Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta um novo esquema de controle de taxa hierárquico – HRC – para o padrão MVC – extensão para vídeos de múltiplas vistas do padrão H.264 – com objetivo de melhorar o aproveitamento da largura de banda oferecida por um canal entregando o vídeo comprimido com a melhor qualidade possível. Este esquema de controle de taxa hierárquico foi concebido para controlar de forma conjunta os níveis de quadro e de unidades básicas (BU). O esquema proposto explora a correlação existente entre as distribuições das taxas de bits em quadros vizinhos para predizer de forma eficiente o comportamento dos futuras bitrates através da aplicação de um controle preditivo baseado em modelos – MPC – que define uma ação de controle apropriada sobre as ações de adaptação do parâmetro de quantização (QP). Para prover um ajuste em granularidade fina, o QP é adicionalmente adaptado internamente para cada quadro por um processo de decisão de Markov (MDP) implementado em nível de BU capaz de considerar mapas com Regiões de Interesse (RoI). Um retorno acoplado aos dois níveis supracitados é realizado para garantir a consistência do sistema. Aprendizagem por Reforço é utilizada para atualizar os parâmetros do Controle Preditivo baseado em Modelos e do processo de decisão de Markov. Resultados experimentais mostram a superioridade da utilização do esquema de controle proposto, comparado às soluções estado-da-arte, tanto em termos de precisão na alocação de bits quanto na otimização da razão taxa-distorção, entregando um vídeo de maior qualidade visual nos níveis de quadros e de BUs. / This master thesis presents a novel Hierarchical Rate Control – HRC – for the Multiview Video Coding standard targeting an increased bandwidth usage and high video quality. The HRC is designed to jointly address the rate control at both framelevel and Basic Unit (BU)-level. This scheme is able to exploit the bitrate distribution correlation with neighboring frames to efficiently predict the future bitrate behavior by employing a Model Predictive Control that defines a proper control action through QP (Quantization Parameter) adaptation. To provide a fine-grained tuning, the QP is further adapted within each frame by a Markov Decision Process implemented at BU-level able to take into consideration a map of the Regions of Interest. A coupled frame/BU-level feedback is performed in order to guarantee the system consistency. A Reinforcement Learning method is responsible for updating the Model Predictive Control and the Markov Decision Process parameters. Experimental results show the superiority of the Hierarchical Rate Control compared to state-of-the-art solutions, in terms of bitrate allocation accuracy and rate-distortion, while delivering smooth video quality at both frame and Basic Unit levels.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:56:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6271.pdf: 1816121 bytes, checksum: 358e1c3f7d194a552db21ddb44f4761c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-28 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / In general, the chemical processes can be represented using mathematical models, in the case of lumped systems include ordinary differential equations, or, partial differential equations, when distributed parameter systems using methods is necessary in both cases numerical resolution in these models, with the purpose to simulate, analyze and control the process. The implementation of control systems in chemical processes, brings with it many advantages, among these, the improvement and stability in production rates, ensuring product quality and the possibility of a safe operation of the process. Thus, in the last 30 years, different control methodologies were developed, one of the most used techniques, the Model Predictive Control Based on. Its success is due to the fact that this type of control accepts constraints on input variables and process output, determining the future of this movement, while optimizing an objective function can lead to the output of the process until the desired set point. The objective of this project is to implement the Model Predictive Controller with Nonlinear (CPNL ) for a reactor pulp bleaching by the use of chlorine dioxide, whose mathematical model is comprised of partial differential equations, thus being a model parameter distributed. Implementation of the controller, the plant is discretized by the Finite Difference Method and the process model is solved with the technique of Orthogonal Collocation. The integration of the resulting ordinary differential equations systems is performed by the method of Runge-Kutta. The Predictive Controller was compared with a Controller Proportional-Integral (PI). Studies have shown that CPNL has better performance, with faster response and values of the Integral Absolute Error (IAE) and Integral Square Error (ISE) smaller than those calculated for the PI controller. / Em geral, os processos químicos podem ser representados mediante modelos matemáticos que, no caso dos sistemas de parâmetros concentrados, incluem equações diferenciais ordinárias, ou então, equações diferenciais parciais, quando são sistemas de parâmetros distribuídos, sendo necessário nos dois casos o uso de métodos numéricos na resolução destes modelos, com a finalidade de simular, analisar e controlar o processo. A implementação de sistemas de controle em processos químicos, traz consigo múltiplas vantagens, entre essas, a melhora e a estabilidade nas taxas de produção, a garantia da qualidade do produto e a possibilidade de uma operação segura do processo. Desta forma, nos últimos 30 anos, foram desenvolvidas diferentes metodologias de controle, sendo uma das técnicas mais empregadas, o Controle Preditivo Baseado no Modelo. Seu sucesso se deve ao fato de que este tipo de controle aceita restrições nas variáveis de entrada e saída do processo, determinando os movimentos futuros deste, além de otimizar uma função objetivo para conseguir levar a saída do processo até o Set-Point desejado. Assim, o objetivo deste projeto é implementar o Controlador Preditivo com Modelo Não Linear (CPNL ) para um reator de branqueamento de celulose, mediante o uso de dióxido cloro, cujo modelo matemático está constituído por equações diferenciais parciais, sendo assim, um modelo de parâmetros distribuídos. Na implementação do controlador, a planta é discretizada, mediante o Método das Diferenças Finitas e o modelo do processo é resolvido com a técnica de Colocação Ortogonal. A integração dos sistemas de equações diferenciais ordinárias resultantes é realizada mediante o método de Runge- Kutta. O Controlador Preditivo foi comparado com um Controlador Proporcional-Integral (PI). Os estudos mostraram que o CPNL possui melhor desempenho, apresentando uma resposta mais rápida e valores da Integral do Erro Absoluto (IAE) e a Integral do Erro Quadrático (ISE) menores que os calculados para o controlador PI.

