Extracción de energía del agua mediante generadores piezoeléctricos

El desarrollo del Proyecto consiste, por una parte, en el estudio sobre la respuesta de los materiales piezoeléctricos como generadores de energía en un entorno acuoso que está sometido a variaciones de potencial y, por otra, en el estudio técnico y económico de un equipo basado en la utilización esta fuente de energía y su comercialización en el mercado energético. Esta energía es la que se obtiene de la fuerza de arrastre del agua al desplazarse a causa del movimiento ondulatorio de las olas y que el elemento al flexionar es capaz de transformar. El proyecto contempla a partir de modelos, el funcionamiento eléctrico y mecánico de un generador piezoeléctrico, el sistema de electrónica necesaria para su inserción optimizada en la red eléctrica. A partir de esto se desarrolla una instalación que puede adaptarse a los requerimientos del estudio previo. Empleando un modelo de relación técnica y económica se establece una conexión entre estas dos secciones para hacerse una idea de la rentabilidad económica de un equipo de este estilo a día de hoy. El propósito final, es el de estudiar un nuevo tipo de energía, y comenzar una línea que puede llevar a un lugar muy interesante del sector energético. ABSTRACT This Project presents an analysis on the performance of piezoelectric materials as energy producer in an aquatic environment subject to potential variations. Additionally, the Project contains a technical and an economic analysis on the equipment based on the use of this energy source, as well as its commercialization. Energy is obtained by the water drag force when it is moved by the wave’s movement and by its transformation by the piezoelectric material. The Project studies the electric and mechanic functioning of a piezoelectric generator and the necessary electronic system for its optimized insertion on the electricity distribution network. Based on this, it is developed a system that can be adapted to the previous study requirements. The use of a technical and economic relation model allows the establishment of a connection among them in order to estimate the economic profitability of such equipment nowadays. The final objective of this Project is analyzing a new source of energy, which could start a new investigation line that may lead the energetic sector to a very interesting future.

Medidas de calidad de señales DVB-T

El incremento de la población con acceso a la televisión a mediados del siglo XX hizo necesaria la implantación de una normativa que regulara el acceso a este servicio a través de las infraestructuras comunes de telecomunicación. Estas infraestructuras están formadas por diversos elementos que pueden alterar los parámetros de calidad de la señal de televisión radiodifundida, actualmente bajo norma DVB-T. Normalmente, los diseños de las redes se hacen atendiendo a las atenuaciones que presentan los dispositivos pero sin tener en cuenta la influencia de los mismos sobre los parámetros de calidad de la señal. Por ello, es necesario conocer esta influencia para que, a la hora de diseñar una red, se cumplan no solo los requisitos de nivel de señal en las tomas de usuario sino que también se han de cumplir los requisitos de calidad (MER, relación portadora a ruido, CBER). Para llevar a cabo este estudio, en primer lugar es necesario conocer los equipos de generación y medida de señales DVB-T. El conocimiento de las características de estos equipos, las funciones que pueden realizar y sus limitaciones ayudan a llevar a cabo un buen estudio de los parámetros de calidad de la señal. Posteriormente, se realiza un estudio individual de los elementos utilizados para la construcción de una red de distribución de señal de televisión digital terrestre con el objetivo de comprobar su comportamiento en frecuencia, ya que según los fabricantes su respuesta en frecuencia es plana, y su influencia sobre la calidad de la señal. Además, se utilizarán elementos de distintas características para conocer la influencia de dichas características sobre los parámetros de calidad. Una vez llevado a cabo este estudio individual, se construye una infraestructura común de telecomunicaciones para realizar las medidas necesarias en las tomas de usuario y en puntos intermedios para así conocer cómo empeora la calidad de la señal a lo largo de este tipo de redes. ABSTRACT. The increase in population with access to television services in the middle of the 20th century, made it necessary to set a new rule to regulate this service access through the common telecommunications infrastructures. These infrastructures are composed by different elements which can alter the parameters of quality of the broadcasted television signal, nowadays under DVB-T standard. Networks design are usually made taking into account the loss of each device but without taking into account the influence on the quality parameters of the signal. Because of that, it is necessary to know this influence in order to meet not only the level requirements but also the quality requirements (MER, carrier-to-noise relation, CBER). To carry out this study, it is first necessary to understand the generation and measurement DVB-T signal equipment. The knowledge of the characteristics of these devices, their functions and limitations help to carry out a good study of the signal quality parameters. Subsequently, an individual examination of the elements used to build a distribution network of digital terrestrial television is performed in order to check its frequency dependence, since according to manufacturers’ datasheets the frequency is flat, and its influence on the signal quality parameters. In addition, elements of different characteristics are used to determine the influence of these characteristics on the quality parameters. Once done this single study, a common telecommunications infrastructure is built to perform the necessary measurements at the user points and at intermediate points in order to know how the quality of the signal over this kind of networks.

