An Algorithm for Automated Printed Circuit Board Layout and Routing Evaluation

An algorithm has been developed to evaluate printed circuit boards that are designed using automated board layout and routing software. The algorithm analyzes aspects of component placement and trace routing while searching for violations of basic EMC design principles. The algorithm is implemented in code designed to work with a widely used board layout and routing program. This code can help novice and experienced circuit board designers to avoid mistakes that may result in serious electromagnetic compatibility problems

Evaluating the layout quality of UML class diagrams using machine learning

UML is the de facto standard notation for graphically representing software. UML diagrams are used in the analysis, construction, and maintenance of software systems. Mostly, UML diagrams capture an abstract view of a (piece of a) software system. A key purpose of UML diagrams is to share knowledge about the system among developers. The quality of the layout of UML diagrams plays a crucial role in their comprehension. In this paper, we present an automated method for evaluating the layout quality of UML class diagrams. We use machine learning based on features extracted from the class diagram images using image processing. Such an automated evaluator has several uses: (1) From an industrial perspective, this tool could be used for automated quality assurance for class diagrams (e.g., as part of a quality monitor integrated into a DevOps toolchain). For example, automated feedback can be generated once a UML diagram is checked in the project repository. (2) In an educational setting, the evaluator can grade the layout aspect of student assignments in courses on software modeling, analysis, and design. (3) In the field of algorithm design for graph layouts, our evaluator can assess the layouts generated by such algorithms. In this way, this evaluator opens up the road for using machine learning to learn good layouting algorithms. Approach.: We use machine learning techniques to build (linear) regression models based on features extracted from the class diagram images using image processing. As ground truth, we use a dataset of 600+ UML Class Diagrams for which experts manually label the quality of the layout. Contributions.: This paper makes the following contributions: (1) We show the feasibility of the automatic evaluation of the layout quality of UML class diagrams. (2) We analyze which features of UML class diagrams are most strongly related to the quality of their layout. (3) We evaluate the performance of our layout evaluator. (4) We offer a dataset of labeled UML class diagrams. In this dataset, we supply for every diagram the following information: (a) a manually established ground truth of the quality of the layout, (b) an automatically established value for the layout-quality of the diagram (produced by our classifier), and (c) the values of key features of the layout of the diagram (obtained by image processing). This dataset can be used for replication of our study and others to build on and improve on this work. Editor\u27s note: Open Science material was validated by the Journal of Systems and Software Open Science Board

Automated channel emulator based on MEMS switch and improvement of signal transition

Channel Emulator, which is widely used in communication system development, is an instrument that emulates the real-world signal propagation environment between transmitter and. [sic] To overcome the disadvantages of traditional channel emulator, we propose a novel structure of the automated channel emulator in Section 1, which can be controlled by software and integrated into auto-testing system. MEMS switch, with good RF performance, is used to connect and isolate multiple channels. In Section 2, we divide the whole channel emulator system into Channel, Support, and Controller Board, and provide detailed design procedures with critical parameters of each board. The well-designed high frequency channel traces are validated by both 2D/3D simulation models and analytical calculations. The automated control logic and driven mechanism are also illustrated by sequence and block diagram. In Section 3, we perform post-simulation after the completion of PCB layout to check the RF performance of the real PCB board. Then manufacture and assemble the whole system of the automated channel emulator. In Section 4, we study the discontinuities in channel path in a systematically approach, including: channel trace turns, connector transient tapering, wire-bonding and solder parasitic effects. Analysis, simulations and measurements are performed to provide improvement solutions of signal transition. Section 5 concludes this thesis work and discuss about the future plan to expand our channel emulator design to differential solution --Abstract, page iii

Perancangan Sistem Kontrol CNC Pengebor PCB Otomatis Berbasis Raspberry PI

Circuit Board (PCB) is a micro-board containing various components electronics used in an automatic circuit. In PCB drilling is usually done human which takes a lot}when the hole in the PCB is getting more and more. And it takes precision when the eye touches the PCB board which gives rise to friction force and can cause drilling. The purpose of this research was the development of tools in the form of automated drills using computers with BCNC software as face-to-face CNC movements. The engine is driven with stepper motor and dc motor as spindle. In this BCNC software the drilling process is done by entering the codes in the form of gcode which can later be read by CNC. The coordinates of the holes in the layout that have been created are obtained by converting the layout into codes called gcode. The process is carried out using PCB designer software. Thoroughness testing on all six axes found an error 1,2% with ten attempts each. PID implementation on DC motor obtained constant value Kp = 54, Ki = 38 and Kd = 0.9. As well as before drilling, the installation of drill bits must be precise so that at the time of spinning, the drill bits do not shake

