Analysis,modeling, and design of cascaded defected microstrip structure for planar circuits

In this article, two cascaded defected microstrip structures (CDMSs) are proposed to increase the effective inductance. So the cutoff frequencies of filters made by CDMSs can be controlled. The proposed CDMSs have wider stopband characteristic and sharper transition from passband to stopband than defected microstrip structure (DMS). To show the behavior variations of the effective inductance, the DMS and CDMSs have been analyzed, compared, and their design parameters are formulated. These parameters are necessary for a fast filter design procedure. Also, the models of DMS and CDMSs using the very simple lumped element forms are presented according to the physical parameters. The results of the proposed models have been compared with those obtained by full wave analysis. To verify the proposed DMS model, the comparison in response not only has been considered in amplitude but also in phase of all S‐parameters of proposed model and full wave analysis. It is obvious that the stopband is enhanced by periodically cascading the DMS. Surviving of EMC aspects between DMS, DGS, and CDMS is considered and compared. Finally, the theoretical results are validated by comparison with simulations of the structures and experimental results. The simulations from modeling results are found to be in good agreement with the full wave analysis and measurement results in the range of 0.5–35 GHz. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2010.     

Design and experiment of a conical double‐ridged horn antenna for 6–18 GHz

A broadband conical double‐ridged horn (DRH) antenna with symmetrical radiation patterns, low side lobe level, and low cross polarization is presented. Experimental investigations and detailed simulations are conducted to understand its behavior and to optimize for broadband operation. Good agreement between the measurement and simulation has been achieved. The designed conical DRH antenna introduces a low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), which is lower than 2.3 for the frequency range of 6–18 GHz and simultaneously achieves slant polarization as well as stable far‐field radiation characteristics in the entire operating bandwidth. The common impedance exponential tapering is used at the flare section of the horn. Moreover, a new cavity back with a conical structure is used to improve the VSWR. The simulated and measured results for VSWR, far field E‐plane and H‐plane radiation patterns, and gain of the designed antenna are presented and discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2011.     

Design and analysis of pneumatic force generators for mobile robotic systems

Pneumatic components are rather rugged and suitable for harsh environments and therefore are an attractive alternative for mobile robots. Many robotics control algorithms require that the robot actuators be force or torque generators, so the robot controller can impose proper torque levels onto the robot joints as required by the control algorithm. While creating a torque generator using electric actuators is relatively straightforward using current feedback, there are challenges in transforming pneumatic actuators into pure force generators. This paper develops a control algorithm to convert pneumatic actuators into force generators. Because delivered work from a pneumatic actuator is product of the actuator force and the piston's displacement, the actuator force can be effectively controlled through precise measurement of the piston's displacement and robust control of the actuator's work. This paper first develops an exact model of a pneumatic system consisting of a double-acting cylinder and a servo-valve, with the goal of providing an insight into the design and control requirements for pneumatically actuated systems. Using the model, two subjects are presented in detail: 1) derivation of a control algorithm that converts a pneumatic actuator into a force generator for robotics control applications and 2) derivation of equations that can be used to design or size the power source for mobile robotic systems, where continuous source of power is unavailable.     

Real time fuzzy scheduling rules in FMS

This paper presents a real-time fuzzy expert system to scheduling parts for a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). First, some vagueness and uncertainties in scheduling rules are indicated and then a fuzzy-logic approach is proposed to improve the system performance by considering multiple performance measures. This approach focuses on characteristics of the system's status, instead of parts, to assign priorities to the parts waiting to be processed. Secondly, a simulation model is developed and it has shown that the proposed fuzzy logic-based decision making process keeps all performance measures at a good level. The proposed approach provides a promising alternative framework in solving scheduling problems in FMSs, in contrast to traditional rules, by making use of intelligent tools.     

Distribution of distant metastases from newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence and locations of M1 disease at presentation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer to help design appropriate preoperative imaging algorithms. METHODS: All patients with non-small cell lung cancer seen between 1991 and 1993 were identified, and records were reviewed. For patients with M1 disease, the sites of distant metastases and the methods of diagnosis were recorded. RESULTS: Of 348 patients identified, 276 (79%) had M0 disease and 72 (21%) had M1 disease. In 40 of 72 patients (56%), M1 disease was detected via chest or abdominal computed tomography (CT). Brain, bone, liver, and adrenal glands were the most common sites of metastatic disease, in decreasing order. Brain metastases often occurred as an isolated finding, although isolated liver metastases were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: M1 disease was common at presentation, and was often detectable via chest CT. The incremental yield of abdominal CT over chest CT was very small, and therefore abdominal CT is not an effective method of screening for metastases if chest CT has been performed.     

Robust delay dependent fault estimation for a class of interconnected nonlinear time delay systems

This paper focuses on the problem of fault estimation for a class of interconnected nonlinear systems with time varying delays. In contrast to the common assumption imposed on the problem in most literature, here, there is no need for the delay rate to be less than one. Both actuator and component faults are considered within the general fault model invoked as multiplicative faults in this study. Robust adaptive observers are used to detect and estimate simultaneously the states and the parameter faults in each subsystem. The designed observers ensure a prescribed H _∞ performance level for the fault estimation error, irrespective of the uncertainties which are assumed here to be the unknown interconnections between the subsystems. With the aid of H _∞ performance index, the common assumption regarding the observer matching condition is no longer required. Sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability of the observers are derived via a matrix inequality approach with the aid of LyapunovKrasovskii function. Finally, a simulation example is presented to show the validity and feasibility of the proposed method.