Introduction to evolutionary computing in system design

In this chapter, an introduction on the use of evolutionary computing techniques, which are considered as global optimization and search techniques inspired from biological evolutions, in the domain of system design is presented. A variety of evolutionary computing techniques are first explained, and the motivations of using evolutionary computing techniques in tackling system design tasks are then discussed. In addition, a number of successful applications of evolutionary computing to system design tasks are described.

Exact-estimator-based terminal sliding mode control system design

This paper investigates an estimator-based terminal sliding mode control system. An exact estimator is proposed to exactly estimate the unknown uncertainties in finite time. The output of the exact estimator is used to design a continuous chattering free terminal sliding mode control. The time taken for the closed-loop system to reach zero tracking error is proven to be finite. Experiment results are presented, using a real time digital-signal-processor (DSP) based electromagnetic levitation system to implement the control performance.

Rural-urban TBI outcomes : system design, experience and paramedic intervention

The results of this research suggest that outcomes following severe TBI are similar between rural and urban locations, and that paramedics face unique challenges when managing high-acuity low-frequency cases in rural areas.

Cogeneration system design optimization

Cogeneration system design deals with several parameters in the synthesis phase, where not only a thermal cycle must be indicated but the general arrangement, type, capacity and number of machines need to be defined. This problem is not trivial because many parameters are considered as goals in the project. An optimization technique that considers costs and revenues, reliability, pollutant emissions and exergetic efficiency as goals to be reached in the synthesis phase of a cogeneration system design process is presented. A discussion of appropriated values and the results for a pulp and paper plant integration to a cogeneration system are shown in order to illustrate the proposed methodology.

Cogeneration system design optimization

Cogeneration system design deals with several parameters in the synthesis phase, where not only a thermal cycle must be indicated but the general arrangement, type, capacity and number of machines need to be defined. This problem is not trivial because many parameters are considered as goals in the project. An optimization technique that considers costs and revenues, reliability, pollutant emissions and exergetic efficiency as goals to be reached in the synthesis phase of a cogeneration system design process is presented. A discussion of appropriated values and the results for a pulp and paper plant integration to a cogeneration system are shown in order to illustrate the proposed methodology.

Power losses analysis and cooling system design of three topologies of multilevel inverters

This paper presents the comparison of three topologies of multilevel inverters applied to drive an induction motor of 500 kVA/4.16 kV. The multilevel inverters analyzed are: a neutral point clamped inverter, a symmetrical cascaded multilevel inverter and a hybrid asymmetrical cascaded multilevel inverter. The performance indexes used in the comparison are total harmonic distortion, first order distortion factor, semiconductors power losses distribution and heat-sink volume. The comparison is developed with the purpose of finding the efficiency and the heat-sink volume where the three systems present the same output filter. ©2008 IEEE.

Digital system design process automation using place/transition petri nets

The constant increase in digital systems complexity definitely demands the automation of the corresponding synthesis process. This paper presents a computational environment designed to produce both software and hardware implementations of a system. The tool for code generation has been named ACG8051. As for the hardware synthesis there has been produced a larger environment consisting of four programs, namely: PIPE2TAB, AGPS, TABELA, and TAB2VHDL. ACG8051 and PIPE2TAB use place/transition net descriptions from PIPE as inputs. ACG8051 is aimed at generating assembly code for the 8051 micro-controller. PIPE2TAB produces a tabular version of a Mealy type finite state machine of the system, its output is fed into AGPS that is used for state allocation. The resulting digital system is then input to TABELA, which minimizes control functions and outputs of the digital system. Finally, the output generated by TABELA is fed to TAB2VHDL that produces a VHDL description of the system at the register transfer level. Thus, we present here a set of tools designed to take a high-level description of a digital system, represented by a place/transition net, and produces as output both an assembly code that can be immediately run on an 8051 micro-controller, and a VHDL description that can be used to directly implement the hardware parts either on an FPGA or as an ASIC.

Controlled reproduction in Anguilla anguilla (L.): advanced studies on broodstock management, spawning techniques and system design for artificial seed production.

The thesis aims to expose the advances achieved in the practices of captive breeding of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Aspects investigated concern both approaches livestock (breeding selection, response to hormonal stimulation, reproductive performance, incubation of eggs) and physiological aspects (endocrine plasma profiles of players), as well as engineering aspects. Studies conducted on various populations of wild eel have shown that the main determining factor in the selection of wild females destined to captive breeding must be the Silver Index which may determine the stage of pubertal development. The hormonal induction protocol adopted, with increasing doses of carp pituitary extract, it has proven useful to ovarian development, with a synchronization effect that is positively reflected on egg production. The studies on the effects of photoperiod show how the condition of total darkness can positively influence practices of reproductions in captivity. The effects of photoperiod were also investigated at the physiological level, observing the plasma levels of steroids ( E2, T) and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and the expression in the liver of vitellogenin (vtg1 and vtg2) and estradiol membrane receptor (ESR1). From the comparison between spontaneous deposition and insemination techniques through the stripping is inferred as the first ports to a better qualitative and quantitative yield in the production of eggs capable of being fertilized, also the presence of a percentage of oocytes completely transparent can be used to obtain eggs at a good rate of fertility. Finally, the design and implementation of a system for recirculating aquaculture suited to meet the needs of species-specific eel showed how to improve the reproductive results, it would be preferable to adopt low-flow and low density incubation.