Cluster Size Optimization in Sensor Networks with Decentralized Cluster-Based Protocols

Network lifetime and energy-efficiency are viewed as the dominating considerations in designing cluster-based communication protocols for wireless sensor networks. This paper analytically provides the optimal cluster size that minimizes the total energy expenditure in such networks, where all sensors communicate data through their elected cluster heads to the base station in a decentralized fashion. LEACH, LEACH-Coverage, and DBS comprise three cluster-based protocols investigated in this paper that do not require any centralized support from a certain node. The analytical outcomes are given in the form of closed-form expressions for various widely-used network configurations. Extensive simulations on different networks are used to confirm the expectations based on the analytical results. To obtain a thorough understanding of the results, cluster number variability problem is identified and inspected from the energy consumption point of view.     

Integrated text entry from power wheelchairs

Power wheelchair joysticks have be used to control a mouse cursor on desktop computers, but they offer no integrated text entry solution, confining users to point-and-click or point-and-dwell with on-screen keyboards. On-screen keyboards reduce useful screen real-estate, exacerbating the need for frequent window management, and impose a secondary focus of attention. By contrast, we present two integrated gestural text entry methods designed for use from power wheelchairs: one for use with joysticks and the other for use with touchpads. Both techniques are adaptations of EdgeWrite, originally a stylus-based unistroke method designed for people with tremor. In a preliminary text entry study of 7 power wheelchair users, we found that EdgeWrite with a touchpad was faster than the on-screen keyboard WiViK with a joystick, and EdgeWrite with a joystick was only slightly slower. These results warranted a multi-session comparison of text entry with EdgeWrite and WiViK using joysticks and touchpads, in which we found touchpads faster than joysticks, and EdgeWrite faster than WiViK with both devices after initial learning periods.     

Distributed computing for carbon footprint reduction by exploiting low-footprint energy availability

Low carbon footprint energy sources such as solar and wind power typically suffer from unpredictable or limited availability. By globally distributing a number of these renewable sources, these effects can largely be compensated for. We look at the feasibility of this approach for powering already distributed data centers in order to operate at a reduced total carbon footprint. From our study we show that carbon footprint reductions are possible, but that these are highly dependent on the approach and parameters involved. Especially the manufacturing footprint and the geographical region are critical parameters to consider. Deploying additional data centers can help in reducing the total carbon footprint, but substantial reductions can be achieved when data centers with nominal capacity well below maximum capacity redistribute processing to sites based on renewable energy availability.     

Towards a green cluster through dynamic remapping of virtual machines

Since power is one of the major limiting factors for a data center or for large cluster growth, the objective of this study is to minimize the power consumption of the cluster without violating the performance constraints of the applications. We propose a runtime virtual machine (VM) mapping framework in a cluster or data center to save energy. The new framework can make reconfiguration decisions on time with the consideration of a low influence on the performance. In the GreenMap framework, one probabilistic, heuristic algorithm is designed for the optimization problem: mapping VMs onto a set of physical machines (PMs) under the constraint of multi-dimensional resource consumptions. Experimental measurements show that the new method can reduce the power consumption by up to 69.2% over base, with few performance penalties. The effectiveness and performance insights are also analytically verified.     

Power-efficient video encoding on resource-limited systems: A game-theoretic approach

Most mobile video applications are often deployed on battery-operated devices. With limited power supply, it is a challenging issue to support video applications with high resolution due to the complex functionality and high resource requirements. Thus, power-efficient design is important in computation intensive applications especially for mobile video terminals. Previous works on power-efficient control in video encoding systems focus on the low complexity design while typically ignoring the impact of scalable design by considering various power consumption involved in the encoding process. This paper is dedicated to developing a power-scalable video encoding (PSVE) strategy for energy-limited mobile terminals. PSVE can help the video encoding terminal to adjust its power consumption budget efficiently so as to enhance the power-scalable capability in mobile video terminals. This paper first establishes game theoretical analysis to model the power consumption problem as a bargaining problem. Then, the tradeoff between encoding effect and power consumption achieved by the use of game theory. The scalable and low power video encoding system based on Nash equilibrium solution is derived through the analysis on the power consumption and encoding effect. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.     

