Robust observer design for a class of one-sided Lipschitz systems subject to time delays and disturbances in both plants and outputs

In this paper, we consider the problem of designing state observers for a class of one-sided Lipschitz time-delay systems subject to disturbances. Not only the plants but also the outputs of the systems are subject to time delays and disturbances. The one-sided Lipschitz and quadraticallyinner-bounded conditions, which are more general than the traditional Lipschitz condition, are utilized to cover a broader class of nonlinearities. Based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii approach, a robust observer design is proposed where synthesis condition is derived in terms of linear matrixinequality (LMI). A numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the obtained results.

A novel approach to exponential stability of continuous-time Roesser systems with directional time-varying delays

This paper addresses the problem of exponential stability analysis of two-dimensional (2D) linearcontinuous-time systems with directional time-varying delays. An abstract Lyapunov-like theorem whichensures that a 2D linear system with delays is exponentially stable for a prescribed decay rate is exploitedfor the first time. In light of the abstract theorem, and by utilizing new 2D weighted integral inequalitiesproposed in this paper, new delay-dependent exponential stability conditions are derived in terms oftractable matrix inequalities which can be solved by various computational tools to obtain maximumallowable bound of delays and exponential decay rate. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate theeffectiveness of the obtained results.

QoC Elastic Scheduling for Real-Time Control Systems

The elastic task model, a significant development in scheduling of real-time control tasks, provides a mechanism for flexible workload management in uncertain environments. It tells how to adjust the control periods to fulfill the workload constraints. However, it is not directly linked to the quality-of-control (QoC) management, the ultimate goal of a control system. As a result, it does not tell how to make the best use of the system resources to maximize the QoC improvement. To fill in this gap, a new feedback scheduling framework, which we refer to as QoC elastic scheduling, is developed in this paper for real-time process control systems. It addresses the QoC directly through embedding both the QoC management and workload adaptation into a constrained optimization problem. The resulting solution for period adjustment is in a closed-form expressed in QoC measurements, enabling closed-loop feedback of the QoC to the task scheduler. Whenever the QoC elastic scheduler is activated, it improves the QoC the most while still meeting the system constraints. Examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the QoC elastic scheduling.

Integrating real time positioning systems to improve blind lifting and loading crane operations

Mobile/tower cranes are the most essential forms of construction plant in use in the construction industry but are also the subject of several safety issues. Of these, blind lifting has been found to be one of the most hazardous of crane operations. To improve the situation, a real-time monitoring system that integrates the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is developed. This system aims to identify unauthorized work or entrance of personnel within a pre-defined risk zone by obtaining positioning data of both site workers and the crane. The system alerts to the presence of unauthorized workers within a risk zone——currently defined as 3m from the crane. When this happens, the system suspends the power of the crane and a warning signal is generated to the safety management team. In this way the system assists the safety management team to manage the safety of hundreds of workers simultaneously. An onsite trial with debriefing interviews is presented to illustrate and validate the system in use.

Analysis of randomly time varying systems by gaussian closure technique

The Gaussian probability closure technique is applied to study the random response of multidegree of freedom stochastically time varying systems under non-Gaussian excitations. Under the assumption that the response, the coefficient and the excitation processes are jointly Gaussian, deterministic equations are derived for the first two response moments. It is further shown that this technique leads to the best Gaussian estimate in a minimum mean square error sense. An example problem is solved which demonstrates the capability of this technique for handling non-linearity, stochastic system parameters and amplitude limited responses in a unified manner. Numerical results obtained through the Gaussian closure technique compare well with the exact solutions.

Real-time locating systems applications in construction

Real-time locating systems (RTLSs) are considered an effective way to identify and track the location of an object in both indoor and outdoor environments. Various RTLSs have been developed and made commercially available in recent years. Research into RTLSs in the construction sector is ubiquitous and results have been published in many construction-related academic journals over the past decade. A succinct and systematic review of current applications would help academics, researchers and industry practitioners in identifying existing research deficiencies and therefore future research directions. However, such a review is lacking to date. This paper provides a framework for understanding RTLS research and development in the construction literature over the last decade. The research opportunities and directions of construction RTLS are highlighted. Background information relating to construction RTLS trends, accuracy, deployment, cost, purposes, advantages and limitations is provided. Four major research gaps are identified and research opportunities and directions are highlighted.

A differential transformation technique for the analysis of a class of non-linear time varying systems

The scope of the differential transformation technique, developed earlier for the study of non-linear, time invariant systems, has been extended to the domain of time-varying systems by modifications to the differential transformation laws proposed therein. Equivalence of a class of second-order, non-linear, non-autonomous systems with a linear autonomous model of second order is established through these transformation laws. The feasibility of application of this technique in obtaining the response of such non-linear time-varying systems is discussed.

The non-linear response of a gyrostabilized platform: Effects of correction torque time delay and of random inputs

First, the non-linear response of a gyrostabilized platform to a small constant input torque is analyzed in respect to the effect of the time delay (inherent or deliberately introduced) in the correction torque supplied by the servomotor, which itself may be non-linear to a certain extent. The equation of motion of the platform system is a third order nonlinear non-homogeneous differential equation. An approximate analytical method of solution of this equation is utilized. The value of the delay at which the platform response becomes unstable has been calculated by using this approximate analytical method. The procedure is illustrated by means of a numerical example. Second, the non-linear response of the platform to a random input has been obtained. The effects of several types of non-linearity on reducing the level of the mean square response have been investigated, by applying the technique of equivalent linearization and solving the resulting integral equations by using laguerre or Gaussian integration techniques. The mean square responses to white noise and band limited white noise, for various values of the non-linear parameter and for different types of non-linearity function, have been obtained. For positive values of the non-linear parameter the levels of the non-linear mean square responses to both white noise and band-limited white noise are low as compared to the linear mean square response. For negative values of the non-linear parameter the level of the non-linear mean square response at first increases slowly with increasing values of the non-linear parameter and then suddenly jumps to a high level, at a certain value of the non-linearity parameter.

On the L2 stability of linear multidimensional time varying systems

This paper analyzes the L2 stability of solutions of systems with time-varying coefficients of the form [A + C(t)]x′ = [B + D(t)]x + u, where A, B, C, D are matrices. Following proof of a lemma, the main result is derived, according to which the system is L2 stable if the eigenvalues of the coefficient matrices are related in a simple way. A corollary of the theorem dealing with small periodic perturbations of constant coefficient systems is then proved. The paper concludes with two illustrative examples, both of which deal with the attitude dynamics of a rigid, axisymmetric, spinning satellite in an eccentric orbit, subject to gravity gradient torques.

Bounded-input/bounded-output stability of linear multidimensional time- varying systems

The present study of the stability of systems governed by a linear multidimensional time-varying equation, which are encountered in spacecraft dynamics, economics, demographics, and biological systems, gives attention the lemma dealing with L(inf) stability of an integral equation that results from the differential equation of the system under consideration. Using the proof of this lemma, the main result on L(inf) stability is derived according; a corollary of the theorem deals with constant coefficient systems perturbed by small periodic terms. (O.C.)