In this study, the non-binary coding, elitist strategy, increasing mutation rate, extinction, and immigration strategy are used to improve the simple genetic algorithms. The improved search technique can reduce the possibility of falling into the local optimum due to the premature convergence in a large searching space, and increase the chance of finding out the near-optimal parameters. The hydraulic forming machine used in this thesis, includes a power source of a hydraulic motor and a actuator of two hydraulic cylinders. Both the internal pressure and axial force are controlled to hydroform the tubes into the shapes we want. The PID fuzzy logic controller is implemented to control the proportional direction valve and pressure reducing valve of this dual-cylinder electro-hydraulic system so that the loading path can follow the optimal forming curve of axial-feeding and pressure prescribed. From the experimental results, it is clear that the near-optimal PIDFLC controller designed via modified genetic algorithms can make the loading path follow the prescribed curve, and effective for reducing system uncertainty caused by the varying loads and system unstability resulting from the nonlinear characteristics of the hydraulic system.

This research focuses primary on recognition of lane-change behaviors using support vector machines (SVMs). Previous research and statistical results show that the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents are caused by driver behavior and errors. Therefore, the interpretation and evaluation of driver behavior is important for road safety analysis and improvement. The main limit to understanding driver behavior is the data availability. In particular, a full-scale lane-change data set is difficult to collect in a real traffic environment because of the safety and cost issues. Considering the data demands of the recognition model development and the obstacles of field data collection, data were collected from two aspects: simulation data and the field data. To obtain field data, an in-vehicle data recorder (IVDR) that integrates a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) are developed to collect data on speed, position, attitude, acceleration, etc. To obtain simulation data, a lane-change simulation with a speed controller and a trajectory tracking controller with preview ability were developed, and sufficient lane-change data were generated. Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control is applied to the speed controller and trajectory tracking controller. Simulation data were divided into two classes: dual lane-change data and single lane-change data; field data were further divided as single lane-change and non-lane-change data. Two-class and three-class classification SVM model are trained by simulation data and field data, and the model parameters were optimized by Genetic Algorithm (GA). A radial basis function and polynomial kernel functions were found that suitable for this recognition task. The recognition results indicate that, the SVM model trained by simulation data and non-lane-change data can correctly classify up to 85 percent of single lane-change field data.

The idea to develop  a platform for a PID-controller came from the need to control the temperature in  an espresso machine in a more exact way than a thermostat could perform. In discussions with Syntronic AB the idea developed into PID-control for industrial use. Syntronic AB suggested that the platform should be based on a commercially available processor module to shorten the development time. The suggestion included the use of the microcomputer Raspberry Pi, which supports USB, HDMI, memory card and Ethernet. The work began with establishing a schedule for the 10 weeks of the projects duration, and after that a system specification listing all functions, implementation and limitations was made. When the foundation of the system specification was done, a preliminary system design took shape. Because of the Raspberry Pi´s lack of Analog-to-Digital converter, a circuit board containing Wheatstone bridges, differential amplifiers and a two channel Analog-to-Digital converter was fabricated. The choice of Operative System fell on Linux Raspbian Wheezy, a popular Linux distribution with good documentation. Embedded programming was made solely in C language, Nginx was used as server application making it possible to show real-time graph and receive parameter input from a webpage. The webpage was written in PHP and JavaScript for server and client side respectively. To evaluate the PID-controller it was mounted inside an espresso machine where it controlled the temperature of the boiler. Aiming for a short settling time, parameters for the PID-controller was produced by testing. / Idén till att utveckla en plattform för PID-reglering föddes ur tanken att kunna styra temperaturen i en espressomaskin på ett mer exakt sätt än vad en termostat förmår. Vid samtal med Syntronic AB utarbetades iden till att handla om PID-reglering för generella applikationer för industriellt bruk. Syntronic AB gav förslag om att basera reglersystemet på en kommersiellt tillgänglig processormodul för att minska utvecklingstiden. Förslaget innefattade mikrodatorn Raspberry Pi, som har stöd för USB, HDMI, minneskort och Ethernet.   Arbetet började med att upprätta en tidsplan för de tio veckor projektet pågick, sedan påbörjades en kravspecifikation som specificerar systemets alla funktioner, utförande och begränsningar. När grunderna i kravspecifikationen var klara togs en preliminär systemdesign fram. Eftersom nämnd mikrodator saknar en analog/digital-omvandlare konstruerades ett kretskort där kretsar för Wheatstone-bryggor, ADC, differentialförstärkare, ingångar och utgångar placerades. Val av operativsystem föll på Linux Raspbian Wheezy, då denna distribution var populär och hade en god dokumentation. All hårdvarunära programmering gjordes uteslutande i C-språk. Webbserver-applikationen Nginx installerades på mikrodatorn för att kunna visa grafer och kunna mata in parametrar via en hemsida över internet. Hemsidan skrevs i språken PHP och JavaScript för server- respektive klientsida. För att utvärdera PID-regulatorn, monterades den i en espressomaskin där den fick styra kokarens värmeelement. Parametrarna för PID-regulatorn testades fram för att om möjligt korta ner tiden tills dess att temperaturen blev stabil.

