Practical comparisons among electronic energy meters, a precision energy meter and IEEE1459 for reactive energy measurements, under unbalanced and non-sinusoidal conditions

This paper presents a practical experimentation for comparing reactive/non-active energy measures, considering three-phase four-wire non-sinusoidal and unbalanced circuits, involving five different commercial electronic meters. The experimentation set provides separately voltage and current generation, each one with any waveform involving up to fifty-first harmonic components, identically compared with acquisitions obtained from utility. The experimental accuracy is guaranteed by a class A power analyzer, according to IEC61000-4-30 standard. Some current and voltage combination profiles are presented and confronted with two different references of reactive/non-active calculation methodologies; instantaneous power theory and IEEE 1459-2010. The first methodology considers the instantaneous power theory, present into the advanced mathematical internal algorithm from WT3000 power analyzer, and the second methodology, accomplish with IEEE 1459-2010 standard, uses waveform voltage and current acquisition from WT3000 as input data for a virtual meter developed on Mathlab/Simulink software. © 2012 IEEE.

Particle competition and cooperation to prevent error propagation from mislabeled data in semi-supervised learning

Semi-supervised learning is applied to classification problems where only a small portion of the data items is labeled. In these cases, the reliability of the labels is a crucial factor, because mislabeled items may propagate wrong labels to a large portion or even the entire data set. This paper aims to address this problem by presenting a graph-based (network-based) semi-supervised learning method, specifically designed to handle data sets with mislabeled samples. The method uses teams of walking particles, with competitive and cooperative behavior, for label propagation in the network constructed from the input data set. The proposed model is nature-inspired and it incorporates some features to make it robust to a considerable amount of mislabeled data items. Computer simulations show the performance of the method in the presence of different percentage of mislabeled data, in networks of different sizes and average node degree. Importantly, these simulations reveals the existence of the critical points of the mislabeled subset size, below which the network is free of wrong label contamination, but above which the mislabeled samples start to propagate their labels to the rest of the network. Moreover, numerical comparisons have been made among the proposed method and other representative graph-based semi-supervised learning methods using both artificial and real-world data sets. Interestingly, the proposed method has increasing better performance than the others as the percentage of mislabeled samples is getting larger. © 2012 IEEE.

Model to increase the lateral line length of drip irrigation systems

Non-pressure compensating drip hose is widely used for irrigation of vegetables and orchards. One limitation is that the lateral line length must be short to maintain uniformity due to head loss and slope. Any procedure to increase the length is appropriate because it represents low initial cost of the irrigation system. The hypothesis of this research is that it is possible to increase the lateral line length combining two points: using a larger spacing between emitters at the beginning of the lateral line and a smaller one after a certain distance; and allowing a higher pressure variation along the lateral line under an acceptable value of distribution uniformity. To evaluate this hypothesis, a nonlinear programming model (NLP) was developed. The input data are: diameter, roughness coefficient, pressure variation, emitter operational pressure, relationship between emitter discharge and pressure. The output data are: line length, discharge and length of the each section with different spacing between drippers, total discharge in the lateral line, multiple outlet adjustment coefficient, head losses, localized head loss, pressure variation, number of emitters, spacing between emitters, discharge in each emitter, and discharge per linear meter. The mathematical model developed was compared with the lateral line length obtained with the algebraic solution generated by the Darcy-Weisbach equation. The NLP model showed the best results since it generated the greater gain in the lateral line length, maintaining the uniformity and the flow variation under acceptable standards. It had also the lower flow variation, so its adoption is feasible and recommended.

