.

Accounting for Teamwork: A Critical Study of Group-Based Systems of Organizational Control.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ezzamel, Mahmoud; Willmott, Hugh

1998-01-01

Examines the role of accounting calculations in reorganizing manufacturing capabilities of a vertically integrated global retailing company. Introducing teamwork to replace line work extended traditional, hierarchical management control systems. Teamwork's self-managing demands contravened workers' established sense of self-identity as…

Cyber-physical approach to the network-centric robotics control task

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muliukha, Vladimir; Ilyashenko, Alexander; Zaborovsky, Vladimir; Lukashin, Alexey

2016-10-01

Complex engineering tasks concerning control for groups of mobile robots are developed poorly. In our work for their formalization we use cyber-physical approach, which extends the range of engineering and physical methods for a design of complex technical objects by researching the informational aspects of communication and interaction between objects and with an external environment [1]. The paper analyzes network-centric methods for control of cyber-physical objects. Robots or cyber-physical objects interact with each other by transmitting information via computer networks using preemptive queueing system and randomized push-out mechanism [2],[3]. The main field of application for the results of our work is space robotics. The selection of cyber-physical systems as a special class of designed objects is due to the necessity of integrating various components responsible for computing, communications and control processes. Network-centric solutions allow using universal means for the organization of information exchange to integrate different technologies for the control system.

An evolutionary view of chromatography data systems used in bioanalysis.

PubMed

McDowall, R D

2010-02-01

This is a personal view of how chromatographic peak measurement and analyte quantification for bioanalysis have evolved from the manual methods of 1970 to the electronic working possible in 2010. In four decades there have been major changes from a simple chart recorder output (that was interpreted and quantified manually) through simple automation of peak measurement, calculation of standard curves and quality control values and instrument control to the networked chromatography data systems of today that are capable of interfacing with Laboratory Information Management Systems and other IT applications. The incorporation of electronic signatures to meet regulatory requirements offers a great opportunity for business improvement and electronic working.

International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Status: 2014-2015

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, David E.; Gentry, Gregory J.

2015-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) system includes regenerative and non-regenerative technologies that provide the basic life support functions to support the crew, while maintaining a safe and habitable shirtsleeve environment. This paper provides a summary of the U.S. ECLS system activities over the past year and the impacts of the international partners' activities on them, covering the period of time between March 2014 and February 2015. The ISS continued permanent crew operations including the continuation of six crew members being on ISS. Work continues on the commercial crew vehicles, and work to try and extend ISS service life.

Evolution of the SOFIA tracking control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiebig, Norbert; Jakob, Holger; Pfüller, Enrico; Röser, Hans-Peter; Wiedemann, Manuel; Wolf, Jürgen

2014-07-01

The airborne observatory SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is undergoing a modernization of its tracking system. This included new, highly sensitive tracking cameras, control computers, filter wheels and other equipment, as well as a major redesign of the control software. The experiences along the migration path from an aged 19" VMbus based control system to the application of modern industrial PCs, from VxWorks real-time operating system to embedded Linux and a state of the art software architecture are presented. Further, the concept is presented to operate the new camera also as a scientific instrument, in parallel to tracking.

Robust control of a parallel hybrid drivetrain with a CVT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mayer, T.; Schroeder, D.

1996-09-01

In this paper the design of a robust control system for a parallel hybrid drivetrain is presented. The drivetrain is based on a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and is therefore a highly nonlinear multiple-input-multiple-output system (MIMO-System). Input-Output-Linearization offers the possibility of linearizing and of decoupling the system. Since for example the vehicle mass varies with the load and the efficiency of the gearbox depends strongly on the actual working point, an exact linearization of the plant will mostly fail. Therefore a robust control algorithm based on sliding mode is used to control the drivetrain.

Dynamics of multirate sampled data control systems. [for space shuttle boost vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naylor, J. R.; Hynes, R. J.; Molnar, D. O.

1974-01-01

The effect was investigated of the synthesis approach (single or multirate) on the machine requirements for a digital control system for the space shuttle boost vehicle. The study encompassed four major work areas: synthesis approach trades, machine requirements trades, design analysis requirements and multirate adaptive control techniques. The primary results are two multirate autopilot designs for the low Q and maximum Q flight conditions that exhibits equal or better performance than the analog and single rate system designs. Also, a preferred technique for analyzing and synthesizing multirate digital control systems is included.

Cockpit control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lesnewski, David; Snow, Russ M.; Paufler, Dave; Schnieder, George; Athousake, Roxanne; Combs, Lisa

1993-01-01

The purpose of this project is to provide a detail design for the cockpit control system of the Viper PFT. The statement of work for this project requires provisions for control of the ailerons, elevator, rudder, and elevator trim. The system should provide adjustment for pilot stature, rigging, and maintenance. MIL-STD-1472 is used as a model for human factors criterion. The system is designed to the pilot limit loading outlined in FAR part 23.397. The general philosophy behind this design is to provide a simple, reliable control system which will withstand the daily abuse that is experienced in the training environment without excessive cost or weight penalties.

Geometric foundations of the theory of feedback equivalence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hermann, R.

1987-01-01

A description of feedback control is presented within the context of differential equations, differential geometry, and Lie theory. Work related to the integration of differential geometry with the control techniques of feedback linearization is summarized. Particular attention is given to the application of the theory of vector field systems. Feedback invariants for control systems in state space form are also addressed.

A survey of adaptive control technology in robotics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tosunoglu, S.; Tesar, D.

1987-01-01

Previous work on the adaptive control of robotic systems is reviewed. Although the field is relatively new and does not yet represent a mature discipline, considerable attention has been given to the design of sophisticated robot controllers. Here, adaptive control methods are divided into model reference adaptive systems and self-tuning regulators with further definition of various approaches given in each class. The similarity and distinct features of the designed controllers are delineated and tabulated to enhance comparative review.

Linear Quantum Systems: Non-Classical States and Robust Stability

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-29

has a history going back some 50 years, to the birth of modern control theory with Kalman’s foundational work on filtering and LQG optimal control ...information   if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ORGANIZATION. 1. REPORT DATE (DD...analysis and control of quantum linear systems and their interactions with non-classical quantum fields by developing control theoretic concepts exploiting

Study on application of adaptive fuzzy control and neural network in the automatic leveling system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xiping; Zhao, Zizhao; Lan, Weiyong; Sha, Lei; Qian, Cheng

2015-04-01

This paper discusses the adaptive fuzzy control and neural network BP algorithm in large flat automatic leveling control system application. The purpose is to develop a measurement system with a flat quick leveling, Make the installation on the leveling system of measurement with tablet, to be able to achieve a level in precision measurement work quickly, improve the efficiency of the precision measurement. This paper focuses on the automatic leveling system analysis based on fuzzy controller, Use of the method of combining fuzzy controller and BP neural network, using BP algorithm improve the experience rules .Construct an adaptive fuzzy control system. Meanwhile the learning rate of the BP algorithm has also been run-rate adjusted to accelerate convergence. The simulation results show that the proposed control method can effectively improve the leveling precision of automatic leveling system and shorten the time of leveling.

Spaceport Command and Control System Automated Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, Meriel

2017-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) launch control system for the Orion capsule and Space Launch System, the next generation manned rocket currently in development. This large system requires high quality testing that will properly measure the capabilities of the system. Automating the test procedures would save the project time and money. Therefore, the Electrical Engineering Division at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has recruited interns for the past two years to work alongside full-time engineers to develop these automated tests, as well as innovate upon the current automation process.

Spaceport Command and Control System Automation Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwang, Andrew

2017-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) launch control system for the Orion capsule and Space Launch System, the next generation manned rocket currently in development. This large system requires high quality testing that will properly measure the capabilities of the system. Automating the test procedures would save the project time and money. Therefore, the Electrical Engineering Division at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has recruited interns for the past two years to work alongside full-time engineers to develop these automated tests, as well as innovate upon the current automation process.

Computer assisted audit techniques for UNIX (UNIX-CAATS)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polk, W.T.

1991-12-31

Federal and DOE regulations impose specific requirements for internal controls of computer systems. These controls include adequate separation of duties and sufficient controls for access of system and data. The DOE Inspector General`s Office has the responsibility to examine internal controls, as well as efficient use of computer system resources. As a result, DOE supported NIST development of computer assisted audit techniques to examine BSD UNIX computers (UNIX-CAATS). These systems were selected due to the increasing number of UNIX workstations in use within DOE. This paper describes the design and development of these techniques, as well as the results ofmore » testing at NIST and the first audit at a DOE site. UNIX-CAATS consists of tools which examine security of passwords, file systems, and network access. In addition, a tool was developed to examine efficiency of disk utilization. Test results at NIST indicated inadequate password management, as well as weak network resource controls. File system security was considered adequate. Audit results at a DOE site indicated weak password management and inefficient disk utilization. During the audit, we also found improvements to UNIX-CAATS were needed when applied to large systems. NIST plans to enhance the techniques developed for DOE/IG in future work. This future work would leverage currently available tools, along with needed enhancements. These enhancements would enable DOE/IG to audit large systems, such as supercomputers.« less

Computer assisted audit techniques for UNIX (UNIX-CAATS)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polk, W.T.

1991-01-01

Federal and DOE regulations impose specific requirements for internal controls of computer systems. These controls include adequate separation of duties and sufficient controls for access of system and data. The DOE Inspector General's Office has the responsibility to examine internal controls, as well as efficient use of computer system resources. As a result, DOE supported NIST development of computer assisted audit techniques to examine BSD UNIX computers (UNIX-CAATS). These systems were selected due to the increasing number of UNIX workstations in use within DOE. This paper describes the design and development of these techniques, as well as the results ofmore » testing at NIST and the first audit at a DOE site. UNIX-CAATS consists of tools which examine security of passwords, file systems, and network access. In addition, a tool was developed to examine efficiency of disk utilization. Test results at NIST indicated inadequate password management, as well as weak network resource controls. File system security was considered adequate. Audit results at a DOE site indicated weak password management and inefficient disk utilization. During the audit, we also found improvements to UNIX-CAATS were needed when applied to large systems. NIST plans to enhance the techniques developed for DOE/IG in future work. This future work would leverage currently available tools, along with needed enhancements. These enhancements would enable DOE/IG to audit large systems, such as supercomputers.« less

Design and develop speed/pressure regulator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hasanul Basher, A.M.

1993-09-01

The Physics Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has several recirculating water cooling systems. One of them supplies deionized water at 150 psi, which is mainly used for cooling magnet windings at the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron (ORIC). The system has three 125-hp water pumps, each of which is capable of supplying water at the rate of 1000 gpm. One of the major requirements of this water supply system is that the supply pressure must be kept constant. An adjustable-frequency speed controller was recently installed to control the speed of one of the pump motors. A servo-system was provided withmore » the adjustable-frequency controller for regulating motor speed and, subsequently, the water pressure. After unsuccessful attempts to operate the servo, it was concluded that the regulator may not work for the existing system. Prior to installation of the variable-frequency controller, pressure regulation was accomplished with a pneumatically controlled load by-pass valve. To maintain constant pressure in the system, it is necessary to run always at full load, even if full load is not on the system. Hence, there is a waste of energy when full load is not connected to the system. So, designing and implementing one regulator that works at any load condition has become necessary. This report discusses the design of such a pressure regulator.« less

Situation Awareness of Onboard System Autonomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schreckenghost, Debra; Thronesbery, Carroll; Hudson, Mary Beth

2005-01-01

We have developed intelligent agent software for onboard system autonomy. Our approach is to provide control agents that automate crew and vehicle systems, and operations assistants that aid humans in working with these autonomous systems. We use the 3 Tier control architecture to develop the control agent software that automates system reconfiguration and routine fault management. We use the Distributed Collaboration and Interaction (DCI) System to develop the operations assistants that provide human services, including situation summarization, event notification, activity management, and support for manual commanding of autonomous system. In this paper we describe how the operations assistants aid situation awareness of the autonomous control agents. We also describe our evaluation of the DCI System to support control engineers during a ground test at Johnson Space Center (JSC) of the Post Processing System (PPS) for regenerative water recovery.

Intrusion Detection in Control Systems using Sequence Characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiuchi, Mai; Onoda, Takashi

Intrusion detection is considered effective in control systems. Sequences of the control application behavior observed in the communication, such as the order of the control device to be controlled, are important in control systems. However, most intrusion detection systems do not effectively reflect sequences in the application layer into the detection rules. In our previous work, we considered utilizing sequences for intrusion detection in control systems, and demonstrated the usefulness of sequences for intrusion detection. However, manually writing the detection rules for a large system can be difficult, so using machine learning methods becomes feasible. Also, in the case of control systems, there have been very few observed cyber attacks, so we have very little knowledge of the attack data that should be used to train the intrusion detection system. In this paper, we use an approach that combines CRF (Conditional Random Field) considering the sequence of the system, thus able to reflect the characteristics of control system sequences into the intrusion detection system, and also does not need the knowledge of attack data to construct the detection rules.

Design of sewage treatment system by applying fuzzy adaptive PID controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Liang-Ping; Li, Hong-Chan

2013-03-01

In the sewage treatment system, the dissolved oxygen concentration control, due to its nonlinear, time-varying, large time delay and uncertainty, is difficult to establish the exact mathematical model. While the conventional PID controller only works with good linear not far from its operating point, it is difficult to realize the system control when the operating point far off. In order to solve the above problems, the paper proposed a method which combine fuzzy control with PID methods and designed a fuzzy adaptive PID controller based on S7-300 PLC .It employs fuzzy inference method to achieve the online tuning for PID parameters. The control algorithm by simulation and practical application show that the system has stronger robustness and better adaptability.

International note: Prediction of mathematics work ethic and performance from behavioral, normative, and control beliefs among Qatari adolescents.

PubMed

Areepattamannil, Shaljan; Abdelfattah, Faisal; Mahasneh, Randa Ali; Khine, Myint Swe; Welch, Anita G; Melkonian, Michael; Al Nuaimi, Samira Ahmed

2016-01-01

Over half-a-million adolescents take part in each cycle of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Yet often, researchers and policy makers across the globe tend to focus their attention primarily on the academic trajectories of adolescents hailing from highly successful education systems. Hence, a vast majority of the adolescent population who regionally and globally constitute the 'long tail of underachievement' often remain unnoticed and underrepresented in the growing literature on adolescents' academic trajectories. The present study, therefore, explored the relations of dispositions toward mathematics, subjective norms in mathematics, and perceived control of success in mathematics to mathematics work ethic as well as mathematics performance; and the mediational role of mathematics work ethic in the association between dispositional, normative, and control beliefs and mathematics performance among adolescents in one of the lowest performing education systems, Qatar. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses revealed that Qatari adolescents' dispositional, normative, and control beliefs about mathematics were significantly associated with their mathematics work ethic and mathematics performance, and mathematics work ethic significantly mediated the relationship between dispositional, normative, and control beliefs about mathematics and mathematics performance. However, multi-group SEM analyses indicated that these relationships were not invariant across the gender and the SES groups. Copyright © 2015 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Central nervous system

MedlinePlus

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord serve as the main "processing center" for your entire nervous system. They control all the workings of your body.

A closed-loop automatic control system for high-intensity acoustic test systems.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slusser, R. A.

1973-01-01

Description of an automatic control system for high-intensity acoustic tests in reverberation chambers. Working in 14 one-third-octave bands from 50 to 1000 Hz, the desired sound pressure levels are set into the memory in the control system before the test. The control system then increases the sound pressure level in the reverberation chamber gradually in each of the one-third-octave bands until the level set in the memory is reached. This level is then maintained for the duration of the test. Additional features of the system are overtest protection, the capability of 'holding' the spectrum at any time, and the presence of a total test timer.

The Quality of Work in the Belgian Service Voucher System.

PubMed

Mousaid, Sarah; Huegaerts, Kelly; Bosmans, Kim; Julià, Mireia; Benach, Joan; Vanroelen, Christophe

2017-01-01

Several European countries implemented initiatives to boost the growth of the domestic cleaning sector. Few studies investigated the quality of work in these initiatives, although effects on workers' health and on social health inequalities can be expected. This study contributes to the scant research on this subject, by investigating the quality of work in the Belgian service voucher system - a subsidized system for domestic work. The applied research methodology includes a qualitative content analysis of parliamentary debates, legislation and previous research about the service voucher system and of 40 in-depth interviews with service voucher workers. The study shows that the legal framework that regulates the system must be further enhanced in order to improve the quality of work in the service voucher system. In addition, the actors involved must be better controlled, and sanctioned in case of non-compliance with legislation. © The Author(s) 2016.

Supervisory control based on minimal cuts and Petri net sub-controllers coordination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezig, Sadok; Achour, Zied; Rezg, Nidhal; Kammoun, Mohamed-Ali

2016-10-01

This paper addresses the synthesis of Petri net (PN) controller for the forbidden state transition problem with a new utilisation of the theory of regions. Moreover, as any method of control synthesis based on a reachability graph, the theory of regions suffers from the combinatorial explosion problem. The proposed work minimises the number of equations in the linear system of theory of regions and therefore one can reduce the computation time. In this paper, two different approaches are proposed to select minimal cuts in the reachability graph in order to synthesise a PN controller. Thanks to a switch from one cut to another, one can activate and deactivate the corresponding PNcontroller. An application is implemented in a flexible manufacturing system to illustrate the present method. Finally, comparison with previous works with experimental results in obtaining a maximally permissive controller is presented.

