Engineering Commons^™

A Novel Gps Patch Antenna On A Fractal Hi-Impedance Surface Substrate, Xiulong Bao, Giuseppe Ruvio, Max Ammann, Matthias John

Articles

A compact high-performance circularly-polarized microstrip antenna for the global positioning system application is proposed. It comprises a fractal hi-impedance surface electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure printed on a high permittivity substrate. Measurements and simulation of return loss and axial ratio are in good agreement. It is shown that the proposed Global Positioning System antenna has good axial ratio performance in the upper half-plane, an improvement in gain and a significantly wider axial ratio bandwidth when compared to the same antenna without EBG

Process Modeling For Simulation, John Ryan, Cathal Heavey

Articles

This paper discusses shortfalls in relation to the requirements gathering phases of simulation. While many developments have taken place around supporting the model coding task of simulation, there are few tools available to assist in the requirements gathering phase. This is surprising as it has been reported by several researchers that the requirements phase can absorb twice as much resources as the coding phase. There are numerous process modeling tools available (over 100) that can and have been used to support the requirements phase of simulation. This paper provides a selective review of some of the most important in relation …

Geographic Variation Of Solar Water Heater Performance In Europe, Y. Yohanis, O. Popel, S. Frid, Brian Norton

Articles

Solar water heater (SWH) performance has been analysed using the ‘number of days’ method for 147 different sites in all European countries. The total number of days that the temperature of delivered solar heated water reaches or exceeds specified demand temperatures is correlated with solar radiation on a horizontal surface for summer, warm half-year, and whole year periods. Maps are presented and discussed showing the contours for the number of days that an illustrative SWH met different hot water demand temperatures. Correlations between number of days water is provided at a specified temperature and solar fractions for the same periods …

Addressing The Challenges That Are Emerging In The Continued Increase In Ppp Use In The Republic Of Ireland, Louis Gunnigan, David Eaton

Conference papers

The Irish Government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme of pilot projects is now reaching its conclusion and PPP has become established as a key element in the strategy for provision of public sector facilities. Compiled through a literature review as part of a PhD level research project, this paper examines organisational culture differences between the public and private sectors and assesses the potential affect of these differences on the future development of the Irish PPP programme. By relating organisational culture differences to the emerging challenges relating to risk, value and innovation, it is evident that the lack of a partnering environment …

Sound Source Separation Using Shifted Non-Negative Tensor Factorisation, Eugene Coyle, Derry Fitzgerald, Matt Cranitch

Conference papers

Recently, shifted non-negative Matrix Factorisation was developed as a means of separating harmonic instruments from single channel mixtures. However, in many cases two or more channels are available, in which case it would be advantageous to have a multichannel version of the algorithm. To this end, a shifted Non-negative Tensor Factorisation algorithm is derived, which extends shifted Non-negative Matrix Factoristiaon to the multi channel case. The use of this algorithm for multi-channel sound source separation of harmonic instruments is demonstrated. Further, it is shown that the algorithm can be used to perform Non-negative Tensor Deconvolution, to separate sound sources which …

Voice Activated Command And Control With Speech Recognition Over Wifi, Brian Nolan, Tony Ayres

Articles

This paper presents work conducted to date on the development of a voice activated command and control framework specifically for the control of remote devices in a ubiquitous computing environment. The prototype device is a Java controlled Lego Mindstorm robot. The research considers three different scenario configurations. A recognition grammar for command and control of the robot has been created and implemented in Java, in part in the recognition engine and in part on the robot. The physical topology involves Java at each node endpoint, that is, at the handheld PC (iPaq), the PC workstation, the Linux server and onboard …

A Compact Wide-Band Shorted Folded Antenna, Giuseppe Ruvio, Max Ammann

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

High Performance Circularly Polarized Antenna Based On Fractal Ebg Structure, Xiulong Bao, Max Ammann, Giuseppe Ruvio, Matthias John

Conference papers

Circularly polarized patch antennas have been widely applied in wireless communication system, global positioning system, etc., because of their low-profile, lightweight, ease of fabrication and low lost [1,2]. To achieve high performance for circularly polarized patch antennas, some new structures were reported in the literature, such as antennas array, stack layer antennas, using periodic structures [3-7], etc. In this paper, a high performance circularly polarized low frequency patch antenna based on the compact fractal high-impedance surface EBG structure has been fabricated and experimented. The measured results show that the proposed circularly polarized patch antenna has good performance in impedance bandwidth, …

