Engineering Commons^™

A Collagen Based Tissue Engineered Heart Valve Shows Excellent Functionality And Remodelling After Dynamic Conditioning, Claire Brougham, Ricardo Moreira, Tanya J. Levingstone, Stefan Jockenhoevel, Petra Mela, Fergal J. O'Brien

Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

An Introduction To Defining Cost Estimates For Mechanical And Electrical Services Using The Nrm1, Charles Mitchell

Reports

Determining an accurate value for the supply and installation of mechanical and electrical services is a difficult task due to the level of specialisation and variance within this sector of the industry. The level of specialised knowledge and the ever changing technology has prevented the Quantity Surveyor from taking a firm hold on the cost estimation of these services. Cost estimates have previously been prepared by consultant services engineers or based on costs provided by these consultants.

However, employers nowadays require more cost certainty in the estimates of costs. As a direct result the New Rules of Measurement 1 (NRM1) …

Hvdc Systems Fault Analysis Using Various Signal Processing Techniques, Benish Paily

Doctoral

The detection and fast clearance of faults are important for the safe and optimal operation of HVDC systems. In HVDC systems, various types of AC faults (rectifier & inverter side) and DC faults can occur. It is therefore necessary to detect the faults and classify them for better protection and diagnostics purposes. Various techniques for fault detection and classification in HVDC systems using signal processing techniques are presented and investigated in this research work. In this research work, it is shown that the wavelet transformation can effectively detect abrupt changes in system signals which are indicative of a fault. This …

The Battery Energy Storage System (Bess) Design Option For On-Campus Photovoltaic Charging Station (Pv-Cs), Ayda Esfandyari, Brian Norton, Michael Conlon, Sarah Mccormack

Conference Papers

As the application of Light weight Electric Vehicles (LEVs) increase in communities, Technological University Dublin (DIT) uses these small vehicles for short distance journeys around its 78 acre campus of “Grangegorman” located in inner Dublin city, Ireland. This paper presents an introduction to the campus Photovoltaic Charging Station (PV-CS) that generates clean electricity from the sun and charges the LEVs batteries which can lead to reduction of CO2 emissions, along with fulfillment of national and international green sustainability targets. Based on the evaluation of possible options for PV-CS design, the optimal design configuration was chosen as a "Battery Energy Storage …

Towards A Framework For Modelling Multimedia Conferencing Calls In The Next Generation Network, Gavin Byrne, Declan Barber

The ITB Journal

This paper is concerned with the creation of a multiparty multimedia conferencing application which can be used in Next Generation Networks. It begins by suggesting ways in which conferencing can be modeled with a focus on separating signaling and media transfer functionality. Enabling technologies which could support the modeling framework derived and which are compatible with Next Generation Network (NGN) principles are reviewed. Finally, a design and implementation for a simple multimedia conferencing application are described.

Embedded Systems In A Mobile Distributed Ip Network, Conor Gildea, Declan Barber

The ITB Journal

This paper describes an approach to the internetworking of mobile IP sensor nodes in a converged network environment. This preliminary investigation of sensory network models is driven by a joint applied research project between ITB and Teagasc (Grange) which seeks to establish the feasibility of the real-time remote monitoring of animal welfare while in transit between Ireland, Europe and the Middle East. The paper examines traditional system architectures, messaging paradigms and protocols with a view to establishing how the trend towards convergence in telecommunications and the emergence of new Internet Protocols could support the creation of new modes of operation …

Pathfinding In Computer Games, Ross Graham, Hugh Mccabe, Stephen Sheridan

The ITB Journal

One of the greatest challenges in the design of realistic Artificial Intelligence (AI) in computer games is agent movement. Pathfinding strategies are usually employed as the core of any AI movement system. This report will highlight pathfinding algorithms used presently in games and their shortcomings especially when dealing with real-time pathfinding. With the advances being made in other components, such as physics engines, it is AI that is impeding the next generation of computer games. This report will focus on how machine learning techniques such as Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms can be used to enhance an agents ability …

Determination Of The Frequency Response Of An End Tidal Co2 Analyser, Kabita Shakya, Catherine Deegan, Fran Hegarty