Compatibilidad del principio de óptimo de Bellman con los métodos secuenciales de optimización de redes de tuberías

En el proceso de cálculo de redes de tuberías se maneja un conjunto de variables con unas características muy peculiares, ya que son discretas y estandarizadas. Por lo tanto su evolución se produce por escalones (la presión nominal, el diámetro y el costo de los tubos). Por otro lado la presión de diseño de la red es una función directa de la presión de cabecera. En el proceso de optimización mediante programación dinámica la presión de cabecera se va reduciendo gradualmente en cada secuencia del proceso, haciendo que evolucione a la par la presión de diseño, lo que genera a su vez saltos discriminados en la presión nominal de los tramos, y con ello en su costo y en su gradiente de cambio. En esta tesis doctoral se analiza si estos cambios discriminados que se producen en el gradiente de cambio de algunos tramos en el curso de una secuencia, ocasionados por la evolución de la presión de cabecera de la red, generan interferencias que alteran el proceso secuencial de la programación dinámica. La modificación del gradiente de cambio durante el transcurso de una secuencia se conoce con el nombre de mutación, la cual puede ser activa cuando involucra a un tramo optimo modificando las condiciones de la transacción o pasiva si no crea afección alguna. En el análisis realizado se distingue entre la mutación del gradiente de cambio de los tramos óptimos (que puede generarse exclusivamente en el conjunto de los trayectos que los albergan), y entre los efectos que el cambio de timbraje produce en el resto de los tramos de la red (incluso los situados aguas abajo de los nudos con holgura de presión nula) sobre el mecanismo iterativo, estudiando la compatibilidad de este fenómeno con el principio de óptimo de Bellman. En el proceso de investigación llevado a cabo se destaca la fortaleza que da al proceso secuencial del método Granados el hecho de que el gradiente de cambio siempre sea creciente en el avance hacia el óptimo, es decir que el costo marginal de la reducción de las pérdidas de carga de la red que se consigue en una iteración siempre sea más caro que el de la iteración precedente. Asimismo, en el estudio realizado se revisan los condicionantes impuestos al proceso de optimización, incluyendo algunos que hasta ahora no se han tenido en cuenta en los estudios de investigación, pero que están totalmente integrados en la ingeniería práctica, como es la disposición telescópica de las redes (reordenación de los diámetros de mayor a menor de cabeza a cola de la red), y la disposición de un único diámetro por tramo, en lugar de que estén compartidos por dos diámetros contiguos (con sus salvedades en caso de tramos de gran longitud, o en otras situaciones muy específicas). Finalmente se incluye un capítulo con las conclusiones, aportaciones y recomendaciones, las cuales se consideran de gran utilidad para la ingeniería práctica, entre las que se destaca la perfección del método secuencial, la escasa transcendencia de las mutaciones del gradiente de cambio y la forma en que pueden obviarse, la inocuidad de las mutaciones pasivas y el cumplimiento del principio de Bellman en todo el proceso de optimización. The sizing process of a water distribution network is based on several variables, being some of them special, as they are discrete and their values are standardized: pipe pressure rating, pipe diameter and pipe cost. On another note, the sizing process is directly related with the pressure at the network head. Given that during the optimization by means of the Granados’ Method (based on dynamic programming) the pressure at the network head is being gradually reduced, a jump from one pipe pressure rating to another may arise during the sequential process, leading to changes on the pipe cost and on the gradient change (unitary cost for reducing the head losses). This chain of changes may, in turn, affect the sequential process diverting it from an optimal policies path. This thesis analyses how the abovementioned alterations could influence the results of the dynamic programming algorithm, that is to say the compatibility with the Bellman’s Principle of Optimality, which states that the sequence has to follow a route of optimal policies, and that past decisions should not influence the remaining ones. The modification of the gradient change is known as mutation. Mutations are active when they affect the optimal link (the one which was selected to be changed during iteration) or passive when they do not alter the selection of the optimal link. The thesis analysed the potential mutations processes along the network, both on the optimal paths and also on the rest of the network, and its influence on the final results. Moreover, the investigation analysed the practical restrictions of the sizing process that are fully integrated in the applied engineering, but not always taken into account by the optimization tools. As the telescopic distribution of the diameters (i.e. larger diameters are placed at the network head) and the use of a unique diameter per link (with the exception of very large links, where two consecutive diameters may be placed). Conclusions regarding robustness of the dynamic programming algorithm are given. The sequence of the Granados Method is quite robust and it has been shown capable to auto-correct the mutations that could arise during the optimization process, and to achieve an optimal distribution even when the Bellman’s Principle of Optimality is not fully accomplished. The fact that the gradient change is always increasing during the optimization (that is to say, the marginal cost of reducing head losses is always increasing), provides robustness to the algorithm, as looping are avoided in the optimization sequence. Additionally, insight into the causes of the mutation process is provided and practical rules to avoid it are given, improving the current definition and utilization of the Granados’ Method.