Surface Tension Mediated Conversion of Light to Work

PubMed Central

Okawa, David; Pastine, Stefan J.; Zettl, Alex; Fréchet, Jean M. J.

2009-01-01

As energy demands increase, new, more direct, energy collection and utilization processes must be explored. We present a system that intrinsically combines the absorption of sunlight with the production of useful work in the form of locomotion of objects on liquids. Focused sunlight is locally absorbed by a nanostructured composite, creating a thermal surface tension gradient and, subsequently, motion. Controlled linear motion and rotational motion are demonstrated. The system is scale independent, with remotely powered and controlled motion shown for objects in the milligram to tens of grams range. PMID:20560635

A unifying framework for systems modeling, control systems design, and system operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dvorak, Daniel L.; Indictor, Mark B.; Ingham, Michel D.; Rasmussen, Robert D.; Stringfellow, Margaret V.

2005-01-01

Current engineering practice in the analysis and design of large-scale multi-disciplinary control systems is typified by some form of decomposition- whether functional or physical or discipline-based-that enables multiple teams to work in parallel and in relative isolation. Too often, the resulting system after integration is an awkward marriage of different control and data mechanisms with poor end-to-end accountability. System of systems engineering, which faces this problem on a large scale, cries out for a unifying framework to guide analysis, design, and operation. This paper describes such a framework based on a state-, model-, and goal-based architecture for semi-autonomous control systems that guides analysis and modeling, shapes control system software design, and directly specifies operational intent. This paper illustrates the key concepts in the context of a large-scale, concurrent, globally distributed system of systems: NASA's proposed Array-based Deep Space Network.

Distribution of man-machine controls in space teleoperation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bejczy, A. K.

1982-01-01

The distribution of control between man and machine is dependent on the tasks, available technology, human performance characteristics and control goals. This dependency has very specific projections on systems designed for teleoperation in space. This paper gives a brief outline of the space-related issues and presents the results of advanced teleoperator research and development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The research and development work includes smart sensors, flexible computer controls and intelligent man-machine interface devices in the area of visual displays and kinesthetic man-machine coupling in remote control of manipulators. Some of the development results have been tested at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) using the simulated full-scale Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (RMS). The research and development work for advanced space teleoperation is far from complete and poses many interdisciplinary challenges.

Motor Controllers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

Kollmorgen Corporation's Mermaid II two person submersible is propeller-driven by a system of five DC brushless motors with new electronic controllers that originated in work performed in a NASA/DOE project managed by Lewis Research Center. A key feature of the system is electric commutation rather than mechanical commutation for converting AC current to DC.

External Quality Control Review of the Defense Information Systems Agency Audit Organization

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-07

We are providing this report for your information and use. We have reviewed the system of quality control for the audit organization of the Defense...audit organization encompasses the audit organization’s leadership, emphasis on performing high quality work, and policies and procedures established

40 CFR 265.1033 - Standards: Closed-vent systems and control devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standards: Closed-vent systems and control devices. 265.1033 Section 265.1033 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... total carbon working capacity -established as a requirement of § 265.1035(b)(4)(iii)(G), whichever is...

A unified teleoperated-autonomous dual-arm robotic system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayati, Samad; Lee, Thomas S.; Tso, Kam Sing; Backes, Paul G.; Lloyd, John

1991-01-01

A description is given of complete robot control facility built as part of a NASA telerobotics program to develop a state-of-the-art robot control environment for performing experiments in the repair and assembly of spacelike hardware to gain practical knowledge of such work and to improve the associated technology. The basic architecture of the manipulator control subsystem is presented. The multiarm Robot Control C Library (RCCL), a key software component of the system, is described, along with its implementation on a Sun-4 computer. The system's simulation capability is also described, and the teleoperation and shared control features are explained.

Magnetic Leviation System Design and Implementation for Wind Tunnel Application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Chin E.; Sheu, Yih-Ran; Jou, Hui-Long

1996-01-01

This paper presents recent work in magnetic suspension wind tunnel development in National Cheng Kung University. In this phase of research, a control-based study is emphasized to implement a robust control system into the experimental system under study. A ten-coil 10 cm x 10 cm magnetic suspension wind tunnel is built using a set of quadrant detectors for six degree of freedom control. To achieve the attitude control of suspended model with different attitudes, a spacial electromagnetic field simulation using OPERA 3D is studied. A successful test for six degree of freedom control is demonstrated in this paper.

Research on grid connection control technology of double fed wind generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ling, Li

2017-01-01

The composition and working principle of variable speed constant frequency doubly fed wind power generation system is discussed in this thesis. On the basis of theoretical analysis and control on the modeling, the doubly fed wind power generation simulation control system is designed based on a TMS320F2407 digital signal processor (DSP), and has done a large amount of experimental research, which mainly include, variable speed constant frequency, constant pressure, Grid connected control experiment. The running results show that the design of simulation control system is reasonable and can meet the need of experimental research.

OpenSatKit Enables Quick Startup for CubeSat Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McComas, David; Melton, Ryan

2017-01-01

The software required to develop, integrate, and operate a spacecraft is substantial regardless of whether its a large or small satellite. Even getting started can be a monumental task. To solve this problem, NASAs Core Flight System (cFS), NASA's 42 spacecraft dynamics simulator, and Ball Aerospaces COSMOS ground system have been integrated together into a kit called OpenSatKit that provides a complete and open source software solution for starting a new satellite mission. Users can have a working system with flight software, dynamics simulation, and a ground command and control system up and running within hours.Every satellite mission requires three primary categories of software to function. The first is Flight Software (FSW) which provides the onboard control of the satellites and its payload(s). NASA's cFS provides a great platform for developing this software. Second, while developing a satellite on earth, it is necessary to simulate the satellites orbit, attitude, and actuators, to ensure that the systems that control these aspects will work correctly in the real environment. NASAs 42 simulator provides these functionalities. Finally, the ground has to be able to communicate with the satellite, monitor its performance and health, and display its data. Additionally, test scripts have to be written to verify the system on the ground. Ball Aerospace's COSMOS command and control system provides this functionality. Once the OpenSatKit is up and running, the next step is to customize the platform and get it running on the end target. Starting from a fully working system makes porting the cFS from Linux to a users platform much easier. An example Raspberry Pi target is included in the kit so users can gain experience working with a low cost hardware target. All users can benefit from OpenSatKit but the greatest impact and benefits will be to SmallSat missions with constrained budgets and small software teams. This paper describes OpenSatKits system design, the steps necessary to run the system to target the Raspberry Pi, and future plans. OpenSatKit is a free fully functional spacecraft software system that we hope will greatly benefit the SmallSat community.

Multi-task functional MRI in multiple sclerosis patients without clinical disability.

PubMed

Colorado, René A; Shukla, Karan; Zhou, Yuxiang; Wolinsky, Jerry S; Narayana, Ponnada A

2012-01-02

While the majority of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop significant clinical disability, a subset experiences a disease course with minimal impairment even in the presence of significant apparent tissue damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in MS patients with low disability suggests that increased use of the cognitive control system may limit the clinical manifestation of the disease. The current fMRI studies tested the hypothesis that nondisabled MS patients show increased recruitment of cognitive control regions while performing sensory, motor and cognitive tasks. Twenty two patients with relapsing-remitting MS and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of ≤1.5 and 23 matched healthy controls were recruited. Subjects underwent fMRI while observing flashing checkerboards, performing right or left hand movements, or executing the 2-back working memory task. Compared to control subjects, patients demonstrated increased activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex during the performance of the working memory task. This pattern of functional recruitment also was observed during the performance of non-dominant hand movements. These results support the mounting evidence of increased functional recruitment of cognitive control regions in the working memory system of MS patients with low disability and provide new evidence for the role of increased cognitive control recruitment in the motor system. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Comparative Study of the Application of FACTS Devices in Wind Power Plants of the Southeast Area of the Mexican Electric System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Beltran-Valle, Omar; Pena-Gallardo, Rafael; Segundo-Ramirez, Juan

This paper presents a comparative study of the application of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices, as Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC), Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and Unified Power Controller (UPFC) on congestion management and voltage support in the area of the Istmo of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. The present work provides an analysis about the performance of the control of active and reactive power of the FACTS controllers applied to mentioned problems in the power system.

Fiberoptics technology and its application to propulsion control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumbick, R. J.

1983-01-01

Current work on optical sensors and optically controlled actuators for use in air-breathing engine control systems is reviewed with particular reference to the design and operation of several new fiber-optic devices. These include a tachometer, a rotary position encoder, a Fabry-Perot interferometer and a rare-earth sensor for measuring engine gas temperatures, a high-temperature photoswitch designed for the range -55 to 260 C, and optical cables and connectors. The advantages of optics over conventional wire systems used for sensing and actuator control are briefly discussed.

Design and experiment study of a semi-active energy-regenerative suspension system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Dehua; Chen, Long; Wang, Ruochen; Jiang, Haobin; Shen, Yujie

2015-01-01

A new kind of semi-active energy-regenerative suspension system is proposed to recover suspension vibration energy, as well as to reduce the suspension cost and demands for the motor-rated capacity. The system consists of an energy-regenerative damper and a DC-DC converter-based energy-regenerative circuit. The energy-regenerative damper is composed of an electromagnetic linear motor and an adjustable shock absorber with three regulating levels. The linear motor just works as the generator to harvest the suspension vibration energy. The circuit can be used to improve the system’s energy-regenerative performance and to continuously regulate the motor’s electromagnetic damping force. Therefore, although the motor works as a generator and damps the isolation without an external power source, the motor damping force is controllable. The damping characteristics of the system are studied based on a two degrees of freedom vehicle vibration model. By further analyzing the circuit operation characteristics under different working modes, the double-loop controller is designed to track the desired damping force. The external-loop is a fuzzy controller that offers the desired equivalent damping. The inner-loop controller, on one hand, is used to generate the pulse number and the frequency to control the angle and the rotational speed of the step motor; on the other hand, the inner-loop is used to offer the duty cycle of the energy-regenerative circuit. Simulations and experiments are conducted to validate such a new suspension system. The results show that the semi-active energy-regenerative suspension can improve vehicle ride comfort with the controllable damping characteristics of the linear motor. Meanwhile, it also ensures energy regeneration.

IT Security Support for Spaceport Command and Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McLain, Jeffrey

2013-01-01

During the fall 2013 semester, I worked at the Kennedy Space Center as an IT Security Intern in support of the Spaceport Command and Control System under the guidance of the IT Security Lead Engineer. Some of my responsibilities included assisting with security plan documentation collection, system hardware and software inventory, and malicious code and malware scanning. Throughout the semester, I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of security related projects. However, there are three projects in particular that stand out. The first project I completed was updating a large interactive spreadsheet that details the SANS Institutes Top 20 Critical Security Controls. My task was to add in all of the new commercial of the shelf (COTS) software listed on the SANS website that can be used to meet their Top 20 controls. In total, there are 153 unique security tools listed by SANS that meet one or more of their 20 controls. My second project was the creation of a database that will allow my mentor to keep track of the work done by the contractors that report to him in a more efficient manner by recording events as they occur throughout the quarter. Lastly, I expanded upon a security assessment of the Linux machines being used on center that I began last semester. To do this, I used a vulnerability and configuration tool that scans hosts remotely through the network and presents the user with an abundance of information detailing each machines configuration. The experience I gained from working on each of these projects has been invaluable, and I look forward to returning in the spring semester to continue working with the IT Security team.

Single Operator Control of Multiple UAS: A Supervisory Delegation Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shively, Jay

2017-01-01

This presentation will be given as part of the UAS EXCOM Science and Research Panel's (SARP) workshop on multiple UAS controlled by a single operator. Participants were asked to identify public use cases for multiple Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) control and identify research, policy, and technical gaps in those operations. The purpose of this workshop is to brainstorm, categorize, and prioritize those use cases and gaps. Here, I will discuss research performed on this topic when I worked for the Army and on-going work within the division and a NATO working group on Human-Autonomy Teaming.

Distributed and Modular CAN-Based Architecture for Hardware Control and Sensor Data Integration

PubMed Central

Losada, Diego P.; Fernández, Joaquín L.; Paz, Enrique; Sanz, Rafael

2017-01-01

In this article, we present a CAN-based (Controller Area Network) distributed system to integrate sensors, actuators and hardware controllers in a mobile robot platform. With this work, we provide a robust, simple, flexible and open system to make hardware elements or subsystems communicate, that can be applied to different robots or mobile platforms. Hardware modules can be connected to or disconnected from the CAN bus while the system is working. It has been tested in our mobile robot Rato, based on a RWI (Real World Interface) mobile platform, to replace the old sensor and motor controllers. It has also been used in the design of two new robots: BellBot and WatchBot. Currently, our hardware integration architecture supports different sensors, actuators and control subsystems, such as motor controllers and inertial measurement units. The integration architecture was tested and compared with other solutions through a performance analysis of relevant parameters such as transmission efficiency and bandwidth usage. The results conclude that the proposed solution implements a lightweight communication protocol for mobile robot applications that avoids transmission delays and overhead. PMID:28467381

Control Valve Trajectories for SOFC Hybrid System Startup

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorrell, Megan; Banta, Larry; Rosen, William

2012-07-01

Control and management of cathode airflow in a solid oxide fuel cell gas turbine hybrid power system was analyzed using the Hybrid Performance (HyPer) hardware simulation at the National Energy Technology (NETL), U.S. Department of Energy. This work delves into previously unexplored operating practices for HyPer, via simultaneous manipulation of bypass valves and the electric load on the generator. The work is preparatory to the development of a Multi-Input, Multi-Output (MIMO) controller for HyPer. A factorial design of experiments was conducted to acquire data for 81 different combinations of the manipulated variables, which consisted of three air flow control valvesmore » and the electric load on the turbine generator. From this data the response surface for the cathode airflow with respect to bypass valve positions was analyzed. Of particular interest is the control of airflow through the cathode during system startup and during large load swings. This paper presents an algorithm for controlling air mass flow through the cathode based on a modification of the steepest ascent method.« less

Distributed and Modular CAN-Based Architecture for Hardware Control and Sensor Data Integration.

PubMed

Losada, Diego P; Fernández, Joaquín L; Paz, Enrique; Sanz, Rafael

2017-05-03

In this article, we present a CAN-based (Controller Area Network) distributed system to integrate sensors, actuators and hardware controllers in a mobile robot platform. With this work, we provide a robust, simple, flexible and open system to make hardware elements or subsystems communicate, that can be applied to different robots or mobile platforms. Hardware modules can be connected to or disconnected from the CAN bus while the system is working. It has been tested in our mobile robot Rato, based on a RWI (Real World Interface) mobile platform, to replace the old sensor and motor controllers. It has also been used in the design of two new robots: BellBot and WatchBot. Currently, our hardware integration architecture supports different sensors, actuators and control subsystems, such as motor controllers and inertial measurement units. The integration architecture was tested and compared with other solutions through a performance analysis of relevant parameters such as transmission efficiency and bandwidth usage. The results conclude that the proposed solution implements a lightweight communication protocol for mobile robot applications that avoids transmission delays and overhead.

Sensitivity analysis of eigenvalues for an electro-hydraulic servomechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoia-Djeska, M.; Safta, C. A.; Halanay, A.; Petrescu, C.

2012-11-01

Electro-hydraulic servomechanisms (EHSM) are important components of flight control systems and their role is to control the movement of the flying control surfaces in response to the movement of the cockpit controls. As flight-control systems, the EHSMs have a fast dynamic response, a high power to inertia ratio and high control accuracy. The paper is devoted to the study of the sensitivity for an electro-hydraulic servomechanism used for an aircraft aileron action. The mathematical model of the EHSM used in this paper includes a large number of parameters whose actual values may vary within some ranges of uncertainty. It consists in a nonlinear ordinary differential equation system composed by the mass and energy conservation equations, the actuator movement equations and the controller equation. In this work the focus is on the sensitivities of the eigenvalues of the linearized homogeneous system, which are the partial derivatives of the eigenvalues of the state-space system with respect the parameters. These are obtained using a modal approach based on the eigenvectors of the state-space direct and adjoint systems. To calculate the eigenvalues and their sensitivity the system's Jacobian and its partial derivatives with respect the parameters are determined. The calculation of the derivative of the Jacobian matrix with respect to the parameters is not a simple task and for many situations it must be done numerically. The system stability is studied in relation with three parameters: m, the equivalent inertial load of primary control surface reduced to the actuator rod; B, the bulk modulus of oil and p a pressure supply proportionality coefficient. All the sensitivities calculated in this work are in good agreement with those obtained through recalculations.

CICADA, CCD and Instrument Control Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Peter J.; Brooks, Mick; Meatheringham, Stephen J.; Roberts, William H.