Printed wiring board system programmer's manual

The printed wiring board system provides automated techniques for the design of printed circuit boards and hybrid circuit boards. The system consists of four programs: (1) the preprocessor program combines user supplied data and pre-defined library data to produce the detailed circuit description data; (2) the placement program assigns circuit components to specific areas of the board in a manner that optimizes the total interconnection length of the circuit; (3) the organizer program assigns pin interconnections to specific board levels and determines the optimal order in which the router program should attempt to layout the paths connecting the pins; and (4) the router program determines the wire paths which are to be used to connect each input pin pair on the circuit board. This document is intended to serve as a programmer's reference manual for the printed wiring board system. A detailed description of the internal logic and flow of the printed wiring board programs is included

Planning The Velocity of a Parallel Hybrid Electric in Vehicle-to-vehicle Autonomous Driving: an Optimization-based Approach

Improved numerical tools are required to foster flexible and effective advancement of innovative electrified and highly automated road vehicles. This paper proposes an optimization-based approach to off-line plan the longitudinal velocity of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) when travelling as Ego vehicle in a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) autonomous driving scenario. A parallel P2 hybrid powertrain layout is retained along with the corresponding on-board supervisory controller. A mathematical formulation for the optimal V2V autonomous driving control problem is provided and consequently solved with an optimization method based on dynamic programming (DP). The implemented DP formulation particularly exploits information about the overall longitudinal speed profile of a Lead vehicle in a predefined driving mission to determine the velocity profile of the Ego vehicle. Optimization constraints involve maintaining the inter-vehicular distance value within allowed limits while aiming at minimizing both the magnitude of Ego vehicle acceleration events and the overall Ego vehicle fuel consumption as predicted according to the on-board hybrid supervisory control logic. Simulation results for different driving missions demonstrate that, using the proposed DP formulation, the Ego vehicle can achieve both smoother speed profiles and improved fuel economy by some percentage points in V2V autonomous driving compared to the retained Lead vehicle embedding the same HEV powertrain layout

DeeZee Manufacturing T1XX Layout Restructure & Standardization

Improve Layout, Material/Process Flow, and Throughput of G.M. Sidestep (Running Board) Assembly Cells. DeeZee Manufacturing is a medium-sized truck accessory and fabrication company located in central Iowa. Established in 1977, DeeZee is committed to building durable, functional, and stylish products with the consumer in mind. The company is always promoting a cleaner tomorrow by using eco-friendly manufacturing processes and lean practices to reduce emissions and energy use. DeeZee is contracted by most of the large car manufacturers such as Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, and Toyota to produce parts for their vehicles. DeeZee has a significant presence in Iowa, with seven large industrial buildings located in central Iowa totaling over one million in combined square feet. These buildings are dedicated to the manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, and shipping of DeeZee products. Our client, DeeZee, was experiencing several problems with their 3 G.M. running board assembly cells. 1. The current layout around the 3 cells did not have designated floor markings for where materials go. 2. DeeZee’s current automated process was producing a large number of defects, thus reducing the Overall Equipment Efficiency (Refer to Appendix). 3. There was little enforcement of the Standard of Work (rules for employees to do their job-specific)

Analytical methods and simulation models to assess innovative operational measures and technologies for rail port terminals: the case of Valencia Principe Felipe terminal

The topic of freight transport by rail is a complex theme and, in recent years, a main issue of European policy. The legislation evolution and the White Paper 2011 have demonstrated the European intention to re-launch this sector. The challenge is to promote the intermodal transport system to the detriment of road freight transport. In this context intermodal freight terminals, play a primary role for the supply chain, they are the connection point between the various transport nodes and the nodal points where the freight are handled, stored and transferred between different modes to final customer. To achieve the purpose, it is strengthen the improvement of existing intermodal freight terminals and the development of innovative intermodal freight terminals towards higher performance (ERRAC, 2012). Many terminal performances improvements have been proposed and sometime experimented. They are normally basing on combinations of operational measures and innovative technologies (e.g. automatic horizontal and parallel storage and handling, automated gate and sensors for tracking systems data exchange) tested in various terminals, with often-contradictory results. The research work described in this paper (developed within the Capacity4Rail EU project) focusses on the assessment of effects that these innovations can have in the intermodal freight terminals combined in various alternative consistent effective scenarios. The methodological framework setup to assess these innovations is basing on a combination of analytical methods based on sequential algorithms and discrete events simulation models. The output of this assessment method are key performance indicators (KPIs) selected according to terminals typologies and related to different aspects (e.g. management, operation and organization). The present paper illustrates the application of the methodological framework, tuned on the operation of various intermodal terminals, for the validation on today operation and the assessment of possible future scenarios to the case study of the Principe Felipe sea-rail terminal in Valencia

Iterative student‐based testing of automated information‐handling exercises

The continuing rapid changes in how information is handled via computers means that training in computer‐based information handling must itself undergo continuous modification. The investigations reported here examine the use of student feedback to improve presentation of hands‐on exercises. Student responses appear to be reasonably consistent across both time and different student backgrounds. For the groups examined here, such factors as age and sex appear to have little effect on responses. The only significant factor is duration and extent of prior computer experience. Problems in hands‐on exercises noted by the students therefore tend to have a continuing applicability, which suggests the value of iterative feedback in the provision of such exercises