Calidad ambiental electromagnética : atenuación de las radiaciones electromagnéticas en los espacios habitados

La perspectiva del arquitecto en calidad ambiental, y salud en un contexto sostenible, se amplía al considerar las radiaciones electromagnéticas no ionizantes en el diseño arquitectónico. En ese sentido, además del confort higrotérmico, acústico, lumínico y de la calidad del aire, se podría considerar el confort electromagnético de un lugar. Dado que existe gran controversia en cuales han de ser los límites de exposición a radiaciones electromagnéticas no ionizantes, establezco como punto de referencia los valores límite más restrictivos, que son los recomendados por la norma SBM-2008, desarrollada por el Institut für Baubiologie & Oekologie Neubeuern (IBN)1. Se plantean como hipótesis que podemos modificar el entorno electromagnético con materiales de construcción y geometría; y que determinados trazados geométricos tienen la capacidad de reducir el impacto de los campos electromagnéticos sobre los organismos vivos. El objetivo consiste en demostrar experimentalmente que podemos trabajar sobre la calidad ambiental electromagnética de un espacio, a través de la elección de materiales de construcción y trazados geométricos, intentando demostrar que existe una relación causa - efecto entre ambos. La metodología plantea tres aproximaciones experimentales, cada una con un tipo de radiación electromagnética, pues se pretende abarcar las situaciones que comúnmente se pueden presentar en un entorno habitado, ya sea urbano o rural. La primera aproximación trata sobre las alteraciones del campo geomagnético natural (nT / m) provocadas por los materiales de construcción. Utilizo el geomagnetómetro BPM 2010, para realizar un ensayo con cuatro tipos de materiales de distinta procedencia: origen vegetal muy poco procesado (corcho aglomerado negro) y más procesado (OSB), origen derivado del petróleo (tablero rígido de poliuretano) y de origen mineral metálico (chapa minionda). De la lectura de los datos se observa relación causa-efecto entre los materiales de construcción estudiados y las modificaciones que pueden ejercer sobre el campo magnético de un lugar. A continuación se estudia el entorno de radiación electromagnética artificial a baja frecuencia (3 Hz a 3 kHz) y a alta frecuencia, (800 MHz a 10 GHz) en vivienda y en oficina utilizando unas geometrías concretas: las tarjetas de corrección de radiaciones. Estas tarjetas se ubican en paramentos verticales y horizontales de un espacio sometido a radiación propia de un entorno urbano. Se concluye que en una habitación inciden múltiples variables simultáneas muy difíciles de trabajar por separado y que aparentemente no se pueden identificar cambios significativos en las mediciones con y sin las tarjetas de corrección de radiaciones. A continuación estudio el entorno de radiación electromagnética artificial a baja frecuencia asociada a la red de distribución eléctrica. Para poder ver cómo este entorno electromagnético lo podemos modificar, utilizo las tarjetas de corrección de radiaciones ubicadas en relación directa con organismos vivos, por un lado germinados de semillas de haba mungo sometidas a campos electromagnéticos complejos a alta y baja frecuencia, propios de una oficina; y por otro lado germinados de semillas de haba mungo, sometidas a campos electromagnéticos puros a 50 Hz, sin influencias de radiación a alta frecuencia. Se concluye que se observa relación causa - efecto entre los trazados geométricos estudiados y su capacidad para reducir el impacto de los campos electromagnéticos a altas y bajas frecuencias sobre las semillas de haba mungo. También utilizo las tarjetas de corrección de radiaciones en un ensayo normalizado en el laboratorio de bioelectromagnetismo del Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, con células de neuroblastoma humano. Se concluye que se observa relación causa - efecto entre los trazados geométricos estudiados y su capacidad para reducir el impacto de los campos electromagnéticos de 50 Hz Y 100 μT sobre células de neuroblastoma humano y además disminuyen la velocidad de proliferación celular respecto del grupo de células de control. Finalmente se estudia el entorno de radiación electromagnética artificial a alta frecuencia, asociado a comunicaciones inalámbricas. Para ello realizo simulaciones con el software CST Studio, sobre las tarjetas de corrección de radiaciones a alta frecuencia. A la luz de los datos se observa relación causa - efecto entre el trazado geométrico estudiado y su capacidad para reducir radiaciones electromagnéticas de alta frecuencia. Se comprueba además que, las tarjetas de corrección de radiaciones disminuyen la intensidad de la