Computerised Instrument Control and Data Acquisition (CICADA) is a software system for control of telescope instruments in a distributed computing environment. It is designed using object-oriented techniques and built with standard computing tools such as RPC, SysV IPC, Posix threads, Tcl, and GUI builders. The system is readily extensible to new instruments and currently supports the Astromed 3200 CCD controller and MSSSO's new tip-tilt system. Work is currently underway to provide support for the SDSU CCD controller and MSSSO's Double Beam Spectrograph. A core set of processes handle common communication and control tasks, while specific instruments are ``bolted'' on using C++ inheritance techniques.

Controls and guidance research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Homaifar, Abdollah; Dunn, Derome; Song, Yong-Duan; Lai, Steven H.-Y.

1992-01-01

The objectives of the control group are concentrated on research and education. The control problem of the hypersonic space vehicle represents an important and challenging issue in aerospace engineering. The work described in this report is part of our effort in developing advanced control strategies for such a system. In order to achieve the objectives stated in the NASA-CORE proposal, the tasks were divided among the group based upon their educational expertise. Within the educational component we are offering a Linear Systems and Control course for students in electrical and mechanical engineering. Also, we are proposing a new course in Digital Control Systems with a corresponding laboratory.

Active Fault Tolerant Control for Ultrasonic Piezoelectric Motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boukhnifer, Moussa

2012-07-01

Ultrasonic piezoelectric motor technology is an important system component in integrated mechatronics devices working on extreme operating conditions. Due to these constraints, robustness and performance of the control interfaces should be taken into account in the motor design. In this paper, we apply a new architecture for a fault tolerant control using Youla parameterization for an ultrasonic piezoelectric motor. The distinguished feature of proposed controller architecture is that it shows structurally how the controller design for performance and robustness may be done separately which has the potential to overcome the conflict between performance and robustness in the traditional feedback framework. A fault tolerant control architecture includes two parts: one part for performance and the other part for robustness. The controller design works in such a way that the feedback control system will be solely controlled by the proportional plus double-integral PI2 performance controller for a nominal model without disturbances and H∞ robustification controller will only be activated in the presence of the uncertainties or an external disturbances. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed fault tolerant control architecture.

Alternative Work Schedules Increase Employee Satisfaction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turney, John R.; Cohen, Stanley L.

1983-01-01

Facets of alternative work schedules (AWS) are discussed: importance of employee control, possible negative consequences, AWS handbook, time monitoring systems, and treatment of exceptions. AWS' effect on productivity and motivation is examined. (SK)

Track and mode controller (TMC): a software executive for a high-altitude pointing and tracking experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michnovicz, Michael R.

1997-06-01

A real-time executive has been implemented to control a high altitude pointing and tracking experiment. The track and mode controller (TMC) implements a table driven design, in which the track mode logic for a tracking mission is defined within a state transition diagram (STD). THe STD is implemented as a state transition table in the TMC software. Status Events trigger the state transitions in the STD. Each state, as it is entered, causes a number of processes to be activated within the system. As these processes propagate through the system, the status of key processes are monitored by the TMC, allowing further transitions within the STD. This architecture is implemented in real-time, using the vxWorks operating system. VxWorks message queues allow communication of status events from the Event Monitor task to the STD task. Process commands are propagated to the rest of the system processors by means of the SCRAMNet shared memory network. The system mode logic contained in the STD will autonomously sequence in acquisition, tracking and pointing system through an entire engagement sequence, starting with target detection and ending with aimpoint maintenance. Simulation results and lab test results will be presented to verify the mode controller. In addition to implementing the system mode logic with the STD, the TMC can process prerecorded time sequences of commands required during startup operations. It can also process single commands from the system operator. In this paper, the author presents (1) an overview, in which he describes the TMC architecture, the relationship of an end-to-end simulation to the flight software and the laboratory testing environment, (2) implementation details, including information on the vxWorks message queues and the SCRAMNet shared memory network, (3) simulation results and lab test results which verify the mode controller, and (4) plans for the future, specifically as to how this executive will expedite transition to a fully functional system.

[Navigated control: a new concept in computer assisted ENT-surgery].

PubMed

Strauss, G; Koulechov, K; Richter, R; Dietz, A; Meixensberger, J; Trantakis, C; Lüth, T

2005-08-01

This work conceived and evaluates a mechatronical system for ORL-surgery by example of a Shaver for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery controlled by navigation. The Shaver is automatically on/off-regulated depending on the current position in relation to the planned working space. This working space is defined on the basis of the individual CT data. Within this area the Shaver reacts to the signal of the surgeon (foot pedal). If the Shaver leaves the working space, an interruption of the drive regulation to the Shaver takes place. The evaluation of the planning software based on 32 patient CT-data sets. The registration accuracy in a anatomical model was examined on 451 measurements of endonasal attached titanium screws. The conversions of the working space were evaluated at 5 different technical models. The average time for segmenting the working space was found at 4.23 minutes per case. An average registration accuracy of the Shaver of 1.08 mm resulted. The pre-defined cavity was to be cleared away without restrictions. The preoperative determined work-space was converted by 3.1 mm over all levels. The study proves the feasibility of a mechatronical assistant system by the example of the navigate-controlled Shaver in paranasal sinus surgery. Contrary to conventional CAS solutions redundancy and cognitive discharge of the surgeon are considered in this conception. We see numerous applications according to the explained principle for power-control of instruments in ORL-surgery in the future such as drilling, high frequency surgery or laser.

Control methodologies for large space structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcree, G. J.; Altonji, E.

1984-01-01

The objectives of this research were to develop techniques of controlling a dc-motor driven flywheel which would apply torque to the structure to which it was mounted. The motor control system was to be implemented using a microprocessor based controller. The purpose of the torque applied by this system was to dampen oscillations of the structure to which it was mounted. Before the work was terminated due to the unavailability of equipment, a system was developed and partially tested which would provide tight control of the flywheel velocity when it received a velocity command in the form of a voltage. The procedure followed in this development was to first model the motor and flywheel system on an analog computer. Prior to the time the microprocessor development system was available, an analog control loop was replaced by the microprocessor and the system was partially tested.

Human factors aspects of air traffic control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Older, H. J.; Cameron, B. J.

1972-01-01

An overview of human factors problems associated with the operation of present and future air traffic control systems is presented. A description is included of those activities and tasks performed by air traffic controllers at each operational position within the present system. Judgemental data obtained from controllers concerning psychological dimensions related to these tasks and activities are also presented. The analysis includes consideration of psychophysiological dimensions of human performance. The role of the human controller in present air traffic control systems and his predicted role in future systems is described, particularly as that role changes as the result of the system's evolution towards a more automated configuration. Special attention is directed towards problems of staffing, training, and system operation. A series of ten specific research and development projects are recommended and suggested work plans for their implementation are included.

A Demonstration of a Trusted Computer Interface Between a Multilevel Secure Command and Control System and Untrusted Tactical Data Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-03-01

information and work in a completely secure environment. Information used with today’s C3I systems must be protected. To better understand the role of...and security was of minor concern. The user either worked on his own behalf or as a programmer for someone else. The computer power was limited. With...Although the modules may be of the same classification level, the manager may want to limit each team’s access to the module on which they are working

Connection between optimal control theory and adiabatic-passage techniques in quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assémat, E.; Sugny, D.

2012-08-01

This work explores the relationship between optimal control theory and adiabatic passage techniques in quantum systems. The study is based on a geometric analysis of the Hamiltonian dynamics constructed from Pontryagin's maximum principle. In a three-level quantum system, we show that the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage technique can be associated to a peculiar Hamiltonian singularity. One deduces that the adiabatic pulse is solution of the optimal control problem only for a specific cost functional. This analysis is extended to the case of a four-level quantum system.

Advanced Control Systems for Aircraft Powerplants

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-02-01

production of high- integrity software. 1.0 INTRODUCTION Work on full-authority digital control for gas turbines was started at Rolls- Royce Limited... INTRODUCTION In order to fully understand the operation of the Secondary Power System Control Unit - abbreviated SPSCU - we must first take a close look at...Only Memory EPROM -- Erasable Read Only Memory PLA -- Power Lever Angle LVDT -- Linear Variable Differential Transformer INTRODUCTION Preliminary design

Control aspects of the human cardiovascular-respiratory system under a nonconstant workload.

PubMed

Calderon, Pio Gabrielle B; Habib, Mustafa; Kappel, Franz; de Los Reyes, Aurelio A

2017-07-01

The human cardiovascular system (CVS) and respiratory system (RS) work together in order to supply oxygen (O 2 ) and other substrates needed for metabolism and to remove carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Global and local control mechanisms act on the CVS in order to adjust blood flow to the different parts of the body. This, in turn, affects the RS since the amount of O 2 and CO 2 transported, respectively to and away from the tissues depends on the cardiac output and blood flow in both the systemic and pulmonary circuits of the CVS. Local metabolic control is influenced by local concentrations of blood gases affecting systemic resistance, resulting to vasoconstriction/vasodilation. Thus, the exchange of blood gases demands a tight coordination between blood flow and ventilation of the lungs. In this work, a model of the cardiovascular-respiratory system (CVRS) is considered to obtain an optimal control for time-dependent ergometric workloads by using the Euler-Lagrange formulation of the optimal control problem. The essential controls in the CVRS model are variations in the heart rate and alveolar ventilation through which the central nervous system restricts the arterial partial pressure of CO 2 ( [Formula: see text] ) close to 40  mmHg. Further, penalization terms in the cost functional are included to match the metabolic need for O 2 and the metabolic production of CO 2 with O 2 - and CO 2 -transport by blood. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Design and performance analysis of generalised integrator-based controller for grid connected PV system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saxena, Hemant; Singh, Alka; Rai, J. N.

2018-07-01

This article discusses the design and control of a single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. A 5-kW PV system is designed and integrated at the DC link of an H-bridge voltage source converter (VSC). The control of the VSC and switching logic is modelled using a generalised integrator (GI). The use of GI or its variants such as second-order GI have recently evolved for synchronisation and are being used as phase locked loop (PLL) circuits for grid integration. Design of PLL circuits and the use of transformations such as Park's and Clarke's are much easier in three-phase systems. But obtaining in-phase and quadrature components becomes an important and challenging issue in single-phase systems. This article addresses this issue and discusses an altogether different application of GI for the design of compensator based on the extraction of in-phase and quadrature components. GI is frequently used as a PLL; however, in this article, it is not used for synchronisation purposes. A new controller has been designed for a single-phase grid-connected PV system working as a single-phase active compensator. Extensive simulation results are shown for the working of integrated PV system under different atmospheric and operating conditions during daytime as well as night conditions. Experimental results showing the proposed control approach are presented and discussed for the hardware set-up developed in the laboratory.

A WebGIS-based command control system for forest fire fighting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jianyu; Ming, Dongping; Zhang, Xiaodong; Huang, Haitao

2006-10-01

Forest is a finite resource and fire prevention is crucial work. However, once a forest fire or accident occurs, timely and effective fire-fighting is the only necessary measure. The aim of this research is to build a computerized command control system based on WEBGIS to direct fire-fighting. Firstly, this paper introduces the total technique flow and functional modules of the system. Secondly, this paper analyses the key techniques for building the system, and they are data obtaining, data organizing & management, architecture of WebGIS and sharing & interoperation technique. In the end, this paper demonstrates the on line martial symbol editing function to show the running result of system. The practical application of this system showed that it played very important role in the forest fire fighting work. In addition, this paper proposes some strategic recommendations for the further development of the system.

Defence R&D Canada's autonomous intelligent systems program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Digney, Bruce L.; Hubbard, Paul; Gagnon, Eric; Lauzon, Marc; Rabbath, Camille; Beckman, Blake; Collier, Jack A.; Penzes, Steven G.; Broten, Gregory S.; Monckton, Simon P.; Trentini, Michael; Kim, Bumsoo; Farell, Philip; Hopkin, Dave

2004-09-01

The Defence Research and Development Canada's (DRDC has been given strategic direction to pursue research to increase the independence and effectiveness of military vehicles and systems. This has led to the creation of the Autonomous Intelligent Systems (AIS) prgram and is notionally divide into air, land and marine vehicle systems as well as command, control and decision support systems. This paper presents an overarching description of AIS research issues, challenges and directions as well as a nominal path that vehicle intelligence will take. The AIS program requires a very close coordination between research and implementation on real vehicles. This paper briefly discusses the symbiotic relationship between intelligence algorithms and implementation mechanisms. Also presented are representative work from two vehicle specific research program programs. Work from the Autonomous Air Systems program discusses the development of effective cooperate control for multiple air vehicle. The Autonomous Land Systems program discusses its developments in platform and ground vehicle intelligence.

A compound control strategy combining velocity compensation with ADRC of electro-hydraulic position servo control system.

PubMed

Gao, Bingwei; Shao, Junpeng; Yang, Xiaodong

2014-11-01

In order to enhance the anti-jamming ability of electro-hydraulic position servo control system at the same time improve the control precision of the system, a compound control strategy that combines velocity compensation with Active Disturbance Rejection Controller (ADRC) is proposed, and the working principle of the compound control strategy is given. ADRC controller is designed, and the extended state observer is used for observing internal parameters uncertainties and external disturbances, so that the disturbances of the system are suppressed effectively. Velocity compensation controller is designed and the compensation model is derived to further improve the positioning accuracy of the system and to achieve the velocity compensation without disturbance. The compound control strategy is verified by the simulation and experiment respectively, and the simulation and experimental results show that the electro-hydraulic position servo control system with ADRC controller can effectively inhibit the external disturbances, the precise positioning control is realized after introducing the velocity compensation controller, and verify that the compound control strategy is effective. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

NASA's OCA Mirroring System: An Application of Multiagent Systems in Mission Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sierhuis, Maarten; Clancey, William J.; vanHoof, Ron J. J.; Seah, Chin H.; Scott, Michael S.; Nado, Robert A.; Blumenberg, Susan F.; Shafto, Michael G.; Anderson, Brian L.; Bruins, Anthony C.;

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Passerini, Stefano; Ponciroli, Roberto; Vilim, Richard B.

Here, the interaction of the active control system with passive safety behavior is investigated for sodium-cooled fast reactors. A claim often made of advanced reactors is that they are passively safe against unprotected upset events. In practice, such upset events are not analyzed in the context of the plant control system, but rather the analyses are performed without considering the normally programmed response of the control system (open-loop approach). This represents an oversimplification of the safety case. The issue of passive safety override arises since the control system commands actuators whose motions have safety consequences. Depending on the upset involvingmore » the control system ( operator error, active control system failure, or inadvertent control system override), an actuator does not necessarily go in the same direction as needed for safety. So neglecting to account for control system action during an unprotected upset is nonconservative from a safety standpoint. It is important then, during the design of the plant, to consider the potential for the control system to work against the inherent and safe regulating effects of purposefully engineered temperature feedbacks.« less

Development of autonomous controller system of high speed UAV from simulation to ready to fly condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yudhi Irwanto, Herma

2018-02-01

The development of autonomous controller system that is specially used in our high speed UAV, it’s call RKX-200EDF/TJ controlled vehicle needs to be continued as a step to mastery and to developt control system of LAPAN’s satellite launching rocket. The weakness of the existing control system in this high speed UAV needs to be repaired and replaced using the autonomous controller system. Conversion steps for ready-to-fly system involved controlling X tail fin, adjusting auto take off procedure by adding X axis sensor, procedure of way points reading and process of measuring distance and heading to the nearest way point, developing user-friendly ground station, and adding tools for safety landing. The development of this autonomous controller system also covered a real flying test in Pandanwangi, Lumajang in November 2016. Unfortunately, the flying test was not successful because the booster rocket was blown right after burning. However, the system could record the event and demonstrated that the controller system had worked according to plan.

Control of the mixing time in vessels agitated by submerged recirculating jets.

PubMed

Kennedy, Stephen; Bhattacharjee, Pradipto K; Bhattacharya, Sati N; Eshtiaghi, Nicky; Parthasarathy, Rajarathinam

2018-01-01

Submerged recirculating jet mixing systems are an efficient and economical method of agitating large tanks with a high hydraulic residence time. Much work has been carried out in developing design correlations to aid the predictions of the mixing time in such systems, with the first such correlation being developed nearly 70 years ago. In most of these correlations, the mixing time depends directly on the volume of the vessel and inversely on the injection velocity of the submerged jet. This work demonstrates, for the first time, that the distance between the injection and suction nozzles also significantly affects the mixing time and can be used to control this time scale. The study introduces a non-dimensional quantity that can be used as an adjustable parameter in systems where such control is desired.

Control of the mixing time in vessels agitated by submerged recirculating jets

PubMed Central

Bhattacharjee, Pradipto K.; Bhattacharya, Sati N.; Eshtiaghi, Nicky; Parthasarathy, Rajarathinam

2018-01-01

Submerged recirculating jet mixing systems are an efficient and economical method of agitating large tanks with a high hydraulic residence time. Much work has been carried out in developing design correlations to aid the predictions of the mixing time in such systems, with the first such correlation being developed nearly 70 years ago. In most of these correlations, the mixing time depends directly on the volume of the vessel and inversely on the injection velocity of the submerged jet. This work demonstrates, for the first time, that the distance between the injection and suction nozzles also significantly affects the mixing time and can be used to control this time scale. The study introduces a non-dimensional quantity that can be used as an adjustable parameter in systems where such control is desired. PMID:29410817

The Data Acquisition System for the AAO 2-Degree Field Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shortridge, K.; Farrell, T. J.; Bailey, J. A.

