CSP channels for CAN-bus connected embedded control systems

Closed loop control system typically contains multitude of sensors and actuators operated simultaneously. So they are parallel and distributed in its essence. But when mapping this parallelism to software, lot of obstacles concerning multithreading communication and synchronization issues arise. To overcome this problem, the CT kernel/library based on CSP algebra has been developed. This project (TES.5410) is about developing communication extension to the CT library to make it applicable in distributed systems. Since the library is tailored for control systems, properties and requirements of control systems are taken into special consideration. Applicability of existing middleware solutions is examined. A comparison of applicable fieldbus protocols is done in order to determine most suitable ones and CAN fieldbus is chosen to be first fieldbus used. Brief overview of CSP and existing CSP based libraries is given. Middleware architecture is proposed along with few novel ideas

Detection in distributed sensor networks

This thesis describes detection and communication algorithms for distributed sensor networks.In the first part of the thesis, we investigate a new architecture for distributed binary hypothesis detection by employing a Collision Resolution Algorithm (CRA), where all local sensors share a common channel to communicate with the decision fusion center. This architecture is important in the design of sensor fields, where a large number of distributed sensors share a single "emergency" channel.In the second part of the thesis, we discuss an industrial application of such a distributed detection system, namely, the LonWorks control network. We concentrate on the predictive p-persistent CSMA protocol implemented in the MAC layer of LonWorks protocol, which was proposed by the Echelon Corporation in the 1980s. In order to model this algorithm, we expand the CRA model developed in the first part to analyze variable-length messages. Predictions of the model are compared to an OPNET simulator of LonWorks, and to resultsfrom a physical network.Finally, we propose a direction-of-arrival (DOA) algorithm for sensor networks. It employs an improved polynomial rooting method using unitary transformations.Ph.D., Electrical Engineering -- Drexel University, 200

Design and control of components-based integrated servo pneumatic drives

On-off traditional pneumatic drives are most widely used in industry offering low-cost, simple but flexible mechanical operation and relatively high power to weight ratio. For a period of decade from mid 1980's to 1990's, some initiatives were made to develop servo pneumatic drives for most sophisticated applications, employing purpose-designed control valves for pneumatic drives and low friction cylinders. However, it is found that the high cost and complex installation have discouraged the manufacturer from applying servo pneumatic drives to industrial usage, making them less favourable in comparison to their electric counterpart. This research aims to develop low-cost servo pneumatic drives which are capable of point-to-point positioning tasks, suitable for applications requiring intermediate performance characteristics. In achieving this objective, a strategy that involves the use of traditional on-off valve, simple control algorithm and distributed field-bus control networks has been adopted, namely, the design and control of Components-based Integrated Pneumatic Drives (CIPDs). Firstly, a new pneumatic actuator servo motion control strategy has been developed. With the new motion control strategy, the processes of positioning a payload can be achieved by opening the control valve only once. Hence, lowspeed on-off pneumatic control valves can be employed in keeping the cost low, a key attraction for employing pneumatic drives. The new servo motion control strategy also provides a way of controlling the load motion speed mechanically. Meanwhile, a new PD-based three-state closed-loop control algorithm also has been developed for the new control scheme. This control algorithm provides a way of adapting traditional PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control theories for regulating pneumatic drives. Moreover, a deceleration control strategy has been developed so that both high-speed and accurate positioning control can be realised with low cost pneumatic drives. Secondly, the effects of system parameters on the transient response are studied. In assisting the analysis, a second order model is developed to encapsulate the velocity response characteristics of pneumatic drives to a step input signal. Stability analyses for both open loop and closed-loop control have also been carried out for the CIPDs with the newly developed motion control strategy. Thirdly, a distributed control strategy employing Lon Works has been devised and implemented, offering desirable attributes, high re-configurability, low cost and easy in installation and maintenance, etc to keep with the traditional strength for using pneumatic drives. By applying this technology, the CIPDs become standard components in "real" and "virtual" design environments. A remote service strategy for CIPDs using TCP/IP communication protocol has also been developed. Subsequently a range of experimental verifications has been carried out in the research. The experimental study of high-speed motion control indicates that the deceleration control strategy developed in the research can be an effective method in improving the behaviour of high speed CIPDs. The verification of open loop system behaviour of CIPDs shows that the model derived is largely indicative of the likely behaviour for the system considered, and the steady state velocity can be estimated using the Velocity Gain Kv. The evaluation made on a pneumatically driven pick-and-place machine has also confirmed that the system setup, including wiring, tuning, and system reconfiguration can be achieved in relative ease. This pilot study reveals the potential for employing CIPDs in building highly flexible cost effective manufacturing machines. It can thus be concluded that this research has developed successfully a new dimension and knowledge in both theoretical and practical terms in building low-cost servo pneumatic drives, which are capable of point-to-point positioning through employing traditional on-off pneumatic valves and actuators and through their integration with distributed control technology (LonWorks) by adopting a component-based design paradigm

Implementing Productivity Based Demand Response in Office Buildings Using Building Automation Standards

