Sharif Digital Repository

A robust motion controller based on backstepping technique for a robotic nurse unit to assist paraplegic patients is addressed in this paper. A backstepping controller is proposed for tracking a desired trajectory in hospital environment. Simulation results are provided to validate the proposed controller. The results show satisfactory performance of the designed controller in tracking problem. Copyright © 2005 by ASME  

A nonlinear position controller based on backstepping control technique is proposed for a hybrid stepper motor in micro-step operation. Backstepping control approach is adapted to derive the control scheme, which is robust to parameter uncertainties and external load disturbance. Simulation results clearly show that the proposed controller can track the position reference signal successfully under parameter uncertainties and load torque disturbance rejection. Copyright © 2005 by ASME  

In order to be adapted to changes in user requirements and/or the environment, many software systems need to run continuously while they evolve. Most current approaches for such dynamic reconfiguration assume that the evolved system will behave as expected and thus will be reliable if the reconfiguration is consistent. This assumption may not correspond to reality because the delivered quality estimated previously could vary due to parameter changes at runtime. To ensure that the system acts correctly in the field after the reconfiguration, reliability of changes has to be checked at runtime. Existing approaches, however, are not applicable in highly available systems due to the possibility... 

The main scope of this study is to analyse muscle-driven forward dynamics simulation of stair locomotion to understand the functional differences of individual muscles during the movement. A static optimization was employed to minimize a performance criterion based on the muscle energy consumption to resolve muscle redundancy during forward dynamics simulation. The proposed method was employed to simulate a musculoskeletal system with ten degrees of freedom in the sagittal plane and containing 18 Hill-type musculotendon actuators per leg. Simulation results illustrated that simulated joint kinematics closely tracked experimental quantities with root-mean-squared errors less than 1 degree. In... 

Effect of random signals with various powers, as current loads, on positioning and disturbance rejection problems on micro-step PID closed loop control system is addressed in this paper. Experimental results due to implementing different white noise power, speed, and a 0.3 N.m disturbance load torque show that, Random noise source changes current profile and affects the accuracy of positioning in tracking and disturbance rejection problems. Performance of the PID proposed controller under the implementation of random noise on phases of the HSM has been proved to be accurate enough even under disturbance torque acting on the system. Copyright © 2005 by ASME  

In this paper, design and real time experimental implementation of Fuzzy Gain Scheduling of PID controller for Hybrid Stepper Motor in Micro-stepping operation is described that was developed to track the desired positioning problem. The control problems characterized by mathematical models exhibit significant nonlinearity and uncertainty. Good performance of proposed Fuzzy PID controller are shown  

The Gnutella protocol requires peers to broadcast messages to their neighbors when they search files. The message passing generates a lot of traffic in the network, which degrades the quality of service. We propose the new method to optimize the speed of search and to improve the quality of service in a Gnutella based peer-to-peer environment with using semantic routing and priority of nodes. Once peers generate their "friends lists", they use these lists to route queries in the network. This helps to reduce the search time and to decrease the network traffic by minimizing the number of messages circulating in the system as compared to standard Gnutella  

The objective of this work is to design electrostatic actuators for a CMOS-MEMS nano-newton capacitive force sensor to suppress vertical vibrations disturbances. Electrostatic actuators are selected because the movable part of this force sensor is anchored to the fixed parts. In the first step, we propose a framework for simulation of the force sensor based on finite element method. The proposed model is modified utilizing comparison between the simulation and experimental models to improve the performance of the model. Then, 14 pairs of electrostatic actuators are designed for applying the control algorithm and their pull-in voltage is calculated. In next step, Modal Analysis is applied to... 

The aim of this article is to present an efficient dynamical model for simulating flapping robot performance employing the bond graph approach. For this purpose, the complete constitutive elements of the system under investigation, including the main body and accessories, flapping mechanism, flexible wings and propulsion system consisting of a battery, DC motors and gear boxes, are considered. A complete model of the system was developed appending bond graph models of the subsystems together utilizing appropriate junctions. The wings were also modeled using ANSYS only for an initial evaluation. Moreover, a computer model was developed employing the block-oriented structure of Simulink in... 

The main scope of this study is to analyse muscle-driven forward dynamics simulation of stair locomotion to understand the functional differences of individual muscles during the movement. A static optimization was employed to minimize a performance criterion based on the muscle energy consumption to resolve muscle redundancy during forward dynamics simulation. The proposed method was employed to simulate a musculoskeletal system with ten degrees of freedom in the sagittal plane and containing 18 Hill-type musculotendon actuators per leg. Simulation results illustrated that simulated joint kinematics closely tracked experimental quantities with root-mean-squared errors less than 1°. In... 