1993-01-01

The software system being produced by AAO to control the new 2-degree field fibre positioner and spectrographs is described. The system has to mesh cleanly with the ADAM systems used at AAO for CCD data acquisition, and has to run on a network of disparate machines including VMS Vaxes, UNIX workstations, and VME systems running VxWorks. The basis of the new system is a task control layer that operates by sending self-defining hierarchically-structured and machine-independent messages.

The JCMT Observatory Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rees, Nick; Economou, Frossie; Jenness, Tim; Kackley, Russell; Walther, Craig; Dent, Bill; Folger, Martin; Gao, Xiaofeng; Kelly, Dennis; Lightfoot, John; Pain, Ian; Hovey, Gary; Willis, Tony; Redman, Russell

The JCMT, the world's largest sub-mm telescope, has had essentially the same VAX/VMS based control system since it was commissioned. For the next generation of instrumentation we are implementing a new Unix/VxWorks based system, based on the successful ORAC system that was recently released on UKIRT. This paper gives a broad overview of the system architecture and includes some discussion on the choices made. The pros and cons of using XML as an inherent part of the system architecture are also discussed.

Electromechanical actuation for thrust vector control applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, Mary Ellen

1990-01-01

The advanced launch system (ALS), is a launch vehicle that is designed to be cost-effective, highly reliable, and operationally efficient with a goal of reducing the cost per pound to orbit. An electromechanical actuation (EMA) system is being developed as an attractive alternative to the hydraulic systems. The controller will integrate 20 kHz resonant link power management and distribution (PMAD) technology and pulse population modulation (PPM) techniques to implement field-oriented vector control (FOVC) of a new advanced induction motor. The driver and the FOVC will be microprocessor controlled. For increased system reliability, a built-in test (BITE) capability will be included. This involves introducing testability into the design of a system such that testing is calibrated and exercised during the design, manufacturing, maintenance, and prelaunch activities. An actuator will be integrated with the motor controller for performance testing of the EMA thrust vector control (TVC) system. The EMA system and work proposed for the future are discussed.

A Review of Control Strategies in Closed-Loop Neuroprosthetic Systems

PubMed Central

Wright, James; Macefield, Vaughan G.; van Schaik, André; Tapson, Jonathan C.

2016-01-01

It has been widely recognized that closed-loop neuroprosthetic systems achieve more favorable outcomes for users then equivalent open-loop devices. Improved performance of tasks, better usability, and greater embodiment have all been reported in systems utilizing some form of feedback. However, the interdisciplinary work on neuroprosthetic systems can lead to miscommunication due to similarities in well-established nomenclature in different fields. Here we present a review of control strategies in existing experimental, investigational and clinical neuroprosthetic systems in order to establish a baseline and promote a common understanding of different feedback modes and closed-loop controllers. The first section provides a brief discussion of feedback control and control theory. The second section reviews the control strategies of recent Brain Machine Interfaces, neuromodulatory implants, neuroprosthetic systems, and assistive neurorobotic devices. The final section examines the different approaches to feedback in current neuroprosthetic and neurorobotic systems. PMID:27462202

Integrating health promotion with quality improvement in a Swedish hospital.

PubMed

Astnell, Sandra; von Thiele Schwarz, Ulrica; Hasson, Henna; Augustsson, Hanna; Stenfors-Hayes, Terese

2016-09-01

Integration of workplace employee health promotion (HP) and occupational health and safety (OHS) work into organizational quality improvement systems is suggested as a way to strengthen HP and OHS activities in an organization. The aim of this article was to study what consequences integration of HP, OHS and a quality improvement system called kaizen has on the frequency and type of HP and OHS activities. A quasi-experimental study design was used where an integration of the three systems for HP, OHS respectively kaizen, was performed at six intervention units at a Swedish hospital. The remaining six units served as controls. Document analysis of all employees' written improvement suggestions (kaizen notes) during 2013 was conducted. The findings show that the intervention group had more suggestions concerning HP and OHS (n = 114) when compared with the control group (n = 78) and a greater variety of HP and OHS suggestions. In addition, only the intervention group had included HP aspects. In both groups, most kaizen notes with health consideration had a preventive focus rather than rehabilitative. The intervention, i.e. the integration of HP, OHS and kaizen work, had a favourable effect on HP and OHS work when compared with the controls. The results of the study support that this system can work in practice at hospitals. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Holmes, J.P.; Maxwell, R.L.; Henderson, R.W.

This paper describes a limited access control system for nuclear facilities which makes use of the eye retinal identity verifier to control the passage of personnel into and out of one or a group of security controlled working areas. This access control system requires no keys, cards or credentials. The user simply enters his Personal Identification Number (PIN) and takes an eye reading to request passage. The PIN does not have to be kept secret. The system then relies on biometric identity verification of the user, along with other system information, to make the decision of whether or not tomore » unlock the door. It also enforces multiple zones control with personnel tracking and the two-man-rule.« less

A Survey of Technical Standards for Command and Control Information Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

H-1 Appendix I Status of Work on Lower-Layer OSI STANAGS ................ I-1 Appendix J Status of NATO OSI STANAGS ...standards efforts for use of open systems in international military systems. Thus, TSGCE SG9 draft standardization agreements ( STANAGs ), NATO...Work in NATO OSI STANAGs for the Use of Open- --- I ISystems9 References I Acronyms Index JTC: Joint Technical Committee SC: Subcommittee Figure 1

Sensitivity analysis as an aid in modelling and control of (poorly-defined) ecological systems. [closed ecological systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hornberger, G. M.; Rastetter, E. B.

1982-01-01

A literature review of the use of sensitivity analyses in modelling nonlinear, ill-defined systems, such as ecological interactions is presented. Discussions of previous work, and a proposed scheme for generalized sensitivity analysis applicable to ill-defined systems are included. This scheme considers classes of mathematical models, problem-defining behavior, analysis procedures (especially the use of Monte-Carlo methods), sensitivity ranking of parameters, and extension to control system design.

Neural Network Control of a Magnetically Suspended Rotor System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Benjamin; Brown, Gerald; Johnson, Dexter

1997-01-01

Abstract Magnetic bearings offer significant advantages because of their noncontact operation, which can reduce maintenance. Higher speeds, no friction, no lubrication, weight reduction, precise position control, and active damping make them far superior to conventional contact bearings. However, there are technical barriers that limit the application of this technology in industry. One of them is the need for a nonlinear controller that can overcome the system nonlinearity and uncertainty inherent in magnetic bearings. This paper discusses the use of a neural network as a nonlinear controller that circumvents system nonlinearity. A neural network controller was well trained and successfully demonstrated on a small magnetic bearing rig. This work demonstrated the feasibility of using a neural network to control nonlinear magnetic bearings and systems with unknown dynamics.

Elevated Psychosocial Stress at Work in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PubMed

Richter, Jutta G; Muth, Thomas; Li, Jian; Brinks, Ralph; Chehab, Gamal; Koch, Tobias; Siegrist, Johannes; Angerer, Peter; Huscher, Dörte; Schneider, Matthias

2018-02-01

Psychosocial stress at work not only affects the healthy working population, but also workers with chronic diseases. We aimed to investigate the psychosocial work stress levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A cross-sectional study applied the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire - an internationally established instrument that measures work stress - to patients with SLE and RA who were capable of work and to a group of controls without these diseases. Participants were recruited through rheumatologists in private practices, hospitals, and from self-help groups by personal communication, paper-based flyers, and online advertisements. Because very few studies tested the ERI's applicability in patient groups, with a lack of evidence in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, internal consistency and construct validity of the ERI measure were evaluated. Data came from 270 patients with RA and 247 with SLE, and 178 controls. Patients showed elevated psychosocial stress at work compared to controls. Across the total sample and all groups, satisfactory internal consistencies of the scales effort, reward, and overcommitment were obtained (Cronbach's alpha coefficients > 0.70), and confirmatory factor analysis replicated the theoretical structure of the ERI model (goodness-of-fit index > 0.80). We found elevated psychosocial stress at work in patients with SLE and RA compared to controls by applying the ERI model. Despite some heterogeneity in the sample, we achieved satisfactory psychometric properties of the ERI questionnaire. Our results suggest that the ERI questionnaire is a psychometrically useful tool to be implemented in epidemiological studies of employed patients with SLE and RA.

Model Development and Model-Based Control Design for High Performance Nonlinear Smart Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-20

potentially impact a broad range of flow control problems of interest to the Air Force and Boeing. Point of contact: James Mabe , Boeing Phantom Works...rotorcraft blades. In both cases, models and control designs will be validated using data from Boeing experiments and flight tests. Point of contact: James ... Mabe , Boeing Phantom Works, Seattle, WA, 206-655-0091. 3. PZT Unimorphs – Boeing: Nonlinear structural models developed through AFOSR support are being

Teacher Professionalism: Subverting the Society of Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Phil

2014-01-01

The past 30 years have seen a series of major shifts in English education. Central to these changes has been the growth of data systems which now measure and control the work of teachers to a huge degree. This form of data-led surveillance was predicted in the work of Gilles Deleuze, a totalising process where data become more important than the…

Quantum thermodynamics with local control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lekscha, J.; Wilming, H.; Eisert, J.; Gallego, R.

2018-02-01

We investigate the limitations that emerge in thermodynamic tasks as a result of having local control only over the components of a thermal machine. These limitations are particularly relevant for devices composed of interacting many-body systems. Specifically, we study protocols of work extraction that employ a many-body system as a working medium whose evolution can be driven by tuning the on-site Hamiltonian terms. This provides a restricted set of thermodynamic operations, giving rise to alternative bounds for the performance of engines. Our findings show that those limitations in control render it, in general, impossible to reach Carnot efficiency; in its extreme ramification it can even forbid to reach a finite efficiency or finite work per particle. We focus on the one-dimensional Ising model in the thermodynamic limit as a case study. We show that in the limit of strong interactions the ferromagnetic case becomes useless for work extraction, while the antiferromagnetic case improves its performance with the strength of the couplings, reaching Carnot in the limit of arbitrary strong interactions. Our results provide a promising connection between the study of quantum control and thermodynamics and introduce a more realistic set of physical operations well suited to capture current experimental scenarios.

Reduction of oxidative stress by compression stockings in standing workers.

PubMed

Flore, Roberto; Gerardino, Laura; Santoliquido, Angelo; Catananti, Cesare; Pola, Paolo; Tondi, Paolo

2007-08-01

Healthy workers who stand for prolonged periods show enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their systemic circulation. Oxidative stress is thought to be a risk factor for chronic venous insufficiency and other systemic diseases. To evaluate the effectiveness of compression stockings in the prevention of oxidative stress at work. ROS and venous pressure of the lower limbs were measured in 55 theatre nurses who stood in the operating theatre for >6 h, 23 industrial ironers who stood for up to 5 h during their shift and 65 outpatient department nurses and 35 laundry workers who acted as controls. Subjects and controls were examined on two consecutive days before and after work and with and without compression stockings. Without compression stockings, lower limb venous pressure increased significantly after work in all subjects and controls (P < 0.001), while only operating theatre nurses showed significantly higher mean levels of ROS (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in venous pressures and ROS levels after work in subjects or controls when wearing compression stockings. Our data suggest a preventive role of compression stockings against oxidative stress in healthy workers with a standing occupation.

Solar heating and cooling systems design and development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Solar heating and heating/cooling systems were designed for single family, multifamily, and commercial applications. Subsystems considered included solar collectors, heat storage systems, auxiliary energy sources, working fluids, and supplementary controls, piping, and pumps.

National plan to enhance aviation safety through human factors improvements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foushee, Clay

1990-01-01

The purpose of this section of the plan is to establish a development and implementation strategy plan for improving safety and efficiency in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. These improvements will be achieved through the proper applications of human factors considerations to the present and future systems. The program will have four basic goals: (1) prepare for the future system through proper hiring and training; (2) develop a controller work station team concept (managing human errors); (3) understand and address the human factors implications of negative system results; and (4) define the proper division of responsibilities and interactions between the human and the machine in ATC systems. This plan addresses six program elements which together address the overall purpose. The six program elements are: (1) determine principles of human-centered automation that will enhance aviation safety and the efficiency of the air traffic controller; (2) provide new and/or enhanced methods and techniques to measure, assess, and improve human performance in the ATC environment; (3) determine system needs and methods for information transfer between and within controller teams and between controller teams and the cockpit; (4) determine how new controller work station technology can optimally be applied and integrated to enhance safety and efficiency; (5) assess training needs and develop improved techniques and strategies for selection, training, and evaluation of controllers; and (6) develop standards, methods, and procedures for the certification and validation of human engineering in the design, testing, and implementation of any hardware or software system element which affects information flow to or from the human.

NASA-JSC antenna near-field measurement system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooke, W. P.; Friederich, P. G.; Jenkins, B. M.; Jameson, C. R.; Estrada, J. P.

1988-01-01

Work was completed on the near-field range control software. The capabilities of the data processing software were expanded with the addition of probe compensation. In addition, the user can process the measured data from the same computer terminal used for range control. The design of the laser metrology system was completed. It provides precise measruement of probe location during near-field measurements as well as position data for control of the translation beam and probe cart. A near-field range measurement system was designed, fabricated, and tested.

Development of an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System Using a Digital Terrain Database

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

release; distribution unlimited I I I I The purpose of this study was to develop a working control system that would perform automatic ground... control system analysis. I also wish to extend a hand of appreciation to my sponsor Mr. I Finley Barfield of the Flight Dynamics Laboratory for the use of...facilities, as- sistance in deciphering control law diagrams, and his expert knowledge of the F-16. Under the area of morale, I wish to thank all of my

Parametric Techniques for Multichannel Signal Processing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-10-01

AD-A165 649 PARAMETRIC TECHNIQUES FOR MULTICHANNEL SIGNAL PROCESSING(U) SYSTEM CONTROL TECHNOLOGY INC PALO RLTO CA B FRIEDLANDER OCT 85 5498-87 RRO...CONTRACT NO. DAAG29-83-C-0027 SYSTEMS CONTROL TECHNOLOGY, INC. DT1I? q4 1801 PAGE MILL ROAD ELI PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304EL C MAR 193 £4 APPROVED FOR...PROJECT, TASK Systems Control Technology, Inc. AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS 1801 Page Mill Road Palo Alto, CA 94304 II :ON?’ROLLING OFFICE NAME AND

Frameworks and Tools for High-Confidence Design of Adaptive, Distributed Embedded Control Systems. Multi-University Research Initiative on High-Confidence Design for Distributed Embedded Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

controllers (currently using the Robostix+Gumstix pair ). The interface between the plant simulator and the controller is ‘hard real-time’, and the xPC box... simulation ) on aerobatic maneuver design for the STARMAC quadrotor helicopter testbed. In related work, we have developed a new optimization scheme...for scheduling hybrid systems, and have demonstrated the results on an autonomous car simulation testbed. We are focusing efforts this summer for

Krikalev works with the TORU teleoperated control system in the SM during Expedition 11

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-06-19

ISS011-E-09184 (18 June 2005) --- Cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, Expedition 11 commander representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, practices docking procedures with the TORU teleoperated control system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS) in preparation for the docking of the Progress 18 spacecraft. Krikalev, using the Simvol-TS screen and hand controllers, could manually dock the Progress to the Station in the event of a failure of the Kurs automated docking system.

Tyurin works with the TORU teleoperated control system in the SM during Expedition 14

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-01-20

ISS014-E-12482 (19 Jan. 2007) --- Cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Expedition 14 flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, practices docking procedures with the TORU teleoperated control system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station in preparation for the docking of the Progress 24 spacecraft. Tyurin, using the Simvol-TS screen and hand controllers, could manually dock the Progress to the station in the event of a failure of the Kurs automated docking system.

Distributed Processing Tools Definition. Volume 1. Hardware and Software Technologies for Tightly-Coupled Distributed Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

LOSARDO Project Engineer APPROVED: .MARMCINIhI, Colonel. USAF Chief, Coaud and Control Division FOR THE CCOaIDKR: Acting Chief, Plea Off ice * **711...WORK UNIT NUMBERS General Dynamics Corporation 62702F Data Systems Division P 0 Box 748, Fort Worth TX 76101 55811829 I1. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND...Processing System for 29 the Operation/Direction Center(s) 4-3 Distribution of Processing Control 30 for the Operation/Direction Center(s) 4-4 Generalized

Decentralized reinforcement-learning control and emergence of motion patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svinin, Mikhail; Yamada, Kazuyaki; Okhura, Kazuhiro; Ueda, Kanji

1998-10-01

In this paper we propose a system for studying emergence of motion patterns in autonomous mobile robotic systems. The system implements an instance-based reinforcement learning control. Three spaces are of importance in formulation of the control scheme. They are the work space, the sensor space, and the action space. Important feature of our system is that all these spaces are assumed to be continuous. The core part of the system is a classifier system. Based on the sensory state space analysis, the control is decentralized and is specified at the lowest level of the control system. However, the local controllers are implicitly connected through the perceived environment information. Therefore, they constitute a dynamic environment with respect to each other. The proposed control scheme is tested under simulation for a mobile robot in a navigation task. It is shown that some patterns of global behavior--such as collision avoidance, wall-following, light-seeking--can emerge from the local controllers.