O objetivo do trabalho é apresentar o desenvolvimento, simulação e resultados práticos de um Sistema de controle de temperatura, para Experimentos Biomédicos que utilizam soluções aquecidas com vazão variável. O Sistema utiliza um Trocador de Calor projetado para aquecer uma solução que entra no dispositivo a uma temperatura inferior ou igual à do ambiente e sai com o valor programado. A solução é aquecida a partir da água de um reservatório com temperatura controlada. O Controlador de temperatura é do tipo proporcional-integral-derivativo digital e utiliza um microcontrolador para implementação do algoritmo de controle, da aquisição do sinal dos sensores de temperatura, do comando de atuadores e da interface com o usuário / The objective of the work is to present the development, simulation and practical results of a temperature control System for Biomedical Experiments that utilize heated solutions with variable outflow. The System uses a Heat Exchanger designed to heat the solution that enters into device with a lower or the same temperature as the environment and leaves with the programmed value. The Biomedical solution is heated using the Heat Exchanger and water of the reservoir where the temperature is controlled. The digital proportional-integral-derivative temperature Controller takes use of a microcontroller for implementation of the control algorithm, data acquisition of the temperature sensors, command of actuators and user interface

O desperdício de alimentos desde sua produção até o consumo, encontra-se, atualmente, no patamar de um terço de tudo o que é produzido no mundo. Durante a etapa de transporte, principalmente de alimentos com alta perecibilidade, tais como frutas e hortaliças, ocorrem perdas consideráveis devido à não utilização de tecnologia adequada de conservação e sua utilização é restrita devido ao seu alto custo. Durante o transporte refrigerado rodoviário de produtos agrícolas perecíveis, a carga transportada é suscetível à diversas aberturas de porta do caminhão refrigerado para a realização das entregas ao longo do percurso. Quando isso ocorre uma carga térmica de massa de ar entra no ambiente refrigerado elevando a temperatura neste momento, causando prejuízos em relação à qualidade do alimento transportado. Desta forma, é proposto neste trabalho uma etapa de pré-resfriamento em momento anterior à abertura das portas do caminhão refrigerado, a fim de se manter a temperatura dentro da faixa ideal de conservação. Para isso utilizou-se a estratégia do Controle PID na redução da temperatura antes da abertura de portas e após estas serem fechadas. Foi obtido um modelo em que foram simuladas aberturas de portas de um caminhão refrigerado utilizando técnicas de controle com o objetivo de manter a temperatura do ar do ambiente refrigerado dentro da faixa ideal. Os resultados obtidos indicam o potencial da utilização do controle de sistemas aliado à estratégia do pré-resfriamento na manutenção da temperatura auxiliando na preservação dos atributos de qualidade de alimentos transportados. Além disso, avalia-se que este modelo possa ser aplicado ao transporte refrigerado de outros alimentos. / Food waste, from its production up to its consumption, currently accounts for one-third of all the food produced in the world. During the transport stage, especially of highly perishable foods, such as fruit and vegetables, considerable losses occur due to not using adequate preservation technology; its use is limited owing to its high cost. Over the refrigerated road transport of perishable agricultural products, the load transported is susceptible to different door openings of the refrigerated truck for the deliveries along the route. When this occurs, an air mass thermal load enters the refrigerated environment elevating the temperature, causing damages to the quality of the food transported. Hence, this work proposes a pre-cooling stage at the moment prior to opening the doors of the refrigerated truck, so as to keep the temperature within the ideal preservation range. For this, PID Controller was employed for reducing the temperature before doors are opened and after they are closed. A model was obtained, whereby the door openings of a refrigerated truck were simulated using control techniques aiming to maintain the temperature of the refrigerated environment air within the ideal range. The results indicate the potential of using the system control combined with the pre-cooling strategy for keeping the temperature, aiding to preserve the quality attributes of the food transported. Besides, this model is believed to be able to be applied to the refrigerated transport of other foods.

