Determination Of Parameter Regions For Diagonal Dominance And Stability Of Mimo Systems

Tez (Doktora) -- İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, 2017Thesis (Ph.D.) -- İstanbul Technical University, Institute of Science and Technology, 2017Endüstride karşılaşılan sistemlerin birçoğu birden fazla giriş ve çıkış değişkenine sahiptir. Bu tarz sistemler SISO sistemlerle karşılaştırıldıklarında, birçok farklı yapısal özellikleri göze çarpmaktadır. Örneğin, en genel durumda herhangi bir çıkış tüm girişlerden az veya çok etkilenir. Diğer taraftan, kontrolör türleri açısından bakıldığında ise araştırmacılar genel olarak "merkezi" ve "merkezi olmayan" olmak üzere iki farklı kontrol yapısına odaklanmışlardır. Ancak, ayarlanacak parametre sayısının azlığı, dayanıklılık ve operatör açısından kullanım kolaylığı gibi nedenlerle merkezi olmayan kontrol yapılarının uygulamalarda daha sık tercih edildiği ileri sürülebilir. Farklı giriş çıkış çiftleri arasındaki etkileşimlerin önemli boyutlara ulaştığı durumlarda ise bu tür kontrolörlerin performansı ve etkinliği genel olarak azalır. Yukarıda bahsedilen nedenlerden dolayı MIMO sistemlerde etkileşimlerin azaltılması özellikle merkezi olmayan kontrolör tasarımı açısından büyük bir önem arz etmektedir. MIMO sistemlerde etkileşimleri azaltmak amacıyla kullanılabilecek yöntemlerden bir tanesi de tam köşegenleştirme ile karşılaştırıldığında daha zayıf bir koşulun sağlanmasını gerektiren köşegen baskınlık kavramıdır. Köşegen baskın sistemlerde bir giriş değişkeni özel bir çıkış değişkeni ile diğer çıkışlara oranla çok daha fazla ilişkilidir. Bu nedenle, bu tezin en temel hedeflerinden bir tanesi MIMO sistemlerde köşegen baskınlık koşullarını sağlayan kontrolör parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesidir. Buna ek olarak, en genel durumda köşegen baskınlık kararlılığı gerektirmediğinden çok değişkenli sistemleri kararlı kılan kontrolör parametrelerinin belirlenmesi de yine bu tez kapsamında amaçlanan temel hedeflerden bir diğeridir. Sonuç olarak, merkezi olmayan kontrolör tasarımına ön adım oluşturacak şekilde hem köşegen baskınlık hem de kararlılık koşullarının sağlandığı kontrolör parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesi hedeflenmektedir. Literatürde köşegen baskınlık kavramının önemi özellikle Rosenbrock'un 1970'lerin başındaki çalışmalarından sonra artmıştır. Ancak süreç içerisinde araştırmacıların büyük bir çoğunluğu köşegen baskınlık ile ilgili olarak belirli bir ölçütü en iyileyen kontrolör parametre çiftlerinin belirlenmesine yönelmiştir. Bu durum ise bir sonraki tasarım adımında kısıtlamalara neden olabilmektedir. Buna ek olarak, parametre belirsizliği durumunda köşegen baskınlığın korunup korunmadığı ve/veya belirlenen parametre çiftinin köşegen baskınlık sınırlarına ne kadar yakın olduğu genel olarak detaylı bir şekilde araştırılmamıştır. Bu tez kapsamında köşegen baskınlık üzerindeki gerek ve yeter koşulların belirlenmesi hedeflendiğinden, özel olarak TITO sistemler ve köşegen yapıdaki kontrolör durumu detaylı olarak ele alınmıştır. Bu tarz sistemleri, verilen sabit bir frekans değerinde köşegen baskın kılan kontrolör parametreleri üzerindeki gerek ve yeter koşullar belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar sonlu sayıdaki frekans noktası için de geçerlidir ve pratik açıdan bakıldığında verilen bir frekans aralığına da genişletilebilir durumdadır. Buna ek olarak, daha iyi baskınlık oranı sağlayan parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesine yönelik olarak orjinal köşegen baskınlık tanımına ağırlık faktörleri eklenmiş ve bu durum için gerek ve yeter koşullar belirlenmiştir. Son olarak da statik köşegen kontrolör durumunda sütun köşegen baskınlığı için kontrolör parametre bölgelerinin yapısını değiştiren kritik frekans değerleri belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçların köşegen baskınlık açısından etkinlikleri, örnek sistemler ve farklı kontrolörler üzerinden, Gershgorin Diskleri ve köşegen baskınlık çizimleri kullanılarak gösterilmiştir. MIMO sistemleri kapalı çevrimde kararlı kılan kontrolör parametrelere bölgelerinin belirlenmesi için ise Lyapunov eşitliği temelli bir yöntem ileri sürülmüştür. Bu yöntem sayesinde frekans tabanlı yöntemlerde karşılaşılan tekil frekansların hesaplanması ve/veya frekans taraması gibi adımlara olan ihtiyaç ortadan kaldırılmıştır. Temel Lyapunov yaklaşımı açısından bakıldığında LTI sistemler için Lyapunov matrisi olan P(k)'nın pozitif tanımlılığı gerek ve yeter koşuldur. Ancak, Lyapunov matrisi P(k)'nın pozitif tanımlılığı en genel durumda 2n adet parametrik eşitliğin çözümünü gerektirir. Yapılan analizle bu sayı önce n+1'e indirilmiştir. Ardından, Lyapunov matris eşitliği Kronecker çarpımları ve vektörizasyon operatörü kullanılarak standart forma indirgenmiş ve tanımlanan yeni M(k) matrisinin determinantının tartışılan sistem için bir kararlılık sınırı oluşturduğu sistem matrisi A(k), Lyapunov matrisi P(k) ve Kronecker çarpımları üzerinden tanımlanan M(k)'nin birbirleriyle olan ilişkileri üzerinden gösterilmiştir. Dolayısıyla M(k) matrisinin determinantını sıfır ve sonsuz yapan kontrolör parametrelerinin ilgili sistemin kararlılık sınırını oluşturduğu belirlenmiştir. Diğer bir deyişle, kararlılık sınırlarının belirlenmesi en fazla iki adet parametrik ifadenin çözümüne