Analysis and design of segment control system in segmented primary mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Wenhao; Li, Bin; Chen, Mo; Xian, Hao

2017-10-01

Segmented primary mirror will be adopted widely in giant telescopes in future, such as TMT, E-ELT and GMT. High-performance control technology of the segmented primary mirror is one of the difficult technologies for telescopes using segmented primary mirror. The control of each segment is the basis of control system in segmented mirror. Correcting the tilt and tip of single segment is the main work of this paper which is divided into two parts. Firstly, harmonic response done in finite element model of single segment matches the Bode diagram of a two-order system whose natural frequency is 45 hertz and damping ratio is 0.005. Secondly, a control system model is established, and speed feedback is introduced in control loop to suppress resonance point gain and increase the open-loop bandwidth, up to 30Hz or even higher. Corresponding controller is designed based on the control system model described above.

Space Launch System Implementation of Adaptive Augmenting Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wall, John H.; Orr, Jeb S.; VanZwieten, Tannen S.

2014-01-01

Given the complex structural dynamics, challenging ascent performance requirements, and rigorous flight certification constraints owing to its manned capability, the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) launch vehicle requires a proven thrust vector control algorithm design with highly optimized parameters to provide stable and high-performance flight. On its development path to Preliminary Design Review (PDR), the SLS flight control system has been challenged by significant vehicle flexibility, aerodynamics, and sloshing propellant. While the design has been able to meet all robust stability criteria, it has done so with little excess margin. Through significant development work, an Adaptive Augmenting Control (AAC) algorithm has been shown to extend the envelope of failures and flight anomalies the SLS control system can accommodate while maintaining a direct link to flight control stability criteria such as classical gain and phase margin. In this paper, the work performed to mature the AAC algorithm as a baseline component of the SLS flight control system is presented. The progress to date has brought the algorithm design to the PDR level of maturity. The algorithm has been extended to augment the full SLS digital 3-axis autopilot, including existing load-relief elements, and the necessary steps for integration with the production flight software prototype have been implemented. Several updates which have been made to the adaptive algorithm to increase its performance, decrease its sensitivity to expected external commands, and safeguard against limitations in the digital implementation are discussed with illustrating results. Monte Carlo simulations and selected stressing case results are also shown to demonstrate the algorithm's ability to increase the robustness of the integrated SLS flight control system.

The Temperature Fuzzy Control System of Barleythe Malt Drying Based on Microcontroller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xiaoyang; Bi, Yang; Zhang, Lili; Chen, Jingjing; Yun, Jianmin

The control strategy of temperature and humidity in the beer barley malt drying chamber based on fuzzy logic control was implemented.Expounded in this paper was the selection of parameters for the structure of the regulatory device, as well as the essential design from control rules based on the existing experience. A temperature fuzzy controller was thus constructed using relevantfuzzy logic, and humidity control was achieved by relay, ensured the situation of the humidity to control the temperature. The temperature's fuzzy control and the humidity real-time control were all processed by single chip microcomputer with assembly program. The experimental results showed that the temperature control performance of this fuzzy regulatory system,especially in the ways of working stability and responding speed and so on,was better than normal used PID control. The cost of real-time system was inquite competitive position. It was demonstrated that the system have a promising prospect of extensive application.

Intelligence Control System for Landfills Based on Wireless Sensor Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qian; Huang, Chuan; Gong, Jian

2018-06-01

This paper put forward an intelligence system for controlling the landfill gas in landfills to make the landfill gas (LFG) exhaust controllably and actively. The system, which is assigned by the wireless sensor network, were developed and supervised by remote applications in workshop instead of manual work. An automatic valve control depending on the sensor units embedded is installed in tube, the air pressure and concentration of LFG are detected to decide the level of the valve switch. The paper also proposed a modified algorithm to solve transmission problem, so that the system can keep a high efficiency and long service life.

New Control Paradigms for Resources Saving: An Approach for Mobile Robots Navigation.

PubMed

Socas, Rafael; Dormido, Raquel; Dormido, Sebastián

2018-01-18

In this work, an event-based control scheme is presented. The proposed system has been developed to solve control problems appearing in the field of Networked Control Systems (NCS). Several models and methodologies have been proposed to measure different resources consumptions. The use of bandwidth, computational load and energy resources have been investigated. This analysis shows how the parameters of the system impacts on the resources efficiency. Moreover, the proposed system has been compared with its equivalent discrete-time solution. In the experiments, an application of NCS for mobile robots navigation has been set up and its resource usage efficiency has been analysed.

New Control Paradigms for Resources Saving: An Approach for Mobile Robots Navigation

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

In this work, an event-based control scheme is presented. The proposed system has been developed to solve control problems appearing in the field of Networked Control Systems (NCS). Several models and methodologies have been proposed to measure different resources consumptions. The use of bandwidth, computational load and energy resources have been investigated. This analysis shows how the parameters of the system impacts on the resources efficiency. Moreover, the proposed system has been compared with its equivalent discrete-time solution. In the experiments, an application of NCS for mobile robots navigation has been set up and its resource usage efficiency has been analysed. PMID:29346321

A compact roller-gear pitch-yaw joint module: Design and control issues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dohring, Mark E.; Anderson, William J.; Newman, Wyatt S.; Rohn, Douglas A.

1993-01-01

Robotic systems have been proposed as a means of accomplishing assembly and maintenance tasks in space. The desirable characteristics of these systems include compact size, low mass, high load capacity, and programmable compliance to improve assembly performance. In addition, the mechanical system must transmit power in such a way as to allow high performance control of the system. Efficiency, linearity, low backlash, low torque ripple, and low friction are all desirable characteristics. This work presents a pitch-yaw joint module designed and built to address these issues. Its effectiveness as a two degree-of-freedom manipulator using natural admittance control, a method of force control, is demonstrated.

A Simulation Analysis of an Automated Identification Processor for the Tactical Air Control System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-06-01

available at the work station for the M&I operators to identify aircraft. Some data is provided via the console such as the IFF/SIF and the airspace control...factors led to the development of efficient work stations for the functional positions in the air defense mission. Experimental Design Experiments are...techniques that helped keep the thesis work "on track"! The Research Design The research plan or design of this thesis effort is not unique. In fact

Advancing NASA's Satellite Control Capabilities: More than Just Better Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Danford

2008-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the work of the Goddard Mission Services Evolution Center (GMSEC) in the development of the NASA's satellite control capabilities. The purpose of the presentation is to provide a quick overview of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and our approach to coordinating the ground system resources and development activities across many different missions. NASA Goddard's work in developing and managing the current and future space exploration missions is highlighted. The GMSEC, was established to to coordinate ground and flight data systems development and services, to create a new standard ground system for many missions and to reflect the reality that business reengineering and mindset were just as important.

International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Status: 2011-2012

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, David E.; Dake, Jason R.; Gentry, Gregory J.

2011-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) system includes regenerative and non-regenerative technologies that provide the basic life support functions to support the crew, while maintaining a safe and habitable shirtsleeve environment. This paper provides a summary of the U.S. ECLS system activities over the past year and the impacts of the international partners activities on them, covering the period of time between March 2011 and February 2012. The ISS continued permanent crew operations including the continuation of six crew members being on ISS. Work continues on the commercial cargo resupply vehicles, and work to try and extend ISS service life from 2015 to no later than 2028. 1

International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Status for the Prior Year: 2011 - 2012

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, David E.; Dake, Jason R.; Gentry, Gregory J

2013-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) system includes regenerative and non-regenerative technologies that provide the basic life support functions to support the crew, while maintaining a safe and habitable shirtsleeve environment. This paper provides a summary of the U.S. ECLS system activities over the prior year, covering the period of time between March 2011 and February 2012. The ISS continued permanent crew operations including the continuation of six crew members being on ISS. Work continues on the last of the Phase 3 pressurized elements, the commercial cargo resupply vehicles, and work to try and extend ISS service life from 2015 to at least 2028.

International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Previous Year Status for 2013 - 2014

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, David E.; Gentry, Gregory J.

2015-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) system includes regenerative and non-regenerative technologies that provide the basic life support functions to support the crew, while maintaining a safe and habitable shirtsleeve environment. This paper provides a summary of the U.S. ECLS system activities over the past year and the impacts of the international partners' activities on them, covering the period of time between March 2013 and February 2014. The ISS continued permanent crew operations including the continuation of six crew members being on ISS. Work continues on the commercial crew vehicles, and work to try and extend ISS service life.

The Tobacco Control Network's Policy Readiness and Stage of Change Assessment: What the Results Suggest for Moving Tobacco Control Efforts Forward at the State and Territorial Levels.

PubMed

Roeseler, April; Solomon, Madeleine; Beatty, Carissa; Sipler, Alison M

2016-01-01

The Tobacco Control Network (TCN) is comprised of the tobacco control programs in the health departments of states, territories, and the District of Columbia. During the assessment period, the TCN was managed by the Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium at Emory University. To assess the readiness of state and territory tobacco control programs to work on evidence-based, promising policy and system change strategies aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. The Policy Readiness and Stage of Change Assessment was a Web-based survey fielded in September 2013, which was based on the Community Readiness Model. Fifty-nine comprehensive tobacco control programs. State and territory tobacco control program managers and their internal and external partners. The TCN's 2012 Policy Platform recommendations were used as the basis to assess state/territory readiness to adopt and implement evidence-based and promising tobacco control policy/system change strategies. Sixteen tobacco control strategies were rated on: (1) implementation status, (2) readiness, (3) stage of change, and (4) the appropriate level of action for work on the strategy. The 3 strategies with the highest readiness scores were as follows: (1) 100% smoke-free air in workplaces (64%), (2) tobacco-free schools (61%), and (3) $1.50 or less cigarette tax with funds to tobacco control (53%). The 3 strategies with lowest readiness scores were: 1) coupon redemption (17%), 2) tobacco mitigation fee (14%), and 3) disclosure or sunshine laws (8%). Readiness to work on tobacco control strategies varied by region and strategy. Many states/territories are ready to work on strategies for which there is less evidence of a population-level impact for reducing tobacco use, but which contribute to denormalizing tobacco use. Working toward less impactful policies may build support, capacity, and policy success, laying an important foundation to achieve more impactful strategies.

Data fusion concept in multispectral system for perimeter protection of stationary and moving objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciurapiński, Wieslaw; Dulski, Rafal; Kastek, Mariusz; Szustakowski, Mieczyslaw; Bieszczad, Grzegorz; Życzkowski, Marek; Trzaskawka, Piotr; Piszczek, Marek

2009-09-01

The paper presents the concept of multispectral protection system for perimeter protection for stationary and moving objects. The system consists of active ground radar, thermal and visible cameras. The radar allows the system to locate potential intruders and to control an observation area for system cameras. The multisensor construction of the system ensures significant improvement of detection probability of intruder and reduction of false alarms. A final decision from system is worked out using image data. The method of data fusion used in the system has been presented. The system is working under control of FLIR Nexus system. The Nexus offers complete technology and components to create network-based, high-end integrated systems for security and surveillance applications. Based on unique "plug and play" architecture, system provides unmatched flexibility and simplistic integration of sensors and devices in TCP/IP networks. Using a graphical user interface it is possible to control sensors and monitor streaming video and other data over the network, visualize the results of data fusion process and obtain detailed information about detected intruders over a digital map. System provides high-level applications and operator workload reduction with features such as sensor to sensor cueing from detection devices, automatic e-mail notification and alarm triggering.

Wireless Control of Miniaturized Mobile Vehicle for Indoor Surveillance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taha Saquib, Syed M.; Hameed, Sarmad; Usman Ali, Syed M.; Jafri, Raza; Amin, Imran

2013-12-01

This work is based upon electronic automation and Smart Control techniques, which constitute the basis of Control Area Network (CAN) and Personal Area Network (PAN). Bluetooth technology has been interfaced with a programmable controller to provide multi-dimensional vehicle control. A network is proposed which contains a remote, mobile host controller and an android operating system based mobile set (Client). The client communicates with a host controller through a Bluetooth device. The system incorporates duplex communication after successful confirmation between the host and the client; the android based mobile unit controls the vehicle through the Bluetooth module.

DOSE CONTROLLER FOR AGUACLARA WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

EPA Science Inventory

The expected results include a proven design for a gravity powered dose controller that works for calcium hypochlorite or aluminum sulfate solutions. The dose controller will be coupled with plant flow rate measuring systems that have compatible relationships between flow rate...

Robust Architectures for Complex Multi-Agent Heterogeneous Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-23

establish the tradeoff between the control performance and the QoS of the communications network . We also derived the performance bound on the difference...accomplished within this time period leveraged the prior accomplishments in the area of networked multi-agent systems. The past work (prior to 2011...distributed control of uncertain networked systems [3]. Additionally, a preliminary collision avoidance algorithm has been developed for a team of

Sensors-network and its application in the intelligent storage security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qingying; Nicolescu, Mihai; Jiang, Xia; Zhang, Ying; Yue, Weihong; Xiao, Weihong

2004-11-01

Intelligent storage systems run on different advanced technologies, such as linear layout, business intelligence and data mining. Security, the basic desire of the storage system, has been focused on with the indraught of multimedia communication technology and sensors" network. Along with the developing of science and the social demands, multifarious alarming system has been designed and improved to be intelligentized, modularized and have network connections. It is of great moment to make the storage, and further more, the logistics system more and more efficient and perfect with modern science and technology. Diversified information on the spot should be caught by different kinds of sensors. Those signals are treated and communicated to the control center to give the further actions. For fire-proofing, broad-spectrum gas sensors, fume sensors, flame sensors and temperature sensors are used to catch the information in their own ways. Once the fire is taken somewhere, the sensors work by the fume, temperature, and flame as well as gas immediately. Meanwhile the intelligent control system starts. It passes the tidings to the center unit. At the same time, it sets those movable walls on to work quickly to obstruct the fire"s spreading. While for guarding the warehouse against theft, cut-off sensors, body sensors, photoelectric sensors, microwave sensors and closed-circuit television as well as electronic clocks are available to monitor the warehouse reasonably. All of those sensors work in a net way. The intelligent control system is made with a digital circuit instead of traditional switch one. This system can work in a better way in many cases. Its reliability is high and the cost is low.

Precision pointing and control of flexible spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bantell, M. H., Jr.

1987-01-01

The problem and long term objectives for the precision pointing and control of flexible spacecraft are given. The four basic objectives are stated in terms of two principle tasks. Under Task 1, robust low order controllers, improved structural modeling methods for control applications and identification methods for structural dynamics are being developed. Under Task 2, a lab test experiment for verification of control laws and system identification algorithms is being developed. For Task 1, work has focused on robust low order controller design and some initial considerations for structural modeling in control applications. For Task 2, work has focused on experiment design and fabrication, along with sensor selection and initial digital controller implementation. Conclusions are given.

Development of Measurement Device of Working Radius of Crane Based on Single CCD Camera and Laser Range Finder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nara, Shunsuke; Takahashi, Satoru

In this paper, what we want to do is to develop an observation device to measure the working radius of a crane truck. The device has a single CCD camera, a laser range finder and two AC servo motors. First, in order to measure the working radius, we need to consider algorithm of a crane hook recognition. Then, we attach the cross mark on the crane hook. Namely, instead of the crane hook, we try to recognize the cross mark. Further, for the observation device, we construct PI control system with an extended Kalman filter to track the moving cross mark. Through experiments, we show the usefulness of our device including new control system of mark tracking.

System Administrator for LCS Development Sets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garcia, Aaron

2013-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System Project is creating a Checkout and Control System that will eventually launch the next generation of vehicles from Kennedy Space Center. KSC has a large set of Development and Operational equipment already deployed in several facilities, including the Launch Control Center, which requires support. The position of System Administrator will complete tasks across multiple platforms (Linux/Windows), many of them virtual. The Hardware Branch of the Control and Data Systems Division at the Kennedy Space Center uses system administrators for a variety of tasks. The position of system administrator comes with many responsibilities which include maintaining computer systems, repair or set up hardware, install software, create backups and recover drive images are a sample of jobs which one must complete. Other duties may include working with clients in person or over the phone and resolving their computer system needs. Training is a major part of learning how an organization functions and operates. Taking that into consideration, NASA is no exception. Training on how to better protect the NASA computer infrastructure will be a topic to learn, followed by NASA work polices. Attending meetings and discussing progress will be expected. A system administrator will have an account with root access. Root access gives a user full access to a computer system and or network. System admins can remove critical system files and recover files using a tape backup. Problem solving will be an important skill to develop in order to complete the many tasks.

40 CFR 264.1033 - Standards: Closed-vent systems and control devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standards: Closed-vent systems and control devices. 264.1033 Section 264.1033 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... no greater than 20 per-cent of the time required to con-sume the total carbon working cap-a-city...

