Modular PEM Fuel Cell SCADA & Simulator System

The paper presents a Supervision, Control, Data Acquisition and Simulation (SCADA & Simulator) system that allows for real-time training in the actual operation of a modular PEM fuel cell system. This SCADA & Simulator system consists of a free software tool that operates in real time and simulates real situations like failures and breakdowns in the system. This developed SCADA & Simulator system allows us to properly operate a fuel cell and helps us to understand how fuel cells operate and what devices are needed to configure and run the fuel cells, from the individual stack up to the whole fuel cell system. The SCADA & Simulator system governs a modular system integrated by three PEM fuel cells achieving power rates higher than tens of kilowatts

Offline GA-based optimisation for heterogeneous modular multi-configurable chained micro-robots

This paper presents a GA-based optimization procedure for bioinspired heterogeneous modular multiconfigurable chained microrobots. When constructing heterogeneous chained modular robots that are composed of several different drive modules, one must select the type and position of the modules that form the chain. One must also develop new locomotion gaits that combine the different drive modules. These are two new features of heterogeneous modular robots that they do not share with homogeneous modular robots. This paper presents an offline control system that allows the development of new configuration schemes and locomotion gaits for these heterogeneous modular multiconfigurable chained microrobots. The offline control system is based on a simulator that is specifically designed for chained modular robots and allows them to develop and learn new locomotion patterns.This work has been supported by the CAM Project S2009/DPI-1559/ROBOCITY2030 II, developed by the research team RoboticsLab at the University Carlos III of Madrid

Distributed Engine Control Empirical/Analytical Verification Tools

NASA's vision for an intelligent engine will be realized with the development of a truly distributed control system featuring highly reliable, modular, and dependable components capable of both surviving the harsh engine operating environment and decentralized functionality. A set of control system verification tools was developed and applied to a C-MAPSS40K engine model, and metrics were established to assess the stability and performance of these control systems on the same platform. A software tool was developed that allows designers to assemble easily a distributed control system in software and immediately assess the overall impacts of the system on the target (simulated) platform, allowing control system designers to converge rapidly on acceptable architectures with consideration to all required hardware elements. The software developed in this program will be installed on a distributed hardware-in-the-loop (DHIL) simulation tool to assist NASA and the Distributed Engine Control Working Group (DECWG) in integrating DCS (distributed engine control systems) components onto existing and next-generation engines.The distributed engine control simulator blockset for MATLAB/Simulink and hardware simulator provides the capability to simulate virtual subcomponents, as well as swap actual subcomponents for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) analysis. Subcomponents can be the communication network, smart sensor or actuator nodes, or a centralized control system. The distributed engine control blockset for MATLAB/Simulink is a software development tool. The software includes an engine simulation, a communication network simulation, control algorithms, and analysis algorithms set up in a modular environment for rapid simulation of different network architectures; the hardware consists of an embedded device running parts of the CMAPSS engine simulator and controlled through Simulink. The distributed engine control simulation, evaluation, and analysis technology provides unique capabilities to study the effects of a given change to the control system in the context of the distributed paradigm. The simulation tool can support treatment of all components within the control system, both virtual and real; these include communication data network, smart sensor and actuator nodes, centralized control system (FADEC full authority digital engine control), and the aircraft engine itself. The DECsim tool can allow simulation-based prototyping of control laws, control architectures, and decentralization strategies before hardware is integrated into the system. With the configuration specified, the simulator allows a variety of key factors to be systematically assessed. Such factors include control system performance, reliability, weight, and bandwidth utilization

AltURI: a thin middleware for simulated robot vision applications

Fast software performance is often the focus when developing real-time vision-based control applications for robot simulators. In this paper we have developed a thin, high performance middleware for USARSim and other simulators designed for real-time vision-based control applications. It includes a fast image server providing images in OpenCV, Matlab or web formats and a simple command/sensor processor. The interface has been tested in USARSim with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle using two control applications; landing using a reinforcement learning algorithm and altitude control using elementary motion detection. The middleware has been found to be fast enough to control the flying robot as well as very easy to set up and use

Enhancing Clinical Learning Through an Innovative Instructor Application for ECMO Patient Simulators