The ITB Journal

In a health care environment, mechanical ventilation is used to support patients during acute illness and surgery. Mechanical ventilation is the process by which the patient’s respiratory function is artificially supported using a respirator. During mechanical ventilation, it is necessary to ensure the adequacy of ventilation. The patient is thus monitored for several ventilatory parameters. The end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) is one of the primary monitoring parameters. EtCO2 is the partial pressure or maximal concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the end of an exhaled breath, which is expressed as a percentage of CO2 or mmHg . Capnography is the technique …

Integration Of A Stereo Vision System And Gps Data For Recording The Position Of Feature Points In A Fixed World Coordinate System, S.D. Mcloughlin, C. O’Rourke, J. Mcdonald, C.E. Markham

The ITB Journal

This paper describes a laboratory system for recovering the global coordinates of feature points obtained from a moving camera. The prototype includes a stereo vision system combined with an overhead camera, which mimics a GPS receiver. The stereo vision system provides three dimensional feature point coordinates relative to the position of the cameras and the overhead camera provides three-dimensional coordinates of the camera in a “global” coordinate system. The fusion of these data provides three-dimensional feature point coordinates in a fixed origin global coordinate system.

Hardware/Software Codesign, Richard Gallery

The ITB Journal

The current state of the art technology in integrated circuits allows the incorporation of multiple processor cores and memory arrays, in addition to application specific hardware, on a single substrate. As silicon technology has become more advanced, allowing the implementation of more complex designs, systems have begun to incorporate considerable amounts of embedded software [3]. Thus it becomes increasingly necessary for the system designers to have knowledge on both hardware and software to make efficient design tradeoffs. This is where hardware/software codesign comes into existence.

Enhancing Graduate Attributes In Civil & Structural Engineering Students, Una Beagon, Brian Bowe

Other resources

How does industry and academia differ in their perception of the graduate attributes required to succeed in a career in Civil & Structural Engineering? A proposal for a research study

Unified Messaging Systems: An Evolutionary Overview, Declan Barber

The ITB Journal

Over the last decade, the widespread demand and use of the internet has changed the direction of the telecommunications industry as it was recognised that the internet could be used as an inexpensive way to handle not only data but also voice communications. This convergence of traditional voice and data technologies towards an IP-based open architecture has been paralleled by a convergence of the internet and mobile communications. As a result of these convergences, unified messaging has emerged as a technically viable service. Integrated messaging services that offer partial unification of different message types are already in the marketplace. This …

Hardware And Software Codesign For Multimedia Capable Portable Devices Using Systemc, Richard Gallery, Deepesh Shakya

The ITB Journal

Multimedia capable portable devices such as 3G phones will host a variety of new applications. Although the underlying push for new applications in such devices is driven by the increase in bandwidth offered by 3G, it is clear that many of the “new” applications will require the provision of new and powerful graphics/video technology within the mobile device itself. Within a computing device, high bandwidth and computational cost are associated with anything but the simplest of graphics, and as a result the graphics subsystem is generally one of the most critical elements of a system, requiring particular attention in the …

Non Deterministic Processing In Neural Networks : An Introduction To Multi-Threaded Neural Networks, Stephen Sheridan

The ITB Journal

Since McCullough and Pitts first published their work on the Binary Decision Neuron much research has been accumulated in the area of neural networks. This work has for the most part centred on network topologies and learning algorithms. The neural networks that have found their way into devices such as handheld PC’s are the fruit of NN research that has spanned 57 years. There is a simplistic beauty in the way that artificial neural networks model the biological foundations of the human thought process, but one piece of the jigsaw puzzle is still missing. We have so far been unable …

Extending Physical Simulation To The Audio Domain, Graham Mccann, Hugh Mccabe

The ITB Journal

Using physical simulation to control movement and interactions between objects in a 3D environment, such as a computer game, has become increasingly common However; this idea has not been extended in a general sense to the audio domain. The audio component of these systems usually comprises of pre-recorded WAV files that are triggered in response to events. We argue that this approach has serious limitations and propose instead that the physical information made available by physics engines provides an opportunity to carry out synthesis of appropriate sounds from scratch. We outline a framework for adding a sound synthesis module to …

Web Services Technology Infrastructure, Geraldine Gray, Kieran O’Connor

The ITB Journal

Web Services using eXtensible Markup Language (XML) based standards are becoming the new archetype for enabling business to business collaborations. This paper describes the conceptual architecture and semantics of constructing and consuming Web Services. It describes how Web Services fit into the enterprise application environment. It discusses Web Services security. Finally, it outlines the flaws of Web Services in their current state.