radiación acercándose a los límites de exposición establecidos por el instituto de la biología de la construcción alemán, que podrían estar señalando los estándares de biocompatibilidad. ABSTRACT The perspective of the architect in environmental quality, and health in a sustainable context is extended to consider non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in architectural design. In that sense, besides the hygrothermal, acoustic, lighting and air quality comfort, the electromagnetic comfort of an indoor space could be considered. There is still great controversy about which should be the limits of exposure to nonionizing electromagnetic radiation, as a benchmark, the more restrictive limits are considered, by the SBM- 2008 standard, developed by the Institut für Baubiologie & Oekologie Neubeuern (IBN). The hypotheses that arise are the following: the electromagnetic environment can be modified by using certain construction materials and geometry; and certain geometric design have the ability to reduce the impact of electromagnetic fields on living organisms. The aim is to demonstrate experimentally that we can work on electromagnetic environmental quality of a indoor space, by using certain construction materials and geometric design, trying to demonstrate a cause - effect relationship between them. The methodology raises three experimental approaches, each with a type of radiation, it is intend to cover situations commonly may occur in an inhabited environment, whether urban or rural. The first approach discusses the alteration of the natural magnetic field (nT / m) caused by the building materials. Geomagnetometre BPM 2010 is used for conducting a test with four types of materials from different sources: vegetable origin less processing (black agglomerate cork) and vegetable origin more processed (OSB), petroleum origin (rigid polyurethane board) and metallic origin (miniwave plate). It is observed across the data information that exist cause-effect relationship between the construction materials studied and the modifications that they can exercise on the magnetic field of a place. Then I study the environment of artificial electromagnetic radiation at low frequency (3 Hz to 3 kHz) and high frequency (800 MHz to 10 GHz) in housing and office, using some specific geometries: correcting radiation cards. These cards are placed in vertical and horizontal surfaces of an indoor space concerned by radiation. I conclude that an indoor space is affected by multiple simultaneous variables difficult to work separately and apparently it is not possible identify significant changes in measurements with and without correcting radiation cards. Then the artificial electromagnetic environment of low-frequency radiation associated with the electricity distribution network is studied. To see how the electromagnetic environment can be changed, correcting radiation cards are placed directly related to living organisms. On one hand, mung bean seeds subject to complex electromagnetic fields at low and high frequency, typical of an office; and on the other hand mung bean seeds, subjected to pure electromagnetic fields at 50 Hz, no influenced by high frequency radiation. It is observed that exist cause-effect relationship between the geometric design and their ability to reduce the impact of electromagnetic fields at high and low frequencies that arrives on on mung bean seeds. The correcting radiation cards were also used in a standard test in the bioelectromagnetics laboratory of Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, on human neuroblastoma cells. It is observed that exist cause-effect relationship between the geometric design and their ability to reduce the impact of electromagnetic fields at 50 Hz and 100 μT on human neuroblastoma cells and also decrease the rate of cell proliferation compared to the group of cells control. Finally the artificial electromagnetic radiation environment at high frequency associated with wireless communications was studied. Simulations with CST Study software were made to determine the behavior of correcting radiation cards in high-frequency. It is observed across the data information that exist causeeffect relationship between the geometric design and the ability to reduce the levels of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. It also checks that radiation correcting cards decrease the intensity of radiation approaching exposure limits established by Institut für Baubiologie & Oekologie Neubeuern (IBN), which could be signaling biocompatibility standards.

Estudo sobre a interação de métodos anti-ilhamento para sistemas fotovoltaicos conectados à rede de distribuição de baixa tensão com múltiplos inversores.

