Allocation of expensive resources, (such as Multiplier) onto the CGRA has been of interest from quite some time. For these architectural solutions to fulfill the designers' requirements, it is of utmost importance that the design offers high performance, low power consumption, and effective area utilization. The allocation problem is studied using the UntangledII gaming environment, which has been developed at the Reconfigurable Computing Lab at UNT to discover the design of custom domain-specific architectures. This thesis explores several case-studies to investigate the arrangement of functional units and interconnects to achieve a low power, high performance, and flexible heterogeneous designs that can fit for a suite of applications. In the later part, several human mapping strategies of top and bottom players to design a custom domain-specific architecture are presented. Some common trends that were examined while analyzing the mapping strategies of the players are also discussed.

New types of laboratory reactors that are highly customizable, low-cost and easy to produce are needed to investigate low-temperature geochemical processes. We recently showed that desktop 3D printing stereolithography (SLA) can be used to efficiently fabricate a mixed flow reactor (MFR) with high dimensional accuracy comparable to traditional machining methods (Michel et al., 2018). We also showed that the SLA method allowed for the addition of complex features that are often beyond the capabilities of traditional methods. However, the stability of 3D printed parts at low-temperature geochemical conditions has not been fully evaluated. The objectives of this work were twofold: 1) to provide a framework for assessing the stability and compatibility of SLA printed materials at geochemically relevant conditions, and 2) to show how 3D printed specialty devices can enable new laboratory geochemical experiments. Part 1 of this Master's thesis presents findings for enhancing mechanical and solvent resistance properties of a commercial 3D printing material (Formlabs Clear) by UV post-curing procedures and also provide data showing its stability in aqueous solutions at pH 0, 5.7, and 12 for periods of up to 18 days. Thermal degradation patterns, mechanical analysis, and leachable fraction data are provided. Part 2 shows experiments coupling 3D printed reactors and flow devices for in situ small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). Schwertmannite (pH 2.7) and goethite (6.2) are precipitated from solution using various setups and observed differences in growth rates are discussed. The data show the potential of 3D printing for enabling novel laboratory geochemical experiments. / MS / New types of laboratory devices are needed to investigate environmental processes such as how minerals form, transform, and interact with their surroundings. These devices should be highly customizable, low-cost, and easy to produce. We have recently showed how 3D printing, specifically a technique called stereolithography (SLA), can be used to fabricate reactors with complex features that are often difficult to produce using traditional machining methods. However, in order to ensure that these materials don’t interfere with reactions of interest, we must assess the stability and compatibility of these materials in the relevant environmental conditions. As 3D printing techniques are still an emerging and rapidly developing technology, the methods we present will be useful for evaluating how new printer types and materials (i.e. resins) impact the suitability of 3D printed devices for future experimental studies. In part 1 of this thesis, the properties of a commercial 3D printing material were investigated by thermal and mechanical analyses; the propensity for leaching out material from the solid was also investigated. We show how exposing SLA printed materials to ultraviolet (UV) light post-printing can enhance material properties and minimize leaching. We then provide data showing the stability of the material after exposure to an array of acidic, neutral and basic conditions for a period of up to 18 days. In part 2, we describe experiments showing how novel 3D printed devices can be used to enhance laboratory investigations. Syntheses of two common iron oxide minerals using various custom reactor setups are presented. The setups were coupled with an analytical technique allowing for nanoscale observation of crystal growth in real-time. The data show how 3D printed specialty devices can be used to solve important questions in the geosciences such as the mechanisms of complex crystal formation.

Thesis (MA. (African Languages)) --Univesity of Limpopo, 2014

The Software/Hardware Implementation and Research Architecture (SHIRA) is a C to hardware toolchain developed by the Computer Architecture Research Group (CARG) of the University of Ottawa. The framework and algorithms to generate the hardware from an Intermediate Representation (IR) of the C code is needed. This dissertation presents the conceiving, design, and development of a module that generates the hardware for custom instructions identified by specialized SHIRA components without the need for any user interaction. The module is programmed in Java and takes a Data Flow Graph (DFG) as an IR for input. It then generates VHDL code that targets the Altera FPGAs. It is possible to use separate components for each operation or to set a maximum number for each component which leads to component reuse and reduces chip area use. The performance improvement of the generated code is compared to using only the processor’s standard instruction set.