An Xml Framework For The Structured Data Exchange Between Medical Devices, Ulrich Neuhaus, Paul Walsh

The ITB Journal

This paper describes an XML framework for the exchange of data between medical devices and software systems. XML technologies offer an extensible data format, which is easy to both create and process and simplifies the exchange of data. Different XML standards are defined within the framework in order to provide a practical solution for both device manufacturers and software developers. The structure and benefits of XML documents are discussed and an XML framework for ophthalmology is described.

Longer Than A Telephone Wire - Voice Firewalls To Counter Ubiquitous Lie Detection, Carl Reynolds, Matt Smith, Mark Woodman

The ITB Journal

Mobile computing and communication devices are open to surreptitious privacy attacks using emotion detection techniques; largely utilising work carried out in the area of voice stress analysis (VSA). This paper extends some work in the area of removing emotion cues in the voice, specifically focusing on lie detection and presents the results of a pilot study indicating that the use of mobile phones in situations of stress is common and that awareness of VSA is low. Existing strategies for the removal or modification of emotion cues, based on models of synthesis are considered and weaknesses are identified.

A Java Framework For Computer Vision, Stephen Sheridan

The ITB Journal

This paper outlines a framework implemented entirely in Java that attempts to give students exposure to computer vision systems from a practical standpoint. Various tools and technologies are introduced that will allow a student to acquire an input image through a WebCam, extract useful information from that input image and finally, attempt to make sense of the input.

Globalcom, Declan Barber, Conor Gildea, Gavin Byrne

The ITB Journal

The objective of this developed application is to provide a company with a means of communicating with its employees no matter where they are physically located and what communication resources they may have at any particular time. The core focus of this application is to provide a Unified Messaging System using synchronous and asynchronous forms.

Developing Key Performance Indicators To Measure The Effectiveness Of Early Facilities Management Performance On Bim Governed Public Sector Projects, Barry Mcauley, Alan Hore, Roger West

Conference papers

Governments across the globe are now recognising the need to take steps to better manage their property portfolios due to the escalating costs of operating these buildings over their lifetime. This has seen them turn towards innovative work practices and technologies offered by Building Information Modelling (BIM). It is now becoming increasingly evident that BIM can bring significant added value to the design, construction and most importantly to the operational life of a public sector development project. This experience has resulted in a number of governments moving towards implementing BIM for all public works projects. BIM allows the building to …

The Application Of Industry Standards As An Alternative To In-House Proprietary Standards Within The Aec Iindustry, Robert Moore, Alan Hore, Barry Mcauley

Conference papers

The move from traditional 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) practices towards Building Information Modelling (BIM) has witnessed some practices trying to adopt and update their own in-house CAD standards. These standards are wholly inadequate for working in a collaborative BIM environment and mean that they repetitively create and recreate local, non-reusable, non-interoperable solutions to the same problems, which leads to the employees potentially having to learn a new collaborative process every time they have to work with a new project team. Collaborative standards help teams produce information through a standardised process, so as to ensure the same form and quality …

Identification Protocols In Cryptography, Michael O’Donnell

The ITB Journal

In this paper we examine the role of Identification Protocols in the field of Cryptography. Firstly, the rationale behind the need for Identification Protocols is discussed. Secondly, we examine, in detail, challenge-response protocols, based upon zero-knowledge proofs, that form a subset of Identification Protocols in general. Thirdly, the mathematical tools necessary for the understanding of how these protocols work is given. Finally, we discuss four main Identification Protocols: Fiat-Shamir, Feige-Fiat-Shamir, Schnorr and Guillou- Quisquater. This discussion includes the theory, practical examples and the security aspects of each protocol.

