基于单片机的GPS／电子罗盘测姿定位系统

设计了一种基于GPS／电子罗盘的测姿定位系统。该系统利用单片机C8051F021作为中央处理器,功耗极低的iTrax03—02作为GPS接收机,数字电子罗盘HMR3300提供姿态信息,通过串口通信实现了实时测姿定位功能。实地跑车实验结果表明,该系统可以正确、可靠地完成运动载体的姿态和位置信息的实时测量,为最终的组合导航实现奠定了基础。     

Optimal tracking performance of MIMO discrete‐time systems with communication constraints

The optimal tracking problem for multiple‐input multiple‐output linear‐time‐invariant discrete‐time systems with communication constraints in the feedback path is studied in this paper. The tracking performance is measured by the energy of the error signal between the output of the plant and the reference signal. The objective is to obtain an optimal tracking performance, attainable by all possible stabilizing compensators. It is shown that the optimal tracking performance consists of two parts, one depends on the nonminimum phase zeros and zero direction of the given plant, as well as the reference input signal direction, and the other depends on the nonminimum phase zeros, unstable poles, and pole direction of the given plant, as well as the bandwidth and additive white Gaussian noise of the communication channel. It is also shown that, if the constraint of the communication channel does not exist, the optimal tracking performance reduces to the existing tracking performance of the control system without communication constraints. A typical example is given to illustrate the theoretical results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stability analysis and H∞ control for hybrid complex dynamical networks with coupling delays

This paper formulates and studies a model of complex dynamical networks with switching topology and coupling delays. Based on the hybrid control and Lyapunov function, the stability and robust H_∞ control of such networks with impulsive and switching effects, which have not been studied before, are addressed with some criteria derived. Examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low‐voltage and high‐transmittance blue‐phase liquid‐crystal device with slanted electrodes

Abstract— A low‐voltage (～10 V_rms) and high‐transmittance (～90%) polymer‐stabilized blue‐phase liquid‐crystal (BPLC) device with a slanted‐electrodes structure is proposed. Unlike the vertical‐field‐switching (VFS) mode in which oblique incident light and a vertical field are employed, the proposed device utilizes normal incident light and an oblique field. The slanted electrodes generate a strong and uniform oblique electric field, which contributes in obtaining low voltage and high transmittance. Moreover, no couple films or prism sheets are needed, which helps to enhance the optical efficiency and simplify of the device structure. This device has great potential application for emerging BPLC displays and photonic devices.     

Roll‐to‐roll UV embossing process applied for light bar‐based sub‐wavelength gratings for backlight

This study proposes a roll‐to‐roll process‐based sub‐wavelength grating, which is attached on a light bar to turn the side‐lit red/green/blue (620, 520, and 450 nm) incident rays into a uniformly and normally output white light with high illuminance from the light bar's surface. On the basis of the rigorous coupling wave analysis, the relationship between the first‐order transmission/reflection efficiency and the pitch of the gratings with different shapes was analyzed. The optimal design can effectively reduce the coupling length and enhance the white color balance for display applications.     

Fast full‐color reflective display via photoluminescent enhancement

Reflective displays are advantageous in applications requiring low power or daylight readability. However, there are no low‐cost reflective technologies capable of displaying bright colors. By employing photoluminescence to more efficiently use ambient light, we created a prototype display that provides bright, full color in a simple, low‐cost architecture. This prototype includes a novel electrokinetic shutter, a layer that incorporates patterned luminescent red, green, and blue sub‐pixel elements, and a novel optical out‐coupling scheme. The luminescent elements convert otherwise‐wasted portions of the incident spectrum to light in the desired color band, resulting in improved color saturation and lightness. This prototype provides a color gamut that is superior to competing reflective display technologies that utilize color filters in single‐layer side‐by‐side sub‐pixel architectures. The current prototype is capable of switching in <0.5 s; future displays based on an alternative electro‐optic shutter technology should achieve video rate operation. A transflective version of this technology has also been prototyped. The transflective version utilizes its backlight with a power efficiency that is at least three times that of a conventional liquid crystal display. These photoluminescence‐based technologies enable a host of applications ranging from low‐power mobile products and retail pricing signage to daylight readable signage for outdoor advertising segments.     

The implementation of technical practices and human factors of the toyota production system in different industries

The Toyota Production System (TPS) can result in huge benefits for companies and has been widely implemented around the world. Nevertheless, most adopters emphasize only the technical practices of the TPS, but neglect the critical role of human factors in the implementation of the TPS. Therefore, this study aims at developing an integrated TPS model that fully integrates the technical elements and human elements of the TPS with Total Quality Management (TQM) practices. An empirical study was conducted to confirm the causal relationships among these constructs. In the empirical study, questionnaires were mailed and e‐mailed to 620 companies that had implemented the TPS, and 151 of the completed questionnaires were valid. These 151 respondents were divided into eight categories. The results revealed that the implementation level of each construct was significantly different in each industry. The automobile and motorcycle industries have put a great deal of effort into the application of Humanity, Human Resource Management (HRM), and TQM practices and obtained good results. Other industries, however, ignored the implementation of HRM practices. The results also revealed that the early adopters enjoyed significant benefits from the implementation of the TPS, which led high‐tech companies to start adopting TPS practices and become lean enterprises. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Analysis of information exchange activities to actualize and validate situation awareness during shift changeovers in nuclear power plants

Shift work situations occur in almost all safety‐critical organizations, and the investigations of some catastrophes like Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez, and the Gol/Legacy mid‐air collision indicated that shift work information exchange played an important role during the evolution of the situation before the accidents. Inadequate communications during shift changeovers challenged operators' work in the moments that preceded these accidents, because they got inadequate information about the current situation. Our research focuses on the information exchange activities (verbal, written, and nonverbal) of nuclear power plant control operators during shift changeovers. Our aim is to investigate how verbal exchanges and other representations enable operator crews to share information regarding the events that occurred in the previous shift to achieve adequate situation awareness. Our findings indicated the importance and richness of the information exchange during the shift changeover process to update and validate individual and collective situation awareness, showing that information adequately shared enables the ad hoc configurations of regulation loops and a safer use of simplified strategies that can be understood and be validated by other operators, reducing the occurrence of cognitive overloads and contributing to the construction of a common cognitive ground that enhances system resilience. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Is implementation of continuous improvement possible? An evolutionary model of enablers and inhibitors

The purpose of this article is to present an evolutionary model of the enablers and inhibitors affecting the implementation and sustainability of continuous improvement. With this aim, a qualitative study using the grounded theory was carried out. Interviews were conducted with managers responsible for continuous improvement in first‐tier suppliers in the automotive sector. As a result, two existing lines of research in the continuous improvement literature are synthesized: on one hand, the literature concerning the enablers and barriers associated with continuous improvement sustainability; and on the other, the literature concerning the evolutionary model. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Retraction of “Using ergonomic digital human modeling in evaluation of workplace design and prevention of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders onboard small fishing vessel”

The following article from Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, “Using ergonomic digital human modeling in evaluation of workplace design and prevention of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders onboard small fishing vessel,” by Enrique Álvarez‐Casado, Bing Zhang, Sonia Tello Sandoval and Mondelo Pedro, published online on October 11, 2011 in Wiley Online Library ( www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com ), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editors‐in‐Chief, Waldemar Karwowski and Gavriel Salvendy, and Publisher Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed as these articles were mistakenly published after being rejected.