Controladores PID são amplamente utilizados no controle de processos industriais. Estes controladores precisam necessariamente ser ajustados adequadamente a fim de garantir a correta operação do processo controlado. A fim de suprir esta necessidade surgiram os chamados métodos de ajuste para controladores PID, inicialmente propostos por John Ziegler e Nathaniel B. Nichols em 1942. Desde então muitos outros métodos de ajuste baseados nas idéias de Ziegler e Nichols foram propostos, surgindo assim uma família de métodos afins. Em vista da simplicidade de implementação e do consequente baixo custo computacional envolvido, estes métodos mostraram-se adequados para serem incorporados ao firmware de controladores PID industriais de baixo custo. Estes métodos acabaram por gerar um legado tal que sua utilização persiste intensamente até os dias de hoje. No entanto, frente à crescente oferta de microcontroladores de baixo custo e alto desempenho, o custo computacional de um método de ajuste vem perdendo relevância. Isso abre margem para explorar outros métodos que proporcionem melhor desempenho e robustez, mas, por ventura, demandem mais recursos computacionais. Dessa forma, este trabalho propõe-se a avaliar métodos alternativos que sejam compatíveis com os recursos computacionais atuais. Métodos com maior custo computacional, como o Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning (VRFT), Iterative Feedback Tuning (IFT) e Iterative Correlation-based Tuning (ICbT), são apresentados como candidatos para serem incorporados ao firmware de controladores PID industriais. Tratam-se de métodos diretos de ajuste baseado em dados onde os parâmetros do controlador são determinados de forma que o comportamento do sistema em malha fechada seja tal que minimize um critério de desempenho definido a priori. Através deste critério de desempenho pode-se definir o comportamento desejado para o sistema em malha fechada. Neste trabalho são analisadas as principais características destes métodos, resultados obtidos e custo computacional. Com base nos resultados desta análise é mostrado que os métodos VRFT, IFT e ICbT podem ser utilizados como alternativa para o ajuste (incorporado ao firmware) de controladores PID industriais. / PID controllers are widely used in industrial process control. These controllers must necessarily be properly tuned to ensure the correct operation of the controlled process. In order to meet this need, the so-called tuning methods for PID controllers have emerged, initially proposed by John Ziegler and Nathaniel B. Nichols in 1942. Since then many other controller design methods based on the ideas of Ziegler and Nichols have been proposed, giving rise to a family of related methods. Given the simplicity of implementation and the low computational effort involved, these methods are suitable to be incorporated into the firmware of low cost industrial PID controllers. These methods have generated such a legacy that its use remains intense until the present day. However, with the growing offer of low cost and high performance microcontrollers, the computational effort of a tuning method is becoming less important. This opens up scope for exploring other methods that provide better performance and robustness, possibly at the cost of demanding more computational resources. This study aims to evaluate alternative methods that are compatible with current computational resources. Methods with higher computational effort, such as Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning (VRFT), Iterative Feedback Tuning (IFT) and Iterative Correlation based Tuning (ICbT) are presented as candidates to be incorporated into the firmware of industrial PID controllers. These are direct data-based methods for the adjustment of controllers where the parameters are determined such that the behavior of the closed-loop system is such as to minimize a performance criterion defined a priori. Through this performance criterion one can specify the desired behavior for the closed-loop system. This work analyzes the main characteristics of these methods, results and computational effort. Based on the results of this analysis it is shown that the methods VRFT, IFT and ICbT can be used as an alternative to the adjustment (build into the firmware) of industrial PID controllers.