Demand response is an effective method that can solve known issues in electrical power systems caused by peak power demand and intermittent supply from renewable sources. Office buildings are good candidates for implementing demand response because they usually incorporate building management systems which are able to control and monitor various electrical devices, from lighting to HVAC, security to power management. In order to study the feasibility of using an existing office building management system to implement demand response, a simulator for a typical office building has been built which models the energy consumption characteristics of the building. With the help of this simulator, an Indoor Environment Quality based control algorithm is developed whose aim is to minimise reduction in productivity in an office building during a demand response application. This research revealed two key elements of automatic demand response: lighting loads need to be utilised in every demand response scenario along with HVAC, and the control system needs to be able to operate rapidly because of changing conditions. A multi-agent based demand response control algorithm for lighting is then developed and used to test the suitability of two communication protocols currently widely used in office buildings: KNX and LonWorks. The results show that excessive overload of the communication channel and the lag caused by slow communication speeds using these protocols present serious problems for the implementation of real time agent based communication in office buildings. A solution to these problems is proposed

Web service control of component-based agile manufacturing systems

Current global business competition has resulted in significant challenges for manufacturing and production sectors focused on shorter product lifecyc1es, more diverse and customized products as well as cost pressures from competitors and customers. To remain competitive, manufacturers, particularly in automotive industry, require the next generation of manufacturing paradigms supporting flexible and reconfigurable production systems that allow quick system changeovers for various types of products. In addition, closer integration of shop floor and business systems is required as indicated by the research efforts in investigating "Agile and Collaborative Manufacturing Systems" in supporting the production unit throughout the manufacturing lifecycles. The integration of a business enterprise with its shop-floor and lifecycle supply partners is currently only achieved through complex proprietary solutions due to differences in technology, particularly between automation and business systems. The situation is further complicated by the diverse types of automation control devices employed. Recently, the emerging technology of Service Oriented Architecture's (SOA's) and Web Services (WS) has been demonstrated and proved successful in linking business applications. The adoption of this Web Services approach at the automation level, that would enable a seamless integration of business enterprise and a shop-floor system, is an active research topic within the automotive domain. If successful, reconfigurable automation systems formed by a network of collaborative autonomous and open control platform in distributed, loosely coupled manufacturing environment can be realized through a unifying platform of WS interfaces for devices communication. The adoption of SOA- Web Services on embedded automation devices can be achieved employing Device Profile for Web Services (DPWS) protocols which encapsulate device control functionality as provided services (e.g. device I/O operation, device state notification, device discovery) and business application interfaces into physical control components of machining automation. This novel approach supports the possibility of integrating pervasive enterprise applications through unifying Web Services interfaces and neutral Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message communication between control systems and business applications over standard Ethernet-Local Area Networks (LAN's). In addition, the re-configurability of the automation system is enhanced via the utilisation of Web Services throughout an automated control, build, installation, test, maintenance and reuse system lifecycle via device self-discovery provided by the DPWS protocol...cont'd

A service-oriented approach to embedded component-based manufacturing automation

This thesis is focused on the application of Component-Based (CB) technology to shop oor devices using a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Web Services (WS) for the purpose of realising future generation agile manufacturing systems. The environment of manufacturing enterprises is now characterised by frequently changing market demands, time-to-market pressure, continuously emerging new technologies and global competition. Under these circumstances, manufacturing systems need to be agile and automation systems need to support this agility. More speci cally, an open, exible automation environment with plug and play connectivity is needed. Technically, this requires the easy connectivity of hardware devices and software components from di erent vendors. Functionally, there is a need of interoperability and integration of control functions on di erent hierarchical levels ranging from eld level to various higher level applications such as process control and operations management services. [Continues.

Towards Safer Industrial Serial Networks: An Expert System Framework for Anomaly Detection

Cyber security is a topic of increasing relevance in relation to industrial networks. The higher intensity and intelligent use of data pushed by smart technology (Industry 4.0) together with an augmented integration between the operational technology (production) and the information technology (business) parts of the network have considerably raised the level of vulnerabilities. On the other hand, many industrial facilities still use serial networks as underlying communication system, and they are notoriously limited from a cyber security perspective since protection mechanisms available for TCP/IP communication do not apply. Therefore, an attacker gaining access to a serial network can easily control the industrial components, potentially causing catastrophic incidents, jeopardizing assets and human lives. This study proposes a framework to act as an anomaly detection system (ADS) for industrial serial networks. It has three ingredients: an unsupervised K-means component to analyse message content, a knowledge-based expert system component to analyse message metadata, and a voting process to generate alerts for security incidents, anomalous states, and faults. The framework was evaluated using the Profibus-DP, a network simulator which implements a serial bus system. Results for the simulated traffic were promising: 99.90% for accuracy, 99,64% for precision, and 99.28% for F1-Score. They indicate feasibility of the framework applied to serial-based industrial networks

Performance Evaluation Method Proposal for High Performance ICT Systems and Networks

Abstract: -This paper presents a predicted functional architecture of an emerging application of High Performance Computing and Communication (HPCC