Reconfigurable Mobile Multimedia Systems

This paper discusses reconfigurability issues in lowpower hand-held multimedia systems, with particular emphasis on energy conservation. We claim that a radical new approach has to be taken in order to fulfill the requirements - in terms of processing power and energy consumption - of future mobile applications. A reconfigurable systems-architecture in combination with a QoS driven operating system is introduced that can deal with the inherent dynamics of a mobile system. We present the preliminary results of studies we have done on reconfiguration in hand-held mobile computers: by having reconfigurable media streams, by using reconfigurable processing modules and by migrating functions

On discrete control of nonlinear systems with applications to robotics

Much progress has been reported in the areas of modeling and control of nonlinear dynamic systems in a continuous-time framework. From implementation point of view, however, it is essential to study these nonlinear systems directly in a discrete setting that is amenable for interfacing with digital computers. But to develop discrete models and discrete controllers for a nonlinear system such as robot is a nontrivial task. Robot is also inherently a variable-inertia dynamic system involving additional complications. Not only the computer-oriented models of these systems must satisfy the usual requirements for such models, but these must also be compatible with the inherent capabilities of computers and must preserve the fundamental physical characteristics of continuous-time systems such as the conservation of energy and/or momentum. Preliminary issues regarding discrete systems in general and discrete models of a typical industrial robot that is developed with full consideration of the principle of conservation of energy are presented. Some research on the pertinent tactile information processing is reviewed. Finally, system control methods and how to integrate these issues in order to complete the task of discrete control of a robot manipulator are also reviewed

Examining Employees\u27 Perceptions of Energy Conservation Behaviors in Office Settings

The estimates for potential energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) savings in office buildings are significant. Reports show that energy wasting behavior in office buildings such as computers being left on at night and on weekends result in billions of dollars lost annually and GHG\u27s being emitted needlessly. The estimated potential for energy savings ranges from 20 to 50 percent. Despite the potential for significant energy savings, a review of the literature revealed that there are relatively few studies of energy conservation interventions in office buildings. Most of the research on energy conservation has been done in households. There is agreement in the field of energy conservation that providing behavioral interventions based on evidence and theory could be instrumental in tapping the potential energy savings and GHG reductions in office buildings. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine employee attitudes and perceptions of energy conservation as well as the prevalence of energy conservation behaviors among faculty and staff at a Midwestern University. This study demonstrates the use of two theoretical constructs, Ajzen\u27s Theory of Planned Behavior and Vroom\u27s Expectancy Theory, to examine employee attitudes and perceptions of energy conservation in an office setting in order to recommend HRD interventions designed to reduce energy use and associated GHG emissions. The study revealed a high degree of awareness of issues related to energy consumption as well as positive attitudes toward the environment in general and toward energy conservation specifically. In addition, there is a high degree of endorsement of the University\u27s energy conservation goals. The study demonstrated that energy conservation attitude and endorsement of the University\u27s goal are significantly correlated with energy behavior. The data on energy conservation behaviors revealed opportunities for improvement in specific areas such as turning off computers and monitors at the end of the day. The study also found that faculty and staff differ in three areas: energy issue awareness, perceived behavioral control, and outcome expectancy

California Worksite Education and Training Act: An Economic Strategy That Works

This report describes the progress of the California Worksite Education and Training Act in putting people to work. Since the CWETA legislation was enacted in 1979, training has been authorized for more than 12,000 people who will go to work in jobs in electronics, computers, nursing, the machine trades, energy conservation and other fields

Computer Energy Use: How Does Awareness Impact Behavior?

As universities search for ways to cut costs in a tough economic climate, many are attempting to make their buildings more efficient in order to save energy and reduce expenditures. While implementing efficient technologies is an important first step to reducing consumption, encouraging energy conservation behavior is also a key component. A significant source of energy consumption that can be reduced with behavior change is computer usage. Desktop computers consume an average of 60-500 watts when in active use, whereas in standby energy use drops to 2-6 watts. Translated into kilowatt hours, a computer using 60 watts for one hour will use 60 watt hours or .06kWh. With the current average price at $0.13 per kWh and assuming that most computers are left on for 24 hours a day without utilizing standby mode, the cost can range from$70-$600 per computer per year. With an estimated 10,000 computers on the URI Kingston Campus, energy consumption and energy costs are significant. The objective of this project is to measure the effectiveness of providing a simple educational message to encourage computer users to put their computers in standby mode when not in use. The project will begin by using energy meters to measure baseline energy use in a computer lab. Concurrently, a survey will be conducted to quantify student computer usage and to identify attitudes and awareness of computer energy use issues. Based on survey results, a simple educational message asking students to put their computers in standby mode will be designed for display in the computer lab. The effectiveness of the message as a tool to change student behavior will be assessed by measuring energy use in the lab after the message has been displayed. The results of the study will provide guidance to campus leaders regarding the effectiveness of a low cost educational program to reduce computer energy consumption. The project will help university officials evaluate whether an investment in a more expensive energy management program is warranted to reduce computer energy consumption or if education alone can reduce energy use

EVALUATION OF INDOOR COMFORT AND BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS RESIDENCE AT SAM RATULANGI UNIVERSITY IN MANADO, INDONESIA

There is no information that the student residence of Sam Ratulangi University is especially designed energy-efficient. It is necessary to evaluate the design from the view point of energy conservation associated with the fulfillment of indoor comfort. Through this study, observation, measurements and calculations of comfort, ventilation, heat and lighting were performed to get information if the design follows the Indonesia standards on comfort and energy conservation. Questionnaires to residents were also conducted to obtain compliance response to the comfort standard. Air temperature, wind speed, humidity and lighting were measured, simultaneously with a questionnaire regarding the level of comfort to occupants. Scale of the thermal comfort in the room refers to the ISO-7748. The use of electronic devices such as computers, fan, TV, etc. are also recorded to determine the level of electrical energy consumption. The results generally indicate that there are differences in comfort perception between the level based on references and by the respondents. Overall, the design is not a type of energy efficient building even OTTV of the building envelope is 49.79 W/m2. Energy consumption of the rooms are in range of34 kWh/m2/year to 157 kWh/m2/year.