Power-performance efficiency has become a central focus that is challenging in heterogeneous processing platforms as the power constraints have to be established without hindering the high performance. In this dissertation, a framework for optimizing the power and performance of GPUs in the context of general-purpose computing in GPUs (GPGPU) is proposed. To optimize the leakage power of caches in GPUs, we dynamically switch the L1 and L2 caches into low power modes during periods of inactivity to reduce leakage power. The L1 cache can be put into a low-leakage (sleep) state when a processing unit is stalled due to no ready threads to be scheduled and the L2 can be put into sleep state during its idle period when there is no memory request. The sleep mode is state-retentive, which obviates the necessity to flush the caches after they are woken up, thereby, avoiding any performance degradation. Experimental results indicate that this technique can reduce the leakage power by 52% on average. Further, to improve performance, we redistribute the GPGPU workload across the computing units of the GPU during application execution. The fundamental idea is to monitor the workload on each multi-processing unit and redistribute it by having a portion of its unfinished threads executed in a neighboring multi-processing unit. Experimental results show this technique improves the performance of the GPGPU workload by 15.7%. Finally, to improve both performance and dynamic power of GPUs, we propose two dynamic frequency scaling (DFS) techniques implemented on CPU host threads, one of which is motivated by the significance of the pipeline stalls during GPGPU execution. It applies a feedback controlling algorithm, Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID), to regulate the frequency of parallel processors and memory channels based on the occupancy of the memory buffering queues. The other technique targets on maximizing the average throughput of all parallel processors under the dynamic power constraints. We formalize this target as a linear programming problem and solve it on the runtime. According to the simulation results, the first technique achieves more than 22% power savings with a 4% improvement in performance and the second technique saves 11% power consumption with 9% performance improvement. The contributions of this dissertation represent a significant advancement in the quest for improving performance and reducing energy consumption of GPGPU.