Model to design drip hose lateral line using two spacing between emitters

The use of non-pressure compensating drip hose in horticultural and annual cycle fruits is growing in Brazil. In this case, the challenge for designers is getting longer lateral lines with high values of uniformity. The objective of this study was to develop a model to design longer lateral lines using non-pressure compensating drip hose. Using the developed model, the hypotheses to be evaluated were: a) the use of two different spacing between emitters in the same lateral line allows longer length; b) it is possible to get longer lateral lines using high values of pressure variation in the lateral lines since the distribution uniformity stays below allowable limits. A computer program was developed in Delphi based on the model developed and it is able to design lateral lines in level using non-pressure compensating drip hose. The input data are: desired distribution uniformity (DU); initial and final pressure in the lateral line; coefficients of relationship between emitter discharge and pressure head; hose internal diameter; pipe cross-sectional area with the dripper; and roughness coefficient for the Hazen-Williams equation. The program allows calculate the lateral line length with three possibilities: selecting two spacing between emitters and defining the exchange point; using two pre-established spacing between emitters and calculating the length of each section with different spacing; using one emitter spacing. Results showed that the use of two sections with different spacing between drippers in the lateral line didn't allow longer length but got better uniformity when compared with lateral line with one spacing between emitters. The adoption of two spacing increased the flow rate per meter in the final section which represented approximately 80% of the lateral line total length and this justifies their use. The software allowed DU above 90% with pressure head variation of 40% and the use of two spacing between emitters. The developed model/software showed to be accurate, easy to handle and useful for lateral line design using non-pressure compensating drip hose.

Automatic dimming multi-lamp fluorescent management system with active input power factor corrector stage

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Allochthonous matter input in two different stretches of a headstream (Itatinga, São Paulo, Brazil)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Input of litter in deforested and forested areas of a tropical headstream

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sensitivity of the BEAM4 fisheries bioeconomic model to the main biological input parameters

Several runs of the BEAM4 model were carried out, combining several sets of input parameters from von Bertalanffy's growth curve (Lt = L-x[1 - e(-k(-to))]) and the natural mortality (M), with sets or parameters from the length-weight relationship (W=aL(b)). Further simulations were made with variations of +/- 20%, in the input parameters: recruitment (R), catchability coefficient (q), and the lengths at which 50 and 75% of the fishes are retained by the net (L-50%, and L-75%). The data used were those of the pair trawl fisheries for corvina Micropogonias furnieri, off southeastern Brazil. Results showed variations in the output (landed weight) ranging from - 62 to 147% associated with the diverse sets of VBGF and LWR parameters, and lower variations associated with the other input parameters tested. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

A CMOS/SOI single-input PWM discriminator for low-voltage body-implanted applications

A CMOS/SOI circuit to decode Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signals is presented as part of a body-implanted neurostimulator for visual prosthesis. Since encoded data is the sole input to the circuit, the decoding technique is based on a novel double-integration concept and does not require low-pass filtering. Non-overlapping control phases are internally derived from the incoming pulses and a fast-settling comparator ensures good discrimination accuracy in the megahertz range. The circuit was integrated on a 2 mum single-metal thin-film CMOS/SOI fabrication process and has an effective area of 2 mm(2). Measured resolution of encoding parameter a is better than 10% at 6 MHz and V-DD = 3.3 V. Idle-mode consumption is 340 LW. Pulses of frequencies up to 15 MHz and alpha = 10% can be discriminated for 2.3 V less than or equal to V-DD less than or equal to 3.3 V. Such an excellent immunity to V-DD deviations meets a design specification with respect to inherent coupling losses on transmitting data and power by means of a transcutaneous link.

Efeito de datas de semeadura no comportamento de dois genótipos de girassol. II. Aspectos nutricionais

Este experimento foi realizado em Jaboticabal, SP, como objetivo de se avaliar o comportamento de dois genótipos de girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) no tocante à composição mineral e teor de óleo. Utilizou-se o híbrido Contissol 812 e a cuttivar IAC-Anhandy com 80cm entre linhas e cinco plantas por metro linear, em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em cinco datas de semeadura: 20.1; 20.2; 5.3; 20.3 e 5.4. O atraso das datas de semeadura exerceu efeito depressivo e significativo sobre a absorção (N-total 86,4 e 19,1; P = 8,3 e 1,6; K = 77,0 e 17,5; Ca =52,1 e 6,8 e Mg = 10,3 e 1,7) e a exportação (N-total = 89,6 e 27,3; P = 9,1 e 2,5; K = 30,1 e 8,8; Ca = 7,0 e 2.1 e Mg =9,7 e 2,8) de nutrientes, expressos em kg/ha, para a primeira e última data, respectivamente, nos dois genótipos que mantiveram constante (40%) o teor de óleo. Concluiu-se que os dois genótipos se comportaram de forma semelhante e que as semeaduras realizadas até o final de fevereiro foram as melhores, e nas efetuadas posteriormente a absorção total em kg/ha dos diversos nutrientes foi afetada negativamente, pelo fato de a produção de aquênios ter sido obtida em níveis indesejáveis.