Este trabalho estuda a interação entre os métodos anti-ilhamento aplicados em sistemas fotovoltaicos residenciais, operando simultaneamente em uma rede de distribuição de baixa tensão. Os sistemas fotovoltaicos em geral interagem entre si, com a rede de distribuição da concessionária e com outras fontes de geração distribuída. Uma consequência importante dessa interação é a ocorrência do ilhamento, que acontece quando as fontes de geração distribuída fornecem energia ao sistema elétrico de potência mesmo quando esta se encontra eletricamente isolada do sistema elétrico principal. A função anti-ilhamento é uma proteção extremamente importante, devendo estar presente em todos os sistemas de geração distribuída. Atualmente, são encontradas diversas técnicas na literatura. Muitas delas oferecem proteção adequada quando um inversor está conectado à linha de distribuição, mas podem falhar quando dois ou mais funcionam simultaneamente, conectados juntos ou próximos entre si. Dois destes métodos são analisados detalhadamente nesse estudo, avaliados em uma rede de distribuição residencial de baixa tensão. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a influência de um método sobre o outro é dependente da predominância de cada um deles dentro do sistema elétrico. Contudo, nas condições analisadas o ilhamento foi detectado dentro do limite máximo estabelecido pelas normas pertinentes.

Modeling of Distributed Generation under Next Generation Interconnection Requirements

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

A general-purpose tunable landscape generator

The research literature on metalieuristic and evolutionary computation has proposed a large number of algorithms for the solution of challenging real-world optimization problems. It is often not possible to study theoretically the performance of these algorithms unless significant assumptions are made on either the algorithm itself or the problems to which it is applied, or both. As a consequence, metalieuristics are typically evaluated empirically using a set of test problems. Unfortunately, relatively little attention has been given to the development of methodologies and tools for the large-scale empirical evaluation and/or comparison of metaheuristics. In this paper, we propose a landscape (test-problem) generator that can be used to generate optimization problem instances for continuous, bound-constrained optimization problems. The landscape generator is parameterized by a small number of parameters, and the values of these parameters have a direct and intuitive interpretation in terms of the geometric features of the landscapes that they produce. An experimental space is defined over algorithms and problems, via a tuple of parameters for any specified algorithm and problem class (here determined by the landscape generator). An experiment is then clearly specified as a point in this space, in a way that is analogous to other areas of experimental algorithmics, and more generally in experimental design. Experimental results are presented, demonstrating the use of the landscape generator. In particular, we analyze some simple, continuous estimation of distribution algorithms, and gain new insights into the behavior of these algorithms using the landscape generator.

DC-DC Power Converters Featuring Wide-Bandgap Devices

This work focuses on the design of high-efficient DC-DC converters based on WBG power devices. The first objective is the development of an isolated bidirectional converter for the distribution network of future electrical aircrafts. A SiC-based Dual Active Bridge converter is designed and fabricated. Control strategies for individual and parallel operations are investigated and implemented into a FPGA platform. Experimental results on 1.2kW 270V/28V prototype are presented to confirm the proper behavior of the proposed solution. The second project belongs to the field of photovoltaic systems and aims to develop a three-port converter with multiple power elements interfacing capability. A GaN-based Triple Active Bridge has been designed, regarding both the controller and the hardware realization.

Improving returnable transport equipment management with an autonomous approach

Challenges of returnable transport equipment (RTE) management continue to heighten as the popularity of their usage magnifies. Logistics companies are investigating the implementation of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to alleviate problems such as loss prevention and stock reduction. However, the research within this field is limited and fails to fully explore with depth, the wider network improvements that can be made to optimize the supply chain through efficient RTE management. This paper, investigates the nature of RTE network management building on current research and practices, filling a gap in the literature, through the investigation of a product-centric approach where the paradigms of “intelligent products” and “autonomous objects” are explored. A network optimizing approach with RTE management is explored, encouraging advanced research development of the RTE paradigm to align academic research with problematic areas in industry. Further research continues with the development of an agent-based software system, ready for application to a real-case study distribution network, producing quantitative results for further analysis. This is pivotal on the endeavor to developing agile support systems, fully utilizing an information-centric environment and encouraging RTE to be viewed as critical network optimizing tools rather than costly waste.

