Showing papers on "System integration published in 2008"

Wafer-scale integration of analog neural networks

Abstract: This paper introduces a novel design of an artificial neural network tailored for wafer-scale integration. The presented VLSI implementation includes continuous-time analog neurons with up to 16 k inputs. A novel interconnection and routing scheme allows the mapping of a multitude of network models derived from biology on the VLSI neural network while maintaining a high resource usage. A single 20 cm wafer contains about 60 million synapses. The implemented neurons are highly accelerated compared to biological real time. The power consumption of the dense interconnection network providing the necessary communication bandwidth is a critical aspect of the system integration. A novel asynchronous low-voltage signaling scheme is presented that makes the wafer-scale approach feasible by limiting the total power consumption while simultaneously providing a flexible, programmable network topology.

Development of an integrated wireless sensor network micro-environmental monitoring system

Abstract: Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is increasingly popular in the field of micro-environmental monitoring due to its promising capability. However, most systems using WSN for environmental monitoring reported in the literature are developed for specific applications without functions for exploiting user's data processing methods. In this paper, a new system is designed in detail to perform micro-environmental monitoring taking the advantages of the WSN. The application-oriented hardware working style is designed, and the system platform for data acquisition, validation, processing and visualization is systematically presented. Several strategies are proposed to guarantee the system capability in terms of extracting useful information, visualizing events to their authentic time are also described. Moreover, a web-based surveillance subsystem is presented for remote control and monitoring. In addition, the system is extensible for engineers to carry their own data analysis algorithms. Experimental results are to show the path reliability and real-time characteristics, and to display the feasibility and applicability of the developed system into practical deployment.

A Software Platform for Component Based RT-System Development: OpenRTM-Aist

Abstract: This paper proposes the RT-Middleware for robot system integration. "RT" means "Robot Technology" which is applied not only to industrial field but also to nonindustrial field such as human daily life support systems. We have studied modularization of RT elements and have developed software platform RT-Middleware which promotes application of RT in various field. Robotic system development methodology and our RT-Middleware concepts is discussed. The RT-Component which is a basic madular unit of RT-Middleware based system integration is derived from this discussion. A methodology of system development with RT-Components, and a framework to make component are shown.

Through silicon via technology — processes and reliability for wafer-level 3D system integration

Abstract: 3D integration is a rapidly growing topic in the semiconductor industry that encompasses different types of technologies. The paper addresses one of the most promising technologies which uses through silicon vias (TSV) for interconnecting stacked devices on wafer-level to perform high density interconnects with a good electrical performance at the smallest form factor for 3D architectures. Fraunhofer IZM developed a post frontend 3D integration process, the so- called ICV-SLID technology based on metal bonding using solid-liquid-interdiffusion (SLID) soldering. The SLID metal system provides the mechanical and the electrical connection, both in one single step. The ICV-SLID fabrication process is well suited for the cost-effective production of both, high- performance applications (e.g. 3D microprocessor) and highly miniaturized multi-functional systems. The latter preferably in combination with wafer-level die stacking, as e.g. Thin Chip Integration (TCI) or SnAg-microbump technologies. The fabrication of distributed wireless sensor systems (e. g. e-CUBESreg) is a typical example for the need of such mixed approaches.

The Heterogeneous Systems Integration Design and Implementation for Lane Keeping on a Vehicle

Abstract: In this paper, an intelligent automated lane-keeping system is proposed and implemented on our vehicle platform, i.e., TAIWAN i TS-1. This system challenges the online integrating heterogeneous systems such as a real-time vision system, a lateral controller, in-vehicle sensors, and a steering wheel actuating motor. The implemented vision system detects the lane markings ahead of the vehicle, regardless of the varieties in road appearance, and determines the desired trajectory based on the relative positions of the vehicle with respect to the center of the road. To achieve more humanlike driving behavior such as smooth turning, particularly at high levels of speed, a fuzzy gain scheduling (FGS) strategy is introduced to compensate for the feedback controller for appropriately adapting to the SW command. Instead of manual tuning by trial and error, the methodology of FGS is designed to ensure that the closed-loop system can satisfy the crossover model principle. The proposed integrated system is examined on the standard testing road at the Automotive Research and Testing Center (ARTC)1 and extra-urban highways.

Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems -- Energy Storage (SEGIS-ES).

Abstract: This paper describes the concept for augmenting the SEGIS Program (an industry-led effort to greatly enhance the utility of distributed PV systems) with energy storage in residential and small commercial applications (SEGIS-ES). The goal of SEGIS-ES is to develop electrical energy storage components and systems specifically designed and optimized for grid-tied PV applications. This report describes the scope of the proposed SEGIS-ES Program and why it will be necessary to integrate energy storage with PV systems as PV-generated energy becomes more prevalent on the nation's utility grid. It also discusses the applications for which energy storage is most suited and for which it will provide the greatest economic and operational benefits to customers and utilities. Included is a detailed summary of the various storage technologies available, comparisons of their relative costs and development status, and a summary of key R&D needs for PV-storage systems. The report concludes with highlights of areas where further PV-specific R&D is needed and offers recommendations about how to proceed with their development.

System, multi-tier interface and methods for management of operational structured data

Abstract: The invention provides a computer implemented, methods, systems, software program devices, and a Multi-Tier Graphical Interface level General User Interface (GUI) screen designed to support data integration processes for IT and Subject Matter Experts User access and use of structured data sources. The software enables create, extract, transform, programs, processes, and load data integration application Data Integration Application (Composite Object)s through an object based software design enabling efficient and rapid retrieval, processing, and positioning of structured data directly from one or multiple data sources to the required formats, processes, and application support at the skills set levels of the user. The software is a command and processes design for Data Integration Application (Composite Object) that can be transaction oriented, recurring process, as well as periodic The software is an open, data oriented system design for rapid generation and support of Data Integration Application (Composite Object)s using a Multi-Tier three dimensional graphical interface design for cell based data applications. The Data Integration Application (Composite Object) are compiled, independent object applications residing in an object library designated by the user/user IT organization. The compiled data application object are run on the organization's existing computing systems under standard compute processing procedures as either independent applications or in support of the organizations ongoing business/operational requirements for data use requirements.

Model-Integrated Development of Cyber-Physical Systems

Abstract: Cyber-physical systems represent a new class of systems that integrate physics with computation. Their correct design is frequently of great importance as they are applied in safety- or business-critical contexts. This paper introduces a model-integrated development approach that addresses the development needs of such systems through the pervasive use of models. A complete model-based view is proposed that covers all aspects of the hardware and software components, as well as their interactions. Early experiments and work in progress are also reported.

Data curation + process curation=data integration + science

Abstract: In bioinformatics, we are familiar with the idea of curated data as a prerequisite for data integration. We neglect, often to our cost, the curation and cataloguing of the processes that we use to integrate and analyse our data. Programmatic access to services, for data and processes, means that compositions of services can be made that represent the in silico experiments or processes that bioinformaticians perform. Data integration through workflows depends on being able to know what services exist and where to find those services. The large number of services and the operations they perform, their arbitrary naming and lack of documentation, however, mean that they can be difficult to use. The workflows themselves are composite processes that could be pooled and reused but only if they too can be found and understood. Thus appropriate curation, including semantic mark-up, would enable processes to be found, maintained and consequently used more easily. This broader view on semantic annotation is vital for full data integration that is necessary for the modern scientific analyses in biology. This article will brief the community on the current state of the art and the current challenges for process curation, both within and without the Life Sciences.

Bio-jETI: a service integration, design, and provisioning platform for orchestrated bioinformatics processes

Abstract: With Bio-jETI, we introduce a service platform for interdisciplinary work on biological application domains and illustrate its use in a concrete application concerning statistical data processing in R and xcms for an LC/MS analysis of FAAH gene knockout. Bio-jETI uses the jABC environment for service-oriented modeling and design as a graphical process modeling tool and the jETI service integration technology for remote tool execution. As a service definition and provisioning platform, Bio-jETI has the potential to become a core technology in interdisciplinary service orchestration and technology transfer. Domain experts, like biologists not trained in computer science, directly define complex service orchestrations as process models and use efficient and complex bioinformatics tools in a simple and intuitive way.