indirgenmiştir. Lyapunov formulasyonunda kullanılan P(k) ve Q matrislerinin simetrikliğinden kaynaklanan M(k) matrisinin determinantınındaki tekrarlanan özdeğerler ise eleminasyon ve duplikasyon matrisleri kullanılarak uygulanan dönüşümler yardımıyla ortadan kaldırılmıştır. Önerilen yöntemin literatürde var olan PSA gibi yöntemlerle ilişkisi ise sonlu ve sonsuz kök sınırları üzerinden gösterilmiştir. Kararlı kılan kontrolör parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesinde Lyapunov temelli bir yaklaşım kullanıldığından öne sürülen yöntem sadece MIMO sistemlerde değil Lyapunov formülasyonunun kurulabildiği çok geniş bir sistem sınıfına ve alt problemlere de uygulanabilir durumdadır. Bu durumu gösterebilmek amacıyla ilk olarak MIMO sistemlerde kontolör entegrasyonu problemi ele alınmıştır. MIMO kontrolörlerde meydana gelebilecek olası hataları göz önünde bulundururak olası hata durumlarında dahi sistemin kararlılığını garanti etmeyi amaçlayan bu probleme bir çözüm önerisi sunulmuştur. Önerilen yöntemin etkinliği literatürde var olan yaklaşımlar üzerinden karşılaştırmalı olarak gösterilmiştir. Buna ek olarak, yine önerilen Lyapunov eşitliği temelli yöntemin olası diğer kullanım alanlarını vurgulamak amacıyla ayrık zamanlı sistemlerin kararlılığı ayrıntılı olarak tartışılmıştır. Bu durumda önerilen yaklaşımın nasıl değiştiği vurgulanmıştır. Lyapunov temelli yaklaşım ile kararlılık sınırlarının analitik ifadelerinin belirlenmesi de mümkündür. Bu durum da özellikle optimizasyon temelli tasarım yöntemlerinde farklı kullanım alanları açmaktadır. Bu kapsamda dayanıklı MPC problemi detaylı olarak ele alınmıştır. Lyapunov yöntemi kullanılarak belirlenen analitik kararlılık sınırları dayanıklı MPC problem formülasyonunda kullanılarak ele alınan problem nominal MPC problemine dönüştürülmüştür. Önerilen yöntemin etkinliği literatürde sıklıkla kullanılan bir sistem üzerinden de gösterilmiştir. Tam köşegenleştirme ile karşılaştırıldığında, köşegen baskınlık daha zayıf bir koşul olarak ortaya çıkar. Bu nedenle, parametre belirsizlikleri durumunda dahi bu koşulu sağlayan kontrolör parametrelerini belirlemek mümkün hale gelir. Bu tez kapsamında, TFM elemanlarının aralık tipi parametre belirsizliği içerdiği TITO sistemler detaylı olarak tartışılmıştır. Bu tür sistemleri parametre belirsizlikleri durumunda dahi köşegen baskın kılan statik köşegen kontrolörlerin belirlenmesi hedeflenmiştir. Bu hedef doğrultusunda üçgen eşitsizliği ve tarama yöntemlerine dayanan iki farklı konservatif yöntem önerilmiştir. Bu yaklaşımlar kullanılarak tartışılan problem ilk aşamada nominal sistemin ağırlıklandırılmış baskınlık problemine dönüştürülmüştür. Sonrasında da önceki bölümlerde elde edilen sonuçlar kullanılarak sonuca gidilmiştir. Son olarak da belirsiz parametre içeren çok değişkenli sistemlerin kararlılığı tartışılmıştır. Bu aşamada belirsiz parametreler için literatürde kullanılan iki farklı varsayıma yer verilmiştir. İlk varsayımda belirsiz parametreler üzerinde herhangi bir kısıtlama yoktur ve sistemi kararlı kılan tüm belirsiz parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesi hedeflenmektedir. Bu durumda önerilen Lyapunov temelli yöntem direkt olarak uygulanabilir durumdadır. Bu yöntemin aksine literatürde var olan bir çok yöntemde ise belirsiz parametre sayısı ve türü üzerinde bir takım varsayımlarda bulunularak sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Bu tez kapsamında önerilen yöntemin doğruluğu literatürde var olan farklı örnek durumlar üzerinden gösterilmiştir. Diğer taraftan, bazı durumlarda belirsiz sistem parametrelerinin alabileceği minimum ve maksimum değerler belirlidir. İlgili parametrenin bilinen bu değerler arasında bir değer aldığı tüm durumlarda polinom ailesinin kararlı kalıp kalmadığının belirlenmesi hedeflenir. SISO sistemler için bazı özel durumlarda sonlu sayıda polinomun kararlı olmasının tüm polinom ailesinin kararlığını garanti ettiği gösterilmiştir. MIMO sistemlerde ise en basit durumlarda bile kontrolör parametrelerinin ve TFM'yi oluşturan transfer fonksiyonlarının çarpımları karakteristik polinomda görünmektedir. %SISO sistemlerle karşılaştırıldığında bu tarz durumlarda dayanıklı kararlılığı sağlayan kontrolör parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesi görece daha zordur. Tartışılan bu problemde karakteristik polinom, hem alt ve üst sınırları bilinen belirsiz parametreleri hem de serbest kontrolör parametrelerini içermektedir. Bu tez kapsamında yukarı yakınsama yaklaşımından da yararlanılarak, Kharitonov Teoremi ve önerilen Lyapunov eşitliği temelli yaklaşımla bu tarz sistemleri dayanıklı kararlı kılan kontrolör parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesine yönelik bir yöntem önerilmiştir. Önerilen bu yöntem Kharitonov Teoremi de kullanıldığından hesaplama yükünü önemli oranda azaltmaktadır ancak değişmez kontrolör parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesinde ek analiz adımlarını da beraberinde getirmektedir. Özetle, bu tez kapsamında nominal ve parametre belirsiz MIMO sistemeleri hem köşegen baskın kılan hem de kararlı yapan köşegen tipteki kontrolörlerin parametre bölgelerinin belirlenmesi hedeflenmiştir. Köşegen baskınlık açısından bakıldığında gerek ve yeter koşulların belirlenmesi hedeflendiğinden TITO sistemler üzerinden sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Diğer