International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Experimentation with various routines that create floating point values in MIL-STD-1750A 32 and 48 bit formats has uncovered several flaws that result in loss of precision in approximation and/or incorrect results. This paper will discuss approximation and key computational conditions in the creation of values in these formats, and will describe algorithms that create values correctly and to the closest possible approximation. Test cases for determining behavior of routines of this type will also be supplied.

<p>Floating innebär att man ligger i en tank med tempererat saltvatten som gör att man blir tyngdlös och flyter. Floating kan bland annat minska ner stressymptom. Kundens konsumtionsbeteende styrs i hög grad av varumärken. För att stärka ett varumärke måste relationer skapas med hjälp av värdeskapande aktiviteter. Sinnesmarknadsföring är ett sätt att nå ut till kunderna på ett djupare plan och stärka deras relation till varumärket och varumärkets identitet genom att integrera de fem sinnena i marknadsföringen. Servicelandskapet är en viktig del sinnesmarknadsföring.</p><p>Syftet med denna kandidatuppsats är att undersöka hur sinnen kan integreras i marknadsföringen för att stärka varumärket Aqua Floating och på sätt skapa värde för kunden. Uppsatsen utförs som ett konsultarbete för Aqua Floating i Kalmar och innefattar ett ledarperspektiv som visar på hur ett företag kan använda sig av sensoriella strategier i praktiken.</p><p>Fallstudien bygger på ett kvalitativt tillvägagångssätt med en huvudsakligen induktiv ansats där den insamlade empirin utgjort grunden för det fortsatta arbetet. Vi har genomfört djupintervjuer, fokusgrupp och webbanalys samt egna observationer.</p><p>Eftersom vi genomfört en fallstudie har vi ingen möjlighet att generalisera och våra slutsatserna behandlar därför endast företaget Aqua Floating. Sinnesmarknadsföring kan användas för att nå ut till kunderna på ett djupare plan och för att stärka varumärkets identitet. För att detta ska fungera väl krävs dock att företaget etablerar goda relationer med sina kunder och att kunderna upplever att värde skapats. I kapitel 9 sammanfattas författarnas slutsatser som visar på hur Aqua Floating kan stärka sitt varumärke med hjälp av att implementera sinnesmarknadsföring i sitt servicelandskap.</p>

The objective of this research is to design an efficient and flexible implementation of parallel matrix multiplication for FPGA devices by analyzing the computation and studying its design space. In order to adapt to the FPGA platform, the design employs blocking and parallelization. Blocked matrix multiplication enables processing arbitrarily large matrices using limited memory capacity, and reduces the bandwidth requirements across the device boundaries by reusing available elements. Exploiting the inherent parallelism in the matrix multiplication computation improves the performance and utilizes the available reconfigurable FPGA resources. The design is constructed by identifying the main design decisions and evaluating the alternatives for each one. The considered design decisions include the scheduling of block transfers, the scheduling of arithmetic operations in a block multiplication, the extent to which the parallelism is exploited, determining the block sizes and shapes, and the use of double buffers for storing matrix blocks. The choices offered by each decision are evaluated analytically in terms of their performance and utilization of FPGA resources. Based on this analysis, a detailed, flexible design that accommodates various alternative design choices is described. The design is optimized for matrices of floating-point elements, and for the FPGA target platform. Prior work is analyzed based on the considered design choices in order to identify the similarities and the differences. The proposed design is implemented using the VHDL hardware description language. The implementation is used to verify the correctness of the design and to confirm the analysis of the design decisions. Correctness is verified both by simulation using the ModelSim logic simulator, and in hardware through compiling the implementation using the Altera Quartus II CAD software and testing it on the Altera DE4 board, featuring a Stratix IV EP4SGX530C2 FPGA device. The implementation supports a range of parameters to facilitate the experimental evaluation of design choices. Experimental results show that the design scales linearly with respect to the consumed resources. Although increasing the system size reduces the maximum operating frequency, it also increases the parallelism, resulting in a higher performance. For instance, with 8 floating-point arithmetic units, the system runs at 320 MHz, which corresponds to a performance of 4 GFLOPS, whereas with 64 arithmetic units, it runs at 160 MHz, which corresponds to a performance of 16 GFLOPS. It is also shown that using a transfer schedule based on inner products reduces the transfer time by up to 50% compared to other schedules. Although using square blocks minimizes the number of required block multiplications, other non-square blocks minimize the transfer time, resulting in better total times. / Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-03 12:46:13.484

