Computing and Control Engineering
Print ISSN
0956-3385
Online ISSN 1741-0460
Online ISSN 1741-0460
Published from 2003-2007, Computing and Control Engineering was concerned with computing, communications, control and instrumentation. It provided a forum in which practising professionals could keep abreast of technical developments in a wide range of disciplines in their field, and a forum for exchanging experiences, anecdotes, success and failure stories and best practices in the conduct of their professional lives.
This publication was previously known as Computing & Control Engineering Journal 1990-2002. ISSN 0956-3385. more..
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Exploring the dark side
- Author(s): J. Cherwinka
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10
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A novel astronomical messenger called a neutrino to probe the universe, THE ICECUBE Neutrino Detector is a neutrino telescope currently under construction at the South Pole. The IceCube telescope is a powerful tool to search for dark matter, and could reveal the new physical processes associated with the enigmatic origin of the highest energy particles in nature. Neutrinos are produced by the decay of radioactive elements and elementary particles such as pions. Unlike photons or charged particles, neutrinos can emerge from deep inside their sources and travel across the universe without interference. For every muon from a cosmic neutrino, IceCube detects a million more muons produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere above the detector. IceCube looks through the earth and to the northern skies, using the planet as a filter to select neutrinos. Since the 1950s scientists have built a compelling scientific case for doing astronomy and particle physics using high-energy neutrinos. The challenge has been one of technology to build the kilometre-sized observatory needed to do the science. Theorists anticipate that an instrument of this size is required to study neutrinos from distant astrophysical sources.
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Tackling feedback design complexity
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p.
16
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Feedback control dealt with the application of cheap commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware to control problems. What does not come cheap, however, is the design, in terms of software and people skills. Engineering design was mostly based on hand calculations 30 years ago, and scientific calculators from the likes of Hewlett Packard and Texas Instruments were all the rage with designers. The feedback loop was expressed as an equation G = A/(1-AB), which still forms the basis of most simulation and design software today, where G is the gain of the system, with A representing the feed-forward element, typically an amplifier, and B representing the feedback element. The minus sign indicates negative feedback. The input to the equation is typically by means of a matrix, which is the foundation of several of today's leading software packages, including, amongst others, Math Works Matlab (matrix laboratory) and Simulink, and National Instruments (NI) MatrixX and Lab View. Both companies are working relentlessly to complete the design cycle from design and simulation through to testing and commissioning in hardware, and even in silicon. The Math Works has recently launched Embedded Matlab, which allows users to generate embeddable C code directly from Matlab programs, avoiding the common, time-consuming and error-prone process of rewriting Matlab algorithms in C. Embedded Matlab supports many high-level Matlab language features, such as multidimensional arrays, real and complex numbers, structures, flow control and subscripting. The conversion to C code is performed by Real-Time Workshop 7. If Simulink is used, synthesisable Verilog and VHDL can also be generated.
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News
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(2 pages)
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Building an integrated 3D picture
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p.
22
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UVs offer many advantages over inhabited vehicles. They can be dispatched into high-risk areas and remain there for longer periods. As the complexity and number of UVs and onboard sensors increase, the effective management of data becomes a significant issue. However, through careful tasking and intelligent algorithms the volume of information relayed to operators and analysts can be controlled. The often conflicting requirements of sensors carried by UAVs, and micro-UAVs in particular, compromises performance against physical properties.
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Robot rush hour
- Author(s): I. Miller
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p.
28
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Describing DARPA's latest contest, the so-called urban challenge, is simple: drive a full-size car 60 miles in traffic, obey the rules of the road, complete mock urban supply missions and win big bucks from the US government. Robots faced several challenges while completing their missions, including overtaking other cars.
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Rush hour 2 [Urban Challenge for autonomous ground vehicles]
- Author(s): E. Frazzoli
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p.
32
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The ultimate goal for many of the scientists and engineers who designed and built the autonomous vehicles is to dramatically increase the level of safety in automotive traffic.The race aspect of the Challenge added some spice to what turned out to be a rigorous test of the current state of the art in autonomous ground robotics.
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Taming the beast [Formula 1]
- Author(s): A. Lacoponi
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p.
36
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Improvements in safety and the banning of electronic driving aids have continually changed the scope of the electronics in Formula 1 over the years and with the FIA imposing a single ECU on teams for the next season it only highlights the controversy between technology and competition. More controversy is likely with the necessity to bring an environmental friendly image to Formula 1.
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Painting a new dawn [robot for automotive painting]
- Author(s): U. Grohmann
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p.
42
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ABB's new, enhanced high-flow atomiser series, the FlexPainter IRB 5500, together with StayOn and NoPatch, offers reduced equipment costs by moving from the historical nine bell gate and four robot paint cell to a two-robot high performance paint cell. The smaller robotic painting booth footprint and the significantly reduced amount of air handled in the ventilation systems also have less impact on the environment. So, it's a win/win situation and proves that, in this case at least, 'less is more'.
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Events
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46
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Final word
- Author(s): S. Paatz
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p.
48
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There is a growing need for efficient and flexible robots in manufacturing, not just by traditional users but by businesses of all sizes and type except in the UK, which seems to be lagging behind.