taraftan kararlı kılan kontrolör parametrelerinin belirlenmesinde ise herhangi bir sistem veya kontrolör kısıtı bulunmamaktadır.Most of the industrial plants include more than one input and output variable. Compared to Single Input Single Output (SISO) systems, such systems include different structural properties. For instance, an output variable is effected by all input variables in general. On the other hand, in terms of controller structures, researchers have focused on two main approaches for such systems, which are "centralized" and "decentralized" controllers. However, it can be proposed that decentralized controllers are preferred more in practice due to various reasons like less number of tuning parameter, possibility to apply single loop controller design methods, ease of use for operators etc. Whereas, in general, performance and efficiency of such controllers reduce when there are significant interactions between different input-output pairs in a Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) system. Reducing the interactions between different input-output pairs in MIMO systems is crucial in terms of decentralized controller design due to the previously mentioned reasons. Diagonal dominance which is a weaker condition compared to decoupling, is one of the approaches that can be used to reduce interactions in MIMO systems. One input variable is strongly related with one specific output variable in diagonal dominant systems. One of the main aims of this thesis is to determine controller parameter regions that achieve diagonal dominance conditions. Additionally, it is also aimed to determine stabilizing parameter spaces, since diagonal dominance does not indicate stability in general. As a result, controller parameter regions that achieve both diagonal dominance and stability conditions in closed loop are determined in this thesis as the first step of decentralized controller design. In literature, the diagonal dominance concept has gained attraction since the pioneering studies of Rosenbrock in early 1970s. However, in the meantime most of the researchers focused on determining a specific controller parameter pair that optimizes a predetermined condition. Such a case may restrict the designer in the next steps of the design process. Additionally, the number of studies are limited that investigates the diagonal dominance characteristics of the determined controller parameters in case uncertainties or checks how the system is close to the diagonal dominance boundaries. Two Input Two Output (TITO) systems are special subset of MIMO systems since in practice many MIMO systems can be treated as several TITO subsystems as proposed in literature. In terms of diagonal dominance, particularly, TITO systems and diagonal type controllers are discussed in detail, since it is aimed to determine necessary and sufficient conditions on diagonal dominance in terms of controller parameters. For such systems, exact conditions on the controller parameters in terms of both column and row diagonal dominance are derived at a given fixed frequency. Derived results are also valid for finite number of frequencies and practically applicable for a given frequency range. Moreover, weighting factors are added to the original definition of diagonal dominance in order to derive controller parameter regions that achieve better diagonal dominance ratios. Necessary and sufficient conditions on diagonal type controllers are also derived for the weighted diagonal dominance problem. Lastly, critical frequencies that may possibly change the interval characteristics of static diagonal controllers for the column diagonal dominance are derived. Effectiveness of the derived results in terms of diagonal dominance are demonstrated over several case studies using Gershgorin Disc plots and diagonal dominance ratio plots. On the other hand, a Lyapunov equation based stability mapping approach is proposed within the scope of this thesis to derive stabilizing controller parameter spaces of a given MIMO system. In the present approach, it is not necessary to calculate singular frequencies or apply frequency sweeping that most of the frequency based approaches require. From the Lyapunov point of view, positive definiteness of the Lyapunov matrix P(k) is necessary and sufficient for LTI systems. However, considering the numerators and denominators of the leading principal minors it is required to solve 2n parametric equation in order to determine positive definiteness of P(k). This number is reduced to n+1 at the first step. After that, Lyapunov matrix equation is reduced to the standard set of equation representation using the Kronecker products and vectorization operator. At this point, a new matrix M(k) is defined over the Kronecker products and it is shown that determinant of M(k) is the product of binary combinations of A(k). Using the relations between the system matrix A(k), Lyapunov matrix P(k) and M(k), it is shown that it is sufficient to solve at most 2 parametric equations which are |M(k)|=0 and |M(k)|->infinity. Determinant of M(k) includes redundant multiplications of binary combinations of eigenvalue pairs of A(k) due to the matrices P(k) and Q that are used in Lyapunov formulation are symmetric. In order to eliminate the redundant multiplications