HPT Clearance Control: Intelligent Engine Systems-Phase 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

The following work has been completed to satisfy the Phase I Deliverables for the "HPT Clearance Control" project under NASA GRC's "Intelligent Engine Systems" program: (1) Need for the development of an advanced HPT ACC system has been very clearly laid out, (2) Several existing and potential clearance control systems have been reviewed, (3) A scorecard has been developed to document the system, performance (fuel burn, range, payload, etc.), thermal, and mechanical characteristics of the existing clearance control systems, (4) Engine size and flight cycle selection for the advanced HPT ACC system has been reviewed with "large engine"/"long range mission" combination showing the most benefit, (5) A scoring criteria has been developed to tie together performance parameters for an objective, data driven comparison of competing systems, and (6) The existing HPT ACC systems have been scored based on this scoring system.

Deep Learning-Based Data Forgery Detection in Automatic Generation Control

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Fengli; Li, Qinghua

Automatic Generation Control (AGC) is a key control system in the power grid. It is used to calculate the Area Control Error (ACE) based on frequency and tie-line power flow between balancing areas, and then adjust power generation to maintain the power system frequency in an acceptable range. However, attackers might inject malicious frequency or tie-line power flow measurements to mislead AGC to do false generation correction which will harm the power grid operation. Such attacks are hard to be detected since they do not violate physical power system models. In this work, we propose algorithms based on Neural Networkmore » and Fourier Transform to detect data forgery attacks in AGC. Different from the few previous work that rely on accurate load prediction to detect data forgery, our solution only uses the ACE data already available in existing AGC systems. In particular, our solution learns the normal patterns of ACE time series and detects abnormal patterns caused by artificial attacks. Evaluations on the real ACE dataset show that our methods have high detection accuracy.« less

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems Test Facility at MSFC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is responsible for designing and building the life support systems that will provide the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) a comfortable environment in which to live and work. Scientists and engineers at the MSFC are working together to provide the ISS with systems that are safe, efficient, and cost-effective. These compact and powerful systems are collectively called the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, or simply, ECLSS. In this photograph, the life test area on the left of the MSFC ECLSS test facility is where various subsystems and components are tested to determine how long they can operate without failing and to identify components needing improvement. Equipment tested here includes the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA), the Urine Processing Assembly (UPA), the mass spectrometer filament assemblies and sample pumps for the Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA). The Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) simulator facility (in the module in the right) duplicates the function and operation of the ITCS in the ISS U.S. Laboratory Module, Destiny. This facility provides support for Destiny, including troubleshooting problems related to the ITCS.

NASDA's Advanced On-Line System (ADOLIS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamamoto, Yoshikatsu; Hara, Hideo; Yamada, Shigeo; Hirata, Nobuyuki; Komatsu, Shigenori; Nishihata, Seiji; Oniyama, Akio

1993-01-01

Spacecraft operations including ground system operations are generally realized by various large or small scale group work which is done by operators, engineers, managers, users and so on, and their positions are geographically distributed in many cases. In face-to-face work environments, it is easy for them to understand each other. However, in distributed work environments which need communication media, if only using audio, they become estranged from each other and lose interest in and continuity of work. It is an obstacle to smooth operation of spacecraft. NASDA has developed an experimental model of a new real-time operation control system called 'ADOLIS' (ADvanced On-Line System) adopted to such a distributed environment using a multi-media system dealing with character, figure, image, handwriting, video and audio information which is accommodated to operation systems of a wide range including spacecraft and ground systems. This paper describes the results of the development of the experimental model.

Two-layer wireless distributed sensor/control network based on RF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Li; Lin, Yuchi; Zhou, Jingjing; Dong, Guimei; Xia, Guisuo

2006-11-01

A project of embedded Wireless Distributed Sensor/Control Network (WDSCN) based on RF is presented after analyzing the disadvantages of traditional measure and control system. Because of high-cost and complexity, such wireless techniques as Bluetooth and WiFi can't meet the needs of WDSCN. The two-layer WDSCN is designed based on RF technique, which operates in the ISM free frequency channel with low power and high transmission speed. Also the network is low cost, portable and moveable, integrated with the technologies of computer network, sensor, microprocessor and wireless communications. The two-layer network topology is selected in the system; a simple but efficient self-organization net protocol is designed to fit the periodic data collection, event-driven and store-and-forward. Furthermore, adaptive frequency hopping technique is adopted for anti-jamming apparently. The problems about power reduction and synchronization of data in wireless system are solved efficiently. Based on the discussion above, a measure and control network is set up to control such typical instruments and sensors as temperature sensor and signal converter, collect data, and monitor environmental parameters around. This system works well in different rooms. Experiment results show that the system provides an efficient solution to WDSCN through wireless links, with high efficiency, low power, high stability, flexibility and wide working range.

Work stress and emotional exhaustion in nurses: the mediating role of internal locus of control.

PubMed

Partlak Günüşen, Neslihan; Ustün, Besti; Erdem, Sabri

2014-01-01

Burnout is a major problem for nursing. There is a strong relationship between work stress and emotional exhaustion. Although studies report a negative correlation between the internal locus of control and emotional exhaustion and work stress, the number of studies available on the subject is limited. This study intends to examine the extent to which the relationship between work stress and emotional exhaustion is mediated by nurses' internal locus of control. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling techniques. The study sample consisted of 347 nurses who worked in a university hospital in Izmir, Turkey and who agreed to participate in the study. The Work-Related Strain Inventory was used to evaluate the nurses' work stress level, Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to evaluate their emotional exhaustion levels, and the Locus of Control Scale was used to evaluate the internal locus of control. The variables of the study were based on the Neuman Systems Model. Work stress was positively related to internal locus of control (β3 = .21, p < .001), which was, in turn, negatively associated with emotional exhaustion (β = -.03, p > 0.1). Internal locus of control was negatively related to emotional exhaustion (β = -.14, p < .001). Work stress is directly (β = .87, p < .001) and indirectly related to emotional exhaustion (mediated by internal locus of control β = .84, p < .001). Work stress is directly (β = .87, p < .001) and indirectly related to emotional exhaustion (mediated by internal locus of control, β = .84, p < .001). Although the relationship between emotional exhaustion and work stress was mediated, the impact of internal locus of control was limited. It is recommended that different variables be included in future studies so that they can mediate the relationship between work stress and emotional exhaustion.

77 FR 60005 - Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Meeting on Transport Airplane and Engine Issues

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-01

.... Flight Controls Working Group Report. Avionics Systems Harmonization Working Group Report. Aging... contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Sign and oral interpretation, as...

Managing for Successful Control of Naturally Occurring Asbestos During Large Scale Grading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saur, R.; Harnish, D.; Cavanaugh, J.; Kendall, K.; Virdee, A.; Ludlam, D.

2012-12-01

Pacific Gas and Electric Company recently completed environmental remediation and civil grading of a 35-acre site in San Francisco Bay Area, and the project became recognized with local agencies as having excellent controls systems for naturally-occurring asbestos (NOA). The project began in 2010 and was completed in 2012, and involved excavating and grading over 100,000 tons of soil containing NOA. The work was subject to requirements by state, local and regional agencies, including an asbestos dust mitigation plan for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Effective control of NOA is attributed to management approaches combined with effective monitoring and state-of-the-art controls. Management Planning. The contract for construction specified NOA compliance management and controls, including having a NOA-control "czar" ultimately responsible for effective mitigation. An important element was daily pre-planning for excavation/grading that involved both the NOA mitigation experts and construction staff. Personnel Planning and Training. All construction personnel were trained before work regarding NOA hazards and mitigations. Daily tailboards with all construction personnel included discussions of the NOA controls integral to the daily work. Supervision. A NOA mitigation compliance leader was assigned to each excavation operation, responsible for continuously monitoring wind direction and work to ensure mitigation met requirements, and that disturbed areas were hydrosealed or covered. Adaptive Management - Daily and weekly debriefs occurred with those responsible for NOA controls to evaluate effectiveness, and identify improvements needed. If a monitoring result exceeded the project trigger level, work shut down and a root-cause analysis was performed to determine appropriate corrective actions. Deviations of results from background were researched as to cause, and any adjustments identified. Nearby non-project activities were monitored, as they occasionally caused trigger level exceedences in perimeter monitors, including from off-site vehicles, nearby construction, and mechanical vegetation management (e.g. weed whacking). Regulatory and Owner Oversight. Monitoring results were reported daily to agencies, agencies made frequent inspections, and owner's independent compliance representatives observed the NOA mitigation and provided real-time feedback to the construction team. NOA Controls. NOA emissions were controlled site-wide and for each work activity. Site systems included misting, water trucks on roads, temporary covers and soil sealants. Work activity controls for excavation/grading included both source and perimeter controls. Water application technologies specially designed for NOA fiber mitigation, and not just dust mitigation, were effective without adding excessive water to work areas. These activities collectively created a management structure that facilitated successful implementation of NOA control technologies.

Real-time Simulation of Turboprop Engine Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheng, Hanlin; Zhang, Tianhong; Zhang, Yi

2017-05-01

On account of the complexity of turboprop engine control system, real-time simulation is the technology, under the prerequisite of maintaining real-time, to effectively reduce development cost, shorten development cycle and avert testing risks. The paper takes RT-LAB as a platform and studies the real-time digital simulation of turboprop engine control system. The architecture, work principles and external interfaces of RT-LAB real-time simulation platform are introduced firstly. Then based on a turboprop engine model, the control laws of propeller control loop and fuel control loop are studied. From that and on the basis of Matlab/Simulink, an integrated controller is designed which can realize the entire process control of the engine from start-up to maximum power till stop. At the end, on the basis of RT-LAB platform, the real-time digital simulation of the designed control system is studied, different regulating plans are tried and more ideal control effects have been obtained.

Flight Validation of a Metrics Driven L(sub 1) Adaptive Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobrokhodov, Vladimir; Kitsios, Ioannis; Kaminer, Isaac; Jones, Kevin D.; Xargay, Enric; Hovakimyan, Naira; Cao, Chengyu; Lizarraga, Mariano I.; Gregory, Irene M.

2008-01-01

The paper addresses initial steps involved in the development and flight implementation of new metrics driven L1 adaptive flight control system. The work concentrates on (i) definition of appropriate control driven metrics that account for the control surface failures; (ii) tailoring recently developed L1 adaptive controller to the design of adaptive flight control systems that explicitly address these metrics in the presence of control surface failures and dynamic changes under adverse flight conditions; (iii) development of a flight control system for implementation of the resulting algorithms onboard of small UAV; and (iv) conducting a comprehensive flight test program that demonstrates performance of the developed adaptive control algorithms in the presence of failures. As the initial milestone the paper concentrates on the adaptive flight system setup and initial efforts addressing the ability of a commercial off-the-shelf AP with and without adaptive augmentation to recover from control surface failures.

A new computational account of cognitive control over reinforcement-based decision-making: Modeling of a probabilistic learning task.

PubMed

Zendehrouh, Sareh

2015-11-01

Recent work on decision-making field offers an account of dual-system theory for decision-making process. This theory holds that this process is conducted by two main controllers: a goal-directed system and a habitual system. In the reinforcement learning (RL) domain, the habitual behaviors are connected with model-free methods, in which appropriate actions are learned through trial-and-error experiences. However, goal-directed behaviors are associated with model-based methods of RL, in which actions are selected using a model of the environment. Studies on cognitive control also suggest that during processes like decision-making, some cortical and subcortical structures work in concert to monitor the consequences of decisions and to adjust control according to current task demands. Here a computational model is presented based on dual system theory and cognitive control perspective of decision-making. The proposed model is used to simulate human performance on a variant of probabilistic learning task. The basic proposal is that the brain implements a dual controller, while an accompanying monitoring system detects some kinds of conflict including a hypothetical cost-conflict one. The simulation results address existing theories about two event-related potentials, namely error related negativity (ERN) and feedback related negativity (FRN), and explore the best account of them. Based on the results, some testable predictions are also presented. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development and testing of the Junkeeper Control Corporation integrated programmable electronic controller and hydronics package

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hankins, J. D.

1979-01-01

Additional developmental work on the existing programmable electronic controller and hydronic package for use with solar heating and cooling systems is summarized. The controller/hydronics subsystems passed all acceptance tests and performance criteria. The subsystems were shown marketable for public use.

A Remote PLC Laboratory (RLab) for Distance Practical Work of Industrial Automation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haritman, E.; Somantri, Y.; Wahyudin, D.; Mulyana, E.

2018-02-01

A laboratory is an essential equipment for engineering students to do a useful practical work. Therefore, universities should provide an adequate facility for practical work. On the other hand, industrial automation laboratory would offer students beneficial experience by using various educational PLC kits. This paper describes the development of Web-based Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) remote laboratory called RLab. It provides an environment for learners to study PLC application to control the level of the non-interacting tank. The RLab architecture is based on a Moodle and Remote Desktop, which also manages the booking system of the schedule of practical work in the laboratory. The RLab equipped by USB cameras providing a real-time view of PLC environment. To provide a secured system, the RLab combines Moodle and Remote Desktop application for the authentication system and management of remote users. Moodle will send PartnerID and password to connect to TeamViewer. It has been examined that the laboratory requirement, time and flexibility restrictions constitute a significant obstacle facing traditional students desiring to finish the course. A remote access laboratory can be eliminating time and flexibility restrictions. The preliminary study of RLab usability proved that such system is adequate to give the learners a distance practical work environment.

Control of Dual-Opposed Stirling Convertors with Active Power Factor Correction Controllers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Regan, Timothy F.; Lewandowski, Edward J.; Schreiber, Jeffrey G.

2007-01-01

When using recently-developed active power factor correction (APFC) controllers in power systems comprised of dual-opposed free-piston Stirling convertors, a variety of configurations of the convertors and controller(s) can be considered, with configuration ultimately selected based on benefits of efficiency, reliability, and robust operation. The configuration must not only achieve stable control of the two convertors, but also synchronize and regulate motion of the pistons to minimize net dynamic forces. The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) System Dynamic Model (SDM) was used to study ten configurations of dual-opposed convertor systems. These configurations considered one controller with the alternators connected in series or in parallel, and two controllers with the alternators not connected (isolated). For the configurations where the alternators were not connected, several different approaches were evaluated to synchronize the two convertors. In addition, two thermodynamic configurations were considered: two convertors with isolated working spaces and convertors with a shared expansion space. Of the ten configurations studied, stable operating modes were found for four. Three of those four had a common expansion space. One stable configuration was found for the dual-opposed convertors with separate working spaces. That configuration required isochronous control of both convertors, and two APFC controllers were used to accomplish this. A frequency/phase control loop was necessary to allow each APFC controller to synchronize its associated convertor with a common frequency.

Control of Dual-Opposed Stirling Convertors with Active Power Factor Correction Controllers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Regan, Timothy F.; Lewandowski, Edward J.; Schreiber, Jeffrey G.

2006-01-01

When using recently-developed active power factor correction (APFC) controllers in power systems comprised of dual-opposed free-piston Stirling convertors, a variety of configurations of the convertors and controller(s) can be considered, with configuration ultimately selected based on benefits of efficiency, reliability, and robust operation. The configuration must not only achieve stable control of the two convertors, but also synchronize and regulate motion of the pistons to minimize net dynamic forces. The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) System Dynamic Model (SDM) was used to study ten configurations of dual-opposed convertor systems. These configurations considered one controller with the alternators connected in series or in parallel, and two controllers with the alternators not connected (isolated). For the configurations where the alternators were not connected, several different approaches were evaluated to synchronize the two convertors. In addition, two thermodynamic configurations were considered: two convertors with isolated working spaces and convertors with a shared expansion space. Of the ten configurations studied, stable operating modes were found for four. Three of those four had a common expansion space. One stable configuration was found for the dual-opposed convertors with separate working spaces. That configuration required isochronous control of both convertors, and two APFC controllers were used to accomplish this. A frequency/phase control loop was necessary to allow each APFC controller to synchronize its associated convertor with a common frequency.

Online Recorded Data-Based Composite Neural Control of Strict-Feedback Systems With Application to Hypersonic Flight Dynamics.

PubMed

Xu, Bin; Yang, Daipeng; Shi, Zhongke; Pan, Yongping; Chen, Badong; Sun, Fuchun

2017-09-25

This paper investigates the online recorded data-based composite neural control of uncertain strict-feedback systems using the backstepping framework. In each step of the virtual control design, neural network (NN) is employed for uncertainty approximation. In previous works, most designs are directly toward system stability ignoring the fact how the NN is working as an approximator. In this paper, to enhance the learning ability, a novel prediction error signal is constructed to provide additional correction information for NN weight update using online recorded data. In this way, the neural approximation precision is highly improved, and the convergence speed can be faster. Furthermore, the sliding mode differentiator is employed to approximate the derivative of the virtual control signal, and thus, the complex analysis of the backstepping design can be avoided. The closed-loop stability is rigorously established, and the boundedness of the tracking error can be guaranteed. Through simulation of hypersonic flight dynamics, the proposed approach exhibits better tracking performance.

The aircraft energy efficiency active controls technology program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hood, R. V., Jr.

