IEEE Industrial Electronics Society
IEEE Industrial Electronics Society
Cover page 
Access this issue at IEEEXplorer
Guest Editorial: Special Section on Communication in Automation – Part II
Gianluca Cena and Francisco Vasques
Page(s): 69
1.
Diagnosis and Consulting for Control Network Performance Engineering of CSMA-based Networks
Joern Ploennigs, Mario Neugebauer, and Klaus Kabitzsch
Page(s): 71
Abstract: Network performance engineering can verify the design and dimensioning of large size control networks like CSMA based building automation networks. It combines performance analysis with diagnosis methods to evaluate the network utilization and to detect design errors before installation and can therewith save the expenses of over-dimensioning and redesign. This paper will develop a diagnosis model based on fault trees that is able to use the huge amount of performance analysis results to identify design errors and analyze their coherences. This enables not only a fast backtracking of fault causes and the derivation of solutions; it can also visualize the fault coherence to the user and help him to understand his design. Additional consulting tools implement best practice strategies, to support the user in parameterization.
2.
A Scalable and Efficient Approach for Obtaining Measurements in CAN-based Control Systems
Björn Andersson, Nuno Pereira, Wilfried Elmenreich, Eduardo Tovar, Filipe Pacheco and Nuno Cruz
Page(s): 80
Abstract: The availability of small inexpensive sensor elements enables the employment of large wired or wireless sensor networks for feeding control systems. Unfortunately, the need to transmit a large number of sensor measurements over a network negatively affects the timing parameters of the control loop. This paper presents a solution to this problem by representing sensor measurements with an approximate representation an interpolation of sensor measurements as a function of space coordinates. A priority-based medium access control (MAC) protocol is used to select the sensor messages with high information content. Thus, the information from a large number of sensor measurements is conveyed within a few messages. This approach greatly reduces the time for obtaining a snapshot of the environment state and therefore supports the real-time requirements of feedback control loops.
3.
Orthogonal, Fault-tolerant and High-precision Clock Synchronization for the Controller Area Network
Guillermo Rodriguez-Navas, Sebastia Roca, and Julian Proenza
Page(s): 92
Abstract: The Controller Area Network (CAN) is facing a great opportunity. The maturity of this technology makes many researchers believe that CAN may be adopted in more critical systems. However, the suitability of CAN for these challenging applications strongly depends on our capacity to integrate all the solutions already available into a single, comprehensive architecture. We claim that clock synchronization plays a fundamental role in such architecture. Therefore, the means to achieve a solution fulfilling the expected requirements on reliability, cost and precision must be deeply investigated. This paper discusses the relevance of clock synchronization in the future of CAN systems, and describes a novel solution to supply this service. This solution exhibits several advantages: it provides very high precision, causes very low communication and computation overhead, and includes mechanisms to provide fault tolerance. Moreover, and in contrast to previous proposals, it is designed to be orthogonal to the rest of the system. Thus, it can be directly incorporated to any CAN system, without having to replace any of the components, which reduces the cost increment caused by the new service.
4.
Recent and Emerging Topics in Wireless Industrial Communications: A Selection (Invited Paper)
Andreas Willig
Page(s): 102
Abstract: In this paper we discuss a selection of promising and interesting research areas in the design of protocols and systems for wireless industrial communications. We have selected topics that have either emerged as hot topics in the industrial communications community in the last few years (like wireless sensor networks), or which could be worthwhile research topics in the next few years (for example cooperative diversity techniques for error control, cognitive radio / opportunistic spectrum access for mitigation of external interferences).
5.
Performing Flexible Control on Low Cost Microcontrollers using a Minimal Real-Time Kernel
Ricardo Marau, Pedro Leite, Manel Velasco, Pau Marti, Luis Almeida, Paulo Pedreiras, and Josep M. Fuertes
Page(s): 125
Abstract: In recent years, approaches to control performance and resource optimization for embedded control systems have been receiving increased attention. Most of them focus on theory, whereas practical aspects are omitted. Theoretical advances demand flexible real-time kernel support for multi-tasking and pre-emption, thus requiring more sophisticated and expensive software/hardware solutions. On the other hand, embedded control systems often have cost constraints related with mass production and strong industrial competition, thus demanding low cost solutions. In this paper it is shown that these conflicting demands can be softened and that a compromise solution can be reached. We advocate that recent research results on optimal resource management for control tasks can be implemented on simple multi-tasking pre-emptive real-time kernels targeting low cost microprocessors, which can be easily built in-house and tailored to actual application needs. The experimental evaluation shows that significant control performance improvement can be achieved without increasing hardware costs.
6.
Analysis and Simulation of Jitter Sequences for Testing Serial Data Channels
Kyung Ki Kim, Jing Huang, Yong-Bin Kim, Fabrizio Lombardi
Page(s): 134
Abstract: This paper presents a novel modeling analysis of jitter as applicable to testing of serial data channels. Jitter is analyzed by considering separate and combined components. The primary goal is the generation of a signal containing a known amount of each jitter component. This signal can then be used for testing high speed serial data channels. Initially, jitter components are analyzed and modeled individually. Next, sequences for combining them are modeled, simulated and evaluated. Model simulation using Matlab is utilized to show the unique features of the components when they are combined into different injection sequences for producing the total jitter. Sequence dependency is investigated in depth and the validity of superposition of jitter components for typical values is confirmed. A good agreement between theory and simulation is verified; these results allow test engineers to have an insight into the interactions among jitter components in serial data channels.
Main Page Site Search Welcome About F.A.Q. Awards Nominate History Legal Members Officers AdCom Minutes Committees Technical Ind. Forum Lecturers Volunteers Chapters Students Publications Trans on IE Trans on II Magazine Newsletter Photographs Conferences IECON ETFA ICIT INDIN ISIE Standards Treasurer References W&I Web Editor Wikipedia