and reduce the computational complexity, elimination and duplication matrices are introduced as transformation matrices. In addition to MIMO systems, the proposed stability mapping approach is applicable to a broad range of systems, further system classes and sub problems where Lyapunov formulation is possible. In order to demonstrate these properties of the proposed approach, firstly, controller integrity problem of MIMO systems is discussed in detail. An approach is proposed to determine stabilizing controller parameter regions even in case of possible failures related with controller parameters. A benchmark case study is included and effectiveness of the proposed approach is shown over a comparative study with a currently existing approach. Additionally, discrete time systems is also discussed in detail to demonstrate the further application areas of the proposed Lyapunov equation based stability mapping approach. In this case, the structure of the Lyapunov equation varies slightly compared to the continuous time case. Another benefit of the proposed Lyapunov equation based approach is the opportunity to determine analytical expressions of stability boundaries. So that, it becomes possible to use Lyapunov equation based stability mapping approach in optimization based approaches by inserting the stability boundaries as constraints on such approaches. This case is also addressed through the robust Model Predictive Control (MPC) problem. Analytical stability boundaries which is derived in the off-line phase using the proposed stability mapping approach is inserted to the robust MPC problem formulation to achieve stability. In this way, robust MPC problem is transformed into the nominal MPC problem. The effectiveness of the proposed method is also demonstrated through a benchmark system that is frequently used in the literature. Diagonal dominance proposes weaker conditions compared to decoupling. As a result, it becomes possible to determine controller parameter regions that achieve diagonal dominance in case of parametric uncertainties. Within the scope of this thesis, two conservative approaches which are based on triangular inequality and griding are proposed for the systems that include interval type uncertainties in Transfer Function Matrix (TFM) elements. Using these approaches diagonal dominance problem of a parametric uncertain system is transferred to the weighted diagonal dominance problem of the nominal plant. After that, previously derived results are used to determine static diagonal controller parameter regions. Lastly, stability of parameter uncertain multivariable systems is discussed in order to determine robustly stabilizing parameter spaces. There are two main assumptions on uncertain parameters in literature. In the first assumption, there is no restriction on uncertain parameters and it is aimed to determine all uncertain parameter spaces that preserve stability of the closed loop system. In this case, proposed Lyapunov equation based stability mapping approach is directly applicable. Contrary to this approach, many methods that is currently available in the literature include the results obtained by making some assumptions on the number and the type of uncertain parameters. The validity of the Lyapunov equation based method has been demonstrated through different benchmark case studies. On the other hand, in some cases, it is assumed that upper and lower bounds of uncertain parameters are known. It is aimed to determine whether the whole polynomial family is stable in all cases where the uncertain parameters take any value between these known intervals. In some special cases, it was shown in literature that stability of finite number fixed polynomials guarantee the stability of whole uncertain polynomial family in case of SISO systems. However, the characteristic polynomial of MIMO systems includes the multiplication of free controller parameters and individual transfer functions even in the simplest cases. As a result, it can be proposed that compared to SISO systems, it is more difficult to determine the controller parameter areas that provide robust stability in such systems. In the discussed problem characteristic equation includes both uncertain parameters that have known upper and lower bounds and free controller parameters. In this thesis, an approach is presented to determine robustly stabilizing parameter spaces using the Kharitonov Theorem in accordance with the Lyapunov method by applying overbounding method on characteristic polynomial coefficients. The proposed method reduces the computational complexity significantly, since Kharitonov Theorem is used. However, it must also be noted that calculation of invariant controller parameter sub regions in terms of overbounding also introduces additional analysis steps. As a conclusion, in this thesis, it is mainly focused on determining controller parameter regions of the diagonal type controllers that make both nominal and parametric MIMO systems diagonal dominant and stable. The results are derived through TITO systems from the standpoint of diagonal dominance, since it is aimed to determine the necessary and sufficient conditions. On the other hand, there is no restriction on the system and controller type for the proposed stability mapping approach.DoktoraPh.D