Study Of The Behaviour Of Video Streaming Over Ieee 802.11b Wlan Networks, Nicola Cranley, Mark Davis

Conference papers

The performance of video streaming over WLAN networks is not only influenced by the state of the network but also by the encoding configuration parameters of the video stream, such as the video content being streamed, how the vide is encoded and how it is transmitted. In this paper, we analyse the unique delay characteristic of video streaming applications in a WLAN environment. We show that the “burstiness” of video is due to the frame-based nature of encoded video. We show how each video frame is transmitted as a burst of packets that is queued at the Access Point causing …

Bridge Dynamics And Loading, Colin C. Caprani, Eugene O'Brien, Arturo Gonzalez, Yingyan Li, Paraic Rattigan, Niall Harris

Conference papers

Recent UCD research on dynamic bridge-truck interaction and bridge traffic loading in general is reported. The accuracy of bridge traffic load assessment has been significantly improved by identifying the differences in the sources of traffic loading on short- to medium-span bridges and treating them separately. It is shown that results can be significantly improved by treating 1-,2-,3- and 4-truck loading events separately. Gaps between trucks are also identified as a critical issue that strongly influences the frequency of key3-and 4-truck events. Trends in the dynamics of traffic loading are identified using simple force models on simply supported beams. It is …

Estimating Risk Of Failure Of Engineering Structures Using Predictive Likelihood, Colin C. Caprani, A. Bordallo-Ruiz, E. J. O'Brien

Conference papers

It has been common engineering practice to define characteristic values for loading and capacity of structures in order to assess the structural capacity of existing structures. This approach, yet practical and intuitive, lead to the comparison of deterministic values (characteristic values) that had to represent all the variability of the problem and is considered to be conservative, as usually loading is overestimated and capacity underestimated, yielding to calculations with high safety margins for the extreme events. Probabilistics methods have tried to overcom e this limitation by computing the overall probability of failure (Pf) for the lifetime of the structure, taking …

Determination Of Characteristic Bridge Daf Using Dynamic Finite Element Analysis Of Critical Static Loading Scenarios, Colin C. Caprani, Paraic Rattigan, Arturo Gonzalez, E. J. O'Brien

Conference papers

The development of accurate codes for the design of bridges and the evaluation of existing structures requires adequate assessment of site-specific heavy traffic loading and also the dynamic interaction that may occur as this traffic traverses the structure. Shortcomings in current design codes occur due to the relatively independent manner in which critical static loading values and the corresponding allowance for dynamic amplification factor (DAF) are obtained. It is important that an approach is adopted that allows for the reduced probability of both high static loading and high dynamic amplification occurring simultaneously. Consideration of only relevant critical loading events will …

Why Renewables Need Nuclear?: A Brief Narrative, John Ratcliffe, Ruth Saurin

Articles

No abstract provided.

Women, Engineering And Research: Providing Choice And Balance, Cecilia Chan, Mike Murphy

Conference papers

“Research cannot reach its full potential when half the population is excluded from its activities”1. Women researchers in engineering remain a minority in both Higher Education and industry in Ireland. Recent statistics of women graduating in science and engineering indicated an increase (a slow increase) but the numbers moving through to completion of PhD and careers in academia or industry remain quite low. Statistics on women in professorial and senior positions within the engineering sector also remains low. The educated workforce produced in Ireland by its education system is acknowledged as a key factor in attracting international investment to the …

Understanding The European Bologna Process, Michael Dyrenfurth, Mike Murphy

Conference papers

This paper describes the European Bologna process, provides a ‘mid-term’ review of its implementation status and discusses its possible positive and negative impacts on US – European links in the fields of engineering and technology education. The first section of this paper describes the meaning and rationale behind each of the Bologna objectives, and why there is a need to establish a European area of higher education. It also comments on how these objectives are interpreted within educational institutions. The second section provides a mid-term report on the implementation status within European universities, focussed primarily on engineering and technology education. …