The objective of this research is to design an efficient and flexible implementation of parallel matrix multiplication for FPGA devices by analyzing the computation and studying its design space. In order to adapt to the FPGA platform, the design employs blocking and parallelization. Blocked matrix multiplication enables processing arbitrarily large matrices using limited memory capacity, and reduces the bandwidth requirements across the device boundaries by reusing available elements. Exploiting the inherent parallelism in the matrix multiplication computation improves the performance and utilizes the available reconfigurable FPGA resources. The design is constructed by identifying the main design decisions and evaluating the alternatives for each one. The considered design decisions include the scheduling of block transfers, the scheduling of arithmetic operations in a block multiplication, the extent to which the parallelism is exploited, determining the block sizes and shapes, and the use of double buffers for storing matrix blocks. The choices offered by each decision are evaluated analytically in terms of their performance and utilization of FPGA resources. Based on this analysis, a detailed, flexible design that accommodates various alternative design choices is described. The design is optimized for matrices of floating-point elements, and for the FPGA target platform. Prior work is analyzed based on the considered design choices in order to identify the similarities and the differences. The proposed design is implemented using the VHDL hardware description language. The implementation is used to verify the correctness of the design and to confirm the analysis of the design decisions. Correctness is verified both by simulation using the ModelSim logic simulator, and in hardware through compiling the implementation using the Altera Quartus II CAD software and testing it on the Altera DE4 board, featuring a Stratix IV EP4SGX530C2 FPGA device. The implementation supports a range of parameters to facilitate the experimental evaluation of design choices. Experimental results show that the design scales linearly with respect to the consumed resources. Although increasing the system size reduces the maximum operating frequency, it also increases the parallelism, resulting in a higher performance. For instance, with 8 floating-point arithmetic units, the system runs at 320 MHz, which corresponds to a performance of 4 GFLOPS, whereas with 64 arithmetic units, it runs at 160 MHz, which corresponds to a performance of 16 GFLOPS. It is also shown that using a transfer schedule based on inner products reduces the transfer time by up to 50% compared to other schedules. Although using square blocks minimizes the number of required block multiplications, other non-square blocks minimize the transfer time, resulting in better total times. / Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-03 12:46:13.484

Ecological restoration is the practice of assisting the recovery of a degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystem. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of two different restoration techniques on instream bryophyte abundance, species richness and diversity as well as community composition, in streams channelized for timber-floating. Instream bryophytes were collected from 10 tributaries of the Vindel River in boreal northern Sweden, from five stream reaches each of channelized reaches, which had not been restored; reaches restored in the early 2000s, using best-practice techniques; and reaches restored in the early 2000s and then re-restored in 2010 using the new “demonstration” techniques. A multitude of environmental variables were also measured at the sites. Bryophyte abundance was lower in demonstration restored sites than unrestored or best-practice restored sites but no significant difference was found in bryophyte species richness, diversity or species composition. Environmental variables correlated with bryophyte abundance, species richness, diversity and composition largely reflected effects of restoration, and probably the disturbance associated with restoration. Small sediment grain sizes also had a negative effect on species richness. Other environmental variables that influenced bryophyte species composition were the large-scale factors of latitude, longitude and elevation and reach-scale factors of potassium concentration and light absorbance. It is not yet possible to fully evaluate the effectiveness, in terms of bryophyte response, of the new demonstration restoration compared with best-practice since the recovery time between them differs and has not been sufficient. Long-term monitoring of the effects of restoration is needed in order to better evaluate success.

