A microprogrammed diskette control unit

Considerations in the design of microprogrammed disk controllers are presented. First, the concept of microprogramming and the characteristics of diskette storage drives are discussed. The use of disk storage in data base management systems is also discussed. Finally, the functions, programs and structure of a microprogrammed disk controller for personnel file management are presented.http://archive.org/details/microprogrammedd00darmMajor, Indonesian NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Micropower sensate tags for supply-chain management and security

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-113).This thesis describes the development of a system of sensate active RFID tags for supply-chain management and security applications, necessitated by the current lack of commercial platforms capable of monitoring the state of shipments at the crate and case level. To make a practical prototype, off-the-shelf components and custom-designed circuits that minimize power consumption and cost were assembled and integrated into an interrupt-driven, quasi-passive system that can monitor, log, and report environmental conditions inside a shipping crate while consuming only 23.7 microwatts of average power. To prove the feasibility of the system, the tags were tested in the laboratory and aboard transport conveyances.by Mateusz Ksawery Malinowski.M.Eng

The design and application of a data logging system to monitor discrete electronic components

A Data Logger has been designed and developed by the author. The Data Logger is used to take measurements on electronic components. The Data Logger is outlined. It is described in terms of the hardware from which it was built. It is also described in terms of the software through which it is controlled using an Apple microcomputer. An experiment on multi-layer ceramic capacitors is detailed. A further experiment on optocouplers is outlined. Both experiments make full use of the Data Logger. In concluding, the Data Logger is found to work best with two and three terminal components. Some changes are discussed, enabling the Data Logger to be compatible with the IBM PC format

Advanced scanners and imaging systems for earth observations

Assessments of present and future sensors and sensor related technology are reported along with a description of user needs and applications. Five areas are outlined: (1) electromechanical scanners, (2) self-scanned solid state sensors, (3) electron beam imagers, (4) sensor related technology, and (5) user applications. Recommendations, charts, system designs, technical approaches, and bibliographies are included for each area

Hybrid force and position control in robotic surface processing

PhD ThesisThis programme of research was supported by NEI Parsons Ltd. who sought a robotic means of polishing mechanical components. A study of the problems associated with robot controlled surface processing is presented. From this evolved an approach consistent with the formalisation of the demands of workpiece manipulation which included the adoption of the Hybrid robot control scheme capable of simultaneous force and position control. A unique 3 axis planar experimental manipulator was designed which utilized combined parallel and serial drives. A force sensing wrist was used to measure contact force. A variant of the Hybrid control 'scheme was successfully implemented on a twin computer control system. A number of manipulator control programs are presented. The force control aspect is shown both experimentally and analytically to present control problems and the research has concentrated on this aspect. A general analysis of the dynamics of force control is given which shows force response to be dependent on a number' of important parameters including force sensor, environment and manipulator dynamics. The need for a robust or adaptable force controller is discussed. A series of force controlled manipulator experiments is described and the results discussed in the context of general analyses and specific single degree of freedom simulations. Improvements to manipulator force control are suggested and some were implemented. These are discussed together with their immediate application to the improvement of robot controlled surface processing. This work also lays important foundations for long term related research. In particular the new techniques for actively controlled assembly and force control under 'fast' operation.Science and Engineering Research Council NEI Parsons Ltd

The 29th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

The proceedings of the 29th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium, which was hosted by NASA Johnson Space Center and held at the South Shore Harbour Conference Facility on May 17-19, 1995, are reported. Technological areas covered include actuators, aerospace mechanism applications for ground support equipment, lubricants, pointing mechanisms joints, bearings, release devices, booms, robotic mechanisms, and other mechanisms for spacecraft

Proceedings of the NASA Conference on Space Telerobotics, volume 4

Papers presented at the NASA Conference on Space Telerobotics are compiled. The theme of the conference was man-machine collaboration in space. The conference provided a forum for researchers and engineers to exchange ideas on the research and development required for the application of telerobotic technology to the space systems planned for the 1990's and beyond. Volume 4 contains papers related to the following subject areas: manipulator control; telemanipulation; flight experiments (systems and simulators); sensor-based planning; robot kinematics, dynamics, and control; robot task planning and assembly; and research activities at the NASA Langley Research Center