Stabilization of linear systems with input delay and saturation—A parametric Lyapunov equation approach

This paper studies the problem of stabilizing a linear system with delayed and saturating feedback. It is known that the eigenstructure assignment‐based low‐gain feedback law (globally) stabilizes a linear system in the presence of arbitrarily large delay in its input, and semi‐globally stabilizes it when the input is also subject to saturation, as long as all its open‐loop poles are located in the closed left‐half plane. Based on a recently developed parametric Lyapunov equation‐based low‐gain feedback design method, this paper presents alternative, but simpler and more elegant, feedback laws that solve these problems. The advantages of this new approach include its simplicity, the capability of giving explicit conditions to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system, and the ease in scheduling the low‐gain parameter on line to achieve global stabilization in the presence of actuator saturation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of working conditions in two different semiconductor manufacturing lines: Effective ergonomics interventions

This article examines two manufacturing lines producing semiconductors using different technology concepts, namely Conventional Line (CL) and Lean Production Line (LPL). Both lines manufacturing the same products were compared using various factors, including working conditions, task risks and dangers of the job, and physical body stress. Ergonomic approaches were adopted in the investigation of the two lines. Survey questionnaires were administered to 30% of the workers, and multiple statistical tests were used to determine crucial predictors and to investigate the interactions between the factors. This research has shown that improved ergonomics factors will lead to better working conditions and thus increased job satisfaction. The observed ergonomic differences of these two production lines are compared, and appropriate managerial remedial action is recommended. The interventions to both the lines should reduce accident rates, minimize waste of resources, improve work effectiveness, and provide a better working environment that enhances employees' morale and maximizes productivity and profits. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Partner selection in a virtual enterprise under uncertain information about candidates

Partner selection is a major issue in the formation of a virtual enterprise. In practice, in the partner selection process, the information about the candidates and their performances are incomplete and uncertain. Vague sets theory is one of the methods used to deal with uncertain information. In this paper, a new method based on vague sets is proposed to deal with the partner selection problem in the formation of a virtual enterprise while the factors of satisfaction degree, due date, cost and the precedence of tasks are taken into account. On the basis of the agreement index of satisfaction degree, the formulated partner selection problems are interpreted so as to maximize the minimum agreement index. To solve the problem, an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed. Finally, the simulation of a numerical example demonstrates that the method is effective.     

A belief-rule-based inventory control method under nonstationary and uncertain demand

This paper is devoted to investigating inventory control problems under nonstationary and uncertain demand. A belief-rule-based inventory control (BRB-IC) method is developed, which can be applied in situations where demand and demand-forecast-error (DFE) do not follow certain stochastic distribution and forecasting demand is given in single-point or interval styles. The method can assist decision-making through a belief-rule structure that can be constructed, initialized and adjusted using both manager’s knowledge and operational data. An extended optimal base stock (EOBS) policy is proved for initializing the belief-rule-base (BRB), and a BRB-IC inference approach with interval inputs is proposed. A numerical example and a case study are examined to demonstrate potential applications of the BRB-IC method. These studies show that the belief-rule-based expert system is flexible and valid for inventory control. The case study also shows that the BRB-IC method can compensate DFE by training BRB using historical demand data for generating reliable ordering policy.     

动态相位调整技术在FPGA中的设计与实现

提出一种基于FPGA的动态相位调整实现方案。在高速数据传输接口中,由于数据窗缩小以及传输路径不一致,造成数据和时钟信号在FPGA的接收端发生位偏移和字偏移。动态相位调整技术根据当前各数据线物理状态,对各信号线动态进行去偏移操作,克服了静态相位调整中参数不可再调的缺点,使接口不断适应外部环境的变化,从而保证数据的可靠传输。     

Explicit synchronisation of heterogeneous dynamics networks via three-layer communication framework

This paper addresses the explicit synchronisation of heterogeneous dynamics networks via three-layer communication framework. The main contribution is to propose an explicit synchronisation algorithm, in which the synchronisation errors of all the agents are decoupled. By constructing a three-layer node model, the proposed algorithm removes the assumptions that the topology is fixed and the synchronisation process is coupled. By introducing appropriate assumptions, the algorithm leads to a class of explicit synchronisation protocols based on the states of agents in different layers. It is proved in the sense of Lyapunov that, if the dwell time is larger than a threshold, the explicit synchronisation can be achieved for closed-loop heterogeneous dynamics networks under switching topologies. The results are further extended to the cases in which the switching topologies are only frequently but not always connected. Simulation results are presented with four single-link manipulators to verify the theoretical analysis.     

Reversible data hiding in encrypted images based on multi-level encryption and block histogram modification

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In recent years there has been significant interest in reversible data hiding, and also in particular, reversible data hiding in encrypted images (RDH-EI). This...     

Minimal explanations of missing values by chasing acquisitional data

Acquisitional issues widely exist in GPS and sensor networks. They pertain to where, when, and how often data is physically acquired (sampled) and delivered to some query processing systems. Due to the dynamic environment that the data is acquired with the change of monitoring time, acquisitional data are typically a time-stamped stream where a time-stamped value could either contain noises or be missing. Aiming to improve the quality of data acquisition, we focus on the explanations of missing values in this paper. Several techniques have been developed to provide the explanation on relational data, however, they cannot be directly applied in acquisitional stream data due to its dynamic feature, such as the “change” of acquisitional stream data between two adjacent monitoring time is often constrained by some rules. We show that an explanation could be incorrect or unreasonable if those constraints are not taken into account. We propose one novel chasing technique by considering both spatial and temporal correlations to explain missing values and guarantee a minimal explanation. Experimental results show that our approach can efficiently return high-quality and minimal explanations of missing values.     

微气体传感器测试系统的恒流配气系统研究

针对恒流混合气体在微气体传感器实验中的重要性,根据道尔顿分压定律和阿马伽定律,采用质量比动态配气法,实现了实验用恒流配气系统.基于NI USB6215系列多功能数据采集卡,以LabVIEW8.5为软件开发平台,设计了恒流配气系统软件控制界面.通过计算机严格控制MFCs流量调节,配比出不同浓度氢气混合气体.气体流量始终保持在1L/min,上下波动不超过10mL/min.分析了气体流量值出现波动的原因,为进一步完善恒流配气系统提供了参考.     

对已有信息表二次利用的程序开发

Excel是OFFICE家族成员中一个功能强大、技术先进、使用方便的数据管理和分析系统。而在Excel中使用VBA(Visual Basicfor Application的简称)对已有的信息表进行宏编程,可以使用户高效地生成新的工作表,达到办公自动化的目的。文章用班级成绩表生成重考报名表的实例,揭示了利用VBA在Excel中进行二次开发,提高工作效率,保证数据准确性的强大功能。