Consideration is given to the conditions under which floating drops of water, here referred to as water boules, form, exist and coalesce. Particular emphasis is placed on the part played by electric charge and electric fields in these processes. The literature is reviewed in terms of both the phenomenon of floating drops and of the development of hydrostatics, hydrodynamics and electrohydrodynamics as applicable to the subject. . Experimental investigations to ascertain the boundary conditions to the influence of such electrical forces are described, together with observations of the connected electrical events. It is confirmed that boules will fail to form at all, i) under conditions of high humidity, and ii) in the presence of an electric field greater than a certain value. This is investigated experimentally, and shown to be approximately 34kV/m, this figure being about two-thirds that previously reported. Boules traversing a plane water surface are demonstrated to acquire additional charge in the process. In the case of drops dispensed from a grounded source, forming boules and crossing a bulk water surface some 15cm wide, the additional charge gathered is significant. Boules of 0.055g mass were found to have a mean charge of 1.6 x 10-12C on leaving a water surface, having arrived as drops with an average charge of 5.8 x 10-14C. Possible charging mechanisms are discussed. The origin of the initial drop charge is considered, and measurements of this are presented from (i), conventional Faraday cup determinations, and (ii), induction methods applied to free-falling drops. Experimental investigation of the time-dependent electrical records of the coalescence of a dispensed drop with a plane water surface shows the whole coalescence process to have a two-part form. This detail is commonly hidden within more conventional charge-transfer measurements. For the coalescences investigated experimentally an small initial event is shown to occur, involving a charge transfer in the range 1.2 – 4.8 x 10-12C. Oscillograms taken from a large number of coalescences show this preliminary event to be a general feature of the coalescence process, with a number of such traces being appended to the thesis. This initial event is followed by a larger one where the signs of the signals from the drop and the bulk surface are opposite to those of the initial event, and whose potential magnitude is broadly in agreement with that anticipated by double layer disruption. The interfacial potential difference necessary for the onset of instability and subsequent coalescence in the case of closely opposed drops is shown to be dependent on the relative humidity of the ambient air. Consideration is given to G I Taylor’s equation describing the critical potential for the onset of instability between closely spaced drops, and this is shown experimentally to require correction for different humidities. It is demonstrated that the critical potential, Vc, at a relative humidity of 100% is approximately 50% of that at 40% RH. Possible reasons for this are discussed, drawing attention to the problem of establishing an accurate DC relative permittivity value for vapour-laden air in small interfacial gaps. The rôle of evaporation in modifying the system geometry is considered experimentally and theoretically, and shown to be significant only for humidities < 50%. The complex nature of the interface in the case of very small air-gaps is discussed, together with the implications of these investigations for the interfacial stability of a floating drop or boule system. A theoretical model based on a consideration of the complex liquid-air-liquid interface as a capacitive system is developed, and shown to be in good agreement with practical observations. This model demonstrates that the parts played by electrical forces, together with environmental factors, are likely to be significant in terms of coalescence at stages prior to gap thinning to the point where London/van-der-Waals forces become dominant. Interfacial potentials are calculated in a boule system at a number of times between 0.1 and 10 seconds, and shown to be sufficient to promote instability and coalescence. Full data based on a number of values of instability potentials is appended to the thesis. Development of the model raises questions concerning the validity of currently accepted values both for interfacial stability in small gaps and for the relative permittivity of humid air in similar situations. Suggestions are made for future work in such areas, together with possible methodologies. The phenomenon of floating water drops is therefore shown to be compatible with the general coalescence process, the event time being modified by such diverse factors as the impact energy with the surface, the ambient humidity and the magnitude of the initial drop charge. The latter is shown to be the dominant factor in the case of drops arriving on a clean surface with low kinetic energies, with the small charge inherent on any water drop being sufficient to produce potentials adequate to promote eventual instability.

I carried out several large, manipulative greenhouse and controlled-setting experiments to elucidate Panicum hemitomon growth response as influenced by environmental conditions associated with restoring thick-mat floating marsh. Initially, Panicum hemitomon growth response was assessed in conjunction with manipulated nutrient availability and hydrology. Next, I assessed Panicum hemitomon growth response in conjunction with a suite of substrate and mat or containment materials. Finally, I evaluated Panicum hemitomon growth response, as well as overall created floating marsh vegetated development, using both a multi-species planting approach and a suite of Panicum hemitomon establishment techniques. All partitions of Panicum hemitomon biomass (shoot, rhizome, and root material) were enhanced under nitrogen, and to a lesser extent, phosphorous enrichment. Saturated (not inundated) hydrologic conditions were most conducive for robust growth by all partitions of Panicum hemitomon biomass. Substrate and mat or containment materials had a significant effect on Panicum hemitomon vigor, with peat and peat-containing blended substrate materials being most conducive for vigorous Panicum hemitomon growth. Duralast coconut fiber was the most suitable mat or containment material based not only on measures of plant vigor, but also for reasons associated with strength and stability, as well as buoyancy. The combination of Panicum hemitomon and Ludwigia peploides was superior to any other multi-species treatment tested. Ludwigia peploides was highly resilient to transplanting, grew vigorously in a lateral fashion, produced significantly more biomass than any other secondary species, and enhanced overall mat buoyancy, all key metrics regarding successful floating marsh restoration. Equally as important, the large amount of biomass attained by Ludwigia peploides was not totally at the expense of vigorous Panicum hemitomon growth. With respect to establishment technique, the positive response of Panicum hemitomon rhizome growth to humic acid amendment warrants further study. This research generated data that not only advance the body of general ecological knowledge pertaining to Panicum hemitomon, the dominant macrophyte of thick-mat floating marsh, but equally as important, data that are likely to augment or enhance the creation and restoration of this important freshwater marsh type.

