Mobile phone-based electrochemiluminescence sensing exploiting the 'USB On-The-Go' protocol

A low-cost system to generate, control and detect electrochemiluminescence using a mobile smartphone is described. A simple tone-detection integrated circuit is used to switch power sourced from the phone's Universal Serial Bus (USB) 'On-The-Go' (OTG) port, using audible tone pulses played over the device's audio jack. We have successfully applied this approach to smartphones from different manufacturers and with different operating system versions. ECL calibrations of a common luminophore, tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(bpy)3]²⁺), with 2-(dibutylamino)ethanol (DBAE) as a co-reactant, showed no significant difference in light intensities when an electrochemical cell was controlled by a mobile phone in this manner, compared to the same calibration generated using a conventional potentiostat. Combining this novel approach to control the applied potential with the measurement of the emitted light through the smart phone camera (using an in-house built Android app), we explored the ECL properties of a water-soluble iridium(III) complex that emits in the blue region of the spectrum. The iridium(III) complex exhibited superior co-reactant ECL intensities and limits of detection to that of the conventional [Ru(bpy)3]²⁺ luminophore.

Adaptive cruise control look-ahead system for energy management of vehicles

Cruise control in motor vehicles enhances safe and efficient driving by maintaining a constant speed at a preset level. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is the latest development in cruise control. It controls engine throttle position and braking to maintain a safe distance behind a vehicle in front by responding to the speed of this vehicle, thus providing a safer and more relaxing driving environment. ACC can be further developed by including the look-ahead method of predicting environmental factors such as wind speed and road slope. The conventional analytical control methods for adaptive cruise control can generate good results; however they are difficult to design and computationally expensive. In order to achieve a robust, less computationally expensive, and at the same time more natural human-like speed control, intelligent control techniques can be used. This paper presents an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) based on ACC systems that reduces the energy consumption of the vehicle and improves its efficiency. The Adaptive Cruise Control Look-Ahead (ACC-LA) system works as follows: It calculates the energy consumption of the vehicle under combined dynamic loads like wind drag, slope, kinetic energy and rolling friction using road data, and it includes a look-ahead strategy to predict the future road slope. The cruise control system adaptively controls the vehicle speed based on the preset speed and the predicted future slope information. By using the ANFIS method, the ACC-LA is made adaptive under different road conditions (slope angle and wind direction and speed). The vehicle was tested using the adaptive cruise control look-ahead energy management system, the results compared with the vehicle running the same test but without the adaptive cruise control look-ahead energy management system. The evaluation outcome indicates that the vehicle speed was efficiently controlled through the look-ahead methodology based upon the driving cycle, and that the average fuel consumption was reduced by 3%.

Design of a distributed power system stabiliser

A new design method for a distributed power system stabiliser for interconnected power systems is introduced in this paper. The stabiliser is of a low order, dynamic and robust. To generate the required local control signals, each local stabiliser requires information about either the rotor speed or the load angle of the other subsystems. A simple MATLAB based design algorithm is given and used on a three-machine unstable power system. The resulting stabiliser is simulated and sample results are presented.

A distributed approach to global feedback control of multi-agent systems

This paper presents a distributed approach to global state feedback control of for multi-agent systems. The proposed solution is obtained from the construction of decentralised functional observers. The required local control signal is generated asymptotically using only corresponding local output information. It is shown that a complete distribution of the control of a decentralised system having N agents can be achieved upon the satisfaction of some necessary conditions, and that the resulting controller can emulate the performance of a global state feedback controller. A step-by-step design algorithm is given. Its simplicity and correctness are illustrated through a numerical example.

Design of a distributed power system stabiliser

A new design method for a distributed power system stabiliser for interconnected power systems is introduced in this paper. The stabiliser is of a low order, dynamic and robust. To generate the required local control signals, each local stabiliser requires information about either the rotor speed or the load angle of the other subsystems. A simple MATLAB based design algorithm is given and used on a three-machine unstable power system. The resulting stabiliser is simulated and sample results are presented.