Loop Interaction Analysis and Control Structure Selection: Application to a Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit

A simulation approach for the assessment of variables interaction and consequent control structure selection of a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) is presented in this paper. The simulator which was implemented in Matlab draws from an earlier mathematical model of the FCCU, was used as a virtual FCCU for studying the dynamic response of the riser temperature (Trx), the regenerator temperature (Trg) and the regenerator flue gas oxygen concentration (Od) to step changes in air flow rate (Fa), regenerated catalyst flow rate (Frc), gas oil feed rate (Fgr). The results show strong interaction in FCCU variables, with Fa affecting Trg and Od; Frc affecting Trx, Trg and Od; Fgr affecting Trx, Trg and Od. A linearised state-space model based on the first-principle model was deduced and transformed to a 3x3 input-output model. Three channel interaction measures: Relative Gain Array (RGA), Effective Relative Gain Array (ERGA) and the Normalized Relative Gain Array (RNGA) were applied to the selection of FCCU control structure. All the measures point to a diagonal scheme with the following pairings: (Trx/Fgr), (Trg/Fa) and (Od/Frc) ,for the decentralized control of the riser temperature, the regenerator temperature and the flue gas oxygen concentration respectively. The suggested control structure offers a high promise of stability, with a Niederlinski index (NI) of 101.79. DOI: 10.7176/CTI/8-0