abstract: Cigarette smoking remains a major global public health issue. This is partially due to the chronic and relapsing nature of tobacco use, which contributes to the approximately 90% quit attempt failure rate. The recent rise in mobile technologies has led to an increased ability to frequently measure smoking behaviors and related constructs over time, i.e., obtain intensive longitudinal data (ILD). Dynamical systems modeling and system identification methods from engineering offer a means to leverage ILD in order to better model dynamic smoking behaviors. In this dissertation, two sets of dynamical systems models are estimated using ILD from a smoking cessation clinical trial: one set describes cessation as a craving-mediated process; a second set was reverse-engineered and describes a psychological self-regulation process in which smoking activity regulates craving levels. The estimated expressions suggest that self-regulation more accurately describes cessation behavior change, and that the psychological self-regulator resembles a proportional-with-filter controller. In contrast to current clinical practice, adaptive smoking cessation interventions seek to personalize cessation treatment over time. An intervention of this nature generally reflects a control system with feedback and feedforward components, suggesting its design could benefit from a control systems engineering perspective. An adaptive intervention is designed in this dissertation in the form of a Hybrid Model Predictive Control (HMPC) decision algorithm. This algorithm assigns counseling, bupropion, and nicotine lozenges each day to promote tracking of target smoking and craving levels. Demonstrated through a diverse series of simulations, this HMPC-based intervention can aid a successful cessation attempt. Objective function weights and three-degree-of-freedom tuning parameters can be sensibly selected to achieve intervention performance goals despite strict clinical and operational constraints. Such tuning largely affects the rate at which peak bupropion and lozenge dosages are assigned; total post-quit smoking levels, craving offset, and other performance metrics are consequently affected. Overall, the interconnected nature of the smoking and craving controlled variables facilitate the controller's robust decision-making capabilities, even despite the presence of noise or plant-model mismatch. Altogether, this dissertation lays the conceptual and computational groundwork for future efforts to utilize engineering concepts to further study smoking behaviors and to optimize smoking cessation interventions. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Bioengineering 2014

abstract: Behavioral health problems such as physical inactivity are among the main causes of mortality around the world. Mobile and wireless health (mHealth) interventions offer the opportunity for applying control engineering concepts in behavioral change settings. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is among the most influential theories of health behavior and has been used as the conceptual basis of many behavioral interventions. This dissertation examines adaptive behavioral interventions for physical inactivity problems based on SCT using system identification and control engineering principles. First, a dynamical model of SCT using fluid analogies is developed. The model is used throughout the dissertation to evaluate system identification approaches and to develop control strategies based on Hybrid Model Predictive Control (HMPC). An initial system identification informative experiment is designed to obtain basic insights about the system. Based on the informative experimental results, a second optimized experiment is developed as the solution of a formal constrained optimization problem. The concept of Identification Test Monitoring (ITM) is developed for determining experimental duration and adjustments to the input signals in real time. ITM relies on deterministic signals, such as multisines, and uncertainty regions resulting from frequency domain transfer function estimation that is performed during experimental execution. ITM is motivated by practical considerations in behavioral interventions; however, a generalized approach is presented for broad-based multivariable application settings such as process control. Stopping criteria for the experimental test utilizing ITM are developed using both open-loop and robust control considerations. A closed-loop intensively adaptive intervention for physical activity is proposed relying on a controller formulation based on HMPC. The discrete and logical features of HMPC naturally address the categorical nature of the intervention components that include behavioral goals and reward points. The intervention incorporates online controller reconfiguration to manage the transition between the behavioral initiation and maintenance training stages. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of the system using a model for a hypothetical participant under realistic conditions that include uncertainty. The contributions of this dissertation can ultimately impact novel applications of cyberphysical system in medical applications. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2016