Short-term changes in upper extremity dynamic mechanical response parameters following power hand tool use

Dynamic mechanical response parameters (stiffness, damping and effective mass), physiological properties (strength and swelling) and symptoms of the upper limb were measured before power tool operation, immediately following and 24?h after power tool operation. Tool factors, including peak torque (3 Nm and 9 Nm) and torque build-up time (50?ms and 250?ms), were controlled in a full factorial design. Twenty-nine inexperienced power hand tool users were randomly assigned to one of four conditions and operated a pistol grip nutrunner four times per min for 1?h in the laboratory. Isometric strength decreased immediately following tool use (15%) (p?<?0.01) and 24?h later (9%) (p?<?0.05). Mechanical parameters of stiffness (p?<?0.05) and effective mass (p?<?0.05) were affected by build-up time. An average decrease in stiffness (43%) and effective mass (57%) of the upper limb was observed immediately following pistol grip nutrunner operation for the long (250?ms) build-up time. A previously developed biomechanical model was used to estimate handle force and displacement associated with the tool factors in the experiment. The conditions associated with the greatest predicted handle force and displacement had the greatest decrease in mechanical stiffness and effective mass, and the greatest increase in localized discomfort.     

电厂热力系统在线性能计算软件变量二维顺序及索引模型研究

分析在线性能计算软件在我国电厂的应用情况,把在线性能计算软件分为两类:编程式软件和组态式软件。编程式软件里的计算模型和变量值是完全被封装的,软件基本不具备扩展性。现有的组态式软件虽然具备一定的扩展性和可分析性,但是功能仍不够完善。提出在线性能计算软件变量二维计算顺序及索引模型,该模型包括三方面内容:第一,定义及构造了与计算变量和计算顺序相关的一系列集合和有序序列;第二,提出了变量二维排序算法;第三,建立了变量之间的引用和被引用关系,建立了变量二维索引图表。基于变量二维索引图表,可以方便地逐级追踪计算模型和计算变量的值,有利于增强组态软件的可分析性、扩展性和组态功能。     

Combined quasi-static backward modeling and look-ahead fuzzy control of vehicles

Vehicle modeling can play an important role in vehicle power train design, control and energy management investigation. This paper presents a method for vehicle power train modeling. The key feature of the method is its presentation of the dynamic of vehicle based on the road information. This ability makes the method suitable for look-ahead energy management and fuel economy optimal control problems. With the aid of a road slope database, road geometry ahead of the vehicle is extracted. A fuzzy controller is developed that receives this information and controls the velocity of the vehicle with respect to its fuel consumption. In order to maintain the operation of the combustion engine near its efficient region, the fuzzy controller commands a continuously variable transmission. Simulations are carried out using real road data. The results are presented and discussed.     

以太网供电技术及受电端电路设计

为解决具有以太网接口的小型功率设备供电不便的问题,在分别分析IEEE 802.3af标准中的以太网供电系统构成、以太网供电传输方式、以太网供电过程及其他电气特性的基础上,提出了一种通过以太网获取电源的解决方案,并给出了详细的电路设计原理图。该方案可同时支持以太网供电输入和其他辅助电源输入,并可以同时输出3.3 V和5 V这2种电压供系统使用。测试结果表明,该设计方案具有较低的成本和较高的效率,能够很好地解决小型功率设备供电不便的问题。     

基于F410的分布式小电流接地系统故障选线装置

介绍了一种基于C8051F410单片机为核心构成的分布式小电流选线装置,并详细阐述了其硬件结构及选线原理。该装置硬件结构简单,安装方便,对提高城市配电网安全运行有很大的意义。