Esta dissertação aborda o desenvolvimento de um método numérico para a análise de forças e momentos aerodinâmicos em turbinas eólicas fixas e flutuantes no domínio do tempo, utilizando a teoria da quantidade de movimento do elemento de pá (Blade Element Momentum Theory, BEMT) em C++. As pás são divididas em segmentos menores, onde a influência da turbina no fluxo é realizada através do cálculo de fatores de indução. Cada segmento é considerado como um aerofólio bidimensional, sendo possível estimar forças e momentos através de coeficientes para asas infinitas. A teoria da quantidade de movimento do elemento de pá, embora conceitualmente simples, é usualmente empregada com algumas correções em suas equações para se ajustar aos resultados experimentais. A inclusão de turbinas flutuantes é realizada através do movimento de corpo rígido da plataforma, que tem um impacto direto no cálculo aerodinâmico. Por não ser o objetivo deste trabalho, as equações de movimento são calculadas através de uma fonte externa e posteriormente colocadas como dado de entrada do código, simplificando assim a análise e excluindo uma fonte potencial de erro na verificação. O caso de estudo é a turbina do projeto Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation (OC4), a qual é analisada como uma turbina fixa e flutuante, utilizando uma plataforma semi-submersível. Os resultados das forças e momentos aerodinâmicos do software FAST do Laboratório Nacional de Energias Renováveis (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL) são comparados ao código desenvolvido, mostrando excelente concordância para todos os casos analisados. / This dissertation addresses the development of a numerical method for the analysis of aerodynamic forces and moments of fixed and floating wind turbines in time domain, using the Blade Element Moment Theory (BEMT) written in C++. The blades are divided into smaller segments, where the influence of the turbine in the flow is performed through the calculation of induction factors. Each segment is considered as a two-dimensional airfoil, and it is possible to estimate forces and moments through coefficients for infinite wings. The Blade Element Moment Theory, though conceptually simple, is usually employed with some corrections in its equations to fit experimental results. The inclusion of floating turbines is performed through the rigid body motion of the platform, which has a direct impact on the aerodynamic calculation. Since it is not the objective of this work, the equations of movement are calculated through an external source and then placed as input data of the code, thus simplifying analysis and excluding a potential source of error in verification. The case of study is the turbine of the Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation (OC4) project, which is analyzed either as a fixed or a floating turbine, using a semi-submersible platform. The results of aerodynamic forces and moments from FAST software of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are compared to the developed code, showing excellent agreement for all cases analyzed.

Digital-to-analog converters with a range over 50 volts are required for driving micro-electro mechanical system deformable mirrors used in adaptive optics. An existing tested and deployed DM driver has 1024 channels and resolution of 15mV per Least Significant Bit. DMs used in the search for exoplanets require 3mV per LSB resolution. A technique is presented to employ a secondary high resolution and low voltage DAC which has for it's ground the output of the high voltage DAC. The entire system then has the range of high voltage DAC yet the resolution of the low voltage DAC. A method for providing signal and power to the floating system is given. Rudimentary micro controller firmware and also PC software is presented to achieve complete functionality. The technique uses all off-the-shelf components. Resolution of 1.6mV per LSB, 60V range and 36mW of power per channel is achieved.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Includes bibliographical references. / by Stephen G. Sifferlen. / M.S.