No description available.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The successful control of a three-degree-of-freedom gyroscope is presented for the application of steering and stabilising a platform mounted underneath an airship. The end goal is to stabilise a camera for earth observation purposes. The development of the necessary electronics, sensors and actuators along with the hardware and software to interface these components are presented. This include DC drives, torque control systems for the gimbal motors and a speed control system for the gyroscope as well as platform angle and angular rate sensors. A mathematical model for the gyroscope, based on Euler's equations of motion, is presented. Non-linear simulations are performed and compared to measurements of the plant's behaviour to step torque commands to determine the parameters of the gyroscope. Pole placement and LQR optimal control methods are considered in the design of a MIMO controller to steer the platform in the elevation plane, along with a PI controller to steer the platform in the azimuth plane. Ground tests display the success of the steering controllers.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

In recent years, a growing number of diagnostic examinations in a hospital are being generated by digitally formatted imaging modalities. The evolution of these systems has led to the development of a totally digitized imaging system, which is called Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). A high speed computer network plays a very important role in the design of a Picture Archiving and Communication System. The computer network must not only offer a high data rate, but also it must be structured to satisfy the PACS requirements efficiently. In this dissertation, a computer network, called PACnet, is proposed for PACS. The PACnet is designed to carry image, voice, image pointing overlay, and intermittent data over a 200 Mbps dual fiber optic ring network. The PACnet provides a data packet channel and image and voice channels based on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technique. The intermittent data is transmitted over a data packet channel using a modified token passing scheme. The voice and image pointing overlay are transferred between two stations in real-time to support the consultive nature of a radiology department using circuit switching techniques. Typical 50 mega-bit images are transmitted over the image channel in less than a second using circuit switching techniques. A technique, called adaptive variable frame size, is developed for PACnet to achieve high network utilization and short response time. This technique allows the data packet traffic to use any residual voice or image traffic momentarily available due to variation in voice traffic or absence of images. To achieve optimal design parameters for network and interfaces, the PACnet is also simulated under different conditions.

No description available.

No description available.

This thesis concerns a study of the application, and performance optimization, of standard lead-lag compensation techniques to improve the closed loop performance of a focus servo system for an optical data storage device. Only with proper application of these compensation techniques will it be possible to meet the sub-micrometer focus error tolerances while maintaining the stability of the closed loop system. The performance indices used in this optimization study are the Integral of the Squared Error (ISE), the Integral of the Absolute Error (IAE), and the Integral of the Time multiplied by the Absolute Error (ITAE) as defined below, with the error function e(t) being the focus error of the closed loop servo system in response to a step input. ISE= ∫OT e²(t) dt IAE= ∫OT / e(t) / dt ITAE= ∫OT t / e(t) / dt

At SAPPI-Tugela a continuous Kraft wood chip digester operates in EMCC mode (extended modified continuous cooking). Chips are initially exposed to a NaOH / Na2S liquor at high temperature in the top section. The chips move downward in plug flow passing circumferential screens used to draw liquor for various circulations. About midway down the spent black liquor is removed and the chips enter the cooler bottom section where some further reaction and washing occurs. Liquor level and chip level are maintained close to each other near the top. Chips require 8-12 hours to pass through the digester, depending on the chip feed rate. The key parameter of interest at the digester exit is the Kappa number, which is a measure of the extent of delignification which has occurred. Different board and paper products require different Kappa number pulp feed. (Final properties such as tensile, tear and bursting strengths will also depend on the way fibres have been modified in the digestion). The objective of this investigation is to predict the Kappa number of the product pulp in real-time, thus facilitating quicker reaction than the present dependence on laboratory analysis permits, possibly even allowing closed-loop control. The extent of delignification depends on liquor strength, temperature and exposure time, with final Kappa number also depending on the properties of the chip feed (wood type and moisture content). Compensation to maintain a steady Kappa number is made difficult by the long and varying residence time, and the fact that any changes apply to the whole profile held up in the digester. A number of static models for Kappa number prediction have been developed by previous workers, but these do not compare well with plant measurements. The collection of data from the Sappi-Tugela reactor, and the pulp quality reports, have been used to determine an efficient model. This step required a considerable data collection exercise, and similar results to the quality reports have been obtained using a simple linear model based on this data. The problem of model error is being reduced by arrangement as a Smith Predictor, in which the model is intermittently corrected by available laboratory analyses. At the same time, an interface was created, in order to synchronise measurement data for the chips presently leaving the reactor. In order to deal with the dead time, each parcel of chips entering the reactor is effectively tracked, and the changes in Kappa number integrated for reaction time under the varying conditions in transit. Knowing the present inventory of the reactor, this model can also be run forward in time as a predictive controller, to determine optimal control actions for maintenance of the target Kappa number. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.