Instrumentation, model identification and control of an experimental irrigation canal

This thesis aims to develop control algorithms for irrigation canals in an experimental framework.These water transport systems are difficult to manage and present low efficiencies in practice. As a result, an important percentage of water is lost, maintenance costs increase and water users follow a rigid irrigation schedule.All these problems can be reduced by automating the operation of irrigation canals.In order to fulfil the objectives, a laboratory canal, called Canal PAC-UPC, was equipped and instrumented in parallel with the development of this thesis. In general, the methods and solutions proposed herein were extensively tested in this canal.In a broader context, three main contributions in different irrigation canal control areas are presented.Focusing on gate-discharge measurements, many submerged-discharge calculation methods are tested and compared using Canal PAC-UPC measurement data. It has been found that most of them present errors around ±10%, but there are notable exceptions. Specifically, using classical formulas with a constant 0.611 contraction value give very good results (errorWith respect to irrigation canal modeling, a detailed procedure to obtain data-driven linear irrigation canal models is successfully developed. These models do not use physical parameters of the system, but are constructed from measurement data. In this case, these models are thought to be used in irrigation canal control issues like controller tuning, internal controller model in predictive controllers or simply as fast and simple simulation platforms. Much effort is employed in obtaining an adequate model structure from the linearized Saint-Venant equations, yielding to a mathematical procedure that verifies the existence of an integrator pole in any type of canal working under any hydraulic condition. Time-domain and frequency-domain results demonstrate the accuracy of the resulting models approximating a canal working around a particular operation condition both in simulation and experiment.Regarding to irrigation canal control, two research lines are exploited. First, a new water level control scheme is proposed as an alternative between decentralized and centralized control. It is called Semi-decentralized scheme and aims to resemble the centralized control performance while maintaining an almost decentralized structure. Second, different water level control schemes based on PI control and Predictive control are studied and compared. The simulation and laboratory results show that the response and performance of this new strategy against offtake discharge changes, are almost identical to the ones of the centralized control, outperforming the other tested schemes based on PI control and on Predictive control. In addition, it is verified that schemes based on Predictive control with good controller models can counteract offtake discharge variations with less level deviations and in almost half the time than PI-based schemes.In addition to these three main contributions, many other smaller developments, minor results and practical recommendations for irrigation canal automation are presented throughout this thesis