© 2018 The Authors. Reprinted by permission of SAGE PublicationsBackground. Simulation-based learning (SBL) employs the synergy between technology and people to immerse learners in highly-realistic situations in order to achieve quality clinical education. Due to the ever-increasing popularity of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) SBL, there is a pressing need for a proper technological infrastructure that enables high-fidelity simulation to better train ECMO specialists to deal with related emergencies. In this article, we tackle the control aspect of the infrastructure by presenting and evaluating an innovative cloud-based instructor, simulator controller, and simulation operations specialist application that enables real-time remote control of fullscale immersive ECMO simulation experiences for ECMO specialists as well as creating custom simulation scenarios for standardized training of individual healthcare professionals or clinical teams. Aim. This article evaluates the intuitiveness, responsiveness, and convenience of the ECMO instructor application as a viable ECMO simulator control interface. Method. A questionnaire-based usability study was conducted following institutional ethical approval. Nineteen ECMO practitioners were given a live demonstration of the instructor application in the context of an ECMO simulator demonstration during which they also had the opportunity to interact with it. Participants then filled in a questionnaire to evaluate the ECMO instructor application as per intuitiveness, responsiveness, and convenience. Results. The collected feedback data confirmed that the presented application has an intuitive, responsive, and convenient ECMO simulator control interface. Conclusion. The present study provided evidence signifying that the ECMO instructor application is a viable ECMO simulator control interface. Next steps will comprise a pilot study evaluating the educational efficacy of the instructor application in the clinical context with further technical enhancements as per participants’ feedback.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Modular Hybrid Energy Concept Employing a Novel Control Structure Based on a Simple Analog System

This paper proposes a novel control topology which enables the setup of a low cost analog system leading to the implementation of a modular energy conversion system. The modular concept is based on hybrid renewable energy (solar and wind) and uses high voltage inverters already available on the market. An important feature of the proposed topology is a permanently active current loop, which assures short circuit protection and simplifies the control loops compensation. The innovative analogue solution of the control structure is based on a dedicated integrated circuit (IC) for power factor correction (PFC) circuits, used in a new configuration, to assure an efficient inverter start-up. The energy conversion system (control structure and maximum power point tracking algorithm) is simulated using a new macromodel-based concept, which reduces the usual computational burden of the simulator and achieves high processing speed. The proposed novel system is presented in this article from concept, through the design and implementation stages, is verified through simulation and is validated by experimental results

CellSim: a validated modular heterogeneous multiprocessor simulator

As the number of transistors on a chip continues increasing the power consumption has become the most important constraint in processors design. Therefore, to increase performance, computer architects have decided to use multiprocessors. Moreover, recent studies have shown that heterogeneous chip multiprocessors have greater potential than homogeneous ones. We have built a modular simulator for heterogeneous multiprocessors that can be configure to model IBM's Cell Processor. The simulator has been validated against the real machine to be used as a research tool.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Fuzzy Guidance, Navigation and Control of a Spacecraft Simulator

To further facilitate the development of the guidance, navigation, and control systems of the future extra-planetary vehicles, there is a need for a simplified, easy-to-repair test bed that is dynamically similar to the full scale spacecraft. To achieve such a platform, a 3:1 thrust-to-weight ratio modular simulator was designed. The simulator is constructed from high strength-low density composite materials coupled with hobby grade electronic motors and a custom flexible landing gear system to increase stability and reduce capsizing while landing.For attitude control, a nonlinear Fuzzy Logic style control system was developed and analyzed against more traditional PID style control schemes used in the past generations. This new style of controller offers increased performance in attitude control. After a comprehensive and complete simulation analysis, the fuzzy logic controller was implemented using the open source computer BeagleBone Black. Feedback was deliver by the use of an inertial measurement unit In addition to the development of a fuzzy logic attitude control system, work began on the development of a full guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system. The GNC system that was developed was a trajectory controller in the form of a fuzzy logic cascade control law. The simplified control law was developed to mimic the control systems used in commercial aircraft autopilots, in which the trajectory is assumed to be 2D, where the spacecraft simulator remains pointing in the direction of its destination point. The controller was developed to accept different styles of trajectory and the entire system is modular in nature.From the simulation analysis of the closed-loop system, system level design specification were determined for the flight hardware. Ultimately, after programming the controller and integrating the electronics, it was determined the total time-delay of the system exceeded the design specification. Because of the hardware limitations, the attitude controller was, at best, n neutrally stable. Future work is proposed to integrate a real time microcontroller to account for the limitations of the BeagleBone and programming language chosen