The Software/Hardware Implementation and Research Architecture (SHIRA) is a C to hardware toolchain developed by the Computer Architecture Research Group (CARG) of the University of Ottawa. The framework and algorithms to generate the hardware from an Intermediate Representation (IR) of the C code is needed. This dissertation presents the conceiving, design, and development of a module that generates the hardware for custom instructions identified by specialized SHIRA components without the need for any user interaction. The module is programmed in Java and takes a Data Flow Graph (DFG) as an IR for input. It then generates VHDL code that targets the Altera FPGAs. It is possible to use separate components for each operation or to set a maximum number for each component which leads to component reuse and reduces chip area use. The performance improvement of the generated code is compared to using only the processor’s standard instruction set.

The Software/Hardware Implementation and Research Architecture (SHIRA) is a C to hardware toolchain developed by the Computer Architecture Research Group (CARG) of the University of Ottawa. The framework and algorithms to generate the hardware from an Intermediate Representation (IR) of the C code is needed. This dissertation presents the conceiving, design, and development of a module that generates the hardware for custom instructions identified by specialized SHIRA components without the need for any user interaction. The module is programmed in Java and takes a Data Flow Graph (DFG) as an IR for input. It then generates VHDL code that targets the Altera FPGAs. It is possible to use separate components for each operation or to set a maximum number for each component which leads to component reuse and reduces chip area use. The performance improvement of the generated code is compared to using only the processor’s standard instruction set.

The Software/Hardware Implementation and Research Architecture (SHIRA) is a C to hardware toolchain developed by the Computer Architecture Research Group (CARG) of the University of Ottawa. The framework and algorithms to generate the hardware from an Intermediate Representation (IR) of the C code is needed. This dissertation presents the conceiving, design, and development of a module that generates the hardware for custom instructions identified by specialized SHIRA components without the need for any user interaction. The module is programmed in Java and takes a Data Flow Graph (DFG) as an IR for input. It then generates VHDL code that targets the Altera FPGAs. It is possible to use separate components for each operation or to set a maximum number for each component which leads to component reuse and reduces chip area use. The performance improvement of the generated code is compared to using only the processor’s standard instruction set.

Esta dissertação investiga os procedimentos e métodos empregados por designers de tipos para a concepção e o desenvolvimento de fontes digitais customizadas, associadas exclusivamente a sistemas de identidades visuais corporativos, explorando o potencial expressivo dessas tipografias, procurando identificar seus atributos conotativos, históricos, culturais e emocionais, assim como os possíveis significados e interpretações que estas formas podem evocar, com atenção especial para a tipografia contemporânea. Fontes digitais são elementos centrais para a consolidação de uma identidade visual, além do importante papel em muitas outras especia- lidades do design gráfico. O objetivo prático desse estudo é delinear as decisões adotadas no processo do design e da estrutura formal de seis fontes digitais personalizadas, para uso corporativo exclusivo, baseando-se em informações coletadas diretamente dos designers envolvidos, em textos publicados e análises próprias. Em um sentido mais amplo, o estudo visa colaborar com designers e contratantes de serviços de design tipográfico, sobre a necessidade de uma atenção mais ponderada no momento da escolha ou adoção dos tipos que compõem uma deter-minada identidade visual, considerando a tipografia um agente consolidador de uma identidade autêntica, por meio das qualidades formais, expressivas e conotativas dos tipos. Apesar da subjetividade nas avaliações que o tema envolve, o resultado observado é que a tipografia tem condições de carregar e transmitir a identidade de uma instituição, até mesmo nas situações em que a própria marca está ausente, assumindo o papel de transportar, juntamente com o conteúdo da mensagem, valores, comportamentos e personalidade. Neste contexto, a tipografia corporativa customizada, ou seja, aquela desenvolvida e adaptada especialmente para este fim, desempenha um importante papel, o que esta dissertação busca elucidar. / This work studies the procedures and methods used by type designers for conceiving and developing custom digital fonts used exclusively in corporate identity systems. By exploring the expressive potential of these fonts and with regard to contemporary typography, the nvestigation tried to recognize their connotative, historical, cultural and emotional attributes as well as possible meanings and interpretations these shapes may evoke. Besides playing an important role in many graphic design areas, digital fonts are key elements to corporate identities. This study\'s goal is to outline the decisions adopted in the process of designing and creating the formal structures of six custom digital corporate fonts, based on nformation from their designers, in published texts and the author\'s own analyzes. In a broader sense, the study draws attention of designers and clients who hire type design services, on the need for a more careful choice and or adoption of fonts that make up a particular corporate dentity. Thereby, the typography should be considered as an authentic agent for consolidating that identity through its formal, expressive and connotative qualities. Despite the subjectivity in the evaluation, the outcome is that the typography is able to carry and transmit the identity of a company or nstitution even when the the logo is absent. Along with the content of the message, it takes on the role of carrying the values, behavior and personality of the brand. In this sense, the customized corporate font, that s, the font specially developed or adapted for that purpose is believed to play a fundamental role which this study sought to find out.

