Digital Commons Network^™

Simulation Activity Diagrams, John Ryan, Cathal Heavey

Conference papers

This paper presents a technique, Simulation Activity Diagrams (SAD), developed to lessen the modelling burden during the initial requirements gathering phases of a simulation project. The technique also allows the capture and visual communication of detailed information, to manufacturing personnel, which may otherwise be lost in detailed programming code.

Logistics Challenges In A Volative World: Le Sfide Della Logistica In Tempi Di Scenari Instabili, Edward Sweeney

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Health And Environmental Effects Of Landfilling And Incineration Of Waste - A Literature Review, D. Crowley, A. Staines, C. Collins, J. Bracken, M. Bruen, J Fry, Victor Hrymak, D. Malone, B. Magette, M. Ryan, C Thunhurst

Reports

A literature review on the health effects of landfill and incineration is presented together with an application to Ireland of the findings

Rhythmic Parsing Of Sonified Dna And Rna Sequences, Charlie Cullen, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

Sonification allows existing mathematical data to be used as the model for audio output, notably that the audio produced is related to or representative of that data in some way. Existing work in the field has been largely focused on the aesthetic tailoring of the output audio for compositional benefit rather than as a framework for audio representation and analysis. It is the goal of this research to apply existing techniques for pitch substitution to an analytical method that seeks to define and represent patterns within existing data sets (primarily DNA and RNA sequences). It is often the case that …

Broadband Dual-Plate Monopole Antennas, Z. Wu, P. Sevret, Max Ammann

Conference papers

In this paper, dual-plate monopole antennas without and with a shorting pin and/or edge trimming have been studied. The experimental results of return loss have been presented, and compared with single plate monopole antennas. It has been shown that the lower end matching frequency can be lowered by 17% by using dual plates. The higher end matching frequency can be improved by edge trimming. Despite their frequency-dependent radiation patterns, these planar monopoles with a BWR of 1:7 or above can serve as a wideband antenna for a range of portable wireless terminals.

Improved Pattern Stability For Monopole Antennas With Ultrawideband Impedance Characteristics, Max Ammann

Conference papers

The requirement of future software defined and reconfigurable radio networks to operate in multiple, wide-ranging, frequency bands places heavy demands on antenna designs. Rather than using antennas tuned at the time of manufacture to operate in certain predefined frequency bands under predefined radio systems, which limits the possibilities of implementing new radio systems on a reconfigurable terminal, a wideband antenna is proposed. The use of a single antenna which can operate over many octaves is very desirable for future wireless communications systems. We discuss the characteristics of the planar monopole, an antenna with wideband properties. The addition of a second …

Energy Performance Of Indirect Evaporative Cooling In Chilled Ceiling Applications In Maritime Temperate Climates, Ben Costelloe, Donal Finn

Conference Papers

Evaporative cooling has had limited application in maritime, temperate, climates due to the low levels of cooling water availability which result, when low temperature (5 to 8˚C), convection based, building cooling systems are used. However, the success of "high temperature" radiant cooling, in the form of chilled ceilings, has prompted a review of evaporative cooling in maritime, temperate, conditions. In order to maximize evaporative cooling availability, however, in this application, it is necessary to achieve low wet bulb temperature approach conditions, at viable levels of primary energy consumption. This paper presents the results of experimental research into the energy performance …

Experimental Energy Performance Of Open Cooling Towers Used Under Low And Variable Approach Conditions For Indirect Evaporative Cooling Of Buildings, Ben Costelloe, Donal Finn

Articles

The success of chilled ceilings and displacement ventilation systems as a means of sensible cooling in buildings has prompted a review of evaporative cooling technology as an effective means of generating the required cooling water. When such cooling water is generated at low approach conditions (2–5 K), at the higher temperatures required in these systems (14–18°C), very high levels of availability result. In many north western European locations the levels of availability are such that the prospect of supplanting rather than simply supplementing the refrigeration system, for sensible cooling purposes, arises. The viability of the technique, however, largely depends on …

A Wide-Band Shorted Planar Monopole With Bevel, Max Ammann, Zhi Ning Chen

Articles

A new wide-band shorted planar monopole with a bevel is presented. The numerical simulations and measurements demonstrate that the impedance bandwidth of a wide-band planar square monopole is shown to increase dramatically by combining bevelling and a shorting technique. The radiation pattern stability is also discussed.