Adaptive fast finite time control of a class of uncertain nonlinear systems

This paper concerns the adaptive fast finite time control of a class of nonlinear uncertain systems of which the upper bounds of the system uncertainties are unknown. By using the fast non-smooth control Lyapunov function and the method of so-called adding a power integrator merging with adaptive technique, a recursive design procedure is provided, which guarantees the fast finite time stability of the closed-loop system. It is proved that the control input is bounded, and a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Uplink power control via adaptive hmm estimation

Transmit power control is an important consideration in the cellular system design since it increases system capacity, improves QoS and reduces multi-user interference. In this paper, an adaptive power control design based on the identification of the underlying pathloss of the fading channel is presented. Making power control decisions based on the measured received power allows to model the fading channel pathloss dynamics with a Hidden Markov Model. Applying the online HMM identification algorithm enables accurate estimation of the real pathloss which ensures efficient performance of the suggested power control scheme.

Experiences gained from building a services-based distributed operating system

The goal of this paper is to present the experiences gained over 15 years of research into the design and development of a services-based distributed operating system. The lessons learnt over this period, we hope, will be of value to researchers involved in the design and development of operating systems that wish to harness the collective resources of ever-expanding distributed systems.

Editorial : advances in network and system security

Current parallel and distributed networks/systems are facing serious threats from network terrorism and crime, which cause huge financial loss and potential life hazard. As attacking tools are becoming more widely available, more easy-to-use, more sophisticated, and more powerful, more efforts have been made in building more effective, more intelligent, and more adaptive defense systems which are of distributed and networked nature. This special issue focuses on issues related to Network and System Security, such as authentication, access control, availability, integrity, privacy, confidentiality, dependability and sustainability of computer networks and systems.

Uplink power control via adaptive Hidden-Markov-Model-Based pathloss estimation

Dynamic variations in channel behavior is considered in transmission power control design for cellular radio systems. It is well known that power control increases system capacity, improves Quality of Service (QoS), and reduces multiuser interference. In this paper, an adaptive power control design based on the identification of the underlying pathloss dynamics of the fading channel is presented. Formulating power control decisions based on the measured received power levels allows modeling the fading channel pathloss dynamics in terms of a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Applying the online HMM identification algorithm enables accurate estimation of the real pathloss ensuring efficient performance of the suggested power control scheme.

Space vector modulation based fast speed response field-orientation control of induction motor drive with adaptive neural integrator

This paper presents a novel fast speed response control strategy for the poly-phase induction motor drive system based on flux angle. The control scheme is derived in rotor field coordinates and employs the estimation of the rotor flux and its position. An adaptive notch filter is proposed to eliminate the dc component of the integration of signals used for the rotor flux estimation. To improve the performance of the rotor flux estimator, derivative term of the back emf is incorporated in the system. The voltage components in the synchronous reference frame are generated in the controllers which are transformed to stationary reference frame for driving the motor. Space vector modulation technique is used here. Simulation of the drive system was carried out and the results were compared with those obtained for a system that produces the above mentioned voltage components using the conventional PI controller. It is observed that the proposed control methodology provides faster response than the conventional PI controller incorporated system.

A sliding-mode-control-based adaptive cruise controller

This paper presents an alternative solution to the conventional cruise controller of a hybrid electric vehicle based on the sliding mode control approach. The mathematical model of a hybrid electric vehicle cruise control system is developed. Then, the sliding mode control approach is applied as the controller. The sliding mode control stability is investigated and demonstrated. Thereafter, the system is simulated and the results are presented. © 2014 IEEE.

Adaptive robust control of 6-DOF autonomous aerial vehicles

The thesis focused on development of an auto-pilot system for UAV’s and small fixed wing aircraft for use in hazardous flight conditions, such as severe weather. This led to development of a mathematical algorithm that unbinds the flight systems from coupling effects which can adaptively changed to the environment.