A vector bond graph approach for dynamic modeling of human musculo-skeletal system is addressed in this article. In the proposed model, human body is modeled as a ten-segment, nine degree of freedom, mechanical linkage, actuated by ten muscles in sagittal plane. The head, arm and torso (HAT) are modeled as a single rigid body. Interaction of the feet with the ground is modeled using a spring-damper unit placed under the sole of each foot. The path of each muscle is represented by a straight line. Each actuator is modeled as a three-element, Hill-type muscle in series with tendon. The governing equations of motion generated by the proposed method are equivalent to those developed with more... 

Integrating humans and robotics technology into one system offers multiple opportunities for creating assistive technologies that can be employed in biomechanical, industrial, and aerospace applications. The present study deals with employing the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) approach in rule base derivation for powered exoskeleton intelligent control to assist paraplegic patient mobility. By employing the hybrid learning algorithm, optimal distributed membership functions to describe the mapping relation in the input and output parameters of the gait cycle were derived. As the proposed control strategy was unaffected by changing human dynamics, the reliability and robustness... 

Exceptions are an indispensable part of the software development process. However, developers usually rely on imprecise results from a web search to resolve exceptions. More specifically, they should personally take into account the context of an exception, then, choose and adapt a relevant solution to solve the problem. In this paper, we present Exception Tracer, an Eclipse plug in that helps developers to resolve exceptions with respect to the stack trace in Java programs. In particular, Exception Tracer automatically provides candidate solutions to an exception by mining software systems in the Source Forge, as well as listing relevant discussions about the problem from the Stack Overflow... 

Despite the need for change, highly available software systems cannot be stopped to perform changes because disruption in their services may consequent irrecoverable losses. Current work on runtime evolution are either too disruptive, e.g., "blackouts" in unnecessary components in the quiescence criterion approach or presume restrictive assumptions such as the "black-box design" in the tranquility approach. In this paper, an architecture-based approach, called SAFER, is proposed which provides a better timeliness by relaxing any precondition required to start reconfiguration. We demonstrate the validity of the SAFER through model checking and a realization of the approach on a component... 

Real-time linear robust control of a two phase hybrid stepper motor with Quantitative Feedback Theory method in micro-stepping operation is considered in this paper. Utilizing the phase currents as inputs, linear robust controller is derived for a Hybrid Stepper Motor that achieves robustness to parametric and dynamic uncertainties such as viscous friction, load torque, flux linkage and other uncertainties. Simulation and experimental studies are presented to show the efficiency of the control design approach  

Several lower extremity exoskeletal systems have been developed for augmentation purpose. Common actuators, have important drawbacks such as complexity, and poor torque capacities. The main scope of this research is to propose a series elastic actuator for lower extremity exoskeletal system which was designed based on muscle functional analysis. For this purpose, a biomechanical framework consisting of a musculoskeletal model with ten degrees-of-freedom actuated by eighteen Hill-type musculotendon actuators per leg is utilized to perform the muscle functional analysis for common daily human activities. The simulation study illustrated functional differences between flexor and extensor... 

Laminated composite structures are vulnerable to failure when subjected to impact and vibration. The present work investigates the impact response of laminated composite structures filled with MR-fluid segments. The mathematical modelling of a composite plate is presented using finite element method with MATLAB® software to study the vibration response due to impact loads. A proof-of-the-concept experimental work has been set up in order to illustrate the performance and functionality of the MR-fluid on damping vibration for MR-laminated composite structures. © 2017 Author(s)  

An inverse dynamics musculoskeletal model of the lower extremity was combined with an optimization technique to estimate individual muscular forces and powers during stair ascent and descent. Eighteen Hill-type musculotendon actuators per leg were combined into the eleven functional muscle groups based on anatomical classification to drive the model in the sagittal plane. Simulation results illustrate the major functional differences in plantar flexors of the ankle and extensors of the knee and hip joints during ascent and descent. The results of this study not only could be employed to evaluate the rehabilitation results in the elderly but also could be used to design more anthropometric... 

During the past decade, Electro-Hydraulic system has performed a significant role in industrial engineering as an actuator for high performance and precision positioning applications. In this case, many control methods have been developed for an electro-hydraulic actuated clutch. In this paper a Linear Quadratic Regulators (LQR) is proposed to trajectory control of a wet clutch actuated by a hydraulic servo valve mechanism. Simulation study was performed using linearized mathematical model of the system implemented in MATLAB software. Based on the simulation results performance of the proposed controller was evaluated and discussed  

The aim of this study is to employ feedback control loops to provide a stable forward dynamics simulation of human movement under repeated position constraint conditions in the environment, particularly during stair climbing. A ten-degrees-of-freedom skeletal model containing 18 Hill-type musculotendon actuators per leg was employed to simulate the model in the sagittal plane. The postural tracking and obstacle avoidance were provided by the proportional - integral - derivative controller according to the modulation of the time rate change of the joint kinematics. The stability of the model was maintained by controlling the velocity of the body's centre of mass according to the desired...