Hydraulic circuits with fast dynamic response are often characterized by low power efficiency; on the other hand, energy-efficient circuits under certain circumstances, can demonstrate slow transient responses. Continuously rising energy costs combined with the demand on high performance has necessitated that hydraulic circuits become more efficient yet still demonstrate superior dynamic response. This thesis introduces a new hydraulic circuit configuration which demonstrates high dynamic performance and high efficiency. A pump-controlled hydraulic motor system was used as the basis of the study because of its high circuit efficiency. This is primarily because there is no power loss between the pump and motor. To improve the dynamic response of the pump, a DC motor was designed to control the pump swashplate (and hence flow rate) directly. The pump and DC motor were mathematically modeled and their parameters were experimentally identified. Based on the model and experimental results, a nonlinear PID controller was designed for the DC motor. By means of the DC motors quick dynamic response (in the order of 10 ms), the DC motor controlled pump demonstrated a fast dynamic response with a rise time of 15 to 35 ms depending on the pump pressure. As the dynamic response speed of the pump flow rate was increased, overshoot of the hydraulic motor output also increased. To reduce this overshoot, a bypass flow control circuit was designed to bypass part of the flow during the transient. Due to the unique operating requirements of the bypass flow control system, a PID controller with a resetable integral gain was designed for the valve to reduce the rise time of the bypass control valve. The feasibility ("proof of concept") of the bypass flow control concept was first established using simulation techniques. The simulation results showed that the bypass flow control system could significantly reduced the overshoot of the hydraulic motor rotational speed. The bypass controller was applied to the experimental test circuit. The transient results for the pump-controlled motor system with the bypass flow control are presented under a constant resistive and an inertial load. The test results showed that the bypass flow control could reduce the overshoot of the hydraulic motor rotational speed by about 50%. The relative efficiency of the circuit with the bypass flow control system was 1% to 5% lower for the particular pump-controlled system that was used in this study. For a pump/motor that does not demonstrate significant flow ripple of the magnitude experienced in this study, the relative efficiency would be the same as the pump/motor system without bypass. It was concluded that the proposed bypass control system, combined with the DC motor-swashplate driven pump, could be used to create an energy efficient circuit with excellent dynamic transient responses.

Hydraulic circuits with fast dynamic response are often characterized by low power efficiency; on the other hand, energy-efficient circuits under certain circumstances, can demonstrate slow transient responses. Continuously rising energy costs combined with the demand on high performance has necessitated that hydraulic circuits become more efficient yet still demonstrate superior dynamic response. This thesis introduces a new hydraulic circuit configuration which demonstrates high dynamic performance and high efficiency. A pump-controlled hydraulic motor system was used as the basis of the study because of its high circuit efficiency. This is primarily because there is no power loss between the pump and motor. To improve the dynamic response of the pump, a DC motor was designed to control the pump swashplate (and hence flow rate) directly. The pump and DC motor were mathematically modeled and their parameters were experimentally identified. Based on the model and experimental results, a nonlinear PID controller was designed for the DC motor. By means of the DC motors quick dynamic response (in the order of 10 ms), the DC motor controlled pump demonstrated a fast dynamic response with a rise time of 15 to 35 ms depending on the pump pressure. As the dynamic response speed of the pump flow rate was increased, overshoot of the hydraulic motor output also increased. To reduce this overshoot, a bypass flow control circuit was designed to bypass part of the flow during the transient. Due to the unique operating requirements of the bypass flow control system, a PID controller with a resetable integral gain was designed for the valve to reduce the rise time of the bypass control valve. The feasibility ("proof of concept") of the bypass flow control concept was first established using simulation techniques. The simulation results showed that the bypass flow control system could significantly reduced the overshoot of the hydraulic motor rotational speed. The bypass controller was applied to the experimental test circuit. The transient results for the pump-controlled motor system with the bypass flow control are presented under a constant resistive and an inertial load. The test results showed that the bypass flow control could reduce the overshoot of the hydraulic motor rotational speed by about 50%. The relative efficiency of the circuit with the bypass flow control system was 1% to 5% lower for the particular pump-controlled system that was used in this study. For a pump/motor that does not demonstrate significant flow ripple of the magnitude experienced in this study, the relative efficiency would be the same as the pump/motor system without bypass. It was concluded that the proposed bypass control system, combined with the DC motor-swashplate driven pump, could be used to create an energy efficient circuit with excellent dynamic transient responses.

This study describes the design and implementation of the pitch and roll autopilots for a fixed wing unmanned vehicle. A Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV), which is designed at the Middle East Technical University (METU), is used as a platform. This work combines development of the classical and robust controllers, which are used for the pitch and roll autopilots. One of the important steps in the thesis is development of the non-linear dynamic model of the UAV, which is developed in MATLAB/Simulink environment. Two different strategies of the controller design imply development of the PID and controllers. Simulation results illustrate the performances of the designed controllers. Simulation is performed for the nominal model of the UAV and for the model that includes uncertainties and sensor noises.