Recently, autonomous vehicles have received worldwide attentions from academic research, automotive industry and the general public. In order to achieve a higher level of automation, one of the most fundamental requirements of autonomous vehicles is the capability to respond to internal and external changes in a safe, timely and appropriate manner. Situational awareness and decision making are two crucial enabling technologies for safe operation of autonomous vehicles. This thesis presents a solution for improving the automation level of autonomous vehicles in both situational awareness and decision making aspects by utilising additional domain knowledge such as constraints and influence on a moving object caused by environment and interaction between different moving objects. This includes two specific sub-systems, model based target tracking in environmental perception module and motion planning in path planning module. In the first part, a rigorous Bayesian framework is developed for pooling road constraint information and sensor measurement data of a ground vehicle to provide better situational awareness. Consequently, a new multiple targets tracking (MTT) strategy is proposed for solving target tracking problems with nonlinear dynamic systems and additional state constraints. Besides road constraint information, a vehicle movement is generally affected by its surrounding environment known as interaction information. A novel dynamic modelling approach is then proposed by considering the interaction information as virtual force which is constructed by involving the target state, desired dynamics and interaction information. The proposed modelling approach is then accommodated in the proposed MTT strategy for incorporating different types of domain knowledge in a comprehensive manner. In the second part, a new path planning strategy for autonomous vehicles operating in partially known dynamic environment is suggested. The proposed MTT technique is utilized to provide accurate on-board tracking information with associated level of uncertainty. Based on the tracking information, a path planning strategy is developed to generate collision free paths by not only predicting the future states of the moving objects but also taking into account the propagation of the associated estimation uncertainty within a given horizon. To cope with a dynamic and uncertain road environment, the strategy is implemented in a receding horizon fashion.

Cette thèse porte principalement sur la coordination des systèmes distribués, avec une attention particulière pour les systèmes de production d'électricité multi-énergiques. Aux fins de l'optimalité, ainsi que l'application des contraintes, la commande prédictive (MPC-Model Predictive Control) est choisi comme l'outil sous-jacent, tandis que les éoliennes, piles à combustible, panneaux photovoltaïques et les centrales hydroélectriques sont considérés comme les sources d'énergie a être contrôlées et coordonnées. En premier lieu, une application de la commande MPC dans un microréseau électrique est proposée, illustrant comment assurer une performance appropriée pour chaque unité de génération et de soutien. Dans ce contexte, une attention particulière est accordée à la production de puissance maximale par une éolienne, en prenant une commande basée sur un observateur quand la mesure de la vitesse du vent est disponible. Ensuite, les principes de contrôle distribué coordonnés, en considérant une formulation à base de la commande MPC, sont pris en considération pour le contexte des systèmes à grande taille. Ici, une nouvelle approche pour la coordination par prix avec des contraintes est proposée pour la gestion des contrôleurs MPC locaux, chacun d'eux étant typiquement associé à une unité de génération. En outre, le calcule des espace invariants a été utilisé pour l'analyse de la performance pour le système à boucle fermée, à la fois pour les schémas MPC centralisée et coordination par prix. Finalement, deux cas d'études dans le contexte des systèmes de génération d'électricité sont inclus, en illustrant la pertinence de la stratégie de commande coordonnée proposée. / This thesis is mainly about coordination of distributed systems, with a special attention to multi-energy electric power generation ones. For purposes of optimality, as well as constraint enforcement, Model Predictive Control (MPC) is chosen as the underlying tool, while wind turbines, fuel cells, photovoltaic panels, and hydroelectric plants are mostly considered as power sources to be controlled and coordinated. In the first place, an application of MPC to a micro-grid system is proposed, illustrating how to ensure appropriate performance for each generator and support units. In this context, a special attention is paid to the maximum power production by a wind turbine, via an original observer-based control when no wind speed measurement is available. Then, the principles of distributed-coordinated control, when considering an MPC-based formulation, are considered for the context of larger scale systems. Here, a new approach for price-driven coordination with constraints is proposed for the management of local MPC controllers, each of them being associated to one power generation unit typically. In addition, the computation of invariant sets is used for the performance analysis of the closed- loop control system, for both centralized MPC and price-driven coordination schemes. Finally, a couple of case studies in the field of power generation systems is included, illustrating the relevance of the proposed coordination control strategy.