2003 : Faculty Of Engineering, Full - Time Courses, Dublin Institute Of Technology

DIT Publications

Book contains, DIT academic calender for year 2002/2003. Contains list of full time courses in the faculty of engineering for entry 2003.

A Simulation Model To Characterize Photolithography Process Of A Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication, Amr Arisha, Paul Young, Mohie El Baradie

Conference papers

The pressures on semiconductor manufacturers due to cost considerations, rapid growth of process technology, quality constraints, feature size reduction, and increasingly complex devices are increasing requiring ever higher efficiency from the manufacturing facilities. The complexity of manufacturing high capacity semiconductor devices means that it is impossible to analyze the process control parameters and the production configurations using traditional analytical models. There is, therefore, an increasing need for effective models of each manufacturing process, characterising and analyzing the process in detail, allowing the effect of changes in the production environment on the process to be predicted. The photolithography process is one …

Staff Perspectives On The Experience Of A Problem-Based Learning Staff Development Module: Impact On Their Pedagogical Stance, Una Coleman

Theses

The current shift towards problem-based learning (PBL) internationally within higher education, and the transfer of some programmes within higher education in Ireland into PBL programmes, suggests that staff development needs to be a key component in any PBL implementation strategy. PBL radically transforms the roles and functions of both staff and student and challenges teachers’ beliefs and accompanying perceptions about the teaching and learning process. This study documents the impact of a PBL staff development programme on the participants and assesses the impact on their pedagogical stance.

The approach to this study was guided by my belief in the socially …

A New Modified Smith Predictor Design, Pauline Sourdille, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

A new modified Smith predictor structure is presented with its associated tuning rules.

The Effect Of Processing Conditions On Varistors Prepared From Nanocrystalline Zno, Suresh Pillai, Declan Mccormack, John Kelly, Ramesh Raghavendra

Articles

Nanoparticles of ZnO were prepared by the reaction of ethanolic solutions of zinc acetate and oxalic acid
followed by drying (80 uC) and calcination (500 uC). Subsequently varistor materials were fabricated from this
nanoparticular ZnO via two separate routes:- a) from a ‘‘core shell’’ material using metal salts as additives; b)
by using a conventional solid state mixing of metal oxides. Sintering (1050 uC) and subsequent electrical studies
were carried out for each of these samples and they were compared with commercial varistor samples prepared
under similar conditions. ‘‘Core shell’’ type varistor material showed considerably higher breakdown voltage
(Vc ~ …

Large Retail Developments In Ireland: An Overview, Edmund O'Callaghan

Conference proceedings

This paper illustrates the Irish public policy response to the location and development of large stores, through new planning guidelines issued in 2001. These guidelines provide the basis for a framework to guide local authorities in preparing development plans, in line with the broad principles of ‘sustainable development’. The context against which the new planning guidelines were deemed necessary is outlined. The paper concludes that the new guidelines will not seriously hinder non-food formats, nor disadvantage potential new international or national entrants. While it will limit large food-store development, average food-store size will continue to increase and existing operators will …

Evaluation Of Scheduling Strategies On The Performance Of A Flexible Manufacturing Cell:A Simulation Study, Amr Arisha, Paul Young, Mohie El Baradie

Conference papers

The current trend in semiconductor manufacturing is characterized by expanding product variety, decreasing lead times from order to delivery, exacting standards of quality, and competitive prices. One possible means of achieving this is in the form of increased flexibility. Providing flexibility is typically an expensive proposition so, industrial engineers aim to provide more economic approaches to enable flexible manufacturing cells and related equipment to operate appropriately in an efficient manner. It is essential to characterize these tools in detail before the production plans are finalized. Using state-of-the-art computer simulation, a generic model of photolithography tools has been developed. The model …