1977-01-01

Broad outlines of the NASA Aircraft Energy Efficiency Program for expediting the application of active controls technology to civil transport aircraft are presented. Advances in propulsion and airframe technology to cut down on fuel consumption and fuel costs, a program for an energy-efficient transport, and integrated analysis and design technology in aerodynamics, structures, and active controls are envisaged. Fault-tolerant computer systems and fault-tolerant flight control system architectures are under study. Contracts with leading manufacturers for research and development work on wing-tip extensions and winglets for the B-747, a wing load alleviation system, elastic mode suppression, maneuver-load control, and gust alleviation are mentioned.

Design of Intelligent Hydraulic Excavator Control System Based on PID Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jun; Jiao, Shengjie; Liao, Xiaoming; Yin, Penglong; Wang, Yulin; Si, Kuimao; Zhang, Yi; Gu, Hairong

Most of the domestic designed hydraulic excavators adopt the constant power design method and set 85%~90% of engine power as the hydraulic system adoption power, it causes high energy loss due to mismatching of power between the engine and the pump. While the variation of the rotational speed of engine could sense the power shift of the load, it provides a new method to adjust the power matching between engine and pump through engine speed. Based on negative flux hydraulic system, an intelligent hydraulic excavator control system was designed based on rotational speed sensing method to improve energy efficiency. The control system was consisted of engine control module, pump power adjusted module, engine idle module and system fault diagnosis module. Special PLC with CAN bus was used to acquired the sensors and adjusts the pump absorption power according to load variation. Four energy saving control strategies with constant power method were employed to improve the fuel utilization. Three power modes (H, S and L mode) were designed to meet different working status; Auto idle function was employed to save energy through two work status detected pressure switches, 1300rpm was setting as the idle speed according to the engine consumption fuel curve. Transient overload function was designed for deep digging within short time without spending extra fuel. An increasing PID method was employed to realize power matching between engine and pump, the rotational speed's variation was taken as the PID algorithm's input; the current of proportional valve of variable displacement pump was the PID's output. The result indicated that the auto idle could decrease fuel consumption by 33.33% compared to work in maximum speed of H mode, the PID control method could take full use of maximum engine power at each power mode and keep the engine speed at stable range. Application of rotational speed sensing method provides a reliable method to improve the excavator's energy efficiency and realize power match between pump and engine.

Working memory deficits in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): the contribution of central executive and subsystem processes.

PubMed

Rapport, Mark D; Alderson, R Matt; Kofler, Michael J; Sarver, Dustin E; Bolden, Jennifer; Sims, Valerie

2008-08-01

The current study investigated contradictory findings from recent experimental and meta-analytic studies concerning working memory deficits in ADHD. Working memory refers to the cognitive ability to temporarily store and mentally manipulate limited amounts of information for use in guiding behavior. Phonological (verbal) and visuospatial (nonverbal) working memory were assessed across four memory load conditions in 23 boys (12 ADHD, 11 typically developing) using tasks based on Baddeley's (Working memory, thought, and action, Oxford University Press, New York, 2007) working memory model. The model posits separate phonological and visuospatial storage and rehearsal components that are controlled by a single attentional controller (CE: central executive). A latent variable approach was used to partial task performance related to three variables of interest: phonological buffer/rehearsal loop, visuospatial buffer/rehearsal loop, and the CE attentional controller. ADHD-related working memory deficits were apparent across all three cognitive systems--with the largest magnitude of deficits apparent in the CE--even after controlling for reading speed, nonverbal visual encoding, age, IQ, and SES.

Issues in the design of an executive controller shell for Space Station automation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, William K.; Cheeseman, Peter C.

1986-01-01

A major goal of NASA's Systems Autonomy Demonstration Project is to focus research in artificial intelligence, human factors, and dynamic control systems in support of Space Station automation. Another goal is to demonstrate the use of these technologies in real space systems, for both round-based mission support and on-board operations. The design, construction, and evaluation of an intelligent autonomous system shell is recognized as an important part of the Systems Autonomy research program. His paper describes autonomous systems and executive controllers, outlines how these intelligent systems can be utilized within the Space Station, and discusses a number of key design issues that have been raised during some preliminary work to develop an autonomous executive controller shell at NASA Ames Research Center.

Leaderless consensus for the fractional-order nonlinear multi-agent systems under directed interaction topology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Jing; Wen, Guoguang; Rahmani, Ahmed

2018-04-01

Leaderless consensus for the fractional-order nonlinear multi-agent systems is investigated in this paper. At the first part, a control protocol is proposed to achieve leaderless consensus for the nonlinear single-integrator multi-agent systems. At the second part, based on sliding mode estimator, a control protocol is given to solve leaderless consensus for the the nonlinear single-integrator multi-agent systems. It shows that the control protocol can improve the systems' convergence speed. At the third part, a control protocol is designed to accomplish leaderless consensus for the nonlinear double-integrator multi-agent systems. To judge the systems' stability in this paper, two classic continuous Lyapunov candidate functions are chosen. Finally, several worked out examples under directed interaction topology are given to prove above results.

Variable pressure power cycle and control system

DOEpatents

Goldsberry, Fred L.

1984-11-27

A variable pressure power cycle and control system that is adjustable to a variable heat source is disclosed. The power cycle adjusts itself to the heat source so that a minimal temperature difference is maintained between the heat source fluid and the power cycle working fluid, thereby substantially matching the thermodynamic envelope of the power cycle to the thermodynamic envelope of the heat source. Adjustments are made by sensing the inlet temperature of the heat source fluid and then setting a superheated vapor temperature and pressure to achieve a minimum temperature difference between the heat source fluid and the working fluid.

Thermal Control Working Group report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haslett, Robert; Mahefkey, E. Thomas

1986-01-01

The Thermal Control Working Group limited its evaluation to issues associated with Earth orbiting and planetary spacecraft with power levels up to 50 kW. It was concluded that the space station technology is a necessary precursor but does not meet S/C 2000 needs (life, high heat flux, long term cryogenics, and survivability). Additional basic and applied research are required (fluid/materials compatibility and two phase system modeling). Scaling, the key issue, must define accelerated life test criteria. The two phase systems require 0g to 1 g correlation. Additional ground test beds are required and combined space environment tests of materials.

New technique for simulation of optical fiber amplifiers control schemes in dynamic WDM systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freitas, Marcio; Klein, Jackson; Givigi, Sidney, Jr.; Calmon, Luiz C.

2005-04-01

One topic that has attracted attention is related to the behavior of the optical amplifiers under dynamic conditions, specifically because amplifiers working in a saturated condition produce power transients in all-optical reconfigurable WDM networks, e.g. adding/dropping channels. The goal of this work is to introduce the multiwavelength time-driven simulations technique, capable of simulation and analysis of transient effects in all-optical WDM networks with optical amplifiers, and allow the use of control schemes to avoid or minimize the impacts of transient effects in the system performance.

Evaluation of Aeroservoelastic Effects on Flutter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nagaraja, K. S.; Felt, Larry R.; Kraft, Raymond

1998-01-01

This report presents work performed by The Boeing Company to satisfy the deliverable "Evaluation of aeroservoelastic Effects on Symmetric Flutter" for Subtask 7 of Reference 1. The objective of this report is to incorporate the improved methods for studying the effects of a closed-loop control system on the aeroservoelastic behavior of the airplane planned under NASA HSR technical Integration Task 20 work. Also, a preliminary evaluation of the existing pitch control laws on symmetric flutter of the TCA configuration was addressed."The goal is to develop an improved modeling methodology and perform design studies that account for the aero-structures-systems interaction effects.

An application of high authority/low authority control and positivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seltzer, S. M.; Irwin, D.; Tollison, D.; Waites, H. B.

1988-01-01

Control Dynamics Company (CDy), in conjunction with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), has supported the U.S. Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratory (AFWAL) in conducting an investigation of the implementation of several DOD controls techniques. These techniques are to provide vibration suppression and precise attitude control for flexible space structures. AFWAL issued a contract to Control Dynamics to perform this work under the Active Control Technique Evaluation for Spacecraft (ACES) Program. The High Authority Control/Low Authority Control (HAC/LAC) and Positivity controls techniques, which were cultivated under the DARPA Active Control of Space Structures (ACOSS) Program, were applied to a structural model of the NASA/MSFC Ground Test Facility ACES configuration. The control systems design were accomplished and linear post-analyses of the closed-loop systems are provided. The control system designs take into account effects of sampling and delay in the control computer. Nonlinear simulation runs were used to verify the control system designs and implementations in the facility control computers. Finally, test results are given to verify operations of the control systems in the test facility.

The impact of nursing education and job characteristics on nurse's perceptions of their family nursing practice skills.

PubMed

Svavarsdottir, Erla Kolbrun; Sigurdardottir, Anna Olafia; Konradsdottir, Elisabet; Tryggvadottir, Gudny Bergthora

2018-04-25

Implementing family system nursing in clinical settings is on the rise. However, little is known about the impact of graduate school education as well as continuing education in family systems nursing (FSN) on nurses' perceptions of their family nursing practice. To evaluate the level of nursing education, having taken a continuing hospital educational course in family system nursing (FN-ETI programme), and the impact of job characteristics on nurses' perceptions of their family nursing practice skills. Participants were 436 nurses with either a BSc degree or graduate degree in nursing. The Job Demand, Control and Support model guided the study (R. Karasek and T. Theorell, 1992, Healthy Work: Stress, Productivity, and the Reconstruction of Working Life, Basic Books, New York, NY). Scores for the characteristics of job demands and job control were created to categorise participants into four job types: high strain (high demand, low control), passive (low demand, low control), low strain (low demand, high control) and active (high demand, high control). Nurses with a graduate education who had taken the FN-ETI programme scored significantly higher on the Family Nursing Practice Scale than nurses with an undergraduate education. Nurses who were characterised as low strain or active scored significantly higher on the Family Nursing Practice Scale than the nurses who were characterised as high strain. Further, the interaction of education by job type was significant regarding family nursing practice skills. Hierarchical regression revealed 25% of the variance in family nursing practice skills was explained by job control, family policy on the unit, graduate education and employment on the following divisions: Maternal-Child, Emergency, Mental Health or Internal Medicine. Graduate education plus continuing education in FSN can offer nurses increased job opportunities more control over one's work as well as increased skills working with families in clinical settings. © 2018 Nordic College of Caring Science.

Adding a vocational focus to mental health rehabilitation.

PubMed

Blankertz, L; Robinson, S

1996-11-01

The study examined the effect of adding two employment specialists to the staff of a community mental health center; their sole responsibility was to develop the skills and positive work attitudes that clients with severe mental illness need to enter the state vocational rehabilitation system or to seek employment. A total of 122 clients were randomly assigned to a program with an employment specialist or to a control group with no specialized vocational services. Clients in the program were taught work skills and attitudes in group and individual sessions and through a trial work experience. A schedule of rewards reinforced positive changes. Outcomes measured were skill gains, changes in work attitudes, attainment of employment, and entry into the state vocational rehabilitation system. At nine months, 34 of the 61 clients in the program achieved positive changes in vocational status that included competitive employment, participation in training and evaluation programs operated by the state vocational system, and formal referral to the system. Only one client in the control group was linked to the state system. Skill gains and positive changes in work attitudes were found for all program clients. Logistical regression suggested that program participation, rather than client characteristics, was an important predictor of a positive outcome. Over a relatively short time period, targeted vocational programs can help clients with severe mental illness develop the skills and attitudes necessary to attain employment or entry into the vocational rehabilitation system. Vocational rehabilitation can be an integral part of the rehabilitation process for all mental health clients.

Advanced automation in space shuttle mission control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heindel, Troy A.; Rasmussen, Arthur N.; Mcfarland, Robert Z.

1991-01-01

The Real Time Data System (RTDS) Project was undertaken in 1987 to introduce new concepts and technologies for advanced automation into the Mission Control Center environment at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The project's emphasis is on producing advanced near-operational prototype systems that are developed using a rapid, interactive method and are used by flight controllers during actual Shuttle missions. In most cases the prototype applications have been of such quality and utility that they have been converted to production status. A key ingredient has been an integrated team of software engineers and flight controllers working together to quickly evolve the demonstration systems.

Development of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Quanser Bench-Top Helicopter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jafri, M. H.; Mansor, H.; Gunawan, T. S.

2017-11-01

Bench-top helicopter is a laboratory scale helicopter that usually used as a testing bench of the real helicopter behavior. This helicopter is a 3 Degree of Freedom (DOF) helicopter which works by three different axes wshich are elevation, pitch and travel. Thus, fuzzy logic controller has been proposed to be implemented into Quanser bench-top helicopter because of its ability to work with non-linear system. The objective for this project is to design and apply fuzzy logic controller for Quanser bench-top helicopter. Other than that, fuzzy logic controller performance system has been simulated to analyze and verify its behavior over existing PID controller by using Matlab & Simulink software. In this research, fuzzy logic controller has been designed to control the elevation angle. After simulation has been performed, it can be seen that simulation result shows that fuzzy logic elevation control is working for 4°, 5° and 6°. These three angles produce zero steady state error and has a fast response. Other than that, performance comparisons have been performed between fuzzy logic controller and PID controller. Fuzzy logic elevation control has a better performance compared to PID controller where lower percentage overshoot and faster settling time have been achieved in 4°, 5° and 6° step response test. Both controller are have zero steady state error but fuzzy logic controller is managed to produce a better performance in term of settling time and percentage overshoot which make the proposed controller is reliable compared to the existing PID controller.

Development of the integrated control system for the microwave ion source of the PEFP 100-MeV proton accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Young-Gi; Seol, Kyung-Tae; Jang, Ji-Ho; Kwon, Hyeok-Jung; Cho, Yong-Sub

2012-07-01

The Proton Engineering Frontier Project (PEFP) 20-MeV proton linear accelerator is currently operating at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). The ion source of the 100-MeV proton linac needs at least a 100-hour operation time. To meet the goal, we have developed a microwave ion source that uses no filament. For the ion source, a remote control system has been developed by using experimental physics and the industrial control system (EPICS) software framework. The control system consists of a versa module europa (VME) and EPICS-based embedded applications running on a VxWorks real-time operating system. The main purpose of the control system is to control and monitor the operational variables of the components remotely and to protect operators from radiation exposure and the components from critical problems during beam extraction. We successfully performed the operation test of the control system to confirm the degree of safety during the hardware performance.

Issues in advanced automation for manipulator control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bejczy, A. K.

1976-01-01

This paper provides a brief description and analysis of the main issues in advanced autonomous control of manipulators as seen from a system point of view. The nature of manipulation is analyzed at some depth. A general multilevel structure is outlined for manipulator control organization which includes the human operator at the top level of the control structure. Different approaches to the development of advanced automation of mechanical arms are summarized. Recent work in the JPL teleoperator project is described, including control system, force/torque sensor, and control software development. Some results from control experiments are summarized.

Spaceport Command and Control System Software Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glasser, Abraham

2017-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) launch control system for the Orion capsule and Space Launch System, the next generation manned rocket currently in development. This large system requires a large amount of intensive testing that will properly measure the capabilities of the system. Automating the test procedures would save the project money from human labor costs, as well as making the testing process more efficient. Therefore, the Exploration Systems Division (formerly the Electrical Engineering Division) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has recruited interns for the past two years to work alongside full-time engineers to develop these automated tests, as well as innovate upon the current automation process.

TECHNICAL DESIGN NOTE: Digital proportional-integral-derivative velocity controller of a Mössbauer spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pechousek, J.; Prochazka, R.; Mashlan, M.; Jancik, D.; Frydrych, J.

2009-01-01

The digital proportional-integral-derivative (PID) velocity controller used in the Mössbauer spectrometer implemented in field programmable gate array (FPGA) is based on the National Instruments CompactRIO embedded system and LabVIEW graphical programming tools. The system works as a remote system accessible via the Ethernet. The digital controller operates in real-time conditions, and the maximum sampling frequency is approximately 227 kS s-1. The system was tested with standard sample measurements of α-Fe and α-57Fe2O3 on two different electromechanical velocity transducers. The nonlinearities of the velocity scales in the relative form are better than 0.2%. The replacement of the standard analog PID controller by the new system brings the possibility of optimizing the control process more precisely.

Energy management and control of active distribution systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shariatzadeh, Farshid

Advancements in the communication, control, computation and information technologies have driven the transition to the next generation active power distribution systems. Novel control techniques and management strategies are required to achieve the efficient, economic and reliable grid. The focus of this work is energy management and control of active distribution systems (ADS) with integrated renewable energy sources (RESs) and demand response (DR). Here, ADS mean automated distribution system with remotely operated controllers and distributed energy resources (DERs). DER as active part of the next generation future distribution system includes: distributed generations (DGs), RESs, energy storage system (ESS), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and DR. Integration of DR and RESs into ADS is critical to realize the vision of sustainability. The objective of this dissertation is the development of management architecture to control and operate ADS in the presence of DR and RES. One of the most challenging issues for operating ADS is the inherent uncertainty of DR and RES as well as conflicting objective of DER and electric utilities. ADS can consist of different layers such as system layer and building layer and coordination between these layers is essential. In order to address these challenges, multi-layer energy management and control architecture is proposed with robust algorithms in this work. First layer of proposed multi-layer architecture have been implemented at the system layer. Developed AC optimal power flow (AC-OPF) generates fair price for all DR and non-DR loads which is used as a control signal for second layer. Second layer controls DR load at buildings using a developed look-ahead robust controller. Load aggregator collects information from all buildings and send aggregated load to the system optimizer. Due to the different time scale at these two management layers, time coordination scheme is developed. Robust and deterministic controllers are developed to maximize the energy usage from rooftop photovoltaic (PV) generation locally and minimize heat-ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) consumption while maintaining inside temperature within comfort zone. The performance of the developed multi-layer architecture has been analyzed using test case studies and results show the robustness of developed controller in the presence of uncertainty.