The estimation and compensation of processes with time delays

The estimation and compensation of processes with time delays have been of interest to academics and practitioners for several decades. A full review of the literature for both model parameter and time delay estimation is presented. Gradient methods of parameter estimation, in open loop, in the time and frequency domains are subsequently considered in detail. Firstly, an algorithm is developed, using an appropriate gradient algorithm, for the estimation of all the parameters of an appropriate process model with time delay, in open loop, in the time domain. The convergence of the model parameters to the process parameters is considered analytically and in simulation. The estimation of the process parameters in the frequency domain is also addressed, with analytical procedures being defined to provide initial estimates of the model parameters, and a gradient algorithm being used to refine these estimates to attain the global minimum of the cost function that is optimised. The focus of the thesis is subsequently broadened with the consideration of compensation methods for processes with time delays. These methods are reviewed in a comprehensive manner, and the design of a modified Smith predictor, which facilitates a better regulator response than does the Smith predictor, is considered in detail. Gradient algorithms are subsequently developed for the estimation of process parameters (including time delay) in closed loop, in the Smith predictor and modified Smith predictor structures, in the time domain; the convergence of the model parameters to the process parameters is considered analytically and in simulation. The thesis concludes with an overview of the methods developed, and projections regarding future developments in the topics under consideration

The Deep Space Network

The objectives, functions, and organization, of the Deep Space Network are summarized. Deep Space stations, ground communications, and network operations control capabilities are described. The network is designed for two-way communications with unmanned spacecraft traveling approximately 1600 km from earth to the farthest planets in the solar system. It has provided tracking and data acquisition support for the following projects: Ranger, Surveyor, Mariner, Pioneer, Apollo, Helios, Viking, and the Lunar Orbiter

The deep space network

A Deep Space Network progress report is presented dealing with in flight project support, tracking and data acquisition research and technology, network engineering, hardware and software implementation, and operations

A Practical Investigation into Achieving Bio-Plausibility in Evo-Devo Neural Microcircuits Feasible in an FPGA

Many researchers has conjectured, argued, or in some cases demonstrated, that bio-plausibility can bring about emergent properties such as adaptability, scalability, fault-tolerance, self-repair, reliability, and autonomy to bio-inspired intelligent systems. Evolutionary-developmental (evo-devo) spiking neural networks are a very bio-plausible mixture of such bio-inspired intelligent systems that have been proposed and studied by a few researchers. However, the general trend is that the complexity and thus the computational cost grow with the bio-plausibility of the system. FPGAs (Field- Programmable Gate Arrays) have been used and proved to be one of the flexible and cost efficient hardware platforms for research' and development of such evo-devo systems. However, mapping a bio-plausible evo-devo spiking neural network to an FPGA is a daunting task full of different constraints and trade-offs that makes it, if not infeasible, very challenging. This thesis explores the challenges, trade-offs, constraints, practical issues, and some possible approaches in achieving bio-plausibility in creating evolutionary developmental spiking neural microcircuits in an FPGA through a practical investigation along with a series of case studies. In this study, the system performance, cost, reliability, scalability, availability, and design and testing time and complexity are defined as measures for feasibility of a system and structural accuracy and consistency with the current knowledge in biology as measures for bio-plausibility. Investigation of the challenges starts with the hardware platform selection and then neuron, cortex, and evo-devo models and integration of these models into a whole bio-inspired intelligent system are examined one by one. For further practical investigation, a new PLAQIF Digital Neuron model, a novel Cortex model, and a new multicellular LGRN evo-devo model are designed, implemented and tested as case studies. Results and their implications for the researchers, designers of such systems, and FPGA manufacturers are discussed and concluded in form of general trends, trade-offs, suggestions, and recommendations