Optical Switches Using Electro-Optical Effects In Liquid Crystals, Yuliya Semenova, S. Dovgalets, Yuri Panarin, Gerald Farrell

Articles

A simple displacement sensor based on a bent singlemode-multimode-singlemode (SMS) fiber structure is proposed and experimentally investigated. The sensor offers a wider displacement range, not limited by the risk of fiber breakage, as well as a three-fold increase in displacement sensitivity by comparison with a straight SMS structure sensor. This sensor can be interrogated by either an optical spectral analyzer (OSA) or a ratiometric interrogation system: (1) if interrogated by an OSA assuming a resolution of 1 pm, it has a sensitivity of 28.2 nm for a displacement measurement range from 0 to 280 μm; (2) if interrogated by a …

Modified Planar Inverted-L Antenna, Jonathan Evans, Max Ammann

Conference papers

A hybrid inverted-L antenna (HIL) has been shown to reduce the physical height of a square planar monopole antenna, while retaining a relatively wide impedance bandwidth and good radiation pattern characteristics. The introduction of horizontal slots in the vertical edges of the antenna cause the surface current to meander, resulting in a decrease in the lower edge frequency of the impedance bandwidth. The impact of different sizes and arrangements of slots on impedance and radiation pattern bandwidth, gain and surface current distribution is simulated using transmission line modelling (TLM). Simulated results for impedance bandwidth are verified with measurements. With other …

The Prospective Process Through Scenario Thinking For The Built And Human Environment: A Tool For Exploring Urban Futures, John Ratcliffe, Lorcan Sirr

Articles

We are currently living through an era where we can, and need to, create exciting new possibilities in the way we think about, plan, design and build new places and spaces for working and living. At the same time, two irresistible forces – change and complexity – face decision-makers charged with framing and executing future policy and practice for the built and human environment. This paper generally argues the case for employing a ‘prospective’ process through scenario thinking for strategic planning and management in the urban arena. It does not attempt to identify or explore the advances made in planning …

Drum Transcription In The Presence Of Pitched Instruments Using Prior Subspace Analysis, Derry Fitzgerald, Robert Lawlor, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

This paper demonstrates the use of Prior Subspace Analysis (PSA) as a method for transcribing drums in the presence of pitched instruments. PSA uses prior subspaces that represent the sources to be transcribed to overcome some of the problems associated with other subspace methods such as Independent Subspace Analysis (ISA) or sub-band ISA. The use of prior knowledge results in improved robustness for transcription purposes and enables the method to work more readily in the presence of pitched instruments than other subspace methods. The system presented in this paper attempts to extend the use of PSA to transcribe drum sounds …

Termination Issues In Residential Placement, Varda Mann-Feder

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

The termination phase of residential child care placement has a powerful effect on postplacement adjustment. This article reviews relevant literature from a range of helping/caring professions and outlines implications for managing termination with children and youth in care. Major themes are: termination elicits ambivalence and can manifest as behavioural regression; intervention during the termination phase can have significant impact; and the capacity of child and youth care workers to deal with separation issues must be considered.

New Modified Smith Predictor Designs, Pauline Sourdille, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

By combining several existing modified Smith predictor structures, presented in a literature review, a generalised form of the Smith predictor is proposed. From this structure, excellent servo and regulator responses can be obtained by specifying three controller dynamic elements. Two new modified Smith predictor structures are presented with their associated tuning rules. The results of the simulations indicate that the two new designs give better overall responses than the original Smith predictor.