Power quality improvements for LV networks

In order to increase the capacity of the existing Low Voltage grid, one solution is to increase the nominal residential network voltage from 230 V to 300 V, which is easily accommodated within the voltage rating of existing infrastructure such as cabling. A power electronic AC-AC converter would then be used to step the voltage back down to 230 V at an individual property. Such equipment could also be used to provide power quality improvements on both the utility and customer side of the converter depending on its topology. This paper provides an overview of a project which is looking at the development of such a device. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the local UK, Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

Simulation of power quality issues in more electric aircraft actuator supplies

To examine the detailed operation of the power distribution network in a future more electric aircraft that employs electric actuation systems, a Micro-Cap SPICE simulation is developed for one of the essential buses. Particular attention is paid to model accurately the most important effects that influence system power quality. Representative system and flight data are used to illustrate the operation of the simulation and to assess the power quality conditions within the network as the flight control surfaces are deployed. The results illustrate the importance of correct cable sizing to ensure stable operation of actuators during transient conditions.

Modular ESS with second life batteries operating in grid independent mode

This work is part of a bigger project which aims to research the potential development of commercial opportunities for the re-use of batteries after their use in low carbon vehicles on an electricity grid or microgrid system. There are three main revenue streams (peak load lopping on the distribution Network to allow for network re-enforcement deferral, National Grid primary/ secondary/ high frequency response, customer energy management optimization). These incomes streams are dependent on the grid system being present. However, there is additional opportunity to be gained from also using these batteries to provide UPS backup when the grid is no longer present. Most UPS or ESS on the market use new batteries in conjunction with a two level converter interface. This produces a reliable backup solution in the case of loss of mains power, but may be expensive to implement. This paper introduces a modular multilevel cascade converter (MMCC) based ESS using second-life batteries for use on a grid independent industrial plant without any additional onsite generator as a potentially cheaper alternative. The number of modules has been designed for a given reliability target and these modules could be used to minimize/eliminate the output filter. An appropriate strategy to provide voltage and frequency control in a grid independent system is described and simulated under different disturbance conditions such as load switching, fault conditions or a large motor starting. A comparison of the results from the modular topology against a traditional two level converter is provided to prove similar performance criteria. The proposed ESS and control strategy is an acceptable way of providing backup power in the event of loss of grid. Additional financial benefit to the customer may be obtained by using a second life battery in this way.

Pushing the Quality Level in Networked News Business: Semantic-Based Content Retrieval and Composition in International News Publishing

Electronic publishing exploits numerous possibilities to present or exchange information and to communicate via most current media like the Internet. By utilizing modern Web technologies like Web Services, loosely coupled services, and peer-to-peer networks we describe the integration of an intelligent business news presentation and distribution network. Employing semantics technologies enables the coupling of multinational and multilingual business news data on a scalable international level and thus introduce a service quality that is not achieved by alternative technologies in the news distribution area so far. Architecturally, we identified the loose coupling of existing services as the most feasible way to address multinational and multilingual news presentation and distribution networks. Furthermore we semantically enrich multinational news contents by relating them using AI techniques like the Vector Space Model. Summarizing our experiences we describe the technical integration of semantics and communication technologies in order to create a modern international news network.

Generalizing of Neural Nets: Functional Nets of Special Type

Special generalizing for the artificial neural nets: so called RFT – FN – is under discussion in the report. Such refinement touch upon the constituent elements for the conception of artificial neural network, namely, the choice of main primary functional elements in the net, the way to connect them(topology) and the structure of the net as a whole. As to the last, the structure of the functional net proposed is determined dynamically just in the constructing the net by itself by the special recurrent procedure. The number of newly joining primary functional elements, the topology of its connecting and tuning of the primary elements is the content of the each recurrent step. The procedure is terminated under fulfilling “natural” criteria relating residuals for example. The functional proposed can be used in solving the approximation problem for the functions, represented by its observations, for classifying and clustering, pattern recognition, etc. Recurrent procedure provide for the versatile optimizing possibilities: as on the each step of the procedure and wholly: by the choice of the newly joining elements, topology, by the affine transformations if input and intermediate coordinate as well as by its nonlinear coordinate wise transformations. All considerations are essentially based, constructively and evidently represented by the means of the Generalized Inverse.

Maximising the efficiency of logistics operations with radio frequency identification technology

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has gained increasing popularity in businesses to improve operational efficiency and maximise costs saving. However, there is a gap in the literature exploring the enhanced use of RFID to substantially add values to the supply chain operations, especially beyond what the RFID vendors could offer. This paper presents a multi-agent system, incorporating RFID technology, aimed at fulfilling the gap. The system is developed to model supply chain activities (in particular, logistics operations) and is comprised of autonomous and intelligent agents representing the key entities in the supply chain. With the advanced characteristics of RFID incorporated, the agent system examines ways logistics operations (i.e. distribution network) particular) can be efficiently reconfigured and optimised in response to dynamic changes in the market, production and at any stage in the supply chain. © 2012 IEEE.