Esta dissertação investiga os procedimentos e métodos empregados por designers de tipos para a concepção e o desenvolvimento de fontes digitais customizadas, associadas exclusivamente a sistemas de identidades visuais corporativos, explorando o potencial expressivo dessas tipografias, procurando identificar seus atributos conotativos, históricos, culturais e emocionais, assim como os possíveis significados e interpretações que estas formas podem evocar, com atenção especial para a tipografia contemporânea. Fontes digitais são elementos centrais para a consolidação de uma identidade visual, além do importante papel em muitas outras especia- lidades do design gráfico. O objetivo prático desse estudo é delinear as decisões adotadas no processo do design e da estrutura formal de seis fontes digitais personalizadas, para uso corporativo exclusivo, baseando-se em informações coletadas diretamente dos designers envolvidos, em textos publicados e análises próprias. Em um sentido mais amplo, o estudo visa colaborar com designers e contratantes de serviços de design tipográfico, sobre a necessidade de uma atenção mais ponderada no momento da escolha ou adoção dos tipos que compõem uma deter-minada identidade visual, considerando a tipografia um agente consolidador de uma identidade autêntica, por meio das qualidades formais, expressivas e conotativas dos tipos. Apesar da subjetividade nas avaliações que o tema envolve, o resultado observado é que a tipografia tem condições de carregar e transmitir a identidade de uma instituição, até mesmo nas situações em que a própria marca está ausente, assumindo o papel de transportar, juntamente com o conteúdo da mensagem, valores, comportamentos e personalidade. Neste contexto, a tipografia corporativa customizada, ou seja, aquela desenvolvida e adaptada especialmente para este fim, desempenha um importante papel, o que esta dissertação busca elucidar. / This work studies the procedures and methods used by type designers for conceiving and developing custom digital fonts used exclusively in corporate identity systems. By exploring the expressive potential of these fonts and with regard to contemporary typography, the nvestigation tried to recognize their connotative, historical, cultural and emotional attributes as well as possible meanings and interpretations these shapes may evoke. Besides playing an important role in many graphic design areas, digital fonts are key elements to corporate identities. This study\'s goal is to outline the decisions adopted in the process of designing and creating the formal structures of six custom digital corporate fonts, based on nformation from their designers, in published texts and the author\'s own analyzes. In a broader sense, the study draws attention of designers and clients who hire type design services, on the need for a more careful choice and or adoption of fonts that make up a particular corporate dentity. Thereby, the typography should be considered as an authentic agent for consolidating that identity through its formal, expressive and connotative qualities. Despite the subjectivity in the evaluation, the outcome is that the typography is able to carry and transmit the identity of a company or nstitution even when the the logo is absent. Along with the content of the message, it takes on the role of carrying the values, behavior and personality of the brand. In this sense, the customized corporate font, that s, the font specially developed or adapted for that purpose is believed to play a fundamental role which this study sought to find out.

M. Tech. (Department of Visual Arts and Design: Fashion, Faculty of Human Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Customer satisfaction has proven to be a major determinant on the success or failure of a business. Regrettably, fashion entrepreneurs are not meeting customer expectations because they have problems that are affecting the quality of their work. In order to promote customer satisfaction, fashion entrepreneurs require a master plan that is customer-based. Thus, they could implement customisation of garments to address customers’ concerns. It is, therefore, crucial for home-based fashion entrepreneurs to be aware of their customers’ needs and the factors that affect their satisfaction to boost its levels. Based on this background, it was found necessary to conduct a research study with the aim to determine factors that affect customer satisfaction of custom-made garments produced by home-based fashion entrepreneurs in the Emfuleni Local Municipality. A qualitative study, applying purposive and snowball sampling techniques, was conducted by means of one-on-one interviews. Data saturation guided the study and was reached after nineteen women were interviewed and two more interviews were done to enhance credibility. Analysis of data was conducted applying the six stages of Creswell’s approach of data analysis. During this process four themes emerged and were presented in line with their categories. The study findings revealed that some of the factors that largely influenced customer satisfaction were service quality, product quality, price, value and location. Garment fit and uniqueness were also found to be reasons why participants opted for custom-made garments. However, some of the participating women did not get the satisfaction they were seeking. Their satisfaction was negatively affected by garment quality, lack of communication, missing delivery deadlines and inaccessibility of the entrepreneur. The research outcome provides home-based fashion entrepreneurs with useful information to improve the levels of customer satisfaction.