Comparison Of Process Identification Techniques In The Time And Frequency Domains, Tony Kealy, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

This paper describes ten methods to identify a mathematical model for a real process with a time delay. The process is the Process Trainer, PT326 from Feedback Instruments Limited. Six of the methods use step response data and one of the methods uses impulse response data for identification. Two of the methods use frequency response data and the final method uses information from relay-based experiments. The best results are obtained using a combined analytical and gradient method [6] in the frequency-domain and, in the time-domain, using the two-point algorithm [1] and a method proposed by Suganda et al. [5].

Analytical Ise Calculation And Optimum Control System Design, Tony Kealy, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

In control system theory, a performance index is a quantitative measure of the performance of a system and is chosen so that emphasis is given to the important system parameters. In this paper, the authors demonstrate two methods to determine analytically the ISE performance index value for a FOPDT process model under PI control. The ability of proportional/integral (PI) and proportional/integral/derivative (PID) controllers to compensate most practical industrial processes has led to their wide acceptance in industrial applications. The most direct way to set up PI/PID controller parameters is the use of tuning rules. The second part of this paper …

Speech-Adaptive Time-Scale Modification For Computer Assisted Language Learning, Olivia Donnellan, Elmar Jung, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

In traditional foreign language learning programmes students are offered a tutor model characterised by slow, deliberate speech. This is insufficient to prepare them to cope with native, colloquial speech. By applying a timescale modification (TSM) algorithm to natural-speed, native speech, students have access to a more desirable, natural speech corpus which permits them to practise essential listening skills in a more focussed manner. This paper presents a method which allows slowing down speech without compromising the quality, pitch or naturalness of the slowed speech by applying different scaling factors to different types of speech segments. The new method is compared …

A Framework To Utilise Urban Bus Data For Advanced Data Analysis, Markus Hofmann, Brendan Tierney, Margaret M. O'Mahony

Conference papers

Most urban bus operators collect detailed data on their respective transportation networks using electronic fare collection systems. However, contrary to the opinion of other service industries that this data is a valuable resource, many bus operators have tended not to fully utilise these resources. International experience suggests using innovative technologies and methodologies such as data warehousing, Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), and data mining, to derive the maximum benefit from this data. Still bus operators tend not to keep the full range of data in a form, which is easy to access or utilise, and therefore, are not able to apply …

Turning An Articulated Truck On A Spreadsheet, Jim Mcgovern

Level 3

This paper describes how a standard office spreadsheet application was used to set up an engineering model for the simulation and analysis of the turning of articulated trucks.

To Catch A Thief: What To Do With Plagiarists In The Language, Literature Or Culture Classroom, Sue Norton

Level 3

This paper conjectured why students in higher education, particularly in language, literature, and culture courses, plagiarise. It considered some of the ways assessors respond to plagiarism and suggested how we might reduce its occurrence.

It argued that most lecturers and tutors simply lack the time and, for sensible and practical reasons, even the motivation to track down the sources of suspect material in order to prove a charge of plagiarism. And anyway, the levelling of formal charges not only demoralises all concerned, but fails to respond to the conditions that give rise to plagiarism in the first place.

Rather than …

Indirect Evaporative Cooling Potential In Air-Water Systems In Temperate Climates, Ben Costelloe, Donal Finn

Articles

Recent developments have prompted a review of evaporative cooling technology as an effective means of cooling modern deep plan buildings. Prominent among these developments is the success of high temperature sensible cooling systems, particularly, chilled ceilings, which require a supply of cooling water at 14–18 °C. Crucial to the success of evaporative cooling technology, as a significant means of cooling in modern applications, is the ability to generate cooling water, in an indirect circuit, at a temperature which closely approaches the ambient adiabatic saturation temperature (AST) or wet bulb temperature (WBT). Recent experimental research has demonstrated that it is technically …

Crafting A Research Paper, Ronan Fitzpatrick, Kevin O'Donnell

Conference papers

Writing research papers presents numerous different challenges, which vary from how to layout the various pages and format the text to what to include in the different sections that make up the paper. In order to clarify these issues this paper sets out guidelines and best practice approaches and demonstrates their use in the style of this paper.