Book of abstracts of the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference: CHEMPOR 2008

This book contains the extended abstracts presented at the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference - CHEMPOR 2008, held in Braga, Portugal, over 3 days, from the 4th to the 6th of September, 2008. Previous editions took place in Lisboa (1975, 1889, 1998), Braga (1978), Póvoa de Varzim (1981), Coimbra (1985, 2005), Porto (1993), and Aveiro (2001). The conference was jointly organized by the University of Minho, “Ordem dos Engenheiros”, and the IBB - Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering with the usual support of the “Sociedade Portuguesa de Química” and, by the first time, of the “Sociedade Portuguesa de Biotecnologia”. Thirty years elapsed since CHEMPOR was held at the University of Minho, organized by T.R. Bott, D. Allen, A. Bridgwater, J.J.B. Romero, L.J.S. Soares and J.D.R.S. Pinheiro. We are fortunate to have Profs. Bott, Soares and Pinheiro in the Honor Committee of this 10th edition, under the high Patronage of his Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic, Prof. Aníbal Cavaco Silva. The opening ceremony will confer Prof. Bott with a “Long Term Achievement” award acknowledging the important contribution Prof. Bott brought along more than 30 years to the development of the Chemical Engineering science, to the launch of CHEMPOR series and specially to the University of Minho. Prof. Bott’s inaugural lecture will address the importance of effective energy management in processing operations, particularly in the effectiveness of heat recovery and the associated reduction in greenhouse gas emission from combustion processes. The CHEMPOR series traditionally brings together both young and established researchers and end users to discuss recent developments in different areas of Chemical Engineering. The scope of this edition is broadening out by including the Biological Engineering research. One of the major core areas of the conference program is life quality, due to the importance that Chemical and Biological Engineering plays in this area. “Integration of Life Sciences & Engineering” and “Sustainable Process-Product Development through Green Chemistry” are two of the leading themes with papers addressing such important issues. This is complemented with additional leading themes including “Advancing the Chemical and Biological Engineering Fundamentals”, “Multi-Scale and/or Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Process-Product Innovation”, “Systematic Methods and Tools for Managing the Complexity”, and “Educating Chemical and Biological Engineers for Coming Challenges” which define the extended abstracts arrangements along this book. A total of 516 extended abstracts are included in the book, consisting of 7 invited lecturers, 15 keynote, 105 short oral presentations given in 5 parallel sessions, along with 6 slots for viewing 389 poster presentations. Full papers are jointly included in the companion Proceedings in CD-ROM. All papers have been reviewed and we are grateful to the members of scientific and organizing committees for their evaluations. It was an intensive task since 610 submitted abstracts from 45 countries were received. It has been an honor for us to contribute to setting up CHEMPOR 2008 during almost two years. We wish to thank the authors who have contributed to yield a high scientific standard to the program. We are thankful to the sponsors who have contributed decisively to this event. We also extend our gratefulness to all those who, through their dedicated efforts, have assisted us in this task. On behalf of the Scientific and Organizing Committees we wish you that together with an interesting reading, the scientific program and the social moments organized will be memorable for all.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Astronautics and aeronautics, 1971: Chronology on science, technology, and policy

A comprehensive chronological reference of world wide aerospace events is presented. Policy statements, comments on the impact of technology, social concern, and biographical notes are included

Energy: A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 32

This bibliography lists 1316 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system from October 1, 1981 through December 31, 1981