Discrete-time sliding mode control of input-delay systems applied on a power generation system

This paper presents two discrete sliding mode control (SMC) design. The first one is a discrete-time SMC design that doesn't take into account the time-delay. The second one is a discrete-time SMC design, which takes in consideration the time-delay. The proposed techniques aim at the accomplishment simplicity and robustness for an uncertainty class. Simulations results are shown and the effectiveness of the used techniques is analyzed. © 2006 IEEE.

Variable speed refrigeration system with HPF input rectifier stage

This paper is based on the analysis and implementation of a new drive system applied to refrigeration systems, complying with the restrictions imposed by the IEC standards (Harmonic/Flicker/EMI-Electromagnetic Interference restrictions), in order to obtain high efficiency, high power factor, reduced harmonic distortion in the input current and reduced electromagnetic interference, with excellent performance in temperature control of a refrigeration prototype system (automatic control, precision and high dynamic response). The proposal is replace the single-phase motor by a three-phase motor, in the conventional refrigeration system. In this way, a proper control technique can be applied, using a closed-loop (feedback control), that will allow an accurate adjustment of the desirable temperature. The proposed refrigeration prototype uses a 0.5Hp three-phase motor and an open (Belt-Drive) Bitzer IY type compressor. The input rectifier stage's features include the reduction in the input current ripple, the reduction in the output voltage ripple, the use of low stress devices, low volume for the EMI input filter, high input power factor (PF), and low total harmonic distortion (THD) in the input current, in compliance with the IEC61000-3-2 standards. The digital controller for the output three-phase inverter stage has been developed using a conventional voltage-frequency control (scalar V/f control), and a simplified stator oriented Vector control, in order to verify the feasibility and performance of the proposed digital controls for continuous temperature control applied at the refrigerator prototype. ©2008 IEEE.

Hybrid three-phase HPF rectifier with programmable input current THD, using FPGA device and VHDL language

In this paper is proposed and analyzed a digital hysteresis modulation using a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) device and VHDL (Hardware Description Language), applied at a hybrid three-phase rectifier with almost unitary input power factor, composed by parallel SEPIC controlled single-phase rectifiers connected to each leg of a standard 6-pulses uncontrolled diode rectifier. The digital control allows a programmable THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) at the input currents, and it makes possible that the power rating of the switching-mode converters, connected in parallel, can be a small fraction of the total average output power, in order to obtain a compact converter, reduced input current THD and almost unitary input power factor. Finally, the proposed digital control, using a FPGA device and VHDL, offers an important flexibility for the associated control technique, in order to obtain a programmable PFC (Power Factor Correction) hybrid three-phase rectifier, in agreement with the international standards (IEC, and IEEE), which impose limits for the THD of the AC (Alternate Current) line input currents. The proposed strategy is verified by experiments. © 2008 IEEE.

Anfis applied to the prediction of surface roughness in grinding of advanced ceramics

This paper introduces a methodology for predicting the surface roughness of advanced ceramics using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). To this end, a grinding machine was used, equipped with an acoustic emission sensor and a power transducer connected to the electric motor rotating the diamond grinding wheel. The alumina workpieces used in this work were pressed and sintered into rectangular bars. Acoustic emission and cutting power signals were collected during the tests and digitally processed to calculate the mean, standard deviation, and two other statistical data. These statistics, as well the root mean square of the acoustic emission and cutting power signals were used as input data for ANFIS. The output values of surface roughness (measured during the tests) were implemented for training and validation of the model. The results indicated that an ANFIS network is an excellent tool when applied to predict the surface roughness of ceramic workpieces in the grinding process.