In recent years, rules and regulations regarding fuel consumption of vehicles and the amount of emissions produced by them are becoming stricter. This has led the automotive industry to develop more advanced solutions to propel vehicles to meet the legal requirements. The Hybrid Electric Vehicle is one of the solutions that is becoming more popular in the automotive industry. It consists of an electrical driveline combined with a conventional powertrain, propelled by either a diesel or petrol engine. Two power sources create the possibility to choose when and how to use the power sources to propel the vehicle. The strategy that decides how this is done is referred to as an energy management strategy. Today most energy management strategies only try to reduce fuel consumption using models that describe the steady state behaviour of the engine. In other words, no reduction of emissions is achieved and all transient behaviour is considered negligible.  In this thesis, an energy management strategy incorporating engine dynamics to reduce fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions have been designed. First, the models that describe how fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions behave during transient engine operation are developed. Then, an energy management strategy is developed consisting of a model predictive controller that combines the equivalent consumption minimization strategy and convex optimization. Results indicate that by considering engine dynamics in the energy management strategy, both fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions can be reduced. Furthermore, it is also shown that the major reduction in fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions is achieved for short prediction horizons.

Submitted by Bruna Rodrigues (bruna92rodrigues@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-10-05T13:21:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRFF.pdf: 11255323 bytes, checksum: 6490de6218937c15e5bbdc6d9672a300 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-20T18:15:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRFF.pdf: 11255323 bytes, checksum: 6490de6218937c15e5bbdc6d9672a300 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-20T18:15:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRFF.pdf: 11255323 bytes, checksum: 6490de6218937c15e5bbdc6d9672a300 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-20T18:16:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRFF.pdf: 11255323 bytes, checksum: 6490de6218937c15e5bbdc6d9672a300 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Solid-state fermentation is characterized by the growth of microorganisms in absence of free water. In one hand, it is advantageous because simulates their natural environment, enabling the use of agro industrial residues in natura. On the other hand, it limits heat transfer between elements, restricting control over the temperature of the medium. In fact, the microbial growth and the product formation dynamics are directly affected by the environmental conditions and variations can be harmful to the process productivity. As a consequence, the temperature increase caused by metabolic heat needs to be avoided. Studies concerning the microbial dynamics dealing with these variations are scarce. Moreover, it was not found any control laws, with guarantee of stability, which was designed for a reference tracking and to minimize the disturbances effects. Thus, two fronts need to be addressed for the solid-state fermentation viability: the development of a mathematical model able to estimate the effects of environmental changes in the process; and a temperature control system able to handle the heat from microbial metabolism. The model was used in a computational algorithm in order to determine if there was a temperature profile that would be more favorable to the products formation. In this work two control laws were studied, a proportional integrative, because it is the most widespread in the industry, and a model base predictive controller, because of its multivariable control versatility. Both control laws were simulated and then implemented in an eleven liters agitated drum bioreactor. Some of the various methods for PI controller parameters settings had their performance and relative stability requirement evaluated. The one that was proved stable was implemented in the bioreactor. Due to the uncertainties of the fermentation process, a self-adjustment mechanism was added to the predictive controller, in spite of the developed mathematical model, in order to avoid some estimation mistakes caused by some non-estimated states of the real process. The controller achieved an adequate performance with this approach. The results showed that the microorganisms were more efficient at a constant 32°C temperature. In addition, both developed controllers presented appropriate results facing the fermentation process requirement, with mean deviances from the referential temperature below 0,6°C and a maximum error of 2,8°C. / Uma das características da fermentação em estado sólido é que ela ocorre na ausência de água livre. Isso a torna vantajosa por simular o ambiente natural dos microrganismos com possibilidade de uso de resíduos agroindustriais in natura. Por outro lado, dificulta a transferência de calor entre os elementos do processo e, com isso, a capacidade de controlar a temperatura do meio fica debilitada. Por sua vez, a dinâmica do crescimento microbiano e a formação de produtos de interesse estão diretamente relacionadas às condições ambientais, cujas variações podem ser prejudiciais à produtividade do processo. Ao mesmo tempo, o calor gerado pelo metabolismo microbiano aumenta a temperatura do processo, que necessita ser regulada. Estudos