Modeling and Simulation for Systems of Systems Engineering

Abstract: A critical aspect and differentiator of a System of Systems (SoS) versus a single monolithic system is interoperability among the constituent disparate systems. A major application of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) to SoS Engineering is to facilitate system integration in a manner that helps to cope with such interoperability problems. A case in point is the integration infrastructure offered by the DoD Global Information Grid (GIG) and its Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). In this chapter, we discuss a process called DEVS Unified Process (DUNIP) that uses the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) formalism as a basis for integrated system engineering and testing called the Bifurcated ModelContinuity life-cycle development methodology. DUNIP uses an XML-based DEVS Modeling Language (DEVSML) framework that provides the capability to compose models that may be expressed in a variety of DEVS implementation languages. The models are deployable for remote and distributed real-time executing agents over the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) middleware. In this paper, we formulate a methodology for testing any proposed SOA-based integration infrastructure, such as DISA’s Net-Centric Enterprise Services. To support such a methodology we use DUNIP to define a Test Instrumentation System (TIS) that employs the DEVS/SOA infrastructure to deploy agents to test the mission success and performance levels of collaborations over the GIG/SOA. 1.

Energy and Performance Evaluation of an FPGA-Based SoC Platform with AES and PRESENT Coprocessors

Abstract: Hardware implementations of block ciphers have been intensively evaluated for years. The hardware profile, including the performance, area and power of a block cipher, only considers the block cipher as a standalone component, and does not consider it as a coprocessor in a system design. In this paper we consider system integration of AES and PRESENT crypto coprocessors, and analyze the system profile in a co-simulation environment and then on an actual FPGA-based SoC platform. Energy, performance and implementation results for both the AES- and PRESENT-based systems are presented. Our research emphasizes the need to consider energy efficiency and performance at system-level when evaluating a block cipher for real embedded systems. Simulation results reveal that the hardware/software interfaces, as the communication bottleneck, have major impact on the system performance. Experimental results further demonstrate that the PRESENT, a power-efficient light-weight block cipher with lower security level, becomes less energy-efficient than AES when system-integration overhead is included.

Smart systems integration: toward overcoming the problem of complexity

Abstract: Information is seen as one of the main resources that systems analysts try to use in an optimal way. In this short article, we show how this resource can be used in integration issues. We introduce the problem of information-based integration, propose a solution, and discuss briefly future trends in this area.

Combined horizontal and vertical integration of care: a goal of practice-based commissioning.

Abstract: Practice-based commissioning (PBC) in the UK is intended to improve both the vertical and horizontal integration of health care, in order to avoid escalating costs and enhance population health. Vertical integration involves patient pathways to treat named medical conditions that transcend organisational boundaries and connect community-based generalists with largely hospital-sited specialists, whereas horizontal integration involves peer-based and cross-sectoral collaboration to improve overall health. Effective mechanisms are now needed to permit ongoing dialogue between the vertical and horizontal dimensions to ensure that medical and nonmedical care are both used to their best advantage. This paper proposes three different models for combining vertical and horizontal integration - each is a hybrid of internationally recognised ideal types of primary care organisation. Leaders of PBC should consider a range of models and apply them in ways that are relevant to the local context. General practitioners, policy makers and others whose job it is to facilitate horizontal and vertical integration must learn to lead such combined approaches to integration if the UK is to avoid the mistakes of the USA in over-medicalising health issues.

The organizing vision of integrated health information systems

Abstract: The notion of ‘integration’ in the context of health information systems is ill-defi ned yet in widespread use. We identify a variety of meanings ranging from the purely technical integration of information systems to the integration of services. This ambiguity (or interpretive fl exibility), we argue, is inherent rather than accidental: it is a necessary prerequisite for mobilizing political and ideological support among stakeholders for integrated health information systems. Building on this, our aim is to trace out the career dynamics of the vision of ‘integration/ integrated’. The career dynamics is the transformation of both the imaginary and the material (technological) realizations of the unfolding implementation of the vision of integrated care. Empirically we draw on a large, ongoing project at the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) to establish an integrated health information system.