Internet Applications Development Issues And Strategic Considerations, Róisín Faherty

The ITB Journal

This paper examines the development issues and strategic considerations involved in Internet Applications Development. The prevalent development environments are discussed highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Issues regarding the development of Internet applications are viewed under the headings of human resource, organizational, technological, investment and Legal Issues. Lastly the paper gives an overview of the strategic implications for an organization considering the development of Internet Applications. These include security, quality and the look & feel of the application. This paper is not intended as a definitive resource on the area of Internet Applications Development, its aim is to highlight the areas …

Mental Spaces: Processes For Establishing And Linking Spaces, Brian Nolan

The ITB Journal

This paper reviews the theory of mental spaces as expounded by Fauconnier (1994). In this work he posits a theory in which reference has a structural dimension. Within the theory, this structure is represented using spaces, connectors across the spaces and some general principles that are found to apply. The complexity lies in the interaction between the principles and in the contextual structures that feed into the principles for interpretation. Brugman, in her 1996 paper, makes use of insights from mental spaces theory to conduct an analysis of HAVE-constructions. She notes that Fauconnier has “elaborated a theory of partial possible …

A Review Of Parallel Mappings For Feed Forward Neural Networks Using The Backpropagation Learning Algorithm, Stephen Sheridan

The ITB Journal

The Back-Propagation (BP) Neural Network (NN) is probably the most well known of all neural networks. Many mappings of the BP NN have been implemented for both special purpose and general-purpose computers. This mapping process can fall into one of two categories: heuristic mapping and algorithmic mapping. Heuristic mapping concentrates on the architecture and behaviour of the network as it trains whereas algorithmic mapping concentrates on the parallelization of the learning algorithm. Mappings in the heuristic category tend to take a trial and error approach based on the understanding of the network and of the target machine. In comparison mappings …

Ensuring That The Needs Of The End User Are Effectively Communicated Through Bim During The Building Design Stage, Barry Mcauley, Alan Hore, Roger West, Louis Gunnigan

Conference papers

The Grangegorman Development Project is the largest single development of 3rd level education accommodation in the history of the Irish State. Planned for completion in 2023, it will relocate all of Technological University of Dublin’s (DIT) activities from their current 39 locations to a single campus. This is a once-off opportunity for DIT and it is therefore critical that the campus is designed to meet end-users’ needs. As part of the strategy to achieve this, it has been specified that all work packages within the campus must use Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the design, construction and the planning of …

Collaborative Public Works Contracts Using Bim – An Opportunity For The Irish Construction Industry?, Barry Mcauley, Alan Hore, Robert Kane, Simon Fraser

Conference papers

In Ireland, large and progressive contractors are claiming significant benefits in construction management efficiency through the implementation of BIM (Building Information Modelling). While these contractors note that the cost benefits to the project budget alone justify the implementation of BIM in the field, they are acutely aware that in 2011 the UK Government has mandated the construction industry in the UK to use BIM on all public projects by 2016. In the Republic of Ireland however, in 2007, the Government introduced the Public Works Contracts (PWC) suite for the procurement of all public sector works. After 8 years of working …

The Role Of Cryptography In Security For Electronic Commerce, Ann Murphy, David Murphy

The ITB Journal

Many businesses and consumers are wary of conducting business over the Internet due to a perceived lack of security. Electronic business is subject to a variety of threats such as unauthorised access, misappropriation, alteration and destruction of both data and systems. This paper explores the major security concerns of businesses and users and describes the cryptographic techniques used to reduce such risks.

Cultural Change Through Bim: Driving Lean Transformation In Education, Avril Behan, Malachy Mathews, Kevin Furlong, Ciara Ahern, Una Beagon, Peter Brennan, Colin Conway, Lee Corcoran, Pierce Fahy, Alan Hore, Barry Mcauley, Trevor Woods

Conference papers

This paper presents a case study of how the adoption of BIM-based practices in the AECO industry is being reflected by cultural change in higher education in Ireland. The silo-mentality that has dominated the AECO sector for more than a century has, despite numerous reorganisations, been replicated in the structures of educational institutions, including in Dublin Institute of Technology since the inception of its founding colleges in the late 1800s. Most AECO programmes must include content that is external to the programme’s specific discipline. Through the School structures of the Institute, delivery of such content is known as "service teaching" …