Fuel Cell Design For Gas Hydrates Exploration And Research, Gerhard Sauer

Masters

In this thesis the design, manufacture and testing of an Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC) that provide electrical power to a deep sea measurement problem is described. The fuel cell was designed to operate in a long-term mode at low temperatures. The power required for the measurement probe was in the order of 5 Watts. The measurement probe was designed to operate at a depth of 3000m in sea water at a temperature of approx. 5°C and at 300 bar pressure

the main design issues included: The design of a Fuel Cell to operate at these conditions and produce enough energy …

Design And Development In The Field Of Alkaline Fuel Cell Technology, Steffen Schudt

Masters

This thesis is about the research on alkaline fuel cell (AFC) technology to investigate the long term operation with air. The aim was to solve the two main problems arising from long term operation and especially from operation with air: • Dilution of the liquid electrolyte by the water from the reaction • Cell damage due to the formation of carbonate In recent years the development of fuel cells has gained a growing interest again. However the interest in alkaline fuel cells was low as the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) seemed to be the superior system. One reason …

Controlled Braking Scheme For A Wheeled Walking Aid, Eugene Coyle, Aidan O'Dwyer, Eileen Young, Kevin Sullivan, A. Toner

Conference papers

A wheeled walking aid with an embedded controlled braking system is described. The frame of the prototype is based on combining features of standard available wheeled walking aids. A braking scheme has been designed using hydraulic disc brakes to facilitate accurate and sensitive controlled stopping of the walker by the user, and if called upon, by automatic action. Braking force is modulated via a linear actuating stepping motor. A microcontroller is used for control of both stepper movement and for supervisory control. An encoder is used to supervise walker movement in terms of time, distance and speed.

Synthesis Of High-Temperature Stable Anatase Tio2 Photocatalyst, Suresh Pillai, Declan Mccormack, Michael Seery, Pradeepan Periyat, Steven Hinder, John Colreavy, Reenamol George, Hugh Hayden

Articles

In the absence of a dopant or precursor odification, anatase to rutile transformation in synthetic TiO2 sually ccurs at a temperature of 600 700 °C. Conventionally, metal oxide dopants (e.g., Al2O3 nd SiO2 are used o tune the anatase to rutile transformation. A simple methodology is reported here to extend the anatase utile transformation by employing various concentrations of urea. XRD and Raman spectroscopy were used uring thermal treatment. A significantly higher anatase phase (97%) as been obtained at 800 C with use of a 1:1 Ti(OPr)4 urea composition and 11% anatase composition is etained even after calcining …

Digital Signal Processing (Second Edition), Jonathan Blackledge

Books/Book chapters

This book provides an account of the mathematical background, computational methods and software engineering associated with digital signal processing. The aim has been to provide the reader with the mathematical methods required for signal analysis which are then used to develop models and algorithms for processing digital signals and finally to encourage the reader to design software solutions for Digital Signal Processing (DSP). In this way, the reader is invited to develop a small DSP library that can then be expanded further with a focus on his/her research interests and applications.

There are of course many excellent books and software …

Centralisation/Decentralisation In European Universities: Case Study Dit., Mike Murphy

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Study Of Same-Lane And Inter-Lane Gvw Correlation, Bernard Enright, Eugene J. O'Brien, Colin C. Caprani

Conference papers

The methodology used is to generate a number of years of simulated traffic and to use extreme value statistics to predict more accurately the characteristic loading for a given bridge. The parameters and probability distributions used in the Monte Carlo simulation must be based on observed sample traffic data. Some previous studies have made unsubstantiated assumptions regarding correlation between the Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW) of trucks in the same lane, or between trucks in adjacent, same-direction lanes. For this paper, an extensive database of Dutch Weigh-in-Motion data is analysed. Data are collected from two same-direction lanes and are time-stamped to …

Experiences Of Learning And Teaching On A Taught Masters Course In Engineering: From A Didactic Approach To A More Student Centered Learning Approach, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

This paper reports on, reflects on, and evaluates the author’s experiences of teaching the Advanced Control module on the Masters degree in Advanced Engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) over the past four academic years. The teaching approach has evolved from a traditional didactic lecture and laboratory course, with associated assessments, in the first academic year, to the implementation of a more learner-centred approach over the past two academic years. This new approach has been made possible by the appropriate use of real case studies, information technology tools, and web-based virtual laboratories. Assessment methodology has also evolved. In the …