Supporting Decisions in Real-Time Enterprises: Autonomic Supply Chain Systems

Abstract: Supporting decisions in real time has been the subject of a number of research efforts. This paper reviews the technology and architecture necessary to create an autonomic supply chain for a real-time enterprise for supply chain systems. The technologies weaved together include knowledge-based event managers, intelligent agents, radio frequency identification, database and system integration, and enterprise resource planning systems.

Exploring the Impact of Systems Architecture and Systems Requirements on Systems Integration Complexity

Abstract: The need to perform faster systems integration of complex systems require the architect and design team to understand how the selected architecture and design components will impact the systems integration processes complexity (or difficulty). Systems integration process complexity is an outcome of the interaction between degree of feasibility and level of effort required to understand, describe, implement, manage, and document the systems integration process for a given system development and operational environment. This paper analyzes the cause-and-effect relationships between the system requirements, architecture and the systems integration processes complexity. In order to address systems integration issues upfront in the design phase it is necessary to determine if the architecture and design of components, subsystems, processes, and interfaces impacts (and to what extent) systems integration process complexity. This paper also defines and analyzes the impact of the different system architecture and requirements factors on systems integration process complexity. A research framework is developed to understand the cause-and-effect relationships between system requirements, architecture, and integration process. Finally, the paper proposes recommendations based on the causality results. These conclusions are based on research undertaken by the authors on eight development projects in the government sector.

Designing enterprise integration solutions: effectively

Abstract: The design of large and complex enterprise integration solutions is a difficult task. It can require solutions that are unique because of constraints from the current set of legacy applications. Design knowledge for enterprise integration solutions is, therefore, difficult to articulate and reuse. In particular, the nature and form of knowledge for conceptual design of integration solutions is difficult to pin down. In this paper, we investigate whether design knowledge for enterprise integration in the form of patterns can be reused to develop systems integration solutions, and whether such reuse leads to more effective design outcomes. The research follows design science guidelines in which we describe a research artifact, and evaluate it to assess whether it meets the intended goals. The results indicate that approaches to facilitate reuse of conceptual design knowledge are feasible in the domain of enterprise integration, and that such reuse does, in fact, lead to more effective design solutions.

A 50kW integrated fault tolerant permanent magnet machine and motor drive

Abstract: The integration of an electrical machine and power electronics promises many benefits, the largest being an increase in power density. The use of system integration may lead to an increase in loss density and local or component temperatures. For this reason much attention needs to be paid to the thermal design aspects of the system. In the aerospace industry weight and reliability are of significant importance. In this paper the integration of a permanent magnet machine and power electronics into a single structure with joint thermal management is investigated. An overall goal of 2 kW/kg is set for system power density. Additionally in this paper fault tolerance is introduced into the design. This will allow the system to continue functioning should a single electrical fault occur. Principle faults are identified and discussed. A 50 kW, 6 phase, 8 pole permanent magnet machine is presented with a rotor speed of 50 krpm. A symmetrical phase shifted full bridge is used to drive the permanent magnet machine, aiding the functionality of fault tolerance and enabling the use of soft switching. A mathematical model for both machine and power electronics is created and used to calculate phase currents and losses in the machine and power electronics. Finally, spatial integration and thermal management concepts are presented and analysed.

Modular RFID parking management system based on existed gate system integration

Abstract: In this paper, a Modular RFID Parking Management System that integrates the existed gate system and RFID is proposed. This system includes Modular Gate-PC Controller and Embedded Gate Hardware, RFID System, Modular Parking Management Platform. Most systems in Modular RFID Parking Management System are modulated and can be substituted for any other similar system or hardware. The proposed Modular Parking Management Platform is independent of the operation system on PC and can be embedded in any other modulated parking system or hardware. The real test and verification proves that the proposed Modular RFID Parking Management System can certainly reduce the total cost of RFID parking system infrastructure without re-modifying the existed hardware.

Service Oriented Architecture: Overview and Directions

Abstract: The push toward business automation, motivated by opportunities in terms of cost savings and higher quality, more reliable executions, has generated the need for integrating the different applications. Integration has been one of the main drivers in the software market during the late nineties and into the new millennium. It has led to a large body of research and development in areas such as data integration [26], software components integration, enterprise information integration (EII), enterprise applications integration (EAI), and recently service integration and composition [2,11,16,12]. Service oriented architectures (SOAs) provide an architectural paradigm and abstractions that allow to simplify integration [2,21]. There a number of technologies available to realize SOA. Among them, Web services and the set of related specifications (referred to as WS-* family), and also services that are built following the REST (REspresentation State Transfer) architecture [8] (called RESTful services) are gaining the momentum for integration at the data level.