que revelam como os microrganismos se comportam frente essas variações são escassos. Além disso, não foram encontradas leis de controle para a FES, com garantia de estabilidade, a fim de se minimizar os efeitos dos distúrbios. Duas frentes se destacam para a viabilização da FES: o desenvolvimento de um modelo matemático capaz de estimar os efeitos das variações das condições ambientais na dinâmica do processo e um sistema de controle da temperatura apropriado para lidar com os distúrbios gerados pelo crescimento celular. Em conjunto com a modelagem matemática, foram empregados mecanismos computacionais para averiguar qual seria o perfil de temperaturas que mais favorece à formação dos produtos. Por sua vez, foram estudados dois tipos de controladores: os proporcionais integrativos, pela ampla aplicação industrial, e os preditivos baseados em modelo, pela versatilidade no controle multivariável. Os sistemas de controle foram testados em um biorreator de 11 litros de volume nominal. Dentre várias, algumas metodologias para ajuste dos controladores proporcionais integrativos foram avaliadas nos quesitos desempenho e estabilidade relativa durante a fase de simulações. A metodologia que se provou estável nos testes realizados foi implementada no biorreator. Já para o controlador preditivo, frente às incertezas do processo fermentativo, foi necessário desenvolver um mecanismo de auto ajuste do modelo desenvolvido, a fim de que os erros dos estados não estimados do processo real fossem compensados e o controlador tivesse um desempenho adequado. Os resultados mostraram que o microrganismo, Aspergilus niger 3T5B8, produz uma quantidade maior de metabólitos de interesse a uma temperatura constante de 32°C. Além disso, ambos controladores utilizados apresentaram resultados apropriados aos requisitos do processo fermentativo, ou seja, com desvio médio da temperatura de referência menor do que 0,6°C.

Submitted by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2016-02-16T13:26:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3970645 bytes, checksum: d514b848324ac20a549db632034383d7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-16T13:26:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3970645 bytes, checksum: d514b848324ac20a549db632034383d7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-10-10 / The purpose of this study is to adapt and embed a navigation system and control of mobile robots, based on NMPC, in a low-cost board existent on the market, to provide sufficient com-putational resources so that the robot is able to converge, without losing performance, using the same horizons applied in a Laptop. The obtained results demonstrate the proposed scenario according with the experiments, proving that it is possible to use low cost boards, to a navigation system and control of mobile robots, based on NMPC, using the same predictive and control horizons applied in a Laptop. / A proposta desse trabalho é adaptar e embarcar um sistema de navegação e controle de robôs móveis, baseado em NMPC, em uma placa de baixo custo já existente no mercado, que dispo-nibilize recursos computacionais suficientes para que o Robô seja capaz de convergir, sem perda de desempenho e utilizando os mesmos horizontes aplicados em um Laptop. Os Resulta-dos obtidos demonstram todo o cenário proposto e de acordo com os experimentos realizados, comprovou-se que é possível o uso de placas de baixo custo, para controle de robôs móveis, baseado em NMPC, utilizando os mesmos horizontes de predição e controle aplicados em uma Laptop.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:59:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1500049 bytes, checksum: 6ca75eb148e850e602c9b480f4d4015c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This paper presents a design of a predictive adaptive controller and a hybrid controller for a electro pneumatic manipulator robot with three Cartesian degrees of freedom (3 DOF). The manipulator robot is composed by three electro-pneumatic valves and pneumatic cylinders for three, two with 500mm forming the XZ axis and a 400mm on the vertical axis Y. The cylinders are driven by three electro-pneumatic proportional valves controlled by computer, which directs the flow of compressed air as the needed position. Attached to the rods of each cylinder, there are scales for potentiometric measurement of their respective positions. Through two acquisition boards, electro-pneumatic valves and potentiometric scales are connected to the computer and the data is processed using the software LabVIEW® and MATLAB®. The controllers are developed through explicit models of the electropneumatic manipulator robot estimated in real time by Recursive Least Squares Algorithm (RLS). / Neste trabalho apresentam-se projetos de um controlador adaptativo preditivo e de um híbrido para um robô manipulador eletropneumático de três graus de liberdade (3 GDL) cartesiano. O robô manipulador é composto basicamente por três válvulas eletropneumáticas e por três cilindros pneumáticos, dois de 500mm formando o plano XZ e um de 400mm no eixo vertical Y. Os cilindros são acionados através de três válvulas eletropneumáticas proporcionais comandadas por computador, que direcionam o fluxo de ar comprimido conforme a necessidade de posicionamento. Acopladas às hastes de cada cilindro, estão réguas potenciométricas para medição de suas respectivas posições. Através de duas placas de aquisição, as válvulas eletropneumáticas e as réguas potenciométricas são conectadas ao computador e os dados são processados utilizando os softwares LabVIEW® e Matlab®. Os controladores são desenvolvidos através de modelos explícitos do robô manipulador eletropneumático estimados em tempo real pelo Algoritmo dos Mínimos Quadrados Recursivo (MQR).