Protection Of Dvr Against Short Circuit Faults At The Load Side, Iurie Axente, Malabika Basu, Michael Conlon, Kevin Gaughan

Conference papers

An additional control scheme has been proposed in this paper for a dynamic voltage restorer (DVR), to protect it against load short circuit conditions. When overcurrents occur in the distribution system, under the proposed scheme the DVR reverses its injected voltage polarity so as to minimise the current flow. The detection method is based on impedance measurement feedback. The advantage of the scheme is that no additional over current device or protection is required for the DVR and it is easy to implement. The proposed control scheme has been validated through simulation.

Alkaline Fuel Cell Engineering And Testing, James Brunton, David Kennedy, Eugene Coyle

Conference Papers

A fuel cell is a device that directly converts the chemical energy of reactants (a fuel and an oxidant) into low d. c. electricity [1]. Used in conjunction with other sustainable energy options, hydrogen and fuel cell technology can provide a realistic alternative to fossil fuels. Although research is continuing in many areas we are no closer now to commercialisation than ten to twenty years ago. This is due to a number of key reasons, some of which include efficiency, scale, accessories and power output. This paper outlines the benefits that could be derived from switching to a hydrogen based …

Requirements Gathering For Simulation, John Ryan, Cathal Heavey

Conference papers

This paper discusses the current shortfalls in support for the pre-coding phases of a discrete event simulation project. The paper then presents a process modelling technique, Simulation Activity Diagrams (SADs), developed to specifically support the initial requirements gathering phases of a simulation project. The paper concludes with an outline of proposed future developments to the modelling technique.

Musical Pattern Design Using Contour Icons, Charlie Cullen, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

This paper considers the use of Contour Icons in the design and implementation of musical patterns, for the purposes of detection and recognition. Research work had endeavoured to deliver musical patterns that were both distinct and memorable, and to this end a set of basic melodic shapes were introduced using a Sonification application called TrioSon that had been designed for the purpose. Existing work in the field (such as that concerning Earcon design) has considered the mechanisms by which patterns may be made distinctive, but it is argued that separate consideration must be given to the method of making such …

Harmonically Combined Contour Icons For Concurrent Auditory Display, Charlie Cullen, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

This paper considers the harmonic combination of basic melodic shapes known as contour icons in concurrent auditory displays. Existing work in the field (such as that concerning earcons) has considered the combination of patterns designed using low level cognitive features, and so effective streaming is difficult. This work investigates means by which musical patterns with high level cognitive features (such as contour) representing data values can be rendered concurrently, so that multiple data sets can be effectively conveyed using an auditory display. The detection and comprehension of harmonically combined contour icons was tested in comparison to those combined uniquely (non …

Experimental Comparison Of Wired Versus Wireless Video Streaming Over Ieee 802.11b Wlans, Tanmoy Debnath, Nicola Cranley, Mark Davis

Conference papers

In this paper the performance of streaming MPEG-4 video with a video server located on the wired network streaming to wireless clients is compared with the performance of a video server located in the wireless network streaming to wireless video clients. We experimentally investigate the performance for a number of concurrent video streams with varying video frame sizes, frame rates and packetisation schemes. The performance is measured in terms of the key parameters of bit rate, loss rate and mean delay. We show how that there is a trade-off for these parameters for a wired and wireless located server. We …

A Numerical Acoustic Fluid-Structure Model Of A Therapeutic Ultrasound Angioplasty Device, Graham Gavin, M.S. J. Hashmi, Finbar Dolan, Garrett Mcguinness

Conference Papers

Ultrasonic angioplasty involves the use of ultrasonic vibrations delivered to the distal-tip of small diameter wire waveguides and is an emerging technology the may have potential use in the treatment of complicated atherosclerotic plaques during cardiovascular surgery. Complicated plaques, including chronic total occlusions and calcified lesions, seriously reduce success rates during standard intervention involving guidewire access, followed by balloon dilation or stent delivery. The large amplitude (0-150 μm) wire waveguide distal-tip displacements in the low-frequency ultrasonic (18-45 kHz) range have been shown to disrupt plaque material by direct contact ablation and cavitation, acoustic streaming and pressure wave components in adjacent …