An active reconfigurable circuit board

Abstract: This paper introduces an innovative reconfigurable circuit board for rapid system prototyping. This system supports high pin-count packages and high density system integration requirements, and can be programmed to interconnect integrated circuits and other components at near-intra-chip density. This paper presents the concept and investigates several aspects related to its feasibility. Considered factors include technological and physical constraints; architectural and system aspects; design and technology considerations. Preliminary results are promising, confirming that this smart reconfigurable circuit board can be implemented using a wafer-scale approach in a mature and low-cost 6-metal layer CMOS 0.18 mum technology, with the associated classical design CAD tools and flow. The achieved contact density is sufficient to interconnect components packaged with todaypsilas peripheral I/O and fine-pitched BGA packages.

Sensor Selection and Optimization for Health Assessment of Aerospace Systems

Abstract: Aerospace systems are developed similarly to other large-scale systems through a series of reviews, where designs are modified as system requirements are refined. For space-based systems few are built and placed into service these research vehicles have limited historical experience to draw from and formidable reliability and safety requirements, due to the remote and severe environment of space. Aeronautical systems have similar reliability and safety requirements, and while these systems may have historical information to access, commercial and military systems require longevity under a range of operational conditions and applied loads. Historically, the design of aerospace systems, particularly the selection of sensors, is based on the requirements for control and performance rather than on health assessment needs. Furthermore, the safety and reliability requirements are met through sensor suite augmentation in an ad hoc, heuristic manner, rather than any systematic approach. A review of the current sensor selection practice within and outside of the aerospace community was conducted and a sensor selection architecture is proposed that will provide a justifiable, defendable sensor suite to address system health assessment requirements.

Automated Continuous Integration of Component-Based Software: An Industrial Experience

Abstract: When a software product is composed of dozens of or even hundreds of components with complicated dependency relationship among each other, one component's change can affect lots of other components' behavior. Sometimes, therefore, the stabilization job with multiple updated components drives the people who are responsible for integration and release the software into an integration hell. To avoid this kind of integration hell, we established integration procedure which encourages the developers frequent and small releases. We also created an automated integration system which continuously runs integration process in an incremental way so as to create and maintain an up-to-minute reasonably stable version of the product release candidate. In this paper, we introduce our integration procedure and automated integration system for a software product with hundreds of components, and a few lessons learned from the implementing and applying the system as well.

On integration and adaptation in complex service systems

Abstract: The services sector employs a large and growing proportion of workers in the industrialized nations, and it is increasingly dependent on information and communication technologies. While the interdependences, similarities and complementarities of manufacturing and services are significant, there are considerable differences between goods and services, including the shift in focus from mass production to mass customization (whereby a service is produced and delivered in response to a customer’s stated or imputed needs). In general, services can be considered to be knowledge-intensive agents or components which work together as providers and consumers to create or co-produce value. Like manufacturing systems, an efficient service system must be an integrated system of systems, leading to greater connectivity and interdependence. Integration must occur over the physical, temporal, organizational and functional dimensions, and must include methods concerned with the component, the management, and the system. Moreover, an effective service system must also be an adaptable system, leading to greater value and responsiveness. Adaptation must occur over the dimensions of monitoring, feedback, cybernetics and learning, and must include methods concerned with space, time, and system. In sum, service systems are indeed complex, especially due to the uncertainties associated with the human-centered aspects of such systems. Moreover, the system complexities can only be dealt with methods that enhance system integration and adaptation. The paper concludes with several insights, including a plea to shift the current misplaced focus on developing a science or discipline for services to further developing a systems engineering approach to services, an approach based on the integration and adaptation of a host of sciences or disciplines (e.g., physics, mathematics, statistics, psychology, sociology, etc.). In fact, what is required is a services-related transdisciplinary - beyond a single disciplinary - ontology or taxonomy as a basis for disciplinary integration and adaptation.