Impact of Active Control on Passive Safety Response Characteristics of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors: I - Theoretical background

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Passerini, Stefano; Ponciroli, Roberto; Vilim, Richard B.

Here, the interaction of the active control system with passive safety behavior is investigated for sodium-cooled fast reactors. A claim often made of advanced reactors is that they are passively safe against unprotected upset events. In practice, such upset events are not analyzed in the context of the plant control system, but rather the analyses are performed without considering the normally programmed response of the control system (open-loop approach). This represents an oversimplification of the safety case. The issue of passive safety override arises since the control system commands actuators whose motions have safety consequences. Depending on the upset involvingmore » the control system ( operator error, active control system failure, or inadvertent control system override), an actuator does not necessarily go in the same direction as needed for safety. So neglecting to account for control system action during an unprotected upset is nonconservative from a safety standpoint. It is important then, during the design of the plant, to consider the potential for the control system to work against the inherent and safe regulating effects of purposefully engineered temperature feedbacks.« less

Impact of Active Control on Passive Safety Response Characteristics of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors: I - Theoretical background

DOE PAGES

Passerini, Stefano; Ponciroli, Roberto; Vilim, Richard B.

2017-06-21

Here, the interaction of the active control system with passive safety behavior is investigated for sodium-cooled fast reactors. A claim often made of advanced reactors is that they are passively safe against unprotected upset events. In practice, such upset events are not analyzed in the context of the plant control system, but rather the analyses are performed without considering the normally programmed response of the control system (open-loop approach). This represents an oversimplification of the safety case. The issue of passive safety override arises since the control system commands actuators whose motions have safety consequences. Depending on the upset involvingmore » the control system ( operator error, active control system failure, or inadvertent control system override), an actuator does not necessarily go in the same direction as needed for safety. So neglecting to account for control system action during an unprotected upset is nonconservative from a safety standpoint. It is important then, during the design of the plant, to consider the potential for the control system to work against the inherent and safe regulating effects of purposefully engineered temperature feedbacks.« less

Biodiesel Performance with Modern Engines. Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-05-153

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McCormick, Robert

NREL and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) will work cooperatively to assess the effects of biodiesel blends on the performance of modern diesel engines and emissions control systems meeting increasingly strict emissions standards. This work will include research to understand the impact of biodiesel blends on the operation and durability of particle filters and NOx control sorbents/catalysts, to quantify the effect on emission control systems performance, and to understand effects on engine component durability. Work to assess the impact of biodiesel blends on real world fleet operations will be performed. Also, research to develop appropriate ASTM standards for biodiesel qualitymore » and stability will be conducted. The cooperative project will involve engine testing and fleet evaluation studies at NREL using biodiesel from a variety of sources. In addition, NREL will work with NBB to set up an Industrial Steering Committee to design the scope for the various projects and to provide technical oversight to these projects. NREL and NBB will cooperatively communicate the study results to as broad an audience as possible.« less

Two-wavelength backscattering lidar for stand off detection of aerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mierczyk, Zygmunt; Zygmunt, Marek; Gawlikowski, Andrzej; Gietka, Andrzej; Kaszczuk, Miroslawa; Knysak, Piotr; Mlodzianko, Andrzej; Muzal, Michal; Piotrowski, Wiesław; Wojtanowski, Jacek

2008-10-01

Following article presents LIDAR for stand off detection of aerosols which was constructed in Institute of Optoelectronics in Military University of Technology. LIDAR is a DISC type system (DIfferential SCattering) and is based on analysis of backscattering signal for two wavelengths (λ1 = 1064 nm and λ2 = 532 nm) - the first and the second harmonic of Nd:YAG laser. Optical receiving system is consisted of aspherical mirror lens, two additional mirrors and a system of interference filters. In detection system of LIDAR a silicon avalanche photodiode and two different amplifiers were used. Whole system is mounted on a specialized platform designed for possibility of LIDAR scanning movements. LIDAR is computer controlled. The compiled software enables regulation of the scanning platform work, gain control, and control of data processing and acquisition system. In the article main functional elements of LIDAR are shown and typical parameters of system work and construction are presented. One presented also first results of research with use of LIDAR. The aim of research was to detect and characterize scattering aerosol, both natural and anthropogenic one. For analyses of natural aerosols, cumulus cloud was used. For analyses of anthropogenic aerosols one used three various pyrotechnic mixtures (DM11, M2, M16) which generate smoke of different parameters. All scattering centers were firstly well described and theoretical analyses were conducted. Results of LIDAR research were compared with theoretical analyses and general conclusions concerning correctness of LIDAR work and its application were drawn.

Guidance for Efficient Small Animal Imaging Quality Control.

PubMed

Osborne, Dustin R; Kuntner, Claudia; Berr, Stuart; Stout, David

2017-08-01

Routine quality control is a critical aspect of properly maintaining high-performance small animal imaging instrumentation. A robust quality control program helps produce more reliable data both for academic purposes and as proof of system performance for contract imaging work. For preclinical imaging laboratories, the combination of costs and available resources often limits their ability to produce efficient and effective quality control programs. This work presents a series of simplified quality control procedures that are accessible to a wide range of preclinical imaging laboratories. Our intent is to provide minimum guidelines for routine quality control that can assist preclinical imaging specialists in setting up an appropriate quality control program for their facility.

The study on working fluids of airborne power generation system based on Rankine cycle by heat energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Yuan

2017-05-01

This paper proposed a new concept named airborne power generation system based on Rankine cycle by heat energy, namely, the presented system combined the Rankine cycle with environmental control system in aircraft to recycle the waste heat of engine bleed air with high temperature and generate power. This paper mainly discussed the choosing of optimum working fluid which could apply in the combined power generation system mentioned above when the temperature of the coming bleed air was about 400 degree centigrade.

Large angle magnetic suspension test fixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Britcher, Colin P.

1993-01-01

Progress made under the subject grant in the period from 1 Nov. 1992 to 31 May 1993 is presented. The research involves the continued development of the Large Angle Magnetic Suspension Test Fixture (LAMSTF) and also the recommissioning of an additional piece of exisiting hardware. During the period in question, the initial configuration of LAMSTF was completed and made routinely and reliably operational. A digital phase advance controller was completed and documented. The goal of a controlled 360 deg rotation was achieved. Work started on the recommissioning of the Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS). Work completed during the report period included: modeling; position sensing; controller; support of the Second International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology; and recommissioning of the Annular Suspension and Pointing System.

Neural network application to comprehensive engine diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marko, Kenneth A.

1994-01-01

We have previously reported on the use of neural networks for detection and identification of faults in complex microprocessor controlled powertrain systems. The data analyzed in those studies consisted of the full spectrum of signals passing between the engine and the real-time microprocessor controller. The specific task of the classification system was to classify system operation as nominal or abnormal and to identify the fault present. The primary concern in earlier work was the identification of faults, in sensors or actuators in the powertrain system as it was exercised over its full operating range. The use of data from a variety of sources, each contributing some potentially useful information to the classification task, is commonly referred to as sensor fusion and typifies the type of problems successfully addressed using neural networks. In this work we explore the application of neural networks to a different diagnostic problem, the diagnosis of faults in newly manufactured engines and the utility of neural networks for process control.

Remotely controlled sensor apparatus for use in dig-face characterization system

DOEpatents

Josten, N.E.; Svoboda, J.M.

1999-05-25

A remotely controlled sensor platform apparatus useful in a dig-face characterization system is deployed from a mobile delivery device such as standard heavy construction equipment. The sensor apparatus is designed to stabilize sensors against extraneous motions induced by heavy equipment manipulations or other outside influences, and includes a terrain sensing and sensor elevation control system to maintain the sensors in close ground proximity. The deployed sensor apparatus is particularly useful in collecting data in work environments where human access is difficult due to the presence of hazardous conditions, rough terrain, or other circumstances that prevent efficient data collection by conventional methods. Such work environments include hazardous waste sites, unexploded ordnance sites, or construction sites. Data collection in these environments by utilizing the deployed sensor apparatus is desirable in order to protect human health and safety, or to assist in planning daily operations to increase efficiency. 13 figs.

Remotely controlled sensor apparatus for use in dig-face characterization system

DOEpatents

Josten, Nicholas E.; Svoboda, John M.

1999-01-01

A remotely controlled sensor platform apparatus useful in a dig-face characterization system is deployed from a mobile delivery device such as standard heavy construction equipment. The sensor apparatus is designed to stabilize sensors against extraneous motions induced by heavy equipment manipulations or other outside influences, and includes a terrain sensing and sensor elevation control system to maintain the sensors in close ground proximity. The deployed sensor apparatus is particularly useful in collecting data in work environments where human access is difficult due to the presence of hazardous conditions, rough terrain, or other circumstances that prevent efficient data collection by conventional methods. Such work environments include hazardous waste sites, unexploded ordnance sites, or construction sites. Data collection in these environments by utilizing the deployed sensor apparatus is desirable in order to protect human health and safety, or to assist in planning daily operations to increase efficiency.

Analysis to Inform CA Grid Integration Rules for PV: Final Report on Inverter Settings for Transmission and Distribution System Performance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, Jeff; Rylander, Matthew; Boemer, Jens

The fourth solicitation of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment (RD&D) Program established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) supported the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) with data provided from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) conducted research to determine optimal default settings for distributed energy resource advanced inverter controls. The inverter functions studied are aligned with those developed by the California Smart Inverter Working Group (SIWG) and those being considered by the IEEE 1547more » Working Group. The advanced inverter controls examined to improve the distribution system response included power factor, volt-var, and volt-watt. The advanced inverter controls examined to improve the transmission system response included frequency and voltage ride-through as well as Dynamic Voltage Support. This CSI RD&D project accomplished the task of developing methods to derive distribution focused advanced inverter control settings, selecting a diverse set of feeders to evaluate the methods through detailed analysis, and evaluating the effectiveness of each method developed. Inverter settings focused on the transmission system performance were also evaluated and verified. Based on the findings of this work, the suggested advanced inverter settings and methods to determine settings can be used to improve the accommodation of distributed energy resources (PV specifically). The voltage impact from PV can be mitigated using power factor, volt-var, or volt-watt control, while the bulk system impact can be improved with frequency/voltage ride-through.« less

Neutron Imaging Control Report: FY 2016

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gibson, D. J.

2016-11-30

During the 2016 fiscal year, work began on the supervision and control systems for the neutron source currently under construction in the B194 accelerator caves. This source relies on a deuteron beam colliding with a high-speed stream of deuterium gas to create neutrons, which poses significant technical challenges. To help overcome those challenges, an integrated, operator-focused control architecture is required to collect and assimilate disparate data from a variety of measurement points, as well as provide the means to remotely control the system hardware.

Adaptive Neural Network Control of a Flapping Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle With Disturbance Observer.

PubMed

He, Wei; Yan, Zichen; Sun, Changyin; Chen, Yunan

2017-10-01

The research of this paper works out the attitude and position control of the flapping wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV). Neural network control with full state and output feedback are designed to deal with uncertainties in this complex nonlinear FWMAV dynamic system and enhance the system robustness. Meanwhile, we design disturbance observers which are exerted into the FWMAV system via feedforward loops to counteract the bad influence of disturbances. Then, a Lyapunov function is proposed to prove the closed-loop system stability and the semi-global uniform ultimate boundedness of all state variables. Finally, a series of simulation results indicate that proposed controllers can track desired trajectories well via selecting appropriate control gains. And the designed controllers possess potential applications in FWMAVs.

Verification and Validation of Neural Networks for Aerospace Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackall, Dale; Nelson, Stacy; Schumman, Johann; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The Dryden Flight Research Center V&V working group and NASA Ames Research Center Automated Software Engineering (ASE) group collaborated to prepare this report. The purpose is to describe V&V processes and methods for certification of neural networks for aerospace applications, particularly adaptive flight control systems like Intelligent Flight Control Systems (IFCS) that use neural networks. This report is divided into the following two sections: 1) Overview of Adaptive Systems; and 2) V&V Processes/Methods.

Verification and Validation of Neural Networks for Aerospace Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackall, Dale; Nelson, Stacy; Schumann, Johann

2002-01-01

The Dryden Flight Research Center V&V working group and NASA Ames Research Center Automated Software Engineering (ASE) group collaborated to prepare this report. The purpose is to describe V&V processes and methods for certification of neural networks for aerospace applications, particularly adaptive flight control systems like Intelligent Flight Control Systems (IFCS) that use neural networks. This report is divided into the following two sections: Overview of Adaptive Systems and V&V Processes/Methods.

Database Tool for Master Console Operators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferrell, Sean

2018-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) launch control system for the Orion capsule and Space Launch System, the next generation manned rocket currently in development. This large system requires highly trained and knowledgeable personnel. Master Console Operators (MCO) are currently working on familiarizing themselves with any possible scenario that they may encounter. An intern was recruited to help assist them with creating a tool to use for the process.

A propulsion and steering control system for the Mars rover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, J. M.

1980-01-01

The design of a propulsion and steering control system for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute prototype autonomous Mars roving vehicle is presented. The vehicle is propelled and steered by four independent electric motors. The control system must regulate the speeds of the motors so they work in unison during turns and on irregular terrain. An analysis of the motor coordination problem on irregular terrain, where each motor must supply a different torque at a different speed is presented. A procedure was developed to match the output of each motor to the varying load. A design for the control system is given. The controller uses a microprocessor which interprets speed and steering commands from an off-board computer, and produces the appropriate drive voltages for the motors.

Suppression of chaos via control of energy flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Shengli; Ma, Jun; Alsaedi, Ahmed

2018-03-01

Continuous energy supply is critical and important to support oscillating behaviour; otherwise, the oscillator will die. For nonlinear and chaotic circuits, enough energy supply is also important to keep electric devices working. In this paper, Hamilton energy is calculated for dimensionless dynamical system (e.g., the chaotic Lorenz system) using Helmholtz's theorem. The Hamilton energy is considered as a new variable and then the dynamical system is controlled by using the scheme of energy feedback. It is found that chaos can be suppressed even when intermittent feedback scheme is applied. This scheme is effective to control chaos and to stabilise other dynamical systems.

Eye gaze tracking for endoscopic camera positioning: an application of a hardware/software interface developed to automate Aesop.

PubMed

Ali, S M; Reisner, L A; King, B; Cao, A; Auner, G; Klein, M; Pandya, A K

2008-01-01

A redesigned motion control system for the medical robot Aesop allows automating and programming its movements. An IR eye tracking system has been integrated with this control interface to implement an intelligent, autonomous eye gaze-based laparoscopic positioning system. A laparoscopic camera held by Aesop can be moved based on the data from the eye tracking interface to keep the user's gaze point region at the center of a video feedback monitor. This system setup provides autonomous camera control that works around the surgeon, providing an optimal robotic camera platform.

Asynchronous discrete control of continuous processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaliski, M. E.; Johnson, T. L.

1984-07-01

The research during this second contract year continued to deal with the development of sound theoretical models for asynchronous systems. Two criteria served to shape the research pursued: the first, that the developed models extend and generalize previously developed research for synchronous discrete control; the second, that the models explicitly address the question of how to incorporate system transition times into themselves. The following sections of this report concisely delineate this year's work. Our original proposal for this research identified four general tasks of investigation: (1.1) Analysis of Qualitative Properties of Asynchronous Hybrid Systems; (1.2) Acceptance and Control for Asynchronous Hybrid Systems.

Migration of Older to New Digital Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plant Main Control Rooms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kovesdi, Casey Robert; Joe, Jeffrey Clark

The United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) has the primary mission to advance nuclear power by resolving socio-technical issues through research and development (R&D). One DOE-NE activity supporting this mission is the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program. LWRS has the overall objective to sustain the operation of existing commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs) through conducting R&D across multiple “pathways,” or R&D focus areas. The Advanced Instrumentation, Information, and Control (II&C) Systems Technologies pathway conducts targeted R&D to address aging and reliability concerns with the legacy instrumentation and control (I&C) and related information systemsmore » in operating U.S. NPPs. This work involves (1) ensuring that legacy analog II&C systems are not life-limiting issues for the LWR fleet, and (2) implementing digital II&C technology in a manner that enables broad innovation and business improvement in the NPP operating model. Under the LWRS Advanced II&C pathway, Human Factors experts at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have been conducting R&D in support of NPP main control room (MCR) modernization activities. Work in prior years has focused on migrating analog I&C systems to new digital I&C systems (). In fiscal year 2016 (FY16), one new focus area for this research is migrating older digital I&C systems to new and advanced digital I&C systems. This report summarizes a plan for conducting a digital-to-digital migration of a legacy digital I&C system to a new digital I&C system in support of control room modernization activities.« less